bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The California Baseline Ozone Transport Study (CABOTS)
Authors: Faloona Ian C. , Chiao Sen , Eiserloh Arthur J. , Alvarez Raul J. , Kirgis Guillaume , Langford Andrew O. , Senff Christoph J. , Caputi Dani , Hu Arthur , Iraci Laura T. , Yates Emma L. , Marrero Josette E. , Ryoo Ju-Mee , Conley Stephen , Tanrikulu Saffet , Xu Jin , Kuwayama Toshihiro
Published: December 2019

Ozone is one of the six “criteria” pollutants identified by the U.S. Clean Air Act Amendment of 1970 as particularly harmful to human health. Concentrations have decreased markedly across the United States over the past 50 years in response to regulatory efforts, but continuing research on its deleterious effects have spurred further reductions in the legal threshold. The South Coast and San Joaquin Valley Air Basins of California remain the only two “extreme” ozone nonattainment areas in the United States. Further reductions of ozone in the West are complicated by significant background concentrations whose relative importance increases as domestic anthropogenic contributions decline and the national standards continue to be lowered. These background concentrations derive largely from uncontrollable sources including stratospheric intrusions, wildfires, and intercontinental transport. Taken together the exogenous sources complicate regulatory strategies and necessitate a much more precise understanding of the timing and magnitude of their contributions to regional air pollution. The California Baseline Ozone Transport Study was a field campaign coordinated across Northern and Central California during spring and summer 2016 aimed at observing daily variations in the ozone columns crossing the North American coastline, as well as the modification of the ozone layering downwind across the mountainous topography of California to better understand the impacts of background ozone on surface air quality in complex terrain.
The Wolf Man’s Glückshaube: Rereading Sergei Pankejeff’s Memoir
Authors: Mahalel Anat Tzur
Published: December 2019

A comparative reading of Freud’s canonical case study “From the History of an Infantile Neurosis” (1918) and the memoir written by the protagonist of that study, Sergei Pankejeff, known as the Wolf Man (1971a), centers on the complex matrix of meanings embodied in the act of lifting the veil. The neurotic symptom of a veil seemingly in front of the analysand’s eyes is interpreted by Freud as a repetition of his birth in a Glückshaube (German for “caul,” literally a “lucky hood”). The veil is represented as an ambivalent object both for Freud and for Pankejeff, who are enticed by the sense of a final truth behind the veil yet constantly doubt the possibility of grasping it. For Freud, psychoanalysis is the very process of lifting the veil, yet his analysand remained for him an unsolved riddle. Pankejeff, in a volume dedicated to his identity as the Wolf Man (Gardiner 1971a), created an autobiographical text that deliberately avoids telling the story of the analysand, thus drawing a veil over his story. The paradox embodied in lifting the veil is discussed in relation to Walter Benjamin’s distinction between materiality and truth and his notion of the inherent unity of the veil and the veiled (1925).
Using the intervention mapping protocol to promote school-based physical activity among children: A demonstration of the step-by-step process
Authors: Santina Tania , Beaulieu Dominique , Gagné Camille , Guillaumie Laurence
Published: December 2019

Objective:

This study describes the step-by-step development of the I Mo ve30+ programme and outlines lessons derived from the authors’ experience using an intervention mapping protocol (IMP)-based programme design. The programme was designed to increase the moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) level at school among Lebanese children, aged 10–12 years.

Design:

Participatory cross-sectional design including group and individual interviews.

Setting:

Sidon district of Lebanon.

Method:

The programme was co-designed with a planning committee and included a local leader in school health, school staff including nurses and members of the target population (schoolchildren). The programme was developed using the six steps of the IMP: elaborating a logic model of the problem, formulating programme objectives, choosing the theoretical methods (i.e. the theory-based techniques used to influence a change objective) and practical applications (i.e. the applied strategies based on those theoretical methods), designing the programme, planning programme implementation, and planning the evaluation. Participants’ involvement in the programme’s activities was entirely voluntary.

Results:

Implemented by teachers and school nurses, this 14-week school-based programme was designed to provide an additional 30 minutes of school-based PA per day through structural environmental change, educational activities, a PA-monitoring system and PA events at school and in the classroom as well as during recess.

Conclusion:

IMP enabled the rigorous and systematic development of the programme to improve children’s PA level. The programme description and the lessons learned can facilitate the replication and the scaling up of the programme in other settings.
Hospitalization and Combined Use of Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Muscle Relaxants in the United States
Authors: Watanabe Jonathan H. , Yang Jincheng
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use (“double-threat”) and double-threat and muscle relaxant use (“triple-threat”) are postulated to increase morbidity versus opioids alone. Study objectives were to measure association between double- and triple-threat exposure and hospitalizations in a validated, nationally representative database of the United States. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the 2013 and 2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) longitudinal dataset and affiliated Prescribed Medicines Files. Association between 2013 and 2014 double- and triple-threat exposures and outcome of hospitalizations compared to nonusers, opioid users, and all combinations were assessed via logistic regression. The cohort surveyed in MEPS has been weighted to be reflective of the actual US population in the years 2013 and 2014. Logistic regression applying the subject-level MEPS survey weights was performed to measure association via odds ratios (ORs) of medication exposures with the outcome of all-cause hospitalization. Study subjects were categorized into exposure groups as nonusers (nonuse of opioids, benzodiazepines, or muscle relaxants), opioid users, benzodiazepine users, muscle relaxant users, “double-threat” users, and “triple-threat” users. Analyses were conducted using RStudio® 1.1.5 (Boston, MA) with α level = 0.05 for all comparisons. Results: Opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants were used in 11.9% (38.4 million), 4.2% (13.5 million), and 3.4% (10.9 million) lives of the United States in 2013, respectively. Double-threat prevalence rose from 1.6% to 1.9% from 2013 to 2014. Triple-threat prevalence remained unchanged at 0.53%. Compared to nonusers, triple-threat patients increased hospitalization probability with ORs of 8.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.50-8.55) in 2013, 5.06 (95% CI: 5.04-5.08) in 2014, and 4.61 (95% CI: 4.59-4.63) in the 2013-2014 longitudinal analysis. Compared to nonusers, double-threat patients increased hospitalization probability with ORs of 5.71 (95% CI: 5.69-5.72) in 2013, 11.47 (95% CI: 11.44-11.49) in 2014, and 5.59 (95% CI: 5.57-5.60) in the longitudinal analysis. Conclusion: Concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use and opioid, benzodiazepine, and muscle relaxant use were associated with increased hospitalization likelihood. Amplified efforts in surveillance, prescribing, monitoring, and deprescribing for concurrent opioid, benzodiazepine, and muscle relaxant use are needed to reduce this public health concern.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and complicated grief in bereaved parents of the Sewol Ferry disaster exposed to injustice following the loss
Authors: Choi Hyunjung , Cho Sun-mi
Published: December 2019

Background:

Perceived justice after man-made disaster bereavement may involve as a protective factor in the recovery process. However, perceived justice related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complicated grief (CG) after disaster bereavement has not been sufficiently discussed in previous studies.

Aims:

This study aims to assess PTSD and CG in bereaved parents of Sewol disaster and to explore whether perceived justice is related with the diagnostic groups.

Methods:

Bereaved parents of Sewol disaster ( N = 122) were interviewed approximately 2 years after the incident. Structured interviews for PTSD and CG were assessed, and perceived institutional justice surrounding the incident was measured. Symptom groups were identified, and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to find whether perceived justice was related with PTSD or CG.

Results:

Participants showed high rates of CG and PTSD, and were classified into the both PTSD and CG group, the CG-only group and the resilient group. The analysis revealed that less perceived justice and being a mother increased the likelihood of having both PTSD and CG. Less perceived justice also showed a tendency to be associated with having CG without PTSD.

Conclusion:

Parents bereaved by the Sewol disaster had high PTSD and CG related to lower levels of perceived justice surrounding the post-disaster period. Post-disaster environment seeking justice may facilitate the natural grieving process or encourage access to effective individual interventions.
Oiling the Wheels of Multi-Party Politics in Africa: How Power Alternation Affects Party Financing in Ghana
Authors: Frimpong Joseph Oti
Published: December 2019

Supplementing literature study with in-depth unstructured interviews from the two dominant political parties in Ghana on how they mobilize funds, the key argument of this article is that the loss of a presidential election in Ghana is a reduction in a party’s major income streams. Unlike other studies that look at incumbency advantage in party funding from the angle of governments’ policies that weaken the opposition parties, this article analyses incumbency from their sources of funds. It fulfils two major objectives of identifying the sources of funds of political parties and establishing the link between these sources and incumbency.
Articulation Rate in American English in a Corpus of YouTube Videos
Authors: Coats Steven
Published: December 2019

Previous studies of the temporal organization of speech in American English have found differences in speaking or articulation rate according to speaker dialect or location, but small sample sizes and incomplete geographic coverage have limited the generalizability of the findings. In this study, articulation rates in American English are calculated from the automatic speech-to-text transcripts of more than 29,000 hours of video from local government and civic organization channels on YouTube from the 48 contiguous US states, containing more than 230 million individual word timings. Two questions are considered: are there regional differences in articulation rate? And do urban speakers articulate faster than rural speakers? The study presents several methodological innovations: first, it identifies a genre of regional speech suitable for interregional comparisons (meetings of local governments or civic organizations). Second, it introduces a new method for the calculation of articulation rate using cue and word timestamps from caption files. Third, it leverages US Census data to correlate the articulation rate with population for a large number of localities. The study shows that, in line with previous studies, Southerners articulate slower, and Americans from the Upper Midwest more quickly. In addition, there is a small but positive correlation between population size and articulation rate. Articulation rates are mapped using a measure of local autocorrelation.
Parent–practitioner engagement in early education and the threat of negative thinking about the poor across England and the USA
Authors: Simpson Donald , Mazzocco Philip , Loughran Sandra , Lumsden Eunice , Clark Rory McDowall , Winterbottom Christian
Published: December 2019

Parent–practitioner engagement in the early years has become a key policy in remediating the negative effects of poverty upon children’s early educational outcomes. Although this approach is shared across several developed countries, there has been limited attention upon how practitioners think about poverty and their engagement with parents in poverty. Our mixed methods study in England and the USA provides rare evidence addressing these issues. Among our practitioners in both countries ‘parent blame’ for poverty featured to some extent in the accounts of a majority of practitioners. We also found a relationship between the extent to which our practitioners felt individual parents are culpable for poverty and their reporting of more negative engagement with parents – particularly in England. We claim this is worthy of further study as a potential threat to the ‘child–parent–practitioner triangle’ and to remediation of poverty’s effects within early educational contexts.
Neoliberal Urbanization and Synergistic Violence in Postearthquake Concepción
Authors: Matus Madrid Christian Paulo , Ganter Rodrigo , Carrasco Juan Antonio , Barraza Huaiquimilla Camila
Published: December 2019

The Chilean neoliberal state’s institutional strategy for displacing a historical population from Aurora de Chile, a centrally located area with real estate value in the city of Concepción, combined three types of violence: shock urbanization, which used the 2010 earthquake as an opportunity to impose the construction of major infrastructure, the construction of public opinion aimed at naturalizing displacement, and the strategic use of participation as a disciplinary socio-technical device to legitimize a solution to the conflict that guaranteed the building of the Bicentennial Bridge. The deployment of this synergistic, multifaceted violence was a sophisticated management technique associated with a neoliberal urban rationality that contributed to the process of urban renewal.

La estrategia institucional del estado neoliberal chileno para desplazar a una población histórica de Aurora de Chile, un barrio céntrico con valor inmobiliario en la ciudad de Concepción, combinó tres tipos de violencia: la urbanización de choque, que utilizó el terremoto de 2010 como una oportunidad para imponer la construcción de infraestructura principal, la construcción de la opinión pública dirigida a naturalizar el desplazamiento, y el uso estratégico de la participación como un dispositivo socio-técnico disciplinario para legitimar una solución al conflicto que garantizó la construcción del Puente Bicentenario. El despliegue de esta violencia sinérgica y multifacética fue una técnica de gestión sofisticada asociada con una racionalidad urbana neoliberal que contribuyó al proceso de renovación urbana.
Adaptive Fourier linear combiner based on modified least mean Kurtosis algorithm for the processing of sinusoidal signals
Authors: Mengüç Engin Cemal
Published: December 2019

This study introduces an adaptive Fourier linear combiner (FLC) based on a modified least mean kurtosis (LMK) algorithm in order to effectively process sinusoidal signals, which we call FLC-LMK algorithm. In the design procedure of the proposed FLC-LMK algorithm, the classical kurtosis-based cost function is first modified for only sinusoidal signal distributions instead of Gaussian. Then, the FLC-LMK algorithm is derived from the minimization of this cost function and thus updates the weight coefficients of the FLC structure so as to directly process sinusoidal signals. Moreover, in this study, the convergence in the mean of the proposed FLC-LMK algorithm is analysed in order to determine the lower and upper bounds of its step size parameter. The most important contributions of the use of the proposed algorithm in the FLC structure are that it increases the convergence rate, decreases the steady-state error level and also has a robust behaviour against sinusoidal signal distributions due to its modified cost function. The performance of the proposed FLC-LMK algorithm is evaluated on the synthetic and real-world pathological hand tremor data by comparing with that of the FLC based on the classical least mean square (LMS) (FLC-LMS) algorithm. The simulation results support the mentioned properties of the proposed FLC-LMK algorithm.
Stochastic simulation model of water demand in residential buildings
Authors: Ferreira Tiago de VG , Goncalves Orestes M
Published: December 2019

Over the years, researchers have been conducting studies to investigate the water consumption profile in buildings; these studies have contributed to the accumulation of knowledge regarding the correct sizing of hydraulic systems in buildings. In the context of the methods for the characterization of system demand or loading values, the procedures commonly employed to obtain the project flow rate were primarily proposed in the mid-20th century. These models require revision and adaptation to the current water consumption values. In recent years, certain researchers have proposed simulation models with an application focus on water distribution systems owing to the random and temporal behavior of water demand in this system type. In this study, a water-demand stochastic simulation model in residential buildings is proposed, which encompasses the behavioral modelling of users and their interaction with the system to improve the design process of water distribution systems. Therefore, geographical and population factors (quantity, distribution, and organization) were considered for the behavioral modelling of users; regarding the system modelling, aspects related to the hydraulic system were considered, such as the relation between system components, the type of sanitary appliance, and the number of available devices. Different simulations—with several different types of showers—were conducted using the proposed model. Comparing the flows obtained from the simulation and from the Brazilian standard, for all system components, the decrease in the project flow rate varied from 4% to 61%. In terms of material consumption regarding the pipe (PVC), the decrease varied from 25% to 63%.

Practical application: When assessing potential designs for components in water distribution systems in buildings robust information is required for water demand across different time scales. The use of simulation models represents an important advance for the dimensioning process of these components, since it is possible to know a wider range of information about the system demand possibilities. The use of this type of model, as discussed in this article, will equip the designer with an enhanced decision making capacity.
Recent Advancements and Applications of Human Immune System Mice in Preclinical Immuno-Oncology
Authors: Curran Michelle , Mairesse Maelle , Matas-Céspedes Alba , Bareham Bethany , Pellegrini Giovanni , Liaunardy Ardi , Powell Edward , Sargeant Rebecca , Cuomo Emanuela , Stebbings Richard , Betts Catherine J. , Saeb-Parsy Kourosh
Published: December 2019

Significant advances in immunotherapies have resulted in the increasing need of predictive preclinical models to improve immunotherapeutic drug development, treatment combination, and to prevent or minimize toxicity in clinical trials. Immunodeficient mice reconstituted with human immune system (HIS), termed humanized mice or HIS mice, permit detailed analysis of human immune biology, development, and function. Although this model constitutes a great translational model, some aspects need to be improved as the incomplete engraftment of immune cells, graft versus host disease and the lack of human cytokines and growth factors. In this review, we discuss current HIS platforms, their pathology, and recent advances in their development to improve the quality of human immune cell reconstitution. We also highlight new technologies that can be used to better understand these models and how improved characterization is needed for their application in immuno-oncology safety, efficacy, and new modalities therapy development.
‘We know it works. . .’: The Troubled Families Programme and the pre-determined boundary judgements of decontextualised policy evaluation
Authors: Silver Daniel , Crossley Stephen
Published: December 2019

This article draws on the Troubled Families Programme (TFP) to highlight the ways in which particular contexts – such as socioeconomic and symbolic structures – are neglected in forms of evaluation with an establishment orientation. The article problematises two key aspects of decontextualised evaluation: firstly, the privileging of pre-determined relations of cause and effect; and secondly, the unproblematized framing of policy problems. More contextualised forms of evaluation are presented as a way to open up boundaries of investigation. Lastly, it is argued that an anti-naturalist foundation for evaluation can broaden the scope of learning beyond the original framing of a policy.
Benefits of adding stretching to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gómez-Hernández Miguel , Gallego-Izquierdo Tomás , Martínez-Merinero Patricia , Pecos-Martín Daniel , Ferragut-Garcías Alejandro , Hita-Contreras Fidel , Martínez-Amat Antonio , Montañez-Aguilera Francisco Javier , Achalandabaso Ochoa Alexander
Published: December 2019

Objective:

To investigate the effects of adding stretching to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme in women with fibromyalgia.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Subjects:

Sixty-four female patients who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria were recruited (mean age: 54.27 ± 6.94 years).

Interventions:

The control group ( n = 32) underwent supervised moderate-intensity cycling (50%–70% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate) three times per week for 12 weeks. The experimental group ( n = 32) underwent the same exercise programme plus a stretching programme once per week for 12 weeks.

Main measures:

The main measures of this study were sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life assessed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and pain perception assessed by the visual analogue scale at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 12 weeks.

Results:

The experimental group experienced significant improvements at 4-week measure compared with control group: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( P < 0.001); Epworth Sleepiness Scale ( P = 0.002); Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (0.93 ± 7.39, P < 0.001); and visual analogue scale (0.52 ± 0.05, P < 0.001). Also at 12-week measure, experimental group experienced significant improvements compared with control group: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( P < 0.001), Epworth Sleepiness Scale ( P < 0.001); Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (1.15 ± 9.11, P < 0.001); and visual analogue scale (0.81 ± 0.62, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Adding stretching to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme increased sleep quality, decreased the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life, and reduced pain compared with just a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme in our sample of women with fibromyalgia.
An investigation into the validity and reliability of mHealth devices for counting steps in chronic stroke survivors
Authors: Costa Pollyana Helena Vieira , de Jesus Thainá Paula Dias , Winstein Carolee , Torriani-Pasin Camila , Polese Janaine Cunha
Published: December 2019

Objective:

To investigate the validity and test–retest reliability of mHealth devices (Google Fit, Health, STEPZ, Pacer, and Fitbit Ultra) to estimate the number of steps in individuals after chronic stroke and to compare whether the measurement of the number of steps is affected by their location on the body (paretic and non-paretic side).

Design:

Observational study with repeated measures.

Setting:

University laboratory.

Subjects:

Fifty-five community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke.

Intervention:

Not applicable.

Main measures:

The number of steps was measured using mHealth devices (Google Fit, Health, STEPZ, Pacer, and Fitbit Ultra), and compared against criterion-standard measure during the Two-Minute Walk Test using habitual speed.

Results:

Our sample was 54.5% men, mean age of 62.5 years (SD 14.9) with a chronicity after stroke of 66.8 months (SD 55.9). There was a statistically significant association between the actual number of steps and those estimated by the Google Fit, STEPZ Iphone and Android applications, Pacer iphone and Android, and Fitbit Ultra (0.30 ⩽  r ⩾ 0.80). The Pacer iphone application demonstrated the highest reliability coefficient (ICC(2,1) = 0.80; P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in device measurements that depended on body location.

Conclusions:

mHealth devices (Pacer–iphone, Fitbit Ultra, Google Fit, and Pacer–Android) are valid and reliable for step counting in chronic stroke survivors. Body location (paretic or non-paretic side) does not affect validity or reliability of the step count metric.
An initial exploration of hair cortisol responses to antidepressants in unmedicated patients with depression
Authors: Song Xiuli , Cui Wei , Peng Zugui , Zhao Liansheng , Yu Xuezhu , Li Tao , Cui Lijun , Ma Xiaohong
Published: December 2019

Objective

Major depressive disorder is associated with abnormal functioning of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Studies using hair cortisol to measure the effect of antidepressants on the HPA axis are lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the long-term effects of antidepressants on hair cortisol concentration (HCC).

Methods

Participants were 42 patients and 36 healthy individuals. The patients took antidepressants for 4 weeks. Patient HCC was measured pre-treatment and post-treatment. The HCC of healthy controls was also measured.

Results

Patient post-treatment HCC (mean ± standard deviation: 34.40 ± 32.57 pmol/mg) was significantly higher than patient pre-treatment HCC (17.42 ± 12.40 pmol/mg) and healthy control HCC (10.22 ± 7.99 pmol/mg). No significant correlation was found between Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores and HCC at pre-treatment or post-treatment.

Conclusions

Hair cortisol concentration analysis could be used to monitor the dynamics of the effects of antidepressants on the HPA axis.
Evaluating the temporomandibular joint disc using calcium-suppressed technique in dual-layer detector computed tomography
Authors: Zhang Xiaohuan , Liu Mengqi , Wang Yanyi , Deng Weiwei , Tan Houmin , Fan Wenping , Chen Zhiye
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To investigate the application value of the calcium-suppressed (CaSupp) images of dual-layer detector computed tomography (DLCT) in the evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs.

Methods

Thirty-three healthy subjects underwent DLCT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. CaSupp images were reconstructed from the spectral-based images using a calcium suppression algorithm. The location, morphology, and thickness of the posterior band of the TMJ discs were evaluated on the oblique sagittal proton-density weighted images and CaSupp images.

Results

Of the 66 TMJ discs, anterior displacement was observed on 9 TMJ discs on MR images and 6 TMJ discs on CaSupp images, and posterior displacement was present on 3 TMJ discs on MR and CaSupp images. No significant difference was observed in TMJ disc displacement between MR images and CaSupp images ( P value = 0.730). The TMJ discs without displacement had no significant difference in the thickness of the posterior band between the MR and CaSupp images ( P value = 0.401).

Conclusions

The calcium-suppressed technique in DLCT may be a simple and preliminary way to evaluate the TMJ disc displacement and structure.
The Impact of Cluster Diversity on Economic Performance in U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas
Authors: Chen Jing
Published: December 2019

Conventional wisdom indicates that economic specialization can promote growth, whereas economic stability is associated with diversified economies. This conflicting relationship between specialization and diversity has been questioned, as regional scientists have suggested that specialization and diversity can coexist in a regional economy and proposed the concept of diversified specializations. To test this proposition empirically, two Herfindahl–Hirschman Indices were used to examine the relationship between economic diversity and economic performance among 359 metropolitan statistical areas in the contiguous United States. The first index measures industry diversity across 87 three-digit North American Industry Classification Systems sectors, and the second index quantifies cluster diversity among 51 economic specializations. This analysis confirms that cluster diversity contributes to both stability and growth, and regions can simultaneously pursue both high and stable economic growth.
Stress corrosion cracking behavior of micro-arc oxidized AZ31 alloy
Authors: He Xiuli , Liang Hongyu , Yan Zhifeng , Bai Rui
Published: December 2019

The stress corrosion cracking behaviors of micro-arc oxidized AZ31 magnesium alloy were studied by using the slow tensile test in air and 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. Results showed that compared with the substrate, the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of the micro-arc oxidized specimens was obvious improved apparently in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, due to the good corrosion resistance of the specimens after micro-arc oxidized coating treatment. In addition, regardless of the micro-arc oxidized treatment, it was the mixed fracture in air and the cleavage fracture in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The micro-arc oxidized coating had no direct effect on the fracture mechanism of the alloy. It was closely related to the nature of the material and the environment of the material servicing.
Classification of humorous interactions with intelligent personal assistants
Authors: Lopatovska Irene
Published: December 2019

The study examined humorous interactions with intelligent personal assistants (IPAs, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Microsoft Cortana, Apple Siri) with the aim of classifying user utterances, IPA responses and user reactions of system responses. Data from online diaries and paper questionnaires were collected and analyzed using content analysis method. The findings suggest that the most frequent types of utterances include questions that test system “personality” and opinions. Joke requests are also frequent and produce pre-programmed humor that users generally find funny. The initial classification of humorous utterances has been validated and expanded using published datasets of humorous utterances for the four investigated IPAs. The findings can be used for immediate improvements to IPA performance as well as long-term development of IPA personas.
Basal cell carcinoma arising over lesion of discoid lupus erythematosus: a rare occurrence
Authors: Pradhan P , Samal S , Sable M
Published: December 2019

Although the association of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) with squamous cell carcinoma has been described in the literature, coexistence with a basal cell carcinoma is very rare. The indolent and non-pruritic nature of the lesion cause it often to be diagnosed at the late stage of the disease. Long-standing photosensitivity and chronic inflammation later lead to scarring and hypopigmentation, which are considered as the risk factors for the malignant changes over DLE. Incisional biopsy is often performed from the erythematosus lesion which does not respond to medical treatment. Here we have reported a rare case of basal cell carcinoma of the skin developing in the background of long-standing DLE, which was successfully managed with cold knife local excision.
Hybrid siliconized–epoxidized EPDM/polyurethane (eEPDM-g-APTES/HTPDMS/PU) matrices for potential application in cable insulation
Authors: Vadivel Manokaran , Kumar Moses Suresh Chandra , Mohaideen Jabbar Abbas , Alagar Muthukaruppan , Sankarganesh Murugesan , Raja Jeyaraj Dhaveethu
Published: December 2019

Hybrid matrices (epoxidized of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (eEPDM) -g-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)/hydroxyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HTPDMS)/polyurethane (PU)) were developed based on eEPDM with 3-APTES coupling agent and varying weight percentages (0.75, 1.50, 2.25, and 3.00 wt%) of PU prepolymer as coreactant using 7.5 wt% of HTPDMS as chain extender using suitable experimental conditions. The formation of hybrid matrices and their structure were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The thermal and morphological properties of the hybrid matrices were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break (%), Young’s modulus, and hardness) were characterized as per ASTM standards. Data resulted from mechanical studies, it was noticed that the incorporation of 3-APTES, HTPDMS, and PU into eEPDM has improved the elongation at break (%) and lowered the values of tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and hardness according to the percentage concentration. Morphological studies indicate the presence of heterogeneous morphology. Data obtained from different studies, it suggested that the hybrid matrices developed in the present work can be used as cable insulates for high-performance industrial and engineering applications.
Millat Tractors Limited: A Shariah-compliant Investment Opportunity
Authors: Seyyed Fazal Jawad , Shehzad Ch. Tanveer , Ashfaq Hafsa
Published: December 2019

The case is based on the investment decision faced by the fund manager of Pakistan Islamic Pension Fund (PIPF), Manal Iqbal, at a leading asset management company, MCB Arif Habib Savings and Investment Limited (MCBAH). In early April 2015, Manal was asked by the chief investment officer of the company to evaluate Millat Tractors Limited (MTL) as a potential investment for PIPF to gain exposure to the agricultural sector of Pakistan. She directed her research team to prepare a valuation report for the MTL stock and reflected on the strategic position of her pension fund for the investment committee meeting on 27 April 2015.
Rates of Displacement and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Conservative Treatment of Minimally Displaced Lisfranc Injury
Authors: Chen Pengchi , Ng Nathan , Snowden Gordon , Mackenzie Samuel P. , Nicholson Jamie A. , Amin Anish K.
Published: December 2019

Background:

While surgery is indicated in Lisfranc fracture-dislocations, the natural history and optimal management of minimally displaced injures are unclear. The aim of this study was to define the rate of subsequent displacement and to determine the clinical outcome after conservative treatment of minimally displaced Lisfranc injuries.

Methods:

Over a 5-year period (2011-2016), 26 consecutive patients with minimally displaced Lisfranc injuries presenting to a single university teaching hospital were identified retrospectively using hospital electronic records. Patient demographics, injury mechanism, and radiological outcomes were recorded. Patient-reported outcome scores (PROMS) were collated at least 1 year postinjury and included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score and Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ).

Results:

The rate of displacement was 54% (14/26). The median time to displacement was 18 days (range, 2-141 days). Forty-six percent (12/26) of the Lisfranc injuries remained minimally displaced after 12 weeks of conservative treatment. Initial weightbearing status was not associated with the risk of subsequent displacement ( P = .9). At a mean follow-up of 54 months, PROMS were comparable between patients whose injury remained minimally displaced and those that required surgery for further displacement, despite the delay to surgery (AOFAS 78.0 vs 75.9, MOXFQ 24.8 vs 26.3, P > .1).

Conclusion:

There was a high rate of displacement after initial conservative management of the minimally displaced Lisfranc injuries. Subsequent surgical management of displaced injuries resulted in outcomes comparable to those that remained minimally displaced.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Experimental study of rapid oscillation suppression of a pendulum on the basis of intermittent mass motion
Authors: Li Chaofeng , Zhang Zijian , Zhang Zixuan , Wen Bangchun
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the experimental setup of a pendulum with a moving mass is established to study the rapid suppression of pendulum oscillation. The intermittent motion of the moving mass is employed to achieve more efficient suppression. The proposed control method can reduce mass motion distance rapidly in the vicinity of the vertical position to ensure the stability of the system. The mass motion is triggered by recognizing the pendulum angle in real time so that the nonsynchronous motion can be avoided. With the verification of the accuracy of the controlled motion distance, the effects of several motion parameters of the moving mass are studied. Moreover, the experimental results reveal that the proposed control strategy is more efficient in oscillation suppressing than the traditional continuous control method. The experimental setup and the proposed approach can be applied in pendulum-like structure design and oscillation control.
Cytoprotective effect of crocin and trans-resveratrol on photodamaged primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Kassumeh Stefan , Wertheimer Christian M , Ohlmann Andreas , Priglinger Siegfried G , Wolf Armin
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Light-induced damage to retinal pigment epithelium during pars plana vitrectomy remains a hot topic in ophthalmology. Improvements in technology led to a change of light sources, selective filters, and shorter light exposure time. Currently, there is no satisfying solution to the problem. The aim of the study was to investigate the cytoprotective effects of crocin and resveratrol on light-induced damage to primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro.

Methods:

Primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells were exposed to light analogous to the illumination during pars plana vitrectomy. To evaluate the cytoprotective effects and potential toxicity of resveratrol and crocin, human retinal pigment epithelial cells were incubated with varying concentrations of both before 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] tetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assay. Furthermore, glutathione levels were measured to investigate synergistic antioxidant potential. Apoptosis of human retinal pigment epithelial cells was determined by a nucleosome detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

Crocin and resveratrol improved cell viability in photodamaged human retinal pigment epithelial cells significantly from 40.65 ± 21.99% in illuminated human retinal pigment epithelial cells and reached a peak viability of 85.64 ± 11.37% in crocin and resveratrol pretreated cells (for all: p < 0.001). In line, the combination of the supplements increased glutathione levels significantly from 39.35 ± 21.96% to 80.74 ± 10.32% ( p = 0.017). No toxic effects were detected ( p > 0.99). However, no change in apoptosis rates could be observed following pretreatment with crocin and resveratrol ( p > 0.99).

Conclusion:

Crocin and trans-resveratrol revealed cytoprotective effects on human retinal pigment epithelial cells supporting both supplement’s development as potential perioperative treatments in light-induced retinal pigment epithelial damage.
Fruits of our labour: Work and organisation in the global food system
Authors: Böhm Steffen , Spierenburg Marja , Lang Tim
Published: December 2019

This is the first special issue of any organisation studies journal on food labour. Why is this a big deal? In this Introduction, we argue that the field should pay much more attention to the agri-food system and the work that goes into producing, distributing and consuming foodstuff. Food is such an all-important, basic ingredient to human existence, incorporating a vast web of organisational processes that are constantly changing, being contested at all scales. Whether subsistence peasants, new-age community foodies, massive food logistics companies, Deliveroo dark kitchens or Uber Eats cyclists – there is a huge amount of labour everywhere in the agri-food system. Food labour is so vast, this special issue can only begin lifting the lid. In this Introduction, we provide an overview of the current scholarly work on food labour. We identify some of the historical contexts and struggles that have led to the agri-food system in existence today. We identify food labour types, particularly focusing on those that are vanishing or emerging, crucially asking why these transitions are taking place. We also engage with the various resistances expressed by people against the ever globalising agri-food system, outlining logics for the emergence of alternative food movements. Finally, we introduce each of the seven papers collated in this Special Issue, all of which, we hope, will provide food for thought to all of us who tend to have three meals a day without thinking too much about the labour that goes into our grub.
Dual caregiving by grandmothers with older relatives: Personal factors influencing health and stress
Authors: Luna Sara , Rivera Francisco , Ramos Pilar
Published: December 2019

Grandmothers in the “sandwich generation” are considered as those women who are potential caregivers for two generations: older relatives and grandchildren. With the goal of understanding the factors that affect their stress and health, 149 women from southwestern Spain were interviewed using an ad hoc questionnaire that included standardized scales and subscales. The results showed that age, coping strategies based on emotional support and acceptance, as well as optimism and social support improved the health of these women by reducing their perceived stress. Although caring for older relatives is related to family conflicts and worse health, conversely, caring for grandchildren is related to slightly better health. The results are useful for planning psychological interventions with these women and highlight the need to include family interventions.
Case studies on the transition from traditional classrooms to innovative learning environments: Emerging strategies for success
Authors: French Raechel , Imms Wesley , Mahat Marian
Published: December 2019

This article explores the characteristics of a successful transition of a school from traditional classrooms to an innovative learning environment. Many schools today are converting traditional classrooms into spaces which are flexible, supporting a wide array of teaching and learning possibilities (i.e. an ‘innovative learning environment’). These schools envision a future in which teaching, culture and space align to result in engaged students achieving deep learning. Many of these schools, however, fail to align teaching practices, organisational structures and leadership with their design’s intended vision. This results in a misalignment between the pedagogical goals of the building and its subsequent use. Through case studies of four schools in Australia and New Zealand, this study identifies the commonalities between the schools’ independent transitions resulting in four shared characteristics of a successful transition from traditional to innovative learning environments – Culture, Nudges, Structure and Expectations. Within each characteristic, specific strategies are provided to enable alignment between the design and use of a school building.
Spaces of identity in the context of media images and artistic representations of refugees and migration in Austria
Authors: Drüeke Ricarda , Klaus Elisabeth , Moser Anita
Published: December 2019

The article focuses on media images and artistic discourses on refugees and migration. In both discourses, by the arts and media, stereotypical identities are constructed and reproduced, but are also at times modified or rejected. Theoretically, the article relates to the concept of media-constructed spaces of identity developed with reference to cultural studies. Analytically, three types of such places have been distinguished: geopolitical spaces, spaces of identification and spaces of in-between. We argue that the concept can be fruitfully extended to artistic representations. Following this, the article presents the results of an exemplary analysis of Austrian press photographs accompanying reports on flight and refugees in 2015. While geopolitical spaces and spaces of identification are clearly marked in the media images, spaces of in-between are rare. However, these abound in artistic productions on the subject. Finally, the article discusses media and contemporary art as distinct spaces of identity construction and formation.
Urban strategy playground: Rethinking the urban planner’s toolbox
Authors: Seifert Nils , Mühlhaus Michael , Petzold Frank
Published: December 2019

This article presents the results of the Urban Strategy Playground research group. Over the last 5 years, the focus of an interdisciplinary team of researchers was the conception, implementation and evaluation of a decision-support system for inner-city urban and architectural planning. The overall aim of past and ongoing research is to enable planners to validate and compare possible planning measures based on objective criteria. The Urban Strategy Playground software framework is an expandable toolbox that supports planners in developing strategies, evaluating them and visually preparing them for political decision-making processes and public participation. Examples of implemented tools are the simulation and monitoring of building codes, analysis of key density indicators and green space provision, simulation of shading, building energy and noise dispersion. For visualising the planning results, the framework provides interfaces for rapid prototyping of haptic models, as well as web viewers and a connection to Augmented Reality applications. Core aspects of the system were evaluated through case studies in cooperation with urban planning offices, housing companies and municipalities, proving feasibility, high acceptance of the decision-support software, and need for more tailored tools.
Remediating the Celebrity Roast: The Place of Mean Tweets on Late-Night Television
Authors: Kies Bridget
Published: December 2019

This article uses the “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets” segment on late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a case study in how television can remediate social media to maintain its dominant position in entertainment. The incorporation of tweets into television appears to demonstrate the power social media has over broadcast media, but a careful study reveals that television and film celebrities use television appearances to denounce “mean tweets” as an example of frenzied and cacophonous social media. Drawing on the history of the televised celebrity roast, I argue that contemporary roasts resemble Internet trolling while segments like “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets” embody the spirit of historical roasts by granting celebrities the opportunity to laugh at jokes about themselves. Thus, the segment reiterates the hierarchical position of “old media”: television as a source of comfort and clarity, and the Hollywood celebrity as the epicenter of culture.
distcomp: Comparing distributions
Authors: Kaplan David M.
Published: December 2019

In this article, I introduce the distcomp command, which assesses whether two distributions differ at each possible value while controlling the probability of any false positive, even in finite samples. I discuss syntax and the underlying methodology (from Goldman and Kaplan [2018, Journal of Econometrics 206: 143–166]). Multiple examples illustrate the distcomp command, including revisiting the experimental data of Gneezy and List (2006, Econometrica 74: 1365–1384) and the regression discontinuity design of Cattaneo, Frandsen, and Titiunik (2015, Journal of Causal Inference 3: 1–24).