bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Kinesin Family Member 23 on Biological Behavior of Gastric Cancer and the Mechanism
Authors: Su Xuefeng , Zheng Junfeng
Published: August 2021

To clarify the impact of KIF23 on the biological behavior of gastric cancer (GC) and its clinical value in order to further explore the relevant molecular and cellular mechanisms of KIF23 in GC and find new biological targets for GC to provide relevant theoretical basis for the development
of new antitumor drugs. Immunohistochemical technique was employed to identify the location and expression of KIF23 in GC and analyze the correlation between KIF23 and GC clinicopathological indexes. KIF23 abundance was preliminarily verified by normal gastric mucosal cell lines and various
GC cell lines. Two KIF23 highly expressed GC cell lines were selected to elaborate the effect of KIF23 silencing on cell biological behaviors by siRNA interference. The influence of KIF23 on cell viability, proliferation and invasion were checked by MTT assay, cell colony formation experiments
and transwell assay, respectively. GC cells and tissues both exhibited varying degrees of overexpression of KIF23 relative to normal gastric mucosal cells and paracancerous tissue, respectively. Elevated KIF23 level in GC was associated with poor prognosis and positively correlated with T,N,
TNM stage and differentiation degree. Further, KIF23 silencing decreased cell proliferation, invasion and migration ability. KIF23 overexpression is found in GC cells and tissues and associated with poor prognosis. As oncogenes, KIF23 exerted crucial role in proliferation, invasion and cytokine
secretion of GC cells.
Matrine Protects PC12 Cells Against Aβ25–35-Induced Cytotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Neuronal Apoptosis and Cell Senescence
Authors: Zhang Huanli , Zhang Zhen
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives: Beta-amyloid (Aβ) has pivotal functions in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The main purpose of this study is to explore the protective role and possible mechanisms of matrine against Aβ25–35-induced
neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Materials and Methods: A vitro model that involved Aβ25–35-induced neuronal damage in PC12 cells was adopted in the present study. Cell viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were determined by CCK-8 assay and TUNEL staining,
respectively. Intracellular ROS levels were determined by DCFH-DA probe and levels of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β were assessed by ELISA assay. In addition, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels were determined by ELISA assay and telomere lengths were examined by
real-time quantitative PCR analysis to assess telomerase activities. Furthermore, vital proteins related to cell apoptosis and hallmarks of senescence were detected by western blot analysis. Results: Matrine (10, 20, 50 μg/ml) dose-dependently protected cell viability against
Aβ25–35 cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. Meanwhile, matrine at 10, 20, 50 μg/ml markedly reduced ROS production and downregulated the levels of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β in Aβ25–35-injuried PC12 cells. The results
also proved that matrine may restore telomerase activities and telomere lengths in Aβ25–35-injuried PC12 cells by inhibiting inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Neuronal apoptosis induced by Aβ25–35 were reversed upon cotreatment
with matrine. Moreover, matrine markedly mitigated Aβ25–35 induced cell senescence in a concentration-dependentmanner. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that matrine protected PC12 cells against Aβ25–35-induced cytotoxicity,
oxidative stress, inflammation, neuronal apoptosis and cell senescence.
Effects of Simvastatin on Breast Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis via Transforming Growth Factor-β1/Smad3 Pathway
Authors: Wang Feng , Qu Gengbao , Wang Baokai
Published: August 2021

Objective: To investigate the function and causative role of simvastatin (Sim) in breast carcinoma cell apoptosis as well as proliferation. Methods: 20 breast carcinoma patients requiring surgery were treated with Sim (20 days, 30 mg), and samples of pre-treatment (pre)
and post-treatment (post) were acquired. We detected tissue cell proliferation and apoptosis changes and used functional experiments to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis changes after treating not only estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (MCF-7) but also ER-negative cells (MDA-MB-231) with
Sim or TGF-β1. Detection of p-Smad3 and total Smad3 protein expression changes was conducted, and we finally used in vivo experiments to assess the influence of Sim on breast tumor growth and drug safety. Results: Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining results showed
that after treatment with Sim, breast carcinoma cell proliferation decreased and apoptosis increased. Functional experiments results showed that Sim notedly promoted the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell apoptosis, inhibiting migration, proliferation and epithelial mesenchymal transition. Moreover,
TGF-β1 protein expression was strikingly lower in Sim group than that in DMSO group. When TGF-β1 and Sim were combined to use, the inhibitory ability of Sim on breast cancer cell proliferation markedly increased and the capability of TGF-β1 protein inducing
p-Smad3 protein increased. In addition, after Sim treatment in mice, the tumor volume became smaller, the pathological changes weakened, and there was no significant effect on liver function and kidney function. Conclusion: Sim participates in breast cancer cell apoptosis and proliferation
via regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signal pathway.
Effect of Interleukin 17 and Epidermal Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) on the Biological Behavior of Endometrial Carcinoma Human Endometrial Cancer-1B Cells
Authors: Li Jinxiao , Chi Xiaoping , Yan Jinyu , Yang Qian , Wu Jun
Published: August 2021

The clinical prognosis of endometrial cancer is poor. We assessed the influence of IL-17 and FGF2 on HEC-1B cells to provide evidence for the clinical prevention and treatment. HEC-1B cells were assigned into control group, IL-17 group, FGF2 group, and IL-17+FGF2 group followed by analysis
of cell viability, IL-17 and FGF2 protein and mRNA content by Western Blot and RT-PCR. Under co-culture, the cell viability, migration and invasion and FGF2 level in IL-17 group, FGF2 group, and IL-17+FGF2 group were found to be significantly higher than those in control Group (P <0.05),
but the apoptosis rate was significantly lower than control group. The above changes were more significant in IL-17+ FGF2 group compared to other three groups (P < 0.05). IL-17 and FGF2 treatment in HEC-1B cells can significantly promote the viability, migration and invasion of malignant
tumor cells with more significant changes in the IL-17+FGF2 intervention group, suggesting these two have a synergistic effect. In conclusion, IL-17 and FGF2 exerts synergistic effect on promoting endometrial cancer cell migration and invasion, indicating that they might be novel targets for
the treatment of endometrial cancer.
Users’ Cognitive Load: A Key Aspect to Successfully Communicate Visual Climate Information
Authors: Calvo Luz , Christel Isadora , Terrado Marta , Cucchietti Fernando , Pérez-Montoro Mario
Published: August 2021

The visual communication of climate information is one of the cornerstones of climate services. It often requires the translation of multidimensional data to visual channels by combining colors, distances, angles, and glyph sizes. However, visualizations including too many layers of complexity can hinder decision-making processes by limiting the cognitive capacity of users, therefore affecting their attention, recognition, and working memory. Methodologies grounded on the fields of user-centered design, user interaction, and cognitive psychology, which are based on the needs of the users, have a lot to contribute to the climate data visualization field. Here, we apply these methodologies to the redesign of an existing climate service tool tailored to the wind energy sector. We quantify the effect of the redesign on the users’ experience performing typical daily tasks, using both quantitative and qualitative indicators that include response time, success ratios, eye-tracking measures, user perceived effort, and comments, among others. Changes in the visual encoding of uncertainty and the use of interactive elements in the redesigned tool reduced the users’ response time by half, significantly improved success ratios, and eased decision-making by filtering nonrelevant information. Our results show that the application of user-centered design, interaction, and cognitive aspects to the design of climate information visualizations reduces the cognitive load of users during tasks performance, thus improving user experience. These aspects are key to successfully communicating climate information in a clearer and more accessible way, making it more understandable for both technical and nontechnical audiences.
Sources and Transport Pathways of Precipitating Waters in Cold-Season Deep North Atlantic Cyclones
Authors: Papritz Lukas , Aemisegger Franziska , Wernli Heini
Published: August 2021

Extratropical cyclones are responsible for a large share of precipitation at midlatitudes and they profoundly impact the characteristics of the water cycle. In this study, we use the ERA5 and a cyclone tracking scheme combined with a Lagrangian diagnostic to identify the sources of moisture precipitating close to the center of 676 deep North Atlantic cyclones in winters 1979–2018. Moisture uptakes occur predominantly in originally cold and dry air heated over the North Atlantic, in particular, over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, whereas more remote sources from land or the subtropics are less important. Analyzing the dynamical environment of moisture uptakes, we find that moisture precipitating during the cyclone intensification phase originates in the precyclone environment in the cold sectors of preceding cyclones and the cyclone–anticyclone interaction zone. These moisture uptakes are linked to the cyclone’s ascent regions via the so-called feeder airstream, a northeasterly cyclone-relative flow that arises due to the cyclone propagation exceeding the advection by the low-level background flow. During the decay phase, more and more of the moisture originates in the cyclone’s own cold sector. Consequently, the residence time of precipitating waters in cyclones is short (median of ≈2 days) and transport distances are typically less than the distance traveled by the cyclone itself. These findings emphasize the importance of preconditioning by surface fluxes in the precyclone environment for the formation of precipitation in cyclones and suggest an important role for the hand-over of moisture from one cyclone to the next within a storm track.
Dependence of global monsoon response to volcanic eruptions on the background oceanic states
Authors: Zuo Meng , Man Wenmin , Zhou Tianjun
Published: August 2021

Both proxy data and climate modeling show divergent responses of global monsoon precipitation to volcanic eruptions. The reason is however unknown. Here, based on analysis of the CESM Last Millennium Ensemble simulation, we show evidences that the divergent responses are dominated by the pre-eruption background oceanic states. We found that under El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral and warm phases initial conditions, the Pacific favors an El Niño-like anomaly after volcanic eruptions, while La Niña-like SST anomalies tend to occur following eruptions under ENSO cold phase initial condition, especially after southern eruptions. The cold initial condition is associated with stronger upper ocean temperature stratification and shallower thermocline over the eastern Pacific than normal. The easterly anomalies triggered by surface cooling over the tropical South America continent can generate changes in SST through anomalous advection and the ocean subsurface upwelling more efficiently, causing La Niña-like SST anomalies. Whereas under warm initial condition, the easterly anomalies fail to develop and the westerly anomalies still play a dominant role, thus forms an El Niño-like SST anomaly. Such SST response further regulates the monsoon precipitation changes through atmospheric teleconnection. The contribution of direct radiative forcing and indirect SST response to precipitation changes show regional differences, which will further affect the intensity and sign of precipitation response in submonsoon regions. Our results imply that attention should be paid to the background oceanic state when predicting the global monsoon precipitation responses to volcanic eruptions.
“There Is an Eye on Us”: International Imitation, Popular Representation, and the Regulation of Homosexuality in Senegal
Authors: Ferguson Jason L.
Published: August 2021

Drawing on data from Senegal, this article develops the concept of pockets of world society to explain how adherence to a liberal vision of gay rights emerges within an otherwise illiberal legal landscape. Pockets of world society appear at the site where the global field of human rights penetrates the national juridical field. Senegal’s Ministry of Justice sits at this juncture. It is a member of both fields but tends toward a logic of international imitation. The ministry accommodates world society’s stance on homosexuality, offering a moderate re-interpretation of its nation’s criminalization, and quietly circumventing local law to enact global scripts of sexual actorhood. In stark contrast, Senegalese courts, located solely within the national juridical field, adhere to a logic of popular representation, rejecting sexual self-determination, insisting on national sovereignty, and carrying out the nation’s criminalization of homosexuality in accordance with both law and collective will. These conflicting logics are driven by external pressures, field membership and position, professional trajectories, and sources of legal legitimacy and social accountability. Finally, I contend that the conflict in Senegal spotlights not only world society’s limits, but its persistent strength and its ability to disrupt the coherence of the law.
Flipping the Classroom: An Evaluation of Teaching and Learning Strategies in the Operating Room
Authors: Johnson Jared , Misch Emily , Chung Michael T. , Hotaling Jeffrey , Folbe Adam , Svider Peter F. , Cabrera-Muffly Cristina , Johnson Andrew P.
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

With increasing restraints on resident’s experiences in the operating room, with causes ranging from decreased time available to increasing operating room costs, focus has been placed on how to improve resident’s education. The objectives of our study are to (1) determine barriers in education in the operating room, (2) identify effective learning and teaching strategies for residents in the operating room with a focus on the tonsillectomy procedure.

Methods:

An online survey was sent to all otolaryngology residents and residency programs for which contact information was available from January 2016 to March 2016 with 139 respondents. The 12-question survey focused on information regarding limitations to learning how to perform tonsillectomies as well as difficulties with teaching the same procedure. Resident responses were separated based on PGY level, and analysis was performed using t-tests and Chi squared analysis.

Results:

Common themes emerged from responses for both teaching and learning how to perform tonsillectomies. A significant limitation in learning the procedure was lack of visualization during the surgery (57% learning vs 60% teaching). For both learners and teachers, the monopolar cautery instrument was found to be the most preferred instrument to use during tonsillectomy (80% each). The majority of resident respondents (93%) felt that an instructional video would be beneficial for both learning and teaching the procedure.

Conclusions:

Significant limitations for learning and teaching in the operating room were identified for performing tonsillectomies. Future endeavors will focus on resolving these limitations to improve surgical education.

Evidence level:

Level IV.
Pharmacy Leadership Amid the Pandemic: Maintaining Patient Safety During Uncertain Times
Authors: Derrong Lin Irene , Hertig John B.
Published: August 2021

The relentless surges of global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections that caused the Covid-19 disease had pressured researchers and regulators to develop effective treatments quickly. While studying these therapies amid the pandemic, threats to patient care were reported, including (1) maintaining adequate safeguards as clinical effectiveness and safety data evolves, (2) risks from online counterfeit medications, and (3) disruption of the global pharmaceutical supply chain. This article discusses these patient safety threats and suggests strategies that promote patient safety, foster medication intelligence, and mitigate drug shortages. As the world continues to develop safe and effective treatments for Covid-19, patient safety is paramount. In response to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Safety Challenge: Medication Without Harm, leaders must establish effective approaches to improve medication safety during the pandemic. Successfully integrating these leadership strategies with current practices allows pharmacy leaders to implement robust systems to reduce errors, prevent harm, and advocate for patient safety.
Safety and Efficacy of Urea for Hyponatremia
Authors: Hammonds William M. , Keating Ellen A. , Smetana Megan E. , Smetana Keaton S. , Bond Megan M.
Published: August 2021

Background and Objective: Urea is an alternative for treatment of hyponatremia however, its use has not been widely studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of urea for the treatment of hyponatremia. Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with hyponatremia (serum sodium <135 mEq/L) of any cause who received at least 1 dose of urea during hospitalization and no prior use of urea. Serum sodium levels were collected at baseline and for 4 days or until urea was discontinued, whichever occurred first. The primary outcome was the serum sodium change between baseline and discharge or urea discontinuation. Results: Median serum sodium increased 2 [IQR, 0-4] mEq/L per day after urea administration at a median dose of 30 g/day. A significant difference in serum sodium was observed between baseline and discharge or discontinuation (124.2 ± 4 vs 130.1 ± 5.1; P < .001) and serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (18.4 ± 13.1 vs 41.1 ± 26.6; P ≤ .001). Serum sodium overcorrection (increase >8 mEq/L in 24 hours) occurred in 6 patients (8%). Urea was discontinued in 39 patients (53%); 20 discontinuations were due to patient intolerance. Conclusion: Urea appears to be an effective treatment for hyponatremia; however, patient tolerance, the rate of serum sodium overcorrection, and outpatient affordability may limit its use.
Comparison of Patiromer to Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate in Acute Hyperkalemia
Authors: Nguyen Peter T. , Kataria Vivek K. , Sam Teena R. , Hooper Katie , Mehta Ankit N.
Published: August 2021

Background: Patiromer and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) are cation-exchangers approved for the treatment of chronic hyperkalemia. Data regarding their efficacy acutely is lacking. Despite this, both drugs are frequently used in the emergent setting. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the potassium reduction of patiromer to SPS within 6 to 24 hours following a single dose. Methods: This retrospective quality improvement project included hyperkalemic patients receiving 1 dose of patiromer or SPS and had a second potassium level drawn in 6 to 24 hours. Doses of 8.4 g of patiromer and 15 g of SPS were considered “low dose” while 16.8 g of patiromer and 30 g of SPS were considered “high dose.” The presence of a dose-response relationship was assessed through a linear regression analysis. Results: Mean (SD) potassium reduction was higher in SPS than patiromer [0.76 (0.63) mEq/L vs 0.32 (0.65) mEq/L, ( P = .001)]. A dose response relationship was not demonstrated in low versus high dose groups [−0.21 (0.14), P = .13] and CKD, ESRD, and renal transplant patients when compared to patients with normal renal function [0.11 (0.17), P = .51, −0.07 (0.19), P = −0.07 (0.19), P = .73, and −0.10 (0.22), P = .65]. Conclusions: This study suggests a clinically significant reduction in potassium with SPS compared to patiromer. Although SPS was successful in demonstrating this outcome, due to well-documented adverse reactions in the literature and a time to onset of 6 hours, it cannot be recommended for use in acute hyperkalemia either.
Anticipatory Driving in Automated Vehicles: The Effects of Driving Experience and Distraction
Authors: He Dengbo , DeGuzman Chelsea A. , Donmez Birsen
Published: August 2021

Objective

To understand the influence of driving experience and distraction on drivers’ anticipation of upcoming traffic events in automated vehicles.

Background

In nonautomated vehicles, experienced drivers spend more time looking at cues that indicate upcoming traffic events compared with novices, and distracted drivers spend less time looking at these cues compared with nondistracted drivers. Further, pre-event actions (i.e., proactive control actions prior to traffic events) are more prevalent among experienced drivers and nondistracted drivers. However, there is a research gap on the combined effects of experience and distraction on driver anticipation in automated vehicles.

Methods

A simulator experiment was conducted with 16 experienced and 16 novice drivers in a vehicle equipped with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems (resulting in SAE Level 2 driving automation). Half of the participants in each experience group were provided with a self-paced primarily visual-manual secondary task.

Results

Drivers with the task spent less time looking at cues and were less likely to perform anticipatory driving behaviors (i.e., pre-event actions or preparation for pre-event actions such as hovering fingers over the automation disengage button). Experienced drivers exhibited more anticipatory driving behaviors, but their attention toward the cues was similar to novices for both task conditions.

Conclusion

In line with nonautomated vehicle research, in automated vehicles, secondary task engagement impedes anticipation while driving experience facilitates anticipation.

Application

Though Level 2 automation can relieve drivers of manually controlling the vehicle and allow engagement in distractions, visual-manual distraction engagement can impede anticipatory driving and should be restricted.
Near-Perfect Automation: Investigating Performance, Trust, and Visual Attention Allocation
Authors: Foroughi Cyrus K. , Devlin Shannon , Pak Richard , Brown Noelle L. , Sibley Ciara , Coyne Joseph T.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Assess performance, trust, and visual attention during the monitoring of a near-perfect automated system.

Background

Research rarely attempts to assess performance, trust, and visual attention in near-perfect automated systems even though they will be relied on in high-stakes environments.

Methods

Seventy-three participants completed a 40-min supervisory control task where they monitored three search feeds. All search feeds were 100% reliable with the exception of two automation failures: one miss and one false alarm. Eye-tracking and subjective trust data were collected.

Results

Thirty-four percent of participants correctly identified the automation miss, and 67% correctly identified the automation false alarm. Subjective trust increased when participants did not detect the automation failures and decreased when they did. Participants who detected the false alarm had a more complex scan pattern in the 2 min centered around the automation failure compared with those who did not. Additionally, those who detected the failures had longer dwell times in and transitioned to the center sensor feed significantly more often.

Conclusion

Not only does this work highlight the limitations of the human when monitoring near-perfect automated systems, it begins to quantify the subjective experience and attentional cost of the human. It further emphasizes the need to (1) reevaluate the role of the operator in future high-stakes environments and (2) understand the human on an individual level and actively design for the given individual when working with near-perfect automated systems.

Application

Multiple operator-level measures should be collected in real-time in order to monitor an operator’s state and leverage real-time, individualized assistance.
How Do Violinists Adapt to Dynamic Assistive Support? A Study Focusing on Kinematics, Muscle Activity, and Musical Performance
Authors: Ziane Clara , Michaud Benjamin , Begon Mickaël , Dal Maso Fabien
Published: August 2021

Objective

Assessing violinists’ motor and musical performance adaptations to dynamic assistive support (DAS) provided by a passive device, using a force-field adaptation paradigm.

Background

Up to 93% of instrumentalists are affected by musculoskeletal injuries and particularly violinists. The repetitive nature of their work may lead to muscle fatigue, an injury risk factor. DAS has been used in occupational settings to minimize muscle activations and limit fatigue accumulation. DAS may however affect motor and musical performance.

Method

Fifteen expert violinists were equipped with reflective markers and surface and intramuscular electromyography (EMG) sensors. Movements, muscle activations, and sound were recorded while participants completed three experimental conditions for which they continuously played a 13-s musical excerpt: Control (no DAS), Adaptation (DAS), and Washout (no DAS). DAS was applied at the left elbow (violin-holding side). Conditions were repeated 1 week later. Participants later listened to their own audio recordings playing with and without DAS and blindly assessed their performances. Linear mixed models were used to compare DAS and no-DAS conditions’ kinematic, EMG, and musical performance data.

Results

DAS perturbed user kinematics but reduced mean activations of left medial deltoid and superior trapezius. Joint kinematic and muscle activation patterns between DAS and no DAS conditions however remained similar. Musical performance was unchanged with DAS.

Conclusion

Though DAS modified violinists’ upper-limb configurations, resulting kinematics were not detrimental to musical performance. Reduced muscle activations with DAS could contribute to lessening muscle fatigue.

Application

Although its effect on muscle fatigue should be further investigated, DAS might be useful in preventing violinists’ injuries.
Managing depression in India: Opportunities for a targeted smartphone app
Authors: Ramnath Swati , Suri Gaurav
Published: August 2021

Background:

More than forty million people suffer from depression in India. A lack of awareness, stigma related to mental health issues, and limited accessibility to treatment services magnify the profound personal and societal impact of depression. Given the rise of smartphones in India, mobile technology can help alleviate some of these depression-related challenges.

Aims and method:

The aim of this paper is to investigate the essential features of an India targeted depression smartphone app. We conducted an online survey to profile the needs of individuals with depression in India, which varied based on variables such as socioeconomic background, age, level of awareness toward depression, and the extent of exposure to mental health stigma. We also conducted a systematic evaluation of depression apps currently available to Indian users to investigate the user needs that these apps met and the needs that they failed to meet. Based on our findings, we made a set of recommendations related to the essential features of a future app targeted at managing depression in India.

Results:

Presently available depression apps fall short in providing some significant features such as local language options, content in audio and video formats, and user location matched resources. These gaps make these apps less than fully relevant to a diverse set of Indian users.

Conclusions:

It is essential to provide depression-related information in a targeted manner depending upon each user’s particular needs and context. Potential customizations, such as offering content in local languages and flexible formats (e.g. audio, video, and text); and providing user-relevant diagnostic tools and location matched treatment resources can help improve the suitability of the app for diverse users.
Insight and equality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of socio-demographic associations
Authors: Ariyo Kevin , Ruck Keene Alex , David Anthony S , Owen Gareth S
Published: August 2021

Background:

Insight into illness is often used in clinical and legal contexts, for example, as evidence of decision-making capacity. However, it is unclear whether this disadvantages certain groups protected under equality legislation. To our knowledge, this question has yet to be addressed systematically. Therefore, the present study reviews empirical studies that look at the relationship between insight and sociodemographic variables.

Methods:

A systematic search of six bibliographic databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO) was conducted, which yielded 6,192 results. Study characteristics and outcomes (associations between insight and socio-demographic variables) were then extracted from 207 eligible studies. This included protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010): age, sex, ethnicity, marital status and religion. Weighted confidence estimates were calculated and relevant moderators included in a random effects meta-analysis. A study protocol was registered prospectively on PROSPERO, ID: CRD42019120117.

Results:

Insight was not strongly associated with any sociodemographic variable. Better insight was weakly but significantly associated with white ethnicity, being employed, younger age and more years of education. The age associations were mostly explained by relevant moderating variables. For people with schizophrenia, the associations between sociodemographic variables and insight were comparable to associations with decision making capacity.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that insight is not strongly associated with any sociodemographic variables. Further research is needed to clarify potential associations, particularly with non-white ethnicity and proxies for social support.
Digitization and urban governance: The city as a reflection of its data infrastructure
Authors: Bayat Ali , Kawalek Peter
Published: August 2021

This article introduces the ‘House Model’, an integrated framework consisting of four data governance modes, based on the urban and smart city vision, context, and big data technologies. The model stems from engaged scholarship, synthesizing and extending the academic debates and evidence from existing smart city initiatives. It provides a means for comparing cities in terms of their digitization efforts, helps the planning of more effective urban data infrastructures and guides future empirical research in this area. The article contributes to the literature examining the issue of big data and its governance in local government and smart cities.

Points for practitioners

Data is a vital part of smart city initiatives. Where the data comes from, who owns it and how it is used are all important questions. Data governance is therefore important and has consequences for the overall governance of the city. The House Model presented in this article provides a means for organizing data governance. It relates questions of data governance to the history and vision of smart city initiatives, and provides a typology organizing these initiatives.
Providing virtual suicide prevention groups for people experiencing suicidality: Pivoting service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bergmans Yvonne , Kellington Krystal , Smith Tanya , Pond Amanda , Goving Mikayla , Shelton Emily , Sayegh Chantelle , Syms Dwight , Perivolaris Anya
Published: August 2021

Skills for Safer Living is a 20-week group intervention for people with recurrent suicide attempts. This article details how it pivoted from in-person to virtual groups due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns of privacy, client safety, and how to deliver the program virtually are explored, along with lessons learned.
Self-heating and dynamic mechanical behavior of silicone rubber composite filled with carbonyl iron particles under cyclic compressive loading
Authors: Nam Tran Huu , Petríková Iva , Marvalová Bohdana , Hdaib Mohammad Yousef
Published: August 2021

Self-heating and dynamic mechanical behavior of isotropic silicone rubber composite (SRC) filled with micro-sized carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) subjected to cyclic compressive loading have been studied. Effects of pre-strains from 5 to 20%, strain amplitudes from 1 to 5%, and excitation frequencies from 10 to 50 Hz on the self-heating and dynamic mechanical response of the isotropic SRC were investigated. The self-heating temperatures were measured on the surface and at the center of cylindrical SRC specimens. The self-heating temperatures of the isotropic SRC samples showed a fast increase in an initial transient stage and the following isothermal stage. The temperature distribution in the isotropic SRC specimens was non-homogeneous and the temperature decreased from the center to sample edges. The self-heating temperatures of the isotropic SRC increased gradually with raising the strain amplitude and frequency. However, the difference between the internal and surface temperatures was slight for low strain amplitudes and frequencies, while it was significant for high strain amplitudes and frequencies. The temperatures of the isotropic SRC boosted rapidly with increasing the pre-strain to 10% and thereafter gained slightly. Although the isotropic SRC dynamic moduli reduced with the rise of the strain amplitude, they enhanced with increasing the pre-strain and frequency. Besides, the storage modulus of the isotropic SRC varied slightly with time, while the loss modulus reduced markedly especially at the initial period. The decrease in the loss modulus of the isotropic SRC under cyclic compressive loading is attributed to its self-heating temperature rise. A finite element simulation of the heat transfer in the SRC cylinder was conducted. The calculated temperatures in the SRC cylinder were in good agreement with the measured ones at different strain amplitudes and frequencies.
Effect of the variation of the electrodeposition time of hydroxyapatite/chitosan coatings on AISI 316L SS
Authors: Louvier-Hernández JF , García E , Mendoza-Leal G , Flores-Flores T , Flores-Martínez M , Rodríguez de Anda E , Hernández-Navarro C
Published: August 2021

Type AISI 316 L Stainless Steel (316 L SS) plays a crucial role in bone replacement surgery due to its excellent mechanical features, availability at low cost, and ease of fabrication, but its performance is low when in contact with the aggressive conditions of the human body fluids. Chitosan (CTS) is a biopolymer that blended with hydroxyapatite (HAp) could form coatings to improve surface properties of a metallic orthopedic prosthesis, i.e., corrosion-resistance to the base metal and biocompatibility of the ceramic on the metal surface. This work aims to obtain and evaluate HAp/CTS composite coatings deposited on the surface of AISI 316 L SS substrate by electrophoretic deposition (EDP) technique. The influence of the time of deposition on the coating’s characteristics and properties was characterized and discussed. The coatings were structural, elemental, and chemically characterized using X-Ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. HV values in a range of 64.7 to 111.5 were observed, showing the lowest HAp/CTS-30.0 coating values for all the loads applied. The lowest HV value was nearby to the reported value for human bone’s hardness, around 47HV; considering that the coating will be in constant contact motion with the bone surface, the contact with a softer surface could decrease the wear on the human bone. The hardness decreases with the coating thickness’s increment because the coating presented a higher plastic deformation than the 316 L SS surfaces. A decrease in the roughness average (Ra) was well noticed as the deposition time increased; meanwhile, the thickness increased as the deposition time increased.
Determination of flexural properties of hybrid composite using Cowper-Symonds rate-dependent material model
Authors: Erbayrak Engin
Published: August 2021

This study addressed to determine the flexural properties of hybrid composite laminates (HCAFRE) under the strain rate sensitivity. The hybrid composite laminate was formed as consecutive stacking of a sequence of plain woven carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CFRE) and a plain-woven aramid fiber reinforced epoxy (AFRE) laminates. The flexural tests were carried out at four different strain rates (0.01, 0.11, 0.55, 1.1 s−1) to determine the strain rate sensitivity of the HCAFRE. Moreover, the strain rate sensitivity of CFRE and AFRE was also determined individually. The effect of different fiber orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°) on the flexural properties of the composite laminates were also investigated at the scope of this study. In numerical analysis, composite laminates (CFRE, AFRE, and HCAFRE) were constituted in LS-DYNA finite element program using the Cowper-Symonds material model (MAT 112) which includes strain rate dependency. Consequently, it was seen that the experimental and numerical results were indicated a similar tendency to each other. Therefore, it was understood that the Cowper-Symonds material model is suited for the flexural behavior model of composite laminates under different strain rates.
Effects of Attentional Focus on Motor Performance and Physiology in a Slow-Motion Violin Bow-Control Task: Evidence for the Constrained Action Hypothesis in Bowed String Technique
Authors: Allingham Emma , Wöllner Clemens
Published: August 2021

The constrained action hypothesis states that focusing attention on action outcomes rather than body movement improves motor performance. Dexterity of motor control is key to successful music performance, making this a highly relevant topic to music education. We investigated effects of focus of attention (FOA) on motor skill performance and EMG muscle activity in a violin bowing task among experienced and novice upper strings players. Following a pedagogically informed exercise, participants attempted to produce single oscillations of the string at a time under three FOA: internal (on arm movement), external (on sound produced), and somatic (on string resistance). Experienced players’ number of bow slips was significantly reduced under somatic focus relative to internal, although number of successful oscillations was not affected. Triceps electromyographic activity was also significantly lower in somatic compared to internal foci for both expertise groups, consistent with physiological understandings of FOA effects. Participants’ reported thoughts during the experiment provided insight into whether aspects of constrained action may be evident in performers’ conscious thinking. These results provide novel support for the constrained action hypothesis in violin bow control, suggesting a somatic FOA as a promising performance-enhancing strategy for bowed string technique.
The recruitment of women and visible minorities into Canadian police forces: Should we expect further progress?
Authors: Perrott Stephen B
Published: August 2021

The recruitment of women and minority group members was intended to move Canadian police forces towards societal representation and to enhance services provided to, and improve relations with, women and racially marginalized groups. This review contemplates progress towards these goals at a time of extraordinary public dissatisfaction with Western policing. A rationale is offered for reconsidering the 50% representation target for women and it is emphasized just how little we yet know about racial bias in policing. The review ends with a call for rigorous, apolitical, research to untangle the complex interactions underscoring the considered questions within.
Lightweight cylindrical composite shell structures to support optical instruments in extremely large telescopes: A case study
Authors: Zheng Lingyu , Zhang Daxu , Wang Long , Shrestha Aman , Song Zhensen , Gao Shengbin , Xu Teng , Xu Mingming
Published: August 2021

Aiming at the issues of heavy weight and insufficient structural performance of optical instrument supporting structures in extremely large telescopes, the Wide-Field Optical Spectrograph (WFOS) of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) was taken as a case to study. In order to develop lightweight structures which satisfies the design requirements for mass and stiffness, a design scheme of cylindrical composite shells supporting structure was proposed and their finite element models were developed. A size optimisation and a ply sequence optimisation of the composite structure were carried out. The structures before and after optimisation were evaluated from the aspects of mass, displacement, failure index and fundamental frequency. After the optimised design, the mass of the optimised WFOS cylindrical composite shell structure is reduced to approximately 50%, but its maximum displacement (0.513 mm) and fundamental frequency (8.275 Hz) are nearly unchanged. The study indicates that a cylindrical composite shell structure is an efficient structural form for large optical instruments.
Regular transient limb ischemia protects endothelial function against hypercholesterolemic damage in rabbits
Authors: Wang Hongli , Zheng Zhinan , Zhang Nanrong , Zhou Yan , Jin Sanqing
Published: August 2021

Regular transient limb ischemia (RTLI) can prevent atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. As endothelial dysfunction is the initial factor leading to atherosclerosis, we investigated the effect of RTLI on endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. We randomly allocated 15 New Zealand white rabbits to three groups, five animals per group: the hypercholesterolemic group (Group H), the sham RTLI group (Group S), and the RTLI group (Group L). All rabbits received hypercholesterolemic fodder daily. No intervention was performed on the rabbits in Group H. Rabbits in Group S were kept in hutches, with a deflated cuff applied to their left hind limb for 60 min every day. For rabbits in Group L, RTLI (six cycles of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion of the left hind limb) was applied once daily for 12 weeks. At the end of week 12, a segment of the abdominal aorta was isolated from each rabbit for in vitro measurement of the endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) response to different concentrations of acetylcholine and the endothelium-independent vasodilation (EIV) response to sodium nitroprusside. The EDV response was significantly higher in Group L than in Groups S and H ( p < 0.05), with no significant difference between Groups S and H ( p > 0.05). There was no difference in the EIV response among the three groups. RTLI could improve the EDV response, protecting endothelial function against hypercholesterolemic damage.
Primary hyperparathyroidism misdiagnosed as metastatic disease, with trans-oral endoscopic surgical management
Authors: Jain Ankur , Yadav Nishtha , Silodia Ashutosh , Khandelwal Namrata , Yadav Sanjay Kumar
Published: August 2021

Primary hyperparathyroidism is not so uncommon a disease. In high-income countries, with the introduction of routine biochemical testing in 1980s, it is diagnosed early, and the majority are seen as asymptomatic disease. However, in India, a severe symptomatic form is still seen, and many times patients are undiagnosed, thus continuing to suffer debilitating disease. Here, we report such a patient who was being treated as having bony metastases from an unknown primary source, when in fact he had osteitis fibrosa cystica due to primary hyperparathyroidism and was cured after surgery.
The Achilles Heel of Recruiting Women: Perceived Gender Equality as a Key Determinant of the Military’s Employer Attractiveness Among Women
Authors: Graf Timo A , Kuemmel Gerhard
Published: August 2021

The German Bundeswehr, like other NATO forces, seeks to recruit more women in order to improve its gender balance and to meet its personnel needs. However, previous research on military recruitment has paid little attention to women. Given that the (German) military is still a male-dominated organization, we argue that women’s opinion regarding the realization of gender equality in the military may very well be the Achilles heel of recruiting women. Based on the assumption that women value gender equality in the work environment, we test the hypothesis that women are more attracted to the military as a (potential) employer, the more they think the military has achieved gender equality. A multivariate analysis of nationally representative survey data from Germany from 2019 provides empirical evidence to support this hypothesis. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Dynamical distributed controller for the synchronization problem of integer and fractional order partial differential equation systems
Authors: Flores-Flores Juan Pablo , Martínez-Guerra Rafael
Published: August 2021

In this work we present a methodology to design dynamical distributed controllers for the synchronization problem of systems governed by partial differential equations of integer and fractional order. We consider fractional systems whose space derivatives are of integer order and time derivatives are of fractional commensurate order. The methodology is based on finding canonical forms by means of a change of variable, such that a distributed controller can be designed in a natural way in the form of a chain of integrators. To study the stability of the integer order closed loop system, we propose to use the spectral and semi-group theory for infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces. On the other hand, the stability criterion previously established by Matignon is used for the stability analysis of the fractional order case. Additionally, we tackle the synchronization problem of multiple systems, which is reduced to a problem of generalized multi-synchronization. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, examples and numerical results are given.
Mode-dependent robust and non-fragile finite-time H∞ control for nonlinear singular Markovian jump systems
Authors: Niu Hongping , Li Lin , Wang Pengnan
Published: August 2021

This paper is concerned with the problem of mode-dependent robust and non-fragile finite-time [Formula: see text] control for a class of nonlinear singular Markovian jump systems (NSMJSs) with parameter uncertainties and time-varying norm-bounded disturbance. Some sufficient conditions ensuring the singular stochastic [Formula: see text] finite-time boundedness (SS[Formula: see text]FTB) are developed for the given system by using the stochastic analysis and linear matrix inequality techniques. Then, a finite-time [Formula: see text] state feedback controller is designed, which can guarantee the [Formula: see text] finite-time boundedness of the closed-loop systems. Furthermore, a robust and non-fragile finite-time [Formula: see text] state feedback controller is also provided to ensure the [Formula: see text] finite-time boundedness of the closed-loop systems when the controller gain has an additive perturbation. Finally, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.