bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Kinect-Based Posture Recognition Method in Physical Sports Training Based on Urban Data
Authors: He Dianchen , Li Li
Published: April 2020

Physical data is an important aspect of urban data, which provides a guarantee for the healthy development of smart cities. Students’ physical health evaluation is an important part of school physical education, and postural recognition plays a significant role in physical sports. Traditional posture recognition methods are with low accuracy and high error rate due to the influence of environmental factors. Therefore, we propose a new Kinect-based posture recognition method in a physical sports training system based on urban data. First, Kinect is used to obtain the spatial coordinates of human body joints. Then, the angle is calculated by the two-point method and the body posture library is defined. Finally, angle matching with posture library is used to analyze posture recognition. We adopt this method to automatically test the effect of physical sports training, and it can be applied to the pull-up of students’ sports. The position of the crossbar is determined according to the depth sensor information, and the position of the mandible is determined by using bone tracking. The bending degree of the arm is determined through the three key joints of the arm. The distance from the jaw to the bar and the length of the arm are used to score and count the movements. Meanwhile, the user can adjust his position by playing back the action video and scoring, so as to achieve a better training effect.
Role of the Synthetic B1 Vitamin Sulbutiamine on Health
Authors: Starling-Soares Bernardo , Carrera-Bastos Pedro , Bettendorff Lucien
Published: April 2020

Sulbutiamine is a thiamine derivative developed in Japan in the mid-60’s as a beriberi treatment drug. Since then, different potential applications have been described. For instance, there is some evidence that sulbutiamine can have anti-fatigue, nootropic, and antioxidant effects, which led to its use as a sport supplement (although some authors argue it is actually a masking doping strategy). Moreover, this molecule has been proposed as a possible treatment for some microsporidial infections and even for certain types of cancer. Despite these potential effects, sulbutiamine is still a relatively unknown molecule, which justifies the present review, where we discuss its history and the existing literature on its health applications. We conclude that there is a great potential for sulbutiamine use, well beyond its first described function (to increase thiamine tissue concentration). Indeed, new mechanisms of action have been found, mainly associated with its derivatives. Nevertheless, and although the research on sulbutiamine started 50 years ago, only a limited number of studies were conducted during this time frame. As so, methodological concerns need to be addressed and new studies are necessary, especially randomized controlled trials. Only then will the full potential of this versatile molecule be identified.
Modeling of Tension Control System with Passive Dancer Roll for Automated Fiber Placement
Authors: Liu Yi , Fang Qiang , Ke Yinglin
Published: April 2020

The fiber tension should be kept constant during the automated placement of fiber prepreg. The velocity of the fiber placement end-effector moving on complex aircraft panel mould surface varies rapidly, which greatly disturbs the precision of tension control. This paper proposes a tension control strategy combining active control and passive control. The pay-off motor controls the fiber tension directly and a passive dancer roll is designed theoretically as the equipment for attenuation of tension disturbance to realize the real-time compensation of low-frequency velocity variations. The nonlinear model of tension control system, which includes the dynamics of the passive dancer roll, is established, and the effect of dancer roll parameters on its disturbances attenuation performance is analyzed. The controller is designed using the H∞ mixed sensitivity method. An experimental tension control precision about 2% is obtained at stable placement speed on the automated fiber placement (AFP) machine. The experiments also indicated that the tension would not vary over 1 N at a maximum acceleration of 4 m/s2.
Determinants of Skilled Birth Attendant Utilization at Chelia District, West Ethiopia
Authors: Dufera Adugna , Bala Elias Teferi , Desta Habtamu Oljira , Taye Kefyalew
Published: April 2020

Background. An estimated 303,000 maternal deaths occurred globally in 2015 from which sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for 201,000 (66%) of the maternal deaths, and most of these are attributed to complications of pregnancy and childbirth due to the absence of institutional delivery by skilled attendants. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess institutional delivery utilization and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last one year in Chelia District. Methodology. A community-based cross-sectional study design supplemented by a qualitative method was employed from March 15 to 30, 2018. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 475 study participants. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, and focus group discussions were employed to get qualitative data. The data were entered to EpiData version 3.1 and exported to the statistical package version 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were computed to measure the strength of association between dependent and independent variables at a p value of <0.05. Results. Among the respondents, 216 (46.2%) utilized institutional delivery service. Monthly income (AOR=4.465, 95%CI=1.729,11.527), antenatal care attendance (AOR=0.077, 95%CI=0.008,0.73), knowledge of mothers about their expected date of delivery (AOR=0.297, 95%CI=0.179,4.93), intended pregnancy (AOR=0.326, 95%CI=0.162,0.654), discussion with health extension workers about the place of delivery at home visit (AOR=0.11, 95%CI=0.023,0.523), knowledge of mothers about the existence of the waiting area in health facilities (AOR=0.14, 95%CI=0.023,0.84), and number of children (AOR=0.119, 95%CI=0.029,0.485) had a significant association with institutional delivery utilization. Conclusion. Utilization of institutional delivery was low and far away from the expected country target in the district. The health sector should strive to increase proportion of institutional delivery by reaching pregnant mothers with timely antenatal care service provision and enhancing family planning provision.
Severe Demyelinating Neuropathy in an Advanced Melanoma Patient Treated with Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab Combined Therapy
Authors: Kambayashi Yumi , Fujimura Taku , Kuroda Hiroshi , Otsuka Atsushi , Irie Hiroyuki , Aiba Setsuya
Published: April 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly prolong survival in patients with metastatic melanoma but can lead to serious immune-related adverse events. In this report, we described a case of atypical neuropathy caused by nivolumab plus ipilimumab combination therapy before primary tumor resection. In our case, not only demyelinating neuropathy, but also muscle weakness and unilateral facial nerve palsy developed and manifested as severe and diverse symptoms. Moreover, unlike spontaneously developing demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, the present case suggested the therapeutic effects of high-dose methylprednisolone monotherapy for the treatment of ICIs-induced immune-related demyelinating peripheral neuropathy.
Iodide Transporters in the Endometrium: A Potential Diagnostic Marker for Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Failures
Authors: Bilal Mahmood Y. , Dambaeva Svetlana , Brownstein David , Kwak-Kim Joanne , Gilman-Sachs Alice , Beaman Kenneth D.
Published: April 2020

Objective: The element iodine is an essential nutrient utilized by the thyroid glands, and deficiency of this element has been linked to reproductive failures. Iodide transporters are also present in reproductive tissues and cells of embryonic origin such as the endometrium and trophoblasts, respectively. The aim of this study is to understand if levels of iodide transporters are linked to pregnancy outcomes. Subjects and Methods: RNA derived from endometrial biopsies from controls or women with recurrent reproductive failures was analyzed utilizing RT-PCR and targeted RNASeq. Results: When compared to controls, women with 2 or more reproductive failures had a significant increase (>5 fold) in mRNA levels of the iodine transporters NIS and PENDRIN, but not thyroglobulin when probed vis RT-PCR. Targeted RNASeq analysis confirmed these findings when another group of patients were analyzed. Conclusion: These findings suggest possible abnormal iodine metabolism and a deficiency of iodine in endometrial tissues from some of the women with reproductive failures. We hypothesize from these findings that inorganic iodide and/or iodine is required for optimal cellular function in reproductive tissues, and that iodide transporters may potentially be used as a marker for infertility or for probing potential localized iodine deficiency that may not present in a typical thyroid panel analysis.
Imunoterapia
Authors: Falçoni Júnior Aldren Thomazini , Savazzini-Reis Bianca , Zorzanelli Bruna Anchieta de Carvalho , Sadovsky Carolina Izoton , Carletti Ednéa Zandonadi Brambila
Published: April 2020

Introdução: A imunoterapia caminha para se tornar uma expressiva ferramenta no combate ao câncer, a partir da manipulação do sistema imunológico dos pacientes para eliminar tumores. Muitas instituições têm investido em pesquisa na área, uma vez que as abordagens imunoterapeuticas apresentam vantagens sobre as terapias convencionais, além de apresentar potencial para cânceres até então intratáveis. Objetivo: Definir alguns mecanismos que baseiam a imunoterapia, além de citar suas classes e em quais tipos de câncer essas terapias têm sido utilizadas. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica feita por meio da seleção de artigos dos últimos 10 anos na base de dados PubMed com as palavras-chaves “Immunotherapy, Adoptive” combinado com o termo “Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating” e “Immunotherapy, Adoptive” combinado com “Neoplasms”. Resultados: O termo imunoterapia representa uma vasta classe de tratamentos baseados no Ciclo de Imunidade ao Câncer. Os Inibidores de Checkpoint, por exemplo, bloqueiam mecanismos de imunossupressão realizados pelo tumor. Já a Terapia com Células Adotivas consiste em extrair e capacitar linfócitos T dos próprios pacientes para identificar e combater antígenos específicos do tecido tumoral. Destacam-se também as vacinas, que utilizam células tumorais atenuadas e modificadas geneticamente para estimular a resposta imune. Essas terapias estão sendo estudadas em diversos tipos de melanomas, cânceres de mama, glioblastomas e cânceres hematológicos, tal como o mieloma metastático, entre outros. Além disso, a combinação de técnicas imunoterápicas com terapias convencionais também apresenta-se como alternativa promissora. No entanto, barreiras na consolidação de um método de produção mais eficiente e de menor custo ainda limitam a utilização em massa de algumas dessas terapias. Conclusão: Muitas abordagens imunoterápicas ainda são experimentais e sua aplicação abrangente ainda apresenta-se incerta, contudo, os resultados obtidos pelos estudos clínicos demonstram a animadora perspectiva ao redor desse novo horizonte no combate ao câncer.
Photography and the Oppressed: On Photographing the Palestinian Refugees
Authors: Nassar Issam
Published: April 2020

This essay examines photography of the Palestinian refugees by the staff photographers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, unrwa. It attempts to find ways through which a reading of the reality of refugee life can be unearthed from the images that initially were intended to document the work of the aid agency rather than the lives of the refugees.
A new species of Sympherobius Banks (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) from the late Eocene Rovno amber

Authors: PERKOVSKY EVGENY E. , MAKARKIN VLADIMIR N.
Published: April 2020

Sympherobius irinae sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae: Sympherobiinae) is described from the late Eocene Rovno amber, Ukraine. It differs from other species of the genus by small details in the forewing venation: (1) crossvein 3rp1-rp2 is not strongly shifted distally relative to neighboring crossveins in the third gradate series, and (2) the humeral veinlet has only two branches. All four late Eocene species form a distinctive species group, which is named here the completus species group, distinguished from other species of the genus by the presence of the crossvein 3rp2-rp3 in the forewing in distal position, connecting RP2 and RP3. The neuropteran assemblages of the Bembridge Marls and succinites (particularly Baltic and Rovno ambers) are briefly compared. The assemblages of some families are relatively similar, but there are obvious differences in others. It is impossible to draw conclusions about the age of Baltic or Rovno ambers based on this weak similarity.
Lectotypification of the name Carex delavayi (Cyperaceae)

Authors: LU YI-FEI , JIN SHUI-HU , JIN XIAO-FENG
Published: April 2020

We found that the original material of Carex delavayi Franch., a set of specimens that shares the same collector (Delavay) and collection number (1739), represents at least three different gatherings. According to the Shenzhen Code of ICN these specimens are to be considered syntypes. We perform the pertinent lectotypification on the specimen with the herbarium barcode P00281352 in P, collected from Nienkaise near Ta pin tze on 22 August 1885.
Tylopilus hayatae, a new endemic bolete species in relict Mexican beech forest

Authors: RODRÍGUEZ-RAMÍREZ ERNESTO CHANES , MARTÍNEZ-GONZÁLEZ CÉSAR RAMIRO , GONZÁLEZ-ÁVILA PATRICIA ASTRID , LUNA-VEGA ISOLDA
Published: April 2020

Tylopilus hayatae Rodríguez-Ramírez & Luna-Vega, sp. nov., is an ectomycorrhizal fungus found in relict Mexican beech forest (Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana) in the mountains of Hidalgo State, Sierra Madre Oriental, in eastern Mexico. We propose this new species based on morphological and molecular data evidence. Macro- and microscopic descriptions including illustrations, photographs and scanning electron micrographs of the basidiospores are presented.
Typification and an emended description of Astragalus moussavii (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae)

Authors: GHAHREMANINEJAD FARROKH , NEJAD FALATOURY ATIYE , MEMARIANI FARSHID
Published: April 2020

Type materials of Astragalus moussavii (Fabaceae) are designated as a lectotype and four isolectotypes. An epitype for the species is designated here too. An emended description of A. moussavii is provided with illustrations and information on several morphological characters not indicated in the protologue, including the size and shape of the terminal leaflet, petals characteristics, fruit and seed features. Based on field observations, a brief description of the habitat and data on ecology and biogeography of the species are provided and its conservation status is evaluated.
Calyptocarpus (Asteraceae: Heliantheae: Ecliptinae), a newly naturalized genus in Tropical East Africa

Authors: SHEN JIA-HAO , HU GUANG-WAN , GAO TIAN-GANG
Published: April 2020

Calyptocarpus, a newly naturalized genus of Asteraceae was recorded in tropical east Africa based on morphology and molecular evidence. It is similar to Synedrella but different by its non-winged ray achenes and acute paleae apex. Calyptocarpus vialis, the only species of this genus recorded in Africa, is described and illustrated. A key to the genera of the subtribe Ecliptinae in tropical east Africa is also presented.
Pseudohydnum brunneiceps (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota), a new species from Central China

Authors: CHEN YAN-LIU , SU MING-SHENG , ZHANG LIN-PING , ZOU QIN , WU FEI , ZENG NIAN-KAI , LIU MENG
Published: April 2020

Pseudohydnum brunneiceps is described as a new species from Jiangxi Province, central China. Morphologically, it is characterized by a gelatinous basidiocarps, pilei pale yellowish brown, dark reddish brown to blackish velutinate, spines conical and white, and basidiospores globose to broadly ellipsoidal. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from partial 28S region and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) also confirm that P. brunneiceps forms an independent lineage within Pseudohydnum. A description, photographs of the fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of the microstructures are provided. In addition, the previous records of P. gelatinosum in China should be re-evaluated by more representative samples by molecular phylogeny.
Heterophylly and post-fire flowering of Lippia horridula (Verbenaceae): a “phoenix” of Brazilian Cerrado

Authors: CARDOSO PEDRO HENRIQUE , SANTOS-SILVA FERNANDA , MENINI NETO LUIZ , SARAIVA RAYSA VALÉRIA CARVALHO , SALIMENA FÁTIMA REGINA GONÇALVES
Published: April 2020

Lippia horridula is an endemic species from the Brazilian Cerrado with exclusively post-fire flowering records. It is often confused in herbaria collections with Lantana glaziovii and Lippia grandiflora, due to the subshrubby habit, the flowering branches raising from a well-developed xylopodium, and the pink colored corollas. Lippia horridula presents different morphotypes during its vegetative and flowering stages related to the fire regime in the Cerrado. The absence of observation and description of such variations has led to taxonomical confusion regarding its identity. Thus, in order to clarify this, we here present the morphological variation of this species during the vegetative and flowering stages, including modifications in the habit and remarkable heterophylly related to fire regime. An epitype is here designated to aid in the proper delimitation of this species. Moreover, a new record in the state of Maranhão (the northernmost known record for this species) is here presented, plus information about its conservation status, a geographical distribution map, in addition to a comparison with morphologically most similar species.
Four new genera of Schizopteridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from the Afrotropical and Neotropical regions
Authors: WEIRAUCH CHRISTIANE , KNYSHOV ALEXANDER , HOEY-CHAMBERLAIN ROCHELLE
Published: April 2020

Despite a recent surge of taxonomic work on the dipsocoromorphan family Schizopteridae, new genus-level taxa remain to be documented and described. The curation of Malaise and Yellow Pan Trap sample residues from Central and South America and Cameroon resulted in the discovery of five undescribed species that based on combined molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses represent four phylogenetically isolated lineages within non-hypselosomatine Schizopteridae. To accommodate these new species, we here describe the four new genera Caucanannus gen. n. (Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil) with Caucanannus perplexus sp. n. and Caucanannus novissimis sp. n.; Kamakonocoris gen. n. (Cameroon) with Kamakonocoris carinata sp. n.; Perittonannus gen. n. (Costa Rica) with Perittonannus antiquus sp. n.; and Rimanannus gen. n. (Cameroon) with Rimanannus camerunensis sp. n. The four genera are characterized by distinctive wing venation and male and female genitalic features. We provide habitus photographs and document morphological details using digital macrophotography as well as light compound microscopic and scanning electron microscopic images. Maps and measurements are also included.
A new pit viper of the genus Trimeresurus (Lacépède, 1804) (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwest China
Authors: CHEN ZENING , YU JIANPING , VOGEL GERNOT , SHI SHENGCHAO , SONG ZHAOBIN , TANG YEZHONG , YANG JIA , DING LI , CHEN CANGSONG
Published: April 2020

The white-lipped tree viper, Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, is one of the most common species of the genus Trimeresurus with a wide distribution from India eastwards to China and southwards to Indonesia. However, this species was previously split into five geographical clades with significant genetic divergence. Recent surveys in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China resulted in the discovery of one cryptic species of the subgenus Trimeresurus. Combining molecular, morphological and ecological data, we describe it as a new species Trimeresurus caudornatus sp. nov. The new species differs from other Trimeresurus species by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) Head and body generally dark green, postocular stripes absent in both genders, upper labials light green; (2) ventrolateral stripe faint green yellow, present on the first row of DSR in both genders; (3) iris golden yellow in both genders; (4) dorsal tail mostly dark red, lateral and ventral green; an orange red stripe along the ventral part of the tail; (5) DSR 21/22 –21–15, VEN 161–163, SC 52–72; (6) first upper labial partially fused to the nasal. The new species was shown to be a strongly supported monophyletic group (BPP 100%) and sister to T. septentrionalis. The uncorrected pairwise distances of mitochondrial gene Cytb between the new species and other species of the subgenus Trimeresurus, ranging from 0.059 (T. septentrionalis) to 0.134 (T. kanburiensis).
A Statement of Commitment to Zero Tolerance of Harassment and Discrimination in Schools and Programs of Public Health
Authors: Halkitis Perry N. , Alexander Linda , Cipriani Kauline , Finnegan John , Giles Wayne , Lassiter Teri , Madanat Hala , Penniecook Tricia , Smith Dean , Magaña Laura , Kelliher Rita
Published: April 2020

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health convened a Task Force on Zero Tolerance of Harassment and Discrimination in 2019 to develop a policy statement and strategies for addressing harassment of all types in institutions offering public health education. We outline the premises and scholarly foundation for the development of the Statement of Commitment to Zero Tolerance of Harassment and Discrimination, the statement itself, and future plans for realizing the aspiration established in the statement. The development of this living document is predicated on the belief that it is the core responsibility of academic institutions to build the knowledge and that it is the responsibility of leaders, namely deans of schools of public health and directors of public health programs, to lead in building the shared knowledge and insist on the practices that create institutions for a better future free of harassment and discrimination. Our statement is informed by the knowledge that aggressions in the form of harassment and discrimination undermine the health and well-being of individuals, the public, and populations.
Millennial ‘YIMBYs’ and boomer ‘NIMBYs’: Generational views on housing affordability in the United States
Authors: Holleran Max
Published: April 2020

This article examines housing activism in five American cities using interviews with millennial-age housing activists, seeking more apartment development, and baby boomers who are members of neighbourhood groups that oppose growth. Many of the groups supporting growth have banded together under the banner of the ‘Yes in My Backyard’ (YIMBY) movement which seeks fewer zoning laws and pushes for market-rate rental housing. In desirable cities with thriving job opportunities, housing costs are pricing out not only low-income renters but also the middle class. The millennial activists sampled blame baby boomers for the lack of affordable housing because of resistance to higher density construction in neighbourhoods with single-family homes (characterising these people as having a ‘Not in My Backyard’ [NIMBY] mindset). The research shows that boomers and millennials not only disagree over urban growth but also more fundamental questions of what makes a liveable city.
Daphne the Cat: Reimagining human–animal boundaries on Facebook
Authors: Policarpo Verónica
Published: April 2020

How are companion animals, and cats in particular, built as Otherness, on social media? And how are human–animal boundaries reconfigured along the flow of online digital interactions? This article tries to answer these questions drawing on the story of female cat Daphne, as reported on the official Facebook page of a Portuguese animal shelter. Based on both narrative analysis and categorical content analysis of the posts and comments around the story, the article discusses the social construction of nonhuman animals, bringing together concepts from human–animal studies, science and technology studies, and media studies. It argues that, through digital practices on social media, animals are done and undone. Two emergent and conflicting versions of the same animal, Daphne, are constructed throughout the unstable and contingent flow of digital exchanges: the-animal-victim and the-animal-maladjusted. As such, digital practices become also animal practices, contributing to normative definitions of what an animal ‘is’. As a result, human–animal boundaries are reinstalled and reinforced, and the animals themselves become, once more and paradoxically, invisible.
Discriminative-shared dictionary learning for class-specific fabric texture characterization
Authors: Zhan Zhu , Li Liqing , Chen Xia , Wang Jun
Published: April 2020

In this paper we introduced a novel discriminative-shared dictionary learning (DSDL) model to explicitly extract a set of class-specific features as well as shared features for simultaneous fabric texture characterization. For the discriminative component, we imposed the constraints of minimizing inter-class correlation as well as maximizing intra-class correlation on them. For the shared component, we enforced a low-rank constraint and a similarity constraint on it. To demonstrate the characterization performance of the learned dictionary on multi-class fabric textures, we weaved eight fabric textures in the laboratory and then reconstructed each class of sample with each class of specific dictionary. Preliminary experiments with four-class samples demonstrate that the specific class of dictionary can only reconstruct the corresponding class of fabric texture, but has weak reconstructive ability for the rest class, and vice versa. In addition, we illustrated the contribution of shared dictionary by comparing the convergence rate of DSDL with that of Fisher Discriminative Dictionary Learning. Further, we developed a new indicator based on a similarity matrix for evaluating the discriminative of class-specific dictionaries, and we validated the effectiveness of the indicator by comparing the discriminative indicators of eight group sets. In general, the proposed DSDL model can effectively extract discriminative features and shared features simultaneously of multi-class fabric textures.
Skills for Preventing Injury in Youth: Evaluating Change in Adolescent Alcohol Use, Violence, and Road-Related Injuries
Authors: Buckley Lisa , Reveruzzi Bianca , Dingli Kelly , Chapman Rebekah L. , Sheehan Mary
Published: April 2020

This study evaluated the injury prevention program, Skills for Preventing Injury in Youth (SPIY) for Year 9 students (aged 13–14 years). The aim of SPIY was to reduce adolescent injury by reducing engagement in risk-taking behaviors. A randomized controlled trial was conducted and data analyzed with 32 schools, N = 2,739 students at baseline. Students’ self-reported injury prior to the commencement of SPIY and at 6 and 12 months after the program concluded. For those with few protective factors at baseline, there was less increase in alcohol-related injuries and a decline in violence-related injuries for intervention compared with control students. Findings showed the SPIY program can be effective in reducing adolescent injury for those with few promotive factors.
Bacteriological Profile of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media and Antibiotic Susceptibility in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Shanghai, China
Authors: Xu Jianghong , Du Qiang , Shu Yilai , Ji Jian , Dai Chunfu
Published: April 2020

Objective:

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is mostly caused by bacterial infection of the middle ear and antibiotics are generally used empirically, which may lead to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. The objective of the study is to assess the bacteriological profile of and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of strains isolated in a tertiary care hospital in Shanghai, China.

Methods:

This study included 289 individuals with clinical diagnosis of CSOM. Middle ear purulent discharge was obtained with sterile swabs and cultured for bacterial pathogens. The susceptibility of the isolated microorganisms to antibiotics was assessed by a microdilution method.

Results:

Bacterial pathogens were found in 223 (77.2%) of the 289 cases. A total of 236 strains were isolated. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest bacteria (44.9%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.9%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (8.5%). There were 18.9% methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) among the obtained S aureus organisms. Multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa was found in 4 patients, making up 10% of all detected P aeruginosa. Staphylococcus aureus showed highest susceptibility to vancomycin (100%), then gentamicin (98.1%) and rifampicin (97.2%) and was most resistant to penicillin (61.3%) and erythromycin (50%). All isolated P aeruginosa showed susceptibility to piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, and meropenem. High degree of resistance in P aeruginosa was observed toward levofloxacin (42.5%), ciprofloxacin (40%), and ceftriaxone (30%).

Conclusion:

The high prevalence of MRSA and fluoroquinolone-resistant P aeruginosa indicated cephalosporins and fluoroquinolone as primary empirical antibiotic drugs in CSOM to be cautiously used. In order to reduce the incidence of resistant strains and promote effective usage of antibiotics, all aural discharges should be cultured to determine antibacterial susceptibility patterns before treatment.
Managing Smokefree Momentum: Young RYO Smokers’ Responses to Tobacco Endgame Strategies
Authors: Ferguson Shelagh , Brace-Govan Jan , Hoek Janet , Mulconroy Matthew
Published: April 2020

As more countries set smoking endgame goals and introduce measures to denormalize smoking, smokers’ experience of stigma may intensify and require new management strategies. Probing the tension between environmental changes that support population-level behaviour change and individuals’ sense making, which occurs at a micro, everyday level, provides unique insights into reactance, agency and stigma. Using a Foucauldian informed approach, we analyze how young RYO (roll-your-own tobacco) smokers internalize neoliberal marketplace economic norms and create positions of resistance. Experience-based videographies and in-depth interviews with 15 New Zealand young adults aged 20-30 illustrate how participants resist stigma and the social disapproval they experience. This analysis identifies how smoking denormalization affects practices and pleasures, and generates four discernible positions of resistance: Socialized, Comfort, Status and Pleasure Orientated Resistances. These highlight intersections between policy initiatives and consumer resistance, offering new insights relevant to public policy.
STyLuS*: A Temporal Logic Optimal Control Synthesis Algorithm for Large-Scale Multi-Robot Systems
Authors: Kantaros Yiannis , Zavlanos Michael M
Published: April 2020

This article proposes a new highly scalable and asymptotically optimal control synthesis algorithm from linear temporal logic specifications, called [Formula: see text] for large-Scale optimal Temporal Logic Synthesis, that is designed to solve complex temporal planning problems in large-scale multi-robot systems. Existing planning approaches with temporal logic specifications rely on graph search techniques applied to a product automaton constructed among the robots. In our previous work, we have proposed a more tractable sampling-based algorithm that builds incrementally trees that approximate the state space and transitions of the synchronous product automaton and does not require sophisticated graph search techniques. Here, we extend our previous work by introducing bias in the sampling process that is guided by transitions in the Büchi automaton that belong to the shortest path to the accepting states. This allows us to synthesize optimal motion plans from product automata with hundreds of orders of magnitude more states than those that existing optimal control synthesis methods or off-the-shelf model checkers can manipulate. We show that [Formula: see text] is probabilistically complete and asymptotically optimal and has exponential convergence rate. This is the first time that convergence rate results are provided for sampling-based optimal control synthesis methods. We provide simulation results that show that [Formula: see text] can synthesize optimal motion plans for very large multi-robot systems, which is impossible using state-of-the-art methods.
Dizziness and vertigo during the prodromal phase and headache phase of migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Iljazi Afrim , Ashina Håkan , Lipton Richard B , Chaudhry Basit , Al-Khazali Haidar M , Naples James G , Schytz Henrik W , Vukovic Cvetkovic Vlasta , Burstein Rami , Ashina Sait
Published: April 2020

Objective

To assess the proportion of individuals who report dizziness and/or vertigo during the prodromal phase or headache phase of migraine.

Methods

The databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for studies on dizziness and/or vertigo during the prodromal phase or headache phase of migraine. Pooled relative frequencies were estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

We identified nine articles eligible for inclusion. Of these, one study reported results for the prodromal phase, seven studies for the headache phase and one study for both the prodromal and headache phase. In the prodromal phase, 9.0% of individuals with migraine reported dizziness, while 3.3% reported vertigo. During the headache phase, relative frequency of dizziness ranged from 6.7% to 59.6%, while vertigo ranged from 6.4% to 44.7%. The meta-analysis showed a relative frequency of 35.7% for dizziness (95% CI = 13.7–61.5%, I2 = 99%) and 33.9% for vertigo (95% CI = 26.7–41.5%, I2 = 87%). Study quality was rated 5/9 or below for seven studies and 6/9 or above for two studies.

Conclusion

We found that there is a scarcity of literature on dizziness and vertigo as prodromal- and headache-associated symptoms in individuals with migraine. Methodological variations confound comparisons of epidemiological patterns, although it appears that dizziness and vertigo are more frequent during the headache phase of migraine, compared with the prodromal phase. Future studies should ensure use of standardized definitions and rigorous methodology to enable accurate measurements of dizziness and vertigo in migraine.
A New Conceptual Framework for Understanding Displacement: Bridging the Gaps in Displacement Literature between the Global South and the Global North
Authors: Hirsh Helly , Eizenberg Efrat , Jabareen Yosef
Published: April 2020

Forced displacement caused by development has become a global pressing issue. This article critically reviews the literature on urban displacement and discerns two divides, related to terminology and Global North-South divide. To overcome these gaps, we propose a new conceptual framework of urban displacement that positions the experience of being displaced at the center. By setting aside preconceptions based on terminology or the Global North/South divide, this article articulates five concepts encapsulating meaningful aspects of being displaced: power, positionality, eligibility, temporality, and resistance. This framework shows that while urban displacement has different economic, social, and political contexts, the experience of being displaced has shared global qualities.
Using the balanced scorecard as a performance management tool in higher education
Authors: Camilleri Mark Anthony
Published: April 2020

This article presents a critical review of the relevant literature on managerialism and performance management in higher education. Afterwards, it features an inductive research that involved semi-structured interview sessions with academic members of staff. The interpretative study relied on the balanced scorecard’s (BSC) approach as it appraised the participants’ opinions and perceptions on their higher education institution’s (HEI) customer, internal, organizational capacity and financial perspectives. The findings have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of using the BSC’s financial and non-financial measures to assess the institutional performance and the productivity of individual employees. In sum, this research reported that ongoing performance conversations with academic employees will help HEI leaders to identify their institutions’ value-creating activities. This contribution implies that HEI leaders can utilize the BSC’s comprehensive framework as a plausible, performance management tool to regularly evaluate whether their institution is (i) delivering inclusive, student-centred, quality education; (ii) publishing high-impact research; (iii) engaging with internal and external stakeholders; and (iv) improving its financial results, among other positive outcomes.
Subnational Variations in Civil Society Development: The Surprising Case of Russia
Authors: Salamon Lester M. , Skokova Yulia , Krasnopolskaya Irina
Published: April 2020

The recent considerable body of research designed to explain variations in nonprofit development among countries tends to gloss over regional disparities that may pose challenges to, or distort, national conclusions. This article therefore takes such analysis down to the regional level in the “hard case” of post–Soviet Russia. What it finds is that, despite its reputation as a uniformly hostile environment for nonprofit organizations, Russia exhibits considerable regional variations in the scale and characteristics of its nonprofit sector. To determine what lies behind these variations, the article then tests four of the most prevalent theories, focusing, respectively, on variations in levels of prosperity, cultural sentiments, popular preferences for collective goods, and underlying power relations among key social actors. The results not only shed important light on the factors responsible for regional variations in Russia’s nonprofit development, but also demonstrate the general importance of bringing the subnational level into analyses of nonprofit development.
Optimization and dynamic characteristics of a new type of permanent magnet bias bearing
Authors: Xiao Ling , He Xiwu , Cheng Wenjie , Fan Hongwei , Li Ming
Published: April 2020

Unlike traditional magnetic thrust bearings, a new type of permanent magnet biased bearing structure made of soft magnetic composites in the bevel gear coupled rotor system was proposed that requires both lower eddy currents and greater thrust force. This paper presents the optimization of structure parameters, analysis of magnetic field and dynamic stiffness for two kinds of permanent magnet biased bearing. Firstly, the structural parameters for the bearing were optimized based on the adaptive particle swarm optimization. Secondly, the dynamic magnetic flux distribution for the permanent magnet biased bearing made of carbon steel at 1000 Hz was obtained by finite element method. Then, the equivalent reluctance models for the new type of permanent magnet biased bearing considering the effect of eddy currents are derived. Finally, based on the equivalent reluctance models, the dynamic force–current factor and force–displacement factor are given. The results show that the permanent magnet biased bearing made of soft magnetic composites can provide more stable electromagnetic force and larger bandwidth in the frequency range of 1000 Hz, and have greater electromagnetic force at the same frequency comparing with that made of carbon steel.
Malaria therapy in Spain: 100 years after its introduction as a treatment for the general paralysis of the insane
Authors: Villasante Olga
Published: April 2020

This article addresses the implementation of malaria fever therapy in Spain. Neuropsychiatrist Rodríguez-Lafora first used it in 1924, but Vallejo-Nágera was the main advocate for the technique. He had learned the method from Wagner von Jauregg himself, and he worked in the Military Psychiatric Clinic and the San José Mental Hospital, both in Ciempozuelos (Madrid). Vallejo-Nágera worked with the parasitologist Zozaya, who had travelled to England with a Rockefeller Foundation grant in order to learn from British malariologist, Sydney Price James. This article details the results of the uneven implementation of this treatment in Spanish psychiatric institutions. Although syphilologists and internists used fever therapy for the treatment of general paralysis of the insane, they were much less enthusiastic than psychiatrists.
Association between blood aluminum and beta-2 receptor gene methylation with childhood asthma control
Authors: Nafea OE , El-Korashi LA , Gehad MH , Yousif YM , Zake LG
Published: April 2020

Previous studies have shown that environmental exposure to heavy metals has been related to epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation in receptors involved in pathogenesis of asthma. One of these receptors is beta-2 adrenergic receptor ( ADRB2). We conducted this study to examine the association between blood aluminum concentration, blood ADRB2 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) methylation level, and childhood asthma control level. Our results showed a significant positive association between high blood aluminum concentration (odds ratio, 16, 95% confidence interval (CI) [3.57 to 71.76], p < 0.001) and high blood ADRB2 5′-UTR methylation level (odds ratio, 4.75, 95% CI [1.39 to 16.2], p = 0.013), and risk of uncontrolled asthma. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that higher blood aluminum concentration was independently associated with increased risk of uncontrolled bronchial asthma (odds ratio, 9.10, 95% CI [2.38 to 34.85], p = 0.0013], after controlling for age, sex, and blood ADRB2 5′-UTR methylation level. In addition, blood ADRB2 5′-UTR methylation level significantly correlated with whole blood aluminum concentration in asthmatic children ( r = 0.480, p < 0.001). We concluded that increasing blood aluminum concentration is an important independent correlate of risk for uncontrolled bronchial asthma as well as increased blood aluminum concentration caused ADRB2 5′-UTR hyper-methylation with increasing risk of uncontrolled bronchial asthma.
Book review: Patrik Oskarsson. 2018. Landlock: Paralysing Dispute over Minerals on Adivasi Land in India
Authors: Nielsen Kenneth Bo
Published: April 2020

Patrik Oskarsson. 2018. Landlock: Paralysing Dispute over Minerals on Adivasi Land in India. Acton: ANU Press. Xiii + 225 pp., ISBN 9781760462512 (online). Available open access at: http://www.oapen.org/search?identifier=1001784
Women’s Political Representation and Educational Attainments: A District-level Analysis in India
Authors: Burchi Francesco , Singh Karan
Published: April 2020

This paper has three major objectives: (1) to analyse whether the gender of politicians in India is relevant to the educational achievements of the residents of the districts in which they were elected; (2) to test whether politicians are more sensitive to the needs of the people of same gender and (3) to explore the potential channels through which the above relationships operate. By applying econometric techniques to a dataset obtained by merging individual with district-level political data, we concluded that an increase by 10 percentage points in women’s political representation produces an increase by 6 percentage points in the probability of children completing primary school. We then found gender-differentiated results: women’s political representation affects significantly more girls’ than boys’ education. This relationship works partly through the improvement of women’s access to educational programmes like the Mid-Day Meal scheme, while an increase in school infrastructures does not appear to be an important mediating factor. While an in-depth understanding of the pathways through which women’s representation in politics impacts on children’s education is hindered by data constraints, our findings seem to point to the importance of the ‘role model’ effect.
Domestic Versus Imported Contents in Exports: The Case of India’s Merchandise Trade
Authors: Goldar Bishwanath , Das Deb Kusum , Das Pilu Chandra , Gupta Neha
Published: April 2020

This article combines national input–output tables (1998–1999 to 2007–2008) with World Input–Output Database (1995–2011) to evaluate foreign value-added (FVA) content in India’s exports at aggregate and disaggregate levels. The results confirm rising FVA and declining domestic value added (DVA) in India’s total and merchandise exports across a majority of the commodities. India’s international fragmentation has risen but continues to be lower than that of East Asia and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Strikingly, a regression-based decomposition analysis shows greater positive impact of rise in FVA on India’s export growth as compared to imports, leading to substantial net gains. Second, India’s DVA content in exports did not decline much during 2007–2011, thereby displaying a sluggish upward trend in its FVA content. This article advocates the need for striking a right balance between the goals of increasing FVA (improving linkages into global value chains) to enhance export competitiveness and maintaining DVA (supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative) in exports to generate employment opportunities domestically.
‘We just get a bit set in our ways’: renewing democracy and solidarity in UK trade unions
Authors: Connolly Heather
Published: April 2020

In a broader context of austerity, sustained financial pressures and policies of restructuring and outsourcing have steadily eroded traditional features of UK public sector employment such as job security, fair reward and collective representation through trade unions. This article examines how a UK trade union representing local government workers attempted to respond more effectively to radical restructuring plans. By engaging in a process of democratic experimentation, full-time officials from above and activists from below sought to challenge the existing ‘insider’ relationship between branch officers and management, which was seen as ineffective in responding to a severe disruption in the regulation of local government employment. Drawing on participatory ethnographic research, the findings show the importance of leadership in the processes towards union renewal and the tensions and struggles underlying democracy and solidarity. Union renewal is presented here as a dialectical process and set of responses involving both strategic direction from above and membership pressure and activism from below.
Evaluation and Supporting Inquiry Courses in MSW Programs
Authors: McAdaragh Mary O’Brien , LaVelle John M. , Zhang Lixin
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To examine the extent to which evaluation and supporting inquiry courses are included in master of social work (MSW) curricula.

Methods:

This study analyzed the course titles and descriptions for 674 courses across 262 Council on Social Work Education accredited colleges and universities that offer MSW training in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Results:

The results indicate a robust presence of evaluation-specific courses in MSW programs, as well as skills that are further supported by inquiry and analysis courses; 51.1% of MSW programs required at least one evaluation course ( n = 134) for at least some of their students. On average, MSW programs required 2.0 credit hours in evaluation and 4.5 credit hours in inquiry courses for at least some of their students.

Discussion:

The findings suggest that evaluation education research should include social work programs and that educators should discuss the role of inquiry and evaluation in social work practice.