bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal Muscle Mass Influences Tolerability and Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Lenvatinib
Authors: Uojima Haruki , Chuma Makoto , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Hidaka Hisashi , Nakazawa Takahide , Iwabuchi Shogo , Kobayashi Satoshi , Hattori Nobuhiro , Ogushi Katsuaki , Morimoto Manabu , Kagawa Tatehiro , Tanaka Katsuaki , Kako Makoto , Koizumi Wasaburo
Published: December 2019

Background: Low skeletal muscle mass is significantly associated with severe adverse events (AEs) from chemotherapy, and low tolerability leads to decreased survival. We aimed to investigate whether body skeletal muscle mass is correlated with tolerability and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with lenvatinib. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted at five locations in Japan. We included 100 patients with HCC treated with lenvatinib. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by computed tomography and normalized for height in m2 as skeletal muscle index (SMI). The assessment criteria for low SMI were taken from the sarcopenia criteria of the Japan Society of Hepatology. We investigated the influence of low SMI on drug withdrawal due to severe AEs in the first 2 months and on time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS). Results: The numbers of high- and low-SMI patients were 41 and 59, respectively. Those with severe AEs leading to withdraw in the high- and low-SMI groups were 7 and 23, respectively. The low-SMI group had a higher withdrawal rate than the high-SMI group (p = 0.042). The median TTF in the low- and high-SMI groups was 139 and 230 days, respectively. The median OS in the low- and high-SMI groups was 264 and 353 days, respectively. Patients in the low-SMI group experienced significantly worse OS and TTF than those in the high-SMI group (log-rank test for trend: TTF, p = 0.010; OS, p = 0.021). Conclusion: Decreased skeletal muscle mass is associated with the occurrence of severe AEs and worse TTF and OS. Skeletal muscle mass can be used as a predictive marker for tolerability and prognosis to lenvatinib in patients with HCC.
Interaction of Blood Pressure Lowering and Alteplase Dose in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Results of the Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study
Authors: Wang Xia , Song Lili , Yang Jie , Sun Lingli , Moullaali Tom J. , Sandset Else Charlotte , Delcourt Candice , Lindley Richard I. , Robinson Thompson G. , Minhas  Jatinder S. , Arima Hisatomi , Chalmers John , Kim Jong S. , Sharma Vijay  , Wang Ji-Guang , Pontes-Neto Octávio  , Lavados Pablo M. , Olavarría Verónica V. , Lee Tsong-Hai , Levi Christopher  , Martins Sheila O. , Thang Nguyen H. , Anderson Craig S. ,   on behalf of the ENCHANTED Investigators
Published: December 2019

Objective: To determine the extent to which the effects of intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering are modified by doses of alteplase in thrombolysis-eligible acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Methods: Prespecified analyses of the Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study for patients enrolled in both arms: (i) low-dose (0.6 mg/kg body weight) or standard-dose (0.9 mg/kg) alteplase and (ii) intensive (target systolic BP [SBP] 130–140 mm Hg) or guideline-recommended (target SBP <180 mm Hg) BP management. The primary outcome was functional recovery, measured by a shift in scores on modified Rankin scale at 90 days. The safety outcome was any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Results: There were 925 participants (mean age 67 years, 39% female, 77% Asian) randomized to both arms: 242 randomly assigned to guideline/standard-dose (GS); 234 to guideline/low-dose (GL); 227 to intensive/standard-dose (IS); and 222 to intensive/low-dose (IL). Overall, average SBP levels within 24 h were lower in the low-dose compared to standard-dose alteplase group (146 and 144 vs. 151 and 150 mm Hg, for GS and GL vs. IS and IL, respectively, p < 0.0001). There was no heterogeneity of the effects of BP lowering (intensive vs. guideline) on functional recovery between standard-dose (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.59–1.12) and low-dose alteplase (1.06, 0.77–1.47; p = 0.25 for interaction). Similar results were observed for ICH (p = 0.50 for interaction). Conclusions: In thrombolysis-treated patients with predominantly mild-to-moderate severity AIS, intensive BP lowering neither improve functional recovery, either with low- or standard-dose intravenous alteplase, nor beneficially interact with low-dose alteplase in reducing ICH. Trial Registration: The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01422616).
Validation of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance–Derived Equation for Predicted Left Ventricular Mass Using the UK Biobank Imaging Cohort
Authors: Fung Kenneth , Cheshire Caitlin , Cooper Jackie A. , Catarino Pedro , Piechnik Stefan K. , Neubauer Stefan , Bhagra Sai , Pettit Stephen , Petersen Steffen E.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Current guidance from International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation recommends using body weight for donor-recipient size matching for heart transplantation. However, recent studies have shown that predicted heart mass, using body weight, height, age, and sex, may represent a better method of size matching. We aim to validate a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)–derived equation for predicted left ventricular mass (LVM) in a cohort of normal individuals in the United Kingdom.

Methods:

This observational study was conducted in 5065 middle-aged (44–77 years old) UK Biobank participants who underwent CMR imaging in 2014 to 2015. Individuals with cancer diagnosis in the previous 12 months or history of cardiovascular disease were excluded. Predicted LVM was calculated based on participants’ sex, height, and weight recorded at the time of imaging. Correlation analyses were performed between the predicted LVM and the LVM obtained from manual contouring of CMR cine images. The analysis included 3398 participants (age 61.5±7.5 years, 47.8% males).

RESULTS:

Predicted LVM was considerably higher than CMR-derived LVM (mean±SD of 138.8±28.9 g versus 86.3±20.9 g). However, there was a strong correlation between the 2 measurements (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.802,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:

Predicted LVM calculated using a CMR-derived equation that incorporates height, weight, and sex has a strong correlation with CMR LVM in large cohort of normal individuals in the United Kingdom. Our findings suggest that predicted heart mass equations may be a valid tool for donor-recipient size matching for heart transplantation in the United Kingdom.
Randomized Trial of an Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure Control in Stroke Survivors
Authors: Owolabi Mayowa O. , Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Akinyemi Rufus O. , Akinyemi Joshua O. , Akpa Onoja , Olaniyan Olanrewaju , Salako Babatunde L. , Arulogun Oyedunni , Tagge Raelle , Uvere Ezinne , Fakunle Adekunle , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: December 2019

Background:

We conducted the first-of-its kind randomized stroke trial in Africa to test whether a THRIVES (Tailored Hospital-based Risk reduction to Impede Vascular Events after Stroke) intervention improved blood pressure (BP) control among patients with stroke.

Methods and Results:

Intervention comprised a patient global risk factor control report card, personalized phone text-messaging, and educational video. Four hundred patients recruited from 4 distinct medical facilities in Nigeria, aged ≥18 years with stroke-onset within one-year, were randomized to THRIVES intervention and control group. The control group also received text messages, and both groups received modest financial incentives. The primary outcome was mean change in systolic BP (SBP) at 12 months. There were 36.5% females, 72.3% with ischemic stroke; mean age was 57.2±11.7 years; 93.5% had hypertension and mean SBP was 138.33 (23.64) mm Hg. At 12 months, there was no significant difference in SBP reduction from baseline in the THRIVES versus control group (2.32 versus 2.01 mm Hg,
P
=0.82). In an exploratory analysis of subjects with baseline BP >140/90 mm Hg (n=168), THRIVES showed a significant mean SBP (diastolic BP) decrease of 11.7 (7.0) mm Hg while control group showed a significant mean SBP (diastolic BP) decrease of 11.2 (7.9) mm Hg at 12 months.

Conclusions:

THRIVES intervention did not significantly reduce SBP compared with controls. However, there was similar significant decrease in mean BP in both treatment arms in the subgroup with baseline hypertension. As text-messaging and a modest financial incentive were the common elements between both treatment arms, further research is required to establish whether these measures alone can improve BP control among stroke survivors.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01900756.
Four new species of Plumachaetas Salmon (Collembola: Entomobryoidea) from Oceania with comments on the genus and a key to species
Authors: OLIVEIRA FÁBIO G. L. , GREENSLADE PENELOPE , BELLINI BRUNO CAVALCANTE
Published: December 2019

Plumachaetas Salmon is a genus of Entomobryoidea with 11 valid species, all from Oceania. The genus is characterised by the presence of lanceolate scales, the subapical chaeta of the maxillary outer lobe thick and blunt, dental spines absent and a short mucro. In this paper we describe four new species of Plumachaetas from Oceania: P. belae sp. nov., P. loriensis sp. nov., P. mamuensis sp. nov. and P. wanangensis sp. nov. Plumachaetas belae sp. nov. and P. mamuensis sp. nov. are similar to each other, and to P. queenslandica (Schött) and P. yoshii Zhang & Deharveng, but are unique in the combination of dorsal and labial chaetotaxy. Plumachaetas loriensis sp. nov. resembles P. halmaherae (Yoshii & Suhardjono) and P. sunae Zhang & Deharveng but differs in labial, dorsal chaetotaxy and unguiculus shape. Plumachaetas wanangensis sp. nov. is similar to other taxa bearing a mucro with four teeth, but presents a unique combination of macrochaetae on thoracic and abdominal segments. All species are arboreal and were collected in Malaise traps set in humid rainforests. A map of the geographic distribution and ecological remarks on the genus are provided and a key to species with a table summarising the main morphological features of all described taxa in the genus.
The scorpion-tailed orb-weaving spiders (Araneae, Araneidae, Arachnura) in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: CASTANHEIRA PEDRO DE S. , DIDHAM RAPHAEL K. , VINK COR J. , FRAMENAU VOLKER W.
Published: December 2019

The scorpion-tailed orb-weaving spiders in the genus Arachnura Vinson, 1863 (Araneidae Clerck, 1757) are revised for Australia and New Zealand. Arachnura higginsii (L. Koch, 1872) only occurs in Australia and A. feredayi (L. Koch, 1872) only in New Zealand. A single female collected in south-eastern Queensland (Australia) is here tentatively identified as A. melanura Simon, 1867, but it is doubtful that this species has established in Australia. Two juveniles from northern Queensland do not conform to the diagnoses of any of the above species and are illustrated pending a more thorough revision of the genus in South-East Asia and the Pacific region. An unidentified female from Westport (New Zealand) does not conform to the diagnoses of A. feredayi and A. higginsii, but is not described due to its poor preservation status. Arachnura caudatella Roewer, 1942 (replacement name for Epeira caudata Bradley, 1876), originally described from Hall Sound (Papua New Guinea) and repeatedly catalogued for Australia, is considered a nomen dubium.
Old and New Hierarchies: Rewritten Social Norms in "Silent Valley"
Authors: Batori Anna
Published: December 2019

Old and New Hierarchies: Rewritten Social Norms in Silent ValleyThe article discusses the socialist and post-socialist hierarchical structure in Romania by focusing on the sociological reading of the series Silent Valley (Valea Mutã, 2016). As argued in the text, the production shows a remarkable, novel approach to breaking the discursive taboos of the Ceaușescu system by featuring homosexuality, corruption and revised gender roles on screen. The main focus of the article is on revealing how the old socialist socio-political hierarchies have been inherited and/or transferred to the capitalist-democratic epoch. By analysing such structures, the text provides a gender-centred description of the Romanian socialist and contemporary framework, while giving special attention to the situation of the Roma minority in the country. In a formalist-structuralist reading, it aims to dissect the phenomena of gender hierarchy, political and social dominance, and people’s subjugated position within this context. Régi és új hierarchiák: Átírt társadalmi normák a Silent ValleyA tanulmány egy formalistra-strukturalista olvasaton belül a szocialista és kapitalista hierarchikus struktúrákat vizsgálja a Silent Valley (Valea Mutã, 2016) című roman sorozatban, miközben amellett érvel, hogy – a Ceaușescu-rendszer tabuit megdöntő, avagy a homoszexualitás, változó nemi szerepek, a roma helyzet és korrupció témaköreit nyíltan felvállaló – produkció új fejezetet nyitott az ország televíziós sorozatgyártásában. A tanulmány központi fókusza a szocialista politikai hierarchiák felfedése jelen kontextusban, és a változó domináns nemi szerepek reflexiójának leképezése a kortárs televíziós szférában. Stare i nowe hierarchie. Napisane na nowo normy społeczne w Silent ValleyArtykuł bada socjalistyczne i kapitalistyczne struktury hierarchiczne w rumuńskim serialu Silent Valley (Valea Mutã, 2016) w ujęciu formalno-strukturalnym. [Autorka] argumentuje jednocześnie, że przełamując tabu systemu Ceaușescu poprzez otwarte podjęcie tematów homoseksualizmu, zmieniania ról płciowych, sytuacji Romów i korupcji, produkcja otworzyła nowy rozdział w dziejach seriali telewizyjnych w Rumunii. Głównym przedmiotem artykułu jest ukazanie w tym kontekście socjalistycznych hierarchii politycznych oraz refleksja nad zmianą dominujących ról płciowych we współczesnej sferze telewizyjnej.
A Two-Moment Bulk Parameterization of the Drop Collection Growth in Warm Clouds
Authors: Zeng Xiping , Li Xiaowen
Published: December 2019

To improve the modeling of warm rain initiation, a two-moment bulk parameterization of the drop collection growth in warm clouds is developed by two steps: (i) its prototype is first derived based on the analytic solution of the stochastic collection equation (SCE) with the Golovin kernel, and (ii) the prototype is then revamped empirically to fit the numerical solution of SCE with the real hydrodynamic collection kernel, reaching the final version of the parameterization. Since the final version represents the self-collection of cloud drops explicitly, it replicates warm rain initiation well even when liquid water content (cloud-drop number concentration) is very low (high). It also replicates the autoconversion threshold and time delay of rain initiation via a small autoconversion rate.
Clinical Presentations and Outcomes in Patients Presenting With Acute Cardiac Events and Right Bundle Branch Block
Authors: Alkindi Fahad , El-Menyar Ayman , Rafie Ihsan , Arabi Abdulrahman , Al Suwaidi Jassim , Singh Rajvir , Albinali Hajar , Gehani Abdurrazzak A.
Published: December 2019

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 50 974 patients admitted with acute cardiac events with and without right bundle branch block (RBBB) over 23 years. Compared to non-RBBB, patients with RBBB (n = 386; 0.8%) were 3 years older ( P = .001), more likely to present with breathlessness rather than chest pain ( P = .001), and had more diabetes mellitus ( P = .001). Patients with RBBB had significantly higher cardiac enzymes ( P = .001); however, there were no significant differences in the presentation with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (24.6% vs 22.2%), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (23.7% vs 22.4%), and unstable angina (51.7% vs 55.4%). Patients with RBBB were more likely to have congestive heart failure (CHF; 9.6% vs 3.2%, P = .001), cardiogenic shock (10.6% vs 1.7%, P = .001), and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (7.3% vs 2.2%, P = .001). Left ventricular ejection fraction and hospital length of stay were comparable between the groups. All-cause mortality was 5 times greater in patients with RBBB (21% vs 4.2%, P = .001). Right bundle branch block was independent predictor of mortality (adjusted odd ratio 5.14; 95% confidence interval: 3.90-6.70). Subanalysis comparing normal QRS, RBBB, and left BBB showed that RBBB was associated with the worst outcomes except for CHF. Although RBBB presents in only about 1% of patients with cardiac disease, it was found to be an independent predictor of hospital mortality.
The Critical Role of Word Reading as a Predictor of Response to Intervention
Authors: Vaughn Sharon , Capin Philip , Scammacca Nancy , Roberts Greg , Cirino Paul , Fletcher Jack M.
Published: December 2019

This study examines the initial word reading performance of fourth-grade struggling readers and the extent to which differing levels of word reading performance at pretest influenced their response to reading interventions. A large group of students with significant reading comprehension difficulties ( N = 481) were classified into three clusters of word reading proficiency based on their pretest performance: (a) very low, (b) low, and (c) near adequate. We examined their performance on several academic, language, and executive functioning measures at the beginning of the year and their reading comprehension performance at the beginning of year and after 1 year of reading intervention to examine how each cluster responded to instruction. Results from a discriminant function analysis indicated that performance on five pretest variables were meaningful predictors of word reading proficiency cluster membership: phonological processing, writing fluency, math calculation, math fluency, and reading efficiency and comprehension. Results also demonstrated that word reading proficiency at pretest was related to response to intervention on reading comprehension measures. Students in the very low word reading proficiency cluster showed minimal response to intervention whereas the near-adequate word reading cluster demonstrated greatest response to intervention. These results suggest word reading is a critical predictor of response to intervention for students with significant comprehension problems in the upper elementary grades and that students with the most substantial word reading problems may require more intensive and specialized treatments than students with greater word reading performance to show meaningful progress in reading.
Creating Boundary-Breaking, Marketing-Relevant Consumer Research
Authors: MacInnis Deborah J. , Morwitz Vicki G. , Botti Simona , Hoffman Donna L. , Kozinets Robert V. , Lehmann Donald R. , Lynch John G. , Pechmann Cornelia
Published: December 2019

Consumer research often fails to have broad impact on members of the marketing discipline, on adjacent disciplines studying related phenomena, and on relevant stakeholders who stand to benefit from the knowledge created by rigorous research. The authors propose that impact is limited because consumer researchers have adhered to a set of implicit boundaries or defaults regarding what consumer researchers study, why they study it, and how they do so. The authors identify these boundaries and describe how they can be challenged. By detailing five impactful articles and identifying others, they show that boundary-breaking, marketing-relevant consumer research can influence relevant stakeholders including academics in marketing and allied disciplines as well as a wide range of marketplace actors (e.g., business practitioners, policy makers, the media, society). Drawing on these articles, the authors articulate what researchers can do to break boundaries and enhance the impact of their research. They also indicate why engaging in boundary-breaking work and enhancing the breadth of marketing’s influence is good for both individual researchers and the fields of consumer research and marketing.
The Evolution of Early Qing Regulations on Fugitive Slaves
Authors: Hu Xiangyu
Published: December 2019

The early Qing regulations on fugitive slaves, which originated in pre-1644 Manchu society, aimed to stop banner slaves from escaping. Because very harsh punishments were imposed on both those who harbored fugitive slaves as well as the harborers’ neighbors (both of whom were mainly Han), these regulations led to many tragedies among the Han population and became a key site of Manchu-Han conflict during the Shunzhi and Kangxi reigns. Scholars have thus tended to see them as representative of Manchu alien rule. Unlike previous scholars’ perspectives that emphasize the early Qing rulers’ cruelty toward the Han population in implementing the fugitive regulations, this article demonstrates that Qing rulers, including Dorgon, Shunzhi, and Oboi, protected the interests of the Han population, and that Han legal principles eventually prevailed.
Puumala hantavirus: an imaging review
Authors: Lebecque Olivier , Dupont Michaël
Published: December 2019

Puumala virus (PUUV) is the most common hantavirus in Europe. It is known to cause nephropathia epidemica, which is considered a mild type of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. However, it does not only involve the kidneys and is rarely accompanied by symptomatic hemorrhage. We review the imaging abnormalities caused by PUUV infection, from head to pelvis, emphasizing the broad spectrum of possible findings and bringing further support to a previously suggested denomination “Hantavirus disease” that would encompass all clinical manifestations. Although non-specific, knowledge of radiological appearances is useful to support clinically suspected PUUV infection, before confirmation by serology.
Green walking groups: A mixed-methods review of the mental health outcomes for adults with mental health problems
Authors: Swinson Tom , Wenborn Jennifer , Sugarhood Paul
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Evidence suggests group walking in natural environments is more beneficial to the general population’s mental health than walking indoors, in urban environments, and alone. Such ‘green walking groups’ have been suggested as an occupational therapy intervention that could be suitable for adults with mental health problems. However, there have been no reviews of the mental health outcomes of participating in green walking groups for this population.

Method

A mixed-methods literature review was conducted. A range of databases was systematically searched electronically. Papers that met pre-defined inclusion criteria were selected, critically appraised, and qualitative and quantitative data were extracted. Thematic analysis was used to identify key qualitative outcomes.

Findings

Six papers were included and eight mental health outcomes identified. The evidence suggests participants can experience connections with other people, connections with nature, and a sense of freedom. There is some limited evidence to support improvements to mood, self-esteem, reflection on life tasks, and symptoms of depression, with mixed evidence for experiencing a sense of achievement.

Conclusion

This review can be used to build the evidence base for the link between occupation and mental health, and inform the clinical decision-making of occupational therapists, who are well-placed to design and implement green walking groups.
Visceral geographic insight through a ‘source to senses’ approach to food flavour
Authors: Watson Duika L. Burges , Cooper Chris M.
Published: December 2019

This article examines the experience of eating and changes to the vital materiality of food through the lens of flavour. A trans-disciplinary approach is used to gain insight from gastronomy and the neurobiology of flavour perception. Technological shifts in processing food and beverages are highlighted which show complex influences on flavour. We demonstrate the value of broadening visceral geographic understanding of the biosocial nature of flavour and the senses to answer questions about the need for new methods in visceral geographic enquiry and the role of AFNs. We propose a ‘source to senses’ approach to the visceral geographies of food.
The potential of foreign direct investment (FDI) as a means of developing ports: Evidence from Oman
Authors: Ali Ibrahim Omer , Eltayeb Mohamed Abdel- Gadir Sufian , Devesh Sonal
Published: December 2019

This article examines the potential of foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing the port sector in Oman. Data was collected through an administered questionnaire with a sample of 110 respondents selected randomly from three ports: Sohar, Salalah and Sultan Qaboos. The study used SWOT analysis, Chi-square and t-test to establish that the strategic location of the country, social and political stability, easy access to skilled manpower from neighbouring countries and good infrastructure are the main factors that attract FDI to Oman’s port sector. The benefits of FDI to Omani ports include providing access to capital, bringing new organizational and managerial practices, creating more jobs, supplementing domestic investment and transferring advanced technology.
Prevalence of Intimate Partner Reproductive Coercion in the United States: Racial and Ethnic Differences
Authors: Basile Kathleen C. , Smith Sharon G. , Liu Yang , Miller Elizabeth , Kresnow Marcie-jo
Published: December 2019

Reproductive coercion (RC) is a specific type of intimate partner violence (IPV). Although clinical studies have highlighted women’s experiences of RC, we know little about its national prevalence and differences in prevalence by sex category and race/ethnicity. Data are from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), years 2010 to 2012. NISVS is an ongoing, nationally representative random-digit-dial telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized English- or Spanish-speaking U.S. adult population. This article reports the national lifetime and 12-month prevalence of two RC victimization measures, and proportions among IPV victims. T tests were used to examine differences in estimates across racial/ethnic groups. In the United States, 9.7% of men and 8.4% of women experienced any RC by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Men reported more commonly than women that a partner tried to get pregnant when the man did not want her to; women reported higher prevalence of partner condom refusal. Examination by race/ethnicity revealed that non-Hispanic (NH) Black women and men had significantly higher lifetime prevalence of both RC types than all other groups; in the last 12 months, NH Blacks had significantly higher prevalence across the board than NH Whites. Hispanics had significantly higher lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any RC and partner condom refusal than NH Whites. RC is at the intersection of two public health concerns—IPV and reproductive health. Documenting its prevalence and differences by sex and race/ethnicity may inform prevention efforts to reduce occurrence and negative health outcomes among specific populations.
Interaction mechanism between shock waves and supersonic film cooling with cracking reaction
Authors: Zuo Jingying , Zhang Silong , Qin Jiang , Bao Wen , Naigang Cui , Liu Xiaoyong
Published: December 2019

In order to understand the interaction mechanism between shock waves and supersonic film cooling with cracking reaction, supersonic film cooling using gaseous hydrocarbon fuel as coolant in terms of cracking reaction of the coolant, with and without shock waves interaction, is investigated numerically. Theoretically, cracking reaction may be accelerated by the shock wave interaction, which may enhance the mixing of the coolant and absorb heat, which will lead to contradictory effects on supersonic film cooling. However, it turns out that, with shock waves interaction, cracking reaction only absorbs more heat but barely has any effect on the mixing either locally or further downstream due to the momentum change caused by the reaction is extremely small and the energy change plays the dominate role. It is worth mentioning that oblique shock wave causes energy accumulation in the shock wave interaction region, which deteriorates supersonic film cooling. However, with the cracking reaction considered, the negative effect brings by the oblique shock wave is weakened by the cracking reaction due to the increment of chemical heat absorption caused by the energy change. It is found that the absolute temperature in the shock wave interaction and the relative temperature increment caused by the shock wave interaction to be the decisive factors of the chemical heat absorption increment, especially for high absolute temperature or relative temperature increments, and the effect of the local reactant concentration plays the dominant role. Furthermore, the extent of weakened chemical reaction on the negative effect due to the oblique shock wave depends not only on the chemical heat absorption but also on the local absolute temperature.
Evaluation of bone excision effects on a human skull model – I: Mechanical testing and digital image correlation
Authors: Franceskides Constantinos , Leger Thibault , Horsfall Ian , Tozzi Gianluca , Gibson Michael , Zioupos Peter
Published: December 2019

The mechanisms of skull impact loading may change following surgical interventions such as the removal of bone lesions, but little is known about the consequences in the event of subsequent head trauma. We, therefore, prepared acrylonitrile butadiene styrene human skull models based on clinical computed tomography skull data using a three-dimensional printer. Six replicate physical skull models were tested, three with bone excisions and three without. A drop tower was used to simulate the impact sustained by falling backwards onto the occipital lobe region. The impacts were recorded with a high-speed camera, and the occipital strain response was determined by digital image correlation. Although the hole affected neither the magnitude nor the sequence of the fracture pattern, the digital image correlation analysis highlighted an increase in strain around the excised area (0.45%–16.4% of the principal strain). Our approach provides a novel method that could improve the quality of life for patients on many fronts, including protection against trauma, surgical advice, post-operative care, advice in litigation cases, as well as facilitating general biomechanical research in the area of trauma injuries.
Nanny care in Sweden: The inequalities of everyday doings of care
Authors: Eldén Sara , Anving Terese
Published: December 2019

In this article, we analyse practice of care and family in families who employ nannies and au pairs. Taking our point of departure in the narratives of all the participating actors – nannies/au pairs (n = 26), parents (n = 29) and children receiving care (n = 19) – we show how this ‘doing of family’ is reproducing inequalities between families: the new local care loops enable a possibility for some – well-off – parents to realize the (highly valued) ideals of gender equality and ‘good and stress-free parenting’. We also show how this reproduces inequalities within families. The narratives of everyday care situations told by nannies, au pairs and children entail evidence of invisible and complex ‘sentient’ care activities that diverge remarkably from the explicit characterizing of the work as easy and independent. This discrepancy makes nanny/au pair work into precarious gendered care doings, similar to the care performed in families traditionally, by wives and mothers, but now obscured by the nanny/au pairs’ subordinate status. In conclusion, classed, gendered and ethnic inequalities are characterizing the new ‘local care loops’ being encouraged and enabled in Sweden. The driving forces are to be found on a macro level, in processes of globalization and in political and policy changes, but the consequences are detectable in everyday interactions in the micro-settings of the home.
Local loops and micro-mobilities of care: Rethinking care in egalitarian contexts
Authors: Isaksen Lise Widding , Näre Lena
Published: December 2019

This introduction to the Special Issue Local loops and micro-mobilities of care: Rethinking care in egalitarian contexts argues for the importance of analysing local organizations of care. This is a necessary addition to current scholarship which has focused on the globalization of care. Yet, in many parts of the world, such as the Northern and Eastern European countries, on which this issue focuses, care provision continues to be mainly local and migrant care workers are complementary. Nevertheless, the daily organization of care can be as complex as in the global care chains. To address this local complexity, we propose two concepts: the notion of local care loops and care as patchwork. The concept of local care loops is a sensitizing one that emphasizes routine, daily practices and micro-mobilities of care that create loops around daily practices of care. Patchwork refers to practices that are simultaneously routinized activities but that are also changing from day to day, depending on the available resources and constraints (of time, money, and caregivers), as well as the local geographies and distances that need to be connected in the loops. The introduction also presents the six articles that make up this Special Issue. The articles identify similarities and differences in processes related to the commodification of childcare and transforming gender ideologies in post-socialist and social-democratic welfare societies.
A Study on the Adoption of Electric Vehicles in India: The Mediating Role of Attitude
Authors: Khurana Anil , Kumar V. V. Ravi , Sidhpuria Manish
Published: December 2019

Pollution of the environment is currently a global concern. Toxic emission from internal combustion engines is one of the primary air pollutants. In order to mitigate the effects of fossil fuel emission and address environmental concerns (ECs), electric vehicles (EVs) are being promoted aggressively all over the world. Various governments are encouraging people to switch to EVs by incentivizing the transition. Previous studies indicate that the high cost of the electric car, non-availability of charging infrastructure, time and range anxiety act as impediments to consumer adoption. The Government of India has given a call for ‘only Electric Vehicles’ on Road by 2030. This article is contemporary and examines the different factors that affect a consumer’s adoption of an EV. The respondents of the study are existing car owners in India. The data were analysed using Structured Equation Modelling (SEM). Attitude (ATT) emerged as a strong mediator, influencing the adoption of electric cars.
Clinical Characteristics of Influenza in Season 2017/2018 in a German Emergency Department: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Mohammad Sonia , Korn Klaus , Schellhaas Barbara , Neurath Markus F , Goertz Ruediger S
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Influenza infection is a viral disease with significant morbidity and mortality during the cold months. Clinical presentation typically includes cough, fever, and pain. Influenza disease is hardly diagnosed only on the basis of clinical symptoms due to similar clinical presentation of other diseases such as a typical cold or other flu-like diseases. We evaluated patients with proven influenza who presented at an emergency department of internal medicine in a university hospital according to the clinical presentation and different age groups.

Materials and Methods:

From October 2017 to April 2018, 723 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for influenza were performed in the emergency department on patients with suspected influenza diagnosed clinically. A total of 240 influenza-positive patients were retrospectively assessed for documented main symptoms, vital parameters, risk factors for an unfavorable course, hospitalization, and death.

Results:

The mean age of influenza patients was 65 years. Overall, 30 patients were aged 18 to 39 years, 48 patients 40 to 59 years, and 162 patients ⩾60 years. Influenza B in 168 (70%) was predominant to 72 influenza A (mostly H1N1). In only 30% of the patients all three typical symptoms (cough, fever, and headache/myalgia) were documented. Headache or myalgia (with 34%) was rather uncommon in influenza B. Sudden onset was cited in only 5.4%; 57% of all influenza patients were in hospital for a mean of 7.1 days, and 5.8% of all influenza patients died. Patients aged above 60 years had more risk factors, showed typical symptoms less frequently, and were hospitalized longer than younger patients (<60 and <40 years).

Conclusions:

At an emergency department of internal medicine, influenza-diseased patients are of higher age, show an increased number of comorbidities, and are more likely to have milder symptoms documented. Elderly patients with influenza have a higher hospitalization rate with a longer hospital stay as compared with younger patients.
Dynamic and stability performance improvement of the hydrodynamic bearing by using triangular-shaped textures
Authors: Sharma Sanjay , Jamwal Gourav , Awasthi Rajeev Kumar
Published: December 2019

In the present study, the effect of triangular shape textured on the bearing dynamic and stability performance has been investigated. The triangular-shaped texture having variation in their depth size, number of textures, and location has been used in the study to find the stiffness, damping, and stability parameters and compared with un-textured bearing. The pressure and fluid-film thickness in the lubricant flow domain having characteristics of Newtonian and isothermal and which is governed with Reynold's equation have been computed by discretizing the domain into four-nodded quadrilateral isoparametric by using finite element method. Four different cases of texture distribution on the bearing surface have been studied. The study has been carried out considering the bearing operation only under average eccentricity ratios of 0.6. From obtained results, it is found that the value of direct stiffness coefficient and threshold speed is found maximum at lower texture depth and the direct damping coefficient is found maximum at higher value of texture depth corresponding to different texture distribution on the bearing surface. The optimum triangular-shaped textured parameters have been also finalized to get maximum dynamic performance and stability, which may be expected to be valuable for bearing designers. For the purpose of a better insight into the stability aspect of the optimal textured journal bearing, the journal center trajectories are also drawn and compared with un-textured bearing.
Interactionist role theory meets ontological security studies: an exploration of synergies between socio-psychological approaches to the study of international relations
Authors: Klose Stephan
Published: December 2019

This article argues that interactionist role theory holds much potential for complementing the ontological security literature in the field of International Relations. Concretely, the article argues that an interactionist role theory perspective promises to supplement the ontological security literature in at least two significant respects. First, it allows for a better understanding of how an international actor’s (capacity to provide) ontological security is tied to its ability to realize its ‘self’ in society through the making and playing of roles (and the subsequent casting of others). Second, it emphasizes how reflective intelligence enables an international actor to address destabilizing disconnects between its ‘self’-image and societal role-play, and to develop a measure of ontological resilience (a capacity to constructively engage with – and to recover from – ontological security challenges). To illustrate this argument, the article provides a case study, which explores, from an interactionist role theory perspective, how the European Union’s ontological security has been strengthened, challenged and restored in its interaction with its Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood.
The performativity of monitoring and evaluation in international development interventions: Building a dialogical case study of evidence-making that situates ‘the general’
Authors: Coultas Clare
Published: December 2019

The dominance of high-income countries in ‘generalised’ evidence-making is increasingly recognised as a barrier to advancing understandings of social change processes in international development. Building more equitable and collaborative institutionalised relationships with localities is therefore emphasised. This paper details how a dialogical case study of evidence-making in international development was developed through the single-case ethnography of a youth sexual behaviour change and empowerment intervention in Tanzania. It illustrates how dialogical theorising was applied in both data collection and analyses towards advancing understandings of the ethical and dynamic Self–Other interdependencies through which evidence is made and communicated. The analyses highlight the performativity of monitoring and evaluation activities: how networks of relations perform the logic of rigid predictability that underpins the design and funding of international development interventions. The non-dialogical and inauthentic nature of these relations are found to foster distrust, holding the potential to undermine the ‘empowering’ goals of the intervention overall. ‘The international’ in evidence-making is therefore situated as a cultural location that lacks relevance in contexts such as Tanzania where changeability trumps predictability. Fostering equities therefore demands attending to colonialities regarding language use, the authority given to artefacts, and the sociohistorical and accumulative contextualisations of distrust.
New extended grillage methods for the practical and precise modeling of concrete box-girder bridges
Authors: Sun Yuan , Dai Shucai , Xu Dong , Zhu Hongping , Wang Xiaoming
Published: December 2019

The Hambly plane grillage method has been regarded as one of the classic numerical methods in the design field for modeling wide box-girder bridge structures. However, when it comes to the in-depth design applications, its strict division rules and insufficient mechanical explanations often make engineers inconvenient or puzzled at bridge modeling. This article investigates whether this method may be extended to become more adaptable for the design of current concrete box-girder bridge structures in consideration of both convenience and precision. To this end, the defects of Hambly plane grillage method are recognized, and new extended grillage methods, including the single-layer folding surface grillage and spatial grillage, are proposed respectively, to deal with different bridge design objects completely in a beam-oriented environment. The former allows freer cross-sectional division by breaking the basic rule of Hambly plane grillage method to include longitudinal separate-type beam components for a better exhibition of shear lag effects. The latter emphasizes a complete consideration of spatial behavior, including the easily missed in-plane effects of the top and bottom plates. The effectiveness of the methods are demonstrated by comparison case studies in some benchmark models and by a discussion of their applications.
Roma people of Turkey re-write their cinematographic images
Authors: Uştuk Ozan , Tunç Cox Ayça
Published: December 2019

The historical construction of the Roma image in Turkey, via both official and unofficial narratives, has constituted a derogatory repertoire. Their portrayal in the mainstream Turkish cinema and TV in particular has contributed to the predominant imaginary in circulation which essentially is based on common binaries and stereotypes. In order to challenge prevailing stereotypes about the Roma, we have conducted a transformative action research project with the Roma people of the Sıra district in İzmir, Turkey, who volunteered to make their own films. This article provides an account of this community filmmaking project. Locating the Roma in the conceptual framework of subalternity, we ultimately investigate whether it is possible to talk about agency in regard to the Roma people of Turkey.
Lines, triangles, and nets: A framework for designing input technologies and interaction techniques for computer-aided design
Authors: Erdolu Emek
Published: December 2019

This article serves to the larger quest for increasing our capacities as designers, researchers, and scholars in understanding and developing human-computer interaction in computer-aided design. The central question is on how to ground the related research work in input technologies and interaction techniques for computer-aided design applications, which primarily focus on technology and implementation, within the actual territories of computer-aided design processes. To discuss that, the article first reviews a collection of research studies and projects that present input technologies and interaction techniques developed as alternative or complimentary to the mouse as used in computer-aided design applications. Based on the mode of interaction, these studies and projects are traced in four categories: hand-mediated systems that involve gesture- and touch-based techniques, multimodal systems that combine various ways of interaction including speech-based techniques, experimental systems such as brain-computer interaction and emotive-based techniques, and explorations in virtual reality- and augmented reality-based systems. The article then critically examines the limitations of these alternative systems related to the ways they have been envisioned, designed, and situated in studies as well as of the two existing research bases in human-computer interaction in which these studies could potentially be grounded and improved. The substance of examination is what is conceptualized as “frameworks of thought”—on variables and interrelations as elements of consideration within these efforts. Building upon the existing frameworks of thought, the final part discusses an alternative as a vehicle for incorporating layers of the material cultures of computer-aided design in designing, analyzing, and evaluating computer-aided design-geared input technologies and interaction techniques. The alternative framework offers the potential to help generate richer questions, considerations, and avenues of investigation.
Subverting the Organizational Cartel: Explaining Cross-Party Leadership Selection in U.S. State Houses
Authors: Green Matthew N.
Published: December 2019

In the U.S. House of Representatives, the majority party constitutes an organizational cartel that monopolizes the selection of chamber leaders. But in state legislatures, that cartel power is sometimes circumvented by a bipartisan bloc that outvotes the leadership preferences of a majority of the majority party. Drawing from an original data set of instances of cross-party organizational coalitions at the state level, I use statistical analysis to test various hypotheses for when these coalitions are more likely to form. The analysis reveals that party ideology does not adequately explain the violation of these cartels; rather, violations depend on the costs associated with keeping the party unified and the benefits that come from selecting the chamber’s top leadership post. This finding underscores the potential vulnerability of organizational cartels and suggests that governing parties are strategic when deciding how fiercely to defend their cartel power.