bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cannabis Use and Prospective Long-Term Association with Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies: Usage du cannabis et association prospective à long terme avec l’anxiété: une revue systématique et une méta-analyse d’études longitudinales
Authors: Xue Siqi , Husain M. Ishrat , Zhao Haoyu , Ravindran Arun V.
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

Cannabis use is proposed as a risk factor for psychosis and is associated with depressive disorders. However, the relationship between recreational cannabis use and its longitudinal implications on anxiety conditions is less studied. The aim of this investigation is to systematically evaluate published literature and perform a meta-analysis of the data.

Methods:

A systematic search was performed of MEDLINE, Embase, and PsychINFO from inception to May 31, 2020, in addition to a hand search. Longitudinal studies that evaluated the relationship of cannabis use and development of anxiety were included. Where applicable, adjusted odds ratios ( ORs) were extracted, pooled, and evaluated using random-effects meta-analysis.

Results:

After screening of unique abstracts ( n = 6835), the final evaluation included 24 studies, of which 10 reported ORs that were analyzed quantitatively. Cannabis use was significantly associated with increased odds of developing any anxiety conditions ( OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.54). Cannabis use was not significantly associated with developing generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder. Review of studies not reporting OR revealed mixed results but are suggestive of a link between cannabis use and increased rates/severity of anxiety.

Conclusions:

Published evidence suggests that cannabis use is likely associated with increased risk of anxiety in the long term but variability of study designs precludes declaration of a causal relationship. Awareness of this association is of relevance for both clinical practice and mental health policy implementation.
Neighborhood Engagement, Dogs, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adulthood
Authors: Curl Angela L. , Bibbo Jessica , Johnson Rebecca A.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

This study examined the relationships between dog ownership, dog walking, and the emotional bond with a dog to neighborhood engagement and life satisfaction among those over age 50.

Method

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study ( N = 476), two path analysis models were conducted to test the research hypotheses.

Results

Findings indicated that dog ownership did not have a direct or indirect relationship on life satisfaction. However, time spent in dog walking was associated with frequency of social interactions, which itself had a positive association with life satisfaction. The bond with a dog was not directly associated with life satisfaction but was associated with dog walking.

Discussion

Dog walking is a promising strategy for simultaneously promoting better health and social engagement, and these factors in turn can promote greater life satisfaction of older adults.
Process Models to Understand Resident-to-Resident Aggression Among Residents With Dementia in Long-Term Care
Authors: Burnes David , Syed Manaal , Hsieh Jessica
Published: September 2020

Background/Objectives:

Resident-to-resident aggression (RRA) is a prevalent form of interpersonal violence in long-term care (LTC) settings. Research to guide preventive interventions is limited. Using social-ecological and need-driven dementia-compromised behavior perspectives, we sought to generate process models representing common RRA pathways in dementia-specific LTC units.

Research Methods:

We used qualitative focus group methodology involving staff ( n = 36) exposed to everyday resident interactions at two urban LTC facilities in Toronto, Canada. Semistructured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Two independent raters coded the transcripts using iterative, constant comparison analytic processes.

Results:

Two distinct RRA process models in dementia-specific LTC units were developed. Models reflect sequential pathways driven by residents’ benign or responsive behaviors and cognitive processing limitations, with escalation points within resident dyads or groups.

Implications:

This study furthers RRA conceptualization as a process rather than an aggressive event. Models capture unique RRA manifestations in dementia-specific LTC units and entrypoints for prevention or management.
Older Driver Crash Involvement and Fatalities, by Age and Sex, 2000–2017
Authors: Ratnapradipa Kendra L. , Pope Caitlin N. , Nwosu Ann , Zhu Motao
Published: September 2020

Federal reporting of crash fatalities has limited age-by-sex stratification, but both age and sex are associated with driving reduction and cessation. We described older driver fatal crash involvement and fatalities using Fatality Analysis Reporting System data to calculate rates (per 100,000 licensed drivers, per 100,000 population) with age-by-sex stratifications. Nationally from 2000 through 2017, 110,422 drivers 65+ were involved in crashes resulting in at least one death within 30 days, and 67,843 of these older drivers died. Involvement and fatality rates per 100,000 licensed drivers in 2017 were lowest for females 65–69 (7.7 and 3.6, respectively) and highest for males age 85+ (34.3 and 25.5, respectively). Females had lower driver fatal crash involvement and fatality rates throughout the lifespan, even when rates generally decreased over time. Elaborating fatal crash trends and rates by age and sex helps to differentiate the public health burden of older driver crashes and fatalities.
Waste management and environmental impact of absorbent hygiene products: A review
Authors: Velasco Perez Maribel , Sotelo Navarro Perla Xochitl , Vazquez Morillas Alethia , Espinosa Valdemar Rosa María , Hermoso Lopez Araiza Jéssica Paola
Published: September 2020

Absorbent hygiene products (AHP) have received much interest due to the notion that their end-of-life (EoL) stage has high environmental impacts. Since the use of AHP will continue to rise in the foreseeable future, information that helps with a reduction in the environmental impacts of AHP through their life cycle is needed. This research presents an estimation of AHP in municipal waste, and it also reviews and discusses waste management options, available treatments at bench, pilot or full scale, and life cycle assessments (LCAs) available in the literature. Municipal waste of countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development contains on average 2.7% of baby nappies, 4.8% of adult nappies and 0.5% of sanitary pads (in weight), whereas that of Latin-American countries have 7.3%, 3.3%, and 0.9%, respectively. Management options for AHP waste in developed countries are landfilling and incineration, while in developing countries AHP are disposed of in dumpsites and landfills. Most LCAs identify significant environmental impacts in the production of raw materials, while EoL scenarios involving incineration and landfill were found to have a significant contribution to global warming potential. Substitution with alternative products has been suggested as a way of decreasing environmental impacts; however, their use frequently causes a trade-off on different impact categories. Municipalities could use a wide range of policy tools, such as extended producer responsibility systems, bans, levies, ecolabelling, or a combination of these, to reduce the environmental and economic burden of AHP waste.
Statistical modelling and assessment of landfill leachate emission from fresh municipal solid waste: A laboratory-scale anaerobic landfill simulation reactor study
Authors: Venkatesh Reddy Chejarla , Shekhar Rao D , Kalamdhad Ajay S
Published: September 2020

Quantification, measurement of quality, post-treatment, and leachate control has been a significant problem due to the dumping of waste in an unscientific manner across the globe, and especially in developing countries like India. In this context, the objective of this study was to investigate the degradation of fresh mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) in an anaerobic landfill reactor operated with rainfall addition in laboratory conditions. Experiments were carried out in a landfill reactor of 1 m length × 1 m width × 1.1 m height. The reactor was simulated with 50 years weighted average actual rainfall rate of India. It contained the waste composition of 73% wet waste (food and kitchen) and 27% dry waste (paper, plastic, wood, textiles, and others). The leachate parameters were continually monitored for 39 weeks. In the fresh MSW landfill reactor it was evident that concentrations of leachate parameters were high initially, and there was a significant decrease in BOD5 (7041–39310 mg L−1), COD (15692–71630 mg L−1) and TS (9077–33200 mg L−1) in leachate. Therefore, rainfall had a direct influence on leachate quality. The developed first-order decay models were used for BOD5, COD, and total solids with adjusted R2 of 0.83, 0.92, and 0.96, respectively. Therefore, this model can be applied for leachate strength estimation at any given time from the period of deposition of waste under similar rainfall and waste compositions, and is largely applicable in India and tropical areas. This study is expected to be a good simulation for cities with the waste composition of high wet waste (>70%) as the estimations of important design parameters such as BOD5, COD, VFA, and NH4+-N were studied in this research. As the importance of moisture (precipitation) has been established in this study, some moisture additions can be designed in areas with low rainfall, such as arid zones.
A Policy Approach to Overcome Pre-Immigration Barriers to Participation in the Latinx Immigrant Community
Authors: Rodríguez Javier M. , Jimeno Rafael A. , Echeverría-Estrada Carlos A. , García Sandra P.
Published: September 2020

Policies to encourage socio-political participation of Latinx immigrants in the United States heavily rely on the primacy of assimilation processes resulting from immigrants’ exposure to the American political system alone. However, this approach overlooks the potential layers of complexity fostered by pre-immigration factors and how these interact with immigrants’ experiences in the U.S. We conduct a multinomial logit analysis using data from the 2006 Latino National Survey and emergent research on the impact of pre-immigration experiences to determine what factors can both activate participation and be influenced by institutions and policy makers in the U.S. Though we find that low levels of socio-political participation among Latinx immigrants strongly correlate with low levels of pre-immigration participation, for the outlier cases we analyze what factors contribute to increase participation once in the U.S. Results demonstrate the need for political parties and organizations to increase the long-term investment in young Latinx immigrants.
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) induces apoptosis of mouse HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells via oxidative stress
Authors: Tu Wei , Li Weifeng , Zhu Xingen , Xu Linlin
Published: September 2020

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) has been widely used as a plasticizer in industry and can affect memory; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, mouse HT22 cells, an immortalized hippocampal neuronal cell line, was utilized as an in vitro model. We showed that DEHP dramatically inhibited cell viability and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from the cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that DEHP could cause cytotoxicity of mouse HT22 cells. The protein levels of cleaved Caspase-8, cleaved Caspase-3, and Bax markedly increased in the DEHP-treated cells, whereas there was a significant decrease in the Bcl-2 protein level, implying that DEHP could induce apoptosis of mouse HT22 cells. DEHP exposure significantly increased the content of malondialdehyde, whereas it markedly decreased the level of glutathione and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, suggesting that DEHP induced oxidative stress of the cells. Compared with the DEHP-treated group, the inhibition of cell viability and the release of LDH were rescued in the N-acetyl-l-cysteine plus DEHP group. Furthermore, inhibition of oxidative stress could rescue the induction of apoptosis by DEHP. Collectively, our results indicated that DEHP could induce apoptosis of mouse HT22 cells via oxidative stress.
Online Sexual Abuse and Symptomatology in Chilean Adolescents: The Role of Peer Support
Authors: Guerra Cristóbal , Aguilera Gabriela , Lippians Constanza , Navarro Monserratt , Paz Makarena , Rebolledo Diego , Silva Gipsy , Alaeddine Reem
Published: September 2020

Several authors are studying sexual abuse via the Internet and its consequences. However, the available studies have not sufficiently detected factors that could help reduce the symptoms that victims may experience. Given the importance of peers during adolescence, especially in the online world, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between online sexual abuse, perceived peer support, and internalizing and externalizing symptomatology. Three hundred and eighty Chilean adolescents (M = 16.12 years, SD = .52, 49.7% girls, 50.3% boys) responded to a set of self-report instruments. The results showed a relationship between online sexual abuse and depressive symptomatology, as well as self-injurious and antisocial behaviors. In turn, peer support was inversely associated with internalizing symptomatology. Results of the study highlight the relevance of peers as factors in intervention programs for adolescents dealing with online sexual abuse.
From Strikes to Solidarity: The Diffusion of Protests in Poland in the Summer of 1980
Authors: Kozłowski Tomasz
Published: September 2020

This article analyzes the wave of strikes that flooded Poland in 1980 and their effect on the birth of a social movement. It retraces the process of emerging protests and their spread throughout factories and regions. It also discusses the role of the Interfactory Strike Committees and shows the mechanisms of circulation of newsletters and leaflets published by strikers. The article demonstrates how the spread of information influenced the rate and scale of mobilization. The author focuses on the role of social networks and the mechanisms that enabled diffusion of the elements of this social movement. The spread of the protests to other cities relied largely on direct contact between individual factories but was also facilitated by the independent press and audio recordings. The analysis also addresses the role of “brokers,” that is, people who disseminated information about the strike and increased the range of the protests. These “political tourists” observed the protests while on vacation or on business at the seaside and, on returning home, reported what they had seen, often bringing back strike-related information leaflets. The other group comprised “political emissaries” or people who intentionally established contact between individual protest centres. The article thus retraces the emergence of Solidarity starting from spontaneous strikes to the formation of a nationwide organization.
Resisting Despair: Narratives of Disruption and Transformation Among White Working-Class Women in a Declining Coal-Mining Community
Authors: Smeraldo Schell Kait , Silva Jennifer M.
Published: September 2020

In this article, we examine how white working-class women reimagine gender in the face of social and economic changes that have undermined their ability to perform normative femininity. As blue-collar jobs have disappeared, scholars have posited that white working-class men and women have become increasingly isolated, disconnected from institutions, and hopeless about the future, leading to a culture of despair. Although past literature has examined how working-class white men cope with the inability to perform masculinity through wage-earning and family authority, gender has been undertheorized in these discussions, treating working-class women’s and men’s despair interchangeably. Drawing on 37 in-depth interviews conducted in a former coal-mining town in northeastern Pennsylvania, we identify three overarching strategies that women deploy in their life histories to cope with disruption: embracing pain as an opportunity for self-growth; dispelling shame and striving for equality; and enduring suffering. These strategies allow women to feel hopeful and worthy as they confront enormous challenges, whether starting over following relationship dissolution, learning to be independent from men, or simply surviving hardship for the sake of their children. We explore the implications for recreating gender identity in each strategy and question how different strategies might serve to protect women from, or alternatively solidify, sentiments of despair.
Cerebral hemodynamics in peritoneal dialysis versus intermittent hemodialysis: A transcranial Doppler pilot study
Authors: Ghoshal Shivani , O’Connell Nathaniel , Tegeler Charles , Freedman Barry I
Published: September 2020

This study evaluated intradialytic cerebral hemodynamics measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) in intermittent hemodialysis (iHD) versus nightly peritoneal dialysis (NIPD). Intradialytic TCD was serially performed in chronic dialysis patients receiving iHD ( n = 10) and NIPD ( n = 10). A linear mixed model was used to model mean flow velocity (MFV), pulsatility index (PI), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) as functions of time and treatment group. Intradialytic cerebral volatility (IDCV) was calculated using the coefficient of variation (CV) and mean absolute value of change (AVC) of each patient’s MFV, PI, and MAP values over time. Mixed model analyses found no significant difference between MFV, PI, and MAP treatment groups in change over time, though volatility differed significantly. Mean CV values for MFV, PI, and MAP were higher in iHD than NIPD (MFV 0.22 vs. 0.10, p = 0.005; PI 0.14 vs. 0.08, p = 0.003; MAP 0.057 vs. 0.032, p = 0.009). AVC values were similarly higher in iHD compared to NIPD (MFV 8.26 vs. 4.43, p = 0.04; PI 0.17 vs. 0.084, p < 0.001; MAP 6.05 vs. 2.9, p = 0.003). PI, MFV, and MAP were more stable in NIPD than iHD, as measured by intradialytic TCD monitoring. This study identifies IDCV as a unique TCD metric for intradialytic cerebral hemodynamics.
Listening to thunder in the silence on Tiananmen: Politics and ethics of the memory of the June Fourth Movement
Authors: Xu Bin
Published: September 2020

‘Forgetting’ has been widely used in academic and public discourses of the memory of the 1989 Tiananmen Incident. The term, however, is conceptually unclear, empirically ineffective, and ethically problematic. Conceptually, it relies on a problematic assumption that silence means forgetting. Empirically, it lumps together different states of memory: ‘don’t remember, don’t talk about, don’t know, and don’t care.’ Ethically, it allows a broad, unjust moral accusation of those who remember but remain silent for various reasons. I argue that ‘silence’ provides greater conceptual precision, more analytical subtlety, and less ethical liability. Silence does not mean forgetting. Nor does it always mean the complete absence of sound. Rather, it refers to the absence of certain discourses about the past. I propose a perspective based on different forms of silence – ‘silencing, silenced, and silent’ – and illustrate it in an analysis of the memory of Tiananmen. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the analysis shows that the Chinese state initially intended to create a ‘covert silence’ – forcing people to remember rather than forget the official stories and silencing other narratives – and then an ‘overt silence’ in which all mention of the event was absent. Even underneath overt silence, however, are various experiences with ambiguities and nuances. The term silence also recognizes individuals’ ethical-political dilemmas under a repressive regime and aims to provide a language for an equal and inclusive truth-and-reconciliation process in the future.
Fail fast, fail often…but don’t fail this course! Business and enterprise education through the lens of theatre and the creative arts
Authors: Dobson Stephen , Walmsley Ben
Published: September 2020

This paper considers business and enterprise education through the lens of theatre and the creative arts, and identifies new pathways towards an interdisciplinary way of supporting the young innovators of the future, placing higher education as a central catalyst. Following a review of key criticism directed at traditional business and management approaches in the academy, the article problematizes the notion of experiential enterprise education in the curriculum and poses the question as to where and when students are afforded the opportunity to fail. Through an autoethnographic account, the key themes of authenticity, risk and failure, experiential approaches and embeddedness are presented. There is an urgent need for further and higher education institutions to develop a much more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to developing entrepreneurship in their students. These institutions are currently perpetuating pedagogical hypocrisy in that they preach productive failure while practising assessment success. An effective 21st-century approach would champion risk-taking and productive failure, place processes over outputs and acknowledge the important role of the post-course curriculum.
Interdisciplinary organization as a basic academic unit?
Authors: Yang Liu , Albats Ekaterina , Etzkowitz Henry
Published: September 2020

Academic interdisciplinarity has become a powerful means of addressing challenges facing contemporary society as well as offering opportunities to advance knowledge. To better understand the role of university interdisciplinary organizations (IDOs), the authors studied 18 IDOs at Stanford University in the USA. They propose that IDOs not only enhance researchers’ interdisciplinary collaboration but, counterintuitively, also serve departmental and disciplinary interests. While IDOs are traditionally believed to threaten traditional disciplinary departments, the authors find a “more the more” dynamic in which, by bringing shared university resources and faculty to bear on new themes, significant new resources are generated to the benefit of both actors. Traditionally, the relationship between departments and IDOs has been seen as a zero-sum game with winners and losers. This research suggests, to the contrary, a win–win dynamic in which the two formats are mediated by the research group. Some faculty members are alternately departmental chairs and IDO organizers as well as start-up founders, industrial consultants and holders of high governmental advisory positions during their careers, integrating Triple Helix university–industry–government interactions with IDOs and IDOs with departments. The authors examine how these two entities coexist and benefit one another in a cooperative academic ecosystem and consider the implications for the future of the university.
Phenolphthalein polyethersulfone bearing carboxyl groups: Synthesis and its separation-membrane applications
Authors: Liu Qifeng , Li Yunhui , Wang Honghua , Gao Ying , Zhang Xingdi , Zhou Guangyuan , Yang Xiuyun
Published: September 2020

A series of phenolphthalein polyethersulfones, containing varying contents of carboxyl groups, were synthesized via SN2 nucleophilic reaction. Structure of the prepared copolymers was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR. The phenolphthalein polyethersulfone comprising carboxyl groups exhibited excellent hydrophilicity and mechanical properties in the fabrication of ultrafiltration membrane. The properties of the membrane were measured using scanning electron microscopy and ultrafiltration membrane evaluator. The membrane showed superior ultrafiltration performance with a pure water flux of 399 (L·m− 2·h− 1), which was 1.9 times higher than that of the pristine phenolphthalein polyethersulfone. The pure water flux of the membrane with the pore-forming agent Tween 80 was up to 1082 (L·m− 2·h− 1), and its BSA rejection was up to 97% at 0.1 MPa. This work provided a new resin material with better performance for water treatment membrane.
An analytical study of optimal roller intermeshes for the plate leveling process
Authors: Liu Zhifang , Luo Yuanxin , Wang Yongqin , Warren Liao Thunshun , Deng Ming
Published: September 2020

Leveling process is usually used to minimize the plate defects including flatness imperfections and uniformity of internal stress in the plate industry. Roller intermeshes are important parameters in the leveling process to ensure the high-quality leveled plate. Some current researches treat the plate as a simple beam and ignore the stress superimposed effect to study how to set the roller intermeshes. This article presents an analytical optimization model to search the optimal entry and exit intermeshes for each incoming plate with consideration of the relationship between the roller intermeshes and bending curvatures during the whole leveling process. The optimization model was solved and the results were verified with production data. The relationship between the optimal roller intermeshes and plate thickness, yield stress, and Young’s modulus were discussed in details. It was found out that the roller intermeshes can be set the same for different incoming plates but with equal elastic limit curvature. A four-dimensional database of optimal roller intermeshes about different elastic limit curvature, expected plastic strain ratios, and roller spaces was built. The roller intermeshes can be quickly tracked in less than 1 s as long as the thickness, yield stress, and Young’s modulus of incoming plate and roller space are given according to the database so that it can be used effectively on the leveling production line.
Effect of particle size on physical, thermal and mechanical behaviour of epoxy composites reinforced with food waste fillers
Authors: Sharma Hitesh , Singh Inderdeep , Misra Joy Prakash
Published: September 2020

The present study aims to investigate the influence of food waste (citrus limetta peel) filler size on the thermal and mechanical behaviour of epoxy resin based composites. The present research work was undertaken with three different categories of fillers i.e. (i) (100–250) µm and ii) (350–500) µm and iii) (650–800) µm in 15 wt.%. The epoxy resin modified with citrus limetta peel (CLP) fillers was exposed to water soaking for diverse time durations of 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs, 96 hrs and 120 hrs. Mechanical and thermal properties of modified epoxy resin have been evaluated. A morphological analysis of the fractured surfaces of different composite specimens was also performed. The results revealed that the composites having coarse CLP fillers showed maximum water absorption. The mechanical characterization results revealed that the tensile and flexural strength were reduced in comparison to neat epoxy (NE). The impact strength of the developed composites increased for fine CLP fillers based composites. Overall, it was established that there is a significant effect of variation in filler size on developed composites and composites with fine CLP fillers gave best results compared to medium and coarse fillers based composites.
Numerical analysis of the effects of circumferential groove casing suction in a counter-rotating axial ﬂow compressor
Authors: Liang Tian , Liu Bo , Spence Stephen , Jiao Liying
Published: September 2020

To extend the current understanding of the circumferential groove casing suction applied to a counter-rotating axial ﬂow compressor, the impact of different axial locations of the circumferential suction groove on the characteristics of the tip leakage flow (TLF) and the corresponding physical mechanisms producing the stability enhancement have been studied based on validated numerical simulations. The results show that the optimal location for the suction groove is at around 20% axial chord, which demonstrated a high potential for reducing additional stall mass flow coefficient with about 8.4% increment in the stall margin. After the casing suction groove was applied, the interface between the incoming main ﬂow and TLF was pushed significantly downstream in the second rotor. The blade loading in the region below the groove, the tip leakage flow angle and the reversed axial momentum ﬂux injected into main ﬂow passage through the tip gap were all reduced, which contributed to the stall margin improvement. Detailed analysis of the tip leakage ﬂow structures showed that the TLF originating from different chord locations played different roles in the stall inception process. It was found to be more effective to improve stall margin and adiabatic efficiency by controlling the front part of the TLF, which was most sensitive.
On stress and subjectivity
Authors: Birk Rasmus Hoffmann
Published: September 2020

This article offers a critical analysis of contemporary mainstream stress research, focusing particularly on the way subjectivity is conceptualized. The article shows in detail how researchers in areas from biology to sociology and psychology commonly split stress into two concepts, namely objective, environmental “stressors” and subjective responses. Simultaneously, most research also readily acknowledges that stressors are only stressors insofar as the individual perceives or appraises them to be so. At the heart of stress research today, this paper shows, is a situation wherein the binary between the “objective” stressor and the “subjective” response is dependent upon the very subjectivity that is parsed out and cast aside. This paper critically examines this divide and discusses some possible ways forward for exploring subjectivity vis-à-vis contemporary stress research, arguing for the need for entangled and critical interdisciplinary explorations of subjectivity and stress.
Event-triggered reset trajectory tracking control for unmanned surface vessel system
Authors: Wang Haoping , Zhang Shuyu
Published: September 2020

This article considers the trajectory tracking control for unmanned surface vessels with unknown time-variant external disturbances and input saturation. The strategy mainly consists of event-triggered reset sub-controller and nonlinear disturbance observer–based compensation sub-controller. To reduce network transmissions, and in the meanwhile, guarantee the desirable closed-loop behavior, the event-triggered reset control is proposed where the reset law and the event-triggered mechanism are designed separately. Both of static and dynamic event-triggered reset controllers are designed. Their corresponding stability is demonstrated using Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, numerical simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed trajectory tracking control strategy.
Path tracking control of electromechanical micro-positioner by considering control effort of the system
Authors: Gharib Mohammad Reza , Koochi Ali , Ghorbani Mojtaba
Published: September 2020

Position controlling with less overshoot and control effort is a fundamental issue in the design and application of micro-actuators such as micro-positioner. Also, tracking a considered path is very crucial for some particular applications of micro-actuators such as surgeon robots. Herein, a proportional–integral–derivative controller is designed using a feedback linearization technique for path tracking control of a cantilever electromechanical micro-positioner. The micro-positioner is simulated based on a 1-degree-of-freedom lumped-parameter model. Three different paths are considered, and the capability of the designed controller on the path tracking with lower error and control effort is investigated. The obtained results demonstrate the efficiency of the designed proportional–integral–derivative controller not only for reducing the tracking error but also for decreasing the control effort.
Hepatoprotective effect of Omega-3 PUFAs against acute paracetamol-induced hepatic injury confirmed by FTIR
Authors: El-Gendy Zeinab A , El-Batran Seham A , Youssef SAH , Ramadan A , Hotaby Walid El , Bakeer Rofanda M , Ahmed Rania F
Published: September 2020

Acute paracetamol over dose-induced hepatotoxicity is considered an important medical hazard especially among women. Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs) daily doses are nowadays recommended for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is considered a reliable method in analyzing cellular alterations and is now efficiently used to diagnose several diseases and the efficacy of drugs even in the early stages. The aim of our study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Omega-3 PUFAs against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats confirmed through measuring protein alterations in hepatocytes by FTIR. Rats were pretreated with Omega-3 PUFAs (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days prior to oral ingestion of paracetamol. FTIR results revealed that Omega-3 PUFAs (50 mg/kg) limited the toxic effects of paracetamol by restoring the hepatic amide I to amide II ratio. In addition; biochemical analyses demonstrated that serum ALT, AST, Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Il-6 levels as well as hepatic TNF-α, MDA, NOx levels were decreased. Besides; serum HDL-cholesterol level and hepatic GSH level were increased. Histopathological examinations of hepatic sections validated the hepatoprotective potential. The overall effect of this dose was comparable to those of the usual recommended hepatoprotective supplement; silymarin. In conclusion; it would be recommended to use Omega-3 PUFAs in low doses on daily bases as a hepatoprotective agent.
Effect of erythropoietin on mercury-induced nephrotoxicity: Role of membrane transporters
Authors: Hazelhoff MH , Torres AM
Published: September 2020

Mercury is a widespread pollutant. Mercuric ions uptake into tubular cells is supported by the Organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1) and 3 (Oat3) and its elimination into urine is through the Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2). We investigated the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) on renal function and on renal expression of Oat1, Oat3, and Mrp2 in a model of mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced renal damage. Four experimental groups of adult male Wistar rats were used: Control, Epo, HgCl2, and Epo + HgCl2. Epo (3000 IU/kg, b.w., i.p.) was administered 24 h before HgCl2 (4 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.). Experiments were performed 18 h after the HgCl2 dose. Parameters of renal function and structure were evaluated. The protein expression of Oat1, Oat3 and Mrp2 in renal tissue was assessed by immunoblotting techniques. Mercury levels were determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Pretreatment with Epo ameliorated the HgCl2-induced tubular injury as assessed by histopathology and urinary biomarkers. Immunoblotting showed that pretreatment with Epo regulated the renal expression of mercury transporters in a way to decrease mercury content in the kidney. Epo pretreatment ameliorates HgCl2-induced renal tubular injury by modulation of mercury transporters expression in the kidneys.
Efficient orthogonal functional magnetic resonance imaging designs in the presence of drift
Authors: Singh Rakhi , Stufken John
Published: September 2020

To study brain activity, by measuring changes associated with the blood flow in the brain, functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques are employed. The design problem in event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging studies is to find the best sequence of stimuli to be shown to subjects for precise estimation of the brain activity. Previous analytical studies concerning optimal functional magnetic resonance imaging designs often assume a simplified model with independent errors over time. Optimal designs under this model are called g-lag orthogonal designs. Recently, it has been observed that g-lag orthogonal designs also perform well under simplified models with auto-regressive error structures. However, these models do not include drift. We investigate the performance of g-lag orthogonal designs for models that incorporate drift parameters. Identifying g-lag orthogonal designs that perform best in the presence of a drift is important because a drift is typically assumed for the analysis of event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging data.
Comparison of Surgical and Cadaveric Intestine as a Source of Crypt Culture in Humans
Authors: Scott Andrew , Olack Barbara , Rouch Joshua D. , Khalil Hassan A. , Kokubun Brent A. , Lei Nan Ye , Wang Jiafang , Solorzano Sergio , Lewis Michael , Dunn James C.Y. , Stelzner Matthias G. , Niland Joyce C. , Martín Martín G.
Published: September 2020

Human small intestinal crypts are the source of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that are capable of undergoing self-renewal and differentiation to an epithelial layer. The development of methods to expand the ISCs has provided opportunities to model human intestinal epithelial disorders. Human crypt samples are usually obtained from either endoscopic or discarded surgical samples, and are thereby exposed to warm ischemia, which may impair their in vitro growth as three-dimensional culture as spheroids or enteroids. In this study we compared duodenal samples obtained from discarded surgical samples to those isolated from whole-body preserved cadaveric donors to generate in vitro cultures. We also examined the effect of storage solution (phosphate-buffered saline or University of Wisconsin [UW] solution) as well as multiple storage times on crypt isolation and growth in culture. We found that intestinal crypts were successfully isolated from cadaveric tissue stored for up to 144 h post-procurement and also were able to generate enteroids and spheroids in certain media conditions. Surgical samples stored in UW after procurement were sufficiently viable up to 24 h and also allowed the generation of enteroids and spheroids. We conclude that surgical samples stored for up to 24 h post-procurement in UW solution allowed for delayed crypt isolation and viable in vitro cultures. Furthermore, in situ, hypothermic preservation in cadaveric duodenal samples permitted crypt/ISC isolation, and successful culture of spheroids and enteroids from tissues held for up to 6 days post-procurement.
Demystifying the Aquatic Paradox: The Infant Mortality in India
Authors: Banerjee Subhanil , Singh Anukriti , Bhattacharya Sumantra , Koner Souren
Published: September 2020

It is evident that better access to improved water sources will lead to the lessening of infant mortality rate (IMR). However, for India, such inference is ambiguous. There is a strong group of academicians such as Sahu et al. (2015) , Arun et al. (2017) and Tripathy and Mishra (2017) and organizations such as UNICEF that firmly believe that if access to the improved water sources can be improved, then there would be tremendous social welfare and much betterment to the IMR.

On the other hand, Banerjee et al. (2020) have refuted such claims and opined that access to improved water sources increases the IMR. The empirical validation of their claim has been flawless, but they are somewhat silent on why such a direct relationship between IMR and improved water source exists. They have made a comment based on assumptions that it might be complacency that develops with access to improved water sources that refrain the people to consider any type of water treatment before passing it to infants for drinking. Such a comment might be valid, but neither is it built upon a sound literature review nor does it stand on strong empirics. At this juncture, the present article tests the claim of Banerjee et al. (2020) based on pure empirics.
Case C-616/17 Blaise and Others: The precautionary principle and its role in judicial review – Glyphosate and the regulatory framework for pesticides
Authors: Röttger-Wirtz Sabrina
Published: September 2020

The approval renewal of glyphosate as an active substance for pesticides in the EU has also kept the Court of Justice occupied. Within this line of case law, the Blaise case is the most recent one. In this preliminary reference procedure the Court was asked to review the validity of the Plant Protection Products Regulation 1107/2009, examined against the precautionary principle as benchmark. The case is relevant not only for the questions raised about the Regulation, but also as it sheds a light on the – albeit limited – use of the precautionary principle in the judicial review of EU legislative measure.
Pervasive refusal syndrome in child asylum seekers on Nauru
Authors: Newman Louise , O’Connor Beth , Reynolds Vernon , Newhouse George
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

Between 2013 and 2019, an estimated 200 children seeking asylum in Australia were detained on the island of Nauru. In 2018, 15 of these children developed the rare and life-threatening pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS). This paper describes the PRS case cluster, the complexities faced by clinicians managing these cases, and the lessons that can be learned from this outbreak.

Conclusions:

The emergence of PRS on Nauru highlighted the risks of long-term detention of children in settings that are unable to meet their physical and psycho-social needs. The case cluster also underscored (a) the difficulties faced by doctors working in conditions where their medical and legal obligations may be in direct conflict, and (b) the role of clinicians in patient advocacy.
Designing an eHealth Breastfeeding Resource With Young Mothers Using a Participatory Design
Authors: Abbass-Dick Jennifer , Chyzzy Barbara , Newport Amber , Huizinga Joanne , Xie Fangli
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Breastfeeding rates among young mothers are low and do not meet recommendations from health authorities, putting the health of young mothers and their infants at risk. Young mothers require breastfeeding support that meets their learning needs and preferred mode for accessing information. The objective of this study was to work collaboratively with young mothers in order to cocreate an eHealth breastfeeding resource.

Methodology

A three-phase exploratory study was conducted in Ontario, Canada. In Phases I and II, young mothers and health care providers (HCPs) were recruited and preferences for an eHealth breastfeeding resource were explored. In Phase III, feedback from young mothers and HCPs about the new resource was collected.

Results

Participants found the breastfeeding eHealth resource visually appealing, engaging, and informative.

Discussion

Cocreating a tailored breastfeeding eHealth resource with young mothers and HCPs using a participatory approach ensured that the resource design and content met the learning needs of young mothers.
High-order mixed finite elements for an energy-based model of the polarization process in ferroelectric materials
Authors: Pechstein Astrid S , Meindlhumer Martin , Humer Alexander
Published: September 2020

An energy-based model of the ferroelectric polarization process is presented in the current contribution. In an energy-based setting, dielectric displacement and strain (or displacement) are the primary independent unknowns. As an internal variable, the remanent polarization vector is chosen. The model is then governed by two constitutive functions: the free energy function and the dissipation function. Choices for both functions are given. As the dissipation function for rate-independent response is non-differentiable, it is proposed to regularize the problem. Then, a variational equation can be posed, which is subsequently discretized using conforming finite elements for each quantity. We point out which kind of continuity is needed for each field (displacement, dielectric displacement and remanent polarization) is necessary to obtain a conforming method, and provide corresponding finite elements. The elements are chosen such that Gauss’ law of zero charges is satisfied exactly. The discretized variational equations are solved for all unknowns at once in a single Newton iteration. We present numerical examples gained in the open source software package Netgen/NGSolve.
Road traveling test for vibration control of a wheel loader cabin installed with magnetorheological mounts
Authors: Kim Seong-Hwan , Yoon Dal-Seong , Kim Gi-Woo , Choi Seung-Bok , Jeong Jin-Young , Kim Joo-Ho , Kim Sung-Jae , Kim In-Dong
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a semi-active type magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based mount for effective vibration control of a wheel loader cabin. Traditional passive (viscous) mounts are inadequate at providing a large damping force and low elastic modulus over a wide frequency range; hence, the ride comfort of the driver and work efficiency per day are limited. In the present study, to overcome this limitation, MR mounts were designed considering principal geometry and dimensions of existing viscous mounts and installed to a vehicle cabin for vibration control. After investigating the field-dependent dynamic stiffness of the manufactured MR mounts, a field test on road traveling was conducted. In the field test, vibrations from the vertical and horizontal directions are evaluated with respect to the vehicle speed. In addition, vibration control performances between conventional viscous mount and the proposed MR mounts were compared showing superior performances of the reduced acceleration transmissibility and amplitude with on-off controlled MR mounts.
Effectiveness of a Novel 3D-Printed Nasoalveolar Molding Appliance (D-NAM) on Improving the Maxillary Arch Dimensions in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Abd El-Ghafour Mohamed , Aboulhassan Mamdouh A. , Fayed Mona M. Salah , El-Beialy Amr Ragab , Eid Faten Hussein Kamel , Hegab Seif El-Din , El-Gendi Mahmoud , Emara Dawlat
Published: September 2020

Objective:

The aim of the current study was to introduce and measure the effectiveness of a new 3D-printed nasoalveolar molding (D-NAM) appliance on improving the maxillary arch dimensions (MADs) in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) before surgical lip repair.

Design:

A prospective, balanced, randomized, parallel groups, single-blinded, controlled trial.

Setting:

All the steps of the current study were carried in the Department of Orthodontics, Cairo University in Egypt.

Participants:

Thirty-four, nonsyndromic infants with UCLP.

Interventions:

The eligible infants were randomly assigned into either no-treatment (control) or to the new D-NAM groups. In D-NAM group, the maxillary models were 3D scanned into virtual models onto which segmentation and alveolar segments approximation were performed. Approximation movements were divided into 3 models representing 3 activation steps. On each of these models, virtual appliance construction was performed followed by 3D printing of the appliance. Nasal stent was added manually to the appliances of the second and third steps. Horizontal tapes were applied to infants in the D-NAM group only.

Main Outcomes Measures:

A Blinded assessors carried all the MADs measurements virtually on digital models collected at the beginning (T1) and after (T2) treatment.

Results:

Clinically and/or statistically significant improvements in all the measured MADs were recorded in D-NAM group at T2 before surgical lip repair in comparison to control group.

Conclusions:

The introduced D-NAM/3D-printed appliance is a simple and efficient technique to improve the MADs in infants with UCLP before surgical lip repair.
Further Clinical Delineation of Chromosome 1q21Microduplication Syndrome: Robin Sequence as an Under-Recognized Association in Chromosomal Microdeletions and Duplications
Authors: Salinero Lauren K. , Shur Natasha , Oh Albert K.
Published: September 2020

Robin sequence (RS) has been reported in association with single gene disorders and chromosomal abnormalities; however, it has not previously been described in connection with chromosome 1q21 microduplication. We present the first known case of a neonate diagnosed with chromosome 1q21.1 microduplication syndrome and RS requiring surgical airway intervention. This case demonstrates the value of genetic testing in cases of RS presenting with other congenital anomalies.