bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Progress on All Ceramic Zirconia Core/Veneer Interface: A Review
Authors: Li Si-Lian , Zhang Qian , Wu Fan-Fu , Hu Jia-Yi , Wang Qiang
Published: October 2019

The application of veneered zirconia system in clinical has last for few decades due to the excellent aesthetic performance. It was reported in many cases that porcelain delamination occurred in the interface between the zirconia infrastructure and veneer ceramics. There were many works
have been carried out to improve the bond strength of interface. Most of the studies focused on the influence factors that affected the longevity of dental restoration. There existed different points of view both in vitro and in vivo. Hence, this review mainly focuses on veneered
zirconia system and some interesting controversial findings that may lead to dental restoration failure. Furthermore, it was also found that the next generation of zirconia (such as monolithic zirconia, self-glazed zirconia) have brought the challenge to veneered zirconia system.
Conceivable Protective Role of Murraya koenigii Leaf Extract Loaded Poly(D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Gold-Nanoparticles on the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus of Rats Induced by Streptozotocin
Authors: An Yan , Guo Yuanyuan , Wu Hongli , Huang Yuxiang , Xie Dan , Qin Jinjin
Published: October 2019

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the utmost common metabolic disorder of pregnancy, related with numerous perinatal complications. Recently, several researches have shown the valuable effect of exercise and medical nutrition therapies on weight control and glycemic control in
GDM-affected peoples. In the present investigation, we established a rat model of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rats by utilizing streptozotocin (STZ) with Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii) extract treated Au-PLGA nanoformulated system. An aggregate of thirty rats was confined
together with male rats for pregnancy, out of which twenty-seven pregnant rats were acquired and weighed. The pregnant animals were similarly randomized into control gathering, gestational diabetes mellitus gathering and intercession gathering. After the treatment of M. koenigii leaf
extract with Au-PLGA nanosystem, serum glucose and lipids levels of intercession amass were enhanced considerably. Antioxidant enzymes levels of gestational diabetes mellitus aggregate in pancreas and liver tissues were lower than alternate gatherings, and after treatment of M. koenigii
leaf extract, cell reinforcement compounds levels in pancreas and liver tissues were equal to the control gathering. M. koenigii leaf extract, wealthy antioxidant agent substances, could maintain a strategic distance from the extreme expending of cell reinforcement chemicals, at that
point, smothering the oxidative pressure and insulin opposition, and, along these lines, enhancing blood glucose level of gestational diabetes mellitus in rats.
Research Progress of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage in Repairing Cartilage Defects
Authors: He Yuan-Jia , Lin Shuang , Ao Qiang
Published: October 2019

Due to the unsatisfactory outcome of current clinical treatment, tissue engineering technology has become a promising approach for the treatment of cartilage defects. Typical cartilage tissue engineering uses seed cells that have been expanded in vitro to implant into various
biomaterial scaffolds that are biocompatible and are gradually degraded and absorbed in the body, with or without physical/chemical factors mimicking the cartilage microenvironment, to regenerate cartilage tissue with similar biochemical and biomechanical properties to natural cartilage tissue.
Therefore, we summarise the three aspects of seed cells, biological scaffolds, and factors/signals.
Middle Class Without a Net: Savings, Financial Fragility, and Preferences Over Social Insurance
Authors: Hariri Jacob Gerner , Jensen Amalie Sofie , Lassen David Dreyer
Published: October 2019

In this article, we show that it is crucial to distinguish between liquid and illiquid wealth to understand how voters form preferences toward social insurance. Many households are financially fragile despite having high incomes and wealth, because they hold little liquid savings. We hypothesize, and show empirically, that this implies that a substantial group of voters show strong support for social insurance policies despite being wealthy and having high incomes, because of their limited ability to self-insure through own savings in case of an income shock. Our empirical analysis is based on a novel dataset from Denmark, which combines administrative data with high-quality measures of individual financial assets and survey measures of political preferences. Using data for other countries from the European Social Survey, we find evidence that our results hold more generally and are not specific to the Danish context.
Resilience and Equality in the Household of God: Peggy Mulambya Kabonde’s Search for Justice
Authors: Kangwa Jonathan
Published: October 2019

The World Council of Churches (WCC) commemorated its 70th anniversary in 2018. Over the years, the WCC has engaged with issues that affect women in the Church and society. It has challenged patriarchy in Church structures; calling for justice, partnership in mission and the ordination of women. The WCC initiated a decade of Churches in solidarity with women (1988 to 1998) to promote the visibility of women in the Church. Using storytelling as a heuristic tool and in the spirit of the WCC’s decade of Churches in solidarity with women, the present paper documents the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Peggy Mulambya Kabonde of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ). Firstly, a brief narrative of her life and work is presented. Secondly, her work and experience in the Church is analyzed in order to engage with the issues affecting women in ordained ministry in Africa and other parts of the world. The paper concludes by proposing a model of ecclesiology that embraces inclusivity and the equality of men and women in the Church.
Attributing Blame to Robots: I. The Influence of Robot Autonomy
Authors: Furlough Caleb , Stokes Thomas , Gillan Douglas J.
Published: October 2019

Objective

The research examined how humans attribute blame to humans, nonautonomous robots, autonomous robots, or environmental factors for scenarios in which errors occur.

Background

When robots and humans serve on teams, human perception of their technological team members can be a critical component of successful cooperation, especially when task completion fails.

Methods

Participants read a set of scenarios that described human–robot team task failures. Separate scenarios were written to emphasize the role of the human, the robot, or environmental factors in producing the task failure. After reading each scenario, the participants allocated blame for the failure among the human, robot, and environmental factors.

Results

In general, the order of amount of blame was humans, robots, and environmental factors. If the scenario described the robot as nonautonomous, the participants attributed almost as little blame to them as to the environmental factors; in contrast, if the scenario described the robot as autonomous, the participants attributed almost as much blame to them as to the human.

Conclusion

We suggest that humans use a hierarchy of blame in which robots are seen as partial social actors, with the degree to which people view them as social actors depending on the degree of autonomy.

Application

The acceptance of robots by human co-workers will be a function of the attribution of blame when errors occur in the workplace. The present research suggests that greater autonomy for the robot will result in greater attribution of blame in work tasks.
Formative assessment practices in undergraduate microwave engineering education
Authors: You Kok Yeow
Published: October 2019

Microwave engineering is a technology-based course. Students can easily score high assessments in this course, because more of the engineering students are interested in this kind of application-oriented course. Normally, the achievement of students in this course is evaluated based on their summative assessment. Hence, the score of evaluation which obtained by the students in this course oftentimes does not match with the actual quality of the students, especially regarding their practical skill. In this paper, several simple practical assignments were proposed for undergraduate students to complete their assessment in microwave engineering course.
Young people’s willingness to farm under present and improved conditions in Thailand
Authors: Ruiz Salvago Marta , Phiboon Kassirin , Faysse Nicolas , Nguyen Thi Phuoc Lai
Published: October 2019

Studies of young people’s willingness to farm usually analyse their plans based on the resources available to them, or their hopes if they had access to more resources, but rarely study the two jointly. However, in newly industrialized countries in Asia, such joint assessments are needed to disentangle the extent to which young people’s limited involvement in farming is due to lack of interest or to the fact that they see no way to get round the obstacles to starting the kind of farming they want to practice. This study analysed the vision of 86 young rural people in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, concerning farming, their plan to farm under prevailing conditions and their willingness to become a farmer if more opportunities to start farming were available. More than two-thirds of the interviewees were not farming at the time of the interview, but half planned to start farming, either part or full time, in the coming decade. One-third of the interviewees said that if they had better opportunities to start farming, they would reconsider their current plans to work in non-agricultural sectors and instead become full-time farmers. Public policies aimed at increasing the number of young people who become farmers should consequently not take the prevailing lack of engagement in farming by many young rural people as a given. Such policies should not only support young people who already plan to farm, but also those who would be willing to farm if they had better opportunities to do so.
Formal reasoning on knowledge and commitments in multi-agent systems using Theatre
Authors: Nigro Christian , Nigro Libero , Sciammarella Paolo F
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes a formal method based on the Theatre framework for modeling and analysis of knowledge and commitments in multi-agent systems (MASs). Theatre centers on actors and a reduction on to Uppaal, which enables both non-deterministic analysis (that is, qualitative analysis by exhaustive verification, or showing that something can possibly occur) and quantitative analysis (that is, estimating probability measures of event occurrence through simulations) of the same model. The article describes the modeling and analysis approach based on Theatre and Uppaal, and shows its application to the modeling and property checking of the NetBill protocol used in web-based MAS applications when selling/buying goods. Properties of the NetBill protocol are demonstrated by experimental results.
Military Loyalty as a Moral Emotion
Authors: Connor James , Andrews Dia Jade , Noack-Lundberg Kyja , Wadham Ben
Published: October 2019

Loyalty between soldiers is idealized as an emotion that promotes cohesion and combat effectiveness. However, little empirical work has examined how military personnel understand, feel, and enact loyalty. We use a symbolic interactionalist informed frame to explore the lived experience of 24 retired Australian Defence Force members via in-depth semi-structured interviews. Our analysis revealed three core themes: (1) Loyalty as reciprocity, where there was an expectation that loyalty would be returned no matter what. (2) The importance of emotional connection for cohesion. (3) Loyalty as a prioritizing process, where a soldier’s loyalties gave them a way of choosing between competing demands. Loyalty is a moral emotion that enabled sensemaking. Close interpersonal loyalties tended to trump wider/diffused loyalties. Respondents understood their loyalties to fellow soldiers within wider social constructs of mateship and professionalism. The findings show the risks that come from a reliance on loyalty for combat cohesion.
Injuries and Illness Prevalence Prior to Competition in Goalball Players
Authors: Gajardo Rubén , Aravena Carmen , Fontanilla Macarena , Barría Mauricio , Saavedra Cristhian
Published: October 2019

Introduction:

Goalball is a sport specifically created for persons with visual impairments. In spite of all benefits that participating in sport-related activities brings to athletes with visual impairments, there is also the inherent, associated risk of being injured. Competing presenting injuries or illnesses or both not only decrease performance in contests but also increase the risk of acquiring new injuries. There is no information available regarding prior-to-competition injuries or illnesses in athletes with visual impairments. The objective of this research is to determine prevalence of injuries and diseases in athletes prior to a sport-competitive event.

Method:

A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in 39 athletes (12 women; 41.02 ± 14.96 years old [15.4–71.5]) of Southern Chilean teams participating in the Goalball National Championship. Seven questions from a questionnaire about injuries and illnesses during 4 weeks prior to the competition were analyzed through frequency distribution and measures of key trends.

Results:

The prevalence of prior injuries was determined as 64.1% ( n = 25), which influenced training in different ways. Sixty percentage of athletes thought these injuries would affect their performance during the championship. Finally, 25.64% ( n = 10) reported having a disease.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first study determining past injuries and illnesses in athletes with visual impairments. This information is important to elaborate preventive strategies and to provide better medical support during competitions.

Implications for practitioners:

The multidisciplinary teams preparing athletes with visual impairments can use this information to develop preventive strategies to reduce injuries, improve sport performance, and provide better medical support during competitions.
Implementing an Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation Program in Singapore
Authors: Boey Debbie Shuying , Warren Mary
Published: October 2019

Introduction:

This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an occupational therapy (OT) low vision rehabilitation program established in a large hospital in Singapore in 2013.

Methods:

A logic model was used to develop a blueprint to guide program development and evaluation of the program. The targeted short-term outcomes for the first 2 years are to demonstrate program growth through an increase in referrals and meeting of clients’ needs through expressed client satisfaction and improvement in performance of daily activities. The long-term outcomes are to expand the program’s referral base and contribute to education and research in low vision rehabilitation. The steps of the logic model are described along with program evaluation results from the first 2 years of implementation.

Results:

The short-term outcome for program growth was met with the increase of referrals in the first 2 years. Program evaluation, however, revealed that there was limited support from some referral sources and underutilization of OT services, which need to be addressed to ensure sustainability of the program. It was difficult to establish whether the short-term outcomes for meeting clients’ needs were met due to limited outcome measures completed.

Discussion:

The logic model guided the steps of developing and evaluating an outpatient low vision rehabilitation program in a hospital in Singapore to determine whether the targeted outcomes were met for the first 2 years of the program. Use of this process enabled the program providers to identify weaknesses in the program and institute steps to move the program toward achievement of its long-term goals.

Implications for practitioners:

This blueprint can be used to guide occupational therapists developing medically based low vision rehabilitation programs for older adults.
Stereotypes as Historical Accidents: Images of Social Class in Postcommunist Versus Capitalist Societies
Authors: Grigoryan Lusine , Bai Xuechunzi , Durante Federica , Fiske Susan T. , Fabrykant Marharyta , Hakobjanyan Anna , Javakhishvili Nino , Kadirov Kamoliddin , Kotova Marina , Makashvili Ana , Maloku Edona , Morozova-Larina Olga , Mullabaeva Nozima , Samekin Adil , Verbilovich Volha , Yahiiaiev Illia
Published: October 2019

Stereotypes are ideological and justify the existing social structure. Although stereotypes persist, they can change when the context changes. Communism’s rise in Eastern Europe and Asia in the 20th century provides a natural experiment examining social-structural effects on social class stereotypes. Nine samples from postcommunist countries ( N = 2,241), compared with 38 capitalist countries ( N = 4,344), support the historical, sociocultural rootedness of stereotypes. More positive stereotypes of the working class appear in postcommunist countries, both compared with other social groups in the country and compared with working-class stereotypes in capitalist countries; postcommunist countries also show more negative stereotypes of the upper class. We further explore whether communism’s ideological legacy reflects how societies infer groups’ stereotypic competence and warmth from structural status and competition. Postcommunist societies show weaker status–competence relations and stronger (negative) competition–warmth relations; respectively, the lower meritocratic beliefs and higher priority of embeddedness as ideological legacies may shape these relationships.
Rural radio and the everyday politics of settlement on Indigenous land
Authors: Waller Lisa , Mesikämmen Emma , Burkett Brian
Published: October 2019

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Country Hour radio programmes are produced regionally and promote specific understandings of rurality. This article presents an analysis that shows Indigenous people and issues are rarely sources or topics in Country Hour, and that stories about Indigenous land use are generally broadcast only if the land is used in a way that is seen as ‘productive’ through settler colonial eyes. It also argues the programme should include Indigenous voices and understandings of the land in imagining this space. It makes a theoretical contribution to media studies by extending on concepts of the ‘rural imaginary’ and ‘settler common sense’ to argue that the programme perpetuates a discourse that legitimates and valorises the use of ‘rural’ space for non-Indigenous people, concepts and activities. Indigenous people are noticeably absent and silent. Country Hour is therefore conceptualised as a media space that continues to transmit settler colonialism and its attendant myths.
The Impact of Inhaled Ambient Ultrafine Particulate Matter on Developing Brain: Potential Importance of Elemental Contaminants
Authors: Cory-Slechta Deborah A. , Sobolewski Marissa , Marvin Elena , Conrad Katherine , Merrill Alyssa , Anderson Tim , Jackson Brian P. , Oberdorster Gunter
Published: October 2019

Epidemiological studies report associations between air pollution (AP) exposures and several neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, attention deficit disorder, and cognitive delays. Our studies in mice of postnatal (human third trimester brain equivalent) exposures to concentrated ambient ultrafine particles (CAPs) provide biological plausibility for these associations, producing numerous neuropathological and behavioral features of these disorders, including male-biased vulnerability. These findings raise questions about the specific components of AP that underlie its neurotoxicity, which our studies suggest could involve trace elements as candidate neurotoxicants. X-ray fluorescence analyses of CAP chamber filters confirm contamination of AP exposures by multiple elements, including iron (Fe) and sulfur (S). Correspondingly, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of brains of male mice indicates marked postexposure elevations of Fe and S and other elements. Elevations of brain Fe and S in particular are consistent with potential ferroptotic, oxidative stress, and altered antioxidant capacity-based mechanisms of CAPs-induced neurotoxicity, supported by observations of increased serum oxidized glutathione and increased neuronal cell death in nucleus accumbens with no corresponding significant increase in caspase-3, in male brains following postnatal CAP exposures. Understanding the role of trace element contaminants of particulate matter AP as a source of neurotoxicity is critical for public health protection.
It’s all in your head: A meta-analysis on the effects of music training on cognitive measures in schoolchildren
Authors: Cooper Patrick K
Published: October 2019

The utility of music training in schools has received much attention in the United States. The purported positive cognitive benefits of music training for schoolchildren is one facet which has historically been used to advocate for the existence of public school music programs. The purpose of this study was to conduct a random-effects meta-analysis to measure the overall mean effects of music training on cognitive measures in schoolchildren. Results showed small to medium overall effects ( N = 5,612, k = 100, g = .28, p < .001, 95% confidence interval [CI] [.21, .34]). When compared to active control groups, music training yielded more improvement on a range of cognitive measurements ( g = .21, p < .0001). While some studies did result in large effect sizes, significant moderators related to methodological quality rendered the overall findings non-significant ( g = .08, p = .19, 95% CI [–.04, .20]). Additional moderator analysis showed no clear advantage in one area of cognitive function. Results did not differ by geographical locale or type of music intervention. Overall, results suggested music training may be a positive cognitive intervention for schoolchildren; however, advantages as to the utility of music training compared to other cognitive interventions were less empirically supported.
Association between benign prostate hyperplasia and metabolic syndrome in men under 60 years old: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Shuiqing , He Haiqing , Wang Yinhuai , Xu Ran , Zhu Bin , Zhao Xiaokun
Published: October 2019

Objective

To assess the potential relationship between benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and metabolic syndrome in men under 60 years old.

Methods

We searched the Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies of patients with metabolic syndrome and BPH using the key words ‘metabolic syndrome’, ‘benign prostatic hyperplasia’, and ‘BPH’. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were extracted from the included studies and the role of metabolic syndrome in BPH and its characteristics (International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), total prostate volume (TPV), postvoid residual (PVR)) were evaluated by meta-analysis.

Results

Six comparative studies comprising 61,826 individuals were identified and included in this meta-analysis. There were significant correlations between metabolic syndrome and BPH (OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.19–1.29), clinical BPH (OR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.03–1.70), and TPV (OR = 2.34, 95%CI = 1.25–3.42). However, there was no significant association between metabolic syndrome and IPSS (OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 0.35–2.04) or PVR (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 0.95–3.34).

Conclusions

These results indicate that metabolic syndrome is significantly and positively correlated with the incidence of BPH in younger men aged <60 years. However, there was no significant relationship between metabolic syndrome and BPH-related symptoms.
Interview with Karol Modzelewski, 1991
Authors: Tymowski Andrzej W.
Published: October 2019

This is an edited version of an interview conducted in 1991 and first published in New Politics 4, no. 2 (1993): 155–72.

The editors of EEPS publish this version after the recent death of Karol Modzelewski, 1937–2019. In the 1991 interview, Modzelewski reflected on the difference between Solidarność 1980–1981 as a mass social movement and the very much changed Solidarność that in 1989 formed the first non-Communist government in the Soviet bloc. His comments have a premonitory relevance for Polish politics today.
Ideas and the Politics of School Choice Policy: Portfolio Management in Philadelphia
Authors: Quinn Rand , Ogburn Laura
Published: October 2019

We examine the role of ideas in the politics of school choice policy and situate our study within scholarship that understands frames and logics as types of ideas operating in the foreground and background of policy debates. Our data are from a case study of political contention over portfolio management reform (in which a central office oversees a network of schools operating under varying forms of governance) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We find that frames and counterframes deployed by stakeholders are resonant with societal-level logics of community localism, market transaction, and state bureaucratic administration. For proponents of portfolio reform, diagnostic frames are drawn from logics of community and state, while prognostic frames are resonant with a market logic. For opponents, the association is flipped: diagnostic counterframes challenge a market logic, and logics of community and state inform prognostic counterframes. Our study demonstrates how ideational processes shape political contention in education reform.
Schools in the Marketplace: Analysis of School Supply Responses in the Chilean Education Market
Authors: Zancajo Adrián
Published: October 2019

This article presents the findings of research focused on schools’ responses to competitive environments. Using the Chilean education market as a case study, the article analyzes not only the responses developed by schools in different domains in the face of competitive incentives but also their diversity, as well as motivations, rationalities, and objectives behind these responses. The findings also show how different mediating factors at the school and local levels are essential to any understanding of the capacity of market-oriented policies to alter the behavior of schools and obtain the expected results in terms of equity.
Lipopolysaccharide induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition of alveolar epithelial cells cocultured with macrophages possibly via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Qin Y , Zhao P , Chen Y , Liu X , Dong H , Zheng W , Li C , Mao X , Li J
Published: October 2019

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the process of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Increasing evidences have shown that exaggerated EMT in recurrent pulmonary injury mediates the early pathogenesis of PF. This study aimed to evaluate EMT of human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) when cocultured with human macrophages Tohoku hospital pediatrics-1 (THP-1) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and investigate the role of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. Firstly, we detected the inflammatory and EMT biomarkers in A549 cells monoculture and A549/THP-1 cells coculture in the presence or absence of LPS. Then, the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway was determined in coculture. Interestingly, inflammatory markers, such as interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, transforming growth factor (TGF)- β, and collagen type 1 (COL-1), were enhanced in LPS treated coculture. Besides, the expression of E-cadherin decreased but α-smooth muscle actin expression increased, indicating the presence of EMT in A549 cells when cocultured with THP-1 macrophages. However, these phenotypes could not be observed in LPS-treated A549 cells monoculture. Meanwhile, JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway was activated, and the STAT3 DNA-binding and inflammatory markers were inhibited by Stattic. Together, these findings demonstrate the key role of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in LPS promoted EMT of A549 in the presence of THP-1 macrophages as an in vitro PF model.
Financial Affordability, Health Insurance, and Use of Health Care Services by the Elderly: Findings From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Ren Jiaojiao , Ding Ding , Wu Qunhong , Liu Chaojie , Hao Yanhua , Cui Yu , Sun Hong , Ning Ning , Li Ye , Kang Zheng , Shan Linghan , Zhao Miaomiao , Liu Baohua
Published: October 2019

The rapidly growing aging population has attracted global attention. This study explores the associations between 3 basic health insurances, and it identifies factors associated with health care services among the elderly populations. This study is based on multistage stratified cluster sampling method from the 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) resulting in 7589 participants. Medical Insurance for Urban Employees (MIUE) members were more likely to use inpatient health care services. Health insurance programs were associated with inpatient services usage but not outpatient services usage. There are significant disparities in medical costs and health care service usage among the 3 insurance programs. Health insurance program is only associated with inpatient care. These findings may provide some suggestions to support improvements to the Chinese health care system.
State capitalism(s) redux? Theories, tensions, controversies
Authors: Alami Ilias , Dixon Adam D
Published: October 2019

This article interrogates the notion of state capitalism, exploring the contributions and limits of the concept as a means of theorizing the more visible role of the state across the world capitalist economy. We critically synthesize the key arguments, outlining commonly cited properties and practices of state capitalism, in three bodies of literature: strategic management, comparative capitalism and global political economy. We find that the term not only lacks a unified definition, but actually refers to an extremely wide array of policy instruments, strategic objectives, institutional forms and networks, that involve the state to different degrees. For this proliferation of competing usages to be productive and not lead to analytical impasses, we argue that there is a need for a heightened level of reflexive scrutiny of state capitalism as a category of analysis. In that spirit, we identify three issues that the literature must further grapple with for the term to be analytically meaningful, that is, capable of rendering (state)capitalist diversity amenable to analysis and critique: (1) the ‘missing link’ of a theory of the capitalist state, (2) the time horizons of state capitalism, or the question of ‘periodization’, (3) territorial considerations or the question of ‘locating’ state capitalism.
The Effect of CASA on Child Welfare Permanency Outcomes
Authors: Osborne Cynthia , Warner-Doe Hilary , LeClear McKenna , Sexton Holly
Published: October 2019

The present study is the largest and most rigorous study to date on the effects of being appointed a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) on permanency outcomes of children in foster care. The intent-to-treat study accounts for selection bias by applying inverse probability weighting to logistic and sequential logistic regressions in a large sample of children in foster care in the state of Texas ( N = 31,754). Overall, children appointed a CASA have significantly lower odds than children without a CASA of achieving permanency. They have lower odds of being reunified, greater odds of being adopted (if not reunified), and lower odds of being placed in permanent kin guardianship (if not reunified or adopted) than children who are not appointed CASA. This study makes an additional contribution by looking beyond the aggregate effect of CASA on permanency by examining the effect of CASA for different age groups and different types of first placement after removal.
Pediatric retinal damage due to soccer-ball-related injury: Results from the last decade
Authors: Leshno Ari , Alhalel Amir , Fogel-Levin Miri , Zloto Ofira , Moisseiev Joseph , Vidne-Hay Orit
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To outline the incidence of posterior segment injuries related to soccer-ball blunt trauma in children.

Methods:

Retrospective search of the computerized hospital medical database between the years 2007 and 2017. All pediatric trauma cases were reviewed and cases with blunt trauma related to direct orbital/ocular hit from a soccer-ball were included. Cases were divided into two groups (non-severe and severe) based on the presence of sight-threatening findings on presentation (e.g. retinal tear, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and macular edema).

Results:

Out of 343 pediatric patients with relevant diagnoses, 14 (4.1%) were treated for injuries related to soccer-ball trauma. All patients were males at their early-to-mid teens (14.3 ± 2.1 years). The most common funduscopic finding was peripheral commotio retina (13, 93%). There was equal distribution between the two groups (seven each). Retinal injury in the severe group included retinal tear (3), vitreous hemorrhage (4), retinal detachment (1), and macular hole (1). Five patients in this group presented with visual acuity of 20/25 or better. Rate of external signs of injury were similar in both groups.

Conclusion:

Soccer-ball blunt trauma in children can cause significant posterior segment injuries regardless of the presence of external injury or ocular complaints. A thorough ocular exam is mandatory in all cases for the detection of vision-threatening retinal injuries.
Serum neurofilament light chain level associations with clinical and cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal retrospective 5-year study
Authors: Jakimovski Dejan , Zivadinov Robert , Ramanthan Murali , Hagemeier Jesper , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Tomic Davorka , Kropshofer Harald , Fuchs Tom A , Barro Christian , Leppert David , Yaldizli Özgür , Kuhle Jens , Benedict Ralph HB
Published: October 2019

Background:

A limited number of studies investigated associations between serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and cognition in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Objective:

To assess cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sNfL levels, clinical, and cognitive performance in PwMS and age-matched healthy controls (HCs).

Materials:

One hundred twenty-seven PwMS (85 relapsing–remitting MS/42 progressive MS), 20 clinically isolated syndrome patients, and 52 HCs were followed for 5 years. sNfL levels were measured using the single-molecule array (Simoa) assay and quantified in picograms per milliliter. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), walking, and manual dexterity tests were obtained. At follow-up, Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) was utilized. Cognitively impaired (CI) status was derived using HC-based z-scores. Age-, sex-, and education-adjusted analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and regression models were used. Multiple comparison–adjusted values of q < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results:

In PwMS, sNfL levels were cross-sectionally associated with walking speed ( r = 0.235, q = 0.036), manual dexterity ( r = 0.337, q = 0.002), and cognitive processing speed (CPS; r =−0.265, q = 0.012). Baseline sNfL levels predicted 5-year EDSS scores ( r = 0.25, q = 0.012), dexterity ( r = 0.224, q = 0.033), and CPS ( r =−0.205, q = 0.049). CI patients had higher sNfL levels (27.2 vs. 20.6, p = 0.016) and greater absolute longitudinal sNfL increase when compared with non-CI patients (4.8 vs. 0.7, p = 0.04).

Conclusion:

Higher sNfL levels are associated with poorer current and future clinical and cognitive performance.
An electron localization function analysis of the molecular mechanism and the C–O bond formation in the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction involving zwitterionic type between a nitrone and an electron deficient ethyne
Authors: Benallou Abdelilah , El Abdallaoui Habib El Alaoui , Garmes Hocine
Published: October 2019

The mechanistic nature of a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction involving zwitterionic species has been investigated, and the changes of electron density related to the O–C and C–C bond formation along the intrinsic reaction coordinate have been characterized. This polar [3+2] cycloaddition reaction, which takes place through a non-concerted two-stage one-step mechanism, proceeds with a moderate Gibbs free activation energy of 21 kcal mol−1. The reaction begins by the creation of a pseudoradical centre at the central carbon, first on the dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, and second on the nitrone framework. This immediately favours the formation of the first O–C single bond by donation of some electron density of the oxygen atom lone pairs, which represents the most attractive centre in this cycloaddition reaction.
Outcomes of Subacromial Balloon Spacer Implantation for Massive and Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review
Authors: Stewart Russell K. , Kaplin Lisa , Parada Stephen A. , Graves Benjamin R. , Verma Nikhil N. , Waterman Brian R.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Selection of optimal treatment for massive to irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs) entails a challenging decision-making process in which surgeons must consider several factors, including duration of symptoms, tear pattern, tear size, and muscle quality, as well as patient characteristics such as age, comorbidities, shoulder dominance, and activity level. Unfortunately, no clear consensus has been reached regarding optimal management.

Purpose:

To systematically review the published literature assessing outcomes after subacromial balloon spacer implantation for treatment of massive and irreparable RCTs.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was performed in September 2018 through use of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library electronic databases. Studies were assessed for multiple outcomes of interest including Constant score, Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Score, complications, and patient satisfaction.

Results:

After applying the selection criteria, 12 clinical studies were included for data extraction and analysis. In total, 291 shoulders (in 284 patients) treated with subacromial balloon spacer implantation were pooled for evaluation, with a mean follow-up of 22.9 ± 14.9 months (range, 6-60 months). Constant scores were used as an outcome metric for 267 shoulders (91.7%; 11 studies), with improvements in mean Constant score ranging from 18.5 to 49.6 points. Patient satisfaction was assessed in 105 patients (37.0%; 5 studies), with rates of patients indicating they were satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment outcome ranging from 45.8% to 100%. A total of 6 patients (2.1%) experienced complications related to balloon spacer implantation, including transient neurapraxia of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, superficial wound infection, deep wound infection, and balloon migration. Of these, 3 patients (2 balloon migration, 1 deep wound infection) required subsequent surgeries for balloon removal.

Conclusion:

Placement of the subacromial balloon spacer is a minimally invasive, technically simple procedure with favorable patient-reported outcomes at limited short-term follow-up. However, inherent methodological limitations and patient heterogeneity between studies may impair our ability to fully characterize the longer term efficacy, particularly relative to other potential surgical options. Further prospective randomized or comparative studies are warranted to ascertain clinical outcomes of subacromial balloon spacer in the management of massive and irreparable RCTs.
Towards analytical typologies of plot systems: Quantitative profile of five European cities
Authors: Bobkova Evgeniya , Berghauser Pont Meta , Marcus Lars
Published: October 2019

The importance of the plot (also referred to as ‘property’) as one of the fundamental elements of urban form is well recognized within the field of urban morphology. Despite the fact that it is often described as the basic element in the pattern of land divisions, which are essential as organizational frameworks for urban form, studies offering comprehensive descriptions and classifications of plot systems are quite scant. The aim of the paper is to introduce a classification of plot systems into typologies based on five European cities, in order to distinguish particular spatial differences and similarities in terms of their plot structure. The proposed typologies are developed using unsupervised k-means cluster analysis based on numeric attributes derived from central theories in urban morphology. The introduced typologies are essentially configurational, allowing collective systematic properties of plot systems to be captured. Numeric attributes include plot differentiation (or plot size), plot frontage and compactness ratio, corresponding to essential qualities of plot systems such as the capacity to carry differences in space, the ability to operate as interface between street and building and providing a framework for evolution of built form over time. All three attributes are translated into configurational measures in order to capture the context of the plot system, rather than the parameters of individual plots. The combination of these deductively defined variables with algorithmically defined classification methods results in seven plot types that can be used to scale up traditional urban morphological analysis to whole city regions and conduct substantial comparison of patterns within, but also between these regions. Further, it also makes it possible to describe commonly recognized plot patterns and discover new ones.
Ocular Ischemic Syndrome With Congenital Absence of Internal Carotid Artery
Authors: Elwood Kevin F. , Taboada Jorge L. , Wong Robert W.
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

This article describes a case of ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) in a patient with a congenitally absent left internal carotid artery (ICA).

Methods:

Retrospective case report with anterior-segment and fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), and computerized tomography angiography (CT-A).

Results:

A 31-year-old-man was found to have neovascularization of the iris (NVI) and angle of the left eye. FA showed capillary nonperfusion in the temporal periphery. He required intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone injections and 2 panretinal photocoagulation treatments for persistent rubeosis and cystoid macular edema. Transient right-eye vision loss prompted CT-A, revealing an absent left ICA. Three years following presentation, FA continued to show delayed arteriovenous flow suggestive of OIS. He has required intravitreal bevacizumab injections every 12 weeks for persistent NVI.

Conclusion:

Congenitally absent left ICA with resultant cerebrovascular insufficiency is a rare cause of OIS, underscoring the pathophysiological principles of insufficient blood supply to the ophthalmic artery.
TGF-B Inhibition Rescues Hematopoietic Defects in Fanconi Anemia
Authors: Greenberger Joel S
Published: October 2019

Four different combinations of double knock-out mouse strains have been created (SMAD3-/- Fancd2-/-) consisting of combinations of the individual knock-out strains on either the C57BL/6 or 129/Sv background. Sets of breeding experiments were carried out and the frequency of detection of double knock-out mice was significantly below the expected frequency of detecting DKO mice by breeding double heterozygotes (1 out of 16 or 6.25%). In fact, DKO mice were detected at a frequency ranging from 3.4% to 0.54%. Mice of all four DKO genotypes showed resistance of bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells to canonical TGF-β signaling, consistent with the SMAD3-/- parent. However, the predominant phenotype was that of the Fancd2-/- parent including reduced duration of hematopoiesis in long-term bone marrow cultures, reduced marrow stem cell competitive repopulation capacity, and retained mitomycin C and radiation sensitivity of bone marrow stromal cells. These mice should be a valuable resource for elucidating the bypass pathways involved in the reduced, but successful gestation of SMAD3-/- Fancd2-/- mice, and the interactions of the FA and TGF-β signaling pathways.

Supported by the NIAID/NIH U19-A168021 and the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund.

Disclosures

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Dasatinib Significantly Enhances the Level of Th1 Cells While Decreases the Level of Treg Cells in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients, and Th1 Can be a Potential Marker for Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy and Prognosis
Authors: Dai Jingying , Yang Xi , Huang Xiaobing , Zheng Hong , Wang Xiaodong
Published: October 2019

In this study, we evaluate the T cell subtypes by flow cytometry on the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients of our center who have received the treatment with dasatinib (n=10), nolotinib (n=26) or imatinib (n=44) for more than 3 months. We also analyze and correlate these data with the clinical remission situations and prognosis. Results: 1. For the anti-cancer cellular immunity associated Th1 cells: 80% of the patients in dasatinib group, 12.5% of the patients in nilotinib group, 27.5% of the patients in imatinib group have a Th1 proportion (Th1/CD4+ T) higher than the upper limit of normal. The statistical analysis shows that the Th1 proportion in dasatinib group (30.86±9.75%) is significantly higher than that in nilotinib group (17.37±9.35%, p=0.00) and in imatinib group (20.79±9.01%, p=0.00). 2. As for the CD8+ T cell proportion (CD8+ T/Lymphocyte) dasatinib group does not show the statistical difference compared with the nilotinib group and the imatinib group respectively (p=0.24; p=0.09). 3. As for the Th2 cell proportion (Th2/CD4+ T), dasatinib group does not show the statistical difference compared with nilotinib group and imatinib group (p=0.96; p=0.62). 4. The Treg proportion (Treg/CD4+ T) in dasatinib group (1.31±0.10%) is significantly lower than that in nilotinib group (2.65±0.97%, p=0.00) and in imatinib group (2.99±1.40%, p=0.00). 5. When we analyzes all the CML patients with a TKI treatment: (1) In those patients with a Th1 proportion above the upper limit of normal _ 25.8% (n=28), 84.62% of these patients obtain CCyR (complete cytogenetic response), 71.43% of these patients obtain MMR (major molecular response ), and 71.43% of these patients obtain MR4.5; (2) In those patients with a Th1 proportion in the normal range _ 11.8-25.8% (n=45), 90.7% of these patients obtain CCyR, 75.56% of these patients obtain MMR, and 75.56% of these patients obtain MR4.5; (3) In those patients with a Th1 proportion below the lower limit of normal _ 11.8% (n=21), 57.14% of these patients obtain CCyR, 47.62% of these patients obtain MMR, and 47.62% of these patients obtain MR4.5. The patients in the high Th1 level or normal Th1 level groups exhibit deeper remission level, which indicates lower risk of disease progression, higher chance for treatment-free and better prognosis. Conclusion: The data of our center indicates that during the TKI treatment for CML patients, the higher or normal level of Th1 may become a potential candidate marker to be monitored, so as to predict the better therapeutic efficacy and prognosis besides CCyR, MMR, and MR4.5. Dasatinib can significantly improve the anti-cancer immunity associated markers compared with nilotinib and imatinib, and this may be the mechanism of dasatinib to bring good therapeutic efficacy and prognosis.

Disclosures

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.