bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender-Based Psychosocial Differences in a Sample of Young Offenders
Authors: Arteaga Alfonso , Fernández-Montalvo Javier , Cacho Raúl , López-Goñi José J.
Published: September 2020

This study analyzes the differential psychosocial characteristics of male and female young offenders with a judicial measure from a juvenile court in Spain. Data on origin, recidivism, criminal and psychosocial characteristics of a sample of 838 juvenile offenders were collected using the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI). Most of the minors were males ( n = 650; 77.6%). Regarding the type of offences committed most males committed some type of crime, while females mainly committed misdemeanours. The rates of infractions committed by large groups and belonging to a gang were higher in males than in females. Concerning psychosocial variables, females presented with higher scores than males in three areas (parenting/educational guidelines, leisure and recreation, attitudes and orientation), in the total score and in several specific variables of the YLS/CMI. Moreover, having a poor relationship with one’s mother and limited participation in organized activities were related to being a female minor offender, whereas having a short attention span was related to being a male offender. These three variables correctly classified 77.6% of cases. Female minor offenders present with a more severe psychosocial profile than males. Therefore, gender-based variables should be considered and addressed in prevention and intervention programmes for minors.
Bedrock-associated belowground and aboveground interactions and their implications for vegetation restoration in the karst critical zone of subtropical Southwest China
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Dai Jingyu , Xu Chongyang , Peng Jian , Wu Xiuchen , Wang Hongya
Published: September 2020

The role of bedrock geochemistry in vegetation growth within karst areas has been examined in recent works, implying that the approach of the critical zone (CZ) extending from the canopy to the groundwater bottom enhances the understanding of vegetation ecology. In this paper, the research progress of vegetation ecology associated with bedrock features in the karst CZ in subtropical Southwest China is systematically reviewed. There are great differences in soil formation and soil features (water-holding capacity, particle size, and soil chemistry) between karst and non-karst regions, even between dolomite and limestone within a karst region. Water and soil are easily leached due to the connected underground crevices in karst, particularly in limestone-dominated regions, leading to water deficits in karst CZ plants in subtropical Southwest China. The development of plant roots in crevices affects the water and nutrient absorption by plants and microbial activities in the soil, which form the basis for vegetation distribution and growth in the karst CZ. The organic acids from plants also increase weathering rates. As extensive human activities have accelerated vegetation degradation and soil erosion and further led to rocky desertification characterized by increasing areas of rock exposure, state-of-the-art knowledge about the effects of bedrock-associated belowground and aboveground interactions can guide the implementation of vegetation restoration and the control of further rocky desertification in the subtropical karst CZ.
Differing approaches to regional climatology: Climates of the Continents by W. G. Kendrew and Climatology and the World’s Climates by G. R. Rumney
Authors: Dixon Richard W
Published: September 2020

The two major regional climatology textbooks at the dawn of the quantitative revolution took very different approaches to regionalization. Kendrew’s The Climates of the Continents follows a grand tour of the continents approach, whereas Rumney’s Climatology and the World’s Climates uses major plant associations to define regions. Each approach has advantages and their impact is still visible today, although neither remains current. Today, physical geography and general climatology textbooks have reverted to a modified Köppen Classification System for organizing their regional climatology chapters. Regional climatology as a subject has been mostly displaced by synoptic or dynamic analysis.
Results from Phase I of a Pilot Study on Dynamic Ramp Metering in Houston
Authors: Zhou Hongmin “Tracy” , Kozman Magdy
Published: September 2020

Traffic in Houston, U.S., has continued growing over the past decade. The Houston District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently began a pilot study to evaluate a dynamic ramp metering system. The project is aimed to convert ramp metering from local control to system-wide dynamic operation. In Phase I of the project, major control parameters and different metering strategies were tested and evaluated in simulation and field settings for a study corridor installed with six ramp meters. The study identified a base metering plan that overall worked well for sites without restrictive queue conditions. This base plan was that average speed of 50 mph or lower in the right-most two mainlanes will call for metering at a constant metering rate of 850 vehicles per hour for at least 4 min, and that queue occupancy of 50% or higher will call for meter shutdown for at least 1 min. Ramp metering coordinated with the downstream intersection performed well by accommodating diverted traffic caused by ramp metering. When operating ramp meters in a group, metering the immediately upstream meter performed best compared with metering further upstream meters. It is evident that ramp metering caused traffic diversion to the frontage road and also caused reduced queue-jumping behaviors on the frontage road at ramp meters with an immediately upstream exit ramp. The coordinated ramp metering strategy can potentially generate a benefit/cost ratio of 117:1 compared with local metering in the District.
Using Deficit Function to Determine the Minimum Fleet Size of an Autonomous Modular Public Transit System
Authors: Liu Tao , Ceder Avishai (Avi) , Rau Andreas
Published: September 2020

Emerging technologies, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and information and communication, are surrounding us at an ever-increasing pace, which, together with the concept of shared mobility, have great potential to transform existing public transit (PT) systems into far more user-oriented, system-optimal, smart, and sustainable new PT systems with increased service connectivity, synchronization, and better, more satisfactory user experiences. This work analyses such a new PT system comprised of autonomous modular PT (AMPT) vehicles. In this analysis, one of the most challenging tasks is to accurately estimate the minimum number of vehicle modules, that is, its minimum fleet size (MFS), required to perform a set of scheduled services. The solution of the MFS problem of a single-line AMPT system is based on a graphical method, adapted from the deficit function (DF) theory. The traditional DF model has been extended to accommodate the definitions of an AMPT system. Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the mathematical formulations. The limitations of traditional continuum approximation models and the equivalence between the extended DF model and an integer programming model are also provided. The extended DF model was applied, as a case study, to a single line of an AMPT system, the dynamic autonomous road transit (DART) system in Singapore. The results show that the extended DF model is effective in solving the MFS problem and has the potential to be applied to solving real-life MFS problems of large-scale, multi-line and multi-terminal AMPT systems.
Use of Vehicle Telematics Data to Characterize Drayage Heavy-Duty Truck Idling
Authors: Farzaneh Reza , Johnson Jeremy , Jaikumar Rohit , Ramani Tara , Zietsman Joe
Published: September 2020

The goal of this study is to evaluate potential air-quality applications of global positioning system (GPS) data from trucks in the Houston–Galveston Area Council’s (H-GAC) Drayage Loan Program (DLP), along with data collection using portable activity measurement systems (PAMS). PAMS data were collected at 1 Hz frequency from 39 heavy-duty trucks. Of these, 31 were diesel-powered DLP participant trucks operating in the Houston area and the remainder were local CNG trucks. The DLP participant trucks were also being tracked by H-GAC via GPS. PAMS and GPS data were used for data analyses to provide insight into idling events, truck activity (vehicle miles traveled and speeds), and geospatial analysis of trip origins and destinations. Finally, the GPS and PAMS datasets for the DLP participant trucks were used to analyze differences between GPS and PAMS data for vehicle idling and activity. The data analyses were conducted using an integrated data analytics tool (Microsoft Power BI), which allowed for data integration, analysis, dashboarding, and mapping on a single platform. The study results show that 91% of DLP participant truck activities occur during the day, with low average speeds largely from extensive idling. The data analytics system developed in this study can be used to identify, implement, and measure performance of idling reduction strategies for a specific region and operation type. For example, the data can be used to investigate whether a battery–electric air conditioning system is effective for the operation of a target fleet.
Potential of Private Autonomous Vehicles for Parcel Delivery
Authors: Schlenther Tilmann , Martins-Turner Kai , Bischoff Joschka Felix , Nagel Kai
Published: September 2020

Using the same vehicles for both passenger and freight transport, to increase vehicle occupancy and decrease their number, is an idea that drives transport planners and is also being addressed by manufacturers. This paper proposes a methodology to simulate the behavior of such vehicles within an urban traffic system and evaluate their performance. The aim is to investigate the impacts of resignation from fleet ownership by a transport service company (TSC) operating on a city-wide scale. In the simulation, the service provider hires private autonomous cars for tour performance. Based on assumptions concerning the operation of such vehicles and TSCs, the software Multi-Agent Transport Simulation (MATSim) is extended to model vehicle and operator behavior. The proposed framework is applied to a case study of a parcel delivery service in Berlin serving a synthetic parcel demand.

Results suggest that the vehicle miles traveled for freight purposes increase because of additional access and egress trips. Moreover, the number of vehicles en route is higher throughout the day. The lowering of driver costs can reduce the costs of the operator by approximately 74.5%. If the service provider additionally considers the resignation from fleet ownership, it might lower the operation cost by another 10%, not taking into account the costs of system transfer or risks like vehicle non-availability. From an economic perspective, the reduction of the overall number of vehicles in the system seems to be beneficial.
Mechanoreceptors in Remnant Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Achilles Tendon Allografts After Remnant-Preserving Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Hematoxylin-Eosin and Immunohistochemical Assessments
Authors: Chun Keun Churl , Shin Chang Hyun , Kang Hyun Tak , Kwon Hoi Young , Jo Hyang Jeong , Chun Churl Hong
Published: September 2020

Background:

Mechanoreceptor is a subtype of somatosensory receptor. It conveys extracellular stimuli through intracellular signal conduction via mechanically gated ion channel. It conveys not only kinetic stimuli but also pressure, stretching, touch, and even sound wave. Few studies have determined whether mechanoreceptors are present in Achilles tendon allografts used during remnant-preserving posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction (PCLR).

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to investigate whether mechanoreceptors are present in remnant tissues of the PCL and allograft tissues after PCLR. It was hypothesized that mechanoreceptors may be present in the remnant PCL tissue of the patients who underwent remnant PCLR technique.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Tissue samples were obtained from 14 participants who had undergone PCLR by means of Achilles tendon allografts (PCLR group) and from 4 healthy controls (control group). Among the PCLR group, 12 patients had undergone a remnant PCLR technique and the remaining 2 patients had undergone a nonremnant PCLR technique. In the PCLR group, we obtained samples during second-look arthroscopy or total knee arthroplasty after PCLR. In the control group, 4 biopsy specimens of normal PCL tissues were obtained from patients who had undergone other arthroscopic procedures. To check the presence of mechanoreceptors, immunohistochemical studies were performed on all biopsy specimens to identify neuronal and neurocytic markers by using monoclonal antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament, and S-100 protein. Only 1 of these markers needed to be positive to prove the presence of mechanoreceptors.

Results:

Neural tissue analogs, confirmed to be mechanoreceptors with monoclonal antibodies by the Ultraview DAB detection kit, were found in all specimens obtained from the control group. Mechanoreceptors were not found in the allograft specimens. However, remnant PCL tissues were found to have mechanoreceptors in 11 of 12 samples (91.7%).

Conclusion:

The results demonstrate that Achilles tendon allografts lack mechanoreceptors. This study can be used as histological evidence to support the advantage of remnant-preserving techniques for PCLR because they preserve proprioception.

Clinical Relevance:

To preserve proprioception, which leads to better functional outcome, using the remnant technique is a better procedure for PCL reconstruction.
Winter LVAD implantation is associated with adverse clinical outcomes
Authors: Imamura Teruhiko , Combs Pamela , Siddiqi Umar , Cohen William , Besser Stephanie , LaBuhn Colleen , Mirzai Saeid , Jeevanandam Valluvan
Published: September 2020

Background:

The seasonal variation of incidence and severity of heart failure is well known. However, the impact of seasonal variation on clinical outcomes following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains unknown.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who received LVAD implantation between January 2014 and December 2016 along with their first year of post-implant outcomes. Clinical outcomes were compared between those with winter LVAD implantation (between October and March) and those with non-winter LVAD implantation.

Results:

168 patients with a median age of 57 years and 130 males were included. There was no seasonal difference in the number of LVAD implantations. One-year survival free from major adverse events was significantly lower in the winter implant group ( n = 88) compared to the non-winter group ( n = 80) (44% vs 61%) with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.11–2.90, p = 0.014), largely due to a higher rate of heart failure readmission in the winter implant patients (incidence rate ratio 2.29, 95% confidence interval 0.89–5.84).

Conclusion:

Patients who underwent LVAD implantation during the winter season had a higher heart failure readmission rate. A detailed mechanism and therapeutic strategy given our findings warrant further investigation.
Intermittent hemodiafiltration as a down-step transition therapy in patients with acute kidney injury admitted to intensive care unit who initially underwent continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration
Authors: Scherer Patricia Faria , Iizuka Ilson Jorge , Ammirati Adriano Luiz , Doher Marisa Petrucelli , Matsui Thais Nemoto , dos Santos Bento Fortunato Cardoso , Monte Julio Cesar Martins , Batista Marcelo Costa , Pereira Virgilio Gonçalves , dos Santos Oscar Fernando Pavão , Durão Marcelino de Souza
Published: September 2020

Background/Aims:

Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) are initially employed in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in ICU setting. After the period of serious illness, hemodialysis is usually used as a mode of transition from CRRT. Intermittent hemodiafiltration (HDF) is not commonly applied in this scenario.

Objectives:

To evaluate the feasibility of using HDF as transition therapy after CVVHDF in critically patients with AKI.

Methods:

An observational and prospective pilot study was conducted in ICU patients with dialysis-requiring AKI. Patients were initially treated with CVVHDF and, after medical improvement, those who still needed renal replacement therapy were switched to HDF treatment.

Results:

Ten Patients underwent 53 HDF sessions (mean of 5.3 sessions/patient). The main cause of renal dysfunction was sepsis ( N = 7; 70%). The APACHE II mean score was 27.6 ± 6.9. During HDF treatment, the urea reduction ratio was 64.5 ± 7.5%, for β-2 microglobulin serum levels the percentage of decrease was 42.0 ± 7.8%, and for Cystatin C was 36.2 ± 6.9%. Five episodes of arterial hypotension occurred (9.4% of sessions). There were 20 episodes of electrolytic disturbance (37.7% of sessions), mainly hypophosphatemia. No pyrogenic or suggestive episode of bacteremia was observed.

Conclusion:

Hemodiafiltration was safe and efficient to treat critically ill patients with acute kidney injury during the transition phase from continuous to intermittent dialysis modality. Special attention should be paid regarding the occurrence of electrolytic disturbance, mainly hypophosphatemia.
First in vivo assessment of RAS-Q technology as lung support device for pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Verbelen Tom , Halwes Michael , Meyns Bart
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

To assess the in vivo hemodynamic effects on the pressure overloaded right ventricle of RAS-Q® technology, the world’s first gas exchanger with a fully integrated compliance.

Methods:

In six acute in vivo trials RAS-Q was implanted in sheep between the pulmonary artery and left atrium. Right ventricular pressure overload was induced by pulmonary artery banding. Pressures and flows were recorded in baseline, moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension conditions. In one trial, RAS-Q was benchmarked against the pediatric Quadrox-i®.

Results:

With 1.00 and 1.17 L/min, RAS-Q delivered 31% and 39% of the total cardiac output in moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension, respectively. Pulmonary artery pressures and mean pulmonary artery pressure/mean arterial blood pressure ratio successfully decreased, implying a successful right ventricular unloading. Cardiac output was restored to normal levels in both pulmonary hypertension conditions. With both devices in parallel, RAS-Q provided three times higher flow rates and a 10 times higher pressure relief, compared to the pediatric Quadrox-i.

Conclusion:

A gas exchanger with a fully integrated compliance better unloads the right ventricle compared to a non-compliant gas exchanger and it can restore cardiac output to normal levels in cases of severe pulmonary hypertension.
Intimate Others and the Othering of intimates: The gendered psycho-politics of the entangled relational
Authors: Dalal Farhad
Published: September 2020

The article begins with an exploration of the ambivalence experienced by the author when invited to speak at a conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. This followed by introducing two notions, ‘ethical distress’ and ‘entangled relational’, both of which speak to the ambivalence. Next, it is argued that the notion of ‘the relational’ in psychoanalytic literature is largely apolitical, and that it has required women—who speak from the margins—to theorize and incorporate the political into the relational frame. I argue that the ‘entangled relational’ subsumes and politicizes ‘the relational’. The notion of ‘intimate others’ is utilized to think about processes of Othering and the emotional consequences that follow out of it. This is followed by Nancy Chodorow and Lynne Layton’s politicized feminist theorizations. Layton concludes that psycho-developmental processes taking place under conditions of patriarchy necessarily lead to men and women suffering from a form of narcissistic injury.

The article then uses all these ideas to think about the psychological consequences of militarization on the male and female citizens of militarized societies, and in particular about the psychological consequences for those living in the Israeli-Palestinian context. The article concludes with some thoughts about the possible function and task of psychotherapy in militarized contexts.
Applicability of fiber Bragg grating sensors for cure monitoring in resin transfer molding processes
Authors: Blößl Yannick , Hegedüs Gergely , Szebényi Gábor , Tábi Tamás , Schledjewski Ralf , Czigany Tibor
Published: September 2020

This article examines the use of fiber Bragg grating sensors for cure monitoring purposes in resin transfer molding processes. Within a resin transfer molding test series a thermoset epoxy-amine resin system was used in combination with a woven flax fiber reinforcement. Particular attention was paid on the location of the optical fiber sensor and its sensitive Bragg grating element inside the mold cavity. Three different installation approaches were tested and the correlation of the corresponding strain response with the actual cure state of the resin system was investigated at 50°C and 70°C isothermal cure temperature, respectively. We could demonstrate that characteristic, conspicuous strain changes are directly related to the sol–gel conversion of the thermoset polymer, which was analyzed considering different approaches for the gel-point detection based on rheological measurements. With the installation of the sensor inside a controllable, capsuled resin volume, we could achieve the most reliable strain response that provides capabilities to give in-situ information of the cure state beyond the gelation point.
Mortality From Forces of Nature Among Older Adults by Race/Ethnicity and Gender
Authors: Adams Rachel M. , Evans Candace M. , Mathews Mason Clay , Wolkin Amy , Peek Lori
Published: September 2020

Older adults are especially vulnerable to disasters due to high rates of chronic illness, disability, and social isolation. Limited research examines how gender, race/ethnicity, and forces of nature—defined here as different types of natural hazards, such as storms and earthquakes—intersect to shape older adults’ disaster-related mortality risk. We compare mortality rates among older adults (60+ years) in the United States across gender, race/ethnicity, and hazard type using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wonder database. Our results demonstrate that older adult males have higher mortality rates than females. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) males have the highest mortality and are particularly impacted by excessive cold. Mortality is also high among Black males, especially due to cataclysmic storms. To address disparities, messaging and programs targeting the dangers of excessive cold should be emphasized for AI/AN older adult males, whereas efforts to reduce harm from cataclysmic storms should target Black older adult males.
Optimizing the co-digestion supply chain of sewage sludge and food waste by the demand oriented biogas supplying mechanism
Authors: Liu Yiyun , Huang Tao , Peng Daoping , Huang Jingjing , Maurer Claudia , Kranert Martin
Published: September 2020

Co-digestion of sewage sludge with food waste is a beneficial pathway for sewage plants to enhance their biogas yield. This paper employs hybrid programming with system dynamics simulation to optimize such a co-digestion system from the perspective of demand-oriented biogas supply chain, thus to improve the efficiency of the biogas utilization. The optimum operational parameters of the co-digestion system are derived from the simulation model. It is demonstrated that the demand-oriented biogas supply mechanism can be effectively driven under market-oriented incentive policy. For better compensation of the external cost to assist the operations of the co-digestion supply chain, it is suggested that the substrate collection and transportation subsidy should be combined with the renewables portfolio standard to be implemented as the optimum incentives. The limitations of the study are discussed to lay the foundation for future improvements.
Augmentation of farmers’ income in India through sustainable waste management techniques
Authors: Singh Amandeep , Tiwari Rupasi , Chandrahas  , Dutt Triveni
Published: September 2020

The Government of India has envisaged a journey of doubling farmers’ income till 2022–2023 and envisioned many policy reforms for the same. Farmers in India rely on major farm produce and do not utilize the by-products or wastes emerging from their farms for monetary benefits. Sustainable utilization of agricultural, household and livestock waste have the potential in augmenting farmers’ income significantly which was established by conducting case studies in Ludhiana District of Punjab on three dairy farmers, each pursuing vermicomposting, biogas production and traditional composting. Comparative economic analysis in terms of various costs were worked out for vermicomposting, composting and biogas production. On analysis, it was found that the highest net returns per metric tonne of dung were obtained from vermicomposting (INR 2224.72, USD 29.42), followed by biogas production (INR 536.66, USD 7.10) and composting (INR 45.59, USD 0.60). Net returns from the dung obtained from one cattle equivalent were highest from vermicomposting (INR 11012.34, USD 145.64), followed by biogas production (INR 2656.74, USD 35.14) and composting (INR 225.68, USD 2.98). High profitability was accorded to vermicomposting because it is sold at remunerative prices. The study emphasizes the utilization of wastes through vermicomposting clubbed with biogas production for augmenting farmers’ income.
Fanning the flames: How U.S. newspapers framed 10 historically significant U.S. wildfires
Authors: Terracina-Hartman Carol
Published: September 2020

Wildfire news coverage gains importance not only for information provided, but for images created. Using 10 historically significant U.S. wildfires for analysis, with framing and social cohesion theory as framework, this study examines news cycles for news hook, theme and source usage. Results show agency personnel and citizens are nearly equal, with scientists later in coverage. Framing mirrors patterns in environmental reporting: presenting this hazard in capital terms rather than a social or societal issue.
Exploring Why Adult Mexican Males Do Not Get Vaccinated: Implications for COVID-19 Preventive Actions
Authors: Snyder V. Nelly Salgado de , Garcia Deliana , Pineda Roxana , Calderon Jessica , Diaz Dania , Morales Alondra , Perez Brenda
Published: September 2020

Vaccination is the single most important preventive medicine action worldwide. However, there are inequalities in the procurement of vaccines particularly among US ethnic and racial minority males when compared to the rest of the US population. This study explored the reasons given by adult Mexican-origin males residing in Texas, for obtaining or not, immunizations. This was a cross-sectional, exploratory study with a sample of convenience of 401 adult males (age range 18–79) who were invited to participate in the study while waiting their turn to receive administrative services at the Mexican Consulate in Austin Texas. Data was collected in Spanish with a seven-item multiple choice questionnaire, using electronic tablets. The majority of respondents received their last vaccination longer than 5 years earlier. A higher percentage of individuals in the older age groups received a vaccine in the last year, as opposed to their younger counterparts who obtained their last immunization 3 to 5 years earlier. Among the reasons given for not getting vaccinated were lack of time or money, feared injections and side effects, insufficient information, interest or motivation. Others did not get vaccines because they perceived themselves to be healthy and did not feel sick. Findings from this study have important implications for future preventive medicine and vaccination practices that reach socially excluded groups in times of COVID-19. Recommendations are made to facilitate access to vaccines to the target group of this study and other socially disadvantaged populations in the global health context.
LGBT Workplace Equality Policy and Customer Satisfaction: The Roles of Marketing Capability and Demand Instability
Authors: Patel Pankaj C. , Feng Cong
Published: September 2020

A lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workplace equality policy (LGBT-WEP) helps signal and reinforce the organizational commitment to workplace equality and diversity. Prior evidence suggests that LGBT-WEP is viewed favorably by stakeholders (customers, employees, and channel partners) and influences firm performance. Drawing on stakeholder theory and the resource-based view of the firm, the authors examine whether LGBT-WEP influences customer satisfaction through marketing capability and whether demand instability dampens these associations. To alleviate endogeneity concerns of LGBT-WEP, they exploit the plausibly exogenous state-to-state variations in workplace equality policies determined by statewide laws on nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation. Empirical results indicate that LGBT-WEP positively influences customer satisfaction both directly and through enhanced marketing capability. Demand instability, however, dampens these associations. Additional analyses with alternate measures of key variables, alternate distributional assumption, and alternate model specifications yield consistent results.
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals, lipid profiles, and antioxidant status of snails (Achatina achatina) around cement factory vicinities
Authors: Ugbaja Regina Ngozi , Enilolobo MA , James AS , Akinhanmi TF , Akamo AJ , Babayemi DO , Ademuyiwa O
Published: September 2020

Some snails ( Achatina spp) can be used as a biosensor of heavy metal poisoning. This study thus estimated some heavy metal levels, antioxidant markers, and lipid profiles of snails handpicked around cement factory vicinities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Snails and soil samples were collected from Oke, Ewekoro, Papalanto, and Mowodani Imeko-Afon (control site). Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) levels were estimated in the soil, snail foot, hemolymph, and shell using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipids (PHOL), cholesterol (CHOL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as glutathione- S-transferase (GST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and arylesterase (AR) activities in the hemolymph, were estimated spectrophotometrically. The snails collected from the Oke site had the highest foot Pb (274.66 ± 13.50 mg/g tissue), CHOL, TAG, PHOL levels, and GST activity when compared with other sites. Snails collected from Papa had the highest Cd levels (1.79 ± 0.74 mg/kg), As (1206 ± 18.87 mg/g tissue) in the foot, and LDH activity, while Ewekoro snails had highest MDA levels and AR activities but the lowest GSH levels. Additionally, there were negative correlations between the heavy metal levels and the activities of GST and AR as well as GSH levels, while positively correlating with LDH activity and MDA level. Workers and the general public around cement factories are at a greater risk of heavy metal-induced pathologies. More so, consumption of snails around these sites may be deleterious to health.
Volumetric Markers of Body Composition May Improve Personalized Prediction of Major Arterial Bleeding After Pelvic Fracture: A Secondary Analysis of the Baltimore CT Prediction Model Cohort
Authors: Dreizin David , Rosales Remberto , Li Guang , Syed Hassan , Chen Rong
Published: September 2020

The Baltimore computed tomography (CT) prediction model for bleeding pelvic fractures is a multivariable decision tool that predicts angiopositivity from pelvic hematoma volume, active arterial bleeding, fracture patterns, and atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that quantitative markers of body composition and frailty could further improve model performance.

Methods:

This work is a retrospective secondary analysis of a single institution cohort used in the development of the Baltimore CT prediction model. The cohort includes 115 consecutive patients that underwent admission contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis for blunt trauma with pelvic ring disruption followed by conventional angiography. Major arterial injury requiring angioembolization served as the outcome variable. Angioembolization was required in 73/115 patients (63% of the cohort). Average age was 46.9 years (±SD 20.4). Body composition measurements were determined as 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3D) parameters and included mid-L3 trabecular bone attenuation, abdominal visceral fat area or volume, and percent muscle fat fraction (as a marker of sarcopenia) measured using segmentation and histogram analysis.

Results:

Models incorporating 2D (Model B) or 3D markers (model C) of body composition showed improvement over the original Baltimore model (model A) in all parameters of performance, quality, and fit (area under the receiver-operating curve [AUC], Akaike information criterion, Brier score, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and adjusted-R2). Area under the receiver-operating curve increased from 0.83 (A), to 0.86 (B), and 0.88 (C). The greatest improvement was seen with 3D parameters.

Conclusion:

Once automated, quantitative visualization tools providing “free” 3D body composition information can be expected to improve personalized precision diagnostics, outcome prediction, and decision support in patients with bleeding pelvic fractures.
Microwave assisted urethane grafted nano-apatites for dental adhesives
Authors: Hussain Natasha , Khalid Hina , AlMaimouni Yara Khalid , Ikram Samman , Khan Maria , Din Shahab Ud , Talal Ahmed , Khan Abdul Samad
Published: September 2020

The objectives were to synthesize urethane grafted nano-apatite in shortest possible time duration using the microwave irradiation method and to utilize them for synthesis of experimental dental adhesives. The structural, morphological, thermal, and mechanical behavior of synthesized grafted nano-apatite were investigated. Then, these grafted nano-apatite particles were incorporated in various concentrations that is, 5wt.%, 10wt.%, and 15wt.% into dimethacrylate resins to develop bioactive adhesives. The weight measurement analysis in deionized water and phosphate buffer saline, Knoop micro-hardness, and degree of conversion were evaluated. The bacterial adhesion was investigated with Streptococcus mutans at 6h, 24h, and 48h. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA. The urethane dimethacrylate was successfully grafted on the nano-apatite surface and spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of urethane and phosphate peaks. An inverse relationship was found in both media between the concentration of grafted fillers and weight loss. No significant difference was observed in the micro-hardness and degree of conversion among the groups, whereby the degree of conversion for all groups was in the range of 83% to 86%. The mean number of bacterial colonies was significantly lower in the 15wt.% group compared to 5wt.% and 10wt.%. The grafted nano-apatite presented favorable results for adhesive resin incorporation, where 15wt.% group comparatively showed superior results than other groups.
Epidemiology and Predictors of Long-Stays in Medical ICU: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hermann Bertrand , Hauw-Berlemont Caroline , Augy Jean-Loup , Monnier Alexandra , Boissier Florence , Aissaoui Nadia , Fagon Jean-Yves , Diehl Jean-Luc , Guérot Emmanuel
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Prolonged stays in ICU have been associated with overconsumption of resources but little is known about their epidemiology. We aimed to identify predictors and prognostic factors of extended stays, studying a long-stay population.

Methods:

We present a retrospective cohort study between July 2000 and December 2013 comparing patients hospitalized in a medical ICU for ≥30 days (long-stay patients-LSP) with patients hospitalized for <30 days (short-stay patients-SSP). Admission characteristics were collected from the local database for every patient and evolution during the ICU stay was retrieved from LSP files.

Results:

Among 8906 patients hospitalized in the ICU, 417 (4.7%) were LSP. At admission, male sex (adjusted odds-ratio (aOR) 1.4 [1.1; 1.7]), inpatient (aOR 2.0 [1.6; 2.4]) and in-ICU hospitalizations for respiratory (aOR 2.9 [1.6; 3.5]) or infectious diseases (aOR 1.6 [1.1; 2.5]) were all independently associated with a long stay in the ICU, while hospitalizations for metabolic (aOR 0.2 [0.1; 0.5]) or cardiovascular diseases (aOR 0.3 [0.2; 0.5]) were in favor of a short stay. In-ICU and in-hospital LSP mortality were 38.8% and 48.2%. Age (aOR 1.02 [1.00-1.04]), catecholamines (aOR 3.9 [1.9; 8.5]), renal replacement therapy (aOR 2.4 [1.3; 4.3]), primary disease-related complications (aOR 2.5 [1.4; 4.6]) and nosocomial infections (aOR 4.1 [1.8; 10.1]) were independently associated with mortality in LSP.

Conclusion:

LSP were highly comorbid patients mainly hospitalized for respiratory diseases. Their mortality was mostly related to nosocomial infections but the majority were discharged alive from the hospital.
The Role of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors in COVID-19: An Exploration of Literature From Similar Pathologies
Authors: Reinert Justin P. , Reinert Nathan J.
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a devastating impact on the ability of highly trained healthcare providers to render sufficient care, due to both the significant demand on resources and the unique nature of this disease that make it resistant to traditional therapies. This review sought to determine the potential role of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5) in the management of COVID-19 by extrapolating relevant data and clinical studies from other related disease states, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute lung injury, and high altitude pulmonary edema. Following a literature search, 4 reports were analyzed and included in this review. While the heterogenicity of data and the small number of trials included limit the interpretation and applicability, it was consistently demonstrated that PDE-5 inhibitors lowered pulmonary arterial pressures. The overall benefit of these agents is seemingly dependent upon the etiology of the respiratory failure, which warrants expanded clinical investigation for COVID-19.
Ping-Pong Housing: Women’s Post-Incarceration Trajectories
Authors: Smoyer Amy B. , Keene Danya E. , Oyola Maribel , Hampton Ashley C.
Published: September 2020

This study examines the post-incarceration housing experiences of 33 women. Using Residential Timeline Followback methodology, participants were asked to report where they lived at arrest and every location since their release. Follow-up questions asked women to describe these locations, who they lived with, how much they paid, and whether or not they felt safe. Demographic information and criminal justice history were recorded. The data paint a complicated picture of social and community resources, persistence, and struggle. Housing assets lost at incarceration were difficult to recover. Most women bounced between various locations, relying heavily on short-term subsidized congregate housing programs and rarely securing independent housing. Participants described the family, friends, and acquaintances who housed them during reentry as overextended and vulnerable. Implications for policy and practice are explored.
Poland versus Russia: Competition in Ukraine
Authors: Szeptycki Andrzej
Published: September 2020

This study analyses relations in the triangle Poland–Russia–Ukraine since 2004, bringing an insightful perspective to the realist concept of competition in international relations. For the last sixteen years, despite their unequal power, Poland and Russia have competed in Ukraine. This competition involves not only a fight for influence (quite limited in the case of Poland), but also in respect of the political and economic model that is to be implemented in Ukraine and its international identity. Poland wants Ukraine to become “European”: stable, democratic, and with a free market economy, to secure the eastern border of Poland, and to limit Ukraine’s dependence on Russia. This policy is executed both through bilateral cooperation and the Euro-Atlantic institutions, especially the European Union (EU). Russia, on the other hand, wants Ukraine to keep its post-Soviet identity. An authoritarian and corrupted Ukraine, remaining culturally a part of the “Russian world,” is perceived as guaranteeing Russian interests there, in particular in the context of the expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance and EU towards the East. For this reason, Russia aims at impeding the development of Polish–Ukrainian cooperation. Until 2014 Russia was largely successful in realizing its agenda thanks to the multiple channels of dependence existing between it and Ukraine. However, since the Revolution of Dignity and the beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine, the latter has engaged in a clearly discernible, though uncertain, path to Europeanization, which may favor the implementation of the Polish scenario for Ukraine.
Explaining the Formation Rates of Post-Communist Interest Organizations: Density Dependence and Political Opportunity Structure
Authors: Labanino Rafael Pablo , Dobbins Michael , Czarnecki Szczepan , Železnik Ana
Published: September 2020

This article presents an analysis of the formation of organized interest groups in the post-communist context and organizational populations over time. We test two theories that shed doubt on whether vital rates of interest groups are explained by individual incentives, namely, the political opportunity structure and population ecology theory. Based on an analysis of the energy policy and higher education policy organizations active at the national level in Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia, we find that while the period of democratic and economic transition indeed opened up the opportunity structure for organizational formations, it by no means presented a clean slate. Communist-era successor and splinter organizations survived the collapse of communism, and all three countries entered transition with relatively high density rates in both organizational populations. We also find partial support for the density dependence hypothesis. Surprisingly, the EU integration process, the intensity of legislative activity, and media attention do not seem to have meaningfully influenced founding rates in the two populations.
Opting out of Socialism: For-Profit Mobility from Communist Poland
Authors: Stola Dariusz
Published: September 2020

This article presents the history of for-profit mobility from communist Poland, that is, transnational labor migrations and the movement of cross-border petty traders. On the basis of primary research in archives and new scholarship on the history of communist Poland, it presents the scale and dynamics of cross-border movements since the partial opening of the borders in the mid-1950s to the final erosion of the communist regime in 1989. It analyzes the main factors and patterns of the expansion of mobility in both its legal and irregular streams, including the relevant policies of the Polish government and the governments of migrants’ destination countries, the mechanisms of the gray and black markets, especially of hard currencies, and the development and diffusion of social practices of migration. It argues that for-profit mobility was a large part of the second economy as well as a form of disengagement from the communist state and its first economy, a way of selective opting out of socialism. Analyzing the relations between its expansion and the evolution of the communist regime, the article claims that for-profit mobility produced un-communist social spaces and was an important factor eroding the regime’s legitimacy and control over its subjects, thus paving the way to the post-1989 stage of Poland’s transformation.
Ethnic Differences Between Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites in Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Predict Conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Thakur Bhaskar , Alvarado Luis , Dodoo Christopher , Salazar Ricardo , Espay Alberto J. , Dwivedi Alok Kumar
Published: September 2020

The aim of the study is to ascertain the neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) subtypes significantly influencing progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by ethnicity. In this retrospective cohort study, we included 386 cognitively normal individuals participating in the longitudinal Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium between February 2007 and August 2014. The primary outcome was time to incident MCI. Data driven NPS subtypes at baseline were identified and the effects of these subtypes on the outcome were obtained for Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnic cohorts and summarized with a hazard ratio (HR). Three NPS subtypes were identified and internally validated: psychomotor apathy factor (including agitation, irritability, apathy), affective mood factor (including depression, anxiety), and physical behavior factor (including nighttime behavior, eating/appetite disturbances). In adjusted analysis, a psychomotor apathy score of NPS was the best predictor for MCI (HR = 2.19, p = 0.037) among non-Hispanics whereas physical behavior score was the most predictive of MCI (HR = 2.55, p = 0.029) among Hispanics. A high score of affective mood factor also tended to increase the risk of MCI (HR = 2.09, p = 0.06) in Hispanics. Progression from normal cognition to MCI was differentially predicted by NPS subtypes in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. These data may inform the allocation of efforts for monitoring individuals at-risk of MCI.
Innovation in Family Firms: The Relative Effects of Wealth Concentration Versus Family-Centered Goals
Authors: Becerra Manuel , Cruz Cristina , Graves Chris
Published: September 2020

Drawing on agency and behavioral perspectives, we disentangle two critical determinants of innovation strategies among family firms, namely, the family’s wealth concentration (WC) in its business and the family’s emphasis on family-centered goals (FCGs). Our results from a survey of Australian family firms show opposite and completely independent effects of WC and family-centered noneconomic goals on family firms’ innovation strategies. While higher WC is negatively associated with firm innovation, a greater emphasis placed on family-centered noneconomic goals has a positive impact, which seems to be the key determinant of innovation strategies in family firms.
Longitudinal Associations Between Vocational Identity Process and Career Goals
Authors: Lee Yuyoung , Kim Youngjae , Im Sojeong , Lee Eunbi , Yang Eunjoo
Published: September 2020

Vocational identity develops through the interplay between process and content dimensions. A three-wave longitudinal study investigated how identity process dimensions (in-breadth exploration, in-depth exploration, commitment making, identification with commitment, self-doubt, flexibility) and content dimensions represented by career goals (intrinsic goals, extrinsic goals) are interconnected across time. Participants were 327 full-time college students in South Korea at Time 1, 253 at Time 2, and 227 at Time 3. They rated values associated with their current career goal and completed the Vocational Identity Status Assessment 3 times with a 6-month interval. The autoregressive cross-lagged path analysis found positive reciprocal associations between intrinsic career goals and identification with commitment. Furthermore, intrinsic career goals positively predicted in-depth exploration, and self-doubt negatively predicted intrinsic career goals. These findings support the reciprocal relationships between vocational identity process and career goals in general, and between intrinsic career goals and the commitment dimension of identity more specifically.