bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct Contribution of Systemic Blood Flow to Hypertension in an African Population Across the Adult Lifespan
Authors: Woodiwiss Angela J. , Mmopi Keneilwe N. , Peterson Vernice , Libhaber Carlos , Bello Hamza , Masiu Mohlabani , Fernandes Daniel Da Silva , Tade Grace , Mthembu Nonhlanhla , Peters Ferande , Sareli Pinhas , Norton Gavin R.
Published: June 2020

Although hypertension in groups of African ancestry is volume-dependent, the relative impact of systemic flow (stroke volume, peak aortic flow [Q]) versus vascular mechanisms (systemic vascular resistance, aortic characteristic impedance [Zc], total arterial compliance) components of arterial load has not been evaluated across the adult age range. In participants of African ancestry (n=824, age=16–99 years, 68.3% female), using central arterial pressure and aortic velocity and diameter measurements in the outflow tract, we determined the hemodynamic correlates of age-related increases in blood pressure. Strong independent positive relations between age and stroke volume or peak aortic Q were noted (
P
<0.0001), effects associated with ventricular end diastolic volume and aldosterone-to-renin ratios. Age-related increases in mean arterial pressure were associated with stroke volume and not systemic vascular resistance. Although age-Q relations began from early adulthood, initially an inverse association between age and aortic Zc (
P
<0.0001) driven by increments in aortic root diameter (
P
<0.0001) prevented an enhanced systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. When Zc began to positively relate to age (
P
<0.0001), age-Q relations translated into increases in forward wave pressures and hence systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. Age relations with pulse pressure were as strongly determined by Q as by Zc or total arterial compliance (0.027±0.001 versus 0.028±0.001 and 0.032±0.003 mm Hg per yearly increase in pulse pressure produced by Q, Zc, and total arterial compliance;
P
<0.0001). Uncontrolled hypertension (confirmed with 24-hour blood pressure) was determined more by Q, Zc, and total arterial compliance than by increases in systemic vascular resistance (
P
<0.0005 for comparison). In conclusion, relationships between age and systemic blood flow contribute markedly to hypertension in groups of African origins.
Effect of Objective Normalization and Penalty Parameter on Penalty Boundary Intersection Decomposition-Based Evolutionary Many-Objective Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Chen Lei , Deb Kalyanmoy , Liu Hai-Lin , Zhang Qingfu
Published: June 2020

An objective normalization strategy is essential in any evolutionary multiobjective or many-objective optimization (EMO or EMaO) algorithm, due to the distance calculations between objective vectors required to compute diversity and convergence of population members. For the decomposition-based EMO/EMaO algorithms involving the Penalty Boundary Intersection (PBI) metric, normalization is an important matter due to the computation of two distance metrics. In this article, we make a theoretical analysis of the effect of instabilities in the normalization process on the performance of PBI-based MOEA/D and a proposed PBI-based NSGA-III procedure. Although the effect is well recognized in the literature, few theoretical studies have been done so far to understand its true nature and the choice of a suitable penalty parameter value for an arbitrary problem. The developed theoretical results have been corroborated with extensive experimental results on three to 15-objective convex and non-convex instances of DTLZ and WFG problems. The article, makes important theoretical conclusions on PBI-based decomposition algorithms derived from the study.
Applying Digital Methods to the Study of a Late Ottoman City: A Social and Spatial Analysis of Political Partisanship in Gaza
Authors: Ben-Bassat Yuval , Buessow Johann
Published: June 2020

This article takes the understudied Ottoman city of Gaza in southern Palestine at the end of the nineteenth century as a case study to illustrate the new possibilities available today to researchers of the Middle East by combining the study of historical sources with GIS and other digital technologies. It first surveys the main sources available for the study of this city, some of which have only become available to researchers in recent years. It then describes the construction of a comprehensive database based on these sources and ways to run statistical analyses based on it. Finally, it presents the research results on maps and aerial photos connected to a GIS system. The case of Gaza can thus serve as a model for studying other cities in Ottoman Greater Syria and the Ottoman Empire in general.
Competing Sovereignties in Eighteenth-Century South Asia: Afghan Claims to Kingship
Authors: Khoja Neelam
Published: June 2020

Ahmad Shah Abdali-Durrani’s court chronicle, Taʾrīkh-i Aḥmad Shāhī, written by Mahmud bin Ibrahim al-Husaini and completed soon after Ahmad Shah’s death in 1772, provides an eighteenth-century perspective on the criterion for kingship and sovereignty. Unsurprisingly, the only person who fulfills these requirements, according to the historian, is Ahmad Shah. While this is standard practice in most Persianate and Islamic histories about a king, the text deviates from a number of other literary conventions. The historian deemphasizes Ahmad Shah’s genealogy and connection to Sufi saints; instead, he focuses on Ahmad Shah’s inner piety and morality by attributing to him the concept of ilhām (direct revelation from God)—an attribute more generally characteristic of prophets and saints, not kings. The double move of deemphasizing lineage and Sufi connection while privileging personal, God-bestowed attributes is sharpened through comparison: Mughal governors and emperors are depicted by the author as descendants of noble, dynastic genealogies, but govern incompetently because they do not have the clarity of vision and fate of victory on their side, as God has not bestowed them with ilhām.
Attitudes of the Nonreligious toward Abortion, Contraceptives, and Homosexuality: Comparing the Far East and Western Europe
Authors: Sevinç Kenan
Published: June 2020

Numerous studies have shown that the number of nonreligious people in the World is increasing and that people without religious affiliation demonstrate more liberal attitudes on controversial issues than affiliated people. Research suggests these differences may arise from the higher education level of the nonreligious and/or cultural context. To further explore the effects of culture on the attitudes of nonreligious, I analyze data from The Global Attitudes Project-Spring (2013). The data were downloaded from the Association of Religion Data Archives, www.TheARDA.com and were collected by Pew Research Center. When the data were analyzed, 6746 of the participants (18.2%) were found to be nonreligious. Three of the countries with the highest rate of nonreligious are from Western Europe (Czechia=69.5%, Britain=44.4%, Germany=35.3%) and three of them are from Far East (China=83.4%, Japan=45.4%, South Korea=42.6%). I compared attitudes of nonreligious from these countries (N=4581) towards abortion, contraception use, and homosexuality. The results indicate that nonreligious people living in the Far East find abortion, contraceptive use, and homosexuality more “morally unacceptable” than Western Europeans. This suggests that attitudes among the nonreligious are not homogenous, and that cultural factors are important variables to consider in future research.
Mission, Empire, and the Ultimate Good: Colonel John Munro, Benjamin Bailey, and the Church Missionary Society “Mission of Help” to Travancore (1816–18)
Authors: McKee Gary
Published: June 2020

The Church Missionary Society “Mission of Help” to the Syrian Church of Travancore in the nineteenth century provides much instructive food for thought concerning debates that continue in mission up to the present day. In particular, the episode shows that the links between mission and empire cannot be reduced to seeing mission as a mere handmaiden to imperial concerns, although empire certainly provided a context to missionary endeavor throughout the imperial period. In this specific instance it was the forceful personality of Colonel John Munro who ensured that the Mission of Help became more intertwined with empire than might otherwise have been the case. Another effect of this imperial context for the Mission of Help was that the nature and scope of mission inevitably ended up being broadened to include aspects of societal transformation. It is shown that Benjamin Bailey was not primarily motivated by such concerns, yet was not unconcerned about them. Bailey’s thinking through of these tensions perhaps provide a way to think today about the links between the “Great Commission,” the “Great Commandment,” and cultural transformation.
Short Term Mission and Formation – A Norwegian Perspective
Authors: Lilleaasen Robert , Nandrup Ingebjørg
Published: June 2020

The following article focuses the attention on how participants in Short Term Mission (STM) from Norway understand the practice they have been part of. In the first part the article investigates what motivates participation in STM, and how STM is understood to be influential in life-choices. The second part of the article introduces “formation” as a theoretical lens. In this part the article investigates the working hypothesis suggesting that STM from Norway is best understood as a formative trip. The material is constructed from a survey with 153 respondents.
Transformational Development: Empowering Christian Widows in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Bauta Sung
Published: June 2020

Several developmental ventures have been used to empower African widows. Such development programs address the economic and social dimensions of the plight of African widows. However, most of these development initiatives tend to ignore religion in the development process. This article will argue that religion is pertinent towards empowering Christian widows in northern Nigeria. A case study of a non-profit initiative in a southern Kaduna village demonstrates that religion is necessary for empowering Christian widows in northern Nigeria. I explore the important role religion plays within Africa, and specifically in northern Nigeria. My assumption is that the wise use of religion to empower Christian widows is effective. I suggest that the implication for the wise use of religion to empower Christian widows would ensure that Christian widows draw from the religious sentiments towards personal and social transformation.
Pseudophlugiolopsis bitubera gen. nov., sp. nov. and a new species of Allicyrtaspis Shi, Bian & Chang, 2013 (Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae: Meconematini) from China
Authors: WANG TAO , ZHOU ZHIJUN , CHANG YANLIN
Published: June 2020

A new genus is proposed for Pseudophlugiolopsis bitubera gen. nov., sp. nov. from Yunnan, China. Another new species of the genus Allicyrtaspis is described: Allicyrtaspis? phryganis sp. nov. The type specimens are preserved in the Museum of Hebei University.
A new species of Trigonocorypha (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from Tamilnadu, India
Authors: SENTHILKUMAR NATCHIAPPAN , DIVYA GOVINDARAJ
Published: June 2020

The present study deals with description of a new species (♀) Trigonocorypha thenensis sp. nov. in the genus Trigonocorypha from Tamilnadu, India.
The Belisana spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Tibet, China
Authors: ZHU WENHUI , YAO ZHIYUAN , ZHENG GUO , LI SHUQIANG
Published: June 2020

Only three species of the genus Belisana Thorell, 1898, were recorded from Tibet, China, before the current study. In this study, four new Belisana species from Tibet are described: Belisana medog sp. nov. (male), Belisana muruo sp. nov. (male, female), Belisana xigaze sp. nov. (male, female), and Belisana zham sp. nov. (male, female). The female of Belisana gyirong Zhang, Zhu & Song, 2006 is reported for the first time.
Catalogue of the mite family Podocinidae Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata)
Authors: BARROS AVYLA R. A. , CASTILHO RAPHAEL C. , DE MORAES GILBERTO J.
Published: June 2020

The mite family Podocinidae consists of 38 species in three genera, namely Africoseius Krantz (two species), Podocinella Evans & Hyatt (five species) and Podocinum Berlese (31 species). They are free living, but their biology is poorly known. The objective of this work was to summarise the history of the classification of the podocinids, to provide a brief diagnosis of the family, a key to the genera, and to assemble the scattered taxonomic information about the species and the genera in which they are placed.
Adult Palatopharyngoplasty: Trends in Morbidity and Mortality from the NSQIP Database
Authors: Gates Christopher , Ramadan Jad , Coutras Steven , Carr Michele
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

Describe the postop morbidity of adults undergoing palatopharyngoplasty (PPP).

Method:

Adults who underwent PPP were studied using ACS-NSQIP (American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program) database (2016-2017) via CPT code 42145. Analyzed outcomes included length of stay (LOS), readmission, reoperation, and postop complications. Predictive variables were age, gender, BMI, comorbidities.

Results:

A total of 1081 patients (73.7% male, mean age 42.0 years, range 18-79 years) were included. 95 (8.8%) were diabetic, 183 (16.9%) were smokers, 30 (2.8%) had preoperative dyspnea. 328 (30.3%) took medicine for hypertension. Concurrent procedures occurred in 646 (59.76%), 357 (33.02%) had nasal procedures, 320 (29.60%) had tonsil procedures, 66 (6.11%) had tongue procedures. Within 30 days postop, there were two (0.19%) mortalities. Complications included six wound infections, two dehiscences, four with pneumonia, two pulmonary embolisms, three myocardial infarctions, one DVT, three sepsis, one UTI, one who required CPR, and two who were ventilated for >48 hours. Five required reintubation. A total of 41 (3.79%) returned to OR for a related reason, at least 27 (65.90%) for bleeding. LOS ranged from 0 to 15 days, median 1 day. Overall 38 (3.52%) were readmitted for a related reason, 12 (31.58%) for bleeding and three (7.89%) for pain. Using a significance level of 0.002 (Bonferroni correction), LOS varied with presence of any concurrent procedure, BMI, and estimated probability of mortality and morbidity indices; readmission and reoperation had no significantly associated variables.

Conclusion:

PPP is associated with low frequency but significant morbidity and mortality.
The Millennial/Gen Z Leftists Are Emerging: Are Sociologists Ready for Them?
Authors: Kaplan Elaine Bell
Published: June 2020

Sociology is being challenged by the new generation of students and scholars who have another view of society. Millennial/Gen Zs are the most progressive generation since the 1960s. We have had many opportunities to discuss and imagine power, diversity, and social change when we teach them in our classes or attend their campus events. Some Millennial/Gen Z believe, especially those in academia, that social scientists are tied to old theories and ideologies about race and gender, among other inconsistencies. These old ideas do not resonate with their views regarding equity. Millennials are not afraid to challenge the status quo. They do so already by supporting multiple gender and race identities. Several questions come to mind. How do we as sociologists with our sense of history and other issues such as racial and gender inequality help them along the way? Are we ready for this generation? Are they ready for us?
Industry-specific lessons: How to make ethics “sexy”
Authors: Mellon Amiee , Kolb Staci , Beauchamp Matrika
Published: June 2020

Professors are often the first to introduce students to career-specific ethical dilemmas. Standard teaching methods for ethical classwork are mundane, typically involving lectures and case studies; however, research concludes that students have the best results from educational experiences when able to influence course composition. The authors examine career-specific teaching methodologies as recommended by students. Through a qualitative design, students were asked how professors could help them recognize and respond to ethical dilemmas. The authors explore what new behavioral approaches hold the most promise in helping students engage in ethical training so that ethical tendencies carry beyond graduation. In a survey of 59 students, participants preferred to practice facing ethical dilemmas in a safe classroom setting to learn how to respond to challenges in professional environments. Most respondents felt that instruction was most effective when field-specific (e.g. auditing courses for accounting majors) rather than approaching ethics broadly in a general business context.
A New Intravenous Immune Globulin: Novel or Not?
Authors: Bates Brittany N. , Olah Mark E.
Published: June 2020

Objective:

To assess the clinical use and determine the place in therapy for immune globulin intravenous (IV), human-slra, a recently approved IV immune globulin for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases (PIDD).

Data Sources:

A PubMed and MEDLINE search (2010 to April 2020) was conducted for relevant articles. Data were also obtained from the package insert.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

English language publications regarding the clinical efficacy and safety of immune globulin-slra were analyzed. Publications focused on use of immune globulin products were also included.

Data Synthesis:

Immune globulin-slra is indicated for patients with PIDD and was specifically developed to include donor plasma with high respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody titers. Efficacy was demonstrated through favorable incidence of infections and infection-related complications. Patients treated with immune globulin-slra had increases in anti-RSV neutralizing antibody titers compared with baseline. Adverse events occurred at rates similar to or less than other available immune globulin products.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

This review describes a new immune globulin product available for use in patients with PIDD. A novel approach to managing patients at risk of serious infections may be to utilize products with formulations proven to not only boost IgG levels, but also antibodies to specific pathogens.

Conclusions:

The choice of which immune globulin product to select for a patient or formulary is complex. Each product is unique, and differences between products should be taken into consideration, along with cost and availability.
Eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma: An assessment of the T classification of the American Joint Committee of Cancer TNM staging system 8th versus 7th edition
Authors: AlHammad Fatimah , Edward Deepak P , Alkatan Hind M , Elkhamary Sahar , Iuliano Adriana , Maktabi Azza , Al-Horani Saif El-Deen , Al-Sheikh Osama , Al Hussain Hailah , Strianese Diego
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To assess the prognostic values of the T classification of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee of Cancer staging system and compare it to the 7th edition.

Methods:

Multicenter retrospective study of patients with eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma. The primary outcome measure was the differences between outcomes when tumors were staged with either 7th or 8th edition. The measures evaluated included presenting features, management, histopathology, metastasis, recurrence, and mortality.

Results:

Of the 60 patients (median age 73 years), 31 (51.7%) were females. A change in T staging occurred in 39 patients (65%) when the 8th edition was applied. Advanced categories (T3/T4) were significantly associated with nodal metastasis ( p = 0.037) using the 8th edition criteria but not with the 7th edition ( p = 0.066). The 8th edition T categorization significantly correlated with eye survival ( p = 0.022) while the 7th edition did not ( p = 0.058). Applying the 8th edition, category T4 at presentation was associated with a higher risk of nodal metastasis ( p = 0.037) but not associated with local recurrence, distant metastasis, or tumor-related death ( p = 0.281, p = 0.737, p = 0.319, respectively). T3/T4 category tumors were significantly associated with poor tumor differentiation ( p = 0.001), and papillary histologic pattern ( p = 0.024) but not with pagetoid spread ( p = 0.056).

Conclusion:

The application of the 8th edition AJCC staging system for eyelid SGC may accurately predict nodal metastasis. Local recurrence and distant metastasis were not significantly associated with T classification, using either edition. Poor tumor differentiation and papillary pattern were associated with T3/T4 categories suggesting that pathological features may assist in determining prognosis.
Using More Than 1 (Path)Way to Kill a Host Cell: Lessons From Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin
Authors: McClane Bruce , Shrestha Archana
Published: June 2020

Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) is responsible for the symptoms of common intestinal infections due to C. perfringens type F isolates. CPE is a pore-forming toxin that uses certain claudins as a receptor. Previous studies showed that, in enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells, low CPE concentrations cause caspase 3-mediated apoptosis but high CPE concentrations cause necrosis. The recent work published in mBio by Shrestha, Mehdizadeh Gohari, and McClane determined that RIP1 and RIP3 are involved in both CPE-mediated apoptosis and necrosis in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, mixed lineage kinase-domain (MLKL) oligomerization was shown to be important for necrosis caused by CPE, identifying this necrosis as programmed necroptosis. In addition, calpain activation due to Ca2+ influx through the CPE pore was identified as a critical intermediate step for MLKL oligomerization and, thus, CPE-induced necroptosis. These findings may have applicability to understand the action of some other pore-forming toxins that induce necroptosis and may also be important for understanding CPE action in vivo.
Hippocampal volume is more related to patient-reported memory than objective memory performance in early multiple sclerosis
Authors: Glukhovsky Lisa , Brandstadter Rachel , Leavitt Victoria M , Krieger Stephen , Buyukturkoglu Korhan , Fabian Michelle , Sand Ilana Katz , Klineova Sylvia , Riley Claire S , Lublin Fred D , Miller Aaron E , Sumowski James F
Published: June 2020

Background:

When persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) report memory decline but objective memory performance is normal, there is a bias toward believing objective test results.

Objective:

Investigate whether subjective memory decline or objective memory performance is more related to hippocampal and hippocampal subfield volumes in early MS.

Methods:

Persons with early MS ( n = 185; ⩽5.0 years diagnosed) completed a subjective memory questionnaire; an objective memory composite was derived from four memory tests. Total hippocampal and subfield volumes were derived from high-resolution 3.0 T magnetic resonance images (MRIs). Partial correlations assessed links between hippocampal volumes and both subjective and objective memory, controlling for age, sex, mood, and pre-morbid intelligence quotient (IQ).

Results:

Lower total hippocampal and CA1 volumes were related to worse subjective memory but not objective memory (controlling for multiple comparisons). Correlations between subjective memory and both CA1 and subiculum were significantly stronger than were correlations between objective memory and these subfields. Patients in the worst tertile of subjective memory complaints (but not objective memory) had lower hippocampal volumes than 35 demographically similar healthy controls.

Conclusion:

Patient-report is inherently a longitudinal assessment of within-person memory change in everyday life, which may be more sensitive to subtle disease-related changes than cross-sectional objective tests. Findings align with the aging literature.
Third-party knowledge and success in civil war mediation
Authors: Wiegand Krista , Rowland Erin , Keels Eric
Published: June 2020

Within this article, we explore how third-party knowledge of ongoing conflicts shapes the ability of mediators to successfully end conflicts through negotiated settlements. Since the primary role of mediators is to share information, and combatants have incentives to misrepresent information, contextual knowledge about the conflict and actors is critical. We argue that experienced diplomats with greater knowledge of the civil war state, close knowledge of the combatants, and connections with civil society are less vulnerable and more effective in mediation efforts. We propose that third parties seeking a diplomatic solution to ongoing conflicts may be more successful when they maintain strong diplomatic knowledge of the disputants as well as knowledge of the processes by which previous mediation efforts have attempted to resolve the dispute. Using a seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model on peace agreements from 1989 to 2005, we find strong support that diplomatic knowledge matters significantly.
Experimental and analytical investigations of reinforced concrete beam-column joints retrofitted by single haunch
Authors: Emami Ebrahim , Kheyroddin Ali , Sharbatdar Mohhamad Kazem
Published: June 2020

Recently, the single haunch with specifications such as less invasive and architectural consistency, and easy to practice have been adopted as one of the considered retrofitting options for deficient reinforced concrete beam-column joints. In this article, by analytical evaluation, the influence parameters such as haunch to beam stiffness ratio, haunch inclination angles, and mounted position were investigated. Analytical equations were also proposed for haunch to beam stiffness ratio in terms of both shear interaction between haunch and beam-column members and reduction of joint shear demand. Moreover, five exterior beam-column joint sub-assemblies were fabricated afterwards four of those retrofitted by various cross-sectional area of single steel haunch. Then, all of these beam-column joints and remaining one (as-built joint) were experimentally subjected to cyclic loading. To validate the analytical results, the experimental responses in four limit states including first diagonal core crack in as-built joint, drift ratio 2%, the first diagonal core crack in all the joints, and ultimate state (peak load) were provided for comparison. Also, by definition of an index as vulnerability index in fraction ratio of available joint shear force to joint shear strength predicted by international codes, the obtained vulnerability index of experimental responses were compared to analytical results.
Study of the Risk and Preventive Factors for Progress of Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia
Authors: Hu Chengping , Wang Ling , Guo Yi , Cao Zhicheng , Lu Ying , Qin Hongyun
Published: June 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the risk factors for progress of mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Methods:

This study was based on the epidemiological survey in 2011 (No. PKJ2010-Y26) and contained 441 MCI individuals. Cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental Status Examination, clinical dementia rating, and montreal cognitive assessment. The association between demographic characteristics and MCI outcomes were evaluated using single-and multifactor ordered logistic regression analysis models.

Results:

Of the 441 MCI, 77 progressed to dementia (MCIp: 17.5%, 95% CI: 14.4%-21.6%), 356 remained stable (MCIs: 80.7%, 95% CI: 77.0%-88.4%), and 8 reverted to normal cognition (MCIr: 1.8%, 95% CI: 0.6%-3.0%) at follow-up in 2017. Univariate ordinal regression analysis showed that diabetes ( P = .052), marriage ( P = .028), worker ( P = .069), and manager ( P = .075) may be the risk factor for the status of MCI. Multiple ordinal regression results showed that diabetes ( P = .049) and marriage ( P = .04) significantly affected the cognitive function changes in the MCI patients.

Conclusion:

Nondiabetics and being married may prevent the progression from MCI to dementia.
Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) as Alternative Lifeworlds: Transformative Learning in Cyberspace
Authors: Tilak Shantanu , Glassman Michael , Kuznetcova Irina , Peri Joshua , Wang Qiannan , Wen Ziye , Walling Amanda
Published: June 2020

Direct instruction (PowerPoint presentations, lectures) often imposes hierarchical classroom structures where the teachers are considered experts, imparting knowledge to passive learners. However, the emergence of tools like Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) encourages the creation of democratic learning environments. We hypothesize that these tools lead to higher degrees of civil discourse within the classroom and create transformative learning trajectories for students, allowing them to create shared purpose to incite social change. By comparing reflectivity displayed in weekly students’ blogging assignments in a classroom using an MUVE (Second Life), and one using direct instruction, we sought to gauge the effect MUVEs had on students’ reflectivity with the passage of time. Results indicated that MUVEs facilitated more critical reflection and transformative learning trajectories as compared to direct instruction frameworks.
Cycle slip detection and repair for BeiDou-3 triple-frequency signals
Authors: Fan Xiangxiang , Tian Rui , Dong Xurong , Shuai Weiyi , Fan Youchen
Published: June 2020

When carrier phase observations are applied to high-precision positioning, how to handle the cycle slip is an unavoidable problem. For cycle slip correction, detection combination noise and the ionospheric delay are two crucial factors. Specifically, the drastic changes in the ionosphere and the increased noise of code observations will increase the failure probability of cycle slip detection. To reduce the influence of code observation noise and ionospheric bias, a novel cycle slip detection method for BDS-3 satellites is proposed. Considering that code measurement noise is closely related to the satellite elevation angle, an elevation-based model is built to evaluate the code measurement noise. Firstly, two modified code-phase combinations are selected optimally based on 1% missed detection rate and 99% success detection rate to minimize the effects of code measurement noise. However, the second modified code-phase combination is more affected by ionospheric delay bias, so ionospheric bias of current epoch needs to be corrected. To reduce the influence of ionospheric bias, two moving windows of time-differenced ionospheric delay are introduced to correct the ionospheric bias of the second code-phase combination. Experiments with BeiDou-3 data are implemented in three different scenarios. To verify the effectiveness of the algorithm in the environment of high code observations noise, Gaussian noise is added to the code observations in the first scenario, and the results demonstrate that the success rate of cycle slip detection and repair is still greater than 95% when the standard deviation of Gaussian noise is 0.8 m. The second scenario is carried out under low ionospheric activity, and results indicate that the proposed method significantly reduces the times of failed detection and repair. Moreover, in the third scenario, BeiDou-3 data with cycle slips of different types under high ionospheric activity are tested, and all cycle slips can be correctly detected and corrected.
AoA effects in reading aloud and lexical decision: Locating the (semantic) locus in terms of the number of backward semantic associations
Authors: Cortese Michael J , Toppi Sean , Khanna Maya M , Santo Jonathan B
Published: June 2020

In the present study, we analyse data from the English Lexicon Project to assess the extent to which age of acquisition (AoA) effects on word processing stem from the number of semantic associations tied to a word. We show that the backward number of associates (bNoA; that is, the log transformed number of words that produce the target word in free association) is an important predictor of both lexical decision and reading aloud performance, and reduces the typical AoA effect as represented by subject ratings in both tasks. Although the AoA effect is reduced, it remains a significant predictor of performance above and beyond bNoA. We conclude that the semantic locus of AoA effects can be found in the number of backward connections to the word, and that the independent AoA effect is due to network plasticity. We discuss how computational models currently explain AoA effects, and how bNoA may affect their processing.
Changes in arm kinematics of chronic stroke individuals following “Assist-As-Asked” robot-assisted training in virtual and physical environments: A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Norouzi-Gheidari Nahid , Archambault Philippe S , Fung Joyce
Published: June 2020

Introduction

In this proof-of-concept study, we introduce a custom-developed robot-assisted training protocol, named “Assist-As-Asked”, aiming at improving arm function of chronic stroke subjects with moderate-to-severe upper extremity motor impairment. The study goals were to investigate the feasibility and potential adverse effects of this training protocol in both physical and virtual environments.

Methods

A sample of convenience of four chronic stroke subjects participated in 10 half-hour sessions. The task was to practice reaching six targets in both virtual and physical environments. The robotic arm used the Assist-As-Asked paradigm in which it helped subjects to complete movements when asked by them. Changes in the kinematics of the reaching movements and the participants’ perception of the reaching practice in both environments were the outcome measures of interest.

Results

Subjects improved their reaching performance and none of them reported any adverse events. There were no differences between the two environments in terms of kinematic measures even though subjects had different opinions about the environment preference.

Conclusions

Using the Assist-As-Asked protocol in moderate-to-severe chronic stroke survivors is feasible and it can be used with both physical and virtual environments with no evidence of one of them to be superior to the other based on users’ perspectives and movement kinematics.
A Strategic Approach to Mitigating Operational Failure Across Transitions
Authors: Abd Razak Diyana Syafiqah , Mills Grant , Roberts Aeli
Published: June 2020

It is recognized that projects continue to deliver operational assets that are partially defective. This article proposes this because the causes of operational failures have not been extensively analyzed. This study explores how an infrastructure client made quality a strategic and project delivery necessity by undertaking research to analyze operational failure. A mixed-method approach consisting of three phases was used: (1) to understand the operational failure elements; (2) to explore the causes of operational failure; and (3) to develop a new strategic framework to address failure mitigation. The study showed the need for transferring, applying, and recognizing capabilities across strategic business, project delivery, and operational use transitions.
Cotargeting BCL-2 and MCL-1 in high-risk B-ALL
Authors: Moujalled Donia M. , Hanna Diane T. , Hediyeh-zadeh Soroor , Pomilio Giovanna , Brown Lauren , Litalien Veronique , Bartolo Ray , Fleming Shaun , Chanrion Maïa , Banquet Sébastien , Maragno Ana-Leticia , Kraus-Berthier Laurence , Schoumacher Marie , Mullighan Charles G. , Georgiou Angela , White Christine A. , Lessene Guillaume , Huang David C. S. , Roberts Andrew W. , Geneste Olivier , Rasmussen Lorna , Davis Melissa J. , Ekert Paul G. , Wei Andrew , Ng Ashley P. , Khaw Seong L.
Published: June 2020

Improving survival outcomes in adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains a clinical challenge. Relapsed disease has a poor prognosis despite the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+ ALL) cases and immunotherapeutic approaches, including blinatumomab and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Targeting aberrant cell survival pathways with selective small molecule BH3-mimetic inhibitors of BCL-2 (venetoclax, S55746), BCL-XL (A1331852), or MCL1 (S63845) is an emerging therapeutic option. We report that combined targeting of BCL-2 and MCL1 is synergistic in B-ALL in vitro. The combination demonstrated greater efficacy than standard chemotherapeutics and TKIs in primary samples from adult B-ALL with Ph+ ALL, Ph-like ALL, and other B-ALL. Moreover, combined BCL-2 or MCL1 inhibition with dasatinib showed potent killing in primary Ph+ B-ALL cases, but the BH3-mimetic combination appeared superior in vitro in a variety of Ph-like ALL samples. In PDX models, combined BCL-2 and MCL1 targeting eradicated ALL from Ph− and Ph+ B-ALL cases, although fatal tumor lysis was observed in some instances of high tumor burden. We conclude that a dual BH3-mimetic approach is highly effective in diverse models of high-risk human B-ALL and warrants assessment in clinical trials that incorporate tumor lysis precautions.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Patel Payal , Patel Parth , Bhatt Meha , Braun Cody , Begum Housne , Nieuwlaat Robby , Khatib Rasha , Martins Carolina C. , Zhang Yuan , Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta Itziar , Varghese Jamie , Alturkmani Hani , Bahaj Waled , Baig Mariam , Kehar Rohan , Mustafa Ahmad , Ponnapureddy Rakesh , Sethi Anchal , Thomas Merrill , Wooldridge David , Lim Wendy , Bates Shannon M. , Lang Eddy , Le Gal Grégoire , Righini Marc , Wiercioch Wojtek , Schünemann Holger J. , Mustafa Reem A.
Published: June 2020

After deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is diagnosed, prompt evaluation and therapeutic intervention are of paramount importance for improvement in patient-important outcomes. We systematically reviewed patient-important outcomes in patients with suspected DVT, including mortality, incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and DVT, major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and postthrombotic sequelae. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Medline, Embase for eligible studies, references lists of relevant reviews, registered trials, and relevant conference proceedings. Two investigators screened and abstracted data. Nine studies with 5126 patients were included for lower extremity DVT. Three studies with 500 patients were included for upper extremity DVT. Among patients with lower extremity DVT, 0.85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0% to 2.10%) and 0% developed recurrent DVT and PE, respectively, at 3 months. Among patients with upper extremity DVT, 0.49% (95% CI, 0% to 1.16%) and 1.98% (95% CI, 0.62% to 3.33%) developed recurrent DVT and PE, respectively, at 3 months. No major bleeding events were reported for those anticoagulated, which is lower than in other systematic reviews. For both upper and lower extremity DVT, low pretest probability patients with a negative D-dimer had a comparable incidence of VTE at 3 months (∼1%) as patients with a negative ultrasound (US). At higher pretest probabilities, negative US testing with or without serial US appears to be the safer option. In this review, we summarized the outcomes of patients evaluated by various diagnostic pathways. In most instances, there was significant limitation due to small population size or lack of direct evidence of effects of using a specific pathway. This systematic review was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42018100502.
The impact of a heat and moisture exchange mask on respiratory symptoms and airway response to exercise in asthma
Authors: Jackson Anna R. , Hull James H. , Hopker James G. , Fletcher Hannah , Gowers William , Birring Surinder S. , Dickinson John W.
Published: June 2020

Respiratory symptoms, including cough, are prevalent in individuals with asthma when exercising. This study investigates whether a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) face mask is effective in modulating exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and post-exercise cough in a cold, dry environment in individuals with asthma.

Twenty-six participants diagnosed with asthma (20 males, 6 females) completed three cycling exercise challenges at 8°C and 24% relative humidity in a randomised order. Participants wore either an HME mask (MASK), sham mask (SHAM), or no mask (CONT). Following a 3-min warm-up, participants completed 6-min cycling at 80% peak power output. Before and after exercise, maximal flow-volume loops were recorded. Post-exercise cough was monitored with a Leicester Cough Monitor (LCM) for 24 h. Results were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Friedman's tests and data were presented as the mean±sdor median (interquartile range (IQR)).

Eleven participants failed to demonstrate EIB (i.e.>10% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s after exercise) and were removed from analysis. The percentage fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s following exercise in CONT was greater than MASK (MASK: −6% (7%), SHAM: −11% (11%), CONT: −13% (9%); p<0.01). No difference was found between exercise in cough count per hour over the 24-h monitoring period or the number of coughs in the first hour after exercise.

HME masks can attenuate EIB when exercising in cold, dry environments. The SHAM mask may not have been entirely inert, demonstrating the challenges of running randomised control trials utilising control and sham conditions.
Prevalence and risk factors of nocturnal enuresis among children ages 5–12 years in Xi’an, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Hui-Mei , Wei Jing , Sharma Shristi , Bao Ying , Li Fei , Song Jian-Wen , Wu Hai-Bin , Sun Hong-Li , Li Zhi-Juan , Liu Huan-Nan , Wu Qian , Jiang Hong-Li
Published: June 2020

Background

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) has a negative impact on children’s health and imposes a long-term burden on families. With economic development and cultural improvements, parents and medical professionals pay more attention to NE. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of NE among children ages 5–12 years in Xi’an, China.

Methods

A stratified cluster sampling method was used to conduct a cross-sectional study of NE in 10 kindergartens and 20 primary schools in Xi’an. We used univariate analysis to compare the prevalences of characteristics such as gender, duration of disposable diaper (DD) use, toilet training onset time, daily living habits, academic performance, and family history of NE. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio and to determine risk factors of NE.

Results

The study included 6568 children ages 5–12 years, of which 262 (3.99%) had NE. The prevalence rates of NE decreased with age, with the highest prevalence at age 5 (9.09% for boys; 6.03% for girls). However, the prevalence increased with duration of DD use. Children experienced more NE if they never accepted toilet training (7.83%) or if they drank sugary beverages during the day (5.36%). Sleep disorders, sweets intake, drinking low amounts of plain water during the day, and family history of NE, were statistically associated with NE.

Conclusion

NE was closely associated with a family history of NE, being male, long-term use of DD, delayed toilet training, drinking sugary beverages and/or consuming little plain water, and sleep disorders. A supportive parental attitude towards NE and timely medical treatment can improve the quality of life of enuretic children.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Angelica sinensis polysaccharide prevents mitochondrial apoptosis by regulating the Treg/Th17 ratio in aplastic anemia
Authors: Chen Zetao , Cheng Li , Zhang Jing , Cui Xing
Published: June 2020

Background

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) is an effective medicine for aplastic anemia (AA). The present study aims to investigate whether mitochondrial apoptosis in aplastic anemia could be corrected by ASP by adjusting an abnormal level of regulatory T cell (Treg)/ IL-17 secreting CD4 T cell (Th17) ratio.

Methods

BALB/c mice were treated with 5.0 Gy Co60 γ -radiation. Then 2 × 106lymph node cells from DBA/2 donor mice were transplanted within 4 h after radiation. The mice in the various groups were fed saline or ASP for 2 weeks. For the in vitro experiment, bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs) and Treg cells were sorted from the mice on the 2nd day of modeling, and then cultured with or without ASP.

Results

The mice treated with the medium dose of ASP for 14 days showed increased white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), platelet (PLT), BMNC counts and Lin–Sca-1 + c-Kit+ (LSK) populations viability compared with the mice in the AA group mice. The data showed that ASP decreased damage to the mitochondrial outer membrane, improved the stabilization of the mitochondrial membrane, and corrected the abnormal levels of ROS and mitochondrial-associated apoptosis proteins, including the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression, in BMNCs which were sorted from the bone marrow cells of AA mice. The changes to the p-P38/P38 and Treg/Th17 ratios induced by AA were also reversed by the medium dose of ASP. The same ASP effect including the Bcl-2/Bax and p-P38/P38 ratio, caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression of BMNCs were observed in vivo. The viability of Treg cells were increased by treatment of ASP in vivo.

Conclusions

ASP might prevent mitochondrial apoptosis to restore the function of hematopoietic stem cells by suppressing abnormal T-cell immunity in AA.
Veterinarians’ attitudes and practices regarding opioid-related vet shopping practices in tri-state Appalachian counties: an exploratory study
Authors: Patel Falguni C. , Raines Jeffrey A. , Kim Richard W. , Gruszynski Karen , Davis Robert E. , Sharma Manoj , Patterson Gilbert , Johnson Jason W. , Nahar Vinayak K.
Published: June 2020

Background

The opioid crisis continues to grow in the United States with 46,700 drug overdose deaths due to opioids in 2017 alone. Vet shopping, the practice of soliciting veterinarians for prescription medications, has been receiving national media attention in recent years. A 2014 review of Prescription Monitoring Drug Programs found less than 10 veterinary shoppers nationwide. Still much is unknown about the role of vet shopping and the opioid crisis. This study sought to understand the practice of vet shopping through the eyes of veterinarians practicing in Appalachian counties within the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, United States.

Results

Fourteen veterinarians were asked a set of 13 questions related to vet shopping. Results indicated that 13 veterinarians in the study had heard of the phenomenon of vet shopping and eight veterinarians had personally encountered vet shopping in their practices. Qualitative analysis of the interviews identified six key themes including a need for interprofessional communication and how important a valid veterinary-client-patient-relationship is within the profession.

Conclusions

The study hopefully sheds some light on the how often vet shopping is encountered in practice, concerns of veterinarians regarding vet shopping, and potential areas for improvement.