bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the anti-angiogenic effect of bevacizumab on rat C6 glioma by spectral computed tomography
Authors: Han Lei , Huang Xiaoyu , Liu Xianwang , Deng Yajun , Ke Xiaoai , Zhou Qing , Zhou Junlin
Published: April 2020

Background

Anti-angiogenic drugs have become a research hotspot in recent years. However, dynamically observing their therapeutic effect at different time points during treatment is a clinical problem.

Purpose

To explore the feasibility of the quantitative parameters of spectral computed tomography (CT) in evaluating the anti-angiogenic effect of bevacizumab on rat C6 glioma.

Material and Methods

Twenty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish the C6 glioma model. The rats were randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 13) and control group (n = 13). The experimental group was intraperitoneally injected with 0.2 µL/g bevacizumab every day, whereas the control group was injected with the same dose of normal saline every day for one week. Spectral CT scanning was performed on the 4th and 8th days after treatment; meanwhile, the brain tissues were collected by heart perfusion for H&E staining, and VEGF and HIF-1α immunohistochemical staining.

Results

On the 4th and 8th days, significant differences in the 70-keV single-energy CT value, slope of the energy spectrum curve, and iodine concentration were found between the experimental group and the control group. Correlation analysis between immunohistochemistry and quantitative parameters of spectral CT showed that the single energy CT value of 70 keV, slope of the energy spectrum curve, and concentration of iodine were positively correlated with VEGF and HIF-1α at different time points in the experimental group and the control group.

Conclusion

Spectral CT multi-parameter imaging can be employed as a new method to evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of bevacizumab on rat C6 glioma.
Empire and indigestion: Materializing tannins in the Indian tea industry
Authors: Besky Sarah
Published: April 2020

In the mid-1800s, plantation-produced tea from India came onto the British market. Tea retailers blended this more malty and black tea with the lighter Chinese-grown tea to which consumers had become accustomed. By the turn of the 20th century, blending helped Empire-grown tea supplant Chinese-grown tea on the market. Scholars of tea have shown how British tea companies working in South Asia stoked racialized fears that Chinese tea arrived in Britain in an adulterated state, laden with impurities that included dyes, perfumes and even human sweat. This article describes how concerns about protecting tea leaves from outside adulteration gave way to concerns about the potential digestive threat that lay inside tea leaves themselves. Medical journals linked the increased consumption of Indian teas to a population-wide ‘epidemic’ of indigestion. The most cited culprits in this epidemic were tannins, chemical compounds that were also thought to give black tea its characteristic bitterness and color. The normalization of black tea consumption among the British public was not just a work of marketing or branding but a work of resolving uncertainty about what tannins were at a material, biophysical level. As this uncertainty was resolved scientifically, tea was materialized not as a singular, unified product but as an active chemical assemblage.
Lower Limb Kinetic Asymmetries in Professional Soccer Players With and Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Nine Months Is Not Enough Time to Restore “Functional” Symmetry or Return to Performance
Authors: Read Paul J. , Michael Auliffe Sean , Wilson Mathew G. , Graham-Smith Philip
Published: April 2020

Background:

Residual between-limb deficits are a possible contributing factor to poor outcomes in athletic populations after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Comprehensive appraisals of movement strategies utilized by athletes at key clinical milestones during rehabilitation are warranted.

Purpose:

To examine kinetic parameters recorded during a countermovement jump with a force platform in healthy professional soccer players and to compare their performance with those who had undergone ACLR at different stages of their rehabilitation.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 370 male professional soccer players attended a physical screening assessment where they performed at counter jump movement protocol on dual force plates and were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (<6 months post-ACLR), group 2 (6-9 months post-ACLR), group 3 (>9 months post-ACLR), and group 4 (healthy matched controls).

Results:

Players in the later phases of rehabilitation increased their jump performance; however, values were significantly lower than those of healthy matched controls ( P > .05). Significant between-limb differences were present for both eccentric- and concentric-phase variables ( P < .05), with effect sizes ranging from moderate to very large ( d = 0.42-1.35). Asymmetries were lower in players who were further away from surgery; however, between-limb differences remained significantly greater in players >9 months after ACLR versus matched controls—specifically, for concentric impulse, concentric peak force, eccentric deceleration impulse, and eccentric deceleration rate of force development asymmetry ( P < .05). Logistic regression identified concentric impulse asymmetry as being most strongly associated with a history of ACLR when group prediction analysis was performed (ACLR group 1, 2, or 3 vs matched controls), with odds ratios ranging from 1.50 to 1.91.

Conclusion:

Between-limb deficits in key eccentric and concentric loading parameters remain >9 months after ACLR, indicating a compensatory offloading strategy to protect the involved limb during an athletic performance task. Concentric impulse asymmetry could be considered an important variable to monitor during rehabilitation.
Geographically mobile healthcare workers and the conditions of their travel: The perspectives of managers
Authors: Jackson Lois , Bourgeault Ivy Lynn , Kruisselbrink Audrey , Barber Pauline Gardiner , Leiter Michael , Nourpanah Shiva , Price Sheri
Published: April 2020

Many healthcare workers are “on the road” traveling to and from fixed sites (eg, patients’/clients’ homes). Qualitative interviews with nine Nova Scotian managers of mobile healthcare workers explored the conditions of workers’ travel. Findings highlight challenges such as changing schedules, as well as positive features including flexibility over the travel schedule. Some managers noted worker mobility-related responsibilities including having to decide if travel is too dangerous due to poor weather. A few managers suggested that workers may not receive adequate economic reimbursement for travel costs (eg, wear and tear on vehicle), and in some instances, workers need to use a benefit (eg, vacation day) or are not paid if they cannot drive due to poor weather. Reported organizational supports for workers’ travel were variable. This research indicates a need for supportive mobility-related policies and practices across all organizations, including policies that cover economic costs related to travel for all workers.
Education Strategies Supporting Internationally Educated Registered Nurse Students With English as a Second Language in Canada
Authors: Hopkins Nicole M. , Stephens Jennifer M. L.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The purpose of this literature synthesis is to highlight some of the challenges faced by internationally educated nurses with English as a second language when integrating into the Canadian health-care environment and to suggest educational strategies that work to support these diverse learners to acculturate and fill gaps. Methodology: A search of Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health databases, as well as reference lists, conference presentations, and gray literature produced pertinent research studies and commentary published between 2008 and 2018.

Results

Common themes in the literature include challenges relating to communication, cultural competence, and critical thinking.

Discussion

Some strategies that should be included in bridging education programs to address these challenges are evolving case studies, simulation and role-play, and practice performing multiple-choice tests. Research is needed examining the effectiveness of experiential techniques in preparing internationally educated nurses for nursing in the Canadian context.
Risk Versus Benefit of Combined Aspirin and Warfarin Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Nagaraj Tara A , Snider Melissa J. , Davidson Erica , Weiss Raul , Li Junan , Afzal Muhammad
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

Guidelines have differing recommendations for aspirin use in patients with an indication for anticoagulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of major bleeding and thromboembolic events (TEs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving warfarin alone (monotherapy group) versus warfarin plus aspirin (combination therapy group).

Methods:

This was a retrospective, cohort study including patients from a pharmacist-run anticoagulation clinic. Inclusion criteria were patients with AF receiving anticoagulation between January 2013 and January 2014 observed over 5 years.

Results:

One hundred forty-two patients were included in the combination group versus 89 in monotherapy group. In the combination group, 60 (42.3%) patients were on aspirin for no apparent indication, 19 (13.4%) had stable coronary artery disease and diabetes, and 26 (18.3%) had diabetes alone. Major bleeding occurred in 21 (14.9%) patients in the combination group versus 7 (7.9%) patients in the monotherapy group (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78-5.91; P = .17). TE occurred in 10 (7%) patients in the combination group versus 4 (4.5%) in the monotherapy group (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 0.44-7.24; P = .57). There was no significant difference in bleeding ( P = .85) or TE ( P = .37) rates between aspirin indications in the combination group.

Conclusion:

Combination therapy versus monotherapy may increase bleeding risk with little benefit in decreasing AF-related stroke or cardiovascular events.
Support vector regression and genetic-algorithm-based multiobjective optimization of mesoscopic geometric characteristic parameters of ball-end milling tool
Authors: Tong Xin , Liu Xianli , Yu Song
Published: April 2020

The poor machinability of titanium alloys results in the serious wear of the rake face of a ball-end milling tool. Previous studies indicated that the mesoscopic geometric characteristics of the tool can effectively improve the wear resistance. Therefore, in this thesis, a milling force model and a milling temperature model of a ball-end milling tool were established to verify the effect of the blunt and negative chamfer tool edges. Setting up a test platform for milling titanium alloy, the influence of mesoscopic geometric characteristic parameters on cutting performance of the ball-end milling tool was analyzed. In addition, based on the support vector regression and genetic algorithm, the optimal mesoscopic geometric characteristic parameters were obtained, which were under the four evaluation indices, such as mechanical–thermal characteristics, tool wear, and surface quality of the workpiece. It was verified experimentally that the tool life of the optimized micro-textured tools with the blunt and chamfer tool edges were improved by 33% and 25%, respectively, and the surface roughness was reduced by 26% and 23%, respectively, which were compared to the non-optimized tools. This thesis provides a reference for improving the processing efficiency and the quality of titanium alloys.
Enabling factors of manufacturing servitization: Empirical analysis and implications for strategic positioning
Authors: Mastrogiacomo Luca , Barravecchia Federico , Franceschini Fiorenzo
Published: April 2020

The introduction of advanced technologies and new production paradigms has led an increasing number of manufacturing companies to adopt business models that include an integrated provision of products and services. This process is generally referred to as servitization. This article addresses two primary research questions: (a) How do the commodity sector, geographical location and company dimension affect the variety of services offered by manufacturing companies? (b) What is the impact of these structural factors on the type of services offered by manufacturing companies? To address these questions, this article provides new insights into the understanding of the servitization process. The main elements of originality of this study are (a) an unprecedented size of the analysed sample, composed of more than 190,000 manufacturing companies; (b) a quantitative analysis of the effects of the three aforementioned factors on the servitization process and (c) a definition of a pair of indicators for evaluating and benchmarking the strategic position of manufacturing companies with respect to their service provision.
Assessment of characteristics of acoustic emission parameters for valve damage detection under varying compressor speeds
Authors: Sim Hoi Yin , Ramli Rahizar , Saifizul Ahmad
Published: April 2020

Acoustic emission technique is often employed to detect valve abnormalities. With the development of technology, machine learning-based fault diagnosis methods are prevalent in the nondestructive testing industry as they can automatically detect valve problems without any human intervention. Nevertheless, feeding in all possible input parameters into the learning algorithm without any prior assessment may result in high computational cost and time, while adding to the risk of having false alarms. This study intended to obtain characteristics of acoustic emission signal for various valve conditions and compressor speeds by examining the four most commonly used parameters, namely the acoustic emission root mean square, acoustic emission crest factor, acoustic emission variance, and acoustic emission kurtosis. The study begins with time–frequency analysis of one revolution acoustic emission signal acquired from a faulty suction valve through discrete wavelet transform to obtain the signal characteristics of valve events. To associate signals with valve movements, the reconstructed discrete wavelet transform signals are further segregated into six time segments, and the four acoustic emission parameters are computed from each of the time segments. These parameters are analyzed through statistical analysis namely the two-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey test to obtain the best parameter which can differentiate each valve condition clearly at all speeds. The results revealed that acoustic emission root mean square is the best parameter especially in identification of heavy grease valve condition during suction valve opening event while acoustic emission crest factor is capable to detect leaky valve during the suction valve closing event at all speeds. It is believed that effective valve diagnosis strategy can be delivered by referring to the features of parameters and the characteristic valve event timing corresponding to each valve condition and speed.
Dual feedforward neural networks based synchronized sliding mode controller for cooperative manipulator system under variable load and uncertainties
Authors: Wang Jin , Zhai Anbang , Xu Fan , Zhang Haiyun , Lu Guodong
Published: April 2020

The problem of simultaneous position and internal force control is discussed with cooperative manipulators system under variable load and dynamic uncertainties in this study. A position synchronized sliding mode controller is proposed in the presence of variable load, as well as modeling uncertainties, joint friction, and external disturbances. To deal with the complex situation brought by variable load, virtual synchronization coupled errors are introduced for internal force tracking control and joint synchronization in the meantime. Dual feedforward neural networks are adopted, where a radial basis function-neural network based dynamic compensator and a radial basis function-neural network based internal force estimator are established, respectively, so that precise dynamic knowledge and force measurement are out of demand through their cooperation. Together with simulation studies and analysis, the position and internal force errors are shown to converge asymptotically to zero. Using Lyapunov stability approach, the proposed controller is proven to be robust in face of variable external load and the aforementioned uncertainties.
Numerical investigation of energy loss in a centrifugal pump through kinetic energy dissipation theory
Authors: Lai Fen , Zhu Xiangyuan , Li Guojun
Published: April 2020

In this study, energy loss within a centrifugal pump is investigated by post-processing three-dimensional unsteady flow field through kinetic energy dissipation theory. The three-dimensional unsteady flow field is predicted by solving unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. The kinetic energy dissipation consists of three parts: averaged kinetic energy dissipation, turbulent kinetic energy dissipation, and near-wall revised kinetic energy dissipation. The total value variations of three kinetic energy dissipations in the centrifugal pump with flowrate are investigated and compared. Results show that with the increase in flowrate, the total near-wall revised kinetic energy dissipation gradually increases, the total turbulent kinetic energy dissipation first gradually decreases and then gradually increases, and reaches the minimum value at the design flowrate. The total averaged kinetic energy dissipation is less than the total turbulent and the total near-wall revised kinetic energy dissipations, and the total near-wall revised kinetic energy dissipation is larger than the total turbulent kinetic energy dissipation when the flowrate is larger than 0.75 Qdes. The space variation of the near-wall revised kinetic energy dissipation with flowrate shows that large near-wall revised kinetic energy dissipation mainly occurs at the volute and transfers from the small cross-section casing to large cross-section casing and discharge pipe with the increase in flowrate. The space variations of the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation with time for three flowrates are also discussed. Results indicate that large turbulent kinetic energy dissipation near the volute tongue evidently changes with the rotation of the impeller, particularly in 0.5 Qdes. The large turbulent kinetic energy dissipation gradually expands to the pressure side of the blade when the volute tongue gradually approaches the middle of the impeller blade passage. The large turbulent kinetic energy dissipation transfers from the impeller inlet and outlet to the volute tongue and discharge pipe with the increase in flowrate. The findings of this study can serve as guide to improve the design of centrifugal pumps.
A condensed dynamic model of a heavy-duty truck for optimization of the powertrain mounting system considering the chassis frame flexibility
Authors: Tan Bohuan , Chen Yuanchang , Liao Quanfu , Zhang Bangji , Zhang Nong , Xie Qingxi
Published: April 2020

The existing powertrain mounting models of the heavy-duty truck for optimizing the mounts parameters cannot well describe the deformation of the chassis frame. To overcome this disadvantage, a new full vehicle model is proposed which embraces the view of system modeling and includes the frame flexibility. The model can achieve optimal parameters of the Powertrain Mounting System for isolating the vibration transmitted from the powertrain to the chassis. A model reduction technique, improved reduced system, is used to obtain a reduced model of the frame to represent its original large-scale finite element analysis model for the accessibility of time-efficient solutions of the model. The reduced frame model is integrated with the powertrain mounting and suspension model to form the full dynamic model of the vehicle. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model are evaluated by its original vehicle model built in software ADAMS and an existing rigid model with rigid foundation. A hybrid model optimization strategy is also presented to tune the dynamic parameters of the powertrain mounts using the developed coupling model. The simulation results show that the proposed coupling model has better representation of the dynamic characteristics of the real vehicle system, and the presented hybrid model optimization strategy can obtain better optimization results compared with the existing rigid model with rigid foundation. In addition, the application of the proposed model can also be extended to the vibration control and the structural fatigue prediction.
Aggressive Realism: More Efficient Processing of Anger in Physically Aggressive Individuals
Authors: Brennan Grace M. , Baskin-Sommers Arielle R.
Published: April 2020

Physically aggressive individuals’ heightened tendency to decide that ambiguous faces are angry is thought to contribute to their destructive interpersonal behavior. Although this tendency is commonly attributed to bias, other cognitive processes could account for the emotion-identification patterns observed in physical aggression. Diffusion modeling is a valuable tool for parsing the contributions of several cognitive processes known to influence decision-making, including bias, drift rate (efficiency of information accumulation), and threshold separation (extent of information accumulation). In a sample of 90 incarcerated men, we applied diffusion modeling to an emotion-identification task. Physical aggression was positively associated with drift rate (i.e., more efficient information accumulation) for anger, and drift rate mediated the association between physical aggression and heightened anger identification. Physical aggression was not, however, associated with bias or threshold separation. These findings implicate processing efficiency for anger-related information as a potential mechanism driving aberrant emotion identification in physical aggression.
Negotiating dominance on Facebook: Positioning of self and others in pro- and anti-Trump comments on immigration
Authors: Knoblock Natalia
Published: April 2020

The article examines the use of the modal auxiliaries MUST and HAVE (GOT) TO in politically charged online communication. Comments from D. Trump’s official Facebook page were categorized according to the ideological position of the commenters and further divided into employing deontic or epistemic senses of the modals. The analysis was based on the assumption that the proportion of epistemic and deontic modals in the supportive and critical comments reflects the stances of equality or superiority assumed by the commenters. The hypothesis that pro- and anti-Trump camps assume different stances while debating immigration was confirmed as the proportion of deontic and epistemic senses of the modals differed significantly between the two groups. There were also differences in the use of passive voice referring to in- and out- groups. The results are used to make inferences about the underlying ideology of Trump supporters and the prevalent attitudes in the population under study.
GDNF Promotes Survival and Therapeutic Efficacy of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Sun Shoujia , Zhang Quan , Li Man , Gao Pan , Huang Kuan , Beejadhursing Rajluxmee , Jiang Wei , Lei Ting , Zhu Mingxin , Shu Kai
Published: April 2020

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based regenerative therapy is regarded as a promising strategy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, MSC components may exhibit poor intracranial survivability, particularly in the later stages following cell transplantation, limiting their potential curative effect and also clinical applications. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which encompasses a variety of transforming growth factor beta super family members, has been reported to enhance motor function and exert neuroprotective effects. However, no previous studies have investigated the effects of GDNF on human primary adipose-derived MSCs (hAMSCs), despite its potential for enhancing stem cell survival and promoting therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of PD. In the present study, we proposed a novel approach for enhancing the proliferative capacity and improving the efficacy of hAMSC treatment. Pre-exposure of engineered hAMSCs to GDNF enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of these stem cells in vitro. In addition, in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned mice, a common PD model, intracranial injection of hAMSCs-GDNF was associated with greater performance on behavioral tests, larger graft volumes 5 weeks after transplantation, and higher levels of Nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and Tuj-1 differentiation than those treated with hAMSCs-Vector. Following transplantation of hAMSCs-GDNF into the striatum of lesioned models, we observed significant increases in tyrosine hydroxylase- and NeuN-positive staining. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of hAMSCs-GDNF for patients with PD, as well as an efficient method for promoting therapeutic efficacy of these delivery vehicles.
IR Moral Realism’s Epistemology
Authors: Xuetong Yan
Published: April 2020

Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers received 16 book reviews within 6 months of its publication. Among them, the one by Professor Rajesh Rajagopalan (which appeared in the India Quarterly, 75:3) is the most academically and theoretically compelling. I highly appreciate his sincere theoretical critiques that encourage me to rethink my theory. His review inspired me to have a written conversation with him about the epistemology of the international relations (IR) theory of moral realism.
Community building on crowdwork platforms: Autonomy and control of online workers?
Authors: Gerber Christine
Published: April 2020

Crowdwork is commonly described as an extremely isolating and anonymous form of work. Contrary to this, the article examines platforms’ managerial strategies to engineer so-called crowd communities. The results show that platforms assume either more controlled or lose strategies, which results in lower or higher crowdworker interaction, respectively. None of the communication spaces, however, seem to enhance labour power. While to some extent breaking the sociotechnical isolation of the crowd, the article suggests that crowd interaction serves to scale and outsource managerial tasks to the online workers in a highly rationalized work regime. Where it arises the self-organization is largely a self-regulation and reflects crowdworkers’ efforts to cope with the work system. Overall, the findings suggest that platforms develop more diverse and complex managerial systems than often assumed.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Secondary to Pharyngeal Narrowing From Horizontal Donor Site Closure During Posterior Pharyngeal Flap Surgery
Authors: Prabhu Shamit S. , Kiell Eleanor P. , David Lisa R. , Runyan Christopher Michael
Published: April 2020

The posterior pharyngeal flap is frequently the surgical intervention of choice for the correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Our patient initially presented for a superiorly based, posterior pharyngeal flap to correct for velopharyngeal insufficiency. However, the postoperative recovery was complicated by severe obstructive sleep apnea, which warranted division and subsequent takedown of the flap. Despite flap takedown, our patient’s obstructive sleep apnea persisted. The patient’s clinical course suggests that donor site closure, and not the actual pharyngeal flap, caused the persistent obstructive sleep apnea.
“Did Not Return in Time for Curfew”: A Descriptive Analysis of Homeless Missing Persons Cases
Authors: Huey Laura , Ferguson Lorna
Published: April 2020

Homeless communities have garnered recent public attention in Canada due to their high rates of violence, victimization, and being reported as missing. There have been several high-profile cases, investigations, and inquiries involving missing homeless persons, yet very little is known about what cases are reported to the police, under what circumstances they go missing, and the outcomes of those cases. As a result, the purpose of this study is to provide some insights into some of these unresolved issues by offering an exploratory, descriptive analysis of 291 closed missing person cases from the records of a municipal police service. What this analysis reveal is a somewhat more mundane picture. Specifically, results indicate that the majority of missing person reports are of those who are female and White, have a drug/alcohol addiction, are residing at homeless shelters/missions, and have a history of being reported as missing. As well, it was revealed that most people are reported as missing due to shelter/mission reporting issues with curfews and that all are located alive. This study extends the minimal existing scholarship on the missing homeless population by providing some preliminary insights on the vulnerabilities and factors that can impact these cases.
A generalized multi-snapshot model for 3D homing and route following
Authors: Differt Dario , Stürzl Wolfgang
Published: April 2020

Inspired by the learning walks of the ant Ocymyrmex robustior, the original multi-snapshot model was introduced, which—in contrast to the classical “single snapshot at the goal” model—collects multiple snapshots in the vicinity of the goal location that subsequently can be used for homing, that is, for guiding the return to the goal. In this study, we show that the multi-snapshot model can be generalized to homing in three dimensions. In addition to capturing snapshots at positions shifted in all three dimensions, we suggest to decouple the home direction from the orientation of snapshots and to associate a home vector with each snapshot. We then propose a modification of the multi-snapshot model for three-dimensional route following and evaluate its performance in an accurate reconstruction of a real environment. As an illumination-invariant alternative to grayscale images, we also examine sky-segmented images. We use spherical harmonics as efficient representation of panoramic images enabling low memory usage and fast similarity estimation of rotated images. The results show that our approach can steer an agent reliably along a route, making it also suitable for robotic applications using on-board computers with limited resources.
The Role of Religion and Religious Leaders in Marital Conflict Resolution: A Perspective of Congolese Migrants’ Families Living in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Umubyeyi Beatrice , Mtapuri Oliver , Naidu Maheshvari
Published: April 2020

The central aim of this study is to explore and examine the role of religion and religious leaders in marital conflict resolution through perspective of Congolese migrants’ families living in Durban, South Africa. In order to achieve the objectives qualitative study, employing an interpretive approach was used in data collection. The finding from this study revealed that religion and religious leaders play a very critical role in marital conflict resolution among Congolese migrant families living in Durban. While marital conflict resolution is settled through extended family structures headed by the head of the family in the country of origin, church leadership has replaced this in the host country. It was apparent that when people are in a foreign country they try to find people whom they can rely on, trust, and seek advice during difficult times such as in times of economic difficulties and family conflicts. The findings shown that church leaders and church counselors were seen as most trusted persons who can give lasting solution to marital conflict. Not only are they able to provide advice, but according to these participants, they also offer counseling and follow-up on progress of marital and relationship. The study has also shown that mediation and communication was identified as the major approaches used by these church leaders and church counselors to resolve marital conflict.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy in Patients With Thyroid Carcinoma With Distant Metastases: A SEER-Based Study
Authors: Li Chenyuan , Wu Qi , Sun Shengrong
Published: April 2020

Distant metastasis (DM) is the dominant negative prognosis for thyroid carcinoma. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy serves as an effective treatment for thyroid carcinoma. However, resistance to RAI occurs in patients with DMs. The present study aims to discriminate patients who may benefit from RAI. We extracted patients with thyroid cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and analyzed thyroid cancer–specific survival after radiotherapy based on age and grade subgroups. A total of 1608 patients having DMs were eligible, including 521 (32.4%) cases with bone metastasis, 90 (5.6%) cases with brain metastasis, 158 (9.8%) cases with liver metastasis, 995 (61.9%) cases with lung metastasis, and 50 (3.1%) cases with other metastases. Advanced age, poor differentiation, follicular carcinoma, lymphatic metastasis, tumor size >10 mm, and extracapsular invasion are associated with pulmonary metastases. With respect to patients with DM, RAI therapy improved the survival in the age <45 years group and the well-/moderately differentiated group. For patients with pulmonary metastasis, RAI improved the survival in the higher grade group but did not have a strong effect in the better grade group. Our data indicate that the disparity of metastatic sites has different risk factors. Similarly, this finding indicates that RAI should be precisely applied to patients who undergo DM but are young and have well-/moderately differentiated tumors and may improve survival in pulmonary metastasis patients with poor grade tumors.
Increased Brain Serotonin Rather Than Increased Blood Acetaldehyde as a Common Denominator Behind Alleged Disulfiram-Like Reactions
Authors: Karamanakos Petros N. , Pappas Periklis , Boumba Vasiliki , Marselos Marios
Published: April 2020

Several pharmaceutical agents are known to produce ethanol intolerance, which is often depicted as disulfiram-like reaction. As in the case with disulfiram, the underlying mechanism is believed to be the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood, due to inhibition of the hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenases, albeit this has not been confirmed in all cases by blood acetaldehyde measurements. Herein, cefamandole, cotrimoxazole, griseofulvin, procarbazine, and propranolol, which are reported to produce a disulfiram-like reaction, as well as disulfiram, were administered to Wistar rats and the hepatic activities of ethanol metabolizing enzymes along with the levels of brain monoamines were determined. Blood acetaldehyde was also evaluated after ethanol administration in rats pretreated with the abovementioned pharmaceutical products. Disulfiram, cefamandole, and procarbazine significantly increased blood acetaldehyde levels after ethanol administration, while on the contrary, cotrimoxazole, griseofulvin, and propranolol had no effect on blood acetaldehyde. Interestingly, all substances used, except disulfiram, increased the levels of brain serotonin. According to our findings, cotrimoxazole, griseofulvin, and propranolol do not produce a typical disulfiram-like reaction, because they do not increase blood acetaldehyde when given together with ethanol. On the other hand, all tested agents share the common property to enhance brain serotonin, whereas a respective effect of ethanol is well established. Hence, the ethanol intolerance produced by these agents, whether blood acetaldehyde concentration is elevated or not, could be the result of a “toxic serotonin syndrome,” as in the case of the concomitant use of serotonin-active medications that provoke clinical manifestations similar to those of a disulfiram reaction.
A Framework for Classifying Causal Factors of Tourism Demand Seasonality: An Interseason and Intraseason Approach
Authors: Ridderstaat Jorge , Croes Robertico
Published: April 2020

This study proposes a framework for classifying the causal effects of tourism demand seasonality, linking between season effects (interseason) with within season effects (intraseason). The literature has typically investigated the causes of tourism demand seasonality as isolated static factors, mostly ignoring the possibility of interseason and intraseason impacts. This study contributes to the literature by providing a system of categorizing the drivers of tourism demand seasonality, by introducing additional causal factors, and by using an alternative seasonal smoothing technique. The methodology includes data decomposition, panel unit root tests, and instrumental variable regression, distinguishing between peak and shoulder seasons. The findings, based on a case study, identify vigorous–irregular and moderate–irregular factors being the most prominent drivers of U.S. tourism demand seasonality, which could assist in specific policy recommendations for more sustainable management of tourism demand seasonality.
Antibiotics and cement: what I need to know?
Authors: Pellegrini Antonio V , Suardi Virginia
Published: April 2020

We conducted a systematic review about antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) with a focus on clinical evidence about ALBC in general, concerns about ALBC and ALBC cost.
Dermatologic Training and Practice in Canada: An In-Depth Review
Authors: Mydlarski P. Régine , Parsons Laurie M. , Pierscianowski Tadeusz A. , Kirchhof Mark G. , Rosen Cheryl F. , Purdy Kerri , Powell Julie , Humphrey Shannon , Clermont Megan , Elliot Shannon , Rumleski Linda , Gorman Lisa
Published: April 2020

As part of an in-depth review of the specialty for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), the Dermatology Working Group (DWG) was tasked with leading a comprehensive and objective analysis of the current state of Dermatology practice and training patterns in Canada. Preliminary research for the report was conducted in 3 areas: a jurisdictional analysis, a literature review, and a landscape overview. The results of this research were published in the spring 2019 edition of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Various factors impacting the discipline were explored, including trends in the workforce, population needs, accessibility, and wait times, as well as issues in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The DWG, supported by the RCPSC’s Office of Specialty Education, used information gained from the reviews, a national survey, and stakeholder perspectives to develop recommendations that address the current challenges and build upon opportunities for advancement in the specialty.
The arbitrary boundary method to determine the performance of membrane-type restrictors
Authors: Sha Yuanpeng , Lu Changhou , Pan Wei , Chen Shujiang
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a novel method to determine the flow rate and fluid resistance of membrane-type restrictors. The coupled fluid pressure and membrane deformation is solved utilizing a fluid and structure interaction algorithm. The arbitrary boundary condition of a membrane is properly handled by adding the displacement springs and torsion springs to the boundary nodes of the membrane, and the finite element method is used to calculate the membrane deformation. Three different methods are studied using several case studies: the arbitrary boundary method, the large deformation method, and the traditional method. The results are compared with the experimental data available in the literature. It has been found that among all three methods, the arbitrary boundary method offers the best results. The membrane deformations show a nonlinear relationship with different supply pressures. The results reveal the boundary condition of the membrane is not a fixed boundary or a simply supported boundary; it is an arbitrary boundary condition, which varies with respect to the supply pressure. By taking the statistical model into consideration in the design process, the proposed arbitrary boundary condition method offers the potential to accurately calculate the flow rate and improve the reliability of the designs for membrane-type restrictors.
Experimental and numerical investigation on wear behavior of carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon matrix composite used in rotary gas seals
Authors: Lu Fei , Liu Jian
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a numerical method for simulating progressive wear of the carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon matrix composite used in rotary gas seals due to high experimental cost. In this study, the carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon matrix composite wear rates are experimentally measured, and a formula for the carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon matrix composite wear rates and material design parameters (orientation angles and densities) and operating parameters (load and velocities) is fitted as an input to the wear simulation. A finite element incremental wear simulation procedure for the pin-on-disk wear problem is presented by calculating the local nodal wear rate and wear direction and by introducing the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian adaptive meshing method. In the procedure, the relation between the anisotropy of carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon matrix composite and the varied orientation angle is considered. Results show that the calculated wear volume agrees well with the experimental data. And then the numerical methodology is utilized to investigate the effects of time, orientation angle and operating conditions on the disk wear. The developed numerical methodology could be applied to other sliding wear problems in engineering machinery.
Cultural explanations of psychotic illness and care-seeking of family caregivers in Java, Indonesia
Authors: Subandi M. A. , Praptomojati Ardian , Marchira Carla R. , DelVecchio Good Mary-Jo , Good Byron J.
Published: April 2020

The cultural understanding of illness among caregivers of first-episode psychotic persons is a crucial issue. Not only does it influence caregivers’ care-seeking behavior and length of time until receiving medical treatment (known as the ‘duration of untreated psychosis’ or DUP), but it also predicts the outcome of the illness. This article aims to explore cultural understanding and care-seeking behavior among caregivers of psychotic patients in Java, Indonesia. Data for this article have been taken from two studies conducted by our research group in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Methods of data collection include surveys, case studies, ethnographic fieldwork, and in-depth interviews. Results of analyses, within and across studies, indicate that caregivers have employed diverse cultural explanatory models in order to understand psychotic illness. Local cultural beliefs, including possession and forms of black magic, were among the most common initial concepts held by family members in relation to psychosis. This echoes broader cultural beliefs in Java. However, it was not uncommon for caregivers to also understand illness in psychological terms (such as frustration, disappointment, and stress) and attached medical explanations. Caregivers’ understanding of illness also changed over time following the changing course of the illness. Both models of illness and the rapidity of care-seeking are also related to the acuteness of onset. This article concludes that it is important for mental health providers, as well as those designing systems of care, to understand the diversity and changing nature of caregivers’ cultural understanding of psychotic illness.
Repair of historic stone pagoda: Flexural behavior of granite reinforced with stainless steel bars
Authors: Lim Woo-Young
Published: April 2020

In the stone-made architectural heritage, one of the most widely used stones is granite. Given its superior material properties and abundant reserves, most Korean stone pagodas were built using granite. For the repair and restoration of the ancient stone pagoda made of granite, understanding of the structural behavior of reinforced granite is crucial. In this study, flexure tests for seven simply supported full-scale granite reinforced with stainless steel bars were conducted to investigate the failure mode and load–displacement relationship. Through the experiments, the feasibility of the suggested method for reinforcement of the damaged granite was also explored. Test specimens were manufactured after injecting epoxy resin by inserting stainless steel bars into the drilled holes, and then each granite substrate was bonded with adhesive epoxy resin. The test results showed that the load–displacement relationship of reinforced granite was highly dependent on the presence of the reinforcement, positioning of the reinforcing bars, and bond capacity of the reinforcing bars. Also, reinforcing bars significantly affected the deformation of the reinforced granite. Based on the test results, four distinct flexural responses of reinforced granite are presented.
Lateral-torsional buckling of girders with class 4 web: Investigation of coupled instability in EC3-based design approach
Authors: Seres Noémi , Fejes Krisztina
Published: April 2020

This article focuses on the lateral-torsional buckling resistance of girders with slender, class 4 cross-sections with a research aim to check the accuracy of the design resistance model of EN1993-1-1 and EN1993-1-5 on the coupled instability of lateral-torsional buckling and local plate buckling resistances. The current Eurocode-based design method considers in the effective cross-sectional resistance calculation that yield strength is reached in the extreme fibre of the cross-section, and the reduction factor [Formula: see text] related to local plate buckling is calculated based on this assumption. However, if lateral-torsional buckling occurs, maximum stress in the web can be significantly smaller at the ultimate limit state which is not considered in the effective cross-sectional resistance calculation. On the other side, EN1993-1-1 proposes to consider the effective bending moment resistance in the relative slenderness calculation of lateral-torsional buckling, which is in contradiction with the general definition of the relative slenderness ratio [Formula: see text], which should refer to the plastic resistance divided by the critical load of the structure. This article aims to check if the current Eurocode-based design rules need improvement and to check the effect of the above-mentioned specific issues on the calculated lateral-torsional buckling resistance. An extensive numerical research programme is executed to check and compare the lateral-torsional buckling resistance of class 3 (as reference) and class 4 cross-sections, and results are compared to Eurocode-based design models.