bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender geography: history of development and theory
Authors: Poturaeva A.V.
Published: August 2020

There are four periods in the development of gender geography since its inception in the 1970s in the Anglo-American school of human geography to nowdays. It’s periods were changing with the development of the methodology of feminist and gender studies. Contemporary gender geography has moved beyond the Anglo-American school, because it has become an international subdiscipline, and beyond analyses of gender differences because in the direction of intersectionality it began to focus on intersection of gender with other differences (racial, ethnic, class, etc.). Russia has not yet formed its own school of gender geography, but this area is receiving increasing attention as well as by Russian geographers, as by anthropologists, sociologists and economists. Classical gender geography is based on gender and feminist theories and human geography. Gender, like place, is a social construction. At different scales of space, there are different mechanisms for constructing gender differences. The scales and objects of research in classical gender geography can be divided into traditional and specifi (new) ones for Russian socio-economic geography. Traditional scales include local, regional, and national scales, while objects include mobility and migration. Specifi (new) scales are the micro-levels of home, work, and public urban space, and the object is the human body. The article illustrates that gender geography occupies an important place in foreign socio-economic geography, and gender processes – in regional development, which, in turn, emphasizes the need to develop gender geography in Russia.
Specific features of cities distribution along certain major rivers in Asia
Authors: Preobrazhenskiy Yu. V.
Published: August 2020

This article discusses the prerequisites for the manifestation of spatial rhythmics of settlement pattern in the valleys of rivers. The interpretation of rivers is given both as boundaries of natural contrast and as axes that polarize the socio-economic space. The factors that determine the position of cities with different populations on the river are identified. In this regard, the hypothesis of the existence of the so-called ekistical step (in its special case) is put forward: a certain distance between the largest settlements on the river. This hypothesis is tested on materials on the population of cities and the distance between them, measured by the flow of five Asian rivers: the Yellow river, the Yangtze, the Pearl river, the Ganges and the Mekong. For the first three, there is a well-defined ekistical step; for the last one, it is less typical. The reasons for the weak expression of the ekistical step are discussed. The processes of active economic development of rivers, its ecological, socio-economic and ecological consequences are analyzed. A formula is proposed to describe the location of cities on the river, taking into account the identified step. Further research is aimed at accumulating empirical material to identify and substantiate the regularities of localities along rivers, a deeper understanding of the processes of organizing linear elements of socio-economic space.
“The point of departure of peoples determines their fate”: Peter Chaadaev and Alexis de Tocqueville
Authors: Dementev I. О.
Published: August 2020

In 1836, Peter Chaadaev in his private letter to Alexander Turgenev mentioned that the French thinker Alexis de Tocqueville had stolen from him a “deep thought” that the point of departure of peoples determined their fate. Russian and foreign scholars interpreted these words differently, trying to assess the seriousness of Chaadaev’s reproach. The article explores the history of the expression ‘le point de départ’ and the use of it in the works by Tocqueville (“Democracy in America”) and Chaadaev (“Philosophical Letters”, “Apology of a Mad­man”). The author argues that the concept of the ‘point of departure’, which had special sig­nificance for Tocqueville, was also important for Chaadaev, who used this phrase in different contexts. Having compared Russian translations of the texts by Tocqueville and Chaadaev, the author concludes that although the translators used different strategies to convey the meaning of the phrase in Russian, in all cases, to a greater or lesser extent, there was a threat of violation of the intentions of both authors. Based on the analysis of the word usage in the texts of both thinkers, the author suggests a number of recommendations aimed to clarify the translations of Chaadaev and Tocqueville works into Russian. The article also notes possible sources of the image “the point of departure of peoples” in the text by Tocqueville (from François Guizot to American interlocutors).
Exploring processes of teaching and learning in African university contexts
Authors: Pon Carmen , Schendel Rebecca
Published: August 2020

This review examines recent literature about processes of teaching and learning in African higher education, focusing specifically on studies of teaching ‘for critical thinking’ in Kenya, Ghana, and Botswana. The review findings suggest that practices supporting critical thinking in African universities share a number of similarities to those highlighted in the literature published elsewhere in the world. For example, reviewed studies highlight the importance of curricular alignment, academic development, and varied assessment formats, while also acknowledging important limitations related to infrastructure, workload, and faculty and student attitudes. However, the review also exposes a crucial theoretical gap in the existing literature: the continued reliance on theories of teaching and learning that were initially developed based on studies of Western university contexts. As both teaching and learning are cultural processes, this limitation may be preventing this emerging body of literature from fully supporting universities to develop new ways of teaching that may best benefit their student populations.
Exploring stakeholders' experience of implementing quality enhancement in selected South African universities
Authors: Sondlo Mercy , Herman Chaya
Published: August 2020

Abstract

In 2014, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) in South Africa introduced the Quality Enhancement Project (QEP) with a view to address the failure of traditional audits to improve student success and throughput. Through the lens of Bowe, Ball and Gold (1992)’ policy implementation theory, this article explores stakeholder experiences of the implementation of the intervention at four universities in South Africa. A qualitative, multiple case study research design was applied and purposive sampling of stakeholders was conducted using in-depth individual, focus group interviews and document analysis.

The findings revealed that whilst there were both positive and negative outcomes in Bowe, Ball and Gold (1992)’ three contexts: the context of influence had a potential to influence change, the context of policy text production and the context of practice did not bring about the envisioned change. This suggests complexities of policy implementation influenced by different contexts of and approaches to QEP implementation. Critical findings suggest that the QEP was unsustainable due to a project mentality among stakeholders, the effects of the unstable higher education environment, lack of a change theory, policy borrowing, insufficient funds and lack of resources.

Key words: quality enhancement, project mentality, Higher education South Africa, policy implementation.
Petrification and Petroleum
Authors: Jackson Chuck
Published: August 2020

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (dir. Don Siegel, 1956), The Birds (dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1963), and Night of the Living Dead (dir. George Romero, 1968) imbue scenes that take place at a gas pump with a horror so intense, it petrifies. As three of the earliest American horror films to feature a monstrous exchange at the pump, they transform the genre by reimagining automotive affect. This article examines the cinematic mood created when petrification meets petroleum, providing an alternative look at American oil culture after 1956, but before the oil crisis of 1973.
Biker Boys, Muscle Cars, Hollywood Men
Authors: Sheehan Rebecca
Published: August 2020

This article examines how the ironic construction of queer masculinity from biker culture, a realm of consumer fetishism and hetero-masculinity, in Kenneth Anger’s Scorpio Rising (1964), influences Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 film Drive. As Anger’s film appropriates pop-culture images and icons of biker culture, fetishes of post-Second World War American masculinity, Refn uses overt references to Anger’s film to wage a similar reappropriation of muscle car culture, in the process challenging contemporary images of heterosexual masculinity in Drive. Like Anger, Refn relies upon the dynamics of fetishism and postmodernism’s illumination of the distance between sign and object to subvert muscle cars’ associations with masculine violence and rivalry, mobilising them instead to exploit the inherent multivocality of the fetishised object, seizing the car (and its mobility) as a getaway vehicle to escape prescriptions of identity and limiting definitions of gender and sexuality.
Contesting the Wheel
Authors: Walters James
Published: August 2020

This article considers the recurring motif of the female driver in a selection of films by Alfred Hitchcock. By placing these screen representations of female drivers within the context of prevailing attitudes found throughout twentieth-century American society, the discussion seeks to evaluate Hitchcock’s creative deployment of potent cultural issues in his work. In this pursuit, the article identifies certain disparities in the portrayals of female drivers, resulting in both positive and negative depictions, which can be related to the director’s broader ambivalence towards femininity throughout his oeuvre.
The Role of Childhood Traumas, Emotional Self-Efficacy and Internal-External Locus of Control in Predicting Psychological Resilience
Authors: Türk-Kurtça Tuğba , Kocatürk Metin
Published: August 2020

Psychological resilience is a broad concept that can be evaluated in the context of past experiences, emotional experiences and control mechanisms shaped by internal or external factors. In this study, the role of childhood traumas, emotional self-efficacy and the internal-external locus of control were investigated in predicting psychological resilience. The study included a total of 291 participants (208 females and 83 males) with average age of 20.29 (SD = 2.59). Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, Internal-External Locus of Control Scale and Psychological Resilience Scale were used to collect data from participants. As a result of simple linear regression analysis, childhood traumas experiences, emotional self-efficacy and internal locus of control predicted resilience significantly among university students. Also, there was significant positive relationship between emotional self-efficacy, locus of control and resilience. On the other hand, resilience and childhood traumas were correlated negatively. The findings of the study are discussed at the end. The protective factors related to psychological resilience should be considered in a versatile way to understand its fundamental structure.
Modular-Based Approach and Students’ Achievement in Literature
Authors: Ambayon Cristobal M.
Published: August 2020

Mythology and folklore have long been important means for promoting literacy in human societies. This study aimed at validating a mythology and folklore module and evaluating its effectiveness in teaching the subject of mythology and folklore. This was in response to inadequate learning resources in teaching literature and to address the call for effective instructional materials. The study used comparative-experimental research design. The results revealed that the developed module consisted of excellent contents, relevance and mechanics as evaluated by experts in the area. The module was also assessed by the students as highly acceptable, valid, reliable, and usable. Third Year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) major in English students for School Year 2015-2016 were the participants of this study. The students were divided into control and experimental groups. The groupings were based on their GPA during the previous semester. While the experimental group utilized the developed module, the control group did not. The test instruments were the different exercises given every after the topics which lasted for one hour every session. Based on the results, the performance of the college students in literature in experimental group had improved from poor to excellent achievement whereas the control group had relatively improved from poor to fair achievement. Hence, it is recommended that the module be used in similar contexts particularly in learning mythology and folklore.
Socio-Educational Policies and Covid-19 – A Case Study on Finland and Sweden in the Spring 2020
Authors: Loima Jyrki
Published: August 2020

The present study compared socio-educational policies and argumentation in Sweden and Finland during Covid-19 pandemic in March-May 2020. Countries were selected, first, due to similar tuition-free basic education, which performed high in global surveys. Second, no pandemic socio-educational research existed from Nordic countries. National responses were different. Sweden kept the society open, while Finland declared emergency and partially closed the schools. Research method was hermeneutic and phenomenological. The data discussion triangulated 1) statements/information of central administration, 2) instructive releases, 3) related educational, pandemic, and other research, and 4) responses by stakeholders. The findings were surprising. The policy and argumentation strategies failed. Central administration was observed to underestimate the guardians, let alone their needs for argumentation. Swedish policy obscured mandates and restricted information, while declining trust and, finally, causing the data failure. Finnish policies faced similar challenges. However, no break in schoolwork took place, but remote learning was successful in epidemiologic and curricular senses. Moreover, Finland revealed that most school closure studies were contextually outdated. Success occurred in operational level collaboration of homes and schools. More multidisciplinary studies are needed for improved pandemic responses.
Cognitive Constructs of Teacher Candidates on Ideal Qualifications of Academicians
Authors: Sevim Oğuzhan , Akan Durdağı , Yıldırım İsa
Published: August 2020

The aim of the study is to analyze the cognitive construct of teacher candidates on ideal qualifications of academicians. Since the study has both quantitative and qualitative dimensions, it has been conducted in accordance with the exploratory sequential design which is a kind of mixed method. The study included twenty-four teacher candidates who were studying at different departments, at Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education, Atatürk University during 2019-2020 spring semester. Since the cognitive constructs of teacher candidates on ideal qualifications of academicians were questioned, the repertory grid method was used for data collection. Data obtained in the study were analyzedwith quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. In conclusion, many cognitive constructs regarding academicians were obtained. The frequency of referring to cognitive constructs showed that teacher candidates expect academicians to have the values such as respect, justice, democracy, and impartiality, to be sympathetic, sincere, tolerant, humanist, and reliable in their relations, to attach importance to several features such as being disciplined, well-informed, being effective instructors, researchers, and being up-to-date while fulfilling their duties.
Gender and Entry Background Differences in Postgraduate Distance Learners’ Achievement in the Field of Educational Technology
Authors: Adedapo Adeyemi
Published: August 2020

Several factors have been attributed to learners’ underachievement in postgraduate programmes. Two of such factors are gender and entry background of postgraduate distance learners which previous studies have identified in isolation of one another. No previous studies have been reported to have investigated a combination of gender and entry background differences in educational technology. The present study, therefore, investigated the influence of gender and entry background of postgraduate distance learners’ achievement in educational technology. The ex-post facto research design was adopted. Three hundred and twenty-three postgraduate distance learners who registered and sat for examinations of Master of Education in Educational Technology of National Open University of Nigeria, during the first semester of 2019_1 of 2018/2019 academic session were purposively selected from 74 study centres. The participants were made up of 215 males and 108 females. Three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and tested at .05 level of significance. The results of participants in 2019_1 first semester were analysed using t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was a significant difference in the mean achievement scores of male and female postgraduate distance learners in educational technology in favour of male distance learners while no significant difference was established in respect of postgraduate distance learners’ entry background. The implications of this study are that gender difference is a factor of prediction to academic achievement in educational technology but entry background does not influence postgraduate distance learners’ achievement in courses. Recommendations were made among others that there is need to create co-operative learning activities sensitive to preferences of female distance learners.
In vivo anti‐V‐ATPase antibody treatment delays ovarian tumor growth by increasing antitumor immune responses
Authors: Kulshrestha Arpita , Katara Gajendra K. , Ibrahim Safaa A. , Riehl Valerie E. , Schneiderman Sylvia , Bilal Mahmood , Young Alexandria N. , Levine Shayna , Fleetwood Sara , Dolan James , Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Beaman Kenneth D.
Published: August 2020

Tumor acidity is the key metabolic feature promoting cancer progression and is modulated by pH regulators on a cancer cell's surface that pump out excess protons/lactic acid for cancer cell survival. Neutralizing tumor acidity improves the therapeutic efficacy of current treatments including immunotherapies. Vacuolar‐ATPase (V‐ATPase) proton pumps encompass unique plasma membrane‐associated subunit isoforms, making this molecule an important target for anticancer therapy. Here, we examined the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of an antibody (a2v‐mAB) targeting specific V‐ATPase‐‘V0a2’ surface isoform in controlling ovarian tumor growth. In vitro a2v‐mAb treatment inhibited the proton pump activity in ovarian cancer (OVCA) cells. In vivo intraperitoneal a2v‐mAb treatment drastically delayed ovarian tumor growth with no measurable in vivo toxicity in a transplant tumor model. To explore the possible mechanism causing delayed tumor growth, histochemical analysis of the a2v‐mAb‐treated tumor tissues displayed high immune cell infiltration (M1‐macrophages, neutrophils, CD103+ cells, and NK cells) and an enhanced antitumor response (iNOS, IFN‐y, IL‐1α) compared to control. There was marked decrease in CA‐125‐positive cancer cells and an enhanced active caspase‐3 expression in a2v‐mAb‐treated tumors. RNA‐seq analysis of a2v‐mAb tumor tissues further revealed upregulation of apoptosis‐related and toll‐like receptor pathway‐related genes. Indirect coculture of a2v‐mAb‐treated OVCA cells with human PBMCs in an unbuffered medium led to an enhanced gene expression of antitumor molecules IFN‐y, IL‐17, and IL‐12‐A in PBMCs, further validating the in vivo antitumor responses. In conclusion, V‐ATPase inhibition using a monoclonal antibody directed against the V0a2 isoform increases antitumor immune responses and could therefore constitute an effective treatment strategy in OVCA.
Platelets are recruited to hepatocellular carcinoma tissues in a CX3CL1‐CX3CR1 dependent manner and induce tumour cell apoptosis
Authors: Miao Shuo , Lu Meng , Liu Yue , Shu Dan , Zhu Ying , Song Wei , Ma Yuanyuan , Ma Rong , Zhang Bixiang , Fang Chao , Ming Zhang‐Yin
Published: August 2020

The mechanisms and biological functions of migrating platelets in cancer remain largely unknown. Here, we analyzed platelet infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. We detected platelet extravasation in both mouse and human HCC tissues. CX3CL1 directly induced platelet migration, and hypoxia enhanced platelet migration by upregulating CX3CL1 expression. Knocking down CX3CL1 in HCC cells reduced platelet migration in vitro, as well as infiltration of HCC tissue in an orthotopic HCC mouse model. Components of the CX3CR1/Syk/PI3K pathway were essential for CX3CL1‐induced platelet migration. Migrating platelets induced HCC cell apoptosis in vitro, as indicated by a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and an increased percentage of apoptotic cells. In the orthotopic tumor implantation model, decreased platelet infiltration was associated with accelerated tumor growth. Taken together, our findings indicate that HCC cell‐derived CX3CL1 contributes to tumor infiltration by platelets, which in turn promotes apoptosis of HCC cells.
Evaluation of the RUBY modular QA phantom for planar and non‐coplanar VMAT and stereotactic radiations
Authors: Poppinga Daniela , Kretschmer Jana , Brodbek Leonie , Meyners Jutta , Poppe Bjoern , Looe Hui Khee
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study evaluates the clinical use of the RUBY modular QA phantom for linac QA to validate the integrity of IGRT workflows including the congruence of machine isocenter, imaging isocenter, and room lasers. The results have been benchmarked against those obtained with widely used systems. Additionally, the RUBY phantom has been implemented to perform system QA (End‐to‐End testing) from imaging to radiation for IGRT‐based VMAT and stereotactic radiations at an Elekta Synergy linac.

Material and Methods

The daily check of IGRT workflow was performed using the RUBY phantom, the Penta‐Guide, and the STEEV phantom. Furthermore, Winston–Lutz tests was carried out with the RUBY phantom and a ball‐bearing phantom to determine the offsets and the diameters of the isospheres of gantry, collimator, and couch rotations, with respect to the room lasers and kV‐imaging isocenter. System QA was performed with the RUBY phantom and STEEV phantom for eight VMAT treatment plans. Additionally, the visibility of the embedded objects within these phantoms in the images and the results of CT and MR image fusions were evaluated.

Results

All systems used for daily QA of IGRT workflows show comparable results. Calculated shifts based on CBCT imaging agree within 1 mm to the expected values. The results of the Winston–Lutz test based on kV imaging (2D planar and CBCT) or room lasers are consistent regardless of the system tested. The point dose values in the RUBY phantom agree to the expected values calculated using algorithms in Masterplan and Monte Carlo engine in Monaco within 3% of the clinical acceptance criteria.

Conclusion

All the systems evaluated in this study yielded comparable results in terms of linac QA and system QA procedures. A system QA protocol has been derived using the RUBY phantom to check the IGRT‐based VMAT and stereotactic radiations workflow at an Elekta Synergy linac.
Intentions to report concussion symptoms in nonprofessional athletes: A fuzzy‐trace theory approach
Authors: Garavito David M. N. , Reyna Valerie F. , DeTello Joseph E. , Landow Bailey R. , Tarpinian Lindsey M.
Published: August 2020

Reducing concussion risks in athletes depends on self‐reporting. Often, athletes decide whether to report concussions or continue playing and risk serious health consequences. Fuzzy‐trace theory (FTT) predicts that reliance on gisty, categorical representations of risky decisions, not amounts of risk/reward, encourages risk avoidance and application of bottom‐line values, or gist principles, thus promoting healthy decisions. Applying FTT, we test whether intentions to report are predicted by gist‐based thinking about risks and values. High school and college students (N= 1,366) were assessed for concussion knowledge, social pressures to not report (by coaches/parents/teammates), categorical gist‐based thinking, endorsement of gist principles expressing values, and intentions to report. As expected, the older group scored higher on gist measures. For young adults, categorical thinking, and gist principles predicted intentions, controlling for sex, knowledge, and social pressures. For adolescents, categorical thinking again predicted intentions. For both age groups, adding FTT's predictors accounted for significantly more variance than baseline models.
Adults also have difficulty recalling one instance of a repeated event
Authors: Deck Sarah L. , Paterson Helen M.
Published: August 2020

Some forms of abuse, such as domestic violence, tend to occur repeatedly. Although memory for repeated events has received considerable empirical attention, most of this research has used a child sample. Experiments that have examined adult repeated‐event memory tend to use vastly different methodological paradigms to that used for children. To investigate whether the same pattern of findings emerge with young adults, we adapted the methodological paradigm used in child repeated‐event experiments. In this experiment, 41 undergraduate students experienced one, or multiple similar events. All participants were then interviewed about the same event. Participants who had experienced a single‐event were more likely to report correct details than those who had experienced a repeated event. Repeated‐event participants were more likely to report general details. These results have implications for the methodological paradigm which is used to examine adult memory for a recurring event.
Persuasiveness and sensitivity to witnessing conditions depend on how testimony is presented
Authors: Hicks J. Marie , Clark Steven E.
Published: August 2020

The present experiment examined the persuasiveness (measured primarily by proportions of guilty verdicts) of the testimony of a single eyewitness as a function of witnessing conditions and method of presenting the testimony–via a Video or Audio recording or a written Transcript or Summary. Proportions of guilty verdicts showed little variation across presentation methods when witnessing conditions were relatively good, but were higher for Video and Audio presentations than for Transcript and Summary presentations when witnessing conditions were relatively poor. These results combined to show a decrease in sensitivity to witnessing conditions for Video and Audio presentations relative to Transcript and Summary presentations. These results were accounted for by a simple weighted cues model.
Cervical Cancer Screening in Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Bruera Sebastian , Lei Xiudong , Zogala Richard , Pundole Xerxes , Zhao Hui , Giordano Sharon H. , Hwang Jessica P. , Rauh‐Hain J. Alejandro , Suarez‐Almazor Maria E.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To determine rates of cervical cancer screening and associated abnormal results in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

We identified women with an initial diagnosis of SLE in the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from 2001 to 2014. Cervical cancer screening rates and associated diagnostic claims within 3 years of the initial claim were determined. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association of screening with lupus treatment. A matched logistic regression analysis was conducted to compare screening rates to those in age‐matched women without connective tissue disease.

Results

We included 4,316 women with SLE. Screening rates were higher in women with SLE than in general controls (73.4% versus 58.5%; P < 0.001). Factors associated with decreased screening included recent time (odds ratio [OR] 0.70 [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] 0.55–0.89) (2012–2014 compared to 2001–2005), age ≥61 years (OR 0.27 [95% CI 0.18–0.39]), comorbidity score ≥2 (OR 0.71 [95% CI 0.6–0.83]), corticosteroid use (OR 0.77 [95% CI 0.61–0.97]), and use of immunosuppressants (OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.69–0.94]). Abnormal pathology result claims were more common in women with SLE than in general controls (12.3% versus 9.8%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Though with higher rates than the general cohort, over 25% of the patients with SLE were not screened, and screening rates seem to be decreasing over time. Patients with SLE are at higher risk of abnormal cervical screening test results than controls, supporting the need for regular screening.
Determinants of Discordance Between Criteria for Inactive Disease and Low Disease Activity in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Giancane Gabriella , Campone Chiara , Gicchino Maria Francesca , Alongi Alessandra , Bava Cecilia , Rosina Silvia , Boyko Yaryna , Martin Neil , El Miedany Yasser , Harjacek Miroslav , Hashad Soad , Ioseliani Maka , Burgos‐Vargas Ruben , Joos Rik , Scott Christiaan , Manel Mejbri , Ayala Zoilo Morel , Ekelund Maria , Al‐Abrawi Safiya , Aiche Maya‐Feriel , Norambuena Ximena , Melo‐Gomes Jose Antonio , Ruperto Nicolino , Consolaro Alessandro , Ravelli Angelo ,   for the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation
Published: August 2020

Objective

To assess concordance among criteria for inactive disease (ID) and low disease activity (LDA) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to seek factors driving discordance.

Methods

The frequency of fulfillment of existing criteria was evaluated in information on 10,186 patients extracted from 3 cross‐sectional data sets. Patients were divided up according to the functional phenotypes of oligoarthritis and polyarthritis. Concordance between criteria was examined using weighted Venn diagrams. The role of each individual component in explaining discordance between criteria was assessed by calculating the absolute number and percentage of instances in which the component was responsible for discrepancy between definitions.

Results

Criteria for ID were met by 28.6–41.1% of patients with oligoarthritis and by 24.0–33.4% of patients with polyarthritis. Criteria for LDA were met by 44.8–62.4% of patients with oligoarthritis and by 44.6–50.4% of patients with polyarthritis. There was a 57.9–62.3% overlap between criteria for ID and a 67.9–85% overlap between criteria for LDA. Parent and physician global assessments and acute‐phase reactants were responsible for the majority of instances of discordance among criteria for ID (8.7–15.5%, 10.0–12.3%, and 10.8–17.3%, respectively).

Conclusion

We found fair concordance between criteria for ID and LDA in JIA, with the main drivers of discordance for ID being physician and parent global assessments and acute‐phase reactants. This observation highlights the need for further studies aimed to evaluate the impact of subjective physician and parent perception of disease remission and of laboratory measures of inflammatory activity on the definition of ID.
Do Obesity and Overweight Influence Disease Activity Measures in Axial Spondyloarthritis? A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Ortolan Augusta , Lorenzin Mariagrazia , Felicetti Mara , Ramonda Roberta
Published: August 2020

Objective

The aim of our systematic review and meta‐analysis was to investigate whether overweight/obesity are associated with higher disease activity measures in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods

MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched using key terms corresponding to population (axial SpA patients), exposure (overweight/obesity), and outcome (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI] and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS]). Predefined inclusion criteria were adult patients with axial SpA, exposure classified according to body mass index (BMI), BASDAI/ASDAS reported for each BMI group, and observational studies. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale for cohort, cross‐sectional, and case–control studies was used for quality check. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to pool results, which were expressed as the mean difference (MD) in BASDAI and ASDAS between BMI groups, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

A total of 10 articles were included in the meta‐analysis. The MD in BASDAI between normal BMI and overweight/obese patients was –0.38 (95% CI –0.56, –0.21; P < 0.0001); the MD in ASDAS between the same groups was –0.19 (95% CI –0.29, –0.09; P < 0.0001). The MD in BASDAI between normal BMI and overweight patients was –0.09 (95% CI –0.33, 0.15; P = 0.45), and the MD between normal BMI and obese patients was –0.78 (95% CI –1.07, –0.48; P < 0.0001). For ASDAS, the MD between normal BMI and overweight patients was –0.02 (95% CI –0.19, 0.15; P = 0.79), and the MD between normal BMI and obese patients was –0.42 (95% CI –0.60, –0.23; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Overweight and obese patients with axial SpA tend to present higher disease activity scores compared to patients with a normal BMI. This difference seems to be clinically meaningful only for the comparison between obese patients and patients with normal BMI, and more for BASDAI than ASDAS.
Down Syndrome–Associated Arthritis Cohort in the New Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry: Clinical Characteristics, Treatment, and Outcomes
Authors: Jones Jordan T. , Smith Chelsey , Becker Mara L. , Lovell Daniel ,   for the CARRA Registry Investigators
Published: August 2020

Objective

Down syndrome–associated arthritis (DA) is underrecognized, and current therapies used for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) appear to be poorly tolerated and less effective in patients with DA. The objective of this study was to characterize clinical manifestations and therapeutic preferences in DA compared to JIA, using the new Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (nCARRA) registry.

Methods

In a case–control study, between July 2015 and March 2019, patients with a diagnosis of JIA and Down syndrome (DS) were identified and matched by age, sex, and JIA subtype to patients who have JIA without DS. Collected data included demographic characteristics, disease characteristics, laboratory results, treatment exposure, and outcome measures.

Results

A total of 36 children with DA and 165 with JIA were identified. Most patients presented with polyarticular rheumatoid factor–negative disease. At entry into the nCARRA registry, there were minimal differences between the groups, and at the last visit there were significant differences (P < 0.05) for multiple outcome measures. Patients with DA and those with JIA had similar therapeutic exposure to disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics, but those with DA had more DMARD‐related adverse events (93% versus 25%) and biologic therapy ineffectiveness (60% versus 17%).

Conclusion

There was little difference between patients with DA and those with JIA at baseline, and similar therapy was implemented for those in the nCARRA registry; however, at the last visit, the patients with DA had greater disease burden. Additionally, there were more DMARD‐related adverse events and biologic ineffectiveness for those patients with DA. More research is needed to determine differences in pathophysiology and optimal therapeutic approaches.
Enhancing Patient Understanding of Medication Risks and Benefits
Authors: Blalock Susan J. , Solow Elizabeth B. , Reyna Valerie F. , Keebler Molly , Carpenter Delesha , Hunt Caprice , Hickey Genevieve , Curtis Jeffrey R. , O'Neill Kimberlee , Chapman Sandra Bond
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of 2 interventions, including the DrugFactsBox format for presenting written medication information and the SMART (Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training) program designed to enhance gist (i.e., “bottom‐line” meaning) reasoning ability.

Methods

We used a 2 × 2 factorial research design. A total of 286 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups, including DrugFactsBox with the SMART program, DrugFactsBox without the SMART program, other consumer medication information (CMI) with the SMART program, and other CMI without the SMART program. Data were collected via telephone interviews and online questionnaires at 4 time points, including baseline and 6‐week, 3‐month, and 6‐month time points following baseline. The primary outcome variable was informed decision‐making, which was defined as making a value‐consistent decision concerning use of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs based on adequate knowledge.

Results

We found no main effects for the 2 interventions, either alone or in combination. However, there was a significant interaction between assignment to the SMART/no SMART groups and informed decision‐making at baseline. Among participants in the SMART groups who did not meet the criteria for informed decision‐making at baseline, 42.5% met the criteria at the 6‐month follow‐up, compared to 23.6% of participants in the no SMART groups (mean difference 18.9 [95% confidence interval 5.6, 32.2]; P = 0.007). This difference was driven by increased knowledge in the SMART groups. Among participants who met the criteria for informed decision‐making at baseline, the difference between the SMART and no SMART groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Participation in a theory‐driven program to enhance gist reasoning may have a beneficial effect on informed decision‐making among patients with inadequate knowledge concerning therapeutic options.
Examining the Association of Knee Pain With Modifiable Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Authors: Charen Daniel A. , Solomon David , Zubizarreta Nicole , Poeran Jashvant , Colvin Alexis C.
Published: August 2020

Objective

A well‐established link exists between obesity and knee osteoarthritis, and recent research has implicated diabetes mellitus as a potential cause of cartilage degeneration. The objective of this study was to use the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database to examine the association between knee pain and various metabolic factors.

Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional study of the NHANES database from 1999 to 2004 was performed. The main outcome was any knee pain and bilateral knee pain. The main effects of interest were body mass index (BMI) and glycohemoglobin A1c. We additionally assessed various patient factors, including age, race, poverty, sex, and smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression models and interaction terms were analyzed.

Results

Data on 12,900 patients were included. In the main adjusted analysis, the modifiable risk factors associated with any knee pain were overweight (odds ratio [OR] 0.91 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.85–0.97), obesity (OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.42–1.66]), glycemic control (OR 1.20 [95% CI 1.03–1.38]), and current smoking (OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.05–1.27]) (all P < 0.05). These same factors remain significant for bilateral knee pain. Subgroup analysis showed that patients age <65 years have a 5% increase in the risk of any knee pain as their BMI increases, but patients age ≥65 years have a 10% increase in risk.

Conclusion

This study confirms the association of knee pain with increased weight, glycemic control, current smoking, and age. Most of these risk factors can be modified in patients with knee pain and should be discussed when providing conservative treatment options.
Enhancing Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness of Polymer Nanocomposites by Modifying Subsurface Carbon Nanotube Distribution
Authors: Castañeda-Uribe Octavio Alejandro , Avila Alba
Published: August 2020

Enhancing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) relies on modification of carbon nanotube (CNT) distributions achieved by controlling fabrication parameters. However, establishing correlations between fabrication parameters, CNT distributions, and SE properties is a challenging task due to the restrictions on the traditionally implemented CNT network detection techniques and qualitative CNT distribution descriptors. Herein an SE enhancing methodology for single‐walled carbon nanotubes/polyimide (SWCNT/PI) nanocomposite films in which AC sinusoidal voltages (5, 10, and 15 V at 10 Hz) are applied during processing to control CNT distribution is presented. The prepared nanocomposite samples are characterized using scattering‐parameter measurements for SE estimation and second‐harmonic electrostatic force microscopy (2ωe‐EFM) for subsurface CNT network detection. The detected CNT networks are described by implementing the uniform‐distancing (CNTD), agglomeration (CNTA), and shielding (CNTS) quantitative CNT descriptors. The results show enhancement on the nanocomposite SE values with the increment on the CNTS descriptor, which increases with lower applied voltages during processing. The SWCNT/PI nanocomposite studied herein exhibits a predominant absorption SE mechanism, which makes it a candidate for potential EMI absorber material applications. The proposed methodology represents an alternative for the quantitative assessment of correlations between PNC properties, CNT distributions, and fabrication parameters.
Covalent 0D–2D Heterostructuring of Co9S8–MoS2 for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution in All pH Electrolytes
Authors: Kim Minkyung , Anjum Mohsin Ali Raza , Choi Min , Jeong Hu Young , Choi Sun Hee , Park Noejung , Lee Jae Sung
Published: August 2020

Ultrasmall Co9S8 nanoparticles are introduced on the basal plane of MoS2 to fabricate a covalent 0D–2D heterostructure that enhances the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of electrochemical water splitting. In the heterostructure, separate phases of Co9S8 and MoS2 are formed, but they are connected by Co–S–Mo type covalent bonds. The charge redistribution from Co to Mo occurring at the interface enhances the electron‐doped characteristics of MoS2 to generate electron‐rich Mo atoms. Besides, reductive annealing during the synthesis forms S defects that activates adjacent Mo atoms for further enhanced HER activity as elucidated by the density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Eventually, the covalent Co9S8–MoS2 heterostructure shows amplified HER activity as well as stability in all pH electrolytes. The synergistic effect is pronounced when the heterostructure is coupled with a porous Ni foam (NF) support to form Co9S8–MoS2/NF that displays superior performance to those of the state‐of‐the‐art non‐noble metal electrocatalysts, and even outperforms a commercial Pt/C catalyst in a practically meaningful, high current density region in alkaline (>170 mA cm−2) and neutral (>60 mA cm−2) media. The high HER performance and stability of Co9S8–MoS2 heterostructure make it a promising pH universal alternative to expensive Pt‐based electrocatalysts for practical water electrolyzers.
LipoBots: Using Liposomal Vesicles as Protective Shell of Urease‐Based Nanomotors
Authors: Hortelão Ana C. , García‐Jimeno Sonia , Cano‐Sarabia Mary , Patiño Tania , Maspoch Daniel , Sanchez Samuel
Published: August 2020

Developing self‐powered nanomotors made of biocompatible and functional components is of paramount importance in future biomedical applications. Herein, the functional features of LipoBots (LBs) composed of a liposomal carrier containing urease enzymes for propulsion, including their protective properties against acidic conditions and their on‐demand triggered activation, are reported. Given the functional nature of liposomes, enzymes can be either encapsulated or coated on the surface of the vesicles. The influence of the location of urease on motion dynamics is first studied, finding that the surface‐urease LBs undergo self‐propulsion whereas the encapsulated‐urease LBs do not. However, adding a percolating agent present in the bile salts to the encapsulated‐urease LBs triggers active motion. Moreover, it is found that when both types of nanomotors are exposed to a medium of similar pH found in the stomach, the surface‐urease LBs lose activity and motion capabilities, while the encapsulated‐urease LBs retain activity and mobility. The results for the protection enzyme activity through encapsulation within liposomes and in situ triggering of the motion of LBs upon exposure to bile salts may open new avenues for the use of liposome‐based nanomotors in drug delivery, for example, in the gastrointestinal tract, where bile salts are naturally present in the intestine.
Facile Morphological Qualification of Transferred Graphene by Phase‐Shifting Interferometry
Authors: Lee Ukjae , Woo Yun Sung , Han Yoojoong , Gutiérrez Humberto R. , Kim Un Jeong , Son Hyungbin
Published: August 2020

Post‐growth graphene transfer to a variety of host substrates for circuitry fabrication has been among the most popular subjects since its successful development via chemical vapor deposition in the past decade. Fast and reliable evaluation tools for its morphological characteristics are essential for the development of defect‐free transfer protocols. The implementation of conventional techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy in production quality control at an industrial scale is difficult because they are limited to local areas, are time consuming, and their operation is complex. However, through a one‐shot measurement within a few seconds, phase‐shifting interferometry (PSI) successfully scans ≈1 mm2 of transferred graphene with a vertical resolution of ≈0.1 nm. This provides crucial morphological information, such as the surface roughness derived from polymer residues, the thickness of the graphene, and its adhesive strength with respect to the target substrates. Graphene samples transferred via four different methods are evaluated using PSI, Raman spectroscopy, and AFM. Although the thickness of the nanomaterials measured by PSI can be highly sensitive to their refractive indices, PSI is successfully demonstrated to be a powerful tool for investigating the morphological characteristics of the transferred graphene for industrial and research purposes.
A Metal–Organic Framework as a Multifunctional Ionic Sieve Membrane for Long‐Life Aqueous Zinc–Iodide Batteries
Authors: Yang Huijun , Qiao Yu , Chang Zhi , Deng Han , He Ping , Zhou Haoshen
Published: August 2020

The introduction of the redox couple of triiodide/iodide (I3−/I−) into aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries is a promising energy‐storage resource owing to its safety and cost‐effectiveness. Nevertheless, the limited lifespan of zinc–iodine (Zn–I2) batteries is currently far from satisfactory owing to the uncontrolled shuttling of triiodide and unfavorable side‐reactions on the Zn anode. Herein, space‐resolution Raman and micro‐IR spectroscopies reveal that the Zn anode suffers from corrosion induced by both water and iodine species. Then, a metal–organic framework (MOF) is exploited as an ionic sieve membrane to simultaneously resolve these problems for Zn–I2 batteries. The multifunctional MOF membrane, first, suppresses the shuttling of I3− and restrains related parasitic side‐reaction on the Zn anode. Furthermore, by regulating the electrolyte solvation structure, the MOF channels construct a unique electrolyte structure (more aggregative ion associations than in saturated electrolyte). With the concurrent improvement on both the iodine cathode and the Zn anode, Zn–I2 batteries achieve an ultralong lifespan (>6000 cycles), high capacity retention (84.6%), and high reversibility (Coulombic efficiency: 99.65%). This work not only systematically reveals the parasitic influence of free water and iodine species to the Zn anode, but also provides an efficient strategy to develop long‐life aqueous Zn–I2 batteries.