bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bovine Babesiosis Diagnosed in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues by Using In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Hülskötter Kirsten , Pfankuche Vanessa M. , van Dyck Lydia , Höltershinken Martin , Springer Andrea , Lienhart Fabienne , Ermel Sandra , Rehage Jürgen , Hoedemarker Martina , Strube Christina , Hirzmann Jörg , Bauer Christian , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Lehmbecker Annika , Wohlsein Peter
Published: August 2020

Bovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia divergens, is in general a rare disease in Europe. Nonetheless, local outbreaks can cause severe economic damage, and postmortem identification represents a diagnostic challenge. During a recent outbreak in May 2018 in northern Germany, 21 animals of a herd of 150 cattle died within 40 days having had clinical signs of fever and hemoglobinuria. Gross examination of 4 of the 21 deceased animals revealed a tick infestation, jaundice, and dark brown staining of urine and kidneys. Histologically, there were iron-positive deposits, hyperplasia of the red pulp of the spleen, and centrilobular necrosis of hepatocytes. In several locations, small basophilic granules suggestive of intraerythrocytic parasites were visible in hematoxylin-eosin- and Giemsa-stained sections. Peripheral blood smears from a living cow from the herd and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of feeding ticks revealed B. divergens infection. In situ hybridization (ISH) was applied on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue of the necropsied cattle to confirm babesiosis in these animals postmortem. Digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes were generated based on a specific nucleotide sequence for B. divergens, obtained by PCR and sequencing of DNA isolates from infected Ixodes ricinus ticks from deceased cattle. ISH using these probes allowed postmortem diagnosis of B. divergens infection in routinely fixed FFPE tissues.
‘The myth of the empty exile’: A Comparative Exploration into Ancient Biblical Exile and Modern Korean Exile
Authors: Kim Hyun Chul Paul
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study is to undertake a comparative examination of two exilic contexts—ancient Judah under the Neo-Babylonian Empire and modern Korea under the Japanese occupation. We will examine issues related to ‘population change’ and ‘economic impact’ in the context of the hegemony of the colonizing empire. First, we will review the recent scholarly debates concerning Judean history during the Babylonian exilic era. Next, we will examine the historical records and interpretative issues concerning modern Korea during the Japanese occupation era. Finally, the observations and interpretive implications that arise from this comparative study will be explored. This study will emphasize that many intangible factors point to a likelihood of turmoil and hardship for the majority of the people, both those living under occupation in Judah and those exiled to Babylon, despite the evidence indicating that life continued uninterrupted after the events of 587 BCE.
Adult Ministry in the Church: A Forty-year Perspective
Authors: Budd Clair Allen , Bergen Martha S.
Published: August 2020

The article describes the changes and developments in adult educational ministry during the 40 years since the inception of the Christian Educational Journal ( CEJ) through an extensive review of the literature and a survey with editors of adult curriculum. Various modes of ministry with adults are examined for changes in recent decades with a conclusion that considerable differentiation has occurred while maintaining a consistent purpose.
Contribution of mast cells in irritant-induced airway epithelial barrier impairment in vitro
Authors: Van Den Broucke Sofie , Vanoirbeek Jeroen , Alfaro-Moreno Ernesto , Hoet Peter
Published: August 2020

The airway epithelium is continuously exposed to environmental irritants, which can cause adverse effects such as irritant-induced asthma (IIA). Mast cells are located near airway epithelia and are able to respond to a variety of stimuli. We aimed to investigate whether mast cells influence the response of the epithelium upon irritant exposure. Two cell lines and three different seeding conditions, that is, bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) only, 16HBE with mast cells (HMC-1’s) basolaterally, and 16HBE with HMC-1’s apically, were established. Upon exposure to the environmental irritants, graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO), diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) or hypochlorite (ClO−), transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular flux of fluorescent-labeled dextrans were determined, along with the release of mediators. Identical experiments were conducted with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Exposure to G and GO induced a significant and permanent decrease of approximately 70% in TEER after 3 h of exposure, whereas DEP and ClO− exposure resulted in a transient decrease of approximately 20% in TEER. This response pattern was similar in all the different seeding conditions. After 24 h of exposure, fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran transport was 10-fold greater for G and 5-fold greater for GO in each of the tested seeding conditions, while DEP and ClO− induced no change compared to the control. Upon exposure to the irritants, 16HBE did not release thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin 33 (IL-33), or IL-1α, and HMC-1 cells did not release histamine, IL-6, or IL-8. Epithelial barrier integrity upon treatment with ionomycin was not affected by the presence of HMC-1 cells. A limited amount of IL-6 and IL-8 was released by ionomycin-exposed HMC-1 cells. To conclude, we found that the studied environmental irritants do not directly or indirectly activate HMC-1 cells. These mast cells did not influence the epithelial barrier function upon environmental exposure, and thus currently do not provide additional information for the underlying mechanism of IIA.
I Don’t Have Power, and I Want More: Psychological, Physical, and Sexual Dating Violence Perpetration Among College Students
Authors: Toplu-Demirtaş Ezgi , Fincham Frank D.
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to (a) explore the prevalence of, and gender differences in, self-reported physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetration in dating relationships (i.e., not married or engaged), (b) evaluate the factorial validity of the Power Perceptions and Power Satisfaction Questionnaire in dating relationships, and (c) document the mediating role of power satisfaction in the associations between power perception and physical, sexual, and psychological dating violence perpetration. College students ( N = 812) completed the Power Perceptions and Power Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Psychological Aggression, Physical Assault, and Sexual Coercion subscales of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale. Gender differences emerged in the prevalence of physical (43.0% for women and 35.0% for men) and sexual violence (25.0% for women and 41.8% for men) but not psychological violence (80.1% for women and 75.5% for men). Exploratory factor and parallel analyses yielded two subscales of power perceptions and power satisfaction, which explained 40.56% of the variance. Mediation analyses revealed that college students who perceived lower relationship power were more dissatisfied with that relationship power and, in turn, perpetrated more physical, sexual, and psychological violence against their partners. The mediation effects were evident in both women and men. The implications of the current findings for future research and mental health professionals at colleges are outlined.
Infectious Disease: Protecting Workers and Organizations-The Role of Compensation & Benefits
Authors: Marty Martin William , Lopez Yvette , Flannery Thomas P. , Dixon Bill
Published: August 2020

Infectious diseases at work can be endemic such as seasonal influenza and emerging such as the novel coronavirus 2019. Infectious diseases have an impact on employees and other types of workers. Compensation and benefits professionals are often at the forefront of preventing workplace infections, addressing workplace infections, and ensuring the continuity of talent when workplace outbreaks and business shutdowns occur. This article provides an overview of pertinent laws, key compensation decisions, and ways to refocus existing benefit programs to meet the challenge of not only just safety, health, and wellness but also infection prevention and control.
Cylindrical cross section optimization
Authors: Croccolo D , De Agostinis M , Fini S , Olmi G , Robusto F
Published: August 2020

This paper focuses on cross-section optimization of both rectilinear and curvilinear beams. In particular, analytical models were developed, in order to detect how circular section resistance can be modified following a suitable cut. In fact, removing material from the furthest zone from the neutral axis, may even result in an increase of the section resistance modulus, with consequent beneficial reduction of the maximum stresses. The analytical model outcomes were confirmed by numerical analyses. This study deals with several applicative cases: in almost all of them a stress reduction was achieved, except for removing material from the extrados.
On the duality of space trusses and plate structures of rigid plates and elastic edges
Authors: Baranyai Tamás
Published: August 2020

Dualities have been known to map space trusses and plate structures to each other since the 1980s. Yet the computational similarity of the two has not been used to solve the unfamiliar plate structure with the methods of the well-known truss. This article gives a method to find the forces and displacements of a plate structure with rigid plates and elastic edges, using a dual truss. The plates are assumed to be rigid in their respective planes only and deformable otherwise. The method provided is applicable for both statically determinate and indeterminate structures, subjected to both statical and kinematical loads.
Risk factors for early severe preeclampsia in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome with conventional treatment. The impact of hydroxychloroquine
Authors: Latino José Omar , Udry Sebastián , Aranda Federico , Wingeyer Silvia Perés , Romero Diego Santiago Fernández , Belizna Cristina , Larrañaga Gabriela de
Published: August 2020

Objective

The first aim was to retrospectively identify risk factors for the development of early severe preeclampsia (sPE) in patients with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) who received conventional treatment (CT). The second aim was to evaluate the impact of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in preventing early sPE among a subgroup of patients considered at high risk.

Methods

A total of 102 women diagnosed with OAPS and treated with CT since the diagnosis of pregnancy were selected. At the end of pregnancy, we identified risk factors associated with early sPE. According to these risk factors, we collected a new cohort of 42 patients who presented high-risk factors for developing early sPE and split them into two groups according to the treatment received: group A, CT (30 patients); and group B, CT+HCQ (12 patients). We evaluated and compared pregnancy outcomes in both groups.

Results

According to the multivariate analysis, risk factors associated with early sPE and CT were triple positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) (OR = 24.70, [4.27–142.92], p < 0.001) and a history of early sPE (OR = 7.11, [1.13–44.64], p = 0.036). A low-risk aPL profile was associated with a good response to CT in preventing early sPE (OR = 0.073, [0.014–0.382], p = 0.002). High-risk patients treated with CT+HCQ had a significantly lower early sPE rate than those treated with CT only (8.3% vs 40.0%; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Triple positivity for aPL and a history of early sPE are potential strong risk factors for the development of early sPE. HCQ might be an interesting therapeutic option for patients with high-risk factors for early sPE.
Successful treatment of refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with systemic lupus erythematosus with combination of plasma exchange and low-dose rituximab
Authors: Ma Wanlu , Bai Wei , Wu Xueyan , Zhao Jiuliang , Li Mengtao , Zeng Xiaofeng
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) associated with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) (i.e., SLE-TTP) is a rare life-threatening disease often requiring intensive immunosuppressive agents, in addition to high-dose corticosteroids and plasma exchange (PEX). The optimal therapy of rituximab is unclear, but 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks is the usual practice, adopted from regimens for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We reported two cases of refractory SLE-TTP that showed good efficacy and prognosis with combination of methylprednisolone (MP) pulse, plasma exchange and low-dose rituximab (100 mg weekly for 4 weeks) treatment.

Methods

Clinical data and treatment outcomes were reviewed of two patients diagnosed with refractory SLE-TTP at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between July 2017 and July 2018.

Results

Both patients had SLE and presented with microangiopathic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Laboratory assays revealed high anti-nuclear antibody titers, reduced complement 3 and 4 levels, proteinuria, significantly elevated lactate dehydrogenase, schistocytes on peripheral blood smear, low ADAMTS13 activity, and the presence of ADAMTS13 inhibitor. In both patients, platelet counts remained below 50 × 109/L after MP pulse and 6 PEXs, confirming the diagnosis of refractory SLE-TTP. Low-dose rituximab (100 mg weekly for 4 weeks) was administered in both cases, resulting in normalization of platelet counts and significant reductions in B-lymphocyte counts. No TTP relapse or SLE flare occurred during 24 months of follow-up.

Conclusions

Our cases confirmed the efficacy and good follow-up outcomes of low-dose rituximab treatment (100 mg weekly for 4 weeks) for refractory SLE-TTP.
“It’s not even the leaders out here who have any say at all in how long they’re gonna have to wait”: A study of waiting time, power, and acceptance
Authors: Hansen Lasse S
Published: August 2020

Waiting time is an exercise of power. When citizens such as welfare clients, asylum seekers, or inmates encounter the state, they experience lengthy waiting time. Their cases are often delayed; their appointments are postponed or canceled. This creates uncertainty, and studies on the lived experiences of waiting time show that this makes citizens accept that they have to wait. In this study, I argue that citizens accept that they have to wait because they believe that frontline workers have no power to reduce waiting time. I explore this through an ethnographic study of citizens on social assistance at an activation site in Denmark where they perform labor to receive their benefits. The study makes three contributions to the existing scholarship on waiting time. First, it combines observations of both frontline workers’ decisions about waiting time and how citizens experience these decisions. I explore how the frontline workers make citizens wait to perform labor and leave at the end of the day. The length of waiting changes daily, and citizens are rarely informed about how long they have to wait. I observe that citizens accept the waiting time even though they associate it with frustration, demotivation, and uncertainty. Second, what engenders this acceptance is the frontline workers’ tendency to deflect “blame away” from their power to impose waiting time. When they justify their decisions, they deflect blame either “upwards” (toward the rules or their management) or “downwards” (toward troublesome citizens). Third, the study shows that waiting time do not only reflect structural asymmetries between the citizens and the frontline workers. Citizens accept that they have to wait, because they build trust with the frontline workers and believe that the reduction of waiting time is beyond their control. This shows that the power of waiting time is also relationally produced.
6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase Suppresses Neuronal Apoptosis by Increasing Glycolysis and “cyclin-dependent kinase 1-Mediated Phosphorylation of p27 After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Authors: Gao Liansheng , Wang Chun , Qin Bing , Li Tao , Xu Weilin , Lenahan Cameron , Ying Guangyu , Li Jianru , Zhao Tengfei , Zhu Yongjian , Chen Gao
Published: August 2020

Apoptosis is a vital pathological factor that accounts for the poor prognosis of traumatic spinal cord injury (t-SCI). The 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3) is a critical regulator for energy metabolism and proven to have antiapoptotic effects. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role of PFKFB3 in t-SCI. A compressive clip was introduced to establish the t-SCI model. Herein, we identified that PFKFB3 was extensively distributed in neurons, and PFKFB3 levels significantly increased and peaked 24 h after t-SCI. Additionally, knockdown of PFKFB3 inhibited glycolysis, accompanied by aggravated neuronal apoptosis and white matter injury, while pharmacological activation of PFKFB3 with meclizine significantly enhanced glycolysis, attenuated t-SCI-induced spinal cord injury, and alleviated neurological impairment. The PFKFB3 agonist, meclizine, activated cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and promoted the phosphorylation of p27, ultimately suppressing neuronal apoptosis. However, the neuroprotective effects of meclizine against t-SCI were abolished by the CDK1 antagonist, RO3306. In summary, our data demonstrated that PFKFB3 contributes robust neuroprotection against t-SCI by enhancing glycolysis and modulating CDK1-related antiapoptotic signals. Moreover, targeting PFKFB3 may be a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for t-SCI.
Dielectric properties of synthesized ternary hybrid nanocomposite embedded in poly (vinyl alcohol) matrix films
Authors: Majeed Abdulwahhab H , Al-Tikrity Emaad T Bakir , Hussain Dhia H
Published: August 2020

This research involves preparation and characterization of ternary hybrid nanocomposites; reduced graphene oxide rGO nanosheets, manganese dioxide MnO2 nanorods and poly (anthranilic acid) hollow sphere PANA (rGO-MnO2-PANA). The synthesis follows bi-step chemical reaction. Initially, rGO and MnO2 were prepared separately, then mixed together ultrasonically to form a binary hybrid of rGO-MnO2. Second step includes in situ polymerization of anthranilic acid monomer with the prepared rGO-MnO2. All the prepared compounds were characterized by different techniques: FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDX and TEM. Incorporation of the ternary hybrid in different weight ratios with PVA afforded the required nanocomposites (rGO-MnO2-PANA/PVA) films. The electrical properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated at frequency of 10 kHz-2 MHz. It was found that, at low frequency, the dielectric (real) permittivity (ε’) and imaginary permittivity (ε”) approached to higher values in all cases, while these values decreased gradually with increasing frequency. It was also confirmed that the alternating current conductivity of the composites increased with increasing frequency. These findings underline the potential employing of rGO-MnO2-PANA/PVA composites as a flexible dielectric material for enhancing polymer electrical conductivity and in energy storage applications.
School-Level Efforts to Address Sexual Health and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Students in Texas Alternative High Schools
Authors: Johnson Karen E. , Conn Kathryn L. , Osborne Cynthia , Wilson Kelly L. , Rew Lynn
Published: August 2020

We compared sexual/reproductive health services and sexuality education topics provided in Texas alternative high schools (AHSs) with the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors among students in AHS. Using cross-sectional data from convenience samples of 14 principals, 14 lead health educators, and 515 students, we calculated descriptive statistics for 20 services and 15 sexuality education topics provided by AHSs and seven sexual risk behaviors among students in AHS. AHSs provided few sexual/reproductive health services and limited educational content, despite high levels of sexual risk taking among students. For example, no AHSs taught students about proper condom use, yet 84% of students have had sex. Findings provide preliminary evidence of unmet needs for school-based sexual/reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality education in AHS settings. Future investigation with larger, representative samples is needed to assess the provision of sexual/reproductive health services and sexuality education in AHSs and monitor sexual risk behaviors in the AHS population.
Publish or Perish? The Steep, Steep Path for Central Asia Journalism and Mass Communication Faculty
Authors: Kurambayev Bahtiyar , Freedman Eric
Published: August 2020

Journalism and mass communication faculty in Central Asian countries face increased institution and government pressure to produce research that appears in Scopus-indexed publications. This study interviews faculty members in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to examine how they attempt to meet these publication requirements. The findings suggest a disturbing research environment where some faculty resort to unethical means, such as buying and selling research co-authorship or paying to publish in predatory and fake journals.
Health technology assessment: Choice between a cytotoxic safety cabinet and an isolator for oncology drug reconstitution in Tunisia
Authors: Boufaied Manel , Bouhlel Mehdi , Soussi Mohamed Ali , Lazreg Olfa , Khrouf Myriam Razgallah
Published: August 2020

Introduction

In order to implement a centralized cytotoxic reconstitution unit (CCRU), a study was conducted to compare the implementation costs of a CCRU equipped with a cytotoxic safety cabinet (CSC) and one equipped with an isolator with negative pressure.

Materials and methods

This study compares items such as infrastructure, air treatment and CCRU qualification costs, equipment’s purchase and qualifications costs, as well as staff dressing costs. Two plans were elaborated according to the international recommendations in a way that they respond to the necessary requirements in both cases. Requests for quotes for the compared items were sent to different suppliers.

Results

The implementations’ cost of a CCRU equipped with a CSC is cheaper than the one equipped with an isolator. The price of an isolator is much higher than a CSC; its qualification is also more expensive. However, the requirements and the costs for the air treatment and the dressing of the staff are less in the case of an isolator. The overall cost of the CCRU’s implementation is approximately 1.3 times higher in the case of an isolator. However, by excluding the equipment purchase cost, the overall cost of a CSC’s implementation becomes higher.

Conclusion

For Tunisia, it seems that the CSC is the most adapted. However, this work should be completed by the comparison of the CCRU’s operating costs in order to optimize the resources and figure out the cheapest system.
A variational property of the von Kármán plate problem
Authors: Davini Cesare , Paroni Roberto
Published: August 2020

The solution of the boundary value problem of anisotropic Föppl–von Kármán plates is shown to be a critical point for a suitable energy functional. Moreover, under the assumption that the minimum of the total energy exists, we prove a saddle-point property and also deduce from it the form of the boundary conditions for plates clamped on part of the boundary and loaded on the complementary part.
A Case Report of Venoarterial ECMO as Salvage Therapy for Prolonged Cardiac Arrest Following Post-Reperfusion Intracardiac Thrombosis During Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
Authors: Romano Diana N. , Smith Natalie K. , Itagaki Shinobu , Bekki Yuki , Gunasekaran Ganesh , Zerillo Jeron
Published: August 2020

In this report we describe the use of intraoperative venoarterial ECMO as salvage therapy in a unique case of post-reperfusion intracardiac thrombosis during liver transplantation with prolonged ACLS and coagulopathy. The limited literature on intraoperative ECMO as salvage therapy in liver transplantation is reviewed.
Effects of continuous positive airway pressure administered by a helmet in cats under general anaesthesia
Authors: Di Bella Caterina , Araos Joaquin , Lacitignola Luca , Grasso Salvatore , De Marzo Linda , Crovace Alberto Maria , Staffieri Francesco
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory effects of non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) administered by a helmet in healthy cats under anaesthesia.

Methods

Fifteen healthy male cats scheduled for castration were anaesthetised with medetomidine (20 µg/kg), ketamine (10 mg/kg) and buprenorphine (20 µg/kg) intramuscularly. When an adequate level of anaesthesia was achieved, a paediatric helmet was placed on all subjects. The helmet was connected to a Venturi valve supplied with medical air and cats received the following phases of treatments: 0 cmH2O (pre-CPAP), 5 cmH2O (CPAP) and 0 cmH2O (post-CPAP). Each treatment lasted 10 mins. At the end of each phase an arterial blood sample was drawn. The following data were also collected: mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate and the anaesthesia level score (0 = awake, 10 = deep anaesthesia). The alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient (P[A-a]O2) and the venous admixture (Fshunt) were also estimated. Data were analysed with two-way ANOVA ( P <0.05).

Results

The arterial partial pressure of oxygen was higher ( P <0.001) at CPAP (103.2 ± 5.1 mmHg) vs pre-CPAP (77.5 ± 7.4 mmHg) and post-CPAP (84.6 ± 8.1 mmHg). The P(A-a)O2 and the Fshunt were lower ( P <0.001) at CPAP (4.4 ± 2.3 mmHg; 7.4 ± 3.1%) vs pre-CPAP (18.9 ± 6.4 mmHg; 22.8 ± 4.6%) and post-CPAP (15.6 ± 7.3 mmHg; 20.9 ± 4.6 %). No other parameters differed between groups.

Conclusions and relevance

Non-invasive CPAP applied by a helmet improves oxygenation in cats under injectable general anaesthesia.
The Cultural Formulation Interview: Progress to date and future directions
Authors: Lewis-Fernández Roberto , Aggarwal Neil Krishan , Kirmayer Laurence J.
Published: August 2020

The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) developed for DSM-5 provides a way to collect information on patients’ illness experience, social and cultural context, help-seeking, and treatment expectations relevant to psychiatric diagnosis and assessment. This thematic issue of Transcultural Psychiatry brings together articles examining the implementation and impact of the CFI in diverse settings. In this editorial introduction we discuss key areas raised by these and other studies, including: (1) the potential of the CFI for transforming current psychiatric assessment models; (2) training and implementation strategies for wider application and scale-up; and (3) refining the CFI by developing new modules and alternative protocols based on further research and clinical experience.
Tribological investigations on tribofilm formation and retention under dry sliding conditions with increasing loads
Authors: Saleem Sheikh Shahid , Wani MF , Khan M Jebran
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a tribological investigation of austenitic steel 21-4N exhaust valve material, dry sliding against ductile cast iron GGG-40 seat material, at a temperature of 500°C, to study the effect of increasing loads on tribofilm formation and retention at the contact interface. The effect of these tribofilms, on the friction and wear behaviour of the tribo-pair, is highlighted. High temperature reciprocating pin-on-disc tests were performed on a tribometer at loads of 20 N to 50 N with a constant stroke of 2 mm and an oscillating frequency of 20 Hz. A distinct running-in behaviour is observed at loads up to 40 N with the coefficient of friction attaining a very low and stable level with increase in sliding time. The average Coefficient of Friction ranges between 0.12 and 0.15. Optical/Scanning Electron Microscope micrographs and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy analysis indicate the creation of compact and durable tribofilms at loads up to 40 N. At the highest load of 50 N, the Coefficient of Friction behaviour is slightly different. With a low value at the beginning, it shows an increasing trend and reaches a peak around the 10-min mark and reduces thereafter. At this load, despite indications of higher abrasive wear, the Coefficient of Friction behaviour, Optical/Scanning Electron Microscope micrographs and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy analysis indicate evidence of early deterioration and subsequent reformation of the tribofilms with increase in sliding time. The seat material exhibited comparatively more wear than the valve material; however, the wear coefficients lie in the mild wear regime for the tribo-pair. The results of this investigation indicate the compatibility of the tribo-pair and suggest its use in the exhaust valve/seat application.
Drop-weight impact testing for the study of energy absorption in automobile crash boxes made of composite material
Authors: Hussain N Nasir , Regalla Srinivasa Prakash , Rao Yendluri V Daseswara , Dirgantara Tatacipta , Gunawan Leonardo , Jusuf Annisa
Published: August 2020

There is an ever-increasing demand in the automotive sector to continuously improve the performance and reduce cost through weight reduction in the structure of the vehicle. In the present scenario, it is also necessary to meet the standards set by crash safety regulating authorities in various parts of the world. In automobiles, the crash box is placed in the anterior region to absorb the impact energy in the event of an accident. Glass fiber reinforced plastic crash boxes have a high strength-to-weight ratio and also are good in energy absorption, particularly useful in this scenario. In this paper, the effectiveness of different triggers in combination with various geometries is investigated for Glass fiber reinforced plastic crash boxes using drop-weight impact testing. A trigger is a geometric irregularity introduced in the crash box design to alter the energy as well as force levels by modifying the deformation mode under loading. Comparison of change in force level, absorption of impact energy, specific energy absorption values was performed for composite crash boxes made of various types of cross-sectional geometries along with multiple patterns of triggers. Force versus displacement (F–D) curves are drawn for all the cases of the glass fiber reinforced plastic crash boxes to understand the behavior of each combination formed with various types of geometries and triggers, under impact loading. Strength-to-weight ratio was considered as the deciding factor for the comparisons to know the best and worst cases of the crash boxes made of different cross-sections along with various trigger types. This study provides detailed insights into the drop-weight impact testing procedure including the preparation of specimens, setting up the drop-weight impact test, preparation of specimen clamps, safety precautions involved, data acquisition from the test and its processing.
Home-based or remote exercise testing in chronic respiratory disease, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A rapid review
Authors: Holland Anne E , Malaguti Carla , Hoffman Mariana , Lahham Aroub , Burge Angela T , Dowman Leona , May Anthony K , Bondarenko Janet , Graco Marnie , Tikellis Gabriella , Lee Joanna YT , Cox Narelle S
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

To identify exercise tests that are suitable for home-based or remote administration in people with chronic lung disease.

Methods:

Rapid review of studies that reported home-based or remote administration of an exercise test in people with chronic lung disease, and studies reporting their clinimetric (measurement) properties.

Results:

84 studies were included. Tests used at home were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT, two studies), sit-to-stand tests (STS, five studies), Timed Up and Go (TUG, 4 studies) and step tests (two studies). Exercise tests administered remotely were the 6MWT (two studies) and step test (one study). Compared to centre-based testing the 6MWT distance was similar when performed outdoors but shorter when performed at home (two studies). The STS, TUG and step tests were feasible, reliable (intra-class correlation coefficients >0.80), valid (concurrent and known groups validity) and moderately responsive to pulmonary rehabilitation (medium effect sizes). These tests elicited less desaturation than the 6MWT, and validated methods to prescribe exercise were not reported.

Discussion:

The STS, step and TUG tests can be performed at home, but do not accurately document desaturation with walking or allow exercise prescription. Patients at risk of desaturation should be prioritised for centre-based exercise testing when this is available.
Discrete event simulation–based energy efficient path determination scheme for probabilistic voting–based filtering scheme in sensor networks
Authors: Nam Su Man , Cho Tae Ho
Published: August 2020

In wireless sensor networks, sensors are extremely vulnerable to false positive and false negative attacks due to their stringent energy and computational constraints. Several en-route filtering schemes mainly focus on saving energy through early detection of false data within a short distance against these attacks; however, they cannot immediately block the false data injected by compromised nodes. A security scheme uses context-aware architecture for a probabilistic voting–based filtering scheme to detect the compromised nodes and block the injection of false data, unlike security protocols. Although these schemes effectively obstruct the false data forwarding, they cannot make any detour around the compromised node to avoid it during data forwarding. In this article, we propose a discrete event simulation–based energy efficient path determination scheme that takes a detour around the compromised node against the attacks. Our proposed scheme extracts candidate paths considering the network status and selects a path with the highest energy efficiency from among the candidates using discrete event simulation. Simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme provides energy savings of up to 12% while maintaining the security strength against the two attacks compared to the existing schemes.
Trend-aware motion planning for wheeled mobile robots operating in dynamic environments
Authors: Liu Sheng , Dai Fengji , Zhang Shaobo , Wang Yangqing , Wang Zhenhua
Published: August 2020

Planning collision-free trajectories is essential for wheeled mobile robots operating in dynamic environments safely and efficiently. Most current trajectory generation methods focus on achieving optimal trajectories in static maps and considering dynamic obstacles as static depending on the precise motion estimation of the obstacles. However, in realistic applications, dealing with dynamic obstacles that have low reliable motion estimation is a common situation. Furthermore, inaccurate motion estimation leads to poor quality of motion prediction. To generate safe and smooth trajectories in such a dynamic environment, we propose a motion planning algorithm called trend-aware motion planning (TAMP) for dynamic obstacle avoidance, which combines with timed-elastic band. Instead of considering dynamic obstacles as static, our planning approach predicts the moving trends of the obstacles based on the given estimation. Subsequently, the approach generates a trajectory away from dynamic obstacles, meanwhile, avoiding the moving trends of the obstacles. To cope with multiple constraints, an optimization approach is adopted to refine the generated trajectory and minimize the cost. A comparison of our approach against other state-of-the-art methods is conducted. Results show that trajectories generated by TAMP are robust to handle the poor quality of obstacles’ motion prediction and have better efficiency and performance.
Robust tracking control of an underwater vehicle and manipulator system based on double closed-loop integral sliding mode
Authors: Wei Yanhui , Zheng Zhi , Li Qiangqiang , Jiang Zhilong , Yang Pengfei
Published: August 2020

A nonlinear robust control method for the trajectory tracking of the underwater vehicle and manipulator system that operates in the presence of external current disturbances is proposed using double closed-loop integral sliding mode control. The designed controller uses a double closed-loop control structure to track the desired trajectory in the joint space of the underwater vehicle and manipulator system, and its inner and outer loop systems use integral sliding surface to enhance the robustness of the whole system. Then, the continuous switching mode based on hyperbolic tangent function is used instead of the traditional discontinuous switching mode to reduce the chattering of the control input of the underwater vehicle and manipulator system. In addition, the control method proposed in this article does not need to estimate the uncertainties of the underwater vehicle and manipulator system control system through online identification, but also can ensure the robustness of the underwater vehicle and manipulator system motion control in underwater environment. Therefore, it is easier to be implemented on the embedded platform of the underwater vehicle and manipulator system and applied to the actual marine operation tasks. At last, the stability of the control system is proved by the Lyapunov theory, and its effectiveness and feasibility are verified by the simulation experiments in MATLAB software.
Factors Associated With Violence Against Women and Facial Trauma of a Representative Sample of the Brazilian Population: Results of a Retrospective Study
Authors: Mayrink Gabriela , Araújo Stella , Kindely Laisa , Marano Renato , Filho Aguimar Bourguinon de Mattos , de Assis Thassio Vidal , Jadijisky Manoel , de Oliveira Natacha Kalline
Published: August 2020

Study Design:

Violence against women is a challenge in public health. It involves women of all ages, socioeconomic statuses, cultures, and religions.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to perform an epidemiological survey of facial trauma among women who experienced physical aggression by an intimate partner.

Methods:

Electronic medical records from a public tertiary referral hospital for trauma in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo were analyzed between 2013 and 2018.

Results:

Patients were most commonly between 20 and 29 years of age (33.9%), and 50% of the patients were of mixed race. When separated by days of the week, facial trauma was most commonly inflicted on Sundays (24.2%) and on Saturdays (22.6%). Of the 62 women included in the study, 47 had facial fractures, and 7 had more than 1 concomitant fracture. Forty of the total fractures (72.7%) were on the middle and upper thirds of the face, while 15 fractures (27.3%) were on the lower third of the face. The most commonly observed signs and symptoms of these injuries were edema (56.5%), periorbital ecchymosis (35.5%), deviated nasal dorsum (22.6%), and hematoma (16.1%).

Conclusions:

Facial trauma may be considered an important marker of attempted femicide. Health care professionals must be aware of and attentive to this correlation, since many cases of attempted femicide go unnoticed or are attributed to another etiology.
Observation of Solute Transport between Articular Cartilage and Subchondral Bone in Live Mice
Authors: Huang Yang , Chen Cheng , Wang Fuyou , Chen Guangxin , Cheng Shidi , Tang Zhexiong , Li Zheng , Gong Xiaoyuan , Yang Liu
Published: August 2020

Objective

To establish a method for investigating the permeability of calcified cartilage zone (CCZ) and to observe solute transport between articular cartilage (AC) and subchondral bone (SB) through intact CCZ in vivo.

Design

We developed a novel fixing device combined with un-decalcified fluorescence observation method to address the permeability of CCZ in live mice. Twenty-four Balb/c female mice aged 1 to 8 months were used to observe the development of CCZ. Eighty-four Balb/c female mice (aged 1 or 6 months) with mature or immature CCZ of distal femur were used to investigate the permeability of intact CCZ in vivo. Diffusivity of rhodamine B (476 Da) and tetramethyl-rhodamine isothicyanate-dextran (TRITC-Dextran, 20 kDa) was tested from AC to SB in 0 minutes, 1 minute, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours. None diffused knee joints (0 minutes) served as blank control, while in vitro immersion of distal femurs in rhodamine B or TRITC-Dextran for 72 hours served as positive control.

Results

CCZ was well developed in 6-month mice. Both tracers penetrated immature CCZ down to SB in less than 1 hour in live mice, while the diffusion of both tracers decreased rapidly at tidemark in all testing time points.

Conclusion

Current study provided direct evidence of blocking effect of CCZ in solute transportation during short diffusion period in live animal, indicating the important role of CCZ in joint development and microenvironment maintenance.
The Concept of ‘Worker’ in the Free Movement of Workers and the Social Policy Directives: Perspectives from the Case Law of the Court of Justice
Authors: Février Vincent
Published: August 2020

The Concept of worker is the gateway to the access to the protection of labour and social security law. The Court of Justice of the European Union first defined this concept in the field of the Free Movement of Workers in the Lawrie-Blum case. The scope of this article is to compare the definitions used by the Court in the fields of the free movement of workers and in the Social Policy Directives, in order to ascertain to which extent they can differ. Our in-depth analysis of the case law offers a nuanced picture. On one hand, it highlights that the Court tries to extend the application of the Lawrie-Blum formula to Directives which do not refer back to the national definitions of a worker, but that specificities remain in this area, like the emphasis on the link of subordination. On the other hand, for Directives referring to a national concept of workers, the Court began recently to state that, even if the competence of the Member States on this question must be acknowledged, it is not limitless.
Trends in cardiovascular diseases burden and vascular risk factors in Italy: The Global Burden of Disease study 1990–2017
Authors: Cortesi Paolo A , Fornari Carla , Madotto Fabiana , Conti Sara , Naghavi Mohsen , Bikbov Boris , Briant Paul S , Caso Valeria , Crotti Giacomo , Johnson Catherine , Nguyen Minh , Palmieri Luigi , Perico Norberto , Profili Francesco , Remuzzi Giuseppe , Roth Gregory A , Traini Eugenio , Voller Fabio , Yadgir Simon , Mazzaglia Giampiero , Monasta Lorenzo , Giampaoli Simona , Mantovani Lorenzo G ,   the GBD 2017 Italy Cardiovascular Diseases Collaborators
Published: August 2020

Aims

An exhaustive and updated estimation of cardiovascular disease burden and vascular risk factors is still lacking in European countries. This study aims to fill this gap assessing the global Italian cardiovascular disease burden and its changes from 1990 to 2017 and comparing the Italian situation with European countries.

Methods

All accessible data sources from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study were used to estimate the cardiovascular disease prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years and cardiovascular disease attributable risk factors burden in Italy from 1990 to 2017. Furthermore, we compared the cardiovascular disease burden within the 28 European Union countries.

Results

Since 1990, we observed a significant decrease of cardiovascular disease burden, particularly in the age-standardised prevalence (–12.7%), mortality rate (–53.8%), and disability-adjusted life years rate (–55.5%). Similar improvements were observed in the majority of European countries. However, we found an increase in all-ages prevalence of cardiovascular diseases from 5.75 m to 7.49 m Italian residents. Cardiovascular diseases still remain the first cause of death (34.8% of total mortality). More than 80% of the cardiovascular disease burden could be attributed to known modifiable risk factors such as high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, high low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and impaired kidney function.

Conclusions

Our study shows a decline in cardiovascular mortality and disability-adjusted life years, which reflects the success in reducing disability, premature death and early incidence of cardiovascular diseases. However, the burden of cardiovascular diseases is still high. An approach that includes the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders of the Italian National Health System is required to further reduce this burden.
Cambridge Analytica’s black box
Authors: Hu Margaret
Published: August 2020

The Cambridge Analytica–Facebook scandal led to widespread concern over the methods deployed by Cambridge Analytica to target voters through psychographic profiling algorithms, built upon Facebook user data. The scandal ultimately led to a record-breaking $5 billion penalty imposed upon Facebook by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in July 2019. The FTC action, however, has been criticized as failing to adequately address the privacy and other harms emanating from Facebook’s release of approximately 87 million Facebook users’ data, which was exploited without user authorization. This Essay summarizes the FTC’s response to the Cambridge Analytica–Facebook scandal. It concludes that the scandal focuses attention on the need to explore the potential for embedding due process-type inquiries and protections within the enforcement actions by regulatory agencies such as the FTC. These protections are increasingly important in addressing the problem of “black boxing the voter” that is now presented by data- and algorithmic-driven companies such as Cambridge Analytica and Facebook.
Concordance between clinical diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism at hospital discharge and anatomopathological diagnosis
Authors: Rubio-Jurado Benjamín , Albores-Arguijo Rocío Concepción , Guerra-Soto Antonio , Plasencia-Ortiz Teresita , Tavarez-Macías Gerónimo , Huerta-Hernández Jennifer , Riebeling-Navarro Carlos , Nava-Zavala Arnulfo Hernán
Published: August 2020

Half of the cases of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) are not diagnosed because of its unspecific clinical presentation; in Mexico, autopsy data reveal a similar incidence to that of developed countries. The objective of this work was to know the concordance between the clinical diagnosis of PTE at hospital discharge and its autopsy diagnosis. The method used was a retrospective cohort study of cases with PTE diagnosis who attended from January 2005 to December 2013. Information was obtained from the autopsies registry and clinical charts. From 177,368 hospital discharges, there were 412 (6.74%) with PTE diagnosis. There were 13,559 deaths, with PTE diagnosis in 139 (1%) patients. There were 479 autopsies, and in 66 (14%) of whom PTE diagnosis was documented, the mean age was 55 years (range, 18–89 years). The premortem diagnosis of PTE at discharge was confirmed in 412 cases. Postmortem diagnosis of principal disease was medical in 49 (74%) and medical-surgical in 17 (26%) patients. We found that nine patients had the clinical diagnosis of PTE, unlike the postmortem diagnosis, which was reported in 66 autopsies. The above allows establishing a 1:7 ratio that represents 14%. D-dimer was determined in 11 cases (16%) and was positive in 8 (73%). Thromboprophylaxis was applied in 15 cases (23%). The study of necropsies and identification of discrepancies is needed to improve the diagnostic accuracy and healthcare quality. The evaluation of hemostasis biomarkers besides D-dimer can better describe the pro-thrombotic state, the risk of thrombosis, and its association with morbidity and mortality.