bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability, Validity and Responsiveness of the EQ-5D-5L in Assessing and Valuing Health Status in Adolescents and Young Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Trail
Authors: Dams Judith , Rimane Eline , Steil Regina , Renneberg Babette , Rosner Rita , König Hans-Helmut
Published: August 2020

To validate the EQ-5D-5L health-related quality of life (HrQoL) questionnaire in adolescents and young adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after sexual and/or physical abuse. We used data from a randomized controlled trial of 87 participants with PTSD aged 14–21 years. The discriminative ability was evaluated by comparing participants scores on the descriptive system of the EQ-5D-5L with general population scores. Furthermore, the discriminative ability between subgroups of participants with different disease severity levels was estimated. Correlations between the EQ-5D index and clinical parameters were used to measure construct validity. Test-retest reliability was measured by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between baseline, posttreatment and 3-month follow-up scores of participants with stable symptoms. Finally, the responsiveness of the EQ-5D was calculated by mean differences, effect sizes and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses for participants with improved symptoms. Participants reported significantly more problems on the dimensions “mobility”, “usual activities”, “pain/discomfort” and “anxiety/depression” than the general population. The EQ-5D-5L was able to discriminate between different disease severity levels. The EQ-5D index and clinical scales were significantly correlated with absolute values of correlation coefficients varying between 0.21 and 0.59. Furthermore, ICCs between 0.65 and 0.91 indicated good test-retest reliability for the EQ-5D index. The ICCs for the EQ-VAS between baseline and 3-month follow-up, and posttreatment and 3-month follow-up were statistically significant with 0.71 and 0.87, respectively, whereas the ICC between baseline and posttreatment was 0.08 and not statistically significant. Effect sizes to measure the responsiveness ranged between −0.008 and 0.40 for the EQ-5D index and − 0.32 and 0.40 for the EQ-VAS. Furthermore, the area under the curve in ROC analyses was between 0.40 and 0.64 for the EQ-5D index and 0.60 and 0.70 for the EQ-VAS. Discriminative ability, test-retest reliability and construct validity of the EQ-5D-5L were good, whereas the responsiveness was rather weak. Nevertheless, the EQ-5D-5L can be used to measure HrQoL in adolescents and young adults with PTSD. German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00004787; date of registration: 18th March 2013; https://www.drks.de
Using normative ethics for building a good evaluation of research practices: towards the assessment of researcher’s virtues
Authors: Daraio Cinzia , Vaccari Alessio
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we propose the adoption of moral philosophy and in particular normative ethics, to clarify the concept of “good” evaluation of “research practices”. Using MacIntyre (1985)’s notion of a practice we argue that research is a form of social practice. As a result of this characterization, we claim that research practice typically requires three typologies of researcher: theleader, thegoodresearcher and thehonestresearcher. Reflecting on what is a “good” research practice and on what is the role of researchers in it provides insight into some aspects of both the self-assessment process and how this promotes individual improvement. Moreover, this kind of reflection helps us to describe the functions (missions) of the research practices. A “good” evaluation should take into account all the building constituents of a “good” research practice and should be able to discriminate between good and bad research practices, while enforcing the functions of good research practices. We believe that these reflections may be the starting point for aparadigm shiftin the evaluation of research practices which replaces an evaluation centred onproductswith an evaluation focused on thefunctionsof these practices. In the last sections of the paper, we introduce and discuss an important aspect for the implementation of the proposed framework. This relates to the assessment of the virtues of researchers involved in a good research practice. Some examples of questions and preliminary items to include in a questionnaire for the assessment of Virtues in Research Practices are also provided.
Higher education: discipline or field of study?
Authors: Tight Malcolm
Published: August 2020

Higher education, or more strictly higher education studies, is sometimes referred to as a discipline, though it is more often referred to as a field, sector or area for study. But what is a discipline and does higher education studies, at its current state of development, qualify as one? This article re-considers these matters and comes to some conflicting conclusions. The issue of whether higher education studies is, or is not, a discipline should probably, therefore, be regarded as still open for debate.
Mediterranean alien harmful algal blooms: origins and impacts
Authors: Marampouti Christina , Buma Anita G. J. , de Boer M. Karin
Published: August 2020

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are mostly phytoplankton blooms, which have detrimental environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The Mediterranean Sea due to its enclosed nature is of special concern since it has an enormously rich native biodiversity. Though, it is also the world’s most invaded marine ecosystem and is considered at very high risk of future invasions. The aim of this review study is to explore the origins, establishment, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts of HABs caused by nonnative algal species in the Mediterranean Sea. Based on this, it is also discussed whether HABs form an increasing threat in the basin, and what could possibly be done to prevent or to minimize their impacts. The increasing rate of their introduction and the harmful impacts that they have on the environment, economy, and human health makes it important to have accurate knowledge about HABs. Anthropogenic activities and climate change are considered the main contributors of alien invasions but also the main enablers of HAB events. Mediterranean HABs are adequately studied, but there are no studies purposefully concerning invasive microalgae species in the basin. In the present study, 20 species have been identified, and an attempt has been made to collect their introduction information, as well as known or suspected impacts. Future research should be focused on data mining, current legislation updates, and monitoring of Mediterranean coastlines.
Deep learning-based fetoscopic mosaicking for field-of-view expansion
Authors: Bano Sophia , Vasconcelos Francisco , Tella-Amo Marcel , Dwyer George , Gruijthuijsen Caspar , Vander Poorten Emmanuel , Vercauteren Tom , Ourselin Sebastien , Deprest Jan , Stoyanov Danail
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which involves localization and ablation of abnormal vascular connections on the placenta to regulate the blood flow in both fetuses. This procedure is particularly challenging due to the limited field of view, poor visibility, occasional bleeding, and poor image quality. Fetoscopic mosaicking can help in creating an image with the expanded field of view which could facilitate the clinicians during the TTTS procedure.

Methods

We propose a deep learning-based mosaicking framework for diverse fetoscopic videos captured from different settings such as simulation, phantoms, ex vivo, and in vivo environments. The proposed mosaicking framework extends an existing deep image homography model to handle video data by introducing the controlled data generation and consistent homography estimation modules. Training is performed on a small subset of fetoscopic images which are independent of the testing videos.

Results

We perform both quantitative and qualitative evaluations on 5 diverse fetoscopic videos (2400 frames) that captured different environments. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed framework, a comparison is performed with the existing feature-based and deep image homography methods.

Conclusion

The proposed mosaicking framework outperformed existing methods and generated meaningful mosaic, while reducing the accumulated drift, even in the presence of visual challenges such as specular highlights, reflection, texture paucity, and low video resolution.
Exogenous application of plant hormones in the field alters aboveground plant–insect responses and belowground nutrient availability, but does not lead to differences in plant–soil feedbacks
Authors: Heinen Robin , Steinauer Katja , De Long Jonathan R. , Jongen Renske , Biere Arjen , Harvey Jeffrey A. , Bezemer T. Martijn
Published: August 2020

Plant–soil feedbacks of plants that are exposed to herbivory have been shown to differ from those of plants that are not exposed to herbivores. Likely, this process is mediated by jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) defense pathways, which are induced by aboveground herbivory. Furthermore, exogenous application of these phytohormones to plants alters belowground communities, but whether this changes plant–soil feedbacks in natural systems is unknown. We applied exogenous sprays of JA and SA individually and in combination to field plots in a restored grassland. Control plots were sprayed with demineralized water. After three repeated application rounds, we transplanted seedlings of the plant–soil feedback model plant Jacobaea vulgaris as phytometer plants to test the effects of potential phytohormone-mediated changes in the soil, on plant performance during the response phase. We further measured how exogenous application of phytohormones altered plant-related ecosystem characteristics (plot-level); soil chemistry, plot productivity, insect communities and predation. Biomass of the phytometer plants only co-varied with plot productivity, but was not influenced by phytohormone applications. However, we did observe compound-specific effects of SA application on insect communities, most notably on parasitoid attraction, and of JA application on soil nitrogen levels. Although we did not find effects on plant–soil feedbacks, the effects of exogenous application of phytohormones did alter other ecosystem-level processes related to soil nutrient cycling, which may lead to legacy effects in the longer term. Furthermore, exogenous application of phytohormones led to altered attraction of specific insect groups.
Destabilization of bitumen-coated fine solids in oil through water-assisted flocculation using biomolecules extracted from guar beans
Authors: Santander Camila , Liu Jing , Tan Xiaoli , Liu Qi , Zeng Hongbo
Published: August 2020

Non-aqueous extraction (NAE) of bitumen from oil sands has been gaining great attention from both the industry and academia as an alternative to the water-based extraction. A fine solids removal step is important for a NAE process in order to obtain high-quality bitumen product, which, however, remains a great challenge to reduce the fine solids content to the desired level. Here, we introduce a strategy of destabilizing the bitumen-coated silica particles in toluene with the addition of water and biomolecules extracted from Cyamopsiste tragonolobuosr L. Taup., i.e., high molecular weight guar gum (HGG) and low molecular weight guar gum (LGG), respectively. By virtue of sedimentation tests and focused beam reflectance measurement analysis, we demonstrate that the introduced water droplets modified with these biomolecules can facilitate the settling of the solid particles in toluene although the underlying mechanisms differ between these two biomolecule cases. Specifically, in the case of LGG, the added water droplets with the interfacial amphiphilic LGG can strengthen the attachment of solid particles from bulk toluene to the LGG surface. This research work provides useful insight into the development of effective approaches for destabilization and removal of bitumen-coated fine solids from NAE bitumen.
Cadmium Intake, Dietary Patterns and Hyperuricemia Among Adults in China
Authors: Shi Zumin
Published: August 2020

Blood and urine cadmium levels have been found to be positively associated with hyperuricemia (HU) in some studies. Few studies have examined the association between dietary cadmium intake, dietary patterns and HU in the Chinese population. The study analysed data from 8429 adults who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day 24 h food record in seven waves of survey (1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2009). Serum uric acid was measured in 2009. Dietary pattern was identified using factor analysis. The association between cumulative dietary cadmium intake, dietary patterns and HU was assessed using logistic regression. In total, 1737 (16.3%) participants had HU in the study sample. After adjusting for demographic, lifestyle factors (i.e. smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity) and chronic conditions, the OR for HU was 2.25 (95%CI 1.84–2.77, p for trend < 0.001) for extreme quartiles of estimated cumulative cadmium intake. A traditional southern dietary pattern characterized by high intake of rice, pork, fish and vegetables, and low intake of wheat was associated with three times increased prevalence of HU; comparing the extreme quartiles, the odds ratio (OR) was 3.24 (95%CI 2.61–4.01). No association between the modern dietary pattern (high intake of fruit, soymilk, egg, milk and deep fried products) and HU was found. In conclusion, traditional southern dietary pattern and cadmium intake are positively associated with hyperuricemia among Chinese adults.
A numerical investigation on the performance of hydraulic fracturing in naturally fractured gas reservoirs based on stimulated rock volume
Authors: Al-Rubaye Ali , Ben Mahmud Hisham Khaled
Published: August 2020

All reservoirs are fractured to some degree. Depending on the density, dimension, orientation and the cementation of natural fractures and the location where the hydraulic fracturing is done, preexisting natural fractures can impact hydraulic fracture propagation and the associated flow capacity. Understanding the interactions between hydraulic fracture and natural fractures is crucial in estimating fracture complexity, stimulated reservoir volume, drained reservoir volume and completion efficiency. However, because of the presence of natural fractures with diffuse penetration and different orientations, the operation is complicated in naturally fractured gas reservoirs. For this purpose, two numerical methods are proposed for simulating the hydraulic fracture in a naturally fractured gas reservoir. However, what hydraulic fracture looks like in the subsurface, especially in unconventional reservoirs, remain elusive, and many times, field observations contradict our common beliefs. In this study, the hydraulic fracture model is considered in terms of the state of tensions, on the interaction between the hydraulic fracture and the natural fracture (45°), and the effect of length and height of hydraulic fracture developed and how to distribute induced stress around the well. In order to determine the direction in which the hydraulic fracture is formed strikethrough, the finite difference method and the individual element for numerical solution are used and simulated. The results indicate that the optimum hydraulic fracture time was when the hydraulic fracture is able to connect natural fractures with large streams and connected to the well, and there is a fundamental difference between the tensile and shear opening. The analysis indicates that the growing hydraulic fracture, the tensile and shear stresses applied to the natural fracture.
Forecasting mortality rates using hybrid Lee–Carter model, artificial neural network and random forest
Authors: Hong Wei Hong , Yap Jia Hui , Selvachandran Ganeshsree , Thong Pham Huy , Son Le Hoang
Published: August 2020

Inaccurate prediction would cause the insurance company encounter catastrophic losses and may lead to overpriced premiums where low-earning consumers cannot afford to insure themselves. The ability to forecast mortality rates accurately can allow the insurance company to take preventive measures to introduce new policies with reasonable prices. In this paper, several Lee–Carter (LC) based models are used to forecast the mortality rates in a case study of the Malaysian population. The LC-ARIMA model and also a combination of the LC model with two machine learning (ML) methods, namely the random forest (RF) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods are utilized on the prediction of mortality rates for males and females in Malaysia, whereby the LC-Random Forest (LC-RF) hybrid model is a new model that is introduced in this paper. Seventeen years of mortality data in Malaysia are selected as the dataset for this research. To analyze how the forecasting models perform for other countries, we have determined the model that has the best fit and produced the best forecasted mortality rates for all the other countries that are studied. This research has showed that LC-ANN and LC-ARIMA are the best model in predicting the mortality rates of males and females in Malaysia, respectively. This study has also found that the LC-ARIMA model is the best performing model in forecasting the mortality rates in countries that have longer life expectancy and a good healthcare system such as Sweden, Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, Norway, Switzerland and Czechia. In contrast, the LC-ANN model is the best performing model in forecasting the mortality rates in countries that have a less efficiency, less accessibility healthcare system, and bad personal behavior such as Malaysia, Canada and Latvia.
Kinetic and thermodynamic investigations of CO2 gasification of coal chars prepared via conventional and microwave pyrolysis
Authors: Jiang Peng , Meng Yang , Lu Ziyao , Xu Lan , Yang Gang , Luo Xiang , Shi Kaiqi , Wu Tao
Published: August 2020

This study examined an isothermal CO2 gasification of four chars prepared via two different methods, i.e., conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis, by the approach of thermogravimetric analysis. Physical, chemical, and structural behaviours of chars were examined using ultimate analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electronic microscopy. Kinetic parameters were calculated by applying the shrinking unreacted core (SCM) and random pore (RPM) models. Moreover, char-CO2 gasification was further simulated by using Aspen Plus to investigate thermodynamic performances in terms of syngas composition and cold gas efficiency (CGE). The microwave-induced char has the largest C/H mass ratio and most ordered carbon structure, but the smallest gasification reactivity. Kinetic analysis indicates that the RPM is better for describing both gasification conversion and reaction rates of the studied chars, and the activation energies and pre-exponential factors varied in the range of 78.45–194.72 kJ/mol and 3.15–102,231.99 s−1, respectively. In addition, a compensation effect was noted during gasification. Finally, the microwave-derived char exhibits better thermodynamic performances than the conventional chars, with the highest CGE and CO molar concentration of 1.30% and 86.18%, respectively. Increasing the pyrolysis temperature, gasification temperature, and CO2-to-carbon molar ratio improved the CGE.
Species composition, blood meal sources and insecticide susceptibility status of Culex mosquitoes from Jimma area, Ethiopia
Authors: Guta Wondmagegn , Simma Eba Alemayehu , Yewhalaw Delenasaw
Published: August 2020

Different species ofCulexmosquitoes are present in high numbers in many other countries in addition to sub-Saharan Africa and Asian countries.Culexmosquitoes are serious nuisance which also transmit a range of pathogens including several viruses such as West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis, and Rift Valley fever, as well as parasites such as avian malaria, and filarial worms. In Ethiopia, unlikeAnophelesmosquitoes, little effort was given to study habitat, species composition, blood meal sources and insecticide susceptibility status ofCulexmosquitoes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the species composition, their blood meal source and insecticide susceptibility status ofCulexmosquitoes to some of selected insecticides in Jimma town southwest Ethiopia. Culicine mosquito larvae were collected using a standard dipper (by dipping) from a range of breeding sites and reared to adults. Species identification was carried out using standard keys. Bioassay tests were performed on adults to assess the susceptibility ofCulexmosquitoes to insecticide-impregnated papers with Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT (4%), mlathion (5%), bendiocarb (0.1%), propoxur (0.1%), deltamethrin (0.05%) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.25) following World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) guideline. Moreover, 184 blood fed (BF)Culexmosquitoes were collected using aspirator from indoor and outdoor resting and assayed to assess blood meal sources using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The result of the study showed that among the collectedCulexmoquitoes, two species were identified asCulex quinquefasciatusandCx antennatuswhereas the remaining one could not be identified to species level.Culexmosquitoes were found to be resistant to DDT, malathion, bendiocarb, propoxur, and deltamethrin whereas susceptible to pirimiphos-methyl. The blood meal source analysis using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) showed higher blood source of human (33.2%) than bovine (15.2%). Thus, the observed resistance to the most of the insecticides coupled with higher human blood meal source calls further studies to be carried out inCulexmosquito populations of Ethiopia.
Moving a Team-Based Freshmen Biomedical Engineering and Design Course Online
Authors: Haase Eileen
Published: August 2020

Team projects and in-class interactions are the hallmark of a freshmen introductory course in biomedical engineering (BME). Our challenge was to continue team activities, mentoring, and the semester-long design project in a virtual environment after in-person classes ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper highlights some of the adaptations required to continue a large (n = 124) team-based course with students located throughout the world. Breaking up planned in-class activities into small individual assignments followed by team meetings gave groups a starting point for their discussions. Mentoring panels with upperclassmen were actually enhanced through the inclusion of alumni in a virtual environment. The end-of-semester anonymous survey results indicate that 81% of the freshmen agreed or strongly agreed that the course objectives were met, and 75% believed that the team assignments were useful learning experiences. In spite of the sudden shift to online learning, we were able to continue with both short-term and semester-long team activities.
Wear-resistant sintered material aims to reduce the use of cobalt in vehicle engine applications
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: August 2020

In a move that aims to reduce the use of the metal cobalt in engine components, Tenneco Inc's Powertrain business group is developing a wear-resistant sintered material. The company – which provides pistons, piston rings, cylinder liners, valve seats, and seals and gaskets, amongst other products and systems – says that demanding applications which typically rely on cobalt to provide wear resistance under high temperatures will benefit from using this material.
Impacts of Health Services on Agricultural Labor Productivity of Rural Households in Burkina Faso
Authors: Combary Omer , Traore Salimata
Published: August 2020

This article has used the method of instrumental variables to evaluate the impact of health services on the productivity of rural households’ farming labor in Burkina Faso. The distance from the household's homestead to the Health and Social Promotion Center (HSPC) was considered as an instrumental variable. The results revealed that resorting to a HSPC in case of an unexpected illness in the rainy season significantly improves the farm labor productivity by FCFA 3170.5880 per person-day. For improving agricultural productivity, we suggest that public decision-makers should focus on the availability and the quality of HSPC services in rural areas.
Legal Games – Political Goals
Authors: Hurd Ian
Published: August 2020

As he searches for differences in how democratic and authoritarian governments use international law, Tom Ginsburg highlights—perhaps inadvertently—the fact that both kinds of regime use law as a tool to advance their goals. Governments’ goals may differ, both within and across regime types, but the instrumental use of law in the service of political ends does not. Ginsburg's article permits three distinct readings: it is an effort to show a correlation between regime-type and uses of international law; it is also an argument that the historical-normative core of international law included the promotion of “liberal” goals such as human rights and democracy; and third, it is a defense of the meta-claim that law follows the political purposes of society's powerful actors. This third contribution is the quietest in the article but is arguably the most important. Because the methodological difficulties in correlating regime type with attitude toward international law are insuperable, Ginsburg's contribution is that he directs attention to the substantive goals that governments pursue through law and to the tradeoffs that follow as one goal wins over others. The normative valence of international law depends on how one feels about these practical tradeoffs; those whose interests are harmed by international law have good reason to feel disadvantaged.
Behavioural climate policy
Authors: VAN DER LINDEN SANDER , PEARSON ADAM R. , VAN BOVEN LEAF
Published: August 2020

Global climate change is the largest existential threat of our time. Glaciers are retreating, sea levels are rising, extreme weather is intensifying and the last four years have been the hottest on record (NASA, 2020; World Meteorological Organization, 2020). Although climate change is already significantly impacting natural and human systems around the world, mitigating further and potentially disastrous climate change will require large-scale individual and collective action, including public support for mitigation policies, as well as the more rapid development and implementation of adaptation plans (van der Linden et al., 2015; Pearson et al., 2016).
Nitroglycerin Is Not Associated with Improved Cerebral Perfusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kate Mahesh , Gioia Laura , Asdaghi Negar , Jeerakathil Thomas , Shuaib Ashfaq , Buck Brian , Emery Derek , Beaulieu Christian , Butcher Kenneth
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The study was conducted to test the hypothesis that nitroglycerin (NTG) increases cerebral perfusion focally and globally in acute ischemic stroke patients, using serial perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) magnetic resonance imaging measurements.

Patients and methods:

Thirty-five patients underwent PWI immediately before and 72 h after administration of a transdermal NTG patch or no treatment. Patients with baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 100 mmHg (NTG group, n = 20) were treated with transdermal NTG (0.2 mg/h) for 72 h, without a nitrate-free interval. Patients with MAP ≤ 100 mmHg (untreated group, n = 15) were not treated. The primary outcome measure was absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the hypoperfused region at 72 h.

Results:

The mean baseline absolute CBF in the hypoperfused region was similar in the NTG group (33.3 ± 10.2 ml/100 g/min) and untreated (32.7 ± 8.4 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.4) groups. The median (IQR) baseline infarct volume was 10.4 (2.5–49.3) ml in the NTG group and 32.6 (8.6–96.7) ml in the untreated group (p = 0.09). MAP change in the NTG group was 1.2 ± 12.6 and 8 ± 20.7 mmHg at 2 h and 72 h, respectively. Mean absolute CBF in the hypoperfused region at 72 h was similar in the NTG (29.9 ± 12 ml/100 g/min) and untreated groups (24.1 ± 10 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.8). The median infarct volume increased in untreated (11.8 (5.7–44.2) ml) than the NTG group (3.2 (0.5–16.5) ml; p = 0.033) on univariate analysis, however, there was no difference on regression analysis.

Conclusion:

NTG was not associated with improvement in cerebral perfusion in acute ischemic stroke patients.
Absence of nosocomial influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era: Implication of universal masking in hospitals
Authors: Wong Shuk-Ching , Lam Germaine Kit-Ming , AuYeung Christine Ho-Yan , Chan Veronica Wing-Man , Wong Newton Lau-Dan , So Simon Yung-Chun , Chen Jonathan Hon-Kwan , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung
Published: August 2020

Universal masking for healthcare workers and patients in hospitals was adopted to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with compliance rates of 100% and 75.9%, respectively. Zero rates of nosocomial influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus infection were achieved from February to April 2020, which was significantly lower than the corresponding months in 2017–2019.
Validation and calibration of the Eating Assessment in Toddlers FFQ (EAT FFQ) for children, used in the Growing Up Milk – Lite (GUMLi) randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lovell Amy L. , Davies Peter S. W. , Hill Rebecca J. , Milne Tania , Matsuyama Misa , Jiang Yannan , Chen Rachel X. , Heath Anne-Louise M. , Grant Cameron C. , Wall Clare R.
Published: August 2020

The Eating Assessment in Toddlers FFQ (EAT FFQ) has been shown to have good reliability and comparative validity for ranking nutrient intakes in young children. With the addition of food items (n4), we aimed to re-assess the validity of the EAT FFQ and estimate calibration factors in a sub-sample of children (n97) participating in the Growing Up Milk – Lite (GUMLi) randomised control trial (2015–2017). Participants completed the ninety-nine-item GUMLi EAT FFQ and record-assisted 24-h recalls (24HR) on two occasions. Energy and nutrient intakes were assessed at months 9 and 12 post-randomisation and calibration factors calculated to determine predicted estimates from the GUMLi EAT FFQ. Validity was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients, weighted kappa (κ) and exact quartile categorisation. Calibration was calculated using linear regression models on 24HR, adjusted for sex and treatment group. Nutrient intakes were significantly correlated between the GUMLi EAT FFQ and 24HR at both time points. Energy-adjusted, de-attenuated Pearson correlations ranged from 0·3 (fibre) to 0·8 (Fe) at 9 months and from 0·3 (Ca) to 0·7 (Fe) at 12 months. Weighted κ for the quartiles ranged from 0·2 (Zn) to 0·6 (Fe) at 9 months and from 0·1 (total fat) to 0·5 (Fe) at 12 months. Exact agreement ranged from 30 to 74 %. Calibration factors predicted up to 56 % of the variation in the 24HR at 9 months and 44 % at 12 months. The GUMLi EAT FFQ remained a useful tool for ranking nutrient intakes with similar estimated validity compared with other FFQ used in children under 2 years.
Association between consumption frequency of honey and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: results from a cross-sectional analysis based on the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Shunming , Wu Xiaohui , Bian Shanshan , Zhang Qing , Liu Li , Meng Ge , Yao Zhanxin , Wu Hongmei , Gu Yeqing , Wang Yawen , Sun Shaomei , Wang Xing , Zhou Ming , Jia Qiyu , Song Kun , Niu Kaijun
Published: August 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Recent evidence has suggested the protective effects of honey consumption against the metabolic syndrome, but the association between honey intake and NAFLD is still unclear. We investigated how the consumption frequency of honey was associated with NAFLD in the general population. This was a cross-sectional study of 21 979 adults aged 20–90 years. NAFLD was diagnosed based on the ultrasound-diagnosed fatty liver without significant alcohol intake and other liver diseases. Diet information, including consumption frequency of honey, was assessed by a validated 100-item FFQ. OR with 95 % CI were calculated by the binary logistic regression model, adjusting for confounding factors identified by the directed acyclic graph. Overall, 6513 adults (29·6 %) had NAFLD. Compared with participants consuming ≤1 time/week of honey, the multivariable OR of NAFLD were 0·86 (95 % CI 0·77, 0·97) for 2–6 times/week and 1·10 (95 % CI 0·95, 1·27) for ≥1 times/d (Pfor trend= 0·90). The results were generally similar in subgroups of BMI at a cut-point of 24·0 kg/m2(Pfor interaction= 0·10). In this large-scale study, consuming honey 2–6 times/week was inversely associated with NAFLD, whereas consuming honey ≥1 times/d had no association with NAFLD. These results need replication in other large-scale prospective studies.
FINITE GROUPS WITH THE SAME JOIN GRAPH AS A FINITE NILPOTENT GROUP
Authors: LUCCHINI ANDREA
Published: August 2020

Given a finite group G, we denote by Δ(G) the graph whose vertices are the proper subgroups of G and in which two vertices H and K are joined by an edge if and only if G = ⟨H, K⟩. We prove that if there exists a finite nilpotent group X with Δ(G) ≅ Δ(X), then G is supersoluble.
Concordance in spousal reports of current contraceptive use in India
Authors: Govil Dipti , Khosla Nidhi
Published: August 2020

Couple-level reports of contraceptive use are important as wives and husbands may report their use differently. Using matched couple data (N = 63,060) from India’s NFHS-4 (2015–16), this study examined concordance in spousal reports of current contraceptive use and its differentials. Reporting of contraceptive use was higher among wives (59.0%) than husbands (25.2%). Concordance was low; 16.5% of couples reported the current use of the same method, while 20.4% reported the current use of any method. Many husbands did not report female sterilization as a means of contraception being used by their wives. Reconstruction of contraceptive use among men, based on the ‘ever-use of sterilization’ question asked to men, increased concordance by 10%. Multivariate analyses showed that concordance was low in urban and southern India, among younger women and among women with a lower wealth index. Men’s control over household decision-making and negative attitudes towards contraception were associated with lower concordance. The findings highlight the importance of using couple-level data to estimate contraceptive prevalence, and the role of education programmes to inculcate positive attitudes towards contraception, fostering gender equality and involving men in family planning efforts. The results also raise the issue of data quality as the survey questions were asked differently to men and women, which might have contributed to the wide observed discordance.
The Ethnic Ecocritical Animal: Animal protagonists and ethnic environmentalism in contemporary Sino-Mongolian literature and art
Authors: BARANOVITCH NIMROD
Published: August 2020

Drawing on ideas from ecocriticism, literary animal studies, and post-colonial studies, as well as anthropology and cultural studies, this article examines the representations of animals in contemporary Sino-Mongolian literature and art, and the various connections between these representations and issues related to ethnic and environmental politics. I propose that the intensive engagement of Chinese-Mongolian writers and artists with animals is related first and foremost to the central role that animals, both wild and domesticated, have traditionally played in Mongolian nomadic pastoralist culture. However, I also argue that it is closely connected to two interrelated processes that are currently taking place in Inner Mongolia: the severe degradation of the Inner Mongolian grassland and the rapid sinicization of China's Mongols. I suggest that in the context of this environmental and cultural crisis, the engagement with animals reflects anxiety about the fate of the Inner Mongolian grassland, the fate of real animals, which, for centuries, have been closely associated with this landscape and Mongolian nomadic culture, and, most importantly, the fate of Mongolian culture itself. I also argue that Sino-Mongolian writers and artists use literary and artistic animals to construct and assert Mongolianness as part of their search for an ‘authentic’ ethnic identity, and to comment critically on the impact that Chinese domination has had on the Inner Mongolian grassland, its indigenous human and non-human inhabitants, and Mongolian culture and identity. Finally, I propose that through their ethnic environmentalism, Chinese-Mongolian artists and writers have made an important contribution to the development of China's environmental movement.
In vitro efficacy of anthelmintics on Angiostrongylus cantonensis L3 larvae
Authors: Jacob John , Tan Ghee , Lange Ingo , Saeed Hiwa , Date Abhijit , Jarvi Susan
Published: August 2020

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide, with life-threatening complications if not managed correctly. Previous in vitro studies have utilized change in motility patterns of adult female worms to assess the efficacy of anthelmintics qualitatively. However, it is the third stage larvae (L3) that are infectious to humans. With differential staining using propidium iodide penetration as the indicator of death, we can distinguish between dead and live larvae. This assay has enabled us to quantify the in vitro efficacy of nine clinically established anthelmintics on A. cantonensis L3. All drugs were tested at a 1 mm concentration. Piperazine and niclosamide were ineffective in inducing larval death; however, albendazole sulfoxide, pyrantel pamoate, diethylcarbamazine, levamisole and praziquantel were effective as compared to unexposed controls (P < 0.05). Ivermectin and moxidectin did not induce significant levels of mortality, but they considerably reduced larval motility almost immediately. This study indicates the need for further in vivo studies to determine the optimal dose and time frame for post-infection treatment with anthelmintics that demonstrated efficacy.
Investigation of the relationship between CE cyst characteristics and genetic diversity of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in humans from Turkey
Authors: Örsten Serra , Çiftçi Türkmen , Azizova Aynur , Yüce Gökhan , Uysal Aycan , İmamoğlu Çetin , Karaağaoğlu Ergun , Akıncı Devrim , Akyön Yakut , Casulli Adriano , Akhan Okan
Published: August 2020

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide, particularly in rural areas. This study aimed at the identification of the genotype/species belonging to Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) specimens in retrieved percutaneously from the human host and to investigate their relationship with cyst characteristics. The genetic identification of cyst material was performed by mt-CO1 gene polymerase chain reaction, and confirmed via sequencing. A total of 110 CE cysts were identified as E. granulosus s.l. In detail, 104 belonged to E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1 and G3) and six isolates were in the E. canadensis cluster (G6/7). All clusters were tested for the relationship between demographics, cyst features and genetic diversity. The relationship between genetic variation and certain clinical characteristics such as cyst volume and location were statistically significant for G6/7 cluster. Further studies are required with a larger sample set to investigate the relationship between the genetic variability of E. granulosus s.l. and cyst features.
Domestication of Phoebe cooperiana in the Eastern Himalayas: population variation in morphological and biochemical fruit parameters
Authors: Dolley Narang , Lyngdoh Nicolee , Singh Siddhartha , Singh Mayanglambam Chandrakumar , Devi Mongjam Bishwapati , Hazarika Budhindra Nath
Published: August 2020

Phoebe cooperiana U.N Kanjilal ex A. Das is an indigenous forest tree species yielding fruits consumed widely across the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India. As part of an initiative to domesticate the species, phenotypic variation in fruit and seed morphology as well as the biochemical properties of the pulp were assessed for 14 populations within the state. Nine fruit and seed characters were measured and 12 biochemical parameters of the fruits were analysed. Five trees were selected from each population and a minimum of 30 fruits were collected from each tree. Analysis of variance indicated significant variation in all fruit and seed morphological parameters. The coefficient of variation for fruit weight was reported to be 5.02%, seed weight 5.60%, pulp weight 5.36% and pulp fruit ratio 4.14%. Among biochemical parameters which are of nutritive value, crude protein, vitamin E and A were higher than that found in most common fruits and vegetables. These traits also showed significant variation among the 14 selected populations with crude protein values ranging between 5.99 and 10.76%, vitamin E between 4.80 and 7.33 mg/100 g and vitamin A between 1.88 and 3.13 mg/100 g. The fruits are also high in phenol with a mean value of 22.19 mg/g and displayed promising 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging properties averaging 56.94% antioxidant activity. However, cyanogen content in the fruits was higher than the permissible amount for human consumption, for which processing is recommended before use. The opportunities for domestication are discussed and some promising traits and populations that can be utilized in the domestication programme are identified.
Women Leaders and Policy Compliance during a Public Health Crisis
Authors: Bauer Nichole M. , Kim Jeong Hyun , Kweon Yesola
Published: August 2020

How does the gender of a political leader affect policy compliance of the public during a public health crisis? State and national leaders have taken a variety of policy measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, with varying levels of success. While many female leaders have been credited with containing the spread of COVID-19, often through implementing strict policy measures, there is little understanding of how individuals respond to public health policy recommendations made by female and male leaders. This article investigates whether citizens are more willing to comply with strict policy recommendations about a public health issue when those recommendations are made by a female leader rather than a male leader. Using a survey experiment with American citizens, we compare individuals’ willingness to comply with policy along three dimensions: social distancing, face covering, and contact tracing. Our findings show that a leader's gender has little impact on policy compliance in general during the pandemic. These findings carry important implications for successful crisis management as well as understanding how a crisis in a nonmasculine issue context influences the effectiveness of a leader's ability to implement measures to mitigate the crisis.
Of Masks and Men? Gender, Sex, and Protective Measures during COVID-19
Authors: Cassino Dan , Besen-Cassino Yasemin
Published: August 2020

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, men have been consistently less likely to report wearing a protective face mask. There are several possible reasons for this difference, including partisanship and gender identity. Using a national live-caller telephone survey that measures gender identity, we show that men's gender identities are strongly related to their views of mask wearing, especially when gender identity is highly salient to the individual. The effects of this interaction of sex and gender are shown to be separate from the effects of partisanship. While partisanship is a significant driver of attitudes about face masks, within partisan groups, men who report “completely” masculine gender identities are very different from their fellow partisans.
“The Dress-Clad, Out Loud Singer of Queer Punks”: Bradford Cox and the Performance of Disability
Authors: HOLMES JESSICA A.
Published: August 2020

Bradford Cox's physical appearance has mystified audiences, critics, and fans since the inception of his American indie rock band Deerhunter in the early 2000s. As the band's frontman, Cox is 6’4” with an exceptionally thin, angular frame, physical effects associated with Marfan syndrome. Yet many critics and fans do not recognize that he has a disability per se, instead speculating about possible anorexia, drug abuse, mental illness, and even his gender and sexual orientation. Through analysis of Cox's reception and creative output, I argue that the simultaneous fetishization and normalization of his body is due to its resonance with two overlapping countercultural discourses: the current idealization of thinness in indie rock as it both extends and departs from an earlier tradition of freakery and androgyny in punk. I show that Cox resists what he views as the masculine heteronormativity and performative apathy of indie rock through “freakish” sartorial reference to his androgynous punk idols PJ Harvey, Joey Ramone, and Patti Smith, an aesthetic that for Cox is vitally queer. Cox uses his solo musical output to further convey his alienation as a queer-disabled male artist: through his lyrics, album art, and specific vocal affectations and production techniques, he establishes a continuity across the visual and sonic registers of his identity to ultimately achieve a sense of belonging.
“This Is Ghetto Row”: Musical Segregation in American College Football
Authors: MCCLUSKEY JOHN MICHAEL
Published: August 2020

A historical overview of college football's participants exemplifies the diversification of mainstream American culture from the late nineteenth century to the twenty-first. The same cannot be said for the sport's audience, which remains largely white American. Gerald Gems maintains that football culture reinforces the construction of American identity as “an aggressive, commercial, white, Protestant, male society.” Ken McLeod echoes this perspective in his description of college football's musical soundscape, “white-dominated hard rock, heavy metal, and country music—in addition to marching bands.” This article examines musical segregation in college football, drawing from case studies and interviews conducted in 2013 with university music coordinators from the five largest collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. These case studies reveal several trends in which music is used as a tool to manipulate and divide college football fans and players along racial lines, including special sections for music associated with blackness, musical selections targeted at recruits, and the continued position of the marching band—a European military ensemble—as the musical representative of the sport. These areas reinforce college football culture as a bastion of white strength despite the diversity among player demographics.
Protean power as a plea for an open social ontology, non-efficient causal explanations, and cautious political practice
Authors: Guzzini Stefano
Published: August 2020

This paper probes the attempt to use power analysis to link three domains: ontology, explanation, and the strategy of political actors. It shows how Katzenstein and Seybert develop an open social ontology that serves as the backdrop for explanations that need to be causal but indeterminate, and a cautious political practice. It exposes tensions in two important links. First, the open ontology becomes retranslated as an explanatory cause. Second, the call for being cautious because of ‘unknown unknowns’ may just as well invite strategies of doubling down in control power.