bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long Noncoding RNA
Ahit
Protects Against Cardiac Hypertrophy Through SUZ12 (Suppressor of Zeste 12 Protein Homolog)-Mediated Downregulation of MEF2A (Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2A)
Authors: Yu Junyi , Yang Yang , Xu Zaicheng , Lan Cong , Chen Caiyu , Li Chuanwei , Chen Zhi , Yu Cheng , Xia Xuewei , Liao Qiao , Jose Pedro A. , Zeng Chunyu , Wu Gengze
Published: January 2020

Background:

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) can regulate various physiological and pathological processes through multiple molecular mechanisms in cis and in trans. However, the role of lncRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy is yet to be fully elucidated.

Methods:

A mouse lncRNA microarray was used to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs in the mouse hearts following transverse aortic constriction–induced pressure overload comparing to the sham-operated samples. The direct impact of one lncRNA,
Ahit,
on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was characterized in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in response to phenylephrine by targeted knockdown and overexpression. The in vivo function of
Ahit
was analyzed in mouse hearts by using cardiac-specific adeno-associated virus, serotype 9–short hairpin RNA to knockdown
Ahit
in combination with transverse aortic constriction. Using catRAPID program, an interaction between
Ahit
and SUZ12 (suppressor of zeste 12 protein homolog) was predicted and validated by RNA immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting following RNA pull-down. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed to determine SUZ12 or H3K27me3 occupancy on the MEF2A (myocyte enhancer factor 2A) promoter. Finally, the expression of human
Ahit
(leukemia-associated noncoding IGF1R activator RNA 1 [LUNAR1]) in the serum samples from patients of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

A previously unannotated lncRNA, antihypertrophic interrelated transcript (
Ahit
), was identified to be upregulated in the mouse hearts after transverse aortic constriction. Inhibition of
Ahit
induced cardiac hypertrophy, both in vitro and in vivo, associated with increased expression of MEF2A, a critical transcriptional factor involved in cardiac hypertrophy. In contrast, overexpression of
Ahit
significantly attenuated stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vitro. Furthermore,
Ahit
was significantly upregulated in serum samples of patients diagnosed with hypertensive heart disease versus nonhypertrophic hearts (1.46±0.17 fold,
P
=0.0325). Mechanistically,
Ahit
directly bound and recruited SUZ12, a core PRC2 (polycomb repressive complex 2) protein, to the promoter of MEF2A, triggering its trimethylation on H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) residues and mediating the downregulation of MEF2A, thereby preventing cardiac hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

Ahit
is a lncRNA with a significant role in cardiac hypertrophy regulation through epigenomic modulation.
Ahit
is a potential therapeutic target of cardiac hypertrophy.
Effects of Sodium Reduction on Energy, Metabolism, Weight, Thirst, and Urine Volume
Authors: Juraschek Stephen P. , Miller Edgar R. , Chang Alexander R. , Anderson Cheryl A.M. , Hall John E. , Appel Lawrence J.
Published: January 2020

Two recent studies challenged traditional paradigms of mammalian sodium physiology, suggesting that sodium reduction might cause weight gain by altering metabolism. This new theory has important implications for population-wide dietary recommendations. However, these observations have not been confirmed. In the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)-Sodium trial, 412 adults with systolic blood pressure of 120 to 159 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 95 mm Hg not taking antihypertensive medications were randomly assigned to the DASH diet or a control diet (parallel design). On their assigned diet, participants randomly consumed each of the 3 sodium levels for 4 weeks (crossover design). Participants were provided all meals but could drink noncaloric beverages (eg, water) freely. Throughout the trial, energy intake was adjusted to maintain weight constant. The 3 sodium levels (at 2100 kcal/day) were: low (1150 mg of Na/day), medium (2300 mg of Na/day), and high (3450 mg of Na/day). Energy intake, weight, self-reported thirst, and 24-hour urine volume were assessed after each period. Participants were 57% women and 57% black; mean age was 48 years [SD, 10]). Among those assigned the control, mean weight increased slightly with higher sodium but not among those assigned DASH. Energy intake did not vary across sodium levels in either diet (
P
-trends ≥0.36). Higher sodium resulted in more thirst (
P
-trends <0.001 on both diets) and higher urine volume (suggesting higher fluid intake) during the control diet (
P
-trend=0.007). Reducing sodium did not increase energy requirements to maintain stable weights but did decrease thirst and urine volume (control diet only), findings consistent with the traditional understanding of mammalian sodium physiology.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00000608.
Mass Spectrometry Imaging Establishes 2 Distinct Metabolic Phenotypes of Aldosterone-Producing Cell Clusters in Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Sun Na , Meyer Lucie S. , Feuchtinger Annette , Kunzke Thomas , Knösel Thomas , Reincke Martin , Walch Axel , Williams Tracy Ann
Published: January 2020

Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are one of the main causes of primary aldosteronism and the most prevalent surgically correctable form of hypertension. Aldosterone-producing cell clusters (APCCs) comprise tight nests of zona glomerulosa cells, strongly positive for CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) in immunohistochemistry. APCCs have been suggested as possible precursors of APAs because they frequently carry driver mutations for constitutive aldosterone production, and a few adrenal lesions with histopathologic features of both APCCs and APAs have been identified. Our objective was to investigate the metabolic phenotypes of APCCs (n=27) compared with APAs (n=6) using in situ matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded adrenals from patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism. Specific distribution patterns of metabolites were associated with APCCs and classified 2 separate APCC subgroups (subgroups 1 and 2) indistinguishable by CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry. Metabolic profiles of APCCs in subgroup 1 were tightly clustered and distinct from subgroup 2 and APAs. Multiple APCCs from the same adrenal displayed metabolic profiles of the same subgroup. Metabolites of APCC subgroup 2 were highly similar to the APA group and indicated enhanced metabolic pathways favoring cell proliferation compared with APCC subgroup 1. In conclusion, we demonstrate specific subgroups of APCCs with strikingly divergent distribution patterns of metabolites. One subgroup displays a metabolic phenotype convergent with APAs and may represent the progression of APCCs to APAs.
Therapeutic Relevance of Elevated Blood Pressure After Ischemic Stroke in the Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Thakkar Pratik C. , McGregor Ailsa L. , Barber P. Alan , Paton Julian F.R. , Barrett Carolyn J. , McBryde Fiona D.
Published: January 2020

Over 80% of patients exhibit an acute increase in blood pressure (BP) following stroke. Current clinical guidelines make no distinction in BP management between patients with or without prior hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats were preinstrumented with telemeters to record BP, intracranial pressure, and brain tissue oxygen in the predicted ischemic penumbra for 3 days before and 10 days after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (n=8 per group) or sham (n=5). Before stroke, BP was either left untreated or chronically treated to a normotensive level (enalapril 10 mg/kg per day). Poststroke elevations in BP were either left uncontrolled, controlled (to the prestroke baseline level), or overcontrolled (to a normotensive level) via subcutaneous infusion of labetalol. Baseline values of intracranial pressure and brain tissue oxygen were similar between all groups, whereas BP was lower in treated SH rats (144±3 versus 115±5 mm Hg;
P
<0.001). Following middle cerebral artery occlusion, a similar rise in BP was observed in untreated (+16±2 mm Hg;
P
=0.005) and treated SH rats (+13±5 mm Hg;
P
=0.021). Intervening to prevent BP from increasing after stroke did not worsen outcome. However, reducing BP below prestroke baseline levels was associated with higher intracranial pressure (days 1–3;
P
<0.001), reduced cerebral perfusion pressure (days 2–4;
P
<0.001), higher mortality, slower functional recovery and larger infarct volumes. Although treating to maintain BP at the prestroke baseline level was not detrimental, our results suggest that when setting BP targets after stroke, consideration must be given to the potential negative impact of inadvertent excessive BP lowering in subjects with undiagnosed or poorly controlled hypertension.
Exercise is Associated With Impaired Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients With Lamin A/C Genotype
Authors: Skjølsvik Eystein T. , Hasselberg Nina E. , Dejgaard Lars A. , Lie Øyvind H. , Andersen Kjell , Holm Torbjørn , Edvardsen Thor , Haugaa Kristina H.
Published: January 2020

Background

Lamin A/C cardiomyopathy is a malignant and highly penetrant inheritable cardiomyopathy. Competitive sports have been associated with adverse events in these patients, but data on recreational exercise are lacking. We aimed to explore associations between exercise exposure and disease severity in patients with lamin A/C genotype.

Methods and Results

Lamin A/C genotype positive patients answered a questionnaire on exercise habits from age 7 years until genetic diagnosis. We recorded exercise hours >3 metabolic equivalents and calculated cumulative lifetime exercise. Patients were grouped in active or sedate based on lifetime exercise hours above or below median. We performed echocardiography, 12‐lead
ECG
, Holter monitoring, and biomarkers including
NT
‐pro
BNP
(N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide). We defined left ventricular ejection fraction <45% as a clinically significant impairment of left ventricular function. We included 69 patients (age 42±14 years, 41% probands, 46% women) with median lifetime exercise 4160 (interquartile range 1041–6924) hours. Active patients were more frequently probands (53% versus 29%,
P
=0.04), had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (43±13% versus 51±11%,
P
=0.006), and higher
NT
‐pro
BNP
(78 [interquartile range 32–219] pmol/L versus 30 [interquartile range 13–64] pmol/L,
P
=0.03) compared with sedate, while age did not differ (45±13 years versus 40±16 years,
P
=0.16). The decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction per tertile increment in lifetime exercise was 4% (95%
CI
−7% to −0.4%,
P
=0.03), adjusted for age and sex and accounting for dependence within families. Left ventricular ejection fraction <45% was observed at a younger age in active patients (log rank
P
=0.007).

Conclusions

Active lamin A/C patients had worse systolic function compared with sedate which occurred at younger age. Our findings may improve exercise recommendations in patients with lamin A/C.
Pollen morphology of Stellaria (Caryophyllaceae) from China and its systematic implications

Authors: XU HAN-FENG , JIANG YU-HUI , SU ZHI-WEI , MA ZHONG-HUI
Published: January 2020

Pollen morphology of 46 species and 11 varieties representing the 5 currently recognized sections and 10 series of Stellaria from China was investigated. Pollen grains of Stellaria are radially symmetrical, apolar, small or medium in diameter, pantoporate, spheroidal or spheroidal-polyhedral and have 8–22 pores with prominent or sunken pore membrane. The ornamentation is microechinate-punctate, microechinate-perforate or microechinate-punctate-perforate. 8 pollen types are recognized, and significant differences in shape, size, pore number and ornamentation are found. Arenaria and Cerastium were proved to be related to Stellaria, whereas Myosoton was suggested to be merged into Stellaria. The pollen morphological features indicated Stellaria was in a middle evolutionary position of the family Caryophyllaceae.
New records of the bee genus Colletes Latreille 1802 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae) in Ethiopia with description of a new species
Authors: KUHLMANN MICHAEL
Published: January 2020

New records of the Ethiopian species of the bee genus Colletes are presented. Colletes meneliki sp. n. is described as new and C. michaelis Cockerell 1936 is first recorded for the country and redescribed, thus bringing the number of Colletes species known from Ethiopia to ten. Also, a key is provided to enable their identification.
The early derivative water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia, superfamilies Eylaoidea, Hydrachnoidea and Hydryphantoidea) of Madagascar
Authors: GERECKE REINHARD
Published: January 2020

A general introduction to the water mites of Madagascar is given, together with a survey of the diversity of the early derivative superfamilies Eylaoidea, Hydrachnoidea, and Hydryphantoidea. The family Teratothyadidae (genera Teratothyas and Teratothyasides) and the hydryphantid subfamilies Euthyadinae (genera Javathyas and Trichothyas) and Wandesiinae (genus Wandesia) are recorded for the first time from Madagascar, the latter being new for the Ethiopian bioregion. One subgenus in the family Teratothyadidae, Ascoteratothyas subgen. nov. (genus Teratothyas) and eighteen species are described as new to science: Hydrodroma amoenoderma, H. lasioderma, H. megalonyx, H. mesembrina, H. poseidon, Javathyas nasipalpis, Wandesia pelipoda, W. anjozorobensis, Teratothyas (s. str.) digitata, T. (s. str.) aucta, T. (s. str.) proceripapillata, T. (s. str.) planipapillata, T. (Ascoteratothyas) levigata, T. (A.) porrigens, T. (A.) reducta, Teratothyasides heptaplax, T. ravenala and T. vanilla. Previous Madagascan records of Hydrodroma despiciens (Müller, 1776) and H. capensis (K. Viets, 1914) are attributed to H. poseidon. The subgenus Pseudowandesia is synonymized with the nominate subgenus. New locality records for other species include the first recording on the island of Hydrodroma perreptans (K. Viets, 1913) and H. zhokhovi Tuzovskij, 2014. Limnochares connexa Tuzovskij & Gerecke 2009 is redescribed. A dichotomous key leads to species level for the groups treated here, to family level for representatives of the remaining four superfamilies present on Madagascar.
Pacific Mean-State Control of Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation–El Niño Relationship
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Lee Sang-Ki , Lopez Hosmay , Goes Marlos
Published: January 2020

We investigate the potential impacts of the interdecadal Pacific oscillation (IPO) and Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) on El Niño and the associated atmosphere and ocean dynamics by using the Community Earth System Model–Large Ensemble Simulation (CESM-LENS). The individual effects of IPO and AMO on El Niño frequency and the underlying atmosphere–ocean processes are well reproduced in CESM-LENS and agree with previous studies. However, the sensitivity of El Niño frequency to the AMO is robust mainly during the negative IPO phase and very weak during the positive IPO phase. Further analysis suggests that the atmospheric mean state in the Pacific is much amplified during the negative IPO phase, facilitating the AMO-induced interocean atmospheric teleconnections. More specifically, during the negative IPO phase of the amplified mean state, the positive AMO enhances ascending motion from the northeastern Pacific, which in turn increases subsidence into the southeast Pacific through local anomalous Hadley circulation. The associated low-level easterly wind anomalies in the central equatorial Pacific are also reinforced by amplified upper-level divergence over the Maritime Continent to enhance the negative IPO, which is unfavorable for El Niño occurrence. Conversely, the negative AMO nearly cancels out the suppressing effect of the negative IPO on El Niño occurrence. During the positive IPO phase of the weakened atmospheric mean state, however, the AMO-induced interocean atmospheric teleconnections are much weaker; thus, neither the positive nor the negative AMO has any significant impact on El Niño occurrence.
Hospital-treated deliberate self-poisoning in the older adult: Identifying specific clinical assessment needs
Authors: Jackson Mariann , McGill Katie , Lewin Terry J , Bryant Jenifer , Whyte Ian , Carter Gregory
Published: January 2020

Background:

Hospital-treated deliberate self-poisoning is common, with a median patient age of around 33 years. Clinicians are less familiar with assessing older adults with self-poisoning and little is known about their specific clinical requirements.

Objective:

To identify clinically important factors in the older-age population by comparing older adults (65+ years) with middle-aged adults (45–64 years) during an index episode of hospital-treated deliberate self-poisoning.

Methods:

A prospective, longitudinal, cohort study of people presenting to a regional referral centre for deliberate self-poisoning (Calvary Mater Newcastle, Australia) over a 10-year period (2003–2013). We compared older-aged adults with middle-aged adults on demographic, toxicological and psychiatric variables and modelled independent predictors of referral for psychiatric hospitalisation on discharge with logistic regression.

Results:

There were ( n = 157) older-aged and ( n = 925) middle-aged adults. The older-aged group was similar to the middle-aged group in several ways: proportion living alone, reporting suicidal ideation/planning, prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs, and with a psychiatric diagnosis. However, the older-aged group were also different in several ways: greater proportion with cognitive impairment, higher medical morbidity, longer length of stay, and greater prescription and ingestion of benzodiazepines in the deliberate self-poisoning event. Older age was not a predictor of referral for psychiatric hospitalisation in the multivariate model.

Conclusion:

Older-aged patients treated for deliberate self-poisoning have a range of clinical needs including ones that are both similar to and different from middle-aged patients. Individual clinical assessment to identify these needs should be followed by targeted interventions, including reduced exposure to benzodiazepines.
The Rebirth of Improvisation as a Site for Religious Studies Research
Authors: Kaler Michael
Published: January 2020

In this article, I propose that studies of music’s links to religion go beyond reductionistic links between religious traditions and music forms (e.g., “Music and/in Islam”), and look instead at ways in which music responds to or expresses concerns or aspirations that are linked to religion or spirituality. The article further proposes that, should this approach be adopted, the explosion of radical improvised music-making in the 1960s (associated with such artists as the Grateful Dead, John Coltrane, La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Albert Ayler, etc.) is a very promising site for investigation.
An Evaluation, Assortment, and Optimization of the Question Items
Authors: Ali Ikram , Haral Muhammad Nouman , Tahira Fatima , Ali Mirza , Imran Aqeel
Published: January 2020

Foundation of quality examination is based on the key features of validity and reliability of question papers. Question papers of examination boards in Pakistan—usually these features as contents of a question paper—are written by a single paper setter. To address these issues, Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) recruited and trained senior faculty members to write, review, and moderate multiple-choice question (MCQ) items which are the key components of its question papers. Fitness of these items was determined through field testing and analysis using standard measuring indices. Aggregate item survival rate has been 43% despite relaxed limits of difficulty index (DIFI) and discrimination index (DI). However, the questions with extraordinarily low or high DIFI values were found to be associated with other problems as well. Moreover, apart from utility of point biserial (pbs), mutual relationship of distractor efficiency (DE) and DIFI is also discussed. And based on these attributes, these questions were declared fit or unfit for future use or review respectively.
Dual diagnosis: A systematic review of the organization of community health services
Authors: Fantuzzi Claudia , Mezzina Roberto
Published: January 2020

Background:

Dual diagnosis (DD), as the co-occurrence of a substance use disorder and a psychiatric disorder, is underestimated, under-diagnosed and often poorly treated throughout the world, although it is highly prevalent in people suffering from a mental disorder.

Aims and methods:

This review analyzed 48 studies from a PubMed and PsycINFO databases search, in order to verify the state of the art regarding the organization of community health services for DD treatment.

Results:

Four macro-themes have been identified: service organization, critical issues, assessment tools and evidence-based interventions. An effective service recognizes the complexity of DD, promotes a common staff culture, and tailors the organization to local needs. The main critical issues in its implementation include the lack of specific staff training, the poor management of resources and the need for greater personalization of care plans, with attention to psychosocial interventions. Integrated service assessment tools can be used as a benchmark measure at the program level for implementation planning and at the national level to affect policy change. The integrated treatment model for DD should also aim to improve access to care and offer treatments based on scientific evidence. It is also evident that the integration of services can improve outcomes but it is not a guarantee for it.

Conclusion:

There is an urgent need to improve networking between mental health and addiction services in order to deal with DD and create new integrated intervention models, paying attention to an approach to the whole person, seen in his/her absolute uniqueness.
Speaking Up at Work: The Role of Perceived Organizational Support in Explaining the Relationship Between Perceptions of Organizational Politics and Voice Behavior
Authors: Bergeron Diane M. , Thompson Phillip S.
Published: January 2020

Voice is a risky and more challenging type of organizational citizenship behavior in that it is designed to bring about change. Using conservation of resources and social exchange theories, we investigate relationships between voice, perceptions of organizational politics, and perceived organizational support (POS). We also investigate the mediating role of POS in the politics–voice relationship to determine the extent to which POS can explain this relationship. Lagged survey data from supervisor–employee dyads ( N = 257) were collected 6 weeks apart. Results show that perceptions of organizational politics were negatively related to voice, while POS was positively related to voice. POS had a mediating effect on the relationship between perceptions of organizational politics and voice. Our results underscore the importance of contextual factors in encouraging or prohibiting voice and may help managers and organizations understand how best to encourage this important change-oriented workplace behavior.
Violent Trends in Hip-Hop Entertainment Journalism
Authors: Oredein Tyree , Evans Kiameesha , Lewis M. Jane
Published: January 2020

While the prevalence and adverse effects of violence in hip-hop music and music videos have been studied extensively, hip-hop entertainment journalism, which reports on hip-hop news and events, has been largely unexplored. The purpose of this study was to examine violent trends in hip-hop journalism. We conducted a content analysis on a random sample of 970 news articles, 218 interview articles and the accompanying photographs from three hip-hop themed websites, and 56 radio interviews from hip-hop themed FM radio stations. Content was coded for type of violence, reality status, narrative sequence, and tone. The findings suggest that a significant portion of hip-hop journalism communications contain violence. More than half of all articles (52.3%; n = 663) contained violence. The prevalence of violence was higher for interview articles (73.4%, n = 218) than for news articles (45.9%, n = 445). The most common categories were violent metaphors, weapons, feuding (e.g., verbal aggression), and fighting. Almost 70% of radio interviews ( n = 37) contained at least one mention of violence and the most common types of violence were fighting/physical assault and feuding. Furthermore, the majority of violence for all articles and radio content were reported as real and were presented from the performer sequence. News articles depicted more consequences, whereas interview articles and radio interviews depicted more positive portrayals. Potential implications for youth exposure hip-hop journalism are discussed.
Sticking with the old seed: Input value chains and the challenges to deliver genetic gains to smallholder maize farmers
Authors: Rutsaert Pieter , Donovan Jason
Published: January 2020

The Kenyan maize seed sector exhibits high hybrid adoption rates, a growing number of seed companies, and an extensive agro-dealer network. Nonetheless, maize yields remain low and uptake of new, stress-tolerant varieties has been disappointing. This article investigates interactions in maize seed value chains in Kenya, and decisions made by agro-dealers, farmers, and seed companies, to gain a better understanding of how to encourage the uptake of new, stress-tolerant varieties. Data were collected during the 2019 seed-purchasing season from Kenyan seed companies ( n = 8), agro-dealers ( n = 80), and farmers immediately following their seed purchase ( n = 466). Most agro-dealers had a wide offer of seed products available, but seed companies’ engagement with them was limited and marketing efforts were directly focused on farmers. Only a fraction of farmers used the agro-dealer environment to guide their decision-making. However, when agro-dealers engaged with farmers, they influenced varietal selection in 80% of the cases. Agro-dealers were one of the key information outlets about maize seed varieties. Seed company engagement with agro-dealers and in-store promotions (push marketing) should be further explored to improve returns on investments in seed systems.
Religion and counter-state nationalism in Catalonia
Authors: Astor Avi
Published: January 2020

Catalonia is simultaneously the most secular region in Spain and the region that places the greatest priority on actively managing religious affairs. Moreover, parties comprising the Catalan Left have been particularly assertive in pushing for legislative proposals to reduce the privileges of the Catholic Church and the general presence of religion in the public sphere. This article examines the sources of Catalonia’s exceptionality in religious matters, with a focus on the entanglements between religion and nationalism in the region. Drawing on survey data, legal documents, transcripts of parliamentary debates, media reports, and historical studies, the author argues that counter-state understandings of nationhood have figured centrally in the rapid secularization of Catalonia’s populace, the Catalan government’s proactive approach to religious governance, and the Catalan Left’s insistence on church–state reform at both the regional and national levels. This analysis speaks to broader questions regarding religion, secularism, and nationalism in stateless nations.
Optimization of soft armor: the response of single-ply para-aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fabrics under ballistic impact
Authors: Ralph Calvin , Baker Lisa , Archer Edward , McIlhagger Alistair
Published: January 2020

Typical soft armor systems are constructed of multiple layers of a single fabric type. This empirical research sought to begin optimization of these systems through hybridization, sequencing dissimilar armor fabrics to maximize their ballistic protective performance, by first investigating single plies with a spectrum of properties to determine their behavior and response to impact. Eight individual plain weave fabrics with varying yarns and thread counts were manufactured from para-aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarns and physical and ballistic characterizations were conducted. The ballistic impact tests established the specific energy absorption (SEA) of each fabric across a range of impact velocities (340–620 m·s–1) and the transverse displacement wave velocity across the rear of the fabric was found using digital image correlation. Low cover factor ( Cfab) fabrics (0.74–0.84) consistently showed faster transverse wave speed than the high Cfab fabrics (0.84–0.96) for any given yarn type. The relative SEA of the fabrics varied dependent on both the impact velocity and number of plies impacted. It was found that lower Cfab fabrics had the highest SEA, critical velocity and transverse wave velocity. UHMWPE fabrics were not considered suitable for a woven hybrid system as they had a significantly lower SEA compared to all the para-aramid fabrics. Results indicate that a hybrid system, when considered as a theoretical spaced system, would benefit from higher Cfab fabrics as rearward layers. However, transverse wave results suggest the lower response of these fabrics may inhibit lower Cfab fabrics at the front of a combined hybridized system.
Treatment outcomes of adults with new onset pulmonary tuberculosis in Pretoria, South Africa
Authors: Nkoane Meisie A , Adefolalu Adegoke O , Ogunbanjo Gboyega A
Published: January 2020

A persistently high burden of tuberculosis (TB) and low cure rates in South Africa call for frequent assessment of the effectiveness of the TB programme. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate treatment outcomes and associated factors among new TB patients taking standard regimen 1 TB treatment during 2010 in Pretoria, using the World Health Organization’s six treatment outcomes classification. The 85 participants (of whom 59% were female) had co-infection with HIV in 70%. A total of 52% completed treatment, but only 15% were officially cured; 13% died and only 35% had an end-of-treatment sputum test. The treatment success rate (cured and complete treatment) was 67%. Completion of TB treatment was associated with HIV status ( P = 0.02) and TB diagnosis using only sputum smear test ( P = 0.02). Our results suggest non-compliance with standard TB guidelines by healthcare workers. We therefore advise future interventions should target both patients and healthcare workers.
“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Weed”: How Consumers in Four Different Policy Settings Define the Quality of Illicit Cannabis
Authors: Belackova Vendula
Published: January 2020

With proliferating efforts to regulate the quality of cannabis on legalized markets, and recent discussions about drug quality assessment by darknet buyers, it seems timely to explore definitions of the quality of cannabis among consumers. An inductive analysis of in-depth interviews with people who had used cannabis in the past 12 months was conducted, which focused on the respondents’ subjective definitions and assessments of the quality of cannabis. The data are drawn from convenience samples in four localities (Florida [United States], Czechia, Spain, and New South Wales [Australia]) where cannabis was illegal or decriminalized. The findings suggest that the respondents across all four localities used a range of visual and sensory indicators to assess the quality of cannabis. For many respondents, these were independent indicators of the quality of cannabis suggesting that cannabis was not merely an “experience” good. For others, visual and sensory assessments were used as indirect indicators of quality in that they represented the effect of the cannabis. The desired effect was more complex than simple potency (strength) and several respondents preferred mild and not-sedating cannabis. Across the four localities, the respondents also included “proxy” indicators of the safety of cannabis in their definitions of quality. In other words, high-quality cannabis was defined as not causing excessive intoxication or physical harm. Altogether, cannabis was a specific “credence” good when its quality was seen as a result of cultivation techniques, production location, or producers’ (profit) motivations - depending on the locality. These findings suggest that cannabis policies that regulate the cultivation process can be relevant to people who use cannabis. Given that consumers take the safety of cannabis into consideration when assessing its quality, their involvement in the development of quality standards is warranted. Consumer-led self-regulation should also be considered in policies that seek to regulate cannabis supply.
Low-cost and simple short-term load forecasting for energy management systems in small and middle-sized office buildings
Authors: Lee Dongho
Published: January 2020

This paper deals with short-term load forecasting for energy management systems in small and middle-sized buildings. Unlike existing studies that focus on the forecasting accuracy, this study examined some candidate load forecasting methods with regard to convenience and cost-efficiency. Three-year energy use patterns of office buildings were identified according to calendar data and weather data. Simple forecasting equations were derived based on regression analyses using linear, seasonal linear, and quadratic models. The quadratic model was found most appropriate for Korea’s climate with four distinct seasons. The forecasting equation derived from the energy consumption of 2017 was verified by comparing the energy consumption forecast obtained by applying the weather data of 2018 to the equation and the actual energy consumption of 2018. This study will be using our simple load forecasting system that does not need to install sensors in all the target buildings but only in some representative buildings of similar shapes and calculate energy consumption forecasts for each target building by using the least possible data.
Universal Design for Measurement: Centering the Experiences of Individuals With Disabilities Within Health Measurement Research
Authors: Thomas Erin Vinoski , Warren-Findlow Jan , Reeve Charlie L. , Webb Jennifer B. , Laditka Sarah B. , Quinlan Margaret M.
Published: January 2020

People with disabilities comprise roughly 25% of the U.S. adult population yet remain underrepresented in mainstream public health and evaluation research. The lack of measures of common constructs that are validated in but not specific to this population may impede their inclusion. This article describes the use of Universal Design for Measurement (UDM), a novel method for developing self-report measurement instruments validated among broad populations to minimize the need for scale adaptation. We applied UDM to the development and content validation of a new body image scale. We assessed content validity by surveying subject matter experts (SMEs) and conducted a Delphi panel study to assess consensus about scale items among community women with ( n = 18) and without ( n = 15) disabilities. Most scale items were found acceptable by SMEs and community women. The Delphi panel study was useful toward evaluating consensus about scale items among women with and without disabilities. Findings support the use of UDM in developing inclusive and psychometrically sound measurement scales to ultimately facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities within health research.
Romantic Relationship Churn in Early Adolescence Predicts Hostility, Abuse, and Avoidance in Relationships Into Early Adulthood
Authors: Loeb Emily L. , Kansky Jessica , Narr Rachel K. , Fowler Caroline , Allen Joseph P.
Published: January 2020

This study examined early adolescent romantic “churning,” defined here as having a large number of boyfriends/girlfriends by age 13, as a problematic marker likely to predict hostility, abuse, and avoidance during conflict in later relationships. A sample of 184 adolescents was followed through age 24 to assess predictions of hostility, abuse, and avoidance during conflict from early romantic churning. Controlling for gender and family income, romantic churning at age 13 predicted relative decreases in peer preference and relative increases in conflict and betrayal in close friendships from ages 13 to 16, as well as higher observable hostility and self- and partner-reported abuse in romantic relationships by age 18 and greater avoidance during conflict with romantic partners by age 24. Findings remained after accounting for attachment security, social competence, and friendship quality in early adolescence, suggesting that early romantic churning may uniquely predict a problematic developmental pathway.
What’s in a name? The three genealogies of the social in social epigenetics
Authors: Louvel Séverine
Published: January 2020

Social epigenetics – the study of the epigenetic mechanisms through which social environments become biologically embodied – epitomizes recent claims that the boundaries between the natural and the social sciences should be reduced. Relying on a bibliometric study and on a qualitative analysis of publications in social epigenetics, this article investigates how this research area defines and operationalizes the social dimensions that may have an impact on health status and disease risk. The article also addresses how the social sciences engage with social epigenetics. First, the article traces social epigenetics back to five epistemic backgrounds – two in animal research (on social defeat and early-life adversity) and three in human studies (on trauma, early-life nutrition and social adversity over the life-course). Second, it outlines the quest for epigenetic markers of social environments, and the associated expectations and controversies. Third, it analyses the three modes of engagement of the social sciences with human studies in social epigenetics: rejection (social epigenetics trapped in the quest for a ‘social brain’); warning and call for responsibility (social epigenetics has shifted from socioeconomic contexts to individual behaviors); and support and active contribution (social epigenetics may strengthen social studies of health). This article argues that recent developments in social epigenetics could strengthen this third mode of engagement and expand the scope of interdisciplinary collaboration between the natural and the social sciences.
Desistance and Identity: Do Reflected Appraisals as a Delinquent Impede the Crime-Reducing Effects of the Adolescent-to-Adult Transition?
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: January 2020

Desistance from crime can occur at any age but is most likely to occur during the adolescence-to-adult transition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether one facet of a criminal identity (i.e., reflected appraisals as a delinquent) impedes future desistance in male youth making the transition from adolescence to adulthood, controlling for family structure, social influence, low self-control, prior delinquency, and age of delinquency onset. Longitudinal data furnished by 284 members of the Marion County Youth Study, all of whom were male and 98% of whom were White, each with histories of delinquency, were subjected to binary logistic regression analysis and causal mediation analysis. Results indicated that reflected appraisals correlated negatively with desistance and successfully mediated the inverse relationship between number of prior delinquent contacts and subsequent desistance from crime between the ages of 19 and 26. Considering the role reflected appraisals appear to play in the development of a criminal identity, it is speculated that targeting reflected appraisals as a delinquent should be of value in maximizing the number of juveniles who desist from crime during the adolescence-to-adult transition.
Kinetic studies on the pyrolysis of plastic waste using a combination of model-fitting and model-free methods
Authors: Yao Zhitong , Yu Shaoqi , Su Weiping , Wu Weihong , Tang Junhong , Qi Wei
Published: January 2020

In this work, the pyrolysis behavior of plastic waste—TV plastic shell—was investigated, based on thermogravimetric analysis and using a combination of model-fitting and model-free methods. The possible reaction mechanism and kinetic compensation effects were also examined. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the decomposition of plastic waste in a helium atmosphere can be divided into three stages: the minor loss stage (20–300°C), the major loss stage (300–500°C) and the stable loss stage (500–1000°C). The corresponding weight loss at three different heating rates of 15, 25 and 35 K/min were determined to be 2.80–3.02%, 94.45–95.11% and 0.04–0.16%, respectively. The activation energy ( Ea) and correlation coefficient ( R2) profiles revealed that the kinetic parameters calculated using the Friedman and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method displayed a similar trend. The values from the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Starink methods were comparable, although the former gave higher R2 values. The Eα values gradually decreased from 269.75 kJ/mol to 184.18 kJ/mol as the degree of conversion ( α) increased from 0.1 to 0.8. Beyond this range, the Eα slightly increased to 211.31 kJ/mol. The model-fitting method of Coats–Redfern was used to predict the possible reaction mechanism, for which the first-order model resulted in higher R2 values than and comparable Eα values to those obtained from the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method. The pre-exponential factors (ln A) were calculated based on the F1 reaction model and the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method, and fell in the range 59.34–48.05. The study of the kinetic compensation effect confirmed that a compensation effect existed between Ea and ln A during the plastic waste pyrolysis.
Impact of Heavy-rail-based Rapid Transit on House Prices: Evidence from the Fremont, CA, Warm Springs BART Extension Project
Authors: Mathur Shishir
Published: January 2020

This study estimates households’ willingness to pay for single-family houses and condominiums/townhouses located within 2 miles of Warm Springs (WS) BART Station in Fremont, CA. The study finds that, compared to the houses sold in the control distance band (2–5 miles away), an average-priced single-family house within 2 miles of the WS BART Station was higher in price by 9 to 15 percent. The total property value increment for the single-family houses is large enough to fund the $802 million Warm Springs BART Extension Project cost five times over.
A Combined Prilocaine-Lidocaine Tumescent Solution Has Lower Clinical Side Effects Compared With Lidocaine Only
Authors: Boeni Roland
Published: January 2020

In awake liposuction surgery, the extent of surgery that can be performed in a single session is limited to the toxic threshold levels of the anesthetic. Today, lidocaine is the most commonly used anesthetic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical safety of a combined prilocaine-lidocaine tumescent solution, and to compare its efficacy and safety to patients receiving lidocaine only. In this cross-sectional study, the efficacy and the occurrence of clinical side effects of a prilocaine-lidocaine tumescent solution were compared with a standard solution containing lidocaine only. All patients received the same dose of prilocaine-lidocaine (n = 142) and of lidocaine (n = 142), respectively. Both tumescent solutions provided similar and effective local anesthesia during lipoaspiration. There were significantly more early signs of toxicity (nausea, irritation, light-headedness, and tachycardia) in patients receiving the standard lidocaine solution. A tumescent solution containing both lidocaine and prilocaine reduces the occurrence of early signs of toxicity of 1 or both anesthetics. It is a safe solution, provided the surgeon has extensive knowledge of potential adverse effects, and the guidelines of care for liposuction are strictly followed.
“Good” and “Bad” Workers and the Collapse of the Expected Life Course: The Postwar Working Class in Detroit (USA) and Łódź (Poland), 1940s–1980s
Authors: Zysiak Agata
Published: January 2020

Two former industrial giants on opposite sides of the globe—the well-known and extensively studied city of Detroit (USA) and the lesser-known but regionally important city of Łódź (Poland)—developed in historically differing economic and political circumstances but have much in common. In both cases, postwar prosperity brought the working class to the center of the social imaginary, resulting in the emergence of a corporate welfare state on one side of the Atlantic Ocean and a socialist one on the other. Thus, two “workers’ El Dorados” were based on almost opposite lifestyles, values and models of society, and each lasted for no more than one generation. Changes in industrial structures and locations, the inflexibility of the mono-industrial giants, and a general shift to late capitalism and the post-Fordist mode of production affected both cities.

Workers’ biographies were experienced through the primacy of work as a means of individual, social, and state reproduction. Factory work offered a device for the allocation of social worth and welfare benefits across time in both contexts. The latter is examined by the construct of a “good worker” and the creation of an imagined, expected life course in the postwar welfare projects, as well as the generational division of workers.
Physical Activity Surveillance Using Wearable Activity Monitors: Are US Adults Willing to Share Their Data?
Authors: Hyde Eric T. , Omura John D. , Fulton Janet E. , Weldy Andre , Carlson Susan A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Wearable activity monitors (wearables) have generated interest for national physical activity (PA) surveillance; however, concerns exist related to estimates obtained from current users willing to share data. We examined how limiting data to current users who are willing to share data associated with PA estimates in a nationwide sample.

Design:

Cross-sectional web-based survey.

Setting:

US adults.

Subjects:

In total, 942 respondents.

Measures:

The 2018 Government & Academic Omnibus Survey assessing current wearable use, willingness to share data with various people or organizations, and PA levels.

Analysis:

Estimated the prevalence of current wearable use; current users’ willingness to share data with various people or organizations; and PA levels overall, among current users, and among current users willing to share their data.

Results:

Overall, 21.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.1-24.5) of US adults reported currently using a wearable. Among current users, willingness to share ranged from 40.1% with a public health agency to 76.3% with their health-care provider. Overall, 62.2% (95% CI: 58.9-65.3) of adults were physically active. These levels were similar between current users (75.0%, 95% CI: 68.3-80.7) and current users willing to share their data (75.3%, 95% CI: 67.9-81.5).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that using data from wearable users may overestimate PA levels, although reported willingness to share the data may not compound this issue.
An Interdisciplinary Framework for Palliative and Hospice Education and Practice
Authors: Dyess Susan MacLeod , Prestia Angela S. , Levene Richard , Gonzalez Faustino
Published: January 2020

Leading highly functional health care teams in all practice settings is sustained through the identification of a conceptual framework to guide education and practice. This article presents an interdisciplinary framework for palliative and hospice education and practice. The framework builds on theoretical caring to convey elements of relational, holistic and compassion; articulates interprofessional tenets for guiding values; and aligns with constructs for palliative and hospice best practices. The framework invites those at the bedside and in leadership to be intentional in attending to education and the necessary activities that address the day-to-day operations of palliative and hospice care, as well as, honoring all interdisciplinary collaboration that supports quality outcomes and inspires actions that transform.