bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High density polyethylene matrix composite as reinforcing agent in medium density fiberboards
Authors: Ritter de Souza Barnasky Ricardo , Bayestorff da Cunha Alexsandro , Dantas de Oliveira Amanda , Andreia Brand Martha , Escobar Hochmuller da Silva Gabriela , Muller de Souza Luana , Buss Rodrigo
Published: June 2020

This work provides a study about the incorporation of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composite in medium density fiberboards (MDF). A composite was processed in a single screw extruder with 5% of Pinus spp fibers in a HDPE matrix and applied as reinforcing agent in MDFs, as well as pure HDPE, in 11 different variations, using 12% of urea-formaldehyde resin and nominal density of 750 kg.m−3. The composite and the pure HDPE were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The DSC results showed that both polymeric matrix and composite presented the same melting temperature but the composite had a reduced melting enthalpy and crystallinity due to thermal history. SEM analysis showed a well distribution of fibers on the composite. The results of technological properties of MDFs were compared to commercial MDF standards. The MDF reinforced with 40% of polymeric composite reached all minimum standard requirements, being the most recommended to be used as an alternative to conventional MDF, in terms of physical and mechanical performance.
Biding time versus timely retreat: Asymmetric dependence, issue salience, and conflict duration
Authors: Zeng Yuleng
Published: June 2020

Trade-conflict studies focus on whether and how economic interdependence suppresses interstate conflict initiation. Meanwhile, formal theories of war show that conflict initiation is inherently tied to its termination. In this article, I seek to bridge the two literature by utilizing a war of attrition model to formalize the relationship between economic dependence and conflict duration. I theorize that the strategic calculation ultimately comes down to a trade-off between biding one’s time and retreating in a timely manner. In the context of economic attrition, states weigh the relative costs of suffering an additional round of economic disruption against the potential benefits of winning the disputed good. As such, economic dependence can have both coercive and informational effects and these effects are contingent upon issue salience. When the issue salience is low, the coercive effect dominates; states are more likely to quit conflicts as they suffer proportionally larger economic costs. When the issue salience is high enough, the informational effect can kick in; states are less likely to quit conflicts with increasing economic costs. I test these implications on the International Crisis Behavior (ICB) and the Militarized Interstate Dispute (MID) data, finding strong support for the informational effect and suggestive evidence for the coercive one.
A Self-Led Approach to Improving Classroom Management Practices Using Video Analysis
Authors: Nagro Sarah A. , Hirsch Shanna E. , Kennedy Michael J.
Published: June 2020

Strong classroom management may be the key to finding success as a new teacher. Yet many teachers seek additional professional development in managing classrooms that include students with disabilities. The purpose of this article is to provide new teachers and teacher educators with a prescriptive yet self-led approach to systematically improving classroom management practices using a sequential video analysis process. This article outlines an easy-to-follow four-step process that teachers can use to record, review, reflect on, and revise their instruction. A checklist of evidence-based classroom management strategies with video exemplar links, a free online observation tool called the Classroom Teaching Scan, and a guide for self-reflection called the Reflection Matrix are all explained. Through this highly structured yet self-led approach, teachers can independently engage in noticing elements of teaching, identify their own areas of strength and weakness, reflect in a meaningful way, and implement evidence-based classroom management practices.
Curriculum Viability Indicators: A Delphi Study to Determine Standards and Inhibitors of a Curriculum
Authors: Khan Rehan Ahmed , Spruijt Annemarie , Mahboob Usman , Eraky Mohamed Al , van Merrienboer Jeroen J. G.
Published: June 2020

Curriculum evaluation is typically done by using quality standards defined by accrediting bodies. This does not include inhibitors that hinder the achievement of standards. Hence, to address both standards and inhibitors, we have coined the new concept of “curriculum viability.” This study establishes consensus among experts on curriculum viability indicators, i.e. standards and inhibitors, and aims to provide a framework for evaluating the curriculum viability. The study was done in two phases. In the first phase, a consensus was established on the curriculum viability indicators using the Modified Delphi Technique using two rounds. In the first round of the Delphi process, 25 experts participated, which were reduced to 19 in the second round. After two rounds, experts developed a consensus on 40 out of 44 items. These included 27 standards and 13 inhibitors. In the second phase, 18 experts rank-ordered the indicators according to their relative importance in the areas of educational content and strategies, faculty, leadership, assessment, students, educational/working environment, communication, and technology. The list of indicators provides a framework for evaluating the curriculum viability, and their ordering enables curriculum managers to prioritize them during curriculum evaluation.
Cultural Similarities and Differences in Relationship Goals in Intercultural Romantic Couples
Authors: Fonseca Ana Laura , Ye Tony , Curran Melissa , Koyama Jill , Butler Emily A.
Published: June 2020

Intercultural romantic relationships and multicultural families have increased in the United States and worldwide. Researchers have found that intercultural couples report high rates of conflict and relationship instability, which may be partly explained by differences between partners in relationship goals (e.g., how much intimacy is desired and how to approach conflict). Using data from 40 intercultural couples (N = 80), we test whether greater similarity in relationship goals between romantic partners is related to greater perceived partner responsiveness and, thereby, greater relationship quality. By means of Bayesian analyses, our results suggest that similarity of relationship goals is associated with both perceived responsiveness and relationship quality, but without evidence of mediation. Our results show that cultural similarities and differences exist in relationship goals in intercultural couples, and they are connected to relationship functioning. This information can be used to assist clinicians in understanding the interpersonal processes that make-up healthy relationship functioning in intercultural couples.
Do Start-Up Subsidies for the Unemployed Affect Participants’ Well-Being? A Rigorous Look at (Un-)Intended Consequences of Labor Market Policies
Authors: Caliendo Marco , Tübbicke Stefan
Published: June 2020

Background:

The literature on start-up subsidies (SUS) for the unemployed finds positive effects on objective outcome measures such as employment or income. However, little is known about effects on subjective well-being of participants. Knowledge about this is especially important because subsidizing the transition into self-employment may have unintended adverse effects on participants’ well-being due to its risky nature and lower social security protection, especially in the long run.

Objective:

We study the long-term effects of SUS on subjective outcome indicators of well-being, as measured by the participants’ satisfaction in different domains. This extends previous analyses of the current German SUS program (“Gründungszuschuss”) that focused on objective outcomes—such as employment and income—and allows us to make a more complete judgment about the overall effects of SUS at the individual level.

Research design:

Having access to linked administrative-survey data providing us with rich information on pretreatment characteristics, we base our analysis on the conditional independence assumption and use propensity score matching to estimate causal effects within the potential outcomes framework. We perform several sensitivity analyses to inspect the robustness of our findings.

Results:

We find long-term positive effects on job satisfaction but negative effects on individuals’ satisfaction with their social security situation. Supplementary findings suggest that the negative effect on satisfaction with social security may be driven by negative effects on unemployment and retirement insurance coverage. Our heterogeneity analysis reveals substantial variation in effects across gender, age groups, and skill levels. Estimates are highly robust.
An analysis of TOEFL® Primary™ repeaters: How much score change occurs?
Authors: Cho Yeonsuk , Blood Ian A.
Published: June 2020

In this study, we examined how much change in TOEFL® Primary™ listening and reading scores can be expected in relation to the time interval between test administrations. The test records of 5213 young learners of English (aged 8–13 years) in Japan and Turkey who repeated the tests were analyzed to examine test scores as a function of time interval. The effect of time on test scores was analyzed with a multilevel modeling approach, allowing both initial scores and rate of change among individual test takers to vary. In addition, we examined the effects of test-taker age and test-level difficulty on test scores. Separate analyses were conducted by country for ease of interpretation, as Japan and Turkey differ with respect to the number of hours of instruction that students receive and the English-learning goals in their respective curricula. Results showed a positive rate of change, indicating that test scores increase gradually over time. However, the rate of change differed between the two countries. Furthermore, repeaters’ test scores increased with their age and with the length of time between test administrations. Findings provide empirical evidence for schools to refer to when determining the timing of re-administration of the TOEFL Primary tests to their students.
The value chain and activities of polyethylene terephthalate plastics in the South African waste economy
Authors: Hoffman Marlin , Schenck Catherina
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Value chains in their entirety, within the South African context, have not been the focus of much research thus far. A plethora of research has been done on the various actors within the value chain, but the rest of the value chain has not been identified and depicted. Failing to understand and describe the entire value chain of polyethylene terephthalate plastics has led to many unanswered questions and misunderstood impacts on the plastics waste economy.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to document and depict the value chain and its activities within the polyethylene terephthalate waste economy in South Africa, which, according to the available literature, has not been done before. The documentation of the value chain and its activities will assist in identifying the possibilities of job creation within the waste economy, which could impact the diversion of waste from the landfill.

Method

A qualitative research approach with an exploratory research design was followed, and the data collection was done by means of a workshop. The participants in the workshop included captains of industry, entrepreneurs, academics, government, environmental groups and environmental non-governmental organizations. The workshop was recorded audio-visually, and concepts and discussions were documented for this purpose. All information was transcribed and documented in a final document.

Results

The value chain and its activities were documented.

Conclusion

The information collected is a starting point for more research within the waste economy, as the process will be followed with other waste streams. Job creation gaps have been identified and further research has started creating a better understanding of the value chain, which will influence policy.
The palliative care needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and their access to palliative care services: A systematic review
Authors: Adam Emily , Sleeman Katherine E , Brearley Sarah , Hunt Katherine , Tuffrey-Wijne Irene
Published: June 2020

Background:

There is evidence that people with intellectual disabilities experience healthcare inequalities, including access to specialist palliative care, but to date, there has not been a systematic review of empirical evidence.

Aim:

To identify the palliative care needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and the barriers and facilitators they face in accessing palliative care.

Design:

Systematic review using a narrative synthesis approach (International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) registration number: CRD42019138974).

Data sources:

Five databases were searched in June 2019 (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane library and CINAHL) along with hand searches and a search of the grey literature. All study designs were included.

Results:

A total of 52 studies were identified, all of which were conducted in high-income countries, the majority in the United Kingdom ( n = 28). From a total of 2970 participants across all studies, only 1% were people with intellectual disabilities and 1.3% were family members; the majority (97%) were health/social care professionals. Identified needs included physical needs, psychosocial and spiritual needs, and information and communication needs. Barriers and facilitators were associated with education (e.g. staff knowledge, training and experience), communication (e.g. staff skill in assessing and addressing needs of people with communication difficulties), collaboration (e.g. importance of sustained multidisciplinary approach) and health and social care delivery (e.g. staffing levels, funding and management support).

Conclusion:

This review highlights the specific problems in providing equitable palliative care for adults with intellectual disabilities, but there is a lack of research into strategies to improve practice. This should be prioritised using methods that include people with intellectual disabilities and families.
Transcriptomic characterization of microglia activation in a rat model of ischemic stroke
Authors: Deng Wenjun , Mandeville Emiri , Terasaki Yasukazu , Li Wenlu , Holder Julie , Chuang Aaron TT , Ning Mingming , Arai Ken , Lo Eng H , Xing Changhong
Published: June 2020

Microglia are key regulators of inflammatory response after stroke and brain injury. To better understand activation of microglia as well as their phenotypic diversity after ischemic stroke, we profiled the transcriptome of microglia after 75 min transient focal cerebral ischemia in 3-month- and 12-month-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats. Microglia were isolated from the brains by FACS sorting on days 3 and 14 after cerebral ischemia. GeneChip Rat 1.0ST microarray was used to profile the whole transcriptome of sorted microglia. We identified an evolving and complex pattern of activation from 3 to 14 days after stroke onset. M2-like patterns were extensively and persistently upregulated over time. M1-like patterns were only mildly upregulated, mostly at day 14. Younger 3-month-old brains showed a larger microglial response in both pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways, compared to older 12-month-old brains. Importantly, our data revealed that after stroke, most microglia are activated towards a wide spectrum of novel polarization states beyond the standard M1/M2 dichotomy, especially in pathways related to TLR2 and dietary fatty acid signaling. Finally, classes of transcription factors that might potentially regulate microglial activation were identified. These findings should provide a comprehensive database for dissecting microglial mechanisms and pursuing neuroinflammation targets for acute ischemic stroke.
The value of intravoxel incoherent motion imaging in predicting the survival of patients with astrocytoma
Authors: Zhu Lina , Wu Jiang , Zhang Hui , Niu Heng , Wang Le
Published: June 2020

Background

The evaluation of the prognosis of gliomas may have great value in individualized treatment.

Purpose

To evaluate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in predicting the survival of patients with astrocytoma and comparing it to apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC).

Material and Methods

Sixty patients with pathologically confirmed cerebral astrocytomas underwent IVIM scans before any treatment was performed. Patients were divided into death group and survival group according to a two-year follow-up. ADC and quantitative parameters of IVIM including D, D*, and f were measured. Independent sample t test was used to compare the two groups of parameters. The accuracy of each parameter for two-year survival rate was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan–Meier survival curves. The correlation between quantitative parameters and survival days was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.

Results

The ADC, D*, and f values were statistically significant different between the death and the survival groups ( P < 0.05). The AUC of the ADC, D*, and f were 0.811, 0.858, and 0.892, respectively. The ADC cut-off value of 0.668 × 10−3 mm2/s corresponded to 82.6% sensitivity and 73% specificity. The D* cut-off value of 3.913 × 10−3 mm2/s corresponded to 78.4% sensitivity and 87% specificity. The f cut-off value of 0.487 corresponded to 83.8% sensitivity and 87% specificity. Significant log rank test was performed for each parameter to predict overall survival ( P < 0.05). There was a correlation between ADC ( r = 0.625, P = 0.023), D* ( r = −0.655, P = 0.012), f ( r = −0.725, P = 0.000) and survival days.

Conclusion

The D* and f values demonstrated great potential in predicting the two-year survival rate for patients with astrocytoma.
Altered resting cerebral blood flow specific to patients with diabetic retinopathy revealed by arterial spin labeling perfusion magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Huang Xin , Wen Zhi , Tong Yan , Qi Chen-Xing , Shen Yin
Published: June 2020

Background

Previous neuroimaging studies have shown that patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) were accompanied by abnormalities in cerebral functional and structural architecture, whereas the resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) alterations in patients with DR are not well understood.

Purpose

To explore CBF alterations in patients with DR using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) imaging.

Material and Methods

Thirty-one individuals with DR (15 men, 16 women; mean age = 53.38 ± 9.12 years) and 33 healthy controls (HC) (12 men, 21 women; mean age = 51.61 ± 9.84 years) closely matched for age, sex, and education, underwent pCASL imaging scans. Two-sample T test was conducted to compare different CBF values between two groups.

Results

Patients with DR exhibited significantly increased CBF values in the left middle temporal gyrus (Brodmann’s area, BA 22) and the bilateral supplementary motor area (BA3) and decreased CBF values in the bilateral calcarine (BA17,18) and bilateral caudate relative to HC group (two-tailed, voxel level at P < 0.01, Gaussian random field (GRF), cluster level at P < 0.05). Moreover, the HbA1c (%) level showed a positive correlation with CBF values in the bilateral caudate (r = 0.473, P = 0.007) in patients with DR.

Conclusion

Our results highlighted that patients with DR had abnormal CBF values in the visual cortices, caudate, middle temporal gyrus, and supplementary motor area, which might reflect vision and sensorimotor and cognition dysfunction in patients with DR. These findings might help us to understanding the neural mechanism of patients with DR.
Effect of Visual Field Location on Global Motion Perception: A Developmental Study
Authors: Shahin Yousef M. , Meier Kimberly , Giaschi Deborah
Published: June 2020

Previous work has shown that motion perception in school-age children is similar to that of adults for fast speeds but is immature at slow speeds for stimuli presented in the central visual field. This study examined whether visual field location affects this developmental pattern. We measured left/right and up/down global motion direction discrimination for fast and slow speeds in 7- to 10-year-old children and in adults with stimuli presented to upper, central, or lower visual fields. For left/right direction discrimination, children showed significantly higher (worse) coherence thresholds than adults for slow, but not fast, speeds in the central visual field. In the upper and lower visual fields, children showed significantly higher coherence thresholds than adults for both speeds. For up/down direction discrimination, children showed similar performance to adults for the central visual field. In the upper and lower visual fields, children performed significantly worse than adults; this finding was speed-tuned only for the lower visual field. Thus, children show immature global motion perception in the periphery even when performance in central vision is adult-like. These results enrich our understanding of motion perception development in children with typical vision.
Estimating the age and mechanism of boulder transport related with extreme waves using lichenometry
Authors: Oliveira Maria A , Llop Esteve , Andrade César , Branquinho Cristina , Goble Ronald , Queiroz Sónia , Freitas Maria C , Pinho Pedro
Published: June 2020

Tsunamis and storms cause considerable coastal flooding, numerous fatalities, destruction of structures, and erosion. The characterization of energy and frequency associated with each wave contribute to the risk assessment in coastal regions. Coastal boulder deposits represent a physical proof of extreme inundation and allow us to study the effects of marine floods further back in time than instrumental and historical records. Age estimation of these deposits is challenging due to lack of materials (such as sand, shells, corals, or organic matter) that retain information about the passage of time. Lichenometry, a simple age estimation method, which is cost-effective, quick to apply, and non-destructive, is here proposed as a solution. A lichen growth model for a calcium-tolerant lichen species was developed and used to estimate the age of a boulder deposit related to extreme marine inundation(s) in Portugal. Estimated ages indicate several very recent events (<700 years) for most of the boulders’ stabilization and agree with results obtained with optically stimulated luminescence of marine sands found beneath boulders. Frequent and recent boulder transport implies a storm-origin for this deposit. These conclusions contrast with other works describing identical deposits that are attributed to paleotsunamis. This study presents a methodology using lichenometry as a successful alternative for age estimation in rocky coastal settings. These results offer an alternative explanation for coastal boulder deposits found on the west coast of Portugal.
Personalized Choice Model for Managed Lane Travel Behavior
Authors: Xie Yifei , Zhang Yundi , Akkinepally Arun Prakash , Ben-Akiva Moshe
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a methodology for enhancing discrete choice models for managed lane travel behavior with personal trip history. We refer to this process as personalization and the enhanced model as a personalized choice model. With the objective of better understanding managed lane choices and improving the model’s prediction capability, personalization was carried out at two levels. First, we used each traveler’s habits and travel experiences before each trip for constructing a set of explanatory variables that could be used with any model structure. Second, under a logit mixture framework, the distribution of random parameters was updated with Bayesian inference according to personal trip history. The structure of the parameter distribution explicitly considered preference variations across individuals (interpersonal heterogeneity), as well as preference variations across trips performed by the same individual (intrapersonal heterogeneity). The proposed methodology is especially relevant for modeling revealed preference (RP) data from automatic vehicle identification sensors, for which limited socioeconomic characteristics of travelers are available. An empirical study was conducted on an operational managed lane corridor near Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Texas. Available trip records over a 5-month period were utilized. A hierarchical Bayes estimator was adopted for efficient model estimation. The results suggest significant inter- and intrapersonal heterogeneity and that the proposed personalization method improves the model’s explanatory power and prediction capability. To the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first introduction of personalization in managed lane choice behavior modeling and the first attempt to estimate intrapersonal heterogeneity with RP data.
Work-related injuries, postural stress, and musculoskeletal disorders among the railway track maintainers in India
Authors: Das Banibrata
Published: June 2020

The main aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate work-related injuries (WRI) and the self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among 742 railway track maintainers. The second aim of this study was to investigate the potential factors related to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in track maintainers. This study also tried to do planning and implementing ergonomic intervention programs to improve track maintainer’s health. Modified Nordic questionnaires were administered to assess the prevalence of MSDs. Detailed posture analysis by rapid entire body assessment (REBA) method was performed to assess the risk level of concerned postures. The injury data for 12 months were collected by conducting a survey and personal interviews with the affected railway track maintainers. To assess the prevalence of MSDs, the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were computed along with critical χ 2 values. Analysis of variance was performed to determine significant differences between the MSD present and absent among the track maintainers of the Indian railway. The result of this study showed that neglect of safety precautions is the main reason for injury, followed by slipping and falling and lack of awareness. Sprain injury is one of the main injuries, followed by cut, snakebite, abrasion, and fracture. Low educational levels of workers are also reasons for WRI. In conclusion, the prevalence and severity of MSD, particularly in the low back, knees, wrist, and shoulder and WRI were found to be very high among the track maintainers. The recommendations of this research are ergonomic interventions, such as track maintainers proper training, following the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health -recommended weight limit for manual material handling, modification in hand tools, job rotation, performing stretching exercise, and avoiding awkward and static posture are needed.
Hemodynamic Effects of Dexmedetomidine in Adults With Reduced Ejection Fraction Heart Failure
Authors: Ruder Tara L. , Donahue Kevin R. , Colavecchia A. Carmine , Putney David , Al-Saadi Mukhtar
Published: June 2020

Background:

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) can cause hypotension complicating its use in critically ill patients with labile hemodynamics secondary to an underlying disease state such as heart failure. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DEX on mean arterial pressure (MAP) in nonsurgical patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods:

This retrospective single-center cohort study evaluated patients who received DEX in the cardiac care and medical intensive care units at a large academic hospital. The primary end point was the change in MAP within 6 hours following DEX initiation.

Results:

Sixty-five patients with HFrEF diagnosis were compared 1:1 to a control group without HFrEF. Both groups experienced a decrease in MAP over the study period. Patients with HFrEF had a greater absolute percentage reduction in MAP 1 hour following DEX initiation compared to the control group (−9.6% vs −5.2%; P < .01). When accounting for the combined effect of DEX initiation and HFrEF diagnosis on the primary end point, patients with HFrEF did not have a significant difference in MAP compared to the control group over the study period.

Conclusions:

Within 6 hours following DEX initiation, both groups experienced a decrease in MAP. The effect of DEX on MAP over the composite time period was not found to be significantly different in the HFrEF group compared to the non-HFrEF group. However, patients with HFrEF experienced a greater reduction in MAP in the first hour following DEX initiation compared to the non-HFrEF group. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the effect of DEX on patients with acute decompensated HFrEF compared to patients with compensated HFrEF.
Fashioned Bodies in Roller Derby League Logos: Critical Analysis of Race, Gender, Body Size and Position, Clothing, and Aesthetics
Authors: Reddy-Best Kelly L. , Green Denise Nicole , Doty Kelsie
Published: June 2020

Revival of roller derby in the early 2000s garnered significant interest in the sport, and an extensive network of leagues began to form. By 2018, approximately 1,500 leagues were operating in North America, each with a unique logo. In this study, we focus on the league logos as a potent form of embodied fashion representation. Using content analysis, we examined all of the logos for U.S. Women’s Flat Track Derby Association–member leagues and have interpreted our findings through a critical cultural analysis. Revival of roller derby in the aughts has repositioned the sport as inclusive of diverse bodies; however, the logos tell a different story. League logos perpetuate hyperfeminized, thin-centric, white bodies—that is, the norms that derby athletes are performatively challenging through participation in the sport.
Evaluation of a Community-Based Cardiovascular Prevention Program in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Finn Yvonne , Gorecka Miroslawa , Flaherty Gerard , Dunne Fidelma , O’Brien Timothy , Crowley James , Wood David , Connolly Susan , Jones Jennifer , Gibson Irene
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

An outcomes’ evaluation of a community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention program in persons with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Design:

A prospective, observational study.

Setting:

A community-setting in Ireland.

Participants:

Persons with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, aged 40 years or older, and 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors.

Intervention:

A 16-week community-based, cardiovascular prevention program, with health promotion seminars, group exercise, and individual consultations, delivered by a multidisciplinary team.

Measures:

Medical, lifestyle, and well-being measures.

Analysis:

Changes in categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using the paired exact test and the t test/Wilcoxin matched-pairs test, respectively.

Results:

In total, 218 persons (134 men) participated, mean age was 59.8 (10.2) years. Completion rate was 75.2% (n = 164). The proportion achieving target glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) increased from 53% at baseline to 75% ( P < .001) at end of program. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures reduced by 8.8 mm Hg (95% CI: −11.2 to −6.4, P < .001) and 5.2 mm Hg (95% CI: −6.9 to −3.5, P < .001), respectively. Mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduced from 2.45 to 2.05 mmol/L ( P < .001). Significantly higher proportions met recommended targets in diet (6.9% vs 43.4%, P < .001) and physical activity (9.2% vs 56.6%, P < .001). Psychosocial measures significantly improved at end of program. The majority of improvements were sustained at 1 year.

Conclusion:

Participation in this CVD prevention program was associated with significant improvements in glycemia and CVD risk factors in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes.
Professionalism and Parents: A New Frame for Color-Blind Racism in Schooling
Authors: LeChasseur Kimberly , Macaulay Charles DT , Fernández Érica
Published: June 2020

This study deconstructs the racial dimension of teacher resistance to parent authority within the shared social institution of education. More specifically, we examine how teachers responded to a teacher evaluation policy that included a parent-based component to assess teacher quality. Using framing theory, this study illustrates the use of professionalism as one mechanism connecting teachers’ individual actions to broader sociocultural experiences of privilege and oppression. To illustrate the anatomy of color-blind framing, we deconstruct three tactics teachers used when framing their resistance to parents: minimizing professional responsibility for engaging parents, masking racist perspectives through geographic and social distance, and misdirecting attention away from parents’ rights to judge education as a public good.
Unravelling deservingness: Which criteria do people use to judge the relative deservingness of welfare target groups? A vignette-based focus group study
Authors: Heuer Jan-Ocko , Zimmermann Katharina
Published: June 2020

Previous research suggests that European citizens share consistent attitudes towards the relative deservingness of different target groups of social policy, such as perceiving elderly people as most deserving, unemployed people as less deserving and immigrants as least deserving. Yet, it is unclear which criteria people apply when making these judgements. In this article, we explore the reasoning behind deservingness judgements. We analyse how four focus groups – from the middle class, the working class, young people and elderly people – discuss and rank various vignettes representing welfare target groups. Our focus groups’ rankings mirror the well-established rank order of welfare target groups, and we also introduce further target groups: median-income families, low-income earners, and well-off earners. Our analyses of reasoning patterns show that depending on the target group specific combinations of deservingness criteria suggested in the literature (e.g. need, reciprocity, identity, control) are applied, and we suggest adding a further criterion emphasizing future returns on invested resources (‘social investment’). Furthermore, by comparing focus groups, we find that different groups back up similar rankings by differing criteria, suggesting that below the surface of a ‘common deservingness culture’ linger class and other differences in perceiving welfare deservingness.
Volumetric measurement of fossil charcoal: Principles, applications and potential
Authors: Crawford Alastair J , Belcher Claire M
Published: June 2020

Quantifying sedimentary charcoal content by estimation of volume from two-dimensional images is a relatively new and little-used method, but has the potential to improve the accuracy of fire histories. It requires a power transformation of area data, and multiplication by a coefficient to account for particle shape. The latter step has been routinely overlooked, or considered unnecessary, with volume estimates made simply by power transformation of the area data. Some researchers have used the method on the basis of the power transformation only, and others have rejected it as unnecessary on the same basis. However, the assumption that the shape coefficient can be ignored is likely to introduce very large errors, resulting in overestimation of charcoal volume. The magnitude of the error is indicated by a limited amount of empirical data obtained from volumetric measurement of individual charcoal particles, and accurate use of the method would require considerable further work to extend this data set. In a sedimentary sequence where particle morphology varies with depth, the errors identified could seriously distort the fire history produced. However, as such variation is easily identified, the method can still improve charcoal quantification where morphology is stationary.
Prioritizing Risk-level Factors in Comprehensive Automobile Insurance Management: A Hybrid Multi-criteria Decision-making Model
Authors: Esfandabadi Zahra Shams , Ranjbari Meisam , Scagnelli Simone Domenico
Published: June 2020

An efficient risk-level prediction for newly proposed insurance policies plays a significant role in the survival of companies in the highly competitive insurance market. In Iran, risk assessment in comprehensive automobile insurance, which is a part of motor insurance, is only based on the vehicle attributes without proper consideration of personal and behavioural characteristics of driver(s). As a result, pricing is unfair in most of the cases and this can put insurance companies in an unfavourable financial position due to attracting high-risk drivers instead of low-risk ones. In this scenario, to identify and prioritize important factors affecting risk levels and to move towards a fair ratemaking, a two-phase process based on fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is proposed in this research. Additionally, similarity aggregation method (SAM) is applied to combine the individual fuzzy opinions of the surveyed experts into a group fuzzy consensus opinion. The results of this empirical study contribute to the insurance market of Iran by proposing appropriate weighting of the relevant risk factors to support stakeholders and policymakers for assessing risks more accurately, as well as designing more effective databases and insurance proposal forms.
Genomic profiling of microRNA target genes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Fadaka Adewale Oluwaseun , Bakare Olalekan Olanrewaju , Pretorius Ashley , Klein Ashwil
Published: June 2020

Colorectal cancer is the second and third most common cancer in men and women, respectively, worldwide. Alterations such as genetic and epigenetic are common in colorectal cancer and are the basis of tumor formation. The exploration of the molecular basis of colorectal cancer can drive a better understanding of the disease as well as guide the prognosis, therapeutics, and disease management. This study is aimed at investigating the genetic mutation profile of five candidate microRNAs (hsa-miR-513b-3p, hsa-miR-500b-3p, hsa-miR-500a-3p, hsa-miR-450b-3p, hsa-miR-193a-5p) targeted by seven genes (APC, KRAS, TCF7L2, EGFR, IGF1R, CASP8, and GNAS)) using in silico approaches. Two datasets (dataset 1 from our previous study and dataset two (The Cancer Genome Atlas, Nature 2012) were considered for this study. Protein–protein interaction, expression analysis, and genetic profiling were carried out using STRING, FireBrowse, and cBioPortal, respectively. Protein–protein interaction network showed that epidermal growth factor receptor has the highest connection among the target genes and this can be considered as the hub gene. Relative to other solid tumors, in colorectal cancer, six of the target genes were downregulated and only CASP8 was upregulated. Genes with protein tyrosine kinases domain were frequently altered in colorectal cancer and the most common alteration in these genes/domain are missense mutation. These results could serve as a lead in the identification of driver genes responsible for colorectal cancer initiation and progression. However, the intense mechanism of these results remains unclear and further experimental validation and molecular approaches are the focal points in the nearest future.
Contracted Extravelar Segments of the Levator Veli Palatini Muscle: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Morphometric Study
Authors: Bae Youkyung , Perta Karen , Obert Kerrie , Kalmar Eileen
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

To provide detailed descriptions of contraction-induced morphometric changes in the extravelar segments of the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle using 3-dimensional (3-D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Design:

Three-dimensional MRI data were acquired at rest and during “silent /i/” from 4 singers. During silent /i/, participants voluntarily sustained velar elevation while breathing orally for the entire scan time. Focusing on the extravelar segments, LVP length, angle of the muscle origin, and cross-sectional area (CSA), measurements were obtained and compared between tasks.

Results:

Three of the 4 participants exhibited the expected patterns of change following concentric contraction of the LVP muscle. Consistent changes from the resting to the contracted state included reductions in LVP length by 13.5% and angle of the muscle origin by 9.8%, as well as increases in CSAs by 22.1%, on average.

Conclusions:

This study presented high-resolution data of the LVP muscle behavior with the first in vivo 3-D measurements of the contracted LVP muscle, which can be useful for the validation of computational models that aim at describing biomechanical properties of the LVP muscle in future research. The active behavior of the extravelar LVP muscle also provides some insight on optimal LVP muscle geometry to consider during cleft palate repair.
Dual exploration strategies using artificial spiking neural networks in a robotic learning task
Authors: Cyr André , Morand-Ferron Julie , Thériault Frédéric
Published: June 2020

Spatial information can be valuable, but new environments may be perceived as risky and thus often evoke fear responses and risk-averse exploration strategies such as thigmotaxis or wall-following behavior. Individual differences in risk-taking (boldness) and thigmotaxis have been reported in natural taxa, which may benefit their survival. In neurorobotic, the common approach is to reproduce cognitive phenomena with multiple levels of bio-inspiration into robotic scenarios. Since autonomous robots may benefit from these different behaviors in exploration tasks, this study aims at simulating two exploration strategies in a virtual robot controlled by a spiking neural network. The experimental context consists in a visual learning task solved through an operant conditioning procedure. Results suggest that the proposed neural architecture sustains both behaviors, switching from one to the other by external cues. This original bio-inspired model could be used as a first step toward further investigations of neurorobotic personality modulated by learning and complex exploration contexts.
Biomechanical Effect on Joint Stability of Including Deltoid Ligament Repair in an Ankle Fracture Soft Tissue Injury Model With Deltoid and Syndesmotic Disruption
Authors: Mococain Pablo , Bejarano-Pineda Lorena , Glisson Richard , Kadakia Rishin J. , Akoh Craig C. , Chen Jie , Nunley James A. , Easley Mark E.
Published: June 2020

Background:

The current operative standard of treatment for bimalleolar equivalent ankle fracture is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the lateral malleolus followed by syndesmotic stabilization if indicated. There is controversy surrounding the indication and need for deltoid ligament repair in this setting. The purpose of this study was to quantify the biomechanical effect of deltoid ligament repair in an ankle fracture soft tissue injury model.

Methods:

Nine fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were included in this study. Each leg was tested under 5 conditions: intact, syndesmosis and deltoid ligament sectioned, syndesmosis fixed, deltoid repaired, and both the syndesmosis and deltoid ligament repaired. Anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial drawer and rotational stresses were applied to the foot, and the resulting talus displacement was documented.

Results:

Isolated deltoid repair significantly reduced anterior displacement to normal levels. Displacement with lateral drawer testing was not significantly corrected until both structures were repaired. Deltoid repair and syndesmosis fixation each reduced internal rotation significantly with further reduction to normal levels when both were repaired. External rotation remained elevated relative to the intact condition regardless of which structures were repaired.

Conclusion:

There is existing controversy regarding the importance of deltoid ligament repair in the setting of ankle fractures. The findings of this biomechanical study indicate that deltoid ligament repair enhances ankle stability in ankle fractures with both syndesmotic and deltoid disruption.

Clinical Relevance:

Concomitant deltoid ligament repair in addition to stabilization of fracture and syndesmosis may improve long-term functioning of the ankle joint and clinical outcomes.
Anterocentral Portal in Ankle Arthroscopy
Authors: Stotter Christoph , Klestil Thomas , Chemelli Andreas , Naderi Vahid , Nehrer Stefan , Reuter Philippe
Published: June 2020

Background:

The anterocentral portal is not a standard portal in anterior ankle arthroscopy due to its proximity to the anterior neurovascular bundle. However, it provides certain advantages, including a wide field of vision, and portal changes become redundant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neurovascular complications after anterior ankle arthroscopy using the anterocentral portal.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified patients who had undergone anterior ankle arthroscopy with an anterocentral portal at our institution from 2013 to 2018. Medical record data were reviewed and patients were invited for clinical follow-up, where a clinical examination, quantitative sensory testing for the deep peroneal nerve, and ultrasonography of the structures at risk were performed. A total of 101 patients (105 arthroscopies) were identified and evaluated at a mean follow-up of 31.5 ± 17.7 months.

Results:

Leading indications to surgery were heterogeneous and included anterior impingement (48.6%), osteochondral lesions of the talus (24.8%), chronic ankle instability (14.3%), and fractures (8.6%). The overall complication rate was 7.6%, and no major complications were observed. In 1.9% (2/105) of the cases, the complications were associated with the anterocentral portal and included injury to the medial branch of the superficial nerve (1/105) and to the deep peroneal nerve (1/105). Injury to the deep peroneal nerve was associated with a loss of detection and nociception. There were no injuries to the anterior tibial artery. In 41.9% (44/105) of the cases, only 1 working portal was used in addition to the anterocentral portal, and in 19% (20/105) the anterolateral portal could be avoided. Ultrasonography confirmed the integrity of the deep peroneal nerve, the medial branch of the superficial peroneal nerve, and the anterior tibial artery in all patients. Patients with nerve injuries associated with the anterocentral portal showed no signs of neuroma or pseudoaneurysm.

Conclusion:

Using a standardized technique, the anterocentral portal in ankle arthroscopy is safe with a low number of neurovascular injuries and can be recommended as a standard portal. The anterolateral portal remains associated with a high number of injuries to the superficial peroneal nerve.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective cohort study.