bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupled Effect of Water Temperature and Cyclic Wetting and Drying on Dynamic Mechanical Characteristics of Sandstone
Authors: Yuan Pu , Wei Ning-Ning , Ma Qin-Yong , Chang Ju-Cai
Published: October 2019

Considering the periodical moisture variation in deep rock masses, cyclic wetting and drying under high geothermal condition is a vital issue for the safety and stability of deep rock engineering. To investigate the coupled effect of water temperature and cyclic wetting and drying on dynamic mechanical characteristics of sandstone, dynamic uniaxial compressive tests were carried out under the same loading condition for sandstone specimens subjected to cyclic wetting and drying treatment. When the temperature was 60°C in both wetting and drying processes, cyclic wetting and drying treatment presents a detrimental effect on the tested sandstone. Both physical and dynamic uniaxial compressive characteristics deteriorate in an exponential function with the increase of wetting and drying cycles. Based on SEM image analyses, the initiation and propagation of microcracks is mainly the result of cyclic loading and unloading of tensile stresses induced by water absorption and desorption of kaolinite within sandstone during cyclic wetting and drying treatment. After 15 cycles of wetting and drying, the deterioration of both physical and dynamic uniaxial compressive characteristics first increase then decrease with water temperature in wetting process elevating from 20°C to 98°C. SEM images indicate that more microcracks generate when water temperatures increase from 20°C to 60°C, while the micromorphology is changed and fewer microcracks display due to kaolinite mobilization when water temperature increases from 60°C to 98°C. The threshold value for the effect of water temperature on cyclic wetting and drying is found to be about 60°C for the tested sandstone.
ECC Design Based on Uniform Design Test Method and Alternating Conditional Expectation
Authors: Li Xiaoqin , Yang Xiao , Ding Zude , Du Xi , Wen Jincheng
Published: October 2019

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) have higher ultimate tensile strains than normal concrete. The mechanical properties of ECC strongly depend on raw materials and the mix proportions. The uniform design test method and alternating conditional expectation, which is a nonparametric regression analysis method, were used to design the ECC mix proportion. According to the regression analysis, the optimized W/B, S/B, and F/B ranges could be obtained as 0.35–0.42, 0.25–0.3, and 0.02, respectively. The tested proportions for validation were randomly adopted within the range of W/B, S/B, and F/B. The uniaxial compression, tension, and four‐point bending tests were conducted to verify the material behaviour of the designed ECC. Results showed that all the specimens had large ultimate tensile strains and high fracture energy capacities, and strain hardening was also observed. The fibers were found to be uniformly distributed in the specimens by using a scanning electron microscope. This paper may provide theoretical and practical guidance for the ECC and other cement‐based material mix proportion design.
Metabolic Consequences of T-cell Costimulation in Anticancer Immunity
Authors: Teijeira Alvaro , Garasa Saray , Etxeberria Inaki , Gato-Cañas Maria , Melero Ignacio , Delgoffe Greg M.
Published: October 2019

T-cell functional behavior and performance are closely regulated by nutrient availability and the control of metabolism within the T cell. T cells have distinct energetic and anabolic needs when nascently activated, actively proliferating, in naïveté, or in a resting, memory state. As a consequence, bioenergetics are key for T cells to mount adequate immune responses in health and disease. Solid tumors are particularly hostile metabolic environments, characterized by low glucose concentration, hypoxia, and low pH. These metabolic conditions in the tumor are known to hinder antitumor immune responses of T cells by limiting nutrient availability and energetic efficiency. In such immunosuppressive environments, artificial modulation of glycolysis, mitochondrial respiratory capabilities, and fatty acid β-oxidation are known to enhance antitumor performance. Reportedly, costimulatory molecules, such as CD28 and CD137, are important regulators of metabolic routes in T cells. In this sense, different costimulatory signals and cytokines induce diverse metabolic changes that critically involve mitochondrial mass and function. For instance, the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) encompassing costimulatory domains, agonist antibodies to costimulatory receptors, and checkpoint inhibitors depends on the associated metabolic events in immune cells. Here, we review the metabolic changes that costimulatory receptors can promote in T cells and the potential consequences for cancer immunotherapy. Our focus is mostly on discoveries regarding the physiology and pharmacology of IL15, CD28, PD-1, and CD137 (4-1BB).
An Entirely Atypical Presentation of Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer with Pancreatic and Bone Metastases
Authors: Yoon Eric , Nassar Yousef , Tejada-Almonte Juan , Mansoor Muhammad Sohail , Umrau Kavita , Hida Sven
Published: October 2019

Few cases of solitary pancreatic metastases from esophageal cancer have been reported; however, these previous cases all describe a solid pancreatic mass. We present a unique case of a 67-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma detected within a pancreatic cystic lesion that was sampled with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy identified a friable and fungating partially obstructing mass in the distal esophagus with features of fistulization into the lung. Pathology showed esophageal squamous cell cancer. An isolated bone lesion was also biopsied and revealed squamous cell cancer. The patient tolerated oral intake and a multidisciplinary decision was made for palliative care with home hospices given his comorbidities portending poor operative candidacy and overall poor prognosis secondary to multiple sites of metastases from his esophageal squamous cell cancer.
Asymmetrical Hemodynamic Influence of Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome on Fetal E/e’ by the Dual Gate Doppler Method in Recipient Twins
Authors: Takano Mayumi , Nakata Masahiko , Nagasaki Sumito , Morita Mineto
Published: October 2019

Objectives: To assess the hemodynamic influence of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) on diastolic function, using left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) E/e’ measured in the same cardiac cycle using the dual-gate Doppler (DD) method. Methods: This study included 56 monochorionic twin pregnancies that underwent fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) for TTTS in 2015–2018. E/e’ by the DD method was measured 24 h before and 4–7 days after FLS. Results: Recipients showed higher LV-E/e’ Z score in stage I-, II-, and III-recipients (IIIr) and higher RV-E/e’ Z score in stage III-donors and IIIr than donors (p < 0.05). After FLS, LV-E/e’ Z score of recipients significantly decreased due to LV-E velocity Z score decrease (p < 0.05). RV-E/e’ Z score after FLS significantly decreased due to RV-e’ velocity Z score increase in recipients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: E/e’ by the DD method helped assess cardiac changes of recipients. LV-E/e’ could assess early hemodynamic changes by TTTS, and RV-E/e’ can assess later influence on cardiac diastolic function. Furthermore, in recipient twins, the decrease in LV-E/e’ after FLS might reflect the improvement of volume overload and the decrease in RV-E/e’ might reflect the improvement of diastolic relaxation function in the RV.
Unit-Level Variations in Healthcare Professionals’ Availability for Preterm Neonates <29 Weeks’ Gestation: An International Survey
Authors: Shahroor Maher , Lehtonen Liisa , Lee Shoo K. , Håkansson Stellan , Vento Maximo , Darlow Brian A. , Adams Mark , Mori Annalisa , Lui Kei , Bassler Dirk , Morisaki Naho , Modi Neena , Noguchi Akihiko , Kusuda Satoshi , Beltempo Marc , Helenius Kjell , Isayama Tetsuya , Reichman Brian , Shah Prakesh S. ,   on behalf of the International Network for Evaluation of Outcomes (iNeo) of neonates
Published: October 2019

Introduction: The availability of and variability in healthcare professionals in neonatal units in different countries has not been well characterized. Our objective was to identify variations in the healthcare professionals for preterm neonates in 10 national or regional neonatal networks participating in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes (iNeo) of neonates. Method: Online, pre-piloted questionnaires about the availability of healthcare professionals were sent to the directors of 390 tertiary neonatal units in 10 international networks: Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Illinois, Israel, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Tuscany. Results: Overall, 325 of 390 units (83%) responded. About half of the units (48%; 156/325) cared for 11–30 neonates/day and had team-based (43%; 138/325) care models. Neonatologists were present 24 h a day in 59% of the units (191/325), junior doctors in 60% (194/325), and nurse practitioners in 36% (116/325). A nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:1 for infants who are unstable and require complex care was used in 52% of the units (170/325), whereas a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 for neonates requiring multisystem support was available in 59% (192/325) of the units. Availability of a respiratory therapist (15%, 49/325), pharmacist (40%, 130/325), dietitian (34%, 112/325), social worker (81%, 263/325), lactation consultant (45%, 146/325), parent buddy (6%, 19/325), or parents’ resource personnel (11%, 34/325) were widely variable between units. Conclusions: We identified variability in the availability and organization of the healthcare professionals between and within countries for the care of extremely preterm neonates. Further research is needed to associate healthcare workers’ availability and outcomes.
PAI-1 Gene Polymorphism Was Associated with an Increased Risk of Allergic Diseases: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of 14 Case-Control Studies
Authors: Zheng Lei , Li Xiuhong , Song Qingzhong , Hou Cheng , Chen Xinlian , Li Bo
Published: October 2019

Introduction: In recent years, many studies have focused on the association between plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphism and risk of allergic diseases, but the results have been inconclusive. Objective: We conducted this meta-analysis to study the exact relationship between PAI-1 polymorphism and susceptibility to allergic diseases. Methods: All eligible studies were determined by an electronic literature search. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association under all of the models. Results: A total of 14 studies involving 2,327 cases and 2,838 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, we found a significant association between PAI-1 polymorphism and risk of allergic diseases (4G/4G + 4G/5G vs. 5G/5G: OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.39–2.22, p < 0.00001). In a subgroup analysis by ethnicity, we found a markedly increased risk in Asians (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.26–2.09, p = 0.0002) and Caucasians (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.26–2.52, p = 0.001). In addition, significant associations between PAI-1 polymorphism and risk of allergic diseases were observed in both adults (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.23–2.38, p = 0.001) and children (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.42–2.46, p < 0.00001). In a subgroup analysis by different allergic diseases, a significantly increased risk was found for asthma (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.33–2.39, p = 0.001) but not for rhinitis (OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.79–2.89, p = 0.22). Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that PAI-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of allergic diseases.
Relationship between Stool Form and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Constipation: An Internet Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Ohkubo Hidenori , Yoshihara Tsutomu , Misawa Noboru , Ashikari Keiichi , Fuyuki Akiko , Matsuura Tetsuya , Higurashi Takuma , Imajo Kento , Hosono Kunihiro , Yoneda Masato , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Chronic constipation (CC) is a highly prevalent functional bowel disorder with low treatment satisfaction and impaired quality of life (QOL). However, physicians tend to emphasize only “stool frequency,” and relationship between “stool form” and QOL remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the actual situation of CC treatment in Japan and elucidate the relationship between stool form and QOL in patients with CC. Methods: We conducted an online questionnaire survey in September 2018 targeting Japanese adult patients already diagnosed with CC and taking prescribed drugs. Assessments included the type of drug treatment, treatment duration, frequency of drug use, frequency of bowel movements (BMs), Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and Japanese version of the Patient Assessment of Constipation QOL (PAC-QOL) scores. Relationship between BSFS and Japanese PAC-QOL scores was analyzed, and most important factor that influences QOL was investigated. Results: A total of 614 subjects were enrolled. Of these, 398 (64.8%) regularly used magnesium oxide and 162 (26.4%) used stimulant laxative, especially 81 (50.0%) used stimulant laxative “everyday.” Mean score of the PAC-QOL was 1.29 ± 0.74, and the lowest score (highest QOL) of 0.94 ± 0.61 was observed in BSFS type 4. Significant difference was seen between BSFS type 4 and all the other types except type 7. Multivariate analysis revealed that normal stool form (BSFS type 4) and BMs ≥3/week are strongly related to decreases of PAC-COL score. In BSFS types 6 and 7, 36% of individuals experienced self-discontinuation of prescribed drugs and 53% self-reduced drug intake because of excessive effects. Conclusions: Stool form and frequency of BMs are relevant to QOL, especially normal stool form (BSFS type 4) is important for improving the QOL in patients with constipation. Physicians should focus on “stool form” and reconsider the prescription especially in BSFS types 6–7 patients.
Multicenter Controlled Study of Intracorporeal Mechanical Side-to-Side Isoperistaltic Anastomosis versus Extracorporeal Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy: HEMI-D-TREND-Study
Authors: Serra-Aracil Xavier , Pascua-Solé Mireia , Mora-López Laura , Vallverdú Helena , Serracant Anna , Espina Beatriz , Ruiz Cristina , Merichal Mireia , Sánchez Antonio , Romagnolo Luis , Veo Carlos ,   on behalf of the HEMI-D-TREND-study group
Published: October 2019

Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cancer in the Western world. A third of colorectal tumors are located in the right colon, and right hemicolectomy is the treatment in nondisseminated right colon cancer. The most serious complication of this procedure is anastomotic leak, which occurs in 8.4% of cases. At present, there is no standardized technique for laparoscopic ileo-colic anastomosis. In previous observational studies, intracorporeal side-to-side ileo-colic laparoscopic anastomosis has shown better results than extracorporeal anastomosis in terms of morbidity and mortality. It is known that randomized studies provide higher levels of evidence, but multicenter randomized controlled studies may imply a learning curve bias due to the differences in technical experience acquired at each hospital. As a result, we propose to carry out a prospective, controlled, nonrandomized TREND-study design (Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomized Designs-TREND) in a large sample of 416 patients (208 per group) in order to assess the use of intracorporeal side-to-side ileo-colic laparoscopic anastomosis as the gold standard in right hemicolectomy.
The Efficacy of Light Therapy in the Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Pjrek Edda , Friedrich Michaela-Elena , Cambioli Luca , Dold Markus , Jäger Fiona , Komorowski Arkadiusz , Lanzenberger Rupert , Kasper Siegfried , Winkler Dietmar
Published: October 2019

Background: Bright light therapy (BLT) has been used as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) for over 30 years. This meta-analysis was aimed to assess the efficacy of BLT in the treatment of SAD in adults. Method: We performed a systematic literature search including randomized, single- or double-blind clinical trials investigating BLT (≥1,000 lx, light box or light visor) against dim light (≤400 lx) or sham/low-density negative ion generators as placebo. Only first-period data were used from crossover trials. The primary outcome was the post-treatment depression score measured by validated scales, and the secondary outcome was the rate of response to treatment. Results: A total of 19 studies finally met our predefined inclusion criteria. BLT was superior over placebo with a standardized mean difference of –0.37 (95% CI: –0.63 to –0.12) for depression ratings (18 studies, 610 patients) and a risk ratio of 1.42 (95% CI: 1.08–1.85) for response to active treatment (16 studies, 559 patients). We found no evidence for a publication bias, but moderate heterogeneity of the studies and a moderate-to-high risk of bias. Conclusions: BLT can be regarded as an effective treatment for SAD, but the available evidence stems from methodologically heterogeneous studies with small-to-medium sample sizes, necessitating larger high-quality clinical trials.
Lymphomas and Their Microenvironment: A Multifaceted Relationship
Authors: Menter Thomas , Tzankov Alexandar
Published: October 2019

It has become evident that the microenvironment – lymphocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts as well as the extracellular matrix, cytokines, chemokines, and a plethora of other cells, structures and substances residing in the vicinity of tumor cells – plays an important part in the maintenance of cancer growth and survival. This is also relevant in lymphomas. In this review, we give an outline on the importance of the microenvironment for tumors in general and lymphomas in particular, by highlighting certain basic principles of tumor-microenvironment interaction. The relationship of lymphomas and their microenvironment is multifaceted: lymphoma cells need growth factors and cytokines derived from microenvironmental cells for their sustenance and growth. On the contrary, many lymphomas silence or at least deregulate the immune system to escape recognition and subsequent elimination by immune cells, while giving advantage to suppressive microenvironmental compounds such as M2 polarized macrophages, regulatory T-cells, mast cells, and immunosuppressive fibroblasts. We also give a detailed insight across different lymphoma types to show the variety of tumor-microenvironment interactions. Due to its tremendous importance, the microenvironment has also become a new target for oncologic therapy. The most important finding concerning lymphomas with a focus on immunomodulatory substances is also, therefore, highlighted.
Impact of Season of Birth on Psychiatric Disorder Susceptibility and Drug Abuse Incidence in a Population from the Köppen Tropical Savanna Region of Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Frederico Rogério , de Paula Gustavo C. , de Carvalho Ricardo J.V. , Ribeiro-Barbosa Erika R. , Spini Vanessa B.M.G.
Published: October 2019

Background: Despite much evidence that season of birth (SOB) my influence the vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, divergence has been reported, in particular between populations born in the northern and southern hemispheres. We analyzed the potential modified risk by SOB to psychiatric disorder or drug addiction comorbidity in a population born in the Triângulo Mineiro region, a southern hemisphere Köppen tropical savanna region in Brazil. Method: We accessed the records of 98,457 of patients and healthy controls of the National Datacenter of Medical Promptuary to evaluate the influence of SOB as a modifying factor on the occurrence of mental disorders and drug abuse conditions among individuals born from the year 2000 to 2016. Results: The data revealed significant modification of the relative incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) (F11, 72 = 2.898; p = 0.003; eta-squared, ES = 0.313; ⍺ = 0.97), anxiety-related disorder (ARD) (F11, 81 =2.389; p = 0.013; ES = 0.241; ⍺ = 0.932), and schizophrenia (SZ) (F11, 83 = 2.764; p = 0.005; ES = 0.303; α = 0.963), while there was no increase in the number of healthy controls born in any month of the year (F11, 71 = 1.469; p = 0.163). Post hoc analyses indicated a significant higher vulnerability to MDD or ARD if the patient was born in August, or October to December, respectively. A relative increase in the incidence of SZ was also observed in patients born from August to October, compared to patients born from November to January. Conclusions: SOB may influence the risk for psychiatric disorders in the TMR population. Regional particularities associated with the climatic regime may account for the apparent divergence between studies.
A Case of Atrophic Dermatofibroma Overexpressing Matrix Metalloproteinase-1
Authors: Yano-Takamori Atsuko , Tsuji Gaku , Nakahara Takeshi , Kido-Nakahara Makiko , Furue Masutaka
Published: October 2019

This case report describes the importance of considering this tumor as one of the differential diagnoses when we encounter a flat and/or atrophic and depressible lesion in the upper portion of the trunk.
The flower flies and the unknown diversity of Drosophilidae (Diptera): a biodiversity inventory in the Brazilian fauna
Authors: Schmitz Hermes José , Valente Vera Lúcia Da Silva
Published: October 2019

Diptera is a megadiverse order, reaching its peak of diversity in Neotropics, although our knowledge of dipteran fauna from this region is grossly lacking. This applies even to the most studied families, such as Drosophilidae. Despite its prominence, most aspects of the biology of these insects are still poorly understood, especially those linked to natural communities. Field studies on drosophilids are highly biased towards fruit-breeding species. Flower-breeding drosophilids, however, are worldwide distributed, especially in tropical regions, although being mostly neglected. The present paper shows the results of a biodiversity inventory of flower-breeding drosophilids carried out in several localities in Brazil, based on samples of 125 plant species, from 47 families. Drosophilids were found in flowers of 56 plant species, from 18 families. The fauna discovered turned out to be mostly unknown, comprising 28 species, with 12 of them (> 40%) still undescribed. Not taking into account opportunistic species, two-thirds of the flower-exclusive diversity was undescribed. The Drosophila bromeliae species group was the most representative taxon, with eight species (six undescribed), including four polyphagous and four Solanum-specialized species. This specialization on Solanum is reported for the first time for Drosophilidae. Other taxa of restricted flower-breeding drosophilids were the Drosophila lutzii species group and two species of the genus Zygothrica Wiedemann. Some specimens of the genera Cladochaeta Coquillett, Rhinoleucophenga Hendel and Scaptomyza Hardy were found, but their relations to flowers are unclear. Additionally, ten species of broad niche were found using flowers opportunistically. Localities and host plants were recorded for all species collected.
A new species of Exogone Ørsted, 1845 (Annelida: Syllidae: Exogoninae) from Brazilian waters
Authors: Fukuda Marcelo Veronesi , Menezes-Moura Andrezza Ribeiro , Guimarães Carmen Regina Parisotto , Ruta Christine
Published: October 2019

We describe herein a new species of the abundant polychaete family Syllidae, Exogone brasiliensis sp. nov. The new species is characterized by a peculiar morphology of anterior body falcigers, with shafts and blades modified specially in chaetigers 1 and 2; falcigers until chaetiger 5 different from those of the rest of the body; and dorsal simple chaetae from midbody onwards unique in the genus, nearly straight, subdistally swollen in one side only, distally rounded. Exogone brasiliensis sp. nov. is described based on detailed morphological analyses under optical and scanning electron microscopes, and compared to its most similar congeners.
Beyond Broca’s area
Authors: Ross David A. , Novick Andrew M.
Published: October 2019

Patients with psychiatric illness often present a unique challenge to medical students: in contrast to some medical conditions, in which patients may seem to be stricken by a disease, patients with certain psychiatric illnesses may seem complicit with the illness. Questions of free will, choice, and the role of the physician can quickly become overwhelming. This may result in students feeling helpless, disinterested, or even resentful. Here we argue that integrating a modern neuroscience perspective into medical education allows students to conceptualize psychiatric patients in a way that promotes empathy and enhances patient care. Specifically, a strong grasp of neuroscience prevents the future physician from falling into dualistic thinking in which the psychosocial aspects of a patient’s presentation are considered beyond the realm of medicine. The value of incorporating neuroscience into a full, biopsychosocial formulation is demonstrated with the case example of a “difficult patient.”
Neuroimaging and electroencephalographic (EEG) methods for investigating neural circuits in mental disorders
Authors: Murakami Junior Mario Minor , Hoexter Marcelo Q. , Shephard Elizabeth
Published: October 2019

It is increasingly recognised that dysfunction in neural circuits plays a key role in the neurobiological basis of mental disorders.  The efficacy of pharmacological and behavioural treatments for mental disorders could therefore be improved by targeting dysfunctions in neurocircuits.  However, to achieve this, a better understanding of the specific alterations in neural circuits involved in different mental disorders is required.  Such understanding can be acquired by using advanced neuroscience methods to examine the pathways and function of neurocircuits in both typically developing individuals and in those with mental disorders.  This article provides an overview of currently available neuroscience methods of investigating neural circuits, including advantages and limitations of different techniques, and highlights the importance of using multi-modal imaging in future research
A suavização do lucro líquido e a persistência das contas de resultado nas empresas brasileiras de capital aberto
Authors: Kajimoto Clarice Gutierrez Kitamura , Nakao Sílvio Hiroshi , Moraes Marcelo Botelho da Costa
Published: October 2019

A literatura não é conclusiva sobre a suavização de resultados representar ou não boa qualidade da informação contábil, por ser uma forma de gerenciamento de resultados e por também estar associada à persistência do lucro. Este trabalho usa as contas de resultado para verificar se a suavização do lucro líquido, atendendo aos interesses dos gestores, pode coexistir com a persistência, conferindo aos investidores maior capacidade de predizer fluxos de caixa futuros. Com a amostra formada por 295 empresas brasileiras, no período de 2010 a 2015, verificou-se que existem contas, formando o lucro líquido, que são persistentes. Contudo, ao observar o grupo de tratamento, formado apenas pelas empresas que mais suavizam o lucro líquido, verificou-se que há contas que mantêm sua persistência e outras que deixam de apresentar persistência significativa. Em outra amostra, formada pelas 76 empresas que mais suavizam o lucro líquido, com o grupo de tratamento formado pelas empresas que suavizam, utilizando accruals discricionários, observou-se que as contas despesa de venda e outras receitas e outras despesas operacionais mantêm a persistência. Esses resultados sugerem que a associação da suavização do lucro líquido com a persistência ocorre por meio das contas de resultado que o compõem, mas há uma redução da capacidade preditiva em empresas que têm seu resultado suavizado.
Achieving Human Security after a Disaster: the Case of the Haiyan Widows
Authors: Mangada Ladylyn Lim , Su Yvonne
Published: October 2019

When Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on November 8, 2013, it took the lives of over 6,300 people. Many of those who died were men who did not evacuate in order to protect their homes. As a result, widowhood was a significant and devastating consequence of Haiyan, but widowed women were also one of the most neglected and underserved vulnerable populations in the aftermath of the disaster. The data used in this study were drawn from 15 semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions with widowed women in three areas in the province of Leyte that were heavily affected by Haiyan: Tacloban City, Palo, and Tanauan. Our fieldwork uncovered that while the delivery of humanitarian assistance provided a modicum of human security to the survivors, the ability for widows to achieve human security was severely reduced and constrained. Thus, the main research question of this paper is: “What undermined the widows from attaining human security after Haiyan?” and we argue that there were four main factors: (1) the lack of equal access to economic opportunities; (2) the occurrence of new risks in the resettlement sites; (3) the inability of institutions to respond and adapt to change; and (4) the absence of survivor-centered decision making venues. To overcome these barriers to human security in the future, we make two key policy recommendations on how local government units, being the primary organizations that deliver prevention and response services, need to do. These are: (1) prioritize the elimination of existing economic and social vulnerabilities in the relocation sites, and (2) prepare the widows and their families for future climate shocks.
Four new crane fly species of subgenus Tipula (Vestiplex) (Diptera, Tipulidae) from China
Authors: STARKEVICH PAVEL , MEN QIU-LEI , SALDAITIS AIDAS
Published: October 2019

Four new crane fly species of subgenus Tipula (Vestiplex) Bezzi, 1924, T. (V.) borthi sp. nov. (Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu provinces, erectiloba species group), T. (V.) maoxianensis sp. nov. (Sichuan province, virgatula species group), T. (V.) xinduqiaoensis sp. nov. and T. (V.) auriculatalobata sp. nov. (Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, divisotergata species group) are described and illustrated. The newly described species can be separated using the identification keys provided for local species of the erectiloba, virgatula and divisotergata groups.
Sinibotia lani, a new species of botiid loach (Teleostei: Botiidae) from Guangxi, China
Authors: WU TIE-JUN , YANG JIAN
Published: October 2019

Sinibotia lani, a new botiid loach is described from the Zuojiang River, located in Guangxi Autonomous Region, China. The species differs from other members of Sinibotia by a combination of the following morphological characters: body depth 17.5–21.1% SL; snout length shorter than postorbital length of head; eye diameter 10.2–13.2% HL; interorbital width 16.0–18.6% HL; suborbital spine reaching or extending beyond postorbital margin of eye; lower lip with pair of fleshy button-like clusters of papillae; dorsal-fin origin opposite to pelvic-fin origin, pelvic fin not reaching anus; includes six dark vertical bars on the body. A key to the species of Sinibotia is provided.
Subterranean Campodeidae fauna from Sicily (Diplura): its biogeographical interest with the description of a new species of Plusiocampa
Authors: SENDRA ALBERTO , NICOLOSI GIUSEPPE , AMORE ELENA
Published: October 2019

A description is given of a biogeographically interesting new species of Campodeidae (Diplura), Plusiocampa (Plusiocampa) tinoamorei sp. nov., a troglobiotic species found in the Sicilian Villasmundo and Scrivilleri caves. A second subterranean species already known from three caves in northwest Sicily near Palermo, Campodea (Campodea) majorica sicula Condé, 1957, also was studied. Both species were characterized with SEM. Each species belongs to a different monophyletic group: Plusiocampa s. str., with thoracic medial posterior macrosetae, and the group related to Campodea (Campodea) grassi Silvestri, 1912. Both groups are widely distributed on almost all of the large western Mediterranean islands. Nevertheless, although these two monophyletic groups have a different origin both could be dispersed via land connections between the mainland and the islands during the Messinian Age. This new discovery shows the great value of Sicilian caves that hold species with unique features and of high biogeographic significance.
Nonlinear Climate Responses to Increasing CO2 and Anthropogenic Aerosols Simulated by CESM1
Authors: Deng Jiechun , Dai Aiguo , Xu Haiming
Published: October 2019

Atmospheric CO2 and anthropogenic aerosols (AA) have increased simultaneously. Because of their opposite radiative effects, these increases may offset each other, which may lead to some nonlinear effects. Here the seasonal and regional characteristics of this nonlinear effect from the CO2 and AA forcings are investigated using the fully coupled Community Earth System Model. Results show that nonlinear effects are small in the global mean of the top-of-the-atmosphere radiative fluxes, surface air temperature, and precipitation. However, significant nonlinear effects exist over the Arctic and other extratropical regions during certain seasons. When both forcings are included, Arctic sea ice in September–November decreases less than the linear combination of the responses to the individual forcings due to a higher sea ice sensitivity to the CO2-induced warming than the sensitivity to the AA-induced cooling. This leads to less Arctic warming in the combined-forcing experiment due to reduced energy release from the Arctic Ocean to the atmosphere. Some nonlinear effects on precipitation in June–August are found over East Asia, with the northward-shifted East Asian summer rain belt to oppose the CO2 effect. In December–February, the aerosol loading over Europe in the combined-forcing experiment is higher than that due to the AA forcing, resulting from CO2-induced circulation changes. The changed aerosol loading results in regional thermal responses due to aerosol direct and indirect effects, weakening the combined changes of temperature and circulation. This study highlights the need to consider nonlinear effects from historical CO2 and AA forcings in seasonal and regional climate attribution analyses.
What’s Next? Six Observations for the Future of Political Misinformation Research
Authors: Weeks Brian E. , Gil de Zúñiga Homero
Published: October 2019

Research on political misinformation is booming. The field is continually gaining more key insights about this important and complex social problem. Academic interest on misinformation has consistently been a multidisciplinary effort. But perhaps political communication researchers are particularly well situated to be the leading voices on the public’s understanding of misinformation and many are heeding the call. With that responsibility in mind, in this brief article we offer six observations for the future of political misinformation research that we believe can help focus this line of inquiry to better ensure we address some of the most pressing problems. Our list is not exhaustive, nor do we suggest that areas we do not cover are not important. Rather, we make these observations with the goal of spurring a conversation about the future of political misinformation research.
A comparison of cardiac troponin T delta change methods and the importance of the clinical context in the assessment of acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Simpson Paul , Tirimacco Rosy , Cowley Penelope , Siew May , Berry Narelle , Tate Jill , Tideman Philip
Published: October 2019

Background

The management of patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome is a significant challenge for clinicians. Guidelines for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction require a rise and/or fall of cardiac troponin, along with other criteria. Knowing what constitutes a significant delta change from baseline is still unclear and the literature is varied.

Methods

We compared three methods for determining cardiac troponin delta changes (relative, absolute and z-scores) for detecting acute myocardial infarction in 806 patients presenting to an emergency department with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. Blood specimens were collected at admission and 2, 3, 4 and 6 h postadmission and tested on the Roche Elecsys high-sensitivity troponin T assay.

Results

A positive diagnosis for acute myocardial infarction was found in 39 (4.8%) patients. ROC AUC showed better performance for the absolute and z-score delta change (0.959–0.988 and 0.956–0.988, respectively) compared with relative delta change (0.921–0.960) at all time points in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Optimal timing for the second sample was at 4–6 h postadmission.

Conclusions

Although not statistically significant, the results show a trend of absolute and z-score delta change performing better than relative delta change for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. The z-score approach allows for a single cut-off value across multiple high-sensitivity assays which could be useful in the clinical setting. Our study also highlighted the importance of interpreting cardiac troponin changes in the clinical context with a combination of the patient’s clinical history and electrocardiogram.
Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities Among Community Centers’ Management Staff Members: A Brief Report
Authors: Ayelet Gur , Roni Koch
Published: October 2019

This study aims to examine the connections between personal demographic characteristics, knowledge about disability, contact with persons with disabilities, and attitudes toward persons with disabilities among Israeli community centers’ managerial position holders. The sample consisted of 84 managerial position holders working in different departments at Israeli community centers who completed the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Toward Persons with Disabilities. A moderate negative connection was found between age and attitudes toward disability. No significant association was found between gender or education level and attitudes toward disability. Participants who personally knew a person with a disability showed more positive attitudes on the cognition dimension than those who have no personal connection to a person with disabilities. A moderate positive connection was found between knowledge about disability issues and attitudes toward those with disabilities. Our research concludes that both personal contact with individuals with disabilities and disability knowledge are associated with positive attitudes toward such individuals. Thus, recommendations were made to develop training for community centers’ management and employees to promote more favorable attitudes toward people with disabilities.
The Role of External Support in Improving K-3 Reading Outcomes in New York City
Authors: Hatch Thomas , Ahn Meesuk , Ferguson Daniel , Rumberger Alyson
Published: October 2019

This study documents the collective capacity of the external support providers working to improve K-3 reading outcomes in New York City. Interviews and social network surveys with a sample of the 112 providers at work in this “reading improvement sector” showed that they serve as a conduit for sharing reading-related resources and expertise throughout a large part of New York City. However, the collective impact of the sector remains limited because their goals vary widely; support is unevenly distributed; and many programs work in isolation and are informed by funders and sources of expertise that are unlikely to be connected.
Narrating crises and populism in Southern Europe: Regimes of metaphor
Authors: Valdivia Pablo
Published: October 2019

The aim of this article is to propose an exploratory critical response to the two following main research questions: (1) why, in moments of crises, particular metaphors operate in the construction of interrelated cultural narratives; and (2) in which ways metaphors generate alternative intellectual horizons for social renewal under the rise of populism in the Southern European context. A metaphor is not only a linguistic device but also a cognitive operation that configures and shapes the pre-figurative poetic acts which articulate our worldviews. It is my working hypothesis that by studying the metaphorical systematicity produced within certain imagined communities, it is possible to ground the conceptual system that informs cultural and political practices such as populist movements, while also tracing novel metaphors that can activate renewal and produce structural change in our societies. In this essay, I propose to critically define such conceptual systems as ‘regimes of metaphor’.
Modeling Residents’ Attitudes toward Short-term Vacation Rentals
Authors: Yeager Emily Pauline , Boley B. Bynum , Woosnam Kyle Maurice , Green Gary T.
Published: October 2019

Researchers have recently begun to explore residents’ perceptions of short-term vacation rental (STVR) from both qualitative and quantitative approaches, but there is still a need for strong theoretical underpinnings to support this growing body of research. This study addresses this gap through applying a theoretical perspective that combines Social Exchange Theory and Weber’s Theory of Formal and Substantive Rationality to assess residents’ attitudes toward STVRs in the US city of Savannah, Georgia. Results from 384 resident surveys revealed that support for STVRs was a function of both the costs and benefits associated with STVRs, as well as perceived social and psychological empowerment from STVR development. These findings highlight the need for regulatory approaches that ensure STVRs do not infringe on residents’ sense of community and that STVR activity reflects the values and norms of residents so that STVR visits induce resident’ pride in their neighborhoods.
Demographic Analysis of Residents’ Support for Tourism Development in the UAE: A Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling Multigroup Approach
Authors: Papastathopoulos Avraam , Ahmad Syed Zamberi , Al Sabri Nada , Kaminakis Kostas
Published: October 2019

This study examines how the demographic profiles of residents (gender, level of education, nationality, length of residency, and age) moderate the relationship between residents’ perceptions of the impact of tourism and their support for tourism development. The aim of the study was to gain knowledge on the understudied emerging countries, the underexplored geographical area of Middle East and North Africa, and most specifically on the UAE which is the most competitive destination among them. This study is the first to use the novel Bayesian SEM multigroup approach to overcome the major issue of the non-normal distributions of data. The data are derived from 631 residents of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The results indicate that residents’ perceptions influence residents’ support for tourism development. Additionally, the multigroup analysis reveals that gender, education, and nationality influence the perceptions of residents while length of residency and age do not have a significant effect.
“To Clean or Not to Clean?” Reducing Daily Routine Hotel Room Cleaning by Letting Tourists Answer This Question for Themselves
Authors: Knezevic Cvelbar Ljubica , Grün Bettina , Dolnicar Sara
Published: October 2019

Changing default settings has proven to be a powerful approach to influencing consumer decisions without denying consumers the possibility of choosing freely. This is only the second study investigating the effectiveness of defaults in tourism, and the first testing also the combined effect of default changes and pro-environmental appeals in the context of changing room cleaning defaults in hotels from automatic daily cleaning (with the choice of opting out) to no daily routine cleaning (with the choice of opt-in and requesting a free room clean every day). Results from a quasi-experimental study conducted in a three-star city hotel suggest that the change in defaults significantly reduced room cleaning, with only 32% of room cleans requested on average. Adding a pro-environmental appeal to the change in defaults did not further reduce room cleaning overall, but has an effect on certain segments of hotel guests.
Mobilization of the Masses: Dutch Planners, Local Politics, and the Threat of the Motor Age 1960-1980
Authors: Verlaan Tim
Published: October 2019

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Netherlands experienced a rapid growth in car ownership. Dutch planners and politicians soon realized that this growing automobility would radically transform the living environment, daily commute, and consumption behavior of millions of people, in particular of those living in or near large conurbations. By investigating how professional and political elites perceived increasing automobility, and how their responses subsequently affected urban planning in the Netherlands, this article offers a comprehensive and multifaceted narrative of the dawning of the Dutch motor age. I demonstrate how the gloomy and fearful predictions of planners and traffic engineers working in the 1960s foreshadowed a wider discontent with car-centered planning. Their engagements with local officials and urban action groups led to planning compromises I describe as a form of “gentle modernization,” typical for a country which has always opted for a cautious approach to modernity.
Feature extraction based on variational mode decomposition and support vector machine for natural gas pipeline leakage
Authors: Lu Jingyi , Yue Jikang , Jiang Chunlei , Liang Hongwei , Zhu Lijuan
Published: October 2019

Issues concerning natural gas pipeline leakage are becoming more prominent than ever because of the continuing expansion of natural gas pipeline networks. Although many scholars have extensively investigated generation and detection methods for pipeline leakage acoustic signals, systematic research on the characteristics of leakage and interference signals remains insufficient. Results show that the method based on the RBF kernel function is feasible for pipeline fault diagnosis, yielding 100% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 96% accuracy.
Exoskeleton design and adaptive compliance control for hand rehabilitation
Authors: Akgun Gazi , Cetin Ahmet Emre , Kaplanoglu Erkan
Published: October 2019

An adaptive robotic system has been developed to be used for hand rehabilitation. Previously developed exoskeletons are either very complex in terms of mechanism, hardware and software, or simple but have limited functionality only for a specific rehabilitation task. Some of these studies use simple position controllers considering only to improve the trajectory tracking performance of the exoskeleton which is inadequate in terms of safety and health of the patient. Some of them focus only on either passive or active rehabilitation, but not both together. Some others use EMG signals to assist the patient, but this time active rehabilitation is impossible unless different designs and control strategies are not developed. The proposed mechanical structure is extremely simple. The middle and the proximal phalanxes are used as a link of consecutively connected two 4-bar mechanisms, respectively. The PIP and MCP joints are actuated by a single electro mechanical cylinder to produce complex flexion and extension movements. It is simpler than similar ones from aspect with the mechanical structure and the biodynamic fit of the hand, making it practicable in terms of production and personal usage. Simple design lets to implement adaptive compliance controller for all active and passive rehabilitation tasks, instead of developing complex and different strategies for different rehabilitation tasks. Furthermore, using the Luenberger observer for unmeasured velocity state variable, an on-line estimation method is used to estimate the dynamic parameters of the system. This makes possible to estimate the force exerted by the patient as well, without a force sensor.