bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação hidrogeológica quali-quantitativa do aquífero fraturado Serra Geral, localizado no noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Mancuso Malva Andrea , Santos Caroline Emiliano
Published: April 2021

Um dos maiores aquíferos do Rio Grande do Sul é o aquífero fraturado Serra Geral. Ele corresponde a uma importante fonte de abastecimento de água para 46% dos municípios. Este estudo objetiva avaliar a influência do sistema de fraturas do sistema aquífero Serra Geral na produtividade e na qualidade das águas subterrâneas. Testes estatísticos, integrando parâmetros estruturais, hidrodinâmicos e hidroquímicos, foram realizados utilizando o programa estatístico PAST. A área de estudo abrange o município de Frederico Westphalen. A maior parte (75%) das captações do município não ultrapassa 186 m de profundidade. As captações que interceptam mais de uma zona de fratura têm maior capacidade específica (até 19,8 m3/h/m) e são menos profundas do que as que interceptam uma única zona de fratura. As vazões são da ordem dos 8 m3/h. Os poços próximos aos maiores lineamentos interceptam frequentemente várias zonas de fraturas e apresentam: estradas de água, nível dinâmico e estático menos profundos, maior vazão e maior capacidade específica em relação aos poços próximos a lineamentos menores. Os níveis piezométricos indicam tendência regional de escoamento de oeste para leste e nordeste. Predominam águas bicarbonatadas sódicas, sendo mais carbonatadas e mais cloretadas as águas de poços que interceptam uma única zona de fratura. O pH, entre 7 e 9,9, aumenta com a proximidade dos lineamentos e com o aumento da profundidade da captação. Apesar de 78% das águas apresentarem qualidade nos padrões de potabilidade para consumo humano, há poços com concentrações de ferro total e de fluoreto acima do permissível. Há indícios de contribuição de águas salinizadas de aquíferos mais profundos (fluxo ascendente) em poços que exploram o sistema aquífero SG.
NAD
+
Repletion Reverses Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Tong Dan , Schiattarella Gabriele G. , Jiang Nan , Altamirano Francisco , Szweda Pamela A. , Elnwasany Abdallah , Lee Dong I. , Yoo Heesoo , Kass David A. , Szweda Luke I. , Lavandero Sergio , Verdin Eric , Gillette Thomas G. , Hill Joseph A.
Published: April 2021

Rationale:

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a mortal clinical syndrome without effective therapies. We recently demonstrated in mice that a combination of metabolic and hypertensive stress recapitulates key features of human HFpEF.

Objective:

Using this novel preclinical HFpEF model, we set out to define and manipulate metabolic dysregulations occurring in HFpEF myocardium.

Methods and Results:

We observed impairment in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation associated with hyperacetylation of key enzymes in the pathway. Downregulation of sirtuin 3 and deficiency of NAD
+
secondary to an impaired NAD
+
salvage pathway contribute to this mitochondrial protein hyperacetylation. Impaired expression of genes involved in NAD
+
biosynthesis was confirmed in cardiac tissue from patients with HFpEF. Supplementing HFpEF mice with nicotinamide riboside or a direct activator of NAD
+
biosynthesis led to improvement in mitochondrial function and amelioration of the HFpEF phenotype.

Conclusions:

Collectively, these studies demonstrate that HFpEF is associated with myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction and unveil NAD
+
repletion as a promising therapeutic approach in the syndrome.
Lifelong Classification in Open World With Limited Storage Requirements
Authors: Bi Wang , Yang Chen , XueLian Li , JunFu Chen
Published: April 2021

This letter focuses on the problem of lifelong classification in the open world, the goal of which is to achieve an endless process of learning. However, incremental data sets (like the streaming data) in the open world, where the new classes may be emerging, are unsuited for classical classification methods. For addressing this problem, existing methods usually retrain the whole observed data sets with the complex computation and the expensive storage cost. This letter attempts to improve the performance of classification in the open world and decomposes the problem into three subproblems: (1) to reject unknown instances, (2) to classify accepted instances, and (3) to cut the cost of learning. Rejecting unknown instances refers to recognize those instances whose classes are unknown according to the learner, which could reduce the computation of the retraining process and eliminate the storage of historical data sets. We employ outlier detection for rejecting instances and a variant artificial neural network for classifying with fewer weights. Results on several experiments show that the work is effective. Source code can be found at https://github.com/wangbi1988/Lifelong-learning-in-Open-World-Classification.
Herding and Contrarianism: A Matter of Preference?
Authors: Kendall Chad
Published: April 2021

Herding and contrarian strategies produce informational inefficiencies when investors ignore private information, instead following or bucking past trends. In a simple market model, I show theoretically that investors with prospect theory preferences generically follow herding or contrarian strategies, but do so because of future returns as opposed to past trends. I conduct a laboratory experiment to test the theory and obtain an estimate of the distribution of preferences in the subject population. I find that approximately 70% of subjects have preferences that induce herding. Using the preference estimates, I quantify informational efficiencies and predict trade behavior in more general environments.
Exchange Rate Shocks and Quality Adjustments
Authors: Goetz Daniel , Rodnyansky Alexander
Published: April 2021

Do firms respond to cost shocks by reducing the quality of their products? Using microdata from a large Russian retailer that refreshes its product line twice-yearly, we document that higher quality products are more profitable than lower quality ones, but that the number of high-quality products experiences a relative decrease after a large ruble devaluation in 2014. We show that rising firm costs—and not shrinking consumer incomes—explains the reallocation, and rationalize the data with a model that features consumer expenditure switching between high and low qualities. The reallocation to lower quality products reduces average pass-through by 26%.
Secular Economic Changes and Bond Yields
Authors: Feunou Bruno , Fontaine Jean-Sébastien
Published: April 2021

We build a model of bond yields in an economy with secular changes to inflation, real rate, and output growth. Long-run restrictions identify nominal shocks that do not influence the long-run real rate and output growth. Before the anchoring of inflation around the mid-1990s, nominal shocks lifted the output gap and inflation. This led to a higher and steeper yield curve because the short rate was expected to peak after several quarters, following declines in the responses of growth and inflation. With inflation anchored, nominal shocks have small impacts on inflation, output, and bond yields, mostly via the term premium.
Cash Transfers and Migration: Theory and Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gazeaud Jules , Mvukiyehe Eric , Sterck Olivier
Published: April 2021

Will the fast expansion of cash-based programming in poor countries increase international migration? Theoretically, cash transfers may deter migration by increasing its opportunity cost or favor migration by relaxing liquidity, credit, and risk constraints. This paper evaluates the impact of a cash-for-work program on migration. Randomly selected households in Comoros were offered up to US$320 in cash in exchange for their participation in public works projects. We find that the program increased international migration by 38% from 7.8% to 10.8%. The increase in migration appears to be driven by the alleviation of liquidity and risk constraints.
Issues: The Promise of a Speech Act
Authors: Naas Michael
Published: April 2021

This essay celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Research in Phenomenology by reimagining or rethinking the speech act (whether explicit or implicit) that would have launched or inaugurated the journal back in 1971. It does this by rereading Derrida’s signature text on speech act theory, “Signature Event Context,” a text first presented by Derrida in the very year of the journal’s founding. The essay takes Derrida’s theses regarding the speech act’s fundamental relationship to writing, absence, death, and testimony in order to reread some of the first issues of Research in Phenomenology, including the memorial essays contained within them. The essay concludes by suggesting that Research in Phenomenology has done as much as any journal over the last half century to live up to the promise of that original speech act.
Of a Ghost and Its Resurrection: María Zambrano on the Agony of Europe
Authors: Gasché Rodolphe
Published: April 2021

In La Agonia de Europa, María Zambrano writes: “Europe is not dead, Europe cannot die completely; it agonizes. For Europe is perhaps the only thing—in history—that cannot die; it is the only thing capable of resurrection.” How to understand this provocative statement? What must Europe be for it not being able to completely die, but only to agonize? How to understand the mode of being Europe as one of continuous agonization? What kind of resurrection does European life refer to, and what is its significance in the context of Zambrano’s heretical Christianity? These are among the questions raised in the paper.
Three Last Dubious Projects
Authors: Krell David Farrell
Published: April 2021

The article discusses three research projects that I may never undertake: (1) a genealogy of Nietzsche interpretations devolving from Bataille and Heidegger; (2) a discussion of Derrida’s strange mix of biology and biography in his work on Nietzsche; and (3) an account of meetings I had on various occasions with Heidegger, Arendt, and Derrida.
Sweden’s Collective Defence Obligations or this is Not a Collective Defence Pact (or Is It?): Considerations of International and Constitutional Law
Authors: Österdahl Inger
Published: April 2021

This article analyses the content of the mutual defence obligation contained in the EU Treaty Article 42(7) in relation to the Swedish constitutional rule on the sending of armed forces abroad and the emerging ’deepened defence cooperation’ between Sweden and Finland. The article tries to understand the prevailing Swedish position in legal terms and suggests an alternative flexible way on Sweden’s part of conceiving the binding force of Article 42(7). The question is whether the EU Treaty contains an international obligation of a quality to activate a provision in the Swedish Constitution entitling the government to decide on its own, without having to seek the otherwise necessary approval by Parliament, to send Swedish armed forces to other countries for instance on a mission of collective self-defence. The possibility of looking at the EU Treaty and the Swedish Instrument of Government in this way is not considered in any of the Swedish official inquiries into the Swedish security and defence policy of which there have been quite a few recently.
A review of the subfamily Methochinae from Taiwan (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae) with description of a new species and redescription of the known species
Authors: NARITA KEISUKE , MITA TOSHIHARU
Published: April 2021

Eleven species of Methocha Latreille from Taiwan are revised. Methocha cirrhocrus Narita & Mita, sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The previously unknown male of M. maai Lin, 1966 is described. Methocha taoi Lin, 1966 is newly synonymized under Methocha areolata Lin, 1966. The genus Karlissa Krombein, 1979 is newly recorded from Taiwan, and a new combination is proposed for Methoca (sic!) tricha Strand, 1913, which is transferred to the genus Karlissa Krombein. A key to the species based on males and females is given.
BAY 73-6691 Alters Neuron Plasticity and Phosphorylation of Tau Through Regulation of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate/Protein Kinase G/Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element-Binding Protein Pathway
Authors: Jiang Hui , Zheng Yan , Ni Jie , Xu Yun
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by cognitive and memory decline, accompanying with neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) made of hyperphosphorylated tau protein and senile plaques (SP) accumulated by β-amyloid protein (Aβ).
BAY 73-6691, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-9 (PDE-9), can improve learning and memory of elderly rats. However, the effects of BAY 73-6691 on neuroapoptotic and neuroinflammatory events, as well as synaptic plasticity of differentiated PC12 cells are remain unclear. In this work, we screened
apoptotic cells induced by Aβ25-35 via flow cytometry. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 secreted by PC12 cells were estimated by ELISA kits. The levels of cGMP, PKG and CREB mediated by BAY 73-6691 were assessed. Moreover, we conducted western blots analysis
to evaluate the phosphorylation of tau and synaptic related proteins. Results showed that BAY 73-6691 could reduce Aβ25-35-triggered neuroapoptosis and neuroinflammation. Phosphorylation of tau was inhibited by BAY 73-6691, whereas sildenafil citrate (SC, an inhibitor
of cGMP) partially weakened the effect of BAY 73-6691. Additionally, synaptic plasticity restored by BAY 73-6691 was also suppressed via SC. Taken together, BAY 73-6691 exhibited neuro protective effects, and altered tau phosphorylation as well as synaptic related proteins through cGMP/PKG/CREB
pathway.
The Protective Effects of Protease Inhibitor MG-132 on Sepsis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury and Its Mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Zhu Ying , Zhou Ying , Fei Bingru
Published: April 2021

MG-132 is an aldehyde peptide proteasome inhibitor, which reduces the inflammatory response and exerts a protective effect on severe acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury of rats. However, the involvement of MG-132 in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and the underlying
mechanisms remain unknow. In this study, SD rats were employed to induce sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method and then divided into control, sham, CLP, and CLP + MG-132. Histopathology observation was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of biomarkers representing
renal function such as serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum cystatin C (Scys C), and indicators of AKI such as Kim-1, IL-18, α glutathione S-traferase (α-GST) and albumin were measured by ELISA. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were performed
to measure Testican-1. In order to assess the role of Testican-1, the expression of β-catenin, c-myc and cyclinD1 were evaluated by western blot. The results indicated that the levels of SCr, BUN, Scys C, KIM-1, IL-18, GST-α and albumin were decreased after MG-132
treatment compared with CLP group. And both pathological injury and W/D ratio were obviously improved in the CLP + MG- 132 group. Furthermore, the level of Testican-1 increased in the CLP group while a decreased presented in the CLP + MG-132 group. The expression of β-catenin,
c-myc and cyclinD1 were downregulated in the CLP + MG-132 group compared to the CLP group. Our findings suggested that MG-132 can protect against AKI via inhibiting Testican-1 through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway MG-132 served as a novel biomarker and therapeutic regimen for sepsis-induced
AKI.
The Mechanism of Gastrodin Participating in Improving the Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Notch 1 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Hong Qing , Ye Junqiang , Wang Xijia , Zhang Chao
Published: April 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Gastrodin can activate the Notch 1 signaling pathway in the ischemic brain area to produce neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and to elucidate the role of Notch 1 and NF-κB
signaling pathways in the Gastrodin-induced cerebral ischemic tolerance. Material and methods: The focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion model of middle cerebral artery embolism was established. TTC staining was applied to detect cerebral infarction. Tunel/NeuN immunofluorescence double labeling
was employed to detect apoptosis. WB was used to detect the expressions of proteins related to the Notch 1 and NF-κB pathways. Results: Gastrodin can reduce neuron apoptosis in hippocampus after MCAO/R injury. After DAPT blocked Notch 1 signaling, the neuroprotective effects
of Gastrodin improving neural function score, reducing cerebral infarction volume, and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, were all reversed. Compared with the MCAO/R group, DAPT blocking Notch 1 signaling can also improve the neurological score of rats after MCAO/R injury, reduce cerebral infarct
volume, and reduce neuronal apoptosis. Gastrodin can activate Notch 1 and NF-κB signaling pathways in cerebral ischemic areas and increase the expression of related proteins. After DAPT inhibited the Notch 1 signaling in the ipsilateral brain region, the phosphorylation level
was significantly decreased, indicating that the activity of the NF-κB pathway was regulated by the Notch 1 signaling. Conclusion: Gastrodin-mediated protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is related to the activation of Notch 1 signaling and the up-regulation
of NF-κB signaling pathway activity in neurons of ischemic brain area.
Effect of Down-Regulation of Long-Chain Non-Coding RNAs Myocardial Infarction Associated Transcript 2 Expression on Osteoarthritis Chondrocytes
Authors: Meng Fanbin , Shuai Jun , Li Guoqing , Weng Jian , Zeng Hui
Published: April 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is featured as articular cartilage degradation. LncRNA Mirt2 involves in inflammation, but its role in osteoarthritis is unclear. Our study intends to assess LncRNA Mirt2’s role in OA chondrocytes. The chondrocytes of OA patients (OA group) and healthy controls
(control group) were isolated to measure LncRNA Mirt2 expression by Real time PCR. Chondrocytes were assigned into control group, LPS group, LPS + si-NC group, LPS + Mirt2 siRNA group followed by analysis of LncRNA Mirt2 level by real time PCR, cell proliferation by MTT assay, cell apoptosis
by flow cytometry, expression of COL2A1, MMP13, ADAMTS-5, MEK1/2, Erk1/2 and phosphorylated Erk1/2 by western blot. LncRNA Mirt2 level was increased in OA chondrocytes. Under LPS stim-ulation, Mirt2 expression was significantly increased in chondrocytes and chondrocyte proliferation was decreased,
along with significantly increased apoptosis and upregulated COL2A1, MMP13, ADAMTS-5, MEK1/2 and Erk1/2 and phosphorylated Erk1/2 (P < 0.05). Transfection of Mirt2 siRNA down-regulated its expression in chondrocytes stimulated by LPS, which significantly reversed the above changes
(P < 0.05). LncRNA Mirt2 expression is increased in OA chondrocytes. Downregulation of LncRNA Mirt2 can regulate COL2A1, MMP13 and ADAMTS-5 level via MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, promote OA chondrocytes proliferation and inhibit apoptosis.
MicroRNA-146a-Mediated IL-6/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathway in Chondrocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis in Mice with Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wu Weifeng , Xuan Yong , Ge Yongjun , Hu Chao , Fan Rong
Published: April 2021

Background: To investigate the MicroRNA-146a targeting regulation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway activity and influence the proliferation and apoptosis behavior-related mechanisms of OA chondrocytes. Material and Methods: 10 C57 mice were isolated and cultured with membrane
protease and type II collagenase. The experiment was divided into blank group, MicroRNA-146a overexpression group and low expression group. The chondrocytes were transfected with plasmid vector. After 48 hours of culture, the proliferation rate of chondrocytes was detected by MTT method. The
levels of type ii collagen, MMP-9, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in culture medium were detected by ELISA. Luciferase reported experimental analysis of MircoRNA-146a targeting regulation of IL-6 genes. Results: Compared with the blank group, the proliferation rate of chondrocytes
in the overexpression group was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the levels of IL-6 and p-STAT3 protein, type II collagen, MMP-9, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were increased, while the low expression group was correlated (P < 0.05). Luciferase reporter experiments
confirmed that MicroRNA-146a had a better binding effect with the IL-6 gene. Conclusion: MicroRNA-146a overexpression may mediate activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and participate in decreased proliferation activity and increased apoptosis activity in OA chondrocytes. IL-6
gene may have targeted regulatory sites for MicroRNA-146a.
Effect of miR-214 on Proliferation, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of Esophageal Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Yanfeng , Gao Hongling , Wang Hao , Lin Enguang , Wang Zhao , Liu Hongmiao , Dai Qiaomei
Published: April 2021

Esophageal cancer seriously affects human health. miR-214 involves in esophageal cancer, but its specific mechanism has not been completely elucidated. Our study investigated miR-214’s role in esophageal cancer. Eca109 cells were transfected with miR-214 inhibitor/NC was transfected
into Eca109 cells followed by analysis of miR-214 level by real-time PCR, cell proliferation by CCK8 assay, cell apoptosis and cell cycle and PTEN level by Western blot. miR-214 was significantly upregulated in Eca109 cells (P < 0.01) with downregulated PTEN (P < 0.05).
miR-214 inhibitor significantly upregulated PTEN, decreased cell number, increased apoptosis and cells in G1 phase (P < 0.05). PTEN was a target of miR-214. miR-214 affects esophageal cancer cells by targeting PTEN.
Effect of Integrin-Linked Kinase on Osteogenesis of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Inflammatory Environment via Regulating Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chen Liyuan , Hu Jieliang , Zhou Baojun , Li Yan , Wei Kongxing , Wang Jinglei , Lv Hongyan , Zeng Fanyun
Published: April 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis involves inflammation, age, weight and other factors. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) regulates cell apoptosis, metastasis, and growth. However, whether ILK affects bone formation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in an inflammatory environment has
not been elucidated. Rat BMSCs were isolated and assigned into control group, inflammation group (lipopolysaccharide was added to cells); and si-ILK group (ILK siRNA was transfected into the inflammation group BMSCs) followed by analysis of cell proliferation by MTT assay, expression of ILK,
Runx2 and OP by real time PCR, ALp activity, TNF-α and IL-6 secretion by ELISA and MAPK/AKT signaling protein expression by western blot. Compared to control, ILK in BMSCs cells in inflammatory environment was significantly upregulated, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation,
decreased ALP activity, reduced expression of osteogenic genes Runx2 and OP, increased secretion of TNF-α and IL-6, and downregulated p-AKT (P < 0.05); transfection of ILK siRNA down-regulated ILK in inflammatory environment BMSCs, which significantly increased BMSCs
cell proliferation, increased ALP activity and expression of Runx2 and OP, decreased TNF-α and IL-6 secretion and increased p-AKT expression (P < 0.05). ILK expression is increased in BMSCs in an inflammatory environment. Down-regulation of ILK in BMSCs cells in an inflammatory
environment can regulate MAPK/AKT signaling, inhibit inflammatory factors secretion, thereby promoting BMSCs proliferation and osteogenesis differentiation.
Epoxidized Percentage of CTBN (ECTBN) Double Bonds for the Application of Layering in Composite Industries and Insulation of Electronic Chips, Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Ebrahimabadi Yahya , Mokhtary Masoud , Mehrshad Mohamad , Abdollahi Mahdi
Published: April 2021

Epoxidation os liquid carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (CTBN) rubber was done using hydrogen peroxide and Acetic acid, and different degrees of epoxidation was used to curing and harden the epoxy resin. Using H-NMR and also FTIR methods, Epoxy of the double resin bonds used
was investigated. According to the data obtained from these two methods, some available dual links are epoxy and ready for use in the mentioned applications. The peaks appeared at 1070, and 1230 cm-1 in the FTIR spectrum of ECTBN are attributed to the epoxy groups. In the HNMR spectrum
of CTBN, two new signals have appeared at 2.69 ppm and 2.93 ppm, which are attributed to the protons of epoxy groups with Cis and trans configurations, respectively. Epoxy resin has been used as an electrical insulator for burying electronic boards and insulating telecommunication components
and electrochemical sensors (paste electrodes structure and screen printed electrodes) due to its properties such as high breakdown voltage resistance, water-resistance and resistance to chemicals, resistance to thermal and electrical shocks.
Observations of Eddy-Modulated Turbulent Mixing in the Southern Bay of Bengal
Authors: Luecke C. A. , Wijesekera H. W. , Jarosz E. , Wang D. W. , Wesson J. C. , Jinadasa S.U.P. , Fernando H. J. S. , Teague W. J.
Published: April 2021

Long-term measurements of turbulent kinetic-energy dissipation rate (ε), and turbulent temperature-variance dissipation rate (χT) in the thermocline, along with currents, temperature, and salinity were made at two subsurface moorings in the southern Bay of Bengal (BoB). This is a part of a major international program, conducted between July 2018 and June 2019, for investigating the role of the BoB on the monsoon intraseasonal oscillations. One mooring was located on the typical path of the Southwest Monsoon Current (SMC), and the other was in a region where the Sri Lanka Dome is typically found during the summer monsoon. Microstructure and finescale estimates of vertical diffusivity revealed the long-term subthermocline mixing patterns in the southern BoB. Enhanced turbulence and large eddy diffusivities were observed within the SMC during the passage of a subsurface-intensified anticyclonic eddy. During this time, background shear and strain appeared to influence high-frequency motions such as near-inertial waves and internal tides, leading to increased mixing. Near the Sri Lanka Dome, enhanced dissipation occurred at the margins of the cyclonic feature. Turbulent mixing was enhanced with the passage of Rossby waves and eddies. During these events, values of χT exceeding 10−4 °C2 s−1 were recorded concurrently with ε values exceeding 10−5 W kg −1. Inferred diffusivity peaked well above background values of 10−6 m2 s−1, leading to an annually-averaged diffusivity near 10−4 m2 s−1. Turbulence appeared low throughout much of the deployment period. Most of the mixing occurred in spurts during isolated events.
Rape Appraisals: Class Mobility, Social Geography, and Sexual Morality Tales in Ghana, South Africa, and Rwanda
Authors: McGuffey C. Shawn
Published: April 2021

Interdisciplinary scholarship in violence and trauma studies suggest that a person’s interpretation of stressful events contours how the person will respond. It is through the two-part appraisal process that survivors determine how they will cope. This project utilizes an identity-based approach to demonstrate that survivors use group-based ideologies such as social class, geography, gender, sexuality, and, for some, race to appraise their accounts of violence, assess their coping strategies, and manage traumatic events. Using the cross-cultural accounts of 146 Black Ghanaian, South African, and Rwandan women rape survivors, the findings extend the appraisal approach by highlighting how survivors in this study utilized sexual morality tales to construct a variety of appraisal accounts to interpret their assaults and to justify their coping strategies. I call these appraisals opportunities, possibilities, limitations, and solidarities. These differing appraisals demonstrated that social milieu contours the psychological experience of violence and can engender both parallel and divergent interpretations across social class and cultural contexts. Last, the implications of these findings for comparative sexual assault studies, theories of traumatic coping, gender and development, and intersectionality are discussed.
Dyadic coping and discrete emotions during COVID-19: Connecting the communication theory of resilience with relational uncertainty
Authors: Lillie Helen M. , Chernichky-Karcher Skye , Venetis Maria K.
Published: April 2021

The current study applies the communication theory of resilience (CTR) to assess married individuals’ utilization of resilience communication during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines pathways between communicative resilience processes, relational uncertainty, discrete emotions, and evaluations of dyadic coping. Married individuals ( n = 561) were surveyed during April 21–April 29, 2020 using Qualtrics panels. Structural equation analyses revealed that most of the resilience communication processes impacted evaluations of dyadic coping via three indirect pathways, including (a) relational uncertainty, (b) relational uncertainty → anger, and (c) relational uncertainty → fear. The alternative logic of humor did not impact dyadic coping through these indirect pathways, but instead directly, positively impacted dyadic coping. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
The Role of Intrapersonal-, Interpersonal-, Family-, and School-Level Variables in Predicting Bias-Based Cybervictimization
Authors: Strohmeier Dagmar , Gradinger Petra , Yanagida Takuya
Published: April 2021

This study investigated whether social position (e.g., gender, migration, family status), intrapersonal-level (e.g., online risk behaviors, motives of Internet use), interpersonal-level (e.g., victimization and bullying), family-level (e.g., parental mediation), and class-level (e.g., teachers’ mediation, ethnic diversity) variables predict bias-based cybervictimization. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 1,018 Austrian adolescents (52.3% girls), aged 12 to 17 years ([Formula: see text] = 13.55, SD = 0.88). The logistic part of a multilevel zero-inflated Poisson model showed that higher levels of offline victimization and a higher proportion of immigrants in classes were predictors for students reporting at least one form of bias-based cybervictimization. The Poisson part of the model showed that being a girl, higher levels of cybervictimization, lower levels of avoiding online risks, and more discussions about media use with teachers in classes were predictors for students reporting a higher number of bias-based cybervictimization. Implications for prevention are discussed.
Deep Learning to Detect Road Distress from Unmanned Aerial System Imagery
Authors: Truong Long Ngo Hoang , Mora Omar E. , Cheng Wen , Tang Hairui , Singh Mankirat
Published: April 2021

Surface distress is an indication of poor or unfavorable pavement performance or signs of impending failure that can be classified into a fracture, distortion, or disintegration. To mitigate the risk of failing roadways, effective methods to detect road distress are needed. Recent studies associated with the detection of road distress using object detection algorithms are encouraging. Although current methodologies are favorable, some of them seem to be inefficient, time-consuming, and costly. For these reasons, the present study presents a methodology based on the mask regions with convolutional neural network model, which is coupled with the new object detection framework Detectron2 to train the model that utilizes roadway imagery acquired from an unmanned aerial system (UAS). For a comprehensive understanding of the performance of the proposed model, different settings are tested in the study. First, the deep learning models are trained based on both high- and low-resolution datasets. Second, three different backbone models are explored. Finally, a set of threshold values are tested. The corresponding experimental results suggest that the proposed methodology and UAS imagery can be used as efficient tools to detect road distress with an average precision score up to 95%.
A simplified dynamic model and control for a multiple launch rocket system
Authors: Li Bo , Rui Xiaoting , Wang Guoping
Published: April 2021

Multiple launch rocket system, a type of launching platform used to launch kinetic load to hit the target, is an extremely complicated mechanical system with strong vibration because of the jet force. In this study, a nonlinear dynamic model and vibration control of a multiple launch rocket system are presented to reduce vibration and improve position accuracy. A simplified dynamic model of the multiple launch rocket system is derived using the Newton–Euler method, which facilitates the controller design considering the strong complexity of the multiple launch rocket system. On this basis, the feedback linearization technique is introduced to design a nonlinear controller based on the deduced dynamic model. The simulated and experimental results show that the simplified dynamic model–based control effectively can reduce vibration level of the launching system and make the azimuth and elevation angles reach the desired values with smaller error despite of each rocket’s jet force.
Hannah Arendt, antiracist rebellion, and the counterinsurgent logic of the social
Authors: Kujala Will
Published: April 2021

Arendt’s concept of the social is at the heart of her interventions in racial politics in the United States. Readers of Arendt often focus on whether her distinction is too rigid to accommodate the reality of US racial politics, or whether it can be altered to be more capacious. The central issue here is that of closing the gap between conceptual abstraction and concrete reality. However, by extending our archive regarding the social and political beyond Arendt—to work in subaltern studies and the thought of Arendt’s radical Black contemporaries—I argue that we can craft a concept of the social as a counterinsurgent logic by which political acts are reduced to social disorder, neutralizing the political edge and novelty of revolt. The distinction between the social and political is therefore useful not to describe or categorize kinds of revolts or struggles but to critically examine the way they are interpretatively and concretely transformed from ‘political’ to ‘social’ struggles. Situating Arendt among contemporary revolutionaries such as James and Grace Lee Boggs, I argue that they mobilized such a distinction, asking not what rebellions were but what might be made of them.
World trade organization’s export-oriented compulsory licensing mechanism: Foreseen policy concern for Africa to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Abbas Muhammad Z
Published: April 2021

Africa has a history of grappling with outbreaks and high prevalence of disease. It currently confronts COVID-19 which is escalating because of local community transmission of the disease. Poorly resourced health systems in Africa are ill-prepared for the surging number of COVID-19 cases. This paper emphasizes that in the current battle against COVID-19, policymakers should not lose sight of future policy challenges. COVID-19 vaccine has become available, but patent exclusivities might play a major role in hindering access to it. With little or no indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity of its own, Africa will almost entirely rely on importing COVID-19 vaccines or treatment from third parties. The World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Paragraph 6 System, which relates to export-oriented compulsory licensing, is excessively formal and does not suit a pandemic situation which requires swift action. This paper draws policymakers’ attention of to a high priority policy concern for Africa.
Energy saving potential of phase change materials-enhanced building envelope considering the six Moroccan climate zones
Authors: Louanate Amal , Otmani Rabie El , Kandoussi Khalid , Boutaous M’Hamed , Abdelmajid Daya
Published: April 2021

Phase change materials (PCMs) show a good capability in absorbing massive heat when undergoing phase change, which have great potential to be incorporated into building envelopes to enhance indoor thermal comfort by preventing heat penetration into buildings and reducing energy requirements. In this work, a deep analysis of PCM enhanced-walls model has been conducted in six representative climate regions of Morocco: El Jadida, Fez, Marrakesh, Ifrane, and Errachidia. More in detail, numerical simulations were carried out to assess the thermal behavior and energy performance of a residential building integrated with four different PCMs. The results showed that the effectiveness and selection of PCMs strongly depend on local weather where they are applied, characteristics of HVAC systems, PCM layer thickness, and position. Furthermore, with reference to each climate zone, the appropriate PCM leading to the lowest annual energy consumption was identified. The findings show that PCMs are particularly suitable for Mediterranean climates, which a promising annual energy saving of about 41% was obtained. While, the lowest value was recorded in Errachidia city reveals that the integration of PCM has little effect in desert climate zone. As for the other climates considered, values of about 28% to 31% were achieved in the studied house model.
Improved Odor Identification Ability and Increased Regional Gray Matter Volume After Olfactory Training in Patients With Idiopathic Olfactory Loss
Authors: Han Pengfei , Musch Martina , Abolmaali Nasreddin , Hummel Thomas
Published: April 2021

Idiopathic olfactory loss (IOL) is thought as an early marker for neurodegenerative disease. This study investigated the effect of olfactory training (OT) on regional gray matter volume (GMV) among patients with IOL. A total of 24 patients (mean age 64.6 years, 11 male) with IOL and 30 control participants with normal olfaction (mean age 62.6 years, 13 males) were included in the study. Voxel-based morphometry was performed to compare the GMV between patient and control groups. Only the patients received OT (averaged duration 7 months), and a longitudinal approach was used to examine the GMV change from pre- to post-OT. Moreover, the effect of OT on GMV change was explored for patients with different severity of olfactory loss (anosmia vs. hyposmia). Olfactory performance was measured alongside using the “Sniffin’ Sticks.” Patients had improved odor identification and larger GMV in the bilateral cerebellum, bilateral thalamus, left precentral gyrus, right gyrus rectus, and medial orbitofrontal cortex after OT. However, no correlation was found between changes of odor identification and increased regional GMV. Besides, patients with anosmia, compared with patient with hyposmia, demonstrated increased GMV in the left precuneus, left superior frontal medial cortex, and left midcingulate cortex after OT. The study showed improved odor identification ability among patients with IOL after OT, which is unlikely related to spontaneous recovery. In this specific patient group, the GMV alterations may be associated with factors not directly predicted by the currently performed measurements, but possibly higher order olfactory-related functional changes.
Assessing collaborative planning and the added value of planning support apps in The Netherlands
Authors: Lin Yanliu , Benneker Kasper
Published: April 2021

Although a growing body of literature has examined a variety of planning support systems, few studies have been conducted to understand emerging planning support apps for mobile participation and its impact on collaborative planning. This research develops a conceptual framework for assessing different phases of collaborative planning processes and the added value of planning support apps in stakeholder interaction and management. The case studies include four Dutch regeneration projects, which are ongoing pilot projects of the new Environment and Planning Act and supported by a variety of planning support apps. The data for each case study were collected from multiple sources, including policy documents, interviews with stakeholders and online information. The results show that the apps support to engage many participants, provide real-time communication and facilitate effective interactions between the stakeholder managers and local residents. However, their performance is largely dependent on the user-friendliness of the system. Besides, a good consensus building process in the planning phase has a positive effect on stakeholder management and the performance of the apps in the execution phase.
Aripiprazole in the real-world treatment for irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents in Japan: 52-week post-marketing surveillance
Authors: Sugimoto Yuna , Yamamura Kayo , Takayama Tomoyo , Fukuta Yasuhiko , Aoki Kazuo , Mikami Katsunaka , Tomoda Akemi
Published: April 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the post-marketing safety and effectiveness of aripiprazole in treating irritability in pediatric patients (6–17 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in actual clinical sites of Japan.

Methods

In this post-marketing surveillance, patients were enrolled into the multicenter, prospective, non-interventional, observational study for 52 weeks, and were dosed with aripiprazole (1–15 mg/day) under daily clinical settings in Japan.

Results

In 510 patients, the continuation rate of aripiprazole treatment was 84.6% at day 168 (week 24) and 78.1% at day 364 (week 52). Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurred in 22.7% of patients (n = 116), and the most common ADRs were somnolence (9.4%), followed by weight increased (3.3%). At week 4, the mean change from baseline in the irritability subscale score for the Aberrant Behavior Checklist Japanese version (ABC-J) was − 5.7 ± 6.8 (n = 288). Based on multiple regression analysis, comorbid attention deficit and hyperactivity did not affect the ABC-J irritability subscale score at endpoint. At week 24, the mean change from baseline for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was − 3.3 ± 4.9 (n = 215) for the total difficulties score and 0.6 ± 1.7 (n = 217) for the prosocial behavior subscale score.

Conclusions

Aripiprazole was well tolerated and effective in the long-term treatment of irritability associated with ASD in Japanese pediatric patients in the real-world clinical practice.

Trial registration

This surveillance was registered with Clinical Trial.gov (no. NCT03179787) on June 7, 2017 (retrospectively registered).
Domestic violence in Mozambique: from policy to practice
Authors: Jethá Eunice , Keygnaert Ines , Martins Emilia , Sidat Mohsin , Roelens Kristien
Published: April 2021

Background

To reduce the impact of domestic violence (DV), Mozambican governmental and non-governmental entities are making efforts to strengthen the legislative framework and to improve the accessibility of care services for survivors of violence. Despite this remarkable commitment, the translation of policies and legislation into actions remains a considerable challenge. Therefore, this paper aims to identify gaps in the implementation of existing national policies and laws for DV in the services providing care for survivors of DV.

Methods

This qualitative study comprised of two approaches. The first consisted of content analysis of guidelines and protocols for DV care provision. The second consisted of in-depth interviews with institutional gender focal points (Professionals with experience in dealing with aspects related to DV). The analysis of the document content was based on a framework developed according to key elements recommended by international agencies (PAHO and UN) for design of DV policies and strategies. Data from the in-depth interviews, where analysed in accordance with the study objectives.

Results

Eleven (11) guidelines/protocols of care provision and innumerable brochures and pamphlets were identified and analysed. There is a standardised form which contains fields for police and the health sector staff to complete, but not for Civil Society Organisations. However, there is no specific national DV database. Although the seventeen (17) focal points interviewed recognised the relevance of the reviewed documents, many identified gaps in their implementation. This was related to the weaknesses of the offender’s penalisation and to the scarcity of care providers who often lack appropriate training. The focal points also recognised their performance is negatively influenced by socio-cultural factors.

Conclusion

Within services providing care to survivors of DV, a scarcity of guidelines and protocols exist, compromising the quality and standardisation of care. The existence of guidelines and protocols was regarded as a strength, however its implementation is still problematic. There was also recognition for the need to strengthening by governmental and non-governmental entities the defined policies and strategies for DV prevention and control into practice.
Challenges and opportunities for spiritual care practice in hospices in a middle-income country
Authors: Mahilall Ronita , Swartz Leslie
Published: April 2021

Background

Spiritual care is a key component of palliative care, but it has been overlooked and understudied in low- and middle-income country contexts, especially in Africa. In this study we sought to establish what the current spiritual care practices are in hospice palliative care settings in South  Africa with a focused view on what spiritual care training is currently offered and what training needs still remain unmet.

Methods

We explored spiritual care practices, and training needs, through a national quantitative online study of palliative care organisations in South Africa registered with the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa. A survey was sent to representatives of all member organisations listed on the national database of Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa. Viable data from 41% (n = 40) member organisations were analysed through the use of simple statistics.

Results

An expressed need (75%; n = 30) was recorded for the development of a national spiritual care curriculum. Although 48% (n = 20) of the member organisations were willing to participate in the development of a spiritual care curriculum, 37% (n = 14) could not participate, citing financial (n = 27), time (n = 31) and expertise constraints (n = 22). A set of hard and soft skills were suggested to suit the diverse South African context.

Conclusions

Spiritual care was seen by participants as a key component of palliative care. International  curricula  in spiritual care, while useful, do not offer easy adaptation to the diversities of South Africa. A bespoke spiritual care curriculum was called for, for diverse South Africa.