bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dental and Skeletal Changes after Transpalatal Distraction
Authors: Zawiślak Ewa , Gerber Hanna , Nowak Rafał , Kubiak Marcin
Published: January 2020

Maxillary constriction is a common skeletal craniofacial abnormality, and transverse maxillary deficiency affects 30% of patients receiving orthodontic and surgical treatment. The aim of the study was to analyse craniofacial skeletal changes in adults with maxillary constriction after transpalatal distraction. The study group consisted of 36 patients (16 women) aged 17 to 42 years (M = 27.1; SD = 7.8) with a known complete skeletal crossbite and who underwent transpalatal distraction procedure. The measurements were obtained on diagnostic models, and cephalometric PA radiograms were obtained at time points, i.e., before treatment (T1) and after the completion of active distraction (T2). The analysis of diagnostic models involving the arch width measurement at different levels demonstrated a significant increase in L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6 dimensions after transpalatal distraction. The largest width increase (9.5 mm) was observed for the L3 dimension (the intercanine distance). The analysis of frontal cephalograms displayed a significant increase in W1, W2, and W3 dimensions after transpalatal distraction. The largest width increase (4.9 mm) was observed for the W1 dimension at the level of the alveolar process of the maxilla. Transpalatal distraction is an effective treatment for transverse maxillary deficiency after the end of bone growth. The expansion observed on diagnostic models is close to a parallel segment shift mechanism, with a mild tendency towards a larger opening anteriorly. The maxillary segment rotation pattern analysed based on the frontal cephalograms is close to a hand fan unfolding with the rotation point at the frontonasal suture.
Exploring the Key Genes and Pathways in the Formation of Corneal Scar Using Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Liu Binfeng , Li Ang , Wang Hongbo , Wang Jialin , Zhai Gongwei , Ma Haohao , Feng Shiqing , Liu Liyun , Gao Yanzheng
Published: January 2020

The Corneal wound healing results in the formation of opaque corneal scar. In fact, millions of people around the world suffer from corneal scars, leading to loss of vision. This study aimed to identify the key changes of gene expression in the formation of opaque corneal scar and provided potential biomarker candidates for clinical treatment and drug target discovery. We downloaded Gene expression dataset GSE6676 from NCBI‐GEO, and analyzed the Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathway analyses, and protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network. A total of 1377 differentially expressed genes were identified and the result of Functional enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) identification and protein‐protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed. In total, 7 hub genes IL6 (interleukin‐6), MMP9 (matrix metallopeptidase 9), CXCL10 (C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 10), MAPK8 (mitogen‐activated protein kinase 8), TLR4 (toll‐like receptor 4), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), EDN1 (endothelin 1) were selected. In conclusion, the DEGS, Hub genes and signal pathways identified in this study can help us understand the molecular mechanism of corneal scar formation and provide candidate targets for the diagnosis and treatment of corneal scar.
Avian Bornaviral Ganglioneuritis: Current Debates and Unanswered Questions
Authors: Boatright-Horowitz Su L.
Published: January 2020

Avian bornaviral ganglioneuritis, often referred to as parrot wasting disease, is associated with a newly discovered avian virus from the taxonomic family Bornaviridae. Research regarding the pathogenesis and treatment for this disease is ongoing, with implications for understanding other emerging human and nonhuman diseases, as well as the health and ecology of wildlife. At this time, numerous questions remain unanswered regarding the transmission of the disease, best practices for diagnostic sampling and testing, and whether currently used drug therapies are effective or harmful for afflicted birds. The pathogenesis of the disease also remains unclear with many birds showing resistance to the effects of the virus and being able to remain clinically unaffected for years, while other birds succumb to its effects. New research findings regarding avian bornaviral ganglioneuritis are discussed and important as yet unanswered questions are identified.
Osteoarticular Infection in Three Young Thoroughbred Horses Caused by a Novel Gram Negative Cocco-Bacillus
Authors: Hudson Bernard J. , Chicken Catherine , Blishen Anna , Todhunter Kristen H. , Begg Angela P. , Chan Leonie , Karagiannis Thomas , Raymond Benjamin , Bogema Daniel , Adkins Angus R. , O’Sullivan Christopher B. , O’Rourke Brendon A. , Roy Chowdhury Piklu , Djordjevic Steven P. , Charles Ian G. , Edgar Andrew , Mitsakos Katerina
Published: January 2020

We describe three cases of osteoarticular infection (OAI) in young thoroughbred horses in which the causative organism was identified by MALDI-TOF asKingella species. The pattern of OAI resembled that reported withKingellainfection in humans. Analysis by 16S rRNA PCR enabled construction of a phylogenetic tree that placed the isolates closer toSimonsiellaandAlysiella species, rather thanKingella species. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) comparison between the new isolate andKingella kingaeandAlysiella crassahowever revealed low probability that the new isolate belonged to either of these species. This preliminary analysis suggests the organism isolated is a previously unrecognised species.
Brain Damage With Heart Failure
Authors: Mueller Karsten , Thiel Friederike , Beutner Frank , Teren Andrej , Frisch Stefan , Ballarini Tommaso , Möller Harald E. , Ihle Kristin , Thiery Joachim , Schuler Gerhard , Villringer Arno , Schroeter Matthias L.
Published: January 2020

Rationale:

Heart failure (HF) following heart damage leads to a decreased blood flow due to a reduced pump efficiency of the heart muscle. A consequence can be insufficient oxygen supply to the organism including the brain. While HF clearly shows neurological symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, and dizziness, the implications for brain structure are not well understood. Few studies show regional gray matter decrease related to HF; however, the underlying mechanisms leading to the observed brain changes remain unclear.

Objective:

To study the relationship between impaired heart function, hampered blood circulation, and structural brain change in a case-control study.

Methods and Results:

Within a group of 80 patients of the Leipzig Heart Center, we investigated a potential correlation between HF biomarkers and the brain’s gray matter density (GMD) obtained by magnetic resonance imaging. We observed a significant positive correlation between cardiac ejection fraction and GMD across the whole frontal and parietal medial cortex reflecting the consequence of HF onto the brain’s gray matter. Moreover, we also obtained a relationship between GMD and the NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide)—a biomarker that is used for screening, diagnosis, and prognosis of HF. Here, we found a significant negative correlation between NT-proBNP and GMD in the medial and posterior cingulate cortex but also in precuneus and hippocampus, which are key regions implicated in structural brain changes in dementia.

Conclusions:

We obtained significant correlations between brain structure and markers of heart failure including ejection fraction and NT-proBNP. A diminished GMD was found with decreased ejection fraction and increased NT-proBNP in wide brain regions including the whole frontomedian cortex as well as hippocampus and precuneus. Our observations might reflect structural brain damage in areas that are related to cognition; however, whether these structural changes facilitate the development of cognitive alterations has to be proven by further longitudinal studies.
Pitcairnia anarosae (Bromeliaceae; Pitcairnioideae) a new species from the state of Oaxaca, México

Authors: MEJÍA-MARÍN MARÍA ISABEL , GONZÁLEZ-ROCHA EDITH , ESPEJO-SERNA ADOLFO
Published: January 2020

Pitcairnia anarosae, known until now from the municipality of San Juan Colorado, Oaxaca, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The new species is compared with P. singularis, from which differs by the plant height (19–40 vs 15–25 cm) the number of leaves (5–8 vs 3–4), and the morphology, color (red vs white) and length of flowers.
Pinanga gruezoi (Arecaceae), a new slender clustering palm from the Philippines with notes on an amended description of P. samarana

Authors: ADORADOR JIRO T. , MENESES ZHEREELEEN D. , FERNANDO EDWINO S.
Published: January 2020

We describe a new species of Pinanga, P. gruezoi, from the islands of Samar, Bucas Grande, Dinagat, and (northeastern) Mindanao, Philippines. It is a diminutive slender clustering palm with pluricostulate coriaceous leaflets, rather few, short and arching to reflexed rachillae, which bear relatively large distichously arranged and closely-set ovoid-ellipsoidal fruits. Additionally, we rediscovered P. samarana, hitherto known from type material that was first collected more than a century ago, and provided an amended description based on recent collections and field observations. Discussions on their morphology, habitat, distribution, ecology, conservation status, and comparisons with putatively closest congeners are included. Furthermore, we herein provided a tentative key for the functional groups of Philippine Pinanga and for the two species described.
Notes on Carex (Cyperaceae) from China (VI): the identity of Carex retrofracta Kük. (sect. Confertiflorae)

Authors: JIN XIAO-FENG , LIU YONG-DI , LU YI-FEI , SUN WEN-YAN , WANG HONG
Published: January 2020

Carex retrofracta is a sedge belonging to section Confertiflorae and endemic from eastern to south-western China. Based on a comparison of the type specimens for Carex purpureotincta, C. haematorrhyncha (C. purpureotincta var. sphaerocarpa), C. xiangxiensis and C. retrofracta, and an analysis of morphological and molecular variation within and among populations, we could not find consistent diagnostic characters to differentiate all four of these putative species. Consequently, all of these taxa are considered to be conspecific and reduced to synonym of Carex retrofracta, the oldest name among them, expanding the distribution of this species to the provinces of Anhui, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Taiwan and Zhejiang. Populations from southern Hunan and northern Guangxi were found to be distinct from the other samples of Carex retrofracta in both morphological and molecular data, and are described here as a new subspecies, which differs from C. retrofracta in having glabrous leaves and shorter perigynia.
On reinstating Heteropogon allionii (Poaceae: Panicoideae)

Authors: DRISYA VALIYAPARAMBIL , PRADEEP AYILLIATH KUTTIYERI
Published: January 2020

Heteropogon allionii (Poaceae: Panicoideae) is generally considered as conspecific with H. contortus. Critical studies revealed H. allionii as very distinct taxon which can easily be distinguished from its closely similar taxon, H. contortus by a combination of characters. Hence, H. allionii is reinstated here. A detailed description, illustration and photoplate of both the taxa are provided for easy identification.
The identity of Clematis dongchuanensis (Ranunculaceae) from northeastern Yunnan, China

Authors: YUAN QIONG , YANG QIN-ER
Published: January 2020

We demonstrate that Clematis dongchuanensis (Ranunculaceae), described from Dongchuan in northeastern Yunnan, China and considered to be related to C. repens in having simple leaves, erect sepals and pubescent filaments and anthers, is identical with C. connata var. trullifera, a taxon with pinnate leaves of 5−7 (9) leaflets. The simple leaves described in C. dongchuanensis are actually leaflets of a pinnate leaf in C. connata var. trullifera. We therefore place C. dongchuanensis in synonymy with C. connata var. trullifera. Lectotypification is proposed for C. connata var. trullifera and  for C. coriigera, a synonym of C. connata var. trullifera.
Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Angiogenic Capacity Driven by Wnt3a for Enhanced Wound Healing
Authors: Yi Kai , Liu Yanting , Zhang Xiangwei , Zhou Hongbin
Published: January 2020

It has been acknowledged that the inferior viability of exogenous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) may impede the clinical application of them for tissue engineering such as wound healing, in addition, how to enhance the angiogenic capacity of BMSCs for wound regeneration
still remains a major challenge for surgeons. Wnt3a, a member of the classic canonical Wnt/β-signaling pathway, has been demonstrated to be able to regulate the balance of macrophage to make them acquire a pro-angiogenic phenotype, thus increasing the formation of new endothelial
cells (ECs) for the further vascularization of wound. In this study we investigated a novel method by using the engraftment of exogenous BMSCs combined with Wnt3a to evaluate whether the strategy may enhance the viability of the stem cells and further promote wound healing. The in vitro
culture of BMSCs with the presence of Wnt3a accompanied with the murine model with cutaneous wound treated with BMSC + Wnt3a were evaluated. The angiogenesis related markers including VEGF, NG2, α-SMA, CD31 were utilized to investigate whether the angiogenic capacity of BMSCs
was promoted by Wnt3a. After 7 days culture with Wnt3a, stem cells showed direct differentiation into the vital cells that were required in angiogenesis related process. For in vivo test, murine wounds intervened by BMSCs coupled with Wnt3a showed enhanced vascularization featured as
formation of blood vessels than did single BMSC engraftment or Wnt3a alone. More importantly, the representative markers of angiogenesis process (VEGF, NG2, α-SMA, CD31) were up-regulated in the animals managed with BMSCs coupled with Wnt3a. Overall, our results indicated that
the combinatory therapy by using Wnt3a and BMSCs is capable of accelerating the wound healing via stimulating the angiogenic capacity of stem cells, thus enhancing the angiogenesis process within the wound.
MiR-3144 Suppresses Cell Proliferation, Migration, Invasion and Promotes Cell Apoptosis by Targeting Steap4 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Qiuyuan , Shen Dandan , Shang Yuanjiang
Published: January 2020

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies have shown that miR-3144 is down-regulated in HCC tissues. The present study investigated the expression and biological roles, underlying
mechanisms of miR-3144 in HCC cell lines. Methods and material: RT-qPCR analysis was performed to detect miR-3144 expression in the HCC cell lines and normal hepatic cell line. CCK-8 assay showed that the effect of miR-3144 expression on cell proliferation. Using wound healing assay
and Transwell assay to detect the effect of miR-3144 on cell invasion and migration of HCC. Flow cytometry assay showed that miR-3144 induced apoptotic cell death in the SK-HEP-1 cells. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to evaluate the interaction between miR-3144 and the Steap4 3′-UTR.
Western blotting assay were performed to investigate the effect of miR-3144 expression on the expression of CDK2, cyclinE1, p21, MMP2, MMP9 and Steap4. Results: MiR-3144 expression was downregulated in HCC cell lines. MiR-3144 overexpression inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells
via regulating CDK2, cyclinE1 and p21 in SK-HEP-1 cells. MiR-3144 suppressed the migration and invasion of HCC cells via decreasing the MMP2 and MMP9. Further, miR-3144 promotes cell apoptosis of HCC. Moreover, miR-3144 negatively regulated Steap4 expression by directly binding to the 3′-UTR
of Steap4 mRNA. Conclusion: Our results suggested that miR-3144 may be a novel target for future HCC therapy.
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Novel Food Pantry in a Pediatric Primary Care Center
Authors: Hickey Erin , Phan Michelle , Beck Andrew F. , Burkhardt Mary Carol , Klein Melissa D.
Published: January 2020

Evidence suggests that management of food insecurity in primary care may enhance preventive care delivery. This study assessed the impact of a food pantry in a pediatric primary care center over 22 months. Quantitative outcome assessments (number of children affected, number of referrals, and completion of preventative services) compared the child receiving food from the pantry to age-matched controls. Commonalities from interviews with pantry-using families were identified using thematic analysis. A total of 504 index patients received food from the pantry during an office visit. There were 546 in-clinic and community referrals. There was no significant relationship between accessing the pantry and preventative service completion by 27 months of age. Themes that emerged during interviews included the need for an emergency food source, facilitation of referrals, and increased trust in the clinic. An in-clinic food pantry is a feasible and family-welcomed approach to address food insecurity in pediatric primary care.
Health and political efficacy in context: What is the role of the welfare state?
Authors: Shore Jennifer , Rapp Carolin , Stockemer Daniel
Published: January 2020

Health affects nearly all facets of our lives, including the likelihood of getting involved in politics. Focusing on political efficacy, we zoom in on one potential mechanism as to why people in poor health might, for example, stay at home on Election Day. We first look at the ways in which health is related to both people’s perceptions of their abilities to take part in politics (internal political efficacy) as well as the extent to which they believe policymakers are responsive to citizen needs (external political efficacy). Second, we examine how the social policy context intervenes in the relationship between health and political efficacy. Multilevel models using 2014 and 2016 European Social Survey data on roughly 57,000 respondents nested in 21 European countries reveal complex results: while good health, rather unsurprisingly, fosters internal and external political efficacy, more generous welfare states, though associated with higher levels of political efficacy, are not a panacea for remedying political inequalities stemming from individual health differences.
Declining Social Control and the Rising Deviant Behaviour in India
Authors: Patel Pravin J.
Published: January 2020

Crime rates are increasing across the Indian society. Normally, such crimes are attributed to two broad categories of factors: (a) psychological factors like individual or mob fury and (b) administrative factors like the failure of law and order machinery. These explanations, however, do not account for the increasing rates of such demeaning instances. This article, attempting to explain the increasing crime rates, focuses on the social control theory. The main argument of the article is that the rapidly declining informal social control causes the phenomenal rise of decadent behaviour in the contemporary Indian society. Due to modernising forces, traditional social institutions and structures such as family, kinship, caste system and village community have become weak. As a result, the traditional informal social control based on shame has gradually diminished. And the sense of guilt, the functional alternative to shame, as an informal mechanism of social control, has not yet been fully institutionalised. This seems to be the major factor giving rise to widespread deviant behaviour in India. Although formal mechanisms of social control like police and judiciary do exist, they cannot be very effective without being reinforced with the informal social control.
Development and characterization of conductive textile (cotton) for wearable electronics and soft robotic applications
Authors: Hassan Zuhaib , Kalaoglu Fatma , Atalay Ozgur
Published: January 2020

This study aims to manufacture and characterize various types of conductive cotton fabrics through the copper metal coating approach. Thus, we selected nine-combed cotton knitted fabrics with different yarn fineness and elastane percentage in order to see the effect of these parameters on conductivity and physical properties of the samples. We also explored the surface morphology of all the knitted cotton fabric samples before and after the coating method via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed a remarkably uniform deposition of copper on the fabric surface, and performed SEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine the coated material content on the surface of the fabric after the metal coating process. The results revealed that knitted cotton fabric of 5% elastane with the finer yarn count (Ne = 40/1) showed excellent conductivity compared to the other knitted cotton fabric of 10% elastane with a finer count (Ne = 40/1) or coarser 5% elastane (Ne = 30/1). Therefore, the knitted cotton fabrics of 5% elastane having the finer count (Ne = 40/1) can be considered a suitable candidate for e-textile applications.
The city that the metro system built: Urban transformations and modalities of integrated planning in Stockholm
Authors: Paulsson Alexander
Published: January 2020

This paper investigates how housing and public transport planning in Stockholm has been integrated during the past 20 years through multi-level collaboration. Drawing upon how Stockholm has been portrayed in the literature on transit-oriented development (TOD), that is, as a successful case of integrated land use, housing and public transport planning, this paper suggests that multi-level collaboration in Stockholm’s urban transformations has had its own challenges related to de-integration and reintegration. By including an exploration of the development of the metro system since the 1960s and onwards, the more recent processes of de-integration and reintegration emerge as endemic but often marginalised aspects of achieving TOD-like urban development. The paper contributes to previous studies by proposing three modalities of integration: (1) de-integration by agreement, (2) integration by collaboration, and (3) reintegration by intervention. These modes are not evaluative but should rather be used as a point of departure for future studies empirically investigating how integrated planning is achieved in contexts where transit-oriented development is contingent on multi-level collaboration.
Testing the Nurturing Environments Framework on Youth Violence Across Ethnically and Geographically Diverse Urban and Rural Samples of Adolescents
Authors: Kingston Beverly , Smokowski Paul R. , MacFarland Andrew , Evans Caroline B. R. , Pampel Fred , Mercado Melissa C. , Vagi Kevin J. , Spies Erica L.
Published: January 2020

Although research advocates for comprehensive cross-sector youth violence prevention efforts, mobilizing across sectors to translate scientific recommendations into practice has proven challenging. A unifying framework may provide a foundational step toward building a shared understanding of the risk and protective factors that impact youth violence. We conducted two empirical tests of the nurturing environment framework on youth violence across ethnic and geographically diverse rural and urban adolescent samples. Results show that overall the characteristics of nurturing environments are associated with lower levels of aggression and violence. In addition, minimizing exposure to socially toxic conditions had the strongest associations with lower aggression and violence. Findings were supported across both samples, suggesting that this framework may apply in urban and rural, economically disadvantaged contexts.
How to Write a Diary in Mao’s New China: Guidebooks in the Crafting of Socialist Subjectivities
Authors: Windscript Shan
Published: January 2020

The Maoist regime has conventionally been understood as a totalitarian apparatus hostile to the individual. Yet the mass dictatorship also saw the proliferation of guidebooks on how to write a diary. This article is a pioneering exploration of these didactic texts, situating them within a longer Chinese tradition of popular subjectivation. A close reading of the guidebooks in light of their Republican predecessors suggests that the regime simultaneously anticipated the individual’s role as revolutionary agent of change and viewed it with trepidation. Prescribing paradigmatic frameworks for constructing socialist subjectivities, the manuals propagated journal-keeping as a political routine by which to shape the writer’s life and selfhood. Central in these teachings was the desire to mobilize yet monopolize the individual’s conscious agency. At once empowering and constraining, the “how-to” books rendered creative self-reflexivity indispensable—albeit dangerous—to the Maoist agenda, revealing a deep-seated anxiety of the state about socialism’s modern legacies.
Marlowe’s sacred city and the walls in The Jew of Malta
Authors: Kim Jaecheol
Published: January 2020

This essay surveys the juridical and biopolitical significance of the city walls in Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta. Early modern cities were designed to control the spread of diseases, and the city space embodied discipline and governmentality. The function of Malta’s walls is to protect the corpus politicum against pathogens, marking the distinction between physis and nomos. Marlowe defines this function by representing lives without: the national body is conceived as a living organism threatened by alien bodies. In the play’s medicinal rhetoric, pathogenic infiltrations of Turks and Catholics are destroyed by another invasive body, a Jew.
Designer benzodiazepines’ pharmacological effects and potencies: How to find the information
Authors: El Balkhi Souleiman , Monchaud Caroline , Herault Frédéric , Géniaux Hélène , Saint-Marcoux Franck
Published: January 2020

Background:

Scientific data on the psychopharmacological effects of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) are scarce. Web fora contain a wealth of information posted by users as trip reports (TRs), but the reliability of the reports remains questionable because of the nature of the used molecule and the potential for dose inaccuracies. We focused on the TRs of designer benzodiazepine (DBZD) users since their psychopharmacological effects are similar to prescription benzodiazepines (BZDs). Moreover, the impact of functional groups on the BZD rings with regards to the potency has been fairly/quite studied, allowing structural analysis.

Methods:

DBZDs offering more than 15 TRs with at least two accounts on experienced effects were included. Data were analyzed with the empirical phenomenological psychological method. Reported effects were analyzed and the pharmacological potencies of DBZDs were compared by calculating a ‘potency score’.

Results:

In total, 197 TRs for clonazolam, deschloroetizolam, diclazepam, etizolam, flubromazepam, flubromazolam, meclonazepam, metizolam, nifoxipam and pyrazolam were analyzed. Effects similar to prescription BZDs were reported for all the selected DBZDs. Pyrazolam was reported to be the most anxiolytic DBZD, flubromazolam the most hypnotic, etizolam the most euphoric and flubromazolam and clonazolam as the most amnesic DBZDs. Diclazepam and pyrazolam were not reported to induce euphoria. Flubromazepam, flubromazolam, clonazolam and meclonazepam were the most potent and deschloroetizolam, nifoxipam, metizolam and pyrazolam the least potent. The chemical structure of the different DBZDs and the functional groups on the BZD rings confirmed this ranking, except for nifoxipam.

Conclusions:

When information on NPSs obtained from Internet fora are abundant, it could be considered as an appreciable data source.
A Novel Emergency Telepsychiatry Program in a Canadian Urban Setting: Identifying and Addressing Perceived Barriers for Successful Implementation: Un nouveau programme de télépsychiatrie d’urgence en milieu urbain canadien: Identifier et aborder les obstacles perçus d’une mise en œuvre réussie
Authors: Hensel Jennifer , Graham Reid , Isaak Corinne , Ahmed Naweed , Sareen Jitender , Bolton James
Published: January 2020

Objectives:

To report on the perceived barriers surrounding the use of telepsychiatry for emergency assessments and our approach to overcoming those barriers to achieve successful implementation of a program to increase access to emergency psychiatric assessment in a Canadian urban setting.

Methods:

We conducted a survey of emergency care staff to inform the implementation of an emergency telepsychiatry program in the urban setting of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where hospitals have variable on-site emergency psychiatric coverage. We analyzed survey responses for perceived barriers we would need to address in implementation. We employed implementation strategies for each barrier and scaled the program to three sites over the first year. Data from the first year were collected including number of telepsychiatry assessments, reasons for referral, wait time, and percentage of patient transfers avoided.

Results:

Survey respondents ( N = 111) had little prior exposure to telepsychiatry, but the majority were open to its use for emergency psychiatric assessments in the region. We identified three categories of perceived barriers: clinical, logistical/technical, and readiness barriers. Implementation planning addressed each barrier, and a hub-and-spoke program was launched. After the first year, the program had one hub serving three spokes, and 243 emergency telepsychiatry assessments had been completed. After 12 months, we were avoiding 65% of patient transfers.

Conclusions:

By conducting a user survey to identify perceived barriers, and addressing these during implementation, we successfully scaled our emergency telepsychiatry program across our region. Our report of this experience may benefit others attempting to implement a similar program.
Sex Differences in Misperceptions of Sexual Interest Can Be Explained by Sociosexual Orientation and Men Projecting Their Own Interest Onto Women
Authors: Lee Anthony J. , Sidari Morgan J. , Murphy Sean C. , Sherlock James M. , Zietsch Brendan P.
Published: January 2020

Sex differences in misperceptions of sexual interest have been well documented; however, it is unclear whether this cognitive bias could be explained by other factors. In the current study, 1,226 participants (586 men, 640 women) participated in a speed-dating task in which they rated their sexual interest in each other as well as the sexual interest they perceived from their partners. Consistent with previous findings, results showed that men tended to overperceive sexual interest from their partners, whereas women tended to underperceive sexual interest. However, this sex difference became negligible when we considered potential mediators, such as the raters’ sociosexual orientation and raters’ tendency to project their own levels of sexual interest onto their partners. These findings challenge the popular notion that sex differences in misperceptions of sexual interest have evolved as a specialized adaptation to different selection pressures in men and women.
Neuroprotective effects of notoginsenoside R1 by upregulating Trx-1 on acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in PC12
Authors: Wang W , Huang L , Hu Y , Thomas ER , Li X
Published: January 2020

Acrylamide (ACR) is a water-soluble chemical that is commonly used in chemical and cosmetic manufacture. Many studies have been carried out to investigate the neurotoxicity mechanisms of ACR, resulting in oxidative stress and nerve damages. One of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines is notoginsenoside R1 (NR1). However, its mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic effect caused in ACR-induced neurotoxicity has not been reported. Our results have shown that NR1 resisted the neurotoxicity induced by ACR by upregulating the levels of thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) in Rat adrenal chromaffin cell tumor (PC12) cells. NR1 inhibited the increase in levels of Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3, which was instigated by ACR. Moreover, NR1 inhibited the decrease in levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 and Trx-1 induced by ACR. The downregulation of Trx-1 aggravated the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and increased the expression of the above molecules, which was induced by ACR. In contrast, overexpression of Trx-1 attenuated the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and inhibited the expression of the mentioned molecules induced by ACR. Our results suggested that NR1 protected ACR-induced mitochondrial apoptosis by upregulating Trx-1.
Is the R coefficient of interest in cluster randomized trials with a binary outcome?
Authors: Yepnang Ariane M Mbekwe , Caille Agnès , Eldridge Sandra M , Giraudeau Bruno
Published: January 2020

In cluster randomized trials, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) is classically used to measure clustering. When the outcome is binary, the ICC is known to be associated with the prevalence of the outcome. This association challenges its interpretation and can be problematic for sample size calculation. To overcome these situations, Crespi et al. extended a coefficient named R, initially proposed by Rosner for ophthalmologic data, to cluster randomized trials. Crespi et al. asserted that R may be less influenced by the outcome prevalence than is the ICC, although the authors provided only empirical data to support their assertion. They also asserted that “the traditional ICC approach to sample size determination tends to overpower studies under many scenarios, calling for more clusters than truly required”, although they did not consider empirical power. The aim of this study was to investigate whether R could indeed be considered independent of the outcome prevalence. We also considered whether sample size calculation should be better based on the R coefficient or the ICC. Considering the particular case of 2 individuals per cluster, we theoretically demonstrated that R is not symmetrical around the 0.5 prevalence value. This in itself demonstrates the dependence of R on prevalence. We also conducted a simulation study to explore the case of both fixed and variable cluster sizes greater than 2. This simulation study demonstrated that R decreases when prevalence increases from 0 to 1. Both the analytical and simulation results demonstrate that R depends on the outcome prevalence. In terms of sample size calculation, we showed that an approach based on the ICC is preferable to an approach based on the R coefficient because with the former, the empirical power is closer to the nominal one. Hence, the R coefficient does not outperform the ICC for binary outcomes because it does not offer any advantage over the ICC.
A critical analysis of helminth immunotherapy in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Charabati Marc , Donkers Sarah J , Kirkland Megan C , Osborne Lisa C
Published: January 2020

Helminthic worms are ancestral members of the intestinal ecosystem that have been largely eradicated from the general population in industrialized countries. Immunomodulatory mechanisms induced by some helminths mediate a “truce” between the mammalian host and the colonizing worm, thus allowing for long-term persistence in the absence of immune-mediated collateral tissue damage. This concept and the geographic discrepancy between global burdens of chronic inflammatory diseases and helminth infection have sparked interest in the potential of using helminthic worms as a therapeutic intervention to limit the progression of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we present and evaluate the evidence for this hypothesis in the pre-clinical animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalitis, in helminth-infected MS patients and in clinical trials of administered helminth immunotherapy (HIT).
Beyond Dutch Disease: Are there mediators of the mining–tourism nexus?
Authors: Moyle Char-lee , Carmignani Fabrizio , Moyle Brent , Anwar Sajid
Published: January 2020

In recent years, significant work has emerged exploring the relationship between tourism and mining. Generally, the relationship is considered to be negative, the result of crowding out of tourism during mining booms. However, the relationship is likely to be more complicated with mining affecting tourism both directly and indirectly. The indirect effects arise from the mediation role played by foreign direct investment (FDI), governance quality, trade and the real exchange rate. To verify this hypothesis, this article uses an unbalanced panel data set that covers 190 countries over the 2002–2017 period. A structural equation model is used to account for the mediating relationships. The results show a direct negative relationship between natural resource intensity and international tourist arrivals, as well as indirect positive relationship mediated by FDI partially offset by an indirect negative relationship mediated by governance.
“Different but connected”: Participatory action research using Photovoice to explore well-being in autistic young adults
Authors: Lam Gary Yu Hin , Holden Emily , Fitzpatrick Megan , Raffaele Mendez Linda , Berkman Karen
Published: January 2020

Past research has largely focused on the negative aspects of well-being of autistic young adults during the post-school transition. Research that meaningfully includes autistic individuals and captures their perspectives of positive well-being is essential for stakeholders to better understand how to provide services that respond to the needs and wants of the autistic community. In the current study, 14 autistic young adults in a post-school transition program participated in a Photovoice project and used photos to express their ideas about well-being. A participatory action research approach was used to support participants’ active engagement in the research processes and to encourage meaningful expression of their first-person perspectives. Results revealed an account of well-being reflecting expressions of individuality and growth, the significance of having close relationships, and a sense of connection with the community. This study has implications for research and practice that promotes well-being among the autistic community using approaches that are ethically informed and inclusive of autistic voices.

Lay abstract

Past research has mainly focused on autistic people’s deficits and poor outcomes compared to other groups of people. Little is known about their positive life experiences, and how to support them to achieve a higher quality of life. It is important to include autistic individuals in research so that they can influence how their voices are represented in a meaningful way and how the research results will be useful to them. In this study, a university researcher collaborated with 14 autistic young adults in a post-school transition program to design and run the research, collect and analyze the data, and use the results to create a presentation to the community. Specifically, the participants took photos in daily life and discussed their ideas about what a good life means to them. Results showed that these young adults described themselves as uniquely and different, but they were eager to learn and adapt. They also valued their relationships with their families, friends, and animals around them, as well as the community at large. This research shows that autistic individuals have important perspectives to share and knowledge to contribute when they are given the opportunities to participate in different aspects of research. The findings will be useful in developing services and influencing policies that promote well-being among autistic adults.
Thermomechanical modelling for the linear friction welding process of Ni-based superalloy and verification
Authors: Okeke SI , Harrison N , Tong M
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a fully coupled thermomechanical model for the linear friction welding process of Inconel-718 nickel-based superalloy by using the finite element method. Friction heat, plastic work, and contact formulation were taken into account for two deformable plastic bodies oscillating relative to each other under large compressive force. The modelling results of the thermal history at the weldline interface and thermal field at a distance away from the rubbing surfaces were compared to instrumented data sourced from related publications for model verification. Optimal linear friction welding process parameters were identified via comparison of weld temperature to the liquidus temperature of Inconel-718 alloy. Comparison of interface temperature showed a consistent range of values above the solidus melting temperature (1250 ℃) and below the liquidus melting temperature (1360 ℃) of Inconel-718 alloy. For the first time, a visible linear friction welding process window is identified using a thermomechanical computational modelling method. Through computational modelling, the influence of welding process parameters on the heat transfer and deformation of weld was systematically investigated.
In-vehicle localization based on multi-channel Bluetooth Low Energy received signal strength indicator
Authors: Yuan Gao , Ze Zhao , Changcheng Huang , Chuanqi Han , Li Cui
Published: January 2020

High-precision in-vehicle localization is the basis for both in-vehicle location-based service and the analysis of the driver or passengers’ behaviors. However, interferences like effects of multipath and reflection of the signals significantly raise great challenges to the positioning accuracy at in-vehicle environment. This article presents a novel high-precision in-vehicle localization method, namely, the LOC-in-a-Car, based on functional exploration and full use of multi-channel received signal strength indicator of Bluetooth Low Energy. To achieve higher positioning precision, a hierarchical computation algorithm based on Adaboost and support vector machine is proposed in our method. In particular, we also proposed a device calibration method to deal with the heterogeneity of different smartphone terminals. We developed an Android app as a component in which the channel time-sharing acquisition method is fulfilled, enabling smartphones to distinguish data from multi-channels. The system performance is verified via intensive experiments, of which the results show that our method can distinguish the locations of driver or passengers with an accuracy ranging from 86.80% to 92.02% for each seat on Nexus phone, and the overall accuracy is 89.86%, with standard deviation of 2.64%. On Huawei phone, the accuracy ranges from 85.43% to 93.33% with overall accuracy of 89.75% and standard deviation of 3.07%. Both outperform the existing methods.
Synthesis, characterization and biochemical behaviour of macrocyclic complexes of Zn(II) and Co(II) metals
Authors: Fahmi Nighat , Upadhyay Monika , Sharma Naveen , Belwal Savita
Published: January 2020

A series of Zn(II) and Co(II) complexes have been synthesized by template condensation of bis(benzil)-4-chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine and bis(benzil)-4-fluoro-1,2-phenylenediamine, respectively, with 4-chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine and 4-fluoro-1,2-phenylenediamine in the presence of transition metal chlorides. The complexes have been characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Based on these studies, an octahedral geometry has been proposed around the metal ions. The newly synthesized ligands and their metal complexes have been screened for antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The in vitro cytotoxicity towards the HeLa cell line has been evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.
China’s engagement with Kazakhstan and Russia’s Zugzwang: Why is Nur-Sultan incurring regional power hedging?
Authors: Ohle Maximilian , Cook Richard J. , Han Zhaoying
Published: January 2020

Grappling with the contemporary topos of a Sino-Russian Entente, Kazakhstan is caught between a delicate long-term peer-competition and potentially a structural rivalry involving the two Eurasian Leviathans, China and Russia. Acknowledging this perspective, Nur-Sultan is inducing hedging dynamics, fishing for a better range of net benefits, while playing a significant fulcrum role central to the regional geopolitical and geo-economic matrix. Although Russia is retaining the prevailing role in the security domain, China is catching up with Russia in various economic indices, notably generated by the Belt and Road Initiative. Utilizing the conceptualization of hierarchy in international relations adapted from the work of David A. Lake, this paper outlines how Nur-Sultan’s interests and preferences are acknowledged by the respective dominants, as a basis for social contracting processes to generate a dual hierarchical order in Central Asia.
Are Common Sense Model constructs and self-efficacy simultaneously correlated with self-management behaviors and health outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Breland Jessica Y , Wong Jessie J , McAndrew Lisa M
Published: January 2020

This systematic review answered two questions among adults with chronic conditions: When included in the same statistical model, are Common Sense Model constructs and self-efficacy both associated with (1) self-management behaviors and (2) health outcomes? We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and included 29 articles. When included in the same statistical model, Common Sense Model constructs and self-efficacy were both correlated with outcomes. Self-efficacy was more consistently associated with self-management behaviors, and Common Sense Model constructs were more consistently associated with health outcomes. Findings support the continued inclusion and integration of both frameworks to understand and/or improve chronic illness self-management and outcomes.
Research Performance Evaluation in China: A Big Data Analysis
Authors: Feng Guangchao Charles
Published: January 2020

China’s scientific achievement has received considerable international attention due to a large amount of research and development (R&D) spending. This article aims to study the performance of China’s R&D expenditures (in the form of research funding) by examining the research performance of individual researchers based on bibliometric measures. This study concludes that research practice is not merely determined by capital possessed. Besides, international collaboration primarily accounts for research performance of scholars, whereas research funding and publishing in Chinese-based journals do not impact research performance significantly.