bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical perspectives in communication in cancer care: An interpretative phenomenological study
Authors: Melis Paola , Galletta Maura , Gonzalez Cesar Ivan Aviles , Contu Paolo , Herrera Maria Francisca Jimenez
Published: May 2020

Background:

In cancer care, many clinical contexts still lack a good-quality patient–health professional communication about diagnosis and prognosis. Information transmission enables patients to make informed choices about their own healthcare. Nevertheless, disclosure is still an ethically challenging clinical problem in cancer care. High-quality care can be achieved by understanding the perspectives of others. The perspective of patients, their caregivers, physicians and nurses have seldom been simultaneously studied.

Objective:

To investigate the phenomenon of diagnosis and prognosis-related communication as experienced by patients, their caregivers, and both their attending nurses and physicians, to enlighten meanings attached to communication by the four parties.

Methods:

A qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis was performed.

Participants and research context:

Purposive sampling of six patients, six caregivers, seven nurses and five physicians was performed in two oncological hospitals in Italy.

Ethical considerations:

Local Ethics Committee approved the study. It was guided by the ethical principles of voluntary enrolment, anonymity, privacy and confidentiality.

Results:

Three main themes were identified: (a) the infinite range of possibilities in knowing and willing to know, (b) communication with the patient as a conflicting situation and (c) the bind of implicit and explicit meaning of communication.

Conclusion:

The interplay of meanings attached by patients, their caregivers, and their attending oncologist and nurse to communication about diagnosis and prognosis revealed complexities and ambiguities not yet settled. Physicians still need to solve the ethical tensions in their caring relationship with patients to really allow them ‘to choose with dignity and being aware of it’. Nurses need to develop awareness about their role in diagnosis and prognosis-related communication. This cognizance is essential not just to assure consistency of communication within the multi-disciplinary team but mostly because it allows and enables the moral agent to take its own responsibilities and be accountable for them.
The Role of Macroeconomic and Financial Factors in Bond Market Development in Selected Countries
Authors: Aman Ameenullah , Isa Mohamad Yazid , Naim Asmadi Mohamed
Published: May 2020

Both developed and developing economies have showed serious interest in the development of domestic and regional bond markets. This interest was motivated by the recurrent events of economic crises, due to the over-reliance on the banking system. Therefore, this study investigates the macroeconomic and financial determinants of a bond market development, since the economic and financial environments play a primary role in the development of any financial market. Panel data analysis is employed to investigate the potential relationships. Results identify that financial system and most of the macroeconomic factors are positively associated with a bond market development. However, the stage of economic development is negatively related to bonds. Hence, policymakers need to strengthen and use existing financial system and economic variables to provide reasonable support to the development of bond markets. This study empirically analyses some unexplored theoretical relationships with respect to a bond market.
New wine in old bottles? Korean state actors’ policy engagement with the online gaming industry
Authors: Song Ji-Won
Published: May 2020

This article revisits the developmental state literature that stresses the unitary role of the state in steering economic development in East Asia. Focusing on the Korean state actors’ diversity and their agency after the trend of globalization and democratization, this article highlights various state actors as agents and looks into how the role of state actors has changed with industrial development, using the setting of the Korean online gaming industry over the past two decades. By examining government policy measures on the industry, I found that the state actors have actively engaged with the industry, however, this agency has not been uniform due to the different purposes of the actors and sometimes led a detrimental effect against the needs or expectations of the industry. The findings, thus, contribute to the literature by suggesting the potentiality of agent-driven institutional change and the heterogeneity that comes from the state actors’ policy engagement.
Cerebellar hypoplasia and dysplasia in a juvenile raccoon with parvoviral infection
Authors: Wünschmann Arno , Lopez-Astacio Robert , Armien Anibal G. , Parrish Colin R.
Published: May 2020

A juvenile raccoon ( Procyon lotor) was submitted dead to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for rabies testing without history. The animal had marked hypoplasia of the cerebellum. Histology demonstrated that most folia lacked granule cells and had randomly misplaced Purkinje cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of parvoviral antigen in a few neurons and cell processes. PCR targeting feline and canine parvovirus yielded a positive signal. Sequencing analyses from a fragment of the nonstructural protein 1 ( NS1) gene and a portion of the viral capsid protein 2 ( VP2) gene confirmed the presence of DNA of a recent canine parvovirus variant (CPV-2a–like virus) in the cerebellum. Our study provides evidence that (canine) parvovirus may be associated with cerebellar hypoplasia and dysplasia in raccoons, similar to the disease that occurs naturally and has been reproduced experimentally by feline parvoviral infection of pregnant cats, with subsequent intrauterine or neonatal infections of the offspring.
Needs of Migrant Arab Muslim Childbearing Women in the United Kingdom
Authors: Bawadi Hala , Al-Hamdan Zaid , Ahmad Muayyad M.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: This study aims to examine the challenges faced by migrant Arab Muslim women in accessing maternity services and to suggest ways to improve the childbirth experience for them. Methodology: An interpretive ontological–phenomenological perspective guided by the philosophical tenets of Heidegger was used to examine the childbirth experiences of Arab Muslim women. Results: The sample size was 24 in-depth semistructured audiotaped interviews with eight women in the United Kingdom. The “Vulnerable Woman” was the main theme of our findings, which was discussed in five subthemes: language exclusion, discrimination and prejudice, bureaucracy and “stiff upper lip,” conflicting ideology, and the conventional as strange. Conclusions: Maternity care should be culturally competent and emphasize the importance of recognizing differences as well as creating trusting relationships. At the same time, midwives should be aware of the dangers of labeling women because of their cultural and religious beliefs.
Operationalization of the Ecological Systems Theory to Guide the Study of Cultural Practices and Beliefs of Newborn Care in Rural Zambia
Authors: Buser Julie M. , Boyd Carol J , Moyer Cheryl A. , Ngoma-Hazemba Alice , Zulu Davy , Mtenje Jessy Taona , Jones Andrew D. , Lori Jody R.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: A wide gap in knowledge exists about the factors associated with newborn care in rural Zambia. In this year of the nurse and midwife, the purpose of this article is to provide transcultural researchers with an example of how Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) can be used to guide an exploration of the cultural practices, knowledge, and beliefs of newborn care and health-seeking behaviors in rural Zambia. Methodology: Based on the EST, maternal knowledge represents the microsystem while family and community members embody the mesosystem. Health care organization denotes the exosystem with culture representing the macrosystem and health policy the chronosystem. Results: Numerous implications for transcultural nursing practice emerged from this adaptation of the ecological systems approach. Findings reveal a maternal dualism faced by Zambian mothers as they navigate the complex interplay between cultural newborn care practices and evidence-based newborn care promoted by the health care system. Discussion: Based on our proposed operationalization of the EST for a transcultural nursing study, the EST can be applied globally, further validating the theory.
Parent Perceptions of Audiology and Speech–Language Services and Support for Young Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Kelly Patrick Michael , Drasgow Erik
Published: May 2020

Parents of young children diagnosed with severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss are selecting cochlear implants at an increasing rate. Audiologists and speech–language pathologists are typically involved in habilitation activities following implantation. These clinicians depend upon parents to participate in habilitation activities. However, little information exists regarding parents’ perspectives on the services and supports audiologists and speech–language pathologists provide. The purpose of this study was to investigate parents’ postimplantation perceptions about the importance of different services provided and to measure their satisfaction with the support provided to them. Results revealed that parents were overwhelmingly positive about audiologists’ and speech–language pathologists’ services and support, but preferred services that directly benefited the child over those that supported the parent. Parents favored a family-centered approach in services but indicated that the greatest overall positive difference in services and support was for their child, followed by the positive difference for themselves, and then for other family members. We end by discussing the policy implications of our results.
Local strengthening and repair of concrete bridge girders using shape memory alloy precast prestressing plate
Authors: Zhao Hang , Andrawes Bassem
Published: May 2020

Whether due to accidents, natural hazards, or harsh environmental conditions, concrete structures and bridges, in particular, experience local damages throughout their service life. Based on their severity, these damages can compromise the integrity of the structure. External prestressing is often used as an effective strengthening or repair technique for vulnerable or damaged structures, respectively. However, applying external prestressing in local regions of the structure with limited space can be problematic and not feasible for conventional prestressing techniques. This study investigates an innovative method for applying external prestressing in local regions of bridge girders using externally mounted precast prestressing plate reinforced with shape memory alloy wires. A thin mortar plate with embedded curved shape memory alloy wire was experimentally tested to validate the proposed prestressing concept. Afterward, finite element analysis was performed on a concrete bridge girder to numerically investigate the performance of shape memory alloy precast prestressing plate in enhancing the shear and flexural behavior of the girder. Experimental and numerical results evidently demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the innovative method in strengthening and repairing concrete structures through external local prestressing.
A comprehensive review on thermomechanical constitutive models for shape memory polymers
Authors: Yarali Ebrahim , Taheri Ali , Baghani Mostafa
Published: May 2020

Shape memory polymers are a class of smart materials, which are capable of fixing their deformed shapes, and can return to their original shape in reaction to external stimulus such as heat. Also due to their exceptional properties, they are mostly used in four-dimensional printing applications. To model and investigate thermomechanical response of shape memory polymers mathematically, several constitutive equations have been developed over the past two decades. The purpose of this research is to provide an up-to-date review on structures, classifications, applications of shape memory polymers, and constitutive equations of thermally responsive shape memory polymers and their composites. First, a comprehensive review on the properties, structure, and classifications of shape memory polymers is conducted. Then, the proposed models in the literature are presented and discussed, which, particularly, are focused on the phase transition and thermo-viscoelastic approaches for conventional, two-way as well as multi-shape memory polymers. Then, a statistical analysis on constitutive relations of thermally activated shape memory polymers is carried out. Finally, we present a summary and give some concluding remarks, which could be helpful in selection of a suitable shape memory polymer constitutive model under a typical application.
Active vibration control of a rotor bearing system using flexible piezoelectric patch actuators
Authors: Brahem Maryam , Chouchane Mnaouar , Amamou Amira
Published: May 2020

Rotor vibration control is crucial for the reliability of rotating machines. This article applies active vibration control to reduce the vibration of a rotor bearing system using flexible piezoelectric patches as actuators mounted on the shaft external surface. The patches reduce the vibration due to unbalance forces by generating bending moments to counteract rotor deformation. An active vibration control system is designed based on a full-state linear quadratic regulator controller. Since proximity probes are used to measure the lateral vibrations of the rotor at few shaft positions, an observer is designed to estimate the unmeasured vibrations. The weighting matrices required by the linear quadratic regulator controller are selected by trial and error so that the displacement amplitudes are reduced to a minimum and the actuation voltages remain within the limitations defined by the manufacturer of the used patches. Simulated responses demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed controller in attenuating the lateral vibration of the rotor bearing system when using two actuating voltages. The vibration response is reduced for the steady-state condition and during run-up particularly at the first critical speed.
Standard Versus Extended Duration Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy in Hepatitis C Patients With Slow Response to Treatment
Authors: McKnight Ashley H. , Townsend Mary L. , Hashem Mohamed G. , Naggie Susanna , Park Lawrence P. , Britt Rachel B.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Response-guided hepatitis C therapy was standard with interferon-based regimens but is not used for direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Week 4 viral kinetics may predict sustained virological response (SVR) with DAAs, but it is unclear whether extending therapy in slow responders affects outcomes.

Objectives:

The primary objective was to compare SVR rates between traditional and extended duration groups. Secondary objectives were to compare SVR rates among subgroups and to determine factors associated with SVR.

Methods:

This institutional review board–approved, retrospective, single-center study identified patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with detectable week 4 HCV RNA who were treated with DAAs. Patients were excluded for early discontinuation, treatment regimen not recommended first-line, or missing HCV RNA labs. Patients were stratified into traditional and extended duration groups. The primary end point was SVR. Secondary end points included factors associated with SVR and rationale for extension of therapy duration.

Results:

A total of 363 patients were included; 58 (16%) received extended therapy. Patients were primarily genotype 1a (70%) and treatment naïve (80%). More than half had advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. SVR12 rates were 100% in the extended duration group and 96.7% in the traditional duration group ( P = 0.37). There were no associations with SVR and prespecified patient-specific factors. Sample size was limited.

Conclusion and Relevance:

Based on these findings, a recommendation for extension of therapy cannot be made for patients with detectable HCV RNA at week 4 of treatment at this time. Cost analyses may help guide recommendations to re-treat rare failures versus extend therapy in all slow responders.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Receiving Concomitant Vancomycin and Continuous-Infusion Piperacillin/Tazobactam: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Blair Kameron , Covington Elizabeth W.
Published: May 2020

Background:

During a recent shortage of small-volume parenteral solutions, some hospitals administered piperacillin/tazobactam via continuous infusion to utilize larger fluid volumes. Although the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is well documented for patients receiving intermittent or extended-infusion piperacillin/tazobactam with concomitant vancomycin, no literature exists documenting the incidence of AKI in patients receiving continuous-infusion piperacillin/tazobactam.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to examine the incidence and predictors of AKI in patients who received continuous-infusion piperacillin/tazobactam with concomitant intermittent-infusion vancomycin (VPT-CI) at a community hospital.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients who received VPT-CI between December 2017 and March 2018. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were at least 19 years of age and received at least 48 hours of combination therapy. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI. The secondary outcome was an assessment of patient and treatment characteristics to determine predictors of AKI.

Results:

A total of 120 patients were included in the study. The incidence of AKI in patients who received VPT-CI was 31.7%. Based on binary logistic regression analysis, risk factors associated with increased risk of AKI included admission to the intensive care unit and baseline creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min.

Conclusion and Relevance:

The incidence of AKI for VPT-CI found in this study was comparable to that found with intermittent and extended-infusion piperacillin/tazobactam with concomitant vancomycin in prior literature. Additional research should further analyze risk factors for the development of AKI for patients on concomitant vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam therapy.
Papillary Renal Neoplasm With Reverse Polarity: A Clinicopathologic Study of 7 Cases
Authors: Zhou Luting , Xu Jiankun , Wang Suying , Yang Xiaoqun , Li Chuanying , Zhou Jun , Zhang Peipei , Xu Haimin , Wang Chaofu
Published: May 2020

Papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity is a form of recently described tumor. These tumors are defined by GATA3 positivity, negative vimentin staining, and the presence of both papillary structures and a layer of eosinophilic cells with apical nuclei and a granular cytoplasm. In the present report, we review 7 cases of papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity that were GATA3+ and vimentin−, consistent with past reports. In all 7 of these cases, we found that these tumors were additionally positive for 34βE12. All 7 of these tumors were categorized as stage pT1. On histological examination, these tumors exhibited branching papillae with apical nuclei. All 7 of these patients were alive on most recent follow-up, with 6 being disease free and one having developed prostate cancer. Together, this overview of 7 additional cases of papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity offers further insight into this rare and poorly understood disease.
Factor Structure of the Short Version of the Working Alliance Inventory and Its Longitudinal Measurement Invariance Across Individual Career Counseling Sessions
Authors: Milot-Lapointe Francis , Le Corff Yann , Savard Réginald
Published: May 2020

The aim of the present study was 2-fold: (a) to examine the factor structure of the short version of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI-S) in clients who were engaged in individual career counseling sessions and (b) to investigate whether the factor structure of the WAI-S is invariant across the first and the third career counseling sessions. A total of 283 clients seeking individual career counseling completed the WAI-S at the end of the first session (T1). Of the 283 clients, 217 also completed the WAI-S at the end of the third session (T2). Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the fit of one-factor, two-factor, three-factor, and bilevel hierarchical models. The results showed that the three-factor and the bilevel hierarchical models had the best fit to the data at both T1 and T2. The factor structure of the WAI-S was invariant across the first and the third career counseling sessions. Results suggest that researchers and clinicians can use the WAI-S knowing that it adequately measures Bordin’s theoretical model of working alliance in the specific context of individual career counseling.
Resistance is not the end: lessons from pest management
Authors: Whelan Christopher J. , Cunningham Jessica J.
Published: May 2020

The “war on cancer” began over 40 years ago with the signing of the National Cancer Act of 1971. Currently, complete eradication has proven possible in early stage premetastatic disease with increasingly successful early detection and surgery protocols; however, late stage metastatic disease remains invariably fatal. One of the main causes of treatment failure in metastatic disease is the ability of cancer cells to evolve resistance to currently available therapies. Evolution of resistance to control measures is a universal problem. While it may seem that the mechanisms of resistance employed by cancer cells are impossible to control, we show that many of the resistance mechanisms are mirrored in agricultural pests. In this way, we argue that measures developed in the agricultural industry to slow or prevent pesticide resistance could be adopted in clinical cancer biology to do the same. The agriculture industry recognized the problem of pesticide resistance and responded by developing and enforcing guidelines on resistance management and prevention. These guidelines, known as integrated pest management (IPM), do not encourage eradication of pests but instead strive to maintain pests, even with the presence of resistant strains, at a level that does not cause economic damage to the crops. Integrated pest management inspired management of metastatic cancer could result in the slowing or curtailing of widespread resistance to treatment, reducing overall drug usage, and increasing the survival and quality of life of patients with cancer. Using IPM principles as a foundation and shifting the goal of treatment of metastatic disease to long-term management will require close monitoring of evolving tumor populations, judicious application of currently available therapies, and development of new criteria of success.
Deciding What’s News: News-ness As an Audience Concept for the Hybrid Media Environment
Authors: Edgerly Stephanie , Vraga Emily K.
Published: May 2020

A by-product of today’s hybrid media system is that genres—once uniformly defined and enforced—are now murky and contested. We develop the concept of news-ness, defined as the extent to which audiences characterize specific content as news, to capture how audiences understand and process media messages. In this article, we (a) ground the concept of news-ness within research on media genres, journalism practices, and audience studies, (b) develop a theoretical model that identifies the factors that influence news-ness and its outcomes, and (c) situate news-ness within discussions about fake news, partisan motivated reasoning, and comparative studies of media systems.
Dosing errors in total parenteral nutrition prescriptions at a specialized cancer care hospital of Lahore: The role of clinical pharmacist
Authors: Akbar Zunaira , Saeed Hamid , Saleem Zikria , Andleeb Sidra
Published: May 2020

Study objective

To determine the role of pharmacist in identifying the frequency of errors in total parenteral nutrition prescriptions in cancer patients for the years 2015 and 2016. Total parenteral nutrition has a high potential for medical errors because of its complex composition, thus leading to severe complications. Pharmacist review of the prescriptions reduces the risk of inappropriate prescribing, preparation, and administration of parenteral nutrition.

Methodology

An observational study was performed by collecting data of total parenteral nutrition prescriptions of 71 patients for the last two years from Pharmacy Department of specialized cancer care hospital.

Results

It was found that the frequency of dosing errors and incomplete prescriptions was higher in 2015 compared to 2016. Additionally, the frequency of macro and micronutrients dosing errors were higher in adults (23.4% and 66.2%) compared to pediatrics (14.6% and 46.6%). Furthermore, the frequency of illegible prescriptions was higher (5.03%) in year 2016 as compared to year 2015 (1.64%). Nevertheless, such dose interventions improved patient’s weight (20%) and promoted enteral feeding (42.3%). Major complication was hypophosphatemia (39.4%) followed by hyperglycemia (10%) and catheter-induced infection, i.e. sepsis (4.2%).

Conclusion

In conclusion, data suggested that pharmacist played instrumental role in identifying and rectifying total parenteral nutrition dosing errors for both micronutrients and macronutrients—with higher frequency in 2015 compared to 2016, leading to improvements in total parenteral nutrition-related complications and switches to enteral feeding.
Corticospinal Wallerian Degeneration Before Myelination: A Case Report
Authors: Szymanski Linda J , Hawes Debra , Gilles Floyd
Published: May 2020

Wallerian degeneration is defined as axonal fiber and myelin sheath degeneration that affects myelinated axons within the peripheral or central nervous system. Wallerian degeneration or anterograde axonal degeneration before myelination is rarely reported. Involvement of both corticospinal tracts (CSTs) is rarely documented in the literature. We present the postmortem neuropathologic findings of a 1-week-old male neonate born at 23 weeks of gestation with bilateral CST degeneration extending from the posterior limb of the internal capsule through the brainstem into the lumbar spinal cord. Abundant CD68- and CD163-positive macrophages were the prominent histopathology in both CSTs. The cerebrum, brainstem, and spinal cord were unmyelinated, as expected. In contrast, the spinal nerve roots demonstrated early myelination. This case illustrates that Wallerian degeneration occurs in unmyelinated axis cylinders.
Kurt Aterman, MUDR, MB, BCh BAO HONS, DCH, MRCP, PhD, DSc, FRCPath: “A Small Man With a Very Large Cerebrum and a Soul to Match”
Authors: Wright James R
Published: May 2020

Kurt Aterman was raised in the Czech-Polish portions of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I and the interwar period. After completing medical school and beginning postgraduate pediatrics training in Prague, this Jewish Czech physician fled to England as a refugee when the Nazis occupied his homeland in 1939. He repeated/completed medical training in Northern Ireland and London, working briefly as a pediatrician. Next, he served in the Royal Army Medical Corp in India, working as a pathologist. After the war and additional pathology training, he spent the next decade as an experimental pathologist in Birmingham, England. After completing a fellowship with Edith Potter in Chicago, Aterman spent the next 2 decades as a pediatric-perinatal pathologist, primarily working in Halifax, Canada. Fluent in many European languages, he finished his career as a medical historian. Aterman published extensively in all 3 arenas; many of his pediatric pathology papers were massive encyclopedic review articles, accurately recounting ideas from historical times. Aterman was a classical European scholar and his papers reflected this. Aterman was one of the founding members of the Pediatric Pathology Club, the predecessor of the Society for Pediatric Pathology. This highly successful refugee’s writings are important and memorable.
Renal Biopsy Prognostic Findings in Children With Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Yüksel Selçuk , Işık Gönül İpek , Canpolat Nur , Gökçe İbrahim , Özlü Sare Gülfem , Özçakar Zeynep Birsin , Ozaltin Fatih , Söylemezoğlu Oğuz
Published: May 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological findings in kidney biopsies in children with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and to determine whether specific pathological findings in aHUS have a prognostic value.

Methods

Renal biopsy specimens of 29 patients who were recorded in the national Turkish aHUS registry database were available for review. Histopathological findings were compared with the clinical and laboratory features at the presentation and the final outcome.

Results

The mean age at presentation and follow-up period was 4.9 ± 3.9 and 3.9 ± 3.0 years, respectively. The median time interval from the first symptom to biopsy was 10 days. Vascular thrombosis and interstitial fibrosis were significantly related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation during follow-up (5.6-fold, for both). Glomerular necrosis, cortical necrosis, and glomerular sclerosis were markedly associated with CKD without dialysis (6.2-fold, 13.3-fold, and 8.8-fold, respectively). However, presence of endothelial swelling, subendothelial widening, and fragmented erythrocytes was found to be correlated with a favorable final outcome.

Conclusions

Presence of vascular thrombosis, cortical necrosis, and glomerular sclerosis in histopathological evaluation correlated with developing CKD. Chronic changes in the interstitial compartment were also related to poor prognosis, a finding that has been shown for the first time in pediatric aHUS cases.
Comparison study of misalignment effect along two perpendicular directions on the stability of rigid rotor-aerostatic journal bearing system
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Zhao Han , Zou Donglin , Ta Na , Rao Zhushi
Published: May 2020

Under misalignment condition, the film thickness distribution of aerostatic journal bearings is changed comparing with condition without misalignment, which results in the change of performances of aerostatic journal bearings. In the paper, the effects of misalignment along two perpendicular directions (along the vertical direction θ y and along the horizontal direction θ x) on the dynamic coefficients and stability thresholds of both critical whirl ratio and critical inertial force calculated by the motion equation of rigid rotor-aerostatic journal bearing system are studied comparatively. The results indicate that the dynamic coefficients, critical whirl ratio, and critical inertial force are more sensitive to θ x compared with θ y. Moreover, the stability threshold of whirl ratio reduces with increasing the misalignment degree, while stability threshold of inertial force increases with increasing the misalignment degree.
Study on the performance of novel gas foil conical bearings
Authors: Hu Hongyang , Feng Ming , Ren Tianming
Published: May 2020

To reduce the mass and size of low-power turbine machinery, a new type of gas foil conical bearing was proposed, and its static and dynamic performance was systematically studied. Based on a nonlinear bump stiffness model considering rounding and friction, the structural stiffness distribution, load capacity, dynamic stiffness, and damping coefficients of gas foil conical bearing were calculated, and the influence of bearing parameters on its static and dynamic characteristics was studied. In addition, a pair of gas foil conical bearings was used to replace the traditional radial-thrust foil bearing support scheme on an air compressor to explore the practicability of the novel bearing. The results show that the new gas foil conical bearing has an excellent supporting performance and broad prospects for application. The bump radius, rounding radius, friction coefficients, and foil thickness will significantly influence the bump foil stiffness. The bearing parameters such as structural stiffness, nominal clearance, cone angle, and eccentricity have a large effect on its static and dynamic performance, and we can obtain the desired bearing characteristics by tailoring these parameters.
Subsurface stress-field analysis of generating ground helical gear based on finite line-contact mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication
Authors: Gu Zonglin , Zhu Caichao , Liu Huaiju , Tang Jinyuan
Published: May 2020

Tooth surface roughness and lubrication status have significant influence on the contact performance and fatigue life of helical gear pair. Yet, despite the development in elastohydrodynamic lubrication-based contact analysis and solution of subsurface stress field, researches in subsurface stress field of helical gears considering both lubrication and surface roughness are not quite comprehensive. In this study, three-dimensional surface roughness of generating ground gear is measured, a finite line-contact mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication model is established to perform the contact analysis, and, on this basis, the influence of tooth surface roughness on the subsurface stress field is studied. Results show that compared with the smooth surface, the overall level of subsurface stress is raised; maximum stress values and plastic zones occur in the close vicinity of tooth surface, which adds to the risk of surface failure; within sections in the valley regions of roughness, locations of maximum stresses are generally similar to the smooth surface situation, i.e. in relatively deep zones, while within sections in the peak regions, the majority of locations with maximum stresses shift much closer to the surface; contact pressure and stress status see only mild undulation between different sections distributed along the contact line, but intense changes between sections distributed along the entraining direction.
Mapping breast cancer survivors’ psychosocial coping along disease trajectory: A language approach
Authors: Chen Meng , Zhao Liang
Published: May 2020

This article reports a language analysis of breast cancer patients’ posts in an online support group. Adopting web-scraping techniques, the study analyzed 27,078 online posts contributed by 1443 users along multiple linguistic dimensions to investigate the trajectory of the patients’ psychosocial adaptation of the disease. The findings suggested that breast cancer patients’ emotional experiences and adjustment in the course of illness vary from one stage to another. They reached the peak of emotional expression, struggle and despair, and self-focus at Stage III, whereas wiped out negative emotions and signaled a desire for connections with others at Stage IV.
The conflict-cooperation effect persists under intragroup payoff asymmetry
Authors: Theelen Maik M. P. , Böhm Robert
Published: May 2020

In real-world intergroup conflict, not all in-group members are equally threatened by the out-group. Yet, the impact of intragroup payoff asymmetry on the inclination to mutually cooperate during intergroup conflict and therefore to protect against out-group attacks, i.e., the “conflict-cooperation effect,” has not been investigated so far. In Study 1, we replicate previous research by using a novel experimental game paradigm, showing increased intragroup cooperation in the presence (vs. absence) of out-group threat under intragroup payoff symmetry. In Study 2, we find a conflict-cooperation effect among group members who are threatened (victims) as well as among group members who are not threatened (helpers) by the out-group. Intragroup cohesiveness, i.e., perceived closeness among in-group members, mediates the conflict-cooperation effect, particularly among selfishly-oriented individuals. Our results support the notion that intergroup conflict may have favored the evolutionary adaption of intragroup cooperation even when the in-group members were asymmetrically threatened by intergroup conflict.
Understanding the scope of downtime threats: A scoping review of downtime-focused literature and news media
Authors: Larsen Ethan P , Rao Arjun H , Sasangohar Farzan
Published: May 2020

Electronic health record downtimes are any period where the computer systems are unavailable, either for planned or unexpected events. During an unexpected downtime, healthcare workers are rapidly forced to use rarely-practiced, paper-based methods for healthcare delivery. In some instances, patient safety is compromised or data exposed to parties seeking profit. This review provides a foundational perspective of the current state of downtime readiness as organizations prepare to handle downtime events. A search of technical news media related to healthcare informatics and a scoping review of the research literature were conducted. Findings ranged from theoretical exploration of downtime to empirical direct comparison of downtime versus normal operation. Overall, 166 US hospitals experienced a total of 701 days of downtime in 43 events between 2012 and 2018. Almost half (48.8%) of the published downtime events involved some form of cyber-attacks. Downtime contingency planning is still predominantly considered through a top-down organizational focus. We propose that a bottom-up approach, involving the front-line clinical staff responsible for executing the downtime procedure, will be beneficial. Significant new research support for the development of contingency plans will be needed.
The vitality of vitalism in contemporary anthropology: Longing for an ever green tree of life
Authors: Duarte Luiz FD
Published: May 2020

This article aims to unravel the lines that have carried the cosmological conception of ‘life’ in Western culture into our times, and to explore how this trajectory illuminates current philosophical and anthropological thought. Since the 18th-century vitalism has been a major arena of discussion about the phenomena of nature and life, in parallel with broader romantic emphases on flux, totality, dialectics, and preserving the embeddedness of nature and culture, or things and people. Distinguishing between life as the phenomenological experience of existence and the cosmological conception of the vital condition is central to my argument. I focus upon the latter dimension to show that awareness of the long-range history and present complexity of those conceptions contributes to the contextualization of the contemporary interest in life.
Narrating African conflict news: An intercultural analysis of Burundi’s 2015 coup
Authors: Williamson Sinalo Caroline
Published: May 2020

This article adopts an intercultural narrative approach to investigate how the 2015 crisis in Burundi was represented in five online news outlets: The Guardian, the United Kingdom (English); Le Monde, France (French); Le Soir, Belgium (French); The Daily Nation, Kenya (English); and Le Renouveau, Burundi (French). As the analysis demonstrates, all the outlets, including the African ones, adopt essentialised clichés of barbaric perpetrators and innocent victims, embroiled in ethnic conflict. Various configurations of these elements of the story are identified as it travels from one context to another. In general, the international outlets focus on a brutal dictator and a passive, victimised mass, but this narrative is reversed in the government-run Burundian outlet, which assigns barbarism to the protestors and legitimacy to the president. The Daily Nation is unique in framing these elements within a broader international narrative, demonstrating Burundi’s relative vulnerability to international (neoimperial) actors. In the final discussion, the article considers how Western journalism can learn from this cross-cultural analysis, drawing on Venuti’s (1995) concepts of foreignisation and domestication. It is argued that The Daily Nation’s emphasis on neoimperial influence on Burundi may be a form of domestication to Kenyan readers but would undoubtedly be considered a foreignising strategy to Western European readers, as it would alert them to the injustices of supposedly legitimate international (Western) institutions. While recognising the challenges of such a strategy in journalism, it is argued that news outlets should nonetheless consider presenting African conflict news using less stereotyped narratives, informed by a postcolonial interpretative lens.
Privatization of early childhood education (ECE): Implications for social justice in Nepal and Kenya
Authors: Kambutu John , Akpovo Samara Madrid , Nganga Lydiah , Thapa Sapna , Mwangi Agnes Muthoni
Published: May 2020

This ethnographic study examined the (un)intended 1 consequences of increased privatization of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Nepal and Kenya. Qualitative data showed overreliance on high-stakes standardized tests increased competition for ‘good grades or examination scores’, thus (un)intentionally creating ideal conditions for proliferation of for-profit private schools that predominantly taught culturally decontextualized education at all levels of schooling. Private schools in both countries served high-income families and children, while low-income families and children did not have access to ECE or attended government and not-for-profit programmes. Rather than bridging the gap between low and high-income families, these educational spaces influenced existing social divisions and inequalities. Therefore, this study concluded that private schools in Nepal and Kenya function like businesses, which (un)intentionally promoted educational injustice 2 against children from low-income families. Consequently, authors recommend enactment of new educational policies and practices that promote culturally contextualized curricula in ECE programmes.
Formative Research and Cultural Tailoring of a Substance Abuse Prevention Program for American Indian Youth: Findings From the Intertribal Talking Circle Intervention
Authors: Baldwin Julie A. , Lowe John , Brooks Jada , Charbonneau-Dahlen Barbara K. , Lawrence Gary , Johnson-Jennings Michelle , Padgett Gary , Kelley Melessa , Camplain Carolyn
Published: May 2020

Background. Substance use among American Indians (AIs) is a critical health issue and accounts for many health problems such as chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, behavioral health conditions, homicide, suicide, and motor vehicle accidents. In 2013, the highest rates of substance use and dependence were seen among AIs when compared to all other population groups, although these rates vary across different tribes. Among AI adolescents, high rates of substance use have been associated with environmental and historical factors, including poverty, historical trauma, bicultural stress, and changing tribal/familial roles. Our project, the Intertribal Talking Circle intervention, involved adapting, tailoring, implementing, and evaluating an existing intervention for AI youth of three tribal communities in the United States. Formative Results. Community partnership committees (CPCs) identified alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications as high priority substances. CPC concerns focused on the increasing substance use in their communities and the corresponding negative impacts on families, stating a lack of coping skills, positive role models, and hope for the future as concerns for youth. Cultural Tailoring Process Results. Each site formed a CPC that culturally tailored the intervention for their tribal community. This included translating Keetoowah-Cherokee language, cultural practices, and symbolism into the local tribal customs for relevance. The CPCs were essential for incorporating local context and perceived concerns around AI adolescent substance use. These results may be helpful to other tribal communities developing/implementing substance use prevention interventions for AI youth. It is critical that Indigenous cultures and local context be factored into such programs.
Branched nanofibers with tiny diameters for air filtration via one-step electrospinning
Authors: Zaarour Bilal , Tina Hussen , Zhu Lei , Jin XiangYu
Published: May 2020

Engineering the surface morphology of fibers has been attracting significant consideration in various areas and applications. In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) branched nanofibers with a diameter of less than 50 nm are electrospun directly at a low relative humidity by adding tetrabutylammonium chloride. The effects of the branched structure on the specific surface area and pore size distribution are investigated, and the filtration properties of the air filter based on branched nanofiber webs with different basis weights are studied. The results exhibit that the air filter based on PVDF branched nanofibers with the basis weight of 1 g/m2 has an outstanding filtration efficiency (99.999%) to 0.26 µm sodium chloride particles under the pressure drop of 126.17 Pa. We believe that this study can be used as a useful reference for the preparation of branched nanofibers through one-step electrospinning.
Desloratadine, a Novel Antigrowth Reagent for Bladder Cancer
Authors: Ma Jianfeng , Qi Jinchun , Li Shoubin , Zhang Chaohua , Wang Haijiang , Shao Lijun , Yuan Xiaofei , Sha Quan
Published: May 2020

Desloratadine, a potent antagonist for human histamine H1 receptor, has been revealed to exhibit antihistaminic activity and anti-inflammatory activity. However, it is not yet known whether desloratadine has any effect on the biological behaviors of tumor cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of desloratadine on cell growth and invasion in bladder cancer EJ and SW780 cells in vitro. We observed that desloratadine inhibited cell viability of EJ and SW780 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Desloratadine treatment was also revealed to suppress colony-formation ability and induce cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in EJ cells. Desloratadine promoted cell apoptosis via modulating the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved caspase 9 in EJ and SW780 cells. Western blot resulted showed that desloratadine also impaired the expression of autophagy-related proteins, such as Beclin 1, P62, and LC3I/II in EJ and SW780 cells; while autophagy inhibitor LY294002 reversed the effects of desloratadine on these proteins. Moreover, desloratadine remarkably attenuated cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, we illustrated that desloratadine downregulated the expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail1, and Snail2, while upregulated the expression of E-cadherin in EJ and SW780 cells in vitro. The level of interleukin 6 was reduced in desloratadine-treated cells, while upregulation of interleukin 6 significantly abolished the anticancer activity of desloratadine in cell invasion and Bcl-2, Bax, Beclin1, LC3-I/II, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin expression in EJ cells. Taken together, our data suggest a potential anticancer activity of desloratadine on cell growth and invasion for bladder cancer, which may be mediated by diminishing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and interleukin 6.