bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Increasing Prevalence of Girls in stem Education in the Arab World
Authors: Dajani Rana , Dhawan Sonali , M. Awad Sara
Published: May 2020

There has been much scholarly research, especially in the West, exploring the underrepresentation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (stem) fields. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of research on women in the Middle East, and the elements that drive them to enroll in stem are shrouded by the stereotypical image of the “oppressed Arab women.” Despite the dearth of studies, the available literature has demonstrated that the percentage of women pursuing an education in stem fields is higher in the Middle East in comparison to the West. According to 2015 data from unesco, regional averages for the share of female researchers are 39.8 percent for Arab states and 32.3 percent for North America and Western Europe. In this paper, we ask: what is the Middle East doing differently? How has the region, or at least parts of it, successfully nurtured women in stem? What factors have aided women from the region to study stem subjects? Our modest hope is that gaining a better understanding of this phenomenon will start the larger conversation of intellectual exchange between East and West in a way that has yet to be seen by the world of academia, and that will have a positive impact on females around the globe.
The Literary Depiction of the “Public Space”: Chen Zhongshi’s White Deer Plain Revisited
Authors: Gao Zhi
Published: May 2020

Chen Zhongshi’s novel, White Deer Plain, is a complex text revealing the social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of a community in transformation in which multiple public spaces coexist and struggle to survive. As a reinterpretation of the novel, this article examines three types of public spaces: the popular, the political, and the cultural-educational, respectively. Focusing on the forms of depiction, the inner workings of the public spaces, the overlapping between different spaces and their expansion, this article aims to delineate the trajectories of the rise and fall of such public spaces and explore their entangling and association with modernity.
Palaearctic Osmia bees of the subgenera Hemiosmia, Tergosmia and Erythrosmia (Megachilidae, Osmiini): biology, taxonomy and key to species
Authors: MÜLLER ANDREAS
Published: May 2020

Osmia (Hemiosmia), O. (Tergosmia) and O. (Erythrosmia) are three related Palaearctic osmiine bee subgenera (Megachilidae, Megachilinae, Osmiini) comprising eight, seven and four species, respectively. Analysis of female pollen loads and field observations revealed that the species of both O. (Hemiosmia) and O. (Tergosmia) have a distinct or even exclusive preference for Fabaceae as pollen hosts. Species of O. (Erythrosmia) also collect pollen on Fabaceae, but additionally frequently visit nototribic flowers of Lamiaceae and Antirrhineae (Plantaginaceae), which they exploit by rubbing a specialized facial pilosity over the raised anthers. The representatives of O. (Hemiosmia) and the basal members of O. (Tergosmia) build their brood cells in self-excavated burrows in the ground, whereas the more derived O. (Tergosmia) species as well as the O. (Erythrosmia) species place them in preexisting cavities above-ground, which are empty snail shells hidden under prominences of rocks or under stones in the latter subgenus. In O. (Hemiosmia) and O. (Tergosmia), the brood cells are entirely constructed from foreign material and either consist of chewed leaves (“leaf pulp”) in the former subgenus or are distinctly three-layered with a thin layer of mud sandwiched between two layers of large pieces of petals in the latter subgenus. In O. (Erythrosmia), the brood cells within the shell whorls are delimited by one-layered partitions of leaf pulp and the nests are closed by a barricade of densely packed small particles followed by a double wall of leaf pulp at the shell opening. The taxonomic revision of the three subgenera revealed the existence of an undescribed species, O. (Hemiosmia) spinicoxa spec. nov., which occurs in southwestern Morocco. The subgenus O. (Ozbekosmia) Zanden, 1994 syn. nov. is newly put into synonymy with O. (Tergosmia) Warncke, 1988. Osmia (Tergosmia) rhodoensis arquata Warncke, 1988 syn. nov. and O. (Tergosmia) tergestensis ononidis Ferton, 1897 syn. nov. are no longer accepted as valid subspecies of O. (Tergosmia) rhodoensis (Zanden, 1983) and O. (Tergosmia) tergestensis Ducke, 1897, respectively. Identification keys for all species of the three subgenera are given.
The millipede tribe Leptoiulini in the Caucasus, with notes on its generic classification (Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae)
Authors: EVSYUKOV ALEKSANDR , GOLOVATCH SERGEI , REIP HANS , VANDENSPIEGEL DIDIER
Published: May 2020

The generic classification of the Palaearctic tribe Leptoiulini is revised, with 11 genera being recognized. The main differences between the genera, all presented in a tabular form, lie in the structure of the 2nd and 7th leg-pairs of the male, coupled with gonopodal conformations: the presence/absence and the degree of development of flagella on the promeres, and of the phylacum and velum on the opisthomeres. Based on abundant new material, only three genera and seven species of Leptoiulini, all keyed, mapped and properly illustrated, are shown to occur in the Caucasus: Chatoleptophyllum flexum Golovatch, 1979, Kubaniulus gracilis Lohmander, 1936, K. lativelatus sp. nov., Leptoiulus hastatus Lohmander, 1932 (= L. disparatus Lohmander, 1936, syn. n.), L. tanymorphus (Attems, 1901), L. meskhii sp. nov., and L. gonopodialis sp. nov. All species are endemic or subendemic to the region, while Kubaniulus Lohmander, 1936 represents the only genus in the tribe which is restricted to the Caucasus, in particular, the western and central parts of the Caucasus Major. The distributions are mainly allopatric, but a few pairs of species are para- or even sympatric.
A phylogeny and classification of the Talitroidea (Amphipoda, Senticaudata) based on interpretation of morphological synapomorphies and homoplasies
Authors: MYERS A.A. , LOWRY J.K.
Published: May 2020

A morphological cladistic analysis was carried out on talitroid Amphipoda. Each character state was carefully analysed to determine whether it could be most parsimoniously ascribed to a synapomorphy or to a homoplasy. Within the Talitroidea, two new epifamilies, the Protorchestoidae and the Talitroidae, six new families, the Uhlorchestiidae, the Protorchestiidae, the Arcitalitridae, the Brevitalitridae, the Curiotalitridae and the Makawidae and three new subfamilies in the Talitridae, the Talitrinae the Floresorchestiinae and the Pseudorchestoidinae are established. A formal classification is provided to the level of subfamilies. Families and subfamilies are diagnosed.
Tachiramantis lassoalcalai (Barrio-Amorós, Rojas-Runjaic & Barros, 2010)
(Anura, Craugastoridae): a new combination revealed by molecular evidence, with a description of its advertisement call
Authors: ROJAS-RUNJAIC FERNANDO J. M. , ECHEVARRÍA LOURDES Y. , BECERRA-RONDÓN ADRIANA C. , INFANTE-RIVERO EDWIN E.
Published: May 2020

Pristimantis lassoalcalai Barrio-Amorós, Rojas-Runjaic & Barros, 2010 is a poorly known terrarana, endemic to the eastern slope of Sierra de Perijá in Venezuela. Although a close relationship of this species with Tachiramantis has been suspected based on its overall morphological similarity, this relationship had not been tested so far. On the basis of molecular data (two fragments of the 12S and 16S mtDNA genes) obtained from the type series, we reconstruct its evolutionary relationships and establish its phylogenetic position as a member of Tachiramantis. Based on this phylogenetic hypothesis, we transfer Pristimantis lassoalcalai to Tachiramantis as Tachiramantis lassoalcalai comb. nov. In addition, we describe its advertisement call. This is the fourth known species of the genus and the second to which its vocalization is described.
There are three species of Chrysaora (Scyphozoa: Discomedusae) in the Benguela upwelling ecosystem, not two
Authors: RAS V. , NEETHLING S. , ENGELBRECHT A. , MORANDINI A.C. , BAYHA K.M. , SKRYPZECK H. , GIBBONS M.J.
Published: May 2020

Chrysaora (Pèron & Lesueur 1810) is the most diverse genus within Discomedusae, and 15 valid species are currently recognised, with many others not formally described. Since Chrysaora fulgida (Reynaud 1830) was first recognised as occurring off the south west (SW) coast off South Africa, the species has been variously synonymised with Chrysaora hysoscella (Linnaeus 1767) and Chrysaora africana (Vanhöffen 1902). Using DNA evidence alongside multivariate tools to analyse quantitative morphometric and meristic data, as well as information from the cnidome, we unambiguously separate C. fulgida from C. hysoscella; we resurrect C. africana as a valid species and recognise a new species, Chrysaora agulhensis sp. nov. Full descriptions of C. fulgida, C. africana and C. agulhensis sp. nov. are provided. The species have different geographical patterns of distribution around the region, with restricted areas of overlap: C. agulhensis sp. nov. is found along the southern coast of South Africa and over the Agulhas Bank, C. fulgida extends from Cape Point in South Africa to southern Angola, and C. africana can be found from southern Namibia northwards to the Gulf of Guinea. The species can be readily separated in the field by a combination of tentacle/lappet number and shape, colour patterns and the form of the oral arms.
Three new Raspailiidae Hentschel, 1923 (Axinellida, Demospongiae) from Peru
Authors: RECINOS RADHARANNE , PINHEIRO ULISSES , WILLENZ PHILIPPE , HAJDU EDUARDO
Published: May 2020

Currently 26 sponge species are known for the Peruvian coast, but so far no raspailiids had been recorded from this region. Raspailiidae are distributed worldwide and its species are characterized by encrusting, massive, lobate, fan-shaped or branching growth forms, usually with a very hispid surface. In the present study, three new species of Raspailiidae are described from the Peruvian coast. Two new Eurypon spp. were collected at Islas Lobos de Afuera (Lambayeque). Eurypon lacertus sp. nov. is a thinly encrusting orange sponge with choanosomal skeleton composed of large tylostyles and small acanthostyles, and ectosomal skeleton with anisoxeas. Eurypon hookeri sp. nov. is a crustose, ruby red sponge, with choanosomal skeleton composed of large (subtylo)styles and acanthostyles, and ectosomal skeleton pierced by acanthostyles and (subtylo)styles, often surrounded by bouquets of smaller styles. The third new species, Plocamione matarani sp. nov., was collected at Matarani (Arequipa). It is a thinly encrusting orange sponge, the only Plocamione with two categories of choanosomal styles, and a single category of ectosomal styles, acanthostyles and anisoacanthostrongyles. These are the first records of Eurypon and Plocamione for the Peruvian coast, and the entire Southeastern Pacific, in the case of the latter.
Peacekeeping Experiences as Triggers of Introspection in the Ghanaian Military Barracks
Authors: Agyekum Humphrey Asamoah
Published: May 2020

African political elites have been forthcoming with military support for United Nations peacekeeping missions, contributing substantially to these missions’ workforce. Despite their contribution, most studies on peacekeeping omit the African soldier’s voice on his experiences of the African war theatre. This article features Ghanaian soldiers’ narratives based on their peacekeeping deployments and illuminates how Ghanaian peacekeepers connect their experiences to their home society. In this contribution, I illustrate how Ghanaian soldiers’ narratives about peacekeeping experiences are framed as deterring examples for their home society, thus potentially impacting their actions and behaviours. Based on long-term qualitative research embedded with the Ghanaian military, drawing from interviews and informal conversations with peacekeeping veterans and serving military operatives, it is argued that Ghanaian soldiers’ narratives of peacekeeping experiences and the collective processes through which these narratives gain currency in the barracks and beyond are informed by introspection in the post-peacekeeping deployment phase.
Adaptive Eating Device: Performance and Satisfaction of a Person with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Cavalcanti Alessandra , Amaral Maíra F. , Silva e Dutra Fabiana C. M. , Santos Artur V. F. , Licursi Luísa A. , Silveira Zilda C.
Published: May 2020

Background.

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can experience motor impairments related to their hand-use that restrict participation in daily activities. Feeding is one activity impacted by this health condition. The use of adapted utensils can improve performance and independence in this activity.

Purpose.

To investigate if a locally designed and made eating-adaptive device helps a person with PD to improve their feeding performance.

Method.

Single-case ABC-type experimental design. Performance and satisfaction of a 60-year-old man with PD were assessed during feeding tasks in 70 sequential days in three phases. Celeration Line, Two-Standard Deviation Band, and Visual Analysis were the methods used for data analysis.

Findings.

Performance and satisfaction increased significantly after the introduction of the adaptive eating device. The addition of weight also contributed to the increase in the participant’s performance.

Implications.

Adaptive eating device with low production costs and possibility of customized adjustments improves performance of people with PD.
The Performance of the Semigeneralized Partial Credit Model for Handling Item-Level Missingness
Authors: Zhou Sherry , Huggins-Manley Anne Corinne
Published: May 2020

The semi-generalized partial credit model (Semi-GPCM) has been proposed as a unidimensional modeling method for handling not applicable scale responses and neutral scale responses, and it has been suggested that the model may be of use in handling missing data in scale items. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of the unidimensional Semi-GPCM to aid in the recovery of person parameters from item response data in the presence of item-level missingness, and to compare the performance of the model with two other proposed methods for handling such missingness: a multidimensional modeling approach for missingness and full information maximum likelihood estimation. The results indicate that the Semi-GPCM performs acceptably in an absolute sense when less than 30% of the item data is missing but does not outperform the other two methods under any particular conditions. We conclude with a discussion about when practitioners may or may not want to use the Semi-GPCM to recover person parameters from item response data with missingness.
Crafting a Change Message and Delivering It With Success: An Experimental Study
Authors: Bayraktar Secil , Kabasakal Hayat
Published: May 2020

One primary mechanism through which leaders influence others in the context of organizational change is their rhetoric. While planning change communication, it is important for a change agent to craft the appropriate message content to foster employees’ commitment to change. Furthermore, the literal meaning of a message can be strengthened by the way it is delivered. This study investigates the content of a change message and how it is articulated by the leader using a vignette-based experimental study. Based on a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, 200 participants are assigned to one of the eight hypothetical change scenarios that vary by change message content, message delivery, and change context. The results show the impact of rational versus emotional content and message content versus delivery on commitment differ based on secure or insecure contexts. This study provides cues for practitioners to design change messages to obtain commitment to change.
Quarantine of the Covid-19 pandemic in suicide: A psychological autopsy
Authors: Aquila Isabella , Sacco Matteo Antonio , Ricci Cristoforo , Gratteri Santo , Ricci Pietrantonio
Published: May 2020

The epidemiology of suicide has identified numerous psychiatric and occupational risk factors. The circumstances surrounding a suicide are fundamental to determining whether its characteristics will play a crucial role in the decision-making process. The state of emergency arising from the Covid-19 pandemic has introduced a new element, given the general concern and feelings of alarm which are global. The most suitable forensic method to analyse these cases is the psychological autopsy. This study’s purpose is to analyse the application of the psychological autopsy method to evaluate the impact of the pandemic where government lockdowns impose restrictions on personal freedom. We set out to consider how far this together with other factors may induce suicide. The literature does not as yet offer us a retrospective analysis of the influence of the global pandemic state on rates of suicide. Accordingly, we report a forensic case and examine the critical issues and problems in the management of these cases.
Psychometric Investigation of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17 Using the Rasch Measurement Model
Authors: Song Hae-Deok , Hong Ah Jeong , Jo Yunseong
Published: May 2020

Work engagement is considered the core factor that affects various outcomes at the organizational and individual levels including absenteeism, turnover rate, profitability, and productivity. Therefore, the concept is drawing substantial attention in the practical and academic fields. There have been several attempts to measure work engagement to enable its effective management. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17 is a representative tool for measuring work engagement, which is used in several organizations worldwide. However, despite its popularity, the validity of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17 is often questioned. Especially in Korea, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17 is one of the most commonly utilized tools to measure work engagement, but there is limited psychometric evidence on its validity. Thus, the present study aimed to test the validity of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17 in a Korean sample, using the Rasch measurement model to examine validity pertaining to different dimensions. The analysis of item fitness to test the content validity of the tool indicated that two of the items require reconsideration. Furthermore, the person-item map to test its substantive validity indicated that the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17 did not reflect the level of work engagement adequately in the Korean sample. The Rasch factor analysis conducted to test the structural validity of the tool indicated that the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17 comprises three subscales. Finally, the differential item function between male and female participants was examined to gather evidence on the generalizability aspect of the tool’s validity. Findings revealed that only 9 out of the 17 items expressed adequate differentiation between males and females.
Riverfront as a re-territorialising arena of urban governance: Territorialisation and folding of the Xindian River in Taipei metropolis
Authors: Wang Chih-Hung , Kao Yu-Ting , Huang Jo-Tzu
Published: May 2020

This paper foregrounds the riverfront as a re-territorialising arena of urban governance. Through a long-term study of the Xindian River in Taipei metropolis, Taiwan, we illustrate how the riverfront can be the key locus where the expansion of the urban frontier is manifested through and intertwines with the transformation of nature. While first interwoven with everyday activities of subsistence, Xindian River was gradually turned into the periphery of the city and then green space for recreation, a process actualised through infrastructure aimed at flood control and waste treatment as well as other informal activities that challenge such measures. We propose that ‘territorialisation’ and ‘folding’ are notions that can grasp asymmetrical relations embedded in the physical landscape. We argue that a riverfront landscape composed by territorialisation and heterogeneous folding reveals that the emergence of a negotiable state–society relationship is pivotal in the production of the urban riverfront of Taipei.
Travel guides, urban spatial imaginaries and LGBTQ+ activism: The case of Damron guides
Authors: Knopp Larry , Brown Michael
Published: May 2020

In this paper we focus on LGBTQ+ travel guides and the creation of a North American LGBTQ+ urban imaginary as forms and facilitators of activism. Specifically, we consider one of the few continuously published sources detailing such an imaginary in the mid-20th century and its construction of an ‘epistemological grid’ onto which entries were placed. We briefly situate the guides in the context of an emerging (and frequently politicised) mid-20th-century LGBTQ+ media ecosystem, then proceed to a detailed analysis of the imaginary they evoke. Cities are the guides’ assumed building-blocks, along with certain other ontologies, most notably bars, sex establishments and other meeting places (though these change over time). As aggregators of information at a national scale, the guides standardised and communicated particular notions of what LGBTQ+ space was (and is). At the same time, as way-finding tools they helped readers navigate actual communities at the local scale. In so doing, we argue, Damron guides helped shape early forms of LGBTQ+ identity and community in North America – including the establishment of ‘gaybourhoods’. We therefore interpret the guides as both activist and facilitators of activism. They claimed space at an abstract level while simultaneously facilitating place-making, territorialisation and simple survival strategies by actual people on the ground. Our analysis contributes to understandings of the relationship, over time and at multiple scales, between travel guides, an urban-based North American spatial imaginary and LGBTQ+ activism. It also highlights Damron guides’ potential as a rich source of data.
Impact of Perceived Social Support on Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Disability in Post–9/11 U.S. Military Veterans
Authors: Proescher Eric , Aase Darrin M. , Passi Holly M. , Greenstein Justin E. , Schroth Christopher , Phan K. Luan
Published: May 2020

This study examined the impact of perceived social support on mental health and psychosocial functioning in combat veterans after military deployment, including veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans with comorbid PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Veterans ( n = 139; female = 23) completed self-report and clinician-administered measures of social support, mental and physical health, functional impairment, and quality of life. The cohort was divided into high, medium, and low perceived social support based on averages of the total score from the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Relative to the low perceived social support group, the high perceived social support group reported fewer symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The high perceived social support group also reported a more diverse and embedded social network, less disability, and better quality of life. Of note, the high and low perceived social support groups did not differ on age, gender, education, race ethnicity, or combat trauma exposure. These findings highlight that perceived social support may play an important role in the treatment of postwar veterans as they transition back to civilian life.
Museum libraries in Spain: A case study at state level
Authors: Cobo-Serrano Silvia , Arquero-Avilés Rosario , Marco-Cuenca Gonzalo
Published: May 2020

Special libraries are essential information and documentation centres for university teachers and researchers due to the quality and richness of their collections. In Spain, it is estimated that there are 2456 special libraries, although many are unknown either generally or among information professionals. These include museum libraries, which are important centres with valuable collections of bibliographic heritage for the area of Humanities and Social Sciences. The aim of this research is to gain an understanding of the real state of these information units and promote the social value of museum libraries in Spain. To do this, a survey was sent to the libraries of state-owned and -managed museums under the General Directorate of Fine Arts and Cultural Property (Ministry of Culture and Sports) of the Government of Spain. This general objective will be accompanied by a review of the scientific literature on various aspects of museum libraries at national and international level. After addressing the research methodology, the results obtained will be discussed and will include the following topics: collection management, library services and staff, economic and technological resources and finally, library management. Conclusions include recommendations for museum librarians and reveal that institutional cooperation is a strategic issue to improve both museum libraries visibility and their social recognition as cultural and research centre.
CD36 deficiency reduces chronic BBB dysfunction and scar formation and improves activity, hedonic and memory deficits in ischemic stroke
Authors: Balkaya Mustafa , Kim Il-doo , Shakil Faariah , Cho Sunghee
Published: May 2020

Ameliorating blood–brain barrier disruption and altering scar formation dynamics are potential strategies that may improve post-stroke recovery. CD36 is a class B scavenger receptor that plays a role in innate immunity, inflammation and vascular dysfunction and regulates post-stroke injury, neovascularization, reactive astrogliosis and scar formation. By subjecting WT and CD36KO mice to different MCAo occlusion durations to generate comparable acute lesion sizes, we addressed the role of CD36 in BBB dysfunction, scar formation and recovery. The majority of stroke recovery studies primarily focus on motor function. Here, we employed an extensive behavioral test arsenal to evaluate psychological and cognitive endpoints. While not evident during the acute phase, CD36 deficient mice displayed significantly attenuated BBB leakage and scar formation at three months after stroke compared to wild-type littermates. Assessment of motor (open field, rotarod), anxiety (plus maze, light-dark box), depression (forced swim, sucrose preference) and memory tests (water maze) revealed that CD36 deficiency ameliorated stroke-induced behavioral impairments in activity, hedonic responses and spatial learning and strategy switching. Our findings indicate that CD36 contributes to stroke-induced BBB dysfunction and scar formation in an injury-independent manner, as well as to the chronic motor and neurophysiological deficits in chronic stroke.
Magnetic resonance–guided radiotherapy feasibility in elderly cancer patients: proposal of the MASTER scoring system
Authors: Boldrini Luca , Colloca Giuseppe F. , Villani Emanuele , Chiloiro Giuditta , Bellieni Andrea , Manfrida Stefania , Cellini Francesco , Gambacorta Maria Antonietta , Valentini Vincenzo
Published: May 2020

Background:

Elderly patients are often excluded from advanced treatments owing to clinical complexity or frailty. Magnetic resonance–guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) represents a new frontier of radiotherapy delivery that can play an important role in the management of these patients.

Aim:

To assess MRgRT feasibility in elderly patients, describe their compliance with this treatment, and provide a scoring system for elderly patient selection.

Methods:

Patients aged >75 years were enrolled. No restrictions on tumor site, staging, or treatment intent were applied. Patients underwent joint radiation oncology–geriatrics visits to assess the feasibility of MRgRT and to identify the most significant items (i.e. clinical variables) for the setup of a scoring system. The proposed scoring system was then internally validated on a prospectively enrolled cohort of elderly patients who were candidates for MRgRT.

Results:

Thirty patients were enrolled between February and March 2018. Their mean age was 81.4 ± 3.4 years (range 75–88). Radiotherapy intent was curative in 26 patients; 14 patients were considered frail at screening tests before radiotherapy. Twelve items were identified as clinically significant for the setup of the MASTER score (MRI-Guided Radiotherapy Selection Elderly Score) score. Validation of the score showed 100% reliability, with no patient discharged after selection.

Conclusions:

MRgRT appears to be feasible in elderly patients and the MASTER score is proposed to support clinical decision-making in recommending elderly patients for this technology.
Characterization of Fetal Brain Damage in Early Abortions of Ovine Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Gutiérrez-Expósito Daniel , Arteche-Villasol Noive , Vallejo-García Raquel , Ferreras-Estrada María C. , Ferre Ignacio , Sánchez-Sánchez Roberto , Ortega-Mora Luis Miguel , Pérez Valentín , Benavides Julio
Published: May 2020

There is an unacknowledged clinical presentation of ovine toxoplasmosis characterized by early abortions and lesions of fetal leukoencephalomalacia. To investigate the pathogenesis of this condition, the extent and distribution of leukomalacia and the variations in the cell populations associated with it were characterized in 32 fetal brains from 2 previously published experimental studies of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant sheep. Immunohistochemical labeling of βAPP allowed for the detection of leukomalacia in 100/110 (91%) studied samples. There was no clear influence of the challenge dose or the area of the brain (frontal lobe, corpus callosum, midbrain, and cerebellum). In tissues with leukomalacia, there was loss of oligodendrocytes and increased number of astrocytes and microglia both in the areas of necrosis but also in the surrounding area. These findings were similar to those described in ovine experimental models (inflammation syndrome and hypoxic models) of periventricular leukomalacia in humans. Thus, a fetal inflammatory syndrome may be involved in the pathogenesis of early abortion in ovine toxoplasmosis. However, further studies are needed to determine the pathogenesis of this clinical presentation because placental thrombosis and resulting hypoxia could also be responsible for the leukomalacia.
Exploring Intercity Trip Patterns of Railway Systems on National Holidays Using Deep Auto-Encoder
Authors: Lee Wen-Yu , Hsu Yu-Ting , Suen Chian-Shan , Wu Ming-Hsuan , Ni Ying-Chuan
Published: May 2020

Intercity railway system operation on national holidays can be challenging because of possible surging demand. This study proposes an analysis framework to investigate railway system ridership data on national holidays, seeking to attain better understanding of relevant intercity trip patterns, so as to enable enhanced preparation and response before and during national holidays. The ridership data are analyzed in the form of Origin–Destination (O-D) tables and regarded as pictures of N ×  N pixels, where N is the number of the considered stations/cities in a railway system. The framework primarily adopts a deep auto-encoder to process these pictures to reduce data dimensions and abstracting key features within these pictorial data. Based on the abstracted features, k-means clustering is then conducted to categorize the O-D tables with similar trip patterns into the same group. Further, a discrete outcome model based on logistic regression is developed on the clustering results to enhance the interpretation of the trip pattern in each group and identify the significant holiday-related characteristics and external factors that can affect the trip pattern generation. The ridership data of Taiwan Railways Administration associated with 38 national holidays from January 2014 to August 2018 are analyzed. The analysis results highlight insightful interpretation in relation to clustered trip patterns and relevant trip characterization relative to various national holidays. The proposed framework and developed discrete outcome model are also validated, showing 85% correct assignments of O-D tables to the groups of relevant trip patterns.
The Effect of Thursday Night Games on In-Game Injury Rates in the National Football League
Authors: Perez Jose R. , Burke Jonathan , Zalikha Abdul K. , Damodar Dhanur , Geller Joseph S. , Buskard Andrew N.L. , Kaplan Lee D. , Baraga Michael G.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Although claims of increased injury rates with Thursday night National Football League (NFL) games exist, a paucity of data exist substantiating these claims.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of rest between games on in-game injury rates as it pertains to overall injury incidence, location, and player position.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiologic study.

Methods:

Data were obtained from official NFL game books for regular season games from all 32 teams for the 2013-2016 seasons. All in-game injuries recorded in official game books were included. Rest periods between games were classified as short (4 days), regular (6-8 days), or long (≥10 days). Overall observed injury rates per team-game were analyzed in relation to different rest periods using negative binomial regression. For results with significant overall findings, pairwise comparisons were tested using the Wald chi-square test. Exploratory secondary analyses were performed in a similar fashion to assess differences in injury rates for the different rest periods when stratified by anatomic location and player position.

Results:

A total of 2846 injuries were identified throughout the 4 seasons. There was an overall significant difference in injuries per team-game between short, regular, and long rest ( P = .01). With short rest, an observed mean of 1.26 injuries per game (95% CI, 1.06-1.49) was significantly different from the 1.53 observed injuries per game with regular rest (95% CI, 1.46-1.60; P = .03), but not compared with the 1.34 observed injuries per game with long rest ( P = .56). For player position, only the tight end, linebacker, and fullback group demonstrated significant differences between the injury rates for different rest categories. Quarterback was the only position with more injuries during games played on Thursday compared with both regular and long rest. This specific analysis was underpowered and the difference was not significant ( P = .08). No differences were found regarding injury rates in correlation with differences in rest periods with different injury locations.

Conclusion:

A short rest period between games is not associated with increased rates of observed injuries reported in NFL game books; rather, our data suggest there are significantly fewer injuries for Thursday night games compared with games played on regular rest. Future research correlating rest and quarterback injury rates is warranted.
Quantification and characterization of the municipal solid waste for sustainable waste management in newly formed municipalities of Nepal
Authors: Pathak Dhundi Raj , Mainali Bandita , Abuel-Naga Hossam , Angove Micheal , Kong Ing
Published: May 2020

This study was conducted to set up a new reference line for municipal solid waste quantification and characterization in the least urbanized cities of a developing nation. A survey was run to collect baseline data from 60 new municipalities of Nepal. The study covered a sample size of 3300 households, 600 institutions and 600 commercial establishments in those municipalities. The municipalities were further stratified according to geographical location, the degree of urbanization, household expenditure and population size to assess the influence on waste generation. The results indicated that the average per capita household waste generation is 115 g day-1 while the average total municipal waste generation was estimated to be 180 g day-1 per capita.The study also revealed that size of municipal population, geographic location, household expenditure and degree of urbanization were found to have a significant influence on the unit waste generation. The larger the size of municipal population the higher the per capita household waste generation, degree of urbanization and per capita waste production. Increasing household expenditure revealed an increase in the unit waste generation. The waste categories included organic waste, plastics, paper and paper products, textiles, rubber and leather, metals, glass, and others. The results indicated that organic waste dominated the characterization (62%), followed by plastics (12%) and paper/paper products (11%).
Technical Standards and a Theory of Writing as Infrastructure
Authors: Frith Jordan
Published: May 2020

Infrastructures support and shape our social world, but they do so in often invisible ways. In few cases is that truer than with various documents that serve infrastructural functions. This article takes one type of those documents—technical standards—and uses analysis of one specific standard to develop theory related to the infrastructural function of writing. The author specifically analyzes one of the major infrastructures of the Internet of Things—the 126-page Tag Data Standard (TDS)—to show how rethinking writing as infrastructure can be valuable for multiple conversations occurring with writing studies, including research on material rhetoric, research that expands the scope of what should be studied as writing, and research in writing studies that links with emerging fields. The author concludes by developing a model for future research on the infrastructural functions of writing.
Establishing Diagnostic Reference Levels for CT Through a Provincial Medical Informatics Metadata Repository in Ontario
Authors: MacGregor Kate , Concepcion Lianne , Dowdell Tim , Gray Bruce
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

To determine whether computed tomography radiation dose data could be captured electronically across hospitals to derive regional diagnostic reference levels for quality improvement.

Methods:

Data on consecutive computed tomography examinations from 8 hospitals were collected automatically in a central database (Repository) from April 2017 to September 2017. The most frequently performed examinations were used to determine the standard protocols for each hospital. Diagnostic reference levels across hospitals were derived using statistical distribution for 2 radiation dose metrics. These values were compared between hospitals, within and between hospitals by scanner and against national Health Canada achievable doses and diagnostic reference levels.

Results:

Three master protocol groups, Head, Abdomen–Pelvis, and Chest–Abdomen–Pelvis, accounted for 43% of all valid studies (N = 40 277). For the Repository, 11 of 12 mean values and 75th percentile diagnostic reference levels were below the Health Canada mean and 75th percentile values, and one was the same as the Health Canada value. Mean radiation dose by protocol varied by as much as 97% between hospitals. There was no consistent pattern in the difference between mean doses between large and small hospitals.

Conclusion:

This electronic data acquisition process could be used to continually update achievable doses for frequently used computed tomography examinations in Ontario and eliminate the need for nationwide manual surveys. Results compared across institutions will allow hospitals to maintain achievable doses and lower patient exposure.
Moral Injury and Suicide Ideation Among Israeli Combat Veterans: The Contribution of Self-Forgiveness and Perceived Social Support
Authors: Levi-Belz Yossi , Dichter Neta , Zerach Gadi
Published: May 2020

Modern warfare within a civilian setting may expose combatants to severe moral challenges. Whereas most of these challenges are handled effectively, some potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) may have deleterious psychological, spiritual, and interpersonal effects among them, which may increase the risk for suicide ideation and behaviors (SIB). In this study, we aimed to examine the protective role of self-forgiveness and perceived social support on the relationship between exposure to PMIEs and SIB among combat veterans. A sample of 191 Israeli combat veterans completed validated self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional design study, tapping moral injury, SIB, perceived social support, and self-forgiveness. Veterans with a history of SIB revealed higher levels of exposure to PMIEs and lower levels of self-forgiveness and perceived social support than veterans with no SIB history. Moreover, beyond the contributions of the PMIE dimensions, significant contributions of self-forgiveness and perceived social support to current suicide ideation (SI) were found. Importantly, the moderating model indicated that higher social support moderated the link between PMIEs and current SI. Based on the current findings, it can be suggested that self-forgiveness and perceived social support are important contributors to lower SI levels among veterans with PMIEs. It can be further suggested that interpersonal support may help veterans develop a sense of belongingness and bonding, which is a plausible basis for diminishing the risk of SI following PMIE exposure.
Importance of Distinguishing Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Dementia Care
Authors: Volicer Ladislav
Published: May 2020

Aggressive behavior is one of the most disturbing symptoms of Alzheimer disease and other progressive neurodegenerative dementias. Development of strategies for management of aggressive behaviors in people with dementia is hindered by a lack of recognition that aggression is not a uniform behavioral construct. It is possible to distinguish 2 types of aggression: reactive or impulsive aggression and proactive or premeditated aggression. Research concerning aggressive behaviors in people with dementia is hindered by scales describing behavioral symptoms of dementia which do not distinguish between reactive and proactive aggressions because they do not consider the factors leading to these behaviors. Reactive aggression is caused by lack of understanding, leading to rejection of care, while proactive aggression could be caused by a psychopathic personality, hallucinations or delusions, and other determinants. It is difficult to underestimate the importance of distinguishing reactive and proactive aggressions in people with dementia because there are different strategies that can be used for management of these behaviors. For reactive aggression, delayed treatment, distraction, improved communication, and change in treatment strategy is useful, while antipsychotic medication may be needed for treatment of proactive aggression. Dementia is increasing the risk of both types of aggressions and antidepressant treatment can be helpful. Most importantly, persons exhibiting reactive aggression should not be labeled “aggressors” because this behavior could be caused by unmet persons’ needs, pain and poor communication with care providers.
Vertical track irregularity analysis of high-speed railways on simply-supported beam bridges based on the virtual track inspection method
Authors: Gao Tianci , Cong Jianli , Wang Ping , Liu Jianxing , Wang Yuan , He Qing
Published: May 2020

Understanding the relationship between the static and dynamic track geometry irregularities is crucial for the proper maintenance of rail infrastructures and the reduction of on-site workload. This paper focuses on the analysis of the dynamic and static track irregularities on simply-supported beam bridges for high-speed railways. Based on the simulation of three-dimensional vehicle–track–bridge dynamics, a virtual track inspection method is proposed according to the measurement principle with the inertial reference. With the static irregularity provided as the initial input to the simulation model, the virtual track inspection of dynamic track irregularities is carried out considering different supporting structures, i.e. subgrade and bridges. Furthermore, the characteristics and advantages of the proposed model are investigated in the “rigid track structure”. Then, using the virtual track inspection method, this paper analyzes the relationship between the dynamic and static track irregularities (in the vertical direction) on the simply-supported beam bridge in both the time and frequency domains with respect to different train speeds, and the simulation results are validated by real-world measurements. Numerical results show that the stiffness irregularity in the vertical direction is periodical, with the cycle length equal to the span of the bridge. Furthermore, there is an obvious linear relationship between the dynamic and static irregularities. Also, the regression coefficient increases with increasing vehicle speed.
Interrogating Vulnerability: Reframing the Vulnerable Suspect in Police Custody
Authors: Dehaghani Roxanna
Published: May 2020

This article considers the definition of the term ‘vulnerability’ in relation to the suspect in police detention and more specifically in relation to the appropriate adult safeguard. Using Fineman’s vulnerability theory, this article argues that all suspects are ‘vulnerable’ and, rather, attention should be focussed on how resilience is depleted, reduced or removed. In doing so, it points towards the limitations of the focus of the current legislative provisions. It situates this discussion within the broader frame of the impact and very nature of police detention and the implications of the broader criminal process as mechanisms that reduce resilience (and possibly deliberately so). Further, it reflects on how the framing of vulnerability in legislation relating to the police detention does not fully capture the position of the suspect in police detention. It concludes then by urging that the definition of the vulnerable suspect is reconceptualised so as to more adequately capture the position of the suspect of the criminal investigation.
Understanding Iran’s Decision-makings in Defence Issues and Missile Programme
Authors: Dolatabadi Ali Bagheri
Published: May 2020

The main question of the present study is: How is it that despite the West’s insistence on negotiation on Tehran’s missile programme and the possibility of sanctions being intensified in the event of Iran’s refusal, the Tehran authorities reject any negotiations in this regard? The findings of the present study indicate that Iranian political authorities, and in particular, the Iranian Leader, have a realistic view towards the country’s defence issue and continue to lay emphasis on such measures as increasing military capability, establishing a balance of power and self-sufficiency in arms manufacturing. Iran’s fears of replication of Iraq’s and Libya’s disarmament and the subsequent overthrow of the political systems of these governments, distrust in the West in the negotiations and the related consequences, lack of a strategic partner, the bitter experience of war with Iraq, and the continuous threats made by the USA and Israel have caused Iran to reject any request for negotiations about its missile programme.
Burden of Osteoporotic Fractures Using Disability-Adjusted Life Years in South Korea
Authors: Bae Green , Kim Eugene , Kwon Hye-Young , Ha Yong-Chan , An Jongryun , Park Jeehye , Yang Hyowon
Published: May 2020

There is an increase in the number of patients with osteoporotic fractures due to the aging population in Korea. This study investigated the burden of osteoporotic fractures including hip, spine, and wrist fractures in the Korean population by estimating disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The DALY for a given condition in a population captures years of life lost due to premature death and years of life lived with a disability and its severity and duration. To calculate DALYs from all relevant data collected for the 3 conditions, we used a DALY calculation template provided by the World Health Organization in 2014. DALYs per 100 000 for vertebral fractures (3168) were higher than those of hip fractures (2496) in women. Wrist fractures (1038) had the least burden, and the difference between men and women was the lowest. The aging population is expected to increase the burden of osteoporosis.