bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic governance: Does it make or break a dominant party equilibrium? The case of India
Authors: Sharma Chanchal Kumar , Swenden Wilfried
Published: August 2019

Why do voters re-elect the same party for prolonged periods of time even when there are reasonable alternatives available? When and why do they stop doing so? Based on a quantitative analysis of elections between 1972 and 2014, we test the significance of ‘economic governance’ for the continuance and fall of one-party dominance. With data from India we show that, under a command economy paradigm, a national incumbent party sustains its dominance by playing politics of patronage, but in a marketized economy, state governments gain considerable scope in managing their economic affairs. This enables different state parties to create a stable pattern of support in states. As state-level effects cease to aggregate at the national level, the party system fragments. However, such an aggregation can re-emerge if a single party consistently delivers in the states which it governs.
Perceptions of safety confronted by experience: How visitors to Istanbul modified their perceptions of risk and fear in the light of personal experience
Authors: Mawby Rob I , Özaşçılar Mine , Ziyalar Neylan
Published: August 2019

This paper compares the perceptions of risk and safety of those arriving on a visit to Istanbul with a similar sample of those returning from their trip. While the two samples are of different individuals, the research does provide a proxy measure of change, or lack of it, in the light of personal experience. In this sense, it offers an advantage over traditional crime surveys that present a snapshot of perceptions at one point in time. The findings are discussed in the context of more general research on fear of crime and perceptions of risk, and how these are – or are not – influenced by personal experience.
miR-16 regulates proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells via the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway by targeted inhibition of MAPK kinase 1 (MEK1)
Authors: Chen TianMing , Xiao Qi , Wang XiaoJun , Wang ZhongQiu , Hu JingWen , Zhang Zhi , Gong ZhuNan , Chen ShiLin
Published: August 2019

Objective

The ERK/MAPK signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation and invasion. MAPK kinase 1 (MEK1) is a protein kinase upstream of ERK that can activate the pathway. Expression of microRNA (miR)-16 in lung cancer tissues is decreased. The aim of this study was to determine roles of miR-16 in proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells.

Methods

We used a luciferase reporter assay to determine a regulatory relationship between miR-16 and MEK1 and assessed expression of MEK1 in normal lung cells and lung cancer cell lines. Plate cloning, flow cytometry, and Transwell experiments demonstrated the proliferation and invasion ability of cells transfected with wild-type and mutant MEK1.

Results

We confirmed a regulatory relationship between miR-16 and MEK1 mRNA. Expression of miR-16 was decreased and that of MEK1 and p-ERK1/2 were increased in lung cancer cell lines compared with normal cells. Transfection with miR-101 mimic or small interfering (si)-MEK1 significantly downregulated expression of MEK1 and p-ERK1/2 in Anip973 cells.

Conclusions

Decreased miR-16 expression may play a role in upregulating expression of MEK1 and promoting proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells. Overexpression of miR-16 downregulated the ERK/MAPK pathway by inhibiting MEK1 expression, attenuating clone formation and invasion, and inhibiting cell proliferation.
Follicular output rate tends to improve clinical pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment
Authors: Tan Xiaoqing , Wen Yu , Chen Huixiao , Zhang Ling , Wang Bin , Wen Hongwei , Zhang Fengli , Wu Qin , Du Jing
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the follicular output rate (FORT) and clinical outcomes in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

A total of 841 patients with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were divided into three groups according to their FORT (low, middle, and high). Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and clinical outcomes were compared retrospectively.

Results

Serum estradiol levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (3780.5, 3599.9, and 3375.7 pg/mL) and the number of retrieved oocytes (17.5, 16.1, and 14.8) decreased from the high to low FORT groups. Pre-ovulatory follicle counts were significantly higher in the high FORT group than in the middle and low FORT groups. The number of retrieved oocytes, high-quality embryo rate, and clinical pregnancy rate decreased from the high to low FORT groups. The incidence of moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in the middle FORT group was significantly lower than that in the high and low FORT groups.

Conclusions

FORT may be used to predict clinical outcomes of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer in patients with PCOS. Efforts should be made to prevent OHSS in patients with PCOS and a high or low FORT in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles.
Resection of mesothelial cyst of uterine round ligament by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal procedure alone or combined with open surgery
Authors: Chen Dongfeng , Zhang Pan , Zhang Haifeng , Guo Mingxiao , Wang Weijia , Zhang Zhaoyong
Published: August 2019

Objective

Surgical treatment of a mesothelial cyst of the uterine round ligament (MCURL), an uncommon entity, has been rarely documented. In this article, we present our experience with excision of MCURLs.

Methods

The records of all female patients undergoing surgical removal of a groin mass in our department from March 2013 to November 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information, clinical data, and follow-up outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

Among 298 women who underwent groin hernia repair, 17 (5.7%) had MCURLs. Of these 17 patients, 13 were aged 30 to 45 years and 15 had a normal body mass index (18.5–23.9 kg/m2). MCURLs occurred predominantly on the right side (11/17). Approximately half of the patients (9/17) were preoperatively misdiagnosed with inguinal hernias. Approximately 70% (12/17) of the lesions were localized medially to the inner ring of the inguinal canal and excised by a laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) procedure alone. Five patients required open surgery following the TAPP procedure because the cyst extended distally beyond the inner ring. No recurrence was noted during the entire follow-up period.

Conclusion

Most MCURLs were localized medially to the inner ring of the inguinal canal and could be excised by a TAPP procedure.
Low-Profile Dual Small Plate Fixation Is Biomechanically Similar to Larger Superior or Anteroinferior Single Plate Fixation of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures
Authors: Ziegler Connor G. , Aman Zachary S. , Storaci Hunter W. , Finch Hannah , Dornan Grant J. , Kennedy Mitchell I. , Provencher Matthew T. , Hackett Thomas R.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Limited biomechanical data exist for dual small plate fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures, and no prior study has concurrently compared dual small plating to larger superior or anteroinferior single plate and screw constructs.

Purpose:

To biomechanically compare dual small orthogonal plating, superior plating, and anteroinferior plating of midshaft clavicle fractures by use of a cadaveric model.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

The study used 18 cadaveric clavicle specimens (9 pairs total), and 3 plating techniques were studied: anteroinferior, superior, and dual. The dual plating technique used smaller diameter plates and screws (1.6-mm thickness) than the other, single plate techniques (3.3-mm thickness). Each of the 9 clavicle pairs was randomly assigned a combination of 2 plating techniques, and randomization was used to determine which techniques were used for the right and left specimens. Clavicles were plated and then osteotomized to create an inferior butterfly fracture model, which was then fixed with a single interfragmentary screw. Clavicle specimens were then potted for mechanical testing. Initial bending, axial, and torsional stiffness of each construct was determined through use of a randomized nondestructive cyclic testing protocol followed by load to failure.

Results:

No significant differences were found in cyclical axial ( P = .667) or torsional ( P = .526) stiffness between plating groups. Anteroinferior plating demonstrated significantly higher cyclical bending stiffness than superior plating ( P = .005). No significant difference was found in bending stiffness between dual plating and either anteroinferior ( P = .129) or superior plating ( P = .067). No significant difference was noted in load to failure among plating methods ( P = .353).

Conclusion:

Dual plating with a smaller plate-screw construct is biomechanically similar to superior and anteroinferior single plate fixation that uses larger plate-screw constructs. No significant differences were found between dual plating and either superior or anteroinferior single plating in axial, bending, or torsional stiffness or in bending load to failure. Dual small plating is a viable option for fixing midshaft clavicle fractures and may be a useful low-profile technique that avoids a larger and more prominent plate-screw construct.

Clinical Relevance:

Plate prominence and hardware irritation are commonly reported complaints and reasons for revision surgery after plate fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures. Dual small plate fixation has been used to improve cosmetic acceptability, minimize hardware irritation, and decrease reoperation rate. Biomechanically, dual small plate fixation performed similarly to larger single plate fixation in this cadaveric model of butterfly fracture.
Influence of Students’ Learning Style, Sense of Presence, and Cognitive Load on Learning Outcomes in an Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environment
Authors: Huang Chiao Ling , Luo Yi Fang , Yang Shu Ching , Lu Chia Mei , Chen An-Sing
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among Taiwanese high school students’ learning style, sense of presence, cognitive load, and affective and cognitive learning outcomes in an immersive virtual reality-based learning environment. This study used a teaching experiment intervention method. Seventy-seven students participated in the virtual reality-based learning environment and completed related scales and a test. This study found that although the students’ learning style does not influence learning outcomes, it may influence the subjective sense of presence and cognitive load in the learning process. Regarding the affective learning outcome, involvement/immersion, sensory fidelity, and mental effort are positive predictors. In addition, involvement/immersion, interface quality, mental load, and mental effort are negative predictors of cognitive learning outcomes. The conclusion from this study is that students with some learning style preferences must bear a greater cognitive load to achieve the same learning outcomes as other students. This study also points out that the components of sense of presence and cognitive load generate inconsistent predictive effects on affective and cognitive learning outcomes, respectively. Therefore, it is important to deeply explore the influence of sense of presence and cognitive load structure on learning in virtual environments.
Fast engine model for FMU-less small turbojet engines
Authors: Ekinci Sinan , Yavrucuk İlkay
Published: August 2019

The focus of this paper is on small low-cost turbojet engines equipped with a gear-type fuel pump rather than a more traditional fuel metering unit. The incorporation of such type of fuel flow actuation devices introduce additional nonlinearities into the system and therefore make traditional modeling and system identification methods difficult to apply. In this paper, we propose a nonlinear fast engine model structure that can be used for various applications, including identification, modeling and simulation, and controller design of such sub-class turbojet engines. A high-fidelity turbojet engine model including its nonlinear gear-type fuel pump is developed, which is later used to generate the fast engine model. The parameters of the fast engine model are estimated using regression analysis. The identification procedure is also applied to real engine test data to verify the proposed approach.
Digitisation as a Contingent Factor in India’s Financial Sector Development-growth Nexus: An Empirical Study
Authors: Jayaraman T. K. , Makun Keshmeer
Published: August 2019

Financial sector development (FSD) has been recognised as a supportive factor, acting as a shift variable in the growth function, besides the fundamental variables of capital stock and labour. Since the beginning of the new millennium, rapid strides in the spread of information and communication technology (ICT) have enabled the hitherto reluctant, urban-based banking institutions to reach the rural masses for mobilising savings. Digitisation through various innovations has made it possible that ‘brick and mortar less’ bank branches now increasingly provide financial services to rural India. This study examines the role of digitisation as a contingent factor in India’s FSD and growth nexus during the last 13 years (2003–2015). The findings of the empirical study through employment of ARDL methodology and application of bounds testing procedure by utilising 52 quarterly observations of the data series of relevant variables reveal that digitisation has indeed emerged a significant factor in the FSD and growth nexus, by playing a complementary role to FSD. There are two policy implications: (a) as ICT has emerged a major tool, it has to be supported at all levels, and (b) the financial inclusion process should be carried forward as it has all the potential to speed up economic growth and development.

JEL: G21, O16, O33
Histologic findings and viral antigen distribution in natural coinfection of layer hens with subgroup J avian leukosis virus, Marek’s disease virus, and reticuloendotheliosis virus
Authors: Liu Hongmei , Ma Kui , Liu Miaomiao , Yang Chengcheng , Huang Xueting , Zhao Yu , Qi Kezong
Published: August 2019

We investigated the histologic findings and viral antigen distribution in 3 cases of natural coinfection of layer hens with subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J), Marek’s disease virus (MDV), and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) in hens. At autopsy, diseased hens were found to have hepatosplenomegaly and thickened proventriculi, with white tumor nodules in the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and ovary. Microscopically, most tissues had been infiltrated by neoplastic lymphocytes; the spleen, lung, proventriculus, heart, and liver had been infiltrated by both neoplastic lymphocytes and myeloblastic cells and/or primitive reticular cells. Fluorescence multiplex immunohistochemistry staining revealed ALV-J, MDV, and REV antigens co-expressed in the same tissue, even the same cell.
When Do Audiences Verify? How Perceptions About Message and Source Influence Audience Verification of News Headlines
Authors: Edgerly Stephanie , Mourão Rachel R. , Thorson Esther , Tham Samuel M.
Published: August 2019

In today’s media landscape, people are encouraged to verify the news and information they encounter. Using an online experiment, this study explores audience’s intent to verify a news headline by manipulating whether the headline is true or false, from a source that varies in credibility, and perceived to be congruent or incongruent with participants’ partisanship. Results show that participants exhibit a higher intent to verify when they believe the headline is true, which is predicted by perceived congruency with preexisting ideological leanings. We discuss these findings in terms of the normative limitations of audience verification.
Changing the Culture? A Feminist Academic Activist Critique
Authors: Atkinson Kym , Standing Kay E.
Published: August 2019

The Universities UK (UUK) Taskforce report, Changing the Culture, has been seen as a turning point in U.K. universities’ responses to gender-based violence (GBV). Institutional changes have occurred as a response to grassroots feminist activism and resistance to GBV, focusing on sexual violence, harassment, and “lad culture” in universities. This article will argue that the neoliberal marketization of higher education, concurrent with the persistence of misogyny and patriarchy, creates an environment where GBV is normalized, and feminist voices are marginalized and silenced. Interviews with academics show support for victims/survivors on campus often falls to particular academic staff. When initiatives for change, led by institutional management, are limited to protecting the “reputation” of the university, it furthermore falls on academics to challenge not only GBV, but also the reactive and uncritical responses offered by institutions. We contend that national, institutional, and individual responses to GBV must consider the meaning of “cultural change” beyond policy reform, zero tolerance campaigns, and condemnation of GBV. Attempts to enact true cultural change must analyze the broader issue of sexism, its intersections with further structural issues, and the ways in which this plays out within the neoliberal institution to the detriment of students and staff.
Sites of Exception: Gender Violence, Digital Activism, and Nirbhaya’s Zone of Anomie in India
Authors: Dey Adrija
Published: August 2019

Gender violence in India exists as a state of exception for the ways in which it occupies a nonlegal, liminal space of existence as “bare life” or “life itself.” The rape and murder of Jyoti Singh Pandey unprecedentedly brought this to the surface. This article aims to highlight the ways in which the movement that emerged out of this case engaged with gender violence as a state of exception while the use of new digital technologies by “digital subjects”/“digital parasites” has constituted “sites of exception,” leading to new forms of organizing and creating an emerging politics of gender justice in India.
Intimate Partner Femicide: Using Foucauldian Analysis to Track an Eight Stage Progression to Homicide
Authors: Monckton Smith Jane
Published: August 2019

The killing of women by their intimate, or former intimate, partners is a serious social, criminal justice, and public health issue. There are significant pressures on public services in the United Kingdom and other places to reduce the number of deaths, and a need for more information to aid in assessing risk. The aim of this article is to develop understanding of nonclinical risk assessment by organizing the perpetrator journey to homicide using temporal sequencing and drawing from coercive control discourse.
Early Graft Dysfunction Following Heart Transplant: Prevention and Management
Authors: Subramani Sudhakar , Aldrich Aric , Dwarakanath Sanjay , Sugawara Ami , Hanada Satoshi
Published: August 2019

Heart transplant can be considered as the “gold standard” treatment for end-stage heart failure, with nearly 5.7 million adults in the United States carrying a diagnosis of heart failure. According to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation registry, nearly 3300 orthotopic heart transplants were performed in 2016 in North America. In spite of significant improvements in overall perioperative care of heart transplant recipients for the past few decades, the risk of 30-day mortality remains 5% to 10%, primarily related to early failure of the allograft. Early graft dysfunction (EGD) occurs within 24 hours after transplant, manifesting as left ventricular dysfunction, right ventricular dysfunction, or biventricular dysfunction. EGD is further classified into primary and secondary graft dysfunction. This review focus on describing overall incidences of EGD, potential risk factors associated with EGD, perioperative preventive measures, and various management options.
The effect of tea tree oil on dry eye treatment after phacoemulsification cataract surgery: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mohammadpour Mehrdad , Maleki Siamak , Khorrami-Nejad Masoud
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of eyelid scrubbing with eye shampoo containing tea tree oil on dry eye disease following phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Methods:

This prospective triple-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed on 62 eyes of 62 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups—(1) treatment group: for 33 patients in the treatment group, artificial tears, topical steroid drops, and eye shampoos with tea tree oil and (2) for 29 patients in the control group, artificial tears, topical steroids, and eye shampoos without tea tree oil were used. In the first and second (after 1 month) follow-up visits, microscopic Demodex examination, refraction, corrected distance visual acuity, the ocular surface disease index score (by the questionnaire), Schirmer test, tear break-up time test, and osmolarity of tears (by TearLab) were recorded in treatment and control groups.

Results:

The mean age of patients was 66.37 ± 8.83 (range: 37–82) years, of which 49 (79%) were female and 13 (21%) were male. The results showed a significant improvement in tear break-up time test, corrected distance visual acuity, osmolarity, and ocular surface disease index score in both groups ( p < 0.05). However, the number of Demodex decreases significantly only in the treatment group after treatment ( p <0.001). Tear break-up time, osmolarity, and ocular surface disease index scores in the treatment group were significantly better than the control group ( p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the pre- and post-Schirmer test results ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Eyelid scrubbing with eye shampoo containing tea tree oil is recommended for dry eye treatment after cataract surgery, especially decrease in the number of Demodex.
HLA-B*58:01 Genotyping to Prevent Cases of DRESS and SJS/TEN in East Asians Treated with Allopurinol—A Canadian Missed Opportunity
Authors: Ponzo Marisa Grace , Miliszewski Monica , Kirchhof Mark G. , Keown Paul A. , Dutz Jan P.
Published: August 2019

Background and objective

East Asians exposed to the urate-lowering drug allopurinol have a predilection for severe cutaneous drug reactions such as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN). Screening is recommended in patients of East Asian descent for the presence of HLA-B*58:01 prior to allopurinol initiation to avoid these complications. Utilization rates of the HLA-B*58:01 predictive screening test within the Greater Vancouver area, which has a population composed of 40.1% people of East Asian descent, are unknown.

Measures

We identified cases of DRESS or SJS/TEN due to allopurinol using the Vancouver General Hospital dermatology consult service database. We next compared the frequency in which the HLA-B*58:01 screening test was ordered since 2012 to the estimated frequency of new prescriptions for allopurinol prescribed for the management of gout among the East Asians.

Results

We report 5 cases of East Asian patients exposed to allopurinol for management of gout between 2012 and 2016, who developed DRESS (4 patients) or SJS/TEN (1 patient). All were of HLA-B*58:01 genotype, representing preventable cases. The HLA-B*58:01 test was ordered 6 times in 2012, whereas the estimated number of new cases of allopurinol-prescribed gout among patients of East Asian descent during that time period was 13. For 2012, testing was ordered for only 46% of at-risk patients.

Conclusion

We continue to observe cases of severe cutaneous drug reactions among high-risk individuals due to allopurinol exposure. The HLA-B*58:01 screening test for allopurinol hypersensitivity is underutilized in our geographic area.
A Framework for Mediating Medical and Social Models of Disability in Instrumental Teaching for Children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Pickard Beth
Published: August 2019

This article reflects upon the potential mediation of medical and social interpretations of disability through informing instrumental tuition with the strengths recognised in the learning profile of children with Down Syndrome. The learning profile is explored and critically discussed, and its reductionist, deficit-based potential identified; before considering the potential value of applying the evidence-based phenotype to musical provision. While a medical model of disability may interpret this learning profile as a list of deficiencies, this paper proposes that an informed, strength-based approach to teaching could empower students and challenge barriers to participation through suitably tailored provision, providing a relevant and constructive learning experience. This framework therefore aligns more closely with a Nordic relational model of disability that mediates the medical and social models, recognising disability as an interaction between impairment and the environment. Three case reports are presented to demonstrate and emphasise the range of personalities and individual differences between musicians with Down Syndrome, but also how this evidence-based approach can be applicable to many students, potentially contextualised within a “Universal Design for Learning” framework. A summary considers how raising awareness of constructive strategies for informed provision could develop confidence amongst practitioners, and thus in turn increase provision of relevant musical opportunities to students with additional learning needs, including Down Syndrome. In a critical conclusion, the notion of “differentiation” as perpetuating a dominant ableist discourse is considered and recommendations made with regard to furthering connections between critical social practices associated with Critical Disability Studies and music education.
Relationships between experiential risk, experiential benefits, experiential evaluation, experiential co-creation, experiential relationship quality, and future experiential intentions to travel with pets
Authors: Wu Hung-Che , Cheng Ching-Chan
Published: August 2019

Previous studies have paid great attention to exploring relevant issues of risk, benefits, evaluation, co-creation, relationship quality dimensions (satisfaction and trust), and future intentions; however, none focuses on them from experiential perspectives in the tourism industry. The purpose of this study is to explore the structural relationships between experiential risk, experiential benefits, experiential evaluation, experiential co-creation, experiential relationship quality dimensions (experiential satisfaction and experiential trust), and future experiential intentions based on pet owners’ experiences of traveling with pets. A questionnaire survey was used to collect the data from respondents who traveled with their dogs to Goolawah Regional Park of New South Wales, obtaining 537 valid samples which were analyzed with structural equation modeling. The study results can show tourism operators what constitutes pet owners’ experiences and can aid them in decreasing experiential risk and increasing experiential benefits, experiential evaluation, experiential co-creation, experiential satisfaction, experiential trust, and future intentions to have a travel experience with their pets.
Management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in a pediatric population: A scoping review
Authors: Collard Sarah S , Murphy Jane
Published: August 2019

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) negatively impacts the quality of life for children with the condition. Although up to 2% of children have CFS/ME, the bulk of research investigates adults with CFS/ME. Using the PRISMA extension for a scoping review and the work of Arksey and O’Malley (2005) , a scoping review was conducted of all relevant peer-reviewed research investigating nutrition, exercise, and psychosocial factors within a pediatric population diagnosed with CFS/ME. Key themes found were nutrition and dietary components, exercise therapy, psychosocial factors, and multifaceted treatment. Nutrition was explored on its own as a tool to decrease symptoms; however, there were very few studies found to examine nutritional deficiency or treatment with those under the age of 18. Graded exercise and resistance training improved fatigue severity and symptoms of depression in adolescents with CFS/ME. Research exploring psychosocial factors of CFS/ME presented attributes that could lead to being diagnosed as well as barriers to treatment. The multifaceted treatment undertaken typically consists of graded activities/exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, nutritional advice, and family sessions. This has shown to increase school attendance and decrease the severity of the fatigue for adolescents. Minimal literature exploring CFS/ME within a prepubescent population presents the need for further research.
Balancing Gender Identity and Gamer Identity: Gender Issues Faced by Wang ‘BaiZe’ Xinyu at the 2017 Hearthstone Summer Championship
Authors: Schelfhout Sam , Bowers Matthew T. , Hao Y. Andrew
Published: August 2019

This article examines a terrain in which gender inclusion remains a challenge: competitive esports. In the male-dominated sphere of esports, the underrepresentation of women and nonbinary people often leaves these marginalized groups invisible, with a significant lack of women and nonbinary people competing in top-tier tournaments. We highlight the experience of Wang ‘BaiZe’ Xinyu, a Chinese Hearthstone player who became the first woman to compete in a Hearthstone Championship Tour event in the game’s 3-year history. The narrative surrounding BaiZe’s participation largely focused on her gender and ignored the achievements that led her to qualify for the event. We argue that BaiZe’s entrance to the championship scene was received negatively by both competitors and spectators, reinforcing barriers that exclude women and nonbinary people from entering this male-dominated space. The discrimination faced by these esports competitors reinforces sexism inherent not only in Hearthstone but also in esports in general.
Transcontinental genetic inference of urban pigeon populations using phenotypic markers
Authors: Peñuela Mauricio , Rondón Fernando , González Ranulfo , Cárdenas Heiber
Published: August 2019

Domestic pigeons have high polymorphism in plumage morphs and colours. The genes that affect colour and coat patterns can be used to estimate genetic profiles that allow us to deduce the structures of populations, establish whether they are in a population equilibrium and learn the genetic similarity among them. This article tested these population components and the existing relationships among cities in northern South America, Western Europe and Singapore (Southeast Asia) through the inventory of phenotypic frequencies and the estimation of allele frequencies for the Pattern, Grizzle, Background colour, Spread, Crest, Recessive white and Feathered feet loci. The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was evaluated based on the Pattern and Grizzle loci. The results showed a higher genetic diversity in populations from northern South America with respect to the one from Western Europe, although the differentiation among cities was low ( GST = 0.0759). Several populations were not in the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for the evaluated loci, and a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances was not found. The relatively small home range of the pigeons and the dispersion carried out by humans are discussed as possible explanations for the current genetic profiles.
City-Level Carbon Emission Abatement in the Subtropics of China: Evaluation and Reallocation for Zhejiang
Authors: Hu Dan , Fang Yunfei , Feng Chenpeng , Cheng Junheng
Published: August 2019

Zhejiang province, one of the classic subtropical regions in China, has promoted the establishment of a carbon trading market in recent years. The appropriate allocation of carbon emission abatement (CEA) quotas is the precondition for constructing a carbon trading market. This article mainly allocates municipal CEA quotas in Zhejiang province during the 12th Five-Year period based on data envelopment analysis approach. The main results reveal that Zhejiang exhibits relatively high environmental efficiency; carbon emission reduction in moderate level would bring gross domestic product growth for certain cities; the actual CEA quotas allocation of Zhejiang during 12th Five-Year period could be further optimized under the precondition of the national requirement of carbon intensity. Possible policy suggestions are provided in terms of the results.
The best game in the world: Exploring young children’s digital game–related meaning-making via design activity
Authors: Mertala Pekka , Meriläinen Mikko
Published: August 2019

Although digital games have become a constituent part of young children’s lives, not enough is known about the kinds of meanings children give to games and gaming. This qualitative study contributes to resolving this need by engaging 26 5- to 7-year-old Finnish preschoolers in an open-ended drawing task to answer the following research questions: What aspects of digital games appear meaningful for young children when they act as game designers? Why are these aspects meaningful for young children? The findings suggest that children are not mere passive consumers of digital games but are agentic meaning-makers who are capable of critically evaluating digital games when a safe and supportive space and the appropriate medium are provided. The children refined, modified, and personalized existing influential games by replacing the leading male character with a female one or by having a player operate as the antagonist instead of the hero. The findings suggest that there are vast unexplored dimensions for scholars to engage with in young children’s gaming cultures, children’s perceptions of game content, early game literacy, as well as children’s meaning-making in games. Implications for pedagogy of early childhood education are discussed.
Pharmaceutical Care Practice in Community and Institutional Drug Retail Outlets of Gondar Town, North West Ethiopia
Authors: Ayalew Mohammed B , Solomon Lidiya , Abay Solomon
Published: August 2019

Background

Pharmaceutical care (PC) practice in Ethiopia is not well developed and is at its infant stage. As a result, very little is known about the level of involvement of pharmacy professionals in PC activities.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess PC practice at drug retail outlets (DROs) of Gondar town and to identify factors associated with it.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 pharmacy professionals working in 55 DROs located in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of respondents, their involvement in PC activities, handling of drug-related problems (DRPs), and consultation with colleagues and other health-care providers were collected and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.

Results

Majority of study participants were degree holders in pharmacy (68.7%) and work in community DROs (78%). Over half of the respondents (56.5%) were found to practice good PC, asking at least 3 of their last 5 patients what the goal of their drug therapy was. Nearly a quarter (24%) of pharmacy professionals did not document the desired therapeutic objectives for all the 5 patients they served. Handling of DRPs is poor for majority (76%) of the pharmacy professionals. Respondents working in the community DROs and diploma holders are poorly involved in PC activities. Age < 30 years, male sex, and working in the community DROs are significantly associated with poorer relation with colleague and other health-care providers.

Conclusions

Pharmacy professionals working in DROs of Gondar town have little involvement in the provision of PC. Especially, their handling of DRPs is very poor. The level of involvement of pharmacy professionals on some types of PC services was significantly associated with their sex, age, working site, and level of education.
OPTY-LINE remote-controlled adjustable intramedullary device implantation in open-wedge high tibial osteotomy: A prospective proof-of-concept pilot and comparison with Tomofix fixed-plate device method
Authors: Jonker Leon , Fallahi Farshid , Saraswathy Jayadeep J , Edge John , Dawson Matt
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

The objective was to evaluate the clinical and patient-related short- to medium-term performance of the OPTY-LINE nail device for high tibial osteotomy (HTO), comparing a case series of the said device to the established Tomofix fixed-plate device.

Patients and Methods:

Males with symptomatic medial compartmental osteoarthritis and no serious (co-morbid) knee pathology were followed up, five Tomofix and six OPTY-LINE patients. Patients underwent computed tomography assessment and completed Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score (KOOS) and osteotomy surgery patient satisfaction questionnaires, 3 and 6 months post-surgery. A radiologist impression score and a quantitative digital bone density analysis were performed by two independent radiologists. Mann–Whitney U test was applied for inferential statistical tests.

Results:

At 6 months post-surgery, for Tomofix, the median radiologists’ healing impression score was ‘progressive healing’ versus ‘union virtually complete’ for the OPTY-LINE nail; bone healing quotient was 1.30 (standard deviation (SD) 1.74) versus 1.78 (SD 1.58), p = 0.18. The post-operative absolute surgical accuracy was a mean 12 (7.5) for Tomofix versus 4.1 (2.3) for OPTY-LINE, p = 0.052. At baseline, however, Tomofix patients had more knee symptoms, as determined by KOOS symptom sub-score, when compared to the OPTY-LINE cohort ( p = 0.009).

Conclusion:

This initial, non-randomized, comparative evaluation of the OPTY-LINE device for HTO has produced similar outcomes to patients treated with the established Tomofix device. In particular, the rate of post-surgical bone regeneration and surgical accuracy achieved with the OPTY-LINE device are encouraging. Large-scale randomized controlled studies with longer follow-up are indicated to further evaluate the clinical and patient-related outcome performance for OPTY-LINE.
Bankruptcy Fraud and Victim Redressal System: A Time for Change
Authors: Singh Kanwal D. P. , Maria Anant Vijay
Published: August 2019

The white-collar crimes in India are either underreported or brushed away due to crony capitalistic tendencies. The non-reporting of such crimes renders the victims without any due redressal, which in turn leads to the catastrophic problem of non-availability of an appropriate legal framework or statistics to address the core problem. This then leads to the bigger problem of victimology with respect to white-collar crimes in India. The world faced a similar problem and rather a peculiar one when the US economy was in shambles due to the subprime crisis wherein the banks, regulatory framework, Congressmen and many other parts of the state machinery were part of the inevitable downward spiral of the US economy. Several decades of investigations and analysis of the subprime crisis of 2008 led to the juxtaposition of bankruptcy fraud and its redressal by victim-oriented schemes. The innocent victims had no remedy left except for prosecution which also was not taken seriously by the Attorney General of the USA. This article, thus, analyses the menace of bankruptcy fraud qua its impact on the victims. The article is divided into three parts: Part I analyses the US bankruptcy legal framework and its victim compensation schemes. Part II analyses the UK position of the same while discussing the recent framework for redressal of Insolvency Services and Victim Compensation. Part III analyses India’s current Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the offences under the said Code and the need for its redressal and a greater need for a victim-oriented scheme in order to protect the framework and the innocent victims suffering due to bankruptcy fraud.
Ponatinib treatment promotes arterial thrombosis and hyperactive platelets
Authors: Merkulova Alona , Mitchell Steven C. , Stavrou Evi X. , Forbes Gabriel L. , Schmaier Alvin H.
Published: August 2019

Key Points

Ponatinib therapy heightens arterial thrombosis and platelet reactivity. Concurrent pioglitazone treatment reverses heightened thrombosis risk and platelet reactivity induced by ponatinib.
Xpert MTB/RIF performance to diagnose tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance in a reference centre in southern Brazil
Authors: Feliciano Cinara Silva , Menon Lucas José Bazzo , Anselmo Livia Maria Pala , Dippenaar Anzaan , Warren Robin Mark , Silva Wilson Araújo , Bollela Valdes Roberto
Published: August 2019

Effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem in many countries, including Brazil, especially when considering drug-resistant disease. Xpert MTB/RIF has been implemented in many countries to reduce the time to TB diagnosis and to rapidly detect rifampicin resistance. The study aimed to describe and evaluate Xpert MTB/RIF performance in diagnosing pulmonary TB and rifampicin resistance in a tertiary healthcare facility in Brazil.

A cross-sectional study was performed, which included all isolates of confirmed pulmonary TB patients from 2015 to 2018. Both Xpert MTB/RIF and GenoType MTBDRplusassays were performed to detect rifampicin and isoniazid resistance. In addition, isolates with detected resistance to rifampicin and/or isoniazid were analysed by phenotypic testing using MGIT-960 SIRE kit and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using Illumina MiSeq Sequencing System.

2148 respiratory specimens tested with Xpert MTB/RIF were included: n=1556 sputum, n=348 bronchoalveolar lavage and n=244 gastric washing. The overall Xpert MTB/RIF sensitivity in sputum was 94% and the overall specificity was 98%. The negative predictive value in sputum of all the patients was 99% with a positive predictive value of 89%. The concordance between Xpert MTB/RIF and phenotypic susceptibility test was 94.1%, while its concordance with WGS was 78.9%.

Xpert MTB/RIF is a rapid and accurate diagnostic strategy for pulmonary TB, which can contribute to improvement in TB control. However, detection of rifampicin resistance might be associated with false-positive results.
A specific proteinase 3 activity footprint in α1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Newby Paul R. , Crossley Diana , Crisford Helena , Stockley James A. , Mumford Richard A. , Carter Richard I. , Bolton Charlotte E. , Hopkinson Nicholas S. , Mahadeva Ravi , Steiner Michael C. , Wilkinson Tom M.A. , Sapey Elizabeth , Stockley Robert A.
Published: August 2019

α1-Antitrypsin (α1-AT) deficiency is a risk factor for emphysema due to tissue damage by serine proteases. Neutrophil elastase (NE) has long been considered the enzyme responsible. However, proteinase 3 (PR3) also produces the pathological features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is present in the same granules in the neutrophil and is inhibited after NE. We developed a specific footprint assay for PR3 activity and assessed its relationship to an NE footprint in α1-AT deficiency.

An ELISA was developed for the specific PR3 fibrinogen cleavage site Aα-Val541. Levels were measured in plasma from 239 PiZZ patients, 94 PiSZ patients, 53 nondeficient healthy smokers and 78 individuals with usual COPD. Subjects underwent extensive demographic characterisation including full lung function and lung computed tomography scanning.

Aα-Val541was greater than the NE footprint in all cohorts, consistent with differential activity. Values were highest in the PiZZ α1-AT-deficient patients and correlated with the NE marker Aα-Val360, but were ∼17 times higher than for the NE footprint, consistent with a greater potential contribution to lung damage. Aα-Val541was related cross-sectionally to the severity of lung disease (forced expiratory volume in 1 s % pred: rs= −0.284; p<0.001) and was sensitive to augmentation therapy, falling from 287.2 to 48.6 nM (p<0.001).

Anin vivoplasma footprint of PR3 activity is present in greater quantities than an NE footprint in patients with α1-AT deficiency, is sensitive to augmentation therapy and represents a likely biomarker for dose-ranging studies.
The conserved actinobacterial transcriptional regulator FtsR controls expression of ftsZ and further target genes and influences growth and cell division in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Kraxner Kim Julia , Polen Tino , Baumgart Meike , Bott Michael
Published: August 2019

Background

Key mechanisms of cell division and its regulation are well understood in model bacteria such asEscherichia coliandBacillus subtilis.In contrast, current knowledge on the regulation of cell division inActinobacteriais rather limited. FtsZ is one of the key players in this process, but nothing is known about its transcriptional regulation inCorynebacterium glutamicum,a model organism of theCorynebacteriales.

Results

In this study, we used DNA affinity chromatography to search for transcriptional regulators offtsZinC. glutamicumand identified the Cg1631 protein as candidate, which was named FtsR. Both deletion and overexpression offtsRcaused growth defects and an altered cell morphology. Plasmid-based expression of nativeftsRor of homologs of the pathogenic relativesCorynebacterium diphtheriaeandMycobacterium tuberculosisin the ΔftsRmutant could at least partially reverse the mutant phenotype. Absence offtsRcaused decreased expression offtsZ, in line with an activator function of FtsR. In vivo crosslinking followed by affinity purification of FtsR and next generation sequencing of the enriched DNA fragments confirmed theftsZpromoter as in vivo binding site of FtsR and revealed additional potential target genes and a DNA-binding motif. Analysis of strains expressingftsZunder control of the gluconate-induciblegntKpromoter revealed that the phenotype of the ΔftsRmutant is not solely caused by reducedftsZexpression, but involves further targets.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified and characterized FtsR as the first transcriptional regulator of FtsZ described forC. glutamicum. Both the absence and the overproduction of FtsR had severe effects on growth and cell morphology, underlining the importance of this regulatory protein. FtsR and its DNA-binding site in the promoter region offtsZare highly conserved inActinobacteria, which suggests that this regulatory mechanism is also relevant for the control of cell division in relatedActinobacteria.