bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simplified Signs
Authors: Bonvillian John D. , Lee Nicole Kissane , Dooley Tracy T. , Loncke Filip T.
Published: July 2020

Simplified Signs presents a system of manual sign communication intended for special populations who have had limited success mastering spoken or full sign languages. It is the culmination of over twenty years of research and development by the authors. The Simplified Sign System has been developed and tested for ease of sign comprehension, memorization, and formation by limiting the complexity of the motor skills required to form each sign, and by ensuring that each sign visually resembles the meaning it conveys.

Volume 1 outlines the research underpinning and informing the project, and places the Simplified Sign System in a wider context of sign usage, historically and by different populations. Volume 2 presents the lexicon of signs, totalling approximately 1000 signs, each with a clear illustration and a written description of how the sign is formed, as well as a memory aid that connects the sign visually to the meaning that it conveys.

While the Simplified Sign System originally was developed to meet the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, or aphasia, it may also assist the communication needs of a wider audience – such as healthcare professionals, aid workers, military personnel, travellers or parents, and children who have not yet mastered spoken language. The system also has been shown to enhance learning for individuals studying a foreign language.

Lucid and comprehensive, this work constitutes a valuable resource that will enhance the communicative interactions of many different people, and will be of great interest to researchers and educators alike.
The Internet Meme as a Tool for Promoting Nationalism in the Network Society: The Case of “American Youth for Nationalism” Facebook Page
Authors: Kanashina Svetlana
Published: July 2020

The Internet Meme as a Tool for Promoting Nationalism in the Network Society: The Case of “American Youth for Nationalism” Facebook PageIn view of the rapid growth of “online nationalism” in recent years, this study explores the contribution of Internet memes to promoting nationalism on the Internet. The presented discourse analysis of 150 nationalist-themed memes retrieved from Facebook was conducted with the aim of examining the mechanisms of this multimodal phenomenon. As such, then, the study investigated the nature of nationalist rhetoric in Internet memes. The findings indicate that they are an efficient platform for open and radical proliferation of nationalism online. The study also revealed the functions of memes in the process of disseminating nationalism: they function as a consolidating force for nationalistically-minded people, as a token of national identity, and as a platform of free speech. The article concludes that nationalism actively exploits the space of a new genre of Internet discourse – the Internet meme. Finally, it also notes some practical implications of the study and the perspective for future research in the field. Memy internetowe jako narzędzie promowania nacjonalizmu w społeczeństwie sieciowym – strona „American Youth for Nationalism” na FacebookuWobec postępującego gwałtownie w ostatnich latach rozwoju „nacjonalizmu online” artykuł przedstawia udział memów w promowaniu treści nacjonalistycznych w Internecie. W celu ukazania mechanizmów kierujących tym multimodalnym zjawiskiem analizie dyskursu poddano 150 memów o tematyce nacjonalistycznej zebranych na Facebooku. W rezultacie przedstawiony został charakter obecnej w memach internetowych retoryki nacjonalistycznej. Wyniki badania ukazują memy jako skuteczną platformę otwartego propagowania radykalnych treści narodowych online. Analiza ujawniła ponadto konkretne role, jakie mogą one odgrywać w rozpowszechnianiu nacjonalizmu. Memy stanowią zatem narzędzie pomagające jednoczyć osoby o podobnych przekonaniach, służą również jako znacznik tożsamości i platforma nieskrępowanej wolności wypowiedzi. Artykuł wyraźnie wskazuje, że nacjonalizm aktywnie korzysta z przestrzeni oferowanej przez nowy gatunek komunikacji internetowej, jaki stanowią memy. W zakończeniu zawarte zostały wnioski praktyczne oraz możliwe kierunki przyszłych badań.
Piętno a wartość języka. Sytuacja gwar małopolskich na Bukowinie rumuńskiej
Authors: Stempel-Gancarczyk Karina
Published: July 2020

Stigma versus Value of the Language: The Situation of Polish Dialects in Romanian BukovinaThis article presents the current situation of users of local dialects of the Lesser Poland regional dialect of Polish (gwary małopolskie) in Romanian Bukovina. Owing to demographic processes as well as social and cultural conditions, their number continues to fall. The latest research indicates that in the case of several villages with the Polish population it is difficult to talk about local dialects anymore: they have been substituted with what can be more adequately referred to as “a group of idiolects”. Such communities in Romanian Bukovina are composed of people whose ancestors originally came from the Lesser Poland region in Poland. By contrast, Bukovinian highlanders are the only group of Poles in Romania in which local dialect is still passed between generations. The article attempts to answer the question why only in this group the dialectal speech of their ancestors has remained a value, as apparent in its intergenerational transmission. Piętno a wartość języka. Sytuacja gwar małopolskich na Bukowinie rumuńskiejArtykuł zawiera opis współczesnej sytuacji socjolingwistycznej użytkowników gwar małopolskich na Bukowinie rumuńskiej. Procesy demograficzne oraz uwarunkowania społeczno-kulturowe sprawiły, że liczba ich użytkowników jest coraz mniejsza. Jak udowadniają najnowsze badania, w wypadku niektórych miejscowości zamieszkałych przez Polaków trudno już mówić o gwarach – ze względu na liczbę użytkowników bardziej adekwatnym określeniem może wydawać się określenie „zespół idiolektów”. Do tego typu społeczności należą użytkownicy gwar małopolskich na Bukowinie rumuńskiej. Niejako w opozycji do nich sytuują się górale bukowińscy, jedyna grupa Polaków w Rumunii, w której obecna jest pokoleniowa transmisja gwary. Zasadniczą treścią artykułu jest próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, jakie czynniki sprawiły, że tylko w tej grupie użytkowników język przodków pozostał żywotną wartością, co przejawia się w obecności transmisji pokoleniowej gwary.
Modeling and Analysis of Organic Light Emitting Diode with Thin Film Anti-Reflective Coatings
Authors: Chaya B. M. , Pattnaik Prasant Kumar , Narayan K.
Published: July 2020

The effects of anti-reflective coatings (ARC) on organic light emitting diode (OLED) optical characteristics are reported in this paper. The light output produced from the OLED is not 100%. But the emitted light is trapped due to various Modes. The losses at the glass air substrate
interfaces of an OLED are addressed in this work. The Anti-Reflective coatings increase the light output by reducing OLED reflections at the interface between glass and air. The Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method and the Fresnel theory have been used to design the device and study
the effects on OLED of the Single Layer Anti-Reflective Coating (SLAR) and Double Layer Anti-Reflective Coating (DLAR). The thicknesses and refractive indices of the layers of the anti-reflective coatings were optimized. We also compared the light out coupling power efficiency of the SLAR
coated OLED with that of an OLED with a DLAR coating and also with Conventional OLED. The results show that the enhancement in light output efficiency of the DLAR coated OLED was slightly higher than that of the SLAR coated OLED.
Prediction of PM2.5 Mass Concentration Based on the Back Propagation (BP) Neural Network Optimized by t-Distribution Controlled Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Chen Peng S. , Zheng Yong J. , Li Lin , Jing Tao , Du Xiao X. , Tian Jingzhi , Zhang Jiaoxia , Dong Mengyao , Fan Jincheng , Wang Chao , Guo Zhanhu
Published: July 2020

In the past few years, human-health has been severely impacted from PM2.5 and has thus been a very popular topic of study. Furthermore, monitoring and control of PM2.5 are becoming one of the major environmental problems. In view of this, the present work targets
at the establishment of an optimized BP neural network model based on t-distributed control genetic algorithm (BPM-TCG). Subsequently, in order to verify the performance of the proposed BPM-TCG, comparison analyses were performed among the prediction results generated from BPM-TCG,
BP neural network model and BP-GA according to hourly data of PM2.5 mass concentration, analysis of corresponding meteorological factors, and gas pollutant concentrations from October 2017 to August 2018 at Qiqihar University monitoring point. The experimental results showed that
BPM-TCG had the highest prediction accuracy and the best generalization ability, excellent applicability and commonality. Additionally, it may provide a basis for predicting the mass concentration of PM2.5, and thereby control and prevent the air pollution.
Synthesis of Hierarchical Hetero-Junction Composite and Gas Detection Performance in Asphalt Road
Authors: Feng Ruisheng , Xia Yuchao
Published: July 2020

In this work, we have triumphantly synthesized porous nanosheet-assembled ZnO/NiO hierarchical microflower via a one-step hydrothermal method. On this basis, a corresponding gas sensor was fabricated to detect its sensitivity to H2S gas. The results indicated that porous
flower-like hierarchical structures hold favorable superiority in the gas sensing towards H2S as compared to ZnO/NiO nanosheets. The superior sensing behavior may correlate with the special architecture offering abundant reaction sites, rapid channels and surface accessibility for
gas transportation. Besides, p–n heterojunction at their interface and strong catalysis of NiO also play an important role in the enhancement of sensing properties.
Elastic Optical Network Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Used for Cloud Computing and Its Resource Mapping Optimization Scheme
Authors: Xia Xun , Chen Ling
Published: July 2020

In this study, starting from the elastic optical network, the layered and function isolated service-oriented architecture (SOA) is introduced, so as to propose an elastic optical network SOA for cloud computing, and further study the resource mapping of optical network. Linear mapping
model, random routing mapping algorithm, load balancing mapping algorithm and link separation mapping algorithm are introduced respectively, and the resource utilization effect of different mapping algorithms for the proposed optical network is compared. During the experiment, firstly, the
elastic optical network is tested. It is found that the node utilization and spectrum utilization of the underlying optical fiber level network are significantly improved. Within the average service time of 0.312 s∼0.416 s, the corresponding node utilization and spectrum utilization are
90% and 80% respectively. In the resource mapping experiment, load balancing algorithm and link separation algorithm can effectively improve the mapping success rate of services. Among them, the link separation mapping algorithm can improve the spectrum resource utilization of optical network
by 15.6%. The elastic optical network SOA proposed in this study is helpful to improve the use of network resources.
MHD Free Convection of Localized Heat Source/Sink in Hybrid Nanofluid-Filled Square Cavity
Authors: Chamkha Ali J. , Yassen Rizk , Ismael Muneer A. , Rashad A.M. , Salah T. , Nabwey Hossam A.
Published: July 2020

In the field of heat transfer enhancement, there is a very new growing strategy to use hybrid nanofluid consisting of two or more nanoparticles dispersed in a base fluid. The current perusal introduces a numerical analysis to investigate the importance of hybrid nanofluid in the free
convection inside a partially heated square cavity, and subjected to inclined magnetic field with heat generation/absorption. The horizontal walls are kept adiabatic. Numerical solution of mathematical model which describes the problem is achieved by finite difference method. The Conventional
models of Brinkman and Maxwell were applied to assess the viscosity and thermal conductivity of the Cu-Al2O3-Water hybrid nanofluid. The considered problem was studied by varying some parameters such as the size and position of the heat source/sink, heat generation parameter,
Hartmann number, and three combinations of nanoparticles volume fractions. The results show that the Nusselt number of hybrid nanofluid is higher than the Alumina-water nanofluid and less than the Copper-water nanofluid.
Feasibility of Rough Sets Theory in Predicting Heat Transfer Performance in Thermally Developed Flow of Third Grade Nanofluid with Gyrotactic Microorganisms
Authors: Nabwey Hossam A.
Published: July 2020

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid towards the nanotechnology research, which is an emerging area of research with many industrial and engineering significance. The nanofluids which use metallic nanoparticles to enhance the thermal extrusion system are considered
as bio-friendly, durable and sustainable products. Nanofluids are engaged in fundamental applications like nuclear reactors, medical agents, material fabrication, chemical industries, geo-thermal engineering, petroleum industries etc. In recent years, a variety of experimental and theoretical
computations were performed to explore the thermophysical aspects of such nanoparticles. Further, flow of nanoparticles containing gyrotactic microorganisms has interesting applications in microbial fuel cells, bio-technology and enzyme biosensors. The main purpose of the present paper is
to use the rough sets theory to generate a set of rules to predict the heat transfer performance of a third grade nanofluid in thermally developed flow with gyrotactic microorganisms. The rough set reduction technique is applied to find all reducts and then a set of generalized rules is extracted
to predict the value of local Nusselt number, local Sherwood number and motile density number. The generated results shows that our method can effectively predict these values with high accuracy and may be valuable in many engineering applications like power production, thermal extrusion systems
and microelectronics.
Injection molding of short fiber thermoplastic bio-composites: Prediction of the fiber orientation
Authors: Semlali AouraghHassani Fatima-Zahra , Achaby Mounir El , Bensalah Mohammed-Ouadi , Rodrigue Denis , Bouhfid Rachid , Qaiss Abou El Kacem
Published: July 2020

Injection molding of short fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer results in a preferential fiber orientation in the part, which leads to an anisotropy in the material mechanical properties. To anticipate the molded part performances, it is necessary to predict the fiber orientation pattern. Our goal is to have a practical tool that accurately predicts fiber orientation patterns, and to use that information to estimate the final product properties. Consequently, an efficient way to determine the flow induced fiber orientation for different flow cases under real injection molding conditions is presented. The proposed approach allows the average orientation angle prediction in a section by considering the close interaction between the fibers and the flow rheology, the fibers aspect ratio and the mold geometry. Finally, to validate the model, experimental data were taken with different matrices, fibers and mold geometries, where good agreements (R2 ≥ 0.8) were obtained for the fiber orientations measurements.
Electromagnetic interference of nickel ferrite and copper ferrite filled low-density polyethylene composite
Authors: Vaid Kriti , Rathore Deepshikha , Dwivedi Umesh Kumar
Published: July 2020

This study reports the preparation of nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) filled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite through a melt mixing process for employing in electromagnetic shielding applications. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) with different pH values 6, 8 and 10 resulted the formation of cubic structure for NiFe2O4 of cristallite size 21 nm, 25 nm and 40 nm, respectively and tetragonal structure for CuFe2O4 with crystallite size 27 nm, 24 nm and 91 nm, respectively. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding measurements of the prepared samples LDPE/NiFe2O4 and LDPE/CuFe2O4 having different pH values 6, 8 and, 10 for 10% and 30% filler concentrations were analyzed over X-band with a frequency range from 8 GHz to 12.4 GHz. The pure LDPE exhibits the total shielding effectiveness (SE) of 11.6 dB whereas with the addition of NiFe2O4 and CuFe2O4, the composites exhibit increment in EMI shielding effectiveness up to the maximum value of 15.3 dB for LDPE/NiFe2O4 and 12.6 dB for LDPE/CuFe2O4 respectively.
Strain rate effects on the mechanical behavior of single-lap glass/carbon nanofiber/epoxy composite bolted joints
Authors: Shamaei-Kashani AR , Shokrieh MM
Published: July 2020

In the present research, effects of applying strain rate on the mechanical behavior of single-lap glass/CNF/epoxy composite bolted joints including, damage initiation bearing stress, 2% offset bearing strength, ultimate bearing strength, bearing chord stiffness, ultimate bearing strain, and energy absorption were studied. To this end, a comprehensive experimental program was conducted. The protruding head bolt was used, the clearance was considered to be near fit and a finger-tight bolt condition was applied to all joints. The dimensions of joints were chosen to promote the bearing failure mode based on the ASTM standard. Four types of single-lap bolted joints (SLJs) with lay-ups of [–45/0/45/90]s and [90/–452/45]s with and without CNFs were tested at strain rates in the range of 0.0048 s−1 to 0.89 s−1. Unlike the available experimental results, the results obtained by the present experiments showed that the strain rate has a significant effect on all the above-mentioned mechanical parameters of SLJs. Also, it was shown that employing CNFs improved the mechanical parameters of SLJs under quasi-static and dynamic strain rates.
User-Rated Comfort and Preference of Separated Bike Lane Intersection Designs
Authors: Monsere Christopher M. , McNeil Nathan W. , Sanders Rebecca L.
Published: July 2020

Improved bicycle infrastructure has become increasingly common in the United States as cities seek to attract new riders, including the demographic who do not feel comfortable riding with motor vehicle traffic. A key tool in designing low-stress networks is the use of separated or protected bicycle lanes, and intersections are the critical links. This paper presents an analysis of the perceived level of comfort of current and potential bicyclists from 277 survey respondents who rated 26 first-person video clips of a bicyclist riding through mixing zones, lateral shifts, bend-in, bend-out, and protected intersection designs. A total of 7,166 ratings were obtained from surveys conducted at four locations in Oregon, Minnesota, and Maryland, including urban and suburban locations. Survey respondents were categorized into four groups based on their response to attitudes and bicycling behavior by cluster analysis. Descriptive analysis and regression modeling results find that designs that minimize interactions with motor vehicles, such as fully separated signal phases and protected intersections, are rated as most comfortable (72% of respondents rated them as very comfortable or somewhat comfortable). Mean comfort drops off significantly for other designs and interactions with turning vehicles result in lower comfort ratings though there are differences for each design. Importantly, as the exposure distance, measured as the distance a person on a bicycle is exposed to traffic, increases the comfort decreases.
Sexual Crime Against Schoolchildren With Disabilities: A Nationwide Prospective Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Christoffersen Mogens Nygaard
Published: July 2020

Numerous studies have shown that the rate of sexual victimization against children with disabilities is higher than the rate for children without disabilities. The study focuses on examining sexual crime against children with disabilities and explaining differences in victimization to elucidate to what extent types of disability, family disadvantages, gender, high-risk behavior, and location influence adolescents’ risk of sexual victimization. Data are based on a national study of reported sexual crime against children in Denmark aged between 7 and 18 years using total birth cohorts ( N = 679,683). The statistical analysis is a discrete-time Cox model. An extended list of potential risk factors was included in the analysis to adjust for confounding. The potentially confounding risk factors were collected independently from various population-based registers, for example, employment statistics, housing statistics, education statistics, income compensation benefits, and population statistics (e.g., gender, age, location). Hospital records with information on types of disability based on the national inpatient register and national psychiatric register were collected independently of the collection of law enforcement records about reported sexual offenses under the Danish Central Crime Register. Among total birth cohorts, 8,039 persons or 1.18%. were victims of a reported sexual crime once or several times. Children with intellectual disabilities were more likely to be victimized of a reported sexual crime than non-disabled children were: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), odds ratio: 3.7 (3.5–3.9); mental retardation, odds ratio: 3.8 (3.6–4.0); and autism, odds ratio: 3.8 (3.6–4.0). This contrasts with children with speech disability, stuttering, and dyslexia who were less likely to be victimized when adjusted for family vulnerability and other confounding risk factors. Intellectual disability and family vulnerability, for example, parental substance abuse, parental violence, family separation, the child in care, and parental unemployment, indicate an increased risk of being a victim of a sexual crime, while speech disability seems to be ensuring protection.
Next-generation sequencing capacity and capabilities within the National Animal Health Laboratory Network
Authors: Harris Beth , Hicks Jessica , Prarat Melanie , Sanchez Susan , Crossley Beate
Published: July 2020

With the cost of next-generation sequencing (NGS) decreasing, this technology is rapidly being integrated into the workflows of veterinary clinical and diagnostic laboratories nationwide. The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture–National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) is in part to evaluate new technologies and develop standardized processes for deploying these technologies to network laboratories for improving detection and response to emerging and foreign animal diseases. Thus, in 2018, the NAHLN identified the integration of NGS into the network as a top priority. In order to assess the current state of preparedness across NAHLN laboratories and to identify which have the capability for performing NGS, a questionnaire was developed by the NAHLN Methods Technical Working Group and submitted to all NAHLN laboratories in December 2018. Thirty of 59 laboratories completed the questionnaire, of which 18 (60%) reported having some sequencing capability. Multiple sequencing platforms and reagents were identified, and limited standardized quality control parameters were reported. Our results confirm that NGS capacity is available within the NAHLN, but several gaps remain. Gaps include not having sufficient personnel trained in bioinformatics and data interpretation, lack of standardized methods and equipment, and maintenance of sufficient computing capacity to meet the growing demand for this technology.
Abductive Analysis in Qualitative Inquiry
Authors: Earl Rinehart Kerry
Published: July 2020

Analysis is the active and interpretive process or processes researchers undertake with research evidence that leads to what sense is made and what meanings are assigned. When I was involved in my PhD research, it seemed that many off-task activities contained connections to my particular study—I noticed them and they stimulated steps—sometimes leaps—forward in my analysis. What is thought important from the scrutiny of evidence depends, in part, on researcher responses to happenings beyond the study. In this article, I identify three conditions of analysis that may increase the likelihood of such connections occurring to researchers, which link to abductive analysis: take your time, value prompts from “off-task” influences, and backward map.
Member Retention and Donations in Nonprofit Service Organizations: The Balance Between Peer and Organizational Identification
Authors: Fang Di , Fombelle Paul W. , Bolton Ruth N.
Published: July 2020

Prior research has established that it is valuable for members to have strong organizational identification with nonprofit service organizations. However, research has not examined whether and how members are influenced by other members of a nonprofit. This paper analyzes how peer identification influences member retention and donations using survey data and actual member behavior. It distinguishes identification with the organization from identification with peers. The theory-based econometric model shows that the effect of a member’s peer and organizational identification on the likelihood of he/she will remain a member depends on the member’s relationship stage. Organizational identification has a large effect on member retention in the earlier periods of membership. However, for members of eight years or more, the favorable effect of peer identification becomes larger. Results also show that peer identification has a negative impact on donations whereas organizational identification has a positive effect regardless of stage of the member-nonprofit relationship. This paper also introduces a new construct, peer identity overlap, which influences peer identification. The article discusses how nonprofit service organizations can foster support and affirmation among members, value alignment among members, peer identity overlap, and organizational identification, as well as manage different stages of the relationship.
Rethinking Emotions and Destination Experience: An Extended Model of Goal-Directed Behavior
Authors: Huseynov Kamran , Costa Pinto Diego , Maurer Herter Márcia , Rita Paulo
Published: July 2020

This research aims to extend the model of goal-directed behavior, by deepening its emotional path and including new variables to predict tourist behavioral intention: hedonism, destination experience, and tourism innovativeness. Based on a final sample of 457 European tourist nationals, the findings showed the significant influence of hedonism and tourism innovativeness on tourist desire. In addition, findings uncover the mediating role of hedonism on the emotional path. The findings also extend previous research by revealing that not all destination experience dimensions (sensory, affective, behavioral, and intellectual) equally influence tourist behavioral intention. Indeed, only sensory and intellectual destination experience dimensions were found to affect behavioral intention. The findings have important implications for tourism managers crafting destination experiences and contribute to tourism research by presenting a more comprehensive framework of goal-directed behavior applied to tourism.
Double plus-zero energy historic building and improvement of hygrothermal conditions for the Palaeontology Museum of Naples
Authors: D’Agostino Diana , de’ Rossi Filippo , Marino Concetta , Minichiello Francesco , Russo Francesco
Published: July 2020

The theme of the energy requalification of historic buildings is addressed considering the Palaeontology Museum of Naples (Southern Italy). It is assessed whether, through non-invasive methods and without intervening on the building envelope, it is possible to obtain internal hygrothermal parameters suitable to allow both occupants’ thermal comfort and satisfactory conservation conditions for the archaeological finds. In addition, a relevant reduction of energy requirements and CO2 equivalent emissions is required. Dynamic energy simulations are conducted regarding both the current configuration and the various possible modifications concerning the air conditioning system; the model is calibrated by comparison with real energy consumption data. The electric and primary energy are compared for the various cases. Furthermore, the internal hygrothermal conditions for occupants’ thermal comfort and for conservation of the archaeological finds are analysed. Finally, the possibility of inserting a suitable and minimally invasive photovoltaic system is evaluated and an almost ‘Double Plus-Zero Energy Building’ is obtained.
Intoxicating the ‘charmed circle’: Constructions of deviance and normativity by people who combine drugs and sex
Authors: Aldridge Alexandra
Published: July 2020

Sex involving illicit drugs is currently receiving close academic attention. For the most part, research in this area is public health orientated and focuses on the experiences of men who have sex with men engaging in ‘chemsex’. In the current article, I use in-depth interview data from 14 participants across a range of gender and sexual identities to undertake a queer criminological analysis of sex on drugs. Taking Gayle Rubin’s foundational Thinking Sex as a starting point, I argue that participants’ narratives construct a sober/drug-involved sex hierarchy in which the former is afforded a higher status. I then utilise critical work on drug ‘effects’, Tim Dean’s work on ‘raw sex’ and notions of stigma to interrogate assumptions underpinning this hierarchy. I argue that the perceived artificial nature of intoxicated intimacy, the unmediated appeal of sober sexual intimacy and stigma connected to certain drugs and certain sex-on-drug-practices underlie participants talk. I conclude that ‘thinking sex on drugs’ demonstrates the productive potential of criminological engagement with queer theory, and vice versa.
Sexual deviance in prison: Queering identity and intimacy in prison research
Authors: Carr Nicola , Serisier Tanya , McAlister Siobhán
Published: July 2020

Recent years have seen increased attention in both research and policy towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender prisoners as a group with distinct needs. This has been driven by wider political recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and research suggesting that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender prisoners are particularly ‘vulnerable’ to bullying and abuse within prison settings. Much of this research, and the policy solutions associated with it, we argue, ignores or side-steps queer perspectives, relying instead on liberal conceptions of identity, vulnerability and, ultimately, assimilation. Just as contemporary campaigns around marriage rights see lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and individuals as fundamentally the same as the majority, rather than posing a challenge to the heteronormativity of marriage as an institution, much contemporary research and policy on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender prisoners sees this group as marked only by potential discrimination. We argue here instead that experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender prisoners can be read ‘queerly’ so as to potentially challenge the rigid gender and heteronormative foundations that underlie systems of incarceration. We draw on a small-scale empirical research project around the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender prisoners to revisit contemporary paradoxes of prisons and sexuality and to problematise understandings of identity, intimacy and deviance in the prison context.
Combined Phacoemulsification and Pars Plana Vitrectomy for the Treatment of Cataract in Patients With Noninfectious Uveitis
Authors: Conrady Christopher D. , Shakoor Akbar , Patel Rachel , Larochelle Marissa , Moshirfar Majid , Chaya Craig J. , Jacoby Rachael , Vitale Albert T.
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

This work evaluates the role of combined phacoemulsification and vitrectomy surgery in the management of cataract associated with noninfectious uveitis.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients aged 7 years or older who underwent a combined surgical approach from 2005 to 2018.

Results:

Eighty-five eyes of 67 patients were included in the study; 10.7% of eyes had a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or better at time of surgery. At 1-year follow-up, 63.4% of eyes had a BCVA 20/40 or better and 7.6% had a BCVA of 20/200 or worse. There was an overall decrease in cystoid macular edema after surgery compared with preoperatively (47.6% vs 34.5% presurgery and postsurgery, respectively). Complete inflammatory disease remission off immunomodulatory therapy and systemic steroids was achieved in 21.1% of patients.

Conclusions:

A combined surgical approach is effective in visual rehabilitation in patients with uveitic cataracts and may promote inflammatory disease remission specifically in intermediate uveitis.
Bacterial production of vanadium ferrite spinel (Fe,V)3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Coker Victoria S , van der Laan Gerrit , Telling Neil D , Lloyd Jonathan R , Byrne James M , Arenholz Elke , Pattrick Richard AD
Published: July 2020

Biogenic nanoscale vanadium magnetite is produced by converting V(V)-bearing ferrihydrites through reductive transformation using the metal-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens. With increasing vanadium in the ferrihydrite, the amount of V-doped magnetite produced decreased due to V-toxicity which interrupted the reduction pathway ferrihydrite–magnetite, resulting in siderite or goethite formation. Fe L2,3 and V L2,3 X-ray absorption spectra and data from X-ray magnetic circular dichroism analysis revealed the magnetite to contain the V in the Fe(III) Oh site, predominately as V(III) but always with a component of V(VI), present a consistent V(IV)/V(III) ratio in the range 0.28 to 0.33. The bacteriogenic production of V-doped magnetite nanoparticles from V-doped ferrihydrite is confirmed and the work reveals that microbial reduction of contaminant V(V) to V(III)/V(IV) in the environment will occur below the Fe-redox boundary where it will be immobilised in biomagnetite nanoparticles.
NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia: from bench to bedside
Authors: Falini Brunangelo , Brunetti Lorenzo , Sportoletti Paolo , Martelli Maria Paola
Published: July 2020

The nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene encodes for a multifunctional protein with prominent nucleolar localization that shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm. NPM1 mutations represent the most common genetic lesion in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML; about one third of cases), and they act deterministically to cause the aberrant cytoplasmic delocalization of NPM1 mutants. Because of its unique features, NPM1-mutated AML is recognized as a distinct entity in the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of hematopoietic neoplasms. Here, we focus on recently identified functions of wild-type NPM1 in the nucleolus and address new biological and clinical issues related to NPM1-mutated AML. The relevance of the cooperation between NPM1 and other mutations in driving AML with different outcomes is presented. We also discuss the importance of eradicating NPM1-mutated clones to achieve AML cure and the impact of preleukemic clonal hematopoiesis persistence in predisposing to second AML. The contribution of HOX genes’ expression to the development of NPM1-mutated AML is also highlighted. Clinically, yet unsolved diagnostic issues in the 2017 WHO classification of myeloid neoplasms and the importance of NPM1 mutations in defining the framework of European LeukemiaNet genetic-based risk stratification are discussed. Finally, we address the value and limits of NPM1-based measurable residual disease assessment for treatment guidance and present the results of promising preclinical studies with XPO1 and menin-MLL inhibitors.
Treatment outcomes of patients with tuberculosis in war affected region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Tauseef , Jadoon Muhammad Ayub , Khan Muhammad , Haroon  , Khan Muhammad Mumtaz , Hussain Akbar , Musa Taha Hussein , Waqar Muhammad , Ejeta Eyasu , Karami Manoochehr , Alene Kefyalew Addis , Jin Hui
Published: July 2020

Background

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease. TB treatment outcome is an important indicator for the effectiveness of a national TB control program. This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes of TB patients and its determinants in Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was designed using all TB patients who were enrolled at District Head Quarter (DHQ) Hospital Batkhela, Pakistan, from January 2011 to December 2014. A binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with successful TB treatment outcomes defined as the sum of cure and completed treatment.

Results

A total of 515 TB patients were registered, of which 237 (46%) were males and 278 (53.98%) females. Of all patients, 234 (45.44%) were cured and 210 (40.77%) completed treatment. The overall treatment success rate was 444 (86.21%). Age 0–20 years (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 3.47; 95% confidence interval, CI) = 1.54–7.81; P = 0.003), smear-positive pulmonary TB (AOR) = 3.58; 95% CI = 1.89–6.78; P = < 0.001), treatment category (AOR = 4.71; 95% CI = 1.17–18.97; P = 0.029), and year of enrollment 2012 (AOR = 6.26; 95% CI = 2.52–15.59; P = < 0.001) were significantly associated with successful treatment outcome.

Conclusions

The overall treatment success rate is satisfactory but still need to be improved to achieve the international targeted treatment outcome. Type of TB, age, treatment category, and year of enrollment were significantly associated with successful treatment outcomes.
Rotation and torsion of the left ventricle with cardiovascular magnetic resonance tagging: comparison of two analysis methods
Authors: Lehmonen Lauri , Jalanko Mikko , Tarkiainen Mika , Kaasalainen Touko , Kuusisto Johanna , Lauerma Kirsi , Savolainen Sauli
Published: July 2020

Background

Left ventricle rotation and torsion are fundamental components of myocardial function, and several software packages have been developed for analysis of these components. The purpose of this study was to compare the suitability of two software packages with different technical principles for analysis of rotation and torsion of the left ventricle during systole.

Methods

A group of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients (N = 14, age 43 ± 11 years), mutation carriers without hypertrophy (N = 10, age 34 ± 13 years), and healthy relatives (N = 12, age 43 ± 17 years) underwent a cardiovascular magnetic resonance examination, including spatial modulation of magnetization tagging sequences in basal and apical planes of the left ventricle. The tagging images were analyzed offline using a harmonic phase image analysis method with Gabor filtering and a non-rigid registration-based free-form deformation technique. Left-ventricle rotation and torsion scores were obtained from end-diastole to end-systole with both software.

Results

Analysis was successful in all cases with both software applications. End-systolic torsion values between the study groups were not statistically different with either software. End-systolic apical rotation, end-systolic basal rotation, and end-systolic torsion were consistently higher when analyzed with non-rigid registration than with harmonic phase-based analysis (p <  0.0001). End-systolic rotation and torsion values had significant correlations between the two software (p <  0.0001), most significant in the apical plane.

Conclusions

When comparing absolute values of rotation and torsion between different individuals, software-specific reference values are required. Harmonic phase flow with Gabor filtering and non-rigid registration-based methods can both be used reliably in the analysis of systolic rotation and torsion patterns of the left ventricle.
A case of flank pain caused by ureteral intussusception accompanied with ureteral polyp
Authors: Dong Yang , Zhang Wen-da , Fan Tao , Hao Lin , Zhou Jia-he , Ma Wei-ming , Han Cong-hui
Published: July 2020

Background

Ureteral intussusception, a rarely reported unique condition, occurs primarily as a complication of ureteric tumours.

Case presentation

We present a case of ureteral intussusception accompanied with a large ureteral polyp periodically protruding into the bladder cavity occurring in a 56-year-old man who experienced vague flank pain and intermittent haematuria. The patient was successfully treated by ureteroscopic cauterization combined with partial ureterectomy with reanastomosis.

Conclusions

This is the first report that describes polyp-related ureteral intussusception using comprehensive and representative ureteroscopic images and video. Our findings suggest that ureteroscopy is vital for diagnosis. Extensive biopsies through ureteroscopy are less invasive, and make it easier to exclude the presence of ureteral malignancies. Ureteroscopic resection of the whole polyp with its stalk and intussusceptum using Holmium: YAG laser did not seem viable in this case. However, cauterization of partial polyp tissues followed by open surgery for segmental resection of the ureter with reanastomosis is helpful in controlling such patient well-being.
Different predictors after stroke depending on functional dependency at discharge: a 5-year follow up study
Authors: Westerlind Emma , Hörsell Daniel , Persson Hanna C.
Published: July 2020

Background

Level of dependency after a stroke is important for long-term outcome in several aspects, but less is known about important predictors for outcome depending on functional dependency. The aim of the current study was to investigate self-perceived outcome and identify possible predictors of strength, participation, and emotional outcome 5 years after stroke based on functional dependency at discharge from hospital.

Methods

This observational cohort study included participants living in Gothenburg that were diagnosed with first ever stroke in 2009 and 2010. Baseline data were gathered from medical charts and the outcome was based on the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) questionnaire mailed out 5 years post-stroke. Logistic regression identified potential predictors of better strength, participation, and emotional outcome.

Results

A total of 266 participants responded to the SIS. The functionally independent participants at hospital discharge reported significantly better scores in all SIS domains compared to the functionally dependent. For those who were functionally independent, only non-modifiable factors (age, sex, stroke type) were significant predictors of a better outcome. However, for the functionally dependent participants, modifiable factors such as feeling depressed, cardiovascular risk factors, and recurrent stroke were significant predictors of unfavourable outcome.

Conclusions

Important factors for predicting a favourable outcome differed due to the level of functional dependency, and modifiable factors were only present in participants that were functionally dependent at discharge. Prevention, detection, and treatment of modifiable factors give an opportunity to reduce the burden of stroke for those who are most vulnerable.
Development of a model on factors affecting instrumental activities of daily living in people with mild cognitive impairment – a Delphi study
Authors: Bruderer-Hofstetter Marina , Sikkes Sietske A. M. , Münzer Thomas , Niedermann Karin
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The level of function of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is crucial for a person’s autonomy. A clear understanding of the nature of IADL and its limitations in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is lacking. Literature suggests numerous possible influencing factors, e.g. cognitive function, but has not considered other domains of human functioning, such as environmental factors. Our aim was to develop a comprehensive model of IADL functioning that depicts the relevant influencing factors.

Methods

We conducted a four-round online Delphi study with a sample of international IADL experts (N = 69). In the first round, panelists were asked to mention all possible relevant cognitive and physical function factors, as well as environmental and personal factors, that influence IADL functioning. In the subsequent rounds, panelists rated the relevance of these factors. Consensus was defined as: 1) ≥70% agreement between panelists on a factor, and 2) stability over two successive rounds.

Results

Response rates from the four rounds were high (83 to 100%). In the first round, 229 influencing factors were mentioned, whereof 13 factors reached consensus in the subsequent rounds. These consensual factors were used to build a model of IADL functioning. The final model included: five cognitive function factors (i.e. memory, attention, executive function, and two executive function subdomains -problem solving / reasoning and organization / planning); five physical function factors (i.e. seeing functions, hearing functions, balance, gait / mobility functions and functional mobility functions); two environmental factors (i.e. social network / environment and support of social network / environment); and one personal factor (i.e. education).

Conclusions

This study proposes a comprehensive model of IADL functioning in people with MCI. The results from this Delphi study suggest that IADL functioning is not merely affected by cognitive function factors, but also by physical function factors, environmental factors and personal factors. The multiplicity of factors mentioned in the first round also underlines the individuality of IADL functioning in people with MCI. This model may serve as a basis for future research in IADL functioning in people with MCI.
Retrospective study 2005–2015 of all cases of fetal death occurred at ≥23 gestational weeks, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Authors: Monasta Lorenzo , Giangreco Manuela , Ancona Emanuele , Barbone Fabio , Bet Elisa , Boschian-Bailo Pierino , Cacciaguerra Giovanna , Cagnacci Angelo , Canton Melania , Casarotto Maddalena , Comar Manola , Contardo Simona , De Agostini Michela , De Seta Francesco , Del Ben Giovanni , Di Loreto Carla , Driul Lorenza , Facchin Stefano , Giornelli Roberta , Ianni Annalisa , La Valle Santo , Londero Ambrogio Pietro , Manfè Marciano , Maso Gianpaolo , Mugittu Raffaela , Olivuzzi Monica , Orsaria Maria , Pecile Vanna , Pinzano Roberta , Pirrone Francesco , Quadrifoglio Mariachiara , Ricci Giuseppe , Ronfani Luca , Salviato Tiziana , Sandrigo Elisa , Smiroldo Silvia , Sorz Alice , Stampalija Tamara , Urriza Marianela , Vanin Michele , Verardi Giuseppina , Alberico Salvatore
Published: July 2020

Background

Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is a tragic event and, despite efforts to reduce rates, its incidence remains difficult to reduce. The objective of the present study was to examine the etiological factors that contribute to the main causes and conditions associated with IUFD, over an 11-year period in a region of North-East Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia) for which reliable data in available.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all 278 IUFD cases occurred between 2005 and 2015 in pregnancies with gestational age ≥ 23 weeks.

Results

The incidence of IUFD was 2.8‰ live births. Of these, 30% were small for gestational age (SGA), with immigrant women being significantly over-represented. The share of SGA reached 35% in cases in which a maternal of fetal pathological condition was present, and dropped to 28% in the absence of associated pathology. In 78 pregnancies (28%) no pathology was recorded that could justify IUFD. Of all IUFDs, 11% occurred during labor, and 72% occurred at a gestational age above 30 weeks.

Conclusion

The percentage of IUFD cases for which no possible cause can be identified is quite high. Only the adoption of evidence-based diagnostic protocols, with integrated immunologic, genetic and pathologic examinations, can help reduce this diagnostic gap, contributing to the prevention of future IUFDs.