bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capital Accrual and Constraints: Domestic Sex Trafficking Victims’ Negotiation of Vicarious and Feminized Capital
Authors: Thorburn Natalie , Beddoe Liz
Published: April 2020

Domestic sex trafficking has yet to appear on the policy agenda in Aotearoa New Zealand, and yet to be met with a law enforcement response. Accordingly, we have minimal knowledge about the contexts in which sex trafficking is perpetrated and what victims’ experiences involve. This article focuses specifically on the attainment and negotiation of social capital by victims whose access to traditional capital is at least partially restricted by their social and familial contexts. Sixteen victims of domestic sex trafficking participated in semistructured interviews. The data were analyzed using an adapted version of Clanindin and Connelly’s (2000) three-dimensional structure of narrative analysis. Three of the themes emerging from this are discussed here; namely abuse and mistreatment in early life, the negotiation of survival within the trafficking context, and sexuality as a bargaining tool. We argue that victims’ access to traditional mechanisms of social capital accrual may be precluded by the multiple sites of gendered disadvantage that collude to entrap victims in a subordinate and exploited position. However, to negotiate their continued survival despite the constraints to their agency, they appear to access both vicarious physical capital and feminized (and usually sexualised) capital by instrumentalizing their sexual appeal or prowess and the protection of the subjectively more powerful male “partner.”
Personal Mastery and the Medical, Financial, and Physical Cancer Burden: Gender and Race Differences Among Older Adults
Authors: Pudrovska Tetyana , Anishkin Andriy
Published: April 2020

Objectives: We explore how a new cancer diagnosis affects trajectories of personal mastery among non-Hispanic Black and White older adults. We estimate whether and how cancer therapy (chemotherapy, surgery, radiation), the amount and type of health care contacts, the financial burden, and the physical symptoms of cancer explain within- and between-gender differences in mastery. Method: Using the 2006–2014 data from the Health and Retirement Study, we apply matching and multiple regression models testing mediating and moderating effects. Results: White men experience a substantially more pronounced decline in mastery after a cancer diagnosis than all women and Black men. Cancer treatment disproportionately decreases White men’s mastery via exposure to health care settings. Discussion: Cultural norms of masculinity and femininity imbue cancer and its treatment with gender-specific meanings. Deference to medical authority and losses of independence, decision-making, and self-reliance are incompatible with masculinity and might affect mastery more adversely in older White men.
Healthcare supply chain management: Application in the Maltese Healthcare System
Authors: Buttigieg Sandra C , Bezzina Frank , Xuereb Andrew , Dey Prasanta K
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Hospital supply chains are complex systems ensuring flow of products/services to satisfy patients. The aim of this exploratory study is to improve the Maltese health care system’s efficiency using supply chain management principles in three hospital settings. The theoretical basis underlying the study is the supply chain decision-making framework.

Methods

Using observation and focus groups, the following steps were undertaken: (i) mapping healthcare supply chain processes and identifying challenges; (ii) understanding competitive strategy through implied demand uncertainty; (iii) deriving supply chain strategies through supply chain drivers; (iv) optimizing healthcare supply chain (right balance between cost and responsiveness); (v) identifying critical success factors for healthcare supply chains.

Results

In line with their competitive and supply chain strategies, the three settings have well-defined primary goals, stakeholders’ needs/demands/expectations, as well as clear-cut, albeit some similar, criteria and sub-criteria for improving the quality and quantity of their services. The trade-offs between efficiency and responsiveness for the supply chain drivers are distinctive and in line with their competitive strategies, hence achieving the desired fit with the healthcare supply chain strategies.

Conclusions

By adopting healthcare supply chain principles, there should be improved services in each setting, which in turn should lead to system-wide results.
Inverse modelling of electrochemical machining process using a novel combination of soft computing methods
Authors: Mehrvar Ali , Basti Ali , Jamali Ali
Published: April 2020

Selection of optimal and suitable process parameters is a crucial issue in manufacturing processes especially in electrochemical machining (ECM). Since the utmost target is to find suitable machining parameters for gaining desired machining performances, a new hybrid approach has been applied for inverse modelling of ECM process. Four machining inputs, i.e. voltage, tool feed rate, electrolyte flowrate and concentration; and two machining responses, i.e. surface roughness (Ra) and material removal rate (MRR) are presented as input variables and responses, respectively. In the proposed approach, firstly, comprehensive mathematical equations have been established based on response surface methodology (RSM). The two machining performances are modeled in this step with machining parameters. Then, the differential evolution (DE) algorithm has been used for Pareto-based multi-objective optimization. Finally, group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural networks is used through the Pareto table for inverse modelling. As a result, four models have been developed for each of the four machining parameters; therefore, each machining parameters is determined according to the machining performance as two new design variables. The results demonstrated that the suggested method is a helpful and promising tool for inverse modelling and determining such important relationships between optimized responses and input variables.
Prevalence and predictors of bacterial vaginosis in HIV-infected women in Maharashtra, India
Authors: Joshi S , Mane A , Muwonge R , Divate U , Padbidri V , Kulkarni V , Gangakhedkar R , Sankaranarayanan R
Published: April 2020

We evaluated the prevalence and determinants of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in HIV-infected women from Maharashtra, India. Among 912 HIV-infected women enrolled, BV was diagnosed in 191 (20.9%) and intermediate BV was diagnosed in 258 (28.3%) women. Women with more than two pregnancies had 1.6 times increased risk of BV (95% CI 1.0, 2.5, p-value 0.038), women who were menopausal had 6.2 times increased risk of BV (95% CI 2.4, 15.6, p-value <0.001) and women who were human papillomavirus (HPV) positive had 2.3 times increased risk of BV (95% CI 1.4, 3.9, p-value 0.001). Although we observed significantly increased risk of BV among women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or worse disease in the univariate analysis (odds ratio 3.5, 95% CI 1.5, 8.1, p-value 0.004), it did not reach statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. Women who had the first sexual intercourse after the age of 18 had significantly lower risk of BV. To conclude, we observed high prevalence of BV in HIV-infected women and increased risk of BV in HPV positive, HIV-infected women.
Pain is temporary: Discourse analysis of inmates’ accounts of suicide
Authors: Jing-ying Guo
Published: April 2020

There have been abundant empirical studies identifying risk factors associated with inmate suicide. However, little attention has been turned to the voices of inmates who have experienced suicide. This article, based on semi-structured interviews with 14 incarcerated adults who have committed suicide and survived in prisons in Zhejiang Province, China, tries to explore how suicide is presented, constructed and oriented to in interaction. Implications for future research and suicide intervention are also discussed.
The impact of biofuel consumption on CO2 emissions: A panel data analysis for seven selected G20 countries
Authors: Xu Bingjie , Zhong Ruoyu , Qiao Hui
Published: April 2020

Internationally, biofuel energy as a renewable energy source has been increasingly appreciated by various industries. The benefits of biofuel energy for environmental protection and global climate change cannot be denied. Hence, this paper examines the nexus among economic growth, biofuel consumption, urbanization rate, and CO2 emissions in seven selected Group of Twenty countries (G20) over 2001–2017. The results of fully modified ordinary least squares suggest that the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) exists between economic growth and CO2 emissions, and the impact of biofuel consumption and the urbanization rate on CO2 emissions is negative and positive, respectively. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nexus among economic growth, biofuel consumption, urbanization rate, and CO2 emissions. The significance of this paper is to add biofuel consumption as a new variable for a panel of seven selected Group of Twenty (G20) countries covering 2001–2017. In addition, this study put urbanization into the current environmental Kuznets curve model to validate that urbanization can increase CO2 emissions. Developing the biofuel industry can not only diminish fossil fuel energy consumption but also offer huge potential to reduce CO2 emissions.
Reply to the ‘Critical review on the paper: The earliest datable noctilucent cloud observation (Parma, Italy AD 1840)’
Authors: Bertolin Chiara , Domínguez-Castro Fernando
Published: April 2020

In this reply, the aim of the authors is to correct the calculation errors on solar depression angle and azimuth angle as recognized by Dr. Dalin in his critical review. However, these updated and corrected calculations do not affect the possibility for Antonio Colla of having observed the Noctilucent Cloud (NLC) plausible both in the direction and for the duration he described in his observations. In this reply, the authors offer two different interpretations in this regard.
Thinking with theory as a policy evaluation tool: The case of boarding schools for remote First Nations students
Authors: Guenther John , Benveniste Tessa , Redman-MacLaren Michelle , Mander David , McCalman Janya , O’Bryan Marnie , Osborne Samuel , Stewart Richard
Published: April 2020

Many recent policy documents have outlined the challenges of delivering high-quality education in remote First Nations communities and proposed that boarding schools are one important solution. These documents have influenced the increasing uptake of boarding options and there has been considerable public investment in scholarships, residential facilities and transition support. Yet the outcomes of this investment and policy effort are not well understood. The authors of this article came together as a collaboration of researchers who have published about boarding school education for First Nations students to examine the evidence and develop a theory-driven understanding of how policies drive systems to produce both desirable and undesirable outcomes for First Nations boarding school students. We applied complexity theory and post-structural policy analysis techniques and produced a useful tool for the evaluation of boarding policy and its implementation.
A Constructed Reality? A Fairclough-Inspired Critical Discourse Analysis of the Danish HPV Controversy
Authors: Mohr Sanne , Frederiksen Kirsten
Published: April 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that routine immunization coverage has declined in Europe. In this article, we present the findings of a Norman Fairclough–inspired critical discourse analysis undertaken to explore how the Danish media came to suggest a possible linkage between the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and serious side effects. The findings of the analysis highlight the social consequences of the controversy over the HPV vaccine, identified within the framework of three perspectives: (1) overall criticism of vaccine efficacy and safety, rooted in an ideological opposition; (2) a growing societal tendency to question the authority of the official health bodies; and (3) the specific controversy over the HPV vaccine. We suggest that the controversy over the HPV vaccine is rooted in an ideological conflict, and the declining acceptance implies that the perception that the vaccine causes serious side effects has gained currency among the general public.
Transitioning From Alternative Education Settings: A Process for Students With Behavioral Challenges
Authors: Wilkinson Sarah , Kumm Skip , McDaniel Sara
Published: April 2020

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) experience some of the poorest outcomes of all students. They are also placed in alternative education (AE) settings more frequently than students in other disability categories. For some of these students, the ultimate goal is to return to the traditional school. A systematic, five-part process provides a framework that begins with planning for transition upon entry to an AE program and proceeds through monitoring student progress after returning to the traditional school. The process allows educators, students, and parents to work as a collaborative team to support youth transitioning from an AE setting to a traditional school.
The Case of Eichmann Restaged : Arendt, Evil, and the Complexity of Mimesis
Authors: Lawtoo Nidesh
Published: April 2020

This essay reframes Hannah Arendt’s evaluation of the “banality of evil” in light of Eichmann’s mimetic psychology, which Arendt intuited but did not fully articulate. Rather than considering the banality of evil as symptomatic of Eichmann’s “inability to think,” the essay foregrounds the affective, contagious, and, in this sense, mimetic tendencies at play in Eichmann’s personality (from Latin, persona, theatrical mask). This move is instrumental to articulate a middle path between Arendt’s theoretical diagnostic of Eichmann as “terrifyingly normal” and Bettina Stangneth’s recent historical account of Eichmann as a “fanatical National Socialist.” My wager is that the ancient problematic of mimēsis (from Greek, mimos, mime) casts a new and original light on the psychic foundations of a type of evil that is as relevant to understand the psychology of fascism in the past century as its rising shadow in the present century.
A Balancing Act: Agency and Constraints in University Students’ Understanding of and Responses to Sexual Violence in the Night-Time Economy
Authors: Anitha Sundari , Jordan Ana , Jameson Jill , Davy Zowie
Published: April 2020

This article extends our understanding of how university students make sense of, and respond to, sexual violence in the night-time economy (NTE). Based on semi-structured interviews with 26 students in a city in England, we examine students’ constructions of their experiences of sexual violence within the NTE, exploring their negotiations with, and resistance to, this violence. Building upon theories of postfeminism, we interrogate the possibilities for resistance within the gendered spaces of the NTE and propose a disaggregated conceptualization of agency to understand responses to sexual violence, thereby offering useful insights for challenging sexual violence in the NTE and in universities.
Striving for Gender Equality: Representations of Gender in “Progressive” Domestic Violence Policy
Authors: Kuskoff Ella , Parsell Cameron
Published: April 2020

International feminist scholarship highlights the benefits of approaching domestic violence policy through a gendered lens. Yet to be examined, however, is the extent to which explicitly gendered domestic violence policies may contain barriers that limit the potential benefits of a gendered approach. This qualitative research examines the assumptions embedded in explicitly gendered domestic violence policy in the Australian state of Queensland. Findings suggest that Queensland’s “progressive” domestic violence policy is underpinned by dominant gendered assumptions that reinforce existing unequal social structures. These findings offer important lessons for international jurisdictions that aspire to adopt gendered domestic violence policy.
The Effect of Rape Myth Endorsement on Police Response to Sexual Assault Survivors
Authors: Garza Alondra D. , Franklin Cortney A.
Published: April 2020

The current study used a purposive sample of 517 surveys administered to police officers at one of the five largest and most diverse U.S. cities to assess police adherence to rape myths, while considering demographic, occupational, and neurocognitive predictors. This study also examined rape myth endorsement and self-reported levels of preparedness in responding to sexual assault calls for service. Officer sex and impulsivity were significant predictors of rape myth endorsement. In addition, rape myth endorsement decreased preparedness, whereas prior specialized sexual assault training increased preparedness. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.
Developing and Applying IR-Tree Models: Guidelines, Caveats, and an Extension to Multiple Groups
Authors: Plieninger Hansjörg
Published: April 2020

IR-tree models assume that categorical item responses can best be explained by multiple response processes. In the present article, guidelines are provided for the development and interpretation of IR-tree models. In more detail, the relationship between a tree diagram, the model equations, and the analysis on the basis of pseudo-items is described. Moreover, it is shown that IR-tree models do not allow conclusions about the sequential order of the processes, and that mistakes in the model specification can have serious consequences. Furthermore, multiple-group IR-tree models are presented as a novel extension of IR-tree models to data from heterogeneous units. This allows, for example, to investigate differences across countries or organizations with respect to core parameters of the IR-tree model. Finally, an empirical example on organizational commitment and response styles is presented.
Right-wing populism, social media and echo chambers in Western democracies
Authors: Boulianne Shelley , Koc-Michalska Karolina , Bimber Bruce
Published: April 2020

Many observers are concerned that echo chamber effects in digital media are contributing to the polarization of publics and, in some places, to the rise of right-wing populism. This study employs survey data collected in France, the United Kingdom and the United States (1500 respondents in each country) from April to May 2017. Overall, we do not find evidence that online/social media explain support for right-wing populist candidates and parties. Instead, in the United States, use of online media decreases support for right-wing populism. Looking specifically at echo chamber measures, we find offline discussion with those who are similar in race, ethnicity and class positively correlates with support for populist candidates and parties in the United Kingdom and France. The findings challenge claims about the role of social media and the rise of populism.
Fine-tuning locational formulations in mobile phone calls
Authors: Kazemi Ali
Published: April 2020

This study examines the sequential and situated organization associated with framing locational formulations by dislocated parties to mobile phone calls for the joint accomplishment of location-related social action. The data come from 22 mundane Farsi mobile phone calls involving location inquiring and/or reporting. The analysis of the data, informed by conversational analysis and Levinson’s conceptual framework of perspective-taking, adds frame of reference (hereafter, FoR) to Schegloff’s location, membership, and topic or activity analyses operative in the selection of locational formulations. The trajectory plotted for location-related action indicates the contingent roles which material, linguistic and semiotic resources play in the selection of locational formulations deployed for co-presence purposes. The findings suggest consequentiality of the-relevant-next action for the framing of locational descriptions and provide insight into how conversationalists interact with their physical environment in a wider social context.
Defensive Citizenship in Europe: Definition and Measurement
Authors: Berkovich Izhak
Published: April 2020

In this article, I define and measure the new phenomenon of defensive citizenship in Europe. The literature suggests that defensive citizenship engagement is related to attempts by entitled citizens to preserve their threatened interests. It has been on the rise worldwide, especially in Europe. Based on studies and reports on the phenomenon, I argue that defensive citizenship can be assessed among entitled citizens (those born in the country, whose both parents were born in the country) based on mistrust towards political institutions, anti-immigration attitudes and a challenging personal situation. The analysis, based on European Social Survey data, ranks European countries and uncovers concentrations of countries with high levels of defensive citizenship in Eastern Europe. I contend that this phenomenon has significant implications for the democratic functioning of European countries and the stability of the continent.
The Association Between a History of Sexual Violence and Romantic Relationship Functioning: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vitek Kristen N. , Yeater Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2020

The consequences of sexual violence are substantial and include both intra- and interpersonal problems. Notably, sexual violence has been associated with difficulties in interpersonal relationships including intimate relationships. While there have been prior reviews considering various interpersonal and dyadic consequences associated with sexual violence, there has not been a comprehensive review considering the various aspects of adult dyadic functioning including intimacy, relationship conflict, and satisfaction satisfaction among both child and adult victims of sexual violence. The databases PsycINFO and PubMed were searched for terms related to sexual victimization (e.g., sexual assault, sexual victimization, sexual abuse, rape, revictimization), terms related to relationships (e.g., romantic relationship, intimate relationship), and terms related to relationship functioning (e.g., satisfaction, relationship quality, conflict, communication, intimacy, sexual functioning). Eligible studies for this review were required to (1) be an original study, (2) be written in English, (3) identify a sample or subsample consisting of women reporting a history of sexual violence in either childhood or adulthood, and (4) measure at least one of the following relationship areas: intimacy, relationship conflict, or relationship satisfaction in heterosexual adult romantic relationships. A total of 20 articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Results demonstrated mixed findings on the association between sexual violence and relationship functioning, with some studies demonstrating an association between sexual violence and relationship functioning, and others failing to find such associations. These findings are discussed within the context of gaps in the extant literature and future research directions.
Determining the Optimal Proximal Landing Zone for TEVAR in the Aortic Arch: Comparing the Occurrence of the Bird-Beak Phenomenon in Zone 0 vs Zones 1 and 2
Authors: Kudo Tomoaki , Kuratani Toru , Shimamura Kazuo , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: April 2020

Purpose: To identify the optimal proximal landing zone for thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR) of aortic arch pathologies so as to avoid the bird-beak phenomenon that leads to type Ia endoleak. Materials and Methods: A retrospective single-center review was conducted of 164 patients (mean age 70.3±10.8 years, range 29–93; 127 men) who underwent repairs of the aortic arch using hybrid TEVAR from April 2008 to March 2017. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the proximal landing zone: 43 zone 0 patients (26.2%) had total debranching TEVAR (n=18) or total endovascular aortic repair (n=25) while 121 patients (73.8%) had TEVAR landing in zones 1 (n=41) or 2 (n=80). Bird-beak configurations, endoleaks, and stent migrations were assessed on the postoperative and latest computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans. Overall survival and freedom from the bird-beak configuration, aorta-related death, and aortic events were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: All procedures were successful, without any 30-day mortality. There were 3 early complications (1.8%; all strokes) and 10 early endoleaks (6.1%; no type Ia). On the first postoperative CTA, 42 patients (25.6%) had a bird-beak configuration. The zone 0 patients had significantly fewer (p<0.001), shorter (p<0.004), and less angulated (p<0.001) bird-beak configurations than in zones 1–2. The mean follow-up period was 4.2 years (range 0.5–8.8). There were 18 late deaths (11.0%); only one was related to the aorta (rupture due to a type Ib endoleak in a zone 0 patient). The 5-year freedom from aorta-related death was not significantly different between groups (zone 0: 96.9% vs zones 1–2: 100%, p=0.080). On the latest CTA, 51 (31.0%) patients had a bird-beak configuration; of those, 22 (13.4%) showed >3-mm progression. The freedom from bird-beak configuration estimate was significantly higher in the zone 0 group (95.4%) vs zones 1–2 (57.8%; HR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.31, p<0.001). There were 9 late endoleaks (4 type Ia; none in the zone 0 group). The rate of stent-graft migration was significantly lower in the zone 0 group (2.3% vs 14.1% in zones 1–2, p=0.035). Conclusion: Early and most late results in zone 0 TEVAR were equal to those in zones 1 and 2; however, there were no late type Ia endoleaks and fewer bird-beak configurations associated with zone 0 TEVAR, which suggests that zone 0 landing is advantageous for preventing these complications.
An Integrative Review of the Role of Palliative Care in Lung Transplantation
Authors: Pawlow Patricia C. , Doherty Caroline L. , Blumenthal Nancy P. , Matura Lea Ann , Christie Jason D. , Ersek Mary
Published: April 2020

Background:

Lung transplant patients experience significant physical symptoms and psychological stress that affect their quality of life. Palliative care is an interdisciplinary specialty associated with improved symptom management and enhanced quality of life. Little, however, is known about the palliative care needs of lung transplant patients and the role it plays in their care.

Aim:

The aim of this integrative review was to synthesize the literature describing the palliative care needs, the current role, and factors influencing the integration of palliative care in the care of lung transplant patients.

Design/Data Sources:

We searched PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase to identify English-language, primary studies focused on palliative care in adult lung transplantation. Study quality was evaluated using Strengthening the Report of Observational studies in Epidemiology and Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research criteria.

Results:

Seven articles were included in the review. Most were single-center, descriptive studies. Two studies used qualitative and 5 used quantitative methodologies. Collectively, these studies suggest that palliative care is typically consulted for physical and psychological symptom management, although consultation is uncommon and often occurs late in the lung transplant process. We found no studies that systematically assessed palliative needs. Misperceptions about palliative care, communication challenges, and unrealistic patient/family expectations are identified barriers to the integration. While limited, evidence suggests that palliative care can be successfully integrated into lung transplant patient management.

Conclusions:

Empirical literature about palliative care in lung transplantation is sparse. Further research is needed to define the needs and opportunities for integration into the care of these patients.
Medicaid Payer Status Is a Predictor of Early Postoperative Pain Following Upper Extremity Procedures
Authors: Scott Michael T. , Boden Allison L. , Boden Stephanie A. , Boden Lauren M. , Farley Kevin X. , Gottschalk Michael B.
Published: April 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between insurance status and patient-reported pain both before and after upper extremity surgical procedures. We hypothesized that patients with Medicaid payer status would report higher levels of pre- and postoperative pain and report less postoperative pain relief. Methods: In all, 376 patients who underwent upper extremity procedures by a single surgeon at an academic ambulatory surgery center were identified. Patient information, including insurance status and Visual Analog Scale pain score (VAS-pain) at baseline, 2 weeks, and 1, 3, and 6 months, were collected. VAS-pain scores were compared with t-tests and linear regression. Results: Preoperatively and at 2-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up, Medicaid patients reported statistically significant higher pain levels than patients with Private insurance, finding a mean adjusted increase of 0.51 preoperatively, 0.39 at 1 month, and 0.79 at 3 months. Preoperatively and at 3-month follow-up, Medicaid patients reported statistically significant higher pain than patients with Medicare, finding increases in VAS-pain of 0.99 preoperatively and 0.94 at 3 months. There was no difference in pain improvement between any insurance types at any time point (all P values > .05). Conclusions: Patients with Medicaid report higher levels of preoperative pain and early postoperative pain, but reported the same improvement in pain as patients with other types of insurance. As healthcare systems are becoming increasingly dependent on patient-reported outcomes, including pain, it is important to consider that differences may exist in subjective pain depending on insurance status.
MicroRNA-429/Cxcl1 Axis Protective Against Oxygen Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation-Induced Injury in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Leng Jun , Liu Wei , Li Li , Wei Fang Yue , Tian Meng , Liu Hui Min , Guo Wen
Published: April 2020

Objective:

The objective of the present work was to study the role of Cxcl1 in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury and to in-depth explore its pathogenesis.

Methods:

The expression of Cxcl1 based on the public data was analyzed. Then, we constructed an oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model in vitro using mice brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) to simulate cerebral I/R in vivo.

Results:

The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay uncovered that Cxcl1 showed higher expression while miR-429 showed lower expression in BMECs damaged by OGD/R, whereas overexpression of Cxcl1 or inhibition of miR-429 expression can strengthen this effect. Hereafter, through dual luciferase reporter assay, we verified that miR-429 directly targets Cxcl1 and negatively regulates Cxcl1 expression. Furthermore, the results also revealed that overexpression of Cxcl1 can reverse the miR-429-mediated effects.

Conclusion:

We concluded that miR-429 exerts protective effects against OGD/R-induce injury in vitro through modulation of Cxcl1 and nuclear factor kinase B pathway, hoping provide a new view on the pathogenesis of cerebral I/R injury and a feasible potential therapeutic target.
Energy estimation for differential drive mobile robots on straight and rotational trajectories
Authors: Jaramillo-Morales Mauricio F , Dogru Sedat , Gomez-Mendoza Juan B , Marques Lino
Published: April 2020

Energy autonomy is an important aspect that needs to be improved in order to increase efficiency in mobile robotic tasks. Having accurate power models allows the estimation of energy consumption along different trajectories. This article proposes a power model for two-wheel differential drive mobile robots. The proposed model takes into account the dynamic parameters of the robot and its motors, and predicts the energy consumption for trajectories with variable accelerations and variable payloads. The experimental validation of the proposed model was performed with a Nomad Super Scout II mobile robot which was driven along straight and curved trajectories, with different payloads and accelerations. The experiments using the proposed model showed accuracies of 96.67% along straight trajectories and 81.25% along curved trajectories in the estimation of energy consumption.
A novel time–frequency–space method with parallel factor theory for big data analysis in condition monitoring of complex system
Authors: Yang Liu , Chen Hanxin , Ke Yao , Huang Lang , Wang Qi , Miao Yuzhuo , Zeng Li
Published: April 2020

The spatial information of the signal is neglected by the conventional frequency/time decompositions such as the fast Fourier transformation, principal component analysis, and independent component analysis. Framing of the data being as a three-way array indexed by channel, frequency, and time allows the application of parallel factor analysis, which is known as a unique multi-way decomposition. The parallel factor analysis was used to decompose the wavelet transformed ongoing diagnostic channel–frequency–time signal and each atom is trilinearly decomposed into spatial, spectral, and temporal signature. The time–frequency–space characteristics of the single-source fault signal was extracted from the multi-source dynamic feature recognition of mechanical nonlinear multi-failure mode and the corresponding relationship between the nonlinear variable, multi-fault mode, and multi-source fault features in time, frequency, and space was obtained. In this article, a new method for the multi-fault condition monitoring of slurry pump based on parallel factor analysis and continuous wavelet transform was developed to meet the requirements of automatic monitoring and fault diagnosis of industrial process production lines. The multi-scale parallel factorization theory was studied and a three-dimensional time–frequency–space model reconstruction algorithm for multi-source feature factors that improves the accuracy of mechanical fault detection and intelligent levels was proposed.
An investigation of reliability optimization in standby systems
Authors: Wang Ning , Zhang Hailun , Lv Ruoning , Guo Yangming , Zhu Peican
Published: April 2020

Due to the limitations of space or extra costs incurred, the reliability optimization problem of a spare system is of great interest and importance. In this article, we devote our efforts into the investigation of reliability optimization problem of the warm spare gate and cold spare gate. For a spare gate with fixed components, we first examine the relationship between the component order and the corresponding reliability; then, the equivalence of a cascaded model with a multiple-input spare gate is further presented. We find that for a warm spare gate, the corresponding reliability value is anticipated to be affected by the adopted component replacing order; nevertheless, the reliability is a fixed value once the components are provided for a cold spare gate. This finding indicates that reliability is irrespective of the component order for a cold spare gate. Therefore, for the warm spare gate, the component order can be varied to improve the corresponding system reliability, whereas for the cold spare gate, we should attempt to improve the reliabilities of the spare components aiming to obtain a higher reliability. These findings are potentially useful in the design process of a system consisting of spare gates.
A Clinical and Radiological Investigation of the Use of Dermal Fat Graft as an Interpositional Material in Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis Surgery
Authors: Rahman Sajjad Abdur , Rahman Tabishur , Hashmi Ghulam Sarwar , Ahmed Syed Saeed , Ansari Mohammad Kalim , Sami Abdus
Published: April 2020

Management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is mainly through surgical intervention. Interpositional materials are a necessity when it comes to prevention of TMJ re-ankylosis after arthroplasty. Early aggressive postoperative physiotherapy is essential for the prevention or treatment of TMJ hypomobility or ankyloses. Recently, it has been shown that abdominal dermis fat helps promote smooth, pain-free joint function and it is stable after interposition and less prone to fragmentation. The purpose of this study was to assess that whether dermal fat is a good choice of interpositional material when it comes to decreased pain perception during aggressive physiotherapy after release of ankyloses thus ensuring good compliance by the patient. We also assessed the fate of the graft material on computed tomography to evaluate any volume changes if occurred after interposition.
Elaborating Cancer Opinion Leaders’ Communication Behaviors Within Online Health Communities: Network and Content Analyses
Authors: Zhu Yaguang , Guan Mengfei , Donovan Erin
Published: April 2020

This study integrates social network and content analyses to examine the communication behaviors of opinion leaders—such as creating threads and engaging in continuous conversations—in two large cancer-focused online health communities. Guided by the diffusion of innovation theory and the social support literature, we analyzed 951 threads and 10,179 posts and found that a group of opinion leaders (including cancer patients, family caregivers, and cancer survivors) centralized the communities from 2017 to 2018. Opinion leaders’ typical replies to others tended to be a combination of opinion support, emotional support, and network support. Amid their self-created threads, we further identified four themes: cancer history and treatment, health or life condition update, advocacy, and emotional ventilation. Implications for network and content analytics of online cancer communication are discussed.
Lessons learned in practice-based research: Studying language interventions for young children in the real world
Authors: Smyth Rachael E , Theurer Julie , Archibald Lisa MD , Oram Cardy Janis
Published: April 2020

Background and aims

Practice-based research holds potential as a promising solution to closing the research-practice gap, because it addresses research questions based on problems that arise in clinical practice and tests whether systems and interventions are effective and sustainable in a clinical setting. One type of practice-based research involves capturing practice by collecting evidence within clinical settings to evaluate the effectiveness of current practices. Here, we describe our collaboration between researchers and clinicians that sought to answer clinician-driven questions about community-based language interventions for young children (Are our interventions effective? What predicts response to our interventions?) and to address questions about the characteristics, strengths, and challenges of engaging in practice-based research.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of 59 young children who had participated in three group language interventions at one publicly funded community clinic between 2012 and 2017. Change on the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS), a government mandated communicative participation measure, was extracted as the main outcome measure. Potential predictors of growth during intervention were also extracted from the charts, including type of intervention received, attendance, age at the start of intervention, functional communication ability pre-intervention, and time between pre- and post-intervention FOCUS scores.

Results

Overall, 49% of children demonstrated meaningful clinical change on the FOCUS after their participation in the language groups. Only 3% of participants showed possibly meaningful clinical change, while the remaining 46% of participants demonstrated not likely meaningful clinical change. There were no significant predictors of communicative participation growth during intervention.

Conclusions

Using a practice-based research approach aimed at capturing current practice, we were able to answer questions about the effectiveness of interventions delivered in real-world settings and learn about factors that do not appear to influence growth during these interventions. We also learned about benefits associated with engaging in practice-based research, including high clinical motivation, high external validity, and minimal time/cost investment. Challenges identified were helpful in informing our future efforts to examine other possible predictors through development of a new, clinically feasible checklist, and to pursue methods for improving collection of outcome data in the clinical setting. Implications: Clinicians and researchers can successfully collaborate to answer clinically informed research questions while considering realistic clinical practice and using research-informed methods and principles. Practice-based research partnerships between researchers and clinicians are both valuable and feasible.
Daratumumab plus CyBorD for patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis: safety run-in results of ANDROMEDA
Authors: Palladini Giovanni , Kastritis Efstathios , Maurer Mathew S. , Zonder Jeffrey , Minnema Monique C. , Wechalekar Ashutosh D. , Jaccard Arnaud , Lee Hans C. , Bumma Naresh , Kaufman Jonathan L. , Medvedova Eva , Kovacsovics Tibor , Rosenzweig Michael , Sanchorawala Vaishali , Qin Xiang , Vasey Sandra Y. , Weiss Brendan M. , Vermeulen Jessica , Merlini Giampaolo , Comenzo Raymond L.
Published: April 2020

Although no therapies are approved for light chain (AL) amyloidosis, cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) is considered standard of care. Based on outcomes of daratumumab in multiple myeloma (MM), the phase 3 ANDROMEDA study (NCT03201965) is evaluating daratumumab-CyBorD vs CyBorD in newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis. We report results of the 28-patient safety run-in. Patients received subcutaneous daratumumab (DARA SC) weekly in cycles 1 to 2, every 2 weeks in cycles 3 to 6, and every 4 weeks thereafter for up to 2 years. CyBorD was given weekly for 6 cycles. Patients had a median of 2 involved organs (kidney, 68%; cardiac, 61%). Patients received a median of 16 (range, 1-23) treatment cycles. Treatment-emergent adverse events were consistent with DARA SC in MM and CyBorD. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 1 patient (grade 1). No grade 5 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred; 5 patients died, including 3 after transplant. Overall hematologic response rate was 96%, with a complete hematologic response in 15 (54%) patients; at least partial response occurred in 20, 22, and 17 patients at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Renal response occurred in 6 of 16, 7 of 15, and 10 of 15 patients, and cardiac response occurred in 6 of 16, 6 of 13, and 8 of 13 patients at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Hepatic response occurred in 2 of 3 patients at 12 months. Daratumumab-CyBorD was well tolerated, with no new safety concerns versus the intravenous formulation, and demonstrated robust hematologic and organ responses. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03201965.
A Group of Complexes Based on PAMAM and Quantum Dots Used in Clinical Immunoassays
Authors: Liu Yang , Hou Lu , Guo Qiong , Zhang Mingjin , Shi Wei
Published: April 2020

We report a group of complexes used in clinical immunoassays. The complexes include a PAMAM-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG and a QDs-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG. When rabbit anti-antigen and mouse anti-antigen are added, the corresponding antigen will be detected. The experiment, using the complexes, is simple, convenient, short in time, and short in steps. It is also applicable to different experiment methods, like to be used with FCM (flow cytometry), ICC (immunocytochemistry), and IHC (immunohistochemistry) to detect many kinds of antigens.
GMO regulations and their interpretation: how EFSA’s guidance on risk assessments of GMOs is bound to fail
Authors: Hilbeck Angelika , Meyer Hartmut , Wynne Brian , Millstone Erik
Published: April 2020

We identify the origins, and key characteristics, of the current regulatory framework for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European Union (EU). We focus on the approach of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to assessing GMO risks to public and environmental health. An historical account informs our critical appraisal of the current practices of EFSA’s GMO panel, and helps to explain how and why it fails to satisfy the objectives of the EU’s GMO legislation. While those legislative texts set appropriate objectives, their concrete implementation has fallen far short of the legislative goals. EFSA’s prevailing approach to GM crop and food risk assessment starts from what it terms a ‘comparative safety assessment’. Those comparisons require the scrutiny of sets of molecular, chemical and phenotypic data from GM plants and non-GM varieties (many of which may be only remotely related to the GM variety). Those data are, however, inadequate for predicting adverse biological, toxicological and ecological effects. EFSA’s ‘comparative safety assessments’ draw over-optimistic conclusions from too little data from too few studies. When GM products are deemed to have passed a ‘comparative safety assessment’, EFSA has interpreted that as grounds for conducting only very narrowly circumscribed risk assessments, which have not required meaningful data from studies of ecological or eco-toxicological impacts. This is a reductionist approach to risk assessment, when a more inclusive and comprehensive approach, which we outline, is scientifically available, and also more likely to meet the specified legislative aims. Instead, however, the reductionist choice is systematically applied, but never justified nor acknowledged as such. Indeed, it is concealed, by EFSA and by its main policy client the European Commission, as if it were only for specialist expert scientific deliberation. Thus, key questions that sound scientific assessments should ask about potential harm are not even posed, let alone answered—or at least, they are ‘answered’ only by default, given that the implicit burden of proof requires harm to be demonstrated. Furthermore, and a key point of this paper, we show how the problematic features of EFSA’s approach have been premised on a set of evaluative policy judgements, rather than purely scientific considerations. Responsibility for selecting how EFSA frames its scientific approach should however lie with European Commission risk managers, and not with EFSA. These problems might have been and could be avoided if explicit commitments entered into by the EU at the Codex Alimentarius Commission were implemented by the European Commission and EFSA were instructed accordingly.