bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Informality: Causes and Consequences for Development
Authors: Ulyssea Gabriel
Published: May 2020

This article reviews the economic literature on informality, its causes, and its consequences for development. It covers a comprehensive body of research that ranges from well-identified experimental studies to equilibrium macro models, and which more recently includes structural models that integrate both micro and macro effects. The results available in the literature indicate that lowering the costs of formality is not an effective policy to reduce informality but may generate positive aggregate effects, such as higher output and total factor productivity (TFP). The most effective formalization policy is to increase enforcement on the extensive margin but not on the intensive margin of informality. The former generates substantial gains in aggregate TFP and output, without necessarily increasing unemployment. However, the overall welfare impacts are likely to depend on the transitional dynamics between steady states, which remains an open area for future research.
The SLC Family Are Candidate Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kang Weiting , Zhang Meng , Wang Qiang , Gu Da , Huang Zhilong , Wang Hanbo , Xiang Yuzhu , Xia Qinghua , Cui Zilian , Jin Xunbo
Published: May 2020

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common lethal subtype of renal cancer, and changes in tumor metabolism play a key role in its development. Solute carriers (SLCs) are important in the transport of small molecules in humans, and defects in SLC transporters can lead to serious diseases. The expression patterns and prognostic values of SLC family transporters in the development of ccRCC are still unclear. The current study analyzed the expression levels of SLC family members and their correlation with prognosis in ccRCC patients with data from Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), cBioPortal, the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We found that the mRNA expression levels of SLC22A6, SLC22A7, SLC22A13, SLC25A4, SLC34A1, and SLC44A4 were significantly lower in ccRCC tissues than in normal tissues and the protein expression levels of SLC22A6, SLC22A7, SLC22A13, and SLC34A1 were also significantly lower. Except for SLC22A7, the expression levels of SLC22A6, SLC22A13, SLC25A4, SLC34A1, and SLC44A4 were correlated with the clinical stage of ccRCC patients. The lower the expression levels of SLC22A6, SLC22A13, SLC25A4, SLC34A1, and SLC44A4 were, the later the clinical stage of ccRCC patients was. Further experiments revealed that the expression levels of SLC22A6, SLC22A7, SLC22A13, SLC25A4, SLC34A1, and SLC44A4 were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) in ccRCC patients. High SLC22A6, SLC22A7, SLC22A13, SLC25A4, SLC34A1, and SLC44A4 expression predicted improved OS and DFS. Finally, GSE53757 and ICGC were used to revalidate the differential expression and clinical prognostic value. This study suggests that SLC22A6, SLC22A7, SLC22A13, SLC25A4, SLC34A1, and SLC44A4 may be potential targets for the clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of ccRCC patients.
The Effects of Age and Cell Isolation on Collagen II Synthesis by Articular Chondrocytes: Evidence for Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Regulation
Authors: Asopa Vipin , Vincent Tonia , Saklatvala Jeremy
Published: May 2020

Adult articular cartilage synthesises very little type II collagen in comparison to young cartilage. The age‐related difference in collagen II synthesis is poorly understood. This is the first systematic investigation of age‐related differences in extracellular matrix synthesis in fresh articular cartilage and following isolation of chondrocytes. A histological comparison of 3‐year‐old skeletally mature and 6‐month‐old juvenile porcine cartilage was made. Differences in collagen II, aggrecan, and Sox5, 6, and 9 mRNA and protein expression and mRNA stability were measured. Adult cartilage was found to be thinner than juvenile cartilage but with similar chondrocyte density. Procollagen α1(II) and Sox9 mRNA levels were 10‐fold and 3‐fold reduced in adult cartilage. Sox9 protein was halved and collagen II protein synthesis was almost undetectable and calculated to be at least 30‐fold reduced. Aggrecan expression did not differ. Isolation of chondrocytes caused a drop in procollagen α1(II) and Sox9 mRNA in both adult and juvenile cells along with a marked reduction in Sox9 mRNA stability. Interestingly, juvenile chondrocytes continued to synthesise collagen II protein with mRNA levels similar to those seen in adult articular cartilage. Age‐related differences in collagen II protein synthesis are due to both transcriptional and posttranscription regulation. A better understanding of these regulatory mechanisms would be an important step in improving current cartilage regeneration techniques.
Heme Oxygenase‐1 Suppresses Wnt Signaling Pathway in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis‐Related Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Du Jinghua , Ren Weiguang , Zhang Qingshan , Fu Na , Han Fang , Cui Po , Li Wencong , Kong Lingbo , Zhao Suxian , Wang Rongqi , Zhang Yuguo , Yang Luting , Kong Li , Nan Yuemin
Published: May 2020

Background and Aim. Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) has been verified to play an important role in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether induction of HO‐1 reverses steatofibrosis via suppression of the Wnt signaling pathway and to explore the potential mechanism of HO‐1 on NASH‐related liver fibrosis. Methods. Mice were fed with a methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diet for 8 weeks to induce steatohepatitis‐related liver fibrosis and were treated with HO‐1 inducer Hemin and inhibitor ZnPP. Mouse sera were collected for the biochemical analysis, and livers were obtained for further histological observation and gene expression analysis. HSC‐T6 cells were cultured for the in vitro study and were administrated with Hemin and si‐HO‐1 to induce or inhibit the expression of HO‐1. qPCR and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein levels of genes. Results. MCD‐fed mice developed marked macrovesicular steatosis, focal necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration and pericellular fibrosis in liver sections. Administration of Hemin could significantly ameliorate the severity of steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis and also could decrease the serum ALT and AST. We demonstrated that HO‐1 induction was able to downregulate the key regulator of the canonical Wnt pathway Wnt1 and the noncanonical Wnt pathway Wnt5a. The downstream factors of the Wnt pathway β‐catenin and NFAT5 were inhibited by Hemin, but GSK‐3β was upregulated compared to the MCD group, which were consistent with the in vitro study. Hemin markedly inhibited the TGF‐β1/Smad signaling pathway in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that HO‐1 inhibited the activation of canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways in NASH‐related liver fibrosis. Thus, these results may suggest a new therapeutic strategy for NASH‐related liver fibrosis.
Experimental Study on the Effect of CO2 on Phase Behavior Characteristics of Condensate Gas Reservoir
Authors: Hou Dali , Jia Ying , Shi Yunqing , Zhao Rui , Tang Hongming , Sun Lei
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the DBR all-visible mercury-free high-temperature and high-pressure multifunctional formation fluid PVT analyzer developed and produced by Schlumberger company is used to conduct an experimental study on phase behavior characteristics of one offshore high CO2 condensate gas wells. The experiments include two-phase flash experiment, constant composition expansion experiment (CCE experiment), and constant volume depletion experiment (CVD experiment). Experimental results show that the higher the CO2 content in the condensate gas system, the higher the gas-oil ratio of condensate gas, the greater the density of condensate oil, the higher the dew point pressure of condensate gas, the greater the relative volume of condensate gas, the smaller the amount of retrograde condensate oil. And the higher the CO2 content in the condensate gas system, the phase diagram is shifted to the left and up, the critical point of the phase diagram is shifted to the lower left, the smaller the area of the two-phase envelope, the lighter the condensate gas system, the condensate oil recovery is higher. The above experimental results revealed that CO2 is well soluble with condensate gas, the expansion capacity of the condensate gas system was slightly enhanced, and because CO2 has a good extraction capacity, the light components of condensate gas were constantly extracted, the retrograde condensate rate of condensate oil decreases, and the maximum retrograde condensate volume also decreased. However, the condensate oil was produced along with the natural gas, and the higher the CO2 content, the stronger the extraction, the more condensate oil was produced. It is mainly because CO2 has the strong gasification and extraction capacity, on the one hand, the retrograde condensation of condensate gas was inhibited, and on the other hand, reverse evaporation of condensate oil was enhanced. The above experimental results indicate the law of the effect of CO2 on the phase behavior characteristics of condensate gas reservoirs, providing theoretical basis and guidance for the efficient development of condensate gas reservoirs at sea.
Extensively Drug‐Resistant (XDR) Typhoid: Evolution, Prevention, and Its Management
Authors: Akram Javed , Khan Arsalan Shamim , Khan Hassan Ahmed , Gilani Syed Amir , Akram Shehla Javed , Ahmad Fridoon Jawad , Mehboob Riffat
Published: May 2020

Typhoid fever is the result of a human host‐restricted Salmonella enteric serotype typhi infection that causes enteric fever. Around 21 million people contract typhoid annually, with Pakistan’s inhabitants at most risk amongst Asian countries where typhoid remains prevalent. Decades of indiscriminate antibiotic usage has driven the evolution of multidrug‐resistant strains and more recently, extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) strains of Salmonella enteric serotype typhi. Current reports of extensively drug‐resistant typhoid fever outbreak in Pakistan are not only a major concern for Pakistan but also for health authorities worldwide: intercontinental transmission, spread, and replacement of native strains in neighboring countries and a major impediment to Pakistani health care management. The WHO records that there are 5274 cases of extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) typhoid fever out of a total of 8188 total cases of typhoid fever reported in Pakistan. The last remaining feasible oral antibiotic that XDR typhoid remains susceptible to is azithromycin; this is a cause of major concern. Additionally, several cases of XDR typhoid fever have also been reported in patients travelling from Pakistan to the USA, UK, and Canada. This review article attempts to raise the issue of XDR typhoid with respect to its epidemiology, prevention, management, and future outlook and stresses a better understanding of antimicrobial stewardship and general surveillance of the disease. Although progress is being made to combat XDR typhoid locally, efficient, unified efforts on a national and international scale are required to contain the XDR outbreak before it is no longer manageable and leads us back to the preantibiotic era.
In Vivo Suppression of Autophagy via Lentiviral shRNA Targeting Atg5 Improves Lupus‐Like Syndrome
Authors: Liu Chi-Jui , Tang Shye-Jye , Chou Chun-Che , Sun Guang-Huan , Sun Kuang-Hui
Published: May 2020

In both mouse models and clinical patients with lupus, autophagy levels were significantly elevated and correlated with disease activity. Furthermore, autophagy can promote the survival of B and T cells, plasma cell differentiation, and antibody production. These results suggest that autophagy may promote the progression of lupus by regulating the survival of autoreactive immune cells. Therefore, we aimed at studying whether suppressing autophagy can modulate lupus progression in vivo. First, we found that the autophagy levels in splenocytes and lymphocytes of peripheral blood (PB) were elevated and positively correlated with disease severity in lupus‐prone mice. The shAtg5‐lentivirus, which effectively inhibits autophagy in vitro, was then injected into the lupus‐prone mice. Autophagy levels in lymph node cells and PB lymphocytes were reduced following Atg5 suppression. We also found that lymphadenopathy and the numbers of plasma cells, CD4-CD8-, and CD4+ T cells decreased in mice treated with the shAtg5‐lentivirus. The mice treated with shAtg5‐lentivirus exhibited lower levels of proteinuria, serum anti‐dsDNA antibody, B‐cell activating factor (BAFF), and glomerular immune complex deposition. Therefore, targeting autophagy to moderate overactivated autophagy in immune cells seems to be a novel strategy for combination therapy of lupus.
Effects of Statins on Lipid Profile of Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Huang Xiu , Jia Yong , Zhu Xiaoyu , Zhang Yangyang , Jiang Lili , Wei Xuejiao , Zhao Dan , Zhao Xiaoxia , Du Yujun
Published: May 2020

Objective. To assess the benefits of statins on lipid profile in kidney transplant recipients via a meta‐analysis. Methods. We systematically identified peer‐reviewed clinical trials, review articles, and treatment guidelines from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), SinoMed (CBM), and Chongqing VIP databases from inception to April 2019. In the analysis, only randomized controlled clinical trials performed in human were included. Results. Eight articles were included in the analysis, involving 335 kidney transplant recipients who received statins and 350 kidney transplant patients as the control group. Results revealed that statins improved the lipid profile of kidney transplant recipients. Specifically, statin therapy significantly reduced total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, it had no effects on high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Conclusions. The present study provides valuable knowledge on the potential benefits of statins in kidney transplant recipients. This meta‐analysis shows that statin therapy modifies the lipid profile in this patient population.
Effects of Cardiac Sympathetic Neurodegeneration and PPARγ Activation on Rhesus Macaque Whole Blood miRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles
Authors: Metzger Jeanette M. , Lopez Mary S. , Schmidt Jenna K. , Murphy Megan E. , Vemuganti Raghu , Emborg Marina E.
Published: May 2020

Degeneration of sympathetic innervation of the heart occurs in numerous diseases, including diabetes, idiopathic REM sleep disorder, and Parkinson’s disease (PD). In PD, cardiac sympathetic denervation occurs in 80‐90% of patients and can begin before the onset of motor symptoms. Today, there are no disease‐modifying therapies for cardiac sympathetic neurodegeneration, and biomarkers are limited to radioimaging techniques. Analysis of expression levels of coding mRNA and noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), can uncover pathways involved in disease, leading to the discovery of biomarkers, pathological mechanisms, and potential drug targets. Whole blood in particular is a clinically relevant source of biomarkers, as blood sampling is inexpensive and simple to perform. Our research group has previously developed a nonhuman primate model of cardiac sympathetic denervation by intravenous administration of the catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA). In this rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) model, imaging with positron emission tomography showed that oral administration of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist pioglitazone (n = 5; 5 mg/kg daily) significantly decreased cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress compared to placebo (n = 5). Here, we report our analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression levels over time in the whole blood of these monkeys. Differential expression of three miRNAs was induced by 6‐OHDA (mml‐miR‐16‐2‐3p, mml‐miR‐133d‐3p, and mml‐miR‐1262‐5p) and two miRNAs by pioglitazone (mml‐miR‐204‐5p and mml‐miR‐146b‐5p) at 12 weeks posttoxin, while expression of mRNAs involved in inflammatory cytokines and receptors was not significantly affected. Overall, this study contributes to the characterization of rhesus coding and noncoding RNA profiles in normal and disease‐like conditions, which may facilitate the identification and clinical translation of biomarkers of cardiac neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.
Suárez on the Unity of Material Substances
Authors: Perler Dominik
Published: May 2020

Many late medieval Aristotelians assumed that a natural substance has several substantial forms in addition to matter as really distinct parts. This assumption gave rise to a unity problem: why is a substance more than a conglomeration of all these parts? This paper discusses Francisco Suárez’s answer. It first shows that he rejected the idea that there is a plurality of forms, emphasizing instead that each substance has a single form and hence a single structuring principle. It then examines his account of the relationship between matter and form. While accepting the thesis that these two parts are really distinct entities, he claimed that there is a special “mode of union” that binds them together. With this account, he defended the essential unity of a natural substance, but he transformed the program of Aristotelian metaphysics: not substances, but entities and modes inside them, are now the basic building blocks of reality.
Kenelm Digby on Quantity as Divisibility
Authors: Pécharman Martine
Published: May 2020

Kenelm Digby’s Two Treatises, of the Nature of Bodies and of the Nature of Mans Soule (1644) defends quite an idiosyncratic approach to mind-body dualism. In his use of the divisibility argument to prove that the human soul cannot be a material substance, Digby takes an uncompromising stand for merely potential material parts. In his Treatise of Bodies the present article focuses on the mode of construction of the definition of quantity as divisibility and on its links to two distinct fundamental arguments against the actual material parts doctrine. The first, positive, argument consists of a semantic reason drawn from Digby’s general doctrine of meaning, whereas the second, negative, argument, addresses the traditional question of the composition of the continuum. The latter, the author contends, does not build on the medieval controversy itself, but on Digby’s opposition to Galileo’s claim of indivisibilism in his Dialogues Concerning Two Sciences (1638).
Sigmolenchus sinuosus n. gen., n. sp. (Tylenchidae: Ecphyadophorinae), a new member of the family
Authors: Gharahkhani Azadeh , Pourjam Ebrahim , Abolafia Joaquín , Castillo Pablo , Pedram Majid
Published: May 2020

Sigmolenchus n. gen., is proposed as a new member of the Tylenchidae. The new genus is proposed based upon light and scanning electron microscopic (LM and SEM) observations and phylogenetic analyses based upon small, large and internal transcribed spacer sequences of ribosomal DNA (SSU, LSU D2-D3, ITS rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI mtDNA) sequences. It is characterised partly by its slender body, but mainly by having a dorso-ventrally flattened, smooth and elevated cephalic region, unique elongate sinuous amphidial openings, each appearing as a wavy slit with three peaks, originating from the vicinity of the labial plate, extending posteriorly and reaching and passing the first body annulus, and a spacious amphidial fovea. It has an anteriorly rounded outline under LM, knobbed stylet, its conus comprising about one-third of the total length, lateral field with a single band, metacorpus with a distinct valve, vulva with small lateral flaps, and males common with tylenchoidiform spicules. The new genus is morphologically compared with seven tylenchid genera, viz., Chilenchus, Ecphyadophoroides, Filenchus, Labrys, Lelenchus, Sakia, and Tenunemellus, mainly by having small slender body and dorso-ventrally flat cephalic region, and is placed under the subfamily Ecphyadophorinae because of its slender body, elevated smooth cephalic region, long amphidial openings and spacious amphidial fovea. It was recovered from marine muddy sediments taken 2 m deep in mangrove forests off southern Iran. Currently S. sinuosus n. gen., n. sp. is monotypic. In SSU phylogeny, the new genus formed an unsupported sister relationship with Filenchus discrepans, and in LSU phylogeny it occupied a placement inside a major clade including several Tylenchinae genera.
Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant to study host-Meloidogyne graminicola interactions
Authors: Huang Qiuling , Song Handa , Lin Borong , Zheng Xiaodan , Wang Wenjun , Liao Jinling , Zhuo Kan
Published: May 2020

The use of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant increased the rate of molecular discoveries of plant-pathogen interactions. Although Meloidogyne graminicola has a relatively broad host range, it is not known whether it can infect A. thaliana. In this study, we showed that M. graminicola is able to invade A. thaliana and complete its life cycle 12-14 days after invasion. No significant difference in the total number of nematodes inside roots of A. thaliana and rice, Oryza sativa, was found at 14 day after inoculation (dai). Significantly more galls were formed in A. thaliana roots compared to the numbers in O. sativa roots at 14 dai. Females laid egg masses on the A. thaliana root surface and a large number of hatched juveniles of the next generation were obtained from infected A. thaliana roots. In addition, the infection of M. graminicola can induce expression of A. thaliana basal defence genes, such as AtMYB51, AtWRKY11, AtPR1 and AtFRK1, at 24 h after inoculation. Therefore, A. thaliana can be considered as a suitable host to study host-M. graminicola interactions and to understand the molecular mechanisms developed by M. graminicola to infect its dicotyledonous host plants. In addition, our results also showed that a delayed development of M. graminicola occurred in A. thaliana compared to O. sativa, and a higher proportion of empty galls appeared in A. thaliana roots than in O. sativa roots, suggesting A. thaliana is a less optimal host than rice.
Effects of resource manipulation on nematode community structure and metabolic footprints in an arable soil across time and depth
Authors: Ewald Martin , Glavatska Olena , Ruess Liliane
Published: May 2020

In an arable field the herbivore and detritivore soil food chains were manipulated by the following treatments: maize as crop, amendment with maize litter and bare soil, representing labile rhizodeposits, recalcitrant plant debris and soil organic matter as major resource, respectively. Samples from top soil, rooted zone and root-free zone were collected in two consecutive years. The impact of these differences in resource availability and quality on the nematode community composition, Maturity Index (MI), diversity () and metabolic footprints was assessed. Plant feeders were fostered by the presence of maize and fungal feeders by litter amendment. Correspondingly, non-parametric multidimensional scaling showed that nematode community structure was most different between plant and litter plots, while bare soil was nested in-between. This indicates that resource depletion under bare soil did not result in distinctly different nematode assemblages. The MI was low and similar across treatments and depths, reflecting soil disturbance by arable management. Nematode diversity was highest under the crop in the second year, which mirrors the general positive impact of plants on belowground processes. However, the composite footprint showed that the removal of plants from the system had an overall low impact on the metabolic response of the nematode community. Taken together, this indicates a considerable resilience of the soil food web to the disruption of both the root and detrital carbon channel over at least two vegetation periods.
Privacy and the Importance of ‘Getting Away With It’
Authors: Gaukroger Cressida
Published: May 2020

One reason people value privacy is that it allows them to do or think bad things – things that, if made public, would warrant blame, censure, or punishment. Privacy protects several types of freedom – and one of these is the freedom to be bad. This paper will argue that this is a good thing.
The History and Provenance of the Unique Dustūr al-munaǧǧimīn Manuscript, BnF Arabe 5968
Authors: Liebrenz Boris
Published: May 2020

This article offers a re-assessment for the history of a unicum text, the Dustūr al-munaǧǧimīn, preserved in the manuscript Paris, BnF Arabe 5968. Based on a re-reading of the manuscript notes found therein, previous misreadings are corrected and the book’s trajectory is sketched through owners in Damascus, Bursa, and Istanbul. The article offers methodological suggestions for those interested in incorporating manuscript notes into their research and asks what tools are needed for the field to achieve much-needed cooperation and exchange of data.
Exegesis and Encounter
Authors: Oltvai Kristóf
Published: May 2020

Though the problem of conceptual idolatry has captivated contemporary scholarship on the relationship between philosophy and theology, these discussions’ doctrinal consequences remain underdeveloped. I intervene in these debates by engaging and elucidating Martin Luther’s critique of scholastic metaphysics, a critique which foregrounds ontotheology’s spiritual and ecclesial detriments. Luther’s reforming works, from his pivotal 1525 De servo arbitrio to his last major project, the 1545 Genesis commentaries, reveal how a metaphysical theology based on natural reason leads to Pelagianism by generalizing faith to a rational conceptual norm, the moral Law. Returning, however, to Scripture’s “grammar” – which, when read plainly (simpliciter), deconstructs natural reason’s vanity – allows us to encounter Christ ‘in person’ rather than in the concept. Luther thus suggests sola scriptura as a method for resisting ontotheology, but with dramatic dogmatic consequences, such as justification by faith alone. These consequences complicate modernity’s, and especially modern philosophy’s, theological origins and implications.
Between the Flesh and the Lived Body
Authors: Pappas Jack Louis
Published: May 2020

This paper will discuss how the theological turn within phenomenology has contributed to the further development of discussions concerning Husserl’s distinction between the lived body (Leib) of the “flesh” and the extrinsically manifest “seen” body (Körper) by re-appropriating Christianity’s emphasis upon incarnation, as exemplified in the work of Michel Henry and Emmanuel Falque. For Henry, an additional “reduction to the flesh” must be enacted in order to overcome the dualistic opposition between “phenomenal body” on the one hand, and the living medium of flesh on the other, for the sake of returning to the original givenness of life. Yet, Falque criticizes Henry’s position as a kind of monism, just as problematic as the very dichotomy which it aims to criticize. Falque argues instead that the flesh must always be incorporated, “given back” to the body as a unity, possessing not only affect and life, but also solidity and visibility.
Specialist paediatric palliative care for children and young people with cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Taylor Johanna , Booth Alison , Beresford Bryony , Phillips Bob , Wright Kath , Fraser Lorna
Published: May 2020

Background:

Specialist paediatric palliative care services are promoted as an important component of palliative care provision, but there is uncertainty about their role for children with cancer.

Aim:

To examine the impact of specialist paediatric palliative care for children and young people with cancer and explore factors affecting access.

Design:

A mixed-methods systematic review and narrative synthesis (PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42017064874).

Data sources:

Database (CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) searches (2000–2019) identified primary studies of any design exploring the impact of and/or factors affecting access to specialist paediatric palliative care. Study quality was assessed using The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results:

An evidence base of mainly low- and moderate-quality studies ( n = 42) shows that accessing specialist paediatric palliative care is associated with less intensive care at the end of life, more advance care planning and fewer in-hospital deaths. Current evidence cannot tell us whether these services improve children’s symptom burden or quality of life. Nine studies reporting provider or family views identified uncertainties about what specialist paediatric palliative care offers, concerns about involving a new team, association of palliative care with end of life and indecision about when to introduce palliative care as important barriers to access. There was evidence that children with haematological malignancies are less likely to access these services.

Conclusion:

Current evidence suggests that children and young people with cancer receiving specialist palliative care are cared for differently. However, little is understood about children’s views, and research is needed to determine whether specialist input improves quality of life.
Transformative Learning in Theory and Practice
Authors: Hoggan Chad , Kloubert Tetyana
Published: May 2020

This is a response to “The Ethical Knower: Rethinking Our Pedagogy in the Age of Trump” by Elana Michelson. We appreciate Michelson’s critical evaluation of the appropriateness of transformative learning and the use of personal narrative, as well as the frames and tools she offers to help us deal with current challenges such as “epistemological chaos” in the “age of Trump.” Michelson’s distinction between epistemological and hermeneutic analysis, as well as her conception of meaning perspectives as social/cultural foundations of identity, are helpful insights. The educational practices she finds disturbing are indeed ineffective approaches to teaching, and we are inspired by her invitation directed to “us as a community to struggle toward a more honest assessment of how our field might better respond to the phenomena that led to the age of Trump.” In this response, we talk further about some points made in Michelson’s article, elaborating on several issues and offering alternative perspectives that we believe may be productive paths forward. We do this in three parts, by (a) engaging in a critique of some of Michelson’s statements and positions, (b) elaborating on the conceptions of transformative learning in practice, and (c) expanding on the discussion of epistemological and hermeneutic analysis.
A fuzzy approach to determine process quality for one-sided specification with imprecise data
Authors: Chen Kuen-Suan , Chang Tsang-Chuan
Published: May 2020

Process quality is a crucial determinant of client satisfaction and affects a product’s value; therefore, maintaining quality control is a vital aspect of corporate sustainability and development. Many researchers have developed evaluation models for process quality. The majority of such research assumes that collected measurement data are precise, but fuzziness and stochastic uncertainty are unavoidable features of any collected data. When the measurements of a quality characteristic are insufficiently precise, a crisp-based approach is not suitable for the assessment of process quality. This study endeavored to use one-sided Six Sigma quality indices as measurement tools to accurately reflect process yield and quality levels. Taking Buckley’s approach into consideration, we extend the crisp estimators from the indices into fuzzy estimators. We then develop a fuzzy hypothesis testing method for one-sided Six Sigma quality indices, with the intent of increasing reliability of evaluation for process quality levels. Finally, we present a real-world case to illustrate implementation of the proposed approach, demonstrating its effectiveness and practical applicability.
Book review: Plays of Urban Flux Elisa T. Bertuzzo, Archipelagos: From Urbanisation to Translocalisation
Authors: Khanolkar Prasad
Published: May 2020

Elisa T. Bertuzzo, Archipelagos: From Urbanisation to Translocalisation. Berlin: Kadmos, 2019, 321 pp, €24,90.
Exploring Gender Disparity in Nutritional Status and Dietary Intake of Adolescents in Uttarkashi
Authors: Kaur Maninder , Kaur Raminder , Walia Priyanka
Published: May 2020

Adolescence is considered to be a nutritionally vulnerable period of life. The current cross-sectional study attempts to assess gender-based differences in nutritional status and dietary intake of a sample of 240 adolescents from Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand. The data were collected across two schools (Kendriya Vidyalaya, Manera, and Alpine Public School) of Uttarkashi. The nutritional status of each subject was evaluated by using two anthropometric indices, that is, weight-for-age and height-for-age, and derived indices expressed as z-scores by using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference data. Dietary intake was ascertained by employing 24-h dietary intake for 3 consecutive days. The results show an increasing trend of mean height and weight of adolescent boys and girls with advancing age. Gender wise, however, boys had higher prevalence of underweight than girls, whereas girls were slightly more stunted compared to boys. The dietary intake of energy, iron, calcium and protein was significantly higher in boys than their female counterparts. Despite an advantage in terms of dietary intake, an enhanced prevalence of underweight among boys may be attributed to difference in physical activity between both sexes, owing to gendered cultural setting.
Interprofessional Practice and Education Through 100 Years of Families in Society
Authors: Kennedy Teri
Published: May 2020

This article explores 100 years of interprofessional practice and education (IPE) through the archives of Families and Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services. A journal-specific archival and systematic review employing quantitative and qualitative methods identifies early references to, and frequency of, terms and meanings associated with IPE; examines meanings associated with terms describing interprofessional interactions; and explores related contexts, settings, and populations served. Articles were searched using key terms from two scoping IPE reviews and narrowed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. An Excel© spreadsheet was prepared using descriptive, qualitative, and coded items. Findings revealed early references to IPE-related concepts, an expanded list of classifications and descriptions of interprofessional interactions, and an extensive list of practice settings and populations served through IPE-related activities. Implications for social work education, practice, policy, and research are addressed.
Examining the Criterion Validity and Diagnostic Specificity of Self-Report Measures of Narcissism and Mania
Authors: Watson David , Ellickson-Larew Stephanie , Stanton Kasey , Levin-Aspenson Holly F. , Khoo Shereen
Published: May 2020

We examined the validity of self-report measures of narcissism and mania by relating them to interview-based ratings of psychopathology. Narcissism scales were taken from the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire–4+, and the Short Dark Triad. Mania measures included the Altman Self-Rated Mania Scale (ASRM) and scales taken from the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS) and Expanded Version of the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms. Our analyses addressed two key issues. The first issue was whether these scales demonstrated significant criterion validity (e.g., whether the HPS scales correlated significantly with interview ratings of mania). The second issue was whether they displayed specificity to their target constructs (e.g., whether the NPI scales correlated more strongly with ratings of narcissistic personality disorder than with other forms of psychopathology). All of the narcissism scales—including all three NPI subscales—correlated significantly with interview ratings of narcissistic personality disorder and showed considerable evidence of diagnostic specificity. Most of the mania scales also displayed good criterion validity and diagnostic specificity. However, two measures—the ASRM and the HPS Social Vitality subscale—had weak, nonsignificant associations with interview ratings of manic episodes; these findings raise concerns regarding their validity as specific indicators of mania.
Measuring Within-Session and Between-Session Compliance in Hoarding Disorder: A Preliminary Investigation of the Psychometric Properties of the CBT Compliance Measure (CCM) and Patient Exposure/Response Prevention Adherence Scale for Hoarding (PEAS-H)
Authors: Wootton Bethany M. , Bragdon Laura B. , Worden Blaise L. , Diefenbach Gretchen J. , Stevens Michael C. , Tolin David F.
Published: May 2020

Hoarding disorder (HD) is a new psychiatric diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth edition and preliminary evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioral treatments are effective in treating this condition. However, it has been demonstrated that individuals with HD generally display poor compliance during treatment, which may lead to poor outcomes. Treatment compliance can be conceptualized as either within-session or between-session compliance, but currently there are no validated measures of within-session or between-session compliance specifically for HD. The aim of this study was to provide an initial validation of the CBT Compliance Measure and the Patient Exposure/Response Prevention Adherence Scale for Hoarding in a sample of participants with HD who were undergoing group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for HD ( N = 70). Both measures, which were administered at each relevant treatment session, demonstrated a unidimensional structure, good reliability, as well as predictive validity, and are thus promising in the measurement of within-session and between-session compliance with CBT for HD.
A Dynamic Game Theory Model For Tourism Supply Chains
Authors: Keskin Kerim , Ucal Meltem
Published: May 2020

This article contributes to the game-theoretic analysis of tourism supply chains. We start with a baseline model including three types of agents: (a) one theme park, (b) multiple accommodation providers, and (c) multiple tour operators. We investigate the strategic dynamics (i.e., collaboration and competition) embedded in a market with two different tourism supply chains, and then we extend our model to an infinite-horizon repeated game arguing that agents would face the same decision problem in each week of every holiday season in each year. We show how agents in a tourism supply chain end up with higher profits in any given period of a repeated game compared with their profits in the static version of the game.
Wave motion over stratified porous absorber combined with seaward vertical barrier
Authors: Venkateswarlu Valliboina , Karmakar Debabrata
Published: May 2020

The oblique wave reflection by horizontally stratified porous absorber having two horizontal porous bars of different porosities and friction factors placed on step-type bottom is studied using eigenfunction expansion method based on linearised wave theory. The present study examines several structural configurations such as porous absorber consisting of finite and semi-infinite thickness with/without seaward vertical barrier. The present study derived the direct analytical relations to determine wave reflection by each of the structural configuration for plane-wave assumption using potential flow theory. Initially, the porous absorber considering uniform porosity and friction factor is examined and validated with available numerical results, and the direct analytical relations are also validated with available relations of possible structural configurations. In addition, the present study reported wave reflection performance of submerged single-layer and double-layer porous absorbers with/without seaward vertical barrier. The effect of bottom rigid bar, surface porous bar, middle porous bar depth, multiple porosities, friction factors, incident wave angle and porous effect parameter on wave reflection coefficient is presented in detail for various structural configurations. The significance of seaward vertical barrier on wave reflection and wave trapping is reported. The point of wave trapping, critical angle of impinging, resonating peaks and troughs due to various structural configurations are presented against structural thickness.
Research on the proportional-integral-derivative synchronous control method of the marine spherical isolation plug in the rotation process
Authors: Wang Wenming , Guo Jianqiang , Fan Jinchao , Zhang Shimin , Zhu Xiaoxiao , Wang Caidong
Published: May 2020

The emergency pipeline repair technology is crucial to the maintenance and safety of pipelines under the emergency condition. In the offshore industry, the marine spherical isolation plug, a novel active plug device, is a significant emergency repair equipment of the hot tapping and line stop operation. In this article, the structure scheme and operation process of the marine spherical isolation plug are designed. A mathematic model is extracted from the proposed structure, and then the coordinates of the center of the spherical plug head is calculated using the D–H method. The displacements of the inserting hydraulic cylinder and the rotation hydraulic cylinder are investigated to provide the remote control data for the upper computer controller during the torsion process of the plug head. Moreover, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) synchronous control method simulated by MATLAB is presented to reduce the rotation error of the plug head. To discuss the control strategy, a numerical model using ADAMS software is built. The results show that the error of the PID synchronous control method is more precise than that of the signal step-by-step control method; the number of steps of 90 is recommended in the actual operation. This article will provide theoretical guidance for the optimization design of the marine spherical isolation plug system.
Self-Interested and Altruistic Motivations in Volunteering for Clinical Trials: A More Complex Relationship
Authors: Olsen Lauren , DePalma Lindsay , Evans John H.
Published: May 2020

Empirical studies have found that altruism and self-interest are the two primary motivations for enrollment in clinical trials. Some studies have shown that in some cases these two motivations are contingent upon each other, which complicates our understanding of motivation. In this study, we interviewed 27 people with Parkinson’s disease about their willingness to enroll in a hypothetical clinical trial. Through inductive, grounded theory analysis of the interview transcripts, we find four different contingent relationships between altruism and self-interest. It is important for ethicists to be aware of these more complex motivations because some are ethically problematic and others not. Moreover, practitioners need to be aware of these contingent relationships so that they can understand the motivations of the research participants.
Nanoparticle shape effect on the thermal behaviour of moving longitudinal porous fin
Authors: Gireesha BJ , Sowmya G , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy
Published: May 2020

A numerical examination of nanoliquid flow over a longitudinal porous fin moving with constant speed is undertaken in the current study. Nickel alloy is used as a nanoparticle, and engineered fluid [Formula: see text] is used as a based fluid. In addition, various shapes of nanoparticles like sphere, disc and needle shapes are considered. The generated ordinary differential equation has been nondimensionalized and integrated by using the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method. The influence of suitable parameters on the enhancement of heat transfer has been discussed with the help of plotted graphs. Also, the influence of diverse shaped nanoparticle is analysed mathematically. It is found that sphere shaped nanoparticles show better transfer of heat than the disc and needle shapes.
Validation of RESP and PRESERVE score for ARDS patients with pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (pECLA)
Authors: Petran Jan , Muelly Thorsten , Dembinski Rolf , Steuer Niklas , Arens Jutta , Marx Gernot , Kopp Ruedger
Published: May 2020

Background

RESP score and PRESERVE score have been validated for veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in severe ARDS to assume individual mortality risk. ARDS patients with low-flow Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal, especially pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist, have also a high mortality rate, but there are no validated specific or general outcome scores. This retrospective study tested whether these established specific risk scores can be validated for pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist in ARDS patients in comparison to a general organ dysfunction score, the SOFA score.

Methods

In a retrospective single center cohort study we calculated and evaluated RESP, PRESERVE, and SOFA score for 73 ARDS patients with pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist treated between 2002 and 2016 using the XENIOS iLA Membrane Ventilator. Six patients had a mild, 40 a moderate and 27 a severe ARDS according to the Berlin criteria. Demographic data and hospital mortality as well as ventilator settings, hemodynamic parameters, and blood gas measurement before and during extracorporeal therapy were recorded.

Results

Pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist of mechanical ventilated ARDS patients resulted in an optimized lung protective ventilation, significant reduction of PaCO2, and compensation of acidosis. Scoring showed a mean score of alive versus deceased patients of 3 ± 1 versus − 1 ± 1 for RESP (p < 0.01), 3 ± 0 versus 6 ± 0 for PRESERVE (p < 0.05) and 8 ± 1 versus 10 ± 1 for SOFA (p < 0.05). Using receiver operating characteristic curves, area under the curve (AUC) was 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.89, p < 0.01) for RESP score, 0.80 (95% CI 0.70–0.90, p < 0.0001) for PRESERVE score and 0.66 (95% CI 0.53–0.79, p < 0.05) for SOFA score.

Conclusions

RESP and PRESERVE scores were superior to SOFA, as non-specific critical care score. Although scores were developed for veno-venous ECMO, we could validate RESP and PRESERVE score for pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist. In conclusion, RESP and PRESERVE score are suitable to estimate mortality risk of ARDS patients with an arterio-venous pumpless Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal.