bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Music Recommendation System Based on Facial Emotion Recognition
Authors: Visnu Dharsini S. , Balaji B. , Kirubha Hari K. S. , Sridharshini
Published: May 2020

Face recognition technology has widely attracted attention due to its enormous application value and market potential. It is being implemented in various fields like security system, digital video processing and many such technological advances. Additionally, music is the form of art,
which is known to have a greater connection with a person’s emotion. It has got an unique ability to lift up one’s mood. Relatively, this paper focuses on building an efficient music recommendation system which determines the emotion of user using Facial Recognition techniques.
The algorithm implemented would prove to be more proficient than the existing systems. Moreover, on a larger dimension, this would render salvage of time and labor invested in performing the process manually. The overall concept of the system is to recognize facial emotion and recommend songs
efficiently. The proposed system will be both time and cost efficient.
Mining Frequent Utility Sequential Patterns in Progressive Databases by U-Pisa
Authors: Madan Kumar K. M. V. , Srinivasa Rao B.
Published: May 2020

Sequential pattern mining is one of the most important aspects of data mining world and has a significant role in many applications like market analysis, biomedical analysis, weather forecasting etc. In the category of mining sequential patterns the usage of progressive database as
an input database is relatively new and has a wide impact in decision-making system. In progressive sequential pattern mining, we discover the frequent sequences progressively with the help of period of Interest. As the traditional approaches of frequency based framework are not much more
informative for decision making, in recent effort utility framework has been incorporated instead of frequency. This addressed many typical business concerns such as profit value associated with each pattern. In this paper, we applied the concept of frequent utility over the progressive database
and discovered the sequential pattern efficiently. To do so we proposed an algorithm called U-Pisa which works progressively with the help of a quantitative progressive database. We conducted sub-stantial experiments on the proposed algorithm and proved that this process performs well.
Low Cost Internet of Things Based Remote Monitoring System and ECG Analysis
Authors: Jobin Christ M. C. , Lakshmi Narayanan A. , Jothiraj S.
Published: May 2020

This paper explains an IoT controlled remote monitoring system. For the implementation of this system, Raspberry Pi is used. Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized single board computer, which has ARM11 microprocessor. A system is developed to continuously monitor the Electrocardiogram
(ECG) and other vital parameters. The measured data is stored in a database and it can be displayed in a website that can be accessed only by authorized personnel like physicians, caretakers, etc. The primary objective of this setup is to update the data to the database and alert the physicians
for any aberrancy. MySQLdb module is used to link Raspberry pi to the database. Alert message is sent by the combination of Raspberry Pi and GSM module. This system has more future scope as the data gathered by monitoring is very much important and can be used for scientific research by the
medical community. By determining the patterns in the parameters observed, the nature of arrhythmias can be predicted. The paper mainly focuses on the system design and the algorithm used to accomplish the task.
Wide-Band Linear Tapered Slot Antenna with High Gain for Sub 6 GHz Wireless Communication
Authors: Birundha R. , Ramesh S.
Published: May 2020

The exponential rise in wireless data demand and usage is creating a significant burden on existing networks. Fortunately there is an alternative to switch the focus to sub-6 GHz spectrum to meet out the demand. This band is extremely effective at delivering fixed wireless services
at long distances. They meet the needs of wide area coverage and data rates of up to a few Gbps. The spectrum around 3.5 GHz is attractive for 5G because it is available globally and offers a high amount of spectrum, potentially more bandwidth. The proposed work is to design, develop and characterize
linear tapered slot antenna (LTSA) for effective sub mm-wave communication in the spectrum around 3.5 GHz. The performance characteristics of LTSAs include Wideband, medium gain and low side lobes. From CST simulation the peak gain achieved is 9.92 dBi and average VSWR value obtained is 1.22.
Global Spare Blocks for Repair of Clustered Fault Cells in Embedded Memories
Authors: Seshagiri Rao V. R. , Asha Rani M.
Published: May 2020

Spare full rows and columns are used in conventional memories to take care of any bad cells in memories. But this is not efficient as many chips do not become usable. Alternatively the spare redundant rows and redundant columns are bifurcated into blocks and block level repair can be
attempted. A novel global feature is added to the spare blocks which enables the spare row (column) block to be used anywhere in the memory array. This memory hardware architecture can easily interface with embedded memory cores. A new algorithm, Essential Most Spare Pivoting (EMSP) is proposed
which can be easily implemented in built-in configuration. The overhead area proposed in this paper is very less. The chip yield, reliability and repair rate are likely to improve significantly as per the simulation results.
Analysis of Automatic Generation Control for Three Area Renewable Energy Interconnected Power System
Authors: Soorya Priya G. , Sivakumar P.
Published: May 2020

In recent days renewable energy plays a vital role in the world electrical energy in the form of standalone and grid connected. Grid connected renewable energy power systems are widely preferred because the energy storage devices are not essential for this power system. Maintaining
frequency in an interconnected power system plays a significant role in quality of power. Automatic generation control plays a crucial role in maintaining power quality in an interconnected power system. In this paper, automatic generation control is analyzed for grid connected Solar power
system and wind power system are interconnected with the conventional hydro thermal power system. The proposed system is analyzed using Matlab.
An Event-Based Approach to Explore Selected Present and Future Atmospheric River–Induced Floods in Western Norway
Authors: Hegdahl Trine J. , Engeland Kolbjørn , Müller Malte , Sillmann Jana
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate extreme precipitation events caused by atmospheric rivers and compare their flood impact in a warmer climate to current climate using an event-based storyline approach. The study was set up by selecting four high-precipitation events from 30 years of present and future climate simulations of the high-resolution global climate model EC-Earth. The two most extreme precipitation events within the selection area for the present and future climate were identified, and EC-Earth was rerun creating 10 perturbed realizations for each event. All realizations were further downscaled with the regional weather prediction model, AROME-MetCoOp. The events were thereafter used as input to the operational Norwegian flood-forecasting model for 37 selected catchments in western Norway, and the magnitude and the spatial pattern of floods were analyzed. The role of the hydrological initial conditions, which are important for the total flooding, were analyzed with a special emphasis on snow and soil moisture excess. The results show that the selected future extreme precipitation events affected more catchments with larger floods, compared to the events from present climate. In addition, multiple realizations of the meteorological forcing and four different hydrological initial conditions, for example, soil saturation and snow storage, were important for the estimation of the maximum flood level. The meteorological forcing (e.g., the internal variability/perturbed output) accounts for the highest contribution to the spread in flood magnitude; however, for some events and catchments the hydrological initial conditions affected the magnitudes of floods more than the meteorological forcing.
Improved capacitance model considering bottom-hole flowing pressure and interference between oil wells
Authors: Wang Xuewu , Wang Juan , Xia Zhizeng
Published: May 2020

With the continuous production of oil wells, the reservoir properties, such as permeability and porosity, are changing accordingly, and the reservoir heterogeneity is also enhanced. This development is vulnerable to the problem of the one-way advance of injected water and low efficiency of water flooding. The interwell connectivity between injection and production wells controls the flow capacity of the subsurface fluid. Therefore, the analysis of interwell connectivity helps to identify the flow direction of injected water, which is of great significance for guiding the profile control and water plugging in the later stage of the oilfield. In this study, based on the principle of mass conservation, a capacitance model considering the bottom-hole flowing pressure was established and solved by using the production dynamic data of injection–production wells. Then, the validity of the capacitance model was verified by numerical simulation, and the influences of well spacing, compression coefficient, frequent switching wells, injection speed, and bottom-hole flowing pressure on interwell connectivity were eliminated. Finally, a practical mine technique for inversion of connectivity between wells using dynamic data was developed. The advantage of this model is that the production dynamic data used in the modeling process are easy to obtain. It overcomes the shortcomings of previous models and has a wider range of applications. It can provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of profile control and water-plugging schemes in the high-water-cut period.
Food Elimination in the Management of Refractory Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Odat Haitham , Al-Qudah Mohannad
Published: May 2020

Background:

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most commonly reported chronic diseases. Refractory CRS represents a subgroup of patients who continue to be symptomatic even after adequate medical and surgical therapy. These patients started to form a significant portion of patients with CRS. Food elimination as a therapeutic method to control symptoms of different chronic diseases, such as eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis, has been described in the literature with variable success rates.

Objectives:

To evaluate the effectiveness of food elimination therapy as adjuvant treatment in refractory patients having CRS with positive food sensitization.

Design:

Prospective open-label study.

Setting:

Tertiary academic center.

Methods:

Consecutive adult patients with refractory nonobstructive CRS (patients who had persistent sinonasal symptoms despite endoscopic sinus surgery and patent sinuses ostia with adequate medical treatment) with positive food sensitization were included. Subjects were asked to eliminate the sensitized food from their diet. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Lund-Kennedy symptom and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic appearance scores.

Results:

Twenty-two patients were initially enrolled in the study. Six patients were excluded; 4 were lost to follow-up, and 2 did not eliminate the causal food for the required period. The average age of the patients was 36 years old. There were 10 female and 6 male patients. Nasal discharge and facial pressure were the most common presenting symptoms. Shellfish, egg, and meat mix were the most common eliminated foods. There was a significant difference in the patients’ Lund-Kennedy symptom and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic appearance scores at 6 and 12 weeks after food elimination therapy.

Conclusions:

Food elimination in refractory CRS is an effective adjuvant treatment and should be considered in the treatment algorithm of patients with persistent symptoms after successfully performed sinus surgery.
A Seed Usage Issue on Using catR for Simulation and the Solution
Authors: Cui Zhongmin
Published: May 2020

The R package catR is a useful developmental and testing platform for adaptive tests. Developers and researchers have been using catR for their assessments or research projects. However, there is a flaw in catR that can potentially cause misleading results. This article shows the flaw and provides a solution. Suggestions in using seeds for random numbers were also provided.
Parents of the Gifted: Perceptions of Psychologists and Teachers
Authors: Dembinski Raymond J. , Mauser August J.
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to provide parents of gifted children in California and Illinois with an opportunity to react to and evaluate the diagnostic, counseling, and other interactions they have with psychologists and teachers. Based on the parental responses to the survey instrument, recommendations to professionals were formulated which reflected parents' perceptions of essential aspects of parent - professional relationships.
Developmental Patterns in Problem Solving and Divergent Thinking Abilities in Gifted Elementary School Children
Authors: Rosenfield Sylvia , Houtz John C.
Published: May 2020

Development of problem solving and divergent thinking skills in intellectually gifted children was examined through administration of experimental tasks to 233 second through sixth graders. Different patterns of development were observed: problem solving skills grew steadily from the second through the sixth grades; divergent thinking increased from second through fourth, with no significant increase thereafter. Of potentially greater importance was the fact that children in fifth and sixth grades demonstrated more intra-individual variability across tasks than children in the earlier grades. Implications for curricula to include more divergent thinking tasks were discussed.
Career Education: A Continuing Need of Illinois Gifted Students
Authors: Ford Barbara G. , Ellis Joseph R.
Published: May 2020

A descriptive survey was implemented across the state of Illinois in 1975 and 1976 regarding career education provisions for gifted and talented students in the state. Professional educators in field settings of career education or educators of gifted and talented students were included in the population. Information was sought through questionnaires and interviews regarding the current status of career education programs for gifted students in Illinois and regarding the opinions of these educators about what should be done for these students. Differentiated career education programs for gifted students in the Illinois public schools were few in number and generally not fully developed. There was little purposeful or systematic effort to integrate programs and practices in career education and gifted education for the students in Illinois.
Young Handicapped Children Can be Gifted and Talented
Authors: Karnes Merle B.
Published: May 2020

Over the last 10 years programs for young handicapped children have emerged in large numbers across the country. There has been concern, however, that there are gifted/talented in these programs who are underserved. The project reported here is funded by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped. The project known as RAPYHT (Retrieval and Acceleration of Promising Young Handicapped and Talented) was charged in the development/demonstration stage with developing procedures for identifying and appropriately programming for these children. These procedures and procedures for providing technical services in the outreach stage of the project are delineated.
Verbal Test Performance of Superior High School Students: 1965–1976
Authors: Colangelo Nick , Ogburn-Colangelo M. Kay
Published: May 2020

This article presents a trend analysis of test scores (1965–1976) among superior high school students on the Wisconsin Inventory for Talented Students-Verbal. Performance on the verbal test among superior ninth grade (N=458) and eleventh grade (N=423) students has declined over the past twelve years. A comparison of verbal test performance between superior students and the general high school student population indicates a comparable decline in performance.
Attitudes of 1,200 Educators toward the Education of the Gifted and Talented: Implications for Teacher Preparation
Authors: Rubenzer Ronald L. , Twaite James A.
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to provide recommendations for teacher preparation in gifted education to directors of inservice and university training programs. Recommendations were based on the responses of 1,220 kindergarten through 12th educators to a modified Likert attitude scale regarding gifted identification, programming, behavioral characteristics, and teacher recommendations for gifted programming and teacher preparation. Also investigated were the relationships between five teacher characteristics and attitudes toward the gifted/talented. The most salient teacher preparation needs were found to be: increasing the accuracy and scope of talent identification, acquiring accurate information regarding acceleration techniques and consequences, and encouraging creative and affective development of the gifted/talented. Significant differences in attitudes were related to number of years of teaching experience, grade level and gifted/talented inservice experience.
…And into the Fire—A Guide to G/C/T Internship Experiences for Pre Professionals
Authors: Jenkins Reva C. W. , Stewart Emily D.
Published: May 2020

Growing numbers of professionals in the field of education for the gifted and talented are advocating cooperatives and practicum experiences as an essential component of graduate preparation (Feldhusen, 1977; Frasier, 1977; Maker, 1975; Nix, 1976). Increasing attention is also being drawn to the need for professionals in gifted education to be innovators or change agents (Curry & Sato, 1977; Frasier, 1977), and the potential value of practica or internships in developing appropriate skills relative to the change agent role.

An internship program can serve three basic functions: 1) to develop a system which focuses on providing appropriate experiences for persons preparing to pursue careers in the field of education for gifted/creative/talented students; 2) to make available appropriate experiences relative to training persons to perform specialized tasks, and 3) to assist in the development of a state-wide network of training resources. The Internship Guide described herein contains information relative to fulfilling these purposes.

Three types of information are included in the Guide.1 First, a hypothetical timeline of related activities displays the scope and sequencing of a comprehensive internship program. A description of the four basic program components provides an elaboration of the information presented in the timeline. A rationale for each component describes its basic purposes. A Guidelines section includes specific suggestions for implementation. Where appropriate, sample forms relating to the respective components are referenced at the end of each section. The third type of information that might be helpful to prospective internship supervisors is contained in the appendices, where several sample forms are included. (Note: the authors recommend adapting these forms to suit local training program characteristics and needs.)
Validating the Ross Test for Identification and Evaluation of Critical Thinking Skills in Programs for the Gifted
Authors: Callahan Carolyn M. , Corvo Mary L.
Published: May 2020

The present research assessed the structural validity of The Ross Test of Higher Cognitive Processes, a recently developed instrument designed to assess the higher-level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation as outlined in Bloom's Taxonomy. Confirmatory factor analysis, analysis of variance and trend analysis were used to test the correspondence between Bloom's Taxonomy and the Ross Test, and to study the developmental nature of critical thinking. Subjects were 154 gifted third through sixth graders. Confirmatory factor analysis of individual test items and of the eight Ross subtests provided empirical evidence for the structural validity of this instrument, and normative data on gifted students' performance on the test was presented. This investigation of the Ross Test yielded findings relevant to the use and interpretation of this measure of critical thinking in the gifted and regular classroom.
Supervision in Gifted Education at the State Level
Authors: Karnes Frances A. , Pearce Norma
Published: May 2020

The study focuses on the official title of the state consultant, the date that the position was established, the amount of time devoted to the position, and the sources of funding for the position. In addition, the major responsibilities of the state consultants, the major problems facing the field of gifted education as perceived by the state consultants are given.
TET3 regulates DNA hydroxymethylation of neuroprotective genes following focal ischemia
Authors: Morris-Blanco Kahlilia C , Chokkalla Anil K , Bertogliat Mario J , Vemuganti Raghu
Published: May 2020

The 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) epigenetic modification is highly enriched in the CNS and a critical modulator of neuronal function and development. We found that cortical 5hmC was enhanced from 5 min to three days of reperfusion following focal ischemia in adult mice. Blockade of the 5hmC-producing enzyme ten-eleven translocase 3 (TET3) increased edema, infarct volume, and motor function impairments. To determine the mechanism by which TET3 provides ischemic neuroprotection, we assessed the genomic regions where TET3 modulates 5hmC. Genome-wide sequencing analysis of differentially hydroxymethylated regions (DhMRs) revealed that focal ischemia robustly increased 5hmC at the promoters of thousands of genes in a TET3-dependent manner. TET3 inhibition reduced 5hmC at the promoters of neuroprotective genes involved in cell survival, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, antioxidant defense, DNA repair, and metabolism demonstrating a role for TET3 in endogenous protection against stroke. The mRNA expression of several genes with known involvement in ischemic neuroprotection were also reduced with TET3 knockdown in both male and female mice, establishing a correlation between decreased promoter 5hmC levels and decreased gene expression. Collectively, our results indicate that TET3 globally increases 5hmC at regulatory regions and overwhelmingly modulates 5hmC in several neuroprotective pathways that may improve outcome after ischemic injury.
Swallow tail sign on susceptibility map-weighted imaging (SMWI) for disease diagnosing and severity evaluating in parkinsonism
Authors: Liu Xueling , Wang Na , Chen Chen , Wu Pu-Yeh , Piao Sirong , Geng Daoying , Li Yuxin
Published: May 2020

Background

Loss of swallow tail sign (STS) on iron-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been recognized as an imaging feature in parkinsonism (PS).

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic and differential diagnostic value of STS scale on susceptibility map-weighted imaging (SMWI) in PS, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome (PSP), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), and to evaluate its correlation with disease severity.

Material and Methods

Ninety-nine patients (55 PD, 29 PSP, and 15 MSA) and 47 healthy controls (HC) were prospectively recruited and scanned using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). STS was visually assessed on SMWI derived from QSM. STS scale in the range of 0–4 at participant level was calculated by summing bilateral STS scores (0–2). We used receiver operating characteristic analysis of STS scale for evaluating the diagnostic power of parkinsonism and Spearman’s correlation for assessing disease severity.

Results

Frequency distribution of STS scale was significantly different in parkinsonism and HC groups, and among PD, PSP, and MSA subgroups. STS scale ≤3 could distinguish parkinsonism from HC with high accuracy (91.78%), PD from HC (91.18%), and MSA from HC (88.71%). STS scale ≤2 could distinguish PSP from HC (96.05%). STS scale = 0 could distinguish PSP from PD (70.24%) and PSP from MSA (72.73%). STS scale was negatively correlated with H–Y stage ( P = 0.007, r = −0.359) and duration of disease ( P = 0.006, r = −0.367) in PD patients.

Conclusion

STS scale on SMWI may serve as a useful imaging biomarker for diagnosis of parkinsonism and disease progression evaluation in PD.
Effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Elder Mistreatment and Response in New York City: Initial Lessons
Authors: Elman Alyssa , Breckman Risa , Clark Sunday , Gottesman Elaine , Rachmuth Lisa , Reiff Margaret , Callahan Jean , Russell Laura A. , Curtis Maureen , Solomon Joy , Lok Deirdre , Sirey Jo Anne , Lachs Mark S. , Czaja Sara , Pillemer Karl , Rosen Tony
Published: May 2020

New York City is currently experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus, which is particularly dangerous for older adults. This pandemic has led to public health policies including social distancing and stay-at-home orders. We explore here the impact of this unique crisis on victims of elder mistreatment and people at risk of victimization. The COVID-19 outbreak has also had a profound impact on the organizations from many sectors that typically respond to protect and serve victims of elder mistreatment. We examine this impact and describe creative solutions developed by these organizations and initial lessons learned in New York City to help inform other communities facing this pandemic and provide guidance for future crises.
Sibling Violence and Psychological Adjustment: The Role of Maladaptive Coping and Maternal Authoritativeness
Authors: Gan Kai Qi , Tang Catherine So-kum
Published: May 2020

This study examined the phenomenon of sibling violence in Singapore. The underlying mechanisms through which maternal authoritativeness and maladaptive coping influenced psychological adjustment following sibling violence were also investigated. Questionnaires were administered to 287 female and 128 male Singaporean college students between the ages of 18 to 27. Results showed that lifetime and past-year prevalence estimates of sibling violence in college students in Singapore were 89.9% and 62.0%, respectively. Lifetime psychological sibling violence involvement and past-year sibling violence involvement (both physical and psychological) were significantly related to maladaptive coping and overall psychological adjustment; lifetime sibling violence involvement was significantly related to maternal authoritativeness, anxiety, and depression only. Maladaptive coping was found to be a significant mediator between past-year physical and psychological sibling violence involvement and two measures of psychological adjustment, anxiety and depression. Maternal authoritativeness functioned as a moderator only for the relationship between past-year psychological sibling violence exposure and psychological adjustment. At low but not high levels of maternal authoritativeness, past-year psychological violence involvement was significantly related to higher levels of anxiety and depression, and lower levels of self-esteem. These findings show that sibling violence is a pervasive problem in Asian countries as well, such as in Singapore. There is a need to educate both the public and the relevant authorities so that steps can be taken to protect those who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing such violence. Through elucidating the role of maternal authoritativeness and maladaptive coping, the present study also suggests new avenues for interventions to reduce the adverse effects of sibling violence. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.
Interpersonal Trauma and Suicide Ideation: The Indirect Effects of Depressive Symptoms, Thwarted Belongingness, and Perceived Burden
Authors: Poindexter Erin K. , Mitchell Sean M. , Brown Sarah L. , Cukrowicz Kelly C.
Published: May 2020

Suicide risk is elevated among college-aged students and individuals exposed to cumulative interpersonal trauma. This study used the interpersonal theory of suicide as a framework to test the relation between cumulative interpersonal trauma and suicide ideation through the indirect effects of cumulative interpersonal trauma via depression, thwarted belongingness (TB), and perceived burdensomeness (PB), in serial. Participants were 261 college students who endorsed prior trauma and completed cross-sectional study measures online. An atemporal serial mediation model indicated that cumulative interpersonal trauma significantly and indirectly related to suicide ideation through depressive symptoms, TB, and PB. The relation between cumulative interpersonal trauma and suicide ideation was explained by greater depressive symptoms, TB, and PB, in serial. Therefore, depressive symptoms, TB, and PB may be important modifiable clinical targets for college students with a history of cumulative interpersonal trauma.
Association of interleukin-17A gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian children and adolescents: a multi-centre study
Authors: Elkoumi Mohamed A , Allah Mayy AN , Mohamed Faisal Y , Boraey Naglaa F , Abdellatif Sawsan H , Shehab Mohamed MM , Sherif Ahmed H , Akeel Nagwa E , Saleh Rabab M , Elshreif Anas M , Abdelrahman Hind M , Soliman Attia A , Emam Ahmed A , Youssef Manal AA , Fahmy Dalia S , Sallam Mohammad M , Nawara Abdalla M , Elgohary Elsayed A , Ismael Ali , El-Kaffas Sameh MH , Sobeih Alaa A , Ibrahim Lamya M , Ibrahim Mohamed AM , Abdou Adel M , Yousry Sherif M , Osman Sherif F , El-Deeb Fatma M , Elhewala Ahmed A , Hafez Sahbaa FM , Waked Nevin M , Elbasyouni Hany AA , Fouad Rania A , Zeidan Nancy MS , Nashat Mohamed , Farghaly Mohsen AA
Published: May 2020

Background

Recently, the interleukin-17A ( IL-17A) gene has emerged as a potential candidate gene for autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether IL-17A polymorphisms at rs2275913 G/A, rs8193036 C/T and rs3748067 C/T could be susceptibility markers for juvenile-onset SLE (JSLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) in Egyptian children and adolescents.

Methods

In this multi-centre study, we genotyped 320 patients diagnosed with JSLE and 320 matched control children for three IL-17A polymorphisms at rs2275913 G/A, rs8193036 C/T and rs3748067 C/T using TaqMan probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction. Meanwhile, IL-17A serum levels were assessed using ELISA.

Results

The IL-17 rs2275913 A/A genotype and A allele were more represented in JSLE patients compared to the control group (21% vs. 7%, odds ratio (OR) = 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78–5.5, p = 0.001, pBonf = 0.003 for the A/A genotype; 37% vs. 29%, OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.11–1.8, p = 0.003, pBonf = 0.009 for the A allele. No significant difference was found for IL-17 rs8193036 and rs3748067 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genotype distribution or allele frequencies ( p>0.05). Patients carrying the IL-17 rs2275913 A/A genotype and A allele were more likely to develop LN (OR = 5.64, 95% CI 2.39–13.77, pBonf = 0.001 for the A/A genotype; OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.84–4.07, pBonf = 0.02 for the A allele).

Conclusion

The IL-17 rs2275913 A allele and A/A genotype were associated with high IL-17 serum levels and may contribute to susceptibility to JSLE and the development of LN in Egyptian children and adolescents. However, no significant association was evident between the studied IL-17A SNPs and other clinical phenotypes, disease activity scores or laboratory profile of JSLE.
Experimental and numerical determination of critical osmotic blister size affecting the strength of aged FRP seawater pipe
Authors: Abd-Elhady Amr A , Meroufel Abdelkader , Sallam Hossam El-Din M , Atta Mahmoud
Published: May 2020

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite pipelines are used by many industries for fluids transport including seawater for cooling. The durability of these pipes can be affected where the loss of their strength is due to the occurrence of several internal irreversible micro-damages. One of the challenges facing the integrity of these pipelines is the presence of surface defects. The present research aims to determine the critical size of osmotic blister affecting a 30- year-old seawater handling GFRP pipe. Osmotic blisters were simulated through surface notches with two different geometries and sizes. Longitudinal pipe mechanical strength was studied through tensile tests to study the effect of the surface notch size. At a certain surface notch depth, the strength of the pipe wall decreased with increasing the notch surface depth. This represents the critical value of the damage size called maximum undamaged defect size and noted d max. Damage with size below d max does not affect the strength of the pipe wall. To simulate the progressive failure of this aged composite, a 3-D finite element model was employed based on Hashin’s failure criteria.
Policing mandatory bicycle helmet laws in NSW: Fair cop or unjust gouge?
Authors: Hogg Russell , Quilter Julia
Published: May 2020

Australia was the first country to introduce laws mandating the wearing of helmets by bicyclists with the aim of enhancing road safety for cyclists. Examining the law and its administration in NSW, we point to some serious problems and anomalies with the law. We argue safety concerns have been relegated and the fine for the offence has lost any sense of proportionality with offending, parity with penalties imposed in other states and with penalties for other road safety offences in NSW. We also discuss concern over potential police misuse of the law and of its collateral consequences for the vulnerable.
Effects of Leader Networking Behaviors and Vertical Faultlines on Support for Innovation
Authors: Chung Yunhyung , Jiang Yuan , Blasi Joseph R. , Kruse Douglas L.
Published: May 2020

Leader networking behaviors for innovation (LNBI) is an important yet less studied topic in innovation research. This study investigates the behavioral cascading effect of LNBI on organizational support for innovation. Building on faultline theory and the demographic representativeness approach, we conceptualize vertical faultlines as demographic misalignment across job ranks, and hypothesize their moderating effects on the relationships between LNBI and organizational support for innovation. Results from a large, multi-source sample of 55 work units in a U.S. high-technology firm support the mediation model that senior leaders’ LNBI influences unit-level support for innovation through junior leaders’ LNBI. Moreover, the relationship between junior leaders’ LNBI and unit-level support for innovation was more pronounced in work units with weaker rather than stronger vertical faultlines between employees and junior leaders. Our findings highlight the importance of leader networking activities and structural configurations of workforce diversity in building organizational support for innovation.
Inactivation of microbes on fruit surfaces using photodynamic therapy and its influence on the postharvest shelf-life of fruits
Authors: Zhang Xu , Wu Juan , Xu Chuanshan , Lu Na , Gao Yuan , Xue Yong , Li Zhaojie , Xue Changhu , Tang Qingjuan
Published: May 2020

In this study, the disinfection effect of curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy on the contact surfaces of fresh fruit was investigated. Our results showed that the optimum concentration of curcumin and the energy density required were 0.5 μM and 7.2 J/cm2, respectively. Photodynamic therapy showed an excellent disinfection rate for the fresh fruits with a reduction of more than 80% in the total bacteria and coliform counts. The photodynamic therapy inhibited species that belonged to the categories of gram-negative and facultative anaerobic bacteria, except for two species of the Trichoderma fungus. Importantly, photodynamic therapy prolonged the shelf-life of grapes for two days at room temperature. Therefore, photodynamic therapy should be commercialized as a high efficiency and non-thermal sterilization technology for use in the food industry.
Interventional STS: A Framework for Developing Workable Technologies
Authors: Lyle Kate
Published: May 2020

Technological innovation is often positioned as a solution to the challenges of healthcare provision, yet the experience of bringing new technologies into practice has proven uneven and unpredictable. To realise the potential benefits of innovation, we need to understand the complex relations between contingencies and contexts that seem to be ubiquitous as new technologies are brought into play in healthcare settings. This article explores what the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS) can contribute to the understanding of implementation processes, arguing that combining Actor–Network Theory and Normalisation Process Theory provides a framework for prospective research. Drawing on examples from a prospective study of a new point-of-care test illustrates how the framework enabled an understanding of the processes likely to be involved in its implementation within three healthcare settings, with implications for the continued technical development. In combination, the theories enable different levels of analysis, but it is by keeping them in tension that this approach becomes practically applicable. If we are to rely on innovation to achieve improvements in healthcare provision, we need to find a way to intervene in the implementation process, and STS offer the resources to achieve this.
What do we know about rape myths and juror decision making?
Authors: Leverick Fiona
Published: May 2020

This paper presents overwhelming evidence that prejudicial and false beliefs held by jurors about rape affect their evaluation of the evidence and their decision making in rape cases. The paper draws together for the first time the available evidence from both quantitative and qualitative studies (most of which are not found in law journals, but rather in scientific outlets, most commonly those focusing on experimental psychology). The quantitative research demonstrates that mock jurors’ scores on so-called ‘rape myth scales’ are significant predictors of their judgments about responsibility, blame and (most importantly) verdict. The qualitative research indicates that jurors frequently express problematic views about how ‘real’ rape victims would behave and what ‘real’ rape looks like during mock jury deliberations and that even those who score relatively low on abstract rape myth scales can express prejudicial beliefs when deliberating in a particular case. The studies vary in terms of their realism, but it is important to note that some of the studies reported here were highly realistic trial reconstructions, involving representative samples of jurors drawn from the community, live trial reconstructions, evidence-in-chief and cross-examination, accurate legal directions and deliberation in groups. The review concludes by examining the evidence on whether juror education—whether in the form of judicial directions or expert evidence—might be effective in addressing problematic attitudes.
The work of culture and C-19
Authors: Banks Mark
Published: May 2020

This article offers some initial commentary on the cultural impacts of COVID-19. It first considers how the pandemic might already have shifted the focus - or challenged our capacities - for cultural studies scholarship. However, the article is more centrally concerned with how measures designed to combat COVID-19 have begun to transform patterns of cultural consumption, production and work. The article considers the current status of cultural workers, in the midst of (yet further) crisis, and poses questions of what might culture be or become, in and beyond the current state of emergency.
In the city, they go “pit pit pit”: Digital media’s affordances and imagined (dis)connections in a rural Japanese community
Authors: Darling-Wolf Fabienne
Published: May 2020

This project explores how lower class individuals living in a small rural Japanese community employ digital media in their daily lives and how this use of technology shapes their sense of self. Drawing from ethnographic research, it considers the locally specific ways in which individuals have embraced digital technology and how the technology’s “imagined affordances” intersect with their cultural, regional, and class identities, both locally and in relationship to national and global contexts. It argues that despite community members’ active use of digital technology, numerous barriers (both imagined and actual) continue to limit their ability to fully engage in digital culture and discusses how these barriers lead to a sense of simultaneous connection and disconnection from both urban contexts and an imagined global community. It concludes that more carefully situated local accounts of digital praxis are a necessary step toward developing a deeper understanding of the digital world.
Discrimination and Latino Health: A Systematic Review of Risk and Resilience
Authors: Andrade Nadia , Ford Athena D. , Alvarez Carmen
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

As anti-immigrant hostility toward Latino populations grows, more fervent attention is needed to consider strength-based approaches to attenuate the effects of perceived discrimination. This systematic review synthesizes the evidence about the effects of racial/ethnic discrimination on mental, physical, and health behaviors of Latinos and examines the coping mechanisms and cultural factors that attenuate the negative association between discrimination and health among adult Latinos living in the United States.

Method:

The search criteria included articles that (a) examined ethnic/racial discrimination in relationship to a health outcome, (b) had study samples composed of least 25% Latino adults, and (c) were written in English.

Results:

A total of 33 studies were included in the review. Our findings demonstrated the negative relationship between perceived discrimination, mental health, and health behaviors. The evidence for the relationship between perceived discrimination and physical health was less robust. For mental health, greater feeling of ethnic pride and belonging attenuated the negative relationship between perceived discrimination and mental health.

Conclusions:

Our findings highlight the potential for building on ethnic identity for addressing mental health and perceived discrimination. Future research directions are outlined to address identified gaps.
Key technologies of intelligent transportation based on image recognition
Authors: Chen Zeyou , Su Yangyang , Liu Yong , Huang Jiazhen , Cao Wuwen
Published: May 2020

With the development of economy, the research of urban intelligent transportation system is becoming more and more important. The research and development of plate number recognition system is an important factor to realize the intelligence and modernization of transportation system. It uses each car to have a unique plate number and recognizes the vehicle number through the vehicle image captured by the camera. On the basis of image recognition, this article takes plate number image as the research object and discusses the key technologies of plate number recognition system. First, this article uses image preprocessing technology to process images to improve image quality. Second, the plate number location algorithm based on the connected region search is analyzed. According to the characteristics of the plate number itself, the regional features of the plate number are extracted to locate the plate number accurately. Then, an improved vertical projection-based plate number character segmentation method is proposed to segment plate number characters. Finally, combined with character characteristics, the template matching method is used to recognize plate number characters. The simulation results show that, on the basis of image recognition, this article studies the key technologies of plate number recognition system, which effectively improves the performance of the system and makes the recognition of plate number more effective and accurate.
Same-day Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Did Not Increase 90-day Hospital Returns
Authors: Hernandez Nicholas M. , Ryan Sean P. , Wu Christine J. , Hinton Zoe W. , Wellman Samuel S. , Bolognesi Michael P. , Seyler Thorsten M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

Bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be performed in patients with bilateral knee arthritis. Outside of nationwide database studies, which have limitations, few studies have compared outcomes for same-day versus staged TKA. We sought to compare patient outcomes at a single tertiary referral center.

Methods:

The institutional database was queried from March 2014 to December 2017 for primary TKA. Patients undergoing bilateral procedures were stratified by same-day versus staged; length of stay (LOS), disposition, 90-day emergency department (ED) visits, and 90-day readmissions were examined through univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results:

A total of 676 patients were evaluated (113 same-day and 563 staged bilateral TKA patients) with mean age 66.0 (8.5) at first surgery and 292.1 (241.6) days between staged procedures. Same-day bilateral TKA patients were younger ( p < 0.001), had lower body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.010), and had lower American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores ( p = 0.030). They were more likely to have a prolonged LOS ( p < 0.001) and be discharged to skilled nursing facility or rehab facility ( p < 0.001). Total LOS for separate hospitalizations in staged procedures was greater than LOS for same-day bilateral TKAs ( p < 0.001). There was no difference in 90-day ED visits ( p = 0.623) or readmission ( p = 0.286). In a multivariable model controlling for age, BMI, and ASA score, same-day bilateral TKA was not significantly associated with ED visits or readmissions.

Conclusions:

Patients undergoing same-day bilateral TKAs were more likely to be discharged to post-acute care facilities, however they did not have increased 90-day readmissions.
Decentralised Planning for Tribal Development and Role of Panchayats: A Study of Two Districts of Odisha
Authors: Mohapatra Bishnu Prasad
Published: May 2020

Planning for promoting socio-economic development of marginalised people has emerged as a key function of Panchayats in India. This scenario is also found in the case of the scheduled areas of Odisha. On the basis of data collected from 300 households in two tribal districts of Odisha, this study argues that institutional arrangement and functioning of Panchayats have paved the way for formulation of decentralised development plans in these areas. The Panchayats have been playing a key role in the ways of formulating decentralised development plans and fostering the participation of tribal people in planning process. Many important issues related to socio-economic development of tribal people have been discussed in the meetings involving planning. Despite this, the goals of promoting socio-economic development of tribal people through formulating decentralised development plans have not achieved the desired results. Inadequate infrastructure and poor data management system at the Panchayat level and weak coordination among the various tiers have created hurdles in the path of formulation of decentralised development plans in the districts. It is on this basis, that this article suggests decentralised planning as a systemic process in the scheduled areas under the guidance of the Panchayats.