bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smallholders’ perceptions of policies for preserving the traditional Ongole cattle breed of Indonesia
Authors: Nugroho Eko , J Oosting Simon , Ihle Rico , Heijman Wim JM
Published: December 2020

Agricultural policies can only be effective if intended beneficiaries are sufficiently aware of them. This basic condition for policy success is substantially challenged by smallholder farmers’ lack of awareness of existing support schemes. We studied the perceptions of 600 farmers of preservation policies for the traditional Indonesian Ongole cattle breed. We measured farmers’ knowledge of existing policies, their perceived ease of participation, their participation level and their satisfaction with the benefits obtained. We found that the target group has little awareness of existing policies. Policy awareness increases with education, the less remote the farm is, and with increasing specialization in cattle farming. We recommend therefore that policymakers should simplify and redesign existing policy schemes to create one coordinated policy. The various support schemes currently implemented should be combined in this policy and it should be presented in such a way that is easily understood by farmers. Incentives for Ongole breeders should be tailored, the establishment of farmers groups facilitated, and a breeding and selection programme initiated to improve the genetic potential of Ongole for domestic beef production.
Making Sense of the Social, Making the ‘Social Sense’: The Development of Children’s Perception and Judgement of Social Class
Authors: Vandebroeck Dieter
Published: December 2020

This article presents an exercise in ‘cognitive class analysis’ by tackling the question of when young children first develop the ability to perceive and judge stereotypical representation of class identity. With the aid of a specifically designed visual methodology, 82 children aged 5 to 12, were asked to combine a series of figures into a set of ‘class families’, to assign different amounts of money to these families, to attribute an occupational status to the parents of each family and to indicate their most and least likeable family. Results show that children prove capable of perceiving and judging class stereotypes at a younger age than previous studies have suggested. A considerable number of 5- and 6-year-olds already demonstrate the ability to classify people on the basis of differences in dress and appearance and effectively recognize these classifications as based on differences in class position. In addition, visible markers of class-status also appear to play a role in shaping children’s preferences for different types of families and playmates.
Event-triggered L1 filtering for uncertain networked control systems with multiple sensor fault modes
Authors: Qi Ji , Li Yanhui
Published: December 2020

Considering the influence of sensor fault modes on the system performance in communication network, under the discrete event-triggered communication scheme (DETCS), the problems of the robust [Formula: see text] filtering for a class of uncertain networked control systems (NCSs) with multiple sensor fault modes and persistent and amplitude-bounded disturbance constraints are investigated. A set of stochastic variables are adopted to describe the sensor faults, the filtering error system is established, which characterizes the effects of sensor faults and DETCS. By constructing an appropriate delay-dependent Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, new results on stability and robust [Formula: see text] performance are proposed for the filtering error system according to Lyapunov theory and the integral inequality method, and the co-design method for gaining the desired [Formula: see text] filter parameters and event-triggering parameters is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). We notice that with the structrue of Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional which considers the piecewise-linear sawtooth structure characteristic of transmission delay, a less conservative result is obtained. Finally, three examples are provided to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
An Unusual Case of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Case Report of a Bifocal Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Damien Maxime , Rodriguez Alexandra , Kleynen Pierre , Dequanter Didier , Bouland Cyril
Published: December 2020

Intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. We reported a 51-year old woman who presented symptoms of hypercalcemia. 99mTc sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (CT) revealed a large hypermetabolic nodule in the left thyroid lobe suggestive of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue. 11C-methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT confirmed the nodule in the left thyroid lobe and also revealed a hypermetabolic activity on the posterior surface of the lower left pole. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy, and a diagnosis of bifocal intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma was confirmed. We present the first reported case of bifocal intrathyroidal carcinoma and discuss the discordant imaging results.
Insurgent Aztlán: The Liberating Power of Cultural Resistance
Authors: Arias Armando A.
Published: December 2020

This is a book review of Insurgent Aztlán: The Liberating Power of Cultural Resistance, written by Ernesto Todd Mireles and published in 2020 by Somos en escrito Literary Foundation Press in Berkeley, California. As the subtitle indicates, this book is about the liberating power of cultural resistance, and in this case the subjects of cultural resistance are Mexican Americans in the South West of the United States of America (USA) who identify themselves as Xicanos. The author, who is a Xicano scholar and organizer, reconstructs the relationship between social and political insurgent theory and Xicano literature, films and myths. Based on decades of organizing experience and a scholarly review of the writings of recognized observers and leaders of national liberation movements, the author provides a remarkable work of scholarship that incorporates not only the essence of earlier resistance writing but also provides a new paradigm of liberation for the particular situation of Mexican Americans in the USA.
Review of Food Intake Difficulty Assessment Tools for People with Dementia
Authors: Spencer Jia Ci , Damanik Riris , Ho Mu-Hsing , Montayre Jed , Traynor Victoria , Chang Chia-Chi , Chang Hui-Chen (Rita)
Published: December 2020

This review aimed to summarise the validity and reliability of feeding difficulties assessment tools for Individual with dementia. PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus were searched for feeding difficulty measurements studies published between 1990 and 2019. Sixteen publications were included and identified three tools: Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia (EdFED), Feeding Behaviour Inventory (FBI), and Feeding Difficulty Index (FDI). Results showed the EdFED was translated and tested in various languages. The EdFED and FDI demonstrated high content and construct validity. The FBI was not validated. The EdFED had high inter-rater reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.75 to 0.90. The FDI and FBI showed moderate inter-rater reliability. Although the EdFED has been tested and widely used, unlike FDI, which addresses multi-aspects of feeding difficulty. The FDI have higher clinical utility but future research needs to test the psychometric properties of FDI to determine its effectiveness in assessing feeding difficulties.
Factors associated with health professionals decision to initiate paediatric advance care planning: A systematic integrative review
Authors: Carr Karen , Hasson Felicity , McIlfatrick Sonja , Downing Julia
Published: December 2020

Background:

Advance care planning for children with palliative care needs is an emotionally, legally and complex aspect of care, advocated as beneficial to children, families and health professionals. Evidence suggests healthcare professionals often avoid or delay initiation. An overview of evidence on the factors that influence and impact on the health care professional’s initiation of paediatric advance care planning process is lacking.

Aim:

To review and synthesise evidence on the factors associated with health care professional’s decision to initiate paediatric advance care planning.

Design:

Systematic integrative review using constant comparison method.

Data Sources:

Electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane) using MeSH terms and word searches in Oct 2019. No limit set on year of publication or country. Grey literature searches were also completed.

Results:

The search yielded 4153 citations from which 90 full text articles were reviewed. Twenty-one met inclusion criteria consisting of quantitative ( n = 8), qualitative ( n = 6) and theoretical ( n = 7) studies. Findings revealed overarching and interrelated themes ‘ The timing of initiation’, ‘What makes an initiator, ‘Professionals’ perceptions’ and ‘Prerequisites to initiation’.

Conclusions:

This review provides insights into the complexities and factors surrounding the initiation of advance care planning in paediatric practice. Uncertainty regarding prognosis, responsibility and unpredictable parental reactions result in inconsistent practice. Future research is required to inform intervention to assist health care professionals when initiating paediatric advance care planning conversations.
Attention mechanism for developing wind speed and solar irradiance forecasting models
Authors: Brahma Banalaxmi , Wadhvani Rajesh , Shukla Sanyam
Published: December 2020

This article presents the Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and its Attention mechanism to develop forecasting models for renewable energy applications. In this study, wind speed and solar irradiance forecasting models have been developed as these two factors play a significant role in renewable energy production. The irregular nature of wind poses the challenge of accurate wind speed prediction, while solar irradiance forecasting can aid in the planning and deployment of solar power plants. In this paper, six RNN techniques, namely RNN, GRU, LSTM, Content-based Attention, Luong Attention, and Self-Attention based RNN are considered for forecasting the future values of wind speed and solar irradiance in particular geographical locations. The aim is the identification of the advantages, comparison, and importance of different recurrent neural network methods for forecasting models. All models are developed on the datasets of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and NASA’s Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resource (POWER).
Shaping the Environmental Self: The Role of Childhood Experiences in Shaping Identity Standards of Environmental Behavior in Adulthood
Authors: Dewey Amanda M.
Published: December 2020

Existing research shows that childhood processes affect identity formation. However, there is limited scholarly understanding about how these processes work as children age. The case of environmental behavior offers the opportunity to interrogate these processes. I use reflective interviews with 40 participants in the 2014 People’s Climate March in New York to understand how the socialization of environmental behavior in childhood shapes their perceptions of the processes of identity formation related to participation in the environmental movement. I argue that environmental movement behavior is facilitated by the development of compatible identity standards during childhood. I find that four processes—nature experiences, witnessing degradation, parental modeling, and school experiences—influence participation in environmental movement behavior in adulthood. My results highlight varied ways that behavior in adulthood can be facilitated through the shaping of identity standards over the life course. This research has implications for research on socialization, identities, social movements, and the environment.
Older Adults’ Motivations for Participating in a “Tune-Up” of Their Driving Skills: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis
Authors: Sangrar Ruheena , Mun Kyung Joon , Griffith Lauren E. , Letts Lori , Vrkljan Brenda
Published: December 2020

Driver training has the potential to keep older adults safe behind-the-wheel for longer, yet there is limited evidence describing factors that influence their willingness to participate in training. Focus groups with community-dwelling older drivers ( n = 23; 70–90 years) and semi-structured interviews with driving instructors ( n = 6) and occupational therapists ( n = 5) were conducted to identify these factors. Qualitative descriptive analyses highlighted how self-awareness of behind-the-wheel abilities in later life can influence an older adult’s motivation to participate in driver training, as well as their willingness to discuss their behaviors. Collision-involvement and near-misses prompted participants to reflect on their driving abilities and their openness to feedback. Participants’ preferences for learning contexts that use a strengths-based approach and validate the driving experience of older drivers, while providing feedback on behind-the-wheel performance, were raised. Older driver training initiatives that consider the needs of the aging population in their design can promote road safety and community mobility.
A Qualitative Study: Emotional Damage to Police Victims in China
Authors: Xu Haoran
Published: December 2020

This article aims to analyze the emotional injury and behavioral consequences that police officers in China experience after they have been violently attacked (e.g., when police are victims of violent crimes). The analysis was based on self-narration from police officers who were victimized (from here “police victims”). First, the study explored the emotional trauma caused by violent and nonviolent attacks on police victims. Second, this study explored the impact of this violence on the police community. Finally, the study assessed the impact of violent attacks on police enforcement capabilities. Research shows that police in China have become victims of violent attacks that may have caused emotional damage. However, the extent and consequences of this emotional damage are not clear and deserve further discussion. Therefore, this research attempts to contribute to an in-depth discussion of this topic. The research used a focus group format to interview police victims ( n = 40). The interviews included questions about emotional damage, occupational hazards, ensuing self-doubt, long-term behaviors, returning to work, and self-protection. The results show that police victims have suffered severe emotional damage, which may affect their ability to continue in law enforcement. It is particularly noteworthy that some police officers received unequal treatment, which led to the breakdown of family and social relationships. Chinese police victims face severe emotional damage. They have suffered great mental pressure and bad social evaluation. A reasonable recovery plan is required to help police victims return to normal life. The recovery plan should aim to improve the lives of police victims, especially by helping them relieve stress.
Double Jeopardy Versus Double Benefit: The Role of Age and Leisure Activities in the Incidence of Disability Among Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Sun Rongjun
Published: December 2020

Objectives: This paper analyzes the double jeopardy effect of age and double benefit of leisure activities in the incidence of disability. Methods: This study uses data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey between 2002 and 2014. Disability status is measured by activities of daily living. Leisure activities include physical and social activities. A generalized linear mixed model with a time-lag design is used to analyze the trajectory of being disabled. Results: Older ages are associated with double jeopardy of disability: higher initial probability and faster pace. The double benefit of leisure activities is confirmed: lower initial probability and a slower pace of change in disability over time. The age pattern is substantially alleviated when leisure activities and other covariates are present. Discussion: Although the risk of disability rises with advancing age, the over-time trajectory can be flattened by engagement in leisure activities and other factors.
Book review: Ajit Kumar Ghose, Employment in India
Authors: Gupta Varsha
Published: December 2020

Ajit Kumar Ghose, Employment in India. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020, £11.99, 192 pp., ISBN: 9780190120979 (Paperback).
Rural Household Cooking Fuel Choices: A Multidimensional Approach
Authors: Mehra Chander Shekhar , Saxena Niti
Published: December 2020

The multidimensional nature of poverty seeps into all other aspects of human development of which one is access to clean energy. Literature highlights the high correlation between human development and unequal access to energy. 1 The term “fuel poverty” is of importance here especially in a developing country context like India where access to clean fuel is a far sight for many despite key governmental initiatives promoting and subsidising access to clean fuel. The present article examines the impact of poverty on the likelihood of a household to shift to clean fuel for cooking, heating, etc. The present article shows that the usual method of estimating poverty is not sufficient enough to explain behavioural change among rural households. In fact, the simple provision of subsidy cannot ensure the complete shift of households to clean cooking fuel option. For this, a multidimensional poverty index concept is more appropriate. The article shows that multidimensional poverty act as a binding constraint in the shift of household from polluting cooking fuel to clean fuel option.
Spontaneous Growth of the Palatal Plates in the Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Pontes Felipe , Callegaris Gabriella , Freitas Renato da Silva
Published: December 2020

Objective:

This is a prospective study examining palatal casts from patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in the first month of life, immediately before cheiloplasty, and immediately before palatoplasty. None of the patients receives presurgical orthopedics (nasoalveolar molding).

Design:

In this prospective study, upper arch plaster models were taken 3 times during the treatment: in the first month of life (T1), before the cheiloplasty (T2), and before the palatoplasty (T3). Anatomic landmarks were defined and linear anthropometric measurements were obtained afterward. Dimensional analysis was performed using 3D software. Two-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test was performed for statistical analysis.

Setting:

Tertiary, institutional.

Participants:

Twelve patients with UCLP of either sex with less than 1 month of life and without any other syndrome.

Intervention:

No intervention was performed.

Main Outcome Measure:

Reduction of the cleft without using orthopedics apparatus.

Results:

There was a statistically significant reduction in the cleft gap comparing T1 to T3. There was also a significant reduction in the intercanine width comparing T2 and T3, and T1 and T3. There was significant increase in the posterior arch width comparing T2 and T3, and T1 and T3. The palatal plate’s width increased in all times analyzed.

Conclusion:

The palatal cleft narrows spontaneously as well in both midpoint and posterior point during the first 6 months of patient’s treatment. This event was enhanced by cheiloplasty. This surgery might have a greater influence on the anterior arch width than in the posterior arch region.
The Questionnaire on Self-Transcendence (QUEST): A Measure of Trait Self-Transcendence Informed by Contextual Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
Authors: Fishbein Joel N. , Baer Ruth A. , Correll Joshua , Arch Joanna J.
Published: December 2020

Self-transcendence is thought to increase well-being and is implicitly promoted in contextual cognitive behavioral therapies (CCBTs). This study conceptualizes, develops, and validates the first comprehensive CCBT-informed self-transcendence questionnaire. Using a CCBT-informed theory, we propose four self-transcendence facets: distancing oneself from mental content, distinguishing an observer of mental experience that is separate from the content of experience, experiencing innate connectedness with other beings, and noticing the constantly changing nature of experience. We measured these facets with items from existing relevant questionnaires and novel, expert-informed items. Exploratory factor analyses and bifactor exploratory structural equation models supported the first three of these facets. Those factors evidenced convergent validity with decentering, defusion, experiential avoidance, and mindfulness, and criterion and incremental validity in predicting psychological well-being. Our findings support a CCBT-informed model of self-transcendence, introduce the first instrument to comprehensively measure the self-transcendence facets we identified, indicate links with well-being, and suggest future intervention targets.
Deep Venous Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patients: A Cohort Analysis
Authors: Cai Chuanqi , Guo Yi , You Yun , Hu Ke , Cai Fei , Xie Mingxing , Yang Lu , Ling Ken , Ye Dawei , Misra Sanjay , Wang Weici , Li Yiqing
Published: December 2020

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a severe complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence, risk factors, anticoagulant therapy and sex differences of DVT in patients with COVID-19. The enrolled 121 hospitalized non-ventilator patients were confirmed positive for COVID-19. All suspected patients received color Doppler ultrasound (US) to screen for DVT in both lower extremities. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors related to DVT in COVID-19 patients. DVT was found in 48% of the asymptomatic COVID-19 patients with an increased PADUA or Caprini index using US scanning. The multivariate logistic regression determined that age (OR, 1.05; p = .0306), C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR, 1.02; p = .0040), and baseline D-dimer (OR, 1.42; p = .0010) were risk factors among COVID-19 patients. Although the most common DVT location was infrapopliteal (classes I and II), higher mortality in DVT-COVID-19 patients was confirmed. DVT-COVID-19 patients presented significant increases in CRP, neutrophil count, and D-dimer throughout the whole inpatient period compared to non-DVT-COVID-19 patients. Although anticoagulation therapy accelerated the recovery of lymphocytopenia in DVT patients, men DVT-COVID-19 patients with anticoagulant therapy showed significant higher CRP and neutrophil count vs. lymphocyte count (N/L) ratio, but showed lower lymphocyte counts compared to women DVT-COVID-19 patients. DVT is common in COVID-19 patients with high-risk factors, especially for older age and higher CRP and baseline D-dimer populations. It is important to consider sex differences in anticoagulant therapy among DVT-COVID-19 patients.
Thrombin Generation Profile in Various Lymphoma Sub-Groups and Its Augmentation by Andexanet Alfa
Authors: Siddiqui Fakiha , Antic Darko , Tafur Alfonso , Bontekoe Emily , Hoppensteadt Debra , Gerotziafas Grigoris , Elalamy Ismail , Fareed Jawed
Published: December 2020

The prevalence of thrombosis in lymphoma patients is reportedly high and ranges from 3-10%. Vascular malfunction and inflammatory processes further contribute to the thrombotic activation process in these patients. Andexanet alfa (AA) is an antidote for factor Xa inhibitors and its usage has been reported with thrombotic complications. This study was designed to compare the effect of AA on the thrombin generation (TG) potential. Blood samples from 78 patients with confirmed diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were collected from the University of Belgrade Clinic, Serbia. Normal human plasma (NHP) was used for referencing purposes. Individual samples were supplemented with AA at 100 ug/ml. TG studies were carried out using a commercially available fluorogenic substrate method. TG parameters such as peak thrombin (PT), lag time (LT) and area under the curve (AUC) were compiled. Cumulatively, lymphoma patients showed an increase in LT compared to NHP which decreases with AA. The PT and AUC levels were decreased compared to NHP and increases with AA. Upon sub-grouping of lymphoma patients, PT levels for all sub-groups were increased with AA. The AUC values increased for HL and NHL and decreased for CLL with AA. Variations in lag time were noted in all 3 sub-groups. Lymphoma represents a heterogenous group of patients where both the hypercoagulable state and inflammatory responses simultaneously occur. Increased thrombin generation in post AA supplemented samples suggest that the use of this agent may potentially be associated with thrombotic complications.
The 3P Challenge: A Serious Game for Reflecting on Partnership in Public-Private Concessions
Authors: Benitez-Avila Camilo , Hartmann Andreas , Dewulf Geert
Published: December 2020

Process management literature is skeptical about creating legitimacy and a sense of partnership when implementing concessional Public-Private Partnerships. Within such organizational arrangements, managerial interaction often resembles zero-sum games. To explore the possibility to (re)create a sense of partnership in concessional PPPs, we developed the “3P challenge” serious game. Two gaming sessions with a mixed group of practitioners and a team of public project managers showed that the game cycle recreates adversarial situations where players can enact contractual obligations with higher or lower levels of subjectivity. When reflecting on the gaming experience, practitioners point out that PPP contracts can be creatively enacted by managers who act as brokers of diverse interests. While becoming aware of each other stakes they can blend contractual dispositions or place brackets around some contractual clauses for reaching agreement. By doing so, they can (re)create a sense of partnership, clarity, and fairness of the PPP contract.
Long-term macular vascular density measured by OCT-A in children with retinopathy of prematurity with and without need of laser treatment
Authors: Carreira Ana Rita , Cardoso João , Lopes Diogo , Loureiro Tomás , Sampaio Audrey , Fonseca Teresa , Vide-Escada Ana , Campos Nuno
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

To assess long-term vascular density measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in former preterm children with history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with and without need of laser treatment.

Methods:

This observational study included former preterm children that developed ROP stage 2 or 3. Infants were divided in two groups according to previous need of laser treatment, and underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, including assessment of macular morphologic and vascular parameters by OCT-A.

Results:

Fifteen eyes were included in group 1 (laser-requiring ROP) and 19 in group 2 (non-treated ROP). Group 1 had lower mean gestational age and birth weight values than group 2 ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was lower in group 1 (0.08 ± 0.04 logMAR vs 0.04 ± 0.07 logMAR, p = 0.03). Laser-requiring ROP had lower vascular parameters, especially of central and internal vascular density (9.15 ± 2.75 vs 10.52 ± 0.86 mm−1, p = 0.05; 13.74 ± 1.00 vs 15.86 ± 0.64 mm−1, p = 0.05; respectively), and lower avascular zone circularity (0.58 ± 0.06 vs 0.76 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). Mean macular thickness was higher in group 1 (300.50 ± 10.50 vs 281.11 ± 2.50 μm, p = 0.05). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was correlated with superficial vascular density ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Laser-requiring ROP seems to result in a decrease of long-term BCVA, which is at least partially attributed to a decrease in superficial macular vascular density. However, prematurity degree was more pronounced in children that required treatment, which might have influenced our results.
Changes in pupillometry associated with dissipated energy during phacoemulsification
Authors: Coco Giulia , Cremonesi Pierluca , Menassa Nardine , Pagano Luca , Gadhvi Kunal A , Semeraro Francesco , Kaye Stephen B , Romano Vito
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

To investigate the effect of ultrasound level during phacoemulsification on pupil dynamics.

Methods:

Comparative retrospective study on patients who underwent routine cataract surgery at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Clinical parameters, anterior chamber measurements, axial length, surgeon grade, time of surgery, level of ultrasound used (cumulative dissipated energy, CDE), intra- and post-operative complications were collected. Pupil diameters were collected before and 4 ± 1 weeks after surgery in static scotopic, mesopic, photopic pupil conditions. Also, pupil dynamic measurements after luminous stimulus were recorded. Changes in static pupil diameters, relative dilation at 3.5 s after luminous stimulus, and time to reach 75% and 95% of maximum dilation were measured.

Results:

Forty-eight eyes of 24 patients (13 males) were included with a mean age of 73.1 ± 14.6 years. Mean CDE value was 18.11 ± 10.56. Mean scotopic pupil diameters decreased by 0.24 ± 0.48 mm ( p = 0.021) in the operated eye. Significant correlation was found between reduction in scotopic pupil diameter and CDE ( p = 0.05). A generalized linear model confirmed that the level of CDE was significantly associated with reduction in scotopic pupil diameter ( p = 0.026). Patients who underwent surgeries with lower CDE (0 < CDE ⩽ 10 and 10 < CDE ⩽ 20) did not experience significant changes in scotopic pupil diameter after surgery ( p = 0.28 and p = 0.79, respectively) as opposed to those with higher CDE (CDE > 20; p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Phacoemulsification cataract surgery and the cumulative dissipated energy may be associated with changes in pupil behaviour.
Compressive behavior of concrete-filled steel tubular columns with internal high-strength steel spiral confinement
Authors: Teng J.G. , Wang J.J. , Lin Guan , Zhang J. , Feng P.
Published: December 2020

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns have been extensively studied and widely used in practice. Existing research has shown that non-circular CFST columns is much less ductile than their circular counterparts, particularly when thin/high strength steel (HSS) tubes and high-strength concrete are used. To address this problem, a new form of CFST columns has recently been proposed by the first author. The new column consists of a steel tube filled with concrete that is confined with HSS spiral reinforcement typically with a yield stress exceeding 1000 MPa. These columns, referred to as confined concrete-filled steel tubular (CCFST) columns, also maintain the ease for connection to CFST or steel beams. This paper presents the results of a series of concentric axial compression tests on such columns of square cross-section to demonstrate their advantages. The experimental program included 13 CCFST columns, four CFST columns without internal spiral confinement, two hollow steel tube (HST) columns, and 11 circular HSS spiral-confined concrete columns. Three different compressive strengths and three HSS spiral pitches were examined in the experimental program. The CFST columns, HST columns, and HSS spiral-confined concrete columns were all tested under axial compression to gain a good understanding of the confinement mechanism in a CCFST column. The test results show that the new columns possess much greater ductility than those without internal spiral confinement, although the use of HSS spirals increases the steel volume by only a small percentage. It is also shown that the axial load-axial strain curve of a CCFST column can be conservatively predicted by summing the axial load-axial strain curves of the hollow steel tube without local buckling, the HSS spiral-confined concrete core, and the sandwiched concrete between the two.
A Competing Endogenous RNA Network Reveals Novel lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA Biomarkers With Diagnostic and Prognostic Value for Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Luo Zhong-Bing , Lai Gui-E , Jiang Tao , Cao Chuan-Lin , Peng Tao , Liu Feng-En
Published: December 2020

Background:

This study aims to reveal early breast cancer (BC) specific competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network through the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs.

Methods:

Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we obtained the differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs (DEmRNAs, DEmiRNAs and DElncRNAs) between early BC and normal samples. The lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape. Functional enrichment were performed using GeneCoDis3. The expression of selected genes were validated by qRT-PCR. Based on the published dataset, we validated the result of TCGA integration analysis. The diagnostic and prognostic value of candidate genes was evaluated by ROC curve analysis and survival analysis, respectively.

Results:

Totally, 1207 DEmRNAs, 194 DElncRNAs and 37 DEmiRNAs were obtained. Functional enrichment analysis results showed that all of DEmRNAs were enriched in pathway of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, PPAR signaling pathway and pathways in cancer. The DEmRNA-DEmiRNA-DElncRNA interaction network in early BC was consisted of 23 DEmiRNAs, 95 DElncRNAs and 309 DEmRNAs. Among ceRNA network, IL-6-hsa-miR-182-5p-ADAMTS9-AS1 interactions, LIFR-hsa-miR-21-5p-ADAMTS9-AS1 interactions and MMP1/MMP11-hsa-miR-145-5p-CDKN2B-AS1 interactions were speculated to involve in the development of early BC. The qRT-PCR results were consistent with our integrated analysis. Except for ADAMTS9-AS1 and CDKN2B-AS1, expression of the others results in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset were generally consistent with TCGA integrated analysis. The area under curve (AUC) of the ADAMTS9-AS1, CDKN2B-AS1, IL-6, MMP11, hsa-miR-145-5p and hsa-miR-182-5p were 0.947, 0.862, 0.842, 0.993, 0.960 and 0.944, and the specificity and sensitivity of the 6 biomarkers were 83.4% and 95.6%, 72.2% and 90.3%, 80.1% and 74.3%, 96.2% and 96.5%, 90.1% and 92.3%, and 88.7% and 90.4%, respectively. In addition, IL-6 had potential prognostic value for early BC.

Conclusion:

These findings may provide novel insights into the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and uncover potential therapeutic targets in early BC.
LncRNA-Associated ceRNA Network Reveals Novel Potential Biomarkers of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Jing Zhibin , Guo Sitong , Zhang Peng , Liang Zheng
Published: December 2020

Objective:

This study aims to construct a systematic mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network to identify novel lncRNAs and miRNAs biomarkers for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods:

The mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA expression profiles of LSCC were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs and lncRNAs (DEmRNAs, DEmiRNAs and DElncRNAs) were screened between LSCC tissues and controls. Functional analysis of DEmRNAs, DEmRNAs targeted by DEmiRNAs and DEmRNAs targeted by DElncRNAs were respectively performed. The miRWalk, starbase and DIANA-LncBase were respectively used to predict DEmiRNAs-DEmRNAs, DElncRNAs-DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs-DEmiRNAs pairs. ceRNA network was built by DEmiRNAs-DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs-DEmiRNAs pairs. LncRNA subcellular localization was predicted using lncLocator. Using published The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and external datasets (GSE127165 and GSE133632), we also validated the expression of key DElncRNAs and DEmiRNAs in ceRNA network. The diagnostic and prognostic value of candidate genes was evaluated by ROC curve analysis and survival analysis, respectively.

Results:

There were 5 mRNA datasets, 3 miRNA datasets and 2 lncRNA datasets in this study. Totally, 2957 DEmRNAs, 61 DElncRNAs and 23 DEmiRNAs were identified. Functional analysis of DEmRNAs shows that they were significantly enriched in cancer-related pathways, such as DNA replication and extracellular matrix organization. There were 11 DEmiRNAs, 17 DElncRNAs and 967 DEmRNAs in the ceRNA network. Notably, up-regulated lncRNA DGCR5-down-regulated has-miR-338-3p/has-miR-139-5p pairs in this network were experimentally validated. Moreover, down-regulated AL121839.2, down-regulated LINC02147, up-regulated AC079328.2, up-regulated AC004943.2 and up-regulated HMGA2-AS1 were located in the cytoplasm. AL121839.2 and LINC02147 interacted with has-miR-1246. AC004943.2, AC079328.2 and HMGA2-AS1 targeted has-miR-3185, has-miR-3137 and has-miR-582-5p, respectively. Based on the TCGA and external datasets (GSE127165 and GSE133632), DGCR5 and AC004943.2 were significantly up-regulated while AL121839.2 and LINC02147, has-miR-338-3p, has-miR-139-5p and has-miR-582-5p were significantly down-regulated, which were consistent with our integration analysis. DGCR5, AL121839.2, LINC02147, AC004943.2, has-miR-338-3p, has-miR-139-5p and has-miR-582-5p could predict the occurrence of LSCC. Survival analysis suggested that only, AL121839.2 has potential prognostic value for LSCC.

Conclusion:

This study provided novel insights into the ceRNA network and uncovered novel lncRNAs and miRNAs with diagnostic value in LSCC.
Whole Body Low Dose Computed Tomography Using Third-Generation Dual-Source Multidetector With Spectral Shaping: Protocol Optimization and Literature Review
Authors: Baldi Dario , Tramontano Liberatore , Alfano Vincenzo , Punzo Bruna , Cavaliere Carlo , Salvatore Marco
Published: December 2020

For decades, the main imaging tool for multiple myeloma (MM) patient’s management has been the conventional skeleton survey. In 2014 international myeloma working group defined the advantages of the whole-body low dose computed tomography (WBLDCT) as a gold standard, among imaging modalities, for bone disease assessment and subsequently implemented this technique in the MM diagnostic workflow. The aim of this study is to investigate, in a group of 30 patients with a new diagnosis of MM, the radiation dose (CT dose index, dose-length product, effective dose), the subjective image quality score and osseous/extra-osseous findings rate with a modified WBLDCT protocol. Spectral shaping and third-generation dual-source multidetector CT scanner was used for the assessment of osteolytic lesions due to MM, and the dose exposure was compared with the literature findings reported until 2020. Mean radiation dose parameters were reported as follows: CT dose index 0.3 ± 0.1 mGy, Dose-Length Product 52.0 ± 22.5 mGy*cm, effective dose 0.44 ± 0.19 mSv. Subjective image quality was good/excellent in all subjects. 11/30 patients showed osteolytic lesions, with a percentage of extra-osseous findings detected in 9/30 patients. Our data confirmed the advantages of WBLDCT in the diagnosis of patients with MM, reporting an effective dose for our protocol as the lowest among previous literature findings.
Examining Researchers’ Pre-Understandings as a Part of the Reflexive Journey in Hermeneutic Research
Authors: Maxwell Clare , Ramsayer Beate , Hanlon Claire , McKendrick Jane , Fleming Valerie
Published: December 2020

This article considers one of the philosophical sources of reflexivity, the concept of “pre-understandings” as envisaged by the German philosopher, Hans Georg Gadamer. There are a number of empirical research studies employing a Gadamerian approach, and while some authors may describe methods of examining pre-understandings and applying findings reflexively to hermeneutic enquiry, there remains a general lack of sufficient detail given over to the “how” in relation to this process. Furthermore, Gadamer describes how the “provoking” of one’s pre-understandings is required in order to make them realizable and this is rarely evident within authors’ work. As part of a hermeneutic research project exploring health professionals’ views of conscientious objection to abortion, we as a research team undertook a process of “provoking” our pre-understandings surrounding conscientious objection to abortion. This was undertaken by a preliminary discussion to examine our preunderstandings. A second discussion followed to examine if and how our pre-understandings had altered, and was conducted after the research team had read five transcribed interviews from a study on health care professionals’ perspectives of conscientious objection to abortion. By reviewing our pre-understandings, we were able to begin to make conscious what was unconscious, widening some of our initial views, being more definitive in others and in some cases endorsing our original pre-understandings. Using a reflexive process, we assimilated these findings with our research project and used it to inform our data collection, analysis and interpretation, demonstrating the application of rigor to our hermeneutic study.
Vibration reduction and stability analysis of damping rings on nonlinear free-free beam
Authors: Wang Yi-Ren , Chang Yun-Shuo , Ha Nguyen Cong
Published: December 2020

Two damping rings (DRs) are added on a nonlinear free-free elastic beam to reduce vibrations. This elastic beam with free-free boundary conditions can be used to simulate the high speed aircraft fuselage vibrations. Both isotropic beam and compound beam with double-section are investigated. The beam is subjected to a distributed load with the harmonic wind force. The method of multiple scales ((MOMS) a perturbation technique) is employed to analyze this nonlinear problem in frequency domain. DRs with various locations, masses, spring constants, and damping coefficients are analyzed and the maximum amplitude counter plots (MACPs) are compiled to identify DRs’ combinations for the optimal damping effects. The Floquet theory is used to make the basin of attraction (BOA) charts and analyze the stability of the system. This research can be applied in a wide range of engineering problems, such as rocket structures, high-speed aircrafts, satellites, missiles, etc.
Fault-tolerant relative navigation based on Kullback–Leibler divergence
Authors: Xiong Jun , Cheong Joon Wayn , Xiong Zhi , Dempster Andrew G , Tian Shiwei , Wang Rong , Liu Jianye
Published: December 2020

A fault-detection method for relative navigation based on Kullback–Leibler divergence (KLD) is proposed. Different from the traditional χ 2-based approaches, the KLD for a filter is following a hybrid distribution that combines χ 2 distribution and F-distribution. Using extended Kalman filter (EKF) as the estimator, the distance between the priori and posteriori data of EKF is calculated to detect the abnormal measurements. After fault detection step, a fault exclusion method is applied to remove the error observations from the fusion procedure. The proposed method is suitable for the Kalman filter-based multisensor relative navigation system. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can detect the abnormal measurement successfully, and its positioning accuracy after fault detection and exclusion outperforms the traditional χ 2-based method.
Ambivalent Affines: Law Like Literature
Authors: Birrell Kathleen
Published: December 2020

This short essay will dwell upon the ‘law of literature and the literature of law’, as illuminated in the enduring scholarship and intellectual legacy of Peter Fitzpatrick. Reading with Fitzpatrick, we must grapple with a law that is both constituted and subverted by recourse to the supplement of fiction. These ambivalent ‘affines’, law and literature, share in an oscillatory rhythm: each is constituted and enlivened by an unbounded exteriority, yet each must be rendered normatively determinate. I reflect upon the ways in which Fitzpatrick’s account of ‘law like literature’ grasps and hones the methodological challenge implicit in this reading: to read law as literature and literature as law. Yet further, I extend a reading of Fitzpatrick’s scholarship that acknowledges this fictive law as not merely susceptible to but constituted by decoloniality.
A novel algorithm of fast CPR quality evaluation based on kinect
Authors: Xie Huosheng , Luo Hongwen , Lin Jie , Yang Ning
Published: December 2020

Human action recognition is a very popular field in computer vision research, and the research results are widely used in people's lives. This paper explores Kinect-based algorithm of human action recognition and applies it to the quality evaluation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) operation. At present, the main means of CRP training is through physical auxiliary equipment, which has a large limitation and can only be carried out under specific conditions. CPR simulation training under general conditions can be effectively carried out by means of computer vision, which is a strategy worth popularizing. Using Kinect's powerful skeleton tracking capabilities to obtain key human skeleton data and then perform fine-grained human action analysis. Our model can obtain the critical compression depth (CCD) and compression frequency (CCF) of CPR. Compared with the-state-of-the-art, our algorithm has better stability and real-time performance. At the same time, our algorithm improves the time efficiency by about 60% while guaranteeing high accuracy. In addition, we guide the human body to perform standard movements by setting joint angle specifications.Moreover, our system has been proven to be valid by professional medical staff.
Pathological cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration and albumin quotient at relapse predicts short-term disability progression in multiple sclerosis: a retrospective single center observational study
Authors: Diem Lara , Bürge Maxine , Leichtle Alexander , Hakim Arsany , Chan Andrew , Salmen Anke , Evangelopoulos Maria-Eleptheria , Hoepner Robert
Published: December 2020

Background:

Blood–brain barrier dysfunction in active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions leads to pathological changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Theoretically, CSF analyses could help to predict relapse recovery and the course of disability. In this monocentric study, we investigated the impact of CSF findings assessed during the first relapse of MS on the short-term course of disability.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective observational study including MS patients with available CSF data after onset of first MS relapse. Clinical symptoms had to be accompanied by gadolinium-enhanced lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) assessments at timepoint of relapse and after relapse recovery were studied to analyze disability. A two-step multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for EDSS at spinal tab, duration of symptoms, sex, time until post relapse EDSS assessment, immunotherapy post relapse, and relapse treatment with glucocorticoids/plasma exchange to predict relapse associated disability was run.

Results:

In the first step of the regression model, pathological albumin quotient (QAlb) [regression coefficient 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.07–0.92), p = 0.02, n = 99] and CSF protein concentration [regression coefficient 0.84, 95% CI (0.33–1.35), p = 0.001, n = 99] predicted EDSS after relapse recovery. In the second step, the sum score of both predictors [range 0–2; n per value: 0 ( n = 73), 1 ( n = 10), 2 ( n = 15)] confirmed the negative impact on course of disability after relapse [regression coefficient 0.38, 95% CI (0.13–0.62), p = 0.003, n = 98]. In this final multivariate linear regression model ( p < 0.001; R2 0.34), also EDSS at lumbar puncture [regression coefficient 0.58, 95% CI (0.35–0.81), p < 0.001, n = 98] and time between symptom onset and CSF evaluation [regression coefficient 0.03, 95% CI (0.006–0.048), p = 0.01, n = 98] forecast subsequent disability

Discussion:

Our study conducted in MS patients during first relapse confirmed that both increased CSF protein concentration and pathological QAlb have a negative impact on EDSS after relapse. As secondary finding, we identified time from symptom onset to lumbar puncture as predictor of disability recovery after relapse.