bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food deserts and cardiovascular health among young adults
Authors: Testa Alexander , Jackson Dylan B , Semenza Daniel C , Vaughn Michael G
Published: July 2020

Objective:

This study assesses the association between living in a food desert and cardiovascular health risk among young adults in the USA, as well as evaluates whether personal and area socioeconomic status moderates this relationship.

Design:

A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from Wave I (1993–1994) and Wave IV (2008) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Ordinary least squares regression models assessing the association between living in a food desert and cardiovascular health were performed. Mediation and moderation analyses assessed the degree to which this association was conditioned by area and personal socioeconomic status.

Setting:

Sample of respondents living in urban census tracts in the USA in 2008.

Participants:

Young adults (n 8896) aged 24–34 years.

Results:

Net of covariates living in a food desert had a statistically significant association with cardiovascular health risk (range 0–14) (β = 0·048, P < 0·01). This association was partially mediated by area and personal socioeconomic status. Further analyses demonstrate that the adverse association between living in a food desert and cardiovascular health is concentrated among low socioeconomic status respondents.

Conclusions:

The findings from this study suggest a complex interplay between food deserts and economic conditions for the cardiovascular health of young adults. Developing interventions that aim to improve health behaviour among lower-income populations may yield benefits for preventing the development of cardiovascular health problems.
Gender Differences in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theory Beliefs
Authors: Cassese Erin C. , Farhart Christina E. , Miller Joanne M.
Published: July 2020

In this article, we evaluate gender differences in COVID-19 conspiracy theory beliefs. We find that women are significantly less likely than men to endorse COVID-19 conspiracy theories and that this gender difference cuts across party lines. Our analysis suggests that this gender gap is partially explained by two dispositional factors: learned helplessness and conspiratorial thinking. Our findings qualify past work on the antecedents of conspiracy theory beliefs, which does not uncover robust and significant gender differences. The results highlight the need for work in this area to better theorize about the significance of gender.
An optimal circular antenna array design considering the mutual coupling employing ant lion optimization
Authors: Das Avishek , Mandal Durbadal , Kar Rajib
Published: July 2020

This paper presents an efficient approach for the design of a non-uniform single ring circular antenna array (CAA) for the synthesis of the optimal far-field radiation pattern. A recently proposed meta-heuristic-based optimization technique known as ant lion optimization (ALO) is applied in this paper to determine the optimum set of current amplitude excitation weights and the inter-element distance among the array elements to reduce the side lobe level (SLL) and 3-dB beam width considering the mutual coupling effect. The results achieved by employing the ALO algorithm are compared with the uniform radiation pattern and with those of the recently reported literature containing equal sets of elements to prove the superiority of ALO algorithm. Three different design examples of 8, 10, and 12 elements CAA are presented, and their performances are compared to illustrate the capability of the ALO algorithm-based approach over those of the recently reported literature.
High‐Resolution Surface Velocities and Strain for Anatolia From Sentinel‐1 InSAR and GNSS Data
Authors: Weiss Jonathan R. , Walters Richard J. , Morishita Yu , Wright Tim J. , Lazecky Milan , Wang Hua , Hussain Ekbal , Hooper Andrew J. , Elliott John R. , Rollins Chris , Yu Chen , González Pablo J. , Spaans Karsten , Li Zhenhong , Parsons Barry
Published: July 2020

Measurements of present‐day surface deformation are essential for the assessment of long‐term seismic hazard. The European Space Agency's Sentinel‐1 satellites enable global, high‐resolution observation of crustal motion from Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR). We have developed automated InSAR processing systems that exploit the first ~5 years of Sentinel‐1 data to measure surface motions for the ~800,000‐km2 Anatolian region. Our new 3‐D velocity and strain rate fields illuminate deformation patterns dominated by westward motion of Anatolia relative to Eurasia, localized strain accumulation along the North and East Anatolian Faults, and rapid vertical signals associated with anthropogenic activities and to a lesser extent extension across the grabens of western Anatolia. We show that automatically processed Sentinel‐1 InSAR data can characterize details of the velocity and strain rate fields with high resolution and accuracy over large regions. These results are important for assessing the relationship between strain accumulation and release in earthquakes.
Northward Shifts in the Polar Front Preceded Bølling and Holocene Warming in Southwestern Scandinavia
Authors: Cowling O. C. , Thomas E. K. , Svendsen J. I. , Mangerud J. , Vasskog K. , Haflidason H.
Published: July 2020

The last deglaciation in northern Europe provides an opportunity to study the hydrologic component of abrupt climate shifts in a region with complex interactions between ice sheets and oceanic and atmospheric circulation. We use leaf wax hydrogen isotopes (δ2H) to reconstruct summer precipitation δ2H and aridity in southwestern Norway from 15.8 to 11.5 ka. We identify transitions to a more proximal moisture source before the ends of Heinrich Stadial 1 and the Younger Dryas, prior to local warming and increased primary productivity in both instances. We infer these changes in moisture delivery to southwestern Norway to be a response to northward shifts in the polar front caused by warm water intrusion into the North Atlantic, which preceded abrupt warming in the circum‐North Atlantic. These results suggest that moisture transport pathways shift northward as warm surface ocean water reaches higher latitudes in the North Atlantic.
Identifying Different Classes of Seismic Noise Signals Using Unsupervised Learning
Authors: Johnson Christopher W. , Ben‐Zion Yehuda , Meng Haoran , Vernon Frank
Published: July 2020

Proper classification of nontectonic seismic signals is critical for detecting microearthquakes and developing an improved understanding of ongoing weak ground motions. We use unsupervised machine learning to label five classes of nonstationary seismic noise common in continuous waveforms. Temporal and spectral features describing the data are clustered to identify separable types of emergent and impulsive waveforms. The trained clustering model is used to classify every 1 s of continuous seismic records from a dense seismic array with 10–30 m station spacing. We show that dominate noise signals can be highly localized and vary on length scales of hundreds of meters. The methodology demonstrates the complexity of weak ground motions and improves the standard of analyzing seismic waveforms with a low signal‐to‐noise ratio. Application of this technique will improve the ability to detect genuine microseismic events in noisy environments where seismic sensors record earthquake‐like signals originating from nontectonic sources.
Two Types of ENSO Varying in Tandem Facilitated by Nonlinear Atmospheric Convection
Authors: Geng Tao , Cai Wenju , Wu Lixin
Published: July 2020

The El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has two distinct regimes, one in the eastern Pacific (EP) featuring strong El Niño and the other in the central Pacific (CP) characterized by strong La Niña. Establishment of atmospheric convection in the climatologically cold and dry EP region provides a major source of the nonlinearity, but its role in the relationship between CP‐ and EP‐ENSO variability and their long‐term change remain unclear. By constructing a nonlinear two‐box recharge‐oscillator model, here we show that nonlinear atmospheric convection operates to boost strong EP El Niño, strong CP La Niña, and evolution in tandem of variability and skewness of CP‐ and EP‐ENSO. Further, the observed coherent long‐term increase in frequency of strong EP El Niño, strong CP La Niña, and variability of the two‐type ENSO over the past decades is facilitated by a corresponding increase in the nonlinear atmospheric convection.
Observational Evidence for a Stability Iris Effect in the Tropics
Authors: Saint‐Lu Marion , Bony Sandrine , Dufresne Jean‐Louis
Published: July 2020

Anvil clouds cover extensive areas of the tropics, and their response to global warming can affect cloud feedbacks and climate sensitivity. A growing number of models and theories suggest that when the tropical atmosphere warms, anvil clouds rise and their coverage decreases, but observational support for this behavior remains limited. Here we use 10 years of measurements from the space‐borne CALIPSO lidar to analyze the vertical distribution of clouds and isolate the behavior of anvil clouds. On the interannual time scale, we find a strong evidence for anvil rise and coverage decrease in response to tropical warming. Using meteorological reanalyses, we show that this is associated with an increase in static stability and with a reduction in clear‐sky radiatively driven mass convergence at the anvil height. These relationships hold over a large range of spatial scales. This is consistent with the stability Iris mechanism suggested by theory and modeling studies.
Synergy effect of peroxidase enzymes and Fenton reactions greatly increase the anaerobic oxidation of soil organic matter
Authors: Merino Carolina , Kuzyakov Yakov , Godoy Karina , Cornejo Pablo , Matus Francisco
Published: July 2020

In temperate rainforest soils of southern Chile (38 °S), there are high rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization under oxygen (O2) limitation. We study the combined effects of Fenton reactions and the activity of two enzymes manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP), which was hypothesised potentiate SOC mineralization under anoxic conditions leading to carbon dioxide (CO2) release. Both mechanisms produce free radicals when competing for SOC oxidation in the absence of microorganisms. We quantify the CO2release by induced Fenton reactions in combination with MnP and LiP under aerobic and anaerobic conditions (20 °C, 36 h) in temperate rainforest soils. CO2levels released by Fenton reactions and enzyme activity were eight times higher than those released by Fenton reaction and peroxidase enzymes in individual treatment. Approximately 31% of the CO2released under aerobic soil incubation was found to be abiotic (sterilized), while 69% was biotic (non-sterilized soils), and respective values of 17% and 83% were recorded under anaerobic conditions. The relative fluorescence intensity clearly shows ·OH radicals production from Fenton reactions. In conclusion, levels of MnP and LiP coupled with Fenton reactions strongly increase SOC mineralization under long periods of O2limitation in temperate rainforest soils.
More severe disturbance regimes drive the shift of a kelp forest to a sea urchin barren in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Carnell Paul E. , Keough Michael J.
Published: July 2020

Climate change is influencing the frequency and severity of extreme events. This means that systems are experiencing novel or altered disturbance regimes, making it difficult to predict and manage for this impact on ecosystems. While there is established theory regarding how the frequency of disturbance influences ecosystems, how this interacts with severity of disturbance is difficult to tease apart, as these two are inherently linked. Here we investigated a subtidal kelp (Ecklonia radiata) dominated community in southern Australia to assess how different disturbance regimes might drive changes to a different ecosystem state: sea urchin barrens. Specifically, we compared how the frequency of disturbance (single or triple disturbance events over a three month period) influenced recruitment and community dynamics, when the net severity of disturbance was the same (single disturbance compared to triple disturbances each one-third as severe). We crossed this design with two different net severities of disturbance (50% or 100%, kelp canopy removal). The frequency of disturbance effect depended on the severity of disturbance. When 50% of the canopy was removed, the highest kelp recruitment and recovery of the benthic community occurred with the triple disturbance events. When disturbance was a single event or the most severe (100% removal), kelp recruitment was low and the kelp canopy failed to recover over 18 months. The latter case led to shifts in the community composition from a kelp bed to a sea-urchin barren. This suggests that if ecosystems experience novel or more severe disturbance scenarios, this can lead to a decline in ecosystem condition or collapse.
Flexible use of allocentric and egocentric spatial memories activates differential neural networks in mice
Authors: Rinaldi Arianna , De Leonibus Elvira , Cifra Alessandra , Torromino Giulia , Minicocci Elisa , De Sanctis Elisa , López-Pedrajas Rosa María , Oliverio Alberto , Mele Andrea
Published: July 2020

Goal-directed navigation can be based on world-centered (allocentric) or body-centered (egocentric) representations of the environment, mediated by a wide network of interconnected brain regions, including hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal cortex. The relative contribution of these regions to navigation from novel or familiar routes, that demand a different degree of flexibility in the use of the stored spatial representations, has not been completely explored. To address this issue, we trained mice to find a reward relying on allocentric or egocentric information, in a modified version of the cross-maze task. Then we used Zif268 expression to map brain activation when well-trained mice were required to find the goal from a novel or familiar location. Successful navigation was correlated with the activation of CA1, posterior-dorsomedial striatum, nucleus accumbens core and infralimbic cortex when allocentric-trained mice needed to use a novel route. Allocentric navigation from a familiar route activated dorsomedial striatum, nucleus accumbens, prelimbic and infralimbic cortex. None of the structures analyzed was significantly activated in egocentric-trained mice, irrespective of the starting position. These data suggest that a flexible use of stored allocentric information, that allows goal finding even from a location never explored during training, induces a shift from fronto-striatal to hippocampal circuits.
Combining stochastic models of air temperature and vapour pressure for the analysis of the bioclimatic comfort through the Humidex
Authors: Sirangelo Beniamino , Caloiero Tommaso , Coscarelli Roberto , Ferrari Ennio , Fusto Francesco
Published: July 2020

Several studies evidenced the importance of the knowledge of the bioclimatic comfort for improving people’s quality of life. Temperature and relative humidity are the main variables related to climatic comfort/discomfort, influencing the environmental stress in the human body. In this study, a stochastic approach is proposed for characterizing the bioclimatic conditions through the Humidex values in six sites of Calabria (southern Italy), a region often hit by heat waves in summer months. The stochastic approach is essential, because the available time series of temperature and relative humidity are not long enough and present several missing values. The model allowed the characterization of sequences of extreme values of the Humidex. Results showed different behaviours between inner and coastal stations. For example, a sequence of 20 consecutive days with maximum daily Humidex values greater than 35 has a return period ranging from 10 to 20 years for the inner stations, while it exceeds 100 years for the coastal ones. The maximum yearly Humidex values for the inner stations have a larger range (40–50) than the coastal ones (38–45), reaching higher occurrence probabilities of serious danger conditions. Besides, the different influence of temperature and relative humidity on the Humidex behaviour has been evidenced.
Abnormal current dependence of high-level reverse intersystem crossing induced by Dexter energy transfer from hole-transporting layer
Authors: Tang Xiantong , Pan Ruiheng , Xu Jing , Jia Weiyao , Qu Fenlan , Zhao Xi , Xiong Zuhong
Published: July 2020

Extra Dexter energy transfer from hole-transporting layer can induce the abnormal current dependence of HL-RISC process in rubrene-doped OLEDs.
Some aspects of use of organic containing waste for electrical and thermal energy generation
Authors: Vladimirov I. A. , Mukhametova Liliya , Yamashkin M. V.
Published: July 2020

This article is devoted to the problem of energy generation from the non-processed part of waste, both industrial and municipal. Some aspects of use of gasification products of organic-containing wastes and landfill gas are considered. The presented comparison shows that landfill and generator gases can be attributed to the group of medium-calorific gases used both as boiler fuel and for production of liquid synthetic fuels. It should also be noted that generator and landfill gases contain a significant proportion of inert gases (from 22% to 60%), which is significantly higher than that of natural gases. Inert gases in landfill and generator gases are different. In the first case it is CO2, in the second it is N2. Unlike solid fuel boilers, in a boiler designed to burn gaseous fuels (natural gas), synthetic gases can also be burned without significant additional reconstruction. Due to the difference in gas calorific value, the ratio of fuel to air (with a constant coefficient of excess air α) will change to obtain the necessary thermal power, however, the volume of flue gases will differ slightly. Therefore, the flow sections of the boiler furnace can be saved.
Iatrogene Nervenläsionen in der Hüft- und Knieendoprothetik
Authors: Weynandt Claude Léonie , Kowski Alexander , Perka Carsten , Rakow Anastasia
Published: July 2020

Iatrogene Verletzungen motorischer Nerven gehören zu den Majorkomplikationen der Hüft- und Knieendoprothetik. Entsprechende Risikofaktoren und das Vorgehen bei solchen Schädigungen sollten den behandelnden Ärzten vertraut sein.
How does the self-sufficiency rate affect international price volatility transmissions in the wheat sector? Evidence from wheat-exporting countries
Authors: Tanaka Tetsuji , Guo Jin
Published: July 2020

Research on international food prices or volatility transmission have concentrated on importing countries and have largely underestimated the importance of food insecurity or food poverty issues in food-exporting countries. This article identifies the causality between global and regional wheat pric in exporting countries and explores the determinants of price volatility pass-throughs using a Glosten, Jagannathan and Runkle generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GJR-GARCH) model with dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) specifications. Findings indicate that causal relationships between world and local prices are bi-directional and that self-sufficiency plays an important role in reducing international price volatility spillovers. Moreover, the consumption of substitute goods such as maize or rice functions as a shock absorber, alleviating volatility transmissions from the international market. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, food prices are more destabilised in many countries, along with various factors such as Russia’s and Kazakhstan’s export restrictions on grain commodites and international transport and supply chain disruptions. Based on the findings of our analysis, high self-sufficiency or autarky policies could help resilience to the shocks from these unexpected events against local retail markets in exporting countries such as the United States.
Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 PCR Cycle Threshold Values Provide Practical Insight Into Overall and Target-Specific Sensitivity Among Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Buchan Blake W , Hoff Jessica S , Gmehlin Cameron G , Perez Adriana , Faron Matthew L , Munoz-Price L Silvia , Ledeboer Nathan A
Published: July 2020

Objectives

We examined the distribution of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold (CT) values obtained from symptomatic patients being evaluated for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to determine the proportion of specimens containing a viral load near the assay limit of detection (LoD) to gain practical insight to the risk of false-negative results. We also examined the relationship between CT value and patient age to determine any age-dependent difference in viral load or test sensitivity.

Methods

We collected CT values obtained from the cobas severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) assay corresponding to 1,213 combined nasopharyngeal-oropharyngeal specimens obtained from symptomatic individuals that were reported as positive or presumptive positive for SARS-CoV-2. CT values were stratified by SARS-CoV target and patient age group.

Results

In total, 93.3% to 98.4% of specimens demonstrated CT values greater than 3× the assay LoD, at which point false-negative results would not be expected. The mean of CT values between age groups was statistically equivalent with the exception of patients in age group 80 to 89 years, which demonstrated slightly lower CTs.

Conclusions

Based on the distribution of observed CT values, including the small proportion of specimens with values near the assay LoD, there is a low risk of false-negative RT-PCR results in combined nasopharyngeal-oropharyngeal specimens obtained from symptomatic individuals.
Sodium activates human monocytes via the NADPH oxidase and isolevuglandin formation
Authors: Ruggeri Barbaro Natalia , Van Beusecum Justin , Xiao Liang , do Carmo Luciana , Pitzer Ashley , Loperena Roxana , Foss Jason D , Elijovich Fernando , Laffer Cheryl L , Montaniel Kim R , Galindo Cristi L , Chen Wei , Ao Mingfang , Mernaugh Raymond L , Alsouqi Aseel , Ikizler Talat A , Fogo Agnes B , Moreno Heitor , Zhao Shilin , Davies Sean S , Harrison David G , Kirabo Annet
Published: July 2020

Aims

Prior studies have focused on the role of the kidney and vasculature in salt-induced modulation of blood pressure; however, recent data indicate that sodium accumulates in tissues and can activate immune cells. We sought to examine mechanisms by which salt causes activation of human monocytes both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods and results

To study the effect of salt in human monocytes, monocytes were isolated from volunteers to perform several in vitro experiments. Exposure of human monocytes to elevated Na+ex vivo caused a co-ordinated response involving isolevuglandin (IsoLG)-adduct formation, acquisition of a dendritic cell (DC)-like morphology, expression of activation markers CD83 and CD16, and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. High salt also caused a marked change in monocyte gene expression as detected by RNA sequencing and enhanced monocyte migration to the chemokine CC motif chemokine ligand 5. NADPH-oxidase inhibition attenuated monocyte activation and IsoLG-adduct formation. The increase in IsoLG-adducts correlated with risk factors including body mass index, pulse pressure. Monocytes exposed to high salt stimulated IL-17A production from autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In addition, to evaluate the effect of salt in vivo, monocytes and T cells isolated from humans were adoptively transferred to immunodeficient NSG mice. Salt feeding of humanized mice caused monocyte-dependent activation of human T cells reflected by proliferation and accumulation of T cells in the bone marrow. Moreover, we performed a cross-sectional study in 70 prehypertensive subjects. Blood was collected for flow cytometric analysis and 23Na magnetic resonance imaging was performed for tissue sodium measurements. Monocytes from humans with high skin Na+ exhibited increased IsoLG-adduct accumulation and CD83 expression.

Conclusion

Human monocytes exhibit co-ordinated increases in parameters of activation, conversion to a DC-like phenotype and ability to activate T cells upon both in vitro and in vivo sodium exposure. The ability of monocytes to be activated by sodium is related to in vivo cardiovascular disease risk factors. We therefore propose that in addition to the kidney and vasculature, immune cells like monocytes convey salt-induced cardiovascular risk in humans.
Psychometric evaluation of instruments measuring the work environment of healthcare professionals in hospitals: a systematic literature review
Authors: Maassen Susanne M , Weggelaar Jansen Anne Marie J W , Brekelmans Gerard , Vermeulen Hester , van Oostveen Catharina J
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Research shows that the professional healthcare working environment influences the quality of care, safety climate, productivity, and motivation, happiness, and health of staff. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to assess instruments that provide valid, reliable and succinct measures of health care professionals’ work environment (WE) in hospitals.

Data sources

Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL EBSCOhost and Google Scholar were systematically searched from inception through December 2018.

Study selection

Pre-defined eligibility criteria (written in English, original work-environment instrument for healthcare professionals and not a translation, describing psychometric properties as construct validity and reliability) were used to detect studies describing instruments developed to measure the working environment.

Data extraction

After screening 6397 titles and abstracts, we included 37 papers. Two reviewers independently assessed the 37 instruments on content and psychometric quality following the COSMIN guideline.

Results of data synthesis

Our paper analysis revealed a diversity of items measured. The items were mapped into 48 elements on aspects of the healthcare professional’s WE. Quality assessment also revealed a wide range of methodological flaws in all studies.

Conclusions

We found a large variety of instruments that measure the professional healthcare environment. Analysis uncovered content diversity and diverse methodological flaws in available instruments. Two succinct, interprofessional instruments scored best on psychometrical quality and are promising for the measurement of the working environment in hospitals. However, further psychometric validation and an evaluation of their content is recommended.
The Future of Work in the Age of AI
Authors: Moradi Pegah , Levy Karen
Published: July 2020

This chapter examines the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on work and workers. As AI-driven technologies are increasingly integrated into workplaces and labor processes, many have expressed worry about the widespread displacement of human workers. The chapter presents a more nuanced view of the common rhetoric that robots will take over people’s jobs. We contend that economic forecasts of massive AI-induced job loss are of limited practical utility, as they tend to focus solely on technical aspects of task execution, while neglecting broader contextual inquiry about the social components of work, organizational structures, and cross-industry effects. The chapter then considers how AI might impact workers through modes other than displacement. We highlight four mechanisms through which firms are beginning to use AI-driven tools to reallocate risks from themselves to workers: algorithmic scheduling, task redefinition, loss and fraud prediction, and incentivization of productivity. We then explore potential policy responses to both displacement and risk-shifting concerns.
Troubleshooting AI and Consent
Authors: Jones Meg Leta , Edenberg Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

This chapter addresses the controversy over the role of consent in data protection, as artificial intelligence systems have proliferated in people’s daily lives. Digital consent has been criticized as a meaningless, procedural act because users encounter so many different, long, and complicated terms of service that do not help them effectively assess potential harms or threats. AI systems have played a role in exacerbating existing issues, creating new challenges, and presenting alternative solutions. Most of the critiques and cures for this broken arrangement address choice-making, not consent. As the United States debates whether and why to break up big tech, and the European Union considers enforcement actions under the General Data Protection Regulation and how to update its laws to address tracking techniques in a new AI-driven smart world, consent cannot be confused with choice. Consent must be defined by its moral core, involving clear background conditions, defined scope, knowledge, voluntariness, and fairness. When consent meets these demands, it remains a powerful tool for contributing to meaningful data protection at the individual and societal levels.
The Creative Process of Composing for Video Games: From Pitching to Gold Master and Beyond
Authors: Baysted Stephen , Summers Tim
Published: July 2020

This chapter explores the composer’s experience of writing music for video games. It does so by following the musical creative process through the cycle of video game development. It begins with the pitching process, examines the factors at play in establishing the musical approach to the game, considers the compositional challenges of the video game medium, outlines approaches to recording the music, and finishes by explaining the role of music in the game’s marketing. While characterizing the creative processes of game music in general, the chapter uses two contrasting racing games as case studies. At each stage, the chapter emphasizes the variety of factors and agents involved in the musical decisions. Ultimately, the chapter suggests that the creative process of game music sits in tension between the financial realities of the marketplace, the practicalities of technology, and the creative ambitions of the producers.
Theory in the Field
Authors: Barrett John , Hamilton Sue
Published: July 2020

Archaeological fieldwork is normally treated as a matter of applying techniques that are designed to recover particular data sets, which have been identified either on the basis of research priorities or by the concerns of cultural resource management. The data are treated as objectively secure, whilst their interpretation might be open to question. The role of theory is widely assigned to the process of interpretation, and therefore often treated as an optional aspect of the analysis that is excluded from the process of data recovery. We counter this characterization by treating theory as one of the essential tools required by the fieldworker to enable the critical evaluation of the procedures by which archaeological knowledge is constructed. Such a theorized perspective pre-eminently requires that the procedures of fieldwork help fieldworkers to develop an interpretive archaeology of people in an informed way at the moment of fieldwork.
Nabataean
Authors: Graf David
Published: July 2020

Located on the eastern periphery of the Roman Empire, the Nabataean client-kingdom played an important role in regional politics and international trade, but it is primarily known from Greek and Latin writers, of whom Josephus is of primary importance. What can be postulated about any native literature has to be culled from a variety of sources, including treatises on Arabika that survive only in fragments, a rather large corpus of Nabataean Aramaic inscriptions, and papyri. They provide glimpses at least of possible ethnographical, mythological, legal, and religious works. In particular, inscriptions and papyri refer to archives, and are saturated with Arabic loanwords implying this was the private or native Nabataean language. Nabataean religious festivals and activities were organized around a lunar calendar, preserved in a few zodiac representations, with well-regulated pilgrimages and related activities, suggesting records and texts were preserved in temple archives.
2,3′,4,4′,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl Induced Thyrocyte Autophagy by Promoting Calcium Influx via Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry
Authors: Wang Li , Xu Wenli , Zhou Qi , Xu Bojin , Sheng Yunlu , Sun Minne , Chen Huanhuan , Wang Yucheng , Ding Guoxian , Duan Yu
Published: July 2020

PCB118, a 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl, has been shown to destroy thyroidal ultrastructure and induce thyrocyte autophagy. Previously, we reported that PCB118 promoted autophagosome formation in vivo and in vitro, but more details remain to be revealed. To explore the underlying mechanism by which PCB118 regulates thyrocyte autophagy, Fischer rat thyroid cell line-5 (FRTL-5) cells were exposed to different doses of PCB118 at 0, 0.25, 2.5, and 25 nM for 0–48 h. Western blot analysis of autophagy-related proteins P62, BECLIN1, and LC3 demonstrated that PCB118 induced autophagy formation in dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometry showed PCB118 treatment led to time- and dose-dependent increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Additionally, PCB118 promoted store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) channel followed by significant increase of ORAI1 and STIM1 protein levels. On the other hand, PCB118 induced thyroidal autophagy via class III β-tubulin (TUBB3)/death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK2)/myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC)/autophagy-related 9A (ATG9A) pathway in FRTL-5 cells. Pretreatment with SOCE inhibitor SKF96365 reduced cytosolic Ca2+, ORAI1, STIM1, and BECLIN1 levels as well as LC3 II/LC3 I ratio, while increased P62 expression. SKF96365 also inhibited TUBB3/DAPK2/MRLC/ATG9A pathway in FRTL-5 cells treated by PCB118. Our results provide evidence that PCB118 may induce thyroidal autophagy through TUBB3-related signaling pathway, and these effects are likely to be regulated by calcium influx via SOCE channel.
Permanent Compared With Absorbable Suture for Vaginal Mesh Fixation During Total Hysterectomy and Sacrocolpopexy
Authors: Matthews Catherine A. , Geller Elizabeth J. , Henley Barbara R. , Kenton Kimberly , Myers Erinn M. , Dieter Alexis A. , Parnell Brent , Lewicky-Gaupp Christina , Mueller Margaret G. , Wu Jennifer M.
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVE:

To compare mesh and permanent suture exposure rates in the first year after minimally invasive total hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy with a light-weight polypropylene mesh using permanent or delayed absorbable sutures.

METHODS:

Across five centers in the United States, women were randomized to permanent or delayed absorbable suture for vaginal attachment of a Y-mesh during hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy for stage II prolapse and worse. The primary outcome was mesh or permanent suture exposure in the first year after surgery. The secondary outcome was to compare a composite measure for success defined as leading edge of prolapse not beyond the hymen and apex not descended more than one third vaginal length, and no subjective bulge and no prolapse retreatment. Patients completed a pelvic examination including the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system and questionnaires at baseline, 6 weeks and 1 year postsurgery. A sample size of 80 per group was planned to compare the rate of mesh or permanent suture exposure in the permanent compared with delayed absorbable groups.

RESULTS:

From April 2015 to May 2019, 204 patients (n=102 permanent; n=102 delayed absorbable) were randomized. One hundred ninety-eight women had follow-up data, with 182 (93%) completing 1-year follow-up: 95 of 99 (96%) permanent, 87 of 101 (86%) delayed absorbable. The total rate of mesh or permanent suture exposure was 12 of 198 (6.1%): 5.1% for permanent compared with 7.0% for delayed absorbable (risk ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.24–2.22). The majority (9/12) were asymptomatic. Composite success was 93% for permanent compared with 95% for delayed absorbable suture, P=.43). Six (3.0%) women had a serious adverse event.

CONCLUSION:

Suture type used for vaginal graft attachment did not influence mesh or permanent suture exposure rates.

FUNDING SOURCE:

Boston Scientific Corporation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02277925.
Low-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma Diagnosed 8 Years After Hysterectomy With Morcellation
Authors: Sanneh Awa , Murdock Tricia , Wethington Stephanie L. , Fader Amanda N. , Xing Deyin , Beavis Anna L.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND:

Morcellation at the time of minimally invasive hysterectomy or myomectomy for presumed benign indications carries a risk of disseminating undiagnosed uterine malignancies.

CASE:

A 57-year-old woman with a remote history of laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation of a cellular leiomyoma presented with a newly diagnosed complex pelvic mass. Owing to adherence of the mass to the rectum and numerous peritoneal tumor implants, a surgical cytoreductive procedure was performed. The pelvic mass, implants, and original hysterectomy specimen were histologically identical and consistent with low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Owing to lack of tumor–myometrial interface on the original morcellated specimen, this malignant diagnosis was not made at the time of hysterectomy.

CONCLUSION:

Morcellation of the uterus can hinder an accurate pathologic diagnosis of uterine stromal neoplasms.
Effect of thyrotropin suppressive therapy on heart rate variability and QT dispersion in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Liu Chunhua , Lv Haihong , Li Qian , Fu Songbo , Tan Jiaojiao , Wang Chenyi , Wang Xiaoqian , Ma Yuping
Published: July 2020

The effects of thyrotropin (TSH) suppressive therapy on autonomic regulation and ventricular repolarization in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) have not been elucidated. The aim of present study was to evaluate variation in heart rate variability (HRV) and QT dispersion after TSH suppressive therapy in patients with DTC.

Cases, defined as 271 patients with DTC within 1 year of exogenous levothyroxine, and all patients underwent a full history, physical examination, including standard 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and 24 h ambulatory ECG monitoring (Holter) with normal free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) with levothyroxine. To evaluate effects of TSH suppressive therapy on HRV and QT dispersion, patients were divided into three groups according to different levels of TSH: TSH < 0.1 mIU/L group and 0.1 ≤ TSH < 0.5 mIU/L group were as TSH suppression groups, and 0.5 ≤ TSH < 2.0 mIU/L group was as TSH replacement group.

Comparing with 0.5 ≤ TSH < 2.0 mIU/L group, significant changes in both time and frequency domain of HRV and QT dispersion were observed in TSH < 0.1 mIU/L group (P < .001: SDNN, SDANN, HF, LF/HF, QTd, and QTcd; P < .05: rMSSD) and 0.1 ≤ TSH < 0.5 mIU/L group (P < .001: SDNN, HF, LF/HF, QTd, and QTcd), and especially were more pronounced in TSH < 0.1 mIU/L group. Moreover, we found that TSH level was proportional to SDNN (β = 15.829, P < .001), but inversely proportional to LF/HF (β = −0.671, P < .001), QTd (β = −16.674, P < .001) and QTcd (β = −18.314, P < .001) in DTC patients with exogenous levothyroxine.

Compared with euthyroid state, patients with suppressed serum TSH have increased sympathetic activity in the presence of diminished vagal tone, ultimately showed sympathovagal imbalance and with an increased inhomogeneity of ventricular recovery times. These findings revealed that TSH suppression therapy had a significant impact on cardiovascular system and had certain guiding role in the treatment and management of patients with DTC.
Global Overview of Response Rates in Patient and Health Care Professional Surveys in Surgery
Authors: Meyer Vincent Maurice , Benjamens Stan , Moumni Mostafa El , Lange Johan F. M. , Pol Robert A.
Published: July 2020

Objective:

Identify key demographic factors and modes of follow-up in surgical survey response.

Summary Background Data:

Surveys are widely used in surgery to assess patient and procedural outcomes, but response rates vary widely which compromises study quality. Currently there is no consensus as to what the average response rate is and which factors are associated with higher response rates.

Methods:

The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE/PubMed) was systematically searched from Januray 1, 2007 until February 1, 2020 using the following strategy: (((questionnaire) OR survey) AND “response rate”) AND (surgery OR surgical). Original survey studies from surgical(-related) fields reporting on response rate were included. Through one-way analysis of variance we present mean response rate per survey mode over time, number of additional contacts, country of origin, and type of interviewee.

Results:

The average response is 70% over 811 studies in patients and 53% over 1746 doctor surveys. In-person surveys yield an average 76% response rate, followed by postal (65%) and online (46% web-based vs 51% email) surveys. Patients respond significantly more often than doctors to surveys by mail (P < 0.001), email (P = 0.003), web-based surveys (P < 0.001) and mixed mode surveys (P = 0.006). Additional contacts significantly improve response rate in email (P = 0.26) and web-based (P = 0.041) surveys in doctors. A wide variation in response rates was identified between countries.

Conclusions:

Every survey is unique, but the main commonality between studies is response rate. Response rates appear to be highly dependent on type of survey, follow-up, geography, and interviewee type.
Financial leverage, debt maturity, future financing constraints and future investment
Authors: Poursoleiman Ehsan , Mansourfar Gholamreza , Abidin Sazali
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of debt maturity on the relationship between financial leverage and future financing constraints. Moreover, it attempts to analyze the moderating role of short-term debt and the mediating role of future financing constraints in the relationship between financial leverage and future investment.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the moderating role of debt maturity, all the observations are divided into two groups based on short-term debt to total debt ratio. Moreover, Sobel, Aroian and Goodman tests are used to analyze the mediating role of future financing constraints. The sample used in this research includes firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2006 to 2018.

Findings

It is shown that financial leverage is inversely (positively) related to future financing constraints for firms with higher (lower) use of short-term debt and, short-term debt moderates the relation between financial leverage and future investment. The findings also indicate that future financing constraints carry the influence of financial leverage to future investment.

Originality/value

In an imperfect market where financing is not independent of investment, it is highly required to carry out some studies on the role of different financing scenarios in firms and their impacts on future financing and investment; therefore, this paper is conducted to address one of the most important issues in the capital market, which is almost the pioneer study in this field.
Ethical standards and perceptions of CRM among millennial consumers
Authors: Cosgrave David , O'Dwyer Michele
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study explores the millennial perceptions of cause-related marketing (CRM) in international markets through the lens of an ethical continuum. Literature gaps exist in our understanding of cause-related marketing, ethics and millennials in an international context, with few studies offering insights into successful CRM campaigns in developed vs developing countries. Previous studies have yielded differing responses based on culture, sociodemographic and consumer perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative research method was adopted to build the theory necessary to address this research gap. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 155 undergraduate and postgraduate students representing 17 nationalities. Interviews were conducted in two regions (Ireland and United Arab Emirates) representing developed and developing markets.

Findings

Discrepancies exist between millennial consumers when it comes to ethical self-reporting, perceptions of CRM initiatives, choice criteria of CRM offers and purchase intentions. Findings also suggest that there is a relationship between the religious and ethical beliefs of millennials in certain regions. Gender showed no significant differences in perceptions of CRM.

Originality/value

This study examines millennial perceptions of CRM from multiple nationalities in developed vs developing markets. It introduces the ethical continuum in international CRM as a lens to examine perceptions of millennial consumers. The study identifies that millennials should not be treated as a homogenous group, suggesting different choice criteria of millennial consumers based on their ethical standards. It demonstrates emerging support for the role of religion in successful adoption of CRM.
A study of intention to save in Islamic banks: the perspective of Muslim students
Authors: Nugraheni Peni , Widyani Faizah Novi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Islamic banking provides financial products and services to fulfill the transaction needs of Muslim consumers, and Muslim students are potential consumers who can support the development of Islamic financial institutions. This study aims to examine the factors that influence the intentions of Muslim students to save in Islamic banks. Independent variables in this study are a parental recommendation, location, profit sharing, religiosity, knowledge and financial information disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

The samples in this study are Muslim university students in Indonesia and are divided into two groups as follows: the first group has an educational background in Islamic economics gained at Islamic universities, while the second group is studying at public universities and so do not have a background of this type. The study uses questionnaires to gather data and analyzes this data using a multiple linear regression model.

Findings

For the first group, this study finds that profit-sharing, religiosity, knowledge and financial information disclosure influence the intentions of Muslim students to save in Islamic banks. The results for the second group show that parental recommendation, profit sharing and religiosity influence the intentions of Muslim students without an Islamic economic background to save in Islamic banks.

Practical implications

The implications of this study are that the university environment can influence the intention of students to save in accounts at Islamic banks. As students form an important market segment for the banking industry as a new source of accounts and for future profitability, interested parties and in particular Islamic banks may wish to consider these results as part of their strategies for attracting customers.

Originality/value

The respondents of this study consist of Muslim students in Islamic and public universities in Indonesia. The different backgrounds of the students can describe intention levels in their assessments of Islamic banks.