bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the damage behavior of thin sheets for fuselage based on in situ corrosion fatigue test and digital image correlation technique
Authors: Chen Yajun , Song Xianjie , Ji Chunming , Wang Fusheng
Published: October 2020

The effect of salt spray and salt solution on the fatigue properties of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy plate used for aircraft fuselage structure have been investigated by combining Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technology with in-situ corrosion fatigue test. For this purpose, an in-situ corrosion fatigue platform was designed for gas and liquid phases. Fatigue experimental investigation was carried out in salt spray and salt solution environments respectively, the crack propagation process was monitored by the DIC technology and the influences of NaCl concentration on fatigue life and crack growth rate were analyzed under the two kinds of corrosive environments. Moreover, the failure mechanism is discussed based on the micro-morphology of fracture and the composition of corrosion products. Experimental results demonstrated that for the corrosion fatigue in salt spray environment, there is a competition between the hydrogen embrittlement and the crack tip closure effect caused by corrosion products, which results in fatigue life decreasing with the increase of NaCl concentration first and then increasing. The fatigue life (with 3.50 wt.% NaCl salt spray) is the lowest, which is 82.9% of that in air, while the fatigue life (with 5.00 wt.% NaCl salt spray) is 112.6% of that in air. But for the corrosion fatigue in the NaCl salt solution environment, there is no obvious crack tip closure effect. In the 5.00 wt.% NaCl salt solution environment, fatigue life is 74.2% of that in air. The microfractures and strain nephogram of specimens revealed the stress concentration caused by corrosion pits, which might be the main factor for the decrease of fatigue life.
An Integrative Review of Return to Driving After Concussion in Adolescents
Authors: Jain Divya , Arbogast Kristy B. , Master Christina L. , C. McDonald Catherine
Published: October 2020

Concussion is a common injury among adolescents. It is unknown how a concussion affects driving behavior and performance in adolescents. Although there are guidelines for return to learn, exercise, and sports that school nurses can help support in school, little is known about return to driving after concussion. The goal of this integrative review was to summarize the current literature on return to driving after concussion in adolescents. Six articles published between 2016 and 2020 were included in the review. Physicians and nurse practitioners find providing driving recommendations to adolescents to be appropriate; however, they are unclear what metrics to use to determine whether a patient is fit to drive. Future studies should explore clinical predictors of readiness to return to driving in adolescents. School nurses have an opportunity to support adolescents in their resumption of typical activities after concussion including school, sports, and, as more evidence becomes available, driving.
COVID-19 in Cancer Patients From New York City: A Comparative Single Center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Ramachandran Preethi , Kathirvelu Balachandar , Chakraborti Abhishek , Gajendran Mahesh , Zhahid Umar , Ghanta Snigdha , Onukogu Ifeanyichkwu , Narh Joshua Tetteh , Wang Jen C. , Anwer Faiz
Published: October 2020

In this retrospective study we analyze and compare clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with and without cancer history who were infected with novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Medical records were reviewed and a comparative analysis of 53 cancer and 135 non-cancer patients with COVID-19 were summarized. Results: The median age for COVID-19 patients with and without cancer was 71.5 and 61.6 years, respectively. Patients aged 60 years and above were 86.8% and 60.7% in cancer and non-cancer groups, respectively. A high proportion of cases were seen in African Americans 73.6% (with cancer) and 75.6% (without cancer) followed by Hispanic patients. Male and female patients had a high percentage of prostate (39.3%) and breast (32%) cancer respectively. Prostate cancer (18.9%) and myeloma (11.3%) were common among solid and hematological cancers respectively. Hypertension and smoking were prevalent among cancer (83% and 41.5%) compared to non-cancer (67.4% and 9.6%) patients. The common symptoms in cancer patients were dyspnea (64.2%) followed by fever and cough (50.9%) compared to fever (68.1%) and cough (66.7%) in non-cancer patients. Cancer patients had higher levels of lactic acidosis, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase than non-cancer patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Rapid clinical deterioration was seen in cancer patients who were aged 60 years and above. Higher mortality was seen in this subgroup, especially when they had associated hypertension and elevated levels of CRP and LDH.
The 1994 Violence Against Women Act: A Historic Response to Gender Violence
Authors: Gover Angela R. , Moore Angela M.
Published: October 2020

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is frequently questioned about its success, especially during times of its reauthorization. While federal, state, local, and private organizations have funded a significant amount of research through VAWA since its inception, questions remain as to whether the field has the evidence to make a concrete judgment about its success. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, we review the Act and its subsequent reauthorizations. Second, the article addresses issues related to VAWA’s success. We consider whether it is possible to answer Moore Parmley’s question posed in 2004, p. 1,428: “ . . . on the anniversary of the VAWA, will we be able to say with any confidence that the Act helped to prevent violence against women?”
Latent Change Score Models for the Study of Development and Dynamics in Organizational Research
Authors: Matusik James Garrett , Hollenbeck John R. , Mitchell Rebecca L.
Published: October 2020

The empirical study of change has proven to be one of the most vexing challenges in organizational science. Fortunately, contemporary methodologies originating from developmental psychology may provide a potential solution and are consequently working their way into the literature. In particular, organizational researchers are increasingly employing variations of latent change score (LCS) models to address questions regarding change, development, and dynamics. Although these models may indeed be used to reliably study change, development, and dynamics, many studies utilizing these models—and published in premier outlets—are characterized by questionable methodological choices, improper modeling procedures, and suboptimal research designs. Thus, the purpose of the present article is to (a) provide a critical review of LCS models, (b) outline appropriate modeling procedures (with corresponding Mplus and R syntax), (c) compare and contrast LCS modeling with other analytical techniques, and (d) delineate best practices. Ultimately, we endorse the use of LCS models by organizational researchers interested in studying longitudinal phenomena. However, we also heed researchers to do so judiciously because their misuse may lead to their unwarranted rejection by the field.
Being a Blue Blood: A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences of Police Officers’ Children
Authors: Helfers Richard C. , Reynolds Paul D. , Scott David M.
Published: October 2020

There has been speculation by researchers regarding the potential fears, concerns, and difficulties experienced by children of police officers, such as fears about their parent being injured or killed while on duty, ridicule and bullying, or being personally assaulted. More disheartening are the increased potential stressors facing police officers’ children due to increased community hostility across the country over the last few years, particularly among the African American community, stemming from a series of police involved shootings of unarmed African American males. Yet, there remains scant research that has examined the lived experiences of police officers’ children. To address this gap in the policing literature, this study used semi-structured interviews of police officers children in a southern state using a phenomenological methodology to explore the lived experiences of being a child of a police officer. Findings and policy recommendations are discussed.
Unraveling Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Parkinson’s Disease: Contribution of CSF Biomarkers
Authors: Farotti Lucia , Paolini Paoletti Federico , Simoni Simone , Parnetti Lucilla
Published: October 2020

Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) relies on clinical history and physical examination, but misdiagnosis is common in early stages. Identification of biomarkers for PD may allow for early and more precise diagnosis and provide information about prognosis. Developments in analytical chemistry allow for the detection of a large number of molecules in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which are known to be associated with the pathogenesis of PD. Given the pathophysiology of PD, CSF α-synuclein species have the strongest rationale for use, also providing encouraging preliminary results in terms of early diagnosis. In the field of classical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers, low CSF Aβ42 levels have shown a robust prognostic value in terms of development of cognitive impairment. Other CSF biomarkers including lysosomal enzymes, neurofilament light chain, markers of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, although promising, have not proved to be reliable for diagnostic and prognostic purposes yet. Overall, the implementation of CSF biomarkers may give a substantial contribution to the optimal use of disease-modifying drugs.
Clusterin as a Potential Biomarker of Obesity-Related Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
Authors: Bradley David
Published: October 2020

Over 35% of the adult US population is obese. In turn, excess adiposity increases the risk of multiple complications including type 2 diabetes (T2D), insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease; yet, obesity also independently heightens risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), even after adjusting for other important confounding risk factors including blood pressure, sociodemographics, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype. Among patients over the age of 65 with dementia, 37% have coexisting diabetes, and an estimated 7.3% of cases of AD are directly attributable to midlife obesity. Clusterin, also known as apolipoprotein J (ApoJ), is a multifunctional glycoprotein that acts as a molecular chaperone, assisting folding of secreted proteins. Clusterin has been implicated in several physiological and pathological states, including AD, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disease. Despite long-standing interest in elucidating clusterin’s relationship with amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation/clearance and toxicity, significant knowledge gaps still exist. Altered clusterin expression and protein levels have been linked with cognitive and memory function, disrupted central nervous system lipid flux, as well as pathogenic brain structure; and its role in cardiometabolic disease suggests that it may be a link between insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and AD. Here, we briefly highlight clusterin’s relevance to AD by presenting existing evidence linking clusterin to AD and cardiometabolic disease, and discussing its potential utility as a biomarker for AD in the presence of obesity-related metabolic disease.
Effectiveness of a School-Based Tobacco Prevention Program for Middle School Students in Saudi Arabia: A Quasi-Experimental Controlled Trial
Authors: Al Agili Dania E , Salihu Hamisu M
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of a school-based tobacco program in preventing initiation of tobacco use among adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

We used a quasi-experimental controlled design. Four intervention and four control schools were selected from the regional education registry. A baseline questionnaire was administered to all grade 7 students before implementing the tobacco prevention program, Dentists Fighting Nicotine Dependence (DFND). The intervention group (n =379) received the DFND program whereas the control group (n = 255) received the regular tobacco program administered by the Department of Education. The program was delivered by trained health educators over 5 weeks. Pre- and post-test surveys (immediate and 2-year post-intervention) were collected. Study outcomes were current tobacco use, tobacco knowledge, attitude towards not using tobacco, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) of tobacco use. Covariates included sex, parent education, academic performance, absenteeism, student allowance, and religiosity. Data were analyzed using a two-level hierarchical mixed models.

Results:

In the immediate post-test, 597 participants (intervention, n = 366; control, n = 231) were surveyed. There was no difference in tobacco use between intervention and control schools, however, the intervention group had significantly higher mean scores for knowledge (β = 1.27, SE = 0.27, P < .01) and attitude toward not using tobacco (β = 5.17, SE = 2.48, P < .05) after adjusting for covariates. At 2-year post-intervention, 463 participants (intervention, n = 289; control, n = 173) were surveyed. There were no differences in tobacco use, knowledge, attitude or PBC between intervention and control groups.

Conclusions:

Our program did not impact tobacco use. In the short-term, the program significantly improved knowledge and attitude towards not using tobacco. These effects decayed 2 years post-intervention without additional programming. Increasing the effectiveness of DFND may be achieved by expanding curriculum content and practice time throughout the school years and by targeting high-risk adolescents within the program.
Perceiving those who are gone: Cultural research on post-bereavement perception or hallucination of the deceased
Authors: Sabucedo Pablo , Evans Chris , Hayes Jacqueline
Published: October 2020

Experiencing the continued presence of the deceased is common among the bereaved, whether as a sensory perception or as a felt presence. This phenomenon has been researched from psychological and psychiatric perspectives during the last five decades. Such experiences have been also documented in the ethnographic literature but, despite the extensive cross-cultural research in the area, anthropological data has generally not been considered in the psychological literature about this phenomenon. This paper provides an overview aimed at bridging these two areas of knowledge, and approaches the post-bereavement perception or hallucination of the deceased in cultural context. Ongoing debates are addressed from the vantage point of ethnographic and clinical case study research focusing on the cultural repertoires (in constant flux as cultures change) from which these experiences are labelled as desirable and normal, on the one hand, or as dangerous and pathological, on the other.
Legitimate Expectation and Social Security Law Under the European Convention of Human Rights
Authors: Cousins Mel
Published: October 2020

The concept of ‘legitimate expectation’ is one which has developed to different degrees in the domestic laws of contracting states of the Council of Europe. The European Court of Human Rights tends to use the term is two related contexts. First, the Court refers to legitimate expectation as a way of expanding the scope of ‘possessions’ within the meaning of Article 1 of Protocol 1 (P1-1) of the European Convention of Human Rights in order to bring an issue within the purview of the Court. Second, the Court uses the term to refer to a person’s expectations as to the future peaceful enjoyment of their possessions. The failure by the Court to define clearly what it means by the term ‘legitimate expectation’ and its use in two different (if related) ways has led to significant confusion in the Court’s jurisprudence as it concerns social security.
The culture of childhood in (and) spaces of resistance
Authors: Shayan Tahmina
Published: October 2020

Providing spaces for children’s culture becomes an issue when it conflicts with or threatens to reverse the notion of ‘legitimate’ culture. Here, legitimate culture refers to the dominant values of the official curriculum and teachers’ cultural values. This article, which stems from an ethnographically oriented pilot study, explores the experience of children’s and adults’ diverse beliefs, ideologies and cultures in an art classroom that is situated in a university facility. It demonstrates how children seek spaces for their culture. Only high official culture, the school culture, and parents’ and teachers’ culture are deemed appropriate, true and good. In the world of adults, children’s culture is often seen as immature, as something to be fixed and refined. Kline suggests that humour and play might be an independent form of children’s culture. What children find funny and humorous may not be funny, or even appropriate, to adults. Bakhtin’s carnival theory demonstrates how a medieval culture used dangerous jokes at the expense of authority. Although the carnival was a temporary festival, it was the means through which the peasants’ marketplace culture was communicated to the officials, and by which they were able to demonstrate resistance – following their own rules, methods and culture. The author employs Bakhtin’s theory to help see the carnival in an art classroom, as children resist the presence of a legitimized culture by continuing to create spaces for their own cultures of pleasure, parody and even the grotesque.
Knowledge mobilization: Stepping into interdependent and relational space using co-creation
Authors: Skipper Yvonne , Pepler Debra J
Published: October 2020

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using co-creation approaches, with academics and partners working together to create research and interventions to achieve impact. Action research typically starts with the question ‘how can we improve this situation?’ and then co-creates knowledge with and not on or for people. This approach contrasts with conventional approaches in which academics create knowledge and then disseminate it to users via conferences, reports etc. The co-creative approach involves a shift in academics’ thinking and approaches. The success of co-creation depends on the academic shifting from being self-focussed and independent to being other-focussed and interdependent. In this paper, we outline the theoretical background that has informed our thinking and practices related to knowledge mobilization, and our novel relational approach. We illustrate our approach using two co-created projects, focused on enhancing early literacy and supporting mothers with substance use problems. We hope that this will help others consider when it may be appropriate to use a co-creative approach and how to engage in this co-creation process, including awareness of common barriers and benefits.
Distal Radial Artery Access for Superficial Femoral Artery Interventions
Authors: Ruzsa Zoltán , Csavajda Ádám , Nemes Balázs , Deák Mónika , Sótonyi Péter , Bertrand Olivier F. , Merkely Béla
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To compare the acute success and complication rates of distal radial (DR) vs proximal radial (PR) artery access for superficial femoral artery (SFA) interventions.

Materials and Methods:

Between 2016 and 2019, 195 consecutive patients with symptomatic SFA stenosis were treated via DR (n=38) or PR (n=157) access using a sheathless guide. Secondary access was achieved through the pedal artery when necessary. The main outcomes were technical success, major adverse events (MAEs), and access site complications. Secondary outcomes were treatment success, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, procedure time, and crossover rate to another puncture site.

Results:

Overall technical success was achieved in 188 patients (96.4%): 37 of 38 patients (97.3%) in the DR group and 151 of 157 patients (96.2%) in the PR group (p=0.9). Dual (transradial and transpedal) access was used in 14 patients (36.8%) in the DR group and 28 patients (18.9%) in the PR group (p<0.01). Chronic total occlusions were recanalized in 25 of 26 DR patients (96.1%) and in 79 of 81 PR patients (92.6%) (p=0.57). The crossover rate to femoral access was 0% in the DR group vs 3.2% in the PR group (p=0.59). Stents were implanted in the SFA in 15 DR patients (39.4%) and in 39 patients (24.8%) in the PR group (p=0.1). The contrast volume, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and procedure time were not statistically different between the DR and PR groups, nor were the rates of access site complications (2.6% and 7.0%, respectively). The cumulative incidences of MAE at 6 months in the DR and PR groups were 15.7% vs 14.6%, respectively (p=0.8).

Conclusion:

SFA interventions can be safely and effectively performed using PR or DR access with acceptable morbidity and a high technical success rate. DR access is associated with few access site complications.
Measuring the occupational balance of people with insomnia in a Chinese population: Preliminary psychometric evidence on the Chinese version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire
Authors: Ho Eris CM , Dür Mona , Stamm Tanja , Siu Andrew MH
Published: October 2020

Background

Occupational balance, a fundamental concept in occupational therapy, is the arrangement of right amount and variety of occupations contributes to a person’s health and well-being. This study was aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OB-Quest) for people with insomnia.

Methods

The OB-Quest was translated into traditional Chinese and reviewed by an expert panel for content validity, cultural relevance and translation accuracy. Internal consistency, factor analysis and convergent validity, as well as test–retest reliability, were explored.

Results

The participants (n = 205), 115 adults with insomnia and 90 adults without insomnia, completed a survey of demographic background, the Chinese version of OB-Quest and the Chinese Insomnia Severity Index (C-ISI). The Chinese version of OB-Quest demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability (ICC= 0.98) and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α  =  0.80). Factor analysis indicated that a single-factor solution explained 42% of the variance, and 9 out of 10 items had a factor loading of 0.4 or above. The Chinese version of OB-Quest had significant correlations with C-ISI (r = –0.88; p < 0.001). A significant difference was found in occupational balance between groups with different levels of insomnia severity and without insomnia (F = 169.72; p < 0.001). As in a previous study, age, living environment and life role had no significant relationship with occupational balance.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of OB-Quest is a short, easy to understand and culturally relevant assessment for Chinese. It demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties and had significant correlations with insomnia.
The Western Balkans during the pandemic: Democracy and rule of law in quarantine?
Authors: Tzifakis Nikolaos
Published: October 2020

In the Western Balkans, as elsewhere around the world, governments took extraordinary measures to effectively contain the spread of COVID-19, measures that entailed serious restrictions to individual freedoms. They also introduced extra powers that upset the ordinary division and balance of governmental power. In this context, several analysts have expressed concern that the authoritarian trend observed in the region during the last decade will become further entrenched. The worst fear, that some of the Western Balkan leaderships may retain extraordinary powers indefinitely, has not been confirmed. However, constitutionally prescribed procedures were disregarded and the operation of formal and informal mechanisms of checks and balances ignored. The article argues that the ease with which the Western Balkan leaders removed any checks and controls over their rule raises the valid question of how they may deal with future circumstances which may endanger their power.
Novel nanocomposite membranes based on cross-linked eco-friendly polymers doped with sulfated titania nanotubes for direct methanol fuel cell application
Authors: Gouda MH , Konsowa Abdelaziz H , Farag Hassan A , Elessawy Noha A , Tamer Tamer M , Mohy Eldin Mohamed S
Published: October 2020

Developing low cost and highly active fuel cell is one of the high-priority research directions for fuel cell commercialization, whereas durable electrodes and electrolyte membranes are keys for its optimization. Herein, a novel nanocomposite electrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell were prepared from eco-friendly polymer blend composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and iota carrageenan (IC). Sulfated titania (SO4TiO2) nanotubes are synthesized by impregnation–calcination method and incorporated as doping agents into the polymer matrix with different percentage ranged between 1 wt% and .5 wt%. The PVA/IC/SO4TiO2 nanocomposite membranes exhibited reduction in water and methanol uptake compared to that of undoped membrane, while the thermal properties and oxidative stability increased as the doping agent content increased. Methanol permeability of PVA/IC/[Formula: see text]-TiO2-7.5 membrane was 0.62 × 10−7 cm2 s−1, which is 43 times lower than Nafion 117 (26.9 × 10−7 cm2 s−1). Furthermore, it was noticed that the ion exchange capacity and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite membranes are higher than that of Nafion 117.
A Cognitive Uncoupling: Masculinity Threats and the Rejection of Relationship Interdependence
Authors: Lamarche Veronica M. , Atkinson Ciara , Croft Alyssa
Published: October 2020

What happens when a primary resource people draw from in times of need is at odds with maintaining a threatened, yet valued, identity? Four studies ( N total = 806) examined whether men cognitively disengage from romantic relationships following masculinity threats. As hypothesized, romantically attached men reported less closeness, commitment, and interdependence in their romantic relationships (Study 1), and both single and romantically attached men expressed less positive commitment beliefs (Study 2) following masculinity threats. Supporting a strategy of distancing from interdependence to protect masculinity, perceivers evaluated men who used more interdependent language to describe their relationships as less masculine and more feminine (Studies 3a and 3b). However, exhibiting less interdependence did not restore third-party evaluations of masculinity following a public masculinity threat (Study 3b). Thus, subverting relationship interdependence to protect perceptions of masculinity is an ineffective strategy for restoring masculinity in the eyes of others and may cause unnecessary strain on relationships.
Revenue management pricing in the hotel sector: Reducing perceived unfairness to encourage willingness to pay
Authors: Méatchi Sourou , Camus Sandra
Published: October 2020

In a context of ever-increasing competition, revenue management pricing (RMP) has become a strategic tool for companies with limited capacity. However, despite its considerable appeal, studies show that RMP has mixed reactions from consumers. The aim of this research is to test levers of actions that can help reduce the perceived unfairness of RMP and thus promote willingness to pay (WTP). Two quantitative samples ( N1 = 325; N2 = 280) allowed us to validate the measurement instruments for the concepts mobilized and to test two explanatory ‘fairness-based pricing’ models. The results show that fairness and transparency have strong positive individual and interaction effects on reducing the cognitive dimensions of perceived unfairness and on reinforcing WTP. However, the effects on the affective dimensions are not confirmed in the two models tested.
Perceived image and attitude towards private label brands in emerging countries: What moderation of store association to a local or international retailer?
Authors: Diallo Mbaye Fall
Published: October 2020

This research investigates the effects of the perceived store image and private label brands’ (PLB) price image on customer attitude towards standard PLBs in two emerging countries depending on store association to a local or international retailer. We specifically examine the mediating role of negative cues (perceived risk) and positive cues (perceived value) associated with PLBs. The surveys undertaken are based on a sample of 1,027 responses collected in Brazil and Vietnam. The results reveal a positive direct effect of PLB price image on customer attitude towards PLBs while perceived store image has only an indirect effect on it. Perceived risk towards PLBs has a significant mediation effect on the relationships between perceived store image, PLB price image and customer attitude towards PLBs. In contrast, PLB perceived value does not mediate these relationships. Furthermore, the association of the store to a local or international retailer significantly moderates the effects of perceived store image and PLB price image on attitude towards PLBs.
Familial aggregation of multiple sclerosis: Results from the national registry of the disease in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlJumah Mohammed , Otaibi Hessa Al , Al Towaijri Ghada , Hassan Ahmed , Kareem Abid , Kalakatawi Mamdouh , Alrajeh Saad , Al Mejally Mousa , Algahtani Hussein , Almubarak Ali , Alawi Sadaga , Qureshi Shireen , Al Malik Yaser , El-Metwally Ashraf , Shami Sahar , Ishak Samah , Bunyan Reem
Published: October 2020

Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic CNS inflammatory disease commonly affecting young adults. Both genetics and environmental factors have been reported to have a role in pathophysiology of the disease.

Objective

This article aims to report familial nature and aspects of MS in Saudi Arabia.

Method

The study utilized data collected by the National Saudi MS Registry between 2015 and 2018; especially data relevant to the familial history of MS. SPSS 22 was used for all analysis and reporting. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05.

Results

The registry included 20 hospitals and a total of 2516 patients from the different regions of Saudi Arabia with median age 32.00 (Range: 11–63) and 66.5% being female. About 12.8% of all registered patients reported a family history of MS (95%CI: 11.2-13.9). Reported parental consanguinity was significantly higher among patients with family history (FMS) (56.3%) compared to non-FMS patients (27.9%). 42.53% of FMS patients reported having siblings affected with MS (95%CI: 37.01–48.21), with more female siblings affected than males (63.4% vs 36.6% respectively).

Conclusion

Our Findings suggested that FMS was less prevalent than what was reported previously; however, parental consanguinity was significantly more prevalent among FMS patients than non-FMS. Our findings were in line with those reported in recent studies in the region, but lower than those reported by western countries indicating that increasing prevalence of MS in Saudi Arabia could be multifactorial and other environmental factors should be considered for understanding this recent rise in the prevalence of MS in Saudi Arabia.
The Test–Retest Repeatability of a Rhythm Coordination Test Procedure in 4- to 6-Year-Old Children: A Pilot Study
Authors: Tuominen Pipsa P. A. , Raitanen Jani , Rinne Marjo
Published: October 2020

Moving to music combines the ability of rhythm and coordination. In relation to the musical and motor development of children, sensorimotor synchronization requires the ability to perceive and perform a steady beat. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the test–retest repeatability of a rhythm coordination test procedure in order to pilot the procedure for children. Test–retest repeatability reflects the variation in measurements taken by the rhythm coordination test on the same participant under the same conditions. Ten children (mean age 5.5 years, standard deviation (SD) 0.6) participated in the tests. The test performance was evaluated in points from 0 to 8, separately at a slow and fast pace, resulting in 16 points altogether. Test sessions were performed twice for each child within a four-day interval. Children reached, on average, 7.8 (SD 3.5) points in the first and 8.1 (SD 3.6) points out of 16 in the second test session. The test–retest mean intra class correlation was 0.96, indicating a high repeatability of the rhythm coordination test for children. Further, the children older than 5.5 years achieved a higher number of points than the younger ones, and they seemed to reach almost the same level as adults. The rhythm coordination test procedure for children provides a promising means of assessing children’s sensorimotor synchronization in the context of movement and music.
Language Practices as Religious Innovation: The Case of Pentecostal Charismatic Churches in Xenophobic Contexts
Authors: Swart Ignatius , Hankela Elina , Nyamnjoh Henrietta
Published: October 2020

In the authors’ recent case-study research of migrant-dominated Pentecostal charismatic churches (PCCs) in the South African cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, language emerged as a prominent feature of religious practice, suggesting a positive correlation between experiences of xenophobia and religious innovation. This perspective is developed through the identification and discussion of two interlinked themes that surfaced from a closer analysis of the findings: (1) belonging and diversity and (2) evangelization. These two themes are assessed through the prism of religious innovation.
Language, Literature, Prayer, and Music Repertoires as Sources of African Christian Spirituality and Values
Authors: Amenga-Etego Rose Mary , Kwakye Abraham Nana Opare , Emeka-Nwobia Ngozi , Onovoh Paul , Fretheim Sara
Published: October 2020

Every interreligious encounter produces a cross-fertilization of ideas and values. To what extent is the Christian-African indigenous religious encounter mutually impacting? And what aspects of the African worldview make it receptive to Christianity? This article addresses these questions by engaging the underexplored phenomena of African literature, music, and prayer as sources of African values and spirituality, as well as of Christian theology. Through in-depth interviews, focused group discussions, participant-observation, along with archival data and African literary works, it argues that the wealth of African metaphors and values therein richly express African spirituality, values, and Christian theology.
Mind the Heart: Electrocardiography-gated cardiac computed tomography-angiography in acute ischaemic stroke—rationale and study design
Authors: Guglielmi Valeria , Rinkel Leon A , Groeneveld Nina-Suzanne , Lobé Nick HJ , Boekholdt S Matthijs , Bouma Berto J , Beenen Ludo FM , Marquering Henk A , Majoie Charles BLM , Roos Yvo BWEM , Randen Adrienne van , Planken R Nils , Coutinho Jonathan M
Published: October 2020

Rationale

About one-third of ischaemic strokes are caused by cardioembolism, and a substantial proportion of cryptogenic strokes likely also originate from the heart or aortic arch. Early determination of aetiology is important to optimise management. Computed Tomography-angiography of the heart is emerging as an alternative to echocardiography to detect cardio-aortic sources of embolism in stroke patients, but its diagnostic yield in acute ischaemic stroke has not been thoroughly assessed. Hypothesis: We hypothesise that electrocardiography-gated computed tomography-angiography of the heart and aortic arch, acquired in the acute phase in patients with ischaemic stroke, has a higher diagnostic yield than transthoracic echocardiography as a first-line screening method for detection of cardio-aortic sources of embolism.

Methods and design

Mind the Heart is a single-centre prospective observational cohort study. We will include consecutive adult patients with acute ischaemic stroke who are potentially eligible for reperfusion therapy. Patients undergo non-electrocardiography-gated computed tomography-angiography of the aortic arch, cervical and intracranial arteries, directly followed by prospective sequential electrocardiography-gated cardiac computed tomography-angiography. Routine work-up for cardioembolism including 12-leads electrocardiography, Holter electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography is performed as soon as possible. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with a predefined high-risk cardio-aortic source of embolism on computed tomography-angiography versus transthoracic echocardiography in patients who underwent both investigations. Based on an expected 5% additional yield of computed tomography-angiography, a sample size of 450 patients is required.

Conclusions

The Mind the Heart study will generate a reliable estimate of the diagnostic yield of echocardiography-gated cardio-aortic computed tomography-angiography performed in the acute phase of ischaemic stroke.
Personalentwicklung für wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter einer Universität. Eine Fallstudie
Authors: von Eckardstein Dudo
Published: October 2020

Der Beitrag informiert über ein personalpolitisches Konzept zur systematischen Qualifikationsentwicklung von wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeitern/innen an der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien. Es basiert auf einer an dieser Universität durchgeführten Analyse der Arbeitssituation des akademischen Mittelbaus unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Qualifzierungsmöglichkeiten, deren Hauptergebnisse mitgeteilt werden. Obwohl es sich um eine Einzelfallstudie handelt, erscheint eine Übertragung auf wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fachbereiche anderer Universitäten wegen vermuteter ähnlicher Ausgangsbedingungen diskussionswürdig.
Advancing health system strengthening through improving access to medicines: A review of local manufacturing policies in Ghana
Authors: Peprah Boaitey Kwame , Tuck Chloe
Published: October 2020

Providing access to quality-assured medicines is a fundamental component of strengthening health systems. Yet, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 13.6% of all medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC’s) may be substandard or falsified (SF) impeding patient outcomes, imposing financial burden, and contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Circulation of SF medicines also undermines trust in the health system and legitimate health care professionals. It may erode trust in the manufacturers of genuine pharmaceutical products as well as health professionals who prescribe and dispense them. Failure to address challenges in medicines quality assurance and supply risks jeopardizing progress towards universal healthcare coverage. This editorial draws on perspectives from a Ghanaian context and highlights the importance of ensuring an adequate and stable medicine supply, specifically through mechanisms to foster local manufacturing. This will serve to address the problem of SF medicines, as well as providing opportunities for mutual benefit with multiple related sectors. The WHO’s mechanism on substandard and falsified medical products 2020 highlights multiple sectors have a key role in combatting SF medicines. Although key considerations and initiatives in other sectors are beyond the scope of this article, local manufacturing should be viewed with WHO’s a multilevel systemwide approach.
Continuance and innovation: A study of Chinese character variants in late modern Vietnam’s village customs texts
Authors: Đào Phương Chi
Published: October 2020

This article explores the reception and creation of Chinese character variants in Vietnam within a small scale of eight hand-written village customs texts in Bắc Ninh province dating from 1889 to 1915. The article focuses on the four following main issues: (a) the continuance and innovation rate of variants in Vietnam; (b) the method of innovation of variant characters; (c) the behavior of the writers regarding variant characters; (d) supplementing 71 unrecorded variants to dictionaries of variant characters and previous studies.
Sesquisyllabicity, Chữ Nôm, and the Early Modern embrace of vernacular writing in Vietnam
Authors: Phan John D.
Published: October 2020

In East Asia, the relationship between script and language is determined to a great extent by the typological character of the languages involved. This is particularly so because sinographic writing generally relies on the syllable as the smallest unit of sound expressible. However, many languages that have adapted Sinitic writing throughout history display complex syllable structure not easily expressible by the monosyllabically inclined sinograph. Moreover, some languages have even displayed changing syllable structure throughout documented history. This article examines the so-called “monosyllabicization” of the Vietnamese language, and its impact on the history of the sinographic vernacular script known as Chữ Nôm. I argue that by the 17th century, the emergent monosyllabic character of Vietnamese was remarked upon by elites as a new justification for embracing vernacular writing, previously considered uncouth.
Chinese character variants in Vietnam: A case study of characters in The Complete Secrets for Buddhist Monks in Practice of Precious Rites
Authors: Mạnh Trịnh Khắc
Published: October 2020

Based on the approaches of graphology and positivism, the paper enumerates and analyses the Chinese character variants in the book titled The Complete Secrets for Buddhist Monks in Practice of Precious Rites 釋氏寶鼎行持秘旨全章, compiled by Zen Master Huyền Quang (1254–1334). Thus, the paper focuses on analysing 56 Chinese character variants found in the book and comes to the conclusion that the number of Chinese character variants created in Vietnam is double the number of those imported from China.
An analytical modelling of cutting forces in orthogonal elliptical vibration cutting
Authors: Shirale Arvind Shivaji , Sahu Sandeep , Patel Sanjeev Kumar , Ramkumar J. , Shekhar Shashank
Published: October 2020

In the present work, an analytical model is proposed to predict the cutting forces in elliptical vibration cutting (EVC). In general, cutting force in metal cutting is a function of the shear angle ( φ) and shear strength ( τ) of the material. However, these parameters vary dynamically over a cutting cycle of EVC. In this work, the shear angle has been modelled based on the plasticity theory of maximum shear stress criteria. For transient shear strength prediction, the Johnson–Cook model is used. This model predicts shear strength for time-varying strain and strain rate in EVC. The obtained analytical results of cutting forces were compared with experimental results published in the literature and found to be in good agreement (within 12% error) with them. Based on the proposed model, the cutting forces can be modelled as a function of cutting process parameters (depth of cut, cutting velocity), tool parameter (rake angle), physical and thermo-mechanical properties for different materials, without any experimental inputs from EVC.
Histopathologic Findings of Coronavirus in Lung: A Mini-Review
Authors: Geramizadeh Bita , Marzban Mahsa
Published: October 2020

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are important human and animal pathogens. There have been several outbreaks of lung involvement by this category of viruses in the world, ie, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) in 2002 and 2003, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) in 2012, and the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak of pneumonia from Wuhan, China, since December 2019. There have been several studies about the clinical features and imaging features, but very few reports have been published about pathologic findings in lung tissue, which was partly because of the lack of tissue diagnosis secondary to suddenness of the outbreak. Overall, less than 30 reports have been published in the literature about histologic findings of lung in these viruses, so far. In this report, we will review the published reports about the histopathologic findings of lung tissue in the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with 2 other coronaviruses that have caused outbreaks, ie, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV.
Application of OU processes to modelling temporal dynamics of the human microbiome, and calculating optimal sampling schemes
Authors: Kenney Toby , Gao Junqiu , Gu Hong
Published: October 2020

Background

The vast majority of microbiome research so far has focused on the structure of the microbiome at a single time-point. There have been several studies that measure the microbiome from a particular environment over time. A few models have been developed by extending time series models to accomodate specific features in microbiome data to address questions of stability and interactions of the microbime time series. Most research has observed the stability and mean reversion for some microbiomes. However, little has been done to study the mean reversion rates of these stable microbes and how sampling frequencies are related to such conclusions. In this paper, we begin to rectify this situation. We analyse two widely studied microbial time series data sets on four healthy individuals. We choose to study healthy individuals because we are interested in the baseline temporal dynamics of the microbiome.

Results

For this analysis, we focus on the temporal dynamics of individual genera, absorbing all interactions in a stochastic term. We use a simple stochastic differential equation model to assess the following three questions. (1) Does the microbiome exhibit temporal continuity? (2) Does the microbiome have a stable state? (3) To better understand the temporal dynamics, how frequently should data be sampled in future studies? We find that a simple Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model which incorporates both temporal continuity and reversion to a stable state fits the data for almost every genus better than a Brownian motion model that contains only temporal continuity. The Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model also fits the data better than modelling separate time points as independent. Under the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model, we calculate the variance of the estimated mean reversion rate (the speed with which each genus returns to its stable state). Based on this calculation, we are able to determine the optimal sample schemes for studying temporal dynamics.

Conclusions

There is evidence of temporal continuity for most genera; there is clear evidence of a stable state; and the optimal sampling frequency for studying temporal dynamics is in the range of one sample every 0.8–3.2 days.
MethHaplo: combining allele-specific DNA methylation and SNPs for haplotype region identification
Authors: Zhou Qiangwei , Wang Ze , Li Jing , Sung Wing-Kin , Li Guoliang
Published: October 2020

Background

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that plays a critical role in most eukaryotic organisms. Parental alleles in haploid genomes may exhibit different methylation patterns, which can lead to different phenotypes and even different therapeutic and drug responses to diseases. However, to our knowledge, no software is available for the identification of DNA methylation haplotype regions with combined allele-specific DNA methylation, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data.

Results

In this paper, we developed a new method, MethHaplo, that identify DNA methylation haplotype regions with allele-specific DNA methylation and SNPs from whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data. Our results showed that methylation haplotype regions were ten times longer than haplotypes with SNPs only. When we integrate WGBS and Hi-C data, MethHaplo could call even longer haplotypes.

Conclusions

This study illustrates the usefulness of methylation haplotypes. By constructing methylation haplotypes for various cell lines, we provide a clearer picture of the effect of DNA methylation on gene expression, histone modification and three-dimensional chromosome structure at the haplotype level. Our method could benefit the study of parental inheritance-related disease and hybrid vigor in agriculture.