bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Common Polymorphisms of CDKN2B-AS and Susceptibility to ASCVD
Authors: Huang Yupeng , Jin Hongyan , Yang Guokang
Published: July 2020

This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate associations between CDKN2B antisense ( CDKN2B-AS) polymorphisms and susceptibility to atherosclerotic cardio-cerebral vascular diseases (ASCVD). A systematic literature research of PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI was performed to identify eligible studies. Overall, 34 studies were included for meta-analyses. Pooled overall analyses showed that rs1333040, rs1333049, rs2383206, and rs2383207 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in the whole population. Further analyses by ethnicity revealed that all investigated polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in East Asians. Moreover, rs2383206, rs2383207, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in West Asians, while rs2383206, rs10757274, and rs10757278 were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in Caucasians. When we stratified eligible studies by type of disease, positive results were found for all investigated polymorphisms in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction, whereas positive results were only detected for rs2383206 and rs10757274 polymorphisms in patients with ischemic stroke (IS). Our findings suggest that rs1333040, rs1333049, rs2383206, rs2383207, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms might serve as genetic biomarkers of CAD, and rs2383206 and rs10757274 polymorphisms might serve as genetic biomarkers of IS.
Does the Carotid Bulb Offer a Better 10-Year CVD/Stroke Risk Assessment Compared to the Common Carotid Artery? A 1516 Ultrasound Scan Study
Authors: Viswanathan Vijay , Jamthikar Ankush D. , Gupta Deep , Puvvula Anudeep , Khanna Narendra N. , Saba Luca , Viskovic Klaudija , Mavrogeni Sophie , Laird John R. , Pareek Gyan , Miner Martin , Sfikakis Petros P. , Protogerou Athanasios , Sharma Aditya , Kancharana Priyanka , Misra Durga Prasanna , Agarwal Vikas , Kitas George D. , Nicolaides Andrew , Suri Jasjit S.
Published: July 2020

The objectives of this study are to (1) examine the “10-year cardiovascular risk” in the common carotid artery (CCA) versus carotid bulb using an integrated calculator called “AtheroEdge Composite Risk Score 2.0” (AECRS2.0) and (2) evaluate the performance of AECRS2.0 against “conventional cardiovascular risk calculators.” These objectives are met by measuring (1) image-based phenotypes and AECRS2.0 score computation and (2) performance evaluation of AECRS2.0 against 12 conventional cardiovascular risk calculators. The Asian–Indian cohort (n = 379) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or hypertension were retrospectively analyzed by acquiring the 1516 carotid ultrasound scans (mean age: 55 ± 10.1 years, 67% males, ∼92% with T2DM, ∼83% with CKD [stage 1-5], and 87.5% with hypertension [stage 1-2]). The carotid bulb showed a higher 10-year cardiovascular risk compared to the CCA by 18% ( P < .0001). Patients with T2DM and/or CKD also followed a similar trend. The carotid bulb demonstrated a superior risk assessment compared to CCA in patients with T2DM and/or CKD by showing: (1) ∼13% better than CCA (0.93 vs 0.82, P = .0001) and (2) ∼29% better compared with 12 types of risk conventional calculators (0.93 vs 0.72, P = .06).
A Qualitative Study of Stroke Survivors’ Experience of Sensory Changes
Authors: Alwawi Dua’a Akram , Dean Evan , Heldstab Ashleigh , Lawson Lisa Mische , Peltzer Jill , Dunn Winnie
Published: July 2020

Background.

Previous literature examined tactile and proprioceptive changes after stroke; however, the lived experience of changes in all sensory systems is still a gap in the literature.

Purpose.

To gain understanding of stroke survivors’ experience of sensory changes and how sensory changes impact participation in daily life activities.

Method.

This study utilized a qualitative description method. Researchers used semi-structured interviews with probing questions. Inductive content analysis approach was used to analyze the data. Researchers recruited 13 stroke survivors ≤75 years old who participated in a community-based stroke program.

Findings.

Emerging themes included daily life impact of sensory function changes, and experience and timing of sensory changes. Participants experienced changes in various sensory systems including touch and proprioception, visual, auditory, and taste. Survivors also reported sensitivity to environmental stimuli. Sensory changes affect survivors’ participation in different aspects of daily life activities. Most participants experienced sensory changes right after their stroke.

Implications.

Results from this study inform health care providers about stroke survivors’ sensory needs to help them design interventions that match their needs.
A Clinic-Based School Readiness Coaching Intervention for Low-Income Latino Children: An Intervention Study
Authors: Peterson Jaime W. , Huffman Lynne C. , Bruce Janine , Prata Ndola , Harley Kim G. , Chamberlain Lisa J.
Published: July 2020

This intervention study assessed school readiness (SR)-related parent behaviors and perceived barriers for Latino parent-child pairs (N = 149, Mage = 4.5) after a clinic-based SR intervention (n = 74) or standard well-child care (n = 75). Intervention was a 1-hour visit with a community health worker (CHW) to assess child SR, model SR interactions, and provide SR tools and resources. Primary outcomes were parent behaviors and barriers collected by phone questionnaire. Regression analyses revealed that parents in the intervention were more likely to tell their child a story and visit the library in the last week and less likely to report barriers of limited SR knowledge. A brief, SR coaching intervention with a CHW increased SR-related parent behaviors and reduced barriers to SR. Evaluation with school entry data is underway.
Engagement in Cause-Related Marketing Reduces Pro-Environmental Behaviors
Authors: Zhang Yue , Jiang Jiang , Sun Ying , Gu Dian , Jiang Wen
Published: July 2020

A prevailing marketing tactic, called cause-related marketing (CRM), involves donating to a charity contingent on consumer purchases. Building on moral licensing theory, the current research identifies a negative effect of engagement in CRM on consumers’ subsequent pro-environmental behaviors through two studies. Study 1 ( N = 100) established that people act in less eco-friendly ways (i.e., consuming more water) after engaging in CRM that is associated with environmental benefits. Study 2 ( N = 301) verified the above results in a larger sample and further revealed that even though engaging in CRM has no apparent environmental benefits, it also reduces the probability of behaving in environmentally friendly ways (i.e., choosing a low-carbon mode of transportation). Overall, the current research shows that the effects of CRM could spill over from the consumption domain into the environmental domain, calling attention to the net environmental effect of CRM.
A new automatic machine learning based hyperparameter optimization for workpiece quality prediction
Authors: Wen Long , Ye Xingchen , Gao Liang
Published: July 2020

Workpiece quality prediction is very important in modern manufacturing industry. However, traditional machine learning methods are very sensitive to their hyperparameters, making the tuning of the machine learning methods essential to improve the prediction performance. Hyperparameter optimization (HPO) approaches are applied attempting to tune hyperparameters, such as grid search and random search. However, the hyperparameters space for workpiece quality prediction model is high dimension and it consists with continuous, combinational and conditional types of hyperparameters, which is difficult to be tuned. In this article, a new automatic machine learning based HPO, named adaptive Tree Pazen Estimator (ATPE), is proposed for workpiece quality prediction in high dimension. In the proposed method, it can iteratively search the best combination of hyperparameters in the automatic way. During the warm-up process for ATPE, it can adaptively adjust the hyperparameter interval to guide the search. The proposed ATPE is tested on sparse stack autoencoder based MNIST and XGBoost based WorkpieceQuality dataset, and the results show that ATPE provides the state-of-the-art performances in high-dimensional space and can search the hyperparameters in reasonable range by comparing with Tree Pazen Estimator, annealing, and random search, showing its potential in the field of workpiece quality prediction.
Influence of molecular structure on the rheological properties and foamability of long chain branched polypropylene by “one-pot” reactive extrusion
Authors: Li Yan , Yao Zhen , Qiu Shaolong , Zeng Changchun , Cao Kun
Published: July 2020

In this work, reactive twin screw extrusion was conducted to synthesize long chain branched polypropylenes (LCB-PPs) in a “one-pot” process in which dicumyl peroxide (DCP) initiated maleic anhydride (MAH) grafting onto the linear PP, and the concomitant coupling reaction between ethylene diamine (EDA) and MAH grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) proceeded in series. Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) on the prepared materials confirmed the occurrence of both reactions. A series of LCB-PPs were prepared using different amounts of EDA, MAH and DCP to study their effects and determine the optimal synthesis conditions. The prepared materials were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and rheological analysis to ascertain the polymer microstructure. The foamability of the LCB-PPs by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) foaming and foam morphology were investigated. The LCB-PPs were found to have vastly improved foamability and cellular morphology. Under optimal conditions, a foam expansion ratio of over 20 was achieved.
The Right Men: How Masculinity Explains the Radical Right Gender Gap
Authors: Ralph-Morrow Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

The radical right is disproportionately supported by men, yet there is little research on masculinity’s role in creating this discrepancy. This article breaks new ground in using masculinity as an analytical construct to explain the gender gap in one of the UK’s most significant radical right organisations: the English Defence League. Drawing on original qualitative data and interviews with past and present English Defence League activists, this article argues that English Defence League beliefs and practices were distinctly masculine. In promoting an ideology that subordinated Muslim men and women, and in providing a forum for displaying and enacting manhood, the English Defence League facilitated the supply of masculinity and therefore attracted far more men than women. The approach used in this article shows how theoretical analyses of masculinity can be incorporated within political science and offers a powerful new lens through which to understand radical right parties and movements.
Race, Gender, and Parental College Savings: Assessing Economic and Academic Factors
Authors: Quadlin Natasha , Conwell Jordan A.
Published: July 2020

This article assesses the relationships between race, gender, and parental college savings. Some prior studies have investigated race differences in parental college savings, yet none have taken an intersectional approach, and most of these studies were conducted with cohorts of students who predate key demographic changes among U.S. college goers (e.g., the reversal of the gender gap in college completion). Drawing on theories of parental investment and data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), we show that both race and gender are associated with whether parents save for college, as well as how much they save. Both black boys and black girls experience savings disadvantages relative to their white peers. However, black girls experience particularly striking disparities: Black girls with the strongest academic credentials receive savings equivalent to black girls with the weakest academic credentials. Results suggest this is due, at least in part, to the fact that high-achieving black girls tend to come from families that are much less well-off than high achievers in other race-gender groups. As a result, parents of black girls frequently rely on funding sources other than their own earnings or savings to pay for their children’s college. These funding sources include private loans that may pose financial challenges for black girls and their families across generations, thus deepening inequalities along the lines of gender, race, and class. These findings demonstrate the power of taking an intersectional approach to the study of higher education in general and college funding in particular.
Objective evaluation of fabric smoothness appearance with an ordinal classification framework based on label noise estimation
Authors: Wang Jingan , Shuo Meng , Wang Lei , Sun Fengxin , Pan Ruru , Gao Weidong , Shi Kangjun
Published: July 2020

Objective fabric smoothness appearance evaluation plays an important role in the textile and apparel industry. In most previous studies, objective fabric smoothness appearance evaluation is defined as a general pattern classification problem. However, the labels in this problem exhibit a natural ordering. Nominal classification ignores the ordinal information, which may cause overfitting in model training. In addition, for the existence of subjective errors, measurement errors, manual errors, etc., the labels in the data might be noisy, which has been rarely discussed previously. This paper proposes an ordinal classification framework based on label noise estimation (OCF-LNE) to objectively evaluate the fabric smoothness appearance degree, which takes the ordinal information and noise of the label in the training data into consideration. The OCF-LNE uses the basic classifier in pre-training as a label noise estimator, and uses the estimated label noise to adjust the labels in further training. The adjusted labels can introduce the ordinal constrain implicitly and reduce the negative impact of label noise in model training. Within a 10 × 10 nested cross-validation, the proposed OCF-LNE achieves 82.86%, 94.29%, and 100% average accuracies under errors of 0, 0.5, and 1 degree, respectively. Experiments on different fabric image features and basic classification models verify the effectiveness of the OCF-LNE. In addition, the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods for fabric smoothness evaluation and ordinal classification. Promisingly, the OCF-LNE can provide novel ideas for image-based fabric smoothness evaluation.
Flip It or Click It: Equivalent Learning of Vocabulary From Paper, Laptop, and Smartphone Flashcards
Authors: Sage Kara , Piazzini Michael , Downey John Charles , Ewing Sydney
Published: July 2020

Students frequently utilize digital devices and applications to assist studying. Past research has yielded mixed results on their effectiveness, and scant research has compared portable technologies with each other or focused on smartphones specifically. We compared college students’ learning of vocabulary on paper, laptop, and smartphone. Students were randomly assigned to one platform for reviewing vocabulary flashcards, and then they completed a memory quiz and answered questions regarding perceptions of these technologies. Results showed equivalency in students’ learning across platforms, with the only exception being that students spent longer reviewing paper flashcards. Self-reported cognitive load and satisfaction were equal across platforms. Quantitative and qualitative data also suggested that, though students quickly label both laptops and smartphones as helpful for education, they see more educational value in laptops. This research suggests that smartphones present new ways of learning, but care must be taken with how smartphones are utilized in educational settings.
Administration of Community Participation in Small-Scale Projects: Brownfield Remediation in Los Angeles
Authors: Campbell Heather , Eckerd Adam , Kim Yushim
Published: July 2020

This study examines when and how community involvement occurs in the remediation processes of brownfield sites in Los Angeles County, California. Although community participation is usually considered important for determining what happens with these sites, our results indicate that, except in sometimes triggering evaluation by alerting authorities about it, community involvement almost never occurs when important decisions are made. Participation does sometimes occur, but when and how cleanup occurs is driven by administrative processes, with bureaucrats following procedure, rather than following community preferences. The findings suggest that the best space for communities in the process may be the identification of sites that need remediation.
“One Minute for Your Mind”: The Development, Implementation, and Application of Our Mental Health Minute
Authors: Jones Shawn C. T. , Anderson Riana Elyse
Published: July 2020

The dissemination of knowledge concerning psychological problems, practices, and perspectives is often within selective journals requiring a great deal of financial investment or psychological services, which has historically been saddled with cultural incompetence, medical abuse, and subsequent stigma from Black Americans. To combat the confines of information existing only within the ivory tower, two Black psychologists developed a venture to better describe and provide psychoeducation to Black populations via an online edutainment platform. This article describes the development, implementation, and application of the series, titled Our Mental Health Minute, which seeks to reduce stigma, provide relevant information and resources, and increase mental health literacy through educational entertainment. Discussion includes a call to practitioners and researchers to consider creative ways to provide content to populations who are likely to be less able to access mental health materials and services.
Searching for Fairness in Revolutionary China: Inheritance Disputes in Maoist Courts and Their Legacy in the PRC Law of Succession
Authors: Ahn Byungil
Published: July 2020

This article examines how PRC judges ruled on inheritance disputes during the Mao period (1949–1976). In fact, China not only rejected a draft succession law in 1956, it also did not promulgate any law governing succession until 1985. In part, this has contributed to the conventional characterization of China in the Mao period as a “lawless society” dominated by radical Maoist and Marxist ideologies. By using newly available archival documents and internal publications of local courts and legal cadres, this article reveals that PRC judges rejected the codification of law because the legal principles stipulated in the 1956 draft succession law could not be applied to the complex social reality of rural China at the time. Therefore, court rulings became products of the long-standing efforts of judges to reconcile the principles of justice inherent in the 1956 draft succession law and complex social realities in order to deliver judgments that all litigants could accept as fair. This article highlights how such efforts finally led to a codified law of succession in 1985. Hence, the Succession Law of 1985 was not a departure from the previous “lawless” Mao era, but the completion of PRC judges’ long process of amending the “incomplete” 1956 draft.
Congenital Nasal Pyriform Aperture Stenosis: Successful Management of Restenosis After Primary Surgery by Stent Placement
Authors: Botti Cecilia , Iannella Elisa , Lusetti Francesca , Giordano Davide , Pernice Carmine , Perano Daniele , Ghidini Angelo
Published: July 2020

Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is a rare anomaly causing respiratory distress in newborns. While the primary surgical technique is well established, the timing of the removal of the stents and the management of restenosis remain a matter of debate. We report a case of a female newborn affected by CNPAS with the recurrence of respiratory distress after primary surgery due to the early removal of nasal stents, causing an overgrowth of granulation tissue. This report notes that restenosis was successfully managed by repeating the procedure over a 14-day period, with soft polyvinyl chloride uncuffed tracheal tubes acting as nasal stents.
Unusual Foreign Body, a Spoon, in the Esophagus of a Middle-Aged Female: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Kim Su Il , Jung Su Young , Song Chang Eun , Shim Dae Bo
Published: July 2020

In adults, a large metal foreign body in the esophagus is rarely seen and is usually caused accidentally. Here, we have described an unusual case of foreign body (spoon) in the esophagus of an adult patient. A 48-year-old woman initially presented to the emergency department with marked dysphagia, drooling, and radiating pain to the chest. She had swallowed a spoon while trying to vomit because of feeling sick. Radiological images revealed a spoon stuck in the esophagus. The edge of the spoon was grabbed with forceps and safely extracted under hypnic anesthesia. No esophageal perforation was detected on evaluation with esophagography using Gastrografin on the next day. This case highlights an unusual situation in an adult patient showing long nonfood-type foreign body in the esophagus. It is important that an appropriate workup and removal of foreign body is performed according to the location and type.
“Leftover Women” or Single by Choice: Gender Role Negotiation of Single Professional Women in Contemporary China
Authors: Gui Tianhan
Published: July 2020

In today’s Chinese society, we see more and more well-educated, well-paid, and independent career women. However, as traditional femininity has been associated with subordination and sacrifice, well-educated career women are perceived as less feminine and less like proper “women” or prospective wives. Career women who remain single until their late twenties have been referred to within Chinese popular culture as “leftover women.” The current research explores the negative discourses that single career-oriented women encounter in their lives, as well as their own perceptions on work, marriage, and gender roles. Through in-depth interviews with 30 single, professional women, I examined whether these women are really “leftover” on the marriage market and how they perceive their independent, single life. The study aims to explore how these career-oriented women live within conflicting social expectations and value systems, as well as how they perceive gender roles, marriage, and career.
Psychological changes among working-age adults with acquired vision impairment: The need for psychological intervention?
Authors: Bassey Emmanuel , Ellison Caroline
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the psychological impacts of acquiring a vision impairment during working-age phase of adulthood and the potential negative effect on participation in community activities were highlighted. Adopting a qualitative and interpretive phenomenological approach, eight semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with eight adult users of vision rehabilitation services. Three broad themes were identified: (1) reduced participation in education, employment, and community activities, (2) feelings of hopelessness and depression from vision loss, and (3) psychological adjustment to vision loss over time. Findings are discussed in the context of the international literature, and recommendations that may enhance the vision rehabilitation services are made.
Attachment style in adulthood: Attachment style moderates the impact of social support on depressive symptoms
Authors: Dark-Freudeman Alissa , Pond Richard S. , Paschall Ruthie E. , Greskovich Leanne
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Research on adult attachment has flourished over the last two decades. Despite this, only one theoretical model has been proposed to outline how the attachment system works in adulthood: the model of attachment system activation and functioning in adulthood proposed by Mikulincer and Shaver. The current study tested one prediction drawn from this model, namely that attachment style would moderate the association between social support and depressive symptoms.

Method:

The study included a nonclinical sample of 419 adults between the ages of 18 and 84 ( Mage = 39.64 years, SD = 19.61). Participants completed a survey containing measures of attachment, perceived social support, depressive symptoms, and demographic information.

Results:

A model in which attachment was predicted to moderate the relationship between perceived social support and depressive symptoms was tested. Although both avoidant and anxious attachment were significantly associated with depressive symptoms, the interaction between social support and insecure attachment style differed. Higher levels of social support were significantly associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms among anxiously attached individuals, but not among avoidant individuals.

Discussion:

The study supports the model proposed by Mikulincer and Shaver. Attachment style acts as a moderator of the association between perceived social support and depressive symptoms. The results further underscore differences between anxiously and avoidantly attached individuals.
Use of del Nido cardioplegia in acute aortic dissection surgery
Authors: Chen HongWei , Wang Lei , Wan LinLin , Xiao LiQiong , Chen Xin
Published: July 2020

Objective:

Del Nido cardioplegia solution provides a depolarized hyperkalemic arrest lasting up to 60 minutes. Single-dose del Nido cardioplegia solution may offer an alternative myocardial protection strategy to conventional whole blood cardioplegia following acute aortic dissection surgery.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 122 consecutive patients with acute aortic dissection undergoing arch reconstruction surgery procedure with cardioplegia arrest from January 2017 to December 2019. Patients exclusively received with whole blood cardioplegia (n = 60, January 2017–December 2018) or del Nido cardioplegia (n = 62, January 2018–December 2019). Preoperative and postoperative data were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:

No significant difference between two groups in mortality (4/60 vs 3/62, p = 0.964), cardiopulmonary bypass time (168.0 ± 10.5 minute vs 165.0 ± 12.5 minute, p = 0.154), aortic cross-clamp time (91.8 ± 9.0 minute vs 93.2 ± 9.5 minute, p = 0.405), selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time (21.8 ± 5.0 minute vs 22.4 ± 4.7 minute, p = 0.496) and postoperative vasoactive inotropic score (34.8 ± 1.9 vs 35.2 ± 2.1, p = 0.272), neurological complications rate (8/60 vs 12/62, p = 0.523), renal insufficiency rate (5/60 vs 7/62, p = 0.807) and the troponin T level (304.8 ± 111.3 vs 315.0 ± 94.9, p = 0.588), respectively. Mean volume of crystalloid was significantly higher in the del Nido group compared to the whole blood cardioplegia group (1010.2 ± 20.3 mL vs 300.0 ± 19.6 mL, p < 0.001). Patients requiring defibrillation was 7/62 vs 28/60 (p < 0.001), with statistical difference in both groups.

Conclusion:

Short-term outcomes in acute aortic dissection surgery using del Nido cardioplegia solution were acceptable and comparable to conventional multi-dose whole blood cardioplegia. Del Nido cardioplegia technique is associated with lower defibrillations rate and requires a reduced frequency of infusions that results in longer durations between infusions and may be a feasible alternative to conventional whole blood cardioplegia solution in acute aortic dissection surgery.
Sense or Sensibility? Different Approaches to Cope With the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Turrini Alex , Cristofoli Daniela , Valotti Giovanni
Published: July 2020

The paper qualitatively infers which factors allow public administrations to be quick when an emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, occurs. For this purpose we analyze the same type of intervention (i.e. conversion of convention centers into makeshift hospitals for coronavirus patients) in two different geographical settings (i.e. New York (USA) and Milan (Italy)) and we trace the two processes on the basis of a systematic analysis of national newspaper articles.

The comparative analysis reveals that there is no one single best way to manage emergencies successfully, and it sheds light on which conditions might drive different modes of intervention from the public sector in emergencies and beyond.
Lessons From COVID-19 Responses in East Asia: Institutional Infrastructure and Enduring Policy Instruments
Authors: An Brian Y. , Tang Shui-Yan
Published: July 2020

Existing commentaries on government responses to COVID-19 have focused on such factors as competent leadership, policy instruments, or cultural dispositions. Yet, few have provided a synthesis that examines how these factors relate to each other. This article fills this gap in the debate by comparing COVID-19 responses among five advanced economies in East Asia: Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan. Although agile actions and competence of top leadership are necessary to confront an unprecedented crisis, they are by themselves insufficient. Equally critical is whether a society has the necessary institutional infrastructure in place when a crisis strikes. Policy instruments are more likely to succeed when existing institutional infrastructure supports their administration and implementation. For an instrument to generate enduring impact, it must be compatible with a polity’s underlying culture; instruments that accommodate the underlying cultural orientations are more likely to elicit public cooperation and voluntary compliance over time. Policy instruments must also address equity issues by reaching marginalized groups across all layers of the population. Progress in emergency management may be visible in mainstream society but masking brewing problems among marginalized groups. A comparison across the five advanced economies in East Asia yields several implications for comparative research and policy.
Mass and non-mass breast MRI patterns: a radiologic approach to sick lobe theory
Authors: Guven Selda , Durur-Subasi Irmak , Demirci Elif , Arikok Ata Turker , Karaman Adem , Han Unsal , Hekimoglu Baki
Published: July 2020

Background

According to sick lobe theory, one or more lobes of the breast are more prone to the development of carcinoma. However, the implications of this theory in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are unknown.

Purpose

To evaluate the MRI appearance of mass type (multifocal and multicentric diseases) and non-mass type (non-mass enhancements) sick lobe patterns, together with the histopathology results.

Material and Methods

MRI reports of 2015 patients in two tertiary breast imaging centers between June 2012 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for multifocal–multicentric diseases and segmental, linear, and regional enhancements. A total of 113 patients were included. The specimens obtained by thick needle, vacuum, excisional biopsy/lumpectomy or mastectomy after breast MRI scans were pathologically assessed. The pathologic results were categorized as invasive carcinoma, precursor, and benign proliferative lesions according to the 2012 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors.

Results

The percentage of underlying benign and precursor invasive lesions was significantly different in patients with mass and non-mass MRI patterns. While the pathology results of mass type patterns were premalignant and malignant in all cases, nearly half of the underlying histologies were benign proliferative subtypes in patients with non-mass type patterns.

Conclusion

In this study, the mass and non-mass patterns derived from sick lobe theory were related to different risks of malignancy in the pathological examinations.
Marginal and average prices of land lots should not be equal: A critique of Glaeser and Gyourko’s method for identifying residential price effects of town planning regulations
Authors: Murray Cameron K.
Published: July 2020

Glaeser and Gyourko’s method of measuring the gap between marginal and average land prices of housing lots has become a popular way of demonstrating the degree to which planning controls, or ‘regulatory taxes’, increase residential land prices. This has led policy-makers across the globe to focus on town planning as a critical determinant of rising home prices. We show, however, that Glaeser and Gyourko’s method shows no such thing. Instead, the price gap is a product of the location premium of land, diminishing returns to buyers of residential land size, and historical city development patterns. Numerous shortcomings are identified in their theoretical model, including that (a) they ignore that development happens over time; (b) their ‘regulatory tax’ is simply the location value of land; (c) they reason inconsistently about the source of land prices, arguing that land at the margins is scarce but locations for whole housing lots are not; and (d) there are no optimal lot sizes nor subdivision incentives in their model. Standard price-taking models of residential land markets that recognize that locations are scarce contain none of these limitations and provide a better interpretation of land price patterns. Empirically, we show that Glaeser and Gyourko’s method finds a high ‘regulatory tax’ even in the absence of regulatory constraints using both simulated suburb development scenarios and historical land sales data from colonial Australia and ancient Mesopotamia. In short, there is no information regarding the effect of planning controls on the supply of new dwellings in a comparison of marginal and average land prices, and this method should not be relied upon to inform planning and housing policy decisions.
As-Encountered Prediction of Tunnel Boring Machine Performance Parameters using Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Nagrecha Kabir , Fisher Luis , Mooney Michael , Rodriguez-Nikl Tonatiuh , Mazari Mehran , Pourhomayoun Mohammad
Published: July 2020

The earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine (TBM) is advanced excavation machinery used to efficiently drill through subsurface ground layers while placing precast concrete tunnel segments. They have become prevalent in tunneling projects because of their adaptability, speed, and safety. Optimal usage of these machines requires information and data about the soil of the worksite that the TBM is drilling through. This paper proposes the utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning, particularly recurrent neural networks, to predict the operational parameters of the TBM. The proposed model utilizes only performance data from excavation segments before the location of the machine as well as its current operating parameters to predict the as-encountered parameters. The proposed method is evaluated on a dataset collected during a tunneling project in North America. The results demonstrate that the model is effective in predicting operation parameters. To address the potential issue of gathering sufficient data to retrain the model, the possibility of transferring the trained model from one tunnel to another is tested. The results suggest that the model is capable of performing accurately with minimal or even no re-training.
Web-Based Data Visualization Platform for MATSim
Authors: Charlton Billy , Laudan Janek
Published: July 2020

There are many tools available for analyzing MATSim transport simulation results, both open-source and commercial. This research builds a new open-source visualization platform for MATSim outputs that is entirely web-based. After initial experiments with many different web technologies, a client-server platform design emerges which leverages the advanced user interface capabilities of modern browsers on the front-end, and relies on back-end server processing for more processor-intensive tasks. The initial platform is now operational and includes several aggregate-level visualizations including origin–destination flows, transit supply, and emissions levels as well as a fully disaggregate traffic animation visualization. These visualizations are general enough to be useful for various projects. Further work is needed to make them more compelling and the platform more useful for practitioners.
Traffic Signal Control Optimization in a Connected Vehicle Environment Considering Pedestrians
Authors: Liang Xiao (Joyce) , Guler S. Ilgin , Gayah Vikash V.
Published: July 2020

This paper proposes a connected vehicle-based traffic signal control scheme that seeks to improve both vehicle and pedestrian operations. Real-time information on vehicle speeds and locations is combined with knowledge of pedestrian arrivals to optimize signal timings that minimize a weighted average of vehicle and pedestrian delays. Such real-time pedestrian information might be available using existing sensors—such as pedestrian push buttons or infrared detectors—as well as in a connected environment. The algorithm implements a rolling-horizon optimization framework that optimizes signal phase sequences over some period but only implements the first phase in the optimized sequence. The results reveal that considering pedestrians in the optimization can improve delays to both pedestrians and vehicles compared with ignoring pedestrians. Within the proposed framework, average vehicle delay increases and average pedestrian delay decreases as more weight is assigned to pedestrian delay in the optimization. In general, the average person delay can be minimized when the relative weight between vehicle and pedestrian delay is consistent with the average occupancy rate of cars. However, a different weight may be chosen to prioritize pedestrian movement, if desired. These results are robust under varying demand levels and demand patterns. The effectiveness of the algorithm decreases as the information level of pedestrian arrivals decreases, and the algorithm becomes ineffective when information from fewer than 60% pedestrians is available. However, the detection of more than 60% of pedestrians can likely be achieved using existing technologies and thus would likely be available in a connected environment.
Older Adults’ Intention to Socially Isolate Once COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders Are Replaced With “Safer-at-Home” Public Health Advisories: A Survey of Respondents in Maryland
Authors: Callow Michael A. , Callow Daniel D. , Smith Charles
Published: July 2020

Background: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Health Belief Model (HBM) were used to examine the opinion and behaviors of older adults regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), social distancing practices, stay-at-home orders, and hypothetical public policy messaging strategies. Method: A convenience sample ( N = 242) of adults 60 and older in the state of Maryland took part in an online survey. Respondents filled out questions regarding demographic information, political affiliation, current social distancing behaviors, and TPB and HBM constructs in our proposed model. Linear regression analysis and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were conducted to test the model. Results: Attitude toward social isolation was affected by perceived benefits and barriers to social distancing measures, perceived severity of COVID-19, and political affiliation. Behavior intention was influenced by attitude, subjective norms, political affiliation, and messaging strategies. Conclusion: The study provides support for the conceptual model and has public policy implications as authorities begin to lift stay-at-home orders.
Risky Business: Examining the 80-20 Rule in Relation to a RTM Framework
Authors: Steinman Hannah , Drawve Grant , Datta Jyotishka , Harris Casey T. , Thomas Shaun A.
Published: July 2020

The spatial elements of crime occurrence and the identification of crime generators/attractors have remained a prominent area of research. We focus on the utility of the 80-20 rule and the labeling of risky facilities in crime forecasting models with risk terrain modeling (RTM). We first examine whether the rule holds across types of crime generating places including liquor stores, department stores, hotels/motels, restaurants/bars, and apartment complexes. Next, we use our findings to test whether conducting preliminary analyses to identify risky facilities increases the predictive power of RTM versus using all possible facilities. When restricting the RTM approach to only risky facilities, results were more accurate than a traditional RTM approach. Findings and implications are nested in the utilization of the wider body of environmental criminology research to increase our understanding of where crime is likely to occur.
No Silver Lining: Evaluating the Need for Consistent and Appropriate Functionality Assessments Among the Increasing and Incarcerated Elderly Population
Authors: Dulisse Brandon C. , Fitch Chivon H. , Logan Matthew
Published: July 2020

Despite a recent decrease in the U.S. prison population, the proportion of offenders who might classify as elderly has increased exponentially during the same period—the likes of which have created new challenges for administrators tasked with the supervision of, and provision of resources to, this demographic. We review the current literature regarding functionality assessments for elderly inmates to highlight the difficulty associated with using existing instruments that are not specifically designed for the prison setting. We further argue that current efforts to identify elderly inmates are lacking, resulting in the potential misclassification of an already vulnerable group. We propose that future functionality assessments within correctional facilities incorporate a number of age-related factors that focus less on chronological age and more on the mental, physical, and social aging processes of incarcerated individuals.
Best Practices in Ministry to Youth Navigating Gender Identity and Faith
Authors: Yarhouse Mark A. , Sadusky Julia
Published: July 2020

Gender identity has become an increasingly complex area of ministry with youth. Gender identity refers to a person’s experience of themselves as a boy or a girl or a different gender identity than that, such as transgender or one of several emerging gender identities. This paper will discuss transgender experiences, as well as more atypical experiences, to prepare those in youth ministry to provide more effective ministry to youth navigating gender identity and Christian faith.
Case Report: The TRTMI Procedure, a Novel Surgical Technique for Gynecomastia
Authors: Nashed Beshoy , Branman Rhys
Published: July 2020

Gynecomastia presents the most common breast issue in men. It is defined as benign proliferation and enlargement of male breast glandular tissue that distributes most prevalently among neonates, adolescents, and elderly men. With a prevalence of over 60% in the male population, various classifications and treatment options have emerged to address male gynecomastia. Surgical treatment presents challenges and is used when gynecomastia has been present for several years or if medical therapy has been unsuccessful. We attempt to address some of these surgical challenges as they relate to aesthetic goals by presenting our surgical technique. Our surgical technique, the Tissue Resection Through Minimal Incision method, is described with illustrations included. Surgical candidates are selected after a review of the patient’s history, a thorough physical evaluation, obtaining any necessary imaging, and a detailed discussion with the patient. A hybrid, minimally invasive, and direct excision technique is used, including both standard VASER liposuction and direct glandular tissue resection via only a single 3-mm, well-hidden incision using simple instruments readily available with reproducible outcomes. We stress the idea of tissue inversion being key to make this feasible. Several case examples are presented with before and after comparisons, demonstrating good aesthetic results and skin retraction. In the more than 80 cases performed, one patient presented with dusky nipple areolar complex in the recovery room, which resolved with topical nitroglycerin. No nipple areolar complex necrosis occurred, nor hospitalizations were required for the cases performed. A few cases of tissue edema and swelling occurred correlating with inadequate compression or strenuous activity. Incisions were well hidden and aesthetically pleasing to patients. We briefly review gynecomastia classification and treatment options focused on surgical approaches. Of the various surgical methods available to treat gynecomastia, limitations and challenges include unfavorable scar and risk profiles, as well as inadequacy of tissue resection with the minimally invasive techniques. To meet this unmet need, our patented Tissue Resection Through Minimal Incision technique offers a novel minimally invasive approach that includes adequate tissue excision while maximizing aesthetic results and with nominal scarring. There is great need in surgical treatment of gynecomastia to minimize incisions and improve outcomes. Glandular tissue excision is a challenge to the cosmetic profile because of incisions used. Our novel technique and benefits involved address those concerns. However, our procedure does not address gynecomastia cases with excessive skin redundancy that requires excision. Further studies are still needed to address such challenges regarding aesthetic profile goals.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Alcohol and Drug Misuse Among IPV-Victimized Women: Exploring the Role of Difficulties Regulating Positive Emotions
Authors: Weiss Nicole H. , Schick Melissa R. , Contractor Ateka A. , Reyes Miranda E. , Suazo Nazaret C. , Sullivan Tami P.
Published: July 2020

Alcohol and drug misuse is prevalent and problematic among women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV). Emotional dysfunction has been identified as a key mechanism in the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of alcohol and drug misuse. However, existing research has not considered the role of race/ethnicity in the relations between emotional dysfunction and alcohol and drug misuse. Furthermore, past research in this area has focused almost exclusively on emotional dysfunction stemming from negative (vs. positive) emotions. The goals of the current study were as follows: (a) to explore whether levels of difficulties regulating positive emotions differ among Latina, African American, and White IPV-victimized women, and (b) to examine the moderating role of race/ethnicity in the relations between difficulties regulating positive emotions and alcohol and drug misuse. Participants were 197 IPV-victimized women recruited through the criminal justice system ( Mage = 36.14; 51.8% African American, 31.5% White, and 16.8% Latina). Difficulties regulating positive emotions did not differ as a function of race/ethnicity. However, relations among difficulties regulating positive emotions and alcohol and drug misuse were significant for Latina and White but not African American IPV-victimized women. Moreover, race/ethnicity moderated an association between difficulties regulating positive emotions and drug misuse; this relation was significant and positive for White (compared with African American) IPV-victimized women. While preliminary, these results may inform culturally sensitive interventions for alcohol and drug misuse that are tailored to the unique needs of Latina, African American, and White IPV-victimized women.