bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Age-Dependent Increase of Metabolic Syndrome Requires More Extensive and Aggressive Non-Pharmacological and Pharmacological Interventions: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Italian Cohort of Obese Women
Authors: Rigamonti Antonello E. , Cicolini Sabrina , Tamini Sofia , Caroli Diana , Cella Silvano G. , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: April 2021

Background. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., visceral obesity, dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension), which entails critical issues in terms of medical management and public health. Methods. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the age-related changes of the single IDF (International Diabetes Federation) diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, WC; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C; triglycerides; glucose; systolic and diastolic blood pressure, SBP and DBP) in a large population of (Italian) obese women (n = 1.000; body mass index, BMI >30 kg/m2; age: 18–83 yrs), subdivided into two subgroups depending on the presence (n = 630) or absence (n = 370) of metabolic syndrome. Parallelly, the percentages of treatment with hypolipidaemic drugs, hypoglycaemics, and antihypertensives and, among the treated subjects, of control of the underlying condition in accordance with the cut-offs of IDF criteria for dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and hypertension were determined over six age ranges (i.e., 18–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60, 61–70, and > 70 yrs). Results. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased with advancing age. In the subgroup with metabolic syndrome, an age-dependent increase in HDL-C, glycaemia, and SBP occurred, while the visceral adiposity was stable. In the same subgroup, triglycerides and DBP decreased age-dependently. In the subgroup without metabolic syndrome, an age-dependent increase in WC, HDL-C, glycaemia, SBP, and DBP was observed. A progressive age-dependent increase in the percentage of patients pharmacologically treated for the cardiometabolic abnormalities was detected in patients with metabolic syndrome, a similar trend being also observed in patients without metabolic syndrome only for the antihypertensives. A clear-cut disproportion between treated versus adequately controlled women (with pharmacotherapy) was detected in the whole population. Conclusions. At least in an Italian context of obese females, the age-dependent worsening of glycaemia and BP exerts a fundamental pathophysiological role in the progressive increase of metabolic syndrome with advancing age, which appears to be not adequately treated in a large part of obese subjects. The results of the present study might be useful for public health decision-makers for programming future more extensive and aggressive non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions in the obese population.
A Black-Box Attack Method against Machine-Learning-Based Anomaly Network Flow Detection Models
Authors: Guo Sensen , Zhao Jinxiong , Li Xiaoyu , Duan Junhong , Mu Dejun , Jing Xiao
Published: April 2021

In recent years, machine learning has made tremendous progress in the fields of computer vision, natural language processing, and cybersecurity; however, we cannot ignore that machine learning models are vulnerable to adversarial examples, with some minor malicious input modifications, while appearing unmodified to human observers, the outputs of machine learning-based model can be misled easily. Likewise, attackers can bypass machine-learning-based security defenses model to attack systems in real time by generating adversarial examples. In this paper, we propose a black-box attack method against machine-learning-based anomaly network flow detection algorithms. Our attack strategy consists in training another model to substitute for the target machine learning model. Based on the overall understanding of the substitute model and the migration of the adversarial examples, we use the substitute model to craft adversarial examples. The experiment has shown that our method can attack the target model effectively. We attack several kinds of network flow detection models, which are based on different kinds of machine learning methods, and we find that the adversarial examples crafted by our method can bypass the detection of the target model with high probability.
Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Emerging Evidence and Treatment Approach
Authors: Giuca Maria Rita , Carli Elisabetta , Lardani Lisa , Pasini Marco , Miceli Marco , Fambrini Eleonora
Published: April 2021

OSA pediatric subjects suffer from episodes of upper airway obstruction that can be partial or complete, with atypical sleep patterns and blood-gas level alteration. If poor treated and/or diagnosed, it can cause cardiovascular disease, learning difficulties, behavioural issues, and retardation of growth. In the literature, there are conflicting evidence about OSA assessment and treatment in pediatric age, so the aim of this paper is to highlight the multidisciplinary approach in the management of sleep disorders, stressing the role of the pediatric dentist in both diagnosing and treating the OSAS in children, according to the current evidence of the treatment options effectiveness of the syndrome itself. Conclusions. Scientific evidence shows that OSAS management requires a multidisciplinary approach in order to make an early diagnosis and a correct treatment plan. The orthodontic treatment approach includes orthopedic maxillary expansion and mandibular advancement using intraoral appliances. Hence, the orthodontist and the pediatric dentist play an important role not only in early diagnosis but also in the treatment of pediatric OSAS.
Health Monitoring of Automotive Suspensions: A LSTM Network Approach
Authors: Hu Haoju , Luo Huan , Deng Xiaoqiang
Published: April 2021

In the automotive industry, one of the critical issues is to develop a health monitoring system for condition assessment and remaining fatigue life estimation of key load‐bearing components including automotive suspension. However, considering the difficulty to obtain expert knowledge and nonlinear dynamics in large‐scale sensory data, health monitoring of automotive suspension is a challenging work. With the development of deep learning based sequence models in recent years, a long short‐term memory (LSTM) network has been proved to capture long‐term dependencies in time‐series prediction without additional expert knowledge. In this paper, a novel health monitoring system based on a LSTM network is proposed to estimate the remaining fatigue life of automotive suspension. Specifically, first durability tests under various driving cycles are implemented to obtain sequential sensory data provided by common sensors on a test car. Then, a LSTM‐based load identification method is designed to predict dynamic stress histories based on the available sensory data. Finally, the damages and remaining fatigue life of the suspensions are estimated by each time step. The experimental results prove that our model can achieve a better performance compared with other representative models.
Holographic Description of Noncommutative Schwinger Effect
Authors: Chowdhury Udit Narayan
Published: April 2021

We consider the phenomenon of spontaneous pair production in the presence of an external electric field for noncommutative Yang-Mills theories. Using Maldacena’s holographic conjecture, the threshold electric field for pair production is computed from the quark/antiquark potential for noncommutative theories. As an effect of noncommutativity, the threshold electric field is seen to be smaller than its commutative counterpart. We also estimate the correction to the production rate of quark/antiquark pairs to the first order of the noncommutative deformation parameter. Our result bears resemblance with an earlier related work (based on field-theoretic methods).
Study on Arrival Aircraft Sequencing Based on Optimization of Point Merge Procedure
Authors: Tian Yong , Xu Can , Sun Mengyuan , Li Chao , Sun Ruofei
Published: April 2021

With the air transport industry developing dramatically, the problem of flight congestion in the terminal area (TMA) has been aggravated. Particularly for arrival aircraft, the extraholding and delay not only increase the workload of air traffic controllers and aircrew but also reduce the operational efficiency. To struggle with this issue, it is crucial to study how to improve the operational efficiency of arrival aircraft. Under the background of the rapid promotion of Point Merge (PM) procedure program in the busy TMAs in the world, this paper firstly combines the optimization of PM procedure and arrival aircraft sequencing, aiming to maximize the operational benefits of arrival aircraft in TMA. Firstly, the framework of the PM procedure is set up to replace the traditional approach route known as Standard Instrument Arrival (STAR). After that, the PM procedure optimization model is established to provide a better approach route for each arrival aircraft. Then for a flow of arrival traffic, an aircraft sequencing model is established to readjust the landing sequence of arrival aircraft, thus further improving the operational benefits of arrival aircraft. Finally, taking the TMA of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport as the case, we compare the impact of different flight procedures and different landing sequences on the operational benefits of arrival aircraft. The experimental results show that the application of the PM procedure optimization model and sequencing model can effectively improve the operational benefits on the premise of ensuring safety, thus realizing the safe and orderly approach in TMA.
Intestinal Helminth Infections and Associated Risk Factors among School-Aged Children of Bamendjou Community, West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Ruth Matsinkou Mba Rosine , Cedric Yamssi , Malla Mbong Erica , Nadia Noumedem Anangmo Christelle , Aime Tateng Ngouateu , Leonelle Megwi , Payne Vincent Khan
Published: April 2021

Background. Infection with intestinal nematodes is of major public health concern worldwide, and school-age children and pregnant women are the principal victims. The present study was undertaken to provide baseline information on the status of gastrointestinal nematodes among school-age children in Bamendjou. Material and Methods. Four hundred and ninety-three (493) stool samples were collected from school children in six (6) different schools (two nursery, two primary, and two secondary schools). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of stool samples were done using the simple flotation and McMaster count techniques, respectively. Results. Among the 493 participants, 57 (11.6%) stool samples were positive for at least one nematode species. Four nematodes are as follows: Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., hookworms, and Strongyloides sp. with respective prevalence and intensities of infection of 6.1% and

2260
±
6377.98

, 3.4% and

223.53
±
264.054

, 3.0% and

416.67
±
427.061

, and 0.2% and

200
±
00

, respectively. The data on the prevalence of nematodes with respect to sex showed that females (13.1%) were more infected than males (12.2%) (

P
>
0.05

). Furthermore, with respect to age, older children were more infected than younger ones. Cases of double parasitism were encountered with a prevalence of 1.2%. According to the fecal concentration of eggs, 61.90% of the infections were light. Risk factors such as drinking water from streams and not wearing shoes all the time were significant with infections. Conclusion. The relatively low overall prevalence (11.6%) obtained in this study shows that the national deworming campaign is proving effective, though a more holistic approach is required to prevent infections from bouncing back after such campaigns.
Analysis of the Accuracy of an FDR Sensor in Soil Moisture Measurement under Laboratory and Field Conditions
Authors: Qin Anzhen , Ning Dongfeng , Liu Zhandong , Duan Aiwang
Published: April 2021

Soil water content (SWC, % vol) is a key factor affecting plant growth and development. SWC measurement is vital to rational use of water resources for irrigation, and the accuracy of sensors in SWC measurement is of significant importance to smart data‐driven irrigation. Here, a laboratory experiment and a field lysimetric experiment were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of Insentek sensors under various soil conditions (1.1 to 1.5 bulk densities and sand to clay soil textures) and irrigation levels (30, 45, and 60 mm), in 2018 and 2019. A microweighing lysimeter and oven‐drying method were used as standard methods to compare the Insentek method. The root mean square error (RMSE, % vol) and relative prediction deviation (RPD) between the Insentek and microlysimetric SWC values were 0.89–1.04% vol and 5.6–6.8, respectively, under laboratory condition. The RPD value is larger than the threshold value of 4.0, indicating the accuracy of the Insentek sensors is reliable under laboratory condition. Except for 60 mm irrigation treatment, the RMSE between Insentek and the oven‐drying method under field condition was 1.44–1.93% vol, and the RPD value was 1.56–1.93, lower than the threshold value of 4.0. The tiny gap between the Insentek sensor and soil may accelerate water infiltration along the probe 0‐3 d after irrigation while increase air filling 5–7 d after irrigation, causing greater RMSE and lower RPD values. The dissatisfied performance in field condition may also be associated with the obvious drawbacks of oven‐drying method, such as disturbance in soil sampling. When using oven‐drying method to analyze the accuracy of the Insentek sensors in field condition, the concerns should be well addressed.
Differentially Private Autocorrelation Time-Series Data Publishing Based on Sliding Window
Authors: Zhao Jing , Liu Shubo , Xiong Xingxing , Cai Zhaohui
Published: April 2021

Privacy protection is one of the major obstacles for data sharing. Time-series data have the characteristics of autocorrelation, continuity, and large scale. Current research on time-series data publication mainly ignores the correlation of time-series data and the lack of privacy protection. In this paper, we study the problem of correlated time-series data publication and propose a sliding window-based autocorrelation time-series data publication algorithm, called SW-ATS. Instead of using global sensitivity in the traditional differential privacy mechanisms, we proposed periodic sensitivity to provide a stronger degree of privacy guarantee. SW-ATS introduces a sliding window mechanism, with the correlation between the noise-adding sequence and the original time-series data guaranteed by sequence indistinguishability, to protect the privacy of the latest data. We prove that SW-ATS satisfies ε-differential privacy. Compared with the state-of-the-art algorithm, SW-ATS is superior in reducing the error rate of MAE which is about 25%, improving the utility of data, and providing stronger privacy protection.
KecNet: A Light Neural Network for Arrhythmia Classification Based on Knowledge Reinforcement
Authors: Lu Peng , Gao Yang , Xi Hao , Zhang Yabin , Gao Chao , Zhou Bing , Zhang Hongpo , Chen Liwei , Mao Xiaobo
Published: April 2021

Acquiring electrocardiographic (ECG) signals and performing arrhythmia classification in mobile device scenarios have the advantages of short response time, almost no network bandwidth consumption, and human resource savings. In recent years, deep neural networks have become a popular method to efficiently and accurately simulate nonlinear patterns of ECG data in a data-driven manner but require more resources. Therefore, it is crucial to design deep learning (DL) algorithms that are more suitable for resource-constrained mobile devices. In this paper, KecNet, a lightweight neural network construction scheme based on domain knowledge, is proposed to model ECG data by effectively leveraging signal analysis and medical knowledge. To evaluate the performance of KecNet, we use the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) protocol and the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database to classify five arrhythmia categories. The result shows that the ACC, SEN, and PRE achieve 99.31%, 99.45%, and 98.78%, respectively. In addition, it also possesses high robustness to noisy environments, low memory usage, and physical interpretability advantages. Benefiting from these advantages, KecNet can be applied in practice, especially wearable and lightweight mobile devices for arrhythmia classification.
Acute Enterovirus Encephalitis as a Cause for Isolated Visual and Auditory Hallucinations in a 22-Year-Old Patient
Authors: Deest M. , Eberlein C. , Bleich S. , Frieling H. , Skripuletz T. , Neyazi A.
Published: April 2021

Viral encephalitis often presents with severe illness, headache, fever, behavioral changes, altered level of consciousness, and focal neurologic deficits. One of the most feared kind of virus encephalitis is herpes simplex encephalitis; however, other central virus infections are also capable of presenting with psychiatric symptoms. Here, we report the case of a 22-year-old woman with first time visual and auditory hallucinations due to an acute enterovirus encephalitis with no cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities but a positive PCR result for enterovirus (ECHO). During treatment, the symptoms deteriorated, and she hat to be shifted to the sheltered ward because of imperative suicidal auditory hallucinations. Under treatment with risperidone and olanzapine, symptoms suddenly stopped and did not reoccur under subsequent reduction of the antipsychotic medication.
Subject Behavior of Collaborative Innovation in Civil-Military Integration: An Evolutionary Game Analysis
Authors: Xu Xiaodi , Wang Zilong , Zhu Yongfeng , Luo Xiaochun
Published: April 2021

Based on the evolutionary game mode, this study constructs the evolutionary game model of collaborative innovation in civil-military integration considering the reward-punishment mechanism of the government. The subject behavior of core enterprises and noncore enterprises in the collaborative innovation of civil-military integration is investigated from a microperspective. The results suggest that the key factors influencing the enthusiasm of enterprises to participate in collaborative innovation are the level of technology spillover, technology absorption capacity, the share of excess benefits, the reward for active participation in collaborative innovation, and the punishment for passive participation. The game evolution result of the two parties will converge to (actively participate in collaborative innovation, actively participate in collaborative innovation) when the government rewards obtained by the party actively participating in collaborative innovation exceed the technology spillover loss and the excess benefits exceed the difference between the acquired technology spillover and the penalty for passive participation. These findings may provide a decision-making reference for the government to formulate the strategy of collaborative innovation in civil-military integration.
Enhancing the Distribution of Idle Cost for Scheduling Tasks without Setup Cost in Cloud Computing
Authors: Al-dilami Redwan A. , Zahary Ammar T. , Al-Saqqaf Adnan Z.
Published: April 2021

Issues of task scheduling in the centre of cloud computing are becoming more important, and the cost is one of the most important parameters used for scheduling tasks. This study aims to investigate the problem of online task scheduling of the identified job of MapReduce on cloud computing infrastructure. It was proposed that the virtualized cloud computing setup comprised machines that host multiple identical virtual machines (VMs) that need to be activated earlier and run continuously, and booting a VM requires a constant setup time. A VM that remains running even though it is no longer used is considered an idle VM. Furthermore, this study aims to distribute the idle cost of the VMs rather than the cost of setting up them among tasks in a fair manner. This study also is an extension of previous studies which solved the problems that occurred when distributing the idle cost and setting up the cost of VMs among tasks. It classifies the tasks into three groups (long, mid, and short) and distributes the idle cost among the groups then among the tasks of the groups. The main contribution of this paper is the developing of a clairvoyant algorithm that addressed important factors such as the delay and the cost that occurred by waiting to setup VM (active VM). Also, when the VMs are run continually and some VMs become in idle state, the idle cost will be distributed among the current tasks in a fair manner. The results of this study, in comparison with previous studies, showed that the idle cost and the setup cost that was distributed among tasks were better than the idle cost and the setup cost distributed in those studies.
Vitamin A Supplementation Coverage and Ocular Signs among Children Aged 6–59 Months in Aleta Chuko Woreda, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Nigusse Temesgen , Gebretsadik Achamyelesh
Published: April 2021

Background. Periodic vitamin A supplementation to children is a cost-effective strategy to avert vitamin A deficiency. However, few pieces of evidence are available about the coverage of vitamin A supplementation at the community level in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess vitamin A supplementation coverage and prevalence of ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency among children aged 6–59 months. Methods. Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted using a two-stage stratified random sampling method. Data were collected from mothers with children aged 6–59 months using a structured pretested questionnaire. A total of 665 children aged 6 to 59 months were examined for clinical signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency by trained clinical health professionals. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were done. Result. Vitamin A supplementation coverage in the study area was 36.2% (95% CI: 32.6–39.9). Overall, the prevalence of xerophthalmia was 2.7%. Age group 6–23 months (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4–2.9), good maternal knowledge (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2–2.1), children with high wealth status (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4–3.8), precampaign health education on vitamin A (AOR: 3.4,95% CI: 2.1–5.6), member of Health Development Army (AOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.7–4.2), and access to health facility within <30 minutes (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6–3.8) were significantly associated with the receipt of vitamin A capsule. Conclusion. Vitamin A supplementation coverage of the study area was low as compared to the UNICEF threshold of 70%. Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in the study area. Increasing maternal level of knowledge, precampaign health education on vitamin A supplementation, and strengthening Health Development Army are recommended to increase the vitamin A supplementation coverage.
Numerical Study on Failure Mechanisms of Shaft Wall Consisting of Steel Plate and Concrete under the Effects of Explosion
Authors: Qi Yanjun , Dou Linming , Dong Zhaoxing , Meng Bo
Published: April 2021

To enhance the antidynamic and static load resistance of reinforced concrete structures, the measure of covering steel plates on the inner surface of concrete structures arises, which has been rapidly developed and applied in civil engineering and other fields and has achieved a good performance. A new shaft wall structure consisting of steel plate reinforced concrete has been widely used in shaft of deep mining. In order to investigate the stability and obtain the optimum structure parameters of the new shaft structure, the numerical software of LS‐DYNA was used to analyze the influences of different factors, including the explosive payload, steel plate thickness, concrete strength grade, and the included joint angle between two plates, on the stability of steel plate reinforced concrete structures. After the verification of the accuracy of numerical simulation results, 23 simulation schemes were proposed and numerically calculated. For all the tests, the principal tensile stress and particle vibration velocity were, respectively, chosen as the failure criteria to evaluate the impacts of those four factors. The results indicate that a quadratic function can be well used to describe the relationships between each factor and both the principal tensile stress and particle vibration velocity. Based on the results, the optimum structure parameters were finally determined, which are suggested as 250 kg, 15 mm, C85, and 40° for the explosive payload, steel plate thickness, concrete strength grade, and joint angle, respectively. The research results can provide a certain theoretical basis and design guidance for solving the problem of water leakage of single‐layer shaft wall structures.
Numerical Study on the Fracture Properties of Concrete Shield Tunnel Lining Segments
Authors: Tian Longgang , Wang Xiao , Cheng Ziling
Published: April 2021

Shield tunnel lining structure is usually under very complex loading conditions in the underground space. As a kind of the common concrete structures, any defect in the tunnel lining segment may deteriorate its bearing capacity and even cause severe disasters. Three-dimensional numerical models of shield tunnel lining segments with initial cracks are built using the Symmetric Galerkin Boundary Element Method- (SGBEM-) Finite Element Method (FEM) Alternating Method. The cracking load and ultimate load of the tunnel segments are obtained, and crack propagation under fatigue load is also simulated by employing the Paris Fatigue Law. Results show that loading eccentricity has a very large influence on the bearing capacity of the cracked lining segment; the larger the loading eccentricity, the smaller the bearing capacity. Deformation and damage of the lining segment show obvious phases, which consist of the initial crack, cracking stage, steady crack propagation, unsteady crack propagation, and eventual failure.
Asymptotic Behavior of Solutions to Free Boundary Problem with Tresca Boundary Conditions
Authors: Saadallah Abdelkader , Chougui Nadhir , Yazid Fares , Abdalla Mohamed , Cherif Bahri Belkacem , Mekawy Ibrahim
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of an incompressible Herschel-Bulkley fluid in a thin domain with Tresca boundary conditions. We study the limit when the

ε

tends to zero, we prove the convergence of the unknowns which are the velocity and the pressure of the fluid, and we obtain the limit problem and the specific Reynolds equation.
A Study of Fourth-Order Hankel Determinants for Starlike Functions Connected with the Sine Function
Authors: Zhang Hai-Yan , Tang Huo
Published: April 2021

In this paper, upper bounds for the fourth-order Hankel determinant

H

4

1

for the function class

S

s

∗

associated with the sine function are given.
The Mexican Front-of-Pack Labeling Reform: Is It Compatible with International Trade Law?
Authors: Bahri Amrita , Charvel Ana Sofia
Published: April 2021

Mexico has by far the world’s highest death rate linked to obesity and other chronic diseases. As a response to the growing pandemic of obesity, Mexico has adopted a new compulsory front-of-pack labeling regulation for pre-packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This article provides an assessment of the regulation’s consistency with international trade law and the arguments that might be invoked by either side in a hypothetical trade dispute on this matter.
CONTROLLING THE PYRENEES: A MACAQUE’S BURIAL FROM LATE ANTIQUE IULIA LIBICA (LLÍVIA, LA CERDANYA, SPAIN)
Authors: Olesti Oriol , Guàrdia Jordi , Maragall Marta , Mercadal Oriol , Galbany Jordi , Nadal Jordi
Published: April 2021

The remains of a primate’s burial (a Macaca sylvanus, or a Barbary Macaque) were discovered in 2001 on the site of Les Colomines (Llívia), comprising the skeleton of the animal and some objects arranged as an offering. These offerings included decorated metallic pieces and some bronze military belts typical of the Late Roman period. The grave can be connected with the late antique phase of occupation of Iulia Libica in the 5th–6th c. A.D., and with several military episodes that occurred in the Pyrenees during this period. The macaque may have belonged to an officer. Some of the osteological and biometric studies on the macaque are presented at the end of the paper.
MILITARY ENCOUNTERS AND DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS IN THE NORTH BALKANS DURING THE REIGNS OF ANASTASIUS AND JUSTINIAN
Authors: Sarantis Alexander
Published: April 2021

Balkan history in the late 5th to 6th c. A.D. period is viewed by scholars as, at best, a respite from a series of devastating barbarian raids and, at worst, as another stepping-stone on the path to the inevitable loss of imperial control over the region. This paper redresses these perceptions by portraying the reigns of Anastasius and Justinian as a period in which the Romans/Byzantines were taking the initiative and ‘winning’ in their military and diplomatic dealings with the barbarians. These emperors devoted considerable political energy and economic and military resources to restoring imperial military authority in the northern Balkans.
Masks and Emasculation: Populist Crisis Rhetoric and the 2020 Presidential Election
Authors: Neville-Shepard Meredith
Published: April 2021

This essay illustrates how Donald Trump engaged in what I call “populist crisis rhetoric” throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and coinciding 2020 U.S. presidential campaign cycle. By performing a critical rhetorical analysis of textual fragments surrounding how Trump addressed the preventative measure of mask-wearing, I show how he rejected the role of comforter-in-chief and instead opted for the role of victim-in-chief. Specifically, turning the bare face into a litmus test of Trump loyalism, his rhetoric suggested that masks threatened masculinity and functioned as a form of anti-choice bodily oppression.
Principal Turnover: Using Teacher-Assessments of Principal Quality to Understand who Leaves the Principalship
Authors: Husain Aliza N. , Miller Luke C. , Player Daniel W.
Published: April 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to estimate the relationship between principal quality and turnover. Principals can have potentially large effects on student outcomes. When school leaders leave their roles, they cause disruptive effects to the school’s climate. If effective principals are more likely to leave, the negative effects of principal turnover are likely exacerbated. Relatively little, however, is known about the quality of principals who leave the principalship. Research design: We use teachers’ perceptions of their principals as a measure of principal quality to understand the quality of principals who leave schools. We address this research question in New York City public schools from 2013 to 2016, and then replicate it at the national level using the Schools and Staffing Survey data from 2008 to 2012. To understand how principal quality relates to principal turnover, we run linear probability regressions of principal exits on (teacher-assessed) principal quality, controlling for a set of teacher, principal, school, district/state, and time characteristics. Findings: We find that higher quality principals are less likely to leave their schools. This finding persists across school contexts and time, lending robustness to our results. Conclusions: Findings suggest that inasmuch as principal turnover is a concern, it is not driven by higher quality principals. Districts should therefore focus on recruiting more higher quality principals as opposed to focusing on reducing overall principal turnover. Moving forward, research should focus on differential attrition patterns so that efforts to retain principals can be better targeted.
Sexuality education for primary school students with disability in Fiji
Authors: Botfield Jessica R , Ratu Sera , Turagabeci Esiteri , Chivers Jane , McDonald Loren , Wilson Eleanor G , Cheng Yan
Published: April 2021

Background:

People with disability have the same sexual and reproductive health needs and rights as people without disability, yet experience considerable barriers in accessing information and services. The Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji, Family Planning Australia, and disability stakeholders implemented a comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) disability inclusion project to increase access for students with disability to age-appropriate sexuality education.

Method:

A train the trainer model was utilised, whereby staff and disability stakeholders undertook competency-based training on delivering sexuality education to teachers and people with disability, then trained and supported teachers working in special disability schools to provide sexuality education to students. An evaluation explored the acceptability and effectiveness of the project, utilising baseline and endline surveys and interviews.

Findings:

From 2016 to 2018, the CSE disability project reached teachers and students in nine special disability schools in Fiji. At project completion, teachers reported increased confidence overall in teaching about sexuality and relationships, and students demonstrated increased knowledge regarding puberty and body changes. Interview findings suggested the project contributed to overcoming silence and stigma for people with disability and promoting safety for young people.

Conclusion:

Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability is essential for equipping them with necessary knowledge and skills. The CSE disability project utilised a collaborative, capacity building approach to co-design and implement sexuality education in special disability schools in Fiji. With commitment from stakeholders, this could be sustained and expanded to support students with disability in achieving optimal sexual and reproductive health.
Mobile learning on students' learning interest and achievement based on apt teaching model
Authors: Fu Leiming , Yang Ming , Liu Yutao , Wang Zhaoye , Chen Yifei
Published: April 2021

With the rapid development of computer technology and the Internet, mobile learning in AT teaching mode has become the most popular concept and technology in the IT field. It can be said that mobile learning in AT teaching mode is closely related to people’s daily life, so the AT teaching mode Mobile learning has received a high degree of attention.This paper constructs the inquiry teaching mode and framework, and explores the effective ML method based on AT mode, so as to improve students’ apos; learning performance and learning interest, so as to improve the teaching effect and teaching quality. In this paper, the evaluation-based information teaching mode AT mode is constructed, which provides support for teaching, and studies the learning interest based on AT mode. This study takes the change of students’ apos; interest as the breakthrough point, and on the basis of traditional teaching mode, using the methods of literature, experiment and mathematical statistics, taking the students of our university as the research object, this paper adopts the preset model and measures and analyzes the data with the help of measurement tools. On the basis of ensuring its good reliability and validity, the students apos; interest is tested. The results show that ML based on AT mode can improve students’ apos; academic performance, and the improvement degree is related to the difficulty of learning content and students apos; learning level. It shows that mathematical modeling based on the AT model can help students understand knowledge, reduce learning difficulty, and increase learning interest. It also proves that student performance and learning interest interact and promote each other.
George L. Mosse and Christian Religious Thought in Contemporary History
Authors: Moro Renato
Published: April 2021

Today, nobody would consider George L. Mosse as a historian of Christianity. He is well known primarily for his works on the history of fascism, nationalism and racism. However, not only in the first phase of his career, as a scholar of early modern Europe, he was precisely a historian of Christianity, but his contribution to the understanding of Christian experiences and movements in the last centuries, albeit little known, has continued to be extremely relevant. So this article a reflection about Mosse’s approach to religion, and especially to Christianity, analyses the main results of his researches on the subject and their development and proposes a final appraisal of his legacy in this field of research.
Outwitting the Gestapo? German Communist Resistance between Loyalty and Betrayal
Authors: Grashoff Udo
Published: April 2021

This article discusses ambiguous tactics of German Communist resisters in the Third Reich. The official historiography of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) portrayed Communist resisters as unfaltering heroes. By contrast, revisionist studies published after 1990 presented Communists as traitors and renegades. This study transcends these approaches that revolve around legitimation or de-legitimation of the dictatorship, and examines the dubious manoeuvring of three German Communists who strategically collaborated with the Nazis, namely Theodor Bottländer, Friedrich Schlotterbeck and Wilhelm Knöchel. While Knöchel's attempts to outwit the Gestapo failed and could not prevent his execution, Schlotterbeck and Bottländer found ways to survive - largely without betraying their comrades. Even so, the Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (KPD), as well as its successor in the GDR, the Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (SED), reprimanded venturesome, inventive and obstinate Communists, excluded them from the party and brought them to court. The harsh reactions are indicative of the inability of Communist historiography to acknowledge ‘Eigen-Sinn’, and highlight a central shortcoming of the antifascist doctrine. Likewise, more recent revisionist approaches have failed to recognise various attempts of Communists to minimise harm and survive in the grey zone between betrayal and loyalty.
Dual-Functionality Evaluation of a Novel Collagen Crosslinking Resin
Authors: Wang Y. , Liu Y. , Liu H. , Li S.
Published: April 2021

Current adhesives bond to dentin via a micro-interlocking mechanism within the hybrid layer. Besides such mechanical retention, bonding to dentin would benefit from additional chemical interaction between collagen and resin. This study aims to synthesize a novel light-curable collagen crosslinker methacrylate (MA) functionalized grapeseed extract (GSE) and to assess MAGSE’s ability to crosslink dentin collagen in a clinically relevant setting as well as its role in light-cure as a resin. MA functionalization was accomplished by reacting GSE with methacryloyl chloride to obtain MAGSE, which was characterized by 1H-NMR and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The 6-µm-thick dentin films were microtomed from dentin slabs of third molars. Following demineralization, they were treated for 30 s by 1% MAGSE. Collagen crosslinking and resistance to digestion of MAGSE were evaluated by FTIR, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) assay of films, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on slabs. Meanwhile, 1% MAGSE or GSE was added to an experimental adhesive formulated with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and a tricomponent photoinitiator system. Polymerization kinetics were monitored continuously in real time for 10 min using FTIR–attenuated total reflection. The results indicated that MAGSE could bind to dentin collagen and protect it from collagenase degradation as strong as GSE. Dentin collagen treated by 1% MAGSE for 30 s was scarcely digested (1.6 ± 1.6%) after 1 h in 0.1% collagenase, while untreated collagen was completely digested (100.9 ± 20.2%). SEM/TEM images indicated MAGSE efficiently crosslinked dentin collagen in 30 s and rendered it almost inert to digestion under clinically relevant settings. Unlike GSE that hindered light-curing of HEMA, MAGSE accelerated the rate of polymerization and exhibited typical traits of a resin monomer with multiple polymerizable units. In conclusion, a novel collagen crosslinking resin MAGSE is synthesized, which inherits collagen crosslinking ability from GSE and polymerization function from MA. Inclusion of this light-curable collagen crosslinker into adhesives might be a revolutionary way to improve durability of dentin bonding in composite restorations.
Excess Risk of Dental Caries from Higher Free Sugars Intake Combined with Low Exposure to Water Fluoridation
Authors: Ha D.H. , Spencer A.J. , Moynihan P. , Thomson W.M. , Do L.G.
Published: April 2021

The study aimed to quantify the excess risk of interaction between high free sugars (sugars) intake and lack of exposure to water fluoridation on child dental caries. Data from the Australian National Child Oral Health Study, a population-based survey of 24,664 children aged 5 to 14 y, were collected using parental questionnaires and oral epidemiological examinations by trained examiners. Information on socioeconomic status, dental health behaviors, and dental service use was used as covariates. The number of servings of sugars-containing foods and drinks consumed in a usual day was assessed as the main exposure, categorized into 5 groups. Residential history was used to calculate lifetime exposure to fluoridated water (LEFW), categorized as low (<25%), medium (25% to <75%), or high (75%–100%). Caries prevalence (dmfs/DMFS >0) and experience (dmfs/DMFS) in the primary (ages 5–10 y) and permanent (ages 8–14 y) dentitions were the main dependent variables. The association of sugars intake and LEFW with each outcome was estimated in multivariable log-Poisson regression models with robust standard error estimation, adjusted for covariates. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) between sugars intake and LEFW was estimated. Strong positive gradients in all outcomes were observed across sugars intake groups. Relative to the lowest intake group, the 3 highest intake groups had significantly higher adjusted prevalence ratios for having caries and higher adjusted mean ratios of caries experience in both dentitions, after controlling for all covariates. LEFW strongly and consistently attenuated the effects of all levels of sugars intake on the outcomes. RERI estimates indicated that a combination of lack of exposure to fluoridated water and high sugars intake resulted in greater excess risk of primary and permanent caries than if there was no interaction. Evidently, children with high sugars intakes and low exposure to water fluoridation are at disproportionately higher risk of dental caries.
Periodontal Pathogens Promote Foam Cell Formation by Blocking Lipid Efflux
Authors: Rho J.H. , Kim H.J. , Joo J.Y. , Lee J.Y. , Lee J.H. , Park H.R.
Published: April 2021

Foam cells are one of the major cellular components of atherosclerotic plaques, within which the trace of periodontal pathogens has also been identified in recent studies. In line with these findings, the correlation between periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular incidences has been repetitively supported by evidence from a number of experimental studies. However, the direct role of periodontal pathogens in altered cellular signaling underlying such cardiovascular events has not been clearly defined. To determine the role of periodontal pathogens in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially in the evolution of macrophages into foam cells, we monitored the pattern of lipid accumulation within macrophages in the presence of periodontal pathogens, followed by characterization of these lipids and investigation of major molecules involved in lipid homeostasis. The cells were stained with the lipophilic fluorescent dye BODIPY 493/503 and Oil Red O to characterize the lipid profile. The amounts of Oil Red O–positive droplets, representing neutral lipids, as well as fluorescent lipid aggregates were prominently increased in periodontal pathogen–infected macrophages. Subsequent analysis allowed us to locate the accumulated lipids in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, the levels of cholesteryl ester in periodontal pathogen–infected macrophages were increased, implying disrupted lipid homeostasis. Further investigations to delineate the key messengers and regulatory factors involved in the altered lipid homeostasis have revealed alterations in cholesterol efflux–related enzymes, such as ABCG1 and CYP46A1, as contributors to foam cell formation, and increased Ca2+ signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as key events underlying disrupted lipid homeostasis. Consistently, a treatment of periodontal pathogen–infected macrophages with ROS inhibitors and nifedipine attenuated the accumulation of lipid droplets, further confirming periodontal pathogen–induced alterations in Ca2+ and ROS signaling and the subsequent dysregulation of lipid homeostasis as key regulatory events underlying the evolution of macrophages into foam cells.
Gut Microbiota May Mediate the Influence of Periodontitis on Prediabetes
Authors: Li L. , Bao J. , Chang Y. , Wang M. , Chen B. , Yan F.
Published: April 2021

Mounting evidence has shown that periodontitis is associated with diabetes. However, a causal relationship remains to be determined. Recent studies reported that periodontitis may be associated with gut microbiota, which plays an important role in the development of diabetes. Therefore, we hypothesized that gut microbiota might mediate the link between periodontitis and diabetes. Periodontitis was induced by ligatures. Glycemic homeostasis was evaluated through fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Micro–computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to evaluate periodontal destruction. The gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics. Serum endotoxin, interleukin (IL) 6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and IL-1β were measured to evaluate the systemic inflammation burden. We found that the levels of FBG, HbA1c, and glucose intolerance were higher in the periodontitis (PD) group than in the control (Con) group ( P < 0.05). When periodontitis was eliminated, the FBG significantly decreased ( P < 0.05). Several butyrate-producing bacteria were decreased in the gut microbiota of the PD group, including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Eubacterium_fissicatena_group, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 ( P < 0.05), which were negatively correlated with serum HbA1c ( P < 0.05). Subsequently, the gut microbiota was depleted using antibiotics or transplanted through cohousing. Compared with the PD group, the levels of HbA1c and glucose intolerance were decreased in the gut microbiota-depleted mice with periodontitis (PD + Abx) ( P < 0.05), as well as the serum levels of endotoxin and IL-6 ( P < 0.05). The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the PD + Abx group were higher than those of the Con group ( P < 0.05). Antibiotics exerted a limited impact on the periodontal microbiota. When the PD mice were cohoused with healthy ones, the elevated FBG and HbA1c significantly recovered ( P < 0.05), as well as the aforementioned butyrate producers ( P < 0.05). Thus, within the limitations of this study, our data indicated that the gut microbiota may mediate the influence of periodontitis on prediabetes.