bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of a new type of Si–Al porous clay material as a solid phase support for immobilizing Acidovorax sp. PM3 to treat domestic sewage
Authors: Jiang Binhui , Li Yu , Wang Haiyan , Jia Liping , Huang Fei , Hu Xiaomin
Published: December 2019

A novel Si–Al porous clay material W (reprocessed from ceramic waste) was used for Acidovorax sp. strain PM3 immobilization to promote the growth of strains and improve nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance in water treatment systems. The porous clay material W was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy indicating that porous clay material W was a type of mullite with 63.52 m2/g specific surface area. After immobilization, the maximum biomass increased 2.7 times the specific growth rate and the removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia (NH4+–N), and total phosphorus (TP) by the immobilized PM3 were 42.99, 29.19, and 11.76% higher than the free strain after 24 h. The Monod equation showed that the growth rate and processing speed of immobilized PM3 increased. The maximum adsorption capacities of COD and NH4+–N onto porous clay material W were 2.33 and 0.32 mg/g on the basis of Langmuir isotherm. The removal capacities of COD, NH4+–N, and TP by the immobilized PM3 were 588.24, 20.37, and 5.06 mg/l, respectively, as shown by kinetic studies. These results demonstrated that porous clay material W could improve the efficiency of microbial nitrogen and phosphorus removal, and the immobilized microorganism system could effectively treat domestic sewage. The adsorption isotherms can well describe the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of COD and NH4+–N on porous clay material W is 2.33 and 0.32 mg/g, respectively. Kinetic studies showed that the removal capacity of immobilized PM3 to COD, NH4+–N, and TP was 58.824, 20.37, and 5.06 mg/l, respectively.
Decision-making on the go: Smartphones and decision-making in early 21st-century workflow
Authors: Simmonds David , Guha Sanjib , Rahim Niazur , Mella-Barahona Javier
Published: December 2019

Today almost everyone carries a smartphone. People use it for various purposes not just for calling, sending texts or accessing the Internet. The personal smartphone is not just used for staying in touch, but it is also used for performing office work. The varied uses of smartphones have been widely chronicled in literature and there is exhaustive literature listing the various benefits derived from its use. The advent of the smartphone has changed the workflow in the 21st century. It has not only ushered in globalization but also benefited from globalization. Smartphones now enable us to stay connected and work on the go. In this article, we have conducted as exhaustive a research as possible and reviewed different studies pertaining to use of smartphones in all different spheres of work. We have also reviewed different studies regarding the various benefits and some problems in using smartphones. Our article brings together, in one place, literature from a wide variety of professions and angles.
Brooding Concurrently and Prospectively Links Trait Positive and Negative Affect to Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Rutter Tara M. , Skalisky Jordan , Caudle Hailey , Aldrich Jaclyn T. , Mezulis Amy H.
Published: December 2019

Recent theory and evidence support an integrated affective-cognitive model of adolescent depressive symptoms in which temperament predicts the use of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation (ER) strategies which, in turn, predict depressive symptoms. We concurrently and prospectively investigated whether two cognitive ER strategies (dampening and brooding) mediated the effect of trait positive and negative affect on adolescent depressive symptoms. Young adolescents (11-14 years old) completed questionnaires at baseline ( N = 150) and at a 4-month follow-up ( N = 126). Findings indicate brooding mediated the relationship between both positive and negative affect and depressive symptoms, both cross-sectionally and prospectively. Dampening yielded inconsistent results. This suggests brooding may be a unique mechanism from trait affect to depressive symptoms in late childhood to early adolescence.
Value of three-dimensional printing of fractures in orthopaedic trauma surgery
Authors: Samaila Elena Manuela , Negri Stefano , Zardini Alessandro , Bizzotto Nicola , Maluta Tommaso , Rossignoli Cecilia , Magnan Bruno
Published: December 2019

Objective

Information technology-based innovation is playing an increasingly key role in healthcare systems. The use of three-dimensional (3D)-printed bone fracture replicas in orthopaedic clinical practice could provide a new tool for fracture simulations and treatment, and change the interaction between patient and surgeon. We investigated the additional value of 3D-printing in the preparation and execution of surgical procedures and communication with patients, as well as its teaching and economic implications.

Methods

Fifty-two patients with complex articular displaced fractures of the calcaneus, tibial plateau, or distal radius were enrolled. 3D-printed real-size models of the fractured bone were obtained from computed tomography scans and exported to files suitable for 3D-printing. The models were handled by trauma surgeons, residents, and patients to investigate the potential advantages and procedural improvements. The patients’ and surgeons’ findings were recorded using specific questionnaires.

Results

3D-printed replicas of articular fractures facilitated surgical planning and preoperative simulations, as well as training and teaching activities. They also strengthening the informed consent process and reduced surgical times and costs by about 15%.

Conclusion

3D-printed models of bone fractures represent a significant step towards more-personalized medicine, with improved education and surgeon–patient relationships.
A Leader Doesn’t Sound Lesbian!: The Impact of Sexual Orientation Vocal Cues on Heterosexual Persons’ First Impression and Hiring Decision
Authors: Fasoli Fabio , Hegarty Peter
Published: December 2019

In three studies ( N = 340), we tested whether vocal cues to a person’s sexual orientation prompted sexual orientation discrimination in heterosexual individuals when hiring leaders. Our results inform how gender and sexual orientation intersect to produce discriminatory effects in the hiring context. Heterosexual participants listened to short clips of voices that sounded like job candidate was a lesbian or heterosexual woman, or a gay or heterosexual man, and rated all for job suitability and employability. Candidates applied for jobs as leaders (Study 1), as leaders or assistants (Study 2), and for leadership roles that varied in both gender role and status (Study 3). Sexual orientation discrimination occurred in all three studies and was greater among women job candidates. Refuting role congruity theory, several findings disconfirmed the prediction that lesbian-sounding women would be advantaged when stereotyped as masculine and when applying for leadership roles. Rather, in line with status-beliefs theory, lesbian-sounding women and gay-sounding men were rated and ranked poorly to the extent that they were perceived as less competent than heterosexual candidates. Findings suggest that hiring discrimination occurs in subtle ways, such as when individuals sound gay/lesbian. This has implications for recruitment as well as sexual-orientation discrimination court cases. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684319891168
Practical trust
Authors: González-Martínez Esther , Mlynář Jakub
Published: December 2019

We begin our article by placing various forms of trust distinguished by the literature along a continuum according to the truster’s practical orientation toward the possibility of things not going as expected. We then present the ethnomethodological respecification of trust as an observable phenomenon of order involving continuous practical work, in situ and in real time. Conversation analysis provides tools for capturing how trust is accomplished as interlocutors rely on ordinary orders of practice to organize talk-in-interaction. Built on these bases, the term ‘practical trust’ points to the strong link between trust, the organization of courses of action and the production of their accountability. In conclusion, we suggest undertaking empirical research to identify the practices that make trust a specific phenomenon of interactional order.
Economic crisis and social trust: Reviewing the effects of economic polarisation on social and institutional confidence
Authors: Torrente Diego , Caïs Jordi , Bolancé Catalina
Published: December 2019

The economic crisis of 2008 led to a significant erosion of trust in the countries that were hit hardest. However, whether this fall can best be explained by external economic factors or by the lack of response on the part of the institutions to civic needs and demands is unclear. This study uses the extreme case of Spain to bring new insights to this debate. Its aim is to analyse, in comparison with perceived institutional performance and other factors, the effect of increasing economic inequality and its polarisation on levels of social and institutional trust. The study examines the respective impact of these factors upon different social groups according to their degree of exposure to the effects of the crisis. It uses a simultaneous equations model to jointly examine interpersonal and institutional effects. Our results show that the social groups most severely affected by the recession lose a great deal of trust in others. We also find that polarisation of economic conditions has different effects depending on the institution. Institutional trust seems to vary according to the interest of different groups, but the economic position is an underlying factor, especially for specific segments of the population. Without calling into question the importance of institutional performance, our research sheds new light on the importance of economic polarisation and its joint impact on social and institutional trust. We suggest that, in severe economic recession scenarios, rising inequalities have a direct impact on the institutional trust of certain social groups and deteriorate a lot interpersonal confidence among the most disadvantaged.
The Relationships Among Temporal Processing, Rapid Naming, and Oral Reading Fluency in Chinese Children With and Without Dyslexia
Authors: Wang Li-Chih
Published: December 2019

The relationships among visual and auditory temporal processing, rapid naming, and oral reading fluency in Chinese children with and without dyslexia were examined. Primary school-aged Chinese children with dyslexia ( N = 47) and chronological-age-matched controls ( N = 47) were recruited. Temporal processing, rapid naming, oral reading fluency, Chinese character reading, and nonverbal IQ were assessed. There were significant correlations among visual and auditory temporal processing, rapid naming, and oral reading fluency. The patterns of the relationships among these measures differed between the children with and without dyslexia. The path analyses revealed that visual temporal processing had significant direct and indirect effects (through rapid naming) on oral reading fluency; only the children with dyslexia showed a significant direct effect of auditory temporal processing. These findings have research and educational implications for enhancing the reading abilities of Chinese children with dyslexia.
Riding Uncertainty
Authors: Krieger Martin H.
Published: December 2019

To “ride uncertainty” is to plan, decide, or act when we haven’t a clue as to the choices or probabilities. We are to be genuinely surprised. Riders of uncertainty forge their way forward through prudence, vigilance, and curiosity and through attention to precursors. Obstructions and impossibilities become the chance for invention, and in working their way forward riders discover the meaning of their situation.
Large Stem/Progenitor-Like Cell Subsets can Also be Identified in the CD45- and CD45+/High Populations in Early Human Milk
Authors: Valverde-Villegas Jacqueline María , Durand Mélusine , Bedin Anne-Sophie , Rutagwera David , Kankasa Chipepo , Tuaillon Edouard , Nagot Nicolas , Vande Perre Philippe , Molès Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2019

Background

Stem/progenitor cells have been identified in human milk. However, characterization and percentages of cell subsets in human milk using hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell markers according to the differential expression of CD45, i.e., as CD45dim/+ (mainly hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells) and CD45- (mainly non-hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells), have not been assessed to date.

Research aim

To characterize stem/progenitor-like cell phenotypes in human milk and to report the percentages of these cells at two different lactation stages compared to peripheral blood.

Methods

Human milk samples paired with peripheral blood samples ( N = 10) were analyzed by flow cytometry using CD45, CD34, CD133, CD38, and lineage-negative markers. The percentage of cell subsets was analyzed in colostrum (Day 3 postpartum) and transitional milk (Day 5/6 postpartum) and compared with the peripheral blood counterpart.

Results

The percentage of CD45-CD34+ cells was predominant in both colostrum and transitional milk. The percentage of CD45+/highCD133+ cells was high in colostrum while the percentage of CD45-CD133+ cells was high in transitional milk. Furthermore, the median percentages of the CD45-CD34+, CD45-CD133+, and CD45dimCD133+ cell subsets were higher in colostrum than its peripheral blood counterpart (0.11% vs. 0.002%; 0.17% vs. 0.0005%; 0.09% vs. 0.05%, p = .04, respectively); also CD45-CD34-CD133+ and CD45dimCD34-CD133+ cell subsets were higher in colostrum than peripheral blood (1.32% vs. 0.0% and 2.4% vs. 0.06%, p = .04), respectively).

Conclusion

Early human milk is an abundant reservoir of hematopoietic stem/progenitor-like cells in the CD45+/high population and non-hematopoietic stem/progenitor-like cells in the CD45- population.
Neurospheres Induced from Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells as a New Source of Neural Progenitor Cells
Authors: Peng Chunyang , Lu Li , Li Yajiao , Hu Jingqiong
Published: December 2019

Human adipose-derived stem cells are used in regenerative medicine for treating various diseases including osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, cartilage or tendon injury, etc. However, their use in neurological disorders is limited, probably due to the lack of a quick and efficient induction method of transforming these cells into neural stem or progenitor cells. In this study, we reported a highly efficient and simple method to induce adipose-derived stem cells into neural progenitor cells within 12 hours, using serum-free culture combined with a well-defined induction medium (epidermal growth factor 20 ng/ml and basic fibroblast growth factor, both at 20 ng/ml, with N2 and B27 supplements). These adipose-derived stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells grow as neurospheres, can self-renew to form secondary neurospheres, and can be induced to become neurons and glial cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed significantly upregulated expression of neurogenic genes Sox2 and Nestin with a moderate increase in stemness gene expression. Raybio human growth factor analysis showed a significantly upregulated expression of multiple neurogenic and angiogenic cytokines such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic growth factor, nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor etc. Therefore, adipose-derived stem cell-derived neurospheres can be a new source of neural progenitor cells and hold great potential for future cell replacement therapy for treatment of various refractory neurological diseases.
Pathophysiological role of endogenous irisin against tumorigenesis and metastasis: Is it a potential biomarker and therapeutic?
Authors: Sumsuzzman Dewan Md. , Jin Yunho , Choi Jeonghyun , Yu Jeong-Hee , Lee Tae Ho , Hong Yonggeun
Published: December 2019

In the last few decades, there has been notable progress in understanding the molecular and cellular basis of the complex process involved in cancer. In this context, tumor-promoting inflammation, dysregulation of apoptotic signaling, tissue invasion and metastasis, and cancer microenvironment have recently attracted interest from researchers. Irisin is a hormone released by muscles during exercise and it directly acts on key functional cells involving energy metabolism and homeostasis. Recently, many studies have reported the anticancer effect of irisin against different types of cancer. Translation of these findings to clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of several types of cancer is urgently required. In this review, we summarized preclinical and clinical studies on the anticancer effects of irisin in various types of cancer, and also discussed the mechanisms activated by irisin to suppress cancer pathogenesis. We further discussed the serum level of irisin related to different types of cancer to understand more clearly the association between irisin concentration and tumor burden. This review may serve as a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to support basic and clinical studies on irisin as a promising strategy for early diagnosis and treatment of a various types of cancers.
The Impact of an International Component in Educating the Public Using an Experimental Design
Authors: Brandenburg Uwe , Willcock Bryn
Published: December 2019

This study focuses on the effect of internationalization on the wider society. The study analyses the results of a session on terrorism and media, where participants were the wider public in the United Kingdom. An experimental design with random group assignment was conducted where internationalization was operationalized by the training either being international, where a U.S. trainer co-conducted the intervention group session, or national, where a U.K. trainer co-conducted the control group session. Both groups were matched for age, education, and gender. While both groups did not significantly differ regarding a core personality trait—that is, openness—as well as the learning outcomes prior to the training, they differed significantly post training. Training on terrorism showed consistent learning effects for both groups, but was far greater in the presence of the U.S. co-teacher and these effects were long-term. Consistent with predictions, the presence of an international trainer produced significantly larger effects when compared with when the trainer was not international.
An Ethnohistory of the Transcultural Nursing Scholars and Their Contributions to the Field
Authors: Wehbe-Alamah Hiba , McFarland Marilyn , Andrews Margaret , Lograsso Samantha
Published: December 2019

Introduction: The Transcultural Nursing Society (TCNS) recognizes transcultural nursing (TCN) scholars for creative leadership and advancing education, practice, research, and administration. The purpose of this study was to discover the historical context of scholars’ professional growth and development and their contributions to and future vision for transcultural nursing. Method: Leininger’s Ethnonursing Research Method was used to develop an ethnohistorical qualitative approach that included a semistructured, open-ended interview guide and data analysis plan. Data were analyzed using NVivo software and Leininger’s Phases of Ethnonursing Data Analysis Enabler for Qualitative Data. Results: Analysis resulted in the discovery of five themes and 15 patterns related to the sources of scholars’ interest in TCN; professional development strategies; contributions to TCN theory development, education, research, practice, service, and consultation; the responsibilities of being a TCN scholar; and their future vision for TCN. Discussion: These findings could inspire and guide TCN scholars as they pursue the study and practice of TCN.
Satisfaction With Health Care in Families Following a Diagnosis of Cleft Lip and/or Palate in the United Kingdom
Authors: Costa Bruna , White Paul , Stock Nicola Marie
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Having a child born with a cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) poses several challenges for new parents and can have a significant psychological impact on the family as a whole. Previous research has indicated that dissatisfaction with health care is a risk factor for poor parental adjustment and family functioning. Yet, knowledge is lacking in regard to which aspects of care parents may be dissatisfied with. The current study aimed to comprehensively evaluate health-care satisfaction in families following a diagnosis of CL/P by utilizing data collected from a UK-wide birth cohort.

Methods:

Self-reported questionnaire data were obtained from 517 parent dyads enrolled in The Cleft Collective Birth Cohort Study. The “Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory—Healthcare Satisfaction Generic Module” was used as the primary outcome measure.

Results:

Overall, parents were satisfied with the care they had received. However, less favorable scores were identified in relation to the information parents had been given. A good degree of agreement between mothers and fathers was observed. However, marginal evidence suggested that fathers were significantly more dissatisfied than mothers regarding the “Communication” and “Inclusion of Family” subscales.

Conclusions:

Although the findings of this large-scale study reflect overall health-care satisfaction, issues are raised in relation to the quality of information families received, particularly for fathers. In addition, fathers may feel less included in their child’s treatment pathway. These findings offer practical suggestions as to which areas of care could be targeted by all health professionals to improve parents’ health-care experiences and promote overall familial adjustment.
Terrain estimation via vehicle vibration measurement and cubature Kalman filtering
Authors: Reina Giulio , Leanza Antonio , Messina Arcangelo
Published: December 2019

The extent of vibrations experienced by a vehicle driving over natural terrain defines its ride quality. Generally, surface irregularities, ranging from single discontinuities to random variations of the elevation profile, act as a major source of excitation that induces vibrations in the vehicle body through the tire–soil interaction and suspension system. Therefore, the ride response of off-road vehicles is tightly connected with the ground properties. The objective of this research is to develop a model-based observer that estimates automatically terrain parameters using available onboard sensors. Two acceleration signals, one coming from the vehicle body and one from the wheel suspension, are fed into a dynamic vehicle model that takes into account tire/terrain interaction to estimate ground properties. To solve the resulting nonlinear simultaneous state and parameter estimation problem, the cubature Kalman filter is used, which is shown to outperform the standard extended Kalman filter in terms of accuracy and stability. An extensive set of simulation tests is presented to assess the performance of the proposed estimator under various surface roughness and deformability conditions. Results show the potential of the proposed observer to estimate automatically terrain properties during operations that could be implemented onboard of a general family of intelligent vehicles, ranging from off-road high-speed passenger cars to lightweight and low-speed planetary rovers.
Long-term care as contested acoustical space: Exploring resident relationships and identitiesinsound
Authors: Graham Megan E
Published: December 2019

As the global population ages, residential care facilities are challenged to create positive living environments for people in later life. Health care acoustics are increasingly recognized as a key design factor in the experience of well-being for long-term care residents; however, acoustics are being conceptualized predominantly within the medical model. Just as the modern hospital battles disease with technology, sterility and efficiency, health care acoustics are receiving similar treatment. Materialist efforts towards acoustical separation evoke images of containment, quarantine and control, as if sound was something to be isolated. Sound becomes part of the contested space of long-term care that exists in tension between hospital and home. The move towards acoustical separation denies the social significance of sound in residents’ lives. Sound does not displace care; it emplaces care and the social relationships therein. Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork in a Canadian long-term care facility, this article will use a phenomenological lens to explore how relationships are shaped in sound among residents living in long-term care. Ethnographic vignettes illustrate how the free flow of music through the care unit incited collective engagement among residents, reduced barriers to sharing social space and constructed new social identity. The article concludes that residents’ relationships are shaped within the acoustical milieu of the care unit and that to impose acoustical separation between residents’ living spaces may further isolate residents who are already at risk of loneliness.
Neuromodulation for functional bladder disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rahnama’i Mohammad Sajjad
Published: December 2019

The function of the lower urinary tract is mainly storage and voiding of urine, which is coordinated by the nervous system. Various diseases of the nervous system may cause neuro-urological symptoms. Neuro-urological symptoms depend on the localization of the disease and the extension of the neurological lesion. About 80% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have neuro-urological symptoms within 10 years after diagnosis. In addition, 10% of MS patients may even present with voiding dysfunction at disease onset. In this review, different types of neuromodulation are discussed. The available studies suggest that sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) may be helpful in the neuromodulation of MS-related overactive bladder symptoms. These techniques may not only decrease the severity of symptoms but also significantly improve the quality of life of affected patients. Exploring the role of implantable tibial nerve stimulation devices in patients with MS could open new doors in the management of urgency and urgency incontinence in this patient group.
Creative expression workshops as Psychological First Aid (PFA) for asylum-seeking children: An exploratory study in temporary shelters in Montreal
Authors: de Freitas Girardi Júlia , Miconi Diana , Lyke Claire , Rousseau Cécile
Published: December 2019

Background:

Considering the growing number of asylum-seeking children worldwide, research on interventions which may buffer the effects of early resettlement conditions on asylum-seeking children’s adjustment is warranted. In Canada, creative expressive workshops for asylum-seeking children and adolescents were implemented as a Psychological First Aid (PFA) intervention in temporary shelters. The present exploratory study aims to describe the implementation of these workshops to assess whether the intervention met core elements of PFA and explore its potential in supporting the diverse needs of asylum-seeking youth in temporary shelters, adopting a process-evaluation research approach.

Method:

The intervention was evaluated via a qualitative thematic analysis of extensive field and supervision notes and focus groups with facilitators.

Results:

Preliminary results suggest that the intervention contributed to fostering emotional safety and a sense of normalcy in children and supported the creation of connections among both children and parents. Children’s expression of past and present experiences during the workshops was seen as a way to promote self-efficacy in children and was reported as a potential way to provide some comfort and hope in a time of high instability. However, the high needs of children and the lack of resources in the temporary shelters represented significant challenges and barriers.

Conclusions:

PFA using creative expression may be a promising youth mental health prevention intervention in temporary shelters.
Interpersonal attitudes toward cross-ethnic peers in diverse middle schools: Implications for intergroup attitudes
Authors: Bell Ariana N. , Smith Danielle S. , Juvonen Jaana
Published: December 2019

To gain insights into whether schools striving to improve intergroup dynamics should curb disliking or facilitate liking across students of different ethnic groups, the current study examines the associations between interpersonal affect and intergroup relations in multiethnic schools. Given (i.e., outgoing) peer nominations of liked and disliked grade-mates were coded by ethnicity in 26 public middle schools, including all Asian, Black, Latinx, and White students ( N = 4,350). Controlling for earlier intergroup attitudes and the availability of ethnic ingroup and relevant outgroup grade-mates, multilevel analyses show that liking (but not disliking) of cross-ethnic grade-mates was associated with more positive attitudes toward that particular ethnic group. Implications of these findings for intergroup relations among adolescents in multiethnic schools are discussed.
Investigation into pre-stress modes and optimal layout of a new hybrid cable-strut system
Authors: Asghari Rasoul , Abedi Karim , Chenaghlou Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2019

Cable domes obtain their stability through the boundary compression ring that contradicts the free-standing principle of tensegrities. Replacement of that with a tensegrity ring has recently attracted the attention of researchers. In this study, form-finding of a modified hybrid structure consisting of a tensegrity ring and a Levy cable dome has been presented. Two groups of different configurations with two different arrangements of modules in tensegrity ring and also two connecting methods between the ring and cable dome parts were considered in the hybrid structures. Since the distribution of pre-stress forces is a fundamental issue in structural behavior, the proximity of pre-stress force values between two parts of ring and cable dome was chosen as comparison criterion. The form-finding of a variety of hybrid cases was carried out and results were compared with the previously proposed hybrid structure and with each other to achieve the best combination method between two parts. It was found that the hybrid cases proposed in this study have a very better pre-stress force distribution and finally the best hybrid structure also was presented.
The value of the Skåne Health-care Register: Prospectively collected individual-level data for population-based studies
Authors: Löfvendahl Sofia , Schelin Maria E.C. , Jöud Anna
Published: December 2019

Aims: This study aimed to examine the population-based Skåne Health-care Register (SHR) regarding feasibility for scientific research and also strengths and weaknesses. Methods: To analyse the feasibility of the SHR, we performed a bibliographic search for peer-reviewed articles based on SHR data from 2000 to 2018. To analyse strengths and weaknesses, we used original SHR data about coverage and validity. Results: We identified 58 articles based on SHR data, covering different study designs and disorders. Most studies focused on musculoskeletal disorders with a cohort design. The majority of all consultations recorded in the SHR have an assigned diagnosis. However, this differs between the levels of care and between types of consultation. For inpatient care, the proportion of consultations with an assigned diagnosis was close to 100% between 1998 and 2017. The proportion of consultations with an assigned diagnosis was lowest within primary care, although the proportion markedly increased in 2004 when the prerequisite for consultation reimbursement was linked to the requirement for an assigned diagnosis. Limitations are that the SHR does not cover health-care provided within nursing homes and equivalent facilities or treatments received by the population of Skåne outside the region. Conclusions: The SHR may be used as a reliable data source for analyses of clinical changes and improvements. Extended use of the SHR in a research context may highlight important shortcomings within the register and thus serve as a way of indirect quality control. To enhance the use of the SHR further, better harmonisation between registers, within and outside of the region and internationally, is of crucial importance.
‘The punch technique’ for the soft tissue exposure of superficial, buccally impacted teeth
Authors: Amin Nima , Watt Eileen , Noar Joseph
Published: December 2019

The management of impacted teeth can be complex, time-consuming and expensive for the patient and healthcare system. These cases often require referral to a different specialty which increases the overall treatment time and number of appointments. This article introduces a simple, efficient technique using a cylindrical punch biopsy instrument to expose superficial, buccally impacted upper permanent canines and incisor teeth in carefully selected cases. This patient- and operator-friendly technique avoids the need for a referral to a different specialty, gives the orthodontist autonomy of the position of the bond, allows immediate traction, thereby reducing the number of appointments and overall treatment time for the patient.
Young children’s experiences of music and soundings in museum spaces: Lessons, trends and turns from the literature
Authors: Elwick Alex , Burnard Pam , Osgood Jayne , Huhtinen-Hildén Laura , Pitt Jessica
Published: December 2019

This article considers the value and role of early years music and sound activities in museum spaces – in relation to children themselves, as well as to their families and wider communities. The article reviews literature around early years music and sound activities; early childhood and the museum; and the use of music and sound in museum spaces – reflecting on reconceptualisation’s of the child within museum spaces and in relation to music and sound. In particular, the article highlights gaps in the literature that present an opportunity to explore the role of music and sound with young children (and particularly with so-called ‘hard-to-reach’ communities or families) within museums.
The seductions of cybercrime: Adolescence and the thrills of digital transgression
Authors: Goldsmith Andrew , Wall David S.
Published: December 2019

This article offers a socio-technical framework for better understanding youthful attraction to, and engagement in, online transgressions and delinquencies. Specifically, it takes the concept of ‘seduction’ from the work of Katz, as well as ‘affordance theory’ and insights from software and human–computer interaction studies, to analyse the affordances of the Internet that tempt and invite youthful transgressions such as digital piracy, viewing illegal pornography and hacking. We argue that Internet affordances not only enable transgressions to occur but can also precipitate them. The implications for youth crime policy are briefly addressed. Policy needs to reckon with the power of these factors in adolescent lives and thus minimize reliance on punitive responses. The article also contributes to the development of the concept of digital drift, by showing how Internet features and affordances foster drift into cyber delinquency.
In Vitro Effect of Cytokines, Inducers, and Inhibitors on the Secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Hepatocarcinoma Cell Line SK-Hep-1
Authors: Roomi M. Waheed , Kalinovsky Tatiana , Bhanap Bilwa , Niedzwiecki Aleksandra , Rath Matthias
Published: December 2019

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains dismal despite any treatment. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been researched for their role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Various cytokines, mitogens, growth factors, inducers, and inhibitors control MMP activities. In this article, we investigated the roles of these in the regulation of MMP-2, -9 secretions in HCC. Human HCC SK-Hep-1 was grown in appropriate media. At near confluence, the cells were washed with phosphate-buffered saline and incubated in serum-free media with PMA; TNF-α, IL-1β; lipopolysaccharide; epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and doxycycline (Dox) at various doses with and without PMA; a nutrient mixture (NM) containing lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and EGCG with and without PMA at; and actinomycin D and cycloheximide at different doses. After 24 hours, the media were removed and analyzed. SK-Hep-1 expressed bands corresponding to MMP-2 and MMP-9. TNF-α showed an insignificant effect on MMP-2 at doses below 25 at which dose MMP-2 was virtually blocked and a moderate dose-dependent effect on MMP-9. Interleukin-1β demonstrated an insignificant effect on MMP-2 at doses below 25 at which dose MMP-2 was completely blocked and enhanced effects on MMP-9. Lipopolysaccharide showed dose-dependent inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9. EGCG, Dox, and NM, without and with PMA, downregulated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide also had dose-dependent inhibitory effects on MMPs. Our results showed that cytokines, mitogens, and inhibitors modulated SK-Hep-1 MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion, suggesting the clinical use of especially potent and nontoxic MMP inhibitor as the NM in management of HCC.
Effect of punching on physical and mechanical properties of leathers: Focus on car seat covers
Authors: Roh Eui Kyung
Published: December 2019

As a lot of time is spent in the car, the comfort of not only the car seat but also the car seat cover itself has become of increasing importance. With increasing use of ventilated seats, the control of the physical and mechanical properties of leather in response to punching has become of prime importance in the design of car seats. This study evaluated the changes in the physical and mechanical properties of leather due to punching and proposes optimum punching intervals for car seats. Sixteen types of leather, punched at three spatial intervals (2, 3, and 5 mm), were evaluated in terms of their apparent density, softness, coefficient of friction, warm-cool feeling, and mechanical properties. Leather punching affected its physical and mechanical properties. However, there were differences in punching intervals that significantly affected each property, including the mechanical properties. Depending on the performance required when developing a product, a suitable punching interval must be selected. Therefore, punching at 5 mm intervals is preferred for obtaining physical and mechanical properties similar to those of untreated leathers, and punching at 3 mm intervals is recommended for achieving more softness. On the contrary, punching at 2 mm intervals increases air permeability but decreases dimensional stability.
Linolenic Acid Attenuates the Vasodilation Induced by Acetylcholine in Isolated Rat Aortae
Authors: Lee Soo Hee , Ok Seong-Ho , Kim Ji-Yoon , Subbarao Raghavendra Baregundi , Bae Sung Il , Hwang Yeran , Park Kyeong-Eon , Kim Jong Won , Sohn Ju-Tae
Published: December 2019

This study aims to examine the effect of linolenic acid on the vasodilation or vasoconstriction induced by acetylcholine and bupivacaine in isolated rat aortae and its underlying mechanism. The effect of linolenic acid on the vasodilation induced by acetylcholine, the calcium ionophore A23187, sodium nitroprusside, and 8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt (bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate [bromo-cGMP]) in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortae was examined. Linolenic acid inhibited vasodilation induced by acetylcholine, calcium ionophore A23187, and sodium nitroprusside. However, this fatty acid increased bromo-cGMP-induced vasodilation in endothelium-denuded aortae. Linolenic acid increased bupivacaine-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aortae, whereas it decreased bupivacaine-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aortae with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and endothelium-denuded aortae. Linolenic acid inhibited acetylcholine- and bupivacaine-induced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Sodium nitroprusside increased cGMP in endothelium-denuded aortic strips, whereas bupivacaine decreased cGMP in endothelium-intact aortic strips. Linolenic acid decreased cGMP levels produced by bupivacaine and sodium nitroprusside. Together, these results suggest that linolenic acid inhibits acetylcholine-induced relaxation by inhibiting a step just prior to nitric oxide-induced cGMP formation. In addition, linolenic acid-mediated inhibition of vasodilation induced by a toxic concentration (3 × 10−4 M) of bupivacaine seems to be partially associated with inhibition of the nitric oxide–cGMP pathway.
Non-inferiority designs comparing placebo to a proven therapy for childhood pneumonia in low-resource settings
Authors: May Susanne , Brown Siobhan P , Schmicker Robert H , Emerson Scott S. , Nkwopara Evangelyn , Ginsburg Amy Sarah
Published: December 2019

Background/aims:

After a new treatment is recommended to be first-line treatment for a specific indication, outcome and population, it may be unethical to use placebo as a comparator in trials for that setting. Nevertheless, in specific circumstances, use of a placebo group might be warranted, for example, when it is believed that an active treatment may not be efficacious or cost-effective for a specific subpopulation. An example is antibiotic treatment for pneumonia, which may not be effective for many patients taking it due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains or the high prevalence of viral and low prevalence of bacterial pneumonia.

Methods:

We explore the applicability of different design options in cases where the benefit of an established treatment is questioned, with particular emphasis on issues that arise in a low-resource setting. Using the example of a clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of placebo versus amoxicillin in treating children 2–59 months of age with fast breathing pneumonia in Lilongwe, Malawi, we discuss the pros and cons of superiority versus non-inferiority designs, an intent-to-treat versus as-treated analysis and the use and interpretation of one- versus two-sided confidence intervals.

Results:

We find that a non-inferiority design using an intent-to-treat analysis is the most appropriate design and analysis option. In addition, the presentation of one- versus two-sided confidence intervals can depend on the results but can maintain type I error.

Conclusion:

In the setting where the benefit of a previously established beneficial treatment is questioned, a non-inferiority design that includes placebo as the tested treatment option can be the most appropriate design option.
Afflicted by Innocence: An Examination of the Innocence Revolution and Its Failures
Authors: Reaven Daria
Published: December 2019

This article offers a genealogical account of innocence in US jurisprudence alongside an account of the depersonalization of black people in legal proceedings and shows their entanglement. By examining both slavery-era laws as well as the punitive surge of the 1990s, this paper finds that while white people were protected by the presumption of innocence, black people were under siege by the legal presumption of slavery. Even after the Civil War, the presumption of innocence remained illusory through a legally codified correlation between blackness and criminality. The article uses the case study of Rodricus Crawford to show how the focus on exonerations as an antidote to mass incarceration leverages a notion of innocence that helps some get out of prison, while further entrenching the criminalization and punishment of the majority of others. This text argues that the innocence revolution and wave of exonerations is not only insufficient, but harmful. The innocence revolution continues to legitimize and further entrench the validity of “true” guilt as a category deserving punishment.
Purification of fuel ethanol engine exhaust with platinum-loaded Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 catalyst
Authors: Zhao Fei , Wang Chunyu , Liu Xianjing , Luo Qingyue , Zhu Ling
Published: December 2019

This work aimed at exploring a new kind of purification catalysts for fuel ethanol engine exhaust. Platinum loaded on Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 was prepared by impregnation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Brunner–Emmet–Teller measurements (BET), temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectra. The three-way catalyst platinum/ceria–zirconia/fw is prepared with the paste ball mill coating technique. And the catalytic performance is evaluated under simulated fuel ethanol engine exhaust gas condition. The catalysts not only show excellent low-temperature performances and several-way catalytic activities for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and acetaldehyde but also have better high-temperature resistance. The addition of sulfur dioxide to feedstream degrades the performances of the catalysts.
A New Optical Biflavonoid, (2″R)-2″,3″-Dihydrorobustaflavone 7,4′-Dimethyl Ether, and Other Constituents from Selaginella trichoclada Alsto
Authors: Yang Peng , Lu Mei-Long , Li Ke , Zhou Qun
Published: December 2019

A new optical biflavonoid, (2” R)-2″,3″-dihydrorobustaflavone 7,4′-dimethyl ether (1), and 6 known compounds (2-7) were isolated for the first time from the 70% ethanol extract of Selaginella trichoclada Alsto. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by extensive spectroscopic data analyses. Racemic compound 1 was separated by chiral-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and the absolute configurations of (±)-1 were defined by circular dichroism spectroscopic data. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7, A549, and HepG2 human cancer cell lines.
Two New Compounds from Rhizomes of Musa basjoo
Authors: Jiang Li , Wang Yang , Zhu Min-Hui , Zheng Lin , Li Lin-Zhen , Wang Ai-Min , Lin Chang-Hu , Liu Ting , Li Yong-Jun
Published: December 2019

Two new compounds, rel-(3 S,4a R,10b R)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-8-hydroxy-9-methoxy-4a,5,6,10b-tetrahydro-3 H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran (1), 7-hydroxy- 2-phenylnaphthalene-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (2), were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Musa basjoo. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including 1-dimensional (1D), 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy.