bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ovarian Tumor Texture Classification Based on Sparse Auto-Encoder Network Combined with Multi-Feature Fusion and Random Forest in Ultrasound Image
Authors: Wang Yingxin , Zeng Qianqian
Published: October 2020

Texture analysis has always been active areas of ultrasound image processing research. Using texture features to classify the ultrasound images is the focus of researchers' attention. How to extract representative texture features is an important part of successful texture description.
The research goal of this paper is to apply the deep neural network into the ultrasound classification of ovarian tumors, and design a novel type of ovarian cancer diagnosis system. The improved HOG feature extraction method and the gray-level concurrence matrix of LBP image are firstly adopted
to extract low-level features; Then, these features are cascaded into a new feature vector, and are input into the auto-encoder neural network to learn the high-level feature. Finally, the SVM classifier is used to achieve the classification of ovarian lesion. A large number of qualitative
and quantitative experiments show that the improved method has more performance than the comparisons algorithms for ovarian ultrasound lesion, and it can significantly improve the classification performance while ensuring the accuracy rate and recall rate.
Clinical Application of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Transient Ischemic Attack and Ischemic Stroke Guided by Multimodal MRI
Authors: Song Aixia , Chen Jing , Sun Yan , Wang Xiaoqin , Zhang Jichao , Zou Yuan , Xue Qian
Published: October 2020

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of intravenous thrombolysis on TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) under the guidance of multimodal MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and the clinical application of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods:
Patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent intravenous thrombolysis in the Department of Neurology from December 2017 to December 2018 were selected. Through CT (computed tomography) screening, 146 patients that met the diagnostic criteria were eventually included. Patients were randomly
divided into group A (72 patients) and group B (74 patients). Patients in group A received antiplatelet therapy within 24 h after intravenous thrombolytic therapy for 10 days. The platelet therapy was discontinued when symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) occurred or NIHSS score was
≥4. In group B, after intravenous thrombolysis and antiplatelet therapy, multimodal MRI was used to detect the presence of hemorrhage and other conditions to determine whether to continue the antiplatelet therapy. The NIHSS scores before and after thrombolysis and the 90-day mRS scores
after thrombolysis were collected for statistical analysis. Results: The experimental results of each group of patients showed that there was a signif- icant difference in NIHSS scores at admission and 6 h after thrombolysis (P < 0.05). The 30-day mRS score, 90-day mRS score,
and prognosis were statistically significant in both groups. The differences in NIHSS scores at 6 h, 24 h, 7 d, and 14 d after thrombolysis and at admission were 1, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.8, which were statistically significant. A comparison of the prognosis of the two groups of patients with hemorrhage
24 h after thrombolysis revealed that the hemorrhage of each patient was improved. Conclusion: In the treatment of ischemic stroke diseases, the utilization of multimodal MRI in clinical intravenous thrombolytic therapy was valuable, which was very sensitive to the detection and display
of blood focus. Also, in the selection of treatment methods for clinical thrombolysis in stroke patients, the targeted treatment could be better individualized for each patient.
Clinical Application of Transcranial Color Doppler Ultrasound in Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Huang Yicheng , Peng Junyan , Mi Rong , Yang Zhenxing , Zhu Linquan , Li Ping
Published: October 2020

Ischemic cerebrovascular diseases are important duet to the high incidence, disability, mortality, and recurrence. Intracranial arterial stenosis caused by atherosclerosis is an important pathological basis of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, convenient, non-invasive, cheap
and accurate screening methods have become the goal of everyone's joint efforts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of transcranial Doppler in judging arterial stenosis, and to explore the best cut-off point for assessing the blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery
disease and the compensation of the posterior branch of middle cerebral artery disease. Using retrospective analysis, binomial logistic regression analysis was performed on risk factors related to ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The 60 patients with intracranial stenosis were selected for
TCD (Transcranial Color Doppler) and CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography) examinations within one week of onset. CTA was used as the diagnostic criterion to analyze the accuracy of TCD in the diagnosis of intracranial arterial disease. ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve was used
to determine the optimal cutoff point of blood flow velocity for MCA (Middle Cerebral Artery) lesions. TCD has high specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of intracranial arterial disease, and it can be widely used in clinic as a simple, convenient and cheap diagnostic method for screening
intracranial arterial stenosis.
Application of B-Ultrasound Combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Information Monitoring in the Diagnosis of Premature Rupture of Membranes and Oligohydramnios
Authors: Wang Sha , Meng Tiantian , Zheng Hanjing
Published: October 2020

Objective: The objectives were to investigate the Application of B-ultrasound combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) information monitoring in diagnosing premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and oligohydramnios. Methods: The pregnant women and newborns who were
born prematurely and received the pathological examination of placenta postnatally were taken as the research objects. Routine B-ultrasound and MRI were performed on the preterm infants. The brain leukomalacia of the newborn was diagnosed according to the B-ultrasound examination of the head,
and the brain injury of the newborn was diagnosed by the MRI examination of the head. Meanwhile, the risk factors of histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) were analyzed, and the laboratory indexes of pregnant women and newborns were detected. Results: In 320 premature infants, the incidences
of intraventricular hemorrhage, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and mild intraventricular hemorrhage were 23.13%, 2.81%, and 20.31%, respectively, and the incidence of leukomalacia was 7.81%. Oligohydramnios is a risk factor for HCA, and the specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the
diagnostic threshold of laboratory indicators are relatively low, so there is no diagnostic significance. Conclusion: B-ultrasound combined with MRI information monitoring can complement the disadvantages of each other, which has important application value in diagnosing PROM and oligohydramnios;
thus, it is worthy of clinical promotion.
The Effect of Botulinum Toxin A Injection Under the Guidance of Ultrasound Image in the Treatment of Lower Extremity Spasm After Stroke
Authors: Wu Zanhua , Liang Hui , Antonino Aliberti
Published: October 2020

Objective: The objective is to study the effect of botulinum toxin A injection into the lower extremity muscles on the spasticity of the lower extremity after stroke, and to guide and analyze the injection site and the shape of the muscles after injection with ultrasound images,
so as to provide an effective treatment basis for the clinical treatment of spasticity of the lower extremity after stroke. Methods: 76 stroke patients with lower extremity spasm who are treated in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital from February 2018 to March 2019 are
selected as the study object. Different doses of botulinum toxin A (250–350 U) are injected according to the severity of spasm symptoms of lower limbs. The scores of stroke patients' motor score standard scale, modified Babbitt index scale, ten-meter walking speed scale, functional walking
ability scale and ankle joint activity scale are used to collect evaluation scores for statistical analysis. Before and after botulinum toxin A injection, the muscle ultrasound of lower extremity is compared. Results: First, compared with the patients before treatment, there is no significant
decrease in limb muscle tension and ankle flexibility on the third day after treatment (P > 0.05). However, on the third day after treatment, the patients' ability of daily activity self-care (P < 0.05), daily walking ability (P < 0.05) and ten-meter walking speed
(P < 0.05) are enhanced. Secondly, on the seventh day and one month after the treatment, the muscle tension of the lower extremities is significantly reduced (P < 0.05), the ability of daily activities and self-care of the patients is significantly enhanced (P <
0.05), the walking speed of the patients is significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the flexibility of the patients' ankle joint is significantly increased (P < 0.05). Third, compared with the patients before treatment, the lower limb muscle morphology of the patients improves
significantly after one month of treatment. Conclusion: Under the guidance of ultrasound image, botulinum toxin A injection can significantly reduce the muscle tension of the patients' lower limbs, thus greatly relieve or cure the lower extremity spasm, improve the patients' daily self-activity
ability, which is worth promoting in the treatment of lower extremity spasm after stroke.
The Role of X and CT Image Measurement in Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Guo Jinku , He Feixiong , Xie Jun , Hong Shenkun , Wu Wangshen , Wang Wei
Published: October 2020

Objective: The study aims at evaluating if X-ray and spiral CT imaging is efficient in patients with Parkinson's disease after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Method: 76 patients with Parkinson combined with hip disease were selected as the study subjects, and grouped into
the control group and the experimental group. Before surgery, X-ray and spiral CT were used to detect the data of abduction angle and the front rake of the healthy side of the patient, so as to perform THA as the reference value. In addition, Harris score was adopted to evaluate hip function
3 months after surgery in both groups. Also, the progression of Parkinson after operation was evaluated by Hoehn-Yahr grading method, and the complications were analyzed. Results: The results showed that the abduction angle measured by X-ray was 48.39 ± 4.15°, and the front
rake was 13.83 ± 6.27°. In the experimental group, the abduction angle obtained by spiral CT measurement was 46.26 ± 3.92°, and the front rake was 12.44 ± 4.52°. The unequal length of limb was 1.10 ± 0.42 cm in the control group and 0.42 ± 0.21
cm in the experimental group. Moreover, the unequal length of limb in the two groups was significantly smaller than that before surgery (P < 0.01). The hip joint score of the two groups after surgery was apparently higher (P < 0.01), and the experimental group had significantly
higher hip joint score (P < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group had obviously higher Harris score of Parkinson's disease progression (P < 0.05). The occurrence rate of postoperative complications in the control group and the experimental group was 9.09% and 7.69%,
respectively, which was not greatly different (P > 0.05). Conclusion: THA based on the data of spiral CT image measurement can achieve better postoperative results, which is conducive to recovering hip joint function and treating Parkinson's disease, and provides experimental
basis for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease in later clinical.
Intraseasonal Oscillation Indices from Complex EOFs
Authors: Bürger Gerd
Published: October 2020

Indices of oscillatory behavior are conveniently obtained by projecting the fields in question into a phase space of a few (mostly just two) dimensions; empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) or other, more dynamical, modes are typically used for the projection. If sufficiently coherent and in quadrature, the projected variables simply describe a rotating vector in the phase space, which then serves as the basis for predictions. Using the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) as a test case, an alternative procedure is introduced: it augments the original fields with their Hilbert transform (HT) to form a complex series and projects it onto its (single) dominant EOF. The real and imaginary parts of the corresponding complex pattern and index are compared with those of the original (real) EOF. The new index explains slightly less variance of the physical fields than the original, but it is much more coherent, partly from its use of future information by the HT. Because the latter is in the way of real-time monitoring, the index can only be used in cases with predicted physical fields, for which it promises to be superior. By developing a causal approximation of the HT, a real-time variant of the index is obtained whose coherency is comparable to the noncausal version, but with smaller explained variance of the physical fields. In test cases the new index compares well to other indices of BSISO. The potential for using both indices as an alternative is discussed.
Attributing Terrestrial Water Storage Variations across China to Changes in Groundwater and Human Water Use
Authors: Lv Meixia , Ma Zhuguo , Yuan Naiming
Published: October 2020

This study investigated the attribution of terrestrial water storage (TWS) variations across China to changes in groundwater and human water use. As one vital storage component, the groundwater storage (GWS) derived from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) mass concentration solution compared reasonably well with the in situ groundwater table depth, with the correlation coefficients ranging from −0.83 to −0.18, all of which were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. About 71% of the trends in derived GWS had the same sign as those of observations, without systematic deviation, across China. The GWS variation contributed a large portion of the TWS trend in most regions of China, and the majority of contribution values reached 50%–150% in the Hai River basin, the Loess Plateau, and the middle portion of the Yangtze River basin. The dominant role of GWS is closely related to the detected long-term “memories” in both TWS and GWS. The increase of irrigation consumption accelerated the TWS depletion trend by 13.4% in the Huai River basin, while the decrease of consumptive agricultural water use alleviated the TWS decline rate by 4.1% in the Hai River basin. Importantly, the correlation coefficients reached 0.74–0.95 between the TWS change and the residual of precipitation, evapotranspiration, flow into the sea, and irrigation consumption in the four river basins of particular interest. The findings of this study are helpful for understanding regional water cycles in China.
Evaluation of GPM IMERG Rainfall Estimates in Singapore and Assessing Spatial Sampling Errors in Ground Reference
Authors: Mandapaka Pradeep V. , Lo Edmond Y. M.
Published: October 2020

We evaluated the Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) V06B Early and Final Run products using data from a dense gauge network in Singapore as ground reference (GR). The evaluation is carried out at monthly, daily, and hourly scales, and conditioned on different seasons and rainfall intensities. Further, different spatial configurations and densities of the gauge networks (3–17 gauges per IMERG cell) used here allowed us to examine spatial sampling errors (SSE) in the GR. The results revealed a probability of detection of 0.95 (0.65), critical success index of 0.69 (0.35), and a correlation of 0.60 (0.41) for the daily (hourly) scale. Results also indicate an overestimation of rainy days (hours) by IMERG compared to GR, leading to a false alarm ratio of 0.29 (0.57) at daily (hourly) scales. Analysis of probability distributions and conditional error metrics showed overestimation of lighter (0.2–4 mm day−1) and moderate (4–8 mm day−1) rainfall by IMERG, but better performance for heavier rainfall (≥32 mm day−1). The seasonal analysis showed improved performance of IMERG during November–February compared to June–September months. The hourly analysis further revealed large discrepancies in diurnal cycles during June–September. The SSE are studied in a Monte Carlo framework consisting of several synthetic networks with varying spatial configurations and densities. The effect of SSE on IMERG evaluation results is characterized following the error variance separation approach. For the gauge networks studied here, the contribution of SSE variance to IMERG daily error variance ranges from 4% to 24% depending on gauge spatial configuration, and is as large as 36% during intermonsoon months when rainfall is highly convective in nature.
A Classification of Ice Crystal Habits Using Combined Lidar and Scanning Polarimeter Observations during the SEAC4RS Campaign
Authors: Midzak Natalie , Yorks John E. , Zhang Jianglong , van Diedenhoven Bastiaan , Woods Sarah , McGill Matthew
Published: October 2020

Using collocated NASA Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) and Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) data from the Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS) campaign, a new observational-based method was developed which uses aK-means clustering technique to classify ice crystal habit types into seven categories: column, plates, rosettes, spheroids, and three different type of irregulars. Intercompared with the collocated SPEC, Inc., Cloud Particle Imager (CPI) data, the frequency of the detected ice crystal habits from the proposed method presented in the study agrees within 5% with the CPI-reported values for columns, irregulars, rosettes, and spheroids, with more disagreement for plates. This study suggests that a detailed ice crystal habit retrieval could be applied to combined space-based lidar and polarimeter observations such asCALIPSOand POLDER in addition to future missions such as the Aerosols, Clouds, Convection, and Precipitation (A-CCP).
Factors Influencing the Dissemination of Tweets at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018
Authors: Sharp Stephen P. , Mackenzie Douglas G. , Ong David S.Y. , Mountziaris Paschalia M. , Logghe Heather J. , Ferrada Paula , Wexner Steven D.
Published: October 2020

Background

Social media is increasingly used in surgery, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge. Social media can potentially aid networking, education, and information exchange. This study explored the impact of tweet components and tweeter characteristics during a large surgical congress to inform recommendations for optimizing social media use at future surgical conferences.

Methods

Twitter activity was monitored during the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018 using NodeXL to extract tweets containing the conference hashtag #ACSCC18 (or #ACSCC2018). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of retweet activity, also testing for multicollinearity and interactions among variables.

Results

There were 4386 tweets that contained #ACSCC18 (or #ACSCC2018) posted from 1023 Twitter accounts. A larger group of Twitter accounts just retweeted. Other Twitter accounts with a stake in the conference neither tweeted nor retweeted. In a multivariable analysis of original tweets, the following were all independently associated with retweets, in decreasing order of effect size: mention of other tweeters, multimedia, inclusion of other hashtags, and the number of followers. In contrast with other conferences, the inclusion of a weblink (URL)—for example, link to paper or blog—was not associated with retweets.

Discussion

This study helps understand social media impact at surgical conferences. Engage by tweeting and retweeting. Mention other tweeters, add multimedia, include congress hashtags and topic-specific hashtags, and build your followers. Although not associated with retweet activity in this study, the inclusion of URLs can still contribute in substantiating the disseminated content based on findings at other conferences.
Complications Following Brachial Arterial Catheterization in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Schellenberg Morgan , Hawley Lauren , Biswas Subarna , Clark Damon H. , Cobb J. Perren
Published: October 2020

Clinically, complication rates of brachial arterial catheterization appear to far exceed those of the radial or common femoral arteries. The study objective was to define the complication rate after brachial arterial line insertion. All patients undergoing arterial line placement to the brachial artery in the surgical intensive care units (SICUs) at our institution were retrospectively identified and included in the study (January 2016-December 2018). Demographics, complications (distal ischemia, thrombosis/dissection, brachial sheath hematoma, catheter-related sepsis, and inadvertent dislodgement), and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Over the study period, 53 patients underwent brachial arterial catheterization. Common admitting services were cardiothoracic surgery (n = 31, 58%), transplant surgery (n = 7, 13%), and neurosurgery (n = 4, 7%). The mean age was 55 ± 17 58 (24-84) years, and 58% (n = 31) were male. The hospital length of stay (LOS) was 37 ± 35 23 (1-132) days, and ICU LOS was 30 ± 27 20 (1-127) days. Mortality was 57% (n = 30). Complications of brachial arterial line placement occurred in 21 patients (40%). In summary, brachial arterial catheters were associated with high mortality and prolonged ICU length of stay. This likely reflects the critically ill nature of patients in whom conventional-site arterial line placement is not possible. Complications following brachial arterial catheterization were unacceptably high. On this basis, we recommend that the brachial artery be avoided whenever possible for arterial line placement in the SICU.
References Values for the Current Perception Threshold in the Pharynx Based on a Study of a Healthy Population
Authors: Chang Wei , Xu Wen , Zhang Ran , An Yunsong
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The application of the current perception threshold (CPT) in the diagnosis of pharyngeal sensory abnormalities has rarely been studied, and there is a lack of reference values for this application. This study established a normal reference range for CPT in the pharynx based on a study of a healthy population.

Methods:

The CPT values of the palatoglossal arch, posterior 1/3 of the lingual body and hard palate were measured in 60 healthy individuals at 2000, 250, and 5 Hz. The influencing factors were analyzed, and reference values for the CPT were established.

Results:

There was no correlation between the CPT value and gender. Age was only correlated at 250 Hz level in the hard palate. The CPT values of the palatoglossal arch were 324.95 ± 82.422 at 2000 Hz, 66.90 ± 38.622 at 250 Hz, and 13 ± 14.93 (7.83-22.75) at 5 Hz. The CPT values of the posterior 1/3 of the lingual body were 359.17 ± 76.299 at 2000 Hz, 86.92 ± 35.151 at 250 Hz, and 19 ± 15.73 (13.03-28.75) at 5 Hz. The CPT values of the hard palate were 157.5 ± 61.75 (124-185.75) at 2000 Hz, 57.63 ± 28.785 at 250 Hz, and 22 ± 25.73 (11.03-36.75) at 5 Hz.

Conclusions:

The CPT values of the pharynx in healthy people were not related to gender. The CPT values of the hard palate for 250 Hz stimulation were related to age, and there were no relationships between the CPT values and age for the other frequencies and loci. We established a normal reference range of CPT values in the pharynx from measurements obtained from healthy populations.
Mechanisms underlying the mental health impact of family separation on resettled refugees
Authors: Liddell Belinda J , Byrow Yulisha , O’Donnell Meaghan , Mau Vicki , Batch Nicole , McMahon Tadgh , Bryant Richard , Nickerson Angela
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Many refugees experience prolonged separation from family members, which research suggests has adverse effects on mental health and post-displacement outcomes in refugee populations. We examine mental health differences in refugees separated and not separated from their families, and key post-migration factors and cultural mechanisms that may underlie this impact.

Methods:

A sample of 1085 refugees resettled in Australia, of which 23.3% were separated from all of their immediate family, took part in an online battery of survey measures indexing pre- and post-migration refugee experiences, mental health symptoms, disability and individualistic/collectivistic self-identity. Family separation was used as a predictor of mental health outcomes in a series of linear regressions, and the separated and non-separated groups were compared in multigroup path analysis models to examine group-specific indirect effects.

Results:

The separated group reported greater exposure to pre-migration potentially traumatic events and higher levels of post-migration living difficulties compared to the non-separated group. Family separation predicted higher post-traumatic stress and depression symptoms, but not disability, after controlling for potentially traumatic event exposure, age and sex. Path analyses revealed distinct indirect effects for separated and non-separated groups. Principally, higher collectivistic self-identity was associated with elevated post-traumatic stress, depression and disability symptoms via social-related post-migration living difficulties such as isolation and loneliness in the separated group; whereas collectivism was linked with increased depression symptoms via economic-related post-migration living difficulties in the non-separated group.

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that family separation powerfully influences mental health outcomes, but that its effect may be mediated by the type of post-migration stress experienced in the settlement environment and culturally bound differences in how the sense of self is interconnected with family.
Harnessing motivation for sustainable practice change: From passive receivers to active co-creators
Authors: Smith Geoffrey P , Williams Theresa M
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The challenges of implementing clinical practice changes are well recognised. Prevailing approaches to tackling them have largely relied on increasing control and standardisation, but with limited impact. We examine research from the behavioural sciences in an attempt to (a) build a clearer understanding of why the implementation of change in clinical settings has proved so elusive and (b) provide practical guidance on how organisations can create a climate that can nurture sustained behavioural change in their workforce.

Method:

We undertook a review of the behavioural science literature to gain a better understanding of the circumstances under which staff might willingly pursue goals that are externally generated. Three studies, derived from the mental health literature, are outlined to illustrate how the manner in which change is introduced can have a significant effect on its uptake and sustainability.

Results:

Research suggests that human behaviour is not as unpredictable as it might at first appear; rather, there are some deeply rooted, psychological processes at play. Self-Determination Theory, a theory of human motivation with an extensive body of research supporting its effectiveness, suggests that the manner in which change is introduced and implemented is critical.

Conclusion:

While improvement methodologies and the use of implementation strategies are necessary, experience would suggest that by themselves they are not sufficient. Overcoming the challenges of implementing change will require a significant shift in our thinking about organisational leadership and the way that change is introduced. Some practical ways leaders can foster staff buy-in for organisational change are proposed.
Self-Selection into Public Service When Corruption is Widespread: The Anomalous Russian Case
Authors: Gans-Morse Jordan , Kalgin Alexander , Klimenko Andrei , Vorobyev Dmitriy , Yakovlev Andrei
Published: October 2020

Drawing on experimental games and surveys conducted with students at two universities in Russia, we compare the behavioral, attitudinal, and demographic traits of students seeking public sector employment to the traits of their peers seeking jobs in the private sector. Contrary to similar studies conducted in other high-corruption contexts, such as India, we find evidence that students who prefer a public sector career display less willingness to cheat or bribe in experimental games as well as higher levels of altruism. However, disaggregating public sector career paths reveals distinctions between the federal civil service and other types of public sector employment, with federal government positions attracting students who exhibit some similarities with their peers aspiring to private sector careers. We discuss multiple interpretations consistent with our findings, each of which has implications for the creation of effective anti-corruption policies and for understanding of state capacity in contexts where corruption is widespread.
Turkey’s Foreign Policy to Africa: The Role of Leaders’ Identity in Shaping Policy
Authors: Turhan Yunus
Published: October 2020

The shift in bearing on the traditional status quo Turkish foreign policy orientation has recently been studied through various approaches commonly associated with changing trends, to seek the theoretical and methodological pillars that underpin the state’s policy behaviours towards new regions, including Africa. Accordingly, over the last two decades, ideas, linguistic constructs, identity, and religious and cultural factors have been added to an overarching and homogenous vision of Turkish foreign policy. Although identity-based theoretical studies explain dynamic changes in the Turkish foreign policy paradigm towards new regions, several of them fail to touch on how Turkish identities are translated into state policy. This article aims to address this by arguing that the effect of personality and leadership on the policymaking process of Turkey has become more visible over the last two decades, in tune with Turkey’s identity (neo-Ottomanism, Islam), which then evolves into state policies. The article opens avenues for further academic studies on two fronts. It accounts for the theoretical background of Turkey’s attachment to Africa through a constructivist approach, while responding to how Turkey’s identities are translated into state practice, an issue not sufficiently addressed in current literature.
The Emergence of Meaning From Meaningful Moments in Life
Authors: van de Goor Jacky , Sools Anneke M. , Westerhof Gerben J.
Published: October 2020

Meaningful moments are specific events in life that are felt to be of great value and significance. This empirical study presents a framework on the way a sense of meaning emerges from these moments. Out of an existing data set of narratives of meaningful moments, a purposeful sample of nine narratives was chosen from different participants, all middle-aged, higher educated, and with an interest or profession in personal development. Interviews were conducted about the way these moments were experienced to be meaningful. A holistic content analysis led to the distinction of five main themes in the process of meaning emergence. The study showed how meaning discovery may lead to meaning creation, which in turn may lead to retrospective meaning discovery. Results highlighted the crucial role of the awareness of contrasts and letting go. Finally, the study showed a variety of ways in which meaningful moments have a lasting impact on life. The value of the developed framework lies in its focus on meaning as a process, integrating the concepts of coherence, purpose, significance and self-transcendence, and illustrating how meaning emerges through forward acts and discoveries as well as in retrospect.
Competition and Firm Service Reliability Decisions: A Study of the Airline Industry
Authors: Zhou Chen , Albuquerque Paulo , Grewal Rajdeep
Published: October 2020

To understand the impact of competition on organizational service reliability decisions, this study investigates whether firms in the airline industry consider competitors’ actions when making their service reliability decisions. Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics on flight cancellation rates and average length of flight delays, the authors use two complementary approaches, a simultaneous equation model and a discrete game framework, to examine competitive influence on firm decisions on the level of service reliability. The authors find that competitive effects are asymmetric and differ by the type of firm and its competitors—full-service versus low-cost airlines—as well by level of market concentration. The authors show that internal initiatives, such as on-time bonuses, can substantially improve service reliability but require the firm to account for competitive reactions. Ignoring competitive effects leads to an overestimation of the impact of these programs on service reliability levels.
Predictors of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Initiation Among Public Health Clients in Rural and Small Urban Areas in Iowa
Authors: Howren M. Bryant , Francis Shelby L. , Polgreen Linnea A. , Shafer Cody , Hoth Angela , Ohl Michael E.
Published: October 2020

Objective

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a safe and effective method for HIV prevention, but little is known about PrEP uptake in rural and small urban areas. We described rates and predictors of HIV PrEP initiation among public health clients in rural and small urban areas in Iowa.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of clients with PrEP indications served by HIV testing and disease intervention specialist/partner services (DIS/PS) programs in public health departments in Iowa from February 1, 2018, through February 28, 2019. Eligible participants were aged 18-70 and referred for PrEP by public health personnel. Participants completed surveys at enrollment addressing demographic characteristics; sexual history; previous drug use; PrEP experiences; and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about PrEP. A follow-up survey assessed PrEP initiation at 30 days. We compared baseline characteristics of PrEP initiators and non-initiators.

Results

Two hundred thirty-four public health clients consented to participate in the study; 189 completed the baseline survey, and 117 (61.9%) completed the follow-up survey. The mean age of participants in the baseline survey was 30 (range, 18-68); 109 (57.7%) were male, 127 (67.2%) were White, and 169 (89.4%) lived in a rural or small urban area. Of 117 participants in the follow-up survey, those who initiated PrEP were significantly more likely than those who did not initiate PrEP to be referred by DIS/PS programs (46.7% vs 7.8%, P < .001) and to recognize that PrEP was ≥90% effective (86.7% vs 35.3%, P = .001). No PrEP initiators and 8 PrEP non-initiators agreed that PrEP is for promiscuous people (0% vs 7.8%, P = .04). Perceived PrEP stigma was low and not associated with PrEP initiation.

Conclusions

PrEP initiation rates were low among rural and small urban health department clients. Interventions are needed to improve linkage to PrEP among rural and small urban public health clients.
Attitudes towards Australia’s baby boomers and intergenerational equity
Authors: O’Loughlin Kate , Hussain Rafat , Kendig Hal
Published: October 2020

Australia’s Intergenerational Reports (2010, 2015) make a case for restraining public expenditure on an ageing population given the sizeable post-WWII baby boom cohort, increasing longevity, and uncertain economic prospects for younger generations. There also is concern for major disparities within older and younger generations resulting from cumulative advantages or disadvantages over the life course. Drawing on national survey data from the Attitudes to Ageing in Australia study, this article investigates perceptions of inequity between age cohorts at two time points (2009–10, 2015–17) focusing on variations by age and gender around lifelong opportunities for baby boomers compared to other groups, share of government benefits, and support for increasing pension age eligibility. The findings indicate a shift in attitudes between 2009–10 and 2015–17 with more in the younger cohorts in 2015–17 reporting better lifelong opportunities for baby boomers; and baby boomers receiving a fair share/more than a fair share of government benefits. With pension age eligibility, there is a small but significant shift in attitudes supporting the increase and a corresponding drop in those opposing it, however opposition is highly gendered with more women in each of the age cohorts opposing it at both time points. While there is a perceptible shift in younger cohorts’ attitudes towards baby boomers’ perceived advantages, overall attitudes are not totally supportive of government arguments for expenditure restraint; although a more overt public discourse on intergenerational inequity is emerging as the declining life prospects of younger cohorts are juxtaposed with tax-advantaged housing and retirement wealth of many older age Australians.
Towards simulation of force and velocity fluctuations due to turbulence in the relay nozzle jet of an air jet loom
Authors: Delcour Lucas , Van Langenhove Lieva , Degroote Joris
Published: October 2020

This research was aimed at obtaining a first estimation of the effect of turbulent vortices present in the relay nozzle jets of an air jet loom on the weft. To this end a large eddy simulation (LES) model was set up and validated capable of simulating a highly underexpanded jet up to a point sufficiently far from the nozzle exit such that flow features at the weft location could be analyzed. The quality of the LES was evaluated based on several quality criteria as well as by comparing the results with experiments and data from the literature. The results show that for a free jet substantial velocity fluctuations are present at a representative yarn location. By inserting a rigid cylinder at this location, the corresponding force fluctuations on a smooth yarn were also obtained. The research shows that the unsteadiness in the jet is quite substantial, as are the corresponding force fluctuations. These fluctuations could have a profound impact on the yarn motion and should at least be considered when using numerical tools to evaluate the forces on or the motion of a yarn acted on by a relay nozzle jet.
Pre-hospital care and its association with clinical outcome of snakebite victims presenting at a tertiary care referral hospital in South India
Authors: Singaravelu Krishnan P , Pandit Vinay R , Chinnakali Palanivel , Bammigatti Chanaveerappa
Published: October 2020

Most snakebite victims in low- and middle-income countries continue to seek many forms of first aid therapy before reaching hospital, the commonest being the application of a tourniquet. Our study looked at a prospective cohort of 382 such patients to ascertain the association of pre-hospital care with clinical outcome, and found that 60% developed complications as compared to 36% who had no pre-hospital care ( p < 0.001), with 10 fatalities in the former compared to only one in the latter. Pre-hospital care remains very common and definitely increases morbidity and mortality.
Marital Quality and Well-Being Among Older Adults: A Typology of Supportive, Aversive, Indifferent, and Ambivalent Marriages
Authors: Liu Yingling , Upenieks Laura
Published: October 2020

A large body of work has linked marital quality to the health and well-being of older adults, but there is a lack of agreement on how to best measure dimensions of marital quality. Drawing on a stress-process life course perspective, we construct a typology of marriage type that captures the synergistic relationship between positive and negative marital qualities and health. Using data from Wave 1 (2005/2006) and Wave 2 (2010/2011) of the NSHAP survey from the United States, we examine the association between supportive, aversive, ambivalent, and indifferent marriages for older adults that remained married over the study period on multiple indicators of well-being (depression, happiness, and self-rated health; N = 769 males and 461 females). Results suggest that older adults in aversive marriages reported lower happiness (men and women) and physical health (men). There was less evidence that those in ambivalent and indifferent marriages reported worse well-being.
A new similarity measure for vector space models in text classification and information retrieval
Authors: Eminagaoglu Mete
Published: October 2020

There are various models, methodologies and algorithms that can be used today for document classification, information retrieval and other text mining applications and systems. One of them is the vector space–based models, where distance metrics or similarity measures lie at the core of such models. Vector space–based model is one of the fast and simple alternatives for the processing of textual data; however, its accuracy, precision and reliability still need significant improvements. In this study, a new similarity measure is proposed, which can be effectively used for vector space models and related algorithms such as k-nearest neighbours ( k-NN) and Rocchio as well as some clustering algorithms such as K-means. The proposed similarity measure is tested with some universal benchmark data sets in Turkish and English, and the results are compared with some other standard metrics such as Euclidean distance, Manhattan distance, Chebyshev distance, Canberra distance, Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, Pearson correlation coefficient and Cosine similarity. Some successful and promising results have been obtained, which show that this proposed similarity measure could be alternatively used within all suitable algorithms and models for information retrieval, document clustering and text classification.
Effects of the Intensity of Lifestyle Exercise on Changes in Blood Pressure
Authors: Still Carolyn Harmon , Moore Shirley M. , Sattar Abdus
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the amount of time participants exercised in the target heart rate zone (THRZ) influenced change in blood pressure (BP) one year following a cardiac event. Lifestyle exercise (habitual, small exercise opportunities) and intensity were objectively measured using portable heart rate monitors. Linear mixed models were used to analyze change in BP among 331 participants. Mean BP at baseline was 118/70 mmHg, and both systolic and diastolic BP increased from baseline to one year—4.79 mmHg ( p <.001) and 2.09 mmHg ( p =.002), respectively. Overall, participants had a decrease in levels of lifestyle exercise. After controlling for time, age, gender, and study group, SBP change was inversely associated with amount of time in THRZ. Given suboptimal engagement in recommended exercise, the underlying mechanisms of lifestyle exercise effects on the time spent in THRZ to reduce BP warrants further study in this population.
Abnormal mitral flow, what is the cause?
Authors: Allam Hassan H , Kinsara Abdulhalim Jamal , Alkashkari Wail
Published: October 2020

Diastolic mitral regurgitation is a unique Doppler finding that can be missed if special attention is not paid to it. There are a few causes of such abnormal flow, ranging from a conduction abnormality to abnormal valvular and left ventricle function. Failure to recognize it might lead to unnecessary investigations and delay the primary diagnosis. We are presenting a teaching case and discuss the associated pathology.
Eating behaviors in sailors of the United States Navy: Meal-to-sleep intervals
Authors: Shattuck Nita Lewis , Matsangas Panagiotis
Published: October 2020

Background:

Due to their long workdays and erratic watch schedules, sailors on United States Navy (USN) ships often eat meals close to their bedtime, which may contribute to sleep disruption.

Aim:

To assess the duration of meal-to-sleep (M-S) intervals in relation to timing of sailor workdays and watch schedules.

Methods:

Longitudinal field assessment of USN sailors performing their underway duties ( N = 234). Participants completed questionnaires, wore actigraphs, and completed activity logs.

Results:

Approximately 35% of M-S intervals were <3 h in duration. M-S interval duration was associated with watchstanding status ( p < 0.001) and the number of sections in the watchstanding schedule ( p < 0.001). Sailors on the two-section watch schedule had, on average, the shortest M-S intervals (55 min) compared to sailors on three- or four-section watchbills (∼4 h) and to non-watchstanders (4.85 h).

Conclusion:

Sailors on two-section watchbills often eat quite close to bedtime. To provide appropriate recommendations regarding healthy dietary patterns, we will continue assessing dietary behaviors and food choices of sailors while underway, especially as they relate to sailor work hours, circadian rhythms, and sleep practices.
Global Culture, 1990, 2020
Authors: Nederveen Pieterse Jan
Published: October 2020

Here I reflect on the main themes of Global Culture, Nationalism, Globalization and Modernity. On these themes, where are we 30 years later? I sidestep the fine print of the 1990 conversations and share notes in brief format on where I have come to in the decades that have passed. I round off with notes on the 2020 conjuncture.
Air, inflammation and biocompatibility of the extracorporeal circuits
Authors: Condello Ignazio , Santarpino Giuseppe , Nasso Giuseppe , Fiore Flavio , Moscarelli Marco , Mastroroberto Pasquale , Speziale Giuseppe
Published: October 2020

The inflammatory response in cardiac surgery using extracorporeal circulation (ECC) has been widely discussed in the literature with analysis on cytokines released in humans; demonstrating manifold trigger causes. To mitigate this response—mainly linked to the contact and recognition by the blood of a “non-self” surface—many efforts have been made to make the circuits of the extra-corporeal circulation “biomimetics”; trying to emulate the cardio-vascular system. In other words, biomedical companies have developed many biocompatible products in order to reduce the invasiveness of the ECC. One of the techniques used to reduce the contact of blood with “nonself” surfaces is the “coating” of the internal surfaces of the ECC. This can be done with phospholipidic, electrically neutral, and heparin derivates with anticoagulant activity. The coating can be divided into two categories: the “passive coating” with Phosphorylcholine by biomedical companies and the administration of albumin added to the “priming” during the filling of the circuit by the perfusionist. Alternatively, we have the “active” coating: treatment of the internal surfaces in contact with the blood with neutral proteins and heparin. The latter are different according to the production company, but the aim is always to maintain high levels of systemic and local anticoagulation, inactivating the “contact” coagulation between the blood and the surfaces. A recent study demonstrates that the use of an “active coating” is associated with better preservation of the endothelial glycocalyx compared with “passive coating” circuits.