bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrochemistry of Polymeric Cobaloxime-Containing Assemblies in Organic and Aqueous Solvents
Authors: Wadsworth Brian L. , Nishiori Daiki , Nguyen Nghi P. , Reyes Cruz Edgar A. , Moore Gary F.
Published: July 2020

We report on the structural and electrochemical properties of a heterogeneous-homogeneous assembly composed of molecular cobaloxime catalysts immobilized onto graphite electrodes via an intervening polyvinylpyridine surface coating. When these modified electrodes are immersed in an organic solvent (propylene carbonate containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as a supporting electrolyte) or basic aqueous solutions (0.1 M NaOH), cyclic voltammetry measurements enable determination of the CoIII/II peak potentials and CoII/I midpoint potentials of cobaloximes embedded within the polymeric architectures. Additionally, voltammetry measurements recorded using pH neutral aqueous solutions (0.1 M phosphate buffer) confirm the immobilized cobaloximes remain catalytically active for hydrogen production and operate at a turnover frequency of 1.6 s−1 when polarized at –0.35 V vs the H+/H2 equilibrium potential. Waveform analysis of redox features associated with immobilized cobaloximes indicates more repulsive interactions within the polymer film at pH neutral vs basic conditions, which is attributed to the increased fraction of pyridinium species at lower pH values. Our measurements also show the number of electrochemically active sites changes when measured in different solvent environments, indicating that electroactive loadings determined under non-catalytic solvent conditions are not necessarily representative of those under catalytic conditions and could thereby lead to misrepresentations of catalytic turnover frequencies.
Salvianolic Acid B Improves Postresuscitation Myocardial and Cerebral Outcomes in a Murine Model of Cardiac Arrest: Involvement of Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ji Qing-Qi , Li Yan-Jie , Wang Ying-Hua , Wang Zi , Fang Liang , Shen Lan , Lu Yan-Qiao , Shen Ling-Hong , He Ben
Published: July 2020

Survival and outcome of cardiac arrest (CA) are dismal despite improvements in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been investigated for its cardioprotective properties in cardiac remodeling and ischemic heart disease, but less is known about its role in CA. The aim of this study was to learn whether Sal B improves cardiac and neurologic outcomes after CA/CPR in mice. Female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to eight minutes of CA induced by an intravenous injection of potassium chloride (KCl), followed by CPR. After 30 seconds of CPR, mice were blindly randomized to receive either Sal B (20 mg/kg) or vehicle (normal saline) intravenously. Hemodynamic variables and indices of left ventricular function were determined before CA and within three hours after CPR, the early postresuscitation period. Sal B administration resulted in a remarkable decrease in the time required for the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in animals that successfully resuscitated compared to the vehicle-treated mice. Myocardial performance, including cardiac output and left ventricular systolic (dp/dtmax) and diastolic (dp/dtmin) function, was clearly ameliorated within three hours of ROSC in the Sal B-treated mice. Moreover, Sal B inhibited CA/CPR-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and preserved mitochondrial morphology and function. Mechanistically, Sal B dramatically promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation through the downregulation of Keap1, which resulted in the expression of antioxidant enzymes, including HO-1 and NQO1, thereby counteracted the oxidative damage in response to CA/CPR. The aforementioned antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects of Sal B were impaired in the setting of gene silencing of Nrf2 with siRNA in vitro model. These improvements were associated with better neurological function and increased survival rate (75% vs. 40%, p<0.05) up to 72 hours postresuscitation. Our findings suggest that the administration of Sal B improved cardiac function and neurological outcomes in a murine model of CA via activating the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway, which may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CA.
Mathematical Modeling of Public Opinions: Parameter Estimation, Sensitivity Analysis, and Model Uncertainty Using an Agree-Disagree Opinion Model
Authors: Bidah Sara , Zakary Omar , Rachik Mostafa , Ferjouchia Hanane
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we present a mathematical model that describes agree-disagree opinions during polls. We first present the different compartments of the model. Then, using the next-generation matrix method, we derive thresholds of the stability of equilibria. We consider two sets of data from the Reuters polling system regarding the approval rating of the U.S presidential in two terms. These two weekly polls data track the percentage of Americans who approve and disapprove of the way the President manages his work. To validate the reality of the underlying model, we use nonlinear least-squares regression to fit the model to actual data. In the first poll, we consider only 31 weeks to estimate the parameters of the model, and then, we compare the rest of the data with the outcome of the model over the remaining 21 weeks. We show that our model fits correctly the real data. The second poll data is collected for 115 weeks. We estimate again the parameters of the model, and we show that our model can predict the poll outcome in the next weeks, thus, whether the need for some control strategies or not. Finally, we also perform several computational and statistical experiments to validate the proposed model in this paper. To study the influence of various parameters on these thresholds and to identify the most influential parameters, sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of the small perturbation near a parameter value on the value of the threshold. An uncertainty analysis is performed to evaluate the forecast inaccuracy in the outcome variable due to uncertainty in the estimation of the parameters.
Synthesis of Specific ZnF Based Nanoparticles (ZnFe2O4): Antimicrobial Properties, Surface Characteristics, and Adsorption Activity for AB 29 Textile Dye
Authors: Gönen Ferda , Tekinerdoğan Gökhan
Published: July 2020

In this investigation, the color removal from synthetic wastewaters containing Acid Blue 29 (AB 29) dye was investigated by ZnF-based nanomaterials (ZnFe2O4) synthesized by the coprecipitation method in a batch system. SEM, FT–IR, and XRD analysis were used for the characterization of the nanoparticles (before and after adsorption), and the analysis results were compared with each other. The parameters such as pH, temperature, dye concentration, and nanoparticle dosage affecting color removal were examined systematically, and favorable color removal conditions were determined by the classical approach. From the experimental results, the favorable conditions with high removal efficiency for the adsorption were determined: removal temperature 35°C and the removal pH 2.0. At these experimental conditions, the adsorbed dye amount per unit mass of adsorbent and the percentage dye removal were determined as 1489.79 mg·g−1 and 98.83%, respectively. In the other part of the research, three different isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin) were used to examine the adsorption equilibrium data. Langmuir and especially Freundlich linear isotherm models provided the highest R2 regression coefficients, successfully. The kinetic data was evaluated by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic model approach. It was observed that pseudo-second-order kinetic model best represented AB 29-ZnF adsorption kinetic data. The determined thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG were proved that the AB 29-ZnF adsorption system was an exothermic (ΔH < 0), spontaneous, thermodynamically favorable (ΔG < 0), and stabilized system without any structural changes in sorbate and sorbents (ΔS<0).
Variational Iteration Method and Differential Transformation Method for Solving the SEIR Epidemic Model
Authors: Harir A. , Melliani S. , El Harfi H. , Chadli L. S.
Published: July 2020

The aim of the present study is to analyze and find a solution for the model of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) describing the so-called coronavirus (COVID-19), a deadly and most parlous virus. The mathematical model based on four nonlinear ODEs is presented, and the corresponding numerical results are studied by applying the variational iteration method (VIM) and differential transformation method (DTM).
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of B-Cell-Produced Antibodies in Vitreous Humor of Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Liu Baoyi , Hu Yijun , Wu Qiaowei , Zeng Yunkao , Xiao Yu , Zeng Xiaomin , Fang Ying , Zhang Liang , Li Tao , Yu Honghua
Published: July 2020

Aim. To analyze the levels of B-cell-produced antibodies in the vitreous humor of patients with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR) both qualitatively and quantitatively. Methods. A total of 52 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with DR patients and 52 control subjects without diabetes mellitus or inflammatory diseases were included in this prospective study. The levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgM, and IgG subtypes were measured using a magnetic color-bead-based multiplex assay. Results. The concentrations of IgA, IgM, and total antibodies in the DR group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all p<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the 4 IgG subtypes between the two groups after Bonferroni correction. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed low negative correlations between levels of antibodies (IgA, IgM) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, r=−0.443, r=−0.377, respectively, both p<0.05). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis yielded three equations to predict the concentrations of IgA, IgM, and total antibodies in the vitreous humor according to eGFR and other clinical variables (r=0.542, r=0.461, and r=0.312, respectively, all p<0.05). Conclusion. Increased levels of IgA, IgM, and total antibodies produced by B cells were observed in the vitreous humor of T2DM patients with DR. There were low negative correlations between levels of antibodies (IgA, IgM) and eGFR.
CT-TEE Image Registration for Surgical Navigation of Congenital Heart Disease Based on a Cycle Adversarial Network
Authors: Lu Yunfei , Li Bing , Liu Ningtao , Chen Jia-Wei , Xiao Li , Gou Shuiping , Chen Linlin , Huang Meiping , Zhuang Jian
Published: July 2020

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become an essential tool in interventional cardiologist’s daily toolbox which allows a continuous visualization of the movement of the visceral organ without trauma and the observation of the heartbeat in real time, due to the sensor’s location at the esophagus directly behind the heart and it becomes useful for navigation during the surgery. However, TEE images provide very limited data on clear anatomically cardiac structures. Instead, computed tomography (CT) images can provide anatomical information of cardiac structures, which can be used as guidance to interpret TEE images. In this paper, we will focus on how to transfer the anatomical information from CT images to TEE images via registration, which is quite challenging but significant to physicians and clinicians due to the extreme morphological deformation and different appearance between CT and TEE images of the same person. In this paper, we proposed a learning-based method to register cardiac CT images to TEE images. In the proposed method, to reduce the deformation between two images, we introduce the Cycle Generative Adversarial Network (CycleGAN) into our method simulating TEE-like images from CT images to reduce their appearance gap. Then, we perform nongrid registration to align TEE-like images with TEE images. The experimental results on both children’ and adults’ CT and TEE images show that our proposed method outperforms other compared methods. It is quite noted that reducing the appearance gap between CT and TEE images can benefit physicians and clinicians to get the anatomical information of ROIs in TEE images during the cardiac surgical operation.
Consumer Purchasing Intentions and Marketing Segmentation of Remanufactured New-Energy Auto Parts in China
Authors: Zhang Shibin , Zhou Chuhan , Liu Yanran
Published: July 2020

This study tests and verifies the main factors influencing consumers’ intention to purchase and the marketing strategy of remanufactured new-energy automobile parts in China. The revised model of Theory of Reasoned Action is used to study the factors influencing consumers’ intention to purchase. The main factors influencing consumer purchase intention of remanufactured new-energy automobile parts in China are identified through correlation analysis of factors including subjective norms, attitudes, face consciousness, brand extension, and perceived risk. Through market segmentation, consumers in China are divided into three types: passive-accepted, brand-driven, and green-consuming; the marketing strategy is developed accordingly. This study provides theory and decision-making basis for remanufactured new-energy automobile parts markets.
CenterFace: Joint Face Detection and Alignment Using Face as Point
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Yan Wan , Yang Genke , Luo Jiliang , Li Tao , He Jianan
Published: July 2020

Face detection and alignment in unconstrained environment is always deployed on edge devices which have limited memory storage and low computing power. This paper proposes a one-stage method named CenterFace to simultaneously predict facial box and landmark location with real-time speed and high accuracy. The proposed method also belongs to the anchor-free category. This is achieved by (a) learning face existing possibility by the semantic maps, (b) learning bounding box, offsets, and five landmarks for each position that potentially contains a face. Specifically, the method can run in real time on a single CPU core and 200 FPS using NVIDIA 2080TI for VGA-resolution images and can simultaneously achieve superior accuracy (WIDER FACE Val/Test-Easy: 0.935/0.932, Medium: 0.924/0.921, Hard: 0.875/0.873, and FDDB discontinuous: 0.980 and continuous: 0.732).
No Association between Ischemic Stroke and Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Zheng Kexin , Guo Xiaozhong , Yi Fangfang , Wang Le , Mancuso Andrea , Qi Xingshun
Published: July 2020

Background and Aims. There seems to be a higher risk of ischemic stroke and portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis. Both of them may be associated with hypercoagulability. We aim to explore the association between ischemic stroke and portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis. Study Design and Methods. We selected patients from our prospectively established database of liver cirrhosis from December 2014 to July 2019. The difference between patients with and without stroke was compared. A 1 : 1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to adjust the effect of age, sex, Child‐Pugh score, and MELD score on our statistical results. Results. There were 349 cirrhotic patients in the cross‐sectional study. The prevalence of stroke, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and portal vein thrombosis was 8.88% (31/349), 8.31% (29/349), 1.15% (4/349), and 28.65% (100/349) in liver cirrhosis, respectively. Patients with ischemic stroke were significantly older and had significantly higher proportions of alcohol abuse, smoking, and arterial hypertension and higher levels of white blood cell and low‐density lipoprotein. However, statistical analyses with and without PSM did not find any significant association between ischemic stroke and portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. Conclusion. Ischemic stroke might not be associated with portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis.
Recent Trends in Nanocarrier-Based Targeted Chemotherapy: Selective Delivery of Anticancer Drugs for Effective Lung, Colon, Cervical, and Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Jin Ke-Tao , Lu Ze-Bei , Chen Jin-Yang , Liu Yu-Yao , Lan Huan-Rong , Dong Hai-Ying , Yang Fan , Zhao Yuan-Yuan , Chen Xiao-Yi
Published: July 2020

Chemotherapy drugs are cytotoxic to tumor cells, but their lack of specificity leads to a range of side effects. The off-target effects of such drugs can be improved through the use of nanoparticles (NPs). Administered NPs show enhanced accumulation in tumor tissue near the blood vessels, enhancing both anticancer drug permeability and tumor retention. Several nanocarriers are now approved for clinical use in a range of cancer therapies, and many novel formulations are in the later stages of clinical trials. Here, we describe the advances in this area through the review of novel NP drug formulations developed over the last year. We focus specifically on lung, colon, cervical, and breast cancers and discuss the future of NPs as potential treatment options in these areas.
T-Cell Dynamics in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia under Different Treatment Modalities
Authors: Vardi Anna , Vlachonikola Elisavet , Papazoglou Despoina , Psomopoulos Fotis , Kotta Kostantia , Ioannou Nikolaos , Galigalidou Chrysi , Gemenetzi Katerina , Pasentsis Kostantinos , Kotouza Maria , Koravou Evdoxia , Scarfó Lydia , Iskas Michail , Stavroyianni Niki , Ghia Paolo , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , Kouvatsi Anastasia , Ramsay Alan G. , Stamatopoulos Kostas , Chatzidimitriou Anastasia
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we recently documented T-cell oligoclonality in treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), with evidence indicating T-cell selection by restricted antigens.

Experimental Design:

Here, we sought to comprehensively assess T-cell repertoire changes during treatment in relation to (i) treatment type [fludarabine-cyclophosphamide-rituximab (FCR) versus ibrutinib (IB) versus rituximab-idelalisib (R-ID)], and (ii) clinical response, by combining NGS immunoprofiling, flow cytometry, and functional bioassays.

Results:

T-cell clonality significantly increased at (i) 3 months in the FCR and R-ID treatment groups, and (ii) over deepening clinical response in the R-ID group, with a similar trend detected in the IB group. Notably, in constrast to FCR that induced T-cell repertoire reconstitution, B-cell receptor signaling inhibitors (BcRi) preserved pretreatment clones. Extensive comparisons both within CLL as well as against T-cell receptor sequence databases showed little similarity with other entities, but instead revealed major clonotypes shared exclusively by patients with CLL, alluding to selection by conserved CLL-associated antigens. We then evaluated the functional effect of treatments on T cells and found that (i) R-ID upregulated the expression of activation markers in effector memory T cells, and (ii) both BcRi improved antitumor T-cell immune synapse formation, in marked contrast to FCR.

Conclusions:

Taken together, our NGS immunoprofiling data suggest that BcRi retain T-cell clones that may have developed against CLL-associated antigens. Phenotypic and immune synapse bioassays support a concurrent restoration of functionality, mostly evident for R-ID, arguably contributing to clinical response.
A Rare Case of Acquired Hemolytic Anemia and Pancytopenia Secondary to Pernicious Anemia
Authors: Sasi Sreethish , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: July 2020

The commonest etiologies of new-onset pancytopenia are congenital bone marrow failure syndromes, marrow space-occupying lesions, infections, and peripheral destruction. Nutritional deficiencies, including folate and vitamin B12, can occasionally cause pancytopenia. We report a 48-year-old gentleman who presented with a 1-week history of dizziness and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Laboratory evaluation revealed pancytopenia, macrocytosis, toxic neutrophils, hemolysis, suppressed reticulocyte count, positive direct anti-globulin test (DAT), severely reduced B12 levels, and positive anti-intrinsic factor and anti-parietal cell antibodies. He was started on weekly intramuscular B12 supplementation and showed improvement in blood cell counts during follow-up. Recognition of B12 deficiency as a cause of pancytopenia and DAT-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia can help to avoid unwanted investigations and aid in early diagnosis and treatment.
Noninvasive Fetal Electrocardiography in the Diagnosis of Long QT Syndrome: A Case Series
Authors: Sethi Neeta , Funamoto Kiyoe , Ingbar Catherine , Mass Paige , Moak Jeffrey , Wakai Ronald , Strasburger Janette , Donofrio Mary , Khandoker Ahsan , Kimura Yoshitaka , Krishnan Anita
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Early detection and monitoring for malignant arrhythmias is fundamental to prenatal care in long QT syndrome (LQTS). Recently, we studied the feasibility of isolating the fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) and measuring electrocardiographic intervals with a noninvasive fECG device using blind source separation with reference signal. Our aim was to evaluate the ability of fECG to diagnose LQTS. Case Presentations: We identified 3 cases of clinically suspected LQTS based on fetal echocardiogram (2 had sinus bradycardia, 1 had second-degree atrioventricular block with negative maternal anti-SSA/SSB antibody titers). With institutional review board approval, these patients were prospectively enrolled for fECG acquisition. Offline post-processing generated fECG waveforms and calculated QT intervals. Case 1 and 3 had a maternal history of LQTS. Two of the three fetuses with suspected LQTS had confirmed LQTS by postnatal ECG and genetic testing. FECG was able to identify a prolonged corrected QT interval in both cases. One of these also had fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG), which yielded similar findings to the fECG. The third fetus had a normal fECG; fMCG and postnatal ECG were also normal. Conclusions: In 3 cases, fECG findings corroborated the diagnosis of LQTS. Noninvasive fECG may offer a novel method for fECG that is portable and more clinically accessible.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Treatment of Liver Diseases: Novel Concepts
Authors: Yao Jia , Yu Yue , Nyberg Scott L.
Published: July 2020

Millions of people worldwide with incurable liver disease die because of inadequate treatment options and limited availability of donor organs for liver transplantation. Regenerative medicine as an innovative approach to repairing and replacing cells, tissues, and organs is undergoing a major revolution due to the unprecedented need for organs for patients around the world. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been widely studied in the field of liver regeneration and are considered to be the most promising candidate therapies. This review will conclude the current state of efforts to derive human iPSCs for potential use in the modeling and treatment of liver disease.
Rare Case of Endoscopic Treatment for Bevacizumab-Related Gastric Perforation in a Patient with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Cappuccio Serena , Marinucci Benito , Bove Vincenzo , Turco Luigi Carlo , Cosentino Francesco , Scambia Giovanni , Costamagna Guido , Boškoski Ivo
Published: July 2020

Antiangiogenic chemotherapy is a common treatment option for patients with advanced ovarian cancer (OC) and has been proven to be effective and generally safe. Nevertheless, in rare cases, these drugs can give serious complications such as gastrointestinal perforations that can be even mortal or very difficult to treat and can heavily impact the clinical management. We present a rare case of bevacizumab-induced gastric perforation in a patient with advanced OC occurred during bevacizumab-including chemotherapy in an adjuvant setting. Surgical treatment was not possible due to the frailty of the clinical condition of the patient and the gastric perforation was successfully treated with endoscopic suturing.
Similarities, Differences, and Potential Synergies in the Mechanism of Action of Albumin Dialysis Using the MARS Albumin Dialysis Device and the CytoSorb Hemoperfusion Device in the Treatment of Liver Failure
Authors: Dominik Adrian , Stange Jan
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Liver failure is characterized by compromised hepatic detoxification, protein synthesis, and metabolic derangements leading to an accumulation of a broad spectrum of water-soluble and lipophilic toxins as well as immune system mediators. Exploring complex detoxification mechanisms to therapeutically target those components, this article will focus on similarities, differences, and potential synergies in the mechanism of albumin dialysis and hemoperfusion. Methods: An in vitro two-compartment model for the comparison of liver support techniques was used to compare MARS albumin dialysis modified with novel charcoal adsorbents to CytoSorb hemoperfusion with added hemodialysis for effects on marker molecule removal. Results: MARS and CytoSorb performed similar in the removal of water-soluble toxins. Ammonia removal was increased using CytoSorb. CytoSorb lead to a statistically significant reduction of albumin-bound toxins, total bilirubin and subfractions. Bile acid removal was comparable. MARS demonstrated no removal of cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), whereas CytoSorb allowed for near complete removal. Notably, CytoSorb displayed 50% of lipophilic substance and cytokine removal during the first hour of treatment. Conclusion: Compared to MARS, CytoSorb hemoperfusion leads to an initially fast removal of cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6, as well as reduction of albumin-bound toxins such as indirect bilirubin and bile acids in our model. The initial removal is also associated with removal of albumin.
Incidence and Causes of Failed Spinal Anesthesia
Authors: Yüksek Ahmet , Miniksar Ökkeş Hakan , Honca Mehtap , Öz Hakan
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Spinal anesthesia (SA) is one of the most frequently applied anesthesia procedures today. However, SA failure rate varies between 1 and 17%. The age of the patient, the position at which the procedure is performed, or the characteristics of the technical operation can affect success. In this study, we aimed to compare the most frequent SA failures according to the types of surgery and causes of failure. The results of SA procedures performed in a university hospital were compare to those published in the current literature. Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethics committee ­approval for our study, the hospital archives were examined retrospectively for 1 year with respect to SA procedures. SA application and failure rates were examined. Three or more SA attempts, failed dural puncture, or unsuccessful injection, and anesthesia applications that did not provide sufficient sensory block for surgery despite successful drug treatment were defined as failure. Results: Of all anesthesia procedures, SA was applied at a rate of 23.5%. Our SA failure rate was calculated as 16.6%. Considering a single surgical procedure, obstetric anesthesia was the most common surgery with failed SA (28.7%). The most common cause of failure was insufficient analgesia (32.9%). Discussion: SA failure rates were observed to be in a variable distribution range in the literature, and in some studies, SA failure was defined as a block that did not occur despite a full dose and successful injection, and this rate was found to be 3.9%. The high rate in our study group may be explained by differences in the definition of SA: blocks performed with several trials and any block that could not be applied were also recorded as SA failure. The reasons for failing to apply this procedure is an issue that is worth examining also in terms of patient satisfaction and safety, which is an important issue. Conclusion: Although the definition of unsuccessful SA is confusing, SA failure rates are worth examining and improving for each hospital.
Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil
Authors: SOUZA MAYSA FERNANDA VILLELA REZENDE , FERREIRA RODRIGO LOPES
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we describe three new Eukoenenia species from specimens collected in limestone caves in the northern region of the Minas Gerais state, Brazil. These species present different degrees of adaptation to the subterranean habitat, with Eukoenenia magna sp. nov., with 6 blades on lateral organs and body ratios very close to other troglobitic species, being the most troglomorphic among them. This species is morphologically very similar to the Brazilian troglobites E. navi, E. eywa and E. neytiri. Eukoenenia lundi sp. nov. and Eukoenenia jequitai sp. nov. are probably closely related species due to their substantial morphological resemblance. These two species are closer to E. virgemdalapa among the Brazilian species described to date. We provide a table summarizing the main diagnostic characters of the three species herein described and those of the Brazilian congeners to facilitate morphological comparisons.
Detecting Minerals and Organics Relevant to Planetary Exploration Using a Compact Portable Remote Raman System at 122 Meters
Authors: Sandford Macey W. , Misra Anupam K. , Acosta-Maeda Tayro E. , Sharma Shiv K. , Porter John N. , Egan Miles J. , Abedin M. Nurul
Published: July 2020

Raman spectroscopy is a technique that can detect and characterize a range of molecular compounds such as water, water ice, water-bearing minerals, and organics of particular interest to planetary science. The detection and characterization of these molecular compounds, which are indications of habitability on planetary bodies, have become an important goal for planetary exploration missions spanning the solar system. Using a compact portable remote Raman system consisting of a 532 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet- (Nd:YAG-) pulsed laser, a 3-in. (7.62 cm) diameter mirror lens and a compact spectrograph with a miniature intensified charge coupled device (mini-ICCD), we were able to detect water (H2O), water ice (H2O-ice), CO2-ice, hydrous minerals, organics, nitrates, and an amino acid from a remote distance of 122 m in natural lighting conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest remote Raman detection using a compact system. The development of this uniquely compact portable remote Raman system is applicable to a range of solar system exploration missions including stationary landers for ocean worlds and lunar exploration, as they provide unambiguous detection of compounds indicative of life as well as resources necessary for further human exploration.
Torque control of bolt tightening process through adaptive-gain second-order sliding mode
Authors: Wu Zhimin , Zhang Guigang , Du Wenjuan , Wang Jian , Han Fengyang , Qian Dianwei
Published: July 2020

Bolts constitute a very important subset of mechanical fasteners. In order to tighten bolts, a degree of bolt preload scatter is to be expected. Since the torque control of tightening bolts is the most popular means of controlling the preload, an appropriate tightening torque becomes pivotal. This paper investigates the torque control problem of bolt tightening process. This process is not as simple as it looks because the inherently nonlinear process contains many uncertainties. To conquer the adverse effects of the uncertainties, this paper designs an adaptive-gain second-order sliding mode controller. Theoretically, such design can guarantee that the bolt tightening process has the closed-loop stability in the sense of Lyapunov. From the aspect of practice, the control method is carried out by a platform. Some comparisons illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the designed controller.
Inequality Set in Concrete: Physical Resources Available for Care at Hospitals Serving People of Color and Other U.S. Hospitals
Authors: Himmelstein Gracie , Himmelstein Kathryn E. W.
Published: July 2020

Racial inequities in health outcomes are widely acknowledged. This study seeks to determine whether hospitals serving people of color in the United States have lesser physical assets than other hospitals. With data on 4,476 Medicare-participating hospitals in the United States, we defined those in the top decile of the share of black and Hispanic Medicare inpatients as “black-serving” and “Hispanic-serving,” respectively. Using 2017 Medicare cost reports and American Hospital Association data, we compared the capital assets (value of land, buildings, and equipment), as well as the availability of capital-intensive services at these and other hospitals, adjusted for other hospital characteristics. Hospitals serving people of color had lower capital assets: for example, US$5,197/patient-day (all dollar amounts in U.S. dollars) at black-serving hospitals, $5,763 at Hispanic-serving hospitals, and $8,325 at other hospitals ( P < .0001 for both comparisons). New asset purchases between 2013 and 2017 averaged $1,242, $1,738, and $3,092/patient-day at black-serving, Hispanic-serving, and other hospitals, respectively ( P < .0001). In adjusted models, hospitals serving people of color had lower capital assets (−$215,121/bed, P < .0001) and recent purchases (−$83,608/bed, P < .0001). They were also less likely to offer 19 of 27 specific capital-intensive services. Our results show that hospitals that serve people of color are substantially poorer in assets than other hospitals and suggest that equalizing investments in hospital facilities in the United States might attenuate racial inequities in care.
Feasibility testing of a supported education programme for students with severe mental disorders
Authors: Reddy Annapally Sadananda , Jagannathan Aarti , Kishore M. T. , Daliboina Muralidhar , Kumar Channaveerachari Naveen
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Most supported education studies stop at discussing the academic problems of students with severe mental diseases (SMDs) without going into testing of appropriate and culturally relevant supported education interventions required for academic reintegration of students with SMDs. In this context, the researcher felt the need to test the feasibility of a need-based supported education programme (SEP) for students with SMDs to help them achieving higher education goals.

Methodology:

This study was reviewed and approved by the Institute’s Ethics Committee (NIMHANS) and it was also registered in the Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI): CTRI/2018/07/014828. The study used mixed (qualitative and quantitative) research methodology with a combined approach of Action Research and Case Study in providing SEP to students with SMDs. Fourteen ( n = 14) students who enrolled into the SEP were assessed on their self-esteem, sense of mastery, helping factors, needs and outcomes met from SEP. The SEP was provided for up to a maximum of 1 year based on the academic reintegration needs of the student.

Results:

The results indicated that there was a significant reduction in hindering factors (χ2 = 9.41, p < .01) and increase in helping factors (χ2 = 6.49, p < .05) and self-esteem (χ2 = 10.3, p < .01) over the period of 1 year of the study. Qualitative results further reiterated increase in helping factors along with positive outcomes such as enhanced primary and secondary support, reasonable accommodation at academic institutions, individual behavioural changes in academics and increased awareness and knowledge about mental illness and welfare benefits.

Conclusion:

The SEP was found to be feasible qualitatively and quantitatively in helping the students with SMDs to reintegrate into academics, improving their self-esteem, reducing their hindering factors, and improving their support system and helping factors.
Pathways to water conflict during drought in the MENA region
Authors: Ide Tobias , Lopez Miguel Rodriguez , Fröhlich Christiane , Scheffran Jürgen
Published: July 2020

As hydro-meteorological hazards are predicted to become more frequent and intense in the future, scholars and policymakers are increasingly concerned about their security implications, especially in the context of ongoing climate change. Our study contributes to this debate by analysing the pathways to water-related conflict onset under drought conditions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region between 1996 and 2009. It is also the first such analysis that focuses on small-scale conflicts involving little or no physical violence, such as protests or demonstrations. These nonviolent conflicts are politically relevant, yet understudied in the literature on climate change and conflict, environmental security, and political instability. We employ the method of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to integrate quantitative and qualitative data at various scales (national, regional, local) for a sample of 34 cases (17 of which experienced conflict onset). Our findings show that pre-existing cleavages and either autocratic political systems or cuts of the public water supply are relevant predictors of nonviolent, water-related conflict onset during droughts. Grievances deeply embedded into socio-economic structures in combination with a triggering event like a drought or water cuts are hence driving such water-related conflicts, especially in the absence of proper political institutions. We thus argue that drought–conflict links are highly context-dependent even for nonviolent, local conflicts, hence challenging determinist narratives that claim direct interlinkages between climate change, hydro-meteorological disasters and conflict.
Neurocognitive Correlates of Internet Search Skills for eHealth Fact and Symptom Information in a Young Adult Sample
Authors: Kordovski Victoria M. , Babicz Michelle A. , Ulrich Nathalie , Woods Steven Paul
Published: July 2020

As the Covid 19 crisis has revealed, the internet is a first-line tool for learning critical health-related information. However, internet searches are a complex and dynamic process that can be fraught with subtleties and potential error. The mechanics of searching for and using electronic health (eHealth) information is ostensibly cognitively demanding; yet we know little about the role of neurocognitive abilities in this regard. Fifty-six young adults completed two naturalistic eHealth search tasks: fact-finding (eHealth Fact) and symptom-diagnosis (eHealth Search). Participants also completed neurocognitive tests of attention, psychomotor speed, learning/memory, and executive functions. Shorter eHealth symptom-diagnosis search time was related to better executive functions, while better eHealth symptom-diagnosis search accuracy was related to better episodic and prospective memory. In contrast, neither eHealth Fact search time nor its accuracy were related to any of the neurocognitive measures. Our findings suggest a differential relationship between neurocognitive abilities and eHealth search behaviors among young adults such that higher-order abilities may be implicated in eHealth searches requiring greater synthesis of information. Future work should examine the cognitive architecture of eHealth search in persons with neurocognitive disorders, as well as that of other aspects of eHealth search behaviors (e.g., search term generation, website reliability, and decision-making).
Predicting Nursing Home Financial Distress Using the Altman Z-Score
Authors: Lord Justin , Landry Amy , Savage Grant T. , Weech-Maldonado Robert
Published: July 2020

This article uses a modified Altman Z-score to predict financial distress within the nursing home industry. The modified Altman Z-score model uses multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) to examine multiple financial ratios simultaneously to assess a firm’s financial distress. This study utilized data from Medicare Cost Reports, LTCFocus, and the Area Resource File. Our sample consisted of 167 268 nursing home-year observations, or an average of 10 454 facilities per year, in the United States from 2000 through 2015. The independent financial variables, liquidity, profitability, efficiency, and net worth were entered stepwise into the MDA model. All of the financial variables, with the exception of net worth, significantly contributed to the discriminating power of the model. K-means clustering was used to classify the latent variable into 3 categorical groups: distressed, risk-of-financial distress, and healthy. These findings will provide policy makers and practitioners another tool to identify nursing homes that are at risk of financial distress.
The afterlife of a dictatorship: Ismail Kadare’s post-communist reckoning with the Albanian past
Authors: Morgan Peter
Published: July 2020

Legal processes of lustration have been carried out unevenly in the wake of Eastern Europe’s communist regimes. In countries where legal and political will is lacking, writers have carried out a role of literary lustration, occupying the empty spaces in civic consciousness and contributing to the rebuilding of social trust. The work of leading Albanian writer Ismail Kadare represents a contemporary case study in literary lustration. In his post-communist novels, Kadare seeks to rebuild a national narrative by exploring the effects of the past on the present and seeking truth, if not necessarily justice, in his country’s immediate past. Kadare’s post-communist novels chronicle the ongoing psychological and social effects of the dictatorship as the past is held to account for the aberrations of the present. Kadare recognizes the human aspects of loss and oppression, showing their political and social consequences for a nation battling to emerge from its traumatic past.
Needs-driven skill training for surgical residents: our first experience in a low-/middle-income country
Authors: Agrawal Vikesh , Agarwal Pawan , Acharya Himanshu , Sharma Dhananjaya
Published: July 2020

Traditional Halstead teaching, which is time- and opportunity-dependent, has often been replaced by ‘boot’ camps which involve expensive modules and are usually a grand one-time event. This does not suit the complex teaching and learning needs of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We studied the impact of a needs-driven surgical training course implemented instead. The course was taken by 17 first-year residents of surgery, and included a pre-course knowledge assessment test, pre-test skills assessment, as well as post-test assessment and feedback impressions.

Mean post-test scores improved significantly ( P < 0.05) in all eight skills areas, though only 7 (44.11%) scored ≥80% in tests after the course, but all 17 in theoretical and clinical skills. There was strong agreement over all six points that the needs-driven course was of benefit. Our short and intensive needs-driven skills video training course for surgical residents fills the gap in skills development for general surgery residents.
L1 control for Itô stochastic nonlinear networked control systems
Authors: Qi Ji , Li Yanhui
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates L1 control problem for a class of nonlinear stochastic networked control systems (NCSs) described by Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. By exploiting a delay-dependent and basis-dependent Lyapunov-Krasovskii function and by means of the Itô stochastic differential equation technique, results on stability and L1 performance are proposed for the T-S fuzzy stochastic NCS. Specially, attention is focused on the fuzzy controller design that guarantees the closed-loop T-S fuzzy stochastic NCS is mean-square asymptotically stable and satisfies a prescribed L1 noise attenuation level [Formula: see text] with respect to all persistent and amplitude-bounded disturbance input signals. To reduce the conservatism of design, the signal transmission delay, data packet dropout, and quantization have been taken into consideration in the controller design. The corresponding design problem of L1 controller is converted into a convex optimization problem by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, simulation examples are provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Effects of the operation parameters of a closed-type heating tower on the performance of heating tower heat pump system
Authors: Rong Feng , Xiuzhen Li , Xingcheng Zhao , Junfei Fang
Published: July 2020

The ventilator of the heating tower and the circulating pump of the anti-freeze solution are the main electrical equipment of a heating tower heat pump system, besides the compressor. By controlling the working frequencies of the ventilator of the heating tower and circulating pump of the anti-freeze solution, the effects of the operation parameters of a closed-type heating tower on its heat absorption and the performance of heating tower heat pump system were investigated under winter heat conditions. The results indicated that reducing the frequency of the circulating pump for the anti-freeze solution leads to a decrease in the temperature of the outlet evaporator of the anti-freezing solution and an increased temperature difference between the anti-freeze solution flowing into and out of the heating tower; meanwhile, excessively high and low anti-freeze flow rates lead to reduced heat absorption of the closed-type heating tower. The coefficient of performance fluctuates slightly if the frequency of circulating pump is above 20 Hz, but a slight drop in coefficient of performance is observed when the frequency is less than 15 Hz. The system energy efficiency ratio tends to increase as the frequency of circulating pump is reduced, although a substantial reduction occurs at 10 Hz. Furthermore, a reduced ventilator frequency decreases the temperatures of the anti-freeze solution at the inlet and outlet of the heating tower and the temperature difference, hindering the heat absorption of the heating tower. With reductions in the ventilator frequency, the coefficient of performance exhibits an initial increase followed by subsequent decreases, while the system energy efficiency ratio showed continual increases until the ventilator frequency dropped to 10 Hz. When the ventilator frequency or circulating pump frequency drops to 15 Hz and 10 Hz, the evaporation temperature of the heat pump unit decreases, resulting in an excessively exhaust temperature, which is not favorable for the safe operation of the system.
Identity Expression Through Collective Action: How Identification With a Politicized Group and Its Identity Contents Differently Motivated Identity-Expressive Collective Action in the U.S. 2016 Presidential Elections
Authors: Turner-Zwinkels Felicity M. , van Zomeren Martijn
Published: July 2020

Although political action often requires activists to express who they are and what they stand for, little is known about the motivators of such identity expression. This research investigates how group identity content and identification with this content predict identity-expressive collective action in the U.S. 2016 presidential elections. We recruited a longitudinal community sample of U.S. party supporters ( N = 426) mid-October (T1), beginning November (T2), and mid-November (T3). Participants listed words they associated with party campaigners, and self-reported their identification with this identity content and the politicized group. Supporting H1, politicized group identification longitudinally predicted increased frequency of collective action more strongly than did identification with specific identity content. Supporting H2, identification with specific identity content longitudinally predicted increased desires to express that content through collective action more strongly than politicized group identification. Implications for our understanding of identity expression and identity content in collective action are discussed.