bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compensating for limitations in domestic output performance? Member state delegation of policy competencies to regional international organizations
Authors: Panke Diana
Published: October 2020

Cooperation in regional international organizations (RIOs) can help member states to work toward and perhaps achieve policy goals that would not be feasible unilaterally. Thus, RIOs might be used as a means of states to compensate for domestic shortcomings in output performance. Do states equip RIOs with policy competencies in order to compensate corresponding domestic performance shortcomings? The analysis of a novel database on policy competencies of 76 RIOs between 1945 and 2015 reveals that usually RIOs are not usually used as window-dressing devices by which states disguise limited domestic output performance. Instead, governments tend to equip RIOs with policy competencies in order to further strengthen their already good output performance in most policy areas. However, in the policy area, ‘energy’ states tend to confer more competencies to their respective RIOs, the worse they perform domestically, indicating that output-related compensation dynamics might be at play in this field.
Assessment of Differential Statement Functioning in Ipsative Tests With Multidimensional Forced-Choice Items
Authors: Qiu Xue-Lan , Wang Wen-Chung
Published: October 2020

Ipsative tests with multidimensional forced-choice (MFC) items have been widely used to assess career interest, values, and personality to prevent response biases. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in developing item response theory models for MFC items. In reality, a statement in an MFC item may have different utilities for different groups, which is referred to as differential statement functioning (DSF). However, few studies have been investigated methods for detecting DSF owing to the challenges related to the features of ipsative tests. In this study, three methods were adapted for DSF assessment in MFC items: equal-mean-utility (EMU), all-other-statement (AOS), and constant-statement (CS). Simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the recovery of parameters and the performance of the proposed methods. Results showed that statement parameters and DSF parameters were well recovered for all the three methods when the test did not contain any DSF statement. When the test contained one or more DSF statements, only the CS method yielded accurate estimates. With respect to DSF assessment, both the EMU method using the bootstrap standard error and the AOS method performed appropriately so long as the test did not contain any DSF statement. The CS method performed well in cases where one or more DSF-free statements were chosen as an anchor. The longer the anchor statements, the higher the power of DSF detection.
Reading habits of generation Z students in Pakistan: Is it time to re-examine school library services?
Authors: Mushtaq Saadia , Soroya Saira Hanif , Mahmood Khalid
Published: October 2020

Quality academic achievement is based on the development of good reading skills. Generally, reading is important for students to cope up with the evolving world of knowledge. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have vastly influenced the reading practices of students. The younger generation of the information age spends most of their time in front of screens. Due to these drastic changes in the fabric of reading, generation Z is more likely to adopt e-reading. Therefore, an empirical investigation was carried out to explore the reading habits of generation Z students. For the study, a survey-based quantitative research design was applied. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The population included the students of two schools - one semi-government and one private higher secondary school of the Lahore district. The sample was selected purposively. Findings revealed that generation Z students prefer to read in paper form and in the English language. On average they read for up to four hours daily, preferably at home and mostly for academic purposes. They prefer print format, however, the advantages associated with e-reading motivate them to use electronic contents. One of the noteworthy findings is that libraries (academic/public) were their least preferred place for reading and obtaining reading material. The findings of the study would help parents, educators, and publishers to take necessary measures for promoting reading habits among students. The research findings would serve as a guideline for educationists to plan education policies according to the need and preferences of the future generation and for libraries to develop user-centered library services.
PET findings in lymphomatosis and gliomatosis of the brain: a comparison of C-11 methionine PET/CT and F-18 FDG PET/CT
Authors: Tomura Noriaki , Saginoya Toshiyuki , Goto Hiromi
Published: October 2020

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET) findings for gliomatosis and lymphomatosis have been rarely reported.

Purpose

To compare PET/computed tomography (CT) findings using 11C-methionine (MET) from PET/CT findings using 18F-fluorodeoxy glucose (FDG) for patients with lymphomatosis or gliomatosis of the brain.

Material and Methods

Participants comprised all 10 patients with lymphomatosis or gliomatosis of the brain treated at our institution in the past 12 years. Underlying pathologies comprised intravascular lymphoma (n = 1), lymphomatosis (n = 3), and gliomatosis (n = 6). All cases were pathologically diagnosed. In seven patients, both MET-PET/CT and FDG-PET/CT were performed simultaneously in a single study. In three patients, only FDG-PET/CT was performed. The degree of tracer accumulation to the lesion was evaluated qualitatively. Quantitatively, the ratio of maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) in tumor to that in normal tissue (T/N ratio) was measured and compared between FDG and MET.

Results

Qualitatively, MET accumulated to part of the lesion in six of seven patients and almost all of the lesion in one in seven patients. FDG accumulated to part of the lesion in three of ten patients and almost all of the lesion in one of ten patients. No FDG accumulation was seen in the lesion in six patients. Quantitatively, mean ± SD T/N ratio was significantly higher with MET (2.11 ± 0.63) than with FDG (1.18 ± 0.84; P < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test).

Conclusion

In lymphomatosis and gliomatosis, FDG accumulates in only part of the lesion. FDG is thus less suitable than MET for depicting these lesions.
Reduced salivary flow and caries status are correlated with disease activity and severity in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis
Authors: Parat Katica , Radić Mislav , Perković Dijana , Lukenda Dolores Biočina , Kaliterna Dusanka Martinović
Published: October 2020

Objective

To analyze the correlations of saliva production and pH value with disease activity, disease severity, and oral health-related quality of life in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) without concomitant Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) or SS-related antibodies.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 28 patients with dcSSc and matching healthy controls. Sialometric assessment and caries status were compared between the two groups. Clinical and laboratory parameters were used to evaluate disease severity, in accordance with the Medsger Severity Scale.

Results

In patients with dsSSc, reduced saliva production and higher pH value were associated with disease activity and severity; moreover, caries status was correlated with SSc disease characteristics, including disease duration and disease severity. Oral health-related quality of life was negatively correlated with mean salivary flow rate.

Conclusions

These findings contradict the existing notion that reduced saliva production in patients with SSc is linked to SS-related antibodies or caused by underlying SS. In addition, patients with dcSSc exhibit elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and invasive dental treatment has been shown to enhance the rates of stroke and heart attack in the general population; therefore, oral health is particularly important in patients with SSc.
Role of functional pharmacological therapy in post-stroke depression: a narrative review
Authors: Corallo Francesco , Scarfì Chiara , Arcadi Francesca Antonia , Formica Caterina , Di Cara Marcella , Palmeri Rosanna , Romeo Laura , Lo Buono Viviana , Bramanti Placido , Marino Silvia , De Cola Maria Cristina
Published: October 2020

Objective

We conducted a narrative review to investigate whether antidepressant therapy, including the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or the use of supportive drugs (i.e., citicoline or choline alfoscerate) as a substitute for antidepressant therapy, reduces depression in patients with cerebrovascular diseases.

Methods

A systematic search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases was performed, including review articles and other studies to identify additional citations. Only 4 of 1566 publications met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were selected.

Results

Studies showed that post-stroke depression (PSD) could be treated with antidepressant therapy, as well as supportive drugs such as citicoline or choline alfoscerate, which may have antidepressant effects.

Conclusions

The findings support the efficacy of citicoline as a treatment for depression. Studies aimed to discover the characteristics of these psychostimulants in relation to PSD treatment should be performed.
Self-perceived general and ear-nose-throat symptoms related to the COVID-19 outbreak: a survey study during quarantine in Italy
Authors: Micarelli Alessandro , Granito Ivan , Carlino Pasquale , Micarelli Beatrice , Alessandrini Marco
Published: October 2020

Objective

To survey perceived general and ear-nose-throat (ENT) symptoms of COVID-19 in relation to psychological impact, mental health, perception of information and demographic characteristics in quarantined subjects during a lockdown period in Italy.

Methods

Participants were 1380 respondents who completed an online survey. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the independent variables and perceived symptoms.

Results

Participants reported different prevalences of perceived ENT and general symptoms. Coryza, cough, sore throat and tinnitus were the most common symptoms, and there was a low prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress compared with the psychological impact of the symptom. Comparison of the two symptom groups demonstrated a common need for updates, their relationship with the media and correct information about the route of transmission.

Conclusions

The health information provided during a disease outbreak must be grounded in evidence. This would help to prevent adverse psychological reactions and somatization symptoms that can engulf healthcare systems, especially in clinical areas like ENT, which frequently treat airway problems.
Outcomes After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Revision Reconstruction in Baseball Players
Authors: Andrews James R. , Venkateswaran Vikram , Christensen Kevin D. , Plummer Hillary A. , Hart Karen M. , Opitz Tyler J. , Wilk Kevin E. , Pinegar Caleb O. , Cain E. Lyle , Dugas Jeffrey R. , Jordan Steve E. , Fleisig Glenn S.
Published: October 2020

Background:

There is a lack of evidence regarding the success of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) revision reconstruction. Understanding outcomes after UCL revision reconstruction is important in clinical decision making for overhead athletes.

Purpose:

To evaluate return to play and patient-reported outcomes after UCL revision reconstruction.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

All patients who underwent UCL revision reconstruction, attributed to retear of the ligament or pain, between June 2004 and July 2016 at 2 surgical centers were identified. Charts were reviewed for age, sex, date of primary and revision reconstruction, sport played, level of play, graft type, and complications. Patients were contacted by telephone to determine time to return to play, current level of participation, Conway score, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow Score, and satisfaction.

Results:

Of the 65 consecutive baseball players who underwent revision UCL reconstruction, 40 (62%) were contacted at a minimum 22 months after surgery. Of these, 38 (95%) were pitchers and 2 (5%) were position players. Time to return to throwing was 6.2 ± 2.3 months (mean ± SD), and the KJOC score was 74.2 ± 20.7. Based on the Conway score, 50% (20/40) had an excellent result, indicating a return to the previous competition level for at least 1 year, and 30% (12/40) had a good result, indicating a return to a lower level for at least 1 year. For those who were able to return to competition, it took 12.7 ± 3.6 months. In pitchers, 47% (18/38) returned to their previous competition levels for at least 1 year, with a KJOC score of 73.7 ± 21.1. Pitchers were able to return to throwing at 6.3 ± 2.3 months and competition at 12.8 ± 3.7 months.

Conclusion:

Only half of baseball players undergoing UCL revision reconstruction were able to return to their previous levels of competition. Outcomes for revision reconstructions are not as promising as primary procedures. Baseball players should be cautioned that they may not return to their previous levels of play after a revision reconstruction.
Theoretical analysis of the liquid thermal structure in a pool fire
Authors: Beji Tarek
Published: October 2020

This article presents a theoretical work on liquid heat-up in the case of a pool fire. It is assumed that the convective currents occurring within the upper layer of the liquid are induced by Rayleigh–Bénard instabilities that are caused by in-depth radiation. The upper layer depth has been estimated based on the analytical solution of a one-dimensional Fourier’s equation for the temperature with a source term for in-depth radiation. The model has been assessed against experimental data for a 9-cm-diameter methanol steady-state pool fire and three different liquid depths (18, 12 and 6 mm). The general trend, that is, increase in the upper layer depth as the bottom boundary temperature increases, is well captured. In order to ensure that the well-mixed upper layer is at a temperature near the boiling point (as suggested by the experimental data), an improvement is proposed based on a radiative heat balance integral method. In addition to the above, a novel methodology is developed for the calculation of the ‘effective’ thermal conductivity as a means to circumvent detailed calculations of heat transfer within the liquid.
Development and validation of simple-shield thermocouple in fire environments
Authors: Han Ho-Sik , Hwang Cheol-Hong
Published: October 2020

A novel simple-shield thermocouple that is capable of radiation correction in fire environments and that has a simpler structure and greater convenience than conventional aspirated thermocouples was proposed. The measurement errors of bare-bead, double-shield aspirated, and simple-shield thermocouples were then compared in a simulated fire environment. In addition, a fire experiment using wood cribs was performed in order to verify the measurement performance of the proposed simple-shield thermocouple in a real fire environment using a one-third-scale ISO 9705 room. The simple-shield thermocouple produced fairly accurate temperatures that fell within 5% of the actual gas temperature in the simulated fire environment. In addition, variations in the surface emissivity and the installation angle of the simple-shield thermocouple in the real fire environment further reduced the measurement error. With a radiant heat flux of 20 kW/m2, it was confirmed that the bare-bead thermocouple had a relative measurement error of up to 80% compared to the aspirated thermocouple, while the proposed simple-shield thermocouple was capable of measuring the temperature within a relative error of around 15% compared to the aspirated thermocouple.
The “Casting Couch” Scenario: Impact of Perceived Employment Benefit, Reporting Delay, Complainant Gender, and Participant Gender on Juror Decision-Making in Rape Cases
Authors: Mcintosh Shona , Davis Josh P.
Published: October 2020

Recent legal and media reports of contemporary and historical rape and sexual assault cases have focused on the entertainment industry, particularly around the notion of the “casting couch.” This scenario, in which a powerful figure obtains sometimes nonconsensual sexual acts from subordinate actors in exchange for employment, was used to explore the influence of rape myths and Sexual Economics Theory on mock-juror decision-making. Participant-jurors ( n = 907) viewed video and written testimony of a complainant, accusing a male producer of rape. Complainant gender (male, female), delay before reporting the incident to the police (immediately, 6 months, 10 years), and complainant casting in the production were randomly varied (acting role secured, not secured). The strongest effects were that females (79.7%) were significantly more likely than males (62.7%) to deliver a guilty verdict and to recommend longer prison sentences for the offence. When the complainant did not secure the acting role, and they delayed reporting the incident for six months, there was an interaction between complainant gender and verdict. No interacting complainant gender effects on trial outcomes were found in the other delay conditions, or when the actor secured employment. Defendant guilt attributions to the male and female complainant were also differently influenced by rape myth belief levels and homophobic attitudes, but not beliefs in a just world. The casting couch euphemism, reported worldwide, suggests industry acceptance, and may sanitize the act of demanding sex and even committing rape. However, these results have important implications for any occupational setting in which men in positions of power may sexually exploit junior staff.
Bystander Intervention Opportunities and Prosocial Behaviors Among Gender and Sexual Minority College Students
Authors: Hoxmeier Jill C. , Mennicke Annelise , McMahon Sarah
Published: October 2020

Bystander intervention education has proliferated as a popular strategy to address campus interpersonal violence, including intimate partner and sexual violence, which remain major public health concerns. Much of the work on bystander engagement, however, is cis- and heteronormative (i.e., centered on those individuals whose gender identity aligns with their biological sex at birth and/or who identify as heterosexual), thus failing to capture the experiences of students who identify as gender or sexual minorities (GSM), a population at increased risk for interpersonal violence. Research has demonstrated that cisgender females face an increased likelihood of victimization, which is related to greater awareness of intimate partner and sexual violence and results in more prosocial intentions and prosocial behaviors. The question remains whether this extends beyond cisgender females. The current study is a secondary analysis of data collected in a web-based sexual assault prevention course designed for undergraduate students and implemented at their respective institutions. Data from 474,395 undergraduate students, aged 18–23 years, were used to answer the research question. Results indicate that students’ bystander intervention opportunities and prosocial behaviors differ based on GSM status. For example, although cisgender bisexual women, transwomen, and genderqueer/gender nonconforming (GNC) students were more likely to report having the opportunity to intervene in sexual assault situations, relative to cisgender heterosexual women, the latter two groups were less likely to intervene. Further, cisgender gay and bisexual men, as well as transmen and genderqueer/GNC students were more likely to report having the opportunity to intervene in dating abuse situations, relative to cisgender heterosexual men, and cisgender gay men were more likely to report having intervened. Given the call for centering research on minoritized student experiences, this research is a vital step toward recognizing the diversity of those experiences for GSM students, a population at risk for victimization.
Female-Perpetrated Sexual Violence: A Survey of Survivors of Female-Perpetrated Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Assault
Authors: Munroe Cat , Shumway Martha
Published: October 2020

Individuals who experience female-perpetrated sexual assault (FPSA) are underrepresented in the sexual victimization literature. Much of the existing research on FPSA centers on child welfare-involved families and convicted or incarcerated female sexual offenders, with limited research devoted to victims of FPSA. The current study included a diverse sample of 138 community adults who experienced one or more incident of FPSA, and sought to (a) describe individuals who experienced FPSA, including their overall trauma exposure, (b) describe perpetrator age and relationship to the respondent, (c) explore whether respondents labeled FPSA as sexual assault and disclosed it to others, and (d) examine the prevalence of depressive and posttraumatic symptoms in this population. Of the respondents, 61.6% experienced childhood FPSA, 18.8% experienced adulthood FPSA, and 19.6% experienced both childhood and adulthood FPSA. Survivors of FPSA were highly trauma exposed; 71.7% reported a male-perpetrated victimization, over 90% reported any childhood sexual abuse, over 60% reported any adulthood victimization, 55.1% reported victimizations in both childhood and adulthood, and 78.3% endorsed any revictimization. Perpetrators of FPSA were often known individuals, including friends, family members, babysitters, and romantic partners. Incidents of female perpetrators co-offending with males accounted for only 5.5%–8.5% of FPSA events, contrary to myths about female offending. Incidents of FPSA were often labeled as sexual assault in retrospect, but only 54.3% of respondents ever disclosed an incident of FPSA. Depressive and posttraumatic symptoms were common. Results indicate FPSA is typically perpetrated by individuals acting alone who are known to and close to the victim. Incidents of FPSA may not be labeled as sexual abuse or assault at the time of the event, are not frequently disclosed, and may carry long-term mental health consequences for survivors. Significant research efforts are needed to better identify and help these underrecognized, highly trauma burdened survivors of violence.
“At Your Service”: Sexual Harassment of Female Bartenders and Its Acceptance As “Norm” in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Aborisade Richard A.
Published: October 2020

Notwithstanding the pervasiveness of sexual harassment in the bar and restaurant industry, limited attention has been paid to empirically examining the dynamics of sexual crimes committed in the industry. To address this, a qualitative study was conducted with female bartenders in drinking bars within Lagos metropolis to explore the nature and patterns of sexual harassments they experienced, as well as their response, coping measures and bar management’s positions. Forty-seven interviews were conducted, and a thematic analysis of the narratives was carried out. Findings indicated that participants experienced a variety of unwanted sexual behavior from customers, coworkers and managers, including verbal expressions, signs, gestures and physical harassment that are sexual in nature. Although sexual harassment is ubiquitous, there was appreciable recognition of it as being undesirable and problematic with feelings of anger, fear, humiliation, shame, guilt, violation, powerlessness and loss of control. Participants hinged their vulnerability to being harassed on gender inequality, discrimination, feminization of poverty and sexual objectification of women in Nigerian society. These findings have important practical and policy implications if the sexual maltreatments of working women in Nigeria, especially in the low-income earning occupations, are to be acknowledged and addressed.
Contractually Sterilized: Migrant Mothers and Carceral Politics in the Gulf Coast Cooperation (GCC) Countries
Authors: Mahdavi Pardis
Published: October 2020

Migration to the Gulf Countries of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait has become increasingly feminized in the past two decades. Women make up the majority of migrants to the Gulf, and while they often migrate during their most fertile reproductive years while they labor in the Gulf, they are prohibited by contract from becoming pregnant—leading to a situation of what I call “contractual sterilization.” The purpose of this essay is twofold: first, to look at the impacts of contractual sterilization on migrant women’s experiences as they labor abroad; and second, to look at how becoming a parent (or the possibility of reproducing) while in the host country structures a discourse and series of actions that can lead migrant women into challenging situations of becoming undocumented and illegal, detained, abused, or deported. Drawing on several years of ethnographic research in the UAE and Kuwait between 2004 and 2014, I contrast women’s experiences of parenthood in Kuwait City, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi with conversations and discourses constructed about migrant women’s bodies, reproductive capabilities, and sexualities. Beyond looking at the question of intimate labor, I aim to look at the intimate lives of those engaging in intimate labor and ask what of the personal, affective, and emotional ties of those working in spheres of intimate labor?
Hospitalists, two decades later: Which US hospitals utilize them?
Authors: Epane Josue Patien , Weech-Maldonado Robert , Hearld Larry R , Sen Bisakha , O’Connor Stephen J , McRoy Luceta
Published: October 2020

Hospitalists, or specialists of hospital medicine, have long been practicing in Canada and Europe. However, it was not until the mid-1990s, when hospitals in the U.S. started widespread adoption of hospitalists. Since then, the number of hospitalists has grown exponentially in the U.S. from a few hundred to over 50,000 in 2016. Prior studies on hospitalists have well documented benefits hospitals gain from adopting this innovative staffing strategy. However, there is a dearth of research documenting predictors of hospitals’ adoption of hospitalists. To fill this gap, this longitudinal study (2003–2015) purposes to determine organizational and market characteristics of U.S. hospitals that utilize hospitalists. Our findings indicate that private not-for-profit, system affiliated, teaching, and urban hospitals, and those located in higher per capita income markets have a higher probability of utilizing hospitalists. Additionally, large or medium, profitable hospitals, and those that treat sicker patients have a higher probability of adoption. Finally, hospitals with a high proportion of Medicaid patients have a lower probability of utilizing hospitalists. Our results suggest that hospitals with greater slack resources and those located in munificent counties are more likely to use hospitalists, while their under-resourced counterparts may experience more barriers in adopting this innovative staffing strategy.
Sulfonated poly (arylene ether sulfone)-graft-sulfonated poly (vinyl alcohol) proton exchange membranes: Improved proton selectivity
Authors: Yu Hailin , Wang Yinghan
Published: October 2020

Aldehyde terminated sulfonated poly (arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES-CHO) is prepared by a series of nucleophilic substitution reaction based on SPAES in this paper. Novel SPAES-graft-SPVA (SPAES-g-SPVA) membranes are fabricated by acetal reaction between SPAES-CHO and different amounts of sulfonated poly (vinyl alcohol) (SPVA). The 1H-NMR and FTIR indicate the successful preparation of SPAES-CHO and SPAES-g-SPVA membranes. With the introduction of SPVA, the SPAES-g-SPVA membranes have much lower methanol permeability than pure SPAES membrane and Nafion117 membrane. The methanol permeability coefficients of the SPAES-g-SPVA membranes decrease from 3.41 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 to 1.67 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 with the increase of SPVA content. And the proton conductivity of all the membranes is higher than 15 mS cm−1 at 25°C. Moreover, SPAES-g-SPVA membranes exhibit high proton selectivity. Especially, SPAES-g-SPVA-30% membrane has the highest proton selectivity, which is nearly five times higher than Nafion117.
Integrated guidance and control framework for the waypoint navigation of a miniature aircraft with highly coupled longitudinal and lateral dynamics
Authors: Harikumar K , Pushpangathan Jinraj V , Dhall Sidhant , Seetharama Bhat M
Published: October 2020

A solution to the waypoint navigation problem for the fixed wing micro air vehicles (MAV) having a severe coupling between longitudinal and lateral dynamics, in the framework of integrated guidance and control (IGC) is addressed in this paper. IGC yields a single step solution to the waypoint navigation problem, unlike conventional multiple loop design. The pure proportional navigation (PPN) guidance law is integrated with the coupled MAV dynamics. A multivariable static output feedback (SOF) controller is designed for the linear state space model formulated in IGC framework. A waypoint navigation algorithm is proposed that handles the minimum turn radius constraint of the MAV and also evaluates the feasibility of reaching a waypoint. Non-linear simulations with and without wind disturbances are performed on a high fidelity 150 mm wingspan MAV model to demonstrate the proposed waypoint navigation algorithm.
Performing the techno-self: Paul B. Preciado’s Testo Junkie as a twenty-first century feminist narrative
Authors: Wilson Leah E.
Published: October 2020

This article examines Paul B. Preciado’s Testo Junkie as portraying the need for a postpornographic trans* feminism that contests homonormative queer and feminist responses to LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual) individuals in neoliberal French and Francophone societies during the rise of far-right anti-gender movements. Interrogating Preciado’s autotheory text, which questions what gendered performance entails in the pharmacopornographic era, allows for a consideration of the author’s bodily subjectivity and how he represents material-discursive practices to theorise his techno-identity. The article argues that Preciado highlights his sexual and gendered performance to assert a trans* identity that rebels against classification. Unveiling the multiplicity of gendered and sexual experiences that counter Western hegemonic binary categorisations, Preciado shows readers that through his material representation, he controls his own subjectivity to centre possibility with postpornographic feminist performance, expanding what it means to be a feminist subject in the twenty-first century.
SIGLEC1 (CD169) is a sensitive biomarker for the deterioration of the clinical course in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Stuckrad Sae Lim von , Klotsche Jens , Biesen Robert , Lieber Mareike , Thumfart Julia , Meisel Christian , Unterwalder Nadine , Kallinich Tilmann
Published: October 2020

Background

To analyse the validity of membrane-bound SIGLEC1 (CD169) as a sensitive biomarker for monitoring disease activity in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

27 children and adolescents with SLE were followed for a mean of 13.5 months. During consecutive routine visits SLEDAI-2k, C3, C4 and ds-DNA values were determined. Additionally, expression of SIGLEC1 on monocytes was determined by flow cytometry. The amount of PE-labelled CD169 mAb bound per monocyte was analyzed using QuantiBRITE™ PE tubes. Associations between biomarkers and the clinical course were investigated by regression analysis.

Results

In general, SIGLEC1 expression is high on SLE-derived monocytes (mean 6 359 (SD 6 056) molecules/monocyte, cut-off 2 500 molecules/monocyte), all patients with newly diagnosed SLE exhibit elevated expression (mean 13366 (SD 7 750) molecules/monocyte). Changes (Δ) in SIGLEC1 levels during the clinical course is the only biomarker that significantly correlates with the change in SLEDAI-2k (betaST = 0.28, p = 0.001). At follow-up visit, a clinically important worsening was experienced by 47.6% of patients with a Δ SIGLEC1 > 2 151 molecules/cell (OR 5.31) and 72.4% with a Δ SIGLEC1 > 756 molecules/cell (OR 8.90). Conversely, 36.4% of patients with a Δ SIGLEC1 < -2 818 molecules/cell (OR 4.16, percentiles as cut-off criteria) and 50.0% of patients with a Δ SIGLEC1 < -1 370 molecules/cell (OR 3.55, application of Youden index) showed clinical improvement. SIGLEC1 expression correlates inversely with the amount of therapeutically applied hydroxychloroquine (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

SIGLEC1 expression on monocytes is a sensitive biomarker for adjusting disease activity in childhood SLE and represents a promising and easily applicable tool for disease monitoring.
Assessment of Urban Sprawl and Its Impacts on Rural Landmasses of Colombo District: A Study Based on Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques
Authors: Antalyn B. , Weerasinghe V. P. A.
Published: October 2020

Urban sprawl is one of the significant issues faced by cities in Sri Lanka today. Urban sprawl is unplanned and uneven pattern of growth, driven by a multitude of processes and leading to inefficient resource utilisation. This study evaluates urban sprawl and its impact on rural land masses of Colombo district, Sri Lanka in 1997, 2009 and 2018 using Shannon’s entropy values. Maximum likelihood supervised classification was applied for Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS (Operational Land Imager/Thermal Infrared Sensor 2018) and Landsat 5 TM (Thematic Mapper 1997, 2009) satellite images to get the build- up areas and then the Shannon’s entropy values using GIS were assessed. Calculated built-up areas were 98.97 (14.6 %), 178.76 (26.38%), 276.80 (40.85%) km2 and Shannon’s entropy values were 0.928, 1.009 and 1.059 for the years 1997, 2009 and 2018, respectively. Since Shannon’s entropy is an efficient indicator to measure urban sprawl, it is observed that Colombo district continues to sprawl from 1997 to 2018. The analysis of the results further showed that rapid increase of built-up area resulted in decrease in vegetation and agricultural areas. Calculated relative entropy values were 0.83, 0.91 and 0.95 for consecutive years, which has an increasing trend and exceeded the threshold value of 0.5 indicating a higher level of urban sprawl in Colombo district. Developed maps show that since 1997, the city has experienced pronounced urban sprawl along the main roads of Colombo district consuming rural lands at a faster pace as population shifts from urban areas. Prioritised policies in Government’s public investment programme 2017–2020 for sustainable urban development may help concentrate growth within targeted areas and restrain sprawling development in rural settings of Colombo district. Further, similar studies are encouraged to check the effectiveness of applying policies.
“I Hate the Word ‘Liver’”: A Photovoice Study of Burmese and Bhutanese Adolescent Health Care Brokers in Northeast Ohio
Authors: Hess Rosanna F. , Ruhl Chelsea M. , Brunsdon Sherri G.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Adolescents health care brokers interpret for family and community members lacking English language proficiency in health care settings. The purpose of this study was to explore personal experiences of Burmese and Bhutanese teenagers who served as health care brokers in resettled refugee families in Northeast Ohio.

Method:

A mixed methods design using photovoice guided this study. Participants completed the Adolescent Language Brokering Survey, took photos, wrote in journals, and attended focus groups.

Results:

Eight Burmese and Bhutanese teenagers participated. Three themes became apparent: health care brokering within sociocultural contexts, mediation during health care encounters, and representations of childhood.

Discussion:

The adolescents were proud to be health care brokers yet found it disrupted their lives because they were living in both their traditional culture and the American culture. Photovoice empowered them through dissemination of findings during a photo exposition, community meeting, and health literacy class. Health care professionals must recognize benefits and prohibitions when working with adolescent health care brokers.
Delamination area quantification in composite structures using Gaussian process regression and auto-regressive models
Authors: Paixão Jessé , da Silva Samuel , Figueiredo Eloi , Radu Lucian , Park Gyuhae
Published: October 2020

After detecting initial delamination damage in a hotspot region of a composite structure monitored through a data-driven approach, the user needs to decide if there is an imminent structural failure or if the system can be kept in operation under monitoring to track the damage progression and its impact on the structural safety condition. Therefore, this study proposes delamination area quantification by stochastically interpolating global damage indices based on Gaussian process regression and taking into account uncertainty. Auto-regressive models are applied to extract damage-sensitive features from Lamb wave signals, and the Mahalanobis squared distance is used to compute damage indices. Two sets of laboratory tests are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this methodology—one in carbon–epoxy laminate with simulated damage under temperature changes to show the general steps of the procedure, and a second test involving a set of carbon fiber–reinforced polymer coupons with actual delamination caused by repeated fatigue loads. Various levels of progression damage, measured by the covered area of delamination, are monitored using piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate patches bonded to the structural surfaces of these setups. The Gaussian process regression proved to be capable of accommodating the uncertainties to relate the damage indices versus the damaged area. The results exhibit a smooth and adequate prediction of the damaged area for both simulated damage and actual delamination.
Comprehensive Literature Review and Evidence evaluation of Experimental Treatment in COVID 19 Contagion
Authors: Boregowda Umesha , Gandhi Darshan , Jain Nitin , Khanna Kanika , Gupta Nishant
Published: October 2020

Importance:

Coronavirus 2019 pandemic (COVID 19) is caused by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) virus. The pandemic is affecting the livelihood of millions of people all over the world. At the time of preparing this report, the pandemic has affected 1 827 284 patients, with 113 031 deaths in 185 countries as per Johns Hopkins University. With no proven treatment for the disease, prevention of the disease in the community and healthcare setting is need of the hour.

Objective:

To perform a comprehensive literature search for preventive measures and experimental treatment options. In this review, we have focused our discussion on the risk of disease transmission, supportive treatment, and possible treatment options based on available evidence.

Evidence Review:

We performed a literature search on google scholar, PubMed, and society guidelines for literature related to COVID 19 and previous coronavirus pandemics. We included data review articles, observational studies, and controlled trials to synthesize the treatment options for COVID 19.

Findings:

In this article, we have extensively reviewed and discussed recommendations from various world organizations for the public and healthcare workers. We have also discussed currently available experimental treatments since there is no proven treatment for COVID 19. The best method of dealing with the current outbreak is to reduce the community spread and thus “flatten the curve.” Although Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, and Azithromycin have been tried, passive immunity through convalescent serum and vaccine is still at an experimental stage. Patients with severe COVID 19 infections could be considered for this experimental treatment through various national randomized control trials, which may eventually lead to an evidence-based treatment strategy.

Conclusions and Relevance:

Awareness of currently available experimental treatment among healthcare providers and exploration of possible treatment options through evidence is need of the hour. We have discussed the most recently available literature and evidence behind experimental treatment in this article.
A nutritional web-based approach in obesity and diabetes before and during the COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Fraticelli Federica , Nicola Marta Di , Vitacolonna Ester
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are two closely related pandemic conditions. Novel technologies represent promising tools for their management, the use of which has been greatly encouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present study is to compare a web-based nutritional intervention versus a traditional one, before and during the Italian ‘lockdown’ period due to the COVID-19 outbreak, in overweight and obese subjects affected by T2D or impaired glucose regulation (IGR).

Methods

For the study, 36 subjects were randomly allocated into two arms: a traditional arm, providing face-to-face individual and group-based intervention; and a web arm, deploying the in-presence traditional approach with intervention provided through web technologies. The outcomes were the data resulting from the comparison between the subjects’ anthropometric and clinical parameters as well as PREDIMED scores at baseline with those at 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6) and at lockdown.

Results

In the web arm we detected a progressive reduction in weight and body mass index (BMI) from baseline to T6 and a minimal increase of both parameters during the lockdown. Improvement of these parameters compared with baseline was observed in controls during the lockdown. The PREDIMED score improved at T6 compared with baseline in both arms. Significant variations were observed considering weight ( p < 0.001), BMI ( p = 0.001) and PREDIMED scores ( p = 0.023) over time.

Discussion

The study showed the effectiveness and feasibility of a short-term nutritional web-based intervention in patients affected by T2D or IGR before and during the COVID 19 pandemic. Clinical Trial registration number: NCT04386200, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Paternal rejection, psychological maladjustment, and child emotional eating: Path analysis in 8- to 11-year-old boys and girls
Authors: Cella Stefania , Costa Sebastiano , Cipriano Annarosa , Cotrufo Paolo
Published: October 2020

We examined the impact of paternal rejection (based on father’s and children’s reports) on the children’s emotional eating behavior and if child psychological maladjustment mediated this relationship. Three hundred sixty-nine dyads of fathers and children were screened using self-report measures of demographic data, parental rejection, child psychological maladjustment, and disordered eating behavior. Children’s subjective perceptions of relationship with father have more impact on their psychological outcomes and unhealthy dietary patterns than father reported parenting quality. Children’s unhealthy psychological adjustment may be an essential underlying mechanism linking perceived paternal rejection of children’s emotional eating behaviors.
Social poetics as processual engagement: Making visible what matters in social suffering
Authors: Katz Arlene M.
Published: October 2020

Social and cultural poetics take us beyond language to an embodied sensibility. To explore the relevance of social poetics in medical training, this article uses as an exemplar an innovative program in geriatrics in a residency program in primary care. The program began with a series of meetings in which medical residents consulted community elders invited for their advice and wisdom on healthcare dilemmas as Senior Faculty, effectively becoming co-teachers and co-learners with one another. Through iterative reflection, residents, faculty and community elders all reported feeling struck by the unexpected responses and were often guided and called to action by them to ask new questions, to shift their stance, or offer greater accompaniment and care. These experiences illuminated what might otherwise have passed by unnoticed, particularly in regards to human suffering. The reflecting process made visible what mattered to each actor, shifting from negative assumptions and attitudes about older adults to a positive engagement with them, co-creating new possibilities for participants to articulate their lived experience of illness and healing. These are creative and moral acts, honoring the voices of those seldom invited to speak, resonating with them, acknowledging what matters to each participant, while taking into account wider issues of disparity and social justice.
The psychological antecedents of resistance to humanitarian aid
Authors: Mashuri Ali , van Leeuwen Esther , Zaduqisti Esti , Sukmawati Fitri , Sakdiah Halimatus , Herani Ika
Published: October 2020

Victims of natural or humanitarian disasters sometimes resist aid offered to them, resulting in slower recovery among victims, and feelings of rejection among aid offerers. We present two studies conducted in Indonesia that investigated motives for spurning offers of humanitarian aid. Both studies showed that beliefs in developed countries’ conspiracies lead participants to see humanitarian aid as guided by strategic rather than prosocial motives. Perceived strategic motives in turn enhanced aid resistance, whereas perceived prosocial motives decreased resistance. Conspiratorial beliefs and aid resistance were positively predicted by national collective narcissism (Study 1) and intergroup conflict (Study 2). Together, these findings show that humanitarian aid resistance arises from the recipients’ beliefs in malignant intentions of the providers.
A question of perspective: Exploring audiences’ views of journalistic boundaries
Authors: Banjac Sandra , Hanusch Folker
Published: October 2020

While scholarship has studied the boundary discourses of (quasi-)journalistic actors on social network sites, how audiences perceive these boundaries and engage with these interlopers’ work has been examined far less frequently. Drawing on 11 focus groups, this article explores how audiences construct boundaries by examining and comparing their expectations of content creators on Instagram, YouTube and blogs, with traditional journalism and journalists. Findings show audiences expect journalists to embody established, normative journalistic values, largely excluding content creators from this field. Audiences’ expectations of content creators reveal a more nuanced picture, which includes expectations of authenticity and transparency, engagement, and quality, slow content. Interpreted against broader debates in journalism, we argue that they reveal implicitly journalistic values and expectations, thus blurring normative boundary distinctions. Furthermore, audiences feel an increase in market orientation among both journalists and content creators leads to lower connection and perceptions of credibility, thus further disrupting boundaries.