bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Power and Intimate Partner Violence in Sexual Minority Male Couples
Authors: Bosco Stephen C. , Robles Gabriel , Stephenson Rob , Starks Tyrel J.
Published: August 2020

Objective: The objective of the present study was to test pathways implied by Disempowerment Theory to predict intimate partner violence (IPV) among men in a same-sex relationship. Background: Sexual minority men in relationships experience rates of IPV comparable with heterosexual women, yet most research on IPV focuses on heterosexual couples. Disempowerment Theory suggests that a range of individual, family-of-origin, and intimate relationship risk factors predict the use of violence to re-establish power in a relationship. Method: Data for the present study were gathered from an online survey completed by sexual minority men currently in a same-sex relationship ( n = 339). Analysis of data included two steps: (a) we tested the direct effect of individual, family, and relational predictors on the odds of IPV and (b) we calculated a path model that included relationship power as a link between the predictors (individual, family, and relational) and IPV. Results: In line with Disempowerment Theory, relationship power was negatively associated with IPV. Bivariate analysis indicated an association between childhood sexual abuse and IPV, but childhood sexual abuse was not predictive of IPV through relationship power. Other individual (depression) and relationship-specific (sexual communication and relationship satisfaction) risk factors were associated with IPV indirectly through relationship power. Conclusion: Disempowerment Theory may provide a useful framework for understanding the occurrence of IPV in sexual minority male couples. It may also provide a starting point for the development of multi-component interventions to reduce violence in these couples.
Intimate Partner Violence in Persons With Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Sánchez-Guzmán María Alejandra , Paz-Rodríguez Francisco , Espinola Nadurille Mariana , Trujillo-De Los Santos Zoila
Published: August 2020

Recent studies have reported that older adults with cognitive or physical disabilities are at risk to suffer intimate partner violence. This article investigates the intimate partner violence among caregivers and persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We used qualitative methods to investigate whether the presence of violence was related to the type of couple relationship before the disease onset. We used a survey, in-depth interviews, and focus groups in 20 dyads of caregivers and patients. Twelve (60%) persons with PD and nine (45%) caregivers reported receiving violence. Considering their relationships previous to disease onset, we describe three typologies of violence in PD: (a) disease and history of violence, (b) disease as a buffer of violence, and (c) the burden of disease as an inductor of violence. Previous relationships and the couple’s biographical trajectories influence the types of violence and its nature. This study is relevant as it considers time as a crucial factor in both the violence and suffering of PD and its caregiving.
“I Went into This as One Person, and Then Came Out a Totally Different Person”: Native LGBTQ2S+ Young Adults’ Conceptions of Trauma
Authors: Schmitz Rachel M. , Charak Ruby
Published: August 2020

Intersecting sources of stigma influence harmful mental health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) young adults (YA) of color as they must manage multiple oppressions. Experiencing both mental health challenges and victimization, LGBTQ2S+ YA of color struggle with distinctive psychological traumas. There is a critical need to determine how certain groups of LGBTQ2S+ YA of color’s marginalized social statuses shape trauma understandings. Native LGBTQ2S+ people in general endure diverse forms of oppression and trauma, such as histories of colonialism, contemporary racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism. Understanding the subjective interpretations of violence and trauma among Native LGBTQ2S+ YA is needed to best meet their mental health needs. Through in-depth interviews with 13 Native LGBTQ2S+ YA between 18 and 24 years old, this study delineates processes of how an underrepresented, underserved group of rurally embedded YA conceptualize violent and traumatic life experiences within the context of their mental health. First, participants described their traumatic experiences as shaping persistent harmful mental health outcomes throughout their lives. Second, YA conceptualized trauma as pivotal moments that were profound and influential in their significance as a turning point in their lives. Finally, YA underscored multiple traumas as cumulative and complex in how they interacted to create distinctively harmful mental health challenges. Expansive conceptualizations of trauma can better inform understandings of trauma etiology and promote inclusive health services.
Engendering Global Capital: How Homoerotic Triangles Facilitate Foreign Investments into Risky Markets
Authors: Hoang Kimberly Kay
Published: August 2020

Engaging with the work of C. Wright Mills and Eve Sedgwick, in this article I theorize how homoerotic relations facilitate the flow of global capital into risky market economies. Drawing on interview data with more than 60 financial professionals managing foreign investments in Vietnam, I examine the co-constitution of gender and global capital by identifying three categories of deal brokers. System maintainers are men and women who accept that women’s bodies are necessary for male homosocial bonding between political and economic elites. System transformers are men and women who disrupt the status quo and develop alternative ways of deal brokering outside of erotic spaces. System defectors are those break the triangle altogether and work to create new markets.
A new cohesive element to model environmental degradation of adhesive joints in the rail industry
Authors: Viana G , Carbas RJC , Costa M , Banea MD , da Silva LFM
Published: August 2020

This work studied the capability of structural adhesives to bond an aluminium rail used to assemble the seats inside the train. Scaled specimens of these joints were mechanically tested under a range of temperatures (−40 °C up to 80 °C) before and after ageing in distilled water in order to simulate real life conditions. A three-dimension numerical simulation was carried out to understand the magnitude of stresses present in the adherends and in the adhesive layer. A new cohesive element was developed using the finite element (FE) to predict the behaviour of an adhesive joint after environmental degradation. Experimental tests were carried out to assess the joint strength and the failure mechanism, experimentally. The model gave accurate results and was able to successfully predict cohesive failure of every joint that failed cohesively in the adhesive layer.
Design and control of a lower limb rehabilitation robot considering undesirable torques of the patient’s limb
Authors: Almaghout Karam , Tarvirdizadeh Bahram , Alipour Khalil , Hadi Alireza
Published: August 2020

This research introduces a new exoskeleton-type rehabilitation robot, which can be used in lower limb rehabilitation therapy for post-stroke patients. A novel design of a typical knee and ankle rehabilitation robot is proposed. The kinematic and dynamic models of the knee and ankle rehabilitation robot are derived. Furthermore, a super-twisting nonsingular terminal sliding mode control is developed to achieve the desired training missions and its results are compared with those of an adaptive sliding mode control. To reduce undesired interaction torques between knee and ankle rehabilitation robot and patient, an admittance control algorithm is added to the controller to guarantee a safe therapy session. The admittance super-twisting nonsingular terminal sliding mode control structure is considered as the novelty of this article. Taking into account the dynamic uncertainties, external disturbances, and the interaction torques, the validity of the admittance super-twisting nonsingular terminal sliding mode control controller is approved by various numerical simulations over the admittance adaptive sliding mode control.
Aerodynamic analysis of a supersonic expander
Authors: Huang Zhenyu , Wu Wanyang , Yang Ling , Zhong Jingjun
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a numerical investigation was conducted into the impact of the tip clearance height and the relative motion between the casing and the strake wall tip on the tip clearance leakage flow of a supersonic expander. Besides, an analysis was carried out to characterize the flow under varying operating conditions. Numerical results show that the remarkable characteristics of motion within the tip gap region are the leakage fluid around the trailing edge passing through the tip gap and then returning to the pressure side. As the tip clearance height increases, the intensity and scale of the tip leakage vortex show an upward trend. Also, the mix with the surrounding airflow contributes to a significant increase in the leakage losses and a reduction of the losses in the rampart and the mainstream region. It can be found that an excellent aerodynamic performance will be achieved when the tip clearance height ranges between 0.9% h0 and 1.5% h0. The relative motion of the casing not only reduces the transverse motion of the leakage vortex but also increases the tip leakage mass flow and the intensity of the tip leakage vortex, thus causing a significant rise in the flow losses. A lower [Formula: see text] will result in a severe deterioration in the performance of the supersonic expander. Furthermore, when the [Formula: see text] reaches a certain threshold (or above 12 times the atmospheric pressure to be precise), the main performance parameters of the supersonic expander will show no change with the increase of [Formula: see text]. Nevertheless, the continued improvement of [Formula: see text] means that the requirement becomes more demanding on engine performance.
COVID-19 Pandemic in Rajasthan: Mathematical Modelling and Social Distancing
Authors: Gupta Shiv Dutt , Jain Rohit , Bhatnagar Sunil
Published: August 2020

Background: Mathematical modelling of epidemics and pandemics serves as an input to policymakers and health planners for preparedness and planning for the containment of infectious diseases and their progression in the population. The susceptible–exposed–infectious/asymptomatic–recovered social distancing (SEIAR-SD) model, an extended application of the original Kermack–McKendrick and Fred Brauer models, was developed to predict the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its progression and duration in the state of Rajasthan, India.

Objective: The study aimed at developing a mathematical model, the SEIAR-SD model, of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Rajasthan, for predicting the number of cases, progression of the pandemic and its duration.

Materials and methods: The SEIAR-SD model was applied for different values of population proportion, symptomatic and asymptomatic cases and social distancing parameters to evaluate the effect of variations in the number of infected persons, size of the pandemic and its duration, with value of other parameters fixed in the model. Actual reported cases were plotted and juxtaposed on the prediction models for comparison.

Results: Social distancing was the crucial determinant of the magnitude of COVID-19 cases, the progression of the pandemic and its duration. In the absence of any proven treatment or vaccine, effective social distancing would reduce the number of infections and shorten the peak and duration of the pandemic. Loosening social distancing will increase the number of cases and lead to a heightened peak and prolonged duration of the pandemic.

Conclusions: In the absence of an effective treatment or a vaccine against COVID-19, social distancing (lockdown) and public health interventions—case detection with testing and isolation, contact tracing and quarantining—will be crucial for the prevention of the spread of the pandemic and for saving lives.
Effect of COVID-19 on Economy in India: Some Reflections for Policy and Programme
Authors: Chaudhary Monika , Sodani P. R. , Das Shankar
Published: August 2020

The outbreak of COVID-19 brought social and economic life to a standstill. In this study the focus is on assessing the impact on affected sectors, such as aviation, tourism, retail, capital markets, MSMEs, and oil. International and internal mobility is restricted, and the revenues generated by travel and tourism, which contributes 9.2% of the GDP, will take a major toll on the GDP growth rate. Aviation revenues will come down by USD 1.56 billion. Oil has plummeted to 18-year low of $ 22 per barrel in March, and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have withdrawn huge amounts from India, about USD 571.4 million. While lower oil prices will shrink the current account deficit, reverse capital flows will expand it. Rupee is continuously depreciating. MSMEs will undergo a severe cash crunch. The crisis witnessed a horrifying mass exodus of such floating population of migrants on foot, amidst countrywide lockdown. Their worries primarily were loss of job, daily ration, and absence of a social security net. India must rethink on her development paradigm and make it more inclusive. COVID 19 has also provided some unique opportunities to India. There is an opportunity to participate in global supply chains, multinationals are losing trust in China. To ‘Make in India’, some reforms are needed, labour reforms being one of them.
Impact of Migration of Labour Force due to Global COVID-19 Pandemic with Reference to India
Authors: Khanna Anoop
Published: August 2020

This article discussed some of the important issues regarding the effect of epidemics like COVID-19 on the migrant population. These impacts are most troubling for low-income households, which are less well positioned to cope with earnings losses during a recession, have no alternative earnings and have no social security available. Most of these workers earn little more than a subsistence wage and have no other means to protect their incomes if they lose their jobs. Migrant workers constitute quite a large proportion of such vulnerable population.

Millions of migrant workers are anticipated to be left unemployed in India due to the lockdown and subsequent fear of recession. Many of the migrant workers have returned to their villages, and many more are just waiting for the lockdown to be lifted. The risk is particularly higher for those who are working in unorganised sectors, and those who do not have writer contracts, or those whose contracts are at the verge of completion. The lockdown and the subsequent recession are likely to first hit contract workers across many of the industries.

On the one hand, lockdowns and social distancing measures are drying up jobs and incomes, whereas they are likely to disrupt agricultural production, transportation systems, and supply chains on the other. This poses a challenge of ensuring food security and controlling already rampant malnutrition, particularly among children, which is likely to result in increased infant and child mortality. There is a need to relook at the national migration policies, which should accommodate the assistance and protection of migrants arriving from, or faced with the prospect of returning to, areas affected by health crises. Also, there is a need to establish resilient food systems that could reduce food insecurity and the pressure to return to origin among migrants.
Social Distancing During COVID-19: Will it Change the Indian Society?
Authors: Mishra Manasee , Majumdar Piyusha
Published: August 2020

Social distancing refers to a host of public health measures aimed at reducing social interaction between people based on touch or physical proximity. It is a non-pharmaceutical intervention to slow the spread of infectious diseases in the communities. It becomes particularly important as a community mitigation strategy before vaccines or drugs become widely available. This essay describes how a protracted adherence to social distancing guidelines could affect the Indian society. Changes are expected in some of the prevalent cultural norms such as personal space and common good. Gender relations within the family are likely to change in favour of greater sharing of domestic responsibilities between men and women. Older adults may particularly experience stress due to social distancing because of their physical dependency and emotional vulnerability. Working patterns are likely to become more flexible and promotive of social distancing. Human interaction based on digital technology is likely to increase. The implications for public health in India due to such changes are also discussed.
Risk Communication Initiatives amid COVID-19 in India: Analyzing Message Effectiveness of Videos on National Television
Authors: Purohit Neetu , Mehta Seema
Published: August 2020

Communication for all hazards including widespread public health emergencies is a massive task. The crucial element is to reach and cover maximum people in a timely manner. This article is based on a systematic content analysis of videos on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on National Television by Indian Public Service Broadcaster and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A total of 36 videos were telecasted on National Television channel Doordarshan from 3 March to 21 April 2020 in between programme breaks.

The article analyses the presentation characteristics of these videos with respect to timing, duration, language, characters, format and key message content of communication videos on COVID-19. The article deliberates about the manner in which the chronology of the communication messages synced with the external events of the trajectory of the pandemic and thereby information-need of the community in India. All the messages which evolved in these videos (real and animated) were built on each other and depicted an information hierarchy (e.g., washing hands to social distancing) which could be viewed as an empowering tool for the community.

The videos were analysed based on the nine constructs of conceptual model of emergency risk communication given by Seeger et al. (2018) . The key preventive messages in these videos focused on generating awareness, which was the fundamental necessity in view of the new type of pandemic like COVID-19. The summated scores show that 36 videos were appropriate up to 79 per cent times for the nine constructs, indicating the effectiveness of the messages in communicating the intended message as per the assessed construct. Limitations of the messages were primarily related to the inability to design communication messages with respect to specific understanding, needs and culture of the community.
Scrutinising COVID-19 laws: An early glimpse into the scrutiny work of federal parliamentary committees
Authors: Moulds Sarah
Published: August 2020

Australia’s parliamentary model of rights protection depends in large part on the capacity of the federal Parliament to scrutinise the law-making activities of the Executive government. Emergency law-making undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the Australian Parliament’s capacity to provide meaningful scrutiny of proposed laws, particularly identifying and addressing the impact of emergency powers on the rights of individuals. In this context, the work of parliamentary committees has become increasingly important. Special committees, such as the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19, have been set up to provide oversight and review of Australia’s response to the pandemic. This article gives an early glimpse into the key features of the COVID-19 Committee and the way it may interact with other committees within the federal system to scrutinise the government's legislative response to the pandemic. It also offers some preliminary thoughts on the capacity of these committees to deliver meaningful rights scrutiny.
Nonlinear forced vibration analysis of a rotating three-dimensional tapered cantilever beam
Authors: Zhou Yanxun , Zhang Yimin , Yao Guo
Published: August 2020

In this article, nonlinear forced vibration analysis is carried out for a rotating three-dimensional tapered cantilever beam subjected to a uniformly distributed load. Considering the effects of Coriolis terms, static axial deformation and geometric nonlinearity in modeling process, nonlinear partial motion equations of a rotating tapered Euler–Bernoulli beam are established by using Hamilton’s principle. Galerkin’s procedure is used to discretize the equations to obtain the dynamic response of the beam. Frequency responses, the time-history response, the phase diagram, and the Poincaré map are introduced to study the effects of the taper ratio, rotating velocity, radius of hub, and external excitation on the nonlinear resonances and detailed responses of the rotating three-dimensional tapered beam. Results show that the fundamental natural frequency increases with the increase of the taper ratio, radius of hub, and rotating velocity. Besides, by increasing the taper ratio and excitation amplitude and decreasing the rotating velocity and radius of hub, the nonlinearity and vibration amplitude of the rotating beam intensify.
Prevalence of ADHD Symptomatology in Adult Population in the Czech Republic–A National Study
Authors: Vňuková Martina , Ptáček Radek , Děchtěrenko Filip , Weissenberger Simon , Ptáčková Hana , Braaten Ellen , Raboch Jiří , Anders Martin , Klicperová-Baker Martina , Goetz Michal
Published: August 2020

Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder frequently diagnosed between the ages 7 and 10 years. We measured ADHD symptomatology in a representative sample of the Czech population. Material and Methods: Data collection was performed in January 2019 through the European National Panel. The respondents completed a demographic questionnaire focusing on ADHD history and a standardized questionnaire, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) screener for ADHD symptomatology in adulthood. Results: From the sample of 1,518 respondents, 3% of the respondents reported having been diagnosed with ADHD/hyperkinetic disorder in their lifetime. According to ASRS scoring, 119 respondents were classified as suspected ADHD. Overall, more males than females reported ADHD symptomatology. Age was also significantly associated with ASRS. Education status yielded no significant results. Conclusion: Our study documents that the prevalence of ADHD symptomatology in adults is comparable with that in Western countries despite the different historical and health care backgrounds.
‘What would Bandit do?’: reaffirming the educational role of Australian children’s television during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
Authors: Balanzategui Jessica , Burke Liam , McIntyre Joanna
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the multifaceted socio-cultural functions of Australian children’s television. As social distancing measures forced school students to study from home, local children’s TV producers and distributors contributed to home-based learning. Yet, in response to the pandemic, the Federal Government has indefinitely suspended Australian children’s television quotas, the regulatory framework that sets minimum hours of local children’s content for commercial television broadcasters. In response to government imposed budgetary restraints, public broadcaster, the ABC, has also made redundances in its children’s content department. Such changes have occurred at a critical juncture in which the sector’s long-standing contributions to the education of Australian children and pedagogy of local teachers, caregivers and parents have been brought to the fore. We argue that this pedagogical function is a core but often overlooked element of the socio-cultural value of the sector that has been highlighted during the pandemic.
Clinical and MRI characteristics of multiple sclerosis in patients of Middle Eastern and North African ancestry residing in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Seyman Estelle , Jones Ashley , Guenette Melanie , Vosoughi Reza , Selchen Daniel , Amezcua Lilyana , Baral Stefan , Oh Jiwon
Published: August 2020

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence is rising in traditionally low-burden regions, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Objectives:

Our objective was to evaluate disease characteristics in MS patients of MENA descent (MENA-MS).

Methods:

MENA-MS patients and age- and sex-matched MS patients of European descent (EUR-MS) were identified through the MS Clinic Registry of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada. Disease activity and severity were evaluated by the annualized relapse rate (ARR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity, change in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), progression index (PI), and MS Severity Score (MSSS).

Results:

All MS patients within the registry identified to be of MENA origin ( n = 192), and age- and sex-matched EUR-MS patients were included. Mean age was 42.9 years, 67% female. A total of 25% and 24% of EUR-MS and MENA-MS had progressive disease, with similar mean disease durations (11.5 and 11.4 years, respectively). Clinical and radiological disease activity (ARR, proportion with new/enlarging MRI lesions) was similar. MENA-MS showed greater disability progression over time (EDSS change = 0.24 vs. 0.06, p = 0.01), a higher MSSS (3.12 vs. 2.67, p = 0.04), and higher PI (0.34 vs. 0.27, p = 0.07).

Conclusion:

MENA-MS patients demonstrate higher disease severity compared to EUR-MS patients, despite having similar inflammatory measures of disease activity, with disability progression in the absence of relapses. These observations illustrate the importance of the intersections of environmental, socioeconomic, and genetic determinants in optimizing individualized MS care.
Influence of inlay yarn type and stacking sequence on mechanical performance of knitted uni-directional thermoplastic composite prepregs
Authors: Azam Zeeshan , Jamshaid Hafsa , Nawab Yasir , Mishra Rajesh , Muller Miroslav , Choteborsky Rostislav , Kolar Viktor , Tichy Martin , Petru Michal
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to develop and investigate mechanical properties of knitted unidirectional thermoplastic composite prepregs. Knitted prepregs were fabricated by using thermoplastic yarns (high density polyethylene and polypropylene) and high performance yarns (kevlar, basalt and carbon) in double jersey inlay structure. This is a new approach to combine the reinforcing fiber with resin forming thermoplastic fiber during the knitting operation. The structures were stacked further in three stacking sequences at different angles (0/0/0/0, 0/90/0/90, 0/90/90/0), and hot compression was used to convert them into composite prepregs by melting the thermoplastic component. Mechanical properties e.g. tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact energy absorbed etc. were investigated in detail. Full factorial experimental design was used in order to study the effect of main yarn, inlay yarn and direction of stacking/plying on mechanical properties of composites. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted by Minitab 17 software to estimate the significance of testing direction (T), type of inlay yarn (I), type of main yarn (M) and stacking sequence (S) on mechanical properties. Overall highest tensile and flexural strengths were observed for Carbon fiber based samples followed by Kevlar and Basalt respectively. Theoretical estimation of elastic modulus shows similar trend as the experimental results. The inter-laminar shear strength is maximum when the fiber orientation changes in each layer. Type of main yarn and inlay yarn have significant contribution on impact related properties. Depending upon type of material, these composites can be used in aerospace, automotive, civil and sports goods.
High-temperature axial stress evolution mechanism of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber
Authors: Wang Yu , Ye Lian-Wei , Ruan Ru-yu , Gao Ai-Jun , Tong Yuan-Jian
Published: August 2020

Temperature and stretching are important factors in the high-temperature treatment of carbon fiber. The axial stress during carbon-fiber high-temperature treatment affects its ability to stretch. The high-temperature axial stress evolution mechanism of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber was studied through in situ tension tests, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, thermal expansion coefficient tests, and density methods. The high-temperature axial stress evolution of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber involved three stages: rapid increase, rapid decrease, and relaxation. The highest stress and relaxation temperatures of the polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber were 1600°C and 1950°C, respectively. The main factors that affected the fiber axial stress included carbon-structure rearrangement and the effect of thermal expansion and cold shrinkage on fiber length. During the first stage ( T < 1600°C), carbon-structure rearrangement after nitrogen atom removal increased the fiber axial stress. In the second stage (1600 ⩽  T ⩽ 1950°C), the difference in the thermal expansion of fibers that entered the graphite furnace and the cold shrinkage of fibers that exited the graphite furnace increased gradually, which resulted in a decrease in fiber axial stress by up to 1950°C, where the fiber relaxed and the third stage ( T > 1950°C) began. The difference between expansion and shrinkage increased significantly, which increased fiber relaxation. Carbon fibers with fewer nitrogen atoms and more regular structures had a lower axial stress during high-temperature treatment, but the trend and characteristic temperature remained unchanged. The corresponding fiber high-temperature maximum stretching ratio and axial stress showed opposite trends below 1950°C. The ability to stretch the carbon fiber increased above 1950°C, which differed from the axial stress relaxation.
Experimental study on tribological characteristics in coke powder lubrication
Authors: Xiang Jin , Yan Zheng
Published: August 2020

Pushing coke is an important process in coke oven production. In the process of pushing coke, under the three-body contact state of steel, coke powder, and refractory brick, coke powder plays an important role in lubrication. In this article, a study on the macro- and micro-behavior and mechanism of coke powder lubrication is carried out through tribological tests. The results show that in the process of sliding friction, coke powder plays a role of lubrication through forming a powder layer and shearing occurred inside the powder layer. The load keeps at 5 MPa, under the lower velocity, the powder layer is thinner and delamination occurred in local position. While under the higher velocity, the coke powder can form a compact and complete powder layer and exhibit better lubrication characteristics. However, when the velocity increases to 0.52 m/s, the continuous powder layer is not formed, so the friction coefficient is higher, the frictional surface wears seriously and results in vibration to occur. The velocity keeps at 0.40 m/s, and the powder layer inclines to deteriorate under higher load. When the load increases to 20 MPa, a part of the powder layer is damaged, and severe wear occurs on the surface.
Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 00475 silencing acts as a tumor suppressor in glioma under hypoxic condition by impairing microRNA-449b-5p-dependent AGAP2 up-regulation
Authors: Yu Lei , Gui Si , Liu Yawei , Qiu Xiaoyu , Qiu Binghui , Zhang Xi’an , Pan Jun , Fan Jun , Qi Songtao , Zhang Guozhong
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Long non-coding RNAs have been demonstrated to be involved in the progression of a variety of cancers, including glioma. Through microarray analyses, long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 00475 (LINC00475) was identified in the glioma development. However, its potential role remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of LINC00475 on the development of glioma under hypoxic conditions.

Methods:

Glioma cells underwent hypoxic treatment and were collected. The functional role of LINC00475 and AGAP2 in glioma was determined using ectopic expression, depletion, and reporter assay experiments. Then, the expression of LINC00475, microRNA (miR)-449b-5p, AGAP2, FAK, and HIF-1α was determined. In addition, cell migration and invasion were examined. Finally, a tumor xenograft was carried out in nude mice to explore the role of LINC00475 on oxidation in vivo.

Results:

LINC00475 was identified to be overexpressed in hypoxic glioma samples, which was further observed to bind to and down-regulate miR-449b-5p, and negatively targeted AGAP2. Moreover, we also revealed a positive correlation between LINC00475 and AGAP2 expression in glioma. In addition, silencing of LINC00475 decreased the extent of FAK phosphorylation and reduced the expression of HIF-1α and AGAP2. It was also observed that LINC00475 silencing suppressed glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, oxidation of nude mice was promoted by LINC00475 silencing.

Conclusion:

Taken together, LINC00475 silencing exerted an inhibitory effect on glioma under hypoxic conditions by down-regulating AGAP2 via up-regulation of miR-449b-5p.
Phytochemical Profiles and Bioactivities of Cake Tea Leaves Obtained From the Same Cultivar: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Sun Lingli , Li Qiuhua , Xiang Limin , Lai Xingfei , Zhang Wenji , Chen Ruohong , Cao Junxi , Sun Shili
Published: August 2020

Cake tea, a traditional beverage of China, has excellent health benefits. Our study investigated the phytochemical profiles, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of cake tea leaves, which were obtained from the same cultivar and processed at different intervals. The effects of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of 4 cake tea varieties on a human lung cancer cell line (A549 cells) were systematically examined. The content of total polyphenol, an active ingredient of tea, was significantly higher in green cake teas (14.0% ± 0.4a) than their black (4.8 ± 0.3c), yellow (10.0 ± 0.6b), and white (8.8 ± 0.5b) counterparts. Likewise, the content of total free amino acids in green cake tea (3.6% ± 0.5a) was significantly higher than the other tea varieties. Our results indicated that the extent of fermentation of tea leaves could decrease the antioxidant activities of cake tea leaves. Furthermore, the white tea cake variety demonstrated the maximum antiproliferative activity on A549 cells as opposed to other types of cake tea leaves. Such an observation allows future researchers to narrow down their focus on using specific cake tea types (sourced from the same cultivar) that provide the maximum health benefits.
Orbital Implants in Orbital Fracture Reconstruction: A Ten-Year Series
Authors: Seen Sophia , Young Stephanie , Lang Stephanie S. , Lim Thiam-Chye , Amrith Shantha , Sundar Gangadhara
Published: August 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective comparative interventional series of all patients who had undergone orbital fracture repair by 2 senior orbital surgeons in a single tertiary trauma center from January 2005 to December 2014.

Objective:

To compare the outcomes of different implants used for various types of orbital fractures.

Methods:

Patients were evaluated by age, gender, etiology of fracture, clinical findings, type of fractures, and implant used. Main outcome measures included restoration of premorbid state without morbidity and complications including enophthalmos, diplopia, infraorbital hypoesthesia, and ocular motility restriction 1 year after fracture repair. Implant-related complications were collected for analysis.

Results:

There were a total of 274 patients with 307 orbits reconstructed. Thirty-three (12.0%) patients sustained bilateral injuries; 58.0% ( n = 178) of orbits had simple fractures (isolated orbital floor, medial wall, or combined floor and medial wall). The distribution of implants used were bioresorbable ( n = 117, 38.1%) and prefabricated titanium plates ( n = 98, 31.9%) depending upon the nature of fracture. Bioresorbables, titanium plate, and porous polyethylene were used significantly more than titanium mesh for simple fractures, and prefabricated anatomic titanium implants were used significantly more than the other implants for complex fractures. There was a statistically significant improvement in diplopia, enophthalmos, ocular motility, and infraorbital hypoesthesia ( p-value < 0.001) 1 year following orbital fracture reconstruction.

Conclusions:

When used appropriately, diverse alloplastic materials used in orbital fracture repair tailored to the indication aid orbital reconstruction outcomes with each material having its own unique characteristics.
See What You Feel: A Crossmodal Tool for Measuring Haptic Size Illusions
Authors: Daneyko Olga , Maravita Angelo , Zavagno Daniele
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this research is to present the employment of a simple-to-use crossmodal method for measuring haptic size illusions. The method, that we call See what you feel, was tested by employing Uznadze’s classic haptic aftereffect in which two spheres physically identical (test spheres) appear different in size after that the hands holding them underwent an adaptation session with other two spheres (adapting spheres), one bigger and the other smaller than the two test spheres. To measure the entity of the illusion, a three-dimensional visual scale was created and participants were asked to find on it the spheres that corresponded in size to the spheres they were holding in their hands out of sight. The method, tested on 160 right-handed participants, is robust and easily understood by participants.
Multidisciplinary treatment of a massive head and neck keloid scar: A case report
Authors: Longowal Maninder S , Humphreys RN Barbara , Remington Todd K
Published: August 2020

Keloid scars can lead to significant patient morbidity and disfigurement, especially when located on the head and neck. Massive keloid scars are particularly difficult to manage due to ulceration, infection, pain, and high recurrence rates following excision. We report the successful treatment of a massive head and neck keloid scar with excision and grafting, post-excisional radiotherapy, and ablative fractional laser-assisted topical corticosteroid delivery.
Vertebral osteomyelitis in an adolescent girl
Authors: Salloum Shafee
Published: August 2020

We present a case of a 13-year-old girl with vertebral osteomyelitis. She had been experiencing lower back pain for 5 weeks, initially thought to be due to muscular causes. The blood culture showed no bacterial growth, and she was treated empirically only with antibiotics. She responded well to treatment and required no surgical intervention. Vertebral osteomyelitis should be in the differential diagnosis in an adolescent who complains of worsening lower back pain. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in avoiding complications.
Optimal diagnostic accuracy of quantitative faecal immunochemical test positivity thresholds for colorectal cancer detection in primary health care: A community‐based cohort study
Authors: Pin‐Vieito Noel , García Nimo Laura , Bujanda Luis , Román Alonso Begona , Gutierrez‐Stampa María Ángeles , Aguilar‐Gama Vanessa , Portillo Isabel , Cubiella Joaquín
Published: August 2020

Background

Optimizing colonoscopy resources is challenging, and information regarding performing diagnostic quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in daily clinical practice in primary health care is still limited. This study aimed to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of varying FIT positivity thresholds on colorectal cancer (CRC) detection in primary health care.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 38,675 asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with a FIT (OC‐Sensor™) performed between 2012 and 2016 in a primary health‐care setting, using a clinical laboratory database of two Spanish areas linked with the National Health System's Hospital Discharge Records Database. The primary outcome was 2‐year CRC incidence.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 63.2 years; 17,792 (46.0%) were male. CRC prevalence was 1.7% (650/38,675). The percentage of patients with a FIT result above the threshold was 20.7% and 14.6% for 10 μg Hb/g faeces and 20 μg Hb/g faeces thresholds, respectively. Sensitivity was 90.5% (95% confidence interval 88.0%–92.5%) at a 10 μg Hb/g faeces threshold, and this decreased by 3.1% when a 20 μg Hb/g faeces threshold was used. The negative predictive value for CRC was at least 99.2% in any subgroup analysed. At a 20 μg Hb/g faeces threshold, less than one additional CRC would be missed per 1000 patients investigated, while approximately 1.3 times more colonoscopy examinations were needed to identify an incidence of CRC using the lowest threshold for any situation analysed.

Conclusions

In primary health care, a quantitative FIT threshold should be tailored to colonoscopy capacity and CRC prevalence in specific populations.
Assessment of extraintestinal manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases: A systematic review and a proposed guide for clinical trials
Authors: Guillo Lucas , D’Amico Ferdinando , Serrero Mélanie , Angioi Karine , Loeuille Damien , Costanzo Antonio , Danese Silvio , Peyrin‐Biroulet Laurent
Published: August 2020

Background and aims

Extraintestinal manifestations are common in inflammatory bowel disease patients, although there are few data available on their diagnosis, management and follow‐up. We systematically reviewed the literature evidence to evaluate tools and investigations used for the diagnosis and for the assessment of the treatment response in inflammatory bowel disease patients with extraintestinal manifestations.

Methods

We searched in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from January 1999–December 2019 for all interventional and non‐interventional studies published in English assessing diagnostic tools and investigations used in inflammatory bowel disease patients with extraintestinal manifestations.

Results

Forty‐five studies (16 interventional and 29 non‐interventional) were included in our systematic review, enrolling 7994 inflammatory bowel disease patients. The diagnostic assessment of extraintestinal manifestations was performed by dedicated specialists in a percentage of cases ranging from 60–100% depending on the specific condition. The clinical examination was the most frequent diagnostic strategy, accounting for 35 studies (77.8%). In patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis or rheumatological symptoms, biochemical and imaging tests were also performed. Anti‐TNF agents were the most used biological drugs for the treatment of extraintestinal manifestations (20 studies, 44.4%), and the treatment response varied from 59.1% in axial spondyloarthritis to 88.9% in ocular manifestations. No benefit was detected in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients after treatment with biologics.

Conclusions

In the clinical management of inflammatory bowel disease patients with extraintestinal manifestations the collaboration of dedicated specialists for diagnostic investigations and follow‐up is key to ensure the best of care approach. However, international guidelines are needed to homogenise and standardise the assessment of extraintestinal manifestations.
Evaluation of EpiProtect® microbial cellulose burns dressings in young children
Authors: Shanks Lindsay A , Cronshaw Andrea , Alexander K Skaria , Davies Jonathan A , O’Boyle Ciaran P
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

EpiProtect® is a biosynthetic cellulose dressing indicated for the treatment of superficial burns and the dressing of deep burns. Prior to this study the youngest reported patient treated with EpiProtect® was aged 13 years.

Method:

Data were collected prospectively for patients aged < 5 years, presenting to the Children’s Burns Unit with ⩾ 2% total body surface area (TBSA) burns sustained by any mechanism.

Results:

Thirty children were treated (median age = 17 months, age range = 1–61 months). Thirty-six burn depths were documented: superficial partial thickness (SPT) in 53% (n=19); mid-partial thickness (MPT) in 33% (n=12); deep partial thickness (DPT) in 11% (n=4); and full thickness (FT) in 3% (n=1). Median burn size was 4.5% TBSA (range = 2%–12%). EpiProtect® was applied under general anaesthesia in all cases. The median length of stay (LOS) was two days (range = 0–6 days). EpiProtect® was tolerated well and provided effective analgesia for subsequent dressing changes. Median healing time was 13 days (SPT burns), 14 days (MPT) and 24 days (DPT burns). Three patients required split skin grafting. Hypertrophic scarring arose in one patient.

Discussion:

This case series represents the youngest published patient group to have been treated with EpiProtect®. Authors conclude that EpiProtect® provides a safe, reliable and well-tolerated dressing option for all burn depths in young children. Importantly, EpiProtect® is culturally neutral and may be used in situations which, for cultural reasons, may preclude the use of animal-derived products. Further studies are warranted to evaluate pain scores, burn depth, size and LOS correlation, and comparative analysis between dressing types.

Lay Summary

Burn injuries in the paediatric population are common and often require multiple dressing changes. Dressing changes can be painful and distressing to both children and their care givers. This article describes the experience of using a synthetically derived burns dressing, called EpiProtect®, in children aged ⩽ 5 years. Thirty patients were recruited with varying depths of scald burns and all underwent application of EpiProtect® dressing. The results suggested that EpiProtect® was a user-friendly dressing that can be used to treat partial-thickness burns and to dress full-thickness (FT) burns. It was well-tolerated and provided effective analgesia at the time of dressing changes. There was no incidence of increased burn wound infection rates and all wounds healed. In addition, as EpiProtect® is a synthetic product, it has the benefit of being culturally neutral, which is advantageous in a culturally diverse population. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of this dressing and to compare it to similar dressings that are available.
A Review of Empirical Research on Transformational School Leadership in China (2010–2019)
Authors: Li (李艳征) Yanzheng
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the effectiveness of transformational school leadership (TSL) in Chinese K–12 settings between 2010 and 2019. The main objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of TSL research in China and identify the possible future research directions.

Design/Approach/Methods:

Vote counting method and narrative synthesis were applied in this review.

Findings:

This review found the majority of the studies were quantitative, which indicates that qualitative and mixed-method studies should be encouraged. This review also identified 12 major outcome variables, including 9 teacher-level variables, 2 school-level variables, and 1 student-level variable. Additionally, the effects of transformational leadership on these outcome variables were uniformly significant, including both direct and indirect effects. Future studies should expand the scope of school-level and student-level outcome variables, but particularly student-level outcome variables.

Originality/Value:

This is the first systematic review on the effectiveness of TSL research in China, which included both English and Chinese studies.