bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faculty Leaders Challenges and Strategies in Redesigning EdD Programs
Authors: Perry Jill A. , Zambo Debby , Abruzzo Emma
Published: April 2020

Producing change in higher education is not always easy or quick (Kennedy, et al., 2018; Perry, 2014a; Schuster & Finkelstein, 2006; Tierney, 1998). Conferences provide faculty with exposure to new ideas, but that exposure is often not enough to produce programmatic and structural change. In addition to new ideas, faculty must also have the tools they need to navigate change and institutional resistance when introducing and implementing new ideas. Over the last decade or so, school of education faculty, guided by the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) have worked to redesign the Education Doctorate and make it a professional practice degree.  As a leader in educational change, CPED aims to reframe the EdD through both the cultivation of innovative ideas and the promulgation of those ideas across existing institutions and structures. CPED found faculty leaders to be necessary in creating institutional change, but also that the role of leader is a challenging one. Building upon earlier inquiries of faculty from CPED member institutions, this current study sought to discover more about the needs, challenges, and means for successful innovation implementation by EdD programmatic change leaders.
Examining Doctoral Student Development of a Researcher Identity: Using the Draw a Researcher Test
Authors: Caskey Micki M , Stevens Dannelle D , Yeo Marie
Published: April 2020

With a core identity as working professionals, education doctoral students struggle with seeing themselves as researchers. Because research is essential in a doctoral program, the sooner doctoral students include researcher as an identity, the smoother and more successful their journey will be. To support doctoral student researcher identity development, we focused on scaffolding and embedding academic writing experiences in the first year seminar in a U.S. doctoral program.  The purpose of this study was to describe and explain doctoral students’ development of a researcher identity as measured by the Draw-a-Researcher Test (DART).  In the fall and spring, we collected drawings and narrative reflections about their drawings of researchers from nine students. We created a five-dimension DART scoring guide.  In the fall, the drawings revealed students’ uncertainty about the agency and the research process dimensions; in the spring, however, the drawings showed students’ clearer understanding of these two dimensions.  In the narrative reflections, students noted the influence of writing expectations and experiences on their role identity as researchers.  Implications, as measured by the DART, are that an embedded writing support model seems to assure the development of doctoral students’ core identity as researchers during the first year of the program.
Legitimizing Bitcoin as a Currency and Store of Value: Using Discrete Monetary Units to Consolidate Value and Drive Market Growth
Authors: Albrecht Chad , Hawkins Steven , Duffin Kristopher McKay
Published: April 2020

Cryptocurrency, and especially Bitcoin, has struggled to gain recognition as a legitimate currency from governments, financial institutions, and consumers. This has occurred because many analysts and consumers believe that Bitcoin is not a stable and consistent store of value, a unit of measurement, or a medium of exchange. One way to overcome this challenge is for Bitcoin to be used as both a currency and store of value by a greater percentage of the world’s population. This paper seeks to identify how a change in Bitcoin’s monetary measurement (or denomination) can more easily facilitate Bitcoin transactions to increase its use. Specifically, we posit that applying whole number bias theory, from the cognitive psychology and mathematics fields, to Bitcoin’s unit of measurement will allow the value of Bitcoin to be referenced in smaller and easier tounderstand units with fewer numbers after the decimal point—such as the “Bit” or the “Satoshi.” In the process, the use of Bitcoin will include more whole numbers and allow the general public to more easily assign value to Bitcoin in day-to-day transactions.
SILANE-TERMINATED LIQUID POLY(BUTADIENES) IN TREAD FORMULATIONS: A MECHANISTIC STUDY
Authors: Salort Fabien , Henning Steven K.
Published: April 2020

Liquid poly(butadienes) are materials that exhibit flow properties as their molecular weights are at or below that for significant chain entanglement. When applied to tire compound formulation in additive amounts, these low-molecular-weight oligomers are compatible with the elastomeric phase and can influence viscoelastic behavior. The present article will catalogue the history of the use of liquid poly(butadiene) materials in tire compounding, linking their varied application to the evolution of structure–property relationships as a function of microstructure changes. The result of this evolution is the commercialization of functionalized liquid polybutadienes, specifically silane-terminated grades designed for silica-filled systems. It has been found that these materials are not replacements for the typical silane coupling agents ubiquitously used in silica formulating but are rather synergistic with the established technology. The application of silane-terminated liquid poly(butadienes) can both improve traction indicators and limit the negative hysteresis effect commonly associated with the use of liquid poly(butadiene) resins. The mechanism behind the specific changes in viscoelastic and mechanical properties attributed to the addition of silane-terminated liquid poly(butadienes) is explored. It is found that the terminal silane function of the liquid poly(butadienes) may both interact with the silane coupling agent–modified surface of the dispersed silica particles and be available to condense with each other, forming a higher-molecular-weight structure that may effectively increase the apparent crosslink density and therefore bound rubber as an interpenetrating network that extends well into the elastomer phase.
A Modern Polytheism? Nietzsche and James
Authors: Rodgers Jordan
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTS

Richard Rorty has argued that Friedrich Nietzsche and William James are both polytheists in the deflationary sense that they are both pluralists about human value. I argue that there is a more philosophically significant sense in which Nietzsche and James might be called polytheists: both advocate a life of openness and receptivity to multiple and potentially incommensurable sources of inspiration outside of our conscious control. The value of these sources is accessed in experiences in which one feels that one is given something in an experience that one could not have obtained through conscious effort. I argue that this moment of passivity plays a crucial role in both James’s treatment of religious experience in The Varieties of Religious Experience and Nietzsche’s account of the state of inspiration he experienced while composing Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and that their deep similarity on this point suggests that Nietzsche is closer to Jamesian religion than he is to Rortyan secularism.
Dolnośląskie wsie tematyczne – miejsce edukacji i zabawy = Lower Silesian thematic villages – place of education and entertainment
Authors: Podolska Anna
Published: April 2020

For some time, a number of changes – caused by both internal and external factors – have been observed in rural areas. These mostly lead to modifying existing functions of the village. A typical model of agricultural village is becoming less common. Livelihood is more often provided by non-agricultural activities. These generate new jobs, integrate residents, interfere with the surrounding, and in many cases completely change the image of the village and the way it is being perceived. Villages are becoming active, innova tive and creative. Ideas concern both economic as well as social activities and contribute to the rapid development of tourist and recreational values of the region. One of the new functions of the village, which in the recent years has become more popular is establishing thematic villages. A well-conceived leitmotif can bring benefits to both residents who find new jobs and additional source of income for themselves, as well as tourists who now have the opportunity of spending their free time in a more attractive way. It also fosters ecological education of children and youth who may learn about the surrounding nature. Rural space may also benefit, while their conscious residents will cultivate tradition and local culture respecting spatial order. The aim of the research was to examine the role that the new non-agricultural function – thematic village plays in the development of rural areas of the Lower Silesia and their potential contribution in promoting educational tourism in the region. The research method was based on the analysis of source literature and statistical data contained in the registration books, as well as on surveys with rural leaders and analysis of available offers of selected thematic villages.
O ENSINO DA MATEMÁTICA ATRAVÉS DE PROJETOS / THE TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS THROUGH PROJECTS
Authors: Tibulo Vaneza De Carli , Tibulo Cleiton , Santarosa Maria Cecília Pereira
Published: April 2020

As dificuldades do ensino da matemática são conhecidas por toda a comunidade acadêmica. A busca por soluções instiga a comunidade cientifica e orienta diversos trabalhos de pesquisa. Neste contexto este trabalho relata aplicações de atividades práticas com situações problemas vivenciados pelos alunos, que proporciona a busca por soluções e permite transitar entre a teoria e a prática, demonstrando a importância do estudo da matemática. O objetivo é descrever um conjunto de atividades didáticas desenvolvidas em turno inverso ao regular (turno integral) nos anos de 2017 e 2018, com alunos do 6º ao 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental que podem ser uma alternativa a aplicação de conteúdos matemáticos. O conjunto de estratégias didáticas desenvolvidas em forma de pequenos projetos de pesquisa tornaram os conteúdos de matemática mais atraentes e motivadores para os alunos e professores. Permitindo a iniciação científica e tornando a aprendizagem mais significativa, dinâmico e agradável.
Cassava Stem Crop Parameters Effect on Cutting Energy
Authors: Prasanthkumar K. , Saravanakumar M.
Published: April 2020

The study was conducted to understand the energy involves in cassava stem cutting in order to optimize design of cutting elements in cassava stem cutting. The cutting energy is measured using pendulum type test rig and it works under the principle of law of conservation of energy. The tests were conducted at 3 levels of average moisture content [43.75, 56.50 and 64% (wb)] and stem diameter (25.22, 28.71 and 33.29 mm) with 3 replications. The results revealed that the cutting energy was increased with increase in moisture content and stem diameter. The cutting energy of cassava stem increased by 23.26% when the average moisture content was increased from 43.75 to 64% and reduced by 17.31% when the stem diameter was increased from 25.22 to 33.29 mm.
Laser Direct Writing Assisted Fabrication of Skin Compatible Metal Electrodes
Authors: Gao Liang , Wang Xiaohan , Dai Wentao , Bagheri Robabeh , Wang Chen , Tian Zikang , Dai Xiao , Zou Guifu
Published: April 2020

Skin‐compatible electrodes have been studied intensively for its application in wearable electronics. To satisfy various deformations of electronic skin, it requires to fabricate a highly conductive, mechanically stable, flexible, and stretchable electrode. Here, a feasible laser direct writing (LDW) process is carried out to fabricate micro‐spring structured metal electrodes. The metal electrodes show high conductivity and transparency with sheet resistance of 4.8 ohm per square and at transmittance of 83%. It is worthy of noting that, the metal electrodes have an excellent mechanical–electrical stability, where stretching over 75% and bending over 5000 times induces resistance variance less than 5% and 2%, respectively. The excellent mechanical and electrical behavior of the micro‐spring metal electrodes are promising to be useful for wearable electronics. The LDW process may facilitate the design and prototype of the skin compatible metal electrodes in the coming future.
Defining Clinical Subgroups in Relapsing Polychondritis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Ferrada Marcela , Rimland Casey A. , Quinn Kaitlin , Sikora Keith , Kim Jeff , Allen Clint , Sirajuddin Arlene , Goodspeed Wendy , Chen Marcus , Grayson Peter C.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a systemic disease. Failure to recognize RP can lead to diagnostic delay and further complications, including death. This study was undertaken to identify clinical patterns in a prospective cohort of patients with RP.

Methods

Patient subgroups were identified using latent class analysis based on 8 clinical variables: saddle‐nose deformity, subglottic stenosis, tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia, ear chondritis, tenosynovitis/synovitis, inflammatory eye disease, and audiovestibular disease. Model selection was based on Akaike's information criterion.

Results

Seventy‐three patients were included in this study. Patients were classified into 1 of 3 subgroups: type 1 RP (14%), type 2 RP (29%), and type 3 RP (58%). Type 1 RP was characterized by ear chondritis (100%), tracheomalacia (100%), saddle‐nose deformity (90%), and subglottic stenosis (80%). These patients had the shortest median time to diagnosis (1 year), highest disease activity, and greatest frequency of admission to the intensive care unit and tracheostomy. Type 2 RP was characterized by tracheomalacia (100%) and bronchomalacia (52%), but no saddle‐nose deformity or subglottic stenosis. These patients had the longest median time to diagnosis (10 years) and highest percentage of work disability. Type 3 RP was characterized by tenosynovitis/synovitis (60%) and ear chondritis (55%). There were no significant differences in sex, race, or treatment strategies between the 3 subgroups.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that there are 3 subgroups of patients with RP, with differences in time to diagnosis, clinical and radiologic characteristics, and disease‐related complications. Recognizing a broader spectrum of clinical patterns in RP, beyond cartilaginous involvement of the ear and upper airway, may facilitate more timely diagnosis.
Children’s education rights at the transition to secondary education: School choice in Northern Ireland
Authors: Henderson Leanne
Published: April 2020

The principles of school choice and diverse provision underpin transition to secondary education in a majority of countries. This article focuses on the potential for structural diversity to constrain rather than promote choice. Although intended to improve equity in access and quality of provision, choice‐based systems serve to homogenise school intakes and magnify attainment differences between schools. School choice decisions become high‐stakes in such contexts, because eventual school placements influence the future character of children’s schooling. In Northern Ireland, existing community divisions are reflected in the available school types, with a majority of places at either Catholic or de facto Protestant schools, and only a small number at Integrated schools. This results in high levels of homogenisation along community lines. In addition, the provision of separate grammar and non‐grammar schools means that intakes are also academically stratified, resulting in the extreme between‐school attainment differences characteristic of systems arranged in this way. Drawing on documentary evidence and a survey of transition‐age children, this research discusses how school choice within structurally complex systems can be constrained. The main focus is on how children’s education rights, as set down in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, are placed at risk by the interaction of system‐level divisions. It concludes that school choice arrangements in Northern Ireland do not operate in compliance with children’s education rights when tested against each of the requirements set out in Tomasevski’s 4‐As scheme, namely that education provision must be available, accessible, acceptable and adaptable.
Service migration in mobile edge computing: A deep reinforcement learning approach
Authors: Wang Hongman , Li Yingxue , Zhou Ao , Guo Yan , Wang Shangguang
Published: April 2020

In mobile edge computing, service migration can not only reduce the access latency but also reduce the network costs for users. However, due to bandwidth bottleneck, migration costs should also be considered during service migration. In this way, the trade‐off between benefits of service migration and total service costs is very important for the cloud service providers. In this paper, we propose an efficient dynamic service migration algorithm named SMDQN, which is based on reinforcement learning. We consider each mobile application service can be hosted on one or more edge nodes and each edge node has limited resources. SMDQN takes total delay and migration costs into consideration. And to reduce the size of Markov decision process space, we devise the deep reinforcement learning algorithm to make a fast decision. We implement the algorithm and test the performance and stability of it. The simulation result shows that it can minimize the service costs and adapt well to different mobile access patterns.
Noninvasive prenatal paternity testing by maternal plasma DNA sequencing in twin pregnancies
Authors: Xie Yifan , Qu Ning , Lin Shaobin , Jiang Haojun , Zhang Yanyan , Zhang Xiuqing , Liang Hao , Chen Fang , Ou Xueling
Published: April 2020

SNPs, combined with massively parallel sequencing technology, have proven applicability in noninvasive prenatal paternity testing (NIPPT) for singleton pregnancies in our previous research, using circulating cell‐free DNA in maternal plasma. However, the feasibility of NIPPT in twin pregnancies has remained uncertain. As a pilot study, we developed a practical method to noninvasively determine the paternity of twin pregnancies by maternal plasma DNA sequencing based on a massively parallel sequencing platform. Blood samples were collected from 15 pregnant women (twin pregnancies at 9–18 weeks of gestation). Parental DNA and maternal plasma cell‐free DNA were analyzed with custom‐designed probes covering 5226 polymorphic SNP loci. A mathematical model for data interpretation was established, including the zygosity determination and paternity index calculations. Each plasma sample was independently tested against the alleged father and 90 unrelated males. As a result, the zygosity in each twin case was correctly determined, prior to paternity analysis. Further, the correct biological father was successfully identified, and the paternity of all 90 unrelated males was excluded in each case. Our study demonstrates that NIPPT can be performed for twin pregnancies. This finding may contribute to development in NIPPT and diagnosis of certain genetic diseases.
Center‐Based Group and Home‐Based Individual Exercise Programs Have Similar Impacts on Gait and Balance in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Williams Katrina Louise , Low Choy Nancy Louise , Brauer Sandra Gail
Published: April 2020

Background

Group and home‐based exercises to improve function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are common but have little underpinning evidence.

Objective

To determine the comparative effectiveness of a center‐based group versus home‐based individual 8‐week exercise program to improve gait and balance in people with MS.

Design

Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Community center‐based and home‐based exercise program.

Participants

Fifty people with MS were randomized and completed allocated intervention (n = 26 center, n = 24 home), 47 completed post‐assessment and 44 follow‐up assessment.

Methods

The center‐ and home‐based groups completed an 8‐week progressive functional and balance training exercise program. The center‐based groups of four to six were supervised by a physiotherapist. The home‐based group was provided with telephone support.

Main Outcome Measurements

The primary outcome was gait speed (10‐meter walk test). Secondary outcomes were gait endurance (6‐minute walk test) and balance (Berg Balance Scale). Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately postintervention and at 8‐week follow‐up.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between groups in gait speed post training, with a mean difference of 0.01 m/s, 95% CI −0.36 to 0.37. There were no group effects, time effects, or interactions for gait speed, endurance, or balance. In both groups, gait speed improved to a level that met minimal clinically important differences.

Conclusions

Gait speed, endurance, and balance did not statistically improve in either group; however, gait speed changes met minimally important differences.
Is Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation Ethically Acceptable? A Study on the Euthanasia Debate
Authors: Roggi Sara , Picozzi Mario
Published: April 2020

In the last decades, new technologies have improved the survival of patients affected by chronic illnesses. Among them, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has represented a viable solution for patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Even though the LVAD prolongs life expectancy, patients’ vulnerability generally increases during follow up and patients’ request for the device withdrawal might occur. Such a request raises some ethical concerns in that it directly hastens the patient’s death. Hence, in order to assess the ethical acceptability of LVAD withdrawal, we analyse and examine an ethical argument, widely adopted in the literature, that we call the “descriptive approach”, which consists in giving a definition of life-sustaining treatment to evaluate the ethical acceptability of treatment withdrawal. Focusing attention on LVAD, we show criticisms of this perspective. Finally, we assess every patient’s request of LVAD withdrawal through a prescriptive approach, which finds its roots in the criterion of proportionality.
The parliament of the world? Reflections on the proposal to establish a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly
Authors: Deplano Rossana
Published: April 2020

On 5 July 2018, the European Parliament adopted a recommendation to the Council endorsing a proposal for the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. Conceived as a new primary organ of the United Nations (UN), the Parliamentary Assembly aims at complementing the work of the General Assembly by giving direct representation to the peoples of the world and passing binding legislation. This article reconstructs the historical roots of the proposal and speculates about the possible legal implications for both the UN and its member states stemming from the establishment of an elected citizens’ chamber within an intergovernmental organization. An argument is made that in order to achieve the stated goals of the model of United Nations Parliamentary Assembly endorsed by the European Union (EU), the required institutional changes to the UN system would be so radical as to effectively repudiate it in favour of a newly established system of international co-operation.
Diffuse enlargement of cerebral vasculature in an adult patient operated for cyanotic congenital heart disease
Authors: Emekli Ahmed S. , Ekizoglu Esme , Yesilot Nilufer
Published: April 2020

A 24-year-old female patient diagnosed with cyanotic CHD had undergone a correction procedure at the age of eight. She had a normal motor and mental development until the age of 23. Later she had functional and cognitive decline following heart failure. Brain MRI showed enlargement of the cerebral arterial and venous system. The changes of central nervous system vasculature occurring in operated cyanotic CHD are not well known. Thanks to advances in this field, more cyanotic CHD patients reach adulthood nowadays and clinicians need to be familiar with the neurological conditions and potential neuroradiological changes.
The Relationship between Birth Weight Discordance and Adverse Infant Mortality among Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins in Japan, 1995–2008
Authors: Imaizumi Yoko
Published: April 2020

Using vital statistics in Japan (1995–2008), 154,578 live-born twin pairs (128,236 monozygotic [MZ] and 180,920 dizygotic [DZ]) were identified. The proportion of severe discordance among live-born twin births was twice as high in Japanese than Caucasian infants. There were 1858 MZ and 1620 DZ infant deaths. Computation of the relationship between infant mortality rate and birth weight discordance among the twins was performed. Discordance levels were classified into seven groups: <5%, five groups from 5–9% to 25–29%, and ≥30%.The mortality rate was significantly higher in MZ than DZ twins for discordances except at 5–9% and 10–14%. The lowest rate for MZ twins was at 5–9% (7.5 per 1000 live twins) and significantly increased from 10–14% (9.4) to ≥30% (83.4), while the lowest rate for DZ twins was at <5% (6.7), which significantly increased at 10–14% (8.0) and from 25–29% (12.1) to ≥30% (35.5). The relationship was also computed in two gestational age groups (<28 and ≥28 weeks). For births at <28 weeks, three discordances (after 20–24%) in MZ twins were associated with adverse mortality rate. For births at ≥28 weeks, the same relationship was obtained after 10–14% in MZ and after 20–24% in DZ twins. The relationship from 2002 to 2008 showed that the mortality rates significantly increased after 10–14% for both types of twins. In conclusion, five discordance levels in MZ and three levels in DZ twins were associated with adverse mortality rates.
Exploring the structure of Xe isotopes in A ~ 130 region: Single particle and collective excitations
Authors: Banik R. , Bhattacharyya S. , Biswas S. , Bhattacharya S. , Mukherjee G. , Rajbanshi S. , Dar S. , Nandi S. , Ali R. , Chatterjee S. , Das S. , Das Gupta S. , Ghugre S. S. , Goswami A. , Mondal D. , Mukhopadhyay S. , Pai H. , Pal S. , Pandit D. , Raut R. , Ray P. , Samanta S.
Published: April 2020

High and medium spin structures of 130,131Xe have been studied using α-induced fusion-evaporation reaction and the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA) coupled with a digital data acquisition system. Various new band structures and near yrast levels of 131Xe have been established. The multipolarities of the observed transitions have been assigned on the basis of the DCO ratios and the polarization asymmetry measurements. Band structures based on 1-quasi-particle (qp), 3-qp configurations have been observed. A new Magnetic Rotational (MR) band based on 5-qp configuration has also been established in 131Xe. The MR band has been interpreted in terms of shears mechanism with principal axis cranking (SPAC) calculations. Shell Model calculations are carried out to describe the non yrast states of 131Xe above the 11/2− isomer. New excited states have also been identified in 130Xe, produced in the same reaction.
Serum Visfatin does not seem to be a Useful Marker to Guide
Glucocorticoid Substitution in Adrenal Insufficiency
Authors: Fichna Marta , Czarnywojtek Agata , Sowińska Anna , Gryczyńska Maria , Gut Paweł , Ruchała Marek
Published: April 2020

Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease, AD) requires
lifelong steroid substitution. Excess exogenous glucocorticoids promote
abdominal obesity, insulin-glucose imbalance, and hypertension. Reliable
markers of the adequate glucocorticoid replacement are lacking. Visfatin is
a pro-inflammatory adipokine, with enzymatic activity of nicotinamide
phosphoribosyltransferase. It enhances leukocyte function and synthesis of
tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
Serum visfatin is elevated in autoimmunity, but also in obesity, insulin
resistance, and metabolic syndrome. This study was aimed to investigate
whether serum visfatin could guide the glucocorticoid substitution in AD.
Biochemical analyses were performed in 96 patients with AD (mean age
43.3±14.9 years) and 91 controls (43.5±12.5 years). Visfatin
level was significantly elevated in patients with AD compared to controls
(p<0.0001). Higher circulating IL-6 was also detected among subjects
with AD (p=0.006). In AD, visfatin level was positively correlated
with IL-6 (p=0.014), TNFα (p=0.001), body mass
(p=0.015), fasting insulin (p=0.001) and HOMA-IR
(p=0.001). No relationship was noticed with daily hydrocortisone
(p=0.096) and urinary free cortisol excretion (p=0.499).
Only the correlations with IL-6 and fasting insulin survived multiple
regression analysis (p=0.049 and p=0.005, respectively).
Additionally, positive correlation between visfatin and autoantibodies to
21-hydroxylase was noted (p=0.005). In the control group serum
visfatin was correlated with IL-6 (p=0.009) and TNFα
(p=0.0002). The current study reveals elevated serum visfatin in
autoimmune AD. Visfatin does not seem a useful marker of the glucocorticoid
replacement, although it correlates with fasting insulin and
pro-inflammatory molecules. Further functional analyses are warranted to
elucidate the role of visfatin in autoimmunity.
Substance Use and Suicide Attempts Among Adolescent Males Who Are Members of a Sexual Minority: A Comparison of Synthesized Substance-Use Measures
Authors: Turpin Rodman E , Rosario Andre D , Dyer Typhanye V
Published: April 2020

Adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM) are among the highest risk groups for suicide in the United States, with substance use as a significant risk factor. We tested for an association between substance use and suicidality among ASMM from the 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 849). We compared several approaches to synthesizing measures of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamines, synthetic marijuana, and prescription drug abuse, including several categorized and continuous indices, latent class analysis based on any use of each substance, and latent profile analysis based on use frequency. Using all approaches, substance use was positively associated with suicide attempts independent of covariates. A continuous cumulative index was the best fit to our data (quasi-information criterion = 853.9969) and detected the largest association, with the highest prevalence of suicide attempts among ASMM who used all substances compared with those who used none (adjusted prevalence ratio = 3.35, 95% confidence interval: 2.41, 4.66). A 3-latent-class model had the second best fit to the data (quasi-information criterion = 878.4464), with the highest prevalence of suicide attempts (adjusted prevalence ratio = 2.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.80, 3.57) among the high-substance-use class compared with the low-use class. Substance use is an especially important focal point for targeted interventions reducing suicidality among ASMM.
In Vivo Morphology of Nasolacrimal Duct Opening into the Inferior Meatus
Authors: Singh Swati , Curragh David S. , Davis Gary , Selva Dinesh
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To study the in vivo morphology of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) openings into the inferior meatus.

Methods:

Patients undergoing endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy and lacrimal intubation had endoscopic real-time examination of the NLD opening. Morphology of NLD openings (size, shape, mucosal folds), and their location from the axilla of the inferior turbinate were assessed.

Results:

Forty-three lacrimal systems of 39 adult patients (11 males, 28 females) with a mean age of 61 years were studied. Thirty-five patients had unilateral involvement, and 74% had anatomical NLD obstruction. Of 43 lacrimal systems, 41 had a visible NLD opening. The majority was sulci shaped (63%, 26/41) followed by fissure type (34%), and 2% had wide-open round morphology. The majority of the openings (93%) were oriented vertically, and 67% (14/21) of the sulci shaped openings continued into gutter like channels along the lateral nasal wall. Mucosal folds were present in 7% (3/41) of the openings along the edges. The mean distance between the opening and the axilla of the inferior turbinate was 3.7± 2.1 mm (median, 3.6; range, 0–7.2).

Conclusion:

Sulci shaped NLD openings were the most common morphology, and mucosal folds were less commonly observed compared with cadaveric studies.
How to quit confinement? French scenarios face to COVID-19
Authors: Emmanuelle Augeraud-Véron
Published: April 2020

A mathematical model is developed to study the spread of the COVID-19 epidemics in France. Data from French Public Agency of Health are considered to calibrate the model. The spread of the epidemics strongly depends on confinement measures. The aim of the paper is to predict the evolution of the epidemics under various scenarios that could be taken to quit confinement. The spread of the disease and its re-emergence strongly depends on these scenarios.
Czech education in nature traditions
Authors: Martin Andrew , Watson Geoff , Neuman Jan , Turčová Ivana , Kalkusová Lucie
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine Czech traditions of outdoor games and sports, turistika activities and education in nature programmes, which have continued to develop during periods of oppression and provided opportunities to preserve the Czech culture.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the historical, cultural and political context of education in nature traditions in Czech was proposed.

Findings

Late 19th century organisations such as the Turistický klub and Sokol were instrumental in developing a range of indigenous turistika activities involving active movement. The early 20th century influences were the Czech scouting movement, summer camps and Woodcraft. Charles University provided the first tertiary outdoor educational programmes in Prague in the 1950s. Their foundation course “Turistika and Outdoor Sports” is still compulsory for all students studying physical education and sport. Turistika activities and outdoor sports and games continued to be developed throughout the liberalization of the socialist regime in the 1960s.

Practical implications

Following the Prague Spring in 1968, and under the guise of the Socialist Youth Union organization, new experimental forms of outdoor education emerged.

Social implications

Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989 organisations have reconnected with Czech outdoor traditions that flourished before 1948 and other organisations have developed education in nature programs. The commercial sphere, which did not exist before 1989, has now been established in the outdoor area. However, traditional participation in turistika activities has been impacted by other external motivations as a broader range of opportunities have become available and accepted, and tourism outside of Czech and Europe has become increasingly popular and accessible.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is to provide an overview of Czech political and cultural history and how it has shaped people's relationship, particularly children and youth, with the outdoors.
Discussion on “Predictively consistent prior effective sample sizes,” by Beat Neuenschwander, Sebastian Weber, Heinz Schmidli, and Anthony O'Hagan
Authors: Biswas Atanu , Angers Jean‐François
Published: April 2020

We extend the approach of finding effective sample size for a typical phase II clinical trial having efficacy and toxicity as two components of the response vector. The case of binary efficacy and binary toxicity is illustrated under Dirichlet and multivariate T priors.
Risk of severe hypoglycaemia and its impact in type 2 diabetes in DEVOTE
Authors: Heller Simon , Lingvay Ildiko , Marso Steven P. , Philis‐Tsimikas Athena , Pieber Thomas R. , Poulter Neil R. , Pratley Richard E. , Hachmann‐Nielsen Elise , Kvist Kajsa , Lange Martin , Moses Alan C. , Andresen Marie Trock , Buse John B. ,   DEVOTE Study Group
Published: April 2020

Aims

To undertake a post‐hoc analysis, utilizing a hypoglycaemia risk score based on DEVOTE trial data, to investigate if a high risk of severe hypoglycaemia was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, and whether reduced rates of severe hypoglycaemia in patients identified as having the highest risk affected the risk of cardiovascular outcomes.

Materials and Methods

The DEVOTE population was divided into quartiles according to patients' individual hypoglycaemia risk scores. For each quartile, the observed incidence and rate of severe hypoglycaemia, major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) and all‐cause mortality were determined to investigate whether those with the highest risk of hypoglycaemia were also at the greatest risk of MACE and all‐cause mortality. In addition, treatment differences within each risk quartile [insulin degludec (degludec) vs. insulin glargine 100 units/mL (glargine U100)] in terms of severe hypoglycaemia, MACE and all‐cause mortality were investigated.

Results

Patients with the highest risk scores had the highest rates of severe hypoglycaemia, MACE and all‐cause mortality. Treatment ratios between degludec and glargine U100 in the highest risk quartile were 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56 (0.39; 0.80) (severe hypoglycaemia), 95% CI 0.76 (0.58; 0.99) (MACE) and 95% CI 0.77 (0.55; 1.07) (all‐cause mortality).

Conclusions

The risk score demonstrated that a high risk of severe hypoglycaemia was associated with a high incidence of MACE and all‐cause mortality and that, in this high‐risk group, those treated with degludec had a lower incidence of MACE. These observations support the hypothesis that hypoglycaemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular events.
Searching for Positive Aspects of Excessive Reassurance‐Seeking
Authors: Abe Kazuaki , Nakashima Ken'ichiro
Published: April 2020

We investigated positive aspects of excessive reassurance‐seeking in interpersonal relationships. Previous studies have emphasized that excessive reassurance‐seeking leads to interpersonal rejection by significant others. However, Fowler & Gasiorek (2017) suggested that excessive reassurance‐seekers tend to make efforts to maintain relationships with their romantic partners, and that these efforts affect their own satisfaction with the relationships. We investigated whether the findings of Fowler and Gasiorek in students could be replicated in general heterosexual couples (N = 437 couples). Data were analyzed using the modified actor–partner interdependence model. Results indicated that excessive reassurance‐seeking had no actor or partner effects on the efforts to maintain the relationships, which predicted relational satisfaction. However, the actor and partner effects of excessive reassurance‐seeking on relational satisfaction through the efforts to maintain the relationships differed according to the relational duration. These findings, despite certain inconsistencies with Fowler and Gasiorek, suggest that excessive reassurance‐seeking might have positive effects on relationships.
Quantification of selection bias in studies of risk factors for birth defects among livebirths
Authors: Heinke Dominique , Rich‐Edwards Janet W. , Williams Paige L. , Hernandez‐Diaz Sonia , Anderka Marlene , Fisher Sarah C. , Desrosiers Tania A. , Shaw Gary M. , Romitti Paul A. , Canfield Mark A. , Yazdy Mahsa M. ,   for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: April 2020

Background

Risk factors for birth defects are frequently investigated using data limited to liveborn infants. By conditioning on survival, results of such studies may be distorted by selection bias, also described as “livebirth bias.” However, the implications of livebirth bias on risk estimation remain poorly understood.

Objectives

We sought to quantify livebirth bias and to investigate the conditions under which it arose.

Methods

We used data on 3994 birth defects cases and 11 829 controls enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to compare odds ratio (OR) estimates of the relationship between three established risk factors (antiepileptic drug use, smoking, and multifetal pregnancy) and four birth defects (anencephaly, spina bifida, omphalocele, and cleft palate) when restricted to livebirths as compared to among livebirths, stillbirths, and elective terminations. Exposures and birth defects represented varying strengths of association with livebirth; all controls were liveborn. We performed a quantitative bias analysis to evaluate the sensitivity of our results to excluding terminated and stillborn controls.

Results

Cases ranged from 33% liveborn (anencephaly) to 99% (cleft palate). Smoking and multifetal pregnancy were associated with livebirth among anencephaly (crude OR [cOR] 0.61 and cOR 3.15, respectively) and omphalocele cases (cOR 2.22 and cOR 5.22, respectively). For analyses of the association between exposures and birth defects, restricting to livebirths produced negligible differences in estimates except for anencephaly and multifetal pregnancy, which was twofold higher among livebirths (adjusted OR [aOR] 4.93) as among all pregnancy outcomes (aOR 2.44). Within tested scenarios, bias analyses suggested that results were not sensitive to the restriction to liveborn controls.

Conclusions

Selection bias was generally limited except for high mortality defects in the context of exposures strongly associated with livebirth. Findings indicate that substantial livebirth bias is unlikely to affect studies of risk factors for most birth defects.
Description of two new species of Trachygamasus Berlese (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae) and the male of Trachygamasus multisetus from China, with notes on the genus

Authors: Yao Maoyuan , Long Yun , Yi Tian-Ci , Guo Jian-Jun , Zhang Run-Zhi , Jin Dao-Chao
Published: April 2020

Two new species of Trachygamasus Berlese, T. minutus sp. nov. Yao & Jin and T. similis sp. nov. Yao & Jin based on adult males and females, and the male of T. multisetus Yao, Jin & Zhang, 2019 are described from China. A key to the Trachygamasus species of China is presented.
Effects of Glycerol and Sodium Pentaborate Formulation on Prevention of Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesion Formation
Authors: Aysan Erhan , Sahin Fikrettin , Catal Ruzgar , Javadov Mirkhaliq , Cumbul Alev
Published: April 2020

Background. Postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPA) are a serious problem for abdominal surgery. An effective remedy has not been found yet. New formulation of glycerol and sodium pentaborate may be able to solve the problem. Method. Female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups. The adhesion model was created on the caecum anterior wall and covered with 2 ml 0.9% NaCl, 3% glycerol, 3% sodium pentaborate, and 3% glycerol plus 3% sodium pentaborate solutions in the groups, respectively. Two weeks later, the rats were sacrificed. PPA were graded macroscopically and microscopically. Results. Total adhesion scores of the 3% glycerol + 3% sodium pentaborate group were statistically different from the other groups for macroscopic and also microscopic evaluations (p<0.001). Conclusion. 3% glycerol plus 3% sodium pentaborate as a new formulation has preventive effects on PPA with a synergistic mechanism.
Knowledge Conditioned by the Void: On Complexity and the Design Problem
Authors: Beckett Stephen
Published: April 2020

This article addresses the concept of complexity and its effect on the logic of the design problem. It argues that the competing interpretations of complexity represent a logical antinomy (in the Kantian sense), and that this prevents the concept's further elaboration. It is necessary therefore to address the conditions that have produced this antinomy. Using the Hegelian category of the determination of reflection, complexity is then reconsidered as the effect of the circular logic by which a social system is defined. The complexity of the design problem is then redefined on the basis of this elaboration.
Communicable disease mortality trends and characteristics of infants in rural China, 1996–2015
Authors: Wang Ke , Xiang Liangcheng , Kang Leni , Miao Lei , Li Qi , Li Xiaohong , Zhu Jun , Wang Yanping , Huang Yan , He Chunhua
Published: April 2020

Background

More attention should be paid to communicable disease-specific infant mortality rate (CD-IMR) in rural China. However, few studies have examined specific geographic patterns and trends in CD-IMR in these areas. Our aims were to assess the epidemiological distribution and trends in CD-IMR in rural China for the period 1996–2015.

Methods

We used data from China’s Under-5 Child Mortality Surveillance System (U5CMSS). The time trends in communicable disease-specific IMR (CD-IMR) were assessed by Poisson regression model, and the proportion of total infant deaths due to communicable disease was assessed by the Cochran Armitage trend test. Differences in CD-IMR among and within geographic regions were assessed for significance using the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test.

Results

The overall CD-IMR fell by 86.0% from 1444.3 to 201.5 per 100,000 live births in rural mainland China from 1996 to 2015. The proportion of total infant deaths related to communicable disease fell from 33.4 to 19.7%. Using eastern rural areas as the reference, rate ratios (RRs) of IMR due to all communicable diseases ranged between 1.7 and 3.1 in central rural areas and between 4.4 and 9.8 in western areas during the four study intervals. Acute respiratory infection (ARI) accounted for 71% of deaths, followed by diarrhea and septicemia.

Conclusions

IMR due to communicable disease remains a major public health issue. ARI is the leading cause of mortality, followed by diarrhea. A regional gap remains in the risk of infant exposure to communicable disease in rural China. More attention should be paid to western rural areas.
Validation of the portable Bluetooth® Air Next spirometer in patients with different respiratory diseases
Authors: Exarchos Konstantinos P. , Gogali Athena , Sioutkou Agni , Chronis Christos , Peristeri Sofia , Kostikas Konstantinos
Published: April 2020

Background

Chronic respiratory diseases constitute a considerable part in the practice of pulmonologists and primary care physicians; spirometry is integral for the diagnosis and monitoring of these diseases, yet remains underutilized. The Air Next spirometer (NuvoAir, Sweden) is a novel ultra-portable device that performs spirometric measurements connected to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth®.

Methods

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and validity of these measurements by comparing them with the ones obtained with a conventional desktop spirometer. Two hundred subjects were enrolled in the study with various spirometric patterns (50 patients with asthma, 50 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 50 with interstitial lung disease) as well as 50 healthy individuals.

Results

For the key spirometric parameters in the interpretation of spirometry, i.e. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and FEF25–75%, Pearson correlation and Interclass Correlation Coefficient were greater than 0.94, exhibiting perfect concordance between the two spirometers. Similar results were observed in an exploratory analysis of the subgroups of patients. Using Bland-Altman plots we have shown good reproducibility in the measurements between the two devices, with small mean differences for the evaluated spirometric parameters and the majority of measurements being well within the limits of agreement.

Conclusions

Our results support the use of Air Next as a reliable spirometer for the screening and diagnosis of various spirometric patterns in clinical practice.