bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meaning in Life as Mediator of Family Allocentrism and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese and Italian Early Adolescents
Authors: Germani Alessandro , Delvecchio Elisa , Li Jian-Bin , Lis Adriana , Mazzeschi Claudia
Published: May 2020

Establishing a coherent meaning in life has long been considered to be a protective factor of well-being, but this construct has been understudied in early adolescent development. The current study investigated the relationships between family allocentrism and depressive symptoms as well as the mediation effect of meaning in life in 214 Chinese and 201 Italian early adolescents. Although family allocentrism was higher in Chinese than Italian participants, it was significantly associated to lower depressive symptoms in both countries. Moderated mediational analyses showed that in both countries: (a) family allocentrism was positively related with presence of meaning; (b) family allocentrism and presence of meaning were negatively related to depressive symptoms; and (c) presence of meaning mediated the relationship between family allocentrism and depressive symptoms. In conclusion, family allocentrism and presence of meaning in life are important preventive factors of early adolescents’ depressive symptoms in both collectivistic and in individualistic countries.
Hume’s Dynamic Coordination and International Law
Authors: Pavel Carmen E.
Published: May 2020

At the heart of the tension between state autonomy and international law is the question of whether states should willingly restrict their freedom of action for the sake of international security, human rights, trade, communication, and the environment. David Hume offers surprising insights to answer this question. He argues that the same interests in cooperation arise among individuals as well as states and that their interactions should be regulated by the same principles. Drawing on his model of dynamic coordination, I will reconstruct the Humean case for developing international law into a more robust legal system and also highlight the limitation of Hume’s account of justice for such a reconstructive project. Hume’s lessons are enduring; we must strengthen the essential features of international law that allow states and individuals to reap the benefits of its protections, such as nonoptional rules that articulate a moral minimum, courts with compulsory jurisdiction, and stronger mechanisms of enforcement.
Embodying Inequality: Using Ethnographic Data to Teach Intersectionality
Authors: Gardner Jeffrey A. , McKinzie Ashleigh E.
Published: May 2020

This article analyzes the effectiveness of an activity we developed to help students better understand intersectionality. Intersectionality is an analytic concept that signifies ways that inequalities may overlap to create unique forms of privilege and subjugation. In the activity, students use assigned vignettes from the perspective of research participants in our own ethnographic data (including excerpts from interviews and field notes) to interact with peers assigned both similar and dissimilar perspectives and experiences. The vignettes draw attention to intersectionality in a way that helps students embody participants’ experiences with privilege and subjugation. Our analysis of the activity’s effectiveness demonstrates that when learning is interactive, is dialogical, and draws from real narratives, students and instructors can effectively explore nuanced interpretations of relatively tough concepts, such as intersectionality. We argue that the embodiment of ethnographic data is a useful mechanism for helping students connect abstract sociological concepts to uniquely experienced realities.
Initial observations on complex predicates in Qaqet children’s language
Authors: Hellwig Birgit
Published: May 2020

This article focuses on complex predicates in Qaqet, a Papuan (Baining) language of Papua New Guinea, spoken by 15,000 people and still being acquired monolingually in remote areas. A large part of the Qaqet verb lexicon is compositional, consisting of simple verb roots that combine with prepositions or particles/suffixes, jointly contributing to the overall meaning of the expression. While patterns can be discerned, the resulting meanings are only partly transparent, thus presenting challenges to the language learner. This article is a first study tracing the distribution of these complex expressions in Qaqet children’s speech, drawing on a subset (31 hours) of a longitudinal corpus of children aged 2–6 (with a focus on the ages 2–4). The Qaqet complex verbs are reminiscent of West Germanic prefix and particle verbs (such as uncover and cover up), and this study therefore takes Heike Behrens’ pioneering study as its point of reference.
The role of agency in the language choices of a trilingual two-year-old in conversation with monolingual grandparents
Authors: Zhan Ying
Published: May 2020

This study examines the role of agency in a young trilingual child’s language choice in interaction with her Mandarin-speaking grandparents. The child was born in Japan to a Chinese mother and a Japanese father. English is used as a lingua franca in the family. The study demonstrates how the child asserts her agency to negotiate the decisions and efforts made by the grandparents. The bond of the heritage language and culture, and the value of child trilingualism are strongly desired and explicitly implemented in the grandparents’ monolingual or ‘bilingual-like’ discourse strategies in dealing with the child’s mixed codes. Meanwhile, the child’s flexible language use is not a passive response to the grandparents’ strategies but an exercise of her four significant senses and behaviour, which are: (1) resisting through no response; (2) moving on in a dual-lingual conversation; (3) assisting the grandparents to decode her non-Mandarin speech; and (4) modifying the language choices of herself and others. This study suggests that language choices of trilingual children are complex. It also provides empirical evidence that grandparents provide an important incentive in the planning of family language policy.
Artificial companions, social bots and work bots: communicative robots as research objects of media and communication studies
Authors: Hepp Andreas
Published: May 2020

The aim of this article is to outline ‘communicative robots’ as an increasingly relevant field of media and communication research. Communicative robots are defined as autonomously operating systems designed for the purpose of quasi-communication with human beings to enable further algorithmic-based functionalities – often but not always on the basis of artificial intelligence. Examples of these communicative robots can be seen in the now familiar artificial companions such as Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa, the social bots present on social media platforms or work bots that automatically generate journalistic content. In all, the article proceeds in three steps. Initially, it takes a closer look at the three examples of artificial companions, social bots and work bots in order to accurately describe the phenomenon and their recent insinuation into everyday life. This will then allow me to grasp the challenges posed by the increasing need to deal with communicative robots in media and communication research. It is from this juncture from where I would like to draw back on the discussion about the automation of communication and clearly outline how communicative robots are more likely than physical artefacts to be experienced at the interface of automated communication and communicative automation.
Rhythmedia: A Study of Facebook Immune System
Authors: Carmi Elinor
Published: May 2020

This paper examines the politics behind algorithmic ordering in social media, focusing on the advertising logic behind them. This is explored through a practice I call rhythmedia – the way media companies render people, objects and their relations as rhythms and (re)order them for economic purposes. As a case study I examine the way the Facebook Immune System algorithm orchestrates people’s mediated experience towards a desired rhythm (sociality) while filtering out problematic rhythms (spam). This anti-spam algorithm shows that it is important for Facebook to understand people as rhythms and assemble a dynamic database from their mediated experiences, to convince advertisers that they know when and where people do things. People’s rhythms become a product that advertisers pay and bid for through Ad Auction to intervene in specific moments and shape people’s experience. Thus, the company can shape, manage, and filter specific rhythms to order sociality that brings more value.
Direct oral anticoagulants for the treatment of Mondor’s disease not responding to low-molecular weight heparin
Authors: Serrao Alessandra , Lucani Benedetta , Baldacci Erminia , Fiori Luciano , Chistolini Antonio
Published: May 2020

Mondor’s disease is a rare condition and usually treated with low-molecular weight heparin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Because of paucity of cases and for the usually spontaneous resolution, there is not a standard treatment strategy and the use of oral anticoagulation in controversial. We reported the efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in the recurrent Mondor’s disease refractory to standard therapy.
Mechanical punctate pain threshold is associated with headache frequency and phase in patients with migraine
Authors: Pan Li-Ling Hope , Wang Yen-Feng , Lai Kuan-Lin , Chen Wei-Ta , Chen Shih-Pin , Ling Yu-Hsiang , Chou Li-Wei , Treede Rolf-Detlef , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: May 2020

Objective

Previous studies regarding the quantitative sensory testing are inconsistent in migraine. We hypothesized that the quantitative sensory testing results were influenced by headache frequency or migraine phase.

Methods

This study recruited chronic and episodic migraine patients as well as healthy controls. Participants underwent quantitative sensory testing, including heat, cold, and mechanical punctate pain thresholds at the supraorbital area (V1 dermatome) and the forearm (T1 dermatome). Prospective headache diaries were used for headache frequency and migraine phase when quantitative sensory testing was performed.

Results

Twenty-eight chronic migraine, 64 episodic migraine and 32 healthy controls completed the study. Significant higher mechanical punctate pain thresholds were found in episodic migraine but not chronic migraine when compared with healthy controls. The mechanical punctate pain thresholds decreased as headache frequency increased then nadired. In episodic migraine, mechanical punctate pain thresholds were highest ( p < 0.05) in those in the interictal phase and declined when approaching the ictal phase in both V1 and T1 dermatomes. Linear regression analyses showed that in those with episodic migraine, headache frequency and phase were independently associated with mechanical punctate pain thresholds and accounted for 29.7% and 38.9% of the variance in V1 ( p = 0.003) and T1 ( p < 0.001) respectively. Of note, unlike mechanical punctate pain thresholds, our study did not demonstrate similar findings for heat pain thresholds and cold pain thresholds in migraine.

Conclusion

Our study provides new insights into the dynamic changes of quantitative sensory testing, especially mechanical punctate pain thresholds in patients with migraine. Mechanical punctate pain thresholds vary depending on headache frequency and migraine phase, providing an explanation for the inconsistency across studies.
Decolonizing the Civil Sphere: The Politics of Difference, Imperial Erasures, and Theorizing from History
Authors: Hammer Ricarda
Published: May 2020

This article rethinks sociological approaches to difference and inclusion. It argues that civil sphere theory replicates colonial dynamics through abstracting civil codes from their role in colonial governance. Through a case study of French colonial Algeria, the article illuminates the historical co-constitution of the French Republic and the colonial subject. This imperial history explains how civil codes came about through the same social process as the domination of the colonial other. Given these entangled histories, building solidarity requires we move beyond a process of civil repair that rests on incorporation to one of civil construction, which takes account of historical wrongs and the colonial layer of meaning embedded in categories of civil discourse. Theorizing from suppressed histories allows us to question the content of the civil sphere’s classificatory system and turn our attention to a resignification of the core group in the wake of colonial histories.
Analytical assessment of a concentrated solar sub-critical thermal power plant using low temperature heat transfer fluid
Authors: Srivastva Umish , Kumar K Ravi , Malhotra RK , Kaushik SC
Published: May 2020

The paper presents energy–exergy–economic–environment–ethics analysis of a concentrated solar thermal power plant. Design basis of a concentrated solar power for 24 h operation on parabolic trough collector technology in best suited direct normal irradiation location and least capital cost analysis has been presented. An unconventional approach of reducing the capital cost is analyzed by intentionally designing the power plant for sub-critical conditions using a low-cost mineral oil with permissible operating temperature of 320°C in place of the conventional synthetic solar grade oil of 400°C. Using low pressure and temperature steam in the plant, it has been shown that while there is a reduction of 0.1% in energetic efficiency, there is a gain of 0.28% in the exergetic efficiency of the solar power plant conditions, gross thermal efficiency decreases by 1.18% and the net thermal efficiency decreases by 2.91%. However, the energetic and exergetic utilization factor for heat transfer fluid is increased by 0.84 and 5.58%, respectively. By suitably adjusting the solar field configuration and inlet oil temperature, energy savings to the tune of 45% is possible apart from 2.5 times of cost saving. An attempt has been made to quantifiably assess the ethics of switching to renewable electricity through shared responsibility as a novelty in the study. The payback period for the investment has also been shown to reduce from 20 years to 5 years assuming that the carbon price increases, concentrated solar power cost comes down by 25%, and cost at which electricity can be sold increases to US $0.14 (Rs. 10) per unit.
Adverse events related to electroacupuncture: a systematic review of single case studies and case series
Authors: Park Jeong Hwan , Lee Jun-Hwan , Lee Sanghun , Shin Jae-Young , Kim Tae-Hun
Published: May 2020

Objective

Electroacupuncture (EA) is used in the treatment of various diseases through the use of electrical stimulation. Reports of adverse events (AEs) associated with acupuncture are relatively consistent, but the safety of EA has been less well reported. In this systematic review, we provide a summary of the types of AEs related to EA in clinical practice.

Methods

Twelve electronic databases, including those in English (PubMed, Ovid-EMBASE, CENTRAL), Korean (KMbase, KISS, NDSL, KISTI, OASIS), Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang, Weipu) and Japanese (J-STAGE), were systematically searched for single case studies and case series through April 2018. There were no language restrictions. We included clinical studies in which EA was used as a key intervention and in which AEs that may have been causally related to EA were reported.

Results

Thirty-seven studies, including 27 single case studies and 10 case series, were evaluated. The most frequently reported AEs were pallor (eight cases), skin pigmentation (eight cases), vertigo (seven cases), chest tightness (six cases), vomiting (six cases) and unconsciousness (five cases). Thirty-one cases (62%) achieved full recovery and three cases (6%) achieved partial recovery. There were also three cases of death (6%).

Conclusion

AEs related to EA included acupuncture-related AEs and serious AEs induced by electrical stimulation. Currently, specific stimulation conditions associated with EA-specific AEs are not identifiable due to inappropriate reporting. However, skin pigmentation, syncope or spasm, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock, cardiac emergencies, electrical burns, and potential internal organ injury are potential EA-specific AEs regarding which physicians should be cautious in clinical practice.
Influence of biochar from animal and plant origin on the compressive strength characteristics of degraded landfill surface soils
Authors: Jyoti Bora Manash , Bordoloi Sanandam , Kumar Himanshu , Gogoi Nirmali , Zhu Hong-Hu , Sarmah Ajit K , Sreeja P , Sreedeep S , Mei Guoxiong
Published: May 2020

Growing awareness of sustainability in the landfill cover system has increased the use of biochar amendment for degraded landfill surface soils. Hydraulic and vegetative benefits of biochar on cover soil have been studied in the past, while ignoring mechanical characteristics, which is important to understand progressive failure of landfill infrastructure. In this study, the mechanical characteristics of four soil–biochar composites were investigated by conducting 81 unconfined compressive strength test. The results based on four in-house produced biochar were used to study the effect of compaction state (density, moisture content) and biochar percentage (5% and 10%) on unconfined compressive strength of soil–biochar. The ductility of soil–biochar was investigated for all the four biochars. Results from this study indicate a contrasting observation of strength gain depending on the type of biochar. The unconfined compressive strength of soil–biochar is potentially influenced by the different surface functional groups of biochar (hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity) and soil-biochar interlocking. It was noted that the peanut shell biochar gave comparable unconfined compressive strength of soil–biochar with that of bare soil for different compaction state. However, a diminution in the unconfined compressive strength was observed for all the other three soil–biochar sourced from water hyacinth, saw dust, and poultry litter. The study indicates that the use of biochar in soils does not ensure an improvement in the strength of soil–biochar. Enhancement in ductility was found for all the four soil–biochar irrespective of compaction state. Improvement in ductility was maximum when the soil–biochar is compacted at the dry state of optimum. Plant-based biochar has higher potency to increase the ductility of soil as compared to the animal-based biochar. Our study identifies peanut shell biochar ideal for landfill cover amendment material, considering its mechanical characteristics and design criterion. Soil biochar composite from water hyacinth, saw dust, and poultry litter can be used for potential application in green-infrastructure.
Pazopanib for metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Koca Sinan , Beşiroğlu Mehmet , Özçelik Melike , Karaca Mustafa , Bilici Mehmet , Hacıoğlu Bekir , Doğu Gamze G , Kaplan Nihal B , Oruç Zeynep , Aydın Dinçer , Dane Faysal
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Soft tissue sarcomas are associated with a poor prognosis and low chemotherapeutic efficiency. Pazopanib is an orally available multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that was explored in patients with non-adipocytic advanced soft tissue sarcomas. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the real life data of single-agent pazopanib efficacy and safety for soft tissue sarcomas in the Turkish population.

Materials and methods

We evaluated a total of 103 patients (41 males, 62 females) who received pazopanib for advanced non-adipocytic soft tissue sarcomas diagnosis in eight centers of Turkey, retrospectively. The pazopanib dose was 800 mg once daily. Progression-free survival, overall survival, and adverse events were analyzed.

Results

The median age was 50 years (range, 38–58). Majority of the patients had leimyosarcoma (41%). Median progression-free survival was 4.3 months, and the median overall survival was 10.1 months. The main common toxicities were fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, nausea, hypertension, and grade ≥3 toxicities were fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and liver disorder.

Conclusion

Pazopanib is an efficient and tolerable agent and is well tolerated in good performance status patients with relapsed, advanced non-adipocytic soft tissue sarcomas.
Hidden technicians; music and radio-making at 3-PBS in the Prince of Wales
Authors: Tebbutt John
Published: May 2020

This article explores the role played by radio broadcast technicians in the early period of the volunteer-run community radio station PBS-FM, in Melbourne. It covers the tenure of the broadcaster at the Prince of Wales (PoW) hotel in the city bayside suburb of St Kilda between 1980 and 1984. The article aims to assess the link between radio and music in the light of the problematic relationship these elements have had historically in popular music studies. The article specifically addresses the role of volunteer technicians in facilitating live music broadcasts at PBS, which became a signature format for PBS and helped establish it as an important community station in the new sector as well as a component of Melbourne’s emerging role in Australian and international music.
3D printing parameters of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer for friction and wear analysis using response surface methodology
Authors: Norani Mohamad Nordin Mohamad , Abdollah Mohd Fadzli Bin , Abdullah Muhammad Ilman Hakimi Chua , Amiruddin Hilmi , Ramli Faiz Redza , Tamaldin Noreffendy
Published: May 2020

This study intends to analyse the coefficient of friction and wear properties of the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer by determining the optimal parameters for 3D printing. The pin specimens were produced using the fused filament fabrication 3D printing. Response surface methodology is used for the multivariate analysis, and Box–Behnken Design is the chosen symmetrical design method. Changes to the dependent variables, coefficient of friction and wear rate, were analysed as a function of the nozzle temperature, layer height and printing pattern. The coefficient of friction and wear rate were measured using a pin-on-disc tribometer. A good agreement between the modelled and measured values of coefficient of friction and wear rate was observed. The study suggests that layer height affecting coefficient of friction and wear rate most significantly. It is determined that a layer height of 0.10 mm and a nozzle temperature of 234℃ using the triangle printing pattern is the optimal set of combination to minimise coefficient of friction and wear rate.
The haunting figure of the useless academic: Critical thinking in coronavirus time
Authors: Hage Ghassan
Published: May 2020

A critical intellectual, someone whose job is to think, reflect and critique can be the last thing one needs in times of practical urgency. If anything such people can be a hindrance to the recovery effort. Pardoxically, in such times, critical intellectuals are more necessary than ever. Pandemics, for instance, invite war metaphors, and unleash reactionary themes of ‘cohesion’, ‘unity’ and ‘common purpose’ that require being challenged. To be a critical intellectual in such times is to be aware of, and learn how to negotiate, such a contradiction.
How do conflict narratives shape conflict- and peace-related outcomes among majority group members? The role of competitive victimhood in intractable conflicts
Authors: Uluğ Özden Melis , Lickel Brian , Leidner Bernhard , Hirschberger Gilad
Published: May 2020

Previous research in the Turkish–Kurdish conflict context highlighted two opposing conflict narratives: (a) a terrorism narrative and (b) an independence narrative. In this article, we argue that these narratives are relevant to protracted and asymmetrical intergroup conflict (e.g., independence struggles), and therefore have consequences for conflict- and peace-related outcomes regardless of conflict contexts. We tested this generalizability hypothesis in parallel studies in the context of Turkish–Kurdish (Study 1) and Israeli–Palestinian relations (Study 2) among majority group members (Turks and Jewish Israelis, respectively). We also investigated competitive victimhood as a potential mediating variable in the relationship between conflict narratives on the one side and support for non-violent conflict resolution, forgiveness, and support for aggressive policies on the other, in parallel studies with the two aforementioned contexts. We argue that the terrorism narrative is essentially a negation of the narrative of the other group, and the independence narrative is a consideration of that narrative; therefore, competitive victimhood would be lower/higher when the narrative of the other is acknowledged/denied. Results point to the crucial relationship between endorsing conflict narratives and conflict- and peace-related outcomes through competitive victimhood, and to the possibility that these conflict narratives may show some similarities across different conflict contexts.
Hashtagging depression on Instagram: Towards a more inclusive mental health research methodology
Authors: McCosker Anthony , Gerrard Ysabel
Published: May 2020

Heavily used hashtags on Instagram and other platforms can indicate extensive public engagement with issues, events or collective experiences. This article extends existing research methods to paint a fuller picture of how people engage collectively with public issues online. Focussing on Instagram content often deemed ‘problematic’, we develop and test what we call a ‘hashtag practice’ approach. This approach targets the hashtag #depressed, and also moves beyond it to (a) incorporate the posts immediately preceding and following a root post, (b) more inclusively sample content associated with the hashtag to combat filtering bias, (c) consider collocated hashtags and (d) draw on contextual cues in the interplay between posts’ visual content, captions and profile management. The method shows the prevalence and significance of aesthetic and memetic practices, and caution in embodiment in mental health posts, revealing more diverse forms of engagement with mental health on Instagram than previous research suggests.
Processing news on social media. The political incidental news exposure model (PINE)
Authors: Matthes Jörg , Nanz Andreas , Stubenvoll Marlis , Heiss Raffael
Published: May 2020

This article outlines the Political Incidental News Exposure Model. The Political Incidental News Exposure Model understands incidental news exposure as a dynamic process and distinguishes two levels of incidental news exposure: the passive scanning of incidentally encountered political information (first level) and the intentional processing of incidentally encountered content appraised as relevant (second level). After encountering political information incidentally, recipients briefly check the content for relevance (i.e., first level). If content is appraised as relevant, recipients switch to more intensive processing (i.e., second level incidental news exposure). Importantly, second-level incidental news exposure is assumed to have stronger effects on political outcome variables like participation and knowledge than first-level incidental news exposure. The Political Incidental News Exposure Model further acknowledges intention-based (i.e., incidental news exposure while not looking for political news) and topic-based incidental news exposure (i.e., incidental news exposure while looking for other political news) and it conceptualizes incidental news exposure with respect to political and non-political content. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
Ramipril pretreatment worsened renal injury and survival despite a reduction in renal inflammation in experimentally induced sepsis in mice
Authors: Bondeva Tzvetanka , Schindler Katrin , Schindler Claudia , Wolf Gunter
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril is a standard antihypertensive therapy for many patients. Because angiotensin II may promote inflammation, we were interested in whether basal pretreatment with ramipril may modify renal function and inflammation as well as systemic outcome in experimentally induced sepsis in mice.

Material and methods:

Ramipril (10 mg/kg/day) pretreatment or placebo (NaCl) was given intraperitoneally for 5 days to C57BL6/J mice, followed by either sham operation or cecal ligation and puncture sepsis induction. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunological stains were used to evaluate renal gene and protein expression, respectively. Plasma creatinine, neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin, and blood urea nitrogen were used as markers for renal function. A clinical severity score was determined.

Results:

Administration of ramipril before cecal ligation and puncture surgery was associated with reduced renal inflammation but did not improved renal function and structure and even worsened the clinical status of septic mice.

Conclusions:

The data suggest that the effects of ramipril pretreatment are complex. Additional studies including monitoring of hemodynamic parameters are necessary to elucidate the exact mechanism(s) of this observation. In addition, the timing of the ramipril administration could be of importance.
Violence and the crime drop
Authors: Ganpat Soenita M. , Garius Laura , Tseloni Andromachi , Tilley Nick
Published: May 2020

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, violence fell dramatically between 1995 and 2013/14. To improve understanding of the fall in violent crime, this study examines long-term crime trends in England and Wales over the past two decades, by scrutinizing the trends in (a) stranger and acquaintance violence, (b) severity of violence, (c) age groups, and (d) sexes. It draws on nationally representative, weighted data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, and examines prevalence, incidence and crime concentration trends. The overall violence fall was driven by a decline in the victimization of young individuals and/or males perpetrated by acquaintances since 1995. Stranger and acquaintance violence followed different trajectories, with the former beginning to drop post 2003/4. Falls in both stranger and acquaintance violence incidence rates were led by a reduction in victims over time. Counting all incidents reported by the same victim (instead of capping at five incidents) significantly affects trends in stranger violence but not in acquaintance violence. In relation to the distributive justice within the crime drop, this study provides unique evidence of equitable falls in acquaintance violence but inequitable falls in stranger violence. These findings highlight the need to examine violence types separately and point to a number of areas for future research.
Maximizing the utility of peer support in carceral settings: A few stumbling blocks to consider
Authors: Perrin Christian
Published: May 2020

Emerging research advocates prison-based peer support programmes not only for the recipients of support but also for those providing it. Such programmes are founded on principles such as reciprocity, shared problem-solving and empathy. Accordingly, there have been recent claims that such structures may engender a magnified impact in carceral settings characterized by deprivation and adversity. Specifically, it has been argued that peer supporters garner opportunities to enact prosocial behaviours and consequently energize desistance narratives while serving time. However, as intrigue and optimism around this untapped resource grow, so too does the need to explore any hindrances that might halt progressive developments. This article presents data from qualitative interviews held with incarcerated peer supporters in the UK. Transcripts of the institutional challenges that participants faced when undertaking their roles were thematically analysed, and suggestions for practitioners are offered. The article calls for professionals and policy makers to further explore the redemptive potential of prison-based peer support.
Societal gender inequality and the gender gap in safety perceptions: Comparative evidence from the International Crime Victims Survey
Authors: Bhardwaj Ntasha , Apel Robert
Published: May 2020

This study considers whether societal gender inequality moderates the relationship between gender and perceptions of personal safety. Pooled 1992–2005 rounds of the International Crime Victims Survey, comprising more than 285,000 respondents from 75 countries, are used to estimate multilevel models of safety perceptions, with a cross-level interaction specified between gender and gender inequality. We find that the gender gap in safety perceptions, although statistically significant in all countries, is largest in countries exhibiting high gender equality and smallest in countries with high gender inequality. This is explained entirely by variation in men’s safety perceptions; male respondents perceive themselves as safer in a milieu of gender equality, but less safe in a milieu of gender inequality. In contrast, the safety perceptions of female respondents are uncorrelated with societal gender inequality.
An Exploratory Survey of Priorities in Establishing Telepractice System for SLPs and Caregivers in Korea
Authors: Yoo Jeewon , Yoon Mi-sun , Lee Chi Kyou , Hong Gyung-Hun , Choi Seong Jun
Published: May 2020

This study investigated factors prioritized by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and caregivers for telehealth services involving speech-language assessments and interventions and determined whether the priorities differed between SLPs and caregivers in Korea. The survey data obtained from 23 SLPs and 50 caregivers were analyzed using analytic hierarchical process (AHP) methodology. The results showed that the “SLP” category was the most important high-level category and “building rapport with the child client” in the “SLP” category was of the highest priorities for both SLPs and caregivers across all factors. Furthermore, the rank-order of a few categories and the global priority between SLPs and caregivers varied slightly. These findings suggest that, in addition to important factors associated with SLPs and caregivers, the different expectations of service providers and clients using telepractice in Korea should be addressed.
Bacterial cellulose-natural fiber composites produced by fibers extracted from banana peel waste
Authors: Naeem Muhammad Awais , Siddiqui Qasim , Khan Muhammad Rafique , Mushtaq Muhammad , Wasim Muhammad , Farooq Amjad , Naveed Tayyad , Wei Qufu
Published: May 2020

In recent times, there is a growing demand for low-cost raw materials, renewable resources, and eco-friendly end products. Natural fibers are considered as strong candidates to be used as a potential reinforcement for composite manufacturing. In the current study, natural fibers extracted from banana peel were coated with bacterial cellulose through a green biosynthesis approach as well as by a simple slurry dipping method. Thus, natural fibers from banana peel waste were used the first time, to produce bacterial cellulose-natural fiber composites. SEM analysis revealed good interaction between the hybrid fibers and the epoxy matrix. Thermal gravimetric analysis results revealed that the degradation temperature increases because of the addition of bacterial cellulose on fiber surface, which improves the thermal stability. The maximum thermal decomposition temperature (405°C) was noticed for nanocomposites reinforced by banana fibers with bacterial cellulose deposited on their surface. Whereas the lowest weight loss was also found for the same sample group. The highest tensile strength (57.95 MPa) was found for SBC-BP/epoxy, followed by DBC-BP/epoxy (54.73 MPa) and NBP/epoxy (45.32 MPa) composites, respectively. Composites reinforced by both types of hybrid banana fibers shown comparatively higher tensile performance as compared with the neat banana peel fiber-epoxy composites, which can be attributed to the high strength and stiffness associated with the bacterial cellulose. Overall, this study suggests a successful and green route for the fabrication of natural fiber-reinforced composites with improved properties such as tensile strength and thermal stability.
Gearbox fault diagnosis using data fusion based on self-organizing map neural network
Authors: Qiang Zhang , Jieying Gu , Junming Liu , Ying Tian , Shilei Zhang
Published: May 2020

This article aims to provide an efficient fault diagnosis method for gearbox. A self-organizing map–based fault model is developed to provide effective diagnosis of the faults of gearboxes using the gear signals extracted from gearboxes operating with zero and three different types of faults. The gear signals are collected by vibration and acoustic sensors, and pre-denoised using wavelet denoising and wavelet packet decomposition. The characteristic values are subsequently obtained using fast Fourier transform and infinite impulse response filtering. The results showed of the self-organizing map neural network diagnosis model can effectively diagnose gear fault information with a 95% diagnostic accuracy using four input characteristic values: (1) Y-axis vibration displacement amplitude, (2) Y-axis vibration acceleration amplitude, (3) acoustic emission energy amplitude, and (4) acoustic emission signal peak value. The proposed approach provides a novel method to more accurate diagnosis of gear fault pattern and improvement of working efficiency of mechanical instruments.
A study on the matching of constraint between steam turbine blade and laboratory specimens
Authors: Yang Jie , Liu Yuman , Chen Haofeng
Published: May 2020

The matching of constraint between laboratory specimens and actual cracked structures is a key problem of the accurate structure integrity assessment. Different laboratory specimens and the steam turbine blade with different constraints were selected, the matching of constraint between steam turbine blade and laboratory specimens was investigated. The results shown that the steam turbine blade with 2 c = 50 mm, a/2 c = 0.20 has a matching constraint with single edge-notched bend specimen with a/ W = 0.6 and single edge-notched tensile specimen with a/ W = 0.3. The steam turbine blade with 2 c = 50 mm, a/2 c = 0.25 has a matching constraint with single edge-notched bend specimen with a/ W = 0.7. The steam turbine blade with 2 c = 50 mm, a/2 c = 0.30 has a matching constraint with single edge-notched bend specimen with a/ W = 0.5 and single edge-notched tensile specimen with a/ W = 0.1. The steam turbine blade with 2 c = 50 mm, a/2 c = 0.35 has a matching constraint with single edge-notched bend specimen with a/ W = 0.4, compact tension specimen with a/ W = 0.3 and central-cracked tension specimen with a/ W = 0.7. The steam turbine blade with a = 15 mm, a/2 c = 0.30 has a matching constraint with compact tension specimen with a/ W = 0.7 and single edge-notched tensile specimen with a/ W = 0.5. The steam turbine blade with a = 15 mm, a/2 c = 0.40 has a matching constraint with compact tension specimen with a/ W = 0.4. The steam turbine blade with a = 15 mm, a/2 c = 0.50 has a matching constraint with single edge-notched bend specimen with a/ W = 0.5.
Quality indicators in diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Januszewicz Wladyslaw , Kaminski Michal F.
Published: May 2020

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy contributes a major clinical service with consistently growing demand around the world. Its utility corresponds to varying epidemiological issues throughout the globe, with cancer screening and surveillance being of the utmost priority. Despite high accuracy in neoplasia detection, UGI endoscopy remains a highly operator-dependent procedure, characterized by a substantial rate of missed pathology. Despite an overall lack of high-quality performance measures, there is an increased level of awareness about the need for quality control of this procedure, which is reflected in several guidelines and position statements published in recent years. It is widely recognized that quality assessment should go beyond mere technical aspects of the examination, and include both pre- and post-procedural factors. By this means, quality control encompasses the entire patient experience with the health care provider, from appropriate indication and physical assessment, through high-quality endoscopy service, to appropriate follow up and patient satisfaction. This article aims to review the available and emerging quality metrics for UGI endoscopy, taken mostly from Western endoscopy societies, with references to Asian recommendations where appropriate. The paper is limited solely to diagnostic UGI endoscopy and does not include performance measures for therapeutic procedures.
MRI and Clinical Risk Indicators for Osteomyelitis
Authors: Massel Dustin H. , Jenkins Nathaniel W. , Rush Augustus J. , Trapana Justin E. , Foremny Gregory B. , Donnally Chester J. , Subhawong Ty , Aiyer Amiethab
Published: May 2020

Introduction. The sensitivity and specificity for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of osteomyelitis is 90% and 80%, respectively; findings include bone marrow edema, T2-weighted image hyperintensity (HI-T2WI), T1-weighted image confluent signal(CS-T1WI), and cortical erosion (CE). The goal is to determine which risk factors and MRI findings are most predictive of osteomyelitis. Materials and Methods. After institutional review board approval, records of patients who underwent bone biopsy of the foot/ankle between 2015 and 2017 were reviewed. Diagnosis was determined histologically. Blinded MRI review identified indicators of osteomyelitis: HI-T2WI, CS-T1WI, ulcer depth, and CE. Bivariate and multivariate regression determined an association between osteomyelitis and radiographic indicators. Results. Of 59 subjects, 41 (69.5%) and 18 (30.5%) had pathologic evidence of osteomyelitis or were indeterminate. The sensitivity and specificity by radiologist diagnosis was 51.4% and 91.7%, respectively. Diabetes (relative risk [RR]=2.9, 95% CI = 1.0.8-7.77, P = .034), CS-T1WI (RR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.23-2.20, P < .001), and CE (RR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.34-2.28, P < .001) were risk factors on bivariate analysis. Ulcer depth demonstrated a trend toward statistical significance. Diabetes (RR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.00-5.69, P = .049) and CE (RR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.27-2.37, P < .001) were independent risk factors on multivariate analysis. Discussion. Diabetes and CS-T1WI are independent risk factors for pedal osteomyelitis. Patients with diabetes, CS-T1WI, and CE should be evaluated for osteomyelitis with recommendation for bone biopsy in appropriate clinical settings.

Levels of Evidence: Level III Retrospective Comparative Study
The role of fedratinib for the treatment of patients with primary or secondary myelofibrosis
Authors: Palmer Jeanne , Mesa Ruben
Published: May 2020

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloid neoplasm characterized by either primary myelofibrosis, or secondary MF following essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera. Historically, therapy has been symptom directed; however, in 2011, the first janus kinase inhibitor (JAK-i) – ruxolitinib – was approved for treatment. This medication was found to be effective in reduction of symptom burden and spleen size; however, the median duration of response is about 3 years. In addition, many patients are intolerant or develop toxicities to ruxolitinib, including patients with anemia, as well as thrombocytopenia. Therefore, there is a critical need for alternate therapeutic options for patients with MF. Additional JAK-i have been developed over the last 8 years, including fedratinib, momelotinib, and pacritinib. Fedratinib recently received approval for treatment of MF both in the first-line and second-line setting. It has shown efficacy in the first-line setting, as well as in 30% of patients who are refractory/intolerant of ruxolitinib. This review covers the trials that have led to the approval of ruxolitinib as well as fedratinib, as well as reviews of two JAK inhibitors that are still under clinical investigation: momelotinib and pacritinib.
Cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with muscular dystrophies
Authors: Grigoratos Chrysanthos , Aimo Alberto , Barison Andrea , Castiglione Vincenzo , Todiere Giancarlo , Ricci Giulia , Siciliano Gabriele , Emdin Michele
Published: May 2020

Muscular dystrophies are inherited disorders sharing similar clinical features and dystrophic changes on muscle biopsy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common inherited muscle disease of childhood, and Becker muscular dystrophy is a milder allelic variant with a slightly lower prevalence. Myotonic dystrophy is the most frequent form in adults. Cardiac magnetic resonance is the gold standard technique for the quantification of cardiac chamber volumes and function, and also enables a characterisation of myocardial tissue. Most cardiac magnetic resonance studies in the setting of muscular dystrophy were carried out at single centres, evaluated small numbers of patients and used widely heterogeneous protocols. Even more importantly, those studies analysed more or less extensively the patterns of cardiac involvement, but usually did not try to establish the added value of cardiac magnetic resonance to standard echocardiography, the evolution of cardiac disease over time and the prognostic significance of cardiac magnetic resonance findings. As a result, the large and heterogeneous amount of information on cardiac involvement in muscular dystrophies cannot easily be translated into recommendations on the optimal use of cardiac magnetic resonance. In this review, whose targets are cardiologists and neurologists who manage patients with muscular dystrophy, we try to summarise cardiac magnetic resonance findings in patients with muscular dystrophy, and the results of studies evaluating the role of cardiac magnetic resonance as a tool for diagnosis, risk stratification and follow-up. Finally, we provide some practical recommendations about the need and timing of cardiac magnetic resonance examination for the management of patients with muscular dystrophy.
Social Networking Sites, Personalization, and Trust in Government: Empirical Evidence for a Mediation Model
Authors: Starke Christopher , Marcinkowski Frank , Wintterlin Florian
Published: May 2020

Political communication via social media might well counter the eroding political trust. In particular, social networking sites (SNS) enable direct flows of communication between citizens and the political elite, thereby reducing social and political gaps. Based on the concept of personalization of politics, we argue that interactions with politicians on SNS affect trust in government through a two-step process: First, interactions on SNS make citizens evaluate politicians’ characters more favorably. Second, these evaluations serve as cues for the citizens to develop or withdraw trust in government. We test indirect effects using four character traits as mediators: leadership, benevolence, responsiveness, and likeability. A representative online survey ( n = 1117; in Germany) reveals that interactions with politicians on SNS increase the perceived likeability of candidates, and thus also trust in government. However, they do not affect the evaluation of the other traits: leadership, benevolence, and responsiveness.