bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dementia Knowledge and Attitudes of the General Public among the Bangladeshi Community in England: A Focus Group Study
Authors: Hossain Muhammad Zakir , Stores Rebecca , Hakak Yohai , Crossland John , Dewey Ann
Published: March 2020

Background: Increasing life expectancy worldwide means more people will develop dementia. Despite the rapid growth in older Bangladeshi immigrants living in the UK, there is little evidence of how community members understand and view the process of ageing and dementia. However, Bangladeshis have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease, both of which are important indicators of dementia development in old age. This study aimed to explore and analyse the perception and knowledge of, and attitudes towards, ageing and dementia among the Bangladeshi community. Methods: A qualitative research approach guided two separate focus group discussions held with Bangladeshi adults in Portsmouth, UK. A topic guide was used alongside two vignettes depicting either early- or late-stage dementia to stimulate discussion. The data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically using NVivo qualitative software. Results: Three main themes emerged: (1) knowledge and perceptions of dementia; (2) perceived causes of dementia; and (3) perceptions of stigma about dementia. Lack of knowledge and understanding of dementia was evident, but the stigma about dementia was non-existent. This study fills a research gap by providing qualitative research examining knowledge about and attitudes towards dementia among a Bangladeshi community in England. Conclusion: Future research must highlight the importance of raising dementia awareness among, and providing information about dementia caregiving to, Bangladeshi community members, as well as providing religiously sensitive healthcare services.
Stability of Plasma Amyloid-β 1–40, Amyloid-β 1–42, and Total Tau Protein over Repeated Freeze/Thaw Cycles
Authors: Liu Huei-Chun , Chiu Ming-Jang , Lin Chin-Hsien , Yang Shieh-Yueh
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Blood biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have attracted much attention of researchers in recent years. In clinical studies, repeated freeze/thaw cycles often occur and may influence the stability of biomarkers. This study aims to investigate the stability of amyloid-β 1–40 (Aβ1–40), amyloid-β 1–42 (Aβ1–42), and total tau protein (T-tau) in plasma over freeze/thaw cycles. Methods: Plasma samples from healthy controls (n = 2), AD patients (AD, n =3) and Parkinson’s disease patients (PD, n = 3) were collected by standardized procedure and immediately frozen at –80°C. Samples underwent 5 freeze/thaw (–80°C/room temperature) cycles. The concentrations of Aβ1–40, Aβ1–42, and T-tau were monitored during the freeze/thaw tests using an immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) assay. The relative percentage of concentrations after every freeze/thaw cycle was calculated for each biomarker. Results: A tendency of decrease in the averaged relative percentages over samples through the freeze and thaw cycles for Aβ1–40 (100 to 97.11%), Aβ1–42 (100 to 94.99%), and T-tau (100 to 95.65%) was found. However, the decreases were less than 6%. For all three biomarkers, no statistical significance was found between the levels of fresh plasma and those of the plasma experiencing 5 freeze/thaw cycles (p > 0.1). Conclusions: Plasma Aβ1–40, Aβ1–42, and T-tau are stable through 5 freeze/thaw cycles measured with IMR.
Three moss families (Bryopsida: Calymperaceae, Hyopterygiaceae, & Pterobryaceae): new distribution records to bryoflora of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Sreenath Ananthaneni , Anil Kumar Midigesi , Anjaneyulu Paradesi , Boyina Ravi Prasad Rao
Published: March 2020

Our investigation of the bryoflora of Andhra Pradesh carried out during 2015–19 resulted in three new records of moss families: Calymparaceae, Hypopterygiaceae, and Pterobryaceae represented by Calymperes tenerum, Hypopterygium tamarisci, and Pterobryopsis acuminata, respectively.
A new species of shieldtail snake (Reptilia: Squamata: Uropeltidae) from Kolli Hill complex, southern Eastern Ghats, peninsular India
Authors: Ganesh S.R. , Achyuthan N.S.
Published: March 2020

We describe a new species of shieldtail (uropeltid) snake, Uropeltis rajendrani sp. nov., from the Kolli Hill complex of the southern Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India.  The new species belongs to the U. ceylanica group and is differentiated from related species in having 16–17:16–17:15–16 dorsal scale rows; 145–158 ventral scales; 8–11 pairs of subcaudals; dorsum uniform brown, anteriorly powdered with yellow mottling; venter brown, scales outlined with yellow.  This endemic species with a restricted range is known only from atop Kolli Hill complex, inhabiting higher elevation (> 900m) evergreen forests, where it is the only known member of this genus.
Allopatric species, endemism, isolated massif, Uropeltis rajendrani sp. nov., Western Ghats.
FVIIa (Factor VIIa) Induces Biased Cytoprotective Signaling in Mice Through the Cleavage of PAR (Protease-Activated Receptor)-1 at Canonical Arg41 (Arginine41) Site
Authors: Kondreddy Vijay , Pendurthi Usha R. , Xu Xiao , Griffin John H. , Rao L. Vijaya Mohan
Published: March 2020

Objective:

Recent studies showed that FVIIa (factor VIIa), upon binding to EPCR (endothelial cell protein C receptor), elicits endothelial barrier stabilization and anti-inflammatory effects via activation of PAR (protease-activated receptor)-1–mediated signaling. It is unknown whether FVIIa induces PAR1-dependent cytoprotective signaling through cleavage of PAR1 at the canonical site or a noncanonical site, similar to that of APC (activated protein C).

Approach and Results:

Mouse strains carrying homozygous R41Q (canonical site) or R46Q (noncanonical site) point mutations in PAR1 (QQ41-PAR1 and QQ46-PAR1 mice) were used to investigate in vivo mechanism of PAR1-dependent pharmacological beneficial effects of FVIIa. Administration of FVIIa reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation, barrier permeability, and VEGF (vascular endothelial cell growth factor)-induced barrier disruption in wild-type (WT) and QQ46-PAR1 mice but not in QQ41-PAR1 mice. In vitro signaling studies performed with brain endothelial cells isolated from WT, QQ41-PAR1, and QQ46-PAR1 mice showed that FVIIa activation of Akt (protein kinase B) in endothelial cells required R41 cleavage site in PAR1. Our studies showed that FVIIa cleaved endogenous PAR1 in endothelial cells, and FVIIa-cleaved PAR1 was readily internalized, unlike APC-cleaved PAR1 that remained on the cell surface. Additional studies showed that pretreatment of endothelial cells with FVIIa reduced subsequent thrombin-induced signaling. This process was dependent on β-arrestin1.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that in vivo pharmacological benefits of FVIIa in mice arise from PAR1-dependent biased signaling following the cleavage of PAR1 at the canonical R41 site. The mechanism of FVIIa-induced cytoprotective signaling is distinctly different from that of APC. Our data provide another layer of complexity of biased agonism of PAR1 and signaling diversity.
A Critical Role for Estrogen-Related Receptor Signaling in Cardiac Maturation
Authors: Sakamoto Tomoya , Matsuura Timothy R. , Wan Shibiao , Ryba David M. , Kim J`unil , Won Kyoung Jae , Lai Ling , Petucci Christopher , Petrenko Nataliya , Musunuru Kiran , Vega Rick B. , Kelly Daniel P.
Published: March 2020

Rationale:

The heart undergoes dramatic developmental changes during the prenatal to postnatal transition, including maturation of cardiac myocyte energy metabolic and contractile machinery. Delineation of the mechanisms involved in cardiac postnatal development could provide new insight into the fetal shifts that occur in the diseased heart and unveil strategies for driving maturation of stem cell–derived cardiac myocytes.

Objective:

To delineate transcriptional drivers of cardiac maturation.

Methods and Results:

We hypothesized that ERR (estrogen-related receptor) α and γ, known transcriptional regulators of postnatal mitochondrial biogenesis and function, serve a role in the broader cardiac maturation program. We devised a strategy to knockdown the expression of ERRα and γ in heart after birth (pn-csERRα/γ [postnatal cardiac-specific ERRα/γ]) in mice. With high levels of knockdown, pn-csERRα/γ knockdown mice exhibited cardiomyopathy with an arrest in mitochondrial maturation. RNA sequence analysis of pn-csERRα/γ knockdown hearts at 5 weeks of age combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation with deep sequencing and functional characterization conducted in human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiac myocytes (hiPSC-CM) demonstrated that ERRγ activates transcription of genes involved in virtually all aspects of postnatal developmental maturation, including mitochondrial energy transduction, contractile function, and ion transport. In addition, ERRγ was found to suppress genes involved in fibroblast activation in hearts of pn-csERRα/γ knockdown mice. Disruption of
Esrra
and
Esrrg
in mice during fetal development resulted in perinatal lethality associated with structural and genomic evidence of an arrest in cardiac maturation, including persistent expression of early developmental and noncardiac lineage gene markers including cardiac fibroblast signatures. Lastly, targeted deletion of
ESRRA
and
ESRRG
in hiPSC-CM derepressed expression of early (transcription factor 21 or TCF21) and mature (periostin, collagen type III) fibroblast gene signatures.

Conclusions:

ERRα and γ are critical regulators of cardiac myocyte maturation, serving as transcriptional activators of adult cardiac metabolic and structural genes, an.d suppressors of noncardiac lineages including fibroblast determination.
Prognostic significance of troponin level in 3121 patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (The NIHR Health Informatics Collaborative TROP‐AF study)
Authors: Kaura Amit , Arnold Ahran D. , Panoulas Vasileios , Glampson Benjamin , Davies Jim , Mulla Abdulrahim , Woods Kerrie , Omigie Joe , Shah Anoop D. , Channon Keith M. , Weber Jonathan N. , Thursz Mark R. , Elliott Paul , Hemingway Harry , Williams Bryan , Asselbergs Folkert W. , O'Sullivan Michael , Lord Graham M. , Melikian Narbeh , Lefroy David C. , Francis Darrel P. , Shah Ajay M. , Kharbanda Rajesh , Perera Divaka , Patel Riyaz S. , Mayet Jamil
Published: March 2020

Background

Patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (
AF
) often undergo a blood test to measure troponin, but interpretation of the result is impeded by uncertainty about its clinical importance. We investigated the relationship between troponin level, coronary angiography, and all‐cause mortality in real‐world patients presenting with
AF
.

Methods and Results

We used National Institute of Health Research Health Informatics Collaborative data to identify patients admitted between 2010 and 2017 at 5 tertiary centers in the United Kingdom with a primary diagnosis of
AF
. Peak troponin results were scaled as multiples of the upper limit of normal. A total of 3121 patients were included in the analysis. Over a median follow‐up of 1462 (interquartile range, 929–1975) days, there were 586 deaths (18.8%). The adjusted hazard ratio for mortality associated with a positive troponin (value above upper limit of normal) was 1.20 (95%
CI
, 1.01–1.43;
P
<0.05). Higher troponin levels were associated with higher risk of mortality, reaching a maximum hazard ratio of 2.6 (95%
CI
, 1.9–3.4) at ≈250 multiples of the upper limit of normal. There was an exponential relationship between higher troponin levels and increased odds of coronary angiography. The mortality risk was 36% lower in patients undergoing coronary angiography than in those who did not (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.61; 95%
CI
, 0.42–0.89;
P
=0.01).

Conclusions

Increased troponin was associated with increased risk of mortality in patients presenting with
AF
. The lower hazard ratio in patients undergoing invasive management raises the possibility that the clinical importance of troponin release in
AF
may be mediated by coronary artery disease, which may be responsive to revascularization.
Focal Cerebral Arteriopathy in Young Adult Patients With Stroke
Authors: McKenna Mary Clare , Fanning Noel , Cronin Simon
Published: March 2020

Background and Purpose—

Focal cerebral arteriopathy is monophasic inflammatory stenosis of the distal internal carotid artery or the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery. It is one of the most common causes of acute arterial ischemic stroke in young children but is a less familiar entity for adult neurologists.

Methods—

We retrospectively reviewed stroke service radiology records at a tertiary referral center from January 2013 to December 2014. Focal cerebral arteriopathy was defined as nonprogressive unifocal and unilateral stenosis/irregularity of the distal internal carotid artery or its proximal branches. Only patients aged 16 to 55 years with stroke were included.

Results—

There were 5 cases of focal cerebral arteriopathy: 2 males and 3 females. Three cases were from the cohort of 123 acute presentations of young stroke, and 2 cases were outpatient referrals. The mean age (range) was 43 (32–55) years. The majority presented with recurrent transient ischemic attacks/minor strokes within a single vascular territory over days to weeks. All cases had characteristic radiological features. Interval imaging demonstrated resolution in 1 case and improvement in 3 cases. Functional outcome was excellent with discharge modified Rankin Scale score ranging from 0 to 1. Recurrence occurred in 1 case.

Conclusions—

Focal cerebral arteriopathy is a rare cause of arterial ischemic stroke in young adults. Follow-up intracranial imaging is essential to differentiate from progressive arteriopathies. Evidence-based treatment warrants further investigation. Prognosis is favorable.
PERK (Protein Kinase RNA-Like ER Kinase) Branch of the Unfolded Protein Response Confers Neuroprotection in Ischemic Stroke by Suppressing Protein Synthesis
Authors: Wang Ya-chao , Li Xuan , Shen Yuntian , Lyu Jingjun , Sheng Huaxin , Paschen Wulf , Yang Wei
Published: March 2020

Background and Purpose—

Ischemic stroke impairs endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, causes ER stress, and activates the unfolded protein response. The unfolded protein response consists of 3 branches controlled by ER stress sensor proteins, which include PERK (protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase). Activated PERK phosphorylates eIF2α (eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha), resulting in inhibition of global protein synthesis. Here, we aimed to clarify the role of the PERK unfolded protein response branch in stroke.

Methods—

Neuron-specific and tamoxifen-inducible PERK conditional knockout (cKO) mice were generated by cross-breeding Camk2a-CreERT2 with
Perk

f/f

mice. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was used to induce stroke. Short- and long-term stroke outcomes were evaluated. Protein synthesis in the brain was assessed using a surface-sensing-of-translation approach.

Results—

After tamoxifen-induced deletion of
Perk
in forebrain neurons was confirmed in PERK-cKO mice, PERK-cKO and control mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and 3 days or 3 weeks recovery. PERK-cKO mice had larger infarcts and worse neurological outcomes compared with control mice, suggesting that PERK-induced eIF2α phosphorylation and subsequent suppression of translation protects neurons from ischemic stress. Indeed, better stroke outcomes were observed in PERK-cKO mice that received postischemic treatment with salubrinal, which can restore the ischemia-induced increase in phosphorylated eIF2α in these mice. Finally, our data showed that post-treatment with salubrinal improved functional recovery after stroke.

Conclusions—

Here, we presented the first evidence that postischemic suppression of translation induced by PERK activation promotes recovery of neurological function after stroke. This confirms and further extends our previous observations that recovery of ER function impaired by ischemic stress critically contributes to stroke outcome. Therefore, future research should include strategies to improve stroke outcome by targeting unfolded protein response branches to restore protein homeostasis in neurons.
Too big to fly? An engineering evaluation of the fossil biology of the giant birds of the Miocene in relation to their flight limitations, constraining the minimum air pressure at about 1.3 bar
Authors: Cannell Alan E.R.
Published: March 2020

The fossil biology of flight is one of the few options available for obtaining information on the density of past atmospheres. The giant birds of the Miocene, the 70 kg teratorn Argentavis magnificens and the giant Pelagornithidae with wingspans of 6.5 m or more, have long intrigued bird specialists, leading one researcher, Colin Pennycuick, to hypothesize that a higher air density may have been necessary for these birds to fly. To test this hypothesis, previous mass estimates and wing shapes of these birds are reviewed and the revised values used in the Flight 1.25 bird simulation program to investigate and quantify in engineering terms the limitations of flight in the present atmosphere as well as in hypothetical higher densities. The results indicate that Pennycuick was probably right: the available takeoff power for a gorged teratorn in an atmosphere of 1 bar is too low and attempts at level takeoff could involve a high risk of injury; The giant Pelagornithidae would have had enough power for takeoff, but flapping bone stress at 1 bar would also have been critical. Simulations indicate that for both birds, power and bone stress constraints are overcome at about 1.3 bar, also enhancing the dynamic soaring of the Pelagornithidae. This level of atmospheric pressure would imply a different climate than the present, but is consistent with the data on average global temperatures for the Miocene before the Late Cooling Events, as well as with the polar to equator temperature gradient.
Typification of the name Eranthis sibirica (Ranunculaceae)

Authors: ERST ANDREY S. , BOLTENKOV EUGENY V. , WANG WEI
Published: March 2020

A revision of Eranthis Salisbury (1807: 303) in Siberia as part of the preliminary study revealed that the name E. sibirica Candolle (1817: 315) had not yet been typified. The present lectotypification is made with the explicit purpose to stabilize the use of the name in the sense it has been used before and is being used now.
Aspidistra jiangjinensis (Asparagaceae), a new species from Chongqing, China

Authors: YI SI-YONG , HUANG YA , CHEN HONG-YUAN , ZHOU XIAO-XU , LIN CHUN-RUI
Published: March 2020

The genus Aspidistra Ker-Gawler (1822: t. 628) (Asparagaceae) is native to eastern and southeastern Asia and includes 170 species, of which more than 105 species occur in China (Liang & Tamura, 2000; Tillich, 2006, 2008, 2014; Averyanov et al. 2017, 2018, 2019; Lang et al. 1999; Li& Lin, 2016; Luo et al. 2018, Nong et al. 2018; Pan et al. 2019; Lin et al., 2019; Vislobokov et al. 2019a, 2019b). During a field trip in March 2019, an unusual species of Aspidistra with purple flowers was collected in Jiangjin District in southwest of Chongqing Municipality, China. After consulting herbarium specimens and relevant literature on Aspidistra, we reached the conclusion that the plant is a new species, here named Aspidistra jiangjinensis.
Mean-Flow Damping Forms the Buffer Zone of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation: 1D Theory
Authors: Match Aaron , Fueglistaler Stephan
Published: March 2020

The quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) is a descending pattern of alternating easterly and westerly winds in the tropical stratosphere. Upwelling is generally understood to counteract the descent of the QBO. The upwelling hypothesis holds that where upwelling exceeds the intrinsic descent rate of the QBO, the QBO cannot descend and a buffer zone forms. Descent-rate models of the QBO, which represent a highly simplified evolution of a QBO wind contour, support the upwelling hypothesis. Here, we show that the upwelling hypothesis and descent-rate models only correctly describe buffer zone formation in the absence of wave dissipation below critical levels. When there is wave dissipation below critical levels, the 1D QBO response to upwelling can be either to 1) reform below the upwelling, 2) undergo period-lengthening collapse, or 3) expand a preexisting buffer zone. The response depends on the location of the upwelling and the lower boundary condition. Mean-flow damping always forms a buffer zone. A previous study of reanalyses showed that there is mean-flow damping in the buffer zone due to horizontal momentum flux divergence. Therefore, the 1D model implicates lateral terms in buffer zone formation that it cannot self-consistently include.
Greenhouse Effect: The Relative Contributions of Emission Height and Total Absorption
Authors: Dufresne Jean-Louis , Eymet Vincent , Crevoisier Cyril , Grandpeix Jean-Yves
Published: March 2020

Since the 1970s, results from radiative transfer models unambiguously show that an increase in the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration leads to an increase of the greenhouse effect. However, this robust result is often misunderstood and often questioned. A common argument is that the CO2 greenhouse effect is saturated (i.e., does not increase) as CO2 absorption of an entire atmospheric column, named absorptivity, is saturated. This argument is erroneous first because absorptivity by CO2 is currently not fully saturated and still increases with CO2 concentration and second because a change in emission height explains why the greenhouse effect may increase even if the absorptivity is saturated. However, these explanations are only qualitative. In this article, we first propose a way of quantifying the effects of both the emission height and absorptivity and we illustrate which one of the two dominates for a suite of simple idealized atmospheres. Then, using a line-by-line model and a representative standard atmospheric profile, we show that the increase of the greenhouse effect resulting from an increase of CO2 from its current value is primarily due (about 90%) to the change in emission height. For an increase of water vapor, the change in absorptivity plays a more important role (about 40%) but the change in emission height still has the largest contribution (about 60%).
On the Stationarity of Annual Precipitation over China (1959–2018)
Authors: Wang Hong , Sun Fubao
Published: March 2020

Stationarity is an assumption that permeates training and practice in water-resource engineering. However, with global change, the validity of stationarity as well as uncertainty of nonstationarity in water-resource planning are being questioned; thus, it is critical to evaluate the stationarity of climate variables, especially precipitation. Based on the continuous observation data of precipitation from 1427 stations across China, 593 efficient grid cells (1° × 1°) are constructed, and the annual precipitation stationarities from 1959 to 2018 are analyzed. The evaluated autocorrelation stationarity indicates that 92.24%–96.12% of the grid cells for an autocorrelation coefficient of lag 1–8 years of precipitation are indistinguishable from 0 [90% confidence level (CL)]. The mean stationarity indicates that 97.47% of the grid cells have a stable mean for 30 years (90% CL); beyond the confidence limits, they are mainly located in the northwest of China, where annual precipitation is less, and the average exceeding range is ±3.78 mm. The long-term observation of annual precipitation in Beijing (1819–2018) and Shanghai (1879–2018) also yields autocorrelation and mean stationarities. There is no significant difference in the annual precipitations between the past 20 years (1999–2018) and the past 60 years (1959–2018) over China. Therefore, the annual precipitation in China exhibits a weak stationary behavior that is indistinguishable from the stationary stochastic process. The average variation in precipitation is ±9.55% between 30 successive years and 16.53% between 10 successive years. Therefore, it is valuable and feasible to utilize the historical data of annual precipitation as the basis of water-resources application.
Public Interest in Merger Control: The Lay of the Land
Authors: Mellott Jenn , Ciric Ruzica
Published: March 2020

In recent years, regulators and politicians have raised questions about whether merger control is “fit for purpose” in the modern economy, and in particular about whether the consumer welfare standard remains the appropriate lens through which to assess transactions, or whether merger control should consider the potential impact of a transaction on broader public interest (PI) objectives, such as employment, the environment, data privacy, national security, or industrial or trade policy. Many merger control regimes globally already include a public interest component, and in thinking about whether it would be reasonable or appropriate to add or strengthen the PI component of a merger control regime, it may be helpful to look at regimes that already include a PI component to consider the ways in which this may be structured and whether these standards are likely to be successful in achieving PI aims. This piece surveys the existing merger control regimes with a PI component to identify lessons that may be useful for jurisdictions considering whether and how to expand a merger control regime to include PI.
Is there a role for agricultural production cooperatives in agricultural development? Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Shemei , Wolz Axel , Ding Ya
Published: March 2020

In recent years, China witnessed a boom in the formation of agricultural cooperatives. While most of them have been set up as agricultural service cooperatives, there is also the option of forming agricultural production cooperatives (APCs). Although both models stem from a similar long tradition, it was argued that production cooperatives were not competitive, thus having no role in agricultural development. Historically, these cooperatives were formed under specific conditions only. However, in recent years, they have been observed in villages characterised by family agriculture. Taking the example of Chongzhou County (Sichuan Province, China), this exploratory study investigates the salient conditions under which farmers voluntarily join such cooperatives. The results show that APCs still have a role to play in agricultural development after all. Certain conditions have to be met, like government support and recruitment of professional farm managers, but particularly a homogeneous membership and transparent decision-making processes.
Wearable colorimetric sensing fiber based on polyacrylonitrile with PdO@ZnO hybrids for the application of detecting H2 leakage
Authors: Hwang Sung-Ho , Kim Young Kwang , Jeong Soon Moon , Choi Changsoon , Son Ka Young , Lee Soo-Keun , Lim Sang Kyoo
Published: March 2020

A colorimetric hydrogen sensor has great potential for accurately detecting and monitoring the leakage of hydrogen gas on account of its fast color change in contact with hydrogen gas. However, for the practical application of the sensor, such as in gas detection systems in clothing, the flexibility and stability of the sensor need to be improved. Here, we present a novel method to fabricate a flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensor with the stable embedment of sensing material. To improve the flexibility and stability of the sensor, polyacrylonitrile nanofiber containing palladium oxide and zinc oxide hybrid nanoparticles was prepared by electrospinning. The flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensor can detect 1000 ppm hydrogen gas with excellent selectivity within 2 min. We also suggest film and yarn-type flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensors for industrial and wearable applications. A laminating process was used to prepare the film. In contrast, twisting and polydimethylsiloxane coating were used to prepare the yarn-type flexible colorimetric hydrogen sensor. Compared with a flexible colorimetric hydrogen-sensing nanofiber, the film and yarn show identical sensitivity for detecting a hydrogen leakage. These applications of hydrogen sensors could be a new insight into the design of a flexible sensor for detecting hydrogen leakage with the naked eye.
The Feedback Cycle: Lessons Learned With Video Annotation Software During Student Teaching
Authors: Ardley Jillian , Hallare Maila
Published: March 2020

Video annotation software (VAS) programs, such as GoReact, allow users to provide synchronized feedback in a video recording. This report examines the integration of VAS into a student teaching internship at a Historically Black University during a three-semester period. Through this research, the authors determine the effectiveness of the VAS feedback cycle in terms of support for the learning and development of teacher candidates. The research evidence pinpoints the need for extensive training by all participants and for accessible technical support. Moreover, the research demonstrates a lack of value and understanding of the importance of the VAS feedback cycle from all the participants and stakeholders. Finally, the research recommends that, in order to use the VAS feedback cycle appropriately, all the participants must be trained in the system and in the pedagogy and value of VAS learning systems.
Chemometric differentiation of natural gas types in the northwestern Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: Wang Yao-Ping , Zhan Xin , Gao Yuan , Wang Sibo , Xia Jia , Zou Yan-Rong
Published: March 2020

In recent years, the natural gas has displayed a growing significance in oil and gas exploration in the northwestern Junggar Basin (NWJB), although oil has been the main focus of exploration in the basin. Here, we systematically discuss the classification and origin of the natural gases from the NWJB based on the natural gas geochemistry and chemometric methods. The natural gases collected from the NWJB were chemometrically classified into three groups. Group A gases, defined as coal-derived gases, were likely generated from the mixing of the Jiamuhe Formation and Carboniferous strata. Group B gases, defined as the mixing of coal-derived and oil-associated gases, were restricted to the source rocks of group A and C gases. Group C gases, defined as oil-associated gases, were likely derived from both the Fengcheng and Wuerhe Formations, with a higher contribution from the latter strata. The result of this study suggests that the potential of oil generation in the Wuerhe Formation has been underestimated in the past. This is in accordance with geochemical and geological evidence. This study provides an effective chemometric method of natural gas classification and evaluation of hydrocarbon generation potential. This contributes to a better understanding of the origin of gases and distribution of oil and gas, assisting in exploration deployment in the basin.
The aesthetics of Burke’s constitutionalism: A dialectical reading
Authors: Rustighi Lorenzo
Published: March 2020

I propose taking the beautiful and the sublime in Edmund Burke not just as aesthetic but also as theoretical categories which can help us read his constitutional thought in dialectical terms. I suggest indeed that his usage of these categories in the Reflections on the Revolution in France points to a consistently held argument concerning the aporias of early-modern contractarian theories and their influence on the French Revolution. My hypothesis is that for Burke the Revolution is unable to think of any concrete relation between beauty and sublimity, insofar as they can be associated, respectively, with particularity and universality. Furthermore, I underscore how Burke’s defence of partial representation against contractarian representation aims to overcome this impasse. My goal is to demonstrate that Burke raises decisive questions as to the intrinsically anti-democratic effects of the contractarian concept of democracy and is still useful to confront the contemporary crisis of democratic participation.
Visualizing the autonomic and somatic innervation of the female pelvis with 3D MR neurography: a feasibility study
Authors: De Paepe Katja N , Higgins David M , Ball Iain , Morgan Veronica A , Barton Desmond P , deSouza Nandita M
Published: March 2020

Background

Treatment of female pelvic malignancies often causes pelvic nerve damage. Magnetic resonance (MR) neurography mapping the female pelvic innervation could aid in treatment planning.

Purpose

To depict female autonomic and somatic pelvic innervation using a modified 3D NerveVIEW sequence.

Material and Methods

Prospective study in 20 female volunteers (n = 6 normal, n = 14 cervical pathology) who underwent a modified 3D short TI inversion recovery (STIR) turbo spin-echo (TSE) scan with a motion-sensitive driven equilibrium (MSDE) preparation radiofrequency pulse and flow compensation. Modifications included offset independent trapezoid (OIT) pulses for inversion and MSDE refocusing. Maximum intensity projections (MIP) were evaluated by two observers (Observer 1, Observer 2); image quality was scored as 2 = high, 1 = medium, or 0 = low with the sciatic nerve serving as a reference. Conspicuity of autonomic superior (SHP) and bilateral inferior hypogastric plexuses (IHP), hypogastric nerves, and somatic pelvic nerves (sciatic, pudendal) was scored as 2 = well-defined, 1 = poorly defined, or 0 = not seen, and inter-observer agreement was determined.

Results

Images were of medium to high quality according to both observers agreeing in 15/20 (75%) of individuals. SHP and bilateral hypogastric nerves were seen in 30/60 (50%) of cases by both observers. Bilateral IHP was seen in 85% (34/40) by Observer 1 and in 75% (30/40) by Observer 2. Sciatic nerves were well identified in all cases, while pudendal nerves were seen bilaterally by Observer 1 in 65% (26/40) and by Observer 2 in 72.5% (29/40). Agreement between observers for scoring nerve conspicuity was in the range of 60%–100%.

Conclusion

Modified 3D NerveVIEW renders high-quality images of the female autonomic and pudendal nerves.
Functional connectivity and microstructural changes of the brain in primary Sjögren syndrome: the relationship with depression
Authors: Andrianopoulou Artemis , Zikou Anastasia K , Astrakas Loukas G , Gerolymatou Nafsika , Xydis Vasileios , Voulgari Paraskevi , Kiortsis Dimitris-Nikiforos , Argyropoulou Maria I
Published: March 2020

Background

Fatigue and depression are among the most common manifestations of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), but information is lacking on the relationship with brain function and microstructural changes.

Purpose

To investigate microstructural changes and brain connectivity in pSS, and to evaluate their relationship with fatigue and depression.

Material and Methods

The study included 29 patients with pSS (mean age 61.2 ± 12.1 years; disease duration 10.5 ± 5.9 years) and 28 controls (mean age 58.4 ± 9.2 years). All the patients completed the Beck’s depression and Fatigue Assessment Scale questionnaires. The imaging protocol consisted of: (i) standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequences (FLAIR, 3D T1W); (ii) a diffusion tensor imaging pulse sequence; and (iii) a resting state functional MRI pulse sequence. Resting state brain networks and maps of diffusion metrics were calculated and compared between patients and controls.

Results

Compared with the controls, the patients with pSS and depression showed increased axial, radial, and mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy; those without depression showed decreased axial diffusivity in major white matter tracts (superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, corticospinal tract, anterior thalamic radiation, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, cingulum, uncinate fasciculus, and forceps minor-major). Decreased brain activation in the sensorimotor network was observed in the patients with pSS compared with the controls. No correlation was found between fatigue and structural or functional changes of the brain.

Conclusion

pSS is associated with functional connectivity abnormalities of the somatosensory cortex and microstructural abnormalities in major white matter tracts, which are more pronounced in depression.
Renal transplant biopsy complications: assessment of risk factors and potential of desmopressin to decrease risk of hemorrhage
Authors: Peters Björn , Nasic Salmir , Jensen Gert , Stegmayr Bernd
Published: March 2020

Background

Renal transplant biopsies are essential in nephrology; however, they are invasive and complications can occur.

Purpose

To explore the risk of transplant kidney biopsy (TxB) complications in relation to possible preventive effects of desmopressin prophylaxis.

Material and Methods

A total of 515 consecutive TxB (375 patients, median age 53 years) were analyzed. In 252 TxB, the Resistive Index (RI) was measured right before the biopsy. A total of 282 patients had serum creatinine >150 µmol/L. In one of the six hospitals 39/282 patients consecutively received desmopressin (dose 0.3 µg/kg subcutaneously) as prophylaxis within 1 h before the biopsy. Fisher’s exact and χ2 test were used (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]). Univariate and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were performed. A two-sided P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

RI ≥ 0.8 was a risk factor for major TxB complications (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.13–15.76). The risk for minor complications decreased with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (97.9 vs. 89.5 mmHg, OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.997). In a multiple regression analysis for overall biopsy complications, the risk remained increased for patients with RI ≥ 0.8 (OR 4.45, 95% CI 1.32–15.04). No patients (0/39) with desmopressin prophylaxis had a major complication versus 8/243 in the other group. In patients with serum creatinine >150 µmol/L, those with a higher MAP had more overall TxB complications (104.5 vs. 98.2 mmHg, OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.004–1.1).

Conclusion

RI ≥ 0.8 was a risk factor for major and overall complications and a lower MAP for minor biopsy complications. Desmopressin prophylaxis showed yet no verified benefit as prophylaxis in TxB.
Use of a helmet for oxygen therapy in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Tao , Yin Hongzhen , Xu Qiancheng , Jiang Xiaogan , Yu Tao
Published: March 2020

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of using a helmet for oxygen therapy in critically ill patients with respiratory failure.

Methods

The Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases were searched for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of a helmet versus standard oxygen therapy or a mask in critically ill patients with respiratory failure. The quality of all included studies was evaluated by the method recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration. The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager software, version 5.3 (Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark).

Results

Ten RCTs involving 708 patients were included in the present meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the oxygenation index, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and complications were not significantly different between the helmet group and the standard oxygen therapy or mask group. The incidence of intubation and the mortality rate were significantly lower in the helmet group than in the standard oxygen therapy or mask group.

Conclusion

Delivering oxygen via a helmet can decrease the incidence of required intubation and improve the mortality rate, resulting in beneficial outcomes in critically ill patients with respiratory failure.
The association between comorbidities and inpatient mortality with sudden sensorineural hearing loss using a national database in Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Chao-Yin , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Wang Chih-Hung , Chien Wu-Chien , Chen Hsin-Chien
Published: March 2020

Objective

The association between comorbidities and inpatient mortality with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a 14-year nationwide incidence, and identify risk factors and comorbidities of SSNHL inpatient mortality.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for 2000 to 2013. Inpatient mortality of 31,258 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of SSNHL was recorded and analyzed.

Results

Sixteen patients with SSNHL exhibited mortality with a percentage of 0.05% and an incidence of less than 0.01 per 100,000 people per year. The risk of variables among inpatient mortality was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.042, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.009–1.077) and the presence of catastrophic illness (adjusted OR: 4.949, 95% CI: 1.290–18.996). Potential comorbidities included hematologic diseases, cancers, chronic hepatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, seizures or convulsions, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and varicose veins and their associated complications.

Conclusions

This 14-year nationwide study shows that inpatient mortality rate for SSNHL is relatively rare, but suggests we should still be aware of the potential for such underlying conditions to cause SSNHL as well as the mortality associated with these conditions.
The Role of Identity in Motivating and Shaping the Experiences of Social Work Participatory Action Research Scholars
Authors: Cosgrove Darren , Kramer Catherine S. , Mountz Sarah , Lee Eunwoo
Published: March 2020

Participatory action research (PAR) and Community-based participatory research (CBPR) prioritize collaborative research approaches with the goal of social transformation. Themes from this qualitative study of 15 early career social work PAR and CBPR scholars indicate that they are strongly motivated to pursue these methodologies because of their own experiences with disempowerment as well as their connection to social work values. Participants reflected upon their experiences with marginalization (due to observed and unobserved identities/experiences), which fostered a commitment to emphasizing power sharing and elevating marginalized voices. Additionally, identity played a role in how researchers experienced doing PAR/CBPR. Researchers described being simultaneously an insider and outsider in the communities in which they worked, especially the ways that their status as university researchers impacted their positioning in the communities they considered their own. This article explores how identity motivates and presents challenges that scholars must navigate when pursuing PAR/CBPR. Additionally, findings indicate that some scholars who hold marginalized identities experience increased vulnerability within academia when they engage in PAR/CBPR. Such experiences may impact whose voices are represented in the body of social work literature.
One Size Fits All: Do Dual-Income Couples and Families Require Different Benefits?
Authors: Martin Wm. Marty
Published: March 2020

Dual-income couples are increasing in all types of workplaces across the globe. Assumptions about the family structure of the typical employee must be challenged. Responsive compensation and benefits practitioners are advised to conduct a demographic and psychographic analysis of their workforce by applying design thinking to identify the unique needs of dual-income couples. This tailoring of total rewards necessitates that the organizational structure of human resource management departments also be challenged to better facilitate working across the silos within human resources management. A review of the extant literature is presented along with a typology of dual-income couples to inform compensation and benefits practitioners about novel and responsive ways to not simply meet but also exceed the expectations of this growing demographic group in organizations.
The effect of stacking sequence of basalt and Kevlar fibers on the Charpy impact behavior of hybrid composites and fiber metal laminates
Authors: Arpatappeh Fardin Asghari , Azghan Mehdi Abdollahi , Eslami-Farsani Reza
Published: March 2020

In this study, the effect of the arrangement of Kevlar and basalt fibers as the reinforcements on the Charpy impact behavior of hybrid epoxy composites was investigated. Also, the effect of adding metal plates (aluminum 2024-T3 and stainless steel 316L) into the basalt/ Kevlar fibers reinforced epoxy composites to fabricate fiber metal laminates under Charpy impact loads was studied. The fabricated fiber metal laminates in this research consisted of three metal plates and two groups of composite layers placed between them and were fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. Results indicated that the stacking sequence of fibers due to the hybridization effect caused a considerable improvement in the energy absorption value (99%) of hybrid composites, compared to specimens with one kind of fibers. Moreover, the effect of adding aluminum plates for the fabrication of fiber metal laminate was greater than adding steel plates. Considering the weight of composites, fiber metal laminates with aluminum and steel sheets, it was found that the average specific energy absorption value of aluminum fiber metal laminates was about 2.5 times higher than those of steel fiber metal laminates and composites.
Dynamic mode decomposition analysis of the flow characteristics in a centrifugal compressor with vaned diffuser
Authors: Li Xiaojian , Zhao Yijia , Liu Zhengxian , Zhao Ming
Published: March 2020

To understand the flow dynamic characteristics of a centrifugal compressor, the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) method is introduced to decompose the complex three-dimensional flow field. Three operating conditions, peak efficiency (OP1), peak pressure ratio (OP2), and small mass flow rate (near stall, OP3) conditions, are analyzed. First, the physical interpretations of main dynamic modes at OP1 are identified. As a result, the dynamic structures captured by DMD method are closely associated with the flow characteristics. In detail, the BPF/2BPF (blade passing frequency) corresponds to the impeller–diffuser interaction, the rotor frequency (RF) represents the tip leakage flow (TLF) from leading edge, and the 4RF is related to the interaction among the downstream TLF, the secondary flow, and the wake vortex. Then, the evolution of the dynamic structures is discussed when the compressor mass flow rate consistently declines. In the impeller, the tip leakage vortex near leading edge gradually breaks down due to the high backpressure, resulting in multi-frequency vortices. The broken vortices further propagate downstream along streamwise direction and then interact with the flow structures of 4RF. As a result, the 8RF mode can be observed in the whole impeller, this mode is transformed from upstream RF and 4RF modes, respectively. On the other hand, the broken vortices show broadband peak spectrum, which is correlated to the stall inception. Therefore, the sudden boost of energy ratio of 14RF mode could be regarded as a type of earlier signal for compressor instability. In the diffuser, the flow structures are affected by the perturbation from the impeller. However, the flow in diffuser is more stable than that in impeller at OP1–OP3, since the leading modes are stable patterns of BPF/2BPF.
Workload and workplace safety in social service organizations
Authors: Turpin Aaron , Shier Micheal L , Nicholas David , Graham John R
Published: March 2020

Worker experiences of workload is a poorly understood component of health and safety practice in the social services sector. Job Demands-Resources theory is applied to explore how workload contributes to health and safety, workplace violence, and violence prevention. Data from qualitative interviews ( n = 81) of workers in publicly administered social services in Western Canada were analyzed using analytic induction and constant comparison methods.

Findings

Qualitative themes highlight the role of Workload Management, Equal Distribution of Workload, Stress Management, and Flexibility on worker experiences with workplace violence prevention. These themes are further elaborated on and contextualized within a Job Demands-Resources framework. Finally, a conceptual model of workload management and health and safety is presented.

Applications

Findings highlight areas of workload development and innovation as a component of violence prevention interventions within social service workplaces.