bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of stimulus perception to account for variability in skin conductance responses to interoceptive stimuli
Authors: Zaman Jonas , Van de Pavert Iris , Van Oudenhove Lukas , Van Diest Ilse
Published: October 2019

Activity of the electrodermal response system is customarily expressed in relation to physical stimulus properties and not to perceived features. In situations where the delivery of physically identical stimuli can be challenging, such as in interoception research, this variability might pose a challenge for contemporary SCR analyses. Therefore, we investigated the extent to which activity in the electrodermal response system triggered by the delivery of interoceptive stimuli is better predicted by perceived intensity rather than physical input. For this purpose, we reanalyzed data from the baseline phase of a previous study (n = 60) in which skin conductance responses (SCRs) to innocuous esophageal stimulations of high and low intensities were recorded in addition to categorizations based on their perceived intensity (high or low). Using both peak scoring and model inversion methods, we found that the inclusion of stimulus perception as a predictor of the magnitude of the SCR increased model fit. These findings suggest that the inclusion of perception is a promising avenue to better model variability in psychophysiological responses to interoceptive stimuli.
Associations among shyness, interpersonal relationships, and loneliness in college freshmen: A longitudinal cross‐lagged analysis
Authors: Tian Yu , Chen Peipei , Meng Weixuan , Zhan Xiangping , Wang Jun , Wang Peng , Gao Fengqiang
Published: October 2019

This short‐term longitudinal study examined the reciprocal associations among shyness, interpersonal relationships, and loneliness in a sample of 361 Chinese college freshmen (138 male students, mean age = 18.57 years). A fully cross‐lagged panel design was used in which shyness, interpersonal relationships, and loneliness were assessed at three time points separated by 8 months. The results indicated that the associations among shyness, interpersonal relationships, and loneliness were dynamic and bidirectional. The self‐report scores and the pattern of cross‐lagged associations among shyness, interpersonal relationships, and loneliness were the same for male and female students at all three times. Implications for loneliness interventions and future research directions are provided.
Recurrent urinary tract infections caused by Raoultella planticola after kidney transplant
Authors: Harmon Stacy Lynn , Nadeem Iram
Published: October 2019

Recurrent urinary tract infections are difficult to manage in patients with a history of kidney transplant and may contribute to graft loss. Few cases describe recurrent urinary tract infections due to Raoultella planticola in this population. We describe the management of recurrent urinary tract infections due to R planticola in a kidney transplant recipient and review other case reports of urinary tract infections due to this organism.
A computable general equilibrium analysis of Brexit: Barriers to trade and immigration restrictions
Authors: Ortiz Valverde Gabriela , Latorre Maria C.
Published: October 2019

This paper estimates the economic effects of different types of restrictions on trade and immigration in the United Kingdom after Brexit. Regarding trade restrictions, we focus on UK–EU increases in tariffs and non‐tariff barriers. We also analyse the removal of all tariffs in the UK to all its trading partners. Concerning immigration, we run a 5‐year cumulative annual reduction in net migrants by 87,000 workers following OECD estimations, which looks realistic even if there is a hard Brexit.

The study is conducted using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, which allows us to estimate the impact on GDP, welfare, wages and capital remuneration, together with the evolution of aggregate and sectoral output, exports and imports.

We obtain a more sizeable negative impact on the UK than other previous influential studies. Trade restrictions would generate welfare reductions between −0.38% and −1.94% for the UK, while they would be between −0.03% and −0.14% in the EU. This is because the EU is a crucial trade partner for the UK, which cannot be easily substituted through trade with other regions in the world. We simulate the impact of both reductions in net inflows and in the stock of EU migrants, accumulated through 5 years. Migration is compatible with wage increases but puts downward pressure on GDPpc. However, migration restrictions would not compensate the overall GDPpc contractions arising from a hard Brexit.
BRICS: How important is the exchange rate pass‐through?
Authors: Jiménez‐Rodríguez Rebeca , Morales‐Zumaquero Amalia
Published: October 2019

This paper analyses the exchange rate pass‐through (ERPT) into domestic consumer prices in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries from mid‐1990s onwards by using three different econometric approaches (i.e., the single equation approach, the VAR approach and the time‐varying parameter approach). It is also studied the role of macroeconomic determinants in ERPT. Our results suggest that (a) ERPT is higher for the emerging markets with mostly floating exchange rates (Brazil, Russia and South Africa) than for the other BRICS countries; (b) exchange rate explains, on average, around the 40% of the price variance for Brazil, Russia and South Africa; and (c) inflation volatility, exchange rate volatility and openness seem to be the key macroeconomic determinants in BRICS countries.
Effect of flexible vegetation lodging on overland run‐off resistance
Authors: Zhang Shengtang , Liu Ying , Wang Zhikai , Li Guibao
Published: October 2019

Vegetation is an important factor in overland run‐off. Due to its flexibility, the vegetation will often become lodged, which will change the characteristics of the flow. However, current studies of flow resistance from flexible vegetation are primarily limited to qualitative analyses. To study the quantitative relationship between the resistance coefficient λ and the vegetation lodging angle θ, an indoor simulation experiment was carried out. The results showed that λ gradually decreased with increasing θ under the same water depth. When the vegetation was unsubmerged, λu increased as the depth of water increased under the same value of θ, while with completely submerged vegetation, λs decreased with increasing water depth. In addition, quantitative formulas for the relationship between the lodging angle and the resistance coefficient were obtained via regression analysis for both submerged and unsubmerged vegetation.
Health risk related to the presence of metals in drinking water from different types of sources
Authors: Kicińska Alicja , Wysowska Ewa
Published: October 2019

The aim of the paper is to assess health risk related to the exposure of people to contact with water contaminated with chosen metals, via ingestion and dermal routes. The results of analyses performed in 2012–2017 using water samples collected from a surface water intake point on the Dunajec, from infiltration wells and samples of treated water supplied to the water distribution system were used as the basis for calculations. Exposure assessment was performed for children and adults. It was demonstrated that treated water supplied directly into the water distribution system had superior parameters. In the case of adults, the calculated HI values were two or three times higher than for children over the entire analysed period in all three risk assessment scenarios. Health risk resulting from the presence of metals in water is mostly related to the ingestion exposure route. Dermal contact does not produce a considerable risk.
Contribution of nitric oxide synthase to cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating in men of black‐African and Caucasian descent during exercise in the heat
Authors: Muia Caroline M. , McGarr Gregory W. , Schmidt Madison D. , Fujii Naoto , Amano Tatsuro , Kenny Glen P.
Published: October 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Nitric oxide modulates cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating during exercise‐induced heat stress in young men. However, it remains uncertain whether these effects are reduced in black‐African descendants, who commonly demonstrate reduced nitric oxide bioavailability. Therefore, we assessed whether black‐African descendants display reduced nitric oxide‐dependent cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating compared with Caucasians in these conditions.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Nitric oxide‐dependent cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating were similar between groups, indicating that reduced nitric oxide bioavailability in black‐African descendants does not attenuate these heat‐loss responses during an exercise‐induced heat stress.

Men of black‐African descent are at an increased risk of heat‐related illness relative to their Caucasian counterparts. This might be attributable, in part, to reduced cutaneous nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in this population, which might alter local cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating. To evaluate this, we compared these heat‐loss responses in young men (18–30 years of age) of black‐African (n = 10) and Caucasian (n = 10) descent during rest, exercise and recovery in the heat. Participants were matched for physical characteristics and fitness, and they were all born and raised in the same temperate environment (i.e. Canada; second generation and higher). Both groups rested for 10 min and then performed 50 min of moderate‐intensity exercise at 200 W m−2, followed by 30 min of recovery in hot, dry heat (35°C, 20% relative humidity). Local cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC%max) and sweat rate (SR) were measured at two forearm skin sites treated with either lactated Ringer solution (control) or 10 mm NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor). l‐NAME significantly reduced CVC%max throughout rest, exercise and recovery in both groups (both P < 0.001). However, there were no significant main effects for the contribution of NO to CVC%max between groups (all P > 0.500). l‐NAME significantly reduced local SR in both groups (both P < 0.050). The contribution of NO to SR was similar between groups such that l‐NAME reduced SR relative to control at 40 and 50 min into exercise (both P < 0.05). We demonstrate that ethnicity per se does not influence NO‐dependent cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating in healthy young men of black‐African and Caucasian descent during exercise in dry heat.
Passive guided wave tomography for structural health monitoring
Authors: Druet Tom , Recoquillay Arnaud , Chapuis Bastien , Moulin Emmanuel
Published: October 2019

In this paper the authors present a baseline-free quantitative method for imaging corrosion flaws in thin plates. It only requires an embedded guided wave sensor network used in a fully passive way, i.e., without active emission of waves. This method is called passive guided wave tomography. The aim of this development is the use of this method for the structural health monitoring of critical structures with heavy limitations on both sensor's intrusiveness and diagnostic's reliability because it allows the use of sensors that cannot emit elastic waves such as fiber Bragg gratings, which are less intrusive than piezoelectric transducers. The idea consists in using passive methods in order to retrieve the impulse response from elastic diffuse fields—naturally present in structures—measured simultaneously between the sensors. In this paper, two passive methods are studied: the ambient noise cross-correlation and the passive inverse filter. Once all the impulse responses between the sensors are retrieved, they are used as input data to perform guided wave tomography.
Longitudinal Change in Adolescent Bedtimes Measured by Self-Report and Actigraphy
Authors: Brychta Robert J. , Rögnvaldsdóttir Vaka , Guðmundsdóttir Sigríður L. , Stefánsdóttir Rúna , Hrafnkelsdóttir Soffia M. , Gestsdóttir Sunna , Arngrímsson Sigurbjörn A. , Chen Kong Y. , Jóhannsson Erlingur
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Sleep is often quantified using self-report or actigraphy. Self-report is practical and less technically challenging, but prone to bias. We sought to determine whether these methods have comparable sensitivity to measure longitudinal changes in adolescent bedtimes. Methods: We measured one week of free-living sleep with wrist actigraphy and usual bedtime on school nights and non-school nights with self-report questionnaire in 144 students at 15 y and 17 y. Results: Self-reported and actigraphy-measured bedtimes were correlated with one another at 15 y and 17 y (p < .001), but reported bedtime was consistently earlier (>30 minutes, p < .001) and with wide inter-method confidence intervals (> ±106 minutes). Mean inter-method discrepancy did not differ on school nights at 15 y and 17 y but was greater at 17 y on non-school nights (p = .002). Inter-method discrepancy at 15 y was not correlated to that at 17 y. Mean change in self-reported school night bedtime from 15 y to 17 y did not differ from that by actigraphy, but self-reported bedtime changed less on non-school nights (p = .002). Two-year changes in self-reported bedtime did not correlate with changes measured by actigraphy. Conclusions: Although methods were correlated, consistently earlier self-reported bedtime suggests report-bias. More varied non-school night bedtimes challenge the accuracy of self-report and actigraphy, reducing sensitivity to change. On school nights, the methods did not differ in group-level sensitivity to changes in bedtime. However, lack of correlation between bedtime changes by each method suggests sensitivity to individual-level change was different. Methodological differences in sensitivity to individual- and group-level change should be considered in longitudinal studies of adolescent sleep patterns.
Activity of Hospital Disinfectants against Vegetative Cells and Spores of Clostridioides difficile Embedded in Biofilms
Authors: Rashid Tasnuva , Haghighi Farnoosh , Hasan Irtiza , Bassères Eugénie , Alam M. Jahangir , Sharma Shreela V. , Lai Dejian , DuPont Herbert L. , Garey Kevin W.
Published: October 2019

Clostridioides difficile
spores can survive in the environment in either mono- or mixed-species biofilms. However, no previous studies have investigated chemical disinfection of
C. difficile
spores embedded in biofilms. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the
in vitro
effectiveness of hospital disinfectants against
C. difficile
spores embedded within biofilms.
Transformational learning for health professionals through a Theatre of the Oppressed workshop
Authors: Singh Satendra , Kalra Juhi , Das Sanjoy , Barua Purnima , Singh Navjeevan , Dhaliwal Upreet
Published: October 2019

Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) is a powerful participatory tool for communities to examine their struggles against oppression. The healthcare community has problems inherent to complex, unequal power equations, and TO may be a useful means to understand and respond to their struggle. A 3-day workshop on TO was facilitated by the authors in the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) in Dehradun, India, in August 2017. The workshop culminated in the ‘Forum Theatre’, which included five short plays, each depicting a struggle due to real-life oppression faced by one or the other participant. The audience (about 200 invited members of the HIMS community) chose one play depending on the struggle with which they identified most. That play was ‘forumed’: spectators were invited to replace the struggling person and demonstrate how they would handle the oppression. Over the next week, participants reflected on the workshop through a structured online questionnaire. The feedback (n=16/27 participants; response rate 59.3%) was subjected to descriptive statistics and to qualitative analysis. The highest average Likert score (out of a maximum of 5) was given to the following items: TO engages senses and emotions (4.6±0.50), can help inculcate ethical behaviour (4.4±0.81), identifies conflict (4.4±0.51), and resolves issues of attitude, behaviour, communication, diversity and empathy (4.4±0.73). The Forum Theatre was reported to be a means to “express emotions and opinions and to simultaneously gather the same from others”; “make people push their own limits”; “bring out social problems in public”; “examine the root causes behind lived experience”; “provide context for understanding and for exploring alternatives”; and “convert thoughts to action.” In conclusion, TO is an engaging activity that identifies conflict; participants’ initial reactions suggest that it may initiate change in the ABCDE attributes (attitude, behaviour, communication, diversity, ethics and empathy) of medical professionals.
Workload and cross-harvest kidney injury in a Nicaraguan sugarcane worker cohort
Authors: Hansson Erik , Glaser Jason , Weiss Ilana , Ekström Ulf , Apelqvist Jenny , Hogstedt Christer , Peraza Sandra , Lucas Rebekah , Jakobsson Kristina , Wesseling Catharina , Wegman David H
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To examine the association between workload and kidney injury in a fieldworker cohort with different levels of physically demanding work over a sugarcane harvest, and to assess whether the existing heat prevention efforts at a leading occupational safety and health programme are sufficient to mitigate kidney injury.

Methods

Biological and questionnaire data were collected before (n=545) and at the end (n=427) of harvest among field support staff (low workload), drip irrigation workers (moderate), seed cutters (high) and burned sugarcane cutters (very high). Dropouts were contacted (87%) and reported the reason for leaving work. Cross-harvest incident kidney injury (IKI) was defined as serum creatinine increase ≥0.30 mg/dL or ≥1.5 times the baseline value, or among dropouts reporting kidney injury leading to leaving work.

Results

Mean cross-harvest estimated glomerular filtration rate change was significantly associated with workload, increasing from 0 mL/min/1.73 m2in the low-moderate category to −5 mL/min/1.73 m2in the high and −9 mL/min/1.73 m2in the very high workload group. A similar pattern occurred with IKI, where low-moderate workload had 2% compared with 27% in the very high workload category. A healthy worker selection effect was detected, with 32% of dropouts reporting kidney injury. Fever and C reactive protein elevation were associated with kidney injury.

Conclusions

Workers considered to have the highest workload had more cross-harvest kidney damage than workers with less workload. Work practices preventing heat stress should be strengthened and their role in preventing kidney damage examined further. Future occupational studies on chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology should account for a healthy worker effect by pursuing those lost to follow-up.
Screening $$\Lambda $$ in a new modified gravity model
Authors: Akarsu Özgür , Barrow John D. , Board Charles V. R. , Uzun N. Merve , Vazquez J. Alberto
Published: October 2019

We study a new model of Energy-Momentum Squared Gravity (EMSG), called Energy-Momentum Log Gravity (EMLG), constructed by the addition of the term $$f(T_{\mu \nu }T^{\mu \nu })=\alpha \ln (\lambda \,T_{\mu \nu }T^{\mu \nu })$$f(TμνTμν)=αln(λTμνTμν), envisaged as a correction, to the Einstein–Hilbert action with cosmological constant $$\Lambda $$Λ. The choice of this modification is made as a specific way of including new terms in the right-hand side of the Einstein field equations, resulting in constant effective inertial mass density and, importantly, leading to an explicit exact solution of the matter energy density in terms of redshift. We look for viable cosmologies, in particular, an extension of the standard $$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model. EMLG provides an effective dynamical dark energy passing below zero at large redshifts, accommodating a mechanism for screening $$\Lambda $$Λ in this region, in line with suggestions for alleviating some of the tensions that arise between observational data sets within the standard $$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model. We present a detailed theoretical investigation of the model and then constrain the free parameter $$\alpha '$$α′, a normalisation of $$\alpha $$α, using the latest observational data. The data does not rule out the $$\Lambda $$ΛCDM limit of our model ($$\alpha '= 0$$α′=0), but prefers slightly negative values of the EMLG model parameter ($$\alpha '= -0.032\pm 0.043$$α′=-0.032±0.043), which leads to the screening of $$\Lambda $$Λ. We also discuss how EMLG relaxes the persistent tension that appears in the measurements of $$H_0$$H0 within the standard $$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model.
Indexingk-mers in linear space for quality value compression
Authors: Shibuya Yoshihiro , Comin Matteo
Published: October 2019

Many bioinformatics tools heavily rely on [Formula: see text]-mer dictionaries to describe the composition of sequences and allow for faster reference-free algorithms or look-ups. Unfortunately, naive [Formula: see text]-mer dictionaries are very memory-inefficient, requiring very large amount of storage space to save each [Formula: see text]-mer. This problem is generally worsened by the necessity of an index for fast queries. In this work, we discuss how to build an indexed linear reference containing a set of input [Formula: see text]-mers and its application to the compression of quality scores in FASTQ files. Most of the entropies of sequencing data lie in the quality scores, and thus they are difficult to compress. Here, we present an application to improve the compressibility of quality values while preserving the information for SNP calling. We show how a dictionary of significant [Formula: see text]-mers, obtained from SNP databases and multiple genomes, can be indexed in linear space and used to improve the compression of quality value.

Availability: The software is freely available at https://github.com/yhhshb/yalff .
Emotional Objectivity: Neural Representations of Emotions and Their Interaction with Cognition
Authors: Todd Rebecca M. , Miskovic Vladimir , Chikazoe Junichi , Anderson Adam K.
Published: October 2019

Recent advances in our understanding of information states in the human brain have opened a new window into the brain's representation of emotion. While emotion was once thought to constitute a separate domain from cognition, current evidence suggests that all events are filtered through the lens of whether they are good or bad for us. Focusing on new methods of decoding information states from brain activation, we review growing evidence that emotion is represented at multiple levels of our sensory systems and infuses perception, attention, learning, and memory. We provide evidence that the primary function of emotional representations is to produce unified emotion, perception, and thought (e.g., “That is a good thing”) rather than discrete and isolated psychological events (e.g., “That is a thing. I feel good”). The emergent view suggests ways in which emotion operates as a fundamental feature of cognition, by design ensuring that emotional outcomes are the central object of perception, thought, and action.
Resilience to acute kidney injury in offspring of maternal protein restriction
Authors: García-Ortuño Luis Enrique , Barrera-Chimal Jonatan , Pérez-Villalva Rosalba , Ortega-Trejo Juan Antonio , Luna-Bolaños Emma , Lima-Posada Ixchel , Sánchez-Navarro Andrea , Reyes-Castro Luis , Gamba Gerardo , Zambrano Elena , Bobadilla Norma A.
Published: October 2019

Protein restriction (PR) during pregnancy induces morphofunctional alterations related to deficient nephrogenesis. We studied the renal functional and morphological significance of PR during pregnancy and/or lactation in adult male rat offspring and the repercussions on acute kidney injury (AKI) severity. Female rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: control diet during pregnancy and lactation (CC), control diet during pregnancy and PR diet during lactation (CR), PR during pregnancy and control diet during lactation (RC), and PR during pregnancy and lactation (RR). Three months after birth, at least 12 male offspring of each group randomly underwent either bilateral renal ischemia for 45 min [ischemia-reperfusion (IR)] or sham surgery. Thus, eight groups were studied 24 h after reperfusion: CC, CC + IR, CR, CR + IR, RC, RC + IR, RR, and RR + IR. Under basal conditions, the CR, RC, and RR groups exhibited a significant reduction in nephron number that was associated with a reduction in renal blood flow. Glomerular hyperfiltration was present as a compensatory mechanism to maintain normal renal function. mRNA levels of several vasoactive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory molecules were decreased. After IR, renal function was similarly reduced in all of the studied groups. Although all of the offspring from maternal PR exhibited renal injury, the magnitude was lower in the RC and RR groups, which were associated with faster renal blood flow recovery, differential vasoactive factors, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling. Our results show that the offspring from maternal PR are resilient to AKI induced by IR that was associated with reduced tubular injury and a differential hemodynamic response.
Characterization of Short‐Term Strength Properties of Fiber/Cement‐Modified Slurry
Authors: Jiang Ping , Mao Tianhao , Li Na , Jia Liang , Zhang Fang , Wang Wei
Published: October 2019

The recycling of construction waste slurry is an urgent issue that needs to be solved in urban construction. To satisfy the requirements of subgrade filling, mechanical properties of fiber/cement‐modified slurry were investigated. Unconfined compression tests were conducted for 7‐day‐cured specimens with a cement content of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, respectively. Moreover, the effects of fiber contents (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%, respectively) were also investigated for the specimens with a cement content of 20%. A formula satisfying the accuracy requirement was obtained by fitting the stress‐strain curves using the back propagation (BP) neural network algorithm. Five parameters, including peak strength, failure strain, initial elastic modulus, residual strength, and energy dissipation, were used to characterize the short‐term strength properties of fiber/cement‐modified slurry. The analysis revealed that the cement content had a dominant effect on the short‐term strength properties of fiber/cement‐modified slurry, while the influence of fiber content was insignificant.
Ethyl Pyruvate Prevents Renal Damage Induced by Methylglyoxal-Derived Advanced Glycation End Products
Authors: Jung Eunsoo , Kang Wan Seok , Jo Kyuhyung , Kim Junghyun
Published: October 2019

The renal accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is a causative factor of various renal diseases, including chronic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy. AGE inhibitors, such as aminoguanidine and pyridoxamine, have the therapeutic activities for reversing the increase in renal AGE burden. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on methylglyoxal- (MGO-) modified AGE cross-links with proteins in vitro. We also determined the potential activity of EP in reducing the renal AGE burden in exogenously MGO-injected rats. EP inhibited MGO-modified AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA) cross-links to collagen (IC50=0.19±0.03 mM) in a dose-dependent manner, and its activity was stronger than aminoguanidine (IC50=35.97±0.85 mM). In addition, EP directly trapped MGO (IC50=4.41±0.08 mM) in vitro. In exogenous MGO-injected rats, EP suppressed AGE burden and MGO-induced oxidative injury in renal tissues. These activities of EP on the MGO-mediated AGEs cross-links with protein in vitro and in vivo showed its pharmacological potential for inhibiting AGE-induced renal diseases.
Experimental Study of Blast Resistance on BFRP Bar‐Reinforced Cellular Concrete Slabs Fabricated with Millimeter‐Sized Saturated SAP
Authors: Ren Jun-ru , Cheng Hua , Yang Chao-shan , Dai Rui-xi
Published: October 2019

An innovative cellular concrete procured with sat‐SAP (superabsorbent polymer) is introduced. Combined with BFRP bars, this concrete may play a role as protective structures in marine applications. Eight BFRP‐reinforced cellular concrete slabs (BSs) and three steel‐reinforced normal concrete slabs (SPs) are exposed to simulated blast loadings in a shock tube device. Low‐modulus cellular concrete and BFRP bars cause BSs to exhibit distinctive behaviours compared to those of SPs. BSs, which are more flexible at the same reinforcement ratio, have more intensive vibrations and larger deformations compared to SPs under various blast loadings. In addition to the porous structure of cellular concrete, BSs demonstrate better wave‐attenuating and energy‐absorbing abilities. More severe damage such as cracks, deflections, and breaches is observed for BSs. In the current research, a comprehensively superior blast resistance can be achieved through improving reinforcement ratio to promote serviceability.
Association of Plasma Renalase and Left Ventricle Mass Index in Heart Failure Patients Stratified to the Category of the Ejection Fraction: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stojanovic Dijana , Mitic Valentina , Petrovic Dejan , Stojanovic Miodrag , Ignjatovic Aleksandra , Stefanovic Nikola , Cvetkovic Tatjana , Bojanic Vladmila , Kocic Gordana , Ilic Marina Deljanin
Published: October 2019

Heart failure represents a growing health problem, with increasing morbidity and mortality globally. According to the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure, many biomarkers have been proposed for the timely diagnosis and prognostication of patients with heart failure, but other than natriuretic peptides, none of them has gained enough clinical significance. Renalase, a new protein derived from kidneys was demonstrated to metabolize catecholamines and to have a cardioprotective role. The aim of the study was to determine whether renalase and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration could be used to differentiate heart failure patients stratified to the category of the ejection fraction and whether plasma renalase could be used as a biomarker for left ventricle hypertrophy in all subgroups of heart failure patients. We included patients diagnosed with heart failure and stratified them to the three subgroups according to the ejection fraction. Regarding echocardiographic parameters, HFmrEF had an intermediate profile in between HFrEF and HFpEF, with statistical significance in most evaluated parameters. BNP concentration was significantly different in all three subgroups (p<0.001), and renalase was statistically higher in HFrEF (p=0.007) compared to the HFmrEF and HFpEF, where its results were similar, without statistical significance. Renalase plasma concentration was demonstrated to be highly and positively associated with left ventricle mass index in HFrEF (p=0.029), as well as increased plasma concentration of BNP (p=0.006). In the HFmrEF group of patients, body mass index was positively associated with LVMI (p=0.05), while in the patients with HFpEF, diabetes mellitus was demonstrated to have a positive association with LVMI (p=0.043). These findings suggest that renalase concentration may be measured in order to differentiate patients with reduced ejection fraction. Plasma renalase concentrations positively correlated with left ventricle hypertrophy in patients with reduced ejection fraction, being strongly associated with increased left ventricular mass index.
Social-Developmental Perspective on Intergroup Attitudes towards Immigrants and Refugees in Childhood and Adolescence: A Roadmap from Theory to Practice for an Inclusive Society
Authors: Gönültaş Seçil , Mulvey Kelly Lynn
Published: October 2019

The unprecedented rates of migration throughout the world have raised concerns about the social integration of immigrants and refugees due to possible experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and hostility from members of the host society. In this article, we review developmental and social theories and related research outlining children’s and adolescents’ intergroup attitudes towards immigrants and refugees. The discussion then moves to social agents that help shape children’s and adolescents’ attitudes regarding these relations. Theory-driven, empirically tested intervention studies that could potentially promote children’s and adolescents’ attitudes towards immigrants and refugees are discussed. We also address the limitations of current interventions, which were the starting points for this paper. Finally, we highlight important avenues for future research and make specific recommendations for practitioners and policy makers striving to promote harmonious intergroup relations across childhood and adolescence in social settings.
One-Year Follow-Up of a Vocal Hygiene Program for School-Age Children
Authors: Ma Estella P.-M. , Leung Harry K.-H.
Published: October 2019

Objective: This study investigated the effects of a school-based vocal hygiene education program “Green Voice for School” on promoting knowledge of healthy voice use for primary school students. Methods: Thirty-nine grade 4 and 5 students from local primary schools participated in the “Green Voice for School” program. Students received 6 weekly vocal hygiene training sessions with the aim of enhancing their voice care knowledge. Their voice care knowledge was assessed by a 15-item questionnaire. Students’ voice care knowledge was examined before training, immediately after, and 1 year after completion of the program. Results: Students showed significant improvements in their voice care knowledge immediately after they received the vocal hygiene training sessions. Such improvements were maintained 1 year after the students completed training. Conclusions: The results suggest that “Green Voice for School”, a school-based vocal hygiene education program, can be effective in promoting long-term improvements of voice care knowledge in school-age children.
Use of Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography to Facilitate Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusions
Authors: Werner Gerald S.
Published: October 2019

Chronic total coronary occlusions (CTO) are found frequently in coronary artery disease; however, the technical challenge to open the occlusion by percutaneous coronary intervention is considerably higher than for nonocclusive lesions. The angiographic analysis is limited by the inability to visualize the occluded segment and requires a dual injection approach from donor and recipient vessel to assess the CTO. Therefore, imaging of the CTO by computed tomographic angiography can provide additional information on the vessel course within the CTO segment, specifically the degree and extent of calcification, and maybe even be superior to angiography to analyze the proximal cap morphology. This had been integrated in a score to predict the interventional success. This information provides a valuable means to better plan the procedure and the required strategy. In addition, an integration of the computed tomographic angiography is possible by synchronization with the gantry position and movement of the angiography system during percutaneous coronary intervention, illustrating the course of the occluded segment and possible obstacles in the way. It remains to be established which patient will most likely profit from this additional preprocedural examination involving increased radiation and contrast media exposure and institutional expenses.
Effects of Intensive Versus Standard Ambulatory Blood Pressure Control on Cerebrovascular Outcomes in Older People (INFINITY)
Authors: White William B. , Wakefield Dorothy B. , Moscufo Nicola , Guttmann Charles R.G. , Kaplan Richard F. , Bohannon Richard W. , Fellows Douglas , Hall Charles B. , Wolfson Leslie
Published: October 2019

Background:

Subcortical microvascular disease represented by brain white matter hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging is associated with functional decline in older people with hypertension. The effects of 2 levels of 24-hour average systolic blood pressure (BP) on mobility, white matter disease progression, and cognitive function over 3 years were studied.

Methods:

This trial was a prospective, randomized, blinded end-points study in patients ≥75 years of age with systolic hypertension and magnetic resonance imaging evidence of white matter hyperintensity lesions. Patients were randomized to a 24-hour mean systolic BP of ≤130 mm Hg (intensive treatment) versus ≤145 mm Hg (standard treatment) with antihypertensive therapies. Primary study outcomes were changes in mobility (gait speed) and accrual of white matter hyperintensity volume after 3 years. Changes in cognitive function (executive processing) and adverse events were also evaluated.

Results:

In 199 randomized patients, the mean age of the cohort was 80.5 years, and 54% were women; the average 24-hour systolic BP was 149 mm Hg. Goal BPs were achieved after a median treatment period of 3 to 4 months; at that time, the mean 24-hour systolic BP was 127.7 mm Hg in the intensive treatment group and 144.0 mm Hg in the standard treatment group for an average difference of 16.3 mm Hg. Changes in gait speed were not different between treatment groups (0.40±2.0 versus 0.42±2.7 s in the intensive treatment and standard treatment groups, respectively;
P
=0.91), whereas changes from baseline in white matter hyperintensity volumes were smaller (0.29%) in the intensive treatment group compared with the standard treatment group (0.48%;
P
=0.03). Cognitive outcomes also were not different between the treatment groups. Major adverse cardiovascular events were higher in the standard treatment group compared with the intensive treatment group (17 versus 4 patients;
P
=0.01). Falls, with or without injury, and syncope were comparable in the treatment groups.

Conclusions:

Intensive lowering of ambulatory BP reduction in older patients with hypertension did not result in differences in mobility outcomes but was associated with a reduction in accrual of subcortical white matter disease. Over periods >3 years, a reduction in the accumulation of white matter disease may be a factor in conserving function.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01650402.
A new species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) and some notes on Begonia difformis from Kachin, northern Myanmar

Authors: WAHLSTEEN ERIC
Published: October 2019

The new species Begonia dicressine (sp. nov.) belonging to Begonia section Platycentrum is described. The new species is similar to B. rockii but differs in having petioles with long soft white hairs, plain dark green leaves with irregularly crenate margins, lower surface only with appressed hairs along midrib, and glabrous inflorescences. B. dicressine is distributed in Kachin Province in northern Myanmar in the understory of evergreen and semi-deciduous forests. New records of B. difformis from the same area are also reported, and its distribution and habitat are discussed.
Comments on “Reconstruction of the Gulf Stream from 1940 to the Present and Correlation with the North Atlantic Oscillation”
Authors: Chi Lequan , Hameed Sultan , Wolfe Christopher L. P.
Published: October 2019

The path of the Gulf Stream as it leaves the continental shelf near Cape Hatteras is marked by a sharp gradient in ocean temperature known as the North Wall. The latitude location of the Gulf Stream North Wall (GSNW) has previously been estimated by subjective analysis of daily maps of sea surface temperatures. Recently, Watelet et al. (2017) presented an objective procedure by fitting an error function to the SST profile across the Gulf Stream at 81 longitude positions. The fit smooths over not only the GSNW but also the much colder waters from the Labrador Sea on the continental shelf. Watelet et al.’s procedure is therefore likely to misidentify the shelf-slope front as the Gulf Stream North Wall, leading to a systematic northward bias the in North Wall position.
Do higher order moments of return distribution provide better decisions in minimum-variance hedging? Evidence from US stock index futures
Authors: Hou Yang (Greg) , Holmes Mark
Published: October 2019

Using daily S&P 500 spot index and index futures data, this article examines the effects of conditional skewness and kurtosis parameters of a skew-Student density function on dynamic minimum-variance hedging strategies. We find an important role for autoregressive marginal skewness and joint kurtosis in risk management. While static higher order moments improve reductions in variance of hedged portfolios over the case of normality, the inclusion of an autoregressive component significantly extends these improvements. This occurs in both tranquil and tumultuous periods. Furthermore, when transaction costs are considered, taking into account variations of higher order moments retains the best performance.

JEL Classification: G11, G13
Investigation of chest biomechanical response by variation of restraint loads in frontal impact
Authors: Xiao Sen , Qie Yanchao , Chen Wu , Yang Jikuang , Crandall Jeff R
Published: October 2019

The seatbelt restraint load is one of the primary sources of occupant chest injury. Thus, studying the different biomechanical responses of chest by varying the seatbelt loads will result in a significant improvement in seatbelt protection performance. Based on the high-biofidelity mechanical dummy model, a sled-dummy test was conducted to investigate the differences in chest injury outcomes caused by the variation of seatbelt load paths or load processes. The chest kinematics and kinetics are compared to determine the influence of load factors on these biomechanical outcomes. Results show that chest injury severity has a positive nonlinear correlation with impact speed. However, the injury risk is mainly determined by the seatbelt peak load in the chest deflection analysis. The results of this study can provide a reference to seatbelt safety design and optimization. The model and method can be used in other research works on the biomechanics of frontal impact.
Wellbeing economics in public policy: A distinctive Australasian contribution?
Authors: Dalziel Paul
Published: October 2019

The ‘Wellbeing Budget’ presented to the New Zealand Parliament in 2019 was widely described as a world-first. This article explores the possibility of a distinctive Australasian contribution to our understanding of wellbeing economics in public policy. The introduction section presents an analytical wellbeing framework showing how human actions draw on services provided by the country’s capital stocks to create and sustain personal and communal wellbeing. The second section chronicles some landmark policy initiatives in Australia and New Zealand for understanding and monitoring wellbeing, culminating in the Wellbeing Budget. The third section highlights four areas for further development: (1) the role of family wellbeing in intergenerational wellbeing, (2) the role of cultural capital in providing foundations for future wellbeing, (3) the role of Indigenous worldviews in enriching understandings of wellbeing and (4) the role of market enterprise in expanding capabilities for wellbeing. These are all areas where Australasian researchers have demonstrated expertise.
Brexit: ‘Revolt’ against the ‘elites’ or Trojan horse for more deregulation?
Authors: Gomez Arana Arantza , Rowe Jay , de Ruyter Alex , Semmens-Wheeler Rebecca , Hill Kimberley
Published: October 2019

This article explores the UK vote in 2016 to exit the European Union, colloquially known as ‘Brexit’. Brexit has been portrayed as a British backlash against globalisation and a desire for a reassertion of sovereignty by the UK as a nation-state. In this context, a vote to leave the European Union has been regarded by its protagonists as a vote to ‘take back control’ to ‘make our own laws’ and ‘let in [only] who we want’. We take a particular interest in the stance of key ‘Brexiteers’ in the UK towards regulation, with the example of the labour market. The article commences by assessing the notion of Brexit as a means to secure further market liberalisation. This analysis is then followed by an account of migration as a key issue, the withdrawal process and likely future trajectory of Brexit. We argue that in contrast to the expectations of those who voted Leave in 2016, the UK as a mid-sized open economy will be a rule-taker and will either remain in the European regulatory orbit, or otherwise drift into the American one.
Toward lightweight smart automotive hood structures for head impact mitigation: Integration of active stiffness control composites
Authors: Vyas Gaurav M , André Alann , Sala Ramses
Published: October 2019

Recently, novel material concepts for high-performance carbon fiber–reinforced composites with active stiffness control were presented in the literature. Although this new class of intelligent, smart, and responsive materials has wide application potential, actual design concepts using active stiffness control are still rare. The integration of smart materials into conventional products often requires radically new design concepts. This communication presents an innovative automotive hood design concept, which integrates active stiffness control composites in order to achieve improved design performance trade-offs in terms of structural weight reduction and vulnerable road user safety. The integration of active stiffness control composites in the hood structure aims to enable active stiffness reduction of the hood or bonnet structure in order to reduce head impact injuries in case of a collision, while satisfying the structural stiffness requirements and lightweight objectives under normal operating conditions. The design concept is investigated using simulation-based evaluation of static, dynamic, and lightweight design criteria. The results are promising, and the presented concept design is a step toward the realization of lightweight smart hood structures for head impact mitigation. Several design features could also be of interest for the integration of active stiffness control composites, in other applications.
Perfectionism in the Transition to University: Comparing Diathesis-Stress and Downward Spiral Models of Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Levine Shelby L. , Milyavskaya Marina , Zuroff David C.
Published: October 2019

Transitioning to university may be especially difficult for students who expect perfection from themselves. Self-critical perfectionism has consistently been linked to poor mental health. The current study compares a diathesis-stress and a downward-spiral model to determine why self-critical perfectionism is detrimental for mental health during this transition. First-year students ( N = 658) were recruited before beginning university in August and contacted again in October, January, and April. Participants completed measures on perfectionism, stress, and depressive symptoms. Evidence was found for a downward-spiral model with self-critical perfectionism but not a diathesis-stress model. Students higher in self-critical perfectionism were more likely to experience increased stress and depressive symptoms in a circular and additive manner. Conversely, students higher in personal-standards perfectionism experienced less stress and subsequent depressive symptoms. This research provides a theoretical model for why self-critical perfectionism is related to poor mental-health outcomes that become sustained over time.