bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Role of Endothelial Cell Resilience in Cardiovascular Health and Disease
Authors: Gao Yunling , Galis Zorina S.
Published: October 2020

Traditionally, much research effort has been invested into focusing on disease, understanding pathogenic mechanisms, identifying risk factors, and developing effective treatments. A few recent studies unraveling the basis for absence of disease, including cardiovascular disease, despite existing risk factors, a phenomenon commonly known as resilience, are adding new knowledge and suggesting novel therapeutic approaches. Given the central role of endothelial function in cardiovascular health, we herein provide a number of considerations that warrant future research and considering a paradigm shift toward identifying the molecular underpinnings of endothelial resilience.
Adrenergic Ca
V
1.2 Activation via Rad Phosphorylation Converges at α
1C
I-II Loop
Authors: Papa Arianne , Kushner Jared , Hennessey Jessica A. , Katchman Alexander N. , Zakharov Sergey I. , Chen Bi-xing , Yang Lin , Lu Ree , Leong Stephen , Diaz Johanna , Liu Guoxia , Roybal Daniel , Liao Xianghai , del Rivero Morfin Pedro J. , Colecraft Henry M. , Pitt Geoffrey S. , Clarke Oliver , Topkara Veli , Ben-Johny Manu , Marx Steven O.
Published: October 2020

Rationale:

Changing activity of cardiac Ca
V
1.2 channels under basal conditions, during sympathetic activation, and in heart failure is a major determinant of cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. Although cardiac Ca
V
1.2 channels are prominently upregulated via activation of PKA (protein kinase A), essential molecular details remained stubbornly enigmatic.

Objective:

The primary goal of this study was to determine how various factors converging at the Ca
V
1.2 I-II loop interact to regulate channel activity under basal conditions, during β-adrenergic stimulation, and in heart failure.

Methods and Results:

We generated transgenic mice with expression of Ca
V
1.2 α
1C
subunits with (1) mutations ablating interaction between α
1C
and β-subunits, (2) flexibility-inducing polyglycine substitutions in the I-II loop (GGG-α
1C
), or (3) introduction of the alternatively spliced 25-amino acid exon 9* mimicking a splice variant of α
1C
upregulated in the hypertrophied heart. Introducing 3 glycine residues that disrupt a rigid IS6–α-interaction domain helix markedly reduced basal open probability despite intact binding of Ca
V
β to α
1C
I-II loop and eliminated β-adrenergic agonist stimulation of Ca
V
1.2 current. In contrast, introduction of the exon 9* splice variant in the α
1C
I-II loop, which is increased in ventricles of patients with end-stage heart failure, increased basal open probability but did not attenuate stimulatory response to β-adrenergic agonists when reconstituted heterologously with β
2B
and Rad or transgenically expressed in cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions:

Ca
2+
channel activity is dynamically modulated under basal conditions, during β-adrenergic stimulation, and in heart failure by mechanisms converging at the α
1C
I-II loop. Ca
V
β binding to α
1C
stabilizes an increased channel open probability gating mode by a mechanism that requires an intact rigid linker between the β-subunit binding site in the I-II loop and the channel pore. Release of Rad-mediated inhibition of Ca
2+
channel activity by β-adrenergic agonists/PKA also requires this rigid linker and β-binding to α
1C
.
Advances towards the completion of the Anthurium Flora of Central America (Araceae, Pothoideae): contribution of thirty-one new species from Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama

Authors: ORTIZ ORLANDO O. , CROAT THOMAS B. , HORMELL ROBERT , CEDEÑO-FONSECA MARCO
Published: October 2020

In the present paper, we include the description of 31 new species from Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama (including one from the Panama-Colombia border), which are distributed in eight sections. The sections represented and the number of species per section are as follows: Andiphilum (two), Belolonchium (five), Calomystrium (five), Cardiolonchium (eight), Decurrentia (one), Pachyneurium (eight), Polyneurium (one) and Tetraspermium (one). Additionally, three Central American taxa are now considered to be distinct at the species level and are here elevated to specific rank; Anthurium arcuatum, A. fogdeniorum, and A. copense. Notes on habitat, conservation status, taxonomy and morphology are provided for each species as well as illustrations.
Improving Radar-Based Precipitation Nowcasts with Machine Learning Using an Approach Based on Random Forest
Authors: Mao Yiwen , Sorteberg Asgeir
Published: October 2020

A binary classification model is trained by random forest using data from 41 stations in Norway to predict the precipitation in a given hour. The predictors consist of results from radar nowcasts and numerical weather predictions. The results demonstrate that the random forest model can improve the precipitation predictions by the radar nowcasts and the numerical weather predictions. This study clarifies whether certain potential factors related to model training can influence the predictive skill of the random forest method. The results indicate that enforcing a balanced prediction by resampling the training datasets or lowering the threshold probability for classification cannot improve the predictive skill of the random forest model. The study reveals that the predictive skill of the random forest model shows seasonality, but is only weakly influenced by the geographic diversity of the training dataset. Finally, the study shows that the most important predictor is the precipitation predictions by the radar nowcasts followed by the precipitation predictions by the numerical weather predictions. Although meteorological variables other than precipitation are weaker predictors, the results suggest that they can help to reduce the false alarm ratio and to increase the success ratio of the precipitation prediction.
Can Glypican-6 Level Predict Ejection Fraction Decline After Myocardial Infarction?
Authors: Ozturk Fatih , Atici Adem , Barman Hasan Ali
Published: October 2020

The main goals in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome are to prevent myocardial ischemia, damage, and possible complications. Accordingly, we evaluated the predictive value of glypican-6 (GPC6) for cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Baseline plasma GPC6 levels were measured in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute MI. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured at baseline and at 6 months with transthoracic echocardiography. Reduced LVEF persisted in 89 out of 276 patients after 6 months. The majority of the patients were male (n = 198, 72%) and the mean age was 57.8 ± 10.8 years. Glypican-6, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitive troponin levels were significantly lower in the improved LVEF group compared with the low LVEF group (10.54 ± 4.46 vs 6.98 ± 3.34 ng/mL, P < .001; 500 pg/mL [range, 300-600 pg/mL] vs 350 pg/mL [range, 200-550 pg/mL], P = .008; 396 pg/mL [range, 159-579 pg/mL] vs 300 pg/mL [range, 100-500 pg/mL], P = .016, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed the SYNTAX Score 2, GPC6, and NT-proBNP as significant independent predictors of low LVEF (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.064, P = .041; HR: 1.215, P < .001; HR: 1.179, P < .001). Glypican-6 may prove to be useful for the detection of low LVEF development in patients undergoing PCI following MI.
Circular Labour Migration from Rural India: A Study of Out-Migration of Male Labour from West Bengal
Authors: Sarkar Sudipta , Mishra Deepak K.
Published: October 2020

Circular labour migration from rural areas has emerged as a key feature of the Indian economy. Generally seen as a positive development, because of its impact of remittances on the household economy of the migrants, circular migration has also been associated with exploitation and unfreedom of the migrant labour. This paper focuses on labour out-migration to the construction sector from one of the economically backward districts of West Bengal, India. Firstly, it examines who participates in this migration process and highlights the nature of such migration. Secondly, it explores the outcomes of labour migration focusing on both the economic as well as the social dimensions. Thirdly, these outcomes are linked with the broader debates on the migration–development linkages. This paper argues that rather than focusing on the short-term and static gains of out-migration, there is a need to investigate the long-term, life-cycle implications of such circular labour migration.
Does Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment Improve Systemic Health?
Authors: Taylor H.L. , Rahurkar S. , Treat T.J. , Thyvalikakath T.P. , Schleyer T.K.
Published: October 2020

Clinicians frequently stress the importance of maintaining good oral health for multiple reasons, including its link to systemic health. Because periodontal treatment reduces inflammation in oral tissues, some hypothesize it may positively affect systemic outcomes by reducing inflammation in the body. A significant number of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) have evaluated the effect of periodontal treatment on systemic outcomes. However, inconsistent findings and questionable methodological rigor make drawing conclusions difficult. We conducted a systematic review of reviews that studied the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on systemic disease outcomes. We report on outcomes evaluated, categorizing them as biomarkers, and surrogate or clinical endpoints. In addition, we used A MeaSurement Tool to Access systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) to evaluate the methodological quality of the reviews. Of the 52 studies included in our review, 21 focused on diabetes, 15 on adverse birth outcomes, 8 on cardiovascular disease, 3 each on obesity and rheumatoid arthritis, and 2 on chronic kidney disease. Across all studies, surrogate endpoints predominated as outcomes, followed by biomarkers and, rarely, actual disease endpoints. Ninety-two percent of studies had “low” or “critically low” AMSTAR 2 confidence ratings. Criteria not met most frequently included advance registration of the protocol, justification for excluding individual studies, risk of bias from individual studies being included in the review, and appropriateness of meta-analytical methods. There is a dearth of robust evidence on whether nonsurgical periodontal treatment improves systemic disease outcomes. Future reviews should adhere more closely to methodological guidelines for conducting and reporting SRs/MAs than has been the case to date. Beyond improved reviews, additional rigorous research on whether periodontal treatment affects systemic health is needed. We highlight the potential of large-scale databases containing matched medical and dental record data to inform and complement future clinical research studying the effect of periodontal treatment on systemic outcomes.
Antiviral Activity of Reagents in Mouth Rinses against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Carrouel F. , Gonçalves L.S. , Conte M.P. , Campus G. , Fisher J. , Fraticelli L. , Gadea-Deschamps E. , Ottolenghi L. , Bourgeois D.
Published: October 2020

The oral cavity, an essential part of the upper aerodigestive tract, is believed to play an important role in the pathogenicity and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The identification of targeted antiviral mouth rinses to reduce salivary viral load would contribute to reducing the COVID-19 pandemic. While awaiting the results of significant clinical studies, which to date do not exist, the commercial availability of mouth rinses leads us to search among them for reagents that would have specific antiviral properties with respect to SARS-CoV-2. The challenges facing this target were examined for 7 reagents found in commercially available mouth rinses and listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website: povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, cyclodextrin, Citrox, cetylpyridinium chloride, and essential oils. Because SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus, many reagents target the outer lipid membrane. Moreover, some of them can act on the capsid by denaturing proteins. Until now, there has been no scientific evidence to recommend mouth rinses with an anti–SARS-CoV-2 effect to control the viral load in the oral cavity. This critical review indicates that current knowledge of these reagents would likely improve trends in salivary viral load status. This finding is a strong sign to encourage clinical research for which quality protocols are already available in the literature.
Preservice Teachers’ Design of Technology–Based Reading Texts to Improve Their TPACK
Authors: Gozukucuk Meral , Gunbas Nilgun
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study is to contribute to preservice teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). For this purpose, preservice teachers ( n = 8) learned visual programming language, designed technology-based reading activities, and observed students completing these activities. A case study approach was employed, and preservice teachers’ views about the process were taken. Results showed that the preservice teachers’ beliefs in technology integration in education positively changed. They believe they learned teaching reading skills to elementary school students in an untraditional approach. They believe the whole process contributed to their personal and professional development. Implications are made based on the TPACK framework.
Toward More Inclusive Education: An Empirical Test of the Universal Design for Learning Conceptual Model Among Preservice Teachers
Authors: Griful-Freixenet Júlia , Struyven Katrien , Vantieghem Wendelien
Published: October 2020

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) holds considerable promise to create inclusive educational environments. Nevertheless, the most recent theoretical UDL model, which includes both teachers’ philosophy and praxis of teaching, has never been tested empirically. Therefore, this study aims to validate the UDL model as a “whole” among preservice teachers. Results show that the three philosophical constructs of UDL predict the performance of preservice teachers’ practices associated with UDL. These constructs are growth mindset about learning, self-efficacy to implement inclusion, and self-regulation and motivation for teaching. Results also show that preservice teachers think and reason about UDL not as three separate principles (i.e., engagement, representation, action, and expression) but in an interrelated way as the analysis shows them to be a unidimensional factor. Finally, this article discusses the implications of a validated model on UDL for teacher-educators, practitioners, and researchers.
Medical Stress and Fear of Death and Dying in a Medical Patient Population
Authors: Penberthy Jennifer Kim , Russell Genevieve , Phillips Jackson , Banaji Medhaa , Mann Nicholas , Dameron Elizabeth
Published: October 2020

We explored the relationship between medical illness-related stress and fear of death and dying in a population of individuals with self-reported medical illnesses. Medically ill participants identified their level of stress related to their medical condition, their level of fear of death and dying, and what treatments they would most prefer for addressing any fear of death and dying as well as their medical illness-related stress. Participants’ medical illness-related stress levels were high with an average endorsed score of 7.23 out of 10 (most extreme stress). The majority (70%) of participants endorsed “some,” “a little,” or “no fear” of death and dying. Overall, reported medical illness-related stress was not significantly correlated with fear of death and dying. Seventy-five percent of participants reported preferring psychotherapy or mindfulness interventions for addressing their stress. Psychotherapy, anti-anxiety medications, and meditation were the top three choices for addressing fear of death and dying.
The Association between Urbanization and Depression among the Middle-Aged and Elderly: A Longitudinal Study in China
Authors: He Shan , Song Duo , Jian Wei-yan
Published: October 2020

Urbanization has been and will continue to be the mainstream trend of global population movement, including China. Depression is the most common mental disorders and the leading factor of disabilities. However, the impacts of urbanization on the depression occurrence are still unclear. This paper analyzed the data from 3 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) with sample size as 8510 adults representing the middle aged and elderly group in China. Depression was identified and measured by the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). Urbanization level was measured by population density, GDP per capita and secondary/tertiary industry as percentage to GDP in the China City Statistical Yearbook. The fixed effect regression model was used to explore the association between the changes of urbanization and depression. As result, depression is closely related to the urbanization, protective effects are found for 3 indicators above: The depression prevalence decreases while urbanization level increases (from lowest urbanization level to the highest: P < 0.01). Among the 10 depression symptoms, “Bothered”, “Reduced energy leading to diminished activity” and “Hopelessness” are the most significantly improved with urbanization. The impact of urbanization on residents’ mental health is a long-term, multi-factor interaction. Therefore we need to fully consider all possible influencing factors, and longer follow-up study to verify.
How Travel Earns Us Bragging Rights: A Qualitative Inquiry and Conceptualization of Travel Bragging Rights
Authors: Liu Hongbo , Li Xiang (Robert)
Published: October 2020

Travel bragging rights have become an important factor influencing travel decision making in the social media era, yet research on this topic remains scant in the tourism literature. The present study attempted to answer the question “What constitutes travel bragging rights?” from tourists’ perspectives using in-depth interviews and means–end analysis. A comprehensive conceptualization of travel bragging rights was provided. Specifically, we identified seven dimensions of travel bragging rights. These dimensions are located on a continuum between a focus on the self and a focus on the audience and serve several social psychological functions reflecting social media posters’ (those who post content on social media) personal values. The conceptualization of travel bragging rights highlights the perception gaps between travel posters and the audience. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Redeploying the Abjection of the Pog Gandao ‘Wilful Woman’ for Women’s Empowerment and Feminist Politics in a Mystical Context
Authors: Akurugu Constance
Published: October 2020

In this article, I examine the marginalisation and abjection of strongwilled and assertive women in Dagaaba settings in rural north-western Ghana. This is done by paying attention to a local identity category known as pog gandao—‘a woman who is more than a man’. The pog gandao, or what I gloss as the wilful woman, concept is used by men and women locally to stigmatise hard-working and assertive Dagaaba women. Drawing inspiration from the reappropriation and redeployment of queer abjection for the subversion of homophobia and the violence of compulsory heterosexuality, I demonstrate how such naming or shaming into the position of a pog gandao serves to hamper initiatives by enterprising and talented Dagaaba women. Being labelled as pog gandao, it appears, is even to lose one’s status in normative gender presentation as a woman; it means to transcend into a realm beyond the masculine. But this transcendence is not enviable due to its potential to expose the subject in question to perceived supernatural harm, a serious matter in this cultural context whereby the world of human affairs is understood as thoroughly saturated with supernatural forces that structure daily and ritual comportment. I argue that the shaming interpellation of pog gandao works as the most powerful weapon against wilful women in oppressive male-centric institutions of the Dagaaba. And yet, this stigmatised interpellation also has great emancipating potential, and I conclude by exploring ways to reclaim it for undermining female subordination, and for both empowering women and for feminist politics.
Feminist Utopias, Queerness and Paul Goodman
Authors: Grassi Samuele
Published: October 2020

The question of whether a (queer) politics of utopia can be located in the past, the future or the present conjures a set of ambivalences and dichotomies, of which the creativity–negativity debate and the (non)future of neoliberalism are cogent for feminist praxis. Convergences can be traced between understandings of utopia grounded in everyday experimentation and queer feminist critiques of normativity as a life project as well as an ongoing educational project. This article dissects social critic, psychologist, poet, novelist and anarchist Paul Goodman’s essay ‘The politics of being queer’ (1969), reading it through a queer feminist lens in order to shed new light on his ‘buried conversations’ with feminism. Mindful of and in opposition to Goodman’s controversial avowal of ‘masculinities’—most notably in his Growing Up Absurd (1960)—the article situates his idea(s) of freedom-autonomy and the disidentifications he proposed—with gay liberation agendas/movements, with bisexuality, with ‘masculinity’—within a wider feminist educational/pedagogical project of experimenting with utopia in the here and now. Goodman’s calls for a liberated society left us a utopian imaginary for engaging with an embodied politics for the present—for teaching, educating, loving and living differently.
The Modern Courtesan: Gender, Religion and Dance in Transnational India
Authors: Putcha Rumya S.
Published: October 2020

This article exposes the role of expressive culture in the rise and spread of late twentieth-century Hindu identity politics. I examine how Hindu nationalism is fuelled by an affective attachment to the Indian classical dancer. I analyse the affective logics that have crystallised around the now iconic Indian classical dancer and have situated her gendered and athletic body as a transnational, globally circulating emblem of an authentic Hindu and Indian national identity. This embodied identity is represented by the historical South Indian temple dancer and has, in the postcolonial era, been rebranded as the nationalist classical dancer—an archetype I refer to as the modern courtesan. I connect the modern courtesan to transnational forms of identity politics, heteropatriarchal marriage economies, as well as pathologies of gender violence. In so doing, I examine how the affective politics of ‘Hinduism’ have functionally weaponised the Indian dancing body. I argue that the nationalist and now transnationalist production of the classical dancer-courtesan exposes misogyny and casteism and thus requires a critical feminist dismantling. This article combines ethnographic fieldwork in classical dance studios in India and the United States with film and popular media analysis to contribute to critical transnational feminist studies, as well as South Asian gender, performance and media studies.
Vibration suppression and attitude control for the formation flight of flexible satellites by optimally tuned on-off state-dependent Riccati equation approach
Authors: Rouzegar Hossein , Khosravi Alireza , Sarhadi Pouria
Published: October 2020

In this paper, vibration suppression and attitude control for the formation flight of flexible satellites using optimally tuned on-off SDRE (state-dependent Riccati equation) approach is discussed. A formation consisting of flexible satellites has highly nonlinear dynamics and the corresponding satellites are subject to vibrations as well as uncertainties due to the practical conditions. Vibrations that are mainly caused by flexible modes of the satellites disorganize the coordination and hinder the formation stability as well as decreasing its performance and lifetime. Hence, flexibility should be considered in formation model and the coordination control needs to address such challenges. Owing to capabilities of SDRE approach for nonlinear systems, it is used as the coordination control. Satellites are assumed to be equipped with thrusters as their actuators which requires the control to be applied as on-off pulses. To this end, an algorithm is suggested to efficiently convert SDRE control into on-off pulses. For optimal tuning of the controller, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed. Stability of the system has also been analyzed via a Lyapunov-based approach utilizing the region of attraction concept. The proposed on-off SDRE approach has shown to effectively suppress the vibrations in the presence of uncertainties leading to the accurate coordination of the whole formation while consuming less energy. Simulation results show the capability, efficiency, robustness and stability of the suggested approach.
Traumatic Stapediovestibular Dislocation With Intact Stapes: Report and Review
Authors: Ren Qinzhan , Su Jinfei , Si Jinyuan , Li Yue , Ding Xiuyong
Published: October 2020

Stapediovestibular dislocation is a rare disorder as a result of traumatic injury to the structures in the middle ear. We described a case of a 60-year-old female with stapediovestibular dislocation with associated perilymph fistula. She presented with symptoms including hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus after a penetrating injury by an ear pick. After 4 months of conservative management, her symptoms failed to improve. Therefore, she underwent surgery which resolved completely her vestibular symptoms and her hearing loss had partially improved. The restoration of the stapes to its normal anatomical position coupled with ossiculoplasty and closure of the tympanic membrane are effective in patients with stapediovestibular dislocation.
An Unusual Source of Sinonasal Disease in an Immunocompromised Patient: A Case Report of the Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Acanthamoeba Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Guirguis David , Kashat Lawrence , Moradi Sara , Bonaiuto Gregory S.
Published: October 2020

Chronic nasal crusting is a commonly encountered entity in an otolaryngology office. Progressive, extensive nasal crusting with erosion is relatively unusual, however. We present the case a 58-year-old renal transplant patient with a history of vasculitis and immunosuppression who presents with subjective headache and facial pain, nasal crusting, and isolated left ethmoid sinusitis. She developed extensive intranasal necrosis and underwent multiple endoscopic sinus surgeries with intraoperative biopsies, which played a critical role in her workup and eventual diagnosis of Acanthamoeba rhinosinusitis. Although she endured a difficult course, proper diagnosis and treatment allowed for her recovery over time. The differential diagnosis for intranasal necrosis is often broad. This case highlights the wide range of etiologies to be considered in a patient with extensive nasal crusting and erosion/necrosis, and the importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation in these patients, especially those in an immunocompromised state.
Business Improvement Districts and Contemporary Local Governance
Authors: Ziebarth Dan
Published: October 2020

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have become an increasingly prevalent method for contemporary public management and economic revitalization. BIDs are private non-profit organizations established primarily in urban areas to deliver public services and improve economic conditions by imposing additional assessments on property owners. This dynamic allows improvement districts to serve as quasi-public entities inextricably intertwined with local policy measures and government officials, while concurrently operating as private organizations. This paper begins by providing an introduction outlining the role BIDs play in modern local governance, followed by a brief overview of the historical progression of improvement district implementation in cities. The contemporary state of debate surrounding the efficacy and implications of BIDs on local governance is then reviewed, while discussing the impact of recent research on the field of study. It concludes by reflecting on proliferation of improvement districts as an entity for modern public service delivery, as well as suggesting future directions for research pertaining to BIDs.
Family socioeconomic status and parental expectations affect mathematics achievement in a national sample of Chilean students
Authors: Hascoët Marine , Giaconi Valentina , Jamain Ludivine
Published: October 2020

Family socioeconomic status (SES) has a significant influence on children’s academic success and is related to parents’ attitudes toward education. Moreover, according to the expectancy-value theory, parental expectations are linked to their children’s perceptions of school, which, in turn, influences the way their children invest themselves in education. In this study, we aimed to test a part of the theorical expectancy-value family socialization model that links family SES and parental expectations and explore their influences on children’s mathematics self-concept and achievement. This study was conducted in the Chilean context, which is characterized by strong neoliberal educational policies that induce a strong relationship between family economic resources and children’s educational trajectories. We utilized a longitudinal design, and our study sample ( N = 157,814 Chilean students) came from a national assessment that was conducted from 2007 to 2013 when students were in their 4th, 8th, and 10th grades. Our results showed that, while controlling for children’s previous mathematics achievement, their final mathematics achievement was influenced by children’s mathematics self-concept, the family socioeconomic and educational context, and parental expectations regarding their children’s academic achievement. Our findings also highlighted that Chilean parents base their expectations on parents’ capacity to support their children’s education as much as on their children’s previous academic achievement.
Beyond Dyads and Triads: A Comparison of Tetrads in Twenty Social Networks
Authors: McMillan Cassie , Felmlee Diane
Published: October 2020

Social psychologists focus on the microlevel features that define interaction, often attending to dyads and triads. We argue that there also is utility in studying how configurations of four actors, or tetrads, pattern our social world. The current project considers the prevalence of directed tetrads across twenty social networks representing five relationship types (friendship, legislative co-sponsorship, Twitter, advice seeking, and email). By comparing these observed networks to randomly generated conditional networks, we identify tetrads that occur more frequently than expected, or network motifs. In all twenty networks, we find evidence for six tetrad motifs that collectively highlight tendencies toward hierarchy, clustering, and bridging in social interaction. Variations across network genres also emerge, suggesting that unique tetrad structural signatures could define different types of interaction.
The Calgary 2026 Olympic Bid Plebiscite as Affective Urbanism
Authors: Hiller Harry H.
Published: October 2020

An analysis of the Calgary 2026 Olympic bid plebiscite/referendum held in 2018 adds a new perspective to the literature on bidding by shifting from the cognitive/organizational elements of the bid to the emotive dynamics within the bid city conceptualized as affective urbanism. The socioeconomic and political context and the binary nature of the plebiscite question provide the framework to explain the negative vote. Using the civic discourse of local residents as data for the study, the public emotions created by confusion, fear, and anger are identified, which resulted in two opposing but competitive affective voting options: affirming affectivity and aversive affectivity. A binary reversal made a negative vote into an instrument of power and a positive affirmation of the city’s future.
Maternal Risk Factors for Lactation Mastitis: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Deng Yuan , Huang Yan , Ning Ping , Ma Se-Ge , He Pei-Yu , Wang Ying
Published: October 2020

This meta-analysis was conducted to identify maternal risk factors for lactational mastitis. Studies published in English or Chinese were retrieved from Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP databases according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model was used for data pooling and I2 tests to assess study heterogeneity. Pooled data from 8 cohorts and 10 case–control studies identified previous mastitis during breastfeeding (P<0.00001), cesarean section (P=0.001), breast trauma (P<0.001), anemia (P=0.0001), latch problems ≤ 8 weeks post-delivery (P=0.003), milk overproduction (P=0.002), blocked duct (P<0.0001), cracked nipple (especially ≤ 4 weeks post-delivery) (P=0.0001), use of nipple shields (P<0.00001), nipple cream (P<0.0001), brassieres (P<0.0001), and breast pumps (P<0.00001), and breastfeed duration > 30 min (P=0.008) as significant risk factors. Washing nipples before breastfeeding decreased lactational mastitis risk. Identification of these risk factors may facilitate the development of nursing care protocols for reducing lactational mastitis.
Beyond classic mass media and stand-alone technologies: Using media online in the domestic sphere
Authors: Müller Kathrin Friederike
Published: October 2020

This article discusses why households in Germany use the Internet and content distributed online instead of classic broadcasting or a printed paper for customising ideal media repertoires that match with their media-related interests in the domestic sphere. Following the domestication approach, home is understood as a relevant field for research on online-based media use because it is the place where people traditionally negotiate the meaning of media technologies and content against the background of an existing media repertoire. The article refers to empirical findings from qualitative ethnographic research on 16 German households. It was undertaken between 2015 and 2017. In summarising, the empirical research emphasises three distinct reasons why people choose the Internet for domestic media reception over classic mass media: a better integration of media use in everyday life, particular demands and interests in specific content, and the politics of identity and the moral economy of the household.
Effects of naringin on reversing cisplatin resistance and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human ovarian cancer SKOV3/CDDP cells
Authors: Zhu Hong , Zou Xia , Lin ShiXin , Hu Xin , Gao Jun
Published: October 2020

Objective

Ovarian cancer is one of three malignant tumors of the female reproductive system. Our previous studies showed that the traditional Chinese medicine naringin significantly inhibited the proliferation of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cells in vitro, and that the mechanism may be related to the NF-κB pathway.

Methods

The MTT assay was used to detect the sensitivity of SKOV3 and SKOV3/CDDP cells to cisplatin, the effect of different naringin concentrations on the proliferation of SKOV3/CDDP cells, and the reversal of cisplatin resistance in naringin-treated SKOV3/CDDP cells. Western blotting was used to detect β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1 protein levels in the different cell lines.

Results

MTT results showed that different concentrations of naringin inhibited the proliferation of SKOV3 and SKOV3/CDDP cells, and that the inhibition increased with increasing concentrations and prolonged incubation times. Western blotting revealed that compared with controls (SKOV3/CDDP-0), β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 proteins levels were significantly decreased in SKOV3/CDDP-C, SKOV3/CDDP-N 20, and SKOV3/CDDP-CN 20 cells, suggesting that naringin inhibited the proliferation of SKOV3/CDDP cells in a concentration and time dependent manner.

Conclusions

Non-cytotoxic naringin reduced the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1 in SKOV3/CDDP cells and partially reversed cisplatin resistance in SKOV3/CDDP CN 20 cells.
Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for short oblique diaphyseal tibia fractures: does fracture site affect the outcomes?
Authors: Eken Gokay , Ermutlu Cenk , Durak Kemal , Atici Teoman , Sarisozen Bartu , Cakar Adnan
Published: October 2020

Objective

To report the results of patients with short oblique diaphyseal tibia fractures treated with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). The secondary aim was to understand the effect of fracture location (midshaft or distal 1/3) on outcomes.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients with short oblique (>30°) tibial shaft fractures (AO/OTA 42A2) treated with plate and MIPO technique between 2015 and 2019 were retrospectively assessed. Age, gender, follow-up time, fracture type (open or closed), operation time, postoperative infection rate, union time, ankle joint range of motion, and complications were analyzed. Patients’ radiographs at a minimum 1-year follow-up were evaluated for malunion, nonunion, and implant-related complications.

Results

Mean age and follow-up time were 47.0 ± 15.7 years and 18.3 ± 12.1 months, respectively. Mean bone union time was 3.66 ± 1.04 months in middle 1/3 diaphysis and 4.23 ± 1.48 months in distal 1/3 tibia fractures. Seven (25%) patients developed superficial infections. Mean union time, malunion rate, coronal and sagittal angulation, operation length, and infection rate were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

MIPO is an effective method for treatment of short oblique diaphyseal tibia fractures, and results in few complications. Both distal and midshaft fractures have similar union and malunion rates.
Topology optimization course for mechanical engineering students
Authors: Harl Bostjan , Kegl and Marko
Published: October 2020

Topology optimization is becoming increasingly important in modern design of load-carrying parts. Formulating and solving topology problems correctly and efficiently is becoming one of the most important skills for students planning to become design engineers. This paper focuses on the content and implementation layout of a course intended for future design engineers. The course is founded on the so-called three-step topology optimization procedure consisting of model preparation, optimization process, and model finalization. By utilizing discussion and simple calculations, the students are first made comfortable with the most fundamental notions from the field of structural optimization. Afterwards, the most modern and advanced software solutions are engaged step by step on a suitable model example to illustrate how the optimization-and-model-correction design loop works. In this process the most critical issues, such as for example, identification of model flaws and how these are reflected on the partially optimized design, are discussed one by one. At the end of the course, the student should be equipped with skills and competences needed to engage efficiently modern topology optimization to design lightweight and durable load-carrying structural parts.
Contemporary Perspectives on Environmental Enforcement
Authors: Nurse Angus
Published: October 2020

Green criminology allows for the study of environmental and criminal laws, environmental criminality which includes widespread environmental harm, and the abuse and exploitation of nonhuman animals. Yet many environmental crimes are not the core focus of criminal justice systems or public concern about crime and safety despite having the potential to cause far wider social harm and a large number of deaths. Instead much environmental enforcement is regulatory or administrative in nature, particularly in respect of corporate environmental wrongdoing, which is often categorized as accidental wrongdoing, largely considered to be the fault of “rogue” employees or the unintended consequences of governance failures. Unlike traditional street and property crimes, environmental crimes (and environmental harms) frequently have long-lasting and irreversible effects. This raises questions about the effectiveness of justice systems in dealing with environmental offenders and the damage they cause. This paper explores the effectiveness of contemporary environmental enforcement mechanisms. In particular, the paper explores the extent to which they such mechanism are equipped to deal with corporate environmental offending which in many cases is a consequence of the operation of neoliberal markets. This paper examines whether the drive for profits and anthropocentric attitudes toward the environment and exploitation of natural resources create a situation where corporate environmental crime is a foreseeable and even natural/inevitable consequence. Where that is the case and where corporations have the resources to continue paying fines and the expertise to navigate regulatory justice systems, an alternative to the law enforcement “detection apprehension and punishment” approach might be required.
A short-term decline in anthropogenic emission of CO2 in India due to COVID-19 confinement
Authors: Parida Bikash Ranjan , Bar Somnath , Singh Nilendu , Oinam Bakimchandra , Pandey Arvind Chandra , Kumar Manoj
Published: October 2020

To curb the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), confinement measures were undertaken, which altered the pattern of energy consumption and India’s anthropogenic CO2 emissions during the effective lockdowns periods (January to June 2020). Such changes are being analyzed using data of energy generated from coal and renewable sources and fossil-based daily CO2 emissions. Results revealed that coal-fired (fossil-based) energy generation fell by –13% in March, –29% in April, and –20% in May, and –16.6% in mid-June 2020 as compared with the same period in 2018–2019. Conversely, the renewable energy generation increased by 19% in March, 12% in April, 17% in May, and 7% in June 2020. The share of fossil-based energy fell by –6.55% in 2020 compared with mean levels, which was further offset by increases of renewable energy. India’s daily fossil-based CO2 emissions fell by –11.6% (–5 to –25.7%) by mid-June 2020 compared with mean levels of 2017–2019 with total change in fossil-based CO2 emission by –139 (–62 to –230) MtCO2, with the largest reduction in the industry (–41%), transport (–28.5%), and power (–21%) followed by the public (–5.4%), and aviation (–4%) sectors. If some levels of lockdown persist until December 2020, both energy consumption and CO2 emissions patterns would be below the 2019 level. The nationwide lockdown has led to a reduction in anthropogenic CO2 emissions and, subsequently, improved air quality and global environment and has also helped in reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the local level but not on the global level. With suitable government policies, switching to a cleaner mode of energy generation other than fossil fuels could be a viable option to minimize CO2 emissions under increasing demand for energy.
Numerical investigation of active flow control with co-flowing jet in a horizontal axis wind turbine
Authors: Shi Fangrui , Xu Yingqiao , Sun Xiaojing
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical simulation of the aerodynamic performance of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) whose blades are equipped with a new active flow control concept called Co-Flowing Jet (CFJ) is carried out. Numerical results show that the use of CFJ over the blade suction surface can effectively delay flow separation, thus improving the net torque and power output of HAWT. Besides, this increment in the net power produced by the turbine is considerably higher than the power consumed by the CFJ. Thus, the overall efficiency of the HAWT can be greatly increased. Furthermore, influences of different CFJ operating parameters including location of injection port, jet momentum coefficient and slot length on the performance enhancement of a HAWT are also systematically studied and the optimal combination of these parameters to obtain the best possible turbine efficiency throughout a range of different wind speeds has been identified.
Understanding the Effect of Bid Quantities, Project Characteristics, and Project Locations on the Duration of Road Transportation Construction Projects during Early Stages
Authors: Nevett Guillermo , Goodrum Paul M. , Littlejohn Ray L.
Published: October 2020

Creating accurate estimates for the duration of road transportation projects is a challenging task that estimators and engineers have to face daily, and a lack of understanding of what drives such durations is a big contributor to this challenge. This paper expands on the efforts created by previous research efforts, not only by adding more variables to the model, but also by combining all project sizes and types into a single model. These additions increased the amount of explained variability, and the range of projects that can be studied with one model. This paper aims to determine which of the variables analyzed best predict project durations.
Aggregate Characteristics-Based Preventive Maintenance Treatments for Optimized Skid Resistance of Pavements
Authors: Li Joshua Qiang , Pittenger Dominique , Wang Kelvin , Yang Guangwei , Zaman Musharraf , Zhan You Jason
Published: October 2020

Skid resistance of pavements plays a significant role in roadway safety. Preventive maintenance (PM) treatments have been used to restore pavement condition and retard future deterioration. As aggregate is the main component of such treatments, this study assessed the skid resistance of pavements in Oklahoma following PM treatment application to evaluate whether skid resistance is maintained or improved and economics are optimized, and presents a methodology to assist pavement engineers manage skid resistance. The 13 commonly used sources of aggregates in Oklahoma were acquired for aggregate morphological characterization in the laboratory in relation to shape, angularity, and surface texture-related index properties, using the Aggregate Imaging System before and after Micro-Deval abrasion. Accordingly, a systematic experimental design was developed to include 45 field testing sites constructed with typical Oklahoma PM treatments and the common aggregate sources. Multiple rounds of field data collection were performed during a 3-year period using the most recent three-dimensional (3D) laser imaging technology for pavement surface characteristics and a Grip Tester for skid resistance. The impacts of aggregate properties and pavement surface characteristics on the skid resistance were investigated and used to develop statistical deterioration models. Subsequently, life cycle cost analysis and performance-based sensitivity analysis were conducted using the developed deterioration model. This study presents a detailed analysis of aggregate characteristics and its relationship to skid resistance of pavements. An understanding of these relationships and application of the presented methodology can result in improvements in pavement safety with enhanced stewardship of financial resources.