bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inositol Trisphosphate Receptors and Nuclear Calcium in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Qi Xiao-Yan , Vahdati Hassani Faezeh , Hoffmann Dennis , Xiao Jiening , Xiong Feng , Villeneuve Louis R. , Ljubojevic-Holzer Senka , Kamler Markus , Abu-Taha Issam , Heijman Jordi , Bers Donald M. , Dobrev Dobromir , Nattel Stanley
Published: December 2020

Rationale:

The mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common clinical arrhythmia, are poorly understood. Nucleoplasmic Ca
2+
regulates gene expression, but the nature and significance of nuclear Ca
2+
-changes in AF are largely unknown.

Objective:

To elucidate mechanisms by which AF alters atrial-cardiomyocyte nuclear Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]
Nuc
) and CaMKII (Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II)-related signaling.

Methods and Results:

Atrial cardiomyocytes were isolated from control and AF dogs (kept in AF by atrial tachypacing [600 bpm × 1 week]). [Ca
2+
]
Nuc
and cytosolic [Ca
2+
] ([Ca
2+
]
Cyto
) were recorded via confocal microscopy. Diastolic [Ca
2+
]
Nuc
was greater than [Ca
2+
]
Cyto
under control conditions, while resting [Ca
2+
]
Nuc
was similar to [Ca
2+
]
Cyto
; both diastolic and resting [Ca
2+
]
Nuc
increased with AF. IP
3
R (Inositol-trisphosphate receptor) stimulation produced larger [Ca
2+
]
Nuc
increases in AF versus control cardiomyocytes, and IP
3
R-blockade suppressed the AF-related [Ca
2+
]
Nuc
differences. AF upregulated nuclear protein expression of IP
3
R1 (IP
3
R-type 1) and of phosphorylated CaMKII (immunohistochemistry and immunoblot) while decreasing the nuclear/cytosolic expression ratio for HDAC4 (histone deacetylase type-4). Isolated atrial cardiomyocytes tachypaced at 3 Hz for 24 hours mimicked AF-type [Ca
2+
]
Nuc
changes and L-type calcium current decreases versus 1-Hz-paced cardiomyocytes; these changes were prevented by IP
3
R knockdown with short-interfering RNA directed against IP
3
R1. Nuclear/cytosolic HDAC4 expression ratio was decreased by 3-Hz pacing, while nuclear CaMKII phosphorylation was increased. Either CaMKII-inhibition (by autocamtide-2-related peptide) or IP
3
R-knockdown prevented the CaMKII-hyperphosphorylation and nuclear-to-cytosolic HDAC4 shift caused by 3-Hz pacing. In human atrial cardiomyocytes from AF patients, nuclear IP
3
R1-expression was significantly increased, with decreased nuclear/nonnuclear HDAC4 ratio. MicroRNA-26a was predicted to target
ITPR1
(confirmed by luciferase assay) and was downregulated in AF atrial cardiomyocytes; microRNA-26a silencing reproduced AF-induced IP
3
R1 upregulation and nuclear diastolic Ca
2+
-loading.

Conclusions:

AF increases atrial-cardiomyocyte nucleoplasmic [Ca
2+
] by IP
3
R1-upregulation involving miR-26a, leading to enhanced IP
3
R1-CaMKII-HDAC4 signaling and L-type calcium current downregulation.

Graphic Abstract:

A
graphic abstract
is available for this article.
TÜRKİYE’DE TURİZM ve EKONOMİK BÜYÜME ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİ: TODA-YAMAMOTO NEDENSELLİK YAKLAŞIMI
Authors: PEKMEZCİ Aytaç
Published: December 2020

Bu çalışmada 1998Q1 ile 2019Q4 dönemi mevsimlik verileri kullanılarak Turizm ile Ekonomik Büyüme arasındaki ilişki araştırılmıştır. Burada turizm göstergesi olarak Census X13 yöntemi kullanılarak mevsimsellikten arındırılmış Türkiye’yi ziyaret eden yabancı turist sayısı, ekonomik büyüme göstergesi olarak gayri safi yurtiçi hasıla değişkenleri kullanılmıştır. İlişkiyi incelemek amacıyla farklı durağanlık derecelerine sahip değişkenlerin olduğu durumda kullanılan Toda-Yamamoto nedensellik analizi tercih edilmiştir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda incelenen değişkenler arasında tek yönlü kısa dönemli ilişki tespit edilmiştir.
Similarities and Differences between Performers and Observers in Processing Auditory Action Consequences: Evidence from Simultaneous EEG Acquisition
Authors: Ghio Marta , Egan Sophie , Bellebaum Christian
Published: December 2020

In our social environment, we easily distinguish stimuli caused by our own actions (e.g., water splashing when I fill my glass) from stimuli that have an external source (e.g., water splashing in a fountain). Accumulating evidence suggests that processing the auditory consequences of self-performed actions elicits N1 and P2 ERPs of reduced amplitude compared to physically identical but externally generated sounds, with such reductions being ascribed to neural predictive mechanisms. It is unexplored, however, whether the sensory processing of action outcomes is similarly modulated by action observation (e.g., water splashing when I observe you filling my glass). We tested 40 healthy participants by applying a methodological approach for the simultaneous EEG recording of two persons: An observer observed button presses executed by a performer in real time. For the performers, we replicated previous findings of a reduced N1 amplitude for self- versus externally generated sounds. This pattern differed significantly from the one in observers, whose N1 for sounds generated by observed button presses was not attenuated. In turn, the P2 amplitude was reduced for processing action- versus externally generated sounds for both performers and observers. These findings show that both action performance and observation affect the processing of action-generated sounds. There are, however, important differences between the two in the timing of the effects, probably related to differences in the predictability of the actions and thus also the associated stimuli. We discuss how these differences might contribute to recognizing the stimulus as caused by self versus others.
The Old Testament in Translated Patristic Works: Ezekiel 1–4:3 and 40:1–47 in Fr. Gonzalo de Ocaña’s (1442) Spanish Translation of Homiliarum in Ezechielem Prophetam libri duo by Pope Gregory I
Authors: Avenoza Gemma
Published: December 2020

This study explores the political and cultural context of Fr. Gonzalo de Ocaña’s translation of the Homiliarum in Ezechielem of Pope Gregory I. It sheds light on the personality of the translator, offering new information about his life. It also delves into the political circumstances in which Queen María of Castile requested this translation from her chaplain. In fact, Ocaña’s prologue to his translation provides unique historical evidence of his own personal position vis-à-vis the political strife between the Queen’s brothers and her husband, John II of Castile, a struggle that had brought Castile close to ruin.

The translation of this patristic text is also important because it provides us with a literal version of extensive passages from the Book of Ezequiel and constitutes the only known translation of this book of the Old Testament made from the Vulgata in the fifteenth century. Ocaña’s use of the Latin source is by no means a trivial issue, for the only two known versions of the Book of Ezekiel translated from Latin into Spanish, the pre-Alfonsine Bible and the General estoria, were prepared much earlier, in the thirteenth century.
Translation and Polemics in the Anti-Jewish Literature of the Muslims of Christian Iberia: The “Conversion of Kaʿb al-Aḥbār” or the “Lines of the Torah”
Authors: Colominas Aparicio Mònica
Published: December 2020

Muslim anti-Christian and anti-Jewish polemics from Christian Iberia often include references and quotations from the Qurʾān, the Torah, and the Gospels. Even when they are composed in Romance, the script used in their writing is often Arabic. This article discusses the conversion narrative of “the lines of the Torah,” in which translation is halfway between the faithful rendering of the original and its interpretation by its Muslim scribe. I show in this paper that the ability to convey, or so to speak, to “unveil,” new meanings makes translation a powerful means to convert the opponent and to strengthen the faith in Islam. The analysis aims to shed light on the intellectual and social milieus of “the lines of the Torah,” and deals with translation in other anti-Jewish Muslim writings from the Christian territories: the “Jewish Confession,” or Ashamnu; the chronology in Seder Olam; and the lengthy Muslim anti-Jewish polemic of Taʾyīd al-milla (The Fortification of the Faith or Community).
Halal Consumption as Ethical Practice: Negotiating Halal Certification in South Africa
Authors: Tayob Shaheed
Published: December 2020

In recent decades, the halal certification logo has emerged as a global phenomenon. Halal certification is an attempt to produce a new discursive and material basis for the practice of halal. Halal is extended into new places and products. In South Africa Muslim consumers now query the halal status of tomato sauce, bottled water and even food consumed at the homes of friends and family. Certification is a technology of halal whereby consumers self-regulate practice in new ways. However, the transformations of halal certification have not been complete. Documentary inspection and molecular investigation linked to new kinds of information and new technology have not necessarily eclipsed the importance of intra-Muslim trade, niyya (orientation/intention) and trust for the practice of halal. This paper considers the narratives and practices of middle-class Muslims in South Africa towards an understanding of the complex ways in which halal is practiced and transformed.
“Ismaël pria Osman de luy donner quelques Chrestiens”: Gift Exchanges and Economic Reciprocity in trans-Saharan Diplomacy (Sixteenth–Seventeenth Centuries)
Authors: Dewière Rémi
Published: December 2020

The practice of gift-giving was omnipresent in trans-Saharan embassies. Gifts were the material expression of the political dialogue between rulers. Their quality and quantity was a good barometer of relations between rulers. A close analysis of the gifts sent or received by the Borno rulers (present-day Nigeria) between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries reveals a system of norms and customs on the part of the Borno chancellery. Their material value also raises the question of their economic dimension and how they were recycled. By focusing on the embassies between Tripoli and Borno in the early modern period, the aim of this article is to demonstrate that the gifts were a part of a normalized practice of diplomacy. Beyond the message carried by the gifts themselves, the Borno sultans mixed economic and political interests by integrating the exchanges of gifts into the wider trans-Saharan trade.
Diplomatic Gifts, Tributes and Frontier Violence: Circulation of Contentious Presents in the Moluccas (1575–1606)
Authors: Escribano-Páez Jose M.
Published: December 2020

A crucial asset for cross-cultural communication during the early modern period, diplomatic gifts have been traditionally associated with courtly diplomacy and peaceful encounters. However, recent scholarship on this topic has emphasized how gifts can reveal bitter political rivalries and asymmetries of power. Building on this line of inquiry, this article explores the complex roles of gifts in the dynamics of cross-cultural violence on the frontiers of the Iberian empires in Southeast Asia. Through the examination of a wide array of sources, I aim to show how gift-giving turned into one of the multiple factors fueling the violent conflict between Moluccan sultans and Iberian authorities in the region between 1575 and 1606.
“Intirely the Kings Vassalls”: East India Company Gifting Practices and Anglo-Mughal Political Exchange (c. 1670–1720)
Authors: van Meersbergen Guido
Published: December 2020

This article examines the role of gift exchanges in political relations between the East India Company and the Mughal imperial administration. Focusing on the period 1670–1720, it discusses the items selected for presentation, the occasions at which they changed hands, and the hierarchical relationships expressed and acknowledged through these transactions. It argues that in exchanges both with the central court and with provincial authorities, transfers of valuables in cash and kind between English and Indian actors were embedded in a wider imperial discourse regarding sovereignty and service. By acknowledging the continuum running from courtly engagements to everyday political interactions at local sites of power, a notion of Company diplomacy comes into view that straddled the boundaries between inter-polity relations and intra-imperial solicitation. As such, the case study invites us to rethink our notion of diplomacy as it pertained to relations between the English Company and Mughal state.
Comparative Global Citizenship Education: A Critical Literature Analysis
Authors: Hou Yuqing
Published: December 2020

Over the past two decades, a wide range of research literature emerged in the field of Comparative and International Education (cie) engaging in comparing Global Citizenship Education between nations. However, there is scant analysis that explores the research trends and findings in those comparative inquiries focusing on the theorizing and implementation of gce in different national contexts. Through a systematic review of 12 research papers drawing from major cie journals and relevant databases, the current inquiry will assist the international community of cie in understanding the contribution and limitation of this important body of research, and its implications for future comparative studies on gce. The analysis shows that the comparison reference in the existing literature on comparative gce tends to be curriculum documents and frameworks while underrating the experiences and perceptions of individuals involved in the teaching and learning process. Moreover, the national settings where the comparative inquiries of gce were conducted are highly limited in scope, mostly the developed countries in West Europe, East Asia, or North America. This trend limits the possibility to decolonize and transform cie scholarship, which could be reversed with inclusion of new and diverse perspectives and knowledge in future gce research.
The Filmī-ʿIlmī Formula: Shama Magazine and the Urdu Cosmopolis
Authors: Taj Afroz
Published: December 2020

This article traces the history and significance of Shama (Shamʿ) magazine in the context of Urdu popular culture in the twentieth century. Published monthly from 1939 to 1999, Shama developed a successful filmī-ʿilmī (film and belles-lettres) formula that made it the most widely circulated Urdu monthly in India for half a century. I analyze Shama’s components and publishing strategies, drawing on archival evidence, interviews, and personal testimony. Building on work by Jennifer Dubrow, Francesca Orsini, and others, I argue that Shama played an important role in defining the post-Independence Urdu public. While Shama purported to cater to male readership, visual and textual evidence suggests that the Shama community also included a “secret” readership of women. I further argue that Shama’s cover paintings, and the juxtaposition of text and image within, embody some of the contradictions of the mid-twentieth-century Urdu cosmopolis.
Nawaran Esquerré, Donnellan, Brennan, Lemmon, Lemmon, Zaher, Grazziotin & Keogh, 2020 is an invalid junior synonym of Nyctophilopython Wells & Wellington, 1985 (Squamata, Pythonidae): simple priority without Zoobank pre-registration

Authors: KAISER HINRICH , THOMSON SCOTT A. , SHEA GLENN M.
Published: December 2020

In their careful analysis of python phylogeny and evolution, Esquerré et al. (2020) proposed the new genus-series nomen Nawaran for the Oenpelli python, Simalia oenpelliensis (Gow, 1977). However, Nawaran is a junior synonym of Nyctophilopython Wells & Wellington, 1985, a name that was validly, though controversially, published in compliance with the Code. Furthermore, while the nomen Nawaran initially appeared in an “early view” of the article on or about 21 May 2020, it was not registered on Zoobank until 23 September 2020 and did not become available for the purposes of zoological nomenclature until 30 November 2020, the date of the printed publication according to Article 21.3 of the Code. Complications for nomenclature resulting from “pre-publications” and lapses with Zoobank registration are not uncommon, and we urge taxonomists considering the erection of new nomina to give careful attention to the nomenclatural rules of the Code.
Extreme Snow Events along the Coast of the Northeast United States: Potential Changes due to Global Warming
Authors: Chen Guoxing , Wang Wei-Chyung , Cheng Chao-Tzuen , Hsu Huang-Hsiung
Published: December 2020

Winter extreme snowstorm events along the coast of the northeast United States have significant impacts on social and economic activities, and their potential changes under global warming are of great concern. Here, we adopted the pseudo–global warming approach to investigate the responses of 93 events identified in our previous observational analysis. The study was conducted by contrasting two sets of WRF simulations for each event: the first set driven by the ERA-Interim reanalysis and the second set by that data superimposed with mean-climate changes simulated from HiRAM historical (1980–2004) and future (2075–99; RCP8.5) runs. Results reveal that the warming together with increased moisture tends to decrease the snowfall along the coast but increase the rainfall throughout the region. For example, the number of events having daily snow water equivalent larger than 10 mm day−1 at Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C., is decreased by 47%, 46%, 30%, and 33%, respectively. The compensating changes in snowfall and rainfall lead to a total-precipitation increase in the three more-southern cities but a decrease in Boston. In addition, the southwestward shift of regional precipitation distribution is coherent with the enhancement (reduction) of upward vertical motion in the south (north) and the movement of cyclone centers (westward in 58% of events and southward in 72%). Finally, perhaps more adversely, because of the northward retreat of the 0°C line and the expansion of the near-freezing zone, the number of events with mixed rain and snow and freezing precipitation in the north (especially the inland area) is increased.
The Impact of a Standardized Discharge Process on 30-Day Readmissions for Patients on Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Treatment
Authors: Huggins Charnicia E. , Park Tae Eun , Boateng Eric , Zeana Cosmina
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Outpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment (OPAT) is associated with shorter length of hospital stay and reduced cost. Yet, patients discharged home on OPAT are at risk of hospital readmissions due to adverse events and complications. Although the impact of a multidisciplinary approach to readmission has been assessed by previous studies, addition of an innovative technology has not been evaluated for OPAT. This study examines the impact of a multidisciplinary approach including automated voice calls on 30-day readmissions of OPAT patients. Methods: A post-discharge transitional care process (PDTCP) targeting OPAT patients was implemented in fall 2016. This process included an automated telephone patient engagement service and coordination among pharmacy, nursing, medicine, and social work personnel. The patients on OPAT received automated telephone calls at 2, 9, 16, 28, and 40 days post-discharge to ensure medication availability and adherence and to circumvent issues that would otherwise result in an emergency room visit or readmission to the hospital. Results: A total 429 voice calls were made to 148 patients from November 8, 2016 to February 28, 2019. Overall, 61% (n = 90/148) of the patients were successfully reached by the automated voice system. The patients who were reached by the automated voice system were less likely to be readmitted than those not reached (18.9% vs 41.4%; relative risk (RR) 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.77, P = .003). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that a multidisciplinary approach involving the use of automated telephone calls was associated with decreased hospital readmissions.
Depression, Suicidal Ideation and Perceived Stress in Italian Humanities Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bert Fabrizio , Ferrara Maria , Boietti Edoardo , Langiano Elisa , Savatteri Armando , Scattaglia Marco , Lo Moro Giuseppina , Leombruni Paolo , De Vito Elisabetta , Siliquini Roberta
Published: December 2020

Mental health issues are common among university students. Nevertheless, few studies focused on Italian students. This study aimed to assess prevalence and associated factors of perceived stress (PS), depressive symptoms (DS) and suicidal ideation (SI) in an Italian sample. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst a convenience sample of students in humanities field (2018). Questionnaires were self-administered. Outcomes were assessed through Beck Depression Inventory-II (DS, SI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PS). Multivariable regressions were performed (p-value < 0.05 significant; sample size = 203). DS and SI prevalence was 30.6% and 8.8%. PS median score was 20 (IQR = 11), 87.7% reported moderate/severe PS. DS likelihood was increased by psychiatric disorders family history and not attending first year of course and decreased by not thinking that university hinders personal activities. Chronic disease and higher stress score increased SI probability; good/excellent family cohesion reduced it. Being female, thinking that university hinders resting/relaxing, seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist were positively associated with PS; having no worries about future was negatively associated. A high prevalence of mental health issues was reported, with miscellaneous associated factors that were linked to both private and social aspects. Universities must be aware of this to provide efficient preventive measures.
Poly(lactic acid) fibers, yarns and fabrics: Manufacturing, properties and applications
Authors: Yang Yadie , Zhang Minglonghai , Ju Zixin , Tam Po Ying , Hua Tao , Younas Muhammad Waseem , Kamrul Hasan , Hu Hong
Published: December 2020

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fiber was developed more than a decade ago. It has been regarded as the most promising sustainable and biodegradable fiber to replace conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester fiber in textile products. This paper reviews recent developments in PLA polymerization, PLA filament and fiber spinning, staple yarn spinning, fabric production, dyeing and finishing and aftercare procedures. The properties of PLA fiber are broadly similar to those of PET fiber; however, the properties of PLA fiber that differ, including thermal degradation and low hydrolytic resistance to strong alkaline, significantly affect the method selection and parameter setting of production and processing of PLA fibers and fabrics. PLA filaments are mainly produced by two-step melt spinning to get fibers with stable quality, but degradation at high temperature is still a problem. PLA staple yarns are normally spun using ring spinning. Currently existing knitting or weaving techniques can be used to produce PLA fabrics. PLA fabrics can be dyed with disperse dyes at 110°C, but their color fastness and shades are different from PET fabrics when using the same dyes. The scouring and dyeing of PLA/cotton blended fabrics and the reductive clearing after dyeing remain to be improved. As a new fiber, the entry of PLA fiber into the textile market faces difficult challenges as well as great opportunities in the future.
“I’m Going to Learn, and She’s Going to Become Somebody”: Exploring the Counternarratives of Black Women on Welfare in Urban Communities
Authors: Moran Kaitlin K.
Published: December 2020

This qualitative research study explores counternarratives to stereotypes and assumptions made about Black women on welfare in low-income, urban communities. Findings, based on in-depth interviews with 33 mothers and grandmothers, challenge perceptions of “welfare queens”—breeders of children, absorbed by the culture of poverty, and disinterested in their children’s education. Participants defy stereotypes by raising children in well-supported family structures while gainfully employed, pursuing educational opportunities, or a combination of the two. The women actively contribute to their communities’ culture of wealth by investing in their children. The paper concludes with recommendations and directions for future research.
Epidemiology and clinical outcome of ventilator-associated events at a tertiary care hospital from North India
Authors: Kumari Pooja , Datta Priya , Gombar Satinder , Sharma Deepak , Chander Jagdish
Published: December 2020

The aim of our study was to determine the incidence, microbiological profile, risk factors and outcomes of patients diagnosed with ventilator-associated events in our tertiary care hospital. In this prospective study, intensive care patients put on mechanical ventilation for >48 h were enrolled and monitored daily for ventilator-associated event according to Disease Centre Control guidelines. A ventilator-associated event developed in 33/250 (13.2%); its incidence was 3.5/100 mechanical ventilation days. The device utilisation rate was 0.86, 36.4% of patients had early and 63.6% late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia whose most common causative pathogen was Acinetobacter sp. (63.6%). Various factors were significantly associated with a ventilator-associated event: male gender, COPD, smoking, >2 underlying diseases, chronic kidney disease and elevated acute physiological and chronic health evaluation II scores. Therefore, stringent implementation of infection control measures is necessary to control ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care units.
From Measures of Association to Multilevel Models: Sociology Journals and the Quantitative Literacy Gap
Authors: Linneman Thomas J.
Published: December 2020

While most sociology majors must take a statistics course, the content of this course varies widely across departments. Starting from the assumption that sociology students should be able to engage effectively with the sociological literature, this article examines the statistical techniques used in 2,804 journal articles—from four generalist sociology journals from 1990 to 2019 and 11 additional sociology journals from 2019—in order to assess which techniques have risen or fallen in prevalence. Although stalwarts such as ordinary least squares regression, chi-square tests, and t tests maintain strong presences, the rise of logistic regression, interaction effects, and multilevel models has been dramatic. After assessing the proportion of articles students hypothetically could understand given various levels of statistical training, the article ends with suggestions for how to revamp the statistics course to help our students become more numerate citizens, both in their sociology courses and in the world at large.
A comprehensive model of preschool through high school parent involvement with emphasis on the psychological facets
Authors: Froiland John Mark
Published: December 2020

This article will review many forms of home-based parent involvement (e.g., shared reading; books at home; helping with homework; visiting museums; monitoring grades), parent beliefs (e.g., about the importance of school readiness skills; growth mindset for their children), parent expectations, parent-school relationships, and parent autonomy and relatedness support, which all promote achievement. The extent to which the psychological side of parent involvement promotes intrinsic motivation, engagement, and psychological wellbeing for children and adolescents around the world will also be examined. The forms of parent involvement that promote student expectations, student autonomous motivation, and academic engagement should receive more emphasis. In order to help parent involvement researchers, psychologists and educators, a pre-K through 12th grade parent involvement model is proposed. The psychological side of the parent involvement model can be readily memorized with the following acronym: Beliefs, Expectations, Autonomy Support, and Relationships (BEAR). Explanations are provided of how to apply BEAR in the schools and in future intervention research.
A field study and analysis of passengers arriving at lift lobbies in social groups in multi-storey office, hotel and residential buildings
Authors: Sorsa Janne , Siikonen Marja-Liisa , Kuusinen Juha-Matti , Hakonen Henri
Published: December 2020

This field study was made to study the size of social groups among passengers travelling with lifts. The group size was observed in three types of buildings located in four countries, totally in nine multi-storey buildings. The observations were carried out manually for 12 hours on a normal weekday. Analysis results show that the daily mean group size was generally low: 1.2–1.3 persons in the offices, 1.3–2.0 persons in the hotels and 1.1–1.4 persons in the residential buildings. Hourly means differed significantly from the daily means for each building. This suggests that group size should be considered on hourly or shorter basis. In addition, goodness-of-fit tests were conducted to determine a statistical model for the group size. A geometric distribution was found to fit the data the best across all building types which simplifies modeling of passenger group arrivals in buildings.

Practical application: This article contributes to the understanding of lift passenger tendency to travel in socially connected groups in multi-storey buildings. A unique data set of group size observations around the world is reported on an hourly basis for office, hotel and residential buildings. A geometric distribution is proposed to model the group size statistically, which simplifies the use of socially connected groups when generating passengers in lift traffic simulations. The real-world data and the statistical model of the group size enable more realistic lift traffic simulations that are routinely conducted during the design phase of multi-storey buildings.
Study on the regional characteristics during foam flooding by population balance model
Authors: Wu Zhongbao , Du Qingjun , Wei Bei , Hou Jian
Published: December 2020

Foam flooding is an effective method for enhancing oil recovery in high water-cut reservoirs and unconventional reservoirs. It is a dynamic process that includes foam generation and coalescence when foam flows through porous media. In this study, a foam flooding simulation model was established based on the population balance model. The stabilizing effect of the polymer and the coalescence characteristics when foam encounters oil were considered. The numerical simulation model was fitted and verified through a one-dimensional displacement experiment. The pressure difference across the sand pack in single foam flooding and polymer-enhanced foam flooding both agree well with the simulation results. Based on the numerical simulation, the foam distribution characteristics in different cases were studied. The results show that there are three zones during foam flooding: the foam growth zone, stable zone, and decay zone. These characteristics are mainly influenced by the adsorption of surfactant, the gas–liquid ratio, the injection rate, and the injection scheme. The oil recovery of polymer-enhanced foam flooding is estimated to be 5.85% more than that of single foam flooding. Moreover, the growth zone and decay zone in three dimensions are considerably wider than in the one-dimensional model. In addition, the slug volume influences the oil recovery the most in the foam enhanced foam flooding, followed by the oil viscosity and gas-liquid ratio. The established model can describe the dynamic change process of foam, and can thus track the foam distribution underground and aid in optimization of the injection strategies during foam flooding.
The Complier Average Causal Effect Parameter for Multiarmed RCTs
Authors: Schochet Peter Z.
Published: December 2020

In randomized controlled trials, the complier average causal effect (CACE) parameter is often of policy interest because it pertains to intervention effects for study units that comply with their research assignments and receive a meaningful dose of treatment services. Causal inference methods for identifying and estimating the CACE parameter using an instrumental variables (IV) framework are well established for designs with a single treatment and control group. This article uses a parallel IV framework to discuss and build on the much smaller literature on estimation of CACE parameters for designs with multiple treatment groups. The key finding is that the conditions to identify and estimate CACE parameters are much more complex for multiarmed designs and may not be tractable in some cases. Practical steps are provided on how to proceed, and a case study demonstrates key issues. The results suggest that ensuring compliance is particularly important in multiarmed trials so that intention-to-treat estimates on the offer of intervention services (which can be identified) can provide meaningful information on the CACE parameters.
Type A aortic dissection: involvement of carotid artery and impact on cerebral malperfusion
Authors: Munir Wahaj , Chong Jun Heng , Harky Amer , Bashir Mohamad , Adams Benjamin
Published: December 2020

Acute type A aortic dissection is a surgical emergency and management of such pathology can be complex with poor outcomes when there is organ malperfusion. Carotid artery involvement is present in 30% of patients diagnosed with acute type A aortic dissection, and given its emergency and complex nature, there is much controversy regarding the approach, extent of treatment, and timing of the intervention. It is clear that the occurrence of cerebral malperfusion adds an extra layer of complexity to the decision-making framework for treatment. Standardization and validation of the optimal management approach is required, and this should ideally be addressed with large-scale studies. Nonetheless, current literature supports the need for rapid recognition and diagnosis of acute type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion, immediate and extensive surgical repair, and the appropriate use of cerebral perfusion techniques. This paper aims to discuss the current evidence regarding the impact of carotid artery involvement in both the management and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection.
Does ARFI elastography complement B-mode ultrasonography in the radiological diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis and invasive ductal carcinoma?
Authors: Toprak Nurşen , Toktas Osman , Ince Suat , Gunduz Ali Mahir , Yokus Adem , Akdeniz Hüseyin , Ozkacmaz Sercan
Published: December 2020

Background

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a chronic, unpleasant autoimmune inflammatory condition and is clinically and radiologically often confused with breast malignancy.

Purpose

To investigate the contributions of qualitative and quantitative aspects of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography to the differential diagnosis between IGM and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in the breast.

Material and Methods

Ninety-four women with IDC and 39 with IGM were included in the study. Shear wave velocity (SWV) was calculated for all lesions using quantitative elastography. Next, each lesion’s correspondence on qualitative elastographic images to those on the B-mode images was evaluated: pattern 1, no findings on elastography images; pattern 2, lesions that were bright inside; pattern 3, lesions that contained both bright and dark areas; and pattern 4, lesions that were dark inside. Pattern 4 was subdivided into 4a (dark area same size as lesion) and 4b (dark area larger than lesion size). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated.

Results

The mean SWV based on ARFI elastography was 3.78 ± 1.26 m/s for IGM and 5.34 ± 1.43 m/s for IDC lesions ( P < 0.05). Based on qualitative ARFI elastography, IDC lesions were mostly classified as pattern 4b, while IGM lesions were mostly classified as pattern 1 or 2 ( P = 0.01). Evaluation of both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of ARFI elastography yielded a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 84%.

Conclusion

ARFI elastography may facilitate the differential diagnosis between IGM and IDC.
Tracking Risk for Crime Throughout the Day: An Examination of Jersey City Robberies
Authors: Caplan Joel M. , Neudecker Christine H. , Kennedy Leslie W. , Barnum Jeremy D. , Drawve Grant
Published: December 2020

This study examines temporal variations in the spatial influence of environmental features, such as bars and vacant buildings, on criminal behavior across microlevel places. Specifically, 17 environmental risk factors and their spatial influences are identified for calendar year 2014 street robberies in Jersey City, NJ. To explore temporal variation, risk factors and their spatial influences on crime are identified across 12 discrete 2-hr time intervals. The results demonstrate that the risk factors for street robbery varied across the course of a day. In fact, mapping the most vulnerable places for street robbery revealed that while many of the same environmental features remain high risk throughout the day, their influence varied. These results suggested that there was a temporality to robbery and that it is likely due to the interaction between physical vulnerabilities from the built environment and social behaviors of people at these places. This demonstrates the importance of considering the temporal dimension of criminal behavior as results show that people use and interact with their environment differently throughout the course of the day.
Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Bloodstream Infection in Patients Under Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation
Authors: Yun Ji Hyun , Hong Sang-Bum , Jung Sung-Ho , Kang Pil Je , Sung Heungsup , Kim Mi-Na , Kim Sung-Han , Lee Sang-Oh , Choi Sang-Ho , Woo Jun Hee , Kim Yang-Soo , Chong Yong Pil
Published: December 2020

Background:

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is an important complication of extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) and a major cause of mortality. This study evaluated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of BSI that occur during ECMO application according to microbial etiology.

Methods:

Adult patients who underwent ECMO from January 2009 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed for BSI episodes at a 2,700-bed, tertiary center. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics and outcomes of BSI were evaluated and were compared for etiologic groups (gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods, and fungi groups). Risk factors for 14-day mortality were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 1,100 patients underwent ECMO during the study period, and 65 BSI episodes occurred in 61 patients. The BSI incidence was 8.3 episodes/1,000 ECMO days, which significantly decreased over time ( P = 0.03), primarily in gram-positive cocci BSI. Gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods, and fungi accounted for 38%, 40%, and 22% of the 73 blood isolates, respectively. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Catheter-related infection (CRI) and pneumonia were the most common sources of BSI; 52% of gram-positive cocci BSIs and 79% of fungi BSIs were caused by CRI, and 75% of gram-negative BSIs by pneumonia. Patients with gram-negative rods BSI died more frequently and earlier than those with other BSIs. Independent risk factors for 14-day mortality were older age and gram-negative rods BSI.

Conclusions:

The decreased BSI incidence during ECMO was mainly because of the decrease of gram-positive cocci BSI. The high early mortality of gram-negative rods BSI makes prevention and adequate treatment necessary.
Psychosocial Separation and Women’s Disengagement From Prosecutions Against Abusive Intimate Partners in Spain
Authors: García-Jiménez María , Durfee Alesha , Cala-Carrillo María Jesús , Trigo M. Eva
Published: December 2020

In order to end and “liberate” themselves from an abusive relationship, female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) usually face a complex process. Although women may decide to seek help through the criminal justice system, some refuse to participate in legal proceedings against their abusers. While many studies have focused on exploring variables explaining disengagement from legal proceedings, the aim of this article is to study the impact of the process of liberation from an abusive relationship on the likelihood of disengagement (LoD) from legal proceedings. Liberation was measured through the psychosocial separation overall score and the LoD was predicted by a logistic regression model developed in a previous study in Spain. A sample of 80 women involved in legal proceedings for IPV against their ex-partners in Andalusia (Spain) participated in this study. Exploratory analyses were conducted using ANOVA and Chi-square; multiple linear regression analyses were used to study the relationship between psychosocial separation and LoD. Results showed that victims who had higher psychosocial separation from their abusers were less likely to disengage from legal proceedings against the abuser. We discuss the results in terms of practical implications like detection of women’s need for specific psychological support to ease a comprehensive recovery. Training programs for legal professionals and judges in the judicial arena should use the results of this study to increase professionals’ understanding of IPV and survivors’ decision-making processes. This would lead to a decrease in survivors’ secondary victimization, as well as decrease the frustration of legal professionals when victims disengage from legal proceedings.
Maternal Country of Birth and Exclusive Breastfeeding During the First In-Hospital Day in Portugal: The Influence of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Authors: Lisi Cosima , De Freitas Cláudia , Barros Henrique
Published: December 2020

Background

Early breastfeeding practices are important determinants of later breastfeeding behaviors and can be influenced by multiple factors. Despite the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative reported positive influence on breastfeeding initiation, its influence on the association between maternal country of birth and first day in-hospital breastfeeding has not been examined.

Research aims

To determine (1) if association between maternal country of birth and first day in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding exists in Portugal and (2) if any association is affected by giving birth in a Baby-Friendly Hospital.

Methods

Data were drawn from baMBINO—a longitudinal, 2017–2019 nationwide study designed to assess the perinatal health and healthcare experiences of migrant and native Portuguese women. Data from participants ( N = 5,340) were collected during their hospital stay from 32 maternity units. Missing data were handled through multiple imputation. After stratifying by Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accreditation, a multivariate logistic regression was performed.

Results

First day in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding rates were high among both migrant and native participants (89.2% vs. 87.4%). Migrants were more likely to exclusively breastfeed when compared to natives ( OR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.00, 1.41]). In non-Baby-Friendly Hospitals, a positive association was found between participants from Eastern European countries (a OR = 2.46, 95% CI [1.27, 4.78]) and first day in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding. In accredited hospitals, maternal country of birth did not influence exclusive breastfeeding during the first 24 hr.

Conclusions

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative attenuates differences between migrant and native participants, promoting optimal breastfeeding practices among natives.
The Laurentian University Library and Archives and the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Roe Brent C
Published: December 2020

The University Librarian at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, describes the experience and actions of the Laurentian University Library and Archives in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic over the spring and summer of 2020. The sudden shutdown of the university campus in March 2020 entailed financial strains that had direct consequences for library management, affecting operations, collection access and staffing. The shutdown itself was an extreme disruption to the provision of library and archival services. The pandemic and the campus shutdown were experienced as disorienting and stressful for library employees, although work continued as well as possible. Over the course of the summer, a kerbside pickup and scanning service was launched, a HathiTrust membership was sought, on-site archival work was restarted and plans were prepared for opening library space for study.
Flow physics of highly loaded tandem compressor cascade with non-axisymmetric endwall profiling
Authors: Cao Zhiyuan , Guo Wei , Song Cheng , Liu Bo
Published: December 2020

Tandem configuration is an effective methodology to reduce flow separation on compressor blade suction surface and to improve blade loading. However, in modern highly loaded cases, corner separation remains as its single blade counterpart. In this study, non-axisymmetric endwall profiling (NAEP) was utilized in a highly loaded tandem cascade (diffusion factor D = 0.69), aiming at reducing its severe corner separation and revealing the unique flow mechanism while NAEP is utilized in tandem cascade. NAEP was designed in both forward (F) blade and rare (R) blade separately, and was investigated numerically in tandem environment. Results show that, NAEP in F blade passage can effectively eliminate the corner separation and reduce loss generation, whereas NAEP in R blade passage has no positive effect on corner separation and even promotes loss production. The optimal NAEP approximately removes the corner separation completely, with loss coefficient reducing by as much as 37.8%. The optimal NAEP for the tandem cascade features optimal axial location at the origin of corner separation. There is an optimal NAEP height (0.02 of blade height), under which NAEP can achieve pretty good control effect while the peak of NAEP varies in a large axial location range. In the tandem configuration, it is found that NAEP transfers blade loading from R blade to F blade; the static pressure increases significantly for the entire cascade, but the static pressure distribution of F blade does not exhibit as the design intent of NAEP. In addition, it is interesting to find that the flow turning near endwall reduces after endwall profiling, which is unique in tandem cascade and is contrast to the view on conventional configuration. On the contrary, NAEP in R blade has no influence on the corner separation of the tandem cascade; due to the decrement of cross-passage pressure gradient for R blade, the flow overturning near endwall reduces.