bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Business Age and Size on Freight Demand: Decomposition Analysis of Indian Establishments
Authors: Pani Agnivesh , Bhat Furqan A. , Sahu Prasanta K.
Published: February 2020

Freight studies have traditionally used business size measures such as employment and gross floor area as predictors of freight generation, giving very limited attention to the effects of an establishment’s age on freight demand. This study uses establishment-based freight survey data collected in seven cities of Kerala, India, to analyze the impacts of the age of an establishment on its freight demand. This is achieved by grouping the establishments into pre-specified classes with relatively homogeneous freight demand pattern. This classification is based on a data-driven a posteriori segmentation of industrial classes. These groups are further divided into sub-groups based on founding year of an establishment. As the business age increases, establishments grow in business size indicators and hence the changes in productivity can be either because of age or because of size or both. It is very important to separate the effects of these two indicators. The Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition method is used in this study to disentangle the effects of size and age on freight production and freight trip production. Age is found to be a fundamental driver of freight demand in younger establishments while the explanatory power of business size variables in explaining freight demand diminishes with age. The study findings illustrate the potential omitted variable bias that can occur when freight demand is estimated using business size indicators, without controlling for the business age differences.
Influence of More Than 5 Years of Continuous Exposure to Antipsychotics on Cerebral Functional Connectivity of Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Miao Qi , Pu Chengcheng , Wang Zhijiang , Yan Chao-Gan , Shi Chuan , Cao Qingjiu , Wang Xijin , Cheng Zhang , Han Xue , Yang Lei , Lai Yunyao , Yuan Yanbo , Ma Hong , Li Keqing , Hong Nan , Yu Xin
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To explore the effect of long-term antipsychotics use on the strength of functional connectivity (FC) in the brains of patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Method:

We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging from 15 patients with continuously treated chronic schizophrenia (TCS), 19 patients with minimally TCS (MTCS), and 20 healthy controls (HCs). Then, we evaluated and compared the whole-brain FC strength (FCS; including full-range, short-range, and long-range FCS) among patients with TCS, MTCS, and HCs.

Results:

Patients with TCS and MTCS showed reduced full-/short-range FC compared with the HCs. No significant differences in the whole-brain FCS (including full-range, short-range, and long-range FCS) or clinical characteristics were identified between patients with TCS and MTCS. Additionally, the FCS in the right fusiform gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, and right inferior occipital gyrus negatively correlated with the duration of illness and positively correlated with onset age across all patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

Regardless of the long-term use of antipsychotics, patients with chronic schizophrenia show decreased FC compared with healthy individuals. For some patients with chronic schizophrenia, the influence of long-term and minimal/short-term antipsychotic exposure on resting-state FC was similar. The decreased full- and short-range FCS in the right fusiform gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, and right inferior occipital gyrus may be an ongoing pathological process that is not altered by antipsychotic interventions in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Large-sample, long-term follow-up studies are still needed for further exploration.
Patient Versus Informal Caregiver Proxy Reports of Pain Interference in Persons With Dementia
Authors: Amspoker Amber B. , Snow A. Lynn , Renn Brenna N. , Block Phoebe , Pickens Sabrina , Morgan Robert O. , Kunik Mark E.
Published: February 2020

Objectives: Pain assessment and treatment is challenging among persons with dementia (PWDs). To better understand reports of pain interference, we examined ratings made by PWDs, as well as corresponding ratings about PWDs, as reported by the caregiver. We aimed to assess alignment between and predictors of caregiver and PWD report of pain interference. Methods: The sample consisted of 203 veterans with pain and mild to moderately severe dementia and an informal caregiver. Results: Most PWDs and their caregivers reported at least some pain interference and similar levels of pain interference. PWDs with greater cognitive impairment reported less pain interference, whereas caregivers who perceived the PWD to have greater depression reported more pain interference. Conclusions: PWD and caregiver characteristics were differentially associated with PWD versus caregiver report of pain interference. Results suggest the importance of caregiver reports to inform assessment, as well as factors complicating assessment. Pain in Dementia As one ages, the risk of developing both dementia and pain increases substantially (Scherder et al., 2009). It is estimated that 30% to 50% of persons with dementia (PWDs) experience persistent pain, a complex multifactor problem (Corbett et al., 2014). Despite the high prevalence of pain among older adults with dementia, and major advances in pain management, pain often remains unrecognized or undertreated (Hodgson et al., 2014).
The Association Between Antipsychotic Drug Use and Rehabilitation Outcome in Post-Acute Hip Fractured Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hershkovitz Avital , Nissan Ran
Published: February 2020

Antipsychotic (AP) use may lead to numerous side effects which may affect rehabilitation outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was carried out on 448 hip fractured patients admitted to a post-acute geriatric rehabilitation center. Functional improvement was measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), motor FIM (mFIM), and mFIM effectiveness. A multiple linear regression model and regression analysis was used to evaluate the level of association between AP use and achievement of favorable functional gain. AP users exhibited lower functional ability on admission and at discharge, achieved a significantly lower functional gain and required longer rehabilitation time compared with nonusers. AP use by post-acute hip fractured patients negatively affects their chances of achieving favorable rehabilitation outcome after adjustment for confounders.
Highly efficient catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene waste to derive fuel products by novel polyoxometalate/kaolin composites
Authors: Attique Saira , Batool Madeeha , Yaqub Mustansara , Goerke Oliver , Gregory Duncan H. , Shah Asma Tufail
Published: February 2020

We report here alumina-substituted Keggin tungstoborate/kaolin clay composite materials (KAB/kaolin) as polyethylene cracking catalysts. KAB/kaolin composites with varying concentrations of KAB (10–50 wt.%) were synthesized by the wet impregnation method and successfully characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analytical techniques. Use of KAB loaded kaolin composites as the catalyst for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) cracking exhibited a higher percentage of polymer conversion (99%), producing 84 wt.% of fuel oil and negligible amount (˂ 1 wt.%) of solid residue while thermal cracking produced ~22 wt.% residue. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of oil obtained by non-catalytic cracking exhibited a high selectivity to high molecular weight hydrocarbons (C13–C23) compared to the catalytic cracking where 70 mol.% of gasoline range hydrocarbons (C5–C12) were produced. We propose that higher cracking ability of our prepared catalysts might ensue from both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites (from KAB and kaolin respectively), which enhanced the yield of liquid fuel products and reduced the cracking temperature of LDPE. These findings suggest that the prepared composites were cost-effective and excellent cracking catalysts that could be recommended for highly efficient conversion of waste plastic materials to petrochemicals at an industrial scale.
An evaluation of the management of offensive waste from the National Health Service in England: A case study approach
Authors: Roddis Natalie , Tudor Terry
Published: February 2020

In the UK, the majority of offensive waste is disposed of at landfills. However, producers have a duty of care under the Waste Hierarchy to divert waste away from landfill. Using case studies from the East of England, the East Midlands and West Midlands in England, this study sought to quantify the waste arisings disposed of to landfill and to understand the reasons why. The findings show that offensive waste arisings, treatment method and costs varied by region, only a fraction of the waste disposed of to landfill in the East of England, compared with the majority being disposed of to landfill in the East Midlands and West Midlands. Despite the financial implications of landfilling being the lowest cost per tonne option, the key barriers to moving away from disposal to landfill was a lack of available alternatives, and it being the only option offered by the waste contractor.
Five Episodes of Urban Discovery as a Student Recruitment Strategy in Planning
Authors: Arefi Mahyar , Ghaffari Nazanin
Published: February 2020

The literature on graduate-level studio and capstone courses, and the steady decline in student enrollment in recent years demand creative pedagogies to lure undergraduate students into planning. This paper explores the role of self-discovery at the undergraduate level as a conduit toward increasing student recruitment. Forty-seven University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) non-planning major students examined five episodes of urban discovery in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) Metro area in two consecutive semesters. Post-course evaluations show how both student cohorts reflected upon their learning outcomes, and at least 27 percent of the twenty-six respondents expressed eagerness to pursue planning graduate degrees.
Access Granted? An Examination of Financial Capability, Trait Hope, Perceived Access, and Food Insecurity in Distressed Census Tracts
Authors: Gilbert Jonathan Ross , Ashley Christy
Published: February 2020

Food insecurity and poor nutrition negatively affect consumer health and well-being. Trait hope is conceptualized as a powerful thought process that can facilitate change. However, it is unclear how trait hope, the sense that one can successfully plan and put forth energy to meet goals, influences food insecurity among impoverished consumers. The authors conducted an evaluative study using in-home surveys (n = 498) in seven distressed census tracts of a midsized southeastern U.S. city to understand how financial capability and trait hope, a cognitive process, interact to influence perceived access to fresh food among Black and Hispanic consumers that disproportionately face food insecurity. Trait hope positively moderated the relationship between financial capability and perceived access, which was related to lower food insecurity. The results, which indicated important differences related to race/ethnicity, suggest that interventions that improve financial capability and increase trait hope may improve efficacy of food and nutrition assistance programs.
Association Between Somatization and Nonmotor Symptoms Severity in People With Parkinson Disease
Authors: Polo-Morales Aranza , Alcocer-Salas Ángel , Rodríguez-Violante Mayela , Pinto-Solís Daniella , Solís-Vivanco Rodolfo , Cervantes-Arriaga Amin
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To assess the frequency of somatization and its association with motor, nonmotor symptoms, and quality of life in persons with Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods:

A cross-sectional case–control study was carried out. Assessments included the List of 90 Symptoms somatic factor (SCL-90-R SOM), Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Ratings Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Parkinson Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8).

Results:

A total 93 persons with PD and 93 controls were included. Somatization within the PD group was 2 times more frequent compared to the control group (43% vs 21.5%, P = .003). Persons with PD had higher NMSS total scores (48.6 ± 42.6 vs 28.3 ± 30.4, P = .001). Patients with PD with somatization had worst MDS-UPDRS, NMSS, MoCA, and PDQ-8 (all P < .05).

Conclusion:

Somatization is more frequent in persons with PD compared to healthy controls. Somatization in PD is associated with nonmotor symptoms and worst quality of life.
Can Visual Art Therapy Be Implemented With Illiterate Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment? A Pilot Mixed-Method Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Masika Golden M. , Yu Doris S. F. , Li Polly W. C.
Published: February 2020

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with no literacy are at increased risk of progression to dementia. Whether it is feasible to engage this population in visual art therapy (VAT) and yield effects on cognition and depression remained unclear. A pilot mixed-method single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of community-dwelling older adults with MCI. The experimental group (n = 21) was assigned to 12 sessions of VAT over 6 weeks, and the control group (n = 18) was assigned to 6 weekly health education (HE) on nonbrain health topics. Participants were evaluated at baseline using Montreal Cognitive Assessment–5-minute protocol (MoCA-5-min) and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF). A focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted to the experimental group to explore their experiences of participating in the VAT. Findings indicated that both VAT and HE groups had significant improvement in MoCA-5-min scores and depressed mood over time; however, the significant group × time interaction effect was noted only for the psychological outcome. Findings from the FGD indicated that participants had challenging experiences at the beginning of the therapy, but later, they were able to cope and found that the VAT was relevant and beneficial for their cognitive and psychosocial health. This pilot study provided initial evidence about the potential benefit of VAT in improving cognitive and psychological well-being of older adults with MCI and low literacy and provided insights on how to better engage them in this cognitive stimulating intervention. A full-scale trial is recommended for a stringent evaluation.
Preparation and properties of a novel fluorinated epoxy resin/DGEBA blend for application in electronic materials
Authors: Shang Weihui , Jiang Hao
Published: February 2020

A novel epoxy monomer 4-trifluoromethyl phenylhydroquinone epoxy resin (4-TFMEP) was synthesized via a multistep procedure including the Meerwein arylation reaction and followed by nucleophilic reaction. The chemical structure of 4-TFMEP was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectrum. Then a mixed system (DGEBA/4-TFMEP x%) composed of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and 4-TFMEP was prepared by a melting method without any solvent. After curing, the properties of this series of mixed epoxy resins were measured and compared with the neat DGEBA. As a result, the blend resins exhibited good thermal stability, excellent hydrophobic and low dielectric properties with 4-TFMEP content increasing. Furthermore, the material of DGEBA/4-TFMEP 40% achieves higher glass transition temperature of 104°C and char yield 33% than DGEBA (char yield = 22%) possessed. In the contact angle testing, DGEBA/4-TFMEP 40% shows 127.2° satisfied the standard of hydrophobic material. In addition, by the test of dielectric properties, DGEBA/4-TFMEP x% materials show lower than DGEBA/boron trifluoride ethylamine (BF3MEA) material, because of the introduced side group of fluorine content into the material improves the electronegativity of epoxy material and reduced the polarizability of molecules efficient. Herein, we believe the novel mixed epoxy system (DGEBA/4-TFMEP x%) has a potential application in electronic industries.
Numerical study on the mixing quality of an electroosmotic micromixer under periodic potential
Authors: Jalili Habib , Raad Mohammad , Fallah Davoud Abbasinezhad
Published: February 2020

Improvement of the mixing quality of low Reynolds number flows in micro-dimensional devices is essential. This paper investigates the optimization of the effective parameters and their effects on the mixing quality in a two-dimensional active micromixer. The micromixer mixes fluids with different concentrations entering into a microchannel from different inlets by means of four microelectrodes placed on the walls of a mixing chamber. A time-dependent electric field is applied, and the resulting electroosmotic force perturbs the parallel streamlines in the otherwise highly ordered laminar flow. The governing equations are numerically solved using the finite element-based COMSOL Multiphysics (Version 5.2a) software. The electroosmotic actuated active micromixer was numerically studied for various values of inlet velocity, phase lag, frequency, and voltage amplitude. Once the optimum values of the effective parameters are obtained for the original micromixer, they are applied to the micromixers having different obstacle shape inside the mixing chamber. The results showed that the mixing quality strongly depends on the inlet velocity of the fluids, the electrodes phase lag, the frequency, and the voltage amplitude. In addition, the mixing quality does not depend on obstacle shape when the optimum values of these parameters were used.
Predicting Real-Life Self-Control From Brain Activity Encoding the Value of Anticipated Future Outcomes
Authors: Krönke Klaus-Martin , Wolff Max , Mohr Holger , Kräplin Anja , Smolka Michael N. , Bühringer Gerhard , Goschke Thomas
Published: February 2020

Deficient self-control leads to shortsighted decisions and incurs severe personal and societal costs. Although neuroimaging has advanced our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying self-control, the ecological validity of laboratory tasks used to assess self-control remains largely unknown. To increase ecological validity and to test a specific hypothesis about the mechanisms underlying real-life self-control, we combined functional MRI during value-based decision-making with smartphone-based assessment of real-life self-control in a large community sample ( N = 194). Results showed that an increased propensity to make shortsighted decisions and commit self-control failures, both in the laboratory task as well as during real-life conflicts, was associated with a reduced modulation of neural value signals in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in response to anticipated long-term consequences. These results constitute the first evidence that neural mechanisms mediating anticipations of future consequences not only account for self-control in laboratory tasks but also predict real-life self-control, thereby bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-life behavior.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells-mediated Transcriptomic Regulation of Leukemic Cells in Delivering Anti-tumorigenic Effects
Authors: Sarmadi Vahid Hosseinpour , Ahmadloo Salma , Boroojerdi Mohadese Hashem , John Cini Mathew , al-Graitte Satar Jabbar Rahi , Lawal Hamza , Maqbool Maryam , Hwa Ling King , Ramasamy Rajesh
Published: February 2020

Treatment of leukemia has become much difficult because of resistance to the existing anticancer therapies. This has thus expedited the search for alternativ therapies, and one of these is the exploitation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards control of tumor cells. The present study investigated the effect of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) on the proliferation of leukemic cells and gauged the transcriptomic modulation and the signaling pathways potentially affected by UC-MSCs. The inhibition of growth of leukemic tumor cell lines was assessed by proliferation assays, apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. BV173 and HL-60 cells were further analyzed using microarray gene expression profiling. The microarray results were validated by RT-qPCR and western blot assay for the corresponding expression of genes and proteins. The UC-MSCs attenuated leukemic cell viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner without inducing apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the growth of tumor cells was arrested at the G0/G1phase. The microarray results identified that HL-60 and BV173 share 35 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (same expression direction) in the presence of UC-MSCs. In silico analysis of these selected DEGs indicated a significant influence in the cell cycle and cell cycle-related biological processes and signaling pathways. Among these, the expression of DBF4, MDM2, CCNE2, CDK6, CDKN1A, and CDKN2A was implicated in six different signaling pathways that play a pivotal role in the anti-tumorigenic activity exerted by UC-MSCs. The UC-MSCs perturbate the cell cycle process of leukemic cells via dysregulation of tumor suppressor and oncogene expression.
Measures of Faith: Science and Belief in Leadership Studies
Authors: Spoelstra Sverre , Butler Nick , Delaney Helen
Published: February 2020

From its inception, leadership studies has embraced the positivist tradition of hypothesis testing. In this tradition, psychometric instruments are meant to ward off belief from scientific practice by testing theories against empirical facts. While leadership scholars purport to conform to the standards of value-neutral science, this paper tells a different story. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 39 positivist leadership researchers, we argue that leadership studies is heavily invested with faith in two main ways: (a) faith in leadership concepts, even when their accompanying measures fall short of methodological standards and (b) faith in leadership studies as a science, even when it is tainted by commercial interests and professional rewards. Ultimately, we suggest that positivist epistemology is accepted in leadership studies as an article of faith. By exploring the interconnection between science and belief in the business school, we draw attention to the “secular religion” of scientism in leadership studies.
Economic Evaluations of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy Compared to the Universal Use of Antiplatelets in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Authors: AlMukdad Sawsan , Elewa Hazem , Al-Badriyeh Daoud
Published: February 2020

Background and Objectives:

Clopidogrel is widely used after the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and requires activation by cytochrome P450 (CYP), primarily CYP2C19. Patients with CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles are at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, while more expensive novel antiplatelet agents (ticagrelor and prasugrel) are unaffected by the CYP2C19 mutations. This systematic review aims to answer the question about whether overall evidence supports the genotype-guided selection of antiplatelet therapy as a cost-effective strategy in post-PCI ACS.

Methods:

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, EconLit, and PharmGKB was done to identify all the economic evaluations related to genotype-guided therapy compared to the universal use of antiplatelets in ACS patients. Quality of Health Economic Studies tool was used for quality assessment.

Results:

The search identified 13 articles, where genotype-guided treatment was compared to universal clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and/or prasugrel. Six studies showed that genotype-guided therapy was cost-effective compared to universal clopidogrel, while 5 studies showed that it was dominant. One study specified that genotype-guided with ticagrelor is cost-effective only in both CYP2C19 intermediate and poor metabolizers. Genotype-guided therapy was dominant when compared to universal prasugrel, ticagrelor, or both in 5, 1, and 3 studies, respectively. Only 2 studies reported that universal ticagrelor was cost-effective compared to genotype-guided treatment. All the included articles had good quality.

Conclusion:

Based on current economic evaluations in the literature, implementing CYP2C19 genotype-guided therapy is a cost-effective approach in guiding the selection of medication in patients with ACS undergoing PCI.
XKR6 rs7014968 SNP Increases Serum Total Cholesterol Levels and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Li Kai-Guang , Yin Rui-Xing , Huang Feng , Chen Wu-Xian , Wu Jin-Zhen , Cao Xiao-Li
Published: February 2020

The X Kell blood group complex subunit-related family member 6 ( XKR6) gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with serum lipid profiles and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke (IS) in several previous studies, but the association between the XKR6 rs7014968 SNP and serum lipid levels and the risk of CHD and IS has not been detected previously. This study aims to explore the association between the XKR6 rs7014968 SNP and serum lipid traits and the susceptibility to CHD and IS in the Guangxi Han Chinese population. Snapshot technology was used to determine the genotypes of the XKR6 rs7014968 SNP in 624 controls, 588 patients with CHD, and 544 patients with IS. The XKR6 rs7014968C allele carriers in the control group had higher serum total cholesterol (TC) levels than the C allele noncarriers ( P = .025). The XKR6 rs7014968C allele carriers also had an increased risk of CHD and IS ( P < .05-.01). Stratified analysis showed that the patients with the rs7014968C allele in the female, age >60 years, body mass index (BMI) >24 kg/m2, and hypertension subgroups had a higher risk of CHD than those in the subgroup counterparts. The patients with the rs7014968C allele in the male, BMI > 24 kg/m2, smoker, and hypertension subgroups also had a higher risk of IS than those in the subgroup counterparts. These results suggest that the XKR6 rs7014968 SNP is likely to increase the risk of CHD and IS by increasing serum TC levels in our study populations.
Own Your Walls: Portraiture and Researcher Reflexive Collage Self-Portraits
Authors: Lahman Maria K. E. , De Oliveira Becky , Cox Dannon , Sebastian Margaret L. , Cadogan Kimberley , Rundle Kahn Amber , Lafferty Mel , Morgan Michelle , Thapa Kritika , Thomas Rowen , Zakotnik-Gutierrez Jennifer
Published: February 2020

As part of an advanced doctoral research course, class members participated in an in-depth exploration of the methodology portraiture. In this article, the authors—course instructor and 10 students—represent themselves as researchers through collage portraits and written reflexive responses. A brief review of portraiture, collage in research, and researcher reflexivity, along with descriptions of relevant course experiences are presented. Images of the collage process and resulting portraits are highlighted. A collage portrait of a class emerges as issues of transparency in research, the role of the researcher, and the use of art in research are explored.
Thiol/disulfide homeostasis in retinitis pigmentosa patients
Authors: Ertan Elif , Duman Rahmi , Duman Reşat , Erel Özcan , Balik Ahmet Rifat
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

This research is aimed at determination of total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, serum thiol-disulfide, catalase, albumin, ischemia-modified albumin, and ceruloplasmin in patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa and drawing a comparison with these parameters determined from healthy controls.

Methods:

The study involved 35 patients of retinitis pigmentosa and 33 controls who were healthy individuals of comparable gender and age. Native thiol, total thiol, disulfide concentration, disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/total thiol, native thiol/total thiol ratios, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, catalase, ceruloplasmin, albumin, and ischemia-modified albumin were determined from peripheral blood samples and comparison was drawn between the measurements of retinitis pigmentosa and controls.

Results:

The two groups were similar in gender and age distributions. It was found that retinitis pigmentosa group demonstrated greater total oxidant status, ischemia-modified albumin, and disulfide concentrations as compared to controls (p < 0.001). However, total antioxidant status, catalase, native thiol, total thiol, albumin, and ceruloplasmin of the two groups did not show statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Moreover, disulfide/total thiol and disulfide/native thiol ratios of the retinitis pigmentosa group were significantly greater in comparison to controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The researchers reached the conclusion that thiol oxidation in retinitis pigmentosa patients caused the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis to shift toward the generation of disulfide. This is a novel research that involves analysis of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in retinitis pigmentosa patients using a novel automated assay. The researchers identified the cause for persistent oxidative stress and damage reported in retinitis pigmentosa patients. Still, future research is required for analysis of progression of antioxidant-oxidant state through various retinitis pigmentosa stages.
Examining Arrest and Cigarette Smoking in Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Hassett-Walker Connie , Shadden Mark
Published: February 2020

Background:

Despite prior studies, transitions in smoking patterns are not fully understood. Getting arrested may alter an individual’s smoking pattern through processes proscribed by the criminological labeling theory. This study examined how arrest during emerging adulthood altered smoking behavior during subsequent years and whether there were differential effects by race/ethnicity and gender.

Methods:

We analyzed 15 waves of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed using Stata software version 14.

Results:

For both genders, arrested black men and women had the most distinct smoking transitions (both increases and decreases) as compared with their non-arrested counterparts. Among men, particularly black males, arrest in early adulthood was associated with the men transitioning to both increased and decreased smoking. Patterns in smoking transitions for women were less clear, suggesting that women’s smoking may be influenced by factors not in the models. Women had a low probability of starting to smoke or increasing smoking if they were never arrested between 18 and 21 years of age.

Conclusions:

The results for transitioning into increased smoking offer some support for labeling theory processes. Other findings suggest that arrest may lead to some men reducing or quitting smoking. Early adulthood arrest may serve to “shock the system” and contribute to males altering their prior smoking behavior.

Implications:

Tobacco use over the life course, particularly across different racial and ethnic groups, remains understudied. This study contributes to the literature using a nationally representative sample to examine the effect of getting arrested in emerging adulthood on cigarette use during subsequent years. In conducting the study, investigators combined theories and methodological approaches from 2 complementary disciplines: public health and criminal justice. Because criminal justice policymakers tend to focus on issues like ex-offender unemployment, public health officials can provide guidance regarding the effect of justice system involvement on smoking, particularly given the adverse health outcomes of using cigarettes.
Predicting the direction of dynamic price adjustment in the Hong Kong hotel industry
Authors: Mohammed Ibrahim , Guillet Basak Denizci , Law Rob , Rahaman Wassiuw Abdul
Published: February 2020

This study analysed dynamic pricing data of Hong Kong hotels within the last-minute 1-week booking window to determine patterns and direction of room rate changes and their association with hotel characteristics regarding tangible attributes, reputational variables and contextual factors. Findings show that room rates are more likely to increase than decrease or stay constant, and that, holding demand and market conditions constant, the likelihood of price increases (decreases), based on standard binomial probit regression, is positively (negatively) associated with size (tangible attribute), chain affiliation and star rating (reputational attributes), and seller density and location accessibility (contextual factors). These results confirm the importance of differentiation in pricing hotel rooms and indicate how hotel customers and revenue managers can combine these characteristics with predicted demand to anticipate the direction of room rate change in the last-minute booking window as the booking horizon approaches check-in.
An exploration of the Adaptation and Development after Persecution (ADAPT) model with young adult Hazaras from refugee backgrounds in Australia
Authors: Copolov Carly , Knowles Ann
Published: February 2020

Despite the fact that Australia has an emerging population of young adult Hazaras who arrived on humanitarian visas or who hail from a refugee background, few studies have documented their settlement experiences and psychosocial development. This study explored the resettlement experiences and adaptation of young Hazaras from refugee backgrounds. Eighteen Hazaras of refugee background, 9 males and 9 females aged 18 to 30 years ( M = 22.39, SD = 3.35) who had been living in Australia for 7.17 years on average ( range = 1 to 16 years), participated in a semi-structured interview based on the ADAPT model. Results demonstrated the usefulness of the ADAPT model for understanding these young people’s settlement experiences in a high-income urban environment. Family, friend, and teacher attachments were important for their adaptation, highlighting the importance of promoting positive social networks for these young people. Results were also interpreted using Erikson’s psychosocial stages for adolescence and young adulthood. Findings suggested that, while the young people were more focused on their future than on their past, until the psychosocial stage for adolescence is achieved, unresolved issues may continue into young adulthood. Analyses also revealed gender differences in adaptive systems and psychosocial development. Future research recommendations are made to enable the development of individualised approaches that better foster positive adaptation and psychosocial development.
Experimental investigation of unbalanced snow loads on isolated gable-roof with or without scuttle
Authors: Liu Mengmeng , Zhang Qingwen , Fan Feng , Shen Shizhao
Published: February 2020

Unbalanced snow loads on roofs have been a turbulent and significant problem for the building industry. Gables are one of the most common roof shapes, which are widely adopted as the roof shape for family residences, factories, ware houses, and garages. Series of experiments on an isolated gable-roof with or without scuttles and different roof pitches were done for the purpose of exploring the unbalanced patterns of snow loads. The model buildings made of wood have the same floor space, 2000 × 2000 mm but different roof pitches. A new open air snow–wind combined experimental facility was adopted in the experiments. The facility, which is like an open air wind tunnel with a snowfall simulator, can produce a stable wind field and snowfall environment for a specific duration. Artificial snow was used in the experiments, and particles properties were compared with natural snow previously proposed by the other authors. The experiment results indicated that the unbalanced snow loads were strongly connected with various wind velocities and roof pitches and a scuttle or other salient on the roof would bring an evident influence of patterns of snow distribution on the roofs.
Uniform loading on the reinforced concrete beam produced by the specific cylinder-shaped rubber bags fully filled with air or water
Authors: Chen Dapeng , Chen Li , Fang Qin , Zheng Yuzhou , Pan Teng
Published: February 2020

The bending behavior of reinforced concrete beams under uniform pressure is critical for the research of the blast-resistance performance of structural components under explosive loads. In this study, a bending test of five reinforced concrete beams with the dimensions of 200 mm (width) × 200 mm (depth) × 2500 mm (length) under uniform load produced by a specific cylinder-shaped rubber bag filled with air or water was conducted to investigate their flexural performances. An air bag load was applied to three of the reinforced concrete beams, a water bag load was applied to one reinforced concrete beam, and the remainder beam was subjected to the 4-point bending load. The experimental results highlighted that the air bag and water bag loading methods can be used to effectively apply uniform loads to reinforced concrete beams. Moreover, the stiffness of the air bag was improved by 123% in accordance with the initial pressure increases from 0.15 to 0.45 MPa. In addition, a finite element model of the test loading system was established using ABAQUS/Standard software. Moreover, the critical factors of the air bag loading method were analyzed using the numerical model. The calculated results were found to be in good agreement with the test data. The established finite element model can therefore be used to accurately simulate the action performances of the uniform loading technique using rubber bags filled with air or water.
Experimental investigation on coupled vibration characteristics of wind-excited tall buildings
Authors: Hao Wei , Yang Qingshan
Published: February 2020

Contemporary tall buildings constructed with high-strength and light-weight materials become relatively flexible and lightly damped, and the fluctuating wind forces acting on the buildings may cause excessive vibrations, especially at the vicinity of vortex lock-in wind speed, where the natural frequency of the buildings is synchronized with the vortex shedding frequency. Given that tall buildings tend to be designed with unconventional shape involving innovative structural systems and complex geometry, the correlations among three force components may accentuate building motions significantly. In this study, the coupling characteristics between the alongwind and crosswind vibrations of tall buildings with symmetric shape and distinct natural frequencies in two directions are investigated through a serious of aeroelastic model tests. The response standard deviations and power spectral densities are calculated, respectively, based on the displacement data measured at multiple levels of wind speed and structural damping ratio. Then the coupled response is extracted from the alongwind response in frequency domain through Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform, and the standard deviations of the coupled response are calculated based on time history analysis, which are compared with that of the crosswind response to investigate the relationship between the alongwind and crosswind motions. Moreover, the amplitude ratio, phase difference, and coherence of the response components are also calculated for further discussing the coupling effects and examining the coupled vibration characteristics.
Refining an algorithm-powered just-in-time adaptive weight control intervention: A randomized controlled trial evaluating model performance and behavioral outcomes
Authors: Goldstein Stephanie P , Thomas J Graham , Foster Gary D , Turner-McGrievy Gabrielle , Butryn Meghan L , Herbert James D , Martin Gerald J , Forman Evan M
Published: February 2020

Suboptimal weight losses are partially attributable to lapses from a prescribed diet. We developed an app (OnTrack) that uses ecological momentary assessment to measure dietary lapses and relevant lapse triggers and provides personalized intervention using machine learning. Initially, tension between user burden and complete data was resolved by presenting a subset of lapse trigger questions per ecological momentary assessment survey. However, this produced substantial missing data, which could reduce algorithm performance. We examined the effect of more questions per ecological momentary assessment survey on algorithm performance, app utilization, and behavioral outcomes. Participants with overweight/obesity ( n = 121) used a 10-week mobile weight loss program and were randomized to OnTrack-short (i.e. 8 questions/survey) or OnTrack-long (i.e. 17 questions/survey). Additional questions reduced ecological momentary assessment adherence; however, increased data completeness improved algorithm performance. There were no differences in perceived effectiveness, app utilization, or behavioral outcomes. Minimal differences in utilization and perceived effectiveness likely contributed to similar behavioral outcomes across various conditions.
Experimental and numerical investigation of polymethyl methacrylate scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Shirzad Masoud , Matbouei Alireza , Fathi Alireza , Rabiee Sayed Mahmood
Published: February 2020

A controversial issue in tissue engineering is the development of new methods to fabricate scaffolds that precisely imitate the structure and function of the extracellular matrix. The objective of this study is to propose a new method in scaffold fabrication and investigate the effects of pore topology, particularly gradient structure, on the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. In this regard, poly(methyl methacrylate) sheets constructing the scaffold's substructures were cut by laser and then stacked on each other. Experimental and numerical methods were utilized to evaluate the mechanical properties of the square and circular scaffolds. The results demonstrate that this method has the ability to fabricate interconnected pores with the controllability on their design. It can also give accurate mechanical properties, especially gradient structure eliminating the weaknesses of simple structures. Moreover, a comparison between the scaffolds showed that opting an appropriate structure can lead to a higher porosity with preferable mechanical properties.
Theoretical studies on the kinetics of the hydrogen-abstraction reactions from 1,3,5-trioxane and 1,4-dioxane by OH radicals
Authors: Saheb Vahid , Bahadori Aidin
Published: February 2020

Theoretical investigations have been performed on the kinetics of bimolecular hydrogen-abstraction reactions of 1,3,5-trioxane and 1,4-dioxane cyclic ethers with OH radicals. Hydrogen abstraction from both axial and equatorial positions of 1,3,5-trioxane and 1,4-dioxane was considered. Optimization of the structures, and the calculation of energies, vibrational frequencies and moments of inertia for all the stationary points including reactants, hydrogen-bonded complexes, transition states and products were carried out using density functional theory at the M06-2X level together with the MG3S basis set. Single-point energy calculations on the optimized points were obtained at the CBS-QB3 level. The calculations show that the title reactions proceed through relatively strong hydrogen-bonded complexes due to the hydrogen bonding between the OH radicals and the oxygen atoms of the cyclic ethers. A two-transition state model (an inner tight transition state and an outer loose transition state) was employed to compute the hydrogen-abstraction rate coefficients. The rate coefficients were also computed using conventional transition state theory considering a tight transition state for the purpose of comparison. It was found that when the reactions proceed via inner transition states with relative energies higher than the reactants, the computed rate coefficients are underestimated by conventional transition state theory.
Tactful hands and vibrant mattering in the sand tray
Authors: MacRae Christina
Published: February 2020

This paper reflects on a slow-motion video clip of the hands of three young children as they play with toys in the sand tray. It foregrounds sand and toys that are handled, as well as hands that grasp and relinquish things. Through this movement of hands that tug and pull at things, it explores how things animate bodies, and how this produces the felt-sense of other desiring bodies. As hands tender things, they are animated by what they touch, and simultaneously things are animated through the give and take of pulls and pushes of desire expressed as kinetic force. The slowed film of hands in motion draws our attention from words, towards a (re)cognition of a sensed intelligence which is not pre-language, but is produced before language, as well as with language. Arguing that child development theories are inextricably bound up in narratives of human exceptionalism founded in language and moralism, I will make the case for reinstating sense as a mode of attention in order to counter a lack that is perceived until children learn language. By troubling the boundaries that we draw between the animal and the human, there is much to learn from very young children when we seriously attend to their capacity for sensory ways of knowing that are so often eclipsed by the dominance of language.
The case for the primacy of visualcy within a neoliberal Artschool curriculum
Authors: Riley Howard
Published: February 2020

Whilst the faculties of literacy and numeracy are rightly recognised as worthy of pedagogical nurturing, this article champions a more venerable articulacy – visualcy – crucial to a healthy culture, arguing that the one domain of human inquiry which distinguishes the visual arts from other disciplines is surely that surrounding the faculty of vision. The ascendency within the contemporary artworld of a relational aesthetics is traced through a brief history of the relationships between visual artforms and their socio-political contexts. It is suggested that the shift of emphasis away from the perceptually intriguing is in part a consequence – perhaps unintended – of the neoliberal values permeating the UK Higher Education sector in the last decade. The article ends with a proposal for a visual arts pedagogy based on five key principles of visualcy explored through the medium of drawing, illustrated with work by the author and students.