bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of aerobic exercise, sex, and metabolic syndrome on markers of oxidative stress: results from the Brain in Motion study
Authors: Rytz Chantal L. , Pialoux Vincent , Mura Mathilde , Martin Agnès , Hogan David B. , Hill Michael D. , Poulin Marc J.
Published: February 2020

Oxidative stress may be involved in disease pathology and dependent on both modifiable and nonmodifiable factors. This study aimed to assess exercise-induced changes in markers of oxidative stress among older, sedentary adults and to determine the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) status, aerobic capacity, age, sex, and weight on these biomarkers. Two hundred and six participants (means ± SE; 66.8 ± 6.4 yr, 104 women) of the Brain in Motion study underwent a 6-mo aerobic exercise intervention. At three time points, venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for markers of oxidative stress [advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and antioxidant status: catalase, uric acid (UA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)]. AOPP levels significantly decreased after 6 mo of aerobic exercise ( P = 0.003). This decrease was not modified by MetS status ( P = 0.183). Subjects with MetS possessed significantly higher levels of AOPP ( P < 0.001), MDA ( P = 0.004), and FRAP ( P = 0.049) across the intervention ( months 0–6). Men possessed significantly higher levels of FRAP ( P < 0.001), catalase ( P = 0.023), and UA ( P = 0.037) across the intervention ( months 0–6). Sex-MetS status interaction analyses revealed that the effect of MetS is highly sex dependent. These findings are multifaceted because the effect of MetS status seems distinctly different between sexes, pointing to the importance of acknowledging modifiable and nonmodifiable factor differences in individuals who possess conditions where oxidative stress may be part of the etiology.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Oxidative stress is implicated in a myriad of conditions, namely cardiovascular disease risk factors. This article details the effect of aerobic exercise, sex, and metabolic syndrome on markers of oxidative stress. We conclude that 6 mo of aerobic exercise significantly decreased oxidative stress, and further, that there is an effect of metabolic syndrome status on oxidative stress and antioxidant status levels, which are highly dependent on the sex of the individual.
A New Online Dynamic Testing Method for Noise of Broadcast Transmitter
Authors: Li Shan-Shan , Zhou Jian , Wang Xuan
Published: February 2020

Aiming at the shortcomings of traditional broadcast transmitter noise test methods, such as low efficiency, inconvenient data storage, and high requirements for testers, a dynamic online test method for transmitter noise is proposed. The principle of system composition and test method is given. The transmitter noise is real-time changing. The Voice Active Detection (VAD) noise estimation algorithm cannot track the transmitter noise change in real time. This paper proposes a combined noise estimation algorithm for VAD and dynamic estimation. By setting the threshold of the double-threshold VAD detection to be low, it can accurately detect the silent segment. The silent segment is used as a noise signal for noise estimation. For the nonsilent segment detected by the VAD, a minimum value search dynamic spectrum estimation algorithm based on the existence probability of the speech (IMCRA) is used for noise estimation. Transmitter noise is measured by calculating the noise figure (NF).The test method collects the input and output data of the transmitter in real time, which has better accuracy and real-time performance, and the feasibility of the method is verified by experimental simulation.
Chemopreventive Effects of Propolis in the MNU-Induced Rat Mammary Tumor Model
Authors: Gal A. F. , Stan L. , Tăbăran F. , Rugină D. , Cătoi A. F. , Andrei S.
Published: February 2020

Currently, one of the central problems in cancer management is the relapse of disease following conventional treatments, yet few therapeutic agents targeting resistance and tolerance exist. Propolis is known as a healing agent since ancient times. Therefore, over time, its curative properties have kept the interest of scientists, thus leading permanently to investigations of its other possible undiscovered effects. In this context, current experiments were performed to establish the chemopreventive potential of propolis extract (PE) (1.05 mg/kg BW/day) in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea- (MNU-) induced rat mammary tumors. MNU-inoculated/PE-treated rats had tumors of different physical attributes compared with control rats MNU-inoculated. The number of developed tumors (mean 49% versus 100%), incidence (mean 49% versus 100%), multiplicity (1.8 versus 3.7 (p<0.001)), tumor volume (mean 10 cm3 versus 16 cm3 (p<0.001)), and weight of the tumor mass (mean 7.42 g versus 9.00 g (p<0.05)) were noted. The numbers of grade I tumors recorded for MNU-inoculated rats were 24 (Group 1) and 7 (Group 2) for MNU-induced/PE-treated rats. In the serum of rats MNU-inoculated/PE-treated were found higher levels of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) than in MNU-induced. Taken together, these data indicate that propolis could be a chemopreventive agent against MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis.
The Roles of AMPK in Revascularization
Authors: Chen Ming-Hong , Fu Qiong-Mei
Published: February 2020

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common and serious illness in the world and has been researched for many years. However, there are still no real effective ways to prevent and save patients with this disease. When patients present with myocardial infarction, the most important step is to recover ischemic prefusion, which usually is accomplished by coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary artery intervention (PCI), or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These are invasive procedures, and patients with extensive lesions cannot tolerate surgery. It is, therefore, extremely urgent to search for a noninvasive way to save ischemic myocardium. After suffering from ischemia, cardiac or skeletal muscle can partly recover blood flow through angiogenesis (de novo capillary) induced by hypoxia, arteriogenesis, or collateral growth (opening and remodeling of arterioles) triggered by dramatical increase of fluid shear stress (FSS). Evidence has shown that both of them are regulated by various crossed pathways, such as hypoxia-related pathways, cellular metabolism remodeling, inflammatory cells invasion and infiltration, or hemodynamical changes within the vascular wall, but still they do not find effective target for regulating revascularization at present. 5′-Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as a kinase, is not only an energy modulator but also a sensor of cellular oxygen-reduction substances, and many researches have suggested that AMPK plays an essential role in revascularization but the mechanism is not completely understood. Usually, AMPK can be activated by ADP or AMP, upstream kinases or other cytokines, and pharmacological agents, and then it phosphorylates key molecules that are involved in energy metabolism, autophagy, anti-inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging process to keep cellular homeostasis and finally keeps cell normal activity and function. This review makes a summary on the subunits, activation and downstream targets of AMPK, the mechanism of revascularization, the effects of AMPK in endothelial cells, angiogenesis, and arteriogenesis along with some prospects.
Deciphering the Active Compounds and Mechanisms of Qixuehe Capsule on Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome: A Network Pharmacology Study
Authors: Huang Yu-Xi , Xu Ding-Qiao , Yue Shi-Jun , Chen Yan-Yan , Tao Hui-Juan , Fu Rui-jia , Xing Li-Ming , Wang Taiyi , Ma Yu-ling , Wang Bao-An , Tang Yu-Ping , Duan Jin-Ao
Published: February 2020

Background. Qixuehe capsule (QXH), a Chinese patent medicine, has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of menstrual disorders. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (QS‐BSS) is the main syndrome type of menstrual disorders. However, the pharmacodynamic effect of QXH in treating QS‐BSS is not clear, and the main active compounds and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Methods. A rat model of QS‐BSS was established to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effect of QXH. Thereafter, a network pharmacology approach was performed to decipher the active compounds and underlying mechanisms of QXH. Results. QXH could significantly reduce the rising whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV) but also normalize prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen (FIB) content in QS‐BSS rats. Based on partial least‐squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA), the low‐dose QXH‐intervened (QXH‐L) and the high‐dose QXH‐intervened (QXH‐H) groups seemed the most effective by calculating the relative distance to normality. Through network pharmacology, QXH may improve hemorheological abnormality mainly via 185 compounds‐51 targets‐28 pathways, whereas 184 compounds‐68 targets‐28 pathways were associated with QXH in improving coagulopathy. Subsequently, 25 active compounds of QXH were verified by UPLC‐Q/TOF‐MS. Furthermore, 174 active compounds of QXH were shared in improving hemorheological abnormality and coagulopathy in QS‐BSS, each of which can act on multiple targets to be mainly involved in complement and coagulation cascades, leukocyte transendothelial migration, PPAR signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and arachidonic acid metabolism. The attribution of active compounds indicated that Angelicae Sinensis Radix (DG), Paeoniae Radix Rubra (CS), Carthami Flos (HH), Persicae Semen (TR), and Corydalis Rhizoma (YHS) were the vital herbs of QXH in treating QS‐BSS. Conclusion. QXH can improve the hemorheology abnormality and coagulopathy of QS‐BSS, which may result from the synergy of multiple compounds, targets, and pathways.
Neuroprotective Effect of Salvianolic Acid A against Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy through Modulation of Nrf2
Authors: Xu Chunyang , Hou Biyu , He Ping , Ma Peng , Yang Xinyu , Yang Xiuying , Zhang Li , Qiang Guifen , Li Wenlan , Du Guanhua
Published: February 2020

Oxidative stress has been recognized as the contributor to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Antioxidant strategies have been most widely explored; nevertheless, whether antioxidants alone prevent DPN still remains inconclusive. In the present study, we established an in vitro DPN cell model for drug screening using Schwann RSC96 cells under high glucose (HG) stimulation, and we found that salvianolic acid A (SalA) mitigated HG-induced injury evidenced by cell viability and myelination. Mechanistically, SalA exhibited strong antioxidative effects by inhibiting 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content, as well as upregulating antioxidative enzyme mRNA expression. In addition, SalA significantly extenuated neuroinflammation with downregulated inflammatory factor mRNA expression. Furthermore, SalA improved the mitochondrial function of HG-injured Schwann cells by scavenging mitochondrial ROS, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and enhancing ATP production, as well as upregulating oxidative phosphorylation gene expression. More importantly, we identified nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as the upstream regulator which mediated protective effects of SalA on DPN. SalA directly bound to the Kelch domain of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and thus disrupted the interaction of Nrf2 and Keap1 predicted by LibDock of Discovery Studio. Additionally, SalA significantly inhibited Nrf2 promoter activity and downregulated Nrf2 mRNA expression but without affecting Nrf2 protein expression. Interestingly, SalA upregulated the nuclear Nrf2 expression and promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation by high content screening assay, which was confirmed to be involved in its antiglucotoxicity effect by the knockdown of Nrf2 in RSC96 cells. In KK-Ay mice, we demonstrated that SalA could effectively improve the abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and significantly protect against DPN by increasing the mechanical withdrawal threshold and sciatic nerve conduction velocity and restoring the ultrastructural impairment of the injured sciatic nerve induced by diabetes. Hence, SalA protected against DPN by antioxidative stress, attenuating neuroinflammation, and improving mitochondrial function via Nrf2. SalA may be prospective therapeutics for treating DPN.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Molecular Defensive Mechanism of Arachis hypogaea in Response to Salt Stress
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhao Xiaobo , Sun Quanxi , Yan Caixia , Wang Juan , Yuan Cuiling , Li Chunjuan , Shan Shihua , Liu Fengzhen
Published: February 2020

Abiotic stresses comprise all nonliving factors, such as soil salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, and metal toxicity, posing a serious threat to agriculture and affecting the plant production around the world. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most important crops for vegetable oil, proteins, minerals, and vitamins in the world. Therefore, it is of importance to understand the molecular mechanism of peanut against salt stress. Six transcriptome sequencing libraries including 24-hour salt treatments and control samples were constructed from the young leaves of peanut. A comprehensive analysis between two groups detected 3,425 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 2,013 upregulated genes and 1,412 downregulated genes. Of these DEGs, 141 transcription factors (TFs) mainly consisting of MYB, AP2/ERF, WRKY, bHLH, and HSF were identified in response to salinity stress. Further, GO categories of the DEGs highly related to regulation of cell growth, cell periphery, sustained external encapsulating structure, cell wall organization or biogenesis, antioxidant activity, and peroxidase activity were significantly enriched for upregulated DEGs. The function of downregulated DEGs was mainly enriched in regulation of metabolic processes, oxidoreductase activity, and catalytic activity. Fourteen DEGs with response to salt tolerance were validated by real-time PCR. Taken together, the identification of DEGs’ response to salt tolerance of cultivated peanut will provide a solid foundation for improving salt-tolerant peanut genetic manipulation in the future.
Using a Subtractive Center Behavioral Model to Detect Malware
Authors: Aslan Ömer , Samet Refik , Tanrıöver Ömer Özgür
Published: February 2020

In recent years, malware has evolved by using different obfuscation techniques; due to this evolution, the detection of malware has become problematic. Signature-based and traditional behavior-based malware detectors cannot effectively detect this new generation of malware. This paper proposes a subtractive center behavior model (SCBM) to create a malware dataset that captures semantically related behaviors from sample programs. In the proposed model, system paths, where malware behaviors are performed, and malware behaviors themselves are taken into consideration. This way malicious behavior patterns are differentiated from benign behavior patterns. Features that could not exceed the specified score are removed from the dataset. The datasets created using the proposed model contain far fewer features than the datasets created by n-gram and other models that have been used in other studies. The proposed model can handle both known and unknown malware, and the obtained detection rate and accuracy of the proposed model are higher than those of the known models. To show the effectiveness of the proposed model, 2 datasets with score and without score are created by using SCBM. In total, 6700 malware samples and 3000 benign samples are tested. The results are compared with those derived from n-gram and models from other studies in the literature. The test results show that, by combining the proposed model with an appropriate machine learning algorithm, the detection rate, false positive rate, and accuracy are measured as 99.9%, 0.2%, and 99.8%, respectively.
A 17-Gene Signature Predicted Prognosis in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Fan , Hu Weifeng , Zhang Wei , Li Guohao , Guo Yonglian
Published: February 2020

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which was one of the most common malignant tumors in urinary system, had gradually increased incidence and mortality in recent years. Although significant advances had been made in molecular and biology research on the pathogenesis of RCC, effective treatments and prognostic indicators were still lacking. In order to predict the prognosis of RCC better, we identified 17 genes that were associated with the overall survival (OS) of RCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and a 17-gene signature was developed. Through SurvExpress, we analyzed the expression differences of the 17 genes and their correlation with the survival of RCC patients in five datasets (ZHAO, TCGA, KIPAN, KIRC, and KIRP), and then evaluated the survival prognostic significance of the 17-gene signature for RCC. Our results showed that the 17-gene signature had a predictive prognostic value not only in single pathologic RCC, but also in multiple pathologic types of RCC. In conclusion, the 17-gene signature model was related to the survival of RCC patients and could help predict the prognosis with significant clinical implications.
A Comparison of Models for Estimating Solar Radiation from Sunshine Duration in Croatia
Authors: Betti Tihomir , Zulim Ivana , Brkić Slavica , Tuka Blanka
Published: February 2020

The performance of seventeen sunshine-duration-based models has been assessed using data from seven meteorological stations in Croatia. Conventional statistical indicators are used as numerical indicators of the model performance: mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean bias error (MBE), mean absolute error (MAE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The ranking of the models was done using the combination of all these parameters, all having equal weights. The Rietveld model was found to perform the best overall, followed by Soler and Dogniaux-Lemoine monthly dependent models. For three best-performing models, new adjusted coefficients are calculated, and they are validated using separate dataset. Only the Dogniaux-Lemoine model performed better with adjusted coefficients, but across all analysed locations, the adjusted models showed improvement in reduced maximum percentage error.
Performance of Subgrade Soil Blended with Cement and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
Authors: Khan Kashif Ali , Nasir Hassan , Alam Muhammad , Khan Sajjad Wali , Ahmad Izhar
Published: February 2020

To improve the essential properties of soil, stabilization proved to be more significant in overcoming the limitations of the desired soil. The improvement of soil properties will not only enhance the mechanical properties rather it will help in preventing dust and erosion formation. In this study, a set of tests are carried out to examine the strength characteristics of subgrade soil blended with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and cement. EVA contributes almost 14% mass to the global waste, requiring bigger lands for its disposal; therefore, in order to promote a green environment and to bring an economical waste management system, an investigation of using EVA in the soil stabilization techniques is attempted. Soil specimens are investigated with and without the inclusion of EVA and cement. For this purpose, EVA was mixed with soil at a percentage level of 3, 6, and 9% whereas the cement was mixed at a percentage level of 4, 6, and 8%. To examine the combined effects of EVA and cement, the specimens were tested for compaction, direct shear, unconfined compression, triaxial, XRD, porosity, and permeability tests. All the soil samples were cured at 7, 14, and 28 days followed by the standard testing procedure. When cement was added to soil up to 4, 6, and 8% at a constant level of EVA (9%), cohesion was increased by 37, 42, and 46% while the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was increased by 76, 81, and 84% for the same mixes. From the statistics, it clearly evident that the percentage increase caused by the addition of even 3% EVA to the cemented and uncemented soil specimens is very significant regarding cohesion and compressive strength. Porosity and permeability of soil containing both EVA (9%) and cement (8%) were decreased by 37% and 77%, respectively.
Optical Coherence Tomography Characteristics of the Choroid Underlying Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Authors: Francis Jasmine H. , Sobol Ethan K. , Greenberg Molly , Folberg Robert , Abramson David H.
Published: February 2020

Purpose: This study evaluates and characterizes the choroid underlying congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). Methods: Retrospective observational study of CHRPE at least 2 mm in diameter. Choroidal vascular architecture was qualitatively examined. Choroidal thickness was measured by 2 independent observers using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results: Forty-six eyes of 46 patients with CHRPE were included. Thirty-two lesions had imaging sufficient for analysis. Haller’s layer was healthy in 18 (56%), thin in 13 (41%), and absent in 1 (2%). Sattler’s layer was atrophic in 30 (94%), and choriocapillaris was atrophic in 31 (97%). CHRPE with thinned Haller’s layer had significantly larger diameter. The mean sub-CHRPE choroidal thickness was 82.4 ± 7.9 µm, compared to a thickness of 148.4 ± 9.6 µm in the normal adjacent choroid (p < 0.0001). Mean retinal thickness overlying the CHRPE was 77.3 ± 4.3 µm, compared to a retinal thickness of 137.8 ± 2.9 µm overlying the normal adjacent choroid (p < 0.0001). Sub-CHRPE choroidal thickness was a mean of 56.2 ± 3.1% of the adjacent normal choroidal thickness. Conclusion: The underlying choroid CHRPE is thinner than the adjacent normal choroid. All layers of the choroid can be thin with a preference of the inner Sattler’s and choriocapillaris layers.
Influence of Polymorphisms in the Interleukin-18 Gene on Allergic Rhinitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tharabenjasin Phuntila , Pabalan Noel , Jarjanazi Hamdi , Poachanukoon Orapan
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Reported associations of interleukin-18 (IL-18) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with allergic rhinitis (AR) have been inconsistent, prompting a meta-analysis to obtain more precise estimates. Methods: We synthesized data from 8 articles and examined 3 IL-18 SNPs. Two SNPs (rs360721 and rs187238), in linkage disequilibrium, were combined and termed RS1. The rs1946518 SNP was analyzed separately (termed RS2). The recessive, dominant, and codominant (multiplicative) genetic models were used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs. Subgroup analysis was ethnicity-based. Sources of heterogeneity were investigated with outlier treatment. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess robustness of the associative effects. Multiple comparisons were Holm-Bonferroni corrected. Results: All significant (pa < 0.05) outcomes indicating increased risks were found in the dominant/codominant models in RS1 and RS2. Five aspects of differences marked the significant African (RS1) and overall (RS2) outcomes: (i) magnitude of effect (ORs): greater (3.01–5.15) versus less (1.20–1.47); (ii) precision of ­effects (95% CIs): less (1.07–21.52) versus more (1.01–1.89); (iii) outlier treated: no versus yes; (iv) sensitivity outcomes: nonrobust versus robust (dominant model only); and (v) greater evidential strength for RS2 (pa = 0.002) compared to RS1 (pa = 0.02) rendered RS2 our core finding. These levels of statistical significance for RS1/RS2 enabled both to survive the Holm-Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: The core outcome indicating a 1.5-fold increased risk could render the IL-18 polymorphisms useful in the clinical genetics of AR. Future studies that could focus on other IL-18 SNPs may find deeper associations with AR than what we found here.
Metastatic Spread to the Pituitary
Authors: Shimon Ilan
Published: February 2020

The pituitary fossa is an uncommon site for metastatic tumor spread. Metastatic lesions to the sellar area derived mostly from breast, lung, renal, prostate, and colon cancers, and rarely from other solid and hematologic malignancies. Almost every cancer has been reported as a source of pituitary metastasis. Pituitary metastasis can involve both the anterior and posterior lobes, but the neuro-hypophysis is mainly involved. Clinical manifestations include diabetes insipidus, hypopituitarism, headache, visual disturbances, ophthalmoplegia, and also compression of adjacent structures by aggressive tumor masses. Metastatic spread to the pituitary from a distant primary malignancy is commonly associated with metastases to other tissues and poor prognosis, unless efficient systemic targeted medical treatment is available for the primary cancer (melanoma, lymphoma).
A formação do educomunicador
Authors: Fígaro Roseli , Viana Claudemir Edson , Mungioli Maria Cristina Palma
Published: February 2020

Este artigo discute a Educomunicação como perspectiva formativa e competência necessária para o enfrentamento dos desafios contemporâneos em meio às transformações recentes no mundo do trabalho. O profissional de Educomunicação é formado para buscar de forma criativa as oportunidades de promoção das práticas comunicacionais com intenção educativa, de maneira crítica e com potencial transformador. Com esse objetivo, o artigo está estruturado em dois eixos: (1) o diagnóstico sobre as transformações no mundo do trabalho no contexto digital e suas implicações na formação profissional; (2) a proposta da licenciatura em Educomunicação como formação capaz de oferecer perspectivas de trabalho para um novo profissional que poderá contribuir para a educação das novas gerações.
Returns to Teaching Repetition: The Effect of Short-term Teaching Experience on Student Outcomes
Authors: Cuffe Harold E. , Feld Jan , O'Grady Trevor
Published: February 2020

Teachers often deliver the same lesson multiple times in one day. In contrast to year-to-year teaching experience, it is unclear how this teaching repetition affects student outcomes. We examine the effects of teaching repetition in a higher education setting where students are randomly assigned to a university instructor's first, second, third, or fourth lesson on the same day. We find no meaningful effects of repetition on grades, course dropout, or study effort and only suggestive evidence of positive effects on teaching evaluations. These results suggest that teaching repetition is a powerful tool to reduce teachers’ preparation time without negative effects on students.
Art, Censorship and Nuclear Warfare
Authors: Decamous Gabrielle
Published: February 2020

The traumas of nuclear warfare, from 1945 to the end of the Cold War, are not merely calamities of the past. They still have contemporary consequences, contaminating the health, lives and memories of the many nuclearized cultures in Japan, Oceania and other places. The author argues that looking at past and present artworks representing the nuclear age helps us to understand nuclear nations’ biopower and its lasting effects.
Accounting for Representativeness in the Verification of Ensemble Precipitation Forecasts
Authors: Ben Bouallegue Zied , Haiden Thomas , Weber Nicholas J. , Hamill Thomas M. , Richardson David S.
Published: February 2020

Spatial variability of precipitation is analyzed to characterize to what extent precipitation observed at a single location is representative of precipitation over a larger area. Characterization of precipitation representativeness is made in probabilistic terms using a parametric approach, namely, by fitting a censored shifted gamma distribution to observation measurements. Parameters are estimated and analyzed for independent precipitation datasets, among which one is based on high-density gauge measurements. The results of this analysis serve as a basis for accounting for representativeness error in an ensemble verification process. Uncertainty associated with the scale mismatch between forecast and observation is accounted for by applying a perturbed-ensemble approach before the computation of scores. Verification results reveal a large impact of representativeness error on precipitation forecast reliability and skill estimates. The parametric model and estimated coefficients presented in this study could be used directly for forecast postprocessing to partly compensate for the limitation of any modeling system in terms of precipitation subgrid-scale variability.
From Face Time to Flex Time: The Role of Physical Space in Worker Temporal Flexibility
Authors: Gonsalves Leroy
Published: February 2020

Despite the great potential for flexible work policies to increase worker temporal flexibility—the extent to which workers control when and where their work tasks are completed—organizational scholars have found that employees rarely use them for fear of career penalties. This study sheds light on this flexibility paradox by drawing attention to the overlooked yet crucial role of physical space. Using 14 months of field research during an office redesign at a large professional sales organization, I find that a reconfiguration of physical space intended to reduce costs had the unintended consequence of disrupting taken-for-granted greeting practices, noticing practices, and evaluative beliefs. Changes to social practices led employees to feel less concern about trait inferences of dependability and commitment arising from their physical presence and to experience greater temporal flexibility. The findings contribute to a model in which the relationship between flexible work policies and temporal flexibility is moderated by the physical space. By identifying the physical space as a novel determinant of temporal flexibility, the study reveals the structural underpinnings of the flexibility paradox and more generally contributes to our understanding of how physical spaces structure social life in organizations.
Dreaming Inside: An evaluation of a creative writing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in prison
Authors: Hanley Natalia , Marchetti Elena
Published: February 2020

Arts-based prison programs are often viewed as hobbies or as activities that have little impact on prisoner rehabilitation according to conventional understandings of the term. This is despite growing evidence that arts-based programs can assist with learning retention and can improve self-confidence and ways of coping with emotions. Generally, arts practices have been found to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have grown up or live in urban areas with asserting and strengthening their cultural identity, but we know little about the effects of arts-based prison programs on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner wellbeing. This article focuses on a creative writing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners at Junee Correctional Centre, New South Wales. The program, Dreaming Inside, has produced seven volumes of poetry and stories. This article combines and reports findings from two evaluations of the program, one using program feedback forms and the other using semi-structured interviews with prisoners who participated in the program. The themes that emerged from both evaluations affirm the program’s efficacy in improving prisoner self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing, and in reigniting and strengthening cultural engagement.
Learning to Lament: Complaining to God about the Decline of the Church
Authors: Carswell John
Published: February 2020

In this paper I want to consider using the book of Lamentations as a metaphor for understanding the suffering occasioned by the decline of the Western church, specifically the drastic fall in church membership and participation witnessed in Britain from the mid-twentieth century to the present. It is my contention that the church needs a way in which to speak its own hurt and disappointment with God, its heart-cry and its complaint, and that Lamentations provides a theological framework in which it might parse the various elements of its grief with the aim of understanding church decline within the providence of God. Lament gives the church the permission and the language to blame God for its decline, and to seek God as its singular hope for a future.
AtlantiCare healthy school edible garden startup grants: A content analysis of post-grant follow-up reports
Authors: Calamidas Elizabeth G , Crowell Tara L , Engelmann Laura , Watkins-Jones Heather
Published: February 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this article was to identify some of the implications, challenges and benefits of edible gardens cultivated at schools located in southern New Jersey, USA.

Design and Setting:

Over the course of three academic years (between 2014 and 2017), 73 schools received start up monies for school gardens from AtlantiCare Health System. The schools, located in Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean Counties in New Jersey, were required to complete an Edible School Garden Mini-Grant Follow-up Report.

Methods:

A content analysis was conducted on responses to 12 open-ended questions from these reports in order to highlight some of the implications, challenges and benefits of gardens within these schools.

Results:

Basic descriptive statistics provided logistical information such as those involved in the school garden, including community partnerships and garden maintenance, along with the harvest and outcomes of those harvests. Results provided valuable insight into the impact of school gardens on curriculum and policy change; benefits to knowledge, attitudes and behaviour change among participants; and areas in need of improvement. Frequency distributions identified any unexpected outcomes schools may have experienced, along with additional needs and schools’ future plans for their gardens.

Conclusion:

Overall, results indicate that schools were appreciative and excited about the opportunity to create school gardens and plan to continue these efforts. The implications of these results along with suggestions for future grant making, school garden efforts and research are discussed.
Improved feeding and forages at a crossroads: Farming systems approaches for sustainable livestock development in East Africa
Authors: Paul Birthe K , Groot Jeroen CJ , Maass Brigitte L , Notenbaert An MO , Herrero Mario , Tittonell Pablo A
Published: February 2020

Dairy development provides substantial potential economic opportunities for smallholder farmers in East Africa, but productivity is constrained by the scarcity of quantity and quality feed. Ruminant livestock production is also associated with negative environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air pollution, high water consumption, land-use change, and loss of biodiversity. Improved livestock feeding and forages have been highlighted as key entry point to sustainable intensification, increasing food security, and decreasing environmental trade-offs including GHG emission intensities. In this perspective article, we argue that farming systems approaches are essential to understand the multiple roles and impacts of forages in smallholder livelihoods. First, we outline the unique position of forages in crop-livestock systems and systemic obstacles to adoption that call for multidisciplinary thinking. Second, we discuss the importance of matching forage technologies with agroecological and socioeconomic contexts and niches, and systems agronomy that is required. Third, we demonstrate the usefulness of farming systems modeling to estimate multidimensional impacts of forages and for reducing agro-environmental trade-offs. We conclude that improved forages in East Africa are at a crossroads: if adopted by farmers at scale, they can be a cornerstone of pathways toward sustainable livestock systems in East Africa.
Book review: Yogesh Snehi and Lallan S. Baghel (Eds.), Modernity and Changing Social Fabric of Punjab and Haryana
Authors: Kaur Manjit
Published: February 2020

Yogesh Snehi and Lallan S. Baghel (Eds.), Modernity and Changing Social Fabric of Punjab and Haryana. Delhi: Primus Books, 2018, 453 pp., ₹1,295. ISBN: 978-93-86552-98-3.
Personal: Spooks, shadows and unfinished business
Authors: Tighe Carl
Published: February 2020

Carl Tighe has written a great deal about the interface between politics and literature in Poland, much of it published in the Journal of European Studies. Here he outlines some of the personal experience behind his articles.
What counts as an exemplar model, anyway? A commentary on Ambridge (2020)
Authors: Mahowald Kyle , Kachergis George , Frank Michael C.
Published: February 2020

Ambridge calls for exemplar-based accounts of language acquisition. Do modern neural networks such as transformers or word2vec – which have been extremely successful in modern natural language processing (NLP) applications – count? Although these models often have ample parametric complexity to store exemplars from their training data, they also go far beyond simple storage by processing and compressing the input via their architectural constraints. The resulting representations have been shown to encode emergent abstractions. If these models are exemplar-based then Ambridge’s theory only weakly constrains future work. On the other hand, if these systems are not exemplar models, why is it that true exemplar models are not contenders in modern NLP?
Is public administration struggling in higher education? Evidence from the united states scenario
Authors: Braga Alessandro
Published: February 2020

This article aims to discuss the health of the public administration discipline in the US higher education system. In particular, it debates two possible alternatives: decline or reposition. The paper analyzes the academic offers of political science, public policy, and public administration programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The Results highlight that the public administration discipline is currently at a crucial point. The core attention within both governments and higher education is more focused on politics and policies than on management. Accordingly, this scenario has two main effects. First, it creates an imbalance between the political discourse, the formulation/execution of public policies, and the managing of effective public sector organizations. Second, it might lead the discipline of public administration into a decline. Nevertheless, public administration can find a reposition within social sciences by developing more openness and a process of cross-contamination with other humanistic disciplines.
Disease trajectories, place and mode of death in people with head and neck cancer: Findings from the ‘Head and Neck 5000’ population-based prospective clinical cohort study
Authors: Mayland Catriona R , Ingarfield Kate , Rogers Simon N , Dey Paola , Thomas Steven , Waylen Andrea , Leary Sam D , Pring Miranda , Hurley Katrina , Waterboer Tim , Pawlita Michael , Ness Andy R
Published: February 2020

Background:

Few large studies describe initial disease trajectories and subsequent mortality in people with head and neck cancer. This is a necessary first step to identify the need for palliative care and associated services.

Aim:

To analyse data from the Head and Neck 5000 study to present mortality, place and mode of death within 12 months of diagnosis.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Participants:

In total, 5402 people with a new diagnosis of head and neck cancer were recruited from 76 cancer centres in the United Kingdom between April 2011 and December 2014.

Results:

Initially, 161/5402 (3%) and 5241/5402 (97%) of participants were treated with ‘non-curative’ and ‘curative’ intent, respectively. Within 12 months, 109/161 (68%) in the ‘non-curative’ group died compared with 482/5241 (9%) in the ‘curative’ group. Catastrophic bleed was the terminal event for 10.4% and 9.8% of people in ‘non-curative’ and ‘curative’ groups, respectively; terminal airway obstruction was recorded for 7.5% and 6.3% of people in the same corresponding groups. Similar proportions of people in both groups died in a hospice (22.9% ‘non-curative’; 23.5% ‘curative’) and 45.7% of the ‘curative’ group died in hospital.

Conclusion:

In addition to those with incurable head and neck cancer, there is a small but significant ‘curative’ subgroup of people who may have palliative needs shortly following diagnosis. Given the high mortality, risk of acute catastrophic event and frequent hospital death, clarifying the level and timing of palliative care services engagement would help provide assurance as to whether palliative care needs are being met.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Dual-Energy CT in Detection of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Abdellatif Waleed , Ebada Mahmoud Ahmed , Alkanj Souad , Negida Ahmed , Murray Nicolas , Khosa Faisal , Nicolaou Savvas
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the detection of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods:

We searched Medline (via PubMed), EBSCO, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for relevant published studies. We selected studies assessing the accuracy of DECT in the detection of PE. Quality assessment of bias and applicability was conducted using the Quality of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate mean estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and negative likelihood ratio (NLR). The summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve was drawn to get the Cochran Q-index and the area under the curve (AUC).

Results:

Seven studies were included in our systematic review. Of the 182 patients included, 108 patients had PEs. The pooled analysis showed an overall sensitivity and specificity of 88.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.4%-94.1%) and 94.6% (95% CI: 86.7%-98.5%), respectively. The pooled PLR was 8.186 (95% CI: 3.726-17.986), while the pooled NLR was 0.159 (95% CI: 0.093-0.270). Cochran-Q was 0.8712, and AUC was 0.935 in the sROC curve.

Conclusion:

Dual-energy computed tomography shows high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in the detection of acute PE. The high PLR highlights the high clinical importance of DECT as a prevalence-independent, rule-in test. Studies with a larger sample size with standardized reference tests are still needed to increase the statistical power of the study and support these findings.
Risk Factors for Seizures and Epilepsy in Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Ghosh Suman , Philip Joseph , Patel Nikita , Munoz-Pareja Jennifer , Lopez-Colon Dalia , Bleiweis Mark , Winesett Steven Parrish
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

To identify potential risk factors for pre- and postoperative seizures and epilepsy in children with congenital heart disease.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study of neonates and infants <3 months of age with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass from November 24, 2006, until June 1, 2015. Children with seizures were classified based on time of occurrence into early preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative. Children with recurring seizures 30 days after cardiac surgery met criteria for epilepsy.

Results:

247 patients completed follow-up; 2.4% had seizures early preoperation and 1.6% early postoperation. Late postoperative epilepsy occurred in 5.3% of the cohort. The majority of seizures in the late postoperative epilepsy group started after 1 year of age (mean 1.53 years, range = 0.18-4.7 years). One of the 13 patients with epilepsy had a seizure during their intensive care unit hospitalization. Potential risk factors for seizures included brain injury ( P < .001), high-risk surgery (Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery score ≥3, P = .024), and low birth weight ( P < .04). Infants with stroke were more likely to develop epilepsy ( P = .04). Presence of seizures was associated with increased length of stay ( P < .001).

Conclusions:

Our study suggests an association between children with congenital heart disease diagnosed with stroke in the neonatal/infancy period and the development of epilepsy. These children may not have prior early pre- and postoperative seizures. Risk factors for seizures include brain injury, high-risk surgery, and lower birth weight. Seizures were associated with an increased length of stay but did not necessarily lead to subsequent epilepsy.
The Association Between Demographic, Mental Health, and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Variables and Undergraduate Women’s Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration
Authors: Holmes Samantha C. , Johnson Nicole L. , Zlotnick Caron , Sullivan Tami P. , Johnson Dawn M.
Published: February 2020

Addressing women’s intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration is essential not only to their partners’ safety but also to their own as, for women who are victims of IPV, their IPV perpetration may be a risk factor for their own revictimization. Although many studies have examined risk factors for women’s IPV perpetration, results diverge with regard to whether demographic and mental health variables are reliable predictors. Results of several studies have demonstrated that when IPV victimization is examined concurrently with perpetration, demographic and mental health variables are no longer significant correlates. However, this research has been limited in that the type of IPV examined has been restricted to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. In addition, some demographic variables (e.g., sexual orientation) have yet to be adequately examined. The current study extends this literature by concurrently assessing demographic, mental health, and IPV victimization variables as correlates of IPV perpetration among undergraduate women. Furthermore, the current study examined a wide range of IPV types (i.e., threats of physical abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, stalking, cyberstalking). Among a final sample of 398 undergraduate women at a Midwestern public university, results demonstrated that while all variables (i.e., demographic, mental health, IPV victimization) were correlated with at least one type of IPV perpetration, only IPV victimization remained a unique significant correlate of perpetration for each of the six IPV perpetration types when variables were analyzed concurrently in hierarchical regression models. Demographic and mental health variables were nonsignificant correlates for most IPV perpetration types. These results corroborate previous studies and provide additional evidence that targeting women’s own victimization, safety planning, and de-escalation may be useful at decreasing violence against women’s partners as well as women’s own risk for revictimization.