bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trust in the European Union: Effects of the information environment
Authors: Brosius Anna , van Elsas Erika J , de Vreese Claes H
Published: November 2018

Over the past decade, the European Union has lost the trust of many citizens. This article investigates whether and how media information, in particular visibility and tonality, impact trust in the European Union among citizens. Combining content analysis and Eurobarometer survey data from 10 countries between 2004 and 2015, we study both direct and moderating media effects. Media tone and visibility have limited direct effects on trust in the European Union, but they moderate the relation between trust in national institutions and trust in the European Union. This relation is amplified when the European Union is more visible in the media and when media tone is more positive towards the European Union, whereas it is dampened when media tone is more negative. The findings highlight the role of news media in the crisis of trust in the European Union.
Effectiveness of rehabilitation after cervical disk surgery: a systematic review of controlled studies
Authors: Tederko Piotr , Krasuski Marek , Tarnacka Beata
Published: November 2018

Objectives:

To present a synopsis of evidence on the efficacy of rehabilitation after cervical disk surgery performed for neck pain and radiculopathy.

Data sources:

The databases of Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were searched for studies reporting effects of rehabilitation interventions in patients undergoing surgery due to cervical disk disease with pain and radicular syndrome, published before 31 August 2018.

Review methods:

Project was registered with PROSPERO database (number CRD42018085937). Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions versus other, sham, or no treatment were selected. The primary outcomes were disability and pain. Secondary outcomes were other measures assessing biological, psychological or social effect of rehabilitation. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Evaluation of evidence was performed with the GRADE system.

Results:

Five papers were included in the review. The eligible studies were heterogeneous in intervention and outcome reporting. There are low- to very-low-quality evidence that some interventions (use of cervical collars after non-plated anterior cervical diskectomy an fusion, structured physiotherapy, and interactive patients’ education) provide some benefit within functioning, pain, and selected psychological variables in patients undergoing cervical disk surgery. Controlled trials addressing comprehensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation, multidisciplinary pain management, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, social and vocational interventions were not identified.

Conclusion:

There is insufficient evidence with few trials of low quality to allow any conclusion to be drawn about the effectiveness, harms, and general ineffectiveness of rehabilitation for people who have had cervical disk surgery for pain or radiculopathy.
The effect of early intervention of mirror visual feedback on pain, disability and motor function following hand reconstructive surgery: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Abolfazli Mahsa , Lajevardi Laleh , Mirzaei Leila , Abdorazaghi Hosein Ali , Azad Akram , Taghizadeh Ghorban
Published: November 2018

Objective:

To determine the effect of mirror visual feedback (MVF) on disability, pain, and motor function on patients who underwent hand reconstructive surgery.

Design:

Randomized, single-blinded controlled trial.

Setting:

Rehabilitation center.

Subjects:

A total of 40 patients who were randomly assigned into the intervention group ( n = 20) and control group ( n = 20) participated in this study.

Interventions:

The rehabilitation sessions took place twice a week for eight weeks. The control group received traditional rehabilitation for 75 minutes. While the intervention group performed MVF and traditional rehabilitation for 30 and 45 minutes, respectively.

Measures:

Pain and disability of the hand were assessed with McGill pain questionnaire and Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. The range of joint motion was evaluated by Goniometer, and the strength of grip and pinch was evaluated by Dynamometer and Pinch gauge and dexterity evaluated by Minnesota Manual Muscle test.

Results:

The results indicated that both traditional and MVF methods induced significant decreasing pain (Pain Rate Index: F = 68.48, P = 0.000; Number of Word Count: F = 70.96, P = 0.000), disability ( F = 50.08, P = 0.000) and increasing dexterity (placing test: F = 28.73, P = 0.000), and range of motion ( F = 33.16, P = 0.000). The results also showed that the positive effect of MVF on pain, disability, dexterity, and range of motion was significantly greater than that of controls ( P < 0.05), but there was no significant result in grip and lateral pinch strength between the intervention and control group ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

MVF, in conjunction with traditional rehabilitation programs, may lead to greater improvements in pain, disability, placing dexterity, and range of motion. But it seems not to be effective on pinch and grip power and turning dexterity.
Sociodemographic, Anthropometric, and Dietary Predictors of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Adipose Tissue Among Mesoamerican Children and Their Parents
Authors: Flannagan Kerry S. , Ramirez-Zea Manuel , Roman Ana Victoria , Das Arun K. , Villamor Eduardo
Published: November 2018

Background:

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake is low throughout Latin America. Improving PUFA status could be an effective intervention against chronic disease, but information on sociodemographic and dietary patterning of PUFA status in the region is limited.

Objective:

To characterize sociodemographic, anthropometric, and dietary predictors of PUFA status biomarkers in adipose tissue among children and their parents from Mesoamerica.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study of 220 children aged 7 to 12 years and 471 parents from capital cities of Guatemala, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, and Belize, as well as Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Mexico. The PUFA from gluteal adipose tissue was quantified using gas chromatography. Participants reported sociodemographic information and the type of vegetable oil used for cooking. We estimated percent mean differences in linoleic acid (LA), total long-chain n-6 PUFA (n-6 LCPUFA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), and total long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) between levels of predictors using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models.

Results:

Country was the strongest predictor of any PUFA, whereas body mass index was positively associated with n-6 LCPUFA in children and adults. Cooking primarily with soybean oil was positively associated with LA in children and adults and ALA in adults. Cooking with canola oil was positively related to n-6 LCPUFA in adults and n-3 LCPUFA in children and adults. Cooking with palm oil was associated with low adipose tissue levels of all n-6 and n-3 PUFA.

Conclusions:

Adipose tissue PUFA status in Mesoamerica is associated with country of origin and the type of oil used for cooking.
Structural and bone marrow stem cell biocompatibility studies of hydrogel synthesized via chemo-enzymatic route
Authors: Latfi Ahmad Safwan Ahmad , Pramanik Sumit , Poon Chi Tat , Gumel Ahmad Mohammed , Lai Khin Wee , Annuar Mohamad Suffian Mohamad , Pingguan-Murphy Belinda
Published: November 2018

Natural biopolymers have many attractive medical applications; however, complications due to fibrosis caused a reduction in diffusion and dispersal of nutrients and waste products. Consequently, severe immunocompatibility problems and poor mechanical and degradation properties in synthetic polymers ensue. Hence, the present study investigates a novel hydrogel material synthesized from caprolactone, ethylene glycol, ethylenediamine, polyethylene glycol, ammonium persulfate, and tetramethylethylenediamine via chemo-enzymatic route. Spectroscopic analyses indicated the formation of polyurea and polyhydroxyurethane as the primary building block of the hydrogel starting material. Biocompatibility studies showed positive observation in biosafety test using direct contact cytotoxicity assay in addition to active cellular growth on the hydrogel scaffold based on fluorescence observation. The synthesized hydrogel also exhibited (self)fluorescence properties under specific wavelength excitation. Hence, synthesized hydrogel could be a potential candidate for medical imaging as well as tissue engineering applications as a tissue expander, coating material, biosensor, and drug delivery system.
Problematic Pornography Use and Physical and Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Men in Batterer Intervention Programs
Authors: Brem Meagan J. , Garner Alisa R. , Grigorian Hannah , Florimbio Autumn Rae , Wolford-Clevenger Caitlin , Shorey Ryan C. , Stuart Gregory L.
Published: November 2018

Recent decades witnessed a surge in pornography use, contributing to what some researchers referred to as problematic pornography use (PPU; excessive, compulsive, and uncontrollable pornography use). Informed by cognitive scripts theory, cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental research spanning several decades documented a positive association between men’s pornography use and physical and sexual violence perpetration. However, there is a paucity of research investigating pornography use broadly, and PPU specifically, among men who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV). The present cross-sectional study investigated the association between self-reported PPU and physical and sexual IPV perpetration among 273 men in batterer intervention programs. After accounting for psychiatric symptomology and substance use and problems, results revealed a positive association between PPU and both physical and sexual IPV perpetration. Findings highlighted the need for continued investigation of the function of pornography use for violent men, particularly as it relates to physical and sexual IPV perpetration.
Novel robust controller design for load sway reduction in double-pendulum overhead cranes
Authors: Ouyang Huimin , Deng Xin , Xi Huan , Hu Jinxin , Zhang Guangming , Mei Lei
Published: November 2018

It is seen that when the hook mass is larger than the load mass or the load has distributed mass property, the load sway of the crane system presents as double-pendulum effect. In this situation, crane system has two different natural frequencies so that the sway characteristic becomes more complex and greatly increases the difficulty of the dynamic performance analysis and controller design. Moreover, the rope length changes significantly affect the stability and control performance of the crane system. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the linear dynamics of a two-dimensional overhead crane with double-pendulum effect is derived based on a disturbance observer, and is decoupled for controller design by modal analysis. Next, a state feedback controller is presented to achieve robust control performance for a given range of rope length changes. The controller gains are obtained via linear matrix inequality optimization method. Finally, numerical simulations and experimental results validate that the proposed method has superior control performance.
Comprehensive discussions on higher back pressure system performance with cavitation suppression using high back pressure
Authors: Lu L , Fu X , Ryu S , Yin YB , Shen ZX
Published: November 2018

As a stubborn problem of hydraulic technology, cavitation occurs in nearly every hydraulic system and causes serious associated problems. Many anti-cavitation component improvements have been done, leading to complex structures and higher manufacturing costs. Synchronously increasing the outlet or back pressure of the pump, valve and actuator may be the most straightforward way to eliminate cavitation for the entire hydraulic system. A higher back pressure system may also induces side-effects, so comprehensive discussions on higher back pressure system performance were presented in this paper. It was found that a higher back pressure system shows good effects on weakening pump outlet/inlet pressure fluctuations, shell vibration, and noise. Furthermore, simulation visualization showed consistent results for pump cavitation reduction, while with limited effects on higher back pressure conditions. With regard to pump efficiency, the higher back pressure system showed no change in the volumetric efficiency with higher back pressure, improved cavitation loss, but increased pump leakage. The mechanical efficiency rarely changed, and the detailed mechanism was much more complex. These results occurred because the higher piston chamber pressure with higher back pressure simultaneously changed the normal pressure and the lubrication property of the pump pairs. However, the system energy budget was optimistic, since considerable pressure loss from valve cavitation was prevented, although the back pressure control slippage pump added greater energy input to the system.
Initial balance in human standing postures: Roles of the joint mechanisms
Authors: Ashtiani Mohammed N , Azghani Mahmood-reza , Parnianpour Mohamad
Published: November 2018

The static initial postures of standing before applying perturbations may affect the maintenance of postural balance. The goal of this article was to find the stable set of postures and then determine the roles of joint mechanisms. The set of posture was defined in a biomechanical model based on three joint angles of the lower limbs. Optimized inverse dynamics method was used to solve for muscle forces in a precise model of the human musculoskeletal system posed in 4096 static sets of posture using AnyBody software. Results showed that the overall body muscular activity in standing is reduced by knee flexion. Moderate knee angles between 20° and 60° provided safer postures against possible perturbations because of higher collaboration levels of the joint mechanisms. About 36% of the overall postural infeasibilities were attributed to the inability of the ankle muscles to more sustain the exerted loads. Although the roles of the joint mechanisms were closely dependent on the postures, there was no direct relation between the joint kinematics and activation levels of their supporting muscles. Lower extremity muscle groups collaborate to maintain the balance in a considerable number of static postures.
Natural frequency of bending vibration for stepped beam of different geometrical characters and materials
Authors: Li Shun-Cai , Liang Li , Yu Qiu
Published: November 2018

Based on the bending vibration theory of the beam with equal cross-sectional area, the free bending vibration equation of each subsection of stepped beam is given. The modal function of the stepped beam is assumed by the method of separating variable. First, substitute the modal function into free vibration equation so as to obtain the corresponding vibration shape function and then the modal solution with undetermined coefficients and natural frequency is developed. Next, substitute the modal solution into the boundary condition and the continuity condition to get the corresponding equations. Solving the equations by elimination method, the frequency equation of the step beam is obtained by the condition that the system of linear equations has non-zero solution. Taking the cantilever step beam and simplified supported step beam as examples, the first-order natural frequency of transverse bending vibration of stepped beams with different cross-sectional shapes, different materials, different areas, and different lengths for the two portions was obtained by solving the frequency equation with Mathcad software, and the corresponding curves of natural frequency for the circular and rectangular cross-section beam have been given.
Vitamin D attenuates gentamicin-induced acute renal damage via prevention of oxidative stress and DNA damage
Authors: Mohammed MA , Aboulhoda BE , Mahmoud RH
Published: November 2018

Background:

Despite being one of the most nephrotoxic drugs, gentamicin (GM) remains a mainstay as a first-choice agent in a vast variety of clinical situations owing to its superlative efficiency as a broad-spectrum antibiotic in treating several life-threatening bacterial infections. This urgently calls for the need for in-depth analysis of the mechanisms governing GM-induced nephrotoxicity and entails the necessity of presenting novel protective agents capable of ameliorating those renal deleterious effects. The reactive oxygen species and redox-sensitive transcription factors in GM-induced nephrotoxicity have recently called attention.

Purpose:

This study has been designed to shed light on the possible mechanisms of GM-induced nephrotoxicity and to provide a consensus set of histopathological, immunohistochemical, genetic and biochemical parameters elucidating the protective role of vitamin D against this nephrotoxicity.

Methods:

Twenty-four adult male albino rats were equally divided into four groups: group I (control group), group II (GM), group III (GM + vitamin D) and group IV (vitamin D only). Kidney function tests, histopathological examination, gene expression of nuclear factor 2, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) and western blot of NF-κB p65, assessment of glutathione peroxidase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH) oxidase by ELISA, as well as immunohistochemical evaluation of inducible nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy 2 deoxyguanine and vitamin D receptor, have been carried out.

Results:

The kidney function deterioration, tissue oxidative stress development and the histopathological changes induced by GM were significantly attenuated by vitamin D administration.

Conclusion:

Vitamin D attenuates GM nephrotoxicity through its antioxidant properties and prevention of DNA damage.
Systemic lupus erythematosus among male patients in Malaysia: how are we different from other geographical regions?
Authors: Shaharir S.S. , Kadir W.D.Abdul , Nordin F. , Bakar F Abu , Ting M W H , Jamil A , Mohd R. , Wahab A Abdul
Published: November 2018

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which predominantly affects females. The disease characteristics in male SLE patients are reported to be distinct and may vary across ethnicities and geographical regions.

Objective

To determine and compare the clinical phenotype and organ damage between male and female patients with SLE in Malaysia.

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional study involving SLE patients from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre from June 2016 until June 2017. Information on their socio-demographics and disease characteristics were obtained from the clinical records. Disease damage was assessed using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index (SDI) scores. The disease characteristics, autoantibody profiles and organ damage were compared between male and female patients, and multivariable analysis using male sex as dependent variable was then performed.

Results

A total of 418 patients were recruited and a total of 59 (14.1%) patients were male. Male patients presented with lower SLE ACR criteria at initial presentation but a significantly higher number of them had renal involvement (lupus nephritis) (78.0% versus 63.8%, p = 0.04). Male patients had less musculoskeletal involvement (45.8% versus 63.0%, p = 0.02) and tended to have lesser mucocutaneous involvement. Immunologic profile revealed that a lower number of male patients had positive anti-Ro antibody (22.7% versus 44.7%, p = 0.04) and they tended to have positive lupus anticoagulant antibody (27.6% versus 14.3%, p = 0.06). Presence of organ damage (SDI score ≥ 1) was significantly higher among males (55.9% versus 39.6%, p = 0.02) with higher renal damage (25.4% versus 9.2%, p = 0.004) and cardiovascular event of ischaemic heart disease or stroke (20.3% versus 7.0%, p = 0.004). They were also inclined to develop damage much earlier as compared to female patients, 3 (interquartile range (IQR) 7.5) versus 5 (IQR 7) years, p = 0.08. The occurrence of disease damage was independently associated with male gender with odds ratio of 1.9 (95% confidence interval 1.1–3.5), p = 0.02.

Conclusion

Male patients with SLE have more severe disease with renal damage and cardiovascular event.
Target Price Achievement and Target Price Accuracy Models: An Analysis of Advisory Firms’ Recommendation for the Indian Banking Stocks
Authors: Patel Hiren
Published: November 2018

A target price is the projected price level of a financial security stated by an investment analyst or an advisor. It represents a security’s price that, if achieved, results in a trader recognizing the best possible outcome for his investment. The study considers financials, demand and expectations for measuring the effectiveness of target price accuracy. The present study has two objectives: (a) to construct the model of target price achievement and (b) to construct the model of target price accuracy. Further both the objectives are not limited only to one year performance (period bound model) but are also extended to performance till date (non-period bound model) testing. The study considered all the banking stock listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The study concludes with the models and found that promoters’ holding is the most significant indicator, for measuring target price accuracy, followed by financials, price-to-book ratio, for the Indian banking stocks.
Accounting as a tool of State governance: The tutelage system of ‘Free Africans’ in Brazil between 1818 and 1864
Authors: Silva Adriana Rodrigues , Rodrigues Lúcia Lima , Sangster Alan
Published: November 2018

Through the theoretical lenses of Foucault’s governmentality, Latour’s action at a distance and Althusser’s ideology theory, this article shows how accounting regulations allowed the Brazilian government to exercise control over the tutelage system of former slaves (‘Free Africans’) between 1818 and 1864. It finds that the measures undertaken to reinforce the accounting regulations permitted the Brazilian government to control ‘Free Africans’ at a distance while minimizing interference in this process from a British government intent upon abolishing slavery.
Improving the robustness of beamforming using asymmetric sensor arrays
Authors: Jung Hwee Kwon , Zhou Sujie , Park Gyuhae
Published: November 2018

Beamforming or phased array with an array of sensors is an advanced signal processing technique for directional signal transmission or reception. This directionality is achieved by phase shifts of received signals of each sensor for the constructive interference of wavefronts, resulting in the amplification of the signal from a particular direction. In this research, the use of an asymmetric sensor array is proposed to reduce the effects of “spatial aliasing,” which is typically encountered in the structural health monitoring practice when employing phased arrays. In this technique, a sensor array is asymmetrically and closely deployed for beamforming and for robust source localization. This sensor deployment has a great effect on reducing the spatial aliasing errors. Although many advanced signal processing algorithms have been developed in the past, an asymmetric sensor array proposed in this study is used to reduce the spatial aliasing error from the sensor deployment perspective. In order to demonstrate the proposed sensor array technique, several simulation and experimental investigations are carried out, and the performance comparison is made to demonstrate the superior robustness of the asymmetric sensor array.
Managing Stigma: Young People, Asthma, and the Politics of Chronic Illness
Authors: Monaghan Lee F. , Gabe Jonathan
Published: November 2018

In this article, we explore the relationship between asthma and stigma, drawing on 31 interviews with young people (aged 5–17) in Ireland. Participants with mild to moderate asthma were recruited from Traveller and middle-class settled communities. Themes derived from an abductive approach to data analysis and a critical appreciation of Goffmanesque sociology include asthma as a discreditable stigma, negative social reactions (real, imagined, and anticipated), and stigma management. Going beyond a personal tragedy model, we reflect upon macro-social structures (e.g., ethnicity, class, gender) which underlie stigma and the management of a potentially spoiled identity. This raises issues about the politics of chronic illness, embodying health identities and efforts to tackle stigma in neoliberal times.
Identity construction in the workplace: Different reactions of ethnic minority groups to an organizational diversity policy in a French manufacturing company
Authors: Yang Inju , Bacouel-Jentjens Sabine
Published: November 2018

This study investigates how a French manufacturing company responds to institutional forces concerning its diversity policy and how employees react to it, particularly those belonging to minority groups not addressed by the policy. Such questions are relevant to the legitimacy of organizational diversity policies and employees’ perceptions of diversity in particular environments. We analyzed data from 35 interviews to characterize organizational efforts to comply with regulations in the form of gender-affirmative actions. Among ethnic minorities, there were three different reactions to gender-based affirmative action policies that were not accompanied by ethnicity-based affirmative action policies: indifference, focus on gender issues, and discontent. We propose three identity constructions could explain these reactions: dissociation, selective association, and heightened identity, respectively. Together, our results demonstrate trickle-down effects from institutional forces to organizational diversity policy, and hence to construction of identity by minorities within the organization.
The moderation of gender and generation in the effects of perceived destination image on tourist attitude and visit intention: A study of potential Chinese visitors to Australia
Authors: Huang Songshan (Sam) , van der Veen Robert
Published: November 2018

The overall purpose of this study is to examine the moderating roles of gender and generation in the effects of perceived destination image on tourist attitude and visit intention among Chinese potential tourists to Australia. Australia is one of the preferred destinations to Chinese tourists, and the China market emerges to be increasingly important to destination marketing organizations in Australia. Echoing the call for more gender studies in the tourism literature and also based on the generation theory, this study employed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey design and used structural equation modelling in its analysis. Survey data were collected through convenience sampling in the Chinese city Harbin at various public venues where urban residents can be found. The study identified Services and Tourism Provisions, Natural Environment and Quality of Life as three destination image dimensions perceived by Chinese urban residents towards Australia. Services and Tourism Provisions and Natural Environment both positively affected tourist attitude, which in turn levered up visit intention. The study found that the effect of Services and Tourism Provisions on attitude was stronger for men than for women, while the effect of Natural Environment on attitude was stronger for women than for men; for the post-1980s/1990s generation, the effect of Natural Environment on attitude was significantly stronger than that for the post-1960s/1970s generation. Implications for tourism marketers and managers are discussed.
Motherhood and highly sensitive children in an online discussion forum
Authors: Edenroth-Cato Fanny
Published: November 2018

Discourse on the highly sensitive child as a mode of individual coming-into-being is transforming notions of good motherhood. Mothering a child is weighted with practical challenges, normative expectations, and moral implications, all of which can be accentuated when parenting a child that appears to differ from the average. How mothers address themselves to a highly sensitive child can reveal much about contemporary currents in family life. Through analysis of the online discussions in a Swedish forum, I examine mothers’ discourse regarding categorization of highly sensitive children, elaboration on the behaviors that constitute this category of protean individuality, and the negotiation of motherhood norms. Three themes are identified: the way in which participants established entitlement to the application of the highly sensitive child label through a process of “enlightenment” based on observing their children and scrutinizing their own childrearing practices; discourse on the “allure” of the highly sensitive child since it depicts the children as super-normal and themselves as mothers called to the custodianship of a “different child”; and finally, how the highly sensitive child label deflects the guilt and frustration linked with handling challenging behaviors, in tension with permitting the sensitive child’s self-determined development. The article suggests that the mothers’ discourse reflects the intensive mothering norms of child-centered parenting that prevail in Western countries such as Sweden. Through the lens of the highly sensitive child, however, motherhood acquires new anticipatory, considerate and susceptible norms, and strategies that constitute a highly sensitive parenting style.
Respectability’s edge: Transnational sex radical René Guyon
Authors: Loos Tamara
Published: November 2018

The writings and life of French sex radical, René Guyon (1876–1963), offer a fascinating opportunity to examine together western European sexological thought, human rights movements, and imperial privilege in Asia. As one of France’s early promoters of sexual rights as a human right, Guyon revealed himself to be a radical advocate for sexual liberation from what he called the ‘hideous bondage of conventional “sexual morality”’ in Europe and America. From his residence in Siam, Guyon penned his magnum opus, Etudes d’éthiques sexueles, a series of nine volumes that he wrote between 1929 and 1944 in which he promoted all consensual sexual acts, regardless of one’s sex, age or race, within ‘ethical limitations.’ His law background earned him a high position in the Ministry of Justice in Siam, where he worked as a legal reformer and judge from 1908 until 1963. His 50-plus years of experience in Siam and sexual adventures in other non-western countries served as an unacknowledged springboard for his views and provided him invaluable credentials in the eyes of his western sexologist peers. I examine the relationships among his excoriation of western sexual mores, his concept of a sexual utopia, and his life experiences in Africa, Asia and other non-western areas of the world. An examination of the life of one of France’s first promoters of sexual rights reveals the fissures within nascent human rights movements in Europe and reflects on the implications of his peculiar defense of the non-western countries where he worked.
Inhibitory effect of mould growth on formaldehyde emissions from medium-density fibreboards: Evidence from field observations in three experimental houses
Authors: Liang Weihui , Lv Mengqiang , Yang Xudong
Published: November 2018

The occurrence of mould and effect of formaldehyde emission on indoor air pollution has been widely reported. However, the potential effect of mould on formaldehyde emissions from building materials has been rarely examined. In this study, the formaldehyde emission from medium-density fibreboards was monitored in three full-scale unoccupied experimental houses for 24 months. Moulds were infested in two out of the three houses. Different indoor formaldehyde concentrations were observed accordingly. Three different stages of variation in concentrations were observed among the houses. In the first stage, when there was no mould growth in any of the houses, indoor formaldehyde concentrations varied in the same way. In the second stage, a large amount of mould was infested in one of the houses, and its formaldehyde concentration was reduced substantially and exhibited a trend opposite to those of the other two houses. In the third stage, 5% of the medium-density fibreboards were covered with mould in another house, and the difference in formaldehyde concentration compared to that in the house without mould growth was increased after that. The different indoor formaldehyde concentrations due to the presence of mould in these houses indicated the inhibitory effect of mould growth on formaldehyde emissions.
Matching area selection of an underwater terrain navigation database with fuzzy multi-attribute decision making method
Authors: Wang Lihui , Sun Desheng , Liu Qingya , Yu Le
Published: November 2018

Selecting suitable underwater terrain navigation matching areas is a prerequisite for building an underwater terrain navigation database, which is important for vehicles operating underwater. By using information features to evaluate underwater terrain matching areas, vague sets are proposed to evaluate matching performance. Mathematical models of matching area features are built and topographic factor eigenvalues are obtained. With the topographic factor eigenvalues, fuzzy relationships between factor sets and judge sets are calculated. Vague set uses membership functions and non-membership functions to define the influence of topographic factor eigenvalues on matching suitability. Simulation results demonstrate that vague set theory can overcome the deficiency of single value in fuzzy sets and define the effect of geographic characteristics for matching performance. Based on vague set method, selection rules for terrain navigation matching areas in underwater terrain database are put forward.
The hybrid victim: Re-conceptualizing high-tech cyber victimization through actor-network theory
Authors: van der Wagen Wytske , Pieters Wolter
Published: November 2018

Victims are often conceptualized as single, human and static entities with certain risk factors that make them more vulnerable and attractive for offenders. This framework is challenged by emerging forms of high-tech cybercrime, such as ransomware, botnets and virtual theft, in which the offender targets a composite of human, technical and virtual entities. This study critically assesses the current theorization of the cyber victim and offers an alternative approach. Drawing on actor-network theory and three empirical case studies, it analyses the cyber victim as a hybrid actor-network consisting of different entities that, together with the offender, make the victimization possible. The proposed concepts of victim composition, delegation and translation enable a more profound understanding of the hybrid and complex process of becoming a high-tech cyber victim. Keywords: cybercrime, cyber victimization, actor-network theory, botnet, ransomware, virtual theft
Partnership Processes to Develop SHE Tribe: A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention
Authors: Dodgen Leilani , Spence-Almaguer Emily , Cantu Anguiano Katherine , Hooker Alison , White Sonia
Published: November 2018

Chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, disproportionately impact women of color as compared to White women. Community-engaged and participatory approaches are proposed as a means to address chronic disease health disparities in minority communities, as they allow for tailoring and customization of strategies that align with community needs, interests, and priorities. While community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a framework that offers a clear set of principles to guide intervention design and development, the complexity and diversity of community contexts make it challenging to anticipate all of the possible pathways to implementation. This article describes the application of CBPR principles in the design and development of SHE Tribe (She’s Healthy and Empowered), a social network–based healthy lifestyle intervention intended to promote the adoption of sustainable health behaviors in underserved communities. Practical and specific strategies are described to aid practitioners, researchers, and community partners as they engage in community–academic partnerships. These strategies uncover some of the inner workings of this partnership to promote trust and collaboration and maximize partner strengths, with the aim to aid others with key elements and practical steps in the application of participatory methods.
Acute Cardiac Events in Patients With Severe Limb Infection
Authors: Singh Mohita , Khan Khurrum , Fisch Evan , Frey Christopher , Mathias Kristen , Jneid Hani , Musher Daniel M. , Barshes Neal R.
Published: November 2018

Recent studies have shown an association between infections, such as influenza, pneumonia, or bacteremia, and acute cardiac events. We studied the association between foot infection and myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and/or congestive heart failure. We analyzed the records of 318 consecutive episodes of deep soft tissue infection, gangrene, and/or osteomyelitis in 274 patients referred to a vascular surgery service at a tertiary center. We identified 24 acute cardiac events in 21 of 318 (6.6%) episodes of foot infection or foot gangrene. These 24 events included 11 new myocardial infarctions (3.5%), 8 episodes of new onset or worsening congestive heart failure (2.5%), and 5 new arrhythmias (1.6%). Tachycardia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome were associated with acute cardiac events ( P < .05 for each). The 1-year survival of patients with acute cardiac events was 50.4%, significantly lower than the 91.7% 1-year survival of patients without acute cardiac events ( P < .0015). Acute cardiac complications are not uncommon among patients presenting with severe foot infection and are associated with a high 1-year mortality. Primary care physicians, cardiologists, and vascular and orthopedic surgeons must keep a high index of suspicion for the occurrence of an acute cardiac event.
The profile analysis of circular RNAs in human placenta of preeclampsia
Authors: Zhou Wenbo , Wang Huiyan , Wu Xian , Long Wei , Zheng Fangxiu , Kong Jing , Yu Bin
Published: November 2018

A total of 70 pregnant women were recruited for this study, including 35 early onset preeclampsia (PE) and 35 normal pregnant women. By RNA sequencing, the circular RNA (circRNAs) in placenta were identified. Differentially expressed circRNAs were bioinformatics analyzed with gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and circRNA–miRNA interaction prediction. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) assay was used to verify the results. Compared with the normal pregnant women, there were 49 circRNAs differentially expressed in the placental tissue of PE women, including two circRNAs were up-regulated and 47 were down-regulated. Ten differentially expressed circRNAs were selected for validation by qRT-PCR, among which results of three circRNAs, circRNA_3286, circRNA_5593, and circRNA_3800, were consistent with the sequencing. According to the bioinformatic prediction, we speculate that these circRNAs may be involved in some cellular regulatory functions in PE through their targeted miRNAs. We also evaluated the expression of circRNA_3286 in plasma to be used as a potential biomarker for PE; in vitro Transwell assay shown transfected with si-circ-3286 significantly reduced invasion in HTR8/Svneo cells. In conclusion, we displayed a preliminary landscape of circRNA differential expression in PE and discussed their possible regulatory mechanisms. This study revealed a new insight into the molecular mechanism of PE.

Impact statement

The abnormal expression of many regulatory factors may be involved in the development of PE. circRNAs are proved to have a series of important biological functions; however, reports about circRNA and PE are rare. In this work, we evaluated the profile analysis of circRNAs in human placenta of PE by RNA-seq and found some newly differentially expressed circRNAs which might be involved in PE. Combined with bioinformatics analysis, their possible functions were preliminarily discussed.
Joint clock synchronization and position estimation in time of arrival–based passive positioning systems
Authors: Li Shenghong , Lu Lingyun , Hedley Mark , Humphrey David , Collings Iain B
Published: November 2018

A widely used scheme for target localization is to measure the time of arrival of a wireless signal emitted by a tag, which requires the clocks of the anchors (receivers at known locations) to be accurately synchronized. Conventional systems rely on transmissions from a timing reference node at a known location for clock synchronization and therefore are susceptible to reference node failure. In this article, we propose a novel localization scheme which jointly estimates anchor clock offsets and target positions. The system does not require timing reference nodes and is completely passive (non-intrusive). The positioning algorithm is formulated as a maximum likelihood estimation problem, which is solved efficiently using an iterative linear least square method. The Cramér–Rao lower bound of positioning error is also analyzed. It is shown that the performance of the proposed scheme improves with the number of targets in the system and approaches that of a system with perfectly synchronized anchors.
A multi-tag anti-collision protocol based on 8-ary adaptive pruning query tree
Authors: Chu Ming , Qian Zhihong , Wang Xue
Published: November 2018

In order to solve the problem of multi-tag anti-collision in radio frequency identification systems, a multi-tag anti-collision protocol based on 8-ary adaptive pruning query tree is proposed in this article. According to Manchester code, the highest collision bit can be detected. In the process of tag identification, the protocol only locks the target on the three consecutive bits which start from the highest collision bit. The protocol has two tag identification mechanisms, and which one is chosen is determined by the value of collision coefficient. Using the collision information characteristics of the three bits, idle timeslots are evitable, and some collision timeslots are eliminated at the same time. The 8-ary adaptive pruning query tree protocol fully takes into account several important performance indicators such as the number of query timeslots, communication complexity, transmission delay, and throughput. Both theoretical analysis and simulation results show that this protocol performs better than other tree-based anti-collision protocols. The throughput of 8-ary adaptive pruning query tree protocol remains approximately 0.625.
Routing algorithm for supporting data-differentiated service in hybrid wireless mesh networks in underground mines
Authors: Jiang Haifeng , Lu Liansheng , Han Guangzhi , Wang He , Ma Shanshan , Sun Renke
Published: November 2018

Hybrid wireless mesh networks are more suitable to tunnels in underground mines because mesh clients can perform the routing functionality and provide end-user applications. Types of data transmitted among hybrid wireless mesh networks in underground mines are diverse and power supply of clients is limited. Using virtual potential field, a routing algorithm is proposed to support data-differentiated service in hybrid wireless mesh networks. Based on network parameters, the hybrid wireless mesh networks are abstracted as potential fields. The hop count is used to build the depth potential field. The residual energy of nodes is converted into penalty factor to symbolize the used buffer spaces of nodes, which is used to construct resource potential field to support different types of data. According to the different demands of data transmission, the proportion of these two potential fields is adjusted by a regulatory factor to form a hybrid potential field. The data packets are driven to move toward the gateway in the hybrid potential field at the same time to achieve high quality of service. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed routing algorithm has shown better performance on end-to-end delay, delivery ratio, and network lifetime, compared with similar algorithms.
Vehicle location measurement method for radio-shadow area through iBeacon message
Authors: Nam ChoonSung , Shin Dong-Ryeol
Published: November 2018

Information communication technology related vehicle services need to support location and the transmission of communication and traffic information between vehicles, or between vehicles and infrastructure. In particular, the technology for the measurement of the accurate location of a vehicle is dependent on location-determination technology like Global Positioning System, and this technology is very important for vehicle driving and location services. If, however, a vehicle is in a Global Positioning System radio-shadow area, neither a Global Positioning System nor a Differential Global Positioning System can accurately measure the corresponding location because of a high error rate caused by the shadowing intervention. Even an Inertial Measurement Unit could provide inaccurate location data due to sensor drift faults around corners and traffic-road speed dumps. Vehicles, therefore, need an absolute location to prevent the provision of inaccurate vehicle-location data that is due to radio-shadow areas and relational Inertial Measurement Unit positions. To achieve this, we assume that vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is possible between a vehicle and roadside unit in Vehicular Ad hoc Networks. We used iBeacon at the roadside unit and revised its Universally Unique Identifier so that it generates absolute Global Positioning System location data; that is, moving vehicles can receive absolute Global Positioning System data from the roadside unit-based iBeacon. We compared the proposed method with current Global Positioning System and Inertial Measurement Unit systems for the following two cases: one with a radio-shadow area and one without. We proved that the proposed method generates location data that are more accurate than those of the other methods.
The Importance of Design Validation in Global Health Surgical Innovation
Authors: Schwab Tyson , Fassl Bernhard , Langell John
Published: November 2018

Introduction. Medical technology development requires an understanding of user needs and environmental requirements. Accurately capturing market requirements, user needs, and design specifications are multifactorial and challenging. On-site observation and design validation may lead to development of more effective solutions to improve health care. This study was designed to evaluate the value of design validation for medical devices developed to address global medical needs. Methods. Observational comparative analysis and survey studies were used to collect data involving multiple stakeholder viewpoints. User needs, market requirements, and design inputs were created using standard operating procedures in accordance with US FDA—21 CFR 820. Design requirements included user needs, product description, regulatory standards, functional requirements, performance and physical requirements, use environment, human-system interfacing, conceptual designs, and market analysis. A random population-based cohort sample in India was used to conduct a semi-longitudinal assessment of exposure-outcome relations from device prototype use and design validation. Seventy-two subjects were observed for a 4-week duration. After validation, each component of the traceability matrix was either marked “no change,” “significant change,” or “new addition” as defined in the methods section. Results. A total of 198 design requirements and specifications were evaluated for each device. Eleven percent of the final design requirements and specifications were “new additions” and 12% were “significant changes.” Conclusion. Assessment of design requirements and specifications in the global environment improves medical device design quality and safety. This study validates environmental immersion in the target use environment early to ensure validation of user needs and design specifications during design conception.