bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body management as a resource culture to achieve the good life (the keto diet in Iran)
Authors: Kianpour Masoud
Published: April 2020

It takes material as well as immaterial elements to have a good life. Among some upper middle-class Iranians, there is a growing interest in having a healthy lifestyle and increase one’s quality of life to the extent that we can talk about a culture of health and wellbeing in which different rituals and body management practices are employed to help people follow their sense of the good life. This is studied in this paper from a “resource culture” perspective wherein resources are the means to create, sustain, and alter social relations, units, and identities within the framework of cultural ideas and practices. This paper examines how undertaking a new health-based lifestyle transforms people’s social network, sense of identity, or group memberships, providing them with new opportunities to pursue what they think is the good life. Participants of the study include 30 members of a social media group named “Our keto Lives” in Tehran who were interviewed in two intensive, online focus group sessions. The result of the study indicates that as an increasingly popular dietary movement, Keto is capable of inspiring its followers to significantly change their life circumstances through a variety of body management practices.
Experimental investigation into ultra-low cycle fatigue behavior of composite members in spatial grid structures
Authors: Song Xiayun , Li Haiwang , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2020

As earthquakes tend to cause ultra-low cycle fatigue failure of spatial grid structures in composite members and joints, this study sets out to test six groups of specimen comprising steel pipes and bolt sphere joints and analyzes the influence of joints and loading systems on failure modes, hysteretic behavior, skeleton curves, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation capacity, and the formation and development of plastic hinges. Results showed that the instability of the specimen in compressive loading led to the occurrence of denting and the formation of plastic hinges. Cracks originated in dented area, and ultra-low cycle fatigue fractures occurred in a dozen cycles. Plastic hinge was located in the middle area of the pipe, and the energy dissipation capacity was limited owing to the confined plastic hinge length. As the joint bending stiffness increased, so did the length of the plastic hinge, the degree of the dent, and the cumulative damage. Early fractures and a reduction in total energy consumption also occurred. Furthermore, a function related to the cumulative damage and macroscopic deformation that can evaluate the damage of the members in spatial grid structures was also established.
Why ‘normal’ feels so bad: violence and vaginal examinations during labour – a (feminist) phenomenology
Authors: Shabot Sara Cohen
Published: April 2020

In this article, I argue that many women lack the epistemic resources that would allow them to recognise the practice of vaginal examinations during childbirth as violent or as unnecessary and potentially declinable. I address vaginal examinations during childbirth as a special case of obstetric violence, in which women frequently lack the epistemic resources necessary to recognise the practice as violent not only because of the inherent difficulty of recognising violence that happens in an ‘essentially benevolent’ setting such as the medical one, but also, and mainly, due to the pervasive sexual reification of women under patriarchy and the pervasive shame to which women are subjected. My argument is that the practice of vaginal examinations is indeed experienced – bodily apprehended – as violent by many women, but that full epistemic recognition of this violence is frequently obstructed because the experience perfectly coincides with the normal phenomenological situation of women within patriarchy and thus cannot really be framed as violent. A phenomenological analysis presenting the embodied experience of women under patriarchy as always already essentially tied to sexual availability and commodification, and to shame, will explain this epistemological impairment. A phenomenological take on Judith Butler’s distinction between ‘recognition’ and ‘apprehension’ informs my analysis: I deploy it to provide a richer, more nuanced response to the question of why vaginal examinations are not fully recognised and expressed as violent – even when they are, frequently, apprehended as such. Furthermore, Butler’s ideas about the epistemic ‘framings’ through which we make sense of different kinds of lives (grievable versus ungrievable) will help me to explain how the patriarchal sexual reification of women in fact already frames sexual violence as not-violence – which ultimately also prevents labouring women (and obstetrics staff) from recognising vaginal examinations during labour as violence.
Expected lifetime of fibrous nanogenerator exposed to cyclic compressive pressure
Authors: Sorayani Bafqi Mohammad Sajad , Latifi Masoud , Sadeghi Abdol-Hossein , Bagherzadeh Roohollah
Published: April 2020

In this paper, in order to identify the lifetime of energy scavenging devices, the effect of a cyclic compressive load on the performance of polyvinylidene fluoride micro-nano fibrous nanogenerators was investigated, and the electrical output of layers was measured at different cycles and frequencies. Results showed that as the number of cycles increased at the constant frequency, the electrical output initially largely increased and then reached to a maximum level with a very gentle slope. Moreover, the crystalline structure and β-phase of the PVDF nanofibrous mats improved by applying a periodic compressive force. This study showed that, although the PVDF electrospun micro-nano fibers have suitable piezoelectric properties, it is necessary to make some post-treatment to fabricate an energy harvester with constant performance. Results also showed that when the number of cycles at a constant frequency increased, mechanical properties also improved. These results enable us to have an idea about the expected lifetime of a fibrous nanogenerator exposed to cyclic compressive pressure.
Hybrid electrospun nanofibrous membranes: Influence of layer arrangement and composition ratio on tensile and transport properties
Authors: Sangtabi Meisam S , Dolatabadi Mehdi K , Gorji Mohsen , Gharehaghaji Ali A , Rashidi Abosaid
Published: April 2020

The present research aimed to investigate the influence of layer arrangement and composition ratio on tensile and transport properties in bi-constituent electrospun nanofibrous membranes composed of polyurethane nanofibers with a hydrophobic nature and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) with a hydrophilic nature. Different hybrid electrospun nanofibrous membranes were produced based on different layer arrangement and composition ratios. To evaluate the membrane performance, their tensile strength, wind, and waterproof performance were measured. By adding 50% poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) to polyurethane, the pore size of the hybrid electrospun nanofibrous membranes decreased by 47.64%. As a result, compared with pristine polyurethane membranes, hybrid electrospun nanofibrous membranes showed a good (9.6 mm s−1) windproof performance. Adding poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) nanofibers to the polyurethane resulted in a decrease in mechanical properties and waterproof performance. The results show that the volume fraction of the poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) and the electrospinning scenarios have a great influence on the mechanical properties of the samples. The results also show that the mechanical properties of hybrid electrospun nanofibrous membranes can be predicted based on the geometrical properties of each component. Computational fluid dynamics were used to simulate air flow through a virtual medium and the results of simulation were compared with the experimental measurement and predicted permeability; then, the best models for predicting air permeability were determined. In addition, based on different types of use, duration of use, and relative humidity level, a bi-functional membrane can be obtained by regulating layer arrangement and composition ratios to suit various applications, for example, in medical disposable clothing, wound dressing, filtering industries, and protective clothing.
Is Symptomatic Fatigue Associated With Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis?
Authors: Neal Whitney N. , Cederberg Katie L. , Jeng Brenda , Sasaki Jeffer E. , Motl Robert W.
Published: April 2020

Background. Fatigue is a debilitating symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) that may be associated with reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior. Objective. This study examined the associations among fatigue and device-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in people with MS. Methods. The participants (n = 252) completed the Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and wore a waist-mounted accelerometer for 7 days. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on fatigue severity as measured by the FSS scale. We compared percentage of wear time spent in sedentary, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) between the 2 groups. Results. Persons in the fatigued group (FSS score ≥ 4) spent a greater percentage of time in sedentary behavior ( P = .004) and a lower percentage of time in LPA ( P = .035). Persons in the fatigued group further spent a lower percentage of time in nontransformed MVPA ( P < .001) and square-root-transformed MVPA ( P < .001) than persons in the nonfatigued group. When controlling for PDDS scores and years of education, there were no longer significant differences between groups in sedentary behavior, LPA, or transformed MVPA values; the difference in nontransformed MVPA was still statistically significant but likely the result of nonnormally distributed data. Conclusion. The present study suggests that factors other than fatigue might be associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior in MS, and this group might benefit from focal behavioral interventions that take into account mobility status in persons with MS who have fatigue.
Eye Tracking as a Tool to Identify Mood in Aphasia: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Ashaie Sameer A. , Cherney Leora R.
Published: April 2020

Background. Persons with aphasia often present with low mood/depression, which can negatively affect their quality of life. The validity and reliability of existing depression measures for aphasia have been called into question. Eye tracking in nonstroke populations is reliable in identifying low mood/depression. Depressed persons are biased to negative emotions compared with nondepressed persons and have an absence of bias to positive emotions. However, nondepressed persons may be biased to positive emotions. Objective. To examine the feasibility of using eye tracking to measure mood in persons with aphasia. Methods. We recruited 22 persons with chronic aphasia and 12 healthy controls. Participants completed 2 self-report measures of mood. They also viewed faces that showed happy, sad, and neutral facial expressions during eye tracking. We analyzed 2 eye tracking indices: initial gaze orientation and gaze maintenance to happy, sad, and neutral faces. Results. For initial gaze orientation, participants with aphasia fixated faster on emotional faces compared with healthy controls but directed their gaze less often to happy faces compared with healthy controls. For gaze maintenance components, the duration of first fixation and total fixation duration were shorter on sad faces for participants with aphasia compared with healthy controls. Conclusion. Use of eye tracking with faces representing different mood states is feasible in persons with aphasia. Although there were some similarities, participants with aphasia had different gaze patterns to emotional faces compared with healthy controls. Further research is needed to establish whether this is a valid and reliable method of mood assessment.
Single arm access venous sinus stenting (SAVeS) technique: Technical note
Authors: Ramos Alexander D , Sundararajan Sri , Santillan Alejandro , Schwarz Justin T , Patsalides Athos
Published: April 2020

Intracranial venous sinus stenting is gaining acceptance as an effective treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The typical approach is via femoral venous and arterial access for transvenous stenting with simultaneous angiography. These patients are at an above average risk for groin complications considering obesity is typically associated with IIH and the need for heparinization and dual antiplatelet therapy. Here, we describe cerebral venography, angiography, and venous sinus stenting via a single upper extremity. We utilize a transradial approach for angiography and a venous access via the brachial or basilic vein. Over a series of 28 consecutive procedures, we were able to successfully access the intracranial venous sinuses via the arm without access site complications. This method offers the advantages of immediate patient mobilization after the procedure and more easily monitored and compressible access sites for easier post-procedural care.
The vibration characteristic and impact analysis of the tunnel lining detection device based on arc rotating multi-section mechanism
Authors: Lei Yang , Tian Tian
Published: April 2020

In order to overcome the great interference of many ancillary facilities in the process of tunnel lining detection, a vehicle-borne high-speed railway tunnel lining detection device was designed based on the arc rotation mechanism to improve the detection efficiency and quality. The device could automatically maintain the antenna–lining distance and carry three radar antennas at one time, which detected the tunnel from the side of the catenary frame without stopping. Through the establishment of the mechanism three-dimensional finite element model, the simulation and analysis of natural frequency and vibration characteristics were carried out, and the results were confirmed by the field dynamic test. It is concluded that the dynamic characteristics can meet the technical requirements under the radial and the longitudinal vibration at 5 km h−1, but the detection data quality of the three radar antennas under the radial vibration is quite different. After optimizing the bent arm material to carbon fiber, the dynamic stability of the mechanism is significantly improved through simulation analysis and the detection speed can be increased to 10 km h−1 with a substantial leap.
Diagnosing faults in rolling-element bearings of rotor systems equipped with vibration dampers
Authors: Vekteris Vladas , Trumpa Andrius , Turla Vytautas , Mokšin Vadim , Viselga Gintas , Jurkonis Eugenijus
Published: April 2020

This article considers problems arising from conventional techniques used to diagnose faults in the rolling-element bearings of rotor-bearing systems, with dampers used in centrifugal milk processing machinery. Such machines include milk separators and related processing machinery. The article asserts that where the rotor-bearing system is equipped with vibration dampers, conventional fault diagnostic measurements produce inadequate results. Hence, for rotor-bearing systems of this type, this article suggests a different way to diagnose faults in bearings and monitor conditions.
Sex-based differences in inflammatory bowel diseases: a review
Authors: Rustgi Sheila D. , Kayal Maia , Shah Shailja C.
Published: April 2020

Sex-based differences in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis, disease course, and response to therapy have been increasingly recognized, however, not fully understood. Experimental and translational models have been leveraged to investigate hypothesized mechanisms for these observed differences, including the potential modifying role of sex hormones and sex-dependent (epi)genetic and gut microbiome changes. The primary objective of this review is to comprehensively describe sex-based differences in IBD including epidemiology, pathogenesis, phenotypic differences, therapeutic response, and outcomes.
Anti-vimentin, anti-TUFM, anti-NAP1L1 and anti-DPYSL2 nanobodies display cytotoxic effect and reduce glioblastoma cell migration
Authors: Zottel Alja , Jovčevska Ivana , Šamec Neja , Mlakar Jernej , Šribar Jernej , Križaj Igor , Skoblar Vidmar Marija , Komel Radovan
Published: April 2020

Background:

Glioblastoma is a particularly common and very aggressive primary brain tumour. One of the main causes of therapy failure is the presence of glioblastoma stem cells that are resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and that have the potential to form new tumours. This study focuses on validation of eight novel antigens, TRIM28, nucleolin, vimentin, nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1), mitochondrial translation elongation factor (EF-TU) (TUFM), dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (DPYSL2), collapsin response mediator protein 1 (CRMP1) and Aly/REF export factor (ALYREF), as putative glioblastoma targets, using nanobodies.

Methods:

Expression of these eight antigens was analysed at the cellular level by qPCR, ELISA and immunocytochemistry, and in tissues by immunohistochemistry. The cytotoxic effects of the nanobodies were determined using AlamarBlue and water-soluble tetrazolium tests. Annexin V/propidium iodide tests were used to determine apoptotsis/necrosis of the cells in the presence of the nanobodies. Cell migration assays were performed to determine the effects of the nanobodies on cell migration.

Results:

NAP1L1 and CRMP1 were significantly overexpressed in glioblastoma stem cells in comparison with astrocytes and glioblastoma cell lines at the mRNA and protein levels. Vimentin, DPYSL2 and ALYREF were overexpressed in glioblastoma cell lines only at the protein level. The functional part of the study examined the cytotoxic effects of the nanobodies on glioblastoma cell lines. Four of the nanobodies were selected in terms of their specificity towards glioblastoma cells and protein overexpression: anti-vimentin (Nb79), anti-NAP1L1 (Nb179), anti-TUFM (Nb225) and anti-DPYSL2 (Nb314). In further experiments to optimise the nanobody treatment schemes, to increase their effects, and to determine their impact on migration of glioblastoma cells, the anti-TUFM nanobody showed large cytotoxic effects on glioblastoma stem cells, while the anti-vimentin, anti-NAP1L1 and anti-DPYSL2 nanobodies were indicated as agents to target mature glioblastoma cells. The anti-vimentin nanobody also had significant effects on migration of mature glioblastoma cells.

Conclusion:

Nb79 (anti-vimentin), Nb179 (anti-NAP1L1), Nb225 (anti-TUFM) and Nb314 (anti-DPYSL2) nanobodies are indicated for further examination for cell targeting. The anti-TUFM nanobody, Nb225, is particularly potent for inhibition of cell growth after long-term exposure of glioblastoma stem cells, with minor effects seen for astrocytes. The anti-vimentin nanobody represents an agent for inhibition of cell migration.
Chemical Constituents From the Fruits of Ligustrum lucidum W.T.Aiton and Their Role on the Medicinal Treatment
Authors: Zhao Xueying , Liu Jiawei
Published: April 2020

Fruits of Ligustrum lucidum W.T.Aiton ( FLL) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, which has the functions of protecting liver, anticancer, antiosteoporosis, and antioxidant, etc. Various chemical constituents including triterpenes, secoiridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and flavonoids have been isolated and identified from FLL. In this article, the advances in research on the chemical constituents and their pharmacological effects were summarized by reviewing the recent literatures. In addition, the relationship between the chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of FLL was also discussed.
Leaf Functional Traits Are Related to Tree Size and Location in Cotton Trees Bombax malabaricum
Authors: Liao Lingcong , Jiang Huan , Long Wenxing , Zhang Hui , Cheng Yikang , Li Xuanru , Tan Zhaoyuan
Published: April 2020

Exploring intraspecific variation of functional traits of different sizes and ecogeographical regions is important to understand the adaptation strategies of tree populations to their environments. In this study, we explored the variation and bivariate relationships of 16 functional traits of 30 trees of Bombax malabaricum across 5 geographical regions in Hainan Island and between large- and small-sized tree populations. Principal component analysis showed that leaf thickness (LTh), guard cell length, and lower epidermis (LE) thickness were the key functional traits implicated in varying ecological strategies of B. malabaricum. A significant variation was found in the key functional traits including LE thickness, LTh, and guard cell (GCL) in populations across different ecogeographical regions. However, the LE and LTh vary significantly between the large- and small-sized trees. The LTh and LE thickness also showed an allometric relationship across different geographical regions and tree sizes. Hence, it was concluded that trees vary their ecological strategy according to their ontological developments across environments. Moreover, adaptation strategies of large-sized trees differing from small-sized ones highlight the fact that priority should be taken to conserve the trees with high age.
Management of Epstein–Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Liu Li , Liu Qifa , Feng Sizhou
Published: April 2020

Epstein–Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-PTLD) is a rare but life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). T-cell immunodeficiency after transplantation and EBV primary infection/reactivation play major roles in the pathogenesis. Unspecific clinical manifestations make the diagnosis difficult and time consuming. Moreover, this fatal disease usually progresses rapidly, and leads to multiple organ dysfunction or death if not treated promptly. Early diagnosis of EBV-DNAemia or EBV-PTLD generally increases the chances of successful treatment by focusing on regular monitoring of EBV-DNA and detection of symptomatic patients as early as possible. Rituximab ± reduction of immunosuppression (RI) is currently the first-line choice in preemptive intervention and targeted treatment. Unless patients are suffering from severe graft versus host disease (GvHD), it is better to combine rituximab with RI. Once a probable diagnosis is made, the first-line treatment should be initiated rapidly, along with, or ahead of, biopsy, although histopathologic confirmation is requisite. In addition, EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (EBV-CTLs) or donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) has shown promise in cases of suboptimal response. Chemotherapy ± rituximab might lend more opportunities to refractory/relapsed patients, who might also benefit from ongoing clinical trials. Herein, we discuss our clinical experience in detail based on the current literature and our five cases.
Polypharmacy-induced cognitive dysfunction and discontinuation of psychotropic medication: a neuropsychological case report
Authors: Valtonen Jussi , Karrasch Mira
Published: April 2020

Polypharmacy is common in patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Although polypharmacy is known to increase the risk of iatrogenic neurological conditions, the recovery of cognitive function after drug withdrawal has been rarely documented in psychiatric patients using standardized neuropsychological methods. We present a neuropsychological case report of patient SN, a 41-year-old woman who developed a socially and occupationally detrimental condition of cognitive dysfunction likely induced by long-term exposure to lithium and other psychiatric medications. To shed light on SN’s cognitive deficits and their recovery after drug withdrawal, neuropsychological assessments were conducted before, and approximately 2 years after, lithium and other psychiatric drugs were discontinued. Selective cognitive impairments were observed before drug discontinuation in visuomotor speed, visuoperceptual reasoning and delayed visual memory. Partial, but not complete, recovery of function was observed 2 years after drug withdrawal.
Playing with machines: Using machine learning to understand automated copyright enforcement at scale
Authors: Gray Joanne E , Suzor Nicolas P
Published: April 2020

This article presents the results of methodological experimentation that utilises machine learning to investigate automated copyright enforcement on YouTube. Using a dataset of 76.7 million YouTube videos, we explore how digital and computational methods can be leveraged to better understand content moderation and copyright enforcement at a large scale.We used the BERT language model to train a machine learning classifier to identify videos in categories that reflect ongoing controversies in copyright takedowns. We use this to explore, in a granular way, how copyright is enforced on YouTube, using both statistical methods and qualitative analysis of our categorised dataset. We provide a large-scale systematic analysis of removals rates from Content ID’s automated detection system and the largely automated, text search based, Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice and takedown system. These are complex systems that are often difficult to analyse, and YouTube only makes available data at high levels of abstraction. Our analysis provides a comparison of different types of automation in content moderation, and we show how these different systems play out across different categories of content. We hope that this work provides a methodological base for continued experimentation with the use of digital and computational methods to enable large-scale analysis of the operation of automated systems.
Older adults’ experiences of using a wearable activity tracker with health professional feedback over a 12-month randomised controlled trial
Authors: Brickwood Katie-Jane , Williams Andrew D , Watson Greig , O’Brien Jane
Published: April 2020

Objective

Wearable activity trackers can help older adults remain physically active. However, knowledge of the user experience during long-term use is scarce. Therefore, this study examined older adults’ experiences with, and perceptions of, wearable activity trackers combined with health professional feedback after a year’s use as part of a randomised controlled trial.

Methods

Twenty older adults (73.6 ± 5.5 years) who had used a Jawbone UP24 activity tracker for 12 months during a randomised controlled trial were recruited for this study. All participants had at least one chronic condition. Acceptability data relating to activity tracker wear time was combined with focus group data to explore participants experiences of long-term activity tracker use. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The activity tracker was well-accepted with the device worn on an average of 86% of possible days and participants reported an overall positive experience. Four themes were identified: (a) increased sense of awareness of activity levels is related to motivation; (b) the level of engagement with the activity tracker influences the user experience; (c) the role of feedback from a health professional in providing ongoing support; d) the role of habits in supporting long-term behaviour change.

Conclusions

The use of an activity tracker combined with health professional support can assist older adults to maintain their activity levels over 12 months. Consideration should be given to the previous technology experience of users and the design and accuracy of an activity tracker when recommending their use in a research or clinical setting.
One-Year Mortality Rates Following Fracture of the Femoral Neck Treated With Hip Arthroplasty in an Aging Saudi Population: A Trauma Center Experience
Authors: Al-Mohrej Omar A. , Alshaalan Fawaz N. , Aldakhil Sahar S. , Rahman Wael A.
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

Femoral neck fracture is a common problem in elderly patients, and it is managed with either total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty with very good outcomes. However, the reported 1-year mortality rate is as high as 33%.

Material and Methods:

This study was a retrospective cohort study. The electronic patient records were searched for all physiologically old patients with displaced femoral neck fractures that were managed with either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. The primary aim of this study was to estimate morbidity and mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year. The secondary outcome was to determine major complications and factors influencing mortality.

Results:

From January 2017 to December 2018, a total of 99 patients were included in the study. Of those, 57 were female patients. The mortality rate was 15.2%. The significant predictors of death included the age at the time of surgery, readmission within 30 days of initial admission, acute renal impairment, and the need for preoperative medical intervention. Patients treated with total hip arthroplasty had lower mortality rates than those treated with hemiarthroplasty ( P = .017).

Discussion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Saudi Arabia to report detailed perioperative-related complications and outcomes following neck of femur fractures. The results of our study confirm the persistently high morbidity and mortality associated with this patient group.

Conclusion:

Efforts should be aimed at optimizing preoperative medical management, which is vital to ensure early identification of medically unfit patients.
Firescapes of disruption: An absence of insurance in landscapes of fire
Authors: Booth Kate
Published: April 2020

In this paper, I critically interrogate the expectation that insurance is becoming more present through the processes of financialisation and marketisation – as up-to-date policies and/or in the hearts and minds of consumers. I draw upon interviews about house and contents insurance, with householders in the flammable landscapes of south-eastern Tasmania, Australia. The participants identify these landscapes as resilient and permanent and thus ultimately unaffected by fire. In understanding bush-living as co-constituted with fire and not purely threatened by fire, they experience a strong sense of continuance in these places. In this context, the promise of insurance emerges as contingent, and even if an up-to-date policy is present, insurance moves in and out of focus, is present and becomes absent as various human and non-human actants exert agency. Drawing on critical landscape studies in exploring these spatial contingencies, I observe insuring as landscaping practice. As well as contributing to critical insurance studies and financialisation of everyday life research, I provide a signpost for rethinking the role of insurance in disaster management and climate adaptation.
Texture and composition of magnetite in the Duotoushan deposit, NW China: implications for ore genesis of Fe–Cu deposits
Authors: Hu Xia , Chen Huayong , Huang Xiaowen , Zhang Weifeng
Published: April 2020

The Duotoushan deposit is an important Fe–Cu deposit in the Aqishan–Yamansu metallogenic belt of eastern Tianshan, NW China. Magnetite occurs in two main habits which are common in many Fe–Cu deposits, i.e. platy (TD1 Mag) and granular magnetite (TD2 Mag) have been identified at Duotoushan. Platy magnetite shows two different zones (bright and dark) based on the observations by scanning electron microscopy. The bright part (TD1-L) is the main part of TD1 magnetite and lacks inclusions. The dark part (TD1-D) is very porous and has abundant tiny silicate inclusions. Granular magnetite is usually anhedral with obvious oscillatory zoning in back-scattered electron images. In general, the dark zones of magnetite are characterised by greater Si, Ca, Al and lesser Fe contents than the bright zones. In situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the lattice parameter of TD1 magnetite is approximately equal to that of standard magnetite and slightly higher than that of TD2 magnetite, indicating that some cations with ionic radii smaller than those of Fe2+ or Fe3+ entered the magnetite lattice by simple or coupled substitution mechanisms in TD2 magnetite.

The results in the present study show that the effects of temperature and $f_{{\rm O}_ 2}$ on platy magnetite are very limited and the changing fluid composition might be the major controlling factor for the formation of Duotoushan platy magnetite. Although the possibility that mushketovite transformed from hematite cannot be excluded entirely, evidence from in situ XRD data, pore-volume ratio calculation and the growth habit of intergrown minerals indicates that platy magnetite (TD1) coexisting with amphibole was more likely to have been precipitated originally from hydrothermal fluid. This was then affected by changes in the fluid composition which consequently led to dissolution of primary magnetite (TD1-L) and re-precipitation of TD1-D magnetite (with abundant porosity and mineral inclusions). Meanwhile, granular magnetite (TD2) with oscillatory zoning, and coexisting with epidote and quartz, was precipitated from fluid with periodic variation in temperature. These oscillatory zones are characterised by bands enriched in Si, Al and Ca alternating with bands depleted in these elements. The present investigation revealed a complex evolutionary process for magnetite formation in the Duotoushan deposit. The importance of combined investigation of texture and compositional characterisation of magnetite for study of the ore genesis and evolution of Fe–Cu deposits is highlighted.
Coagulation factor XII contributes to hemostasis when activated by soil in wounds
Authors: Juang Lih Jiin , Mazinani Nima , Novakowski Stefanie K. , Prowse Emily N. P. , Haulena Martin , Gailani David , Lavkulich Leslie M. , Kastrup Christian J.
Published: April 2020

Bleeding is a common contributor to death and morbidity in animals and provides strong selective pressure for the coagulation system to optimize hemostasis for diverse environments. Although coagulation factor XII (FXII) is activated by nonbiologic surfaces, such as silicates, which leads to blood clotting in vitro, it is unclear whether FXII contributes to hemostasis in vivo. Humans and mice lacking FXII do not appear to bleed more from clean wounds than their counterparts with normal FXII levels. We tested the hypothesis that soil, a silicate-rich material abundant in the environment and wounds of terrestrial mammals, is a normal and potent activator of FXII and coagulation. Blood loss was compared between wild-type (WT) and FXII-knocked out (FXII−/−) mice after soil or exogenous tissue factor was applied to transected tails. The activation of FXII and other components of the coagulation and contact system was assessed with in vitro coagulation and enzyme assays. Soils were analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ionization mass spectrometry and dynamic light scattering. Soil reduced blood loss in WT mice, but not FXII−/− mice. Soil accelerated clotting of blood plasma from humans and mice in a FXII-dependent manner, but not plasma from a cetacean or a bird, which lack FXII. The procoagulant activity of 13 soils strongly correlated with the surface concentration of silicon, but only moderately correlated with the ζ potential. FXII augments coagulation in soil-contaminated wounds of terrestrial mammals, perhaps explaining why this protein has a seemingly minor role in hemostasis in clean wounds.
Environmental fungal sensitisation associates with poorer clinical outcomes in COPD
Authors: Tiew Pei Yee , Ko Fanny Wai San , Pang Sze Lei , Matta Sri Anusha , Sio Yang Yie , Poh Mau Ern , Lau Kenny J.X. , Mac Aogáin Micheál , Jaggi Tavleen Kaur , Ivan Fransiskus Xaverius , Gaultier Nicolas E. , Uchida Akira , Drautz-Moses Daniela I. , Xu Huiying , Koh Mariko Siyue , Hui David Shu Cheong , Tee Augustine , Abisheganaden John Arputhan , Schuster Stephan C. , Chew Fook Tim , Chotirmall Sanjay H.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Allergic sensitisation to fungi such asAspergillusare associated to poor clinical outcomes in asthma, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis; however, clinical relevance in COPD remains unclear.

Methods

Patients with stable COPD (n=446) and nondiseased controls (n=51) were prospectively recruited across three countries (Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong) and screened against a comprehensive allergen panel including house dust mites, pollens, cockroach and fungi. For the first time, using a metagenomics approach, we assessed outdoor and indoor environmental allergen exposure in COPD. We identified key fungi in outdoor air and developed specific-IgE assays against the top culturable fungi, linking sensitisation responses to COPD outcomes. Indoor air and surface allergens were prospectively evaluated by metagenomics in the homes of 11 COPD patients and linked to clinical outcome.

Results

High frequencies of sensitisation to a broad range of allergens occur in COPD. Fungal sensitisation associates with frequent exacerbations, and unsupervised clustering reveals a “highly sensitised fungal predominant” subgroup demonstrating significant symptomatology, frequent exacerbations and poor lung function. Outdoor and indoor environments serve as important reservoirs of fungal allergen exposure in COPD and promote a sensitisation response to outdoor air fungi. Indoor (home) environments with high fungal allergens associate with greater COPD symptoms and poorer lung function, illustrating the importance of environmental exposures on clinical outcomes in COPD.

Conclusion

Fungal sensitisation is prevalent in COPD and associates with frequent exacerbations representing a potential treatable trait. Outdoor and indoor (home) environments represent a key source of fungal allergen exposure, amenable to intervention, in “sensitised” COPD.
Correction to: The role of C-afferents in mediating neurogenic vasodilatation in plantar skin after acute sciatic nerve injury in rats
Authors: Zhang Tao , Niu Jiahui , Wang Yaxian , Yan Junying , Hu Wen , Mi Daguo
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Predictors of catheter-related bladder discomfort after gynaecological surgery
Authors: Li S. Y. , Song L. P. , Ma Y. S. , Lin X. M.
Published: April 2020

Background

Urinary catheterization is universally used during surgery, and the incidence of postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is very high during recovery. We conducted this study to identify the incidence and predictors of postoperative CRBD after gynaecological surgery in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).

Methods

This was a prospective observational study. Patients undergoing gynaecological surgery under general anesthesia with intra-operative urinary catheterization were enrolled. We collected the clinical data, incidence and severity of CRBD, and postoperative pain for the patients. Predictive factors of CRBD were analysed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 407 patients were included in this study. The incidence of CRBD after gynaecological surgery was 64.6% (mild CRBD: 22.8%; moderate CRBD: 34.2%; and severe CRBD: 7.6%). Univariate analysis showed that age, type of surgery, type of laparoscopic surgery, additional analgesics, and postoperative pain were influencing factors for CRBD. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, age ≥ 50 years, uterus-related laparoscopic surgery, and lack of additional analgesics were independent predictors of moderate or severe CRBD.

Conclusions

This observational study revealed that the incidence of CRBD after gynaecological surgery in PACU was very high. Age ≥ 50 years, uterus-related laparoscopic surgery, and lack of additional analgesics were independent predictors of CRBD.

Trial registration

ChiCTR1800016390. Registered on 30 May 2018.
Ocular biomarkers for cognitive impairment in nonagenarians; a prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: van de Kreeke Jacoba A. , Legdeur Nienke , Badissi Maryam , Nguyen H. Ton , Konijnenberg Elles , Tomassen Jori , ten Kate Mara , den Braber Anouk , Maier Andrea B. , Tan H. Stevie , Verbraak Frank D. , Visser Pieter Jelle
Published: April 2020

Background

Ocular imaging receives much attention as a source of potential biomarkers for dementia. In the present study, we analyze these ocular biomarkers in cognitively impaired and healthy participants in a population aged over 90 years (= nonagenarian), and elucidate the effects of age on these biomarkers.

Methods

For this prospective cross-sectional study, we included individuals from the EMIF-AD 90+ study, consisting of a cognitively healthy (N = 67) and cognitively impaired group (N = 33), and the EMIF-AD PreclinAD study, consisting of cognitively healthy controls aged ≥60 (N = 198). Participants underwent Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and fundus photography of both eyes. OCT was used to asses total and individual inner retinal layer thickness in the macular region (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study circles) as well as peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, fundus images were analyzed with Singapore I Vessel Assessment to obtain 7 retinal vascular parameters. Values for both eyes were averaged. Differences in ocular biomarkers between the 2 nonagenarian groups were analyzed using linear regression, differences between the individual nonagenarian groups and controls were analyzed using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Ocular biomarkers did not differ between the healthy and cognitively impaired nonagenarian groups. 19 out of 22 ocular biomarkers assessed in this study differed between either nonagenarian group and the younger controls.

Conclusion

The ocular biomarkers assessed in this study were not associated with cognitive impairment in nonagenarians, making their use as a screening tool for dementing disorders in this group limited. However, ocular biomarkers were significantly associated with chronological age, which were very similar to those ascribed to occur in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Creating value with eHealth: identification of the value proposition with key stakeholders for the resilience navigator app
Authors: Lentferink Aniek , Polstra Louis , D’Souza Austin , Oldenhuis Hilbrand , Velthuijsen Hugo , van Gemert-Pijnen Lisette
Published: April 2020

Background

For a stress-management app to be persuasive and impactful, designers and developers should obtain a clear perspective of the value proposition according to key stakeholders before development. However, this is often not the case. In order to increase the chance of creating an impact by means of the Resilience Navigator app, this study aims to identify key stakeholders and work with them to gain an in-depth understanding of the value proposition of this stress-management app.

Methods

The approach used in this study builds on the approaches taken by Van Limburg et al. and Van Woezik et al. An initial list of stakeholders was identified by means of a literature scan. Stakeholders on this initial list took an online survey to identify key stakeholders with a ranking system. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of key stakeholders to identify the value proposition using the value proposition canvas as a framework for data collection. Finally, the value proposition was validated by key stakeholders during focus groups.

Results

The key stakeholders identified included employees, employers, participation councils within organisations, HR advisors, product owners, company doctors, and business analysts. The interviews produced a list of approximately one hundred values from which fifteen core values were distilled. One example is to take into account time constraints experienced by users during stress periods. In general, the Resilience Navigator app’s main goal is to increase awareness of personal stress levels and causes of stress. In addition, the sub-goal is to increase skills for effective stress management. The focus groups validated the idea that the most important values were reflected in the value proposition and had been appropriately translated into design elements, according to key stakeholders.

Conclusions

A thorough, bottom-up identification and validation of the value proposition for the Resilience Navigator app was obtained, reflecting key stakeholders’ varying ideas on this piece of eHealth technology. The results will facilitate the continued development of the Resilience Navigator app from the value specification phase to the design phase. In the design phase, the remaining assumptions regarding the app’s value proposition should be tested using rapid prototyping.
The cerebrovascular and neurological impact of chronic smoking on post-traumatic brain injury outcome and recovery: an in vivo study
Authors: Sivandzade Farzane , Alqahtani Faleh , Sifat Ali , Cucullo Luca
Published: April 2020

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most prevalent causes of cerebrovascular and neurological damage worldwide. To this end, tobacco smoke (TS) has been shown to promote vascular inflammation, neurovascular impairments, and risk of cerebrovascular and neurological disorders through oxidative stress (OS) stimuli targeting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelium among others. It has been recently suggested that premorbid conditions such as TS may exacerbate post-TBI brain damage and impact recovery.

Methods

Our study investigated the mechanisms underlying the exacerbation of TBI injury by TS using a weight drop model. For this purpose, male C57BL/6J mice, age range 6–8 weeks, were chronically exposed to premorbid TS for 3 weeks. Test animals were then subjected to TBI by guided vertical head weight drop using a 30 g metal weight free felling from an 80 cm distance before reaching the target. We analyzed the physical activity and body weight of the mice before TBI and 1 h, 24 h, and 72 h post-injury. Finally, mice were sacrificed to collect blood and brain samples for subsequent biochemical and molecular analysis. Western blotting was applied to assess the expression of Nrf2 (a critical antioxidant transcription factor) as well as tight junction proteins associated with BBB integrity including ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 from brain tissues homogenates. Levels of NF-kB (a pro-inflammatory transcript factor which antagonizes Nrf2 activity) and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were assessed in blood samples.

Results

Our data revealed that premorbid TS promoted significantly increased inflammation and loss of BBB integrity in TBI when compared to TS-Free test mice. Additionally, mice chronically exposed to TS before TBI experienced a more significant weight loss, behavioral and motor activity deficiency, and slower post-TBI recovery when compared to TS-free TBI mice.

Conclusion

The effects of premorbid TS appear consequential to the abrogation of physiological antioxidative and anti-inflammatory response to TBI leading to worsening impairments of the BBB, OS damage, and inflammation. These factors are also likely responsible for the retardation of post-traumatic recovery observed in these animals.