bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myofibroblasts and Fibrosis
Authors: Gibb Andrew A. , Lazaropoulos Michael P. , Elrod John W.
Published: July 2020

Cardiac fibrosis is mediated by the activation of resident cardiac fibroblasts, which differentiate into myofibroblasts in response to injury or stress. Although myofibroblast formation is a physiological response to acute injury, such as myocardial infarction, myofibroblast persistence, as occurs in heart failure, contributes to maladaptive remodeling and progressive functional decline. Although traditional pathways of activation, such as TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) and AngII (angiotensin II), have been well characterized, less understood are the alterations in mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism that are necessary to initiate and sustain myofibroblast formation and function. In this review, we highlight recent reports detailing the mitochondrial and metabolic mechanisms that contribute to myofibroblast differentiation, persistence, and function with the hope of identifying novel therapeutic targets to treat, and potentially reverse, tissue organ fibrosis.
Tractable Lexical-Functional Grammar
Authors: Wedekind Jürgen , Kaplan Ronald M.
Published: July 2020

The formalism for Lexical-Functional Grammar (LFG) was introduced in the 1980s as one of the first constraint-based grammatical formalisms for natural language. It has led to substantial contributions to the linguistic literature and to the construction of large-scale descriptions of particular languages. Investigations of its mathematical properties have shown that, without further restrictions, the recognition, emptiness, and generation problems are undecidable, and that they are intractable in the worst case even with commonly applied restrictions. However, grammars of real languages appear not to invoke the full expressive power of the formalism, as indicated by the fact that algorithms and implementations for recognition and generation have been developed that run—even for broad-coverage grammars—in typically polynomial time. This article formalizes some restrictions on the notation and its interpretation that are compatible with conventions and principles that have been implicit or informally stated in linguistic theory. We show that LFG grammars that respect these restrictions, while still suitable for the description of natural languages, are equivalent to linear context-free rewriting systems and allow for tractable computation.
Swimming against the Tide: How the Monks of Medikion Challenged Traditional Notions of Sainthood
Authors: Krausmüller Dirk
Published: July 2020

Byzantine monasticism is known to us chiefly through two types of texts, the lives of saints, and spiritual treatises. The two genres give us quite different impressions of what it meant to be a perfect monk. The spiritual tradition focused on the inner life, advising the practitioners to purify themselves from sins and contemplate God’s creation, and promising them visionary experiences once they had completed all the requisite steps. By contrast, hagiographical texts focused on visible actions, either ascetic feats or wonderworking. Yet this does not mean that the two discourses are completely unrelated. A common feature is the ability to read thoughts, even if its acquisition is explained in different ways. Both genres give the impression of changelessness. It seems as if all holy men and all spiritual paragons behaved in the same manner. This impression is not altogether wrong but one must be careful not to generalise too much. In this article I will show that two texts from the early ninth century, the Lives of the abbots Nicephorus and Nicetas of Medikion, go against the grain. The hagiographers reject important tenets of the spiritual tradition, as exemplified in the Climax, and criticise, implicitly or explicitly, qualities that were commonly considered to be indispensible for holy men. In order to make my case I will discuss in turn the following topics: healing, mourning, the vision of God, clairvoyance, and prophetic powers.
(Nearly) Outside the Shadow of Hierarchy: An Enquiry into the Teleology of Municipal Paradiplomacy in the EU
Authors: Mocca Elisabetta
Published: July 2020

Local authorities have increasingly deployed instruments and practises proper of the international diplomatic repertoire—a phenomenon referred in the literature as paradiplomacy. These state-like diplomatic praxes, ranging from participating in transnational networks to signing international agreements, hint at an increased room for manoeuvre for local authorities, in that they occur without the intervention and control of the central state. While emulating states’ international behaviour, municipal paradiplomacy displays distinctive features and purposes. Drawing on the scholarship on paradiplomacy, this article provides a theoretical reflection on the teleology of municipal paradiplomatic practices. By proceeding through parallelism with state diplomacy’s objectives, this article identifies three functional equivalents that constitute the primary teloi of paradiplomacy; namely, municipal self-determination, influence and contention. By delving into the aims of municipal paradiplomacy, the article points out how municipal paradiplomacy constitutes a valuable means for municipalities to progressively free themselves from the grip of the central state.
The Liberal Arts Curriculum in China’s Former Christian Universities
Authors: Mou Leping
Published: July 2020

In the first half of the 20th century, the Christian universities in China founded by North American missionaries made a great contribution to China’s higher education development and set models for other universities. These universities adapted the American liberal arts education into Chinese contexts with a completely different social and cultural tradition. The paper explores the concept and essence of liberal arts education as reflected in the curriculum of the Christian universities through a qualitative methodology employing archival document analysis. The study brings insights for today’s trend towards reviving liberal arts education in China’s elite universities as a way of countering the influence of utilitarianism and neo-liberalism in an era of economic globalization.
Corporate social responsibility of Internet enterprises based on data mining
Authors: Zhu Wenzhong , Shang Yabo , He Sitong , Pan Wen-Tsao
Published: July 2020

In the age of the Internet economy, Internet enterprises have attracted tremendous public attention, especially in China. In this paper, data mining through regression analysis, grey relational analysis, decision tree analysis and cluster analysis is implemented to further study the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP) of Internet enterprises in China. This study collects and analyzes data of 20 Internet enterprises in China from the year of 2011 to 2016 and draws the following conclusions: (1) the relationship between CSR and CFP of the Internet enterprises is negative; (2) from the stakeholder perspective, CSR to shareholders, creditors and government is positively related to CFP; CSR to customers, suppliers and employees is not positively related to CFP; (3) through decision tree analysis, it is found that what affects the overall CSR performance of the Internet enterprises the most is CSR to customers and suppliers, while what affects the CFP of the Internet enterprises the most is CSR to creditors; (4) through cluster analysis, 20 enterprises can be divided into three types. This study has theoretical, methodological, practical and educational implications for future related research, business practitioners and educational institutions.
Conceptual mechanical design of antagonistic variable stiffness joint based on equivalent quadratic torsion spring
Authors: Guo Jishu
Published: July 2020

The variable stiffness joint is a kind of flexible actuator with variable stiffness characteristics suitable for physical human–robot interaction applications. In the existing variable stiffness joints, the antagonistic variable stiffness joint has the advantages of simple implementation of variable stiffness mechanism and easy modular design of the nonlinear elastic element. The variable stiffness characteristics of antagonistic variable stiffness joints are realized by the antagonistic actuation of two nonlinear springs. A novel design scheme of the equivalent nonlinear torsion spring with compact structure, large angular displacement range, and desired stiffness characteristics is presented in this article. The design calculation for the equivalent quadratic torsion spring is given as an example, and the actuation characteristics of the antagonistic variable stiffness joint based on the equivalent quadratic torsion spring are illustrated. Based on the design idea of constructing the antagonistic variable stiffness joint with compact structure and high compliance, as well as the different design requirements of the joints at different positions of the multi–degrees of freedom robot arm, nine types of mechanical schemes of antagonistic variable stiffness joint with the open design concept are proposed in this article. Finally, the conceptual joint configuration schemes of the robot arm based on the antagonistic variable stiffness joint show the application scheme of the designed antagonistic variable stiffness joint in the multi–degrees of freedom robot.
Modified Stackelberg Games Approach for Dynamic Signal Control and Route Choice Equilibrium on Mixed Networks
Authors: Yang Hang , Wang Zhongyu , Zou Yajie , Wu Bing , Wang Yinhai
Published: July 2020

The dynamic signal control and route choice equilibrium are usually integrated into a noncooperative game between the network authority and the road users. There are mainly two problems in most existing optimization methods. Firstly, the authority is often placed in the upper level in bi-level programming models, this pure system-optimization-oriented framework may increase the difficulty in obtaining an equilibrium flow distribution. Secondly, the rate of drivers’ compliance on the control strategy has not been fully investigated, which makes the problem intractable in real time, especially in a connected vehicle (CV) environment. This paper proposes a modified Stackelberg games model to change the format of the authority-user and user-authority dynamically. The direct communication between the authority and users is established, and the drivers’ compliance rate is applied as the level-change threshold index. Considering the difference between the drivers’ realized travel time and the predicted travel time on the variable message sign (VMS), a logit model is formed to calibrate the compliance rate in every time step. Based on a modified wavelet neural network algorithm, the model predictive control (MPC) fulfills the level-change procedure using the software Matlab 2018b. Six benchmarks are applied in a numerical example. The results show that the proposed model with the centralized framework obtains the minimum total travel cost compared with the benchmarks. Combined with the real-time mutual feedback between drivers’ response and control strategy, the level-change procedure potentially maintains the compliance rate within a certain level.
Effect of Speed Bumps on Pavement Condition
Authors: Goenaga Boris , Underwood Shane , Fuentes Luis
Published: July 2020

Speed bumps are efficient traffic calming devices that allow transport authorities to control vehicle speeds and improve safety in specific locations. Though frequently used in residential areas, they have become increasing prevalent in other higher volume roadways (particularly in developing countries), because of their effectiveness, low-cost of implementation, and easy installation process. However, in these countries there is no proper technical guidance for speed bump design and implementation, which is why one can often find these devices placed on an arterial highway or on roads where the proportion of trucks is high. The most important consequence of placing a speed bump on a road with large numbers of trucks is that the pavement deterioration process will accelerate as a result of the induced vibrations and bouncing of a truck’s suspension. In this paper the relationship between the bump geometry—length and height—and the dynamic load transmitted to the pavement is studied. A full truck model has been used to simulate the vehicle dynamics while passing over the bump, to estimate the demand imposed over the pavement. Damage was calculated for each simulation scenario using a combination of linear-elastic analysis and empirical damage functions. The geometry that leads to less damage is the circular, with a minimum length of two meters and a maximum height of ten centimeters.
When did 1989 end?
Authors: Outhwaite William
Published: July 2020

As with the 1968 movements in Western Europe and North America and their long-lasting subterranean effects, one can also ask when 1989 ended. A quick answer to the title question would be Christmas 1989, with the execution of the Ceauşescus, or New Year, with the installation of Václav Havel as President. Another would be December 1991, the date of the dissolution of the USSR, which would be more relevant for the post-Soviet space and could perhaps also work as a rough marker for the more protracted political transitions in Romania and Bulgaria. Another would be 2004, with the accession to the European Union of much of post-communist Europe and the prospect of extension of happy-ever-after member-statehood to the south and east. More seriously, we might listen to the calls from a number of experts to stop speaking of the region as post-communist or post-socialist. I suggest that what has ended is the ‘end of history,’ as the victory of democracy turns out for the moment to be one of post-democracy and xenophobic populism across Europe and more widely.
Centralized command and coalition victory
Authors: Morey Daniel S.
Published: July 2020

Building upon research that found that coalitions are more likely to win wars, recent work has sought to differentiate effective from ineffective coalitions. Much of this work focuses on characteristics of member states and not the coalition itself. This paper takes a first step in exploring how the structure of a coalition contributes to its performance. Specifically, coalitions vary in how much control members must transfer to the coalition. Some coalitions form weak command structures with states maintaining primary control while other coalitions form a strong centralized command. The impact of command structure on coalition performance is vital to understanding the success and failure of coalitions. Highly centralized command structures allow states to overcome the problems associated with coalition warfare and achieve victory. Empirical evidence supports this claim; the odds of victory increase as states surrender more control to the coalition. These findings provide direct advice to policy makers considering forming a coalition. The implications of this research extend to the alliance literature and the war bargaining literature, which tend to assume either that wars are dyadic or that states can seamlessly aggregate military capabilities.
Metabolic adaptability in liver and gastrocnemius muscle of mice following subacute lead toxicity
Authors: Das Pritha , Pal Sudipta , Basu Surochita
Published: July 2020

Lead (Pb) is one of several environmental pollutants that adversely affect human health by producing toxicity at the tissue level. The aim of the study was to understand the effects of Pb on the metabolic profiles of liver and gastrocnemius muscle of mice in relation to carbohydrate and fat metabolisms. Swiss albino mice were chosen and divided into two groups, control and Pb-treated. The Pb-treated animals were exposed to Pb at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for 30 days orally, which resulted in hypoglycemia, glycosuria, and increased glycogenolysis in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle of treated mice. Pyruvic acid, the end product of glycolysis decreased in muscular tissue and increased in the liver. Additionally, the activity of G-6Pase was depressed in the liver, whereas lactate dehydrogenase activity was increased in skeletal muscle only. An adaptive mechanism was initiated by stimulating glycogenolytic and retarding glycolytic activity in the liver and also by alteration of liver and muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase activity along with increased activity of malate dehydrogenase in skeletal muscle. There was enhancement of succinate dehydrogenase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activities in the studied tissues. Interestingly, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels were elevated, whereas those of triglycerides were decreased in Pb-treated mice serum. The activities of fatty acid synthase and glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase were depressed in Pb-treated mice livers. Pb also significantly altered the morphological features of the liver, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. These data suggested that subacute Pb exposure was responsible for metabolic modulation in an adaptive fashion in the liver and skeletal muscle of mice.
Adaptive robust iterative learning control with application to a Delta robot
Authors: Boudjedir Chems Eddine , Boukhetala Djamel
Published: July 2020

In this article, an adaptive robust iterative learning control is developed to solve the trajectory tracking problem of a parallel Delta robot performing repetitive tasks and subjected to external disturbances. The proposed control scheme is composed of an adaptive proportional–derivative controller to increase the convergence rate, a proportional–derivative-type iterative learning control to enhance the tracking performances through the repetitive trajectory as well as a robust term to compensate the repetitive and nonrepetitive disturbances. The practical assumption of alignment condition is introduced instead of the classical assumption of resetting conditions. The asymptotic convergence is proved using Lyaponuv analysis, and it is shown that the tracking error decreases through the iterations. Simulation and experiments are performed on a Delta robot to demonstrate the effectiveness and the superiority of the proposed controller over the traditional iterative learning control.
Self-Stigma Reduction Group for People With Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Young Daniel K. W. , Ng Petrus Y. N. , Corrigan Patrick , Chiu Renee , Yang Shuyan
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) on reducing self-stigma in Chinese people with depression.

Methods:

By adopting a randomized controlled trial design, 62 participants with clinical depression were randomly assigned to a 10-session CBT or treatment as usual. Standardized assessment tools were used to assess the self-stigma and depressive symptoms in the pre- and posttreatment periods by a research assistant who was blind to the group assignment of the participants.

Results:

The results of the 2 × 2 repeated measures of covariance (analysis of covariance) demonstrated that after completing the therapy, the treatment group had significantly lower self-stigma scores than the control group. Additionally, the reduction in self-stigmatizing beliefs predicted a reduction in depressive symptoms in participants.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the efficacy and effectiveness of a CBT group intervention in reducing self-stigma for people with clinical depression living in Chinese society.
The Spatial Articulation of Urban Political Cleavages
Authors: Doering Jan , Silver Daniel , Taylor Zack
Published: July 2020

Synthesizing and extending multiple literatures, this article develops a new approach for exploring the spatial articulation of urban political cleavages. We pursue three questions: (1) To what extent does electoral conflict materialize between rather than within neighborhoods? (2) How salient are group, place, and location in defining urban cleavages? (3) How do these sources inflect one another? To answer these questions, the article analyzes a novel longitudinal database of neighborhood-scale mayoral voting in Chicago, Toronto, and London. We find strong evidence of spatially articulated cleavages: in each city, voting patterns are equally or more geographically concentrated than the non-White population, income, and poverty. While group-based interests define Chicago’s cleavage structure, place and location are paramount in Toronto and London. We conclude by proposing a research agenda for investigating the spatiality of urban politics and advancing a preliminary typology of urban political cleavages and the conditions under which they may arise.
Mapping white matter damage distribution in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with a multimodal MRI approach
Authors: Cacciaguerra Laura , Rocca Maria A , Storelli Loredana , Radaelli Marta , Filippi Massimo
Published: July 2020

Background:

The pathogenetic mechanisms sustaining neuroinflammatory disorders may originate from the cerebrospinal fluid.

Objective:

To evaluate white matter damage with diffusion tensor imaging and T1/T2-weighted ratio at progressive distances from the ventricular system in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and multiple sclerosis.

Methods:

Fractional anisotropy, mean, axial, and radial diffusivity and T1/T2-weighted ratio maps were obtained from patients with seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, multiple sclerosis, and healthy controls ( n = 20 each group). White matter damage was assessed as function of ventricular distance within progressive concentric bands.

Results:

Compared to healthy controls, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders patients had similar fractional anisotropy, radial and axial diffusivity, increased mean diffusivity ( p = 0.009–0.013) and reduced T1/T2-weighted ratio ( p = 0.024–0.037) in all bands. In multiple sclerosis, gradient of percentage lesion volume and intra-lesional mean and axial diffusivity were higher in periventricular bands. Compared to healthy controls, multiple sclerosis patients had reduced fractional anisotropy ( p = 0.001–0.043) in periventricular bands, increased mean ( p < 0.001), radial ( p < 0.001–0.004), and axial diffusivity ( p = 0.002–0.008) and preserved T1/T2-weighted ratio in all bands.

Conclusion:

White matter damage is higher at periventricular level in multiple sclerosis and diffuse in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Fractional anisotropy preservation, associated with increased mean diffusivity and reduced T1/T2-weighted ratio may reflect astrocyte damage.
Contextualist Perspectives in the Treatment of Antisocial Behaviors and Offending: A Comparative Review of FAP, ACT, DBT, and MDT
Authors: Visdómine-Lozano J. Carmelo
Published: July 2020

This article presents a comparative review of the application of four contextualist therapies in the treatment of antisocial behavior and offending. The therapies reviewed are functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mode deactivation therapy (MDT). A descriptive and comparative review was conducted through a search carried out in both general and specific databases related to each therapy. We included a total of 44 studies treating any type of antisocial behavior or offending. Results show that these interventions have been used to treat challenging behavioral patterns, inmates’ institutional behaviors, exhibitionism, at-risk adolescents’ aggressive conducts, and offending behaviors performed by juveniles who committed robbery and/or serious sexual offenses. The main conclusions are that the four therapies show very positive outcomes: Although FAP and ACT have been used more sparsely, DBT and MDT have been employed in a larger number of interventions and using more controlled comparative designs. The therapeutic components that seem to be relevant to understanding in a transversal way how changes in behavior are achieved are acceptance/validation of clients’ histories of neglect and abuse and clients’ commitment to behaving toward their valued directions in life.
The Interrelationship Between Empathy and Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Impact on Juvenile Recidivism
Authors: Narvey Chelsey , Yang Jennifer , Wolff Kevin T. , Baglivio Michael , Piquero Alex R.
Published: July 2020

Low empathy has been implicated in antisocial, aggressive, and criminal behavior, especially among adolescents. Less understood is the extent to which empathy is amenable to treatment, and whether an improvement in empathy can mitigate the deleterious effects of known risk factors, such as childhood maltreatment. A sample of 11,000 serious juvenile offenders in long-term residential placement is leveraged to examine whether over cumulative traumatic exposure, measured by the adverse childhood experience (ACE) score, is associated with the initial level of empathy at admission to a residential program, and whether changes in empathy during treatment moderate the impact of ACEs on juvenile recidivism. Results show youth with higher ACE scores have less empathy at admission and both ACEs and empathy predict recidivism. Most importantly, large gains in empathy are able to dampen the effect of ACEs on recidivism.
Characteristic parameters’ optimization based on contact pressure of sealing gasket for segmental joints
Authors: Junwei Zhang , Yunyao Chen , Qianke Feng
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study is to optimize the characteristic parameters of the segmental joints based on the contact pressure of sealing gasket. The design status of shield tunnel segment joint sealing gasket material, cross-section type, and holes arrangement through statistical data are first analyzed using the numerical simulation method. The result of this study indicates that the linear regression analysis of the outer contour parameters of the gasket was carried out using the bottom edge length of the gasket as the control variable in accordance with the statistical samples, and the influence of geometric parameters on the waterproofing design of sealing gasket is analyzed by numerical simulation from the aspects of the number of closed holes, the shape of closed holes, and the change of the opening rate in different parts. Characteristic parameters optimization of rubber hardness parameters on waterproof design of sealing gaskets have been completed on the contact pressure of sealing gasket for segmental joints. It provided some references for the design, production, processing, and quality inspection of shield tunnel gasket in the future.
Acute Cryptogenic Stroke During West Nile Virus Infection: Case Report
Authors: Peters Steven , Brown Kristen
Published: July 2020

West Nile virus is an emerging infection in North America but has not traditionally been associated with acute vascular events. We report a 57-year-old healthy male who developed pharyngitis and a corporeal rash, followed 1 week later by an acute cryptogenic stroke. Following successful endovascular thrombectomy, cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed acute West Nile virus infection. While severe cases of vasculopathy have been described with flavivirus infection, stroke associated with relatively mild symptoms has not been. Given increasing evidence that viral and bacterial infections of many varieties may be stroke triggers, West Nile virus and other flaviviruses may represent an uncommon but underappreciated trigger of cryptogenic stroke. We review indirect evidence that viral endothelial tropism or a nonspecific peri-infectious inflammatory state may be causative mechanisms.
From Matrix Vesicles to Miniature Rocks: Evolution of Calcium Deposits in Calf Costochondral Junctions
Authors: Jaroszewicz Jakub , Bazarnik Piotr , Osiecka-Iwan Anna , Hyc Anna , Choinska Emilia , Chlanda Adrian , Swieszkowski Wojciech , Moskalewski Stanisław
Published: July 2020

Objective

Initial stages of cartilage matrix calcification depend on the activity of matrix vesicles. The purpose of the study was to describe how calcified matrix vesicles join into larger structures, to present their up-to-date undescribed 3-dimensional image, and to observe how calcified matrix relates to chondrocyte lacunae.

Design

Calcified cartilage was obtained from the zone of provisional calcification of calf costochondral junctions, then enzymatically isolated and studied by microtomography, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Results

Hyaluronidase digestion released packets of granules surrounded by the cartilage matrix. Further digestion, with collagenase and trypsin, removed matrix and exposed granules with dimensions within 50 to 150 nm range, which we consider as equivalent of calcified matrix vesicles. Granules joined into larger groups with dimensions of 0.5 to 2 μm, which we call globular units. Certain matrix vesicles appeared well connected but contained globular units that had spaces filled with electron lucent material, presumably matrix or chondrocyte remnants. Globular units were organized into massive structures taking the shape of oval plates. Comparison of these plates with lacunae containing isogenous groups of chondrocytes from proliferative zone of costochondral junction suggests that the cells from a single lacuna were responsible for the formation of one plate. The plates were connected with each other and extended over provisional calcification zone.

Conclusions

The outcome showed how particular calcified matrix vesicles associate into globular units, which organize into massive structures assuming the shape of oval plates and eventually cover large areas of cartilage matrix.
The effect of COVID-19 on absolute neutrophil counts in patients taking clozapine
Authors: Gee Siobhan , Taylor David
Published: July 2020

Clozapine is associated with haematological side effects, including neutropaenia, which can signal impending life-threatening agranulocytosis. Patients with COVID-19 infection frequently experience lymphopaenia, but not neutropaenia. We present 13 patients established on clozapine who developed COVID-19 infection. There were no significant differences in total white cell or neutrophil counts between pre-COVID-19, intra-COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 periods. We therefore suggest that patients who develop COVID-19 should generally have their clozapine treatment continued. Patients taking clozapine who develop neutroapaenia during COVID-19 infection should be investigated and monitored as in normal practice, because changes in neutrophil counts cannot be assumed to be due to the viral infection.
Frustration and motivation towards political participation in Muslim and non-Muslim young students in Pakistan
Authors: Buzdar Muhammad Ayub , Fatima Tahseen
Published: July 2020

The socio-political conditions of Pakistan are not good for many religious and ethnic minority groups. This study explores the frustration and motivation of Muslim and non-Muslim young students around political participation in this environment. A survey research design was followed to achieve this objective. Seven-hundred secondary school students affiliated with Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Ahmadiyya communities participated in the study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to gauge the respondents’ political efficacy, attitude towards democracy and motivation for expected political participation in the country. The findings demonstrate students’ concerns, to varying extents, about the performance of political institutions in the country. The religious affiliations of the participants have significant influence on their motivation to contribute to political affairs. The results are alarming for a country with an uncertain democratic record for religious and ethnic minorities.
Comorbid vision and cognitive impairments in older adults hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Whitson Heather E , Hajduk Alexandra M , Song Xuemei , Geda Mary , Tsang Sui , Brush John , Chaudhry Sarwat I
Published: July 2020

Older patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often have comorbidities. Our objective was to examine how outcomes differ by cognitive and vision status in older AMI patients. We use data from a prospective cohort study conducted at 94 hospitals in the United States between January 2013 and October 2016 that enrolled men and women aged ≥75 years with AMI. Cognitive impairment (CI) was defined as telephone interview for cognitive status (TICS) score <27; vision impairment (VI) and activities of daily living (ADLs) were assessed by questionnaire. Of 2988 senior AMI patients, 260 (8.7%) had CI but no VI, 858 (28.7%) had VI but no CI, and 251 (8.4%) had both CI/VI. Patients in the VI/CI group were most likely to exhibit geriatric syndromes. More severe VI was associated with lower (worse) scores on the TICS ( β −1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.87 to −1.18). In adjusted models, compared to participants with neither impairment, participants with VI/CI were more likely to die (hazard ratio 1.61, 95% CI 1.10–2.37) and experience ADL decline (odds ratio 2.11, 95% CI 1.39–3.21) at 180 days. Comorbid CIs and VIs were associated with high rates of death and worsening disability after discharge among seniors hospitalized for AMI. Future research should evaluate protocols to accommodate these impairments during AMI presentations and optimize decision-making and outcomes.
Managing geopolitical competition in the strategic domains
Authors: Rose Frank A
Published: July 2020

In this presentation, I will seek to accomplish three primary objectives. First, I will address the reasons as to why the current US-Russia strategic stability framework is collapsing. Second, I will discuss how emerging technologies like cyber, space, and hypersonic weapons are impacting strategic stability calculations. And, finally, I will make specific recommendations on how to manage competition in the strategic domains with the objective of reducing the risks of miscalculation and nuclear use.
Deep user identification model with multiple biometric data
Authors: Song Hyoung-Kyu , AlAlkeem Ebrahim , Yun Jaewoong , Kim Tae-Ho , Yoo Hyerin , Heo Dasom , Chae Myungsu , Yeob Yeun Chan
Published: July 2020

Background

Recognition is an essential function of human beings. Humans easily recognize a person using various inputs such as voice, face, or gesture. In this study, we mainly focus on DL model with multi-modality which has many benefits including noise reduction. We used ResNet-50 for extracting features from dataset with 2D data.

Results

This study proposes a novel multimodal and multitask model, which can both identify human ID and classify the gender in single step. At the feature level, the extracted features are concatenated as the input for the identification module. Additionally, in our model design, we can change the number of modalities used in a single model. To demonstrate our model, we generate 58 virtual subjects with public ECG, face and fingerprint dataset. Through the test with noisy input, using multimodal is more robust and better than using single modality.

Conclusions

This paper presents an end-to-end approach for multimodal and multitask learning. The proposed model shows robustness on the spoof attack, which can be significant for bio-authentication device. Through results in this study, we suggest a new perspective for human identification task, which performs better than in previous approaches.
Vascular calcification in skin and subcutaneous tissue in patients with chronic and end-stage kidney disease
Authors: Ruderman Irene , Hewitson Tim D. , Smith Edward R. , Holt Stephen G. , Wigg Belinda , Toussaint Nigel D.
Published: July 2020

Background

Vascular calcification (VC) is well described in large- and medium-sized vessels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in those with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on dialysis. Medial calcification is particularly prevalent in this population and contributes to arterial stiffness and increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Apart from in the setting of calciphylaxis, few studies have assessed skin and subcutaneous calcification and associations with abnormalities of bone and mineral metabolism in patients with CKD.

Methods

We performed a single-centre observational study to evaluate incisional skin tissue samples from three anatomical sites in patients with different stages of CKD undergoing elective surgery. We compared these samples to skin samples of a control cohort without CKD. Staining for calcification was performed with von Kossa method. A subgroup of skin samples were assessed by RT-PCR for upregulation of pro-calcific gene transcripts for tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2).

Results

Forty-five patients were evaluated, 34 with CKD (including ESKD) and 11 control patients. VC was identified in 15 skin samples (13 CKD/ESKD and 2 controls). VC was present in the dermal and subcutaneous tissues of the neck, abdomen and arm samples. Two different histological types of VC were identified: speckled medial calcification and internal elastic lamina calcification. Presence of perieccrine calcification was identified in 14 samples, 10 with concurrent VC. There were no significant differences in serum parathyroid hormone, phosphate or calcium in patients with or without VC. Expression of TNAP or RUNX2 was not increased in samples from patients with ESKD or those with histological evidence of calcification.

Conclusion

This study reports the novel finding of dermal and subcutaneous calcification in multiple anatomical locations in 38% of patients with advanced CKD/ESKD undergoing elective surgery but free from calciphylaxis.
Efficacy and clinical predictors of response to rTMS treatment in pharmacoresistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): a retrospective study
Authors: Rostami Reza , Kazemi Reza , Jabbari Arezoo , Madani Azam Sadat , Rostami Hosseinreza , Taherpour Mohammad Amin , Molavi Parviz , Jaafari Nematollah , Kuo Min-Fang , Vicario Carmelo M. , Nitsche Michael A. , Salehinejad Mohammad Ali
Published: July 2020

Background

Application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been promising and approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018, but effects differ between patients. Knowledge about clinical predictors of rTMS response may help to increase clinical efficacy but is not available so far.

Methods

In a retrospective study, we investigated the efficacy of rTMS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or supplementary motor area (SMA) in 65 pharmaco-resistant OCD outpatients recruited for rTMS treatment from July 2015 to May 2017. Patients received either SMA rTMS (n = 38) or bilateral DLPFC rTMS (n = 27) in case of reporting higher affective and depressive symptoms in addition to the primary OCD symptoms. OCD symptoms and depression/anxiety states were measured at baseline (before the 1st session) and after the 20th session of rTMS. Additionally, we performed a binary logistic regression analysis on the demographic and clinical variables based on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) 3-factor and 2-factor models and individual items to investigate potential predictors of rTMS response.

Results

Patients’ scores in Y-BOCS and Beck anxiety/depression inventories were significantly decreased following rTMS treatment. 46.2% of all patients responded to rTMS, based on the criterion of at least a 30% reduction in Y-BOCS scores. There was no significant difference between response rates of patients in DLPFC and SMA groups. No significant demographic predictors of rTMS efficacy were identified. The factors “obsession severity”, “resistance” and “disturbance” and the “interference due to obsessions” and “resistance against compulsions” items of the Y-BOCS significantly predicted response to rTMS.

Conclusions

In patients with less intrusive/interfering thoughts, and low scores in the “obsession severity”, “disturbance”, and “resistance” factors, rTMS might have superior effects. Identifying clinical and non-clinical predictors of response is relevant to personalize and adapt rTMS protocols in pharmaco-resistant OCD patients. Interpretation of rTMS efficacy should be done with caution due to the lack of a sham intervention condition.
Pattern of inpatient care for depression: an analysis of 232,289 admissions
Authors: Fugger Gernot , Waldhör Thomas , Hinterbuchinger Barbara , Pruckner Nathalie , König Daniel , Gmeiner Andrea , Vyssoki Sandra , Vyssoki Benjamin , Fellinger Matthäus
Published: July 2020

Background

The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in women is up to 50% higher as compared to men. However, little is known about discrepancies in health care utilization between depressed female and male patients. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to elucidate gender differences regarding the frequency of hospital admissions and the length of inpatient treatment for MDD across the lifespan.

Methods

This nationwide, registry-based study analyzed all inpatient admissions in psychiatric hospitals due to recurrent/non-recurrent MDD episodes according to ICD-10 (moderate (F32/33.1), severe (F32/33.2), severe with psychotic features (F32/33.3)) in Austria across 14 years. We calculated weekly admission rates per 100,000 patients by directly age-standardized rates.

Results

Across 232,289 admissions (63.2% female) the population based admission rates in MDD were significantly higher in women (p < 0.001). Female to male ratios across subgroups were 1.65 (F32/33.1), 1.58 (F32/33.2), 1.73 (F32/33.3), and peaked around 65 years (ratio ≥ 2 for all subgroups). Length of hospital stay for women was significantly longer in all depression subtypes (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Elevated rates of inpatient treatment in women cannot solely be explained by a higher MDD prevalence and are dependent on age and type of depressive episode. Irrespective of the type and severity of the mood episode, women exhibit longer hospitalisation times.
Parent-child communication about sexual issues in Zambia: a cross sectional study of adolescent girls and their parents
Authors: Isaksen Katja Jezkova , Musonda Patrick , Sandøy Ingvild Fossgard
Published: July 2020

Background

Parent-child communication about sexual issues can reduce risky sexual behaviour amongst adolescents. Risky sexual behaviour is of concern in sub-Saharan Africa where the prevalence of early pregnancy, unsafe abortion and HIV are high. Parent-child communication about sexual issues presents a feasible approach for reducing sexual risk amongst adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa but limited research exists from the region. This study from Zambia examines the sociodemographic and psychosocial factors that are associated with whether parents communicate with their daughters about sexual issues.

Methods

Data from a cluster randomized controlled trial examining the effect of interventions aiming to reduce teenage pregnancy and school drop out in Zambia was used. The data was collected between January–July in 2018 and consists of structured, face to face interviews with 4343 adolescent girls and 3878 parents. Cross sectional analyses examined the associations between parent-child communication about sexual issues and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Adolescent girls who felt connected to their parents and those who perceived their parents to be comfortable in communicating about sex, were more likely to speak to their parents about sexual issues than those who did not (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01–1.52; and AOR 2.94, 95% CI 2.45–3.54, respectively). Girls whose parents used fear-based communication about sexual issues, and those who perceived their parents as being opposed to education about contraception, were less likely to communicate with their parents about sex than those who did not (AOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65–0.89; and AOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63–0.91, respectively). Girls enrolled in school were less likely to communicate with their parents about sex than those out of school (AOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.44–0.71).

Conclusion

Parenting style, children’s perception of parental attitudes and parental communication styles are associated with whether parents and children communicate about sexual issues. This may imply that parents can improve the chances of communicating with their children about sex by conveying non-judgemental attitudes, using open communication styles with neutral messages and appearing comfortable whilst displaying positive attitudes towards communication around sex and contraceptive use.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry:ISRCTN12727868, (4 March 2016).
Risk factors associated with age at diagnosis of diabetes among noninstitutionalized US population: the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Ilunga Tshiswaka Daudet , Agala Chris B. , Guillory A. J. , Walters Breanna , Mbizo Justice
Published: July 2020

Background

Demographic and anthropometric factors associated with the age at diagnosis of diabetes have not been extensively studied. Much of the literature using anthropometric measures has been associated with other health factors such as obesity and coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between different sets of anthropometric factors and age of diabetes diagnosis in the United States.

Methods

Using the NHANES 2015–2016 data set, weighted linear regression analysis was performed on observations from 600 qualified individuals with diabetes to study associations between anthropometric and demographic factors and the age of diabetes diagnosis.

Results

Results of our analysis support the evidence of significant relationships between the anthropometric characteristics and demographic factors and age at diabetes diagnosis. Specifically, age at diagnosis of diabetes is predicted to decrease by 1.03 (p < 0.01) and 0.91 (p < 0.01) years when BMI and upper leg length go up by one unit each, respectively. Similarly, age at diagnosis of diabetes decreases by 0.02 years and by 1.72 years when refrigerated glucose serum increases by 1 mg/dL (p < 0.05) and when household size increases by one person, respectively. Male respondents were diagnosed with diabetes 3.41 years later than their female counterparts. Conversely, age at diagnosis of diabetes increases by 1.24 years when the average sagittal abdominal diameter goes up by 1 cm (p < 0.05). In addition, Mexican American respondents were diagnosed 5.00 years younger than the non-Hispanic White counterparts.

Conclusions

Our findings show that anthropometric factors, including BMI, refrigerated glucose serum and upper leg length increase have an inverse linear association with age of diabetes diagnosis. The results of this study can help improve the efficiency of the methods of health professionals attempting to lower the rate of diabetes diagnoses.