bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood flow in a stenotic artery with temperature‐dependent viscosity
Authors: Roy Nepal Chandra , Saha Litan Kumar , Hossain Md. Anwar , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy
Published: September 2020

We investigate the effects of temperature‐dependent viscosity variations on the flow and heat transfer characteristics in an artery in the presence of stenosis. The dimensionless governing equations have been solved using the implicit finite difference method. The local skin friction coefficient and the local Nusselt number at the lower and upper walls are found to be stronger with the increase of stenosis. With the change of position of the upper stenosis, the skin friction and the Nusselt number at the lower plate demonstrate distinct characteristics. A remarkable result is that when the viscosity variation parameter is increased, the vortices following the stenosis become smaller in size. Moreover, the size of vortices increases with the increase of stenosis, whereas it is found to decrease owing to the change of position of the upper stenosis.
Curcumin alleviates acute kidney injury in a dry‐heat environment by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in a rat model
Authors: Zhao Yin‐Hui , Shen Cai‐Fu , Wang Guang‐Jun , Kang Yan , Song Yun‐Hong , Liu Jiang‐Wei
Published: September 2020

Curcumin exhibits anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities. We investigated the protective effects of curcumin in a renal injury rat model under dry‐heat conditions. We divided Sprague‐Dawley rats into four groups: dry‐heat 0‐ (normal temperature control group), 50‐, 100‐, and 150‐minute groups. Each group was divided into five subgroups (n = 10): normal saline (NS), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMCNa), and curcumin pretreated low, medium, and high‐dose (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) groups. Compared to the normal temperature group, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary kidney injury molecule‐1, and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated load changes in lipoprotein (NGAL) levels were significantly increased in the dry‐heat environment group (P < .05); inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression and malondialdehyde (MDA) and related inflammatory factor levels were increased in the kidney tissue. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were decreased. However, following all curcumin pretreatment, the serum levels of kidney injury indicators and NGAL were decreased in the urine compared to those in the NS and CMCNa groups (P < .05), whereas renal SOD and CAT activities were increased and MDA was decreased (P < .05). Renal tissues of the 150‐minute group showed obvious pathological changes. Compared to the NS group, pathological changes in the renal tissues of the 100‐ and 200‐mg/kg curcumin groups were significantly reduced. Furthermore, iNOS and COX‐2 expression and inflammatory factor levels were decreased after curcumin treatment. Curcumin exerted renoprotective effects that were likely mediated by its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects in a dry‐heat environment rat model.
Usability and safety of the new 5 French air‐charged catheter for performing urodynamic studies on pediatric patients
Authors: Kern Nora G. , Gray Mikel , Corbett Sean , Leroy Susan , Wildasin Amy , Al‐Omar Osama
Published: September 2020

Aims

To assess the performance and safety of the T‐DOC® 5 French air‐charged urodynamic catheters in pediatric patients and obtain feedback from providers related to usability performance.

Methods

Patients ages 12 years and younger undergoing urodynamics were prospectively recruited from two institutions. The T‐DOC® 5 French air‐charged catheters were used. Issues with catheter placement, adverse events (AEs), and pain scores were assessed. A follow‐up telephone call was made to assess for post‐urodynamic AEs. Providers completed a clinical user questionnaire. Likert scale was used (1 = most negative and 5 = most positive response) and reported in mean (range).

Results

A total of 28 patients completed the study. The mean age was 55 months (5–130) (10 females, 18 males). One problem was noted with the insertion of an abdominal catheter, secondary to stool impaction. Catheters stayed in place on all subjects, except for one related to patient hyperactivity. There were no AEs during the studies. In total four reported post‐urodynamics AEs (one hematochezia, three dysuria). Among nine patients, pain level on the bladder and abdominal insertion was 3.6/10 (0–10) and 3.1/10 (0–10).

Five providers completed the questionnaire. The overall ease of use was rated 4.3/5 (3–5). The ease of insertion was 4.1/5 (2–5) and set‐up/clean‐up time was 4.4/5 (3–5). Tracing stability, subtraction accuracy, and artifact sensitivity were all perceived favorably (respectively 4.8/5 [4–5], 4.6/5 [4–5], and 4.4/5 [4–5]).

Conclusions

The T‐DOC® 5 French air‐charged catheter was considered safe and effective in pediatric patients. No AEs occurred during the studies. Providers, using the catheters, reported favorably on catheter usage.
Antiresonance and Stabilization in Spatio‐Temporal Dynamics of a Periodically Driven Gray‐Scott Reaction‐Diffusion System
Authors: Pal Krishnendu , Ray Deb Shankar
Published: September 2020

We consider the spatio‐temporal dynamics of a Gray‐Scott reaction diffusion system driven by a time periodic force. The drive excites the system through a direct transition and a parametric transition. The destructive interference of two simultaneous transitions gives rise to an antiresonance dip in the response function‐frequency spectrum. This is manifested in the stabilization of the dynamics in an intermediate frequency range centered at the dip, outside which one observes spatio‐temporal patterns due to instability. A theoretical scheme based on linear analysis followed by detailed numerical simulations of the reaction‐diffusion system has been carried out to explore this antiresonance‐induced dynamical stabilization. This is the first realization of anti‐resonance, an analog of Fano Resonance in auto ionization, in a reaction‐ diffusion system.
Efficient and Stable All‐Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Jiangzhao , Choy Wallace C. H.
Published: September 2020

The large‐scale commercial application of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on organic hole transport material (HTM) is still hindered by poor long‐term operational stability, although a certified record power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 25.2% can be achieved. In the recent several years, all‐inorganic PSCs have received tremendous attention due to their superb thermal and moisture stability and considerable progresses have been witnessed. Herein, the recent advancements of all‐inorganic PSCs are reviewed comprehensively. First, the recent progresses of the strategies for stabilizing the black phase of inorganic perovskites through either increasing tolerance factor or enhancing the energy barrier of phase transition from black to yellow phase are summarized and discussed. Second, the deposition and growth techniques of inorganic perovskite films are discussed. Third, the effective inorganic HTMs in normal all‐inorganic PSCs are described. Fourth, HTM‐free normal all‐inorganic PSCs are discussed. Afterward, the effective inorganic electron transport materials in inverted all‐inorganic PSCs are discussed. Subsequently, the advancements of interface engineering for increasing the PCE and stability of all‐inorganic PSCs are reviewed. Finally, a brief summary and outlook are presented to push up the PCE of all‐inorganic PSCs to over 20% in the near future.
Fabrication and Cheating
Authors: Bos Jaap
Published: September 2020

After Reading This Chapter, You Will:

Know what fabrication is

Be able to distinguish between fabrication and other forms of fraud

Understand how fabrication impacts the social sciences

Comprehend how institutions respond to cheating and fabrication
Co-Creation in Practice II: Co-creating a Digital Walking Guide (Bremen Hemelingen)
Authors: Jarke Juliane
Published: September 2020

This chapter reports on a co-creation project that was conducted in the city district Bremen Hemelingen. A core group of seven local service providers steered the process in which 46 older residents participated. One of the tasks of social care service providers is to organise outdoor activities for older residents (also to facilitate social participation). To support their work, this co-creation project resulted in a digital walking guide that provides multi-media information on walks in different parts of the district. The walks were defined and organised by social care service providers as well as individual older residents. Older participants defined relevant information needs. A core group of five older residents defined design requirements and created content for the digital walking guide. The chapter describes different kinds of co-creation walking methods such as ideation walks, data walks and user test walks. It concludes with lessons learned.
Conclusion: Co-creating Inclusive Digital Futures
Authors: Jarke Juliane
Published: September 2020

The first and positive conclusion—relating to the governing of co-creation and the sharing of control—is that co-creation is indeed an appropriate method to develop digital public information services that meet the needs of older users and achieve an output that is better than existing, comparable services. The second conclusion—relating to the sharing of expertise and knowledge—is that the co-creation of digital services works well with older adults, including those with little or no digital literacy skills. However, the performance and achievements of co-creation processes seem highly contingent and dependent on several factors. The third conclusion—relating to enabling change—is that not every digital public service is equally suited for co-creation. A lasting social as well as individual change can only be implemented if the resulting service does indeed respond to the needs of local stakeholders. Co-creation may become a way to improve the lack of user-centricity and user experience of digital public information services. However, there is no guarantee for its success. It is a complex multi-task and multi-stakeholder process, more demanding than traditional citizen participation. Due to the openness and complexity inherent to any co-creation process, providing strict guidelines and recommendations is not possible. However, the learning points identified in this book provide evidence on ways to co-create better, more user-centric public services with and for older adults.
Benchmarking deep network architectures for ethnicity recognition using a new large face dataset
Authors: Greco Antonio , Percannella Gennaro , Vento Mario , Vigilante Vincenzo
Published: September 2020

Although in recent years we have witnessed an explosion of the scientific research in the recognition of facial soft biometrics such as gender, age and expression with deep neural networks, the recognition of ethnicity has not received the same attention from the scientific community. The growth of this field is hindered by two related factors: on the one hand, the absence of a dataset sufficiently large and representative does not allow an effective training of convolutional neural networks for the recognition of ethnicity; on the other hand, the collection of new ethnicity datasets is far from simple and must be carried out manually by humans trained to recognize the basic ethnicity groups using the somatic facial features. To fill this gap in the facial soft biometrics analysis, we propose the VGGFace2 Mivia Ethnicity Recognition (VMER) dataset, composed by more than 3,000,000 face images annotated with 4 ethnicity categories, namely African American, East Asian, Caucasian Latin and Asian Indian. The final annotations are obtained with a protocol which requires the opinion of three people belonging to different ethnicities, in order to avoid the bias introduced by the well-known other race effect. In addition, we carry out a comprehensive performance analysis of popular deep network architectures, namely VGG-16, VGG-Face, ResNet-50 and MobileNet v2. Finally, we perform a cross-dataset evaluation to demonstrate that the deep network architectures trained with VMER generalize on different test sets better than the same models trained on the largest ethnicity dataset available so far. The ethnicity labels of the VMER dataset and the code used for the experiments are available upon request at https://mivia.unisa.it.
On games without approximate equilibria
Authors: Levy Yehuda John
Published: September 2020

This note shows that the work by Simon and Tomkowicz (Israel J Math 227(1):215–231, 2018) answers another outstanding open question in game theory in addition to the non-existence of approximate Harsányi equilibrium in Bayesian games: it shows that strategic form games with bounded and separately continuous payoffs need not possess approximate equilibria.
The utility of automated volume analysis of renal stones before and after shockwave lithotripsy treatment
Authors: Cui Helen Wei , Tan Tze Khiang , Christiansen Frederikke Eichner , Osther Palle Jörn Sloth , Turney Benjamin William
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the additional utility of an automated method of estimating volume for stones being treated with shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) using computed tomography (CT) images compared to manual measurement. Utility was assessed as the ability to accurately measure stone burden before and after SWL treatment, and whether stone volume is a better predictor of SWL outcome than stone diameter. 72 patients treated with SWL for a renal stone with available CT scans before and after treatment were included. Stone axes measurement and volume estimation using ellipsoid equations were compared to volume estimation using software using CT textural analysis (CTTA) of stone images. There was strong correlation (r > 0.8) between manual and CTTA estimated stone volume. CTTA measured stone volume showed the highest predictive value (r2 = 0.217) for successful SWL outcome on binary logistic regression analysis. Three cases that were originally classified as ‘stone-free with clinically insignificant residual fragments’ based on manual axis measurements actually had a larger stone volume based on CTTA estimation than the smallest fragments remaining for cases with an outcome of ‘not stone-free’. This study suggests objective measurement of total stone volume could improve estimation of stone burden before and after treatment. Current definitions of stone-free status based on manual measurements of residual fragment sizes are not accurate and may underestimate remaining stone burden after treatment. Future studies reporting on the efficacy of different stone treatments should consider using objective stone volume measurements based on CT image analysis as an outcome measure of stone-free state.
The coarse-grained plaque: a divergent Aβ plaque-type in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Boon Baayla D. C. , Bulk Marjolein , Jonker Allert J. , Morrema Tjado H. J. , van den Berg Emma , Popovic Marko , Walter Jochen , Kumar Sathish , van der Lee Sven J. , Holstege Henne , Zhu Xiaoyue , Van Nostrand William E. , Natté Remco , van der Weerd Louise , Bouwman Femke H. , van de Berg Wilma D. J. , Rozemuller Annemieke J. M. , Hoozemans Jeroen J. M.
Published: September 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposits, which come in myriad morphologies with varying clinical relevance. Previously, we observed an atypical Aβ deposit, referred to as the coarse-grained plaque. In this study, we evaluate the plaque’s association with clinical disease and perform in-depth immunohistochemical and morphological characterization. The coarse-grained plaque, a relatively large (Ø ≈ 80 µm) deposit, characterized as having multiple cores and Aβ-devoid pores, was prominent in the neocortex. The plaque was semi-quantitatively scored in the middle frontal gyrus of Aβ-positive cases (n = 74), including non-demented cases (n = 15), early-onset (EO)AD (n = 38), and late-onset (LO)AD cases (n = 21). The coarse-grained plaque was only observed in cases with clinical dementia and more frequently present in EOAD compared to LOAD. This plaque was associated with a homozygous APOE ε4 status and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). In-depth characterization was done by studying the coarse-grained plaque’s neuritic component (pTau, APP, PrPC), Aβ isoform composition (Aβ40, Aβ42, AβN3pE, pSer8Aβ), its neuroinflammatory component (C4b, CD68, MHC-II, GFAP), and its vascular attribution (laminin, collagen IV, norrin). The plaque was compared to the classic cored plaque, cotton wool plaque, and CAA. Similar to CAA but different from classic cored plaques, the coarse-grained plaque was predominantly composed of Aβ40. Furthermore, the coarse-grained plaque was distinctly associated with both intense neuroinflammation and vascular (capillary) pathology. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and 3D analysis revealed for most coarse-grained plaques a particular Aβ40 shell structure and a direct relation with vessels. Based on its morphological and biochemical characteristics, we conclude that the coarse-grained plaque is a divergent Aβ plaque-type associated with EOAD. Differences in Aβ processing and aggregation, neuroinflammatory response, and vascular clearance may presumably underlie the difference between coarse-grained plaques and other Aβ deposits. Disentangling specific Aβ deposits between AD subgroups may be important in the search for disease-mechanistic-based therapies.
Molecular characterization of CNS paragangliomas identifies cauda equina paragangliomas as a distinct tumor entity
Authors: Schweizer Leonille , Thierfelder Felix , Thomas Christian , Soschinski Patrick , Suwala Abigail , Stichel Damian , Wefers Annika K. , Wessels Lars , Misch Martin , Kim Hee-yeong , Jödicke Ruben , Teichmann Daniel , Kaul David , Kahn Johannes , Bockmayr Michael , Hasselblatt Martin , Younsi Alexander , Unterberg Andreas , Knie Bettina , Walter Jan , Al Safatli Diaa , May Sven-Axel , Jödicke Andreas , Ntoulias Georgios , Moskopp Dag , Vajkoczy Peter , Heppner Frank L. , Capper David , Hartmann Wolfgang , Hartmann Christian , von Deimling Andreas , Reuss David E. , Schöler Anne , Koch Arend
Published: September 2020

Paragangliomas/pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that arise from the adrenal gland or ganglia at various sites throughout the body. They display a remarkable diversity of driver alterations and are associated with germline mutations in up to 40% of the cases. Comprehensive molecular profiling of abdomino-thoracic paragangliomas revealed four molecularly defined and clinically relevant subtypes. Paragangliomas of the cauda equina region are considered to belong to one of the defined molecular subtypes, but a systematic molecular analysis has not yet been performed. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of 57 cauda equina paragangliomas and show that these tumors are epigenetically distinct from non-spinal paragangliomas and other tumors. In contrast to paragangliomas of other sites, chromosomal imbalances are widely lacking in cauda equina paragangliomas. Furthermore, RNA and DNA exome sequencing revealed that frequent genetic alterations found in non-spinal paragangliomas—including the prognostically relevant SDH mutations—are absent in cauda equina paragangliomas. Histologically, cauda equina paragangliomas show frequently gangliocytic differentiation and strong immunoreactivity to pan-cytokeratin and cytokeratin 18, which is not common in paragangliomas of other sites. None of our cases had a familial paraganglioma syndrome. Tumors rarely recurred (9%) or presented with multiple lesions within the spinal compartment (7%), but did not metastasize outside the CNS. In summary, we show that cauda equina paragangliomas represent a distinct, sporadic tumor entity defined by a unique clinical and morpho-molecular profile.
Wall Shear Stress Topological Skeleton Independently Predicts Long-Term Restenosis After Carotid Bifurcation Endarterectomy
Authors: Morbiducci Umberto , Mazzi Valentina , Domanin Maurizio , De Nisco Giuseppe , Vergara Christian , Steinman David A. , Gallo Diego
Published: September 2020

Wall Shear Stress (WSS) topological skeleton, composed by fixed points and the manifolds linking them, reflects the presence of blood flow features associated to adverse vascular response. However, the influence of WSS topological skeleton on vascular pathophysiology is still underexplored. This study aimed to identify direct associations between the WSS topological skeleton and markers of vascular disease from real-world clinical longitudinal data of long-term restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Personalized computational hemodynamic simulations were performed on a cohort of 13 carotid models pre-CEA and at 1 month after CEA. At 60 months after CEA, intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured to detect long-term restenosis. The analysis of the WSS topological skeleton was carried out by applying a Eulerian method based on the WSS vector field divergence. To provide objective thresholds for WSS topological skeleton quantitative analysis, a computational hemodynamic dataset of 46 ostensibly healthy carotid bifurcation models was considered. CEA interventions did not completely restore physiological WSS topological skeleton features. Significant associations emerged between IMT at 60 months follow-up and the exposure to (1) high temporal variation of WSS contraction/expansion (R2 = 0.51, p < 0.05), and (2) high fixed point residence times, weighted by WSS contraction/expansion strength (R2 = 0.53, p < 0.05). These WSS topological skeleton features were statistically independent from the exposure to low WSS, a previously reported predictor of long-term restenosis, therefore representing different hemodynamic stimuli and potentially impacting differently the vascular response. This study confirms the direct association between WSS topological skeleton and markers of vascular disease, contributing to elucidate the mechanistic link between flow disturbances and clinical observations of vascular lesions.
Perioperative Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents in the COVID-19 Orthopedic Patient
Authors: Wu Christopher L. , Jules-Elysee Kethy M. , Kirksey Meghan A. , Liguori Gregory A.
Published: September 2020

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause serious complications beyond lung injury and respiratory failure, including sepsis, cardiovascular injury, renal failure, coagulation abnormalities, and neurologic injury. Widely used medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been flagged as having the potential to cause harm in the context of COVID-19. It is unknown if the benefits of NSAID use in the orthopedic population will outweigh the potential risks of increased morbidity in COVID-19 orthopedic patients.

Methods

We conducted a narrative review of the use of NSAIDs in the orthopedic patient with COVID-19, focusing on the effects of NSAIDs on the inflammatory process, the role of NSAIDs in orthopedics, and the associations between NSAID use and complications of pneumonia.

Results

We found that it may be appropriate to consider NSAID use in otherwise healthy orthopedic patients with COVID-19 and significant pain.

Conclusions

In this context, we recommend that NSAIDs be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible in orthopedic patients with COVID-19. However, pending further data and based on the concerns outlined in this review, we recommend avoiding NSAIDs in orthopedic patients with significant comorbidities and those who are undergoing major orthopedic surgery.
The complete characterization of tangram pentagons
Authors: Pohl Sarah Sophie , Richter Christian
Published: September 2020

The old Chinese puzzle tangram gives rise to serious mathematical problems when one asks for all tangram figures that satisfy particular geometric properties. All 13 convex tangram figures are known since 1942. They include the only triangular and all six quadrangular tangram figures. The families of all n-gonal tangram figures with $$n \ge 6$$

n
≥
6

are either infinite or empty. Here we characterize all 53 pentagonal tangram figures, including 51 non-convex pentagons and 31 pentagons whose vertices are not contained in the same orthogonal lattice.
Studies on Learning Effects of AR-Assisted and PPT-Based Lectures
Authors: Zhang Jia , Yen Shao-Hsuan , Liu Tzu-Chien , Sung Yao-Ting , Chang Kuo-En
Published: September 2020

While common, computer presentations given during classroom lectures do not always improve learning effects; thus, this study incorporated three elements into technology-assisted classroom lectures: emphasis, augmentation, and integration. These three elements cannot be implemented simultaneously when using PowerPoint (PPT) presentations during classroom lectures. Therefore, the virtual and physical integration of augmented reality (AR) was employed to establish an assisted course lecturing tool for implementing these three elements. Teachers can refer to important content from textbooks (emphasis) while lecturing, and students can then use an AR device to scan the content and to call out related supplementary materials (augmentation) in facilitating their learning. These scanning and calling out functions of AR enable teachers to integrate technology-assisted tools with textbooks to enhance the effectiveness of classroom lectures. The pre- and posttest quasi-experimental research design was used to determine differences in the learning outcomes of two groups of AR-assisted and PPT-based course lectures. The experimental results indicate that the AR-assisted lecture was significantly more effective than the PPT-based lecture, and a similar result was obtained from a delayed test. According to interviews held with students, during the AR-assisted lecture, the students tended to focus on only one teaching medium and on the textbook content. By contrast, students of the PPT-based lecture became distracted while focusing on two different media sources simultaneously, resulting in the textbook content often being neglected.
Entire Functions with Separated Zeros and 1-Points
Authors: Bergweiler Walter , Eremenko Alexandre
Published: September 2020

We consider transcendental entire functions of finite order for which the zeros and 1-points are in disjoint sectors. Under suitable hypotheses on the sizes of these sectors we show that such functions must have a specific form, or that such functions do not exist at all.
A survey on de novo assembly methods for single‐molecular sequencing
Authors: Chen Ying , Xiao Chuan‐Le
Published: September 2020

Background

The single‐molecular sequencing (SMS) is under rapid development and generating increasingly long and accurate sequences. De novo assembly of genomes from SMS sequences is a critical step for many genomic studies. To scale well with the developing trends of SMS, many de novo assemblers for SMS have been released. These assembly workflows can be categorized into two different kinds: the correction‐and‐assembly strategy and the assembly‐and‐correction strategy, both of which are gaining more and more attentions.

Results

In this article we make a discussion on the characteristics of errors in SMS sequences. We then review the currently widely applied de novo assemblers for SMS sequences. We also describe computational methods relevant to de novo assembly, including the alignment methods and the error correction methods. Benchmarks are provided to analyze their performance on different datasets and to provide use guides on applying the computation methods.

Conclusion

We make a detailed review on the latest development of de novo assembly and some relevant algorithms for SMS, including their rationales, solutions and results. Besides, we provide use guides on the algorithms based on their benchmark results. Finally we conclude the review by giving some developing trends of third generation sequencing (TGS).
Quotients of Torus Endomorphisms and Lattès-Type Maps
Authors: Bonk Mario , Meyer Daniel
Published: September 2020

We show that if an expanding Thurston map is the quotient of a torus endomorphism, then it has a parabolic orbifold and is a Lattès-type map.
Mechanisms and Consequences of Anthropomorphizing Autonomous Products
Authors: Jörling Moritz , Böhm Robert , Paluch Stefanie
Published: September 2020

In the present research, we test the mechanisms (Studies 1a and 1b, conducted online), consequences, and limitations (Study 2, conducted in the lab) of anthropomorphizing autonomous (vs. manual) products. Building on previous theoretical and empirical research on product anthropomorphism, we argue and find that anthropomorphism is perceived to be more congruent with autonomous products than with manual products. Furthermore, we show that anthropomorphism increases the liking of autonomous products, given that consumers have no prior experience with autonomous products. Increased liking of autonomous products due to anthropomorphism, in turn, increases purchase intentions and positive evaluations of outcomes obtained by the autonomous product. The findings are discussed with regard to optimal marketing and design of autonomous products.
Cognitive Enhancement of Sport Technique Learning by Sleep: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cicchella Antonio
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The importance of sleep in enhancing the consolidation of memory for movements has been demonstrated. A possible application of sleep manipulation to sport techniques learning is also potentially helpful for training.

Method

Eligibility criteria encompass the group of studies (cross-sectionals and interventions) on humans correlating sleep with physical performance. A search on the topic was performed in Medline.

Results

After a review of sleep organization and memory systems, an overview of literature specific to learning and sport performance is presented. Building on existing literature, it was found that, in the short period after awakening from a night deprived of sleep, a strong activation of CNS happens possibly due to increased catecholamines secretions. This is thought to benefit performance in sports of short duration where the nervous component is predominant, such as jumping and sprinting. On the contrary, complex cognitive tasks performed in sports such as tennis are instead impaired by sleep deprivation. The same applies for maximal performance in endurance running and weightlifting. Placement of a cognitive challenging training before sleep can therefore benefit the acceleration of the learning process of a novel motor task.

Conclusion

Cognitive and emotionally challenging tasks promote an increase of deep sleep, due to the stress put on the brain during learning. In conclusion, practice and/or rehearsal of complex techniques before sleep appears to accelerate the learning process, increasing accuracy and decreasing error rate. However, few studies exist on specific sport techniques, and further research is needed.
Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Findings on Management of Symptomatic Patients Following Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of Osteoid Osteoma (OO)
Authors: Maybody Majid , Soliman Mohamed M. , Hwang Sinchun , Gonzalez-Aguirre Adrian , Santos Martin Ernesto G. , Kaye Elena , Hsu Meier , Moskowitz Chaya , Healey John H. , Fabbri Nicola
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of MRI findings on management of symptomatic patients following RFA of OO. Retrospective review of 43 patients with RFA for OO between June 2010 and June 2017 was performed. Patient, nidus, and ablation data were reviewed. Pre- and 6–8 weeks post-procedural MRI (n = 32) were compared for coverage of nidus by ablation zone, bone marrow edema, nidus hyperintensity, and other findings. Baseline pain levels and analgesic use were compared with post-procedural follow-up visit at 6–8 weeks. Three groups of clinical and MRI outcomes of complete (CR), partial (PR), and no response (NR) were defined. A weighted kappa statistic was used to assess for agreement. Clinical responses were CR in 34/43 (79.1%, 95% CI: 64.0–90.0%), PR in 8/43 (18.6%), and NR in 1/43 (2.3%) patients. All 19/32 patients with MRI CR experienced clinical CR. One patient with MRI NR had clinical NR. All 7/32 patients with clinical PR had MRI PR. All 4/43 complications were in MRI PR or NR groups. Substantial agreement was observed between MRI and clinical outcomes (kappa: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.45–0.95). MRI helped determine etiologies in all symptomatic patients and their management (n = 8). MRI is recommended for symptomatic patients after ablation.
Effect of sandblasting on the surface roughness and residual stress of 3Y-TZP (zirconia)
Authors: Finger Christin , Stiesch Meike , Eisenburger Michael , Breidenstein Bernd , Busemann Sarah , Greuling Andreas
Published: September 2020

A defined surface roughness is important for the adhesive bonding of veneering ceramic to zirconia frameworks. Thus, we investigated the effects that sandblasting has upon the surface roughness and residual stress of zirconia. So as to achieve well-defined blasting parameters and also generate highly reproducible results; a custom-made, automated sandblasting machine was constructed (based on a 3D-printer construction kit). Thirty-two samples (measuring 30 mm × 35 mm × 0.2 mm) were cut from densely sintered 3Y-TZP blanks and then ground with a 45 µm grinding disc. After undergoing regeneration firing, the samples were sandblasted with varying working parameters: blasting angle (45°, 60° and 90°); blasting pressure (2 bar, 4 bar and 6 bar); and working distance (0.5 cm, 1.0 cm and 1.5 cm). The sandblasting path was chosen so as to create samples with an even surface roughness. Changes in blasting pressure resulted in the greatest changes in the surface roughness, the highest surface roughness values were achieved with sandblastings perpendicular to the sample surface. Furthermore, a correlation was found between the mean surface roughness and the residual stress.
Application of classification neural networks for identification of damage stages of degraded low alloy steel based on acoustic emission data analysis
Authors: Krajewska-Śpiewak Joanna , Lasota Igor , Kozub Barbara
Published: September 2020

The paper presents the influence of low alloy steel degradation on the acoustic emission (AE) generated during static tension of notched specimen. The material was cut from a technological pipeline long-term operated in the oil refinery industry. Comparative analysis of AE activity generated by damage process of degraded and new material has been carried out. The different AE parameters were used to detect different stages of fracture process of low alloy steel under quasi-static tensile test. Neural networks with three layers were created with Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno learning algorithm for a database analysis. The different AE parameters were included in the input layer. Classification neural networks were created in order to determine the stages of material degradation. The results obtained from the carried out studies will be used as the basis for new methodology development of the assessment of the structural condition of in-service equipment.
Comparative analysis of anxiety and depression prevalence between individuals with and without inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Santos Carlos Henrique Marques dos , Galindo Amanda Cristine Alcântara , Silva Bárbara Alencar da , Dantas Camila Rodrigues , Guilherme Isadora Albuquerque de Araújo , Gomes José Elias Basmage Nunes , Dallacqua Kayque Michel , Souza Mariana Pereira de , Senna Patricia Szlachta
Published: September 2020

Rationale Inflammatory bowel diseases − Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) − are chronic disorders associated, for several reasons, with psychological symptoms and stigmatization of patients.

Aim To compare individuals with and without inflammatory bowel diseases in relation to the prevalence of anxiety and depression.

Method The psychological aspect was analyzed using two globally validated questionnaires − the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7) − in addition to a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data collection was carried out in three groups, each one consisting of 100 individuals; the first comprising outpatients with a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases, the second comprising outpatients without a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases and the third by non-outpatients without a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Results The groups were similar regarding gender, ethnicity, marital status and tobacco use. As for social class, the IBD group showed a predominance of class E (46%), the outpatient group a predominance of class D (44%) and the non-outpatient group, class C (44%) (p < 0.001). The non-outpatient group also had a higher number of young individuals (mean = 36.69 years) (p < 0.001). There was a higher number of individuals with depression and anxiety in the IBD and outpatient control groups when compared to the non-outpatients’ group (p < 0.001), but with no difference between the two first groups. There was a higher number of individuals with severe degree anxiety in the IBD group (36%) compared to the non-outpatients’ group (8%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion Greater severity and a prevalence of anxiety and depression were observed in the group with inflammatory bowel diseases.
Diverse Interests and International Legitimation: Public Choice Theory and the Politics of International Tax
Authors: Faulhaber Lilian V.
Published: September 2020

In her article, Mason concludes that politics – or “bargaining over national interests”— “will play a starring role in determining the outcomes” of the current digital tax project. In this essay, I apply public choice theory to the politics of international tax and argue that two questions can shape our understanding of international tax negotiations and therefore help us predict the outcomes of future international tax reform projects. First, what interests are country delegates representing? Second, how are countries using their involvement in international negotiations to represent these interests? The first question highlights that country delegates are often not defending some agreed-upon “national interest” but are instead often protecting the interests of particular political parties, industries, or taxpayers, which in turn means that interests can change over time and that some voices are missing from debates. The second question highlights that country delegates can engage in international tax negotiations in a variety of ways. They can try to limit what, if anything, the negotiations achieve; they can try to push for more expansive results; and they can use the negotiations to provide international support for their own country's laws. This essay focuses on one particular version of this third type of engagement, where delegates use their country's involvement in an international project to validate and legitimate an idea or proposal that may previously have had little support. I refer to this involvement as “international legitimation,” and I argue that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project shows that delegates who took this approach may have achieved the most long-term success in that their inclusion of little-known provisions or concepts in the international outputs of the BEPS Project ended up leading to these provisions and concepts being adopted by countries around the world.
Informal learning of popular music: gender monoglossia and heteroglossia
Authors: Butler Alison , Bylica Kelly , Wright Ruth
Published: September 2020

This paper reports on a small-scale study in an elementary school in Southern Ontario, Canada. The study investigated relationships between students’ perceptions and practices of gender in popular music education with particular attention given to communication, instruments and technology and development of freedoms and constraints. The findings present a more opaque picture than previous research, suggesting that students frequently transgress binary gendered patterns of practice and perception in this particular field. Gender monoglossia and heteroglossia provide a useful explanatory framework for analysis, indicating that further application of these concepts to issues in popular music education might be most fruitful.
A multiple levels of analysis examination of the performance goal model of depression vulnerability in preadolescent children
Authors: Bendezú Jason José , Wodzinski Alaina , Loughlin-Presnal John E. , Mozeko Jesse , Cobler Sierra , Wadsworth Martha E.
Published: September 2020

If performance goals (i.e., motivation to prove ability) increase children's vulnerability to depression (Dykman, 1998), why are they overlooked in the psychopathology literature? Evidence has relied on self-report or observational methods and has yet to articulate how this vulnerability unfolds across levels of analysis implicated in stress–depression linkages; for example, hypothalamic–pituitaryadrenal axis (HPA), sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Utilizing a multiple-levels-of-analysis approach (Cicchetti, 2010), this experimental study tested Dykman's goal orientation model of depression vulnerability in a community sample of preadolescents (N = 121, Mage = 10.60 years, Range = 9.08–12.00 years, 51.6% male). Self-reports of performance goals, attachment security, and subjective experience of internalizing difficulties were obtained in addition to objective behavioral (i.e., task persistence) and physiologic arousal (i.e., salivary cortisol, skin conductance level) responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and two randomly assigned coping conditions: avoidance, distraction. Children with performance goals reported greater internalizing difficulties and exhibited more dysregulated TSST physiologic responses (i.e., HPA hyperreactivity, SNS protracted recovery), yet unexpectedly displayed greater TSST task persistence and more efficient physiologic recovery during avoidance relative to distraction. These associations were stronger and nonsignificant in the context of insecure and secure attachment, respectively. Findings illustrate a complex matrix of in-the-moment, integrative psychobiological relationships linking performance goals to depression vulnerability.
Ultrastructure of the Bacteriocytes in the Midgut of the Carpenter ant Camponotus rufipes: Endosymbiont Control by Autophagy
Authors: Gonçalves Wagner G. , Fernandes Kenner M. , Silva Ana Paula A. , Gonçalves Danilo G. , Fiaz Muhammad , Serrão José Eduardo
Published: September 2020

The carpenter ant Camponotus rufipes has intracellular bacteria in bacteriocytes scattered in the midgut epithelium, which have different amounts of endosymbionts, according to the developmental stages. However, there are no detailed data about the midgut cells in adult workers. The present work aimed to evaluate the morphology and cellular events that coordinate the abundance of endosymbionts in the midgut cells in C. rufipes workers. The midgut epithelium has digestive cells, bacteriocytes, and cells with intermediate morphology. The latter is similar to bacteriocytes, due to the abundance of endosymbionts, and similar to digestive cells, due to their microvilli. The digestive and intermediate cells are rich in autophagosomes and autolysosomes, both with bacteria debris in the lumen. These findings suggest that midgut cells of C. rufipes control the endosymbiont level by the autophagy pathway.
A randomized clinical trial assessing a pragmatic intervention to improve supportive care for family caregivers of patients with lung cancer
Authors: Aubin Michèle , Vézina Lucie , Verreault René , Simard Sébastien , Desbiens Jean-François , Tremblay Lise , Dumont Serge , Dogba Maman Joyce , Gagnon Pierre
Published: September 2020

Objective

Family caregivers (FCs) of cancer patients often experience high distress. This randomized clinical trial assessed the feasibility and preliminary effects of an intervention to improve FC supportive care.

Method

A pragmatic and minimal intervention to improve FC supportive care was developed and pretested with FCs, oncology team, and family physicians to assess its relevance and acceptability. Then, FCs of lung cancer patients were randomized to the intervention or the control group. The intervention included (1) systematic FC distress screening and problem assessment in the first months after their relative cancer diagnosis, and every 2 months after; (2) privileged contact with an oncology nurse to address FC problems, provide emotional support and skills to play their caregiving role; (3) liaison with the family physician of FCs reporting high distress (distress thermometer score ≥4/10) to involve them in the provision of supportive care. Distress, the primary outcome, was measured every 3 months, for 9 months. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, caregiving preparedness, and perceived burden. At the end of their participation, a purposive sample of FC from the experimental group was individually interviewed to assess the intervention usefulness. Content analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 109 FCs participated in the trial. FC distress decreased over time, but this reduction was observed in both groups. Similar results were found for secondary outcomes. However, FCs who received the intervention felt better prepared in caregiving than controls (p= 0.05). All 10 interviewed FCs valued the intervention, even though they clearly underused it. Knowing they could contact the oncology nurse served as a security net.

Significance of results

Although the intervention was not found effective, some of its aspects were positively perceived by FCs. As many of them experience high distress, an improved intervention should be developed to better support them.
Affect and Autocracy: Emotions and Attitudes in Russia after Crimea
Authors: Greene Samuel A. , Robertson Graeme
Published: September 2020

Our understanding of modern authoritarianism lacks a satisfying explanation for the genuine popularity of autocrats. While most of the literature on authoritarianism focuses on coercion, institutional manipulation, or clientelism, many contemporary autocrats clearly enjoy enthusiastic support even in times of economic stagnation or decline. We argue that part of the solution lies in unpacking the role of emotions in building support for rulers. Drawing on a unique panel survey conducted shortly before and after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, we discover that the resulting “rally” around the authoritarian flag involves much more than simply support for the leader or a simple increase in nationalism. Rather, we witness a broad shift in respondents’ emotional orientation. Driven by the shared experience of the Crimean “moment,” this shift improves people’s evaluation of their social, political, and economic surroundings in the present, the future—and even the past. The result is a new explanation of the nonmaterial means through which autocrats may succeed in bolstering their legitimacy.
A compact double-band planar printed slot antenna for sub-6 GHz 5G wireless applications
Authors: Ishteyaq Insha , Shah Masoodi Issmat , Muzaffar Khalid
Published: September 2020

A planar rectangular slot antenna with dual-band operation and realized higher peak gain is proposed, designed, and fabricated for sub-6 GHz 5G applications. The antenna possesses a rectangular radiating slot with the inverted stub on its upper edge excited simultaneously by a micro-strip feed line having a double folded T-shaped structure. The fabricated design is of compact size with the radiating portion of 0.3 λ0 × 0.17 λ0 (λ0 represents free-space wavelength) and profile of 0.009 λ0. The measured results show the operating frequency bands of 3.29–3.63 GHz and 4.3–5.2 GHz, with a peak gain of around 7.17 dBi. The higher frequency band is generated by the feed patch and the slot whereas lower resonant frequency band is generated by the stub loaded on the slot. The measured results are in a good agreement with the simulated results. The proposed design is suitable for the International Telecommunications Union sub 6 GHz applications.