bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of Vinpocetine and Dexamethasone Alleviates Cognitive Impairment in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients following Radiation Injury
Authors: Zhang Ping , Cao Yungang , Chen Songfang , Shao Liang
Published: April 2020

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) originates in the nasopharyngeal epithelium. The most common treatments for NPC rT1–4 are radiotherapy and surgery. The pathogenesis of radiation-induced cognitive impairment is complex and includes oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuro-inflammation, and even apoptosis and cell death. Principally, toll-like receptors (TLRs) could regulate the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance in patients with radiation-induced brain injury. Vinpocetine has an anti-inflammatory effect as shown in both animal and in vitro studies. Also, dexamethasone is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug. Thus, it is important to test whether addition of vinpocetine could improve the anti-inflammatory properties of dexamethasone for the treatment of NPC patients with radiation-induced brain injuries. Methods: A total of 60 NPC patients with radiation-related brain injury were recruited for this study. All subjects were randomly and blindly assigned to the following groups: the dexamethasone group (D group, n = 30) and the vinpocetine and dexamethasone group (VD group, n = 30). Both medicine treatments were uninterrupted for 14 days of administration. Results: Combined administration of vinpocetine and dexamethasone lowered the expression levels of serum inflammatory cytokines, including TLR2, TLR4, interleukin (IL)-20, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein 2, and interferon-induced protein 20, when compared to dexamethasone monotherapy. Notably, combination therapy increased antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) and decreased oxidants (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). Furthermore, combination therapy significantly increased the Mini Mental State Examination score, when compared to dexamethasone monotherapy. Conclusion: Administration of a combination of vinpocetine and dexamethasone may enhance the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects when compared to dexamethasone monotherapy, which leads to alleviated cognitive impairment in NPC patients with radiation injury.
The Science Underlying COVID-19
Authors: Liu Peter P. , Blet Alice , Smyth David , Li Hongliang
Published: April 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected health and economy worldwide on an unprecedented scale. Patients have diverse clinical outcomes, but those with preexisting cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and related conditions incur disproportionately worse outcome. The high infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is in part related to new mutations in the receptor binding domain, and acquisition of a furin cleavage site in the S-spike protein. The continued viral shedding in the asymptomatic and presymptomatic individuals enhances its community transmission.

The virus uses the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor for internalization, aided by transmembrane protease serine 2 protease. The tissue localization of the receptors correlates with COVID-19 presenting symptoms and organ dysfunction. Virus-induced angiotensin converting enzyme 2 downregulation may attenuate its function, diminish its anti-inflammatory role, and heighten angiotensin II effects in the predisposed patients.

Lymphopenia occurs early and is prognostic, potentially associated with reduction of the CD4+ and some CD8+ T cells. This leads to imbalance of the innate/acquired immune response, delayed viral clearance, and hyperstimulated macrophages and neutrophils. Appropriate type I interferon pathway activation is critical for virus attenuation and balanced immune response. Persistent immune activation in predisposed patients, such as elderly adults and those with cardiovascular risk, can lead to hemophagocytosis-like syndrome, with uncontrolled amplification of cytokine production, leading to multiorgan failure and death.

In addition to the airways and lungs, the cardiovascular system is often involved in COVID-19 early, reflected in the release of highly sensitive troponin and natriuretic peptides, which are all extremely prognostic, in particular, in those showing continued rise, along with cytokines such as interleukin-6. Inflammation in the vascular system can result in diffuse microangiopathy with thrombosis. Inflammation in the myocardium can result in myocarditis, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, acute coronary syndrome, rapid deterioration, and sudden death.

Aggressive support based on early prognostic indicators with expectant management can potentially improve recovery. Appropriate treatment for heart failure, arrhythmias, acute coronary syndrome, and thrombosis remain important. Specific evidence-based treatment strategies for COVID-19 will emerge with ongoing global collaboration on multiple approaches being evaluated. To protect the wider population, antibody testing and effective vaccine will be needed to make COVID-19 history.
Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrests and Wildfire‐Related Particulate Matter During 2015–2017 California Wildfires
Authors: Jones Caitlin G. , Rappold Ana G. , Vargo Jason , Cascio Wayne E. , Kharrazi Martin , McNally Bryan , Hoshiko Sumi ,   with the CARES Surveillance Group
Published: April 2020

Background

The natural cycle of large‐scale wildfires is accelerating, increasingly exposing both rural and populous urban areas to wildfire emissions. While respiratory health effects associated with wildfire smoke are well established, cardiovascular effects have been less clear.

Methods and Results

We examined the association between out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest and wildfire smoke density (light, medium, heavy smoke) from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association's Hazard Mapping System. Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest data were provided by the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival for 14 California counties, 2015–2017 (N=5336). We applied conditional logistic regression in a case‐crossover design using control days from 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks before case date, at lag days 0 to 3. We stratified by pathogenesis, sex, age (19–34, 35–64, and ≥65 years), and socioeconomic status (census tract percent below poverty). Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest risk increased in association with heavy smoke across multiple lag days, strongest on lag day 2 (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.18–2.13). Risk in the lower socioeconomic status strata was elevated on medium and heavy days, although not statistically significant. Higher socioeconomic status strata had elevated odds ratios with heavy smoke but null results with light and medium smoke. Both sexes and age groups 35 years and older were impacted on days with heavy smoke.

Conclusions

Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrests increased with wildfire smoke exposure, and lower socioeconomic status appeared to increase the risk. The future trajectory of wildfire, along with increasing vulnerability of the aging population, underscores the importance of formulating public health and clinical strategies to protect those most vulnerable.
The Principles of the Flourishing Community: A Case Study of the Persecuted Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Authors: Raja Rameez
Published: April 2020

The emergence of a new religious community is always challenging to the dominant or established religious communities. The Muslim community represents the seventy-three sects within Islam but it is a fact that these sects exclusively claim to be the true Muslim community in order to influence each other. Similarly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (amc) was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, Punjab in 1889. Ahmad claimed to be the Reformer, the Promised Messiah, the mahdi, and the Prophet. These claims, however, agitated the mainstream Muslim community, because Muhammad is believed to be the last Prophet. Ahmad was accused as the violator of the finality of the Prophethood of the Muhammad. Subsequently, in 1974, the Ahmadis were declared a non-Muslim minority community by the Pakistani National Assembly. The minority community was seen as a threat to Islam by the Islamists, which eventually resulted in the persecution of the amc in Pakistan.
Rwanda and the Rohingya
Authors: Simon David J.
Published: April 2020

The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda led the United Nations and global civil society to attempt to reinvent the international atrocity prevention regime. The advent of the doctrine of the Responsibility to Protect was to supposed to represent a new-found dedication to the goal of preventing mass atrocities and to intervene to stop them when they do break out. However, the situation of the Rohingya in Myanmar, who have been subject to years of persecution, ethnic cleansing, and – since 2017 – many elements of genocide, suggests that there has been more continuity than change. Rather, many of the same issues that plagued the global response to Rwanda are problematic again with respect to the Rohingya. This essay examines both the promise of change in the global anti-atrocity regime after Rwanda as well as the shortcomings that continue to plague the international response to atrocity.
Some Rules of Engagement Legacies of the 1999 Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Actions of the United Nations during the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda
Authors: McLaughlin Rob
Published: April 2020

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (unamir) has gone down in history as one of the worst failures in the history of the United Nations. The shortcomings of the mission were the focus of several reports. In this paper, Rob McLaughlin analyses some of the key findings of the various reports, with an emphasis on the rules of engagement framework and how it was interpreted at various points throughout the mission.
The Decentralised Enforcement of the Provisions on Measurement and Assessment of Air Quality under Directive 2008/50/EC
Authors: Pedrosa Kendro
Published: April 2020

In the Craeynest case, the Court of Justice interpreted some of the core provisions of the Air Quality Directive 2008/50 in a preliminary ruling. Firstly, the court ruled that national courts may review the siting of sampling points. This manuscript pays special attention to the minimum standard of review that national judges must perform and considers to what extent the Court of Justice departs from its established case law. Secondly, the Court considered that, for an exceedance of a limit value within a zone to exist, it suffices that a pollution level higher than that value is measured at a single sampling point. Thus, the results of all sampling points within a zone must not be averaged. The ruling can be considered as a landmark judgment, as it strengthens the role of citizens, engo’s and national courts in the decentral enforcement of the Air Quality Directive.
Contemporary China and the “Harmonious” World Order in the Age of Globalization
Authors: Coco Orazio
Published: April 2020

This paper examines the Chinese political vision of the world order and how the West has, so far, reacted to the presence of a new rising power in the global system. It takes inspiration from the current complex international scenario of confrontation between China and the West. The concept of socialist “harmonious” world order is not a political creative idea, but the long-term vision proposed by China since the beginning of this century. It has become topic of political interest, attracting the attention of the Western world, only in the last decade and in connection with the theoretical debate inspired by the power transition theory. The idea of a hegemonic transition and the making of a new international order, as alternative to the liberal democratic model, is gaining consistency with the economic development and the growing political influence of China, but also as consequence of the retreat of democracy worldwide.
Mapping on Transnational Crime Routes in the New Silk Road: a Case Study of the Greater Mekong Sub-region
Authors: Luong Hai Thanh
Published: April 2020

The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), including five Southeast Asian countries and China, has experienced a significant increase in the cultivation of opium, trafficking of heroin and methamphetamine, and consumption of these illicit drugs. In recent years, the GMS has been expanded considerably as supply, destination, and transit route for illegal drug trade’s networks to and through, particularly when China officially applied ‘Belt and Road’ strategy. This paper reviews historical aspects and current trends in drug production and trafficking in the GMS, with special emphasis on Mekong River areas where China is ‘located’ as the heart of the transition. Some evidence consistent with the ‘supply, destination, and transit route’ arguments is found through locating and mapping drug trafficking networks to connect with China. Finally, this paper calls for some initial recommendations to improve the process of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the GMS within the scope of Belt and Road Initiative.
A Review of the Academic Debate about United Nations Security Council Reform
Authors: Winther Bjarke Zinck
Published: April 2020

This article outlines and discusses the research on UNSC reform. The interdisciplinary field of UNSC reform research can be placed into two broad categories and four sub categories, each indicating the degree to which scholars believe in the benefits of either structural or working methods reform. These include topics such as legitimacy and efficiency and the question of (un)equal representation. The role of The Global South will feature heavily in analyses of how best to reform the UNSC, and of which actors or structures mainly prevent a reform from materialising. There has been a significant gap in research focusing on how the factors that feature as instruments of opposition, e.g. the presented benefits and detriments of the different approaches to reform, can potentially be converged to rethink the direction of the research.
Integrative description of five Pseudechiniscus species (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae: the suillus-facettalis complex)
Authors: ROSZKOWSKA MILENA , GROBYS DARIA , BARTYLAK TOMASZ , GAWLAK MAGDALENA , KMITA HANNA , KEPEL ANDRZEJ , KEPEL MARTA , PARNIKOZA IVAN , KACZMAREK ŁUKASZ
Published: April 2020

Pseudechiniscus is a morphologically homogeneous heterotardigrade genus with a relatively low number of morphological features useful for the species discrimination. The species of the Pseudechiniscus suillus-facettalis complex are some of the most challenging tardigrades to identify. Here, we examine several populations from Antarctica, Italy, Madagascar and Norway that would have most likely been attributed to Pse. suillus prior to the recent redescription of the species. Populations were analysed using integrative taxonomy—a combination of classical morphology and morphometry, as well as genetic data. Besides minute differences in dorsal sculpture and morphometry, we found clear, species-specific differences in ventral sculpture which are very useful in discrimination of Pseudechiniscus species. Based on morphology (mainly ventral sculpture) and significant genetic distances in COI and ITS-2 sequences, we describe five new species: Pse. angelusalas sp. nov. from Madagascar, Pse. dastychi sp. nov. from Antarctica, Pse. ehrenbergi sp. nov. from Italy as well as Pse. indistinctus sp. nov. and Pse. lacyformis sp. nov. from Norway. Finally, we provide an updated phylogenetic tree of the genus Pseudechiniscus based on COI sequences.
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Aluminum Nanocomposite via Plasma and High Velocity Oxy-Fuel Spray Forming
Authors: Laha T. , Liu Y. , Agarwal A.
Published: April 2020

Free standing structures of hypereutectic aluminum-23 wt% silicon nanocomposite with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) reinforcement have been successfully fabricated by two different thermal spraying technique viz Plasma Spray Forming (PSF) and High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) Spray
Forming. Comparative microstructural and mechanical property evaluation of the two thermally spray formed nanocomposites has been carried out. Presence of nanosized grains in the Al–Si alloy matrix and physically intact and undamaged carbon nanotubes were observed in both the nanocomposites.
Excellent interfacial bonding between Al alloy matrix and MWCNT was observed. The elastic modulus and hardness of HVOF sprayed nanocomposite is found to be higher than PSF sprayed composites.
Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Characteristics of Carbon Nanofiber-Polymer Composites
Authors: Yang Yonglai , Gupta Mool C. , Dudley Kenneth L. , Lawrence Roland W.
Published: April 2020

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding characteristics of carbon nanofiber-polystyrene composites were investigated in the frequency range of 12.4–18 GHz (Ku-band). It was observed that the shielding effectiveness of such composites was frequency independent, and increased
with increasing carbon nanofiber loading within Ku-band. The experimental data exhibited that the shielding effectiveness of the polymer composite containing 20 wt% carbon nanofibers could reach more than 36 dB in the measured frequency region, indicating such composites can be applied to
the potential EMI shielding materials. In addition, the results showed that the contribution of reflection to the EMI shielding effectiveness was much larger than that of absorption, implying the primary EMI shielding mechanism of such composites was reflection of electromagnetic radiation
within Ku-band.
Nanostructures of Bismuth Sulphide: Synthesis and Electrical Properties
Authors: Batabyal Sudip K. , Basu C. , Das A. R. , Sanyal G. S.
Published: April 2020

Bismuth ammonium citrate complex (C24H20Bi4O28 · 6NH3 · 10H2O) interacted with sodium sulphide (Na2S) in presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) yielding Bi2S3
nanospheres. Solvothermal treatment of the bismuth complex and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) produced Bi2S3 nanorods. Reaction conditions were optimized to investigate the morphology evolution of the product. Electrical properties of the nanorods were monitored in details.
Detectable Anthropogenic Influence on Changes in Summer Precipitation in China
Authors: Lu Chunhui , Lott Fraser C. , Sun Ying , Stott Peter A. , Christidis Nikolaos
Published: April 2020

In China, summer precipitation contributes a major part of the total precipitation amount in a year and has major impacts on society and human life. Whether any changes in summer precipitation are affected by external forcing on the climate system is an important issue. In this study, an optimal fingerprinting method was used to compare the observed changes of total, heavy, moderate, and light precipitation in summer derived from newly homogenized observation data with the simulations from multiple climate models participating in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The results demonstrate that the anthropogenic forcing signal can be detected and separated from the natural forcing signal in the observed increase of seasonal accumulated precipitation amount for heavy precipitation in summer in China and eastern China (EC). The simulated changes in heavy precipitation are generally consistent with observed change in China but are underestimated in EC. When the changes in precipitation of different intensities are considered simultaneously, the human influence on simultaneous changes in moderate and light precipitation can be detected in China and EC in summer. Changes attributable to anthropogenic forcing explain most of the observed regional changes for all categories of summer precipitation, and natural forcing contributes little. In the future, with increasing anthropogenic influence, the attribution-constrained projection suggests that heavy precipitation in summer will increase more than that from the model raw outputs. Society may therefore face a higher risk of heavy precipitation in the future.
The Southeastern Tropical Atlantic SST Bias Investigated with a Coupled Atmosphere–Ocean Single-Column Model at a PIRATA Mooring Site
Authors: Deppenmeier Anna-Lena , Haarsma Rein J. , van Heerwaarden Chiel , Hazeleger Wilco
Published: April 2020

Warm sea surface temperature (SST) biases in the tropical Atlantic Ocean form a longstanding problem in coupled general circulation models (CGCMs). Considerable efforts to understand the origins of these biases and alleviate them have been undertaken, but state-of-the-art CGCMs still suffer from biases that are very similar to those of the generation of models before. In this study, we use a powerful combination of in situ moored buoy observations and a new coupled ocean–atmosphere single-column model (SCM) with parameterization that is identical to that of a three-dimensional CGCM to investigate the SST bias. We place the SCM at the location of a Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic (PIRATA) mooring in the southeastern tropical Atlantic, where large SST biases occur in CGCMs. The SCM version of the EC-Earth state-of-the-art coupled GCM performs well for the first five days of the simulation. Then, it develops an SST bias that is very similar to that of its three-dimensional counterpart. Through a series of sensitivity experiments we demonstrate that the SST bias can be reduced by 70%. We achieve this result by enhancing the turbulent vertical ocean mixing efficiency in the ocean parameterization scheme. The underrepresentation of vertical mixing in three-dimensional CGCMs is a candidate for causing the warm SST bias. We further show that surface shortwave radiation does not cause the SST bias at the location of the PIRATA mooring. Rather, a warm atmospheric near-surface temperature bias and a wet moisture bias contribute to it. Strongly nudging the atmosphere to profiles from reanalysis data reduces the SST bias by 40%.
Validation of a G-Band Differential Absorption Cloud Radar for Humidity Remote Sensing
Authors: Roy Richard J. , Lebsock Matthew , Millán Luis , Cooper Ken B.
Published: April 2020

Differential absorption radar (DAR) offers an active remote sensing solution to the problem of measuring humidity profiles with high vertical and horizontal resolution in hydrometeor layers. The Vapor In-Cloud Profiling Radar (VIPR) is a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) G-band DAR tunable from 167 to 174.8 GHz being developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Here we describe ground-based measurements from VIPR performed at the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site for humidity product validation. Two distinct measurement capabilities are investigated: 1) humidity profiles inside of cloudy volumes with 180 m vertical resolution, and 2) integrated water vapor (IWV) between the surface and cloud base. High radar sensitivity permits detection of upper-tropospheric clouds and retrieval of humidity profiles above 10 km in height. We develop an improved humidity retrieval algorithm based on a regularized least squares method that includes detailed accounting of measurement covariances and systematic error sources. This regularization mitigates high-spatial-frequency humidity biases that arise from frequency-dependent hydrometeor scattering, which is an important limitation for DAR systems. Through comparisons with over 20 coincident radiosondes, we find close agreement between in situ and remotely sensed humidity profiles, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.96, root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.8 g m−3, and median retrieval precision of 0.5 g m−3. Using a merged radiosonde and Raman lidar product for surface-to-cloud-base IWV, we demonstrate precise column sounding capabilities with r = 1.00, RMSE of 1.2 mm, and median retrieval precision of 0.25 mm.
A Rapid Forecasting and Mapping System of Storm Surge and Coastal Flooding
Authors: Yang Kun , Paramygin Vladimir A. , Sheng Y. Peter
Published: April 2020

A prototype of an efficient and accurate rapid forecasting and mapping system (RFMS) of storm surge is presented. Given a storm advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the RFMS can generate a coastal inundation map on a high-resolution grid in 1 min (reference system Intel Core i7–3770K). The foundation of the RFMS is a storm surge database consisting of high-resolution simulations of 490 optimal storms generated by a robust storm surge modeling system, Curvilinear-Grid Hydrodynamics in 3D (CH3D-SSMS). The RFMS uses an efficient quick kriging interpolation scheme to interpolate the surge response from the storm surge database, which considers tens of thousands of combinations of five landfall parameters of storms: central pressure deficit, radius to maximum wind, forward speed, heading direction, and landfall location. The RFMS is applied to southwest Florida using data from Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Hurricane Irma in 2017, and to the Florida Panhandle using data from Hurricane Michael in 2018 and validated with observed high water mark data. The RFMS results agree well with observation and direct simulation of the high-resolution CH3D-SSMS. The RFMS can be used for real-time forecasting during a hurricane or “what-if” scenarios for mitigation planning and preparedness training, or to produce a probabilistic flood map. The RFMS can provide more accurate surge prediction with uncertainties if NHC can provide more accurate storm forecasts in the future. By incorporating storms for future climate and sea level rise, the RFMS could be used to generate future flood maps for coastal resilience and adaptation planning.
From Aristocratic to Ordinary: Shifting Modes of Elite Distinction
Authors: Friedman Sam , Reeves Aaron
Published: April 2020

How do elites signal their superior social position via the consumption of culture? We address this question by drawing on 120 years of “recreations” data ( N = 71,393) contained within Who’s Who, a unique catalogue of the British elite. Our results reveal three historical phases of elite cultural distinction: first, a mode of aristocratic practice forged around the leisure possibilities afforded by landed estates, which waned significantly in the late-nineteenth century; second, a highbrow mode dominated by the fine arts, which increased sharply in the early-twentieth century before gently receding in the most recent birth cohorts; and, third, a contemporary mode characterized by the blending of highbrow pursuits with everyday forms of cultural participation, such as spending time with family, friends, and pets. These shifts reveal changes not only in the contents of elite culture but also in the nature of elite distinction, in particular, (1) how the applicability of emulation and (mis)recognition theories has changed over time, and (2) the emergence of a contemporary mode that publicly emphasizes everyday cultural practice (to accentuate ordinariness, authenticity, and cultural connection) while retaining many tastes that continue to be (mis)recognized as legitimate.
Aortic Stiffening Is an Extraintestinal Manifestation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Review of the Literature and Expert Panel Statement
Authors: Zanoli Luca , Mikhailidis Dimitri P. , Bruno Rosa Maria , Abreu Maria T. , Danese Silvio , Eliakim Rami , Gionchetti Paolo , Katsanos Konstantinos H. , Kirchgesner Julien , Koutroubakis Ioannis E. , Kucharzik Torsten , Lakatos Peter L. , Nguyen Geoffrey C. , Papa Alfredo , Vavricka Stephan R. , Wilkinson Ian B. , Boutouyrie Pierre
Published: April 2020

Current guidelines state that systemic inflammation, together with endothelial dysfunction, calcification, and hypercoagulability, predispose to premature atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed whether IBD can affect aortic stiffness, a well-recognized vascular biomarker and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) in several populations. Recent studies reported that aortic stiffness is increased in adults with IBD compared with matched controls. This association is dependent on inflammatory burden and disease duration, and is reduced by antitumor necrosis factor therapy. Considered together, current findings suggest that increased aortic stiffness is an extraintestinal manifestation of IBD. This is clinically relevant since measuring aortic stiffness in patients with IBD could improve risk assessment, especially in those without established CVD. Moreover, effective control of inflammation could lower CV risk in patients with IBD by reducing aortic stiffness. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better clarify (i) the relationship between disease duration and irreversible changes of the arterial wall, (ii) the clinical characteristics of patients with IBD that have an increased arterial stiffness at least in part reversible, and (iii) whether arterial stiffness is useful to evaluate the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy.
A Markov Estimation Strategy for Longitudinal Learning Diagnosis: Providing Timely Diagnostic Feedback
Authors: Zhan Peida
Published: April 2020

Timely diagnostic feedback is helpful for students and teachers, enabling them to adjust their learning and teaching plans according to a current diagnosis. Motivated by the practical concern that the simultaneity estimation strategy currently adopted by longitudinal learning diagnosis models does not provide timely diagnostic feedback, this study proposes a new Markov estimation strategy, which follows the Markov property. A simulation study was conducted to explore and compare the performance of four estimation strategies: the simultaneity, the Markov, the anchor-item, and the separated estimation strategies. The results show that their performance was highly consistent, and they presented in the following relative order: simultaneity > Markov > anchor-item ≥ separated. Overall, although accuracy in parameter estimation is sacrificed slightly with the proposed strategy, it can provide timely diagnostic feedback to practitioners, which is in line with the concept of “assessment for learning” and the needs of formative assessment.
Revisiting Union Wage and Job Loss Effects Using the Displaced Worker Surveys
Authors: Kulkarni Abhir , Hirsch Barry T.
Published: April 2020

Estimates of union wage effects have been challenged by concerns regarding unobserved worker heterogeneity and endogenous job changes. Many economists believe that union wage premiums lead to business failures and other forms of worker displacement. In this article, the authors examine displacement rates and union wage gaps using the 1994–2018 biennial Displaced Worker Survey (DWS) supplements to the monthly Current Population Surveys. For more than two decades, displacement rates among union and non-union workers have been remarkably similar. The authors observe changes in earnings resulting from transitions between union and non-union jobs following exogenous job changes. Consistent with prior evidence from the 1994 and 1996 DWS, findings show longitudinal estimates of average union wage effects close to 15%, which are similar to standard cross-section estimates and suggestive of minimal ability bias. Wage losses moving from union to non-union jobs exceed gains from non-union to union transitions.
Delay Partial Synchronization of Mutual Delay Coupled Boolean Networks
Authors: Wei Qiang , Xie Cheng-jun , Kou Xu-ri , Shen Wei
Published: April 2020

This paper studies the delay partial synchronization for mutual delay-coupled Boolean networks. First, the mutual delay-coupled Boolean network model is presented. Second, some necessary and sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the delay partial synchronization of the mutual delay-coupled Boolean networks. The upper bound of synchronization time is obtained. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the efficiency of the theoretical analysis.
A scalable algorithm for the decomposition of minimally rigid graph
Authors: Zhu Yadong , Wang Qin , Li Shengquan , Yang Yuequan
Published: April 2020

The rigid graph needs to be decomposed to solve the multi-equilibrium problem of the multi-agent formation control based on navigation function method. In this paper, a theorem and a scalable algorithm based on the Henneberg sequence of graphs are proposed for the decomposition of minimally rigid graph. The theorem demonstrates that if graph G( V, E) is a minimally rigid graph, then it can be decomposed as G = Gt[Formula: see text] Gc, where G t is a spanning tree of G and G c contains the remaining edges and their vertices. Moreover, the scalable algorithm is given to construct G t = ( V t, E t) and G c = ( V c, E c), and assign the edges in E c to n -- 2 distinct vertices in a scalable way via communication. Furthermore, a lemma is given to show when the number of vertices is less than eight, any edge can be chosen as the initialized edge, and the scalable algorithm mentioned above is always feasible. Finally, the effectiveness of the scalable algorithm is verified by numerical simulation.
Characterization of one-sided thermal damage of carbon fiber reinforced polymers by means of depth profiles
Authors: Vetter Tanja Marina , Bibinger Johannes , Zimmer Felix , Eibl Sebastian , Gudladt Hans-Joachim
Published: April 2020

This study investigates one-sided thermal damage of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) by means of depth resolved infrared spectroscopy, tomography and mechanical testing. All CFRP samples are thermally irradiated at one side with a heat flux of 50 kW/m2 over various time intervals. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy along a ground incline plane through the sample allows a chemical characterization of the thermal degradation of the polymer matrix into depth. Developing delaminations are observed with a depth-resolved gray-value-analysis of microfocused computed X-ray tomographic (µCT) data. Mechanical behavior is determined by tensile, compressive, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) testing of specimens taken from different depths of the irradiated samples. The depth profiles show how pronounced damage phenomena like matrix degradation and the development of delaminations are after one-sided thermal loading and how they influence strength in different ways. Compressive strength and ILSS is found to be more sensitive towards thermal damage than tensile strength, as they are most influenced by formed delaminations at higher thermal loads.
Computational micromechanics-based prediction of the failure of unidirectional composite lamina subjected to transverse and in-plane shear stress states
Authors: Wan Lei , Ismail Yaser , Zhu Chao , Zhu Ping , Sheng Yong , Liu Jie , Yang Dongmin
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a micromechanics-based 3D finite element model for predicting the damage initiation, propagation, and failure strength of TC33/Epoxy carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) unidirectional lamina under biaxial loadings. The finite element model is generated by introducing representative volume element (RVE) with a random distribution of fibers and a non-zero thickness, numerically identified interface phase via cohesive elements. In the finite element model, the carbon fibers are considered as elastic, while the elasto-plastic behavior and damage of the matrix are governed by extended Drucker–Prager plastic yielding model and ductile damage criterion. By imposing periodic boundary conditions to the RVEs, various cases subjected to uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions are carried out. During the combined transverse and in-plane shear stress states, a failure transition from compression- or tension-dominated to shear-dominated is captured, and the effects of the interfacial strength on the transition damage mechanisms are discussed. The corresponding failure locus is compared with the upper bound and lower bound predictions of three phenomenological failure criteria (Hashin, Tasi–Wu, and Puck failure criteria) for composites. It was found that in the interface-dominated failure of a CFRP lamina with a weak interface, the Hashin failure criterion performs best among the currently popular failure criteria. However, in the matrix-dominated failure with a strong interface, the Puck failure criterion performs best. Comparing these three criteria, it can be seen the Tsai–Wu may be generally better than both of others as it presents more neutral predictions in both of the examined cases.
Manufacturing and mechanical properties of steel-CFRP hybrid composites
Authors: Yao Youqiang , Shi Pengcheng , Qi Shijie , Yan Chun , Chen Gang , Liu Dong , Zhu Yingdan , Herrmann Axel
Published: April 2020

In this paper, the manufacturing and mechanical properties of steel-carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) hybrid composites were investigated. Steel-CFRP hybrid composites with different manufacturing processes were prepared to obtain different shear strength based on steel surface treatment (abrasion and grit blasting) and adhesive-bonding process. Single lap shear tests reveal that the steel/CFRP adhesion property can be improved by using grit blasting surface treatment on steel and introducing an adhesive layer at the interface. The steel/CFRP adhesion has no significant effect on the tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid composites, while the steel/CFRP interface failure occurs during interlaminar shear tests.
Influence of eco-friendly pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass using ionic liquids on the interface adhesion and characteristics of polymer composite boards
Authors: Kord Behzad , Movahedi Farnaz , Adlnasab Laleh , Masrouri Hassan
Published: April 2020

In this investigation, the effect of ionic liquids (ILs) pretreatment on the interfacial behavior, physical, and thermal properties of compression-molded composite boards produced from wood flour and high-density polyethylene was studied. Firstly, wood flour was pretreated with with two types of synthesized ILs, namely 1-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride (IL-Cl) and 1-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate (IL-SCN). Thereafter, the interfacial strength, weight loss, water absorption, and thickness swelling of the specimens prepared from untreated and ILs-treated were evaluated. Further, the chemical treatment of wood flour with ILs was tracked by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphological aspects of the specimens were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). Results demonstrated that the strong interaction between the wood flour and high-density polyethylene occurred in the presence of ILs pretreatment, which corresponded with the minimum amounts of adhesion factor. The tan δ peak was shifted to higher temperature for the modified samples than unmodified ones. It was noted that thermal stability of the composite boards improved as a result of ILs pretreatment. The residual weight in temperature of 600℃ was increased to 21.09% and 17.28% for the composite panels made from IL-SCN- and IL-Cl-treated wood, respectively, as compared to a residual mass of 16.35% for the composite based on untreated wood. Furthermore, physical testing revealed that the specimens produced from ILs-treated wood exhibited superior water resistance and dimensional stability compared to that of untreated ones.
The evolving nature of labour inspection, enforcement of employment rights and the regulatory reach of the state in Britain
Authors: Mustchin Stephen , Martínez Lucio Miguel
Published: April 2020

The role of the state in directly regulating employment through enforcement mechanisms is increasingly significant and politically contentious in a context of weakened unions and the increasingly fragmented and precarious nature of the labour market. This article focuses on qualitative research on labour market regulatory actors in Britain, including the Health and Safety Executive, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, as well as referencing relevant changes in HM Revenue and Customs, trade unions, legal and advice services and other state agencies. The article argues that a curious dynamic is emerging in labour market regulation involving simultaneous processes of deregulation, greater levels of direct intervention in some areas alongside marketisation, and innovative forms of collaboration between relevant state agencies. Much of this is, however, driven by constraints imposed through economic austerity and neoliberal policies with an increasing focus on immigration and policing concerns, creating notable sets of organisational tensions within and between the agencies and the work of their relevant inspectors.
Prolonged Grief, Posttraumatic Stress, and Depression Among Bereaved Parents: Prevalence and Response to an Intervention Program
Authors: Baumann Ines , Künzel Jochen , Goldbeck Lutz , Tutus Dunja , Niemitz Mandy
Published: April 2020

Bereaved parents may experience diverse psychological symptoms. Possible interventions are not yet well established. In this study, the psychological symptoms of 323 bereaved parents (mean age = 39.97, SD = 7.21, 52.0% female), referred to a 4-week family-oriented rehabilitation (FOR) program, were assessed. The baseline assessments indicated that 160 (49.5%) parents showed symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Complicated grief was indicated in 272 (84.2%), depression in 191 (59.1%), and posttraumatic stress disorder in 242 (74.9%) parents. Mothers were at higher risk of complicated grief ( p ≤ .001), depression ( p = .029), and posttraumatic stress disorder ( p = .004), compared to fathers. Significant remissions of symptoms between admission and discharge from the program are presented as symptoms of complicated grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress. The effect sizes ranged between d = 0.68 and 1.22. In addition, significantly fewer parents fulfilled PGD criteria on discharge from the FOR program ( p ≤ .001). The special FOR program appears promising with regard to improving the bereaved parents’ mental health.
Haemocholecyst related to gallbladder malignancy
Authors: Ray Sukanta , Ghosh Ranajoy , Khamrui Sujan , Kumar Das Amit , Saha Suman , Kumar Dilip
Published: April 2020

A haemocholecyst is a clot-filled gallbladder caused by bleeding into its lumen. It is a rare entity with fewer than 50 cases reported in the English literature. Preoperative diagnosis is often not possible even with good quality cross-sectional imaging. Here, we present a case of a gallbladder mass, whose nature was only made clear at operation, where a hugely enlarged gallbladder was found filled with blood clots. There was neither liver infiltration nor regional lymphadenopathy. The clinical status of the patient demanded simple cholecystectomy. Histopathological examination, however, revealed a gallbladder adenocarcinoma, infiltrating the perimuscular connective tissue. Thus, more radical surgery was performed eight weeks later. At the 21-month follow-up, the patient was found to be well.
Digital games, developing democracies, and civic engagement: a study of games in Kenya and Nigeria
Authors: Fisher Jolene
Published: April 2020

The use of serious games for civic learning and engagement is an area of growing interest. However, research to date has predominately examined such games in established democratic contexts and has primarily focused on the potential of in-game content and game mechanics for achieving learning and behavior change outcomes. This study used in-depth interviews with key developmental stakeholders for two civic-focused games, Haki2 in Kenya and Your Excellency in Nigeria, to further our understanding in two important but understudied areas: the potential for games to facilitate civic learning and engagement outcomes in developing democratic contexts; and the role of game production and dissemination processes in this potential. I argue that these processes provide opportunities for direct civic engagement, participatory learning, and group mobilization relevant to facilitating civic behavior in developing democratic contexts. While this research identifies critical limitations for games used as stand-alone tools to achieve civic learning and engagement outcomes, it also identifies the potential for game production and dissemination to engage communities in democratic deliberation, in identifying relevant civic-issues and solutions, to facilitate community discussion, and to mobilize players around relevant issues.
COVID-19 infodemic: More retweets for science-based information on coronavirus than for false information
Authors: Pulido Cristina M , Villarejo-Carballido Beatriz , Redondo-Sama Gisela , Gómez Aitor
Published: April 2020

The World Health Organization has not only signaled the health risks of COVID-19, but also labeled the situation as infodemic, due to the amount of information, true and false, circulating around this topic. Research shows that, in social media, falsehood is shared far more than evidence-based information. However, there is less research analyzing the circulation of false and evidence-based information during health emergencies. Thus, the present study aims at shedding new light on the type of tweets that circulated on Twitter around the COVID-19 outbreak for two days, in order to analyze how false and true information was shared. To that end, 1000 tweets have been analyzed. Results show that false information is tweeted more but retweeted less than science-based evidence or fact-checking tweets, while science-based evidence and fact-checking tweets capture more engagement than mere facts. These findings bring relevant insights to inform public health policies.
Perspectives of Early Adolescents, Parents, and Grandparents on Parenting Behaviors in China
Authors: Luo Na , Van Heel Martijn , Van Leeuwen Karla
Published: April 2020

In China, both parents and grandparents play an important role in child-rearing. However, it is unclear whether parenting behaviors reported by early adolescents, parents, and grandparents are comparable. Therefore, this study investigated (a) cross-generational validity of reporting (grand)parenting behavior based on perspectives of adolescents, parents, and grandparents; (b) mean differences in parenting across informants; and (c) how (grand)parenting is related to adolescent’s problem behaviors. The sample included 1,149 early adolescents, 1,038 mothers, 926 fathers, and 248 grandparents. Confirmatory factor analyses showed scalar measurement invariance for a five-factor parenting model, including parental support, proactive control, punitive control, harsh punitive control, and psychological control, across informants. Pearson correlations indicated evidence for agreement between informant dyads. Paired samples t-tests showed the lowest scores for grandparents on all parenting variables. By comparing covariance matrices, the results suggested that interrelations of parenting dimensions and associations between parenting and problem behaviors differ for different family members.