bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Immunoreactivity in the Rat Hypothalamus Is Widely Distributed in Neurons, Astrocytes, and Oligodendrocytes, Fluctuates during the Estrous Cycle, and Is Sexually Dimorphic
Authors: Marraudino Marilena , Carrillo Beatriz , Bonaldo Brigitta , Llorente Ricardo , Campioli Elia , Garate Iciar , Pinos Helena , Garcia-Segura Luis Miguel , Collado Paloma , Grassi Daniela
Published: June 2020

Introduction: The membrane-associated G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) mediates the regulation by estradiol of arginine-vasopressin immunoreactivity in the supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei of female rats and is involved in the estrogenic control of hypothalamic regulated functions, such as food intake, sexual receptivity, and lordosis behavior. Objective: To assess GPER distribution in the rat hypothalamus. Methods: GPER immunoreactivity was assessed in different anatomical subdivisions of five selected hypothalamic regions of young adult male and cycling female rats: the arcuate nucleus, the lateral hypothalamus, the paraventricular nucleus, the supraoptic nucleus, and the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. GPER immunoreactivity was colocalized with NeuN as a marker of mature neurons, GFAP as a marker of astrocytes, and CC1 as a marker of mature oligodendrocytes. Results: GPER immunoreactivity was detected in hypothalamic neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Sex and regional differences and changes during the estrous cycle were detected in the total number of GPER-immunoreactive cells and in the proportion of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes that were GPER-immunoreactive. Conclusions: These findings suggest that estrogenic regulation of hypothalamic function through GPER may be different in males and females and may fluctuate during the estrous cycle in females.
Modulation of Mammalian Cardiomyocyte Cytokinesis by the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Wu Chi-Chung , Jeratsch Sylvia , Graumann Johannes , Stainier Didier Y.R.
Published: June 2020

Rationale:

After birth, cycling mammalian CMs (cardiomyocytes) progressively lose the ability to undergo cytokinesis and hence they become binucleated, which leads to cell cycle exit and loss of regenerative capacity. During late embryonic and early postnatal heart growth, CM development is accompanied by an expansion of the cardiac fibroblast (cFb) population and compositional changes in the ECM (extracellular matrix). Whether and how these changes influence cardiomyocyte cytokinesis is currently unknown.

Objective:

To elucidate the role of postnatal cFbs and the ECM in cardiomyocyte cytokinesis and identify ECM proteins that promote cardiomyocyte cytokinesis.

Methods and Results:

Using primary rat cardiomyocyte cultures, we found that a proportion of postnatal, but not embryonic, cycling cardiomyocytes fail to progress through cytokinesis and subsequently binucleate, consistent with published reports of in vitro and in vivo observations. Direct coculture with postnatal cFbs increased cardiomyocyte binucleation, which could be inhibited by RGD peptide treatment. In contrast, cFb-conditioned medium or transwell coculture did not significantly increase cardiomyocyte binucleation, suggesting that cFbs inhibit cardiomyocyte cytokinesis through ECM modulation rather than by secreting diffusible factors. Furthermore, we found that both embryonic and postnatal CMs binucleate at a significantly higher rate when cultured on postnatal cFb-derived ECM compared with embryonic cFb-derived ECM. These cytokinetic defects correlate with cardiomyocyte inefficiency in mitotic rounding, a process which is key to successful cytokinesis. To identify ECM proteins that modulate cardiomyocyte cytokinesis, we compared the composition of embryonic and postnatal cFb-derived ECM by mass spectrometry followed by functional assessment. We found that 2 embryonically enriched ECM proteins, SLIT2 and NPNT (nephronectin), promote cytokinesis of postnatal CMs in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

We identified the postnatal cardiac ECM as a nonpermissive environment for cardiomyocyte cytokinesis and uncovered novel functions for the embryonic ECM proteins SLIT2 and NPNT (nephronectin) in promoting postnatal cardiomyocyte cytokinesis.

Graphic Abstract:

A
graphic abstract
is available for this article.
Maternal Cardiac Assessment at 35 to 37 Weeks Improves Prediction of Development of Preeclampsia
Authors: Garcia-Gonzalez Coral , Georgiopoulos Georgios , Azim Samira Abdel , Macaya Fernando , Kametas Nikos , Nihoyannopoulos Petros , Nicolaides Kypros H. , Charakida Marietta
Published: June 2020

Preeclampsia at term accounts for half of maternal deaths from hypertensive disorders. We aimed to assess differences in maternal cardiac indices at 35
+0
to 36
+6
weeks’ gestation between women who subsequently developed preeclampsia at term compared with those with uncomplicated pregnancy and to evaluate whether cardiac indices offer incremental prognostic value to the available screening algorithm for preeclampsia. We recruited 1602 women with singleton pregnancies who attended for a routine hospital visit at 35
+0
to 36
+6
weeks’ gestation between April and November 2018. We recorded maternal characteristics and preeclampsia-risk-score derived from a competing risks model and measured cardiac indices. Preeclampsia developed in 3.12% (50/1602) of participants. Women with preeclampsia, compared with those without, had increased mean arterial pressure (97.6, SD, 5.53 versus 87.9, SD, 6.82 mm Hg), systemic vascular resistance (1500, interquartile range, 1393–1831 versus 1400, interquartile range, 1202–1630 PRU) and preeclampsia-risk-score (23.4, interquartile range, 9.13–40 versus 0.9, interquartile range, 0.32–3.25). Multivariable analysis demonstrated independent association between the incidence of preeclampsia and E/e′ (hazard ratio, 1.19/unit [95% CI, 1.03–1.37];
P
=0.018) as well as left ventricular mass indexed for body surface area (hazard ratio, 1.03/[g·m
2
] [95% CI, 1.003–1.051];
P
=0.029). Women with E/e′ ≥7.3 and left ventricular mass indexed for body surface area ≥63.2 g/m
2
had an increased risk for developing preeclampsia, despite low preeclampsia-risk-score <5% (hazard ratio, 20.1 [95% CI, 10.5–38.7],
P
<0.001). Increased left ventricular mass and E/e′ offer incremental information to available scoring systems and better stratify women at risk of developing preeclampsia at term.
Depression and Psychosocial Stress Are Associated With Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis Among Women Living With HIV
Authors: Levy Matthew E. , Anastos Kathryn , Levine Steven R. , Plankey Michael , Castel Amanda D. , Molock Sherry , Sen Sabyasachi , Asch Federico M. , Milam Joel , Aouizerat Bradley , Weber Kathleen M. , Golub Elizabeth T. , Kaplan Robert C. , Kassaye Seble
Published: June 2020

Background

To identify reasons for increased atherosclerotic risk among women living with
HIV
(
WLWH
), we evaluated the associations between psychosocial risk factors (depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms) and subclinical atherosclerosis among
WLWH
and
HIV
‐negative women.

Methods and Results

Carotid artery focal plaque (localized intima‐media thickness >1.5 mm) was measured using B‐mode ultrasound imaging in 2004–2005 and 2010–2012 in the Women's Interagency
HIV
Study. We created psychosocial risk groups using latent class analysis and defined prevalent plaque at the final measurement. We also examined repeated semiannual depression measures with respect to focal plaque formation throughout follow‐up. The associations between latent class and prevalent plaque, and between depressive symptom persistence and plaque formation, were assessed separately by
HIV
status using multivariable logistic regression. Among 700 women (median age 47 years), 2 latent classes were identified: high (n=163) and low (n=537) psychosocial risk, with corresponding prevalence of depression (65%/13%), high stress (96%/12%), and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (46%/2%). Among
WLWH
, plaque prevalence was 23% and 11% in high versus low psychosocial risk classes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.12; 95% CI, 1.11–4.05) compared with 9% and 9% among
HIV
‐negative women (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.24–4.84), respectively. New plaque formation occurred among 17% and 9% of
WLWH
who reported high depressive symptoms at ≥45% versus <45% of visits (aOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.06–3.64), compared with 9% and 7% among
HIV
‐negative women (aOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.16–4.16), respectively.

Conclusions

Psychosocial factors were independent atherosclerotic risk factors among
WLWH
. Research is needed to determine whether interventions for depression and psychosocial stress can mitigate the increased risk of atherosclerosis for
WLWH
.
Offline Learning with a Selection Hyper-Heuristic: An Application to Water Distribution Network Optimisation
Authors: Yates William B. , Keedwell Edward C.
Published: June 2020

A sequence-based selection hyper-heuristic with online learning is used to optimise 12 water distribution networks of varying sizes. The hyper-heuristic results are compared with those produced by five multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. The comparison demonstrates that the hyper-heuristic is a computationally efficient alternative to a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm. An offline learning algorithm is used to enhance the optimisation performance of the hyper-heuristic. The optimisation results of the offline trained hyper-heuristic are analysed statistically, and a new offline learning methodology is proposed. The new methodology is evaluated, and shown to produce an improvement in performance on each of the 12 networks. Finally, it is demonstrated that offline learning can be usefully transferred from small, computationally inexpensive problems, to larger computationally expensive ones, and that the improvement in optimisation performance is statistically significant, with 99% confidence.
Celebrations: Religious Events beyond the Dichotomy of Individualization and Communitization
Authors: Haken Meike
Published: June 2020

This contribution contrasts the dichotomization of individualization and communitization of religion, which is still prominent in the social sciences, with a religious phenomenon that shows that religion must be understood beyond the opposition of these spheres. Against the background of a corresponding concept of religion, the popular religion (Knoblauch 2009), which continues Thomas Luckmann’s theory of religion (1967), the concept of Celebrations will be presented. This empirically generated concept relies on self-recorded video data of Christian events in Europe. Celebrations are to be understood as religious events that are based on a specific affective order, which is able to merge the most diverse cultural communicative forms on the level of individual religiosity and community (cf. Haken 2020a, 2020b). Referring to web-based data on the Hindu Kumbh Mela in India, the transferability of the concept of Celebrations is exploratively applied to another religious event.
Towards a Chinese Theology of Displacement: The Poetic Journey of a Chinese Migrant
Authors: Yang Xiaoli
Published: June 2020

While poetry was used as a rich vehicle to express one’s identity, freedom and communal belonging in the “poetry fever” (shige re, 诗歌热) of the 1980s in Mainland China, its connection with Christian theology has been long neglected despite the rapid increase in Chinese conversion to Christianity amongst the post-1989 generation. Using both autoethnographic and phenomenological methodology, this paper explores the relationship between the two using the author’s own poetry writings as a case study. From the vantage point of a Chinese Christian, poet and migrant to Australia, this paper is an inter-disciplinary study that journeys with the poetic voice from the themes of lament to search and then return, followed by some theological reflections. It argues that the dualistic thinking of poetry and theology can move into non-dualist responses so that the two can meet and become fused on the epistemological path towards God. This path parallels with that of the Israelites in exile, and ultimately Jesus’ journey in the gospel. It aims to provide a trajectory to develop further a poetic Chinese theology of displacement.
Palms and pollen beetles: two new anthophilous beetle species of Meligethinus from Mozambique (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae)
Authors: SABATELLI SIMONE , LIU MEIKE , CLINE ANDREW RICHARD , LASOŃ ANDRZEJ , MACUVELE SUZANA , MUAMBALO KISIMENDA , CHUQUELA LUCILIA , AUDISIO PAOLO
Published: June 2020

The genus Meligethinus Grouvelle, 1906 represents a small group of pollen beetles, including some twenty species distributed from southern Palaearctic areas to northern Oriental and Afrotropical regions. All constituent species appear to be strictly associated as larvae and adults to male inflorescences of palms (Monocots: Arecaceae). Two new species of this genus (Meligethinus mondlanei sp. nov. and M. hamerlae sp. nov.) were recently discovered in southern Mozambique, and are described herein. Both are associated as larvae with male inflorescences of the widespread eastern African palm Phoenix reclinata Jacq. The two new species are compared with related taxa from central Africa. Additionally, the presence of additional species of the same genus in southern Mozambique is reported, and the local associations of several Meligethinus species are discussed.
Exostoma dulongensis, a new glyptosternine catfish from the Irrawaddy basin, Yunnan, China (Siluriformes: Sisoridae)
Authors: LUO ZHAOJUN , CHEN XIAOYONG
Published: June 2020

Exostoma dulongensis sp. nov., a new species of sisorid catfish from the genus Exostoma Blyth, 1860, is described from the Xiaojiang River and Dulongjiang River, tributaries of N’mai Hka River in the Irrawaddy basin, Yunnan Province, China. Exostoma dulongensis sp. nov. is the seventeenth species reported within this genus and is most similar to Exostoma ericinum Ng 2018 in morphology but can be distinguished by the following characters: tip of pelvic fin far from anus vs. reaching when depressed; nasal barbel reaching or surpassing posterior edge of orbit vs. just reaching middle of orbit; greater preanal length (70.9%–80.1% SL vs. 67.7%–70.5%); and longer dorsal to adipose length (13.5%–23.8% SL vs. 8.0%–12.0%). The new species can also be distinguished from all known congeners by the following characters: adipose fin confluent with caudal fin and without incision; caudal fin weakly forked; 40–43 vertebrae; and pectoral fin extending to vicinity of dorsal fin origin.
Taxonomic revision of the genus Chaethippus Duda, 1930 (Diptera: Chloropidae) with the description of four species
Authors: RICCARDI PAULA RAILE
Published: June 2020

The monotypic genus Chaethippus Duda is revised, including the description of four new species from South America and a key to all species. Detailed illustrations of morphological features are also given using light and scanning electron microscopy. The affinities of Chaethippus within Oscinellinae are briefly addressed.
Gender-biased Street Naming in Urban Sub-Saharan Africa: Influential Factors, Features and Future Recommendations
Authors: Zuvalinyenga Dorcas , Bigon Liora
Published: June 2020

This article explores the present-day problematic of gender-biased street names as prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa’s cityscapes. That is, the abundance of masculine street names as opposed to feminine ones in the urban environments of this region. The article first provides a comparative view on the scope of this toponymic phenomenon in other geographic regions with relation to sub-Saharan Africa. It also identifies few decisive factors in the creation of the gender-biased urban landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa. These factors consist of: recent tendencies in critical toponymy studies; colonial and post-colonial cultures of governmentality; and inadequate urban planning legislation and vision as pertained by post-colonial states. This toponymic problematic is then exemplified in a site-specific analysis of the city of Bindura in north-eastern Zimbabwe. The article concludes with recommendations for designing a more socially inclusive urban management policy in the region, pointing to future research directions of this under-studied phenomenon in critical place-name studies.
Not only the seed matters: Farmers’ perceptions of sources for banana planting materials in Uganda
Authors: Kilwinger Fleur BM , Marimo Pricilla , Rietveld Anne M , Almekinders Conny JM , van Dam Ynte K
Published: June 2020

The adoption of improved seed and other planting material in developing countries shows mixed results despite their potential to increase agricultural productivity. To arrive at a better understanding of the observed adoption rates, a lot of research is focused on finding the cultivars and variety traits that are attractive to farmers. Given smallholder farmers’ seed sourcing practices are often influenced by social ties and cultural norms, it is also relevant to understand where and why farmers seek to acquire planting material. In this study, means-end chain analysis was applied to understand farmers’ perceptions of formal and informal sources of banana planting material. Means-end chain analysis allows respondents to select and verbalize their own constructs to evaluate a product or service. These personally relevant constructs are subsequently linked to their personal goals via laddering interviews. We interviewed 31 Ugandan banana farmers from Western and Central region. Farmers associated formal sources mainly with improved cultivars, tissue culture plantlets and low levels of diversity. Informal seed sources were mostly associated with traditional cultivars, suckers and high levels of diversity. The goals farmers pursued while acquiring planting material, such as financial gains, food security, and to sustain and develop the household, were fairly similar among different groups of farmers. The means through which farmers aimed and preferred to pursue these goals differed and could be related to aspects such as gender, production scale and production goals. These differences among farmers preferences for particular sources indicate that not only cultivar traits should be tailored to farmers’ preferences and needs, but also the characteristics of the sources from which farmers access planting material.
Racial Integration, White Appropriation, and School Choice: The Demise of the Colored Schools of Late Nineteenth Century Brooklyn
Authors: Kafka Judith , Matheny Cici
Published: June 2020

This study examines school desegregation in late-nineteenth-century Brooklyn from a spatial perspective, analyzing enrollment data and policy debates within the context of the shifting racial and geographic contours of the city. We argue that “choice” on the part of black families only partially explains the demise of designated-black schools during this period. White interests also played a role in the closing of these institutions, as white families and developers sought, and ultimately acquired, control over formerly black spaces. This study contributes to a growing body of research on school desegregation in northern U.S. cities by exploring the perceived benefits of school desegregation for white families and property owners, and by examining how the end of official school segregation may have helped to shape the racial contours of nineteenth-century urban development.
Suboptimal obstacles avoidance control of spacecraft rendezvous
Authors: Cao Lu , Xiao Bing
Published: June 2020

Spacecraft on-orbital services and docking require their autonomous rendezvous control system to have obstacle avoidance capability. Motivated by this, a suboptimal velocity artificial potential function-based control scheme is presented. An ellipsoid model is applied to describe the outer envelopes of the service spacecraft and the obstacles via an eigenvalue algorithm. This has better description precision than the traditional methods. The potential sigmoid function is used to generate repulsive force to avoid obstacles collision. A velocity artificial potential function-based controller is finally developed to ensure that the relative speed of the service spacecraft is reduced to zero before reaching the outer envelops of obstacles. The shaping parameters of the attractive potential function are adaptively optimized. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate that the approach can achieve a safe and autonomous rendezvous with fuel cost saved.
Performance evaluation of constant current and constant voltage charge control modes of an inductive power transfer circuit with double-sided inductor-capacitor-capacitor and inductor-capacitor/series compensations for electrical vehicle battery charge applications
Authors: Cetin Sevilay , Yenil Veli
Published: June 2020

For electric vehicle (EV) battery chargers, inductive power transfer (IPT) has become popular day by day due to its features such as being safe, comfortable and weather proof. The constant current (CC) and the constant voltage (CV) charge control modes are important for high-efficiency charging and long-life use of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries commonly used in EVs. However, IPT method requires a wide range of operating frequency in order to provide CC/CV charge control modes. In IPT applications, CC and CV charge control modes are mainly achieved with dc-dc circuits using compensation networks at the transmitter and receiver sides. In this study, performances of inductor-capacitor/series compensation and double-sided inductor-capacitor-capacitor compensation topologies are evaluated based on CC/CV charge control modes. The analytical evaluation is presented in terms of voltage and current regulations during the entire charge control period. Finally, presented analytical evaluation is confirmed with ANSYS software providing field-electric common simulation to predict real response of compensation topologies. In the simulation work, both compensation topologies are operated for the maximum 2.5 kW output power and at the 250 V-450 V output voltage range.
Health-related Quality of Life of Older Women Religious: Negative Influence of Frailty
Authors: Petrinec Amy B. , Crowe Mary Lind , Flanagan Sr. Kathleen , Baker Janet
Published: June 2020

The purpose of the current study was to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older women religious (WR) and examine variables that may influence HRQOL.

The sample consisted of WR, 65 years or older, living in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. The participants completed a medical history, body-mass index (BMI) and blood pressure measurement, and self-report measures of HRQOL, frailty, social support, resilience, and depression. The study sample was composed of 108 older WR with a mean age of 75.6 (range 65–93 years). The women reported high levels of daily functioning, resilience, and social support, with low levels of depression. WR describe a relatively high level of HRQOL. Frailty was an independent negative predictor of HRQOL in all subscales except general health. Resilience and fear of falling had significant effects on several HRQOL subscales.
Efficacy of shortwave diathermy in ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bilgin Badur Naciye , Unlu Ozkan Feyza , Aktas Ilknur
Published: June 2020

Objective:

To investigate the efficacy of shortwave diathermy in treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.

Design:

The study was a double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting, participants:

A total of 76 adult patients diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow clinically and electrophysiologically, were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients were evaluated at baseline, after completing treatment and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Physical examination, quick-DASH (disabilities of arm, shoulder, hand) and SF-36 (short form) questionnaires for daily life activities, dynamometer for grip strength, and visual analog scale for pain were used.

Intervention:

A total of 10 sessions of shortwave diathermy were applied to patients in treatment group as five sessions/week, 2 weeks. Control group was given placebo shortwave diathermy. Both groups were given elbow splints and informed to avoid symptom provoking activities.

Main outcome measures:

Visual analog scale, grip strength, SF-36, and quick-DASH results.

Results:

Out of 76 patients, 61 of them completed the study where n = 31 for treatment group and n = 30 for control group. Mean age was 46.18 ± 13.45 years. There were 32 (52.5%) women and 29 (47.5%) men. The p values between groups 3 months after intervention for visual analog scale, quick-DASH, SF-36 questionnaire, and dynamometer were 0.669, 0.277, 0.604, and 0.126, respectively ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Application of shortwave diathermy to patients with ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow was not associated with any difference in outcome.
Institutional Norms and the Institutionalization of Macromarketing: Historical Insights, the Long Macro View, and Service-Dominant Logic
Authors: Hunt Shelby D.
Published: June 2020

Progress toward the institutionalization of macromarketing continues to occur. This article addresses the suggestion, implicit in Robert F. Lusch’s “Long Macro View,” that the institutional norms of macromarketing deserve scrutiny. Specifically, this article argues that insights on macromarketing’s existing and appropriate institutional norms can be found in (1) the first, truly marketing, academic journal article ever written, “Some Problems in Market Distribution,” (2) the first macromarketing conference held at the University of Colorado in 1976, (3) the “four eras” historical analysis of aggregate marketing systems by William Wilkie and Elizabeth Moore, and (4) the service- dominant-logic of Stephen Vargo and Robert F. Lusch. This article argues that these works suggest fifteen institutional norms for macromarketing scholars to consider, discuss, and evaluate.
Glycemic variability in type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute coronary syndrome: liraglutide compared with insulin glargine: a pilot study
Authors: del Olmo-García Maria Isabel , Hervás Marín David , Caudet Esteban Jana , Ballesteros Martin-Portugués Antonio , Cerveró Rubio Alba , Arnau Vives Miguel Angel , Catalá Gregori Ana , Penalba Martínez Maite , Merino-Torres Juan Francisco
Published: June 2020

Objective

To explore the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue liraglutide in the hospital setting in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and acute coronary syndrome and to evaluate the safety and efficacy and its impact on hospitalization and short-term glycemic variability (GV).

Methods

A 12-week, open-label, prospective, randomized pilot clinical study with parallel groups that compared liraglutide (group 1) with glargine (group 2) and its impact on glycemic control and GV.

Results

Thirteen patients were included. During hospitalization, mean glucose was 164.75 mg/dL (standard deviation [SD] 19.94) in group 1 and 166.69 mg/dL (38.22) in group 2. GV determined by CV and SD was 20.98 (7.68) vs. 25.48 (7.19) and 34.37 (13.05) vs. 43.56 (19.53) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Group 1 prandial insulin requirements during hospitalization were lower compared with group 2. Follow-up A1c in group 1 was 6.9% (−1.51%) and 6.5% in group 2 (−1.27). GV after discharge and hypoglycemia were lower in group 1 compared with group 2.

Conclusions

Liraglutide seems to reduce GV in the acute phase of acute coronary syndrome, and patients achieved optimal control with a low incidence of hypoglycemia. These results support the need to explore liraglutide in a larger multicenter trial. Trial registration: The study was approved by the National Medical Ethics Committee of Spain. The study was registered at European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT): 2014003298-40.
Angioleiomyoma of the hand with nerve compression
Authors: Jin Qianjun , Lu Hui
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study was performed to analyze the clinical, radiographic, and pathological features of hand angioleiomyoma causing nerve compression and assess the outcomes of surgical excision.

Methods

This case series included three men and one woman (mean age, 53.3 years; range, 49–56 years). The patients’ chief complaint was numbness of the fingers. The patients’ medical histories were reviewed, and the diagnosis of angioleiomyoma with nerve compression was confirmed by means of imaging examination and pathological analysis.

Results

Three tumors occurred in the palm and one in the finger, and the average maximum tumor diameter was 1.8 cm (range, 0.8–2.6 cm). Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated well-defined masses with isointense signals on T1 sequences, hyperintense signals on T2 sequences, and strong heterogeneous enhancement after injection of contrast material. All tumors were located near nerves, leading to nerve compression. The diagnosis of angioleiomyoma was confirmed by postoperative pathology. Finger sensation recovered and no recurrence was found during an average follow-up of 37 months (range, 25–59 months).

Conclusions

Angioleiomyoma should be considered among the differential diagnoses of hand tumors and timely resection should be performed, particularly if the mass is causing numbness and/or pain with positive Tinel’s sign and/or tenderness.
Predictors of caregiver burden in patients with neurologic Wilson disease
Authors: Wu Peng , Zheng Yanjun , Fan Xiaolei , Wang Honghao , Deng Xiaoxue , Sun Bei , Huang Peng , Jin Shan , Chen Yonghua , Bao Yuancheng
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Caregiver burden in neurologic Wilson disease (NWD) has received little attention. We investigated predictors of caregiver burden in Chinese NWD patients.

Methods

Participants in this retrospective study were NWD patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 1 August to 31 December 2019. Sociodemographic information was recorded for caregivers and NWD patients. Caregiver burden was evaluated using the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). Cognitive impairment, functional problems, depression and anxiety were evaluated by professional interviewers. Path analysis was used to evaluate predictors of CBI scores.

Results

Sixty NWD patients were enrolled (mean age: 21.35 ± 4.89 years; mean NWD duration: 7.85 ± 3.11 years). The mean CBI score was 52.00 ± 17.16. Care duration had a significant direct effect on CBI score after controlling for confounders (r = 0.493). Cognitive impairment (r = −0.426), functional problems (r = 0.581), depression (r = 0.349) and anxiety (r = 0.317) had significant indirect effects on CBI score.

Conclusion

Caregivers of NWD patients may experience a medium level of caregiver burden. NWD duration, cognitive impairment, functional problems, depression and anxiety in NWD patients may be useful predictors of caregiver burden.
A durable complete response to immunotherapy in a patient with metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma
Authors: Mariuk-Jarema Anna , Koseła-Paterczyk Hanna , Rogala Paweł , Klimczak Anna , Wągrodzki Michał , Maksymiuk Beata , Rutkowski Piotr
Published: June 2020

Background:

Recent years have brought the dynamic development of a new method of cancer treatment: immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies blocking the programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) are now widely used in the treatment of several malignancies: melanoma, lung, head and neck cancer, among others. The therapeutic benefit of immunotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) has not yet been proven. The exception is results obtained in the treatment of a rare STS subtype alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS).

Case report:

We describe a case of a man with a diagnosis of metastatic ASPS in whom the use of immunotherapy with nivolumab resulted in excellent long-term clinical benefit and a pathologically confirmed complete response.

Conclusion:

There are strong indications that immunotherapy may become the next important treatment method of ASPS.
Development of Robotic Nondestructive Testing of Steel Corrosion of Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders using Magnetic Flux Leakage System
Authors: Azari Hoda , Ghorbanpoor Al , Shams Sadegh
Published: June 2020

This paper describes the development and validation of a new magnetic-based corrosion detection device integrated in a robotic system. The system nondestructively scans the length of AASHTO-type prestressed concrete I-girders of bridges. The system includes two primary subsystems: an independent magnetic flux leakage (MFL) system for nondestructive testing, and a robotic rover to transport the MFL system along the girder’s length with navigation around transverse diaphragms. The MFL unit inspects prestressing steel strands embedded in concrete and detects cross-section losses caused by corrosion. The MFL is designed with two permanent magnets to magnetize embedded strands and multiple Hall-effect sensors to detect normal and axial magnetic flux leakage. The system is evaluated by testing a laboratory mockup girder and further applied on a field girder. Resulting magnetic signals from both normal and axial Hall-effect sensors are recorded using a newly developed and integrated data acquisition system. Finite element simulations through multi-physics 3D transient analysis aided the development of the new MFL system components, including appropriate magnets strength and dimensions, as well as the verification of the developed system. The effects of lateral reinforcements on nearby section loss are obtained from tests and analyzed with numerical models. Results indicate that the system can successfully disclose magnetic leakage signals at the corrosion zone.
Comprehensive Study of Risk Factors for Fatal Pedestrian Crashes in Urban Setup in a Developing Country
Authors: Mukherjee Dipanjan , Mitra Sudeshna
Published: June 2020

In developing nations, pedestrian safety is a matter of major concern. The present study investigates historical crash data (2011–2016) obtained from Kolkata police, India, and identifies the key risk factors for fatal pedestrian crashes at the road network level (i.e., intersections and midblock crossings). To develop an understanding of the risk factors associated with fatal pedestrian crashes, a set of safety performance functions (SPF) are developed for both intersection and midblock level. In these SPFs, several attempts are executed to identify a host of risk factors ranging from road infrastructure to land use, traffic exposure, and operational parameters, pedestrian-level attributes, and spatial characteristics of the road network. Based on the study outcomes, there is strong evidence that approaching speed of vehicles, pedestrian-vehicular volume ratio, overtaking tendency of vehicles, inaccessibility of pedestrian crosswalk, land use type, lower post-encroachment time (PET), longer waiting time before crossing, a high share of “pedestrian is not following zebra crossing,” pedestrians’ perceived crossing difficulty, the presence of “pedestrian attraction zone” (e.g., hospital, educational institute, shopping mall, bars, etc.), and high population density significantly affect the fatal pedestrian crash frequency at the intersection level. On the other hand, over-speeding and overtaking tendency of vehicles, inadequate pavement marking, lack of visibility during night-time, lower PET, higher crossing difficulty, longer waiting time before crossing, and several spatial features such as slum population and the presence of “pedestrian attraction zone”, significantly increase the likelihood of fatal pedestrian crashes at the midblock level.
Celebrating PSA 90 Years: Presenting the Past and Present to Address the Challenges Facing Millennials in the Future
Authors: Davis Sharon K. , Dorn Dean S. , Orr Amy J.
Published: June 2020

Since its founding in 1929, the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) has undergone a variety of changes as it has adapted to shifts in society, developments in the discipline, and an increasingly diverse membership. The panelists in this session highlighted several ways in which the PSA has evolved over time and discussed a number of attempts to address the challenges facing millennials and millennial sociologists (the theme of the 90th Annual Meeting). Suggestions regarding ways in which the PSA can continue to offer support to this generation in the future were also discussed.
Millennials and Gender in an Era of Growing Inequality
Authors: Baralt Lori , Carian Emily K. , Johnson Amy L. , Lim Sojung , Yoon Soo-Yeon
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we identify and discuss several important themes surrounding gender among millennials in the context of growing inequality covering various topics from college classrooms to cross-national settings. Findings of our paper suggest that we need to understand social contexts and challenges faced by millennials. For example, millennials, both men and women alike, are affected by a rise in socioeconomic inequality and show pessimistic attitudes about the future. In addition, millennials hold more progressive gender beliefs than previous generations, but the cultural belief about individual responsibility still remains and works as one of the reasons for persistent gender inequality. Most importantly, in spite of the diversity in topics, research methods, and study context, all research included in this paper indicates the importance of viewing the issue of gender inequality in a broad social context through a structural lens and an intersectional perspective. We conclude with suggestions for the future.
Material flow analysis and heavy hydrocarbon removal in a full-scale biopile and soil washing plant in northern Italy
Authors: Vaccari Mentore , Castro Francine Duarte , Stolfini Martina
Published: June 2020

This study aimed to assess the mass fluxes and removal efficiencies of heavy hydrocarbons in a full-scale plant located in northern Italy. This plant receives and treats contaminated soil, soils and rocks from construction and demolition activities, incineration slags and street cleaning residues. The plant has three sections, consisting of bioremediation using biopile, a soil washing stage and a stabilization/solidification unit, which can perform independently or together with the others. The material flow analysis showed how the crisis in the construction industry changed the final destination of waste after the treatment: as the market demand for coarse material decreased, waste was sent directly to landfills for inert waste, instead of being recovered. Hydrocarbon mass fluxes showed that a considerable amount of pollutants was removed. In the period 2009–2014, the removal efficiencies of the bioremediation, the soil washing section and the entire plant were respectively 73%, 58% and 62%. The percentages of removal attained at the facility in study were sufficient to ensure the possibility of recovering the waste or disposing of it in different landfill categories, according to the national regulations.
The (non)use of likes, comments and shares of news in local online newspapers
Authors: Solvoll Mona Kristin , Larsson Anders Olof
Published: June 2020

This paper utilizes a nationally representative survey to gauge the ways in which media users engage with their local newspapers by using features that allow for sharing, liking, and commenting. The main results indicate that significant predictors for different types of news engagement vary, but that age and education emerge as two of the more interesting varieties. Implications are discussed—for instance, how both psychological and behavioral experiences constitute the concept engagement and how our results challenge the technology-optimistic argument that social media presence on a newspaper website promotes audience engagement in the journalistic process.
Evoked Potentials During Peripheral Stimulation Confirm Electrode Location in Thalamic Subnuclei in Children With Secondary Dystonia
Authors: Hernandez-Martin Estefania , Arguelles Enrique , Deshpande Ruta , Sanger Terence D.
Published: June 2020

Deep brain stimulation is an elective surgical intervention that improves the function and quality of life in children with dystonia and other movement disorders. Both basal ganglia and thalamic nuclei have been found to be relevant targets for treatment of dystonia in children, including the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus, in which stimulation can control dystonic spasms. Electrophysiological confirmation of correct electrode location within the ventralis intermediate nucleus is thus important for the success of the surgical outcome. The present work shows the evoked potentials response during contralateral median-nerve stimulation at the wrist at low frequency (9 Hz) provides physiological evidence of the electrode’s localization within the thalamus. We show the correlation between evoked potentials and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in 14 children undergoing implantation of deep brain stimulation electrodes for secondary dystonia. High fidelity and reproducibility of our results provides a new approach to ensure the electrode localization in the thalamic subnuclei.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Authorized Grocery, Convenience, Dollar, and Restaurant or Delivery Service Settings Are Associated With Increased Obesity Prevalence in Virginia
Authors: Houghtaling Bailey , Kniola David , Misyak Sarah
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

United States Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants use SNAP-authorized stores for dietary purchases. Relationships between obesity prevalence and access to grocery and varied nontraditional (eg, dollar, drug, and convenience) SNAP settings are underexplored. This research aimed to determine the association of a full range of SNAP-authorized stores with obesity prevalence in Virginia.

Design:

The SNAP Retailer Locator was used to cross-sectionally identify authorized stores, and county health ranking information was applied based on store location.

Setting:

Virginia, United States.

Sample:

The SNAP-authorized stores, classified among store categories: grocery or supermarket; drug; mass merchandiser; supercenter; convenience; dollar; club; other; nonfood store; farmers markets; and independent grocery stores.

Measures:

County-level obesity prevalence with income and rurality as potential confounders.

Analysis:

Multiple linear regression was used to determine associations between county-level adult obesity prevalence and available SNAP-authorized store formats ( P < .05 a priori).

Results:

Store format was a predictor of obesity prevalence in Virginia in simple and adjusted models ( R 2 = 0.035, P < .0001 and R 2 = 0.434, P < .0001, respectively). Grocery store or supermarket access was associated with obesity. The SNAP-authorized convenience, dollar, and nonfood stores were associated with a 0.3, 0.5, and 1.3 increase in county obesity prevalence, respectively ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

Research, practice, and health policy approaches to improve grocery, convenience, dollar, and restaurant or delivery service settings may favorably influence community obesity prevalence in Virginia.
Constructing “purgatory”: How refugee camp architecture inscribes refugees into the a-political, a-historical, and moveable
Authors: Tyrrell Áine Josephine
Published: June 2020

Recent studies in the field of Performance Studies have examined the performativity and spatial practices in refugee camps with particular attention to the political consequences of these psycho-social performances on refugees. This article complements such scholarship by: first, providing a more performance-centric definition of the term “refugee” with recourse to the idea of “transience”; second, by concretizing this (re)definition via analyzes of the socio-political consequences of the architecture of one of the most recently established refugee camps located in Jordan, namely Azraq. The article concludes by framing refugee camps more broadly as biopolitical environments that deprive refugees of their political agency; by homogenizing their inhabitants, they inscribe individuals into a state of perpetual transience.
Preparation and application of a high-temperature–resistant EVOH-SO3Li/PI fiber membrane with self-closing pores
Authors: Li Ze , Gong Guifen , Xing Yun , Luo Yanmei , Cui Weiwei
Published: June 2020

A lithium ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer sulfate (EVOH-SO3Li)/polyimide (PI) composite fiber membrane prepared via high-voltage electrospinning and impregnation was used as a lithium-ion battery separator for research purposes. The polyamic acid spinning solution was synthesized from 3,3′′,4,4′′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4-diaminodiphenyl ether. The PI fiber membrane was prepared via high-voltage electrospinning and thermal imidization, and EVOH-SO3Li was then coated on the surface of the PI fiber to prepare an EVOH-SO3Li/PI composite fiber membrane material (t-EVOH-SO3Li/PI). Overall, the EVOH-SO3Li/PI membrane exhibits excellent basic physical properties, given the clear three-dimensional network microstructure. When compared with EVOH-SO3Li/PI composite fiber membrane prepared via the cospinning method (s-EVOH-SO3Li/PI), its electrolyte uptake and tensile strength can increase to 739% and 17.56 MPa, respectively. Additionally, the EVOH-SO3Li/PI composite fiber membrane prepared via high-voltage electrospinning and impregnation exhibits better heat shrinkage stability, electrochemical performance, and high-temperature self-closing pores function. The electrochemical stability window, electrochemical impedance, and ionic conductivity correspond to 5.8 V, 310 Ω, and 3.753 × 10−3 S cm−1, respectively. Specifically, at 200°C, the internal pores can close effectively, and this is extremely important for the safety of lithium-ion batteries.
Does Corruption Sand or Grease the Wheels? A Case of BRICS Countries
Authors: Arif Imtiaz , Khan Lubna , Waqar Sundus
Published: June 2020

This article examines the effect of corruption on the foreign direct investment (FDI) of BRICS economies, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. An annual data series of BRICS for 1995–2015 is used. The empirical model is estimated by using the system generalized method of moments (SGMM). The estimated outcomes suggest that corruption impacts FDI positively and significantly when these five nations are merged as a single unit. It is because corruption yields a restrictive economic effect. Moreover, the study also revealed that when we study the countries separately, corruption has a negative and significant effect on FDI in Brazil, China and India, whereas, the relationship becomes insignificant for Russia and South Africa. Results suggest that governments should enhance their policies to control corruption. Furthermore, to attract more FDI, the government of each country should look into the motivation behind their FDI inflows and tailor their polices accordingly.