bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inscribing the Eternal into the Everyday: Voice in Bedil’s Ruqa⁠ʿāt
Authors: Keshavmurthy Prashant
Published: August 2020

Can we read ʿAbd al-Qādir Bedil’s (1644–1720) oeuvre in ways that socialize it against his own pervasive Sufi posture of ascetic distance from everyday social exchanges? What kind of selfhood comes into view if we do so? Of all the genres Bedil wrote in, his correspondence best allows us such a socialization. This essay explores Bedil’s epistolary voice in terms of a tension between the trans-mundane ghazal metaphors he uses in his letters and the mundane specificities of each epistolary situation. It puts this voice into relation with prior models of Persian epistolography (inshā), with Arabic-Persian literary theories of wonder in Bedil’s milieu and with models of Sufi wit, reflecting on what his appropriations of these genres allowed him in each case. It concludes by reflecting on how Bedil’s voice might be understood in the wider contexts of non-European practices of civility and the order of mimesis it assumes.
Flights of Imagination: Avicenna’s Phoenix (ʿAnqā) and Bedil’s Figuration for the Lyric Self
Authors: Mikkelson Jane
Published: August 2020

The phoenix (ʿanqā) appears in the philosophy of Avicenna (d.1037) as his example of a “vain intelligible,” a fictional being that exists in the soul, but not in the world. This remarkable bird is notable (along with the Earth, the moon, the sun, and God) for being a species of one. In this essay, I read the poetry Bedil of Delhi (d.1720) in conversation with the philosophical system of Avicenna, arguing that the phoenix in Bedil’s own philosophical system functions as a key figuration that allows him simultaneously to articulate rigorous impersonal systematic ideas and to document his individual first-personal experiences of those ideas. The phoenix also plays a metaliterary role, allowing Bedil to reflect on this way of doing philosophy in the first person—a method founded on the lyric enrichment of Avicennan rationalism. Paying attention to the adjacencies between poetry and philosophy in Bedil, this essay traces the phoenix’s transformations from a famous philosophical example into one of Bedil’s most striking figurations in his arguments about imagination, mind, and self.
Jia, as in Guojia: building the Chinese Family into a Filial Nationalist Project
Authors: Wang Di
Published: August 2020

The Chinese state acts in concert with the patriarchal family to sustain its authoritarian legitimacy, and both institutions are grounded in paternalistic cultural norms. The state also harnesses the “quality” of Chinese families through the law, which often saddles women with more burdens and responsibilities than it does men. From the 1950 Marriage Law to the 2015 Universal Two-Child Policy, the state has directly politicized the family through explicit mandates on marriage and reproductive control as well as repressive deployment of families as a tool for social stability and national security. To unpack this state-family project, this article addresses how the patriarchal state constructs and manages a filial nationalist population in order to secure its authoritarian rule. Through the lens of emerging Chinese feminist and queer scholarship on families, this article also asks how the state-family project has affected people and families that are intersectionally marginalized by gender, sexuality, class, household registration [hukou 户口], and so on. Lastly, this article spotlights new developments in feminist and lgbtq movements as they advocate for marginalized individuals and families.
Invented Identity of Thai Monks in Indonesia
Authors: Buaban Jesada
Published: August 2020

Thai missionary monks are viewed as passive in the new land on the grounds that though they work abroad, they still serve Thai communities rather than adapt Buddhism to attract the locals. Missionary work in Indonesia is, however, exceptional. This article questions how Thai monks attracted Chinese followers, who have a different background of beliefs. Ethnographic methodology was conducted in Central Java and Sumatra for three months. It found that in order to negotiate with educated lay religious leaders, Thai monks choose to invent an identity of traditional forest monks who are experts in meditation as found in Northeast Thailand. This special figure cannot be found among the laypeople who are immersed in worldly matters like the family and business. Thus, meditation masters from Thailand are often invited to Indonesia not only to provide meditation guidance but also to invent a new identity of Thai Buddhism in Indonesia.
Central Thai Food Culture and Acculturation During World War ii and the Vietnam War
Authors: Watanasin Ratiwan
Published: August 2020

As food has a substantial cultural and economic value, globalization and the Internet have posed challenges to traditional culture. As previous research on Thai food has focused on recipes and the consumption behavior of the royal family and upper-class Thai citizens, this study therefore aims to investigate the Thai food culture of ordinary Thais before the proliferation of a foreign food culture. Senior citizens from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in central Thailand who witnessed two major cultural encounters, specifically World War ii and the Vietnam War, were interviewed until full data was obtained. Content analysis within the guidelines of consumer behavior analysis was conducted. The findings confirm that central food culture has been passed down over generations and has become firmly established. Unless there has been convenient access to provincial centers, then, food from other regions has seldom been consumed. Also, before globalization, acculturation with foreign foods was barely noticeable. Overall, a key driver of this acculturation was so-called “food availability”.
Medical Quality Control in a General Hospital Based on Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle
Authors: Hu Xinxin , Shen Leichai , Wen Jing , Chen Ren , Wang Heng , Kan Ming , Shen Mi
Published: September 2020

Objective: There are many difficulties for health information management in large general hospital. The aim of this study is to provide an objective basis for better application of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle quality management mode in the hospital medical quality control.
Method: The PDCA cycle were applied in all the departments in a large general hospital. The main evaluation indicators before and after application of PDCA was compared and comprehensively analyzed. Result: The main evaluation indicators in various departments can reflect the
differences before and after application of PDCA. After the application of PDCA, the main evaluation indicators were improved in all the departments (P < 0.05). The improvement of doctor's theoretical knowledge level and the medical quality basic indicators compliance rate need the
continuous application of PDCA for at least one year. Conclusion: The perfection of PDCA can promote continuous improvement of medical quality management in various departments, so as to improve the hospital medical quality.
Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheters in Elderly Patients with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Authors: Xu Qing , Pan Feng , Qiao Lei , Wan Yu
Published: September 2020

Objective: The elderly patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in intensive care unit (ICU), usually need timely and effective central vein catheterization to ensure the effective treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and safety of ultrasound-guided
peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) in elderly patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in ICU. Method: A total of 80 elderly patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation from September 2016 to December 2019 were selected in Lu'An Hospital of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. They were randomly divided into ultrasound group (40 cases) and conventional group (40 cases). The patients in conventional group were treated with conventional PICC, while the patients in ultrasound group were treated with ultrasound-guided PICC. The surgery, puncture success rate
and complications were compared between ultrasound group and conventional group. Result: Ultrasound intervention showed the location of vessel at the puncture site and the whole process of catheter entry. Compared with the conventional group, the operation time, puncture time and intraoperative
blood loss in ultrasound group was significantly less (P < 0.05). The success rate of once puncture in the ultrasound group was higher than that in conventional group (93% vs. 70%, P< 0.05). Compared with conventional group, the incidence of complications in ultrasound
group was significantly lower than (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with conventional PICC, ultrasound-guided PICC can provide better effect and reduce the incidence of complications for the elderly patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in ICU.
Laser Medical Image Reconstruction and Computer Aided Design of Polymethyl Methacrylate for Pediatric Removable Space Maintainer Applications
Authors: Guo Hui , Zhao Yijiao , Feng Shawei , Liu He
Published: September 2020

Background: Although there are many advantages of removable space maintainers (RSM), current methods of making RSM have some limitations. CAD/CAM technology may be used to solve these problems. Methods: Digital model of dentition defects were obtained using scanning technique
coupled with laser medical image reconstruction. The digital RSM were designed using 3 shape software. They were manufactured using two methods: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and conventional methods. The spaces between the tissue surfaces of the RSM and the models were replaced using silicone,
the maximum, mean distances and standard deviation were measured. A three-dimensional variation analysis was used to measure these spaces. The variance test compares the difference in distances among various materials. Results: The PMMA RSMs fit the models well. The maximum and mean
distances of the PMMA groups were significantly smaller than those of conventional group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there were no significant different for the standard deviations among PMMA group and the conventional group. Conclusion: Digitally designed and integrated RSMs
have good suitability and were better than that of conventional method. PMMA manufactured RSM using CAD/CAM technique may be applied to clinical.
Medical Image Analysis of Telmisartan-Induced Protection in Hippocampal CA1 After Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia
Authors: Zhang Yixiang , Zhang Yupeng , Zeng Yiming , Chen Xiaoyang , Wang Wanyu , Lin Zhaoguo , Zhong Riguang
Published: September 2020

Objective: In this paper, we evaluate medical image analysis in hippocampus, immunohistochemistry analyzed and oxidative stress-mediated injury induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia on the mouse hippocampal CA1 area and the protective effects of telmisartan (TEL) on oxidative
stress-mediated injury. Methodology: C57B6J mice have been randomly categorized as chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) group, CIH + telmisartan (CIH + TEL) group, the room air control group and blank control group, and examined during a period of 12 weeks. Brain images were obtained
by Computed tomography scan, spatial learning and memory abilities were tested, and p47 NADPH oxidase subunit (p47PHOX) and 8-hydroxy-guanosine (8-OHG) were measured in the hippocampal CA1 area by immunohistochemistry and analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0. Results: (1) After
12 weeks, there were no abnormalities in mice brain by CT scan. (2) Spatial learning ability measured by escape latency from the Morris water maze in the hypoxia group decreased, while intervention with telmisartan improved the hypoxiainduced spatial learning deficit (F = 3.04, P
= 0.045). There exist no differences in spatial memory among any groups. (3) p47PHOX immunostaining significantly increased in hippocampal CA1 area after CIH, which was reduced by TEL intervention. (4) CIH significantly increased 8-OHG immunostaining in the hippocampal CA1 area,
while intervention with TEL significantly reduced 8-OHG immunostaining. Conclusions: Telmisartan significantly reduced expression of NADPH oxidase p47PHOX and 8-OHG in CIH mice, and improved hippocampusdependent learning, suggesting that telmisartan can reduce CIH-induced
neuronal oxidative stress-mediated injury.
Daily Autocorrelation and Mean Temperature/Moisture Rise as Determining Factors for Future Heat-Wave Patterns in the United States
Authors: Barnston Anthony G. , Lyon Bradfield , Coffel Ethan D. , Horton Radley M.
Published: September 2020

The frequency of heat waves (defined as daily temperature exceeding the local 90th percentile for at least three consecutive days) during summer in the United States is examined for daily maximum and minimum temperature and maximum apparent temperature, in recent observations and in 10 CMIP5 models for recent past and future. The annual average percentage of days participating in a heat wave varied between approximately 2% and 10% in observations and in the model’s historical simulations during 1979–2005. Applying today’s temperature thresholds to future projections, heat-wave frequencies rise to more than 20% by 2035–40. However, given the models’ slight overestimation of frequencies and positive trend rates during 1979–2005, these projected heat-wave frequencies should be regarded cautiously. The models’ overestimations may be associated with their higher daily autocorrelation than is found in observations. Heat-wave frequencies defined using apparent temperature, reflecting both temperature and atmospheric moisture, are projected to increase at a slightly (and statistically significantly) faster rate than for temperature alone. Analyses show little or no changes in the day-to-day variability or persistence (autocorrelation) of extreme temperature between recent past and future, indicating that the future heat-wave frequency will be due predominantly to increases in standardized (using historical period statistics) mean temperature and moisture content, adjusted by the local climatological daily autocorrelation. Using nonparametric methods, the average level and spatial pattern of future heat-wave frequency is shown to be approximately predictable on the basis of only projected mean temperature increases and local autocorrelation. These model-projected changes, even if only approximate, would impact infrastructure, ecology, and human well-being.
Experimental fatigue behavior of carbon/flax hybrid composites under tensile loading
Authors: Ben Ameur Mariem , Mahi Abderrahim El , Rebiere Jean-Luc , Beyaoui Moez , Abdennadher Moez , Haddar Mohamed
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present study is to investigate the mechanical behavior of carbon/flax hybrid composites under static and fatigue tensile loading. The failure characteristics and parameters used in the fatigue tests were deduced from the static ones. The effect of the applied stress level, hybridization and stacking sequences on the stiffness, hysteresis loops, dissipated energy and damping, were studied for a various number of cycles during fatigue tests. The Wohler S-N curves were constructed to investigate the effect of hybridization on the fatigue behavior. The results obtained show that the fatigue performance as well as the fatigue resistance increase with the increase of the volume fraction of carbon fiber. Nevertheless, the damping ratio and the fatigue life increase with the increase of the flax fiber volume fraction.
Role of immersive technologies in healthcare education during the COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Pears Matthew , Yiasemidou Marina , Ismail Mohamed A , Veneziano Domenico , Biyani Chandra Shekhar
Published: September 2020

The unparalleled epidemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), during early December 2019 in Wuhan, China, has rapidly evolved into a global pandemic, became a matter of grave concern. The pandemic presented a unique challenge to government agencies worldwide. The paucity of resources and lack of knowledges to manage the pandemic, coupled with the fear of future consequences has established the need for adoption of emerging and future technologies to address the upcoming challenges. With introduction of measures to control the pandemic, trainees will see a dramatic decline in their in-person exposure to all aspects of their education, with no clear endpoint. This presents an extreme challenge for educators and, given the rapidly evolving situation, there have not yet been training authorities recommendations. We propose several innovative solutions to deliver medical education while maintaining the safety of residents and educators.
Improving the adsorption performance and surface roughening of rayon fibers via enzymatic treatment with cellulase
Authors: Takahashi Tetsuya , Hayashi Makoto , Watanabe Yudai , Sadatomi Hiroyuki , Matsumoto Kentaro , Shono Eisaku
Published: September 2020

In recent years, expectations have increased for the development of filters for removing air pollutants. Rayon fibers have rough surfaces and excellent adsorption characteristics. Therefore, rayon is a promising material for such filters. By further roughening its surface, its adsorptivity to substances such as volatile organic compounds can likely be improved. The surface of rayon fibers was roughened via wet spinning carried out by adding oleic acid to a raw viscose. As a result, porous fibers containing several pores with a diameter of about 0.5–1.0 µm were obtained. A weight reduction treatment of the porous rayon fibers with cellulase, a cellulose-degrading enzyme, resulted in the appearance of several streaks and asperities on their surfaces. To investigate the adsorption behavior of the rayon fibers after cellulase treatment, dye adsorption was examined using an aqueous methylene blue solution. The porous rayon fibers adsorbed much more dye than the regular fibers. In addition, the fibers absorbed more dye after treatment with cellulase than without treatment in both fibers. The deodorizing function of the rayon fibers was also investigated using ammonia gas. The porous rayon fibers treated with cellulase had a very high deodorizing effect. In the proposed study, rayon fibers (which are porous inside) were treated with cellulase, and their surface was found to be considerably rough.
The Power of Experience? Innovative and Authoritative Leadership Values Among Danish Army Cadets
Authors: Brænder Morten , Holsting Vilhelm Stefan
Published: September 2020

Traditionally, the military is seen as an unequivocally authoritarian organization. With survey data collected at the Royal Danish Military Academy, this study shows that that is a qualified truth. Thus, cadets enrolled directly from the noncommissioned officer corps—those most acquainted with the norms of the armed forces—do not weigh authoritarian leadership values over nonauthoritarian ones. Instead, their view reflects that for the experienced leader, the context, and not overt ideals, enables them to choose the leadership tools they expect will prove most effective. On the contrary, cadets enrolled based on their civilian merits clearly prioritize authoritarian values. This is particularly true among cadets returning to the military after a break, former professionals, and former draftees alike. Their view also reflects experience, but a different kind of experience, as they have primarily encountered the military hierarchy from the receiving end.
A Scenario-based Approach for Understanding Changes in Consumer Spending Behavior in Response to Rising Water Bills
Authors: Medwid Laura , Mack Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2020

Rising infrastructure costs for water providers and the rising cost of water for households pose several challenges for water providers, policy makers, and the research community. Consumers may utilize several strategies for coping with rising water costs including reduced water use or spending reductions on other household goods and services. To provide a first glance at the link between rising water bills and consumer spending, this study analyzes data from a household survey in the United States to understand how consumers may change spending behavior given various water bill increase scenarios. Results of this analysis provide insights into the demographics of households likely to be affected, the industries that could be affected, and at what bill increase levels these trends are most pronounced. While additional research on this topic is needed, these results suggest a stronger emphasis on long-term water management planning and allocation of resources to building and maintaining water infrastructure may be required. For utilities, this means a consideration of nonrevenue sources of funds to pay for rising water costs and strategies for making water more affordable for customers without deferring infrastructure improvements.
Computational fluid dynamics: a primer for congenital heart disease clinicians
Authors: Gerrah Rabin , Haller Stephen J
Published: September 2020

Computational fluid dynamics has become an important tool for studying blood flow dynamics. As an in-silico collection of methods, computational fluid dynamics is noninvasive and provides numerical values for the most important parameters of blood flow, such as velocity and pressure that are crucial in hemodynamic studies. In this primer, we briefly explain the basic theory and workflow of the two most commonly applied computational fluid dynamics techniques used in the congenital heart disease literature: the finite element method and the finite volume method. We define important terminology and include specific examples of how using these methods can answer important clinical questions in congenital cardiac surgery planning and perioperative patient management.
Legitimacy of uncertain policy work: Exploring values in local economic development projects
Authors: Olausson Albin
Published: September 2020

This article takes the standpoint that, due to high levels of uncertainty, local economic development work suffers from both input- and output-based legitimacy. Nevertheless, local governments are active development agents and try to come up with economic development initiatives. In order to better understand the legitimate basis for uncertain economic development work, this article offers an unconventional analysis of economic development projects. Drawing on scholars of organization theory, legitimacy is defined as congruence in values between the studied projects and the stakeholders in the surrounding environment. The article examines what kinds of values pervade local governments’ economic development projects. The empirical material is based on thick interview and observation data derived from a study of eight local development projects in Sweden. The results show that values of professionalization and deliberation pervade the analysed projects. Taking the two sets of values together, the results indicate that local government administration seeks to legitimize its economic development work as being based on professional directed processes of public deliberation. Both these sets of values challenge the local representative democratic system of government as the prime source of the legitimacy of local governments’ interventions.
Differences in PET/CT standardized uptake values involvement and survival compared to histologic subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ercelep Ozlem , Alan Ozkan , Telli Tugba A. , Tuylu Tugba B. , Arıkan Rukiye , Demircan Nazim Can , Simsek Eda T. , Babacan Nalan A. , Kaya Serap , Dane Faysal , Bozkurtlar Emine , Ones Tunc , Lacin Tunc , Yumuk Perran Fulden
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Lung adenocarcinoma is histologically diverse but has distinct histologic growth patterns. There is no consensus on the clinical benefit of this histologic model. We aimed to evaluate the differences in the distribution of the preoperative primary tumor positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) standardized uptake values (SUVs) and survival in the lung adenocarcinoma subtypes.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated the data of 107 patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma who had preoperative PET/CT between 2005 and 2017 in a single center. Patients had lepidic, acinar, papillary, micropapillary, and solid histologic subtypes. We compared fluorodeoxyglucose SUVs and survival data of histologic subtypes.

Results:

The median age of the patients was 62 years (40–75), 76.4% were male, the median SUVmax was 9.4 (1–36.7), and the median follow-up time was 29 months (3–135 months). The median overall survival (OS) was 71 months and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 33 months. SUVmax was significantly different in histologic subtypes: values for papillary, micropapillary, solid, acinar, and lepidic subtypes were 9.7, 8, 12, 9.1, and 3.9, respectively ( p = 0.000). Solid predominant adenocarcinoma had significantly higher SUVmax than the other subtypes ( p = 0.001). Lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma had significantly lower SUVmax than the other subtypes ( p = 0.000). There was no significant difference in OS between histologic subtypes ( p = 0.66), but PFS was significantly different between the groups ( p = 0.017), and the solid subtype had a shorter PFS than the other histologic subtypes.

Conclusion:

Lung adenocarcinoma consists of a diverse group of diseases. Different SUVmax values are seen in different histologic subtypes of nonmetastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Solid predominant types have high SUVmax values while lepidic predominant types have lower SUVmax values. The solid subtype had a shorter PFS than the other histologic subtypes.
Indications, Outcomes, and Complications of Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Elbow for Chronic Posterolateral Rotatory Instability: A Systematic Review
Authors: Badhrinarayanan Shreya , Desai Ankit , Watson Jay James , White Callum Hoy Reid , Phadnis Joideep
Published: September 2020

Background:

Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow can lead to pain, recurrent dislocations, and, in the worst-case scenario, disability.

Purpose:

To report the indications, outcomes, and complication rates of lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) reconstruction for chronic PLRI of the elbow.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The review entailed 17 studies that included 168 patients with isolated LUCL reconstruction for chronic PLRI. Patients with concurrent medial collateral ligament reconstruction were excluded. The primary outcome measures were patient characteristics, indication for surgery, surgical technique, functional outcomes, and complications.

Results:

Chronic PLRI commonly occurred after a previous traumatic injury (n = 168). Of these, there were 119 simple instabilities (no fracture) and 33 complex instabilities (associated fracture). In 11 patients, PLRI was iatrogenic. The cause was unknown in 5 patients. Grafts used were autograft (n = 102; 61%), allograft (n = 18; 11%), synthetic graft (n = 15; 9%), and unknown (n = 33; 20%). The most common surgical technique was a docking procedure or a modification of this (n = 145; 86%). Other techniques included suture anchors (n = 18; 11%), nonanatomic (n = 1; 0.6%), and unknown (n = 4; 2%). There were 45 complications reported in 37 patients (22%). The most frequent complication was recurrent instability (21/138; 15%). No other major complications were reported. The rate of recurrent instability was significantly higher in revision reconstructions (6/15 elbows; 40%) compared with primary reconstructions (15/123 elbows; 12.2%) ( P = .005). The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score and abbreviated Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 87.5 (range, 40-100) and 18.8 (range, 0-77), respectively. Of the patients in whom range of motion was measured, 134 of 144 patients (93%) regained a functional range (30L–130L).

Conclusion:

LUCL reconstruction for chronic PLRI proved a reliable method of reconstruction, save for the moderate rate of recurrent instability, which was highest in revision reconstructions.
Association of Urbanicity with Schizophrenia and Related Mortality in China: Association de l’urbanicité avec la schizophrénie et la mortalité qui y est reliée en Chine
Authors: Luo Yanan , Pang Lihua , Guo Chao , Zhang Lei , Zheng Xiaoying
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Although higher prevalence of schizophrenia in Chinese urban areas was observed, studies focused on the association between schizophrenia and urbanicity were less in China. Using a national representative population-based data set, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between urbanicity and schizophrenia and its related mortality among adults aged 18 years old and above in China.

Methods:

Data were obtained from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006 and follow-up studies from 2007 to 2010 each year. We restricted our analysis to 1,909,205 participants aged 18 years or older and the 2,071 schizophrenia patients with information of survival and all-caused mortality of the follow-up surveys from 2007 to 2010.Schizophrenia was ascertained according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. The degree of urbanicity and the region of residence were used to be the proxies of urbanicity. Of these, the degree of urbanicity measured by the ratio of nonagricultural population to total population and the region of residence measured by six categorical variables (first-tier cities, first-tier city suburbs, second-tier cities, second-tier city suburbs, other city areas, and rural areas). Logistics regression models and restricted polynomial splines were used to examine the linear/nonlinear relationship between urbanicity and the risk of schizophrenia. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to test the role of urbanicity on mortality risk of schizophrenia patients.

Results:

10% increase in the degree of urbanicity was associated with increased risk of schizophrenia ( OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.32 to 1.57). The nonlinear model further confirmed the association between the degree of urbanicity and the risk of schizophrenia. This association existed sex difference, as the level of urbanicity increased, schizophrenia risk of males grew faster than the risk of females. The hazard ratio (HR) of mortality in schizophrenia patients decreased with the elevated of urbanicity level, with a HR of 0.42 (95% CI, 0.21 to 0.84).

Conclusions:

This research suggested that incremental changes in the degree of urbanicity linked to higher risk of schizophrenia, and as the degree of urbanicity elevated, the risk of schizophrenia increased more for men than for women. Additionally, we found that schizophrenia patients in higher degree of urbanicity areas had lower risk of mortality. These findings contributed to the literature on schizophrenia in developing nations under a non-Western context and indicates that strategies to improve mental health conditions are needed in the progress of urbanicity.
Jet Lag Recovery and Memory Functions Are Correlated with Direct Light Effects on Locomotion
Authors: Richardson Melissa E. S. , Parkins Samuel , Kaneza Isabelle , Dauphin Amy-Claire
Published: September 2020

Jet lag is a circadian disruption that affects millions of people, resulting, among other things, in extreme sleepiness and memory loss. The hazardous implications of such effects are evident in situations in which focus and attention are required. Remarkably, there is a limited understanding of how jet lag recovery and associated memory loss vary year round under different photoperiods. Here we show, using different cycles representing winter, summer, and equinox in male mice, that jet lag recovery and memory vary significantly with photoperiod changes. We uncover a positive correlation of acute light effects on circadian-driven locomotion (known as negative masking) with photoentrainment speed and memory enhancement during jet lag. Specifically, we show that enhancing or reducing negative masking is correlated with better or worse memory performance, respectively. This study indicates that in addition to timed-light exposure for phase shifting, the negative masking response could also be biologically relevant when designing effective treatments of jet lag.
Progression of Acute Kidney Injury to Chronic Kidney Disease in Sepsis Survivors: 1-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Arshad Ainan , Ayaz Ahmed , Rehman Sarah , Ukrani Ronika Devi , Akbar Inaara , Jamil Bushra
Published: September 2020

Background:

Despite the fact that septic acute kidney injury (AKI) is considered to be reversible, it can result in permanent kidney damage. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of long-term follow-up studies highlighting progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in sepsis survivors. To address this issue, we conducted this study to assess the development of CKD in sepsis patients with AKI, and to identify risk factors associated with its development.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study evaluated medical records of patients admitted at the Aga Khan University Hospital between January-December 2017 with the diagnosis of sepsis and subsequent development of acute kidney injury (AKI). One-year follow-up data was then analyzed to determine whether the AKI resolved or progressed to chronic kidney disease.

Results:

1636 sepsis patients were admitted during the study period, out of which 996 (61%) met the inclusion criteria. 612 (61%) developed AKI during the admission. Mortality rate in the AKI group was 44% (n = 272). After 1 year, 47 (19%) patients eventually went on to develop CKD and 81% (n = 195) recovered fully. Risk factors for development of CKD were age ≥ 60 years (p = <0.001), diabetes (p = <0.001), hypertension (p = 0.001) and history of ischemic heart disease (p = <0.001).

Conclusion:

Mortality rates in sepsis are alarmingly high and even those patients who manage to survive are at risk of developing permanent organ dysfunction. Our study revealed that almost one fifth of all septic AKI survivors went on to develop chronic kidney disease within 1 year, even when AKI was not severe. We recommend that clinicians focus on early recovery of renal function, irrespective of AKI severity, and ensure robust follow-up monitoring to reduce long term morbidity and mortality associated with this devastating illness.
Breastfeeding and Postpartum Glucose Regulation Among Women With Prior Gestational Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tarrant Marie , Chooniedass Rishma , Fan Heidi Sze Lok , Del Buono Katie , Masina Stephanie
Published: September 2020

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and increases subsequent risk of Type 2 diabetes. Researchers have shown that breastfeeding may reduce diabetes risk in women with recent gestational diabetes.

Research aim

To assess association between infant feeding and postpartum glucose tolerance in mothers with recent gestational diabetes within 1 year postpartum.

Methods

A literature search was performed up to December 31, 2019, retrieving articles related to infant feeding, gestational diabetes, and postpartum glucose regulation in four major databases (PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Embase). Methodological quality was assessed using tools from the United States National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Results

The search yielded 15 cohort studies meeting the selection criteria. Of the 15 studies, 13 (86.7%) examined the influence of breastfeeding on postpartum glycemic status, and eight (53.4%) compared the mean blood glucose values between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding participants. Of the 13 studies that compared postpartum glycemic status, nine (60%) of the research teams found that breastfeeding lowered rates of impaired glucose tolerance, and four (26.7%) showed no significant change. In eight of the studies reporting mean blood glucose values, six (75%) reported significantly lower fasting plasma glucose in breastfeeding participants, with reductions ranging from 3.7 to 7.4 mg/dL (0.2–0.4 mmol/L).

Conclusion

Breastfeeding has been associated with improved postpartum glucose regulation in mothers with gestational diabetes. In pregnant women with gestational diabetes, breastfeeding may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, and women with gestational diabetes should be strongly encouraged and supported to breastfeed.
If p0, then 1: The impossibility of thinking out cases
Authors: Flexer Michael J.
Published: September 2020

Forrester’s proposed seventh style of reasoning – thinking in cases – functions as an analogous, dyadic relationship that, whilst indebted philosophically to the logical reasoning and semiotics of Charles Peirce, is prone to creating feedback loops between induction and deduction, precluding novel abductive hypotheses from advancing medical knowledge. Reasoning with a Peircean triadic model opens up the contexts and methods of meaning-making and reasoning through medical cases, and the potent influence of their genre conventions, to intellectual critical scrutiny. Vitally, it offers a third mode – abduction – that this article argues needs to be reintroduced into Forrester’s model of reasoning with cases. This article demonstrates this by applying a Peircean triadic model of reasoning to Forrester’s own model, tracing a shared genealogy but one in which the abductive element was lost. The article goes on to illustrate the explanatory and predictive potential of Peircean abductive reasoning and the necessary re-theorising of the case this entails. This argument is supported through an analysis of early case reports of what would become HIV/Aids, drawn from the Case Records of Massachusetts General Hospital series in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Development of highly performant hybrid materials based on phthalonitrile resin for a simultaneous ballistic and nuclear shielding protection
Authors: Mehelli Oussama , Derradji Mehdi , Belgacemi Raouf , Zegaoui Abdeldjalil , Khimeche Kamel , Fantuzzi Nicholas , Mouloud Abdelrazak
Published: September 2020

In this study, a new high-performance hybrid material was designed targeting an efficient ballistic and nuclear shielding protection. To achieve this goal, a typical highly performant thermosetting resin, namely the phthalonitrile (PN) resin, was reinforced with Kevlar fibers (KF-29), as continuous phase, and erbium oxide (Er2O3) nanoparticles, as discontinuous phase. The reinforcing phases underwent a silane surface modification to create a fully connected network aiming an improved stress transfer between the constituents. The mechanical investigations through tensile and bending testing confirmed the positive effect of the addition of an increasing amount (up to 20 wt%) of the Er2O3 nanoparticles. The hybrids also provided excellent gamma rays shielding performances with a screening ratio of about 33% for a 3 cm thick sample. In the meantime, the ballistic tests evaluated under the National Institute of Justice standard (NIJ standard-0101.06-IIA) also highlighted an improved kinetic energy absorption following the increase in the amounts of the discontinuous phase. Overall, this study unraveled for the first time ever the benefits obtained from a fully connected hybrid network in the field of ballistic and radiation protection.
Analysis on complementarity between a CO2 tax and an emissions trading system to reduce industrial emissions in Chile
Authors: Mardones Cristian
Published: September 2020

This study aims to analyze the behavior of Chilean industrial sources when a CO2 tax, an emissions trading system with a total reduction target of 30%, or both instruments simultaneously are applied. For the above, an optimization model is built that is then calibrated with firm -level data obtained from the Annual National Industrial Survey (ENIA). Specifically, the model assumes that industrial sources have the option of maintaining their original emissions, replacing their current fuels with less polluting ones to pay fewer taxes and/or trade of emissions in a carbon market. The results show that to reduce emissions by at least 30% a tax close to US $17.5/tCO2 could be applied with a total cost of US $106 million, but it would be better to apply an emissions trading system with a similar price because the total cost would be US $21.3 million. If both economic instruments are applied together, the total cost of reduction is higher than when the instruments are implemented independently. Thus, it is concluded that Chile could move from a CO2 tax to an emissions trading system in order to reduce the costs of its environmental regulation.
Effect of material parameters on the mechanical properties of chemically treated red mud HDPE composites
Authors: Hendricks Howard L , Buchanan Vernon E
Published: September 2020

The use of unreinforced polymer composites is growing rapidly in the construction industry, partly to address concerns relating to cost and waste, and partly to provide substitute materials that will resist degradation and attacks by rodents and insects. Hence, this study explores the possibility of combining polymer with locally available red mud. Red mud/polymer composites were prepared using an injection moulding machine. The production of the specimens was undertaken based on red mud/polymer mass ratio, particle size, and alkalinity. The results of the tensile tests showed increases in both the modulus of elasticity and tensile strength, with increasing red mud loading up to 10 wt.% red mud content. The maximum tensile strength obtained corresponds to specimens containing smaller particle sizes and higher pH. The results suggest that red mud/ polymer composites have the potential to be used in the construction industry.
Mechanical and microstructural characterization of epoxy/sawdust (Pinus elliottii) composites
Authors: Mendes Caroliny P , Fleming Robson , Goncalves Além-Mar B , da Silva Michael J , Prataviera Rogério , Cena Cicero
Published: September 2020

The use of wood residues in polymeric matrices is notable for promoting significant mechanical reinforcement of the matrix. Such composites are widely used in the development of new composite materials with tunable mechanical properties for a variety of applications. In this work, polymeric composites with epoxy resin as the polymeric matrix and Pinus elliottii wood residue as the reinforcement were obtained. The composites were obtained by adding wood residue (sawdust) with particle sizes of 0.30, 0.60, and 1.19 millimeters into an epoxy matrix to determine the best mechanical properties of the composite as a function of the particle size. The polymer/sawdust composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and stress–strain tests. SEM images revealed a smooth and homogeneous surface free of defects and holes. However, lateral profile images showed the presence of fine sawdust particles agglomerated and a considerable number of bubbles and cavities that could interfere in the mechanical properties of the composites. The FTIR characterization of the composite identified the main bands related to epoxy and lignin/cellulose chains. The results of the mechanical properties suggested that epoxy composites with sawdust can increase its tensile strength according to the sawdust particle size introduced into the matrix.
A Call for Research on the Scaling of Organizations and the Scaling of Social Impact
Authors: Shepherd Dean A. , Patzelt Holger
Published: September 2020

Although scaling is a “hot topic” in the practitioner literature, it has largely been ignored (at least explicitly) in the academic literature. This editorial highlights the importance of organizational scaling, which we define as “spreading excellence within an organization as it grows.” Specifically, the entrepreneurship field would benefit greatly from future studies that explain how knowledge management facilitates scaling; how scaling is influenced by founder replacement; and how current scaling influences the drivers of subsequent scaling. We eventually link the scaling of organizations to the scaling of social impact.
Navigating a Middle Ground - Exploring Health Professionals’ Experiences and Perceptions of Providing Rehabilitation in Outdoor Community Settings
Authors: Madsen Louise S. , Nielsen Claus V. , Oliffe John L. , Handberg Charlotte
Published: September 2020

Contemporary practice has started to rethink use of outdoor and community environments for advancing comprehensive rehabilitation outcomes. The aim is to examine health professionals’ experiences and perceptions of providing rehabilitation in outdoor community settings. The purpose is to use these experiences to generate practice-based knowledge in using the outdoors as a means to guide community-based rehabilitation. The Interpretive Description methodology was accompanied by social practice theory. Fieldwork was conducted utilizing participant observation, photovoice, and focus-group interviews. Included were 27 health professionals. The analysis revealed how “naturalistic learning opportunities” offered health professionals strategies to empower activity and participation levels and yet invoked “rehabilitation setting tensions.” A continuum was engaged in the theme “navigating a middle ground,” representing an integrated environment approach; rehabilitation in conventional indoor and outdoor community settings. Development of a sustainable concept for outdoor community-based rehabilitation involves strengthening health professionals’ competencies and skills for providing outdoor and community work.
Are Internal Medicine Residents Meeting the Bar? Comparing Resident Knowledge and Self-Efficacy to Published Palliative Care Competencies
Authors: Moyer Kristen M. , Ellman Matthew S. , Encandela John , Morrison Laura J.
Published: September 2020

Background:

There is a need for improved primary palliative care (PC) education and resident comfort with providing end-of-life care.

Objective:

Utilize a new instrument derived from published PC competencies to assess baseline Internal Medicine (IM) resident knowledge and self-efficacy in PC to identify educational gaps and create new PC curricula.

Design:

We created a 2-part instrument including a Knowledge Test (KT) and a Self-Efficacy Inventory (SEI) addressing 18 PC resident competencies across 5 domains: Pain and Symptom Management (PSM), Communication (COMM), Psychosocial, Spiritual, and Cultural Aspects of Care (PSC), Terminal Care and Bereavement (TCB), and Palliative Care Principles and Practice (PCPP).

Setting/Subjects:

The instrument was emailed to IM residents at our institution during academic years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.

Measurements:

Basic descriptive statistics were performed for the KT and SEI. Mean Rank Analysis and One-way ANOVA were utilized for the KT and SEI, respectively. Congruence was calculated between knowledge and self-efficacy.

Results:

The mean score on the KT was 73% (range 33-80%). There was no significant difference in knowledge among post-graduate year cohorts. Self-efficacy scores were lower for interns overall and in PCPP, TCB, and COMM domains. Knowledge was concordant with self-efficacy in 42% of participants, higher than self-efficacy in 10% of participants, and lower than self-efficacy in 48% of participants.

Conclusions:

For approximately half of respondents, high self-efficacy in PC did not correlate with high PC knowledge. A more focused curriculum is needed to help IM residents facilitate mastery of PC competencies by graduation.