bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Analysis of Various Reconstructive Methods for the Mandibular Body and Ramus Defect Using a Free Vascularized Fibula Flap
Authors: Li Xian , Jiang Chao , Gao Hui , Wang Chunjuan , Wang Chao , Ji Ping
Published: March 2020

Several different methods exist for reconstructing the mandibular body and ramus defect with the use of a free vascularized fibula flap, but none have adequately addressed the long‐term mechanical stability and osseointegration. The aim of this study is to compare the biomechanics of different surgical methods and to investigate the best approach for reconstructing the mandibular body and ramus defect. Five finite element models based on different reconstructive methods were simulated. Stress, strain, and displacement of connective bone sections were calculated for five models and compared. The models were printed using a 3D printer, and stiffness was measured using an electromechanical universal testing machine. The postoperative follow‐up cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken at different time points to analyze bone mineral density of connective bone sections. The results showed that the “double up” (DU) model was the most efficient for reconstructing a mandibular body and ramus defect by comparing the mechanical distribution of three sections under vertical and inclined loading conditions of 100 N. The stiffness detection showed that stiffness in the DU and “double down” (DD) models was higher compared with the “single up” (SU), “single down” (SD), and “distraction osteogenesis” (DO) models. We used the DU model for the surgery, and postoperative follow‐up CBCT showed that bone mineral density of each fibular connective section increased gradually with time, plateauing at 12 weeks. We conclude that a free vascularized fibula flap of the DU type was the best approach for the reconstruction of the mandibular body and ramus defect. Preoperative finite element analysis and stiffness testing were shown to be very useful for maxillofacial reconstruction.
Quality of Life in Patients with Morphea: A Cross‐Sectional Study and a Review of the Current Literature
Authors: Szczęch Justyna , Samotij Dominik , Jaworecka Kamila , Tobiasz Aleksandra , Reich Adam
Published: March 2020

Introduction. Morphea (or localized scleroderma) is an inflammatory, immune‐mediated disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by excessive collagen deposition that leads to hardening of the dermis, subcutaneous tissues, or both. Morphea is associated with cosmetic and functional impairment, which might affect the patients’ quality of life (QoL). Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate QoL in patients suffering from morphea. Material and Methods. Sixty‐five patients with morphea were recruited into this cross‐sectional, prospective parallel study. QoL among adult patients was assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Euro‐QoL‐5D questionnaire; patients aged <17 years used the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). The severity of morphea was assessed using the Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool. The results of QoL and its association with disease severity were compared between patients with various morphea subtypes. Results. The mean DLQI scoring was 3.8 ± 4.1 points and the CDLQI was 2.3 ± 3.0. The mean value of Visual Analogue Scale thermometer (EQ VAS) was 66.9 ± 17.5 points. The disease activity of morphea based on mLoSSI correlated significantly with QoL impairment according to the DLQI (R = 0.41, p = 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between morphea‐induced damage and QoL (p = 0.99). Conclusions. Evaluation of QoL in patients with morphea is still challenging due to lack of good assessment tools dedicated specifically for morphea patients. In general, QoL in morphea patients is significantly correlated with the disease activity, but not with disease‐induced skin damage.
Experimental Study on the System Performance of Adjacent Precast Concrete Box Beam Bridges
Authors: Leng Yanling , Zhang Jinquan , Jiang Ruinian , Xiao Yangjian
Published: March 2020

Analyses of catastrophic collapse of some adjacent precast concrete box beam bridges reveal the fact that the hinge joints between the adjacent beams were not sufficiently designed. The joint failure caused by deterioration is the result of system reliability deficiency of this type of bridges. To understand the system performance of the bridges, the redundancy and robustness of a bridge model with a scale of 1 ∶ 2, based on the prototype design drawings for 10‐meter adjacent box beam bridges in China, were assessed through a system safety evaluation procedure. The result confirmed the assumption that the redundancy and robustness of certain adjacent precast concrete beam bridges did not meet the pertinent requirements proposed in National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) reports 406, 458, and 776 as a result of hinge joint failure. To address the current design deficiencies, a system factor is recommended in this paper to calculate the nominal resistance that reflects the level of redundancy of this type of bridges. In addition, a new framework is proposed to address the particular structural feature and topology of adjacent precast concrete beam bridges for the assessment of structural redundancy and robustness, which can reduce the computation complexity compared to existing approaches. The full‐range load test performed in this research verified the previous research results on bridge system safety that were mainly based on theoretical analysis and simulations.
Trends in Racial/Ethnic Disparity of Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults with and without Cancer (1998–2012)
Authors: Rincon Maria A. , Smith Ashley Wilder , Yu Mandi , Kent Erin E.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Non-White cancer survivors often report poorer health compared with Non-Hispanic Whites. Whether those disparities are changing over time is unknown. We examined changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by race/ethnicity from 1998 to 2012 among older adults with and without cancer.

Methods:

Data from Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were obtained from the linkage between the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data (SEER-MHOS). HRQOL was assessed with the SF-36/VR-12 Physical and Mental Component Scores (PCS/MCS) and 8 scales (Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Mental Health, Role-Emotional). Annual average HRQOL scores, adjusting for age at survey, gender, number of comorbidities, education, and SEER registry, were compared over time. Absolute (between-group variance; BGV) and relative (mean log deviation; MLD) indices of disparity were generated using the National Cancer Institute's health disparities calculator (HD*Calc). Joinpoint was used to test for significant changes in the slopes of the linear trend lines.

Results:

Racial/ethnic disparities in MCS increased in absolute and relative terms over time for those with [BGV = 15.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.2–21.6); MLD = 16.2 (95% CI, 10.5–22.1)] and without [BGV = 19.3 (95% CI, 14.9–23.8); MLD = 19.6 (95% CI, 15.2–24.0)] cancer. PCS disparities over time did not significantly change. Changes in disparities in 5 of 8 HRQOL scales were significant in those with and without cancer.

Conclusions:

Older adults with cancer show increasing racial/ethnic disparities in HRQOL, particularly in mental health status.

Impact:

Future research should evaluate trends in HRQOL and explore factors that contribute to health disparities.
Treatment Algorithms for Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Sulz Michael Christian , Burri Emanuel , Michetti Pierre , Rogler Gerhard , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Seibold Frank ,   on behalf of the Swiss IBDnet, an official working group of the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology
Published: March 2020

Background: Treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD) patients is complex as therapy choices depend on a variety of factors, such as location and severity of inflammation, disease behavior (inflammatory, stricturing or penetrating) but also comorbidities, extra-intestinal manifestations, the patient’s age, and previous therapies. Subsequently, the choice of treatment should be tailored to the individual patient. Summary: This article gives the reader therapy algorithms as a guide through different CD scenarios to support the physician’s decision making. New compounds introduced in CD therapy in recent years justify such an update on standard approaches. Ustekinumab and vedolizumab and their positions within the treatment options are discussed. Fistulizing perianal disease and postoperative medical prophylaxis are depicted in separate chapters with own algorithms. Key Messages: In recent years, a variety of new drugs became available to treat patients with CD – especially those who are antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) experienced with ongoing inflammation. The definitive role of vedolizumab and ustekinumab is not yet fully clarified. However, with the advantage of good safety profiles over TNF-inhibitors, these drugs will be more frequently used in the near future, also as first-line biologicals, compared to TNF-inhibitors. Concerning treatment of fistulizing disease, the knowledge of the exact anatomy of the fistula is of major importance. An interdisciplinary discussion involving gastroenterologists, surgeons, and in some cases gynecologists may help to optimize the treatment plan. Regarding the postsurgical setting in CD patients, according to the very recent Cochrane Network meta-analysis, mesalazine should be at least positioned equivalent to thiopurines and TNF-inhibitors, as shown in our algorithm.
Association of Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome and Loose Anagen Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: García-García Sandra Cecilia , Herz-Ruelas Maira Elizabeth , Gomez-Flores Minerva , Vázquez-Herrera Norma Elizabeth , Misciali Cosimo , Tosti Antonella , Chavez-Alvarez Sonia , Ocampo-Candiani Jorge , Villarreal-Martinez Alejandra
Published: March 2020

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by trichologic, craniofacial, and musculoskeletal abnormalities. Predominant clinical features include a pear-shaped nose with bulbous tip, long philtrum, protruding ears, and sparse hair on both the scalp and the lateral third of the eyebrows. Cone-shaped epiphyses are a common radiographic finding. Loose anagen syndrome (LAS) is a sporadic or autosomal dominant condition due to abnormalities in the hair’s anchoring mechanism. It mostly affects children, who usually have reduced hair length, as well as hair that is easily plucked without pain. Recent contributions regarding trichoscopic findings of LAS have been made, describing rectangular black granular structures as a typical feature. An association between TRPS and LAS has been mentioned by hair experts, but no reports documenting this have been published. This case demonstrates the co-existence of both conditions in a patient with characteristic phenotypic traits of TRPS and LAS.
Development and Validation of a Short-Form Internet Overuse Screening Questionnaire for Adults
Authors: Park Soowon , Lee Seungchan , Choi Boungho , Cho Seunghee , Hong Jin-Pyo , Jeon Hong Jin , Kim Jeongsim , Park Jee Eun , Lee Jun-Young
Published: March 2020

Aims: The aim of the current study was to develop and validate a short-form of the internet overuse screening questionnaire (IOS-Qs). Methods: A total of 571 adults were recruited from a representative, stratified, and multistage cluster sample. Among participants, 188 and 383 were used in the development and validation of the IOS-Qs, respectively. Results: Experts’ ratings and Rasch model analyses led to the selection of 8 items from the IOS-Qs; latent-class analysis using these 8 items revealed an estimated prevalence of 8.6% (33 out of 383) of problematic internet over-users. Problematic internet over-users were positively associated with a 1-year prevalence rate of any mental disorder (OR 3.08, p = 0.008), mood disorder (OR 7.11, p = 0.003), and depressive disorder (OR 5.22, p = 0.016). The receiver operating characteristic curves identified an optimal cutoff score of 9.5 for differentiating problematic internet over-users from unproblematic internet users with 94% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Conclusion: The results suggest that the IOS-Qs was valid, and items including social isolation were crucial to the brief distinction of at-risk internet users. Because of its brevity, the questionnaire can be effectively administered as a large-scale survey.
Liver Embolisation for Patients with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Systematic Review
Authors: Kanabar Rahul , Barriuso Jorge , McNamara Mairéad G. , Mansoor Was , Hubner Richard A. , Valle Juan W. , Lamarca Angela
Published: March 2020

Background: Liver embolisation is one of the treatment options available for patients diagnosed with neuro-endocrine neoplasms (NEN). It is still uncertain whether the benefits of the various types of embolisation treatments truly outweigh the complications in NENs. This systematic review assesses the available data relating to liver embolisation in patients with NENs. Methods: Eligible studies (identified using MEDLINE-PubMed) were those reporting data on NEN patients who had undergone any type of liver embolisation. The primary end points were best radiological response and symptomatic response; secondary end-points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Results: Of 598 studies screened, 101 were eligible: 16 were prospective (15.8%). The eligible studies included a total of 5,545 NEN patients, with a median of 39 patients per study (range 5–214). Pooled rate of partial response was 36.6% (38.9% achieved stable disease) and 55.2% of patients had a symptomatic response to therapy when pooled data were analysed. The median PFS and OS were 18.4 months (95% CI 15.5–21.2) and 40.7 months (95% CI 35.2–46.2) respectively. The most common toxicities were found to be abdominal pain (48.8%) and nausea (48.1%). Outcome did not significantly vary depending on the type of embolisation performed. Conclusion: Liver embolisation provides adequate symptom relief for patients with carcinoid syndrome and is also able to reach partial response in a significant proportion of patients and a reasonable PFS. Quality of studies was limited, highlighting the need of further prospective studies to confirm the most suitable form of liver embolisation in NENs.
Major Predictive Factors for Progression of Early to Late Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Sitnilska Vasilena , Kersten Eveline , Altay Lebriz , Schick Tina , Enders Philip , de Jong Eiko K. , Langmann Thomas  , Hoyng Carel B. , den Hollander Anneke I.  , Fauser Sascha
Published: March 2020

Introduction: We present a prediction model for progression from early/intermediate to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) within 5.9 years. Objectives: To evaluate the combined role of genetic, nongenetic, and phenotypic risk factors for conversion from early to late AMD over ≥5 years. Methods: Baseline phenotypic characteristics were evaluated based on color fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and infrared images. Genotyping for 36 single-nucleotide polymorphisms as well as systemic lipid and complement measurements were performed. Multivariable backward logistic regression resulted in a final prediction model. Results and Conclusions: During a mean of 5.9 years of follow-up, 22.4% (n = 52) of the patients (n = 232) showed progression to late AMD. The multivariable prediction model included age, CFH variant rs1061170, pigment abnormalities, drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment (DPED), and hyperreflective foci (HRF). The model showed an area under the curve of 0.969 (95% confidence interval 0.948–0.990) and adequate calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p = 0.797). In addition to advanced age and carrying a CFH variant, pigment abnormalities, DPED, and HRF are relevant imaging biomarkers for conversion to late AMD. In clinical routine, an intensified monitoring of patients with a high-risk phenotypic profile may be suitable for the early detection of conversion to late AMD.
Dynamics of trunk type robot with spherical piezoelectric actuators
Authors: Augustaitis Aistis , Jurėnas Vytautas
Published: March 2020

Trunk type robots (TTRs) are exclusive. These robots can provide a high level of maneuverability and have a potential in medicine or high risk zones. TTRs are determined as a long serial linkage of similar segments. They are usually connected using tendons or small actuators. A spherical actuator is the most appreciable option. The motion of real spherical actuator (RSA) can be easily obtained applying an inverse piezoelectric effect. It has three independent spinning axes. These axes are perpendicular to each other despite the history of excitation. Kinematics and dynamics of RSA almost have no basics regardless of mentioned features. This situation can be explained according to common disadvantages of other SAs: sophisticated structure and complex control. The structures and abilities of TTRs are reviewed in the first section of this article. At the beginning of the fourth section the kinematics of piezoelectric TTR with two different RSAs is introduced. Its results of inverse dynamics using Euler-Lagrange equations are presented at the end of the fourth section. Similar results are derived using an analytical-potential method in the fifth section. It is quite accurate and effective option to determine inverse dynamics of the TTR employing an analytical-potential method.
Three Dimensional Ultrasound of Pelvic Floor to Evaluate the Anatomical and Functional Changes of Primipara After Delivery
Authors: Peng Cheng , Kong Beihua
Published: March 2020

Objective: During pregnancy and childbirth, a series of remodeling processes may lead to the occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunction. Our aim was to explore the influence of different delivery methods on pelvic floor in primipara after delivery through three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound
examination. Method: A total of 48 primiparas were selected as the study object. Among which, 21 primiparas underwent cesarean section were selected as observation group, 27 primiparas in vaginal delivery were selected as the control group. The 3D ultrasound examination of pelvic floor
was carried out 6–8 weeks postnatally to observe and compare the prolapse of anterior, middle and posterior pelvic organs of parturient women in Valsalva movement. The posterior ureterovesical angel (PUA), urethral tilt angel (UTA), cervical mouth position (CMP), and bladder neck position
(BNP) were measured. The changes of hiatus of levator ani muscle in patients with anal constriction, rest and Valsalva were observed and measured. Result: Compared with the data in control group, the number of cases of anterior, middle and posterior pelvic organ exfoliation in observation
group was lesser, the UTA and BNP were higher, the CMP was lower, and the area of hiatus of levator ani muscle was smaller both at the time of calm, contraction and Valsalva movements. Conclusion: The damage of pelvic floor in primipara during transvaginal delivery is great. The 3D
ultrasound is an objective and simple imaging method to screen the diseases of pelvic floor dysfunction.
The High-Dimensional Signal Classification of Electrogastrogram for Detection of Gastric Motility Disorders
Authors: Wang Bin , Wen Tingxi , Hou Jigong , Lin Luxin , Fang Yan , Du Yu , Pan Ting
Published: March 2020

The electrogastrogram (EGG) can detect the gastric electromyogram activity, and then reflect the relative change of the rhythm as well as amplitude of the slow wave of the electromyogram. As EGG has the advantages of convenient, painless, non-invasive and accurate measurement of gastric
electromyogram activity, it can not only be used to evaluate the effects of gastromotor drugs and gastrointestinal hormones, but also to distinguish healthy people from functional dyspepsia, patients with gastric cancer and patients with low gastric motility according to the results of parameter
analysis in EGG. This paper proposes an EGG signal processing and classification method to realize the potential role of EGG in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal diseases. First, EGG signal collection was conducted on normal people and patients, and then the test signal was
described as accurately as possible according to some key features of the gastric waveform. Based on the collected data, we developed an indicator that can classify high-dimensional signals and provide an indicator that can distinguish or identify two kinds of signal-related indicators. In
this way, EGG signals are associated with specific conditions for clinical diagnosis of gastrointestinal dysrhythmia and even for efficacy evaluation.
Health Management of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Li Cuilian , Cai Zhenling , Wu Meixia , Li Guijiao , Xie Yingmin
Published: March 2020

Objective: Although the concept of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has gradually become familiar with surgeons and applied in clinical practice in recent years, the current status of the experience and application of ERAS in Chinese mainland thoracic surgeons is still
not clear. This study is based on the results of a questionnaire survey of ERAS-related issues among participating thoracic surgeons and nurses, and analyzes the current status of accelerated rehabilitation surgery in thoracic surgery using bioinformatics. Methods: We analyze the 720
valid questionnaires that participated in the first session of the ERAS West China Forum. The content of the questionnaire mainly includes two parts: one is the situation of the respondent’s unit and the basic situation of the individual; the other is to accelerate the 10 problems related
to rehabilitation surgery. Results: (1) The clinical application status of ERAS is more than practice, and 68.3% of doctors and 57.8% of nurses agree with this view; 87.9% of doctors and 86.2% of nurses believe that the ERAS concept applies to all surgical procedures. (2) The main reason
for the poor compliance of ERAS clinical application was that the program was immature, without consensus and norms (56.4% of doctors and 68.8% of nurses). (3) The best team combination for ERAS clinical implementation is surgical-based discipline collaboration and healthcare (61.5% of physicians
and 72.2% of nurses). (4) 75.1% of doctors and 82.6% of nurses believe that the evaluation criteria of ERAS should be: comprehensive evaluation of average hospitalization days, patient experience and social satisfaction. Conclusions: Accelerated rehabilitation surgery in the application
of thoracic surgery is still the idea is greater than practice, the main reason is the lack of clinically available norms and programs. We can achieve the findings and verify them using statistical study.
Segmentation, Classification and Krill Herd Optimization of Breast Cancer
Authors: Vidhya R. G. , Batri K.
Published: March 2020

Researcher physicists understand the importance of analogous quality image analysis. These analyses are used to confirm the presence or absence of the disease and to support the evaluation and development of the disease. This quality assessment is used to understand the reality on Earth
for a specific diagnosis that has been shown to be a specific type of chromatin in a cancerous core that may indicate an abnormal gene. Additionally, a significant amount of pathology images is important not only for the curriculum but also for science programs. The findings of this combination
are important for some of the symptoms. In fact, the number of mitotic cell calculation provides clues to evaluate the proliferation and tumour growth, which is a significant move in the assessment of numerous types of cancer. The method fuzzy clustering and convolutional neural network is
proposed here to detect the cell isolation, and abnormal cell growth. By finding the abnormal cell division it’s easy to detect the normal cell from the mitotic cell. Results: Finally, the aim is to reduce the rate of loss, which in turn, increases the accuracy of the detection, in that
way we can distinguish abnormal cells from non-mitotic cell.
Binary-Relevance Classification of Depression and Anxiety in the Elderly Using Low-Cost Activity Trackers
Authors: Sim Jae-Kyeong , Kim Geon Ha , Choi Mun-Taek
Published: March 2020

Understanding mood disorders of depression and anxiety in the elderly is important because those are common symptoms of dementia. This paper shows our methodology of supervised learning to understand the relationship between the diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety of the elderly
and their activity patterns. Using low-cost activity trackers, activity data of the elderly were collected over several weeks per subject. We extracted features from the time-series activity data based on circadian rhythms. We have applied binary relevance to this problem of multi-label nature
diagnosed with depression, anxiety or both. We tried various classification algorithms for each label and compared the performances to find the best classifier among the algorithms. The result yielded that the best classifier was the F1 score of 77.4% in the classification.
Our study has yielded a meaningful result in screening mood disorders of the elderly using low-cost activity trackers.
The Effect of a 12-Week Intradialytic Exercise on Patients’ Blood Indices, Physical Performance, and Quality of Life
Authors: Lee Ji-Yeon , Baek Seung-Hui , Lee Yoon-Mi , Cho Ji-Hyung , Kim Jun-Chul , Choi Seung-Wook
Published: March 2020

This study aims to examine the effect of a 12-week intradialytic exercise program on patients’ blood indices, physical performance, and quality of life. Forty-six outpatients who were diagnosed with end-stage renal failure by a nephrologist and received hemodialysis therapy for
six months or longer were recruited. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Kruskal-Wallis test was employed to analyze the continuous variables. Among blood indices, Hematocrit decreased significantly after aerobic and complex exercise; hemoglobin dropped only after complex exercise; P and
Ca×P increased for a considerable amount only after complex exercise, but the postexamination results show no significant difference. As for physical performance, sit-to-stand (STS)-5 decreased with resistance and complex exercise (p < .01), while there was a significant increase
in STS-30 after aerobic, resistance, and complex exercise (p < .01). 6-minute walk test (MWT) grew significantly in all groups (p < .01), but alongside gait speed, and grip strength, it diminished significantly in the non-exercise group (p< .05). When it comes to SF-36,
there was a significant rise in the physical component score (PCS) (p< .01) with resistance and complex exercise. In the meantime, mental component summary (MCS) went up significantly after all types of exercises (p < .01). In contrast, Beck depression inventory (BDI) showed a
significant decline only with complex exercise (p < .01). To sum up, this study suggests intradialytic complex exercise appears to be effective in enhancing Short Form (SF)-36 and BDI as well as physical performance, which is why we recommend this type of complex exercise program
for hemodialysis patients.
Analysis of Electroencephalography Signals on the Contents of Cognitive Function Game: Attention and Memory
Authors: Shin Sung-Wook , Park Jung-Hyun , Lee Woo-Jin , Kang Sung-Ho , Kim Hyunggun , Chung Sung-Taek
Published: March 2020

In the current study, contents of cognitive function game were developed, and variations in Electroencephalography signals were measured and compared before performing the game tasks and during performing the game. The study sought to assess how much the game contents activated brain
to see if they were suitable for cognitive functional training. For Electroencephalography signal analysis, power spectral analysis was implemented to classify signals according to frequency. To test signal variation according to the degree of brain activation before and after performing the
game, variation comparison and paired t-test were conducted. Results showed that there was reduction in α wave signaling which implied that the subjects concentrate on the content, and increase in β wave signifying that they were engaged in cognitive activities such
as remembering and assessing. Consequentially, the produced contents in this study are expected to be useful for cognitive functional training.
Influence of Swell on Marine Surface-Layer Structure
Authors: Jiang Qingfang
Published: March 2020

The influence of swell on turbulence and scalar profiles in a marine surface layer and underlying physics is examined in this study through diagnosis of large-eddy simulations (LES) that explicitly resolve the surface layer and underlying swell. In general, under stable conditions, the mean wind and scalar profiles can be significantly modified by swell. The influence of swell on wind shear, turbulence structure, scalar profiles, and evaporation duct (ED) characteristics becomes less pronounced in a more convective boundary layer, where the buoyancy production of turbulence is significant. Dynamically, swell has little direct impact on scalar profiles. Instead it modifies the vertical wind shear by exerting pressure drag on the wave boundary layer. The resulting redistribution of vertical wind shear leads to changes in turbulence production and therefore turbulence mixing of scalars. Over swell, the eddy diffusivities from LES systematically deviate from the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) prediction, implying that MOST becomes invalid over a swell-dominated sea. The deviations from MOST are more pronounced in a neutral or stable boundary layer under relatively low winds and less so in a convective boundary layer.
An Estimate of the Relative Contributions of Sea Surface Temperature Variations in Various Regions to Stratospheric Change
Authors: Xie Fei , Zhang Jiankai , Huang Zhe , Lu Jinpeng , Ding Ruiqiang , Sun Cheng
Published: March 2020

This study investigates the effects of global and regional sea surface temperature (SST) warming from the Industrial Revolution to the present on the stratosphere using a climate model, and estimates the relative contributions of SST warming in different regions. The observed global SST warming is found to cause colder and stronger stratospheric zonal circulations in the high latitudes of both hemispheres, and a colder lower stratosphere in the tropics and ozone depletion. This occurs because the warming in the tropical Atlantic and in the north Indian Ocean and North Pacific strongly cool the stratosphere in the southern and northern high latitudes, respectively. The cooling in the lower stratosphere at lower and midlatitudes is mainly caused by SST warming in the tropical Pacific and north Indian Ocean. The changes in stratospheric temperature are related to changes in circulation and ozone. In addition, we investigate the effects on the stratosphere of ideal 1-K uniform warming of SST in different oceans and compare these effects with those caused by the realistic SST warming. The observed global SST warming and 1-K uniform global SST warming have opposite effects on the high-latitude stratosphere in both hemispheres: 1-K uniform global SST warming results in warmer and weaker stratospheric zonal circulations and a corresponding increase in ozone. This is because the 1-K uniform increase in SST in the tropical Pacific causes extremely strong warming and weakening stratospheric zonal circulations. The contribution of a 1-K uniform increase of SST in the tropical Pacific to stratospheric temperature, circulation, and ozone anomalies overwhelms that of a 1-K uniform increase of SST in other regions.
The Ulnar Artery as a Favorable Primary or Alternative Access Site for Coronary Angiography and Interventions
Authors: Gunduz Yasemin , Gunduz Huseyin , Ayhan Lacin Tatli , Ciner Mahmut , Cakmak Ahmetcan , Saribiyik Betul , Akcay Cagla , Ilguz Ersin , Cosansu Kahraman
Published: March 2020

The transulnar approach (TUA) has been considered both as primary access and as a secondary access site after transradial access (TRA) failure for coronary invasive procedures. However, there is little evidence supporting the use of the TUA as the first approach to diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) or interventions. Patients (n = 587) who underwent CAG and/or angioplasty (292 patients via TRA, 295 patients via TUA) were included. The primary end points of the study were major adverse cardiac events and major vascular events (hematoma, vascular occlusion, vasospasm), and secondary end points included angiographic success, crossover rate, and angiographic procedural times. The mean age was 60 ± 21 years. The composite primary end points occurred in 34 (11.6%) patients in the TRA and 22 (7.4%) patients in the TUA arm ( P < .001). More arterial occlusion and more arterial spasm than in the TUA and similar urgent target vessel revascularization were observed in the TRA group in 48 hours. Based on previous studies and our clinical experience, we speculated that the TUA performed by an experienced operator has equal status with the TRA for coronary catheterization, especially in patients with a palpable ulnar pulse.
Gender Differences in the Link Between Cyberbullying and Parental Supervision Trajectories
Authors: Song Hyojong , Lee Yeungjeom , Kim Jihoon
Published: March 2020

This study aims to explore joint trajectories of parental supervision and cyberbullying for boys and girls, respectively. Drawing on a longitudinal sample of South Korean youth, we employ a latent group-based trajectory modeling approach to examine overlapping patterns of parental supervision and cyberbullying trajectories, and gender differences in the bivariate overlap. We found that boys with higher levels of parental supervision were more likely to be in the Noninvolved cyberbullying group, whereas girls with the highest level of parental supervision tended to engage in cyberbullying at an early age but soon desisted from it after the initial involvement. Results suggest that effects of parental supervision on cyberbullying may vary across gender.
The Mexican Social Security Counterreform: Pensions for Profit
Authors: Laurell Asa Cristina
Published: March 2020

The social security counterreform, initiated in 1997, forms part of the neoliberal reorganization of Mexican society. The reform implies a profound change in the guiding principles of social security, as the public model based on integrality, solidarity, and redistribution is replaced by a model based on private administration of funds and services, individualization of entitlement, and reduction of rights. Its economic purpose is to move social services and benefits into the direct sphere of private capital accumulation. Although these changes will involve the whole social security system—old-age and disability pensions, health care, child care, and workers’ compensation—they are most immediately evident in the pension scheme. The pay-as-you-go scheme is being replaced by privately managed individual retirement accounts which especially favor the big financial groups. These groups are gaining control over huge amounts of capital, are authorized to charge a high commission, and run no financial risks. The privatization of the system requires decisive state intervention with a legal change and a sizable state subsidy (1 to 1.5 percent of GNP) over five decades. The supposed positive impact on economic growth and employment is uncertain. A review of the new law and of the estimates of future annuities reveals shrinking pension coverage and inadequate incomes from pensions.
The Oral Archaeome: A Scoping Review
Authors: Belmok A. , de Cena J.A. , Kyaw C.M. , Damé-Teixeira N.
Published: March 2020

The Archaea domain was recognized as a separate phylogenetic lineage in the tree of life nearly 3 decades ago. It is now known as part of the human microbiome; however, given that its roles in oral sites are still poorly understood, this review aimed to establish the current level of evidence regarding archaea in the oral cavity to guide future research, providing insights on the present knowledge about the human oral archaeome. A scoping review was conducted with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Five electronic databases were searched, as well as gray literature. Two independent reviewers performed the selection and characterization of the studies. Clinical studies were included when the target population consisted of humans of any age who were donors of samples from the oral cavity. A qualitative analysis was performed, based on the type of oral site and by considering the methods employed for archaeal identification and taxonomy, including the DNA extraction protocols, primers, and probes used. Fifty articles were included in the final scoping review, published from 1987 to 2019. Most studies sampled periodontal sites. Methanogens were the most abundant archaea in those sites, and their presence could be associated with other periodontal pathogens. No consistent relationship with different disease conditions was observed in studies that evaluated the microbiota surviving in endodontic sites. Few articles analyzed the presence of archaea in dental caries, saliva, or tongue microbiota, as well as in archaeologic samples, also showing a relationship with healthy microbiota. Archaea have been detected in different oral niches of individuals from diverse geographic locations and clinical conditions, suggesting potential roles in oral diseases. Methodological limitations may hamper our current knowledge about archaeal diversity and prevalence in oral samples, and future research with diversified methodological approaches may lead to a better comprehension of the human oral archaeome.
The sociotechnical roots of smart mobility: Bike sharing since 1965
Authors: Ploeger Jan , Oldenziel Ruth
Published: March 2020

The search for “smart” or Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based mobility solutions goes back to at least the 1960s. The Provo anarchist Luud Schimmelpennink is well-known for designing mobility solutions and for being the driving force behind the 1965 “white-bike” experience. Less known is his 1968 project for shared electric cars (“Witkar”), which laid the foundations for the ICT-based bicycle sharing systems as we know today. By combining his talent for innovation with activism, he created a socially embedded design that could be part of the public transit system. Based on primary sources, we argue that these sociotechnical experiences paved the way for today’s mainstream bicycle sharing projects worldwide. We then show how since the 1990s, the Dutch railroad’s public transit bicycle (OV-fiets) has transformed Schimmelpennink’s original anarchist idea of bike sharing into a sustainable public transit system – a feat that has eluded other programmes worldwide: the integration of the bicycle’s share in a door-to-door experience.
Mapping Mourning Among Muslims of Kashmir: Analysis of Religious Principles and Current Practices
Authors: Jahangir Mohmad S. , Hamid Wasia
Published: March 2020

From the instance a person passes away, the funeral, mourning, and memorial ceremonies follow sets of religious principles and procedures in every society. However, at the same time, these ceremonies and practices are influenced by the cultural patterns that people endorse. Mourning practices among Muslims of Kashmir also derive from such a religious-cultural amalgamation. This study aims to highlight mourning practices from two standpoints: (a) the prerequisites of the Islamic tradition and (b) the way mourning is actually practiced in Kashmir. To compare the general mourning practices with the actual Kashmiri Muslim mourning practices, different secondary sources were used and in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants (6 women, 4 men, and 1 Islamic scholar). The study revealed that mourning practices followed by Muslims of Kashmir are influenced by traditions outside the religion of Islam.
Improving English Learners’ Speaking through Mobile-assisted Peer Feedback
Authors: Wu Junjie Gavin , Miller Lindsay
Published: March 2020

In this article, we report on an action case study on the use of mobile-assisted peer feedback to improve second language (L2) speakers’ English performance. Drawing on the learning-oriented assessment (LOA) framework (Carless, 2007), the study made in-class use of a newly developed mobile app with the provision of peer feedback. The study was conducted with 25 Business School students in an English for Specific Purposes course at a Hong Kong university. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, including a questionnaire survey, a focus group discussion after the class and a teacher journal. In addition to the participants’ general attitudes, two broad themes were found in relation to the participants’ learning experience, namely the use of peer feedback and the affordances and constraints of technology. Results showed that students generally agreed on the positive effects of mobile-assisted peer feedback (e.g. real-time and anonymous feedback), while they recognized some limitations such as the small screen size of their phones and the limited number of given rubrics. Finally, we discuss the implications from different perspectives based on the reported themes.
Commentary: Inequality, precarity and sustainable ecosystems as elements of urban resilience
Authors: Adger W Neil , Safra de Campos Ricardo , Siddiqui Tasneem , Szaboova Lucy
Published: March 2020

The science of resilience suggests that urban systems become resilient when they promote progressive transformative change to social and physical infrastructure. But resilience is challenged by global environmental risks and by social and economic trends that create inequality and exclusion. Here we argue that distortionary inequality and precarity undermine social processes that give access to public infrastructure and ecosystems thereby undermining urban resilience. We illustrate how inequality and precarity undermine resilience with reference to social exclusion and insecurity in growing urban settlements in the Asia-Pacific region. Inequality and exposure to environmental risks represent major challenges for governance that can be best overcome through inclusion and giving voice to marginalised populations.
Computer game as a pragmatic concept: ideas, meanings, and culture
Authors: Karhulahti Veli-Matti
Published: March 2020

This article discusses the ‘computer game’ as a pragmatic concept. A dual nature of the computer game as both a pragmatic idea and a pragmatic meaning is introduced. Practical meanings of the computer game correspond with the concrete effects that engaging with computer games produces in an individual. Practical ideas of the computer game correspond with the subjectively constituted conceptual families concerning the computer game’s assumed practical meaning. Individual computer games can be considered flat or round depending on the range of their practical meanings. Thus, the article contributes to the study of cultural objects by offering a framework for examining the evolution and existence of such objects as cross-cultural practical entities – less in terms of communication, media, and materiality, and more in terms of concrete actions and events that individuals across societies commence and conceptualize.
Can Employee Training Influence Local Fiscal Outcomes?
Authors: Spreen Thomas Luke , Afonso Whitney , Gerrish Ed
Published: March 2020

Employee training is often viewed as essential for incorporating performance management practices into public organizations, but few studies directly link training programs to subsequent changes in organizational outcomes. Typically, evaluations of the impact of training and management innovations more broadly focuses narrowly on improvements at the mean of the distribution, ignoring isomorphic pressures that may spur divergent responses at opposite tails of the distribution. We examine these notions by testing whether training local government personnel on the use of financial performance information in decision-making influences fiscal outcomes. Specifically, we compare the outcomes of North Carolina local governments whose employees participated in training on a new fiscal benchmarking tool at the University of North Carolina School of Government to peer governments that did not participate. Municipal governments with at least one trained employee experienced modest changes, on average, across most of the financial ratios reported in the benchmarking tool. By comparison, the dispersion of the reported outcomes declined considerably among municipal governments whose employees participated in training in comparison to control governments. The strength of this response increased with the number of public officials trained. The results indicate that employee training can facilitate the use of performance benchmarking systems in public sector decision-making. They also suggest that benchmarking without explicit performance targets may encourage convergence toward the average outcome.
Long-Term Effects of Short-Term Music Therapy for Prison Inmates: Six-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gold Christian , Due Fredrik B. , Thieu Elin K. , Hjørnevik Kjetil , Tuastad Lars , Assmus Jörg
Published: March 2020

For most interventions to reduce criminal recidivism, long-term effects are uncertain. Music therapy has shown effects on possible precursors of recidivism, but direct evidence on long-term effects is lacking. In an exploratory parallel randomized controlled trial, 66 inmates in a Norwegian prison were allocated to music therapy or standard care and followed up over a median of 6 years, using state registry data. Median time to relapse was 5 years, with no differences between the interventions. The imprisonment of most participants was too short to provide a sufficient number of therapy sessions. Sufficiently powered studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of appropriate doses of therapy.
‘People are willing to fight to the end’. Romanticising the ‘moral’ in moral economies of irrigation
Authors: Harrison Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

This article is about the continued salience of a particular understanding of moral economy in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the fact that a significant body of anthropological theory argues against simplified binaries of market and moral economies, such binaries persist. These either romanticise or vilify moral economies and exist in both policy and academic contexts. Thus, moral economies are said to drive corruption or shape anti-market cultural stances. Meanwhile, a romantic fantasy of a non-capitalist rural economy oriented by morality rather than economic rationality continues to animate areas of development policy and to direct funding. My argument is not with the concept of moral economy itself, but with how it is marshalled in support of both romantic and sometimes negatively essentialised conceptions of people and places. The article sets out the case for the persistence of these ideas, focusing on their application to irrigation development and the problems with this. I then use an example from southern Malawi to illustrate how moral ideas of fairness and reciprocity interplay with processes of differentiation in access to (and exclusion from) land and labour and influence how people manage scarce resources. Whilst there are moral discourses and a mutual embeddedness of the moral and economic, these reflect a range of ethically informed positions which are influenced by social position and power. However, this emic perspective is largely absent from the more romanticised models. I conclude by reflecting on the politics of their persistence.