bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early human impact on soils and hydro-sedimentary systems: Multi-proxy geoarchaeological analyses from La Narse de la Sauvetat (France)
Authors: Mayoral Alfredo , Granai Salomé , Develle Anne-Lise , Peiry Jean-Luc , Miras Yannick , Couderc Florian , Vernet Gérard , Berger Jean-François
Published: August 2020

We analysed the late-Holocene pedo-sedimentary archives of La Narse de la Sauvetat, a hydromorphic depression in the southern Limagne plain (central France), where chronologically accurate studies are scarce. The multi-proxy geoarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental analysis of two cores from different areas of the basin was carried out through sedimentological, geochemical, micromorphological and malacological investigations. Integration of these datasets supported by a robust radiocarbon-based chronology allowed discussion of socio-environmental interactions and anthropogenic impacts from Late Neolithic to Early Middle Ages. Until the Middle Bronze Age, there was no clear evidence of anthropogenic impact on soils and hydro-sedimentary dynamics of the catchment, but two peaks of high alluvial activity probably related to the 4.2 and 3.5 kyr. BP climate events were first recorded in Limagne. Significant anthropogenic impacts started in the Late Bronze Age with increased erosion of the surrounding volcanic slopes. However, a major threshold was reached c. 2600 cal BP with a sharp increase in the catchment erosion interpreted as resulting from strong anthropogenic environmental changes related to agricultural activities and drainage. This implies an anthropogenic forcing on soils and hydro-sedimentary systems much earlier than was usually considered in Limagne. These impacts then gradually increased during Late Iron Age and Roman periods, but environmental effects were certainly contained by progress in agricultural management. Late Antiquity environmental changes are consistent with regional trend to drainage deterioration in lowlands, but marked asynchrony in this landscape change suggests that societal factors implying differential land management were certainly predominant here.
MiR-128-3p Post-Transcriptionally Inhibits WISP1 to Suppress Apoptosis and Inflammation in Human Articular Chondrocytes via the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chen Shujun , Li Bo
Published: August 2020

In osteoarthritis (OA), the synthesis and decomposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are imbalanced. High expression levels of Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) promote the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases and induce the degradation of cartilage, which aggravates the OA. The aim of this study was to explore the role of miR-128-3p in the development of OA. In the present study, the expression of WISP1 and miR-128-3p in osteoarthritic tissues and chondrocytes was detected using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Then we predicted that WISP1 might be a potential target gene of miR-128-3p by TargetScan and verified using luciferase reporter gene assay. The effect of miR-128-3p or WISP1 on chondrocytes was evaluated by cell proliferation assay, apoptosis, and caspase-3 activity assay. To further reveal the molecular mechanisms of miR-128-3p in osteoarthritic development, the degradation of chondrocyte matrix and production of proinflammatory cytokines in osteoarthritic chondrocyte model were detected by ELISA. To mimic the osteoarthritic microenvironment in vitro studies, chondrocytes were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β, and then we found that the expression of miR-128-3p was downregulated. Overexpression of WISP1 inhibited the proliferation of chondrocytes, which induced apoptosis, degradation of chondrocyte matrix, production of proinflammatory cytokines, and activated the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. Then, we identified that miR-128-3p was a negative regulator of WISP1 by directly targeting its 3′-untranslated region (UTR). Moreover, the PI3K allosteric activator 740 Y-P abolished the inhibition of miR-128-3p in apoptosis, degradation of chondrocyte matrix, and inflammation. Our results showed that miR-128-3p targets WISP1 to regulate chondrocyte proliferation, apoptosis, degradation of chondrocyte matrix, and production of proinflammatory cytokines via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway, which plays a suppressed role in OA.
Emotional Intelligence and Personal Demographic Profile in the Education System of India
Authors: Baba Mubashir Majid
Published: August 2020

Academic leaders need to recognize their own emotions and know the feelings of those around them. Academic leaders are more effective when they pay attention to their social interactions with others in the workplace and the impact they as leaders have on those around them. It is also essential for leaders to recognize the influence that others’ emotions have on them. The purpose of this article is to examine the perception of faculty members towards emotional intelligence (EI) of their academic leaders in the sample select universities, and to study the impact of demographic variables on EI. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data for the study were collected through both the primary and secondary sources. The measuring items used for the study were sourced from existing validated scales and literature. Descriptive statistics was employed to know the descriptive information across various demographic variables on a total sample of 719. The various demographic variables, which were considered for the study, were gender, age and experience. The results revealed that the faculty members of the sample select universities perceived the EI of their academic leaders at an above-average level; presently, they are fairly satisfied with their academic leader’s EI. The results also revealed that the perception of the respondent faculty members towards their HOD’s EI from different universities and states is more or less the same and also the demographic variables have a significant impact on EI. Besides having theoretical implications that open pathways for conducting further research, the findings of the study may serve as a reference for service practitioners in designing strategies that will ensure superior performance of academic leaders in higher educational institutions.
Application of the World Café to Disability Issues: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bumble Jennifer L. , Carter Erik W.
Published: August 2020

Improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities requires collaborative and comprehensive efforts to address barriers at the community level. The World Café is often advocated as a community-engagement approach for bringing an assortment of community members (e.g., professionals, civic leaders, families, neighbors) into solutions-focused discussions about pressing local issues. This systematic review examined how the World Café has been applied specifically to disability issues. A literature search yielded 28 studies from six countries reporting on 139 World Café events involving more than 4,600 community members. The events focused on a variety of disability categories and spanned multiple topics (e.g., integrated employment, approaches to service delivery, school- and community-based supports, community inclusion, disability awareness). Findings provide important insight into the diverse applications of this model and how researchers and practitioners might use the World Café to inform local initiatives affecting individuals with disabilities and their families.
A Retrospective Study Analyzing the Lack of Symptom Benefit With Antimicrobials at the End of Life
Authors: Lopez Santiago , Vyas Pooja , Malhotra Prashant , Finuf Kayla , Magalee Christopher , Nouryan Christian , Hirsch Bruce
Published: August 2020

Background:

Infections are common in terminally ill patients (pts), and although antibiotics are frequently prescribed, their benefit for symptom relief is not clear. Antimicrobials at the end of life (EOL) may increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance and Clostrioides difficile infection. Our aim was to determine the frequency of symptom occurrence at the EOL when comparing pts who did or did not receive antibiotics (AB+ or AB-).

Methods:

We reviewed electronic medical records of pts admitted to a palliative care unit of a quarternary care hospital between 01/09/2017 and 07/16/2017 and assessed antimicrobial use in the last 14 days of life. Differences in demographics and symptom control between AB+ and AB- pts were analyzed using chi-square analyses; p-values were computed using Mann-Whitney tests.

Results:

Of a total of 133 pts included, 90 (68%) received antimicrobials (AB+). The indication for antibiotics was documented in only 12% of pts. The AB+ and AB- groups were similar with respect to demographics, including sex, and Charleston Comorbidity Index except for age (p = 0.01) and race (p = 0.03). Documented infections were similar between AB+ and AB- groups, except urinary tract infections. No statistically significant differences were noted in documented symptoms including pain, dyspnea, fever, lethargy, and alteration of mental state or length of stay.

Conclusion:

Our study did not show differences in frequencies of documented symptoms with use of antimicrobials at EOL. Antimicrobial stewardship programs and further research can help with developing EOL care antimicrobial guidelines supporting patients and providers through shared decision-making.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and Radiological Outcomes in Mobile-Bearing Total Ankle Arthroplasty With Varus or Valgus Deformity
Authors: Allport Jack , Ramaskandhan Jayasree , Alkhreisat Mohammad , Siddique Malik S.
Published: August 2020

Background:

There is increasing evidence that varus deformity does not negatively affect total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) outcomes, but there is a sparsity of evidence for valgus deformity. We present our outcomes using a mobile-bearing prosthesis for neutral, varus, and valgus ankles.

Methods:

This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive cases identified from a local joint registry. In total, 230 cases were classified based on preoperative radiographs as neutral (152 cases), varus greater than 10 degrees (60 cases), or valgus greater than 10 degrees (18 cases). Tibiotalar angle was again measured postoperatively and at final follow-up (mean follow-up of 55.9 months). A total of 164 cases had adequate patient-reported outcome measures data (Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, Short Form–36 [SF-36] scores, and patient satisfaction) for analysis (mean follow-up of 61.6 months). The groups were similar for body mass index and length of follow-up, but neutral ankles were younger ( P = .021).

Results:

Baseline scores were equal except SF-36 physical health, with valgus ankles scoring lowest ( P = .045). Valgus ankles had better postoperative pain ( P = .025) and function ( P = .012) than neutral. Pre- to postoperative change did not reach statistical significance except physical health, in which valgus performed best ( P = .039). Mean final angle for all groups was less than 5 degrees. There was no significant difference in revision rates.

Conclusion:

Our study is consistent with previous evidence that varus deformity does not affect outcome in TAA. In addition, in our cohort, outcomes were satisfactory with valgus alignment. Postoperative coronal radiological alignment was affected by preoperative deformity but within acceptable limits. Coronal plane deformity did not negatively affect radiological or clinical outcomes in TAA.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Violence Against Women: Reflecting on 25 Years of the Violence Against Women Act and Directions for the Future
Authors: Moore Angela M. , Gover Angela R.
Published: August 2020

The year 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of the passage of the landmark legislation, the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). As we reflect on the Act, it is important to examine how the VAWA influenced the response to violence against women. This guest editors’ introduction provides a preview of five articles devoted to a special issue of Violence Against Women. The articles highlight key aspects of VAWA. With H.R. 15851 awaiting consideration by the Senate, we suggest that perhaps now is an appropriate time to assess the Act’s impact.
Assessing the Magnitude of Risk for ADHD in Offspring of Parents with ADHD: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Uchida Mai , Driscoll Haley , DiSalvo Maura , Rajalakshmim Aarya , Maiello Marco , Spera Vincenza , Biederman Joseph
Published: August 2020

The main aim of this study was to examine the body of knowledge on the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in “high-risk” children whose parents are diagnosed with ADHD. This knowledge could aid early identification for children presenting with ADHD symptoms at a young age. We conducted a systematic search of the literature assessing high-risk children. Included were original articles published in English with the main aim to assess prevalence of ADHD in high risk children. In addition, a meta-analysis was conducted to examine this prevalence. Four articles met our inclusion and exclusion criteria all suggesting an increased prevalence of ADHD in children of parents with ADHD. The meta-analysis also confirmed the increased prevalence of ADHD in high-risk children. The literature indicates that children of ADHD parents have an increased risk of developing ADHD compared to control children.
The fibroblastic sleeve, the neglected complication of venous access devices: A narrative review
Authors: Passaro Giovanna , Pittiruti Mauro , La Greca Antonio
Published: August 2020

The presence of a vascular access device (or of any intravascular foreign body) inside the bloodstream is often associated with the formation of a connective tissue sleeve around the catheter (often named—erroneously—“fibrin sleeve”). Such sleeve is usually a physiological phenomenon with little or no clinical relevance, but its pathogenesis is still unclear, so that it is frequently confused with venous thrombosis; also, its relationship with other major catheter-related complications, such as venous thrombosis and bloodstream infection, is uncertain. This narrative review tries to convey in a systematic form the current knowledge about pathogenesis, incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of this phenomenon.
Between ideal teaching and ‘what works’: The transmission and transformation of a content area from university to school placements within physical education teacher education
Authors: Tolgfors Björn , Backman Erik , Nyberg Gunn , Quennerstedt Mikael
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore the recontextualisation of Assessment for Learning (AfL) as a particular content area in the transition between a university course and a school placement course within Swedish physical education teacher education (PETE). By combining Basil Bernstein’s pedagogic device and Stephen Ball’s performativity perspective, we alternately ask how AfL is constructed as a pedagogic discourse and what AfL becomes in different contexts within PETE. Nine students attending a Swedish PETE programme participated in the study. The empirical material was collected through one seminar and two group interviews at the university, as well as through nine individual interviews based on lesson observations at different school placements. Our findings highlight five recontextualising rules, which indicate that: (1) the task of integrating assessment into teaching enables the use of AfL; (2) an exclusive focus on summative assessment and grading constrains the use of AfL; (3) a lack of critical engagement with physical education teaching traditions constrains the use of AfL; (4) knowing the pupils is crucial for the use of AfL; and (5) the framing of the school placements determines how AfL can be used. As a consequence of these rules, AfL was transformed into three different fabrications: (1) AfL as ideal teaching; (2) AfL as correction of shortcomings; and (3) AfL as ‘what works’. One conclusion from this study is that increased collaboration between teacher educators and cooperating teachers in schools can help strengthen PETE’s influence on school physical education.
A telemedicine communication exchange network in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomic Oblast in collaboration with Swiss Surgical Teams
Authors: Mamadnabiev Intizor , Imfeld Stephan , Gürke Lorenz , Aschwanden Markus , Isaak Andrej
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The purpose of this article is to report on the implementation of a telemedicine network serving as a second opinion pool for a surgeon in a remote area of a developing country.

Methods

This study involved an international collaboration between two members of Swiss Surgical Teams at a tertiary referral hospital and a surgeon in a remote area in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomic Oblast, Tajikistan, which established a second opinion pool discussing diagnostics and therapeutic options via a messenger application. A retrospective analysis of response times was performed using a series of 50 challenging cases.

Results

The median time to receive a first telemedical response from any of the two contacts was 24 min (interquartile range 6–73). Urgent and emergent pathologies accounted for 57% of cases. The suggested treatment was carried out in 90% ( n = 44) of cases.

Conclusions

Timely and convenient telemedicine support to provide diagnostic and therapeutic reassurance and improve treatment quality for patients presenting to a general and vascular surgeon in the large and remote region of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomic Oblast can be installed via a messenger application.
Marie Høeg’s worldmaking photography: a photo essay
Authors: Rawson K.J. , Tantum Nicole
Published: August 2020

Marie Høeg, who lived from 1866–1949, was a Norwegian photographer and activist for women’s rights. In this photo essay, the authors feature six photographs depicting Marie Høeg in gender transgressive scenes. These photographs are a few of more than 30 that were recovered in the 1980s from a property where Høeg once lived with her female partner, Bolette Berg. Standing out from the traditional landscapes and portraits that were common for the professional studio of Berg & Høeg, these photographs provide a glimpse into Høeg’s playful self-expression at the onset of the 20th century. This photo essay explores not only the documentary value of these images, but also the important considerations of visibility, privacy, and the ethics of circulation that they elicit.
Pretty in pink: David Antonio Cruz’s portrait of the florida girls
Authors: Hernández Robb
Published: August 2020

Roused by the deaths of five African American transgender women in Florida in 2018, artist David Antonio Cruz intervenes in inaccurate media reports about these murders. Painting portrait of the florida girls in 2019, his diptych of significant scale and palette, confronts this senseless violence and challenges sensationalized coverage. This article centralizes his work arguing for the ways in which Cruz innovates transgender of color visibility through a queer of color critiquing of the portrait form and concerted use of a ‘blacktino’ optic. Ruminating on the combined tragedies of gun violence at Pulse nightclub and serial murder of trans femmes, Cruz’s work interrogates the posthumous transgender image with a reversal of digital source material and bodily logics in pose and countenance. By turning to the transnational crossroads shaping these communities’ shared horrors, central Florida, Cruz activates his audience with a sense of urgency in the persuasive power of pink.
On Jesse Darling
Authors: Holmes Heather
Published: August 2020

Jesse Darling, a contemporary Berlin-based artist, produces sculptures, paintings, and drawings that animate material to depict a lived experience of queerness and disability. This article highlights a recent exhibition of Darling’s as an entry point to their wide-ranging practice. Refracted through the lens of Sara Ahmed’s concept of feminist ‘willfulness’, Darling’s objects depict the body as unruly, unpredictable, and given to change, making them exciting candidates for both disability and trans studies. At a moment in contemporary art and cultural production more broadly when gender-nonconformity is signaled through an attempt to erase bodily markers of specificity, Darling insists on such specificity as the inescapability of the human experience.
A phase linearisation–based modulation signal bispectrum for analysing cyclostationary bearing signals
Authors: Xu Yuandong , Fu Chao , Hu Ning , Huang Baoshan , Gu Fengshou , Ball Andrew D
Published: August 2020

Bearings are used as the most important load-carrying transmission components in various machines, thus subjecting to a number of faults including wear, fatigue pitting, cracks and so on. Fault detection and diagnosis of bearings can effectively prevent the machine from such typical failures and subsequent consequences. The faults in bearings can lead to the vibration signals that exhibit cyclostationary characteristics due to the inevitably random phase noise (or slippage between bearing components). In this article, a phase linearisation–based modulation signal bispectrum is proposed to tune up the cyclostationary bearing signal into a periodic waveform by linearizing the instantaneous phase of the narrow frequency band signals. In this way, the signal becomes more deterministic and modulation signal bispectrum can be effectively applied to suppression noise and obtain accurate and robust diagnosis results. As a result, this fault detector can achieve high performance in characterising the nonstationary bearing vibration signals and hence diagnose the bearing faults even in the case of extremely low signal-to-noise ratio (<−20 dB), which is benchmarked by the method of conventional modulation signal bispectrum in both simulation and experiment studies.
Rudimentary Dexterity Corresponds With Reduced Ability to Move in Synergy After Stroke: Evidence of Competition Between Corticoreticulospinal and Corticospinal Tracts?
Authors: Senesh Merav R. , Barragan Karina , Reinkensmeyer David J.
Published: August 2020

Objective

When a stroke damages the corticospinal tract (CST), it has been hypothesized that the motor system switches to using the corticoreticulospinal tract (CRST) resulting in abnormal arm synergies. Is use of these tracts mutually exclusive, or can the motor system spontaneously switch between them depending on the type of movement it wants to make? If the motor system can share control at will, then people with a rudimentary ability to make dexterous movements should be able to perform synergistic arm movements as well.

Methods

We analyzed clinical assessments of 319 persons’ abilities to perform “out-of-synergy” and “in-synergy” arm movements after chronic stroke using the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer (UEFM) scale.

Results

We identified a moderate range of arm impairment (UEFM = ~30-40) where subjects had a rudimentary ability to make out-of-synergy (~23%-50% on the out-of-synergy score) and dexterous hand movements (~3-10 blocks on Box and Blocks Test). Below this range persons could perform in-synergy but not out-of-synergy or dexterous movements. In the moderate range, however, scoring better on out-of-synergy movements correlated with scoring worse on in-synergy movements ( P = .001, r ≈ −0.6).

Conclusion

Rudimentary dexterity corresponded with reduced ability to move the arm in-synergy. This finding supports the idea that CST and CRST compete and has implications for rehabilitation therapy.
Attentional Resource Associated With Visual Feedback on a Postural Dual Task in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Yu Shu-Han , Wu Ruey-Meei , Huang Cheng-Ya
Published: August 2020

Background

Restricted attentional resource and central processing in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may reduce the benefit of visual feedback in a dual task.

Objectives

Using brain event-related potentials (ERPs), this study aims to investigate the neural mechanisms of posture visual feedback and supraposture visual feedback during performing of a posture-motor dual task.

Methods

Eighteen patients with PD and 18 healthy controls stood on a mobile platform (postural task) and executed a manual force-matching task (suprapostural task) concurrently with provided visual feedback of platform movement (posture-feedback condition) or force output (force-feedback condition). The platform movement, force-matching performance, and ERPs (P1, N1, and P2 waves) were recorded.

Results

Both PD and control groups had superior force accuracy in the force-feedback condition. Decreased postural sway by posture-feedback was observed in healthy controls but not in PD. Force-feedback led to a greater frontal area N1 peak in PD group but smaller N1 peaks in control group. In addition, force-feedback led to smaller P2 peaks of the frontal and sensorimotor areas among PD patients but greater P2 peaks of the sensorimotor and parietal-occipital areas among healthy controls. However, P1 modulations was present only in healthy controls.

Conclusions

Force-feedback had positive effect on force accuracy in both PD and healthy individuals; however, the beneficial effect of posture-feedback on posture balance is not observed in PD. These findings are the first to suggest that PD could recruit more attentional resources in dual-task preparation to enhance suprapostural accuracy and avoid degrading postural stability by supraposture visual feedback.
The Efficiency, Efficacy, and Retention of Task Practice in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Wang Chunji , Winstein Carolee , D’Argenio David Z. , Schweighofer Nicolas
Published: August 2020

In motor skill learning, larger doses of practice lead to greater efficacy of practice, lower efficiency of practice, and better long-term retention. Whether such learning principles apply to motor practice after stroke is unclear. Here, we developed novel mixed-effects models of the change in the perceived quality of arm movements during and following task practice. The models were fitted to data from a recent randomized controlled trial of the effect of dose of task practice in chronic stroke. Analysis of the models’ learning and retention rates demonstrated an increase in efficacy of practice with greater doses, a decrease in efficiency of practice with both additional dosages and additional bouts of training, and fast initial decay following practice. Two additional effects modulated retention: a positive “self-practice” effect, and a negative effect of dose. Our results further suggest that for patients with sufficient arm use post-practice, self-practice will further improve use.
Method for rapid deployment of low-cost sensors for a nationwide project in the Internet of things era: Air quality monitoring in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Fan-Lun , Liu Kun-Hsing
Published: August 2020

When the air quality problem of PM2.5 first raised public attention and an emerging low-cost sensor technology appeared suitable as a monitoring measure for said problem, Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration devised a nationwide project involving large-scale sensor deployment for effective pollution monitoring and management. However, the conventional siting optimization methods were inadequate for deploying thousands of sensors. Therefore, this study develops a rapid deployment method. The current results may serve as a reference for the Taiwan government for use in the aforementioned nationwide project, which is an environmental Internet of things–based plan involving 10,200 sensors to be deployed throughout the country. The four monitoring targets are classified as types of industry, traffic areas, communities, and remoteness, and a three-phase implementation structure is devised in the method. The open-source geographic information system software named QGIS was used to implement the proposed method with relevant spatial data from local open-data resources, which generated new, necessary geographic features and estimated sensor deployment quantity in Taiwan. The deployment result of the 10,200 sensors is 4790 in the type of industry, 708 of the traffic area, 3935 of the communities, and 767 of remoteness. The proposed method could serve as a useful foundation for the sensor deployment of environmental Internet of things. Policymakers may apply this method to budget allocation or integrate this method alongside conventional siting methods for the modification of deployment results based on the local monitoring requirements.
Pathogenesis and management of superficial venous aneurysms through a case of thrombosed large great saphenous vein aneurysm
Authors: Aggarwal Vaibhav
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Superficial venous aneurysms are uncommon entities though venous Doppler has facilitated the detection of asymptomatic small aneurysms. Thromboembolic complications are rare with superficial venous aneurysms. The data regarding optimal therapy and pathogenesis of superficial venous aneurysm is sparse and is limited to isolated case reports.

Methods

Here, we present an unusual case of thrombosed large great saphenous vein aneurysm which was managed with Doppler, preoperative anticoagulation and surgical excision.

Results and conclusion

This paper is intended to review the current knowledge about the pathogenesis of superficial venous aneurysm of lower extremities, their optimal management and to guide future research in this area.
The Emerging Science of Virtue
Authors: Fowers Blaine J. , Carroll Jason S. , Leonhardt Nathan D. , Cokelet Bradford
Published: August 2020

Numerous scholars have claimed that positive ethical traits such as virtues are important in human psychology and behavior. Psychologists have begun to test these claims. The scores of studies on virtue do not yet constitute a mature science of virtue because of unresolved theoretical and methods challenges. In this article, we addressed those challenges by clarifying how virtue research relates to prosocial behavior, positive psychology, and personality psychology and does not run afoul of the fact–value distinction. The STRIVE-4 (Scalar Traits that are Role sensitive, include Situation × Trait Interactions, and are related to important Values that help to constitute E udaimonia) model of virtue is proposed to help resolve the theoretical and methods problems and encourage a mature science of virtue. The model depicts virtues as empirically verifiable, acquired scalar traits that are role sensitive, involve Situation × Trait interactions, and relate to important values that partly constitute eudaimonia (human flourishing). The model also holds that virtue traits have four major components: knowledge, behavior, emotion/motivation, and disposition. Heuristically, the STRIVE-4 model suggests 26 hypotheses, which are discussed in light of extant research to indicate which aspects of the model have been assessed and which have not. Research on virtues has included survey, intensive longitudinal, informant-based, experimental, and neuroscientific methods. This discussion illustrates how the STRIVE-4 framework can unify extant research and fruitfully guide future research.
Instruments of immolation: Giorgio Agamben and the Eucharistic reformations of the sixteenth century
Authors: Yoder Klaus C
Published: August 2020

Throughout the Homo Sacer series, Giorgio Agamben takes seriously the political and philosophical significance of Christian ritual in his archaeology of Western political discourse. In Opus Dei, Agamben argues for the sacrifice of the Mass as the paradigm for the ontology of effectivity, an ontology he sees as still regnant in the West. This ontology depends on the discourse of duty or office, and it begins with the priestly office. The priest’s duty is to be an “animate instrument” in the Mass. However, Agamben’s archaeology contains a massive gap between scholastic theology and Enlightenment political theory—the Protestant Reformation. I argue that Agamben’s hypothesis requires attending to the reformation of the Mass. Examining the works of Luther and Zwingli, I show that in spite of their rejection of the priesthood, the discourse of duty and operativity not only persists but expands through their respective sacramental theologies.
Brands and the Pandemic: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Aronczyk Melissa
Published: August 2020

This essay examines the troubling logic of digital media ecosystems, which devalue socially relevant information to maintain brand reputation. At a time when the value of news to provide essential and reliable information is made dramatically apparent, advertising technologies privilege the safety of brands over the safety of individuals. The essay reviews the logic of current digital advertising infrastructure, focusing on the impact of automated technologies on the decline of professional journalism.
The Contagion of Pneumonia in Older Persons: An Application of the Bass Diffusion Model
Authors: Garcia Laurence L.
Published: August 2020

This aims to provide an understanding of the spread of pneumonia through analysis of the interaction between infected and potentially infected. Data from 2010 to 2018 on Pneumonia morbidity among older persons age 65 and above was extracted from the Department of Health Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS) annual reports. The data were used to represent the cumulative adopters by fitting them to the Bass diffusion model using the Bass Forecasting Spreadsheet. The number of new adopters was graphed to forecast the diffusion of Pneumonia. The number of cases is expected to increase. The adoption rate in 2024 will be around 45% of the current population. Morbidity of pneumonia is expected to peak in the year 2200, 190 years after the first data. The use of the model provided an insight into the cumulative nature of pneumonia infection due to the interaction between infected and the potentially infected.
An Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst of Phosphorous Carbon Co-doped MOFs
Authors: Du Li , Lv Mengyuan , Liu Dandan , Song Huiyu
Published: August 2020

It is eager to develop high-performance and cheap bifunctional electrochemical catalysts for both of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for the energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, we report a series of ZIF-derived Co-P-C co-doped polyhedral materials with a well-defined morphology. The optimized catalyst Co/P/MOFs-CNTs-700 exhibited favorable electrochemical activities with the lowest overpotential of 420 mV to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2 for OER and the half potential of 0.8 V for ORR in 0.1 M NaOH. The performance can be well improved by doping phosphorous resource which greatly changed its morphology. Meanwhile, the doped carbon resources also improve the conductivity, which makes it a promising bifunctional electrochemical catalyst and can be comparable with the commercial electrocatalysts.
Freshwater amphipods (Gammarus pulex/fossarum) and brown trout as bioindicators for PFC contamination with regard to the aquatic ecological status of a small stream
Authors: Windisch Ute , Springer Fabian , Stahl Thorsten
Published: August 2020

Background

Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFC) have been in use for more than 60 years. As a result of their high thermal and chemical stability, they have found numerous applications in industrial processes. However, PFC also commonly show disadvantageous properties such as persistence and ubiquitous presence in the environment. The issue of PFC contamination of surface water is addressed in this publication. One aim of this study was to find a potential bioindicator for PFC contamination of small streams, and a second aim was to determine the aquatic ecological quality of such a stream. Standardized methods were used including structural quality mapping of a watercourse, the PERLODES method and electrofishing in four study sections of the stream. PFC contamination was determined in freshwater amphipods (Gammarus pulex/fossarum) and brown trout.

Results

This study shows that PFC originating from water contamination can be detected both in amphipods and in internal organs of brown trout. The fingerprints in these two species differ considerably from one another. The highest concentrations of PFC were found in the liver and kidneys of brown trout. The methods used in this study also show that the four study sections of the small stream tested fail to achieve the “good” ecological status required by the Water Framework Directive. In particular, this is due to inadequate benthic invertebrates.

Conclusions

Even though it is not possible to determine a causal relationship between the ecological status of the small stream and the detection of PFC in aquatic organisms, appropriate measures must be developed and applied to reduce the spreading of PFC in the environment. In addition to the brown trout, freshwater amphipods proved to be useful as a bioindicator for PFC contamination of streams. In the future it will be necessary to observe whether the number of species in the benthic invertebrates continue to decline.
Global transcriptomic responses orchestrate difenoconazole resistance in Penicillium spp. causing blue mold of stored apple fruit
Authors: Lichtner Franz J. , Gaskins Verneta L. , Cox Kerik D. , Jurick Wayne M.
Published: August 2020

Background

Blue mold is a globally important and economically impactful postharvest disease of apples caused by multiple Penicillium spp. There are currently four postharvest fungicides registered for blue mold control, and some isolates have developed resistance manifesting in decay on fungicide-treated fruit during storage. To date, mechanisms of fungicide resistance have not been explored in this fungus using a transcriptomic approach.

Results

We have conducted a comparative transcriptomic study by exposing naturally-occurring difenoconazole (DIF) resistant (G10) and sensitive (P11) blue mold isolates to technical grade difenoconazole, an azole fungicide in the commercial postharvest product Academy (Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC). Dynamic changes in gene expression patterns were observed encompassing candidates involved in active efflux and transcriptional regulators between the resistant and sensitive isolates. Unlike other systems, 3 isoforms of cytochrome P450 monoxygenase (CYP51A-C) were discovered and expressed in both sensitive and resistant strains upon difenoconazole treatment. Active efflux pumps were coordinately regulated in the resistant isolate and were shown to mediate the global resistance response as their inhibition reversed the difenoconazole-resistant phenotype in vitro.

Conclusions

Our data support the observation that global transcriptional changes modulate difenoconazole resistance in Penicillium spp. While the dogma of CYP51 overexpression is supported in the resistant isolate, our studies shed light on additional new mechanisms of difenoconazole resistance on a global scale in Penicillium spp. These new findings broaden our fundamental understanding of azole fungicide resistance in fungi, which has identified multiple genetic targets, that can be used for the detection, management, and abatement of difenoconazole-resistant blue mold isolates during long-term storage of apples.
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a prognostic indicator for 30-day mortality following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a prospective observational study
Authors: Aarsetøy Reidun , Omland Torbjørn , Røsjø Helge , Strand Heidi , Lindner Thomas , Aarsetøy Hildegunn , Staines Harry , Nilsen Dennis W. T.
Published: August 2020

Background

Early risk stratification applying cardiac biomarkers may prove useful in sudden cardiac arrest patients. We investigated the prognostic utility of early-on levels of high sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT), copeptin and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational unicenter study, including patients with OHCA of assumed cardiac origin from the southwestern part of Norway from 2007 until 2010. Blood samples for later measurements were drawn during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or at hospital admission.

Results

A total of 114 patients were included, 37 patients with asystole and 77 patients with VF as first recorded heart rhythm. Forty-four patients (38.6%) survived 30-day follow-up. Neither hs-cTnT (p = 0.49), nor copeptin (p = 0.39) differed between non-survivors and survivors, whereas NT-proBNP was higher in non-survivors (p <  0.001) and significantly associated with 30-days all-cause mortality in univariate analysis, with a hazard ratio (HR) for patients in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of 4.6 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.1–10.1),p <  0.001. This association was no longer significant in multivariable analysis applying continuous values, [HR 0.96, (95% CI, 0.64–1.43),p = 0.84]. Similar results were obtained by dividing the population by survival at hospital admission, excluding non-return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) patients on scene [HR 0.93 (95% CI, 0.50–1.73),P = 0.83]. We also noted that NT-proBNP was significantly higher in asystole- as compared to VF-patients,p <  0.001.

Conclusions

Early-on levels of hs-cTnT, copeptin and NT-proBNP did not provide independent prognostic information following OHCA. Prediction was unaffected by excluding on-scene non-ROSC patients in the multivariable analysis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials. gov,NCT02886273.
Factors correlated with drug use for constipation: perspectives from the 2016 open Japanese National Database
Authors: Mihara Hiroshi , Murayama Aiko , Nanjo Sohachi , Ando Takayuki , Tajiri Kazuto , Fujinami Haruka , Yamada Masaaki , Yasuda Ichiro
Published: August 2020

Background

The prevalence of chronic constipation is increased in females and with age or environmental (low temperature), racial, socioeconomic, and habitual risk factors. The impact of low outside temperature on constipation drug use remains unclear. Here, we investigated risk factors for constipation drug use by evaluating data from the Japanese National Database.

Methods

This ecological study used the 2016 open Japanese National Database of health insurance claims (prescriptions) to acquire the number of health insurance prescription claims in all 47 prefectures for drugs to relieve constipation, antihypertensives, vasodilators, as well as medical check-ups and questionnaire responses. Internet survey on room temperatures in 2010 were also used. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between the number of population-based prescriptions for each item were calculated and multiple linear regression analysis (MLR) was performed.

Results

Prescriptions for magnesium laxatives significantly correlated with aging (r = 0.58), vasodilators (r = 0.53), being female (r = 0.43), antihypertensives (r = 0.39), and inversely with eating ≤2 h before bedtime (r = − 0.37), total crime rate (r = − 0.33), insomnia (r = − 0.33), and population density (r = − 0.31). Stimulant laxatives (sennoside and picosulfate) were significantly correlated with antihypertensives (r = 0.79), aging (r = 0.69), vasodilators (r = 0.67), and being female (r = 0.56), and were inversely associated with average outside temperature (r = − 0.62), total crime rate (r = − 0.52), average income (r = − 0.51), and 30-min of vigorous exercise (r = − 0.44). Fecal interventions were significantly correlated with aging (r = 0.55) and female (r = 0.59), and inversely correlated with population density (r = − 0.41) and total crime rate (r = − 0.38). MLR analysis identified aging as the only significant risk factor for magnesium laxative use (partial slope [β] = 1241.0). Female sex and antihypertensives were independent risk factors for stimulant laxative prescriptions (β = 44,547.0 and 0.2) and average outside temperature and 30-min of vigorous exercise were independent preventive factors (β = − 616.8 and − 219.1).

Conclusion

We identified associations of magnesium laxatives with aging, stimulant laxatives with female sex, antihypertensives, low outside temperature and less 30 min of vigorous exercise.
Usefulness of peroral cholangioscopy in the differential diagnosis of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Ishii Yasutaka , Serikawa Masahiro , Tsuboi Tomofumi , Kawamura Ryota , Tsushima Ken , Nakamura Shinya , Hirano Tetsuro , Fukiage Ayami , Ikemoto Juri , Kiyoshita Yusuke , Saeki Sho , Tamura Yosuke , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: August 2020

Background

In the diagnosis of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC), differentiation from extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) is extremely important but is still a clinical challenge. This study aimed to elucidate the usefulness of peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) for the differential diagnosis between IgG4-SC and ECC.

Methods

POCS findings for bile duct stricture were retrospectively evaluated in 17 patients with IgG4-SC diagnosed at the Hiroshima University Hospital and 53 patients with surgically resected infiltrating ECC. Mucosal surface, dilated vessels (tortuosity, caliber alteration, and disruption), and easily bleeding were compared between the groups.

Results

The stricture sites of IgG4-SC evaluated by POCS were 10 extrapancreatic bile ducts and 9 intrapancreatic bile ducts. In patients with IgG4-SC, smooth mucosal surface was observed in 89% (17/19), dilated vessels in 58% (11/19) [tortuosity 82% (9/11), caliber alteration 18% (2/11), and disruption 9% (1/11)], and easily bleeding in 0%. Irregular mucosal surface and easily bleeding were observed significantly more frequently in ECC (both P <  0.001). The frequency of caliber alteration and disruption of dilated vessels was significantly less in IgG4-SC (P <  0.001 and 0.005, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of POCS in the diagnosis of ECC were 96 and 89%, respectively. Dilated vessels in IgG4-SC were observed significantly more frequently in the extrapancreatic bile duct, especially the hilar bile duct (P = 0.006). Concerning image evaluation, the interobserver agreement was κ = 0.719, and the intraobserver agreement was κ = 0.768 and 0.754.

Conclusions

Characteristic POCS findings of the stricture sites in IgG4-SC were smooth mucosal surface, dilated vessels without caliber alteration and disruption, and lack of easily bleeding. These POCS findings are extremely useful for distinguishing between IgG4-SC and ECC.
Prostate specific antigen test uptake: a cross sectional study on elderly men in Western Iran
Authors: Mirzaei-Alavijeh Mehdi , Jalilian Farzad , Solaimanizadeh Laleh , Saadatfar Abdollah , Khashij Shima , Pirouzeh Razieh , Solaimanizadeh Farzaneh
Published: August 2020

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignancy in men worldwide and the incidence rate of PCa has been increasing in recent years. The aim of the current study was to determine beliefs elderly men towards prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test uptake.

Methods

This cross-sectional study conducted among 352 elderly men (60–74 years old age) in the west of Iran. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was applied as a study framework to evaluation of beliefs towards PSA test uptake. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using appropriate statistical tests including t-test, chi-square, bivariate correlations, and logistic regression at 95% significant level.

Result

The mean age of participants was 65.55 years [SD: 3.90]. Almost 16.9% of the elderly men had uptake PSA during last year. There was significant association between PSA test uptake with older age (P = 0.013), better economic status (P = 0.023), higher education level (P = 0.004), positive family history of prostate cancer (P = 0.018), and number of family members more than four (P = 0.032). The best determinants predictors for PSA test uptake were cues to action [OR: 1.967 and 95% CI: 1.546, 2.504], perceived severity [OR: 1.140 and 95% CI: 1.008, 1.290], and perceived benefits towards PSA test uptake [OR: 1.133 and 95% CI: 1.024, 1.253].

Conclusions

It seems that development of health promotion programs to increase cues to action and positive beliefs toward PSA test uptake and also perceived treat about side effect of PCa could be beneficial to increase PSA test uptake.