bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary intake of carotenoids and fiber is inversely associated with aggression score in adolescent girls
Authors: Khayyatzadeh Sayyed Saeid , Firouzi Safieh , Askari Maral , Mohammadi Farzane , Nikbakht-Jam Irandokht , Ghazimoradi Maryam , Mohammadzadeh Mohammad , Ferns Gordon A , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: April 2019

Background:

Violence and aggression are considered to be important public health issues. There is limited data on the association between dietary intake and aggression score.

Aim:

We aimed to examine the relationship between the dietary intake and aggressive behavior in Iranian adolescent girls.

Methods:

The study was carried out among 670 girls aged 12–18 years. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) containing 147 food items was used to estimate dietary intake of the study participants. Aggression score was determined using a validated Persian version of the Buss–Perry questionnaire. We analyzed our data using crude and adjusted models.

Results:

Participants in the fourth quartile of aggression score had significantly higher energy intake compared with those in the first quartile (2808±949 vs 2629±819, p-trend = 0.01). Dietary intakes of soluble fiber (0.42±0.37 vs 0.35±0.29, p = 0.03) and insoluble fiber (2.17±1.65 vs 1.82±1.36, p = 0.02) were significantly higher in the first quartile than in the fourth quartile. In addition, the strongest negative correlations were found between aggression score and dietary soluble fiber ( p = 0.003) and insoluble fiber intake ( p = 0.001). Moreover, aggression score was negatively correlated with dietary α-carotene ( p = 0.02) and β-carotene ( p = 0.04) intake. These associations remained significant even after adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusions:

Our results indicated that dietary intakes of fiber, α-carotene, and β-carotene were inversely associated with aggression score. Moreover, a significant positive association was observed between energy intake and aggression score in adolescent girls.
Evaluation of the introduction of the one-stop clinic and dedicated nurses for the ulcer cruris venosum care in the east of the Netherlands
Authors: Rook B , Wikkerink M , Kroft EBM
Published: April 2019

Objective

In the Ziekenhuisgroep Twente Hospital, nurses from two community care organizations were trained to visit patients at home and provide adequate ulcer care. Furthermore, the one-stop clinic was introduced to set a diagnosis and treatment plan at the first visit in the hospital. The purpose of this study was to (a) evaluate if there is a difference in time to wound healing for patients with UCV treated by dedicated nurses compared to treatment by nurses in the Dermatology outpatient clinic and (b) determine if the one-stop clinic setting would lead to a difference in time to wound healing compared to the standard way of care.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, all files of patients with an ulcer in the Dermatology department of ZGT between 1 June 2010 and 1 June 2015 were studied.

Results

Out of a total of 385 new patients with an ulcer, 97 cases were included. Patients who were treated by dedicated nurses were significantly older ( p = 0.002) and had larger wounds ( p = 0.008). Age was not significantly related to time for wound closure (HR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97–1.01, p = 0.226). After adjustment for confounders, there was no significant difference in time to wound closure between dedicated nurses (2.2 months (1.4–3.0)) versus hospital care (2.3 months (2.1–2.6)) (HR 1.01; 95% CI: 0.61–1.67, p = 0.961). The one-stop clinic led to a statistically shorter time to closure of the wound (1.8 versus 2.7 standard way of care, p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Time to wound closure is not statistically different between patients treated by dedicated nurses compared to hospital care when adjusted for the effects of the one-stop clinic. The one-stop clinic gives a significant better chance for faster time to wound closure controlled for both groups.
Alteration of drug-metabolizing enzyme activity in palliative care patients: Microdosed assessment of cytochrome P450 3A
Authors: Geist Marcus , Bardenheuer Hubert , Burhenne Juergen , Mikus Gerd
Published: April 2019

Background:

Cytochrome P450 3A is the most relevant drug-metabolizing enzyme in humans as it is involved in the elimination of 50% of marketed drugs. Nothing is known about the activity of cytochrome P450 3A in palliative care patients who have complicated symptoms often associated with a terminal illness.

Aim:

In order to improve drug dosing in end-of-life care and to avoid drug interactions, cytochrome P450 3A activity was determined in patients of a palliative care unit under real-life clinical conditions.

Design:

As midazolam is an established marker substance for cytochrome P450 3A activity, this single-arm prospective trial was designed to obtain a 4-h pharmacokinetic profile of midazolam after oral administration of a 10-µg dose from each enrolled patient. Plasma concentrations of midazolam and its primary metabolite 1′-hydroxy-midazolam were quantified by mass spectrometry techniques. Cytochrome P450 3A activity was calculated as partial metabolic clearance from a limited sampling area under the curve. All other drugs taken by the participating patients were considered, as well as recent blood test results and patients’ diagnoses. The trial was registered at German Clinical Trials Register ( www.drks.de ): DRKS00011753.

Setting/participants:

The trial was carried out at a university palliative care unit under real-life clinical conditions. Every patient admitted to the ward was screened for possible participation, independent of the individual performance status.

Results:

Partial metabolic clearance of midazolam in palliative care patients was 31.7 ± 32.1 L/h. This was a highly significant 40% reduction ( p < 0.0001) in comparison with the cytochrome P450 3A activity of healthy subjects.

Conclusion:

Dosing of cytochrome P450 3A substrate drugs (e.g. macrolide antibiotics, benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers) needs to be adjusted in palliative care patients; otherwise, escalation of debilitating symptoms due to drug interactions might occur.
Video feedback and the self-evaluation of college-level guitarists during individual practice
Authors: Boucher Mathieu , Creech Andrea , Dubé Francis
Published: April 2019

Developing musicians typically engage in self-regulated practicing during the time that passes between lessons with their teachers. An important aspect of self-regulated practice is the ability to identify and correct areas of development in performance in the absence of a teacher’s feedback, but the effort required to perform as well as monitor a performance represents a challenge for any learner. Videotaping the performance and watching it afterwards to fully concentrate on each task could constitute a solution to this problem. In our study, we verified how video feedback could affect the self-evaluation of intermediate-advanced musicians while practicing a new piece of music. To attain this objective, we analyzed and coded the self-evaluative comments of 16 classical guitarists while practicing. We then compared the number of coding entries in each category of a group of participants who used video feedback ( n = 8) on four occasions over a period of ten practice sessions with those of a group of musicians who did not use video feedback ( n = 8). Our results indicate that musicians who used video feedback modified the way they formulated their self-evaluative comments while practicing, and that these changes were more marked with higher-performing musicians.
Comparison of Stochastic Estimates of Capacity and Critical Density for U.S. and German Freeways
Authors: Geistefeldt Justin , Shojaat Siavash
Published: April 2019

The randomness of freeway capacity has been analyzed in a large number of studies. In contrast, relatively little attention has been paid to the critical density at capacity and its relationship to breakdown occurrence, although density is used as a quality of service criterion for freeways. In the paper, distributions of freeway capacity and critical density are estimated and compared based on traffic data samples from 38 freeway bottleneck sections in the U.S. and Germany. It is shown that the well-established methods for stochastic capacity analysis can be applied to estimate critical density distributions by replacing volume with density in the corresponding mathematical models. Comparison of the estimated capacity and critical density distribution functions reveals that the relative variability of the capacity is lower than the variability of the critical density. This suggests that traffic volume is the more appropriate parameter to represent the trigger of traffic breakdowns than traffic density. The empirical results also show that the rather smooth traffic flow on U.S. freeways leads to a smaller variance of both the capacity and the critical density distribution compared with German freeways, whereas the average capacity per lane is roughly the same.
Combined numerical and experimental study to predict the forming limit curve of boron steel sheets at elevated temperatures
Authors: Duc-Toan Nguyen , Young-Suk Kim
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study involved evaluating and predicting forming limit curves of boron steel 22MnB5 sheet at elevated temperatures. A finite-element method simulation was adopted based on ductile fracture criteria and simple experiments at elevated temperatures. First, tensile experimental data and ductile fracture criterions of Johnson–Cook and ductile void growth models were input to ABAQUS/Explicit software to predict and compare the same with fracture occurrence in experiments performed via Hecker’s punch stretching tests at room temperature. Subsequently, punch stretching test data at room temperature were added to correct the fracture strain locus in the space of the stress triaxiality and the equivalent strain following the ductile void growth model. After confirming the accuracy of the forming limit curve prediction at room temperature, fracture strain loci at high temperatures using ductile void growth model were determined based on the average ratio between the fracture equivalent plastic strains at room temperature as well as higher temperatures. Finally, Hecker’s punch stretching tests were numerically simulated to predict forming limit curve(s) of boron steel 22MnB5 sheet at high temperatures.
Knoop hardness optimal loading in measuring microhardness of maraging steel obtained by selective laser melting
Authors: Balos Sebastian , Rajnovic Dragan , Sidjanin Leposava , Kostic Snezana Ciric , Bogojevic Nebojsa , Pecanac Milan , Pavlicevic Jelena
Published: April 2019

Knoop microhardness method possesses several advantages over Vickers testing: lower penetration depth, higher accuracy in indentation measurement, and a better suitability to measuring thin and elongated morphological features. This study explores the optimal loading and load independent hardness of selective laser melted specimens in non-heat-treated and heat-treated conditions, by using different Knoop test loads. The obtained results were used to plot load to indentation size charts, which, in turn, were used to obtain prediction curves in accordance to Meyer, proportional specimen resistance, and modified proportional specimen resistance models. The fitting of fitting curves to the measured values was used to calculate appropriate correlation factors. The results indicate that indentation size effect occurs in all measured specimens. This suggests that there is material true microhardness. Also, the most adequate model was modified proportional specimen resistance, with correlation factors just under one.
Recent advances in modeling vibrational spectra of food adulterants – Theoretical simulation of IR and NIR bands of melamine
Authors: Beć Krzysztof B
Published: April 2019

Food safety may be one of the major concerns of the global society in the forthcoming decades. Analytical vibrational spectroscopy is expected to become a major tool used for controlling the food quality at every stage of its production, storage and delivery. Near-infrared and infrared spectroscopy have rapidly been evolving in analytical applications over the last decades with strong hyphenation to numerical and statistical methods of analysis of complex data, which are known as chemometrics. Analytical spectroscopy has reached a remarkable value for both industrial and institutional laboratories nowadays. However, the routinely used methods of analysis do not attempt to interpret the analysed spectral information in physicochemical sense. Therefore, analytical routines seldom take advantage of the molecular background underlying the properties of analysed sample. In the present article, we review the most recent accomplishments that evidence the progress which may be achieved when that background becomes actually available. We focus on the example of infrared and near-infrared spectra simulation applied to melamine, one of the most infamous food adulterant. This sheds light on the correspondences between infrared and near-infrared region observed earlier in the analytical papers dealing with detection and quantification of melamine in food products.
Infection of eight mesocarnivores in New Hampshire and Vermont with a distinct clade of canine distemper virus in 2016–2017
Authors: Needle David B. , Burnell Vivien C. , Forzán Marίa J. , Dubovi Edward J. , Schuler Krysten L. , Bernier Chris , Hollingshead Nicholas A. , Ellis Julie C. , Stevens Brian A. , Tate Patrick , Anis Eman , Wilkes Rebecca P.
Published: April 2019

Three fishers ( Martes pennanti), 2 gray foxes ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus), 1 mink ( Neovison vison), 1 skunk ( Mephitis mephitis), and 1 raccoon ( Procyon lotor), from Vermont and New Hampshire, had lesions on autopsy consistent with canine distemper virus (CDV) infections diagnosed in a 12-mo period in 2016–2017. Lesions of CDV infection were most commonly noted in the lungs (8 of 8 animals), urothelium (5 of 8), biliary tract (5 of 8), gastrointestinal tract (4 of 7), and brain (4 of 6). Splenic lesions were seen in 3 animals. The diagnosis was confirmed via immunohistochemistry and virus isolation. Viral genotyping indicated that all 8 animals were infected with a distinct clade of CDV that has only been reported in wildlife in New England, and this clade of viruses is distinct from vaccine strains. During the 12 mo when these cases occurred, no other CDV clade was identified in any other wildlife or domesticated animal submitted from the 2 states.
Cranial superficial epigastric vein phlebitis and septicemia in dairy cows in Brazil
Authors: Gonzaga Douglas R. N. , Rissi Daniel R. , Lages Dayse H. , Carvalho Antonio U. , Filho Elias F. , Meneses Rodrigo M. , Pierezan Felipe
Published: April 2019

Cases of cranial superficial epigastric vein (CSEV) phlebitis with subsequent septicemia were observed in dairy farms in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Autopsy on 4 affected cows, from 2 farms, revealed CSEV thrombophlebitis with perivascular abscesses, pulmonary abscesses, valvular endocarditis, arthritis, thromboembolic nephritis, and renal infarcts. Microscopic examination revealed fibrosing and lymphoplasmacytic phlebitis with occasional endothelial loss, subendothelial areas of necrosis, and abundant fibrin deposition. Trueperella pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from lesions of 3 different cows. Thrombophlebitis of the CSEV is a rare condition in dairy cows; however, it has become more frequent in dairy farms in southeastern Brazil after repeated venipuncture of this vein, likely with contaminated needles used for administration of oxytocin.
Positive Behavior Supports in South Africa: Training Teachers to Implement a Systemic Strategy
Authors: Dwarika Veronica Melody
Published: April 2019

Given that behavioral challenges contribute to learner exclusion in schools, there is a demand for behavior support strategies and practices that (a) extend beyond punitive measures, (b) aid the development of school customs and mores, (c) are based on nonviolence, and (d) promote positive self-discipline. This column explores behavior management practices in South African schools and emphasizes the value of teacher agency and enabling to support the argument that the outcomes of challenging learner behavior need not result in the exclusion of learners.
Authenticity Is in the Eye of the Beholder: The Exploration of Audiences’ Lay Associations to Authenticity Across Five Domains
Authors: Kovács Balázs
Published: April 2019

Existing research has proposed multiple definitions to authenticity. Instead of such a definitional approach, this article takes a bottom-up approach and provides an exploratory assessment of lay associations to authenticity. I conducted a survey that asked participants to list the words they associate with authentic restaurants, people, paintings, brands, and organizations. I find that there is substantial variance among individuals in their associations to authenticity, and the meanings they evoke also change with the domain of evaluation. People also vary in the level of importance they place on authenticity across the different domains. I discuss the implications of these findings for authenticity research and practice in psychology, marketing, management, and sociology.
Acting on Authenticity: Individual Interpretations and Behavioral Responses
Authors: Lehman David W. , O’Connor Kieran , Carroll Glenn R.
Published: April 2019

Many individuals in advanced consumer economies prefer authentic producers, products, and services. An important but overlooked question concerns the psychology behind such preferences: How do individuals act on authenticity when they encounter it? We suggest that the answer resides, at least in part, in the distinction between two fundamental but different meanings of authenticity: (a) attributions that a producer is true to its professed set of values ( moral authenticity) and (b) attributions that a producer is true to its assigned or claimed social category ( type authenticity). Although this conceptual distinction has long been recognized by prior theory, empirical studies tend to conflate the two meanings. We provide a brief overview of these two interpretations and, in doing so, argue that they are both conceptually and empirically distinct. To that end, we develop a set of generalizable scales for measuring both meanings of authenticity. We go on to posit that individuals will respond differently depending on which interpretation is evoked. Specifically, we suggest that perceptions of moral authenticity will be associated with higher willingness-to-pay whereas perceptions of type authenticity will be associated with higher online ratings. We then examine diners’ responses to their restaurant experiences across a series of multimethod studies in the field as well as experiments; we also report a replication study in the music domain. Taken together, the findings generally support the notion that individuals’ interpretations of and behavioral responses to authenticity indeed vary across the two meanings of the concept.
Varieties of Conscious Experience and the Subjective Awareness of One’s “True” Self
Authors: Vess Matthew
Published: April 2019

The subjective awareness of one’s true self is considered a fundamental aspect of authenticity. It is theorized to reflect an experienced disconnect between one’s conscious awareness and actual experiences. In this brief review, I describe some of the early theorizing on the construct and the research that this theorizing has inspired. I then review an emerging direction of research specifically focused on the relationship between subjective feelings of being disconnected from one’s true self and tendencies to become mentally detached from present experience (i.e., mindwandering). This work offers new insights into the nature of subjective true self-awareness; it elucidates for the first time how disruptions to people’s ongoing mental connection to present experience relate to the experience of true self-awareness and it invites theorizing about aspects of authenticity in ways that do not require evaluations of a self-concept. I end the review by speculating on how this work might inspire new empirical and theoretical directions in the psychological study of authenticity and feelings of true self-awareness.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Authenticity: Novel Insights Into a Valued, Yet Elusive, Concept
Authors: Hicks Joshua A. , Schlegel Rebecca J. , Newman George E.
Published: April 2019

Authenticity is generally believed to play an important role in our daily lives. Empirical research thus far has made progress in understanding the nature of this important construct. We identify four broad conclusions about authenticity based on this research: (a) People value authenticity in their own behavior and other domains (e.g., life experiences, consumer products), (b) Self-reports of personal authenticity are linked to psychological well-being, (c) People generally believe authentic, or “true,” selves are morally good, and (d) Authenticity judgments are guided by cognitive tendencies related to psychological essentialism. Despite this progress, many basic questions about authenticity remain unresolved including (a) What is the best way to define the construct? (b) Why do people care so much about whether something or someone is authentic? and (c) Why is personal authenticity so strongly related to psychological well-being? This special issue presents articles aimed to shed light on some of these basic questions. Although each of the articles offers a unique perspective to understanding authenticity, these collections of articles provide a generative framework to help researchers continue to explore this elusive construct.
Toward a political economy of complex interdependence
Authors: Oatley Thomas
Published: April 2019

How should we theorize about international political economy in an era of complex interdependence? The global economy is much more interdependent today than it was 40 years ago. As a result, there is a widening appreciation that we need new theoretical tools to understand how complex interdependence arose, how it operates, and where it might be headed. I argue that to develop such tools, we must embrace new theoretical logics that more readily accommodate and explain change. I develop this point by drawing on complexity theories, ecology, and information theory. I first develop the core elements of a complexity-based approach and contrast it to the central assumptions of the Open Economy Politics approach. I then illustrate this complexity-oriented approach by using the logic of coevolution and the information–entropy cycle to explain key elements in the development of the 2008 global financial crisis.
Vitality continuation or over-commercialization? Spatial structure characteristics of commercial services and population agglomeration in historic and cultural areas
Authors: Wang Fang , Liu Zhao , Shang Shanshan , Qin Yuelei , Wu Bihu
Published: April 2019

In recent years, with rapid urbanization and development of tourism, historic and cultural areas have become characterized by strong vitality. However, a dilemma has arisen concerning their over-commercialization. In this study, 17 Chinese historic and cultural areas, and their surroundings within a radius of 1.5 km, were selected for research. Then, the spatial structure and population agglomeration associated with points of interest (POIs), including commercial service POIs and tourist attraction POIs, were analyzed, resulting in five principal findings. (1) In China, commercial services in historic and cultural areas have become an integral part of tourist attractions. (2) The relationships between the spatial structures of commercial service POIs and tourist attraction POIs can be classified into five types: fully encircled clustering, semi-surrounding clustering, overlapping clustering, contiguous clustering, and separate clustering. (3) Based on a POI kernel density analysis, historic and cultural areas can generally be classified into three categories: commercial service oriented areas, tourist attraction oriented areas, and commerce–tourism complexes. (4) The results illustrated that population agglomeration and spatial patterns of the POIs were tightly coupled; and this correlation was very consistent. The authors found that while living, shopping, and catering services were attractive in isolation, tourist attractions, accommodation, and leisure services often combined to form a shared space to attract business. The research results also provided insights into maintaining the balance between community life and commercial development of historic and cultural areas.
Medical complications in a telemedicine home care programme for paediatric ventilated patients
Authors: Muñoz-Bonet Juan I , López-Prats José L , Flor-Macián Eva M , Cantavella Teresa , Domínguez Amparo , Vidal Yvan , Brines Juan
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Advances in paediatric medicine have increased survival rates for patients with severe chronic illnesses, of which the most complex are ventilator-dependent children (VDCs). Although home care improves their quality of life, morbidity and mortality rates are high. Our aim was to study the medical complications (events) that occur at home and assess the usefulness of telemedicine in their detection and treatment.

Methods

A prospective clinical study (2007–2017) was performed for tracheotomised VDCs. We used a high-density data telemedicine monitoring system from our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and analysed events during the first two years of home care to study how different variables inter-correlated with the four most common ones: hospital admissions, admissions avoided, event durations and life-threatening events (LTEs); the significance level was set at an alpha of 0.05 in all cases.

Results

All our VDCs were included ( n = 12); there were 141 events, and these were homogeneously distributed over the study period. The incidence was higher in children who were ventilator dependent for more than 12 h a day (70.9%, p < 0.001) and the main cause was respiratory (69.5%, p < 0.001). Telemedicine was the main initial care and monitoring approach (86.5% and 90.1%, respectively, p < 0.001); 13 events were LTEs, nine were resolved telemedically, four required medicalised transfer to hospital and three resulted in a hospital admission.

Discussion

Clinical complications are frequent in VDCs receiving home care, and respiratory decompensation is the most frequent cause. Telemedicine facilitated diagnosis and early treatment, and was useful in managing LTEs.
Pics, Dicks, Tits, and Tats: negotiating ethics working with images of bodies in social media research
Authors: Warfield Katie , Hoholuk Jamie , Vincent Blythe , Camargo Aline Dias
Published: April 2019

With the rise of camera-enabled cellphones and social media platforms that focus on vernacular images (e.g. Instagram™ and Snapchat™), researchers and intuitional ethics boards increasingly seek guidelines for research using digital images of bodies shared on social media. This article presents the findings of in-depth interviews with 16 researchers who have received institutional ethics approval to study images of bodies shared on social media platforms. The interviews explored the researchers’ (a) processes of selecting their methodologies, (b) experiences getting institutional ethics approval, and (c) personal research ethics that emerged through their research programs. The findings indicate that researchers and review boards generally lack resources. Researchers often adhered to contextual integrity, were protective while not patronizing, and adopted a feminist materialist ethics of care, which included consideration of the manifold human and nonhuman forces at play in the lifespan of images in digital research. Researchers also practiced strategies like ongoing consent, “ethics-on-the-go,” ethical visual fabrication, and conscious omission.
Theorizing national models of integration: An ideational perspective
Authors: K Jensen Kristian
Published: April 2019

In recent years, the use of typologies of national models of integration to analyse and understand immigrant integration politics, policy or processes has become contentious. The approach has received a good share of criticism for offering stereotypical, inaccurate or too simplistic descriptions of how countries approach immigrant integration. According to critics, the approach lacks a clear definition and operationalization of the national model concept, it ignores internal variation, it is unable to account for change and, finally, it lacks a theory of action regarding how ideas affect policies. This paper responds to all these four criticisms but from the perspective of an ideational understanding of the national models approach. However, first, the paper distinguishes different kinds of national model approaches in order to offer a precise definition of the ideational approach it develops.
Study on principal component analysis and multi-class discrimination against the combination to identify easy-confused fur
Authors: Zhao Guohui , Luo Xiaomin , Yuan Xuzheng , Jiang Sujie , Zhang Hong , Zhang Wenjun , Bai Pengxia
Published: April 2019

In this paper, the principal component analysis was performed on infrared spectral data, which included 60 groups of cattle and horse hair surfaces and 60 groups of cattle and horse flesh surfaces, respectively, by using SPSS 22. Using 100 sets of data as modelling samples (50 sets of cattle fur and horse fur), the multi-class discriminant analysis was carried out by using SPSS, the typical discriminant function and class function of cattle fur and horse fur were established and the back substitution verification was carried out. The typical discriminant function and the class function of cattle fur and horse fur were verified by 20 sets of data validation samples (10 groups of cattle fur and horse fur). The results show that the principal component analysis can reduce the dimension effectively, reduce the hair surfaces spectra from 2696 wavelength variables to nine wavelength variables and decrease the flesh surfaces spectra from 2696 wavelength variables to 13 wavelength variables. The cumulative contribution rate of the new wavelength variables is up to 99.89 and 99.88%, respectively. The back substitution accuracy rate of the typical discriminant function is 100%, and the verification accuracy rate is 100%. From the clustering graph, the established class function of cattle fur and horse fur back substitution clustering is well, and the correct clustering rate of the verification clustering graph is 100%.
Robotics for rehabilitation of hand movement in stroke survivors
Authors: Aggogeri Francesco , Mikolajczyk Tadeusz , O’Kane James
Published: April 2019

This article aims to give an overall review of research status in hand rehabilitation robotic technology, evaluating a number of devices. The main scope is to explore the current state of art to help and support designers and clinicians make better choices among varied devices and components. The review also focuses on both mechanical design, usability and training paradigms since these parts are interconnected for an effective hand recovery. In order to study the rehabilitation robotic technology status, the devices have been divided in two categories: end-effector robots and exoskeleton devices. The end-effector robots are more flexible than exoskeleton devices in fitting the different size of hands, reducing the setup time and increasing the usability for new patients. They suffer from the control of distal joints and haptic aspects of object manipulation. In this way, exoskeleton devices may represent a new opportunity. Nevertheless their design is complex and a deep investigation of hand biomechanics and physical human–robot interaction is required. The main hand exoskeletons have been developed in the last decade and the results are promising demonstrated by the growth of the commercialized devices. Finally, a discussion on the complexity to define which design is better and more effective than the other one is summarized for future investigations.
Distributed synchronization of autonomous underwater vehicles with memorized protocol
Authors: Ma Chao , Wu Wei
Published: April 2019

This article investigates the distributed synchronization problem of autonomous underwater vehicles by developing a novel synchronization protocol with memorized controller. More precisely, the memory information for information exchanges of autonomous underwater vehicles is utilized such that the synchronization performance can be improved. By employing the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional method with model transformation, sufficient criteria are established for guaranteeing the synchronization, and the corresponding distributed synchronization controllers are designed based on matrix techniques. Finally, the effectiveness and benefits of our theoretical method are supported by an illustrative example with simulation results.
Measures of Campaign Negativity: Comparing Approaches and Eliminating Partisan Bias
Authors: Walter Annemarie S. , van der Eijk Cees
Published: April 2019

We compare measures of the tone of parties’ campaigns in the 2015 General Election in England, based on, respectively, coverage of parties’ campaigns in six national newspapers, citizens’ perceptions, and expert judgments. It is the most extensive study of such measurements outside the United States and one of very few to include expert judgments. We find that citizen perceptions and expert judgments are heavily affected by partisan bias. We show how these biases can be eliminated with a regression-based procedure. After such adjustment, seven of the eight resulting measures of parties’ campaign tone (five based on newspapers, one on citizen perceptions, and one on expert judgments) are strongly correlated. The eighth measure (based on one of the newspapers) depicts the tone of parties’ campaigns very differently owing to different criteria of what to cover in a campaign. Each of the three kinds of empirical information is adequate as a basis for measuring parties’ campaign tone, but adjustment for partisan biases is essential for perception and judgment data. Common apprehensions about the “subjectivity” of citizen perceptions are not justified, while expert judgments are equally useful, as long as sufficient information is available to eliminate their partisan bias.
Serotonergic hallucinogens and recognition of facial emotion expressions: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Rocha Juliana M. , Osório Flávia L. , Crippa José Alexandre S. , Bouso José Carlos , Rossi Giordano N. , Hallak Jaime E. C. , dos Santos Rafael G.
Published: April 2019

Background:

Recognition of emotions in facial expressions (REFE) is a key aspect of social cognition. Anxiety and mood disorders are associated with deficits in REFE, and anxiolytics and antidepressants reverse these deficits. Recent studies have shown that serotonergic hallucinogens (i.e. ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], and mescaline) have anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, but their effects on REFE are not well understood. The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic review analyzing the effects of serotonergic hallucinogens on REFE in humans.

Methods:

Studies published in the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases until 19 October 2018 which analyzed the effects of serotonergic hallucinogens on REFE in humans were included.

Results:

Of the 62 studies identified, 8 studies were included. Included studies involved the administration of a single or a few doses of LSD or psilocybin, and most trials were randomized and controlled with placebo. LSD and psilocybin reduced the recognition of negative emotions in most studies and modulated amygdala activity to these stimuli, which was correlated with antidepressive effects in patients. Both drugs were well tolerated.

Conclusions:

Serotonergic hallucinogens reduced the recognition of negative emotions by modulating amygdala activity. Despite the small sample sizes, results suggest that serotonergic hallucinogens show promising beneficial effects on deficits in REFE.
Fibrinolysis in left-sided mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis with high INR
Authors: Nishanth KR , Shankar Mythri , Srinivasa KH , Manjunath CN , Ravindranath KS
Published: April 2019

Background:

A significant number of patients with prosthetic valve thrombosis have a prothrombin time international normalised ratio in the therapeutic range at presentation. Surgery may not be possible in many patients and traditionally a high international normalised ratio is considered a relative contraindication for fibrinolysis.

Methods:

We conducted an observational study in patients with left-sided obstructive prosthetic valve thrombosis with international normalised ratio at or above the therapeutic range at presentation who received fibrinolysis. The fibrinolytic regimens, timing of initiation, success of fibrinolysis, risk of major and minor bleeding and ischaemic stroke were evaluated in the study.

Results:

Of 30 patients included in the study 70% received immediate fibrinolysis and in 30% it was delayed. The majority of patients (90%) presented with New York Heart Association class III/IV symptoms. The mean international normalised ratio at fibrinolysis was 3.04 ± 0.70 in the immediate group and 2.42 ± 0.89 in the delayed group. Haemodynamically stable patients who had delayed initiation of fibrinolysis had a trend towards less bleeding without an increase in mortality. The rates of intracranial haemorrhage (0% vs. 7.7%), minor bleeding (12.5% vs. 25.1%) and ischaemic stroke (0% vs. 30.7%) were lower in patients who received low dose infusion compared to a conventional dose.

Conclusions:

Fibrinolysis can be considered in patients with prosthetic valve thrombosis with high international normalised ratio at presentation. For haemodynamically stable patients, delayed initiation of fibrinolysis is associated with a marginally lower bleeding risk without an increase in mortality. Low dose infusion may be considered over a conventional dose as it is associated with a lower incidence of ischaemic stroke and a good rate of valve function restoration with a trend towards less bleeding.
Wearable technologies for active living and rehabilitation: Current research challenges and future opportunities
Authors: Rodgers Mary M , Alon Gad , Pai Vinay M , Conroy Richard S
Published: April 2019

This paper presents some recent developments in the field of wearable sensors and systems that are relevant to rehabilitation and provides examples of systems with evidence supporting their effectiveness for rehabilitation. A discussion of current challenges and future developments for selected systems is followed by suggestions for future directions needed to advance towards wider deployment of wearable sensors and systems for rehabilitation.
Identity Exhibition in Batik Motifs of Ebeg and Pataruman
Authors: Krisnawati Ekaning , Sunarni Nani , Indrayani Lia Maulia , Sofyan Agus Nero , Nur Tajudin
Published: April 2019

As an intangible cultural heritage acknowledged by UNESCO on October 2, 2009, batik has to be preserved as well as developed in Indonesia. Consequently, most cities in Indonesia have designed their batik motifs exhibiting their identities with cultural and natural excellence. This article discusses how Banjar City in West Java, Indonesia, is exhibiting its identity through batik motifs of Ebeg and Pataruman. Ebeg motif is derived from Ebeg dance, a traditional dance popular in the east border of West Java, posing transcendental values with specific rituals before the performance. The other motif, Pataruman, is derived from tarum plants whose leaves serve as natural indigo color. Being the iconic motifs of Banjar batik, the Ebeg motif exhibits the identity of Banjar as a city of religious people believing in the almighty power as well as acknowledging different human powers. As exhibited by the tarum plant, the motif Pataruman denotes the identity of Banjar city as a city prepared to provide other regions with mutual benefits.
A political–institutional explanation of environmental performance in Latin America
Authors: Rey Denis , Ozymy Joshua
Published: April 2019

This research utilizes the 2010 Environmental Performance Index to examine how electoral rules affect environmental performance in 20 Latin American democracies. Using supporting time-series analysis with dependent variables for habitat protection, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 to 2008, our study finds that proportionality and party systems influence environmental performance in the region. Results show that representation impacts ecosystem vitality more so than public health. We account for this gap by arguing that levels of political representation influence the allocation of public and private goods which, in turn, help determine environmental outcomes. Our findings do not always paint a consistent picture, which may be attributed to the difficulties of operationalizing complex concepts such as environmental performance within and across countries and examining how these relationships change over time. Additional research is warranted to tease out these relationships.
Local Network Regressions
Authors: McMahan Peter , Slez Adam , Martin John Levi
Published: April 2019

The authors propose and illustrate an exploratory technique to shed light on the degree to which bivariate relations between individual-level variables themselves vary over a network. The authors discuss limitations and possible extensions.
The earlier, the better? Diagnostic experiences of parents in a community-based early intervention system for preschool children with autism
Authors: Iwasa Mitsuaki , Shimizu Yasuo , Hara Ikuko , Imai Miho , Honda Hideo
Published: April 2019

Background and aims

In many countries, early detection and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is largely dependent on parents’ initial concern with early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Previous research on parental perceptions of the autism spectrum disorder diagnostic process indicates that parental satisfaction may be due to either the timing of the diagnostic notification or the provision of post-diagnostic support. The objective of this research is to study the diagnostic notification process and its impact on parents who are informed of their young child’s diagnosis before they notice a problem and whose child undergoes early intervention therapy.

Methods

Eighty parents of preschool children diagnosed and undergoing early intervention for autism were surveyed to examine their experience of the diagnostic disclosure process.

Results

Of 68 respondents, 39 (58.2%) approved of the timing of diagnostic notification, while 10 of 13 dissatisfied respondents indicated that the diagnosis was communicated too late. However, there was no correlation between a higher degree of parental satisfaction with the diagnostic notification process and earlier timing of notification.

Conclusions

Although it is preferable to communicate a diagnosis of childhood autism as soon as possible, findings suggest that a highly individualized approach, allowing a degree of latitude in the timing of notification, may be permissible, depending on the individual case and parental readiness to receive the diagnosis.

Implications

Findings have clinical implications related to the concept of optimality of diagnostic disclosure as related to the diagnostic notification process, though later notification tends to lead to more dissatisfaction.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Protective functions of myricetin in LPS-induced cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells injury by regulation of MALAT1
Authors: Sun Jinliang , Sun Jianhui , Zhou Xuezhong
Published: April 2019

Background

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is a crucial mediator in response to inflammation. Myricetin protects cardiomyocytes against inflammatory injury. However, it’s still unexplored whether myricetin exerted anti-inflammatory properties via MALAT1. The purpose of our study was to validate the cardio-protective function of myricetin against myocarditis and its underlying mechanism in vitro.

Methods

H9c2 cells were pre-incubated with myricetin before stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Enforced silence of MALAT1 was achieved by transducing short hairpin (sh)-MALAT1 into H9c2 cells. Next, cell viability and apoptotic cells were detected with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexin V-FITC/PI) apoptosis detection kit, respectively. Western blot assay was conducted to examine apoptosis-relative proteins, pro-inflammatory factors, and signaling regulators. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to quantify pro-inflammatory factors and MALAT1 at mRNA levels. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine protein concentration of pro-inflammatory factors.

Results

Myricetin ameliorated LPS-elicited reduction of cell viability, augment of apoptosis, and overexpression of monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in H9c2 cells. Meanwhile, phosphorylation of p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha (IκBα) were suppressed. Besides, myricetin enhanced the expression of MALAT1 which was originally down-regulated by LPS. However, the protective effects of myricetin against LPS-caused inflammatory lesions were abrogated in MALAT1-deficiency cells, with the restored phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα.

Conclusion

Myricetin possessed an anti-inflammatory function against LPS-induced lesions in cardiomyocytes. Mechanically, myricetin up-regulated MALAT1, blocked LPS-evoked activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inflammatory pathway, and, finally, exerted cardio-protective effects.
Opportunities for Self-Evaluation Increase Student Calibration in an Introductory Biology Course
Authors: Osterhage Jennifer L. , Usher Ellen L. , Douin Trisha A. , Bailey William M.
Published: April 2019

Accurate self-evaluation is critical for learning. Calibration describes the relationship between learners’ perception of their performance and their actual performance on a task. Here, we describe two studies aimed at assessing and improving student calibration in a first-semester introductory biology course at a 4-year public institution. Study 1 investigated students’ ( n = 310) calibration (the difference between estimated and actual exam performance) across one semester. Students were significantly miscalibrated for the first exam: their predicted scores were, on average, significantly higher than their actual scores. The lowest-performing students had the most inaccurate estimates. Calibration improved with each exam. By the final exam, students underestimated their scores. We initiated a second study in the following semester to examine whether explicitly teaching students about self-evaluation strategies would improve their calibration and performance. Instruction in the experimental section ( n = 290) focused on students’ tendency to overestimate their abilities and provided retrieval-practice opportunities. Students in the experimental section showed better calibration and performance on the first exam compared with students in a control section taught by a different instructor during the same semester ( n = 251). These findings suggest that simple instructional strategies can increase students’ metacognitive awareness and improve their performance.