bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting interventions for HIV testing and treatment uptake: An attitudinal and behavioural segmentation of men aged 20–34 in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, South Africa
Authors: Bell James , Sharma Sunny , Malone Shawn , Levy Melissa , Reast Jemma , Ciecieląg Joanna , Gogolina Svetlana , Ansons Tamara , Fourie Sanna , Braz Ricardo , Little Kristen , Hasen Nina
Published: March 2021

Despite recent improvements, men still have worse HIV outcomes than women in South Africa. This study describes how young men form distinct behavioural and attitudinal subgroups, and is intended to inform the design of targeted interventions to encourage HIV testing and initiation on antiretroviral therapy. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey with questions on men’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours around HIV/AIDS. A total of 2,019 men were randomly sampled from eight district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces between October 2018 and January 2019. Men were eligible to participate if they were aged 20–34, Black African, had an education level below university graduation, were aware of HIV and were willing to disclose whether they had tested for HIV. Each participant responded to a questionnaire asking about their demographic characteristics, reported sexual behaviour, engagement with HIV testing and treatment services, alcohol consumption, HIV knowledge, attitudes to gender equity and reported level of depressive symptoms. Data were analysed using canonical correlation, hierarchical clustering and factor analysis techniques to produce five groups of men. The results were synthesised using Human Centred Design principles to suggests areas for potential intervention for each segment. The results showed that men vary based on their attitudes to gender and masculinity, use of alcohol, testing and treatment behaviour, HIV-related fears and preferences for testing modalities. Segment 1 (21%) avoids the topic of HIV, perhaps fearful of the impact on his life. Segment 2 (23%) is well connected to his community and has social concerns about HIV. Segment 3 (15%) struggles with more distal determinants of HIV acquisition such as unemployment and poor mental health. Segment 4 (25%) has concerns about the lifestyle changes that would be required if he were HIV positive. Segment 5 (16%) has a strong traditional mindset and is fearful of the ramifications of HIV in his community. The results will be used to design targeted interventions to increase HIV testing and treatment rates among young men in South Africa. Further research is required to understand the impact of interventions designed in this way.
Anti-cancer effects of polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract
Authors: Prakash Monica D. , Stojanovska Lily , Feehan Jack , Nurgali Kulmira , Donald Elizabeth L. , Plebanski Magdalena , Flavel Matthew , Kitchen Barry , Apostolopoulos Vasso
Published: March 2021

Plant polyphenols have an array of health benefits primarily thought to be related to their high content of anti-oxidants. These are commonly undervalued and knowledge of their biological properties have grown exponentially in the last decade. Polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract (PRSE), a natural extract from sugar cane, is marketed as high in anti-oxidants and polyphenols, but its anti-cancer activity has not been reported previously. We show that, PRSE exerts anti-cancer properties on a range of cancer cells including human (LIM2045) and mouse (MC38, CT26) colon cancer cells lines; human lung cancer (A549), human ovarian cancer (SKOV-3), pro-monocytic human leukemia (U937) and to mouse melanoma (B16) cell lines; whereas no effects were noted on human breast (ZR-75-1) and human colon (HT29) cancer cell lines, as well as to human normal colon epithelial cell line (T4056). Anti-proliferative effects were shown to be mediated via alteration in cytokines, VEGF-1 and NF-κB expression.
Evaluation of capillary density in psoriasis: An intrapatient study and literature review
Authors: Micali Giuseppe , Verzì Anna Elisa , Broggi Giuseppe , Caltabiano Rosario , Musumeci Maria Letizia , Lacarrubba Francesco
Published: March 2021

Background

Dilated and tortuous vessels within elongated dermal papillae represent a histopathological clue of psoriasis. However, the number of dilated capillaries (capillary density) in psoriasis remains undefined as the results from the available studies differ significantly.

Objectives

To evaluate the capillary density in psoriasis using dermoscopy and horizontal histopathological sections (HHS), two techniques that share the horizontal view of the skin, and to compare the results with the existing data.

Methods

Twenty adult patients with stable plaque psoriasis were enrolled and, in each patient, a target area of the examined plaque, previously engraved by gently rotating a 5-mm biopsy punch device, underwent dermoscopy and biopsy for HHS. In all examined fields, capillary density was evaluated in a centered 4-mm diameter area, counting the number of red dots at dermoscopy and of dermal papillae at HHS.

Results

A total of 20 target lesions located on the trunk, arms and tights were evaluated. The mean capillary density resulting from dermoscopy was 43.02±6.60/mm 2 whereas that from HHS was 50.30±9.05/mm 2. These data showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.006), with a strong correlation at Pearson’s test (r = 0.88).

Conclusions

Our results when compared with those from the existing literature showed some differences. The peculiarity of our work is represented by the precise measurement and correlation of the capillary density using two different methods, as the preliminary skin engraving allowed a perfect match between the area undergoing dermoscopy and that of skin sampling for HHS. Compared to dermoscopy in which deep-located vessels might have gone undetected, HHS seems to reflect more precisely and reliably the real capillary density showing an average of 50 capillaries/mm 2 that in a common 5x5 cm psoriatic patch corresponds to an average of 125.000 capillaries. These results highlight the extraordinary potential of psoriatic skin to develop such a complex and intricate vascular network.
Emergency department crowding and mortality in 14 Swedish emergency departments, a cohort study leveraging the Swedish Emergency Registry (SVAR)
Authors: af Ugglas Björn , Lindmarker Per , Ekelund Ulf , Djärv Therese , Holzmann Martin J.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

There is evidence that emergency department (ED) crowding is associated with increased mortality, however large multicenter studies of high quality are scarce. In a prior study, we introduced a proxy-measure for crowding that was associated with increased mortality. The national registry SVAR enables us to study the association in a more heterogenous group of EDs with more recent data. The aim is to investigate the association between ED crowding and mortality.

Methods

This was an observational cohort study including visits from 14 EDs in Sweden 2015–2019. Crowding was defined as the mean ED-census divided with expected ED-census during the work-shift that the patient arrived. The crowding exposure was categorized in three groups: low, moderate and high. Hazard ratios (HR) for mortality within 7 and 30 days were estimated with a cox proportional hazards model. The model was adjusted for age, sex, triage priority, arrival hour, weekend, arrival mode and chief complaint. Subgroup analysis by county and for admitted patients by county were performed.

Results

2,440,392 visits from 1,142,631 unique patients were analysed. A significant association was found between crowding and 7-day mortality but not with 30-day mortality. Subgroup analysis also yielded mixed results with a clear association in only one of the three counties. The estimated HR (95% CI) for 30-day mortality for admitted patients in this county was 1.06 (1.01–1.12) in the moderate crowding category, and 1.11 (1.01–1.22) in the high category.

Conclusions

The association between crowding and mortality may not be universal. Factors that influence the association between crowding and mortality at different EDs are still unknown but a high hospital bed occupancy, impacting admitted patients may play a role.
Combined caudal retrocostal and lateral ultrasound-guided approach for transversus abdominis plane injection: A descriptive pilot study in pig cadavers
Authors: Calice Ivana , Kau Silvio , Knecht Christian , Otero Pablo E. , Larenza Menzies M. Paula
Published: March 2021

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthetic technique used to desensitize the abdominal wall in several species. This study aimed to describe the anatomical characteristics of the abdominal wall and to identify a feasible approach for an US-guided TAP injection that would result in adequate staining of the relevant nerves in the abdominal wall in pig cadavers. Fresh cadavers from five Landrace pigs (age, 12 weeks; body weight, 35.5 ± 1.6 kg) were used. One pig (n = 1) was anatomically dissected, and four pigs (n = 4; i.e., 8 hemiabdomens) were used for TAP injections and evaluation of dye spread. The volume of 0.3 mL/kg/injection point of methylene blue was injected bilaterally. In the caudal retrocostal approach, the injection was performed ventral to the most caudal part of the costal arch. In the lateral approach, the injection was performed between the last rib and iliac crest. A needle was inserted in plane for the caudal retrocostal and the lateral approach caudocranially and craniocaudally, respectively. Successful staining was defined as presence of dye on the nerve for a length of >1 cm in its entire circumference. The TAP was found between different muscle layers in the described anatomical regions. In the caudal retrocostal approach the TAP was found between the external abdominal oblique and transversus abdominis muscle bellies. In the lateral approach the TAP was found between the internal abdominal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. The approach combining lateral and caudal retrocostal injections at the studied volume stained a median of 5 (3–6) target nerves from the fourth-last thoracic nerve to L2 (six nerves). Combined caudal retrocostal and lateral TAP injections of 0.3 mL/kg/injection point, resulted in staining of target nerve branches which supply the periumbilical and caudal abdominal wall in pig cadavers.
Individual differences in avoiding feelings of disgust: Development and construct validity of the disgust avoidance questionnaire
Authors: von Spreckelsen Paula , Jonker Nienke C. , Vugteveen Jorien , Wessel Ineke , Glashouwer Klaske A. , de Jong Peter J.
Published: March 2021

We developed and examined the construct validity of theDisgust Avoidance Questionnaire(DAQ) as a measure of people’s inclination to prevent experiencing disgust (disgust prevention) and to escape from the experience of disgust (disgust escape). In a stepwise item-reduction (Study 1;N= 417) using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) based on a 4-subscale distinction (behavioral prevention, cognitive prevention, behavioral escape, cognitive escape), we selected 17 items from a pool of potential items. In order to incorporate the conceptual overlap between dimensions of disgust avoidance, focus (prevention vs. escape), and strategy (behavioral avoidance vs. cognitive avoidance), we specified an adapted model. In this model, we allowed each item to load on one type of dimension and one type of strategy, resulting in four overlapping factors (prevention, escape, behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance). Evaluation of this overlapping 4-factor model (Study 2;N= 513) using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed promising model fit indices, factor loadings, factor correlations, and reliability estimates for three of the four factors (prevention, behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance). Those three subscales also showed good convergent validity. In contrast, the results related to the escape factor may call the suitability of self-report to assess disgust escape into question. In light of the exploratory nature of the project, future examinations of the DAQ’s validity and applicability to more diverse samples are essential. A critical next step for future research would be to examine the DAQ’s criterion validity and the distinctive roles of the DAQ subscales in (clinical) psychological constructs and processes.
How patients interpret early signs of foot problems and reasons for delays in care: Findings from interviews with patients who have undergone toe amputations
Authors: Littman Alyson J. , Young Jessica , Moldestad Megan , Tseng Chin-Lin , Czerniecki Joseph R. , Landry Gregory J. , Robbins Jeffrey , Boyko Edward J. , Dillon Michael P.
Published: March 2021

Aims

To describe how patients respond to early signs of foot problems and the factors that result in delays in care.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a large sample of Veterans from across the United States with diabetes mellitus who had undergone a toe amputation. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Results

We interviewed 61 male patients. Mean age was 66 years, 41% were married, and 37% had a high school education or less. The patient-level factors related to delayed care included: 1) not knowing something was wrong, 2) misinterpreting symptoms, 3) “sudden” and “unexpected” illness progression, and 4) competing priorities getting in the way of care-seeking. The system-level factors included: 5) asking patients to watch it, 6) difficulty getting the right type of care when needed, and 7) distance to care and other transportation barriers.

Conclusion

A confluence of patient factors (e.g., not examining their feet regularly or thoroughly and/or not acting quickly when they noticed something was wrong) and system factors (e.g., absence of a mechanism to support patient’s appraisal of symptoms, lack of access to timely and convenient-located appointments) delayed care. Identifying patient- and system-level interventions that can shorten or eliminate care delays could help reduce rates of limb loss.
Prediction of COPD risk accounting for time-varying smoking exposures
Authors: Chang Joanne T. , Meza Rafael , Levy David T. , Arenberg Douglas , Jeon Jihyoun
Published: March 2021

Rationale

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Studies have primarily assessed the relationship between smoking on COPD risk focusing on summary measures, like smoking status.

Objective

Develop a COPD risk prediction model incorporating individual time-varying smoking exposures.

Methods

The Nurses’ Health Study (N = 86,711) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (N = 39,817) data was used to develop a COPD risk prediction model. Data was randomly split in 50–50 samples for model building and validation. Cox regression with time-varying covariates was used to assess the association between smoking duration, intensity and year-since-quit and self-reported COPD diagnosis incidence. We evaluated the model calibration as well as discriminatory accuracy via the Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC). We computed 6-year risk of COPD incidence given various individual smoking scenarios.

Results

Smoking duration, year-since-quit (if former smokers), sex, and interaction of sex and smoking duration are significantly associated with the incidence of diagnosed COPD. The model that incorporated time-varying smoking variables yielded higher AUCs compared to models using only pack-years. The AUCs for the model were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.74–0.86) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.70–0.77) for males and females, respectively.

Conclusions

Utilizing detailed smoking pattern information, the model predicts COPD risk with better accuracy than models based on only smoking summary measures. It might serve as a tool for early detection programs by identifying individuals at high-risk for COPD.
LasR-deficient Pseudomonas aeruginosa variants increase airway epithelial mICAM-1 expression and enhance neutrophilic lung inflammation
Authors: Hennemann Lisa C. , LaFayette Shantelle L. , Malet Julien K. , Bortolotti Perrine , Yang Tianxiao , McKay Geoffrey A. , Houle Daniel , Radzioch Danuta , Rousseau Simon , Nguyen Dao
Published: March 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosacauses chronic airway infections, a major determinant of lung inflammation and damage in cystic fibrosis (CF). Loss-of-functionlasRmutants commonly arise during chronic CF infections, are associated with accelerated lung function decline in CF patients and induce exaggerated neutrophilic inflammation in model systems. In this study, we investigated howlasRmutants modulate airway epithelial membrane bound ICAM-1 (mICAM-1), a surface adhesion molecule, and determined its impact on neutrophilic inflammationin vitroandin vivo. We demonstrated that LasR-deficient strains induce increased mICAM-1 levels in airway epithelial cells compared to wild-type strains, an effect attributable to the loss of mICAM-1 degradation by LasR-regulated proteases and associated with enhanced neutrophil adhesion. In a subacute airway infection model, we also observed thatlasRmutant-infected mice displayed greater airway epithelial ICAM-1 expression and increased neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation. Our findings provide new insights into the intricate interplay betweenlasRmutants, LasR-regulated proteases and airway epithelial ICAM-1 expression, and reveal a new mechanism involved in the exaggerated inflammatory response induced bylasRmutants.
SOCS-1 inhibition of type I interferon restrains Staphylococcus aureus skin host defense
Authors: Klopfenstein Nathan , Brandt Stephanie L. , Castellanos Sydney , Gunzer Matthias , Blackman Amondrea , Serezani C. Henrique
Published: March 2021

The skin innate immune response to methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) culminates in the formation of an abscess to prevent bacterial spread and tissue damage. Pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) dictate the balance between microbial control and injury. Therefore, intracellular brakes are of fundamental importance to tune the appropriate host defense while inducing resolution. The intracellular inhibitor suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1), a known JAK/STAT inhibitor, prevents the expression and actions of PRR adaptors and downstream effectors. Whether SOCS-1 is a molecular component of skin host defense remains to be determined. We hypothesized that SOCS-1 decreases type I interferon production and IFNAR-mediated antimicrobial effector functions, limiting the inflammatory response during skin infection. Our data show that MRSA skin infection enhances SOCS-1 expression, and both SOCS-1 inhibitor peptide-treated and myeloid-specific SOCS-1 deficient mice display decreased lesion size, bacterial loads, and increased abscess thickness when compared to wild-type mice treated with the scrambled peptide control. SOCS-1 deletion/inhibition increases phagocytosis and bacterial killing, dependent on nitric oxide release. SOCS-1 inhibition also increases the levels of type I and type II interferon levelsin vivo. IFNAR deletion and antibody blockage abolished the beneficial effects of SOCS-1 inhibitionin vivo. Notably, we unveiled that hyperglycemia triggers aberrant SOCS-1 expression that correlates with decreased overall IFN signatures in the infected skin. SOCS-1 inhibition restores skin host defense in the highly susceptible hyperglycemic mice. Overall, these data demonstrate a role for SOCS-1-mediated type I interferon actions in host defense and inflammation during MRSA skin infection.
N6-methyladenosine modification of HIV-1 RNA suppresses type-I interferon induction in differentiated monocytic cells and primary macrophages
Authors: Chen Shuliang , Kumar Sameer , Espada Constanza E. , Tirumuru Nagaraja , Cahill Michael P. , Hu Lulu , He Chuan , Wu Li
Published: March 2021

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent RNA modification that plays a key role in regulating eukaryotic cellular mRNA functions. RNA m6A modification is regulated by two groups of cellular proteins, writers and erasers that add or remove m6A, respectively. HIV-1 RNA contains m6A modifications that modulate viral infection and gene expression in CD4+ T cells. However, it remains unclear whether m6A modifications of HIV-1 RNA modulate innate immune responses in myeloid cells that are important for antiviral immunity. Here we show that m6A modification of HIV-1 RNA suppresses the expression of antiviral cytokine type-I interferon (IFN-I) in differentiated human monocytic cells and primary monocyte-derived macrophages. Transfection of differentiated monocytic U937 cells with HIV-1 RNA fragments containing a single m6A-modification significantly reduced IFN-I mRNA expression relative to their unmodified RNA counterparts. We generated HIV-1 with altered m6A levels of RNA by manipulating the expression of the m6A erasers (FTO and ALKBH5) or pharmacological inhibition of m6A addition in virus-producing cells, or by treating HIV-1 RNA with recombinant FTO in vitro. HIV-1 RNA transfection or viral infection of differentiated U937 cells and primary macrophages demonstrated that HIV-1 RNA with decreased m6A levels enhanced IFN-I expression, whereas HIV-1 RNA with increased m6A modifications had opposite effects. Our mechanistic studies indicated that m6A of HIV-1 RNA escaped retinoic acid-induced gene I (RIG-I)-mediated RNA sensing and activation of the transcription factors IRF3 and IRF7 that drive IFN-I gene expression. Together, these findings suggest that m6A modifications of HIV-1 RNA evade innate immune sensing in myeloid cells.
College Students’ Attitudes Towards Remote Instruction During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Future Directions
Authors: Gonzalez-Frey Selenid , Garas-York Keli , Kindzierski Corinne , Henry Julie
Published: March 2021

Undergraduate and graduate education students completed a survey to examine their attitudes toward remote instruction during the coronavirus pandemic. At the conclusion of the Spring 2020 semester in which all courses transitioned from a face-to-face to an online format, students, N = 93, were asked to describe what worked well in their courses in regards to their remote instruction experience and, when things did not go so well, what would have helped to make their experience better. The qualitative data were coded, and inductive analysis was used to generate categories (Johnson, 2012; Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Responses were grouped into labeled categories, and illustrative quotes were chosen to represent categories. Results revealed that remote instruction was somewhat worse than regular instruction. Across all respondents, analysis of responses to the open-ended questions revealed four themes that students believed were integral to remote instruction, (1) communication between students and faculty, (2) flexibility with assignments, (3) increased virtual interaction, and (4) support. Findings suggest how faculty can facilitate and ameliorate remote and hybrid instruction for their students.
Social pedagogy in Bulgaria
Authors: Rönkkö Sofia
Published: March 2021

Social pedagogy in Bulgaria has a long and interesting tradition that has remained hidden from the international world of the subject. In Bulgaria, social pedagogy is a unique mixture of the German social pedagogical tradition, the Bulgarian pedagogical system and Russian pedagogical influence. Social pedagogy affirmed its position within the Bulgarian pedagogical space around the same time as Karl Mager used the term for the first time. In spite of the tight grip social pedagogy had on the Bulgarian education system, during the time of communism it was branded as ‘bourgeois science’ and was forbidden, but not forgotten. The second phase of the development of Bulgarian social pedagogy started at the beginning of the 1990s, as a result of the democratisation and liberalisation changes that took place following the fall of communism. Since that time, social pedagogy in the Bulgarian context has evolved into the remarkable science and practical field it is today. This article attempts to spread the knowledge of Bulgarian social pedagogy’s origins, traditions, concepts, theories and practices, and to open the door for further cooperation between Bulgaria and the international social pedagogical community.
Assessment of the Upstream Slope Stability of Darbandikhan Rockfill Dam during Drawdown
Authors: Salim Sirwan Gh. , Noori Krikar M. G.
Published: March 2021

Earth and rockfill dams face a variety of loading conditions during lifetime. One of the most critical loading conditions is the rapid drawdown of water level after steady state conditions. Rapid drawdown may cause instability of upstream slope of the dam. The present work examines the stability of a rockfill dam under different drawdown rates in terms of factor of safety for the upstream slope of the dam. For this purpose, a computer software named GeoStudio 2012 SEEP/W and SLOPE/W has been used for the numerical analysis. The results showed that the drawdown rate has a significant effect on stability of rockfill dam in which increasing the drawdown rate from 1 m/day to 10 m/day decreases the stability of the dam by 33%. Based on the outcomes, for the studied case the drawdown rate (1 m/day) can be recommended.
Determination of Multi-performance Characteristics in Electric Discharge Machining of DIN 1.2767 Steel Using Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: Fatatit Abubaker Y. , Kalyon Ali
Published: March 2021

Electric discharge machining (EDM) is one of the most important unconventional machining processes, which can cut hard materials and complex shapes that are difficult to machine by conventional machining processes easily and with high accuracy. In this study, L18 orthogonal array combined with gray relational analysis (GRA) is implemented to investigate the multiple performances characteristics in EDM of DIN 1.2767 Tool Steel. Machining process parameters selected were discharge current (Ip), pulse-on time (Ton), pulse-off time (Toff), and electrode material (copper alloys [NSS and B2]). The investigated performances characteristics were tool wear rate (TWR) and material removal rate (MRR). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Taguchi’s signal-to-noise ratio with the help of Minitab-17 software were used to analysis the effect of the process parameters on TWR and MRR. The experimental results and data analysis reveal that TWR and MRR are more affected by Ip and Ton. The minimum TWR was obtained at parametric combination Ip (6A), Ton (800 μs), and Toff (800 μs) and the maximum MRR attained at Ip (25A), Ton (800 μs), Toff (200 μs), and NSS electrode. After applying GRA, the optimal parametric combination for MRR and TWR was determined as Ip (25A), Ton (800 μs), Toff (200 μs), and NSS electrode. The study also exhibited the occurrence of an interaction between the variables on the responses. In addition, scanning electron microscopy images showed that the metal surface was affected with the increase in Ton and Toff.
The Assessment of Acoustical Characteristics for Recent Mosque Buildings in Erbil City of Iraq
Authors: Masih Dawa A. A. , Jalal Nawzad K. , Mohammed Manar N. A. , Mustafa Sulaiman A.
Published: March 2021

The study of mosque acoustics, concerning acoustical features, sound quality for speech intelligibility, and additional practical acoustic criteria, is commonly overlooked. Acoustic quality is vital to the fundamental use of mosques, in terms of contributing toward prayers and worshippers’ appreciation. This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the acoustic quality level and the acoustical characteristics for two modern mosque buildings constructed in Erbil city. This work investigates and examines the acoustical quality and performance of these two mosques and their prayer halls through room simulation using ODEON Room Acoustics Software, to assess the degree of speech intelligibility according to acoustic criteria relative to the spatial requirements and design guidelines. The sound pressure level and other room-acoustic indicators, such as reverberation time (T30), early decay time, and speech transmission index, are tested. The outcomes demonstrate the quality of acoustics in the investigated mosques during semi-occupied and fully-occupied circumstances. The results specify that the sound quality within the both mosques is displeasing as the loudspeakers were off.
La prueba preconstituida en el Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses de Valencia: características de los delitos de abuso y agresión sexual
Authors: Rey Anastasi Adriana , Martínez Miguel Elena , Pedroche Garde Inmaculada
Published: March 2021

En el presente estudio hemos analizado el estado actual de la prueba preconstituida en el Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses de Valencia, así como las características de los delitos de abuso y agresión sexual como delitos que con mayor frecuencia precisan de la realización de dicha prueba. Los resultados muestran una sobre-representación femenina en las víctimas de abuso y agresión sexual. Los abusos sexuales se producen, generalmente, en víctimas que tienen entre 0 y 11 años, los agresores pertenecen al ámbito intrafamiliar, son continuados en el tiempo y se producen sin penetración. Las agresiones sexuales se producen, generalmente, en víctimas de entre 8 a 17 años, los agresores pertenecen al ámbito extrafamiliar, se repiten a lo largo del tiempo y se producen con penetración. Los resultados acerca de la prueba preconstituida reflejan el aumento progresivo en el número de peticiones e intervenciones; la exportación de la prueba a otros delitos debido a la demanda y un retraso temporal en su realización. Finalmente, de los 165 testimonios obtenidos mediante prueba preconstituida, 89 de ellas pueden ser consideradas como prueba de cargo a utilizar durante el juicio oral, pudiendo evitarse la asistencia de la víctima al mismo.
Investigation of the spectroelectrochemical behavior of quercetin isolated from Zanthoxylum bungeanum
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Linxiang , Jiang Jianwei
Published: March 2021

Flavonoids are common bioactive components in plants. Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid in the human diet, accounting for more than half of the total daily consumption of flavonoids. In this study, adsorption and electrocatalytic activities of quercetin isolated from Zanthoxylum bungeanum on an electrode was studied via homemade electrodes. An in situ UV-Visible thin-layer spectroelectrochemical method was used to study the electrochemical behavior of quercetin in detail and to explore its electrochemical reaction mechanism. This experiment proves that UV-Vis thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry is a feasible way for studying the electrochemical reaction mechanism of flavonoids in plants.
The impact of quarantine on Covid-19 infections
Authors: Marshall Pablo
Published: March 2021

Objectives: Coronavirushas had profound effects on people’s lives and the economy of many countries, generating controversy between the need to establish quarantines and other social distancing measures to protect people’s health and the need to reactivate the economy. This study proposes and applies a modification of the SIR infection model to describe the evolution of coronavirus infections and to measure the effect of quarantine on the number of people infected.

Methods: Two hypotheses, not necessarily mutually exclusive, are proposed for the impact of quarantines. According to the first hypothesis, quarantine reduces the infection rate, delaying new infections over time without modifying the total number of people infected at the end of the wave. The second hypothesis establishes that quarantine reduces the population infected in the wave. The two hypotheses are tested with data for a sample of 10 districts in Santiago, Chile.

Results: The results of applying the methodology show that the proposed model describes well the evolution of infections at the district level. The data shows evidence in favor of the first hypothesis, quarantine reduces the infection rate; and not in favor of the second hypothesis, that quarantine reduces the population infected. Districts of higher socio-economic levels have a lower infection rate, and quarantine is more effective.

Conclusions: Quarantine, in most districts, does not reduce the total number of people infected in the wave; it only reduces the rate at which they are infected. The reduction in the infection rate avoids peaks that may collapse the health system.
Integrating additional knowledge into the estimation of graphical models
Authors: Bu Yunqi , Lederer Johannes
Published: March 2021

Graphical models such as brain connectomes derived from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data are considered a prime gateway to understanding network-type processes. We show, however, that standard methods for graphical modeling can fail to provide accurate graph recovery even with optimal tuning and large sample sizes. We attempt to solve this problem by leveraging information that is often readily available in practice but neglected, such as the spatial positions of the measurements. This information is incorporated into the tuning parameter of neighborhood selection, for example, in the form of pairwise distances. Our approach is computationally convenient and efficient, carries a clear Bayesian interpretation, and improves standard methods in terms of statistical stability. Applied to data about Alzheimer’s disease, our approach allows us to highlight the central role of lobes in the connectivity structure of the brain and to identify an increased connectivity within the cerebellum for Alzheimer’s patients compared to other subjects.
Evaluation of wound healing potential of Bhallatakadi Ghrita – cow ghee based polyherbal formulation: in-vivo excision and incision wound model
Authors: Wayal Sandesh R. , Gurav Shailendra S.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Ghee is widely considered as the Indian name for clarified butterfat and processing of ghee with therapeutic herbs i.e., ghrita is renowned for augmenting their medicinal properties. The wound is considered as a challenging clinical problem with early and late complications. To reduce the burden of wounds with the shortest period and minimum scaring, an attempt was made to prepare and evaluate the wound healing potential of ghee based polyherbal formulation.

Methods

Based on local ethnic tribal claims, Semecarpus anacardium L., Argemone mexicana L., Cocculus hirsutus L., and Woodfordia fruticosa K. were collected from Western Ghats of India. The polyherbal Bhallatakadi Ghrita (BG) formulation was prepared as per Ayurvedic procedure and assessed for its wound healing potential using incision and excision wound animal models.

Results

BG treated group showed a complete contraction of wounds (99.82 ± 0.10%) (p<0.001) with 15.17 ± 0.40 days re-epithelization time and breaking strength (531.50 ± 5.89) (p<0.05). The hydroxyproline content of BG was found to be significantly higher i.e., 4.23 ± 0.21 (p<0.05). Quantitative estimation of BG exhibited 54.7 ± 3.7 mg100 g−1 of polyphenols and 42.3 ± 5.4 mg.100 g−1 flavonoids in terms of gallic acid and quercetin respectively. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid and quercetin whereas the presence of fatty acids was confirmed by GC-MS analysis.

Conclusions

It may conclude that the presence of quercetin, gallic acid, and fatty acids could have accelerated the healing rate of the ghrita formulation, as they have already been known for their potential wound healing properties.
Hume’s Thoroughly Relationist Ontology of Time
Authors: Slavov Matias
Published: March 2021

I argue that Hume’s philosophy of time is relationist in the following two senses. 1) Standard definition of relationism. Time is a succession of indivisible moments. Hence there is no time independent of change. Time is a relational, not substantial feature of the world. 2) Rigid relationism. There is no evidence of uniform natural standard for synchronization of clocks. No absolute temporal metric is available. There are countless times, and no time is privileged. Combining 1) and 2) shows that Hume’s ontology of time is thoroughly relationist.
Crystal structure of 2, 3-bis((4-methylbenzoyl)oxy) succinic acid–N, N-dimethylformamide (1/1), C23H25NO9
Authors: Zhang Xianping , Feng Sisi , Lu Liping
Published: March 2021

C23H25NO9, orthorhombic, P21212 (no. 18), a = 15.8641(6) Å, b = 11.1230(4) Å, c = 13.0925(5) Å, V = 2310.26(15) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0372, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0883, T = 298 K.
Granisetron vs. lidocaine injection to trigger points in the management of myofascial pain syndrome: a double-blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Rezasoltani Zahra , Ehyaie Hanna , Mofrad Reza Kazempour , Vashaei Fatemeh , Mohtasham Reza , Najafi Sharif
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Granisetron and lidocaine injections have been used for the management of myofascial pain syndrome. This study was aimed to compare the efficacy of granisetron and lidocaine injections to trigger points of upper trapezius in the management of myofascial pain syndrome.

Methods

We performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial in an outpatient clinic of physical medicine and rehabilitation at a teaching hospital. A total of 40 patients aged ≥18 with neck pain due to myofascial pain syndrome were included. They had pain for at least one month with the intensity of at least 30 mm on a 100 mm visual analog scale. Each participant received a single dose of 1 mL lidocaine 2% or 1 mg (in 1 mL) granisetron. The solutions were injected into a maximum of three trigger points of the upper trapezius. We instructed all patients to remain active while avoiding strenuous activity for three or four days, and to perform stretch exercise and massage of their upper trapezius muscles. We assessed the patients before the interventions, and one month and three months post-injection. The primary outcome was the Neck Disability Index and the secondary outcome was the Neck Pain and Disability Scale.

Results

Both interventions were successful in reducing neck pain and disability (all p-values <0.001). However, the neck pain and disability responded more favorably to lidocaine than granisetron (p=0.001 for Neck Disability Index, and p=0.006 for Neck Pain and Disability Scale). No significant side-effect was recognized for both groups.

Conclusions

Both lidocaine and granisetron injections to trigger points are effective and safe for the management of the syndrome and the benefits remain at least for three months. However, lidocaine is more effective in reducing pain and disability. The injections are well-tolerated, although a transient pain at the site of injections is a common complaint. One mL of lidocaine 2% is more effective than 1 mg (in 1 mL) granisetron for injecting into the trigger points of the upper trapezius in myofascial pain syndrome.
The Social Background of Prussian Inventors and Entrepreneurs during the First Industrial Revolution
Authors: Donges Alexander , Selgert Felix
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we study the social background of Prussian inventors in the mid-19th century, using biographical information for over 1,500 individuals that filed a patent in Prussia. There are four major findings. First, there is evidence for broadly based inventive activity, including a large number of inventors from middle- and lower-class backgrounds. Second, concerning the role of human capital, we argue that a combination of formal and informal education was crucial for the generation of innovation, though the importance of formal education increased over time. Third, we provide evidence that inventive activity fostered social mobility. Many inventors founded companies after they had filed a patent, suggesting that they could exploit their inventions commercially. Fourth, we show that inventors were highly mobile. Inventors migrated to the commercial centers of Prussia, in particular to Berlin and to the booming cities of the Rhine Province. In this regard, migration of highly skilled individuals may provide an explanation for the strong path-dependency that we observe when studying the geography of innovation and patenting.
Innovationsmotor Medientechnik – Von der Schreibmaschine zur «Mittleren Datentechnik» bei der Siemag Feinmechanische Werke (1950 bis 1969)
Authors: Henrich-Franke Christian
Published: March 2021

The second half of the 20th century is commonly considered to be a time in which German companies lost their innovative strength, while promising new technologies presented an enormous potential for innovation in the US. The fact that German companies were quite successful in the production of medium data technology and had considerable influence on the development of electronic data processing was neglected by business and media historians alike until now. The article analyses the Siemag Feinmechanische Werke (Eiserfeld) as one of the most important producers of the predecessors to said medium data technologies in the 1950s and 1960s. Two transformation processes regarding the media – from mechanic to semiconductor and from semiconductor to all-electronic technology – are highlighted in particular. It poses the question of how and why a middling family enterprise such as Siemag was able to rise to being the leading provider for medium data processing office computers despite lacking expertise in the field of electrical engineering while also facing difficult location conditions. The article shows that Siemag successfully turned from its roots in heavy industry towards the production of innovative high technology devices. This development stems from the company’s strategic decisions. As long as their products were not mass-produced, a medium-sized family business like Siemag could hold its own on the market through clever decision-making which relied on flexible specialization, targeted license and patent cooperation as well as innovative products, even in the face of adverse conditions. Only in the second half of the 1960s, as profit margins dropped due to increasing sales figures and office machines had finally transformed into office computers, Siemag was forced to enter cooperation with Philips in order to broaden its spectrum and merge the production site in Eiserfeld into a larger business complex.
Unternehmen und medialer Wandel – Skizze eines Forschungsfelds
Authors: Gehlen Boris , Henrich-Franke Christian
Published: March 2021

This article takes up recent approaches in media studies and asks to what extent they can provide impulses for business history. Especially since the beginning of digitalization, individual media have merged into complex media ensembles. Media are therefore increasingly understood as conditions of cooperation and interaction between people, i. e. as socio-technical systems. Picking up on this, the article offers some preliminary thoughts on how this concept of media can be used for future research in business history.
Investigating the Impact of Reducing the Cementitious Content in Bridge Deck Concrete
Authors: Jones Casey , LeBow Caleb , Micah Hale W.
Published: March 2021

For this research, bridge deck concrete mixtures were investigated in order to lower the required cementitious content while maintaining prescriptive specifications. Cementitious contents of 362, 335, and 307 kg/m3 in conjunction with water-to-cementitious materials ratios of 0.40, 0.44, and 0.50 and fly ash levels of 0, 20, and 30 % were studied. Mixtures were tested for workability, entrained air, drying shrinkage, and the ability to maintain a 28 MPa compressive strength requirement. The compressive strength requirement was met by each mixture investigated and drying shrinkage was reduced as the cementitious content was lowered. A coarse limestone aggregate was used for the majority of this research; however, a smaller investigation indicated that sandstone and river gravel aggregates impacted compressive strength, drying shrinkage, and the static modulus of elasticity. Therefore, aggregate type should be investigated prior to use in reduced cementitious content bridge deck mixtures. Durability testing (such as permeability and freeze/thaw) should also be conducted prior to altering the prescribed cementitious content in concrete mixtures.
Experimental Study on the Influence of Fast Cooling on the Mechanical Properties of Heated Granite
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhang Zhuoyao , Yin Tubing , Tao Ming , Li Xibing , Wang Yan , Chen Wei
Published: March 2021

Fast-cooling treatments are performed on heated granite specimens to induce thermal shock (TS), whereby the effect of TS on the physical and mechanical properties of granite is investigated through laboratory tests. Air-cooling and water-cooling methods are used to render different temperature changing rates in the TS process. Uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, and fracture toughness of the rock specimens are obtained in the laboratory tests. The aggravation of damage at higher temperature changing rates in the TS process is reflected in the test results. Through scanning electron microscopy, two typical fracture patterns reflecting the action of TS are observed in the specimens heated at temperatures higher than 200°C, which indicates that the TS effect has been successfully triggered. Based on the laboratory data and microscopic observations, the acting mechanisms of TS are discussed and corresponding mechanical behaviors are explained.
Does the Prefrontal Cortex Play an Essential Role in Consciousness? Insights from Intracranial Electrical Stimulation of the Human Brain
Authors: Raccah Omri , Block Ned , Fox Kieran C.R.
Published: March 2021

A central debate in philosophy and neuroscience pertains to whether PFC activity plays an essential role in the neural basis of consciousness. Neuroimaging and electrophysiology studies have revealed that the contents of conscious perceptual experience can be successfully decoded from PFC activity, but these findings might be confounded by postperceptual cognitive processes, such as thinking, reasoning, and decision-making, that are not necessary for consciousness. To clarify the involvement of the PFC in consciousness, we present a synthesis of research that has used intracranial electrical stimulation (iES) for the causal modulation of neural activity in the human PFC. This research provides compelling evidence that iES of only certain prefrontal regions (i.e., orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex) reliably perturbs conscious experience. Conversely, stimulation of anterolateral prefrontal sites, often considered crucial in higher-order and global workspace theories of consciousness, seldom elicits any reportable alterations in consciousness. Furthermore, the wide variety of iES-elicited effects in the PFC (e.g., emotions, thoughts, and olfactory and visual hallucinations) exhibits no clear relation to the immediate environment. Therefore, there is no evidence for the kinds of alterations in ongoing perceptual experience that would be predicted by higher-order or global workspace theories. Nevertheless, effects in the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortices suggest a specific role for these PFC subregions in supporting emotional aspects of conscious experience. Overall, this evidence presents a challenge for higher-order and global workspace theories, which commonly point to the PFC as the basis for conscious perception based on correlative and possibly confounded information.
Judge Weinstein's Contributions to Sentencing Law
Authors: Guentert Carolin E. , Gerber Ryan H.
Published: March 2021

This article examines how Judge Jack B. Weinstein, who served as a federal district judge in the Eastern District of New York for 53 years, approached the issue of consistency in sentencing after the Federal Sentencing Guidelines were rendered advisory in United States v. Booker. It was Judge Weinstein’s practice to publish a statement of reasons for each sentence he imposed, and the article relies on these statements of reason – as well as articles and speeches published by the Judge – to demonstrate how he attempted to ensure that each defendant before him received an individualized sentencing determination, and that comparable cases and sentencing factors were treated consistently. It examines how Judge Weinstein developed a specific sentencing procedure, took into account the personal history and characteristics of each defendant, and considered the need for the sentence in order to avoid unwanted sentencing disparities. It is a condensed version of an article that was originally published in the Cardozo Law Review in 2019.