bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medidas diretas de atividade física em crianças e cumprimento das recomendações da Organização Mundial de Saúde
Authors: Ré Alessandro H. Nicolai , Feitoza Anderson Henry , Mello Monteiro Carlos Bandeira de , Silva Elisangela Da , Tudela Mariana C. , Cattuzzo Maria Teresa
Published: July 2020

Os objetivos deste estudo foram verificar a quantidade e intensidade de prática de atividade física (AF) em crianças de baixo nível socioeconômico, e avaliar o cumprimento das recomendações da Organização Mundial de Saúde (AF moderada a vigorosa ≥ 60 minutos diários) nos dias de semana e finais de semana. Participaram do estudo 174 crianças (49% meninas) entre 7 e 10 anos de idade, residentes em área de vulnerabilidade social. O tempo e intensidade da AF foram medidos com acelerômetros (wGT3X+), durante 7 dias consecutivos, e para caracterizar a AF moderada a vigorosa (AFMV) foi utilizado um ponto de corte ≥ 2296 contagens por minuto. As comparações entre os sexos foram realizadas por meio da Análise de Variância, utilizando-se ainda o Teste t para medidas dependentes para as comparações entre a AFMV praticada durante a semana e os finais de semana, e o teste qui-quadrado para verificar as associações entre as variáveis sexo e cumprimento das diretrizes internacionais de atividade física. Em média, os meninos realizaram mais AFMV do que as meninas (p < 0,01), tanto em dias de semana (77 x 58 minutos por dia) como nos finais de semana (71 x 50 minutos por dia). Durante os dias de semana, 59% das crianças atingiram as recomendações (72% dos meninos e 42% das meninas; p < 0,001) e apenas 47% (57% dos meninos e 34% das meninas; p < 0,001) atingiramas recomendações durante os finais de semana. Esses dados reforçam a necessidade de ampliação da oferta de atividades físicas voltadas à realidade sociocultural da criança, com atenção especial para as meninas e para um maior envolvimento das famílias, particularmente durante os finais de semana.
Avaliação cognitiva, estratégias de coping e afeto entre judocas brasileiros
Authors: Brazão Manuella Collin , Castellani Rafael Moreno , Corte-Real Nuno José , Fonseca Antonio Manuel , Lima Claudia Salomé Dias
Published: July 2020

O estresse é parte integrante da vida de um atleta, uma vez que o desporto fornece um contexto único de experiências emocionais, cognitivas e comportamentais. Desta maneira, o presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever como os atletas de judô avaliam situações de estresse e as estratégias utilizadas para lidar com as mesmas, assim como os afetos resultantes deste processo e suas relações, verificando e analisandosemelhanças e diferenças em função do sexo e o nível competitivo. Foram utilizados quatro questionários: a Checklist de Avaliação Cognitiva Primária e o Questionário de Recursos de Coping, para analisar avaliação cognitiva primária e secundária, respectivamente; o PANASp-rd para avaliar os afetos, e o Brief COPEp para as estratégias de coping. Participaram deste estudo 93 atletas de ambos os sexos, com idades compreendidas entre 13 e 34 anos. Adicionalmente, os atletas foram classificados, de acordo com o nível competitivo, em estadual, nacional ou internacional. Nossos resultados indicaram que os atletas de judô avaliaram as situações de estresse de maneira positiva, sendo mais frequente a avaliação de desafio do que de ameaça; ainda experenciaram mais afeto positivo do que negativo. Em relação às características pessoais, verificamos diferenças entre homens e mulheres na avaliação cognitiva primária, estratégia de uso de substâncias e no afeto. Entre os níveis competitivos também encontramos diferenças na avaliação cognitiva primária e em algumas das estratégias de coping. Concluímos que, entre os judocas brasileiros, fatores como o sexo e o nível competitivo parecem ser características importantes a serem consideradas no processo de estresse.
Testes de mobilidade funcional são preditores de risco de queda em idosos praticante de atividade física?
Authors: Moreira Ana Carolina Silva de Souza , Vieira Mariluce Poerschke , Mazo Giovana Zarpellon , Cardoso Fernando Luiz
Published: July 2020

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a validade de critério dos testes de mobilidade funcional para detectar o risco de queda em idosos. Participaram 557 idosos; destes, 180 idosos não praticantes de atividade física supervisionada (AFS) e 377 praticantes de AFS. Foram aplicados os testes timed up and go; timed up and go cognitive; timed up and go manual; teste apoio unipodal; alcance funcional; 5 repetitive chair test; step test; fl oor transfer; 360º turn ; four square step test; e ordered multi-stepping over hoop. Os testes apresentaram capacidade discriminativa entre idosos caidores e não caidores na amostra geral e no grupo de idosos não praticantes de AFS. No entanto, os testes apresentaram baixa acurácia, sensibilidade e especifi cidade na amostra geral e boa sensibilidade e baixa especifi cidade nos idosos não praticantes de AFS. Os resultados sugerem que os instrumentos devem ser adequadamente testados antes de ser utilizados em ambientes ou perfi l amostral de idosos.
Medida objetiva da atividade física em crianças
Authors: Gordia Alex Pinheiro , Quadros Teresa Maria Bianchini de , Andaki Alynne Christian Ribeiro , Mendes Edmar Lacerda , Santos Amanda , Santos Sandra , Mota Jorge , Silva Luciana Rodrigues
Published: July 2020

Objetivou-se analisar a correlação entre número de passos (pedometria) com atividades classificadas como leves, moderadas, vigorosas e atividade física total (acelerometria) entre escolares; comparar a proporção de escolares que não atingiram a recomendação de prática de atividade física estimada via pedometria vs. acelerometria; e comparar a atividade física entre os dias de semana vs. final de semana e entre os sexos. Participaram do presente estudo 52 crianças, de ambos os sexos, estudantes do 4º ano do ensino fundamental de duas escolas públicas da região metropolitana de Porto, Portugal. A prática de atividade física foi avaliada por meio de pedômetro e acelerômetro durante oito dias consecutivos. A recomendação diária de 60 minutos de atividade física moderada a vigorosa não foi cumprida por 63,5% das crianças, ao passo que 71,2% não realizaram o número mínimo de passos recomendado por dia. As crianças foram mais ativas durante a semana em detrimento aos finais de semana. Não houve diferença entre os sexos para quantidade de passos por dia e tampouco para diferentes intensidades de atividades avaliadas pelo acelerômetro. As correlações entre a prática de atividade física avaliada pela pedometria e pela acelerometria foram moderadas a fortes, com magnitude variando de 0,385 a 0,762. As evidências apresentadas sugerem que o pedômetro pode ser uma ferramenta interessante para estimar o nível de atividade física habitual de crianças e poderia ser uma opção a ser considerada quando a avaliação viaacelerometria não for possível. Contudo, o uso do pedômetro pode não ser adequado quando o objetivo é classificar crianças como suficiente e/ou insuficientemente ativos a partir da recomendação diária de pelo menos 60 minutos de AFMV.
Construção e validação preliminar do instrumento de avaliação do desempenho técnico-tático no futsal
Authors: Saad Michél Angillo , Collet Carine , Nascimento Juarez Vieira do
Published: July 2020

A avaliação do desempenho tem sido um procedimento fundamental para identificar as qualidades, as carências e o progresso dos jogadores, bem como no planejamento e controle do processo de treinamento, seja na fase de formação ou em equipes no alto rendimento. O objetivo deste estudo foi construir e validar preliminarmente o Instrumento de Avaliação do Desempenho Técnico-Tático no Futsal (IAD-Futsal), pormeio da validação de conteúdo e da verificação da fidedignidade intra e interavaliadores. Para tanto, foram avaliadas as dimensões de adaptação, tomada de decisão e eficácia das ações técnico-táticas realizadas pelos jogadores de futsal. Os dados para a testagem do instrumento foram coletados em 2 jogos de uma equipe masculina da categoria sub-13 e de uma sub-15, totalizando 18 atletas e analisados estatisticamente no programa SPSS for Windows, determinando índices de aceitação para cada ação específica de jogo e cada componente do desempenho. De maneira geral, o instrumento obteve altos índices de validade (0,86 e 0,87) e de fidedignidade intra (0,85) e interavaliadores (0,73 a 0,82). Asevidências indicam que Instrumento de Avaliação do Desempenho Técnico-Tático no Futsal compreende uma ferramenta de observação consistente, possibilitando, de forma fidedigna e confiável, a avaliação e determinação do nível do desempenho esportivo geral e específico de jogadores das categorias de formação no futsal.
PLOC – Regulações motivacionais para aulas de Educação Física
Authors: Guedes Dartagnan Pinto , Bernardes Andrea Gomes , Yamaji Bruna Hatsue Santos
Published: July 2020

Os objetivos do estudo foram traduzir para o idioma português, realizar adaptação transcultural e identificar propriedades psicométricas da Perceived Locus of Causality (PLOC) Scale para uso em escolares brasileiros. Versão original foi traduzida de acordo com recomendações internacionais. Comitê de juízes foi formado para analisar versões traduzidas do questionário e utilizou como critério de análise as equivalências semântica, idiomática, cultural e conceitual. Versão final da escala traduzida foi administrada em uma amostra de 3912 escolares (2034 moças e 1878 rapazes) com idades entre 12 e 18 anos. Para identificar as propriedades psicométricas iniciais foi realizada análise fatorial exploratória e, na sequência, análise fatorial confirmatória. Para análise da consistência interna de cada fator associado ao PLOC, foi empregado coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Após discretas modificações apontadas no processo de tradução, o comitê de juízes considerou que a versão para o idioma português do PLOC apresentou equivalências semântica, idiomática, cultural e conceitual. Análise fatorial confirmou estrutura de cinco fatores originalmente proposta, mediante indicadores estatísticos equivalentes a χ2/gl = 1,88, CFI = 0,934, GFI = 0,967, AGFI = 0,951 e RMSR = 0,059 (IC95% 0,051-0,069). Alfa de Cronbach apontou consistência interna dos fatores associados às regulações motivacionais para as aulas de educação física entre 0,71 e 0,83. Concluindo, tradução, adaptação transcultural e qualidades psicométricas do PLOC foram satisfatórias, o que viabiliza sua aplicação em futuros estudos no Brasil.
Dispositivos curriculares estaduais para a Educação Física (1996-2016)
Authors: Freitas Matheus Marin de , Ferreira Neto Amarílio , Matos Juliana Martins Cassani , Santos Wagner dos
Published: July 2020

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar as características com as quais os currículos estaduais propostos para a Educação Física foram elaborados e implementados. Com abordagem quali-quantitativa, compreende 68 documentos curriculares vinculados às Secretarias Estaduais de Educação, publicados entre 1996 e 2016. A pesquisa dá visibilidade: à procedência territorial e distribuição anual desses materiais, às etapas da educação básica contempladas nesses documentos, às suas temáticas mais recorrentes, suas terminologias, além de aspectos autorais e dos processos de implementação. As análises indicam: a) aumento desses materiais, sobretudo a partir de 2006; b) produção estimulada por marcos legais e documentos ligados ao Ministério da Educação; c) indícios de que a construção desses materiais está relacionada com demarcações políticas; d) autorias marcadas por redes de relações coletivas, destacandose o diálogo entre equipes de Secretarias, professores da Rede e/ou professores de ensino superior; e) existência de formações continuadas como estratégia de divulgação dos currículos. Ao fornecermos um quantitativo elevado de fontes dentro de uma periodização considerável (21 anos), levantamos questões sobre as produções curriculares, base para futuras análises. A amplitude de dados também evidencia a potencialidade de pesquisas que assumam os documentos curriculares como objetos de estudos.
Respostas de glicose, afeto básico e percepção subjetiva de esforço durante exercício resistido em mulheres com diabetes tipo 2
Authors: Santos Bruno Marcello Rodrigues dos , Cruz Loumaíra Carvalho da , Teixeira-Araujo Alfredo Anderson , Rocha Thaise Camila Oliveira Gomes , Andrade Karoline Teixeira Passos de , Moreira Sérgio Rodrigues
Published: July 2020

O objetivo primário do estudo foi analisar as respostas de glicose (GLIC) e secundariamente o comportamento da percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e domínio afetivo durante exercício resistido (ER) de diferentes intensidades em mulheres com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Oito mulheres com DM2 foram submetidas a sessões randomizadas, sendo: a) Dia 1 – Controle (CON40 ou CON80) e b) Dia 2 – ER (ER40 ou ER80), realizado em três circuitos de sete exercícios cada, durante um período de 40 minutos. Foram avaliados: GLIC, PSE, feeling scale (FS) e Felt Arousal Scale (FAS). A GLIC reduziu significativamente para ER40 (140,0 ± 19,1 mg.dL-1) quando comparado ao repouso (228,3 ± 16,6 mg.dL-1), CON40 (241,3 ± 53,2 mg.dL-1), CON80 (220,9 ± 67,9 mg.dL-1) e ER80 (212,2 ± 70,9 mg.dL-1) na média geral da sessão (P<0,001) e a cada 5 minutos (P<0,001). Para FS e FAS não ocorreu efeito principal do tempo e nem diferenças entre sessões (P>0,05). Diferença significativa ocorreu na PSE entre sessões (ER40: 11,4 ± 1,2 pts vs. ER80: 12,9 ± 1,5 pts; P<0,05). A sessão ER40 promoveu maior redução da GLIC e, apesar de diferir na PSE, ambas intensidades de ER mantiveram os resultados de FS e FAS.
Validade e Fidedignidade da Escala com Figuras de Competência Percebida e Aceitação Social para crianças brasileiras
Authors: Valentini Nadia Cristina , Bandeira Paulo Felipe Ribeiro , Rudisill Mary Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

A Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance (PSPCSA) é uma escala utilizada para identificar as auto-percepções de competência (cognitiva e física) e aceitação social (pares e maternas) de crianças na educação infantil e primeiros anos do ensino fundamental I. O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e investigar a validade de conteúdo, critério, constructo e a fidedignidade da PSPCSA para crianças brasileiras. A tradução transcultural foi utilizada, e o processo de validação foi conduzido envolvendo 33 profissionais e 667 crianças (4 a 7 anos); 159 dessas crianças responderam a PSPCSA em dois momentos. Com base nos resultados pode-se inferir que houve clareza de linguagem e pertinência das questões, elevada consistência interna (valores > 96) e fidedignidade teste-reteste (valores  de r > 0,60). A PSPCSA apresentou ajustada adesão das questões com as correspondentes dimensões e sub-escalas e índices satisfatórios de validade fatorial confirmatória (Non-normed Fit Index, Comparative Fit Index e Tucker and Lewis´s Index of Fit com valores >0,81). As versões brasileiras da PSPCSA apresentam indicadores de validade para o uso com crianças brasileiras.
ESPINOSA E A CARTA DA PROBABILIDADE
Authors: Ferreira Samuel Thimounier , Souza Carlos Henrique Melo de
Published: July 2020

Este estudo visa a apresentar e analisar a Carta XXXVIII, de 1º de outubro de 1666, escrita por Espinosa. De conteúdo exclusivamente matemático, seu texto responde a uma questão de probabilidade aplicada a jogos de apostas em que é preciso preservar, para todos os jogadores, a mesma chance de ganhar. Para isso, apresentaremos o contexto histórico e exporemos detalhadamente o uso e o sentido da terminologia empregada por Espinosa ao longo de suas explicações. Subsidiariamente, em apêndice, fornecemos, de maneira espelhada, o original holandês da carta e nossa tradução para o português.
ENTRE SERVIDÃO E LIBERDADE DE HOMERO SANTIAGO
Authors: Oliva Luís César
Published: July 2020

Resenha do livro Entre servidão e Liberdade (2019), de Homero Santiago.
APRESENTAÇÃO
Authors: Espinosanos Cadernos
Published: July 2020

Apresentação.
Food advertisements on television and eating habits in adolescents: a school-based study
Authors: Delfino Leandro Dragueta , Tebar William Rodrigues , Silva Diego Augusto Santos , Gil Fernanda Caroline Staquecini , Mota Jorge , Christofaro Diego Giulliano Destro
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of television food advertisements with eating habits in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: The sample was composed of 1,011 adolescents, aged from 10–17 years. The influence of television food advertisements on eating habits, as well as food consumption and socioeconomic variables were assessed through questionnaires. A binary logistic regression was performed to assess the magnitude of the associations, adjusted for gender, age, socioeconomic status, and parental schooling. RESULTS: Of the sample, 83.3% (n = 843) reported food consumption while watching TV. Adolescents who do not consume food while watching TV had a higher weekly consumption of fruits (3.98, SD = 2.0 versus 3.39, SD = 2.1) and vegetables (4.1, SD = 2.2 versus 3.4, SD = 2.3). Adolescents that consume food while watching TV had higher weekly consumption of fried foods (3.1, SD = 2.0 versus 2.3, SD = 1.7), sweets (4.1, SD = 2.1 versus 3.3, SD = 2.1), soft drinks (3.2, SD = 2.1 versus 2.2, SD = 1.9), and snacks (2.3, SD = 2.0 versus 1.6, SD = 1.7). For 73,8% of the sample, food advertisements induce product consumerism, most commonly sweets and fast foods. Buying or asking to buy food after seeing it on the television was associated with fried foods (OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.03– 1.79), sweets (OR = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.30–2.18), and snacks (OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.12–2.22). CONCLUSION: Food advertisements were associated with greater consumption of fried foods, sweets, and snacks in adolescents, even after adjusting for confounding factors.
Ion Channel and Structural Remodeling in Obesity-Mediated Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: McCauley Mark D. , Hong Liang , Sridhar Arvind , Menon Ambili , Perike Srikanth , Zhang Meihong , da Silva Ivson Bezerra , Yan JiaJie , Bonini Marcelo G. , Ai Xun , Rehman Jalees , Darbar Dawood
Published: July 2020

Background:

Epidemiological studies have established obesity as an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Reduced cardiac sodium channel expression is a known causal mechanism in AF. We hypothesized that obesity decreases Nav1.5 expression via enhanced oxidative stress, thus reducing
I

Na

, and enhancing susceptibility to AF.

Methods:

To elucidate the underlying electrophysiological mechanisms a diet-induced obese mouse model was used. Weight, blood pressure, glucose, F
2
-isoprostanes, NOX2 (NADPH oxidase 2), and PKC (protein kinase C) were measured in obese mice and compared with lean controls. Invasive electrophysiological, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and patch clamping of membrane potentials was performed to evaluate the molecular and electrophysiological phenotype of atrial myocytes.

Results:

Pacing-induced AF in 100% of diet-induced obese mice versus 25% in controls (
P
<0.01) with increased AF burden. Cardiac sodium channel expression,
I

Na

and atrial action potential duration were reduced and potassium channel expression (Kv1.5) and current (
I

Kur

) and F
2
-isoprostanes, NOX2, and PKC-α/δ expression and atrial fibrosis were significantly increased in diet-induced obese mice as compared with controls. A mitochondrial antioxidant reduced AF burden, restored
I

Na

,
I

Ca,L

,
I

Kur

, action potential duration, and reversed atrial fibrosis in diet-induced obese mice as compared with controls.

Conclusions:

Inducible AF in obese mice is mediated, in part, by a combined effect of sodium, potassium, and calcium channel remodeling and atrial fibrosis. Mitochondrial antioxidant therapy abrogated the ion channel and structural remodeling and reversed the obesity-induced AF burden. Our findings have important implications for the management of obesity-mediated AF in patients.

Graphic Abstract:

A
graphic abstract
is available for this article.
The Neotropical genus Portelmis Sanderson, 1953 (Coleoptera: Elmidae): three new species, new records and updated key
Authors: POLIZEI THIAGO T. S. , FERNANDES ANDRÉ S.
Published: July 2020

Elmidae is one of the most diverse families of aquatic beetles, with more than 1500 species in 151 genera. The Neotropical genus Portelmis formerly comprised five species known from Central and northern South America, divided into two species groups. Three new Brazilian species from the nevermanni group are described and illustrated here: Portelmis vanini sp. nov., Portelmis krolowi sp. nov. and Portelmis fusariae sp. nov. New species records for the North, Central-West and Southeast of Brazil are presented. We also provide first SEM images and an updated key for Portelmis species.
A new species of Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) from southwestern Sri Lanka
Authors: GOWER DAVID J.
Published: July 2020

A new species of the uropeltid snake genus Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 is described from near Balangoda, southwestern Sri Lanka. Rhinophis mendisi sp. nov. superficially resembles R. homolepis (Hemprich, 1820) in colour pattern and in its prominent, conical tail shield, but differs from that species in having far fewer ventrals (159–177, n = 13 versus > 195 in the types of R. homolepis and its subjective junior synonym R. gerrardi). The five type specimens and one of the referred specimens of the new species were collected probably between 1894 and 1925, and the only known additional, referred specimens (n = 8) were collected from within ca. 30 km of the type locality in 1972. A lectotype is designated for Mitylia gerrardi Gray, 1858, a subjective junior synonym of R. homolepis.
A new crab of the genus Nanoplax from the Gulf of Mexico, and assignment of Micropanope pusilla to a new genus (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pseudorhombilidae)
Authors: FELDER DARRYL L.
Published: July 2020

Nanoplax thomai n. sp. is described from the Gulf of Mexico, representing the second species of the genus. The description is based upon a number of specimens previously misidentified as Micropanope truncatifrons Rathbun, 1898, including one so represented in recent molecular phylogenetic analyses. As restricted, Micropanope truncatifrons remains known with certainty from only the limited type series, which does not include a mature male, and sequence quality tissues are not available for molecular phylogenetic analyses. Its generic placement remains questionable following morphological study of its type materials and comparisons to specimens representing other present and former members of Micropanope Stimpson, 1871. Those comparisons underscore that morphological and molecular distinctions warrant assignment of Micropanope pusilla A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 to a new genus, herein designated as Pseudopanopeus n. gen.
Effects of Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-Rotation (PFNA-II) and Artificial Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) on Unstable Intertrochanteric Femoral Fracture Combined with Severe Osteoporosis
Authors: Chen Xiaosong , Cheng Xunsheng , Ma Wuxiu , Chen Congcong , Zhang Gan
Published: July 2020

The current study was conducted to compare the therapeutic effects of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA-II) and artificial total hip arthroplasty (THA) on elderly Chinese patients with unstable intertrochanteric femoral fracture combined with severe osteoporosis. There were 60
people in each group. The duration of surgery, blood loss, and weight-bearing period when standing on the floor were compared between the two groups (P > 0.05). Harries function scores of both groups increased over time. Scores of THA group were significantly higher than those of
PFNA-II group during six- and twelve-months follow-up visit (P < 0.05). In addition, excellent and good rates of hip joint function in THA group were higher than those of PFNA-II group during twelve-month follow-up visit (P < 0.05). The occurrence rates of follow-up complications
in both groups showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Thus, both PFNA-II and THA have good effects on Chinese elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric femoral fracture combined with severe osteoporosis.
Hsa-miR-425-5p Inhibits Hypertrophic Scar Formation Through Suppressing the Growth of Human Hypertrophic Scar Fibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix Deposition by Targeting Smad2
Authors: Fan Pengju , Li Zhen , Tan Wuyuan , Fang Man
Published: July 2020

The current study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of microRNA-425-5p (miR-425-5p) in hypertrophic scar (HS) development. Firstly, we used reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)to detect the expression of miR-425-5p in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts
(hHSFs) and HS tissues. qRT-PCR assay showed that miR-425-5p level significantly down-regulated in HS tissues and hHSFs. Next, we performed TargetScan and dual-luciferase reporter assay to predict and verify Smad2 was the target gene of miR-425-5p. In order to determine the role of miR-425-5p
in HS formation, miR-425-5p was over-expressed or knockdown in hHSFs through transfection with miR-425-5p mimic or miR-425-5p inhibitor. CCK-8 assay and cell apoptosis analysis were carried out to measure cell viability and apoptosis. Protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. The
findings indicated that miR-425-5p mimic transfection inhibited cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis and repressed Smad2, Col I, and Col III expression in hHSFs. Notably, the transfection of Smad2-plasmid eliminated the effects of miR-425-5p mimic on hHSFs. However, miR-425-5p inhibitor
transfection had opposite effects on hHSFs, and were eliminated by the transfection of Smad2-siRNA. In conclusion, these findings suggested that miR-425-5p inhibited the hHSFs viability, induced hHSFs apoptosis and repressed extracellular matrix deposition of hHSFs through regulating Smad2.
Therefore, miR-425-5p might be a novel therapeutic target for HS treatment.
The Regulation of Bone Morphogenetic Protein/Smads Signaling Pathway in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Zhou Zhigang , Cao Kai , Liao Jianping , Zhou Song , Zhou Liangliang , Feng Shaoping
Published: July 2020

The incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) increases year by year. SCI is characterized as high disability rate and poor prognosis. BMP/Smads signaling participates in the formation of osteoblasts and renal failure. This article will explore the regulation of BMP/Smads signaling pathway
in SCI. Wistar rats were divided into control group; SCI group; and BMP-2 treatment group that were treated by tail vein injection of BMP-2 antisense oligonucleotide BMP-2 phosphorothioate AODN at 30 min after modeling. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect BMP-2, Smad1, and Smad5
expressions. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was applied to analyze the change of SCI in each group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was selected to test BMPR Ia expression. Basso, Beattie Bresnahan-cocomotor rating scale (BBB) scale and Reuter score were compared. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) was adopted to detect TNF-α and Interleukin-2 (IL-2) expressions. Compared with the control group, BMP-2, Smad1, and Smad5 mRNA and protein expressions increased, BBB score declined, Reuter score elevated, and TNF-α and IL-2 secretion enhanced in the SCI group
(P < 0.05). HE staining showed spinal cord injury, and IHC exhibited increased expression of BMPR Ia. The TGF-β treatment group significantly reduced the expressions of BMP-2, Smad1, and Smad5 mRNA and protein, increased BBB score, reduced Reuter score, and weakened the
secretions of TNF-α and IL-2 (P < 0.05). HE staining demonstrated decreased reduction of spinal cord tissue and declined expression of BMPR Ia. SCI activated BMP/Smads signaling pathway, up-regulated BMPR Ia expression, and promoted inflammation. Regulation of BMP/Smads
signaling pathway can downregulate BMPR Ia expression and inhibit inflammation to effectively relieve SCI.
Effect of miR-155 on Aplastic Anemia Rats Through Regulating Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yan Qingxian , Hou Zhengjun , Ye Shuting , Su Meiyun
Published: July 2020

Objective: To assess miR-155’s effect on aplastic anemia (AA) rats. Methods: In the present study, the healthy rats (control group) and AA rats including AA rats with miR-155 overexpression (experimental group I) and those with miR-155 deficiency (experimental group
II), were selected. The levels of miR-155, STAT3 (a key gene in STAT3 signaling pathway) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) in control group and experimental group were detected via qPCR and Western blotting. Moreover, the number of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), platelets
(PLTs) and hemoglobin (HGB) level were also measured. Results: The level of miR-155 in AA rats was significantly declined compared with that in healthy rats (p < 0.05). STAT3 mRNA level was significantly declined in AA rats with miR-155 overexpression compared with that in
AA rats with miR-155 deficiency (p < 0.05). STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein expression in AA rats with miR-155 overexpression were significantly lower than those in AA rats with miR-155 deficiency (p < 0.05). Besides, it was found that the number of WBC, RBC, PLT and HGB level
were significantly elevated in AA rats with miR-155 overexpression compared to those in AA rats with miR-155 deficiency (p < 0.05). Conclusion: miR-155 can improve the AA symptoms of rats through inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway.
Role of Cilostazol in Rats with Diabetic Lower Limb Ischemia and Its Influences on Changes in Matrix Metallopeptidase-9 and Matrix Metalloproteinase-8
Authors: Tang Yao , Huang Jian , Shen Liming , Liu Zhanao , Zhou Dayong
Published: July 2020

Objective: To assess cilostazol’s effect on rats with diabetic lower limb ischemia. Methods: 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly separated into normal group (n = 12), model group (n = 12) and cilostazol group (n = 12). The model of diabetic
lower limb ischemia was prepared and normal saline was intraperitoneally injected postoperatively into model group. Besides, cilostazol was administrated through intraperitoneal injection after establishment of model in cilostazol group. After intervention for 6 weeks, doppler blood flow imager
was employed to detect blood flow, and the expressions of MMP-8 and MMP-9 were assessed via immunohistochemistry, western blotting or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). TUNEL assay was performed to evaluate cell apop-tosis. Results: Doppler blood flow imager showed that
compared with normal group, perfusion unit (PU) index was significantly reduced in the other two groups (P < 0.05) with higher value in cilosta-zol group (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemistry results revealed that in comparison with those in normal group, MMP-8 and MMP-9
positive staining was significantly elevated in the other two groups (P < 0.05) with higher level in cilostazol group than model group. In addition, MMP-8 and MMP-9 expressions were significantly elevated in other two groups (P < 0.05), with higher level in cilostazol group
(P < 0.05). Moreover, the vascular wall smooth muscle cells in the other two groups had a significantly elevated apoptosis rate (P < 0.05) with higher apoptosis in cilostazol group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Cilostazol up-regulates MMP-8 and MMP-9 to increase
the apoptosis of vascular wall smooth muscle cells, thereby improving the blood flow in rats with diabetic lower limb ischemia.
[ARTICLE WITHDRAWN] The Distribution of Pathogenic Bacteria and Risk Factors for Postoperative Infection in Tibial Fracture Patients Receiving Double-Plate Fixation
Authors: Yang Zhongmeng , Zhao Yao , Zhao Qing , Tang Yuxing , Xu Guoyong , Lu Huading
Published: July 2020

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the publisher in December 2020.
Neurosarcoidosis Directly Involving the Cervical Vagus Nerve
Authors: Crossley Jason R. , Aminpour Nathan , Giurintano Jonathan P. , Jay Ann K. , Harris Brent T. , Hoa Michael
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

To present a novel location in which neurosarcoidomatous inflammation is identified and its accompanying presentation.

Methods:

The authors present a case of bilateral vocal fold paresis associated with non-caseating granulomatous inflammation of the cervical and intra-axial portions of the vagus nerve masquerading as a cranial nerve tumor.

Results:

Examination revealed bilateral vocal fold paresis and asymmetric palate elevation. MRI demonstrated enhancing bilateral jugular foramen masses, and neck ultrasound demonstrated bilateral thickened appearance of the vagus nerves. Vagus nerve biopsy demonstrated non-caseating granulomas.

Conclusions:

Neurosarcoidosis may contribute to variable cranial neuropathies. Vocal fold paresis is usually thought to arise from mediastinal compression of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Rarely, though, lesions may arise in other parts of the vagus nerve. Failure of response to steroids does not rule out the diagnosis, making tissue diagnosis important in some cases.
Effect of nano Al2O3 coated Ag reinforced Cu matrix nanocomposites on mechanical and tribological behavior synthesis by P/M technique
Authors: Mohamed A , Mohammed MM , Ibrahim AF , El-Kady Omyma A
Published: July 2020

In this study, copper powder was reinforced with different weight percentages of Al2O3 particles (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.% Al2O3 coated Ag) to produce Cu-Al2O3 composites by mechanical alloying and uniaxial cold pressing/sintering route. Electro-less deposition was used to coat Al2O3 particles with Ag. The microstructure of the consolidated samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) elemental mapping. The porosity, microhardness, and wear behavior of the consolidated samples were also investigated as a function of Al2O3 content. The EDX mapping images reveal that the Al2O3 reinforcement particles were homogeneously distributed into the Cu matrix. Microstructural analysis shows that the addition of Al2O3 coated Ag particles improves density of the composites coating. SEM micrographs result shows that slight porosities exist in the composites produced. Furthermore, the average hardness of the composite coatings varies from 72.3 to 187.6 HV as Al2O3 content increases from 0 to 15 wt.%. The wear test results showed that the composite with higher Al2O3 content 15 wt.% showed the best wear resistance.
Food price increase and urban unrest: The role of societal organizations
Authors: Rudolfsen Ida
Published: July 2020

Under what conditions do increasing food prices lead to urban unrest? Existing literature suggests a positive correlation between food prices and social unrest. Meanwhile, there is a large variation in the consequences of increasing food prices, indicating that this phenomenon has a heterogeneous effect across different contexts. The theoretical focus on grievances in the existing literature appears to be insufficient for explaining the variations in outcome. This study asks whether specific features in the domestic institutional setting can explain why food-price induced grievances sometimes lead to unrest and at other times do not. Specifically, the article argues that the manifestation of unrest when food prices increase is moderated by the degree to which the state represses societal organizations. Civil and political society have the potential to channel collective dissent around food-related grievances, as these organizations provide existing mobilization structures that people can draw on to engage in collective action. Further, they can translate an individual-level grievance into a group phenomenon by politicizing the cost of food through the formulation of grievance frames. If the state represses existing societal organizations that can help aggrieved individuals engage in collective action to voice discontent – or introduces barriers to initial mobilization – this will likely reduce the possibility of unrest when food prices go up. Using institutional data from the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project combined with the Social Conflict Analysis Database (SCAD), the findings suggest that repression of societal organizations decreases the likelihood of unrest when food prices rise.
For better or worse: Shaming, faming, and human rights abuse
Authors: Kahn-Nisser Sara
Published: July 2020

Does it matter whether human rights (HR) shaming is accompanied by acknowledgments of reforms and progress? Do such acknowledgments weaken or strengthen the impact of shaming? Rulers decide whether to oppress or to comply with HR treaty obligations by considering what compliance entails and by weighing the internal and external costs and benefits of oppression. Research shows that HR shaming alters such considerations and is associated with changes in HR protection levels. Can the same be said of faming? This article examines three forms of HR reporting: faming, which focuses on positive developments; shaming, which focuses on problematic HR practices; and scrutiny, which combines shaming and faming. The article analyzes the association between shaming, faming, and scrutiny by UN treaty bodies, on the one hand, and oppression on the other. The potential associations are conceptualized as mitigation, backsliding, and specification. The analysis finds that shaming with no faming and faming with no shaming are each negatively associated with HR protection. Scrutiny, the combination of shaming and faming, is positively associated with subsequent HR protection levels, and the higher the level of scrutiny the higher the subsequent level of HR protection. The article argues that the reason for this association is that the combination of shaming and faming helps policymakers understand how to properly implement their treaty obligations and how to improve HR protection. The article draws policy and theoretical implications including the need for balanced and detailed HR reporting, and the importance of learning in HR advocacy.
Power-sharing, conflict resolution, and the logic of pre-emptive defection
Authors: Johnson Chelsea
Published: July 2020

Conclusions about the potential for peace via power-sharing are mixed. For some, power-sharing does little to overcome the commitment problem characterizing a transition from conflict, while others argue that such concessions provide signals of parties’ willingness to incur costs. This article develops and tests a new theory, aiming to shed light on the mechanisms through which power-sharing bargains help to overcome the commitment problem. I argue that government parties tend to hold an electoral and military advantage, which heightens incentives for rebel leaders to defect from a settlement prior to conceding their capacity to use violence. Where settlements provide discrete guarantees that offset the risks of electoral defeat and the co-optation of forces, these incentives for pre-emptive defection should be mitigated. I offer a novel disaggregation of provisional power-sharing subtypes, distinguishing between long-term and short-term arrangements. The analysis rests on an original, cross-national dataset of government-and-rebel dyads to negotiated settlements signed between 1975 and 2015 (N = 168). The logistic regression results clearly indicate that power-sharing settlements stipulating ‘consociational’-style reforms are significantly more likely to resolve conflict between settlement dyads, all else equal. Meanwhile, standard conceptualizations of power-sharing, which include transitional coalitions and troop integration, appear unlikely to secure rebel commitment beyond the transition period, which helps to explain the contradictory findings in existing research.
Class Capacity and Cross-Gender Solidarity: Women’s Organizing in an Egyptian Textile Company
Authors: Matta Nada
Published: July 2020

Neoliberal restructuring and the feminization of export-led industries are often associated with the disempowerment of women in the workplace. Surprisingly, this disempowerment was not the case with a public textile company in Mahalla, an industrial city north of Cairo. Between 2006 and 2008, workers organized wildcat strikes involving around 24,000 workers. In contrast to the strike waves of the 1980s, women were integral to organizing the strikes and assumed leadership roles in them. This article argues that even as Egypt adopted structural adjustments in the 1990s that led to the decline of the historically leading sectors of textiles and yarn, exports of clothing increased. By the 2000s, the clothing sector was completely feminized and women in Mahalla were positioned in the most productive departments. This change empowered women by elevating their role and induced skeptical male colleagues to support women’s activism in the company and to build cross-gender solidarity.
Predictability of Analyst Earnings Forecast Errors and Institutional and Individual Investors’ Reactions to Earnings News
Authors: Bhattacharya Nilabhra , Olsson Per , Park Hyungshin
Published: July 2020

We decompose analysts’ earnings forecast error into predictable and unpredictable components and investigate individual vis-à-vis institutional investors’ reactions to each of these components. We find that in the immediate post-earnings announcement window, only individuals under-react to the predictable component, while both individuals and institutions under-react to the unpredictable component. The price drift in this window is driven primarily by investors’ under-reaction to the unpredictable component. This drift remains highly significant in larger firms and intensifies in firms with complex financial reports, suggesting that it likely represents the slow and noisy process of price discovery. Around the next quarterly earnings announcement, only individuals under-react to the previous quarter’s predictable component, and this fixation drives the entire price drift in this window. This drift disappears in larger firms and gets exacerbated in firms with greater forecast error autocorrelations, suggesting that it is likely attributable to incomplete processing of earnings information by individuals.
Strategic Diversity Leadership: The Role of Senior Leaders in Delivering the Diversity Dividend
Authors: Martins Luis L.
Published: July 2020

An organization’s senior leaders, given their positions at the apex of power within the organization, shape its vision, strategies, organizational design, and culture. Yet the research on diversity has not sufficiently held them to account for the dynamics of demographic diversity and inclusion within their organizations and for producing performance benefits from diversity. This paper proposes that a fuller understanding of diversity and inclusion requires a focus on senior leaders’ roles in diversity leadership. Specifically, drawing on strategic leadership theory, it proposes a framework for strategic diversity leadership that focuses on the role of senior leaders in shaping the meaning of diversity in their organizations. It proposes that how senior leaders envision diversity within their organizations and symbolize its value in their communications and actions affects the extent and nature of diversity and inclusion, and through them a range of benefits to organizational performance. It also discusses potential antecedents affecting strategic diversity leadership and calls for the development of a theory of strategic diversity leadership.
Compression stocking prevents increased venous retrograde flow time in the lower limbs of pregnant women
Authors: Junior Orlando Adas Saliba , Rollo Hamilton Almeida , Saliba Orlando , Sobreira Marcone Lima
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To analyze the effect of graduated compression stockings on the venous reflux in the lower limbs of pregnant women.

Method

A controlled randomized clinical trial was performed with sixty women: intervention group (n = 30), who used compression stockings, and control group (n = 30). Using duplex-ultrasound, the reflux time and peak reflux velocity in the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein were analyzed.

Results

Great saphenous vein reflux times in the intervention group were 0.13 s at the beginning (initial) and 0.04 s at the end of pregnancy (final) in the right leg and 0.02 s and 0.34 s (p < 0.0001) in the control group. No patient in the intervention group experienced pathological reflux at the end of the pregnancy. There was a significant difference in the reflux time measured from both the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein and peak reflux velocity between the groups.

Conclusion

Compression stockings prevent increased venous reflux in lower limbs of pregnant women.
The Erosion of Trust During a Global Pandemic and How Public Administrators Should Counter It
Authors: Deslatte Aaron
Published: July 2020

This article argues that public administrators must advance a more equity-based assessment of vulnerabilities in American communities and more risk-based communication strategies. It provides an overview of partisan motivated reasoning, how this has influenced the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Experimental evidence then demonstrates how the framing of the pandemic can influence trust in various public messengers. The coronavirus pandemic is merely one of the many exigent threats humanity faces today. Public administrators are the planners, engineers, analysts, auditors, lawyers, and managers on the front lines of these existential crises. It is their job to sift through the information environment and—however boundedly—tackle problems. For the sake of the American democracy, public administrators need to regain the people’s trust. They could start by leveling with them about the challenges ahead.
U.S. Procurement in the Age of COVID-19: Challenges, Intergovernmental Collaboration, and Recommendations for Improvement
Authors: Sadiq Abdul-Akeem , Kessa Ruth
Published: July 2020

This article discusses U.S. government’s procurement of medical supplies and equipment during COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges posed by COVID-19 to U.S procurement system. The article also examines how the U.S. government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations are working together to address procurement challenges. This article notes that the global pandemic has drained the strategic national stockpile of medical supplies and equipment and that the United States is struggling to meet the demand of these critical resources. The good news is that the U.S. government is partnering with the private sector to ramp-up the much-needed supply. This article underscores the need for the U.S. government to continue to look for efficient and productive ways to procure necessary medical supplies and equipment that are essential for health care professionals and those affected by the COVID-19. This article offers some recommendations to improve U.S. procurement system and outlines an agenda for future research.
Experimental and numerical study on stiffness and damage of glass/epoxy biaxial weft-knitted reinforced composites
Authors: Shekarchizadeh Navid , Jafari Nedoushan Reza , Dastan Tohid , Hasani Hossein
Published: July 2020

This paper deals with investigating the tensile characteristics of biaxial weft-knitted reinforced composites in terms of stiffness, strength and failure mechanism. The biaxial weft-knitted fabric was produced on an electronic flat knitting machine by E-glass yarns and then was impregnated with epoxy resin. Using an accurate geometrical model, the composite unit cell was designed in Abaqus software’s environment. Tensile tests were simulated in different directions on the created unit cell and the stiffness was calculated. By applying the proper failure theories, the composite strength was predicted and then critical regions of the unit cell were determined. In the next step, a micromechanical approach was also applied to estimate the same tensile features. Failure theories were also applied to predict the strength and most susceptible areas for failure phenomenon in the composite unit cell. The tensile properties of the produced composites were measured and compared with outputs of the finite element and micromechanical approaches. The results showed that the meso-scale finite element analysis approach can well predict the composite strength. In contrast, the meso-scale analytical equation model was not able to predict it acceptably because this model ignores the strain concentration. Both meso-scale finite element analysis and meso-scale analytical equation approaches predicted the similar locations for the composite failure in wale and course directions.