bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance analysis of neuro linguistic programming techniques using confusion matrix
Authors: Kumar Arun , Panda Supriya P.
Published: February 2022

During numerous qualitative surveys, swish patterns and visual kinesthetic dissociation (V/KD) were employed to examine attitudes and past occurrences. Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) workshops in both hypnotic and non-hypnotic experimental sessions were held for forty days. Results demonstrated that negative sentiments and various emotional factors were significantly higher in 10-days’ workshop sessions as compared to 40 days’ sessions. Following the qualitative sentiments recollection, NLP workshops with various activities in the fear and stress indexing segment were increased in length. The NLP procedure was followed by the decreased negative emotional intensity in both groups; also, the results have been improved when using swish patterns and V/KD techniques. The performance analysis shows the results of improving emotional and sentimental factors in various NLP workshops. The workshops ranged in length from five to forty days. The specifications for workshops were selected based on the human mind's pre-determined conditions. The performance factors of two significant NLP techniques used in NLP workshops were compared and both techniques' performance factors were found to be adequate in terms of modifying behavior patterns. Using the confusion matrix, the overall accuracy percentage between V/KD and swish patterns is calculated, and an increase from 0.65 to 0.83 in the stressed parameters is shown.
Financial sentiment analysis of tweets based on deep learning approach
Authors: Issam Aattouchi , Mounir Ait Kerroum , Saida El Mendili , Fatna El Mendili
Published: February 2022

The volume of unstructured texts has increased dramatically in recent years due to the internet and the digitization of information and literature. This onslaught of data will only grow, and it will come from new and unusual sources. Thus, it will be necessary to develop new and inventive approaches and tools to process and make sense of this data. Investors in the financial markets can now get information faster than ever before thanks to the expansion of communication channels, in addition to the online availability of news and reports in text format through providers like Reuters and Bloomberg. This contains a plethora of information that is often overlooked by financial market data. In order to measure the sentiment of a text, predictive and deductive methods are applied, these methods aim at extrapolating new feautures from big data. The main objective of this study is to create and test a new system capable of predicting finance and non-finance related tweets. The convolutional neural network (CNN) and latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) algorithms are used in the proposed approche. The suggested model's correctness is tested against a benchmark financial dataset, and the results demonstrate that with a database of 1,000,000 data points, our model is 99% accurate.
Understanding the Context for Successful City Diplomacy: Attracting International Organisations
Authors: Groen Rosa S.
Published: February 2022

To understand the factors that contribute to successful city diplomacy, this essay explores the example of how city diplomacy is used to attract international organisations. As soon as an international organisation (IO) starts looking for a location, local networks are formed and candidate host cities are selected internally. Cities benefit from hosting IOs, not only in worldwide reputation but also in economic growth. However, cities face increased competition and need improved strategies that are informed by a better assessment of contextual factors that affect a city’s international affairs. The ways in which cities co-operate with ministries and regional government levels when attracting IOs take different shapes and can be crucial for a successful outcome. This essay acknowledges three categories of context and introduces them as relational, discursive and instrumental in scope.
Fragmentation vs. Integration in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment
Authors: Matijašević Željka
Published: February 2022

In this paper I analyse the internal splitting in Raskolnikov’s character, and the path which leads him from fragmentation to integration. The splitting of the character is explained as complemented by the split in the novel through the ‘surprising’ end of the novel, both in its style and brevity, i.e. the resolution of the internal conflict via Raskolnikov’s mystical turn to faith. The splitting comprises the fact that Raskolnikov must alienate himself in radical alterity in order to come to his authentic self; the split between the fictitious, false self of the extraordinary man and the realistic and true self of the ordinary man at the end of the novel tells the story of how the fragmented self, paradoxically, opens up the way to the integrated self. For this purpose I have relied mostly on Lacanian concepts, as Lacan’s idea of the integrated ‘I’ is closely related to the ethical act by which the Symbolic is transgressed, and which represents a radical alienation in the Real concomitant with the temporary suspension of the Symbolic.
Matricide as Hidden Dream Motive/Motif in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment
Authors: Johae Antony
Published: February 2022

An interdisciplinary study of dream motivation in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, using Freud’s dream analysis as a theoretical framework for interpreting the dream motif in the novel. Following R.D.Laing, who in The Self and Others proposed Dostoevsky’s protagonist, Raskolnikov, as the victim of his mother’s duplicity, and also drawing on Mikhail Bakhtin’s analysis of “microdialog”, I show that the dream in which Raskolnikov re-enacts the murder of Alyona, the money-lender, is a disguise (dream symbol) for his wishing his mother dead (dream work) and that, though he never becomes conscious of it, Raskolnikov is restored to mental health only when his mother is, in reality, dead. I maintain that such a covert explanation for Raskolnikov’s crime can only be accounted for in the “hidden architecture” (Foucault) of the narrative, but that, following Freud, there may still remain obscurities which resist interpretation.
The Protest Movements’ Opportunities and Outcomes: The Euromaidan and the Belarusian Protest–2020 Compared
Authors: Minakov Mikhail
Published: February 2022

This paper compares the mass protests in Ukraine (the Euromaidan of 2013–14) and Belarus–2020 in the recent decade. The author tests the hypothesis that social movements successfully challenge the ruling groups if protests are sufficiently supported by Western governments, if autocratic regimes are not strong and consolidated, and if the regional tendencies are supportive of the protesters’ cause. Based on the comparative analysis of the two cases, the author concludes that the hypothesis is in general correct for Eastern Europe, but should be more nuanced: it should pay attention to the external influences of both Western states and Russia; it should note that the strength of an autocracy may create new opportunities for the challengers; and that it should take into account the changing nature of regional tendencies, which can be of democratization, autocratization, or some mixture.
The Canadian government’s response to foreign disinformation: Rhetoric, stated policy intentions, and practices
Authors: Jackson Nicole J.
Published: February 2022

In recent years, governments have considered how to respond to “disinformation.” However, there is little academic literature on Canada’s response in the area of security and foreign policy. This paper addresses this gap by analyzing how and why Canadian government foreign and security actors have “securitized” foreign disinformation. It argues that, since 2014, they have increased awareness about disinformation and transformed it into a matter of “security” through rhetoric and discursive framing, as well as stated policy intentions and actions. This has occurred in response to perceived threats, but without coherent policy. The findings suggest that challenges are linked to persistent difficulties in defining and understanding disinformation. The result has been fragmented actions, some of which may legitimate actions that deviate from “normal political processes.” The implications are that definitional challenges need to be addressed, the role of security actors assessed, and a clearly articulated and holistic strategy drawn.
A Death and Dying Class Benefits Life and Living: Evidence From a Nonrandomized Controlled Study
Authors: Lekes Natasha , Martin Brandon C. , Levine Shelby L. , Koestner Richard , Hart Jennifer A.
Published: February 2022

Humanistic theorists have long emphasized the importance and benefits of death awareness (Yalom, 1980) yet the literature on death education has focused on fear and anxiety. In the present study, 150 undergraduate students taking either a class on death and dying or a comparison class completed a pre and post-questionnaire on attitudes (negative and positive), values (intrinsic and extrinsic) and eudaimonic wellbeing (meaning in life and vitality). Results revealed that compared to their peers in another class, students studying death and dying significantly increased in death acceptance, intrinsic values, meaning in life, and vitality. Furthermore, increases in intrinsic values mediated the relationship between participation in death and dying education and meaning in life. Results are discussed in light of experiential learning, posttraumatic growth, and terror management.
Acceptance and Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures are Shaped Predominantly by Conspiracy Beliefs, Mistrust in Science and Fear – A Comparison of More than 20 Psychological Variables
Authors: Hartmann Matthias , Müller Petra
Published: February 2022

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sparked a great interest in psychological factors that determine or explain peoples' responses to the novel threatening situation and the preventive measures (e.g. wearing masks, social distancing). In this study, we focused on contaminated mindware (conspiracy and paranormal beliefs) and investigated its relationship with both acceptance of and adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, along with other variables from the domains of emotion (trait anxiety, fear), traditional personality traits (Big 5, locus of control, optimism/pessimism) and motivation (self-control, dispositional regulatory focus). A total of 22 variables were measured in an online survey ( N = 374) that took place during the second wave of COVID-19 (Nov. 2020 – March 2021) in Switzerland. Of all variables, the endorsement of specific COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs was most strongly associated with lower acceptance and adherence to the preventive measures, together with mistrust in science and a more right-wing political orientation. In contrast, fear of COVID-19 and prevention regulatory focus were positively associated with acceptance and adherence. Our results therefore highlight the importance of fighting (conspiratorial) misinformation and of increasing the perceived credibility of science in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. Moreover, when acceptance was used as predictor for adherence, agreeableness and dispositional prevention regulatory focus still explained unique variance in adherence, suggesting that such personality and motivational variables play an important role in adhering and regulating preventive behaviour independent from the attitude towards the preventive measures themselves.
Identification of Promotive and Protective Factors for Young Adults Living in Concentrated Disadvantage
Authors: Ross Katherine M. , Bishop Diane L. , Leslie Carine E. , Chapman Derek A. , Sullivan Terri N.
Published: February 2022

Violence is a major public health concern that particularly impacts Black young adults living in under-resourced, urban communities. There is limited research on promotive and protective factors that mitigate the impact of violence exposure on aggressive behavior. This study aims to address this gap by exploring positive factors across the ecological model in a sample of 141 predominantly Black young adults ages 18 to 22 years living in low-income communities. Regression analyses indicated that generally factors at the individual/peer and family level were more likely to be promotive. Additionally, nine significant interactions found in the moderation analyses highlighted a complex relation between ecological protective factors and aggressive behaviors for these young adults. Implications for future empirical work are discussed.
Preparation and characterization of natural rubber–based new elastomers for high-damping base isolation systems
Authors: Nobari Azar Farzad A , Karimzadeh Naghshineh Ali , Sen Murat
Published: February 2022

Natural rubber (NR)–based vulcanizates have been used as base isolation materials for many years. Combining good damping properties, low cost, and availability with acceptable mechanical and aging performance, these materials have always been the first choice for base isolation applications. In this research, we try to formulate a natural rubber base recipe with increased damping properties, which can fulfill mechanical and aging requirements of base isolation systems. For this purpose, a series of blends have been formulated by incorporating chloroprene (CR) or butadiene (BR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) into the natural rubber base. Filler content accelerator type and vulcanization system have been chosen to optimize damping while maintaining a reference point. All vulcanizates have been tested for their mechanical properties. Moving die rheometer (MDR) and rubber process analyzer (RPA) have been used to obtain general cure data as well as storage (G′) and loss modulus and loss angle (η). Crosslink densities have been calculated using RPA and Lee and Pawlowsky’s Coran approach. Dynamic material tests have been performed to obtain dynamic shear properties, equivalent damping ratio, and shear modulus. The results indicated that NR/NBR and NR/CR compounds with viscous damping values of 10.4% and 8.9% at frequency of .5 Hz can lay bases for formulating high-damping rubber (HDR) materials for base isolation systems due to their increased damping and rather good mechanical and relaxation performance.
The show must go on? The entertainment industry during (and after) COVID-19
Authors: Ryu Sunghan , Cho Daegon
Published: February 2022

This article outlines how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced different domains of the global entertainment industry regarding the physicality, synchronicity, and digitizablity of businesses. Physical location-based businesses with synchronous content delivery suffer from the outbreak; online businesses largely benefit from the lockdown situation. Continuity of impact is influenced by two interrelated factors: (1) whether there are explicit alternatives for consumers and (2) whether the altered consumer attitudes and behaviors during the pandemic become habitual, transformative, or ceased. We reach two points of comparison: the direction of the COVID-19 impacts (positive vs negative) and the continuity of the changes (continuous vs temporal). Our analysis yields four different scenarios that help us take a view of the unprecedented effects on the entertainment industry with a more comprehensive perspective: disastrous (negative and continuous), silver lining (negative and temporal), fortuitous (positive and temporal), and triumphant (positive and continuous).
The Expressive Balance Effect: Perception and Physiological Responses of Prosody and Gestures
Authors: Rodero Emma , Larrea Olatz , Rodríguez-de-Dios Isabel , Lucas Ignacio
Published: February 2022

The ability to deliver a speech effectively and persuade the audience is fundamental in the professional landscape. Nonverbal features, such as voice and gestures, are crucial to improving listeners’ perception and information processing in a public presentation. In nonverbal communication research, most studies have mainly examined the individual effects of these features and not their combined influence. Therefore, this study analyzes the direct and interaction effects of intonation, speech rate, and hand gestures on the speakers’ credibility and effectiveness and the participants’ psychophysiological response (attention and arousal). Results showed that the best combination was a moderate intonation at a medium speech rate with a moderate number of hand gestures. These results supported the so-called Expressive Balance Effect. Speakers must maintain the expressive load of the different nonverbal cues in balance to be more effective and credible and enhance the listeners’ cognitive processing. These findings are helpful recommendations for public speakers.
Platelet phagocytosis by leukocytes in a patient with cerebral hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia caused by gram-negative bacterial infection
Authors: Wu Xiuji , Li Youjun , Yang Xiaoyang
Published: February 2022

Bacteria-induced thrombocytopenia is a common clinical disease that is often ignored by clinical and scientific research. Thus, exploring the mechanism and principle of bacteria-induced thrombocytopenia could facilitate the development of new diagnostic, preventative, and treatment modalities for thrombocytopenia. This case report describes a case of platelet phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes in a patient with cerebral hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia caused by gram-negative bacterial infection. After the infection was eradicated, platelet phagocytosis was alleviated, and his platelet count normalized. Cellular immunity may be an important cause of bacteria-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.
Perceived Realism and Wishful Identification: College Students’ Perceptions of Alcohol Ads and Their Intentions to Sexually Coerce with or Without Using Alcohol
Authors: Hust Stacey J. T. , Rodgers Kathleen Boyce , Li Jiayu , Cameron Nicole Ola
Published: February 2022

Sexual coercion is a serious health problem in the United States, and it is the most prevalent form of sexual victimization that occurs on college campuses. The present study aimed to identify factors, such as exposure to objectified women in alcohol advertisements, that may contribute to college students’ intentions to sexually coerce with alcohol use and without alcohol use. We also investigated the potential effects of gender stereotypes, wishful identification of alcohol ads, perceived realism of alcohol ads, and alcohol expectancies related to sexual enhancement on students’ intentions to coerce. An online experiment was conducted with 1208 students from a large Northwestern university. Participants were randomly assigned to two conditions in which they were exposed to alcohol advertisements that included either highly objectified images of women or low-objectified images of women. The regression analyses indicate beliefs in gender stereotypes were the most consistent predictor across women and men’s sexually coercive intentions, regardless if alcohol was used. Wishful identification with models in alcohol advertisements was positively associated with intentions to coerce, and perceived realism of alcohol ads was negatively associated with intentions to coerce. For college men’s intentions to sexually coerce using alcohol, there were significant interaction effects between exposure to highly objectified advertisements and gender stereotypes. For women’s intentions to sexually coerce using alcohol, the interaction between wishful identification and perceived realism was significant. Education efforts are needed to deal with the endorsement of gender stereotypes on college campuses. Media literacy may help college students critically evaluate portrayals of women in the media, and thus, in turn, may help lower intentions to sexually coerce.
Beyond Algorithmic Bias: A Socio-Computational Interrogation of the Google Search by Image Algorithm
Authors: Papakyriakopoulos Orestis , Mboya Arwa M.
Published: February 2022

We perform a socio-computational interrogation of the google search by image algorithm, a main component of the google search engine. We audit the algorithm by presenting it with more than 40 thousands faces of all ages and more than four races and collecting and analyzing the assigned labels with the appropriate statistical tools. We find that the algorithm reproduces white male patriarchal structures, often simplifying, stereotyping and discriminating females and non-white individuals, while providing more positive descriptions of white men. By drawing from Bourdieu’s theory of cultural reproduction, we link these results to the attitudes of the algorithm’s designers, owners, and the dataset the algorithm was trained on. We further underpin the problematic nature of the algorithm by using the ethnographic practice of studying-up: We show how the algorithm places individuals at the top of the tech industry within the socio-cultural reality that they shaped, many times creating biased representations of them. We claim that the use of social-theoretic frameworks such as the above are able to contribute to improved algorithmic accountability, algorithmic impact assessment and provide additional and more critical depth in algorithmic bias and auditing studies. Based on the analysis, we discuss the scientific and design implications and provide suggestions for alternative ways to design just socio-algorithmic systems.
Research on accurate modeling and control for pneumatic electric braking system of commercial vehicle based on multi-dynamic parameters measurement
Authors: Zhao Yongtao , Yang Yiyong , Wu Xiuheng , Tao Xingjun
Published: February 2022

Accurate pressure control and fast dynamic response are vital to the pneumatic electric braking system (PEBS) for those commercial vehicles that require higher regulation precision of braking force on four wheels when braking force distribution is carried out under some conditions. Due to the lagging information acquisition, most feedback-based control algorithms are difficult to further improve the dynamic response of PEBS. Meanwhile, feedforward-based control algorithms like predictive control perform well in improving dynamic performance but because of the large amount of computation and complexity of this kind of control algorithm, it cannot be applied in real-time on the single-chip microcomputer, and it is still in the stage of theoretical research at present. To address this issue and for the sake of engineering reliability, this article presents a logic threshold control scheme combining analogous model predictive control (AMPC) and proportional control. In addition, an experimental device for real-time measuring PEBS multi-dynamic parameters is built. After correcting the key parameters, the precise model is determined and the influence of switching solenoid valve on its dynamic response characteristics is studied. For the control scheme, numerical and physical validation is executed to demonstrate the feasibility of the strategy and for the performance of the controller design. The experimental results show that the dynamic model of PEBS can accurately reflect its pressure characteristics. Furthermore, under different air source pressures, the designed controller can stably control the pressure output of PEBS and ensure that the error is within 0.08 bar. Compared with the traditional control algorithm, the rapidity is improved by 32.5%.
School Gardens’ Impact on Students’ Health Outcomes in Low-Income Midwest Schools
Authors: Schultz Celeste , Rosen Alexander Emil
Published: February 2022

Childhood obesity in Chicago, particularly in underrepresented communities of color, exceeds that of national rates. Access to healthy foods in these communities is also often limited. A garden-based education program was implemented in Chicago’s South and West Side elementary, middle and high schools. Findings from this work augment the literature and illustrate that implementing gardens in elementary, middle, and high schools has a positive impact on availability, access, and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as students’ social emotional well-being. School nurses are in prime positions to advocate for students’ health and well-being by collaborating with community programs, and championing policy development. Rigorous studies are needed to better understand the long-term health and social benefits of having school gardens on the prevention of obesity, positive mental health outcomes, and economic benefits, while controlling for socio-economic status.
A Cross-Cultural Study of Organizational Work–Family Initiatives, Work Demands and Conflict, and Job-Related Outcomes among Working Parents across 24 Countries
Authors: Hsiao Hsinyi
Published: February 2022

To examine applicability of the work–family interface consisting of work–family initiatives, work demands, work–family conflict, and job-related outcomes developed in Western societies across countries with individualist and collectivist cultures, the present study used data collected by the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) in 2005 from 6878 parents in 24 countries through random sampling. Results from multigroup structural equation modeling analyses showed that parental work–family experiences are highly susceptible to cultural values and gender roles. These relationships among variables differed by gender across four groups ranging from high-individualism to high-collectivism. Fathers in highly individualist countries (e.g., Great Britain and the United States) were most affected by the work–family model, whereas mothers in highly collectivist countries (e.g., Mexico and the Philippines) were most influenced by the model. Findings of the present study highlight the importance of general and culture-specific practices for multinational organizations to help their employees address work–family issues.
Relationship Between Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio and Brain Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Hu Chunxiao , Wu Jing , Liu Yafeng , Zhou Jiawei , Wang Wenyang , Wang Xueqin , Guo Jianqiang , Wang Qingsen , Zhang Xin , Li Danting , Xie Jun , Ding Xuansheng , Xing Yingru , Hu Dong
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their risk of developing brain metastases after adjusting for confounding factors.

Methods

A retrospective observational study of the general data of patients with NSCLC diagnosed from January 2016 to December 2020. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the dominance ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for NLR and NSCLC brain metastases with subgroup analysis. Generalized summation models and smoothed curve fitting were used to identify whether there was a nonlinear relationship between them.

Results

In all 3 models, NLR levels were positively correlated with NSCLC brain metastasis (model 1: OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23, P = .025; model 2: OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.04-1.29, P = .007; model 3: OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.37, P = .006). Stratified analysis showed that this positive correlation was present in patients with adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and female patients (LUAD: OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.54, P = .002; female: OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.05-2.20, P = .026), while there was no significant correlation in patients with squamous carcinoma (LUSC) and male patients (LUSC: OR:0.76,95% CI:0.38- 1.53, P = .443; male: OR:1.13, 95% CI:0.95-1.33, P = .159).

Conclusion

This study showed that elevated levels of NLR were independently associated with an increased risk of developing brain metastases in patients with NSCLC, and that this correlation varied by TYPE and SEX, with a significant correlation in female patients and patients with LUAD.
Non-linear dynamic response of misaligned spline coupling: Theoretical modeling and experimental investigation
Authors: Xiao Li , Xu Yingqiang , Chen Zhiyong , Zhang Lan
Published: February 2022

Premature wear, fatigue and other failures caused by non-linear vibration are one of the key problems of aerodynamic power transmission in spline coupling which maybe suffer from abnormal meshing effects due to misalignment between internal spline and external spline. A non-linear dynamic model of the misaligned spline coupling is established, which involves the calculation of dynamic meshing behavior of misaligned tooth pairs. The movement state of spline coupling can change from a periodic state to a chaotic state with the increase of speed. Under light load, the main resonance speed of system may be modified due to changes in the load. The existence of misalignment promotes the vibration intensity, advances the main resonance speed and increases the instability of spline coupling. In addition, a test bench for the misalignment spline coupling was developed to measure the vibration acceleration signal, and the effect of the misalignment on the dynamic behavior of spline coupling was discussed.
Normal feline reproduction: The tom
Authors: Johnson Aime K
Published: February 2022

Practical relevance:

Understanding the normal reproductive anatomy and physiology of the male cat is important for successful breeding. Veterinarians may be called in to troubleshoot when fertility and pregnancy rates decrease in a cattery. By understanding the normal physical parameters, as well as breeding behavior, the veterinarian is better equipped to assess the infertility issue. Also, clients are increasingly requesting breeding soundness examinations prior to mating or purchase. Semen collection is more difficult in the cat than in the dog but can still be accomplished in a clinical setting and provides important information when confronted with breeding males.

Aim:

The aim of this review is to provide a practical overview of the breeding male. The reader will receive information on time of puberty, normal reproductive anatomy (both external and internal), and breeding management practices to optimize fertility. The most up-to-date semen collection techniques are discussed, as are sedation/anesthesia options. Also, historical literature on the basic anatomy of the male reproductive system is reviewed, such as how the penile spines work and when they appear; this information is specific to the cat.

Evidence base:

The information in this article is based on the author’s experience, as well as drawing on historical and current literature, and provides the most up-to-date review as possible.
Improving the fracture toughness of glass/epoxy laminates through intra-yarns hybridisation
Authors: Dalfi Hussein , Potluri P , Jan Khayale , Selver Erdem
Published: February 2022

Glass fibre reinforced composite laminates have shown poor interlaminar fracture toughness which makes them vulnerable to impact damages; hence, it is essential to improve their fracture toughness and understand the mechanisms of impact energy dissipation. In this study, polypropylene (PP) fibres are mixed with glass fibres at yarn-level hybridisation to enhance the interlaminar fracture toughness of glass/epoxy composite laminates. Composite laminates containing S-glass and hybrid yarns (S-glass and PP) have been manufactured with non-crimp cross-ply preforms using vacuum bagging process. The fracture resistance of laminates with S-glass fibres and hybrid yarns laminates have been evaluated using double cantilever beam (DCB) and end notch flexural (ENF) tests. In addition, the fracture surface analysis was conducted using Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). It has been noticed that the yarn-level hybridisation considerably enhanced the mode-I (DCB) and mode-II (ENF) fracture toughness of hybrid laminates compared to that of baseline samples. SEM micrographs of fracture surface illustrated that PP fibre/epoxy de-bonding followed by pull-out of fibre and bridging of fibre has been the effective mechanisms of toughening the hybrid laminates resulting into higher fracture resistance. The results demonstrated that the hybridisation of glass fibres with polypropylene fibres could potentially improve the delamination resistance with the improvement of impact damage tolerance of glass/epoxy laminates.
Taking sides: Translators and journalists in the Spanish civil war
Authors: Rodríguez-Espinosa Marcos
Published: February 2022

Soon after the uprising of General Franco in July 1936, the elite of international journalism turned its attention to the political undercurrents of the emerging Spanish Civil War, a historical period which would become a ‘golden age’ for foreign correspondents, and a conflict where women would for the first time play a leading role in global war reporting. Their battlefield accounts often reflect a biased understanding of the ideological confrontation of the two warring factions, referred to in Anglosaxon media as ‘Loyalists’ (Republicans) and ‘Nationalists’ (Francoists), whereas domestic reporters preferred the more categorical ‘rojos’ (reds) or ‘fascistas’ (fascists). For many foreign journalists, sending their chronicles back home meant paying a heavy toll, since correspondents were only allowed on the frontline when accredited and any journalist held prisoner could easily be mistaken for a spy. Drawing on a selection of historical, journalistic, media and translation studies research sources, as well as on a number of memoirs, personal accounts and biographies, in this article we discuss some up to now uncharted issues arising from the symbiotic connection between translation and journalism during the Spanish Civil War: (a) their lack of proficiency in Spanish and their unfamiliarity with the country made it necessary for many correspondents to rely on the assistance of interpreters, fixers, guides and press officers, recruited for their ideological commitment to the rebel military uprising or to the Republican Government; (b) the role of translation in the Press and Propaganda Offices set up by the incipient Nationalist government, the Spanish Republic and the Catalan and Basque autonomous governments; and (c) the complex relationship between foreign correspondents and translators working for the censorship departments set up by Francoist and Republican Press Offices in order to prevent journalists from revealing information which might undermine the morale of civilians or troops, and the international reception of the narratives they sought to disseminate abroad.
Comparison of peak expiratory Flow(PEF) and COPD assessment test (CAT) to assess COPD exacerbation requiring hospitalization: A prospective observational study
Authors: Cen Jie , Weng Lei
Published: February 2022

Background: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting in hospitalization is significantly associated with the increased morbidity and mortality, but there is a lack of an effective method to assess it. This study aimed to compare the ability of peak expiratory flow (PEF) and COPD assessment test (CAT) to assess COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Methods : A cohort of 110 patients with moderate to severe COPD was studied over a period of 12 months, and their daily morning PEFs and CAT scores were recorded throughout the study. Results : After 12 months of follow-up, 72 patients experienced 156 COPD exacerbations, 74 (47%) that resulted in hospitalization and 82 (53%) that did not result in hospitalization. Change in CAT score from baseline to exacerbation was significantly related to change in PEF and Spearman’s rho =0.375 (95% CI, 0.227 to 0.506; p < .001). Change in PEF and CAT score from baseline to hospitalized exacerbation was significantly larger than that from baseline to non-hospitalized exacerbation (p < .05). Multivariable analysis indicated that ΔPEF (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.16, p < .001) and ΔCAT (OR 1.64 95% CI 1.18–2.27, p = .003) were independently associated with risk of hospitalized exacerbation. ROC analysis indicated that the optimal cutoff value of ΔPEF for identifying hospitalized exacerbation was 49 L/min (27% from baseline), with a sensitivity and specificity of 82.7% and 76.7% (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.872 (95% CI 0.80–0.944, p < .05). The optimal cutoff value of ΔCAT score for identifying hospitalized exacerbation was 10.5 (63% from baseline), with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.3% and 77.4% [AUC]=0.763 (95% CI 0.67–0.857, p < .05). The AUC of ΔPEF and ΔCAT combined for the identification of hospitalized exacerbation was 0.900 (95% CI 0.841–0.959, p < .05), which was larger than that of ΔCAT or ΔPEF. Conclusions: ΔPEF and ΔCAT were independently associated with risk of hospitalized exacerbation. Compared with CAT, PEF was superior to identify hospitalized exacerbation. Identification via PEF and CAT combined is more effective than using PEF or CAT alone. These results help to assess the severity of COPD exacerbation and provide valuable information for clinical decision-making.
The Use of Re-Entry Devices Through Pedal Arterial Access in the Management of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Authors: Chen Winsor P. , Berman Scott S. , Rainwater Joel , Pacanowski John P. , Leon Luis R.
Published: February 2022

Infra-inguinal arterial chronic total occlusions remain a challenging scenario for the endovascular practitioner. Retrograde access has quickly become an essential tool in approaching such lesions, increasing the chances of crossing success. When antegrade and retrograde access techniques fail in achieving lesion crossing, re-entry devices have proven to be useful. Their use is however, somewhat limited by the size of the sheaths required to accommodate their passage. As newer and slimmer profiled sheaths become available, the possibilities of interventions available from minimally invasive approaches increases. We present 2 complex arterial revascularization cases that required intravascular ultrasound-based re-entry devices utilizing a pedal retrograde access.
An investigation into the measurement properties of the King-Devick Eye Tracking system
Authors: Hecimovich M. , King D. , Murphy M. , Koyama K.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Eye tracking has been gaining increasing attention as a possible assessment and monitoring tool for concussion. The King-Devick test (K-DT) was expanded to include an infrared video-oculography-based eye tracker (K-D ET). Therefore, the aim was to provide evidence on the reliability of the K-D ET system under an exercise condition.

Methods

Participants (N = 61; 26 male, 35 female; age range 19-25) were allocated to an exercise or sedentary group. Both groups completed a baseline K-D ET measurement and then either two 10-min exercise or sedentary interventions with repeated K-D ET measurements between interventions.

Results

The test-retest reliability of the K-D ET ranged from good to excellent for the different variables measured. The mean ± SD of the differences for the total number of saccades was 1.04 ± 4.01 and there was an observable difference (p = 0.005) in the trial number. There were no observable differences for the intervention (p = 0.768), gender (p = 0.121) and trial (p = 0.777) for average saccade’s velocity. The mean ± SD of the difference of the total fixations before and after intervention across both trials was 1.04 ± 3.63 and there was an observable difference in the trial number (p = 0.025). The mean ± SD of the differences for the Inter-Saccadic Interval and the fixation polyarea before and after intervention across both trials were 1.86 ± 22.99 msec and 0.51 ± 59.11 mm2 and no observable differences for the intervention, gender and trial.

Conclusion

The results provide evidence on the reliability of the K-D ET, and the eye-tracking components and demonstrate the relationship between completion time and other variables of the K-D ET system. This is vital as the use of the K-DT may be increasing and the combination of the K-DT and eye tracking as one single package highlights the need to specifically measure the reliability of this combined unit.
Do Beliefs in Christian Nationalism Predict Mental Health Problems? The Role of Religious (Non)Involvement
Authors: Upenieks Laura
Published: February 2022

An area that has received little attention in the stress process model of mental health is belief systems and values. A belief system that has been the focus of considerable recent research attention is Christian nationalism, an ideology that advocates a fusion of American civic life with a particular type of Christian identity and culture. Using nationally representative data from the United States (2017 Baylor Religion Survey), the author examines the extent to which Christian nationalist ideology represented a unique and independent influence on two mental health outcomes, depression and anxiety. The results suggest that stronger beliefs in Christian nationalism were associated with higher depression and anxiety, but the link between Christian nationalism and depression was significantly stronger for those with lower individual religiosity. The author discusses the implications of our findings and offer directions for future research.
Remaking Research Tools: Toward Transforming Systems of Inequality through Social Science Research
Authors: Moje Elizabeth Birr
Published: February 2022

This commentary takes up the question raised by Socius editor Adam Gamoran regarding the role of social scientists in reducing inequalities. Gamoran asks, “Can we make changes to existing practices or do we need radical reconstruction?” In considering Gamoran’s question and two springboard articles published in the special collection, the author considers three questions: First, does the field truly understand enough about the causes of inequalities to be sure that the solutions generated are appropriate? Second, what does it mean to assess the feasibility of solutions within a system that operates on the assumption that inequalities are part and parcel of its economic and social systems? Finally, how do social scientists think about the power of their research to make transformational change, when current strategies operate inside existing systems of power and inequality? After musing on these questions, the author offer a few suggestions for remaking our research to foster systems transformation.
Anemia in the pediatric patient
Authors: Gallagher Patrick G.
Published: February 2022

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately a quarter of the world’s population suffers from anemia, including almost half of preschool-age children. Globally, iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of anemia. Other important causes of anemia in children are hemoglobinopathies, infection, and other chronic diseases. Anemia is associated with increased morbidity, including neurologic complications, increased risk of low birth weight, infection, and heart failure, as well as increased mortality. When approaching a child with anemia, detailed historical information, particularly diet, environmental exposures, and family history, often yield important clues to the diagnosis. Dysmorphic features on physical examination may indicate syndromic causes of anemia. Diagnostic testing involves a stepwise approach utilizing various laboratory techniques. The increasing availability of genetic testing is providing new mechanistic insights into inherited anemias and allowing diagnosis in many previously undiagnosed cases. Population-based approaches are being taken to address nutritional anemias. Novel pharmacologic agents and advances in gene therapy-based therapeutics have the potential to ameliorate anemia-associated disease and provide treatment strategies even in the most difficult and complex cases.
HEATR3 variants impair nuclear import of uL18 (RPL5) and drive Diamond-Blackfan anemia
Authors: O’Donohue Marie-Françoise , Da Costa Lydie , Lezzerini Marco , Unal Sule , Joret Clément , Bartels Marije , Brilstra Eva , Scheijde-Vermeulen Marijn , Wacheul Ludivine , De Keersmaecker Kim , Vereecke Stijn , Labarque Veerle , Saby Manon , Lefevre Sophie D. , Platon Jessica , Montel-Lehry Nathalie , Laugero Nathalie , Lacazette Eric , van Gassen Koen , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Simsek-Kiper Pelin Ozlem , Leblanc Thierry , Yarali Nese , Cetinkaya Arda , Akarsu Nurten A. , Gleizes Pierre-Emmanuel , Lafontaine Denis L. J. , MacInnes Alyson W.
Published: February 2022

The congenital bone marrow failure syndrome Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is typically associated with variants in ribosomal protein (RP) genes impairing erythroid cell development. Here we report multiple individuals with biallelic HEATR3 variants exhibiting bone marrow failure, short stature, facial and acromelic dysmorphic features, and intellectual disability. These variants destabilize a protein whose yeast homolog is known to synchronize the nuclear import of RPs uL5 (RPL11) and uL18 (RPL5), which are both critical for producing ribosomal subunits and for stabilizing the p53 tumor suppressor when ribosome biogenesis is compromised. Expression of HEATR3 variants or repression of HEATR3 expression in primary cells, cell lines of various origins, and yeast models impairs growth, differentiation, pre–ribosomal RNA processing, and ribosomal subunit formation reminiscent of DBA models of large subunit RP gene variants. Consistent with a role of HEATR3 in RP import, HEATR3-depleted cells or patient-derived fibroblasts display reduced nuclear accumulation of uL18. Hematopoietic progenitor cells expressing HEATR3 variants or small-hairpin RNAs knocking down HEATR3 synthesis reveal abnormal acceleration of erythrocyte maturation coupled to severe proliferation defects that are independent of p53 activation. Our study uncovers a new pathophysiological mechanism leading to DBA driven by biallelic HEATR3 variants and the destabilization of a nuclear import protein important for ribosome biogenesis.
The transcriptomic responses of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) to acute hypoxia stress alone, and in combination with bortezomib
Authors: Zhao Shan-Shan , Su Xiao-Lei , Pan Rong-Jia , Lu Li-Qun , Zheng Guo-Dong , Zou Shu-Ming
Published: February 2022

Background

Blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) is sensitive to hypoxia. A new blunt snout bream strain, “Pujiang No.2”, was developed to overcome this shortcoming. As a proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib (PS-341) has been shown to affect the adaptation of cells to a hypoxic environment. In the present study, bortezomib was used to explore the hypoxia adaptation mechanism of “Pujiang No.2”. We examined how acute hypoxia alone (hypoxia-treated, HN: 1.0 mg·L− 1), and in combination with bortezomib (hypoxia-bortezomib-treated, HB: Use 1 mg bortezomib for 1 kg fish), impacted the hepatic ultrastructure and transcriptome expression compared to control fish (normoxia-treated, NN).

Results

Hypoxia tolerance was significantly decreased in the bortezomib-treated group (LOEcrit, loss of equilibrium, 1.11 mg·L− 1 and 1.32 mg·L− 1) compared to the control group (LOEcrit, 0.73 mg·L− 1 and 0.85 mg·L− 1). The HB group had more severe liver injury than the HN group. Specifically, the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the HB group (52.16 U/gprot, 32 U/gprot) were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those in the HN group (32.85 U/gprot, 21. 68 U/gprot). In addition, more severe liver damage such as vacuoles, nuclear atrophy, and nuclear lysis were observed in the HB group. RNA-seq was performed on livers from the HN, HB and NN groups. KEGG pathway analysis disclosed that many DEGs (differently expressed genes) were enriched in the HIF-1, FOXO, MAPK, PI3K-Akt and AMPK signaling pathway and their downstream.

Conclusion

We explored the adaptation mechanism of “Pujiang No.2” to hypoxia stress by using bortezomib, and combined with transcriptome analysis, accurately captured the genes related to hypoxia tolerance advantage.