bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phyto-Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Applications of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) Using Toxicosis Mediated Plant Nicotiana glauca Graham
Authors: Ghramh Hamed A. , Ahmed Zubair , Ibrahim Essam H. , Khan Khalid A. , Khan Farhat S. , Al-Solami Habeeb Mansour A. , Shkir Mohd.
Published: May 2020

Nanotechnology is a newer branch of material science that thrives in the interdisciplinary fields including biomedical, therapeutics, diagnostics etc. Among the metallic nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in particular are known for their versatile biological applications in
several scientific fields in general and specifically the biomedical field. The current article accounts for an environmentally safe method for AuNPs synthesis using the chloroauric acid and ethanolic leaf extract of Nicotiana glauca (NG), for the first time. Various analytical techniques
identified properties of synthesized AuNP to include UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-Transform Infrared Radiation (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology. The average diameter of synthesized AuNP was about 100 nm. Antimicrobial activity of AuNPs was investigated
on Grampositive ( Staphylococcus aureus ), Gram-negative (Escherichia coli , Proteus mirabilis, and Shigella flexneri) and fungi (Candida albicans) using well diffusion method. Cytotoxic action on Hela/HepG2 tumor cell lines and normal rat splenic cells were tested through cell
viability. Furthermore, Larvicidal toxicity was performed on 4th instar larvae of Culex pipens . NG extract (NGEx) alone exerted significantly lower (6–7 mm) antimicrobial activity than that of NG extract with AuNPs (14–15 mm). Cytotoxicity screening revealed that both preparations
were growth inhibitory on both cell lines and splenic cells. For larvicidal properties, the extract and gold nanoparticles (NGExAu) showed larvicidal effect against 4th instar larvae of Culex pipiens. NGExAu was more lethal (LC50 = 164.4072 ppm; LC90 = 613.366
ppm) against Cx. pipiens under exposure for 24 h with lesser lethal content com- pared to NGEx of only (LC50 = 752.865 ppm; LC90 = 4455.726 ppm).
MiR-302a-3p, Sponged by HOXA-AS2, Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Invasion in Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Pan Xueqin , Ma Dongchun
Published: May 2020

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers with a poor survival rate and high mortality worldwide. MiRNAs have been evaluated as crucial regulators of human gene expression, and exerted vital role involved in cancer progression. MiR-302a-3p was aberrant expressed in cancers
that include pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular cancer, but its biological role in lung cancer remains elusive. This study aimed to discover the role and potential mechanism of miR-302a-3p in lung cancer. The lung cancer cell line with the highest expression of miR-302a-3p was selected,
which was then subjected to transfection of miR-302a-3p mimic. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to detect gene expression. Western blot assay was performed to determine corresponding genes that related to cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion. Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay, flow cytometry
analysis, wound healing and Transwell assay were performed to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was carried out to identify the targeting relationship of miR-302-3p and HOXA-AS2. MiR-302a-3p was downregulated in lung cancer
cells, and overexpression of miR-302a-3p significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and promoted cell apoptosis. HOXA-AS2 was a direct target of miR-302a-3p and was regulated by miR-302a-3p. HOXA-AS2 was upregulated in lung cancer cells. Upregulated HOXA-AS2 could reverse
the effect that overexpression of miR-302a-3p caused on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Overall, miR-302a-3p exhibited anti-oncogenic activity by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoting cell apoptosis in lung cancer by targeting HOXA-AS2,
disclosing the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-302a-3p, which provided a promising therapeutic target for the clinical application of lung cancer treatment.
Surface Modification of 3D-Poly(glycerol-sebacate)/ Poly(L-lactic-acid) Porous Scaffolds by Oxygen Plasma Enhances Proliferation and Differentiation of Goat Temporomandibular Joint Disc Cells
Authors: Cao Tiandong , Dong Fangrui , Zhang Pengfei , Liu Jingying , Xing Zhe , Bao Guangjie , Kang Hong
Published: May 2020

3D poly(glycerol-sebacate)/poly(L-lactic-acid) (PGS/PLLA) scaffolds, produced by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method were treated with oxygen plasma in order to reduce the hydrophobicity of the PGS/PLLA membranes. After the oxygen plasma treatment, the pore size of scaffolds
became uniform as well as an increasing in the roughness of the surface. No influence on chemical characteristics such as composition and bond types of PLLA was detected after the treatment. However, the change in the ratio of the scaffold elements before and after the oxygen plasma treatment
was detected. Oxygen plasma treatment reduced the average of water contact angle of the TIPS film from 103.7± 10.1 to 64.7± 12.6 at the maximum exposure time (970 s) and power (100 W). The results showed that the goat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cells attached well to the surface
of the oxygen plasma modified scaffold. Furthermore, this modification significantly enhanced cell viability, increased cell proliferation and expression of related genes (Collagen type I mRNA and Collagen type II mRNA). The results demonstrated that it is a promising modification method to
promote applications of PGS/PLLA based scaffolds to the regeneration of TMJ discs.
Secure Data Storage in Cloud System Using Modern Cryptography
Authors: Sathya V. , Shiny A. , Sajid Hussain S. , Gauda Ashutosh
Published: May 2020

Cloud computing is the movement of enlisting computing services like organization servers, accumulating databases, arranging, programming examination over the Internet. Companies offering these computing services are known as cloud providers and typically charge for cloud computing
services based on usage, similar to how you are billed for water or electricity at home. It enables the companies to consume a compute resource, such as a Virtual Machine (VM), storage or an application, as a utility—just like electricity—rather than building and maintaining large
computing materials in the house. Though servers are greatly protected against unauthorized access, there are incidents where classified data stored on servers are accessed by the maintenance staffs. So, the security plays a major role in cloud storage as when the user stores the data in the
cloud, it stays there and anybody accessing it cannot be known at all. Hence, this paper mainly deals with the idea of storing data securely in the cloud using Symmetric and Asymmetric Cryptography algorithms including AES, 3DES, Blowfish, RSA along with modern Steganography LSB algorithm
for wireless communication which hides the key inside the cover image.
Comparison of Mamdani and Sugeno Inference Methods in Calorie Burn Calculation for Activity Using Treadmill
Authors: Subramaniam Prabhakar Rontala , Venugopal Chitra
Published: May 2020

This research provides a comparison between the performance of Mamdani and Sugeno Fuzzy Inference System in Calorie Burn calculation for treadmill workout exercise. The results are compared against the calculation calorie burn value using traditional formula. The objective of this results
to get a system which provides calorie burn results closer to the traditionally calculated value. The Mamdani and Sugeno systems are designed with two input membership functions namely Incline and Speed and one output membership function called Calorie Burn as used in the traditional calculation
method. The fuzzy rule table is designed using 7 Membership function for Incline and speed inputs and 9 Membership function for calorie burn output. The Mamdani and Sugeno system are tested with the same fuzzy rules for better comparison. The results are tabulated with theoretical values compared
with Mamdani and Sugeno system for 5 incline levels and 7 speed levels. It can be observed that the Sugeno system results are closer to the traditional calculation results. This is shows that the sugeno system works better than Mamdani system for linear system. Also it depicts the calculated
values and hence it can be used as a replacement for tedious mathematical analysis.
An Integrated Process Based Natural Language Processing System
Authors: James Praveen Edward , Kit Mun Hou , Vaithilingam Chockalingam Aravind , Wee Chiat Alan Tan
Published: May 2020

Natural Language Processing (NLP) systems involve Natural Language Understanding (NLU), Dialogue Management (DM) and Natural Language Generation (NLG). The purpose of this work involves integrating learning with examples and rule-based processing to design an NLP system. The design
involves a three-stage processing framework, which combines syntactic generation, semantic extraction and a strong rule-based control. The syntactic generator generates syntax by aligning sentences with Part-of-Speech (POS) tags limited by the number of words in the lexicon. The semantic extractor
extracts meaningful keywords from the queries raised. The above two modules are controlled by generalized rules by the rule-based controller module. The system is evaluated under different domains. The results reveal that the accuracy of the system is 92.33% on an average. The design process
is simple, and the processing time is 2.12 seconds, which is minimal compared to similar statistical models. The performance of an NLP tool in a certain task can be estimated by the quality of its predictions on the classification of unseen data. The results reveal similar performance with
existing systems indicating the possibility of usage for similar tasks. The system supports a vocabulary of about 700 words and can be used as an NLP module in a spoken dialogue system for various domains or task areas.
Evaluation of Content Based Image Retrieval Technique Using an Efficient Hybrid Model
Authors: Muthiah M. A. , Mathan N. , Logashanmugam E.
Published: May 2020

Due to vast enhancement in the field of visual technology, there are various sets of images. In order to reduce the complexity in retrieval of relevant images CBIR (Content Based Image Retrieval) technique can be used. CBIR using only color feature does not result in required output.
So in this paper we introduced the concept of hybrid model which deals with color, texture along with shape features which gives an efficient output. A set of images are used to test the accuracy and the precision of each methods. Using Euclidean distance and Manhattan distance, similarity
between query image and all the other images in database are calculated. Then the calculated distance values are arranged in ascending order. Based on this required images are retrieved. Experiment results shows that Hybrid model method had high accuracy and precise output compared to Color
Histogram. Future work will be made to add one more feature (shape features) in order to get better results.
Health Monitoring and Alert Systems Using Internet of Things
Authors: Rekha P. , Pushpalatha V. , Praveen Kumar S.
Published: May 2020

We are presenting a platform where considering the human life can be saved by giving quick response time which enables the caretakers and doctor can be know about patients health and various parameters if it falls below certain threshold range. In the analysis of the experiment we came
to know if the patients health were in crucial situations its impossible to intimate to their beloved ones. By intimating through messages or through automated voice we can able to alert them. This could be done by their smart phone consisting of GSM to intimate to the caretakers even if the
patients are in any range. The patients e-health is also noticed if they are in any hospitals and by viewing that they can able to revive the patients health as soon as possible. This was done by fitting the various sensors in physical contact with the patients body like chest, wrist. This
can able to design in the fashion accessories and nothing to be consider as prestige. This can be developed in MEMs and we can able to design that in smaller and less battery consumption devices and it can able to operate for long time. This experiment not only ensure to diagnose but also
to advice about the patients parameters to maintain in the safe section by regular exercise and diet. Finally this can be implemented all over the entire world to take the world in to peaceful and save environment.
Design of New Reconfigurable Architecture for Implementing a Least Mean Square Finite Impulse Response Filter Using Borrow Select Subtraction (BSLS)
Authors: Mukunthan P. , Sendhilkumar N. C. , Pitchai R.
Published: May 2020

A design of reconfigurable architecture of FIR filter has been implemented using a Least Mean Square (LMS) adaptive filter. LMS adaptive filter is mainly sued for reducing the coefficients of the filter. Generally, a LMS filter contains normal adder, subtractor, mixer and a delay part.
Most of the concepts deal with an adder namely Full Adder (FA), Ripple Carry Adder (RCA), Carry Select Adder (CSLA), etc., Instead of using CSLA; Borrow Select Subtractor (BSLS) is used in LMS filter architecture. By using BSLA LMS adaptive filter in a reconfigurable FIR filter architecture
in the proposed scheme, the area, power and delay will be reduced. The proposed scheme achieves better performance when compared to an existing scheme. The proposed method is implemented in ModelSim tool and efficiency has been calculated by using the device Virtex 6 Low Power in Xilinx ISE
Design Suite 12.4.
Thermal Conductivity of Graphene on Nanostructure Size from Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Wei Xianqi , Li Zelin , Lu Junchen , Xu Shunlong , Zhu Yuancheng , Shi Linxing , Huang Zengguang , Lu Guoqing , Wang Xiaoli
Published: May 2020

Thermal transport of graphene occupies a unique place in thermal management of electronic devices, especially for nanosize devices with high-density integration and high dissipated power. The structure of graphene on nanometer scale changes its thermal conductance. Here, the thermal
characters of graphene have been researched by nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation (NEMDS) at room temperature. Special attention is focused on the edge type (zigzag or armchair) and nanostructure size dependence of conductivity for heat. The consequences suggest that the thermal
conductivity of zigzag edge has been higher than that of armchair, which is because of the higher phonon group velocities. Furthermore, thermal conductivity shows a rising tendency, when the model is calculated from length of 21.84 nm to 43.78 nm. The result indicates that the thermal property
performs a strong dependence on nanostructure size which is less than phonon mean free path (775 nm). Our research highlights the significance of structure attribute relationships together with providing useful guideline in calculations for nanosize devices thermal management.
Raman Spectroscopy Allows for the Determination of Elephant Ivory Age
Authors: Sharikova Anna , Peerzada Lubna , Pisila Kai , Khoo Tine Chean , Cherkinsky Alexander , Khmaladze Alexander
Published: May 2020

Determination of the age of ivory is important for controlling illegal trafficking and the proper identification of ivory artifacts. Radiocarbon dating is the standard method of determining the age of ivories; however, it requires the destruction of a fragment of the sample. Raman spectroscopy is a nondestructive technique, and therefore can be used on artwork. Moreover, Raman measurements can be done using a portable system, and the data analysis can be performed on the spot once the groundwork is done. Ivories contain two primary components: collagen and bioapatite. Raman spectrum of ivory material is mainly a sum of the vibrational bands of these components. As collagen deteriorates with time, its Raman signal decreases; therefore, the ratio of collagen to bioapatite peaks is smaller in the older samples compared to the younger ones, providing a basis for sample dating. We have compared the results of Raman and radiocarbon measurements applied to a set of elephant ivory fragments and have successfully calibrated the Raman data set using radiocarbon measurements. We found that the Raman collagen to bioapatite peak ratios of the samples can be used as a metric to determine their age, providing a nondestructive technique to assess the age of ivory samples. We have also used singular value decomposition (SVD) to analyze the whole Raman spectra. We have observed clear separation between samples of different ages in the SVD component space. The samples also tended to align along the timeline diagonal in the correct order. The changes in multiple collagen and bioapatite peaks contribute to the differences in Raman spectra of ivory samples of different age.
Barriers to mental health care for Australian children and adolescents in 1998 and 2013–2014
Authors: Schnyder Nina , Sawyer Michael G , Lawrence David , Panczak Radoslaw , Burgess Philip , Harris Meredith G
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To assess changes in barriers to mental health care for children and adolescents over 16 years.

Methods:

We used data from two nationally representative surveys of Australian children and adolescents (4–17 years old), conducted in 1998 ( N = 4509) and 2013–2014 ( N = 6310). Barriers to care were assessed among parents who had reported a perceived partially met or unmet need for their child in the past 6 months in 1998, and the past 12 months in 2013–2014; barriers were similarly assessed among adolescents in relation to themselves. We addressed measurement inconsistencies between surveys by harmonising barriers to accommodate differences in wording and performing sensitivity analyses among those with a 1-month disorder to equalise the timeframes in which barriers were assessed. To assess change, we examined whether the rank order of the three most commonly endorsed barriers changed and whether the 95% confidence intervals (CI) around their estimates overlapped.

Results:

Similar proportions of parents reported a partially met or unmet need in 1998 (12.9%, 95% CI = [11.7, 14.0]) as in 2013–2014 (14.3%, 95% CI = [13.2, 15.3]), but the ratio of unmet to partially met need decreased from 3:1 in 1998 to 1:1 in 2013–2014. Top three parent-endorsed barriers (‘self-reliance’, ‘unsure where to get help’, and ‘cost’) were the same at both time points; ‘self-reliance’ decreased from 65.9% (95% CI = [61.1%, 70.7%]) to 34.9% (95% CI = [31.5%, 38.3%]). Top two adolescent-endorsed barriers (‘self-reliance’ and ‘concerned what others might think’) were the same at both time points, the third differed, but none of them decreased.

Conclusion:

Perceived unmet need for mental health care for children and adolescents may have decreased between 1998 and 2013–2014, but the gap in receiving sufficient care may have increased. Despite investments in community awareness and treatment during this period, key barriers seemed largely unchanged. For parents, the decrease in self-reliance may reflect a positive shift in beliefs about the potential benefits of treatment.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy as a Tool to Prevent Burnout in Medical Trainees
Authors: Shaniuk Paul M.
Published: May 2020

Burnout is highly prevalent among physicians and is associated with negative patient outcomes. Furthermore, medical training is a particularly vulnerable time as studies show that medical students, residents, and fellows experience burnout and emotional exhaustion at higher rates than both the general population and physicians in practice. Multiple recent studies have demonstrated the practice of religion and spirituality to be protective against burnout in trainees. Can Catholic academic physicians transfer these protective benefits of religion and spirituality to their trainees, who are at the highest risk, and who may or may not share their faith? An ancient Catholic tradition, the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy, may hold the key. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are listed by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops as Counseling the Doubtful, Instructing the Ignorant, Admonishing the Sinner, Comforting the Sorrowful, Forgiving Injuries, Bearing Wrongs Patiently, and Praying for the Living and the Dead. Using this as a framework, examples of evidenced-based actions from the literature that have been shown to either prevent burnout or to improve the day-to-day experience of medical trainees were discussed. Examples include encouraging trainees to express doubts or to debrief after difficult and saddening cases. Academic physicians can provide instruction, feedback, or admonishment; demonstrate forgiveness of errors; and model the way in bearing wrongs patiently, all while uplifting their trainees in prayer. The Spiritual Works of Mercy can thus become a framework for academic physicians to uplift their trainees’ spirits and potentially prevent against burnout.

Burnout is highly prevalent in medical students and in doctors during their residency or fellowship training, but multiple studies have shown regular practice of religion and spirituality to be protective against burnout. The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy (Counsel the Doubtful, Instruct the Ignorant, Admonish the Sinner, Comfort the Sorrowful, Forgive All Injuries, Bear Wrongs Patiently and Pray for the Living and the Dead) provide a framework of powerful examples for teaching physicians, particularly Catholic teaching physicians, to uplift their students and potentially transfer this benefit to reduce their students’ risk for burnout.
The Prognostic Value of Preoperative Plasma Fibrinogen and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Cai Hao , Zhang Zi-Heng , Zhou Yu-Jie , Liu Ji , Chen Huan-Qi , Lin Ren-Yu
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

Treatment effects in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma may vary significantly even among those with the same TNM stage. Routine preoperative blood and coagulation tests are economical and easily available hematological indicators. This study aimed to investigate the clinical predictive significance of pretreatment evaluation of plasma fibrinogen (FIB) level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods:

Clinicopathological and demographic data from 203 patients who underwent surgery for laryngeal carcinoma were collected and analyzed. The optimal cutoff values for FIB, NLR, and PLR were determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to study the relationship between blood markers and patient survival.

Results:

The optimal cutoff values for FIB, NLR, and PLR were 3.05 g/L, 2.41, and 110.94, respectively. Preoperative hyperfibrinemia (FIB >3.05 g/L) was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. An NLR >2.41 was associated with reduced OS in patients with laryngeal carcinoma, while PLR >110.94 had no effect on prognosis in these patients.

Conclusions:

Fibrinogen and NLR were valuable markers in predicting survival in patients with laryngeal carcinoma and may be used to inform clinicians in designing individual treatment strategies.
Summer Programs for the Gifted: Keys to Future Teacher Training?
Authors: Hershey Myrliss , Hall Holton
Published: May 2020

Summer practica in gifted child education were sponsored by the special education component of Kansas State University at six public school locations in Kansas. The daily logs of students and teacher trainees were used as the primary resource for an evaluative summary of the program. Guidelines which set the parameters, requirements and tone of the practica are outlined and interpreted.
Children's Thoughts about the Future: A Comparison of Gifted and Non-Gifted Students
Authors: George Pamela G. , Gallagher James J.
Published: May 2020

In this study, children of both gifted and average ability levels confirmed that they are capable of reflecting on future occurrences, of assessing the probability of positive or negative outcomes, and of identifying implications of those future occurrences.

This study compared positive versus negative attitudes of gifted and average children toward the future and found that gifted children identified themselves to be more pessimistic toward the future and were shown to respond more negatively to future issues of pollution, schools, and crime.

Additionally, in analyzing responses to a call for implications of hypothetical future happenings, gifted children produced significantly more solution-oriented responses. No differences were seen between gifted and average students in the number of problem-oriented responses.

Implications of these findings are discussed with regard to the developing of curricula and the teaching of gifted children in the schools.
Survey of Provisions for Gifted Children in Illinois: A Summary Paper
Authors: Avery Linda Diane , Bartolini Leandro
Published: May 2020

In order to ascertain the nature and extent of services being offered to gifted students and to improve planning for more effective utilization of state resources, the Gifted Programs Section of the Illinois Office of Education initiated a statewide survey of programs for gifted students in the fall of 1977. The survey was designed to collect information (from locally sponsored gifted programs as well as those funded with state monies) on inservice training, identification, instructional programs, program administration, and parent organizations across the state.
Adjustment of the Gifted Child
Authors: Leaverton Lloyd , Herzog Steve
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to obtain information regarding the overall adjustment of highly gifted children attending the Chicago public schools and to determine the extent to which this school system is meeting their unique needs. Children included in the study scored 140 or above on a standardized intelligence test administered on a city-wide basis.

Data were gathered through school records and a standardized measure of self-concept. Findings and conclusions are as follows: 1) Gifted students are not, as many interpret from Terman's research, necessarily better adjusted than the child with average abilities. 2) The fact that our group of 113 exceptionally bright children ranked at the 25th percentile on Social Confidence and 32nd percentile on Self Acceptance would indicate that these children are in need of counseling to help them reach an adequate social and emotional adjustment. Yet only 13 had been seen by the school psychologist (essentially for testing purposes only), and only 6 had been referred for social work services.
Will You Come and Join the Dance: An Invitation to Gifted Writers
Authors: Dearborn Patricia
Published: May 2020

Will You Come and Join the Dance is directed primarily at creative writing teachers of gifted students grades three through twelve. The article explores use of the personal journal as a means for capturing creative visual images and describing those images through the written word. Given particular attention is the need for stimulating the five senses of sight, smell, taste, sound, and touch in student writing. The author believes gifted students move into Piaget's stage of formal operations faster than other students and have a tendency to discard sensory or concrete objects in their writing in favor of ideas. Specific activities are described in each sensory area for practice in making writing come alive with sensory images. Finally, the author asks teachers of gifted writers to get their students involved in experiencing life to its fullest. Their writing will be more genuine if they “come and join the dance.”
Competencies for Teachers of Gifted and Talented Children
Authors: Seeley Kenneth R.
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine competency areas for training teachers of gifted and talented children. Thirty colleges and universities in the United States which offered such training were surveyed to comment on state certification issues and to rate competency areas as to their respective value as standards. Also a sample of principals and teachers who work with gifted programs in Colorado was surveyed using the same instrument. The survey resulted in a set of recommendations for state certification and list of competencies individually rated by the three respondent groups.
Construct Validity of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale
Authors: Mourad Salah A. , Torrance E. Paul
Published: May 2020

The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) was administered to 684 gifted students randomly selected from 1500 students enrolled in the Future Problem Solving for Gifted/Talented students. Teachers rated 569 gifted students on a Teacher Rating Scale (TRS) for students' abilities, skills, and motivations required for self directed learning. A principal component analysis of the SDLRS resulted in eight factors. These factors were labeled: attitude toward and joy of learning; self-confidence in abilities and skills for learning; complexity, adventure, and independence in learning; attraction to new and unusual situations; internal control; self-understanding; and responsibility for own learning. Another principal component analysis for the TRS resulted in one factor. The TRS total scores were correlated with the estimated eight SDLRS scores (using unit weights). Significant relationships were found between TRS scores and the first seven and total SDLRS scores. These results give some support for the validity of the SDLRS.
Conflict and Compromise: A Simulation Game
Authors: Rossi John , Digenakis Paula
Published: May 2020

The game involves three factions, government, business and labor, who have to come to agreement on questions on contracts and environmental controls. The game can be played on many levels so that the depth of understanding of the student is taken into consideration.
Divergent Thinking Abilities as a Function of Daydreaming Frequency
Authors: Kanter Steve
Published: May 2020

One hundred seventy-four subjects were tested to determine the relationship between daydreaming frequency and different measures of creativity. Daydreaming frequency was determined by self-report method and creativity was measured by a figural form of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. A Goodenough-Harris test was used to control for the effect of IQ. The frequent daydreaming group was found to be significantly less fluent than the general population. Creativity scores tabulated on a per-response basis demonstrated total figural creativity, originality, and elaboration positively related and title originality negatively related to daydreaming frequency. These results suggest that frequent daydreamers are slow in response production, weak in verbal creativity, but gifted in visual creative abilities.
Notes From the Field: Vape Shop Business Operations Compliance in the Wake of COVID-19
Authors: Medel Donna , Meza Leah , Galimov Artur , Baezconde-Garbanati Lourdes , Sussman Steve
Published: May 2020

The novel 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the closing of all but essential businesses in California. However, several nonessential businesses have remained open in Southern California despite the mandated “stay at home” order issued by the governor. As part of an ongoing vape shop project involving 88 participating shops, this study investigated the number of vape shops that remained open amidst the coronavirus outbreak and related mandates. Examination of shop social media websites and telephone calls to shops revealed that 61.4% ( n = 54) have remained open, particularly within Korean/Asian and Hispanic/Latino ethnic locations (32 of the 54 shops). Importantly, walk-in service was much higher within Hispanic/Latino locations compared to African American, Korean/Asian, or non-Hispanic White neighborhoods ( p = 0.03). It is not known if shops that stayed open were in direct violation of the order, didn’t know all the details of the order, or found a loophole in the order and believed that they were an essential business. Better communication between the vape shop industry and public health officials during this pandemic is needed.
Effects of combined physical and cognitive training on fall prevention and risk reduction in older persons with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Lipardo Donald S , Tsang William WN
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of combined physical and cognitive training on fall rate and risks of falling in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Design:

The design of this study was an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

The setting for this study is the community from Manila, Philippines.

Subjects:

In total, 92 community-dwelling older persons with mild cognitive impairment (aged 60–83) were randomly allocated to three intervention groups and one waitlist control group.

Interventions:

The physical training, cognitive training, and combined physical and cognitive training intervention programs were delivered for 60 to 90 minutes, one to three times per week for 12 weeks with six-month follow-up.

Main measures:

Participants were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks after baseline, and 36 weeks after baseline for fall incidence, overall fall risk, dynamic balance, walking speed, and lower limb strength.

Results:

No significant difference was observed across time and groups on fall incidence rate at 12 weeks ( P = 0.152) and at 36 weeks ( P = 0.954). The groups did not statistically differ in other measures except for a significant improvement in dynamic balance based on Timed Up and Go Test in the combined physical and cognitive training group (9.0 seconds with P = 0.001) and in the cognitive training alone group (8.6 seconds with P = 0.012) compared to waitlist group (11.1 seconds) at 36 weeks.

Conclusion:

There was no significant difference among groups on fall rate and risks of falling post-intervention. Dynamic balance was improved with combined physical and cognitive training and cognitive training alone. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to establish whether or not the interventions are effective.
Imaging appearance of post-arthroscopic radiocarpal chondrolysis: comparison with osteoarthritis associated with scapholunate dissociation
Authors: Shim Euddeum , Kim Baek Hyun , Choi In Young , Hong Suk-Joo , Kang Chang Ho , Ahn Kyung-Sik
Published: May 2020

Background

Since the diagnosis of post-arthroscopic chondrolysis is very difficult, it can be underdiagnosed and confused with other diseases in clinical practice.

Purpose

To propose imaging features of post-arthroscopic radiocarpal chondrolysis (PRCC) and to compare these with osteoarthritis associated with scapholunate dissociation which are the most common misdiagnoses of PRCC.

Material and Methods

To identify missed diagnoses of PRCC, 994 magnetic resonance imaging scans performed in 910 patients were retrospectively reviewed. After the identification of 73 patients who exhibited significant radiocarpal cartilage loss, 11 were diagnosed with PRCC. Since scapholunate advanced collapse was the most common incorrect diagnosis of PRCC (4/11), the imaging findings were compared among the 11 patients with PRCC and 14 patients with osteoarthritis caused by scapholunate dissociation who were diagnosed in the same period. The following imaging features were evaluated: scapholunate dissociation; the center of disease and grade of radiocarpal joint destruction; characteristics of bone marrow edema; the presence of radial styloid and distal scaphoid osteophytes; and the extent of joint effusion and synovitis.

Results

The imaging diagnosis of PRCC was significantly differentiated from osteoarthritis associated with scapholunate dissociation based on occurrence at a younger age, bone marrow edema crossing the joint, center of disease in the proximal radioscaphoid joint, and absence of radial styloid and scaphoid osteophytes ( P < 0.05). PRCC occasionally presented with arch-shape bone marrow edema based on the proximal carpal row.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of PRCC can be aided if its characteristic imaging findings are differentiated from other disease entities in patients with a history of arthroscopy.
Optimal Operational Strategies for Multiple Bus Lines Considering Passengers’ Preferences
Authors: Tang Chunyan , Ceder Avishai , Ge Ying-En , Wu Na
Published: May 2020

A public transit system with multiple fixed bus lines faces non-uniform fluctuating passenger demand, both spatial and temporal. This non-uniformity warrants the use of public transit operational strategies to achieve efficiency. This study proposes a methodology for optimizing the operational integration of multiple bus lines to address the spatial non-uniformity of passenger demand by applying five operational strategies: full-route operation, short turn, limited stop, deadheading, and a mixture of either two or three of the latter three strategies. The operational strategies to be developed improve the efficiency of bus lines and accommodate the observed passenger demand in the most favorable manner, that is, through the consideration of passengers’ preferences with the objective of the minimum resulting cost. The methodology is first applied to a sample problem, and then to a real-life case study of multiple bus lines in Dalian, China. The results obtained demonstrate that the effectiveness of combined strategies is higher than that of any single strategy. In the real-life bus line case, a combination of strategies without considering deadheading trips saves four vehicles in comparison with the full-route operation scenario. The anticipated number of vehicles is further reduced by three by the introduction of the deadheading trip strategy, resulting in greater public transit system efficiency.
Snares or Turning Points? Examining the Relevance of Fatherhood Entry Timing and Number of Children for Offending in Adulthood
Authors: Wojciechowski Thomas W.
Published: May 2020

Past research on desistance from offending has indicated the importance of both turning points and snares in the life course. Despite similarities, there has been little effort to reconcile the intertwined nature of these two concepts. The present study seeks to provide understanding of how the timing of entering fatherhood and the number of children that a father sires in adolescence influences offending in early adulthood among a sample of juvenile offenders. Using the Pathways to Desistance data, group-based trajectory modeling was used to elucidate trajectories of the number of children had by participants in this study. Negative binomial regression is then used to determine the relevance of trajectory group assignment for predicting offending frequency in early adulthood. Results indicate that a six-group model best fit the data. Regression results indicate that individuals assigned to the High Accelerating and No Children groups offended at greater frequency in early adulthood than individuals assigned to the Early Stable group. Results indicate that having a child earlier in adolescence may act as a turning point leading to deceleration in offending. However, having multiple children during this time may act as a snare, restricting opportunities to transition to a normative lifestyle.
Assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare personnel regarding biomedical waste management: a systematic review of available tools
Authors: Mannocci Alice , di Bella Ornella , Barbato Domenico , Castellani Fulvio , La Torre Giuseppe , De Giusti Maria , Cimmuto Angela Del
Published: May 2020

Biomedical waste (BMW) management is an important commitment of hospitals both in terms of the possible infectious risk and from the financial point of view. Monitoring the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare professionals on this topic represents a source of information on BMW management. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review to identify the reliable and valid tools able to assess the KAP of professionals in healthcare centers to manage BMW. Two databases (PubMed and Scopus) were searched on 10 May 2018 for cross-sectional studies with tools on BWM management, including original research studies from peer-reviewed journals, case studies, and review studies. Information on validation and reliability were collected. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for cross-sectional studies. Fifty-three articles were included, of which 19 presented a questionnaire on BMW for healthcare workers. Nine proposed a validated questionnaire: four reported Cronbach’s alpha, which ranged from 0.62 to 0.86. Results further emphasize the prevalence of Asian studies facing the problem of assessing KAP about BMW management using specific tools. Overall, 14 questionnaires were designed in Asia, two in Africa, one in America, one in Australia, and one questionnaire was elaborated in Europe, in Spain. This systematic review highlighted the need of creation of validated and methodologically high-quality questionnaires. Therefore, there is the need of new cross-sectional studies to investigate these problems, improving generalization, and facilitating international comparison of research findings.
Caregivers’ failure to thrive: A case for health and continuing care systems transformation
Authors: Magnaye Andrew , Fast Janet , Eales Jacquie , Stolow Mark , Leslie Myles
Published: May 2020

Excluding family caregivers and their goals from healthcare thinking and system design has contributed to their “failure to thrive.” Family caregivers are diverse, with dynamic, enduring, and variable life course care trajectories that are largely ignored. Using a co-design approach, caregivers prioritized their goals across seven life domains in an on-line survey. Physical, mental, and emotional health goals were top priorities across all ages. However, care-related goals were not caregivers’ highest priority. Goals related to financial well-being, social connections, employment, education, and care were variable across ages. Our findings suggest that transforming health and continuing care systems begins with recognizing variability of caregivers’ goals across their life courses. Adopting a co-design approach with family caregivers may serve as a model to develop a collaborative health and continuing care system. One that recognizes and supports family caregivers to achieve their goals, so that they not only survive but thrive.
Assessing the Potential for Nurse-Led HIV Pre- and Postexposure Prophylaxis in Ontario
Authors: Clifford-Rashotte Matthew , Fawcett Natalie , Fowler Barbara , Reinhart Jeffrey , Tan Darrell H. S.
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

HIV prevention efforts in Ontario require increased implementation of strategies including post- and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Access to these interventions could be improved by their provision through nurse-led models of care. We assessed nurses’ readiness to deliver these interventions using a behavioral change framework.

Methods

We distributed an online survey to nurses in every Ontario sexual health clinic, HIV clinic, and community health center between March-June 2018, to determine the level of support for nurse-led postexposure prophylaxis/pre-exposure prophylaxis; we also explored nurses’ “capabilities,” “opportunities,” and “motivations” for providing postexposure prophylaxis/pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Results

Overall, 72.7% of respondents supported implementation of both nurse-led postexposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis. More experienced nurses were less likely to support nurse-led postexposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis (adjusted odds ratio = 0.55 per decade nursing, 95% confidence interval (0.37, 0.82)). Nurses reported a high degree of knowledge of topics related to postexposure prophylaxis/pre-exposure prophylaxis, with the exception of creatinine interpretation.

Conclusions

Ontario nurses report high levels of support for nurse-led postexposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis and are well positioned to provide these interventions. Targeted education and implementation efforts are needed to engage these nurses in postexposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis delivery.
The Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology (CAIR) and Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Guidelines for Interventional Radiology Procedures for Patients With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
Authors: Mujoomdar Amol , Graham Tara , Baerlocher Mark Otto , Soulez Gilles
Published: May 2020

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is creating significant challenges to the Canadian health system, including the practice of interventional radiology (IR). Interventional radiology will continue to play an important role in patient care, during this crisis. This document serves to guide interventional and general radiologists in safely performing IR procedures on patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, using the best evidence, guidelines and expert recommendations available. These strategies include reviewing procedural indications, development of tactics to minimize cross contamination prior to the intervention, appropriate usage of personal protection equipment according to the type of procedure (along with defining aerosol-generating procedures in IR), along with developing the appropriate work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. By adopting the policies described, hospitals will protect the interventional radiologists, medical radiation technologists, nurses, ancillary staff, along with patients who benefit from their care.
Super-circulation: Towards a Political Economy of Platformisation
Authors: Felix Gil
Published: May 2020

In this article, I propose an approach for the analysis of the so-called processes of flexibilisation, mobility, precarisation or, recently, platformisation or uberisation of work, considering the social relations of circulation and a proletarian condition of greater approximation or convergence between active and reserve armies. For that, I revisit the Marxian theory of value and the trends that can be observed by the process of accelerating and expanding the circulation of the labour-power. The article closes with reflections towards a possible research agenda for the study of contemporary proletarian condition.
Your Brain Is Not an Onion With a Tiny Reptile Inside
Authors: Cesario Joseph , Johnson David J. , Eisthen Heather L.
Published: May 2020

A widespread misconception in much of psychology is that (a) as vertebrate animals evolved, “newer” brain structures were added over existing “older” brain structures, and (b) these newer, more complex structures endowed animals with newer and more complex psychological functions, behavioral flexibility, and language. This belief, although widely shared in introductory psychology textbooks, has long been discredited among neurobiologists and stands in contrast to the clear and unanimous agreement on these issues among those studying nervous-system evolution. We bring psychologists up to date on this issue by describing the more accurate model of neural evolution, and we provide examples of how this inaccurate view may have impeded progress in psychology. We urge psychologists to abandon this mistaken view of human brains.