bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Bayesian Approach for EEG Source Localization
Authors: Oikonomou Vangelis P. , Kompatsiaris Ioannis
Published: October 2020

We propose a new method for EEG source localization. An efficient solution to this problem requires choosing an appropriate regularization term in order to constraint the original problem. In our work, we adopt the Bayesian framework to place constraints; hence, the regularization term is closely connected to the prior distribution. More specifically, we propose a new sparse prior for the localization of EEG sources. The proposed prior distribution has sparse properties favoring focal EEG sources. In order to obtain an efficient algorithm, we use the variational Bayesian (VB) framework which provides us with a tractable iterative algorithm of closed-form equations. Additionally, we provide extensions of our method in cases where we observe group structures and spatially extended EEG sources. We have performed experiments using synthetic EEG data and real EEG data from three publicly available datasets. The real EEG data are produced due to the presentation of auditory and visual stimulus. We compare the proposed method with well-known approaches of EEG source localization and the results have shown that our method presents state-of-the-art performance, especially in cases where we expect few activated brain regions. The proposed method can effectively detect EEG sources in various circumstances. Overall, the proposed sparse prior for EEG source localization results in more accurate localization of EEG sources than state-of-the-art approaches.
Failure of Nonoperative Management following Angioembolization for Blunt Splenic and Pancreatic Tail Injury
Authors: Nishida Kazuhiro , Kubota Tadao
Published: October 2020

Background. Over several decades, standard management of blunt spleen injury (BSI) has been changed from operative intervention to the selective operative and nonoperative management (NOM). However, some patient needs laparotomy first. This article describes a case of a BSI patient who failed nonoperative management after angioembolization (AE). Case Presentation. A 58-year-old man fell from his motorcycle and was brought to our hospital. His vital sign was stable after extracellular fluid bolus. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed AAST grade V spleen injury. AE was performed for the splenic artery, but his systolic blood pressure suddenly dropped under 60 mmHg. The resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was inserted, and immediate laparotomy was performed. A pancreatic tail injury was detected, and the splenic artery and vein were burst at the pancreatic tail and controlled by hemostatic suture. After splenectomy, a drain was placed at the pancreatic tail and the abdomen was temporally closed. The postoperative course was not remarkable except for abdominal abscess treated with antibiotics, and he was discharged on foot. Conclusion. Although NOM is becoming one of the choices for severe BSI, there will still be a patient who requires surgery. Surgeons should be aware of the mechanism of injury and the limitation of AE as an adjunct to NOM. Patient selection for initial NOM and timing to convert to laparotomy are important.
Effects of ATP9A on Extracellular Vesicle Release and Exosomal Lipid Composition
Authors: Xu Xiao , Xu Limei , Zhang Peng , Ouyang Kan , Xiao Yin , Xiong Jianyi , Wang Daping , Liang Yujie , Duan Li
Published: October 2020

Numerous biological processes are regulated by the intercellular communications arising from extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from cells. However, the mechanisms that regulate the quantity of EV discharged have yet to be understood. While it is known that ATP9A, a P4-ATPase, is involved in endosomal recycling, it is not clear whether it also contributes to the release of EVs and the makeup of exosomal lipids. This study is aimed at exploring the role of human ATP9A in the process of EV release and, further, to analyze the profiles of EV lipids regulated by ATP9A. Our results demonstrate that ATP9A is located in both the intracellular compartments and the plasma membrane. The percentage of ceramides and sphingosine was found to be significantly greater in the control cells than in the ATP9A overexpression and ATP9A knockout groups. However, EV release was greater in ATP9A knockout cells, indicating that ATP9A inhibits the release of EVs. This study revealed the effects of ATP9A on the release of EVs and the lipid composition of exosomes.
Growth, Water Relations, and Photosynthetic Activity Are Associated with Evaluating Salinity Stress Tolerance of Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Elhakem Abeer Hamdy
Published: October 2020

Salinity stress riskiness adversely affects the population by causing food and environmental issues. Moreover, the destructive impacts of salinization differ among various plant cultivars. In the present study, we evaluate the salt stress tolerance among three wheat cultivars based on growth criteria, leaf relative water content (LRWC), and abscisic acid (ABA) level by treating the plants with 0, 40, 80, or 160 mM NaCl. The results revealed that an increase in NaCl concentration caused a massive reduction in growth (shoot and root growth criteria and flag leaf area), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and total pigments), and LRWC value, but a significant increase in the ABA content in flag leaf in all wheat cultivars. The wheat cultivars were otherwise exposed to anatomical characteristics and photosynthetic gas exchange investigations. NaCl toxicity induced a noticeable reduction in stomatal aperture area (SAA), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), and leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn). These impacts were remarkable with the 160 mM NaCl treatments for all evaluated parameters. Moreover, Sakha 69 revealed salinity tolerance greater than Giza168, and Sakha8 was the most salt-sensitive cultivar. Consequently, we recognized Sakha 69 as a salt-tolerant cultivar that may be used as parents in breeding programs for new cultivars with enhanced salt tolerance and for further genetic investigations to reveal the genetic strategies controlling the response of salinity stress in the wheat plant.
Facilitating User Authorization from Imbalanced Data Logs of Credit Cards Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Arora Vinay , Leekha Rohan Singh , Lee Kyungroul , Kataria Aman
Published: October 2020

An effective machine learning implementation means that artificial intelligence has tremendous potential to help and automate financial threat assessment for commercial firms and credit agencies. The scope of this study is to build a predictive framework to help the credit bureau by modelling/assessing the credit card delinquency risk. Machine learning enables risk assessment by predicting deception in large imbalanced data by classifying the transaction as normal or fraudster. In case of fraud transaction, an alert can be sent to the related financial organization that can suspend the release of payment for particular transaction. Of all the machine learning models such as RUSBoost, decision tree, logistic regression, multilayer perceptron, K-nearest neighbor, random forest, and support vector machine, the overall predictive performance of customized RUSBoost is the most impressive. The evaluation metrics used in the experimentation are sensitivity, specificity, precision, F scores, and area under receiver operating characteristic and precision recall curves. Datasets used for training and testing of the models have been taken from kaggle.com.
Presplitting Blasting the Roof Strata to Control Large Deformation in the Deep Mine Roadway
Authors: Hu Chaowen , Yang Xiaojie , Huang Ruifeng , Ma Xingen
Published: October 2020

As the mining depth increases, under the influence of high ground stress, the surrounding rock of deep mine roadways shows soft rock characteristics. Under the influence of mining disturbance at the working face, large deformation of the roadway has occurred. To control the large deformation of the roadway, many mines have adopted the form of combined support, which has continuously increased the support strength and achieved a certain effect. However, since the stress environment of the surrounding rock of the roadway has not been changed, large deformation of the roadway still occurs in many cases. Based on the theoretical basis of academician Manchao He’s “short cantilever beam by roof cutting,” this paper puts forward the plan of “presplitting blasting + combined support” to control the large deformation of the deep mine roadways. Without changing the original support conditions of the roadway, presplitting blasting the roof strata of the roadway, by cutting off the mechanical connection of the roof strata between the roadway and gob, improves the stress distribution of the roadway to control the large deformation. Through field tests, the results show that after presplitting blasting the roadway roof, the roadway roof subsidence is reduced by 47.9%, the ribs displacement is reduced by 45.7%, and the floor heave volume is reduced by 50.8%. The effect is significant.
Experimental Investigation on Web Crippling Property of High‐Strength Cold‐Formed (HSCF) Rectangular Steel Tube
Authors: Liu Xianglong , Zhang Jicheng , Li Yuanqi , Zeng Lei , Du Guofeng
Published: October 2020

To research the web crippling performance (i.e., the ultimate web crippling bearing capacity and ductility) of high‐strength cold‐formed (HSCF) rectangular steel tubes under concentrated load, thirty‐six specimens with different bearing plate width, width‐to‐height ratio, boundaries, and loading conditions are fabricated and tested in this paper. Particularly, four kinds of boundaries and loading conditions are utilized, including end‐two‐flange (ETF), end‐one‐flange (EOF), interior‐two‐flange (ITF), and interior‐one‐flange (IOF). Research revealed the failure modes of HSCF rectangular steel tubes under concentrated loads applied at the end or interior. Moreover, the load‐displacement curves and load‐strain curves are obtained. The results show that the ultimate crippling capacity of webs increases significantly with larger bearing plate width and width‐to‐height ratio. Specimens subjected to interior bearing load have higher ultimate strength and deformation capacity than counterparts that are subjected to bearing load at the end. Additionally, in the middle of the compression web, all strain measuring points enter the plasticity stage and finally appear in the plastic hinge area. Subsequently, the failure modes and ultimate bearing capacity are simulated by the finite element method (FEM), which is implemented via ABAQUS. By comparing the test results with the numerical values, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed numerical simulation on investigating the failure modes and the ultimate bearing capacity of HSCF rectangular steel tubes. Finally, regarding the conservative and dangerous calculation of web crippling ultimate bearing capacity in current codes, we can provide a good guidance for future work, particularly the proposed calculation equations for ultimate bearing capacity of HSCF rectangular steel tubes.
Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Isolated from Degraded Habitat Enhance Drought Tolerance of Acacia (Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth.) Seedlings
Authors: Getahun Alemayehu , Muleta Diriba , Assefa Fassil , Kiros Solomon
Published: October 2020

Drought stress (DS) is the most impacting global phenomenon affecting the ecological balance of a particular habitat. The search for potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) capable of enhancing plant tolerance to drought stress is needed. Thus, this study was initiated to evaluate the effect of inoculating Acacia abyssinica seedlings with PGPR isolated from rhizosphere soil of Ethiopia to enhance DS tolerance. The strains were selected based on in vitro assays associated with tolerance to drought and other beneficial traits such as salinity, acidity, temperature, heavy metal tolerances, biofilm formation, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. The strains with the best DS tolerance ability were selected for the greenhouse trials with acacia plants. The results indicate that out of 73 strains, 10 (14%) were completely tolerant to 40% polyethylene glycol. Moreover, 37% of the strains were strong biofilm producers, while 66 (90.41%) were EPS producers with a better production in the medium containing sucrose at 28 ± 2°C and pH 7 ± 0.2. Strains PS-16 and RS-79 showed tolerance to 11% NaCl. All the strains were able to grow in wider ranges of pH (4–10) and temperature (15–45°C) and had high tolerance to heavy metals. The inoculated bacterial strains significantly (

p
≤
0.05

) increased root and shoot length and dry biomass of acacia plants. One of the strains identified as P. fluorescens strain FB-49 was outstanding in enhancing DS tolerance compared to the single inoculants and comparable to consortia. Stress-tolerant PGPR could be used to enhance acacia DS tolerance after testing other phytobeneficial traits.
Data-Driven Analysis of Tiny Touchscreen Performance with MicroJam
Authors: Martin Charles Patrick , Torresen Jim
Published: October 2020

The widespread adoption of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has made touchscreens a common interface for musical performance. Although new mobile music instruments have been investigated from design and user experience perspectives, there has been little examination of the performers' musical output. In this work, we introduce a constrained touchscreen performance app, MicroJam, designed to enable collaboration between performers, and engage in a data-driven analysis of more than 1,600 performances using the app. MicroJam constrains performances to five seconds, and emphasizes frequent and casual music-making through a social media–inspired interface. Performers collaborate by replying to performances, adding new musical layers that are played back at the same time. Our analysis shows that users tend to focus on the center and diagonals of the touchscreen area, and that they tend to swirl or swipe rather than tap. We also observe that, whereas long swipes dominate the visual appearance of performances, the majority of interactions are short with limited expressive possibilities. Our findings enhance our understanding of how users perform in touchscreen apps and could be applied in future app designs for social musical interaction.
The Reflection Effect for Higher-Order Risk Preferences
Authors: Bleichrodt Han , Bruggen Paul van
Published: October 2020

Higher-order risk preferences are important determinants of economic behavior. We apply insights from behavioral economics: we measure higher-order risk preferences for pure gains and losses. We find a reflection effect not only for second-order risk preferences, as did Kahneman and Tversky (1979), but also for higher-order risk preferences: we find risk aversion, prudence and intemperance for gains and much more risk-loving preferences, imprudence and temperance for losses. These findings are at odds with a universal preference for combining good with bad or good with good, which previous results suggest may underlie higher-order risk preferences.
Victim Incentives and Criminal Activity: Evidence from Bus Driver Robberies in Chile
Authors: Dominguez Patricio
Published: October 2020

This paper analyzes crime as a function of the interaction between offenders and victims. I study robbery of bus drivers, a crime that remains common in cities throughout the world. Exploiting the timing of a Chilean public transportation reform and detailed administrative data, I show how victims' propensity to resist an attack can alter the level and nature of criminal activity. I also find a large decline in crime after the implementation of a technological innovation that eliminated cash transactions on buses. My results suggest a strong relationship between victim incentives, cash, and crime.
Description of Ektaphelenchus masseyi n. sp. (Rhabditida: Ektaphelenchinae) found in dead wood, from Iran
Authors: Heydari Fariba , Pedram Majid
Published: October 2020

Ektaphelenchus masseyi n. sp. is described and illustrated. The new species was isolated from dead/rotten wood collected from natural forests in north Iran. It is characterised by 501-758 μm long females having three lines in lateral field, more or less continuous cephalic region separated from the body only by a shallow depression, relatively short tripartite stylet (total length 13-14 μm) lacking basal knobs or swellings, excretory pore at base of metacorpus or slightly anterior to it, post-vulval uterine sac 24-32 μm long, rectum and anus absent, posterior body region conical with finely rounded terminus, and males rare, with a dorsally convex and ventrally flat tail with a small mucron at terminus, 13-15 μm long spicules, and seven caudal papillae. The new species was morphologically compared with typologically similar species of Ektaphelenchus having three lines in the lateral field, namely E. joyceae, E. macrobulbosus, E. taiwanensis, and E. winteri. It was further compared with E. olitorius and E. prolobos having a similar female posterior body end shape and with an unknown number of incisures in the lateral field. It was also compared with three species currently placed under Ektaphelenchoides, namely E. andrassyi and E. poinari with three lines in the lateral field, and E. compsi with obscure lateral lines. The molecular phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other ektaphelenchid species were investigated using partial small, and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU and LSU rDNA D2-D3) sequences using the maximal number of currently sequenced ektaphelenchid and seinurid taxa.
Russia as the State Continuing the Legal Personality of the USSR – An Inquiry into State Identity or Succession
Authors: Acquaviva Guido
Published: October 2020

The Russian Federation is overwhelmingly considered the same subject of international law as the USSR. Moving from a re-assessment of the incidence of the elements traditionally associated with the identity of a state, this article notes that scholars have generally neglected to study what are the actual bases for this nearly universal consensus. Since the creation and the identity of states are often described as questions of fact, the author suggests that a useful addition to the debate surrounding the identity of the USSR and Russia is an analysis of the nature of the actual governmental power within the USSR. This may contribute to assessing anew how the seismic changes in 1990 and 1991 affected it and, therefore, how contemporary Russia actually arose. Such an interdisciplinary approach to the question of state succession could further be used to shed light on similar cases of succession.
Manufacturing International Law: Pre-printed Treaties in the ‘Scramble for Africa’
Authors: Harris Steven M.
Published: October 2020

The 1880s saw a unique confluence of means, motives, and opportunities which led the British and their agents on African frontiers to enter into hundreds of pre-printed form treaties with local groups. By treating indigenous groups as interchangeable counterparties to their agreements, the new tools carried by these diplomats in canoes carried both the benefits of expediency and the problems of alienation. The mass production of international law – made by relatively unskilled labour, in bulk, with limited variation – had arrived. This practice connects the emerging modernity of the cultures of international law, diplomacy, printing technology, and domestic law.
Theorising Order in the Shadow of War. The Politics of International Legal Knowledge and the Justification of Force in Modernity
Authors: Simon Hendrik
Published: October 2020

The History of International Law lacks systematic studies on the link between legal scholars and practices of justifying war. This missing analytical link has for a long time given the impression that legal scholars describe ‘state practice’ in an ‘objective’, unpolitical way. Contradicting this impression, the article turns to the politics of legal scholars in the genesis of the modern war discourse. It reflects on the fateful entanglement of violence, law and politics, but nevertheless distinguishes between ‘objective’ and ‘political’ scholarship on the basis of Hans Kelsen’s work. Furthermore, the article illustrates the politicisability of legal scholars in selected historical cases of the ‘long 19th century’ (1789–1918). In all cases, two hearts pounded in lawyers’ chests: one scientific, the other political. As will be shown, the modern war discourse is shaped by a phenomenon that enables scholars to expand the intrinsic limits to the political instrumentalisation of law: ‘multi-normativity’.
The Challenges of Registration of Asylum-Seekers in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Authors: al-Arasi Sarah Mahmoud , al-Afaishat Muneer Mohammad Shahada , al-Tibi Tareq Majed
Published: October 2020

This study aims to identify difficulties and challenges facing countries without a National Registration Law, with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as model. Jordan, in compliance with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), regulates the presence of refugees and asylum seekers inside the Kingdom and at its borders in accordance with the UNHCR 1998 Memorandum of Understanding. Many such individuals have lost their identification documents when forced to leave their homelands due to armed conflict. Jordanian authorities try to solve such problems through the use of a magnetic-card system and iris scans. This study concludes that Jordan, in ratio to its population, is the second country worldwide to host the largest number of refugees. This study recommends that Jordan enact a National Asylum Law to regulate the presence of such refugees in the Kingdom.
Sharīʿah Regulation and Supervision of the Iraqi Islamic Banking System
Authors: Salh Shamsalden Aziz , Hyland Mark
Published: October 2020

This article critically evaluates the Sharīʿah regulation and supervision of the Iraqi Islamic banking system. Due to the country’s incomplete Islamic banking framework and lack of qualified Sharīʿah scholars, the Iraqi Islamic banking system is somewhat ineffective. In Iraq both the internal and external Sharīʿah supervisory systems in the Islamic banking sector are weak. The internal Sharīʿah supervisory system suffers from a shortage of qualified Islamic banking experts. At the same time, there is no effective external Sharīʿah supervisory system due to the lack of a Central Sharīʿah Board. This article examines the Sharīʿah supervisory system of the Iraqi Islamic banking industry by using case studies on Malaysia and Bahrain, both of which have a developed Islamic banking system. The Sharīʿah supervisory systems in these two countries are examined in order to propose an effective and comprehensive Sharīʿah regulatory and supervisory framework for the Iraqi Islamic banking industry.
Small Business Bankruptcy Reform in the Arab World: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Authors: Kilborn Jason J.
Published: October 2020

This article assesses a series of recently adopted bankruptcy laws in the Arab world, situating them within three historical phases of global bankruptcy reform. It introduces recently released recommendations from international standard-setting organisations for best practices in the bankruptcies of small and medium enterprises (SME) and applies them to evaluate the key details of recent bankruptcy reforms in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, and Bahrain. Seeking an explanation for the persistent absence of an especially crucial element of effective SME rescue policy, it recalls the Islamic law relating to debt distress and recovery. Finally, it reveals a revolutionary new approach to this controversial topic, adopted by one Arab state to produce a bankruptcy law that is truly and exceptionally responsive to the needs of SME s.
Different Structure, Neither Debt nor Equity: What Should Be the Approaches for Restructuring Ṣukūk (Islamic Bonds) Default?
Authors: Radzi Rafisah Mat
Published: October 2020

This study discusses the issues of ṣukūk (Islamic bonds) default surrounding its transaction structures and potential for restructuring the default. By explaining the basic concept of ṣukūk structure, this study further provides a classification of ṣukūk from the perspectives of the standard-setting bodies and credit-rating agencies. Since the structures that underpin ṣukūk vary and technically ṣukūk is neither debt nor equity, this study provides the potential restructuring of ṣukūk in cases of default. The contingent approaches such as extending maturity, haircut and debt-equity swap are based on the classification of ṣukūk structures and require a case-by-case approach.
Breton non-local spirantization reexamined
Authors: Mondon Jean-François
Published: October 2020

In certain dialects of Breton, spirantization triggered by a few possessive adjectives appears to apply their mutation on a non-local word. A plausible diachronic development is proposed in which noun phrases with and without the intervening word were nearly semantically identical, making it easier for the mutation effects on the noun to spread to the construction in which a word intervened between the possessive adjective and the noun. A synchronic solution couched in Distributed Morphology which makes use of string-vacuous Local Dislocation is proposed, which provides a locality-obeying account.
Refractory Hypocalcemia Following Stomach Intestinal Pylorus-Sparing Bariatric Surgery and Thyroidectomy: Successful Management With Creation of a Proximal Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Jensen Stephanie M. , Thompson Richard E. , Machineni Sriram , Overby David W. , Farrell Timothy M.
Published: October 2020

Some forms of bariatric surgery make patients susceptible to calcium malabsorption, and the parathyroid hormone (PTH) axis is important for maintaining normocalcemia in these patients. Injury to the parathyroid glands due to anterior neck surgery commonly causes PTH axis disruption and can result in severe hypocalcemia in bariatric surgery patients. Herein, we present a case of a patient with a history of stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing bariatric surgery who developed refractory hypocalcemia requiring daily intravenous (IV) calcium 2 years after thyroidectomy. PTH levels were inappropriately normal during episodes of hypocalcemia, and urinary calcium level was <3.0 mg/dL following large oral doses of calcium, suggesting that both inadequate PTH response and malabsorption contributed to her severe hypocalcemia. In order to enhance calcium absorptive capacity while minimizing the risk of weight regain, she was surgically treated with a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass proximal to the prior operation. The surgery successfully improved blood calcium levels; the patient was successfully weaned from IV calcium and was able to maintain normocalcemia with oral supplements. We discuss the case in the context of available literature and provide our recommendations.
Cholecystitis in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation: A Five-Year Analysis of Incidence, Causes, and Impact
Authors: Graham Danielle S. , Ito Takahiro , Lu Michelle , Dinorcia Joseph , Agopian Vatche G. , Farmer Douglas G. , Busuttil Ronald W. , Kaldas Fady M.
Published: October 2020

There is a paucity of data on cholecystitis in liver transplant candidates (LTC), including the incidence of the cholecystitis and the associated outcomes in this patient population. As such, this study examines the incidence of and factors associated with cholecystitis in the high-acuity LTC population, as well as the association between cholecystitis and graft and patient survival. Liver transplant candidates undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) at a large transplant center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016 were included in the initial analysis. Surgical pathology reports were examined for the presence of cholecystitis. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the association between patient factors and cholecystitis. Kaplan-Meier analyses and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were performed to examine the association between cholecystitis and graft and patient survival. Of the 405 patients in the final study population, 267 (65.9%) had no cholecystitis, 21 (5.2%) had acute cholecystitis, and 117 (28.9%) had chronic cholecystitis. The presence of cholecystitis was associated with preoperative WBC, sepsis within 10 days prior to transplant, location prior to transplant, and total length of stay. While this study revealed no association between cholecystitis and graft or patient survival, it also suggests that cholecystitis is under-recognized in high-model end-stage liver disease (MELD) OLT candidates. Therefore, a high index of suspicion for cholecystitis may be helpful in caring for this vulnerable patient population; however, further studies must be performed to determine the optimal management of cholecystitis in these patients.
Nonanastomotic Biliary Strictures After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Ito Takahiro , Botros Mina , Aziz Antony , Guorgui Jacob G. , Agopian Vatche G. , Farmer Douglas G. , Busuttil Ronald W. , Kaldas Fady M.
Published: October 2020

Biliary strictures constitute a major source of morbidity and mortality following liver transplantation (LT). However, studies on the impact of nonanastomotic biliary strictures (NABS) on grafts after LT are limited. 649 patients who underwent LT between January 2013 and June 2017 at our center were retrospectively analyzed and 2.6% (n = 17) of the recipients developed NABS following LT. There were no differences between recipients with and without NABS in indication of LT, graft ischemia time, and type of biliary anastomosis. The incidence of post-LT hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) (odds ratio [OR]: 15.75, P < .001) and the use of livers from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors (OR: 8.292, P = .004) were identified as independent significant predictors of NABS by multivariate analysis. Graft survival in those with NABS was significantly worse than in patients without NABS (1-, 3-, and 5-years survival: 64.7%, 57.5%, 0%, vs. 89.8%, 84.0%, 76.4%, P < .001). In conclusion, while the incidence of NABS in our study was relatively low compared to previous reports, NABS was still found to be associated with poor graft survival. Special attention should be paid to NABS occurrence in grafts that develop HAT as well as those from DCD donors.
The Relevance of Hostility and Self-Control as Mediators of the Relationship Between Antisocial Personality Disorder and Offending
Authors: Wojciechowski Thomas
Published: October 2020

Hostility and low self-control are two hallmark characteristics of antisocial personality disorder and are also risk factors for offending. This study tested for mediating effects of these concepts for explaining the antisocial personality disorder-offending relationship. The Pathways to Desistance data were used in analyses. Generalized structural equation modeling was used to estimate these relationships. A Clogg Z test was used to test the equivalence of the mediation effects. Results indicated that antisocial personality disorder diagnosis was associated with offending. Inclusion of hostility and self-control in the model accounted for 65% of the antisocial personality disorder-offending relationship and attenuated it to non-significance. Only self-control was a significant mediator of this relationship and the magnitude of this effect was significantly greater hostility.
Reproducibility of volume and asymmetry measurements of hippocampus, amygdala, and entorhinal cortex on traveling volunteers: a multisite MP2RAGE prospective study
Authors: Du Jiachen , Liang Peipeng , He Hongjian , Tong Qiqi , Gong Ting , Qian Tianyi , Sun Yi , Zhong Jianhui , Li Kuncheng
Published: October 2020

Background

Multisite studies can considerably increase the pool of normally aging individuals with neurodegenerative disorders and thereby expedite the associated research. Understanding the reproducibility of the parameters of related brain structures—including the hippocampus, amygdala, and entorhinal cortex—in multisite studies is crucial in determining the impact of healthy aging or neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose

To estimate the reproducibility of the fascinating structures by automatic (FreeSurfer) and manual segmentation methods in a well-controlled multisite dataset.

Material and Methods

Three traveling individuals were scanned at 10 sites, which were equipped with the same equipment (3T Prisma Siemens). They used the same scan protocol (two inversion-contrast magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo sequences) and operators. Validity coefficients (intraclass correlations coefficient [ICC]) and spatial overlap measures (Dice Similarity Coefficient [DSC]) were used to estimate the reproducibility of multisite data.

Results

ICC and DSC values varied substantially among structures and segmentation methods, and values of manual tracing were relatively higher than the automated method. ICC and DSC values of structural parameters were greater than 0.80 and 0.60 across sites, as determined by manual tracing. Low reproducibility was observed in the amygdala parameters by automatic segmentation method (ICC = 0.349–0.529, DSC = 0.380–0.873). However, ICC and DSC scores of the hippocampus were higher than 0.60 and 0.65 by two segmentation methods.

Conclusion

This study suggests that a well-controlled multisite study could provide a reliable MRI dataset. Manual tracing of volume assessments is recommended for low reproducibility structures that require high levels of precision in multisite studies.
Serum microRNA-365 suppresses non-small-cell lung cancer metastasis and invasion in patients with bone metastasis of lung cancer
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Jia Junmei , Song Bin , Qiu Haile , Liang Gang , Zhang Bo , Wang Kang
Published: October 2020

Objective

In the present investigation, we evaluated the effects of microRNA-365 (miR-365) on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell metastasis and invasion in patients with bone metastasis of lung cancer.

Methods

Blood samples from patients with NSCLC and healthy controls and the A549 adenocarcinoma cell line were included in this study. Quantitative real-time PCR and microarray were performed on blood samples. The MTT assay, luciferase reporter assay, Transwell assay, ELISA, and western blot were performed to evaluate expression of associated factors.

Results

Expression of miR-365 was reduced in patients with bone metastasis of NSCLC. Downregulation of miR-365 promoted cell growth, metastasis, and invasion of NSCLC. Upregulation of miR-365 reduced cell growth, metastasis, and invasion of NSCLC. Downregulation of miR-365 induced expression of NKX homeobox-1 (NKX2-1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), and p-Akt proteins in an in vitro model of NSCLC. Inhibition of NKX2-1 reduced the effects of miR-365 on cell growth, metastasis, and invasion of NSCLC. Activation of EGFR reduced the effects of miR-365 on cell growth, metastasis, and invasion of NSCLC.

Conclusions

The study established that the serum miR-365 suppresses NSCLC cell metastasis and invasion in patients with bone metastasis of lung cancer via EGFR/PI3K through NKX2-1.
Minimally invasive esthetic management of dental fluorosis: a case report
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Meng Qingfei , Meng Jian
Published: October 2020

Dental fluorosis is a dental condition caused by excessive intake of fluoride during enamel formation, which can lead to color abnormalities or defects on the tooth surface. The resultant abnormal appearance ranges in severity from mildly white and opaque to dark brown, which substantially affects patients’ esthetic characteristics and self-confidence. Treatment methods include tooth whitening or restoration. This clinical report describes the use of a minimally invasive esthetic technique in a 22-year-old woman with moderate dental fluorosis. The treatment plan included enamel microabrasion, at-home bleaching for 2 weeks, and subsequent resin infiltration for each tooth under a rubber dam. After 2 years of follow-up, evaluation of the patient’s esthetic appearance revealed that teeth affected by dental fluorosis could be successfully treated with a minimally invasive technique involving microabrasion, at-home bleaching, and resin infiltration.
Making the Decision to Participate in Organized After-School Activities: Perspectives From Mexican-Origin Adolescents and Their Parents
Authors: Lin Alex R. , Dawes Nickki P. , Simpkins Sandra D. , Gaskin Erin R.
Published: October 2020

The decision to enroll in organized after-school activities involves a gradual negotiation of adolescents’ independence between family members who can hold contrasting views on adolescents’ autonomy. Furthermore, less is known about the culturally grounded nature of this decision-making process generally observed among the Latinx community, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, where adolescents may serve as the cultural brokers to help their families navigate through certain cultural barriers outside the home. In this study, we analyzed semi-structured interviews from a diverse group of 34 Mexican-origin parent-adolescent dyads living in a Southwest metropolitan area. Results indicate that decision making on organized activities can occur across multiple distinct pathways that reflect unilateral and mutual decision making based on the parents’ and adolescents’ level of involvement. The adolescents’ strong role as cultural brokers not only reflects a critical role of helping their parents navigate through the cultural barriers of the after-school world but can also empower them to have a greater voice within a context of positively developing a more equal basis of decision making in the parent-child dynamic. Findings from this study highlight the rich diversity among Mexican-origin families and can help further strengthen organized activities in being responsive to the diverse cultural practices of families.
What Makes Nonfamily Employees Act as Good Stewards? Emotions and the Moderating Roles of Stewardship Culture and Gender Roles in Family Firms
Authors: Bormann Kai C. , Backs Sabrina , Hoon Christina
Published: October 2020

Based on stewardship theory and social role theory, we examine the bounded nature of nonfamily employees’ individual stewardship behaviors (i.e., organizational citizenship behavior, OCB) in family firms. We expect stewardship culture to make male (female) employees’ OCB more (less) affect-driven. In Study 1, we used data from family and nonfamily firms’ employees to establish the unique manifestation of stewardship in family firms. Study 2 was a diary study of nonfamily employees. As expected, for women, we found stewardship culture to attenuate the relationships between affect and OCB. For men, stewardship culture strengthened the relationship between affect and OCB.
Challenges to the role of media in reporting sport corruption: Insights from reporters in Balkan countries
Authors: Manoli Argyro Elisavet , Janečić David
Published: October 2020

Despite the influence and power that the media hold and the importance placed on the role that they can assume regarding corruption, little is known about the part the media can play in corruption in sport and any challenges they might face in reporting on it. This study aims to shed light on this unexplored area, by using insights from members of the media based in three Balkan countries, to help uncover the challenges and obstacles faced by sport media. The findings of this study allow for the multifold role of the media in sport corruption to be examined, while uncovering the internally and externally driven obstacles they face, ranging from personal greed to market-based pressures and media’s ostracism by the wider anti-corruption system.
Contact lens induced bacterial keratitis in LCD II: Management and multimodal imaging: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Alafaleq Munirah , Knoeri Juliette , Boutboul Sandrine , Borderie Vincent
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To describe the management and multimodal imaging of lattice corneal dystrophy type II (LCD-II) complicated by an infectious keratitis due to a bandage contact lens and to review current literature.

Observation:

A 50-year-old female was diagnosed with Meretoja’s Syndrome by the triad of facial palsy, loose skin (cutix laxa), and stromal corneal dystrophy. At slit lamp, bilateral lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) was characterized by multiple linear refractile lines and subepithelial fibrosis along with Neurotrophic keratitis Mackie grade I. Findings of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were epithelial irregularity, subepithelial fibrosis, hyperreflectivity on anterior stromal layer, lobulated stromal surface. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) showed hyperreflected deposits on the basal and Bowman layers, visible keratocytes; fine lines and streaks between corneal lamella. The sub-basal nerve plexus and the stromal nerves were no longer visible. She presented in emergency with a left red eye. A severe bacterial keratitis was diagnosed as a complication of a bandage contact lens used to treat recurrent epithelial erosion. Corneal anesthesia was complete. Corneal neovascularization was evident 10 weeks later and topical bevacizumab (5 mg/ml) was introduced twice daily. Partial regression of deep stromal vessels was noticed at 3 months.

Conclusion:

In Meretoja’s syndrome, neurotrophic keratopathy secondary to polyneuropathy due to systemic amyloid deposits is present in the advanced stages, promotes recurrent corneal erosions. Corneal sensitivity test, AS-OCT and IVCM are crucial in the diagnosis behind any recurrent corneal erosion. The use of bandage contact lens should be avoided in Meretoja’s syndrome to prevent a possible infectious keratitis.
‘Damn, Channing Tatum can move!’: Women’s accounts of men’s bodies and objectification in post-feminist times
Authors: Waling Andrea , Duncan Duane , Angelides Steven , Dowsett Gary W
Published: October 2020

This paper explores how women think about men’s bodies as objects of desire. It reports on one part of a larger qualitative study on men’s bodywork practices in contemporary Australia. Drawing on material from three focus groups with 24 Australian women of varying ages, sexual orientations and backgrounds, the paper considers how women experience, understand and reflect on their desire for men and men’s bodies. It also explores themes such as the connection women draw between what a man’s body looks like and what it can do, how attraction is experienced, the meaning making women engage in as they think about men and men’s bodies, and the broader politics of sexuality and objectification that inform their perceptions and ideas. These experiences are set against ideas in post-feminist thinking on women’s sexual desire and debates on their sexual empowerment. The paper argues that these women are grappling with tensions between their personal experiences of sexual objectification and a feminist ethics relating to their active and reflexive projects of sexuality.
mHealth developmental screening for preschool children in low-income communities
Authors: du Toit Maria N , van der Linde Jeannie , Swanepoel De Wet
Published: October 2020

Children are often only identified with a developmental delay when they enter primary school due to developmental delays hindering academic progress. Detection of at-risk children in low-income communities is typically unavailable due to several challenges. This study validated an mHealth-based developmental screening tool as a potential time- and cost-effective way of delivering services for preschool children. This cross-sectional within-subject study screened 276 preschool children from low-income communities using the mHealth Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) tools. The mHealth PEDS tools’ performance was then evaluated by comparing caregiver concerns according to the PEDS tools with results obtained using a reference standard assessment tool, the Vineland-3. The mHealth PEDS tools identified 237 (85.9%) of children at risk of developmental delay compared to 80.1% ( n = 221) of children identified with a developmental delay using the Vineland-3. Sensitivity of the PEDS tools was high (92.6%) with low specificity (22.5%) using US standardised criteria. Literacy skills were found to be most delayed, according to the PEDS: DM (89.3%; n = 142) and Vineland-3 (87.1%; n = 134). Low specificity of the prescribed criteria may require the implementation of adapted referral criteria within low socio-economic status (SES) settings. The mHealth PEDS tools may still be valuable for preschool developmental surveillance of children within low SES settings. It is recommended, however, that children who are identified with a developmental concern undergo a second screen to reduce false positives.
A Method for Estimating Students’ Desertion in Educational Institutions Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Silva Hernán A. , Quezada Luis E. , Oddershede A. M. , Palominos Pedro I. , O’Brien Christopher
Published: October 2020

The objective of this paper is the design of a predictive model of students’ desertion in Educational Institutions based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The proposed model is based on a weighted sum of individual probabilities of desertion associated with various factors (explanatory variables) by experts in the combined use of the AHP and the Ratings technique for the evaluation of the explanatory variables of the model. This proposal was applied in an Institution of Higher Education in Chile. To evaluate the predictive performance of the method, the results were compared with those obtained using Logistic Regression (RL) and with the actual retention of the students in one year. It was found that the proposed method had a 64.6% level of predictability, whereas the model with logistic regression had a 69.9%. It is concluded that it is possible to predict student desertion with a simple model based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process.
Expression of Aquaporin-1 and Aquaporin-5 in a Rat Model of High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema and the Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure
Authors: Tan Jiewen , Gao Chunjin , Wang Cong , Ma Linlin , Hou Xiaomin , Liu Xuehua , Li Zhuo
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To investigate the therapeutic roles of hyperbaric oxygen exposure on high-altitude pulmonary edema and to determine whether aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-5 were involved in the pathogenesis of HAPE in rats.

Methods:

Rats were divided into 5 groups: The control group, the HAPE group (HAPE model), the HBO group (hyperbaric oxygen exposure), the NBO group (normobaric oxygen exposure), and the NA group (normal air exposure). Western blot and real-time PCR were used to analyze the pulmonary expressions of AQP1 and AQP5. The wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio and the morphology of the lung were also examined.

Results:

The lung W/D weight ratio in the HAPE group was increased compared with the control group. The injury score in the HBO group was noticeably lower than that in the control group. The mRNA and proteins expressions of AQP1 and AQP5 were significantly downregulated in the HAPE group.

Conclusions:

Oxygen exposure alleviated high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia-induced lung injury in rats. Additionally, HBO therapy had significant advantage on interstitial HAPE.