bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES): presentation, diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Parasher Anant , Jhamb Rajat
Published: May 2020

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological disorder which is characterised by variable symptoms, which include visual disturbances, headache, vomiting, seizures and altered consciousness. The exact pathophysiology of PRES has not been completely explained, but hypertension and endothelial injury seem to be almost always present. Vasoconstriction resulting in vasogenic and cytotoxic edema is suspected to be responsible for the clinical symptoms as well as the neuro-radiological presentation. On imaging studies, Symmetrical white matter abnormalities suggestive of edema are seen in the computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, commonly but not exclusively in the posterior parieto-occipital regions of the cerebral hemispheres. The management is chiefly concerned with stabilization of the patient, adequate and prompt control of blood pressure, prevention of seizures and timely caesarean section in obstetric cases with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. In conclusion, persistently elevated blood pressures remain the chief culprit for the clinical symptoms as well as the neurological deficits. Early diagnosis by diffusion weighted MRI scans, and differentiation from other causes of altered sensorium i.e. seizures, meningitis and psychosis, is extremely important to initiate treatment and prevent further complications. Although most cases resolve successfully and carry a favorable prognosis, patients with inadequate therapeutic support or delay in treatment may not project a positive outcome.
Increasing incidence of asbestosis worldwide, 1990–2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2017
Authors: Yang Meng , Wang Dongming , Gan Shiming , Fan Lieyang , Cheng Man , Yu Linling , Wang Bin , Li Wei , Ma Jixuan , Zhou Min , Chen Weihong
Published: May 2020

Global incidence and temporal trends of asbestosis are rarely explored. Using the detailed information on asbestosis from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017, we described the age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and its average annual percentage change. A Joinpoint Regression model was applied to identify varying temporal trends over time. Although the use of asbestos has been completely banned in many countries, the ASIR of asbestosis increased globally from 1990 to 2017. Furthermore, the most pronounced increases in ASIR of asbestosis were detected in high-income North America and Australasia. These findings indicate that efforts to change the asbestos regulation policy are urgently needed.
Is the cure worse than the disease? Comparing the ecological effects of an invasive aquatic plant and the herbicide treatments used to control it
Authors: Mikulyuk Alison , Kujawa Ellen , Nault Michelle E. , Van Egeren Scott , Wagner Kelly I. , Barton Martha , Hauxwell Jennifer , Vander Zanden M. Jake
Published: May 2020

Invasive species are known to have negative ecological effects. However, few studies have evaluated the impacts of invasive species relative to the effects of invasive species control, thereby limiting our ability to make informed decisions considering the benefits and drawbacks of a given management approach. To address this gap, we compared the ecological effects of the invasive aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil ( Myriophyllum spicatum L.) with the effects of lake-wide herbicide treatments used for M. spicatum control using aquatic plant data collected from 173 lakes in Wisconsin, USA. First, a pre–post analysis of aquatic plant communities found significant declines in native plant species in response to lake-wide herbicide treatment. Second, multi-level modeling using a large data set revealed a negative association between lake-wide herbicide treatments and native aquatic plants, but no significant negative effect of invasive M. spicatum. Taken together, our results indicate that lake-wide herbicide treatments aimed at controlling M. spicatum had larger effects on native aquatic plants than did the target of control—invasive M. spicatum. Our comparison reveals an important management tradeoff and encourages careful consideration of how we balance the real and perceived impacts of invasive species and the methods used for their control.
Determination of single neutron spectroscopic factor of doubly shell closed, neutron shell closed and neutron-rich nuclei through (d,p) reaction
Authors: Vinayak A. , Hosamani M. M. , Patil P. N. , Badiger N. M.
Published: May 2020

The spectroscopic factor (SF) of doubly-magic nuclei, neutron shell closed and neutron-rich nuclei has been determined through ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) reaction in the projectile energy range from 3 to 26[Formula: see text]MeV. The theoretical angular differential cross-sections of ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] reactions in scattering center-of-mass angles from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] have been calculated using FRESCO and NRV-DWUCK5 codes. By comparing the theoretical angular differential cross-sections with available experimental angular differential cross-sections, the values of SF have been determined. The exponential increase of SF as a function of neutron separation energy normalized by spin of the recoil nuclei has been shown for the first time for doubly-magic nuclei. The similar type of trend has also been observed for neutron-rich as well as neutron shell closed nuclei as a function of neutron separation energy normalized by asymmetric factor of recoil nucleus. More experimental data are required to verify the trend predicted by this investigation.
Analytical Expression of Complex Modulus for Viscoelastic Material
Authors: Yin Yilin , Yang Zhenghong , Shi Meilun
Published: May 2020

Transfer functions in the linear dynamic system theory are applied to characterize dynamic mechanical properties of viscoelastic materials. Correlation between transfer functions and typical rheological models and fractional derivative ones are briefly introduced. The transfer function of a rheological model may be expressed in terms of multiplication of factored polynomials. The frequency–response data are presented in the form of a Bode plot of magnitude, from which a transfer function can be established. The characteristic times can be conveniently identified via the corner frequencies of asymptotes of the magnitude curve. Dynamic frequency sweep results for a typical viscoelastic solid are presented to illustrate the use of the Bode diagram method for parameter identification.
Delay-optimal Policies in Partial Fork-Join Systems with Redundancy and Random Slowdowns
Authors: Zubeldia Martin
Published: May 2020

We consider a large distributed service system consisting of n homogeneous servers with infinite capacity FIFO queues. Jobs arrive as a Poisson process of rate λn/k_n (for some positive constant λ and integer k_n). Each incoming job consists of k_n identical tasks that can be executed in parallel, and that can be encoded into at least k_n "replicas" of the same size (by introducing redundancy) so that the job is considered to be completed when any k_n replicas associated with it finish their service. Moreover, we assume that servers can experience random slowdowns in their processing rate so that the service time of a replica is the product of its size and a random slowdown. First, we assume that the server slowdowns are shifted exponential and independent of the replica sizes. In this setting we show that the delay of a typical job is asymptotically minimized (as $n\to\infty$) when the number of replicas per task is a constant that only depends on the arrival rate λ, and on the expected slowdown of servers. Second, we introduce a new model for the server slowdowns in which larger tasks experience less variable slowdowns than smaller tasks. In this setting we show that, under the class of policies where all replicas start their service at the same time, the delay of a typical job is asymptotically minimized (as n\to\infty) when the number of replicas per task is made to depend on the actual size of the tasks being replicated, with smaller tasks being replicated more than larger tasks.
Set the Configuration for the Heart of the OS
Authors: Kuo Hsuan-Chi , Chen Jianyan , Mohan Sibin , Xu Tianyin
Published: May 2020

This paper presents a study on the practicality of operating system (OS) kernel debloating---reducing kernel code that is not needed by the target applications---in real-world systems. Despite their significant benefits regarding security (attack surface reduction) and performance (fast boot times and reduced memory footprints), the state-of-the-art OS kernel debloating techniques are seldom adopted in practice, especially in production systems. We identify the limitations of existing kernel debloating techniques that hinder their practical adoption, including both accidental and essential limitations. To understand these limitations, we build an advanced debloating framework named \tool which enables us to conduct a number of experiments on different types of OS kernels (including Linux and the L4 microkernel) with a wide variety of applications (including HTTPD, Memcached, MySQL, NGINX, PHP and Redis). Our experimental results reveal the challenges and opportunities towards making kernel debloating techniques practical for real-world systems. The main goal of this paper is to share these insights and our experiences to shed light on addressing the limitations of kernel debloating in future research and development efforts.
Simple Near-Optimal Scheduling for the M/G/1
Authors: Scully Ziv , Harchol-Balter Mor , Scheller-Wolf Alan
Published: May 2020

We consider the problem of preemptively scheduling jobs to minimize mean response time of an M/G/1 queue. When we know each job's size, the shortest remaining processing time (SRPT) policy is optimal. Unfortunately, in many settings we do not have access to each job's size. Instead, we know only the job size distribution. In this setting the Gittins policy is known to minimize mean response time, but its complex priority structure can be computationally intractable. A much simpler alternative to Gittins is the shortest expected remaining processing time (SERPT) policy. While SERPT is a natural extension of SRPT to unknown job sizes, it is unknown whether or not SERPT is close to optimal for mean response time. We present a new variant of SERPT called monotonic SERPT (M-SERPT) which is as simple as SERPT but has provably near-optimal mean response time at all loads for any job size distribution. Specifically, we prove the mean response time ratio between M-SERPT and Gittins is at most 3 for load ρ łeq 8/9$ and at most 5 for any load. This makes M-SERPT the only non-Gittins scheduling policy known to have a constant-factor approximation ratio for mean response time.
Characterizing Transnational Internet Performance and the Great Bottleneck of China
Authors: Zhu Pengxiong , Man Keyu , Wang Zhongjie , Qian Zhiyun , Ensafi Roya , Halderman J. Alex , Duan Haixin
Published: May 2020

Transnational Internet performance is an important indication of a country's level of infrastructure investment, globalization, and openness. We conduct a large-scale measurement study of transnational Internet performance in and out of 29 countries and regions, and find six countries that have surprisingly low performance. Five of them are African countries and the last is mainland China, a significant outlier with major discrepancies between downstream and upstream performance. We then conduct a comprehensive investigation of the unusual transnational Internet performance of mainland China, which we refer to as the "Great Bottleneck of China''. Our results show that this bottleneck is widespread, affecting 79% of the receiver--sender pairs we measured. More than 70% of the pairs suffer from extremely slow speed (less than 1~Mbps) for more than 5 hours every day. In most tests the bottleneck appeared to be located deep inside China, suggesting poor network infrastructure to handle transnational traffic. The phenomenon has far-reaching implications for Chinese users' browsing habits as well as for the ability of foreign Internet services to reach Chinese customers.
The Face of Workplace Violence: Experiences of Healthcare Professionals in Surgical Hospital Wards
Authors: Jakobsson Jenny , Axelsson Malin , Örmon Karin
Published: May 2020

Background. Though workplace violence (WPV) is a global problem for healthcare professionals, research within in-hospital care has mainly focused on WPV in emergency healthcare settings. Thus, the number of qualitative studies that explores experiences of WPV in general hospital wards with a longer length of stay is limited. Aim. The aim of this study was to explore how healthcare professionals in surgical hospital wards experience and manage WPV perpetrated by patients or visitors. Method. The study applied a qualitative, inductive approach using focus group interviews for data collection. A purposeful sample of 16 healthcare professionals working in surgical wards was included. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis. Findings. The analysis resulted in four main themes: workplace violence characteristics, partly predictable yet not prevented, approaching workplace violence, and consequences from workplace violence. During the focus group interviews, the healthcare professionals described various acts of physical violence, verbal abuse, and gender discrimination perpetrated by patients or their visitors. Despite the predictability of some of the incidents, preventive strategies were absent or inadequate, with the healthcare professionals not knowing how to react in these threatful or violent situations. They experienced that WPV could result in negative consequences for the care of both the threatful or violent person and the other patients in the ward. WPV caused the healthcare professionals to feel exposed, scared, and unprotected. Conclusion and clinical implications. Exposure to WPV is a problem for healthcare professionals in surgical wards and has consequences for the patients. Preventive strategies, guidelines, and action plans are urgently needed to minimise the risk of WPV and to ensure a safe work and care environment.
A New Approach for Solving the Complex Cubic-Quintic Duffing Oscillator Equation for Given Arbitrary Initial Conditions
Authors: Salas Alvaro H. , Trujillo Simeon Casanova
Published: May 2020

The nonlinear differential equation governing the periodic motion of the one-dimensional, undamped, and unforced cubic-quintic Duffing oscillator is solved exactly, providing exact expressions for the period and the solution. The period as well as the exact analytic solution is given in terms of the famous Weierstrass elliptic function. An integrable case of a damped cubic-quintic equation is presented. Mathematica code for solving both cubic and cubic-quintic Duffing equations is given in Appendix at the end.
Effects of the Use of Staphylococcus carnosus in the Curing Process of Meat with a Reduced Amount of Sodium Nitrite on Colour, Residue Nitrite and Nitrate, Content of Nitrosyl Pigments, and Microbiological and the Sensory Quality of Cooked Meat Product
Authors: Szymański Piotr , Łaszkiewicz Beata , Siekierko Urszula , Kołożyn-Krajewska Danuta
Published: May 2020

The aim of the work was to apply the bacteria Staphylococcus carnosus ATCC 51365 in the meat curing process with the use of a reduced amount of sodium nitrite and to evaluate the effects of bacteria on residual nitrites and nitrates, the content of nitrosyl pigments, colour, pH, oxidation-reduction potential, microbiological, and the sensory quality of a cooked meat product. Three meat batters in cans were prepared: (C) a control batter cured with NaNO2—100 mg/kg, (L) a batter cured with NaNO2—15 mg/kg, and (LS) a batter cured with NaNO2—15 mg/kg and S. carnosus (107 CFU/g). The cans were stored at a temperature of 4°C for 24 h (curing time) and cooked. The analysis was carried out after production and after 4 and 8 weeks of storage. The use of denitrifying bacteria in the curing process with a reduced amount of sodium nitrite increased the availability of nitrite in the meat, by reducing nitrates formed as a result of a dismutation reaction. The reaction contributed to the formation of nitrosyl pigments in a larger quantity than in the treatment in which the denitrifying bacteria were not used. The LS treatment was characterized by the greatest redness. The colour of the LS treatment was stable during storage. No negative effect of S. carnosus on the sensory quality of the meat product was found. The use of S. carnosus had no influence on the microbiological quality of meat product during storage.
Identification of Microseismic Signals Based on Multiscale Singular Spectrum Entropy
Authors: Zhang Xingli , Zhao Zhenhua , Jia Ruisheng , Cao Lianyue
Published: May 2020

The accurate identification of effective microseismic events has great significance in the monitoring, early warning, and forecasting of rockburst hazards. However, the conventional identification methods have displayed difficulties in achieving satisfactory results. A microseismic signal identification method which combines variational mode decomposition (VMD) and multiscale singular spectrum entropy was proposed in this paper. The original signal was firstly broken down into a given numberKvariational mode components, which are ranked by frequency in descending order. Then, the characteristic pattern matrix was constructed according to the mode component signals, and the identification model of the microseismic signals based on the support vector machine was built by performing a multiscale singular spectrum entropy calculation of the collected vibration signals, constructing eigenvectors of signals. Finally, a comparative analysis of the microseismic events and blasting vibration signals in the experiment proved that the different characteristics of the two kinds of signals can be fully expressed by using multiscale singular spectrum entropy. Experimental results further confirmed the effective identification performance of this proposed method.
Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy in Synthetic Rubber Polymers: Nitrile Butadiene Rubber and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
Authors: Moon Young Il , Jung Jae Kap , Chung Ki Soo
Published: May 2020

The dielectric permittivity of synthetic rubber polymers, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), with both frequency and temperature variations, was thoroughly investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The spectrum versus frequency of DRS was analyzed with the semiempirical Havriliak–Negami formula and conductivity contribution by employing the newly developed “dispersion analyzer” analysis program. The main dielectric relaxations called the α‐ and β‐processes, associated with the cooperative motion of chains in polymers, were discovered in the low‐temperature region. In the high‐temperature region, we found Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars (MWS) relaxation associated with polymer interfacing and normal‐mode (α’) relaxation responsible for end‐to‐end dipole vector motion. The activation energies of schematic molecular chains responsible for the relaxation processes were obtained with the information about its motional mode. The glass transition temperature and dipole moment for the side group were also determined and compared with those from previous studies. In the EPDM specimen, the peaks of α‐ and β‐relaxation merged at high temperature and were separated with decreasing temperature. The first observations of both merging and splitting were consistent with the results on the temperature dependency of the relaxation strength. Both contour mapping and three‐dimensional plots for the two rubbers provide visual information for the distribution and mapping of relaxation.
Valency-Based Descriptors for Silicon Carbides, Bismuth(III) Iodide, and Dendrimers in Drug Applications
Authors: Li Qi-Zhao , Virk Abaid ur Rehman , Nazar Kashif , Ahmed Imran , Tlili Iskander
Published: May 2020

Silicon carbide (SiC), also called carborundum, is a semiconductor containing silicon and carbon. Dendrimers are repetitively branched molecules that are typically symmetric around the core and often adopt a spherical three-dimensional morphology. Bismuth(III) iodide is an inorganic compound with the formulaBiI3. This gray-black solid is the product of the reaction between bismuth and iodine, which once was of interest in qualitative inorganic analysis. In chemical graph theory, we associate a graph to a compound and compute topological indices that help us in guessing properties of the understudy compound. A topological index is the graph invariant number, calculated from a graph representing a molecule. Most of the proposed topological indices are related either to a vertex adjacency relationship (atom-atom connectivity) in the graph or to topological distances in the graph. In this paper, we aim to compute the first and second Gourava indices and hyper-Gourava indices for silicon carbides, bismuth(III) iodide, and dendrimers.
Use of Chlorogenic Acid against Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications
Authors: Yan Yongwang , Zhou Xu , Guo Kangxiao , Zhou Feng , Yang Hongqi
Published: May 2020

Chlorogenic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound commonly found in human plant-based diets. CA is the main component of many traditional Chinese medicine preparations, and in recent years, it has been found to have hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological properties. Specifically, CA relieves the effects of, and prevents, diabetes mellitus (DM). In addition, CA is also beneficial against complications arising from DM, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Herein, we review the use of CA in the prevention and treatment of DM and its complications, providing a background for further research and medical uses.
Overcoming Genetically Based Resistance Mechanisms to PD-1 Blockade
Authors: Torrejon Davis Y. , Abril-Rodriguez Gabriel , Champhekar Ameya S. , Tsoi Jennifer , Campbell Katie M. , Kalbasi Anusha , Parisi Giulia , Zaretsky Jesse M. , Garcia-Diaz Angel , Puig-Saus Cristina , Cheung-Lau Gardenia , Wohlwender Thomas , Krystofinski Paige , Vega-Crespo Agustin , Lee Christopher M. , Mascaro Pau , Grasso Catherine S. , Berent-Maoz Beata , Comin-Anduix Begoña , Hu-Lieskovan Siwen , Ribas Antoni
Published: May 2020

Mechanism-based strategies to overcome resistance to PD-1 blockade therapy are urgently needed. We developed genetic acquired resistant models of JAK1, JAK2, and B2M loss-of-function mutations by gene knockout in human and murine cell lines. Human melanoma cell lines with JAK1/2 knockout became insensitive to IFN-induced antitumor effects, while B2M knockout was no longer recognized by antigen-specific T cells and hence was resistant to cytotoxicity. All of these mutations led to resistance to anti–PD-1 therapy in vivo. JAK1/2-knockout resistance could be overcome with the activation of innate and adaptive immunity by intratumoral Toll-like receptor 9 agonist administration together with anti–PD-1, mediated by natural killer (NK) and CD8 T cells. B2M-knockout resistance could be overcome by NK-cell and CD4 T-cell activation using the CD122 preferential IL2 agonist bempegaldesleukin. Therefore, mechanistically designed combination therapies can overcome genetic resistance to PD-1 blockade therapy.

Significance:

The activation of IFN signaling through pattern recognition receptors and the stimulation of NK cells overcome genetic mechanisms of resistance to PD-1 blockade therapy mediated through deficient IFN receptor and antigen presentation pathways. These approaches are being tested in the clinic to improve the antitumor activity of PD-1 blockade therapy.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1079
TGFβ (Transforming Growth Factor-Beta)–Activated Kinase 1 Regulates Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation
Authors: Hu Haidi , Lee Shin-Rong , Bai Hualong , Guo Jianming , Hashimoto Takuya , Isaji Toshihiko , Guo Xiangjiang , Wang Tun , Wolf Katharine , Liu Shirley , Ono Shun , Yatsula Bogdan , Dardik Alan
Published: May 2020

Objective:

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the optimal conduit for hemodialysis access but have high rates of primary maturation failure. Successful AVF maturation requires wall thickening with deposition of ECM (extracellular matrix) including collagen and fibronectin, as well as lumen dilation. TAK1 (TGFβ [transforming growth factor-beta]–activated kinase 1) is a mediator of noncanonical TGFβ signaling and plays crucial roles in regulation of ECM production and deposition; therefore, we hypothesized that TAK1 regulates wall thickening and lumen dilation during AVF maturation.

Approach and Results:

In both human and mouse AVF, immunoreactivity of TAK1, JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), p38, collagen 1, and fibronectin was significantly increased compared with control veins. Manipulation of TAK1 in vivo altered AVF wall thickening and luminal diameter; reduced TAK1 function was associated with reduced thickness and smaller diameter, whereas activation of TAK1 function was associated with increased thickness and larger diameter. Arterial magnitudes of laminar shear stress (20 dyne/cm
2
) activated noncanonical TGFβ signaling including TAK1 phosphorylation in mouse endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

TAK1 is increased in AVF, and TAK1 manipulation in a mouse AVF model regulates AVF thickness and diameter. Targeting noncanonical TGFβ signaling such as TAK1 might be a novel therapeutic approach to improve AVF maturation.
Association of TIM-1 (T-Cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain 1) With Incidence of Stroke
Authors: Song Lu , Sun Jiangming , Söderholm Martin , Melander Olle , Orho-Melander Marju , Nilsson Jan , Borné Yan , Engström Gunnar
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a causal relationship between circulating levels of TIM-1 (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1) and incidence of stroke.

Approach and Results:

Plasma TIM-1 was analyzed in 4591 subjects (40% men; mean age, 57.5 years) attending the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study. Incidence of stroke was studied in relation to TIM-1 levels during a mean of 19.5 years follow-up. Genetic variants associated with TIM-1 (pQTLs [protein quantitative trait loci]) were examined, and a 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to explore the role of TIM-1 in stroke using summary statistics from our pQTLs and the MEGASTROKE consortium. A total of 416 stroke events occurred during follow-up, of which 338 were ischemic strokes. After risk factor adjustment, TIM-1 was associated with increased incidence of all-cause stroke (hazards ratio for third versus first tertile, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.10–1.87];
P
for trend, 0.004), and ischemic stroke (hazards ratio, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.06–1.90];
P
for trend, 0.011). Nineteen independent lead SNPs, located in three genomic risk loci showed significant associations with TIM-1 (
P
<5×10
−8
). A 2-sample Mendelian Randomization analysis suggested a causal effect of TIM-1 on stroke (β=0.083,
P
=0.0004) and ischemic stroke (β=0.102,
P
=7.7×10
−5
).

Conclusions:

Plasma level of TIM-1 is associated with incidence of stroke. The genetic analyses suggest that this could be a causal relationship.
COVID-19 in Singapore – a case series from primary care
Authors: Sim SZ , Teo SH , Kong JW , Lim ZL , Ng MYK , Tang WE
Published: May 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, early case detection is vital to limiting community spread. We describe our experiences with four COVID-19 cases at the polyclinics in January and February 2020. This retrospective case series highlights the challenges primary care clinicians face in the early identification of suspect cases based on clinical criteria only. To improve case detection, clinicians can sharpen their clinical acumen by keeping abreast with the latest COVID-19 developments and by maintaining a high state of vigilance.
Neottia nyinyikyawii (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), a new species from Chin State, Myanmar

Authors: MU AYE-THIN , AUNG MUNG-HTOI , JIN XIAO-HUA
Published: May 2020

Neottia nyinyikyawii, a new species of Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from Nat Ma Taung, Chin State, Myanmar. Neottia nyinyikyawii is morphologically similar to N. chandrae and N. tenuis, but differs from them by having leaves borne in the middle of the plant, elliptic lip 7.0–8.0 × 1.5–2.0 mm and falcate lobelets. A preliminary assessment of the risk of extinction of this new species is Least Concern (LC).
Analysis of tribological properties of graphite and aluminum composite materials prepared by powder metallurgy technique
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Li Jun , Li Daquan
Published: May 2020

In order to make full use of the wear resistance and antifriction of the mixed reinforced particles, improve the performance and utilization rate of the composite material, and reduce its wear amount, in this study, graphite and aluminum composite materials with different graphite concentration
were prepared by powder metallurgy process. On this basis, the influence of different graphite concentration on the friction coefficient and wear amount of composite samples and different load on the wear amount of composite materials were discussed and analyzed. The results show that with
the increase of graphite content, the friction coefficient and wear amount of the composite will decrease correspondingly. When the load is less than 30 N, the wear curve of the sample changes steadily. When the load is more than 30 N, the wear will increase sharply. Therefore, the analysis
of the tribological properties of the graphite and aluminum composites based on the powder metallurgy process plays an important role in improving the utilization rate of the composite and reducing its wear.
A Simple Calibration Method of Anti-Stokes–Stokes Raman Intensity Ratios Using the Water Spectrum for Intracellular Temperature Measurements
Authors: Yoshikawa Yuki , Shigeto Shinsuke
Published: May 2020

Presented here is a facile and practical method for calibrating anti-Stokes–Stokes intensity ratios in low-frequency Raman spectra that is devised specifically for temperature measurements inside cells. The proposed method uses as an intensity standard the low-frequency Raman spectrum of liquid water, a major molecular component of cells, whose temperature is independently measured with a thermocouple. Rather than calibrating pixel intensities themselves, we obtain a correction factor at each Raman shift in the 20–200 cm−1 region by dividing the anti-Stokes–Stokes intensity ratio calculated theoretically from the Boltzmann factor at the known temperature by that obtained experimentally. The validity of the correction curve so obtained is confirmed by measuring water at other temperatures. The anti-Stokes–Stokes intensity ratios that have been subjected to our calibration are well fitted with the Boltzmann factor within ∼1% errors and yield water temperatures in fairly good agreement with the thermocouple temperature (an average difference ∼1 ℃). The present method requires only 15 min of spectral acquisition time for calibration, which is 50 times shorter than that in a recently reported calibration method using the pure rotational Raman spectrum of N2. We envision that it will be an effective asset in Raman thermometry and its applications to cellular thermogenesis and thermoregulation.
Functional Improvements of Speech, Feeding, and Sleep After Lingual Frenectomy Tongue-Tie Release: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Baxter Richard , Merkel-Walsh Robyn , Baxter Barbara Stark , Lashley Ashley , Rendell Nicholas R.
Published: May 2020

Recent studies suggest that speech, solid feeding, and sleep difficulties may be linked to restricted tongue function. Children with tongue restrictions and speech, feeding, and sleep issues underwent lingual frenectomies with a CO2 laser, paired with myofunctional exercises. Questionnaires were completed before, 1 week after, and 1 month following treatment. Thirty-seven patients participated in the study (mean age 4.2 years [range 13 months to 12 years]). Overall, speech improved in 89%, solid feeding improved in 83%, and sleep improved in 83% of patients as reported by parents. Fifty percent (8/16) of speech-delayed children said new words after the procedure ( P = .008), 76% (16/21) of slow eaters ate more rapidly ( P < .001), and 72% (23/32) of restless sleepers slept less restlessly ( P < .001). After tongue-tie releases paired with exercises, most children experience functional improvements in speech, feeding, and sleep. Providers should screen for oral restrictions in children and refer for treatment when functions are impaired.
Self-Assertion, ‘Ignorant Backwoodsmen’ and the Experience of ‘(Un) Safe Spaces’
Authors: Torevell David
Published: May 2020

I want to suggest that contemporary notions of individuality and self-assertion have been, to some extent, significantly influenced by the thinking of the 18th-century Genevan political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Although a committed Christian, Rousseau nursed an understanding of the inner self which clearly resonates with the rise in the 21st century of secularized accounts of the person and the prevalence of ‘identity politics.’ I argue these are frequently contextualized within the demand for equality and have morphed into strategies of protection, witnessed most glaringly in the promotion of ‘safe spaces,’ especially in modern universities. While in some respects these developments are to be lauded, since they are located in moral strivings for justice, I argue that a too obsessive focus on the individual self can result in harmful consequences. Biblical writers, Desert Christians and contemporary ascetics know this and have something important to teach in this regard. Their emphasis on the formation of identity, based on scriptural reasoning and historical tradition, imbibed in the body, promotes collective subjectivity and saves the person from descending into introverted, aggrieved individualism, which, ironically, makes the fight for social justice less effective.
Is Death Taboo for Older Chinese Immigrants?
Authors: Zhang Weiguo
Published: May 2020

Much of the scholarly literature sees death as a taboo topic for Chinese. To test this assumption, this study held seven focus groups in the Greater Toronto Area in 2017. It found that the majority of the older Chinese immigrant participants talked about death freely using either the word death or a euphemism. They talked about various issues including medical treatment and end-of-life care, medical assistance in dying, death preparation, and so on. A small number did not talk about death, but it seemed their reluctance was related to anxiety or discomfort or simply reflected a choice of words. The study concludes death as taboo could be a myth, at least for older Chinese immigrants.
Socioeconomic variations and disparity in space–time accessibility in suburban China: A case study of Guangzhou
Authors: Chen Zifeng , Yeh Anthony Gar-On
Published: May 2020

The concept of conventional place-based accessibility, despite being well researched, tends to ignore people’s space–time constraints arising from mandatory activities (e.g. work and household duties), which confine people’s potential movement and delimit the accessible opportunities. As people with different socioeconomic statuses may have different space–time constraints even while living in similar locations, using the place-based measures could lead to an underestimation of accessibility inequality. This study applies a space–time measure to unravel the disparities in service accessibility in suburban China. Since the late 1970s, suburbanisation in Chinese cities has fostered income inequality and has elevated other dimensions (e.g. institutional status and gender) of disparity within each income class. Within this context, we conduct a case study of suburban neighbourhoods in Guangzhou, based on the activity diary data derived from a home-based questionnaire survey. Findings indicate that the use of a space–time measure effectively captures the disparities in service accessibility among residents in suburban Guangzhou. On the basis of structural equation modelling, we further identify that certain socioeconomic groups (e.g. high-income residents, public sector workers, local hukou holders, male household heads and welfare housing residents) tend to experience fewer space–time constraints from rigid activities, such as work, commuting and household duties, and are thus more advantaged in accessing service facilities. These findings imply that urban planning should address the space–time perspective to promote equal service access for the highly heterogeneous social groups in suburban China and to incorporate time-sensitive policies (e.g. flexitime policies).
Perceptions of Protection under Nondiscrimination Law
Authors: Underhill Kristen
Published: May 2020

Nondiscrimination rules—statutes, regulations, and soft law protections—are critical for reducing health and health care disparities. Although scholarship has interrogated how nondiscrimination rules affect behavior by discriminators, comparatively little has considered how protections can affect choices made by members of protected groups. A number of states and some interpretations of federal law protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. This Article seeks to identify relationships between actual state law, perceived state law, and experiences of discrimination and medical mistrust. This Article reports the results of a national cross-sectional survey of over 3,000 men using Grindr to meet male partners. Participants scored comparable to chance in knowledge about state nondiscrimination protections, with “optimistic errors” (erroneous beliefs that one was protected) significantly more common than pessimistic errors. Perceptions of protection were significantly correlated with lower medical mistrust and greater uptake of care, as well as lower perceived barriers to disclosure and care-seeking. Actual state law protections, however, were significant predictors of having had discussions with providers that depended on disclosure of sexual behavior or orientation. Building on these results, this Article considers pathways by which nondiscrimination law may exert welcome mat (and “unwelcome mat”) effects.
Divergence and Convergence of Royalty Determinations between Compulsory Licensing under the TRIPS Agreement and Ongoing Royalties as an Equitable Remedy
Authors: Shore David
Published: May 2020

Patent rights are recognized as a property asset with an attendant right to exclude. However, recent policy developments highlight that the right to exclude is not inviolable. This paper explores two rapidly evolving exceptions to patent exclusivity, both of which take the form of compulsory licenses. First, under the international Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (“TRIPS”), national governments can compel patent owners to out-license technology in service of greater good. These egalitarian compulsory licenses improve access to technology but undermine patent value. Second, compulsory licenses are increasingly relied upon as an equitable remedy in U.S. patent litigation. Typically referred to as “ongoing royalties,” these court-mandated compulsory licenses are a modern alternative to injunctions against adjudged infringers. TRIPS compulsory licenses and ongoing royalties arise under independent legal frameworks, but necessarily invoke parallel economic considerations. While the wisdom of each has been discussed at length by others, this paper explores principles of royalty determination employed in each context. Considering both frameworks, an analysis of where each succeeds and fails is provided, together with an exploration of optimized royalty frameworks.
What slips through the cracks: The distance between regulations and practices shaping the gender pay gap
Authors: Sánchez-Mira Núria , Serrano Olivares Raquel , Carrasquer Oto Pilar
Published: May 2020

Studies have often examined the effects of one dimension of work organization (WO) on the gender pay gap (GPG) by considering single contexts. However, research has rarely addressed how different factors of WO intersect to shape the GPG across contexts. This article fills this gap in the literature by comparing the chemical industry and financial services sectors in Spain. The article analyses how WO is formalized in collective bargaining and how regulations translate in practice at the company level. While different configurations of intertwining inequalities emerge in each context analysed, managerial discretion is a common key feature contributing to the GPG. Gaps in regulation allow unilateral recruitment, promotion and pay practices. Simultaneously, managerial practices distort or circumvent regulation by abusing or misusing certain concepts. The distance between regulation and practice is embedded in gendered organizational cultures and institutional inertia leading to gender inequalities in pay.
Global cardiovascular care: an overview of high-level political commitment
Authors: Vervoort Dominique , Parikh Umang M , Raj Ankit , Swain JaBaris D
Published: May 2020

Background

Six billion people worldwide lack access to safe, timely, and affordable cardiac surgical and interventional care when needed. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity around the world, and include a significant surgical backlog of rheumatic and congenital heart diseases. Here, we review the political commitment by the WHO, the UN, and the World Bank to build and strengthen healthcare services for cardiovascular diseases, with a particular focus on cardiac surgical and interventional cardiology services around the world.

Methods

A literature search was performed in the WHO, UN, and World Bank Governing Body databases to identify policy documents mentioning curative cardiovascular disease care. The Governing Body documentation, the Institutional Repository for Information Sharing database of the WHO, and the Official Document System of the UN were used. Documents only discussing prevention of cardiovascular diseases were excluded.

Results

Fifty-nine unique documents were identified, including 56 from the WHO, 3 from the World Bank, and none from the UN; 12 (20.4%) documents mentioned cardiac surgery, and 6 (10.2%) contained some actionable language to incorporate cardiac surgical services, but none was explicitly dedicated to cardiac surgical services.

Conclusion

Although growing, high-level political commitment for curative cardiovascular health services remains minimal. Increased awareness is needed to develop comprehensive cardiovascular care that is necessary to mitigate the increasing burden of premature morbidity and mortality from cardiac disease, and to work towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage.
Accurate positioning of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulas using real-time trans-thoracic echocardiography
Authors: Galante Ori , Almog Yaniv , Rainey Eli , Fuchs Lior
Published: May 2020

In this retrospective observational case series, we aimed to evaluate the use of real-time trans-thoracic echocardiography in accurate positioning of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulas. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome in need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were screened. Twenty-one extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulas were inserted in 10 patients, and 95% of the cannulas were located exactly at the vena cava–right atria junction as planned. Real-time point-of-care trans-thoracic echocardiography for the exact positioning of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannula is feasible, simple, time saving, and accurate.
International remittance flows and the economic and social consequences of COVID-19
Authors: J. Abel Guy , Gietel-Basten Stuart
Published: May 2020

One of the possible consequences of the tightening of international borders during and after pandemic COVID-19 is what the World Economic Forum refers to as the ‘throttling’ of international (labour) migration. While this will have a profound macroeconomic impact on the global economy, the potential impact on remittances on families, communities and national economies could be equally marked. We present a chord diagram to visualize the latest inter- (and intra-) regional global data on international remittances. This graphic shows the degree of the interconnectedness of the ‘global economy of work’ and the extent to which negative health, economic, social or political changes for migrants in one territory will have profound consequences far across the world.
“Hitting as Light as Feathers”: Religious Leaders’ Voices on Domestic Violence
Authors: Kassas Sara , Abdelnour Nay , Makhoul Jihad
Published: May 2020

Domestic violence (DV) is described as a major public health issue that negatively affects women’s physical, mental, reproductive, and sexual health. In Lebanon, there are 18 religious sects that are allowed by the Lebanese constitution to manage their own affairs, judge, legislate, and issue rulings. These laws discriminate against married women and favor men over women. The purpose of this research is to explore the views and attitudes of religious leaders on DV, and their experiences of dealing with DV in Lebanon. This study involved in-depth interviews with 13 male religious leaders from various religious denominations. Each religious leader participated in an in-depth interview to assess understanding and perceptions about DV, and how DV cases are usually dealt with. All of the participants stated that they were involved in the affairs of their communities by counseling on familial and marital problems. Thus, several themes emerged throughout this study which are related to types and prevalence of DV, causes of DV, responding to DV through counseling and taking legal measures, religious leaders’ opinions on the DV law, and the support they need from the community and stakeholders to encourage the implementation of the law against DV. The results demonstrated that religious leaders are one of the many stakeholders concerned with addressing community-level issues because religion is a prominent part of people’s lives in Lebanon. Therefore, religious leaders could have a pivotal role in raising awareness about and responding to DV. Providing them with proper information and referral options in the communities they serve would improve society’s response to DV. Finally, their request for building their skills in DV counseling in the form of trainings or workshops indicates a need that can be met by local community organizations.