bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
En Hamac tympanoplasty and canalplasty for optimal type 1 tympanoplasty outcomes
Authors: Vandenbroeck S , Kuhweide R , Lerut B 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveMultiple tympanoplasty techniques have been developed with numerous differences in grafting and approach. This study aimed to improve type 1 tympanoplasty outcomes by using the ‘en hamac’ technique as well as performing a complete canalplasty for anterior perforations.MethodA retrospective review was performed using the prospective Otology-Neurotology Database tool for otological surgery. All primary type 1 tympanoplasty cases performed for tympanic membrane perforations from 2010 to 2016 were selected for analysis, all performed by one author. Minimal clinical and audiometric follow up was 18 months.ResultsTympanic membrane perforation closure was achieved in 62 of the patients (96.88 per cent). None of the en hamac cases had residual or recurrent perforation (p = 0.02). The mean remaining air–bone gap was 8.50 dB. The remaining air–bone gap was less than 10 dB in 72.55 per cent, 10–20 dB in 25.49 per cent and more than 20 dB in 1.96 per cent.ConclusionUsing the en hamac technique for anterior perforations as well as systematically performing a complete canalplasty provides multiple surgical advantages with excellent post-operative results.
Consumer Culture in Guatemala City during the ‘Season of Luis Mazzantini’, 1905: The Political Economy of Working-Class Consumption
Authors: Kirkpatrick Michael D. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn 1905, world-renowned bullfighter Luis Mazzantini arrived in Guatemala City for a number of corridas. Despite the excitement of the urban elite, the matador's fights were poorly attended by the working class due to high ticket prices. This article uses the ‘Mazzantini Season’ as a case study of working-class consumer culture in Guatemala City to trace shifts in Guatemalan political economy through the 1890s and early 1900s, analysing the constraints on popular consumerism such as price inflation, currency deflation, food shortages and other factors affecting working-class urban Guatemalans. It also demonstrates the manner in which responses by the state and coffee planters to economic crises to protect elite interests fundamentally undermined the ability of working-class residents of Guatemala City to participate in consumer culture.
A Social History of Parastatal Employees in Southern Benin, 1989–1990: Contesting Decline and Unemployment During “Africa’s Second Democratization”
Authors: Keese Alexander 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe huge parastatal sectors in postcolonial African societies interested sociologists in the 1970s and 1980s, but have never found a historical discussion – and the experience of change towards the democratization (eventually) has not yet been interpreted by historians. This study attempts to bring both elements together for the case of Benin, a country particularly shaken by massive economic decline, lay-offs and unemployment in the second half of the 1980s. It relies on an unusual and spectacular source, a series of petitions sent by workers and workers’ delegates to the presidential office of Mathieu Kérékou in 1989/90 (the presidential office partly added to these petitions whole dossiers of comments and correspondence with other authorities, i.e. ministerial directorates and the police). This analysis highlights how parastatal workers and their spokesmen tried to communicate about economic and social disaster with the authorities, how they protested and attempted to make claims about social norms and justice, and how they attacked “corruption”. I would hold that the cases studied cannot stand for a model of experiences, but they nevertheless represent a number of elements of a social history of decline: as well as protests and arguments, and views on the practice of petitioning, the discussion will also highlight individual trajectories that nevertheless exemplify, in my view, representative experiences and a history of daily life in Benin's parastatal sector. The interpretation also attempts to show how imminent democratization, through the creation of a National Conference in early 1990, changed the strategies and the context of workers’ protest. It includes a number of exemplary, and quite spectacular, cases of mismanagement and closing of parastatal companies, such as the Société Sucrière de Savè and SONICOG. I would think that the approach is unique so far for both Beninese and West African history.
Addressing the challenges of implementing a Health Technology Assessment Policy Framework in South Africa
Authors: Mueller Debjani 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveSouth Africa's commitment to progressively achieve universal health coverage can lead to the effective and appropriate use of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to strengthen the healthcare system. The study aimed to analyze the challenges faced in the formal implementation and utilization of HTA in the public health sector.MethodsReview and analysis of health technology policies and legislation introduced in South Africa since 1965 serves as the backbone of this study. Walt and Gilson's health policy triangle framework and Kingdon's model were used for data analysis. In addition, a semi-structured survey was conducted among key stakeholders, including those attending HTA workshops that were held in 2016 and 2017.ResultsThe document review identified appropriate legislative and policy framework for informing healthcare decisions. Survey participants (n = 55) reported limited political support, local capacity, and awareness of HTA as barriers to implementing HTA. They noted that adequate financial resources and availability and sharing of quality data are primary drivers for HTA development. Effective governance, collaboration, and cooperation between key stakeholders of the healthcare system were suggested as possible ways forward for the institutionalization of HTA.ConclusionThe South African government's goal to introduce the national health insurance program provides an excellent opportunity to formally introduce the use of HTA in decision making. Individual capacity development supported by institutional and organizational environments is urgently needed to achieve its full potential.
Mediating role of disordered eating in the relationship between screen time and BMI in adolescents: longitudinal findings from the Research on Eating and Adolescent Lifestyles (REAL) study
Authors: Mougharbel Fatima , Valois Darcie D , Lamb Megan , Buchholz Annick , Obeid Nicole , Flament Martine , Goldfield Gary S 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjective:This study investigated whether the duration and type of screen time (ST) (TV viewing, recreational computer use, video gaming) is longitudinally associated with z-BMI and if these relationships are mediated by disordered eating (emotional, restrained).Design:At baseline, participants were n 1197 (T1; 60 % female) adolescents (mean age = 13·51 years) who completed surveys over 2 years. ST was assessed by a self-reported measure created by the investigative team, while emotional and restrained eating was measured by the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEB-Q). Height and weight were objectively measured to quantify z-BMI.Setting:Thirty-one public and two private schools from the region of Ottawa, Canada.Participants:Students in grades 7–12.Results:Parallel multiple mediation analyses revealed that more time spent watching TV at baseline is associated with higher z-BMI at T3 (total effect; B = 0·19, se = 0·07, P = 0·01, 95 % CI 0·05, 0·34), but no relationships were observed for total ST exposure or other types of ST and z-BMI. Disordered eating did not mediate the positive association between baseline TV viewing and z-BMI at T3.Conclusions:TV viewing was longitudinally associated with higher z-BMI in a community-based sample of adolescents, but disordered eating behaviours did not mediate this relationship. However, other non-pathological eating behaviours may mediate the association between ST and obesity and warrant further investigation. Finding suggests that targeting reduction in youth’s TV viewing may be an effective component in the prevention of childhood obesity.
Development and pilot of a tool to measure the healthiness of the in-store food environment
Authors: Jaenke Rachael , van den Boogaard Christel , McMahon Emma , Brimblecombe Julie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjective:To rigorously develop a tool which enables rapid yet comprehensive appraisal of the consumer food retail environment and provision of real-time feedback to store managers and owners, based on the ‘4Ps’ principles of marketing.Design:Multi-stage iterative approach including (1) Systematic literature review; (2) Stakeholder consultation; (3) Assessment of existing tools against identified needs; (4) Tool development; (5) Pilot testing and (6) Transition of tool to mobile application (the Store Scout app).Setting:Northern Territory, Australia.Participants:Nine remote Aboriginal community food stores; public health nutritionists, retailers, store board directors, Aboriginal community members, government representatives.Results:Forty-seven existing tools and thirty-four stakeholder interviews informed the development of the current instrument, which comprised: (1) seven product categories (Fruit & Vegetables, Drinks, Snack Foods, Meals & Convenience Foods, Meat & Seafood, Dairy & Eggs, Breads & Cereals) across the ‘4Ps’ (Product, Placement, Price, Promotion); (2) Store manager questions about context and perceived importance of key principles about the store environment and (3) a scoring and feedback component. The tool was considered feasible and acceptable by all testers.Conclusions:The developed tool addresses an unmet need to measure the consumer food retail environment across all 4Ps whilst also incorporating manager perspectives and immediate feedback. Our objectives of developing a comprehensive, feasible and acceptable instrument were achieved during pilot testing. The tool will support implementation of best practice within stores to encourage healthy food choices and has potential for broad application in retail settings locally and internationally, as well as for research purposes.
Children's behavioural problems and its associations with socioeconomic position and early parenting environment: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Tamura K. , Morrison J. , Pikhart H. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Aims
To investigate behavioural problems throughout childhood and adolescent, and its relationship with socioeconomic position (SEP) and early parenting environment.

Methods
Using data from the Millennium Cohort Study conducted in the UK, behavioural problems of 14 452 children were analysed using a growth curve model. The children were followed from birth to adolescence, and their behavioural problems were measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The SDQ was sub-scaled into externalising and internalising problems. After assessing the general trajectory of children's behavioural problems, variables representing SEP and parenting environments were introduced to the model to analyse the association with children's outcomes.

Results
Overall, children's trajectories in externalising problems showed a decreasing trend while internalising problems increased as they aged. Household income and maternal education in early childhood were independently associated with children's behavioural problems, while the association for maternal occupation was significantly weaker. Positive early parenting environments attenuated the association between SEP and children's behavioural problems. Also, with regards to children's behavioural problems, positive parenting explained more variance between children compared to SEP. Favourable parent–child relationship buffered the income gradient in children's behavioural problems during early childhood, and although this buffering effect did not last until adolescence, those who had good parent–child relationships developed better outcomes regardless of their SEP.

Conclusions
The results of the study emphasise the importance of a positive early parenting environment for improving and reducing the socioeconomic gap in children's behavioural problems and encourages policies to promote better parenting circumstances.
Characterization of African Equatorial Ionization Anomaly During the Maximum Phase of Solar Cycle 24
Authors: Oyedokun O. J. , Akala A. O. , Oyeyemi E. O. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study characterizes the African equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) during the maximum phase of Solar Cycle 24 (2012–2015). Total electron content (TEC) data were obtained from a chain of 13 African Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers (within 36–42°E geographic longitude; 29°N to 10°S geographic latitude; ±20°N magnetic latitude) to study quiet time variations of TEC and thereafter construct the EIA profiles. The correlations of TEC for pairs of conjugate stations within the African EIA were determined. TEC station‐to‐trough ratio (TEC‐STR) was used as an index to determine the strength of the EIA crests. Furthermore, the variability of the EIA crests on a 3‐hourly basis over each month was investigated. Overall, equinoxes recorded the highest values of TEC, with the widest latitudinal location of the EIA crests, and June solstice recorded the least, with the characteristic equatorward collapse of the EIA crests. TEC and the location of the crests of the EIA also increased with solar activity. TEC showed good correlations for conjugate pairs of stations, especially for stations closer to the trough. The African EIA morphology showed asymmetry in the locations of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH) crests. The formation of EIA starts around 0600–0800 LT and decays around 2100–2300 LT. Generally, SH crest forms first before NH crest and also decays first; we attributed this to the effects of the meridional neutral winds. Comparing TEC at African EIA crests with other longitudinal sectors, the Asian sector recorded the highest TEC, while the American sector recorded the least.
Preliminary Evidence of Transport‐Limited Chemical Weathering and Element Immobility in the Ganges Tidal Delta Plain of Bangladesh
Authors: Ayers J. C. , Patton B. , Dietrich M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have documented a weathering‐limited regime in the upper reaches of the Ganges River Basin. Chemical weathering and element mobility at six sites in the lower reaches of the Ganges‐Brahmaputra tidal floodplain of southwest Bangladesh were investigated by comparing compositions of rice paddy soils, precursor tidal channel sediments, surface waters, and extract solutions, which represent the soluble fraction of solids. Little spatial variation in water and solid compositions is observed in each season, indicating similar processes are acting to transport elements across this region. Roughly one to several decades after deposition, rice paddy soils are not significantly different in mineralogy or composition from precursor tidal channel sediments, and both are similar to the composition of average upper continental crust. Soil and sediments contain mostly stable, cation depleted minerals, and coexisting waters are saturated in those minerals. There is no detectable change in composition of tidal channel water between upstream and downstream sites. Together, these observations indicate the dominance of weathered material and weak chemical weathering in the tidal floodplain, consistent with a transport‐limited regime. Multiple lines of evidence indicate a lack of exchange equilibrium between surface waters and coexisting solids, which may be a common feature in tidal river deltas where transport‐limited regimes likely dominate.
Using Climate to Explain and Predict West Nile Virus Risk in Nebraska
Authors: Smith Kelly Helm , Tyre Andrew J. , Hamik Jeff , Hayes Michael J. , Zhou Yuzhen , Dai Li 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe used monthly precipitation and temperature data to give early warning of years with higher West Nile Virus (WNV) risk in Nebraska. We used generalized additive models with a negative binomial distribution and smoothing curves to identify combinations of extremes and timing that had the most influence, experimenting with all combinations of temperature and drought data, lagged by 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months. We fit models on data from 2002 through 2011, used Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to select the best‐fitting model, and used 2012 as out‐of‐sample data for prediction, and repeated this process for each successive year, ending with fitting models on 2002–2017 data and using 2018 for out‐of‐sample prediction. We found that warm temperatures and a dry year preceded by a wet year were the strongest predictors of cases of WNV. Our models did significantly better than random chance and better than an annual persistence naïve model at predicting which counties would have cases. Exploring different scenarios, the model predicted that without drought, there would have been 26% fewer cases of WNV in Nebraska through 2018; without warm temperatures, 29% fewer; and with neither drought nor warmth, 45% fewer. This method for assessing the influence of different combinations of extremes at different time intervals is likely applicable to diseases other than West Nile, and to other annual outcome variables such as crop yield.
GRACE Follow‐On Laser Ranging Interferometer Measurements Uniquely Distinguish Short‐Wavelength Gravitational Perturbations
Authors: Ghobadi‐Far Khosro , Han Shin‐Chan , McCullough Christopher M. , Wiese David N. , Yuan Dah‐Ning , Landerer Felix W. , Sauber Jeanne , Watkins Michael M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe examined the first‐ever laser ranging interferometer (LRI) measurements of inter‐satellite tracking acquired by Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Follow‐On satellites. Through direct along‐orbit analysis of instantaneous inter‐satellite measurements, we demonstrate the higher sensitivity of LRI (than K‐band microwave ranging [KBR]) to anomalies associated with the Earth static gravity field at high spatial resolutions of 100–200 km. We found that LRI captures gravitational signals as small as 0.1 nm/s2 at 490 km altitude, improved by 1 order of magnitude from KBR. This allows LRI to uniquely detect un‐/mis‐modeled short‐wavelength gravitational perturbations. We employed all LRI data in 2019 to validate various state‐of‐the‐art global static gravity field models and show that LRI measurements, even over 1 month, can distinguish subtle differences among the models computed from ~15 years of GRACE KBR and ~4 years of Gravity Field and Steady‐State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) gradiometry data. Ultra‐precise LRI measurements will be yet another critical data set for future gravity field model development.
Association Between Meteor Radio Afterglows and Optical Persistent Trains
Authors: Obenberger K. S. , Holmes J. M. , Ard S. G. , Dowell J. , Shuman N. S. , Taylor G. B. , Varghese S. S. , Viggiano A. A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper presents the first observed association between meteor radio afterglows (MRAs) and persistent trains (PTs) and provides the first evidence of a link between these two phenomena. Coobservations of four meteor trails (trains) from the Long Wavelength Array (LWA) telescopes in New Mexico and the Widefield Persistent Train (WiPT) camera associate the long‐lasting (tens of seconds), self‐generated radio emission known as MRAs with the long‐lasting (tens of minutes) optical emissions known as PTs. Each of the four MRAs presented in this paper were spatially and temporally coincident with a PT. In one case, the MRA follows a relatively small (≤400 m × 400 m) noticeably bright region (knot) of emission within the PT, whereas the other three cases were associated with broader regions of PT activity. As PTs are thought to be driven by exothermic chemical reactions between atmospheric oxygen and ablation products, we show that the same reactions, specifically those involving anions, may produce the necessary suprathermal electrons to power MRAs. We show that only one part in ∼1010 of the available power needs to be converted to radio emission in order to produce a typical MRA.
Constraining Central Himalayan (Nepal) Fault Geometry Through Integrated Thermochronology and Thermokinematic Modeling
Authors: Ghoshal Suryodoy , McQuarrie Nadine , Robinson Delores M. , Adhikari D. P. , Morgan Leah E. , Ehlers Todd A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractConstraining the subsurface structural geometry of the central Himalaya continues to prove difficult, even after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake and the resulting insights into the trajectory of the Main Himalayan thrust (MHT). To this end, we apply a thermokinematic model to evaluate four possible balanced cross section geometries based on three estimates of the MHT in central Nepal. We compare the effect of different décollement and duplex geometries on predicted cooling ages and compare these to new and published ages. We find that the best‐fit geometry able to reproduce the cooling ages at the surface is a hinterland‐dipping duplex, which has been translated over a mid‐crustal ramp located ~110 km north of the Main Frontal thrust. We find that the temporal evolution of the duplex and MHT mid‐crustal ramp both play an integral role in producing the observed cooling ages, implying that the common assumption that the active décollement and ramp geometry solely control the distribution of cooling ages is incorrect. Furthermore, results indicate that the Ramgarh‐Munsiari thrust was emplaced between 17 and ~10 Ma, followed by the Trishuli thrust. Duplex growth occurs between 6.5 and 0.75 Ma, with its constituent thrust sheets moving at variable rates between 10 and 42 mm/yr. Young out‐of‐sequence thrusting (5 km of displacement) in the hinterland produces a slightly improved fit to the cooling ages. Finally, the resulting thermal field modeled from our best‐fit geometry suggests a possible basis for the nucleation and rupture characteristics of the Gorkha earthquake.
Effects of Time‐Dependent Contact Angle on Wettability of Subcritically Water‐Repellent Soils
Authors: Wang Zhongfu , Wallach Rony 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRecent studies have indicated that under certain conditions, most soils are water repellent to some degree, which impacts agricultural fields, pastures, forests, grasslands, and turf areas. Soil water repellency originates from amphiphilic molecules that reorient during contact with water. However, models to describe the flow in soils affected by time‐dependent contact angle (CA(t)) are still lacking. The current study aims to close this gap. The measured CA(t) for an oleic acid‐coated glass surface and a uniform capillary tube indicated that the initial CA was substantially higher for the latter. However, the rate of CA decrease was similar for both cases in spite of the fact that the contact area between the water and the tube wall continuously increases by the capillary rise. This indicates that the amphiphilic molecules reorientation at the vicinity of the contact line rather than at the wetted tube area controls the CA dynamics. A mathematical model for flow in a uniform and sinusoidal capillary tube with CA(t) < 90° that includes model for the reorientation of the amphiphilic molecules was introduced. The model for uniform case was successfully verified by comparison with measured capillary rise in a coated uniform tube. The simulations indicated that nonuniform pore geometry amplifies the effect of CA(t) on the capillary rise dynamics. The stepwise meniscus propagation in the sinusoidal capillary tubes is driven by the time for the meniscus to reach the converging section of the tube. The retardation in capillary rise increases with tube waviness.