bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Review of Various Diabetic Prediction Models: A Literature Survey
Authors: Saxena Roshi , Sharma Sanjay Kumar , Gupta Manali , Sampada G. C.
Published: April 2022

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by a high amount of glucose in the blood and can cause too many complications also in the body, such as internal organ failure, retinopathy, and neuropathy. According to the predictions made by WHO, the figure may reach approximately 642 million by 2040, which means one in a ten may suffer from diabetes due to unhealthy lifestyle and lack of exercise. Many authors in the past have researched extensively on diabetes prediction through machine learning algorithms. The idea that had motivated us to present a review of various diabetic prediction models is to address the diabetic prediction problem by identifying, critically evaluating, and integrating the findings of all relevant, high-quality individual studies. In this paper, we have analysed the work done by various authors for diabetes prediction methods. Our analysis on diabetic prediction models was to find out the methods so as to select the best quality researches and to synthesize the different researches. Analysis of diabetes data disease is quite challenging because most of the data in the medical field are nonlinear, nonnormal, correlation structured, and complex in nature. Machine learning-based algorithms have been ruled out in the field of healthcare and medical imaging. Diabetes mellitus prediction at an early stage requires a different approach from other approaches. Machine learning-based system risk stratification can be used to categorize the patients into diabetic and controls. We strongly recommend our study because it comprises articles from various sources that will help other researchers on various diabetic prediction models.
Single-Cell Sequencing Identifies the Heterogeneity of CD8+ T Cells and Novel Biomarker Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Hailei , Fu Yang , Da Bin-Bin , Xiong Geng
Published: April 2022

CD8+ T cells are required for the establishment of antitumor immunity, and their substantial infiltration is associated with a good prognosis. However, CD8+ T cell subsets in the tumor microenvironment may play distinct roles in tumor progression, prognosis, and immunotherapy. In this study, we used the scRNA-seq data of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to reveal the heterogeneity of different CD8+ T cell subsets. The scRNA-seq data set GSE149614 was obtained from the GEO database, and the transcriptome and sample phenotypic data of TCGA-LIHC were obtained from the TCGA database. CD8+ T cell subtypes and metabolic gene sets were obtained from published reports. The data processing and analysis of CD8+ T cell groups was performed by R language. The PPI network was constructed to obtain the hub genes, and the KM survival curve of the hub genes was further plotted to determine the hub genes with differences in survival. CD8+ T cells in HCC were divided into 7 subsets, and the cytotoxic CD8 T cells 4 subset showed considerable differences between the TP53-mutant and nonmutant groups, as well as between different degrees of cirrhosis, HCC grades, stages, ages, and body weights. Cytotoxic CD8 T cells 4 differential genes were analyzed by TCGA-LIHC data and single-cell sequencing data set. 10 hub genes were found: FGA, ApoA1, ApoH, AHSG, FGB, HP, TTR, TF, HPX, and APOC3. Different subsets of CD8+ T cells were found to contribute to heterogeneous prognosis and pathway activity in HCC. Alterations in the cytotoxic and immune checkpoint gene expression during CD8+ T cell differentiation were also identified. We found that cytotoxic CD8 T cells 4 is closely associated with survival and prognosis of HCC and identified four differential genes that can be used as biological markers for survival, prognosis, and clinically relevant characteristics of HCC. Results of this study could help finding targets for immunotherapy of HCC and aid in the accelerated development of immunotherapy for HCC.
Multiauthority Attribute-Based Access Control for Supply Chain Information Sharing in Blockchain
Authors: Liu Chenlei , Xiang Feng , Sun Zhixin
Published: April 2022

Information sharing has become an important application in modern supply chain management systems with business technology development. Because traditional supply chain information systems have problems such as easy data tampering, low information transparency, and interaction delays, blockchain has been taken consideration into supply chain information sharing research. Furthermore, blockchain technology is expected to provide decentralized supply chain information sharing solutions to enhance security, availability, and transparency. However, with the in-depth study of the application of blockchain technology in supply chain information sharing, people have found that the data stored publicly in the blockchain are still threatened by privacy leakage. In addition, due to the openness and accessibility of the blockchain, the lack of fine-grained access control is also apparent. In order to improve the security of data, we propose a novel privacy-preserving multiauthority attribute-based access control scheme for secure blockchain-based information sharing in a supply chain. In this scheme, blockchain stores encrypted supply chain information on distributed nodes. Multiple attribute authorities manage different attributes of users to achieve fine-grained access control and flexible authorization. Even if some attribute authorities fail, the user’s private key will not be leaked. In user secret key generation, we adopt an anonymous key generation protocol to realize the secure distribution of user keys by the attribute authorities. Furthermore, in order to meet the protection of communication privacy between blockchain nodes, properties of policy hiding and identity hiding are considered. Finally, we design experiments to analyze the performance of our scheme, including secret key sizes and running time of encryption and decryption.
Design of a Smart Art Classroom System Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Guo Binbin , Kou Heung , Zhou Yanbing
Published: April 2022

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things and to improve the teaching efficiency of the art classroom, a smart art classroom system based on the Internet of Things is proposed, which can effectively assist in teaching. First, we give the general design of the smart art classroom, including the composition of the hardware and software, and the construction method of the application system. Based on existing technologies such as RFID, smart camera, smart voice, smart terminal, and smart screen interaction, an all-around smart art classroom is constructed. Further, we present the design of an intelligent camera-based classroom assistance system based on face detection and facial expression recognition, which can effectively determine the status of students in class and can be used to assist in reminding teachers of their teaching tasks. Among them, face detection and facial expression recognition algorithms are designed based on different convolutional neural network architectures. Finally, experimental data sets are constructed to verify the accuracy of the used algorithms. The experimental results show that the detection accuracy of classroom faces is better than 95% and the accuracy of expression recognition is 88%, which can meet the application needs of intelligent art classrooms.
Adaptive Evolution of the Fox Coronavirus Based on Genome‐Wide Sequence Analysis
Authors: Feng Chunyu , Liu Yuting , Lyu Guangqi , Shang Songyang , Xia Hongyue , Zhang Junpeng , Irwin David M. , Wang Zhe , Zhang Shuyi
Published: April 2022

Purpose. To report the first complete fox coronavirus (CoV) genome sequence obtained through genome‐wide amplifications and to understand the adaptive evolution of fox CoV. Methods. Anal swab samples were collected from 35 foxes to detect the presence of CoV and obtain the virus sequence. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using MrBayes. The possibility of recombination within these sequences was assessed using GARD. Analysis of the levels of selection pressure experienced by these sequences was assessed using methods on both the PAML and Data Monkey platforms. Results. Of the 35 samples, two were positive, and complete genome sequences for the viruses were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis, using Bayesian methods, of these sequences, together with other CoV sequences, revealed that the fox CoV sequences clustered with canine coronavirus (CCoV) sequences, with sequences from other carnivores more distantly related. In contrast to the feline, ferret and mink CoV sequences that clustered into species‐specific clades, the fox CoV fell within the CCoV clade. Minimal evidence for recombination was found among the sequences. A total of 7, 3, 14, and 2 positively selected sites were identified in the M, N, S, and 7B genes, respectively, with 99, 111, and 581 negatively selected sites identified in M, N, and S genes, respectively. Conclusion. The complete genome sequence of fox CoV has been obtained for the first time. The results suggest that the genome sequence of fox CoV may have experienced adaptive evolution in the genes replication, entry, and virulence. The number of sites in each gene that experienced negative selection is far greater than the number that underwent positive selection, suggesting that most of the sequence is highly conserved and important for viral survive. However, positive selection at a few sites likely aided these viruses to adapt to new environments.
Performance of Palm Oil Clinker Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Comprising Spent Garnet as Fine Aggregate Replacement
Authors: Jamaludin Nur Farah Aziera , Muthusamy Khairunisa , Md Jaafar Mohd Faizal , Putra Jaya Ramadhansyah , Ismail Mohamed A.
Published: April 2022

The increase in building activity as a result of population expansion has resulted in an overexploitation of aggregate, with disastrous environmental consequences. Simultaneously, the disposal of spent garnet by the shipbuilding industry and palm oil clinker by palm oil mills harms the environment and needs a greater amount of landfill space. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of spent garnet as a fine aggregate substitute on the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of palm oil clinker concrete. Concrete mixes were created using various percentages of spent garnet as a fine aggregate substitute, including 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. The workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption, and acid resistance of the water cured concrete were all determined. It was determined that using 20% spent garnet increased the compressive strength of lightweight concrete. The positive filler effect of spent garnet resulted in a densely packed internal structure of concrete, allowing it to have the lowest percentage of water absorption. The same mixtures exhibited the least mass change and strength reduction when exposed to acid solution. The results established that ecologically friendly concrete may be manufactured by including considerable volumes of waste from the shipbuilding and palm oil sectors.
An Association between EMX2 Variations and Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome: A Case-Control Study of Chinese Women
Authors: Li Haiping , Liao Shi , Luo Guangnan , Li Haixia , Wang Shuai , Li Zhimin , Luo Xiping
Published: April 2022

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by congenital malformations of Müllerian structures, including the uterus and upper two-thirds of the vagina in women. Until now, the etiology of this disease has remained unknown. We hypothesized that EMX2 (the human homologue of Drosophila empty spiracles gene (2) might be a candidate gene for MRKH syndrome because it plays an important role in the development of the urogenital system. Through sequence analysis of EMX2 in forty patients with MRKH syndrome and one hundred and forty healthy women controls, we identified eleven variations in total. Four novel variations were only found in MRKH patients, and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in both patients and controls. In silico analyses suggested that the novel variations in the 5′UTR (untranslated region) and 3′UTR might affect transcriptional activity of the EMX2 promoter or posttranscriptional processing. In conclusion, our study suggests an association between noncoding variations in the EMX2 gene and MRKH syndrome in a Chinese Han population.
Derechos de agua
Authors: Ponce Carlos , Saavedra Eduardo , Tapia Javier
Published: April 2022

El pleno de la Convención Constitucional aprobó recientemente dos incisos del artículo 18 de la nueva carta magna que, de ser aprobada por la ciudadanía, establece que “Toda persona, natural o jurídica, tiene derecho de propiedad en todas sus especies y sobre toda clase de bienes, salvo aquellos que la naturaleza ha hecho comunes a todas las personas y los que la Constitución o la ley declaren inapropiables”. Agrega que “Corresponderá a la ley determinar el modo de adquirir la propiedad, su contenido, límites y deberes, conforme con su función social y ecológica”. De igual manera, acerca de la expropiación de derechos de propiedad, finalmente se propuso en el artículo 20 de nuestra Constitución que “Nadie puede ser privado de su propiedad sino en virtud de una ley que autorice la expropiación por una causa de utilidad pública de interés general declarado por el legislador. Continuar leyendo...
Report of the First International Symposium on NUT Carcinoma
Authors: French Christopher A. , Cheng Michael L. , Hanna Glenn J. , DuBois Steven G. , Chau Nicole G. , Hann Christine L. , Storck Simone , Salgia Ravi , Trucco Matteo , Tseng Jennifer , Stathis Anastasios , Piekarz Richard , Lauer Ulrich M. , Massard Christophe , Bennett Kelly , Coker Shodeinde , Tontsch-Grunt Ulrike , Sos Martin L. , Liao Sida , Wu Catherine J. , Polyak Kornelia , Piha-Paul Sarina A. , Shapiro Geoffrey I.
Published: April 2022

NUT carcinoma is a rare, aggressive cancer defined by rearrangements of the NUTM1 gene. No routinely effective treatments of NUT carcinoma exist, despite harboring a targetable oncoprotein, most commonly BRD4-NUT. The vast majority of cases are fatal. Poor awareness of the disease is a major obstacle to progress in the treatment of NUT carcinoma. While the incidence likely exceeds that of Ewing sarcoma, and BRD4-NUT heralded the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitor class of selective epigenetic modulators, NUT carcinoma is incorrectly perceived as “impossibly rare,” and therefore receives comparatively little private or governmental funding or prioritization by pharma. To raise awareness, propagate scientific knowledge, and initiate a consensus on standard and targeted treatment of NUT carcinoma, we held the First International Symposium on NUT Carcinoma on March 3, 2021. This virtual event had more than eighty attendees from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Patients with NUT carcinoma and family members were represented and shared perspectives. Broadly, the four areas discussed by experts in the field included (1) the biology of NUT carcinoma; (2) standard approaches to the treatment of NUT carcinoma; (3) results of clinical trials using BET inhibitors; and (4) future directions, including novel BET bromodomain inhibitors, combinatorial approaches, and immunotherapy. It was concluded that standard chemotherapeutic approaches and first-generation BET bromodomain inhibitors, the latter complicated by a narrow therapeutic window, are only modestly effective in a minority of cases. Nonetheless, emerging second-generation targeted inhibitors, novel rational synergistic combinations, and the incorporation of immuno-oncology approaches hold promise to improve the prognosis of this disease.
Tucatinib has Selective Activity in HER2-Positive Cancers and Significant Combined Activity with Approved and Novel Breast Cancer–Targeted Therapies
Authors: O'Brien Neil A. , Huang Holly K.T. , McDermott Martina S.J. , Madrid Athena M. , Luo Tong , Ayala Raul , Issakhanian Shawnt , Gong Ke Wei , Lu Ming , Zhang Jun , Slamon Dennis J.
Published: April 2022

Pharmacologically targeting the HER2 oncoprotein with therapeutics such as the mAb, trastuzumab, provides clinical benefit for patients with HER2-positive (HER2+) cancers. However, a significant number of patients eventually progress on these therapies. Efforts to overcome therapeutic resistance through combination therapy with small-molecule inhibitors of HER2 have been limited by toxicities associated with off-target activity and/or limited efficacy. In this preclinical study, we explore single-agent and combined activity of tucatinib, a novel HER2-selective small-molecule inhibitor. Tucatinib demonstrated potent, selective activity in a panel of 456 human cancer cell lines, with activity restricted to cell lines (breast and non-breast) with HER2-amplification, including models of acquired resistance to trastuzumab. Within the HER2+ population, tucatinib response tracked strongly with HER2-driven signaling. Single-agent tucatinib induced tumor regressions in xenograft models of HER2+ breast cancer and combination with trastuzumab induced a complete and sustained blockade of HER2/PI3K/AKT signaling. Efficacy of the tucatinib/trastuzumab combination matched that induced by current standard-of-care trastuzumab/pertuzumab/docetaxel combination, with the exception that the chemotherapy-sparing tucatinib/trastuzumab combination did not require a dosing holiday to achieve the same efficacy. In xenograft models of HER2+ breast cancer that also express estrogen receptor (ER; HER2+/ER+), tucatinib showed combined efficacy with inhibitors of CDK4/6 and ER, indicating potential novel therapeutic strategies for difficult-to-treat subtypes of HER2+ breast cancer. These data support expanded clinical investigations of tucatinib as a combination partner for other novel and approved targeted therapies for HER2-driven malignancies.
Mulberry Leaf Extract Alleviates Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Conjunctivitis in Rabbits via Downregulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Upregulation of the Nrf2 System and Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Chen Ying , Lai Linglin , Mo Zhentao , Li Xu , Su Xiaotong , Li Yiqi , Leng Ennian , Zhang Yueyue , Li Wenna
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, and anticancer properties. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-induced conjunctivitis (5 × 109 colony-forming units, 0.5 mL/eye) in a rabbit model. Methods: Rabbits were treated with MLE (5 mL/kg·d−1 and 10 mL/kg·d−1), 0.9% saline, pearl bright eye (PBE) drops, or erythromycin eye ointment (EEO) group for 5 days. The ocular infection symptoms, bacterial negative conversion rate, and conjunctival histopathological changes of rabbits in each group were observed. The expression of caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, NOD-like receptor leucine-rich pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin (IL)-18, IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα, Keap1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in conjunctival tissue of rabbits were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR and/or Western blot analysis. Results: The results showed that MLE treatment significantly reduced the clinical sign scores of conjunctivitis, alleviated clinical signs, and decreased bacterial load, and histological damage in a time- and dose-dependent manner was compared to that in the control group. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of MLE (10 mL/kg·d−1) were similar to those of the positive control drug PBE and EEO. In addition, MLE significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, downregulated the NLRP3 inflammasome, and upregulated the Nrf2 system. Conclusions: MLE is effective in alleviating S. aureus-induced conjunctivitis in rabbits, and this mechanism is associated with the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome and activation of the Nrf2 system to regulate pro-inflammatory signaling.
Associations of the Methylation Levels of NFAT5, PVT1, RPS6KA1, and MIB1 with Steroid-Resistant Asthma
Authors: Chen Liping , Wang Wenyi , Leng Qiuping , Cong Li , Wu Chao , Yang Xiaohong
Published: April 2022

Background: This study detected the methylation levels of nuclear factor-5 (NFAT5), PVT1, ribosomal protein S6 kinase A-1 (RPS6KA1), and MIB1 in patients with steroid-resistant asthma (SRA) and explored their associations with SRA. Methods: In our pilot study, we found abnormal methylation of NFAT5, PVT1, RPS6KA1, and MIB1 in SRA patients according to genome-wide methylation screening. This study expanded the sample size to further validate the results of the pilot study. Twenty patients with SRA, 20 patients with bronchial asthma, and 20 healthy volunteers constituted the SRA group, asthma control group, and healthy control group, respectively. The clinical data of all the participants were collected. Peripheral blood was taken for DNA extraction. The methylation loci and levels of NFAT5, PVT1, RPS6KA1, and MIB1 were detected using the Sequenom MassARRAY Nanodispenser RS1000. Data were processed and analyzed with SPSS 22.0 software. Results: There were 24 CpG loci detected in the NFAT5 segment 7 in the PVT1 segment, 4 in the RPS6KA1 segment, and 3 in the MIB1 segment. Among these genes, RPS6KA exhibited hypomethylation in the SRA group, which showed significant differences at the CpG_1, CpG_2, and CpG_3 loci compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences in the methylation levels of NFAT5, PVT1, and MIB1 were observed among the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: RPS6KA1 is hypomethylated in SRA patients, which may play a role in the development of SRA via the MAPK signaling pathway. However, the influence of the methylation of NFAT5, PVT1, and MIB1 on SRA development remains to be explored.
Primary Pulmonary Malignant Melanoma Successfully Treated with Immunotherapy in a 90-Year-Old Patient
Authors: Fujita Kohei , Nakatani Koichi , Imakita Takuma , Kanai Osamu , Mio Tadashi
Published: April 2022

Malignant melanoma is a rare and high-grade cancer. It most commonly affects the skin, but it has the potential to involve all areas of the body. Primary pulmonary malignant melanoma is rare, accounting for only 0.01% of all pulmonary tumors. We present a case of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma in a 90-year-old patient. The pretreatment computed tomography (CT) showed a pulmonary mass in the right upper lobe, multiple pleural nodules, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, and bone metastases. Positron emission tomography-CT showed a region of fluorodeoxyglucose hyperaccumulation that was consistent with the abnormal shadows. Advanced stage lung cancer was initially suspected, but bronchoscopy revealed a malignant melanoma. The patient was diagnosed with a primary pulmonary malignant melanoma. Although the patient was older, he wanted to receive immediate treatment. Thus, he was treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. He responded well to the medication, and neither major adverse events nor tumor size reduction was observed. We report a rare case of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma in an older adult. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, as in this case, was a viable treatment option for older adults.
Evaluation of a Bariatric Monitoring Pass for Primary Care Physicians
Authors: Ranzenberger-Haider Tamara , Meyer Elias Laurin , Stamm Tanja , Dreschl Bettina , Itariu Bianca , Prager Gerhard , Stangl Anna , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Schindler Karin , Krebs Michael
Published: April 2022

Introduction: There are a growing number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery requiring lifelong follow-up. Therefore, follow-up care can no longer be covered by specialized outpatient clinics alone due to the sharp rise in the number of bariatric patients. Bariatric Patients in Primary Care: Postoperative Nutrition and Lifestyle Management (BagEL) is a survey to evaluate a newly developed structured disease management program including nutrition and lifestyle management in primary care. Methods: The study is conceived as a randomized cohort study with a control group. An expert questionnaire for general practitioners (GPs) was developed to assess the usability of a structured postoperative care system regarding nutrition and lifestyle management for bariatric patients in primary care. A structured follow-up program in primary care with a so-called bariatric monitoring passport (BMP) was provided for patients in the intervention (INT) group and the existing information sheet “Metabolic surgery and perioperative care” for the control (CON) group. 124 patients, who met inclusion criteria and who underwent a bariatric procedure first time, served as ambassadors for delivery of the expert questionnaire and study documents to their individual GPs. Results: A total of 39 (31.5%) different GPs from 124 ambassador patients responded. For the primary outcome “Does the aftercare-booklets support treatment of bariatric patients?” GPs of the INT group rated the new designed aftercare booklet (INT) significantly more helpful for treating bariatric patients than the one from the CON group (p = 0.041). Discussion/Conclusion: These results suggest that GPs are welcoming supportive tools like our BMP to improve the care of long-term follow-up of bariatric patients and should actively participate in the development of lifelong disease management plans necessary to cope with the rapidly growing number of patients.
Thirty‐Year Trends in the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation: The ARIC Study
Authors: Ghelani Kunali P. , Chen Lin Yee , Norby Faye L. , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Koton Silvia , Alonso Alvaro
Published: April 2022

Background

Long‐term data to study recent trends in the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), overall and among sex and race groups, are scarce. We evaluated the 30‐year trends in the incidence of AF in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study cohort and explored race and sex differences in these trends.

Methods and Results

We included 15 343 men and women aged 45 to 64 years in 1987 to 1989 without AF from 4 US communities in the ARIC cohort. Incident AF was identified based on study ECGs, hospital discharge codes, and death certificates through 2017. We calculated age and period‐specific incidence rates (IRs) of AF. We used Poisson regression to calculate IR ratios of AF over time adjusting for age, sex, and race. A total of 3241 AF cases were identified during a mean (SD) follow‐up of 22 years (8.4 years) (599 in Black participants, 2642 in White participants, 1582 in women, and 1659 in men). Overall, the IR of AF in the ARIC cohort was 9.6 per 1000 person‐years (6.9 in Black participants, 10.5 in White participants, 8.1 in women, and 11.6 in men). Age‐specific IR by time period did not show significant changes over time. In a model adjusted for sex, race, and age group, the rate of AF did not change significantly from 1987 to 1991 compared with 2012 to 2017 (IR ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.88–1.36] comparing 2012–2017 with 1987–1991). Similarly, no evidence of changes over time in AF rates were identified in men and women or White and Black participants separately.

Conclusions

Even though IRs of AF increase as age increases, our analysis provided evidence suggesting that the overall IRs of AF have not changed over time in a multicenter cohort of Black and White individuals in the United States from 1987 to 2017.
Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Survivors With Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Nielsen Peter Brønnum , Melgaard Line , Overvad Thure Filskov , Jensen Martin , Larsen Torben Bjerregaard , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Veltkamp Roland , Harvey Kirsten H , Korompoki Eleni , D’Anna Lucio , Halse Omid , Hügen Klemens , Malzahn Uwe , Ullmann Sabine , Schuhmann Carolin , Todd Gabriele Putz , Brinz Hannes , Heuschmann Peter U. , Haas Kirsten , Rücker Viktoria , Enzinger Christian , Ropele Stefan , Pinter Daniela , Haidegger Melanie , Gattringer Thomas , Fandler-Höfler Simon , Wolfe Charles D. A. , Wang Yanzhong , Wafa Hatem A. , Montaner Joan , Palà Elena , Debette Stéphanie , Sibon Igor , Renou Pauline , Lachaize Morgane , Milan Léa , Heyvang Nathalie , Ledure Sylvain , Michel Pascale , Graziani Mara , Marchini Laura , Caso Valeria , Horstmann Solveigh , Purrucker Jan , Ringleb Peter , Haffa Mariam , Hoppe-Tichy Torsten , Haefeli Walter E. , Seidling Hanna M. , Burhenne Jürgen , Foerster Kathrin I. , Lane Deirdre A , Ivany Elena , Lotto Robyn
Published: April 2022

Background:

In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and prevalent atrial fibrillation (AF), the optimal stroke prevention strategy is unclear. We sought to estimate the risk of cerebrovascular events among ICH survivors with AF.

Methods:

We used the Danish Stroke Registry to identify patients with incident ICH and prevalent AF between 2003 and 2018. Key inclusion/exclusion criteria of the PRESTIGE-AF (Prevention of Stroke in Intracerebral hemorrhage Survivors With Atrial Fibrillation) trial were applied. Cumulative incidence of recurrent ICH, cerebrovascular ischemic event, and all-cause death were investigated after one year.

Results:

A total of 1885 patients (median age 80.0 years; 47.6% females) were included in the study. We observed 191 cerebrovascular events and 650 all-cause deaths, and more cerebrovascular ischemic events (N=63) than recurrent ICH events (N=40). Risks of recurrent ICH, cerebrovascular ischemic event, and all-cause death were 1.5%, 3.2%, and 30.3%, respectively, among patients not exposed to OAC during follow-up. The cumulative incidences were 2.8% for recurrent ICH, 3.2% for cerebrovascular ischemic events, and 22.0% for all-cause death among patients initiating/resuming OAC during follow-up.

Conclusions:

We observed a high risk of cerebrovascular ischemic events and a very high risk of all-cause death at one year after the incident ICH. The results of ongoing clinical trials are warranted to determine optimal stroke prevention treatment among ICH survivors with concomitant AF.
Evidence of morphological homoplasy among large, semi-aquatic species of Desmognathus
Authors: Camp Carlos D. , Felix Zachary I. , Wooten Jessica A.
Published: April 2022

The salamander family Plethodontidae is replete with instances of repeated homoplasy. We tested for morphological homoplasy in distantly related species of the plethodontid genus Desmognathus that share similar ecologies. Specifically, we compared species that are large and nearly aquatic. Using morphometric analyses, we compared the respective morphologies of four large, nearly aquatic forms, specifically the Black Mountain Salamander (Desmognathus welteri), the Dwarf Black-bellied Salamander (D. folkertsi), and two phylogenetically divergent lineages of the Black-bellied Salamander (D. quadramaculatus). Morphometric analysis uncovered distinct differences among them. However, all of the large-bodied lineages exhibited the same extent of tail-fin development in spite of D. welteri’s closer phylogenetic relationship to smaller, more-terrestrial species than to the other large, nearly aquatic forms we tested. We hypothesize that large body size is also a consequence of aquatic adaptation. These morphological consequences of a nearly aquatic ecology represent another case of homoplasy within this salamander family.
Transforming Transformative Agreements
Authors: Inchcoombe Steven , Winter Susie , Lucraft Mithu , Baker Katie
Published: April 2022

Springer Nature (as Springer) signed its first transformative read and publish agreement in 2015. This Springer compact agreement with VSNU (Association of Universities in the Netherlands) was the first agreement of its kind to combine reading and publishing fees with the aim of transitioning traditional library subscription payments into central funding to support open access (OA) publishing. It has proved to be a pivotal moment in the transition to OA.

Since then, Springer Nature has agreed many such national agreements all around the world, including the world’s largest with Projekt DEAL in Germany. Through a series of case studies, this article will examine the role these agreements have played in facilitating the transition to OA – to bring centralized funding for OA – and analyse how their nature and characteristics have evolved and adapted to reflect the differing needs of individual customers, as well as changing views.

The paper will also consider the challenges faced by publishers, institutions, and funders in agreeing transformative agreements, consider how these ‘blockers’ can be overcome, and evaluate the future role of transformative agreements as a critical precursor to achieving open science.
The Chinese Community of Malacca, 1795–2021: A Translocal Microhistorical Narrative
Authors: Dennerline Jerry
Published: April 2022

This article explores the shaping and reshaping of a Chinese community in Malacca, by focusing on issues of learning, faith, and power over several generations under British colonial and postcolonial Malaysian rule. Core social and religious institutions of the translocal kinship and commercial network of 1795 enabled the community to respond creatively to new global challenges. By 1840, a new generation had constructed a different translocal network with Singapore. As migration increased, so did the varieties of translocal experience in Malacca. As political challenges escalated, the community developed a pattern of response, mediation, participation, and integration, enabling community leaders to keep the peace. Subsequent generations of Hakka miners, Fujianese planters, and Hainanese merchants and workers participated with the deeply rooted Baba-Nyonya families in adapting this patterned local response to reform, war, and revolution. This “microhistorical” perspective enables us to explore how the legacies still matter in a rapidly changing new world.
Intraspecific variations of morphometric indices of some species of the genus Ditylenchus Filipjev, 1936 (Nematoda: Anguinidae) in relation to diet and temperature
Authors: HASHEMI KOBRA , KAREGAR AKBAR , HAMZEHZARGHANI HABIBALAH
Published: April 2022

In a study, 13 known species of Ditylenchus Filipjev, 1936 were collected during 2013–2017 mainly in the southern provinces of Iran, and the variability of their morphological and morphometric characteristics was investigated. The results showed that the number of lateral lines, V′ and V indices, stylet and spicule length, whose coefficient of variation was less than 10%, were more stable than the other characters. The effects of different temperatures and food sources, including several plants, fungi and carrot disc on the taxonomic characters of three populations of Ditylenchus destructor, two populations of D. dipsaci, and one population of D. myceliophagus were studied. The results showed that indices V, V′ and MB were more stable than the others. The indices were more affected by food source than by temperature. In addition, the calculation of the correlation between some morphometric indices showed that the distances between the anterior end and vulva, and the anterior end and anus were significantly correlated with body length in all species and populations studied.
Africana Intellectual/Pedagogical Work: Teaching to Answer the Call to the African Renaissance in the African Diaspora Context
Authors: Baker Marquis M. , King Joyce E.
Published: April 2022

In this article we examine what selected online audiovisual and text resources teach about Africa using Africana/Black Studies scholarship to interrogate and assess opportunities such educational materials provide for African American students to identify with Africa and the African Renaissance concept. Popularized by Cheikh Anta Diop and promoted by Thabo Mbeki, the African Renaissance envisions the transformation of Africa’s future and how Africa’s histories, peoples, and contributions to the world are understood. Using the Afrocentric method of duo autoAfronography, we suggest ways educational resources can promote identify affirming African diaspora literacy consciousness and connectedness to Africa and the idea of the African Renaissance.
Indulgent Consumption Signals Interpersonal Warmth
Authors: Tang Qing , Zhang Kuangjie , Huang Xun (Irene)
Published: April 2022

People who engage in indulgent consumption often are viewed as having poor self-control. In this research, however, eight studies provide converging support that indulgent consumption can have a positive effect: signaling interpersonal warmth. Specifically, consumers who post indulgent (vs. healthy) consumption content on social media are perceived as warmer (Study 1). The effect occurs because consumers believe that indulgent consumption is what people genuinely prefer, so indulgent (vs. healthy) consumption seems more authentic, and authenticity mediates the effect of indulgent consumption on perceived warmth (Studies 2a and 2b). Providing additional support for the authenticity mechanism, the authors show that the positive effect of indulgent (vs. healthy) consumption on perceived warmth is attenuated when the indulgent content is sponsored, which casts doubt on its authenticity (Study 3). Further, sharing sharing indulgent consumption can increase the appeal of a service provider among consumers who are seeking a warm service provider, but this occurs only when the content is not sponsored (Studies 4a and 4b). Finally, the effect of sharing indulgent (vs. healthy) consumption has downstream consequences for audience engagement on Instagram (Studies 5a and 5b). This research sheds light on how to cultivate interpersonal warmth in marketing communication and personal branding.
Do Perfectionism Traits Predict Team Cohesion and Group Conflict Among Youth Athletes?
Authors: Freire Gabriel Lucas M. , Fiorese Lenamar , Moraes José Fernando V. N. d. , Codonhato Renan , Oliveira Daniel Vicentini de , Nascimento Junior José Roberto de A. d.
Published: April 2022

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the predictive power of perfectionism on 413 Brazilian athletes’ perceptions of team cohesion and conflict. Participants responded to the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2, the Youth Sport Environment Questionnaire, and the Group Conflict Questionnaire. In data analysis, we used Pearson correlations, multiple regression, latent profile analysis (LPA), and multiple analysis of variance. Regression analysis revealed that perfectionistic standards were positively associated with both task and social cohesion ( p < .01), while doubts about action were negatively associated with task cohesion ( p < .01). Furthermore, concern over mistakes, parental pressure, and doubts about action were positively associated with social conflict ( p < .01), and concern over mistakes was positively associated with task conflict ( p < .01). LPA revealed two profiles of perfectionism that we termed perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic striving. Perfectionistic striving was positively correlated with social cohesion ( p < .001), and perfectionistic concerns were positively correlated with both task conflict ( p < .001) and social conflict ( p < .001).
A feasible weave color scope inspection by using primary yarn colors to improve Jacquard reproduction quality
Authors: Zeng Lei , Kim Ken Ri , Xin John H
Published: April 2022

Producing a wide scope of weave colors is challenging in modern Jacquard weaving with limited weft color variety. The subtractive primary color yarns (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) are used to replicate varied Jacquard designs, but there is potential to improve the color reproduction quality by expanding a feasible weave color scope. Therefore, this research examined weave colors that are created by combining two sets of primary colors from different color systems. In color printing, six color pigments (i.e., cyan [C], magenta [M], yellow [Y], red [R], green [G] and blue [B]) are popularly used as primary colors for color reproduction. Therefore, weft yarn colors are selected in line with the six colors and a feasible weave color scope is inspected. The group of yarns is paired, and 225 weave color samples are produced to examine the color effects. The weave color samples are measured by a spectrophotometer and described by the CIELAB color space. The results show that the CIELAB color space was expanded by adding [R], [G] and [B] colored yarns. The hue and chroma ranges of the fabric samples were expanded compared with the fabrics produced by only [C], [M] and [Y] yarn colors. In this research, the possibilities in color reproduction are explored and the findings suggest great potential in producing a wide scope of weave colors by using primary yarn colors.
Career Development and Occupational Disease in Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Wenyu , Ma Xianzong , Xiao Qian , Yu Shuping , Zhang Mingna , Wang Xin
Published: April 2022

Background

A high tendency of intention to leave has been noted for nurses in China. The nursing profession is currently unstable.

Methods

A sample of 51406 nurses from 311 hospitals in China who completed the self-administered questionnaire online was recruited via the China Nursing Association by email and phone using a simple random sampling method. The recruitment occurred between July 2016 and July 2017.

Results

The majority of the nurses had working experience ≤20 years and had to work on night shifts. A high percentage of nurses (71.8%) had insomnia, followed by 37.0% who developed varicose veins and 40.9% who experienced musculoskeletal-related disorders. The proportions of the nurses who developed gastrointestinal and urinary system diseases were 56.0% and 18.2%, respectively. Nearly half of the nurses did not have a clear goal for their future career development and intended to leave. Nurses with long working hours each week were positively associated with the development of occupational diseases. The prevalence of occupational diseases was independently associated with career development.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of occupational diseases was noted among nurses in China. The data indicated that 50% of the nurses were vague regarding their career planning. The data suggest that managers need to pay more attention and to prevent this problem. Appropriate interventions should also be provided.
Nurse–Patient/Relatives Conflict and Patient Safety Competence Among Nurses
Authors: Alshehry Abdualrahman Saeed
Published: April 2022

Nurse–patient/relatives conflicts may adversely impact the well-being and work performance of nurses, which could prelude to the possibility of unwanted errors thereby threatening patient safety. This descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between nurses’ perceived nurse–patient/family conflicts and their perceived patient safety (PS) competence. Nurse–patient/relatives conflicts are critical issues that may adversely impact the nurses’ well-being, which could prelude to unwanted errors, thereby threatening PS. The study surveyed 320 nurses in Saudi Arabia using the “Healthcare Conflict Scale” and “Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey” from December 2019 to January 2020. The subscale “mistrust of motivations” was perceived to have the greatest conflict, whereas “contradictory communication” was rated as the lowest conflict. A significant difference was observed between the perceived conflict and the different hospital units where nurses worked. Saudi nurses reported higher nurse–patient/family conflicts than Filipino and Indian nurses. The highest PS competence was reported in “communicating effectively,” whereas “working in teams with other health professionals” had the poorest safety competence. The nurses’ perceived “mistrust of motivations” and “contradictory communication” were associated with poorer self-reported PS competence. Perceived conflicts between nurses and their patients/relatives had negative association with the perceived confidence of nurses in the difference patient safety competencies. The results can become the basis for formulating hospital policies geared toward the elimination of healthcare conflicts to help ensure the patient safety competence of nurses. Policies on mitigating conflicts between healthcare workers and patients/relatives must be created and implemented.
“We Don’t Negotiate with Terrorists”—Afghanistan, Bargaining, and American Civil–Military Relations
Authors: Barsuhn Adam
Published: April 2022

The United States government’s inability to view the conflict with the Taliban through the lens of the bargaining model of war was a fundamental element of its failure in Afghanistan. This problem was reinforced by a dysfunctional civil–military relations shaped by Samuel Huntington’s theory of objective control, resulting in the military pursuing campaigns of attrition that fit its organizational preferences but did not advance civilian political goals. These issues are evident in three different moments during the War in Afghanistan where the U.S. failed to seize an opportunity that could have changed the result of the conflict.
Global householding and gendered citizenship: Family visits as care support for Vietnamese marriage migrants in South Korea
Authors: Lee Hyunok
Published: April 2022

The citizenship of marriage migrants in South Korea has been discussed in terms of their roles as mothers in the context of Korea’s aging population and care crisis. However, as marriage migrants increasingly participate in the labor market, their individual rights as workers, and more specifically as working mothers, bring attention to the question of women’s citizenship in South Korea. Care provision is a key issue in the discussion on working mothers’ citizenship. This article focuses on global householding as a process of supporting the participation of marriage migrants in paid work. It highlights the role of the natal family of marriage migrants, especially their parents, as sources of care support to marriage migrants as well as recipients of care. The family visits of the parents of marriage migrants show how parents participate in the internationalization of social reproduction. This article contributes to understanding the household and family as a unit of analysis in the discussion of social reproduction and citizenship in East Asia. It also raises the issue of the embedded gender division of labor in the process of global householding.
Vascular anomalies: nomenclature, classification, and imaging algorithms
Authors: Das Abanti , Goyal Ankur , Sangwan Ankit , Bhalla Ashu Seith , Kumar Atin , Kandasamy Devasenathipathy , Dawar Rakesh
Published: April 2022

There is a lot of ambiguity in the usage of correct terminology in the description of vascular malformations and tumors. Hemangioma and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) are the most commonly used terms and are the mostly incorrectly used as well! The aim of this review article was to lay out the correct nomenclature and describe the correct usage for the physicians and radiologists involved in diagnosing and managing these lesions. We describe the various classification systems which have been devised to define the multiple entities included under vascular anomalies. The latest classification system that should be adhered to is per the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, approved at the 20th ISSVA Workshop held in Melbourne in April 2014, last revised in May 2018. The main features of the latest revision have been highlighted. This classification, however, does not list the diagnostic clinico-radiological features for each entity. In addition, guidelines regarding the appropriate use of available imaging modalities are lacking in the literature. We, hereby, aim to address these pertinent issues in this review article.