bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological and Molecular Study of Hybrid Oncocytic/Chromophobe Tumor of the Kidney Associated with Sporadic Renal Oncocytosis and Chronic B-Cell Lymphocytic Leukemia: The Possible Contribution of Lymphoma to Renal Oncocytosis
Authors: Idoate Miguel A. , Trigo Inmaculada , Saenz de Zaitigui Jesús , Pérez-Pérez Manuel , Ríos Juan José
Published: April 2021

Hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumor (HOCT) of the kidney arising from a precursor oncocytosis not associated with the Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is an unusual and highly interesting neoplasm. Immunohistochemical and molecular findings suggest that HOCT is an entity distinct from both oncocytoma and chromophobe carcinoma. Although uncertainty persists regarding the factors predisposing to the development of HOCT, experimental findings suggest that it may arise due to the effect of toxins or in association with chronic kidney failure. The potential role of prior renal lymphoma in the development of oncocytosis has not hitherto been examined. We present a morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis of an HOCT arising from renal oncocytosis in conjunction with CLL affecting the kidney. The findings suggest that this tumor belongs to a family of similar neoplasms including oncocytoma, the eosinophilic variant of chromophobe renal-cell carcinoma (CRCC), and low-grade oncocytic tumor, even though these neoplasms may arise from different precursor lesions. HOCT and oncocytosis revealed the same immunohistochemical profile consistent on positivity for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin 7 (Ck7), E-cadherin, CAM 5.2 and negativity for Pax-8, vimentin, renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) antigen, CD117, racemase, progesterone receptor, and CD10. The Ki-67 proliferation index was <1%. Molecular analysis of the tumor revealed the AKT3 gene mutation variant, classified as probably pathogenic, together with FOS1 gene amplification and no copy number variations (CNVs). Finally, we present a case of HOCT arising from a nonhereditary renal oncocytosis in conjunction with B lymphoma that raises interesting questions regarding pathogenesis.
Correlates of Susceptibility to Scams in Community-Dwelling Older Black Adults
Authors: Yu Lei , Mottola Gary , Barnes Lisa L. , Han S. Duke , Wilson Robert S. , Bennett David A. , Boyle Patricia A.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Evidence suggests that older Black adults are frequent victims of financial fraud and exploitation. This study aims to identify the factors associated with scam susceptibility in older Black adults. Methods: Participants were 383 older Black adults living in the Chicago metropolitan area (mean age = 78 years and 82% female). A scam susceptibility measure assessed perceptions and behaviors that predispose older adults to fraud and scams. Categories of age-associated factors, including cognition, physical health, psychosocial factors, personality, and behavioral economics, were measured using uniform systematic assessments. For each category separately, measures associated with scam susceptibility were identified via stepwise variable selection. Results: Older age was associated with greater scam susceptibility. Further, the analysis revealed a robust association of cognitive health with scam susceptibility, particularly the domains of semantic and working memory. Psychological well-being was associated with susceptibility, as was neuroticism. Behavioral economic measures including financial and health literacy and financial and health decision-making ability were also implicated. In a final model that included all the measures initially retained by variable selection, semantic memory, psychological well-being, and financial and health literacy were independently associated with scam susceptibility. Moreover, the association of age was attenuated and no longer significant after adjusting for these correlates. Discussion: Age-associated vulnerabilities, rather than age itself, predispose older Black adults to financial fraud and scams. The correlates of scam susceptibility in community-living older Black adults primarily involve cognitive health, psychological, and behavioral economic factors.
Assessment of Exercise Intolerance in Patients with Pre-Dialysis CKD with Cardiopulmonary Function Testing: Translation to Everyday Practice
Authors: Pella Eva , Boutou Afroditi , Theodorakopoulou Marieta P. , Sarafidis Pantelis
Published: April 2021

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often characterized by increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and increased incidence of cardiovascular events and death. Reduced cardiovascular reserve and exercise intolerance are common in patients with CKD and are associated with adverse outcomes. Summary: The gold standard for identifying exercise limitation is cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). CPET provides an integrative evaluation of cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematopoietic, neuropsychological, and metabolic function during maximal or submaximal exercise. It is useful in clinical setting for differentiation of the causes of exercise intolerance, risk stratification, and assessment of response to relevant treatments. A number of recent studies have used CPET in patients with pre-dialysis CKD, aiming to assess the cardiovascular reserve of these individuals, as well as the effect of interventions such as exercise training programs on their functional capacity. This review provides an in-depth description of CPET methodology and an overview of studies that utilized CPET technology to assess cardiovascular reserve in patients with pre-dialysis CKD. Key Messages: CPET can delineate multisystem changes and offer comprehensive phenotyping of factors determining overall cardiovascular risk. Potential clinical applications of CPET in CKD patients range from objective diagnosis of exercise intolerance to preoperative and long-term risk stratification and providing intermediate endpoints for clinical trials. Future studies should delineate the association of CPET indexes, with cardiovascular and respiratory alterations and hard outcomes in CKD patients, to enhance its diagnostic and prognostic utility in this population.
Risk Factors for Non-Ampullary Duodenal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yabuuchi Yohei , Yoshida Masao , Kakushima Naomi , Kato Motohiko , Iguchi Mikitaka , Yamamoto Yorimasa , Kanetaka Kengo , Uraoka Toshio , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Sho Masayuki ,   on behalf of Japan Duodenal Cancer Committee
Published: April 2021

Introduction: An increase in the incidence of duodenal adenocarcinoma has been recently reported. However, little is known about the risk factors for duodenal adenocarcinoma, which are important for screening purposes. We, therefore, aimed to conduct a systematic review to identify risk factors for non-ampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma. Methods: A medical literature search was performed using electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Japan Medical Abstracts Society, and Web of Science. Studies that assessed the association between dietary habits, lifestyle behaviors, comorbidities, and non-ampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma were extracted. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias in individual studies, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach was used to assess the quality of evidence across studies included in this review. Results: Out of 1,244 screened articles, 10 were finally selected for qualitative synthesis. In the general population, no consistent risk factors were identified except for Helicobacter pylori positivity, which was considered a risk factor in 2 studies, but the quality of evidence was considered very low because of the high risk of bias. In patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Spigelman stage IV at initial endoscopy was considered a consistent risk factor in 3 studies. Conclusions: There are currently limited data regarding risk factors for non-ampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma, and no conclusive risk factors were identified in the general population. However, in patients with FAP, Spigelman stage IV was identified as a consistent risk factor. Further studies are needed to improve diagnosis and support effective clinical management of this malignancy.
Alternate without alternative: neither preference nor learning explains behaviour of C57BL/6J mice in the T-maze
Authors: Habedank Anne , Kahnau Pia , Lewejohann Lars
Published: April 2021

In rodents, the T-maze is commonly used to investigate spontaneous alternating behaviour, but it can also be used to investigate preference between goods. However, for T-maze preference tests with mice there is no recommended protocol and researchers frequently report reproduction difficulties. Here, we tried to develop an efficient protocol with female C57BL/6J CrL mice for preference tests. We used two different designs, adapting habituation, cues and trial timing. However, in both experiments mice did not show any preference, although we used goods which we knew mice find rewarding. Instead, they alternated choices indicating that exploratory behaviour overruled preference. We argue that this behavioural strategy has evolved as an adaptive trait in saturated conditions where there is no need to take the reward immediately. Therefore, we deem the T-maze unsuitable for preference testing with the procedures we used here.
Second Wife, Second Life: Polygyny among Migrants from Central Asia in Moscow
Authors: Cieślewska Anna
Published: April 2021

This article focuses on transnational polygamous marriages of migrants in Russia and how transnational polygynous practices influence people’s understanding of marriage, love and family. The paper shows how polygamous migrant marriages are negotiated between families, by presenting the perspective of individuals involved in such relationships in Russia. It argues that transborder relationships contribute to the transformation of social interactions. People function in two or sometimes more countries, creating opportunities for parallel partnering or other options that influence family networks in the migrants’ countries of origin.
Thirteen new species, new records, and a new combination on Colombian Myrtaceae
Authors: PARRA-O. CARLOS
Published: April 2021

Thirteen new species of Myrtaceae from Colombia are described and illustrated; information about the habitats in which these species are growing, the evaluation of its conservation status, and its affinities are included. Besides, five new records of native and introduced Myrtaceae are reported for Colombia. Also, a new combination of a Myrtaceae species previously described as Calycorectes is proposed here under the genus Eugenia.
A preliminary report of Gymnopus sect. Impudicae (Omphalotaceae) from China
Authors: LI JI-PENG , LI YU , LI TAI-HUI , ANTONÍN VLADIMÍR , HOSEN MD IQBAL , SONG BIN , XIE MENG-LE , FENG ZHAN
Published: April 2021

A new species, Gymnopus alliifoetidissimus, is described from China. It represents the first new species of Gymnopus sect. Impudicae for this country. It is characterized by its small, white basidiomata with a strong alliaceous smell. Additionally, G. densilamellatus and G. similis, originally described from South Korea, are reported as new records to China. Detailed descriptions, colour photographs, illustrations of microcharacters and phylogenetic analyses based on nrDNA (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-nrLSU) are presented. All known Chinese species were summarised in a preliminary report based on relevant literature and this study, and a key to the reported species of G. sect. Impudicae from China is provided.
Incorporating features from the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model into the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model: a unified dispersion model for time-forward and time-reversed applications
Authors: Loughner Christopher P. , Fasoli Benjamin , Stein Ariel F. , Lin John C.
Published: April 2021

The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model is a state-of-the-science atmospheric dispersion model that is developed and maintained at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Air Resources Laboratory (ARL). In the early 2000s, HYSPLIT served as the starting point for development of the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model that emphasizes backward-in-time dispersion simulations to determine source regions of receptors. STILT continued its separate development and gained a wide user base. Since STILT was built on a now outdated version of HYSPLIT and lacks long-term institutional support to maintain the model, incorporating STILT features into HYSPLIT allows these features to stay up to date. This paper describes the STILT features incorporated into HYSPLIT, which include: a new vertical interpolation algorithm for WRF derived meteorological input files, a detailed algorithm for estimating boundary layer height, a new turbulence parameterization, a vertical Lagrangian timescale that varies in time and space, a complex dispersion algorithm, and two new convection schemes. An evaluation of these new features was performed using tracer release data from the Cross Appalachian Tracer Experiment and the Across North America Tracer Experiment. Results show the dispersion module from STILT, which takes up to double the amount of time to run, is less dispersive in the vertical and in better agreement with observations than the existing HYSPLIT option. The other new modeling features from STILT were not consistently statistically different than existing HYSPLIT options. Forward-time simulations from the new model were also compared against backward-time equivalents and found to be statistically comparable to one another.
Outcomes and Utility of Intracranial Free Tissue Transfer
Authors: Minchew Heather M. , Karadaghy Omar A. , Camarata Paul J. , Chamoun Roukoz B. , Beahm Donald David , Przylecki Wojciech H. , Andrews Brian T.
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Complications associated with intracranial vault compromise can be neurologically and systemically devastating. Primary and secondary repair of these deficits require an air and watertight barrier between the intracranial and extracranial environments. This study evaluated the outcomes and utility of using intracranial free tissue transfer as both primary and salvage surgical repair of reconstruction.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of all subjects who underwent intracranial free tissue transfer as primary or salvage repair.

Results:

A total of 13 intracranial free tissue transfers were performed on 11 subjects: osteocutaneous radial forearm free flaps (n = 6), partial myofascial rectus abdominis flaps (n = 5), temporoparietal fascia flap (n = 1), and serratus anterior myofascial flap (n = 1). Primary reconstruction was performed on 4 subjects with the remaining being salvage repair. Indications for surgery included neoplasm (n = 6 of 11), ballistic trauma (n = 3 of 11), motor vehicle accident (n = 1 of 11), and infection (n = 1 of 11). Three subjects required additional surgical repair for CSF leak and pneumocephalus, with 2 subjects requiring an additional free tissue transfer at a different site.

Conclusion:

In our experience, free tissue transfer is an effective primary and salvage surgical technique in the reconstruction of complex intracranial problems.
It’s Reception all the Way Down: A Review of The Reception of Jesus in the First Three Centuries
Authors: Rollens Sarah E.
Published: April 2021

The Reception of Jesus in the First Three Centuries is a three-volume collection that explores the reception of traditions about Jesus. Comprised of 82 essays by over 60 individual contributors, these volumes explore both textual expressions of ancient Jesus traditions, as well as material representations. This review essay looks closely at these important contributions by 1) discussing the overall project’s methodological approach and 2) examining three sample chapters in detail.
Axillary Thermometry Demonstrates Greater Reliability Compared With Rectal Thermometry in Healthy Neonates
Authors: Nadkarni Ketan Prakash , Mayo Zachary , Laux Jeffrey P. , McRea Abigail , Angelillo Deonna , Meitzen Rose , Dechtiar Ana Debora , Baquero Chelsea , Crabtree Kathryn , Carr Lisa , Lohr Jacob A.
Published: April 2021

Rectal thermometry (RT) is considered the gold standard for measuring temperature in newborns, despite increasing use of temporal artery thermometry (TT) and axillary thermometry (AT) methods. Few prospective studies compare RT, TT, and AT in a newborn nursery setting. To determine the accuracy and reliability of these methods, we enrolled 205 healthy, full-term newborns. TT displayed higher mean temperatures than RT by 0.25 °F (standard error [SE] = 0.04, P < .001). AT and RT measurements did not significantly differ, with their means differing only by 0.02 °F (SE = 0.04, P = .87). For reliability, RT measurements differed by 0.45 °F (SE = 0.03) in either direction of the models’ predicted mean for each subject. AT and TT measurements varied much less from their predicted means 0.32 °F (SE = 0.02) and 0.34 °F (SE = 0.02), respectively (both P < .001). Assuming mean RT is correct, TT is less accurate than AT. RT showed poor reliability between measurements. AT is an accurate and reliable method of temperature screening in healthy neonates.
Knowledge and attitude towards home treatment among referring healthcare professionals and self-referring patients to a psychiatric hospital: Better information is needed
Authors: Mötteli Sonja , Risch Ladina , Hotzy Florian , Vetter Stefan
Published: April 2021

Background:

Home treatment (HT) is a patient-centred and cost-effective alternative to acute psychiatric inpatient care. However, the progress of its implementation and utilisation in routine care is slow.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitude towards HT among healthcare professionals.

Method:

This observational study included telephone-based semi-structured interviews of 140 referring healthcare professionals including 35 self-referring patients to a large psychiatric hospital in Switzerland during 6 months in 2020. We assessed their knowledge, attitude and experience with HT along with sociodemographic characteristics, professional background and the intention for the referral. We completed the interviews with routine medical data of the referred patients such as diagnoses or symptom severity.

Results:

Regarding referrals for inpatient treatment (involuntary and voluntary), half of the referring healthcare professionals and 80% of the self-referring patients had no prior experience or knowledge of HT. Knowledge of HT differed in the order of the participants’ working places. We found that most participants were uncertain about the inclusion/exclusion criteria for HT. Despite the low levels of knowledge, attitudes towards HT were overall positive.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that a proportion of the patients referred for inpatient treatment might have been eligible for HT too. The referring healthcare professionals’ and patients’ unfamiliarity and uncertainty with HT seems to be an important reason that home-based treatment approaches are still underused, although they are viewed very positively. Besides providing more information to potential referring health professionals, psychiatric hospitals should always carry out a standardized evaluation if HT is an option in patients who are referred for inpatient treatment.
Hormonally Active Contraceptives, Part II: Sociological, Environmental, and Economic Impact
Authors: Williams William V. , Brind Joel , Haynes Laura , Manhart Michael D. , Klaus Hanna , Lanfranchi Angela , Migeon Gerard , Gaskins Michael , Šeman Elvis I. , Ruppersberger Lester , Raviele Kathleen M.
Published: April 2021

To investigate the sociological, environmental, and economic impact of hormonally active contraceptives, a series of comprehensive literature surveys were employed. Sociological effects are discussed including abortion, exploitation of women, a weakening of marriage, and an increase in divorce with deleterious effects on children such as child poverty, poorer health, lower educational achievement, suicide risks, drug and alcohol abuse, criminality, and incarceration, among others. The environmental impact is discussed briefly and includes the feminization and trans-gendering of male fish downstream from the effluent of city wastewater treatment plants with declining fish populations. The potential economic impact of most of these side effects is estimated based on epidemiologic data and published estimates of costs of caring for the diseases which are linked to the use of hormonally active contraceptives. Hormonally active contraceptives appear to have a deleterious impact on multiple aspects of women’s health as well as negative economic and environmental impacts. These risks can be avoided through the use of nonhormonal methods and need to be more clearly conveyed to the public.

Hormonal contraceptives have wide-ranging effects.  The potential economic impact of the medical side effects is estimated. Sociological effects are discussed including abortion, exploitation of women, a weakening of marriage and an increase in divorce with negative effects on children such as child poverty, poorer health, lower educational achievement, suicide risks, drug and alcohol abuse, criminality and incarceration among others. The environmental impact includes hormonal effects on fish with declining fish populations. Women seeking birth control have a right to know about how to avoid these risks by using effective hormone-free methods like Fertility Awareness Methods.
Inducing Amusement in the Laboratory and Its Moderation by Experiential Approach
Authors: Abernathy Danette , Zettle Robert D.
Published: April 2021

The relative ability of four comedic sketches to induce amusement in the laboratory and its moderation by dispositional differences in experiential approach as a form of positive emotion regulation were investigated. College student participants reported significant and equivalent diminished levels of negative affect relative to baseline following each sketch, while the level of positive affect induced by The Office exceeded that elicited by two of the three other sketches as well as by a top-ranked French comedic film clip. Regression models indicated that the two subscales of the Experiential Approach Scale and their interaction accounted for significant variability in negative mood reductions following the sketches. Unexpectedly, college student participants who enjoyed the greatest decrement in negative affect reported a regulation style in which anxiously clinging to positive emotions dominates over sustaining and savoring them. The limitations of this project and implications of its findings for laboratory inductions of amusement, as well as further investigations of its possible moderation by experiential approach as form of positive emotion regulation are discussed.
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction for Military Cadets on Perceived Stress
Authors: Chen Yeh-Hung , Chiu Fa-Chung , Lin Yao-Nan , Chang Yu-Lin
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to develop a program of mindfulness-based stress reduction for military cadets (MBSR-MC). On the basis of a pretest–posttest design, participants were assigned to either a control or an experimental group to examine the effectiveness of MBSR-MC. First, 60 volunteering cadets of National Defense University were randomly assigned to the MBSR-MC group ( n = 30) and the control group ( n = 30). In the pretest, all participants were required to complete the Taiwanese version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (T-FFMQ) and a perceived stress scale (PSS). Subsequently, the MBSR-MC group participated in the 8-week MBSR-MC program, whereas the control group did not receive any experimental treatment. One week following the completion of the program, a posttest consisted of the same questions as the pretest was conducted. Statistical analysis showed that (1) Comparing with the control group, the MBSR-MC group showed superior performance in three subscales of T-FFMQ, namely Acting with awareness, Non-judgment, and Non-reactivity. However, no significant difference was found in the remaining two facets: Observing and Describing. (2) The perceived stress score of the MBSR-MC group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Furthermore, an analysis of mediating effect showed that Acting with awareness, Non-judgment, and Non-reactivity were mediating variables of the relationship between MBSR-MC and perceived stress. The aforementioned results indicated that MBSR-MC training significantly increased military cadets’ Acting with awareness, Non-judgment, and Non-reactivity, thereby significantly reducing their perceived stress. Therefore, this study supported the effectiveness of the MBSR-MC program on perceived stress.
Alexithymia and Adult Attachment: Investigating the Mediating Role of Fear of Intimacy and Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies
Authors: Scigala Dawid Konrad , Fabris Matteo Angelo , Badenes-Ribera Laura , Zdankiewicz-Scigala Elzbieta , Hintertan Iwona , Longobardi Claudio
Published: April 2021

Literature suggests an association between alexithymia and insecure adult attachment, but the mediation factors involved in this relationship are under-investigated. The study was carried out to test the possible mediation roles of the fear of intimacy and negative mood regulation expectancies in explaining this relationship. A convenience sample of 258 Polish adults (mean age: 30; 45% male), completed self-reporting measures related to adult attachment (RAAS), alexithymia (TAS-20), fear of intimacy (FIS) and negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE). The results showed that alexithymia directly and indirectly predicts insecure adult attachment. Alexithymia positively predicts the fear of intimacy, which, in turn, positively predicts insecure adult attachment. Finally, alexithymia negatively predicts NMRE which, in turn, predict insecure adult attachment. It emerges from our data that the fear of intimacy and NMRE may be mediating factors in the relationship between alexithymia and adult attachment. Limitations, future directions of research and guidance for intervention are discussed.
Higher education, the arts, and transdisciplinarity: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: van Baalen Wander M , de Groot Tamara , Noordegraaf-Eelens Liesbeth
Published: April 2021

Against an increasingly compartmentalized educational landscape, we have heard urgent calls for new modes of teaching and learning. In this light, educators from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds turned to transdisciplinarity and the arts for a possible response. The educational initiatives being developed and the related literature are situated across a wide range of themes, disciplines, and methodologies. The fragmented nature of the academic discussion inhibits our capacity to think through the implications of mobilizing the concept of transdisciplinarity within the arts and education. This study addresses the lack of an overview by conducting a systematic review of the literature characterized by a triangular interest in higher education, transdisciplinarity, and the arts. The documents under review amount to 458 unique scientific papers. In our results, we present a metaphorical scale – moving from buzzwords to a theoretically delineated usage – to make sense of the use and conceptualization of transdisciplinarity and we introduce three main ways how the arts are part of transdisciplinary educational compositions. In bringing together literature on education, the arts, and transdisciplinarity, we shed light on relevant similarities between thinking and doing that too often operates in isolation. As such, we aim to facilitate opportunities for mutual learning and present an improved vantage point from which to consider how decisions regarding particular conceptualizations and positionalities feed into our artistic and educational practices.
Effect of conglomeration gradation on loess shear strength with different water content
Authors: Kong Dequan , Wan Rong , Zhao Chenkai , Dai Jiumei , Dong Tijian , Ni Weiheng , Gao Jiang , Wang Tianchen
Published: April 2021

Particle gradation and water content are important factors affecting shear strength of soil. However, due to chemical cementation and molecular attraction, loess particles commonly stick together forming conglomerations. Till date, the superposition effect of water content and conglomeration gradation on loess shear strength has rarely been studied and undeniably requires further systematic explorations and development. In this study, loess samples were prepared with three conglomeration gradations and five water contents, and the direct shear tests were systematically performed. The shear strength of sample 1 (continuous conglomeration gradation) was found to be the best, followed by sample 2 (large size conglomerations), and sample 3 (small size conglomerations). The difference of samples’ shear strength decreased with increasing water content, and almost closed to zero when water content was 20%. The cohesion of samples first increased and then decreased with increasing water content, the maximum cohesion occurred at 10% water content. The internal friction angles decreased with increasing water content, and reached similar minimum values when the water content was 15%. The increased percentage values of cohesion and internal friction angle caused by conglomeration gradation are in the range of 33.2%–42.1% and 9.8%–32.5%, respectively. Finally, the empirical formulas for water content-cohesion and water content-internal friction angle of different conglomeration gradations samples were established, and the calculated values are in good agreement with test data. The effect of loess conglomeration gradation on shear strength decreased with increasing water content. When the water content was less than 15%, using a good conglomeration graduation could effectively improve loss shear strength.
A pan-cancer perspective analysis reveals the opposite prognostic significance of CD133 in lower grade glioma and papillary renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Haiwei , Wang Xinrui , Xu Liangpu , Zhang Ji , Cao Hua
Published: April 2021

CD133 is a valuable prognostic marker in multiple types of cancer. However, the expression, methylation levels, and prognostic relevance of CD133 have not been evaluated in a pan-cancer perspective. The expression and methylation levels of CD133 across different types of cancer were determined using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Univariate cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival were used to determine the prognostic significance of CD133 expression and methylation. CD133 was highly expressed in papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) or pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Correspondingly, PAAD and PRCC had low CD133 methylation levels. Through pan-cancer perspective analysis, we found that CD133 high expression was a poor prognostic factor in lower grade glioma (LGG), while, CD133 high expression was a good prognostic factor in PRCC. Moreover, genes positively correlated with CD133 expression were associated with the poor clinical outcomes of LGG. In PRCC, genes negatively correlated with CD133 expression were correlated with the poor overall survival. Furthermore, CD133 expression levels were highly correlated with the CD133 methylation levels in LGG or PRCC. Correspondingly, CD133 hypermethylation was a good prognostic factor in LGG. On the contrary, CD133 hypomethylation was a good prognostic factor in PRCC. We also found that CD133 was highly expressed and hypomethylated in wild type IDH subgroup of LGG. CD133 was highly expressed and hypomethylated in low stages and type1 of PRCC. CD133 high expression and hypomethylation were bad prognostic factors in LGG, while, CD133 high expression and hypomethylation were good prognostic factors in PRCC.
Differentially expressed genes PCCA, ECHS1, and HADH are potential prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer
Authors: Du Zhongxiang , Zhang Xiajun , Gao Weiya , Yang Jie
Published: April 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. As far as we know, no biomarker has been widely accepted for early diagnosis and prognosis prediction of GC. The purpose of this study is to find potential biomarkers to predict the prognosis of GC. The differentially expressed gene (DEG) was analyzed from GSE93774. Enrichr was used to analyze the gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, the enrichment of transcription factors (TF), miRNA, and kinase. GO analysis showed DEGs was enriched in the process of amino acid metabolism. Pathway results showed DEGs was mainly enriched in cell cycle. Propionyl CoA carboxylase alpha (PCCA), Enoyl coenzyme A hydratase short chain 1 (ECHS1), and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HADH) have prognostic value in patients with GC. ECHS1 and HADH genes were significantly associated with disease-free survival. There was a significant correlation between PCCA and overall survival rate. The results of this study suggest that PCCA, ECHS1, and HADH may be new biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of GC.
Numerical study of dam-break fluid flow using volume of fluid (VOF) methods for different angles of inclined planes
Authors: Issakhov Alibek , Zhandaulet Yeldos
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the effects of water on obstacles in dam-break flow for different angles of the inclined planes have been numerically examined. The presented computational data are compared with data from the experiment and computational simulation data of other authors. Good agreements between the obtained simulation results and measurement data demonstrate the satisfactory performance of the mathematical model and the numerical algorithm when reproducing a dam-break flow. Additionally, various problems were also considered: the effect of pressure distribution on the dam walls for different angles of the inclined plane. It was found that pressure distribution on the wall when the inclined angle [Formula: see text] = 15° was almost two times more than without inclination. To reduce the shock pressure value a new form of obstacle was used. With a new form of obstacle, the maximum pressure value on the dam wall decreased more than three times.
Effect of OMMT reinforcement on morphology and rheology properties of polyurethane copolymer nanocomposites
Authors: Albozahid Muayad , Naji Haneen Zuhair , Alobad Zoalfokkar Kareem , Saiani Alberto
Published: April 2021

The remarkable structural features of organic modified montmorillonite particles (OMMT) enable them to complete their important role in enhancing different properties of polyurethane copolymer with 75 wt.% hard segments (PUC/75). Based on the melt intercalation approach, various amounts of OMMT were incorporated into PUC/75 solution followed by the injection moulding process. It is essential to mention that the synthesized PUC/75 in this work relied on using 1,5-Pentanediol as a chain extender in order to produce a long-term and thermal-stable PUC successfully. The effect of incorporating various loading of OMMT on rheological properties of neat PUC/75 and its nanocomposites was investigated. The structure of PUC/OMMT was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms were utilized to investigate OMMT effect on the thermal transitions and crystallinity of resultant PUC nanocomposites. Interestingly, the dynamic rheological analysis exhibited a remarkable increase in melt rheology behaviour with increasing OMMT loading compared to neat PUC/75. This could imply a good interaction between the functional group on the surface of OMMT and PUC/75 domains; particularly hard domains, herein the DSC results showed moderate improvement in melt temperature (Tm) of PUC/OMMT nanocomposite. However, a decline in crystalline temperature (Tc) was also seen due to aggregation of OMMT, especially at higher OMMT loading. While XRD results exhibited a slight shifting in crystalline peaks of PUC nanocomposites relative to neat PUC/75.
Fixed-time leader-following flocking and collision avoidance of multi-agent systems with unknown dynamics
Authors: Yan Tingruo , Xu Xu , Li Zongying , Li Eric
Published: April 2021

The fixed-time flocking of multi-agent systems with a virtual leader is investigated in this paper. The motion dynamics of the agents are assumed to be unknown and only satisfy the boundedness, which does not need to be modelled by the Lipschitz condition. To achieve the flocking and collision avoidance for all agents in the fixed time, a control protocol in the high-dimensional space is developed by using the graph theory and the theoretical properties of differential equations. Moreover, the upper bound of the settling time only depending on the control protocol and the topology of network is estimated. Numerical examples are used to verify the theoretical results, and show that the proposed method provides an applicable method for the control of the nonlinear dynamic systems.
Use of active learning strategies in public affairs education: Advances and lessons from the scholarship and the practice
Authors: Careaga-Tagüeña Maite , Sanabria-Pulido Pablo
Published: April 2021

Public affairs education can benefit from the potential of active learning practices in preparing students for the complex surroundings of real public service. This article aims to explore the use of those practices in public affairs education and the extent to which those practices are suitable in a public affairs school in a country in the global South. To do so, it follows a threefold analytical approach. First, from a sample of empirical works in public affairs, it explores the active learning practices portrayed in the literature of public affairs education and identifies patterns and practices. Then, through content analysis of syllabi from a sample of master level courses of schools of public affairs in the US and Europe it identifies the most frequent participant-centered learning practices used in public affairs education. Finally, by means of a case study from a public affairs school in Colombia, it analyzes the adoption of active learning practices to be effectively adopted in such setting and compares them with the two sets of practices previously analyzed. The analysis provided some insights. Both the literature review and the benchmark of practices in public affairs schools, reflect that public affairs education already relies on a wide array of active learning strategies, which, according to some empirical literature, appear to be highly useful in preparing students for public sector practice. Then, the analysis of the use of active learning practices in a Latin American school of public affairs revealed a similarly evident use such practices, something that appears to be instrumental for the faculty, students and alumni of the program, and whose implementation does not appear to differ from other programs abroad.
A Head-to-Head Comparison of Three Self-Help Techniques to Reduce Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Authors: Moritz Steffen , Penney Danielle , Ahmed Kaser , Schmotz Stella
Published: April 2021

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) include skin picking, trichotillomania, nail biting and cavitadaxia/lip-cheek biting, among other behaviors. For the first time, we compared three different self-help techniques aimed at reducing BFRBs. We explored the acceptance and preliminary efficacy of the approaches and whether the techniques exerted differential effects depending on BFRB-type.

A total of 113 participants with at least one BFRB were randomly allocated to either habit reversal training (HRT; active elements: awareness and competing response training), decoupling (DC) or decoupling in sensu (DC-is). Reassessment was conducted 4 weeks later. The Generic Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior Scale (GBS) served as the primary outcome. The completion rate was best for DC-is (68.6%) as compared to HRT (57.1%) and DC (53.5%). A total of 34.8% of completers in the DC group showed an improvement of at least 35% on the GBS compared to 10.0% in the HRT and 23.3% in the DC-is group. In accordance with previous work, moderator analyses showed that improvement under DC is best for non-skin-pickers. A dose-effect relationship emerged, particularly for HRT. Subjective appraisal ratings were more favorable for DC-is and HRT than for DC. With respect to completion rate, subjective appraisal and symptom improvement, DC-is yielded consistently satisfactory results, whereas HRT showed good subjective but rather poor objective improvement. Those who performed DC, especially non-skin-pickers, showed good improvement but overall completion and subjective efficacy were low. Future studies should investigate whether the three techniques exert add-on effects when combined and whether demonstration via new media (e.g., video) will augment comprehensibility and thus efficacy of the techniques.
Nasal Septal Swell Body: A Distinctive Structure in the Nasal Cavity
Authors: Meng Xiangming , Zhu Guochen
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

The nasal septal swell body (NSB), also known as the nasal septal turbinate, is located in the anterior part of the nasal septum. This study is a narrative review of the existing knowledge on recent developments in NSB.

Methods:

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid, and Cochrane Library databases. Google Scholar was used to access more extensive literature. The inclusion criteria were human studies published in English. The exclusion criteria were non-English language and animal studies.

Results:

Of the 345 articles that were initially obtained from 5 databases and Google Scholar, 28 were included in this review. There have been many names for NSBs in the past, which still have no unified terminology recognized by professionals. Pathological investigations revealed that NSB contains a certain amount of sinusoidal blood components. Nasal septal swell body is closely related to the internal nasal valve. Imaging studies have found that the size of NSB is associated with nasal diseases, and NSB hypertrophy can cause anatomic obstruction. In recent years, several procedures for NSB have been reported, and preliminary effectiveness has been achieved. However, the long-term outcomes of volume reduction techniques remain unproven.

Conclusions:

The NSB is a distinct anatomic structure that may contribute to nasal obstruction and may be reduced surgically with unclear long-term results. Although being investigated for over a century, the unique physiological roles of NSB are not yet fully understood. More evidence is needed to elucidate its physiological effects.
Olfactory Cleft Opacification in COVID-19 Related Smell Loss: CT Findings and Correlation With Objective Testing
Authors: Yıldız Erkan , Balcı Aydın , Selendili Okan , Kuzu Selçuk
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

Besides the common symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including fever, shortness of breath, and cough, a “sudden loss of smell” has recently been added as a diagnostic symptom. The relationship between paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNS CT) and sudden loss of smell in COVID-19 was examined.

Materials and Methods:

Two groups were selected for the study, the COVID-19 and the control groups. The control group consisted of 40 patients who applied to our clinic with headache and therefore underwent PNS CT. The other group consisted of 40 patients with COVID-19 who were diagnosed with sudden loss of smell with the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test. Clinical and demographic characteristics, tomography results, and olfactory test scores of patients with COVID-19 loss of smell and control group patients were recorded. The relationship between CT changes in the olfactory cleft and the degree of loss of smell was evaluated. The “Opacification in the olfactory cleft” was accepted as a positive CT finding.

Results:

Comparison of patients with COVID-19 who had a loss of smell and the control group indicated that a significant difference was observed in terms of CT findings ( P = .022). When we evaluated the paranasal CTs obtained from our patients with loss of smell, the CT of 13 patients showed pathological findings ( P < .05). As the COVID-19 progressed (pneumonia and respiratory failure), the degree of loss of smell increased ( P < .05). A statistically significant relationship was found between the CCCRC score and the presence of PNS CT findings ( P = .0012).

Conclusion:

The PNS CT findings are significant in patients with COVID-19 with a loss of smell and were significantly associated with the degree of loss of smell. In patients with olfactory loss due to COVID-19, PNS CT can help in diagnosis. However, for this imaging to be diagnostic, a larger patient series is needed.
Introduction to the Special Section: Prosocial development in risky and vulnerable contexts
Authors: Taylor Laura K. , Carlo Gustavo
Published: April 2021

The introduction highlights a developmental perspective on children’s and youth prosocial behavior in risky and vulnerable contexts. The six empirical papers published in this Special Section are considered within a multilevel, multidimensional framework and reflect a diversity of methodological approaches. The studies each provide foundational work that informs theory, builds our knowledge base, and has important intervention implications. We highlight the contributions of each study and present recommendations for future developmental research on prosocial behaviors.
Brexit and party change: The Conservatives and Labour at Westminster
Authors: Hayton Richard
Published: April 2021

This article analyses the extent of party change in response to the vote for Brexit in the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. It focuses particularly on how both parties struggled to manage internal divisions and ideological conflict, and how each sought to manage the issue in terms of party competition. It argues that the Conservative Party victory at the 2019 UK general election was the result of an ultimately more effective response to the electoral dynamics unleashed by Brexit, as the party adjusted its position to successfully mobilise the coalition of Leave voters into party competition, while Labour struggled to do the same with Remain voters. In short, it suggests that substantial party change, particularly by the Conservatives, effectively averted major party system change and the realignment of British politics many analysts predicted. This case study analysis consequently contributes to the wider theoretical literature on external system shocks and party change.