bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two new species of Typton Costa, 1844 from tropical American waters, with taxonomic notes on T. tortugae McClendon, 1911 and a new record of
T. granulosus Ayón-Parente, Hendrickx & Galvan-Villa, 2015 (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR , PACHELLE PAULO P.G. , LERAY MATTHIEU
Published: March 2021

Two new species of the palaemonid shrimp genus Typton Costa, 1844 are described based on material from Panama and Mexico. Both species are closely related to T. tortugae McClendon, 1911, a species originally described from the Dry Tortugas, off southern Florida, USA, and later scarcely recorded from other western Atlantic localities, from Bermuda to Mexico and Brazil. Some clarification and additional illustrations are provided for the type material of T. tortugae. Typton jonkayei sp. nov., is described based on material from fouling-encrusting communities dominated by sponges, growing on submerged roots of the red mangrove, Rhizhophora mangle L., in Bocas del Toro, Caribbean coast of Panama. This new species differs from T. tortugae in several morphological details, for instance, on the minor and major chelipeds (second pereiopods), telson, uropod, frontal margin and ambulatory pereiopods. Typton cousteaui sp. nov. is described based on a single ovigerous female dredged in the southern Gulf of California off Baja California Sur, Mexico, previously reported as T. tortugae. This new taxon seems to represent a true cryptic species with no significant morphological divergence from the allopatrically isolated T. tortugae, except for slight morphometric differences. In addition, T. granulosus Ayón-Parente, Hendrickx & Galvan-Villa, 2015 is recorded from the Pacific coast of Panama, based on material collected in the Coiba Archipelago. Some taxonomic, distributional and ecological remarks are provided for T. granulosus and the closely related T. serratus Holthuis, 1951.
Discovery of an additional piece of the large gymnophthalmid puzzle: a new genus and species of stream spiny lizard (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae: Cercosaurinae) from the western Guiana Shield in Venezuela
Authors: ROJAS-RUNJAIC FERNANDO J.M. , BARRIO-AMORÓS CÉSAR L. , SEÑARIS J. CELSA , DE LA RIVA IGNACIO , CASTROVIEJO-FISHER SANTIAGO
Published: March 2021

Gymnophthalmids are a highly diverse group of Neotropical lizards and its species richness is still in process of discovery. The incorporation of molecular evidence and a noticeable increase in taxon and geographic sampling in systematic studies has led to the description of numerous new genera and species of gymnophthalmids (particularly in Cercosaurinae) in recent years. Herein we describe a new genus and species of cercosaurine lizard with crocodile-like morphology, from the Venezuelan Guiana Shield on the basis of molecular phylogenetic and morphological evidence. Kataphraktosaurus gen. nov. can be readily distinguished from all other genera of Cercosaurinae by a unique combination of morphological characters that includes heterogeneous dorsal scalation with enlarged and strongly keeled scales forming two paravertebral rows, ventral and subcaudal scales imbricated and strongly keeled, large and symmetrical cephalic scales, absence of postmental scale, palpebral disc translucent and divided, tail slightly compressed, all digits clawed, and only six femoral pores (three at each hindlimb) inserted in a clump of small scales. This genus is described as monotypic and only contains Kataphraktosaurus ungerhamiltoni sp. nov., which is known from one specimen and diagnosed by the same set of aforementioned characters. The secretive habits of this species and the remoteness of the locality may explain its singleton situation. Following the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s criteria, we categorized the new species as Data Deficient.
How long does it take to know a species? Redescription, vocalization, and chigger mites infestation pattern in the centenary Brachycephalus garbeanus (Anura: Brachycephalidae)
Authors: FOLLY MANUELLA , WOITOVICZ-CARDOSO MANOELA , CANEDO CLARISSA , NOGUEIRA-COSTA PAULO , POMBAL JOSÉ P. JR.
Published: March 2021

Although we celebrate the centennial of Brachycephalus garbeanus’ discovery, little progress has been done on understanding this species’ biology apart from a few morphological and ecological studies, which includes its redescription based on three specimens from the type-series, microhabitat use, sexual dimorphism in body size, and feeding habits. This species is endemic to the Serra dos Órgãos Mountain range, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Here we redescribe B. garbeanus based on a wide sampling, including its advertisement and aggressive calls, and also the chigger mites infestation pattern. The advertisement call is longer than 25.8 s with pulsed notes series emitted at an average rate of 2.3 notes/s and 14.1 pulses/s; long inter-note interval with 320 ms; notes with distinctly short pulses (1 to 16 ms); low dominant frequency for this genus (3.0-5.4 kHz) and presence of four harmonics. This species is often parasitized by chigger mites of Hannemania, with a prevalence of infection of 67%, mainly affecting the ventral body surface. Females had a higher prevalence of parasites than males and there was no correlation found between the size of specimens and the number of parasites. Our study, provides an important and overdue taxonomical contribution, including a large amount of novel information for B. garbeanus.
Atmosphere-ocean dynamics of persistent cold states of the tropical Pacific Ocean
Authors: Seager Richard , Henderson Naomi , Cane Mark , Zhang Honghai , Nakamura Jennifer
Published: March 2021

Persistent multiyear cold states of the tropical Pacific Ocean drive hydroclimate anomalies worldwide, including persistent droughts in the extratropical Americas. Here, the atmosphere and ocean dynamics and thermodynamics of multiyear cold states of the tropical Pacific Ocean are investigated using European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalyses and simplified models of the ocean and atmosphere. The cold states are maintained by anomalous ocean heat flux divergence and damped by increased surface heat flux from the atmosphere to ocean. The anomalous ocean heat flux divergence is contributed to by both changes in the ocean circulation and thermal structure. The keys are an anomalously shallow thermocline that enhances cooling by upwelling and anomalous westward equatorial currents that enhance cold advection. The thermocline depth anomalies are shown to be a response to equatorial wind stress anomalies. The wind stress anomalies are shown to be a simple dynamical response to equatorial SST anomalies as mediated by precipitation anomalies. The cold states are fundamentally maintained by atmosphere-ocean coupling in the equatorial Pacific. The physical processes that maintain the cold states are well approximated by linear dynamics for ocean and atmosphere and simple thermodynamics.
Persona and the Modern Republican: Constituting and Deconstituting Republican Ideals in Two Republican Political Ads
Authors: Cos Grant , Elahi Babak
Published: March 2021

Ronald Reagan’s iconic, 1984 advertisement, “Morning in America,” has served as an ideological pole star for Republican identity for the past four decades. More recently, the political action committee, The Lincoln Project, a group of ex-Republicans, produced a number of ads highly critical of President Donald Trump’s administration. One specific ad, “Mourning in America,” uses the form of the original 1984 ad to communicate a set of radically different ideas from the original. This article fuses Black’s second persona and Wander’s third persona to Charland’s idea of constitutive rhetoric to explore how “Morning in America” constitutes a Republican identity via a matrimonial symbolism that connects candidate to a gauzy, constructed community and imagined culture. We argue that the Lincoln Project’s “Mourning in America” deconstitutes the very ideals promulgated in the original ad through a stark funereal symbolism. The implications of this symbolism on the Republican identity are discussed in the conclusion.
Understanding professional distress through social representations: Investigating the shared experience of healthcare social workers in Canada
Authors: Negura Lilian , Lévesque Maude
Published: March 2021

Our study sought to refine our understanding of professional distress by examining the experience of healthcare social workers in the following three Canadian provinces: Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Thirty semi-directed interviews were conducted to explore the social workers’ social representation of professional distress and its ties to professional identity and growing organizational constraints. Attitudes, work–life imbalances, and negative workplace experiences were found to increase the subjective experience of distress. Current psychosocial and organizational contexts of front-line practitioners are contributors to their professional distress, a matter further exacerbated by the misrepresentation of social work by colleagues and service beneficiaries.
Oriented PAN/PVDF/PAN laminated nanofiber separator for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zheng Yixiao , Zhou Rongxin , Zhao Huanhuan , Ye Feng , Zhang Xiangwu , Ge Yeqian
Published: March 2021

Electrospun nanofiber separators have excellent properties in terms of large surface area and high porosity, which benefits the rate capability, electrochemical stability, and safety performance of lithium-ion batteries. Herein, a 0°PAN/PVDF/90°PAN-oriented composite nanofiber separator is prepared, which is prepared layer by layer by electrospinning technology and drum orientation collector. The results show that when the rotating speed of the drum is 600 r min−1, the 0°PAN/PVDF/90°PAN-oriented composite nanofiber separator has high porosity (about 85%), improved transverse and longitudinal tensile properties (10.33 MPa and 11.03 MPa, respectively), good dimensional stability at 160°C, and good electrochemical performance (specific charge capacity of 165 mAh g−1 at 0.5C and 142.7 mAh g−1 at 1C, capacity retention of 90% after 100 cycles).
The refugees’ right to the centre of the city: City branding versus city commoning in Athens
Authors: Tsavdaroglou Charalampos , Kaika Maria
Published: March 2021

Over the years, cities have figured as exemplary places for neoliberal urban policies which tend to appropriate the right to the city through city-branding policies. However, as this article demonstrates, there are important claims of the right to the city raised by newly arrived refugees in the city of Athens. Although most refugees reside in overcrowded state-run camps on the outskirts of the city, there are many cases in which refugees enact the production of collective common spaces, occupying abandoned buildings in the urban core and claiming the right to the centre of the city. In this context and following the Lefebvrian notion of the right to the city and the spatial analysis on commons and enclosures, we explore the actions of refugees, and the way they engage in commoning practices that not only strive against the official state policies, but also often contest city-branding policies. In particular, we focus on the area of Exarcheia in Athens, which is an emblematic case of the conflicted nexus between investors’ and refugees’ right to the city.
‘Remaining the same or becoming another?’ Adaptive resilience versus transformative urban change
Authors: Leixnering Stephan , Höllerer Markus
Published: March 2021

Structural change of cities has long been a central theme in urban studies. Recent manifestations of urban change have been described either as instances of ‘adaptation’, often associated with flexible adjustment and reorganisation, or of ‘transformation’, implying a deeper and more radical scope of change. The conceptual difference between these two ideas, however, remains surprisingly under-theorised and ambiguous in the extant literature. We find both notions casually (and at times even interchangeably) employed in recent debates on ‘resilient cities’. Addressing this conceptual imprecision, our commentary focuses on the structure–identity relationship, coupling resilience thinking with an institutional perspective that has provided the intellectual moorings for recent scholarly approaches to city identity. Through this prism, city identity is firmly conceptualised as a distinctive set of socio-political values; the structure of a city, then, provides the means to realise these values. In consequence, we are able to offer a precise conceptual differentiation between what we here dub ‘adaptive resilience’ and ‘transformative urban change’ as the two facets of change in city contexts: if structural change is accompanied by a shift in socio-political values (and thus a change in identity), we refer to this as transformative; if no such identity shift takes place, this is an instance of adaptive urban change, primarily on the level of structures. We illustrate our argument with the empirical case of the city of Vienna. Overall, our commentary’s ambition is to add nuance, clarity and conceptual precision to the debates on resilience currently raging in the field of urban change.
Social Characteristics, Health, and Mortality Among Male Centenarians Using Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care
Authors: Quach Lien T. , Cho Kelly , Driver Jane A. , Ward Rachel , Spiro Avron , Dugan Elizabeth , Gaziano Michael J. , Djousse Luc , Rudolph James L. , Gagnon David R.
Published: March 2021

We studied male centenarian Veterans using VA health care to understand the impact of social characteristics on their annual mortality rate, adjusting for prevalent health conditions. This longitudinal study used VA Electronic Health Record data from 1997 to 2012 ( n = 1,858). Covariates included age, race, marital status, and periods of military service. The mean age was 100.4 ± 1.4 years, 76% were white, and 49% were married. The average annual mortality rate was 32 per 100 person-years. The annual mortality rate was stable and not affected by race but did vary by marital status. Divorced or separated centenarians had a 21% higher rate of death than married centenarians. A diagnosis of dementia or of congestive heart failure each increased the mortality risk by 37%. Providers should consider prevalent health conditions, as well as marital status, in managing care of centenarian Veterans.
Ultrasound-guided transperineal laser ablation for percutaneous treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a new minimally invasive interventional therapy
Authors: Cai Huai-Jie , Fang Jian-Hua , Kong Fan-Lei , Xu Chen-Ke , Chen Chuang-Hua , Wang Wei , Huang Bin
Published: March 2021

Background

Although there are different treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia, their efficacy and safety differ. We are currently exploring a new minimally invasive interventional therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Purpose

To determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of ultrasound-guided transperineal laser ablation (US-TPLA) for the treatment of BPH.

Material and Methods

Twenty patients with BPH (mean age = 73.9 ± 9.2 years) who underwent US-TPLA from June 2018 to January 2020 with a subsequent six-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. After local anesthesia, a 21-G trocar was inserted into the prostate tissue under ultrasound monitoring, followed by 1064 nm diode laser irradiation. Changes in international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual (PVR), prostate volume, and complications were evaluated six months after surgery.

Results

All patients underwent the operation successfully without serious complications. After six months, the average IPSS improved from 22.7 ± 5.3 to 9.1 ± 3.2 ( P < 0.001), the QoL improved from 4.9 ± 1.7 to 2.3 ± 1.3 ( P < 0.001), the Qmax improved from 8.5 ± 3.0 to 15.2 ± 4.8 mL/s ( P < 0.001), the PVR increased from 78.7 ± 58.8 to 30.3 ± 34.2 ( P < 0.05), and the mean prostate volume ranged from 70.8 ± 23.8 to 54.7 ± 20.9 mL ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

US-TPLA is safe and feasible for the treatment of BPH. An evaluation at the six-month follow-up is effective.
Co-simulation and hardware realization of PMSG–WECS based on current source inverter for grid synchronization
Authors: Senthilnathan Karthikrajan , Annapoorani Iyswarya , Samikannu Ravi
Published: March 2021

Buck boost converter and current source inverter based Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) for the Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) is proposed in the system. The Synchronous Reference Frame (SRF) theory controller with hysteresis band for the pulse generation is used as the control algorithm to synchronize with the grid. The maximum power conversion is achieved by using the PI based closed loop controller in the buck boost converter. The validation of the proposed system is done in co-simulation of MATLAB and LabVIEW with Simulation Interface Toolkit (SIT) server through transmission control protocol/internet protocol communication network. The proposed system is analyzed with constant wind speed, the step change in wind speed, frequent change in wind speed. The results proved that the system could produce power at all operating conditions and able to deliver constant power to the grid and loads. The hardware realization of the model is performed using FPGA-based controllers.
Use of Exclusive and Pooled Ridehailing Services in Three Mexican Cities
Authors: Moody Joanna , Esparza-Villarreal Enrique , Keith David
Published: March 2021

The global expansion of ridehailing platforms has been accompanied by a diversification of service offerings as platforms fit within new urban contexts. While ridehailing has been of great interest to transportation researchers, analysis of its adoption and use in developing cities that differentiates between service offerings is lacking. To help address this knowledge gap, this study analyzes primary survey data collected from frequent users of the DiDi Chuxing ridehailing platform in three Mexican cities: Mérida, Toluca de Lerdo, and Aguascalientes. It investigates how ridehailing fits into the travel behavior of its users, explicitly differentiating between express (exclusive) and comparte (pooled) services. Findings were that (i) frequent use of ridehailing is positively correlated with use of public transport—city-run and privately-operated buses—and taxi, but negatively correlated with use of private car and motorcycle; and (ii) ridehailing trips are more likely to substitute public transport and taxi trips, but that the mode substitution depends on the service offering, with high substitutability between express and comparte. This degree of substitutability suggests that there is potential to encourage ridehailing users to pool trips, increasing the occupancy rate of ridehailing vehicles and reducing their negative impacts on congestion. Among the many factors involved in choosing between exclusive and pooled services, study participants rated safety, travel time, travel time reliability, and price as key determinants, with a highly elastic relation between travel time and price. These results inform efforts by urban transportation policymakers and ridehailing operators to encourage pooling in the Latin American context.
Effects of operating parameters on co-gasification of coconut petioles and refuse-derived fuel
Authors: Chommontha Natvaree , Phongphiphat Awassada , Wangyao Komsilp , Patumsawad Suthum , Towprayoon Sirintornthep
Published: March 2021

Coconut agro-industry in the western region of Thailand generates a large amount of residues. This study investigated the energy production potential of discarded coconut petioles, with a focus on co-gasification with refuse-derived fuel (RDF). Gasification tests involving petioles, RDFs and their mixtures (25%, 50%, 75% or 100% by weight) were conducted in a laboratory-scale fixed bed reactor. Fuel samples of 5 g were gasified at 700°C–900°C for 60 minutes, using simulated air (79% N2 to 21% O2, by volume) as a gasifying agent. Gasification of petioles generated producer gas with lower heating values, estimated at 0.43–0.75 MJ Nm−3, while RDF produced 0.92–1.39 MJ Nm−3. Adding greater quantities of RDF to the fuel mixture resulted in an increase in the heating value of the producer gas and cold gas efficiency. The operating temperatures and gasifying-agent flow rates affected the efficiency of process differently, depending on the fuel composition. However, the maximum cold gas efficiency from both fuels was detected in tests conducted at 800°C. In co-gasification and pure refuse-derived-fuel tests, higher temperatures and gasifying-agent flow rates led to outputs with higher energy yields. Our findings suggested that co-gasification of petiole is a viable alternative waste-treatment technology for this region.
Cancer Is an Independent Risk Factor for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ho Kevin , Gordon Joshua , Litzenberg Kevin T. , Exline Matthew C. , Englert Joshua A. , Herman Derrick D.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a frequent cause of respiratory failure in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and results in significant morbidity and mortality. ARDS often develops as a result of a local or systemic inflammatory insult. Cancer can lead to systemic inflammation but whether cancer is an independent risk factor for developing ARDS is unknown. We hypothesized that critically ill cancer patients admitted to the ICU were at increased risk for the diagnosis of ARDS.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients admitted between July 2017 and December 2018 at an academic medical center in Columbus, Ohio. The primary outcome was the association of patients with malignancy and the diagnosis of ARDS in a multivariable logistic regression model with covariables selected a priori informed through the construction of a directed acyclic graph.

Results:

412 ARDS cases were identified with 166 of those patients having active cancer. There was an association between cancer and ARDS, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.55 (95% CI 1.26-1.92, P < 0.001). When adjusted for our pre-specified confounding variables, the association remained statistically significant (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.15-2.13, P = 0.004). In an unadjusted pre-specified subgroup analysis, hematologic malignancy (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.30-2.53, P < 0.001) was associated with increased odds of developing ARDS while non-metastatic solid tumors (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.85, P = 0.01) had statistically significant negative association. Cancer patients with ARDS had a significantly higher ICU (70.5% vs 39.8%, P < 0.001) and hospital (72.9% vs 40.7%, P < 0.001) mortality compared to ARDS patients without active malignancy.

Conclusion:

In this single center retrospective cohort study, cancer was found to be an independent risk factor for the diagnosis of ARDS in critically ill patients. To our knowledge, we are the first report an independent association between cancer and ARDS in critically ill patients.
Surface modification of the simvastatin factor-loaded silk fibroin promotes the healing of rotator cuff injury through β-catenin signaling
Authors: Hao Liang , Chen Jun , Shang Xiliang , Chen Shiyi
Published: March 2021

Rupture of the rotator cuff is a common injury of the shoulder joint in sports professionals. In addition, research on repair of the rotator cuff has gained popularity over the recent years. Given the high rate of re-tear after surgery, it is necessary to design and prepare biodegradable materials with good mechanical properties, for the management of the condition. Consequently, the present study conducted surface modification of the simvastatin factor-loaded silk fibroin for the repair of chronic rotator cuff injury in SD rats. The in vitro experiments were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy and the water contact angle. Additionally, the CCK-8 assay was used to observe the effect of the intervention on the proliferation of BMSCs. Moreover, the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was detected through the ALP and ARS assays while the expression of osteogenic genes was examined using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, a model for repairing chronic rotator cuff tears in SD rats was established in vivo. Thereafter, rotator cuff repair and healing were evaluated through HE staining while Masson and Sirius staining was used to detect the collagen formation ratio. Additionally, the study analyzed the mechanism underlying the effect of simvastatin-loaded silk fibroin. The results showed that the simvastatin-loaded silk fibroin membrane had better biocompatibility and the in vitro experiments confirmed that it could promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In addition, the in vivo HE staining experiments similarly confirmed that it could enhance tendon bone healing and alleviate inflammation in chronic rotator cuff injuries. On the other hand, Masson and Sirius staining showed that the simvastatin-loaded silk fibroin could promote the formation of collagen. Further analysis also revealed that it could promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by activating the β-catenin signaling pathway. In general, these findings suggested that surface modification of the simvastatin factor-loaded silk fibroin was a potential means of improving the healing of rotator cuff injuries and can be implemented in clinical practice in future.
Health Outcomes Following Childhood Maltreatment: An Examination of the Biopsychosocial Model
Authors: Watters Elizabeth R. , Martin Gina
Published: March 2021

Child maltreatment constitutes a notoriously large problem within the healthcare field and is associated with significant biological, psychological, and social consequences across the lifespan. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to examine the biopsychosocial outcomes of an adult population who reported a history of child maltreatment. Method: Data from the Midlife Development in the United States 2 Biomarker Project were used. The analytic sample in the present study included 1228 adults. AMOS 23 was used to conduct structural equation modeling and fit two separate models in order to examine the relationships between childhood maltreatment and biopsychosocial variables for both men and women. Results: Childhood maltreatment had a direct association with cortisol levels, subjective well-being, positive life events, depression, and physical symptoms and conditions for both men and women. Discussion: The present study offers unique contributions toward the examination of biopsychosocial outcomes following maltreatment. Practical implications and future directions are addressed.
Heat transfer enhancement of air-concrete thermal energy storage system – CFD simulation and experimental validation under transient condition
Authors: Manoj Praveen VJ , Vigneshkumar R , Karthikeyan N , Gurumoorthi A , Vijayakumar R , Madhu P
Published: March 2021

This investigation studied the packed bed thermal energy storage system with concrete and air used as the energy storage material and working fluid respectively. Three different configurations of packed bed arrangements such as regular ring, staggered ring and staggered ring with clearance are studied. The temperature distribution outcome of the experimental values compared with three-dimensional transient based computational simulation. The flow influencing parameters such as pressure drop, turbulence intensity, design of packed beds, the surface area of packed beds, the void fraction of the system discussed. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with simulation results. It is observed that staggered ring arrangement with the clearance for packed bed have better charging and discharging profile compared to the other two arrangements.
School Building Administrator Reports of Screening Practices Across Academic, Behavioral, and Health Domains
Authors: Briesch Amy M. , Chafouleas Sandra M. , Dineen Jennifer N. , McCoach D. Betsy , Donaldson Aberdine
Published: March 2021

Research conducted to date provides a limited understanding of the landscape of school-based screening practices across academic, behavioral, and health domains, thus providing an impetus for the current survey study. A total of 475 K–Grade 12 school building administrators representing 409 unique school districts across the United States completed an online survey, which assessed current school-based screening practices across domains from the point of data collection to intervention selection. Whereas 70% to 81% of the respondents reported the use of universal screening across health and academic domains, respectively, only 9% of the respondents endorsed the use of universal social, emotional, and behavioral screening. In addition, discrepancies were identified across domains with regard to such factors as (a) who reviews screening data, (b) how screening data are used to determine student risk, and (c) how interventions are designed for those students demonstrating risk. The lack of consensus in practice calls for dissemination concerning best practices in the implementation of social, emotional, and behavioral screening; risk identification; and Tier 1 intervention.
Aflibercept in real-life for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration using a treat and extend protocol: The Armada study
Authors: Gascon Pierre , Ramtohul Prithvi , Delaporte Charles , Kerever Sébastien , Denis Danièle , Comet Alban
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

To report the visual and anatomic outcomes in treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients treated with aflibercept under a standardized Treat and Extend (T&E) protocol for up to 3 years of follow-up in “real-life” practice.

Methods:

This retrospective, observational, multicenter study included patients with treatment-naïve nAMD and at least 12 months of follow-up. T&E regimen adjustment was initiated after loading phase. At each visit best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography parameters were performed.

Results:

One hundred and thirty-six eyes of 115patients had at least 1 year of follow-up with 114 and 82 eyes completing at least 2 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively (mean follow-up duration: 2.7 ± 1.3 years). Mean age was 78.6 ± 8.6 years old and 52% were women. Mean BCVA increased from 60.6 ± 18.7 letters at diagnosis to 66.9 ± 16.2 letters at 1 year (+6.3 letters, p = 0.003) and remained stable throughout the follow-up period (63.1 ± 20.3 letters (+2.5, p = 0.1) and 64.0 ± 20.1 letters (+3.4, p = 0.27) at 2 and 3 years, respectively). The mean central retinal thickness decreased significantly from 358.2 ± 87.9 µm at baseline to 302 ± 71.7 µm at 12 months and maintained stable after 36 months of follow-up (297.1 ± 76 µm, p < 0.0001). Mean number of injections was 6.6 ± 2.2, 4.8 ± 1.9, and 5.6 ± 1.7 at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Mean cumulative number of 16.4 ± 5.6 injections after 3 years. Mean treatment interval was 6.8 ± 2.5 weeks at 1 year. Eight-week and 12-week treatment interval were achieved in 59.5% and 19.1%, 65.8%, and 36.8% and 69.5% and 41.5% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrated that intravitreal injections of aflibercept initiated under a standardized T&E for patients with treatment-naïve nAMD allow for significant visual improvement at 12 months, which was maintained over a 3-year follow-up period.
Successful management of pediatric pythium insidiosum keratitis with cyanoacrylate glue, linezolid, and azithromycin: Rare case report
Authors: Gurnani Bharat , Narayana Shivananda , Christy Josephine , Rajkumar Purushothama , Kaur Kirandeep , Gubert Joseph
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

Pythium insidiosum causes a rare sight-threatening keratitis and is a devastating ocular pathology with a high morbidity. It is frequently mistaken as fungal keratitis. Here we highlight a rare case of pediatric Pythium insidiosum keratitis which was successfully managed using an antibiotic combination of linezolid and azithromycin with cyanoacrylate glue.

Case description:

A 9-year-old young male child presented to our clinic with defective vision, pain, redness in the right eye for 5 days post stick injury. In the right eye, Snellen’s best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 6/12 which deteriorated to hand movements within 5 days of treatment. Ocular examination revealed 6 × 5 mm dry-looking mid stromal corneal infiltrate with feathery margin involving the visual axis. The clinical picture was suggestive of fungal keratitis. Corneal scraping and smear examination with 10% KOH and Gram stain revealed long slender hyaline hyphae with sparse septations. Before the culture result, the patient was started on 5% Natamycin and 1% Itraconazole hourly, but still, the infiltrate progressed. Further, P. Insidiosum keratitis was considered as the differential, which was confirmed on blood agar culture. After receiving culture results, the patient was managed with 0.2% Linezolid and 1% Azithromycin hourly. Due to the rapid progression of infiltrate, corneal melt, and younger age, cyanoacrylate glue, and bandage contact lens were used. On the last follow-up, the BCVA recovered to 6/12.

Conclusion and importance:

Prompt diagnosis, clinical awareness, and a specific treatment regime is needed for managing this devastating corneal entity. Cyanoacrylate glue due to its antibacterial properties can be a potential rescuer and can be considered for managing these cases.
Changes in duplex ultrasound parameters during maturation according to arteriovenous access types in incident hemodialysis patients
Authors: Lee Jae Jin , Choi Sun Ryoung , Lee Eun Ju , Yang Ha Youn , Baek Seon Ha , Seo Jang-Won , Koo Ja-Ryong
Published: March 2021

Background:

Little is known about the changes in hemodynamic parameters during arteriovenous (AV) access maturation using duplex ultrasound according to radiocephalic fistula (RCF), brachiocephalic fistula (BCF), and AV graft (AVG) in incident hemodialysis (HD) patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes and differences in brachial artery flow rate (BAFR) and related parameters affecting maturation by duplex ultrasound in incident HD patients according to access type.

Methods:

This study was an observational study conducted from March 2019 to October 2020. During the study period, 109 incident patients underwent new AV access creation, of which 100 were included in the study. The duplex ultrasound was performed on the day prior to access creation, further, day 1, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks later after access creation in incident HD patients.

Results:

Among all the patients, 38 (38%) received BCF, while 26 (26%) underwent RCF. Of the patients with AVG, 18 (50%) had a forearm loop AVG. The overall mean age was 62.2 ± 13.8 years (range, 32–89). The BAFR increased about 6.9 times in the RCF, 17.4 times in the BCF, and 19.5 times in the AVG at day 1. The median BAFR measured on day 1 was 580.4 mL/min for RC, 1029.0 mL/min for BC, and 1133.0 mL/min for AVG. Relative to the values measured in week 4, the BAFR on day 1 was 69.5% in RCF, 90.6% in BCF, and 93.9% in AVG. The acceleration decreased most significantly on day 1( p < 0.05). The acceleration time increased significantly on day 1 ( p < 0.05) and beyond during maturation in the RCF and BCF. The BAFR of the RCF had a significantly negative correlation with the pulsatility index. The BAFR of the BCF showed a significantly positive correlation with the systolic and diastolic blood pressure but negatively correlated with pulse rate. The BAFR of the AVG showed a significant positive correlation with the diameter of the outflow vein.

Conclusions:

There were differences in the clinical and duplex parameters during maturation according to access type. The most dramatic changes of duplex parameters were on the day after AV access creation regardless of AV access types. Though RCF had a lower BAFR rate compared to BCF and AVG, it already had a sufficient BAFR required for adequate HD treatment the day after creation. The BAFR of BCF was not different from that of AVG.
Healthcare resource use and cost implications of low dose methoxyflurane for severe trauma-related pain: a qualitative study
Authors: Dylst Pieter , Solaman Angela , Gillis Marc , Dickerson Sara , Kenworthy James , Hachimi-Idrissi Saïd
Published: March 2021

Aims

Management of moderate-to-severe trauma-associated pain is often reported as suboptimal, due in part to limitations associated with frequently used analgesics. Low-dose methoxyflurane (LDM) is an inhaled, non-opioid analgesic, recently approved for emergency relief of moderate-to-severe trauma-associated pain in conscious adults. This study assessed the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) with regard to the time to analgesia and healthcare cost of LDM versus morphine IV, for patients with severe trauma-related pain receiving emergency care in Belgium.

Materials and methods

Interviews and questionnaires were completed by four healthcare HCPs providing emergency care at different hospitals in Belgium. Processes describing analgesic provision in pre-hospital and hospital emergency department (ED) settings were qualitatively mapped and a cost model applied which included reimbursed analgesic costs, time spent by HCPs making analgesic treatment decisions, preparing and administering the analgesic, and post-dose monitoring and management of analgesic-related adverse events (AEs).

Results

LDM was associated with substantial time and costs savings per patient, largely due to no requirement for AE monitoring. Compared with morphine IV, LDM in the hospital ED was associated with a time saving of 4 minutes to analgesic provision (35 vs 39 min) and ≥224 min in total (35 vs ≥259 min; including monitoring and managing AEs). In the pre-hospital setting, LDM was also associated with a time saving of 4 minutes to analgesic provision (21 vs 25 min) and 198 minutes in total. The corresponded total cost savings with LDM vs morphine IV were ≥€27.32 and ≥€17.95 in the ED or prehospital setting, respectively.

Conclusions

The cost model showed that LDM was associated with substantial time and costs savings versus morphine IV for severe trauma-related emergency pain in pre-hospital and hospital ED settings in Belgium.
Haplotypes and textual types: Interdisciplinary approaches to Viking Age migration and mobility
Authors: Jesch Judith
Published: March 2021

When geneticists became interested in Viking Age migration and mobility, about 20 years ago, their evidence was drawn from the DNA of modern populations. More recently, ancient DNA (aDNA) techniques have been refined to the extent that evidence from archaeological skeletons is now being brought into the discussions. While modern DNA can provide large datasets, it remains a question how well these represent populations of over a thousand years ago. On the other hand, aDNA is indeed ancient, but the datasets are small and therefore also not necessarily representative. The historical and literary texts about Viking Age migration and mobility also suffer from doubts about how representative they are. This common characteristic of texts and genetics indicates that an interdisciplinary approach would be fruitful. This paper will explore intersections between ancient texts and aDNA to suggest some ways forward.
An alternative permeable topology design space for trailing-edge noise attenuation
Authors: Luesutthiviboon Salil , Ragni Daniele , Avallone Francesco , Snellen Mirjam
Published: March 2021

This study focuses upon a new permeable topology design concept as an alternative to porous metal foams, for turbulent boundary layer trailing-edge (TBL-TE) noise attenuation. The present permeable topology has unconventional characteristics with respect to the metal foams: a combination of low flow resistivity r and high form drag coefficient C. The unconventional characteristics are realized by a Kevlar-covered 3D-printed perforated structure. An experimental study featuring a NACA 0018 airfoil model with a Kevlar-covered 3D-printed TE insert at chord-based Reynolds numbers up to [Formula: see text] is carried out. The airfoil with this TE insert gives a broadband TBL-TE noise reduction up to approximately 5 dB, compared to a solid TE. This reduction varies only slightly with airfoil loading (lower than 1 dB variation), in contrast to the porous metal foams (up to 3 dB variation). When comparing the variation of noise attenuation given by all the permeable materials considered, the variation is found to decrease with the increasing C. This is because C specifies the permeable material's ability to withstand the increasing pressure difference, which causes cross flow that might interfere with the noise attenuation mechanism. Additionally, the drag coefficients as well as the roughness noise of the airfoil equipped with the present TE insert are also significantly lower than those of the metal-foam TE, and are mostly negligible compared to the fully solid airfoil. Based on the findings, design guidelines for permeable TE are proposed: the permeable material shall have a combination of a low flow resistivity and a high form drag coefficient as well as a negligible surface roughness.
A decision support tool for building design: An integrated generative design, optimisation and life cycle performance approach
Authors: Schwartz Yair , Raslan Rokia , Korolija Ivan , Mumovic Dejan
Published: March 2021

Building performance evaluation is generally carried out through a non-automated process, where computational models are iteratively built and simulated, and their energy demand is calculated. This study presents a computational tool that automates the generation of optimal building designs in respect of their Life Cycle Carbon Footprint (LCCF) and Life Cycle Costs (LCC). This is achieved by an integration of three computational concepts: (a) A designated space-allocation generative-design application, (b) Using building geometry as a parameter in NSGA-II optimization and (c) Life Cycle performance (embodied carbon and operational carbon, through the use of thermal simulations for LCCF and LCC calculation). Examining the generation of a two-storey terrace house building, located in London, UK, the study shows that a set of building parameters combinations that resulted with a pareto front of near-optimal buildings, in terms of LCCF and LCC, could be identified by using the tool. The study shows that 80% of the optimal building’s LCCF are related to the building operational stage (σ = 2), while 77% of the building’s LCC is related to the initial capital investment (σ = 2). Analysis further suggests that space heating is the largest contributor to the building’s emissions, while it has a relatively low impact on costs. Examining the optimal building in terms compliance requirements (the building with the best operational performance), the study demonstrated how this building performs poorly in terms of Life Cycle performance. The paper further presents an analysis of various life-cycle aspects, for example, a year-by-year performance breakdown, and an investigation into operational and embodied carbon emissions.
Channel capacity analysis of non-orthogonal multiple access and massive multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication networks considering perfect and imperfect channel state information
Authors: Shankar Ravi , Nandi Shovon , Rupani Ajay
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we investigate the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and massive multiple-input multiple-output (M-MIMO) techniques and through simulation, and a comparison is given between the NOMA and orthogonal multiple access techniques. Integrating NOMA with M-MIMO is a very challenging task. In this paper, for a single-cell system, NOMA is integrated with a M-MIMO system for better spectral and energy efficiency. Investigation of the multiple user gain is the focus of this work because the multiple user gain supports simultaneous transmission of multiple users in the case of the M-MIMO system. In this way, the M-MIMO will provide a 100 times channel capacity increase, which results in very high data transmission rate. In the modern communication system, achieving multiple user gain is a very difficult task when channel estimation error is present. The performance of the orthogonal multiple access as well as NOMA system significantly reduced in the presence of channel estimation error. However, most of the current schemes do not work well with imperfect perfect channel state information conditions. Simulation results closely agree with the theoretical outcomes.
Transverse sinus stenting for treatment of papilloedema secondary to a large brain herniation into a dural venous sinus with associated tectal plate lesion: Case report and literature review
Authors: Waser Barton , Wood Hannah M , Mews Peter , Lalloo Shivendra
Published: March 2021

Brain herniation into a dural venous sinus is a rare entity of unknown clinical significance without a clear relationship to raised intracranial pressure. There are yet to be detailed reports of interventional neuroradiology procedures involving sinus stenting across brain herniations. The authors of this paper present the first case of a stent placed across a large brain herniation into the transverse sinus in a patient with a tectal plate lesion and features of chronically raised intracranial pressure. This case demonstrates objective resolution of papilloedema and venous sinus pressure gradient at six months without complication.
Framing Syrian refugees: US local news and the politics of immigration
Authors: Douai Aziz , Bastug Mehmet F , Akca Davut
Published: March 2021

The article investigates news coverage and media framing of the Syrian refugee debate as a public opinion issue in US local news in 2015. The sheer number of refugees created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as millions of civilians settled in neighboring countries, and a significant number of them embarked on a perilous journey to seek refuge in European countries. The political response to the Syrian refugee crisis was divided, but public attitudes shifted after the terrorist attacks on Paris in November 2015 with calls for more restrictive immigration policies and smaller refugee quotas. In the US, GOP leaders demanded “extreme vetting” and “screening” of refugees and many opposed resettling the modest number of refugees the Obama administration promised to let in. The study analyzes local news coverage variation across the States that welcomed, not welcomed or did not commit to accepting Syrian refugees at the height of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015 and 2016. The findings of the study demonstrate that the editorial framing of the Syrian refugee crisis downplayed the global responsibility and international commitment of the US, highlighted the administrative costs and framed them as security threats. The implications of these frames are discussed.