bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ClickbaitTR: Dataset for clickbait detection from Turkish news sites and social media with a comparative analysis via machine learning algorithms
Authors: Genç Şura , Surer Elif
Published: April 2021

Clickbait is a strategy that aims to attract people’s attention and direct them to specific content. Clickbait titles, created by the information that is not included in the main content or using intriguing expressions with various text-related features, have become very popular, especially in social media. This study expands the Turkish clickbait dataset that we had constructed for clickbait detection in our proof-of-concept study, written in Turkish. We achieve a 48,060 sample size by adding 8859 tweets and release a publicly available dataset – ClickbaitTR – with its open-source data analysis library. We apply machine learning algorithms such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM), Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) and Ensemble Classifier on 48,060 news headlines extracted from Twitter. The results show that the Logistic Regression algorithm has 85% accuracy; the Random Forest algorithm has a performance of 86% accuracy; the LSTM has 93% accuracy; the ANN has 93% accuracy; the Ensemble Classifier has 93% accuracy; and finally, the BiLSTM has 97% accuracy. A thorough discussion is provided for the psychological aspects of clickbait strategy focusing on curiosity and interest arousal. In addition to a successful clickbait detection performance and the detailed analysis of clickbait sentences in terms of language and psychological aspects, this study also contributes to clickbait detection studies with the largest clickbait dataset in Turkish.
A novel filter feature selection method for text classification: Extensive Feature Selector
Authors: Parlak Bekir , Uysal Alper Kursat
Published: April 2021

As the huge dimensionality of textual data restrains the classification accuracy, it is essential to apply feature selection (FS) methods as dimension reduction step in text classification (TC) domain. Most of the FS methods for TC contain several number of probabilities. In this study, we proposed a new FS method named as Extensive Feature Selector (EFS), which benefits from corpus-based and class-based probabilities in its calculations. The performance of EFS is compared with nine well-known FS methods, namely, Chi-Squared (CHI2), Class Discriminating Measure (CDM), Discriminative Power Measure (DPM), Odds Ratio (OR), Distinguishing Feature Selector (DFS), Comprehensively Measure Feature Selection (CMFS), Discriminative Feature Selection (DFSS), Normalised Difference Measure (NDM) and Max–Min Ratio (MMR) using Multinomial Naive Bayes (MNB), Support-Vector Machines (SVMs) and k-Nearest Neighbour (KNN) classifiers on four benchmark data sets. These data sets are Reuters-21578, 20-Newsgroup, Mini 20-Newsgroup and Polarity. The experiments were carried out for six different feature sizes which are 10, 30, 50, 100, 300 and 500. Experimental results show that the performance of EFS method is more successful than the other nine methods in most cases according to micro- F1 and macro- F1 scores.
Radical democratic theory and migration: The Refugee Protest March as a democratic practice
Authors: Schwiertz Helge
Published: April 2021

In dominant discourses, migrants are mostly perceived as either victims or villains but rarely as political subjects and democratic constituents. Challenging this view, the aim of the article is to rethink democracy with respect to migration struggles. I argue that movements of migration are not only consistent with democracy but also provide a decisive impetus for actualizing democratic principles in the context of debates about the crisis of representation and post-democracy. Drawing on the work of Jacques Rancière, Étienne Balibar and Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe, I develop a theory of radical democracy as practice, which, starting from the proposed notion of ‘democratic difference’, goes beyond the fixation on democratic regimes and focuses on contentious practices of enacting democratic principles. I articulate these theoretical concepts by analysing how refugees in Germany have managed to break out of a marginalized position and have challenged their denial of rights through a protest march.
Assessing Vaccine Protection for Older Adults with Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Almasri Leena , Holtzclaw Barbara J.
Published: April 2021

Immunosenescence and comorbidities increase the susceptibility of older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) to vaccine-preventable diseases, hospitalization, disability, or death. This systematic review synthesizes research on protecting older adults with DM during pandemics, exploring vaccine safety, tolerance, and vaccination uptake by older adults in anticipation of seasonal influenza outbreaks during the current COVID-19 threat. Addressed were: (a) age-related factors influencing the effectiveness of vaccines against infectious disease in older adults; (b) vaccine safety, tolerance, effectiveness for older persons with DM; and (c) issues affecting older adults accepting immunization recommendations. Medline and CINAHL databases yielded 214 studies with 43 meeting inclusion criteria (32 descriptive and 11 controlled trials). Findings show altered glycemic control stimulates proinflammatory mediators, increasing infection risk, vaccines, and annual revaccinations safely reduce hospitalization rates, mortality outcomes, without affecting glycemic control. However, vaccines fail to evoke optimal antibody responses in older adults. Unawareness, fear of side effects, tend to lower vaccination participation.
Laryngeal Chondrosarcoma Characteristics and Survival Analysis in the National Cancer Database
Authors: Talati Vidit M. , Urban Matthew J. , Patel Tirth R. , Wojcik Christopher , Tajudeen Bobby A. , Stenson Kerstin , Bhayani Mihir K. , Al‐Khudari Samer , Husain Inna A.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To highlight various patient, tumor, diagnostic, and treatment characteristics of laryngeal chondrosarcoma (LC) as well as elucidate factors that may independently affect overall survival (OS) for LCs.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Methods

All LC cases from 2004 to 2016 were extracted from the NCDB. Several demographic, diagnostic, and treatment variables were compared between LC subgroups using χ2 and analysis of variance tests. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed for LCs using univariate Kaplan‐Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

There were 348 LCs included in the main cohort. LCs were predominantly non‐Hispanic white males with similar rates of private and government insurance (49.4% vs 45.4%). Most LCs (81.6%) underwent primary surgery, particularly partial and total laryngectomy. The 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year survivals for LC were 95.7%, 88.2%, and 66.3%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, lack of insurance (P =. 019; hazard ratio [HR], 8.21; 95% CI, 1.40‐48.03), high grade (P =. 001; HR, 13.51; 95% CI, 3.08‐59.26), and myxoid/dedifferentiated histological subtypes (P =. 0111; HR, 10.74; 95% CI, 1.71‐67.33) correlated with worse OS. No difference in OS was found between partial and total laryngectomy.

Conclusion

This is the first multivariate survival analysis and largest single cohort study of LCs in the literature. Overall, LCs enjoy an excellent prognosis, with insurance status, grade, and histology as the main predictors of survival.
Human Papillomavirus in Patients With Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Patel Evan J. , Oliver Jamie R. , Jacobson Adam S. , Li Zujun , Hu Kenneth S. , Tam Moses , Vaezi Alec , Morris Luc G. T. , Givi Babak
Published: April 2021

Objective

Assess the testing rates and prognostic significance of human papilloma virus (HPV) status in hypopharynx malignancies.

Study Design

Historical cohort study.

Setting

National Cancer Database.

Methods

Review of the National Cancer Database was conducted between 2010 and 2017 for squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the hypopharynx. We investigated how often the tumors were tested for HPV and whether it was associated with survival outcomes.

Results

A total of 13,269 patients with hypopharynx malignancies were identified. Most cases were not tested for HPV status (n = 8702, 65.6%). Of those tested, 872 (19.1%) were positive for HPV and 3695 (80.9%) were negative. The proportion of nonoropharyngeal SCCs tested for HPV increased nearly every year during the study, with roughly one‐third of cases (31.9%) being tested in 2017. In the facilities classified as high‐testing centers of nonoropharyngeal SCCs of the head and neck, 18.7% of hypopharyngeal tumors were HPV positive. HPV‐negative status was associated with worse survival on multivariable analysis. In propensity score–matched analysis controlling for all factors significant in multivariable regression, 2‐year survival remained higher in the HPV‐positive cohort (77.7% vs 63.1%, P <. 001).

Conclusions

HPV‐positive tumors constitute a sizable minority of hypopharynx tumors and are associated with improved survival. Expansion of HPV testing to hypopharynx malignancies may be warranted.
Adverse Events Associated With Corticosteroid‐Eluting Sinus Stents: A MAUDE Database Analysis
Authors: Narwani Vishal , Torabi Sina J. , Kasle David A. , Patel Rahul A. , Lerner Michael Z. , Manes R. Peter
Published: April 2021

Objective

Corticosteroid‐eluting stents (CESs) are increasingly used after endoscopic sinus surgery to reduce the need for revision surgery, but their use is not without risks. The objective of this study is to describe adverse events related to CESs.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Setting

The US Food and Drug Administration’s MAUDE database (2011‐2020; Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience).

Methods

The MAUDE database was queried for reports of adverse events involving the use of CESs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including Propel, Propel Mini, Propel Contour, and Sinuva (Intersect ENT).

Results

There were 28 reported adverse events in total, with all events being related to the Propel family of stents and none related to Sinuva stents. Overall, 22 were categorized as patient‐related adverse events and 6 as device‐related events. The most common adverse event was related to postoperative infection, accounting for 39% (n = 11) of all complications. Four of these patients developed periorbital cellulitis, and 5 developed a fungal infection. The second‐most common adverse event was migration of the stent, representing 21% of all complications (n = 6). Overall, 8 patients (29%) in our cohort required reintervention in the operating room, with subsequent removal of the CES.

Conclusion

The most commonly reported adverse events were postoperative infection, including multiple cases of fungal infection, followed by migration of the stent. An increased awareness of the complications associated with CESs can be used to better inform patients during the consenting process as well as surgeons in their surgical decision making.
Tricuspid valve repair via partial sternotomy for traumatic valve insufficiency
Authors: Maeda Motohiro , Honda Jiro , Ishi Yosuke
Published: April 2021

Tricuspid valve insufficiency rarely follows a blunt chest trauma. When the tricuspid valve is solely injured, the cardiac trauma may stay asymptomatic and tolerable, which often makes it difficult to determine the indication for surgery. We report a case of a patient with tricuspid regurgitation secondary to trauma due to a motorcycle accident. The patient was initially asymptomatic, but shortness of breath emerged two years after the accident. He underwent the tricuspid valve repair with chordae reconstruction and annuloplasty via lower partial sternotomy. We advocate that early surgical intervention prevents right heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and valve replacement.
The Use of In Silico Tools for the Toxicity Prediction of Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Bhat Varsha , Chatterjee Jhinuk
Published: April 2021

The current strategy for treating the Covid-19 coronavirus disease involves the repurposing of existing drugs or the use of convalescent plasma therapy, as no specific therapeutic intervention has yet received regulatory approval. However, severe adverse effects have been reported for some of these repurposed drugs. Recently, several in silico studies have identified compounds that are potential inhibitors of the main protease (3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease) and the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2. An essential step of drug development is the careful evaluation of toxicity, which has a range of associated financial, temporal and ethical limitations. In this study, a number of in silico tools were used to predict the toxicity of 19 experimental compounds. A range of web-based servers and applications were used to predict hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity, acute oral toxicity, carcinogenicity, cardiotoxicity, and other potential adverse effects. The compounds were assessed based on the consensus of results, and were labelled as positive or negative for a particular toxicity endpoint. The compounds were then categorised into three classes, according to their predicted toxicity. Ten compounds (52.6%) were predicted to be non-mutagenic and non-hERG inhibitors, and exhibited zero or low level hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Furthermore, from the consensus of results, all 19 compounds were predicted to be non-mutagenic and negative for acute oral toxicity. Overall, most of the compounds displayed encouraging toxicity profiles. These results can assist further lead optimisation studies and drug development efforts to combat Covid-19.
Healthcare professionals’ views of the use of oral morphine and transmucosal diamorphine in the management of paediatric breakthrough pain and the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial: A focus group study (DIPPER)
Authors: Jamieson Liz , Harrop Emily , Johnson Margaret , Liossi Christina , Mott Christine , Oulton Kate , Skene Simon S. , Wong Ian CK , Howard Richard F
Published: April 2021

Background:

Oral morphine is frequently used for breakthrough pain but the oral route is not always available and absorption is slow. Transmucosal diamorphine is administered by buccal, sublingual or intranasal routes, and rapidly absorbed.

Aim:

To explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals in the UK caring for children with life-limiting conditions concerning the assessment and management of breakthrough pain; prescribing and administration of transmucosal diamorphine compared with oral morphine; and the feasibility of a comparative clinical trial.

Design/ participants:

Three focus groups, analysed using a Framework approach. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists ( n = 28), caring for children with life-limiting illnesses receiving palliative care, participated.

Results:

Oral morphine is frequently used for breakthrough pain across all settings; with transmucosal diamorphine largely limited to use in hospices or given by community nurses, predominantly buccally. Perceived advantages of oral morphine included confidence in its use with no requirement for specific training; disadvantages included tolerability issues, slow onset, unpredictable response and unsuitability for patients with gastrointestinal failure. Perceived advantages of transmucosal diamorphine were quick onset and easy administration; barriers included lack of licensed preparations and prescribing guidance with fears over accountability of prescribers, and potential issues with availability, preparation and palatability. Factors potentially affecting recruitment to a trial were patient suitability and onerousness for families, trial design and logistics, staff time and clinician engagement.

Conclusions:

There were perceived advantages to transmucosal diamorphine, but there is a need for access to a safe preparation. A clinical trial would be feasible provided barriers were overcome.
Different chest CT scoring systems in patients with COVID-19: could baseline CT be a helpful tool in predicting survival in patients with matched ages and co-morbid conditions?
Authors: Dilek Okan , Demirel Emin , Akkaya Hüseyin , Belibagli Mehmet Cenk , Soker Gokhan , Gulek Bozkurt
Published: April 2021

Background

Computed tomography (CT) gives an idea about the prognosis in patients with COVID-19 lung infiltration.

Purpose

To evaluate the success rates of various scoring methods utilized in order to predict survival periods, on the basis of the imaging findings of COVID-19. Another purpose, on the other hand, was to evaluate the agreements among the evaluating radiologists.

Material and Methods

A total of 100 cases of known COVID-19 pneumonia, of which 50 were deceased and 50 were living, were included in the study. Pre-existing scoring systems, which were the Total Severity Score (TSS), Chest Computed Tomography Severity Score (CT-SS), and Total CT Score, were utilized, together with the Early Decision Severity Score (ED-SS), which was developed by our team, to evaluate the initial lung CT scans of the patients obtained at their initial admission to the hospital. The scans were evaluated retrospectively by two radiologists. Area under the curve (AUC) values were acquired for each scoring system, according to their performances in predicting survival times.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 61 ± 14.85 years (age range = 18–87 years). There was no difference in co-morbidities between the living and deceased patients. The survival predicted AUC values of ED-SS, CT-SS, TSS, and Total CT Score systems were 0.876, 0.823, 0.753, and 0.744, respectively.

Conclusion

Algorithms based on lung infiltration patterns of COVID-19 may be utilized for both survival prediction and therapy planning.
Effectiveness of intratympanic dexamethasone for the treatment of vertigo attacks in patients with Ménière’s disease compared with betahistine pharmacotherapy
Authors: Molnár András , Maihoub Stefani , Tamás László , Szirmai Ágnes
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study analyzed the possible effects of intratympanic steroid (ITS) therapy in the symptomatic treatment of vertigo attacks in patients with Ménière’s disease.

Methods

Thirty-five patients treated with ITS (dexamethasone) plus betahistine (Group A) and 35 patients treated with betahistine alone (Group B) were enrolled in this investigation. Complaints were analyzed using medical records and vertigo diaries. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS V24 software.

Results

Based on the analysis, there were no significant differences in baseline features between the two groups. When the occurrence of vertigo attacks was compared using the Kaplan–Meier method, no significant difference was detected between Groups A and B (odds ratio [OR] = 1.051, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.965–1.067; p = 0.972). In addition, no difference in the incidence of vertigo attacks was noted in group A between the periods of treatment with betahistine alone and betahistine plus ITS when the groups were analyzed via logistic regression (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.065–1.467; p = 0.614).

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the addition of ITS therapy to betahistine did not improve outcomes in patients with Ménière’s disease. Further prospective studies should be conducted to analyze the results in a more detailed manner.
Comparative evaluation of the bispectral index (BIS) and BISpro during propofol anaesthesia
Authors: Li Zhitao , Cai Jiachun , Li Jiexiong , Xu Xianghui , Zheng Limin
Published: April 2021

Objective

To compare the accuracy, correlation and agreement between the bispectral index (BIS) and BISpro during propofol anaesthesia.

Methods

The BIS, BISpro, heart rate, target-concentration of propofol and Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAA/S) score were recorded every 30 s in female patients scheduled for hysteroscopic surgery. Propofol anaesthesia was induced by an initial target-controlled concentration (1.0 μg/ml) followed by a stepwise increase (0.5 μg/ml) until the patient was unresponsive. Spearman’s correlation coefficient and prediction probability were calculated for the association between sedation levels and the above parameters. The ability of investigated parameters to distinguish between OAA/S scores was analysed. Bland–Altman analysis was used to compare the agreement between BIS and BISpro. The BIS and BISpro cut-off values for lost response were also determined.

Results

Out of 30 patients in total, a high correlation was found between BIS and BISpro, and both correlated well with OAA/S score. Only BIS was able to distinguish all investigated OAA/S states accurately, but the ability to predict OAA/S score 5 to loss of response was comparable between BIS and BISpro. The calculated cut-off values were 68 for BIS and 70 for BISpro.

Conclusion

BISpro and BIS are reliable monitors of general anaesthesia during sedation. Trial registration number: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (URL: www.chictr.org.cn ): ChiCTR1900024037 (retrospectively registered).
Hepatocellular carcinoma with indocyanine green excretory defect: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Liu Wei , Chen Li-Juan , Jiang Ying , Xu Li-Juan , Qiu Xuan
Published: April 2021

Constitutional indocyanine green (ICG) excretory defect is rare. However, ICG excretory defect concomitant with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is extremely rare, and only six reports of hepatectomy in patients with constitutional ICG excretory defect have been published in the English language literature through 2020. In this study, we report a case of combined HCC and ICG excretory defect and discuss its clinicopathological features and outcomes. The case featured a 68-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of resectable HCC. The preoperative ICG retention rate at 15 minutes was 82.9%. Despite this finding, the Child–Pugh assessment and hepatobiliary-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not reveal any abnormal findings. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with constitutional ICG excretory defect and performed partial hepatectomy. For patients requiring hepatectomy, the indications and procedure for surgery should be considered. These should be based on liver function tests such as gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced MRI.
Clinical predictors for biochemical failure in patients with positive surgical margin after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Su Shih-Huan , Chang Ying-Hsu , Huang Liang-Kang , Chu Yuan-Cheng , Kan Hung-Cheng , Liu Chung-Yi , Lin Po-Hung , Yu Kai-Jie , Wu Chun-Te , Pang See-Tong , Chuang Cheng-Keng , Shao I-Hung
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Patients with positive surgical margins (PSMs) after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer have a higher risk of biochemical failure (BCF). We investigated the risk factors of BCF in patients with PSMs after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods:

We evaluated 462 patients who underwent RARP in a single medical center from 2006 through 2013. Of them, 61 with PSMs did not receive any treatment before BCF. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression analysis were used to compare patients with (n = 19) and without (n = 41) BCF.

Results:

Overall, 13.2% of patients had PSMs, and of those, 31.7% experienced BCF during follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was 43.7 months (42.4 [non-BCF] vs 46.35 (BCF], p = 0.51). In univariant analyses, the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (6.26 [non-BCF] vs 8.02 [BCF], p = 0.04) differed statistically. When patients were grouped by pathologic grade ≦2 or ≧3 ( p = 0.004), the BCF-free survival rates differed significantly. Seminal vesicle invasion also differed significantly (5 [non-BCF] vs 7 [BCF], p = 0.005). Patients with undetectable nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after RARP (BCF rate 4/34) differed statistically from those with detectable PSA after RARP (BCF rate 15/26) ( p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the platelet/lymphocyte (P/L) ratio, pathologic grade, and undetectable nadir PSA remained statistically significant.

Conclusions:

In patients who undergo RARP and have PSMs, P/L ratio >9 preoperatively, pathologic grade ⩾3, and detectable nadir PSA after RARP should be considered adverse features. Early intervention such as salvage radiation therapy or androgen deprivation therapy should be offered to these patients.
Roundabouts in the United States: An International Comparison of Illuminance Requirements and Costs
Authors: Gbologah Franklin E. , Berrebi Simon , Guin Angshuman , Rodgers Michael O.
Published: April 2021

United States federal guidelines recommend systematic illumination of roundabouts in both rural and urban areas. However, competing conventional intersections in rural areas can be kept unlit. Highway illumination is also a major contributor to intersection operating and maintenance costs. This paper reviews roundabout illumination policies from 44 countries to determine if systematic illumination is normal practice and if not, to identify the warranting conditions. In addition, this paper compares the illumination level requirements and implied costs for three reference U.S. rural roundabouts with their equivalents from 15 selected countries. Professional lighting design software, DIALux®, was used to build roundabout illumination models corresponding to the recommended illuminances in the study countries and the simulation outputs were converted into annual operating costs to facilitate the comparisons. The findings indicate that most countries (approximately 59%) do not require systematic illumination of roundabouts in rural areas. While a few countries (approximately 16%) do attempt to illuminate all roundabouts it is more common to find such a requirement in urban areas. The study also finds that the average minimum maintained illuminance is higher in the U.S.A. than in Europe and the United Kingdom. However, the U.S. tax payer pays significantly less than their counterparts in the other countries studied. These findings are significant because the desired proliferation of roundabouts in the U.S.A. would receive a significant boost if the U.S.A. were to adopt lower illuminance levels, a non-systematic illumination policy, or both, for rural roundabouts.
Gossypiboma: An uncommon but avoidable dreadful complication
Authors: Sharma Amit , Biswal Deepak , Sharma Satyadeo , Roy Siddhant
Published: April 2021

Gossypiboma or retained surgical sponge in abdominal cavity is an avoidable complication which has wide variety of clinical presentations and associated medico-legal issues as well. The incidence is under-reported. Pre-operative diagnosis is difficult and management is surgical. We present a case of gossypiboma in a male with multiple vesico-cutaneous and colo-vesical fistulae.
Mechanical properties of a hybrid auxetic metamaterial and metastructure system
Authors: Zhang Wenjiao , Zhao Shuyuan , Sun Rujie , Scarpa Fabrizio , Wang Jinwu
Published: April 2021

We propose in this work an innovative hybrid auxetic metamaterial with a centersymmetric unit cell and tessellation topology similar to the one provided by the missing rib configuration. The tessellation proposed is applied to different core unit cells (star shape, cross-chiral shape with same dimensions, and reentrant). The effects of the geometric parameters of the cells on the in-plane mechanical properties of this hybrid auxetic metamaterial system are investigated via finite elements (FEMs). Representative unit cells (RUCs) with optimal mechanical behaviors are identified; those configurations exhibit the larger negative Poisson’s ratios and enhanced specific moduli. Designs related to two groups of auxetic metastructures with cylindric and cubic shapes are then developed based on the optimized RUCs along x and y directions. The equivalent mechanical performance of these metastructures under internal pressure is evaluated from a numerical standpoint. Auxetic cylindrical metastructures can be tailored by adjusting the number of the optimized RUCs along the circumferential and longitudinal directions, together with the geometric parameters of the optimized RUC itself. These hybrid auxetic metamaterials and metastructures provide the potential for multifunctional applications in biomechanics, flexible electronics, and aerospace.
Environmental and energy performances of the Italian municipal solid waste incineration system in a life cycle perspective
Authors: Sisani Federico , Maalouf Amani , Di Maria Francesco
Published: April 2021

The environmental and energy performances of the Italian municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) system was investigated by a life cycle assessment approach. On average the 39 MSWIs operating in Italy in 2018 treated about 6,000,000 Mg of residual municipal solid waste (RMSW) recovering on average from 448 kWh Mg−1 RMSW to 762 kWh Mg−1 RMSW of electricity and from 732 kWh Mg−1 RMSW to 1102 kWh Mg−1 RMSW of heat. The average quantity of CO2eq Mg−1 RMSW emitted ranged from about 800 up to about 1000 depending on the size and on the energy recovery scheme of the facility. Avoided impacts (i.e., negative values) were detected for the kg PM2,5eq Mg−1 RMSW and for human health (disability-adjusted life year Mg−1 RMSW). The determination of the hybrid primary energy index (MJ Mg−1 RMSW) indicated that mainly large size facilities and those operating according to a power and heat energy recovery scheme are effectively able to replace other primary energies by the exploitation of the lower heating values of the RMSW.
Risk Factors for Interpersonal Violence in Prison: Evidence From Longitudinal Administrative Prison Data in Northern Ireland
Authors: Butler Michelle , McNamee Catherine B. , Kelly Dominic
Published: April 2021

The present study uses a prospective longitudinal research design to examine whether previously identified risk factors for prison interpersonal violence can predict violent prison misconduct in Northern Ireland (NI). Administrative data drawn from the records of 429 adult males imprisoned on November 22, 2017 were used to predict involvement in violent prison misconduct during a 1-year follow-up period. The results revealed that only a small number of previously identified risk factors were found to be significant in the NI context. Nationality, neighborhood deprivation, history of addiction, submission of prison complaints, past involvement in prison misconduct, and number of incarcerations emerged as significant, while religion, head injury/epilepsy, property offences, and prison visits were significant at the marginal level. Given the variation in risk factors identified as significant in the NI context compared to previous research, it is argued that cultural context matters when attempting to generalize the risk factors for prison interpersonal violence from one jurisdiction to another. These results offer some support for the importation theory, although it should be noted that the inclusion of prison environmental factors was limited due to the nature of the data. It is argued that specialist services and supports should be provided to address the factors contributing to interpersonal prison violence, including interventions to improve feelings of fairness, identify and treat underlying medical issues, as well as support visitation.
SGLT2 inhibition does not reduce glucose absorption during experimental peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Martus Giedre , Bergling Karin , de Arteaga Javier , Öberg Carl M
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

Unwanted glucose absorption during peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains a clinical challenge, especially in diabetic patients. Recent experimental data indicated that inhibitors of the sodium and glucose co-transporter (SGLT)-2 could act to reduce glucose uptake during PD, which raises the question of whether glucose absorption may also occur via intracellular or trans-cellular pathways.

Methods:

We performed PD in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats using a fill volume of 20 mL with either 1.5% glucose fluid or 4.25% glucose fluid for 120 min dwell time to evaluate the effects of SGLT2 inhibition by empagliflozin on peritoneal water and solute transport. To assess the diffusion capacity of glucose, we developed a modified equation to measure small solute diffusion capacity, taking convective- and free water transport into account.

Results:

SGLT2 inhibition markedly increased the urinary excretion of glucose and lowered plasma glucose after PD compared to sham groups. Glucose absorption for 1.5% glucose was 165 mg 95% CI (145–178) in sham animals and 157 mg 95% CI (137–172) for empagliflozin-treated animals. For 4.25% glucose, absorption of glucose was 474 mg 95% CI (425–494) and 472 mg 95% CI (420–506) for sham and empagliflozin groups, respectively. No significant changes in the transport of sodium or water across the peritoneal barrier could be detected.

Conclusion:

We could not confirm recent findings that SGLT2 inhibition reduced glucose absorption and increased osmotic water transport during experimental PD.
Biased politicians and independent agencies
Authors: Pond Amy
Published: April 2021

Some agencies derive legitimacy from their political independence: for example, political meddling in monetary policy is problematic, as politicians favor short-term electoral goals over long-term economic stability. Nevertheless, the process of agency reform, even for agencies that are thought to be independent, is seldom onerous and often follows standard legislative procedures. Furthermore, citizens frequently lack expertise to hold policymakers accountable for new bureaucratic policies. Why then do politicians abstain from exercising influence through agency reform? This article delineates an informational cost to agency reform. In issue areas where politicians are frequently biased and citizens cannot perfectly observe the quality of agency reforms, citizens assume that reforms serve the politicians’ self-interest and punish politicians for any reform at all. Agency independence then comes more from informational challenges than from institutional design. This article develops a formal model to explain when agencies are reformed and when they retain their independence.
Examining the machinability of 38MnVS6 microalloyed steel, cooled in different mediums after hot forging with the coated carbide and ceramic tool
Authors: Özlü Barış , Demir Halil , Türkmen Mustafa , Gündüz Süleyman
Published: April 2021

In this study, the effect of the microstructure, hardness, and cutting speed on main cutting force and surface roughness in medium carbon microalloyed steel cooled in different mediums after hot forging, was investigated. As-received sample, which was not hot forged, and the samples cooled in the sand, air, oil, and polymerized water after hot forging were used for the experimental studies. The machinability tests were performed via turning method by using coated carbide and coated ceramic cutting tools with five cutting speed (120, 150, 180, 210, and 240 m/min), constant feed rate (0.04 mm/rev), and constant depth of cut (0.6 mm). The microstructure examinations of the samples were carried out and their hardness values were determined. Also, the wear of cutting tools were examined with scanning electron microscope. In the experimental study, it was revealed that the microstructure, hardness and cutting speed had a significant effect on the surface roughness values of the samples cooled in dissimilar environments following forging. Moreover, the samples cooled in air and polymerized water, whose hardness increased depending on the increase in the cooling rate, had the highest cutting force after machining by using the coated carbide and ceramic tool.
Suction effects on transitional bubbles
Authors: Wahidi Redha A. , Olçmen Semih M.
Published: April 2021

The effects of suction on the structure of a transitional bubble forming on a low-Reynolds-number airfoil are examined using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and k–kL–ω transition model. The suction effects on the laminar and turbulent portions of the separation bubble and the locations of the main points in the separation bubble are discussed in relation to the transition process of the bubble. A single suction distribution located in the region of the baseline transitional bubble is used with two suction rates. One suction rate is sufficiently strong to eliminate the bubble from its original location and a lower suction rate that is only sufficient to create shallower bubbles. Eliminating the bubble from its original location maintains a laminar boundary layer downstream of the baseline transition location until a shallower separation bubble forms near the trailing edge. The lower suction rate shortens the separation bubble and reduces its height while approximately maintaining its original location. Analyzing the lengths of different portions of the bubble suggests that suction affects the instability growth rate and the nonlinear interactions in the separated shear layer. The lower suction rate shortens the distance between the separation and transition onset suggesting a higher growth rate of the inviscid instability. The higher suction rate, on the other hand, increases the distance between the separation and transition onset indicating a stabilizing effect by slowing down the growth rate of the inviscid instability. However, the percentage of distance between transition and separation to the total length is only slightly affected by the suction and the angle of attack.
Adaptive sliding mode repetitive learning control of the upper-limb exoskeleton with unknown dynamics
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Jian , Zhang Yuteng , Zhou Ying , Chen Lingling
Published: April 2021

This article proposes a new adaptive sliding mode repetitive learning control strategy. The proposed controller can obtain satisfactory position tracking performance in the presence of unknown dynamics and external disturbance. The unknown dynamics parameters of the exoskeleton system can be estimated via an adaptive algorithm, which is used to design the sliding mode control law. Besides, the periodic external disturbance of the system can be compensated by repetitive learning to reduce the tracking error. The stability of the proposed method is demonstrated rigorous by the Lyapunov theory. Using an upper-limb exoskeleton model, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategy. The proposed method has a better control performance than other methods.
Predictive performance of machine and statistical learning methods: Impact of data-generating processes on external validity in the “large N, small p” setting
Authors: Austin Peter C , Harrell Frank E , Steyerberg Ewout W
Published: April 2021

Machine learning approaches are increasingly suggested as tools to improve prediction of clinical outcomes. We aimed to identify when machine learning methods perform better than a classical learning method. We hereto examined the impact of the data-generating process on the relative predictive accuracy of six machine and statistical learning methods: bagged classification trees, stochastic gradient boosting machines using trees as the base learners, random forests, the lasso, ridge regression, and unpenalized logistic regression. We performed simulations in two large cardiovascular datasets which each comprised an independent derivation and validation sample collected from temporally distinct periods: patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 9484 vs. n = 7000) and patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure (CHF, n = 8240 vs. n = 7608). We used six data-generating processes based on each of the six learning methods to simulate outcomes in the derivation and validation samples based on 33 and 28 predictors in the AMI and CHF data sets, respectively. We applied six prediction methods in each of the simulated derivation samples and evaluated performance in the simulated validation samples according to c-statistic, generalized R2, Brier score, and calibration. While no method had uniformly superior performance across all six data-generating process and eight performance metrics, (un)penalized logistic regression and boosted trees tended to have superior performance to the other methods across a range of data-generating processes and performance metrics. This study confirms that classical statistical learning methods perform well in low-dimensional settings with large data sets.
CircANKRD52 Promotes the Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Sponging miR-497-5p and Upregulating BIRC5 Expression
Authors: Zhang Mingzhi , Yan Xinxin , Wen Peihao , Bai Wenkun , Zhang Qingyu
Published: April 2021

CircRNAs participate in the pathogenesis of a variety of cancers. Previous studies showed that baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) can promote tumor progression. But, the mechanisms by which circRNAs regulate BIRC5 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. The clinical prognosis of BIRC5 or miR-497-5p expression in patients with HCC was assessed by TCGA RNA-seq dataset. hsa_circ_0026939 (circANKRD52) or BIRC5 was identified to bind with miR-497-5p by luciferase gene report, RIP and circRIP assays. MTT, colony formation, Transwell assays and a xenograft tumor model were used to estimate the role of miR-497-5p or circANKRD52 in HCC cells. As a result, we found that elevated expression of BIRC5 or decreased expression of miR-497-5p was linked to poor survival in HCC. Restored expression of miR-497-5p repressed cell proliferation, colony formation and invasiveness by targeting BIRC5, but its inhibitor showed the opposite results. Furthermore, circANKRD52 possessed a tumor-promoting effect by acting as a sponge of miR-497-5p and thereby upregulated BIRC5 in HCC cells. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that circANKRD52 enhances the tumorigenesis of HCC by sponging miR-497-5p and upregulating BIRC5 expression.
Workforce Skills in Family Support: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zegarac Nevenka , Isakov Anita Burgund , Nunes Cristina , Antunes Ana
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

Skills used in the practice of family support workforce are implemented in different settings and frameworks. The conceptual assumptions and epistemological frameworks of diversity are a challenge. Various paradigms of intervention, different sectors, and disciplinary involvement indicate the need to systematize and clarify knowledge in the field.

Method:

Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, a systematic review was conducted, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies on skills in the practice of family support.

Results:

The literature was collected in an exhaustive search of several databases, where a set of 8,489 papers was selected. The workforce skills described were the qualities of the professionals, technical skills, and specific knowledge.

Discussion:

Most of the studies were literature reviews, did not define specific skills, had very small samples, and had issues with bias. We discuss implications for practice in social work as well as the gaps to be covered in further research of family support.
Nonsurgical Orthodontic Airway Plate Treatment for Newborns With Robin Sequence
Authors: Choo HyeRan , Khosla Rohit K. , Meister Kara D. , Wan Derrick C. , Lin Hung-Fu C. , Feczko Robert , Bruckman Karl , Hopkins Elena , Truong Mai Thy , Lorenz Hermann P.
Published: April 2021

Despite promising outcomes for >50 years, nonsurgical orthodontic airway plates (OAP) are only infrequently offered for babies with Robin sequence in a few parts of the world. This article demonstrates possibility of providing functional improvement using an OAP to help these babies overcome their functional and structural difficulties on their own. Two consecutively treated cases are presented exemplifying that OAP treatment that had originated from Europe is reproducible and effective in an institution in the United States.
The I and We of Team Identification: A Multilevel Study of Exhaustion and (In)congruence Among Individuals and Teams in Team Identification
Authors: Junker Nina M. , van Dick Rolf , Häusser Jan A. , Ellwart Thomas , Zyphur Michael J.
Published: April 2021

The social identity approach to stress proposes that the beneficial effects of social identification develop through individual and group processes, but few studies have addressed both levels simultaneously. Using a multilevel person–environment fit framework, we investigate the group-level relationship between team identification (TI) and exhaustion, the individual-level relationship for people within a group, and the cross-level moderation effect to test whether individual-level exhaustion depends on the level of (in)congruence in TI between individuals and their group as a whole. We test our hypotheses in a sample of 525 employees from 82 teams. Multilevel polynomial regression analysis revealed a negative linear relationship between individual-level identification and exhaustion. Surprisingly, the relation between group-level identification and exhaustion was curvilinear, indicating that group-level identification was more beneficial at low and high levels compared with medium levels. As predicted, the cross-level moderation of the individual-level relationship by group-level identification was also significant, showing that as individuals became more incongruent in a positive direction (i.e., they identified more strongly than the average team member), they reported less exhaustion, but only if the group-level identification was average or high. These results emphasize the benefits of analyzing TI in a multilevel framework, with both theoretical and practical implications.
Efficient sensitivity orient blockchain encryption for improved data security in cloud
Authors: Siva Kumar A , Godfrey Winster S , Ramesh R
Published: April 2021

Data security in the cloud has become a dominant topic being discussed in recent times as the security of data in the cloud has been focused on by several researchers. However, the data security was enforced at the attribute level, the adversaries are capable of learning the method of data encryption even there are access restrictions are enforced at an attribute level. To challenge the adversaries with more sophisticated security measures, an efficient real-time service-centric feature sensitivity analysis (RSFSA) model is proposed in this paper. The RSFSA model analyses the sensitivity of different features being accessed by any service and at multiple levels. At each level, the method checks the set of features being accessed and the number of features the user has access grant to compute the FLAG value for the user according to the profile given. Based on the value of FLAG, the user has been granted or denied service access. On the other side, the method maintains different encryption schemes and keys for each level of features. As the features are organized in multiple levels, the method maintains a set of schemes and keys for each level dedicative. Based on the service level and data, the method selects an encryption scheme and key to perform data encryption. According to that, the service access data has been encrypted at the attribute level with a specific scheme and key. Data encrypted has been uploaded to the blockchain and the method modifies the reference part of the chain to connect only the blocks to which the user has access. The chain given to the user would do not contain any reference from a specific block to which the user has no access. The proposed method improves the performance of data security and access restriction greatly.