bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growing but Not Grown: Adolescent Black Girls’ Reasoning About a Hypothetical and Challenging Social Situation
Authors: Pollock Rebekah , McGee Taylor , Harris Johari , Kearney Moriah , McPhee Katherine , Zabek Faith , Meyers Joel , Kruger Ann Cale
Published: March 2022

In this study, we take a situationally specific approach to understanding how Black girls perceive, process, and respond to a hypothetical social situation. Through this approach, we aim to contribute to developmental inquiry that resists deficit thinking by foregrounding the voices of Black girls. The current study took place within the participatory culture-specific intervention model and involved 22 early adolescent Black girls (fifth–seventh grade). We conducted semi-structured interviews, asking them to respond to a potentially risky hypothetical situation with a male peer they have just met. Thematic analysis revealed three organizing themes: the overall goal of preserving safety and dignity, a growing ability to handle high-stakes interpersonal interactions, and the expectation of empathy and protection from the community around them. These findings challenge stereotypical portrayals of Black girls as hypersexual and aggressive and add to our understanding of the psychology of Black girls by illustrating their adaptive social decision-making.
Efficacy and benefits of the MetaCom training to promote metaphor comprehension in typical development
Authors: Tonini Elisabetta , Lecce Serena , Del Sette Paola , Bianco Federica , Canal Paolo , Bambini Valentina
Published: March 2022

Although metaphors are essential tools in everyday communication and educational settings, the literature lacks evidence of effective training tools to promote metaphor comprehension in typical development. Grounding in theoretical pragmatics, we developed a novel metaphor comprehension training (MetaCom) for school-age children that focuses on inferential and contextual aspects of metaphors. The effects of the MetaCom were tested against a control training focusing on text comprehension in a randomized controlled trial involving 55 children aged between 8;8 and 9;8. Only children in the MetaCom group improved in the ability to verbally explain the meaning of a metaphor. Moreover, only the MetaCom showed transfer effects to reading comprehension. These findings suggest that targeting inference and attention to context is key to promote metaphor understanding, and that the benefits might extend to linguistic and communicative skills at large. The MetaCom training can thus represent a promising tool for educational programs, possibly also in atypical populations.
Prolonged persistence of hyaluronic acid after suboptimal vocal fold injection
Authors: Park Sung Joon , Park Young Hak , Jeong Woo-Jin , Cha Wonjae
Published: March 2022

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a commonly used injectable material in temporary vocal fold injections (VFI) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Hyaluronic acid has generally been known for its three–six months of longevity following VFI. Owing to recent advances in cross-linking technologies, the longevity of HA-based materials, including deep-volumizing cross-linked HA used in VFI, has been improved. However, persisting injectable material in the subepithelial space poses undesirable complications following VFI. Herein, we report 2 cases of unexpected persistence of superficially injected cross-linked HA. In the first case, a 70-year-old man with iatrogenic UVFP received VFI with cross-linked HA three years ago and was referred for persistent dysphonia. Previously injected HA spilled out from the vocal fold (VF) when an epithelial incision was made in the subepithelial cystic lesion. In the second case, a 72-year-old woman with iatrogenic UVFP received VFI with cross-linked HA that migrated into the subepithelial space. Diffuse swelling of the injected VF caused dysphonia that lasted for a year. The previously injected HA spilled out when an epithelial incision was made in the swollen VF. Since superficially injected deep-volumizing cross-linked HA can persist for up to three years, laryngologists should be aware of possible sequelae upon suboptimal VFI with cross-linked HA.
Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in the Suprasternal Region
Authors: Kim Jong Min , Park Keon Woo , Kim Do Hyung , Lee Dong Hoon
Published: March 2022

A thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is the most common congenital anterior neck mass. It can develop from residual tissue not degenerated during development and is mainly diagnosed in pediatric patients. However, a TGDC is sometimes diagnosed for the first time in adult patients. A TGDC is mainly caused by repeated infections of the duct and there might be no specific symptoms. A TGDC can occur anywhere from the floor of the mouth to the thyroid but is most often found at the infrahyoid level. Over the past 10 years, there has been no report of a TGDC in the suprasternal region among TGDCs in unusual locations. This paper describes one case of a suprasternal TGDC with a review of the literature on this topic.
Efficacy of Infants Release of Ankyloglossia on Speech Articulation: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Zhao Hongfang , He Xiaoli , Wang Jianrong
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The relationship between ankyloglossia and speech is controversial. Our objective in the present study was to determine the most appropriate intervention and optimal timing for infants with speech articulation caused by ankyloglossia.

Patients and Methods

A total of 341 pediatric patients (aged 2 to 5 years) being referred for speech concerns due to ankyloglossia were enrolled in a randomized trial and assigned to either a surgical intervention (N = 166) or a no surgical intervention (N = 175) group. Subsequently, patients were further categorized into 3 groups according to age: 2 to < 3 years, 3 to < 4 years, and 4 to < 5 years. Measures of tongue appearance, tongue mobility, speech production, and parent and clinician intelligibility ratings were collected at preintervention (T0), 2-month postintervention (T1), 6-month postintervention (T2), and 12-month postintervention (T3).

Results

No statistically significant difference was found between surgical intervention and no surgical intervention groups for tongue appearance, tongue mobility, speech production, and intelligibility in the 2 to < 3 years age. However, there was significantly improved speech production and intelligibility in the surgical intervention group when compared to the no surgical intervention group in the 3 to < 4 and 4 to < 5 years old age.

Conclusion

Surgical intervention should not be performed too early for infants aged 2 to < 3 years with speech articulation caused by ankyloglossia, but rather watch and wait for the physiological growth of the lingual frenulum. The optimal timing range for surgical intervention is 4 to 5 years. This should provide certain significant guidance for infants with speech articulation caused by ankyloglossia.
Immunohistochemical Characterization of Proliferative Lesions in the Thymus of Aging CD-1 Mice From Two Studies on the RITA Database, With Special Reference to the Perivascular Space
Authors: Funk Juergen , Ruehl-Fehlert Christine , Leonard Catherine , Kellner Rupert , Rittinghausen Susanne
Published: March 2022

Thymic lymphoid hyperplasia is a common age-related finding, which occurs particularly in female CD-1 mice. The main differential diagnoses are malignant lymphoma and thymoma. A systematic investigation of control groups from two carcinogenicity studies was performed including measurements of thymic size, and the immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers pan-Cytokeratin (pan-CK) for thymic epithelial cells; CD3 and CD45R/B220 for T and B lymphocytes, respectively; CD31 for endothelial cells; and F4/80 for macrophages. Thymoma can be differentiated by increased numbers of proliferating epithelial cells demonstrated by pan-CK IHC staining. Differentiation between lymphoid hyperplasia and lymphoma is more challenging as a mixture of B and T lymphocytes can be present in both findings. The present investigation showed that the thymic perivascular space is the compartment where the increased numbers of lymphocytes in hyperplasia are localized and not the medulla, as previously thought. The lymphoepithelial compartment is atrophic to the same extent in thymi diagnosed with age-related involution or lymphoid hyperplasia. Both diagnoses are thus related to variations in lymphoid cellularity of the nonepithelial perivascular space, which is continuous with the perithymic tissue. Likewise, lymphomas have a predilection to colonize the perivascular space and to spare the lymphoepithelial compartment.
Who supports expanding surveillance? Exploring public opinion of Chinese social credit systems
Authors: Liu Chuncheng
Published: March 2022

Pervasive surveillance in modern society has raised mounting debates, which are largely concentrated on the ethical dimension and lack sociological examination. Drawing on innovative national survey data, this study analyzes public opinion about social credit systems, an emerging infrastructure that expands the depth and breadth of surveillance in China. I find a general high support for expanding surveillance and punishment yet key variations among different social groups. Counterintuitively, people with higher political capital do not wholly embrace the expanding surveillance and punishment. For example, Chinese Communist Party members are less likely to support state-centered social credit systems compared with the general public. Higher political trust in the regime and socioeconomic status is consistently correlated with higher support, while different media consumption showed limited correlations. This study proposes an alternative theorization of surveillance and enriches our understanding of the heterogeneity and dynamic of the state and public in the authoritarian regime.
‘You have been punished in prison. And then when you are released, you are punished for life’: Post-incarceration barriers for women in Ukraine
Authors: Korzh Alla
Published: March 2022

Formerly incarcerated women face multidimensional barriers post-release, ranging from individual, relational, institutional, to systemic. Drawing on the conceptual framework of interlocking barriers facing formerly incarcerated women, this qualitative case study set in one minimum-security prison in Ukraine with 21 interviewed women, four teachers, and eight staff demonstrates that interlocking systemic barriers cemented in Ukrainian society complicate formerly incarcerated women’s integration in society and may set them up for failure and recidivism. The study illuminates how the absence of housing, employment and discrimination, stigma, inadequate support system, lack of economic and cultural capital to pursue further education, and health challenges confronting incarcerated women post-release disadvantage the already vulnerable population in Ukraine. The findings of this study contribute to the field of sociology by highlighting the interlocking barriers confronting women post-incarceration and elucidating a gendered approach to understanding women’s reentry experiences in Ukraine.
Questioning and Disputing Vaccination Policies. Scientists and Experts in the Italian Public Debate
Authors: Gobo Giampietro , Sena Barbara
Published: March 2022

Most literature about vaccine hesitancy has been focused on parental attitudes. Less attention has been devoted to both scientists and experts (general practitioners, pediatricians, health care professionals and science journalists) who raise criticism about immunization policies and intervene in the public debate. This consideration aims to balance the current emphasis in the literature on parents’ attitudes about vaccination, offering a complementary angle to reframe and widen the controversy. Focusing on scientists and experts (who can shape and feed parents and people's attitude), an unattended complex picture of multiple attitudes towards vaccines and vaccinations has been discovered through a qualitative content analysis (QCA) of texts (appeared in the Italian press, TV and pop-science books) related to the harsh public debate, held between March 2017 and November 2018, triggered by the legislative proposal of making ten vaccinations mandatory for children. Unlike oversemplications that misleading dichotomies (such as orthodox and heterodox positions, Western science / Western medicine versus alternative medicine) reproduce, the analysis reveals nine different positions along the continuum of immunisation attitudes, ranging from radical acceptance of vaccinations (both compulsory and recommended) to radical rejection, which constitute a fuzzy set. Consequently, a twofold reality emerges: on the surface, the conflict seems between pro-vaxxers versus hesitant, pro-choice and anti-vaxxers; beneath it is amid standardized versus a varieties of contextual and personalised approaches to health.
Intellectual freedom: Waving and wavering across three national contexts
Authors: Oltmann Shannon M , Samek Toni , Cooke Louise
Published: March 2022

The 1999 IFLA Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom makes no explicit distinction between personal and professional ethics, though there are implicit indications that there may be divergence between professional and personal considerations. Across three national contexts (the USA, Canada, and the UK), we explore the gaps between professional and personal ethics, as well as how these gaps have been potentially exploited, addressed, or resolved. There have been waves of debate about intellectual freedom and social responsibility across these three national contexts. In the contemporary age, we see clashes around conceptions of neoliberalism, neutrality, expressive freedom, justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. The divergence of opinion comes from both the left and the right. The gap between library rhetoric and how it is practiced on the ground in different contexts is visibly shifting and under increased scrutiny, certainly in the USA, Canada, and the UK.
Development and Verification of Sample Reduction Method for Rubberized Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Nanugonda Veera , Bhattacharya Biplab B. , Spears Rahshaun , Curren Paul , Carter Thomas , VanHook Cortney , Broddrick Ian , Colbert Baron
Published: March 2022

The research evaluated a newly developed sample reduction method—the direct reduction procedure—aiming to minimize the variability of the reduced rubberized hot mix asphalt-gap graded (RHMA-G) mixture sample. The impact of the newly developed method was analyzed against the mechanical splitting method and the quartering method recommended in American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) R 47, Standard Practice for Reducing Samples of Asphalt Mixtures to Testing Size. The variability of three measured properties were compared between the three methods: maximum theoretical specific gravity, asphalt binder content, and aggregate gradation. The standard method of hot mix asphalt (HMA) sample reduction is not applicable to RHMA-G because RHMA-G mixes are fundamentally different than HMA. RHMA-G is gap graded and has high binder content, and RHMA-G binder is highly tacky. In addition, RHMA-G materials adhere to sample reduction tools, leading to the variability of material properties. To support this, an interlaboratory study with nine participating laboratories was conducted using a single source ¾ in. RHMA-G mixture. Participating laboratories were provided with random loose RHMA-G samples and requested to reduce samples through the three methods, and to test four replicates for each of the three mixture properties on the samples. The data was used to develop the repeatability and reproducibility limits for each of the three measured properties. As a result, data analyses indicated that the newly developed sample reduction method introduced the least variability on the three measured properties. The study led to the development of California Test 306, as the standard for sample reduction method of RHMA-G mixtures.
Biomechanical Role of the Superior Capsule in a Rotator Cuff Sectioned and Repaired State: A Sequential Sectioning Study
Authors: DeFroda Steven F. , Perry Allison K. , Mehta Nabil , Muriuki Muturi G. , McCormick Johnathon R. , Havey Robert M. , Clapp Ian M. , Garrigues Grant E. , Verma Nikhil N.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Individual contributions of the rotator cuff (RC) and superior capsule (SC) to prevent superior translation of the humerus are not well understood.

Purpose:

To evaluate the relative contributions of the SC and RC to normal and pathologic shoulder biomechanics by determining their independent effects on superior humeral translation.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Twelve cadaveric shoulders were tested at 0º, 45º, and 90º of abduction under 5 conditions: intact RC/SC, RC sectioned first, SC sectioned first, both structures sectioned, and RC repair. Matched pairs were randomly assigned to the second or third testing condition (RC or SC sectioned first). Specimens were tested under 2 static conditions (40-N deltoid load [balanced load], 80-N deltoid load [superiorly directed load]) and 1 dynamic condition during active abduction. A mixed-design 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni adjustments was performed to compare testing conditions. Paired t tests were used to compare specimens in the intact state versus the repaired state. Significance was set at P < .05.

Results:

During balanced deltoid loading at 0° and 45º, there was significantly greater humeral translation when both structures were sectioned as compared with the intact state and with both isolated sectioned states ( P < .05 for all). No significant differences were observed between or within groups at 90º of abduction. These effects remained consistent with superiorly directed loading. Dynamic testing of both groups showed a significant increase in superior translation for specimens in which the RC was deficient versus the intact state ( P = .027), with no difference when the SC was sectioned. The RC repair state returned translation to values similar to the intact state at all abduction angles and loading conditions ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

In this cadaveric study, the SC and RC played an important role in preventing superior humeral translation; however, dynamic testing suggested preferential contribution of the RC. RC repair was effective in preventing superior humeral translation, even with a sectioned SC at the level of the glenohumeral joint.

Clinical Relevance:

RC repair was effective in preventing superior humeral translation, even in the presence of a sectioned SC at the level of the glenohumeral joint in this cadaveric model. Our data lay the groundwork for future studies investigating the clinical effect of RC repair in an SC sectioned state.
{peacesciencer}: An R package for quantitative peace science research
Authors: Miller Steven V
Published: March 2022

This article introduces {peacesciencer}, an R package that contains a litany of tools for creating data of widespread interest to the peace science community. The package is cross-platform, assuming only a somewhat recent installation of the R programming language with some of the enhanced functionality of the broadly popular {tidvyerse} packages. Peace science researchers can use this package to greatly reduce the time needed to perfectly recreate common types of data from scratch and to merge in ubiquitous indicators included in almost every analysis (e.g. democracy data, contiguity data). The software is freely available on CRAN and maintains an active website documenting its features at http://svmiller.com/peacesciencer .
Demographics in Children Presenting With Acute Neurologic Deficits Concerning for Stroke: An Evaluation of the Stroke Alert Process
Authors: Barkley Tiffany , Khalid Roha , Sharma Mukta , Sherman Ashley , Flint Jennifer
Published: March 2022

Objective: To assess the demographics and clinical characteristics of children presenting with acute neurologic symptoms concerning for stroke. Background: Stroke leads to significant morbidity in the pediatric population. Stroke protocols were created as a means to help identify and triage these children. Despite implementation of these protocols, there have been few population-based studies evaluating the demographics and clinical features of children presenting with acute strokelike symptoms. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients for whom the stroke alert process was activated from September 2016 through August 2018 at Children's Mercy Hospital. Results: There were a total of 61 activations. Acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack comprised 18% and was the second leading diagnoses after seizure with postictal (Todd) paralysis (20%). Two activations were candidates for mechanical thrombectomy, and none received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Children with acute ischemic stroke / transient ischemic attack were likely to be younger in age (median 4 years, interquartile range [IQR] 3-9) compared to those with nonischemic stroke diagnoses (median 12.5 years, IQR 7-15.3) ( P = .010). The anatomical location of acute ischemic stroke was widespread, including both anterior and posterior circulations. Past medical history, family history, racial demographics, sex, and initial presenting symptoms were not predictive of the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke / transient ischemic attack. 38% of activations with diagnoses other than transient ischemic attack / acute ischemic stroke required urgent treatment, with 16% requiring intensive care unit admission. Conclusion: Acute ischemic stroke / transient ischemic attack comprised nearly one-fifth of all pediatric stroke activations, highlighting the importance of developing protocols for early recognition and evaluation of children who present with symptoms concerning for stroke.
Good Schools, Bad Schools: Race, School Quality, and Neoliberal Educational Policy
Authors: Freidus Alexandra , Ewing Eve L.
Published: March 2022

In this introduction, we outline the scholarly context and research questions that motivate this special issue: In what ways do racialized constructions of school quality open up or foreclose educational opportunity? How do understandings of school quality differ across local social, political, and demographic contexts? And lastly, at what points and in what ways is the school choice process itself racialized? We then introduce the five papers in this issue, each of which challenges us to think critically about taken-for-granted notions of school quality by interrogating factors that influence “choice” beyond the usual paradigm of test scores and parental decision-making.
An extendable continuum robot arm using a flexible screw as a backbone to propel inside a confined space with discontinuous contact area
Authors: Matsuura Daisuke , Shioya Ryota , Asada H Harry , Takeda Yukio
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes a concept of an extendable continuum robot arm having many moving plates along a flexible feed screw and deploying each of them at a certain contactable area. The mechanism aims to bear a practical working load by utilizing a bracing on surrounding walls. In general, a narrow and confined workspace of human labor is composed of many discontinuous areas instead. Therefore, the mechanism deploys intermediate plates at certain supportable areas, and pushes rest of plates forward. To bend the arm in such workspace, tendon-driving technique is employed. In this paper, a basic composition of the arm is proposed and its feasibility is demonstrated by using a planar prototype. Subsequently, a simple geometric calculation scheme to obtain a configuration of the arm to avoid two kinds of insufficient conditions, that result in the failure of the arm to bear neither the external load nor its own weight, is proposed. Achievability of the solution of the geometric calculation is then evaluated by a static simulation including feedback control loop, and several experimental results with a spatial prototype performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept are finally presented and discussed.
Effects of ageing frequency on the interfacial failure and tensile properties of adhesively bonded Arcan joints exposed to cyclic ageing environments
Authors: da Costa J. António , Akhavan-Safar A. , Marques E.A.S. , Carbas R.J.C. , da Silva L.F.M.
Published: March 2022

The strength and durability of adhesive joints are significantly influenced by environmental conditions. When working in a humid environment, the adhesive tends to absorb moisture and this phenomenon can drastically reduce the mechanical performance of the adhesive joints. In practise, joints are usually subjected to cyclic ageing due to moisture absorption and desorption. Accordingly, it is necessary to study the ageing behaviour of the adhesives when they are exposed to environments with cyclic humidity conditions. Accordingly, the current study investigates the mechanical properties of adhesive joints with an epoxy-based adhesive subjected to cyclic ageing conditions using Arcan joint specimens. To this aim, static tensile tests were performed for both cyclic aged, dried, and unaged Arcan joints. The effect of cyclic ageing and drying conditions, such as absorption and desorption mechanisms, on the mechanical properties of the joints were studied. In the numerical part, an experimentally obtained diffusion coefficient (D) was used to simulate the water diffusion in Arcan joint. The results showed that key mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and displacement of the joints are reduced by the number of ageing cycles. The maximum strength degradation of the aged joints compared to the unaged condition was 94% for the third ageing cycle. For the dried condition, the strength of the joints was recovered although it was not fully returned to the initial stage. It was also found that the recovery ratio increases with the ageing cycles. It is shown that a short drying process can significantly recover the mechanical response of the cyclically aged adhesive joints, especially at higher ageing cycles.
Altérité lexicale dans les parlers francophones : figure de l’étranger
Authors: Dolatabadi Hadi
Published: March 2022

Relationships with others raise issues of identity and characterize individuals in their behavior with others. These identity issues, which are specific to each society, are sources of the discourse of otherness. In the French-speaking space which, by its essence and in the light of historical facts, reflects otherness, this discourse is reflected in the terms and lexies of topolectal varieties of French. Based on an onomasiological approach, going from definition to words to discover how otherness is presented, this research aims to identify and present the lexical aspect of the discourse of others in a lexicographical corpus from all over the French-speaking world. In other words, this article studies the topolectal speaking of French to find terms used to evoke otherness. Terms such as “French”, “European”, “foreign”, “white” were the object of a first observation given that they constitute the reverses of a discourse of domination in the dichotomy colonizer-colonized against with “aboriginal” “negro” and “black”. Through illustrated examples, we demonstrate that different aspects such as physical, geographic, and identity traits are vehicles of this discourse which, axiologically, mainly present the pejorative values attributed to the other. Also, it would seem that colonial memory helps to nourish this vision of the other who stands out from the speakers, whose speech is studied, by his foreign origin.
The Structure of Systematicity in the Brain
Authors: O’Reilly Randall C. , Ranganath Charan , Russin Jacob L.
Published: March 2022

A hallmark of human intelligence is the ability to adapt to new situations by applying learned rules to new content (systematicity) and thereby enabling an open-ended number of inferences and actions (generativity). Here, we propose that the human brain accomplishes these feats through pathways in the parietal cortex that encode the abstract structure of space, events, and tasks and pathways in the temporal cortex that encode information about specific people, places, and things (content). Recent neural network models show how the separation of structure and content might emerge through a combination of architectural biases and learning, and these networks show dramatic improvements over previous models in the ability to capture systematic, generative behavior. We close by considering how the hippocampal formation may form integrative memories that enable rapid learning of new structure and content representations.
Comparison Between Dexamethasone and Fentanyl as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine and Lignocaine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Upper Limb Surgery
Authors: Kore Shilpa Sarang , Ubhe Smita Bhau , Fasil Fathima
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To compare the effects of dexamethasone and fentanyl when added to a mixture of bupivacaine and lignocaine in supraclavicular blocks in patients undergoing forearm surgeries.

Methods:

Sixty-six patients aged between 20 to 60 years old belonging to ASA one or two were recruited prospectively, double-blinded, and randomized way. Supraclavicular block under sonographic guidance was performed in the three groups by using injection bupivacaine (0.5%) 20 cc + injection lignocaine (2%) 10 cc + injection 0.9% normal saline; 2ml (Group S), injection bupivacaine (0.5%) 20 cc + injection lignocaine (2%) 10 cc + injection dexamethasone 8 mg (Group D), and injection bupivacaine (0.5%) 20 cc + injection lignocaine (2%) 10 cc + injection fentanyl 50 µgm (Group F). The onset time of sensory and motor block, duration of sensory and motor block, and hemodynamic variables were recorded.

Results:

Group D showed a significantly greater sensory and motor block duration than other groups ( P = 0.001). Comparison of hemodynamic variables failed to reveal any statistically significant differences between all the groups.

Conclusion:

Both dexamethasone and fentanyl are good adjuvants in the supraclavicular block, but dexamethasone is better, given faster onset and duration of analgesia.
A systematic review of the utility of biomarkers as aids in the early diagnosis and outcome prediction of bovine respiratory disease complex in feedlot cattle
Authors: Li Jing , Zhu Yiping , Shoemake Brian , Liu Bo , Adkins Pamela , Wallace Laurie
Published: March 2022

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is a common, serious problem in feedlot cattle worldwide. Early diagnosis and outcome prediction are critical for making decisions to prevent economic loss and to limit antimicrobial use. Diagnosing BRDC is commonly based on visual signs and behavioral changes; both assessments are considered to have low diagnostic accuracy. Biomarkers are important for supporting the diagnosis of BRDC, determining the necessity and potential outcomes of treatment, and assisting in research in which differentiating diseased animals is required. There are few reviews summarizing the biomarkers available and utilized. We systematically evaluated the detection and prognostic potential of biomarkers from the literature published between January 1990 and December 2020. We performed a descriptive analysis of 5 biomarker categories: acute-phase proteins, stress-related hormones, other blood biomarkers, omics biomarkers, and non-blood biomarkers. The retrieved articles consisted of studies or trials that assessed the detection value and treatment and/or outcome prediction efficacy of biomarkers for BRDC in feedlot cattle; 23 manuscripts for review and analysis satisfied the selection criteria. Based on our review, we cannot recommend a specific biomarker as the sole method for the early detection or outcome prediction for BRDC, given that the application and efficacy of biomarkers varies in different situations. Our systematic review may serve as a reference for clinical and research investigations of early detection and outcome prediction of BRDC.
U.S. Abortion Care Providers’ Perspectives on Self-Managed Abortion
Authors: Baldwin Aleta , Johnson Dana M. , Broussard Kathleen , Tello-Pérez Luisa Alejandra , Madera Melissa , Ze-Noah Carol , Padron Elisa , Aiken Abigail R. A.
Published: March 2022

State-level restrictions on abortion access may prompt greater numbers of people to self-manage their abortion. The few studies exploring perspectives of providers towards self-managed abortion are focused on physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Little is known about the wider spectrum of abortion care providers who encounter self-managed abortion in their clinic-based work. To gain a deeper understanding of this issue and inform future care delivery, we conducted in-depth interviews with 46 individuals working in a range of positions in 46 abortion clinics across 29 states. Our interpretative analysis resulted in themes shaped by beliefs about safety and autonomy, and a tension between the two: that self-managed abortion is too great a risk, that people are capable of self-managing an abortion, and that people have a right to a self-managed abortion. Our findings highlight the importance of increasing knowledge and clarifying values among all abortion care providers, including clinic staff.
Experiences of Working Conditions Among Special Education Teachers of Color Serving Students With EBD
Authors: Bettini Elizabeth , Brunsting Nelson C. , Scott LaRon A. , Kaler Lindsey , Moore Dani Parker , O’Brien Kristen Merrill , Cumming Michelle M.
Published: March 2022

Consistent evidence indicates the importance of teachers of color for experiences and outcomes of students of color. Fortunately, extant studies consistently indicate special education teachers (SETs) teaching students with EBD are more likely to be people of color than other SETs. These SETs require supportive working conditions, but, to our knowledge, no studies have examined the experiences of SETs of color serving students with EBD. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of SETs of color who teach students with EBD, investigating how SETs of color rate their working conditions and intent to continue teaching students with EBD. Analyzing two extant data sets, we found that SETs of color experienced strong support from administrators and paraprofessionals, ratings of many working conditions did not differ by race/ethnicity, and SETs of color on average intended to stay in their jobs. However, of great concern, we found significant differences in experiences of school culture, colleague emotional support, and autonomy, with SETs of color rating school culture and colleague emotional support significantly lower and autonomy significantly higher than white SETs.
Prostate Cancer in the Caribbean: A Baseline Assessment of Current Practices and Potential Needs
Authors: Khandwala Yash S , Ohanian Alec , Huang Franklin W
Published: March 2022

Afro-Caribbean men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than any other population of men in the world. However, the Caribbean is composed of a heterogenous group of healthcare systems located on small islands which makes population-based studies difficult to conduct and interpret. The aim of this review is to compile previously published data on the state of prostate cancer in Caribbean men and to highlight potential healthcare needs that can be addressed by public health efforts. We reviewed three databases and identified relevant papers that were subsequently searched by the authors. Peer-reviewed studies published in the English language after 2010 with a focus on prostate cancer diagnosis, management, and outcomes of Caribbean men were prioritized. Afro-Caribbean men were found to have a higher incidence and mortality rate compared to their counterparts. Misperception about the disease, lack of regional guidelines, and poor access to care are compounding factors that result in worse outcomes for these men compared to high-income nations. Urologists and oncologists in the region, while well-trained, are limited in number and in most cases do not offer newer treatment modalities. Overall, only a few island nations have cancer registries, and there remains a significant need for more population-based studies to assess guideline adherence and outcomes. Until further research and investment in the region is made, the disparity between the care received by Afro-Caribbean men and their counterparts will likely remain.
Prediction of sound transmission loss of conical acoustic enclosure using statistical energy analysis and its experimental validation
Authors: Gupta Pavan , Parey Anand
Published: March 2022

The conical shape structures are widely employed in many practical applications such as aircraft, rockets, tanks, and submarines. Prediction of sound transmission loss is often required at the design and evaluation stages of such structures. In this paper, an analytical model is proposed using the statistical energy analysis (SEA) technique to predict the sound transmission loss of a conical shape acoustic enclosure in a broad frequency range. The proposed model is verified experimentally using the sound intensity experimental technique. It was found that the analytical predictions are in good agreement with the measured transmission loss, specifically at the ring and critical frequencies. The percentage error between predicted and measured lower ring frequency is 5.1% and that for the upper ring frequency is 0.4%. The percentage error between predicted and measured critical frequency is 2.7%. The results obtained indicate that the developed analytical model can be used as an efficient design tool to predict the acoustic performance of conical shape structures.
Weak fault detection of rolling element bearing combining robust EMD with adaptive maximum second-order cyclostationarity blind deconvolution
Authors: Jia Lianhui , Wang HongChao , Jiang Lijie , Du WenLiao
Published: March 2022

To solve the difficulty in weak fault detection of rolling element bearing (REB), a fusion method by combining robust empirical mode decomposition (REMD) with adaptive maximum second-order cyclostationarity blind deconvolution (AMCBD) is proposed in the paper. The advantage of REMD in determining the optimal iteration number of a sifting process and the advantage of AMCBD in setting the key parameter (targeted cyclic frequency or fault period) appropriately are utilized comprehensively by the proposed method. Firstly, in view of the multi-component and modulation characteristic of the vibration signal of REB, REMD is used to extract the useful component from the multi-component and modulated signal. Then, AMCBD is used to process the selected useful component to further highlight the cyclostationary and impulse characteristics of the vibration signal of faulty REB. Compared with traditional maximum second-order cyclostationarity blind deconvolution (MCBD) method, AMCBD has the advantage of no needing prior knowledge of the faulty REB such as the targeted cyclic frequency or fault period. At last, envelope spectral (ES) is applied on the signal handled by AMCBD and satisfactory fault extraction feature result is obtained. Effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through simulated, experimental, and engineering signals, and its superiority is also presented through comparison study.
Familial breast cancer, pregnancy and cardiotoxicity associated with the use of doxorubicin and reaction with trastuzumab
Authors: Valente Patricia Marques Soares , Gomes Magda Conceição Barbosa , Martins Wolney de Andrade , Castilho Selma Rodrigues de
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Breast Cancer (BC) is a neoplasm with the highest prevalence in women in Brazil and worldwide. Pregnancy-associated with BC is defined as that which occurs during pregnancy or within 1 to 2 years postpartum. The objective is to present a clinical case of a young patient with a history of familial BC who had cancer during pregnancy. The patient had cardiotoxicity after using doxorubicin and trastuzumab.

Case report

She was a young patient within infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the right breast She was diagnosed within nine weeks of gestation and submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with AC protocol (doxorubicina and cyclophosphamide) and mastectomy. Developed left atrial overload after treatment and still responding to hypersensitivity to trastuzumab.

Management and outcome

The patient presented an alteration in the electrocardiogram (ECG) after the use of doxorubicin. The exam was repeated and the ECG was normal. Trastuzumab was started after delivery and the patient had a hypersensitivity reaction. Administration of trastuzumab was stopped and hydrocortisone was administered. The patient showed improvement in symptoms with cessation of trastuzumab.

Discussion

Although anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and hypersensitivity reactions to trastuzumab are common reactions, there are few studies on the effects of these drugs in patients with Gestational breast cancer (GBC). Monitoring cardiotoxicity in breast cancer treatment in pregnant patients is essential to avoid two complications: for the pregnant woman and the fetus.
Estrogen-Related Receptors Gene Expression and Copy Number Alteration Association With the Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Breast Cancer
Authors: Shatnawi Aymen , Ayoub Nehad M , Alkhalifa Amer E , Ibrahim Dalia R
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

It has been suggested that dysregulation of transcription factors expression or activity plays significant roles in breast cancer (BC) severity and poor prognosis. Therefore, our study aims to thoroughly evaluate the estrogen-related receptor isoforms (ESRRs) expression and copy number alteration (CNA) status and their association with clinicopathologic characteristics in BC.

Methods:

A METABRIC dataset consist of 2509 BC patients’ samples was obtained from the cBioPortal public domain. The gene expression, putative CNA, and relevant tumor information of ESRRs were retrieved. ESRRs messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in BC cell lines was obtained from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE). Association and correlation analysis of ESRRs expression with BC clinicopathologic characteristics and molecular subtype were performed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of ESRRs expression on patient survival.

Results:

ESRRα expression correlated negatively with patients’ age and overall survival, whereas positively correlated with tumor size, the number of positive lymph nodes, and Nottingham prognostic index (NPI). Conversely, ESRRγ expression was positively correlated with patients’ age and negatively correlated with NPI. ESRRα and ESRRγ expression were significantly associated with tumor grade, expression of hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and molecular subtype, whereas ESRRβ was only associated with tumor stage. A significant and distinct association of each of ESRRs CNA with various clinicopathologic and prognostic factors was also observed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated no significant difference for survival curves among BC patients with high or low expression of ESRRα, β, or γ. On stratification, high ESRRα expression significantly reduced survival among premenopausal patients, patients with grade I/II, and early-stage disease. In BC cell lines, only ESRRα expression was significantly higher in HER2-positive cells. No significant association was observed between ESRRβ expression and any of the clinicopathologic characteristics examined.

Conclusions:

In this clinical dataset, ESRRα and ESRRγ mRNA expression and CNA show a significant correlation and association with distinct clinicopathologic and prognostic parameters known to influence treatment outcomes; however, ESRRβ failed to show a robust role in BC pathogenesis. ESRRα and ESRRγ can be employed as therapeutic targets in BC-targeted therapy. However, the role of ESRRβ in BC pathogenesis remains unclear.
First-Line Treatment of HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer With Dual Blockade Including Biosimilar Trastuzumab (SB3): Population-Based Real-World Data From the DBCG
Authors: Celik Alan , Berg Tobias , Nielsen Lise Birk , Jensen Maj-Britt , Ejlertsen Bent , Knoop Ann , Andersson Michael
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

Dual blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination with chemotherapy is the recommended first-line therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The purpose of this retrospective study is to examine the clinical outcomes of the trastuzumab biosimilar SB3 in first-line dual blockade treatment using real-world data of patients with HER-positive mBC.

Methods:

In Denmark, all women with breast cancer are registered in the database of the Danish Breast Cancer Group (DBCG). From this prospective observational registry, we extracted information on primary diagnosis and treatment of all women with HER2-positive mBC who received first-line treatment with SB3 and pertuzumab from September 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020. Retrospectively collected data from the DBCG database included information concerning treatment start, end, and reason for discontinuation. The primary endpoints for the study were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results:

The study included 117 women who received first-line treatment with SB3 and pertuzumab for their HER2-positive mBC. The study population had a mean age of 60 years. A total of 71 patients (61%) had recurrent disease and 46 patients (39%) presented with de novo mBC. The median follow-up was 11.1 and 15.4 months for PFS and OS, respectively. At 12 months, OS was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 78-91), whereas the median OS was not reached. The median PFS was 12.7 months (95% CI, 11.1-16.2). Median time on treatment was 8.7 months (95% CI, 7.6-11.4); 36 patients (31%) were still on treatment at end of study.

Conclusions:

This retrospective real-world, nationwide study demonstrated comparable median PFS to the historical data of using reference trastuzumab and pertuzumab as first-line dual blockade.
Hepatic resection for breast cancer related liver metastases: A single institution experience
Authors: Reynolds Ian S. , Cromwell Paul M. , Walshe Janice M. , Crown John , Maguire Donal , Geoghegan Justin , Swan Niall , Hoti Emir
Published: March 2022

Background & objective:

Liver resection for breast cancer liver metastases is becoming a more widely accepted therapeutic option for selected groups of patients. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients undergoing liver resection for breast cancer-related liver metastases and identify any variables associated with recurrence or survival.

Methods:

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was undertaken for the 12 year period between 2009 and 2021. Clinicopathological, treatment, intraoperative, recurrence, survival and follow-up data were collected on all patients. Kaplan-Meier methods, the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to identify variables that were associated with recurrence and survival.

Results:

A total of 20 patients underwent 21 liver resections over the 12-year period. There were no deaths within 30 days of surgery and an operative morbidity occurred in 23.8% of cases. The median local recurrence free survival and disease free survival times were both 50 months, while the 5 year overall survival rate was 65%. The presence of extrahepatic metastases were associated with a decreased time to local recurrence (p < 0.01) and worse overall survival (p = 0.02).

Conclusions:

This study has demonstrated that liver resection for breast cancer-related liver metastases is feasible, safe and associated with prolonged disease free and overall survival in selected patients. It is likely that this option will be offered to more patients going forward, however, the difficulty lies in selecting out those who will benefit from liver resection particularly given the increasing number of systemic treatments and local ablative methods available that offer good long-term results.