bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-reading Do Haath as an Intersectional Text: Ismat Chughtai and Dalits
Authors: Kazim Rafia
Published: January 2022

Even though scholars and feminists have accused intersectional theory for being superficial, inadequate, context bereft and fashionably more populist than academic, its applicability in addressing multi-layered forms of discrimination cannot be ignored. It is against this background that the article, through a deconstructive reading of an Urdu short story, Do Haath, highlights the challenges of the protagonist, the Dalit household, comprised primarily of women. Besides discussing the intersectional subjects of the story, this article questions the deliberate omissions of the multiply disadvantageous people such as the Dalit-Muslim women, also known as the Pasmanda women from feminist, Dalit and subaltern discourses. Furthermore, this article foregrounds intersectionality framework to understand the multiplicative nature of oppression and discrimination that Pasmanda women are subjected to, and how by excluding them from their respective agenda, feminist and Dalit activists have contributed towards their perpetual marginality.

Finally, the article suggests that intersectionality framework should be used to understand moments of celebratory resilience in the lives of intersectional subjects.
The Gap-Closing Estimand: A Causal Approach to Study Interventions That Close Disparities Across Social Categories
Authors: Lundberg Ian
Published: January 2022

Disparities across race, gender, and class are important targets of descriptive research. But rather than only describe disparities, research would ideally inform interventions to close those gaps. The gap-closing estimand quantifies how much a gap (e.g., incomes by race) would close if we intervened to equalize a treatment (e.g., access to college). Drawing on causal decomposition analyses, this type of research question yields several benefits. First, gap-closing estimands place categories like race in a causal framework without making them play the role of the treatment (which is philosophically fraught for non-manipulable variables). Second, gap-closing estimands empower researchers to study disparities using new statistical and machine learning estimators designed for causal effects. Third, gap-closing estimands can directly inform policy: if we sampled from the population and actually changed treatment assignments, how much could we close gaps in outcomes? I provide open-source software (the R package gapclosing) to support these methods.
Penetration detection with intention recognition for cooperatively controlled robotic needle insertion
Authors: Wang Yiyun , Li Hongbing
Published: January 2022

In lumbar puncture surgeries, force and position information throughout the insertion procedure is vital for needle tip localization, because it reflects different tissue properties. Especially in pediatric cases, the changes are always insignificant for surgeons to sense the crucial feeling of loss of resistance. In this study, a robot system is developed to tackle the major clinical difficulties. Four different control algorithms with intention recognition ability are applied on a novel lumbar puncture robot system for better human–robot cooperation. Specific penetration detection based on force and position derivatives captures the feeling of loss of resistance, which is deemed crucial for needle tip location. Kinematic and actuation modeling provides a clear description of the hardware setup. The control algorithm experiment compares the human–robot cooperation performance of proposed algorithms. The experiment also dictates the clear role of designed penetration detection criteria in capturing the penetration, improving the success rate, and ensuring operational safety.
Prioritizing Research in an Era of Personalized Medicine: The Potential Value of Unexplained Heterogeneity
Authors: Heath Anna , Pechlivanoglou Petros
Published: January 2022

Background

Clinical care is moving from a “one size fits all” approach to a setting in which treatment decisions are based on individual treatment response, needs, preferences, and risk. Research into personalized treatment strategies aims to discover currently unknown markers that identify individuals who would benefit from treatments that are nonoptimal at the population level. Before investing in research to identify these markers, it is important to assess whether such research has the potential to generate value. Thus, this article aims to develop a framework to prioritize research into the development of new personalized treatment strategies by creating a set of measures that assess the value of personalizing care based on a set of unknown patient characteristics.

Methods

Generalizing ideas from the value of heterogeneity framework, we demonstrate 3 measures that assess the value of developing personalized treatment strategies. The first measure identifies the potential value of personalizing medicine within a given disease area. The next 2 measures highlight specific research priorities and subgroup structures that would lead to improved patient outcomes from the personalization of treatment decisions.

Results

We graphically present the 3 measures to perform sensitivity analyses around the key drivers of value, in particular, the correlation between the individual treatment benefits across the available treatment options. We illustrate these 3 measures using a previously published decision model and discuss how they can direct research in personalized medicine.

Conclusion

We discuss 3 measures that form the basis of a novel framework to prioritize research into novel personalized treatment strategies. Our novel framework ensures that research targets personalized treatment strategies that have high potential to improve patient outcomes and health system efficiency.

Highlights

It is important to undertake research prioritization before conducting any research that aims to discover novel methods (e.g., biomarkers) for personalizing treatment. The value of unexplained heterogeneity can highlight disease areas in which personalizing treatment can be valuable and determine key priorities within that area. These priorities can be determined under assumptions of the magnitude of the individual-level treatment effect, which we explore in sensitivity analyses.
Correlations between rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and standard coagulation tests following viper snakebites
Authors: Dang Xuan Thi , Nguyen Thanh Xuan , Nguyen Huong Thi Thu , Ha Hung Tran
Published: January 2022

Background

A high prevalence of venom-induced consumption coagulopathy has been reported in individuals with viper snakebites. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a rapid technique that could be advantageous in assessing and monitoring coagulation disorders.

Purpose

To explore correlations between ROTEM and standard coagulation tests.

Patients and methods

This prospective observational study was performed among 41 patients with viper envenomation admitted to the Vietnam Poison Control Center from April 2016 to October 2017. Standard coagulation measurements [platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen level] and ROTEM indicators [clotting time (CT), amplitude (at set time: 5 and 10 minutes), clot information time (CFT) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) for extrinsic (EXTEM), intrinsic (INTEM), and fibrin based (FIBTEM) ROTEM] were obtained.

Results

For INTEM, EXTEM, the FIBTEM, proportions of patients with prolonged CT were 34.1%, 63.4%, and 61.0% respectively and the proportions of patients with decreased MCF were 62.2%, 62.2%, and 35.5%, respectively. Moderate correlations were observed between PT and EXTEM CT (r = 0.627), aPTT and INTEM CT (r = 0.626), fibrinogen and FIBTEM MCF (r = 0.723), and platelet count and EXTEM MCF (0.60).

Conclusion

ROTEM indicated a hypocoagulation state in patients with viper snakebite and was moderately correlated with standard coagulation parameters.
Transient neonatal hyperpigmentation of the proximal nail fold in a Chinese infant: a case report
Authors: Wang Lu , Zuo Daming , Sun Ledong
Published: January 2022

Cutaneous alterations are common in neonates and usually occur in the first few days of life. Most of these are transient and benign, appearing as physiological responses to birth. Skin pigmentation disorders are considered transitory dermatoses of newborn infants. Nail pigmentation manifests as asymptomatic brown to bluish-black skin pigmentation over the fingers and toes in newborns. Hyperpigmentation of the distal phalanx of both hands and feet is commonly found in dark-skinned newborns, but it is rare in fair-skinned newborns and East Asian populations. We herein describe a Chinese infant with transient neonatal hyperpigmentation of the proximal nail fold.
Nutrition Literacy Measurement Tool With Multiple Features for Chinese Adults
Authors: Zhang Yunqiu , Sun Qing , Zhang Min , Mo Guangju , Liu Huaqing
Published: January 2022

Background:

Nutrition literacy is an emerging term which is increasingly used in policy and research. Progression is limited by the lack of an accepted method to measure nutrition literacy in Chinese adults, even as research in this area is growing.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to develop a valid instrument to assess nutrition literacy in Chinese adults.

Methods:

The process involved 2 steps: constructed nutrition literacy conceptual framework, and developed potential items of scale based on literature review; and conducted 2 rounds of Delphi consultation to select items of the preliminary questionnaire.

Results:

In the Delphi survey, the content validity index for each domain, level, and dimension of nutrition literacy was 1.0, coefficient of variation was less than 0.10, and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was greater than 0.83. All of the 2 domains, 3 levels, and 6 dimensions initially formulated by our research team were reserved in the conceptual framework of nutrition literacy. Furthermore, a 43-item nutrition literacy measurement scale was established. Each item kept in the final scale reaches a high degree of concentration and a high degree of coordination, with the mean of importance ranging from 4.38 to 5.00.

Conclusions:

A nutrition literacy measurement scale with multiple features was established for Chinese adults, providing an operationalized tool to assess comprehensively nutrition literacy for research and practice in the field of nutrition, diet, and health.
Cell-Type-Specific Circadian Bioluminescence Rhythms in Dbp Reporter Mice
Authors: Smith Ciearra B. , van der Vinne Vincent , McCartney Eleanor , Stowie Adam C. , Leise Tanya L. , Martin-Burgos Blanca , Molyneux Penny C. , Garbutt Lauren A. , Brodsky Michael H. , Davidson Alec J. , Harrington Mary E. , Dallmann Robert , Weaver David R.
Published: January 2022

Circadian rhythms are endogenously generated physiological and molecular rhythms with a cycle length of about 24 h. Bioluminescent reporters have been exceptionally useful for studying circadian rhythms in numerous species. Here, we report development of a reporter mouse generated by modification of a widely expressed and highly rhythmic gene encoding D-site albumin promoter binding protein ( Dbp). In this line of mice, firefly luciferase is expressed from the Dbp locus in a Cre recombinase-dependent manner, allowing assessment of bioluminescence rhythms in specific cellular populations. A mouse line in which luciferase expression was Cre-independent was also generated. The Dbp reporter alleles do not alter Dbp gene expression rhythms in liver or circadian locomotor activity rhythms. In vivo and ex vivo studies show the utility of the reporter alleles for monitoring rhythmicity. Our studies reveal cell-type-specific characteristics of rhythms among neuronal populations within the suprachiasmatic nuclei ex vivo. In vivo studies show Dbp-driven bioluminescence rhythms in the liver of Albumin-Cre;Dbp KI/+ “liver reporter” mice. After a shift of the lighting schedule, locomotor activity achieved the proper phase relationship with the new lighting cycle more rapidly than hepatic bioluminescence did. As previously shown, restricting food access to the daytime altered the phase of hepatic rhythmicity. Our model allowed assessment of the rate of recovery from misalignment once animals were provided with food ad libitum. These studies confirm the previously demonstrated circadian misalignment following environmental perturbations and reveal the utility of this model for minimally invasive, longitudinal monitoring of rhythmicity from specific mouse tissues.
The architecture of school governance: Rebuilding democratic legitimacy within an academized system
Authors: Allen Andrew , Gann Nigel
Published: January 2022

Successive governments, in embracing a neoliberalist ideology of decentralization and privatization, have radically reformed the nature of community-based, comprehensive state education. The transition from ‘government to governance’ (Rhodes, 1997) combined with the ideology of academization (DfE, 2010a) has created a democratic deficit 1 (Corbett, 1977). Academies are placed outside of local elected scrutiny or community-based accountability systems and governance legitimacy is in crisis (Glatter, 2013). This article explores the problematization of academized governance (Allen and Gann, 2017) with respect to the democratic deficit and the consequential lack of stakeholder engagement – argued as unethical within a democratic society and a system that frequently leads to failings of accountability (Wilkins, 2016). Utilizing the conceptual lens of Empowered Participatory Governance (EPG) (Fung and Wright, 2003), the authors seek to present a new architecture of governance that seeks to restore democratic legitimacy. Democratic governance innovations, the micro-governance network (Allen, 2017) and a refreshed local education board (Gann, 2021) provide a new architecture for a post new governance environment and, in so doing, a counter-narrative to the rhetoric of academization.
Regional and Distant Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Male Castrated Llama: A Case Report
Authors: Kretsch Cileah M. , Simpson Katharine M. , Rawlinson Jennifer E. , Laurence Hannah , Spraker Terry R.
Published: January 2022

A 19-year-old male castrated llama presented with a 3-year history of tooth root abscesses and an osseous mass on the left mandible. Surgical excision of the affected teeth and mass was performed, and histopathologic review indicated that the mass was an oral squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was admitted to the hospital again 4 months later in severe respiratory distress with submandibular edema, and bicavitary effusion. Necropsy results revealed regional and distant metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.
Attitude-pendulum-sloshing coupled dynamics of quadrotors slung liquid containers
Authors: Zhu Kuo , Huang Jie , Gnezdilov Sergey
Published: January 2022

Quadrotors suspended water containers may be used for fire-fighting services. Unfortunately, the complicated dynamics in this type of system degrade the flight safety because of coupling effects among the quadrotor attitude, container swing, and liquid sloshing. However, few effects have been directed at the attitude-pendulum-sloshing dynamics in this type of aerial cranes. A novel planar model of a quadrotor carrying a liquid tank under dual-hoist mechanisms is presented. The model includes vehicle-attitude dynamics, load-swing dynamics, and fluid-sloshing dynamics. Resulting from the model, a new method is proposed to control coupled oscillations among the vehicle attitude, load swing, and fluid sloshing. Numerous simulations on the nonlinear model demonstrate that the control method can reduce the undesirable oscillations, stabilize the quadrotor’s attitude, and reject the external disturbances. The theoretical findings may also extend to the three-dimensional dynamics of quadrotors slung liquid tanks, and other types of aerial vehicles transporting liquid containers including helicopters or tiltrotors.
Evaluating the impact of energy and environment on economic growth in BRI countries
Authors: Hussain Muhammad Noshab , Li Zaiyang , Sattar Abdul , Ilyas Muhammad
Published: January 2022

This study investigates the impact of renewable energy consumption (REC), nonrenewable energy consumption (NREC), and carbon emissions on economic growth in 133 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries from 1996 to 2020. We divided our sample into four income groups. For empirical estimation, this study employs panel quantile regression (PQR), and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) estimation techniques. The results confirm that REC have a positive impact on economic growth and NREC has a negative impact on economic growth. A 1% increase in REC and carbon emissions results in an increase in economic growth of 0.108% and 1.085%, respectively. A 1% increase in NREC reduces economic growth by 0.263% in the full sample countries. There are regional differences, although NREC has a positive impact on economic growth in all income groups in the long run. These novel empirical findings will help policymakers design energy policies to fulfill the target of economic growth in BRI countries.
Numerical Optimization and Energetic Advantages of an Innovative Solar Power System Based on Scheffler Receiver Coupled with Volumetric Expanders
Authors: Iodice Paolo , Amoresano Amedeo , Langella Giuseppe , Marra Francesco Saverio
Published: January 2022

In the current context of increasing public awareness of the externalities of fossil fuel-based energy consumption, improvement in new technologies for energy-saving systems has become a crucial target to reduce both global warming and air pollution. Being motivated by such a critical matter, this study presents an innovative solar thermal plant based on volumetric expanders as work-producing devices coupled with Scheffler solar receivers as a thermal source. Nowadays, Scheffler receivers are well performing owing to high efficiency of the focal receiver which reduce heat losses. Simultaneously, screw expanders are volumetric machines which are able to convert thermal to mechanical power with acceptable efficiency also by expanding vapor-liquid blends at low operating pressures. The numerical model presented in this study evaluates the energetic benefits of the proposed solar power system for various operating situations. Parametric optimization of this solar power plant is then performed in a broad range of operating conditions: the optimum evaporation temperatures, together with the corresponding maximum global efficiencies, were so defined under various solar radiation intensities. The numerical results attained in this research prove that solar electricity generation systems based on screw expanders coupled with the Scheffler receivers are a promising technology.
Site-Specific and Country-of-Origin Labeling for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Authors: Hatton Randy C. , Leighton Greg , Englander Libbe
Published: January 2022

There is increasing concern about the quality of pharmaceuticals, especially generics made in Asia. Popular books and news reports have the public questioning the quality of pharmaceuticals. Recalls and import bans shake confidence in medications, particularly for active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms made outside the United States. The Food and Drug Administration uses geography to allocate resources for manufacturing surveillance. Site of manufacturing labeling, including the country, could be linked to the facility’s quality score to assess the risk of poor quality. Clinicians should advocate for legal and regulatory changes to increase the transparency of pharmaceutical manufacturing of products.
Racial bias in perceptions of disease and policy
Authors: Trawalter Sophie , Habib Nana-Bilkisu , Druckman James N.
Published: January 2022

Narratives about Africa as dark, depraved, and diseased justified the exploitation of African land and people. Today, these narratives may still have a hold on people’s fears about disease. We test this in three (pre-COVID-19) experiments ( N = 1,803). Across studies, we find that participants report greater worry about a pandemic originating in Africa (vs. elsewhere). In turn, they report greater support for travel bans and for loosening abortion restrictions. We then document these narratives in an archival study of newspaper articles of the 2015–2016 Zika pandemic ( N = 1,475). We find that articles were more negative—for example, they included more death-related words—if they mentioned Africa. Finally, we replicate the experimental results within the COVID-19 context, using a representative sample ( N = 1,200). Taken together, the studies make clear that reactions to pandemics are biased, and in a way consistent with historical narratives about race and Africa.
Effect of attribution on the emotions and behavioral intentions of third-party observers toward intergroup discriminators during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Zuo Bin , Ye Hanxue , Wen Fangfang , Ke Wenlin , Xiao Huanrui , Wang Jin
Published: January 2022

The global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 has caused intergroup discrimination associated with the disease to become increasingly prominent. Research demonstrates that the attitudes and behaviors of third-party observers significantly impact the progression of discrimination incidents. This study tested a parallel mediating model in which the attribution tendencies of observers influence their behavioral intentions through the mediating effect of the emotions of anger and contempt. The first two studies confirmed the proposed model with discrimination incidents reported against “returnees from Wuhan” and “returning workers from Hubei.” Study 3 further manipulated the attribution tendencies of observers, providing empirical evidence for the causality from attribution tendencies to emotions, confirming the validity of the model. These findings enrich the cognitive (attribution)–emotion–action model, further enhancing our understanding of the role of third parties in intergroup conflicts, with implications for the management of people’s emotions and behaviors in social crises.
We stand in solidarity with you (if it helps our ingroup)
Authors: Chaney Kimberly E. , Forbes Marley B.
Published: January 2022

Intraminority solidarity research has previously focused on how similarities in discrimination experiences can facilitate stigma-based solidarity. Yet, research on a lay theory of generalized prejudice has demonstrated that people tend to perceive attitudes towards stigmatized social groups as co-occurring. Integrating these lines of research, the present studies sought to examine if the extent to which prejudices are perceived to co-occur can facilitate stigma-based solidarity for marginalized social groups, and in turn promote interest in coalitional justice. Recruiting heterosexual Black Americans (Study 1), White women (Studies 2–3), and White men (Study 4), the present research demonstrates that perceiving prejudices as co-occurring increases stigma-based solidarity that in turn produces greater interest in coalitional justice efforts that include the ingroup. The present findings demonstrate the importance of focusing on beliefs about perpetrators’ attitudes when examining intraminority solidarity and highlight the limitations of a lay theory of generalized prejudice to fight prejudices broadly.
Outcome of Femoral Angioplasty/Stenting Procedures in Different Ethnic Groups in England: A Retrospective Analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics and Review of Literature
Authors: Vitalis Antonios , Shantsila Alena , Kay Mark , Vohra Rajiv K. , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Various studies, mainly from North America, report worse outcomes in ethnic minority populations submitted to revascularization for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Limited nationwide data in relation to ethnicity are available from Europe.

Objective

The objective of the study is to compare the outcomes of femoral angioplasty/stenting procedures among different ethnic groups in England during the 10-year period from 2006 to 2015.

Materials and Methods

The “Hospital Episode Statistics” database has been searched using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision ( ICD-10) codes to identify all cases of femoral angioplasty or stenting from English NHS Hospitals between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. Subsequent mortality, second open or endovascular infrainguinal procedures, and major amputations on the same side within 2 years after the first procedure have been recorded. Patients were broadly categorized according to ethnicity as whites, Asians, and blacks. Chi-square test was used to demonstrate significant differences among ethnic groups and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using white ethnic group as reference.

Results

A total number of 70 887 femoral endovascular procedures were recorded in patients from the 3 ethnic groups. Two-year mortality in whites, Asians, and blacks was 18.3%, 22.1%, and 19.5% (p<0.001); rates of second endovascular procedure were 12.1%, 13.1%, and 13.5% (p=0.24); rates of open infrainguinal procedure were 5.6%, 4.5%, and 8.0% (p<0.001); and rates of major amputation were 4.8%, 4.1%, and 7.0% (p<0.001), respectively. Mortality was higher in Asians (OR=1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.10-1.45, p<0.01) compared with whites. On the contrary, blacks underwent more open arterial operations (OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.19-1.83, p<0.01) and more amputations (OR=1.49, 95% CI=1.18-1.87, p<0.01). There were no significant differences in the rates of second endovascular procedures.

Conclusion

Two-year mortality after femoral angioplasty/stenting is higher in Asians, whereas risk of limb loss is higher in blacks compared with whites. Reasons of these ethnic differences in outcomes following femoral endovascular procedures for PAD merit further study.
Management of Renal Artery-Inferior Vena Cava Fistula Following Nephrectomy for Penetrating Trauma
Authors: Mikhail Alexander , Ferral Hector , Smith Alison A. , Stuke Lance
Published: January 2022

Background: Renal artery to inferior vena cava fistula is a rare event postnephrectomy. We report a case of an adult male in whom a renal artery to inferior vena cava fistula was detected on non-invasive studies following nephrectomy for penetrating trauma. Case Report: A fistula between the right renal artery and inferior vena cava was confirmed with diagnostic angiography. The fistula was successfully embolized using microcoils. Discussion: This case highlights the importance of exploring retroperitoneal hematomas secondary to penetrating trauma.
Walking Our Evidence-Based Talk: The Case of Leadership Development in Business Schools
Authors: Leroy Hannes L. , Anisman-Razin Moran , Avolio Bruce J. , Bresman Henrik , Stuart Bunderson J. , Burris Ethan R. , Claeys Johannes , Detert James R. , Dragoni Lisa , Giessner Steffen R. , Kniffin Kevin M. , Kolditz Thomas , Petriglieri Gianpiero , Pettit Nathan C. , Sitkin Sim B. , Van Quaquebeke Niels , Vongswasdi Pisitta
Published: January 2022

Academics have lamented that practitioners do not always adopt scientific evidence in practice, yet while academics preach evidence-based management (EBM), they do not always practice it. This paper extends prior literature on difficulties to engage in EBM with insights from behavioral integrity (i.e., the study of what makes individuals and collectives walk their talk). We focus on leader development, widely used but often critiqued for lacking evidence. Analyzing 60 interviews with academic directors of leadership centers at top business schools, we find that the selection of programs does not always align with scientific recommendations nor do schools always engage in high-quality program evaluation. Respondents further indicated a wide variety of challenges that help explain the disconnect between business schools claiming A but practicing B. Behavioral Integrity theory would argue these difficulties are rooted in the lack of an individually owned and collectively endorsed identity, an identity of an evidence-based leader developer (EBLD). A closer inspection of our data confirmed that the lack of a clear and salient EBLD identity makes it difficult for academics to walk their evidence-based leader development talk. We discuss how these findings can help facilitate more evidence-based leader development in an academic context.
Advanced non-dimensional dynamic influence function method considering the singularity of the system matrix for accurate eigenvalue analysis of membranes
Authors: Kang Sangwook
Published: January 2022

An advanced non-dimensional dynamic influence function method (NDIF method) for highly accurate free vibration analysis of membranes with arbitrary shapes is proposed in this paper. The existing NDIF method has the weakness of not offering eigenvalues and eigenmodes in the low frequency range when the number of boundary nodes of an analyzed membrane is increased to obtain more accurate result. This paper reveals that the system matrix of the membrane becomes singular in the lower frequency range when the number of the nodes increases excessively. Based on this fact, it provides an efficient way to successfully overcome the weaknesses of the existing NDIF method and still maintain its accuracy. Finally, verification examples show the validity and accuracy of the advanced NDIF method proposed.
Intelligent identification of incipient rolling bearing faults based on VMD and PCA-SVM
Authors: Deng Linfeng , Zhang Aihua , Zhao Rongzhen
Published: January 2022

Rolling bearings are the key components of rotating machinery. Incipient fault diagnosis of bearing plays an increasingly important role in guaranteeing normal and safe operation of rotating machinery. However, because of the high complexity of the fault feature extraction, the incipient faults of rolling bearings are difficult to diagnose. To solve this problem, this paper presents a new incipient fault intelligent identification method of rolling bearings based on variational mode decomposition (VMD), principal component analysis (PCA), and support vector machines (SVM). In the proposed method, the bearing vibration signals are decomposed by using VMD, and a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) with different frequencies are obtained. Then, the energy and kurtosis values of each IMF are calculated to reveal the intrinsic characteristics of the vibration signals in different scales. Finally, all energy and kurtosis values of IMFs are processed via PCA and subsequently fed into SVM to achieve the bearing fault identification automatically. The effectiveness of this method is verified through the experimental bearing data. The verification results indicate that the proposed method can effectively extract the bearing fault features and accurately identify the bearing incipient faults, and outperform the two compared methods obviously in identification accuracy and computation time.
Development of a novel biofeedback system for the sprint start
Authors: Cortes Gutierrez Jorge , Walton Sean Peter , Bezodis Neil Edward
Published: January 2022

This study developed and evaluated a novel concurrent biofeedback system for the sprint start. Previous studies have investigated sprint start biofeedback applications, but these have either not considered important kinematics, coaching implications or key motor learning principles. The biofeedback system was developed to convey rear knee angle information, obtained from 3D motion capture to novice participants as changes in the colour of an LED start line when they were in the “set” position. Based on initial user feedback, the system indicated whether the participants’ rear knee angles were within ± 2° of 130° (green) or not (red). A two-group experimental study was then employed to explore the acute responses of novices to the use of the biofeedback system during the sprint start. When exposed to biofeedback, the experimental group (EXP, n = 10) exhibited less deviation (4.0 ± 2.4°) from the target rear knee angle than they did in either a pre-test (11.9 ± 6.9°) or post-test (10.4 ± 4.4°) condition without biofeedback. The control group (CON, n = 10) with no biofeedback exhibited greater deviation from the target rear knee angle than the EXP group in all three condition blocks (pre-test = 21.8 ± 15.1°, no intervention = 15.6 ± 7.3°, post-test = 14.3 ± 6.5°) but the group × condition interaction effect was not significant (P = 0.210). The novel biofeedback system can be used to manipulate selected “set” position kinematics and has the potential to be incorporated with different input systems (e.g. inertial measurement units (IMUs)) or in longitudinal designs.
Presenting KAPODI – The Searchable Database of Emotional Stimuli Sets
Authors: Diconne Kathrin , Kountouriotis Georgios K. , Paltoglou Aspasia E. , Parker Andrew , Hostler Thomas J.
Published: January 2022

Emotional stimuli such as images, words, or video clips are often used in studies researching emotion. New sets are continuously being published, creating an immense number of available sets and complicating the task for researchers who are looking for suitable stimuli. This paper presents the KAPODI-database of emotional stimuli sets that are freely available or available upon request. Over 45 aspects including over 25 key set characteristics have been extracted and listed for each set. The database facilitates finding of and comparison between individual sets. It currently contains sets published between 1963 and 2020. A searchable online version ( https://airtable.com/shrnVoUZrwu6riP9b ) allows users to select specific set characteristics and to find matching sets accordingly, as well as to add new published sets.
Efficacy and potential predictors of vagus nerve stimulation therapy in refractory postencephalitic epilepsy
Authors: Liu Siqi , Xiong Zhonghua , Wang Jing , Tang Chongyang , Deng Jiahui , Zhang Jing , Guo Mengyi , Guan Yuguang , Zhou Jian , Zhai Feng , Luan Guoming , Li Tianfu
Published: January 2022

Background:

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a therapeutic approach for patients with refractory postencephalitic epilepsy (PEE), which is characterized by drug resistance and disappointing surgical outcomes. However, the efficacy of VNS has not yet been studied in patients with refractory PEE. The present study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of VNS and evaluate potential clinical predictors in patients with refractory PEE.

Methods:

We retrospectively collected the outcomes of VNS with at least a 1-year follow-up in all patients with refractory PEE. Subgroups were classified as responders and non-responders according to the efficacy of VNS (⩾50% or < 50% reduction in seizure frequency). Preoperative data were analyzed to screen for potential predictors of VNS responsiveness.

Results:

A total of 42 refractory PEE patients who underwent VNS therapy were enrolled, with an average age of 21.13 ± 9.70 years. Seizure frequency was reduced by more than 50% in 64.25% of patients, and 7.14% of patients achieved seizure-free events after VNS therapy. In addition, the response rates increased over time, with 40.5%, 50.0% and 57.1%, respectively at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after VNS therapy. Preoperative duration of epilepsy, monthly seizure frequency, and spatial distribution of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) were correlated with responders ( p < 0.05) in the univariate analysis. Further multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that refractory PEE patients with high monthly seizure frequency or Focal IEDs (focal or multifocal epileptiform discharges) achieved better efficacy on VNS ( p = 0.010, p = 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion:

VNS is an effective palliative therapy for patients with refractory PEE. Focal IEDs (focal or multifocal epileptiform discharges) and high seizure frequency were potential preoperative predictors of effectiveness after VNS therapy.
Long-term surveillance of liver histological changes in chronic hepatitis C patients completing pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin therapy: an observational cohort study
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Han , Kao Tzu-Yu , Hsieh Ting-Hui , Kao Chun-Chi , Peng Cheng-Yuan , Lai Hsueh-Chou , Chuang Po-Heng , Kao Jung-Ta
Published: January 2022

Background:

For chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients completing pegylated interferon (PegIFN)-α/ribavirin therapy, long-term liver histological changes remain largely unexplored.

Methods:

This observational cohort study included 85 CHC patients completing PegIFN-α/ribavirin therapy with liver biopsies performed at baseline and the end of surveillance (EOS). Median years between paired biopsies were 6.75 (interquartile range: 5.63–7.54).

Results:

In patients with baseline METAVIR fibrosis stages (F) <4 (able to undergo fibrosis progression; n = 77), cases achieving sustained virological response (SVR) ( n = 52) had a significantly lower rate of fibrosis progression than non-SVR cases ( n = 25) (3.8% versus 24.0%, p = 0.012). Among the entire cohort ( n = 85), the rate of activity response [METAVIR activity grades (A) decreasing or maintaining at A0] in SVR cases ( n = 59) was significantly higher than that in non-SVR cases ( n = 26) (94.9% versus 65.4%, p = 0.001). For SVR cases among the entire cohort, independent predictors of fibrosis clearance included baseline F <2 [odds ratio (OR) = 7.877, p = 0.042] and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels declining by >70% at EOS compared with baseline (OR = 9.013, p = 0.038). For non-SVR cases among the entire cohort, baseline AST levels >80 U/l and glucose levels ⩽ 105 mg/dl independently predicted significant fibrosis (F2/F3/F4) at EOS (OR = 12.558, p = 0.049) and activity response (OR = 17.741, p = 0.047), respectively.

Conclusions:

Among CHC patients completing PegIFN-α/ribavirin therapy, SVR lowers the risk of liver histological progression but does not guarantee fibrosis clearance. For SVR cases, those with baseline F ⩾ 2 or without significantly declined follow-up AST levels should be specifically monitored. As for non-SVR cases, those with a higher baseline AST or glucose level should preferentially receive retreatment.
Mental Health of Female Adolescents With Disabilities: Considerations for Career Development
Authors: Walden Emily D. , Khurana Atika , Leve Leslie D. , Lindstrom Lauren E.
Published: January 2022

Female adolescents with disabilities are at an increased risk for mental health concerns, which can negatively impact their self-determination, making transition to postschool opportunities difficult. We analyzed two waves of survey data from 366 female adolescents with disabilities, recruited from 26 U.S. public high schools, as part of a randomized controlled trial of a career development intervention. Participants with mental health concerns evidenced a slower increase in self-determination over the follow-up period than those without such concerns. Individuals assigned to the intervention condition experienced significant gains in self-determination compared with the control. Findings suggest that mental health concerns can operate as a barrier to growth in self-determination skills among this population, though targeted interventions can help in boosting these skills.
Clinical Trial Quality Assessment in Adult Spinal Surgery: What Do Publication Status, Funding Source, and Result Reporting Tell Us?
Authors: Danford Nicholas C. , Boddapati Venkat , Simhon Matthew E. , Lee Nathan J. , Mathew Justin , Lombardi Joseph M. , Sardar Zeeshan M. , Lenke Lawrence G. , Lehman Ronald A.
Published: January 2022

Study Design

Narrative Review

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare publication status of clinical trials in adult spine surgery registered on ClinicalTrials.gov by funding source as well as to identify other trends in clinical trials in adult spine surgery.

Methods

All prospective, comparative, therapeutic (intervention-based) trials of adult spinal disease that were registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with a start date of January 1, 2000 and completion date before December 17, 2018 were included. Primary outcome was publication status of published or unpublished. A bivariate analysis was used to compare publication status to funding source of industry vs non-industry.

Results

Our search identified 107 clinical trials. The most common source of funding was industry (62 trials, 57.9% of total), followed by University funding (26 trials, 24.3%). The results of 76 trials (71.0%) were published, with industry-funded trials less likely to be published compared to non–industry-funded trials (62.9% compared to 82.2%, P = .03). Of the 31 unpublished studies, 13 did not report any results on ClinicalTrials.gov , and of those with reported results, none was a positive trial.

Conclusions

Clinician researchers in adult spine surgery should be aware that industry-funded trials are less likely to go on to publication compared to non–industry-funded trials, and that negative trials are frequently not published. Future opportunities include improvement in result reporting and in publishing negative studies.
Modelling and simulating ‘informal urbanization’: An integrated agent-based and cellular automata model of urban residential growth in Ghana
Authors: Agyemang Felix S. K. , Silva Elisabete , Fox Sean
Published: January 2022

The global urban population is expected to grow by 2.5 billion over the next three decades, and 90% of this growth will occur in African and Asian countries. Urban expansion in these regions is often characterised by ‘informal urbanization’ whereby households self-build without planning permission in contexts of ambiguous, insecure or disputed property rights. Despite the scale of informal urbanization, it has received little attention from scholars working in the domains of urban analytics and city science. Towards addressing this gap, we introduce TI-City, an urban growth model designed to predict the locations, legal status and socio-economic status of future residential developments in an African city. In a bottom-up approach, we use agent-based and cellular automata modelling techniques to predict the geospatial behaviour of key urban development actors, including households, real estate developers and government. We apply the model to the city-region of Accra, Ghana, drawing on local data collection, including a household survey, to parameterise the model. Using a multi-spatial-scale validation technique, we compare TI-City’s ability to simulate historically observed built-up patterns with SLEUTH, a highly popular urban growth model. Results show that TI-City outperforms SLEUTH at each scale, suggesting the model could offer a valuable decision support tool in similar city contexts.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Association With Diabetes Self-Care and Clinical Preventive Care Practices
Authors: Mendez Isabel , Lundeen Elizabeth A. , Saunders Magon , Williams Alexis , Saaddine Jinan , Albright Ann
Published: January 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of the study is to assess self-reported receipt of diabetes education among people with diabetes and its association with following recommended self-care and clinical preventive care practices.

Methods:

We analyzed data from the 2017 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 61 424 adults (≥18 years) with self-reported diabetes in 43 states and Washington, DC. Diabetes education was defined as ever taking a diabetes self-management class. The association of diabetes education with self-care practices (daily glucose testing, daily foot checks, smoking abstention, and engaging in leisure-time physical activity) and clinical practices (pneumococcal vaccination, biannual A1C test, and an annual dilated eye exam, influenza vaccination, health care visit for diabetes, and foot exam by a medical professional) was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression with predicted margins was used to predict the probability of following these practices, by diabetes education, controlling for sociodemographic factors.

Results:

Of adults with diabetes, only half reported receiving diabetes education. Results indicate that receipt of diabetes education is associated with following self-care and clinical preventive care practices. Those who did receive diabetes education had a higher predicted probability for following all 4 self-care practices (smoking abstention, daily glucose testing, daily foot check, and engaging in leisure-time physical activity) and all 6 clinical practices (pneumonia vaccination, biannual A1C test, and an annual eye exam, flu vaccination, health care visit, and medical foot exam).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of adults with diabetes receiving diabetes education remains low. Increasing receipt of diabetes education may improve diabetes-related preventive care.
Quantitative Ultrasound of Phalanx in Primary and Secondary Osteoporosis: Mini-review and Practical Experience
Authors: Najafi Minoo , Najafi Maryam , Mahdavi-Mazdeh Mitra , Maziar Sima , Keshtkar Abbas Ali , Sedaghat Mojtaba , Zare-Bidaki Fatemeh , Larijani Bagher , Hamidi Zohreh
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is gold standard of bone densitometry, but quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of bone is less expensive and portable. This study was designed to assess its usefulness in secondary osteoporosis diagnosis.

Materials and Methods:

There were 200 secondary osteoporosis cases (rheumatoid arthritis, hemodialysis, kidney transplant patients, and levothyroxine users) and of those, their phalanx QUS results were compared with normal controls. Also, the QUS and DXA results were compared to find any correlation of these methods for diagnosing osteoporosis.

Results:

There was not significantly different results compared with normal controls, except for those of hemodialysis patients ( P = .00). Also, the comparison of QUS with DXA results showed no significant correlation except in hemodialysis patients, in both spinal and femoral regions ( P = .023 and .21, respectively), as well as the levothyroxine group’s spinal region ( P = .005).

Conclusion:

These results suggest that QUS of phalanx may be useful in screening secondary osteoporosis but for establishment of diagnosis, DXA measurements are still needed.
Granulocyte microvesicles with a high plasmin generation capacity promote clot lysis and improve outcome in septic shock
Authors: Cointe Sylvie , Vallier Loris , Esnault Pierre , Dacos Mathilde , Bonifay Amandine , Macagno Nicolas , Harti Souab Karim , Chareyre Corinne , Judicone Coralie , Frankel Diane , Robert Stéphane , Hraiech Sami , Alessi Marie-Christine , Poncelet Philippe , Albanese Jacques , Dignat-George Françoise , Lacroix Romaric
Published: January 2022

Microvesicles (MVs) have previously been shown to exert profibrinolytic capacity, which is increased in patients with septic shock (SS) with a favorable outcome. We, therefore, hypothesized that the plasmin generation capacity (PGC) could confer to MVs a protective effect supported by their capacity to lyse a thrombus, and we investigated the mechanisms involved. Using an MV-PGC kinetic assay, ELISA, and flow cytometry, we found that granulocyte MVs (Gran-MVs) from SS patients display a heterogeneous PGC profile driven by the uPA (urokinase)/uPAR system. In vitro, these MVs lyse a thrombus according to their MV-PGC levels in a uPA/uPAR-dependent manner, as shown in a fluorescent clot lysis test and a lysis front retraction assay. Fibrinolytic activators conveyed by MVs contribute to approximately 30% of the plasma plasminogenolytic capacity of SS patients. In a murine model of SS, the injection of high PGC Gran-MVs significantly improved mouse survival and reduced the number of thrombi in vital organs. This was associated with a modification of the mouse coagulation and fibrinolysis properties toward a more fibrinolytic profile. Interestingly, mouse survival was not improved when soluble uPA was injected. Finally, using a multiplex array on plasma from SS patients, we found that neutrophil elastase correlates with the effect of high-PGC-capacity plasma and modulates the Gran-MV plasmin generation capacity by cleaving uPA-PAI-1 complexes. In conclusion, we show that the high PGC level displayed by Gran-MVs reduces thrombus formation and improves survival, conferring to Gran-MVs a protective role in a murine model of sepsis.