bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Black Psychology and Black Criminality: Myths and Reality on the Origins of Black Street Life
Authors: Cross William E.
Published: November 2022

This work interrogates the long-held assumption that captive Africans exited slavery exhibiting psychological damage that blocked their progress as free men, women and families. As a counter narrative to the deficit perspective on Black life, the literature on extreme poverty and fluctuating unemployment patterns are summarized to show how the importance of social class has too often been underestimated, and the assumed negative, psychological effects of slavery, overestimated. Post WWII economic trends of the 1940s and 1950s are highlighted. The contemporary political economy of Black people is shown to reveal a diunital, paradoxical pattern, with many educated Blacks having access to life among the elite or top 10%, while less educated Blacks are forced to live in extreme poverty that approximates a modern caste system. The Black experience with poverty, tracked from Emancipation up to the present, is best explained by economic rather than psychological causes and dynamics.
Adaptive neural network–based trajectory tracking non-affine control of hovercraft with double-loop constraint performance
Authors: Fu Mingyu , Dong Lijing , Li Mingyang , Bai Dan
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the design of a trajectory tracking constraint control method for hovercraft non-affine formulations via neural network approximation. The tracking scheme comprises an outer closed-loop of attitude and an inner closed-loop of velocity (double-loop). First, a performance function is devised to constrain the attitude errors and then a transformed error function is introduced to simplify it into an equivalent unconstrained control system. Next, an improved asymmetric integral barrier Lyapunov function is designed to address asymmetric velocity constraint problems, which can guarantee the safe turning motion or performance required at high speed. Furthermore, neural networks are employed to estimate the unknown terms of each subsystem, which solve system uncertainties and non-affine dynamics problems. The double closed-loop control system is ultimately uniformly bounded by utilizing the Lyapunov stability principle. Finally, simulation results are presented to verify the tracking performance and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Immunohistochemical study of neural stem cell lineage markers in canine brains, gliomas, and a glioma cell line
Authors: Yoshida Kio , Chambers James K. , Uchida Kazuyuki
Published: November 2022

Neural stem cells (NSCs) produce neuron intermediate progenitor cells (nIPC), oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), and immature astrocytes. To confirm NSC lineages in the normal canine brain and the association of these cells with gliomas, an immunohistochemical study was conducted on fetal and adult canine brains, gliomas, and a glioma cell line. In fetal brains, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)- and nestin-immunolabeled NSC were observed in the ventricular zone, β-3 tubulin- and/or neuronal nuclei (NeuN)-immunolabeled nIPC in the subventricular zone (SVZ), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFR-α)- and OLIG2-immunolabeled OPC and GFAP- and OLIG2-immunolabeled immature astrocytes in the SVZ and intermediate zone. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry revealed that nIPC exhibited high proliferative activity. Quiescent nIPC and OPC were observed in adult brains. Among 58 glioma cases including 4 low-grade oligodendrogliomas (LGOGs), 48 high-grade oligodendrogliomas (HGOGs), 1 low-grade astrocytoma, and 5 high-grade astrocytomas (HGACs), immunohistochemical analyses revealed that oligodendrogliomas expressed PDGFR-α and OLIG2, whereas astrocytomas expressed GFAP and OLIG2. HGOG showed significantly higher immunohistochemical scores for NeuN and β-3 tubulin than LGOG. The Ki-67 labeling index was high in PDGFR-α and NeuN-immunolabeled tumor cells, and low in β-3 tubulin- and synaptophysin-immunolabeled cells. A HGOG cell line possessed the same immunohistochemical characteristics as HGOG. In this study, glioma cells with the OPC and IPC immunophenotypes had a higher Ki-67 labeling index, indicating their high proliferative activity. Furthermore, high-grade gliomas showed the characteristics of nIPC and neurons, which may suggest the pluripotent NSC lineage nature of these tumors.
Applying Explainable Machine Learning Techniques in Daily Crash Occurrence and Severity Modeling for Rural Interstates
Authors: Wei Zihang , Zhang Yunlong , Das Subasish
Published: November 2022

Conventional traffic crash analysis methods often use highly aggregated data, making it difficult to understand the effects of time-varying factors on crash occurrence. Although studies have used data with small aggregation intervals, they typically analyze the effect of a single factor on crash occurrence. In this study, we investigate the collaborative effect of roadway geometry, speed distribution, and weather conditions on crash occurrence and severity using explainable machine learning methods on daily level crash data. The data were collected on rural Interstate highways in Texas. Four machine learning methods: random forest, AdaBoost, XGBoost, and deep neural network, were tested on the dataset. The results showed that XGBoost performs the best on the imbalanced dataset. The study used the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) method to mitigate the data imbalance issue. The XGBoost model was trained separately on all crash occurrences and severe crash occurrences. Finally, the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanation) method was applied to investigate the contribution of all variables to the model’s output. The results showed that weather condition factors have a significant contribution to all crash occurrences. Speed distribution factors have a stronger impact on severe crash occurrences.
3D printing of continuous fiber reinforced cellular structural composites for the study of bending performance
Authors: Cui Ziying , Huang Xiayan , Jia Mengwei , Panahi-Sarmad Mahyar , Hossen MD Imran , Dong Ke , Xiao Xueliang
Published: November 2022

Optimization of 3D printing factors has been the underlying issue for the last decade. Herein, a 3D-printing procedure was operated to fabricate continuous fiber-reinforced composites in various shape-filled cellular structures based on Kevlar fiber and polylactic acid The efficient processing parameters in bending performance have been systematically studied, such as printing path, fiber orientation, infill density, cell length, and layer thickness. A three-point bending test revealed that, as the effective density increased, there was an irrefutable rise in strength and stiffness of CFRCs with different infill structures. Structural parameters like cell length could improve bending performance; this effect was evaluated by adjusting the fiber orientations along the stretching direction. Furthermore, a finite element model was developed, and its results were verified with the experimental results. The sample of the rhombus-filled cellular CFRCs with a layer thickness of 0.1 mm was found to have the highest bending strength and modulus of 53.61 MPa and 2728.41 MPa, respectively. Since mechanical behavior mostly depends on numerous microstructural factors, plenty of prototypes should be designed to achieve the required bending strength and flexural modulus—this work is a pattern guide to reduce the number of printed samples.
Joint Association of Diabetes and Physical Activity With Falls Among Midlife and Older Adults: 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Authors: Oh Minsuk , Ylitalo Kelly R.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

We examined joint associations of diabetes and physical activity (PA) with falls.

Design

Complex survey (cross-sectional) design using the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Response rate was 53% (landline phones) and 46% (cellular phones)).

Setting

National survey in the U.S.

Subjects

Adults ≥45 years who self-reported diabetes status, PA, and falls ( n = 295,282; 98.5% of eligible samples; N = 130,103,093) were classified into 4 groups: no diabetes–PA, no diabetes–no PA, diabetes–PA, diabetes–no PA.

Measures

Self-reported PA, diabetes, falls, and major health characteristics.

Analysis

Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association of groups with any (≥1 fall) falls.

Results

Compared to no diabetes–active groups, no diabetes–inactive (Relative Risk (RR) = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.26), diabetes–active (RR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.30), and diabetes–inactive (RR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.41, 1.51) groups were more likely to report falls, independent of tested covariates.

Conclusions

Leisure-time PA may mitigate the likelihood of falls in adults with and without diabetes. Our findings could be useful for healthcare providers or clinicians to promote the importance of PA in midlife and older adults who are at risk of falls and/or diabetes. More detailed longitudinal information on objectively-estimated PA and a more frequent fall calendar are warranted to prevent recall bias and temporal ambiguity (causality between PA and falls).
The Effects of School Choice Competition on an Underserved Neighborhood Public School
Authors: Duarte Bryan J.
Published: November 2022

This critical ethnography utilizes critical policy analysis and a theoretical understanding of neoliberal racism to examine the practiced reality of school choice in a public, under-resourced, and historically underperforming neighborhood elementary school attended predominantly by Latina/o/x students. Despite improvement initiatives that resulted in performance distinctions, the school under study experienced substantial enrollment decline amidst the poaching of students by charter schools within the attendance zone. Moreover, the competitive school choice market within the school’s district resulted in the reshuffling of teachers, reinforcement of neoliberal improvement discourses, and even the exploitation of dual language students to raise the school’s market profile. The study provides a unique, up-close representation of marketization in public schools and the residualizing effects that school choice policies can have on public education writ large.
Experimental and finite element investigation of precision multi-grain grinding of pure titanium
Authors: Li Haoyu , Zhang Xi , Zhang Junjie , Zhang Jianguo , Rostotskyi Igor , Liu Haiying , Savchenko Denys , Iefrosinin Dmytro , Sun Tao
Published: November 2022

Pure titanium composed of α single-phase has important applications for its excellent mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, which also impose high requirements on its surface finish. However, pure titanium is a difficult-to-machine material due to its low mass transportation caused by the low stiffness and the low thermal conductivity. Thus, it is greatly needed to investigate the machinability of pure titanium by precision grinding. In the present work, we carry out experimental and finite element simulation studies on the precision multi-grain grinding of pure titanium. Specifically, finite element model of pure titanium grinding using grinding wheel with multiple grains is established, which enables the prediction of successive material removal behavior by neighboring grains in line with experiments. The machining behavior of pure titanium and its correlation with machined surface morphology and grinding force are studied by experiment, and are further revealed by finite element simulation. Subsequent grinding experiments are performed to study the effects of workpiece speed and grinding depth on the ground surface quality of pure titanium, with which a surface roughness of 0.27 μm is obtained under the optimized grinding parameters.
Design optimization of block horn for ultrasonic joining application using RSM–FEA–GA integration approach
Authors: Anand K , Elangovan S
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the design optimization of block horn used in ultrasonic insertion application. Ultrasonic insertion is the process of joining a metal insert with thermoplastic component. As the performance of ultrasonically produced joint depends upon the uniformity of amplitude of vibration generated by horn, the uniformity of displacement amplitude can be improved by optimizing the block horn design. The horn is computationally designed and acoustically analysed by integrating finite element analysis (FEA) with response surface methodology (RSM). The polynomial model for displacement amplitude is developed using RSM. Further, the design of horn is optimized to improve the displacement amplitude by coupling the developed polynomial model with genetic algorithm (GA) as fitness function. The optimized design is acoustically analysed, the results show that the optimal design yields maximum displacement amplitude of 29.57 µm, and the maximum stress induced in the optimal design is 16.3 MPa, which is much lower than fatigue strength of horn material. As the heat developed at joint is quality indicator, the temperature obtained at joint is measured using data acquisition system (DAQ). The measured temperature is 138°C, which correlates well with displacement amplitude developed by optimal design of block horn. The results of this study revealed that the proposed RSM–FEA–GA integration approach managed to find the optimal combination of design variables, which yields maximum displacement amplitude and results good joint performance.
Fatigue in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Chen Ya-Wen , Hung Chich-Hsiu
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to explore the factors associated with fatigue in chronic hepatitis C patients before and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after antiviral therapy. The study employed a prospective and repeated-measures design. The Chinese version of the brief fatigue inventory (BFI-C) and the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) were employed to collect data. Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin dosages and serum values (hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) were monitored before and during the antiviral therapy at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. The study enlisted 115 patients as participants. Multivariate analysis indicated that gender, educational level, body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin level were significant determinants of patients’ fatigue. When hemoglobin levels in the patients decreased in week 4 and continued to fall to the nadir at week 12, it prompted the healthcare providers to assess their fatigue levels and initiate proactive interventions as needed.
The Effects of Cultural Differences on Consumers’ Willingness to Share Personal Information
Authors: Schumacher Christopher , Eggers Felix , Verhoef Peter C. , Maas Peter
Published: November 2022

Consumer information is an increasingly valuable resource in the digitally interconnected modern world. Globally, the number of firms collecting and exploiting consumer information to optimize their marketing efforts is increasing rapidly. The authors determine how four cultural dimensions—power distance, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation—affect consumers’ willingness to share their personal information with firms (WTS). The authors empirically test the direct effect of national culture on WTS, as well as its moderating effect on the link between WTS and two of its key drivers, privacy concerns and perceived benefits. Drawing on regulatory focus theory, the authors develop a conceptual framework and test it using multilevel modeling on data from 15,045 consumers across 24 countries. The empirical findings demonstrate that national culture directly affects WTS and moderates the effects of both privacy concerns and perceived benefits on WTS. These results highlight the need for managers and marketers to consider international cultural differences when collecting consumer information.
The absence that will not go away
Authors: de Vos Julie
Published: November 2022

In this article, I will explore the concepts of absence and presence in the context of the Francoist repression during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and the following dictatorship (1939–1975) ruled by General Francisco Franco. My aim is to explore how this tension between absence and presence has been deliberately used as a repressive means in the construction of a new social order and how this has been materially maintained until the present day. To accomplish this, I will focus on Domanska's concept of non-absence (2006) and Kristeva's concept of abjection (1982). I intend to use observations of the material phenomenon from the field – in the context of mass graves and monuments – to discuss the concepts of absence and presence in the archaeological record and on a broader level. The Spanish case thereby serves as a ground for the emergence of a conceptual frame that serves as a tool for working on the ideas of absence and presence. Absence is undeniably an inherent part of archaeology and indeed, as so, and in the midst of the material turn, the role of absence should be paid as much attention as the presence of things. Even more so in specific archaeological contexts where certain presences are dominating the landscape deliberately excluding others.
Searching for the “right feeling”: Sense of place and the social architecture of middle-class homebuying choices
Authors: Shani Guy
Published: November 2022

The literature on residential and homebuying choices is still dominated by economic models of decision-making. Despite growing critique of these models, attempts to provide socially grounded accounts of homebuying have yet to investigate the social foundations of evaluative and choice-making practices at the intra-personal level. This study addressed the gaps in the literature theoretically and empirically by studying the processes and practices by which middle-class homebuyers search for and choose a place to live. It applied a modified Bourdieusian framework, underscoring the roles of the habitus and reflexivity in choice-making, to the study of middle-class homebuyers in two Israeli cities. The findings demonstrate that middle-class homebuyers’ “sense of place”—that is, the reactions of their habitus to the socio-physical environment—is at the heart of their residential choice-making. Interviewees centralized their experiences and sensations in their choice-making, actively using their sense of place to guide their mapping of urban space, evaluation of residential options, and their final decision. These evaluative and choice-making practices operated as a “social-sorting” mechanism, directing homebuyers to locations more aligned with their class habitus. The findings and analysis provide a sociological alternative to economic and behavioral models of residential choice-making, with lessons for those with wider scholarly interests in consumers’ choices in everyday life and their relationship with social patterns.
A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies Exploring Lived Experiences, Perceived Impact, and Coping Strategies of Children and Young People Whose Parents Use Substances
Authors: Muir Cassey , Adams Emma A. , Evans Vivienne , Geijer-Simpson Emma , Kaner Eileen , Phillips Sophie M. , Salonen Domna , Smart Deborah , Winstone Lizzy , McGovern Ruth
Published: November 2022

Parental substance use is highly prevalent worldwide, presenting major child safeguarding and public health concerns. Qualitative research enables in-depth understanding of how young people experience parental substance use and helps inform practice and policy through illustrative cases of experiences. This review aimed to synthesize published qualitative evidence exploring the lived experiences, perceived impact, and coping strategies of children and young people whose parents use substances. International literature databases including Medline, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Social Science Database, Sociology Collection, and Scopus were searched from inception to 2022, alongside grey literature searching and relevant websites. Qualitative accounts were included, provided by participants aged below 25 years. No language, date, or geographical limits were applied. A thematic synthesis of 35 studies, across 49 papers, covering over 700 children and young people’s voices, identified five overarching themes. These themes included, (a) living with the unpredictable: insecurity within the family; (b) social and emotional impact of parental substance use; (c) controlling the uncontrollable: creating safety within the family; (d) coping with and resisting the emotional and social impacts; and (e) formal and informal support. The findings emphasize that children and young people who experience parental substance use are trying to manage and mitigate vulnerabilities and be resilient to unpredictable, adverse, and often stigmatizing experiences, usually without formal support in place. Further research is needed to coproduce child-centered interventions that promote children and young people’s social and emotional resilience.
Temporizing stent graft for aortoenteric fistula with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Authors: Patel Raj M , Bye Matthew A , Batista Philip M
Published: November 2022

Objectives

We present a case of a 59-year-old male with an actively bleeding aortoenteric fistula (AEF) that was temporized using an endovascular stent prior to staged open reconstruction.

Methods

Verbal informed consent was given by the patient’s family for publication of this case report. The patient presented with pulseless electrical activity secondary to hemorrhagic shock due to a massive gastrointestinal bleed. His past surgical history included an aortobifemoral bypass (ABFB) that subsequently underwent extra-anatomic reconstruction with right axillofemoral artery bypass for right femoral infected pseudoaneurysm. Two months prior to presentation, he underwent a second revision with in-situ reconstruction for left limb graft infection. CTA now demonstrated actively bleeding AEF. He was emergently treated with endovascular stenting. Once stabilized, a two-stage revision with extra-anatomic bypass and aortic stump closure for management of his AEF was performed.

Result

The patient was adequately stabilized using endovascular techniques followed by two-stage revision but unfortunately expired secondary to septic shock 20 days postoperatively.

Conclusion

This case highlights the utility of endovascular stent graft to successfully obtain hemodynamic stability and optimization prior to open repair of AEFs.
Post-migration ecology in educational leadership and policy for social justice: Welcoming refugee students in two distinct national contexts
Authors: Arar Khalid , Örücü Deniz
Published: November 2022

Utilizing the post-migration ecological lens and the synthesized model of culturally relevant leadership formed by the authors, we aim to compare and analyze the policy outlines and school leadership responses to refugee education in Turkey and Germany; as the two main hosts of the largest number of refugees. Through comparative phenomenology, we draw on the semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis of policy papers in each context. Although both states employ an open-door policy, their educational policies show stark contrasts. The German schools benefit from the systematic guidance whilst in Turkey they find their ways through rule of thumb with colleagual collaboration within and across schools. We reckon this study would provide a space for collaboration and benchmarking between different contexts as well as illuminate on the policy-making processes, school-level practices, and research in this area.
The criminalisation of migration in Italy: Current tendencies in the light of EU law
Authors: Mentasti Giulia
Published: November 2022

The word crimmigration first appeared in the USA about twenty years ago, following some studies that for the first time had observed a general tightening in the instruments available for managing the migration phenomenon. More specifically, these studies observed a progressive and real hybridisation between the administrative tools (usually adopted in the management of migratory flows) and criminal law instruments, obviously much more incisive on the personal freedom of foreigners. While retaining this feature, recent studies show that today, crimmigration results, also, in few more related features: an overcriminalisation that affects the foreigners and those who, for solidarity purposes, provide them with assistance (as in the case of the incrimination of the conduct of NGOs); or, again, in the inappropriate use of administrative law instruments, loaded with purposes and modalities typical of criminal law. Starting from these premises, the aim of the article is to assess whether the rationale of crimmigration is present in the instruments set up by the Italian Legislator for border control and migration management. To this end, these instruments will be taken into consideration by analysing their contents and their possible compliance with the logic of crimmigration, contextualising them in the broader and more debated European framework of measures on the matter.
Increased left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex density following escitalopram intake during relearning: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in healthy humans
Authors: Vanicek Thomas , Reed Murray B. , Seiger René , Godbersen Godber M. , Klöbl Manfred , Unterholzner Jakob , Spurny-Dworak Benjamin , Gryglewski Gregor , Handschuh Patricia , Schmidt Clemens , Kraus Christoph , Stimpfl Thomas , Rupprecht Rainer , Kasper Siegfried , Lanzenberger Rupert
Published: November 2022

Background:

Serotonergic agents affect brain plasticity and reverse stress-induced dendritic atrophy in key fronto-limbic brain areas associated with learning and memory.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the antidepressant escitalopram on gray matter during relearning in healthy individuals to inform a model for depression and the neurobiological processes of recovery.

Design:

Randomized double blind placebo control, monocenter study.

Methods:

In all, 76 (44 females) healthy individuals performed daily an associative learning task with emotional or non-emotional content over a 3-week period. This was followed by a 3-week relearning period (randomly shuffled association within the content group) with concurrent daily selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (i.e., 10 mg escitalopram) or placebo intake.

Results:

Via voxel-based morphometry and only in individuals that developed sufficient escitalopram blood levels over the 21-day relearing period, an increased density of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was found. When investigating whether there was an interaction between relearning and drug intervention for all participants, regardless of escitalopram levels, no changes in gray matter were detected with either surfaced-based or voxel-based morphometry analyses.

Conclusion:

The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex affects executive function and emotional processing, and is a critical mediator of symptoms and treatment outcomes of depression. In line, the findings suggest that escitalopram facilitates neuroplastic processes in this region if blood levels are sufficient. Contrary to our hypothesis, an effect of escitalopram on brain structure that is dependent of relearning content was not detected. However, this may have been a consequence of the intensity and duration of the interventions.

Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02753738; Trial Name: Enhancement of learning associated neural plasticity by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02753738 .
ActiveHip+: A feasible mHealth system for the recovery of older adults after hip surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Prieto-Moreno Rafael , Estévez-López Fernando , Molina-Garcia Pablo , Mora-Traverso Marta , Deschamps Kevin , Claeys Kurt , de Buyser Janou , Ariza-Vega Patrocinio
Published: November 2022

Objective

Half of older adults undergoing hip surgery do not recover their previous functional status. mHealth is a promising tool for rehabilitating older adults after hip surgery. This study aimed to test the feasibility of the ActiveHip+ mHealth system in older adults after hip surgery.

Methods

Sixty-nine older adults who had undergone hip surgery and their family caregivers were recruited from hospitals in Spain and Belgium and used the ActiveHip+ mHealth system for 12 weeks. Assessments were made during hospital stay and 3 months after surgery. Feasibility assessment included: adoption (participation proportion), usage (access to the app), satisfaction with the app (Net Promoter Score) and user perception of the quality of the app (Mobile App Rating Scale). Clinical assessment included: patient-reported outcomes, such as functional status (Functional Independence Measure) and performance-based outcomes, such as physical fitness (Short Physical Performance Battery).

Results

The ActiveHip+ mHealth system obtained satisfactory feasibility results in both countries. In Spain, we observed 85% adoption, 64% usage, 8.86/10 in satisfaction with the app and 4.42/5 in perceived quality of the app. In Belgium, we observed 82% adoption, 84% usage, 5.16/10 in satisfaction with the app and 3.52/5 in app's perceived quality. The intervention had positive effects on levels of functional status, pain and physical fitness.

Conclusions

The ActiveHip+ mHealth system is a feasible tool to conduct the rehabilitation in older adults after hip surgery. Although the intervention seemed beneficial clinically, we do not recommend its implementation in clinical settings until appropriately designed randomised clinical trials confirm these results.
Understanding prime ministerial leadership in the United Kingdom and Japan in the 21st century: Introduction to a special issue
Authors: Dobson Hugo , Heppell Timothy , Polanco Leal Perla
Published: November 2022

The introduction to this special issue begins by presenting a recent puzzle – the increasingly strong position of the Japanese prime minister, who has traditionally been regarded as weak, in contrast to the increasingly fragile position of the United Kingdom prime minister, who has traditionally been regarded as strong. To make sense of these developments, the introduction reviews existing academic perspectives related to prime ministerial leadership with a specific focus on the literature on the UK and Japanese prime ministers. It subdivides our understanding of prime ministerial leadership into three distinct but inter-related levels of analysis. First, the institutional setting, which concentrates attention upon prime ministers’ relations with the machinery of government and a range of institutions including the executive, legislature and judiciary, and relates to prime ministerial versus cabinet government debates, and the core executive model. Second, the party context, which focuses on prime ministers as leaders of their political parties and debates surrounding party centralisation, internal party cohesion and leadership selection and ejection. Third, the role of agency within these above two settings and in relation to the broader public, which includes the personal skills and performative styles of individual prime ministers.
Determining Bias in Ankle Replacement Studies Conducted by Design vs Non-Design Surgeons
Authors: Nadeau Elizabeth , Ottofaro Trevor D. , Hoch Caroline P. , Morris Jesse H. , Scott Daniel J. , Gross Christopher E.
Published: November 2022

Category:

Ankle

Introduction/Purpose:

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is an alternative to ankle arthrodesis for the treatment of end-stage arthritis while maintaining greater ankle motion and functionality. Early generation implants had unacceptably high complication rates. Increasing experience of foot and ankle surgeons with the procedure and newer third-generation designs have the potential to offer better outcomes; however, the literature has shown that articles written by design surgeons presents biased results. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the reported outcomes between studies conducted by design and non-design surgeons.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE for all articles published between 1996 and 2021 was conducted with a minimum two-year follow-up. Two reviewers evaluated each study to determine whether it was eligible for inclusion and abstracted the data of interest. Meta-analytic pooling of group results across studies was performed, including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) (i.e., AOFAS, FFI, SF-36). Fifty-two implant groups met inclusion criteria, of which eight were authored by a design surgeon. In total, 4,693 subjects were included with a mean age of 59.89 years and mean BMI of 27.77 kg/m2. Statistical analysis between articles of design and non-design surgeons was performed using two-tailed Student t-test.

Results:

Overall, at mean follow-up of 68.91 months, the reoperation rate was 25.2% (design=23.5%, non-design=25.5%, p=.843), revision rate was 9.3% (design=9.0%, non-design=9.4%, p=.935), and conversion to arthrodesis rate was 5.0% (design=2.5%, non- design=5.5%, p=.243). According to the COFAS Reoperations Coding System (CROCS), the majority of reoperations were not around the ankle (Code 1: 76.65%). Mean postoperative plantarflexion (p=.007) and mean preoperative dorsiflexion (p=.006) were significantly greater among non-design surgeons' reports. There was no difference in any pre- or postoperative PROM between groups. The implant survival rate at one, two, five, and ten years was 97.7% (design=98.5%, non-design=97.6%, p=.732), 96.5% (design=97.0%, non-design=96.4%, p=.865), 92.1% (design=96.4%, non-design=91.3%, p=.865), and 79.2% (design=87.9%, non- design=76.3%, p=.070), respectively (Table 1).

Conclusion:

In the reporting of TAAs, design surgeons do not appear to be biased. Although reoperation, revision, and conversion to arthrodesis rates were worse among non-design surgeons, this was not significant. Similarly, implant survival was reportedly better for design surgeons, but this was not significant either. However, there was greater implant survival in the design surgeon group at ten years, as compared to non-design surgeons, with a p-value approaching statical significance. Overall, there was no obvious evidence of bias in TAA studies comparing design vs non-design surgeons in studies of TAA implants.
Evaluation of Distal Tibiofibular Interosseous Ligament Angle and Its Relevance in Syndesmosis Fixation
Authors: Ong Jason , Benjamin Biju , Choi Enhsun , Drampalos Efstathios , Syed Turab
Published: November 2022

Category:

Ankle; Basic Sciences/Biologics

Introduction/Purpose:

The interosseous ligament (IOL) of the ankle, together with the anterior and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (ATFL and PITFL), are important structures which stabilizes the inferior tibiofibular joint. Besides securing the fibula tightly to tibia, these ligaments prevent excessive lateral fibular displacement and external talar rotation. Thus, any injury to either bone or ligaments at this level will result in instability and abnormal joint motion. Our study aims to evaluate the anatomical angle of the ankle interosseous ligament on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies to better understand the biomechanical forces that act within the distal tibiofibular joint, relevance of assimilating the anatomical angle and its relevance in syndesmosis fixations.

Methods:

MRIs of ankles were chosen anonymously from the global PACS system database between the months September to October 2020. A total of 34 patients' MRIs were identified. Patients who sustained bone or soft tissue injury at the level of ankle syndesmosis were excluded to avoid any ambiguity in altered position of the IOL due to trauma. The angle of interosseous ligament from the tibial plafond was measured on the coronal plane. The axial plane was used as a reference to ensure correct position of measurement. This was done in collaboration with radiologists to ensure that IOL is correctly identified, prior to start of the study. The angle was measured separately by two different investigators and the average angle was obtained for each MRI. Data was tabulated and statistical analysis was done.

Results:

All of the 20 ankles identified during the study period were included in the analysis. There were 10 male and 10 female patients. Nine were left ankles and 11 were right ankles. The median age was 54 years (range 14 - 83). The mean IOL angle was 65.66 degrees. The standard error of difference between the 2 investigators was 0.567 and the two-tailed P value was 0.4980. By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The ligament angle formed against tibial plafond bears theoretical relevance. We propose further cadaveric studies to confirm IOL anatomical ligament angle and carrying out implant failure stress test in a lab between the implant inserted parallel to the normal angle of IOL (65 degrees) vs 90 degrees. We also propose that such studies may show that all implants to stabilize the syndesmosis may be more effective if we try to reproduce nature by replicating as close to the IOL's anatomical angle rather than using a long held dogma of fixing syndesmosis to neutralize the forces as nature intended.
GPR183 antagonism reduces macrophage infiltration in influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Foo Cheng Xiang , Bartlett Stacey , Chew Keng Yih , Ngo Minh Dao , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle , Arachchige Buddhika Jayakody , Matthews Benjamin , Reed Sarah , Wang Ran , Smith Christian , Sweet Matthew J. , Burr Lucy , Bisht Kavita , Shatunova Svetlana , Sinclair Jane E. , Parry Rhys , Yang Yuanhao , Lévesque Jean-Pierre , Khromykh Alexander , Rosenkilde Mette Marie , Short Kirsty R. , Ronacher Katharina
Published: November 2022

Rationale

Severe viral respiratory infections are often characterised by extensive myeloid cell infiltration and activation and persistent lung tissue injury. However, the immunological mechanisms driving excessive inflammation in the lung remain poorly understood.

Objectives

To identify the mechanisms that drive immune cell recruitment in the lung during viral respiratory infections and identify novel drug targets to reduce inflammation and disease severity.

Methods

Preclinical murine models of influenza A virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Results

Oxidised cholesterols and the oxysterol-sensing receptor GPR183 were identified as drivers of monocyte/macrophage infiltration to the lung during influenza A virus (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Both IAV and SARS-CoV-2 infection upregulated the enzymes cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) and cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily member B1 (CYP7B1) in the lung, resulting in local production of the oxidised cholesterols 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC) and 7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol (7α,25-OHC). Loss-of-function mutation of Gpr183 or treatment with a GPR183 antagonist reduced macrophage infiltration and inflammatory cytokine production in the lungs of IAV- or SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. The GPR183 antagonist significantly attenuated the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral loads. Analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data on bronchoalveolar lavage samples from healthy controls and COVID-19 patients with moderate and severe disease revealed thatCH25H,CYP7B1andGPR183are significantly upregulated in macrophages during COVID-19.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that oxysterols drive inflammation in the lungviaGPR183 and provides the first preclinical evidence for the therapeutic benefit of targeting GPR183 during severe viral respiratory infections.
The use of continuous positive airway pressure during the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Brusasco Claudia , Corradi Francesco , Dazzi Federico , Isirdi Alessandro , Romei Chiara , Parisini Andrea , Boni Silvia , Santori Gregorio , Brusasco Vito ,   the Galliera CPAP-COVID-19 study group,   the Galliera CPAP-COVID-19 study group, Brusasco C. , Corradi F. , Brusasco C. , Isirdi A. , Dazzi F. , Brusasco V. , Parisini A. , Boni S. , Santori G. , Parisini A. , Boni S. , Corradi F. , Brusasco C. , Romei C. , Corradi F. , Brusasco C. , Brusasco V. , Corradi F. , Brusasco C. , Santori G. , Dazzi F.
Published: November 2022

Background

In a preliminary study during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave, we reported a high rate of success with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in preventing death and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). That study, however, was too small to identify risk factors for mortality, barotrauma and impact on subsequent IMV. Thus, we re-evaluated the efficacy of the same CPAP protocol in a larger series of patients during second and third pandemic waves.

Methods

281 COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (158 full-code and 123 do-not-intubate (DNI)), were managed with high-flow CPAP early in their hospitalisation. IMV was considered after 4 days of unsuccessful CPAP.

Results

The overall recovery rate from respiratory failure was 50% in the DNI and 89% in the full-code group. Among the latter, 71% recovered with CPAP-only, 3% died under CPAP and 26% were intubated after a median CPAP time of 7 days (IQR: 5–12 days). Of the patients who were intubated, 68% recovered and were discharged from the hospital within 28 days. Barotrauma occurred during CPAP in <4% of patients. Age (OR 1.128; p <0.001) and tomographic severity score (OR 1.139; p=0.006) were the only independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusions

Early treatment with CPAP is a safe option for patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19.
Land use and soil characteristics affect soil organisms differently from above-ground assemblages
Authors: Burton Victoria J. , Contu Sara , De Palma Adriana , Hill Samantha L. L. , Albrecht Harald , Bone James S. , Carpenter Daniel , Corstanje Ronald , De Smedt Pallieter , Farrell Mark , Ford Helen V. , Hudson Lawrence N. , Inward Kelly , Jones David T. , Kosewska Agnieszka , Lo-Man-Hung Nancy F. , Magura Tibor , Mulder Christian , Murvanidze Maka , Newbold Tim , Smith Jo , Suarez Andrew V. , Suryometaram Sasha , Tóthmérész Béla , Uehara-Prado Marcio , Vanbergen Adam J. , Verheyen Kris , Wuyts Karen , Scharlemann Jörn P. W. , Eggleton Paul , Purvis Andy
Published: November 2022

Background

Land-use is a major driver of changes in biodiversity worldwide, but studies have overwhelmingly focused on above-ground taxa: the effects on soil biodiversity are less well known, despite the importance of soil organisms in ecosystem functioning. We modelled data from a global biodiversity database to compare how the abundance of soil-dwelling and above-ground organisms responded to land use and soil properties.

Results

We found that land use affects overall abundance differently in soil and above-ground assemblages. The abundance of soil organisms was markedly lower in cropland and plantation habitats than in primary vegetation and pasture. Soil properties influenced the abundance of soil biota in ways that differed among land uses, suggesting they shape both abundance and its response to land use.

Conclusions

Our results caution against assuming models or indicators derived from above-ground data can apply to soil assemblages and highlight the potential value of incorporating soil properties into biodiversity models.
Flooding and herbivory: the effect of concurrent stress factors on plant volatile emissions and gene expression in two heirloom tomato varieties
Authors: Ngumbi Esther , Dady Erinn , Calla Bernarda
Published: November 2022

Background

In nature and in cultivated fields, plants encounter multiple stress factors. Nonetheless, our understanding of how plants actively respond to combinatorial stress remains limited. Among the least studied stress combination is that of flooding and herbivory, despite the growing importance of these stressors in the context of climate change. We investigated plant chemistry and gene expression changes in two heirloom tomato varieties: Cherokee Purple (CP) and Striped German (SG) in response to flooding, herbivory by Spodoptera exigua, and their combination.

Results

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified in tomato plants subjected to flooding and/or herbivory included several mono- and sesquiterpenes. Flooding was the main factor altering VOCs emission rates, and impacting plant biomass accumulation, while different varieties had quantitative differences in their VOC emissions. At the gene expression levels, there were 335 differentially expressed genes between the two tomato plant varieties, these included genes encoding for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamoyl-CoA-reductase-like, and phytoene synthase (Psy1). Flooding and variety effects together influenced abscisic acid (ABA) signaling genes with the SG variety showing higher levels of ABA production and ABA-dependent signaling upon flooding. Flooding downregulated genes associated with cytokinin catabolism and general defense response and upregulated genes associated with ethylene biosynthesis, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and gibberellin biosynthesis. Combining flooding and herbivory induced the upregulation of genes including chalcone synthase (CHS), PAL, and genes encoding BAHD acyltransferase and UDP-glucose iridoid glucosyltransferase-like genes in one of the tomato varieties (CP) and a disproportionate number of heat-shock proteins in SG. Only the SG variety had measurable changes in gene expression due to herbivory alone, upregulating zeatin, and O-glucosyltransferase and thioredoxin among others.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that both heirloom tomato plant varieties differ in their production of secondary metabolites including phenylpropanoids and terpenoids and their regulation and activation of ABA signaling upon stress associated with flooding. Herbivory and flooding together had interacting effects that were evident at the level of plant chemistry (VOCs production), gene expression and biomass markers. Results from our study highlight the complex nature of plant responses to combinatorial stresses and point at specific genes and pathways that are affected by flooding and herbivory combined.
Comparison of analysis methods and design choices for treatment-by-period interaction in unidirectional switch designs: a simulation study
Authors: Zhan Zhuozhao , de Bock Geertruida H. , van den Heuvel Edwin R.
Published: November 2022

Background

Due to identifiability problems, statistical inference about treatment-by-period interactions has not been discussed for stepped wedge designs in the literature thus far. Unidirectional switch designs (USDs) generalize the stepped wedge designs and allow for estimation and testing of treatment-by-period interaction in its many flexible design forms.

Methods

Under different forms of the USDs, we simulated binary data at both aggregated and individual levels and studied the performances of the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) and the marginal model with generalized estimation equations (GEE) for estimating and testing treatment-by-period interactions.

Results

The parallel group design had the highest power for detecting the treatment-by-period interactions. While there was no substantial difference between aggregated-level and individual-level analysis, the GLMM had better point estimates than the marginal model with GEE. Furthermore, the optimal USD for estimating the average treatment effect was not efficient for treatment-by-period interaction and the marginal model with GEE required a substantial number of clusters to yield unbiased estimates of the interaction parameters when the correlation structure is autoregressive of order 1 (AR1). On the other hand, marginal model with GEE had better coverages than GLMM under the AR1 correlation structure.

Conclusion

From the designs and methods evaluated, in general, parallel group design with a GLMM is, preferred for estimation and testing of treatment-by-period interaction in a clustered randomized controlled trial for a binary outcome.