bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Function, Affiliate Stigma, and Caregiver Burden in Turkey
Authors: Kuzu Duygu , Perrin Paul B. , Pugh Mickeal
Published: January 2021

Background

The association among spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) function, caregiver affiliate stigma, and caregiver depression and burden has not been adequately studied. In Turkey, a region with a developing healthcare infrastructure, SCI/D caregivers may have a higher responsibility of care given limited resources and may experience greater psychological distress associated with caregiving than in more developed healthcare systems.

Objective

To examine whether SCI/D function, caregiver affiliate stigma, and caregiver burden and depression in Turkey are associated with each other.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey design.

Setting

Participants were recruited from the Turkish Spinal Cord Injury Foundation and from the SCI/D service at Istanbul Physical Rehabilitation Hospital.

Participants

A total of 82 SCI/D caregivers in Turkey.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Barthel Index, Affiliate Stigma Scale, Zarit Burden Interview, and Patient Health Questionnaire‐9.

Results

In an initial path model using bootstrapping, SCI/D function did not predict affiliate stigma, and once this path was trimmed, a final path model suggested that SCI/D function and affiliate stigma predicted caregiver burden, which in turn predicted caregiver depression. Burden partially mediated the effects of both SCI/D function and affiliate stigma on caregiver depression. All paths in the final model were statistically significant, and the fit indices suggested good fit.

Conclusions

Because affiliate SCI/D function and stigma exerted a cascade of statistical effects across caregiver burden and depression, interventions should be developed and tested to help caregivers cope with low SCI/D function and combat affiliate stigma, preventing it from exerting harmful effects. Previously developed caregiver interventions should be translated and culturally adapted for a Turkish context, given that the burden and depression outcomes these interventions target are highly relevant for Turkish SCI/D caregivers.
Three-year outcomes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells vs purified CD34+ cells in the treatment of angiitis-induced no-option critical limb ischemia and a cost-effectiveness assessment: A randomized single-blinded noninferiority trial
Authors: Liu Hao , Pan Tianyue , Fang Yuan , Fang Gang , Liu Yifan , Jiang Xiaolang , Chen Bin , Wei Zheng , Gu Shiyang , Liu Peng , Fu Weiguo , Dong Zhihui
Published: January 2021

For patients with angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia (AICLI), cell transplantation, such as purified CD34+ cells (PCCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs), is gradually being used as a promising treatment. This was the first randomized single-blinded noninferiority trial (number: NCT 02089828) specifically designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies of the transplantation of PCCs vs those of PBMNCs for the treatment of AICLI. We aimed to compare the mid-term safety and efficacy between the two groups and determine their respective advantages. From April 2014 to September 2019, 50 patients with AICLI were equally allocated to the two groups, except for 1 lost patient, 1 amputee, and 1 patient who died of heart disease. The other 47 patients completed the 36-month follow-up. The endpoints were as follows: major amputation-free survival and total amputation-free survival at 6 months, which were 96.0% and 84.0% in the PBMNCs group and 96.0% and 72.0% in the PCCs group, respectively. These rates remained stable at 12, 24, and 36 months. The PCCs group had a significant higher probability of rest pain relief than the PBMNCs group, whereas earlier significant improvements in the Rutherford classification were observed in the PBMNCs group. Accordingly, PCCs would be preferred for patients with significant pain, whereas PBMNCs may be a good option for patients with two or more critically ischemic limbs. Concerning cost-effectiveness, PCCs are not more cost-effective than PBMNCs. These outcomes require verification from long-term trials involving larger numbers of patients.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Authors: Rosenthal Penny J. , Elkins Becki
Published: January 2021

The editors present a summary of the sourcebook and highlight the future of recovery support for students. Recommendations for the student affairs field and higher education are provided.
Potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal nematodes co‐infecting free ranging non‐human primates in Kenyan urban centres
Authors: Mbuthia Peris , Murungi Edwin , Owino Vincent , Akinyi Mercy , Eastwood Gillian , Nyamota Richard , Lekolool Isaac , Jeneby Maamun
Published: January 2021

Background

Natural infections with soil‐transmitted nematodes occur in non‐human primates (NHPs) and have the potential to cross primate‐species boundaries and cause diseases of significant public health concern. Despite the presence of NHPs in most urban centres in Kenya, comprehensive studies on their gastrointestinal parasites are scant.

Objective

Conduct a cross‐sectional survey to identify zoonotic nematodes in free‐ranging NHPs found within four selected urban and peri‐urban centres in Kenya.

Methods

A total of 86 NHPs: 41 African green monkeys [AGMs] (Chlorocebus aethiops), 30 olive baboons (Papio anubis), 5 blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni) and 10 red‐tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius) were sampled once in situ and released back to their habitat. Microscopy was used to identify nematodes egg and larvae stages in the samples. Subsequently, PCR coupled with high‐resolution melting (PCR‐HRM) analysis and sequencing were used to identify nodule worms.

Results

NHPs inhabiting densely populated urban environs in Kenya were found infected with a rich diversity of nematodes including three potentially zoonotic nematodes including Oesophagostomum stephanostomum, Oesophagostomum bifurcum and Trichostrongylus colubriformis and co‐infections were common.

Conclusion

Phylogenetic analysis showed that O. stephanostomum from red‐tailed and blue monkeys have a close evolutionary relatedness to human isolates suggesting the zoonotic potential of this parasite. Moreover, we also report the first natural co‐infection of O. bifurcum and O. stephanostomum in free‐ranging AGMs.
Machine learnt prediction method for rain erosion damage on wind turbine blades
Authors: Castorrini Alessio , Venturini Paolo , Corsini Alessandro , Rispoli Franco
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a paradigm shift in the numerical simulation approach to predict rain erosion damage on wind turbine blades, given the blade geometry, its coating material, and the atmospheric conditions (wind and rain) expected at the installation site. Contrary to what has been done so far, numerical simulations (flow field and particle tracking) are used not to study a specific (wind and rain) operating condition but to build a large database of possible operating conditions of the blade section. A machine learning algorithm, trained on this database, defines a prediction module that gives the feature of the impact pattern over the 2‐D section, given the wind and rain flow. The advantage of this approach is that the prediction becomes much faster than using the standard simulations; thus, the study of a large set of variable operating conditions becomes possible. The module, coupled with an erosion model, is used to compute the erosion damage of the blade working on specific installation site. In this way, the variations of the flow conditions due to dynamic effects such as variable wind, wind turbulence, and turbine control can be also considered in the erosion computation. Here, we describe the method, the database creation, and the development of the prediction tool. Then, the method is applied to predict the erosion damage on a blade section of a reference wind turbine, after one year of operation in a rainy onshore site. Results are in good agreement with on field observations, showing the potential of the approach.
A comprehensive review on updating concept lattices and its application in updating association rules
Authors: Shemis Ebtesam , Mohammed Ammar
Published: January 2021

Formal concept analysis (FCA) visualizes formal concepts in terms of a concept lattice. Usually, it is an NP‐problem and consumes plenty of time and storage space to update the changes of the lattice. Thus, introducing an efficient way to update and maintain such lattices is a significant area of interest within the field of FCA and its applications. One of those vital FCA applications is the association rule mining (ARM), which aims at generating a loss‐less nonredundant compact Association Rule‐basis (AR‐basis). Currently, the real‐world data rapidly overgrow that asks the need for updating the existing concept lattice and AR‐basis upon data change continually. Intuitively, updating and maintaining an existing concept‐lattice or AR‐basis is much more efficient and consistent than reconstructing them from scratch, particularly in the case of massive data. So far, the area of updating both concept lattice and AR‐basis has not received much attention. Besides, few noncomprehensive studies have focused only on updating the concept lattice. From this point, this article comprehensively introduces basic knowledge regarding updating both concept lattices and AR‐basis with new illustrations, formalization, and examples. Also, the article reviews and compares recent remarkable works and explores the emerging future research trends.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Association Rules

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Knowledge Representation

Technologies > Association Rules
E6(6) exceptional Drinfel’d algebras
Authors: Malek Emanuel , Sakatani Yuho , Thompson Daniel C.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

The exceptional Drinfel’d algebra (EDA) is a Leibniz algebra introduced to provide an algebraic underpinning with which to explore generalised notions of U-duality in M-theory. In essence, it provides an M-theoretic analogue of the way a Drinfel’d double encodes generalised T-dualities of strings. In this note we detail the construction of the EDA in the case where the regular U-duality group is E6(6). We show how the EDA can be realised geometrically as a generalised Leibniz parallelisation of the exceptional generalised tangent bundle for a six-dimensional group manifold G, endowed with a Nambu-Lie structure. When the EDA is of coboundary type, we show how a natural generalisation of the classical Yang-Baxter equation arises. The construction is illustrated with a selection of examples including some which embed Drinfel’d doubles and others that are not of this type.
Coadministration of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin: a retrospective analysis of the WHO pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Rudolph Annette , Dahmke Hendrike , Kupferschmidt Hugo , Burden Andrea , Weiler Stefan
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Tizanidine, an alpha-adrenergic substance with antinociceptive and antihypertensive effects, is extensively metabolized via cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2. Therefore, coadministration with potent CYP1A2 inhibitors, such as ciprofloxacin, is contraindicated. However, both drugs are broadly utilized in various countries. Their concomitant use bears an inherent high risk for clinically significant symptoms, especially in multimorbid patients experiencing polypharmacy. This study aims to investigate the impact of coadministration of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin using real-world pharmacovigilance data and to raise awareness of this potentially underestimated safety issue.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study including Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSR) registered until March 1, 2017, in the World Health Organization (WHO) global database. Demographic data, drug administration information, the course of the adverse drug reaction (ADR), its severity, and outcomes were analyzed for cases reporting ciprofloxacin comedication.

Results

In 91 (2.0%) of the identified 4192 worldwide ICSR on tizanidine, coadministration of ciprofloxacin was reported. Most of the patients were female (n = 59, 64.8%) with a median age of 54 years (range 13–85 years). The countries contributing most reports were the USA (n = 54, 59.3%) and Switzerland (n = 16, 17.6%). ADRs reported most often affected the nervous system and the cardiac function, especially with large tizanidine doses or drugs with CNS and cardiovascular depressant effects. In two cases, a fatal outcome was reported.

Conclusion

Despite the existing formal contraindication, the concomitant use of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin can be observed in real-world clinical practice. Reactions mainly affected the central nervous and the cardiovascular system resulting in potentially severe adverse effects. The concomitant use of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin should absolutely be avoided.
Posterior staphyloma is associated with the microvasculature and microstructure of myopic eyes
Authors: Nie Fen , Ouyang Junyi , Tang Wenquan , Luo Lijia , Cao Mengdan , Zhang Lurong , Zhou Dengming , Liu Ke , Ma Daijin , Duan Xuanchu
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the microvasculature and structural characteristics of the eyes of myopic patients and their association with posterior staphyloma (PS).

Methods

This was a retrospective, case-control study comprising of 106 eyes from 72 individuals. Using 1:1 matching of axial length (AL) of their eyes, patients were allocated into a PS group or no posterior staphyloma (NPS) group. All patients were examined using ultra-widefield fundus imaging, optical coherence tomography angiography, and ocular biometry to acquire microvasculature and microstructure parameters.

Results

The anterior chamber depth (ACD) of the PS group was significantly different from that of the NPS group (3.56 mm vs 3.76 mm, P < 0.001), as was 1ens thickness (3.72 mm vs 3.57 mm, P = 0.005) and spherical equivalent (SE)(-10.11D vs -8.80D, P = 0.014). The PS group had reduced choriocapillaris flow, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and a thinner retinal layer compared with the NPS group. No difference in retinal blood flow between the two groups was observed. The PS group exhibited a smaller disc area (15082.89 vs 17,043.32, P = 0.003) and angle α between temporal retinal arterial vascular arcades (113.29°vs 128.39°, P = 0.003), a larger disc tilt ratio (1.41 vs 1.24, P < 0.001) and parapapillary atrophy (PPA) area (13840.98 vs 8753.86, P = 0.020), compared with the NPS group. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that disc tilt ratio (P = 0.031) and SFCT (P = 0.015) were significant predictors of PS. In addition, PS (P = 0.049), AL (P = 0.003), corneal refractive power (P < 0.001), ACD (P = 0.022), relative lens position (P = 0.045), and disc area (P = 0.011) were significant predictors of SE.

Conclusions

PS was found to be closely linked to a reduction in choriocapillaris perfusion and anatomical abnormalities including posterior and anterior segments. Furthermore, PS exacerbated the progression of myopia.
Testicular STAC3 regulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis through potentiating mitochondrial membrane potential and StAR processing
Authors: Bi Xingyu , Liu Junfen , Xu Suming , Wang Yaoqin , Wu Xueqing
Published: January 2021

SH3 and cysteine-rich protein 3 (STAC3), a small adapter protein originally identified as a core component of excitation–contraction coupling machinery, regulates the voltage-induced Ca2+ release in skeletal muscle. However, the possibility of additional, as yet unknown, non-muscle effects of STAC3 cannot be ruled out. Herein, we provide the evidence for the expression and functional involvement of STAC3 in spermatogenesis. STAC3 expression was localized in the testicular interstitium of rodent and human testes. By using the cytotoxic drug ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS), STAC3 expression was observed to be decreased sharply in rat testis after selective withdrawal of Leydig cells (LCs), and reappeared immediately after LCs repopulation, indicating that testicular expression of STAC3 mainly stems from LCs. From a functional standpoint, in vivo lentiviral vector–mediated suppression of STAC3 resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone production, and thereafter caused impairment of male fertility by inducing oligozoospermia and asthenospermia. The indispensible involvement of STAC3 in testicular steroidogenesis was validated using the in vivo knockdown model with isolated primary LCs as well as in vitro experiments with primary LCs. By generating the TM3Stac3−/− cells, we further revealed that STAC3 depletion attenuated mitochondrial membrane potential and StAR processing in db-cAMP-stimulated LCs. Thus, the inhibitory effect of STAC3 deficiency on testicular steroidogenesis may be ascribed to a disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis. Collectively, the present results strongly suggest that STAC3 may function as a novel regulator linking mitochondrial homeostasis and testicular steroidogenesis in LCs. Our data underscore an unexpected reproductive facet of this muscle-derived factor.
Odor coding in the mammalian olfactory epithelium
Authors: Kurian Smija M. , Naressi Rafaella G. , Manoel Diogo , Barwich Ann-Sophie , Malnic Bettina , Saraiva Luis R.
Published: January 2021

Noses are extremely sophisticated chemical detectors allowing animals to use scents to interpret and navigate their environments. Odor detection starts with the activation of odorant receptors (ORs), expressed in mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) populating the olfactory mucosa. Different odorants, or different concentrations of the same odorant, activate unique ensembles of ORs. This mechanism of combinatorial receptor coding provided a possible explanation as to why different odorants are perceived as having distinct odors. Aided by new technologies, several recent studies have found that antagonist interactions also play an important role in the formation of the combinatorial receptor code. These findings mark the start of a new era in the study of odorant-receptor interactions and add a new level of complexity to odor coding in mammals.
Adaptive temporal processing of odor stimuli
Authors: Brandão Sofia C. , Silies Marion , Martelli Carlotta
Published: January 2021

The olfactory system translates chemical signals into neuronal signals that inform behavioral decisions of the animal. Odors are cues for source identity, but if monitored long enough, they can also be used to localize the source. Odor representations should therefore be robust to changing conditions and flexible in order to drive an appropriate behavior. In this review, we aim at discussing the main computations that allow robust and flexible encoding of odor information in the olfactory neural pathway.
Iatrogenic Kaposi’s sarcoma in myasthenia gravis: learnings from two case reports
Authors: Frangiamore Rita , Giossi Riccardo , Vanoli Fiammetta , Tourlaki Athanasia , Brambilla Lucia , Maggi Lorenzo , Mantegazza Renato
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease whose treatment encompasses acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, oral steroids, and other immunosuppressants. Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a lymphangioproliferative disease associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection and immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, mainly corticosteroids.

Case reports

We present two cases of MG patients treated with oral steroids who developed KS. Patient 1 was diagnosed with three oral KS lesions. Prednisone was discontinued with lesion regression and stabilization, while azathioprine and pyridostigmine prompted control of MG. Patient 2 developed KS lesions on the trunk and lower limbs while taking prednisone and azathioprine. Steroid tapering was started but new oral and lymph nodal lesions appeared. Paclitaxel therapy was introduced and the patient experienced pulmonary embolism and developed sensitive neuropathy. Complete remission of KS lesions was achieved and maintained with azathioprine and pyridostigmine as MG medications.

Conclusions

KS is an uncommon but clinically relevant adverse event (AE) often induced by steroid therapy. It can be controlled by steroid withdrawal but could necessitate chemotherapy, which associates with further potential AEs. Skin evaluation should be performed in all patients with chronic steroid therapy. Steroid-sparing strategies, including new drugs, could reduce KS and other steroid-related comorbidities. HHV-8 testing should be considered before starting chronic immunosuppression.
The optimal rainfall thresholds and probabilistic rainfall conditions for a landslide early warning system for Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
Authors: Lee Won Young , Park Seon Ki , Sung Hyo Hyun
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study is to establish the criteria for a landslide early warning system (LEWS). We accomplished this by deriving optimal thresholds for the cumulative event rainfall–duration (ED) and identifying the characteristics of the rainfall variables associated with a high probability of landslide occurrence via a Bayesian model. We have established these system criteria using rainfall and landslide data for Chuncheon, Republic of Korea. Heavy rainfall is the leading cause of landslides in Chuncheon; thus, it is crucial to determine the rainfall conditions that trigger landslides. Hourly rainfall data spanning 1999 to 2017 from seven gauging stations were utilized to establish the ED thresholds and the Bayesian model. We used three different calibration periods of rainfall events split by 12, 24, 48, and 96 non-rainfall hours to calibrate the ED thresholds. Finally, the optimal threshold was determined by comparing the results of the contingency table and the skill scores that maximize the probability of detection (POD) score and minimize the probability of false detection (POFD) score. In the LEWS, by considering the first level as “normal,” we developed subsequent step-by-step warning levels based on the Bayesian model as well as the ED thresholds. We propose the second level, “watch,” when the rainfall condition is above the ED thresholds. We then adopt the third level, “warning,” and the fourth level, “severe warning,” based on the probability of landslide occurrence determined via a Bayesian model that considers several factors including the rainfall conditions of landslide vs. non-landslide and various rainfall variables such as hourly maximum rainfall and 3-day antecedent rainfall conditions. The proposed alert level predicted a total of 98.2% of the landslide occurrences at the levels of “severe warning” and “warning” as a result of the model fitness verification. The false alarm rate is 0% for the severe warning level and 47.4% for the warning level. We propose using the optimal ED thresholds to forecast when landslides are likely to occur in the local region. Additionally, we propose the ranges of rainfall variables that represent a high landslide probability based on the Bayesian model to set the landslide warning standard that fits the local area’s characteristics.
Rumination as a Mediator of the Prospective Association Between Victimization and Bullying
Authors: Malamut Sarah T. , Salmivalli Christina
Published: January 2021

Although there is evidence of concurrent associations between victimization and bully perpetration, it is still unclear how this relation unfolds over time. This study investigates whether victimization in childhood is a prospective risk factor for bully perpetration in early adolescence, and examines rumination as a socio-cognitive factor that may mediate this association. Participants included 553 third graders (43.2% boys; Mage = 9.85), with follow-up assessments when they were in fourth, seventh, and eighth grade. Results indicated that more frequent victimization in grades 3 and 4 was indirectly associated with bully perpetration in grade 8, through rumination in grade 7 about past victimization experiences in elementary school. This pattern remained regardless of whether the rumination elicited feelings of anger or sadness. Our findings demonstrate one pathway through which frequent victimization can lead to perpetration and underscore the important role of rumination in victims’ subsequent adjustment. Implications for future interventions are discussed.
Stigma, Discrimination, and Hate Crimes in Chinese-Speaking World amid Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Xu Jianhua , Sun Guyu , Cao Wei , Fan Wenyuan , Pan Zhihao , Yao Zhaoyu , Li Han
Published: January 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to stigma, discrimination, and even hate crimes against various populations in the Chinese language–speaking world. Using interview data with victims, online observation, and the data mining of media reports, this paper investigated the changing targets of stigma from the outbreak of Covid-19 to early April 2020 when China had largely contained the first wave of Covid-19 within its border. We found that at the early stage of the pandemic, stigma was inflicted by some non-Hubei Chinese population onto Wuhan and Hubei residents, by some Hong Kong and Taiwan residents onto mainland Chinese, and by some Westerners towards overseas Chinese. With the number of cases outside China surpassing that in China, stigmatization was imposed by some Chinese onto Africans in China. We further explore how various factors, such as the fear of infection, food and mask culture, political ideology, and racism, affected the stigmatization of different victim groups. This study not only improved our understanding of how stigmatization happened in the Chinese-speaking world amid Covid-19 but also contributes to the literature of how sociopolitical factors may affect the production of hate crimes.
Work, Leisure, and Life Satisfaction for Employees with Physical Disabilities in South Korea
Authors: Kim Mihye , Jasper Andrea D. , Lee Jeongmin , Won Hyungjoong
Published: January 2021

Empirical studies on work-life balance (WLB) among employees without disabilities are abundant; in contrast, insufficient research exists on WLB and quality of life issues among employees with physical disabilities from Asian countries. This study used a nation-wide survey to examine how job satisfaction, leisure satisfaction, and satisfaction with family relationships, and satisfaction with friend relationships were positively associated with life satisfaction among employees with physical disabilities in South Korea. The results of the study demonstrated that job satisfaction, leisure satisfaction, and family and friend relationships contributed significantly to the life satisfaction of employees with physical disabilities. Job satisfaction and leisure satisfaction were positively correlated (Pearson’s r = .606). Participants who were satisfied with job and leisure were 16.86 times [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.04–28.31)] more likely to be satisfied with their lives compared to those who were not satisfied with either their jobs or leisure activities. Participants satisfied with either their jobs or leisure activities were 4.49 times (OR 4.49, 95% CI: 2.64–7.65) more likely to be satisfied with their lives compared to those not satisfied with either their jobs or leisure activities. These findings suggest that managing a healthy balance between work and leisure may are critical to enhancing life satisfaction among the population with disabilities. Future research should include cross-cultural studies with sub-dimensions of the measurement scales to improve life satisfaction in this population.
COVID-19 and Quality of Life: Twelve Reflections
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 has severely affected the world since December 2020. Because of its sudden onset and highly contagious nature, the world has responded in a “crisis management” manner. With effective vaccines almost available, it is appropriate at this time to have some reflections about COVID-19 in relation to the quality of life issues. In this paper, we highlight twelve issues for reflection, which can help us better prepared for future pandemics. These include: digital divide, health inequality, gender inequality, economic disadvantage, family well-being, impact on holistic well-being, economic development versus saving lives, consumption versus environmental protection, individual rights versus collective rights, international collaboration versus conflict, prevention of negative well-being, and promotion of positive well-being.
Carbothermic Reduction of Zinc Containing Industrial Wastes: A Kinetic Model
Authors: Leuchtenmueller M. , Legerer C. , Brandner U. , Antrekowitsch J.
Published: January 2021

Effective recycling of zinc-containing industrial wastes, most importantly electric arc furnace dust, is of tremendous importance for the circular economy of the steel and zinc industry. Herein, we propose a comprehensive kinetic model of the combined carbothermic and metallothermic reduction of zinc oxide in a metal bath process. Pyro-metallurgical, large-scale lab experiments of a carbon-saturated iron melt as reduction agent for a molten zinc oxide slag were performed to determine reaction constants and accurately predict mass transfer coefficients of the proposed kinetic model. An experimentally determined kinetic model demonstrates that various reactions run simultaneously during the reduction of zinc oxide and iron oxide. For the investigated slag composition, the temperature-dependent contribution of the metallothermic zinc oxide reduction was between 25 and 50 pct of the overall reaction mechanism. The mass transfer coefficient of the zinc oxide reduction quadrupled from 1400 °C to 1500 °C. The zinc recovery rate was > 99.9 pct in all experiments.
Effects of meteorological factors on the defoliation dynamics of the larch caterpillar (Dendrolimus superans Butler) in the Great Xing’an boreal forests
Authors: Fang Lei , Yu Yue , Fang Guofei , Zhang Xu , Yu Zhijun , Zhang Xudong , Crocker Ellen , Yang Jian
Published: January 2021

Larch caterpillars are widely distributed in the Great Xing’an boreal forests; however, the relationship between caterpillar defoliation dynamics and climatic factors is poorly understood. The aims of this study are to investigate the primary weather conditions that might influence forest defoliation and to identify the most important life stage of the larch caterpillar at which forest defoliation might be mitigated by incorporating more inhibitory influences from climatic factors. The life cycle of the larch caterpillar was partitioned into four stages and multiple linear regression and mixed effect models were combined with a relative weight analysis approach to evaluate the importance and influence of meteorological variables on defoliation dynamics. The results show that warmer temperatures in growing seasons and overwintering periods can increase the defoliation area, while rainy and humid growing seasons decrease the defoliation area. Total precipitation during the early instar larval period had the greatest power to explain the variance in defoliation dynamics and had a very strong inhibitory effect, followed by the accumulative temperatures of the late instar larval period which had a positive impact, and precipitation during the middle instar larval period which had a negative impact. Weather conditions during the early instar larval period had the greatest influence on the area defoliated and accounted for 40% of the explained variance. This study demonstrates that climatic warming and drying will increase the risk of larch caterpillar outbreaks in the Great Xing’an Mountains.
Understanding anthropomorphism in service provision: a meta-analysis of physical robots, chatbots, and other AI
Authors: Blut Markus , Wang Cheng , Wünderlich Nancy V. , Brock Christian
Published: January 2021

An increasing number of firms introduce service robots, such as physical robots and virtual chatbots, to provide services to customers. While some firms use robots that resemble human beings by looking and acting humanlike to increase customers’ use intention of this technology, others employ machinelike robots to avoid uncanny valley effects, assuming that very humanlike robots may induce feelings of eeriness. There is no consensus in the service literature regarding whether customers’ anthropomorphism of robots facilitates or constrains their use intention. The present meta-analysis synthesizes data from 11,053 individuals interacting with service robots reported in 108 independent samples. The study synthesizes previous research to clarify this issue and enhance understanding of the construct. We develop a comprehensive model to investigate relationships between anthropomorphism and its antecedents and consequences. Customer traits and predispositions (e.g., computer anxiety), sociodemographics (e.g., gender), and robot design features (e.g., physical, nonphysical) are identified as triggers of anthropomorphism. Robot characteristics (e.g., intelligence) and functional characteristics (e.g., usefulness) are identified as important mediators, although relational characteristics (e.g., rapport) receive less support as mediators. The findings clarify contextual circumstances in which anthropomorphism impacts customer intention to use a robot. The moderator analysis indicates that the impact depends on robot type (i.e., robot gender) and service type (i.e., possession-processing service, mental stimulus-processing service). Based on these findings, we develop a comprehensive agenda for future research on service robots in marketing.
SEOM Clinical Guideline of management of soft-tissue sarcoma (2020)
Authors: de Juan Ferré A. , Álvarez Álvarez R. , Casado Herráez A. , Cruz Jurado J. , Estival González A. , Martín-Broto J. , Martínez Marín V. , Moreno Vega A. , Sebio García A. , Valverde Morales C.
Published: January 2021

Soft-tissue sarcomas constitute an uncommon and heterogeneous group of tumors of mesenchymal origin. Diagnosis, treatment, and management should be performed by an expert multidisciplinary team. MRI/CT of the primary tumor and biopsy is mandatory before any treatment. Wide surgical resection with tumor-free tissue margin is the mainstay for localized disease. Radiotherapy is indicated in large, deep, high-grade tumors, or after marginal resection not suitable for re-excision. Perioperative chemotherapy should be discussed for high-risk sarcomas of the extremities and trunk-wall. In the case of oligometastatic disease, patients should be considered for local therapies. First-line treatment with anthracyclines (or in combination with ifosfamide) is the treatment of choice. Other drugs have shown activity in second-line therapy and in specific histological subtypes but options are limited and thus, a clinical trial should always be discussed.
Antioxidant Content Determination in Ripe Date Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.): a Scoping Review
Authors: AlFaris Nora Abdullah , AlTamimi Jozaa Zaidan , AlMousa Lujain Abdulaziz , AlGhamidi Fatima Ali , Alzaheb Riyadh A. , Albaridi Najla Abdullah
Published: January 2021

Ripe date fruits are a rich source of antioxidants. The current scoping review was conducted to identify various characteristics of studies that were carried out to determine antioxidant content in ripe date fruits. The framework established by Arksey and O’Malley was adopted to conduct this scoping review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was used as a guide during the review process. Relevant studies published in March 2019 or any time before were retrieved from three databases. Study selection was performed based on specific inclusion criteria. The extracted data from selected studies were organized in a charting table, and then analyzed using descriptive statistics. A sum of thirty-one articles were selected and included in the present scoping review. Various characteristics of the selected studies, collected ripe date fruit samples, and extraction solvents, as well as information about determining antioxidant content and the used analytical methods, citation references for procedures, measurement units, and data presentation methods, have been identified and discussed carefully. High inconsistency and variability were observed among the selected studies. The research gaps and future recommendations to promote higher research design consistency and improve research quality in this area of research have been described.
Genetic and Environmental Factors Contributing to Reproductive Success and Failure in Potato
Authors: Bethke Paul C. , Jansky Shelley H.
Published: January 2021

The foundation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) breeding and the development of new potato varieties is the crossing of parents to produce seeds that contain new combinations of alleles that may be superior to those in either parent. In this review, we begin by highlighting a signature problem of potato breeding, the widespread lack of fertility observed in many lines. We summarize normal development of male and female reproductive structures, fertilization and embryo growth. Various manifestations of male and female sterility are then described. These include defects of meiosis and mitosis, bud abscission, competition between reproductive structures and tubers for resources, and cytoplasmic male sterility. Effects of environmental determinants, such as temperature and light intensity, on fertility are discussed. Finally, suggested best practices that promote fertility are provided as a guide for those conducting breeding and genetics work with potato.
Erratum to: Exciton recycling via InP quantum dot funnels for luminescent solar concentrators
Authors: Bahmani Jalali Houman , Sadeghi Sadra , Baylam Isinsu , Han Mertcan , Ow-Yang Cleva W. , Sennaroglu Alphan , Nizamoglu Sedat
Published: January 2021

The article “Exciton recycling via InP quantum dot funnels for luminescent solar concentrators” written by Houman Bahmani Jalali1,§, Sadra Sadeghi2,§, Isinsu Baylam3,4, Mertcan Han5, Cleva W. Ow-Yang6, Alphan Sennaroglu3,4, and Sedat Nizamoglu1,2,5 (✉), was originally published Online First without Open Access. After publication online first, the author decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an Open Access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to © The Author(s) 2020 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

The original article has been corrected.
Air bronchogram integrated lung ultrasound score to monitor community-acquired pneumonia in a pilot pediatric population
Authors: Inchingolo Riccardo , Copetti Roberto , Smargiassi Andrea , Gerardi Rafael Emanuele , Conte Emanuele Giovanni , Corbo Giuseppe Maria , Gatto Antonio , Pierandrei Chiara , Capossela Lavinia , Lazzareschi Ilaria , Valentini Piero , Demi Libertario
Published: January 2021

Aims

Chest ultrasound is a non-invasive method for evaluating children with suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We evaluated the prognostic role of change of ultrasonographic (US) air bronchogram in management of CAP in terms of: rate of complicated CAP, change of empiric antibiotic therapy, relationship to defervescence time, and length of hospitalization.

Methods

Patients with CAP and radiographic evidence of lung consolidation were prospectively enrolled. Chest US examinations were performed within 12 h from admission and after 48 h. A new grading system (USINCHILD score) based on presence and features of air bronchogram was adopted.

Results

Thirty six patients were stratified into two groups according to the presence of an increase of at least 1 grade of US score (Δ US grade), expression of an improvement of lung consolidation. Δ US grade after 48 h ≥ 1 was associated with an increased risk of complicated CAP (p value 0.027) and a longer defervescence time (p value 0.036). Moreover, Δ US grade ≥ 1 was predictive of a short hospitalization (p value 0.008).

Conclusions

USINCHILD score could be an innovative biotechnology tool for the management of pediatric CAP.

Trial registration number and date of registration

NCT03556488, June 14, 2018.

Graphic abstract
Genesis of Palygorskite in the Neogene Baiyanghe Formation in Yangtaiwatan Basin, Northwest China, Based on the Mineralogical Characteristics and Occurrence of Enriched Trace Elements and Ree
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Liu Lihui , Liu Qinfu , Zhang Bingjie , Qiao Zhichuan , Teppen Brian J.
Published: January 2021

Palygorskite-rich mudstone interbedded with gypsum occurs in the Neogene Baiyanghe Formation in the Yangtaiwatan basin, northwest China, but the genesis of palygorskite in the mudstone is unclear. The objective of the present study was to clarify the manner by which the palygorskite evolved by analyzing the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the mudstone. The mineralogical composition of bulk-rock mudstone consisted of clay minerals, quartz, feldspar, dolomite, calcite, and gypsum. Palygorskite is dominant in the clay fraction together with illite and accessory chlorite and kaolinite. The interwoven rod-like palygorskite aggregates and delicate palygorskite particles indicated an authigenic origin. The bulk rock of palygorskite-rich mudstone was rich in the trace elements Cs, U, B, Li, Sb, Bi, and As, which, together with REE, all showed very positive correlation with major element oxides Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, K2O, and TiO2 of the mudstone, indicating that the REE and trace elements occurred mainly in the clay minerals. The detrital illite, chlorite, and kaolinite were the main original host of the REE and enriched trace elements. Statistical analyses showed that the authigenic palygorskite had strong affinity to such elements compared to the detrital clay minerals. In addition, the chondrite-normalized REE of the bulk mudstone showed essentially the same pattern irrespective of the proportions of detrital illite, kaolinite, chlorite, and authigenic palygorskite present in the samples. Thus, the conclusion reached was that palygorskite was generated from the dissolution of detrital clay minerals. The REE and enriched trace elements in authigenic palygorskite were inherited from the detrital clay minerals.
Adoption Medicine and the Internationally Adopted Child
Authors: Nicholson Laura A.
Published: January 2021

Throughout its history, this nation has opened its doors to people who, for more reasons than anyone can count, have needed new homes. It has taken us in, given us new lives. Adopted us.

Dave and Susan brought five-year-old Liliana home from Romania in January. The couple was ecstatic about their new beautiful blonde-haired daughter. They had waited months for Liliana after beginning the international adoption process with a reputable agency based in the United States. Many aspects of the process—carrying large amounts of cash to Romania, bribing officials to release their new daughter from the orphanage and the total lack of information about Liliana's health or background—had disturbed them. Dave and Susan were relieved when Liliana received a visa to travel to the United States because they thought that the physical examination for her visa had revealed nothing of import. Their concerns disappeared when they boarded the plane to head home to the United States. Liliana seemed healthy and happy, and she would adjust in no time.
Clinical Uncertainty and Healthcare Disparities
Authors: Balsa Ana I. , Seiler Naomi , McGuire Thomas G. , Gregg Bloche M.
Published: January 2021

The Institute of Medicine Report, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities, affirms in its first finding: “Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare exist and, because they are associated with worse outcomes in many cases, are unacceptable.” The mechanisms that generate racial and ethnic disparities in medical care operate at the levels of the healthcare system and the clinical encounter. Research demonstrates the role of healthcare system factors, including differences in insurance coverage and other determinants of healthcare access, in producing disparities. Research also shows, however, that even when insurance status and other measures of access are controlled for by statistical methods, racial and ethnic disparities persist. These disparities remain when researchers try by various methods to control for patients’ clinical characteristics. Disparities are especially well documented through comparisons between white patients and African Americans and Latinos, but they are believed to affect other minority groups. As a result, many members of minority racial and ethnic groups receive less or inferior care.
Medical Care as a Public Accommodation: Moving the Discussion to Race
Authors: Teitelbaum Joel , Rosenbaum Sara
Published: January 2021

This Article explores the concept of public accommodation in a civil rights context and presents an argument for revising the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Act) to extend public accommodation obligations to private healthcare providers and the healthcare industry as a whole, regardless of their participation in federally assisted programs. To the extent that the Act currently reaches healthcare conduct within a relatively narrow definition of “federal assistance,” this view has been eclipsed by the evolution of social attitudes toward the community-wide obligation of healthcare providers, U.S. civil rights policy at both the federal and state levels, the enormity of the federal investment in the U.S. health system and changing concepts of basic health quality. This analysis begins with a brief overview of the current structure of U.S. civil rights law in the context of racial and ethnic minority groups’ access to healthcare.
Children's learning and development in conflict- and crisis-affected countries: Building a science for action
Authors: Aber J. Lawrence , Tubbs Dolan Carly , Kim Ha Yeon , Brown Lindsay
Published: January 2021

This paper critically reviews the opportunities and challenges in designing and conducting actionable research on the learning and development of children in conflict- and crisis-affected countries. We approached our review through two perspectives championed by Edward Zigler: (a) child development and social policy and (b) developmental psychopathology in context. The aim of the work was to answer the following questions: What works to enhance children's learning and development in such contexts? By what mechanisms? For whom? Under what conditions? How do experiences and conditions of crisis affect the basic processes of children's typical development? The review is based on a research–practice partnership started in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2010 and expanded to research in Niger and Lebanon in 2016. The focus of the research is on the impact of Healing Classrooms (a set of classroom practices) and Healing Classrooms Plus (an additional set of targeted social and emotional learning activities), developed by the International Rescue Committee,on children's academic outcomes and social and emotional learning. We sought to extract lessons from this decade of research for building a global developmental science for action. Special attention is paid to the importance of research–practice partnerships, conceptual frameworks, measurement and methodology. We conclude by highlighting several essential features of a global developmental science for action.