bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saliency Detection in Weak Light Images via Optimal Feature Selection-Guided Seed Propagation
Authors: Mu Nan , Wang Hongyu , Zhang Yu , Han Hongyu , Yang Jun
Published: September 2021

Salient object detection has a wide range of applications in computer vision tasks. Although tremendous progress has been made in recent decades, the weak light image still poses formidable challenges to current saliency models due to its low illumination and low signal-to-noise ratio properties. Traditional hand-crafted features inevitably encounter great difficulties in handling images with weak light backgrounds, while most of the high-level features are unfavorable to highlight visually salient objects in weak light images. In allusion to these problems, an optimal feature selection-guided saliency seed propagation model is proposed for salient object detection in weak light images. The main idea of this paper is to hierarchically refine the saliency map by learning the optimal saliency seeds in weak light images recursively. Particularly, multiscale superpixel segmentation and entropy-based optimal feature selection are first introduced to suppress the background interference. The initial saliency map is then obtained by the calculation of global contrast and spatial relationship. Moreover, local fitness and global fitness are used to optimize the prediction saliency map. Extensive experiments on six datasets show that our saliency model outperforms 20 state-of-the-art models in terms of popular evaluation criteria.
The Effectiveness of RAADS-R as a Screening Tool for Adult ASD Populations
Authors: Jones Sarah L , Johnson Maria , Alty Bronwen , Adamou Marios
Published: September 2021

Adult referrals to specialist autism spectrum disorder diagnostic services have increased in recent years, placing strain on existing services. It was proposed that the Ritvo Autism Asperger’s Diagnostic Scale could be used as a screening tool, in order to identify and prioritise patients most likely to receive an ASD diagnosis. This study evaluates the validity of the RAADS-R as a screening tool for ASD in an adult population. Retrospective case note analysis was used to evaluate the efficacy of the RAADS-R as a screening tool to predict ASD diagnostic outcomes in 50 service users of a NHS specialist autism service. Results indicate no association between RAADS-R scores and clinical diagnostic outcome, suggesting the RAADS-R is not an effective screening tool for identifying service users most likely to receive an ASD diagnosis. In conclusion, used as a self-report measure pre-full diagnostic assessment, the RAADS-R lacks predictive validity and is not a suitable screening tool for adults awaiting autism assessments. Future research should aim to identify reliable screening tools for this purpose.
Predictors of Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and CAR T-cell Therapy
Authors: Tamari Roni , Politikos Ioannis , Knorr David A. , Vardhana Santosha A. , Young Jennifer C. , Marcello LeeAnn T. , Doddi Sital , Devlin Sean M. , Ramanathan Lakshmi V. , Pessin Melissa S. , Dunn Erica , Palazzo Meighan , Bravo Christina D. , Papanicolaou Genovefa A. , Kamboj Mini , Perales Miguel Angel , Chung David J. , Shah Gunjan L.
Published: September 2021

Cellular therapies including allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) and autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (auto-HCT) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy render patients severely immunocompromised for extended periods after therapy, and data on responses to COVID-19 vaccines are limited. We analyzed anti–SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG Ab (spike Ab) titers and neutralizing Ab among 217 recipients of cellular treatments (allo-HCT, n = 149; auto-HCT, n = 61; CAR T-cell therapy, n = 7). At 3 months after vaccination, 188 patients (87%) had positive spike Ab levels and 139 (77%) had positive neutralization activity compared with 100% for both in 54 concurrent healthy controls. Time from cellular therapy to vaccination and immune recovery post–cellular therapy were associated with response. Vaccination against COVID-19 is an important component of post–cellular therapy care, and predictors of quantitative and qualitative response are critical in informing clinical decisions about optimal timing of vaccines and the requirement for booster doses.

Significance:

Identifying predictors of response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients following cellular therapy is critical to managing this highly vulnerable patient population. To date, this is the most comprehensive study evaluating quantitative and qualitative responses to vaccination, providing parameters most predictive of response and potentially informing booster vaccination strategies.

See related article by Chung et al., p. 568.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 549
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Peritonitis due to Hematogenous Dissemination from Central Venous Catheter in a Maintenance Dialysis Patient
Authors: Alfano Gaetano , Frisina Monica , Morisi Niccolò , Ascione Elisabetta , Fontana Francesco , Mori Giacomo , Cerami Caterina , Serra Francesco , Cabry Francesca , Bonucchi Decenzio , Gelmini Roberta , Guaraldi Giovanni , Magistroni Riccardo , Cappelli Gianni
Published: September 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly associated with severe infections in hospitalized patients. S. aureus produces many virulence factors leading to local and distant pathological processes. Invasiveness of S. aureus generally induces metastatic infections such as bacteremia, infective endocarditis, osteomyelitis, arthritis, and endophthalmitis. Peritoneal localization from extra-abdominal infection can be a potential consequence of S. aureus infection. Two cases of metastatic peritonitis have been described in patients on peritoneal dialysis with concomitant peripheral vascular catheter-related bloodstream infection. We reported a case of peritoneal metastatic infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis. A 37-year-old man was admitted with fever and chill due to jugular central vascular catheter (CVC)-related bloodstream infection caused by MRSA. CVC was placed after switching the patient from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis for scarce adherence to fluid restriction. Detection of MRSA on the peritoneal effluent combined with a total white blood cell count of 554 cells/mm3 prompted the diagnosis of satellite MRSA peritonitis. Antibiotic treatment with daptomycin and simultaneous CVC and peritoneal catheter removal resolved the infectious process. No further metastatic localizations were detected elsewhere. In conclusion, S. aureus can induce metastatic infections far from the site of primary infection. As reported in this case, peritonitis can be secondary to the hematogenous dissemination of S. aureus especially in hospitalized patients having a central line.
Heart Failure Events in a Clinical Trial on Arterial Hypertension: New Insights Into the SPRINT Trial
Authors: Sobieraj Piotr , Nilsson Peter M. , Kahan Thomas
Published: September 2021

SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) showed that intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure to <120 mm Hg was beneficial, as compared with standard treatment in which systolic blood pressure is lowered to <140 mm Hg. The proposal that the results of SPRINT were mainly driven by the reduction of heart failure events has undermined the main conclusion of the study. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether the intensive treatment group was also associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events when heart failure events were excluded from the primary composite end point. The SPRINT data were analyzed with a redefined composite end point including myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome other than myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death (excluding heart failure events). The results show that intensive treatment (<120 mm Hg) is associated with a reduced risk for the redefined composite end point (hazard ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.66–0.95];
P
=0.012), as compared with the standard treatment (<140 mm Hg), and with results similar to the original SPRINT findings (hazard ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.64–0.89];
P
<0.001). Overall, the main results of SPRINT are not driven by a reduction in heart failure events. Moreover, this post hoc analysis supports the use of a more intensive treatment strategy for high-risk hypertensive patients.

Graphic Abstract:

An online
graphic abstract
is available for this article.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of Cuffless Blood Pressure Measurement Devices: Challenges and Proposals
Authors: Mukkamala Ramakrishna , Yavarimanesh Mohammad , Natarajan Keerthana , Hahn Jin-Oh , Kyriakoulis Konstantinos G. , Avolio Alberto P. , Stergiou George S.
Published: September 2021

Several novel cuffless wearable devices and smartphone applications claiming that they can measure blood pressure (BP) are appearing on the market. These technologies are very attractive and promising, with increasing interest among health care professionals for their potential use. Moreover, they are becoming popular among patients with hypertension and healthy people. However, at the present time, there are serious issues about BP measurement accuracy of cuffless devices and the 2021 European Society of Hypertension Guidelines on BP measurement do not recommend them for clinical use. Cuffless devices have special validation issues, which have been recently recognized. It is important to note that the 2018 Universal Standard for the validation of automated BP measurement devices developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the European Society of Hypertension, and the International Organization for Standardization is inappropriate for the validation of cuffless devices. Unfortunately, there is an increasing number of publications presenting data on the accuracy of novel cuffless BP measurement devices, with inadequate methodology and potentially misleading conclusions. The objective of this review is to facilitate understanding of the capabilities and limitations of emerging cuffless BP measurement devices. First, the potential and the types of these devices are described. Then, the unique challenges in evaluating the BP measurement accuracy of cuffless devices are explained. Studies from the literature and computer simulations are employed to illustrate these challenges. Finally, proposals are given on how to evaluate cuffless devices including presenting and interpreting relevant study results.
Sphaerosporella microspora (Pyronemataceae, Pezizales), a novel species from Southern China
Authors: CHEN YAN-LIU , PAN XUE-YU , SONG JIE , LIANG JUN-FENG
Published: September 2021

Sphaerosporella microspora is described as a new species based on morphological and molecular data. It is characterized by its sessile apothecia, surface smooth, ectal excipulum composed of cylindrical and angular cells, globose and smooth ascospores, and unmodified paraphyses. A detailed description, photographs of the fruit body and microstructure diagrams are provided.
Two new species of Viridantha (Tillandsioideae; Bromeliaceae)
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ-CÁRDENAS RODRIGO ALEJANDRO , ESPEJO-SERNA ADOLFO , LÓPEZ-FERRARI ANA ROSA
Published: September 2021

Viridantha pachycaule and V. paraisoensis, from the states of Jalisco and Querétaro, Mexico respectively, are described and illustrated as new to science. The proposed taxa are compared with V. mauryana and V. yagulensis, species with which they have some similarities. Morphological descriptions, images and a distribution map of the described taxa are included.
Mejdalania, a new genus and three new species of Neocoelidiinae from Brazil (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: GONÇALVES CLAYTON C.
Published: September 2021

A new Brazilian leafhopper genus of the subfamily Neocoelidiinae is proposed. Mejdalania gen. nov. is described based on three new species: Mejdalania bia sp. nov. from the state of Acre, M. longa sp. nov. from the state of Amazonas and M. unciformis sp. nov. from the state of Mato Grosso. A distribution map of Mejdalania species and an identification key for the species of the genus are provided.
Lead Isotopes in North American Precipitation Record the Presence of Saharan Dust
Authors: Scott Sean R. , Dunion Jason P. , Olson Mark L. , Gay David A.
Published: September 2021

Atmospheric dust is an important mass transfer and nutrient supply process in Earth surface ecosystems. For decades, Saharan dust has been hypothesized as a supplier of nutrients to the Amazon rainforest and eastern North America. However, isotope studies aimed at detecting Saharan dust in the American sedimentary record have been ambiguous. A large Saharan dust storm emerged off the coast of Africa in June 2020 and extended into the southeastern United States. This storm provided a means to evaluate the influence of Saharan dust in North America confirmed by independent satellite and ground observations. Precipitation samples from 17 sites within the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) were obtained from throughout the southeastern United States prior to, during, and after the arrival of Saharan dust. Precipitation samples were measured for their lead (Pb) isotopic composition, total Pb content, and 210Pb activity using multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We measured a significant isotopic shift (approximately 0.7% in the 208Pb/206Pb relative to the 207Pb/206Pb) in precipitation that peaked in late June 2020 when the dust blanketed the southeastern United States. However, the magnitude and short time period of the isotopic shift would make it difficult to detect in sedimentary records.
A local-to-large scale view of Maritime Continent rainfall: control by ENSO, MJO and equatorial waves
Authors: Peatman Simon C. , Schwendike Juliane , Birch Cathryn E. , Marsham John H. , Matthews Adrian J. , Yang Gui-Ying
Published: September 2021

The canonical view of the Maritime Continent (MC) diurnal cycle is deep convection occurring over land during the afternoon and evening, tending to propagate offshore overnight. However, there is considerable day-to-day variability in the convection, and the mechanism of the offshore propagation is not well understood. We test the hypothesis that large-scale drivers such as ENSO, the MJO and equatorial waves, through their modification of the local circulation, can modify the direction or strength of the propagation, or prevent the deep convection from triggering in the first place. Taking a local-to-large scale approach we use in situ observations, satellite data and reanalyses for five MC coastal regions, and show that the occurrence of the diurnal convection and its offshore propagation is closely tied to coastal wind regimes we define using the k-means cluster algorithm. Strong prevailing onshore winds are associated with a suppressed diurnal cycle of precipitation; while prevailing offshore winds are associated with an active diurnal cycle, offshore propagation of convection and a greater risk of extreme rainfall. ENSO, the MJO, equatorial Rossby waves and westward mixed Rossby-gravity waves have varying levels of control over which coastal wind regime occurs, and therefore on precipitation, depending on the MC coastline in question. The large-scale drivers associated with dry and wet regimes are summarised for each location as a reference for forecasters.
Atmospheric Rivers over the Indo-Pacific and its Associations with Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation
Authors: Guo Xiaojun , Zhao Ning , Kikuchi Kazuyoshi , Nasuno Tomoe , Nakano Masuo , Annamalai H.
Published: September 2021

Recent works have revealed that the wintertime atmospheric river (AR) activity is closely related to the 30–60-day tropical intraseasonal variability, yet it remains unclear whether summertime AR activity is also significantly influenced by the intraseasonal variability, often referred to as the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO). Diagnosing the 40-year (1979–2018) ERA5 reanalysis dataset, the present study examines the climatological features of ARs over the Indo-Pacific region during June to October and its associations with the BSISO. Results suggest that the western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH) provides a favorable circulation background for the summertime AR activity, which conveys the moisture from the tropics to midlatitude North Pacific along its periphery. Our analysis reveals that the BSISO has substantial impacts on the occurrence and distribution of ARs. More ARs are found over the western North Pacific (WNP) when the BSISO convective envelope propagates northward to the subtropical regions, while fewer ARs can be seen when convection is suppressed there. Specifically, in phases 7–8, the active BSISO convection over the Philippine Sea induces a low-pressure anomaly and the corresponding anomalous cyclonic circulation, leading to the enhanced poleward moisture transport and more frequent AR activity over the WNP. Moreover, the WNP ARs tend to be longer and have larger sizes during these two phases. It is also found that more frequent occurrence of tropical cyclones in phases 7–8 can significantly enhance the moisture transport and AR occurrence over the WNP.
Asymmetric impact of the Scandinavian pattern on stratospheric circulation anomalies
Authors: Pang Bo , Scaife Adam A. , Lu Riyu , Ren Rongcai
Published: September 2021

This study investigates the stratosphere-troposphere coupling associated with the Scandinavian (SCA) pattern in boreal winter. The results indicate that the SCA impacts stratospheric circulation but that its positive and negative phases have different effects. The positive phase of the SCA (SCA+) pattern is restricted to the troposphere, but the negative phase (SCA−) extends to the upper stratosphere. The asymmetry between phases is also visible in the lead-lag evolution of the stratosphere and troposphere. Prominent stratospheric anomalies are found to be intensified following SCA+events, but prior to SCA−events. Further analysis reveals that the responses are associated with upward propagation of planetary waves, especially wavenumber 1 which is asymmetric between SCA phases. The wave amplitudes in the stratosphere, originating from the troposphere, are enhanced after the SCA+events and before the SCA−events. Furthermore, the anomalous planetary wave activity can be understood through its interference with climatological stationary waves. Constructive wave interference is accompanied by clear upward propagation in the SCA+events, while destructive interference suppresses stratospheric waves in the SCA−events. Our results also reveal that the SCA+events are more likely to be followed by sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events, because of the deceleration of stratospheric westerlies following the SCA+events.
The efficacy of Tranexamic Acid Administration in Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kuo Cathleen C. , DeGiovanni Jason C. , Carr Michele M.
Published: September 2021

Objective:

There is controversy regarding the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing tonsillectomy-related hemorrhage. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prophylactic role of TXA in tonsillectomy.

Methods:

We searched 6 databases to identify studies that directly compare the effect of TXA versus controls in tonsillectomy patients. Standardized mean difference was applied to summate the findings across the studies. Dichotomous data were expressed as relative risk.

Results:

Ten studies representing a total of 111 898 patients were included. The pooled results showed a significant reduction of intraoperative blood loss by 39.02 ml (SMD = −1.05, 95% CI: −1.91 to −0.20, P = .016) and the rate of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (RR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.65, P < .0001), with no significant difference in reduction of further intervention risk (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.35, P = .373).

Conclusions:

Overall, this study indicates that TXA may reduce blood loss and frequency of post-operative hemorrhage associated with tonsillectomy. Further large, high-quality clinical trials are still needed to explore TXA’s effect on post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage and the safety of its use.
Exploring the phenomenon of suicidal behaviour (SB): An explanatory, mixed-method study in rural Pakistan
Authors: Yousafzai Abdul Wahab , Khan Sheraz Ahmad , Bano Shakila , Khan Murad Moosa
Published: September 2021

Background:

Despite scientific literature and media reports of rising cases of suicide and attempted suicide in different parts of Pakistan, the extent of this problem remains unknown, particularly from outside the main urban centres of the country.

Aims:

To report data on Suicidal Behaviour (SB) from Malakand Division, a rural and marginalised part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, explore aetiological factors and propose preventive strategies.

Methods:

This study followed an explanatory, mixed-method study design. The first part quantitative [QUANT] comprised of police reports on suicidal behaviour, from 2001 till first 8 months of 2018. Detailed analysis of only data from 2013 was undertaken, as data prior to 2013 contained insufficient information. The second part that is, qualitative (QUAL) consisted of in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders. A mixed method of inductive and deductive analytical approach was used.

Results:

From 2013 until the first quarter of 2018, the police recorded 1,645 attempts of both males and females of which 144 (8.75%) resulted in fatalities. Suicide attempts rose by 83.4% over the 5 years and 8 months. Approximately, 43.3% of the attempts were attributed to ‘depression’. Domestic abuse was reported in 49.6% of cases. Of the total victims, 1,049 (63.7%) were females, whereas 60.1% were married. Ingestion of the organophosphates poison (pesticide) was reported in 53.2% ( n = 999) of suicide attempts. In more than 90% of the non-fatal suicide attempts, victims were booked under punitive laws. Poor socio-economic status, inter-personal stressors, violence against women and mental illnesses were the major causes of suicidal behaviour in Malakand [QUAL]. Investment in human development, strengthening of the healthcare system, de-stigmatisation of mental illnesses and women empowerment could possibly prevent suicidal behaviour in Malakand [QUAL].

Conclusion:

SB in Malakand Division is steadily increasing. The increase is more evident in vulnerable populations such as women and the younger population. ‘Psychosocial stressors’ and ‘depression’ were the main causes of suicidal behaviour. A broad-based, proactive, multi-sectorial approach is needed to prevent SB in the region.
Explaining Public-Private Partnership Projects through Political Factors: An Assessment of Developing Countries
Authors: Peña-Miguel Noemí , Cuadrado-Ballesteros Beatriz
Published: September 2021

This article analyses the effect of political factors on the use of Public Private Partnerships in developing countries. According to a sample of 80 low- and middle-income countries over the period 1995–2017, our findings suggest that Public Private Partnership projects are affected by political ideology, the strength of the government and electoral cycles. Concretely, they tend to be used by left-wing governments to a greater extent than governments with other ideologies. Public Private Partnerships also tend to be more frequently used by fragmented governments and when there is greater political competition. There is also some evidence (although slight) on the relevance of the proximity of elections in explaining Public Private Partnerships in developing countries.
Living differently? A feminist-Bourdieusian analysis of the transformative power of basic income
Authors: Ketterer Hanna
Published: September 2021

This article examines the idea that basic income has transformative power. It does so by scrutinising Erik O. Wright’s theory of transformation from a feminist-Bourdieusian perspective. Rather than assuming a direct link between basic income and actors’ turning away from the capitalist labour market, this is a perspective that emphasises conditions of possibilities for practices beyond paid work and employment. To explore actors’ practices, I analyse how basic income would interact with both the objectified social structures and incorporated dispositions – above all, with actors’ dominant disposition to paid work. I argue that for basic income to transform capitalism, a transformation of the habitus is needed.
More Than Making Do: Towards a Generative Account of Getting by on Welfare Benefits
Authors: Mitchell Emma
Published: September 2021

The narrowing eligibility and increasing conditionality of social security payments in Anglophone liberal democracies like Australia has been accompanied by growing attention to the ways benefit recipients navigate the personal and practical challenges of life amid welfare reforms. This article reorients the study of getting by on welfare benefits to focus on the material and affective investment in making life liveable. I argue that the generative dimension of getting by is suggested but submerged within the reactive orientation of much welfare scholarship on coping and resilience. This article takes up the challenge of telling sociological stories of hope in hardship without romanticising everyday struggle. It does so by focusing on the pleasures, pursuits and projects – however modest and muted – that sustain a liveable life in hardship but do not necessarily conform to normative ideas of ‘good resilience’.
Comparative Effects of Computer-Based Reading Programs on the Early Literacy Skills of At-Risk Students
Authors: Pindiprolu Sekhar S. , Forbush David E.
Published: September 2021

Students displaying reading difficulties/disabilities at the end of third grade are unlikely to succeed in content areas and graduate from high school. One alternative to meeting the learning needs of students is to provide explicit instructional support in basic literacy skills through computer-based reading programs via after-school programs. This study examined the effects of two computer-based reading programs on the reading skills of 71 randomly assigned at-risk students using a pre–post-test design. Furthermore, tutor and students’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness and desirability of the programs were examined. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the programs on the Word Use Fluency measure and both computer-based programs were effective in facilitating the growth of basic early literacy skills of students at-risk for reading failure. A description of the computer programs, results, implications, and limitations of the study are discussed.
Cyclic Variation of Spectral Parameters for the Differentiation of Atrial Myocardium Before and Immediately Following Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: Anjewierden Scott , Wazni Oussama M. , Vince D. Geoffrey , Kanj Mohamed , Saliba Walid , Fedewa Russell J.
Published: September 2021

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a common treatment of atrial fibrillation. However, current treatment is associated with a greater than 20% recurrence rate, in part due to inadequate monitoring of tissue viability during ablation. Spectral parameters, in particular cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (CVIB), have shown promise as early indicators of myocardial recovery from ischemia. Our aim was to demonstrate the use of spectral parameters to differentiate atrial myocardium before and after radiofrequency ablation. An AcuNav 10 F catheter was used to collect radiofrequency signals from the posterior wall of the left atrium of patients before and immediately after RFA for AF. The normalized power spectrum was obtained and three spectral parameters (integrated backscatter [IB], slope, and intercept) were extracted across two continuous heart cycles. Parameters were gated for ventricular end-diastole and compared before and after ablation. Additionally, the cyclic variation of each of these three parameters was generated as an average of the variation across the two recorded heart cycles. Data from 14 patients before and after ablation demonstrated a significant difference in the magnitude of the cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (9.0 vs. 6.0 dB, p < .001) and cyclic variation of the intercept (14.0 vs. 11.5 dB, p = .04). No significant difference was noted in the magnitude of the cyclic variation of the slope. Among spectral parameters gated for end-diastole, significant differences were noted in the slope (−4.39 vs. −3.73 dB/MHz, p = .002) and intercept (16.8 vs. 11.9 dB, p = .002). No significant difference was noted in the integrated backscatter. Spectral parameters are able to differentiate atrial myocardium before and immediately following ablation and may be useful in monitoring atrial ablations.
From Poacher to Protector of Attention: The Therapeutic Turn of Persuasive Technology and Ethics of a Smartphone Habit-breaking Application
Authors: Beattie Alex
Published: September 2021

This paper critically investigates the ethical perspectives and practices of individuals and organizations who make persuasive technologies (“persuasive technologists”). An organization that claims to be at the forefront of ethical persuasion is behavioral software company Boundless Mind. Yet Boundless Mind sells ostensibly oxymoronic software products: an Application Programming Interface for third-party applications that optimizes the capture of end user attention, and an application for end users on how to make third-party applications less persuasive. Drawing upon Foucault’s interpretation of ethics as an “aesthetics of existence” and the related concept of “therapeutic authority,” I argue Boundless Mind justify the “poaching” and “protecting” of user attention based on a view of the human subject as fixable and their capability to instrumentalize user subjectivity to socially desirable ends. I walkthrough Boundless Mind’s technology-habit-breaking application Space and highlight a behavioral technique administered by Space called stimulus devaluation, which enables the user to develop a transformative relationship with their technology habits and persuasive applications. I conclude the paper by arguing that a persuasive technology ethics based on fixing the user obfuscates the power of persuasive technologists by limiting the scope of ethical inquiry to the activities of the user.
Games and data capture culture: play in the era of accelerated neoliberalism
Authors: Tulloch Rowan , Johnson Craig
Published: September 2021

The last decade has seen the rise of data capture culture. This culture has been most visible, and widely analysed, within the realm of social media; but it is not unique to that form. This article reconceptualises video games as apparatuses for data capture. We situate games within a broader economic and cultural shift towards a new ‘accelerated’ form of neoliberalism where individual choice and agency are pre-filtered and personalised by algorithms based on user data history. Through a survey of the changing role of data in video gaming, this article critically maps a new paradigm for a reimagined games industry driven by a logic of data capture. Gaming promises a unique opportunity for data capture capitalists to mine and commodify player preferences, behaviours and instinctual responses. Arguing that play is a process of uncovering hidden logics, we offer a framework for resisting the data capture hegemony. This is not simply a discussion of gaming, rather this is an attempt to outline the conditions of possibility for a critique of globalised digital culture in which populations are profiled, processed and punished by hidden algorithms of the market that are optimised to construct and reward accelerated performances of neoliberal subjectivity.
Subjective perceptions of age-related gains buffer negative associations of perceived age-related losses with health, well-being, and engagement
Authors: Windsor Tim D. , Abbott Mandy J. , Cations Monica , Howard Alexis J. , Wilton-Harding Bethany
Published: September 2021

People reflect on their own aging, and this subjective awareness has an influence on developmental outcomes. Scholars have recently operationalized subjective aging in terms of awareness of age-related change (AARC), which captures awareness of both gains and losses. We examined associations of AARC-gains and AARC-losses with physical functioning, subjective well-being, and engagement with life (enjoyable activities and sense of purpose). Importantly, we extended previous research by not only assessing main effects of gains and losses but also testing their interaction. We hypothesized that awareness of losses would be more weakly negatively associated with health and well-being among those who possessed higher awareness of gains. A total of 399 older participants aged 65 to 91 (235 women and 164 men) were recruited via Prime Panels crowd-sourcing platform to complete an online questionnaire. Greater AARC-losses was associated with poorer health, lower subjective well-being, and lower sense of purpose. AARC-gains was associated with better outcomes in general, and moderated associations of AARC-losses with physical functioning, subjective well-being, and sense of purpose (but not engagement in leisure activities). Consistent with predictions, moderation effects showed that negative associations of AARC-losses with the outcomes were weaker among those who reported higher AARC-gains. Results provided some support for a role of AARC-gains in buffering negative effects of AARC-losses on developmental outcomes.
Viscosity in Matter, Life and Sociality: The Case of Glacial Ice
Authors: Simonetti Cristián
Published: September 2021

A tension between solidity and fluidity tends to divide the sciences and the humanities along lines that define what is hard and soft in knowledge. This divide relates to similar dichotomies, between exteriority and interiority, material and spiritual, homogeneity and heterogeneity, matter and form, all of which have been partially mapped in Western thinking onto a traditional separation between earth and sky. Yet particular forms of knowledge sit uneasily within these tensions, a paradigmatic example of which is an understanding of solids as ‘viscous fluids’. This article explores the concept of viscosity, attending to how it has impacted on understandings of matter, as well as broader social and cultural issues. It does so, particularly, by looking into the scientific study of ice, a material that has historically been regarded as solidfluid, to argue that life and sociality remain possible only in so far as matter that is viscid allows solid and fluid states to mingle.
Predictors of acute kidney injury in patients with acute decompensated heart failure in emergency departments in China
Authors: Ge Hongxia , Liang Yang , Fang Yingying , Jin Yi , Su Wenting , Zhang Guoqiang , Wang Jing , Xiong Hui , Shang Deya , Chai Yanfen , Liu Zhi , Wei Hongyan , Wang Hairong , Zhang Wei , Ma Fei , Zhao Wei , Sun Li , Huang Huan , Ma Qingbian
Published: September 2021

Objective

This retrospective multicentre observational study was performed to assess the predictors of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in emergency departments in China.

Methods

In total, 1743 consecutive patients with ADHF were recruited from August 2017 to January 2018. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients with and without AKI. Predictors of AKI occurrence and underdiagnosis were assessed in multivariate regression analyses.

Results

Of the 1743 patients, 593 (34.0%) had AKI. AKI was partly associated with short-term all-cause mortality and cost. Cardiovascular comorbidities such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension remained significant predictors of AKI in the univariate analysis. AKI was significantly more likely to occur in patients with a lower arterial pH, lower albumin concentration, higher creatinine concentration, and higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration. Patients treated with inotropic agents were significantly more likely to develop AKI during their hospital stay.

Conclusion

This study suggests that cardiovascular comorbidities, arterial pH, the albumin concentration, the creatinine concentration, the NT-proBNP concentration, and use of inotropic agents are predictors of AKI in patients with ADHF.
Integrative analysis of ferroptosis-related genes in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Cui De-jun , Chen Chen , Yuan Wen-qiang , Yang Yun-han , Han Lu
Published: September 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify and validate ferroptosis-related markers in ulcerative colitis (UC) to explore new directions for UC diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

We screened UC chips and ferroptosis-related genes from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), FerrDb, and GeneCards databases. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and ferroptosis-related DEGs between the UC group and normal controls were analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction analysis, and hub genes were screened. Peripheral blood chip and animal experiments were used to validate the ferroptosis-related hub genes. Finally, hub gene–transcription factor, hub gene–microRNA (miRNA), and hub gene–drug interaction networks were constructed.

Results

Overall, 26 ferroptosis-related DEGs were identified that were significantly enriched in energy pathways and metabolism. We identified ten ferroptosis-related hub genes from the protein–protein interaction network: IL6, PTGS2, HIF1A, CD44, MUC1, CAV1, NOS2, CXCL2, SCD, and ACSL4. In the peripheral blood chip GSE94648, CD44 and MUC1 were upregulated, which was consistent with the expression trend in GSE75214. Animal experiments showed that CD44 expression was significantly increased in the colon.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that CD44 and MUC1 may be ferroptosis-related markers in UC.
Comparisons of the therapeutic safety of seven oral antimuscarinic drugs in patients with overactive bladder: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Nannan , Wu Qiaoyan , Xu Faren , Zhang Xiaopeng
Published: September 2021

Objectives

This network meta-analysis aimed to assess the safety profiles of seven commonly used oral antimuscarinic drugs (darifenacin, fesoterodine, imidafenacin, oxybutynin, propiverine, solifenacin, and tolterodine) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies comparing one or more antimuscarinic drugs for treating OAB with reported adverse effects (AEs) were eligible. Data were extracted, and a network meta-analysis was performed by two authors independently.

Results

Forty-five RCTs and 124,587 patients were included. The results demonstrated that tolterodine had better safety outcomes for 7 out of 12 major AEs, including dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, dizziness, urinary tract infection, dry eyes, and dry skin. Darifenacin, fesoterodine, imidafenacin, oxybutynin, and solifenacin presented comparable safety profiles.

Conclusions

Tolterodine may be preferable as it showed a reduced association with important AEs. Darifenacin, fesoterodine, imidafenacin, oxybutynin, and solifenacin have similar safety profiles in treating patients with OAB. Taken together, this analysis provides a valuable overview of the therapeutic safety for oral antimuscarinic drugs and is useful for personalized medicine in patients with OAB. Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively registered at INPLASY ( https://inplasy.com/ ) with the registration number 202170095.
Acquisition of Developmental Milestones in Hypomyelination With Atrophy of the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum and Other TUBB4A-Related Leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Gavazzi Francesco , Charsar Brittany A. , Williams Catherine , Shults Justine , Alves Cesar A. , Adang Laura , Vanderver Adeline
Published: September 2021

Mutations in TUBB4A are associated with a spectrum of neurologic disorders categorized as TUBB4A-related leukoencephalopathy. Affected children can present with global developmental delay or normal early development, followed by a variable loss of skills over time. Further research is needed to characterize the factors associated with the divergent developmental trajectories in this rare monogenic disorder because this phenotypic spectrum is not fully explained by genotype alone.

To characterize early psychomotor features, developmental milestones and age of disease onset were collected from medical records (n=54 individuals). Three subcohorts were identified: individuals with the common p.Asp249Asn variant vs all other genotypes with either early (<12 months of age) or late onset of presentation. Individuals with the p.Asp249Asn variant or those with non-p.Asp249Asn genotypes with later disease onset attained key milestones, including head control, sitting, and independent walking. Subjects with early-onset, non-p.Asp249Asn–associated disease were less likely to achieve developmental milestones. Next, we defined the developmental severity as the percentage of milestones attained by age 2 years. The mild form was defined as attaining at least 75% of key developmental milestones. Among cohort categorized as mild, individuals with p.Asp249Asn variant were more likely to lose acquired abilities when compared with non-p.Asp249Asn individuals.

Our results suggest multiple influences on developmental trajectory, including a strong contribution from genotype and age of onset. Further studies are needed to identify additional factors that influence overall outcomes to better counsel families and to design clinical trials with appropriate clinical endpoints.
Research on vehicle detection based on the regional feature fusion
Authors: Cai Bixin , Wang Qidong , Chen Wuwei , Zhao Linfeng , Wang Huiran
Published: September 2021

Vehicle detection plays a crucial role in the decision-making, planning, and control of intelligent vehicles. It is one of the main tasks of environmental perception and an essential part of ensuring driving safety. In order to capture unique vehicle features and improve vehicle recognition efficiency, this paper fuses texture features of image and edge features of LIDAR to detect frontal vehicle targets. First, we use wavelet analysis and geometric analysis to segment the ground and determine the region of interest for vehicle detection. Then, the point cloud of the vehicle detected is projected into the image to locate the ROI. Moreover, the edge feature of the vehicle is guided to extract according to the maximum gradient direction of the vehicle’s rear contour. Furthermore, the Haar texture feature is integrated to identify the vehicle, and a filter is designed according to the point cloud’s spatial distribution to eliminate the error targets. Finally, it is verified by real-vehicle comparison tests that the proposed fusion method can effectively improve the vehicles’ detection with not much time.
A numerical study for correlating performance versus number of blades and investigating flow characteristics and loss generation of an automotive radial flow turbine
Authors: Ketata Ahmed , Driss Zied
Published: September 2021

Hybridization of engines is the future technology to overcome the increasing emissions of CO2 and pollutants from internal combustion engines. So far, the current technology, called downsizing, involves reducing engine size while maintaining continuous engine boosting with a turbocharger. It is well known that the radial turbine, an essential component of turbochargers, is a seat of various loss mechanisms such as incidence losses which significantly affect performance. As a contribution for further improving performance and reducing loss generation in radial turbines, this study investigates the effect of the blade number on performance and loss generation within a radial turbine of small scale turbocharger. To this end, six radial turbines were designed with several blade numbers ranging from three up to thirteen. The flow solution was computed by solving the Navier-Stokes equations using a CFD solver. The numerical results were validated against experiments. The results revealed that the impeller of 11 blades provides better performance than the other investigated designs. The results showed a substantial effect of the number of blades on the distribution of flow characteristics and loss generation. The efficiency, mass flow rate, output torque, blade loading, and leakage flow through the clearance gap of the turbine were correlated to the number of blades.
A formal model of street-level bureaucracy
Authors: Chang Ahrum
Published: September 2021

Different from a classic Weberian bureaucracy, public service bureaucrats directly interact with citizens at the frontlines of government. These first responders use their discretion to meet some citizens’ needs but deliberately overlook the other clients. What lies beneath the street-level bureaucrats’ behavior in their contacts with citizens? This study develops a model to explain how street-level bureaucrats are motivated to move toward the public and the extent to which they are engaged in helping their citizens. The model is driven by costs and benefits of behavior based on the assumption that street-level bureaucrats are rational actors trying to maximize their utility. However, utility here is defined as more than self-interest; it is the set of outcomes valued by the bureaucrats such as reducing job-related stress, pursuing work-generated ends, serving needy citizens, and implementing good public policy.
Does Early Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting Influence Need for Additional Maxillary Advancement Procedures in Cleft Lip and Palate?
Authors: Powell Kathlyn K. , Lewis Paul , Sesanto Rae , Waite Peter D.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To determine if secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) timing in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) influences the future need for additional maxillary advancement procedures, particularly Le Fort I osteotomy with rigid external distraction (RED).

Design

Retrospective cohort study. Groups were separated by SABG timing: early mixed dentition (ages 68 years) or late mixed dentition (ages 9-11 years). The criterion for RED was negative overjet ≥8 mm, and sufficient dental development for RED.

Setting

Single tertiary care institution.

Patients

Patients with CLP that underwent SABG from 2010 to 2015. Exclusion criteria included syndromic conditions, SABG surgery at age >12 years, current age <12 years, and <2 years follow-up. 104 patients were included.

Main outcome measures

The number of RED candidates and treated patients.

Results

There was no statistical difference in the number of RED candidates ( P  =  .0718) nor treated patients ( P  =  .2716) based on SABG timing; stratification by laterality was also insignificant. Early SABG is associated with higher odds of being a RED candidate (pooled, unilateral, bilateral) and treated patient (pooled and unilateral); however, there were no statistically significant associations between SABG timing and the number of RED candidates and treated patients as determined by logistic regression models.

Conclusion

There is no statistically significant association between SABG timing and the odds of being a RED candidate or treated patient. Future prospective studies are recommended to assess the relationship between SABG timing and maxillary growth in patients with CLP.