bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity Has a Stronger Relationship with Colorectal Cancer in Postmenopausal Women than Premenopausal Women
Authors: Chang Ji Won , Shin Dong Wook , Han Kyung Do , Jeon Keun Hye , Yoo Jung Eun , Cho In Young , Choi Yun Jin , Hong Jung Yong
Published: August 2020

Background:

To examine the relationship between obesity measured by waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of colorectal cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Methods:

A total of 1,418,180 premenopausal and 4,854,187 postmenopausal women without cancer at baseline and ages over 40 were identified using the Korean National Health Insurance System Cohort during 2009 to 2014. The hazard ratio (HR) for colorectal cancer incidence was assessed according to menopausal state using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

During a mean follow-up period of 7.2 years, 7,094 and 57,449 colorectal cancer cases occurred in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively. Compared with the reference group (WC 65–75), the HRs [95% confidence interval (CI)] of colorectal cancer in WC <65, 75–85, 85–95, and >95 groups were 1.01 (0.91–1.11), 1.02 (0.97–1.07), 1.09 (1.00–1.18), and 1.31 (1.12–1.52), respectively, in premenopausal women and 1.01 (0.95–1.17), 1.09 (1.07–1.12), 1.19 (1.00–1.18), and 1.30 (1.25–1.35), respectively, in postmenopausal women. Compared with the reference group (BMI 18.5–22.9), HRs (95% CI) for colorectal cancer in BMI <18.5, 23–25, 25–30, and >30 groups were 0.99 (0.87–1.14), 0.99 (0.94–1.06), 0.98 (0.92–1.04), and 1.06 (0.92–1.20), respectively, in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, those values were 0.99 (0.93–1.05), 1.05 (1.03–1.08), 1.11 (1.09–1.13), and 1.20 (1.16–1.25), respectively.

Conclusions:

WC is associated with the risk of colorectal cancer in both groups of women, but this association was stronger in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. BMI increased the incidence of colorectal cancer only in postmenopausal women

Impact:

Obesity has a stronger relationship with colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women.
Optimizing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimation for Veterans With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Raghavan Sridharan , Ho Yuk-Lam , Vassy Jason L. , Posner Daniel , Honerlaw Jacqueline , Costa Lauren , Phillips Lawrence S. , Gagnon David R. , Wilson Peter W.F. , Cho Kelly
Published: August 2020

Background:

Estimated 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in diabetes mellitus patients is used to guide primary prevention, but the performance of risk estimators (2013 Pooled Cohort Equations [PCE] and Risk Equations for Complications of Diabetes [RECODe]) varies across populations. Data from electronic health records could be used to improve risk estimation for a health system’s patients. We aimed to evaluate risk equations for initial ASCVD events in US veterans with diabetes mellitus and improve model performance in this population.

Methods AND RESULTS:

We studied 183 096 adults with diabetes mellitus and without prior ASCVD who received care in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA) from 2002 to 2016 with mean follow-up of 4.6 years. We evaluated model discrimination, using Harrell’s C statistic, and calibration, using the reclassification χ
2
test, of the PCE and RECODe equations to predict fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke and cardiovascular mortality. We then tested whether model performance was affected by deriving VA-specific β-coefficients. Discrimination of ASCVD events by the PCE was improved by deriving VA-specific β-coefficients (C statistic increased from 0.560 to 0.597) and improved further by including measures of glycemia, renal function, and diabetes mellitus treatment (C statistic, 0.632). Discrimination by the RECODe equations was improved by substituting VA-specific coefficients (C statistic increased from 0.604 to 0.621). Absolute risk estimation by PCE and RECODe equations also improved with VA-specific coefficients; the calibration
P
increased from <0.001 to 0.08 for PCE and from <0.001 to 0.005 for RECODe, where higher
P
indicates better calibration. Approximately two-thirds of veterans would meet a guideline indication for high-intensity statin therapy based on the PCE versus only 10% to 15% using VA-fitted models.

Conclusions:

Existing ASCVD risk equations overestimate risk in veterans with diabetes mellitus, potentially impacting guideline-indicated statin therapy. Prediction model performance can be improved for a health system’s patients using readily available electronic health record data.
STEAP3 (Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of Prostate 3) Inhibits Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Li Peng-Long , Liu Hui , Chen Guo-Peng , Li Ling , Shi Hong-Jie , Nie Hong-Yu , Liu Zhen , Hu Yu-Feng , Yang Juan , Zhang Peng , Zhang Xiao-Jing , She Zhi-Gang , Li Hongliang , Huang Zan , Zhu Lihua
Published: August 2020

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is one of the major predictors and inducers of heart failure, the end stage of various cardiovascular diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of pathological cardiac hypertrophy remain largely unknown. Here, we provided the first evidence that STEAP3 (Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of Prostate 3) is a key negative regulator of this disease. We found that the expression of STEAP3 was reduced in pressure overload-induced hypertrophic hearts and phenylephrine-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. In a transverse aortic constriction-triggered mouse cardiac hypertrophy model, STEAP3 deficiency remarkably deteriorated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, whereas the opposite phenotype was observed in the cardiomyocyte-specific STEAP3 overexpressing mice. Accordingly, STEAP3 significantly mitigated phenylephrine-induced cell enlargement in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, via RNA-seq and immunoprecipitation-mass screening, we demonstrated that STEAP3 directly bond to Rho family small GTPase 1 and suppressed the activation of downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling cascade. Remarkably, the antihypertrophic effect of STEAP3 was largely blocked by overexpression of constitutively active mutant Rac1 (G12V). Our study indicates that STEAP3 serves as a novel negative regulator of pathological cardiac hypertrophy by blocking the activation of the Rac1-dependent signaling cascade and may contribute to exploring effective therapeutic strategies of pathological cardiac hypertrophy treatment.
Galectin-7 Impairs Placentation and Causes Preeclampsia Features in Mice
Authors: Menkhorst Ellen , Zhou Wei , Santos Leilani L. , Delforce Sarah , So Teresa , Rainczuk Kate , Loke Hannah , Syngelaki Argyro , Varshney Swati , Williamson Nicholas , Pringle Kirsty , Young Morag J. , Nicolaides Kypros H. , St-Pierre Yves , Dimitriadis Evdokia
Published: August 2020

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy-induced disorder unique to humans. The etiology of preeclampsia is poorly understood; however, poor placental formation is thought causal. Galectin-7 is produced by trophoblast and is elevated in first-trimester serum of women who subsequently develop preeclampsia. We hypothesized that elevated placental galectin-7 may be causative of preeclampsia. Here, we demonstrated increased galectin-7 production in chorionic villous samples from women who subsequently develop preterm preeclampsia compared with uncomplicated pregnancies. In vitro, galectin-7 impaired human first-trimester trophoblast outgrowth, increased placental production of the antiangiogenic sFlt-1 splice variant,
sFlt-1-e15a
, and reduced placental production and secretion of ADAM12 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase12) and angiotensinogen. In vivo, galectin-7 administration (E8–E12) to pregnant mice caused elevated systolic blood pressure, albuminuria, impaired placentation (reduced labyrinth vascular branching, impaired decidual spiral artery remodeling, and a proinflammatory placental state demonstrated by elevated IL1β, IL6 and reduced IL10), and dysregulated expression of renin-angiotensin system components in the placenta, decidua, and kidney, including angiotensinogen, prorenin, and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Collectively, this study demonstrates that elevated galectin-7 during placental formation contributes to abnormal placentation and suggests that it leads to the development of preeclampsia via altering placental production of sFlt-1 and renin-angiotensin system components. Targeting galectin-7 may be a new treatment option for preeclampsia.
What is Quality End‐of‐Life Care for Patients With Heart Failure? A Qualitative Study With Physicians
Authors: Hutchinson Rebecca N. , Gutheil Caitlin , Wessler Benjamin S. , Prevatt Hayley , Sawyer Douglas B. , Han Paul K. J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Advanced heart failure (AHF) carries a morbidity and mortality that are similar or worse than many advanced cancers. Despite this, there are no accepted quality metrics for end‐of‐life (EOL) care for patients with AHF.

Methods and Results

As a first step toward identifying quality measures, we performed a qualitative study with 23 physicians who care for patients with AHF. Individual, in‐depth, semistructured interviews explored physicians' perceptions of characteristics of high‐quality EOL care and the barriers encountered. Interviews were analyzed using software‐assisted line‐by‐line coding in order to identify emergent themes. Although some elements and barriers of high‐quality EOL care for AHF were similar to those described for other diseases, we identified several unique features. We found a competing desire to avoid overly aggressive care at EOL alongside a need to ensure that life‐prolonging interventions were exhausted. We also identified several barriers related to identifying EOL including greater prognostic uncertainty, inadequate recognition of AHF as a terminal disease and dependence of symptom control on disease‐modifying therapies.

Conclusions

Our findings support quality metrics that prioritize receipt of goal‐concordant care over utilization measures as well as a need for more inclusive payment models that appropriately reflect the dual nature of many AHF therapies.
Big Oil and Climate Regulation: Business as Usual or a Changing Business?
Authors: Vormedal Irja , Gulbrandsen Lars H. , Skjærseth Jon Birger
Published: August 2020

There is a long and continuing debate in the literature on corporate political power about whether businesses that advocate public-interest regulation do so for strategic political reasons or because they anticipate economic gains. Previous research on Big Oil’s strategies in climate politics has largely converged on the first view, arguing that global majors feign support for moderate carbon pricing largely to prevent the adoption of more drastic and costly policies. In contrast, this article argues that Big Oil’s growing stake in natural gas expansion is its economic motive for supporting favorably designed carbon pricing. The article finds that policy, technology, and energy market changes have paved the way for a shift toward natural gas and that a moderate carbon price, by triggering coal-to-gas switching, supports the realization of a gray transition in which “Big Gas” can expand its market share at the expense of coal and become a major bridge fuel next to renewables. Our findings underscore the importance of studying the competitive rivalry that underpins evolving industry demands for climate policy and regulation.
Governing New Biotechnologies for Biodiversity Conservation: Gene Drives, International Law, and Emerging Politics
Authors: Reynolds Jesse L.
Published: August 2020

The outdoor use of organisms modified with gene drives—emerging biotechnologies of biased inheritance—could further human well-being and biodiversity conservation, yet also poses environmental risks and diverse social challenges. This article describes and analyzes the international law and politics of gene drives’ research, development, and possible use, with an emphasis on their potential biodiversity applications. The Convention on Biological Diversity is central, and its institutions and others have taken actions toward governing gene drive organisms. Gene drives’ governance and politics are contrasted with those of agricultural genetically modified organisms, with emphases on states, nonstate actors, the precautionary approach, and decision-making forums. Developing and implementing governance—especially in international forums—for gene drives may prove to be difficult. The observations and analysis here indicate that the politics of gene drive organisms is a manifestation of a larger struggle regarding emerging technologies among those concerned about sustainability.
A new species of Protopsychoda Azar et al., 1999 from the Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Authors: AZAR DANY , MAKSOUD SIBELLE
Published: August 2020

Psychodidae Newman, 1834 is a large family of small, hairy nematoceran dipterans, comprising more than 2,600 described extant species. It is currently subdivided into seven subfamilies: Bruchomyiinae Alexander, 1920, Horaiellinae Enderlein, 1936, Phlebotominae Rondani, 1840, Psychodinae Newman, 1834, Sycoracinae Jung, 1954, Trichomyiinae Tonnoir, 1922, and the fossil subfamily Protopsychodinae Stebner et al., 2015. Some authors consider the group to consist of two families, i.e., Psychodidae and Phlebotomidae (Williams, 1993; Azar et al., 1999). This fact is founded only on the hematophagous and medically important aspects of the phlebotomines, nevertheless this arrangement is unfounded, because the phylogenetic relationships between the psychodid subfamilies remain unresolved, even if there is a possible sister-group relationship between the Phlebotominae and Psychodinae (Curler & Moulton, 2012). We consider recognizing phlebotomines as a separate family would necessitate also giving separate familial status to all the currently recognized subfamilies, which is not adopted here.
A new genus and species of damsel-dragonfly from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia (Odonata: Campterophlebiidae)
Authors: NEL ANDRÉ , HUANG DIYING
Published: August 2020

The Campterophlebiidae is the largest family of fossil damsel-dragonflies, containing more than 60 species described from Lower Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous strata of Europe and Asia. This group is especially diverse in the Middle–Late Jurassic strata in Inner Mongolia, northeastern China, with some very large species (Zhang et al., 2006, 2008, 2013; Nel et al., 2007, 2008, 2009; Petrulevičius et al., 2011; Li et al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2013; Zheng et al., 2016, 2017). Thus it is surprising that we found a new representative of these damsel-dragonflies, belonging to a group of genera characterized by a very particular shape of the forewing cubito-anal area. This fossil has a unique shape of the forewing median vein, allowing its attribution to a new genus and species. It increases our knowledge about the palaeobiodiversity of this impressive group of Odonata.
The diversity of the genus Aricidea (Polychaeta: Paraonidae) from the Sea of Marmara, with descriptions of two new species and two new records for the Mediterranean fauna
Authors: ERDOĞAN-DERELI DENIZ , ÇINAR MELIH ERTAN
Published: August 2020

This paper reports 13 Aricidea species from the Sea of Marmara. The Aricidea specimens were collected at 98 stations in the region in 2012 and 2013 from soft and hard substrata at depths ranging from 0 to 1200 m. Among the material, two new species, namely Aricidea (Acmira) katzmanni n. sp. and Aricidea (Acmira) pseudoassimilis n. sp., and 11 known species were discovered. Aricidea mirunekoa and A. bulbosa are new records for the Mediterranean fauna; A. (Acmira) annae and A. (Aricidea) wassi are new records for the Sea of Marmara. Aricidea (Acmira) katzmanni n. sp. is characterized by having a long, digitiform antenna; no notopodial papillae on the posterior part of the branchial region; and hook shaped modified neurochaetae with a strong hood and fragile arista. Aricidea (Acmira) pseudoassimilis n. sp. is characterized by having a short, digitiform antenna; interramal lobes between notopodia and neuropodia; hook-shaped modified neurochaeta that gets subterminally thinner with a rounded tip. As A. (Strelzovia) bulbosa has been only previously reported from the Gulf of Suez (Red Sea), it could be a new alien species for the Sea of Marmara and Mediterranean Sea. Based on the characters that have been overlooked so far, the subspecies A. suecica meridionalis and A. capensis bansei were raised to species level, A. meridionalis n. stat. and A. bansei n. stat. The present paper reports the usage of ciliary bands and slits on the prostomium and body, swellings/ridges in the branchial region, and the shape and distribution of sense organs in the taxonomy of Aricidea. All species were described and figured.
Geospatial QPE Accuracy Dependence on Weather Radar Network Configurations
Authors: Kurdzo James M. , Joback Emily F. , Kirstetter Pierre-Emmanuel , Cho John Y. N.
Published: August 2020

The relatively low density of weather radar networks can lead to low-altitude coverage gaps. As existing networks are evaluated for gap fillers and new networks are designed, the benefits of low-altitude coverage must be assessed quantitatively. This study takes a regression approach to modeling quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) differences based on network density, antenna aperture, and polarimetric bias. Thousands of cases from the warm-season months of May–August 2015–17 are processed using both the specific attenuation [R(A)] and reflectivity–differential reflectivity [R(Z, ZDR)] QPE methods and are compared with Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) rain gauge data. QPE errors are quantified on the basis of beam height, cross-radial resolution, added polarimetric bias, and observed rainfall rate. The collected data are used to construct a support vector machine regression model that is applied to the current WSR-88D network for holistic error quantification. An analysis of the effects of polarimetric bias on flash-flood rainfall rates is presented. Rainfall rates that are based on 2-yr/1-h return rates are used for a contiguous-U.S.-wide analysis of QPE errors in extreme rainfall situations. These errors are then requantified using previously proposed network design scenarios with additional radars that provide enhanced estimate capabilities. Last, a gap-filling scenario utilizing the QPE error model, flash-flood rainfall rates, population density, and potential additional WSR-88D sites is presented, exposing the highest-benefit coverage holes in augmenting the WSR-88D network (or a future network) relative to QPE performance.
Thermal Chains and Entrainment in Cumulus Updrafts. Part I: Theoretical Description
Authors: Morrison Hugh , Peters John M. , Varble Adam C. , Hannah Walter M. , Giangrande Scott E.
Published: August 2020

Recent studies have shown that cumulus updrafts often consist of a succession of discrete rising thermals with spherical vortex-like circulations. In this paper, a theory is developed for why this “thermal chain” structure occurs. Theoretical expressions are obtained for a passive tracer, buoyancy, and vertical velocity in axisymmetric moist updrafts. Analysis of these expressions suggests that the thermal chain structure arises from enhanced lateral mixing associated with intrusions of dry environmental air below an updraft’s vertical velocity maximum. This dry-air entrainment reduces buoyancy locally. Consequently, the updraft flow above levels of locally reduced buoyancy separates from below, leading to a breakdown of the updraft into successive discrete thermals. The range of conditions in which thermal chains exist is also analyzed from the theoretical expressions. A transition in updraft structure from isolated rising thermal, to thermal chain, to starting plume occurs with increases in updraft width, environmental relative humidity, and/or convective available potential energy. Corresponding expressions for the bulk fractional entrainment rate ε are also obtained. These expressions indicate rather complicated entrainment behavior of ascending updrafts, with local enhancement of ε up to a factor of ~2 associated with the aforementioned environmental-air intrusions, consistent with recent large-eddy simulation (LES) studies. These locally large entrainment rates contribute significantly to overall updraft dilution in thermal chain-like updrafts, while other regions within the updraft can remain relatively undilute. Part II of this study compares results from the theoretical expressions to idealized numerical simulations and LES.
The Compressional Beta Effect: Analytical Solution, Numerical Benchmark, and Data Analysis
Authors: Ong Hing , Roundy Paul E.
Published: August 2020

This study derives a complete set of equatorially confined wave solutions from an anelastic equation set with the complete Coriolis terms, which include both the vertical and meridional planetary vorticity. The propagation mechanism can change with the effective static stability. When the effective static stability reduces to neutral, buoyancy ceases, but the role of buoyancy as an eastward-propagation mechanism is replaced by the compressional beta effect (i.e., vertical density-weighted advection of the meridional planetary vorticity). For example, the Kelvin mode becomes a compressional Rossby mode. Compressional Rossby waves are meridional vorticity disturbances that propagate eastward owing to the compressional beta effect. The compressional Rossby wave solutions can serve as a benchmark to validate the implementation of the nontraditional Coriolis terms (NCTs) in numerical models; with an effectively neutral condition and initial large-scale disturbances given a half vertical wavelength spanning the troposphere on Earth, compressional Rossby waves are expected to propagate eastward at a phase speed of 0.24 m s−1. The phase speed increases with the planetary rotation rate and the vertical wavelength and also changes with the density scale height. Besides, the compressional beta effect and the meridional vorticity tendency are reconstructed using reanalysis data and regressed upon tropical precipitation filtered for the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). The results suggest that the compressional beta effect contributes 10.8% of the meridional vorticity tendency associated with the MJO in terms of the ratio of the minimum values.
Characterizing Drying in the South American Monsoon Onset Season with the Moist Static Energy Budget
Authors: Smyth Jane E. , Ming Yi
Published: August 2020

The tropical atmospheric circulation and attendant rainfall exhibit seasonally dependent responses to increasing temperatures. Understanding changes in the South American monsoon system is of particular interest given the sensitivity of the southern Amazon rainforest to changes in dry season length. We utilize the latest Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Atmospheric Model (GFDL AM4) to analyze the response of the South American monsoon to uniform sea surface temperature (SST) warming. SST warming is a poorly understood yet impactful component of greenhouse gas–induced climate change. Region-mean rainfall declines by 11%, and net precipitation (precipitation minus evaporation) declines by 40%, during the monsoon onset season (September–November), producing a more severe dry season. The column-integrated moist static energy (MSE) budget helps elucidate the physical mechanisms of the simulated drying. Based on the seasonal analysis, precipitation reductions tend to occur when 1) a convecting region’s climatological MSE export is dominated by horizontal rather than vertical advection, and 2) the horizontal MSE advection increases in the perturbed climate, impeding ascent. On a synoptic scale, the South American low-level jet strengthens and exports more moisture from the monsoon sector, exacerbating spring drying.
Investigating the Evaluation Uncertainty for Satellite Precipitation Estimates Based on Two Different Ground Precipitation Observation Products
Authors: Chen Hanqing , Yong Bin , Qi Weiqing , Wu Hao , Ren Liliang , Hong Yang
Published: August 2020

The evaluation uncertainty caused by a standard reference itself is harmful to both algorithm developers and data users in substantially understanding the error features and the performance of satellite precipitation products (SPPs). In this study, the Climate Precipitation Center Unified (CPCU) data and the Merged Precipitation Analysis (MPA) data are used as the benchmark to investigate the evaluation uncertainties of satellite precipitation estimates generated by the reference itself. Two SPPs, IMERG-Late and GSMaP-MVK, are employed here. The results show that the approach using two different ground-based precipitation products as the references can effectively reveal the potential evaluation uncertainties. Interestingly, it is found that the evaluation results are prone to resulting in larger uncertainties over semihumid areas. Furthermore, evaluation uncertainty of statistical metrics is closely related to rainfall intensity in that it has a gradually decreasing tendency with increasing rainfall intensities. Additionally, we also found that the dependency of the false alarm ratio (FAR) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) scores on the spatial density of rain gauges is relatively low. Both relative bias (RBIAS) and normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) scores for light precipitation (1–5 mm day−1) increase with the spatial density of the rain gauges, suggesting that the evaluation of light precipitation can easily cause uncertainties relative to medium-to-high rain rates. Finally, the minimum gauge density required for different scores and different rainfall intensities is discussed. This study is expected to provide criteria to investigate the reliability of evaluation results for the satellite quantitative precipitation estimation community.
The Lightning Distribution of Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Lin Shu-Jeng , Chou Kun-Hsuan
Published: August 2020

This study examines the characteristics of tropical cyclone (TC) lightning distribution and its relationship with TC intensity and environmental vertical wind shear (VWS) over the western North Pacific. It uses data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network and operational global analysis data from National Centers for Environmental Prediction Final Analysis for 230 TCs during 2005–17. The spatial distribution of TC lightning frequency and normalized lightning rate demonstrates that the VWS dominates the azimuthal distribution of the lightning. The flashes are active in the downshear-left side of the inner core and the downshear-right side of the outer region. TC lightning distribution for various VWS strengths and TC intensities are further investigated. As VWS increases, the flashes of lightning become more asymmetric and exhibit a higher proportion at the outer region of the downshear side. Moreover, the same features occur as TC intensity decreases. A series of composite analyses indicated that stronger TCs with weaker VWS exhibit a more compact and symmetric lightning distribution, whereas weaker TCs with stronger VWS have a more asymmetric lightning distribution. Furthermore, the TC lightning distribution and its association with TC intensity changes are also examined for three lead times. Results show that among the composite analyses of five TC intensity changes, the lightning distribution for rapid intensification type exhibits more inner-core lightning and is more axisymmetric than the distributions for other categories. These features result from favorable environmental conditions comprising greater upper-level divergence, sea surface temperature, maximum potential intensity, and weaker vertical wind shear.
Connections: The Use Social Associations With Migratory Background Make of ICT to Build Social Capital for Newcomers’ Social Integration
Authors: Modesti Camilla , Talamo Alessandra , Recupero Annamaria , Nicolais Giampaolo
Published: August 2020

Psychological studies in the field of migration attest that social integration is enhanced by social capital. Communities of origin and the ones of resettlement play different role in the promotion of newcomers’ social integration. Nevertheless, researches highlighted that connections between migrants and resettlement communities are the hardest to be established. By reinforcing existing ties and generating new connections among communities, information and communication technologies (ICT) represent a resource for the creation of migrants’ social capital. The article presents two case studies addressing the use that a refugee- and a migrant-led association make of ICT to develop social capital aimed at fostering newcomers’ social integration. An ethnographic approach was adopted, and qualitative data have been collected. Results show that in the associations ICT are aimed at easing connections within migrants and between migrants and the resettlement community by directly fostering the establishment of social ties and by spreading positive narratives about migration. Through the empowerment of refugees and migrants, ICT emerge as tools that lay the foundations for the promotion of social cohesion.
Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair in the Geriatric Population
Authors: Elhage Sharbel A. , Shao Jenny M. , Deerenberg Eva B. , Prasad Tanushree , Colavita Paul D. , Kercher Kent W. , Augenstein Vedra A. , Todd Heniford B.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) has been shown to decrease wound complications and length of stay (LOS) but results in more postoperative discomfort. The benefits of LVHR for the growing geriatric population are unclear. The aim of our study is to evaluate long-term outcomes and quality of life (QOL) after LVHR in the geriatric population.

Methods

A prospectively collected single-center database was queried for all patients who underwent LVHR (1999-2019). Age groups were defined as <40 (young), 40-64 (middle age), and ≥65 years (geriatric). QOL was assessed with the Carolinas Comfort Scale.

Results

LVHR was performed in 1181 patients, of which 13.4% were young, 61.6% middle aged, and 25.0% geriatric. Hernia defect size (64.2 ± 94.4 vs 79.9 ± 102.4 vs 84.7 ± 110.0 cm2) and number of comorbidities (2.2 ± 2.1 vs 3.2 ± 2.2 vs 4.3 ± 2.2) increased with age (all P < .05). LOS increased with age (2.9 ± 2.5 vs 3.8 ± 2.9 vs 5.2 ± 5.3 days, P < .0001). Rates of postoperative cardiac events, pneumonia, respiratory failure, wound complication, reoperation, and death were similar ( P > .05). Geriatric patients had increased rate of ileus and urinary retention (all P < .05). Overall recurrence rate was 5.7% with an average follow-up of 43.5 months, with no differences in recurrence between groups ( P > .05). Geriatric patients had better overall QOL at 2 weeks ( P = .0008) and similar QOL at 1, 6, and 12 months.

Discussion

LVHR offers excellent results in the geriatric population. Despite having increased rates of comorbidities and larger hernia defects, which may relate to LOS, rates of complications and recurrence were similar compared with younger cohorts, with better short-term QOL.
In Their Own Hands: Young People and Self-Justice Retaliation in Germany
Authors: Schwarzenbach Anina , Tankebe Justice , Oberwittler Dietrich
Published: August 2020

Strong and viable modern states have limited the use of private force to narrowly-defined situations of self-defense. Yet, evidence from crime surveys shows that a significant proportion of violent and property crimes is not reported to police. Instead of calling the police, people either take no action or employ a variety of mechanisms, including retaliation, to settle disputes. Drawing on data from a survey of 2,921 young people in two German cities, we investigate the propensity of adolescents to resort to self-justice retaliation. The results show widespread propensity to engage in retaliatory actions, particularly among adolescent males of low socio-economic status. Further, attitudes to the police, unsupervised routine activities, and delinquency-related variables were the most influential correlates of propensity to engage in retaliatory actions.
Organizational commitment across different institutional settings: how perceived procedural constraints frustrate self-sacrifice
Authors: Giacomelli Giorgio , Vainieri Milena , Garzi Rosita , Zamaro Nereo
Published: August 2020

The positive impact of public service motivation on several individual work outcomes of public sector employees has been documented. Recent research into the ‘dark side’ of such an individual trait, however, has led some scholars to suggest that organizational conditions such as procedural constraints could affect one’s motivation, thus leading to the resignation of other-oriented employees. This study explores the relationships between one of the dimensions of public service motivation – namely, self-sacrifice – procedural constraints and organizational commitment by expanding the job demands–resources model of organizational commitment to different institutional settings. The study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative (structural equation modelling) and qualitative (focus groups and in-depth interviews) data from three industries in Italy (health, local public administration and non-profit organizations). Our findings show that self-sacrifice positively moderates the negative relationship between procedural constraints and organizational commitment. The findings also highlight some of the undesirable effects of self-sacrifice that organizations have to deal with.

Points for practitioners

Selflessly motivated employees tend to be more sensitive to burdensome procedures, and are hence likely to experience tougher effects of such conditions on their commitment. Given the evidence of the public sector being a highly bureaucratic working context, the sources and remedies for this issue deserve attention from both public administration scholars and practitioners. The findings of the study support the development of practices aimed at warding selflessly motivated employees from the risk of entering a loss cycle of psychological impairment.
A call for action against COVID-19 – Experience of the Social Workers’ Syndicate in Lebanon
Authors: Badran Nadia Camille
Published: August 2020

In Lebanon, 365 social workers formed 25 crisis cells, assessed 2000 families, 3000 women and 1000 elderly impacted by the COVID-19, and developed 10,000 awareness sessions and promotional videos to support families, children and elderly. The virtual mode of interventions and building a strong base of coordination among different stakeholders was hard. Staying alert about the government decisions is a necessity. Working with an interdisciplinary team and managing social worker volunteers are hard-to-reach targets. Maintaining the hard work, providing greater attention to the most marginalized and poorest communities within a lack of services as well as advocating for social justice constitute a challenging missions.
Health Disparities Among People Infected With Influenza, Rhode Island, 2013-2018
Authors: Otero Kori , Mermel Leonard A.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Health disparities are associated with poor outcomes related to public health. The objective of this study was to assess health disparities associated with influenza infection based on median household income and educational attainment.

Methods

We geocoded people with documented confirmed influenza infection by home address to identify the US Census 2010 tract in which they lived during 4 influenza surveillance seasons (2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018) in Rhode Island. We dichotomized influenza as severe if the person with influenza infection was hospitalized (ie, inpatient) or as nonsevere if the person was not hospitalized (ie, outpatient). We examined 2 socioeconomic factors: median household income (defined as low, medium low, medium high, and high) and educational attainment (defined as a ratio among people who completed <high school, high school, some college, or ≥bachelor’s degree). We calculated relative rates (RRs) to determine the associated level of risk for each socioeconomic factor.

Results

The incidence of influenza per 100 000 person-years was significantly higher in populations with low vs high median household income (620 vs 303; P < .001) and in populations with low vs high educational attainment (583 vs 323; P < .001). The RR of a severe infection in the quartile with the lowest educational attainment (0.57) was significantly higher than the RR in the other 3 quartiles of educational attainment (range, 0.36-0.39; P = .01). However, the RR of a severe infection was higher in the 3 quartiles of median household income (range, 0.38-0.40) than in the quartile with the lowest median household income (0.29).

Conclusions

People in Rhode Island with a lower socioeconomic status are at greater risk of an influenza infection than people with higher socioeconomic status. The reasons for these disparities require further investigation.
How Political and Ecological Contexts Shape Community College Transfer
Authors: Schudde Lauren , Jabbar Huriya , Hartman Catherine
Published: August 2020

Broad higher education contexts shape how community college students and postsecondary personnel approach transfer from community colleges to baccalaureate-granting institutions. We leverage the concept of strategic action fields, an organizational theory illuminating processes that play out as actors determine “who gets what” in an existing power structure, to understand the role of political-ecological contexts in “vertical” transfer. Drawing on interviews with administrators, transfer services personnel, and transfer-intending students at two Texas community college districts and with administrators, admissions staff, and transfer personnel at public universities throughout the state, we examine how institutional actors and students create, maintain, and respond to rules and norms in the community college transfer field. Our results suggest university administrators, faculty, and staff hold dominant positions in the field, setting the rules and norms for credit transfer and applicability. Students, who hold the least privilege, must invest time and energy to gather information about transfer pathways and policies as their primary means of meeting their educational aspirations. The complex structure of information—wherein each institution provides its own transfer resources, with little collaboration and minimal alignment—systematically disadvantages community college students. Although some community college personnel voice frustration that the field disadvantages transfer-intending community college students, they maintain the social order by continuing to implement and reinforce the rules and norms set by universities.
Protective Factors for Reducing Juvenile Reoffending: An Examination of Incremental and Differential Predictive Validity
Authors: Barnes-Lee Ashlee R. , Campbell Christina A.
Published: August 2020

Juvenile court practitioners and researchers have recently gained interest in evaluating internal and external strengths, or protective factors. Some scholars assert that incorporating measures of strengths into the risk assessment process can increase the accuracy of identifying odds of recidivating. Relatively few juvenile risk assessment validation studies have evaluated the predictive validity of strengths. This study employed a diverse sample ( N = 278) of juveniles under supervision in a Midwestern court. The Protective Factors for Reducing Juvenile Reoffending (PFRJR) significantly predicted recidivism for the total sample, males, and White youth. There was no evidence of differential predictive validity across gender; however, strengths predicted differently across race/ethnicity. Strengths did not increase the amount of variance explained in recidivism after accounting for the variance explained by risk factor scores. Findings contribute to the paucity of validation studies that investigated the differential and incremental predictive validity of strengths.
The Role of Anti-Endothelial Cell Autoantibodies and Immune Response in Acute Low-Tone Hearing Loss
Authors: Chen Diyan , Wang Zhujian , Jia Gaogan , Mao Huanyu , Ni Yusu
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Immunity is associated with acute low tone hearing loss. However, the exact pathophysiology of immunity-mediated acute low tone hearing loss remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the presence, therapeutic effectiveness, and immunopathological mechanisms of anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies (AECEs) in patients with acute low-frequency hearing loss.

Material and Methods:

Forty-nine patients who were treated as inpatients having acute low-frequency hearing loss and additional symptoms, such as ear fullness, tinnitus, dizziness, or hyperacusis, were enrolled in this study. Serum samples from these patients were collected for laboratory serum autoimmunity detection, including AECAs, antinuclear antibodies, immunoglobulin, and circular immune complex. Therapeutic responses to combination therapy in short-term outcome and serum cytokine levels were compared between AECA-positive and AECA-negative patients.

Results:

Anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies–positive patients tended to show significantly less response to standard therapy compared with AECAs controls ( P < .05). Moreover, some serum cytokine levels elevated in both AECAs− and AECAs+ groups. Positive ratio of interleukin-8 and concentrations of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α were found higher in AECAs+ groups ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

The results supported that AECAs might wield influence on the short-term outcome of acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) treatment. Furthermore, AECA-mediated acute low-frequency hearing loss possibly involved dysregulation of inflammation process and release of cytokines.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Hypertrophic Laryngeal Diseases
Authors: Han Honglei , Lyu Qiuping , Zhao Jianhui
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

To evaluate the characteristics of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in patients with different hypertrophic laryngeal diseases and to explore the relationship between LPR and these diseases.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed. The clinical data of 154 patients were collected. According to their diagnoses, patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 49 patients with vocal cord polyps. Group 2 contained 52 patients with vocal cord leukoplakia. Group 3 included 53 patients with laryngeal carcinoma. The reflux symptom indexes (RSIs), reflux finding scores (RFSs), and Ryan scores of all patients were evaluated and compared.

Results:

Patients with vocal cord polyps were the youngest of the 3 groups, and those with laryngeal carcinoma were the oldest. A male preponderance emerged in each group. In total, 128 patients (83.12%) had positive RSI/RFS values and 60 (60/146, 41.1%) patients had positive Ryan scores. The positive RSI/RFS rates of both groups 1 and 2 (89.80% and 92.16%, respectively) were significantly higher than that of group 3 (69.81%). Moreover, the positive Ryan score rates in both groups 1 and 2 (39.58% and 53.85%, respectively) were significantly higher than that of group 3 (28.26%).

Conclusions:

Laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs in many patients with vocal cord polyps, vocal cord leukoplakia, and vocal cord carcinoma, indicating that LPR may be important in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs more common in patients with vocal cord polyps and leukoplakia and less common in those with laryngeal carcinoma, suggesting the role of LPR on these diseases may be different.
Why a Simple Act of Kindness Is Not as Simple as It Seems: Underestimating the Positive Impact of Our Compliments on Others
Authors: Boothby Erica J. , Bohns Vanessa K.
Published: August 2020

A simple compliment can make someone’s day, start a new friendship, or just make the world a better, kinder place. So, why don’t people give more compliments? Perhaps people misforecast the effect their compliment will have. Five studies explored this possibility. In Studies 1a and 1b, compliment givers underestimated how positively the person receiving their compliment would feel, with consequences for their likelihood of giving a compliment. Compliment givers also overestimated how bothered and uncomfortable the recipient would feel (Study 2)—and did so even in hindsight (Study 3). Compliment givers’ own anxiety and concern about their competence led to their misprediction, whereas third-party forecasters were accurate (Study 4). Finally, despite compliment givers’ anxiety at the prospect of giving compliments across our studies, they felt better after having done so (Study 4). Our studies suggest that people misestimate their compliments’ value to others, and so they refrain from engaging in this prosocial behavior.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome with anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery
Authors: Mishra Ashish , Champaneri Bhavik , Rana Yashpal , Singh Gaurav , Thangasami Senthilraj , Patel Nikunj
Published: August 2020

Classic hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a rare but fatal congenital heart disease associated with variable underdevelopment of the left side of the heart. Complex forms of hypoplastic left heart syndrome have been reported to coexist with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, transposition of the great arteries, or pulmonary valve dysplasia. We report a case of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta a rare association not reported in the literature. Preoperative comprehensive echocardiography is essential for diagnosis and accurate recognition of such rare anatomic variations.
Interaction of heparin and protamine in presence of overdosage: in vitro study
Authors: Hanke Alexander A , Severloh Ines , Flöricke Felix , Weber Christian F , Lang Thomas
Published: August 2020

Background

Heparin is used for anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. After weaning from bypass, protamine is administered to neutralize the effects of heparin and thus reestablish hemostasis. Rotational thrombelastometry has been shown to discriminate between heparin and other impairing effects on coagulation. We analyzed the interaction of heparin and protamine under different conditions of overdosage in an in-vitro trial.

Methods

Blood samples were taken from 17 healthy volunteers, separated, and spiked in vitro with heparin, protamine for heparin neutralization, an overdosage of protamine, and two dosages of re-heparinization to evaluate heparin effects under the condition of protamine overdosage. All samples were analyzed in a standard ROTEM rotational thromboelastometry device after intrinsic activation with and without addition of heparinase. Coagulation time, maximum clot firmness, and clot formation time were recorded.

Results

Heparin led to prolongation of coagulation and clot formation times in the test without heparinase. Adequate protamine addition normalized the test, and overdosage of protamine led to significant prolongation of both times. Addition of heparin in the presence of protamine overdosage normalized these parameters.

Conclusion

We reconfirmed that the ROTEM device enables discrimination of the effects heparin and protamine on coagulation and detection of the coagulation-impairing effects of protamine overdosage. Furthermore, we were able to show a positive effect on coagulation times by heparin in the presence of protamine overdosage. Because this was an in-vitro study, these findings need to be confirmed in vivo, requiring further research.