bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 17467: Early Vascular Aging Predicts the Incidence of Diabetes in Hypertensives
Authors: Terentes-Printzios Dimitrios , Christopoulou Georgia , Korogiannis Lampros , Ioakeimidis Nikolaos , Aznaouridis Konstantinos , Ioanna Dima , Gardikioti Vasiliki , Gkini Konstantia P , Solomou Eirini , Xydis Panagiotis , Tousoulis Dimitrios , Vlachopoulos Charalambos
Published: May 2021

Introduction:
Diabetes is associated with vascular aging. Arterial stiffness, a marker of vascular aging, is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, the role of arterial stiffness in the incidence of diabetes has not been investigated.

Hypothesis:
We sought to investigate the role of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the prediction of incident diabetes in hypertensives and hypertensives under treatment with statins.

Methods:
376 never-treated hypertensives (mean age 53±13 years, 175 females) without a known history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease at baseline, were included in the study. Markers of target organ damage [carotid-femoral PWV, aortic augmentation index corrected for heart rate (AIx@75) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)] were evaluated at baseline in all patients. eGFR was estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood glucose were measured in venous blood samples. Patients were followed-up prospectively for the incidence of diabetes as defined by the American Diabetes Association criteria. 139 patients received statins during follow-up.

Results:
During a median of 13.6 years follow-up, 55 patients (13.4%) patients were diagnosed with diabetes. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher PWV (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.29, 95% Confidence intervals [CI]: 1.02-1.63, P = 0.034) was associated with a higher risk of incident diabetes, which was independent of relevant confounders. In further analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the ability of PWV to discriminate subjects with diabetes. The area under the curve (AUC) and 95% CIs of the ROC curve was AUC=0.67 (95% CI: 0.59-0.74, P<0.001) for PWV. In the subgroup of patients under treatment with statins, higher PWV (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.19-2.40, P = 0.004) was also independently associated with a higher risk of incident diabetes. AIx@75 was not associated with the incidence of diabetes.

Conclusions:
Higher arterial stiffness, a marker of early vascular aging, is associated with the incidence of diabetes and also can identify subjects under treatment with statins that are more likely to present with diabetes in the future.
Abstract 17488: What Are the Gaps? A Qualitative Study on Patient and Family Decision Making Regarding Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Zheng Qi , Goodlin Sarah
Published: May 2021

Background:
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) reduce mortality and improve functional status in selected patients with heart failure (HF). However, there are potential procedural risks and psychosocial concerns associated with device implant. This qualitative study aims to explore patients’ and families’ understanding of ICD/CRT-D, heart failure and arrhythmia in the process of decision making regarding device implant.

Methods:
We conducted 14 focus groups or interviews in Salt Lake City UT and Silver Spring MD. This study included 23 patients, who had either an ICD or CRT-D implant for primary prevention, and 14 family members. Grounded theory analysis was performed to reach a conceptual understanding of patients’ and families’ perceptions and needs.

Results:
Patients and families largely made decision of ICD/CRT implant based on physicians’ recommendations, e.g. “I really try to do what they tell me to do” (icdpt 1). Patients perceived ICD as lifesaving and CRT being helpful to improve functional status. Many patients described ICD as lifesaving by “restarting a heart if it stops”, while did not understand HF or ventricular arrhythmia. Patients perceived an urgency to consider ICD implant from their physicians, but no such urgency was perceived when they discussed about CRT-D implant. Few participants were concerned with costs, or had knowledge of potential lead malfunction, device removal and associated risks. Many emphasized the importance of information about life expectancies, what HF is, options of different devices, complications and precautions, and what to expect regarding lifestyle changes.

Conclusion:
Patients and families largely relied on the information provided by physicians and followed physicians’ guidance. They had limited understanding of their prognosis, HF and arrhythmia, and they were motivated to learn. Discussion about devices should include prognosis and healthy life style changes.
Gut Microbiome-Derived Metabolite Trimethylamine N-Oxide Induces Aortic Stiffening and Increases Systolic Blood Pressure With Aging in Mice and Humans
Authors: Brunt Vienna E. , Casso Abigail G. , Gioscia-Ryan Rachel A. , Sapinsley Zachary J. , Ziemba Brian P. , Clayton Zachary S. , Bazzoni Amy E. , VanDongen Nicholas S. , Richey James J. , Hutton David A. , Zigler Melanie C. , Neilson Andrew P. , Davy Kevin P. , Seals Douglas R.
Published: May 2021

Aging is associated with stiffening of the large elastic arteries and consequent increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), which together increase cardiovascular disease risk; however, the upstream mechanisms are incompletely understood. Using complementary translational approaches in mice and humans, we investigated the role of the gut microbiome-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in age-related aortic stiffening and increased SBP. Aortic stiffness was measured using carotid-femoral or aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in humans and mice, respectively. Study 1: Plasma TMAO concentrations were elevated (
P
<0.001) in healthy middle-aged to older (6.3±5.8 µmol/L) versus young (1.8±1.4 µmol/L) humans and positively related to carotid-femoral PWV (
r

2

=0.15,
P
<0.0001) and SBP (
r

2

=0.09,
P
<0.001), independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Study 2: Dietary supplementation with TMAO increased aPWV in young mice and exacerbated the already elevated aPWV of old mice, accompanied by increases in SBP of ≈10 mm Hg in both groups. TMAO-supplemented versus control-fed mice also had higher intrinsic mechanical stiffness of the aorta (stress-strain testing) associated with higher aortic abundance of advanced glycation end-products, which form crosslinks between structural proteins to promote aortic stiffening. Study 3: Ex vivo incubation of aortic rings with TMAO increased intrinsic stiffness, which was attenuated by the advanced glycation end-products crosslink breaker alagebrium and prevented by inhibition of superoxide signaling. TMAO induces aortic stiffening and increases SBP via formation of advanced glycation end-products and superoxide-stimulated oxidative stress, which together increase intrinsic wall stiffness. Increases in circulating TMAO with aging represent a novel therapeutic target for reducing risk of aortic stiffening-related clinical disorders.
Pediatric and Adult Ambulatory Blood Pressure Thresholds and Blood Pressure Load as Predictors of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Adolescents
Authors: Hamdani Gilad , Mitsnefes Mark M. , Flynn Joseph T. , Becker Richard C. , Daniels Stephen , Falkner Bonita E. , Ferguson Michael , Hooper Stephen R. , Hanevold Coral D. , Ingelfinger Julie R. , Lande Marc , Martin Lisa J. , Meyers Kevin E. , Rosner Bernard , Samuels Joshua , Urbina Elaine M.
Published: May 2021

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring is the accepted standard to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension. Although adult guidelines use absolute BP cut points to define ambulatory hypertension, current pediatric guidelines define it based on sex- and height-specific 95th percentiles and BP loads. To examine the association of different ambulatory BP parameters with hypertensive target organ injury, we compared adult and pediatric cut points and assessed the utility of BP load as a predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 327 adolescents who were ≥13 years of age. Logistic regression was used to assess association of different ambulatory BP parameters with LVH. Sensitivity and specificity of different ambulatory BP cut points as predictors of LVH were also calculated. Sixty-eight (20.8%) participants had LVH. In the analysis comparing adult and pediatric criteria for ambulatory hypertension to predict LVH, adult cut points had better sensitivity-specificity balances than the pediatric 95th percentiles. Although the adult cut point for sleep systolic BP (110 mm Hg) was the optimal predictor of LVH, lower cut points for wake systolic BP (125 mm Hg) and 24-hour systolic BP (120 mm Hg) were better predictors of LVH than adult cut points. In a separate analysis, mean systolic BP, but not BP load, was significantly associated with LVH. We conclude that a single static cut point using an absolute ambulatory systolic BP value is comparable to sex-and height-based systolic BP percentiles in predicting LVH and that BP load does not provide any additional (to mean systolic BP) value to predict LVH in adolescents.
Effect of KBP-5074 on Blood Pressure in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of the BLOCK-CKD Study
Authors: Bakris George , Pergola Pablo E. , Delgado Belkis , Genov Diyan , Doliashvili Tamar , Vo Nam , Yang Y. Fred , McCabe James , Benn Vincent , Pitt Bertram ,   for the BLOCK-CKD Study Group
Published: May 2021

In patients with resistant or poorly controlled hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are recommended; however, hyperkalemia limits their use. BLOCK-CKD was a phase 2b, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study that evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of KBP-5074, a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, for uncontrolled hypertension in patients with stage 3b/4 chronic kidney disease. The study tested the hypothesis that addition of KBP-5074 to standard treatment lowers blood pressure without increased risk of hyperkalemia. Patients (N=162) were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to once-daily oral treatment with placebo, KBP-5074 0.25 mg, or KBP-5074 0.5 mg. The primary end point was systolic blood pressure change from baseline at day 84. Baseline mean (SD) systolic blood pressure was 155.3 (13.55) mm Hg. After 84 days, the placebo-subtracted treatment mean difference (SE) was −7.0 (3.37) mm Hg with KBP-5074 0.25 mg (
P
=0.0399) and −10.2 (3.32) mm Hg with KBP-5074 0.5 mg (
P
=0.0026). Hyperkalemia incidence, ≥5.6 <6 mmol/L, were similar among groups 5 (8.8%) placebo, 6 (11.8%) 0.25 mg, and 9 (16.7%) 0.5 mg patients. No hyperkalemia ≥6.0 mmol/L was observed. We conclude that KBP-5074 effectively lowers blood pressure with some risk of hyperkalemia in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled blood pressure.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03574363.
Ischemic Stroke, Inflammation, and Endotheliopathy in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: McAlpine Lindsay S. , Zubair Adeel S. , Maran Ilavarasy , Chojecka Pola , Lleva Paul , Jasne Adam S. , Navaratnam Dhasakumar , Matouk Charles , Schindler Joseph , Sheth Kevin N. , Chun Hyung , Lee Alfred I. , Spudich Serena , Sharma Richa , Sansing Lauren H.
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose:

Reports indicate an increased risk of ischemic stroke during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We aimed to identify patients with COVID-19 and ischemic stroke and explore markers of inflammation, hypercoagulability, and endotheliopathy, a structural and functional disturbance of the vascular endothelium due to a stressor.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, observational cohort study comparing acute ischemic stroke patients with and without COVID-19 across 3 hospitals. Timing of stroke onset during COVID-19 course and markers of inflammation, hypercoagulability, and endothelial activation were evaluated by COVID-19 status and stroke cause.

Results:

Twenty-one patients with ischemic stroke were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period. Patients with COVID-19 had a similar age and burden of vascular risk factors compared with the control cohort (n=168). We identified a temporal correlation between stroke onset and the peak of acute phase reactants, including CRP (C-reactive protein), ferritin, and d-dimer. In subsets of patients with labs available, embolic stroke of undetermined source was associated with elevated IL (interleukin)-6 (median, 171 [interquartile range, 13–375] versus 8 [4–11],
P
<0.01) and sIL (soluble IL)-2 receptor (1972 [1525–4720] versus 767 [563–1408.5],
P
=0.05) levels. Stroke patients with COVID-19 demonstrated elevated levels of endothelial activation markers compared with non-COVID-19 stroke controls (median von Willebrand activity 285.0% [interquartile range, 234%–382%] versus 150% [128%–183%],
P
=0.034; von Willebrand antigen 330.0% [265%–650%] versus 152% [130%–277%],
P
=0.007, and factor VIII 301% [289%–402%] versus 49% [26%–94%],
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

Ischemic stroke in patients with COVID-19 is associated with endotheliopathy and a systemic inflammatory response in patients with vascular risk factors. Further research evaluating endothelial and inflammatory markers in the setting of ischemic stroke and COVID-19 in larger, prospective cohorts is needed to validate the findings.
Hidden Gems
Authors: Tanenbaum Adena
Published: May 2021

Unlike the Hebrew maqāma from Iberia, the Hebrew maqāma from Yemen has received little attention. This article brings the reader into the world of the Yemeni Hebrew maqāma between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries with such works as Aluʾel’s “Dispute Between the Calf and the Slaughterer,” the seemingly related “Parable of the Rooster,” “Haman’s Epistle,” al-Ḍāhirī’s Sefer ha-musar (roughly, “Book of adab”), Ḥarazi’s “Paths of Faith,” and Manṣura’s “Book of Thought.” Al-Ḍāhirī’s monumental work, for example, builds on diverse sources such as the maqāmāt of al-Hamaḏānī and al-Ḥarīrī, al-Ḥarīzī’s Taḥkemoni, and Immanuel of Rome’s Maḥberot and, like other maqāma collections, reworks many existing genres (folk tales, homilies, poems, letters, riddles, travelogues, dialogues, debates, and mystical writings). As such, it is a poignant testimony to Jewish intellectual culture in Yemen writ large.
Crepidotus iqbalii (Crepidotaceae, Agaricales) a new stipitate species, from Pakistan

Authors: IZHAR AIMAN , USMAN MUHAMMAD , KHALID ABDUL NASIR
Published: May 2021

Crepidotus iqbalii is described as a new species based on specimens collected from Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan. Morphological techniques and phylogenetic analyses based on nrITS sequences were used to confirm the novelty of the species. The key characters of C. iqbalii include growth on soil, a bright brown to yellow, hygrophanous pileus, a distinct central to slightly eccentric stipe, ellipsoid-amygdaliform, almost smooth to slightly verruculose basidiospores, presence of cheilo-, pileo- and caulocystidia but absence of pleurocystidia, and clamp connections present in all tissues.
Calocera tibetica sp. nov. (Dacrymycetaceae, Dacrymycetales) from southwestern China

Authors: FAN LONG-FEI , WU YING-DA , WU FANG , DAI YU-CHENG
Published: May 2021

A new gelatinous species, Calocera tibetica, is described from southwest China based on morphological and molecular evidence. It is characterized by stipitate, tough, gelatinous, dichotomously branched, dendroid or staghorn-like basidioma with blunt tips, subclavate to clavate basidia measuring 45.0–53.0 × 4.8–6.0 µm, and hyaline, oblong-ellipsoid to navicular, 3–4-septate mature basidiospores measuring 9.0–14.0 × 5.0–6.3 μm. In the phylogeny, the new species is closely related to C. viscosa and C. cornea based on the nITS + nLSU dataset, but C. viscosa has basidioma with sharp tips, pale yellow, 1-septate mature basidiospores; C. cornea has cylindrical, subulate, slightly branched basidioma, and sub-hyaline cylindrical to slightly curved-cylindrical, 1-septate mature basidiospores measuring 7–10 × 3–4.5 μm. The new species is unique by its 3–4-septate mature basidiospores among species of Calocera.
New findings on the taxonomy of the genus Coeleumenes van der Vecht (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from Vietnam, with description of a new species
Authors: MAI THAI VAN , NGUYEN LIEN THI PHUONG
Published: May 2021

A new species of the genus Coeleumenes van der Vecht is described from Tay Nguyen highland in southern Vietnam: Coeleumenes chumomray Mai and Nguyen, sp. nov. A key to all known species in the Oriental Region is provided.
Global Patterns of Hottest, Coldest, and Extreme Diurnal Variability on Earth
Authors: Zhao Yunxia , Norouzi Hamid , Azarderakhsh Marzi , AghaKouchak Amir
Published: May 2021

Most previous studies of extreme temperatures have primarily focused on atmospheric temperatures. Using 18 years of the latest version of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature (LST) data, we globally investigate the spatial patterns of hot and cold extremes as well as diurnal temperature range (DTR). We show that the world’s highest LST of 80.8°C, observed in the Lut Desert in Iran and the Sonoran Desert in Mexico, is over 10°C above the previous global record of 70.7°C observed in 2005. The coldest place on Earth is Antarctica with the record low temperature of −110.9°C. The world’s maximum DTR of 81.8°C is observed in a desert environment in China. We see strong latitudinal patterns in hot and cold extremes as well as DTR. Biomes worldwide are faced with different levels of temperature extremes and DTR: we observe the highest zonal average maximum LST of 61.1° ± 5.3°C in the deserts and xeric shrublands; the lowest zonal average minimum LST of −66.6° ± 14.8°C in the tundra; and the highest zonal average maximum DTR of 43.5° ± 9.9°C in the montane grasslands and shrublands. This global exploration of extreme LST and DTR across different biomes sheds light on the type of extremes different ecosystems are faced with.
Shear, Stability and Mixing within the Ice-Shelf-Ocean Boundary Current
Authors: Jenkins Adrian
Published: May 2021

When the inclined base of an ice shelf melts into the ocean, it induces both a statically-stable stratification and a buoyancy-forced, sheared flow along the interface. Understanding how those competing effects influence the dynamical stability of the boundary current is the key to quantifying the turbulent transfer of heat from far-field ocean to ice. The implications of the close coupling between shear, stability and mixing are explored with the aid of a one-dimensional numerical model that simulates density and current profiles perpendicular to the ice. Diffusivity and viscosity are determined using a mixing length model within the turbulent boundary layer and empirical functions of the gradient Richardson number in the stratified layer below. Starting from rest, the boundary current is initially strongly stratified and dynamically stable, slowly thickening as meltwater diffuses away from the interface. Eventually, the current enters a second phase where dynamical instability generates a relatively well-mixed, turbulent layer adjacent to the ice, while beneath the current maximum, strong stratification suppresses mixing in the region of reverse shear. Under weak buoyancy forcing the timescale for development of the initial dynamical instability can be months or longer, but background flows, which are always present in reality, provide additional current shear that greatly accelerates the process. A third phase can be reached when the ice shelf base is sufficiently steep, with dynamical instability extending beyond the boundary layer into regions of geostrophic flow, generating a marginally-stable pycnocline through which the heat flux is a simple function of ice-ocean interfacial slope.
Psychological Impact, Strengths, and Handling the Uncertainty Among Latinx DACA Recipients
Authors: Moreno Oswaldo , Fuentes Lisa , Garcia-Rodriguez Isis , Corona Rosalie , Cadenas Germàn A.
Published: May 2021

Anti-immigration rhetoric has consistently impacted the lives of immigrant young adults who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. This qualitative study sheds light on the lived psychological experiences of 21 Latinx DACA recipients who were impacted by the political debates during the Trump administration. Content analysis revealed four main psychological impacts resulting from the DACA political debates: stress, fear, anxiety, and depressive symptomatology). Through these experiences, individuals who perceived being impacted by these political debates described three main strengths (i.e., luchando adelante, positive outlook, and DACA+ethnic pride) that assisted them. Finally, participants noted three main strategies (i.e., social and family support, religiosity/spirituality, and social advocacy) that also served them during the DACA political debates. These findings provide implications for practices and policies that foster healing from ethno-racial trauma in Latinx immigrant communities.
Do Activity-Based Incentive Plans Work? Evidence from a Large-Scale Field Intervention
Authors: Rao Raghunath Singh , Viswanathan Madhu , John George , Kishore Sunil
Published: May 2021

Many firms incorporate activity-based incentive (ABI) compensation into their pay plans. These ABIs are based on salespeople’s activity measures derived from their call reports. Despite their prevalence and theory-based expectations, there is a distinct lack of empirical work studying the sales productivity effects of ABI pay. With the cooperation of a large pharmaceutical firm, the authors conducted a three-year-long intervention based on a “treatment-removal” design. Their first intervention added modest ABI pay for frontline salespeople and their supervisors across 305 sales territories; the second intervention removed ABI pay from the salespeople; and the third intervention removed ABI pay from the supervisors as well, returning to the status quo. Using detailed territory-level data from the intervention in conjunction with syndicated market-level data and employing synthetic control procedures, the authors find sales gains of around 6%–9% from each of the two ABI interventions relative to the no-ABI baseline. These effects are moderated by the number of salespeople in a territory, with territories with more salespeople showing larger effects. Analyses of activity effects show that when supervisors are paid ABIs, they exert behavior control downward on salespeople. Managerially, both ABI schemes improve performance over an output-only pay plan. Between the two, a rudimentary gross profit impact calculation shows that ABIs targeted at supervisors alone are more efficient than ABIs targeted at both salespeople and their supervisors. The results support tying compensation to call reports despite the potential for self-serving biases in these measures because supervisors are able to exercise more behavior control with ABIs.
Locating abrupt disaster emergency logistics centres using improved artificial bee colony (IABC) algorithm
Authors: Sun Qiang , Liu Shupei
Published: May 2021

Emergency management is conceptualized as a complex, multi-objective optimization problem related to facility location. However, little research has been performed on the horizontal transportation of emergency logistics centres. This study makes contributions to the multi-objective locating abrupt disaster emergency logistics centres model with the smallest total cost and the largest customer satisfaction. The IABC algorithm is proposed in this paper to solve the multi-objective emergency logistics centres locating problem. IABC algorithm can effectively calculate the optimal location of abrupt disaster emergency logistics centres and the demand for relief materials, and it can solve the rescue time satisfaction for different rescue sites. (1) IABC has better global search capabilities to avoid premature convergence and provide a faster convergence speed, and it has optimal solution accuracy, solution diversity and robustness. (2) From the three optimal objective function values obtained, the optimal objective function values obtained by IABC algorithm are obviously better than ABC and GABC algorithms. (3) From the convergence curves of three objective functions the global search ability and the stability of IABC algorithm are better than those of ABC and GABC algorithm. The improved ABC algorithm has proven to be effective and feasible. However, emergency relief logistics systems are very complex and involve many factors, the proposed model needs to be refined further in the future.
Buen vivir and Changes in Education in Ecuador, 2006–2016
Authors: Echavarría Ricardo Restrepo , Orosz Agnes
Published: May 2021

Education is a pillar of buen vivir, the guiding ideal of Ecuador’s 2008 Constitution. In this framework, Ecuador made significant shifts in its education system from 2006 to 2016, the decade of the Citizens’ Revolution. The key buen vivir concepts and processes that framed these shifts were considering education as a right, as a social debt, and as a driver of a more just, knowledge-intensive and clean economy. Resource allocation, general access, learning, and inclusion of structurally marginalized groups showed significant improvement in this decade, along with other key political, economic and social changes, thus making significant advances in the emancipation of society toward buen vivir, and marking elements of how and why advancing this transformation is important.

La educación como derecho es un pilar del buen vivir, el ideal rector de la Constitución de Ecuador de 2008. En este marco, Ecuador realizó cambios significativos en su sistema educativo de 2006 a 2016. Los conceptos y procesos clave que enmarcaron estos cambios fueron considerar la educación como un derecho, una deuda social, y el motor de una economía más justa, intensiva en conocimiento y limpia. La asignación de recursos, el acceso general, el aprendizaje y la inclusión de grupos estructuralmente marginados tuvieron mejorías significativas, junto a otros cambios políticos, económicos y sociales claves, realizando avances significativos en la emancipación de la sociedad hacia el buen vivir, así como delineando elementos de cómo y por qué avanzar esta transformación es importante.
Three-dimensional ultrastructure of the brain pericyte-endothelial interface
Authors: Ornelas Sharon , Berthiaume Andrée-Anne , Bonney Stephanie K , Coelho-Santos Vanessa , Underly Robert G , Kremer Anna , Guérin Christopher J , Lippens Saskia , Shih Andy Y
Published: May 2021

Pericytes and endothelial cells share membranous interdigitations called “peg-and-socket” interactions that facilitate their adhesion and biochemical crosstalk during vascular homeostasis. However, the morphology and distribution of these ultrastructures have remained elusive. Using a combination of 3D electron microscopy techniques, we examined peg-and-socket interactions in mouse brain capillaries. We found that pegs extending from pericytes to endothelial cells were morphologically diverse, exhibiting claw-like morphologies at the edge of the cell and bouton-shaped swellings away from the edge. Reciprocal endothelial pegs projecting into pericytes were less abundant and appeared as larger columnar protuberances. A large-scale 3D EM data set revealed enrichment of both pericyte and endothelial pegs around pericyte somata. The ratio of pericyte versus endothelial pegs was conserved among the pericytes examined, but total peg abundance was heterogeneous across cells. These data show considerable investment between pericytes and endothelial cells, and provide morphological evidence for pericyte somata as sites of enriched physical and biochemical interaction.
Targeting Peritumoral Lesions Identified by Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Feline Injection-Site Sarcomas for Microscopic Examination
Authors: Löhr Christiane V. , Stieger-Vanegas Susanne M. , Terry Jesse L. , Milovancev Milan , Medlock Jan
Published: May 2021

Peritumoral lesions identified during in vivo imaging of feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS) are frequently interpreted as neoplastic. We recently showed that most peritumoral imaging-identified lesions (PTIILs) in FISS are non-neoplastic. In this article, we describe a protocol to target PTIIL for microscopic examination and report on the protocol’s performance. Ten client-owned cats with FISS were prospectively enrolled. A fiducial marker sutured onto the skin, centered on the palpable mass, served as reference point throughout the study. Each FISS and surrounding tissue was imaged in vivo by dual phase computed tomography angiography and multiple magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequences and each PTIIL documented. Subgross measurements obtained during trimming aided localization and identification of PTIIL during microscopy. Histologic findings were categorized by descending clinical relevance: neoplastic, equivocal, non-neoplastic, within normal limits (WNL). Based on in vivo imaging resolution limits, histologic findings were ≥3 mm in at least one dimension and ≥3 mm apart. Surgical margins served as control tissue for PTIILs. Eighty-one of 87 PTIIL were examined histologically; 13 were neoplastic, 16 equivocal, and 28 non-neoplastic; 24 had no identified histologic correlate. Two neoplastic and 10 equivocal findings were located outside of PTIILs but none of them were located in sections of surgical margins. Computation of a simple confusion matrix yielded fair sensitivity (70.4%) and low specificity (59.7%) for prediction of PTIIL by histologic findings. After combining instances of normal microanatomy with non-neoplastic histologic findings, specificity increased (85.1%) and sensitivity decreased (35.8%). The protocol is a blueprint for targeting PTIIL for microscopic examination but may benefit from further refinement.
Florida Department of Transportation’s Enhanced Hydroplaning Prediction Tool
Authors: Lee Hyung Suk , Carvajal Mateo , Holzschuher Charles , Choubane Bouzid
Published: May 2021

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently developed and implemented a new hydroplaning prediction (HP) program for predicting the traveling speed at which a vehicle would start hydroplaning. The tool was developed as part of the effort to reduce hydroplaning accidents and is being used during the roadway design phase to evaluate the hydroplaning potential of Florida’s roadways. This paper presents an overview of FDOT’s HP program and demonstrates how it may be used. The tool incorporates a total of four water film thickness models and three hydroplaning speed models developed in the past, allowing for a total of 12 model combinations for the hydroplaning analysis. The tool also offers different analysis options that may be used to meet a variety of FDOT’s needs. As demonstrated in this paper, the primary use of the new HP tool is for checking the final geometric roadway design parameters for hydroplaning potential. In addition, the HP program can also be used as a forensic investigation tool for identifying specific locations that exhibit higher potential for hydroplaning.
Reading Between the Lines: A Pursuit of Estimating the Population Prevalence of Mental Illness Using Multiple Data Sources
Authors: Edwards Jordan , Georgiades Katholiki
Published: May 2021

Population-based prevalence estimates of mental illness are foundational to health service planning, strategic resource allocation, and the development and evaluation of public mental health policy. Generating valid, reliable, and context-specific population-level estimates is of utmost importance and can be achieved by combining various data sources. This pursuit benefits from the right combination of theory, applied statistics, and the conceptualization of available data sources as a collective rather than in isolation. We believe there is a need to read between the lines as theory, methodology, and context (i.e., strengths and limitations) are what determines the meaningfulness of a combined prevalence estimate. Currently lacking is a gold standard approach to combining estimates from multiple data sources. Here, we compare and contrast various approaches to combining data and introduce an idea that leverages the strengths of pre-existing individually linked population-based survey and health administrative data sources currently available in Canada.
Pochhammer–Chree equation solver for dispersion correction of elastic waves in a (split) Hopkinson bar
Authors: Shin Hyunho
Published: May 2021

A robust algorithm for solving the Bancroft version of the Pochhammer–Chree (PC) equation is developed based on the iterative root-finding process. The formulated solver not only obtains the conventional n-series solutions but also derives a new series of solutions, named m-series solutions. The n-series solutions are located on the PC function surface that relatively gradually varies in the vicinity of the roots, whereas the m-series solutions are located between two PC function surfaces with (nearly) positive and negative infinity values. The proposed solver obtains a series of sound speeds at exactly the frequencies necessary for dispersion correction, and the derived solutions are accurate to the ninth decimal place. The solver is capable of solving the PC equation up to n = 20 and m = 20 in the ranges of Poisson’s ratio ( ν) of 0.02 [Formula: see text]  ν [Formula: see text] 0.48, normalised frequency ( F) of F [Formula: see text] 30, and normalised sound speed ( C) of C [Formula: see text] 300. The developed algorithm was implemented in MATLAB®, which is available in the Supplemental Material (accessible online).
Frontal Linear Scleroderma (en coup de sabre): A Case Report
Authors: Oh Yo Han , Lee Soo Hyang
Published: May 2021

En coup de sabre is an unusual variant of localized scleroderma characterized by its distinct location involving the frontoparietal region of the forehead and scalp. The authors describe a rare case of en coup de sabre in a 3-year-old boy whose disease onset was at 12 months of age. This article presents the clinical manifestations of continuous changes in the lesion photographed over time. The clinical presentation, laboratory results, and radiological findings together with a brief discussion of the management of the disease are discussed.
Scaffolding Multimodal Composition With Emergent Bilingual Students
Authors: Pacheco Mark B. , Smith Blaine E. , Deig Amber , Amgott Natalie A.
Published: May 2021

Digital multimodal composition offers opportunities for emergent bilingual (EB) students to orchestrate semiotic resources in ways that develop their identities, strengthen their understandings of language, and help them to engage with content. To better understand how EBs can participate in varied multimodal composing practices, this study systematically reviews the literature on EBs’ digital multimodal composing in secondary classrooms. More specifically, it examines types of scaffolds, or planned and responsive instructional supports, used by teachers and students, as well as functions for learning associated with these scaffolds. Through an inductive approach, the authors analyzed 74 studies situated in classrooms. Findings showed seven types of scaffolding: collaboration, direct instruction, exemplar texts, translanguaging, discussion, encouragement, and questioning. In addition, eight scaffolding functions emerged that illustrate three major themes of scaffolding identities, scaffolding resources, and scaffolding contexts. The authors then discuss implications for classroom practice, implications for translanguaging and social semiotics theories, and directions for future research.
Analysis of frequency and severity of relapses in multiple sclerosis patients treated with cladribine tablets or placebo: The CLARITY and CLARITY Extension studies
Authors: De Stefano Nicola , Sormani Maria Pia , Giovannoni Gavin , Rammohan Kottil , Leist Thomas , Coyle Patricia K , Dangond Fernando , Keller Birgit , Alexandri Nektaria , Galazka Andrew
Published: May 2021

Background:

In the CLARITY (CLAdRIbine Tablets treating multiple sclerosis orallY) study of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, treatment with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg (CladT) significantly reduced the annualised relapse rate (ARR) versus placebo; this effect was sustained in CLARITY Extension, without further treatment.

Objective:

To assess the frequency and severity of relapses in patients treated with CladT versus placebo in CLARITY over 2 years and evaluate the durability of effect in patients who received no further treatment for 2 years in CLARITY Extension.

Methods:

In this post hoc analysis, ARRs were calculated for qualifying and all relapses, and qualifying and all severe relapses (i.e. requiring steroid treatment or leading to hospitalisation) in patients treated with CladT ( n = 433) and placebo ( n = 437) in CLARITY, and those from the CladT group who received placebo in CLARITY Extension ( n = 98).

Results:

At Month 6, Year 1 and Year 2, patients receiving CladT had a significantly lower risk of qualifying or all relapses (all p < 0.0001), and qualifying or all severe relapses (all p < 0.005), compared with placebo. This effect was sustained in CLARITY Extension without further treatment.

Conclusion:

The results show durable efficacy of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg for reducing frequency and severity of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. CLARITY: NCT00213135; CLARITY Extension: NCT00641537
Tourism-led and economic-driven nexus in Mauritius: Spillovers and inclusive development policies in the case of an African nation
Authors: Gounder Rukmani
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the dynamic linkages between tourism growth and economic growth in the African island nation of Mauritius using the spillover index framework based on the monthly data from 2003M11–2020M02. The Granger causality results reflect bidirectional static linkages between tourism-led economic growth (TLEG) and economic-driven tourism growth (EDTG). The dynamic spillover findings show a varying magnitude and direction of TLEG and EDTG hypotheses that are time-dependent. These relationships indicate distinct outcomes where tourism growth or economic growth is the net transmitter or recipient of shocks. The level of spillovers is influenced by economic events, climatic disasters and the coronavirus-19 pandemic crisis. Some inclusive and sustainable development policy implications are drawn for Mauritius and other tourism-dependent African countries.
‘You betrayed us’: Ethnic celebrity gossip in diasporic women’s online communities
Authors: Lee Jin , Lee Claire Shinhea
Published: May 2021

This article examines a relationship between ethnic celebrities and diasporic communities by focusing on one case of Korean diasporic women gossiping about Korean actress Seo Min-jung. After a 10-year hiatus following her sudden migration to the United States and marriage to a Korean American dentist in 2007, Seo made a successful comeback to show business by starring in Korean reality shows and opening her Instagram account. Seo’s struggles as a Korean immigrant woman/housewife/mother, portrayed in TV shows and on Instagram, positively resonated with diasporic Korean women’s online communities (DKWOC). This positive discourse around Seo, however, transformed into celebrity bashing when her Instagram scandal happened in 2019. We trace the change of gossip around Seo in DKWOC concerning Korean diasporic women’s identity and status. We argue that DKWOC members’ gossiping of Seo functions as a way of coping with their situation, as they come to recognise the class difference between themselves and Seo and feel disempowered by their dissatisfying circumstances as immigrants.
The role of perceived vulnerability in restaurant customers’ co-creation behavior and repatronage intention during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Min Jihye , Yang Kiseol , Kim Jiyoung
Published: May 2021

This study examines the antecedents of restaurant repatronage intention and the extent to which risk perception (i.e. perceived vulnerability) moderates the formation of that intention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Service fairness, trust, and co-creation behavior were investigated as the antecedents of restaurant diners’ repatronage intention formation process in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the data collected from people who had dined in a restaurant during the study period, a structural analysis was conducted with the Partial Least Squares method. The proposed model in the study explained a significant amount of the variance in the customers’ repatronage intention and partially supported the moderation effect of perceived vulnerability to COVID-19. The findings of the study contribute to advancing our knowledge of how the perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 leverages customers’ repatronage intention, which is affected by service fairness, trust, and co-creation behavior in the restaurant industry.
The treatment of sleep problems in autistic adults in the United Kingdom
Authors: Halstead Elizabeth , Sullivan Emma , Zambelli Zoe , Ellis Jason G , Dimitriou Dagmara
Published: May 2021

Sleep problems are one of the most common complaints in autistic adults. This study aimed to report the perspectives of autistic adults in the United Kingdom on treatment of their sleep problems. A total of 288 autistic adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey including assessments of their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, reporting their experiences and preferences of sleep treatment with UK healthcare professionals and, their experiences of self-management of their sleep. Self-report data revealed 58% of participants had not attended a consultation with a healthcare professional regarding their sleep problem despite 90% meeting the criteria for poor sleep quality (based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Of the participants who attended a consultation for their sleep, 72% were prescribed medication and 60% were not satisfied with the outcome. Self-management of sleep problems was not effective for 80% of participants; 41% reported a preference for non-medication options such as education, advice and talking therapies for sleep treatment. This report highlights the need for a fundamental shift in the consideration of sleep problems in autistic adults given the high levels of co-morbidity. The development of successful management strategies in adulthood that importantly considering autistic adults’ preferences could reduce sleep problems and overall improve quality of life for autistic adults. Long term this could also reduce the need for prescribed medication in this population.

Lay abstract

Sleep problems are one of the most common complaints by autistic adults. This study aimed to report the perspectives of autistic adults on treatment of their sleep problems; 288 autistic adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey which assessed their sleep quality. We also gathered data on experiences and preferences of sleep treatment with UK healthcare professionals and their experiences of self-management of their sleep; 58% of autistic adults never had a visit with a healthcare professional regarding their sleep problem, despite 90% meeting the criteria for poor sleep quality. Some of those who attended a consultation for their sleep were prescribed medication (72%), but 60% were not satisfied with the outcome. The participants also reported that sleep self-management was not effective (80%); 41% reported a preference for non-medication including education, advice and talking therapies for sleep treatment. This report highlights the need for a fundamental shift in treatment of sleep problems in autistic adults. The current treatments are not resolving sleep issues; hence, it is imperative to develop management strategies that considers autistic adults’ preferences, reduces sleep problems and thus improves quality of life for autistic adults.
Real-Time Video Scan Method for Community Partner Use to Inform Play Streets Implementation
Authors: Prochnow Tyler , Umstattd Meyer M. Renée , Bridges Hamilton Christina N. , Wilkins Emily , Pollack Porter Keshia M.
Published: May 2021

System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) can provide accurate assessment of physical activity; however, the skills, time, and human resources necessary to collect/interpret SOPARC data can be challenging for community organizations. This article describes a more accessible adaptation of SOPARC using video recordings for community organizations to obtain physical activity feedback at Play Streets. Narrated panoramic video scans occurred every 30 minutes at each Play Street using an iPad. Videographers narrated: (1) sex, (2) age group (child, teen, adult, senior), and (3) activity level (sedentary, walking, vigorous) for everyone recorded. SOPARC video scans, in-person iSOPARC observations, and interviews were conducted with Play Streets implementors to determine validity and feasibility. Validity was examined using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). In-person and video scans showed near perfect agreement for sedentary individuals (CCC = .95) and substantial agreement for active individuals (CCC = .72). Overall, community partners felt that they “could see how [the scans] could be useful” and “help[ed] see a bit more clearly what’s happening.” The method described here is a more accessible systematic observation approach to measure physical activity for communities implementing Play Streets. Further, this method can be used without research training while still providing valuable activity feedback.
Evaluating the Impact of Wellness Days on Enrollment of Underserved Women in the Connecticut Early Detection and Prevention Program
Authors: Pratte Morgan A. , Ogazi Chioma , Vozzolo Chelsea , Wright Donette , Griffin Amy
Published: May 2021

Women in underserved communities are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Connecticut Early Detection and Prevention Program (CEDPP) has taken a streamlined approach to improve access to comprehensive preventive health services for minority women and those with incomes below the federal poverty threshold. The CEDPP has implemented Wellness Days to improve outreach in the community and offer opportunities for health assessments, screenings, and education around chronic disease prevention and management. CEDPP contractors coordinated 47 Wellness Days in 2019, reaching 2,509 women and successfully enrolling 107 (4.3%) in the CEDPP. While the majority of Wellness Day events offered health education to participants, only 10.6% offered mammograms and 6.4% offered Papanicolaou (Pap) tests onsite. Through ongoing evaluation efforts, the CEDPP and its contractors have identified opportunities to enhance the success of Wellness Days to connect women with essential preventive services. By expanding its reach, the CEDPP will have a more widespread impact on women’s health across Connecticut.