bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Manifestations, Outcomes, and Mortality Risk Factors of Atrial-Esophageal Fistula: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liu Aihua , Lin Mingjie , Maduray Kellina , Han Wenqiang , Zhong Jing-quan
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Atrial-esophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but life-threatening complication of catheter ablation. The clinical presentation and mortality risk factors of AEF have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to systematically review the clinical characteristics and prognosis of AEF. Methods: PubMed was searched from inception to October 2020 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement protocol. Results: A total of 190 AEF patients were included. The mean age was 59.29 ± 11.67 years, 74.21% occurred in males, and 81.58% underwent radiofrequency ablation. AEF occurred within 30 days after ablation in 80.82% of patients and occurred later in patients presenting with neurological symptoms compared with other symptoms (median of onset time: 27.5 days vs. 16 days, p < 0.001). Clinical presentation included fever (81.58%) and neurological symptoms (80.53%). Chest computed tomography (abnormal rate of 91.24%) was the preferred diagnostic test, followed by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (abnormal rate of 90.91%). Repeated testing improved diagnostic evaluation sensitivity. Distinctive imaging results included free air in the mediastinum (incidence rate of 81.73%) and air embolism of the brain (incidence rate of 57.53%). The overall mortality was 63.16%, with worse nonsurgical treatment outcomes compared with outcomes of surgical treatment (94.19% vs. 33.71%, p < 0.001). Conservative or stent intervention was an independent risk factor for mortality. Age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.063, p = 0.004), presentation with neurological symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, 5.706, p = 0.017), and presentation with gastrointestinal bleeds (adjusted odds ratio, 3.009, p = 0.045) were also predictors of mortality. Conclusions: AEF is a fatal ablation complication. AEF can be diagnosed using a combination of a clinical history of ablation, infection, or neurological symptoms and an abnormal chest CT. Our analysis supports that surgical treatment reduces the mortality rate.
Validation of an Intelligibility Test Based on Acoustic-Phonetic Decoding of Pseudo-Words: Overall Results from Patients with Cancer of the Oral Cavity and the Oropharynx
Authors: Ghio Alain , Lalain Muriel , Rebourg Marie , Marczyk Anna , Fredouille Corinne , Woisard Virginie
Published: September 2021

Objectives: Loss of intelligibility is a major complaint for patients with speech disorders, as it affects their everyday communication and thus contributes to a decrease in their quality of life. Several tests are available to measure intelligibility, but these tests do not take into account the evaluators’ ability to restore distorted sequences. Due to this ability, the evaluator will tend to recognize words despite phonetic distortions, and speech production deficit can go undetected. The results of these tests therefore overestimate the intelligibility of patients and may mask real functional limitations. We propose a new test which uses a large number of pseudowords in order to neutralize the unwanted perceptual effects that cause this overestimation. The purpose of this test is to measure the speech production deficit. It is not intended to assess the communication deficit. Our objective is to validate this test based on acoustic-phonetic decoding of productions from patients with speech disorders. Materials and Methods: We tested this method with a population of 39 healthy participants and 78 post-treatment patients with cancers of the oral cavity and the oropharynx (HNC patients). Each speaker produced 52 pseudowords taken from randomly generated lists from large common dictionary, each list of 52 pseudowords containing the same number of phonemes. Forty everyday listeners then transcribed these productions. The orthographic transcriptions were phonetized and compared to the expected phonetic forms. An algorithm provided a Perceived Phonological Deviation score (PPD) based on the number of features that differed between the expected forms and the transcribed items. The PPD thus provided a score representing the loss of intelligibility. Results: The 39 participants in the control group demonstrated significantly lower PPD scores compared to the 41 patients with a T1T2 tumor size or compared to the 37 patients with a T3T4 tumor size. The differences between the three groups were significant. If we use the PPD as a predictor to identify patients versus control group subjects, the AUC of the ROC curve is equal to 0.94, which corresponds to an outstanding group separability. A PPD threshold at 0.6 features per phoneme is the boundary between normal and dysfunctional speech. The analysis showed a close correlation between the PPD and a clinical judgment of the disorder severity obtained from experts. Conclusion: This test appears to be effective in measuring the intelligibility of speakers at a phonological level, in particular in the case of head and neck cancers.
Current Recommendations on Atrial Fibrillation: A Comparison of the Recent European and Canadian Guidelines
Authors: Okutucu Sercan , Gorenek Bulent
Published: September 2021

Background: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation (AF) are frequently published and updated, reflecting the rapid evolution in AF pathogenesis and treatment modalities. Summary: Recently, 2 important guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial AF have been published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS). Although the evidence-based recommendations and statements are quite similar, there are some important differences between the ESC and CCS guidelines for AF. Herein, we compared the current recommendations and highlighted the differences from the most recent guidelines for AF. Key Messages: Specifically, key differences can be observed in methods evaluating the recommendations; classifications and the definitions; the symptom score used to guide management decisions, longitudinal patient assessment, and structured characterization; the stroke risk stratification algorithm used to determine indications for oral anticoagulation therapy; the role of acetylsalicylic acid in stroke prevention in AF; the antithrombotic regimens that are employed in the setting of chronic coronary syndromes, acute coronary syndromes, and percutaneous coronary intervention; the target heart rate for rate control; and the algorithms for integrated or holistic management of AF. Differences are observed, particularly when the quality of evidence is moderate or low. More research and randomized controlled studies on major gaps identified in current guidelines will further clarify and modify our future management strategies in AF.
An Introduction to Stereology with Applications to the Glomerulus
Authors: Lemley Kevin V.
Published: September 2021

Background: Stereology is the science of inferring quantitative features of 3-dimensional structures from lower dimensional samples of those structures (probes). It is a statistical discipline and therefore may seem intimidating to many potential users. Without a proper understanding of its principles, though, errors may be made in the quantitative reporting of structural research results. Summary: This review article attempts to explain and justify the basic principles of stereology as applied to the glomerulus in a simple and accessible way. A few common errors in application are described. The strengths and weaknesses of “biased” (model-based) stereology are described as well as the basics of design-based (“unbiased”) stereology. Key Messages: Stereology is a useful body of theory and practices when quantitation of structural histological features of the glomerulus is desired.
How Visual Expertise Changes Representational Geometry: A Behavioral and Neural Perspective
Authors: Duyck Stefanie , Martens Farah , Chen Chiu-Yueh , Op de Beeck Hans
Published: September 2021

Many people develop expertise in specific domains of interest, such as chess, microbiology, radiology, and, the case in point in our study: ornithology. It is poorly understood to what extent such expertise alters brain function. Previous neuroimaging studies of expertise have typically focused upon the category level, for example, selectivity for birds versus nonbird stimuli. We present a multivariate fMRI study focusing upon the representational similarity among objects of expertise at the subordinate level. We compare the neural representational spaces of experts and novices to behavioral judgments. At the behavioral level, ornithologists (n = 20) have more fine-grained and task-dependent representations of item similarity that are more consistent among experts compared to control participants. At the neural level, the neural patterns of item similarity are more distinct and consistent in experts than in novices, which is in line with the behavioral results. In addition, these neural patterns in experts show stronger correlations with behavior compared to novices. These findings were prominent in frontal regions, and some effects were also found in occipitotemporal regions. This study illustrates the potential of an analysis of representational geometry to understand to what extent expertise changes neural information processing.
A new species of Kohleria (Gesneriaceae) from Southwestern Colombia
Authors: ARANGO-GÓMEZ KATHERIN , CLAVIJO LAURA , ZULUAGA ALEJANDRO
Published: September 2021

A new species of Kohleria (Gesneriaceae) is described from the Colombian Andes, in the departments of Huila and Cauca. The new species, Kohleria huilensis, has long been documented from the Merenberg Natural Reserve (La Plata, Huila), but has been confused with K. inaequalis var. inaequalis and K. inaequalis var. ocellata. The new species is distinguished by the following characters: white sericeous and sparse villous indumenta on vegetative structures; calyx lobes elongate with revolute margins; corolla magenta to fuchsia, ventral lobe orbicular with apex truncate; filaments hirsute with glandular trichomes distally; and staminodes < 2.8 mm long.
Hornschuchia mellosilvae (Annonaceae) a new species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: LOPES JENIFER DE CARVALHO , VILELA LUCAS , JOHNSON DAVID M.
Published: September 2021

The Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot that includes different types of phytophysiognomies, mainly forests. Hornschuchia, Annonaceae, is one of its endemic genera. Eight Hornschuchia species are found in the tropical moist forest, three of them both occurring in tropical moist forest and tabuleiro forest, a semideciduous seasonal forest, one occurs in the coastal semideciduous seasonal forest and two inhabit the semideciduous seasonal forest and deciduous seasonal forest far from the coast in Bahia. Here we describe the twelfth species of Hornschuchia, which occurs in the Bahian semideciduous seasonal forest, and present a morphological description, illustration, distribution map and assessment of its conservation status.
Repairing of Subchondral Defect and Articular Cartilage of Knee Joint of Rabbit by Gadolinium Containing Bio-Nanocomposites
Authors: Jiang Xin , Xiu Jiang , Shen Fuguo , Jin Song , Sun Wencai
Published: September 2021

A variety of gadolinium (Gd) based nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized due to the unique magnetic properties of Gd-containing rare earth compounds and the particularity of micro/nano-materials, which were then incorporated into hydroxyapatite (HA) to obtain inorganic-organic composite
materials. Then, HA/Gd NPs containing slow-release transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) were harvested. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were extracted from the adipose tissue of a four-month-old New Zealand white rabbit. HA/Gd NPs were attached to absorbable gelatin sponge to obtain
HA/Gd NPs/gelatin sponge composite scaffold. In addition, the third generation ADSCs were taken and cultured in the composite scaffold, so that ADSCs-HA/Gd bio-nanocomposites were obtained. The in vitro culture test of osteoblast MC3T3-E1 showed that Gd-containing NPs had good biocompatibility.
The prepared HA/Gd NPs loaded with TGF-β1 were spherical, with an average particle size of (9.16 ± 3.16) μm. The NPs were easy to aggregate and adherent. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test results showed that TGF-β1 in NPs was sustained and released continuously
for 29 days. HA/Gd NPs/gelatin sponge composite scaffold combined with ADSCs were co-cultured for three days, and the electron microscope showed that the HA/Gd NPs were dispersed, and the cells could adhere and grow well. Then, animal models of rabbit knee articular cartilage defects were
established and were rolled into three groups (ADSCs-HA/Gd nano group, HA/Gd nano scaffold group, and blank control). The repair area of the rabbit knee of ADSCs-HA/Gd nano group was smooth and flat, the scaffold was absorbed, the toluidine blue stain was positive, and the type II collagen
immunohistochemical stain was positive. In general, ADSCs-HA/Gd nanomaterials were helpful for chondrogenic cell differentiation and had certain adoption prospects in the field of tissue engineering to repair cartilage defects.
Synthesis of Capsaicin Loaded Silver Nanoparticles Using Green Approach and Its Anti-Bacterial Activity Against Human Pathogens
Authors: Mahmood Syed , Mei Tan Siew , Yee Wong Xi , Hilles Ayah Rebhi , Alelwani Walla , Bannunah Azzah M
Published: September 2021

Nanotechnology is drawing attention nowadays due to its ability to regulate metals into nanosize, ultimately changing metal’s physical, chemical, and optical properties. Silver nanoparticles are known for their potential impact as antimicrobial agents due to their inherent property
penetrating the cell wall. The present study aimed to develop and statistically optimise using a novel combination of capsaicin loaded silver nanoparticles (AgCNPs) as an effective anti-bacterial agent to treat psoriasis using a green approach. Ascorbic acid was used as a reducing agent to
fabricate silver nanoparticles. The formulation parameters optimisation was conducted using Box-Behnken Design (3×3 factorial design). The loading of capsaicin was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-scanning
electron microscopy (EDX-SEM) confirmed the existence of silver; net-like structure revealed in SEM and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy further confirmed the nano size of the formulation. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction demonstrated the capsaicin transformed
into amorphous after encapsulated. An in-vitro microbial study showed that the 0.10 M formulation of AgCNPs exerted potent anti-bacterial activity, which can be considered an alternative anti-bacterial agent. It also displayed that the zone of inhibition was significantly high in gram-negative
bacteria (E. coli) than gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus). Green synthesised AgCNPs showed highly significant anti-bacterial activity, which indicates that this formulation can be very promising for treating psoriasis.
Graphene Oxide Nanosheets with Efficient Antibacterial Activity Against Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA)
Authors: Gao Yujie , Dong Yuanhao , Cao Yubin , Huang Wenlong , Yu Chenhao , Sui Shangyan , Mo Anchun , Peng Qiang
Published: September 2021

The development of drug-resistant bacteria has become a public health problem, among which methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) leads to various life-threatening diseases. Graphene oxide (GO) is a two-dimensional nanomaterial with potential in the anti-MRSA treatment. This study prepared GO nanosheets with fixed lamellar size, investigated its antibacterial activity against MRSA, and analyzed the related antibacterial mechanisms. We found that the fabrication of GO with stable dispersion was workable. Furthermore, such GO had superior antibacterial performance against MRSA at low concentrations with the dose-dependent anti-MRSA effect. The GO-MRSA interaction also provided fundamental support for the antibacterial mechanisms with cleavage and encapsulation effects. In conclusion, GO nanosheets may be a promising antimicrobial agent against MRSA.
Carbon Nanodots Inhibit Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein-Induced Injury and Monocyte Adhesion to Endothelial Cells Through Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Khan Safeera , Chavez Jessica , Zhu Xuewei , Chiu Norman H. L. , Zhang Wendi , Yin Ziyu , Han Jian , Yang Jibin , Sigler Robert , Tian Shaomin , Zhu Hong , Li Yunbo , Wei Jianjun , Yi Xianwen , Jia Zhenquan
Published: September 2021

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) is a known biomarker of inflammation and atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death worldwide. As a new class of nanomaterials, carbon nanodots (CNDs) are widely used in bioimaging, diagnostics, and drug delivery. However, there is no current
report on how these CNDs affect the cardiovascular system, particularly their potential in mediating endothelial inflammatory dysfunction. This study examined effects of CNDs on Ox-LDL-mediated endothelial dysfunction. CNDs significantly inhibited Ox-LDL-mediated adhesion of monocytes to human
microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). CNDs significantly inhibited Ox-LDL-mediated adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, which is an essential step in the development of atherosclerosis. Further, CNDs significantly inhibited OxLDL-induced
expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a vital cytokine on monocyte adhesion to the endothelial cells. These results demonstrate CNDs possess anti-inflammatory properties. CNDs also protect cells against Ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy studies demonstrated
direct reactive oxygen species-scavenging by CNDs. This result indicates that the anti-inflammatory properties of CNDs are most likely due to their direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Animal studies involving mice did not show any morphological or physical changes between the CNDs
and control groups. Our study provides evidence of potential of CNDs in reducing Ox-LDL-mediated inflammation and cytotoxicity in HMEC-1.
Vancomycin Hydrochloride Loaded Hydroxyapatite Mesoporous Microspheres with Micro/Nano Surface Structure to Increase Osteogenic Differentiation and Antibacterial Ability
Authors: Zhang Beizhi , Chai Yunhui , Huang Kai , Wei Xuejie , Mei Zhiqing , Wu Xiaopei , Dai Honglian
Published: September 2021

As infection induced by the implant will lead to operation failure, the implant material must be endowed with certain antibacterial properties. Hydroxyapatite (HA) mesoporous microspheres have been widely used in bone repair due to their advantages, including simple synthesis, good osteogenic properties and drug loading capacity. In this study, vancomycin hydrochloride-loaded mesoporous hydroxyapatite microspheres with micro/nanosurface structures were synthesized to increase osteogenic differentiation and antibacterial ability. Phytic acid (IP6) was used as a template to prepare mesoporous hydroxyapatite microspheres composed of fibres, flakes and smooth surfaces by the hydrothermal homogeneous precipitation method, and the corresponding specific surface areas were 65.20 m2/g, 75.13 m2/g and 71.27 m2/g, respectively. Vancomycin hydrochloride (Van) was used as the drug model to study the drug loading and release characteristics of the microspheres, as well as thein vitroantibacterial properties after treatment. In addition, during cocultivation with MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts, HA microspheres assembled via flakes exhibited better cell compatibility, which promoted cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the formation of calcium nodules and increased the expression of osteogenic differentiation-related proteins such as Runx-2, osteopontin (OPN) and collagen I (COL I). These results indicated that the HA microspheres prepared in this experiment have broad application prospects in drug delivery systems and bone repair.
Nanomedicine Applications in Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: Current State of the Art
Authors: Wang Mengyao , Qu Ying , Hu Danrong , Niu Ting , Qian Zhiyong
Published: September 2021

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare but highly aggressive subtype of extra nodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which is confined in the central nervous system (CNS). Despite recent advancements in treatment options, the overall prognosis of PCNSL remains poor. Among
many unfavorable factors affecting efficacy, inadequate drug delivery into the CNS is still the thorniest challenge. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) constitutes a significant impediment, restricting entry of most therapeutics to the brain. Nanotechnology has offered great promise for brain diseases,
as various nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) have been developed for delivery of theranostic agents in to the CNS. These drug delivery systems possess significant advantages, including good feasibility, reliable safety profile, excellent BBB penetration and potent antitumor effects.
As for treatment of PCNSL, numerous well-developed BBB-crossing nano-based strategies can be applied with proper modifications and improvements. Some exquisitely designed NDDSs specific for PCNSL have shown great potential. In this review, we provide a summary on current status of diagnosis
and treatment of PCNSL, followed by an overview of BBB-crossing strategies applied in management of PCNSL, both novel and wellestablished. Finally, challenges and future perspectives in this field are also discussed.
Stimuli-Sheddable Nanomedicine Overcoming Pathophysiological Barriers for Potentiating Immunotherapy of Cancer
Authors: Wang Jiaxin , Zhou Mengxue , Chen Fangmin , Liu Xiao , Gao Jin , Wang Weiqi , Wang Hui , Yu Haijun
Published: September 2021

Immunotherapy displays potent potential for clinical cancer management by activating the protective immune response; however, the microenvironment of the immunosuppressive tumor restricts the efficiency of immunotherapies. Along with the complex pathophysiological barrier of the solid
tumors, successful immunotherapeutic delivery remains a formidable challenge for conventional nanomedicine. Stimuli-sheddable nano vectors may facilitate the delivery of cargoes to tumors with minimal premature cargo leakage in blood circulation while enhancing the tumor penetration of nanomedicines
by deshielding the polyethylene glycol (PEG) corona upon endogenous activity such as acidity, enzymes and glutathione, or external stimuli, such as laser irradiation. Throughout this study, researchers overviewed the recent advances of nanomedicine-based cancer immunotherapy using the stimuli-responsive
deshielding nano vectors, which allowed researchers to integrate multiple therapeutic regimens for inducing immunogenic cell death. This aided in blocking the immune checkpoints, repolarizing the macrophages, and regulating the kynurenine metabolism. Furthermore, researchers discussed the
critical issues in the development of stimuli-sheddable nanoimmunodulators, primarily aimed at speeding up their clinical translation. Finally, researchers provided novel perspectives for improving cancer management with the stimuli-sheddable nanomedicine.
Adverse Prognosis of Peripheral Artery Disease Treatments Associated With Diabetes: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis
Authors: Luan Jingyang , Xu Jie , Zhong Weiquan , Zhou Yan , Liu Hao , Qian Kai
Published: September 2021

Many studies have investigated the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) on outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We performed a meta-analysis of the outcomes of PAD treatments in DM patients compared with those without DM. Long-term mortality was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were in-hospital/30-day mortality, primary/secondary patency, amputation, and limb salvage. Thirty-one studies reporting 58113 patients were eligible for enrollment. The mean follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 89 months. DM was significantly associated with long-term mortality (relative risk (RR) = 1.67; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.43–1.94; P < .001). DM was also associated with significantly lower primary patency (RR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58–0.95; P = .001) and secondary patency (RR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67–0.96; P = .009). DM is associated with worse outcomes and adverse prognosis of treatment in patients with PAD, and may therefore be a modifiable risk factor for poor prognosis in PAD patients.
The Politics and Practice of New Zealand Competition Law
Authors: Sumpter Matt
Published: September 2021

There is a wind of change blowing through global competition law and policy. Four or five years ago, there were signs a front was coming. Progressive commentators were fretting about years of seemingly unchecked market concentration. They were asking whether greater antitrust intervention might soothe rising inequality, prop up wages, and even disband aggregated political power. Some from the vanguard of this movement now occupy the most influential positions in the global antitrust endeavor. In this article, I locate New Zealand’s experience within the international normative debate over the law’s objectives by reference to the country’s modern economic history. And I explain how policy translates into practice at the enforcement coal face in New Zealand. In doing so, I observe that the country’s competition agency, the Commerce Commission, is failing in its duty to investigate and prosecute exclusionary conduct in the jurisdiction.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 Cluster Associated With Deer Harvested at a Single Wildlife Hunting Area, Oregon, 2017
Authors: Ladd-Wilson Stephen G. , Morey Karim , Turpen Lauren , DeMarco Kara , Van Der Veen Gary , Fontana John L. , Dannenhoffer Robert L. , Tenney Kristina , Kutumbaka Kirthi K. , Samadpour Mansour , Cieslak Paul R.
Published: September 2021

The Oregon Health Authority routinely investigates clusters of reportable enteric diseases identified by whole-genome sequencing. While investigating 2 cases of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in 2019, in which both patients were exposed to the same home-processed “jerky” and clinical isolates matched within 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we discovered, by searching the National Library of Medicine’s National Center for Biotechnology Information website, 3 other cases of E coli O157:H7 from 3 Oregon counties—Tillamook, Umatilla, and Douglas—whose clinical isolates were within 9 SNPs of the 2 initial matched cases. We analyzed interview data for 3 case patients and followed up with additional hypothesis-generating questions. Onset of illness for the Tillamook, Umatilla, and Douglas county cases were October 7, 2017, October 27, 2017, and April 30, 2018, respectively. The median age of the 5 case patients was 16 years. Parents of 2 of the 5 case patients, each from a different county, had harvested deer approximately 20 miles from each other in the same Douglas County wildlife hunting unit in late September 2017. The case from Umatilla County was lost to follow-up. Although it is well documented that deer are a viable and substantial reservoir of E coli O157:H7, to our knowledge, this is the first time that venison from a common wildlife hunting unit was found to be associated with a cluster of illnesses. This finding suggests a geographic nidus for E coli O157:H7. We recommend routinely asking about wildlife hunting units when developing exposure hypotheses involving potential venison-associated clusters.
Engaged Women’s Relationships, Weddings, and Mental Health During Covid-19
Authors: Scott Allison M. , Stafford Laura
Published: September 2021

We examined the association between mental health and relationship and wedding factors among engaged women planning their weddings before and during Covid-19. Survey data from 715 non-Covid-19 and 427 Covid-19 participants revealed that Covid-19 participants experienced depression in greater proportion than non-Covid-19 participants. Wedding satisfaction and financial strain were stronger predictors of depression for Covid-19 than non-Covid-19 participants. Other significant predictors of Covid-19 participants’ depression included social isolation, relational satisfaction and turbulence, and wedding disillusionment. Additionally, 22.0% of Covid-19 participants reported severe levels of anxiety, which was significantly predicted by social isolation, relational turbulence, wedding financial strain, wedding disillusionment, and wedding satisfaction. According to Covid-19 participants’ open-ended responses, less depressed participants liked something better about their revised wedding plans, more anxious participants could not identify positive aspects of their revised plans, and less anxious participants appreciated the perspective that came with revising wedding plans due to Covid-19.
Parent/Caregiver Narratives of Challenges Related to Raising Transgender and/or Nonbinary Youth
Authors: Katz-Wise Sabra L. , Galman Sally Campbell , Friedman Lauren E. , Kidd Kacie M.
Published: September 2021

Parents/caregivers of transgender and/or nonbinary (TNB) youth (those who identify with a different gender than the gender typically associated with their assigned sex) may experience secondary stigma related to their child’s TNB identity. However, parent/caregiver support is critical for TNB youth’s mental health. This study explored attitudes and challenges faced by parents/caregivers of TNB youth. Data were from 27 parents/caregivers of TNB youth who completed an anonymous online survey with qualitative and quantitative measures. Qualitative data were analyzed using immersion/crystallization and thematic analysis approaches. Six themes were developed from the data: TNB youth individual characteristics/experiences, societal and other external factors affecting parent/caregivers’ future outlook, TNB identity development and transition, TNB-related social and institutional interactions, parent/caregivers’ supportive cognitions and behaviors, and parent/caregivers’ challenging cognitions. Findings from this study can inform efforts to support parents/caregivers of TNB youth, which can ultimately support the well-being of TNB youth themselves.
Introduction: Comparative European Perspectives on Transnational Solidarity Organisations
Authors: Kousis Maria , Lahusen Christian
Published: September 2021

Solidarity with the deprived is a mission that many civic organisations share throughout Europe. The various crises, to which the European Union has been exposed to, have fueled and constrained this collective action at the same time. This article offers an introduction into this special issue. It highlights that the objective is to provide sound empirical findings about the magnitude and structure of the organisational field and to offer theoretical insights into the forces and constraints impacting on it. In addition, it presents the unique and new datasets on which the analyses are based on and stresses their comparative approach, given research carried out across fields (migration/refugees, unemployment, and disabilities) and countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the UK). Finally, the introduction to the special issue argues that the organisational fields are exposed to transformations that point to a more transnational scope of activities and a more encompassing and inclusive understanding of solidarity.
Can willingness to communicate, communication in English anxiety, behavioural inhibition and behavioural action predict perceived L2 fluency?
Authors: Zabihi Reza , Ghominejad Shiva , Javad Ahmadian Mohammad
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to investigate whether and how willingness to communicate, communication in English anxiety, behavioural inhibition and action predict perceived second language (L2) fluency. The study also looked at whether L2 proficiency moderates the strength of relationships between these affective factors and L2 perceived fluency. One hundred learners of English were recorded while doing the Suitcase task (a monologic task) and were asked to complete a series of questionnaires and proficiency tests. Speech samples were then prepared for presentation to 26 experienced language teachers (and highly proficient users of English) as raters. Their task was to rate the speech samples in terms of perceived fluency. Results revealed that while willingness to communicate is a strong and positive predictor of perceived fluency, communication in English anxiety negatively predicts perceived L2 fluency. We also found that L2 proficiency does not seem to moderate the relationship between perceived fluency and willingness to communicate (WTC), but it does change the partial correlation figure for communication in English anxiety from r = −0.24 ( p = .013) to r = −0.38 ( p < .001). This variation suggests that less proficient L2 speakers’ perceived fluency could be more severely affected by communication in English anxiety.
Peak strength prediction of reinforced concrete columns in different failure modes based on gene expression programming
Authors: Mansouri Iman , İpek Süleyman , Guneyisi Esra Mete , Ning Chao-Lie
Published: September 2021

The peak strength of reinforced concrete (RC) columns plays an important role in the appraisal of inelastic seismic performance. It depends on various parameters related to the geometry, reinforcement detail, material property, confinement effect, and loading condition. In applications, it is usually a prior condition to classify the failure modes of RC columns for predicting the peak strength accurately. Yet, classifying the failure modes of RC columns in an accurate way is a difficult task due to the complexity of the shear transfer mechanism. Thus, there is a need to develop a peak strength prediction model for RC columns failing in different modes directly. In this study, an attempt has been made by implementing the gene expression programming (GEP) method to realize this purpose. The experimental data required for the implementation of the GEP method are based on extensive results of RC columns tested in quasi-static cyclic loading. To validate the efficiency of the developed model, a detailed comparison against existing equations is conducted. The comparative results indicate that the developed model produces a rational prediction for the peak strength of RC columns in various failure modes. Based on the developed model, the peak strength can be predicted in a unified way for both ductile and non-ductile RC columns, which is beneficial for the seismic evaluation of existing structures.
In the Name of Living with Virus: Enforcement of (Hidden) Agenda to Throttle Idea of Inclusive Education and Development
Authors: Gautam Dharma Rakshit
Published: September 2021

Inclusive idea of education in India though implied in the Indian constitution, has always been looked upon with suspicion by the privileged castes, classes, gender, and ethnic groups. The reason was apprehension of undoing of the status quo that has had remained primordial and backed by religious sanctions for social stratification. Therefore, idea of affirmative action towards disadvantaged sections in education in general and higher education in particular has faced stiff resistance by the conservative (status quoist) forces with ideas such as merit, efficiency and promotion of liberalization. However, with the limited implementation of the affirmative action policies such conservative idea was challenged, and representation of the disadvantaged sections was ensured, albeit partially. As a result, glimmerings of hope could be seen alongside with the amelioration of the disadvantaged statuses and (partial) inclusive development. But the present government with their covert strategies has always wished to hamper such inclusive idea in education. And amidst the present pandemic COVID-19 situation, they have found the golden opportunity to blow such development by arbitrarily shifting the policies pertaining to education to cause subtle exclusion of the disadvantaged groups. Such a shift in the policies is deliberate as has been proposed as universal and non-temporary change especially in higher education, that is, changes have been introduced with post-pandemic effect. Also, this change that has tendency for leaning towards liberalization/privatization can be seen as a logical continuation of their policies for withdrawal of the state from providing (higher) education in terms of continuous reduction in allotment of budget towards education. Interestingly, to divert attention and avoid critical reflection the change in policies are conveniently placed under the guise of (forced) living with the virus that has caused pandemic COVID-19.
Interpreting quality assessment re-imagined: The synergy between human and machine scoring
Authors: Han Chao , Lu Xiaolei
Published: September 2021

Assessment of interpreting quality is a ubiquitous social practice in the interpreting industry and academia. In this article, we focus on both psychometric and social dimensions of assessment practice, and analyse two major assessment paradigms, namely, human rater scoring and automatic machine scoring. Regarding human scoring, we describe five specific methods, including atomistic scoring, questionnaire-based scoring, multi-methods scoring, rubric scoring, and ranking, and critically analyse their respective strengths and weaknesses. In terms of automatic scoring, we highlight four assessment approaches that have been researched and operationalised in cognate disciplines and interpreting studies, including automatic assessment based on temporal variables, linguistic/surface features, machine translation metrics, and quality estimation methodology. Finally, we problematise the socio-technological tension between these two paradigms and envisage human–machine collaboration to produce psychometrically sound and socially responsible assessment. We hope that this article sparks more scholarly discussion of rater-mediated and automatic assessment of interpreting quality from a psychometric-social perspective.
Distinct clinical characteristics ofDUX4-andPAX5-altered childhood B-lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Lee Shawn Hsien Ren , Chin Winnie Hui Ni , Lu Yi , Jiang Nan , Lim Evelyn Huizi , Coustan-Smith Elaine , Chiew Kean Hui , Oh Bernice Ling Zhi , Koh Grace Shimin , Chen Zhiwei , Kham Shirley Kow Yin , Quah Thuan Chong , Lin Hai Peng , Tan Ah Moy , Ariffin Hany , Yang Jun J. , Yeoh Allen Eng-Juh
Published: September 2021

Among the recently described subtypes in childhood B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) were DUX4- and PAX5-altered (PAX5alt). By using whole transcriptome RNA sequencing in 377 children with B-ALL from the Malaysia-Singapore ALL 2003 (MS2003) and Malaysia-Singapore ALL 2010 (MS2010) studies, we found that, after hyperdiploid and ETV6-RUNX1, the third and fourth most common subtypes were DUX4 (n = 51; 14%) and PAX5alt (n = 36; 10%). DUX4 also formed the largest genetic subtype among patients with poor day-33 minimal residual disease (MRD; n = 12 of 44). But despite the poor MRD, outcome of DUX4 B-ALL was excellent (5-year cumulative risk of relapse [CIR], 8.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8%-19.5% and 5-year overall survival, 97.8%; 95% CI, 85.3%-99.7%). In MS2003, 21% of patients with DUX4 B-ALL had poor peripheral blood response to prednisolone at day 8, higher than other subtypes (8%; P = .03). In MS2010, with vincristine at day 1, no day-8 poor peripheral blood response was observed in the DUX4 subtype (P = .03). The PAX5alt group had an intermediate risk of relapse (5-year CIR, 18.1%) but when IKZF1 was not deleted, outcome was excellent with no relapse among 23 patients. Compared with MS2003, outcome of PAX5alt B-ALL with IKZF1 codeletion was improved by treatment intensification in MS2010 (5-year CIR, 80.0% vs 0%; P = .05). In conclusion, despite its poor initial response, DUX4 B-ALL had a favorable overall outcome, and the prognosis of PAX5alt was strongly dependent on IKZF1 codeletion.
Concentration optimization of combinatorial drugs using Markov chain-based models
Authors: Ma Shuang , Dang Dan , Wang Wenxue , Wang Yuechao , Liu Lianqing
Published: September 2021

Background

Combinatorial drug therapy for complex diseases, such as HSV infection and cancers, has a more significant efficacy than single-drug treatment. However, one key challenge is how to effectively and efficiently determine the optimal concentrations of combinatorial drugs because the number of drug combinations increases exponentially with the types of drugs.

Results

In this study, a searching method based on Markov chain is presented to optimize the combinatorial drug concentrations. In this method, the searching process of the optimal drug concentrations is converted into a Markov chain process with state variables representing all possible combinations of discretized drug concentrations. The transition probability matrix is updated by comparing the drug responses of the adjacent states in the network of the Markov chain and the drug concentration optimization is turned to seek the state with maximum value in the stationary distribution vector. Its performance is compared with five stochastic optimization algorithms as benchmark methods by simulation and biological experiments. Both simulation results and experimental data demonstrate that the Markov chain-based approach is more reliable and efficient in seeking global optimum than the benchmark algorithms. Furthermore, the Markov chain-based approach allows parallel implementation of all drug testing experiments, and largely reduces the times in the biological experiments.

Conclusion

This article provides a versatile method for combinatorial drug screening, which is of great significance for clinical drug combination therapy.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of bacterial communities in the shoreline of Laurentian great Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair’s large freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Shahraki Abdolrazagh Hashemi , Chaganti Subba Rao , Heath Daniel
Published: September 2021

Background

Long-term trends in freshwater bacterial community composition (BCC) and dynamics are not yet well characterized, particularly in large lake ecosystems. We addressed this gap by temporally (15 months) and spatially (6 sampling locations) characterizing BCC variation in lakes Erie and St. Clair; two connected ecosystems in the Laurentian Great Lakes.

Results

We found a spatial variation of the BCC between the two lakes and among the sampling locations (significant changes in the relative abundance of 16% of the identified OTUs at the sampling location level). We observed five distinct temporal clusters (UPGMA broad-scale temporal variation) corresponding to seasonal variation over the 15 months of sampling. Temporal variation among months was high, with significant variation in the relative abundance of 69% of the OTUs. We identified significant differences in taxonomic composition between summer months of 2016 and 2017, with a corresponding significant reduction in the diversity of BCC in summer 2017.

Conclusions

As bacteria play a key role in biogeochemical cycling, and hence in healthy ecosystem function our study defines the scope for temporal and spatial variation in large lake ecosystems. Our data also show that freshwater BCC could serve as an effective proxy and monitoring tool to access large lake health.
Relating outdoor play to sedentary behavior and physical activity in youth - results from a cohort study
Authors: Nigg Carina , Niessner Claudia , Nigg Claudio R. , Oriwol Doris , Schmidt Steffen C. E. , Woll Alexander
Published: September 2021

Background

Outdoor play, sedentary behavior (SB), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are related to youth’s health, however, there are research gaps regarding 1) associations between outdoor play, SB, and MVPA across a broad pediatric age range (6–17 years), and 2) longitudinal associations between outdoor play, SB, and MVPA across childhood and adolescence. Two studies were conducted to address those research gaps: Study 1 aimed to investigate relationships between outdoor play and accelerometer-assessed SB and MVPA in a cross-sectional nationwide sample of children and adolescents in Germany. Study 2 aimed to investigate prospective associations between outdoor play and self-reported screen-time SB and MVPA and in a sample of children with three measurement timepoints across 11 years.

Methods

Data were obtained of the German national representative Motorik-Modul (MoMo) Study and the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). In Study 1, N = 2278 participants (6–17 years) were included with self-reported outdoor play and accelerometer-assessed SB and MVPA. Associations were examined via multiple linear regressions. In Study 2, N = 570 participants (baseline: 4–7 years) were included in the longitudinal analysis with follow-ups six and 11 years later. Screen-time SB (TV watching and PC/Gaming), MVPA, and outdoor play were self-reported. Associations were investigated through a path prediction model.

Results

Study 1 showed that compared to <1 h outdoor play, higher engagement in daily outdoor play was related to lower SB (1-2 h: − 9.75 min/day, P = 0.017; ≥2 h: − 17.78 min/day, P < 0.001) and higher MVPA (≥2 h: + 3.87 min/day, P = 0.001). The cross-sectional relationship between MVPA and outdoor play was moderated by sex (in favor of males) and age (in favor of younger children). Study 2 showed that outdoor play in early childhood negatively predicted PC use/Gaming in later childhood, but was unrelated to MVPA.

Conclusion

In Study 1, outdoor play was negatively related to SB cross-sectionally. In Study 2, outdoor play in early childhood was negatively related to PC and Gaming time in later childhood. Thus, providing outdoor play opportunities, especially during early childhood, has potential to prevent SB. Future research should investigate longitudinal relationships using device-based assessments for SB and MVPA.
Should the physiotherapy outcomes airway clearance, physical activity and fitness be recorded on the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Data Registry? A consensus approach
Authors: Potter Angela , Pancholi Bhavita , Smith Lahni , Maher Carol
Published: September 2021

Background

Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of cystic fibrosis (CF) management, yet the Australian CF Data Registry (ACFDR) currently does not record physiotherapy-related data. This study aimed to gather opinions from lead Australian CF physiotherapists regarding the importance and feasibility of collecting physiotherapy-related data on the ACFDR.

Methods

A three-round online Delphi survey was conducted to gather expert stakeholder opinion and consensus agreement. Lead physiotherapists from all 23 Australian CF centres were invited to participate. Round one explored the potential benefits, barriers and importance of recording three physiotherapy-related domains on the ACFDR: airway clearance, physical activity and fitness. Subsequent rounds were developed based on the findings from the previous round and sought consensus (80% agreement) for the inclusion of physiotherapy-related data on the ACFDR and for the most appropriate methods of collecting such data.

Results

The response rate was > 80% for all rounds. Participants agreed that collection of airway clearance, physical activity and fitness data on the ACFDR was important and feasible. Findings suggested that airway clearance and physical activity should be collected using self-reported questionnaires, while fitness should be measured using a field-based test.

Conclusions

Australian lead CF physiotherapists believe that collection of airway clearance, physical activity and fitness on the ACFDR is important and feasible. Future work is needed to pilot the data collection procedure to examine its feasibility in real-world clinical settings. This study demonstrates how Delphi methodology can provide a contemporary summary of expert clinicians’ opinion that may underpin nation-wide health service improvement.