bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning approach on road accidents analysis in Calabarzon, Philippines: an input to road safety management
Authors: Torres Kristelle Anne R. , Asor Jonardo R.
Published: November 2021

This research was conducted to help the traffic policy makers and general public in preventing road incidents using the collected traffic accident dataset between the years 2016 and 2019. Data mining using classification algorithm was utilized to develop a predictive model for predicting occurrences of traffic accidents. Classification algorithms such as decision tree, k-nn, naïve bayes and neural network have been compared in identifying better classification capability in classifying stage of felony. Neural network shows a very promising result in classifying road accident with a total accuracy result of 87.63%. Nonetheless, k-nn and naïve bayes both acquired a higher than 80% accuracy which shows that this classification algorithms were also good in predicting road accidents. Moreover, public vehicle is more prone in accident rather than private vehicle in both stage of felony and accident may occur between or on 3:00pm and 6:00pm.
Religião, política e sociedade
Authors: Araújo Gilvan Charles Cerqueira de Araújo ,   Secretaria de Estado de Educação do Distrito Federal
Published: November 2021

Os textos que compõem os debates da obra Religião, Política e Sociedade vão ao encontro das várias reflexões e abordagens tanto teóricas quanto de análise a partir de linhas temáticas como: sistemas culturais religiosos presentes na América Latina; construção de sujeitos religiosos e políticos a partir das diversas matrizes religiosas; processos de secularização e laicidade; relações político-religiosas; e a problematização derivada de certas práticas na formação identitária que geram violência, em decorrência ora da supervalorização ora da subestimação e menosprezo de formas de existência, crença e visões de mundo. O pano de fundo que atravessa todos os textos, baseados na realidade contemporânea de América Latina, reclama respeito na coexistência das diferenças, rejeição na construção de si mesmo e de sua religião mediante visões binárias, bem como críticas ao apoio de processos políticos com base na lógica de criação do outro como inimigo, valendo-se de instâncias democráticas para fomentar tais sentimentos de intolerância e desrespeito. Não obstante, também se aborda a religião e sua contribuição na organização de lutas dos movimentos de cultura popular perante contextos políticos e econômicos de exploração e as resistências que desde práticas religiosas enfrentam políticas de opressão.
Os estatutos da Internacional Comunista: comparação entre os textos aprovados nos Congressos Mundiais de 1920, 1924 e 1928
Authors: Oliveira Érick Fiszuk de
Published: November 2021

A estrutura organizativa interna da Internacional Comunista (Comintern) era quase totalmente desconhecida àqueles que a observavam de fora. Contudo, ela foi fortemente influenciada pelas lutas políticas de bastidores, inclusive no Partido Comunista soviético, e pelas viradas geopolíticas promovidas pelos líderes de Moscou. Os três Estatutos da Comintern aprovados em seu 2º (1920), 5º (1924) e 6º (1928) Congressos Mundiais não esgotam a análise dos órgãos que a compunham, mas dão uma ideia de como sua estruturação, ao contrário do que pensa o senso comum, alterou-se radicalmente à medida que se desenrolavam as disputas de poder no Kremlin. Neste artigo, exponho os resultados de uma exaustiva comparação entre os três Estatutos, relacionando-os ao contexto político de cada época e apontando nas mudanças redacionais pistas sobre como se alteravam os conceitos de movimento comunista internacional e de revolução mundial.
ECG-Based Deep Learning and Clinical Risk Factors to Predict Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Khurshid Shaan , Friedman Samuel , Reeder Christopher , Di Achille Paolo , Diamant Nathaniel , Singh Pulkit , Harrington Lia X. , Wang Xin , Al-Alusi Mostafa A. , Sarma Gopal , Foulkes Andrea S. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Anderson Christopher D. , Ho Jennifer E. , Philippakis Anthony A. , Batra Puneet , Lubitz Steven A.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled analysis of 12-lead ECGs may facilitate efficient estimation of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. However, it remains unclear whether AI provides meaningful and generalizable improvement in predictive accuracy beyond clinical risk factors for AF.

Methods:

We trained a convolutional neural network (ECG-AI) to infer 5-year incident AF risk using 12-lead ECGs in patients receiving longitudinal primary care at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). We then fit 3 Cox proportional hazards models, composed of ECG-AI 5-year AF probability, CHARGE-AF clinical risk score (Cohorts for Heart and Aging in Genomic Epidemiology–Atrial Fibrillation), and terms for both ECG-AI and CHARGE-AF (CH-AI), respectively. We assessed model performance by calculating discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) and calibration in an internal test set and 2 external test sets (Brigham and Women’s Hospital [BWH] and UK Biobank). Models were recalibrated to estimate 2-year AF risk in the UK Biobank given limited available follow-up. We used saliency mapping to identify ECG features most influential on ECG-AI risk predictions and assessed correlation between ECG-AI and CHARGE-AF linear predictors.

Results:

The training set comprised 45 770 individuals (age 55±17 years, 53% women, 2171 AF events) and the test sets comprised 83 162 individuals (age 59±13 years, 56% women, 2424 AF events). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was comparable using CHARGE-AF (MGH, 0.802 [95% CI, 0.767–0.836]; BWH, 0.752 [95% CI, 0.741–0.763]; UK Biobank, 0.732 [95% CI, 0.704–0.759]) and ECG-AI (MGH, 0.823 [95% CI, 0.790–0.856]; BWH, 0.747 [95% CI, 0.736–0.759]; UK Biobank, 0.705 [95% CI, 0.673–0.737]). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was highest using CH-AI (MGH, 0.838 [95% CI, 0.807 to 0.869]; BWH, 0.777 [95% CI, 0.766 to 0.788]; UK Biobank, 0.746 [95% CI, 0.716 to 0.776]). Calibration error was low using ECG-AI (MGH, 0.0212; BWH, 0.0129; UK Biobank, 0.0035) and CH-AI (MGH, 0.012; BWH, 0.0108; UK Biobank, 0.0001). In saliency analyses, the ECG P-wave had the greatest influence on AI model predictions. ECG-AI and CHARGE-AF linear predictors were correlated (Pearson
r
: MGH, 0.61; BWH, 0.66; UK Biobank, 0.41).

Conclusions:

AI-based analysis of 12-lead ECGs has similar predictive usefulness to a clinical risk factor model for incident AF and the approaches are complementary. ECG-AI may enable efficient quantification of future AF risk.
Nonadherence in Hypertension: How to Develop and Implement Chemical Adherence Testing
Authors: Lane Dan , Lawson Alexander , Burns Angela , Azizi Michel , Burnier Michel , Jones Donald J.L. , Kably Benjamin , Khunti Kamlesh , Kreutz Reinhold , Patel Prashanth , Persu Alexandre , Spiering Wilko , Toennes Stefan W. , Tomaszewski Maciej , Williams Bryan , Gupta Pankaj , Dasgupta Indranil ,   Endorsed by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy and Adherence
Published: November 2021

Nonadherence to antihypertensive medication is common, especially in those with apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (true treatment-resistant hypertension requires exclusion of nonadherence), and its routine detection is supported by clinical guidelines. Chemical adherence testing is a reliable and valid method to detect adherence, yet methods are unstandardized and are not ubiquitous. This article describes the principles of chemical adherence testing for hypertensive patients and provides a set of recommendations for centers wishing to develop the test.

We recommend testing should be done in either of two instances: (1) in those who have resistant hypertension or (2) in those on 2 antihypertensives who have a less than 10 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure on addition of the second antihypertensive medication. Furthermore, we recommend that verbal consent is secured before undertaking the test, and the results should be discussed with the patient.

Based on medications prescribed in United Kingdom, European Union, and United States, we list top 20 to 24 drugs that cover >95% of hypertension prescriptions which may be included in the testing panel. Information required to identify these medications on mass spectrometry platforms is likewise provided. We discuss issues related to ethics, sample collection, transport, stability, urine versus blood samples, qualitative versus quantitative testing, pharmacokinetics, instrumentation, validation, quality assurance, and gaps in knowledge. We consider how to best present, interpret, and discuss chemical adherence test results with the patient.

In summary, this guidance should help clinicians and their laboratories in the development of chemical adherence testing of prescribed antihypertensive drugs.
Clinical Significance of Mean and Pulse Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Wei Fang-Fei , Wu Yuzhong , Xue Ruicong , Liu Xiao , He Xin , Dong Bin , Zhen Zhe , Chen Xuwei , Liang Weihao , Zhao Jingjing , He Jiangui , Dong Yugang , Staessen Jan A. , Liu Chen
Published: November 2021

It remains debated whether pulse pressure is associated with left ventricular traits and adverse outcomes over and beyond mean arterial pressure (MAP) in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction. We investigated these associations in 3428 patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (51.5% women; mean age, 68.6 years) enrolled in the TOPCAT trial (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist). We computed association sizes and hazards ratios with 1-SD increase in MAP and pulse pressure. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, association sizes (
P
≤0.039) for MAP were 0.016 cm and 0.014 cm for septal and posterior wall thickness, −0.15 for E/A ratio, −0.66 for E/e′, and −0.64% for ejection fraction, independent of pulse pressure. With adjustment additionally applied for MAP, E/A ratio and longitudinal strain increased with higher pulse pressure with association sizes amounting to 0.067 (
P
=0.026) and 0.40% (
P
=0.023). In multivariable-adjusted analyses of both placebo and spironolactone groups, lower MAP and higher pulse pressure predicted the primary composite end point (
P
≤0.028) and hospitalized HF (
P
≤0.002), whereas MAP was also significantly associated with total mortality (
P
≤0.007). Sensitivity analyses stratified by sex, median age, and region generated confirmatory results with exception for the association of adverse outcomes with pulse pressure in patients with age ≥69 years. In conclusion, the clinical application of MAP and pulse pressure may refine risk estimates in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction. This finding may help further investigation for the development of HF with preserved ejection fraction preventive strategies targeting pulsatility and blood pressure control.
ParsiNLU: A Suite of Language Understanding Challenges for Persian
Authors: Khashabi Daniel , Cohan Arman , Shakeri Siamak , Hosseini Pedram , Pezeshkpour Pouya , Alikhani Malihe , Aminnaseri Moin , Bitaab Marzieh , Brahman Faeze , Ghazarian Sarik , Gheini Mozhdeh , Kabiri Arman , Mahabagdi Rabeeh Karimi , Memarrast Omid , Mosallanezhad Ahmadreza , Noury Erfan , Raji Shahab , Rasooli Mohammad Sadegh , Sadeghi Sepideh , Azer Erfan Sadeqi , Samghabadi Niloofar Safi , Shafaei Mahsa , Sheybani Saber , Tazarv Ali , Yaghoobzadeh Yadollah
Published: November 2021

Despite the progress made in recent years in addressing natural language understanding (NLU) challenges, the majority of this progress remains to be concentrated on resource-rich languages like English. This work focuses on Persian language, one of the widely spoken languages in the world, and yet there are few NLU datasets available for this language. The availability of high-quality evaluation datasets is a necessity for reliable assessment of the progress on different NLU tasks and domains. We introduce ParsiNLU, the first benchmark in Persian language that includes a range of language understanding tasks—reading comprehension, textual entailment, and so on. These datasets are collected in a multitude of ways, often involving manual annotations by native speakers. This results in over 14.5k new instances across 6 distinct NLU tasks. Additionally, we present the first results on state-of-the-art monolingual and multilingual pre-trained language models on this benchmark and compare them with human performance, which provides valuable insights into our ability to tackle natural language understanding challenges in Persian. We hope ParsiNLU fosters further research and advances in Persian language understanding.1
A novel filamentous cyanobacterium Microseira minor sp. nov. (Oscillatoriaceae, Cyanobacteria) from the Ganfu Channel, Jiangxi, China
Authors: GENG RUOZHEN , WEN QIANZHI , WANG YILANG , YANG PING , DAI GUOFEI , LI RENHUI , YU GONGLIANG
Published: November 2021

Two filamentous cyanobacterial strains were isolated from the mats attached to rock surfaces in the Ganfu Channel, Jiangxi Province, China. A polyphasic approach based on the combination of morphological and molecular features was used to characterize the two strains. Both strains showed the Lyngbya-like morphology under the light microscopy, and had the highest similarity range of 16S rRNA gene sequences as 95.00-96.01% to clones of Microseira wollei, exceeding the cutoff for species delimitation in cyanobacteria. Phylogenetic analyses based on both 16S rRNA and nifH genes and smaller sizes of trichomes in the two Lyngbya-like strains supported them to be proposed as a new species in the genus Microseira as Microseira minor, which is the second species of the genus Microseira. The difference of the 16S-23S ITS region between the two Microseira minor strains and its implication for the evaluation on cyanobacterial diversity and species differentiation were also discussed.
Organic Farming and Bio-Nanomaterial Conflux: A Way Forward for Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Malik Karmal , Mandhania Shiwani , Anil  , Arya Sandeep , Dhaka Anil , Ravikant  , Kumari Nisha , Malik Kamla , Priyanka  , Kumar Upendra
Published: November 2021

Increasing population pressure and decreasing cultivable land brought the agricultural sector at an alarming situation of food production particularly in the developing countries. To feed the burgeoning population, the agriculture sector needs to become more productive and diversified
while facing the adversity of climate change and limitations of natural resources. During 1960–70, the improved irrigation facilities, the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the cultivation of high yielding varieties of cereals successfully led to the Green revolution in India. In
the present scenario, the low irrigation and fertilizer use efficiencies, poor pesticide application and delivery are amongst the important issues in developing countries that need to be addressed for getting higher productivity. Also, fertilizer and pesticide usage also had severe associated
environmental consequences like eutrophication, resistance and resurgence in pest, toxicity to non-target organisms, residues in food and feed, accumulation in the environment, etc. In such conditions, organic farming, a traditional practice coupled with the exploration of bio-nanoparticles
to achieve a sustainable production system seems to be a better option. This review focuses on current research developments in the areas of bio-nano-enabled crop nutrition, protection, post-harvest management, and the possibility of bio-nanomaterials and organic farming confluence to revolutionize
the agricultural sector by ensuring sustainable food security for coming generations.
Instability of Hyperthermia Temperature for Magnetic Nanoparticles of Low Anisotropy Constant Due to Nonlinear Characteristics
Authors: Qiao Dongkai , Ho Chia-Chieh , Ho Ching-Yen , Chen Bor-Chyuan , Wen Mao-Yu , Xiong Chang-Wei
Published: November 2021

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) subjected to external alternating magnetic field can induce heat in MNPs due to hysteresis, which is usually employed for tumor hyperthermia. An effective hyperthermia treatment should selectively kill the tumor cells without damaging the ambient healthy
tissue. Hence, it is important for hyperthermia to correctly control the alternating magnetic field-induced temperature of MNPs in the tumor. This work develops a thermal model to analyze various forms of temperature-rise with time in magnetic nanoparticles for tumor hyperthermia. Results
show that there are horizontal, linear rise, square root, exponential decay and abrupt temperature-rise lines with time in MNPs. The horizontal, linear rise, and square root temperature lines with time are consistent with the available experimental data. It is worthily noted that the form
of abrupt temperaturerise with time can result in harm to the normal cells or tissue. If the abrupt temperature-rise does not be controlled and predicted well.
Justice System Interactions Among Autistic Individuals: A Multiple Methods Analysis
Authors: Koffer Miller Kaitlin H. , Becker Alec , Cooper Dylan , Shea Lindsay
Published: November 2021

Increasing attention has detailed negative outcomes among interactions between autistic individuals and criminal justice system officers, including police, across the US. The purpose of this study is to identify the experiences of autistic individuals and their caregivers across their interactions with the criminal justice system through quantitative and qualitative analyses of responses from a statewide survey in one large, northeastern state. Qualitative findings show a diverse array of experiences between autistic individuals and the justice system as victims, offenders, and witnesses with both positive and negative experiences reported. Quantitative findings show increased risk for justice interaction with a co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses, gender, age, and other factors. The findings from this study present important future directions for research, policy, and practice.
Using a Modified Dictogloss to Improve English as a Second Language Learners’ Use of Genre-appropriate Conventions and Style
Authors: Chun Lam Ting , Aubrey Scott
Published: November 2021

This article explores the potential for using a modified dictogloss task to improve ESL learners' use of genre-appropriate conventions and genre-appropriate style in the context of genre-based instruction for writing. Dictogloss has been traditionally used to enhance learners' focus on lexical and grammatical features through discussions during the joint reconstruction of a text. The innovation of the current practice lies in its application to teach generic aspects specific to a particular text type, such as formatting, register, and organization. This practice is potentially important as it is a meaningful, productive task that raises learners' awareness of genre-related features of writing - an often-neglected but important aspect of learning to write. This practice was carried out in a secondary ESL classroom in Hong Kong, and the evaluation was based on an analysis of improvements in learners' genre-specific conventions and genre-specific style. Implications of this practice are discussed in terms of the possibilities for using model texts in dictogloss tasks within a genre-based approach to writing.
Becoming vegan: A study of career and habitus
Authors: Giacoman Claudia , Alfaro Juan , Aguilera Bornand Isabel Margarita , Torres Rodrigo
Published: November 2021

This article aims to understand the stages of adopting veganism in young people. To achieve this objective, we analyze 30 biographical interviews with young vegans in Santiago, Chile. The participant’s stories allow us to identify that the transition to this new lifestyle implies acquiring a secondary habitus, that is, a gradual shift in understanding and acting in the world, which entails progressive identity changes until becoming vegan. This transition consists of five steps: personal questioning, vegetarianism attempt, vegetarianism, veganism, and activism. This path constitutes a career process but presents nuances according to the young people’s social class of origin and individual characteristics. The main contribution of this article is to delve into the career stages that lead to the consolidation of a vegan identity, based on two classical sociological concepts (career and habitus).
Processable poly(ether ether ketone imide)s
Authors: Tamboli Aslam B , Ghodke Shivaji D , Diwate Arati V , Joshi Makrand D , Ubale Vijay P , Maldar Noormahmad N
Published: November 2021

New aromatic poly(ether ether ketone imide)s, [PEEKimide]s, were synthesized successfully from 1,3-bis-4′-(4″-aminophenoxy benzoyl) benzene and various commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, such as pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (OPDA) and 4,4′-(hexafluro isoproylidene) diphthalic anhydride (HFDA), by two step polycondensation method. These PEEKimides were characterized by FT-IR, solubility in organic solvents, inherent viscosity, DSC, TGA and WXRD. Inherent viscosities of the precursor poly(ether ether ketone amic acid)s were in the range of 0.23–0.40 dl/g in DMF, indicating formation of moderate to high molecular weights. These poly(ether ether ketone imide)s showed good solubility in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and had glass transition temperatures in the range 245–279°C. Poly(ether ether ketone imide)s showed no weight loss below 280°C; temperatures for 10% weight loss (T10) were in the range of 406–483°C and char yields at 800°C were 17–34%, indicating their good thermal stability. All these poly(ether ether ketone imide)s were amorphous in nature, as per patterns of WXRD which exhibited diffuse broad halos at (2θ = 10–30°) and amorphous nature was reflected in polymer’s good solubility in common organic solvents.
Magnetohydrodynamics radiative dissipative slip flow of hydrogen-oxide (H2O) infused with various shape tungsten, tin, titanium (nanometer) particles over a nonlinear radial stretching surface
Authors: Shaiq Shakil , Maraj Ehnber Naheed , Mehmood Rashid , Ijaz Shagufta
Published: November 2021

Optimal control over heat transfer during the manufacturing of various significant cylindrical components is vital to achieving a desirable finished product. Insertion of various-shaped nanoparticles provides a promising solution to the problem at hand due to their greater thermal conductivity and unique features. Keeping in view, the present article is an effort to explore the slip flow of hydrogen-oxide [Formula: see text] infused with lamina- and column-shaped tungsten, tin, and titanium nanometer-sized particles over a nonlinear radially stretching surface. The physical model is presented by utilizing the fundamental laws of mass, momentum, and energy conservation. Magnetohydrodynamics, thermal radiation, and viscous dissipation effects are incorporated to provide physically realistic analysis. Utilizing scaling analysis flow governing problem is converted into a set of higher-order nonlinear Ordinary differential equation’s which afterward are tackled numerically. Quantities of practical significance such as surface friction and heat flux are portrayed through bar graphs and are examined physically in a detailed manner. Column shape tungsten nanoparticles offered minimum surface drag with the highest heat transfer rate compared to the other two particles making them an optimal choice in manufacturing cylindrical components as per our study.
Stitching time and space: The functions of temporal comparisons in utopias and beyond
Authors: Götzelmann Michael
Published: November 2021

No literary genre seems to be more popular to transport the hopes and fears of humans than the genre of utopia. With the temporalization of Utopia in the 18th century temporal gaps where opened, that had to be somehow closed to explain the reader their present and the fictive future. The means of choice to close the temporal gap is the temporal comparison. On the basis of a corpus of utopian fiction, several thousand temporal comparisons were identified, to find an answer on the question what functions the temporal comparisons fulfill. With the five centuries of modern utopian fiction in mind, also questions about the narration techniques within the history of the genre had to be raised (utopia/dystopia/temporalization) and what these changes do with the temporal comparisons. On the basis of this preparatory work, this article proposes two prototypes of temporal comparisons—the synchronization of different temporalities and the actualization of memory.
Evolution of the plandemic communication network among serial participants on Twitter
Authors: Xu Yu , Sun Yao , Hagen Loni , Patel Mihir , Falling Mary
Published: November 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has been accompanied by the spread of misinformation on social media. The Plandemic conspiracy theory holds that the pandemic outbreak was planned to create a new social order. This study examines the evolution of this popular conspiracy theory from a dynamic network perspective. Guided by the analytical framework of network evolution, the current study explores drivers of tie changes in the Plandemic communication network among serial participants over a 4-month period. Results show that tie changes are explained by degree-based and closure-based structural features (i.e. tendencies toward transitive closure and shared popularity and tendencies against in-degree activity and transitive reciprocated triplet) and nodal attributes (i.e. bot probability and political preference). However, a participant’s level of anger expression does not predict the evolution of the observed network.
Examining the roles of social media use and connections to public actors on democratic engagement: An analysis of young adults in three Asian societies
Authors: Chan Michael , Lee Francis , Chen Hsuan-Ting
Published: November 2021

Social media platforms not only provide young adults exposure to information about political and social affairs, but also opportunities to curate connections with influential public actors that can engender greater public expression and participation in civic life. We examine these dynamics using probability surveys of young adults in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Results across the three samples showed that social media connections with journalists and activists were positively related to exposure to and sharing of public affairs content. Sharing public affairs content on social media in turn was related to greater willingness to speak out about political and social issues beyond the social media platforms. These experiences further empower youth to engage in civic participation. This study elucidates the importance of public actors on social media as socialization agents for youth that can engender subsequent public expression and civic participation across societies with different political and media systems.
Violence, worry and trust in the emergence of weapon-carrying
Authors: Brennan Iain R
Published: November 2021

This paper identifies longitudinal predictors of weapon-carrying in a sample of 10–25 year olds in England and Wales. It conceptualises weapon-carrying as anticipation of an adverse event and proposes hypotheses about the origins of weapon-carrying derived from the field of risk analysis. Specifically, it tests if worry about victimisation and experience of violence predict later weapon-carrying and assesses the moderating influence of trust in the police. The results indicate that worry about victimisation does not predict weapon-carrying, but experience of violence does. Distrust of police and peer criminality were also identified as important precursors to weapon-carrying. The study provides further evidence that, at least over longer periods, weapon-carrying is a product of experience of violence and criminogenic factors rather than a response to concern about victimisation.
Comparison of Sleeve Lobectomy for Lung Cancer Using Mini-Thoracotomy and an Optimized Robot-Assisted Technique
Authors: Shaolin Tao , Yonggeng Feng , Poming Kang , Longyong Mei , Cheng Shen , Chunshu Fang , Licheng Wu , Qunyou Tan , Bo Deng
Published: November 2021

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of an optimized approach to improve surgical field visualization and simplify anastomosis techniques using robotic-assisted sleeve lobectomy for lung or bronchial carcinoma. Method: A total of 26 consecutive patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy between January 2017 and April 2020 were enrolled in the study. The cohort included 11 cases of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS group) and 15 cases of mini-thoracotomy (MT group). RAS was performed via an exclusive optimized approach utilizing the “3 to 4-6 to 8/9” four-port technique. Retrieved demographical and clinical data included operation time, anastomosis time, blood loss, chest drainage time and volume, postoperative pain scores, complications, white blood cell (WBC) levels, and duration of hospital stay and follow-up. Results: No cases of perioperative death were recorded. Compared to MT group, the RAS group had a similar anastomosis time (30.82  ±  6.08 vs 33.20  ±  7.73 min, respectively, p > 0.05) and shorter operation time (189.73  ±  36.41 vs 225.33  ±  38.19 min, respectively, p < 0.05). The RAS group had lower pain scores (4.23  ±  0.26 vs 4.91  ±  0.51, p < 0.05), lower levels of WBC (p < 0.05), and no anastomotic complications postoperatively. The RAS and MT groups demonstrated a successful bronchus reconstruction with low risk of angulation (1/11 vs 1/15, p > 0.05) and satisfactory disease-free survival (eight cases, 72.73% and 12 cases, 80%, respectively). Conclusion: The optimized approach to RA sleeve lobectomy is convenient and efficient and provides satisfactory clinical outcomes. Further study with a large sample size and evaluation of long-term survival are warranted. Key points: (i) we present a novel, convenient, and efficient approach for robotic-assisted sleeve lobectomy, ie, “3 to 4-6 to 8/9” four-port technique. The optimized approach for RA sleeve lobectomy is convenient and efficient and provides satisfactory clinical outcomes; (ii) details for the “3 to 4-6 to 8/9” four-port method: the assistant port was located at the fourth intercostal space. The 1-cm camera port was inserted at the sixth intercostal space in the posterior axillary line. The 0.5-cm da Vinci ports of the instrument arms were placed at the third intercostal space in the anterior axillary line and the eighth or ninth intercostal space in the posterior axillary line. The patient cart was inserted from the back of the patient's head and shoulders at 75° to the longitudinal line.
Effect of Low-Dose Gamma Radiation and Lipoic Acid on High- Radiation-Dose Induced Rat Brain Injuries
Authors: Abdel-Aziz Nahed , Elkady Ahmed A , Elgazzar Eman M
Published: November 2021

Aim

This work aims to investigate the possible radio-adaptive mechanisms induced by low-dose (LD) whole-body γ-irradiation alone or combined with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) administration in modulating high-dose (HD) head irradiation–induced brain injury in rats.

Materials and Methods

Rats were irradiated with LD (.25 Gy) 24 hours prior HD (20 Gy), and subjected to ALA (100 mg/kg/day) 5 minutes after HD and continued for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and brain samples were dissected for biochemical and histopathological examinations.

Results

HD irradiation-induced brain injury as manifested by elevation of oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers in brain tissue. Histological examination of brain sections showed marked alterations. However, LD alone or combined with ALA ameliorated the changes induced by HD.

Conclusion

Under the present experimental conditions, LD whole-body irradiation exhibited neuroprotective activity against detrimental effects of a subsequent HD head irradiation. This effect might be due to the adaptive response induced by LD that activated the anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the affected animals making them able to cope with the subsequent high-dose exposure. However, the combined LD exposure and ALA supplementation produced a further modulating effect in the HD-irradiated rats.
Swedish family care advisors’ views on existential loneliness and existential support to informal caregivers of older people: A cross-sectional national survey
Authors: Larsson Helena , Blomqvist Kerstin , Edberg Anna-Karin , Kumlien Christine
Published: November 2021

The number of older people needing care is increasing, and care is often provided by informal caregivers. The mission of family care advisors (FCAs) is to provide them with support; however, whether and how support in existential matters such as existential loneliness is provided is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe FCAs’ views on existential loneliness, and existential support provided to relatives who act as informal caregivers to older people. A national survey was distributed to 349 FCAs in Sweden, response rate n = 120 (36%). The STROBE checklist was followed when presenting the study. Existential loneliness was viewed as thoughts about life and meaning (78%). Existential support was provided by dialogues (87%), visits (75%) and support groups (73%); 45% of FCAs stated that they had time to provide existential support and 27% reported having knowledge of how to encounter existential loneliness. FCAs provide existential support, but often lack experience, knowledge and time. Time and knowledge are important prerequisites for acknowledging existential needs.
Accentuating dirty work: Coping with psychological taint in elite management consulting
Authors: Bouwmeester Onno , Versteeg Barbara , van Bommel Koen , Sturdy Andrew
Published: November 2021

In this study, we develop the concept of dirty work by identifying new ways in which it is coped with. Traditionally, studies of dirty work have focused on how physical, social, or moral dirtiness is downplayed or normalized by workers in often physically tough “manual” occupations. We consider psychological dirtiness in work that is “knowledge intensive” and where high occupational status shields the need to protect oneself from stigma associated with dirty work. Based on interviews with management consultants working in stressful jobs in elite professional service firms, we complement the emerging literature on coping with the experience of dirty work by identifying three self-tainting tactics that consultants draw on to accentuate, rather than normalize dirty work: explication, stressing ambiguity, and humor. The motives behind these taint accentuation tactics varied from criticizing the working conditions in the sector, to the opposite, stressing one’s abilities and commitment to potential clients and managers. Where dirty aspects of work have been more psychological, accentuation was used for impression management and as a form of critique. We conclude with a discussion of the wider implications for research and practice, especially in terms of how coping with dirty work is shaped by occupational context, the kind of dirtiness (physical or psychological, social or moral), and the interests of occupational audiences.
Psychological Resilience in West Point Graduates: Results From a Nationally Representative Study
Authors: Thomas Melissa M. , Pietrzak Robert H. , Nguyen Dana R. , Ryan Diane , Southwick Steven M. , Mazure Carolyn M.
Published: November 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with psychological resilience in a nationally representative sample of West Point graduates. Aims: The aims of this study were to (a) employ a dimensional approach to operationalizing psychological resilience in a trauma-exposed population that had been highly trained and educated in persisting in the face of stress, was previously unstudied, and in which we could examine correlates of resilience, (b) identify key psychosocial factors, character traits, health variables, military experiences, and coping strategies as potential correlates of psychological resilience; and (c) examine whether reported gender moderated any of these associations in this population. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 1342 West Point graduates after gender integration from classes 1980 to 2011 were surveyed. Psychological resilience was operationalized using a discrepancy-based approach in which a measure of composite psychological distress (current posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety and depression symptoms) was regressed on measures of cumulative trauma burden. A multivariable linear regression model was then employed to identify factors that were independently associated with psychological resilience scores. Results: Purpose in life (29.8% of relative variance explained [RVE]), fewer perceived negative experiences in the military (20.6% RVE), social support (9.6% RVE), and grit (9.5% RVE) were the strongest correlates of psychological resilience scores for both women and men. Time in service was positively associated with resilience in women only. Conclusion: This study identifies key correlates of psychological resilience in West Point graduates, individuals who are highly trained to persevere in the face of stress and then were trauma-exposed. Most of these factors are modifiable and can be targeted in stress prevention and treatment interventions, especially for high-stress professions such as the military, frontline health care providers, and first responders.
Association of common medical comorbidities with early renal damage in the Chinese tropics with essential hypertension
Authors: Zhang Yuzhuo , Zhao Ying , Wei Chenglu , Li Yongrong , Aslam Hira , Feng Qingmin , Huang Qing , Zheng Yu , Lv Feifen , Hao Wei , Li Jike
Published: November 2021

Background

Urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) is an important marker of early renal damage (ERD) caused by hypertension. Recent studies showed that blood pressure was a significant inverse association with temperature and climate. The purposes of our study were sought to explore the association of common medical comorbidities with ERD, and find independent risk factors to ERD in Chinese tropics with essential hypertension.

Methods

From January 2018 to December 2019, we assessed UACR in a total of 599 hypertensive Chinese Hainan patients. We defined ERD as a UACR between 30 mg/g and 300 mg/g. We analysed differences between qualitative variables using the chi-squared (χ2) test. We calculated correlations between UACR and age, hypertension duration (HD), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) using the Spearman’s rho test. To determine the odds ratio (OR), we evaluated binary logistic regression models.

Results

Among the 599 patients, 281 (46.9%) were found to have ERD. ERD and factors related to sex, body mass index (BMI), and SBP did not differ significantly (all, p>0.05). Our main findings showed that age, HD, and DBP were associated with ERD (p<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, age ≥ 65 years, HD ≥10 years, DBP ≥ 90 mmHg, SBP ≥ 160 mmHg, and diabetes differed significantly according to ERD status (p < 0.05, respectively). In multivariate analysis using stepwise regression, age (OR = 1.468), DBP (OR = 1.853), and diabetes (OR = 2.031) were significant independent predictors of ERD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.677, and the sensitivity and specificity of the optimal cut-off value were 44.5 and 81.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Common medical comorbidities are associated with ERD; age, DBP, and diabetes are independent risk factors for ERD in patients with essential hypertension who live in the Chinese tropics. Early monitoring of the UACR, as well as control of blood glucose and DBP, can effectively delay ERD.
Social support and subjective assessment of psychophysical condition, health, and satisfaction with quality of life among women after pregnancy loss
Authors: Iwanowicz-Palus Grażyna , Mróz Mariola , Bień Agnieszka , Jurek Krzysztof
Published: November 2021

Background

The task of modern medicine is not just to heal, but also to improve the patient’s well-being and achieve non-medical goals in the therapy process that enable effective physical, mental and social functioning of the patient. Social support in difficult situations mobilizes an individual’s strength and resources to cope with problems. Research on social support and women’s condition after pregnancy loss reflects a holistic approach to the patient and is important from the perspective of increasing the level of hospital care.

Objective

The aim of our study was to assess the impact of social support on the psychophysical condition, health, and satisfaction with quality of life among women after miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 500 patients after miscarriage and 110 with ectopic pregnancy, hospitalized in hospitals in Lublin (Poland). The study was conducted with the use of a diagnostic survey, comprising the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) and an original survey questionnaire (psychophysical condition, satisfaction with health and quality of life on a scale of 1–4, sources of support on a scale of 1–10, with 1 being the poorest rating).

Results

Respondents after miscarriage and those after ectopic pregnancy assigned the highest scores to the degree of perceived available instrumental support (respectively, miscarriage: M = 3.79, EP: M = 3.77). Women after pregnancy loss assigned the highest score to the support obtained from their partner (respectively, miscarriage: M = 9.26, EP: M = 9.23). Social support was significantly correlated with the condition of patients hospitalized as a result of pregnancy loss (p < 0.05). The assessment of psychophysical condition, health, and QoL of the respondents is determined by their education, financial standing, and obstetric history (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Women hospitalized due to miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy assigned high scores to the level of perceived available instrumental, emotional, and actually received social support. There is a positive relationship between social support and subjective opinion about psychophysical condition, health and satisfaction with quality of life among women after pregnancy loss. The assessment is determined by sociodemographic factors and the respondents’ obstetric history.
Trends of maternal health service coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a pooled cross-sectional study of MICS 2010 to 2018
Authors: Guo Fuyu , Qi Xinran , Xiong Huayi , He Qiwei , Zhang Tingkai , Zou Siyu , Wang Hanyu , Takesue Rie , Tang Kun
Published: November 2021

Background

Maternal health services are essential for reducing maternal and newborn mortality. However, maternal health service status in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore the trends of antenatal care (ANC) and skilled birth attendance coverage in the past decade in the DRC.

Methods

The 13,361 participants were from two rounds of Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of the Ministry of Planning of the DRC, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in 2010 and 2017-2018. A regression-based method was adopted to calculate adjusted coverage of ANC and skilled birth attendance. Subgroup analysis based on different socioeconomic status (SES) was conducted to explore the impact of domestic conflicts.

Results

From 2010 to 2018, the overall weighted ANC coverage in the DRC declined from 87.3 % (95 % CI 86.1–88.0 %) to 82.4 % (95 % CI 81.1–84.0 %), while the overall weighted skilled birth attendance coverage increased from 74.2 % (95 % CI 72.5–76.0 %) to 85.2 % (95 % CI 84.1–86.0 %). Adjusted ANC coverage and adjusted skilled birth attendant coverage both declined in Kasai Oriental, but increased in Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu. In Kasai Occidental, ANC coverage declined, but skilled birth coverage increased. In the Kasai region, the largest decline in adjusted coverage of ANC was found among the poorest women. However, in the Kivu region, both the adjusted coverage of ANC and skilled birth attendance increased among the poorest women.

Conclusions

Due to ongoing conflicts, there has been a systemic deterioration of maternal healthcare coverage in some regions of the DRC, particularly among people with low SES. However, in other regions, maternal healthcare services were not severely disrupted possibly due to substantial international health assistance.
Topical NSAIDs, intravitreal dexamethasone and peribulbar triamcinolone for pseudophakic macular edema
Authors: Obis Javier , Arias Luis , Lorenzo Daniel , Padron-Perez Noel , Garcia-Bru Pere , Cobos Estefania , Morwani Rahul , Caminal Jose
Published: November 2021

Background

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (intravitreal dexamethasone and peribulbar triamcinolone) in treating pseudophakic macular edema (PME).

Methods

Retrospective study of 33 eyes. Variables included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA; logMAR scale) and central retinal thickness (CRT) and central choroidal thickness (CCT) assessed with swept-source OCT. All patients were initially prescribed topical NSAIDs and reevaluated after 2 months. If improvement in BCVA or CRT was noted, topical NSAIDs were continued until resolution. If no improvement was observed at 2 months or subsequent visits, intravitreal dexamethasone implant was performed. Patients who refused intravitreal treatment were offered peribulbar triamcinolone.

Results

After treatment with topical NSAIDs for a median of 2 months, BCVA increased significantly from 0.5 to 0.3 while CRT decreased significantly from 435 to 316 μm. PME resolved in 19 of the 33 eyes (57.6%). Of the 14 recalcitrant cases, 13 were treated with corticosteroids. Of these 13 cases, 9 (69.2%) resolved. BCVA increased non-significantly from 0.7 to 0.4. CRT and CCT decreased significantly from 492 to 317 μm and from 204 to 182 μm respectively.

Conclusions

The overall success rate of the treatment algorithm was greater than 80%, a remarkable finding considering that no randomized study has yet been conducted to determine the optimal therapeutic protocol for PME. This is the first study to evaluate choroidal thickness in PME using SS-OCT, which could play a key role in its pathophysiology and provide useful information to improve the management of PME.