bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education gentrification in London: evidence from transport and housing price
Authors: Zhao Xinzi
Published: January 2023

This paper focuses on the education gentrification in London. Past research mainly studied education gentrification on a macro level while this paper will visualize the data to find the relationship among number of schools, rental prices, sold prices, number of transportation and median income. By analyzing the data, this paper finds that educational resources will lead to the development of local housing price, income and transportation.
Research on Social Media Advertising Persuasion Based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model
Authors: Pan Piao , Zhang Hao
Published: January 2023

Based on the elaboration likelihood model, this research investigates the in-fluence of central cues (advertising informativeness and advertising persuasiveness) and peripheral cues (social climate) on consumers’ advertising involvement and attitude towards advertising in social media. We collected 309 valid questionnaires as empirical data, and this study examined the research hypotheses with SmartPLS. The results show that: (1) Advertising persuasiveness has a significant impact on consumers’ advertising involvement, while advertising informativeness has no significant influence on advertising involvement. (2) Social climate has a significant positive impact on consumers’ involvement in advertising. (3) Compared with the central cues, the peripheral cue has a stronger effect on consumers’ advertising involvement. (4) Advertising persuasiveness and social climate indirectly influence consumers’ attitudes toward advertising through the mediating role of advertising involvement.
Rundumblick – Untersuchung der HWS
Authors: Luomajoki Hannu
Published: January 2023

Menschen mit Nackenschmerzen gehören neben jenen mit Rückenschmerzen zur größten Klientel in der Physiotherapie. Die Auswahl an Tests und Vorgehensweisen ist groß. Prof. Dr. Hannu Luomajoki plädiert dafür, dass Tests zwar zuverlässig sein und auf veröffentlichten Daten beruhen sollten, sie aber dennoch in jeder Praxis auch mit wenig Equipment gut durchführbar sein müssen.
„Es hört einfach nicht auf, weh zu tun!“ – Interview zu Talusfrakturen
Authors: Krause Fabian G.
Published: January 2023

Prof. Dr. med. Fabian Krause ist leitender Arzt Fuß- und Sprunggelenkchirurgie am Inselspital, dem Universitätsspital Bern. Er hat viel Erfahrung mit der Behandlung von Unfallverletzungen des Fußes und Folgeproblemen nach Unfällen, Brüchen sowie Operationen des Sprunggelenks und des Fußes. Sportphysio-Mitherausgeberin Dr. med. Cornelia van Hauten sprach mit ihm über die Besonderheiten von Talusfrakturen. Dabei wollte sie u. a. wissen, wie es überhaupt zu Talusfrakturen kommt.
Outcomes after Anterior Interosseous Nerve to Ulnar Motor Nerve Transfer
Authors: Gross Jeffrey N. , Dawson Steven E. , Wu Gerald J. , Loewenstein Scott , Borschel Gregory H. , Adkinson Joshua M.
Published: January 2023

Background Ulnar nerve lesions proximal to the elbow can result in loss of intrinsic muscle function of the hand. The anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) to deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve (DBUN) transfer has been demonstrated to provide intrinsic muscle reinnervation, thereby preventing clawing and improving pinch and grip strength. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the AIN to DBUN transfer in restoring intrinsic muscle function for patients with traumatic ulnar nerve lesions.

Methods We performed a prospective, multi-institutional study of outcomes following AIN to DBUN transfer for high ulnar nerve injuries. Twelve patients were identified, nine of which were enrolled in the study. The mean time from injury to surgery was 15 weeks.

Results At final follow-up (mean postoperative follow-up 18 months + 15.5), clawing was observed in all nine patients with metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension of the ring finger averaging 8.9 degrees (+ 10.8) and small finger averaging 14.6 degrees (+ 12.5). Grip strength of the affected hand was 27% of the unaffected extremity. Pinch strength of the affected hand was 29% of the unaffected extremity. None of our patients experienced claw prevention after either end-to-end (n = 4) or end-to-side (n = 5) AIN to DBUN transfer.

Conclusion We conclude that, in traumatic high ulnar nerve injuries, the AIN to DBUN transfer does not provide adequate intrinsic muscle reinnervation to prevent clawing and normalize grip and pinch strength.
Palmar Dislocation Fracture of the Hamate: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Ravoyard Salomé , Andre Lisa , Chammas Michel , Degeorge Benjamin
Published: January 2023

Objective Hamate dislocations are rare lesions of the carpus, which make their diagnosis difficult or even missed, and their management non-standardized.

Case Description We report the case of a 34-year-old victim of a high kinetic traffic accident. The initial evaluation revealed multiple fractures of both upper limbs, including a palmar fracture dislocation fracture of the hamate, without any vascular or nerve complications. Open surgical treatment via a dorsal approach allowed reduction and fixation of the hamate by temporary multiple pinning. At 12-month follow-up the patient had pain free motion of the wrist with a DASH score of 3. Radiographs showed evidence of proximal pole hamate sclerosis and carpo-metacarpal narrowing.

Literature Review Owing to its rarity, literature on this topic is extremity limited. Various mechanisms have been described to explain these injuries, including dorsal pressure on the carpus associated with traction of the annular carpal ligament on its hamate insertion. Symptoms can be minimal and only three cases of nerve complications have been reported. Long-term outcomes following these injuries usually result in decrease in wrist motion and grip strength.

Clinical Relevance The rarity of dislocations with or without hamate fracture favors the absence or the delay of diagnosis, which must lead to a precise radiographic analysis and to the implementation of a CT scan in case of high kinetics carpal trauma, even if it is poorly symptomatic.

Level of Evidence Level 5, case study.
How human are you? The humanness scale (¿Cuán humano eres tú? La escala de humanidad)
Authors: Morera María-Dolores , Delgado Naira , Quiles María-Nieves , Martínez Rocío , Hess Stephany
Published: January 2023

The main goal of this research was to develop a new measure focused on a set of propositional beliefs linked to what people consider humanness to be, to evaluate global and overt expressions of dehumanization. Study 1 ( N = 277) was aimed to build a scale that included 13 items (α = .94) and explore its dimensionality (EFA). Study 2 ( N = 296) was aimed to confirm its unidimensional structure and to analyse the relationship between the humanness scale (HS) and relevant variables as an affective thermometer, a subtle and blatant prejudice scale and a perceived social status scale. Study 3 ( N = 290) contrasted the HS with other measures of dehumanization on the prediction of social distance. Results showed that the ingroup was perceived as being the most human group, while the other groups were distributed across the humanness dimension. Moreover, HS scores were significantly but moderately related to the other measures and the best predictor of social distance. This research provides a new and easy way of measuring dehumanization in everyday social perception.
The effects of radio frequency atmospheric pressure plasma and thermal treatment on the hydrogenation of TiO2 thin film
Authors: ZHANG Yu , WANG Haozhe , HE Tao , LI Yan , GUO Ying , SHI Jianjun , XU Yu , ZHANG Jing
Published: January 2023

The effects of radio frequency (RF) atmospheric pressure (AP) He/H2 plasma and thermal treatment on the hydrogenation of TiO2 thin films were investigated and compared in this work. The color of the original TiO2 film changes from white to black after being hydrogenated in He/H2 plasma at 160 W (gas temperature ∼381 °C) within 5 min, while the color of the thermally treated TiO2 film did not change significantly even in pure H2 or He/H2 atmosphere with higher temperature (470 °C) and longer time (30 min). This indicated that a more effective hydrogenation reaction happened through RF AP He/H2 plasma treatment than through pure H2 or He/H2 thermal treatment. The color change of TiO2 film was measured based on the Commission Internationale d’Eclairage L*a*b* color space system. Hydrogenated TiO2 film displayed improved visible light absorption with increased plasma power. The morphology of the cauliflower-like nanoparticles of the TiO2 film surface remained unchanged after plasma processing. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that the contents of Ti3+ species and Ti–OH bonds in the plasma-hydrogenated black TiO2 increased compared with those in the thermally treated TiO2. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Raman spectra indicated that plasma would destroy the crystal structure of the TiO2 surface layer, while thermal annealing would increase the overall crystallinity. The different trends of XRD and Raman spectra results suggested that plasma modification on the TiO2 surface layer is more drastic than on its inner layer, which was also consistent with transmission electron microscopy results. Optical emission spectra results suggest that numerous active species were generated during RF AP He/H2 plasma processing, while there were no peaks detected from thermal processing. A possible mechanism for the TiO2 hydrogenation process by plasma has been proposed. Numerous active species were generated in the bulk plasma region, accelerated in the sheath region, and bumped toward the TiO2 film, which will react with the TiO2 surface to form OVs and disordered layers. This leads to the tailoring of the band gap of black TiO2 and causes its light absorption to extend into the visible region.
Influence of different embedding methods on flexural and actuation performance of piezoelectric intelligent structures
Authors: Li Xining , Liu Yuzhi , Zhang Yaomao
Published: January 2023

Abstact

Embedding piezoelectric materials as actuators or sensors into structures to form intelligent piezoelectric structures is a research hotspot. Piezoelectric intelligent structures should not only have good sensing and actuation performance, but should also ensure mechanical performance. The influence of forming and cutting embeddings of macro fiber composites (MFC) on the flexural and actuation properties of a piezoelectric composite curved shell was studied by simulation and experiment. The flexural performance was evaluated using a three-point bending simulation and test, and the actuation performance was evaluated by simulating the actuation deformation of a curved piezoelectric cantilever beam. Compared with forming embedding, cutting embedding destroys the continuity of the fiber, resulting in a reduction in the strength of the structure. However, it exhibits good actuation performance. Simultaneously, the influence of ply direction on performance was studied.
Non-compact Einstein manifolds with symmetry
Authors: Böhm Christoph , Lafuente Ramiro
Published: January 2023

For Einstein manifolds with negative scalar curvature admitting an isometric action of a Lie group

G

\mathsf {G}

with compact, smooth orbit space, we show that the nilradical

N

\mathsf {N}

of

G

\mathsf {G}

acts polarly and that the

N

\mathsf {N}

-orbits can be extended to minimal Einstein submanifolds. As an application, we prove the Alekseevskii conjecture: Any homogeneous Einstein manifold with negative scalar curvature is diffeomorphic to a Euclidean space.
(De)securitization and Ontological Security: The Case of the US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Authors: Pop Adrian , Onel Ioan-David
Published: January 2023

Given Washington’s vast expenditure during its 20 years of operations in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s ascent to power in August 2021, after defeating the Afghan National Security Forces, generated strong feelings of shame and anxiety for the USA. Coupled with a dissonance between the US withdrawal and its narrative on fighting terrorism, this eventually culminated in an ontological security crisis for the USA. This paper aims to provide an understanding on how the US elite tried to overcome this moment of crisis and re-establish the US ontological security. For this purpose, the paper elaborates on the existing literature on the link between securitization/desecuritization and ontological security. It argues that, in the aftermath of the withdrawal, the USA employed both securitization and desecuritization practices at the narrative level, accompanied concomitantly by actions at the relational level, to overcome the state’s ontological security crisis ensuing from the Taliban’s ascent to power. However, the results have been, at best, mixed. Through reviewing multiple sources, both internal and external to the USA, the article suggests that the US narrative has been partially challenged and hence failed to re-establish the US ontological security.
The longevity-associated BPIFB4 gene supports cardiac function and vascularization in ageing cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cattaneo Monica , Beltrami Antonio P , Thomas Anita C , Spinetti Gaia , Alvino Valeria Vincenza , Avolio Elisa , Veneziano Claudia , Rolle Irene Giulia , Sponga Sandro , Sangalli Elena , Maciag Anna , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Vecchione Carmine , Alenezi Aishah , Paisey Stephen , Puca Annibale A , Madeddu Paolo
Published: January 2023

Aims

The ageing heart naturally incurs a progressive decline in function and perfusion that available treatments cannot halt. However, some exceptional individuals maintain good health until the very late stage of their life due to favourable gene–environment interaction. We have previously shown that carriers of a longevity-associated variant (LAV) of the BPIFB4 gene enjoy prolonged health spans and lesser cardiovascular complications. Moreover, supplementation of LAV-BPIFB4 via an adeno-associated viral vector improves cardiovascular performance in limb ischaemia, atherosclerosis, and diabetes models. Here, we asked whether the LAV-BPIFB4 gene could address the unmet therapeutic need to delay the heart’s spontaneous ageing.

Methods and results

Immunohistological studies showed a remarkable reduction in vessel coverage by pericytes in failing hearts explanted from elderly patients. This defect was attenuated in patients carrying the homozygous LAV-BPIFB4 genotype. Moreover, pericytes isolated from older hearts showed low levels of BPIFB4, depressed pro-angiogenic activity, and loss of ribosome biogenesis. LAV-BPIFB4 supplementation restored pericyte function and pericyte-endothelial cell interactions through a mechanism involving the nucleolar protein nucleolin. Conversely, BPIFB4 silencing in normal pericytes mimed the heart failure pericytes. Finally, gene therapy with LAV-BPIFB4 prevented cardiac deterioration in middle-aged mice and rescued cardiac function and myocardial perfusion in older mice by improving microvasculature density and pericyte coverage.

Conclusions

We report the success of the LAV-BPIFB4 gene/protein in improving homeostatic processes in the heart’s ageing. These findings open to using LAV-BPIFB4 to reverse the decline of heart performance in older people.
Assessment of aortic and cerebral haemodynamics and vascular brain injury with 3 and 7 T magnetic resonance imaging in patients with aortic coarctation
Authors: Meijs Timion A , van Tuijl Rick J , van den Brink Hilde , Weaver Nick A , Siero Jeroen C W , van der Worp H Bart , Braun Kees P J , Leiner Tim , de Jong Pim A , Zwanenburg Jaco J M , Doevendans Pieter A , Voskuil Michiel , Grotenhuis Heynric B
Published: January 2023

Aims

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is characterized by a central arteriopathy resulting in increased arterial stiffness. The condition is associated with an increased risk of stroke. We aimed to assess the aortic and cerebral haemodynamics and the presence of vascular brain injury in patients with previous surgical CoA repair.

Methods and results

Twenty-seven patients with CoA (median age 22 years, range 12–72) and 25 age- and sex-matched controls (median age 24 years, range 12–64) underwent 3 T (heart, aorta, and brain) and 7 T (brain) magnetic resonance imaging scans. Haemodynamic parameters were measured using two-dimensional phase-contrast images of the ascending and descending aorta, internal carotid artery (ICA), basilar artery (BA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), and perforating arteries. Vascular brain injury was assessed by rating white matter hyperintensities, cortical microinfarcts, lacunes, and microbleeds. Pulse wave velocities in the aortic arch and descending aorta were increased and ascending aortic distensibility was decreased in patients with CoA vs. controls. Patients with CoA showed a higher mean flow velocity in the right ICA, left ICA, and BA and a reduced distensibility in the right ICA, BA, and left MCA. Haemodynamic parameters in the perforating arteries, total cerebral blood flow, intracranial volumes, and vascular brain injury were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

Patients with CoA show an increased flow velocity and reduced distensibility in the aorta and proximal cerebral arteries, which suggests the presence of a generalized arteriopathy that extends into the cerebral arterial tree. No substantial vascular brain injury was observed in this relatively young CoA population, although the study was inadequately powered regarding this endpoint.
Impact of preoperative mitral regurgitation on left ventricular assist device patients: propensity score-matched analysis of the EUROMACS dataset
Authors: Loforte Antonio , Nersesian Gaik , Lewin Daniel , Lanmueller Pia , Gliozzi Gregorio , Stein Julia , Cavalli Giulio Giovanni , Schoenrath Felix , Netuka Ivan , Zimpfer Daniel , de By Theo M M H , Gummert Jan , Falk Volkmar , Meyns Bart , Faerber Gloria , Pacini Davide , Potapov Evgenij
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVES

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequently observed in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation. We investigated the impact of preoperative MR on left ventricular assist device patients.

METHODS

A retrospective propensity score-matched analysis of adult patients enrolled in the EUROMACS registry between 1 January 2011 and 30 November 2021 was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the grade of preoperative MR: none-to-mild (MR 0–II) or moderate-to-severe (MR III–IV).

RESULTS

Following 1:1 propensity score matching, each group consisted of 914 patients. Incidence of postoperative temporary right ventricular support, reoperation for bleeding and dialysis was similar. MR III–IV demonstrated shorter median intensive care unit stay [14 days (6; 27.8) vs 10 days (5; 22), P = 0.004] and ventilation time [72 h (22, 320) vs 31 h (18, 150), P < 0.001]. Mortality was lower for MR III–IV patients [subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.73, P < 0.001]. The 1-year survival was 68.1% (95% CI: 65.1–71.3%) in MR 0–II and 75% (95% CI: 72.1–78%) in MR III–IV. A lower incidence of total complications [odds ratio (OR): 0.93 (0.89–0.98), P = 0.003] and trend towards a lower risk of neurological dysfunction (subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.61–1.01, P = 0.063) and sustained ventricular tachycardia [OR: 0.93 (0.54–1.03), P = 0.074] were demonstrated for MR III–IV. The risk of fatal stroke and pump thrombosis was similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-to-severe MR in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation is associated with better mid-term survival and lower incidence of total major adverse events and complications. The incidence of severe postoperative complications including fatal stroke and device thrombosis was similar.
Stability analysis for time-varying positive systems with stochastic impulses
Authors: Yu Mingzheng , Liu Jian , Jiao Ticao , Wang Lei , Ma Qian
Published: January 2023

This article addresses the stochastically exponential stability and mean stability of positive time-varying systems with stochastic impulses. The term ‘stochastic impulse’ means the randomness of impulsive densities or intensities. More specifically, the impulsive maps are not unique and the impulsive intensities are independent random variables with different distributions. The occurrence instants of impulses are restricted by several different processes, e.g. a mode-dependent average impulsive interval, a Markov chain, a Poisson process and a renewal process. Using a time-varying copositive Lyapunov function and stochastic analysis theory, several stochastic stability conditions are given. Finally, an example with four cases is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Investigating outbreaks of initially unknown aetiology in complex settings: findings and recommendations from 10 case studies
Authors: Perrocheau Anne , Jephcott Freya , Asgari-Jirhanden Nima , Greig Jane , Peyraud Nicolas , Tempowski Joanna
Published: January 2023

Background

Outbreaks of unknown aetiology in complex settings pose challenges and there is little information about investigation methods. We reviewed investigations into such outbreaks to identify methods favouring or impeding identification of the cause.

Methods

We used two approaches: reviewing scientific literature and soliciting key informants. Case studies were developed through interviews with people involved and triangulated with documents available from the time of the investigation.

Results

Ten outbreaks in African or Asian countries within the period 2007–2017 were selected. The cause was identified in seven, of which two had an unclear mode of transmission, and in three, neither origin nor transmission mode was identified. Four events were caused by infectious agents and three by chemical poisoning. Despite differences in the outbreaks, similar obstacles were noted: incomplete or delayed description of patients, comorbidities confounding clinical pictures and case definitions wrongly attributed. Repeated rounds of data collection and laboratory investigations were common and there was limited capacity to ship samples.

Discussion

It was not possible to define activities that led to prompt identification of the cause in the case studies selected. Based on the observations, we conclude that basing case definitions on precise medical observations, implementing initial comprehensive data collection, including environmental, social and behavioural information; and involving local informants could save precious time and hasten implementation of control measures.
H-ferritin in sows’ colostrum- and milk-derived extracellular vesicles: a novel iron delivery concept
Authors: Palsa Kondaiah , Connor James R , Flanagan John , Hines Elizabeth A
Published: January 2023

Iron deficiency anemia is a significant problem in piglets, as they are born with insufficient iron stores for supporting their rapid body growth. Further, sows’ milk contains inadequate iron levels for meeting the demands of piglet rapid growth in the pre-wean stage. The forms of iron present in the milk are essential to understanding bioavailability and potential routes for supplementing iron to mitigate iron deficiency anemia in piglets. Recently, our studies showed that H-ferritin (FTH1) is involved in iron transport to different tissues and can be used as an oral iron supplement to correct iron deficiency in rats and monkeys. In this study, we investigate the FTH1 levels in colostrum and milk in Yorkshires-crossbred sows (n = 27) and collected samples at the 1st, 15th, and 28th days of lactation to measure FTH1. Colostrum and milk were found to have FTH1, but there is no significant difference between the different days of lactation. FTH1 has been observed to be enriched in extracellular vesicles (EVs) of other species, and therefore examined the EVs in the samples. Colostrum-derived EVs were enriched with L-ferritin compared to FTH1, while in milk-derived EVs, only FTH1 was detected (P = 0.04). In milk-derived EVs, FTH1 was significantly higher (P = 0.021; P = 006) than FTH1 in colostrum-derived EVs. Furthermore, FTH1 levels of milk-derived EVs were significantly higher (P = 0.0002; P = 0004) than whole milk and colostrum FTH1. These results indicate that FTH1 is enriched in the milk-derived EVs and suggest that EVs play a predominant role in the FTH1 delivery mechanism for the piglet. The extent to which FTH1 in EVs accounts for the overall iron delivery mechanism in piglets is yet to be determined.
Alzheimer’s, Advance Directives, and Interpretive Authority
Authors: Barzun Charles L
Published: January 2023

Philosophers have debated whether the advance directives of Alzheimer’s patients should be enforced, even if patients seem content in their demented state. The debate raises deep questions about the nature of human autonomy and personal identity. But it tends to proceed on the assumption that the advance directive’s terms are clear, whereas in practice they are often vague or ambiguous, requiring the patient’s healthcare proxy to make difficult judgment calls. This practical wrinkle raises its own, distinct but related, philosophical question: what criteria may the proxy bring to bear when making such interpretive judgments on which the patient’s life may depend? After defending a general policy of enforcing advance directives on normative (rather than metaphysical) grounds, I argue that when advance directives are vague, a patient’s proxy may permissibly make her own fresh evaluation of the patient’s life as a whole and, in so doing, consider how the patient’s character as a demented person contributes or fails to contribute to that life.
Uncertainty, Evidence, and the Integration of Machine Learning into Medical Practice
Authors: Grote Thomas , Berens Philipp
Published: January 2023

In light of recent advances in machine learning for medical applications, the automation of medical diagnostics is imminent. That said, before machine learning algorithms find their way into clinical practice, various problems at the epistemic level need to be overcome. In this paper, we discuss different sources of uncertainty arising for clinicians trying to evaluate the trustworthiness of algorithmic evidence when making diagnostic judgments. Thereby, we examine many of the limitations of current machine learning algorithms (with deep learning in particular) and highlight their relevance for medical diagnostics. Among the problems we inspect are the theoretical foundations of deep learning (which are not yet adequately understood), the opacity of algorithmic decisions, and the vulnerabilities of machine learning models, as well as concerns regarding the quality of medical data used to train the models. Building on this, we discuss different desiderata for an uncertainty amelioration strategy that ensures that the integration of machine learning into clinical settings proves to be medically beneficial in a meaningful way.
Towards clarity: the ‘may be affected’ requirement and non-party intervention at the International Court of Justice
Authors: Avayiwoe Gracious
Published: January 2023

Intervention at the International Court of Justice (the Court) has re-emerged as a trending topic amid the Application of the Genocide Convention (The Gambia v Myanmar) and Allegations of Genocide under the Genocide Convention (Ukraine v Russian Federation). This article advances an approach to straightening the indeterminacy regarding the threshold of proof of the ‘which may be affected by the decision in the case’ expression under Article 62 of the Court’s Statute for non-party intervention. The Court deems the wording a second and substantive condition of the provision, the assessment of which remains controversial. Notwithstanding the permissiveness of the latest Order, Jurisdictional Immunities of the State(Germany v Italy), the complication lingers. The said Order did not refer to the requirement. It fell outside the purview of maritime boundary, to which all previous and inconsistent orders of the Court on non-party intervention relate.
Pilgrimage in Early Modern Catholicism
Authors: Tingle Elizabeth
Published: January 2023

Pilgrimage—a journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion—was one of the great traditions of medieval Christianity, in the Latin and Greek churches and the Eastern and African traditions. Pilgrims of all social stations, from King Louis XII of France to the housewife Margery Kempe of King’s Lynn, traveled to holy places for a combination of physical healing, spiritual devotion, material requests, thanksgiving, and simple curiosity. Jerusalem, Rome, and Compostela in Spain were important international sites of pilgrimage, but there were numerous regional and local shrines as well. Most Christians visited a shrine at some time in their lives; many did so repeatedly. With the Reformation, from the 1520s, pilgrimage declined in Europe. Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and Jean Calvin denied the efficacy of saintly intercession, the existence of sacred space, and the need for good works for salvation. In regions that became Protestant, shrines were destroyed, and religious journeys ceased, although there were some illicit survivals such as the pilgrimage to St. Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg in Ireland. But from the later sixteenth century in Catholic Europe, pilgrimage expanded again, a result of the Council of Trent’s confirmation of the validity of saints’ cults and relics in 1563, the great Roman jubilees of 1575 to 1650, and the readoption of traditional devotional activities by an increasingly confident and militant Catholic Church. Thousands of people visited healing shrines such as Sainte-Reine in Burgundy, and the jubilee years in Rome saw vast crowds in attendance. Medieval shrines such as the Mont Saint-Michel and Compostela were revived, but there were also new developments. There was an increased focus on local sanctuaries and many new shrines were founded, such as Sainte-Anne-d’Auray in western France. Shrines contributed to the building of confessional identity in regions of religious conflict such as Scherpenheuvel in the Low Countries and Altötting in southern Germany. Satellite or franchise shrines also expanded across the Catholic world: the Holy Land was recreated on mountainsides in Italy, and Guadalupe and Loreto traveled to the Americas with the Spanish and Portuguese imperial administrations. The new Catholic territories in the Americas and Asia developed their own pilgrimage traditions. An important role in pilgrimage was played by the new and resurgent religious orders of the Counter-Reformation; the mendicant orders in particular were active pilgrims in theology and practice, and also acted as shrine guardians in many places. Pilgrimage continued to be a popular practice in Catholicism across the globe down to the eighteenth century, when state regulations imposed greater restrictions on travel and new religious ideas became prominent. Only then did the flow of holy travelers slow.
Health Care in 20th-Century Mexico
Authors: Agostoni Claudia
Published: January 2023

Since the 1980s different scholars from diverse disciplines have increasingly studied the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions during the course of the twentieth century. Anthropologists, sociologists, and historians in particular have contributed to the enrichment, reassessment, and discussion of the important official and traditional approaches that prevailed in the study of the institutions and professionals of health care. Among the topics that have been progressively examined, the following stand out: the greater state intervention in health care, not as an inevitable result of the armed phase of the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) and of the 1917 Constitution, but as the outcome of a prolonged process that began during the course of the final decades of the nineteenth century and that acquired particular strength during the Porfirio Díaz regime (1877–1910). Likewise, more attention has been given to the study of the political, economic, social, and epidemiological contexts that encouraged the health-care institutions (Consejo Superior de Salubridad [1841–1917], Departamento de Salubridad Pública [1917–1943], Secretaría de Salubridad y Asistencia [1943–1984], Secretaría de Salud [1984 to date]) to contain, control, or eradicate specific endemic, epidemic, and chronic diseases in both urban and rural settings. Furthermore, the construction of hospitals, the dynamics of medical and nursing specialization, the conformation of a fragmented and highly unequal welfare system, and the convergence and debates among nonofficial medical and official health-care practices and practitioners have become important areas of historical research. However, the contributions published in recent decades also illustrate significant gaps in the literature, which have occurred due to the preponderance of Mexico City and other major cities in specialized literature, and the fact that health care was not, until recent decades, a field of considerable interest among professional historians. This article includes studies that begin during the late nineteenth century, in particular during the Porfiro Díaz regime, when public health became an integral part of public power. It also includes studies that examine how the health-care system was oriented by biomedicine and professionalization, in particular after the armed phase of the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920), as well as the relevance of hospitals, clinics, and different public health services and campaigns implemented between the 1930s and 1960s. Finally, this text concludes by making reference to some key studies that examine the 1980s neoliberal health and welfare reforms that began to privilege treatment over prevention in addition to cost-effective health-care interventions.
World War I: The Eastern Front
Authors: Reese Roger
Published: January 2023

The war on the Eastern Front was every bit as bloody as that on the Western Front. Like the Western Front, there was trench warfare, but there was never a continuous trench line along the entire front. Unlike the Western Front, there were large-scale offensives that covered hundreds of miles, but there were also extended lulls. Though there were few massive dayslong artillery bombardments that killed thousands, warfare in the open field led to enormous numbers of casualties. Civilians suffered far more in the east than in the west. Millions of civilians were caught in the shifting battlefields in the Baltics, Poland, Galicia, and Romania, leading to large numbers of displaced persons, who suffered and died in the course of evacuation. In contrast to Britain and France, the war destabilized the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian governments and social systems. Because of the variety of military and civilian experiences, the academic study of the war in the east goes beyond battles and campaigns to include a wide array of topics regarding war and society. The study of the strictly military aspects constitutes the minority of works on the war in the east, and much of that is by amateur historians; studies of society and the social aspects of the militaries dominate the scholarly literature. The history of the World War I on the Eastern Front is vastly understudied when compared with that of the war on the Western Front. Significant numbers of scholars and independent writers did not turn their attention to the study of the Eastern Front until the collapse of the Soviet Union made access to Russian archives easier. Increased attention was paid to the topic in the 2000s, especially around the hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of the war. The literature focuses heavily on Russia, much less so on Germany and Austria-Hungary, and even less so on Russia’s ally Romania. Inevitably, because the war contributed to the collapse of the political systems and empires of the three major combatants, the relationship of the war to this phenomenon is included in the study of the war; studies of the Russian Revolution, though it emanated from the war, are not included in this bibliography because it has a historiography all its own.
Dimensionality of Biodiversity
Authors: Libório Carlos Henrique , dos Santos Gisele Moreira
Published: January 2023

Although biodiversity is multidimensional, analyses of biodiversity variation were, for a long time, based only on metrics that reflect the number of taxa and the distribution of relative abundance among these taxa. However, in recent decades, functional, genetic, and phylogenetic diversity indices have been used to describe the variation in biodiversity in a complementary way. Diversity metrics have been formulated to understand this multifaceted phenomenon for conservation purposes and assessment of ecosystem processes. Diversity metrics capture the variation in the dimensions of biodiversity, although they also tend to lead to a subdivision of the diversity, affecting the holistic concept of biodiversity. One way to solve this confusion is the use of the dimensionality approach. An analysis of the dimensionality of biodiversity (i.e., number of complementary components of biodiversity represented by measures of diversity) can help in understanding which dimensions best represent biodiversity in a set of diversity measures and the reasons why different diversity metrics may be weak or strongly correlated. The dimensionality of biodiversity refers to the number of diversity measures and their respective importance necessary to assess biodiversity (i.e., the number of orthogonal axes). To that end, a unified way of analyzing all dimensions necessary for an effective understanding of biodiversity has recently been proposed (see General Overviews). This new way of analyzing the different aspects of biodiversity can improve our understanding of how ecological and evolutionary processes shape biodiversity.
Impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants on Short- and Mid-term Cardiac Outcomes in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Authors: Pinninti Swetha , Hebson Camden , Collins Jacqueline , Trieu Connie , Boppana Sushma , Buchfellner Markus , Seripin Cathy , Yarbrough April , Poole Claudette , Ross Shannon , James Scott , Hutto Cecelia , Boppana Suresh
Published: January 2023

Cardiac outcomes of 131 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) were examined. The majority of the cohort was male (66.4%) and half were Black (49.6%). Cardiac involvement was evident in 25% of the cohort at diagnosis. Favorable short- and mid-term outcomes were documented on follow-up, irrespective of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants causing the infection.
Emergency Savings among Persistently Poor Households: Evidence from a Field Experiment
Authors: Roll Stephen , Despard Mathieu , Grinstein-Weiss Michal , Bufe Sam
Published: January 2023

Low-income households struggle to accumulate emergency savings, which increases economic vulnerability in the face of unexpected events like expensive car repairs. This vulnerability may be even greater among persistently low-income households, which might benefit most from building emergency savings using tax refunds. This study examined the effects of randomly assigned behavioral interventions that incorporated a choice architecture manipulation and savings-related messages aimed at encouraging refund saving and delivered through a free, online tax-filing software program. The study sample comprised 4,536 tax filers, including 1,235 with persistent low incomes. Using administrative tax data and data from a two-wave household financial survey, regression-adjusted treatment impacts were estimated using intent-to-treat analysis to examine whether filers had any of their tax refunds still in savings and how much of their refund they still had saved six months after filing their taxes. Results indicated directional but nonstatistically significant increases in these savings outcomes across three treatment groups for the full sample, yet statistically significant treatment effects among the persistently low-income subsample, effects that were moderated by the prefiling absence of emergency resources. These results suggested that tax-time savings interventions are most effective among low-income households with the greatest needs for emergency savings.
2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Preoperative Fasting: Carbohydrate-containing Clear Liquids with or without Protein, Chewing Gum, and Pediatric Fasting Duration—A Modular Update of the 2017 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Preoperative Fasting *
Authors: Joshi Girish P. , Abdelmalak Basem B. , Weigel Wade A. , Harbell Monica W. , Kuo Catherine I. , Soriano Sulpicio G. , Stricker Paul A. , Tipton Tommie , Grant Mark D. , Marbella Anne M. , Agarkar Madhulika , Blanck Jaime F. , Domino Karen B.
Published: January 2023

These practice guidelines are a modular update of the “Practice guidelines for preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration: Application to healthy patients undergoing elective procedures.” The guidance focuses on topics not addressed in the previous guideline: ingestion of carbohydrate-containing clear liquids with or without protein, chewing gum, and pediatric fasting duration.
Effectiveness of Kurtosis-Adjusted Cumulative Noise Exposure in Assessing Occupational Hearing Loss Associated With Complex Noise
Authors: Xin Jiarui , Shi Zhihao , Qian Peiyi , Liu Shuangyan , Hao Yinzhu , Gao Xiangjin , Zhou Lifang , Yang Lei , Zhang Meibian
Published: January 2023

Objectives:

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most prevalent occupational diseases worldwide. Few studies have been reported on applying kurtosis-adjusted noise energy (e.g., kurtosis-adjusted cumulative noise exposure, CNE-K) as a joint indicator for assessing NIHL. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of CNE-K in assessing occupational hearing loss associated with complex noise in typical manufacturing industries.

Design:

A cross-sectional survey of 1404 Chinese manufacturing workers from typical manufacturing industries was conducted. General demographic characteristics, noise exposure data, and noise-induced permanent threshold shifts (NIPTS) at 3, 4, and 6 kHz (NIPTS346) were collected and analyzed. The role of kurtosis in high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) was also analyzed. The degree of overlap of the two logistic curves (i.e., between complex noise CNE-K and HFNIHL%, and between Gaussian noise CNE and HFNIHL%) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of CNE-K, using a stratified analysis based on age, sex, industry, or job type.

Results:

The binary logistic regression analysis showed that in addition to age, sex, exposure duration, and Eight-hour Continuous Equivalent A-weighted Sound Pressure Level (LAeq,8h), kurtosis was a key factor influencing HFNIHL% in workers (odds ratio = 1.18, p < 0.05), and its odds ratio increased with an increase in kurtosis value. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the contribution of kurtosis to NIPTS346 was second to LAeq,8h. Complex noise led to a higher risk of NIHL than Gaussian noise at frequencies of 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz after adjusting for age, sex, and CNE (p < 0.05). As kurtosis increased, the notch in the audiogram became deeper, and the frequency at which the notch began to deepen shifted from 3 to 1 kHz. The logistic curve between complex noise CNE-K and HFNIHL% nearly overlapped with that between Gaussian noise CNE and HFNIHL%, and the average difference in HFNIHL% between the two curves decreased from 8.1 to 0.4%. Moreover, the decrease of average difference in HFNIHL% between the two logistic curves was evident in several subgroups, such as male workers, aged <30 and 30 to 50 years, furniture and woodworking industries and gunning and nailing job types with relatively high kurtosis values.

Conclusions:

Kurtosis, as an indirect metric of noise temporal structure, was an important risk factor for occupational NIHL. Kurtosis-adjusted CNE metric could be more effective than CNE alone in assessing occupational hearing loss risk associated with complex noise.
Safety of Incision Placement with Nipple-sparing Mastectomy and Immediate Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Holland Michael , Wallace Adam , Viner Jennifer , Sbitany Hani , Piper Merisa
Published: January 2023

Background:

In nipple-sparing mastectomy, adequate perfusion to the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) during reconstruction is paramount to avoiding unwanted outcomes. Previous studies have suggested that periareolar incisions may result in higher rates of NAC complications. However, studies to date have not specifically investigated this in prepectoral reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of incision location on NAC complications in patients undergoing prepectoral breast reconstruction.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent immediate two-stage prepectoral breast reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy between 2015 and 2018 at a single institution. We identified two types of incisions utilized: superior periareolar or inframammary fold (IMF). Patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical details were compared between incision types, as were NAC complications.

Results:

A total of 181 consecutive prepectoral breast reconstructions were included for analysis. A superior periareolar incision was used in 113 reconstructions (62%), and an IMF incision was used in 68 reconstructions (38%). There were 33 (18%) total NAC complications in our series. The periareolar incision group had a higher rate of any NAC complication (25% versus 7.4%; P < 0.01), as well as a higher rate of nipple necrosis requiring debridement (9.7% versus 1.5%; P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

In patients undergoing immediate two-stage prepectoral breast reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy, periareolar incisions are associated with an increased risk of NAC complications compared with IMF incisions. For patients who are candidates for either an IMF or periareolar incision, a periareolar incision should be avoided.
Barriers to Research: A National Survey of Physician Assistant Faculty
Authors: Lolar Sara , Welch Robert D. , Garino Alexandria
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Success in research is a well-known challenge for physician assistant (PA) educators. Multiple barriers to research productivity have been proposed. This study examines potential barriers to PA research productivity.

Methods

Two hundred forty-seven PA programs were stratified by region and Carnegie classification, creating 28 strata. One program was randomly sampled from each stratum, and faculty from sampled programs were invited to participate (N = 214). An electronic survey was deployed via Qualtrics. Data were analyzed, accounting for the stratified survey sample design. Reported are proportions with associated 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Survey response rate was 53% (N = 114). The mean age was 46.7 years [44.5, 48.8 years] and 61% [52.4, 70.4] of respondents were female. Most respondents (53.5%; [44.2, 62.8]) were assistant professors and reported being employed as PA faculty for a mean of 12.4 years [11.2, 13.7 years]. Most respondents (68.1%; [59.7, 76.6]) reported 0 peer-reviewed research articles regardless of number of years as faculty. Few reported an interest in research (22.3%; [14.3, 29.9]) or felt internally driven to perform research (35.4%; [26.6, 44.2]). Most pursued a faculty position to teach (78.1%; [70.5, 85.7]) and spent little time pursuing research. Only 15.8% ([9.7, 21.9]) received research mentorship.

Discussion

This study identified lack of interest in research by faculty and lack of mentorship engagement as important factors underlying the profession’s poor scholarly output. Initiatives to increase scholarship must first focus on fostering individual interest and increasing motivation.