bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Handling Censoring and Censored Data in Survival Analysis: A Standalone Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Turkson Anthony Joe , Ayiah-Mensah Francis , Nimoh Vivian
Published: September 2021

The study recognized the worth of understanding the how’s of handling censoring and censored data in survival analysis and the potential biases it might cause if researchers fail to identify and handle the concepts with utmost care. We systematically reviewed the concepts of censoring and how researchers have handled censored data and brought all the ideas under one umbrella. The review was done on articles written in the English language spanning from the late fifties to the present time. We googled through NCBI, PubMed, Google scholar and other websites and identified theories and publications on the research topic. Revelation was that censoring has the potential of biasing results and reducing the statistical power of analyses if not handled with the appropriate techniques it requires. We also found that, besides the four main approaches (complete-data analysis method; imputation approach; dichotomizing the data; the likelihood-based approach) to handling censored data, there were several other innovative approaches to handling censored data. These methods include censored network estimation; conditional mean imputation method; inverse probability of censoring weighting; maximum likelihood estimation; Buckley-Janes least squares algorithm; simple multiple imputation strategy; filter algorithm; Bayesian framework;β-substitution method; search-and-score-hill-climbing algorithm and constraint-based conditional independence algorithm; frequentist; Markov chain Monte Carlo for imputed data; quantile regression; random effects hierarchical Cox proportional hazards; Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient; classical maximum likelihood estimate. We infer that the presence of incomplete information about subjects does not necessarily mean that such information must be discarded, rather they must be incorporated into the study for they might carry certain relevant information that holds the key to the understanding of the research. We anticipate that through this review, researchers will develop a deeper understanding of this concept in survival analysis and select the appropriate statistical procedures for such studies devoid of biases.
Hydrogen Sulfide Attenuates Angiotensin II‐Induced Cardiac Fibroblast Proliferation and Transverse Aortic Constriction‐Induced Myocardial Fibrosis through Oxidative Stress Inhibition via Sirtuin 3
Authors: Liu Lulu , Gong Weiwei , Zhang Shuping , Shen Jieru , Wang Yuqin , Chen Yun , Meng Guoliang
Published: September 2021

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is critical in mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. Our present study investigates whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) attenuated myocardial fibrosis and explores the possible role of SIRT3 on the protective effects. Neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were pretreated with NaHS followed by angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation. SIRT3 was knocked down with siRNA technology. SIRT3 promoter activity and expression, as well as mitochondrial function, were measured. Male wild‐type (WT) and SIRT3 knockout (KO) mice were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS followed by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Myocardium sections were stained with Sirius red. Hydroxyproline content, collagen I and collagen III, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), and dynamin‐related protein 1 (DRP1) expression were measured both in vitro and in vivo. We found that NaHS enhanced SIRT3 promoter activity and increased SIRT3 mRNA expression. NaHS inhibited cell proliferation and hydroxyproline secretion, decreased collagen I, collagen III, α‐SMA, and DRP1 expression, alleviated oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial respiration function and membrane potential in Ang II‐stimulated cardiac fibroblasts, which were unavailable after SIRT3 was silenced. In vivo, NaHS reduced hydroxyproline content, ameliorated perivascular and interstitial collagen deposition, and inhibited collagen I, collagen III, and DRP1 expression in the myocardium of WT mice but not SIRT3 KO mice with TAC. Altogether, NaHS attenuated myocardial fibrosis through oxidative stress inhibition via a SIRT3‐dependent manner.
Interfacial Bond Performance of Concrete‐Filled Steel Tubes under Fire and Postfire Conditions: State‐of‐the‐Art Review
Authors: Xue Yuanyuan , Chen Jun , Cai Zurong , Zou Yanhua
Published: September 2021

The critical influencing factors of the interface bonding properties of concrete‐filled steel tubes (CFSTs) under fire and postfire conditions are analyzed. This paper analyzes and summarizes the existing research related to the bonding performance of CFST interfaces under fire and postfire conditions at home and abroad, which includes the bonding mechanism of CFST structures, the bonding strength of CFSTs during and after fire exposure, and the main factors influencing bond strength. The analysis results indicate that the temperature has noticeable influences on the bond strength of a CFST during and after fire exposure. The bond strengths of the specimens are reduced more severely under high‐temperature conditions than after high‐temperature cooling. Shear connectors can significantly improve the bonding performance of CFSTs and effectively reduce the relative slip between steel tubes and concrete. The paper concludes with an analysis of the deficiencies in bond‐slip research on the bonding properties of the CFST interface during and after fire exposure and future research directions. First, we can study the use of new technologies and materials to solve the problem of bonding and slipping of CFSTs during and after fire exposure. Second, we can perform extensive experimental research and theoretical simulation analysis to enrich the research in this field, which can provide a reference for engineering practice.
Microseismic Response Characteristics Induced by Mining Activities: A Case Study
Authors: Bai Xuesong , Tang Zhi , Zhao Tao , Cheng Xiaoyang , Chen Kai
Published: September 2021

For deep coal mines, geological disturbances or mining activities can cause damage to coal and rock masses, easily inducing dynamic disasters such as rock bursts or coal and gas outbursts, which seriously threaten the safety production of coal mine. In this paper, first, the Liyazhuang Coal Mine introduced the SOS MS (Sensor Observation Service Microseismic) monitoring system from the Polish Research Institute and verified the accuracy of its positioning. Then, to study the characteristics of MS signals induced by different mining activities, based on the field monitoring results, the waveform and frequency spectrum characteristics of MS signals at different energy levels induced by different mining activities are analyzed, and the energy levels of MS signals caused by different mining activities are classified. Studies have shown that there are large differences in the waveform and spectral characteristics of MS signals at different energy levels. High‐level energy seismic signals are characterized by large amplitudes, low frequencies, relatively concentrated distribution, long vibration duration, and slow attenuation. In addition, the relationship between mining activities and MS events is also statistically analyzed based on the spatial and temporal distribution of MS events with the advancement of working face, and the results show that the increase of vibration frequency and energy can be precursor information for roof pressure. With the advance of the working face, the MS energy has the characteristic of periodic distribution, which is consistent with the periodic weighting revealed by the working resistance of the support. This study provides a reference for further revealing the energy release mechanism of rock burst.
Glioblastoma Clinical Trials: Current Landscape and Opportunities for Improvement
Authors: Bagley Stephen J. , Kothari Shawn , Rahman Rifaquat , Lee Eudocia Q. , Dunn Gavin P. , Galanis Evanthia , Chang Susan M. , Nabors Louis Burt , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Stupp Roger , Mehta Minesh P. , Reardon David A. , Grossman Stuart A. , Sulman Erik P. , Sampson John H. , Khagi Simon , Weller Michael , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Wen Patrick Y. , Khasraw Mustafa
Published: September 2021

Therapeutic advances for glioblastoma have been minimal over the past 2 decades. In light of the multitude of recent phase III trials that have failed to meet their primary endpoints following promising preclinical and early-phase programs, a Society for Neuro-Oncology Think Tank was held in November 2020 to prioritize areas for improvement in the conduct of glioblastoma clinical trials. Here, we review the literature, identify challenges related to clinical trial eligibility criteria and trial design in glioblastoma, and provide recommendations from the Think Tank. In addition, we provide a data-driven context with which to frame this discussion by analyzing key study design features of adult glioblastoma clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov as “recruiting” or “not yet recruiting” as of February 2021.
The Predictive Value of Degree of Preference for Extended-Release Naltrexone for Treatment Adherence, Opioid Use, and Relapse
Authors: Gaulen Zhanna , Brenna Ida Halvorsen , Fadnes Lars Thore , Šaltytė Benth Jūratė , Solli Kristin K. , Kunoe Nikolaj , Opheim Arild , Tanum Lars
Published: September 2021

Background: Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) is effective for illicit opioid abstinence as an opioid maintenance treatment. To improve treatment outcomes, patient’s preference for the modality of treatment is an important factor. Objectives: We aimed to test the relationship between baseline preference for XR-NTX and adherence to treatment, use of illicit opioids, and risk of relapse. Methods: In an open-label, Norwegian clinical trial participants with opioid use disorder were randomized to either monthly injections with XR-NTX or daily sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone (BP-NLX) for 12 weeks. Subsequently, participants could continue with their preferred medication in a 36-week follow-up and in a prolonged period of 104 weeks. Results: Of 153 participants who completed detoxification, 72% were men, with a mean age of 36 years. Preference levels were similar across the randomized groups, with no significant associations between preference and adherence to treatment, opioid use, or relapse. The BP-NLX group had a significantly higher risk of first relapse to opioids than the XR-NTX group for all levels of preference (p < 0.001) and a significantly higher number of days of illicit opioid use. In the follow-up period, the adherence rate was twice as high among participants with the highest preference compared to participants with the lowest preference, both among those who switched to XR-NTX and those who continued (hazard ratio 2.2; 1.2–4.0, p = 0.013). Opioid use was significantly higher among participants who switched to XR-NTX with the lowest preference than the medium (p = 0.003) or the highest (p = 0.001) preference. The risk of relapse to opioids, however, was significantly higher among XR-NTX continuing participants with the lowest (p = 0.002) or the medium (p = 0.043) preference than those with the highest preference. Conclusions: Individuals who matched with their preferred treatment used less illicit opioids than those who did not during short-term treatment. However, baseline preference for XR-NTX treatment primarily influenced longer term opioid use and treatment adherence.
Insoumises, de Conceição Evaristo: a tradução vista sob a lente de elementos paratextuais
Authors: Carneiro Teresa Dias , Valente Marcela Iochem
Published: September 2021

Com sua escrita engajada e cheia de referências culturais específicas, a obra de Conceição Evaristo apresenta diversos desafios para a tradução. Insoumises (2016) — tradução da coletânea de contos Insubmissas lágrimas de mulheres (2011), para o francês, publicada pela editora Anacaona — traz muitos desses elementos relacionados à cultura afro-brasileira. Para a inteligibilidade do texto traduzido em seu contexto de recepção, os elementos paratextuais se mostram fundamentais. Embora no mercado editorial haja resistência ao uso de paratextos do tradutor, tais elementos se mostram não apenas como um espaço propício para dar voz ao tradutor, mas, sobretudo, como um espaço de alteridade. O foco da análise neste artigo será nos paratextos da obra e em alguns aspectos macroestruturais da tradução, em especial, o índice, a ordem de apresentação dos contos e as notas de rodapé, com base em Venuti (1996), Lambert e Van Gorp (1985), Genette (2009), Aixelá (2013) e Mittmann (2003).
Endothelial Stromal PD-L1 (Programmed Death Ligand 1) Modulates CD8
+
T-Cell Infiltration After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Bracamonte-Baran William , Gilotra Nisha A. , Won Taejoon , Rodriguez Katrina M. , Talor Monica V. , Oh Byoung C. , Griffin Jan , Wittstein Ilan , Sharma Kavita , Skinner John , Johns Roger A. , Russell Stuart D. , Anders Robert A. , Zhu Qingfeng , Halushka Marc K. , Brandacher Gerald , Čiháková Daniela
Published: September 2021

Background:

The role of checkpoint axes in transplantation has been partially addressed in animal models but not in humans. Occurrence of fulminant myocarditis with allorejection-like immunologic features in patients under anti-PD1 (programmed death cell protein 1) treatment suggests a key role of the PD1/PD-L1 (programmed death ligand 1) axis in cardiac immune homeostasis.

Methods:

We cross-sectionally studied 23 heart transplant patients undergoing surveillance endomyocardial biopsy. Endomyocardial tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Multivariate logistic regression analyses including demographic, clinical, and hemodynamic parameters were performed. Murine models were used to evaluate the impact of PD-L1 endothelial graft expression in allorejection.

Results:

We found that myeloid cells dominate the composition of the graft leukocyte compartment in most patients, with variable T-cell frequencies. The CD (cluster of differentiation) 4:CD8 T-cell ratios were between 0 and 1.5. The proportion of PD-L1 expressing cells in graft endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and myeloid leukocytes ranged from negligible up to 60%. We found a significant inverse logarithmic correlation between the proportion of PD-L1
+
HLA (human leukocyte antigen)-DR
+
endothelial cells and CD8
+
T cells (slope, −18.3 [95% CI, −35.3 to −1.3];
P
=0.030). PD-L1 expression and leukocyte patterns were independent of demographic, clinical, and hemodynamic parameters. We confirmed the importance of endothelial PD-L1 expression in a murine allogeneic heart transplantation model, in which
Tie2

Cre

pdl1

fl/fl

grafts lacking PD-L1 in endothelial cells were rejected significantly faster than controls.

Conclusions:

Loss of graft endothelial PD-L1 expression may play a role in regulating CD8
+
T-cell infiltration in human heart transplantation. Murine model results suggest that loss of graft endothelial PD-L1 may facilitate alloresponses and rejection.
Physician Network Connections Associated With Faster De-Adoption of Dronedarone for Permanent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Stecher Chad , Everhart Alexander , Smith Laura Barrie , Jena Anupam , Ross Joseph S. , Desai Nihar R. , Shah Nilay , Karaca-Mandic Pinar
Published: September 2021

Background:

Physicians’ professional networks are an important source of new medical information and have been shown to influence the adoption of new treatments, but it is unknown how physician networks impact the de-adoption of harmful practices.

Methods:

We analyzed changes in physicians’ use of dronedarone after the PALLAS trial (Palbociclib Collaborative Adjuvant Study; November 2011) showed that dronedarone increased the risk of death from cardiovascular events among patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Deidentified administrative claims from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse were combined with physicians’ demographic information from the Doximity database and publicly available data on physicians’ patient-sharing relationships compiled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. We used a linear probability model with an interrupted linear time trend specification to model the impact of the PALLAS trial on physicians’ dronedarone usage between 2009 and 2014.

Results:

Before the PALLAS trial, the use of dronedarone was increasing by 0.22 percentage points per quarter (95% CI, 0.19–0.25) in our Medicare Advantage sample (N=343 429 patient-quarter observations) and 0.63 percentage points per quarter (95% CI, 0.52–0.75) in our commercially insured sample (N=44 402 patient-quarter observations). After the PALLAS trial and subsequent United States Food and Drug Administration black box warning, physicians in the Medicare Advantage sample with an above-median number of network connections to other physicians decreased their quarterly usage of dronedarone by 0.12 percentage points more per quarter (95% CI, −0.20 to −0.04;
P
=0.031) than physicians with equal to or below the median number of network connections. Similar patterns existed in the commercially insured sample (
P
=0.0318).

Conclusions:

After controlling for a wide range of patient, physician, and geographic characteristics, physicians with a greater number of network connections were faster de-adopters of dronedarone for patients with permanent atrial fibrillation after the PALLAS trial and subsequent United States Food and Drug Administration black box warning detailed the harmfulness of dronedarone for these patients. Policies for improving physicians’ responsiveness to new medical information should consider utilizing the influence of these important professional network relationships.
Effect of Posting on Social Media on Systolic Blood Pressure and Management of Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mancheno Christina , Asch David A. , Klinger Elissa V. , Goldshear Jesse L. , Mitra Nandita , Buttenheim Alison M. , Barg Frances K. , Ungar Lyle H. , Yang Lin , Merchant Raina M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Online platforms are used to manage aspects of our lives including health outside clinical settings. Little is known about the effectiveness of using online platforms to manage hypertension. We assessed effects of tweeting/retweeting cardiovascular health content by individuals with poorly controlled hypertension on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and patient activation.

Methods and Results

We conducted this 2‐arm randomized controlled trial. Eligibility included diagnosis of hypertension; SBP >140 mm Hg; and an existing Twitter account or willingness to create one to follow study Twitter account. Intervention arm was asked to tweet/retweet health content 2×/week using a specific hashtag for study duration (6 months). The main measures include primary outcome change in SBP; secondary outcome point change in Patient Activation Measure (PAM). We remotely recruited and enrolled 611 participants, mean age 52 (SD, 11.7). Mean baseline SBP for the intervention group was 155.8 and for control was 155.6. At 6 months, mean SBP for intervention group was 137.6 and for control was 135.7. Mean change in SBP from baseline to 6 months for the intervention group was −18.5 and for control was −19.8
(P
=0.48). Mean PAM at baseline for the intervention group was 70.3 for control was 72.7. At 6 months, mean PAM scores were 71.1 (intervention) and 75.6 (control). Mean change in PAM score for the intervention group was 0.0 and for control was 3.3 (
P
=0.12).

Conclusions

Recruiting and engaging patients and collecting outcome measures remotely are feasible using Twitter. Encouraging patients with poorly controlled hypertension to tweet or retweet health content on Twitter did not improve SBP or PAM score at 6 months.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02622256.
Sex Disparities in Organ Donation: Finding an Equitable Donor Pool
Authors: Yee Erika , Hosseini Seyedeh Maryam , Duarte Bianca , Knapp Shannon M. , Carnes Molly , Young Bessie , Sweitzer Nancy K. , Breathett Khadijah
Published: September 2021

Background

The majority of living organ donors are women, but few are deceased organ donors, which increases risks associated with sex mismatched organs. We sought to identify reasons for sex disparities in organ donation and strategies for equity.

Methods and Results

Using Amazon's Mechanical Turk, we examined US adults' perceptions regarding donation in a mixed‐methods survey study. Results were compared by sex with Fisher's exact test and T‐tests for quantitative results and qualitative descriptive analyses for write‐in responses. Among 667 participants (55% women), the majority of men (64.8%) and women (63.4%) self‐identified as registered donors. Women's willingness to donate their own organs to family members (
P
=0.03) or strangers (
P
=0.03) was significantly higher than men. Donors from both sexes were guided by: desire to help, personal experience, and believing organs would be useless to deceased donors. Non‐donors from both sexes were guided by: no reason, medical mistrust, contemplating donation. When considering whether to donate organs of a deceased family member, women were equally guided by a family member's wishes and believing the family member had no further use for organs. Men had similar themes but valued the family member's wishes more. Among non‐donors, both sexes would consider donation if more information was provided.

Conclusions

In a national survey, both sexes had similar reasons for becoming and not becoming an organ donor. However, compared with men, women were more willing to donate their organs to family members and strangers. Improving education and communicating wishes regarding organ donation with direct relatives may increase sex equity in deceased organ donation.
Narrative Question Answering with Cutting-Edge Open-Domain QA Techniques: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Mou Xiangyang , Yang Chenghao , Yu Mo , Yao Bingsheng , Guo Xiaoxiao , Potdar Saloni , Su Hui
Published: September 2021

Recent advancements in open-domain question answering (ODQA), that is, finding answers from large open-domain corpus like Wikipedia, have led to human-level performance on many datasets. However, progress in QA over book stories (Book QA) lags despite its similar task formulation to ODQA. This work provides a comprehensive and quantitative analysis about the difficulty of Book QA: (1) We benchmark the research on the NarrativeQA dataset with extensive experiments with cutting-edge ODQA techniques. This quantifies the challenges Book QA poses, as well as advances the published state-of-the-art with a ∼7% absolute improvement on ROUGE-L. (2) We further analyze the detailed challenges in Book QA through human studies.1 Our findings indicate that the event-centric questions dominate this task, which exemplifies the inability of existing QA models to handle event-oriented scenarios.
Identity Crisis and the Pseudo-Minorities in Bangladesh: Is the Right to Cultural Identity the Answer?
Authors: Mizan Arpeeta Shams
Published: September 2021

This article studies the process of minoritising members of majority groups through the use of narrow identity markers in heterogeneous countries like Bangladesh. Through historical analysis of the State’s influence on people's sense of cultural identity, it argues that when a group does not identify with State-imposed identity markers, they are alienated by the State and reduced to pseudo-minorities. Pseudo-minorities are groups of individuals who do not satisfy objective elements of minority identity, yet are discriminated against by the State in a minority-like manner. These individuals identify themselves as a group, and while they have formal equality, they lack de facto equality. These pseudo-minorities have no precise legal mechanism to redress such discrimination either under domestic or international law. The emerging right to cultural identity can become a tool to protect these groups.
Some Considerations on Why (and How) Criminal Law Should Turn International
Authors: Dellavalle Sergio
Published: September 2021

This article analyses the three theoretical presuppositions for an international dimension of criminal law to be successfully established. The first consists in the redefinition of the concept of sovereignty. Indeed, since sovereign power is usually understood as located within the boundaries of the individual states, it is necessary, for criminal law to turn international, that sovereignty is made compatible with cosmopolitan obligations. On the other hand, the reshaping of sovereignty can only be conceived on the basis of a universalistic understanding of the common good. Accordingly, the second step must lead to the transition from a particularistic to a universalistic idea of the well-ordered society. Thirdly, to avoid a hierarchical and centralized approach to international criminal justice, a notion of universalism should be preferred that, by making it sensitive to pluralism, also advocates an implementation of international criminal law which is prone to empowering national and local communities.
Networks of Innovation: Measuring Structure and Dynamics between and within Helices, Regions and Spatial Levels. Empirical Evidence from the Baltic Sea Region
Authors: Virkkala Seija , Mariussen Åge
Published: September 2021

In the quantitative, macro-oriented triple helix literature, synergy is measured indirectly, through patent data, firm data and other secondary statistical sources. These macro-level quantitative studies do not open up for understanding how different processes of cooperation create different outcomes, in terms of synergies. This article presents an alternative method of measuring quantitatively how different networks of innovation in a variety of ways create different types of complex synergies. This opens up for an empirical analysis of variations of synergy formation, seen as innovation networks with different structures, formed within and between helices, regions and geographical levels. Data was collected through a snapshot survey in 10 regional cases in the Baltic Sea Region. The analysis presents how different networks of innovation within and between helices are formed by different combinations of expectations, experiences and gaps.
Language change in multidimensional space
Authors: Hua Xia , Meakins Felicity , Algy Cassandra , Bromham Lindell
Published: September 2021

Linguistic coherence—the co-variation of language variants within speaker repertoires—has been proposed as a key process driving the divergence of language dialects. Previous studies on coherence have been often limited by dataset sizes and analyses. We analyze the use of 185 variables across 78 speakers from the Gurindji community in Australia. We use two multivariate statistical approaches to test whether clusters of variables co-vary with generation, family, household, exposure to Gurindji language speakers and education. Using Discriminant Correspondence Analysis, we find generation is the strongest grouping factor of speakers and co-varies with clusters of variants. Using the Generalized Linear Mixed Model, we find these clusters of variants not only represent a gradual loss of Gurindji language use across generations, but also contribute to distinct patterns of language usage in the different generations. Our study demonstrates the use of multivariate analyses on big datasets to identify sociolects, an important step in linking the ‘micro-level’ processes to the ‘macro-level’ outcomes.
“Toward a Shamanic Daily Life”
Authors: Rivadossi Silvia
Published: September 2021

This article contributes to the discussion on reactions and responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Japan, with specific reference to the field of “new spirituality” and, within this broad category, of shamanic spirituality. The case of the dance therapist, or “dance movement shaman,” Ms. Hiroda demonstrates how she managed to keep in contact with her practitioners and to design new ways to help them cope with the situation. The solution she offers, in line with the characteristics of shamanic spirituality, is to help each individual to acknowledge the importance of interconnectedness. In particular, Ms. Hiroda emphasizes body, community, and nature: to become aware of one’s own body again and of the necessity of connection with others and nature, especially in times of interpersonal distancing and crisis. Her response to the first wave of COVID-19 is thus to offer a strategy to live peacefully with—and despite—the virus.
A Non-Anglican View of Orthodoxy and Unorthodoxy in the Church of England
Authors: Mulder Frederik
Published: September 2021

Internal debates about orthodoxy and unorthodoxy inside the Church of England have been going on for centuries. The new contribution this article hopes to make is to provide an outsider’s view of these issues which will incorporate personal experiences, historical analyses, doctrinal developments, and diversifications, reflecting on three test cases, engagement with recent voices, and finally, retrospective reflection on key biblical texts which suggest that faithfulness to Scripture should lead to re-alignment from a dividing Church of England.
A new species of the fossil genus Electrotrichia (Insecta: Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Rovno amber (Zhytomyr region, Olevsk locality)
Authors: MELNITSKY STANISLAV I. , IVANOV VLADIMIR D. , PERKOVSKY EVGENY E.
Published: September 2021

Recent discoveries of amber deposits have resulted in numerous new caddisfly species of Rovno amber described in a series of recent papers (Melnitsky & Ivanov, 2010, 2013, 2016a, b). The list of species previously known from Rovno amber included 42 species (Ivanov et al., 2016; Perkovsky, 2017). Our study is based on a collection of Trichoptera from a new Rovno amber locality near Olevsk in Zhytomyr region. Nine amber species have been reported from this region (Legalov et al., 2021; Radchenko et al., 2021), including new ant species, a new anthribid, two new genera, and four new species of gall midges (Fedotova & Perkovsky, 2015, 2017); additional new cicadellid genus and species is described from closely connected fauna of Perebrody (Dietrich et al., 2021). It total, the new collection includes 6 pieces of Rovno Amber with six specimens of Trichoptera, two of those are described below as a new species of Electrotrichia.
Aleksiana rasnitsyni gen. et sp. nov. (Diptera, Limoniidae) to honour Alexandr Rasnitsyn
Authors: KRZEMIŃSKI WIESŁAW , KOPEĆ KATARZYNA , SOSZYŃSKA-MAJ AGNIESZKA , SKIBIŃSKA KORNELIA
Published: September 2021

The family Limoniidae is the most speciose family of the infraorder Tipulomorpha, as well as one of the largest families of nematoceran Diptera. The oldest known representative of Limoniidae is Architipula youngi Krzemiński, 1992 described from the Upper Triassic of North America (ca. 208 Ma) belonging to the subfamily Architipulinae (Krzemiński, 1992). The subfamily Limoniinae (Limoniidae) stratigraphic range extends from the Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber (Kania et al., 2014) to the present day, and is divided into two tribes, namely Antochini and Limoniini Savchenko (1985). Antochini currently comprise of the following contemporary genera: Antocha Alexander, 1924 (represented by 160 species); Elliptera Schiner, 1863 (represented by 12 species); Orimarga Osten-Sacken, 1869 (represented by 150 species) and Thaumastoptera Mik, 1866 (represented by 11 species). Representatives of this tribe currently occur on all continents except Antarctica, but individual genera are not distributed uniformly throughout the world (Oosterbroek, 2021). Although the family Limoniidae has been known since the Upper Triassic (Krzemińska & Krzemiński, 2003), the oldest representative of the tribe Antochini is only known from the beginning of the Upper Cretaceous from the Burmese amber from Kachin (Podenas & Poinar, 2009) dated to ca. 99 Ma (Shi et al., 2012).
Does Demographic Characteristics Affect Remittance Behavior? An Analysis of Migrants in the UAE
Authors: Khan Imran , Akhtar Mohammed Anam
Published: September 2021

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a popular destination for migrant workers worldwide, not just from Asia. Along with expanding the UAE’s economic activities, the amount of remittance outflows has increased dramatically, making it the second-largest remitting country, just behind the United States. This study looks into the important demographic factors that influence migrant remittance behavior in the Emirates. The examinations revealed that age, race, marital status, and a number of dependents are the most important factors influencing remittance behavior, while gender is found to be insignificant, proving the popular premise of female altruism to be incorrect. The findings are expected to assist policymakers in the government in devising ways and means to reduce remittance outflows as they have vital implications for some key macro-economic variables such as inflation and exchange rate as well as financial service providers in the UAE, in orchestrating a suitable promotional strategy to target suitable cohorts.
Perceptions of Sound Quality and Enjoyment After Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Bessen Sarah Y. , Saunders James E. , Eisen Eric A. , Magro Isabelle L.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To characterize the quality and enjoyment of sound by cochlear implant (CI) recipients and identify predictors of these outcomes after cochlear implantation.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

A tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Surveys based on the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index were sent to all patients who received a CI at a tertiary care hospital from 2000 to 2019. Survey questions prompted CI recipients to characterize enjoyment and quality of voices, music, and various sounds.

Results

Of the 339 surveys, 60 (17.7%) were returned with complete data. CI recipients had a mean ± SD age of 62.5 ± 17.4 years with a mean 8.0 ± 6.1 years since CI surgery. Older current age and age at implantation significantly predicted lower current sound quality (P <. 05) and sound enjoyment (P <. 05), as well as worsening of sound quality (P <. 05) and sound enjoyment (P <. 05) over time. Greater length of implantation was associated with higher reported quality and enjoyment (r = 0.4, P <. 001; r = 0.4, P <. 05), as well as improvement of sound quality (r = 0.3, P <. 05) but not sound enjoyment over time.

Conclusion

Recipients who had CIs for a longer period had improved quality of sound perception, suggesting a degree of adaptation. However, CI recipients with implantation at an older age reported poorer sound quality and enjoyment as well as worsening sound quality and enjoyment over time, indicating that age‐related changes influence outcomes of cochlear implantation.
Linking doctor-patient relationship to medical residents’ work engagement: The influences of role overload and conflict avoidance
Authors: Deng Guangwei , Cai Wenjun , Yang Monica , Lio Jonathan , Feng Chenpeng , Ma Xiaopeng , Liang Liang
Published: September 2021

Background

Chinese residents’ practical work experiences are different from those described in Western studies. To explore potential mechanisms underlying the effects of doctor-patient relationships on medical residents’ work engagement, verifying a posited mediating effect of role overload, and moderating effect of conflict avoidance, in the Chinese context.

Methods

Based on the conservation of resources theory, a composite model was constructed. This study’s data were collected from four different Chinese tertiary hospitals; 195 residents undergoing regularization training took this survey. Hierarchical moderated and mediated regression analyses were utilized.

Results

Doctor-patient relationship were found to be positively related to residents’ work engagement (β=0.31, p≤0.001). Role overload partially mediated the effect of these relationships on work engagement, and the moderating role of conflict avoidance in the relationship between doctor-patient relationship and conflict avoidance was negative.

Conclusion

Maintaining good doctor-patient relationship can prompt residents to increase their engagement in work in order to meet their patients’ needs. Furthermore, role overload has a particular influence in early career stages. Not only is it necessary for residents to gain a sense of recognition and support while they carry out their job responsibilities, especially while dealing with complex doctor-patient relationship, but it is also important to create work environments that can help residents shape their professional competency.
The RPOC long axis is a simple indicator for predicting the need of invasive strategies for secondary postpartum hemorrhage in either post-abortion or post-partum women: a retrospective case control study
Authors: Kobayashi Mariya , Nakagawa Satoshi , Kawanishi Yoko , Masuda Tatsuo , Maenaka Takahide , Toda Aska , Miyake Tatsuya , Hiramatsu Kosuke , Miyoshi Ai , Mimura Kazuya , Kimura Toshihiro , Endo Masayuki , Kimura Tadashi
Published: September 2021

Background

The retained products of conception (RPOC) and related conditions (RPOC-ARC) are the main cause of secondary postpartum hemorrhage (sPPH), but there is no clear consensus for their management. The purpose of this study was to characterize those RPOC-ARC that require invasive treatment and those that could be managed more conservatively.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 96 cases of RPOC-ARC that occurred after miscarriage, abortion, or delivery at a gestational age between 12 and 42 completed weeks, that were managed within our institution from May 2015 to August 2020. We reviewed the associations between the occurrence of sPPH requiring invasive treatment with clinical factors such as the maternal background and the characteristics of the lesions.

Results

The range of gestational age at delivery in our study was 12–21 weeks in 61 cases, 22–36 in 5, and 37 or later in 30. Among them, nine cases required invasive procedures for treatment. The onset of sPPH was within one month of delivery in all but two cases, with a median of 24 days (range 9–47). We found significant differences between requirements for invasive versus non-invasive strategies according to gestational age at delivery, assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancy, amount of blood loss at delivery, and the long axis of the RPOC-ARC lesion (p = 0.028, p = 0.009, p = 0.004, and p = 0.002, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that only the long axis of the lesion showed a significant difference (p = 0.029). The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for predicting the need for invasive strategies using the long axis of the lesion showed that with a cutoff of 4.4 cm, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) was 87.5, 90.0, 43.8, and 98.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

The long axis of the RPOC-ARC is a simple indicator for predicting which sPPH will require invasive procedures, which use is rare in cases with lesions less than 4.4 cm or those occurring after the first postpartum month. Conservative management should be considered in such cases.
A first trimester prediction model for large for gestational age infants: a preliminary study
Authors: Monari Francesca , Menichini Daniela , Spano’ Bascio Ludovica , Grandi Giovanni , Banchelli Federico , Neri Isabella , D’Amico Roberto , Facchinetti Fabio
Published: September 2021

Background

Large for gestational age infants (LGA) have increased risk of adverse short-term perinatal outcomes. This study aims to develop a multivariable prediction model for the risk of giving birth to a LGA baby, by using biochemical, biophysical, anamnestic, and clinical maternal characteristics available at first trimester.

Methods

Prospective study that included all singleton pregnancies attending the first trimester aneuploidy screening at the Obstetric Unit of the University Hospital of Modena, in Northern Italy, between June 2018 and December 2019.

Results

A total of 503 consecutive women were included in the analysis. The final prediction model for LGA, included multiparity (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6–4.9, p = 0.001), pre-pregnancy BMI (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03–1.14, p = 0.002) and PAPP-A MoM (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.08–1.90, p = 0.013). The area under the ROC curve was 70.5%, indicating a satisfactory predictive accuracy. The best predictive cut-off for this score was equal to − 1.378, which corresponds to a 20.1% probability of having a LGA infant. By using such a cut-off, the risk of LGA can be predicted in our sample with sensitivity of 55.2% and specificity of 79.0%.

Conclusion

At first trimester, a model including multiparity, pre-pregnancy BMI and PAPP-A satisfactorily predicted the risk of giving birth to a LGA infant. This promising tool, once applied early in pregnancy, would identify women deserving targeted interventions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04838431, 09/04/2021.
A cluster-randomized trial study on effectiveness of health education based intervention (HEBI) in improving flood disaster preparedness among community in Selangor, Malaysia: a study protocol
Authors: Mohd Tariq M. N. , Shahar Hayati Kadir , Baharudin Mohd Rafee , Ismail Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed , Manaf Rosliza Abdul , Salmiah Md Said , Ahmad Jamilah , Muthiah Sri Ganesh
Published: September 2021

Background

Flood disaster preparedness among the community seldom received attention. Necessary intervention must be taken to prevent the problem. Health Education Based Intervention (HEBI) was developed following the Health Belief Model, particularly in improving flood disaster preparedness among the community. The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of HEBI on improving flood disaster preparedness among the community in Selangor. This study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of health education-based intervention (HEBI) based on knowledge, skills, and preparedness to improve flood disaster preparedness among the community in Selangor.

Method

A single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial will conduct at six districts in Selangor. Randomly selected respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in the study. Health education module based on Health Believed Theory will be delivered via health talks and videos coordinated by liaison officers. Data at three-time points at baseline, immediate, and 3 months post-intervention will be collected. A validated questionnaire will assess participants’ background characteristics, knowledge, skill, and preparedness on disaster preparedness and perception towards disaster. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be applied for data analysis using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Longitudinal correlated data on knowledge, skills, preparedness, and perception score at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 6 months post-intervention will be analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE).

Discussion

It is expected that knowledge, skills, preparedness, and flood disaster perception score are more significant in the intervention group than the control group, indicating the Health Education Based Intervention (HEBI).

Trial registration

Thai Clinical Trial TCTR20200202002.
Mandibular cortical bone structure as risk indicator in fractured and non-fractured 80-year-old men and women
Authors: Jonasson Grethe , Hassani-Nejad Azar , Hakeberg Magnus
Published: September 2021

Objective

To investigate the association between mandibular cortex parameters and fracture in a group of 286 men and women, 79–80 years of age.

Study design

In a cross-sectional study, the mandibular cortex was evaluated with Klemetti’s index for cortical erosion. The cortical thickness was measured with a ruler adjusting for the magnification factor. The odds ratio (OR) for fracture when having a severely eroded cortex or a cortex thickness < 3 mm was calculated.

Results

A normal cortex was found in 65% of men, whereas only 7% had a severely eroded cortex. The OR for severely eroded cortex  as fracture risk predictor was significant (2.32; 95% CI 1.3–4.2), also when the female group was evaluated separately. A significant difference was found between the mean thickness for men (3.96 mm) and women (2.92 mm), respectively. The OR for cortical thickness < 3 mm was significant (2.00; 95% CI 1.1–3.6) in the total group, but not when men and women were evaluated separately.

Conclusions

Among old women, the cortical parameters were significantly associated with prevalent fracture. In old men, other circumstances may be more important.
Using a human-centred design approach to develop a comprehensive newborn monitoring chart for inpatient care in Kenya
Authors: Muinga Naomi , Paton Chris , Gicheha Edith , Omoke Sylvia , Abejirinde Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade , Benova Lenka , English Mike , Zweekhorst Marjolein
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Job aids such as observation charts are commonly used to record inpatient nursing observations. For sick newborns, it is important to provide critical information, intervene, and tailor treatment to improve health outcomes, as countries work towards reducing neonatal mortality. However, inpatient vital sign readings are often poorly documented and little attention has been paid to the process of chart design as a method of improving care quality. Poorly designed charts do not meet user needs leading to increased mental effort, duplication, suboptimal documentation and fragmentation. We provide a detailed account of a process of designing a monitoring chart.

Methods

We used a Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach to co-design a newborn monitoring chart between March and May 2019 in three workshops attended by 16–21 participants each (nurses and doctors) drawn from 14 hospitals in Kenya. We used personas, user story mapping during the workshops and observed chart completion to identify challenges with current charts and design requirements. Two new charts were piloted in four hospitals between June 2019 and February 2020 and revised in a cyclical manner.

Results

Challenges were identified regarding the chart design and supply, and how staff used existing charts. Challenges to use included limited staffing, a knowledge deficit among junior staff, poor interprofessional communication, and lack of appropriate and working equipment. We identified a strong preference from participants for one chart to capture vital signs, assessment of the baby, and feed and fluid prescription and monitoring; data that were previously captured on several charts.

Discussion

Adopting a Human-Centred Design approach, we designed a new comprehensive newborn monitoring chart that is unlike observation charts in the literature that only focus on vital signs. While the new chart does not address all needs, we believe that once implemented, it can help build a clearer picture of the care given to newborns.

Conclusion

The chart was co-designed and piloted with the user and context in mind resulting in a unique monitoring chart that can be adopted in similar settings.