bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Posttest Probability of Long QT Syndrome Diagnosis for Rare
KCNH2
Variants
Authors: Kozek Krystian , Wada Yuko , Sala Luca , Denjoy Isabelle , Egly Christian , O’Neill Matthew J. , Aiba Takeshi , Shimizu Wataru , Makita Naomasa , Ishikawa Taisuke , Crotti Lia , Spazzolini Carla , Kotta Maria-Christina , Dagradi Federica , Castelletti Silvia , Pedrazzini Matteo , Gnecchi Massimiliano , Leenhardt Antoine , Salem Joe-Elie , Ohno Seiko , Zuo Yi , Glazer Andrew M. , Mosley Jonathan D. , Roden Dan M. , Knollmann Bjorn C. , Blume Jeffrey D. , Extramiana Fabrice , Schwartz Peter J. , Horie Minoru , Kroncke Brett M.
Published: July 2021

Background:

The proliferation of genetic profiling has revealed many associations between genetic variations and disease. However, large-scale phenotyping efforts in largely healthy populations, coupled with DNA sequencing, suggest variants currently annotated as pathogenic are more common in healthy populations than previously thought. In addition, novel and rare variants are frequently observed in genes associated with disease both in healthy individuals and those under suspicion of disease. This raises the question of whether these variants can be useful predictors of disease. To answer this question, we assessed the degree to which the presence of a variant in the cardiac potassium channel gene
KCNH2
was diagnostically predictive for the autosomal dominant long QT syndrome.

Methods:

We estimated the probability of a long QT diagnosis given the presence of each
KCNH2
variant using Bayesian methods that incorporated variant features such as changes in variant function, protein structure, and in silico predictions. We call this estimate the posttest probability of disease. Our method was applied to over 4000 individuals heterozygous for 871 missense or in-frame insertion/deletion variants in
KCNH2
and validated against a separate international cohort of 933 individuals heterozygous for 266 missense or in-frame insertion/deletion variants.

Results:

Our method was well-calibrated for the observed fraction of heterozygotes diagnosed with long QT syndrome. Heuristically, we found that the innate diagnostic information one learns about a variant from 3-dimensional variant location, in vitro functional data, and in silico predictors is equivalent to the diagnostic information one learns about that same variant by clinically phenotyping 10 heterozygotes. Most importantly, these data can be obtained in the absence of any clinical observations.

Conclusions:

We show how variant-specific features can inform a prior probability of disease for rare variants even in the absence of clinically phenotyped heterozygotes.
Comparative First-Line Effectiveness and Safety of ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: A Multinational Cohort Study
Authors: Chen RuiJun , Suchard Marc A. , Krumholz Harlan M. , Schuemie Martijn J. , Shea Steven , Duke Jon , Pratt Nicole , Reich Christian G. , Madigan David , You Seng Chan , Ryan Patrick B. , Hripcsak George
Published: July 2021

ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are equally guideline-recommended first-line treatments for hypertension, yet few head-to-head studies exist. We compared the real-world effectiveness and safety of ACE inhibitors versus ARBs in the first-line treatment of hypertension. We implemented a retrospective, new-user comparative cohort design to estimate hazard ratios using techniques to minimize residual confounding and bias, specifically large-scale propensity score adjustment, empirical calibration, and full transparency. We included all patients with hypertension initiating monotherapy with an ACE inhibitor or ARB between 1996 and 2018 across 8 databases from the United States, Germany, and South Korea. The primary outcomes were acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and composite cardiovascular events. We also studied 51 secondary and safety outcomes including angioedema, cough, syncope, and electrolyte abnormalities. Across 8 databases, we identified 2 297 881 patients initiating treatment with ACE inhibitors and 673 938 patients with ARBs. We found no statistically significant difference in the primary outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 1.11 for ACE versus ARB [95% CI, 0.95–1.32]), heart failure (hazard ratio, 1.03 [0.87–1.24]), stroke (hazard ratio, 1.07 [0.91–1.27]), or composite cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 1.06 [0.90–1.25]). Across secondary and safety outcomes, patients on ARBs had significantly lower risk of angioedema, cough, pancreatitis, and GI bleeding. In our large-scale, observational network study, ARBs do not differ statistically significantly in effectiveness at the class level compared with ACE inhibitors as first-line treatment for hypertension but present a better safety profile. These findings support preferentially prescribing ARBs over ACE inhibitors when initiating treatment for hypertension.
Targeting Tyrosine Hydroxylase for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Impact on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Vascular Remodeling
Authors: Cañes Laia , Alonso Judith , Ballester-Servera Carme , Varona Saray , Escudero José R. , Andrés Vicente , Rodríguez Cristina , Martínez-González José
Published: July 2021

Pharmacological treatments for preventing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture or slowing aneurysm progression remain a challenge. It is increasingly recognized that sympathetic activity might play a role in the pathogenesis of AAA; however, the impact of this pathway remains unclear. Here, we show that the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (
TH
), dopamine β-hydroxylase (
DBH
), and the norepinephrine transporter
SLC6A2
is upregulated in abdominal aorta samples from AAA patients and in the aneurysmal aorta from 2 animal models susceptible to Ang II (angiotensin II)–induced AAA: the apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE
−/−
) model and a transgenic mouse that overexpresses the human nuclear receptor NOR-1 (neuron-derived orphan receptor-1) in the vascular wall (TgNOR-1
VSMC
). TH localizes to sympathetic nerves innervating the local vasculature, but also to inflammatory cells, and scattered vascular smooth muscle cell in human and mouse AAA. Interestingly, the preventive effect of doxycycline on AAA formation in Ang II–treated TgNOR-1
VSMC
mice was associated to the normalization of vascular
Th
expression. Moreover, the TH specific inhibitor α-methyl-
p
-tyrosine protected against Ang II–induced AAA formation, limiting the progressive increase in aortic diameter without affecting blood pressure. The drug normalized MMP2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2) expression and MMP activity, preserving elastin integrity, attenuated the Ang II–mediated rise in vascular oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and reduced the inflammatory infiltrate. Finally, NOR-1, whose expression correlated with that of
TH
in human AAA, was able to drive human
TH
transcriptional activity in transient transfection assays. Therefore, the upregulation of the TH pathway could be critical in the pathophysiology of AAA, supporting the potential of pharmacological strategies targeting TH for AAA management.
Contrast‐Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Staged Versus Concomitant Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Coronary Procedures
Authors: Venturi Gabriele , Pighi Michele , Lunardi Mattia , Mainardi Andrea , Del Sole Paolo Alberto , Tavella Domenico , Setti Martina , Pesarini Gabriele , Benini Annachiara , Ferrero Valeria , Scarsini Roberto , Ribichini Flavio
Published: July 2021

Background

The impact of staged versus concomitant coronary procedures on renal function in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains unclear.

Methods and Results

Three‐hundred thirty‐nine patients undergoing coronary procedures and TAVI as a staged strategy (160, 47.2%) or concomitant strategy (179, 52.8%) were retrospectively analyzed. Contrast‐induced acute kidney injury (CI‐AKI) occurred in 49 patients in the staged strategy group (30.6%) and in 18 patients (10.1%) in the concomitant strategy group (
P
<0.001). Among the staged strategy group, 25 (15.6%) patients developed CI‐AKI after coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention, 17 (10.6%) after TAVI, and 7 (4.3%) after both the procedures. Staged strategy was associated with a higher risk of CI‐AKI (odds ratio, 3.948;
P
<0.001) after adjustment for multiple confounders and regardless of the baseline renal function (
P
for interaction=0.4) when compared with the concomitant strategy. At a median follow‐up of 24.0 months (3.0–35.3), CI‐AKI was not associated with sustained renal injury (
P
=0.794), irrespective of the adopted strategy. The concomitant strategy did not impact the overall early safety at 30 days follow‐up after TAVI compared to the staged strategy (
P
=0.609).

Conclusions

Performing coronary procedures with a staged strategy before TAVI was associated with a higher risk of CI‐AKI compared with a concomitant strategy. Moreover, a concomitant strategy did not increase the risk of procedure‐related complications.
Balancing Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Antiplatelet Therapy in Noncardioembolic Transient Ischemic Attack or Stroke
Authors: Hilkens Nina A. , Algra Ale , Diener Hans Christoph , Bath Philip M. , Csiba László , Hacke Werner , Kappelle L. Jaap , Koudstaal Peter J. , Leys Didier , Mas Jean-Louis , Sacco Ralph L. , Greving Jacoba P. ,   on behalf of the Cerebrovascular Antiplatelet Trialists’ Collaborative Group
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose:

Lifelong treatment with antiplatelet drugs is recommended following a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke. Bleeding complications may offset the benefit of antiplatelet drugs in patients at increased risk of bleeding and low risk of recurrent ischemic events. We aimed to investigate the net benefit of antiplatelet treatment according to an individuals’ bleeding risk.

Methods:

We pooled individual patient data from 6 randomized clinical trials (CAPRIE [Clopidogrel Versus Aspirin in Patients at Risk of Ischemic Events], ESPS-2 [European Stroke Prevention Study-2], MATCH [Management of Atherothrombosis With Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients], CHARISMA [Clopidogrel for High Atherothrombotic Risk and Ischemic Stabilization, Management, and Avoidance], ESPRIT [European/Australasian Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischemia Trial], and PRoFESS [Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes]) investigating antiplatelet therapy in the subacute or chronic phase after noncardioembolic transient ischemic attack or stroke. Patients were stratified into quintiles according to their predicted risk of major bleeding with the S
2
TOP-BLEED score. The annual risk of major bleeding and recurrent ischemic events was assessed per quintile for 4 scenarios: (1) aspirin monotherapy, (2) aspirin-clopidogrel versus aspirin or clopidogrel monotherapy, (3) aspirin-dipyridamole versus clopidogrel, and (4) aspirin versus clopidogrel. Net benefit was calculated for the second, third, and fourth scenario.

Results:

Thirty seven thousand eighty-seven patients were included in the analyses. Both risk of major bleeding and recurrent ischemic events increased over quintiles of predicted bleeding risk, but risk of ischemic events was consistently higher (eg, from 0.7%/y (bottom quintile) to 3.2%/y (top quintile) for major bleeding on aspirin and from 2.5%/y to 10.2%/y for risk of ischemic events on aspirin). Treatment with aspirin-clopidogrel led to more major bleedings (0.9%–1.7% per year), than reduction in ischemic events (ranging from 0.4% to 0.9/1.0% per year) across all quintiles. There was no clear preference for either aspirin-dipyridamole or clopidogrel according to baseline bleeding risk.

Conclusions:

Among patients with a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke included in clinical trials of antiplatelet therapy, the risk of recurrent ischemic events and of major bleeding increase in parallel. Antiplatelet treatment cannot be individualized solely based on bleeding risk assessment.
Compact Color Biofinder (CoCoBi): Fast, Standoff, Sensitive Detection of Biomolecules and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons for the Detection of Life
Authors: Misra Anupam K. , Acosta-Maeda Tayro E. , Zhou Jie , Egan Miles J. , Dasilveira Luis , Porter John N. , Rowley Sonia J. , Zachary Trimble A , Boll Patrick , Sandford Macey W. , McKay Christopher P. , Nurul Abedin M.
Published: July 2021

We have developed a compact instrument called the “COmpact COlor BIofinder”, or CoCoBi, for the standoff detection of biological materials and organics with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using a nondestructive approach in a wide area. The CoCoBi system uses a compact solid state, conductively cooled neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) nanosecond pulsed laser capable of simultaneously providing two excitation wavelengths, 355 and 532 nm, and a compact, sensitive-gated color complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor camera detector. The system is compact, portable, and determines the location of biological materials and organics with PAHs in an area 1590 cm2 wide, from a target distance of 3 m through live video using fast fluorescence signals. The CoCoBi system is highly sensitive and capable of detecting a PAH concentration below 1 part per billion from a distance of 1 m. The color images provide the simultaneous detection of various objects in the target area using shades of color and morphological features. We demonstrate that this unique feature successfully detected the biological remains present in a 150-million-year-old fossil buried in a fluorescent clay matrix. The CoCoBi was also successfully field-tested in Hawaiian ocean water during daylight hours for the detection of natural biological materials present in the ocean. The wide-area and video-speed imaging capabilities of CoCoBi for biodetection may be highly useful in future NASA rover–lander life detection missions.
Parliament, People or Technocrats? Explaining Mass Public Preferences on Delegation of Policymaking Authority
Authors: Beiser-McGrath Liam F. , Huber Robert A. , Bernauer Thomas , Koubi Vally
Published: July 2021

While delegation of policymaking authority from citizens to parliament is the most defining characteristic of representative democracy, public demand for delegating such authority away from legislature/government to technocrats or back to citizens appears to have increased. Drawing on spatial models of voting, we argue that the distance between individuals’ ideal policy points, the status quo, experts’ policy positions and aggregated societal policy preferences can help explain whether individuals prefer to delegate decision-making power away from parliament and, if so, to whom. The effects of individual’s preference distance from these ideal points are likely to be stronger the more salient the policy issue is for the respective individual. We test this argument using survey experiments in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The analysis provides evidence for the empirical implications of our theoretical arguments. The research presented here contributes to better understanding variation in citizens’ support for representative democracy and preferences for delegating policymaking authority away from parliament.
“accipiendo vel compilando ab aliis”: De vulgari eloquentia 1.1. Reading Dante with Dante: A contribution to Dante’s theory of language
Authors: Luisa Ardizzone Maria
Published: July 2021

This article analyzes Dante’s theory of language and considers at first a few fragments of Dante’s Latin treatise on the vernacular, reading them in light of their ancient-medieval contexts. This reading allows part-modification of the critical discourse about Dante’s theory of language. The article argues that Dante’s discussion did not start in the De vulgari eloquentia, as is commonly assumed, but was at first introduced in the Vita nuova. Recent studies show that the theme of laude in the Vita nuova includes a linguistic theory and a discourse on the deep structures of language. Focussing on specific words, considering them in light of the ancient-medieval background, the article organizes a transverse reading that considers layers of Dante’s discourse on language from the Vita nuova to the Commedia not yet explored and evaluated.
Institutional Usage of Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate (FPC) Delivered Via Dialysate in Reducing Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) and IV Iron Cost
Authors: Wang Shan , DellaFera Louis , Dhanani Lameesa , Malone Brian , Dutka Paula , Akerman Meredith , Masani Naveed
Published: July 2021

Dialysis patients are often iron deficient due to a multiple factors. Ferric pyrophosphate citrate is a complex iron salt that can be given via dialysate allowing maintenance of hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and iron balance while reducing the need for IV iron. The purpose of this study is to perform a cost evaluation of FPC and the effect it has on lowering the dose/use of ESAs and IV iron therapy. This study reviewed the same 100 hemodialysis patient’s charts before and after the use of FPC. The data points that were collected and analyzed are as follows: hemoglobin, ferritin levels, average weekly ESA dosing, and IV iron replacement therapy dose. Out of 100 patients, there was no statistical difference in the average hemoglobin, ferritin, and iron saturation levels observed in the patients before and after FPC use. The average weekly dose of darbepoetin alfa per patient was 52.74 μg before the FPC group compared to 39.27 μg in the post FPC group ( P < .0001). The total dose of ferric gluconate per patient was 3290.01 mg in the before FPC group and 585.60 mg in the post FPC group ( P < .0001). The average total iron sucrose dose per patient in the before FPC group was 3097.92 mg versus 1216.67 mg in the post FPC group ( P < .1563). When comparing FPC’s cost and implementation into both of our outpatient dialysis centers, this yielded a net savings of $296 751.49.
The Role of Visual and Auditory Communication in the Performance of a Joint Team Task
Authors: Werner Adam F. , Gorman Jamie C.
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study examines visual, auditory, and the combination of both (bimodal) coupling modes in the performance of a two-person perceptual-motor task, in which one person provides the perceptual inputs and the other the motor inputs.

Background

Parking a plane or landing a helicopter on a mountain top requires one person to provide motor inputs while another person provides perceptual inputs. Perceptual inputs are communicated either visually, auditorily, or through both cues.

Methods

One participant drove a remote-controlled car around an obstacle and through a target, while another participant provided auditory, visual, or bimodal cues for steering and acceleration. Difficulty was manipulated using target size. Performance (trial time, path variability), cue rate, and spatial ability were measured.

Results

Visual coupling outperformed auditory coupling. Bimodal performance was best in the most difficult task condition but also high in the easiest condition. Cue rate predicted performance in all coupling modes. Drivers with lower spatial ability required a faster auditory cue rate, whereas drivers with higher ability performed best with a lower rate.

Conclusion

Visual cues result in better performance when only one coupling mode is available. As predicted by multiple resource theory, when both cues are available, performance depends more on auditory cueing. In particular, drivers must be able to transform auditory cues into spatial actions.

Application

Spotters should be trained to provide an appropriate cue rate to match the spatial ability of the driver or pilot. Auditory cues can enhance visual communication when the interpersonal task is visual with spatial outputs.
Social value in public enterprises from the perspective of Creating Shared Value (CSV): The case of the Korea Expressway Corporation
Authors: Kim Yongwon , Kim Hyeon-joung
Published: July 2021

Numerous scholars have noted social issues such as inequality and insufficient social capital as limitations of efficiency-oriented neoliberal development strategies. In this context, the Moon Jae-in administration in South Korea declared social value as the core value of the state. Therefore, public institutions are required to prioritize social value. Beyond ideological discussions, these social and policy changes suggest the need for concrete discussions on how to practically realize social value. Public institutions have strengthened their social responsibility, contributing to local communities and low-income groups. However, companies often consider social responsibility a cost, which impedes growth. As public enterprises, a type of public institution, have the characteristics of a company, their inherent goals of profitability or entrepreneurship may be limited by enhancing publicness to realize social value. Therefore, public enterprises face the challenge of realizing social value in a way that benefits both society and business. To devise measures to realize social value by strengthening publicness while ensuring profitability, this study focuses on Creating Shared Value (CSV), which benefits both companies and society. Publicness and profitability, two values that public enterprises pursue, are discussed, and Corporate Social Responsiblilty (CSR) is compared with the CSV perspective, which aims to benefit both. This study devises measures from the CSV perspective for realizing social value in the Korea Expressway Corporation, a public enterprise. Implications for other public enterprises are highlighted.

Points for practitioners

As the need for public institutions to solve social issues has increased, public enterprises face the challenge of realizing social value while ensuring profitability. In this context, this study took the CSV approach and conducted a case study on the Korea Expressway Corporation to present plans for public enterprises to create social value by fulfilling their purpose. By suggesting a process and detailed projects from the CSV perspective, this study will help practitioners to create social value tailored to the characteristics of each public enterprise.
Reassessing the Role of Theory and Machine Learning in Forecasting Civil Conflict
Authors: Beger Andreas , Morgan Richard K. , Ward Michael D.
Published: July 2021

We examine the research protocols in Blair and Sambanis’ recent article on forecasting civil wars, where they argue that their theory-based model can predict civil war onsets better than several atheoretical alternatives or a model with country-structural factors. We find that there are several important mistakes and that their key finding is entirely conditional on the use of parametrically smoothed ROC curves when calculating accuracy, rather than the standard empirical ROC curves that dominate the literature. Fixing these mistakes results in a reversal of their claim that theory-based models of escalation are better at predicting onsets of civil war than other kinds of models. Their model is outperformed by several of the ad hoc, putatively non-theoretical models they devise and examine. More importantly, we argue that rather than trying to contrast the roles of theory and “atheoretical” machine learning in predictive modeling, it would be more productive to focus on ways in which predictive modeling and machine learning could be used to strengthen extant predictive work. Instead, we argue that predictive modeling and machine learning are effective tools for theory testing.
Is Theory Useful for Conflict Prediction? A Response to Beger, Morgan, and Ward
Authors: Blair Robert A. , Sambanis Nicholas
Published: July 2021

Beger, Morgan, and Ward (BM&W) call into question the results of our article on forecasting civil wars. They claim that our theoretically-informed model of conflict escalation under-performs more mechanical, inductive alternatives. This claim is false. BM&W’s critiques are misguided or inconsequential, and their conclusions hinge on a minor technical question regarding receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves: should the curves be smoothed, or should empirical curves be used? BM&W assert that empirical curves should be used and all of their conclusions depend on this subjective modeling choice. We extend our original analysis to show that our theoretically-informed model performs as well as or better than more atheoretical alternatives across a range of performance metrics and robustness specifications. As in our original article, we conclude by encouraging conflict forecasters to treat the value added of theory not as an assumption, but rather as a hypothesis to test.
Economic Development and Modernization in Africa Homogenize National Cultures
Authors: Minkov Michael , Kaasa Anneli , Welzel Christian
Published: July 2021

The nation-building literature of the early 1960s argued that decolonized countries need to overcome pre-colonial ethnic identities and generate national cultures. Africa is the most critical test case of this aspect of modernization theory as it has by far the largest ethnolinguistic fractionalization. We use data from the Afrobarometer to compare the cultures of 85 ethnolinguistic groups, each represented by at least 100 respondents, from 25 African countries. We compared these groups and their nations on items that address cultural modernization and emancipation: ideologies concerning inclusive-exclusive society (gender egalitarianism, homophobia, and xenophobia), submissiveness to authority, and the societal role of religion. Previous research has shown that these are some of the most important markers of cultural differences in the modern world. Hierarchical cluster analysis yielded very homogeneous national clusters and not a single ethnolinguistic cluster cutting across national borders (such as Yoruba of Benin and Yoruba of Nigeria, Ewe of Ghana, and Ewe of Togo, etc.). Only three ethnolinguistic groups (3.5%) remained unattached to their national cluster, regardless of the clustering method. The variation between nations ( F values) was often considerably greater than the variation between ethnolinguistic groups. Medial distances between the groups of each country correlated highly with GDP per person ( r = −.54), percentage men employed in agriculture ( r = .64), percentage men employed in services ( r = −.63), and phone subscriptions per person ( r = −.61). In conclusion, economic development and modernization diminish cultural differences between ethnolinguistic groups within nations, highlighting those between them.
Social Cost and Health: The Downside of Social Relationships and Social Networks
Authors: Song Lijun , Pettis Philip J. , Chen Yvonne , Goodson-Miller Marva
Published: July 2021

The research tradition on social relationships, social networks, and health dates back to the beginning of sociology. As exemplified in the classic work of Durkheim, Simmel, and Tönnies, social relationships and social networks play a double-edged—protective and detrimental—role for health. However, this double-edged role has been given unbalanced attention. In comparison to the salubrious role, the deleterious role has received less scrutiny and needs a focused review and conceptual integration. This article selectively reviews the post-2000 studies that demonstrate the harmful physical and mental health consequences of social relationships (intimate relationships and parenthood) and social networks. It uses a parsimonious three-category typology—structural forms, structural composition, and contents—to categorize relationship and network properties and proposes the social cost model, in contrast to the social resource model, to synthesize and integrate the adverse aspects of these properties. It concludes with future research directions.
Changes Over Time in Parental Self-identity After the Loss of an Adolescent Child
Authors: Kim Yewon , Lee Dong Hun
Published: July 2021

This study explored bereaved parents’ responses to their child’s death in the 2014 Sewol Ferry sinking incident, focusing on identifying changes in parental self-identity two and five years after their loss. To understand the unique meaning of their loss and its impact on their self-perception, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight mothers and four fathers at two timepoints. Three patterns of parental self-identity: reintegration, disintegration, and coexistence emerged. Patterns emerged in five domains: (a) relational identity, (b) physical identity, (c) financial identity, (d) professional identity and (e) spiritual identity. Each of these domain-associated themes provided insights into the patterns and characteristics of the changes in bereaved parents’ self-identity following their loss. Recommendations for future research and potential implications are discussed.
Gender, education, and career in the Arab world: A literature review
Authors: Mozahem Najib A
Published: July 2021

The underrepresentation of females in certain fields has been studied extensively in many countries. Similar to other parts of the World, the number of females graduating each year from universities in the Arab World now exceeds the number of males, yet gender differences in educational fields persist. The objective of this study is to review the extant literature on the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the Arab World. The review synthesizes the findings of 86 articles that were published in journals and conference proceedings. This review explores gender differences in mathematics performance, math anxiety, self-concept, and occupational career choices. The review also explores social barriers that contribute to the underrepresentation of females in STEM fields. The study highlights differences between results obtained in the Arab World and results obtained in Western countries while also noting the differences between the Arab countries themselves. Finally, the study suggests directions for future research.
Investigation and management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma – a Scottish regional case series and literature review
Authors: Davies Timothy , Royce William , Crosbie Robin , Townsley Richard
Published: July 2021

Background and aims

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is defined as papillary thyroid cancer with a diameter of ≤1 cm. Despite its prevalence, there is wide variation in practice in the investigation and management of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma throughout the UK and internationally. The primary aim of this paper is to describe the experience of investigation and management in a Scottish health board over the past 10 years.

Methods and results

Retrospective analysis of thyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy resection samples from March 2009 to March 2020. 532 specimens were reviewed and 20 patients with PTMC were identified. 12 patients had an incidental finding of PTMC. Median U score- 3, Median Thy score- 2.5 for dominant or radiologically suspicious nodules. 8 specimens demonstrated aggressive histopathological features. 1 patient with positive nodal disease in the neck and 0 patients with positive nodal disease in the thorax on CT Neck and Chest.

Conclusion

Here we report the first UK Cohort describing the radiological investigation and management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. The results of our study are in accordance with a recent meta-analysis which found 4% nodal disease and 0.025% distant metastasis at time of presentation in patients with PTMC.
Stabilization of two-dimensional mixed continuous-discrete-time systems via dynamic output feedback with application to iterative learning control design
Authors: Movahed Asl Ramin , Madady Ali
Published: July 2021

This paper investigates the asymptotic stabilization of the 2-D continuous-discrete-time systems via dynamic output feedback. The problem is formulated in a general framework, where the system and controller are both described by the Roesser model. By rigorous mathematical works, a linear matrix inequality (LMI) condition is established to ensure the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. Using this LMI condition, the problem of determining the stabilizing controller parameters is converted to a rank minimization problem (RMP) with an LMI constraint, or equivalently to a rank-constrained optimization problem (RCOP). When this RMP (or equivalently this RCOP) has a solution, then the controller parameters are obtained uniquely by an explicit formula in terms of this solution. Moreover, it is shown that one can transform the problem of one-dimensional continuous-time iterative learning control (ILC) design to a 2-D stabilization problem, and consequently solve it using the presented two-dimensional scheme. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the proposed method.
Adaptive fault-tolerant tracking control of flying-wing unmanned aerial vehicle with system input saturation and state constraints
Authors: Li Zhen , Chen Xin , Xie Mingyang , Zhao Zhenhua
Published: July 2021

In this paper, an adaptive fault-tolerant attitude tracking controller based on reinforcement learning is developed for flying-wing unmanned aerial vehicle subjected to actuator faults and saturation. At first, the attitude dynamic model is separated into two dynamic subsystems as slow and fast dynamic subsystems based on the principle of time scale separation. Secondly, backstepping technique is adopted to design the controller. For the purpose of attitude angle constraints, the control technique based on Barrier Lyapunov is used to design controller of slow dynamic subsystem. Considering the optimization of the fast dynamic subsystem, this paper introduces an adaptive reinforcement learning control method in which neural network is used to approximate the long-term performance index and lumped fault dynamic. It is shown that this control algorithm can satisfy the requirements of attitude tracking subjected to the control constraints and the stability of the system is proved from Lyapunov stability theory. The simulation results demonstrate that the developed fault-tolerant scheme is useful and has more smooth control effect compared with fault-tolerant controller based on sliding mode theory.
Predictive control strategy for multi-agent relay tracking systems with time delays
Authors: Dong Lijing , Wei Fengjin
Published: July 2021

This paper investigates the multi-agent systems for target tracking applications, in which the target is cooperatively relay tracked by multiple agents based on the Voronoi diagram. The relay tracking scheme is effective and reduces the tracking time of a target. However, the existence of time delays results in inaccurate determination of boundaries of Voronoi cells. Thus, the replacement of tracking agent is no longer optimal, which consequently affects the tracking time. In order to solve this issue, a predictive controller is proposed for the relay tracking system with time delays. Moreover, the boundaries of Voronoi cells are determined with the predictive values of agents’ information. In order to analyze the stability of the system, an impulse-time-dependent Lyapunov function is designed. Then, the orthogonal polynomials based inequality is applied and the average dwell time switching technique is adopted to solve the difficulty of stability analysis of the overall relay tracking system caused by the agent replacements of time-delay agents. Finally, the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed predictive control method for relay target tracking system with time delays are illustrated by comparative simulations.
Development of Electrical Quantities Primary Standards
Authors: Ali Rasha S. M.
Published: July 2021

The developments of primary standards for electrical quantities that practically realize the electrical units such as ampere (A), volt (V), ohm (Ω), and farad (F) are introduced in this manuscript. These quantities are achieved in consistency with their definitions. According to the new definition of ampere, current can be realized directly such as single electron transport (SET) pump or indirectly using Ohm’s law. For the SET pump, developments are ongoing as trials to obtain higher current values with lower associated uncertainty to be suitable for metrological applications. With the discoveries of the Effects of Josephson and quantum Hall, it has become possible to consider quantum electrical standards that relate the volt and ohm units to h and e through the Josephson and the von Klitzing constants, respectively. The dc programmable Josephson standard was developed to overcome the problems of conventional standards such as stability and noise immunity with lower cost. Developments are continuing on ac Josephson standards to improve performance and increase output voltages and frequencies. For ac voltage measurements for voltages up to 1000 V, thermal voltage converters are introduced to extend the traceability for measuring the ac voltages in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 100 MHz where quantum-based ac standards still have limitations. Thermal current converters are used as the most accurate and precise standard for measurement of ac currents. The realization of ohm is done by the quantum Hall effect through a quantum Hall resistance (QHR) standard. Developments are occurring to make it simpler, more precise and accurate. The efforts that have been made to increase the values of the resistance quantum hall standard to disseminate its accuracy to other standard resistors to help in industry are also introduced. The farad is practically achieved by the calculable cross-capacitor. The calculable capacitor acts as the ac impedance primary standard because it can transfer the traceability to other impedances by using bridges such as the quadrature bridge. The development is occurring on its displacement sensing system to allow greater accuracy.
A new reaching law for sliding mode observer of controllable excitation linear synchronous motor
Authors: Shi Xiaolei , Lan Yipeng , Sun Yunpeng , Lei Cheng
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a sliding mode observer (SMO) with new reaching law (NRL) for observing the real-time linear speed of a controllable excitation linear synchronous motor (CELSM). For the purpose of balancing the dilemma between the rapidity requirement of dynamic performance and the chattering reduction on sliding mode surface, the proposed SMO with NRL optimizes the reaching way of the conventional constant rate reaching law (CRRL) to the sliding mode surface by connecting the reaching process with system states and the sliding mode surface. The NRL is based on sigmoid function and power function, with proper options of exponential term and power term, the NRL is capable of eliminating the effect of chattering on accuracy of the angular position estimation and speed estimation. Compared with conventional CRRL, the SMO with NRL achieves suppressing the chattering phenomenon and tracking the transient process rapidly and accurately. The stability analysis is given to prove the convergence of the SMO through the Lyapunov stability theory. Simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed NRL method.
Data Echoes: Sound, Evidence, and Acoustic Methods in Energy Landscapes
Authors: Maguire James
Published: July 2021

This paper explores an informal acoustic method developed by a group of industrial geologists working in geothermal energy landscapes in the southwest of Iceland. Through a series of ethnographic descriptions, this paper renders the work these geologists carry out in sonic terms, emphasizing how they use their bodies as sonic detectors in the production of geological evidence. Sound, the paper argues, is what allows geologists to make the intractable problem of volcanic cooling doable. It does this by differentiating two forms of evidence. Primary evidence, which ends up as data in geological reports, and secondary sonic evidence, which is what establishes that this primary evidence is, in fact, evidence. The paper introduces the concept data echoes as a way to think about how sound articulates between these evidential protocols. As echo, sound works as an outside, which, while remaining external to official protocols of knowledge production, nevertheless helps to constitute distinctions that are meaningful to the production of those categories. As data echoes through the various moments of data capture, analysis, and model building, sound’s temporal form helps to predict the time frame of volcanic cooling, as it affects both the immediate energy production scenarios and the long durée of volcanic time.
From audiences to data points: The role of media agencies in the platformization of the news media industry
Authors: Willig Ida
Published: July 2021

Media agencies have become one of the key actors in the contemporary media industry: by channelling marketing budgets to some media and some platforms and not to others, media agencies play an important role in creating the digital media infrastructure and laying the tracks of the public sphere. Yet we know very little about these commercial middlemen between advertisers and audiences, what they do, and how we should understand their role in the digital media ecology. This article discusses the role of media agencies in relation to platformization with a focus on the news media sector. Based on interviews, publicly available material and trade journals, the article depicts an industry deeply engaged in digitizing, tracking and commodifying media audiences, while at the same time aware of ethical challenges of the digital media infrastructure. This leads to a call for more political attention and critical research on the democratic implications of the new value chains between platforms, advertisers, audiences, media agencies and news media as well as the many tech companies providing derived digital services and products.
The relation between defending, (dis)liking, and the classroom bullying norm: A cross-sectional social network approach in late childhood
Authors: Rambaran J. Ashwin , van Duijn Marijtje A. J. , Dijkstra Jan Kornelis , Veenstra René
Published: July 2021

This study investigates the extent to which defending victims of bullying depends on liking and disliking and its relation with the classroom bullying norm (descriptive and popularity) in a sample of 1,272 students (50.8% boys) in 48 fifth-grade classrooms. Social network analysis with bivariate exponential random graph modelings showed that children are more likely to defend victims whom they like, who like them, and who are liked by the same classmates than victims who they dislike, who dislike them, and with whom they share antipathies by and to the same classmates. In addition, the analysis showed that bullying norms had an inconclusive effect on the relation between defending and (dis)liking.
Solutions for latent growth modeling following COVID-19-related discontinuities in change and disruptions in longitudinal data collection
Authors: Rioux Charlie , Stickley Zachary L. , Little Todd D.
Published: July 2021

Following the onset of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, daily life significantly changed for the population. Accordingly, researchers interested in examining patterns of change over time may now face discontinuities around the pandemic. Researchers collecting in-person longitudinal data also had to cancel or delay data collection waves, further complicating analyses. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to aid researchers aiming to examine latent growth models (LGM) in analyzing their data following COVID-19. An overview of basic LGM notions, LGMs with discontinuities, and solutions for studies that had to cancel or delay data collection waves are discussed and exemplified using simulated data. Syntax for R and Mplus is available to readers in online supplemental materials.
Dub, Utopia and the Ruins of the Caribbean
Authors: Davidson Joe P.L.
Published: July 2021

The weathered stone, collapsed lintels and hollow roofs of the ruin have long evoked a sense of pathos, standing as monuments to the disastrous contours of history and the possibility of alternative futures. In this article, I ask: What is the meaning of the ruin in the postcolonial context of the Caribbean? There are few physical ruins in the Caribbean, resulting in a feeling of lack: the architectural landscape fails to speak to the catastrophes of slavery and colonialism. Dub, a subgenre of Jamaican reggae, responds to this sense of deprivation. The dub producers of the 1970s decomposed reggae songs, creating ruinous constructions where crucial elements of the original version are missing. Fragmented dub compositions act as icons of the traumatic history of the Caribbean and a utopian pique to the imagination, forcing the listener to fill in the gaps and imagine the world remade.
A Resilient Care of the Patient With COVID-19: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Asgari Parvaneh , Jackson Alun C. , Khanipour-Kencha Ali , Bahramnezhad Fatemeh
Published: July 2021

This study a utilized phenomenological hermeneutic design. Fourteen Iranian family caregivers of patients with COVID-19 who were isolated at home were included in the study using purposive sampling. In-depth unstructured interviews were conducted via WhatsApp. Sampling continued until data saturation. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Van Manen’s approach. Three primary themes and eight subthemes emerged. The primary themes included: “captured in a whirlpool of time”, “resilient care’ and “feeling helpless”. It seems that the families of patients with COVID-19 attempt to resist the pressures of this disease with religious practices and problem solving. However, due to the nature of the disease and its severity, they sometimes feel ashamed or lonely and are afraid of losing their loved ones. It is recommended that psychiatric nurses should develop programs in the form of comprehensive spiritual care packages or psychological support and utilize multiple media channels to deliver these.
Excess of visceral adipose tissue with or without aortic elongation leads to a steeper heart position
Authors: Kauhanen S Petteri , Saari Petri , Korpela Tarmo , Liimatainen Timo , Vanninen Ritva , Hedman Marja
Published: July 2021

Background

The heart’s position determined as the heart–aorta angle (HAA) has been demonstrated to associate with ascending aortic (AA) dilatation. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and aortic elongation may shift the heart to the steeper position.

Purpose

To investigate whether VAT and aortic length influence the HAA.

Material and Methods

We examined 346 consecutive patients (58.4% men; mean age = 67.0 ± 14.1 years) who underwent aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA). HAA was measured as the angle between the long axis of the heart and AA midline. The amount of VAT was measured at the level of middle L4 vertebra from a single axial CT slice. Aortic length was measured by combining four anatomical segments in different CTA images. The amount of VAT and aortic length were determined as mild with values in the lowest quartile and as excessive with values in the other three quartiles.

Results

A total of 191 patients (55.2%) had no history of aortic diseases, 134 (38.7%) displayed AA dilatation, 8 (2.3%) had abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and 13 (3.8%) had both AA dilatation and AAA. There was a strong nonlinear regression between smaller HAA and VAT/height, and HAA and aortic length/height. Median HAA was 124.2° (interquartile range 119.0°–130.8°) in patients with a mild amount of VAT versus 120.5° (interquartile range 115.4°–124.7°) in patients with excessive VAT ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

An excessive amount of VAT and aortic elongation led to a steeper heart position. These aspects may possess clinical value when evaluating aortic diseases in obese patients.