bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using patient shielding – What is the risk?
Authors: Hiles Peter
Published: August 2021

The practice of placing radiation protective shielding on patients (‘in contact’) in order to reduce the dose to certain radiosensitive organs for diagnostic X-ray examination, has been employed for decades. However, there has been a growing body of evidence that this practice is often ineffective or even counterproductive and the use of such shielding can also overemphasise the hazards of ionising radiation in the public mind. This has led to a growing disparity in the application of patient contact shielding and culminated in several professional bodies issuing guidance and statements to provide a consistent approach to patient contact shielding. This, in turn, has led to a healthy discussion and re-evaluation of when and why patient contact shielding should be used, where the main issue centres around the criteria used to arrive at the recommendations. The decision process involves considering, among others, the reported effectiveness of the shielding and a subjective assessment of the subsequent risks from their use. In order to improve the transparency of these recommendations, it is therefore suggested that a threshold for dose and/or risk should be clearly stated, below which no protection is required. A suggested starting point for defining this threshold is discussed. This would enhance uniformity of application and provide clarity for staff, patients and the public. It would also ensure that any future research in this area could be easily incorporated into the general guidance.
Imaging findings of vitamin deficiencies: are they forgotten diseases?
Authors: Inoue Akitoshi , Itabashi Kentaro , Iwai Takayasu , Kitahara Hitoshi , Watanabe Yoshiyuki
Published: August 2021

Vitamin deficiency is rare in modern industrialised countries; however, it still occurs in patients with specific backgrounds, such as those with extremely unbalanced diets, those with alcoholism and those who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery. Imaging examinations that demonstrate classic findings confirm the clinical diagnosis of vitamin deficiency and help monitor response to treatment. Because vitamin deficiencies are not prevalent, the diagnosis might not be straightforward. Therefore, imaging should be performed in cases of suspected vitamin deficiency. Radiologists should be familiar with characteristic imaging findings of vitamin deficiency and should survey an affected patient’s background and blood vitamin levels. Because symptoms of vitamin deficiency are quickly improved by vitamin replacement, early diagnosis is essential. This pictorial review provides imaging findings for deficiencies in vitamins B1 (Wernicke encephalopathy and wet beriberi), B12 (subacute combined degeneration), C (scurvy), D (rickets) and K (bleeding tendency).
Sonographic features of various dental materials and foreign bodies
Authors: Çağlayan Fatma , Yozgat İlbaş Fatma Nur
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To reveal the sonographic characteristics of various foreign bodies and dental materials to aid diagnosis.

Methods and materials:

24 objects consisting of various dental materials and foreign bodies were included in the study. Objects were embedded in bovine gelatin. Images of the objects were obtained by conventional radiography and ultrasonography (USG). Opacities were evaluated by conventional radiography. Their visibility and posterior acoustic behaviors were examined by USG. In addition, the actual sizes of the objects and their dimensions measured by USG were compared.

Results:

All objects included in the study, including non-opaque ones, could be visualized by USG. When the posterior acoustic behavior of objects was examined, 15 of the objects (62.5%) caused posterior acoustic shadowing on USG. While 6 of the objects (25%) did not have any USG artifacts, 2 of them (8,3%) had comet tail artifact and 1 of them (4,2%) had reverberation artifact. There was no statistically significant difference between the actual dimensions of the objects and their dimensions measured by USG (p > 0,05).

Conclusion:

USG is a very useful technique for imaging foreign bodies and dental materials, it can even show objects that cannot be seen in X-rays on in-vitro environment.
Automatic segmentation of the temporomandibular joint disc on magnetic resonance images using a deep learning technique
Authors: Nozawa Michihito , Ito Hirokazu , Ariji Yoshiko , Fukuda Motoki , Igarashi Chinami , Nishiyama Masako , Ogi Nobumi , Katsumata Akitoshi , Kobayashi Kaoru , Ariji Eiichiro
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

The aims of the present study were to construct a deep learning model for automatic segmentation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc on magnetic resonance (MR) images, and to evaluate the performances using the internal and external test data.

Methods:

In total, 1200 MR images of closed and open mouth positions in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) were collected from two hospitals (Hospitals A and B). The training and validation data comprised 1000 images from Hospital A, which were used to create a segmentation model. The performance was evaluated using 200 images from Hospital A (internal validity test) and 200 images from Hospital B (external validity test).

Results:

Although the analysis of performance determined with data from Hospital B showed low recall (sensitivity), compared with the performance determined with data from Hospital A, both performances were above 80%. Precision (positive predictive value) was lower when test data from Hospital A were used for the position of anterior disc displacement. According to the intra-articular TMD classification, the proportions of accurately assigned TMJs were higher when using images from Hospital A than when using images from Hospital B.

Conclusion:

The segmentation deep learning model created in this study may be useful for identifying disc positions on MR images.
Life histories of three Serrulinini species (Stylommatophora: Clausiliidae) from Georgia kept under laboratory conditions
Authors: Sulikowska-Drozd Anna , Mumladze Levan
Published: August 2021

The Serrulinini, a small relict group of clausiliids occurring in coastal regions of the Black and Caspian Seas and the Caucasus, are currently classified within the Phaedusinae, however paraphyletic origin of the Serrulinini is also widely debated with Pontophaedusa funiculum (Mousson) being most phylogenetically distinct from other taxa. As life history data may have taxonomical value, we conducted long-term observations in laboratory culture to assess reproductive modes, fecundity and growth pattern of three serruline species. Caspiophaedusa perlucens (O. Boettger) and Pravispira semilamellata (Mousson) produced partly calcified eggs with regular, spiral arrangement of crystals; their juveniles hatched after 17–18 days; the generation time was long and significantly exceeded one year. P. funiculum laid heavily calcified, elongated eggs. The incubation time in P. funiculum varied depending on the humidity, with a tendency towards short embryo-retention. The generation time in P. funiculum was one year. In all the studied species, egg calcification differed from the pattern common for other oviparous Phaedusinae which produce partly calcified eggs with homogeneous distribution of crystals. The calcite crystal distribution in the egg membranes reported here for the Serrulinini suggests some potential of these characters in phylogenetic context.
Strategies for cellular deconvolution in human brain RNA sequencing data
Authors: Sosina Olukayode A. , Tran Matthew N. , Maynard Kristen R. , Tao Ran , Taub Margaret A. , Martinowich Keri , Semick Stephen A. , Quach Bryan C. , Weinberger Daniel R. , Hyde Thomas , Hancock Dana B. , Kleinman Joel E. , Leek Jeffrey T. , Jaffe Andrew E.
Published: August 2021

Background: Statistical deconvolution strategies have emerged over the past decade to estimate the proportion of various cell populations in homogenate tissue sources like brain using gene expression data. However, no study has been undertaken to assess the extent to which expression-based and DNAm-based cell type composition estimates agree.

Results: Using estimated neuronal fractions from DNAm data, from the same brain region (i.e., matched) as our bulk RNA-Seq dataset, as proxies for the true unobserved cell-type fractions (i.e., as the gold standard), we assessed the accuracy (RMSE) and concordance (R2) of four reference-based deconvolution algorithms: Houseman, CIBERSORT, non-negative least squares (NNLS)/MIND, and MuSiC. We did this for two cell-type populations - neurons and non-neurons/glia - using matched single nuclei RNA-Seq and mismatched single cell RNA-Seq reference datasets. With the mismatched single cell RNA-Seq reference dataset, Houseman, MuSiC, and NNLS produced concordant (high correlation; Houseman R2 = 0.51, 95% CI [0.39, 0.65]; MuSiC R2 = 0.56, 95% CI [0.43, 0.69]; NNLS R2 = 0.54, 95% CI [0.32, 0.68]) but biased (high RMSE, >0.35) neuronal fraction estimates. CIBERSORT produced more discordant (moderate correlation; R2 = 0.25, 95% CI [0.15, 0.38]) neuronal fraction estimates, but with less bias (low RSME, 0.09). Using the matched single nuclei RNA-Seq reference dataset did not eliminate bias (MuSiC RMSE = 0.17).

Conclusions: Our results together suggest that many existing RNA deconvolution algorithms estimate the RNA composition of homogenate tissue, e.g. the amount of RNA attributable to each cell type, and not the cellular composition, which relates to the underlying fraction of cells.
Educational interventions for shared decision making and the role of patient agency: A Systematic Review
Authors: Witkop Catherine , Torre Dario , Harvey Emily , Maggio Lauren
Published: August 2021

Background:  Shared decision making is critical to patient-centered care and yet there is limited consensus on effective teaching approaches for training physicians in this domain. As a collaborative process in which the patient and physician co-create a decision, patient and relational agency may be important contributors and studies with patient-reported outcomes may identify successful approaches and determine gaps in pedagogy.  The authors conducted a systematic review of educational interventions for shared decision making, focusing on patient-reported outcomes and consideration of agency.  Methods:  Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies describing educational interventions with patient-level outcomes published between January 2000 and January 2020. Articles were excluded if they were not in English, included only patient interventions, or reported only physician outcomes.  Quality assessment was performed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI).  Data about the educational methods used were extracted and included studies were assessed for quality. Thematic analysis was performed to identify the potential role of agency. Results: 26 articles were identified describing 17 unique studies.  Educational interventions were diverse in duration and content, with multiple components.  Three-quarters of studies used role play or simulated patients and 82% included tools to facilitate shared decisions.  Although no articles explicitly discussed facilitating agency as a component of the intervention or as an outcome, one qualitative study demonstrated themes of patient and relational agency. Conclusions:  Educational interventions included small group discussion, decision aids, role play, and simulated patients, and improved a range of patient outcomes, but our study included only studies including practicing physicians, limiting applicability to trainees and other health care providers. Interventions have not included explicit instructional design around agency, but qualitative analyses demonstrated interventions may facilitate agency and shared decision making. Future instructional strategies should consider the complexity inherent in co-constructing decisions.
Trust, Incomplete Contracting, and Corporate Innovation
Authors: Xie Fei , Zhang Bohui , Zhang Wenrui
Published: August 2021

Innovation is a contract-intensive economic activity in a world of incomplete contracts. We show that trust mitigates incomplete contracting and enhances innovation by acting as an informal contracting mechanism. Trust plays an especially important role when formal laws and regulations are lacking, and it promotes innovation by encouraging collaboration and fostering tolerance for failure. Further analyses show that trust also facilitates cross-border technological spillover and innovation collaboration. Overall, our evidence highlights innovation as a key conduit through which trust affects economic growth.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Positive psychology: humour and its role within mental health nursing
Authors: Macfarlane Jan
Published: August 2021

This is the eleventh article in a series that explores the meaning of positive psychology and the importance it has on the wellbeing of the mental health workforce. It focuses on positive psychology interventions that help to develop humour and considers how the uplifting effect of humour can be experienced through contemporary use in the field of mental health nursing. This article will connect theories of humour that link to wellbeing. It introduces the concept of positive psychology and its links with humour. Finally, it follows with the application of humour within the nursing context. The practical activities provided in the article will help the reader increase their own awareness of their own character strength of humour, observe the type of humour they use and consider ways to develop its use and transferability within their own lifestyle.
Conducting research into assaults on mental health nurses during COVID-19: a reflection on a professional and ethical dilemma
Authors: Ayres Helen , Kozlowska Olga , Schutz Sue
Published: August 2021

This article describes and reflects upon ethical dilemmas encountered during the data collection phase of a doctoral study exploring the experiences of mental health nurses who have been assaulted by patients in secure settings. It considers the researcher's position as an ‘insider’ and highlights the potential for this status to influence assumptions, conflicts and decisions in relation to ethical considerations. The projection of the researcher's own emotional experience onto participants is recognised to be a significant factor, emphasising the importance of reflection and reflexivity during the process. The dilemmas discussed are situated in and influenced by the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taking action
Authors: Dunstan Richard
Published: August 2021

As the only specialist maternity rights service in the UK, Maternity Action are a critical resource for pregnant women and new parents
How to interpret and manage abnormal liver blood test results in older people
Authors: Subhani Mohsan , Sheth Abhishek , Ahmad Bilal , Ryder Stephen
Published: August 2021

Ageing impairs liver function and reduces the liver's regenerative capacity. With the predicted increase in the older population, the burden of liver disease will proportionally rise in this age group. Elevated levels of liver enzymes in an otherwise asymptomatic older individual (≥65 years) are a common observation and positively associated with the metabolic syndrome, whereas a decline in albumin levels is linked with a rise in all-cause and liver-specific mortality. Deranged liver function tests do not always indicate liver disease, nor do normal liver function tests exclude liver disease. Therefore, clinicians need to consider individual patient risk factors during the assessment of abnormal liver function tests. This article discusses various liver function tests, their pathophysiology, and the approach to interpret and manage common abnormalities in liver function test results and liver disease in the older population.
Stüdyo Kayıt Ortamında Karşılaşılan Performans Kaygısı Ve Anksiyete Sendromunun Çalgı İcracılarının Başarıları Üzerindeki Olumsuz Etkileri
Authors: Ziyagil Hakan Emre
Published: August 2021

Günümüz müzik sektörü ve gelişimine bakıldığında gerek albüm kayıtlarında gerekse konser performanslarında çalgı icracılarının büyük bir öneme sahip oldukları görülmektedir. Çalgı icracıları, bireysel performanslarını en iyi şekilde sunmak ve hatasız bir şekilde çalmak adına yoğun bir şekilde zaman harcamaktadırlar. Fakat harcamış oldukları bu zaman sonunda ortaya çıkan performansı, istenilen seviyede stüdyo ortamlarında aktaramamaktadırlar. Çalgı icracılarının yaşadıkları bu sorunların nedeni kendi kaygıları ile huzursuzlukları olabilmekte ve bu da icralarını olumsuz yönde etkileyebilmektedir. Profesyonel ya da amatör icracıların en büyük sorunlarından birisi olarak göze çarpan bu duruma genel olarak “Performans Kaygısı” da denilmektedir. Özellikle stüdyo ortamındaki ses kaydı seanslarında çalgı icracılarının hatasız bir şekilde notaları çalması beklenmektedir. Bu beklenti, çalgıyı icra eden müzisyenleri baskı altına alırken üzerlerinde bariz bir tedirginlik hâli de oluşturmaktadır. Bu anlamda icracılar her ne kadar profesyonel bir kimlikte olsa dahi beklenmedik olumsuz durumlarla karşı karşıya kalabilmekteler. Bu olumsuz durumlar, bir eser icrası sırasında ya da stüdyoda kayıt altına alınan albüm parçalarında anlık olarak meydana gelen yanlış nota baskıları veya strese bağlı yanlış nota okuma dürtüsü ile başa çıkamama gibi olgulardır.
Stüdyo ortamları genelde icracıların çalgısı ile baş başa kaldığı ve performanslarıyla da tüm müzikal birikimlerini, tecrübelerini yansıttıkları alanlardır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, çalgı icracılarının stüdyo ortamlarında kendilerinden beklenen yüksek düzeydeki hatasız performans seansları sırasında karşılaştıkları problemleri ortaya koymak ve bu problemlere çözüm bulmaktır. Aynı zamanda bu araştırmada konuyla ilgili verilerin toplanması amacıyla nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden tarama (Survey) modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda ulaşılan veriler betimsel analiz yönteminden yararlanılarak yorumlanmış ve bu bağlamda çeşitli önerilerde bulunulmuştur.
Âşık Üretimi Türkülerde İnsan Haklarının İşlenişi
Authors: Oral Makbule
Published: August 2021

Bu çalışmada, insan haklarını konu alan âşık üretimi türkülerin ulaşılabilindiği oranda
tespit edilerek notaya alınıp şiir ve ezgi bütününde bir arada sunulması ve insan haklarının
hangi açılardan, nasıl işlendiğinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. İnsan haklarını konu alan
örnek yirmi âşık üretimi türküde insan haklarının kişi onuru, eşitlik, özgürlük (düşünme,
ifade, din), adalet, demokrasi, eğitim hakkı, yaşama hakkı ve barış hakkı bakımından ele
alındığı görülmüştür. Yaşadıkları çağın tanığı, halkın dili ve kulağı âşıklar türkülerinde,
insan haklarını durum tespiti, özlem, istek, çağrı, umut, sitem, şikayet anlamında öğüt
verici, ümit verici, eleştirel ve sorgulayıcı bir dille ele alarak işlemiş ve bildirmişlerdir.
Araştırmada, konuya ilişkin arşiv ve kaynak taraması yapılarak elde edilen veriler betimsel
olarak açıklanarak sonuçları bulgularda ortaya konulmuştur. Sonuç itibariyle insan hakları
sesli bildirisi niteliğindeki bu türkülerde, insan haklarını bilen kişiler yüceltilmiş ve kişinin
olanaklarını gerçekleştirebildiği, bireylerin eşitçe, adilce, özgürce yaşayabildiği, demokrasi
ve barışın egemen olduğu bir dünya talep edilmiştir.
A review of the status of some Ptinomorphus species (Coleoptera: Ptinidae, Eucradinae) described by M. Pic, with the description of a new species
Authors: LEVEY BRIAN
Published: August 2021

The Western Palaearctic species of Ptinomorphus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae, Eucradinae) described by M. Pic and synonymized under P.imperialis (Linnaeus, 1767) and P. magnificus (Reitter, 1880) are reviewed. A new species P. janae sp. nov. is described. P. tauricolus (Pic, 1906) and P. caucasicus (Pic, 1901) are removed from synonymy with P. magnificus; the status of P. perpulchrus (Obenberger, 1917) is clarified and P. angustior (Pic, 1896) is reinstated as a full species. P. angustior var. maculatus (Pic, 1922), which is currently treated as a synonym of P. imperialis is synonymised with P. magnificus. A key is provided to the Western Palaearctic species of Ptinomorphus.
Toward efficient long-wavelength III-nitride emitters using a hybrid nucleation layer
Authors: Tang Bin , Gong Liyan , Hu Hongpo , Sun Haiding , Zhou Shengjun
Published: August 2021

The realization of efficient III-nitride emitters in the green-to-amber region is fundamental to the monolithic integration of multicolor emitters and the development of III-nitride-based full-color high-resolution displays. A hybrid nucleation layer, which includes sputtered AlN and mid-temperature GaN components, was proposed for the development of efficient III-nitride emitters in the green-to-amber region. The mid-temperature GaN component in the hybrid nucleation layer induced the formation of a stacking fault band structure, which effectively relaxed the misfit stress at the GaN/sapphire interface. A reduced dislocation density and in-plane compressive stress in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells were obtained on the hybrid nucleation layer in comparison with the conventional sputtered AlN nucleation layer. Consequently, a significantly enhanced internal quantum efficiency and improved light output power were achieved for the LEDs grown on the hybrid nucleation layer. This gain is attributed to the increased localization depth and spatial overlapping of the electron and hole wave functions. In the present study, the hybrid nucleation layer provides a promising approach for the pursuit of efficient III-nitride emitters in the green-to-amber region.
Reflection-less frequency-selective microwave metamaterial absorber
Authors: Matsui Tatsunosuke , Taniguchi Shun , Yoshida Kosuke , Murata Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

We present a subwavelength-thick reflection-less metamaterial absorber that shows frequency-selective narrow-band near-perfect absorption at 2.4 GHz. The absorber does not have a ground plane and is constructed with a square array of pairs of C-shaped split-ring resonators (SRRs) orthogonally arranged in such a way that induced electric and magnetic dipoles destructively interfere and no reradiation of electromagnetic (EM) waves is observed. The SRRs are made of nichrome with high ohmic loss so that EM energy dissipates as heat. We numerically determined the optimum geometrical parameters of SRRs, and absorption of 97% is achieved at 2.4 GHz. We also fabricated a device using nichrome wire and obtained a huge decrease in transmission at a resonance of –6 dB with no reflection over the entire frequency range of interest. Our basic concept can be extended to higher frequency ranges and may be utilized for next-generation wireless communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), and so forth.
Serosurvey of anti-Toxocara antibodies and risk factors in adolescent and adult pregnant women of southeastern Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Azevedo Priscila , Lescano Susana Zevallos , Giuffrida Rogério , Kmetiuk Louise Bach , dos Santos Andrea Pires , Dangoudoubiyam Sriveny , Biondo Alexander Welker , Santarém Vamilton Alvares
Published: August 2021

Toxocariasis is worldwide endemic parasitic anthropozoonosis with high risk to those in in vulnerable populations and particularly during pregnancy and childhood. Although the prevalence of anti-Toxocaraspp. antibodies has been extensively studied, risk factors of pregnant women of different ages remains to be established. This study was designed to i) assess the presence of anti-Toxocaraspp. antibodies in pregnant women that presented to the public health system in a city of southeastern Brazil, and ii) determine the risk factors for toxocariasis in adolescent and adult pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 280 pregnant women (71 aged up to and including 17 years [adolescents] and 209 aged 18 years and older [adults]). Pregnant women voluntarily agreed to complete a socioeconomic questionnaire and provide serum samples. Anti-ToxocaraIgG antibodies were screened by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess the risks for toxocariasis. Overall, 20.7% of pregnant women were seropositive (33.8% of adolescents and 16.3% of adults). Prevalence in pregnant adolescents was 2.6-fold higher than in adults (Odds ration [OR]: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.42–4.86, p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that contact with soil (p = 0.01; OR = 4.76) and being in the first trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.03; OR = 0.17) had significantly greater risk of toxocariasis for adolescents, and attainment of elementary through middle school education level (p = 0.05; OR = 8.33) was a risk factor in adult pregnant women. Toxocariasis is likely underreported and neglected in adolescent pregnant women; this age group should always be monitored for toxocariasis and correspondent clinical signs, particularly at late pregnancy.
Identification of potential biomarkers in dengue via integrated bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Xie Li-Min , Yin Xin , Bi Jie , Luo Huan-Min , Cao Xun-Jie , Ma Yu-Wen , Liu Ye-Ling , Su Jian-Wen , Lin Geng-Ling , Guo Xu-Guang
Published: August 2021

Dengue fever virus (DENV) is a global health threat that is becoming increasingly critical. However, the pathogenesis of dengue has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we employed bioinformatics analysis to identify potential biomarkers related to dengue fever and clarify their underlying mechanisms. The results showed that there were 668, 1901, and 8283 differentially expressed genes between the dengue-infected samples and normal samples in the GSE28405, GSE38246, and GSE51808 datasets, respectively. Through overlapping, a total of 69 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which 51 were upregulated and 18 were downregulated. We identified twelve hub genes, including MX1, IFI44L, IFI44, IFI27, ISG15, STAT1, IFI35, OAS3, OAS2, OAS1, IFI6, and USP18. Except for IFI44 and STAT1, the others were statistically significant after validation. We predicted the related microRNAs (miRNAs) of these 12 target genes through the database miRTarBase, and finally obtained one important miRNA: has-mir-146a-5p. In addition, gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were carried out, and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to gain insight into the actions of DEGs. In conclusion, our study displayed the effectiveness of bioinformatics analysis methods in screening potential pathogenic genes in dengue fever and their underlying mechanisms. Further, we successfully predicted IFI44L and IFI6, as potential biomarkers with DENV infection, providing promising targets for the treatment of dengue fever to a certain extent.
Machine learning based approach to exam cheating detection
Authors: Kamalov Firuz , Sulieman Hana , Santandreu Calonge David
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has impelled the majority of schools and universities around the world to switch to remote teaching. One of the greatest challenges in online education is preserving the academic integrity of student assessments. The lack of direct supervision by instructors during final examinations poses a significant risk of academic misconduct. In this paper, we propose a new approach to detecting potential cases of cheating on the final exam using machine learning techniques. We treat the issue of identifying the potential cases of cheating as an outlier detection problem. We use students’ continuous assessment results to identify abnormal scores on the final exam. However, unlike a standard outlier detection task in machine learning, the student assessment data requires us to consider its sequential nature. We address this issue by applying recurrent neural networks together with anomaly detection algorithms. Numerical experiments on a range of datasets show that the proposed method achieves a remarkably high level of accuracy in detecting cases of cheating on the exam. We believe that the proposed method would be an effective tool for academics and administrators interested in preserving the academic integrity of course assessments.
Mapping Arctic cetaceans from space: A case study for beluga and narwhal
Authors: Charry Bertrand , Tissier Emily , Iacozza John , Marcoux Marianne , Watt Cortney A.
Published: August 2021

Emergence of new technologies in remote sensing give scientists a new way to detect and monitor wildlife populations. In this study we assess the ability to detect and classify two emblematic Arctic cetaceans, the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) and beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), using very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery. We analyzed 12 VHR images acquired in August 2017 and 2019, collected by the WorldView-3 satellite, which has a maximum resolution of 0.31 m per pixel. The images covered Clearwater Fiord (138.8 km2), an area on eastern Baffin Island, Canada where belugas spend a large part of the summer, and Tremblay Sound (127.0 km2), a narrow water body located on the north shore of Baffin Island that is used by narwhals during the open water season. A total of 292 beluga whales and 109 narwhals were detected in the images. This study contributes to our understanding of Arctic cetacean distribution and highlights the capabilities of using satellite imagery to detect marine mammals.
Physical attractiveness predicts endorsement of specific evolutionary psychology principles
Authors: Ward Andrew , English Tammy , Chin Mark
Published: August 2021

Evolutionary psychology has emerged as a controversial discipline, particularly with regard to its claims concerning the biological basis of sex differences in human mate preferences. Drawing on theories of motivated inference, we hypothesized that those who are most likely to be privileged by specific aspects of the theory would be most likely to support the theory. In particular, we predicted that physical attractiveness would be positively associated with endorsement of predictions of evolutionary psychology concerning mating strategies. Two studies confirmed this hypothesis. In Study 1, participants rated as higher in physical attractiveness were more likely to support specific principles of evolutionary psychology. In Study 2, a manipulation designed to boost self-perceived physical attractiveness increased endorsement of those same principles. Observer-rated physical attractiveness generally predicted individuals’ support of the theoretical principles better than did gender, political orientation, or self-esteem. Results suggest that those most likely to benefit according to certain predictions of evolutionary psychology are also those most likely to be sympathetic toward its relevant principles.
Perception versus preference: The role of self-assessed risk measures on individual mitigation behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kassas Bachir , Morgan Stephen N. , Lai John H. , Kropp Jaclyn D. , Gao Zhifeng
Published: August 2021

In the midst of a global pandemic, prevention methods stand as a crucial first step toward addressing the public health crisis and controlling the spread of the virus. However, slowing the spread of the virus hinges on the public’s willingness to follow a combination of mitigation practices to avoid contracting and transmitting the disease. In this study, we investigate the factors related to individuals’ risk perceptions associated with COVID-19 as well as their general self-assessed risk preferences. We also provide insights regarding the role of risk perceptions and preferences on mitigation behavior by examining the correlation between these risk measures and both the likelihood of following various mitigation practices and total number of practices followed. Although we find both risk perceptions and preferences to be significantly correlated with mitigation behaviors, risk perceptions are correlated with a larger number of practices. Additionally, we find significant heterogeneity in mitigation behaviors across numerous individual and household characteristics. These results can serve as a benchmark for the design and development of interventions to increase awareness and promote higher adoption of mitigation practices.
Min-max approach for comparison of univariate normality tests
Authors: Islam Tanweer Ul
Published: August 2021

Comparison of normality tests based on absolute or average powers are bound to give ambiguous results, since these statistics critically depend upon the alternative distribution which cannot be specified. A test which is optimal against a certain type of alternatives may perform poorly against other alternative distributions. Thus, an invariant benchmark is proposed in the recent normality literature by computing Neyman-Pearson tests against each alternative distribution. However, the computational cost of this benchmark is significantly high, therefore, this study proposes an alternative approach for computing the benchmark. The proposedmin-maxapproach reduces the calculation cost in terms of computing and estimating the Neyman-Pearson tests against each alternative distribution. An extensive simulation study is conducted to evaluate the selected normality tests using the proposed methodology. The proposedmin-maxmethod produces similar results in comparison with the benchmark based on Neyman-Pearson tests but at a low computational cost.
Relationships among the β3-adrenargic receptor gene Trp64Arg polymorphism, hypertension, and insulin resistance in a Japanese population
Authors: Yamada Youhei , Nakamura Haruki , Tsujiguchi Hiromasa , Hara Akinori , Miyagi Sakae , Kannon Takayuki , Sato Takehiro , Hosomichi Kazuyoshi , Nguyen Thao Thi Thu , Kambayashi Yasuhiro , Shimizu Yukari , Pham Kim Oanh , Suzuki Keita , Suzuki Fumihiko , Kasahara Tomoko , Tsuboi Hirohito , Tajima Atsushi , Nakamura Hiroyuki
Published: August 2021

A polymorphism in the ADRB3 gene (Trp64Arg) has been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationships among this polymorphism, hypertension, and insulin resistance values (HOMA-IR) in 719 Japanese subjects aged 40 years and older. The genotype frequencies of Trp64Trp (homozygous, wild), Trp64Arg (heterozygous, variant), and Arg64Arg (homozygous, variant) were 466 (65%), 233 (32%), and 20 (3%), respectively. Insulin resistance was associated with an increased risk of hypertension in a Japanese population. This relationship was dependent on the presence or absence of the Trp64Arg polymorphism (odds ratio, 2.054; confidence interval, 1.191 to 3.541; P value, 0.010). Therefore, the Trp64Arg polymorphism of ADRB3 was associated with hypertension and insulin resistance in a healthy Japanese population. This relationship, which was dependent on the polymorphism, may predict the development of hypertension and diabetes.
Predictors of recovery rate among undernourished HIV-positive adults treated with ready-to-use therapeutic food at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Woldie Habtamu Gebremeskel , Ketema Daniel Bekele , Ayana Mulatu , Alebel Animut
Published: August 2021

Background

Nutritional support is becoming more widely acknowledged as a crucial component of the key package of care for HIV/AIDS patients. This nutritional support is exceptionally important for patients in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, where HIV/AIDS is very prevalent. However, there is a lack of evidence on the recovery rate and predictors at the study site and at large in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study will give some insight into the recovery rate and its predictors among under-nourished HIV-positive adults treated with Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) attending at Debre Markos referral hospital. Moreover, the findings of this study will be used by both governmental and non-governmental organizations to allocate more resources to mitigate the nutritional problems for people living with HIV.

Methods

An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 453 under-nourished HIV positive adults treated with RUTF at Debre Markos referral Hospital from the 1st of July, 2015 to the 31st of December, 2017. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were extracted from patient charts using a standardized data extraction checklist. Data were entered into Epi-Data Version 4.2 and analyzed using Stata Version 14. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate the time to recovery. Log-rank test was used to compare the recovery time between different baseline categorical variables. The bivariable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression models were fitted for potential predictors of recovery time. Adjusted hazard Ratios (AHRs) with 95% CIs were used to measure the strength of association and test statistical significance.

Results

A total of 453 undernourished HIV-positive adults were included in the final analysis. About 201, 44.4% (95%CI: 38.9, 49.0%) patients participating in the RUTF program were recovered based on predetermined exit criteria with incidence of 10.65 (95% CI: 9.28, 12.23) per 100 person-month observations. Being moderately undernourished (AHR: 11.0, 95% CI: 5.3, 23.1), WHO clinical stage (I or II) (AHR:1.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.6), and working functional status at baseline (AHR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.01,5.45) were predictors of recovery time.

Conclusion

This study concluded that the overall nutritional recovery rate was below the acceptable minimum requirement which at least 75% of patients should recovered. Mild to moderate undernutrition at baseline, WHO clinical stage I or II at enrolment, and working functional status were found to be predictors of recovery time in HIV/AIDS patients treated with the RUTF. As a result, special attention should be paid to severely malnourished patients, WHO clinical stages III or higher, and patients who are bedridden or ambulatory during treatment.
Topological data analysis model for the spread of the coronavirus
Authors: Chen Yiran , Volić Ismar
Published: August 2021

We apply topological data analysis, specifically the Mapper algorithm, to the U.S. COVID-19 data. The resulting Mapper graphs provide visualizations of the pandemic that are more complete than those supplied by other, more standard methods. They allow for easy comparisons of the features of the pandemic across time and space and encode a variety of geometric features of the data cloud created from geographic information, time progression, and the number of COVID-19 cases. The Mapper graphs reflect the development of the pandemic across all of the U.S. and capture the growth rates as well as the regional prominence of hot-spots.
Impact of early corticosteroids on 60-day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A multicenter cohort study of the OUTCOMEREA network
Authors: Dupuis Claire , de Montmollin Etienne , Buetti Niccolò , Goldgran-Toledano Dany , Reignier Jean , Schwebel Carole , Domitile Julien , Neuville Mathilde , Ursino Moreno , Siami Shidasp , Ruckly Stéphane , Alberti Corinne , Mourvillier Bruno , Bailly Sebastien , Laurent Virginie , Gainnier Marc , Souweine Bertrand , Timsit Jean-François ,   on behalf of the OutcomeReaTM research network
Published: August 2021

Objectives

In severe COVID-19 pneumonia, the appropriate timing and dosing of corticosteroids (CS) is not known. Patient subgroups for which CS could be more beneficial also need appraisal. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of early CS in COVID-19 pneumonia patients admitted to the ICU on the occurrence of 60-day mortality, ICU-acquired-bloodstream infections(ICU-BSI), and hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia(HAP-VAP).

Methods

We included patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to 11 ICUs belonging to the French OutcomeReaTM network from January to May 2020. We used survival models with ponderation with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).

Results

The study population comprised 303 patients having a median age of 61.6 (53–70) years of whom 78.8% were male and 58.6% had at least one comorbidity. The median SAPS II was 33 (25–44). Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 34.8% of the patients. Sixty-six (21.8%) patients were in the Early-C subgroup. Overall, 60-day mortality was 29.4%. The risks of 60-day mortality (IPTWHR = 0.86;95% CI 0.54 to 1.35, p = 0.51), ICU-BSI and HAP-VAP were similar in the two groups. Importantly, early CS treatment was associated with a lower mortality rate in patients aged 60 years or more (IPTWHR, 0.53;95% CI, 0.3–0.93; p = 0.03). In contrast, CS was associated with an increased risk of death in patients younger than 60 years without inflammation on admission (IPTWHR = 5.01;95% CI, 1.05, 23.88; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

For patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, early CS treatment was not associated with patient survival. Interestingly, inflammation and age can significantly influence the effect of CS.
COVID-19 and psychological distress: Lessons for India
Authors: Anand Vaijayanthee , Verma Luv , Aggarwal Aekta , Nanjundappa Priyadarshini , Rai Himanshu
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly altered the routine of life and caused unanticipated changes resulting in severe psychological responses and mental health crisis. The study aimed to identify psycho-social factors that predicted distress among Indian population during the spread of novel Coronavirus.

Method

An online survey was conducted to assess the predictors of distress. A global logistic regression model was built, by identifying significant factors from individual logistic regression models built on various groups of independent variables. The prediction capability of the model was compared with the random forest classifier.

Results

The respondents (N = 1060) who are more likely to be distressed, are in the age group of 21-35 years, are females (OR = 1.425), those working on site (OR = 1.592), have pre-existing medical conditions (OR = 1.682), do not have health insurance policy covering COVID-19 (OR = 1.884), have perceived seriousness of COVID-19 (OR = 1.239), have lack of trust in government (OR = 1.246) and whose basic needs’ fulfillment are unsatisfactory (OR = 1.592). The ones who are less likely to be distressed, have higher social support and psychological capital. Random forest classifier correctly classified 2.3% and 17.1% of people under lower and higher distress respectively, with respect to logistic regression.

Conclusions

This study confirms the prevalence of high distress experienced by Indians at the time of COVID-19 and provides pragmatic implications for psychological health at macro and micro levels during an epidemiological crisis.
The teaching of royalist-nationalist civic education and history in Thai schools: Education for the production of ‘docile subjects’
Authors: Sripokangkul Siwach
Published: August 2021

As a response to the protracted political conflict that has plagued Thailand for over a decade, Thai royalist-nationalists have stated that the problem of Thai political development derives from a lack of ‘citizenship’ characteristics in Thais. In their view, the best solution is to educate the masses and to cultivate civic education by teaching both it and normative Thai ‘core values’, together with royalist-nationalist history, as subjects to students. As a result, students are destined to become patriotic ‘saviours’. They are expected to be strong citizens who can solve the political development ‘problem’ of democracy under the ‘Democratic Regime of the Government with the King as Head of State’. This article seeks to understand how the two topics of civic education and history have been taught in Thai schools for twelve years, covering both primary and secondary schools. What type of Thai citizen does this curriculum desire to produce? The author rigorously analysed a corpus of civic education and history teaching material, and argues that the contents of these topics are designed to transform students into ‘docile subjects’. They are ideally ‘objects’ that are to be ordered and imposed upon by the state ideology, shaping them into ultra-royalists and ultra-nationalists.
Young people’s everyday citizenship and understandings of feminism
Authors: Shaw Rhonda M. , Thompson Victoria
Published: August 2021

Contemporary youth citizenship research is challenged with capturing the complexity of young people’s engagement with politics, especially considering the current prevalence of social media. In this article, we address young people’s understandings of political engagement in relation to feminism by drawing on contemporary feminist scholarship. This is combined with qualitative research undertaken in 2016 and 2017 with five focus groups comprising young people from different secondary schools across four New Zealand cities. Exploring this through the lens of everyday citizenship means dealing with the ambiguities around terms and concepts, both for researchers and young people themselves, as well as acknowledging the nuances and tensions concerning what counts as political involvement. The research findings suggest that how educators and youth workers connect and empower diverse groups of young people when navigating the potentially contentious terrain of political positioning, identification and social action requires further investigation.
Teaching, Friendship and Humanity, Nuraan Davids and Yusef Waghid (2020)
Authors: Terblanche Judith
Published: August 2021

Review of: Teaching, Friendship and Humanity, Nuraan Davids and Yusef Waghid (2020)

Singapore: Springer, 109 pp.,

ISBN 978-981-15-7212-8, e-book, €42.79
Biochemical, electrolytic, and cardiovascular evaluations in cats with urethral obstruction
Authors: Canei Darlan Henrique , Pereira Mariana Elisa , de Freitas Maria Natália , Trevisan Yolanda Paim Arruda , Zorzo Carolina , Bortolini Juliano , Mendonça Adriane Jorge , Sousa Valéria Régia Franco , de Almeida Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim: Urethral obstruction (UO) is a common condition in feline medicine. Severe acid-base and electrolyte disorders promote relevant electrocardiographic changes in these animals. Cardiac biomarkers such as cardiac troponin I have been shown to be useful in identifying cats with myocardial disease, but it has not been investigated whether UO leads to myocardial damages. This study aimed to evaluate biochemical changes, electrocardiographic findings, troponin I measurements, and electrolyte disturbances for 7 days in cats with UO.

Materials and Methods: This follow-up prospective study included 33 cats diagnosed with UO for 7 days. For all cats, clinical examination, serum biochemistry, electrolyte analyses, blood pressure, and electrocardiography were performed. Cardiac troponin I was measured in the serum in 16 cats at 3 different times.

Results: The mean age of the feline population was 1.83±1.58 years (mean±standard deviation). Creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, phosphorus, base excess, bicarbonate, and serum potassium decreased significantly (p≤0.05), while ionic calcium and blood pH increased significantly (p≤0.05) at different times. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in 21/33 (63.63%) of the felines on admission day. The electrocardiographic abnormalities were no longer observed on the subsequent days. Only one feline showed changes in troponin I cardiac concentrations.

Conclusion: This study suggests the sum and severity of electrolyte abnormalities aggravate the clinical and cardiovascular status of these patients. However, cTnI, blood pressure, and heart rate within the reference range do not exclude the presence of major cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities. The hyperglycemia in felines with UO appears to be associated with decreased renal clearance, which may reflect the severity of hyperkalemia and azotemia. The metabolic and cardiovascular changes of these felines are minimized by the establishment of appropriate intensive care; however, cardiac and blood gas monitoring is essential to assess the severity of the disease.