bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to use power Doppler ultrasound in transvaginal assessment of uterine fibroids
Authors: Frijlingh M. , Juffermans L. , de Leeuw R. , de Bruyn C. , Timmerman D. , Van den Bosch T. , Huirne J. A. F.
Published: February 2022

Measuring vascularization in uterine fibroids is important for their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Vascularization can be measured by power Doppler ultrasound. The power Doppler signal depends on fibroid characteristics and on a variety of ultrasound‐machine settings. Literature describing which machine settings influence the power Doppler signal is limited. Each manufacturer names settings and presets at their own discretion, with little information available publicly. Consistency of machine settings is important for correct interpretation of images in daily practice and is essential in yielding reproducible data for research. The aims of this paper, drawing from both a literature search and semistructured interviews with ultrasound‐machine engineers and clinical experts in gynecological ultrasound, were: (1) to provide comprehensive background information on ultrasound physics and fibroid characteristics; (2) to present an overview of machine settings relevant to both two‐ and three‐dimensional power Doppler, including power Doppler frequency, pulse repetition frequency, gain, wall‐motion filter, acoustic power, persistence and signal rise; and (3) to provide a step‐by‐step tutorial on the optimal settings for vascular evaluation of uterine fibroids using power Doppler. The step‐by‐step tutorial comprises six steps to optimize the power Doppler signal, create a preset and acquire a reliable three‐dimensional volume. This step‐by‐step tutorial should help research groups and clinicians to use power Doppler correctly and reproducibly in the evaluation of uterine fibroids. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Circular RNA in disease: Basic properties and biomedical relevance
Authors: Chen Xiaolan , Zhou Min , Yant Levi , Huang Chuan
Published: February 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a class of covalently closed RNA molecules with great diversity in molecular features, functions, and regulatory mechanisms. Emerging advances in our understanding of circRNA biogenesis, nuclear export, and stability control have been made very recently. In particular, novel roles of circRNAs in diverse human diseases are increasingly recognized. Various circRNAs have been found to affect many disease‐relevant pathways through a diverse array of mechanisms, including forming R‐loops, sponging miRNAs or proteins, and translating functional proteins, resulting in different pathological phenotypes. This recent progress calls for a revised view of circRNAs in diseases threatening the lives and health of humans. In this review, we focus on the recently described functional relevance of disease‐associated circRNAs as well as the potential of circRNAs in diverse clinical applications.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Properties of a new Hydrate of Manganese Thiocyanate with the Composition Mn(NCS)2(H2O)2
Authors: Näther Christian , Jess Inke , Krebs Christoph , Poschmann Mirjam P. M.
Published: February 2022

The reaction of Mn(NCS)2 with 3‐cyanopyridine in water accidentally leads to the formation of single crystals of Mn(NCS)2(H2O)2 (1). If the synthesis is performed without 3‐cyanopyridine, the known tetrahydrate Mn(NCS)2(H2O)4 is formed. In the crystal structure of the new hydrate, the Mn2+ cations are linked by pairs of μ‐1,3‐bridging anionic ligands to chains, which are further connected via Mn(NCS)2(H2O)4 units into layers, that are additionally stabilized by intralayer hydrogen bonding. These layers are linked by interlayer hydrogen bonding into a 3D network. The structure of 1 shows strong similarities to that of both the tetrahydrate and of Mn(NCS)2. The synthesis from water always leads to the tetrahydrate, which is also obtained, when Mn(NCS)2 is stored in a humid atmosphere. Thermoanalytical measurements on the tetrahydrate show a more complicated behavior, which includes melting at about 46 °C and on cooling sometimes the dihydrate is observed. If the tetrahydrate is stored in vacuum at room temperature, the dihydrate forms before the transformation to the anhydrate is observed. Isothermic water sorption measurements prove, that at low humidity the dihydrate is obtained, which transforms into the tetrahydrate at higher humidities.
Bodies, Medicine and Otherness
Authors: Cloatre Emilie
Published: February 2022

In this chapter, I explore how I would approach the hypothetical exercise of writing a chapter for a book on ‘Law and the Body’. As a socio-legal scholar whose work is mostly on issues of law and medicine, the theme of the book would echo quite closely much of the focus of my work. Yet, I have not to date engaged as explicitly with the body as such a specific invitation would require. As a result, the exercise would be one of thinking through a new lens about my ongoing research, and empirical data, and engaging both familiar and less familiar questions and resources. In this piece, I try to chart what the process and its outcome may look like, proposing that my focus would be on a particular series of empirical questions that have emerged as I researched the regulation of traditional healing in Senegal.
Eine nicht alltägliche tumorassoziierte Thrombose
Authors: Poulose Rosemary , Derda Anselm A. , Omar Mohamed , von Falck Christian , Länger Florian , Tillmanns Jochen , Groh Adrian , Bauersachs Johann , Napp L. Christian
Published: February 2022

Es wird über den Fall einer tiefen Beinvenenthrombose berichtet, bei dem im Rahmen der Diagnostik ein zuvor nicht bekanntes Chondrosarkom entdeckt wurde. In der körperlichen Untersuchung zeigte sich am rechten Knie dorsal eine feste, nicht verschiebliche Raumforderung, die in der Sonographie als zystische Formation imponierte. Röntgen, Computertomographie und Kernspintomographie zeigten typische Befunde einer sekundär entarteten kartilaginären Exostose, die sehr wahrscheinlich über lokale Kompression und ggf. über paraneoplastische Mechanismen die Entstehung der Thrombose begünstigt hatte. Nach Resektion des Tumors wurde die präoperativ begonnene Antikoagulation fortgeführt. In Zusammenschau aller Befunde wurde die endgültige Diagnose eines hochdifferenzierten sekundären Chondrosarkoms mit Thrombose der Poplitealvene gestellt.
RORA alleviates LPS-induced apoptosis of renal epithelial cells by promoting PGC-1α transcription
Authors: Li Dayong , Liu Guanlan , Wu Yundou
Published: February 2022

Objective

To explore the effect of RORA on LPS-induced renal epithelial cell apoptosis and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

LPS-treated HK-2 cells were established as a cellular model of acute kidney injury. The expression of RORA or/and PGC-1α in LPS-induced HK-2 cells was altered by transfection. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression changes of RORA and PGC-1α. ELISA was performed to detect the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 and the activity of caspase-3. Western blotting was applied for visualization of cleaved caspase-3. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation and apoptosis. Dual-luciferase reporter and ChIP-qPCR were utilized to verify the binding of RORA to PGC-1α promoter.

Results

LPS treatment decreased the expression of RORA and PGC-1α and increased that of cleaved caspase-3 in HK-2 cells. Also, LPS treatment inhibited HK-2 cell proliferation and promoted HK-2 cell apoptosis and secretion of IL-1β and IL-6. Overexpression of RORA or PGC-1α eliminated the adverse effects of LPS treatment in HK-2 cells. RORA drove the transcription of PGC-1α by binding PGC-1α promoter. Knockdown of PGC-1α offset the reduction in HK-2 cell injury caused by overexpression of RORA.

Conclusion

RORA reduces LPS-induced apoptosis of renal epithelial cells by promoting PGC-1α transcription.
Ethical responsibility and computational design: bespoke surgical tools as an instructive case study
Authors: Douglas David M. , Lacey Justine , Howard David
Published: February 2022

Computational design uses artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise designs towards user-determined goals. When combined with 3D printing, it is possible to develop and construct physical products in a wide range of geometries and materials and encapsulating a range of functionality, with minimal input from human designers. One potential application is the development of bespoke surgical tools, whereby computational design optimises a tool’s morphology for a specific patient’s anatomy and the requirements of the surgical procedure to improve surgical outcomes. This emerging application of AI and 3D printing provides an opportunity to examine whether new technologies affect the ethical responsibilities of those operating in high-consequence domains such as healthcare. This research draws on stakeholder interviews to identify how a range of different professions involved in the design, production, and adoption of computationally designed surgical tools, identify and attribute responsibility within the different stages of a computationally designed tool’s development and deployment. Those interviewed included surgeons and radiologists, fabricators experienced with 3D printing, computational designers, healthcare regulators, bioethicists, and patient advocates. Based on our findings, we identify additional responsibilities that surround the process of creating and using these tools. Additionally, the responsibilities of most professional stakeholders are not limited to individual stages of the tool design and deployment process, and the close collaboration between stakeholders at various stages of the process suggests that collective ethical responsibility may be appropriate in these cases. The role responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in developing the process to create computationally designed tools also change as the technology moves from research and development (R&D) to approved use.
Harmonized Phenotypes for Anxiety, Depression, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Jović Miljan , Agarwal Kratika , Whitehouse Andrew , van den Berg Stéphanie M.
Published: February 2022

In multi-cohort consortia, the problem often arises that a phenotype is measured using different questionnaires. This study aimed to harmonize scores based on the Child Behaviour Check List (CBCL) and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for anxiety/depression and ADHD. To link the scales, we used parent reports on 1330 children aged 10–11.5 years from the Raine study on both SDQ and CBCL. Harmonization was done based on Item Response Theory. We started from existing CBCL and SDQ scales related to anxiety/depression and ADHD (theoretical approach). Next, we conducted a data-driven approach using factor analysis to validate the theoretical approach. Both approaches yielded similar scales, validating the combination of existing scales. In addition, we studied the impact of harmonized (IRT-based) scores on the statistical power of the results in meta-analytic gene-finding studies. The results showed that the IRT-based harmonized scores increased the statistical power of the results compared to sum scores, even with an equal sample size. These findings can help future researchers to harmonize data from different samples and/or different questionnaires that measure anxiety, depression, and ADHD, in order to obtain the larger sample sizes, to compare research results across subpopulations or to increase generalizability, the validity or statistical power of research results. We recommend using our item parameters to estimate harmonized scores that represent commensurate phenotypes across cohorts, and we explained in detail how other researchers can use our results to harmonize data in their studies.
Ordinal health disparities between population subgroups: measurement and multivariate analysis with an application to the North-South divide in England
Authors: Allanson Paul
Published: February 2022

Health disparities between population subgroups classified on the basis of nominal characteristics such as sex, caste, race or region are of major academic and policy concern. The paper develops a novel analytical framework to not only measure differences in ordinal health outcomes between population subgroups but also account for such disparities in terms of the individual-level socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of their members. The measurement approach is directly applicable to the ordinal health and well-being data commonly available from general social surveys, building on the concept of statistical preference to motivate the definition of summary indices of comparative subgroup health and between-group variation in health. The analysis employs indirect standardisation techniques based on the estimation of a health distribution regression model for the population to identify the effects of compositional and conditional health differences on subgroup health outcomes. An illustrative empirical study finds that about half of the regional variation in self-reported health within England in 2016/17 can be accounted for by sociodemographic factors, with age and educational qualifications both more important predictors than income.
‘The High Five Club’: Social Relations and Perspectives on HIV-Related Stigma During an HIV Outbreak in West Virginia
Authors: Mars Sarah G. , Koester Kimberly A. , Ondocsin Jeff , Mars Valerie , Mars Gerald , Ciccarone Daniel
Published: February 2022

In the United States, HIV outbreaks are occurring in areas most affected by the opioid epidemic, including West Virginia (WV). Cultural Theory contends that multiple cultures co-exist within societies distinguished by their differing intensities of rules or norms of behavior (‘grid’) or degree of group allegiance/individual autonomy (‘group’). Accordingly, we would expect that perceptions about HIV, including stigma, correspond with individuals’ grid/group attributes. To explore this, we conducted qualitative interviews with people who inject drugs (PWID) recruited from a WV syringe service program. This paper focuses on our unexpected findings on stigma during a coinciding HIV outbreak. PWID living homeless identified as belonging to a ‘street family’. Its members were mutually distrustful and constrained by poverty and drug dependence but despite their conflicts, reported openness between each other about HIV + status. Interviewees living with HIV perceived little enacted stigma from peers since the local outbreak. Contrasting stigmatizing attitudes were attributed to the town’s mainstream society. The ‘High Five’ (Hi-V) Club, expressing defiance towards stigmatizing behavior outside the street family, epitomized the tensions between a desire for solidary and mutual support and a fatalistic tendency towards division and distrust. Fatalism may hinder cooperation, solidarity and HIV prevention but may explain perceived reductions in stigma.
Boundedness of the Riesz potential in central Morrey–Orlicz spaces
Authors: Burtseva Evgeniya , Maligranda Lech , Matsuoka Katsuo
Published: February 2022

Boundedness of the maximal operator and the Calderón–Zygmund singular integral operators in central Morrey–Orlicz spaces were proved in papers (Maligranda et al. in Colloq Math 138:165–181, 2015; Maligranda et al. in Tohoku Math J 72:235–259, 2020) by the second and third authors. The weak-type estimates have also been proven. Here we show boundedness of the Riesz potential in central Morrey–Orlicz spaces and the corresponding weak-type version.
Does the entrepreneurial state crowd out entrepreneurship?
Authors: Audretsch David B. , Fiedler Antje
Published: February 2022

This paper argues that an entrepreneurial state can inadvertently crowd out entrepreneurship. Using the context provided by Singapore, the paper finds that coordinated policies that prioritize and target capital, knowledge, and human capital accumulation in particular industries, sectors, technologies, and firms have created a formidable societal knowledge filter, which in turn can impede endogenous entrepreneurial activity. By serving as the entrepreneur, Singapore’s entrepreneurial state imposes its vision by assuming the core entrepreneurial values and traits of opportunity recognition, discovery, and action. The entrepreneurial state, at least in the case of Singapore, retards the transition to an entrepreneurial society, which, paradoxically, is the vision of Singapore’s entrepreneurial state.
Science, assertion, and the common ground
Authors: Dethier Corey
Published: February 2022

I argue that the appropriateness of an assertion is sensitive to context—or, really, the “common ground”—in a way that hasn’t previously been emphasized by philosophers. This kind of context-sensitivity explains why some scientific conclusions seem to be appropriately asserted even though they are not known, believed, or justified on the available evidence. I then consider other recent attempts to account for this phenomenon and argue that if they are to be successful, they need to recognize the kind of context-sensitivity that I argue for.
Knowing more (about questions)
Authors: Habgood-Coote Joshua
Published: February 2022

How should we measure knowledge? According to theCounting Approach, we can measure knowledge by counting pieces of knowledge. Versions of the Counting Approach that try to measure knowledge by counting true beliefs with suitable support or by counting propositions known run into problems, stemming from infinite numbers of propositions and beliefs, difficulties in individuating propositions and beliefs, and cases in which knowing the same number of propositions contributes differently to knowledge. In this paper I develop a novel question-relative and contextualist version of the counting approach, which measures an agent's knowledge by counting the number of complete answers of a contextually salient issue they can rule out. The question-relative and contextualist version of the Counting Approach avoids the issues for the proposition and belief-based systems, and offers a general, systematic, and explanatory system for measuring knowledge.
Air, Helium and Water Leakage in Rubber O-ring Seals with Application to Syringes
Authors: Huon C. , Tiwari A. , Rotella C. , Mangiagalli P. , Persson B. N. J.
Published: February 2022

We study the leakage of fluids (liquids or gases) in syringes with glass barrel, steel plunger and rubber O-ring stopper. The leakrate depends on the interfacial surface roughness and on the viscoelastic properties of the rubber. Random surface roughness is produced by sandblasting the rubber O-rings. We present a very simple theory for gas flow which takes into account both the diffusive and ballistic flow. The theory shows that the interfacial fluid flow (leakage) channels are so narrow that the gas flow is mainly ballistic (the so called Knudsen limit). We compare the leakrate obtained using air and helium. For barrels filled with water we observe no leakage even if leakage occurs for gases. We interpret this as resulting from capillary (Laplace pressure or surface energy) effects.
Extracellular secretion of a cutinase with polyester-degrading potential by E. coli using a novel signal peptide from Amycolatopsis mediterranei
Authors: Tan Yeqi , Henehan Gary T. , Kinsella Gemma K. , Ryan Barry J.
Published: February 2022

Recent studies in this laboratory showed that an extracellular cutinase from A. mediterranei (AmCut) was able to degrade the plastics polycaprolactone and polybutylene succinate. Such plastics can be slow to degrade in soils due to a lack of efficient polyester degrading organisms. AmCut also showed potential for the biocatalytic synthesis of esters by reverse hydrolysis. The gene for AmCut has an upstream leader sequence whose transcript is not present in the purified enzyme. In this study, we show using predictive modelling, that this sequence codes for an N-terminal signal peptide that directs transmembrane expression via the Sec secretion pathway. E. coli is a useful host for recombinant enzymes used in biocatalysis due to the ease of genetic manipulation in this organism, which allows tuning of enzymes for specific applications, by mutagenesis. When a truncated GST-tagged AmCut gene (lacking its signal peptide) was expressed in E. coli, all cutinase activity was observed in the cytosolic fraction. However, when GST-tagged AmCut was expressed in E. coli along with its native signal peptide, cutinase activity was observed in both the periplasmic space and the culture medium. This finding revealed that the native signal peptide of a Gram-positive organism (AmCut) was being recognised by the Gram-negative (E. coli) Sec transmembrane transport system. AmCut was transported into E. coli’s periplasmic space from where it was released into the culture medium. Surprisingly, the presence of a bulky GST tag at the N-terminus of the signal peptide did not hinder transmembrane targeting. Although the periplasmic targeting was unexpected, it is not unprecedented due to the conservation of the Sec pathway across species. It was more surprising that AmCut was secreted from the periplasmic space into the culture medium. This suggests that extracellular AmCut translocation across the E. coli outer membrane may involve non-classical secretion pathways. This tuneable recombinant E. coli expressing extracellular AmCut may be useful for degradation of polyester substrates in the environment; this and other applications are discussed.

Graphical abstract
Classification and distribution of freshwater microplastics along the Italian Po river by hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Fiore Ludovica , Serranti Silvia , Mazziotti Cristina , Riccardi Elena , Benzi Margherita , Bonifazi Giuseppe
Published: February 2022

In this work, freshwater microplastic samples collected from four different stations along the Italian Po river were characterized in terms of abundance, distribution, category, morphological and morphometrical features, and polymer type. The correlation between microplastic category and polymer type was also evaluated. Polymer identification was carried out developing and implementing a new and effective hierarchical classification logic applied to hyperspectral images acquired in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000–2500 nm). Results showed that concentration of microplastics ranged from 1.89 to 8.22 particles/m3, the most abundant category was fragment, followed by foam, granule, pellet, and filament and the most diffused polymers were expanded polystyrene followed by polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride, with some differences in polymer distribution among stations. The application of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) as a rapid and non-destructive method to classify freshwater microplastics for environmental monitoring represents a completely innovative approach in this field.
Out of sight, but not out of mind: a case study of the collaborative development of a university-wide orientation resource for online students
Authors: Garivaldis Filia Joanne , Chung Jennifer , Braganza Leah , Arulkadacham Lilani , Sharma Richa , Reupert Andrea , McKenzie Stephen , Rose Geoffrey , Gupta Timsy , Aziz Zahra , Mowbray Tony , Ilic Dragan , Mundy Matthew
Published: February 2022

The global online education sector has been rising rapidly, particularly during and after the events of 2020, and is becoming mainstream much sooner than expected. Despite this, research studies report higher levels of perceived isolation, difficulties with engagement, and higher attrition rates in online compared to equivalent on-campus programs. Reasons include restrictions to the type of institutional support accessible by online students, and the lack of comprehensiveness of orientation resources. This paper describes the collaborative efforts by a cross-faculty academic team, supported by a community of practice, to create a university-wide online orientation resource—the Monash Online Learning Hub (MOLH). The development of the MOLH involved multiple phases, including an analysis of current practice, resource design and content creation, formative evaluation by staff and students, and successful integration into the university’s mainstream student orientation platform for widescale implementation. The methods adopted were varied, and involved generating both qualitative and quantitative data across multiple phases of development from online education experts at the University, that culminated in the gradual building and refinement of the MOLH. Final outcomes, implications and lessons learned are also discussed in this paper.
Molar Volume and Surface Tension of Liquid Bi–Cu Alloys
Authors: Pstruś Janusz , Fima Przemyslaw
Published: February 2022

Bi–Cu alloys may potentially be used for thermal energy storage or as a catalyst for methane pyrolysis. For application research and simulations, it is necessary to know the reliable thermophysical properties of liquid alloys. Density of liquid Bi–Cu alloys (25, 50, 75 at. pct Cu) was measured with dilatometric method over the 971 K to 1500 K range. Density decreases linearly with temperature for all compositions. The molar volume calculated from measured densities shows positive excess molar volume. Surface tension was measured with maximum bubble pressure method over the 1125 K to 1500 K range. The data fitted with linear equations show that while the surface tension of 25 at. pct Cu decreases and that of 50 at. pct Cu alloy does not vary with temperature, the surface tension of 75 at. pct Cu alloy increases with temperature. The present results are confronted with literature data and several model calculations, part of which were performed in Pandat, and the reasons for positive excess molar volume and surface tension temperature coefficient are explained in terms of thermodynamics of Bi–Cu solutions.
Study on Final Equilibrium State and Process of CO2 Reacting with Fe–C Melt
Authors: Wu Wenhe , Zhu Rong , Wei Guangsheng , Wang Chunyang , Wang Haijuan
Published: February 2022

To study the final equilibrium state and process of CO2injecting into the Fe–C melt with different initial carbon contents, a model was established based on the method of minimization of Gibbs free energy and the corresponding experiments were carried out in a high-temperature tube furnace. When CO2is continuously injected into the Fe–C melt at 1873 K, the final equilibrium state of the system is such that the carbon and oxygen contents in the melt are 0.1977 and 0.0115 wt pct, respectively, and the volume ratio of CO in the gas phase is 85.75 vol pct. When the initiala[O]×a[C]in the melt is greater than those in equilibrium with CO under 0.8575 atm, the CO2gas removes carbon from the melt. On the contrary, the role of CO2gas is to add carbon and oxygen to the melt. At the same time, the variation of carbon and oxygen with time obtained by experiments was different from the theoretical calculation at extremely low carbon content, which requires further study.
Effects of Spray-Drying and Freeze-Drying on Bioactive and Volatile Compounds of Smoke Powder Food Flavouring
Authors: Xin Xing , Essien Sinemobong , Dell Kiri , Woo Meng Wai , Baroutian Saeid
Published: February 2022

Transforming liquid smoke to powder form can provide convenience for use and storage. Liquid smoke was prepared by fast pyrolysis technology using a fluidised bed and converted to smoke powder by spray-drying or freeze-drying processes. Both drying processes effectively retained the bioactive compounds in the powder encapsulates with retention efficiencies up to 80%. The bioactive capacities were approximately two times higher than liquid smoke. Spray-drying did not induce thermal damage to the bioactive compounds, and the dominant compounds were retained in the powders. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and principal component analysis indicated that the chemical composition was not significantly changed after both drying methods, but small molecular carbonyls, furans and phenols were partially lost. The spray-dried particles had a spherical shape, while freeze-dried particles had irregular shapes because of different powder preparation methods. The particle size of spray-dried powders was in the range of 6.3 to 6.9 µm, while the value for freeze-dried powders was decreased from 580.4 to 134.7 µm by increasing the maltodextrin concentration. The freeze-dried powders performed better in terms of flowability and cohesiveness because of their relatively high density and large particle size. This study revealed that both encapsulation methods could efficiently prepare smoke powder. Spray-drying process would be suitable for large-scale production, while freeze-drying could be used to optimize the encapsulation efficiency of bioactive compounds.
Buried penis and morbid obesity
Authors: Byard Roger W. , Tan Luzern
Published: February 2022

Three morbidly obese men aged 69, 49 and 45 years with respective BMIs of 46.3, 49.1 and 59.3 died suddenly from underlying cardiovascular disease. At autopsy all were found to have marked penile shortening typical of an entity known as “buried penis.” This condition arises in adulthood most commonly from morbid obesity as the penile shaft becomes enveloped by encroaching suprapubic adipose tissue. It is associated with infective, obstructive and malignant complications. Histology will be required to identify less-common causative conditions or any inflammatory or premalignant/malignant changes.
Cerebrospinal Fluid and Arterial Acid–Base Equilibrium of Spontaneously Breathing Patients with Aneurismal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Langer Thomas , Zadek Francesco , Carbonara Marco , Caccioppola Alessio , Brusatori Serena , Zoerle Tommaso , Bottazzini Francesco , Ferraris Fusarini Chiara , di Modugno Adriana , Zanella Alberto , Zanier Elisa R. , Fumagalli Roberto , Pesenti Antonio , Stocchetti Nino
Published: February 2022

Background

Hyperventilation resulting in hypocapnic alkalosis (HA) is frequently encountered in spontaneously breathing patients with acute cerebrovascular conditions. The underlying mechanisms of this respiratory response have not been fully elucidated. The present study describes, applying the physical–chemical approach, the acid-base characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and arterial plasma of spontaneously breathing patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and compares these results with those of control patients. Moreover, it investigates the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to HA in SAH.

Methods

Patients with SAH admitted to the neurological intensive care unit and patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of 1 and 2) undergoing elective surgery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. CSF and arterial samples were collected simultaneously. Electrolytes, strong ion difference (SID), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), weak noncarbonic acids (ATOT), and pH were measured in CSF and arterial blood samples.

Results

Twenty spontaneously breathing patients with SAH and 25 controls were enrolled. The CSF of patients with SAH, as compared with controls, was characterized by a lower SID (23.1 ± 2.3 vs. 26.5 ± 1.4 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and PCO2 (40 ± 4 vs. 46 ± 3 mm Hg, p < 0.001), whereas no differences in ATOT (1.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2 mmol/L, p = 0.95) and pH (7.34 ± 0.06 vs. 7.35 ± 0.02, p = 0.69) were observed. The reduced CSF SID was mainly caused by a higher lactate concentration (3.3 ± 1.3 vs. 1.4 ± 0.2 mmol/L, p < 0.001). A linear association (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) was found between CSF SID and arterial PCO2. A higher proportion of patients with SAH were characterized by arterial HA, as compared with controls (40 vs. 4%, p = 0.003). A reduced CSF-to-plasma difference in PCO2 was observed in nonhyperventilating patients with SAH (0.4 ± 3.8 vs. 7.8 ± 3.7 mm Hg, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with SAH have a reduction of CSF SID due to an increased lactate concentration. The resulting localized acidifying effect is compensated by CSF hypocapnia, yielding normal CSF pH values and resulting in a higher incidence of arterial HA.
Enjoyment of Sexualization in Men and Women: Relationships with Ambivalent Sexism and Body Image Coping Strategies
Authors: Rollero Chiara , Leon Carmen M , Martini Mara , De Piccoli Norma
Published: February 2022

Enjoyment of sexualization (EoS) occurs when people find appearance-based sexual attention from others to be positive and rewarding. Scholars have not consistently established if enjoyment of being sexualized may be a form of sexual empowerment, promoting positive body acceptance, control, and self-care, or instead an endorsement of sexist ideologies, based on the idea that being sexually appealing to men is a component of the feminine gender role. In order to shed light on this, the present study aimed to analyze whether enjoyment of sexualization may foster adaptive or maladaptive coping strategies in case of threat to a positive body image. We also considered the role of ambivalent sexism in EoS processes, as well as that of self-esteem in body coping strategies. Considering the increasing sexualization of men in Western societies, the same relationships were tested in both men and women adults by means of a multigroup moderation analysis. Participants were 513 subjects (32.3% men, M = 25.97 years old) recruited from the Italian general population. Results showed that enjoyment of sexualization was positively related to both adaptive (i.e., positive rational acceptance) and maladaptive strategies (i.e., appearance fixing). Hostile sexism was positively linked to EoS in both men and women, whereas benevolent sexism was positively linked to EoS in the case of women and negatively in the case of men. Implications about the ambivalent nature of enjoyment of sexualization are discussed.
Assessing Negative Response Bias Using Self-Report Measures: New Articles, New Issues
Authors: Giromini Luciano , Young Gerald , Sellbom Martin
Published: February 2022

In psychological injury and related forensic evaluations, two types of tests are commonly used to assess Negative Response Bias (NRB): Symptom Validity Tests (SVTs) and Performance Validity Tests (PVTs). SVTs assess the credibility of self-reported symptoms, whereas PVTs assess the credibility of observed performance on cognitive tasks. Compared to the large and ever-growing number of published PVTs, there are still relatively few validated self-report SVTs available to professionals for assessing symptom validity. In addition, while several studies have examined how to combine and integrate the results of multiple independent PVTs, there are few studies to date that have addressed the combination and integration of information obtained from multiple self-report SVTs. The Special Issue ofPsychological Injury and Lawintroduced in this article aims to help fill these gaps in the literature by providing readers with detailed information about the convergent and incremental validity, strengths and weaknesses, and applicability of a number of selected measures of NRB under different conditions and in different assessment contexts. Each of the articles in this Special Issue focuses on a particular self-report SVT or set of SVTs and summarizes their conditions of use, strengths, weaknesses, and possible cut scores and relative hit rates. Here, we review the psychometric properties of the 19 selected SVTs and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, we make tentative proposals for the field to consider regarding the number of SVTs to be used in an assessment, the number of SVT failures required to invalidate test results, and the issue of redundancy when selecting multiple SVTs for an assessment.
An evaluation of a first-of-its-kind hybrid law degree program
Authors: Wang Shuai , Griffiths Rebecca , Christensen Claire , D’Angelo Cynthia , Condon Kerry
Published: February 2022

There are few published studies investigating the effectiveness of hybrid formats at the program level in graduate legal education. A hybrid Juris Doctorate (J.D.) program launched by a Midwestern institution was the first ABA-accredited law degree program with a substantial online learning component. This study takes a mixed methods approach (both quantitative and qualitative) to evaluate student outcomes and the extent to which the hybrid program expands access to legal education. The study compares student outcomes in the hybrid program with full-time and part-time traditional, in-person programs at the same institution. After three terms of data collection, findings suggest that student outcomes and engagement are comparable across formats when controlling for student background characteristics and prior achievement. Evidence suggests that the hybrid option may increase access to legal education but is insufficient to determine whether the hybrid program will increase availability of legal services in underserved areas.
A special point-based transfer component analysis for dynamic multi-objective optimization
Authors: Liu Ruochen , Li Nanxi , Peng Luyao , Wu Kai
Published: February 2022

To solve dynamic multi-objective optimization problems better, the key is to adapt quickly to environmental changes and track the possible changing optimal solutions in time. In this paper, we propose a special point-based transfer component analysis for dynamic multi-objective optimization algorithm (SPTr-RM-MEDA). To be specific, when a change occurs, the neighbors of some special points are selected from the optimal set at previous time, and the transfer component analysis makes the use of minimizing the distance between the mapped previous optima and the mapped current optima. Accordingly, the purpose is to predict a part of next initial population from the neighborhoods of special points by transfer component analysis. To adapt to the change well, SPTr-RM-MEDA also reevaluates the previous optimal set. In addition, an adaptive diversity introduction strategy is adopted to maintain the population size. SPTr-RM-MEDA is performed on 12 test problems under 8 kinds of environmental changes, and experimental results show that it is superior to other five state-of-the-art algorithms on most of test problems.
The zygoma anatomy-guided approach (ZAGA) for rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla
Authors: Aparicio Carlos , Olivo Antonio , de Paz Victor , Kraus Daniel , Luque Manuel Martin , Crooke Eduardo , Simon Peter , Simon Madalina , Ferreira Jose , Serrano Andre Sakima , Ilg Jan Peter , Bilbao Arturo , Fernandez Alberto , Guitián Pedro , Neugarten Jay
Published: February 2022

A protocol to perform a prosthetically driven minimally invasive zygomatic osteotomy, named zygoma anatomy-guided approach (ZAGA) is introduced. The ZAGA method aims at promoting a patient-specific therapy by adapting the osteotomy type to the patient's anatomy. In most cases, this method avoids the opening of a window or slot into the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus before implant placement. Instead, a mucoperiosteal flap, including the posterior maxillary wall and the superior zygomatic rim, is raised to allow visual control of the complete surgical field. The surgical management of the implant site is guided by the anatomy of the patient according to specific prosthetic, bio-mechanic, and anatomic criteria. The ZAGA Concept represents the logical evolution of the extra-sinus technique and ZAGA classification previously described by Aparicio. The results of using the combination of the ZAGA Concept together with the new ZAGA implant designs consistently show less traumatic osteotomy; better implant stability; improved bone to implant contact, and bone sealing around the implant neck. Additionally, the rate of late complications such as oral–sinus communication or soft tissue recession dramatically decreases when compared to the original technique.
Philanthropic Investment in Equity: Cultivating Grass Roots Leaders for the Equitable Revitalization of Marginalized Communities
Authors: Reece Jason , Hanlon Bernadette , Edwards Ryan
Published: February 2022

Community development must include deeper investment to foster a pipeline of community leaders to support equitable redevelopment practice in marginalized communities under threat of gentrification in the city. We argue that philanthropy is critical to develop this pipeline, particularly in the era of the neoliberal city. The following case study analyzes efforts to develop place-based grass roots leadership in marginalized neighborhoods of Columbus, Ohio. The United Way of Central Ohio, through their Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) program, has partnered with community organizations to develop multiple cohorts of grass roots neighborhood leaders over several years within three specific neighborhoods. Our case identifies how philanthropic investment into a grass roots leadership development model centered on equity has impacted policy outcomes, built bridging social capital and spurred successful activism. Our case illustrates a potential model for building social infrastructure through philanthropic investment to buttress potentially disruptive neighborhood change. In the era of the neoliberal city, neighborhoods can no longer rely upon federal funding, leaving redeveloping neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to market driven gentrification and displacement. In this void of resources, philanthropic efforts to support robust grass roots leadership is the last remaining defense against widespread displacement and the primary asset to support equitable development practices.
How Good Are We at Detecting a Phishing Attack? Investigating the Evolving Phishing Attack Email and Why It Continues to Successfully Deceive Society
Authors: Carroll Fiona , Adejobi John Ayooluwa , Montasari Reza
Published: February 2022

Phishing attacks are on the increase. The fact that our ways of living, studying and working have drastically changed as a result of the COVID pandemic (i.e., almost everything being done online) has created many new cyber security concerns. In particular, with the move to remote working, the number of phishing emails threatening employees has increased. The 2020 Phishing Attack Landscape Report (Greathorn: 2020 Phishing attack landscape. https://info.greathorn.com/report-2020-phishing-attack-landscape/, 2020) highlights a sharp increase in the frequency of attempted phishing attacks. In this paper, we are interested in how the phishing email attack has evolved to this very threatening state. In detail, we explore the current phishing attack characteristics especially the growing challenges that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper documents a study that presented test participants with five different categories of emails (including phishing and non phishing) . The findings from the study show that participants, generally, found it difficult to detect modern phishing email attacks. Saying that, participants were alert to the spelling mistakes of the older phishing email attacks, sensitive information being requested from them and any slight change to what they were normally used to from an email. Moreover, we have found that people were not confident, worried and often dissatisfied with the current technologies available to protect them against phishing emails. In terms of trust, these feelings alerted us to the increasing severity of the phishing attack situation and just how vulnerable society has become/ still is.
Updated analysis of data from Palmer Station, Antarctica (64° S), and San Diego, California (32° N), confirms large effect of the Antarctic ozone hole on UV radiation
Authors: Bernhard Germar H. , McKenzie Richard L. , Lantz Kathleen , Stierle Scott
Published: February 2022

The status of the stratospheric ozone layer is assessed by a panel of experts every 4 years. Reports prepared by this panel include a section with common questions and answers (Q&A) about ozone depletion and related matters. Since 2002, this Q&A supplement has featured a plot comparing historical and current ultraviolet (UV) Index data from Palmer Station, Antarctica (64° S), with measurements at San Diego, California (32° N), and Barrow, Alaska (79° N). The assumptions in generating these plots are discussed and an updated version is presented. The revised plot uses additional data up to the year 2020 and the methods used to create it are better defined and substantiated compared to those used for the legacy plot. Differences between the old and new UV Index values are small (typically < 5%). Both versions illustrate that the ozone hole has led to a large increase in the UV Index at Palmer Station. Between mid-September and mid-November, the maximum UV Index at this site has more than doubled compared to the pre-ozone-hole era (i.e., prior to 1980). When Palmer Station was below the ozone hole in December 1998, an “extreme” UV Index of 14 was observed, exceeding the highest UV Index of 12 ever measured at San Diego despite the city’s subtropical latitude. Increases in the UV Index at Barrow and San Diego remain below 40% and 3%, respectively.

Graphical abstract
New aspects of the photodegradation of iron(III) citrate: spectroscopic studies and plant-related factors
Authors: Gracheva Maria , Homonnay Zoltán , Singh Amarjeet , Fodor Ferenc , Marosi Vanda B. , Solti Ádám , Kovács Krisztina
Published: February 2022

Iron (Fe) is an essential cofactor for all livings. Although Fe membrane transport mechanisms often utilize FeII, uncoordinated or deliberated ferrous ions can initiate Fenton reactions. FeIII citrate complexes are among the most important complexed forms of FeIII especially in plants that, indeed, can undergo photoreduction. Since leaves as photosynthetic organs of higher plants are generally exposed to illumination in daytime, photoreaction of ferric species may have biological relevance in iron metabolism, the relevance of which is poorly understood. In present work FeIII citrate transformation during the photodegradation in solution and after foliar application on leaves was studied by Mössbauer analysis directly. To obtain irradiation time dependence of the speciation of iron in solutions, four model solutions of different pH values (1.5, 3.3, 5.5, and 7.0) with Fe to citrate molar ratio 1:1.1 were exposed to light. Highly acidic conditions led to a complete reduction of Fe together with the formation of FeII citrate and hexaaqua complexes in equal concentration. At higher pH, the only product of the photodegradation was FeII citrate, which was later reoxidized and polymerized, resulting in the formation of polynuclear stable ferric compound. To test biological relevance, leaves of cabbage were treated with FeIII citrate solution. X-ray fluorescence imaging indicated the accumulation of Fe in the treated leaf parts. Mössbauer analysis revealed the presence of several ferric species incorporated into the biological structure. The Fe speciation observed should be considered in biological systems where FeIII citrate has a ubiquitous role in Fe acquisition and homeostasis.

Graphical abstract