bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“North Korea and the Non-Aligned Movement: From Adulation to Marginalization”
Authors: Kerkhoff Nate
Published: May 2021

The diplomatic history of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (dprk) is intrinsically tied to Cold War politics, often in the context of the Communist versus capitalist paradigm regarding competition with the Republic of Korea (rok). However, North Korea’s actions outside of this scope were significant to understanding the full spectrum of its foreign policy of the Cold War era. This article explores the dprk’s relationship with the Non-Aligned Movement in an attempt to shed light on this largely under-studied aspect. As arguably the most important institution for the Global South during the Cold War, North Korea hoped to influence its members into isolating the rok politically and diplomatically. However, while it remains a member to this day, North Korea’s relevancy within the organization lasted for only a few short years. The following examination explores this phenomenon and argues that despite built-in advantages, North Korea’s own policy decisions led to its demise among significant voices in the organization and failure to achieve even any part of its overall goal.
Guess Again: Revisiting the Last Major US Apparel Union Campaign at 25
Authors: McBride Justin
Published: May 2021

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the last major union organizing drive in the United States apparel sector. unite ran a difficult five-year campaign against Guess jeans, the largest apparel label in Los Angeles’s then powerful apparel industry. Though the union used a complex web of strikes, boycotts, and employment law suits, victory eluded unite. This article recounts the multi-year fight through interviews with key union-side figures, supplemented with an analysis of contemporaneous press clippings and legal documents. Findings challenge existing scholarship on the campaign. The union was more innovative in fighting Guess than is often acknowledged, but failed to follow up on its efforts in the la sector, abandoning apparel workers to a race to the bottom. The piece also finds evidence that the core strategy of Guess might have been successful in mitigating effects of globalization on sectors with extensive supply chains.
A new species of ladyfish, of the genus Elops (Elopiformes: Elopidae), from the western Atlantic Ocean
Authors: MCBRIDE RICHARD S. , ROCHA CLAUDIA R. , RUIZ-CARUS RAMON , BOWEN BRIAN W.
Published: May 2021

v This paper describes Elops smithi, n. sp., and designates a lectotype for E. saurus. These two species can be separated from the five other species of Elops by a combination of vertebrae and gillraker counts. Morphologically, they can be distinguished from each other only by myomere (larvae) or vertebrae (adults) counts. Elops smithi has 73–80 centra (total number of vertebrae), usually with 75–78 centra; E. saurus has 79–87 centra, usually with 81–85 centra. No other morphological character is known to separate E. smithi and E. saurus, but the sequence divergence in mtDNA cytochrome b (d = 0.023–0.029) between E. smithi and E. saurus is similar to or greater than that measured between recognized species of Elops in different ocean basins. Both species occur in the western Atlantic Ocean, principally allopatrically but with areas of sympatry, probably via larval dispersal of E. smithi by oceanographic currents.
To the nomenclature of two species of the genus Adomerus (Heteroptera: Cydnidae)
Authors: AUKEMA BEREND , GAPON DMITRY , HEIJERMAN THEODOOR
Published: May 2021

The study of the lectotype of Sehirus fuscipennis Horváth, 1899 showed that this specimen is conspecific with Canthophorus maculipes sensu Aukema & Constant, 2016 and Adomerus maculipes sensu Gapon, 2018. To promote stability of nomenclature, the neotype of Cydnus maculipes Mulsant et Rey 1852 is designated instead of the lost syntypes. The name Sehirus aeneus Walker, 1867 is placed in synonymy with Adomerus maculipes (Mulsant et Rey, 1852). The name Adomerus fuscipennis (Horváth, 1899), stat. resurr. is reinstated. Colouration of the hemelytra, the structure of the parameres and aedeagi of the holotype of S. aeneus Walker, 1867 (female), of a male of A. maculipes, being topotypic with the latter, and of the lectotype of S. fuscipennis Horváth, 1899 are compared with each other and with descriptions of the terminalia of both species, recently published by the second author based on material from different localities. A map of the distribution of both species is given according to the literature data and studied collection materials.
A novel small-bodied rupicolous Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India, with comments on the status of C. indraneildasii, Bauer 2000
Authors: KHANDEKAR AKSHAY , THACKERAY TEJAS , AGARWAL ISHAN
Published: May 2021

We describe a distinct new rupicolous Cnemaspis based on four adult specimens collected from the Kedareshwar caves on Harishchandragad mountain, from the northern Western Ghats, approximately 1200 m asl. in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state, India. Cnemaspis uttaraghati sp. nov. can be diagnosed from all other peninsular Indian congeners by its small body size (maximum SVL < 39 mm), heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis, presence of spine-like tubercles on flanks; presence of only femoral pores in males; tail with enlarged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls; median row of sub-caudal scales smooth, slightly enlarged, regularly arranged with condition of two slightly larger scales alternating with a large divided scale. The new species is likely to be allied to the C. girii clade and can be diagnosed from its members by its slightly larger body size, presence of spine-like tubercles on flanks, the number of enlarged tubercles in paravertebral rows between forelimb and hindlimb insertions, the number of dorsal tubercle rows at mid-body, the number of ventral scales across belly at mid-body, the number of longitudinal ventral scales from mental to cloaca, and the number of lamellae under digit IV of manus. We also provide a detailed morphological dataset for C. goaensis and C. indraneildasii based on topotypic material and specimens collected from additional localities to confirm C. indraneildasii is a junior synonym of C. goaensis, and provide an updated diagnosis for C. goaensis.
Ocean Salinity Aspects of the Ningaloo Niño
Authors: Guo Yaru , Li Yuanlong , Wang Fan , Wei Yuntao
Published: May 2021

Ningaloo Niño—the interannually occurring warming episode in the southeast Indian Ocean (SEIO)—has strong signatures in ocean temperature and circulation and exerts profound impacts on regional climate and marine biosystems. Analysis of observational data and eddy-resolving regional ocean model simulations reveals that the Ningaloo Niño/Niña can also induce pronounced variability in ocean salinity, causing large-scale sea surface salinity (SSS) freshening of 0.15–0.20 psu in the SEIO during its warm phase. Model experiments are performed to understand the underlying processes. This SSS freshening is mutually caused by the increased local precipitation (~68%) and enhanced freshwater transport of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF; ~28%) during Ningaloo Niño events. The effects of other processes, such as local winds and evaporation, are secondary (~18%). The ITF enhances the southward freshwater advection near the eastern boundary, which is critical in causing the strong freshening (>0.20 psu) near the Western Australian coast. Owing to the strong modulation effect of the ITF, SSS near the coast bears a higher correlation with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (0.57, 0.77, and 0.70 with the Niño-3, Niño-4, and Niño-3.4 indices, respectively) than sea surface temperature (−0.27, −0.42, and −0.35) during 1993–2016. Yet, an idealized model experiment with artificial damping for salinity anomaly indicates that ocean salinity has limited impact on ocean near-surface stratification and thus minimal feedback effect on the warming of Ningaloo Niño.
Pediatric Head and Neck Tumors Associated with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Authors: Rodriguez Kenny D. , Schneider Kami Wolfe , Suttman Alexandra , Garrington Timothy , Jellins Tennyson , Tholen Kaitlyn , Francom Christian R. , Herrmann Brian W.
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Cancer predisposition syndromes are germline pathogenic variants in genes that greatly raise the risk of developing neoplastic diseases. One of the most well-known is Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), which is due to pathogenic variants in the TP53 gene. Children with LFS have higher risks for multiple malignancies before adulthood, often with rare and aggressive subtypes.

Objective:

To examine head and neck manifestations of LFS in children treated at a tertiary children’s hospital over a 20-year period.

Methods:

A retrospective review of LFS children with neoplastic disease presenting in traditional Otolaryngologic head and neck subsites from 2000 to 2019, with patient charts reviewed for relevant clinical, imaging, and operative data.

Results:

Of the 40 LFS patients initially identified, 27 neoplastic tumors were identified in 20 children within this cohort (20 primary, 7 second primary). Head and neck subsites aside from the brain or orbit were involved in 22% (6/27) of these tumors, representing 20% (4/20) of primary tumors and 29% (2/7) of second primary tumors. Both second primaries within the head and neck were within the radiation fields of the first primary tumor. The mean ages at primary and second primary diagnosis were 4.6 years (SD 3.5) and 12 years (SD 1.4), respectively. The male/female ratio was 1:6 among all patients with head and neck tumors. All 6 head and neck tumors were sarcomas. Rhabdomyosarcoma ( N = 3, 50%) was the most common pathology, and the other 3 demonstrated rare tumor pathological subtypes (synovial cell sarcoma, pleomorphic myxoid liposarcoma, mandibular osteosarcoma). The neck was the most common subsite (75%) within this group for primary tumor presentation.

Conclusion:

This study identifies a high potential for head and neck involvement in children with LFS, which has not been previously described in the literature. Otolaryngological care should be included in a multidisciplinary care team surveilling these patients.
Experimental study on mechanical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites reinforced with a hybrid graphene/PP-g-MA/kenaf fiber by response surface methodology
Authors: Mirzaei Jaber , Fereidoon Abdolhossein , Ghasemi-Ghalebahman Ahmad
Published: May 2021

In this study, the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanosheets, kenaf fiber, and polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used as the experimental design. The blends fabricated in three levels of parameters include 0, 0.75, and 1.5 wt% graphene nanosheets, 0, 7.5, and 15 wt% kenaf fiber, and 0, 3, and 6 wt% PP-g-MA, prepared by an internal mixer and a hot press machine. The fiber length was 5 mm and was being constant for all samples. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests were conducted to determine the blend properties. The purpose of this research is to achieve the highest mechanical properties of the considered nanocomposite blend. The addition of graphene nanosheets to 1 wt% increased the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths by 16%, 24%, and 19%, respectively, and an addition up to 1.5 wt% reduced them. With further addition of graphene nanosheets until 1.5 wt%, the elastic modulus was increased by 70%. Adding the kenaf fiber up to 15 wt% increased the elastic modulus, tensile, flexural, and impact strength by 24%, 84%, 18%, and 11%, respectively. The addition of PP-g-MA has increased the adhesion, dispersion and compatibility of graphene nanosheets and kenaf fibers with matrix. With 6 wt% PP-g-MA, the tensile strength and elastic modulus were increased by 18% and 75%, respectively. The addition of PP-g-MA to 5 wt% increased the flexural and impact strengths by 10% and 5%, respectively. From the entire experimental data, the optimum values for elastic modulus, as well as, tensile, flexural, and impact strengths in the blends were obtained to be 4 GPa, 33.7896 MPa, 57.6306 MPa, and 100.1421 J/m, respectively. Finally, samples were studied by FE-SEM to check the dispersion of graphene nanosheets, PP-g-MA and kenaf fibers in the polymeric matrix.
A generalized control scheme for system uncertainty estimation and cancellation
Authors: Wang Qing-Guo , Liu Tao , Nie Zhuo-Yun , Hao Shoulin , Ren Xuhui , Zhang Dan , Wang Lei
Published: May 2021

This paper addresses the control of a continuous-time system with possibly large uncertainty of unknown internal dynamics or external disturbance. A novel control scheme is proposed to estimate and cancel the system uncertainty effectively so as to enhance disturbance rejection (DR) performance. Unlike asymptotic analysis with infinite gain in the literature, the estimation transient analysis is carried out for the proposed scheme with a finite estimator gain and the precise error formulas are derived, based on a classical low-order plant description. The control performance associated with a realizable gain is quantified by tight bounds with respect to the ideal case, which enables easy parameter tuning. The necessary and sufficient condition for the internal stability of the control system is established, along with a D-decomposition method for determining the complete set of the gain intervals that could internally stabilize the plant. In the presence of measurement noise, a low-pass filter is introduced to attenuate its adverse effect. Simulations and semi-realistic experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, which shows evident improvement on DR performance over the well-known active DR control.
Semi-automated weak annotation for deep neural network skin thickness measurement
Authors: Jin Felix Q. , Knight Anna E. , Cardones Adela R. , Nightingale Kathryn R. , Palmeri Mark L.
Published: May 2021

Correctly calculating skin stiffness with ultrasound shear wave elastography techniques requires an accurate measurement of skin thickness. We developed and compared two algorithms, a thresholding method and a deep learning method, to measure skin thickness on ultrasound images. Here, we also present a framework for weakly annotating an unlabeled dataset in a time-effective manner to train the deep neural network. Segmentation labels for training were proposed using the thresholding method and validated with visual inspection by a human expert reader. We reduced decision ambiguity by only inspecting segmentations at the center A-line. This weak annotation approach facilitated validation of over 1000 segmentation labels in 2 hours. A lightweight deep neural network that segments entire 2D images was designed and trained on this weakly-labeled dataset. Averaged over six folds of cross-validation, segmentation accuracy was 57% for the thresholding method and 78% for the neural network. In particular, the network was better at finding the distal skin margin, which is the primary challenge for skin segmentation. Both algorithms have been made publicly available to aid future applications in skin characterization and elastography.
Algorithmic audiencing: Why we need to rethink free speech on social media
Authors: Riemer Kai , Peter Sandra
Published: May 2021

Social media platforms, such as Facebook, are today’s agoras, the spaces where public discourse takes place. Freedom of speech on social media has thus become a matter of concern, with calls for better regulation. Public debate revolves around content moderation, seen by some as necessary to remove harmful content, yet as censorship by others. In this article, we argue that the current debate is exclusively focused on the speaking side of speech but overlooks an important way in which platforms have come to interfere with free speech on the audience side. Rather than simply speaking to one’s follower network, algorithms now organise speech on social media with the aim to increase user engagement and marketability for targeted advertising. The result is that audiences for speech are now decided algorithmically, a phenomenon we term ‘algorithmic audiencing’. We put forward algorithmic audiencing as a discovery, a novel phenomenon that has been overlooked so far. We show that it interferes with free speech in unprecedented ways not possible in pre-digital times, by amplifying or suppressing speech for economic gain, which in turn distorts the free and fair exchange of ideas in public discourse. When black-boxed algorithms determine who we speak to the problematic for free speech changes from ‘what can be said’ to ‘what will be heard’ and ‘by whom’. We must urgently problematise the audience side of speech if we want to truly understand, and regulate, free speech on social media. For Information Systems research, algorithmic audiencing opens up entirely new research avenues.
The Power of Emotions: Negotiating Mother–Daughter Relationships in Seventeenth-century Hungary
Authors: Erdélyi Gabriella
Published: May 2021

This case study explores the epistolary strategies of negotiating the mother-daughter relationship through a reading of the correspondence between a widowed mother and her two married, half-sister daughters. Drawing on recent scholarship which investigates how emotional practices shaped relations of power, this study seeks to highlight how differences in age, social rank, and position in the family hierarchy between the half-sisters provoked distinctive strategies of bargaining their bonds to their mother. Furthermore, it contrasts rhetorical tactics adopted in everyday communication and in moments of crisis and interprets such epistolary strategies in the context of performing filial/maternal identities and doing authority.
Does minimally invasive approach reduce risk of infection after ventricular assist device implantation?
Authors: Kervan Umit , Tezer Yasemin , Kocabeyoglu Sinan Sabit , Sert Dogan Emre , Karahan Mehmet , Akdi Mustafa , Yilmaz Abdulkadir , Kocak Can , Colak Abdurahim , Catav Zeki
Published: May 2021

Background:

We analyzed patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) related and specific infection, and aimed to determine whether surgical technique implantation affect the frequency of infection.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 99 patients who received LVAD at our department between June 2013 and June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique. Group A ( n = 58) was conventional sternotomy (CS) and group B ( n = 41) was on-pump minimally invasive left thoracotomy (MILT). Demographics, preoperative risk factors, LVAD infections, surgical incision site, driveline site, and outcomes were compared between these two groups.

Results:

Mean follow up time was 589 ± 480 (31–2171) days. Infection was detected in 34% (41/99) of LVAD patients. Admission to emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU) in last 6 months were significantly higher in MILT group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of driveline exit site infection (CS: 28%, MILT: 27%) ( p > 0.05). Seven (17%) patients had infection in the thoracotomy incision site area in the MILT group. The rate of ICU hospitalization in the last 6 months was seen as the only independent risk factor increasing the frequency of infection (R = 0.30; p = 0.016). Survival analysis at 60 days, 1 year and 2 years showed no difference between the two groups ( p = 0.09).

Conclusions:

Despite advances in pump technology and surgical technique, infection is still an important cause of mortality and morbidity.
Bisphenol A decreases expression of Insulin-like factor 3 and induces histopathological changes in the Testes of Rats
Authors: Sencar Leman , coskun Gulfidan , Şaker Dilek , Sapmaz Tuğçe , Tuli Abdullah , Özgür Hülya , Polat Sait
Published: May 2021

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical agent known to have detrimental reproductive and developmental effects. The tissue-specific impacts of BPA exposures and target tissues sensitiveness to BPA are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term dose-dependent toxic effects of BPA on rat testes. Forty-eight Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups each containing 12 rats. To induce toxicity, BPA was administered orally at three different dosages (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) for 14 and 28 days, respectively. Testis tissues were examined using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical methods. Serum testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured. Additionally, insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) as a marker of Leydig cell function was evaluated immunohistochemically. Groups administered high doses of BPA showed severe degenerations such as testicular atrophy, spermatogenic arrest, and interstitial edema in testis. Also, a significant decrease in INSL3 immunoreactivity and serum LH and T levels was found. The results indicated that both increased exposure time and dosage of BPA caused more serious detrimental effects on testes in the rat. Decreased INSL3 and T levels was evidence of Leydig cell function impairment due to BPA.
The agile ethics process: An oxymoron or a new paradigm in education?
Authors: Padley Ann
Published: May 2021

Project-based innovation and entrepreneurship curricula encourage learners to approach challenges in an agile, iterative way, allowing for flexibility to respond to new information throughout the research and idea development process. This approach often clashes with traditional ethical approval processes designed for a more predictable set of research methods. This account of practice explores the tensions thus arising and asks how the ethics review process might better support the development of future ethical, responsible innovators? Three key insights related to the importance of balance, language and shared understanding are introduced and presented as part of a pilot project.
What makes violence martial? Adopt A Sniper and normative imaginaries of violence in the contemporary United States
Authors: Millar Katharine M
Published: May 2021

What makes violence martial? Contemporary militarism scholarship, owing to an analytical overdetermination of the role of military institutions, frequently conflates martiality with violence writ large. Drawing upon the illustrative case of Adopt A Sniper, a US military support charity founded by police officers operating during the global war on terror and intended to help supporters ‘directly contribute to the killing of the enemy’, this article interrogates the intuitive ‘line’ between martial and other, particularly colonial, forms of violence. To do so, I develop the concept of ‘normative imaginaries of violence’ – articulations of intersubjective beliefs; political community; spatial geographies; gendered, sexualized, racialized and classed power relations; and logics of legitimation. Through this lens, and informed by the work of Frantz Fanon, the article demonstrates that though coloniality and martiality are deeply intertwined, they are neither reducible to nor epiphenomenal of each other. Through a juxtaposition of the titular sniper with two additional figures invoked by Adopt A Sniper – the militiaman and the vigilante – I outline a novel, genealogical method that enables us to trace the entangled histories of contemporary violences and identify the implicit politics of ordering at work in existing, often fragmented, analyses of political violence.
Primary Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of Breast: 2 Further Cases with Review of the Literature
Authors: Hanfee Amna Rashid , Ghazi Kinzah Razzak , Ashfaq Zoonish , Kayani Naila , Din Nasir Ud
Published: May 2021

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a tumor derived from antigen-presenting cells and can occur within lymphoid tissue or at extranodal sites. FDCS of the breast is remarkably rare, with only 4 cases previously reported in literature. FDCS appears grossly as a well-circumscribed, firm mass with a grey-yellow surface, areas of necrosis, and histologically comprises of spindled, oval, or epithelioid cells with intensely eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemistry plays a key role in its diagnosis. Here we describe 2 cases of FDCS of breast in 2 women aged 70 and 35 years old, who presented with a palpable lump in the breast. One patient had concomitant invasive ductal carcinoma as well. We highlight the key histopathological and immunohistochemical features of the tumor.
Sono-angiography for dialysis vascular access based on the freehand 2D ultrasound scanning
Authors: Weitzel William F , Rajaram Nirmala , Krishnamurthy Venkataramu N , Hamilton James , Thelen Brian J , Zheng Yihao , Morgan Timothy , Funes-Lora Miguel Angel , Yessayan Lenar , Bishop Brandie , Shih Albert J
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Dialysis vascular access, preferably an autogenous arteriovenous fistula, remains an end stage renal disease (ESRD) patient’s lifeline providing a means of connecting the patient to the dialysis machine. Once an access is created, the current gold standard of care for maintenance of vascular access is angiography and angioplasty to treat stenosis. While point of care 2D ultrasound has been used to detect access problems, we sought to reproduce angiographic results comparable to the gold standard angiogram (fistulogram) using ultrasound data acquired from a conventional 2D ultrasound scanner.

Methods:

A 2D ultrasound probe was used to acquire a series of cross sectional images of the vascular access including arteriovenous anastomosis of a subject with a radio-cephalic fistula. These 2D B-mode images were used for 3D vessel reconstruction by binary thresholding to categorize vascular versus non-vascular structures followed by standard image segmentation to select the structure representative of dialysis vascular access and morphologic filtering. Image processing was done using open source Python Software.

Results:

The open source software was able to: (1) view the gold standard fistulogram images, (2) reconstruct 2D planar images of the fistula from ultrasound data as viewed from the top, analogous to computerized tomography images, and (3) construct a 2D representation of vascular access similar to the angiogram.

Conclusion:

We present a simple approach to obtain an angiogram-like representation of the vascular access from readily available, non-proprietary 2D ultrasound data in the point of care setting. While the sono-angiogram is not intended to replace angiography, it may be useful in providing 3D imaging at the point of care in the dialysis unit, outpatient clinic, or for pre-operative planning for interventional procedures. Future work will focus on improving the robustness and quality of the imaging data while preserving the straightforward freehand approach used for ultrasound data acquisition.
Isolated Congenital Mastoid Cholesteatoma with no Involvement of Aditus Ad Antrum and Middle Ear
Authors: Annalisa Pace , Giannicola Iannella , Valeria Rossetti , Daniela Messineo , Irene Claudia Visconti , Roberta Polimeni , Alessandro Milani , Giuseppe Magliulo
Published: May 2021

Cholesteatoma is a non-neoplastic, keratinized squamous epithelial lesion that affects the temporal bone. The middle ear is the most frequent, while the isolated cholesteatoma of the mastoid is rare. The aim of this study was to describe a rare case of isolated mastoid cholesteatoma with no involvement of aditus ad antrum and middle ear including a literature review of the topic. This case report describes the case of a 58 years old female with a cholesteatoma isolated in the mastoid region, evidenced by imaging (computer tomography and magnetic resonance). A mastoidectomy was performed: mastoid process was completely involved, but antrum was not reached. Moreover, it reached the soft tissue of stylomastoid foramen as well as the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. In the literature few articles described cases of cholesteatoma isolated in the mastoid region. Research was conducted using PubMed and reference list and there were considered only reports about cholesteatoma exclusively located in the mastoid process without involvement of antrum or middle ear. Fourteen articles were included in this review, with a total number of 23 cases of cholesteatoma isolated in the mastoid region. All papers analyzed reported the cases of isolated mastoid cholesteatoma that presented a congenital origin. Its diagnosis is difficult, therefore, imaging evaluation is mandatory and surgery is the treatment of choice. Mastoid cholesteatomas without involvement of aditus ad antrum and middle ear are rare and only 23 cases are reported in literature. Our case is in line with all clinical and diagnostic features of this rare disease, but it is the only one that evidenced an exposure of the soft tissue of stylomastoid foramen as well as the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. The treatment of choice was the surgical one, avoiding damaging of important anatomo-functional structure.
Where is semiotic-cultural constructivism in psychology heading? Contemporary reflections on the trajectory of an approach to cultural psychology
Authors: Silva Guimarães Danilo
Published: May 2021

This article aims to discuss the relationship between personal cultural experience and knowledge construction in psychology, from the perspective of the Semiotic-Cultural Constructivism. The thoughts here presented are, at the same time, from within psychology and about psychology. The researcher is culturally situated and science is a field of production of cultural works that aims to create perspectives of knowledge about the world. Researchers can and must create some detachment from their field of study to be able to understand the course of their own knowledge constructions. This detachment is achieved through a historical–philosophical view on the theoretical–methodological propositions of their field of research. As a case study, we selected for analysis the field’s pioneer productions, from the years 1982 to 2004. The material showed that the rationality that characterizes scientific research is directed, in this field, to creating semiotic resources for further developing reflexivity in psychology, as a recursive and open-ended process. The theoretical–methodological work of the researcher concerns its own personal cultural experience and the tradition of the already constructed knowledge, selected to a dialogue about the ethical implications of human action. Therefore, advances in psychological knowledge construction cannot be addressed from an external, allegedly neutral point of view, focused on the efficacy of the instruments resulting from the said “scientific progress.”
Addressing the Sophomore Slump: First-Generation College Students’ Completion of Year Two of Study in a Rural Bachelor’s Degree Granting College
Authors: Capik Davina , Shupp Matthew
Published: May 2021

There is limited research on the experiences of first-generation students who have completed their second year and enrolled for a third year in order to continue their studies even though this population of students are the most likely to drop out of college in their second year. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how current first-generation college students, who are enrolled or completed the second semester of their sophomore year, experience college as a first-generation student and made the decision to persist toward completing their bachelor’s degree. Through first-hand accounts of participants’ experiences of their time at the university, this study highlights what factors students contributed to their persistence toward graduation. The findings have the potential to facilitate a deeper understanding of what stakeholders working with first-generation college students can do to assist in retention efforts of this population.
Implementing a Review Process to Facilitate and Prioritize COVID-19 Research: Staying One Step Ahead of the Pandemic
Authors: Gourna Paleoudis Elli , Jacobs Laurie G. , Friedman Tamara , Fittizzi Cheryl , Sawczuk Ihor , Aschner Judy
Published: May 2021

The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient in the state of New Jersey (NJ) was admitted on March 2, 2020. With the number of hospitalized patients increasing exponentially in the following days and no established treatment approaches, research was to play a significant role in this fight. To facilitate review of all COVID-19 research proposals in a large health care network in NJ, we established the COVID-19 Research Review Committee (RRC) and implemented a peer-review process prior to the Institutional Review Board submission. The RRC was tasked with processing, soliciting, reviewing, and prioritizing research proposals and was comprised of a multidisciplinary group of reviewers. Within a 9-week period, three network-wide requests for proposals were released with 238 proposals submitted and 93 approved, an approval rate of 39%. The establishment of the RRC helped ensure scientific merit, better utilization of resources, collaborations across disciplines and network hospitals, and compliance with applicable regulatory and ethical standard.
Association of Gap Healing With Angle of Correction After Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Without Bone Grafting
Authors: Park Hyung Jun , Kang Seung-Baik , Chang Moon Jong , Chang Chong Bum , Jung Woon Hwa , Jin Heejin
Published: May 2021

Background:

Studies have reported that opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) without bone grafting has outcomes that are similar to or even better than those of OWHTO with bone grafting, especially after use of a locking plate. However, a consensus on managing the gap after OWHTO has not been established.

Purpose:

To determine the degree of gap healing achieved without bone grafting, the factors associated with gap healing, and whether additional gap healing would be obtained after plate removal.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 73 patients who underwent OWHTO without bone grafting between 2015 and 2018. Patients in the study were divided into 2 groups based on the correction angle: small correction group (<10°; SC group) and large correction group (≥10°; LC group). The locking plate used in OWHTO was removed at a mean of 13.5 months after surgery in 65 patients. Radiographic indexes were measured: gap filling height, gap vacancy ratio (GVR), and osteotomy filling index. The acceptable gap healing was defined as an osteotomy filling index ≥3. The factors related to gap healing around the osteotomy site were selected after multicollinearity analysis.

Results:

Although both groups achieved acceptable gap healing regardless of the correction angle, the SC group showed higher and earlier gap healing than did the LC group (gap healing rate 81.4% in the SC group vs 41.7% in the LC group at 3 months postoperatively). The GVR was 8.6% in the SC group and 15.3% in the LC group at 12 months after surgery ( P = .005). Both the amount of time that elapsed after surgery and the correction angle were associated with gap healing ( P < .05). Additional gap healing was observed after plate removal, as the GVR decreased 2.7% more in the patients with plate removal than in patients who did not have plate removal ( P = .012).

Conclusion:

All patients achieved acceptable gap healing without bone graft. The degree of gap healing was higher in the SC group and increased over time. Gap healing was promoted after plate removal. Considering the results of this study, a bone graft is not necessary in routine OWHTO in terms of gap healing.
Even-If: Sufficient, Yet Unnecessary Conditions for Worldmaking
Authors: Sarasvathy Saras D.
Published: May 2021

The scientific method seeks to identify cause-and-effect relationships using experimentation to test hypotheses through correspondence with an objective reality. Hans Vaihinger explicated the role of as-if logic in how science actually works in practice. Milton Friedman built on Vaihinger’s philosophy to argue the same for economics. Here I offer even-if as the logic for effectuation that in turn forms the basis for the entrepreneurial method. Entrepreneurship seeks not merely to test hypotheses but to co-create hypotheses worth reifying. In doing so, effectual entrepreneurship embodying an even-if logic can work with both possibilistic thinking and a variety of aspects of human imagination.
Mind, Body, and Soul: A Spiritual Perspective on the Entrepreneurial Imagination
Authors: Chiles Todd H. , Crawford Brett , Elias Sara R. S. T. A.
Published: May 2021

We develop a spiritual perspective on the entrepreneurial imagination, addressing imagined futures in this “conversations and controversies” section on entrepreneurial futures. Specifically, we blend heterodox ideas from various yoga traditions, experiential sources of religion, and the work of poet-mystic William Blake. These diverse sources echo related ideas in a coherent way—uniquely embracing both transcendence and immanence, both mind and body. We structure our argument around the latter binary, making connections to spirituality and entrepreneurial imagination in each domain. We begin with the mind, acknowledging imagination as a mental act. Specifically, we explore the conscious, unconscious, and spiritual mind. We then turn to the body, recognizing imagination’s bodily basis. In particular, we investigate the corporeal, sensory, and spiritual body. Before offering some concluding thoughts, we discuss implications for entrepreneurial imagination with a focus on walking meditation (and contemplative practices of walking more generally) as one potentially fruitful way to engage mind-body-spirit and the forward-looking entrepreneurial imagination.
The Frequency and Characteristics of Facial Injury Following COVID-19 Social Distancing Laws: Newcastle, (Australia) Observations
Authors: Qiu Michael M. , Hoffman Gary R.
Published: May 2021

The imposition of COVID-19 social distancing laws serendipitously decreased the frequency and altered the characteristics of facial injury presentation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the devolution of social distancing laws had the opposite effect. Materials and methods: The authors undertook a retrospective study of the clinical records of a cohort of patients who sustained a facial injury during COVID-19 social distancing devolution. The primary predictor valuable was the 8 week devolution of social distancing. Other variables consisted of a heterogeneous set of factors grouped into logical categories: demographic, injury specifics, and treatment. A descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken on the assembled results. Results: The study found that the absolute numbers of facial injury presentation rose from 73 to 120; a 64% increase. The study also found that there was an alteration to the characteristics of facial injury presentation across the study variables. Conclusion: The initial imposition and subsequent devolution of COVID-19 social distancing measures had a serendipitous public health benefit. Initially there was a decrease in the frequency of facial injury presentation followed by an increase upon cessation of social distancing restrictions
Modelling, kinetics and equilibrium studies of crystal violet adsorption on modified montmorillonite by sodium dodecyl sulfate and hyamine surfactants
Authors: Sarabadan Malihe , Bashiri Hadis , Mousavi Seyed Mahdi
Published: May 2021

Two novel adsorbents – montmorillonite (Mnt)-hyamine and Mnt-hyamine-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) – were synthesized using Mnt nanoparticles. The modified Mnt and Mnt nanoparticles were used for the removal of crystal violet from water, and they were characterized using various techniques. The effects of pH, time, temperature, adsorbent dosage and initial dye concentration on the dye-removal efficiency were investigated using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions for maximum dye removal were obtained. The optimum conditions for crystal violet adsorption on Mnt-hyamine, Mnt-hyamine-SDS and Mnt nanoparticles are temperatures 25.00°C, 29.97°C and 27.28°C; pH values 9.00, 10.41 and 9.40; adsorbent dosages 1.00, 1.15 and 1.06 g L–1; and initial dye concentrations 30.00, 98.74 and 99.44 mg L–1, respectively. The adsorbent dosage is the most critical variable for dye removal. Temkin and Langmuir are the best isotherms for studying adsorption equilibria. In the kinetic study, the fractal-like integrated kinetic Langmuir model was the most appropriate model, and the thermodynamic parameters were also determined. The synthesized adsorbents could be easily separated from solution. The Mnt-hyamine-SDS adsorbent has a high adsorption capacity (690.69 mg g–1) for the removal of crystal violet.
Investigation of product-derived lymphoma following infusion of piggyBac-modified CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells
Authors: Micklethwaite Kenneth P. , Gowrishankar Kavitha , Gloss Brian S. , Li Ziduo , Street Janine A. , Moezzi Leili , Mach Melanie A. , Sutrave Gaurav , Clancy Leighton E. , Bishop David C. , Louie Raymond H. Y. , Cai Curtis , Foox Jonathan , MacKay Matthew , Sedlazeck Fritz J. , Blombery Piers , Mason Christopher E. , Luciani Fabio , Gottlieb David J. , Blyth Emily
Published: May 2021

We performed a phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate outcomes in patients receiving donor-derived CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for B-cell malignancy that relapsed or persisted after matched related allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplant. To overcome the cost and transgene-capacity limitations of traditional viral vectors, CAR T cells were produced using the piggyBac transposon system of genetic modification. Following CAR T-cell infusion, 1 patient developed a gradually enlarging retroperitoneal tumor due to a CAR-expressing CD4+ T-cell lymphoma. Screening of other patients led to the detection, in an asymptomatic patient, of a second CAR T-cell tumor in thoracic para-aortic lymph nodes. Analysis of the first lymphoma showed a high transgene copy number, but no insertion into typical oncogenes. There were also structural changes such as altered genomic copy number and point mutations unrelated to the insertion sites. Transcriptome analysis showed transgene promoter–driven upregulation of transcription of surrounding regions despite insulator sequences surrounding the transgene. However, marked global changes in transcription predominantly correlated with gene copy number rather than insertion sites. In both patients, the CAR T-cell–derived lymphoma progressed and 1 patient died. We describe the first 2 cases of malignant lymphoma derived from CAR gene–modified T cells. Although CAR T cells have an enviable record of safety to date, our results emphasize the need for caution and regular follow-up of CAR T recipients, especially when novel methods of gene transfer are used to create genetically modified immune therapies. This trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12617001579381.
Breaking down population density into different components to better understand its spatial variation
Authors: Jacquier Mickaël , Vandel Jean-Michel , Léger François , Duhayer Jeanne , Pardonnet Sylvia , Say Ludovic , Devillard Sébastien , Ruette Sandrine
Published: May 2021

Background

Population size and densities are key parameters in both fundamental and applied ecology, as they affect population resilience to density-dependent processes, habitat changes and stochastic events. Efficient management measures or species conservation programs thus require accurate estimates of local population densities across time and space, especially for continuously distributed species. For social species living in groups, population density depends on different components, namely the number of groups and the group size, for which relative variations in space may originate from different environmental factors. Whether resulting spatial variations in density are mostly triggered by one component or the other remains poorly known. Here, we aimed at determining the magnitude of the spatial variation in population densities of a social, group-living species, i.e. the European badgerMeles meles, in 13 different sites of around 50 km2across France, to decipher whether sett density, group size or proportion of occupied sett variation is the main factor explaining density variation. Besides the intrinsic factors of density variation, we also assessed whether habitat characteristics such as habitat fragmentation, urbanisation, and resource availability, drove both the spatial variation of density components and local population densities.

Results

We proposed a new standardised approach combining use of multiple methods, namely distance sampling for estimating the density of occupied sett clusters, i.e. group density, and camera and hair trapping for genetic identification to determine the mean social group size. The density of adult badgers was on average 3.8 per km2(range 1.7–7.9 per km2) and was positively correlated with the density of sett clusters. The density of adult badgers per site was less related to the social group size or to the proportion of occupied sett clusters. Landscape fragmentation also explained the spatial variation of adult badger density, with highly fragmented landscapes supporting lower adult densities. Density components were linked differently to environmental variables.

Conclusions

These results underline the need to break down population density estimates into several components in group-living species to better understand the pattern of temporal and spatial variation in population density, as different components may vary due to different ecological factors.
Time spent on the smartphone does not relate to manual dexterity in young adults
Authors: Petrigna Luca , Treigienė Milda , Thomas Ewan , Mani Diba , Pajaujiene Simona , Drid Patrik , Lavanco Gioacchino , Palma Antonio , Bianco Antonino
Published: May 2021

Background

The Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) is widely adopted to evaluate manual dexterity, it presents normative data but the test is influenced by different factors. The influence of time spent on smartphones has not been considered before, for this reason, the objective of this study was to evaluate if smartphone use influences the time to complete the GPT. A total of 38 (21 women; 17 men) young adults 20.7 (1.5) years participated in the study. The time spent on the smartphones during the last seven days was recorded through the device itself and the GPT performance was measured. A correlation analysis between the time spent on the smartphone and GPT was performed while the t-test was adopted to evaluate gender differences.

Results

No statistically significant differences were detected between men and women in the time to complete the GPT (p = 0.20) and in the time spent on the smartphone (p = 0.87). The GPT and the time spent using the smartphone were not correlated (r = 0.044, p = 0.78).

Conclusion

The time spent on the smartphone by young adults does not influence the time to complete the GPT, indicating that smartphone use does not influence measures of manual dexterity.