bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of colors on human memory in learning English collocations: evidence from south Asian tertiary ESL students
Authors: Khan Jahangeer , Liu Chengyu
Published: September 2020

This paper aims to highlight the significance of color that captivates human attention in learning English collocations in an educational setting. In order to expedite the impact of color on memory, an empirical research was conducted, in which 30 South Asian ESL students of a local university in China were selected as participants, equally divided into the experimental and the control groups. All the participants were taught literal and context-based meanings of 30 English collocations for three consecutive days. A pre-test and a post-test were administered to assess the impact of color on the students’ working memory in learning English collocations. Prior to assessing the impact of color on memory, the participants in the experimental group were exposed to the underlined collocations as written on colorful papers (yellow), while same collocations were imprinted on simple white color papers for the controlled group. A t-test was administered for the statistical analysis of the data. Comparatively, in the post-test, the participants in the experimental group remarkably outperformed while retrieving English collocations and their meanings by the virtue of yellow color. The finding of the current paper lends support to the notion that color, as an environmental stimulus, may greatly affect human working memory in learning English collocations. The study is expected to provide implications to text and curriculum designers by supplementing ESL learners with colorful texts and images in order to harness their language efficiencies and performances.
#CardioOncology: Twitter chat as a mechanism for increasing awareness of heart health for cancer patients
Authors: Conley Claire C. , Goyal Neha G. , Brown Sherry-Ann
Published: September 2020

Consideration of heart health for cancer survivors is increasingly important, as improved cancer survivorship has resulted in a growing number of survivors affected by cardiovascular disease. However, there is limited knowledge of cardio-oncology among both patients and a variety of health professionals. Thus, efforts are needed to increase awareness about cardio-oncology. Social media represents one potential opportunity to disseminate information about cardio-oncology to a large audience. We highlight one example of a social media educational/advocacy campaign conducted on Twitter (a “Twitter Chat”) that garnered nearly 1.2 million impressions (views by Twitter users) in just 24 h. We provide both quantitative and qualitative data to support the efficacy of using Twitter for such educational/advocacy campaigns, and describe key features that contributed to its success. Twitter Chats inexpensively utilize innovative technology to provide education and foster community. Long-term studies are needed to understand whether Twitter Chats can change knowledge and behavior related to cardio-oncology.
C-C chemokine receptor type 5 links COVID-19, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hydroxychloroquine: in silico analysis
Authors: Hachim Mahmood Y. , Hachim Ibrahim Y. , Naeem Kashif Bin , Hannawi Haifa , Al Salmi Issa , Hannawi Suad
Published: September 2020

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represent one of the fragile patient groups that might be susceptible to the critical form of the coronavirus disease − 19 (COVID-19). On the other side, RA patients have been found not to have an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Moreover, some of the Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS) commonly used to treat rheumatic diseases like Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were proposed as a potential therapy for COVID-19 with a lack of full understanding of their molecular mechanisms. This highlights the need for the discovery of common pathways that may link both diseases at the molecular side. In this research, we used the in silico approach to investigate the transcriptomic profile of RA synovium to identify shared molecular pathways with that of severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus-2 (SARS-COV-2) infected lung tissue. Our results showed upregulation of chemotactic factors, including CCL4, CCL8, and CCL11, that all shared CCR5 as their receptor, as a common derangement observed in both diseases; RA and COVID-19. Moreover, our results also highlighted a possible mechanism through which HCQ, which can be used as a monotherapy in mild RA or as one of the triple-DMARDs therapy (tDMARDs; methotrexate, sulphasalazine, and HCQ), might interfere with the COVID-19 infection. This might be achieved through the ability of HCQ to upregulate specific immune cell populations like activated natural killer (NK) cells, which were found to be significantly reduced in COVID-19 infection. In addition to its ability to block CCR5 rich immune cell recruitment that also was upregulated in the SARS-COV-2 infected lungs. This might explain some of the reports that showed beneficial effects.
Enhancing the roles of information and communication technologies in doctoral research processes
Authors: Stein Sarah J. , Sim Kwong Nui
Published: September 2020

While information and communication technologies (ICT) are prominent in educational practices at most levels of formal learning, there is relatively little known about the skills and understandings that underlie their effective and efficient use in research higher degree settings. This project aimed to identify doctoral supervisors’ and students’ perceptions of their roles in using ICT. Data were gathered through participative drawing and individual discussion sessions. Participants included 11 students and two supervisors from two New Zealand universities. Focus of the thematic analysis was on the views expressed by students about their ideas, practices and beliefs, in relation to their drawings. The major finding was that individuals hold assumptions and expectations about ICT and their use; they make judgements and take action based on those expectations and assumptions. Knowing about ICT and knowing about research processes separately form only part of the work of doctoral study. Just as supervision cannot be considered independently of the research project and the student involved, ICT skills and the use of ICT cannot be considered in the absence of the people and the project. What is more important in terms of facilitating the doctoral research process is students getting their “flow” right. This indicates a need to provide explicit support to enable students to embed ICT within their own research processes.
Population data and genetic diversity analysis of 17 Y-STR loci in Saudi population
Authors: Ch. Kassab Ahmed , Alaqeel Hissah Fahad Mohammed , Messaoudi Safia A. , Babu Saranya R. , Shahid Sajjad Ali , Chaudhary Abdul Rauf
Published: September 2020

Background

The Y chromosome polymorphism has been widely studied for human migrations, population genetics, forensic applications, and paternity analysis. However, studies regarding genetic lineage and population genetic structure of the Y chromosome in different regions of Saudi Arabia are limited.

Aim

This study aimed to analyze the distribution of Y chromosome haplotypes in a sample of 125 native Saudi males from different geographic regions of Saudi Arabia and compare to previously published Y chromosome haplotype data from Saudi Arabia and some neighboring Arab populations.

Materials and methods

Buccal swabs were collected from 125 healthy unrelated native Saudi males from different geographic regions of Saudi Arabia. Genomic DNA was extracted by Chelex®100; 17 Y-STR loci were amplified using the AmpFℓlSTR Yfiler PCR amplification kit and detected on the 3130 Genetic AnalyzerTM. Allele frequency and gene diversity were calculated with online tool STRAF. The Saudi population data were compared with the neighboring populations using pairwise genetic distances and associated probability values were calculated using the Y Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database Website (YHRD) software.

Results and conclusion

One hundred six YSTR haplotypes and 102 YSTR alleles (excluding 4 null alleles) were identified having a discrimination capacity (DC) of 85.8%. The highest haplotype diversity (HD) and gene diversity (GD) were observed at the loci DYS 458 (0.817) and DYS385b (0.807), respectively. According to our results, the Iraqi and Qena (Egypt) populations appeared to have closer relatedness to the Saudi population as compared with Yemen. The UAE and Kuwait populations showed the same degree of relatedness to the Saudi population followed by Bahrain. On the contrary, the Adnanit and Qahtanit populations of Jordan demonstrated low genetic distance from the Saudi population. In short, studying a population sample of pure Saudi ethnicity enabled us to identify a unique set of haplotypes which may help in establishing genetic relatedness between Saudi and the neighboring Arab populations. The present paper, therefore, highlights the importance of ensuring ethnic originality of the study sample while conducting population genetics studies.
Effect of Bacillus and Trichoderma species in the management of the bacterial wilt of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) in the field
Authors: Kariuki Caroline K. , Mutitu Eunice W. , Muiru William M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most devastating diseases in tomato cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bacillus and Trichoderma isolates to manage the bacterial wilt disease.

Main body of the abstract

Field experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design at Mwea and Kabete sites in Kenya. The treatments included 3 Trichoderma; 2 Bacillus isolates; a mixture of T1, T2, and T4; chemical standard; and distilled water as control. Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates were grown on sterilized sorghum grain and cow manure carriers respectively. Antagonist’s inoculation was carried out by dipping tomato plants for 30 min in each treatment suspension. Each treatment was then applied at a rate of 150 ml/plant hole and this was repeated after 35 days. All the treatments significantly reduced bacterial wilt incidence and severity at P ≤ 0.05 than the control at both sites. Trichoderma isolate T1, followed by Bacillus isolate CB64, was the best in reducing the disease incidence by more than 61.66 and 53%, respectively at both sites. Treatment CB64 and T1 had the highest reduction of R. solanacearum population in the soil by 93.17 and 92.07%, respectively. However, control had a pathogen increase of 20.40%. CB64 and T1 performed significantly better compared to the standard, while the mixture of isolates T1, T2, and T4 performed the poorest in all parameters. The treatments also increased the yield of tomato.

Short conclusion

Results from this study showed that Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates are effective biological control agents for use in management of bacterial wilt.
Impact of emamectin benzoate on nucleopolyhedrosis virus infectivity of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: El-Helaly Alexandra A. , Sayed Waheed A. A. , El-Bendary Helmy M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Attempts based on increasing the efficacy of Baculovirus and/or reducing the application concentration of synthetic insecticides through integrated lepidopteran management are appreciated role for conserving the environment. Impact of the multiple nucleopolyhedrosis virus (SpliMNPV) with emamectin benzoate (Em) against the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis, was examined to identify the effective strategy for applying both agents in the control program successfully.

Main body

The LC50 and LC90 were drastically decreased from 1.9 × 106 and 1.0 × 1010 PIB/ml in SpliMNPV treatment to reach 8.87 × 101 and 1 × 104 PIB/ml, respectively in the SpliMNPV concentrations + Em LC25 treatment. This interaction was considered as potentiation. Larvicidal activity of Em was highly increased by Em concentrations + SpliMNPV LC25 treatment than the separately Em treatment; however, this interaction was considered as additive. Moreover, the mixture treatment (SpliMNPV LC99 + Em LC50) provided almost full protection of viral pathogenicity up to 48 h at natural exposure periods. Furthermore, the mixture treatment had a negative impact on the insect survival and reproduction of treated individuals.

Conclusion

Results indicated that the virus infectivity was increased by a mixture treatment of SpliMNPV + Em in particular facing UV sunlight, which causes virus degradation as well as reduced the effective doses of Em. These findings suggest that this simultaneous treatment maybe an effective technique to be applied in S. littoralis control strategy.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy after acute ischemic stroke with large penumbra: a case report
Authors: Hussein Omar , Sawalha Khalid , Elazim Ahmed Abd , Greene-Chandos Diana , Torbey Michel T.
Published: September 2020

Background

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for the treatment of acute stroke has been under the radar for a long time. Previous studies have not been able to prove efficacy. Several factors might have contributed to such inconsistent results. The timing of delivering the hyperbaric oxygen in relation to the stage of stroke evolution may be an important factor. This was not taken into account in the previous studies as there was no feasible and standardized method to assess the penumbra in the acute phase. Now with the perfusion scan appearing as a key player in the acute stroke management, precise stroke patient selection for hyperbaric oxygen therapy deserves a second chance similar to mechanical thrombectomy.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old female patient who presented with acute large vessel stroke was not eligible for chemical or mechanical thrombectomy. There was a large penumbra on imaging. She got treated with several sessions of hyperbaric oxygen over a 2-week period immediately after stroke. The patient showed significant improvement on the follow-up perfusion imaging as well as some clinical improvement. The more impressive radiological improvement was probably due to the presence of relatively large core infarction at baseline affecting functional brain areas. The patient continued to improve clinically on her 6-month follow up visit.

Conclusion

Our case demonstrates immediate stroke-related penumbra improvement associated with HBOT. Based on that, we anticipate a potential role for HBOT in acute stroke management considering precise patient selection. Future randomized controlled trials are needed and should take that in consideration.
Achievable aspiration flow rates with large balloon guide catheters during carotid artery stenting
Authors: Schubert Tilman , Rivera-Rivera Leonardo , Roldan-Alzate Alejandro , Consigny Daniel , Leitner Lorenz , Strother Charles , Aagaard-Kienitz Beverly
Published: September 2020

Background

Emergency carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a frequent endovascular procedure, especially in combination with intracranial thrombectomy. Balloon guide catheters are frequently used in these procedures. Our aim was to determine if mechanical aspiration through the working lumen of a balloon occlusion catheter during the steps of a carotid stenting procedure achieve flow rates that may lead to internal carotid artery (ICA) flow reversal which consecutively may prevent distal embolism.

Methods

Aspiration experiments were conducted using a commercially available aspiration pump. Aspiration flow rates/min with 6 different types of carotid stents inserted into a balloon guide catheter were measured. Measurements were repeated three times with increasing pressure in the phantom. To determine if the achieved aspiration flow rates were similar to physiologic values, flow rates in the ICA and external carotid artery (ECA) in 10 healthy volunteers were measured using 4D-flow MRI.

Results

Aspiration flow rates ranged from 25 to 82 mL/min depending on the stent model. The pressure in the phantom had a significant influence on the aspiration volume. Mean blood flow volumes in volunteers were 210 mL/min in the ICA and 101 mL/min in the ECA.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study, flow reversal in the ICA during common carotid artery occlusion is most likely achieved with the smallest diameter stent sheath and the stent model with the shortest outer stent sheath maximum diameter. This implies that embolic protection during emergency CAS through aspiration is most effective with these models.
Facile method for the selective recovery of Gd and Pr from LCD screen wastes using ultrasound-assisted leaching
Authors: Toache-Pérez Astrid D. , Bolarín-Miró Ana M. , Sánchez-De Jesús Félix , Lapidus Gretchen T.
Published: September 2020

Rare earth elements (REE) are essential for the production of technological devices. However, their high demand and low availability, together with an increase in electronic waste generation, compel the development of efficient, economic and green methods for recovering these elements from electronic waste. In this work, a facile method for selective recovering of REE from Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen wastes, employing ultrasound assisted leaching is presented. The screen wastes were milled and sieved to pass through a − 325 mesh sieve (44 μm). The milled powder was subjected to ultrasound-assisted leaching in an aqueous medium, at room temperature (25 °C) and pH 6 for 60 min. Subsequently, a magnetic separation was applied to the leach residue. Inductively coupled plasma was employed to quantitatively analyze the composition of the LCD powders and determine the effectiveness of the extraction process. Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy allowed qualitative chemical analysis of the solid materials. The results show that the LCD screen wastes are formed, mainly, by amorphous oxides of Si, Fe, In, Sn and REE. The amount of Gadolinium (Gd) and Praseodymium (Pr) in the wastes were 93 and 24 mg kg− 1, respectively, which justifies their recovery. X-ray diffraction analysis of the magnetic portion of the leached residue, confirmed the presence of an amorphous phase together with crystalline metallic iron alloy. The magnetic behavior, obtained by Vibration Sample Magnetometry, helped to understand the nature of the residues. The formation of this metallic alloy is attributed to the effect of high power ultrasonic during the leach. It was confirmed that the magnetic residue concentrates and recovers 87 wt% of Gd and 85 wt% of Pr contained in the original material. Therefore, ultrasound-assisted leaching is a selective and facile method for recovering Gd and Pr from waste LCD.
Adsorption of Lead, manganese, and copper onto biochar in landfill leachate: implication of non-linear regression analysis
Authors: Zand Ali Daryabeigi , Abyaneh Maryam Rabiee
Published: September 2020

The feasibility of using wood-derived biochar (BC) to remove Pb, Mn, and Cu from landfill leachate was investigated and modeled in this study. BC was produced under the pyrolytic temperature of 740 °C. The effect of contact time, BC dosage and particle size on adsorption of the heavy metals onto BC was examined. BC was used in two forms i.e., pulverized (PWB) and crushed (CWB) to evaluate the effect of BC particle size on adsorption characteristics. The kinetics of Pb, Mn, and Cu adsorption onto PWB and CWB were assessed using the pseudo second-order and Elovich models, where both applied models could well describe the adsorption kinetics. Removal efficiencies of the heavy metals were increases by 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 times, respectively, for Pb, Mn, and Cu, when PWB content of the leachate increased from 0.5 to 5 g L− 1. Equilibrium adsorption capacity of the heavy metals onto BC in leachate system was evaluated using the Langmuir, non-linearized Freundlich, linearized Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms and found to have the following order for PWB: Non-linearized Freundlich > Temkin > Langmuir > Linearized Freundlich. The Langmuir and linearized Freundlich models could not adequately represent adsorption of the heavy metals onto BC, especially for CWB. The highest removal of 88% was obtained for Pb, while the greatest adsorption intensity was found to be 1.58 mg g− 1 for Mn. Using the non-linearized Freundlich isotherm significantly reduced adsorption prediction error. The adsorption affinity of PWB for Pb, Mn, and Cu was greater than that of CWB in all treatments. Wood-derived BC is suggested to be used for the removal of heavy metals from landfill leachate as an economical adsorbent.
Infertility within the Lebanese population: beliefs and realities
Authors: Sahakian Jean-Paul K. K. , El Helou Elie , Azoury Jessica , Salameh Laure , Abou Jaoude Imad , Sleilaty Ghassan
Published: September 2020

Background

Infertility affects almost one in five couples but is still poorly understood by the general public. Although the socio-cultural aspect of infertility has already been covered in some countries, there is currently no study concerning the Lebanese population’s view on this topic. This study aims to examine the knowledge and perception of the Lebanese population regarding infertility. The findings of this study could inform the creation of appropriate awareness campaigns aiming to rectify existing ideas based on myths and Lebanese folklore and establish a scientific understanding of infertility.

Results

Six hundred and nine participants were interviewed, and the responses recorded were statistically significant and correlated with p values < 0.05 with the participants’ personal data, in particular their gender and academic level. Men were twice as likely as women to believe that couple infertility is a valid reason for a divorce or a second marriage. In addition, most men said that they would first consult a gynecologist in the event of couple infertility, which highlights the fact that the general population assumes the cause of infertility is of female origin, even though both sexes are frequently affected. In addition, men are twice as likely as women to refuse to live with an infertile spouse and the most educated respondents tend to be more aware and open to the idea of adopting a child or to use in vitro fertilization.

Conclusion

This study is the first to examine the socio-cultural beliefs and habits regarding infertility in Lebanon, with a focus on society’s attribution of infertility to women. More studies are needed to understand how a personal experience of infertility can affect one’s understanding and perceptions regarding infertility. Furthermore, Lebanese physicians should adopt a more multidisciplinary approach when managing couple infertility.
Electricity load forecasting: a systematic review
Authors: Nti Isaac Kofi , Teimeh Moses , Nyarko-Boateng Owusu , Adekoya Adebayo Felix
Published: September 2020

The economic growth of every nation is highly related to its electricity infrastructure, network, and availability since electricity has become the central part of everyday life in this modern world. Hence, the global demand for electricity for residential and commercial purposes has seen an incredible increase. On the other side, electricity prices keep fluctuating over the past years and not mentioning the inadequacy in electricity generation to meet global demand. As a solution to this, numerous studies aimed at estimating future electrical energy demand for residential and commercial purposes to enable electricity generators, distributors, and suppliers to plan effectively ahead and promote energy conservation among the users. Notwithstanding, load forecasting is one of the major problems facing the power industry since the inception of electric power. The current study tried to undertake a systematic and critical review of about seventy-seven (77) relevant previous works reported in academic journals over nine years (2010–2020) in electricity demand forecasting. Specifically, attention was given to the following themes: (i) The forecasting algorithms used and their fitting ability in this field, (ii) the theories and factors affecting electricity consumption and the origin of research work, (iii) the relevant accuracy and error metrics applied in electricity load forecasting, and (iv) the forecasting period. The results revealed that 90% out of the top nine models used in electricity forecasting was artificial intelligence based, with artificial neural network (ANN) representing 28%. In this scope, ANN models were primarily used for short-term electricity forecasting where electrical energy consumption patterns are complicated. Concerning the accuracy metrics used, it was observed that root-mean-square error (RMSE) (38%) was the most used error metric among electricity forecasters, followed by mean absolute percentage error MAPE (35%). The study further revealed that 50% of electricity demand forecasting was based on weather and economic parameters, 8.33% on household lifestyle, 38.33% on historical energy consumption, and 3.33% on stock indices. Finally, we recap the challenges and opportunities for further research in electricity load forecasting locally and globally.
Management of postoperative fecal incontinence by pediatric surgeons in Nigeria: a pilot study
Authors: Lawal Taiwo A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Fecal incontinence is a challenging problem in pediatric surgical practice as it occurs in 25 to 50% of patients who have undergone surgery for anorectal malformation and in 5 to 23% after transanal pull-through for Hirschsprung disease. Fecal incontinence impacts on the quality of life of patients; hence, it is important that optimum management is instituted. The management of fecal incontinence in children in sub-Saharan Africa is largely unreported. The study, therefore, evaluated the management practices regarding fecal incontinence by pediatric surgeons in Nigeria.

Results

A total of 37 pediatric surgeons participated in the cross-sectional pilot study. The mean length of practice as specialists was 9.7 (± 7.8) years. The majority, 33 (89.2%), were males; 23 (62.2%) were ≤ 45 years of age, and 14 (37.8%) had practiced as consultant pediatric surgeons for ≥ 10 years.

When presented with a patient with anorectal malformation and recto-bladder neck fistula or Hirschsprung disease who developed fecal incontinence after surgery, 25 (67.6%) and 22 (59.5%), respectively, will combine modalities in managing the patient. Bowel management (81.1% and 83.8% respectively) was the most commonly selected option of managing postoperative fecal incontinence. Other options selected for the management of postoperative fecal incontinence were as follows: examination under anesthesia (43.2% and 37.8%), constipating diet (43.2% and 35.1%), re-operation (24.3% and 27.0%), and diverting colostomy (21.6% and 16.2%) for anorectal malformation and Hirschsprung disease respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between the length of practice as specialist pediatric surgeons and the selection of single vs. multiple treatment options for a patient with fecal incontinence after surgery either for anorectal malformation or Hirschsprung disease.

Conclusions

A combination of modalities will be adopted by at least 60% of pediatric surgeons in Nigeria to manage postoperative pediatric fecal incontinence with bowel management favored by over 80% of specialists surveyed.
Efficacy of physical activities on children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed Bedier , Labib Mahmoud , Khozamy Hamed , Badawy Wanees Mohamed
Published: September 2020

Background

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the serious chronic rheumatic disorders in children and adolescents which results in less physical activities and restlessness hours than their peer. The study aims to assess the efficacy of physical fitness training exercises on aerobic capacity and muscular strength of children with JIA. Sixty-five children with JIA were included in the study, out of a total of 70 children who were screened for eligibility. Children were randomized to a control group (n = 32) who received hot packs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and strengthening exercises, or a study group (n = 33) who received a physical fitness training program (hydrotherapy pool exercises, bicycle ergometer, and treadmill apparatus) in addition to what had been given to the control group. Both groups were engaged in a training program for 12 consecutive weeks for three times per week. Evaluation was done pre- and post-interventions included: peak oxygen uptake (Vo2 peak) during an incremental treadmill test and muscle strength assessed by isokinetic dynamometer.

Results

The current study showed that there were significant differences between pre- and post-interventions in both groups (P < 0.05). Comparing the two groups, there were statistically significant differences between children in both groups in favor of the study group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Physical fitness exercise training resulted in improved aerobic capacity and muscle strength of children with JIA. The obtained results suggested that children with arthritis could participate in formal exercise testing and structural physical fitness program.

Trial registration

PACTR, PACTR201907504136763. Registered on May 21, 2019. Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID = 8150.
Role of imprint cytology in thoracic endoscopy suite
Authors: Hantera Mohammed Elsaid , Ganna Salwa Atef , Elsaka Ayman Mohamed , El-Lawaty Walaa Mowafy
Published: September 2020

Background

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and medical thoracoscopy are basic interventional modalities for the diagnosis of a wide variety of pleuropulmonary diseases. In some cases, we need fast and accurate results for decision-making. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of imprint cytology and its added value to the pulmonologist.

Results

Multiple biopsies were taken from 54 patients included 31 patients with lung masses subjected to fiberoptic bronchoscopy and 23 patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion subjected to medical thoracoscopy. Imprint cytology was done to all biopsies which are later examined histopathologically. Regarding fiberoptic bronchoscopy biopsies, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of imprint cytology were 93.33, 100, 100, 33.33, and 93.55%, respectively. While in medical thoracoscopy biopsies, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of imprint cytology were 94.74, 100, 100, 80, and 95.65%, respectively.

Conclusion

Imprint cytology is an easy, rapid, and reliable method that has a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of lung and pleural malignancies compared with histopathology.
Continuous Versus 1-Year Fixed-Duration Nivolumab in Previously Treated Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: CheckMate 153
Authors: Waterhouse David M. , Garon Edward B. , Chandler Jason , McCleod Michael , Hussein Maen , Jotte Robert , Horn Leora , Daniel Davey B. , Keogh George , Creelan Ben , Einhorn Lawrence H. , Baker Justin , Kasbari Samer , Nikolinakos Petros , Babu Sunil , Couture Felix , Leighl Natasha B. , Reynolds Craig , Blumenschein George , Gunuganti Vijay , Li Ang , Aanur Nivedita , Spigel David R.
Published: September 2020

PURPOSE

Limited data exist on the optimal duration of immunotherapy, including for non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We present an exploratory analysis of CheckMate 153, a largely community-based phase IIIb/IV study, to evaluate the impact of 1-year fixed-duration versus continuous therapy on the efficacy and safety of nivolumab.

METHODS

Patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC received nivolumab monotherapy (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks). Those still receiving treatment at 1 year, including patients perceived to be deriving benefit despite radiographic progression, were randomly assigned to continue nivolumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or to stop nivolumab with the option of on-study retreatment after disease progression (1-year fixed duration).

RESULTS

Of 1,428 patients treated, 252 were randomly assigned to continuous (n = 127) or 1-year fixed-duration (n = 125) treatment (intent-to-treat [ITT] population). Of these, 89 and 85 patients in the continuous and 1-year fixed-duration arms, respectively, had not progressed (progression-free survival [PFS] population). With minimum post–random assignment follow-up of 13.5 months, median PFS was longer with continuous versus 1-year fixed-duration treatment (PFS population: 24.7 months v 9.4 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.56 [95% CI, 0.37 to 0.84]). Median overall survival from random assignment was longer with continuous versus 1-year fixed-duration treatment in the PFS (not reached v 32.5 months; HR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.37 to 0.99]) and ITT (not reached v 28.8 months; HR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.42 to 0.92]) populations. Few new-onset treatment-related adverse events occurred. No new safety signals were identified.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, these findings from an exploratory analysis represent the first randomized data on continuous versus fixed-duration immunotherapy in previously treated advanced NSCLC and suggest that continuing nivolumab beyond 1 year improves outcomes.
Association between blood pressure, race, ethnicity and likelihood of admission to the hospital from United States emergency departments – A cross sectional study
Authors: Kue Jessie , Meurer William
Published: September 2020

Background: The emergency department (ED) has emerged as the primary portal for entry to the hospital for most patients with health care problems, including hypertension. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for heart disease. Disparities may exist in access to hospitalization across race/ethnicity. Our objective was to estimate how the likelihood of hospital admission based on blood pressure (BP) was modified by race/ethnicity.

Methods: We used data from the 2014 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a representative sample of non-federal, U.S. emergency department visits. We plotted probability of admission by blood pressure stratified by race/ethnicity to assess for a linear relationship. We then fit logistic regression models that adjusted for other potential confounders including patient-, visit-, and hospital-level factors. All analyses were conducted with relevant SURVEY functions in SAS to account for design.

Results: Just over 21,000 visits were included in the study, representing approximately 1.4 million U.S. ED visits. We included the range of systolic blood pressure from 110 to 180 mmHg based on the linear relationship with probability of admission. We found the odds ratio for admission was 1.11 [95% CI: (1.06, 1.18)] for each 10 mmHg rise in systolic blood pressure in the unadjusted analysis. In the final adjusted model accounting for confounders, we found that the relationship between BP and admission was no longer significant 0.96 [0.91 to 1.01]. Whites were substantially more likely to be admitted compared to Blacks and Hispanics at odds ratio 1.5 [1.2 to 2].

Conclusions: The relationship between BP and hospital admission is complicated. Blacks and Hispanics appear less likely to be admitted to the hospital from the ED at a given level of blood pressure even after accounting for triage severity, and other individual and hospital level factors. Further research is needed to better understand this disparity.
An assessment of the extent to which the contents of PROSPERO records meet the systematic review protocol reporting items in PRISMA-P
Authors: Booth Alison , Mitchell Alex S. , Mott Andrew , James Sophie , Cockayne Sarah , Gascoyne Samantha , McDaid Catriona
Published: September 2020

Background: PROSPERO is an international prospective register for systematic review protocols. Many of the registrations are the only available source of information about planned methods. This study investigated the extent to which records in PROSPERO contained the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P).

Methods: A random sample of 439 single entry PROSPERO records of reviews of health interventions registered in 2018 was identified. Using a piloted list of 19 PRISMA-P items, divided into 63 elements, two researchers independently assessed the registration records. Where the information was present or not applicable to the review, a score of 1 was assigned. Overall scores were calculated and comparisons made by stage of review at registration, whether or not a meta-analysis was planned and whether or not funding/sponsorship was reported.

Results: Some key methodological details, such as eligibility criteria, were relatively frequently reported, but much of the information recommended in PRISMA-P was not stated in PROSPERO registrations. Considering the 19 items, the mean score was 4.8 (SD 1.8; median 4; range 2-11) and across all the assessed records only 25% (2081/8227) of the items were scored as reported. Considering the 63 elements, the mean score was 33.4 (SD 5.8; median 33; range 18-47) and overall, 53% (14,469/27,279) of the elements were assessed as reported. Reporting was more frequent for items required in PROSPERO than optional items. The planned comparisons showed no meaningful differences between groups.

Conclusions: PROSPERO provides reviewers with the opportunity to be transparent in their planned methods and demonstrate efforts to reduce bias. However, where the PROSPERO record is the only available source of a priori reporting, there is a significant shortfall in the items reported, compared to those recommended. This presents challenges in interpretation for those wishing to assess the validity of the final review.
Coping strategies of students for anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nurunnabi Mohammad , Hossain Syed Far Abid Hossain , Chinna Karuthan , Sundarasen Sheela , Khoshaim Heba Bakr , Kamaludin Kamilah , Baloch Gul Mohammad , Sukayt Areej , Shan Xu
Published: September 2020

Background: COVID-19 has severely affected university students everywhere in the world. Due to fear of infection, government and local authorities in China immediately closed academic institutions and tried to find survival techniques to cope with market turbulence. COVID-19 was present in China at the end of 2019. However, little attention has been paid by researchers to coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and few measures were taken to assess the coping strategies of university students, specifically following the closure of their institutions. To address this gap, this study attempted to discover the coping strategies of Chinese students during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Methods: We conducted an online survey using a semi-structured questionnaire with a simple random sampling technique and received 559 responses. The survey questions captured information about students’ lives during the COVID-19 outbreak, actions to control anxiety, and what students care about during the pandemic. The associations between coping strategies used and levels of anxiety were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures. SPSS Statistics v27 was used for statistical analysis in this study.

Results: The university students reported that coping strategies and survival techniques were required due to high levels of anxiety and psychological pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the respondents reported the prompt closure of their academic institutions due to COVID-19. Psychological concerns, such as lack of sleep, emotional support, mental support and social appeal, were also reported.

Conclusions: This is one of the very first studies on coping strategies for anxiety in China. The study reveals that university students employ a number of coping strategies in relation to COVID-19, but also suggests a need to strengthen such strategies in this population. However, the study was limited to a small number of provinces in China, which may affect the generalizability of the research.
‘Containment, delay, mitigation’: waiting and care in the time of a pandemic
Authors: Baraitser Lisa , Salisbury Laura
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we take up three terms – containment, delay, mitigation – that have been used by the UK Government to describe their phased response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the terms refer to a political and public health strategy – contain the virus, flatten the peak of the epidemic, mitigate its effects – we offer a psychosocial reading that draws attention to the relation between time and care embedded in each term. We do so to call for the development of a form of care-ful attention under conditions that tend to prompt action rather than reflection, closing down time for thinking. Using Adriana Cavarero’s notion of ‘horrorism’, in which violence is enacted at precisely the point that care is most needed, we discuss the ever-present possibility of failures within acts of care. We argue that dwelling in the temporality of delay can be understood as an act of care if delaying allows us to pay care-ful attention to violence. We then circle back to a point in twentieth-century history – World War II – that was also concerned with an existential threat requiring a response from a whole population. Our purpose is not to invoke a fantasised narrative of ‘Blitz spirit’, but to suggest that the British psychoanalytic tradition born of that moment offers resources for understanding how to keep thinking while ‘under fire’ through containing unbearable anxiety and the capacity for violence in the intersubjective space and time between people. In conditions of lockdown and what will be a long and drawn-out ‘after life’ of COVID-19, this commitment to thinking in and with delay and containment might help to inhabit this time of waiting – waiting that is the management and mitigation of a future threat, but also a time of care in and for the present.
The effectiveness of social bubbles as part of a Covid-19 lockdown exit strategy, a modelling study
Authors: Leng Trystan , White Connor , Hilton Joe , Kucharski Adam , Pellis Lorenzo , Stage Helena , Davies Nicholas G. ,   Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Disease 2019 nCoV Working Group, Keeling Matt J. , Flasche Stefan
Published: September 2020

Background: ​ During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, contact clustering in social bubbles may allow extending contacts beyond the household at minimal additional risk and hence has been considered as part of modified lockdown policy or a gradual lockdown exit strategy. We estimated the impact of such strategies on epidemic and mortality risk using the UK as a case study.

Methods: ​ We used an individual based model for a synthetic population similar to the UK, stratified into transmission risks from the community, within the household and from other households in the same social bubble. The base case considers a situation where non-essential shops and schools are closed, the secondary household attack rate is 20% and the initial reproduction number is 0.8. We simulate social bubble strategies (where two households form an exclusive pair) for households including children, for single occupancy households, and for all households. We test the sensitivity of results to a range of alternative model assumptions and parameters.

Results:  Clustering contacts outside the household into exclusive bubbles is an effective strategy of increasing contacts while limiting the associated increase in epidemic risk. In the base case, social bubbles reduced fatalities by 42% compared to an unclustered increase of contacts. We find that if all households were to form social bubbles the reproduction number would likely increase to above the epidemic threshold of R=1. Strategies allowing households with young children or single occupancy households to form social bubbles increased the reproduction number by less than 11%. The corresponding increase in mortality is proportional to the increase in the epidemic risk but is focussed in older adults irrespective of inclusion in social bubbles.

Conclusions: ​ If managed appropriately, social bubbles can be an effective way of extending contacts beyond the household while limiting the increase in epidemic risk.
Reflections of research: life-altering algae
Authors: Patel Ashish
Published: September 2020

The annual image competition, Reflections of Research, provides a glimpse into the cutting-edge heart and circulatory research funded by the British Heart Foundation.
Valuing family carers: the impact of House of Memories as a museum-led dementia awareness programme
Authors: Ganga Rafaela Neiva , Wilson Kerry
Published: September 2020

This article discusses the value of museums in dementia care practice. The methods used are as follows: (1) quantitative profiling of participants’ care responsibilities; (2) standardised measures of subjective well-being and care burden; (3) participant observation; and (4) qualitative feedback. The results from the data show: (1) increased dementia awareness; (2) improved subjective well-being; (3) increased engagement with museums, and (4) improved capacity for critical, reflective and creative care practice. The conclusion of the article is that the research contributes to scholarly understanding of care practice, training and development by exploring the relationship between cultural intermediation, emotions and affect, and their value in health and social care.
Radial distribution and absorption cross section of active centers in bismuth-doped phosphosilicate fibers
Authors: Khegai Aleksandr , Firstov Sergei , Riumkin Konstantin , Alyshev Sergey , Afanasiev Fedor , Lobanov Alexey , Guryanov Alexey , Melkumov Mikhail
Published: September 2020

Determination of the active centers distribution across the fiber core as well as calculation of absorption cross sections is a challenging task for all types of bismuth-doped fibers. This is due to the low concentration of active centers and the ability of the bismuth ions to form various centers in silica-based glasses. In this work, we demonstrate the results of experimental measurement of radial distribution of bismuth active centers associated with phosphorus in fiber core using the luminescence spectroscopy. The shape of the distribution turned out to have prominent reduction of the active centers in the middle of the core. With these data, absorption cross section spectra were calculated by two methods. Both approaches demonstrated close values of absorption cross sections regardless the bismuth concentration and fiber geometry. The maximum of the absorption cross section was found to be 2.1 ± 0.3 pm2.
Phase contrast-based phase retrieval: a bridge between qualitative phase contrast and quantitative phase imaging by phase retrieval algorithms
Authors: Hai Nathaniel , Rosen Joseph
Published: September 2020

In the last five decades, iterative phase retrieval methods have drawn a lot of interest across the research community as a non-interferometric approach to recover quantitative phase distributions from one (or more) intensity measurement. However, in cases where a unique solution does exist, these methods often require oversampling and high computational resources, which limit the use of this approach in important applications. On the other hand, phase contrast methods are based on a single camera exposure, but provide only a qualitative description of the phase; thus, they are not useful for applications in which the quantitative phase description is needed. In this Letter, we establish a combined approach based on the two above-mentioned methods to overcome their respective drawbacks. We show that a modified phase retrieval algorithm easily converges to the correct solution by initializing the algorithm with a phase-induced intensity measurement, namely with a phase contrast image of the examined object. Accurate quantitative phase measurements for both binary and continuously varying phase objects are demonstrated to support the suggested system as a single-shot quantitative phase contrast microscope.