bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of a Questionnaire-Suitable Comorbidity Index in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy
Authors: Froehner Michael , Koch Rainer , Heberling Ulrike , Borkowetz Angelika , Hübler Matthias , Novotny Vladimir , Wirth Manfred P. , Thomas Christian
Published: June 2020

Objective: To investigate the capability of a modified self-administrable comorbidity index recommended in the standard sets for neoplastic diseases published by the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) to predict 90-day and long-term mortality after radical cystectomy. Methods: A single-center series of 1,337 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive or high-risk non-muscle-invasive urothelial or undifferentiated bladder cancer were stratified by the modified self-administrable comorbidity index and Charlson score, respectively. Multivariate logit models (for 90-day mortality) and proportional-hazards models (for overall and non-bladder cancer mortality) were used for statistical workup. Results: Considering 90-day mortality, both comorbidity indexes contributed independent information when analyzed together with age (p < 0.0001). The Charlson score performed slightly better (area under the curve [AUC] 0.74 vs. 0.72 for the ICHOM-recommended comorbidity index). Considering 5-year overall mortality in 727 patients with complete observation, the performance of both measures was similar (AUC 0.63 vs. 0.62, including age AUC 0.66 for both indexes). With 6-sided stratifications, the modified self-administrable comorbidity index separated the risk groups slightly better (p values for directly neighboring curves: 0.0068–0.1043 vs. 0.0001–0.8100). Conclusion: The ICHOM-recommended modified self-administrable comorbidity index is capable of predicting 90-day mortality and long-term non-bladder cancer mortality after radical cystectomy similarly to the commonly used Charlson score.
Thrombocytapheresis in Patient with Essential Thrombocythemia: A Case Report
Authors: Elhassan Afra M. , Alsaud Arwa , Yassin Mohamed A. , Aldapt Mahmood , Riaz Lubna , Ghori Firdous , Bin Ahmad Aiman , Abdulla Mohammad
Published: June 2020

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is one of the myeloproliferative neoplasms, characterized by persistent thrombocytosis, platelets >450,000/μL, and evident clonal abnormalities like JAK2 V617F, MPL, CALR mutation and not fulfilling WHO criteria for MDS, CML, PV, and IDA. Here we report a 24-year-old female who presented with headache and was found to have thrombocytosis with a platelet count of 2,141 × 103/μL, diagnosed as ET as per WHO criteria 2008; she required ICU admission and thrombocytapheresis with a favorable outcome.
Falsely Elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Results due to Interference by M-Component of IgG-Lambda Type
Authors: Larsson Anders , Gåfvels Mats , Karlsson Torbjörn
Published: June 2020

Heterophilic antibodies but also M-components can interfere with laboratory tests causing erroneous results. We report the case of a 75-year-old man with myeloma and a monoclonal immunoglobulin component (M-component) that caused elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) results. The M-component was of the IgG-lambda type. Thyroid markers were analyzed repeatedly, and there was a clear association between IgG concentrations and TSH values (R2 = 0.724). The highest TSH value was 75 mIU/L. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation of intact immunoglobulins was used to investigate if there was an antibody-related interference problem. The PEG treatment normalized the TSH value, showing that the cause of the elevated TSH result was due to interference caused by the M-component. In conclusion, it is important to remember that both heterophilic antibodies and M-components may cause erroneous results.
Validation of the Hebrew Version of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale
Authors: Faust-Socher Achinoam , Anis Saar , Kestenbaum Meir , Shabtai Herzl , Taichman Tali , Bar David Aya , Ezra Adi , Peretz Chava , Rosenberg Alina , Brozgol Marina , Herman Talia , Stebbins Glenn T. , Goetz Christopher G. , Martínez-Martín Pablo , Luo Sheng T. , Ren Xuehan , Giladi Nir , Gurevich Tanya
Published: June 2020

Background: The Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) is a well-established tool for producing comprehensive assessments of severity and disability associated with dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The scale was originally developed in English, and a broad international effort has been undertaken to develop and validate versions in additional languages. Our aim was to validate the Hebrew version of the UDysRS. Methods: We translated the UDysRS into Hebrew, back-translated it into English, and carried out cognitive pretesting. We then administered the scale to non-demented native Hebrew-speaking patients who fulfilled the Brain Bank diagnostic criteria for probable PD (n = 250). Data were compared to the Reference Standard data used for validating UDysRS translations. Results: The different portions of the Hebrew UDysRS showed high internal consistency (α ≥ 0.92). A confirmatory factor analysis in which we compared the Hebrew UDysRS to the Reference Standard version produced a comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.98, exceeding the threshold criterion of CFI > 0.9 indicating factor validity. A secondary exploratory factor analysis provided further support to the consistency between the factor structures of the Hebrew and Reference Standard versions of the UDysRS. Conclusion: The UDysRS Hebrew version shows strong clinimetric properties and fulfills the criteria for designation as an official International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society-approved translation for use in clinical and research settings.
A Rare Distant Metastasis of Papillary Cystadenocarcinoma Arising from Maxillary Gingiva
Authors: Nishimaki Fumihiro , Gibo Takahiko , Tsukada Keita , Noguchi Takuro , Fukushima Toshirou , Kobayashi Takashi , Sekiguchi Nodoka , Ozawa Takesumi , Koizumi Tomonobu
Published: June 2020

Papillary cystadenocarcinoma is an uncommon disease with low-grade histological and clinical features. Although the tumor has the potential to produce regional lymph node metastasis, there have been no reports of cases with distant metastasis. We describe a case of papillary cystadenocarcinoma arising from the maxilla that developed pulmonary metastasis 3 years after radical surgery of the primary tumor and regional lymph node. The histological findings were confirmed on resected specimens of the pulmonary nodule and a pathological diagnosis of a metastatic lesion derived from papillary cystadenocarcinoma was made. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the development of pulmonary metastasis in a patient with papillary cystadenocarcinoma. The present case suggests that papillary cystadenocarcinoma has the potential to produce lung metastasis in the clinical course. Based on our experience, we emphasize that long-term follow-up and/or careful examination are necessary in patients with cystadenocarcinoma, especially in patients with lymph node metastasis during the initial surgical therapy.
Association of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy with Hemoglobin Levels in Nonanemic and Anemic Populations
Authors: Park Sung Keun , Jung Ju Young , Kang Jeong Gyu , Hong Hyun Pyo , Oh Chang-Mo
Published: June 2020

Introduction: It is established that anemia leads to adaptive changes in cardiac geometry including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, published data are still scarce regarding the association of LVH with normal-range hemoglobin levels. Objective: To evaluate the association between hemoglobin level and LVH in subjects with or without anemia. Methods: The study included 48,034 Korean men and women who received echocardiography during their medical health checkup. They were divided into 4 groups according to their hemoglobin concentration (g/dL) in men (<14, 14–14.9, 15–15.9, and ≥16) and women (<12, 12–12.9, 13–13.9, and ≥15). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted ORs and 95% CI for LVH in each group compared with the group with the lowest hemoglobin. Subgroup analysis was conducted for subjects within normal hemoglobin levels. Results: There was an inverse relationship between hemoglobin levels and LVH, where unadjusted and adjusted ORs and 95% CI for LVH decreased with increasing hemoglobin levels in both men and women. In subgroup analysis, this inverse relationship was also observed in subjects with hemoglobin in the nonanemic range. Conclusion: The decrease in hemoglobin was significantly associated with the increased probability of LVH, and this association was found even in nonanemic subjects.
Francisco de Goya and the Seizing Impenitent
Authors: Carrazana Enrique J.
Published: June 2020

The painting, St. Francis and the Dying Impenitent (1788) by the Spanish Baroque painter, Francisco Goya, is discussed by the author within the context of epilepsy and biographical events in the lives of both the saint and the painter.
Treatment of Penile Prosthesis Implant’s Infection
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Bianco Marta , Ruiz-Castañé Eduard , Iafrate Massimo
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Penile prosthesis implant is a safe and effective option in erectile dysfunction patients, being implant procedures safe with a low risk of infection. However, when infection occurs, it represents a concrete problem for both surgeon and patient. Methods: This is a comprehensive review of all issues relating to prosthesis infection, including causes and risk factors, methods of prevention, and management. We analyzed all preoperative and perioperative factors, which can play a role in infection of the device. Results: Infection of penile prosthesis implant is hard to manage and correct. While the incidence of infection following first implant is up to 3%, in cases of re-implant surgery, the rate can reach as high as 18%. Many articles were found addressing prevention and treatment of penile prosthesis infection, and many analyzed all relevant pre- and perioperative factors associated with penile prosthesis implant. Although such factors have been well studied, there is no clear consensus worldwide on certain topics. Conclusions: Penile prosthesis implant is a safe and effective option. Despite infection is a rare event, surgeons should follow strictly pre-, intra- and postoperative recommendations in order to reduce the risk of device’s infection. An appropriate antibiotic therapy should be tailored on patient’s characteristics and pathogens isolated.
Secondary Sling Implantation after Failure of Primary Surgical Treatment for Male Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Grabbert Markus , Hüsch Tanja , Kretschmer Alexander , Kirschner-Hermanns Ruth , Anding Ralf , Brehmer Bernhard , Naumann Carsten Maik , Queissert Fabian , Loertzer Hagen , Khoder Wael , Gratzke Christian , Hofmann Torben , Huebner Wilhelm , Haferkamp Axel , Bauer Ricarda M.
Published: June 2020

Objective: The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the surgical gold standard after previously failed surgical treatment for male urinary stress incontinence. The evidence for a male sling as salvage treatment is poor, but there is a proportion of patients that refuse implantation of an AUS or have a relative contraindication. The goal of our retrospective study was an analysis of outcome and complications of patients with a secondary sling after previously failed surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Materials and Methods: Data on 186 patients who had a prior incontinence surgery were extracted from the DOMINO database. 139 patients (74.7%) received an AUS and 41 patients (22.0%) who had received a secondary sling system between 2010 and 2012 after previously failed surgery for male urinary incontinence could be identified and were further analyzed. Results: Eight patients (19.5%) received a secondary repositioning sling and 33 patients (80.5%) received a secondary adjustable sling system. A prior surgery for urethral stricture was performed in 4 patients (9.8%). No major intraoperative complications were reported. A simultaneous explantation was performed in 12 patients (29.3%). The mean number of pad reductions was 4.93 (p = 0.026). No intraoperative complications and no postoperative surgical revisions were reported. The mean follow-up of the patient cohort with a secondary sling was 16 months. Conclusion: We provide the largest cohort of male patients up to date with a secondary sling after primary failure of surgery for male SUI. Although the procedure is a rarely performed surgery and without a high level of evidence, a secondary adjustable male sling system might be a feasible option in selected patients with acceptable complication rates, whereas a valuable outcome regarding continence rates cannot be sufficiently supplied by our data.
Strategies to Prevent SARS-CoV-2-Mediated Eosinophilic Disease in Association with COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection
Authors: Simon Hans-Uwe , Karaulov Alexander V. , Bachmann Martin F.
Published: June 2020

A vaccine to protect against COVID-19 is urgently needed. Such a vaccine should efficiently induce high-affinity neutralizing antibodies which neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. However, there is a concern regarding both vaccine-induced eosinophilic lung disease and eosinophil-associated Th2 immunopotentiation following infection after vaccination. Here, we review the anticipated characteristics of a COVID-19 vaccine to avoid vaccine-associated eosinophil immunopathology.
Late Gadolinium Enhancement–Dispersion Mapping
Authors: Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Grigoratos Chrysanthos , Bracco Antonio , Proclemer Alberto , Todiere Giancarlo , Martini Nicola , Habtemicael Yacob Ghebru , Carerj Scipione , Sinagra Gianfranco , Di Bella Gianluca
Published: June 2020

Background:

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is an important prognostic marker in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and an extent >15% it is associated with high risk of sudden cardiac death. We proposed a novel method, the LGE-dispersion mapping, to assess heterogeneity of scar, and evaluated its prognostic role in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Methods:

One hundred eighty-three patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a low- or intermediate 5-year risk of sudden cardiac death underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. A parametric map was generated from each LGE image. A score from 0 to 8 was assigned at every pixel of these maps, indicating the number of the surrounding pixels having different quality (nonenhancement, mild-enhancement, or hyperenhancement) from the central pixel. The Global Dispersion Score (GDS) was calculated as the average score of all the pixels of the images.

Results:

During a median follow-up time of 6 (25th–75th, 4–10) years, 22 patients had hard cardiac events (sudden cardiac death, appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy, resuscitated cardiac arrest, and sustained ventricular tachycardia). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with GDS>0.86 had worse prognosis than those with lower GDS (
P
<0.0001). GDS>0.86 was the only independent predictor of cardiac events (hazard ratio, 9.9 [95% CI, 2.9–34.6],
P
=0.0003). When compared with LGE extent >15%, GDS improved the classification of risk in these patients (net reclassification improvement, 0.39 [95% CI, 0.11–0.72],
P
<0.019).

Conclusions:

LGE-dispersion mapping is a marker of scar heterogeneity and provides a better risk stratification than LGE presence and its extent in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a low-intermediate 5-year risk of sudden cardiac death.
Overturning and rolling avoidance by gecko when challenged with inclines
Authors: Xing Qiang , Wang Zhouyi , Zong Weijia , Gu Jun
Published: June 2020

Understanding how animals avoid overturning and rolling in motion to maintain movement stability and to accommodate their habitat and the mechanisms of movement in these habitats is a matter of concern. Gecko climbs a more inclined substrate by lowering the speed; meanwhile, the duty factor is increased with the increase of the incline angle, indicating that the gecko switches the diagonal gait when climbing on the shallow inclines to the triangular gait when on the inverted surface. The overturning impulse moment is increased with an increase of the incline angle. On inclines larger than 90°, the positive and negative overturning impulse moments are increased significantly and show obvious differences. The maximum value of rolling impulse moment on the surface at 180° can reach 15 times that of the minimum value on the surface at 90°, and the positive and negative rolling impulse moments at the inclined surface of 120–180° have obvious differences. The above results show that on shallow inclines, the low centre of mass and the flat posture of the gecko can effectively improve locomotion stability; simultaneously, through the timely conversion of the limb function, the overturning/rolling impulse moments are low, which greatly reduces the probability of overturning/rolling during locomotion. However, on inverted inclines, the gecko takes full advantage of the flexibility of body and limbs to delay the occurrence of rolling and overturning, and actively cooperates with the adjustment of the gait, using the alternating change of gait to avoid overturning and rolling.
Stochastic phenotypic variation: empirical results and potential use in Eurytemora research (Copepoda, Calanoida)
Authors: Lajus Dmitry , Sukhikh Natalia , Alekseev Victor
Published: June 2020

This study analyses the potential of stochastic phenotypic variation for investigating the population biology of Eurytemora. Stochastic variation is the third component of phenotypic variance, standing on equal footing with genotypic variation and phenotypic plasticity. This is a manifestation of developmental instability and usually increases under stress. In morphological traits, stochastic variation is most often studied using fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of bilateral traits. Here, using data on the FA of nine populations of three Eurytemora species from Europe and North America, we found no correlation between FA and temperature, salinity or tidal amplitude. Invasive American E. carolleeae in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea) had lower FA than the same species in its native Chesapeake Bay, or than E. affinis in its native Gulf of Finland. This pattern may be caused by global warming, which brought Chesapeake Bay temperatures beyond E. carolleeae’s optimal conditions, but made the Gulf of Finland a more suitable environment. Stochastic variation in life history traits is technically more difficult to study, but it may provide important information on fitness. In particular, it manifests in bet-hedging, a risk-spreading strategy beneficial in unpredictable environments. As resting eggs are common in Eurytemora, bet-hedging can be considered a genus strategy. Understanding how stochastic variation contributes to total phenotypic variance may help to interpret changes under unpredictable environmental conditions. Therefore, studies of stochastic phenotypic variation may supply information about the population biology of Eurytemora and other copepods.
Comparison of respiration rate and electron transport system (ETS) enzyme-mediated reduction assay of the invasive copepod Eurytemora carolleeae Alekseev & Souissi, 2011 (Calanoida, Temoridae) in Green Bay, WI, U.S.A.
Authors: Timpe Alexander W. , De Stasio Bart T.
Published: June 2020

Anthropogenic activities can cause important changes in aquatic ecosystems, such as warming due to climate change, nutrient loading from agricultural runoff and urban areas, and decreased concentrations of oxygen in bottom waters. These changes may lead to impacts on both organism performance and ecosystem functionality. Studying planktonic species that form an aquatic ecosystem’s foundation is an important step towards understanding the entire food web and predicting how it may respond to a changing environment. One important planktonic species in the Laurentian Great Lakes is the invasive calanoid copepod Eurytemora carolleeae (formerly considered part of the Eurytemora affinis species complex). This study analyzes the metabolic activity of E. carolleeae from Green Bay, Lake Michigan, U.S.A. using two different methods, over a range of temperatures from 9 to 26°C. Total oxygen consumption was measured directly using a micropulse oxygen probe system, and the activity of aerobic metabolic enzymes in the electron transport system (ETS) was quantified using in vitro reduction of iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT). Respiration rate of E. carolleeae increases approximately linearly from 9 to 26°C. Measurements of ETS activity indicate that the copepod’s metabolic enzymes have an Arrhenius activation energy of 46.5 ± 15.6 kJ/mol with a thermal maximum between 22 and 26°C. Overall, E. carolleeae ETS rates increased by approximately 7% per °C over the range 9 to 22°C. This thermal limit has implications for future performance of this species, as the combination of higher temperatures and disappearance of oxygenated colder-water refuges may limit E. carolleeae’s success in the Green Bay system following warmer climate and increased nutrient conditions.
Pseudodiaptomus japonicus Kikuchi, 1928 (Copepoda, Pseudodiaptomidae), a brackish-water copepod formerly known as P. inopinus Burckhardt, 1913, on Sakhalin Island (Russian Far East)
Authors: Zavarzin Denis S.
Published: June 2020

We determined the taxonomic status of Pseudodiaptomus inopinus on Sakhalin using specimens from different localities, because it is currently known as a complex of species. The specimens examined appeared to belong to P. japonicus, based on the structure of the female genital operculum. However, a few females lacked spinules on the medial surface of the first exopodal segment of the female P5, which has been described as a character distinguishing P. japonicus from its two sibling species. The species is distributed in brackish waters from the very south to the very north of Sakhalin Island. The northernmost locality on Sakhalin is also the northernmost record of the species.
Effects of the China Coastal Current on the community structure of planktonic copepods in early spring, with notes on Eurytemora pacifica Sato, 1913 in the western Taiwan Strait
Authors: Wang Yan-Guo , Tseng Li-Chun , Sun Rou-Xin , Liu Zhi-Yong , Lin Mao , Hwang Jiang-Shiou
Published: June 2020

The Taiwan Strait, located between Taiwan Island and the southeast of the mainland of China, is the main passageway connecting the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The particular coastline of the mainland created several semi-enclosed embayments along the west coast of the Taiwan Strait. Runoffs from land bring large amounts of nutrients into the bays, which made these bays important natural spawning and breeding grounds for several economically important marine organisms. In order to reveal the effects of the China Coastal Current (CCC) on the zooplankton communities in Fuqing Bay in northeastern Fujian, zooplankton samples were collected at 12 stations in early March 2014. The average surface seawater temperature was 12.53 ± 0.14°C, and salinity was 28.33 ± 0.21 PSU in the investigation area during the research period. In total, 23 identified copepod species and in addition several unidentified benthic harpacticoid copepods were recorded with an average abundance of 77.44 ± 60.07 ind. m−3. In the present study, the most dominant group consisted of juveniles (copepodites) with an average density of 59.97 ± 51.49 ind. m−3, which was followed by Calanus sinicus Brodsky, 1965 with an average density of 5.04 ± 4.95 ind. m−3. The occurrence rate of Calanus sinicus was 91.67% in our study, which indicates that the research area was controlled by the CCC water mass. So, we concluded that the CCC played an important role in transporting cold water copepod species from the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea to the western Taiwan Strait. A noteworthy discovery in our samples was Eurytemora pacifica Sato, 1913, which was recorded for the first time in waters of the western Taiwan Strait with an occurrence rate of 33.33% and an average density of 0.81 ± 1.91 ind. m−3. Eurytemora pacifica was first reported at Yantai harbour and is widely distributed in waters of the northern Pacific Ocean. The co-occurrence of Calanus sinicus and Eurytemora pacifica in our research area possibly indicates that E. pacifica could be used as a bioindicator for the directional movement of the CCC. The high occurrence of this species in our research area indicated that the CCC affects the community structure of copepods in the western Taiwan Strait in early spring.
Phaseolus albicarminus (Leguminosae, Phaseoleae), a new wild bean species from the subhumid forests of southern central Costa Rica

Authors: DEBOUCK DANIEL G. , CHAVES-BARRANTES NÉSTOR , ARAYA-VILLALOBOS RODOLFO
Published: June 2020

During a search for populations of wild common bean, namely south of the Central Valley of Costa Rica, a new bean species, Phaseolus albicarminus, has been found on the slope of a mountainous range named Cerros Llano Bonito in the western part of Talamanca range, where it appears to be endemic. Its main morphological features are: short pseudoracemes with four small deltoid primary bracts, small early caducous deltoid bracteoles, calyx lobes reduced to two lips, white wings contrasting with carmine purple inner face of standard, and smoothly curved 3–4 seeded pods with prow-shaped beak. The differences with apparently closely related species, P. hygrophilus and P. angucianae, are: in primary bracts (orbicular versus oval acuminate), larger bracteoles (cordate versus rounded), inner face of standard (pale pink to white versus purple), lower calyx lobes (rounded versus triangular), and pod dorsal suture (straight versus sigmoid), respectively. The fact that to date only three populations of P. albicarminus are known from the same small area of Costa Rica, calls for monitoring its conservation status. This new species is tentatively assigned to the section Brevilegumeni which seems well represented in Costa Rica (with five out of six taxa).
Perenniporia eugeissonae sp. nov., a new species on palm discovered from Malaysia

Authors: DU PING , WANG CHAO-GE , TIAN XUE-MEI
Published: June 2020

Perenniporia eugeissonae sp. nov. is described from Malaysia, growing on palm tree. Phylogenetic inferences based on ITS and nrLSU regions revealed that it nested within the Perenniporia s.s. clade. Perenniporia eugeissonae is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiocarps, a white to cream hymenophore, small circular pores (6–8 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system with strongly dextrinoid and cyanophilous skeletal hyphae, presence of dendrohyphidia at the dissepiments, and ellipsoid, strongly dextrinoid and cyanophilous basidiospores, and growing so far exclusively on the palm Eugeissona tristis.
Sichuaniella deqinensis sp. nov., a new diatom species (Bacillariophyceae) from a high altitude lake in the Hengduan Mountains, SW China

Authors: WU HAN , ZHANG TENG-ZHONG , LI YAN-LING , METZELTIN DITMAR , LANGE-BERTALOT HORST , PATRICK KOCIOLEK JOHN
Published: June 2020

A second species of the genus Sichuaniella Yan L. Li, Lange-Bertalot & Metzeltin 2013 from China is described as new to science. The new species, S. dequinensis spec. nov., is documented with light and scanning electron microscopy. This new species is distinguished from the only other species of the genus, S. lacustris, by having a higher density of more strongly radiate alveoli between broader interstriae, and a broader axial area. The new species is known only from a small lake in the Hengduan Mountains region of southwest China.
Institutional and supervisory support for the Thesis by Publication
Authors: Mason Shannon , Morris Julia E , Merga Margaret K
Published: June 2020

The Thesis by Publication is garnering increasing interest across nations and disciplines. However, more needs to be learned about institutional and supervisory support for this thesis mode to ensure that doctoral candidates pursuing this approach enjoy the best possible outcomes. This paper draws on data from 246 recent successful doctoral candidates who took part in the 2018–2019 PhD candidates’ motivations, experiences, and opinions of the thesis by/with publications study. Findings suggest that perceived institutional support may be more common than supervisory support, and initial institutional support may be eclipsed by ongoing support. Findings suggest that more can be done to support students intending to embark on Thesis by Publication at induction, and that high quality supervisory support can be perceived as integral to candidate success in most cases. However, high dependence on supervisory support paired with comparatively limited institutional support can place workload pressure and increased accountability on supervisors, and may raise ethical implications that require close consideration.
Design of virtual reality augmented reality mobile platform and game user behavior monitoring using deep learning
Authors: Zhang GuoLong
Published: June 2020

To explore the design of the virtual reality (VR) augmented reality (AR) mobile platform and game decision model based on deep learning (DL), the gesture-based interaction of VR games based on Leap Motion is researched. Based on the interactive features of gestures, a set of general gesture interaction rules in VR games is established. In the meantime, according to the theoretical basis and the characteristics of VR, a set of general models of VR gesture interaction is designed, the factors affecting the efficiency of VR gesture interaction are studied, and reasonable interaction feedback is designed. By using the computer vision and image processing technology, gesture-based interaction can collect natural gestures, extract gesture features, recognize gesture indications, and respond to the user demands. Also, it can extract the basic gestures from gesture-based interaction in VR, analyze the basic features of gestures and gesture-based interaction in VR games, and describes the gesture features by mathematical vectors and sets. The research results show that the application of gesture feature design method in the game can analyze the factors affecting the interaction efficiency. Also, the usability of the gesture-based interaction designed by the gesture design method is verified by tests. Therefore, the AR&DL platform of “AR+DL” establishes a learning platform supported by DL and AR technology. The game decision model is used to describe the process of gesture-based interaction in the game, and the factors affecting the interaction efficiency are reduced, which has certain reference and guidance for VR applications using gesture-based interaction.
Organized violence, 1989–2019
Authors: Pettersson Therése , Öberg Magnus
Published: June 2020

This article reports on trends in organized violence, building on new data by the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP). The defeat of Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq has pushed the number of fatalities, almost 75,600, to its lowest level since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. However, this de-escalation in Syria is countered by increased violence in Africa, as IS and other transnational jihadist groups have relocated their efforts there. Furthermore, violence has continued to increase in Afghanistan; UCDP recorded more than 31,200 fatalities in Afghanistan in 2019, which accounts for 40% of all fatalities from organized violence across the globe. The general decline in fatalities from organized violence does not correspond with the trend in the number of active conflicts, which remained on a historically high level. UCDP recorded 54 state-based conflicts in 2019, including seven wars. Twenty-eight state-based conflicts involved IS (Islamic State), al-Qaida or their affiliates. In the past decade, conflicts involving these transnational jihadist groups have driven many of the trends in organized violence.
Disparities in Health Effects and Access to Health Care Among Houston Area Residents After Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Flores Aaron B. , Collins Timothy W. , Grineski Sara E. , Chakraborty Jayajit
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Although research shows that public health is substantially affected during and after disasters, few studies have examined the health effects of Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall on the Texas coast in August 2017. We assessed disparities in physical health, mental health, and health care access after Hurricane Harvey among residents of the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, Texas, metropolitan statistical area (ie, Houston MSA).

Methods

We used structured survey data collected through telephone and online surveys from a population-based random sample of Houston MSA residents (n = 403) collected from November 29, 2017, through January 6, 2018. We used descriptive statistics to describe the prevalence of physical health/mental health and health care access outcomes and multivariable generalized linear models to assess disparities (eg, based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability) in health outcomes.

Results

Physical health problems disproportionately affected persons who did not evacuate (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-0.87). Non-Hispanic black persons were more likely than non-Hispanic white persons to have posttraumatic stress (OR = 5.03; 95% CI, 1.90-13.10), as were persons in households that experienced job loss post-Harvey (vs did not experience job loss post-Harvey; OR = 2.89; 95% CI, 1.14-7.32) and older persons (OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06). Health care access was constrained for persons whose households lost jobs post-Harvey (vs did not lose jobs post-Harvey; OR = 2.73; 95% CI, 1.29-5.78) and for persons with disabilities (vs without disabilities; OR = 3.19; 95% CI, 1.37-7.45).

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the need to plan for and ameliorate public health disparities resulting from climate change–related disasters, which are expected to occur with increased frequency and magnitude.
“Holding Grudges Is So Last Century”: The Use of GenX So as a Modifier of Noun Phrases
Authors: Stange Ulrike
Published: June 2020

This article focuses on the X is so NP-construction in American English, as exemplified by “Holding grudges is so last century” (SOAP, As the World Turns, 2002). Drawing on the Corpus of American Soap Operas (Davies 2011-), the aim of this study is to provide an account of the distributional pattern of noun phrase modification with so, including preferences in modified noun phrase (NP) types and concomitant differences in the meaning of so. The analyses reveal that, in line with subjectification theory on intensification (Athanasiadou 2007), so is expanding its functional range from intensification to emphasis. The findings suggest a near-complementary distribution of these meanings, with intensifying so (‘very’) dominating in affirmative sentences (especially with object pronouns and names; “It’s so Star Trek”; SOAP, Days of Our Lives, 2004), and emphatic so (‘definitely’) in negated utterances (especially with pre-modified NPs, such as “It is so not a date”; SOAP, One Life to Live, 2007). Furthermore, intensifying uses of so are restricted to NPs that exhibit adjective-like characteristics and invite metonymic referencing (Gonzálvez-García 2014). So is attested almost exclusively with the copula be, which might hint at restrictions at work in this construction. With respect to the distribution of GenX so across the character groups, the scriptwriters attributed most utterances to (younger) women, in terms of both token frequency and dispersion within the group. This paper shows that the observations pertaining to language variation and change made for adjective intensification (“ so good”) also apply to NP intensification (“ so 2020”).
Diagonal recurrent neural network observer-based adaptive control for unknown nonlinear systems
Authors: Elkenawy Ahmed , El-Nagar Ahmad M , El-Bardini Mohammad , El-Rabaie Nabila M
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes an observer-based adaptive control for unknown nonlinear systems using an adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) algorithm. First, a diagonal recurrent neural network (DRNN) observer is proposed to estimate the unknown dynamics of the nonlinear system states. The proposed neural network offers a simpler structure with deeper memory and guarantees the faster convergence. Second, a neural controller is constructed via ADP method using the observed states to get the optimal control. The optimal control law is determined based on the new structure of the critic network, which is performed using the DRNN. The learning algorithm for the proposed DRNN observer-based adaptive control is developed based on the Lyapunov stability theory. Simulation results and hardware-in-the-loop results indicate the robustness of the proposed ADP to respond the system uncertainties and external disturbances compared with other existing schemes.
Rethinking Lowrider Artistic Representations: An Aesthetic Response to Social Exclusion
Authors: Gradilla Alejandro , Bustamante Juan José
Published: June 2020

This article examines the narrative and visual construct of the lowrider vehicle as part of the barrio aesthetic. The central argument is that the display of lowrider art can be better understood as an artistic community mechanism of resistance used to contest cultural exclusion from white art spaces. The principles of Gloria Anzaldúa’s borderlands theory provide exceptional insights into the analyses of aesthetic lowrider displays from the margins. We use this approach to theoretically frame lowriders’ artistic representations as a Chicana/o identity effort to build contemporary cultural spaces for themselves. This study employs a qualitative triangulation method that includes participant observations, photo documentation, and six semi-structured interviews. Between December 2006 and September 2007, data were collected from the cities of Lansing and South Haven as well as from two lowrider car shows in the state of Michigan. This study found that lowrider art works as a source of stability and structure for Chicana/o young adults who live on the margins of society. For young adults isolated from mainstream cultural spaces by the essentialist interpretations of art, the lowrider aesthetic represents an identity–resiliency component introduced through family and friends—consciously or unconsciously—to resist cultural oppression.
Sentiment analysis of tweets through Altmetrics: A machine learning approach
Authors: Hassan Saeed-Ul , Saleem Aneela , Soroya Saira Hanif , Safder Iqra , Iqbal Sehrish , Jamil Saqib , Bukhari Faisal , Aljohani Naif Radi , Nawaz Raheel
Published: June 2020

The purpose of the study is to (a) contribute to annotating an Altmetrics dataset across five disciplines, (b) undertake sentiment analysis using various machine learning and natural language processing–based algorithms, (c) identify the best-performing model and (d) provide a Python library for sentiment analysis of an Altmetrics dataset. First, the researchers gave a set of guidelines to two human annotators familiar with the task of related tweet annotation of scientific literature. They duly labelled the sentiments, achieving an inter-annotator agreement (IAA) of 0.80 (Cohen’s Kappa). Then, the same experiments were run on two versions of the dataset: one with tweets in English and the other with tweets in 23 languages, including English. Using 6388 tweets about 300 papers indexed in Web of Science, the effectiveness of employed machine learning and natural language processing models was measured by comparing with well-known sentiment analysis models, that is, SentiStrength and Sentiment140, as the baseline. It was proved that Support Vector Machine with uni-gram outperformed all the other classifiers and baseline methods employed, with an accuracy of over 85%, followed by Logistic Regression at 83% accuracy and Naïve Bayes at 80%. The precision, recall and F1 scores for Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression and Naïve Bayes were (0.89, 0.86, 0.86), (0.86, 0.83, 0.80) and (0.85, 0.81, 0.76), respectively.
Evaluation of Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia and the Normal Estrous Cycle in Longitudinal Sections of Uterus from Female Harlan Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Hobbie Kristen R. , Dixon Darlene
Published: June 2020

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has recently introduced the practice of examining longitudinal histological sections of the female rodent uterus to improve the identification of non-neoplastic lesions, preneoplastic lesions, and uterine tumors. This practice has created a need for reference material that includes normal histology, spontaneous lesions, and inducible lesions in longitudinal as well as transverse sections of the body of the uterus, uterine horns, cervix and vagina. Using 3 archived NTP reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, the authors reviewed longitudinal and transverse sections of uteri from female Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD® (Hsd:SD) rats for cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH). The purposes of this review were to (1) evaluate if existing criteria for CEH in transverse uterine sections could be applied to longitudinal sections to develop diagnostic features of CEH in longitudinal uterine sections of rat uterus and (2) create an atlas of the normal estrous cycle phases in longitudinal sections of young and mature adult Hsd:SD rat uteri. The information provided in this original article should help facilitate the examination of longitudinal sections of the uterus in future commercial and governmental rodent studies.
Natural History and Consequences of Nonunion in Mandibular and Maxillary Free Flaps
Authors: Swendseid Brian , Kumar Ayan , Sweeny Larissa , Zhan Tingting , Goldman Richard A. , Krein Howard , Heffelfinger Ryan N. , Luginbuhl Adam J. , Curry Joseph M.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To describe the natural history of bone segment union in head and neck free flap procedures and detail the association of poor segment union with postoperative complications.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Single tertiary care referral center.

Subjects and Method

Patients with mandibular or maxillary defects reconstructed with osseous or osteocutaneous free flaps were analyzed (n = 104). Postoperative computed tomography or positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans were reviewed for signs of osseointegration and nonunion. Postoperative wound complications were correlated with imaging findings.

Result

Thirty‐seven percent of appositions had partial union on nonunion. Appositions between osteotomized free flap segments form complete unions at a higher rate than appositions with native bone (65% vs 53%, P =. 0006). If an apposition shows a gap of ≥1 mm, the chances of failing to form a complete union are greatly increated (79% vs 8%, P =. 0009). Radiographic nonunion was associated with an increased likelihood of postoperative wound complications (40% vs 19%, P =. 025) and in most cases was present before development of complications.

Conclusion

Radiographic evidence of partial union or nonunion of free flap osseous segments greatly exceeds reported rates of clinically evident nonunion. Unions likely form between free flap appositions before unions to the native bone. If initial bone segments are >1‐mm apart, the chance of progression to complete union is low. Incomplete osseointegration appears to be a marker for development of wound complications.
Intranasal Corticosteroid Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Reported Safety and Adverse Effects in Adults
Authors: Donaldson Angela M. , Choby Garret , Kim Daniel H. , Marks Lisa A. , Lal Devyani
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To address concerns related to the safety profile of both Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved and non–FDA‐approved intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) use in the adult population.

Data Source

Systematic review of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE databases using a comprehensive search strategy including all INCS formulations and adverse events. The study design was developed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Additional sources were identified from study references of relevant articles.

Review Methods

A structured literature search was conducted. Each study was graded for level of evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine. Extracted data included population size, study design, drug (dosage, route, and frequency), presence of hypothalamus pituitary axis suppression, ocular symptoms, and treatment‐related adverse events.

Results

A total of 60 studies met inclusion criteria. The studies included use of INCS as metered nasal sprays, drops, injections, aerosols, and irrigations. There were no persistent abnormalities in cortisol level or intraocular pressure change. Meta‐analysis of epistaxis showed a significantly increased risk in the FDA‐approved treatment group in comparison with control (risk ratio 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.13‐2.14; P =. 007).

Conclusions

Overall, it appears that the use of both FDA and published non‐FDA application of INCS are safe in the adult population. Meta‐analysis demonstrated an increased risk of epistaxis in patients using INCS compared with placebo. Otherwise, there was no significant difference between in adults in the treatment group and placebo group. As an important caveat, the interpretation of safety of nonstandard INCS is restricted to delivery methods and dosages published in the literature.
Affective Imagery Modifies Sweetness Sensitivity
Authors: Liang Pei , Song Hengbo , Roy Soumyajit
Published: June 2020

Effects of vision on taste are well-documented phenomena. Yet the brain mechanism of such robust connection still remains unclear. It has been suggested that those stimulations which induce similar mood or pleasantness might be involved in the related cross-sensory and emotional neural circuit. In this article, the that the affective status of the brain might play the key role for such cross-sensory interaction. To test this hypothesis in this study, we use mental imagery as an affective primer to influence sweet sensitivity. The popular and well accepted emoticons with positive or negative meanings were applied as visual imageries. The results demonstrated that when the subjects recalled positive imagery, sweetness sensitivity increased significantly around sweetness threshold level. The sweetness sensitivity did not reduce significantly on recalling negative imagery. Such observation supports that affective status of the brain modifies sweetness sensitivity and underscores the need to further understand the role of emotion in cross-sensory integration.