bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Cycle Bat Algorithm and Dictionary-Based Deformable Model for Lung Tumor Segmentation
Authors: Shetty Mamtha V. , Jayadevappa D. , Veena G. N.
Published: November 2021

Among the different types of cancers, lung cancer is one of the widespread diseases which causes the highest number of deaths every year. The early detection of lung cancer is very essential for increasing the survival rate in patients. Although computed tomography (CT) is the preferred choice for lungs imaging, sometimes CT images may produce less tumor visibility regions and unconstructive rates in tumor portions. Hence, the development of an efficient segmentation technique is necessary. In this paper, water cycle bat algorithm- (WCBA-) based deformable model approach is proposed for lung tumor segmentation. In the preprocessing stage, a median filter is used to remove the noise from the input image and to segment the lung lobe regions, and Bayesian fuzzy clustering is applied. In the proposed method, deformable model is modified by the dictionary-based algorithm to segment the lung tumor accurately. In the dictionary-based algorithm, the update equation is modified by the proposed WCBA and is designed by integrating water cycle algorithm (WCA) and bat algorithm (BA).
A New Classification System for Postinterventional Cerebral Hyperdensity: The Influence on Hemorrhagic Transformation and Clinical Prognosis in Acute Stroke
Authors: Shao Yuan , Xu Yuyun , Li Yumei , Wen Xuehua , He Xiaodong
Published: November 2021

Background. Postinterventional cerebral hyperdensity (PCHD) is commonly seen in acute ischemic patients after mechanical thrombectomy. We propose a new classification of PCHD to investigate its correlation with hemorrhagic transformation (HT). The clinical prognosis of PCHD was further studied. Methods. Data from 189 acute stroke patients were analyzed retrospectively. According to the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study criteria (ECASS), HT was classified as hemorrhagic infarction (HI-1 and HI-2) and parenchymal hematoma (pH-1 and pH-2). Referring to the classification of HT, PCHD was classified as PCHD-1, PCHD-2, PCHD-3, and PCHD-4. The prognosis included early neurological deterioration (END) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Results. The incidence of HT was 14.8% (12/81) in the no-PCHD group and 77.8% (84/108) in the PCHD group. PCHD was highly correlated with HT (

r
=
0.751

,

p
<
0.01

). After stepwise regression analysis, PCHD and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission were found to be independent factors for END (

p
<
0.001

,

p
=
0.015

, respectively). The area of curves (AUC) of PCHD, the NIHSS at admission, and the combined model were 0.810, 0.667, and 0.832, respectively. The optimal diagnostic cutoff of PCHD for END was

PCHD
>
2

. PCHD, the NIHSS score at admission, and good vascular recanalization (VR) were independently associated with 3-month mRS (all

p
<
0.05

). The AUC of PCHD, the NIHSS at admission, good VR, and the combined model were 0.779, 0.733, 0.565, and 0.867, respectively. And the best cutoff of PCHD for the mRS was

PCHD
>
1

. Conclusion. The relationship of PCHD and HT suggested PCHD was an early risk indicator for HT. The occurrence of PCHD-3 and PCHD-4 was a strong predictor for END. PCHD-1 is considered to be relatively benign in relation to the 3-month mRS.
Therapeutic Potential of α-Synuclein Evolvability for Autosomal Recessive Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Wei Jianshe , Ho Gilbert , Takamatsu Yoshiki , Masliah Eliezer , Hashimoto Makoto
Published: November 2021

The majority of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is sporadic in elderly and is characterized by α-synuclein (αS) aggregation and other alterations involving mitochondria, ubiquitin-proteasome, and autophagy. The remaining are familial PD associated with gene mutations of either autosomal dominant or recessive inheritances. However, the former ones are similar to sporadic PD, and the latter ones are accompanied by impaired mitophagy during the reproductive stage. Since no radical therapies are available for PD, the objective of this paper is to discuss a mechanistic role for amyloidogenic evolvability, a putative physiological function of αS, among PD subtypes, and the potential relevance to therapy. Presumably, αS evolvability might benefit familial PD due to autosomal dominant genes and also sporadic PD during reproduction, which may manifest as neurodegenerative diseases through antagonistic pleiotropy mechanism in aging. Indeed, there are some reports describing that αS prevents apoptosis and mitochondrial alteration under the oxidative stress conditions, notwithstanding myriads of papers on the neuropathology of αS. Importantly, β-synuclein (βS), the nonamyloidogenic homologue of αS, might buffer against evolvability of αS protofibrils associated with neurotoxicity. Finally, it is intriguing to predict that increased αS evolvability through suppression of βS expression might protect against autosomal recessive PD. Collectively, further studies are warranted to better understand αS evolvability in PD pathogenesis, leading to rational therapy development.
Effectiveness of a Participatory Program on Pesticide Use Behavior and Blood Cholinesterase Levels in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand
Authors: Sawarng Nootchakarn , Hongsibsong Surat , Sapbamrer Ratana , Wongta Anurak , Tongjai Phannika
Published: November 2021

This quasiexperimental study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a participatory program on pesticide use behavior and blood cholinesterase levels. The participants were 18–60 years old, living in Thung Satok subdistrict, San Pa Tong District, Chiang Mai Province. Eighty subjects, including 32 farmers and 48 consumers, were recruited to participate in the study voluntarily by a purposive sampling technique. Data concerning each individual’s behaviors were collected using questionnaires, and blood cholinesterase levels were obtained from whole blood finger, providing whole blood pre and postexperiment. The data were analyzed using Fishers’ exact and paired t-tests, for the problem situations were independently analyzed. The results show that the participatory process made it possible to improve methods for the prevention of the unhealthy effects of pesticides. After participating in the activities, both groups showed significantly higher scores in before and after knowledge (

P
<
0.05

) and a decrease in pesticide contamination in their bodies as a result of the measurement of average cholinesterase which increased significantly (

P
<
0.001

). In conclusion, the participatory program was applied to solve health problems from chemical hazards. The program can raise awareness about chemical toxicity, leading to the modification of the related behavior toward chemicals and reduction of the contamination of chemicals in the body. Therefore, the adoption of participatory processes can effectively solve problems related to chemical hazards that affect health.
3D Morphology Distribution Characteristics and Discrete Element Simulation of Sand-Gravel Mixtures
Authors: Qi Wu , Suyu Sun , Guangliang Gao , Yi Fang , Guoxing Chen
Published: November 2021

Sand-gravel mixtures are typical binary materials, exhibiting highly heterogeneous, discontinuous, and significant structural effects. The contact state between sand and gravel particles has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the mixtures. This article focused on the complex internal structure and its mesostructural behavior of the mixtures, and a systematic statistical analysis was carried out to study the shape, size, and angularity of the coarse particles. The three-dimensional (3D) shapes of coarse aggregates were approximated to be hexahedron, pentahedron, and tetrahedron. An indicator called angularity and surface texture (AT) index was developed to characterize the combined effect of the coarse aggregate angularity and surface texture. Based on the screening testing and digital image processing, the particle size and AT index of aggregates were extracted, and their means, standard deviations, and statistical distributions were studied. An algorithm for generating 3D aggregates was developed based on the statistical results of the coarse aggregate 3D morphology. The coarse aggregate generating code was written using the fish language in PFC3D. The numerical model was then applied to conduct three typical monotonic or cyclic triaxial test simulations. Retrospective simulation of the laboratory tests using the proposed model showed good agreement, and the reliability of the model is effectively verified. The results interpreted well the mechanism of particle motion and the distribution of interparticle contact force during shearing from mesoscale of the mixtures, which can give better understanding and modeling of the nonlinear behavior of the sand-gravel mixtures.
Intelligent Communication Management Terminal in the Construction of Human Resource Management Mode
Authors: Wu Shumei
Published: November 2021

With the rapid development of the economy, the integration of corporate strategic management and human resource management has become an issue of concern. This research mainly discusses the role of intelligent communication management terminal in the construction of human resource management mode. In this research, the system development process of this research mainly uses the class library in the software architecture layer to support the software development process. The main development language of Android, JAVA, is to install the Android Develop Tools plug‐in on eclipse and install the Android SDK in the computer operating system to build the Android development environment. The development and application of the system not only make the enterprise managers more convenient and efficient in the process of managing the enterprise but also smooth the operation of the enterprise while reducing the human resource investment and also gives the employees more right to know and the right to participate in the enterprise construction. By creating more value while reducing human resource input, enterprises will enable it to obtain more benefits, and thus enter a cycle of good development and contribute to society. The system has the functions of personnel management, recruitment management, attendance management, training management, work management, and salary management. The recruitment management function of the system is mainly composed of recruitment plan management, recruitment information management, and talent pool. In the system’s recruitment plan management function, important information such as the recruitment part, the number of recruits, personnel requirements, and the specific arrival time of the personnel must be clarified. The personnel in charge of the enterprise personnel department shall conduct corresponding regulations according to the specific needs of the enterprise and shall be experienced by the personnel department. The review is carried out, and all parts of the enterprise are coordinated and completed at the same time. In the platform performance test, when the number of concurrent users reaches 50000, the request time is about 6 seconds, which meets the requirement that the response time of 10000 people per second is less than 10 seconds. This research puts forward suggestions and countermeasures for the optimization of human resource management, which can not only improve the efficiency of Y company’s human resource management but also provide useful reference and reference for other enterprises facing the same problem.
Antioxidant Activity In Vitro Guided Screening and Identification of Flavonoids Antioxidants in the Extract from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg
Authors: Ding Li , Zhang Xiaomin , Zhang Jiajia
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to investigate the extract with high antioxidant activity of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg and identify the antioxidant components in vitro. α, α-Diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and hydroxyl radical scavenging method were used to screen the extract with high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated by the free radical scavenging ability of DPPH. The ability of extracts to scavenge 2, 2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical was evaluated by TEAC assay. The FRAP method was used to evaluate the ability of extracts to reduce Fe3+. The ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals produced by the interaction of hydrogen peroxide and Fe2+ was measured by monitoring the change in the absorbance of the reaction mixture at 536 nm. Then, high-performance liquid chromatography-DPPH (HPLC-DPPH) and HPLC-hydroxyl radical scavenging methods were used to screen the antioxidant components in the extract. The molecular weight of the above antioxidant components was investigated using the qualitative analytical method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF LC/MS). Based on the concentrations of the samples (0.2–4 mg/mL), the DPPH free radical scavenging ability, ABTS+ free radical scavenging ability, hydroxyl free radical scavenging ability, and Fe3+ reducing ability of the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) were stronger than that of the crude extract (CE), petroleum ether extract (PEE), and n-butanol extract (BE). The EAE has higher antioxidant activity than CE, PEE, and BE. Six antioxidant components, rutin, quercetin, isoquercetin, astragalin, kaempferol, and kaempferol-3-o-rutoside, were identified in the EAE.
A Novel Predictive Nomogram including Serum Lipoprotein a Level for Nonsentinel Lymph Node Metastases in Chinese Breast Cancer Patients with Positive Sentinel Lymph Node Metastases
Authors: Fang Zeng , Wang Ruizhi , Yang Ciqiu , Wang Dong , Chen Wanna , Lin Bo , Gong Dongsheng , Li Songqi , Liang Jiadong , Liang Xiaoli , Zeng Chunxian , Li Jie , Wang Kun , Lv Weiming
Published: November 2021

Background. We developed a new nomogram combining serum biomarkers with clinicopathological features to improve the accuracy of prediction of nonsentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in Chinese breast cancer patients. Methods. We enrolled 209 patients with breast cancer who underwent SLN biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection. We evaluated the relationships between non-SLN metastases and clinicopathologic features, as well as preoperative routine tests of blood indexes, tumor markers, and serum lipids, including lipoprotein a (Lp(a)). Risk factors for non-SLN metastases were identified by logistic regression analysis. The nomogram was created using the R program to predict the risk of non-SLN metastases in the training set. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied to assess the predictive value of the nomogram model in the validation set. Results. Lp(a) was significantly associated with non-SLN metastasis status. Compared with the MSKCC model, the predictive ability of our new nomogram that combined Lp(a) level and clinical variables (pathologic tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, multifocality, and positive/negative SLN numbers) was significantly greater (AUC: 0.732, 95% CI: 0.643–0.821) (C-index: 0.703, 95% CI: 0.656–0.791) in the training cohorts and also performed well in the validation cohorts (C-index: 0.773, 95% CI: 0.681–0.865). Moreover, the new nomogram with Lp(a) improved the accuracy (12.10%) of identification of patients with non-SLN metastases (NRI: 0.121; 95% CI: 0.081–0.202;

P
=
0.011

). Conclusions. This novel nomogram based on preoperative serum indexes combined with clinicopathologic features facilitates accurate prediction of risk of non-SLN metastases in Chinese patients with breast cancer.
RAB37 Promotes Adipogenic Differentiation of hADSCs via the TIMP1/CD63/Integrin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Huang Haili , Li Anran , Li Jin , Sun Dan , Liang Ling , Pan Kunyan , He Chengzhang , Zhang Peihua
Published: November 2021

The adipogenic differentiation ability of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) is critical for the construction of tissue engineering adipose, which shows promising applications in plastic surgery and regenerative medicine. RAB37 is a member of the small RabGTPase family and plays a critical role in vesicle trafficking. However, the role of RAB37 in adipogenic differentiation of hADSCs remains unclear. Here, we report that both the mRNA and protein levels of RAB37 fluctuated during adipogenic differentiation. Upregulation of RAB37 was observed at the early stage of adipogenic differentiation, which was accompanied by increased expression of transcription factors PPARγ2 and C/EBPα, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Overexpression of RAB37 promoted adipogenesis of hADSCs, as revealed by Oil Red O staining and increased expression of PPARγ2, C/EBPα, and LPL. Several upregulated cytokines related to RAB37-mediated adipogenic differentiation were identified using a cytokine array, including tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1). ELISA confirmed that upregulation of RAB37 increased the secretion of TIMP1 by hADSCs. Proximity ligation assay showed that RAB37 interacts with TIMP1 directly. Knockdown of TIMP1 compromised RAB37-mediated adipogenic differentiation. In addition, TIMP1 binds membrane receptor CD63 and integrin β1. RAB37 promotes Tyr397 phosphorylation of FAK, an important protein kinase of the integrin β1 signaling. Moreover, both knockdown of CD63 and inhibitor of FAK impeded RAB37-mediated adipogenic differentiation. In conclusion, RAB37 positively regulates adipogenic differentiation of hADSCs via the TIMP1/CD63/integrin β1 signaling pathway.
Ensemble-Based Machine Learning for Predicting Sudden Human Fall Using Health Data
Authors: Saxena Utkarsh , Moulik Soumen , Nayak Soumya Ranjan , Hanne Thomas , Sinha Roy Diptendu
Published: November 2021

We attempt to predict the accidental fall of human beings due to sudden abnormal changes in their health parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, and sugar level. In medical terminology, this problem is known as Syncope. The primary motivation is to prevent such falls by predicting abnormal changes in these health parameters that might trigger a sudden fall. We apply various machine learning algorithms such as logistic regression, a decision tree classifier, a random forest classifier, K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), a support vector machine, and a naive Bayes classifier on a relevant dataset and verify our results with the cross-validation method. We observe that the KNN algorithm provides the best accuracy in predicting such a fall. However, the accuracy results of some other algorithms are also very close. Thus, we move one step further and propose an ensemble model, Majority Voting, which aggregates the prediction results of multiple machine learning algorithms and finally indicates the probability of a fall that corresponds to a particular human being. The proposed ensemble algorithm yields 87.42% accuracy, which is greater than the accuracy provided by the KNN algorithm.
Influence of Alkaline Activators on Unconfined Compressive Strength of Saline Soils Stabilised with Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slags
Authors: Xing Guoqi , Zhang Lijun , Xuan Wei , Pan Yueyue , Zhao Yue , Zhang Bing
Published: November 2021

To mitigate the environmental impact induced by CO2 emissions and nonrenewable resource consumption, which are typically associated with Portland cement production, ground granulated blast furnace slags (GGBSs) are usually added to the cement. In this study, the stabilisation effect of alkali‐activated GGBS on saline soil and the hydration products of alkali‐activated GGBS were investigated by unconfined compressive strength tests and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that Ca(OH)2 and NaOH as alkaline activators for GGBS significantly improve the unconfined compressive strength of saline soils. This strength is also enhanced by Na2SO4; however, the increase is considerably less than that provided by Ca(OH)2 and NaOH. In contrast, Na2CO3 is not a suitable alkaline activator for GGBS and has no significant effect on the unconfined compressive strength of saline soils. The study results further show that the morphology of hydration products varies because of the different alkaline activators involved in the hydration reaction with GGBS in saline soils.
Teenage Male with Cough and Recurrent Bruit
Authors: Gaffar Sheema , Tucker Elliot
Published: November 2021

A general pediatrician is skilled at continuity; through longitudinal evaluation, they serve as front-line providers in the recognition and referral of unusual pathology. The majority of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are diagnosed with history and physical examination. AVM are inherently progressive by nature; their expansion is what creates the risk of morbidity. With higher-risk vascular lesions, relative risk is important when discussing management with observation versus with invasive intervention. Size, location, and expected course of progression of the lesion help generate a timeline for action. Collaboration of physicians with diverse expertise generates optimal plan of therapy, particularly when faced with an unusual clinical finding. Genetics referral may be beneficial, as the body of literature on AVM is growing, and databases on associated syndromes are evolving. Establishing concrete follow-up is imperative to assess for recurrence of AVM or development of additional symptoms. This can be with the interventionalist or with the generalist.
Research on Intelligent English Translation Method Based on the Improved Attention Mechanism Model
Authors: Wang Rong
Published: November 2021

The use of neural machine algorithms for English translation is a hot topic in the current research. English translation using the traditional sequential neural framework, which is too poor at capturing long-distance information, has its own major limitations. However, the current improved frameworks, such as recurrent neural network translation, are not satisfactory either. In this paper, we establish an attention coding and decoding model to address the shortcomings of traditional machine translation algorithms, combine the attention mechanism with a neural network framework, and implement the whole English translation system based on TensorFlow, thus improving the translation accuracy. The experimental test results show that the BLUE values of the algorithm model built in this paper are improved to different degrees compared with the traditional machine learning algorithms, which proves that the performance of the proposed algorithm model is significantly improved compared with the traditional model.
Bacterial Colonization of the Condyle in Patients with Advanced Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis: Analysis of Hemimandibulectomy Specimens
Authors: Takeda Daisuke , Hashikawa Kazunobu , Shigeoka Manabu , Kanzawa Maki , Yatagai Nanae , Arimoto Satomi , Kusumoto Junya , Hasegawa Takumi , Terashi Hiroto , Akashi Masaya
Published: November 2021

Advanced mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) sometimes requires extended resection (e.g., hemimandibulectomy). Bacterial infection contributes to ORN pathogenesis. To control infection and determine the extent of debridement required, an understanding of bacterial spread within sites of mandibular ORN is important. The current study used a histopathological approach to assess bacterial colonization in the mandibular condyle and elucidate possible paths of bacterial spread towards the mandibular condyle. Four hemimandibulectomy specimens were selected. Areas of bone destruction were macroscopically assessed and confirmed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Bacterial presence within mandibular condyle was confirmed with Gram staining. Bone exposure was observed in the molar area in all specimens. Macroscopic bone destruction was apparent especially near the medial side of the cortical wall. Gram staining revealed bacterial colonization of the mandibular condyle in three of the four specimens. In conclusion, bacteria tended to spread posteriorly and through the medial side of the mandibular cortical wall. In patients with advanced ORN, the potential for bacterial colonization of the mandibular condyle should be considered during treatment.
Plexin-A4 Mediates Cytotoxic T-cell Trafficking and Exclusion in Cancer
Authors: Celus Ward , Oliveira Ana I. , Rivis Silvia , Van Acker Heleen H. , Landeloos Ewout , Serneels Jens , Cafarello Sarah Trusso , Van Herck Yannick , Mastrantonio Roberta , Köhler Arnaud , Garg Abhishek D. , Flamand Véronique , Tamagnone Luca , Marine Jean-Christophe , Matteo Mario Di , Costa Bruno M. , Bechter Oliver , Mazzone Massimiliano
Published: November 2021

Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) infiltration of the tumor carries the potential to limit cancer progression, but their exclusion by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment hampers the efficiency of immunotherapy. Here, we show that expression of the axon guidance molecule Plexin-A4 (Plxna4) in CTLs, especially in effector/memory CD8+ T cells, is induced upon T-cell activation, sustained in the circulation, but reduced when entering the tumor bed. Therefore, we deleted Plxna4 and observed that Plxna4-deficient CTLs acquired improved homing capacity to the lymph nodes and to the tumor, as well as increased proliferation, both achieved through enhanced Rac1 activation. Mice with stromal or hematopoietic Plxna4 deletion exhibited enhanced CTL infiltration and impaired tumor growth. In a melanoma model, adoptive transfer of CTLs lacking Plxna4 prolonged survival and improved therapeutic outcome, which was even stronger when combined with anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) treatment. PLXNA4 abundance in circulating CTLs was augmented in melanoma patients versus healthy volunteers but decreased after the first cycle of anti–PD-1, alone or in combination with anti–cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4), in those patients showing complete or partial response to the treatment. Altogether, our data suggest that Plxna4 acts as a “checkpoint,” negatively regulating CTL migration and proliferation through cell-autonomous mechanisms independent of the interaction with host-derived Plxna4 ligands, semaphorins. These findings pave the way toward Plxna4-centric immunotherapies and propose Plxna4 detection in circulating CTLs as a potential way to monitor the response to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with metastatic melanoma.
Something Old and Something New to Unleash the Power of Natural Killer Cells against Metastases
Authors: Demaria Sandra
Published: November 2021

Single-agent immunotherapy has improved outcomes for patients with cancer, but only a minority of patients respond, necessitating investigation of combinations of immunotherapy agents. In this issue of Cancer Immunology Research, Milling and colleagues show that neoadjuvant therapy with an intratumoral stimulator of interferon genes agonist combined with systemic IL2 and anti–PD-1 results in clearance of lung metastases mediated by natural killer cells in mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer.

See related article by Milling et al., p. 26. (4).
Dropping Beans or Spilling Secrets: How Idiomatic Context Bias Affects Prediction
Authors: Hendriks Manon , van Ginkel Wendy , Dijkstra Ton , Piai Vitória
Published: November 2021

Idioms can have both a literal interpretation and a figurative interpretation (e.g., to “kick the bucket”). Which interpretation should be activated can be disambiguated by a preceding context (e.g., “The old man was sick. He kicked the bucket.”). We investigated whether the idiomatic and literal uses of idioms have different predictive properties when the idiom has been biased toward a literal or figurative sentence interpretation. EEG was recorded as participants performed a lexical decision task on idiom-final words in biased idioms and literal (compositional) sentences. Targets in idioms were identified faster in both figuratively and literally used idioms than in compositional sentences. Time–frequency analysis of a prestimulus interval revealed relatively more alpha–beta power decreases in literally than figuratively used idiomatic sequences and compositional sentences. We argue that lexico-semantic retrieval plays a larger role in literally than figuratively biased idioms, as retrieval of the word meaning is less relevant in the latter and the word form has to be matched to a template. The results are interpreted in terms of context integration and word retrieval and have implications for models of language processing and predictive processing in general.
Negative Aesthetic Experiences of Prosecuting the Barely Alive
Authors: Fyfe Shannon
Published: November 2021

Theories of negative aesthetics claim that some aesthetic qualities like disgust, ugliness, and repulsiveness are instrumentally valuable, and can be justified as a necessary means to producing what might be considered an ultimately positive aesthetic experience. In an international criminal trial, the presentation of “ugly” visual and oral evidence may be justified in service of the aims of the trial. But when the “barely alive” are prosecuted, however, a justification for a negative aesthetic experience may not exist. In this paper, I argue that due to their vulnerability and the need to protect their dignity, individuals who have been accused of mass atrocity crimes but who are nearing the end of their lives should generally not be subjected to public trial and punishment. The negative aesthetic experiences generated by displaying someone close to death in that setting cannot be justified by positive aesthetic or moral experiences.
Judaism in the Kitchen: Ritual Space of the Mountain Jewish Women of Dagestan
Authors: Redmond Varvara
Published: November 2021

The article investigates the gender and ritual roles of the Mountain Jewish women of Dagestan. The research is based on fieldwork conducted by the "Sefer" Center in 2018. The author suggests that in the Mountain Jewish communities the central component of ritual life is a collective feast, but not the synagogue as it is in many other Jewish communities. Since traditionally women are responsible for preparing food, they shape and pass on the traditions of the Mountain Jews. They organize community celebrations and rites of passage. During Soviet times, the power over the ritual process transferred from the centralized male system, the synagogue, to the female sphere.
A new Dionysia (Primulaceae) species from southern Turkey, the most western species of the Irano-Turanian genus
Authors: GÜZEL YELDA
Published: November 2021

A new Dionysia species, D. zeynepiae, is described from Antakya, a Mediterranean province in southern Turkey. It differs from all other known species of the genus by the presence of the trifid corolla lobes (vs. entire, emarginate or bifid lobes). This is the most western and most separated population of this mostly Irano-Turanian genus, which is distributed mainly in the Zagros Mountains (Iran) and adjacent areas. The floral morphology of the heterostylous flowers is also described in detail.
The Mediterranean species of genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832 (Araneae: Sicariidae): Loxosceles imazighen sp. n. from Morocco and first description of the female of L. mrazig Ribera & Planas, 2009 from Tunisia
Authors: MASSA MARC , RIBERA CARLES
Published: November 2021

The aim of this paper is to describe a new species of the genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832 from Morocco, Loxosceles imazighen sp. n., and to describe for the first time a female of Loxoxceles mrazig Ribera & Planas, 2009 from Tunisia. Both species live in xeric and desert environments and are located in southern Atlas Range. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, using mitochondrial (cox1, 16S) and nuclear (H3, 28S) markers, revel that these species are closely related and that they constitute a separate evolutionary lineage of L. rufescens (Dufour, 1820) and of the set of endemic species of the Canary Islands. L. imazighen sp. n. differs from L. mrazig, the closest species morphologically and geographically, in the shapes and proportions of the male palpal tibia and the shapes and dispositions of the female seminal receptacles. In addition, L. mrazig females show morphological variability in their genitalia, mainly in the inner and outer lobes. Although that variability cannot be associated with different populations, since it also appears within individual populations, and is not related to genetic or geographic distances.
Rhodopotyphlus mitovi gen. et sp. nov., a new endogean millipede from the Western Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria (Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae)
Authors: VAGALINSKI BOYAN
Published: November 2021

A new genus and species, Rhodopotyphlus mitovi gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Western Rhodopi Mts., south-central Bulgaria. According to its morphology combined with previously published molecular data, the new species is supposed to represent a basal lineage in the julid tribe Typhloiulini. Some assumptions concerning the early evolutionary stages of the development of the mesomere—an important part of the male copulatory apparatus of many julid millipedes—are made on the basis of the outstanding gonopod conformation in the newly described taxon. Rhodopotyphlus mitovi gen. et sp. nov. is likely a narrow local endemic showing preference for specific microhabitat conditions.
Transition of Near-Ground Vorticity Dynamics during Tornadogenesis
Authors: Fischer Jannick , Dahl Johannes M. L.
Published: November 2021

Although much is known about the environmental conditions necessary for supercell tornadogenesis, the near-ground vorticity dynamics during the tornadogenesis process itself are still somewhat poorly understood. For instance, seemingly contradicting mechanisms responsible for large near-ground vertical vorticity can be found in the literature. Broadly, these mechanisms can be sorted into two classes, one being based on upward tilting of mainly baroclinically produced horizontal vorticity in descending air (here called the downdraft mechanism), while in the other the horizontal vorticity vector is abruptly tilted upward practically at the surface by a strong updraft gradient (referred to as the in-and-up mechanism). In this study, full-physics supercell simulations and highly idealized simulations show that both mechanisms play important roles during tornadogenesis. Pretornadic vertical vorticity maxima are generated via the downdraft mechanism, while the dynamics of a fully developed vortex are dominated by the in-and-up mechanism. Consequently, a transition between the two mechanisms occurs during tornadogenesis. This transition is a result of axisymmetrization of the pretornadic vortex patch and intensification via vertical stretching. These processes facilitate the development of the corner flow, which enables production of vertical vorticity by upward tilting of horizontal vorticity practically at the surface, i.e., the in-and-up mechanism. The transition of mechanisms found here suggests that early stages of tornado formation rely on the downdraft mechanism, which is often limited to a small vertical component of baroclinically generated vorticity. Subsequently, a larger supply of horizontal vorticity (produced baroclinically or via surface drag, or even imported from the environment) may be utilized, which marks a considerable change in the vortex dynamics.
Understanding the Forecast Skill of Rapid Arctic Sea Ice Loss on Subseasonal Time Scales
Authors: McGraw Marie C. , Blanchard-Wrigglesworth Eduardo , Clancy Robin P. , Bitz Cecilia M.
Published: November 2021

The predictability of sea ice during extreme sea ice loss events on subseasonal (daily to weekly) time scales is explored in dynamical forecast models. These extreme sea ice loss events (defined as the 5th percentile of the 5-day change in sea ice extent) exhibit substantial regional and seasonal variability; in the central Arctic Ocean basin, most subseasonal rapid ice loss occurs in the summer, but in the marginal seas rapid sea ice loss occurs year-round. Dynamical forecast models are largely able to capture the seasonality of these extreme sea ice loss events. In most regions in the summertime, sea ice forecast skill is lower on extreme sea ice loss days than on nonextreme days, despite evidence that links these extreme events to large-scale atmospheric patterns; in the wintertime, the difference between extreme and nonextreme days is less pronounced. In a damped anomaly forecast benchmark estimate, the forecast error remains high following extreme sea ice loss events and does not return to typical error levels for many weeks; this signal is less robust in the dynamical forecast models but still present. Overall, these results suggest that sea ice forecast skill is generally lower during and after extreme sea ice loss events and also that, while dynamical forecast models are capable of simulating extreme sea ice loss events with similar characteristics to what we observe, forecast skill from dynamical models is limited by biases in mean state and variability and errors in the initialization.

Significance Statement

We studied weather model forecasts of changes in Arctic sea ice extent on day-to-day time scales in different regions and seasons. We were especially interested in extreme sea ice loss days, or days in which sea ice melts very quickly or is reduced due to diverging forces such as winds, ocean currents, and waves. We find that forecast models generally capture the observed timing of extreme sea ice loss days. We also find that forecasts of sea ice extent are worse on extreme sea ice loss days compared to typical days, and that forecast errors remain elevated following extreme sea ice loss events.
Recurrent Nerve Injury After Total Thyroidectomy: Risk Factor Analysis of a Targeted NSQIP Data Set
Authors: Mahvi David A. , Saadat Lily V. , Knell Jamie , Urman Richard D. , Whang Edward E. , Cho Nancy L.
Published: November 2021

Background

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is a significant complication after thyroidectomy. Understanding risk factors for RLN injury and the associated postoperative complications may help inform quality improvement initiatives.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) thyroidectomy-targeted database was utilized for patients undergoing total thyroidectomy between 2016 and 2017. Univariable and multivariable regression were used to identify factors associated with RLN injury.

Results

A total of 6538 patients were identified. The overall rate of RLN injury was 7.1% (467/6538). Of these, 4129 (63.1%) patients had intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), with an associated RLN injury rate of 6.5% (versus 8.2% without). African American and Asian race, non-elective surgery, parathyroid auto-transplantation, and lack of RLN monitoring were all significantly associated with nerve injury on multivariable analysis (P<.05). Patients with RLN injury were more likely to experience cardiopulmonary complications, re-intubation, longer length of stay, readmission, and reoperation. Patients who had IONM and sustained RLN injury remained at risk for developing significant postoperative complications, although the extent of cardiopulmonary complications was less severe in this cohort.

Discussion

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is common after thyroidectomy and is associated with significant morbidity, despite best practices. Attention to preoperative characteristics may help clinicians to further risk stratify patients prior to thyroidectomy. While IONM does not mitigate all complications, use of this technology may decrease severity of postoperative complications.
Economic Multilateralism in Peril
Authors: Agarwal Manmohan
Published: November 2021

The Doha Round of multilateral negotiations is at a stalemate. The aid situation is changing as many countries are graduating from the soft loan arm of the World Bank Group. Developing countries built up their foreign exchange reserves to avoid borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), leading the IMF to retrench. This article explores the evolution of multilateralism from, essentially, its political roots to the economic area after the First World War (FWW), though in a limited way, and more fully after the Second World War (SWW). We then discuss how the workings of these economic multilateral institutions resulted in the current situation, where they risk becoming irrelevant. Finally, the article discusses the possible role of theG20 in the revival of multilateralism and, in particular, the role that developing countries might play in the revival.
Associations of Ambient Air Pollutants and Meteorological Factors With COVID-19 Transmission in 31 Chinese Provinces: A Time Series Study
Authors: Cao Han , Li Bingxiao , Gu Tianlun , Liu Xiaohui , Meng Kai , Zhang Ling
Published: November 2021

Evidence regarding the effects of environmental factors on COVID-19 transmission is mixed. We aimed to explore the associations of air pollutants and meteorological factors with COVID-19 confirmed cases during the outbreak period throughout China. The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, air pollutant concentrations, and meteorological factors in China from January 25 to February 29, 2020, (36 days) were extracted from authoritative electronic databases. The associations were estimated for a single-day lag as well as moving averages lag using generalized additive mixed models. Region-specific analyses and meta-analysis were conducted in 5 selected regions from the north to south of China with diverse air pollution levels and weather conditions and sufficient sample size. Nonlinear concentration–response analyses were performed. An increase of each interquartile range in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO at lag4 corresponded to 1.40 (1.37–1.43), 1.35 (1.32–1.37), 1.01 (1.00–1.02), 1.08 (1.07–1.10), 1.28 (1.27–1.29), and 1.26 (1.24–1.28) ORs of daily new cases, respectively. For 1°C, 1%, and 1 m/s increase in temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity, the ORs were 0.97 (0.97–0.98), 0.96 (0.96–0.97), and 0.94 (0.92–0.95), respectively. The estimates of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and all meteorological factors remained significantly after meta-analysis for the five selected regions. The concentration–response relationships showed that higher concentrations of air pollutants and lower meteorological factors were associated with daily new cases increasing. Higher air pollutant concentrations and lower temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity may favor COVID-19 transmission. Controlling ambient air pollution, especially for PM2.5, PM10, NO2, may be an important component of reducing risk of COVID-19 infection. In addition, as winter months are arriving in China, the meteorological factors may play a negative role in prevention. Therefore, it is significant to implement the public health control measures persistently in case another possible pandemic.
Consumer Wearables for Patient Monitoring in Otolaryngology: A State of the Art Review
Authors: Somani Shaan N. , Yu Katherine M. , Chiu Alexander G. , Sykes Kevin J. , Villwock Jennifer A.
Published: November 2021

Objective

Consumer wearables, such as the Apple Watch or Fitbit devices, have become increasingly commonplace over the past decade. The application of these devices to health care remains an area of significant yet ill‐defined promise. This review aims to identify the potential role of consumer wearables for the monitoring of otolaryngology patients.

Data Sources

PubMed.

Review Methods

A PubMed search was conducted to identify the use of consumer wearables for the assessment of clinical outcomes relevant to otolaryngology. Articles were included if they described the use of wearables that were designed for continuous wear and were available for consumer purchase in the United States. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were synthesized into a final narrative review.

Conclusions

In the perioperative setting, consumer wearables could facilitate prehabilitation before major surgery and prediction of clinical outcomes. The use of consumer wearables in the inpatient setting could allow for early recognition of parameters suggestive of poor or declining health. The real‐time feedback provided by these devices in the remote setting could be incorporated into behavioral interventions to promote patients’ engagement with healthy behaviors. Various concerns surrounding the privacy, ownership, and validity of wearable‐derived data must be addressed before their widespread adoption in health care.

Implications for Practice

Understanding how to leverage the wealth of biometric data collected by consumer wearables to improve health outcomes will become a high‐impact area of research and clinical care. Well‐designed comparative studies that elucidate the value and clinical applicability of these data are needed.
How women in the UAE enact entrepreneurial identities to build legitimacy
Authors: Thompson-Whiteside Helen , Turnbull Sarah , Fletcher-Brown Judith
Published: November 2021

This article examines how women enact an entrepreneurial identity as a means to secure legitimacy for their entrepreneurial activity. Using a netnographic analysis of media interviews with women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we identify how women construct an entrepreneurial identity. Findings indicate that women highlight micro aspects of their identity, provide both personal and external sources of evidence to substantiate their claims, and adhere to potentially conflicting institutional logics. The findings contribute to knowledge of how entrepreneurship is legitimised and can disrupt institutional arrangements that constrain women. We provide both a gendered and novel contextual view, adding theoretical depth to contemporary conceptualisations of entrepreneurial legitimacy.
Application of Theory of Planned Behavior in Pregnant Women Training Regarding Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moradpour Sheida , Shahnazi Hossein , Hassanzadeh Akbar
Published: November 2021

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effect of the theory of planned behavior-based education program on promoting the urinary tract infection prevention behaviors in pregnant women.

Methods

The present study was a randomized controlled trial in which 100 pregnant women, who visited the healthcare centers of Zarinshahr City, were randomly divided into two groups, intervention and control. Five education sessions based on the theory of planned behavior were held for the intervention group.

Results

After implementing the educational intervention, the mean scores of knowledge and constructs of the theory of planned behavior significantly increased in the intervention group over time (P < 0.001). After the educational intervention, the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) was 4.3% in the intervention group and 21.3% in the control group.

Conclusion

In this study, the use of methods such as group discussion and role playing promoted attitudes, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms of pregnant women, and as a result, UTI in women in the intervention group was reduced.
Spontaneous regression of a large sequestered lumbar disc herniation: a case report and literature review
Authors: Hu Chengxiang , Lin Baocheng , Li Zhixing , Chen Xiaozhuan , Gao Kun
Published: November 2021

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disorder in adults that is accompanied by lower back and radicular pain. A 32-year-old man visited our clinic with 1-week history of persistent lower back pain and weakness in his right big toe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his lumbar spine revealed herniated discs at L3/L4, L5/S1 and L4/L5, where a right-sided intraspinal mass lesion deep to the L4 vertebral body was causing compression of the nerve root. The patient underwent conservative treatment and reported no symptoms referrable to his back or leg 4 months later. Follow-up MRI showed no herniation of the nucleus pulposus at the L4/L5 level or lesion deep to the vertebral body of L4, whereas no changes had occurred to the status of the herniated L3/L4 and L5/S1 discs. The present case and a literature review show that a sequestered lumbar disc herniation can regress within a relatively short timeframe without surgery. The authors emphasise the utility of conservative therapy for patients who do not have a definitive surgical indication.