bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Positive Lymph Nodes in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma and Tumor Thrombus Undergoing Nephrectomy and Thrombectomy
Authors: Xiao Ruotao , Xu Chuxiao , Ge Liyuan , He Wei , Yang Bin , Liu Lei , Liu Cheng , Ma Lulin
Published: April 2021

Introductions: The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of positive lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and tumor thrombus (TT) and to explore risk factors predicting LNs metastasis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 216 patients with RCC and TT treated at a single institution from January 2015 to December 2019. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier curves divided by pathological LN status. Associations between clinicopathological features and survival outcomes were evaluated using Cox regression models. Logistic regression model was performed to determine risk factors associated with LN metastasis. Results: We identified 216 patients with RCC and TT including 85 (39.4%) who did and 131 (60.6%) who did not undergo lymph node dissection. Pathologically positive LNs were found in 18 (8.3%) cases. pN1 had significant worse OS (median: 21 vs. 41 and 56 months, p < 0.001) and PFS (median:14 vs. 29 and 33 months, p < 0.001) than pN0 and pNx respectively. However, survival outcomes of OS and PFS were similar between pNx-0/M1 and pN1/M0 group and between 1- and ≥2-node-positive group. Non-CCRCC (p = 0.001), sarcomatoid differentiation (p < 0.001), and pathologically positive LNs (p = 0.025) were independent prognostic predictors predicting worse OS while distance metastasis (p = 0.009), non-CCRCC (p = 0.023), necrosis (p = 0.014), sarcomatoid differentiation (p = 0.003), and pathologically positive LNs (p = 0.007) were independent prognostic indicators predicting worse PFS. Clinically positive LNs (p = 0.014) and sarcomatoid differentiation (p = 0.009) were predictors of positive LNs. Conclusions: LNs metastasis independently associated with worse survival outcomes in RCC and TT populations, with similar survival outcomes compared to distance metastasis. Therefore, more accurate risk stratification is warranted for guiding postoperative surveillance and adjuvant therapy.
Calpain Participates in Cortical Cytoskeleton Modification and DNA Release during Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation
Authors: de Lourdes Ochoa-González Fátima , Bastian Yadira , Rivera-Carrera Valeria , García-Tiscareño Ivan Alejandro , Zapata-Zuñiga Martín , Lopez Jesus Adrian , Méndez J. Alfredo , Enciso-Moreno José Antonio , Castañeda-Delgado Julio Enrique
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is a process in which several kinds of enzymes participate generating posttranslational modifications of proteins. NETs have been associated with infectious, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of several proteases reduces the formation of NETs. In the present work, we analyzed the role of several broad-acting and specific inhibitors of proteases in the formation of NETs. Methods: Neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy individuals by density gradient. The neutrophils were quantified and seeded into cell culture plates. Phorbol myristate acetate and A23187 were used as NETs inducers, and several specific inhibitors of proteases were used. The cells were stained for cytoskeleton or DNA. The cell-free supernatants were used to assess DNA release. Statistical analysis was carried out by a Kruskal-Wallis or ANOVA test. Results: We observed marked changes in actin organization after the induction of NETs, suggesting that the cytoskeleton is being actively regulated. When we used protease inhibitors, the release of DNA was reduced, suggesting the participation of actin remodeling in the process. Further characterization of the specific proteases revealed that calpain modulates the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton and DNA release. Preservation of part of the actin cytoskeleton suggests that DNA release is not only a mechanic process associated to the chromatin decondensation; rather the process is highly regulated by active proteases that promote cytoskeleton reorganization and chromatin decondensation that culminates in DNA release. Conclusion: Calpain mediates the DNA release in the NET formation process by the modification of cortical actin cytoskeleton in a calcium-dependent manner.
Probiotic Potential of Lactobacillus Species in Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Steiner Nicole Charlotte , Lorentz Axel
Published: April 2021

Since conventional allergy medication for asthma or allergic rhinitis (AR) can cause side effects which limit the patients’ quality of life, it is of interest to find other forms of therapy. In particular, probiotic bacteria, such as Lactobacillus species, have shown anti-allergic effects in various mouse and human studies. For instance, administration of some Lactobacillus species resulted in nasal and ocular symptom relief and improvement of quality of life in children and adults suffering from rhinitis. Different changes in cytokine profiles, such as elevated Th1 and decreased Th2 cytokines, reduced allergy-related immunoglobulins and cell immigration have been found in both human and murine studies. Positive effects on patients like less activity limitations or fewer rhinitis episodes and longer periods free from asthma or rhinitis were also described following oral administration of Lactobacillus bacteria. However, it is still unclear how this type of lactic acid bacteria leads to changes in the immune system and thus inhibits the development of allergies or relieves their symptoms. This review gives an overview of current studies and draws conclusions concerning the usage of probiotic Lactobacillus strains in AR.
European Guidelines for Obesity Management in Adults with a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Muscogiuri Giovanna , El Ghoch Marwan , Colao Annamaria , Hassapidou Maria , Yumuk Volkan , Busetto Luca ,   Obesity Management Task Force (OMTF) of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)
Published: April 2021

Background: The very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has been recently proposed as an appealing nutritional strategy for obesity management. The VLCKD is characterized by a low carbohydrate content (<50 g/day), 1–1.5 g of protein/kg of ideal body weight, 15–30 g of fat/day, and a daily intake of about 500–800 calories. Objectives: The aim of the current document is to suggest a common protocol for VLCKD and to summarize the existing literature on its efficacy in weight management and weight-related comorbidities, as well as the possible side effects. Methods: This document has been prepared in adherence with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature searches, study selection, methodology development, and quality appraisal were performed independently by 2 authors and the data were collated by means of a meta-analysis and narrative synthesis. Results: Of the 645 articles retrieved, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed, revealing 4 main findings. First, the VLCKD was shown to result in a significant weight loss in the short, intermediate, and long terms and improvement in body composition parameters as well as glycemic and lipid profiles. Second, when compared with other weight loss interventions of the same duration, the VLCKD showed a major effect on reduction of body weight, fat mass, waist circumference, total cholesterol and triglyceridemia as well as improved insulin resistance. Third, although the VLCKD also resulted in a significant reduction of glycemia, HbA1c, and LDL cholesterol, these changes were similar to those obtained with other weight loss interventions. Finally, the VLCKD can be considered a safe nutritional approach under a health professional’s supervision since the most common side effects are usually clinically mild and easily to manage and recovery is often spontaneous. Conclusions: The VLCKD can be recommended as an effective dietary treatment for individuals with obesity after considering potential contra-indications and keeping in mind that any dietary treatment has to be personalized. Prospero Registry: The assessment of the efficacy of VLCKD on body weight, body composition, glycemic and lipid parameters in overweight and obese subjects: a meta-analysis (CRD42020205189).
Donors for SARS-CoV-2 Convalescent Plasma for a Controlled Clinical Trial: Donor Characteristics, Content and Time Course of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Körper Sixten , Jahrsdörfer Bernd , Corman Victor M. , Pilch Jan , Wuchter Patrick , Blasczyk Rainer , Müller Rebecca , Tonn Torsten , Bakchoul Tamam , Schäfer Richard , Juhl David , Schwarz Tatjana , Gödecke Nina , Burkhardt Thomas , Schmidt Michael , Appl Thomas , Eichler Hermann , Klüter Harald , Drosten Christian , Seifried Erhard , Schrezenmeier Hubert
Published: April 2021

Background: Convalescent plasma is one of the treatment options for COVID-19 which is currently being investigated in many clinical trials. Understanding of donor and product characteristics is important for optimization of convalescent plasma. Methods: Patients who had recovered from CO­VID-19 were recruited as donors for COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for a randomized clinical trial of CCP for treatment of severe COVID-19 (CAPSID Trial). Titers of neutralizing antibodies were measured by a plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Correlation of antibody titers with host factors and evolution of neutralizing antibody titers over time in repeat donors were analysed. Results: A series of 144 donors (41% females, 59% males; median age 40 years) underwent 319 plasmapheresis procedures providing a median collection volume of 850 mL and a mean number of 2.7 therapeutic units per plasmapheresis. The majority of donors had a mild or moderate course of COVID-19. The titers of neutralizing antibodies varied greatly between CCP donors (from <1:20 to >1:640). Donor factors (gender, age, ABO type, body weight) did not correlate significantly with the titer of neutralizing antibodies. We observed a significant positive correlation of neutralization titers with the number of reported COVID-19 symptoms and with the time from SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis to plasmapheresis. Neutralizing antibody levels were stable or increased over time in 58% of repeat CCP donors. Mean titers of neutralizing antibodies of first donation and last donation of repeat CCP donors did not differ significantly (1:86 at first compared to 1:87 at the last donation). There was a significant correlation of neutralizing antibodies measured by PRNT and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies which were measured by ELISA. CCP donations with an anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody content above the 25th percentile were substantially enriched for CCP donations with higher neutralizing antibody levels. Conclusion: We demonstrate the feasibility of collection of a large number of CCP products under a harmonized protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Titers of neutralizing antibodies were stable or increased over time in a subgroup of repeat donors. A history of higher number of COVID-19 symptoms and higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies in immunoassays can preselect donations with higher neutralizing capacity.
Antibody-Dependent Enhancement and the Critical Pattern of COVID-19: Possibilities and Considerations
Authors: Farshadpour Fatemeh , Taherkhani Reza
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic infection with profound effects on human society, has challenged our ability to control viral infections. Although at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the epidemic seemed controllable in Southern Iran, the disease presented a critical pattern as of May 2020. After a few months of the emergence of COVID-19, its severity and mortality increased dramatically. It has been proposed that antibodies produced during previous exposure to local circulating human coronaviruses or possibly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 might contribute to the development of more severe and lethal presentations of COVID-19 possibly by triggering antibody-dependent enhancement. The binding of virions complexed with antibodies to Fcγ receptors on the target cells initiates receptor-mediated signaling events, leading to enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines and suppression of intracellular antiviral responses at the transcriptome level, followed by endocytosis of the virus and subsequent activation of immune cells. The activated immune cells might accumulate in the lung and promote cytokine storm and lymphopenia. Furthermore, the formation of immune complexes can promote complement activation and subsequent tissue damage. Although there are currently no clinical data to support this hypothesis, a better understanding of these immunopathologic phenomena and their relation to the disease course and severity might give insights into the development of the most efficient prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. This review demonstrates the critical pattern of COVID-19 in Southern Iran and highlights the possible interplay of factors leading to this condition.
Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in American Indian Adults in a Tribal Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Stavrakis Stavros , Elkholey Khaled , Lofgren Marty M. , Asad Zain U. A. , Stephens Lancer D. , Freedman Ben
Published: April 2021

Background

American Indian adults have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with other racial groups. We implemented opportunistic screening to detect silent AF in American Indian adults attending a tribal health system using a mobile, single‐lead ECG device.

Methods and Results

American Indian patients aged ≥50 years followed in a tribal primary care clinic with no history of AF underwent a 30‐second ECG. A cardiologist overread all tracings to confirm the diagnosis of AF. After AF was confirmed, patients were referred to their primary care physician for initiation of anticoagulation. Patients seen over the same time period, who were not undergoing screening, served as controls. A total of 1019 patients received AF screening (mean age, 61.5±8.9 years, 62% women). Age and sex distribution of those screened was similar to the overall clinic population. New AF was diagnosed in 15 of 1019 (1.5%) patients screened versus 4 of 1267 (0.3%) patients who were not screened (mean difference, 1.2%; 95% CI, 0.3%–2.2%,
P
=0.002). Eight of 15 with new screen‐detected AF were aged <65 years. Those with screen‐detected AF were slightly older and had a higher CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc score than those without AF. Fourteen of 15 patients diagnosed with new AF had a CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc score ≥1 and initiated anticoagulation.

Conclusions

Opportunistic, mobile single‐lead ECG screening for AF is feasible in tribal clinics, and detects more AF than usual care, leading to appropriate initiation of anticoagulation. AF develops at a younger age in American Indian adults who would likely benefit from earlier AF screening.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03740477.
Morphology Matters: A Multilingual Language Modeling Analysis
Authors: Park Hyunji Hayley , Zhang Katherine J. , Haley Coleman , Steimel Kenneth , Liu Han , Schwartz Lane
Published: April 2021

Prior studies in multilingual language modeling (e.g., Cotterell et al., 2018; Mielke et al., 2019) disagree on whether or not inflectional morphology makes languages harder to model. We attempt to resolve the disagreement and extend those studies. We compile a larger corpus of 145 Bible translations in 92 languages and a larger number of typological features.1 We fill in missing typological data for several languages and consider corpus-based measures of morphological complexity in addition to expert-produced typological features. We find that several morphological measures are significantly associated with higher surprisal when LSTM models are trained with BPE-segmented data. We also investigate linguistically motivated subword segmentation strategies like Morfessor and Finite-State Transducers (FSTs) and find that these segmentation strategies yield better performance and reduce the impact of a language’s morphology on language modeling.
Chusquea contrerasii and C. guzmanii (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae, Chusqueinae), two new endemic species from Jalisco, Mexico

Authors: RUIZ-SANCHEZ EDUARDO , ROMERO-GUZMAN RAFAEL , FLORES-ARGÜELLES ALEJANDRA , ORTIZ-BRUNEL JUAN PABLO , CLARK LYNN G.
Published: April 2021

Chusquea is the richest genus of woody bamboo worldwide, with 191 described species distributed from Mexico, the Antilles, and Central America to southern South America. Mexico has 22 described species distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre del Sur, Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas Highlands. Two of the five subgenera recognized within Chusquea, subg. Chusquea and subg. Swallenochloa, are present in Mexico. Chusquea subg. Chusquea is classified into six sections, of which Chusquea sect. Longifoliae has 12 described species; four of them are present in Mexico. Based on recent morphological work that included an extensive taxonomic investigation of herbarium specimens and fieldwork carried out in the Mexican state of Jalisco, two new Chusquea species, C. contrerasii and C. guzmanii, are described and illustrated here. Both species are endemic to Jalisco, Mexico. Morphologically, Chusquea contrerasii and C. guzmanni are similar to C. nelsonii. A comparative morphological table is presented, and in addition to the scientific illustrations, photographs of both species are also presented here. These two new species increase the total number of Chusquea species in Mexico to 24. Sect. Longifoliae now has 14 species, six of them distributed in Mexico and the total diversity of Chusquea increases to 193 described species.
New species and new records of Pyraloid moths (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea) from Turkey
Authors: AKIN KESRAN , GÖZÜAÇIK CELALETTİN , SEVEN ERDEM , TÜRKOĞLU METE
Published: April 2021

In this paper, twelve Pyraloidea species are newly recorded in the Turkish fauna. A new species of Pyralidae (Phycitinae), Ancylosis igdirensis sp. nov. is described. And, the female genitalia of Sciota campicolella Erschoff, 1874 is described for the first time. The pictures related to the species are illustrated.
Oxynoemacheilus sarus, a new nemacheilid loach from the lower Ceyhan and Seyhan in southern Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
Authors: FREYHOF JÖRG , YOĞURTÇUOĞLU BARAN , KAYA CÜNEYT
Published: April 2021

Oxynoemacheilus sarus, new species, is described from the lower Ceyhan and Seyhan drainages in southern Anatolia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in Cilicia (including the Göksu, Seyhan and Ceyhan drainages) by possession of a series of irregularly shaped midlateral blotches, 3–5 dark-brown bands on the caudal fin, a complete lateral line, a forked caudal fin (shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 56–70% of longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe), the caudal peduncle depth 1.4–1.8 times in its length, and a suborbital groove in male individuals. The new species occurs in sympatry with superficially similar O. seyhanicola and O. evreni, and is distinguished by colour pattern as well as morphometric and molecular characters. Molecular data suggest that the closest relatives to the new species in our dataset are O. euphraticus and O. shehabi, which is characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 3.6% and 3.8%, respectively, in the COI mtDNA barcode region.
Trends in Cochlear Implantation in Texas: An Exploration of Outpatient Discharge Data, 2010 to 2017
Authors: Balachandra Sanjana , Xierali Imam M. , Nivet Marc A. , Hunter Jacob B.
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

To describe trends in cochlear implantation (CI) disparities in Texas using an all-payer database from 2010 to 2017.

Methods:

Texas Outpatient Surgical and Radiological Procedure Data, a public use data file, was accessed to analyze outpatient CI cases for Texas. Variables analyzed include patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, and insurance status. Population data from the American Community Survey generated CI utilization rates by patient demographic characteristics.

Results:

There were 6158 CI cases identified during the study period. The number of CI per year nearly doubled from 497 in 2010 to 961 in 2017. The majority of CI recipients were white (59.5%), male (51.9%), and privately insured (47.9%). All sub-populations statewide had more CI in 2017 compared to 2010, with the overall CI per 100 000 population increasing from 1.98 to 3.50 per 100 000 population. Patients over 75 demonstrated the greatest increase in the CI rate per 100 000 population, increasing from 4.60 in 2010 to 14.30 in 2017. Regarding race/ethnicity, all sub-populations noted an increase in the CI per 100 000 population, with white patients demonstrating the highest rate in 2017, at 4.36 CI per 100 000 population. Asian patients had a 502% increase in the CI rate (from 0.42 to 2.53), compared with 87.9%, 84.4%, and 69.2% increases for white, Black, and Hispanic populations, respectively.

Conclusions:

CI became more widespread between 2010 and 2017, benefiting certain populations more than others. Black and Hispanic populations had lower CI per 100 000 population than their white peers, while patients >65 years of age accounted for the greatest increase in CI.
Technology and Education as Elements in Museum Cultural Inclusion
Authors: Llamazares de Prado José Enrique , Arias Gago Ana Rosa
Published: April 2021

In the international arena, the use of technology as a tool for accessing information but also for creating content and sharing that generated content is beginning to gain importance. The main objective of this article is to provide knowledge of the new tools used in the international context in cultural access and to facilitate understanding, use and appropriate improvements with respect to cultural access for persons with disabilities. The methodology used, we have carried out a systematic review with a selection of 410 examined articles finally selected 34 articles covering from 2000 to 2020. Ten databases have been used in the exhaustive search and selection: 1Findr, Semantic Scholar, Scopus, Google Scholar, Microsoft Academy Search, Wos, IEEE Xplorer, Miar, Mendeley, Science Direct. The results obtained in the selected studies are characterized by their international scope, in the case of digital creation applications, virtual environments, and RA. Among the conclusions obtained, it is evident the need for collaboration between museums and institutions, to achieve significant progress in awareness, education, and access for all. Promote the development of accessibility plans, the exchange of information on actions at the international level, along with the means necessary to achieve better access to cultural spaces.
Repeated School Suspensions: Who Receives Them, What Reasons Are Given, and How Students Fare
Authors: Wilkerson Kimber L. , Afacan Kemal
Published: April 2021

Although out-of-school school suspensions have been correlated with negative school outcomes, they are still a common formal response given to students whose behavior is deemed problematic. Being suspended multiple times within an academic year results in students losing even more instructional time. In this study, we used longitudinal data for students from elementary to high school to examine: (a) demographic characteristics of students who received repeated out-of-school suspensions across six consecutive years, (b) common infractions that resulted in those school suspensions, and (c) the relationship between repeated suspensions and students’ later academic and behavior outcomes. We found that a high number of male and Black students, as well as students with disabilities, received repeated suspensions with minor infractions reported as the most common reasons. Regression analyses revealed a significant and negative relationship between repeated suspensions in the early grades and the number of suspensions students received in secondary school.
Assessing the Accuracy of Parameter Estimates in the Presence of Rapid Guessing Misclassifications
Authors: Rios Joseph A.
Published: April 2021

The presence of rapid guessing (RG) presents a challenge to practitioners in obtaining accurate estimates of measurement properties and examinee ability. In response to this concern, researchers have utilized response times as a proxy of RG and have attempted to improve parameter estimation accuracy by filtering RG responses using popular scoring approaches, such as the effort-moderated item response theory (EM-IRT) model. However, such an approach assumes that RG can be correctly identified based on an indirect proxy of examinee behavior. A failure to meet this assumption leads to the inclusion of distortive and psychometrically uninformative information in parameter estimates. To address this issue, a simulation study was conducted to examine how violations to the assumption of correct RG classification influences EM-IRT item and ability parameter estimation accuracy and compares these results with parameter estimates from the three-parameter logistic (3PL) model, which includes RG responses in scoring. Two RG misclassification factors were manipulated: type (underclassification vs. overclassification) and rate (10%, 30%, and 50%). Results indicated that the EM-IRT model provided improved item parameter estimation over the 3PL model regardless of misclassification type and rate. Furthermore, under most conditions, increased rates of RG underclassification were associated with the greatest bias in ability parameter estimates from the EM-IRT model. In spite of this, the EM-IRT model with RG misclassifications demonstrated more accurate ability parameter estimation than the 3PL model when the mean ability of RG subgroups did not differ. This suggests that in certain situations it may be better for practitioners to (a) imperfectly identify RG than to ignore the presence of such invalid responses and (b) select liberal over conservative response time thresholds to mitigate bias from underclassified RG.
Revisiting the Sustainability of India’s Fiscal Deficit
Authors: Devi Manisha , Sarma Amiya
Published: April 2021

Growing fiscal deficit and public debt has been a cause of concern for the government, economists and the policymakers of India since long. Various studies have tried to test the sustainability issue of India’s fiscal policies applying various methodologies time to time. However, the results obtained are ambiguous. Such ambiguity might emerge because of the various methodologies adopted for the respective studies. In view of this, the current study attempts to revisit the sustainability issue of India’s fiscal deficit using up-to-date time series methodologies on the annual data sets ranging from the time period 1981 to 2019. Apart from this, the study also tries to verify the results using a model based on fiscal reaction function (FRF) developed by Henning Bohn. The study found the fiscal deficit of India to be sustainable.

JEL Classification: H61, H62, H63, H68
Non-fragile distributed mode-dependent dissipative state estimation of uncertain Markov jump systems over sensor networks
Authors: Jiang ChangHua , Zhao Yan , Wang Bo , Liu Liang , Yan HuiJiong , Zhan WenHao
Published: April 2021

This paper considers the non-fragile distributed state estimation problem for Markov jump systems over sensor networks based on dissipative theory. Moreover, both state estimator gain variations and parameter uncertainties are assumed to be with mode-dependent for more practical modeling. On the basis of stochastic analysis and Lyapunov–Krasovskii function method, sufficient conditions with desired mode-dependent estimators are established such that the prescribed dissipative performance can be achieved. In the end, the effectiveness and applicability of the developed scheme is confirmed via the illustrative example.
Using a Technology-Based Graphic Organizer to Improve the Planning and Persuasive Paragraph Writing by Adolescents With Disabilities and Writing Difficulties
Authors: Brady Kelly K. , Evmenova Anya S. , Regan Kelley S. , Ainsworth Melissa K. , Gafurov Boris S.
Published: April 2021

A multiple-probe design was used to investigate planning and persuasive paragraph writing by three secondary students with disabilities and writing difficulties. The intervention consisted of one-on-one explicit instruction in persuasive writing and the use of a technology-based graphic organizer (TBGO) with embedded strategies and supports. Dependent variables included the number of sentences and overall holistic writing quality. The results were mixed. Two adolescents with the primary diagnosis of learning disabilities improved their writing performance when using the TBGO and remained above baseline levels when the TBGO was removed. One more participant diagnosed with autism demonstrated modest changes in the quantity and quality of his writing. Students reported positive perceptions of the TBGO, indicating a socially valid intervention. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
The Effect of Loneliness on Death Anxiety in the Elderly During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Guner Türkan Akyol , Erdogan Zeynep , Demir Isa
Published: April 2021

The aim of the study is to determine the effect on death anxiety of loneliness in the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of this study that is descriptive and cross-sectional type consist of 354 elderly who meet the inclusion criteria from three different associations operating for charitable purposes in a city center located in north-west Turkey. The average score of Loneliness Scale of Elderly (LSE) of the elderly was determined as 11.39 ± 5.31, and the average score of Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) of the elderly was determined as 8.54 ± 4.82. According to these results, it was found that the elderly experienced acceptable levels of loneliness and moderate death anxiety. A statistically significant difference was found in the LSE and DAS scores of the elderly according to their age, marital status, education status, chronic illness status and living at home with relatives. In addition, during the COVID-19 epidemic, the scale scores of the elderly who have increased worries, who have a hobby at home, and who communicate with their relatives via social media/mobile phones were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).
A new multi-scale backbone network for object detection based on asymmetric convolutions
Authors: Ma Xianghua , Yang Zhenkun
Published: April 2021

Real-time object detection on mobile platforms is a crucial but challenging computer vision task. However, it is widely recognized that although the lightweight object detectors have a high detection speed, the detection accuracy is relatively low. In order to improve detecting accuracy, it is beneficial to extract complete multi-scale image features in visual cognitive tasks. Asymmetric convolutions have a useful quality, that is, they have different aspect ratios, which can be used to exact image features of objects, especially objects with multi-scale characteristics. In this paper, we exploit three different asymmetric convolutions in parallel and propose a new multi-scale asymmetric convolution unit, namely MAC block to enhance multi-scale representation ability of CNNs. In addition, MAC block can adaptively merge the features with different scales by allocating learnable weighted parameters to three different asymmetric convolution branches. The proposed MAC blocks can be inserted into the state-of-the-art backbone such as ResNet-50 to form a new multi-scale backbone network of object detectors. To evaluate the performance of MAC block, we conduct experiments on CIFAR-100, PASCAL VOC 2007, PASCAL VOC 2012 and MS COCO 2014 datasets. Experimental results show that the detection precision can be greatly improved while a fast detection speed is guaranteed as well.
(Invisible) Displays of Survivalist Intensive Motherhood among UK Brexit Preppers
Authors: Kerrane Ben , Kerrane Katy , Bettany Shona , Rowe David
Published: April 2021

This article explores mothers’ narratives of ‘prepping’ behaviours. Prepping involves the management of stockpiled household items in anticipation of marketplace disruption. In this article, we use anticipated food shortages following the UK’s exit from the EU (‘Brexit’) as our context. Drawing on interview data, we highlight how mothers embed prepping into their ongoing pursuit of intensive motherhood, bound in the highly gendered practice of feeding the family. While adhering to elements of intensive motherhood ideology (their actions are labour intensive/child centred), participants reveal a hidden element to their practice. We introduce the notion of ‘survivalist intensive motherhood’ to understand their actions. Survivalist intensive motherhood departs from earlier intensive motherhood studies due to the largely invisible nature of preparations and the trade-offs made to feed the family during resource scarcity.
Sanctification of marriage, religious coping and marital adjustment of Iranian couples
Authors: Fallahchai Reza , Fallahi Maryam , Moazenjami Arefeh , Mahoney Annette
Published: April 2021

This study examined cross-sectional links of the theistic and non-theistic sanctification of marriage and positive and negative religious coping with marital adjustment for 316 married Muslims (women = 157, men = 159) from Iran. Perceiving marriage to be a manifestation of God (i.e. theistic sanctification) and reflective of sacred qualities (i.e. non-theistic sanctification) as well as engaging in positive and negative religious/spiritual (r/s) coping strategies each uniquely contributed variance to marital adjustment, after controlling for each other and global indicators of devotion to Islam (e.g. frequency of prayer, religious pilgrimages, fasting, reciting the Quran), and demographic variables (e.g. education level). Specifically, theistic sanctification (β = .40), non-theistic sanctification (β = .29), and positive r/s coping (β = .56) were uniquely tied to higher marital adjustment whereas negative r/s coping was uniquely tied to lower marital adjustment theistic (β =-15) in a hierarchical regression model with all primary variables and controls entered. These findings replicate and extend prior findings on the perceived sanctity of marriage with US samples of predominantly Christians to Muslims living in the Middle East, and offer novel cross-cultural insights into the possible roles that sanctification of marriage and r/s coping may play for marital well-being for non-distressed married Muslims.
A multi-study examination of attachment and implicit theories of relationships in ghosting experiences
Authors: Powell Darcey N. , Freedman Gili , Williams Kipling D. , Le Benjamin , Green Hayley
Published: April 2021

Ghosting is a dissolution strategy where the initiator ends all communication with the other person, ignoring attempts to reestablish the interaction. We examined the associations between attachment (i.e., anxiety/avoidance) and ghosting, and replicated previous work on implicit theories of relationships (i.e., growth/destiny) and ghosting. Study 1 ( N = 165) was an exploratory analysis of attachment and ghosting experiences, with those previously ghosted by a romantic partner reporting higher anxiety than those not previously ghosted by a romantic partner. Those who had ghosted a partner reported more avoidance than those who had not previously ghosted a partner. Study 2 ( N = 247) was a pre-registered replication of Study 1 and replication of ghosting and implicit theories. Study 3 was pre-registered and replicated the findings from Studies 1 and 2 with a substantially larger sample ( N = 863). Specifically, individuals who had been ghosted or had both ghosted and been ghosted reported significantly higher anxiety than those who had ghosted or had no prior ghosting experience. Individuals who had ghosted or had both ghosted and been ghosted reported significantly higher avoidance than those with no prior ghosting experience. Similarly, individuals who had ghosted or had both ghosted and been ghosted reported significantly higher destiny beliefs than those who had been ghosted or had no prior experience with ghosting. Finally, a meta-analysis across the three studies examined the strength of the associations between ghosting experiences and attachment. Taken together, these studies consistently demonstrate an association between attachment anxiety and being ghosted, as well as destiny beliefs and ghosting a romantic partner.
Transcatheter arterial embolization for hemorrhage after gynecologic hysterectomy: a multicenter study
Authors: Chen Cheng Shi , Cho Young-Jong , Shin Ji Hoon , Kim Jeong Ho , Park Suyoung , Jeon Gyeong Sik , Ibrahim Alrashidi , Li Hai-Liang , Jeong Boryeong
Published: April 2021

Background

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is not common for hemorrhagic complications after gynecologic hysterectomy.

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TAE for hemorrhage after hysterectomy for gynecologic diseases.

Material and Methods

This is a retrospective, multicenter study, which investigated 11 patients (median age = 45 years) who underwent TAE for hemorrhage after gynecologic hysterectomy between 2004 and 2020.

Results

The median interval between surgery and angiography was one day (range = 0–82 days). Hemodynamic instability and massive transfusion were present in 6 (54.5%) and 4 (36.4%) patients, respectively. CT scans (n = 7) showed contrast extravasation (n = 5), pseudoaneurysm (n = 1), or both (n = 1). On angiography, the bleeding arteries were the anterior division branches of the internal iliac artery (IIA) (n = 6), posterior division branch (lateral sacral artery, n = 1), and inferior epigastric artery (n = 1) in eight patients with active bleeding. In the remaining three patients, angiographic staining without active bleeding foci was observed at the vaginal stump, and the feeders for staining were all anterior division branches of the IIA. Technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 90.9% (10/11), respectively. In one patient, active bleeding focus was successfully embolized on angiography, but surgical hemostasis was performed for suspected bleeding on exploratory laparotomy. Postembolization syndrome occurred in one patient.

Conclusions

TAE is effective and safe for hemorrhage after hysterectomy for gynecologic diseases. Angiographic findings are primarily active bleeding, but angiographic staining is not uncommon. A bleeding focus is possible in any branch of the IIA, as well as the arteries supplying the abdominal wall.
Can radiomic analysis of a single-phase dual-energy CT improve the diagnostic accuracy of differentiating enhancing from non-enhancing small renal lesions?
Authors: Ding Yuqin , Meyer Mathias , Lyu Peijie , Rigiroli Francesca , Ramirez-Giraldo Juan Carlos , Lafata Kyle , Yang Siyun , Marin Daniele
Published: April 2021

Background

The value of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-based radiomics in renal lesions is unknown.

Purpose

To develop DECT-based radiomic models and assess their incremental values in comparison to conventional measurements for differentiating enhancing from non-enhancing small renal lesions.

Material and Methods

A total of 349 patients with 519 small renal lesions (390 non-enhancing, 129 enhancing) who underwent contrast-enhanced nephrographic phase DECT examinations between June 2013 and January 2020 on multiple DECT platforms were retrospectively recruited. Cohort A included all lesions, while cohort B included Bosniak II–IV and solid enhancing renal lesions. Radiomic models were built with features selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO). ROC analyses were performed to compare the diagnostic accuracy among conventional and radiomic models for predicting enhancing renal lesions.

Results

The individual iodine concentration (IC), normalized IC, mean attenuation on 75-keV images, radiomic model of iodine images, 75-keV images and a combined model integrating all the above-mentioned features all demonstrated high AUCs for predicting renal lesion enhancement in cohort A (AUCs = 0.934–0.979) as well as in the test dataset (AUCs = 0.892–0.962) of cohort B ( P values with Bonferroni correction >0.003). The AUC (0.864) of mean attenuation on 75-keV images was significantly lower than those of other models (all P values ≤0.001) except the radiomic model of 75-keV images ( P = 0.038) in the training dataset of cohort B.

Conclusion

No incremental value was found by adding radiomic and machine learning analyses to iodine images for differentiating enhancing from non-enhancing renal lesions.
Carbon dioxide embolism with severe hypotension as an initial symptom during laparoscopy: a case report
Authors: Bao Mingliang , Cai Wei , Zhu Shengmei , Kang Xianhui
Published: April 2021

Laparoscopy is widely used because it induces minimal postoperative pain and facilitates rapid recovery. However, carbon dioxide (CO2) embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of laparoscopic surgery. Earlier reports have shown that decreased end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and increased partial pressure of CO2 might be useful indicators of CO2 embolism. We herein report a case of CO2 embolism after the freed bladder neck was released during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Sudden hemodynamic disorder and increased ETCO2 combined with immediate arterial blood gas analysis led us to suspect CO2 embolism, which was confirmed by the aspiration of foamy blood from the central venous catheter. The patient was successfully resuscitated and recovered well. This case illustrates that hemodynamic collapse accompanied by increased ETCO2 can indicate CO2 embolism.
Experiences of group therapeutic songwriting of family caregivers of people with dementia
Authors: García-Valverde Esther , Badia Corbella Marta , Orgaz Baz María Begoña
Published: April 2021

Previous studies have shown the benefits of group therapeutic songwriting (GTSW) in the quality of life and well-being of caregivers of people with dementia. The objective of this study was to explore the experience of caregivers in a collaborative process of songwriting. Twenty-one caregivers divided into three groups received 12 60-min GTSW sessions led by a qualified music therapist. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze open-question questionnaires, a focus group, the last session video, and song lyrics. Four themes emerged: (1) GTSW generates a sense of connection, (2) it is a motivating, empowering, and meaningful experience, (3) it promotes emotional connection in a personal space, and (4) it increases well-being. Qualitative findings suggest that GTSW is a therapeutic tool that promotes caregivers’ connectivity, expression of emotions, and well-being. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Measuring Congestion and Reliability Impacts of Safety Projects
Authors: Babiceanu Simona , Lahiri Sanhita , Lockwood Mena
Published: April 2021

This study uses a suite of performance measures that was developed by taking into consideration various aspects of congestion and reliability, to assess impacts of safety projects on congestion. Safety projects are necessary to help move Virginia’s roadways toward safer operation, but can contribute to congestion and unreliability during execution, and can affect operations after execution. However, safety projects are assessed primarily for safety improvements, not for congestion. This study identifies an appropriate suite of measures, and quantifies and compares the congestion and reliability impacts of safety projects on roadways for the periods before, during, and after project execution. The paper presents the performance measures, examines their sensitivity based on operating conditions, defines thresholds for congestion and reliability, and demonstrates the measures using a set of Virginia safety projects. The data set consists of 10 projects totalling 92 mi and more than 1M data points. The study found that, overall, safety projects tended to have a positive impact on congestion and reliability after completion, and the congestion variability measures were sensitive to the threshold of reliability. The study concludes with practical recommendations for primary measures that may be used to measure overall impacts of safety projects: percent vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reliable with a customized threshold for Virginia; percent VMT delayed; and time to travel 10 mi. However, caution should be used when applying the results directly to other situations, because of the limited number of projects used in the study.
Legitimation and Textual Evidence: How the Snowden Leaks Reshaped the ACLU’s Online Writing About NSA Surveillance
Authors: Pollak Calvin
Published: April 2021

Scholars in discourse studies have defined legitimation as the justification (and critique) of powerful institutions and their practices. In moments of crisis, legitimation tactics often shift. This article considers how such shifts are incited by unauthorized information leaks. Leaks, I argue, constitute freshly available texts that reveal privileged institutional information presented in a specialized rhetorical style. To explore how leaks are harnessed by institutional critics, I examine the 2013 Snowden/National Security Agency (NSA) crisis. Combining corpus analysis with discourse analysis, I explore how Snowden’s NSA leaks affected the online writing of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). I also consider overlaps between the rhetorical patterns in the leaked NSA documents and those in the ACLU’s post-leaks writing. Findings from my analysis of legitimation and style categories suggest that, prior to the leaks, ACLU writers primarily used a character- and narrative-based style to delegitimize the NSA’s policies as illegal and secretive, and to push for their reform. After the leaks, though, the ACLU mainly used an informationally dense style rife with academic terms and vocabularies of strategic action, portraying NSA surveillance as massive and complex. As the documents moved from the NSA’s secret, technical discourses to public, critical discourses, the latter came to resemble the former rhetorically. These findings raise crucial questions about how critics can make use of leaks without necessarily relegitimizing institutional power.
Do Consumers Order More Calories in a Meal with a Diet or Regular Soft Drink? An Empirical Investigation Using Large-Scale Field Data
Authors: Ghotbi Sina , Dhar Tirtha , Weinberg Charles B.
Published: April 2021

Diet carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) were introduced to help consumers lower caloric intake. However, critics suggest that these drinks can provide an excuse to consume more calories, a so-called “Big Mac and Diet Coke” mentality that is consistent with behavioral theories such as moral licensing (e.g., combining a healthy eating choice with an indulgent, less healthy one). Using individual-level food and drink consumer panel data from a major fast-food restaurant chain, the authors empirically examine meals with a regular CSD versus a diet CSD. Results after controlling for drink size and demographics show that consumers generally do not order higher total calories from a meal with a diet CSD; rather, the authors find significant reductions in calorie count, suggesting that within a single meal, diet CSDs can help consumers unwilling to stop drinking CSDs to reduce calories. So, despite popular beliefs to the contrary, policy makers can consider diet CSD availability as a “calorie-reduction” strategy to lower calorie consumption within a meal.