bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compliance With Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Individual Participant Data Statement for Meta-Analyses Published for Stroke Studies
Authors: Jumah Fareed , Chotai Silky , Ashraf Omar , Rallo Michael S. , Raju Bharath , Gadhiya Arjun , Sun Hai , Narayan Vinayak , Gupta Gaurav , Nanda Anil
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose:

Individual-participant data meta-analyses (IPD-MA) are powerful evidence synthesis studies which are considered the gold-standard of MA. The quality of reporting in these studies is guided by the 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data (PRISMA-IPD) guidelines. The growing number of IPD-MA published for stroke studies calls for an assessment of the compliance of these studies with the PRISMA-IPD statement.

Methods:

PubMed and EMBASE were searched for MA in stroke published between January 1, 2016, and March 30, 2020, in journals with impact factor >2. Literature reviews, scoping reviews, and aggregate MA were excluded. The final articles were scored using the 31-item PRISMA-IPD checklist. Results were depicted using descriptive statistics. Compliance with each item in PRISM-IPD guideline was recorded. The study was defined as compliant to IPD analyses if it satisfied all IPD specific items.

Results:

From an initial set of 321 articles, 31 met the final eligibility for data extraction. Only 4 (13%) described the use of PRISMA-IPD guidelines in their methodology, while 8/31 (26%) used the old PRISMA guidelines and 19/31 (61%) followed none. Regardless of mention of using IPD specific guidelines, 42% (n=13) of studies were compliant with all 4 IPD specific domains. The poorest areas of compliance were bias assessment within (32%) and across (39%) studies, reporting protocol and registration (42%), and reporting of IPD integrity (48%). The median journal impact factor was similar between the compliant (median, 8.1 [interquartile range, 5.4–39.9]) and noncompliant (median, 6 [interquartile range, 4.5–16.2]) groups (
P
=0.24). Similarly, the journal, country of correspondence, number of authors, number of studies included in MA, study sample size, and funding source were statistically similar between the groups.

Conclusions:

For the published IPD-MA stroke studies, the compliance with PRISMA-IPD statement and compliance with 4 IPD specific items was suboptimal. The journal, author, and study-related factors were not associated with compliance. Additional scrutiny measures to ensure adherence to mandated guidelines might increase the compliance. Several avenues to improve compliance and ensure optimal adherence are discussed.
The Politics of Carnap’s Non-Cognitivism and the Scientific World-Conception of Left-Wing Logical Empiricism
Authors: Damböck Christian
Published: June 2021

Based on a reconstruction of the development of Rudolf Carnap’s views from the Aufbau until the 1960s, this paper provides an account of the philosopher’s understanding of non-cognitivism, which is here seen as in line with the so-called scientific world-conception of left-wing logical empiricism. The starting point of Carnap’s conception is the claim that every human decision depends on certain attitudes that cannot be justified at a cognitive level, that are neither based on empirical facts nor logical reasoning. The key features of Carnap’s non-cognitivism, however, go beyond this general basis and involve several fundamentally moral commitments, such as a commitment toward science, and the embracing of moral attitudes as the result of a long-term process of rational discourse. I argue that these commitments contained in Carnap’s non-cognitivism/scientific world-conception establish a genuinely political worldview that is characteristic of left-wing logical empiricism and converges with socialism and democracy.
Institutional Determinants for Representation of Indigent Defendants: Evidence from Russia
Authors: Kazun Anton
Published: June 2021

Little is known about the motives of lawyers who provide free legal assistance in countries that lack both a developed professional community and developed institutions related to the rule of law. Based on a survey of 3,317 criminal defense lawyers (advokaty) in 35 regions of Russia, we analyze the provision of two types of free legal services: participation in legal proceedings “on appointment” (po naznacheniyu) and the provision of pro bono legal assistance. We show that work on appointment usually involves lawyers with low social capital and a lack of regular clients. In contrast, pro bono legal assistance is encouraged by lawyers’ organizations. It is typically provided by professionals with a high level of social capital and with values aimed at maintaining an excellent professional reputation. We conclude that the provision of free legal services might best be stimulated within the professional community rather than by the government.
Additional recommended abbreviations for the names of genera of the phylum Tardigrada
Authors: PERRY EMMA , MILLER WILLIAM R. , KACZMAREK ŁUKASZ
Published: June 2021

Since we proposed the standardization of a three-letter abbreviation for the genera of the phylum Tardigrada (Perry et al. 2019) there have been 17 new genera and sub-genera described. In addition, we have been informed by colleagues using the three-letter abbreviations that some editors and reviewers have challenged the abbreviations as not meeting ICZN rules.
Composition of the genus Loricella (Mollusca: Polyplacophora: Loricidae) and the description of two new species
Authors: SIRENKO BORIS
Published: June 2021

The genus chiton Loricella is revised. It comprises nine species. Two of these species, L. neoguinensis n. sp. and L. solomonensis n. sp., are described as new. Based on the analysis of morphological features studied using a scanning electron microscope, a revised diagnosis of the genus is provided. The characters diagnostic for this that distinguish it from the related genus Squamophora are as follows: a tubular hollow inside the dorsal scales, bristles on the dorsal side of the girdle, a wide ventral mouth region, a narrow mantle fold covered with simple longitudinally ribbed scales, smooth ventral scales, pits arranged in longitudinal rows in the central area of the tegmentum, and a bicuspid head of the major lateral teeth of the radula.
Multifaceted Therapy of Nanocatalysts in Neurological Diseases
Authors: Wang Heping , Chen Xi , Mao Mingxing , Xue Xue
Published: June 2021

With the development of enzymes immobilization technology and the discover of nanozymes, catalytic therapy exhibited tremendous potential for neurological diseases therapy. In especial, since the discovery of Fe3O4nanoparticles possessing intrinsic peroxidase-like activity, various nanozymes have been developed and recently started to explore for neurological diseases therapy, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and stroke. By combining the catalytic activities with other properties (such as optical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties) of nanomaterials, the multifunctional nanozymes would not only alleviate oxidative and nitrosative stress on the basis of multienzymes-mimicking activity, but also exert positive effects on immunization, inflammation, autophagy, protein aggregation, which provides the foundation for multifaceted treatments. This review will summarize various types of nanocatalysts and further provides a valuable discussion on multifaceted treatment by nanozymes for neurological diseases, which is anticipated to provide an easily accessible guide to the key opportunities and current challenges of the nanozymes-mediated treatments for neurological diseases.
A Multi-Epitope Chitosan Nanoparticles Vaccine ofCanine AgainstEchinococcus granulosus
Authors: Li Yujiao , Zhu Yuejie , Sha Tong , Chen Zhiqiang , Yu Mingkai , Zhang Fengbo , Ding Jianbing
Published: June 2021

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is caused byEchinococcus granulosus (Eg), which endangers the health of the intermediate host. Therefore, effective canid vaccines againstEginfection are urgently needed to reduce the incidence of this disease. In the present work, the aim was to predict epitopes in four vaccine candidate antigens (VCAs) inEgas a basis to design a multi-epitope canine-directed vaccine. This vaccine is based on chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) and is directed againstEginfection in the definitive host. The canine-directed vaccine was designed based onEgantigens EgM9, Eg_10196, EgA31 and EgG1Y162. Several tools in online servers were used to predict VCAs information, which was combined with B cell, CTL and Th epitopes. Considering that acquiring experimental information in canids is difficult, and that it may be possible to perform future experiments in mice, we predicted both canine and murine T cell epitopes. The multi-epitope vaccine was synthetically prepared by ionic crosslinking method, and CS-NPs was used as adjuvant. The mice were immunized by oral gavage and laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to localize the fluorescein- labeled multi-epitope peptide in the intestinal tract. The final multi-epitope vaccine was construct consist of Co1 targeting peptide, four B-cell epitopes, four canine-directed CTL epitopes and four murine-directed Th epitopes. It has been proven experimentally by this research that multi-epitope antigen concentration merged with microfold cells was high in the CS-NPs vaccine group. The present bioinformatics study is a first step towards the construction of a canine-specific multiepitope vaccine againstEgwith twelve predicted epitopes. CS-NPs is a potential adjuvant with relatively safe penetration enhancement delivery and a potent immunostimulant.
Gold Nanomaterials as a Promising Integrated Tool for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pathogenic Infections—A Review
Authors: Zhou Yan , Wang Zefeng , Peng Yanling , Wang Feiying , Deng Le
Published: June 2021

This review summarizes research on functionalized gold nanomaterials as pathogen detection sensors and pathogen elimination integrated tools. After presenting the challenge of current severe threat from pathogenic bacteria and the increasingly serious growth rate of drug resistance,
the first section mainly introduces the conspectus of gold nanostructures from synthesis, characterization, physicochemical properties and applications of gold nanomaterials. The next section deals with gold nanomaterials-based pathogen detection sensors such as colorimetric sensors, fluorescence
sensors and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering sensors. We then discuss strategies based on gold nanomaterials for eliminating pathogenic infections, such as the dual sterilization strategy for grafting gold nanomaterials with antibacterial substances, photothermal antibacterial and photodynamic
antibacterial methods. The fourth part briefly introduces the comprehensive strategy for diagnosis and sterilization of pathogen infection based on gold nanomaterials, such as the diagnosis and treatment strategy for pathogen infection using Roman signals real-time monitoring and photothermal
sterilization. A concluding section that summarizes the current status and challenges of the novel diagnosis and treatment integrated strategy for pathogenic infections, gives an outlook on potential future perspectives.
Study on the Inhibitory Effects of Naringenin-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Hu Rui , Liu Shu , Shen Wanli , Chen Cong , Cao Yini , Su Zhigui , Sun Minjie , Qi Rong
Published: June 2021

Naringenin (NGN) can be used to inhibit the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice, but its poor water solubility limits its applications. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have recently attracted much attention in the field of nanodrug delivery systems because
they increase the drug loading capacity and impressively enhance the solubility of indissolvable drugs. Herein, a thin-film dispersion method was used to prepare naringenin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NGN-NLCs). These NGN-NLCs have a narrow size distribution of 171.9 ±2.0
nm, a high drug loading capacity of 23.7 ± 0.3%, a high encapsulation efficiency of 99.9 ± 0.0% and a drug release rate of 86.2 ± 0.4%. NGN- NLCs elevated the pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax and AUC0→t) of NGN, accelerated NGN transepithelial
transport in MDCK cells and intestinal absorption in the jejunum and ileum, and reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in an oleic acid (OA) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lipid deposition cell model in primary hepatocytes and in a methionine/choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced NAFLD mouse
model. A detailed study of the mechanism showed that this NLC formulation elevated the drug release rate in simulated intestinal solutions in vitro, the transepithelial transport in MDCK cells, the oral absorption in mice and the ex vivo intestinal absorption of NGN. Thus, NGN-NLCs
significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of NGN on MCD diet induced mouse NAFLD.
Recent trends in summer atmospheric circulation in the North Atlantic/European region: is there a role for anthropogenic aerosols?
Authors: Dong Buwen , Sutton Rowan T.
Published: June 2021

The variability of the westerly jet stream and storm track is crucial for summer weather and climate in the North Atlantic/European region. Observations for recent decades show notable trends in the summer jet from 1970s to 2010s, characterized by an equatorward migration over the North Atlantic accompanied by a poleward migration and weakening of the Mediterranean jet over Europe. These changes in atmospheric circulation were associated with more cyclonic storms traveling across the UK into northern Europe, and fewer over the Mediterranean, leading to wet summers in northern Europe and dry summers in southern Europe.

In this study we investigate the potential drivers and processes that may have been responsible for the observed changes in summer atmospheric circulation, with a particular focus on the role of anthropogenic aerosols (AA). We conduct attribution experiments with an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) forced with observed changes in sea surface temperatures/sea ice extent (SST/SIE), greenhouse gas concentrations and AA precursor emissions. Comparison between the model results and observations strongly suggests that fast responses to AA changes were likely the primary driver of the observed poleward migration and weakening of the Mediterranean jet, with changes in SST/SIE playing a secondary role. The simulated response shows good agreement with the observed changes in both magnitude and vertical structure, which suggests that common mechanisms - involving aerosol-radiation and aerosol-cloud interactions - are responsible. By contrast, changes in the North Atlantic jet are influenced in the model experiments by changes in both Atlantic SST/SIE (which may themselves have been influenced by changes in AA) and fast responses to AA. In this case, however, there are significant differences between the model response and the observed changes; we argue these differences may be explained by biases in the model climatology.
Similar But Different: Constructing Equivalent Protest Measures in Comparative Research
Authors: van Deth Jan W.
Published: June 2021

Protest emerges in different forms in different countries. A strategy is presented here to deal with country-specific forms of protest by developing equivalent instead of identical measures in 13 advanced democracies around the world. The main substantive results show, first, a clear distinction between direct forms of protest and organizational actions. Yet the specific compositions of these two modes differ between countries. Second, common cross-national subsets of items comprising only three forms for direct actions (demonstrating, petitioning, boycotting) and also for organizational protest (humanitarian/charitable, self-help, consumer organizations). Third, several forms of protest can be used as country-specific expansions of the common three-item sets. Apparently, constructing equivalent instead of identical measures for protest is most important for the detection of relatively small sets of common cross-national indicators and for the accompanying disclosure of country-specific forms of protest. Due to the small percentages of protesters, applying equivalent measures and identical measures of protest largely produces the same results for the positioning of countries from a cross-national perspective.
Disfiguring Firearm Injuries in Children in the United States
Authors: Zeineddin Suhail , Zeineddin Ahmad , Jain Anish , Olufajo Olubode A. , Koolaee Sima , Cornwell Edward E. , Williams Mallory
Published: June 2021

Firearms are a leading cause of injury and death among children in the United States. Most gun violence studies highlight mortality, but few have examined the morbidity in disfiguring injuries suffered by children. Using National Trauma Data Bank 2007-2015, children who suffered gunshot injuries and underwent procedures with lasting physical disfigurement formed the cohort of this study. We identified 28 593 children as victims of firearm injuries. Most were aged 13-18 (84%). There was a preponderance of male gender (86%) and black race/ethnicity (57%). Total mortality was 3774 (13%), and 1500 (5.4%) were identified with one or more disfigurements: 220 amputations, 191 craniectomy, 100 enucleation, 533 ileostomy/colostomy, and 557 tracheostomies. This report highlights the large toll firearm injuries take on American children, specifically in non-concealable disfigurements. These injuries are very impactful to their education and overall socialization and therefore must be a part of the discussion of gun violence in the United States.
White Elephants and Other Non-basic Commodities: Piero Sraffa and Krishna Bharadwaj on the Role and Significance of the Distinction between Basics and Non-basics
Authors: Kurz Heinz D. , Salvadori Neri
Published: June 2021

After the publication of Production of Commodities by Means of Commodities ( Sraffa, 1960 ), a lot of attention was devoted to ‘reswitching’, that is to the fact that a technique is cost-minimising at two disconnected ranges of the rate of profits and not so in between these ranges. We owe Krishna Bharadwaj (1970, Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Volkswirtschaft und Statistik, 106, 409–429) an important contribution to the debate by stating and proving a general result concerning the maximum number of switches between two techniques that have at least one switch point on the wage-frontier. She proved that the maximum number of switches coincides with the number of distinct commodities, without double counting, that enter directly or indirectly into at least one of the alternative methods of production. This means that if the alternative methods produce a commodity that is basic in both techniques, then non-basics in both techniques play no role in this, whereas if the alternative methods produce a non-basic commodity in at least one technique, then a role is played also by those non-basics that enter directly or indirectly into the production of at least one of the alternative methods of production.

JEL Code: B12, B21, B31, B51, D24, D51
Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Case Studies of Spiritual Exemplars
Authors: Abo-Zena Mona M. , King Pamela Ebstyne
Published: June 2021

The constellation of social influences on the development of exemplary spiritual youth includes caregivers, spiritual mentors, and peers, but existing research inadequately captures the cultural and religious meanings of these social influences from the perspectives of young people. From a holistic perspective, this study seeks to understand how youth spiritual exemplars incorporate social influences in their own spiritual developmental trajectories and toward a humanistic psychology. Drawing on three narrative-based case studies of spiritual exemplars identified through a culturally embedded nomination process, this study provides illustrative person-centered examples of how youth recognized for being spiritual draw on social influences and excavate cultural and religious beliefs and values as part of their religious and spiritual development. We found that diverse youth’s narratives prominently featured multiple social influences and reflection about them that revealed the reciprocal manner in which religious, spiritual, and cultural beliefs and social relationships influence each other. We conclude by discussing implications for considering the complexity of diverse meanings of social influences for youth.
Sudden unexpected non-cardiac death in the Genoa Medico-Legal District: A six year study (2014–2019) and literature review
Authors: Drommi Martina , Errico Stefano , Barioglio Bianca , Barranco Rosario , Ventura Francesco
Published: June 2021

Sudden death is described as a natural but unexpected death occurring within one hour from the onset of the patient’s final symptoms. Despite cardiac disease being recognised as the cause of death in most people, sudden and unexpected death can also be non-cardiac related. Often a natural but sudden death is not subject to an autopsy, but only to an external examination, and this runs the risk of wrongly attributing the death to a cardiac cause. The present review is a retrospective-observational study which looks into the cases of sudden non-cardiac death recorded in the Genoa District (Italy) from 2014 to 2019 and investigated through complete autopsy examinations. Amongst these cases, 39 (31.5%) were attributable to gastrointestinal diseases, mostly due to the rupture of oesophageal varices; 39 (31.5%) to respiratory diseases, especially pulmonary infections; 31 (25%) to peripheral vascular disease, mostly attributable to pulmonary thromboembolisms or the acute dissection of aneurysms whilst the remaining 15 cases (12%) were attributable to intracranial haemorrhages.
Virtual fit evaluation of pants using the Adaptive Network Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Zhao Xueqing , Fan Ke , Shi Xin , Liu Kaixuan
Published: June 2021

Virtual reality is a technology that allows users to completely interact with a computer-simulated environment, and put on new clothes to check the effect without taking off their clothes. In this paper, a virtual fit evaluation of pants using the Adaptive Network Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), VFE-ANFIS for short, is proposed. There are two stages of the VFE-ANFIS: training and evaluation. In the first stage, we trained some key pressure parameters by using the VFE-ANFIS; these key pressure parameters were collected from real try-on and virtual try-on of pants by users. In the second stage, we evaluated the fit by using the trained VFE-ANFIS, in which some key pressure parameters of pants from a new user were determined and we output the evaluation results, fit or unfit. In addition, considering the small number of input samples, we used the 10-fold cross-validation method to divide the data set into a training set and a testing set; the test accuracy of the VFE-ANFIS was 94.69% ± 2.4%, and the experimental results show that our proposed VFE-ANFIS could be applied to the virtual fit evaluation of pants.
Book review: Subhash Sharma, Human Rights: Text and Context
Authors: Pandey Jawahar
Published: June 2021

Subhash Sharma, Human Rights: Text and Context. Delhi/Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2018, 272 pp, ₹1095, ISBN 978-8131609453.
Injection syringe designed as surgical tools in resource-limited settings
Authors: Sarkar Sucheta , Barai Bhaskar , Sengupta Ritankar , De Utpal
Published: June 2021

Surgical innovations have a long tradition and are fundamental to the future of surgery. Practical application of an idea is its essence. It is the surgeon’s responsibility to discover, translate and propagate such ideas to reduce surgical costs for the economically downtrodden. Our article addresses one aspect of this.
The Reception of Structured Proportionality in Australian Constitutional Law
Authors: Wesson Murray
Published: June 2021

A majority of the High Court has incorporated a test of structured proportionality into its implied freedom of political communication case law. Structured proportionality developed in the context of constitutional rights adjudication and requires courts to engage in substantive, values-based reasoning. The Australian Constitution does not contain a Bill of Rights and the High Court is known for its commitment to legalism and textualism. Against this background, one might think that the High Court would interpret the elements of structured proportionality so that they assume a highly distinctive form in Australian constitutional law. However, a close reading of recent implied freedom of political communication case law demonstrates that generally this is not the case. Admittedly, the High Court’s approach to the necessity and balancing stages departs from the case law of the Federal German Constitutional Court. However, once a broader comparative perspective is adopted, it becomes apparent that the High Court’s approach is not unusual, especially for courts that are new to applying structured proportionality. By adopting structured proportionality, the High Court may have aligned the implied freedom of political communication with a global model of constitutional rights enforcement. The Australian constitutional context may also be less distinctive than is sometimes supposed.
Rural–urban migration and ethnic diversification in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
Authors: Subedi Bhim Prasad
Published: June 2021

This article analyzes rural–urban migration and subsequent caste/ethnic diversification in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) using ward-level (the smallest spatial unit) data from Nepal’s National Population and Housing Census 2011 ( CBS, 2012 ). KMC has 975,453 residents with migrants constituting 57 percent of the population. Almost all caste/ethnic groups (122 out of 125 in total) are present in KMC, with Newar, Brahmins and Chhetris as the largest groups. Eighty-six percent of the migrants are rural-urban migrants. Thirty-five percent of all rural–urban migrants in the country are in KMC. In this study, I examine ethnic diversity using the ethnic diversification index (EDI). The index of 83.7 percent reflects the significant role of migration in urbanization. The diversified landscape also demonstrates distance function, educational differentials and regional segregation of migrants.
The Role of Quantic Molecular Resonance (QMR) in the Treatment of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy (ITH): Our Experience With Long-Term Follow-Up in Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis Refractory to Medical Therapy. Preliminary Results
Authors: Ricciardiello Filippo , Pisani Davide , Viola Pasquale , Pellini Raul , Russo Giuseppe , Longo Giuseppe , Chiarella Giuseppe , Oliva Flavia , Romano Domenico , Petruzzi Gerardo , Mazzone Salvatore
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of quantic molecular resonance (QMR) in the treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis refractory to medical therapy.

Methods:

This study enrolled 281 patients, 160 males (56.9%) and 121 females (43.1%), mean age 37.8 ± 4.1 years, range 18 to 71. Fifty-four patients have been lost to follow up and have been therefore excluded from the final analysis. Based on skin prick test results, 69 patients were considered allergic (group A) and 158 nonallergic (group B). All subjects underwent before surgery (T0) and 3 (T1), 12 (T2), 24 (T3), and 36 months (T4) after QMR treatment to: 4-phase rhinomanometric examination, nasal endoscopy evaluation, and visual analogue scale to quantify the subjective feelings about nasal obstruction.

Results:

Subjective and objective parameters showed statistically significant improvement in both groups. Group B parameters not changed during follow-up, while group A showed significant worsening between T1 and subsequent assessments. T4 outcome indicates a better result in nonallergic patients.

Conclusions:

In accordance with the literature, our preliminary data validate QMR treatment as a successful therapeutic option for nasal obstruction due to ITH. Nonallergic patients had a very good T4 outcome. Allergic patients showed a worsening trend after 1 year probably due to other causes.
Subglottic Mass as Isolated Manifestation of Relapsing Polychondritis at Presentation
Authors: Mesolella Massimo , Allosso Salvatore , Petruzzi Gerardo , Motta Gaetano
Published: June 2021

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic disease that is characterized by recurrent episodic inflammation of the cartilaginous structures of the body, resulting in their progressive destruction and subsequent replacement with fibrotic scar. We present a case of RP that initially manifested with subglottic involvement and we propose an innovative strategy for the treatment for laryngeal RP in phase of active inflammation. A multidisciplinary approach (rheumatologist, otolaryngologist, immunologist, internist, cardiologist, etc) and adequate follow-up are essential. The timeliness of the diagnosis is fundamental to contain the destructive effects on the cartilages involved.
The Roller Coaster of Leader Affect: An Investigation of Observed Leader Affect Variability and Engagement
Authors: Sun Jiaqing , Wayne Sandy J. , Liu Yan
Published: June 2021

Recognizing the dynamic nature of affect, we consider observed leader affect and its variability as important social signals that jointly impact employees’ daily affective reactions and work engagement. Integrating the emotion as social information model and adaptation-level theory, we hypothesized that the impact of daily observed leader affect on employees’ affect and subsequent work engagement is moderated by observed leader affect variability. To test the model, an experience sampling method (ESM) involving two surveys per day over 10 days was employed with a sample of 75 employees. Results indicated that observed leader affect variability weakened the positive relationship between observed leader positive affect and employee work engagement via employee positive affect. Also, observed leader negative affect was negatively related to employee work engagement via employee negative affect, but this indirect effect was not moderated by observed leader affect variability. Our results highlight the critical role of observed leader affect variability in understanding leaders’ affective influence on employee affect and engagement.
Sleep Interventions for Informal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pignatiello Grant A. , Martin Richard , Kraus Noa , Gutierrez Armando , Cusick Rebecca , Hickman Ronald L.
Published: June 2021

We conducted a systematic review on the state of the science related to sleep interventions for informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (ADRD). This review included English-written, peer-reviewed articles that studied the effect of an intervention on sleep health outcomes for informal caregivers of persons with ADRD. Our search yielded 15 articles that met our a priori inclusion criteria. We categorized interventions into four categories: environmental, physical, cognitive, and collaborative. Intervention effects were heterogeneous, with most yielding nonsignificant sleep health effects. There is a need for theoretically sound and robust sleep health interventions for informal caregiver samples. Future research in this area could benefit from the use of more controlled, pragmatic, and adaptive research designs, and the use of objective measures that conceptually represent the multiple domains of sleep health to enhance intervention quality.
Parental Decision-Making for Surgery and Anesthesia in Young Children
Authors: Rosenblatt Audrey , Kremer Michael , Paun Olimpia , Swanson Barbara , Hamilton Rebekah , Schwartz Alan
Published: June 2021

Millions of young children undergo surgery and anesthesia each year, yet there is a lack of scientific consensus about the safety of anesthesia exposure for the developing brain. Also poorly understood is parental anesthesia-related decision-making and how neurotoxicity information influences their choices. The theoretical model of parental decision-making generated in this research explicates this process. Interviews with 24 mothers yielded a theoretical framework based on their narratives developed using a qualitative grounded theory analysis. Five major themes emerged from these interviews: emotional processing, cognitive processing, relationships as resources, the mother/child dyad, and the health care context. Mothers described a non-linear, iterative process; they moved fluidly through emotional and cognitive processing supported by relationships as resources and influenced by the health care context. A key element was the subtheme of the medical translator, an individual who provided context and information. The mother/child dyad grounded the model in the relationship with the child.
The effect of living at high altitude on carotid intima-media thickness in the elderly: a comparative study
Authors: Sukun Abdullah , Onal Canver , Tufanoğlu Fatih Hakan
Published: June 2021

Background

Previous studies have shown that high altitude may have a protective effect on cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of high altitude on carotid atherosclerosis have been less evidenced.

Purpose

To compare the effect of altitude on atherosclerosis by using carotid artery ultrasonography (CAU) findings.

Material and Methods

A total of 180 patients aged >60 years, who had proper recorded data of ultrasonography and blood tests, and who resided in the same city for at least five years were included. Patients with anemia, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and those who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups: high altitude group (HAG) and sea level group (SLG). CAU findings of each patient—including common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) ≥1 mm and  < 1 mm, internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis rate, and plaque types—were recorded and compared between the two groups. Blood test parameters and lipid profiles were additionally recorded.

Results

Prevalence of patients with CIMT ≥1 mm was significantly higher in the SLG (SLG: 50%, HAG: 15.6%; P < 0.001). Carotid stenosis was found to be significantly different in both groups (HAG: 9.96% ± 23.27%, SLG: 29.83% ± 23.30%; P < 0.001). RBC, HGB, HDL values, and HDL/LDL ratio were found to be significantly higher in the HAG ( P < 0.001) whereas LDL, TG, and TC values were significantly higher in the SLG ( P < 0.001).

Conclusions

People who reside at high altitudes have significantly lower rate of carotid stenosis, lower CIMT values, and less atherogenic lipid profile values, all of which indicate protective effect of high altitude on atherosclerosis.
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate regulates connective tissue growth factor expression in myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhao Huan , Duan Linan
Published: June 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate regulation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) during myocardial fibrosis (MF) in mice after myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

An MI mouse model was established and cardiac function indices were detected by ultrasound. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine CTGF and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) cardiac expression. Mouse cardiac fibroblasts (MCFs) were used to study the mechanism of MF after MI.

Results

Cardiac function indices were lower after MI. Cardiac function indices were better in the MI + meglumine adenosine cyclophosphate (MAC) group than in the MI group, and CTGF expression in the MI + MAC group was downregulated. TGF-β1 expression was not different among the MI groups. Forskolin increased intracellular cAMP levels and inhibited CTGF expression in MCFs. Expression of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was significantly lower in the TGF-β1 + forskolin group than in the TGF-β1 group, while protein kinase A was significantly upregulated. CTGF expression was significantly lower in the TGF-β1 + forskolin + PD98509 group than in the TGF-β1 + forskolin group.

Conclusions

This study shows that cAMP upregulates protein kinase A expression through the p44/42MAPK signaling pathway and decreases p44/42MAPK phosphorylation levels, inhibiting CTGF expression.
Intra-abdominal hypertension and increased acute kidney injury risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Jing , Sun Hongjun , Sun Zhijian , Yang Xin , Zhou Shuhua , Wei Jianxin
Published: June 2021

Objective

The present meta-analysis aimed to determine the relationship between intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and an increased prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and identify the associated risk factors in various patient populations, regardless of whether they were admitted to an intensive care unit.

Methods

We used three databases for the following search terms: “IAH,” “abdominal compartment syndrome,” “AKI,” “acute kidney failure,” and others. The articles retrieved were compared to identify appropriate studies published until 7 May 2020. The main outcome was AKI.

Results

Six studies with 344 individuals were included. The patients were divided into two main groups: the IAH and non-IAH groups. Compared with patients without IAH, patients with IAH had a higher risk of AKI (odds ratio = 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.55–4.26). In the subgroup and meta-regression analyses, body mass index, age, the presence or absence of burns, and cardiac surgery did not affect the risk of AKI.

Conclusion

IAH was associated with AKI risk, and this association was not influenced by age, body mass index, the presence or absence of burns, or cardiac surgery.
An Instrument for Seating Orthodontic Archwires
Authors: Chitra Prasad
Published: June 2021

Full engagement of orthodontic archwires to permit gate closure in self-ligating brackets can be challenging in both the initial stages of alignment with crowded or rotated teeth and also during the later treatment stages with use of heavy rectangular wires.

A handy, reliable tool has been developed to ensure complete seating of any archwire in slots of both conventional and self-ligating bracket (SLB) systems to overcome this problem.
Revision Surgery and Progression to Total Hip Arthroplasty After Surgical Correction of Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Systematic Review
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Maffulli Nicola , Baroncini Alice , Eschweiler Jörg , Tingart Markus , Betsch Marcel
Published: June 2021

Background:

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a major cause of hip pain in young adults and athletes. Surgical treatment of FAI is recommended in cases of failed nonoperative treatment that have the typical clinical and radiographic findings. At present, the role of risk factors for revision surgery and progression to total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with FAI is still unclear.

Purpose:

To investigate the possible association between (1) rate of revision and progression to THA and (2) patient characteristics, type of lesion, family history of hip disease, type of intervention, radiographic parameters, physical examination, and pre- and postoperative scores.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

The present systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. In October 2020, the main online databases were accessed. All articles concerning surgical correction for selected patients with FAI were accessed. Patient characteristics, type of intervention, radiographic parameters, physical examination, and pre- and postoperative scores were assessed. The outcomes of interest were the possible association between these variables and the rate of revision and subsequent progression to THA using a multivariate analysis through the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient.

Results:

Data from 99 studies (9357 procedures) were collected. The median follow-up was 30.9 months (interquartile range, 24.0-45.0). The mean ± SD age was 33.4 ± 9.3 years; mean body mass index (BMI), 24.8 ± 4.8; percentage right side, 55.8% ± 8.0%; and percentage female sex, 47.5% ± 20.4%. The overall rate of revision was 5.29% (351 of 6641 patients), while the rate of subsequent progression to THA was 3.78% (263 of 6966 patients). Labral debridement ( P < .0001), preoperative acetabular index ( P = .01), and BMI ( P = .03) all showed evidence of a statistically positive association with increased rates of THA. No other statistically significant associations were found between patient characteristics, type of lesion, family history of hip disease, type of intervention, radiographic parameters, physical examination, or pre- and postoperative scores and the rate of revision and/or progression to THA.

Conclusion:

Although surgical procedures to treat FAI led to satisfactory outcomes, there was a revision rate of 5.29% in the 9357 procedures in the present systematic review. The rate of progression to THA after a median follow-up of 30 months was 3.78%. Patients who have a higher BMI and/or have a pathologic acetabular index and/or undergo labral debridement during correction of FAI are more at risk for a subsequent THA. We advocate additional education of this patient population in terms of expected outcomes and suggest surgical labral repair instead of debridement if needed.
Improving Academic Vocabulary for Adolescent Students With Disabilities: A Replication Study
Authors: Sanchez Victoria M. , O’Connor Rollanda E.
Published: June 2021

Creating Habits That Accelerate the Academic Language of Students (CHAAOS) is a vocabulary intervention developed by O’Connor et al. to improve the academic vocabulary of middle school students with disabilities. This study was designed as a replication of O’Connor et al.’s study; CHAAOS lessons were taught to 33 sixth graders who received special education services for disabilities in English/Language Arts classes. Researcher-designed vocabulary and comprehension assessments for the taught words were administered pre- and post-instruction. The performance of students in this study was compared with the performance of students in O’Connor et al.’s study. Results demonstrated that the present students made similar gains in vocabulary and comprehension compared with the previous CHAAOS students and scored significantly higher than the previous comparison students who did not receive any instruction on the words. These findings support the use of CHAAOS for improving the academic vocabulary of students with disabilities.
The study of the nonlinear vibration of S-S and C-C laminated composite conical shells on elastic foundations through an approximate method
Authors: Mohammadrezazadeh Shahin , Jafari Ali Asghar
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates the nonlinear vibration responses of laminated composite conical shells surrounded by elastic foundations under S-S and C-C boundary conditions via an approximate approach. The laminated composite conical shells are modeled based on classical shell theory of Love employing von Karman nonlinear theory. Nonlinear vibration equation of the conical shells is extracted by handling Lagrange method. The linear and nonlinear vibration responses are obtained via an approximate method which combines Lindstedt-Poincare method with modal analysis. The validation of this study is carried out through the comparison of the results of this study with results of published literature. The effects of several parameters including the constants of elastic foundations, boundary conditions, total thickness, length, large edge radius and semi-vertex angle on the values of fundamental linear frequency and curves of amplitude parameter versus nonlinear frequency ratio for laminated composite conical shells with both S-S and C-C boundary conditions are investigated.
Longitudinal and lateral collision avoidance control strategy for intelligent vehicles
Authors: Zhang Ziyu , Wang Chunyan , Zhao Wanzhong , Feng Jian
Published: June 2021

In order to solve the problems of longitudinal and lateral control coupling, low accuracy and poor real-time of existing control strategy in the process of active collision avoidance, a longitudinal and lateral collision avoidance control strategy of intelligent vehicle based on model predictive control is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the vehicle nonlinear coupling dynamics model is established. Secondly, considering the accuracy and real-time requirements of intelligent vehicle motion control in pedestrian crossing scene, and combining the advantages of centralized control and decentralized control, an integrated unidirectional decoupling compensation motion control strategy is proposed. The proposed strategy uses two pairs of unidirectional decoupling compensation controllers to realize the mutual integration and decoupling in both longitudinal and lateral directions. Compared with centralized control, it simplifies the design of controller, retains the advantages of centralized control, and improves the real-time performance of control. Compared with the decentralized control, it considers the influence of longitudinal and lateral control, retains the advantages of decentralized control, and improves the control accuracy. Finally, the proposed control strategy is simulated and analyzed in six working conditions, and compared with the existing control strategy. The results show that the proposed control strategy is obviously better than the existing control strategy in terms of control accuracy and real-time performance, and can effectively improve vehicle safety and stability.
Design and aerodynamic evaluation of a medium short takeoff and landing tactical transport aircraft
Authors: Bravo-Mosquera Pedro D , Vaca-Rios John J , Diaz-Molina Anny I , Amaya-Ospina María A , Cerón-Muñoz Hernán D
Published: June 2021

The present article deals with the conceptual design of a new medium short takeoff and landing tactical transport aircraft, which is intended to expand the institutional capabilities of the Colombian Air Force in terms of versatility and flexibility. An original design strategy was developed during the conceptual design, combining classical methodologies and high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This methodology allowed the aircraft to be assessed in a single design space, based on its design requirements, mission, and applicable airworthiness standards. Once obtained a baseline concept, the aerodynamic study focused on the flow around two types of wingtip devices: tip tanks and blended winglets. These devices were designed to optimize the performance capabilities of the aircraft, while keeping simple certification procedures. Wind tunnel experiments and CFD simulations were carried out to evaluate and select the best configuration. Lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficient charts, along with vorticity contours, are presented. Results showed that blended winglets have a significant potential for improving aircraft performance without severe structural weight penalties, allowing additional payload capabilities and/or increased range and fuel savings. Finally, the optimized aircraft is compared to major competitors in order to discuss and highlight its main advantages and feasibility for future production.