bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABO blood groups and liver cancer: prospective results from an HBsAg cohort study
Authors: Lu Ling-Ling , Zhang Yong-Hui , Yao Mei-Hua , Lu Jian-Hua , Chen Yong-Sheng , Xu Jun , Zhu Jian , Chen Hai-Zhen , Chen Jian-Guo
Published: May 2021

Objective

The association between ABO blood group and risk of liver cancer is unclear, although few studies have reported positive results. This study examined the relationship between ABO blood group and liver cancer in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals.

Design

A high-risk population-based cohort study.

Setting

The study was started in 2007 and closed in 2019; the number of observed person-years as obtained by ABO blood group.

Participants

The study included 3663 individuals with positive HBsAg, including men aged 30–70 and women aged 40–70.

Outcome measures

The frequencies of ABO group in the cohort population and patients with liver cancer were calculated, respectively. χ2test was used to compare differences, and the relative risk (95% CI) for development of liver cancer was evaluated.

Results

The frequency distribution of blood types A, B, O and AB was 1118 (30.52%), 1073 (29.29%), 1104 (30.14%) and 368 (10.05%), respectively, among 3663 cohort individuals. In the cohort, patients with liver cancer (n=336) were of the following frequencies: type A: 104 (30.95%); type B: 97 (28.87%); type O: 95 (28.27%); and type AB: 40 (11.90%). No significant difference was found between patients with liver cancer and other individuals. The annual incidence rate of liver cancer was 906.34 per 100 000 person-years, and for blood type A, B, O and AB the rates were 917.76, 893.78, 846.02 and 1093.43 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. The relative risk (95% CI) was 0.97 (0.74 to 1.29), 0.92 (0.70 to 1.22) and 1.19 (0.82 to 1.72) for blood types B, O and AB, respectively, compared with blood type A.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in the frequency distribution of ABO blood groups in patients with liver cancer within this high-risk cohort, which demonstrates lack of positive association between ABO blood group and risk of liver cancer.
Effectiveness of robotic-assisted therapy for upper extremity function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Sung-U Sasithorn , Nisa Badur Un , Yotsumoto Kayano , Tanemura Rumi
Published: May 2021

Introduction

The application of advanced technologies in paediatric rehabilitation to improve performance and enhance everyday functioning shows considerable promise. The aims of this systematic review are to investigate the effectiveness of robotic-assisted therapy for upper extremity function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy and to extend the scope of intervention from empirical evidence.

Methods and analysis

Multiple databases, including MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and IEEE Xplore, will be comprehensively searched for relevant randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies. The grey literature will be accessed on the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database, and a hand search from reference lists of previous articles will be performed. The papers written in English language will be considered, with no limitation on publication date. Two independent reviewers will identify eligible studies, evaluate the level of evidence (the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine) and appraise methodological quality and risk of bias (the Standard quality assessment criteria for evaluating primary research papers from a variety of fields (QualSyst tool); the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Data will be appropriately extracted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. A narrative synthesis will be provided to summarise the results, and a meta-analysis will be conducted if there is sufficient homogeneity across outcomes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020205818.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this study. The findings will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed journal and international conferences.
Prescription medications for sleep disturbances among midlife women during 2 years of follow-up: a SWAN retrospective cohort study
Authors: Solomon Daniel H , Ruppert Kristine , Habel Laurel A , Finkelstein Joel S , Lian Pam , Joffe Hadine , Kravitz Howard M
Published: May 2021

Objective

To examine the effects of prescription sleep medications on patient-reported sleep disturbances.

Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Longitudinal cohort of community-dwelling women in the USA.

Participants

Racially and ethnically diverse middle-aged women who reported a sleep disturbance.

Interventions

New users of prescription sleep medications propensity score matched to women not starting sleep medications.

Main outcomes and measures

Self-reported sleep disturbance during the previous 2 weeks—difficulty initiating sleep, waking frequently and early morning awakening—using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from no difficulty on any night (rating 1) to difficulty on 5 or more nights a week (rating 5). Sleep disturbances were compared at 1 year (primary outcome) and 2 years of follow-up.

Results

238 women who started sleep medications were matched with 447 non-users. Participants had a mean age of 49.5 years and approximately half were white. At baseline, sleep disturbance ratings were similar: medication users had a mean score for difficulty initiating sleep of 2.7 (95% CI 2.5 to 2.9), waking frequently 3.8 (95% CI 3.6 to 3.9) and early morning awakening 2.8 (95% CI 2.6 to 3.0); non-users ratings were 2.6 (95% CI 2.5 to 2.7), 3.7 (95% CI 3.6 to 3.9) and 2.7 (95% CI 2.6 to 2.8), respectively. After 1 year, ratings for medication users were 2.6 (95% CI 2.4 to 2.8) for initiating sleep, 3.6 (95% CI 3.4 to 3.8) for waking frequently and 2.8 (95% CI 2.6 to 3.0) for early morning awakening; for non-users, the mean ratings were 2.3 (95% CI 2.2 to 2.5), 3.5 (95% CI 3.3 to 3.6) and 2.5 (95% CI 2.3 to 2.6), respectively. None of the 1 year changes were statistically significant nor were they different between medication users and non-users. Two-year follow-up results were consistent, without statistically significant reductions in sleep disturbance in medication users compared with non-users.

Conclusions

These analyses suggest that women who initiated sleep medications rated their sleep disturbances similar after 1 and 2 years. The effectiveness of long-term sleep medication use should be re-examined.
Occupancy and detection of Wavyrayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola) in Ontario, Canada1
Authors: Lamothe Karl A. , McNichols-O’Rourke Kelly A. , Morris Todd J.
Published: May 2021

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) are the most imperilled taxon in Canada. To facilitate species recovery efforts, an understanding of species distribution and habitat that supports species persistence is needed. Detecting mussels presents unique challenges and requires considerable effort owing to their complex life histories and widespread declines. Here, observations of the imperilled Wavyrayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola Rafinesque, 1820) from the Grand and Thames rivers, Ontario, Canada, were used to quantify species detection and occupancy probabilities, and the relationship between occupancy probability and substrate size. The best model for the data included a river-specific covariate for detection and an intercept model for occupancy. Detection probability of Wavyrayed Lampmussel was higher in the Grand River than in the Thames River. Limited variation in substrate size measurements restricted occupancy modelling, but field measurements qualitatively aligned with previous habitat descriptions. Overall, knowledge of species detection and occupancy probabilities for Wavyrayed Lampmussel will not only enhance the understanding of species distribution and habitat associations, but also ensure that the response of the species to threats and recovery actions are captured.
Potential Dependent Mn Oxidation and Its Role in Passivation of Ni38Fe20Cr22Mn10Co10Multi-Principal Element Alloy Using Multi-Element Resolved Atomic Emission Spectroelectrochemistry
Authors: Han Junsoo , Li Xuejie , Gerard Angela Y. , Lu Pin , Saal James E. , Frankel Gerald S. , Ogle Kevin , Scully John R.
Published: May 2021

The identity of passivating oxides on multi-principal element alloys is of great interest as their optimization offers the potential for exceptional corrosion resistance in aqueous solutions over a broad range of potential and pH. This study focuses on a non-equiatomic Ni38Fe20Cr22Mn10Co10solid solution alloy and tracks the fate of each alloying element during linear sweep voltammetry, low and intermediate potential holds in the passive potential domain as well as during open circuit relaxation after anodic polarization in slightly acidified Cl−solution. Ni dissolves at all potentials investigated in this work, Fe and Co are incorporated into oxides or hydroxides in low concentrations whilst Cr and Mn are enriched at passive potentials. At low passivating potentials, Mn(II) dissolves and is incorporated in minor amounts in oxides containing large concentrations of Cr(III). Considerable enrichment in Mn(II)-species occurs relative to Cr(III) in the oxide at 0.1 V vs SCE. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy suggests the presence of layered oxides with marginal passivation at high Mn(II) levels. The formation of these oxides depends on a combination of thermodynamic and kinetic factors as well as the sequence of passivation.
Implication of auditory confounding in interpreting somatosensory and motor responses in low-intensity focused transcranial ultrasound stimulation
Authors: Park Christine , Chen Mengyue , Kim Taewon
Published: May 2021

Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (LI-tFUS) stimulation is a noninvasive neuromodulation tool that demonstrates high target localization accuracy and depth penetration. It has been shown to modulate activities in the primary motor and somatosensory cortex. Previous studies in animals as well as in humans, illustrated in the recently published paper in Brain Stimulation by Braun et al. [Braun V, Blackmore J, Cleveland RO, Butler CR. Brain Stimul 13: 1527–1534, 2020], acknowledged the possibility of indirect stimulation of the peripheral auditory pathway that could confound the somatosensory and motor responses observed with LI-tFUS stimulation. Here, we discuss the implications and interpretations of auditory confounding in the context of neuromodulation.
Zero Controllability Criterion for Discrete Positive Systems with Multiple Delays on Both States and Inputs
Authors: Naim Mouhcine
Published: May 2021

Zero controllability criterion for positive linear discrete systems with multiple delays in both states and inputs is obtained and proved. An example is given to support our main result.
GIS-SWIAS: Tool to Summarize Seawater Intrusion Status and Vulnerability at Aquifer Scale
Authors: Baena-Ruiz Leticia , Pulido-Velazquez David
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we introduce GIS-SWIAS, a novel generalized ArcGIS ArcToolbox that helps to analyze seawater intrusion (SWI) status and vulnerability at aquifer scale (SWIAS). It is a user-friendly tool that can be applied to any aquifer and is fully integrated in the ArcGIS environment, which is a widely available software tool. It is the first ArcGIS tool with these characteristics focusing on SWI analyses that we can find in the literature. GIS-SWIAS is able to deal with georeferenced information; it is easy to introduce the required data (inputs) and to efficiently perform the demanding computational operations required. Its outputs are in the form of shapes, reports, and images (maps, conceptual cross sections, and time series of lumped indices) to summarize the magnitude, intensity, and temporal evolution of SWI within an aquifer for specific dates or by showing statistics for a chosen time period. It can be applied to assess historical SWI dynamic in cases where there is no groundwater flow model. In those cases, the spatial distribution is assessed by applying simple interpolation techniques. Nevertheless, if we want a rational quantitative analysis of the sustainability of alternative management scenarios to the SWI problem, the GIS-SWIAS tool requires that information on hydraulic head and chloride concentration distribution is generated from simulations of their impacts by a calibrated density-dependent flow model. In such cases, adaptation strategies to potential future scenarios—whose distributed impacts have to be propagated within the previously calibrated models—could usefully be analyzed and compared using this tool. Given all these ways that the GIS-SWIAS tool can be applied, it provides a valuable tool for both the researcher and technician to assess SWI dynamics and aquifer resilience under different scenarios. It can support the decision-making process by helping to make a rational selection of sustainable management strategies. Its performance for the analyses of historical and potential future scenarios has been tested and confirmed in two case studies described in previous research works.
Bending‐Induced Cross‐Sectional Deformation of Cold‐Formed Steel Channel‐Section Beams
Authors: Dai Liusi , He Wenfu
Published: May 2021

In practice, the cold‐formed steel structures are widely used, and their geometrical nonlinearity is of great significance in structural design. However, the current analytical solutions are only applied to linear problems, and the nonlinear problems are mostly considered by commercial finite element software. This paper presents an analytical model to describe the bending‐induced cross‐sectional deformation in cold‐formed steel channel‐section beams when subjected to transverse bending loads. The nonlinear effect of cross‐sectional deformation on the relationship between the overall bending curvature and applied moment is examined. A parametric study is also carried out to examine how the flange width, lip length, and thickness of the section affect the cross‐sectional deformation and corresponding nonlinear bending behavior of the beams.
Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Diagnosis Analysis and Fine Care of Anterior Segment Injury of Traumatic Anterior Chamber Based on Intelligent Virtual Reality Technology
Authors: Li Xiaoli
Published: May 2021

The front part of the eye is exposed to the surface of the body, making it susceptible to injury. Blunt eye injuries often destroy the tissue structure in the anterior part of the eye. Often there is detachment of the iris root, separation of the ciliary body, the angle of retraction of the chamber, and complete dislocation or subluxation of the lens. Ordinary ocular ultrasound can penetrate into opaque tissue, but because of its low resolution, it can only show its outline, which is still very small for doctors in assisting diagnosis. Ultrasonic biomicroscopy is a very real-time analysis, will not be affected by the refraction space, and has great application value for ocular trauma. Based on this, this article proposes the ultrasound biomicroscope diagnosis analysis and fine nursing research of traumatic anterior chamber injury based on intelligent virtual reality technology. This article describes literature methods, experimental analysis methods, and other methods, in-depth study of the causes of traumatic anterior injuries, ultrasound biomicroscopy, and other theoretical knowledge, ultrasound biomicroscopy and microcontrol experiments for traumatic anterior injury design, and finally the causes of eye damage. This study compares the pairing results of ultrasound biomicroscopy biological measurements, analyzes the relationship between anterior bleeding level and anterior ocular injury, and analyzes the outcome and extent of service ophthalmology. The angle retreat accounted for 52.17% in grade I, 72.22% in grade II, and 60% in grade III. Anterior bleeding can cause single or complex iris root detachment, iris root detachment, ciliary body detachment, and angular leakage. The more the bleeding, the more serious the eye damage.
Common
α
-Fuzzy Fixed Point Results with Applications to Volterra Integral Inclusions
Authors: Al-Mazrooei Abdullah Eqal , Ahmad Jamshaid
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this paper is to establish some common

α

-fuzzy fixed point theorems for a pair fuzzy mappings and obtain some results of literature for multivalued mappings. For it, we define the notion of generalized

Θ

-contractions in the context of

b

-metric spaces. As applications, we investigate the solutions of Volterra integral inclusions by our established results.
Remote Sensing Image Compression Evaluation Method Based on Neural Network Prediction and Fusion Quality Fidelity
Authors: Yang Wenbing , Tong Feng , Gao Xiaoqi , Zhang Chunlei , Chen Guantian , Xiao Zhijian
Published: May 2021

Lossy compression can produce false information, such as blockiness, noise, ringing, ghosting, aliasing, and blurring. This paper provides a comprehensive model for optical remote sensing image characteristics based on the block standard deviation’s retention rate (BSV). We first propose a compression evaluation method, CR_CI, that combines neural network prediction and remote sensing image quality fidelity. Through the compression evaluation and improved experimental verification of multiple satellites (CBERS-02B satellite, ZY-1-02C satellite, CBERS-04 satellite, GF-1, GF-2, etc.), CR_CI can be stable, cleverly test changes in the information extraction performance of optical remote sensing images, and provide strong support for optimizing the design of compression schemes. In addition, a predictor of remote sensing image number compression is constructed based on deep neural networks, which combines compression efficiency (compression ratio), image quality, and protection. Empirical results demonstrate the image’s highest compression efficiency under the premise of satisfying visual interpretation and quantitative application.
Exploring Markers of Exhausted CD8 T Cells to Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hsu Chia-Lang , Ou Da-Liang , Bai Li-Yuan , Chen Chia-Wei , Lin Li , Huang Shiu-Feng , Cheng Ann-Lii , Jeng Yung-Ming , Hsu Chiun
Published: May 2021

Background: Reversal of CD8 T-cell exhaustion was considered a major antitumor mechanism of anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/ anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)-based immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify markers of T-cell exhaustion that is best associated with ICI treatment efficacy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Immune cell composition of archival tumor samples was analyzed by transcriptomic analysis and multiplex immunofluorescence staining. Results: HCC patients with objective response after anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1-based ICI therapy (n = 42) had higher expression of genes related to T-cell exhaustion. A 9-gene signature (LAG3, CD244, CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL13, MSR1, CSF3R, CYBB, and KLRK1) was defined, whose expression was higher in patients with response to ICI therapy, correlated with density of CD8+LAG3+ cells in tumor microenvironment, and independently predicted better progression-free and overall survival. This 9-gene signature had similar predictive values for patients who received single-agent or combination ICI therapy and was not associated with prognosis in HCC patients who received surgery, suggesting that it may outperform other T-cell signatures for predicting efficacy of ICI therapy for HCC. For HCC patients who underwent surgery for both the primary liver and metastatic lung tumors (n = 31), lung metastatic HCC was associated with a higher exhausted CD8 T-cell signature, consistent with prior observation that patients with lung metastatic HCC may have higher probability of response to ICI therapy. Conclusions: CD8 T-cell exhaustion in tumor microenvironment may predict better efficacy of ICI therapy for HCC.
Sustained Benefit of Alternate Behavioral Interventions to Improve Hypertension Control: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Rodriguez Maria Antonia , Wang Binhuan , Hyoung Sangmin , Friedberg Jennifer , Wylie-Rosett Judith , Fang Yixin , Allegrante John P. , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Natarajan Sundar
Published: May 2021

Little is known about the long-term effects of behavioral interventions to improve blood pressure (BP) control. We evaluated whether a telephone-delivered, behavioral stage-matched intervention (SMI), or a nontailored health education intervention (HEI) delivered for 6 months improves BP control (or lowers systolic BP) over 12 months, as well as its sustainability 6 months after intervention implementation ended, compared with usual care in participants with repeated uncontrolled BP at baseline. A 3-arm, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 interventions, each compared with a usual-care control group. Participants were 533 adults with persistent uncontrolled BP who were treated at 2 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. The intervention was implemented for 6 months, followed by 6 months of observation. Compared with usual care, the odds of having BP under control over 12 months in SMI were 84% higher (odds ratio, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.28–2.67];
P
=0.001), and 48% higher in HEI (odds ratio, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.02–2.14];
P
=0.04).Over the 12 months, compared with usual care, systolic blood pressure was 2.80 mm Hg lower in SMI ([95% CI, 0.27 to 5.33];
P
=0.03) while it was 2.58 mm Hg lower in HEI ([95% CI, −0.40 to 5.55];
P
=0.09). From 6 to 12 months, SMI sustained improved BP control and lower systolic blood pressure, while HEI, which did not have significantly better BP control or lower systolic blood pressure at 6 months, appeared to improve BP control and lower systolic blood pressure. SMI and HEI are promising interventions that can be implemented in clinical practice to improve BP management.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00286754.
Role of Microparticles in Cardiovascular Disease: Implications for Endothelial Dysfunction, Thrombosis, and Inflammation
Authors: Lugo-Gavidia Leslie Marisol , Burger Dylan , Matthews Vance B. , Nolde Janis M. , Galindo Kiuchi Márcio , Carnagarin Revathy , Kannenkeril Dennis , Chan Justine , Joyson Anu , Herat Lakshini Y. , Azzam Omar , Schlaich Markus P.
Published: May 2021

Microparticles are small cell vesicles that are derived from the cell membrane in response to different biological processes. There is growing evidence supporting the association between microparticles and cardiovascular disease, as their pathophysiology commonly includes endothelial damage and chronic inflammation which also promote a prothrombotic state. The direct causal link between the release of the different subtypes of microparticles and their implications on physiological and pathological conditions is still not completely elucidated. However, evidence suggests microparticles released from platelets, leukocytes, and endothelium may help to evaluate vascular health as they have a relevant role in inflammation, endothelial function, and thrombosis. This review aims to provide a short overview of the biogenesis, characteristics, and detection methodology of microparticles with a special focus on their possible implication in cardiovascular settings.
DAMS: A Distributed Analytics Metadata Schema
Authors: Welten Sascha , Neumann Laurenz , Yediel Yeliz Ucer , da Silva Santos Luiz Olavo Bonino , Decker Stefan , Beyan Oya
Published: May 2021

In recent years, implementations enabling Distributed Analytics (DA) have gained considerable attention due to their ability to perform complex analysis tasks on decentralised data by bringing the analysis to the data. These concepts propose privacy-enhancing alternatives to data centralisation approaches, which have restricted applicability in case of sensitive data due to ethical, legal or social aspects. Nevertheless, the immanent problem of DA-enabling architectures is the black-box-alike behaviour of the highly distributed components originating from the lack of semantically enriched descriptions, particularly the absence of basic metadata for data sets or analysis tasks. To approach the mentioned problems, we propose a metadata schema for DA infrastructures, which provides a vocabulary to enrich the involved entities with descriptive semantics. We initially perform a requirement analysis with domain experts to reveal necessary metadata items, which represents the foundation of our schema. Afterwards, we transform the obtained domain expert knowledge into user stories and derive the most significant semantic content. In the final step, we enable machine-readability via RDF(S) and SHACL serialisations. We deploy our schema in a proof-of-concept monitoring dashboard to validate its contribution to the transparency of DA architectures. Additionally, we evaluate the schema's compliance with the FAIR principles. The evaluation shows that the schema succeeds in increasing transparency while being compliant with most of the FAIR principles. Because a common metadata model is critical for enhancing the compatibility between multiple DA infrastructures, our work lowers data access and analysis barriers. It represents an initial and infrastructure-independent foundation for the FAIRification of DA and the underlying scientific data management.
Response to the Respondents: Competition, Qumran and Supersessionism
Authors: Marcus Joel
Published: May 2021

The critics of JBHT in this issue have questioned three main aspects of the book: its assertion that early Christians competed with people who believed that John the Baptist was the principal figure in the history of salvation, its assertion that early in his career the Baptist was a member of the Qumran community, and the way in which the book situates the Baptist in relation to Second Temple Judaism in general. The article addresses these concerns, rebutting certain objections but acknowledging areas in which the book could have been more nuanced or further developed.
The Concept of Isēgoria
Authors: Gottesman Alex
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the concept of isēgoria. It looks especially at Herodotus, comparing his use of the term to that of other authors. The term does not primarily refer to ‘the equal right to speak in the assembly’. Rather, it is a ‘language ideology’ that characterizes the bearing of the free, full citizen. Isēgoria was a negative concept, defined by what it was not more than what it was: not flattery; not fearful; not indirect. Isēgoria could only exist in a community of complete equality, and was threatened when someone became too powerful or too important. It can best be translated as ‘the speech of equals before equals’.
Is Protagoras’ Great Speech on Democracy?
Authors: Kierstead James
Published: May 2021

The Great Speech of Protagoras in Plato’s dialogue (Prot. 320c8–328d2) is now widely seen as an expression of democratic theory, one of the earliest substantial expressions of democratic theory on record. At the same time, there have long been (and still are) arguments to the contrary, the most formidable presentation of which is an article by Peter Nicholson that appeared in these pages in 1981. In this short piece, I address Nicholson’s skeptical arguments head-on and in full, in a way that has not yet been done. By doing so, I hope to put skeptical arguments of this sort to rest, and to confirm Protagoras’ Great Speech once and for all as an early, and very interesting, fragment of democratic theory.
Homer Revised? Echoes of the Behemoth in the Hobbesian Translations of the Iliad and Odyssey
Authors: Catanzaro Andrea
Published: May 2021

By moving on from the findings of literature concerning the connections between the Leviathan and the Hobbesian translations of the Homeric poems, this article aims to problematize these relationships further with regard to the Behemoth. Three principal issues will be taken into account – the prophecy, the ruling over the Militia, and the mixed monarchy – given that, although themes typical of the philosopher’s political thought, their peculiarities in the Behemoth enable us to draw attention to possible significant political connections between Hobbes’s translations of the Iliad and Odyssey and his narrative of the English Civil War.
The Glyptothorax catfishes of the Euphrates and Tigris with the description of a new species (Teleostei: Sisoridae)
Authors: FREYHOF JÖRG , KAYA CÜNEYT , ABDULLAH YOUNIS SABIR , GEIGER MATTHIAS F.
Published: May 2021

The Glyptothorax species inhabiting the Euphrates and Tigris drainages are reviewed and six species are recognised, one of which is described herein as new species. Glyptothorax armeniacus is endemic to headwater streams in the Euphrates drainage. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is endemic to the upper Tigris downstream to the Lesser Zab drainage. Glyptothorax cous and G. steindachneri are riverine species widespread in both the Euphrates and Tigris drainages. Glyptothorax silviae is endemic to Iran. Glyptothorax daemon, new species, from the Greater Zab and Yanarsu in the upper Tigris drainage, is distinguished by having the thoracic adhesive apparatus strongly elevated, 1.1–1.2 times longer than wide, without tubercles on the head, well developed anteromedial striae, the medial pit without striae, and a short adipose fin. Glyptothorax daemon is separated into two mitochondrial lineages, externally indistinguishable and separated by a minimum K2P distance of 2.0% in the DNA barcode region. These lineages are paraphyletic in our analysis indicating past introgressive hybridisation with G. cous. All six species are diagnosed and all, except unstudied G. steindachneri, form distinct mitochondrial clades with between 1.2% and 3.4% minimum K2P distance between them. Species from the Euphrates and Tigris form a monophyletic mitochondrial group separated from 53 other Glyptothorax species studied from India and areas further east.
Effects and Mechanisms of Tripartite Motif Containing 14 Downregulation on Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Cancerous Pancreatic PANC-1 Cells
Authors: Gong Huaping , Chen Long , Dong Ruipeng
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of TRIM14 downregulation on the apoptosis, migration, and invasion of cancerous pancreatic PANC-1 cells. PANC-1 cells cultured in vitrowere classified to a control (normal culture), negative (neutral siRNA transfection),
and siTRIM14 group (TRIM14 siRNA transfection). RT-PCR was adopted to test TRIM14 mRNA expression. Cellular proliferation was determined by CCK-8, and transwell chamber invasion and apoptosis by flow cytometry. AKT signaling pathway related proteins CyclinD1, MMP-2, Bcl-2, and AKT phosphorylation,
and TRIMI14 protein expression, were determined by western blotting. Compared with the control group, TRIMI14 expression, cellular proliferation ability, infiltration, transfer AKT phosphorylation, and TRIMI14, CyclinD1, MMP-2, and Bcl-2 protein expression were greatly reduced in siTRIM14
cells, and the apoptotic ability was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). However, no striking differences were detected between the negative and control groups (P > 0.05). Downregulating TRIM14 expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PANC-1 cells,
and promote apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of AKT signaling pathway activation.
Long Noncoding RNA Maternally Expressed Gene 3 Targets miR-30b and Regulates the AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1/Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling Pathway of H2O2-Induced Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress in Retinal Ganglion Cells
Authors: Yan Kai , Niu Lin , Tian Huili , Su Fanfan , Chen Yao
Published: May 2021

Oxidative stress is an important factor affecting retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis. RGC apoptosis is the main pathophysiological feature of visual impairment as a result of glaucoma. Recently, it has been found that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNAs are involved in RGC
apoptosis. Here, the function of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and miR-30b in H2 O2-induced RGC proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress was investigated. The expression levels of MEG3 and miR-30b were detected by RT-PCR; the effects of MEG3 and miR-30b
on the proliferation and apoptosis of RGCs were observed by flow cytometry; the levels of apoptosis-related proteins and AKT/PI3K signal pathway proteins were detected by protein immunoassay; and the regulation of miR-34a by pvt1 was verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments.
The expression of MEG3 and miR-30b increased and decreased significantly in RGCs treated by H2O2. MEG3 expression decreased, apoptosis level-related proteins decreased, the apoptosis rate reduced, and the activity of MDA and SOD decreased. When the expression of miR-34a
was inhibited, the proliferation rate of RGCs increased, the apoptosis rate decreased, and the level of apoptosis-related proteins decreased, which reversed MEG3’s effect on RGC apoptosis and proliferation. Furthermore, pvt1 could bind the miR-30b promoter and regulate it with in
vitro expression and in vivo expression. Besides, we found that miR-30b can regulate the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway and participate in cell apoptosis and hyperplasia in stress response. LncRNA MEG3 targets miR-30b and regulates the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway on H2 O2-induced
cell apoptosis, hyperplasia, and oxidative stress of RGCs.
Machine vision-based relative-angle measurement system between circular holes
Authors: Ho Chao-Ching , Zhang Rong-Hua
Published: May 2021

In this study, the machine-vision technique is employed to measure the angle between two circular holes for the derailleur parts of a bicycle. A delta robot equipped with a motorized zoom lens is constructed as an automatic measurement device. In this way, we can detect the normal vectors of circular holes with different positions and sizes by using only one camera. By calculating the plane normal vectors of two circular holes within the camera coordinate system and performing the cross-product operation, the angle between the two circular holes is obtained. Simulation experiments reveal that the measurement method is influenced by the projection eccentricity error, and the error can be reduced by increasing the focal length and employing the virtual-center alignment method. The results show that the average error for measuring the derailleur parts is approximately 0.061°, and the standard deviation is 0.112°. Experimental analysis indicates that while the magnification of the image is larger, the average error of the measurement result is reduced, and the standard deviation is reduced as well. When the magnification is 0.4×, the measurement average error is 0.04°, and standard deviation is 0.101°. When the distance between the center of the circle and the center of the image is increased, the error in the angle calculation is also increased. A significant improvement is obtained by setting the fitting center position to the optical central position, which omits the influence of the error amplification caused by the distance of the circular hole from the optical axis.
Profile of scientific production on religiosity and spirituality in coping with childhood cancer
Authors: Rossato Lucas , Ullán Ana M. , Scorsolini-Comin Fabio
Published: May 2021

This study aims to present the profile of scientific production on the use of religiosity/spirituality in coping with childhood cancer. It is an integrative review in the bases/libraries Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psychology Information (PsycINFO), Pubmed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Latin America and the Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (2009–2019). The guiding question was “How is religiosity/spirituality present in the treatment experiences of children and adolescents with cancer?” By the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 31 studies were retrieved. Most studies are from the United States; 2015 was the greatest publication year, and the participants in these surveys were children, adolescents, family members, and health professionals. Most studies did not specify what the participants’ belief was. Interviews were the most used collection instruments, and the hospital environment was the main place for recruiting the subjects. The data found provide significant information for understanding the profile of scientific production related to the investigation of religiosity/spirituality in the experiences of cancer by children and adolescents and point out possible paths for future investigations in the area.
“Dubai is a transit lounge”: Migration, temporariness and belonging among Pakistani middle-class migrants
Authors: Errichiello Gennaro , Nyhagen Line
Published: May 2021

This article discusses relationships between temporariness and belonging among Pakistani middle-class migrants in Dubai. We explore reasons that push them to move to Dubai and how their professional position and temporary status affect their sense of belonging. Based upon unstructured interviews with 20 Pakistanis, our findings show that temporariness is problematized, but not explicitly contested, by the participants, who all expressed a strong sense of belonging to Dubai despite their lack of citizenship rights. We suggest that these findings relate to the participants’ ability to draw upon socio-economic resources and networks to enable further transnational mobility.
Dynamic responses of renal oxygenation at the onset of cardiopulmonary bypass in sheep and man
Authors: Evans Roger G , Cochrane Andrew D , Hood Sally G , Iguchi Naoya , Marino Bruno , Bellomo Rinaldo , McCall Peter R , Okazaki Nobuki , Smith Julian A , Zhu Michael ZL , Ngo Jennifer P , Noe Khin M , Martin Andrew , Thrift Amanda G , Lankadeva Yugeesh R , May Clive N
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

The renal medulla is susceptible to hypoxia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which may contribute to the development of acute kidney injury. But the speed of onset of renal medullary hypoxia remains unknown.

Methods:

We continuously measured renal medullary oxygen tension (MPO2) in 24 sheep, and urinary PO2 (UPO2) as an index of MPO2 in 92 patients, before and after induction of CPB.

Results:

In laterally recumbent sheep with a right thoracotomy ( n = 20), even before CPB commenced MPO2 fell from (mean ± SEM) 52 ± 4 to 41 ±5 mmHg simultaneously with reduced arterial pressure (from 108 ± 5 to 88 ± 5 mmHg). In dorsally recumbent sheep with a medial sternotomy ( n = 4), MPO2 was even more severely reduced (to 12 ± 12 mmHg) before CPB. In laterally recumbent sheep in which a crystalloid prime was used ( n = 7), after commencing CPB, MPO2 fell abruptly to 24 ±6 mmHg within 20–30 minutes. MPO2 during CPB was not improved by adding donor blood to the prime ( n = 13). In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, UPO2 fell by 4 ± 1 mmHg and mean arterial pressure fell by 7 ± 1 mmHg during the 30 minutes before CPB. UPO2 then fell by a further 12 ± 2 mmHg during the first 30 minutes of CPB but remained relatively stable for the remaining 24 minutes of observation.

Conclusions:

Renal medullary hypoxia is an early event during CPB. It starts to develop even before CPB, presumably due to a pressure-dependent decrease in renal blood flow. Medullary hypoxia during CPB appears to be promoted by hypotension and is not ameliorated by increasing blood hemoglobin concentration.
Explaining the Why in #WhyIDidntReport: An Examination of Common Barriers to Formal Disclosure of Sexual Assault in College Students
Authors: Griffin Vanessa Woodward , Wentz Ericka , Meinert Emily
Published: May 2021

Within the current study, we examined themes of college students’ reasons for choosing not to formally disclose (report) sexual assault. To complete this objective, we examined tweets ( n = 1,297) that used the WhyIDidntReport hashtag in which a user also made reference (within the same thread) to being enrolled at a college or university during the time (and aftermath) of the assault. We deemed Twitter a particularly valuable platform, offering insight into the hidden figure of crime, as users described events, feelings, and perceptions after the event that led to them not formally disclosing. Further, it provides a large sample of cases of women and men who recognize their assault as an assault (at least in hindsight), while also providing open-ended, unstructured explanations of their rationales and motivations. Using an inductive approach, we established broad themes that were then refocused into common barriers of formal disclosure or the continuation of formal disclosure. Subthemes included anticipated social reactions (stemming from vicarious and direct experiences), internalized emotions, often stemming from social reactions (normalization, shame, and blame), victim and offender status, and victim-offender relationship. Three overarching premises were developed from the analysis including (a) victims’ internalizations of experiences and observations, (b) the interaction of social factors of the victim, offender, and the victim-offender relationship, and (c) the continual and compounded decision-making process of formal disclosure. These conclusions were then examined within theoretical models, including Black’s Behavior of Law Theory (specifically morphology and stratification), Overstreet and Quinn’s intimate partner violence stigmatization model, and Chaudoir and Fisher’s disclosure process model. Lastly, we provide programmatic recommendations, which includes retailoring current bystander intervention curricula to include more focus on social reactions and social support in anticipation of college students being recipients of sexual assault disclosures by friends and acquaintances.
Initiation and Introduction Into Sport Participation: New Member Experiences With Collegiate Sport Clubs
Authors: Rundio Amy , Buning Richard J.
Published: May 2021

Participants new to a sporting activity develop initial motivations while being confronted with a variety of constraints that must be successfully negotiated in order to participate. Further, motivations change over time, as do constraints, but there has been little examination of these concepts with regard to new participants. As such, this study examined why new collegiate club sport members were motivated to join a sport club and what constraints they face. Through semistructured interviews ( N = 11) new sport club members reported being motivated by a variety of reasons, while social support acted as a strong facilitator to continued involvement.
Enhancing Educational and Environmental Awareness Outcomes Through Photovoice
Authors: Sprague Nadav L. , Okere Uzoma C. , Kaufman Zoe B. , Ekenga Christine C.
Published: May 2021

In the United States, there are substantial barriers to youth nature access and environmental education (EE). These barriers may lead to racial, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities in both nature contact and environmental awareness. This study investigated the impacts of a Photovoice EE intervention on the environmental perceptions, STEM-capacity, and environmental awareness of 335 low-income, urban youth (ages 9–15). Youth were assigned to one of two intervention groups, a Photovoice EE intervention group or an EE intervention group without a Photovoice activity, or a control group. The Photovoice activity revealed that participants perceived the environment in three major subthemes: social, natural, and built. Photovoice participants expressed both positive and negative sentiments toward their environment. After the EE intervention, Photovoice participants experienced greater improvements in STEM-capacity scores than those who participated in the EE intervention without the Photovoice activity ( p = .04). Further, EE participants experienced improved STEM-capacity and environmental awareness scores ( p < .001), while a control group of youth who did not participate in the EE intervention did not experience any significant improvements in STEM-capacity or environmental awareness. Study results suggest that the Photovoice activities may be associated with improved learning outcomes. Larger intervention studies are necessary to confirm the benefits of Photovoice in Environmental Education.
Enlarged pulmonary artery on computed tomography and respiratory failure in sickle cell disease acute chest syndrome
Authors: Simonson Joseph L. , Pandya Dhwani , Kang Jiyoon , Talwar Arunabh , Zaidi Gulrukh Z.
Published: May 2021

Predicting the severity of acute chest syndrome is an important research priority in sickle cell disease. In this retrospective study of patients with acute chest syndrome, an enlarged pulmonary artery on computed tomography was associated with severe respiratory failure defined by the need for either noninvasive or mechanical ventilation.
Serum GFAP for stroke diagnosis in regions with limited access to brain imaging (BE FAST India)
Authors: Kalra Love-Preet , Khatter Himani , Ramanathan Sarvotham , Sapehia Sameer , Devi Kavita , Kaliyaperumal Abirami , Bal Deepti , Sebastian Ivy , Kakarla Raviteja , Singhania Anusha , Rathore Shubhra , Klinsing Svenja , Pandian Jeyaraj Durai , Foerch Christian
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Despite a high burden of stroke, access to rapid brain imaging is limited in many middle- and low-income countries. Previous studies have described the astroglial protein GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) as a biomarker of intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic accuracy of GFAP for ruling out intracranial hemorrhage in a prospective cohort of Indian stroke patients.

Patients and methods

This study was conducted in an Indian tertiary hospital (Christian Medical College, Ludhiana). Patients with symptoms suggestive of acute stroke admitted within 12 h of symptom onset were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at hospital admission. Single Molecule Array technology was used for determining serum GFAP concentrations.

Results

A total number of 155 patients were included (70 intracranial hemorrhage, 75 ischemic stroke, 10 stroke mimics). GFAP serum concentrations were elevated in intracranial hemorrhage patients compared to ischemic stroke patients [median (interquartile range) 2.36 µg/L (0.61–7.16) vs. 0.18 µg/L (0.11–0.38), p < 0.001]. Stroke mimics patients had a median GFAP serum level of 0.14 µg/L (0.09–0.26). GFAP values below the cut-off of 0.33 µg/L (area under the curve 0.871) ruled out intracranial hemorrhage with a negative predictive value of 89.7%, (at a sensitivity for detecting intracranial hemorrhage of 90.0%).

Discussion

The high negative predictive value of a GFAP test system allows ruling out patients with intracranial hemorrhage.

Conclusion

In settings where immediate brain imaging is not available, this would enable to implement secondary prevention (e.g., aspirin) in suspected ischemic stroke patients as soon as possible.
Decline, radicalization and the attack on the US Capitol
Authors: Kydd Andrew H.
Published: May 2021

The attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 was the result of a perception of relative decline on the part of American conservatives and their simultaneous radicalization. Relative decline and radicalization are both potent causes of violence. When a formerly dominant group is in decline, it may fear that in the future it will lack the bargaining power to maintain the status quo, and so resort to violence to prevent decline, or lock in present advantages. Radicalization increases the perceived stakes of power transitions; if the opponent is dangerous, all means are justified in preventing their accession to power. Conservative radicalization was driven by partisan polarization, media polarization, the emergence of social media and associated conspiracy theories, and the formation of armed right-wing groups. The structural conditions generating the attack are unlikely to ameliorate, so the potential for political violence will remain.