bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe Hypothyroidism Complicated by Myopathy and Neuropathy with Atypical Demyelinating Features
Authors: Brzozowska Malgorzata Monika , Banthia Shraddha , Thompson Simon , Narasimhan Manisha , Lee James
Published: May 2021

Autoimmune hypothyroidism may result in a wide range of neuromuscular disorders. The frequently observed neurological manifestations of acquired hypothyroidism include mild to moderate myopathy and sensorimotor neuropathy, which usually resolve by clinical and electrophysiological criteria, in adults treated with thyroid hormone replacement. We report a case of a 30-year-old male with severe hypothyroidism secondary to chronic autoimmune thyroiditis who presented with a 2-year history of progressive fatigue, upper and lower limb weakness, myalgia, and intermittent paraesthesia. His neurological exam demonstrated proximal and distal muscle weakness, lower limb areflexia, and relatively intact sensory modalities. The patient’s biochemistry revealed unusually and profoundly raised the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 405.5 mIU/L (reference range (RR): 0.27–4.2 mIU/L) and creatine kinase (CK) level of 20,804 U/L (RR: 45–250 U/L), while his nerve conduction studies (NCS) demonstrated severe sensorimotor polyneuropathy with both axonal and demyelinating features. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy over the first 3 months resulted in biochemical normalization of his extremely deranged thyroid function tests (TFTs) and CK levels. At 12 months, despite maintaining euthyroidism and noticeable improvement in strength, his nerve conduction studies (NCS) demonstrated the continued absence of distal motor and sensory responses in his lower limbs with only partial improvement in sensory amplitudes and conduction velocities in his upper limbs. This report highlights the potential for severe neuromuscular consequences from advanced and chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism. The patient’s myopathy has resolved over a period of three months with prompt normalization of CK levels. Concerningly, the patient achieved significant but incomplete recovery from his mixed axonal and demyelinating neuropathy with residual mild distal weakness and areflexia in his lower limbs and persistent motor and sensory impairments on his NCS. The severity and incomplete resolution of our patient’s neurological manifestations emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and the need for prompt therapeutic intervention for hypothyroidism.
Plant Growth and Nutritional Quality Attributes of Basella alba Applied with Variable Rates of Nitrogen Fertilizer at Different Planting Dates under Canadian Maritime Climatic Conditions
Authors: Natesh Nishchitha Hemmige , Ijenyo Mercy O. , Asiedu Samuel Kwaku , Rupasinghe H. P. Vasantha , Abbey Lord
Published: May 2021

Nitrogen (N) fertilization at critical planting time is important to optimize productivity and reduce nitrate accumulation in edible portions of green leafy vegetable plants. A field experiment was performed to determine the effects of variations in N rate and planting time on plant growth, yield, and nutritional quality attributes of Basella alba under Atlantic maritime climatic conditions. The N rates were 0 (control), 40 (low), 80 (medium), and 120 kg ha−1 (high) at planting times 15 June–3 August (early season), 6 July–20 August (mid-season), and 4 August–8 September (late season). Plant height, number of branches, and stem girth were increased after 45 days after sowing in early and mid-season plantings, but leaf length decreased during the same time by 32.8% in the late planting. The average yield obtained in early, mid-, and late plantings were 171, 464, and 328 g plant−1, respectively. Low N gave the highest yield in early planting while medium N gave higher yields in mid- and late plantings. However, the medium N increased nitrate accumulation in B. alba by 7% compared to the high N rate. In general, there was no significant effect of N on B. alba total phenolic and total carotenoid contents. Overall, the highest yield was obtained during the warmest summer months of mid- and late plantings. Therefore, there is a potential to grow B. alba as a summer vegetable under Canadian Atlantic maritime conditions. However, it is recommended to reduce the rate of N fertilizer application during high-temperature conditions. Future studies are required to investigate phosphorus and potassium fertilization and nitrate accumulation in B. alba and potential health risks.
[Retracted] English Web‐Based Teaching Supervision Based on Intelligent Face Image Perception and Processing for IoT
Authors: Ma Juan , Li Jiangyi
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the Internet of Things (IoT) with intelligent face perception and processing function is used to supervise online English teaching. In the intelligent learning environment, learners mainly learn by watching the information presentation screen of the learning content, i.e., the learning screen, which is the main environment for learners to learn and is the main channel for information interaction between learners and the learning content. The color matching, layout, graphic decoration, and background texture of the learning screen have a significant impact on learners’ emotions, interests, motivation, and effect in the learning process. On the contrary, the accurate identification of learners’ emotions is the basis for building a harmonious emotional interaction in the wisdom learning environment and is an important means to judge learners’ learning status, which is of great significance to promote learners’ wisdom learning. In addition to providing learners with personalized learning contents and learning paths, the learning images presented by the intelligent learning environment should also be compatible with learners’ emotional states and visual emotional preferences and can play a role in regulating and stimulating learners’ learning emotions. The system works well in the testing process, which verifies the feasibility, rationality, and effectiveness of our application of face perception to online teaching effectiveness monitoring, and can be combined with the old result‐oriented effectiveness monitoring method for online teaching, with certain theoretical research significance and practical application value.
Adaptive Configuration Method of Low-Frequency Electromechanical Sampling Information in Building Electrical System
Authors: Yu Bai , Zhang Zhixin
Published: May 2021

In order to enhance the reliability of the electrical systems in low frequency, an adaptive configuration method of low-frequency electromechanical sampling information based on thyristor controlled series compensation (TCSC) is designed. The electrical system is simplified to a linear invariant system, and a stochastic subspace identification (SSI) method is established by using the singular value decomposition principle to collect low-frequency electromechanical sampling information. The reference channel technology is introduced to design the reference channel covariance matrix to judge whether low-frequency information is generated and improve the efficiency of sampling information acquisition. The architecture and working principle of the controllable series compensation device are analyzed, and the test signal method is used to evaluate the low-frequency modes and the information required by the device among the electrical system regions of buildings. The alternative input signals are selected by comparing different input signal residue ratios. The TCSC device parameters are adjusted by the compensation residue phase method, so as to realize the adaptive configuration of different low-frequency electromechanical sampling information and ensure the stable operation of the electrical system. The experimental results show that the proposed configuration scheme can effectively improve the damping ratio of the system and has an excellent effect on suppressing the continuous oscillation under a low-frequency fault.
Alkaloids as Potential Phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2: Approaches to the Associated Pivotal Mechanisms
Authors: Majnooni Mohammad Bagher , Fakhri Sajad , Bahrami Gholamreza , Naseri Maryam , Farzaei Mohammad Hosein , Echeverría Javier
Published: May 2021

Since its inception, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has infected millions of people around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to find effective treatments against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), as it is the viral source of COVID-19. Alkaloids are one of the most widespread plant-derived natural compounds with prominent antiviral effects. Accordingly, these phytochemicals have been promising candidates towards discovering effective treatments for COVID-19. Alkaloids have shown potential anti-SARS-CoV activities via inhibiting pathogenesis-associated targets of the Coronaviridae family that are required for the virus life cycle. In the current study, the chemistry, plant sources, and antiviral effects of alkaloids, as well as their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect with related mechanisms, are reviewed towards discovering an effective treatment against COVID-19.
Distinctive Alterations of Functional Connectivity Strength between Vascular and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Li Hui , Gao Shuai , Jia Xiuqin , Jiang Tao , Li Kuncheng
Published: May 2021

Widespread structural and functional alterations have been reported in the two highly prevalent mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes, amnestic MCI (aMCI) and vascular MCI (VaMCI). However, the changing pattern in functional connectivity strength (FCS) remains largely unclear. The aim of the present study is to detect the differences of FCS and to further explore the detailed resting-state functional connectivity (FC) alterations among VaMCI subjects, aMCI subjects, and healthy controls (HC). Twenty-six aMCI subjects, 31 VaMCI participants, and 36 HC participants underwent cognitive assessments and resting-state functional MRI scans. At first, one-way ANCOVA and post hoc analysis indicated significant decreased FCS in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) in aMCI and VaMCI groups compared to HC, especially in the VaMCI group. Then, we selected the left MTG as a seed to further explore the detailed resting-state FC alterations among the three groups, and the results indicated that FC between the left MTG and some frontal brain regions were significantly decreased mainly in VaMCI. Finally, partial correlation analysis revealed that the FC values between the left MTG and left inferior frontal gyrus were positively correlated with the cognitive performance episodic memory and negatively related to the living status. The present study demonstrated that different FCS alterations existed in aMCI and VaMCI. These findings may provide a novel insight into the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying different MCI subtypes.
Outplanting Performance of the Bornean Tropical Indigenous Species Shorea macrophylla (de Vriese) P. S. Ashton in relation to Seedling Age
Authors: Perumal Mugunthan , Wasli Mohd Effendi , Ho Soo Ying
Published: May 2021

Planting high-quality seedlings with desirable growth attributes are associated with successful survival and growth performance following outplanting. Considering that most tree species from the Dipterocarpaceae family are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, proper conservation of such species is necessary. Very little is known with no clear consensus regarding whether increasing the seedling production period enhances outplanting survival and growth potential of tropical dipterocarp species planted under enrichment planting in Malaysia. In this study, one potential Bornean tropical indigenous species, Shorea macrophylla (de Vriese) P.S. Ashton, was produced in the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak nursery and outplanted at Sampadi Forest Reserve, Sarawak. Different nursery production periods (3, 6, 9, and 24 months) were tested for the species at the time of planting as well as for the subsequent growth performance after 12, 24, and 42 months of outplanting. The findings revealed that older (9- and 24-month-old) S. macrophylla seedlings were morphologically larger from younger (3- and 6-month-old) seedlings. Nonetheless, the overall pooled mean survival rates declined from 61.7 to 44.6% after 12, 24, and 42 months of outplanting. For the 42-month period, the survival rate for the 9-month-old seedlings was significantly higher than that for the 3-, 6-, and 24-month-old seedlings. Notwithstanding, the relative growth rate of the stem diameter was higher for the 3- and 9-month-old seedlings than for the 6- and 24-month-old seedlings after 42 months of outplanting. Thus, maintaining plant material from the seedlings produced at 3, 6, and 9 months of age would be beneficial for the initiation of transplantation in restoration programmes in Sarawak. The 24-month-old seedlings will also be useful, especially during irregular flowering and unpredictable fruiting intervals. A further experimental study on other environmental factors that could influence the outplanting performance of the seedlings in the tropical forest restoration area of Sarawak, Malaysia, is necessary.
A Disaster Management Framework Using Internet of Things-Based Interconnected Devices
Authors: Sharma Kaljot , Anand Darpan , Sabharwal Munish , Tiwari Pradeep Kumar , Cheikhrouhou Omar , Frikha Tarek
Published: May 2021

The advanced technology Internet of Things (IoT) visualizes a worldwide, that is, internally connected, networks of smart physical entities. IoT is a promising technology used in several applications including disaster management. In disaster management, the role of IoT is so important and ubiquitous and could be life-saving. This article describes the role of IoT in disaster management. More precisely, it presents IoT-based disaster management for different kind of disasters with a comparison between some solutions that are available in the market. It shows an implementation of some examples of the application of IoT such as early-warning system for fire detection and earthquake and represents some approaches talking about the application, IoT architecture, and focusing of the study on different disasters. This study could be a good guide to stakeholder about the use of IoT technology to secure their smart cities’ infrastructure and to manage disaster and reduce risks.
Outside the Thorax: Doege–Potter Syndrome Presenting as a Retroperitoneal Abdominal Mass
Authors: Berrebi Daniel M. , Symczyk Oksana , Cater Taylor , Adelanwa Ayodele , Bacaj Patrick , Thomay Alan A. , Haider Adnan
Published: May 2021

Objective. We present a case of refractory hypoglycemia, weight loss, and retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor. Case report. A 68-year-old female presented with symptomatic hypoglycemia, weight loss, and abdominal mass identified on CT scan of the abdomen. Blood work during symptomatic hypoglycemia was consistent with an IGF-2-producing tumor. The abdominal mass pathology was consistent with solitary fibrous tumor surrounding the adrenal gland, and resection resulted in complete resolution of hypoglycemia. Discussion. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms behind glucose regulation is necessary to diagnose and adequately treat Doege–Potter syndrome, a paraneoplastic syndrome observed in patients with solitary fibrous tumors. Solitary fibrous tumors can be characterized by specific histologic and immunohistochemical studies. Conclusion. This report describes the clinical workup of a patient presenting with hypoglycemia and a retroperitoneal tumor. This case is unique because of its presentation with severe, refractory hypoglycemia and the tumor’s location in the retroperitoneum, given the majority of solitary fibrous tumors are found in the lungs originating from the pleura.
Hemoglobin Level and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Rural Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kuma Melesse Niguse , Tamiru Dessalegn , Belachew Tefera
Published: May 2021

Background. Anemia is a situation in which the number and size of red blood cells, or the concentration of hemoglobin, fall below established cut‐off values. Low hemoglobin level during pregnancy favors the alteration of placental angiogenesis and resulted in restricting the availability of nutrients to the fetus and consequently causing fetal growth retardation and low weight at birth. This study is aimed at assessing the hemoglobin level and associated factors among pregnant women in rural communities of Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods. A community‐based cross‐sectional study design was carried out among 367 pregnant women from June 1 to 30, 2020. Systematic random sampling was used to select study subjects. Hemoglobin level was measured by using HemoCue HB 301. An interviewer‐administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study subjects. A multivariable linear regression model was employed after the linearity, normality, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity assumptions were checked. The unstandardized beta (β) coefficient along with a 95% confidence interval was computed to estimate the association between explanatory and dependant variables. Statistical significance was declared at P value < 0.05. Results. The mean (± SD) hemoglobin level of the respondents was 12.66 (±1.44) g/dl. The overall magnitude of anemia (hemoglobin level < 11 g/dl) among pregnant women was found to be 85 [23.16%, (95% CI: 18.3%‐27.5%)]. Meal frequency [β = 0.40, (95% CI: 0.12, 0.69), P = 0.005], interpregnancy interval [β = 0.08, (95% CI: 0.02, 0.15), P = 0.007], mid‐upper arm circumference measurement [β = 0.13, (95% CI: 0.07, 0.20), P ≤ 0.001], own fruits/vegetable [β = 0.55, (95% CI: 0.79, 0.31), P ≤ 0.001], coffee consumption [β = −1.00, (95% CI: ‐1.31, ‐0.68), P ≤ 0.001], and having history of still birth [β = −0.63, (95% CI: ‐1.06, ‐0.20), P = 0.004] were significantly associated with the hemoglobin level of pregnant women. Conclusions. Anemia was identified to be a moderate public health problem in the study area. Therefore, nutritional counseling should focus on the necessity of at least one extra meal, promotion of fruits/vegetable consumption, and improving the nutritional status of the women during antenatal care follow‐up. Moreover, early screening and management of women with a history of stillbirth for anemia are also essential.
Demethylation of the SFRP4 Promoter Drives Gastric Cancer Progression via the Wnt Pathway
Authors: Li Haojie , Zhao Junjie , Sun Jie , Tian Chenyu , Jiang Quan , Ding Chen , Gan Qiangjun , Shu Ping , Wang Xuefei , Qin Jing , Sun Yihong
Published: May 2021

Wnt signaling is believed to be an important contributor to tumor development and has been reported to be modulated by secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRP). Nevertheless, the role of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) in tumorigenesis remains controversial. We aim to explore its biological function in gastric cancer. Genomes analysis based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset was used to find the differential gene expression between different tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stages of gastric cancer. IHC was used to determine the relationship between SFRP4 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics in patients with gastric cancer. The influence of SFRP4 on tumor progression was evaluated by CCK-8, colony formation, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle in vitro, as well as xenograft model in vivo. The methylation status of SFRPs was examined in gastric cancer specimens by quantitative methylation analysis. SFRP4 was most upregulated in advanced gastric cancer. High intratumoral SFRP4 expression, which was associated with tumor invasion and metastasis, was also a poor prognostic indicator for patients with gastric cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that SFRP4 could promote tumor growth; however, IWR-1 could suppress tumor growth mediated by SFRP4 overexpression. Mechanistic exploration found that SFRP4 was overexpressed by the decrease of promoter methylation and thus could competitively antagonize the inhibitory effect of SFRP1 on Wnt pathway activation and tumor progression in gastric cancer.

Implications:

In gastric cancer, the expression of SFRP4 was upregulated by decreased methylation. High intratumoral SFRP4 expression could activate the Wnt pathway to promote tumor progression and predict poor survival of patients with gastric cancer.
Skin Surface Protein Detection by Transdermal Analysis Patches in Pediatric Psoriasis
Authors: Schaap Mirjam J. , Bruins Finola M. , He Xuehui , Orro Kadri , Peppelman Malou , van Erp Piet E. J. , de Jong Elke M. G. J. , Koenen Hans J. P. M. , van den Bogaard Ellen H. , Seyger Marieke M. B.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Transdermal analysis patches (TAPs) noninvasively measure soluble proteins in the stratum corneum. Ultimately, such local protein profiles could benefit the search for biomarkers to improve personalized treatment in psoriasis. This study aimed to explore the patient friendliness and protein detection by TAP in pediatric psoriasis in daily clinical practice. Methods: In this observational study, TAPs measuring CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)-1/2, CC chemokine ligand (CCL)-27, interleukin (IL)-1RA, IL-23, IL-1α, IL-8, IL-4, IL-22, IL-17A, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human beta-defensin (hBD)-2, hBD-1, and kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK)-5 were applied on lesional, peri-lesional, and non-lesional skin sites of psoriasis patients aged >5 to <18 years. Discomfort during TAP removal as an indicator for patient friendliness was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS; range 0–10). Results: Thirty-two patients (median age 14.0 years) were included, of which 19 were treated with solely topical agents and 13 with systemic treatment. The median VAS of discomfort during TAP removal was 1.0 (interquartile range 1.0). Significantly higher levels in lesional versus non-lesional skin were found for IL-1RA, VEGF, CXCL-1/2, hBD-2, and IL-8, whereas lower levels were found for IL-1α. Skin surface proteins were measured in both treatment groups, with significant higher lesional levels of KLK-5, IL-1RA, hBD-2, IL-1α, IL-23, and CCL-27 in the systemic treatment group. Conclusion: The TAP platform holds the potential for patient-friendly and noninvasive monitoring of skin-derived proteins in pediatric psoriasis patients in daily clinical practice.
Improvements of Retinal Sensitivity after Intravitreal Injection of Aflibercept in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration with or without Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy
Authors: Nizawa Tomohiro , Kitahashi Masayasu , Baba Takayuki , Iwase Takehito , Kubota-Taniai Mariko , Hattori Yoko , Shiko Yuki , Kawasaki Yohei , Iwase Takayuki , Sato Takatoshi , Ogawa Shoko , Sugawara Takeshi , Yamamoto Shuichi
Published: May 2021

Purpose: We aim to determine the effects of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) on the mean sensitivity (MS) of the central retina, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central foveal thickness (CFT) in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with or without polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods: This was a prospective, interventional study. All eyes were treatment-naive with nAMD with or without PCV. Each eye received 3 monthly IVA injections followed by an IVA injection every 2 months for 12 months. The primary outcome was the change in the MS within the central 2°. The secondary outcomes were the changes in BCVA, CFT, greatest linear dimension (GLD), and percentage of eyes with a dry macula. Results: Thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients were studied. A significant improvement of the MS (dB) was observed +4.9 ± 4.6 dB (mean ± standard deviation) at 3 M (p < 0.001), +5.5 ± 4.9 dB at 6 (p < 0.001), and +7.0 ± 3.4 dB at 12 M (p < 0.001) compared to the baseline in all eyes. The MS of the eyes with non-PCV was not significantly different from that of eyes with PCV (p = 1.00, 1.00, 1.00, and 0.76 at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 M, respectively). The MS of 11 patients whose BCVA remained unchanged was significantly improved by +6.5 ± 2.8 dB at 3 M (p < 0.001), +6.1 ± 4.3 dB at 6 M (p < 0.001), and +6.4 ± 4.8 dB at 12 M (p = 0.003) compared to the baseline. The mean BCVA was significantly improved from the baseline to 3 M (p < 0.001), 6 M (p = 0.027), and 12 M (p = 0.003) in all eyes. The BCVA was improved or maintained in 97% of the patients at 12 M. The mean CFT and GLD were significantly reduced at 12 M (p < 0.001). Twenty-two eyes (71%) had a dry macula at 12 M. Conclusions: IVA administered by a fixed dosing regimen led to significant improvements of the central MS, BCVA, and macular morphology at 1 year in eyes with nAMD with or without PCV. These results were not significantly different between eyes with non-PCV and with PCV. The improvements of the MS of the retina of the central 2° in a subgroup whose BCVA remained unchanged through the 12-month experimental period was also significant. We conclude that the MS of the central 2° might be a better marker than the BCVA in determining the effectiveness of IVA treatments and might be helpful in determining early effects on the retina before BCVA changes can be detected.
A cidade se cura no teatro
Authors: Meiches Mauro Pergaminik
Published: May 2021

O artigo recapitula a história do Teatro Oficina de São Paulo, tecendo relações entre o trabalho do grupo e o conceito psicanalítico de pulsão.
Plantas sociais e visões do Monte Santo
Authors: Costa José da
Published: May 2021

O artigo aborda os espetáculos realizados pelo Teatro Oficina, sob direção de José Celso Martinez Corrêa, criados a partir do livro Os Sertões, de Euclides da Cunha. O texto recorre à alusão que os espetáculos fazem às vegetações típicas das regiões secas do país e à montanha conhecida como Monte Santo para reunir, em torno dessas referências específicas, alguns dos temas tratados nas obras e alguns dos procedimentos criativos das peças.
Diretrizes curriculares nacionais dos cursos de graduação em Terapia Ocupacional: especificidade e competências profissionais
Authors: Bregalda Marília Meyer , Mângia Elisabete Ferreira
Published: May 2021

Introdução: As Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Graduação em Terapia Ocupacional definem os princípios para organização e desenvolvimento dos projetos pedagógicos e propõem competências específicas para terapeutas ocupacionais. Objetivos: Identificar e compreender a especificidade e identidade profissionais presentes nas 34 competências apresentadas como específicas para terapeutas ocupacionais pelo documento. Método: A partir da análise das diretrizes, essas competências foram sistematizadas de acordo com sua especificidade profissional, e elaboraram-se sínteses descritivas com suas características e fragilidades. Resultados: Das 34 competências, apenas quatro singularizam a profissão, diferenciando-a das demais. Discussão: A fragilidade na definição das competências específicas faz com que elas estabeleçam poucas relações com os objetos e objetivos da profissão e não permitam identificar, credenciar ou avaliar o perfil profissional. Conclusão: O principal desafio da reformulação das diretrizes nacionais é definir competências que contemplem a mudança paradigmática e a identidade profissional construída a partir dela, de forma a conferir especificidade às competências desenvolvidas na formação em Terapia Ocupacional.
Arrhythmia Risk During the 2016 US Presidential Election: The Cost of Stressful Politics
Authors: Rosman Lindsey , Salmoirago‐Blotcher Elena , Mahmood Rafat , Yang Hannan , Li Quefeng , Mazzella Anthony J. , Lawrence Klein Jeffrey , Bumgarner Joseph , Gehi Anil
Published: May 2021

Background

Anger and extreme stress can trigger potentially fatal cardiovascular events in susceptible people. Political elections, such as the 2016 US presidential election, are significant stressors. Whether they can trigger cardiac arrhythmias is unknown.

Methods and Results

In this retrospective case‐crossover study, we linked cardiac device data, electronic health records, and historic voter registration records from 2436 patients with implanted cardiac devices. The incidence of arrhythmias during the election was compared with a control period with Poisson regression. We also tested for effect modification by demographics, comorbidities, political affiliation, and whether an individual's political affiliation was concordant with county‐level election results. Overall, 2592 arrhythmic events occurred in 655 patients during the hazard period compared with 1533 events in 472 patients during the control period. There was a significant increase in the incidence of composite outcomes for any arrhythmia (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.77 [95% CI, 1.42–2.21]), supraventricular arrhythmia (IRR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.36–2.43]), and ventricular arrhythmia (IRR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.22–2.10]) during the election relative to the control period. There was also an increase in specific types of arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation (IRR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.06–2.11]), supraventricular tachycardia (IRR, 3.7 [95% CI, 2.2–6.2]), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (IRR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.3–2.2]), and daily atrial fibrillation burden (
P
<0.001). No significant interaction was found for sex, race/ethnicity, device type, age ≥65 years, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, political affiliation, or concordance between individual political affiliation and county‐level election results.

Conclusions

There was a significant increase in cardiac arrhythmias during the 2016 US presidential election. These findings suggest that exposure to stressful sociopolitical events may trigger arrhythmogenesis in susceptible people.
Role of Spiritual Intelligence in Public Policy in the African American Pentecostal Church
Authors: Smith James B.
Published: May 2021

Although many U.S. faith-based organizations have become partners with the government, the African American Pentecostal Church (aapc), which holds spirituality as a means of serving humanity as its theological framework, has remained a silent partner in public policy engagement. With the framework of spiritual intelligence, this qualitative case study addresses the perceptions of African American Pentecostal leaders regarding how the church’s theology may have an impact on the public policy engagement of its parishioners. Twelve African American Pentecostal Bishops were interviewed, and data were coded and analyzed to identify themes. Results revealed that participants use their spirituality to connect with public policy issues that relate to their personal experiences. Findings also indicated that the aapc is not an organized denomination, but rather a conglomeration of factions. Lack of an organized epicenter and lack of training and development of its leaders prevent this church from engaging in the public sphere. Although members embrace their responsibility to care for the needs of others, the church lacks a collective response to community issues. Findings may be used to prepare the next generation of aapc leaders to unify the church to offer spiritual solutions to public policy issues.
Sancta Sanctis
Authors: Black Jonathan
Published: May 2021

The concept of holiness has played a significant role in Pentecostal identity. Worship has also been a defining feature of Pentecostalism, and for British Pentecostals, the ultimate locus of worship was historically around the Lord’s Table at the weekly Breaking of Bread service. Here at the Table holiness and worship met in the presence of the Lord, and in that meeting of the two the Gifts of the Spirit flowed, healing was found at the Table, and the Spirit-filled gathered congregation were sent back out into the world, renewed and refreshed as witnesses of the living Lord. While the Breaking of Bread could involve either intense joy or tears of repentance, it constantly bore witness to the seriousness with which Pentecostals took the holiness of God and His sanctification of His people. This article draws on historic British Pentecostal Eucharistic worship in working towards a Pentecostal theological account of holiness.
Myrcia excelsa (Myrtaceae), a new species from Espírito Santo, Brazil

Authors: GAEM PAULO HENRIQUE , FERNANDES THIAGO , VALDEMARIN KARINNE SAMPAIO , LUCAS EVE , MAZINE FIORELLA FERNANDA
Published: May 2021

Myrcia De Candolle (1827: 401) (Myrciinae, Myrteae, Myrtaceae) is represented by 101 species in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo (Santos et al. 2020). In addition, a new endemic species is here proposed based on a unique combination of morphological features. Morphological terminology follows Radford et al. (1974) and Lucas et al. (2018). A conservation assessment is proposed according to the IUCN (2012). For this, geographic coordinates of collections were estimated from specimen labels when missing and geographical parameters were calculated using GeoCAT (Bachman et al. 2011).
A new country record of Raorchestes cangyuanensis Wu, Suwannapoom, Xu, Murphy & Che 2019 and additional record of Kurixalus yangi Yu, Hui, Rao & Yang 2018 (Anura: Rhacophoridae: Rhacophorinae) from India
Authors: LALRONUNGA SAMUEL , VANRAMLIANA VANRAMLIANA , LALRAMLIANA LALRAMLIANA , LALHMINGLIANI ESTHER
Published: May 2021

Most studies on the diversity of amphibians in northeast India were based on classical morpho-taxonomy, which have a high probability of errors in species identification. DNA barcoding of amphibians using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene has been used successfully for the identification of species and detection of cryptic species. In the present study, we carry out DNA barcoding of two rhacophorid species of the genus Raorchestes and Kurixalus that are not readily identifiable to the species level based on their morphology. Our analysis on the 16S rRNA gene revealed that these species were Raorchestes cangyuanensis and Kurixalus yangi, species which were recorded for the first time and second time from India respectively. We discuss on the records of R. longchuanensis from Bangladesh and India, which were based on the misidentification of R. cangyuanensis. We therefore propose to delist this species from the faunal list of Bangladesh and India. We further raise a question as to why the population of Kurixalus from Motuo, Xizang province of China was assigned as K. naso and not the population described as K. yangi, which is morphologically similar to K. naso and is also recorded from a locality close to the type locality of K. naso.
Class in Iceland
Authors: Oddsson Guðmundur
Published: May 2021

Individualization theorists claim that the socio-cultural changes of late modernity have dissolved class division and awareness. In contrast, this review of class research on Icelandic society since the dawn of modernization shows that class relations continue to structure inequality and that neoliberal globalization has increased class awareness. This is shown in relation to class structure, class politics, class inequality, class awareness and class culture. Moreover, it is argued that the strength and trajectory of class awareness in late modernity vary by welfare regime and that theorists overgeneralize declining class awareness based on highly differentiated, liberal welfare states. Heightened class awareness in Iceland is explained by the polarizing effects of neoliberal globalization, which represents a more significant shift for social democratic welfare states, where low inequality, comprehensive social citizenship and cultural homogeneity have long curbed perceptions of class division.
‘And we gossip about my life as if I am not there’: An autoethnography on recovery from infidelity and silence in the academic workplace
Authors: van de Berg (pseudonym) Truus
Published: May 2021

In this autoethnography, I engage with betrayal trauma from my husband’s infidelity as it relates to recovery and my academic identity, and my work performance. As I navigate between the trauma, the stigma and taboo, the shame and lack of knowledge, my responsibilized academic self, the collegial interactions, and the question of whether keeping silent robbed me of my voice, I distinguish toxic secrets, hurtful silencing and healing silence. Although the exploitative nature of the academic workplace had never been more visceral, I also found that a tending silence contributed to my protection and my recovery. In silence, my academic life is opening up to embracing needs rather than enduring hardships, to inviting rather than striving, to vulnerability rather than empowerment.
Contemporary Film and the Empathy Controversy: Part 1
Authors: Ash Beth S.
Published: May 2021

This article is written in two parts: Part 1 is a critique of Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion by social psychologist Paul Bloom, and Part 2 is a reading of three U.S. films, produced between 2009 and 2012, that allow me to illustrate what is wrong with Bloom’s claim that we should endeavor to bypass empathy and cultivate more rationally effective forms of care. In Part 1, I introduce the project of both papers; however, my central aim is to mount several arguments against Bloom’s position. I argue that empathy is hard wired and therefore it is impossible to bypass, that Bloom’s own utilitarian ethics is significantly flawed, and that his central claim that empathy privileges those few we know best and who are closest to us is brought into question by the research that Bloom himself cites. However, the most important argument of Part 1—the argument that leads directly into my reading of filmic examples of empathy in Part 2—is that Bloom fails to understand how empathy is shaped by hegemonic ideological representations. This failure to consider in any meaningful way how culture and society shape affective response is a profound, but typical failure in the field of social psychology.
Uncovering the Nexus Between Cooperative Learning Contexts and Achievement Goals in Physical Education
Authors: Rivera-Pérez Sergio , Fernandez-Rio Javier , Gallego Damián Iglesias
Published: May 2021

Cooperative learning is a pedagogical framework extensively used in educational contexts worldwide, but some scholars warn that we do not know much about how its claimed outcomes are delivered. The aim of this study was to uncover the connections between cooperative learning contexts and students’ task and self-approach goals in physical education. We hypothesized that those students who perceived a stronger cooperative learning context in their classes would also show higher task and self-approach goals. A total of 1328 students (648 females and 680 males) from three different educational stages: primary education (n = 584), secondary education (n = 550) and baccalaureate (n = 194), agreed to participate. Participants’ ages ranged between 10 and 20 years ( M = 13.11; SD = 2.45). An ex-post-facto, cross-sectional research design was followed. Results showed a direct and significant connection between high-perceived cooperative learning contexts and high students’ task and self-approach goals. The odds ratio tests verified this positive association, indicating a 4-times greater probability for students who perceived a strong cooperative learning context in the classroom of having high task and self-approach goals. In the same line, we observed that, as the perception of a cooperative learning context increased, task and self-approach goals also increased. This means that a small change in the class context to make it more cooperative had an impact on the students’ achievement goals. Teachers should try to create class contexts where students perceive a strong cooperative learning climate, because it has been connected to adaptive motivational patterns, task and self-approach goals, and these are associated with positive outcomes.
Food and social change: Culinary elites, contested technologies, food movements and embodied social change in food practices
Authors: Motta Renata , Martín Eloísa
Published: May 2021

In this introduction, we have asked a very classical sociological question and brought together interdisciplinary efforts to critically approach it, focusing on a basic issue: food. We briefly reconstruct the main approaches to social change in sociological theory and then identify main themes with which food studies have contributed to this debate. If, to avoid normative and formal approaches, theories of change require contextualization in order to keep their explanatory value, this volume brings historical and geographical context to provide an analysis of social change through the lenses of food. Methodologically, articles offer diverse approaches to food, allowing different kinds of perspectives on change. While statistical analysis or historically comparative sociology will provide correlational snapshots and structural transformations, ethnographies necessarily deal with change happening in the everyday. The articles in this monograph have been organized into four broad groups: (1) national cuisines as elite projects of social change; (2) science and technology as contested tools for social change; (3) social mobilization and food movements as agents of social change; and (4) micro- and macro-level change and beyond: culinary subjectivities, embodied social change and food transition.
Multisystemic Resilience: Learning from Youth in Stressed Environments
Authors: Theron Linda , Murphy Kathleen , Ungar Michael
Published: May 2021

Youth resilience is the product of multiple systems. Still, the biological, psychological, social, and environmental system factors that support youth resilience are incompletely understood. How these factors interact, and the situational and cultural dynamics shaping their interconnectedness, are also under-researched. In response, we report a multi-site case study that is instrumental to understanding multisystemic resilience. It draws on the insights of 52 youth from stressed, oil and gas communities in South Africa (13 young men; 8 young women; average age: 20.28) and Canada (19 young women, 12 young men; average age: 20.77). Deductive and inductive analyses show that youth resilience is informed by a biopsychosocial-ecological system of interacting resources that fit situational and cultural dynamics. This has implications for society’s championship of youth adaptation to stressed environments, including less emphasis on individual resources and more on contextually responsive, systemic changes that will facilitate meso- and macro-system resistance to significant stress.
Comparison of Tympanic Membrane Perforation With and Without Calcification of Anterior Mallear Ligament Under Transcanal Endoscopic Type I Tympanoplasty
Authors: Wu Cong , Chen Xiaoyun , Huang Yideng , Zhang Min , Ye Fan , Wu Xianmin
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) induced tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) can be accompanied by anterior mallear ligament (AML) calcification. So far, comparative evaluations of TMP with and without AML calcification have rarely been reported. The aim of the current study is to compare the hearing outcomes of TMP with and without calcification of AML under transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty.

Methods:

Records of 67 patients diagnosed with CSOM and receiving transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty were divided into the AML calcification group (Cal group, n = 31) and the non-AML calcification group (non-Cal group, n = 36). The 31 patients in the Cal group were divided into subgroup A and B according to the severity of calcification. The operation time, closure rate, and pre- and postoperative audiometric results were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

Results:

Preoperatively, the Cal group had higher mean air–bone gap (ABG; P = .022), and ABGs at 250 Hz ( P = .017) and 500 Hz ( P = .008) compared with the non-Cal groups. The Cal group showed higher improvements of ABGs at 250 Hz ( P = .039) and 500 Hz ( P = .021) compared with the non-Cal groups postoperatively.

Conclusions:

The TMP with AML calcification leads to higher ABGs at low frequencies. The hearing outcomes are similar for TMP both with and without AML calcification after surgery. Our results suggest that transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty is an appropriate surgical method for TMP with AML calcification, if the lesion can be detected and completely eliminated.
The cold receptor TRPM8 activation leads to attenuation of endothelium-dependent cerebral vascular functions during head cooling
Authors: Fedinec Alex L , Liu Jianxiong , Zhang Rong , Harsono Mimily , Pourcyrous Massroor , Parfenova Helena
Published: May 2021

Using the cranial window technique, we investigated acute effects of head cooling on cerebral vascular functions in newborn pigs. Head cooling lowered the rectal and extradural brain temperatures to 34.3 ± 0.6°C and 26.1 ± 0.6°C, respectively. During the 3-h hypothermia period, responses of pial arterioles to endothelium-dependent dilators bradykinin and glutamate were reduced, whereas the responses to hypercapnia and an endothelium-independent dilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP) remained intact. All vasodilator responses were restored after rewarming, suggesting that head cooling did not produce endothelial injury. We tested the hypothesis that the cold-sensitive TRPM8 channel is involved in attenuation of cerebrovascular functions. TRPM8 is immunodetected in cerebral vessels and in the brain parenchyma. During normothermia, the TRPM8 agonist icilin produced constriction of pial arterioles that was antagonized by the channel blocker AMTB. Icilin reduced dilation of pial arterioles to bradykinin and glutamate but not to hypercapnia and SNP, thus mimicking the effects of head cooling on vascular functions. AMTB counteracted the impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation caused by hypothermia or icilin. Overall, mild hypothermia produced by head cooling leads to acute reversible reduction of selected endothelium-dependent cerebral vasodilator functions via TRPM8 activation, whereas cerebral arteriolar smooth muscle functions are largely preserved.
Delay in seeking medical care after the onset of symptoms in patients with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Wei Yan , Mi Fenghua , Cui Yan , Li Ying , Wu Xinyi , Guo Hui
Published: May 2021

Objective

To investigate the reasons for delays in seeking medical care in patients with diabetic retinopathy and associated risk factors.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data for patients with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) who attended a hospital in China. Various forms of STDR were identified, including severe non-proliferative DR, clinically significant macular edema and proliferative DR. Demographic, clinical and socioeconomic information was collected and the associated risk factors were evaluated.

Results

Of the 127 patients with STDR, 89.2% sought medical care within 1 month of developing symptoms. Those who sought treatment ≥6 months after symptoms developed had significantly lower income and less knowledge of diabetic complications than those who attended earlier. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that no or infrequent routine examination for diabetic complications were associated with long delays in seeking medical care (odds ratio (OR) 3.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–9.19; and OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.04–8.40, respectively).

Conclusions

Most patients with STDR sought medical care within 1 month of symptoms developing, but no or infrequent routine examination for diabetic complications was associated with long delays. These results stress the importance of educational programs regarding diabetic complications to encourage timely medical care and prevent poor outcomes.