bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zero-Rating and Net Neutrality
Authors: Bayat Niloofar , Ma Richard , Misra Vishal , Rubenstein Dan
Published: March 2021

An objective of network neutrality is to design regulations for the Internet and ensure that it remains a public, open platform where innovations can thrive. While there is broad agreement that preserving the content quality of service falls under the purview of net neutrality, the role of differential pricing, especially the practice of zero-rating remains controversial. In this paper, we model zero-rating between Internet service providers (ISPs) and content providers (CPs) and show if zero-rating is permitted, the competitiveness in the market is reduced, where low-income CPs often lose utility and high-income CPs often gain utility.
Design and Health Evaluation of Monitoring Test Platform for Metro Traction Power Supply System
Authors: Zheng Hengchao , Wang Yuhua
Published: March 2021

Subway traction power supply system is the energy source of subway operation. The normal operation of subway traction power supply system is directly related to the stable operation and safety of subway. If the subway traction power supply system breaks down, it not only will cause economic losses, but also may cause social disorder. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the traction power supply system of subway to ensure the safe operation of subway. The establishment of a reasonable monitoring and testing platform, the simulation analysis of the traction power supply system, and the regular health assessment can provide a strong guarantee for the safe operation of the subway. This paper aims to design a practical test platform through MATLAB modeling, so as to establish a simulation model of subway traction power supply system, and comprehensively monitor and grasp the health status of subway traction power supply system. This paper quantitatively evaluates the health status of subway traction power supply system, applies the principle of multilayer immunity, establishes the traction power supply system of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and constructs the immune monitoring system of each layer. This method can provide the health status information of subway traction power supply system, subsystems, and components comprehensively, accurately, and intuitively and determine the subsystems and components that need to be maintained.
Numerical Simulation of the Construction Process of Long Spiral CFG Piles
Authors: Wang Taotao , Du Siyi
Published: March 2021

A numerical model for the construction process of long spiral CFG piles is established based on the coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian method. The construction process is divided into drilling process and concrete pouring process for modeling. The influence of long spiral CFG piles construction on saturated sand foundation is studied, and dynamic responses, changes of pore water pressure, and void ratio of saturated sand foundation are obtained. The rationality and accuracy of the simulation results are proved by comparing with the field test data and calculation results of the theory of cylindrical cavity expansion. The presented numerical results prove that the vibration load generated during the construction acts on saturated soil in the form of irregular reciprocating shear forces, which leads to a large excess pore water pressure in the soil and an increase in soil void ratio. Both the excess pore water pressure field generated during the construction and the soil pore ratio after the construction show a parabolic distribution in the vertical direction. The research results can provide reference and theoretical basis for future research and engineering practice.
Ganoderma lucidum Spore Polysaccharide Inhibits the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Altering Macrophage Polarity and Induction of Apoptosis
Authors: Song Ming , Li Zhen-hao , Gu Hong-shun , Tang Ru-ying , Zhang Rui , Zhu Ying-li , Liu Jin-lian , Zhang Jian-jun , Wang Lin-yuan
Published: March 2021

Background. Ganoderma lucidum has certain components with known pharmacological effects, including strengthening immunity and anti-inflammatory activity. G. lucidum seeds inherit all its biological characteristics. G. lucidum spore polysaccharide (GLSP) is the main active ingredient to enhance these effects. However, its specific biological mechanisms are not exact. Our research is aimed at revealing the specific biological mechanism of GLSP to enhance immunity and inhibit the growth of H22 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods. We extracted primary macrophages (Mø) from BALB/c mice and treated them with GLSP (800 μg/mL, 400 μg/mL, and 200 μg/mL) to observe its effects on macrophage polarization and cytokine secretion. We used GLSP and GLSP-intervened macrophage supernatant to treat H22 tumor cells and observed their effects using MTT and flow cytometry. Moreover, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to observe the effect of GLSP-intervened macrophage supernatant on the PI3K/AKT and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Results. In this study, GLSP promoted the polarization of primary macrophages to M1 type and the upregulation of some cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β1. The MTT assay revealed that GLSP+Mø at 400 μg/mL and 800 μg/mL significantly inhibited H22 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that GLSP+Mø induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, associated with the expression of critical genes and proteins (PI3K, p-AKT, BCL-2, BAX, and caspase-9) that regulate the PI3K/AKT pathway and apoptosis. GLSP reshapes the tumor microenvironment by activating macrophages, promotes the polarization of primary macrophages to M1 type, and promotes the secretion of various inflammatory factors and cytokines. Conclusion. Therefore, as a natural nutrient, GLSP is a potential agent in hepatocellular carcinoma cell treatment and induction of apoptosis.
Box Jellyfish (Cnidaria, Cubozoa) Extract Increases Neuron’s Connection: A Possible Neuroprotector Effect
Authors: Arruda Gian Lucas M. , Vigerelli Hugo , Bufalo Michelle C. , Longato Giovanna B. , Veloso Rodinei V. , Zambelli Vanessa O. , Picolo Gisele , Cury Yara , Morandini André C. , Marques Antonio Carlos , Sciani Juliana Mozer
Published: March 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the major causes of death worldwide, characterized by neurite atrophy, neuron apoptosis, and synapse loss. No effective treatment has been indicated for such diseases so far, and the search for new drugs is being increased in the last years. Animal venoms’ secretion/venom can be an alternative for the discovery of new molecules, which could be the prototype for a new treatment. Here, we present the biochemical characterization and activity of the extract from the box jellyfish Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Cq) on neurites. The Cq methanolic extract was obtained and incubated to human SH‐SY5Y neurons, and neurite parameters were evaluated. The extract was tested in other cell types to check its cytotoxicity and was submitted to biochemical analysis by mass spectrometry in order to check its composition. We could verify that the Cq extract increased neurite outgrowth length and branching junctions, amplifying the contact between SH‐SY5Y neurons, without affecting cell body and viability. The extract action was selective for neurons, as it did not cause any effects on other cell types, such as tumor line, nontumor line, and red blood cells. Moreover, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that there are no proteins but several low molecular mass compounds and peptides. Three peptides, characterized as cryptides, and 14 low molecular mass compounds were found to be related to cytoskeleton reorganization, cell membrane expansion, and antioxidant/neuroprotective activity, which act together to increase neuritogenesis. After this evaluation, we conclude that the Cq extract is a promising tool for neuronal connection recovery, an essential condition for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Feature Augmentation of Classifiers Using Learning Time Series Shapelets Transformation for Night Setback Classification of District Heating Substations
Authors: Zhang Fan , Bales Chris , Fleyeh Hasan
Published: March 2021

District heating systems that distribute heat through pipelines to residential and commercial buildings have been widely used in Northern Europe, and according to the latest study, district heating shares the most heat supply market in Sweden. Therefore, energy efficiency of district heating systems is of great interest to energy stakeholders. However, it is not uncommon that district heating systems fail to achieve the expected performance due to various faults or inappropriate operations. Night setback is one control strategy, which has been proved to be not a suitable setting for well‐insulated modern buildings in terms of both economic factors and energy efficiency. From the literature, shapelets algorithms not only provide interpretable results but also proved to be effective in time series classification. However, they have not been explored to solve the problem in energy domain. In this study, a feature augmentation approach is proposed based on learning time series shapelets and shapelet transformation, aiming to improve the performance of classifiers for night setback classification. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, data of 10 anonymous substations in Sweden are used in the case study. The proposed method is applied to six commonly used baseline classifiers: Support Vector Classifier, Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network, Logistic Regression, K‐Nearest Neighbor, Decision Trees, and Random Forest. Precision, recall, and f1 score are used as the performance measures. The results of out‐of‐sample testing show that it is possible to improve the generalization ability of classifiers by applying the proposed approach. In addition, the highest f1 score of out‐of‐sample testing is achieved by DT classifier whose f1 score is increased from 0.599 to 0.711 for identifying night setback case and from 0.749 to 0.808 for identifying nonnight setback case using the proposed feature augmentation approach.
Hegel, China, and the 19th Century Europeanization of Philosophy
Authors: Smith Justin E. H.
Published: March 2021

I clarify Hegel’s role in the Europeanization of philosophy over the course of the 19th century. I begin with an investigation of the way non-Western philosophy was conceptualized in Europe before, and after, I move on to a consideration of the debates about philosophy that emerged in late 19th century China because of European attempts, such as that of Hegel, to circumscribe the geographical and civilizational scope of this discipline. How may we see the emergence of a distinctly modern, generally nationalist, discourse about “Chinese philosophy” within China as a reflection of larger global processes then taking place?
Why Confucian Ethics is a Virtue Ethics, Virtue Ethics is not a Bad Thing, and Neville Should Endorse it
Authors: Huang Yong
Published: March 2021

This paper addresses one of the three main themes of Neville’s The Goodness Is One, Its Manifestations Many: Whether Confucian ethics can be appropriately characterized as a virtue ethics. It first examines some unique features of virtues ethics, concluding that Confucian ethics may be plausibly regarded as a virtue ethics. Then it shows that virtue ethics is immune to the two diseases that Neville worries about: subjectivism and individualism. Finally, it argues that what Neville regards as salient features of Confucian ethics, (1) situationism, (2) attention to knowledge and skills beyond virtues, and (3) consequentialism of principle, can all be kept intact when it is characterized as a virtue ethics.
Response to Wang, Huang, and Frisina’s Comments on the Good is One, its Manifestations Many
Authors: Neville Robert Cummings
Published: March 2021

This is a response to Wang, Huang, and Frisina’s commentary on my book, The Good Is One, Its Manifestations Many. The response generally takes the form of re-emphasizing my peculiar stresses on the Confucian tradition while applauding their alternative stresses. I particularly emphasize my metaphysical claims to defend my support for Xunzi; I set my philosophy of religion in the context of East Asian, South Asian, and West Asian philosophies. First let me thank the three commentators for taking my book so seriously and writing such stimulating commentaries. I learned from them all: it is a good thing I did not see them before the book was published because they would have caused me to make the book much longer than it is to deal with their questions. I especially thank Yong Huang for organizing this panel. I apologize to all for being prevented from attending because of the weather. Permit me to respond to each of the comments.
Perfect Subjects, Shields, and Retractions: Three Models of Impassibility
Authors: Toth Zita V.
Published: March 2021

According to theological consensus at least from the thirteenth century, at the End of Times our body will be resurrected and reunited with our soul. The resurrected body, although numerically identical to our present one, will be quite different: it will possess clarity, agility, subtility, and the inability to suffer. It is the last of these characteristics that will be of most concern in the present article. There are two reasons why impassibility presents a problem in the medieval framework. The first has to do with how to characterize impassibility more precisely; the second arises because at first it may seem that impassibility is not metaphysically possible at all. The article will look at three attempts to tackle these problems: those of Thomas Aquinas, Durand of St.-Pourçain, and Peter of Palude. As the article aims to show, looking at how causal powers work on the New Earth may shed some light on how medieval thinkers thought they worked on the present one.
Facilitating Irregular Migration into Malaysia and from Indonesia: Illicit Markets, Endemic Corruption and Symbolic Attempts to Overcome Impunity
Authors: Hoffstaedter Gerhard , Missbach Antje
Published: March 2021

Discourses around illicit markets for irregular migration focus on criminality and global dimensions threatening border security and the sovereignty of the state. Organised crime has generally been understood to be committed by crime syndicates outside or parallel to the dominant order and formal economy. In Malaysia and Indonesia, however, the state (or parts thereof) is heavily implicated in such crime and essential for the success of unsanctioned trans-border movements. The participation of state officials could be analysed as a convergence of extralegal income generation and symbolic law enforcement. This article presents case studies from Malaysia and Indonesia that could only have taken place because security officials facilitated them. It challenges the orthodoxy of a state versus criminal network opposition and seeks to explain the circumstances under which legal prosecution occurs. The symbolic punishment of low-ranking officials reinforces networks of control, power hierarchies and cooperation of the state in illicit markets.
“Mostly Rich White Men, Nothing in Common”: Latino Views on Political (Under) Representation in the Trump Era
Authors: Mora Cristina , Dowling Julie A. , Rodríguez-Muñiz Michael
Published: March 2021

The idea of U.S. democracy rests on the assumption that all citizens will see their issues and needs reflected in elected officials. Yet, historically this has not been the case, as racialized minorities have been excluded and systematically marginalized from the representative process. Today, nonwhite populations remain significantly underrepresented in federal and state governments. Although scholars have examined the effects and mechanics of ethnoracial political representation, less is known about how individuals from minoritized populations perceive and make sense of political (under)representation. Drawing on a novel data set of 71 in-depth interviews with Latinos in the Chicagoland area and the San Francisco Bay, this article examines Latino understandings of representation. Our findings show that respondents view Latinos and other “people of color” as largely underrepresented amid an exceedingly white federal government. Yet Latino sentiments on the issue go beyond race, as respondents contend that class and a record of experience advocating on behalf of immigrant and working-class communities also matters for feeling represented by elected officials. Our findings make a case for bridging the sociological literature on racialization and political theories on representation, and have implications for understanding broader notions of political belonging and government trust.
Between Madras and Chennai: Narratives of belonging in a postcolonial city
Authors: Rajamony Kavithaa , Tripathy Jyotirmaya
Published: March 2021

Fictional narratives on Chennai, after its official conversion from Madras in 1996, offer an intriguing register for exploring ways of belonging. Using a postcolonial framework, the paper closely scrutinizes T. S. Tirumurti’s Clive Avenue and Chennaivaasi (and some other authors invested in Chennai’s contemporary culture) and subjects them to critique as sites of meaning making. An effort is made to explore how these narratives respond to the new reality of Chennai, to what extent they see the city producing a standardized experience, and how the fictional characters corroborate or contest institutional change. In the process, the texts are brought to converse with the postcolonial desire for cultural autonomy, its mediation by a nativist agenda, as well as the ambivalence and contradictions inherent in such a desire. The texts betray the inadequacies of the new name as a stable container of cultural meanings and propose an idea of the city that is internally incoherent and multi-experiential.
Women, work and industrial relations in Australia in 2020
Authors: Foley Meraiah , Williamson Sue
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic drove significant changes affecting women, work and industrial relations in Australia in 2020. This annual review explores the economic and social impact of the pandemic on women workers, and examines the gendered impact of key policy responses, including: the introduction of an historic temporary wage subsidy programme; the early release of superannuation funds; multiple economic stimulus measures, targeted mostly at male-dominated industries; and the provision of paid pandemic leave. This review also analyses major developments in early childhood care and education and aged care, and the longer-term implications of the massive natural experiment in working from home that occurred in 2020. Developments in paid parental leave and sexual harassment are also briefly discussed. We find that, although women workers were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, policy responses to date have largely failed to acknowledge or repair the gendered impacts of the crisis.
Event Likelihood Judgments Revisited
Authors: Rogers Kimberly B.
Published: March 2021

Affect control theory shows how cultural meanings for identities and behaviors are used to form impressions of events and guide social action. The theory’s impression formation equations are the engine of its predictions about events and the deflection they generate (i.e., how much they violate, versus conform to, cultural prescriptions). In this research, I examine the relationship between affective (deflection) and cognitive responses to events, with a focus on judgments of event likelihood. I present a series of analyses that show that event likelihood judgments are impacted by events’ perceived normativity, commonality in social life, and our personal experience with events like them and by the appearance likelihood of the actors, combinations of actors, and behaviors they involve and that likelihood ratings and deflection most often diverge for institutionally vague events. I additionally show that deflection computed using Heise’s 2014 impression-change equations strongly predicts event likelihood.
Needs of standardisation in reporting a venous lower limb ultrasound exam for the assessment of varicose veins
Authors: Vitale Cristiana , D’Abate Fabrizio , Froio Alberto
Published: March 2021

Duplex ultrasound is an important tool in the assessment and management of patients with varicose veins. Over the past two decades several minimally-invasive therapeutic options have become available for the treatment of these patients. Consequently, the ultrasonographic assessment and the parameters to consider have changed accordingly. Ultrasound parameters, such as the diameter of superficial incompetent veins or their depth from the skin surface amongst others, have become of paramount importance for planning a tailored either operative or non-operative treatment. However, in daily practice there is a wide variety of ultrasound parameters described in the report. This variety can be explained by several factors, such as the background of the healthcare professional performing the exam or the available treatments as per the local national healthcare service guidelines or insurance reimbursement plans. The standardisation of the reporting of the ultrasound findings in patients with varicose veins will improve communication between healthcare professionals and the management of these patients.
Glycans in scaffold design in tissue reconstruction
Authors: Jain Nipun , Singh Shashi
Published: March 2021

Development of an artificial tissue by tissue engineering is witnessed to be one of the long lasting clarified solutions for the damaged tissue function restoration. To accomplish this, a scaffold is designed as a cell carrier in which the extracellular matrix (ECM) performs a prominent task of controlling the inoculated cell’s destiny. ECM composition, topography and mechanical properties lead to different types of interactions between cells and ECM components that trigger an assortment of cellular reactions via diverse sensing mechanisms and downstream signaling pathways. The polysaccharides in the form of proteoglycans and glycoproteins yield better outcomes when included in the designed matrices. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains present on proteoglycans show a wide range of operations such as sequestering of critical effector morphogens which encourage proficient nutrient contribution toward the growing stem cells for their development and endurance. In this review we discuss how the glycosylation aspects are of considerable importance in everyday housekeeping functions of a cell especially when placed in a controlled environment under ideal growth conditions. Hydrogels made from these GAG chains have been used extensively as a resorbable material that mimics the natural ECM functions for an efficient control over cell attachment, permeability, viability, proliferation, and differentiation processes. Also the incorporation of non-mammalian polysaccharides can elicit specific receptor responses which authorize the creation of numerous vigorous frameworks while prolonging the low cost and immunogenicity of the substance.
Tribalism: Where George Orwell leads us and where an understanding of existential–relational positions extends us
Authors: Webb Richard E. , Rosenbaum Philip J.
Published: March 2021

The chaos of our current times raises both concern and interest in tribalism. We look at three types of tribalism. Reflecting the thoughts of George Orwell, we discuss nationalism and patriotism. We then introduce globalism. We offer ideas about how affiliation with one type or another of these types can reflect the existential–relational position that we occupy. To illustrate the complexities of these affiliations we consider the passionate support of and resistance to Black Lives Matter.
Measuring the Refined Theory of Individual Values in 49 Cultural Groups: Psychometrics of the Revised Portrait Value Questionnaire
Authors: Schwartz Shalom H. , Cieciuch Jan
Published: March 2021

Researchers around the world are applying the recently revised Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ-RR) to measure the 19 values in Schwartz’s refined values theory. We assessed the internal reliability, circular structure, measurement model, and measurement invariance of values measured by this questionnaire across 49 cultural groups ( N = 53,472) and 32 language versions. The PVQ-RR reliably measured 15 of the 19 values in the vast majority of groups and two others in most groups. The fit of the theory-based measurement models supported the differentiation of almost all values in every cultural group. Almost all values were measured invariantly across groups at the configural and metric level. A multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that the PVQ-RR perfectly reproduced the theorized order of the 19 values around the circle across groups. The current study established the PVQ-RR as a sound instrument to measure and to compare the hierarchies and correlates of values across cultures.
A 9-Month-Old with Skeletal Abnormalities and a Consanguineous Sibling with Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: The Role of Urinary Glycosaminoglycan Testing in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring
Authors: Goldman Eric , Vu Angela , Dietz Kelly , Thomas Stefani N
Published: March 2021

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder resulting from N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) deficiency that occurs in approximately 1 in 76 000 to 1 in 640 000 live births. Given that the diagnosis of MPS IVA relies heavily on the results of initial urine glycosaminoglycan (GAG) screening, cases that present with falsely normal urine GAG concentrations can delay the diagnosis and follow-up care for patients. This case study follows a patient diagnosed with MPS IVA at 9 months of age based on relation to a consanguineous 3-year-old sibling with MPS IVA and the use of direct enzyme activity analysis. Details regarding skeletal presentation and identification of genetic variants are presented along with data on follow-up urinary GAG monitoring during treatment with enzyme replacement therapy and treatment for a growth hormone disorder.
Worry much? Preventive health behaviours related to worry across countries amid COVID-19
Authors: Kapoor Hansika , Tagat Anirudh
Published: March 2021

This study examined the relationship between worry and health behaviours using an online survey of 69,033 respondents from 32 countries. We hypothesized that past health behaviours predicted worry experienced, which in turn predicted future health behaviours, and included a metric of cultural distance from the US. Past behaviours such as maintaining physical distance predicted higher worry, whereas worry reduced the likelihood of going outside. Being culturally dissimilar to the US was associated with lower worry. However, cultural distance was not associated with future health behaviours. We analyse worry as an approach-avoidance motivator of health behaviours from a cross-cultural perspective, to facilitate effective health communication strategies.
Mandibular lateral incisor-canine transposition: A case series
Authors: Hameed Othman , Kalra Aneesh , Minhas Gursharan
Published: March 2021

Dental transpositions are rare anomalies, which may present to the general dental practitioner or orthodontist. Transpositions occur less frequently in the mandible compared with the maxilla, with the most common mandibular transposition involving the mandibular lateral incisor and canine. The degree of displacement can vary from a relatively minor deviation to complete transposition of the mandibular lateral incisor with the adjacent canine tooth. Due to their highly visible position at the front of the mouth, treatment, ideally involving alignment of these teeth, is important for aesthetic, social and functional purposes. This case series reports six cases with mandibular lateral incisor-canine transposition. They demonstrate the variety in presentation and subsequent management of the ectopic teeth. The importance of early diagnosis in combination with interceptive treatment is discussed, to reduce the burden of potentially lengthy orthodontic treatment at a later date.
Flexural behavior of functionally graded polymeric composite beams
Authors: Atta M , Abu-Sinna A , Mousa S , Sallam HEM , Abd-Elhady AA
Published: March 2021

The bending test is one of the most important tests that demonstrates the advantages of functional gradient (FGM) materials, thanks to the stress gradient across the specimen depth. In this research, the flexural response of functionally graded polymeric composite material (FGM) is investigated both experimentally and numerically. Fabricated by a hand lay-up manufacturing technique, the unidirectional glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite composed of ten layers is used in the present investigation. A 3-D finite element simulation is used to predict the flexural strength based on Hashin’s failure criterion. To produce ten layers of FGM beams with different patterns, the fiber volume fraction ( Vf%) ranges from 10% to 50%. A comparison between FGM beams and conventional composite beams having the same average Vf% is made. The experimental results show that the failure of the FGM beams under three points bending loading (3PB) test is initiated from the tensioned layers, and spread to the upper layer. The spreading is followed by delamination accompanied by shear failures. Finally, the FGM beams fail due to crushing in the compression zone. Furthermore, the delamination failure between the layers has a major effect on the rapidity of the final failure of the FGM beams. The present numerical results show that the gradient pattern of FGM beams is a critical parameter for improving their flexural behavior. Otherwise, Vf% of the outer layers of the FGM beams, i.e. Vf% = 30, 40, or 50%, is responsible for improving their flexural strength.
Diagnostic value of Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor in the follow-up of patients affected by non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: an update
Authors: D’Elia Carolina , Folchini Decio M. , Mian Christine , Hanspeter Esther , Schwienbacher Christine , Spedicato Giorgio Alfredo , Pycha Stefan , Vjaters Egils , Degener Stephan , Kafka Mona , Pycha Armin , Trenti Emanuela
Published: March 2021

Aims:

Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor is a urinary marker based on the evaluation of five target mRNAs overexpressed in patients with bladder cancer (BC). The aim of our study is to update our results regarding the diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor test in the follow-up of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods:

We conducted a prospective study on 1015 samples of 416 patients (mean age 72.2 ± 10.3 years) under follow-up for NMIBC. Patients underwent voided urinary cytology, the Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor test and cystoscopy and, if positive, a transurethral resection of the bladder. Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor was reported as negative or positive: cut-off total Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) = 0.5.

Results:

We identified 168 recurrent tumours: 126 (75%) were low-grade (LG) and 42 (25%) high-grade (HG). Overall sensitivity was 17.9% for cytology, 52.4% for Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor and 54.2% for the two tests combined. The sensitivity of cytology increased from 6.3% in LG to 52.4% in HG tumours whereas Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor showed a sensitivity ranging from 42.9% in LG to 80.9% in HG tumours. Combined cytology and Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor yielded an overall sensitivity of 45.2% for LG and 80.9% for HG tumours. Overall specificity was 98.5% for cytology and 78.4% for Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor and 78.2% for the two tests combined. The area under the curve (AUC) for Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor was 0.71; stratifying the patients according to the European Association of Urology risk groups, the AUC was 0.69, 0.67 and 0.85 for low, intermediate and high risk, respectively ( p = 0.0003).

Conclusion:

Our data confirm a significantly higher sensitivity of Xpert® Bladder Cancer Monitor than for cytology in a larger patient cohort. The test performed very well in terms of specificity but could not reach the high value of cytology. Along with voided urinary cytology the test could allow to reduce cystoscopies in follow-up patients, reducing discomfort to the patients and costs.
Big Data Analytics in urology: the story so far and the road ahead
Authors: Hameed B. M. Zeeshan , S. Dhavileswarapu Aiswarya V. L. , Naik Nithesh , Karimi Hadis , Hegde Padmaraj , Rai Bhavan Prasad , Somani Bhaskar K.
Published: March 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) has a proven record of application in the field of medicine and is used in various urological conditions such as oncology, urolithiasis, paediatric urology, urogynaecology, infertility and reconstruction. Data is the driving force of AI and the past decades have undoubtedly witnessed an upsurge in healthcare data. Urology is a specialty that has always been at the forefront of innovation and research and has rapidly embraced technologies to improve patient outcomes and experience. Advancements made in Big Data Analytics raised the expectations about the future of urology. This review aims to investigate the role of big data and its blend with AI for trends and use in urology. We explore the different sources of big data in urology and explicate their current and future applications. A positive trend has been exhibited by the advent and implementation of AI in urology with data available from several databases. The extensive use of big data for the diagnosis and treatment of urological disorders is still in its early stage and under validation. In future however, big data will no doubt play a major role in the management of urological conditions.
Race and Ethnicity in Real-World Data Sources: Considerations for Medical Device Regulatory Efforts
Authors: Tarver Michelle E.
Published: March 2021

Real-world evidence is increasingly being collected in our interconnected world. This information can provide insights on how medical products are impacting the daily lives of patients, translating into public health consequences. Understanding the demographic characteristics of patients contributing health information to real-world data sources is critical to determining the safety and effectiveness of medical products for specific populations. Race and ethnicity are recorded inconsistently in different real-world data sources, with many lacking reliable information on these variables. To better leverage all forms of real-world data to inform medical device evaluation, accurate and consistent collection of information from different racial and ethnic subgroups is necessary.
Mothers, babies, and abortion at the border: Contradictory U.S. policies, or targeting fertility?
Authors: Hiemstra Nancy
Published: March 2021

Migrant women’s fertility—or more precisely, non-white migrant women’s fertility—has long been the subject of fear and anger in the United States. This negativity is evident in attitudes, discourse, and policies around immigration, as seen in terms such as “anchor baby,” debates over birthright citizenship, and caricatured ideas of migrant women’s reproduction and sexuality. In 2018, the Trump administration put in place a number of policies targeting migrant fertility in various ways, among them family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border, and the denial of abortions to detained immigrant teens. This article explores the apparent contradiction of ripping immigrant families apart, while at the same time essentially forcing the production of new non-white citizens. Drawing on feminist geographic and queer studies theoretical lenses, the article identifies three fertile figures constructed in contemporary discourse around immigration: the breeder, the anchor baby, and the bad parent. This approach provides a window into the enduring white, patriarchal, heteronormative nationalism particularly evident at this point in U.S. history. It also illuminates ways in which these policies collectively work to erase the United States’ colonial past and present, and the centrality of racial hierarchies to contemporary global capitalism.
Bomb blast: imaging findings, treatment and clinical course of extremity traumas
Authors: Tahtabasi Mehmet , Er Sadettin , Karasu Recep , Ucaroglu Erhan Renan
Published: March 2021

Background

To describe the severity and types of blast-related extremity injuries and the presence of accompanying vascular injuries (VI) and amputation, and to identify the associated factors affecting the treatment management and clinical course.

Methods

The study included 101 patients with extremity injuries caused by a bomb explosion. The radiographs and computed tomography angiographies of the patients were evaluated in terms of injury patterns, presence of penetrating fragments and fractures, and localization (upper or lower extremity) and type (open or closed) of injury. The Gustilo-Anderson classification was used for open fractures. According to their severity, open fractures classified as types 1 and 2 were included in Group 1 and those classified as type 3A, 3B and 3C in Group 2.

Results

As a result of blast exposure, 101 (57.7%) patients had extremity injuries, of which 76 (75.2%) presented with at least one fracture. Of the total of 103 fractures, nine (8.8%) were closed and 94 (91.2%) were open. Thirty-eight (40.4%) of the open fractures were located in the upper extremities, and 56 (59.6%) in the lower extremities and pelvis. Open fractures were most frequently localized in the femur (n = 20; 21.2%), followed by the tibia (n = 18; 19.1%). The majority of patients with open fractures were in Group 1 (71.4%). The duration of hospital stay was longer in Group 2 (12.1 ± 5.8 vs. 6.3 ± 6.7 days, p <  0.0001, respectively). Mortality among patients in Group 2 (45.0%) was significantly higher than in Group 1 (8.0%) (p <  0.0001). Similarly, the injury severity score (ISS) was higher in Group 2 (median 20 vs. 9, p <  0.0001). VI was present in 13 (12.9%) of all patients, and amputation in seven (7.9%).

Conclusion

The presence of severe open fractures, VI, and high ISS score can be considered as important factors that increase morbidity and mortality. In extremity traumas, through the secondary blast mechanism, contaminated-fragmented tissue injuries occur. Therefore, we believe that it will be beneficial to apply damage control surgery in places with low socioeconomic level and poor hygienic conditions.
Comparison of birth weights of neonates of mothers receiving vs. not receiving zinc supplement at pregnancy
Authors: Boskabadi Hassan , Maamouri Gholamali , Akhondian Javad , Ashrafzadeh Farah , Boskabadi Abbas , Faramarzi Raheleh , Heidar Elahe , Pourbadakhshan Nafiseh , Shojaei Seyed Reza Habibzadeh , Zakerihamidi Maryam , Vatanchi Atiyeh Mohammadzadeh , Sokhtanloo Mohammad , Razaghi Naghmeh , Kalani Farnaz , Ataei Hosein , Darabi Azadeh , Mousavi Mojgan Sadat , Hakimiakhangan Saeideh , Bagheri Fathemeh
Published: March 2021

Background

Zinc is an essential element for normal embryogenesis and embryonic and neonatal development. Therefore, we compared the birth weights of neonates born to mothers who consumed zinc supplement during pregnancy with that of neonates born to mothers who did not.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, we divided 200 pregnant mothers into two groups: case group (mothers receiving zinc supplement during pregnancy) and control group (mothers not receiving zinc supplement during pregnancy) Then, the neonate’s cord zinc level and mother’s serum level were measured and neonate’s growth charts (weight, height and head circumference)were completed.

Results

In this study, both groups of mothers were observed to have zinc deficiency; 35% of the mothers who consumed zinc supplements and 81% of the mothers who did not consume zinc supplements (P < 0.001). Based on the results, maternal serum of zinc (P < 0.001), neonatal birth weight (P = 0.008), maternal age (P < 0.001) and parity (P < 0.01) in zinc-supplemented group were higher. Neonatal birth weight was associated moderately with mother’s zinc serum levels and poorly with neonatal serum zinc levels.

Conclusion

Zinc consumption during pregnancy increases serum zinc level of mother and neonatal weight. Neonatal weight has a higher correlation to maternal serum zinc level.
Maternal health care utilization and the obstetric outcomes of undocumented women in Finland – a retrospective register-based study
Authors: Tasa Janita , Holmberg Ville , Sainio Susanna , Kankkunen Päivi , Vehviläinen-Julkunen Katri
Published: March 2021

Background

Undocumented pregnant women constitute a vulnerable group of people who lack equal access to pregnancy care. Previous research has shown that undocumented migrants encounter difficulties in accessing health services, the onset of prenatal care is delayed, and women have an increased risk for infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the use of maternal health care services and the obstetric outcomes of undocumented women in Helsinki, capital city of Finland, in addition to comparing the results with all pregnant women in Finland.

Methods

The study was a retrospective register-based study consisting of data collected between 2014 to 2018 from the electronic medical records of the public maternity clinic and maternity hospital in Helsinki, Finland. The study population consists of 62 individual pregnancies of undocumented women. The results of the study were compared with national data on parturients and deliveries (N = 47,274 women) and with prenatal screening tests for infectious diseases (N = 51,447 [HIV, HBV], N = 51,446 [syphilis]).

Results

The majority (91%) of the undocumented women attended public prenatal care. However, four women received no prenatal care and three women were denied access to care. Undocumented women entered prenatal care later and had fewer visits compared with all pregnant women. The majority (71%) of the undocumented women received inadequate prenatal care as the number of visits was less than eight. Of the study population, 5% (3/59) tested positive for HIV, 3% (2/59) for HBV, and 2% (1/57) for syphilis. The prevalence of HIV (p-value < 0.001) and HBV (p-value = 0.007) was significantly higher amongst undocumented women compared with all pregnant women.

Conclusions

Undocumented women entered prenatal care later than recommended. Most women received inadequate prenatal care and some of them did not receive prenatal care at all. The prevalence of infectious diseases was significantly higher and the coverage of prenatal screenings deficient amongst undocumented pregnant women.
Comparative study on optic disc features of premature infants and full‐term newborns
Authors: Feng Xiaofen , Nan Yan , Pan Jiandong , Zou Ruitao , Shen Lijun , Chen Feng
Published: March 2021

Background

To study optic disc features of premature infants and compare to that of term infants to explore the pattern and features of newborn optic disc development and provide the basis for the diagnosis of newborn optic disc disease.

Methods

This was a prospective clinical research. Newborns underwent newborn fundus disease screening from January 1st, 2016 to October 31st, 2016 in the neonatal ward of Ruian City Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected. RetCam 3 Version6.1.25.0 Wide-Field Digital Pediatric Retinal Imaging System developed by Clarity Medical Systems, Inc was adopted to conduct fundus examination on both eyes, 130 degree wide-angle lens was used to film the images centering optic disc.

Results

For both premature infants and full-term newborns, vertical diameter of the optic disc to lateral diameter of the optic disc ratio was > 1, and the shape of the optic disc was a vertical oval. The difference of each optic disc parameter between premature infants and full-term newborns was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There’s a difference of constitution of sclerotic ring type on optic disc between premature infants and full-term newborns. Among which, the proportion of single ring type and double ring type in premature infants was higher than that in full-term newborns (P < 0.05). The proportion of no ring type in full-term newborns was higher than that in premature infants (P < 0.05). The proportion of mixed type had no significant difference (P > 0.05) between premature infants and full-term newborns.

Conclusions

We found that The proportion of mature types (single ring type and double ring type) in full-term newborns was higher than that in premature infants. While there’s no statistical difference of the proportion of mixed types between premature infants and full-term newborns. Double ring type was a normal stage of the development of optic disc.
Social cognition in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and its link with psychopathology and social outcomes: a review
Authors: Milic Branka , Feller Clémence , Schneider Maude , Debbané Martin , Loeffler-Stastka Henriette
Published: March 2021

Background

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic syndrome that results in a highly variable profile of affected individuals of which impairments in the social domain and increased psychopathology are the most prominent. Notably, 25–30% of affected individuals eventually develop schizophrenia/psychosis, predisposing persons with the syndrome to increased risk for this disorder. Because social cognition is considered to underlie social behavior and to be related to psychopathology, this systematic review investigated social cognition in individuals with 22q11DS and examined reported links across its domains with psychopathology and social outcomes. This can provide the basis for a closer understanding of the path from risk to disorder and will inform on the specific domains that can be targeted with preventive intervention strategies.

Method

Systematic literature review of studies that reported the links between social cognitive domains and psychopathology and/or social outcomes in individuals with 22q11DS. Electronic databases searched were PubMed and PsycINFO.

Results

Defined eligibility criteria identified a total of ten studies to be included in the present review. Selected studies investigated links between two domains of social cognition (emotion processing and theory of mind (ToM)) and psychopathology and/or social outcomes. With respect to the links to psychopathology, two aspects of social cognition were related primarily to negative symptoms. Results regarding the associations to positive and emotional symptoms (anxiety/depression) are limited and require further investigation. Even though both aspects of social cognition were associated with social outcomes, several studies also found no links between these two domains. Both reports invite for an additional examination of reported results and specific considerations regarding chosen constructs.

Conclusion

Although equivocal, results of the present review provide sufficient evidence that social cognition is a useful domain for the closer elucidation of clinical outcomes and social difficulties in this population. At the same time, longitudinal studies and consideration of other variables are also necessary for a timely understanding of affected persons in this respect.