bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spawning site selection and segregation at the landscape, habitat and microhabitat scales for five syntopic Asian amphibians
Authors: Ambu Johanna , Andersen Desiree , Borzée Amaël
Published: May 2022

Species diversity, abundance and distribution relate to habitat preferences at multiple geographic and ecological scales. In this study, we aimed to understand the breeding ecology of five sympatric amphibians in the Republic of Korea – four anurans (Bufo sachalinensis, Rana uenoi, Rana coreana, Rana huanrenensis) and one caudata (Hynobius sp.) – by characterising their spawning habitat and to determine whether spawning site preference was influenced by species co-occurrence. We surveyed 120 water bodies focusing on the egg clutches to define the environmental properties associated with each taxa (water quality, depth, vegetation cover, topography and landscape), and we measured the distance between egg clutches and the bank of the water bodies (microhabitat). Habitats were partitioned among anurans along a gradient based on water depth. While the habitat used for spawning did not depend on species communities, the oviposition sites of R. uenoi and R. coreana varied in respect to their co-occurrence and the presence of the putative predator Hynobius sp. This suggests a plastic response in anurans’ reproductive behaviour potentially triggered by competitive interactions, and therefore subtle differences in microhabitats are significant yet overlooked drivers of breeding site selection.
Larger is not better: no mate preference by European common frog (Rana temporaria) males
Authors: Dittrich Carolin , Tietje Melanie , Rödel Mark-Oliver
Published: May 2022

In explosive breeding frogs, high intrasexual competition between males leads to a sexual coercion ruled mating system, where males presumably evolved preferences for specific female traits. We tested these preferences in the European Common Frog by excluding intrasexual competition. We hypothesized that all males show preferences towards larger female body size, due to higher fecundity. Our results did not show any preference considering female body size, neither in the attempt to amplex a female nor during the formation of pairs. Additionally, we witnessed a high failure rate of male mating attempts, which hints at high mating costs and offers an explanation for the lack of preferences in males. Nonetheless, we observed a non-random mating pattern in successfully formed pairs, where in the absence of size dimorphism females were on average larger than males. This indicates a different mechanism for selection which is independent from male mating preference or scramble competition.
Internal Conflict Associated with Disaffiliation from the Roman Catholic Church
Authors: Riegel Ulrich , Jäckel Marie , Faix Tobias
Published: May 2022

In modern Western societies, disaffiliation frequently occurs within the field of religion. To date, many studies have analysed what motivates people to leave religious institutions. However, whether they face internal conflicts during this process has not been intensely studied. Based on Festinger’s concept of cognitive dissonance, this paper re-analyses 27 interviews of persons who left the Catholic Church in the diocese of Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia. In 12 out of 27 interviews, such internal conflicts could be reconstructed, indicating that leaving religious institutions is not always an easy process. These conflicts are related to four characteristic core issues evoking dissonant emotions, namely belonging, the social environment, belief, and identity. The analysis also illustrates that disaffiliation not only solves such internal conflicts but sometimes causes new ones. More research is needed to fully understand people’s inner struggles when disaffiliating from religious institutions.
How Should Philosophers Approach the History of Philosophy?
Authors: Goldberg Nathaniel
Published: May 2022

Philosophers’ attitudes toward the history of philosophy are mixed. Regardless, likely all philosophers interact with the history of philosophy through research, teaching, or professional life. How should they approach it? I answer by analyzing the notion of ‘history of philosophy’. I then consider prominent recent answers given by others converging with mine. I conclude that (as long as they are clear on their approach) philosophers should be guided by preference and project to approach the history of philosophy by emphasizing history, philosophy, something intermediate, or both.
Chickpeas at a Shalom Zakhar
Authors: Ron Zvi
Published: May 2022

There is a popular Ashkenazic custom to serve chickpeas at the Shalom Zakhar celebration on the first Shabbat after a male child is born. Numerous homiletic reasons have been given for this in rabbinic literature. The origin of the custom lies in the practice to serve legumes, a food traditionally associated with mourning, at happy celebrations in order to confuse demonic forces who were understood to desire harming celebrants at such events. The chickpea was the legume of choice due to its longstanding association with fertility.
There Are No Saints
Authors: Calosi Claudio
Published: May 2022

Multilocation – the notion of an object being 18756735_00000147_text.pdfat two places – is a central notion in metaphysics. According to a widespread view, multilocation is problematic but metaphysically possible. In effect, it has been claimed that in a quantum world, multilocation is not simply possible but actual. This article provides a new argument against the latter claim: there is no quantum multilocation.
The Anthropocene as Symbol
Authors: Buckle Pamela M.
Published: May 2022

The era in which we live is known geologically as the anthropocene. Conceptualizing it as a psychological phenomenon is rare; this article contributes to that effort. The anthropocene is a potent symbol of destruction, active in psyches of both individuals and the collective. Jung’s Answer to Job examined apocalyptic tragedy in one man’s life. A feature of that tragedy was distinct roles: perpetrator and victim. Considering the apocalyptic possibilities of the anthropocene requires less-distinct separation of those roles. In these times, people’s responses to threat illustrate how the anthropocene is psychologically burdensome, for some people more than others. As do other symbols, the anthropocene places both interior demands and external responsibilities on the psyche. Some are presented, to illustrate a Jungian perspective on the psychological problems and healing imperatives of the era in which we live.
The Visionary Art of C.G Jung
Authors: Hester Lisa
Published: May 2022

This article considers how visionary art expresses itself within paintings and pictorial configurations by using Neumann’s work to expand on Jung’s notion of the ‘visionary mode of creativity.’ The first part is a comparative study of Neumann’s ‘four stages of psychological development’ discussed in ‘The Origins and History of Consciousness’ (1949) and his ‘four stages of art in relation to its epoch’ discussed in his essay ‘Art and Time’ (1959). This comparison aims to establish a selection of categories that considers the role of art on the micro-level (the individual) and the macro-level (society). Additionally, it is suggested that these four categories offer an interesting framework for identifying and understanding visionary artworks. Subsequently, the second part uses Neumann’s framework to examine a selection of paintings from ‘Liber Novus’ (2009).
The European Agri-Food Legislation and Trade Agreements in the Context of the covid-19 Crisis
Authors: Cicchiello Gianluca
Published: May 2022

This article performs an assessment of the EU Agri-food legislation in the context of the covid-19 crisis: new priorities into a new scenario. Taking the General Food Law as a focal point, this article analyses and explains the institutional, substantive, and procedural elements of EU food law and his intersection with International Trade Law. Principles are discussed as well as specific rules addressing food as a product, the processes related to food and communication about food to consumers.

In fact, it is interesting to retrace the points of contact that food legislation shares with other legal disciplines since it is well known that the matter has a cross-cutting scope, i.e., from Agricultural Law to ip Law, from Criminal Law to International Trade Law. Although, the importance of food and related trade issues have always been regulated in times of emergency, as the bse crisis (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, commonly known as “mad cow disease”) or during a worldwide pandemic (covid-19).

However, until the publication of the Reg. 178/2002, it would have been impossible any given attempt to attribute the requisites of a coherent legal framework to the disordered, episodic, and often dictated by hot reactions of Food Law, understood as a system of rules ordered based on its own principles. Progress made by regulatory interventions that allows today to observe the matter under a different angle.

In fact, attention is given to the international context (wto, Codex Alimentarius) as well as to the relationship with food trade policies and the current legal framework and regulatory provisions (such as those contained in Chapter i and ii) of Reg. 178/2002, the latter titled General Food Law.
Breathing life into trees: the physiological and biomechanical functions of lenticels
Authors: Rosner Sabine , Morris Hugh
Published: May 2022

Lenticels can be defined as pores that are the entrance of a continuous aeration system from the atmosphere via the living bark to the secondary xylem in the otherwise protective layers of the periderm. Most work on lenticels has had an anatomical focus but the structure-function relationships of lenticels still remain poorly understood. Gas exchange has been considered the main function of lenticels, analogous to the stomata in leaves. In this perspective review, we introduce novel ideas pertaining to lenticel functions beyond gas exchange. We review studies on lenticel structure, as this knowledge can give information about structure-function relationships. The number of species investigated to-date is low and we provide suggestions for staining techniques for easy categorization of lenticel types. In the follow-up sections we review and bring together new hypotheses on lenticel functioning in the daily “normal operation range”, including regulative mechanisms for gas exchange and crack prevention, the “stress operation range” comprising flooding, drought and recovery from drought and the “emergency operation range”, which includes infestation by insects and pathogens, wounding and bending. We conclude that the significance of dermal tissues and particularly of lenticels for tree survival has so far been overlooked. This review aims to establish a new research discipline called “Phytodermatology”, which will help to fill knowledge gaps regarding tree survival by linking quantitative and qualitative lenticel anatomy to tree hydraulics and biomechanics. A first step into this direction will be to screen more species from a great diversity of biomes for their lenticel structure.
Development of Arthouse Cinemas in China: At a Crossroads
Authors: Purzycki Eva
Published: May 2022

The distribution and exhibition of arthouse films in China’s burgeoning film industry came into the spotlight in 2016 with the launch of the Nationwide Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas. At the same time, issues surrounding the distribution and marketing of arthouse films have emerged in professional and academic discourse. This paper aims to better understand the unique factors that influence the Chinese arthouse film market, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a qualitative research method combining a survey of the terrain, a review of the literature and semi-structured interviews was employed. The article argues that although China’s film industry has become first in the world in terms of the number of screens and box office takings, the arthouse cinema market is still at the exploration stage due to restrictions on film import. Arthouse cinemas are also currently facing new challenges brought on by a rise in online film consumption.
Analysis of the diversity and distributional patterns of coleopteran families on a global scale
Authors: MOODLEY SANDRINI , PROCHEŞ ŞERBAN , PERERA SANDUN J. , LUBBE EDRICH , RAMDHANI SYD , LESCHEN RICHARD A. B.
Published: May 2022

Invertebrates make up the majority of all living species on earth. Nevertheless, our understanding of the global distribution of terrestrial biodiversity and regional patterns therein has thus far been almost entirely based on vertebrate and vascular plant patterns. Here we try to provide some information on the global biogeography of the largest invertebrate order, the beetles (Coleoptera). We compile and analyse a database of beetle distributions, containing presence-absence data for 177 coleopteran families across 827 ecoregions. We map family richness and weighted endemism and find the highest values in the Neotropics and Southeast Asia, but also in the temperate northern hemisphere. Important centres of beetle family endemism include the western and southern parts of North America, Central America, temperate South America, Europe, South, Southeast and East Asia, and eastern Australia. A series of UPGMA cluster analyses were used to produce two global regionalisation maps. As analyses on the complete dataset failed to produce contiguous clusters, two sub-datasets were considered. The first one excluded widespread families and family-poor ecoregions, and the second was restricted to endemic-rich ecoregions. The clusters resulting from the first analysis are partly similar to vertebrate- and plant-based regionalisation schemes, with easily discernible and extensive Holarctic and Holotropical regions, but also include numerous smaller regions, mostly in the temperate parts of the southern Hemisphere (Andean, Patagonian, Matorral, New Guinean, New Caledonian, southern African), with Australia split between a tropical and a temperate/subtropical part. New Zealand is not analysed in this reduced dataset, but clusters with New Caledonia in the endemic-rich analysis, where further interesting subdivisions emerge (mainly in East Asia and western North America). We discuss these patterns in the light of coleopteran dispersal and the habitat requirements predominant across the coleopteran phylogeny, while considering the age of beetle families.
Datagrams: Diagrammatic Metadata for Humans
Authors: Morris Sara , Uttal Taneil
Published: May 2022

Creation of metadata (data about data) takes many forms and has many standards, much of which are designed to provide information for computer algorithms to find, access, and distribute data rather than for how humans might ingest data information. The humans (engineers, technicians, operators, scientists, data managers) that are increasingly tasked with being the providers of standard scientific metadata by the data science community also have a critical need for a different kind of metadata: metadata that can be used in the field (often offline) that provide a detailed visual map of the pathway taken by the electronic signal from a measuring device to a finalized, quality controlled geophysical variable. Datagrams presented here have been developed to fill this requirement and are a user-friendly, information-rich, graphical format that outline, record, and detail the critical information and steps involved with origin, collection, dataflow, processing, and archiving of data. Datagrams are designed to provide critical information across engineering, maintenance, data processing, and scientific teams that might speak different languages but are all required to process and maintain the data or instrument. The essential components of datagrams developed for instruments operating at remote Arctic stations are described here, but of course the concept is applicable to any type of observing protocol in any location.
Ocean Surface Salinity Response to Atmospheric River Precipitation in the California Current System
Authors: Hoffman Lauren , Mazloff Matthew R. , Gille Sarah T. , Giglio Donata , Varadarajan Aniruddh
Published: May 2022

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) result in precipitation over land and ocean. Rainfall on the ocean can generate a buoyant layer of freshwater that impacts exchanges between the surface and the mixed layer. These “fresh lenses” are important for weather and climate because they may impact the ocean stratification at all time scales. Here we use in situ ocean data, collocated with AR events, and a one-dimensional configuration of a general circulation model, to investigate the impact of AR precipitation on surface ocean salinity in the California Current System (CCS) on seasonal and event-based time scales. We find that at coastal and onshore locations the CCS freshens through the rainy season due to AR events, and years with higher AR activity are associated with a stronger freshening signal. On shorter time scales, model simulations suggest that events characteristic of CCS ARs can produce salinity changes that are detectable by ocean instruments (≥0.01 psu). Here, the surface salinity change depends linearly on rain rate and inversely on wind speed. Higher wind speeds (U > 8 m s−1) induce mixing, distributing freshwater inputs to depths greater than 20 m. Lower wind speeds (U ≤ 8 m s−1) allow freshwater lenses to remain at the surface. Results suggest that local precipitation is important in setting the freshwater seasonal cycle of the CCS and that the formation of freshwater lenses should be considered for identifying impacts of atmospheric variability on the upper ocean in the CCS on weather event time scales.

Significance Statement

Atmospheric rivers produce large amounts of rainfall. The purpose of this study is to understand how this rain impacts the surface ocean in the California Current System on seasonal and event time scales. Our results show that a greater precipitation over the rainy season leads to a larger decrease in salinity over time. On shorter time scales, these atmospheric river precipitation events commonly produce a surface salinity response that is detectable by ocean instruments. This salinity response depends on the amount of rainfall and the wind speed. In general, higher wind speeds will cause the freshwater input from rain to mix deeper, while lower wind speeds will have reduced mixing, allowing a layer of freshwater to persist at the surface.
Climate Autobiography Timeline: Adapting Timeline Research Methods to the Study of Climate Perceptions
Authors: Vilá Olivia , Finnis Joel , Koitnurm Marilyn , Stoddart Mark C. J. , Sarkar Atanu
Published: May 2022

Climate perception is a growing area of study in the social sciences and one that has implications on the tools and strategies we use to communicate climate change risk information. However, the range of climate perception studies remains limited, focused primarily on perceptions of day-to-day weather, sudden-onset severe events, or long-term permanent change. Phenomena situated between these extremes (e.g., annual- to decadal-scale variability) are largely missing from social science of climate research. Whether this is due to limited perception by research participants, is due to limited research attention, or is a reflection of the methods commonly applied to human dimensions of climate research, this gap precludes analysis of the full range of complex climate experiences and their influence on climate perception and understanding. In this paper, we offer a proof of concept for the climate autobiography timeline (CAT), a visual timeline tool developed to assess climate perception while prompting an ordered consideration of time, with the goal of eliciting insights into complex and long-term climate experiences such as low-frequency climate variability. Results are based off a preliminary application of the CAT across focus groups conducted in Newfoundland and Labrador, a province of Canada that is subject to low-frequency climate variability and frequent high-impact weather. Results reveal three key findings: 1) weather and climate narratives are commonly anchored to two time periods, potentially obscuring perceptions of variability; 2) narratives focus on socially important weather and climate phenomena; and 3) the social and visual coconstruction of weather and climate narratives may yield more holistic representations of local climate knowledge.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this work is to highlight the utility of timeline research methods to the study of climate perception research. Specifically, the climate autobiography timeline (CAT) serves as a tool that can address limitations of research tools commonly applied to the study of climate perceptions, notably the inability for current methods to elicit and organize complex climate experiences. Failure to capture these experiences may prevent a holistic and socially grounded understanding of climate perceptions. Drawing from a preliminary application of CATs in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, we highlight how the tool can provide information complementary to, but distinct from, data collected through more commonly used methods such as interviews or surveys. This approach holds promise for analyses of long-term climate history, impacts of historical severe events, and cultural impact of weather and climate.
Causal Chains Linking Weather Hazards to Disasters in Somalia
Authors: Gumucio Tatiana , Greatrex Helen , Lentz Erin
Published: May 2022

Weather risk management products can be critical for supporting effective humanitarian actions to mitigate and prevent disasters; however, to be truly actionable, they must be based in an understanding of how weather contributes to disaster risk, informed by humanitarians’ decision-making context. Our paper seeks to identify considerations for weather risk management products to support disaster risk management, through analysis of humanitarian perceptions of the factors and processes that contribute to weather-influenced disasters, taking Somalia as a case study. We carry out semistructured interviews with humanitarian actors familiar with using weather information in their work, and we apply social cascades and disaster risk creation as conceptual tools in our analysis. Our study finds that humanitarian actors perceive historically influenced social networks, livelihood dependence on seasonality, terrorist territorial control, public capacities to manage disasters, and household-level factors related to asset control and coping mechanisms contribute to weather-influenced disasters in Somalia. These factors and processes are part of humanitarians’ dynamic decision-making context. Key insights from our study concern the importance of understanding local geographies of marginalization to design weather risk management products with the context specificity necessary for effective humanitarian actions. Also, assessing weather effects on livelihood calendars can help identify those seasonal weather conditions most responsible for detrimental livelihood impacts. Consideration of livelihood calendars can also promote accurate assessment of the effects of consecutive weather-related hazards on coping capacities and resiliency.
Impact of Endocrinologist and Surgeon Density on Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Survival
Authors: McDow Alexandria D. , Lanzotti Nicholas , Zahnd Whitney E. , MacKinney Erin C. , Angelos Peter , Mellinger John D. , Ganai Sabha
Published: May 2022

Background

The influence of provider density and access on well-differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) survival is uncertain.

Methods

We used the SEER18 database to study DTC patients undergoing surgery from 2000-2012. County-level endocrinologist and surgeon density were calculated. We evaluated the relationship between provider density and cause-specific survival controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and treatment characteristics.

Results

Median endocrinologist density was 1.4/100 000 residents, with 15.5% of patients living in a county with no endocrinologist. Survival increased by 11% for each endocrinologist/100,000 people (P = .007). Median surgeon density was 14.8/100 000 residents, with only 1.7% of patients living in a county with no general surgeon or otolaryngologist. No significant association between surgeon density and survival was identified (P = .06). Rural residence was independently associated with lower survival (P = .009).

Conclusions

County-level endocrinologist density is associated with improved DTC survival. Results may reflect endocrinologist expertise, earlier diagnosis, or represent surrogacy for higher county-level access to specialized care.
Augmentation of the Esophageal Sphincter Using LINX
Authors: Bridges Lindsey C. , Shillinglaw John P. , Smith Betsy E. , Vazquez de Santos Maria G. , Parker James C. , Vaughn Danny M.
Published: May 2022

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the distal esophagus and may be treated medically or surgically. Magnetic sphincter augmentation surgery using LINX has recently demonstrated comparable results to Nissen fundoplication. We aimed to evaluate preoperative patient risk factors that were associated with LINX removal rates or postoperative EGD with dilation rates (POEGDD). This is a single institution retrospective review of patients undergoing LINX between 2015 and 2021. One hundred and twelve patients were reviewed, 106 included within the study; those excluded had prior foregut surgery or device fracture. Variables including age, sex, BMI, size of device, DeMeester score, manometry, GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD HRQL) questionnaires, POEGDD, and removal rates were recorded. Comparing removal and dilation status, the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A P < .05 was considered to be statistically significant. Eleven LINX devices were removed (10%); of these, 9 (81%) underwent POEGDD ( P = .0023). There was no difference in DeMeester scores, size of device, or BMI in patients requiring LINX removal compared to those not removed or POEGDD rates. Patients who required LINX removal had higher GERD HRQL scores both preoperatively (median 34 vs 28) and postoperatively at all visits compared to those patients who did not undergo removal ( P = .032). Manometry and DeMeester scores were not associated with LINX removal suggesting a less invasive GERD HRQL questionnaire may be a better predictor of patients who will succeed with LINX surgery.
Early application of kinetic theory of gases to star clusters
Authors: Popp Bruce D.
Published: May 2022

This is a case of working by analogy to apply successful work from one field, the kinetic theory of gases, to another field, the distribution of stars in globular clusters. The origin of the analogy lies in Henri Poincaré reading a vague suggestion by Lord Kelvin and recognizing the interest and potential value of this suggestion. The result is the application of mechanics to the dynamics of clusters with very many stars. A good idea, even a very clever good idea, still takes significant work to elaborate in all its implications. Here we see assumptions that lead to partial success in providing a relation between the density of stars in a cluster and the distance from the center. Partial success motivated work using assumptions that were less restrictive. We follow the assumptions and work through 1916, when work paused for many years.
Johannes Kepler. The Sun as the Heart of the World
Authors: Granada Miguel Á.
Published: May 2022

In two early unpublished texts (a Disputation in favor of Copernicus of 1593 and the Apologia pro Tychone against Ursus of 1600), Kepler argued with the Pythagoreans that, contrary to Aristotle ( De caelo, ii, 13), the geometrical center of the cosmos coincides with its natural center. Since the Sun is the body that occupies this central position, Kepler conceives it as the heart of the world and the principle of planetary motion. In the following study, we examine how Kepler further develops this pivotal theme in a letter to Herwart von Hohenburg of 25 March 1605 and later in the Dissertatio cum nuncio sidereo (Prague, 1610) as well as in a German translation and critical commentary of the Aristotelian chapter, which ultimately remained unpublished as well.
An insight into enhancing the physical properties of poly(lactic acid) (D600) fibers
Authors: Ali Afaf M. , Amin Ali H
Published: May 2022

The most applicable polymer in different applications is poly(lactic acid) (PLA) due its merits. This polymer attracts great interest as an environmentally friendly bioplastic polymer. The main goal of this work is to enhance the different physical properties of PLA. The melt-spun process was used to produce a continuous multifilament yarns of PLA textile fibers. The mechanical properties (tensile properties) of PLA(D600) filaments were studied. The tensile modulus and the maximum tensile strength were 3 and 0.4 GPa, respectively. The effect of the cold-drawing process on some physical properties, such as the melting temperature, glass transition temperature, crystallinity, birefringence, and orientation factor, were measured. The crystallinity values changed as the draw ratio increased, confirming the reorientations and chain packing. From the obtained results of the different physical properties, it was concluded that the drawing process has a great effect on performance of PLA fibers.
Improvement of mechanical properties of cashmere fibers during microwave vacuum drying
Authors: Zhan Liuxiang , Wang Ni , Xie Ming , Ji Feng , Li Yuling
Published: May 2022

To study the mechanical property changes of cashmere fibers during the microwave vacuum drying (MVD) process, as well as the mechanism and key factors for the improvement of the mechanical properties, cashmere fibers were dried under different conditions. The mechanical and friction properties of cashmere fibers with different drying end points were tracked, and the structure−property relationship of cashmere was also analyzed at multiple scales. The amide I band infrared spectrum of the cashmere fiber was peak-fitted, and thermal analysis of the cashmere was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that there was a certain critical point of optimum fiber mechanics in the MVD process, and when the fibers were dried to the official regain of cashmere (15%), the fibers had the optimal value of the mechanical properties. MVD relieved the accumulated stress in the fibers, so that their strength and elongation were restored and the hydrogen bonds in the amide I band of cashmere fibers were not changed. The transformation of the secondary structure of cashmere and the denaturation of the ortho- and para-cortical cells were the fundamental reasons for the improvement of the mechanical properties of cashmere during the MVD.
Linking Data From the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry With Ambulance and Emergency Administrative Data in Victoria
Authors: Eliakundu Amminadab L. , Smith Karen , Kilkenny Monique F. , Kim Joosup , Bagot Kathleen L. , Andrew Emily , Cox Shelley , Bladin Christopher F. , Cadilhac Dominique A.
Published: May 2022

Objective: In Australia, approximately 3 in 4 people with acute stroke use an ambulance. Few examples of merging ambulance clinical records, hospital government data, and national registry data for stroke exist. We sought to understand the advantages of using linked datasets for describing the full clinical journey of people with stroke and the possibility of investigating their long-term outcomes based on pre-hospital management of stroke. Method: Patient-level data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) (January 2013-October 2017) were linked with Ambulance Victoria (AV) records and Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD). Probabilistic iterative matching on personal identifiers were used and records merged with a project specific identification number. Results: Of the 7,373 episodes in the AuSCR and 6,001 in the AV dataset; 4,569 (62%) were matched. Unmatched records that were positive for “arrival by ambulance” in the AuSCR and VEMD (no corresponding record in AV) were submitted to AV. AV were able to identify 148/435 additional records related to these episodes. The final cohort included 4,717 records (median age: 73 years, female 42%, ischemic stroke 66%). Conclusion: The results of the data linkage provides greater confidence for use of these data for future research related to pre-hospital management of stroke.
Educators’ Views on the Use of Dissection and Dissection Alternatives in American Biology Classrooms
Authors: Osenkowski Pamela , Karaliunas Ignas , Diorio Merari
Published: May 2022

Animal dissection remains a common practice in American biology classrooms, despite the availability of dissection alternatives to study anatomy and physiology. Indeed, there is a growing body of evidence in the literature suggesting that the use of alternatives leads to the greater achievement of learning objectives, as compared to dissection. To better understand the current use of and attitudes toward dissection and alternatives, a nationwide survey of (mainly high-school) biology teachers ( n = 2687) was conducted. Most educators believed that learning objectives related to biology subject content could be met through the use of alternatives, yet they preferred the hands-on experience of dissection. Most educators allow their students to use alternatives if requested, although few teachers ask students about their preference for using an animal specimen versus an alternative. Educators cited student engagement as the main factor driving their decision to choose between dissection specimens and alternatives, and felt that cost is the biggest barrier to implementing alternatives at their schools. Additional perspectives on dissection and alternatives were shared by survey participants. Since alternatives can be used to meet learning objectives associated with dissection, we recommend their use as replacements for traditional animal specimens, in line with the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use in education, according to the Three Rs principles.
Estimation of the organ of origin of peri-ampullary malignancy by preoperative CT scan
Authors: Amr Bassem , MacCormick Andrew , Miles Gemma , Shahtahmassebi Golnaz , Roobottom Carl , Stell David
Published: May 2022

Background

Tumors occurring within the pancreatic head commonly arise from the pancreas, duodenal ampulla, distal bile duct, or duodenum. However, they are difficult to distinguish on standard preoperative imaging.

Purpose

To assess the ability of specialist reporting of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans to determine the organ of origin of pancreatic cancer (PC).

Material and Methods

Blinded re-reporting of preoperative imaging from five hospitals was undertaken of a consecutive cohort of 411 patients undergoing surgery for PC between January 2006 and May 2014. Radiological identification of tumor site was determined by the presence of the main tumor bulk within the pancreatic head parenchyma and estimation of the pathological organ of origin of the PC was based on all the reported features.

Results

Each pathological tumor type was noted to have distinct radiological features. Localization of a visible tumor within the pancreatic parenchyma was seen most commonly in PC (92%) than other tumor types ( P < 0.0001). Local invasion into the duodenum was a characteristic feature seen in 79% of patients with ampullary tumors and isolated dilation of the bile duct without dilation of the pancreatic duct was seen most commonly in patients with ampullary or bile duct cancer. In the assessment of tumor origin, good agreement (kappa = 0.6, 0.51–0.68) was noted between the consensus radiology opinion and the final histology result. Overall accuracy was greatest for ampullary cancer (88.1%) and lowest for PC (83.2%).

Conclusion

Radiological assessment of preoperative imaging provides a high degree of accuracy in predicting the organ of origin of peri-ampullary cancer.
Traffic Data and Summary Statistics Available through the Long-Term Pavement Performance Program for Pavement Modeling and Beyond
Authors: Selezneva Olga I. , Hallenbeck Mark , Walker Debbie
Published: May 2022

This paper synthesizes traffic data and statistical parameters available through the Long-Term Pavement Performance Program (LTPP), provides recommendations to pavement engineers and researchers about the traffic parameters most suitable for different pavement analyses, and identifies LTPP database tables containing such parameters. The paper also contains information about LTPP traffic data collection methods and recommendations for assessing the rationality of truck weight data collected by weigh-in-motion (WIM) equipment. In summary, this paper was developed to highlight the wealth of truck traffic data available through LTPP and to serve as a resource document for pavement researchers, designers, and transportation planning professionals interested in LTPP truck traffic data and summary parameters characterizing truck traffic.
Twenty-Five Years of Rubber Tire Wheel Tracking of Asphalt Pavements in a Laboratory
Authors: Cox Ben C. , Carey Ashley S. , Lewis Jessica V. , Howard Isaac L.
Published: May 2022

This paper assesses the state-of-the-art for rubber tire wheel tracking of asphalt mixtures in a laboratory setting with emphasis on differentiating moisture damage from rutting. This assessment made use of a comprehensive literature review and roughly 300 experiments conducted over several years with the second generation of the Purdue Laboratory Wheel Tracker (PURWheel). The literature review revealed that direct separation of rutting from moisture damage with physical measurements taken with a rubber tire under otherwise identical conditions is not common practice. Collective analysis of these roughly 300 experiments revealed that second-generation PURWheel protocols offer two specific contributions to the asphalt mixture testing community: (1) a pneumatic rubber tire is used, which is most representative of vehicle traffic; and (2) the effects of moisture damage can be decoupled from rutting by testing under both wet and dry conditions where all other parameters are constant. The analysis was performed on data collected for other purposes, but the data did provide seven manners to evaluate moisture damage and three manners to evaluate variability in the context of standardizing protocols. These 10 evaluations clearly demonstrated the potential of rubber tire wheel tracking to improve characterization of asphalt mixtures beyond what has occurred to date. This paper works toward standardization of protocols for rubber tire wheel tracking in wet and dry conditions, and some discussion is provided on the status and needed advancements toward this eventual goal.
Surgical Repair of Stener-like Injuries of the Medial Collateral Ligament of the Knee in Professional Athletes
Authors: Thompson Joshua W. , Rajput Vishal , Kayani Babar , Plastow Ricci , Magan Ahmed , Haddad Fares S.
Published: May 2022

Background:

A “Stener-like” lesion of the knee is defined as a distal avulsion of the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) with interposition of the pes anserinus between the ligament and its tibial insertion—a displacement impeding anatomic healing. Because of the scarcity of these injuries, the literature is limited to case reports and small case series.

Purpose:

To assess the effect of surgical repair of acute Stener-like lesions of the sMCL on the following outcomes: return to preinjury level of sporting function; time to return to preinjury level of sporting function; functional performance; injury recurrence; and any other complications.

Study Design:

Case series: Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This prospective single–surgeon study included 23 elite athletes with a mean age of 27.2 years (range, 19-37 years). Of the participants, 20 were men (87%) and 3 were women (13%). The mean body mass index was 23.1 ± 2.3. A total of 16 athletes were soccer players (70%) and 7 were rugby players (30%), with isolated acute, traumatic Stener-like lesions of the sMCL of the knee confirmed on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical repair was undertaken with primary suture anchor repair with ligament repair or reconstruction system (LARS) augmentation. Predefined outcomes were recorded at regular intervals after surgery. The minimum follow–up time was 24 months (range, 24-108 months) from the date of surgery.

Results:

The mean time from injury to surgical intervention was 9 days (range, 3-28 days). Overall, 15 (65%) athletes had isolated distal sMCL injuries requiring anatomic suture anchor repair at the distal tibial insertion site only, and 8 (35%) athletes had concomitant injuries of the proximal and distal sMCL and required anatomic suture anchor repair at the proximal and distal attachment sites. Ten athletes required LARS augmentation at the time of the index operation. All study patients returned to their preinjury level of sporting activity in professional soccer or rugby. The mean time from surgical intervention to return to full sporting activity was 16.8 ± 2.7 weeks. At 6 and 24 months’ follow–up, all patients had Tegner scores of 10. At a 2–year follow–up, all study patients were still participating at their preinjury level of sporting activity. Three patients developed complications around the LARS that required further surgery to remove synthetic material; however, this did not affect function.

Conclusion:

Surgical repair of acute Stener-like lesions of the sMCL is associated with a high return to preinjury level of sporting function, excellent functional performance, and a low risk of recurrence at short–term follow-up in elite athletes.
Pandemics and Politics: Analyzing the politicization and polarization of pandemic-related reporting
Authors: Schmidt Hans
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic generated tremendous journalistic attention, and occurred during a period of increasing politicization and polarization in America’s news media. This study considers the intersection of both phenomena, and the extent of politicization in recent and historical pandemic-related reporting. Results suggest that political topics, actions and actors have frequently been the focus of COVID-19-related reporting, and that such political content has grown more substantial over time.
Tattoo inks are toxicological risks to human health: A systematic review of their ingredients, fate inside skin, toxicity due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, primary aromatic amines, metals, and overview of regulatory frameworks
Authors: Negi Sandeep , Bala Lakshmi , Shukla Saumya , Chopra Deepti
Published: May 2022

Today, tattooing has become very popular among people all over the world. Tattooists, with the help of tiny needles, place tattoo ink inside the skin surface and unintentionally introduce a large number of unknown ingredients. These ingredients include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and primary aromatic amines (PAAs), which are either unintentionally introduced along with the ink or produced inside the skin by different types of processes for example cleavage, metabolism and photodecomposition. These could pose toxicological risks to human health, if present beyond permissible limits. PAH such as Benzo(a)pyrene is present in carbon black ink. PAAs could be formed inside the skin as a result of reductive cleavage of organic azo dyes. They are reported to be highly carcinogenic by environmental protection agencies. Heavy metals, namely, cadmium, lead, mercury, antimony, beryllium, and arsenic are responsible for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, lungs, kidneys, liver, endocrine, and bone diseases. Mercury, cobalt sulphate, other soluble cobalt salts, and carbon black are in Group 2B, which means they may cause cancer in humans. Cadmium and compounds of cadmium, on the other hand, are in Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans). The present article addresses the various ingredients of tattoo inks, their metabolic fate inside human skin and unintentionally added impurities that could pose toxicological risk to human health. Public awareness and regulations that are warranted to be implemented globally for improving the safety of tattooing.
Low Tube Voltage Chest Computed Tomography With Enhancement Using Low-Concentration Iodinated Contrast Media: Comparison of 240 mg/mL Versus 300 mg/mL Iodinated Contrast Media
Authors: Chang Suyon , Jung Jung Im , Beck Kyongmin S.
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the image quality of low voltage chest computed tomography with enhancement (CECT) using low-concentration-iodine contrast media (LCCM). Method: From 9 December to 19 December 2019, three different protocols were used for 263 patients undergoing chest CECT. Chest CECT was done using routine (300 mgI/ml contrast media with 100 kVp) protocol (group 1), LCCM (240 mgI/ml contrast media)–100 kVp protocol (group 2) and LCCM–80 kVp protocol (group 3) in 91, 97 and 75 patients, respectively. The overall diagnostic acceptability, anatomical depiction, noise and contrast-related artifacts were assessed. Additionally, the mean attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and figure of merit (FOM) in the aorta and the main pulmonary trunk were measured. Results: The overall diagnostic acceptability scores were not significantly different between groups 1 and 2 ( P = .261); group 3 demonstrated significantly lower overall diagnostic acceptability score compared with group 1 ( P = .011) or group 2 ( P < .001). However, in CECT with iterative reconstruction (IR), the overall diagnostic acceptability scores did not show significant difference among 3 groups. Group 3 showed significantly lower effective radiation dose compared with group 1 (2.33 vs 1.22 mSv, P < .001) or group 2 (2.28 vs .22 mSv, P < .001). Conclusions: In 100 kVp chest CECT, the image quality of using 240 mg/mL iodinated contrast media is comparable to that using 300 mg/mL iodine contrast media, regardless of application of IR; with IR, chest CECT using 80 kVp and 240 mg/mL iodinated contrast media results in acceptable image quality and lower radiation dose.