bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Pre- and during COVID-19 Mixed Load Models on Unbalanced Radial Distribution System Using a New Metaphor-Less Rao Optimization
Authors: Bhadoriya Jitendra Singh , Gupta A. R. , Khan Baseem
Published: March 2023

An unbalanced electrical distribution system (DS) with radial construction and passive nature suffers from significant power loss. The unstable load demand and poor voltage profile resulted from insufficient reactive power in the DS. This research implements a unique Rao algorithm without metaphors for the optimal allocation of multiple distributed generation (DG) and distribution static compensators (DSTATCOM). For the appropriate sizing and placement of the device, the active power loss, reactive power loss, minimum value of voltage, and voltage stability index are evaluated as a multiobjective optimization to assess the device’s impact on the 25-bus unbalanced radial distribution system. Various load models, including residential, commercial, industrial, battery charging, and other dispersed loads, were integrated to develop a mixed load model for examining electrical distribution systems. The impact of unpredictable loading conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on DS is examined. The investigation studied the role of DG and DSTATCOM (DGDST) penetration in the electrical distribution system for variations in different load types and demand oscillations under the critical emergency conditions of COVID-19. The simulation results produced for the mixed load model during the COVID-19 scenario demonstrate the proposed method’s efficacy with distinct cases of DG and DSTATCOM allocation by lowering power loss with an enhanced voltage profile to create a robust and flexible distribution network.
Ensuring Food Security for Cancer Patients may Improve Cancer Outcomes
Authors: Dikmen Derya
Published: March 2023

Purpose: Food insecurity is prevalent among low-income immigrant and minority patients with cancer. To our knowledge, this randomized controlled trial is the first to prospectively examine the impact on cancer outcomes of food insecurity interventions, with the goal of informing evidence-based interventions to address food insecurity in patients with cancer. Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among food-insecure (18-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module score ≥ 3) patients with cancer (n = 117) at four New York City safety net cancer clinics. Arms included a hospital cancer clinic–based food pantry (arm 1), food voucher plus pantry (arm 2), and home grocery delivery plus pantry (arm 3). Treatment completion (primary outcome) and full appointment attendance were assessed at 6 months. Food security status, depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and quality-of-life scores (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) were assessed at baseline and at 6 months. Results: Voucher plus pantry had the highest treatment completion rate (94.6%), followed by grocery delivery plus pantry (82.5%) and pantry (77.5%; P = .046). Food security scores improved significantly in all arms, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scores improved significantly in the pantry and delivery plus pantry arms. Conclusion: Our findings in this preliminary study suggest that voucher plus pantry was the most effective intervention at improving treatment completion, and it met our a priori criterion for a promising intervention (≥ 90%). All interventions demonstrated the potential to improve food security among medically underserved, food-insecure patients with cancer at risk of impaired nutrition status, reduced quality of life, and poorer survival. All patients with cancer should be screened for food insecurity, with evidence-based food insecurity interventions made available.
Beeinträchtigung der inspiratorischen Muskelfunktion nach COVID-19
Authors: Nagel Christian , Olschewski Horst , Sorichter Stephan , Uezgoer Gordana , Diehm Curt , Huppert Peter , Iber Thomas , Herth Felix , Harutyunova Satenik , Marra Alberto M. , Benjamin Nicola , Salkić Amina , Grünig Ekkehard , Egenlauf Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund: Anhaltende Symptome nach akuter Coronavirus-Krankheit-2019 (COVID-19) sind häufig und es besteht kein signifikanter Zusammenhang mit der Schwere der akuten Erkrankung. Bei Long COVID (anhaltende Symptome > 4 Wochen nach akuter COVID-19) treten häufig respiratorische Symptome auf, aber Lungenfunktionstests zeigen nur leichte Veränderungen, die die Symptome nicht erklären. Obwohl COVID-19 zu einer Beeinträchtigung des peripheren Nervensystems und der Skelettmuskulatur führen kann, wurde die Funktion der Atemmuskulatur in diesem Zusammenhang nicht untersucht. Methoden: In dieser Studie haben wir den Schweregrad der Dyspnoe (NYHA-Funktionsklasse) bei Long-COVID-Patienten untersucht und analysierten dessen Zusammenhang mit dem Body-Mass-Index (BMI), der Einsekundenkapazität (FEV1), der forcierten Vitalkapazität, anderen Parametern der Bodyplethysmographie, der Diffusionskapazität für Kohlenmonoxid (DLCO), den arteriellen Blutgasen und der Funktion der Atemmuskulatur, die anhand des Atemwegsokklusionsdrucks (P0,1) und des maximalen Inspirationsdrucks (PImax) in 2 Atemwegskliniken in Deutschland zwischen Oktober 2020 und August 2021 gemessen wurde. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt wurden 116 Patienten in die Studie aufgenommen. Das Durchschnittsalter betrug 50,2 ± 14,5 Jahre, BMI 26,7 ± 5,87 kg/m2, NYHA-Klasse I 19%, II 27%, III 41% und IV 14%. Während die Lungenfunktionswerte und die Computertomografie oder die konventionelle Röntgenaufnahme des Brustkorbs im normalen Bereich lagen, war die Funktion der Atemmuskulatur deutlich beeinträchtigt. Der P0,1 war auf 154 ± 83% des Sollwerts erhöht und der PImax war auf 41 ± 25% des Sollwerts reduziert. Die PImax-Reduktion war stark mit dem Schweregrad der Dyspnoe verbunden, aber nicht abhängig vom BMI, der Zeit nach der akuten COVID-19 und den meisten anderen Parametern. Schlussfolgerungen: Diese Studie zeigt, dass die Atemwegssymptome bei Patienten mit Long COVID hauptsächlich durch eine verminderte Inspirationsmuskelkraft verursacht sein können. Die Bewertung von PImax und P0,1 könnte eine Dyspnoe besser erklären als klassische Lungenfunktionstests und die DLCO. Eine prospektive Studie ist erforderlich, um diese Ergebnisse zu bestätigen.
Abstract 64: Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Exposures, Individually and as a Mixture, Are Associated With Obesity Risk at 16-20 Years in the Project Viva Prospective Cohort: Implications for PFAS as Hazardous Substances for Developmental Health
Authors: Zhang Mingyu , Rifas-Shiman Sheryl L , Aris Izzuddin , Fleisch Abby , Oken Emily , Hivert Marie-France
Published: March 2023

Introduction:
PFAS are obesogenic in adults, but findings on the associations between prenatal PFAS exposures and child obesity risk are inconsistent, and it is not clear if such associations extend up to mid- to late adolescence. We investigated the individual and joint associations of prenatal PFAS exposures with obesity risk at 16-20 years.

Methods:
In the prospective pre-birth cohort Project Viva, we measured PFAS in maternal plasma samples collected in the first trimester and child body mass index (BMI) at the mid-adolescent visit (median: 17.4y; range: 15.9-20.0y). We defined obesity as BMI ≥ 95
th
percentile for age and sex based on the CDC Growth Charts. We used Poisson regression with robust variance estimates to examine associations of each PFAS, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to examine PFAS mixtures, with obesity. We adjusted for maternal age, education, pre-pregnancy BMI, race/ethnicity, parity, and smoking status during pregnancy.

Results:
Among 545 participants, 73 (13%) had a BMI in the obese range. Children with higher prenatal PFOS and PFNA exposures had a greater risk of obesity [relative risk = 1.59 (95% CI: 1.19, 2.11) per doubling of PFOS and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.98) per doubling of PFNA] in multivariable-adjusted models. In BKMR models, PFOS and PFNA were similarly associated with greater risk of obesity when accounting for co-exposures of other PFAS
(Panel A)
. There was an interaction between PFOS and PFOA: the positive association between PFOS and obesity was stronger when PFOA levels were lower
(Panel B)
, while there was a negative association between PFOA and obesity when PFOS levels were higher
(Panel C)
. Children with higher concentrations of the mixture PFAS had greater obesity risk in a dose-dependent fashion
(Panel D)
.

Conclusions:
Prenatal PFAS exposures may have long-lasting, intergenerational obesogenic effects. Our findings support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent designation of PFAS as hazardous substances for human health, including developmental health.
Chamaepinnularia taihangensis sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new diatom species from Taihang Valley, Shanxi province, China
Authors: CUI NINI , LIU QI , LIU XUDONG , NAN FANGRU , KOCIOLEK JOHN PATRICK , XIE SHULIAN
Published: March 2023

A new species was discovered in Taihang Valley, Shanxi province, China. It shared the typical characteristics of the genus Chamaepinnularia, such as chambered striae, vela-covered areolae and small frustules. Valves of Chamaepinnularia taihangensis sp. nov. are linear-lanceolate with capitate apices. Valve margins showed distinct triple curvatures in light microscopy. Axial area and central area narrow, rhombic. The new species was compared with the four related taxa, C. hassiaca, C. justa, C. krookiformis and C. soehrensis. These species differed from the new species in valve outline, valve size, stria density and the shape of the central area. The details of the valves as shown by light and scanning electron microscopy are described. This new species occurs in benthic and epiphyte habitats. We discuss the ecological breadth and systematic position of the genus Chamaepinnularia.
New record of the genus Stereodytis Meyrick, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) from Japan with the description of a new species
Authors: TOMURA SHUNSUKE , YAGI SADAHISA , HIROWATARI TOSHIYA
Published: March 2023

A new species Stereodytis eclipsia Tomura & Hirowatari sp. nov. from Japan is described. Images of the imagos, male and female genitalia, larval biology, feeding habits, and molecular data are provided. Additionally, its systematic position and the possibility that this species was invasive in recent years are discussed.
New records of mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) parasitoids belonging to the family Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Turkey
Authors: JAPOSHVILI GEORGE , YERLİKAYA HÜSEYİN , KAYDAN MEHMET BORA
Published: March 2023

As a result of surveys conducted in Aydın Province (Turkey), 19 parasitoids belonging to the family Encyrtidae were found on pseudococcids. Four species are newly recorded from Turkey: Anusia tornike Japoshvili, Coccidoxenoides perminutus Girault, Homalotylus quaylei (Timberlake), and Prochiloneurus aegyptiacus (Mercet). One new species, Leptomastix baspinari Japoshvili sp. n., is described and illustrated. This species was recorded parasitizing six different mealybugs on ten different plant species, including weeds, ornamentals, and crops. Based on its host range, this parasitoid may be a very promising biocontrol agent against many mealybug species.
Three new Glossoscolex (Annelida: Crassiclitellata: Glossoscolecidae) in the truncatus group from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: FEIJOO-MARTÍNEZ ALEXANDER , BROWN GEORGE G.
Published: March 2023

Three new earthworm species of Glossoscolex (Glossoscolex) in the truncatus species group (intra-clitellar male pores on segment 17) are described: Glossoscolex araucariaensis sp. nov., Glossoscolex cardosoi sp. nov., and Glossoscolex santarosaensis sp. nov. from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The three earthworm species were distinguished based on the shape and position of the copulatory pouches (all species), the shape of the calciferous glands (G. santarosaensis) and by the presence of tubercula pubertatis and seminal vesicles restricted to segment 12 (G. cardosoi). All are endogeic, unpigmented and were found in low abundances in the topsoil (0-20 cm depth) of Araucaria forest and plantations, a lowland grass pasture and a shrubby grassland, respectively, and are known only from their type-localities. A table containing some of the main internal and external morphological characteristics of the 29 species/subspecies of the Glossoscolex truncatus group is provided in order to assist comparisons within species. Glossoscolex grandis ibirai Righi, 1971 is raised to species rank due to longer extent of clitellum and presence of genital markings, compared to Glossoscolex grandis (Michaelsen, 1892); furthermore, a new subgroup (matogrossensis) of Glossoscolex (Glossoscolex) is proposed to accomodate G. matogrossensis Righi, 1984, with intraclitellar male pores in 15/16. Some considerations on the ecological and taxonomic affinities within the truncatus group are presented, but further studies, particularly genetic are needed in order to better assess phylogenetic relationships within Glossoscolex (Glossoscolex) species groups.
Urban green areas as earthworm species maintainers in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Authors: DUDAS RAFAELA T.  , TAVARES ALAN A. T. , ERCOLE CAIQUE , DE LARA BRUNNA L. , CARLOS ESTHEFANY DA S. , TORRES JULIA L. M. , SMOKANIT MANOELA , GUARANHA RAQUEL M. , BROWN GEORGE G. , BARTZ MARIE L.C 
Published: March 2023

Urban green areas can have a high impact on soil fauna due the environmental changes caused by human activities. This work aimed to assess earthworm populations in urban sites in the city of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Earthworms were sampled in two urban sites: the Campus Ecoville of the Universidade Positivo and the Casa Verde space and in two land use systems (Grass Lawn and Native Vegetation), in the summer of 2018 and 2019 and winter of 2019. A total of 1052 individuals were found, belonging to five families and 12 species were identified, of which five are native: Glossoscolex sp.55, Fimoscolex sp.36, Fimoscolex sp.37 (Glossoscolecidae), Andiorrhinus duseni (Rhinodrilidae) and Ocnerodrilidae sp.43 (Ocnerodrilidae) and seven are exotic species: Amynthas corticis, Amynthas morrisi, Metaphire californica, Metaphire schmardae (Megascolecidae), Dendrodrilus rubidus (Lumbricidae) and Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae). Of the five native species found, four are new species and will be described in the future and the specie A. duseni belongs to the group known as giant earthworms (minhocuçu) with specimens larger than 30cm. Despite the predominance of exotic species (n=932) compared to native species (n=114), the presence of new species may indicate that the managed environments can preserve native species. Moreover, the difference in the total number (native vs. exotic) can be attributed to the ability of the exotic species to survive human disturbances.
Distribution and diversity of earthworms in different land use systems in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: FERREIRA TALITA , JAMES SAMUEL W. , BARTZ MARIE LUISE CAROLINA , DE LIMA ANA CLAUDIA RODRIGUES , DUDAS RAFAELA , BROWN GEORGE GARDNER
Published: March 2023

The southernmost state of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, includes both the Pampa and Atlantic Forest biomes, and covers an area of around 284 thousand km2. Since the last checklist for the state, published in 2012, many additional sites have been sampled. Hence, we provide here a full list of earthworm species and their distribution in different municipalities and land use systems in the state. Data were obtained from the literature, museums, and other earthworm collections and recent sampling efforts. Records for 19 additional species are reported here for the first time, raising the total to 78 species/subspecies currently known from Rio Grande do Sul, from the families Acanthodrilidae (5), Benhamiidae (3), Lumbricidae (13), Megascolecidae (11), Ocnerodrilidae (22), Almidae (2), Glossoscolecidae (18) and Rhinodrilidae (5). Alexidrilus Righi, 1971 is synonymized with Urobenus Benham, 1886, as both species in the genus (A. littoralis Ljungström, 1972 and A. lourdesae Righi, 1971) have similar morphology to the type species Urobenus brasiliensis Benham, 1886. Most of the native species/subspecies in the state (39), including an important number of new species, were found in native vegetation with lesser disturbance, such as swamps, native forests and pastures. On the other hand, the three peregrine and 27 exotic species (especially Pontoscolex corethrurus, Eukerria spp., lumbricids, megascolecids, Dichogaster spp., and Microscolex spp.) dominated in disturbed sites, such as compost piles, urban areas, rice and other crops, and cultivated pastures. Considering the geographic extension and the many unsampled sites in the state, further collection efforts are necessary and will certainly reveal new species, as evidenced here.
Earthworms (Clitellata, Megadrili) of the world: an updated checklist of valid species and families, with notes on their distribution
Authors: MISIRLIOĞLU METE , REYNOLDS JOHN WARREN , STOJANOVIĆ MIRJANA , TRAKIĆ TANJA , SEKULIĆ JOVANA , JAMES SAMUEL W. , CSUZDI CSABA , DECAËNS THIBAUD , LAPIED EMMANUEL , PHILLIPS HELEN R. P. , CAMERON ERIN K. , BROWN GEORGE G.
Published: March 2023

In the current paper we present an updated checklist of all the megadrile earthworms (Crassiclitellata: Annelida) in the world, and notes on the distribution of families worldwide. Biogeographic responses to geological phenomena including plate tectonics, as well as to past and present climate and habitat distributions, are the main factors determining the present distribution of earthworm families. A total of ca. 5,738 species/subspecies (5,406 species and 332 unique subspecies; i.e., not counting the nomino-typical subspecies) belonging to 23 families (including one non-crassiclitellate family: Moniligastridae) are currently recognized worldwide, of which three families (Tritogeniidae and Kazimierzidae from Southern Africa and Arecoidae, a new family from Brazil described herein), 35 genera and close to 1200 new taxa (including subspecies) were described in the 21st century. Nonetheless, the large number of still undescribed species will likely increase this value to well over 8,000 species. Ten families are monospecific and/or monogeneric and have a mostly restricted distribution. On the other hand, more than 87 widespread cosmopolitan species have been catalogued, some of them with important invasive potential, belonging mainly to families Lumbricidae, Acanthodrilidae, Benhamiidae, Megascolecidae, Rhinodrilidae and Ocnerodrilidae. Taxonomic housekeeping was performed for the preoccupied Rhinodrilidae genus Tairona Righi – herein substituted by Taironina nom. nov., and Guarani camaqua Rodríguez & Lima was reinstated and removed from synonymy with Criodrilus lacuum Hoffmeister, 1845, resulting in a wider definition of the Almidae family. Furthermore, Amynthas maximalis nom. nov. is proposed herein as a substitution name for the preoccupied name Amynthas maximus Qiu & Dong, 2019, and Arecoidae is proposed herein as a new monotypic family for the aquamegadrile species Areco reco Righi, Ayres & Bittencourt, 1978.
Visceral Aneurysms: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Endovascular Versus Open Repair
Authors: Rebelo Artur , Ronellenfitsch Ulrich , Partsakhashvili Jumber , Kleeff Jörg , John Endres , Ukkat Jörg
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the outcome of open surgery (OS) and endovascular repair (ER) for the treatment of visceral artery aneurysms (VAA). A systematic literature search was carried out. 25 comparative cohort studies with 4447 patients (2469 OS and 1978 ER) were included in the meta-analysis. Mortality (ER vs OS 1.8% vs 2.1%, OR .77, 95% CI [.51; 1.17], P = .23) and technical success rates (97% vs 98%, OR .50, 95% CI [.21; 1.16], P = .11) were comparable between both groups. Lower mortality rates for ER were observed for ruptured aneurysms (4.1% vs 31%, OR .43 95% CI [.13; 1.43], P = .17). Length of stay was shorter (mean difference −4.25 days, 95% CI [−5.52; −2.98], P < .00001) and 1-year reintervention rates were higher in the ER group (9% vs 5%, OR 1.55 95% CI [.58; 4.12], P = .38. The presented evidence suggests that ER should be considered a first-line treatment for VAAs, especially in an emergency setting, due to lower morbidity and comparable mortality and technical success. Follow-up should be offered to these patients due to the higher reintervention rates.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO ID 348699
Fighting in Cyberspace: Internet Access and the Substitutability of Cyber and Military Operations
Authors: Kostyuk Nadiya , Gartzke Erik
Published: March 2023

Pundits debate whether conflict in cyberspace is more likely to trigger or preempt conflict in other domains. We consider a third possibility. Rather than directly complementing or substituting for traditional forms of conflict, the Internet could separately affect both virtual and kinetic dispute behavior. Specifically, we argue that a country’s increasing Internet access causes it to engage in aggressive cyberspace behavior more often. At the same time, economic and social changes associated with the information age reduce the utility of pursuing more traditional forms of conflict. Cyberspace offers an attractive domain in which to shape the balance of power, interests, and information in a technological era, while territorial conquest has become somewhat anachronistic. We test our theory using an innovative estimation approach, applied to panel data on cyber versus conventional disputes. Our findings confirm this indirect substitutability between cyber and conventional conflict.
Negotiating Antiblackness as Non-Black Latino Men Teachers: Relational Race Politics in the Discourse on Men of Color Teachers
Authors: Singh Michael V.
Published: March 2023

This article examines the ways non-Black Latino men teachers understand their relationality to (anti)blackness in urban education. While the dominant discourse surrounding men of color teachers presumes an innate allyship among all men and boys of color, the Latino men in this study describe being positioned as multicultural punishers for Black boys and needing to confront their own internalized antiblackness. This led them to challenge liberal multiculturalist beliefs in their schools, which upheld anti-Black racism. Overall, this study brings a relational-race approach to the topic of men of color teachers to help honor difference and deepen visions of racial justice.
Elsewheres in Queer Hindutva: A Hijra Case Study
Authors: Dutta Aniruddha
Published: March 2023

In July 2021, a series of gruesome videos exposed a case of brutal torture perpetrated by a guru or leader of the trans feminine hijra community in eastern India. This guru was allegedly of a Bangladeshi Muslim background, and various community members used the case as an alibi to target hijras of such national and religious origin, sometimes even demanding their expulsion from India. This phenomenon paralleled increasing affiliations between certain sections of trans/ hijra communities and the Hindu Right. This article situates this case within the broader rise of queer and trans Hindutva or Hindu nationalism and locates it as indicative of Hindutva’s expansion to its erstwhile ‘elsewheres’: areas outside its traditional strongholds such as eastern India and communities such as hijras who are known for their mixed religious practices and have been historically stigmatised by Hindu society. However, the article also analyses the case to show how hijras and related communities evidence contingently wavering political alliances and complex dynamics of intra-community power and resistance that remain irreducible to typical equations of Hindu right-wing politics. Queer/trans Hindutva might become disrupted by its potential constituents themselves, showing how Hindutva’s ‘elsewheres’ trouble its assimilationist capacities.
Public service media and race relations in postcolonial Britain: BBC and immigrant programming, 1965–1988
Authors: Giese Julia , Bisht Diwas , Punathambekar Aswin
Published: March 2023

This article explores how British Asians negotiated the politics of race in the formative years of British broadcasting from the 1960s to the 1980s. Marked by significant changes within the BBC and British society at large, this period saw the first institutional initiatives oriented towards Caribbean and Asian communities. Drawing on primary research materials from the BBC Written Archives, we analyse the Immigrant Programmes Unit and the Immigrant Programme Advisory Committees as sites where ideas of race, ethnicity and citizenship were continually debated and worked out. We argue that the BBC functioned as a profoundly asymmetrical contact zone in which British Asians’ efforts to counter assimilationist ideas and programmes were stymied by senior managers working with deeply ingrained ideas of cultural, ethnic and racial differences. Immigrants would be accommodated, but in ways that would not challenge the viewing habits of the majority or imagine solidarities across racial, ethnic and national lines.
Feminism and Decolonizing Decoloniality: Decolonizing the Coloniality of Power in Aymara Cosmology
Authors: Osorio Michel Daniela , Ackerly Brooke A.
Published: March 2023

This article demonstrates the import of feminist reflexivity for the decolonial project. At its best, the decolonial project reveals the form and extent to which contemporary ideas and power structures are imbued with generations of power structures whose foundations were laid during colonialism. However, some power dynamics can be lost in reified forms of decolonial critique. Feminist methodologies, especially reflexivity, remind us to revisit the particulars of the constructions of power within dominant power structures and, as importantly, within resistant power structures. We revisit the decolonial stance within an Indigenous cosmology, Aymaridad, ‘the’ Aymara worldview as constructed for the second largest Indigenous population in Bolivia. Aymaridad is an important site for feminists to revisit the relationship between feminism and decoloniality because over a decade ago, María Lugones charted a course for decolonial feminism that drew on an Aymaran approach to decolonizing gender. By revisiting the coloniality embedded in the construction of Aymara (in academe and in politics), we reveal that feminism’s persistent reflexive methodology, even more than its attention to gender specifically, makes it an essential part of the decolonial theory.
Trafficability Study of Full-Scale Geosynthetic Portable Road Building System
Authors: Rutherford Benjamin A. , Conover Suzzanne , Rushing Timothy W. , Tyler Zachary J. , Collins Andrew T. , Boc Stanley J.
Published: March 2023

This study describes the full-scale traffic evaluation of a prototype submersible matting system (SUBMAT) at a test site on the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s campus in Vicksburg, MS. The SUBMAT prototype was designed to bridge the gap between high- and low-tide at a beach interface to enable 24-h vehicle offloading operations at an expeditionary watercraft landing site. This unique system is made from common geotextile materials, is filled with indigenous sand using simple commercially available pumps, and creates a robust driving surface. The results of the study showed that the SUBMAT system was able to sustain an accumulation of 1,000 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, 350 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, and over 150 M1A1 main battle tank passes without experiencing any significant damage. The ease of deployment, relatively low cost, and trafficability results could make the SUBMAT a suitable candidate for expedient low-volume roads in austere environments such as stream beds, low-water crossings, recently flooded or flood prone areas, and areas with weak soil.
Timely adherence to follow-up after high-risk lung cancer screenings
Authors: Kee Dustin , Sigel Keith M. , Wisnivesky Juan P. , Kale Minal S.
Published: March 2023

Objective

To achieve the lung cancer screening (LCS) mortality benefit in clinical trials, timely, real-world follow-up of abnormal test results is necessary. Presently, annual LCS rates are lower than in trials, and adherence to follow-up after suspicious findings has not been well studied. This study examined timely adherence to follow-up recommendations after positive low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screenings.

Methods

This retrospective study included individuals from two academic primary care practices in New York City who met United States Preventative Services Task Force LCS eligibility and had a positive LDCT scan between 2013 and 2020. They were recommended for shorter interval follow-up repeat computed tomography (CT), CT biopsy, or positron emission tomography/CT. Adherence was completion of the prescribed imaging by 15 days after the recommended 7-, 30-, and 90-day follow-up and by 30 days after the 180-day recommended follow-up.

Results

Among 106 individuals with a positive LDCT scan, 64 (60%) were adherent to follow-up recommendations. Adherence was 72%, 63%, and 42% for recommended follow-ups of 30, 90, and 180 days, respectively. Being male was a predictor of a lower adherence rate. Among 23 individuals newly diagnosed with lung cancer after a positive LDCT scan, 83% were adherent to follow-up testing and 82% of cancers were Stage 1A or limited stage.

Conclusions

There was variable adherence to the LCS follow-up recommendations despite positive screening CT, suggesting that even in a well-established screening program there may not be an efficient, systematic approach for follow-up. The delays in repeat testing potentially undermine the benefits of early detection.
It takes two to code: a comparative analysis of collective bargaining and artificial intelligence
Authors: Molina Oscar , Butollo Florian , Makó Csaba , Godino Alejandro , Holtgrewe Ursula , Illsoe Anna , Junte Sander , Larsen Trine Pernille , Illésy Miklós , Pap Jószef , Wotschack Philip
Published: March 2023

The extension of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic management mechanisms by companies has led to growing trade union demands to regulate their use. This article explores the role of collective bargaining and employee participation mechanisms in regulating the use by companies of AI and algorithms. This is done through a comparative analysis of institutional developments at EU level, as well as in four countries with different industrial relations models (Denmark, Germany, Hungary and Spain). The article shows that there are remarkable differences between countries in the roles of social partners and in the combination of protective and participative mechanisms used to respond to the challenges of AI and algorithmic management. However, the analysis also serves to highlight the limits of existing institutions and practices to cope with the complexity of challenges associated with AI and algorithmic management. This calls for institutional adaptation and additional regulatory efforts at EU and national levels to support collective bargaining.
Self-Compassion, Performance, and Burnout: Surfacing an Unknown Work Construct
Authors: George Lina , Wallace Julian Craig , Snider Jeromy Blake , Suh Hyunji
Published: March 2023

Research on self-compassion across various disciplines has consistently demonstrated numerous self-regulatory benefits associated with the construct. Despite the increasing interest, theory-driven research on self-compassion in the workplace has only begun to emerge recently. In the present research, we introduce the construct of work self-compassion ( WSC). Building on Neff’s definition of self-compassion, we submit that WSC is comprised of work self-kindness, common work challenges, and work-specific mindfulness. Across two studies, we develop a scale to measure WSC and test its place within the larger nomological network of organizational constructs. Specifically, by integrating COR theory with prior research on self-compassion, in Study 1, we test the incremental validity of WSC beyond general self-compassion in predicting job performance. In Study 2, we further demonstrate that WSC is an important mediating mechanism that bridges the association between honesty-humility, namely the H-factor, and job performance and burnout, respectively. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of our findings and conclude with limitations and future research directions.
Factor Structure of the Teacher Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in a Large Community-Based Sample: An Investigation of Alternative Measurement Models
Authors: Bell Bethany A. , Taylor Stephen G. , Roberts Alex M. , Shi Dexin , Burgess Katelynn , Hough Caroline , Flory Kate
Published: March 2023

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a screening measure commonly used to assess behavioral and emotional symptoms and strengths among children and adolescents. However, despite its frequent use, its underlying factor structure remains an important area of inquiry. Whereas the original five-factor structure has often been supported through exploratory factor analysis, results from confirmatory analyses continue to yield mixed results. We analyzed data from youth in Grades K through 12 from a large epidemiologic study in the Southeastern United States. Teacher-report SDQ data were used to test three confirmatory factor models by school level (i.e., elementary [Grades K–5] and secondary [Grades 6–12]): The original five-factor model, a three-factor model, and a bifactor model. Model fit indices and reliability measures supported the original five-factor model as the preferred model when using the teacher-reported SDQ with both elementary and secondary school children. Implications for using the SDQ in applied research and predictive modeling are discussed.
Evaluating and Implementing Data and Safety Monitoring Plans
Authors: Jerrin Michael L.
Published: March 2023

Data and safety monitoring plans are essential for fulfilling assurances that are given to patients enrolling in clinical trials that they will not be exposed to avoidable risks and that any information that may influence their willingness to participate in the clinical trial will be made available to them whether the clinical trial is a phase I, phase II, or phase III effort. In addition to the often explicitly detailed nomination of members of an independent data and safety monitoring board and selection of interim analysis plans for control of type I error and avoidance of conduct of a futile study, data and safety monitoring requires organization with regard to schedules for data collection, active surveillance for adverse events, with special emphasis on serious or unexpected events, and the ability to bring all information within a study and newly accruing information external to the research project together as needed for assessment of patient safety.
Girls With Social and/or Attention Deficit Re-Examined in Young Adulthood: Prospective Study of Diagnostic Stability, Daily Life Functioning and Social Situation
Authors: Kopp Svenny , Asztély Karin Susanna , Landberg Sara , Waern Margda , Bergman Stefan , Gillberg Christopher
Published: March 2023

Objective:

Investigate diagnostic stability, daily life functioning and social situation in women diagnosed with ADHD and/or ASD in childhood.

Methods:

Prospective 17 to 20-year follow-up study of 100 girls of whom 92 diagnosed in childhood with main DSM-IV ADHD or ASD, and 60 comparison girls. Ninety and 54 of these women were examined ( M = 27, 4 years old) with semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, close relatives were interviewed.

Results:

At follow-up, 89% of women with ADHD or ASD in childhood still met the criteria for either of these diagnoses. Very few women were “in remission.” In 34% the main diagnosis shifted from ADHD to ASD. Women with ADHD and ASD had significantly more disability and unfavorable social situation than comparison women.

Conclusion:

Women with ADHD and/or ASD in childhood had impairing problems 17 to 20 years later. Early ADHD changed to ASD in adulthood in some cases. Nearly all with ASD met criteria for ADHD as adults.
Recurrent rhinosporidiosis: A case report from Malaysia and review of literature
Authors: Tong Tan K , Ismail Ismaliza , Yunus Mohammad Nik M , Yusoff Suryati M , Sahri Afifulhadi M
Published: March 2023

Over the decades, rhinosporidiosis has remained an enigma. It is a recalcitrant disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, primarily affecting the nasal cavity, conjunctiva, and less frequently involved sites, including skin, urethra, and others. We report a case of a local from Sabah who has presented with recurring symptoms of nasal obstruction and epistaxis for two decades. He had previously undergone multiple endoscopic excisional surgeries before receiving treatment at our centre. Otorhinolaryngeal examination revealed polypoidal masses occupying bilateral nasal cavities with a perforation of the nasal septum. He underwent surgical resection of the lesions, and the histopathological examination confirmed recurrent rhinosporidiosis. Due to its sporistatic effects, dapsone was chosen as the pharmacological treatment in this case. However, after a year of follow-up, he developed similar symptoms and the endoscopic findings, indicated a recurrence of the disease. The histopathological samples obtained during the repeated surgery for recurrent polypoidal masses, confirmed the diagnosis of rhinosporiodiosis. As the disease poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, clinicians should be prudent in establishing the diagnosis in non-endemic areas, such as Malaysia, and evaluating the possibility of recurrence.
Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 in pediatric patients
Authors: Ichhpujani Parul , Singh Rohan Bir , Dhillon Hennaav Kaur , Kumar Suresh
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease–19 (COVID-19) infection may remain asymptomatic or may have several different presentations. Although this disease primarily affects the respiratory system, systemic manifestations affecting the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, otorhinolaryngologic, and ophthalmic systems have been reported. Ophthalmic signs may be the first and only sign of COVID-19 infection in children. In the current narrative review, we report the ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19 in the pediatric age cohort. We performed a comprehensive literature search for the publications on ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19 in children between 1 March 2020 and 1 January 2022 and compiled the ophthalmic manifestations of this entity among the pediatric population. Conjunctivitis is the most common ophthalmic manifestation in children and can develop at any stage of the disease. Ophthalmic manifestations are seen more commonly in children with severe systemic disease. Long-term and indirect consequence of the COVID-19 disease is the rise of myopia among children. Ophthalmic signs may be the first and only sign of COVID-19 infection in children. Pediatricians, as well as ophthalmologists, must keep observing all children with COVID-19 closely for ophthalmic signs.
A seismological method for estimating the long-period transition period TL in the seismic building code
Authors: Assadollahi Christie , Pezeshk Shahram , Campbell Kenneth
Published: March 2023

Many changes have been made to the design response spectrum used in the ASCE 7 Standard in recent years. One parameter that has not been investigated or revisited since its first appearance in FEMA 450-1/2003 is the long-period transition period parameter, TL. The long-period transition period parameter was introduced and defined as the corner period that marks the transition from the constant velocity to the constant displacement segments of the design response spectrum. The long-period transition period parameter is primarily important for long-period structures such as high-rise buildings and bridges. The most current estimation of TL used in engineering design standards is loosely based on a correlation between modal magnitude Mw and TL that does not account for stress drop Δ σ or the crustal velocity in the source region β. This study aims to include both Δ σ and β in its estimation of TL. Modal magnitude is obtained from disaggregation data from the 2018 National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) for the conterminous United States (CONUS) and from the 2021 NSHM for Hawaii (HI). The parameter β is determined from previous literature. Then, inversion of ground motion models for Central and Eastern United States (CEUS) is used to determine Δ σ for CEUS events, and published information is used to determine Δ σ for Western United States (WUS) events and HI events. Then, the definition of the corner period is used to determine TL. The results yield a generally more conservative (or longer) estimation of TL than the estimation that is currently used in engineering design standards.
Impact of ground-motion duration on nonlinear structural performance: Part I: spectrally equivalent records and inelastic single-degree-of-freedom systems
Authors: Otárola Kenneth , Gentile Roberto , Sousa Luis , Galasso Carmine
Published: March 2023

In current seismic performance-based assessment approaches, nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures generally relies on ground motions selected based on their pseudo-spectral accelerations, with little or no consideration for ground-motion duration. Part I of this study, presented in this article, attempts to comprehensively quantify the impact of ground-motion duration on the nonlinear structural performance of case-study inelastic single-degree-of-freedom systems for shallow-crustal seismicity conditions. The effect of duration is decoupled from that of ground-motion amplitude and spectral shape by assembling sets of spectrally equivalent long- and short-duration records. Such sets are employed in incremental dynamic analyses of a wide range of computational models incorporating in-cycle and cyclic strength and stiffness deterioration. The structural response is quantified in terms of peak- and cumulative-based engineering demand parameters. Formal hypothesis testing is used to assess the statistical significance of duration’s impact on the median structural capacity of the considered structural systems. Furthermore, the derivation of duration-dependent fragility and vulnerability relationships demonstrates that ground-motion duration effectively impacts the nonlinear structural performance of various systems, and it should be accounted for in current practice. The fragility median values for highly deteriorating structural systems under long-duration ground motions are found to be up to 21% or 34.0% smaller than the short-duration counterpart if a peak- or cumulative-based engineering demand parameter is adopted, respectively.
4-Octyl itaconate attenuates glycemic deterioration by regulating macrophage polarization in mouse models of type 1 diabetes
Authors: He Sunyue , Zhao Yuchen , Wang Guoxing , Ke Qiaofang , Wu Nan , Lu Lusi , Wu Jiahua , Sun Shuiya , Jin Weihua , Zhang Wenjing , Zhou Jiaqiang
Published: March 2023

Background

Pancreatic beta cell dysfunction and activated macrophage infiltration are early features in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. A tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolite that can strongly activate NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in macrophages, itaconate is important in a series of inflammatory-associated diseases via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its role in type 1 diabetes is unclear. We used 4-octyl itaconate (OI), the cell-permeable itaconate derivate, to explore its preventative and therapeutic effects in mouse models of type 1 diabetes and the potential mechanism of macrophage phenotype reprogramming.

Methods

The mouse models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes and spontaneous autoimmune diabetes were used to evaluate the preventative and therapeutic effects of OI, which were performed by measuring blood glucose, insulin level, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion, histopathology examination, flow cytometry, and islet proteomics. The protective effect and mechanism of OI were examined via peritoneal macrophages isolated from STZ-induced diabetic mice and co-cultured MIN6 cells with OI-pre-treated inflammatory macrophages in vitro. Moreover, the inflammatory status of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from type 1 diabetes patients was evaluated after OI treatment.

Results

OI ameliorated glycemic deterioration, increased systemic insulin level, and improved glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. OI intervention significantly restored the islet insulitis and beta cell function. OI did not alter the macrophage count but significantly downregulated the proportion of M1 macrophages. Additionally, OI significantly inhibited MAPK activation in macrophages to attenuate the macrophage inflammatory response, eventually improving beta cell dysfunction in vitro. Furthermore, we detected higher IL-1β production upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation in the PBMCs from type 1 diabetes patients, which was attenuated by OI treatment.

Conclusions

These results provided the first evidence to date that OI can prevent the progression of glycemic deterioration, excessive inflammation, and beta cell dysfunction predominantly mediated by restricting macrophage M1 polarization in mouse models of type 1 diabetes.
The role of NEDD4 related HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligases in defective autophagy in cancer cells: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives
Authors: Zhang Rui , Shi Shaoqing
Published: March 2023

The homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus (HECT)-type E3 ubiquitin ligases are the selective executers in the protein ubiquitination, playing a vital role in modulation of the protein function and stability. Evidence shows the regulatory role of HECT-type E3 ligases in various steps of the autophagic process. Autophagy is an intracellular digestive and recycling process that controls the cellular hemostasis. Defective autophagy is involved in tumorigenesis and has been detected in various types of cancer cells. A growing body of findings indicates that HECT-type E3 ligases, in particular members of the neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 4 (NEDD4) including NEDD4-1, NEDD4-L, SMURFs, WWPs, and ITCH, play critical roles in dysregulation or dysfunction of autophagy in cancer cells. The present review focuses on NEDD4 E3 ligases involved in defective autophagy in cancer cells and discusses their autophagic function in different cancer cells as well as substrates and the signaling pathways in which they participate, conferring a basis for the cancer treatment through the modulating of these E3 ligases.