bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching Civic Engagement through an Op-Ed Writing Assignment
Authors: Ghoshal Raj A.
Published: September 2022

This teaching note presents an assignment in which students write an op-ed on a course-related issue and submit it to a newspaper. I argue that an op-ed assignment dovetails with pedagogical goals around democratic citizenship and public sociology. I explain the project’s objectives, instructions, and timeline. I present evidence from three courses showing that the assignment fostered understanding of op-eds’ form and function; deepened engagement with course-related issues; led many class members to apply their learning to a real-world civic setting; and generated high-quality work. I consider ways the project can be modified and used in other courses.
Osseous Metaplasia and Ectopic Bone Formation in a Patient With Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Authors: Zhang Bo-Tao , Xu Jia-Ying , Wang Wei , Jun Jiang
Published: September 2022

Thyroid nodules are frequently accompanied by degenerative changes, such as hemorrhage, cholesterol crystallization, fibrous tissue deposition, or filling with fat. Although calcification is also a common phenomenon, osteogenesis, characterized by mature bone formation, is very rare. Here, we describe a case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with osseous metaplasia and ectopic bone formation case and discuss its possible causes.
Generative Dissensus in a Youth-Led Coalition-Building Enterprise
Authors: Wright William Terrell , Hadley Heidi Lyn , Ervin Jennifer , Overton Lemell , Burke Kevin J.
Published: September 2022

Context:

Rooted in the principles of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), this article explores how a team of youth community activists extended their coalition virtually to produce a bill of demands for structural social change in their city and its surrounding county.

Focus of Study:

Our inquiry focuses on how the youth’s dialectic goal of arriving at consensus (through debate fiercely, and intentionally, tied to the country’s own internal reckonings) loomed, uncomfortably at times, over the dialogic process of inviting youth from across the city to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships.

Setting:

The youth’s coalitional work extended outward from the Yamacraw Center, a community literacy center and social justice organization based in a historic coastal city in the southern United States.

Participants:

The primary team, reported on here, was made up of eight youth researchers and two adult allies/co-researchers responsible for supporting youth as they engaged in YPAR.

Research Design:

Our study is a reflexive thematic analysis of the interplay between youth during 11 planning and organizing sessions.

Data Collection:

The data collected for this study are video digital Google Hangout meetings recorded over a five-month period.

Findings:

Our findings consider key strategies youth exhibited in coming together to hear one another, triage priorities, and carefully attend to the ways they needed to craft their arguments to be taken seriously.

Conclusions:

We highlight the importance of process in building youth capacity, detail discursive moves youth made to maintain critical momentum, and situate the project within a larger ethos that recognizes the immanent value of cultivating youth capacity to engage in fierce and humanizing exchanges with their peers in pursuit of collective progress.
Prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of an inherited microdeletion of 18q12.3 encompassing SETBP1
Authors: Zhou Yaqing , Quan Yan , Wu Yijun , Zhang Yinxing
Published: September 2022

The 18q12.3 region contains the SET binding protein 1 (SETBP1) gene. SETBP1 mutations or deletions are associated with Schinzel–Giedion syndrome or intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 29. We report the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling of a patient with a maternally inherited 18q12.3 microdeletion. In this family, the mother and son carried the same microdeletion. Chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications are difficult to detect using conventional cytogenetics, whereas the combination of prenatal ultrasound, karyotype analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis, and genetic counseling is helpful for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications.
Assessment of malaria prevalence in Boset District, East Shawa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: a retrospective study
Authors: Chala Bayissa , Tilaye Tigist
Published: September 2022

Objective

In this study, we aimed to assess the epidemiological profile and associated risk factors of malaria in Boset District using clinical records from the Boset District Health Office Central Surveillance Unit, East Shawa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Methods

This health facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study included clinical malaria data for 5 years (2016–2020) recorded at all public and private health facilities in the district.

Results

The present study revealed an overall malaria slide positivity rate of 12.4% (21,059/169,986), ranging from 23.3% to 5.3% during 2016–2020 in Boset District. Malaria cases were recorded in all age groups, but individuals aged 15 years and above accounted for a higher (56.2%) average proportion of malaria cases. Concerning the relative proportion of malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum was slightly predominant (58%) over P. vivax (42%).

Conclusion

The present study revealed a declining trend in malaria cases over the 5-year study period in Boset District. Scaling up the available malaria prevention strategies and control measures is recommended to achieve malaria pre-elimination.
Primary hyperparathyroidism-induced brown tumors caused by parathyroid carcinoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhou Zhongkai , Shi Ying , Li Chao , Wang Wei
Published: September 2022

Brown tumors represent a benign disease that is induced by primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism, with the pathological feature of osteitis fibrosa cystica. Primary hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid carcinoma resulting in brown tumors is extremely rare. Herein, we report the case of a 60-year-old male patient who was admitted for giant cell tumors of the bone with local pain and limited movement of the left knee joint. With early detection of multifocal osteolytic bone lesions, hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid hormone: 2365.00 pg/mL), and parathyroid cancer, the diagnosis of brown tumors was confirmed without any unnecessary or harmful interventions. Thereafter, he underwent parathyroidectomy, from which postoperative pathology confirmed parathyroid carcinoma, and total knee arthroplasty to restore movement of the knee joint. Seven months after surgery, the left knee joint had good range of movement. This case emphasizes that detecting patients’ parathyroid hormone levels should not be neglected when diagnosing multifocal osteolytic bone lesions. A comprehensive analysis combining clinical symptoms, imaging, and laboratory tests is conducive to accurate disease assessments and avoiding unnecessary or even survival-impairing surgery. However, when the tumor involves a large joint or seriously affects joint movement, surgery may be worth considering.
Osteoporosis is the cause of spontaneous humeral fracture in dairy cows from New Zealand
Authors: Wehrle-Martinez Alvaro , Lawrence Kevin , Back Penny J. , Rogers Chris W. , Gibson Michaela , Dittmer Keren E.
Published: September 2022

Outbreaks of humeral fractures in dairy cows have been reported in New Zealand for several years. Gross, histologic, and histomorphometric findings in the humerus from primiparous cows with spontaneous humeral fracture were compared to age-matched control cows. Affected cows had a complete nonarticular spiral fracture of the humerus. Histologically affected humeri had a thicker growth plate with abnormal architecture, thinner cortex with increased abnormal resorption, increased resorption in the distal humerus, decreased trabecular density, abnormal trabecular architecture, presence of growth arrest lines and woven bone formation. Histomorphometry showed reduction in bone volume, trabecular perimeter, and trabecular width. Cows grazed on fodder beet had thicker growth plates with an abnormal appearance compared with cows grazed on pasture, and cows with low/marginal liver copper concentration had more resorption cavities in the distal humerus and thinner cortical bone compared with cows with adequate liver copper concentration. Decreased trabecular density (OR = 249.5), abnormal cortical resorption (OR = 54.2), presence of woven bone formation in the proximal metaphysis (OR = 37.2), and the number of resorption cavities in the distal humerus were significantly associated with a high probability of fracture. Ribs had enlargement of the costochondral junction with fractures in different stages of healing. Histology of the ribs revealed abnormal growth plate appearance, presence of fracture lines, callus tissue, fibrosis, and microfractures. Cows with humeral fracture have osteoporosis due to decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption, likely associated with inadequate feed quality and perhaps copper deficiency leading to a reduction in bone strength and fracture.
Separate effects of auditory and visual room size on auditorium seat preference: a virtual reality study
Authors: Chen Yuxiao , Cabrera Densil , Alais David
Published: September 2022

Audiovisual integrations and interactions happen everywhere, including in music concerts, where combined visual and auditory perception contributes to overall enjoyment. Thirty-three participants evaluated their overall subjective preference at various seats in four virtual auditoria, which comprised congruent and incongruent auditory and visual renders of two auditoria that differ only in size. Results show no significant difference between participants who completed the experiment in a fully calibrated and standardized laboratory environment and participants who completed remotely using various VR equipment in various environments. Both visual and auditory auditorium size have significant main effects, but no interaction. The larger hall is preferred for both conditions. Audiovisual congruency does not significantly affect preference.
From marketisation to self-determination: Contesting state and market through ‘justice reinvestment’
Authors: Bryant Gareth , Spies-Butcher Ben
Published: September 2022

Movements for racial and Indigenous justice are targeting rapidly expanding budget allocations for prisons and police. In Australia, Indigenous Communities are seeking to redirect public money from the criminal justice system to Indigenous-controlled services and infrastructure through ‘justice reinvestment’. This article explores the possibilities and tensions of justice reinvestment as a strategy for exercising Indigenous self-determination in a marketised policy landscape. Focusing on the case of Just Reinvest NSW and the Maranguka initiative in Bourke, we compare justice reinvestment to neoliberal ideas of social investment, exemplified by social impact bonds (SIBs). We identify three tools of marketisation in SIBs – liability budgeting, pricing evidence, and devolution to non-state providers – and analyse how these are being engaged, and contested, by Indigenous Communities through justice reinvestment. While incomplete, we discuss how Indigenous-run justice reinvestment initiatives are creatively using these tools against the settler-colonial, carceral state to claim fiscal resources, develop bureaucratic capacity, and institute territorial governance. We argue that justice reinvestment demonstrates the potential to repurpose the tools of marketisation to create alternative ‘hybrid’ spaces of governance that contest both the state and the market.
The impact of wind direction on wind farm power output calculation considering the wake effects of wind turbines
Authors: Narain Aishvarya , Srivastava Sudhir Kumar , Singh Sri Nivas
Published: September 2022

The wind farm is a collection of all wind turbine generators situated at a particular distance. The wind speed and wind direction play an important role in wind farm power calculation. The power curve of the wind farm is not simply the summation of the wind turbine’s power curve. It is complex due to the intermittent nature of wind speed and its direction. The power curve is obtained from the data taking the wind speed and wind power at that speed. There are many logistic functions used in the literature to analyze the wind power curve that helps to calculate wind farm power output and energy generated. In this paper, the 3-parameter deterministic process (3P-DP) method is used for wind power curve calculation. The wake effect is analyzed by Jensen’s model with wind speed and wind direction. The wind farm power is obtained from the new proposed formula and compared with the already existing one. The results are verified from real data obtained from the literature.
Marked Increase in Amphetamine-Related Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Admissions in Toronto, Canada, 2014–2021
Authors: Tardelli Vitor S. , Johnstone Samantha , Xu Bin , Kim Soyeon , K. Kim Helena , Gratzer David , George Tony P. , Le Foll Bernard , Castle David J.
Published: September 2022

Background

We report emergency department and inpatient amphetamine-related trends focusing on co-occurring substance use and psychiatric diagnoses at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the largest mental health teaching hospital in Canada.

Methods

We describe yearly trends in amphetamine-related Centre for Addiction and Mental Health emergency department visits and inpatient admissions out of all emergency department visits and inpatient admissions between 2014 and 2021, along with proportions of concurrent substance-related admissions and mental/psychotic disorders emergency department visits and inpatient admissions among amphetamine-related contacts; joinpoint regression analyses assessed changes in amphetamine-related emergency department visits and inpatient admissions.

Results

Amphetamine-related emergency department visits rose from 1.5% in 2014 to 8.3% in 2021, with a peak of 9.9% in 2020. Amphetamine-related inpatient admissions rose from 2.0% to 8.8% in 2021, with a peak of 8.9% in 2020. Significant increasing trends in the percentage of amphetamine-related emergency department visits happened especially between the second and the fourth quarter of 2014 (quarterly percent change =  + 71.4, P <0.01). Similarly, the percentage of amphetamine-related inpatient admissions increased mostly between the second quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2015 (quarterly percent change  =  + 32.6, P <0.01). The proportion of concurrent opioid-related contacts among amphetamine-related emergency department visits and inpatient admission increased markedly between 2014 and 2021; psychotic disorders in amphetamine-related inpatient admissions more than doubled from 2015 to 2021.

Discussion

Prevalence of amphetamine use, mostly from methamphetamine, has been increasing in Toronto as have co-occurring psychiatric disorders and opioid use. Our findings highlight the need for increases in accessible efficacious treatments for complex populations with polysubstance use and co-occurring disorders.
Does Conceptual Transparency in Manipulatives Afford Place-Value Understanding in Children at Risk for Mathematics Learning Disabilities?
Authors: Lafay Anne , Osana Helena P. , Levin Joel R.
Published: September 2022

We investigated the effect of conceptual transparency in the physical structure of manipulatives on place-value understanding in typically developing children and those at risk for mathematics learning disabilities. Second graders were randomly assigned to one of three manipulatives conditions: (a) attachable beads that did not make the denominations or ones in the denominations transparent, (b) pipe cleaners that made only the denominations transparent, and (c) string beads that made both the denominations and the ones in the denominations transparent. Participants used the manipulatives to represent double- and triple-digit numerals. Statistical analyses indicated that the transparency of the denominations, but not the transparency of the ones in the denominations, is responsible for children’s number representation and place-value understanding. Descriptive analyses of their responses revealed that the at-risk children were at a greater disadvantage than their typically developing peers with the attachable beads, failing to use place-value concepts to interpret their representations.
No Retreat: The Impact of Stand Your Ground Laws on Violent Crime
Authors: Alexander Adams K.
Published: September 2022

Since the early 1990s, 27 states passed statutes known as “stand your ground laws” to give legal protection to citizens who use lethal force in self-defense, and 8 states have acted as de facto stand your ground states due to court rulings. Proponents of these laws believe they act as a criminal deterrent while opponents say they legitimize vigilantism. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there is a relationship between stand your ground laws and crime. Data from fixed effects and negative binomial regression models from 1980–2018 find no strong relationship between stand your ground laws and crime in either direction. Policy implications are discussed, namely, the primary costs and benefits of these laws are not likely to stem from increases or decreases in crime but rather the legal and ethical consequences of increasing protections for civilians who act in self-defense.
Hepatic Fat Quantification With Novel Ultrasound Based Techniques: A Diagnostic Performance Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Proton Density Fat Fraction as Reference Standard
Authors: Şendur Halit Nahit , Özdemir Kalkan Doğa , Cerit Mahi Nur , Kalkan Gökalp , Şendur Aylin Billur , Özhan Oktar Suna
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performances of novel Tissue attenuation imaging (TAI) and Tissue scatter distribution imaging (TSI) tools in quantification of liver fat content using magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI PDFF) as reference standard. Methods: Eighty consecutive patients with known or suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who volunteered to participate in the study comprised the study cohort. All patients underwent MRI PDFF scan and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) imaging using TAI and TSI tools. The cutoff values of ≥5%, ≥16.3% and ≥21.7% on MRI PDFF were used for mild, moderate and severe steatosis, respectively. Area under the Receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic performance of TAI and TSI in detecting different grades of hepatic steatosis. Results: The AUROCs of TAI and TSI tools in detecting hepatosteatosis (MRI PDFF ≥5%), were 0.95 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.91–0.99] ( P < 0.001) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93–0.99) ( P < 0.001), respectively. In distinguishing between different grades of steatosis, the values of 0.75, 0.86 and 0.96 dB/cm/MHz have 88%, 88% and 100% sensitivity, respectively, for TAI tool; and the values of 92.44, 96.64 and 99.45 have 90%, 92% and 91.7% sensitivity, respectively, for TSI tool. Conclusion: TAI and TSI tools accurately quantify liver fat content and can be used for the assessment and grading of hepatosteatosis in patients with known or suspected NAFLD.
Does Childhood Experience of Interparental Abuse Shape Women’s Attitude Toward Intimate Partner Violence in Their Adult Life? Evidence From 31 Developing Countries
Authors: Mehfooz Musferah , Amir-ud-Din Rafi , Zafar Sameen
Published: September 2022

A significant amount of literature exists on the lasting effects of interparental abuse on children’s psychological health as adults. However, evidence on how children’s childhood experience of interparental violence shapes their attitude toward partner violence in adult intimate relationships is limited. Given the existing evidence that women’s acceptance of partner violence as a social norm increases the risk of partner violence, we analyzed the effect of girls’ witnessing interparental abuse (where a father is a perpetrator) on their attitude toward partner violence in their intimate relationships as adults. We used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys for 31 low and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa. Aggregating information about women’s attitudes toward partner violence into a binary “intimate partner violence acceptance” variable, we found that a woman who witnessed her father beat her mother was 1.62 times more likely to justify partner violence than a woman who did not experience such interparental abuse (adjusted odds ratio [ AOR] = 1.62, 95% CI [1.57, 1.66], p < .001). Additionally, using individual components of acceptance as response variables, we found that a woman who witnessed interparental abuse was significantly more likely to justify partner violence if she went out without telling her husband ( OR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.45, 1.54], p < .001), neglected children ( OR = 1.53, 95% CI [1.49, 1.58], p < .001), argued with the husband ( OR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.45, 1.53], p < .001), refused sex with the husband ( OR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.31, 1.39], p < .001), or burned food ( OR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.31, 1.41], p < .001). This study highlights the need to put in place children-specific social policies to limit the intergenerational transmission of the adverse effects of intimate partner violence.
Octreotide Dosing in the Medical Management of Chyle Leak Following Otolaryngologic, Thoracic, and Trauma Surgery: A 9-Year Evaluation
Authors: Strama Kelly L. , Rice Timothy D. , Ruff Jacob P. , Carter Kristen E. , Ernst Neil E. , Kuebel Dalton J. , Droege Molly E.
Published: September 2022

Background: Chyle leak is a rare complication following otolaryngologic, thoracic, and trauma surgery wherein the thoracic duct is transected. Case reports and small case series describe octreotide for the medical management of chyle leak, but limited data exist to determine the ideal dose. Objective: To evaluate octreotide dosing in patients with acute chyle leak. Methods: This retrospective, single center, cohort study evaluated adult patients admitted to the otolaryngology, cardiothoracic, and trauma surgery teams over a 9-year period. Patients diagnosed with a chyle leak who received octreotide were eligible for inclusion. Groups were defined as successful medical management or failure requiring definitive surgery. The primary endpoint was daily octreotide dose between groups. Results: Forty-seven patients were included with 29 (61.7%) admitted to the otolaryngology service and 44 (93.6%) with surgical complication as the chyle leak cause. Thirty-two (68.1%) patients had successful medical management while 15 (31.9%) patients failed and required surgical intervention. There was no difference in median daily octreotide dose (250 [IQR, 170-288] µg vs 253 [IQR, 200-282] µg, P = .9). Octreotide weight-based dose, treatment duration, and route of administration were similar between groups. Daily drain output and complete bowel rest were significantly higher in the failure group. Daily drain output was identified as an independent risk factor for failure. Conclusion: Octreotide dose was similar in patients with and without successful medical management of chyle leak. Future studies are needed to determine optimal octreotide dosing and elucidate the relationship between octreotide, drain output, and surgical intervention need.
Investigation of an approach to reduce lower limb injuries of drivers during frontal impact
Authors: Xiao Sen , You Siqi , Wu Jindong , Jing Guoxi , Gao Yu , Li Jiapeng
Published: September 2022

Lower limb injuries often occur in the offset frontal impact. Besides the knee airbags, increasing the distance between the knee and the knee bolster is also worth being considered to reduce the injury risk of lower limb. An innovative knee bolster assembly was proposed in this study, which can increase the active survival space and reduce the injury risk of the lower extremity in the impact. This study establishes a numerical analysis model with a restrained human body and a car. Furthermore, the muscle function is activated in the lower extremity of the human model to simulate the emergency braking condition. Moreover, five sets of simulations are conducted under 40% offset frontal impact. Results showed that the new developed knee bolster can help to reduce the injury outcomes of the driver though the elastic stiffness of joint in the knee bolster is not play an important role. In detail, the impact force of the human femur could be reduced by more than 28% with the usage of innovative knee bolster assembly and the bending moment is reduced by over 10% compared with the drivers protected by classical knee bolster. Meanwhile, the tibia injury risk is reduced by around 29% through the comparison of tibia index. In terms of ligament performance, it is found that the use of innovative knee bolster assembly could significantly reduce the stretching and elongation change of posterior cruciate ligament. This study could provide a reference for reducing the risk of lower limb injuries for drivers.
Effect of milling parameters on the surface quality of a flax fiber-reinforced polymer composite
Authors: Slamani M , Chafai H , Chatelain JF
Published: September 2022

Flax fiber-reinforced polymer composites are an interesting alternative to synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites for many engineering applications. When machining flax fiber-reinforced composite materials that are by definition heterogeneous, the matrix and the fibers react differently and hence many sorts of damage may occur such as poor surface roughness, delamination, and fluffing. The novelty of the current work lies in identifying the major factors that affect the quality of the milled surface of composites reinforced with flax fibers and provides recommendations and collaborative solutions to the composite machining community. In this study, the impact of cutting conditions (cutting speed, feed rate, and fiber orientation) on the cutting forces and surface roughness during milling of the flax/epoxy composite is investigated. For this purpose, slotting tests are performed on flax fiber-reinforced polymer plates using a carbide end mill tool based on a full factorial design of experiment. Furthermore, a randomization in the order in which experimental runs are done is used to reduce bias by balancing the effect of uncontrolled variables that have not been accounted for in the experimental design. It is concluded that the feed rate has the most influence on the cutting forces and roughness parameters. Moreover, the fibers orientation also has a significant effect on the outputs, and the cutting speed has less effect but it remains significant.
A validated lower extremity model to investigate the effect of stabilizing knee components in pedestrian collisions
Authors: Grindle Daniel , Aira Jazmine , Gayzik Francis Scott , Untaroiu Costin
Published: September 2022

Lower extremity injuries account for over 50% of pedestrian orthopedic injuries in car-to-pedestrian collisions. Pedestrian finite element models are useful tools for studying pedestrian safety, but current models use simplified knee models that exclude potentially important stabilizing knee components. The effect of these stabilizing components in pedestrian impacts is currently unknown. The goal of this study was to develop a detailed lower-extremity model to investigate the effect of these stabilizing components on pedestrian biomechanics. In this study the Global Human Body Model Consortium male 50th percentile pedestrian model lower body was updated to include various stabilizing knee components, enhance geometric anatomical accuracy of previously modeled soft tissue structures, and update hard and soft tissue material models. The original and updated models were compared across 13 validation tests and the updated model reported significantly ( p = 0.01) larger CORA scores (0.73 ± 0.15) than the original model (0.56 ± 0.20). To investigate the effect of the new stabilizing knee components the updated model had its stabilizing components severed. The severed and intact models were impacted by the EuroNCAP SUV and family car models at 30 and 40 km/h. The intact and severed models reported nearly identical head impact times, wrap around distances, and lower-extremity injury outcomes in all four impacts, but the stabilizing components reduced the varus knee angle of the secondarily impacted leg by up to 4.9°. The stabilizing components may prevent secondary impacted leg injuries in lower intensity impacts but overall had little effect on pedestrian biomechanical outcomes.
The evolution of lunar habitat concepts
Authors: Benaroya Haym
Published: September 2022

A tremendous effort has been expended to understand the lunar environment for scientific purposes as well as for the eventual drive to settle and create an extension of human civilization on the Moon and then Mars. We summarize these environmental challenges and identify two designs that are representative of current thinking for first- and second-generation lunar habitats. Interestingly, the basic habitat structural options have not fundamentally changed over the last half century, even though technical advances have occurred as has our understanding of the lunar environment. As such, the potential quality of the conceived habitats has improved without much change in their appearances. This paper is only meant to provide an overview of the subject and is not representative of the literature, which numbers in the tens of thousands of documents. The citations herein are a door to a subset of those vast references.
Development studies at NASA on large orbital structures, 1975–1985
Authors: Nixon David
Published: September 2022

This paper provides a review of early development studies on structures carried out by NASA and US aerospace contractors between 1975 and 1985 before and during the initiation of the Space Station programme. The studies envisioned very large structures built in orbit using the Space Shuttle, then in the process of entering service. Their original purpose was to function as solar power, antenna and communications platforms. The studies explored the application of automatically-fabricated trusses, then preassembled deployable trusses, and then astronaut-assembled erectable trusses. By the time of the Station’s go-ahead in 1984, a large erectable truss structure formed the backbone of the Station’s design. Erectable trusses were successfully tested on a Space Shuttle mission in 1985 but later abandoned after the Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. Taken together, the 1975–1985 development studies have much historical significance as the first generation of ideas about large engineered structures for extraterrestrial applications.
Decolonizing feminist knowledge: The standpoint of majority world feminist activists in Perú
Authors: Grabe Shelly
Published: September 2022

From its beginnings, feminism has challenged knowledge about women and gender and questioned the methods by which that knowledge is produced. Feminist psychologists are well-positioned to engage in a critical re-examination of the assumptions underlying theory or the constructs employed in the construction of knowledge. Macleod et al. noted that feminists have rarely adopted a single theory, recognizing that every feminism bears the stamp of its place of origin. The current study contributes to feminist decolonizing efforts by using the standpoint of activists in Perú to conduct an examination of feminism. The project involves scholar-activist collaborations with the Global Feminisms Project, at the University of Michigan, and a feminist organization in Perú, Flora Tristán. Nine key feminist activists were interviewed through testimonio. Participants held positions including: Indigenous leaders, scholars, Congresswomen, directors of organizations, and youth leaders. Key findings reveal that the feminist activists interviewed believe that production of knowledge is not a monopoly of the academy, feminism is inherently intersectional and is a process, not an academic definition, and one crucial for political action.
An audit of structure-based medical acupuncture by a single provider in patients with musculoskeletal pain using PROMIS scores as the outcome
Authors: Tang Chi-Tsai , Sookochoff Michael , Rhea Lee , Carrier Jonathan , Prather Heidi , Guan Ling
Published: September 2022

Background:

To assess whether structure-based medical acupuncture (SMA) can improve Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores in patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain.

Methods:

An audit was conducted of all patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain treated by a single provider with SMA in 2017. Inclusion criteria included a pre-treatment and at least one post-treatment PROMIS score. Patient demographics and previous treatments tried were recorded. Documented events other than acupuncture that were thought to interfere with PROMIS scores were recorded, and no further scores were used after these events. A maximum of nine visits after the initial visit were used. The PROMIS domains assessed included anxiety, depression, pain interference and physical function.

Results:

Seventy-two patients who had been treated with SMA met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-five of the patients (90%) had chronic pain. For their presenting complaint, 59 (82%) had previously sought treatment from another non-operative provider, 60 (83%) had tried physical therapy, and 20 (28%) had even had surgery. Despite this, SMA appeared to be able to significantly improve PROMIS anxiety at visits 1–3 and PROMIS depression at visit 3. After just one treatment, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were reached in 32%–44% of patients for PROMIS anxiety, 17%–36% for PROMIS depression, 28%–29% for PROMIS physical function, and 21%–36% for PROMIS pain interference, based on low and high cut-offs of a range of quoted MCID values.

Conclusion:

In a difficult patient population with musculoskeletal pain, SMA is a technique that can likely be used to improve PROMIS anxiety and depression, although no firm conclusions can be drawn from this uncontrolled clinical audit. Of note, MCIDs were sometimes obtained even after just one treatment.
Regional Extra-Corporeal Circulation to Protect Transplanted Kidney and Pancreas from Ischemia during Vascular Reconstruction
Authors: Faidutti Bernard , Bednarkiewicz Marek , Morel Philippe , Kalangos Afksendyios , Christenson Jan T.
Published: September 2022

The development of severe aorto-ilio-femoral atherosclerotic disease in a patient with a previous double transplantation, kidney and pancreas, is a major surgical challenge. The transplanted organs have to be protected from extensive ischemia during the vascular reconstructive procedure and achieve optimal revascularization. The surgical management of a complex case where regional extra-corporeal circulation was used to protect transplanted pancreas and kidney during aorto-bifemoral vascular grafting in a 39 yr old diabetic patient is described.

Regional femoro-femoral extra-corporeal circulation with an oxygenator is a safe technique that allows time for the proximal revascularization, minimizes the warm organ ischemia time and results in preservation of organ function.
Skull Base Resection with Cervical-To-Petrous Carotid Artery Bypass to Facilitate Repair of Distal Internal Carotid Artery Lesions
Authors: Eliason Jonathan L. , Netterville James L. , Guzman Raul J. , Passman Marc A. , Naslund Thomas C.
Published: September 2022

Purpose:

To demonstrate a direct operative approach to vascular lesions of the internal carotid artery (1CA) at the level of the skull base.

Methods:

Between January 1993 and October 1999, five patients underwent lateral skull base resection with cervical-to-petrous carotid artery saphenous vein bypass for repair of distal 1CA lesions. This report describes operative methods, morbidity, graft patency, and long-term outcome with this experience.

Results:

Of the five patients with skull base ICA lesions, all had aneurysmal disease. Three were atherosclerotic and two were dysplastic. Preoperative neurologic symptoms including transient ischemic attacks (2) and Horner's syndrome with vascular headaches (1) were completely resolved after operation. Preoperative dysphagia (2) was resolved in one patient and clinically improved in the other. Postoperative complications included transient paresis in the cranial nerve (CN) VII distribution, as well as permanent loss of the eustachian tube and chorda tympani nerve in all five patients. One patient had lasting paresis in the CN XI distribution as well as a mild stroke resulting in arm weakness. No residual arm weakness was detected at one year. There were no graft occlusions by duplex ultrasound at 45.8 months mean objective follow-up, and no ipsilateral stroke or mortality at 51.2 months mean clinical follow-up.

Conclusions:

Saphenous vein bypass from the cervical-to-petrous ICA is technically feasible and provides a valuable reconstruction option for patients with skull base ICA lesions.
The PORtromb Project: Prothrombin G20210A Mutation and Venous Thromboembolism in Young People
Authors: Mansilha A. , Araujo F. , Sampaio S. , Ribeiro L. M. Cunha , Braga A.
Published: September 2022

Recently a new identified genetic variant in the 3′-untranslated region of the prothrombin gene (G20210A allele) associated with increased plasma prothrombin levels has been linked to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). To determine the importance of this G20210A allele as a causative risk factor for VTE in the general population, we analysed the data of an epidemiologic investigation on thrombophilia in young people, the Oporto Thrombophilia Study (PORtromb). Forty cases (mean age: 27 yr old) with a first episode of VTE under 40 yr old, and 100 healthy subjects, were evaluated. Heterozygosity for the G20210A allele was present in 12.5% of VTE cases and in 5% of controls, indicating a possible marginal increase of VTE risk in carriers of the allele (odds ratio: 2.71: 95% Cl 0.74–9.95).
Aortic Valve Papillary Fibroelastoma
Authors: Alawi Abdallah , Kassabian Elie B. , Ashoush Ramzi , Jebara Victor A.
Published: September 2022

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare tumors of the heart and affect primarily the cardiac valves. These lesions are responsible for embolic accidents that clinically manifest as neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. We describe the case of a 40-yr-old woman who presented with a neurological deficit caused by a papillary tumor of the aortic valve. Diagnosis was made by transesophageal echocardiaphy and the tumor was surgically removed.
Combined Coronary Artery Bypass and Carotid Endarterectomy: Long-Term Results
Authors: Char Daniel , Cuadra Salvador , Ricotta John , Bilfinge Thomas , Giron Fabio , McLarty Allison , Krukenkamp Irvin , Saltman Adam , Seifert Frank
Published: September 2022

Purpose:

We determined late survival, freedom from late stroke, and freedom from late cardiac events in patients treated by combined coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy (CAB/CEA).

Methods:

All patients who underwent CAB/CEA in our institution between January 1994 and December 1999 were identified. Follow-up data were obtained from office records and telephone interviews. Endpoints included death from any cause, stroke, and non-fatal cardiac events (MI. CHF, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting, redo CAB). Data were expressed in life table format.

Results:

Over a 6-yr period 154 patients had combined CAB/CEA with a 3.9% postoperative stroke rate. Six patients (3.9%) died, leaving 148 patients for follow-up. Average follow-up was 38±23 months (range: 1–82 months). During the follow-up period two patients (1.4%) had late strokes and 17 patients (11%) had late non-fatal cardiac events. The late mortality rate was 13% (19 patients). Of the late mortalities, four were related to cardiac disease and one to stroke. Using Kaplan—Meier analysis, the 5-yr survival probability was 80±4.3%. The freedom from late ipsilateral neurologic events was 98±1.3% at 5 yr. The freedom from late cardiac events was 82±4.6% at 5 yr.

Conclusions:

The large majority of patients with combined coronary and carotid artery disease can be expected to live for greater than 5 yr. Therefore, these patients should be considered candidates for prophylactic CEA for stroke prevention, even when their carotid lesions are asymptomatic. Successful CAB/CEA provides good long-term survival and freedom from late cardiac events, as well as excellent freedom from late stroke. Further reduction in perioperative events will make this operative approach even more attractive in patients with combined disease.
The Role of Intraoperative Digital Subtraction Angiography for Quality Control of Standard Carotid Endarterectomy Using Patch Angioplasty
Authors: Woelfle K. D. , Bruijnen H. , Neu J. , Campbell P. , Wack C. , Loeprecht H.
Published: September 2022

The absence of technical defects is considered to be of great importance during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In this context, both safe surgical technique and intraoperative quality control may be a fundamental part of the operative procedure. We have therefore undertaken a prospective study to evaluate the possible benefits of completion angiography in standard CEA using patch angioplasty. The objectives were three-fold: (1) to identify the incidence of defects requiring prompt revision; (2) to assess the perioperative stroke rate as well as the number of residual stenosis after 6 weeks in angiographically controlled patients and (3) to compare these results with a control group.

From 1 January to 30 September 1999 111 patients with 115 consecutive CEAs which had completion angiography (Group A) were prospectively entered into this study. The results in group A were compared with a series of again 111 patients (Group B) which had 116 CEAs without intraoperative quality control between January and September in the year before. Surgical technique was identical in both groups. In general, risk factors were distributed evenly among both group with the exception that in group A were significantly more high-grade ipsilateral ICA stenoses while group B had more patients with diabetes and ipsilateral CT-defects.

In group A, angiographic irregularities prompted us to immediate re-exploration in five patients (dilatation of severe ICA spasm 1; re-exploration of distal ICA occlusion 1; reopening of occluded ECA 3). With a 30 day mortality of 0% each perioperative stroke rate was comparable with 3/115 in group A and 3/116 in group B ( P = 1.0). 2/3 patients with neurological deficits in group A had early postoperative carotid thrombosis — in spite of a normal completion study. Duplex examination after 6 weeks revealed one asymptomatic ICA occlusion in each group. The incidence of residual stenosis (≥50%) was not significantly different being 3.7% in group A and 3.2% in group B ( P= 0.85).

When applying a safe and simple operative technique for CEA, the incidence of abnormalities warranting immediate correction appears to be a rare event and, therefore, the necessity for obligatory quality control may be questionable. On the other hand, completion DSA allows a simple documentation of the adequacy of the surgical procedure.
Can Cerebral Vasoreactivity Predict Cerebral Tolerance to Carotid Clamping during Carotid Endarterectomy?
Authors: Lucertini G. , Cariati P. , Ermirio D. , Viacava A. , Misuri A. , Grana A. , Belardi P.
Published: September 2022

Cerebral vasoreactivity (CVR) was evaluated as a preoperative test in predicting cerebral tolerance to carotid clamping.

A consecutive series of 115 carotid endarterectomy (CEA) cases were studied. Before surgical operation CVR was evaluated, by measuring the mean velocity of the middle cerebral artery (mv-MCA) using transcranial Doppler (TCD) at the basal condition and 20 min after intravenous administration of acetazolamide (1 g). CEA was performed under general anesthesia. TCD was used during surgery to evaluate mv-MCA and to calculate mv-MCA clamping/mv-MCA pre-clamping x100 ratio (mv-MCA%), which was used as the parameter to validate CVR.

CVR did not correlate with mv-MCA% ( r = 0.22). There was no significant difference ( P= 0.09) between mean values of the non shunted subgroup and the shunted one.

CVR does not seem to be suitable for evaluating cerebral tolerance to carotid clamping.
The Effects of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide on Monocrotaline Induced Pulmonary Hypertensive Rabbits following Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Comparative Study with Isoproteronol and Nitroglycerine
Authors: Gunaydin Serdar , Imai Yasuharu , Takanashi Yoshinori , Seo Kazuhiro , Hagino Ikuo , Chang Dehua , Shinoka Toshiharu
Published: September 2022

Background:

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has regulatory effects on myocardial and vasomotor functions usually demonstrated by in vitro or isolated heart studies. We studied in vivo effects in monocrotaline induced pulmonary hypertensive rabbits immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and tested them versus calcium channel and beta-blockers.

Methods:

The study consisted of six groups ( N= 30; five rabbits/group): (1) Control with no pretreatment. monocrotaline injected groups: (solutions were perfused following termination of CPB for 60 min); (2) Control for pulmonary hypertension (PHT); (3) isoproteronol; (4) VIP 10−6 M; (5) VIP 10−5 M; (6) nitroglycerine. Normothermic CPB was instituted in thirty rabbits at a flowrate of 100 ml/kg/min for 120 min. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous, left atrium (LAP), pulmonary artery (PAP) pressures, pulmonary resistance (Rp), blood gases and ions were measured before and 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after CPB. The VIP 10−5 M group was subjected to an additional 1.7times10−6 M propranol and 2 mM verapamil infusions for a further 15 min.

Results:

LAP, PAP, Qp, and Rp were significantly higher in the PHT control group ( P<0.001). VIP 10−5 M increased MAP and decreased PAP significantly with respect to isoproteronol and VIP 10−6 M ( P<0.05). VIP 10−s M also decreased Rp significantly in the early post CPB 15th minute ( P<0.05), but did not show any superiority to other agents in the following minutes. Verapamil inhibited VIP 10−s M effects but propranol did not.

Conclusion:

VIP has dose responsive, positive inotropic and pulmonary vasodilatory effects in whole body CPB model acting via calcium channels.
New Prostheses for Use in Bypass Grafts with Special Emphasis on Polyurethanes
Authors: Tiwari Alok , Salacinski Henryk , Seifalian Alexander M. , Hamilton George
Published: September 2022

Vascular bypass procedures using traditional prosthetic grafts such as polytetrafluoroethylen (PTFE) and polyethylene tetraphthlate (Dacron) are prone to failure when used in low flow states such as in below knee bypass and when the diameter of the graft is less than 6 mm. A major factor in this is compliance mismatch between the graft and the diseased vessel, which may cause intimal hyperplasia at the distal anastomosis. PTFE and Dacron are rigid grafts with poor compliance. By improving the compliance of the prosthetic graft it is hoped that patency will improve. Recent advances in polyurethane chemistry have developed materials that do not degrade and which allow compliance matching of the graft to the patient's vasculature. It is now possible to manufacture biologically and haemodynamically compatible grafts with small diameter from these polyurethane graft materials. This review will focus on the lack of compliance in current vascular bypass grafts and the promise of the new polyurethane polymers in a new generation of small-bore bypass grafts.