bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A High-Throughput Screening Platform Identifies Novel Combination Treatments for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Fernández-Rodríguez Juana , Creus-Bachiller Edgar , Zhang Xiaohu , Martínez-Iniesta Maria , Ortega-Bertran Sara , Guha Rajarshi , Thomas Craig J. , Wallace Margaret R. , Romagosa Cleofe , Salazar-Huayna Lourdes , Reilly Karlyne M. , Blakely Jaishri O. , Serra-Musach Jordi , Pujana Miguel Angel , Serra Eduard , Villanueva Alberto , Ferrer Marc , Lázaro Conxi
Published: May 2022

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are soft-tissue sarcomas that are the leading cause of mortality in patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Single chemotherapeutic agents have shown response rates ranging from 18% to 44% in clinical trials, so there is still a high medical need to identify chemotherapeutic combination treatments that improve clinical prognosis and outcome. We screened a collection of compounds from the NCATS Mechanism Interrogation PlatE (MIPE) library in three MPNST cell lines, using cell viability and apoptosis assays. We then tested whether compounds that were active as single agents were synergistic when screened as pairwise combinations. Synergistic combinations in vitro were further evaluated in patient-derived orthotopic xenograft/orthoxenograft (PDOX) athymic models engrafted with primary MPNST matching with their paired primary-derived cell line where synergism was observed. The high-throughput screening identified 21 synergistic combinations, from which four exhibited potent synergies in a broad panel of MPNST cell lines. One of the combinations, MK-1775 with Doxorubicin, significantly reduced tumor growth in a sporadic PDOX model (MPNST-SP-01; sevenfold) and in an NF1-PDOX model (MPNST-NF1–09; fourfold) and presented greater effects in TP53 mutated MPNST cell lines. The other three combinations, all involving Panobinostat (combined with NVP-BGT226, Torin 2, or Carfilzomib), did not reduce the tumor volume in vivo at noncytotoxic doses. Our results support the utility of our screening platform of in vitro and in vivo models to explore new therapeutic approaches for MPNSTs and identified that combination MK-1775 with Doxorubicin could be a good pharmacologic option for the treatment of these tumors.
Innate Immune Responses to RSV Infection Facilitated by OGG1, an Enzyme Repairing Oxidatively Modified DNA Base Lesions
Authors: Zheng Xu , Wang Ke , Pan Lang , Hao Wenjing , Xue Yaoyao , Bacsi Attila , Vlahopoulos Spiros A. , Radak Zsolt , Hazra Tapas K. , Brasier Allan R. , Tanner Lloyd , Ba Xueqing , Boldogh Istvan
Published: May 2022

The primary cause of morbidity and mortality from infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the excessive innate immune response(s) (IIR) in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) play key role(s). However, the mechanisms for these processes are not fully understood. We hypothesized that expressions of IIR genes are controlled by the ROS-generated epigenetic-like mark 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo(d)guanine (8-oxo(d)Gua) and 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase1 (OGG1). Here, we report that ROS not only generates intrahelical 8-oxo(d)Gua, but also enzymatically disables OGG1 in RSV-infected human airway epithelial cells and mouse lungs. OGG1 bound to 8-oxo(d)Gua in gene regulatory sequences promotes expression of IIR genes, and consequently exacerbates lung inflammation, histological changes, and body weight loss of experimental animals. Pharmacological inhibition of OGG1 substrate binding decreased expression of RSV-induced chemokine and cytokines and significantly lessened clinical symptoms. Results of mechanistic studies show that OGG1 binding at 8-oxo(d)Gua promoter regions modulated loading of transcription factors via transient cooperative interactions in RSV-infected lungs and airway epithelial cells. Other base specific DNA repair proteins had no effects. Collectively, this study identifies unprecedented roles of ROS-generated DNA base lesion(s) and cognate repair protein as a determinant of RSV-induced exuberant inflammation. Pharmaceutical inhibition of OGG1 interaction with its DNA substrate may represent a novel strategy in prevention/intervention of respiratory viral infections.
Occurrence of Rare Deletional Yus and Gerbich Alleles in Syria and Neighbouring Countries
Authors: Gassner Christoph , Scherer Vanessa , Zanolin-Purin Daniela , Scharberg Erwin A. , Flesch Brigitte
Published: May 2022

Background: Gerbich-negative phenotypes of the Gerbich Blood Group System (ISBT 020) are very rare (with the exception of Papua New Guinea). The Gerbich-negative phenotypes Yus and Gerbich are negative for the antigens Ge2, and Ge2 and Ge3, respectively. In antigen-negative individuals, anti-Ge2 and anti-Ge3 antibodies can be naturally occurring, or are triggered during pregnancies and after transfusions. Previous studies suggested an elevated frequency of Gerbich-negative phenotypes for the Middle East. In the summer of 2015, a large-scale migration of people from the Middle East to Europe occurred raising the issue of question how to guarantee blood supply for patients and manage antenatal care for pregnant women from these countries. Materials and Methods: To investigate the frequency of rare Gerbich-negative phenotypes, 1,665 immigrants to Germany originating from the Middle East were genetically tested for the presence of rare Yus, i.e., GE*01.-02, and Gerbich, i.e., GE*01-03, alleles and compared to results obtained from 507 Germans. Results: Seven Yus GE*01.-02.01 and one Gerbich GE*01.-03.02 alleles were exclusively observed among people from the Middle East, with five of them clustering among 797 Syrians. No such alleles were observed in Germans. A cumulative Yus- and GE*01.-03-type allele frequency of 0.00314 and resultant overall Gerbich-negative phenotype frequency of one among 101,633 Syrians were calculated. Conclusion: This manuscript describes for the first time an exclusively genetic screening for carriers of Gerbich-negative alleles. In conclusion, the Gerbich blood group system should be considered as one causative agent of unusual antibodies to red cell antigens, in routine patients and pregnant women, especially when originating from the Middle East.
Ischemic Stroke and Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia following COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report with Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Cascio Rizzo Angelo , Giussani Giuditta , Agostoni Elio Clemente
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a prothrombotic syndrome observed after adenoviral vector-based vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It is characterized by thrombocytopenia, systemic activation of coagulation, extensive venous thrombosis, and anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies. Arterial thrombosis is less common and mainly affects the aorta, peripheral arteries, heart, and brain. Several cases of ischemic stroke have been reported in VITT, often associated with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Here, we describe a case of ischemic stroke with LVO after Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, then we systematically reviewed the published cases of ischemic stroke and VITT following COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: We describe a 58-year-old woman who developed a thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome with extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis and ischemic stroke due to right middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, 13 days after receiving Ad26.COV2.S vaccination. Then, we performed a systematic review of the literature until December 3, 2021 using PubMed and EMBASE databases. The following keywords were used: (“COVID-19 vaccine”) AND (“stroke”), (“COVID-19 vaccine”) AND (“thrombotic thrombocytopenia”). We have selected all cases of ischemic stroke in VITT. Results: Our study included 24 patients. The majority of the patients were females (79.2%) and younger than 60 years of age (median age 45.5 years). Almost all patients (96%) received the first dose of an adenoviral vector-based vaccine. Ischemic stroke was the presenting symptom in 18 patients (75%). Splanchnic venous thrombosis was found in 10 patients, and cerebral venous thrombosis in 5 patients (21%). Most patients (87.5%) had an anterior circulation stroke, mainly involving MCA. Seventeen patients (71%) had an intracranial LVO. We found a high prevalence of large intraluminal thrombi (7 patients) and free-floating thrombus (3 patients) in extracranial vessels, such as the carotid artery, in the absence of underlying atherosclerotic disease. Acute reperfusion therapy was performed in 7 of the 17 patients with LVO (41%). One patient with a normal platelet count underwent intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase, while 6 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy. A malignant infarct occurred in 9 patients and decompressive hemicraniectomy was performed in 7 patients. Five patients died (21%). Conclusion: Our study points out that, in addition to cerebral venous thrombosis, adenoviral vector-based vaccines also appear to have a cerebral arterial thrombotic risk, and clinicians should be aware that ischemic stroke with LVO, although rare, could represent a clinical presentation of VITT.
Non-Hunner’s Interstitial Cystitis Is Different from Hunner’s Interstitial Cystitis and May Be Curable by Uterosacral Ligament Repair
Authors: Goeschen Klaus , Gold Darren M. , Liedl Bernhard , Yassouridis Alexander , Petros Peter
Published: May 2022

Background: The posterior fornix syndrome (PFS) was first described in 1993 as a predictably occurring group of symptoms: chronic pelvic pain (CPP), urge, frequency, nocturia, emptying difficulties/urinary retention, caused by uterosacral ligament (USL) laxity, and cured by repair thereof. Summary: Our hypothesis was that non-Hunner’s interstitial cystitis (IC) and PFS are substantially equivalent conditions. The primary objective was to determine if there was a causal relationship between IC and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The secondary objective was to assess whether other pelvic symptoms were present in patients with POP-related IC and if so, which ones? How often did they occur? A retrospective study was performed in 198 women who presented with CPP, uterine/apical prolapse (varying degrees), and PFS symptoms, all of whom had been treated by posterior USL sling repair. We compared their PFS symptoms with known definitions of IC, CPP, and bladder symptoms. To check our hypothesis for truth or falsity, we used a validated questionnaire, “simulated operations” (mechanically supporting USLs with a vaginal speculum test to test for reduction of urge and pain), transperineal ultrasound and urodynamics. Key Messages: 198 patients had CPP and 313 had urinary symptoms which conformed to the definition for non-Hunner’s IC. The cure rate after USL sling repair was CPP 74%, urge incontinence 80%, frequency 79.6%, abnormal emptying 53%, nocturia 79%, obstructive defecation 80%. Our findings seem to support our hypothesis that non-Hunner’s IC and PFS may be similar conditions; also, non-Hunner IC/BPS may be a separate or lesser disease entity from “Hunner lesion disease”. More rigorous scientific investigation, preferably by RCT, will be required.
Successful and Prompt Treatment with Tepotinib for Lung Adenocarcinoma Harboring MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutation Combined with Lung Abscess Formation: A Case Report
Authors: Makimoto Go , Shimonishi Atsushi , Ohashi Kadoaki , Ninomiya Kiichiro , Higo Hisao , Kato Yuka , Fujii Masanori , Kubo Toshio , Ichihara Eiki , Hotta Katsuyuki , Tabata Masahiro , Maeda Yoshinobu , Kiura Katsuyuki
Published: May 2022

Tepotinib, the novel MET-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, shows an antitumor effect for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring MET exon 14 skipping mutation. In January 2022, the AmoyDx® Pan Lung Cancer polymerase chain reaction Panel (AmoyDx® panel), which had a shorter turnaround time than the conventional test, was launched in Japan as a tepotinib companion test. We report a patient with an advanced MET-mutant NSCLC promptly diagnosed using the AmoyDx® panel and successfully treated with tepotinib. Although the patient’s performance status (PS) worsened due to the rapid tumor progression and lung abscess formation, the tumor shrank immediately after tepotinib treatment with marked PS improvement.
Successful Anesthetic Management of a Ruptured Aorta Complicating Aortic Dissection following Emergency Cesarean Section: A Case Report
Authors: Nour Nadine Borhan Mahmoud , Samad Aijaz Abdus , Kummelil Molly Alex , AlQedrah Deena Mohammad , Shafaamri Mamoun
Published: May 2022

A 30-year-old woman who underwent emergency cesarean section due to fetal distress, in our hospital, was admitted to the intensive care unit for close observation because of tachycardia and suspected sepsis. In the intensive care unit, the patient was reintubated and resuscitation started due to unstable hemodynamics and clinical picture of hypovolemic shock and suspected septic shock. Emergency laparotomy, with a multidisciplinary team of obstetric, general, and vascular surgeons, revealed a large retroperitoneal hematoma and a big 3–4 cm long tear with a ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic wall. Vascular surgeons resected the dissected and ruptured part of the aorta and repaired it with a synthetic graft. The anesthetic management included massive blood and blood product transfusion, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, management of hypotension, hypertension, and transient pulmonary edema due to aortic clamping and massive transfusion. The patient was further managed in the intensive care unit and underwent multiple surgeries due to anterior abdominal wall wound and sequelae. She was finally discharged home, after 66 days, in stable condition.
Candeias e a Boca: registros domésticos e filmes-álbum – matérias da memória
Authors: Carneiro Gabriel Henrique de Paula
Published: May 2022

O artigo investiga como Ozualdo Candeias, tendo como partida os documentários ...a rua chamada Triumpho 969/70 (1971), ...a rua chamada Triumpho 970/71 (1971) e Bocadolixocinema (1976), registra e trabalha a memória (e o dever da memória) sobre a Boca do lixo, a partir das ideias de filmes domésticos, filmes-álbum e filmes de compilação.
Entre Japão, Brasil e México: circulações, conexões e transferências
Authors: Okano Michiko , Kawahara Yuko
Published: May 2022

Este artigo trata das mobilidades e circulações de artistas ocorridas entre Brasil e Japão e entre México e Japão, não apenas dos imigrantes, mas também daqueles que permaneceram nesses países provisoriamente. A pesquisa pauta-se na visão da história global, cujo foco transcende as fronteiras nacionais, e aposta nas aderências, transferências e conexões estabelecidas em rede. Deslocam-se objetos e seres humanos e, com eles, os pensamentos; no caso artístico, as técnicas, temáticas e os suportes que são inseridos em novos trabalhos de uma nova realidade cultural. Busca-se identificar as formas de deslocamento, das circulações e as relações engendradas nas obras artísticas, em suas diferentes dinâmicas, no Brasil, no México e no Japão, por meio de alguns artistas nipo-brasileiros e nipo-mexicanos.
Implementation of Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy in primary care
Authors: Mattos Maria Isabel Perez , Mosqueiro Bruno Paz , Stuart Scott , Salum Giovanni , Duzzo Rosana de Lima , Souza Laura Wolf de , Chini Ariane , Fleck Marcelo Pio de Almeida
Published: May 2022

OBJECTIVE To show the implementation process of IPT-G in primary care, including facilitating and obstructing factors, implementation strategies, and training and supervision of primary care professionals. METHODS Quantitative (cross-sectional and longitudinal) analysis of pre and post-knowledge tests; qualitative analyses of the training courses; patient recruitment; conduction of IPT-G sessions; supervision of IPT-G therapists; application of a semi-structured questionnaire to assess, investigate, and develop strategies against the identified barriers. RESULTS About 120 clinicians answered the pre-test; 84 completed the post-test. Pre- and post-test scores of IPT-G knowledge were significantly different. Twenty initially trained clinicians completed additional supervision in IPT-G. Qualitative analysis identified twelve barriers and six facilitators to IPT-G implementation in individual, organizational, and systemic contexts. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of IPT-G in primary care is a complex process with several steps. In the first step, health professionals were successfully trained in IPT-G. However, subsequent steps were more complex. Therefore, careful planning of IPT-G implementation is essential to maximize the success of this innovation.
Endothelial Cell TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-Beta) Signaling Regulates Venous Adaptive Remodeling to Improve Arteriovenous Fistula Patency
Authors: Taniguchi Ryosuke , Ohashi Yuichi , Lee Jung Seok , Hu Haidi , Gonzalez Luis , Zhang Weichang , Langford John , Matsubara Yutaka , Yatsula Bogdan , Tellides George , Fahmy Tarek M. , Hoshina Katsuyuki , Dardik Alan
Published: May 2022

Background:

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the gold standard for vascular access for hemodialysis. Although the vein must thicken and dilate for successful hemodialysis, excessive wall thickness leads to stenosis causing AVF failure. Since TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta) regulates ECM (extracellular matrix) deposition and smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation—critical components of wall thickness—we hypothesized that disruption of TGF-β signaling prevents excessive wall thickening during venous remodeling.

Methods:

A mouse aortocaval fistula model was used. SB431542—an inhibitor of TGF-β receptor I—was encapsulated in nanoparticles and applied to the AVF adventitia in C57BL/6J mice. Alternatively, AVFs were created in mice with conditional disruption of TGF-β receptors in either SMCs or endothelial cells. Doppler ultrasound was performed serially to confirm patency and to measure vessel diameters. AVFs were harvested at predetermined time points for histological and immunofluorescence analyses.

Results:

Inhibition of TGF-β signaling with SB431542-containing nanoparticles significantly reduced p-Smad2–positive cells in the AVF wall during the early maturation phase (days 7–21) and was associated with decreased AVF wall thickness that showed both decreased collagen density and decreased SMC proliferation. SMC-specific TGF-β signaling disruption decreased collagen density but not SMC proliferation or wall thickness. Endothelial cell–specific TGF-β signaling disruption decreased both collagen density and SMC proliferation in the AVF wall and was associated with reduced wall thickness, increased outward remodeling, and improved AVF patency.

Conclusions:

Endothelial cell–targeted TGF-β inhibition may be a translational strategy to improve AVF patency.
Early Neurologic Deterioration with Symptomatic Isolated Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion: A Cohort Study, Systematic Review, and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Khazaal Ossama , Neale Natalie , Acton Emily K. , Husain Muhammad R. , Kung David , Cucchiara Brett , Kasner Scott E.
Published: May 2022

Background

Acute endovascular revascularization for isolated internal carotid occlusion without tandem intracranial occlusion has been proposed to prevent early neurologic deterioration (END) and improve outcome, but has not been shown to be more effective than medical therapy. We aimed to evaluate prognosis with initial medical therapy alone, and also performed a systematic review to put these results in a broader context.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted over a 2‐year period with acute stroke/transient ischemic attack due to isolated internal carotid artery occlusion. Subjects with tandem intracranial occlusion or Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) ≤5 were excluded. The primary outcome was END within 48 hours (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] increase ≥4 persisting for ≥24 hours). Secondary outcomes included discharge NIHSS and disposition. We also performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of published studies along with the data from our cohort.

Results

Twenty‐three patients met our inclusion criteria. Median age was 69 years, initial Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score 10, and NIHSS score 3. END attributed to recurrent ischemia occurred in 5/23 patients (22%, 95% CI: 7%–44%). At discharge, 78% had a favorable outcome with a median NIHSS of 2 (interquartile range 1–3). END appeared more frequent in those with higher baseline NIHSS. In our systematic review, 7 prior studies met our inclusion criteria. END occurred in 17% (95% CI: 12%–23%) of patients, 18% with medical therapy versus 13% with endovascular therapy, with substantial heterogeneity among studies.

Conclusion

In patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack due to isolated internal carotid occlusion, END is relatively common (occurring in about 1 out of 6 patients). Further research is needed to evaluate the roles of maximal medical management or acute endovascular thrombectomy in these patients.
A Neighborhood Framework for Resource-Lean Content Flagging
Authors: Sarwar Sheikh Muhammad , Zlatkova Dimitrina , Hardalov Momchil , Dinkov Yoan , Augenstein Isabelle , Nakov Preslav
Published: May 2022

We propose a novel framework for cross- lingual content flagging with limited target- language data, which significantly outperforms prior work in terms of predictive performance. The framework is based on a nearest-neighbor architecture. It is a modern instantiation of the vanilla k-nearest neighbor model, as we use Transformer representations in all its components. Our framework can adapt to new source- language instances, without the need to be retrained from scratch. Unlike prior work on neighborhood-based approaches, we encode the neighborhood information based on query– neighbor interactions. We propose two encoding schemes and we show their effectiveness using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Our evaluation results on eight languages from two different datasets for abusive language detection show sizable improvements of up to 9.5 F1 points absolute (for Italian) over strong baselines. On average, we achieve 3.6 absolute F1 points of improvement for the three languages in the Jigsaw Multilingual dataset and 2.14 points for the WUL dataset.
Calea repanda (Asteraceae: Neurolaeneae), a new species and novel characters for the taxonomy of the genus
Authors: BUENO VINICIUS R. , GOSTEL MORGAN R. , HEIDEN GUSTAVO
Published: May 2022

We describe a new species, Calea repanda, from Brazil and discuss novel morphological characters for the taxonomy of this genus. This new species is morphologically similar to C. gentianoides and C. diamantinensis but is distinct due to repand (vs. entire) leaf margins, radiate (vs. discoid) capitulum, larger involucre 12.2–12.7 × 10.6–12 mm (vs. 5.5–9.4 × 2.7–5.2 mm), disc florets 30–40 (vs. 3–9), and fewer pappus scales 7–10 (vs. 15–20). Calea repanda is endemic to the Diamantina plateau in Minas Gerais state, Southeastern Brazil. We provide a map with the geographic occurrence of this species, an illustration with diagnostic characters, and the first taxonomic key for species of C. sect. Calea from Brazil. Furthermore, we propose a more detailed terminology to describe the proportion of the number of paleae and disc florets in the capitulum receptacle.
Validation of the name Spiradiclis elliptica (Rubiaceae), a new species endemic to southwestern China
Authors: CAI JIA-HUA , SHUI YU-MIN , SONG XIAO-FEI , WU LEI
Published: May 2022

The name Spiradiclis elliptica Y.M.Shui & W.H.Chen is validly published here according to the Article 39.1 of ICN. Many detailed morphological characters as well as an illustration are also supplemented for further taxonomic identification. This new species is characterized by its persistent, ovate to ovate-oblong, 7–10 mm long stipules, and oblong to ovate-oblong, white or sometimes pink bracts with rounded apices. The conservation status was assessed as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.
A new combination in Wedelia (Asteraceae-Heliantheae-Ecliptinae) from Brazil
Authors: REMOR DANIELLE , BERNARDO DE A. BRINGEL JR. JOÃO , FLORIANO B. PASTORE JOSÉ
Published: May 2022

An overlooked name Aster monanthus, described in Vellozo’s Flora Fluminensis, is here revised and transferred to the genus Wedelia, as W. monantha. Field trips to the most likely original locality for Aster monanthus (Estrada Real in the Cunha municipality of São Paulo state, Brazil), along with a revision of herbarium specimens, were made. A full species description, with a distribution map and taxonomic notes, is provided. All relevant names have been lectotypified and an epitype for Vellozo’s name chosen.
Macromia siamensis, a new species from North Thailand (Odonata: Anisoptera: Macromiidae)
Authors: MAKBUN NOPPADON
Published: May 2022

Macromia siamensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on male specimens collected from Ban Luang, Chom Thong, Chiang Mai province, Thailand. Macromia siamensis sp. nov. shares the hammer-shaped tip of posterior hamulus with M. amphigena Selys, 1871, M. sombui Vick, 1988, M. cydippe Laidlaw, 1922, M. vangviengensis Yokoi et Mitamura, 2002, M. clio Ris, 1916, M. malleifera Lieftinck, 1955, and M. macula Zhou, Wang, Shuai & Liu, 1994, but it differs from all of the mentioned species by a set of coloration characters including antehumeral stripe, abdominal pattern and facial markings.
Lectotype designation, redescription, and synonymy of Homonyx cupreus Guérin-Méneville, 1839 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini)
Authors: MONDACA JOSÉ
Published: May 2022

A syntype of Homonyx cupreus Guérin-Méneville, 1839 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) was located, studied, and designated a lectotype. As the original description lacking adequate diagnostic characters, the species is redescribed based on the lectotype and on specimens of Homonyx collected in Brazil that are conspecific with H. cupreus. Diagnostic characters and photographs of the type and non-type specimens are presented, and its true distribution in South America is established. Based on morphology and examination of type specimens, Homonyx chalceus bahianus Ohaus, 1913 is a new junior synonym of Homonyx cupreus.
Burmagomphus chaukulensis, a new species of dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India
Authors: JOSHI SHANTANU , SAWANT DATTAPRASAD , OGALE HEMANT , KUNTE KRUSHNAMEGH
Published: May 2022

We describe a new species of dragonfly, Burmagomphus chaukulensis sp. nov., based on four males and two females from Chaukul, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra located in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot of India. The newly described species is diagnosed from its congeners by a combination of following characters: the shape of male caudal appendages (prominent lateral spines on cerci) and the lateral thoracic markings (stripe on mesepisternum reduced and pointed anteriorly). Additionally, B. chaukulensis is unique in terms of the shape of hamuli, strongly angulated with spines at both sides. An updated identification key to Indian Burmagomphus spp. is also provided.
A Partisan Pandemic: How COVID-19 Was Primed for Polarization
Authors: Hegland Austin , Zhang Annie Li , Zichettella Brianna , Pasek Josh
Published: May 2022

Americans who affiliate with both major political parties rapidly formed diverging attitudes about the COVID-19 pandemic. Matters of scientific concern have elicited partisan reactions in the past, but partisan divergence of opinion on those issues occurred over decades rather than months. We review evidence on factors that led to polarization of previous scientific issues in an effort to explain why reactions diverged so quickly this time around. We then use publicly available survey data to reveal that partisan reactions to the pandemic were closely associated with trust in public health institutions, that the association between partisanship and trust increased over time, and that the conflation of trust and partisanship appears to largely explain polarized reactions to COVID-19. We also investigate the hypothesis that conservative media use might explain polarization but find that the hypothesis is not supported by our data.
Studying Science Inequities: How to Use Surveys to Study Diverse Populations
Authors: Bayes Robin , Druckman James N. , Safarpour Alauna C.
Published: May 2022

Scholars have long documented unequal access to the benefits of science among different groups in the United States. Particular populations, such as low-income, non–white people, and Indigenous people, fare worse when it comes to health care, infectious diseases, climate change, and access to technology. These types of inequities can be partially addressed with targeted interventions aimed at facilitating access to scientific information. Doing so requires knowledge about what different groups think when it comes to relevant scientific topics. Yet data collection efforts for the study of most science-based issues do not include enough respondents from these populations. We discuss this gap and offer an overview of pertinent sampling and administrative considerations in studying underserved populations. A sustained effort to study diverse populations, including through community partnerships, can help to address extant inequities.
Erector Spinae Plane Blocks for Traumatic Rib Fractures: A Prospective, Interventional Study
Authors: Palachick Benjamin J. , Carver Ryan A. , Byars Donald V. , Martyak Michael T. , Collins Jay N.
Published: May 2022

Background

Rib fractures are present in 10% of all trauma patients and 30% of patients with significant chest trauma. Pain from rib fractures results in decreased respiratory effort which can lead to atelectasis and potentially pneumonia and death. Pain control is therefore of utmost importance in preventing the complications of rib fractures by improving respiratory function. Erector spinae plane blocks (ESPB) have been effectively used in elective surgery with subjective and objective improvements in pain.

Materials and Methods

We sought to evaluate subjective pain and objective evaluation of respiratory effort by way of incentive spirometry levels after administration of an ESPB for patients with rib fractures. Our trauma service applied ESPB over 2 years in patients with rib fractures. Ultrasound guidance was used to administer 50cc of a long-acting local anesthetic at the transverse process underneath the erector spinae muscle group. Evaluation of pain scores and incentive spirometry levels were measured prior to and after the ESPB.

Results

In total, we obtained data from 45 patients. Mean pre-pain scores were 7.93 with post-pain scores of 4.47 (p < 0.001). Mean pre-block incentive spirometry volumes were 1160 cc with post-block IS of 1495cc (p 0.035). There were no associated complications.

Discussion

ESPBs are safe and significantly reduce pain scores and increased incentive spirometry volumes after administration. They are easy to perform and can be done by the trauma service, including trainees. ESPB has the potential to reduce pulmonary complications of rib fractures, as well as subjectively improving pain experienced by our trauma patients. Based on our results, we recommend this block as an adjunct to multimodal analgesia for patients with rib fractures.
Book review: Amish Raj Mulmi, All Roads Lead North: Nepal’s Turn to China
Authors: Jose Jelvin
Published: May 2022

Amish Raj Mulmi, All Roads Lead North: Nepal’s Turn to China (Context/Hurst, 2021), p. 320, ISBN: 939-0679095, ISBN13: 978-9390679096 Hardcover.
Helicopter Services in India: Evidence from Northeastern States
Authors: Tripathi S.N. , Alok V.N. , Panda Pradeep Kumar
Published: May 2022

The helicopter service in Northeast (NE) India was introduced in 1992–1993 to provide connectivity to passengers in remote areas of the region and with other states and union territories of India at affordable cost. It also intended to evacuate people during natural calamities and medical emergencies. By the year 2021, the helicopter services were operational in seven NE states, namely, Arunachal Pradesh (1995), Sikkim (1998), Meghalaya (1999), Tripura (2002), Nagaland (2007), Mizoram (2012) and Manipur (2018). The article intends to examine the efficiency and usefulness of the helicopter scheme in the North Eastern Region, to find out the extent to which the scheme has facilitated connectivity for different layers of end-users and to identify the key bottlenecks and challenges faced during the implementation of the scheme. With positivist frame of evaluation, both quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used for data collection and analysis. The study was conducted in seven states, and a total of 384 respondents was sampled. During the period 2016–2017, 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, the budget sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs for the scheme was ₹86 crore, ₹86 crore and ₹90 crore, respectively, which had been fully utilised by the state governments. During 2019–2020, ₹100 crore was sanctioned, and the entire amount was utilised. The budget amount was reduced to ₹42 crore in the year 2020–2021. From 2016–2017 to 2019–2020, the overall efficiency in Northeastern Region was a positive trend; although, it declined in 2018–2019 due to a significant decline in the number of passengers in Nagaland and Sikkim despite a marginal decline in the input variable, that is, number of flying hours. Among the sampled beneficiaries, women’s participation was 22%, SCs represented 24%, and STs and OBCs represented 31% and 12%, respectively. This shows that the scheme is inclusive. In addition, the flying hours were optimally utilised, and scheme catered to the designated objectives.
Fixating on the future: An overview of increased astrology use
Authors: Das Abhilasha , Sharma Manoj Kumar , Kashyap Himani , Gupta Srijita
Published: May 2022

Background:

Interest in astrology has surged recently, possibly due to the uncertain conditions in the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While belief in astrology is common and socially legitimized in many cultures, a few instances of excessive engagement with astrological services or “fortune-telling addiction” are indicating a risk of adverse mental health consequences.

Aim:

To understand the existing research base on correlates of belief in astrology and fortune-telling. Method: We have carried out a scoping review to synthesize the available literature base on belief in astrology and to review the evidence for “fortune-telling addiction” using Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework. Databases of PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and SCOPUS were searched for relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals.

Results:

The search findings revealed the association of belief in astrology with cognitive, personality, and psychological factors such as thinking style, self-concept verification, and stress. Case studies on “fortune-telling addiction” have conceptualized it as a possible behavioral addiction and have reported symptoms such as distress, cravings, and salience.

Conclusions:

However, further research on the condition along with its psychosocial determinants is necessary for the development of preventative and curative intervention efforts.
Thermal conductivity of crack-containing media: A numerical study
Authors: Shen Yu-Lin , Abdo Mohammad G , Van Rooyen Isabella J
Published: May 2022

The present study aims to evaluate the effective thermal conduction behavior of crack-containing media through micromechanical modeling. Numerical analyses were performed using the finite element method, first using periodic arrays of elliptical pores and then reducing the elliptical minor axis to reach the crack limit. This parametric approach was seen to be able to capture the effect of discontinuity across the crack face in a straightforward manner. The overall thermal conductivity of the model structures, encompassing a range of crack densities and spatial distributions, was investigated. It was found that, for cracks with mixed orientations, the effective thermal conductivity is insensitive to the actual crack alignment and can be uniquely represented by the crack density. The mixed-orientation periodic crack configurations are also representative of random sizes, orientations, and spatial distributions of cracks, thus exhibiting a high degree of generality. The modeling analyses can also be used to determine simple empirical expressions for two- and three-dimensional media containing random cracks.
“I Can Help Them Become Better Teachers, But I Can’t Help Them With Educative Teacher Performance Assessment”: Cooperating Teachers’ Knowledge and Experience of the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment in Physical and Health Education
Authors: Parkes Craig , Holden Shelley L. , O’Leary Nick , Brunsdon Jamie
Published: May 2022

Utilizing a thematic analysis approach, this case study investigated cooperating teachers’ (CTs) knowledge and experience of the educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) in physical and health education. Participants were 14 certified physical education (PE) and/or health education CTs from a single school district in Alabama. Data were collected through one-on-one interviews; Nvivo software was employed to store, organize, and code the data, and data analysis utilized analytic induction and constant comparison techniques. Five themes emerged regarding edTPA preparation of these participants: (a) a lack of teacher training and resources, (b) receipt of informal information from teacher candidates (TCs), (c) perceptions of providing inadequate support, (d) CT experience with obtaining parental waivers and class recordings, and (e) a perceived edTPA tradeoff of increased stress for teacher development. There was a clear need in this district to: (a) better promote edTPA training opportunities, (b) consider compulsory edTPA training for CTs who supervised TCs, (c) share edTPA training handouts and resources with CTs, and (d) ensure that university faculty clearly communicate edTPA requirements to CTs.
‘A top secret relationship’: Muslim–Christian courtships in Ceuta’s convivencia
Authors: Sadegh Ibtisam
Published: May 2022

Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African Mediterranean coast, is a place of quotidian coexistence between Muslims, Christians, and smaller numbers of Hindus and Jews. The Ceutan government, in response to the dense heterogeneous population, extolled discourse of convivencia, which celebrates the diverse ethno-religious groups living peacefully together. Today, convivencia permeates all aspects of Ceutan political, social, and economic life. Within this pervasive discourse, interreligious couples are regarded as the epitome of convivencia, and yet, at a familial level, they remain frowned upon for crossing socio-religious and political boundaries. This article studies how through secrecy and tactical secret-sharing, Muslim–Christian couples successfully initiate, construct, and transform their intimacy into marriage or cohabitation. Based on extensive ethnographic research and interviews with Ceutan and Ceutan-peninsular interreligious couples, this article concludes that secret courtships provide mixed couples a space and time vital for negotiating their differences, while navigating the overarching socio-religious and political structures.
Predictors of Anaemia Prevalence Among Ghanaian Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Akowuah Jones Asafo , Owusu-Addo Ebenezer , Opuni Ama Antwiwaa
Published: May 2022

Anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern. Despite its wide scope and adverse effects including increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and long-term adverse effects on the newborn, appropriate interventions using upstream approaches to public health have largely not been implemented. This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of anaemia among pregnant women in four health facilities in the Kwabre East Municipality. A cross-sectional survey with a two-stage sampling technique was conducted on 220 pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the selected health facilities. Interview-based structured questionnaires were used. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors. The prevalence of anaemia was 11.4%. Few women (25) were anaemic and morphologically, 14 (56%) had normocytic normochromic anaemia and 9 (36%) had microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Iron deficiency was reported in 19 (8.6%) pregnant women. Independent predictors of anaemia were iron sulphate intake (AOR [95% CI] = 3.16 [1.15, 7.37], ANC follow-up during pregnancy (AOR [95% CI] = 3.07 [1.59, 7.99], household size of ≥5 (AOR [95% CI] = 3.58 [1.75, 9.52], folic acid intake (AOR [95% CI] = 5.29 [2.65, 12.39] and the period in pregnancy AOR [95% CI] = ≥36 weeks 3.2 (1.3-4.5). Though anaemia prevalence has been low in urban areas as previously reported, collaborated healthcare measures that aim at eradicating the menace are encouraged. Maternal healthcare interventions including the administration of folic acid, regular iron sulphate intake and intensive education on early ANC are recommended.
Racial discrimination, low trust in the health system and COVID-19 vaccine uptake: a longitudinal observational study of 633 UK adults from ethnic minority groups
Authors: Paul Elise , Fancourt Daisy , Razai Mohammad
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To examine whether racial/ethnic discrimination predicts future COVID-19 vaccine refusal, and whether this association is explained by trust in government and the health system.

Design

Longitudinal observational study of racial/ethnic discrimination occurring since the start of the first lockdown (measured in July 2020) and later COVID-19 vaccine status.

Setting

UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

Participants

A total of 633 adults belonging to ethnic minority groups who took part in the UCL COVID-19 Social Study.

Main outcome measures

COVID-19 vaccine refusal (vs. accepted/waiting/had at least one dose) between 23 December 2020 and 14 June 2021.

Results

Nearly 1 in 10 (6.69%) who had refused a COVID-19 vaccine had experienced racial/ethnic discrimination in a medical setting since the start of the pandemic and had experienced twice as many incidents of racial/ethnic discrimination than those who had accepted the vaccine. Structural equation modelling results indicated a nearly four fold (odds ratio = 3.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.40 to 10.92) total effect of racial/ethnic discrimination on refusing the vaccine which was mediated by low trust in the health system to handle the pandemic (odds ratio = 2.49, 95% confidence interval = 1.12 to 5.39). Analyses adjusted for a range of demographic and COVID-19 related factors.

Conclusions

Findings underscore the importance of addressing racial/ethnic discrimination and the role the National Health Service in regaining trust from ethnic minority groups to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among ethnic minority adults.
Relatedness, Complexity, and Economic Growth in Chinese Cities
Authors: Li Yingcheng , Rigby David
Published: May 2022

Innovation is generally regarded as critical to long-run economic growth. Recent work, at different spatial scales, suggests economies that develop more complex technologies that are related to their existing knowledge stocks enjoy a growth premium. Thus, “smarter” forms of innovation may accelerate growth. These claims are examined using Chinese patent data distributed across 286 cities over the period 1991–2015. Fixed-effects panel models report that city-level GDP growth in China has a significant and positive relationship with diversification into more related and complex technologies, after controlling for the overall pace of innovation and other covariates. Robustness checks focusing on spatial autocorrelation and endogeneity affirm the core findings.
The Origins of American Test-Based Educational Accountability and Controversies About Its Impact, 1970–1983
Authors: Rury John L. , Belew Ryan , Hurst Jennifer
Published: May 2022

Background and Context:

Statewide test-based accountability in the United States began with minimum competency assessments in public schools during the 1970s, starting in Florida and other Southern states. Controversies over IQ (intelligence quotient) testing contributed to the development of “criterion-referenced” exams that became the principal form of assessment for such purposes. These developments provoked considerable discussion, much of it focused on the high failure rates on such tests, disproportionally borne by ethnic and racial minority students. Controversy over these events eventually led to a formal debate sponsored by the National Institute of Education (NIE), and a federal lawsuit that established the legality of such assessment regimes.

Purpose:

This article is a historical account of the rise of standardized testing for school accountability in the United States and the controversies that it entailed in the years before 1983. It highlights events in Florida, which set the tone for developments elsewhere with a high school exit exam. It also describes controversies within the measurement field about statewide tests as graduation requirements. In addition, it considers the response of policymakers to criticism of test-based accountability, setting the stage for developments leading to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) era.

Research Design:

The research for this study was historical in orientation, employing a combination of primary (contemporaneous) and secondary (subsequent) documents, along with published research, to construct an interpretive account in narrative form. This process yielded an explanatory frame highlighting debates over the proper use and practical impact of standardized testing for accountability purposes. The results generally comported with other historical accounts of the period, even as they provided a considerably more detailed record of relevant events and principal actors.

Conclusion:

This historical account places the origins of test-based accountability a decade earlier than A Nation at Risk (1983), often considered its impetus. Florida became the first state to establish a comprehensive testing system for accountability, and other Southern states soon followed. This had a racially disparate impact on these states and others, depriving many thousands of African American and other students of high school diplomas. There is scant evidence that such tests appreciably raised achievement levels for all students, a widely proclaimed purpose of accountability regimes. Even so, test-based accountability remained a controversial cornerstone of educational reform proposals for decades to come, anticipating debates during the contentious NCLB years.
A living critique of domination: Exemplars of radical democracy from Black Lives Matter to #MeToo
Authors: Breaugh Martin , Caivano Dean
Published: May 2022

Building on recent developments in radical democratic theory, in this article we articulate and explore a fresh perspective for theorists and activists of radical democracy: a ‘living critique of domination’. Characterized by a two-fold analytical effort, a ‘living critique of domination’ calls for a radical critique of contemporary forms of power and control coupled with a reappraisal of emancipatory political experiences created by the political action of the Many. We demonstrate that this project responds to the theoretical and practical challenges faced by a politics of emancipation today. Our article offers a first articulation of this living critique through a discussion of three recent political experiences, namely, the 2016 French uprising, Nuit Debout, as well as the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements.