bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Model for Ecosystem Management Interpretation: Target Audiences on Military Lands
Authors: Jacobson Susan K. , Marynowski Susan B.
Published: September 2020

New interpretation models are necessary to address the human dimensions of ecosystem management goals. A model focusing on audience characteristics guided the development of an ecosystem management interpretive program targeting military leaders and planners at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida. Interpretive objectives and content areas were established with input from natural resource managers and data from baseline surveys of military decision makers. Key content areas for the interpretive program were (a) native and endangered species, (b) fire ecology, (c) ecosystems, and (d) forest resources and habitats. Interpretive media tested included print mass media, a color poster, golf course signs, a series of color brochures with a participatory component, and a video. Evaluative surveys showed significantly improved knowledge and attitudes in several content areas despite a high turnover of individuals in the target populations. Mass media were the most successful interpretive approach tested, resulting in increased knowledge and enhanced attitudes for both leaders and planners. Interpretive signs on the Eglin AFB golf course, targeting military leaders who reported golf as their main outdoor activity, were successful in improving knowledge of ecosystems and attitudes toward prescribed fire. Audience monitoring provides continued feedback for the interpretive program. These findings suggest that a model of interpretation focusing on audience attributes rather than site characteristics is useful for designing effective programs.
Capsular bag performance of a novel hydrophobic acrylic single-piece intraocular lens: Two-year results of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fișuș Andreea D , Hirnschall Nino D , Maedel Sophie , Fichtenbaum Maria , Draschl Petra , Findl Oliver
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

To determine the visual outcome, intraocular lens (IOL) stability and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) rate of a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens.

Setting:

Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria

Design:

This double-masked randomised study included patients who underwent standard cataract surgery.

Method:

Patients received either the hydrophobic acrylic IOL (iPure, PhysIOL) or the hydrophobic acrylic control IOL (Tecnis ZCB00, Johnson&Johnson). Subjective refraction, uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA, CDVA), IOL tilt and decentration (Purkinje meter) and PCO intensity using retroillumination images with automated image analysis (automated quantification of after-cataract, AQUA), were evaluated for both groups 2 years after surgery.

Results:

A total number of 31 patients completed the 2-year follow-up, 16 in the study group and 15 in the control group. The CDVA was 0.0 logMAR (standard deviation – SD: 0.1) for the study IOL and 0.1 logMAR (SD: 0.2) for the control IOL, p = 0.001. The AQUA PCO score for the study group was 2.1 and 1.4 for the control group, p = 0.44. Mean IOL tilt was 2.9° (SD: 1.8) in the study group and 5.0° (SD: 4.5) in the control group, whilst the mean decentration was 0.37 mm (SD: 0.18) and 0.45 mm (SD: 0.3), p = 0.610.

Conclusion:

The studied parameters revealed a good performance for both IOLs. Both IOLs had good CDVA, a small amount of tilt and decentration and none of the patients required laser capsulotomies during the follow-up time of 2 years after surgery. Presented at the 37th ESCRS Congress Paris, France, September 2019
Need for explantation of an intrastromal titan ring after penetrating keratoplasty in two patients
Authors: Xanthopoulou Kassandra , Milioti Georgia , Seitz Berthold
Published: September 2020

The most severe complications after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) include high astigmatism and immunological graft reaction. The introduction of the corneal intrastromal titan ring by Krumeich intended to reduce the incidence of both complications. We present two patients with keratoconus who referred to our department after a PKP combined with the implantation of an intrastromal ring. The first patient suffered from bulbar pain and headaches. The second patient suffered from postoperative high myopia, irregular astigmatism and was contact lens intolerant. In the first patient we recognized anterior movement of the ring inside the stroma and decided to remove it. The second patient was found to have extreme bulging of the transplant. We removed the ring and sequentially performed a repeat-PKP. In both patients the implantation of the ring failed to decrease the postoperative astigmatism and caused symptoms that affected the patients’ everyday life. Therefore, we recommend not to use this titan ring.
Analysis of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment for macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Balla Szabolcs , Zold Eszter , Potor Laszlo , Lukucz Balazs , Vajas Attila , Ujhelyi Bernadett , Nagy Valeria
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Our aim was to analyse the clinical effect of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment for macular oedema due to central/branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO/BRVO). The end points were final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), BCVA improvement, final central 1-mm macular subfield thickness (CST) and change in CST.

Methods:

Our study included 34 CRVO and 25 BRVO patients. Patients received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) treatment at our department. Our control group consisted of 50 CRVO and 30 BRVO patients, who had not received this treatment because their disease developed before the anti-VEGF treatment became available. For statistical analysis, two-sample t-test, Pearson’s correlation, and ANOVA were used. The level of significance was defined at p < 0.05.

Results:

With the two-sample t-test we found significant improvement of BCVA in the IVB-treated group (CRVO: 0.171 ± 0.270, p1 = 3.25×10-4; BRVO: 0.215 ± 0.282, p2 = 5.52×10-4). The difference in BCVA improvement was also significant compared to the control group (CRVO: p1 = 3.46×10-4; BRVO: p2 = 0.003). Significant decrease was observed in the CST in the treated group (CRVO: -345.114 ± 280.577, p1 = 6.94×10-9; BRVO: –151.875 ± 174.341, p2 = 1.67×10-4). In case of BRVO patients the final BCVA was significantly better in the treated group (0.617 ± 0.334) compared to the control group (0.406 ± 0.357), p = 0.016.

Conclusion:

IVB treatment results in significantly better final visual acuity and leads to significantly increased BCVA improvement compared to patients with RVO-induced macular oedema receiving no treatment.
The novel use of the Haemodialysis reliable outflow graft (HeRo®) in intestinal failure patients with end-stage vascular access
Authors: Dengu Fungai , Hunter James , Vrakas Georgios , Gilbert James
Published: September 2020

Intestinal failure (IF) patients are dependent on central venous access to receive parenteral nutrition. Longstanding central venous catheters are associated with life-threatening complications including infections and thromboses resulting in multiple line exchanges and the development ofprogressive central venous stenosis or occlusion. The Haemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) graft is an arterio-venous device that has been successfully used in haemodialysis patients with ‘end-stage vascular access’. We describe a case series of HeRO graft use in patients with IF and end-stage vascular access. Four HeRO grafts were inserted into IF patients with end-stage vascular access to facilitate or support intestinal transplantation. In all patients the HeRO facilitated immediate vascular access, supporting different combinations of parenteral nutrition, intravenous medications, fluids or renal replacement therapy with no bloodstream infections. In a highly complex group of IF patients with central venous stenosis/occlusion limiting conventional venous access or at risk of life-threatening catheter-related complications, a HeRO® graft can be a feasible alternative.
The organizational ecology of global governance
Authors: Lake David A
Published: September 2020

The ecology of governance organizations (GOs) matters for what is or is not governed, what legitimate powers any governor may hold, and whose political preferences are instantiated in rules. The array of actors who comprise the current system of global governance has grown dramatically in recent decades. Especially notable has been the growth of private governance organizations (PGOs). Drawing on organizational ecology, I posit that the rise of PGOs is both required and facilitated by disagreements between states that block the creation of what might be otherwise effective intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). In a form of “double-negative regulation,” states block IGOs, which in turn leave open niches that are then filled by PGOs, which then both complement and sometimes substitute for state law. The organizational ecology approach outlined here extends and refocuses inquiry in systematic ways that give us a fuller understanding of how and why PGOs have emerged as one of the most striking features of the contemporary world order. The key innovations in this paper are to (a) shift the level of analysis from single agents or populations of agents to the entire field of GOs, including states, IGOs, and PGOs and (b) draw on principles of ecology to understand the composition and dynamics of systems of governance.
‘Leaving the red Tories’: Ideology, leaders, and why party members quit
Authors: Barnfield Matthew , Bale Tim
Published: September 2020

What little research exists on why party members quit has tended to find that exit is driven primarily by political and ideological concerns. This research note builds on this, framing this finding theoretically and arguing that such theory should allow for the role of negative triggers – events that cause people to quit. We focus on the example of changes of leadership. Using data from four Party Members Project surveys, we find that British party members seem to leave parties mainly for political and ideological reasons, and because of disillusionment or disagreement with their leaders. This disillusionment, in turn, is often based on perceived ideological differences. We illustrate this with tweets by Labour members cancelling (or considering cancelling) their membership in the immediate wake of the election of Keir Starmer as party leader in April 2020.
Prehospital tele-electrocardiographic triage improves the management of acute coronary syndrome in rural populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lazarus Gilbert , Kirchner HL , Siswanto Bambang B
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients residing in rural areas are predisposed to higher risk of poor outcomes due to substantial delays in disease management, emphasising the importance of emerging telecardiology technologies in delivering emergency services in such settings. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impacts of prehospital telecardiology strategies on the clinical outcomes of rural ACS patients.

Methods

A literature search was performed of articles published up to April 2020 through six databases. Included studies were assessed for bias risk using the ROBINS-I tool, and a random-effects model was utilised to estimate effect sizes. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results

Twelve studies with a total of 3989 patients were included in this review. Prehospital telecardiology in the form of tele-electrocardiography (tele-ECG) enabled prompt diagnosis and triage, resulting in a decreased door-to-balloon (DTB) time (mean difference = –25.53 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) –36.08 to –14.97 minutes; I2 = 98%), as well as lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, 95% CI 0.36–0.92) and long-term mortality (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.39–0.69) rates, both with negligible heterogeneity ( I2 = 0%). GRADE assessment yielded very low to moderate certainty of evidence. Conclusion Prehospital tele-ECG appeared to be an effective and worthwhile approach in the management of rural ACS patients, as shown by moderate quality evidence on lower long-term mortality. Given the uncertainties of the evidence quality on DTB time and in-hospital mortality, future studies with a higher quality of evidence are required to confirm our findings.
Fans as transcultural gatekeepers: The hierarchy of BTS’ Anglophone Reddit fandom and the digital East-West media flow
Authors: Lynch Kimery S
Published: September 2020

This article describes how fandom organization on visibly hierarchical social media platforms differs from rhizomatic social media platforms. It discusses how Reddit’s hierarchical structure controls the flow of information into digital Anglophone K-pop fandoms, shedding light on this aspect of the East-West transcultural flow. Through analysis of comments and interviews with eight moderators of the K-pop group BTS’ subreddit (/r/bangtan), I show that when certain fans are in a position of power over other fans, they become digital gatekeepers. I argue that by becoming gatekeepers, these fans gain unlimited social capital and use it to control the content seen by the rest of the /r/bangtan community, much like a traditional news gatekeeper. Doing so controls what BTS content /r/bangtan users will continue to interact with, perceive, and further spread along this East-West flow. It also demonstrates a user desire for expert curators to filter out “fake news” for them.
State supervision, punishment and poverty: The case of drug bans on welfare receipt
Authors: Sheely Amanda
Published: September 2020

This article explores the relationship between supervisory approaches to governance, punishment, and poverty among people with drug convictions. Tying government assistance to supervision could improve employment and economic outcomes. However, if experienced as punishment, recipients may forgo financial assistance and be more likely to experience poverty. Using information on policies that restrict access to welfare for people with drug felony convictions in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), this paper makes two contributions. First, it documents state variation in the balance between supervision and punishment in these bans. Second, using data from NLSY97, it estimates how individuals’ likelihood of being in poverty is related to state SNAP drug ban policies. States have shifted away from overtly punitive policies denying access to welfare toward policies that increase supervisory requirements, especially for SNAP. This shows that punitiveness extends beyond work activation programs like TANF. Additionally, poverty among people with drug convictions is almost half in no ban states compared to those in full ban states. While poverty is lower in states that include supervisory requirements than in those for which a drug conviction fully blocks access to welfare, this difference was not statistically significant.
Invisible mechanical lap joints for metal–polymer laminates
Authors: Batista RJS , Pragana JPM , Bragança IMF , Silva CMA , Martins PAF
Published: September 2020

Joining by compression of metallic inserts has been recently developed by the authors to create invisible lap joints between metal and polymer laminates. This paper revisits the process with the objective of proposing a new type of bi-material (polymer–metal) cylindrical insert for lightweight construction applications that is capable of ensuring complete filling of the joint at the end of stroke without increasing the forming force and the risk of sheet bending. The presentation is built upon a combined experimental and finite element research work focused on the modes of deformation, formability limits, forming forces, and resistance strength that lap joints produced with the new bi-material cylindrical inserts are able to withstand before failing. Results allowed designing a simple and easy to fabricate bi-material cylindrical insert that overcomes the main problems that have been pointed out to the metallic inserts earlier proposed by the authors.
Detection of flavone C-glycosides in the extracts from the bark of Prunus avium L. and Prunus cerasus L.
Authors: Beszterda Monika , Frański Rafał
Published: September 2020

The extracts from the bark of Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus have been analyzed by using high pressure liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. For the first time in the bark of Prunus species flavonoid C-glycosides have been detected. On the basis of the characteristic fragmentation patterns of their [M-H]− and [M + H]+ ions, three flavonoid C-glycosides have been identified, namely apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside (vicenin-2), apigenin-6-C-glucoside (isovitexin) and chrysin-8-C-glucoside. Taking into account the widely studied biological activities of flavonoid C-glycosides, the barks of these common fruit trees seem to be interesting materials of potential medical or cosmetic application.
The Effects of Acupuncture on Cancer-Related Fatigue: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jang Andrew , Brown Chris , Lamoury Gillian , Morgia Marita , Boyle Frances , Marr Isobel , Clarke Stephen , Back Michael , Oh Byeongsang
Published: September 2020

Background

Several studies have identified fatigue as one of the major symptoms experienced during and after cancer treatment. However, there are limited options to manage cancer related fatigue (CRF) with pharmacological interventions. Several acupuncture studies suggested that acupuncture has a positive impact on CRF. This review aims to assess the evidence of acupuncture for the treatment of CRF.

Method

Electronic database searches were conducted on 4 English databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect). Search keywords were; “acupuncture” and “cancer,” or “cancer related fatigue.” Studies published as full text randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English were included. Estimates of change in fatigue cores were pooled using a random effects meta-analysis where randomized comparisons were available for true acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and true acupuncture versus usual care. The quality of original papers were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias (ROB).

Results

Nine RCTs were selected for review with a total of 809 participants and a range of 13 to 302 participants within the studies. Six RCTs reported significant improvement of CRF for the acupuncture intervention compared to the control groups. Pooled estimates suggest Brief Fatigue Inventory scores are 0.93 points lower 95% CI (−1.65, −0.20) in true acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and 2.12 points lower 95% C (−3.21, −1.04) in true acupuncture versus usual care. Six studies had low risk of bias (ROB) and 3 studies had a moderate ROB predominantly in blinding of participants, blinding of assessors and incomplete data outcomes. Among the 9 RCTs, 2 studies have reported the occurrence of minor adverse effects (spot bleeding and bruising) related to acupuncture treatment. No serious adverse reactions related to acupuncture were reported.

Conclusion

The current literature review suggests that acupuncture has therapeutic potential in management of CRF for cancer survivors. Promotion of acupuncture in cancer care to manage CRF may improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.
Overexpression of p53 accelerates puberty in high-fat diet–fed mice through Lin28/let-7 system
Authors: Chen Ting , Chen Cailong , Wu Haiying , Chen Xiuli , Xie Rongrong , Wang Fengyun , Sun Hui , Chen Linqi
Published: September 2020

High fat intake is one of the most important reasons of the surging prevalence of childhood obesity all over the world. Obesity and high fat intake have been revealed to cause premature activation of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis and central precocious puberty. The onset of puberty is controlled by neuroendocrine mechanisms containing overlapping and interacting gene networks. The latter contains five major transcriptional level hubs, among which the transcriptional factor p53, a well-established tumor suppressor protein, also plays a crucial role in obesity and metabolic disorders. In the current study, we repeated prior observations that high-fat diet advances vaginal opening in rodents and extended these findings by demonstrating that high-fat diet mice had higher expression of p53 in hypothalami than mice fed with normal chow. More importantly, in high-fat diet mice, hypothalamus-specific overexpression of p53 can make vaginal opening much earlier, while inhibition of p53 expression relatively delayed vaginal opening. The c-Myc and Lin28b levels increased, while let-7a mRNA levels decreased in the high-fat diet mice. Overexpression of p53 reduced c-Myc and Lin28b mRNA and protein levels, whereas elevated let-7a mRNA levels in high-fat diet mice. Inhibition of p53 expression by pifithrin-α elevated c-Myc and Lin28b but reduced let-7a levels in high-fat diet mice. In conclusion, high fat intake can accelerate the onset of puberty by up-regulation of p53 expression in hypothalamus. Overexpressed p53 may accelerate hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis activation partially through the c-Myc/Lin28/let-7 system.

Impact statement

High-fat intake and subsequent obesity are associated with premature onset of puberty, but the exact neuroendocrine mechanisms are still unclear. The transcriptional factor p53 has been predicted to be a central hub of the gene networks controlling the pubertal onset. Besides, p53 also plays crucial roles in metabolism. Here, we explored p53 in the hypothalami of mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), which showed an up-regulated expression. Besides, we also revealed that overexpressed p53 may accelerate hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activation partially through the c-Myc/Lin28/let-7 system. These results can deepen our understanding of the interaction between metabolic regulation and puberty onset control, and may shed light on the neuroendocrine mechanisms of obesity-related central precocious puberty.
The MANTA Vascular Closure Device for Percutaneous Femoral Vessel Cannulation in Minimally Invasive Surgical Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Van Praet Karel M. , Kofler Markus , Jacobs Stephan , Falk Volkmar , Unbehaun Axel , Kempfert Jörg
Published: September 2020

A 65-year-old Caucasian male was referred to our institution with severe mitral regurgitation due to posterior mitral leaflet prolapse. The patient underwent minimally invasive surgical mitral valve repair. Here we present the application of a new vascular closure device (MANTA) for percutaneous arterial access and closure.
Effect of silane treatment on mechanical properties and thermal behavior of bamboo fibers reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Wang Qianting , Zhang Yu , Liang Weikang , Wang Jianjie , Chen Youxin
Published: September 2020

In this work, the surface of the bamboo fibers (BF) was treated with three kinds of silane coupling agents terminated with amino functional groups (KH550), epoxy functional groups (KH560), and methyl functional groups (KH570) to improve fiber–matrix adhesion. The effects of silane treatment on the mechanical properties and thermal behavior of BF/polypropylene (PP) composites were investigated. Mechanical test results showed that the order of modification effectiveness was KH570 > KH550 > KH560. KH570 treated fiber composite exhibited the best mechanical properties. The tensile strength and flexural strength of 5 wt% KH570 treatment reached to 36.1 and 54.7 MPa, which were 15.4% and 23.6% higher than those of UBF/PP composites. Simultaneously, the thermal stability increased from 467.0°C (UBF) to 470.6°C (KH-570 treated BF). An increase in crystallization temperature (1.7°C) and a decrease in crystallinity (5.8%) occurred upon the addition of 5% KH570 silanes treated bamboo fibers.
In-situ observation on the influences of Ti on phase transformation of weld metal processed by high-heat input welding
Authors: Fengyu Song , Lingzhen Yao , Yanmei Li
Published: September 2020

The in-situ observation of the phase transformation processes of weld metal during high-heat input welding were carried out by a high temperature laser confocal microscope. The influences of Ti content on the phase transformation process were investigated. It was found that the Ti inclusions could act as the nucleation sites for α→γ transformation during the heating stage of welding thermo cycle and inhibit the growth of austenite grains. The number of inclusions was increased with increasing Ti content. During the cooling stage of welding thermo cycle, the inclusions could induce the nucleation of acicular ferrites when the Ti content was below 0.078%. With increasing Ti content, more acicular ferrites collided with each other and restricted their further growth. When the Ti content was increased up to 0.115%, a proportion of Ti atoms were dissolved in the matrix, which increased the hardenability and thus generated the lath bainite microstructure instead of acicular ferrite.
The association between computed tomography angiography timing and workflow times in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Dessens Femke M , Groot Adrien E , van der Veen Bas , Treurniet Kilian M , Majoie Charles BLM , Driessen-Waaijer Annet , Weinstein Henry C , Roos Yvo BWEM , Van den Berg-Vos Renske M , Coutinho Jonathan M , van Schaik Sander M
Published: September 2020

Background

In most hospitals, computed tomography angiography (CTA) is nowadays routinely performed in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, it is unclear whether CTA is best performed before or after start of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), since acquisition of CTA before IVT may prolong door-to-needle times, while acquisition after IVT may prolong door-to-groin times in patients undergoing endovascular treatment.

Methods

We performed a before-versus-after study (CTA following IVT, period I and CTA prior to IVT, period II), consisting of two periods of one year each. This study is based on a prospective registry of consecutive patients treated with IVT in two collaborating high-volume stroke centers; one primary stroke center and one comprehensive stroke center. The primary outcome was door-to-needle times. Secondary outcomes included door-to-groin times. Quantile regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between timing of CTA and workflow times, adjusted for prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 519 patients received IVT during the study period (246 in period I, 273 in period II). In the adjusted analysis, we found a nonsignificant 1.13 min median difference in door-to-needle times (95% confidence interval: 1.03–3.29). Door-to-groin times was significantly shorter in period II in both unadjusted and adjusted analysis with the latter showing a 19.16 min median difference (95% confidence interval: 3.08–35.24).

Conclusions

CTA acquisition prior to start of IVT did not adversely affect door-to-needle times. However, a significantly shorter door-to-groin times was observed in endovascular treatment eligible patients. Performing CTA prior to start of IVT seems the preferred strategy.
Influencing education in New Zealand through business think tank advocacy: Creating discourses of deficit
Authors: Bruce Ian
Published: September 2020

In this study, I examined 12 reports published by a neoliberal think tank proposing to reshape public education in New Zealand. In terms of the larger social processes and structures involved, the think tank’s self-declared positioning of this advocacy is that of a primary definer (Hall et al., 2013), ostensibly an expert voice, communicating through the media. My two research goals in this study were to identify the types of educational change being promoted and to uncover the discursive means employed. The sample of 12 reports, published from 2013 to 2018, comprised 647 pages of text. I performed three types of analysis: thematic analysis to identify the ideology of the advocacy, genre analysis of their discursive resources and corpus analysis. The thematic findings reveal proposals to reshape public education through performativity, managerialism and marketization. The genre analysis found the reports followed the structure of the business case genre and drew on elements of business memos, data presentation, sound bite and opinion journalism. The corpus findings provide further linguistic evidence for the main themes.
Born digital: The Black lives matter movement and memory after the digital turn
Authors: Liebermann Yvonne
Published: September 2020

The dominance of traditional, institutionalized archives and memory platforms has been more and more challenged by the emergence of digital networks and “peer-to-peer” memory practices. This article argues that memory practices on social media platforms provide minority groups with affordances that established archives do not. Therefore, I will analyze tweets, Tumblr posts and a YouTube video in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement in the USA. Social media platforms can act as alternative archives to institutionalized archives and related systems of knowledge and power. While traditional archives focus on the representation of events, memory practices on social media platforms can also stress structural and slow forms of violence and their embeddedness in the everyday, point to historical continuities and make memories travel, thus establishing transnational and transcultural networks of mnemonic entanglements.
Inter- and intra-core laboratory variability in the quantitative coronary angiography analysis for drug-eluting stent treatment and follow up
Authors: Ito Shigenori , Kinoshita Kanako , Endo Akiko , Kami Ryoko , Kotake Yuko , Nakamura Masato
Published: September 2020

Aim:

To evaluate inter-core laboratory variability of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) parameters in comparison with intra-core laboratory variability in a randomized controlled trial evaluating drug-eluting stents.

Methods:

A total of 50 patients with 62 coronary lesions were analyzed by four analysis experts belonging to an Angiographic Core Laboratory (ACL: 1 expert) and a Cardiovascular Imaging Core Laboratory (CICL: 3 experts). QCA was based on the same standard operating procedure, but selections of projection and cine frames were at the discretion of each analyst. Inter- and intra-core laboratory variabilities were evaluated by accuracy, precision, Bland Altman analysis, and coefficient of variation.

Results:

Pre-MLD (minimal lumen diameter) was significantly smaller in results from ACL than those from all CICL experts. Number of analyzed projections did not affect pre-MLD results. Acute gain was larger in ACL than in CICL2. No significant difference was observed in late loss and loss index between inter-core laboratories. Agreement between core labs in the Bland-Altman analysis for each QCA parameter was as follows (mean difference, 95% limits of agreement): pre-MLD (–0.32, –0.74 to 0.10), stent MLD (0.08, –0.28 to 0.44), acute gain (0.22, –0.44 to 0.88), and late loss (–0.07, –0.69 to 0.55). Agreement between analysts in CICL (mean difference, 95% limits of agreement) was: pre MLD (–0.03, –0.37 to 0.31), stent MLD (0.15, –0.15 to 0.45), acute gain (0.05, –0.45 to 0.55), and late loss (0.04, –0.52 to 0.60). The widest limits of agreement among three analyses were shown in both analyses. Width of limited agreement in the intra-core laboratory analysis tended to be smaller than the inter-core laboratory analysis with these parameters. Coefficient of variation tended to be larger in lesion length (LL), acute gain, late loss, and loss index in inter- and in intra- core laboratory comparisons.

Conclusion:

Inter-core laboratory QCA variability in late loss and loss index analysis could be similar to intra-core laboratory variability, but more strict alignment between core laboratories would be necessary for initial procedural data analysis.
The food of life: an evaluation of the impact of cash grant receipt and good parenting on child nutrition outcomes in South Africa and Malawi
Authors: Sherr Lorraine , Roberts Kathryn J. , Mebrahtu Helen , Tomlinson Mark , Skeen Sarah , Cluver Lucie D.
Published: September 2020

Social protection interventions (inclusive of cash grant receipt and care provision) have been found to be effective in response to some of the negative implications of the HIV epidemic on children and families. This study explores the impact of cash grant receipt and care provision (operationalised as good parenting) on child nutritional outcomes. In this cross-sectional study, 854 children and younger adolescents (5–15 years) and caregivers affected by HIV, attending community-based organisations in South Africa and Malawi, were interviewed. Interviews comprised inventories on socio-demographic information, family data, cash grant receipt and child nutrition. Parenting was measured using a composite scale. Logistic regression and marginal effects analyses were used to explore the associations between differing levels of social protection (none; either cash or good parenting; cash and good parenting) and child nutritional outcomes. One hundred and sixty children (20.3%) received neither cash nor good parenting; 501 (63.5%) received either cash or good parenting and 128 (16.2%) received both cash and good parenting. In comparison to no intervention, receipt of either cash or good parenting was significantly associated with child non-stunting, the child having sufficient food, and the child not looking thin. Three (3/7) nutritional outcomes showed increased improvement amongst children receiving both cash and good parenting care including child-reported non-hunger, child non-stunting and parental report of sufficient food. Marginal effects analyses further identified an additive effect of cash and good parenting on child nutritional outcomes. This study indicates that receipt of combined cash and good parenting, when compared to cash grant receipt alone, has positive effects on nutrition-related child outcomes.
PD-L1 and prognosis in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: a meta-analysis and bioinformatics study
Authors: Jin Liu , Gu Weiling , Li Xueqin , Xie Liang , Wang Linhong , Chen Zhongwen
Published: September 2020

Background:

The prognostic value of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has been controversial according to previous investigations. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the potential prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression in MPM.

Methods:

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were thoroughly searched for relevant original articles published before 9 April 2020. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated. The results of the meta-analysis were verified using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset.

Results:

In total 16 studies were included in our meta-analysis. A high PD-L1 expression was associated with a poor OS (HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.28–1.83, p < 0.001), but not a grave PFS (HR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.82–1.39, p = 0.643) in MPM. Furthermore, the PD-L1 expression correlated with the sarcomatoid + biphasic type of MPM (odds ratio = 4.32, 95% CI = 2.16–8.64, p < 0.001). TCGA data indicated that PD-L1 was a significant prognostic factor for OS (HR = 2.069, 95% CI = 1.136–3.769, p = 0.0175), but not for PFS (HR = 1.205, 95% CI = 0.572–2.539, p = 0.624), which was in accordance with the results of the meta-analysis.

Conclusion:

A high PD-L1 expression is a significant prognostic factor for poor OS of patients with MPM. We therefore suggest that PD-L1 expression levels can be used to predict the clinical outcomes of patients with MPM in the future.
A Review of the Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicology of Corydalis yanhusuo
Authors: Zhang Jingxia , He Surong , Wang Jing , Wang Changli , Wu Jianhua , Wang Weifeng , Li Fan , Li Shasha , Zhao Chongbo , Li Fang
Published: September 2020

Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang (Papaveraceae) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has long been used to treat several conditions and is widely distributed in Asian countries. This review focuses on the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of C. yanhusuo. The literature on C. yanhusuo was reviewed using several resources, including classic books on Chinese herbal medicine and scientific databases, namely, PubMed, Springer, Web of Science, Science Direct, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Based on information from these databases regarding the chemical components of C. yanhusuo, we evaluated the underlying interaction network between chemical components, biological targets, and associated diseases using Cytoscape software. To date, more than 160 compounds have been isolated and identified from C. yanhusuo, including alkaloids, organic acids, volatile oils, amino acids, nucleosides, alcohols, and sugars. The crude extracts and purified compounds of this plant have analgesic, antiarrhythmic, and antipeptic ulcer properties, along with hypnotic effects. However, studies on the pharmacokinetics of C. yanhusuo extracts remain limited. C. yanhusuo has therapeutic potential in diseases such as cancer and depression, probably due to glaucine and corydaline. Our network pharmacology analysis revealed interactions between 20 compounds, 54 corresponding targets, and 4 health conditions. We found that leonticine, tetrahydroberberine, and corydalmine may regulate the expression of PTGS2, PTGS1, KCNH2, SCN5A, RXRA, CAMKK2, NCOA2, and ESR1, representing a potential treatment strategy against pain, gastric ulcers, inflammation, and cardiac arrhythmias. Additionally, this article discusses the future directions of research on C. yanhusuo.
Everything, almost everywhere, is slowing down
Authors: Dorling Danny
Published: September 2020

In the decades, and especially the years, immediately before the 2020 pandemic swept the world, almost everything that we routinely measured about human lives, worldwide, was already slowing down. Much was still rising, our levels of debt, the information we produced, our numbers on the planet, but it was not rising as fast as it has been rising before. Those few things that were still accelerating worldwide before the pandemic: air flights, pollution, global surface temperature—all slowed with the onset of the pandemic. We cannot know what will happen next, but we should not accept suggestions of renewed acceleration unless they are accompanied with new and convincing evidence.
Porcine Tracheal Mucosa-Derived Decellularized Patch to Prevent Septal Perforation in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Kim So Jeong , Jung Soo Yeon , Lee Min Ji , Bae Jung Ho , Kim Han Su
Published: September 2020

Background

Nasal septal perforation is caused by bilateral septal mucosal injuries resulting from nasal trauma and septal surgeries. Previous studies have reported that biocompatible materials may be effective for repairing nasal septal perforations. However, they were primarily used for treatment; no study has investigated their use for prevention of nasal septal perforation.

Objective

To determine whether porcine tracheal mucosa-derived decellularized patch can prevent the progression of nasal mucosa injuries to septal perforations.

Methods

Bilateral nasal septal mucosal defects were surgically induced in 36 rabbits. Silastic sheets were applied bilaterally in all rabbits, and decellularized mucosal patch was applied unilaterally (n = 12) or bilaterally (n = 12) at the defect site in the respective experimental groups. Between 1 and 8 weeks postoperatively, the animals were sacrificed, and their nasal septa were completely removed. The excised septa were examined macroscopically and microscopically (histopathological examinations). Moreover, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) estimations of the septa were performed to evaluate mucosal regeneration and mechanical properties.

Results

Septal perforations occurred in 5 animals in the control group (5/12; 42%), 1 in the unilateral group (1/12; 9%), and in none in the bilateral group. Compared with the control group, the experimental groups showed significantly different mucosal and cartilage regeneration.

Conclusion

Decellularized porcine tracheal mucosa can prevent mucosal defects from progressing to septal perforation, promote the repair of mucosal defects, and protect the nasal cartilage.
Interactive videoconferencing in the redesign of a health-care quality improvement workshop for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Seow Yee Ting , Teo Shao Chu , Yap William , Foo Zann , Tan Kok Hian
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

The Blended Quality Improvement (QI) Workshop is a programme designed to provide learners with basic tools and techniques in QI using a combination of e-learning and face-to-face classroom interactions. To adapt to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation for safe social distancing since the end of January 2020, SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute for Patient Safety & Quality (IPSQ) suspended all face-to-face workshops. However, the need for effective QI training remains.

Objective:

The aim was to develop an effective virtual interactive Blended QI Workshop through videoconferencing.

Methods:

The workshop was redesigned by reviewing the curriculum and incorporating the use of interactive functions. The new workshop took place virtually via a video conferencing platform and incorporated the use of interactive polling, game, videos and case study. A total of 23 learners attended the two pilot runs that took place on 28 April 2020 and 22 May 2020. A survey assessed learners’ reactions and satisfaction with the training and preference in using video conferencing tools during disease and non-disease outbreak situations, while the quizzes assessed learners’ learning in QI knowledge. The results on the improvement in QI knowledge were compared to the original blended e-learning and face-to-face workshop ( n=63) that took place before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results:

The gain in QI knowledge from virtual and from face-to-face Blended QI Workshops was statistically significant ( p<0.01, n=86). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the gain in QI knowledge with both content delivery approaches ( p=0.13). All 23 learners agreed that the video conferencing platform was convenient, 20 (87.0%) felt that the platform was effective in delivering content and 18 (78.3%) were keen to use video conferencing tools for QI workshops during disease outbreak situations. Remarkably, a substantial number of learners ( n=11; 47.8%) preferred the use of interactive video conferencing to supplement face-to-face classroom-based Blended QI Workshops for non-disease outbreak situations.

Conclusion:

The virtual interactive Blended QI Workshop was as effective as the face-to-face Blended QI Workshop based on learners’ views and gains in QI knowledge post workshop. The success of virtual QI workshops makes them a new norm in the post-COVID-19 environment.
Aesthetic Perception of Line Patterns: Effect of Edge-Orientation Entropy and Curvilinear Shape
Authors: Stanischewski Sarah , Altmann Carolin S. , Brachmann Anselm , Redies Christoph
Published: September 2020

Curvilinearity is a perceptual feature that robustly predicts preference ratings for a variety of visual stimuli. The predictive effect of curved/angular shape overlaps, to a large degree, with regularities in second-order edge-orientation entropy, which captures how independent edge orientations are distributed across an image. For some complex line patterns, edge-orientation entropy is actually a better predictor for what human observers like than curved/angular shape. The present work was designed to disentangle the role of the two features in artificial patterns that consisted of either curved or angular line elements. We systematically varied these patterns across two more dimensions, edge-orientation entropy and the number of lines. Eighty-three participants rated the stimuli along three aesthetic dimensions ( pleasing, harmonious, and complex). Results showed that curved/angular shape was a stronger predictor for ratings of pleasing and harmonious if the stimuli consisted of a few lines that were clearly discernible. By contrast, edge-orientation entropy was a stronger predictor for the ratings if the stimuli showed many lines, which merged into a texture. No such differences were obtained for complexity ratings. Our findings are in line with results from neurophysiological studies that the processing of shape and texture, respectively, is mediated by different cortical mechanisms.
Seeing Global Motion in a Random Dot Image Sequence
Authors: Chen Chien-Chung , Ashida Hiroshi , Yang Xirui , Chen Pei-Yin
Published: September 2020

In a stimulus with multiple moving elements, an observer may perceive that the whole stimulus moves in unison if (a) one can associate an element in one frame with one in the next (correspondence) and (b) a sufficient proportion of correspondences signal a similar motion direction (coherence). We tested the necessity of these two conditions by asking the participants to rate the perceived intensity of linear, concentric, and radial motions for three types of stimuli: (a) random walk motion, in which the direction of each dot was randomly determined for each frame, (b) random image sequence, which was a set of uncorrelated random dot images presented in sequence, and (c) global motion, in which 35% of dots moved coherently. The participants perceived global motion not only in the global motion conditions but also in the random image sequences, though not in random walk motion. The type of perceived motion in the random image sequences depends on the spatial context of the stimuli. Thus, although there is neither a fixed correspondence across different frames nor a coherent motion direction, observers can still perceive global motion in the random image sequence. This result cannot be explained by motion energy or local aperture border effects.
The Influence of Each Facial Feature on How We Perceive and Interpret Human Faces
Authors: Diego-Mas Jose A. , Fuentes-Hurtado Felix , Naranjo Valery , Alcañiz Mariano
Published: September 2020

Facial information is processed by our brain in such a way that we immediately make judgments about, for example, attractiveness or masculinity or interpret personality traits or moods of other people. The appearance of each facial feature has an effect on our perception of facial traits. This research addresses the problem of measuring the size of these effects for five facial features (eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and jaw). Our proposal is a mixed feature-based and image-based approach that allows judgments to be made on complete real faces in the categorization tasks, more than on synthetic, noisy, or partial faces that can influence the assessment. Each facial feature of the faces is automatically classified considering their global appearance using principal component analysis. Using this procedure, we establish a reduced set of relevant specific attributes (each one describing a complete facial feature) to characterize faces. In this way, a more direct link can be established between perceived facial traits and what people intuitively consider an eye, an eyebrow, a nose, a mouth, or a jaw. A set of 92 male faces were classified using this procedure, and the results were related to their scores in 15 perceived facial traits. We show that the relevant features greatly depend on what we are trying to judge. Globally, the eyes have the greatest effect. However, other facial features are more relevant for some judgments like the mouth for happiness and femininity or the nose for dominance.