bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic active balancing of rotating systems using real-time controlled magnetorheological fluids
Authors: Schreiner Valentin , Hegger Christian , Maas Jürgen
Published: August 2022

A major source of vibration in rotating systems is dynamic excitations due to an unbalanced mass. While the principle of balancing rotors is already state of the art, systems varying the mass distribution during operation are rare. A promising approach for balancing is the targeted displacement of magnetic fluids controlled by magnetic fields, which is the subject of this work. Until today only a few concepts have been developed that use magnetic fluids manipulated by a magnetic field for balancing. While achieving satisfying results in balancing, the proposed systems are rather complex for example due to the use of slip rings, and depend on continuous feeding of electric energy to maintain the balanced state. In this contribution an advantageous design is presented to reduce cost and complexity of active real-time balancing systems. The proposed design requires only one stationary coil to selectively move the magnetic fluid in situ and to achieve the state of mass balance. With the support of a model-based approach and multiphysics simulations, the system behavior is analyzed, optimized and finally validated by experimental investigations.
The first observation of the hot ion mode at the Globus-M2 spherical tokamak
Authors: Kurskiev G.S. , Miroshnikov I.V. , Sakharov N.V. , Gusev V.K. , Petrov Yu.V. , Minaev V.B. , Balachenkov I.M. , Bakharev N.N. , Chernyshev F.V. , Goryainov V.Yu. , Kavin A.A. , Khromov N.A. , Kiselev E.O. , Krikunov S.V. , Lobanov K.M. , Melnik A.D. , Novokhatskii A.N. , Filippov S.V. , Zhiltsov N.S. , Mineev A.B. , Mukhin E.E. , Patrov M.I. , Petrov A.V. , Ponomarenko A.M. , Solokha V.V. , Shulyatiev K.D. , Shchegolev P.B. , Skrekel O.M. , Telnova A.Yu. , Tkachenko E.E. , Tukhmeneva E.A. , Tokarev V.A. , Tolstyakov S.Yu. , Varfolomeev V.I. , Voronin A.V. , Yashin A.Yu. , Solovey V.A. , Zhilin E.G.
Published: August 2022

Hot ion mode was recently achieved at the Globus-M2 spherical tokamak when the toroidal magnetic field was as high as 0.9 T and plasma current 0.35 MA. The injection of two neutral beams with a total power of 0.7 MW and an energy of 30 keV into a plasma with major radius 0.36 m and minor radius 0.22 m (aspect ratio 1.6) made it possible to heat the plasma ions up to 4 keV, while electron density in the plasma center was as high as 8 × 1019 m−3. The achievement of high temperatures became possible due to the good thermal insulation of the plasma.
High granularity resistive Micromegas for high particle rates environment
Authors: Della Pietra M. , Alviggi M. , Camerlingo M.T. , Di Donato C. , Di Nardo R. , Franchellucci S. , Iengo P. , Iodice M. , Petrucci F. , Sekhniaidze G. , Sessa M.
Published: August 2022

The new era of particle physics experiments is moving towards new upgrades of present accelerators (Large Hadron Collider at CERN) and the design of high energy (tens/hundreds TeV scale) and very high intensity new particle accelerators (FCC-ee/hh, EIC, Muon Collider). Cost effective, high efficiency particle detection in a high background and high radiation environment is fundamental to accomplish their physics program. We present a new high granularity resistive Micromegas detector capable to ensure full efficient and stable operation and a good tracking capabilities up to particle fluxes of 10 MHz/cm2. A summary of the detector performances, measured by mean of high intensity X-ray, muon and pion sources, is reported, together with most recent results from test beam activities.
Co-optimization of robotic design and skill inspired by human hand evolution
Authors: Yang Bangchu , Jiang Li , Bao Guanjun , Yu Haoyong , Zhou Xuanyi
Published: August 2022

During evolution of the human hand, evolutionary morphology has been closely related to behavior in complicated environments. Numerous researchers have revealed that learned skills have affected hand evolution. Inspired by this phenomenon, a co-optimization approach for underactuated hands is proposed that takes grasping skills and structural parameters into consideration. In our proposal, hand design, especially the underactuated mechanism, can be parameterized and shared with all the local agents. These mechanical parameters can be updated globally by the independent agents. In addition, we also train human-like ‘feeling’ of grasping: grasping stability is estimated in advance before the object drops, which can speed up grasping training. In this paper, our method is instantiated to address the optimization problem for the torsion spring mechanical parameters of an underactuated robotic hand with multi-actuators, and then the optimized results are transferred to the actual physical robotic hand to test the improvement of grasping. This collaborative evolution process leverages the dexterity of the multi-actuators and the adaptivity of the underactuated mechanism.
Observation of low-frequency oscillation in argon helicon discharge
Authors: ZHU Wanying , CUI Ruilin , HAN Ruoyu , HE Feng , OUYANG Jiting
Published: August 2022

We present here a kind of low-frequency oscillation in argon helicon discharge with a half helical antenna. This time-dependent instability shows a global quasi-periodic oscillation of plasma density and electron temperature, with a typical frequency of a few tens of Hz which increases with external magnetic field as well as radiofrequency (RF) power. The relative oscillation amplitude decreases with magnetic field and RF power, but the rising time and pulse width do not change significantly under different discharge conditions. The oscillation can only be observed in some specific conditions of low magnetic fields and low RF power when the gas flows in from one end of the discharge area and out from another end. This global instability is suggested to be attributed to the pressure instability of neutral depletion, which is the result of compound action of gas depletion by heating expansion and gas replenishment from upstream. There are two kinds of oscillations, large and small amplitude oscillations, occurring in different discharge modes. This study could be a good verification of and complement to earlier experiments. This kind of spontaneous pulse phenomenon is also helpful in realizing a pulsing plasma source without a pulsed power supply.
Producing Change to Understand the Social Determinants of Health: The Promise of Experiments for Social Epidemiology
Authors: Berkman Lisa F , Avendano Mauricio , Courtin Emilie
Published: August 2022

In this commentary, invited for the 100th anniversary of the Journal, we discuss the addition of randomized experiments, along with natural experiments that emulate randomized trials using observational data, as designs in the social epidemiologist’s toolbox. These approaches transform the way we define and ask questions about social exposures. They compel us to ask questions about how well-defined interventions change a social exposure that might lead to changes in health. As such, experiments are of unique public health and policy significance. We argue that they are a powerful approach to advance our understanding of how well-defined changes in social exposures impact health, and how credible social policy reforms may be instrumental to address health inequalities. We focus on two research designs. The first is a “pure” randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which the investigator defines and randomly assigns the intervention. The second is a natural experiment, which exploits the fact that policies or interventions in the real world often involve an element of random assignment, emulating an RCT. To give the reader our bottom line: While acknowledging their limits, we continue to be very excited about the promise of RCTs and natural experiments to advance social epidemiology.
Neonate personality affects early-life resource acquisition in a large social mammal
Authors: Amin Bawan , Jennings Dómhnall J , Norman Alison , Ryan Andrew , Ioannidis Vasiliki , Magee Alice , Haughey Hayley-Anne , Haigh Amy , Ciuti Simone
Published: August 2022

Although it is widely acknowledged that animal personality plays a key role in ecology, current debate focuses on the exact role of personality in mediating life-history trade-offs. Crucial for our understanding is the relationship between personality and resource acquisition, which is poorly understood, especially during early stages of development. Here we studied how among-individual differences in behavior develop over the first 6 months of life, and their potential association with resource acquisition in a free-ranging population of fallow deer (Dama dama). We related neonate physiological (heart rate) and behavioral (latency to leave at release) anti-predator responses to human handling to the proportion of time fawns spent scanning during their first summer and autumn of life. We then investigated whether there was a trade-off between scanning time and foraging time in these juveniles, and how it developed over their first 6 months of life. We found that neonates with longer latencies at capture (i.e., risk-takers) spent less time scanning their environment, but that this relationship was only present when fawns were 3–6 months old during autumn, and not when fawns were only 1–2 months old during summer. We also found that time spent scanning was negatively related to time spent foraging and that this relationship became stronger over time, as fawns gradually switch from a nutrition rich (milk) to a nutrition poor (grass) diet. Our results highlight a potential mechanistic pathway in which neonate personality may drive differences in early-life resource acquisition of a large social mammal.
Epidemiology, monitoring, and treatment strategy in cardiogenic shock. A multinational cross-sectional survey of ESC-acute cardiovascular care association research section
Authors: Tavazzi Guido , Rossello Xavier , Grand Johannes , Gierlotka Marek , Sionis Alessandro , Ahrens Ingo , Hassager Christian , Price Susanna
Published: August 2022

Aims

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a life-threatening condition burdened by mortality in up to 50% of cases. Few recommendations exist with intermediate–low level of evidence on CS management and no data on adherence across centres exist. We performed a survey to frame CS management at multinational level.

Methods and results

An international cross-sectional survey was created and approved by European Society of Cardiology-Acute Cardiovascular Care Association board. A total of 337 responses from 60 countries were obtained. Data were assessed by the hospital level of care of the participants. The most common cause of CS was AMI (AMI-CS—79.9%) with significant difference according to hospital levels (P = 0.001), followed by acutely decompensated heart failure (HF) (13.4%), myocarditis (3.5%), and de novo HF (1.75%). In 37.8%, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is performed to all CS-patients as a standard approach, whereas 42.1% used PCI if electrocardiogram suggestive of ischaemia and 20.1% only if Universal definition of myocardial infarction criteria are fulfilled. Management (catecholamine titration and mechanical circulatory support escalation) is driven by mean arterial pressure (87.1%), echocardiography (84.4%), and lactate levels (83.4%). Combination of vasopressor and inotrope is chosen with the same frequency (37.7%) than inotrope alone as first-line pharmacological therapy (differences amongst hospital levels; P > 0.5). Noradrenaline is first-line vasopressor (89.9%) followed by dopamine (8.5%), whereas dobutamine is confirmed as the first-line inotrope (65.9%).

Conclusion

Cardiogenic shock management is heterogenous and often not adherent to current recommendations. Quality improvement on an international level with evidence-based quality indicators should be developed to standardize diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.
The blanking period after atrial fibrillation ablation: an European Heart Rhythm Association survey on contemporary definition and management
Authors: Bordignon Stefano , Barra Sergio , Providencia Rui , de Asmundis Carlo , Marijon Eloi , Farkowski Michal M , Anic Ante , Guerra Jose M , Kosiuk Jedrzej , Iliodromitis Konstantinos , Schmidt Boris , Conte Giulio , Chun Julian K R , Boveda Serge
Published: August 2022

The use of a blanking period (BP) after an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedure is a common practice, but recent data questions the benign nature of early recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ERATs). A physician-based survey was carried out by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) to investigate the current definition and applicability of BP and ERAT management. An online questionnaire was sent to clinical and interventional electrophysiologists. A total of 436 respondents (88% interventional electrophysiologists) reported observing ERATs in 25% (interquartile range 15–35) of patients, less commonly in paroxysmal AF (PAF) compared with persistent AF (persAF). The median reported duration of BP used by respondents was 90 days, with 22% preferring a shorter BP duration for PAF patients compared with persAF. Half of the patients with ERATs are expected to also experience late recurrences (LR). Isolated episodes of ERATs are treated conservatively by 99% of the respondents, but repeat ablation during the BP is preferred by 20% of electrophysiologists for multiple ERATs and by 16% in patients with organized atrial tachyarrhythmias. In conclusion, ERATs are commonly observed after AF ablation, particularly in persAF patients, and are perceived as predictors of LR by half of the respondents. A general adherence to a 90-day BP duration was observed. During this time period, ERAT is mainly treated conservatively, but repeat ablation during the BP is occasionally offered to patients with multiple ERATs and those with organized atrial tachyarrhythmias.
Global and explicit approximation of piecewise-smooth two-dimensional functions from cell-average data
Authors: Amat Sergio , Levin David , Ruiz-Alvárez Juan , Yáñez Dionisio F
Published: August 2022

Given cell-average data values of a piecewise-smooth bivariate function $f$ within a domain $\varOmega $, we look for a piecewise adaptive approximation to $f$. We are interested in an explicit and global (smooth) approach. Bivariate approximation techniques, as trigonometric or splines approximations, achieve reduced approximation orders near the boundary of the domain and near curves of jump singularities of the function or its derivatives. Whereas the boundary of $\varOmega $ is assumed to be known, the subdivision of $\varOmega $ to subdomains on which $f$ is smooth is unknown. The first challenge of the proposed approximation algorithm would be to find a good approximation to the curves separating the smooth subdomains of $f$. In the second stage, we simultaneously look for approximations to the different smooth segments of $f$, where on each segment we approximate the function by a linear combination of basis functions $\{p_i\}_{i=1}^M$, considering the corresponding cell averages. A discrete Laplacian operator applied to the given cell-average data intensifies the structure of the singularity of the data across the curves separating the smooth subdomains of $f$. We refer to these derived values as the signature of the data, and we use it for both approximating the singularity curves separating the different smooth regions of $f$. The main contributions here are improved convergence rates to the approximation of the singularity curves and the approximation of $f$, an explicit and global formula, and, in particular, the derivation of a piecewise-smooth high-order approximation to the function.
Indications for the use of metronidazole in the treatment of non-periodontal dental infections: a systematic review
Authors: Cooper Lesley , Stankiewicz Nikolai , Sneddon Jacqueline , Seaton R Andrew , Smith Andrew
Published: August 2022

Background

Dental practitioners are the largest prescribers of metronidazole. Antibiotics should only be prescribed when systemic involvement is clear and should be limited to monotherapy with β-lactams in the first instance.

Objectives

To determine whether metronidazole used as monotherapy or in addition to a β-lactam antibiotic offers any additional benefit over β-lactam monotherapy in non-periodontal dental infections.

Methods

Searches of Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Cochrane library and trials registries, forward and backward citations, for studies published between database inception and 2 August 2021. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and non-randomized trials comparing either systemic metronidazole monotherapy or metronidazole combined with a β-lactam with β-lactam monotherapy for the treatment of non-periodontal dental infections in adults or children in outpatient settings were included.

Results

Four publications reporting three RCTs comparing metronidazole with a β-lactam antibiotic were recovered. Studies were conducted in the 1970s–80s and aimed to demonstrate metronidazole was as effective as penicillin for the treatment of acute pericoronitis or acute apical infections with systemic involvement. Meta-analysis of results was not possible due to differences in measurement of infection signs. All studies concluded that metronidazole and penicillin are equally effective for the treatment of non-periodontal dental infections with systemic involvement.

Conclusions

Metronidazole does not provide superior clinical outcomes (alone or in combination with a β-lactam) when compared with a β-lactam antibiotic alone for the treatment of non-periodontal dental infections in general dental practice. Guidelines should reinforce the importance of surgical interventions and if appropriate the use of a single agent narrow-spectrum β-lactam.
‘Buy Cheap, Buy Dear!’: Selling Consumer Activism in the Salvation Army c. 1885–1905
Authors: Janssen Flore
Published: August 2022

This article examines how the late nineteenth-century Salvation Army used consumer activism as a fundraising strategy, an impetus towards social change, and a means of consolidating its visible presence in public and domestic settings. It argues that the Salvation Army was unique in its combination of its own production systems with the creation and capture of an unusually far-reaching activist market. As much of its support came from lower-income communities, the Salvation Army developed ways to facilitate their participation in activist consumption. Harnessing consumer identity allowed the organization to cast its supporters as active participants, and both donations to and purchases from the Salvation Army were framed as positive changes in consumer behaviour connected to spiritual welfare. Much of this process was refracted through the Trade Department, which competed with secular sellers to produce a range of household essentials; but this also put pressure on the membership to use their consumer power to benefit the Salvation Army whenever possible. The article draws on the organization’s substantial periodical output to interrogate the communication strategies that underpinned these consumer engagement practices. It offers a comparative analysis of two examples of the Salvation Army’s commercial ventures during this period: the trading activities centred around the Trade Department, and the Darkest England Match Factory. It argues that while the Trade Department demonstrates the success of the organization’s own brand of accessible consumer activism, the match factory shows a failure in the communication strategies designed to win consumers for the Salvation Army cause.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccine Boosters: An Influenza Vaccine Perspective
Authors: Sayers David R
Published: August 2022

Changes to severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine guidance since their initial authorization may lead to confusion and hesitancy. Suggested recommendations for an annual SARS-CoV-2 vaccine naturally draw comparisons with the influenza vaccine program. Considering viral and vaccine characteristics between these pathogens provides an important perspective that can help increase vaccine confidence with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
MOCCA-SURVEY Database I: tidal disruption events of white dwarfs in globular clusters and young mass clusters
Authors: Tanikawa Ataru , Giersz Mirek , Arca Sedda Manuel
Published: August 2022

We exploit more than 1000 star cluster Monte Carlo models from the mocca Survey Database I, to infer the local rate density of white dwarf (WD) tidal disruption events (TDEs) in globular clusters (GCs) and young massive clusters (YMCs). We suggest that the WD TDE rate for GCs and YMCs in the local Universe is ∼90–500 yr−1 Gpc−3, with 90 per cent of WD TDEs occurring in GCs. The total WD TDE rate density is ∼9–50 times larger than estimated previously. Our results show that thermonuclear explosions induced by WD TDEs can be observed at a rate of ∼100–550 yr−1 by the next generation optical surveys, such as the Legacy Survey of Space & Time by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. We also find that massive WDs are preferentially disrupted as a result of mass segregation, and that 20 per cent of exploding WDs have mass$\gtrsim 1.0 \, {\rm M}_\odot$ despite the small population of such WDs.
Lessons from the massive relic NGC 1277: Remaining in situstar formation in the cores of massive galaxies
Authors: Salvador-Rusiñol N , Ferré-Mateu A , Vazdekis A , Beasley M A
Published: August 2022

Near-ultraviolet (NUV) spectroscopic studies have suggested that passively evolving massive, early-type galaxies host sub-one per cent fractions of young stars in their innermost regions. We shed light on the origin of these stars by analysing NGC 1277, a widely studied nearby prototypical massive compact relic galaxy. These are rare galaxies that have survived without experiencing significant size evolution via accretion and mergers since their formation at high redshift. We obtain a spectrum in the UV range within the central 1 kpc region of NGC 1277. We compare a carefully selected set of optical and NUV line-strengths to model predictions with star formation histories characteristic of massive galaxies. We find a 0.8 per cent mass fraction of young stars in the centre of NGC 1277, similar to that found in massive early-type galaxies. Given the limited accretion history of NGC 1277, these results favour an intrinsic, in situ, process triggering star formation at later epochs. Our results suggest a general constraint on the amount of young stars in the cores of massive early-type galaxies. This amount should be assumed as an upper limit for the young stellar contribution in massive galaxies, as there might be present other contributions from evolved stars.
Probing the cosmological principle with the CSST photometric survey
Authors: Xu Yu-Tian , Dai Ji-Ping , Zhao Dong , Xia Jun-Qing
Published: August 2022

The cosmological principle states that our Universe is statistically homogeneous and isotropic at large scales. However, due to the relative motion of the Solar System, an additional kinematic dipole can be detected in the distribution of galaxies, which should be consistent with the dipole observed in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature. In this paper, we forecast the mock number count maps from the China Space Station Telescope photometric survey to reconstruct the kinematic dipole. Using the whole photometric mock data, we obtain a positive evidence for the dipole signal detection at 3σ confidence level, and the significance would be increased to 4σ when we only use the high-redshift samples with z = 1.8 ∼ 4. This result can provide a good consistency check between the kinematic dipoles measured in the CMB and that from the large-scale structure, which can help us to verify the basic cosmological principle.
Seropositivity, Risks, and Morbidity From Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections in an Adult PWH Cohort From 2000–2020
Authors: Zou Jason , Krentz Hartmut B , Lang Raynell , Beckthold Brenda , Fonseca Kevin , Gill M John
Published: August 2022

Background

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection disproportionately affects people with HIV (PWH), primarily presenting as herpes zoster. However, VZV seroprevalence, its association with zoster, and clinical outcomes remain understudied in era of modern antiretroviral therapy (ART). We assessed VZV seroprevalence, rates of VZV illness, and associated health care costs in a large cohort of PWH over 20 years.

Methods

We performed retrospective chart reviews of patients followed at a regional HIV clinic from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2020. Serological, immunization, clinical, and costing data were extracted from in-house databases. VZV-related inpatient admissions, emergency department (ED), and urgent care (UC) visits were identified using relevant International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) codes and validated where possible by 2 physicians. Health care utilization costs were adjusted to 2020 Canadian dollars.

Results

Of 3006 PWH, VZV serology was available for 2628; of these, 2503 (95.2%) were seropositive. Only 39% of known seronegative patients were subsequently immunized for varicella. During 29 768 years of patient follow-up, 38 hospitalizations and 138 ED/UC visits due to VZV infection were identified. Most occurred in VZV-seropositive PWH <50 years of age (82%) who were unimmunized (99.2%) and not on ART (64.8%). Nearly 25% of hospitalizations were due to laboratory-confirmed VZV meningitis/encephalitis. The average admission cost was CDN$33 001; the total measured cost of VZV illness was CDN$1 258 718.

Conclusions

Despite ART and vaccines for chickenpox and shingles, VZV still caused significant costs and morbidity for PWH, occurring at younger ages and often as encephalitis/meningitis. Supporting ART adherence may reduce VZV illness and hospitalization costs in PWH, and the cost-effectiveness of expanding shingles vaccine use warrants further study.
Activation and Regulation of NLR Immune Receptor Networks
Authors: Kourelis Jiorgos , Adachi Hiroaki
Published: August 2022

Plants have many types of immune receptors that recognize diverse pathogen molecules and activate the innate immune system. The intracellular immune receptor family of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins (NLRs) perceives translocated pathogen effector proteins and executes a robust immune response, including programmed cell death. Many plant NLRs have functionally specialized to sense pathogen effectors (sensor NLRs) or to execute immune signaling (helper NLRs). Sub-functionalized NLRs form a network-type receptor system known as the NLR network. In this review, we highlight the concept of NLR networks, discussing how they are formed, activated and regulated. Two main types of NLR networks have been described in plants: the ACTIVATED DISEASE RESISTANCE 1/N REQUIREMENT GENE 1 network and the NLR-REQUIRED FOR CELL DEATH network. In both networks, multiple helper NLRs function as signaling hubs for sensor NLRs and cell-surface-localized immune receptors. Additionally, the networks are regulated at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, and are also modulated by other host proteins to ensure proper network activation and prevent autoimmunity. Plant pathogens in turn have converged on suppressing NLR networks, thereby facilitating infection and disease. Understanding the NLR immune system at the network level could inform future breeding programs by highlighting the appropriate genetic combinations of immunoreceptors to use while avoiding deleterious autoimmunity and suppression by pathogens.
Women Refugees and the Development of US Asylum Law: 1980-present
Authors: Anker Deborah
Published: August 2022

Over the past three decades, the US has developed a robust body of gender asylum law, including claims of women subject to sexual violence or other serious harm for reasons of gender. This body of law both reflects and has been a catalyst for larger shifts in US jurisprudence recognising the international treaty law basis of domestic asylum law. For years such progress was stymied by a dominant Cold War ideological decision-making paradigm and a woefully inadequate and politicised administrative bureaucracy. The growth of a domestic and international women’s rights movement, and more meaningful engagement by the US judiciary, have resulted in substantial changes. Although progress remains incomplete, today there is a significant body of administrative and federal judicial case law incorporating gender into the interpretation of key categories in refugee law, including gender-defined particular social groups (PSG) and gender-based claims under the political, race and religion grounds in the definition of refugee. These more principled developments have proven vulnerable to politics, particularly under the administration of President Donald J. Trump. However, a new approach, based in part on a clearer, regulatory articulation of doctrine, holds promise for the development of a more coherent and principled body of jurisprudence. This article places US gender asylum in the context of the larger political landscape (i.e., the Cold War, and post-Cold War politics). The article also attempts to draw the links between the development of gender asylum law and larger social and legal change movements, including a domestic and international women’s rights movements focused on issues of sexual violence and violence in the home or “domestic violence.”
The Boys in Blue Are Watching You: The Shifting Metropolitan Landscape and Big Data Police Surveillance in the United States
Authors: Duxbury Scott W , Andrabi Nafeesa
Published: August 2022

Despite decades of crime decline, police surveillance has continued to expand through a range of tactics oriented towards policing social disadvantage. Yet, despite attention to the linkages between residential inequality and policing, few studies have accounted for two intertwined structural developments since the turn of the 21st century: (1) the shift away from spatially concentrated patterns of racial segregation within urban centers towards sprawling patterns of economic segregation and (2) the turn from reactive policing towards proactive surveillance. Using the case of big data policing, we create a new measure of big data surveillance in metropolitan areas to examine how changes in segregation have affected the expansion of proactive police surveillance. In contrast to theoretical accounts emphasizing the role of police surveillance in governing economic inequality and perpetuating racial segregation, we do not find evidence that racial segregation or income inequality increase big data surveillance. Instead, much of the recent rise in big data policing is explained by increases in sprawling patterns of income segregation. These results provide new insight into the linkages between policing and residential inequality and reveal how changes in metropolitan segregation influence criminal justice surveillance in the era of big data.
Airborne anaphylaxis: highlighting an invisible enemy
Authors: Ridolo Erminia , Incorvaia Cristoforo , Schroeder Jan Walter
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

Airborne anaphylaxis is a rare disorder defined by the occurrence of anaphylactic reactions to inhaled allergens, which may arise not only in occupational exposure but also in common settings. Foods are the most common cause of airborne anaphylaxis, even organic mixtures scents. The other important cause is represented by drugs, while in the wide range of other causes, there are often reports on unique cases. This review aims to make an overview about the potential causes of airborne anaphylaxis, by analysing what is described in literature on this topic.

Recent findings

Concerning epidemiology, no data on specific prevalence of airborne allergy in adults are available. To date, only one study evaluated the specific prevalence of airborne allergy with anaphylaxis to foods in children, resulting in 5.9% of reactions due to exposure to aerosolized foods, compared with 78% of reactions caused by food ingestion. In addition to anaphylaxis, airborne-related reactions may also present with symptoms such as rhino-conjunctivitis, wheezing, dyspnoea and asthma.

A detailed anamnesis facilitates a correct diagnosis, which allows appropriate therapeutic and preventive interventions, but, similarly to rare diseases in general, only specialized doctors are able to implement it. The assumption of the approach used in emergency medicine for other causes of anaphylaxis, that is referring the patient at discharge to an allergist who will teach the basic notions to recognize symptoms and access the appropriate therapy, would allow the patient to avoid situations of serious danger.
Hereditary alpha-tryptasemia
Authors: Bonadonna Patrizia , Nalin Francesca , Olivieri Francesco
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

To discuss our evolving knowledge about the genetic variations in human tryptase and recent advances in associated clinical phenotypes.

Recent findings

Hereditary alpha-tryptasemia (HAT) is an autosomal dominant genetic trait and a common cause of elevated basal serum tryptase (BST) in Western populations. It is a risk factor for severe anaphylaxis and an established modifier of mast cell mediator–associated symptoms among patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM).

The unique properties of naturally occurring alpha/beta-tryptase heterotetramers may explain certain elements of phenotypes associated with HAT. Understanding the physiology of tryptases and how this may relate to the clinical features associated with HAT is the first step in identifying optimal medical management and targets for novel therapeutics.
Treatment of Stage I-III Hip Joint Tuberculosis With Open Surgical Debridement and Hip Spica in Children: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Yang Lei , Zuo Jingjing , Li Lang , Wang Daoxi , Yang Xiaodong , Tang Xueyang
Published: August 2022

Background:

This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of surgical debridement combined with postoperative hip spica immobilization in the treatment of hip joint tuberculosis in children.

Methods:

This retrospective study enrolled 87 children with stage I to III hip joint tuberculosis treated surgically at our hospital from January 2010 to January 2016. All patients considering hip tuberculosis routinely received a 4-week conservative treatment first, including rest, protected weight-bearing, and 4-drugs antitubercular chemotherapy. Surgical debridement was indicated when there was no relief after this conservative protocol. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the duration of hip spica immobilization after operation: group A (hip spica for 4 wk, 39 patients) and group B (hip spica for 6 wk, 48 patients). All patients were recommended partial weight-bearing for 7 days and then followed the same hip joint exercises program when spica was removed. Postoperative radiographs, hip dislocation or subluxation, and modified Harris hip score (MHHS) were assessed. All patients were followed up at least 5 years.

Results:

There were 87 patients enrolled in our study, including 34 females and 53 males, with a mean age of 7.2±2.8 years old (range: 2 to 14 y). No significant difference was observed between these 2 groups in baseline data. In group A, the mean MHHS improved from 52.1±14.7 before surgery to 87.8±8.3 at the final follow-up (P<0.000). In group B, there was also a significant difference between the preoperative MHHS (52.7±9.4) and the final MHHS (88.6±6.5) (P<0.000). Although there was no significant difference between these 2 groups in the final MHHS (P=0.593), there were also no significant differences between these 2 groups in wound healing delay (3 in group A and 6 in group B, P=0.705) and pathologic subluxation (3 in group A and 1 in group B, P=0.467). The only difference between group A (79.2±8.5) and group B (75.5±7.5) was the early functional outcome assessed by using MHHS after 1 month of hip joint exercises (P=0.032).

Conclusions:

Surgical debridement combined with antitubercular chemotherapy is an effective treatment for stage I to III hip tuberculosis in children when there is no improvement after conservative treatment. Prolonged hip spica immobilization may not reduce the risk of hip subluxation after open surgical debridement but could lead to a delay in early functional recovery. Time of spica immobilization should be individualized and based on the surgeon’s evaluation and the patient’s condition.
Mechanisms of microRNA action in rectal cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Zhu Lili , Wang Mojin , Chen Na , Zhang Yujie , Xu Tao , Zhuang Wen , Xiao Shuomeng , Dai Lei
Published: August 2022

Preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, combined with total mesorectal excision, has become the standard treatment for advanced localized rectal cancer (RC). However, the biological complexity and heterogeneity of tumors may contribute to cancer recurrence and metastasis in patients with radiotherapy-resistant RC. The identification of factors leading to radioresistance and markers of radiosensitivity is critical to identify responsive patients and improve radiotherapy outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, and noncoding RNAs that affect various cellular and molecular targets. miRNAs have been shown to play important roles in multiple biological processes associated with RC. In this review, we summarized the signaling pathways of miRNAs, including apoptosis, autophagy, the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, proliferation, and metastasis during radiotherapy in patients with RC. Also, we evaluated the potential role of miRNAs as radiotherapeutic biomarkers for RC.
Percentage of Age-Predicted Cardiorespiratory Fitness May Be a Stronger Risk Indicator for Incident Type 2 Diabetes Than Absolute Levels of Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Khan Hassan , Seidu Samuel , Laukkanen Jari A.
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

There are inverse and independent associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and several adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. The percentage of age-predicted CRF (%age-predicted CRF) is comparable to absolute CRF as a risk indicator for some of these outcomes, but the association between %age-predicted CRF and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has not been previously investigated. We aimed to assess the association between %age-predicted CRF and T2D in a prospective cohort study.

Methods:

Cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured directly by peak oxygen uptake, was assessed in 1901 men aged 42-60 yr who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The age-predicted CRF estimated from a regression equation for age was converted to %age-predicted CRF using (achieved CRF/age-predicted CRF) × 100. Hazard ratios (95% CI) were estimated for T2D.

Results:

During a median follow-up of 26.8 yr, 227 T2D cases were recorded. The risk of T2D decreased continuously with increasing %age-predicted CRF (P value for nonlinearity = .30). A 1-SD increase in %age-predicted CRF was associated with a decreased risk of T2D in analysis adjusted for established risk factors (HR = 0.68: 95% CI, 0.59-0.79). The corresponding adjusted risk was (HR = 0.51: 95% CI, 0.35-0.75) comparing extreme tertiles of %age-predicted CRF. The respective estimates for the association between absolute CRF and T2D were—HR (95% CI)—0.71 (0.60-0.83) and 0.64 (0.44-0.95).

Conclusions:

Percentage of age-predicted CRF is linearly, inversely, and independently associated with the risk of incident T2D and may be a stronger risk indicator for T2D compared to absolute CRF in a general population of middle-aged and older men.
Medical Accuracy of Patient Discussions in Oculoplastic Surgery on Social Media
Authors: Schmuter Gabriella , North Victoria S. , Kazim Michael , Tran Ann Q.
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to characterize major topics of discussion in oculoplastic surgery on a social media forum and to evaluate the medical accuracy of the content discussed on these platforms.

Methods:

A cross-sectional analysis of oculoplastics key search terms was performed on 2 active forums (r/PlasticSurgery and r/CosmeticSurgery) on Reddit. The content analysis involved the top posts in Reddit’s history from 2008 to 2022. Medical accuracy was determined by actively practicing, board-certified, and fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons.

Results:

The most common topics of patient discussions involved inquiring for advice regarding a procedure (44%) and sharing before-and-after photos (34%). The most common topics of patient discussions included providing support, encouragement, or sympathy for a patient (80%) and the cost of a procedure (62%). Misunderstanding of the medical pathophysiology of the patient’s condition was seen in 68% of discussions on this social media platform. Medically inaccurate information was seen in 31% of all analyzed statements. When the type of physician performing a given procedure was disclosed, half reported an oculoplastic surgeon performed the surgery.

Conclusions:

The social media platform, Reddit, is a popular source of advice and information for current and prospective oculoplastic surgery patients. Such social media forums should be used as a sort of psychosocial and psychological support rather than as a primary source of medical information.
The Association Between Computerized Tomography Findings and Ocular Trauma Score in Open Globe Injury: The Prognostic Value of Imaging
Authors: Ameli Kambiz , Arabi Amir , Shahraki Toktam , Markatia Zahra , Mashouf Parham , Shahraki Tamkin , Yazdanjou Farangis , Baradaran-rafii Alireza , Bayaraa Enkhmandakh , Lee Wendy
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between CT findings and Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) in open globe injury.

Methods:

In 182 eyes with open globe injury, CT findings were categorized into 5 major types: scleral irregularity with decreased globe volume, dislocation of the crystalline lens, abnormal vitreous density, thickening of the chorioretinal layer, and intraocular foreign body/air. Association between different types and number of CT findings with OTS stages were evaluated through a multivariate analysis.

Results:

Mean age of the patients was 38 ± 8.5 years. The most common CT findings were severe scleral irregularity or globe collapse (71.9%) and abnormal vitreous density (56%). The most common OTS stages were II (44.5%) and I (30.7%). In multivariate analysis, abnormal vitreous density (odds ratio [OR] = 2.11, p < 0.001), chorioretinal thickening (OR = 1.89, p < 0.001), and intraocular foreign body/air (OR = 1.58, p = 0.001) were associated with more advanced OTS stages (I or II). Mean OTS in eyes with 1, 2, and 3 CT findings were 66 (stage III), 47 (stage II), and 37 (stage I), respectively (p value = 0.008). Presence of 2 (OR = 2.46, p < 0.001) and 3 (OR = 2.92, p < 0.001) CT findings were associated with more advanced OTS stages (I or II).

Conclusions:

The type and number of CT findings may help to predict the OTS stage and visual prognosis in eyes with open globe injury.
Expert Opinions on Thermal Discomfort Related to Idiopathic Scoliosis Orthoses
Authors: Purdie Jaime , Jang Sun Hae
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to investigate expert opinions regarding the current status of and mitigation solutions for thermal discomfort associated with the use of thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthoses (TLSOs) in treating patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS).

Materials and Methods

Qualitative data were gathered via interviews with experts in a variety of fields. Three primary categories of discussion were established: current status of thermal discomfort experienced by patients with IS treated with TLSOs, current mitigation strategies, and obstacles to implementation of a hypothetical novel TLSO. Data were analyzed utilizing Pell Institute's six-step method for qualitative data analysis.

Results

Six experts participated in this study: three spinal orthotics experts, who are orthotists currently treating IS with TLSOs; one thermal discomfort expert, who has been studying thermal discomfort for prosthetic devices; and two mechanical engineering experts, who conduct college courses on thermodynamics. Primary signs and symptoms of thermal discomfort identified by experts were heat rash, verbal complaint, and excessive sweating. Factors identified by experts as related to the occurrence of thermal discomfort fell into three categories: orthotic design, surrounding environment, and patient conditions. Experts also identified possible strategies used to mitigate thermal discomfort, which involved orthotic fabrication options, orthotic modification options, and patient behavioral changes.

Conclusions

Anecdotally, thermal discomfort experienced by TLSO users exists to varying degrees. The orthotic design, the environment, and the patient may impact the occurrence. Factors correlating to thermal discomfort may be skin temperature, friction, and moisture. Minimizing the quantity of skin surface area covered by the orthosis may be a primary thermal discomfort mitigation strategy. However, further investigation into the relationship between skin surface area coverage and thermal discomfort is required.

Clinical Relevance

This study introduces concepts and strategies that may be used by clinicians to reduce thermal discomfort experienced by patients with IS treated with a TLSO.
Health literacy, illness perception, depression, and self-management among African Americans with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ajuwon Abidemi M. , Insel Kathleen
Published: August 2022

Background:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes significant morbidity and mortality. Compared with non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans are more likely to suffer and die from T2DM.

Purpose:

This study examines the associations between health literacy, illness perception, depression, working memory, executive function, and self-management among African Americans (18–65 years) with T2DM.

Methodology:

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected through Research Electronic Data Capture and transferred to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 26 for statistical analysis. Fifty-three participants met study eligibility criteria.

Results:

Health literacy was associated with depression (r = −0.433, p = .003), more concerns about illness (r = −0.357, p = .02), and better medication adherence (r = 0.487, p = .001). Higher levels of depression were inversely associated with medication adherence (r = −0.449, p = .002; r = 0.449, p = .003). Higher concern about illness was associated with lower medication adherence (r = −0.414, p = .005).

Conclusions:

Lower health literacy coupled with illness perception and depression is associated with lower self-management behaviors among African Americans which can lead to complications of T2DM. More studies are needed to examine the association of cognitive factors with self-management activities among African Americans with T2DM.

Implications:

Limited health literacy is associated with lower medication adherence among African Americans with T2DM. Illness perception is a significant factor that influences self-management of T2DM among African Americans. Using screening tools that assess health literacy and illness perception may address underlying concerns regarding adherence to T2DM treatment regimens in African Americans.