bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CT radiomics models are unable to predict new liver metastasis after successful thermal ablation of colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Taghavi Marjaneh , Staal Femke CR , Simões Rita , Hong Eun K , Lambregts Doenja MJ , van der Heide Uulke A , Beets-Tan Regina GH , Maas Monique
Published: December 2021

Background

Patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) who undergo thermal ablation are at risk of developing new CRLM after ablation. Identification of these patients might enable individualized treatment.

Purpose

To investigate whether an existing machine-learning model with radiomics features based on pre-ablation computed tomography (CT) images of patients with colorectal cancer can predict development of new CRLM.

Material and Methods

In total, 94 patients with CRLM who were treated with thermal ablation were analyzed. Radiomics features were extracted from the healthy liver parenchyma of CT images in the portal venous phase, before thermal ablation. First, a previously developed radiomics model (Original model) was applied to the entire cohort to predict new CRLM after 6 and 24 months of follow-up. Next, new machine-learning models were developed (Radiomics, Clinical, and Combined), based on radiomics features, clinical features, or a combination of both.

Results

The external validation of the Original model reached an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.56–0.58) and 0.52 (95% CI=0.51–0.53) for 6 and 24 months of follow-up. The new predictive radiomics models yielded a higher performance at 6 months compared to 24 months. For the prediction of CRLM at 6 months, the Combined model had slightly better performance (AUC=0.60; 95% CI=0.59–0.61) compared to the Radiomics and Clinical models (AUC=0.55–0.57), while all three models had a low performance for the prediction at 24 months (AUC=0.52–0.53).

Conclusion

Both the Original and newly developed radiomics models were unable to predict new CLRM based on healthy liver parenchyma in patients who will undergo ablation for CRLM.
MRI-based radiomics analysis to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of cervical carcinoma: a multicenter study
Authors: Liu Yi , Song Ting , Dong Tian-Fa , Zhang Wei , Wen Ge
Published: December 2021

Background

Preoperative prediction of clinical pathological indicators of cervical cancer (CC) is of great significance to the formulation of personalized treatment plans for CC.

Purpose

To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics analysis for the evaluation of pathological types, tumor grade, FIGO stage, and lymph node metastasis (LNM) of CC.

Material and Methods

A total of 235 patients with CC from three institutes were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent T2/SPAIR and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1WI) imaging scans before radical hysterectomy by pelvic lymph node dissection surgery. Radiomics features extracted from T2/SPAIR and CE-T1WI imaging were selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) methods for further radiomics signature calculation. These radiomic features were used to construct regression and decision tree models to evaluate the performance of radiomic features in distinguishing clinicopathological indicators.

Results

The area under the curve (AUC) of T2/SPAIR and CE-T1WI imaging were 0.777 and 0.750, respectively, for differentiating between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. From the two sequences, the AUC of the verification group that distinguished low FIGO stage from high FIGO stage was 0.716 and 0.676, respectively. The AUC for moderately well and poorly differentiated tumors were 0.729 on T2/SPAIR and 0.749 on CE-T1WI imaging. The AUC of the verification groups for LNM was 0.730 and 0.618 on T2/SPAIR and CE-T1WI imaging, respectively.

Conclusion

MRI radiomics features can be used as a non-invasive method to evaluate the clinicopathological indexes of CC and provide an important auxiliary examination method for patients to determine individualized treatment plans before operation.
Analysis of safety and efficacy of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in the treatment of left pancreatic malignant tumors
Authors: Hao Tang , Shiming Jiang , Yong Chen
Published: December 2021

Objective

Distal pancreatectomy is the most extensive operation to treat malignant tumors of the left pancreas; however, malignant pancreatic tumors are prone to early invasion and metastasis.

Methods

The clinical data of 80 patients undergoing surgical treatment for malignant tumors of the pancreatic body or tail from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The main clinical variables were compared between patients undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) vs. open distal pancreatectomy (ODP).

Results

There were no significant differences in general patient characteristics, complications, and postoperative survival (χ2 = 0.09) between the groups. The operation time in the LDP group was significantly longer than that in the ODP group; however, the LDP group was superior to the ODP group regarding the length of postoperative hospital stay, diet recovery, and rectal exhaust and ambulation times.

Conclusion

LDP is a safe and feasible treatment for left pancreatic malignancies, with the same surgical efficacy as ODP. LDP also has the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, such as minimal trauma and enhanced recovery after surgery.
Metastasis of breast cancer to liver through direct lymphatic drainage: a case report
Authors: Tokisawa Hiromi , Aruga Tomoyuki , Kumaki Yuichi , Iwamoto Naoko , Yonekura Rika , Ishiba Toshiyuki , Honda Yayoi , Suzuki Mizuka
Published: December 2021

Breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) is considered to occur by hematogenous spread of primary breast cancer cells. We herein present a case of lymphatic BCLM that was confirmed by preoperative imaging for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). A woman in her early 70s was diagnosed with clinical stage T2N0M0 invasive lobular cancer of the left breast. She underwent mastectomy with SLNB. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy showed intense accumulation of isotope in the upper abdomen, corresponding to segment IV of the liver on single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). However, no abnormalities were detected on magnetic resonance imaging. At 2.5 years postoperatively, the patient’s serum CA15-3 concentration was elevated, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) showed a solitary liver metastasis. The PET/CT findings were similar to the SPECT/CT findings obtained 2.5 years earlier, indicating that the BCLM had developed lymphatically. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of lymphatic BCLM proven by imaging examination.
Retrospective study of active drainage in the management of anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Tan Xiaojie , Zhang Mei , Li Lai , Wang He , Liu Xiaodong , Jiang Haitao
Published: December 2021

Objective

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most serious postoperative complication following anterior resection for rectal cancer. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of active drainage for the management of AL.

Methods

This was a retrospective study using information from a database of patients who underwent colorectal resection without a defunctioning ileostomy at our center between September 2013 and January 2021. We identified 122 cases with definitive AL who did not require revision emergent laparotomy. Among these patients, we evaluated those who received active drainage to replace the original passive drainage.

Results

There were 62 cases in the active drainage group and 60 cases in the passive drainage group. The active drainage group had a shorter mean AL spontaneous resolution time (26.9 ± 3.3 vs. 32.2 ± 4.8 days) and lower average hospitalization costs (82,680.6 vs. 92,299.3 renminbi (RMB)) compared with the passive drainage group, respectively. Moreover, seven patients in the passive drainage group subsequently underwent diverting stoma to resolve the Al, while all ALs resolved spontaneously after replacing the passive drainage with active drainage.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that active drainage may accelerate the spontaneous resolution of AL.
The unequal commute: Comparing commuting patterns across income and racial worker subgroups
Authors: Hu Yujie
Published: December 2021

The spatial dimension of the journey-to-work has important implications for land use and development policymaking and has been widely studied. One thrust of this research is concerned with the disaggregation of workers into subgroups for understanding disparities in commute. Most of these studies, however, were limited to the disaggregation by single socioeconomic class. Hence, this research aims to examine commuting disparities across commuter subgroups stratified by two socioeconomic variables—income and race—using a visual analytics approach. By applying the doubly constrained spatial interaction model to the 2014 Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics data, this research first synthesizes commuting flows for Downtown Houston workers across income-race subgroups at the tract level in Harris County, Texas, USA. It then uses bivariate choropleth mapping to visualize the spatial distributions of major Downtown Houston commuter neighborhoods by income-race classes, and significant commuting disparities are identified across income-race subgroups. The results highlight the importance of considering income and race simultaneously for commuting research. The visualization could help policymakers clearly identify the unequal commute across worker subgroups and inform policymaking.
Prediction and caution after COVID-19 crisis: The ecological and epidemiological risks of financial speculation
Authors: Gonçalves Guilherme Leite , Rosado Bruno H. P.
Published: December 2021

Since the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, optimistic ecological and economic analyses have arisen. On one hand, the lockdowns that have taken place are pointed out as a means of reducing gas emissions, environmental exploitation, and consequently, factors that reduce the risk of zoonoses. On the other hand, macroeconomic policies that support state intervention in the economy and social benefits are seen as a signal for a more social and eco-friendly organized capitalism. The objective of our article is to call for caution on these predictions, indicating a post-pandemic countertrend according to which the relationship between economy and environment might be even more unstable and conflictual after the pandemic. Here, we discuss the relevance of Karl Marx’s fictitious capital concept as a fundamental key to thinking about financial market pressures on the environment. Hereby, we aim to raise the concern that the financial policies adopted in the course of the crisis have encouraged speculative instruments that lead to the overaccumulation of fictitious capital. This, in turn, requires the increased exploitation and expropriation of the environment in order to realize the overaccumulated rights and claims on future surplus value. Thus, we argue that the risk of environmental destruction will not be reduced as claimed by optimistic assumptions, but on the contrary will increase in the next few years. Such a risk does not dismiss, but rather suggests that new zoonoses may also arise.
Variation of Track Response to Wheel Forces with Bogie Axle Spacing: Apparent Track Stiffness and its Influence on Dynamic Impact Forces on Railway Tracks
Authors: Balcı Erdem , Özgür Bezgin Niyazi , Wehbi Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Track stiffness is an important parameter that affects railway track response. Axle spacing influences the response of the track to wheel forces and has an effect on track stiffness. Track response to train wheels within a bogie or between neighboring bogies vary in relation to their mutual interference, depending on the mechanical characteristics of the layers composing the track, axle spacing and bogie spacing. This interference affects the force-deflection characteristic of the railway track under a wheel. Dynamic impact forces caused by track and wheel roughness relate to track stiffness. Therefore, everything else being the same, two trains with different bogie spacing may generate different dynamic impact forces on the railway track. As a result, the accumulated damage to a railway track over time can relate not only to cumulative tonnage but also to the axle spacing of the trains operating on the railway track. Through superposition of the estimated track deflections by the beam-on-elastic-foundation theorem and looking at it from a new perspective, this paper discovers a set of relations between the variations of track stiffness with bogie axle spacing. The paper introduces a new concept of apparent track stiffness and hypothesizes that dynamic impact forces on the railway tracks relate to axle spacing. The paper then presents a numerical study and an analytical study that analyzes wheel and track interaction along stiffness transition zones for different values of axle spacing and shows that bogie axle spacing has an effect on dynamic impact forces on railway tracks.
Smart syringe using actuator and force sensor for epidural anesthesia injection
Authors: Yoon Ki-Cheol , Kim Kwang Gi , Lee Dong Chul , Yoon Sang Jin
Published: December 2021

The anesthesia process in the epidural space is quite difficult as it requires a high level of skill. Therefore, a medical accident occurs, and intensive training is required. In order to reduce these medical accidents, medical technology is being developed, which provides safe and accurate treatment services. This paper proposes a smart syringe design for safe and accurate anesthesia in the epidural space. The smart syringe is designed to measure the electrical sensing waveform by using a sensor instead of the sense of the hand during anesthesia and show the position of the needle through external monitoring. To design a smart syringe, a force sensor, actuator, and CPU were used, and a 3D printer was used to produce the outer shape. An animal test was conducted to evaluate the performance test of the smart syringe, and satisfactory results were obtained by measuring the needle insertion process of the smart syringe and the position of the needle through the animal experiment.
Development and Validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST)
Authors: Seema Riin , Heidmets Mati , Konstabel Kenn , Varik-Maasik Ene
Published: December 2021

We present the development and validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST), describing the pilot study ( N = 40 students) and main study ( N = 4493) with Estonian students aged 11–19, in spring 2020. Our aim was to create a scale suitable for psychoeducational assessment of teenagers’ behaviour and feelings towards digital devices. We used the mixed research framework . Half of the study sample was collected before the coronavirus crisis (Sample I: 1972 students) and the rest during a distance-learning period (Sample II: 2521 students). We found that factor structure in both subsamples were similar. The DAST shows a negative relationship with emotional school engagement and life satisfaction and positive correlations with school burnout, learning difficulties and screen time. We discuss potential uses of the scale for assessing health-related digital competences.
Family Outcomes After the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review
Authors: O’Meara Alia , Akande Manzi , Yagiela Lauren , Hummel Kevin , Whyte-Nesfield Mekela , Michelson Kelly N. , Radman Monique , Traube Chani , Manning Joseph C. , Hartman Mary E.
Published: December 2021

Background

Intensivists are increasingly attuned to the postdischarge outcomes experienced by families because patient recovery and family outcomes are interdependent after childhood critical illness. In this scoping review of international contemporary literature, we describe the evidence of family effects and functioning postpediatric intensive care unit (PICU) as well as outcome measures used to identify strengths and weaknesses in the literature.

Methods

We reviewed all articles published between 1970 and 2017 in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), or the Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry. Our search used a combination of terms for the concept of “critical care/illness” combined with additional terms for the prespecified domains of social, cognitive, emotional, physical, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and family functioning.

Results

We identified 71 articles reporting on the postPICU experience of more than 2400 parents and 3600 families of PICU survivors in 8 countries. These articles used 101 different metrics to assess the various aspects of family outcomes; 34 articles also included open-ended interviews. Overall, most families experienced significant disruption in at least five out of six of our family outcomes subdomains, with themes of decline in mental health, physical health, family cohesion, and family finances identified. Almost all articles represented relatively small, single-center, or disease-specific observational studies. There was a disproportionate representation of families of higher socioeconomic status (SES) and Caucasian race, and there was much more data about mothers compared to fathers. There was also very limited information regarding outcomes for siblings and extended family members after a child's PICU stay.

Conclusions

Significant opportunities remain for research exploring family functioning after PICU discharge. We recommend that future work include more diverse populations with respect to the critically ill child as well as family characteristics, include more intervention studies, and enrich existing knowledge about outcomes for siblings and extended family.
Electro-thermo-mechanical modeling of shape memory polymers filled with nano-carbon powder
Authors: Gu Jianping , Zhao Shenglin , Duan Hao , Wan Mengqi , Sun Huiyu
Published: December 2021

Generally, adding the electroconductive fillers into the polymer matrix is a popular approach to endow the shape memory polymers (SMPs) with electroconductivity. Therefore, the shape memory effects (SMEs) of thermally induced SMPs can also be triggered by the electrical current. In essence, both the thermally activated and electrically activated SMEs share the same driving mechanism without considering the effect of heat conduction. In the paper, the constitutive model for the thermally induced SMPs filled with nano-carbon powder is briefly introduced. Then, a modified model is developed to characterize the effects of filler, deformation, and moisture on the electrical conductivity for the first time. After developing the correlation of electric field with Joule heat, the simulation is executed to display the free recovery of the shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) with different filler content. It is found that the recovery ratio decreases with the increase of carbon powders for the SMPCs with filler content above the percolation threshold. Besides, a good recovery ratio can also be achieved through the application of a lower voltage.
How to Go GloCal: Omni-Brand Orientation Framework
Authors: Schmidt-Devlin Ellen , Özsomer Ayşegül , Newmeyer Casey E.
Published: December 2021

The authors develop an omni-brand orientation framework that is a bidimensional conceptualization allowing global (local) brand elements to coexist alongside local (global) elements to create a “gloCal” brand. Using an interpretive analysis of interviews with 50 executives, the authors offer new insights into building and succeeding as a gloCal brand. The study shows that global brands are trying to become gloCal by building and nurturing local authenticity. The building blocks of local authenticity are brand image local connection, local iconness, local insights, and originality. Local brands, in turn, try to become gloCal by achieving global acceptance, a perception identified closely with global brands. The building blocks of global acceptance are perceived brand globalness, innovation, product performance quality, and global brand power. A follow-up study with 19 executives dives deeper into the drivers of success and leads to a conceptualization of a gloCal success cycle, which identifies components and strategies that enable brands to win both globally and locally.
Comparing Measures of Criterion A to Better Understand Incremental Validity in the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders
Authors: Roche Michael J. , Jaweed Sarah
Published: December 2021

The Alternative Model of Personality Disorders distinguishes between the severity of personality dysfunction (Criterion A) and individual differences in personality disorder expression (Criterion B). Several Criterion A measures exist, but few studies have compared these measures with each other. Moreover, debates about whether the constructs of Criteria A and B are redundant (i.e., weak incremental validity) should be framed around how different Criterion A measures perform relative to others. This study of 204 undergraduate students evaluated multiple measures of Criterion A. These measures were strongly correlated with Criterion B, but evidenced incremental validity (39% of outcomes, 5% average additional variance explained) with outcomes of psychopathology and interpersonal impairments, and less consistent incremental validity with suicidality, aggression, and mental health utilization. We discuss how these results inform the construct of Criterion A relative to Criterion B and evaluate strengths/weaknesses of Criterion A measures.
Incidence and risk factors associated with development of oxalipatin-induced acute peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Ben Mahmoud Imen Toukabri , Ben Said Azza , Berguiga Souad , Houij Racha , Cherif Ines , Hamdi Adel , Ben Ayed Wiem , Limayem Imen
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Oxaliplatin utilized in colorectal neoplasms treatment could induce acute peripheral neuropathy (APN) which is a dreadful and frequent adverse event. The objective of this study is to estimate incidence of APN induced by oxaliplatin cumulative incidence in cancer patients colorectal and to describe the distribution of the APN incidence according to demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as according to oxaliplatin cumulative dose.

Material and methods

This is a prospective descriptive study which took place from June to December 2018 at the Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis. Demographic data, clinical data and data on oxaliplatin administration were collected from patient interview, medical files and pharmaceutical databases.

Results

The APN (grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3) cumulative incidence during the period of six months of follow up was 86% (95% CI [0.7815–0.9132]). While 38.3% (95% CI [0.29–0.48]) of the patients had grade 2 or 3 neuropathy. The search for factors associated with the risk of grade 2 and 3 NAP revealed trend significant association with diabetes (adjusted RR = 5.7 (IC95% [0.9- 37.3]; p = 0.07). Moreover, there was significant association with oxaliplatin cumulative dose (≥421 mg/m2) to increase the risk of APN grade 2 and 3 (adjusted RR = 7.8; [2.7–22.7]; p = 0.0001). Furthermore, significant association with obesity to increase the risk of APN grade 2 and 3 (adjusted RR = 5.3 [1.1- 25.4]; p = 0.04) was found. Among the patients included, 31.1% experienced oxaliplatin dose reduction and in the majority of cases this reduction is due to neurotoxicity (90.9%).

Conclusion

The high incidence of oxaliplatin-induced APN remains an embarrassing and handicapping side effect. Our study has shown that oxaliplatin cumulative dose (≥421 mg/m2), diabetes and obesity are risk factor for the development of grade 2 and 3 APN.
Who is pulling the strings in the platform economy? Accounting for the dark and unexpected sides of algorithmic control
Authors: Pignot Edouard
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to address the dark side perspective on digital control and surveillance by emphasizing the affective grip of ideological control, namely the process that silently ensures the subjugation of digital labour, and which keeps the ‘unexpectedness’ of algorithmic practices at bay: that is, the propensity of users to contest digital prescriptions. In particular, the theoretical contribution of this paper is to combine Labour Process with psychoanalytically-informed, post-structuralist theory, in order to connect to, and further our understanding of, how and why digital workers assent to, or oppose, the interpellations of algorithmic ideology at work. To illustrate the operation of affective control in the Platform Economy, the emblematic example of ride-hailing platforms, such as Uber, and their algorithmic management, is revisited. Thus, the empirical section describes the way drivers are glued to the algorithm (e.g. for one more fare, or for the next surge pricing) in a way that prevents them, although not always, from considering genuine resistance to management. Finally, the paper discusses the central place of ideological fantasy and cynical enjoyment in the Platform Economy, as well as the ethical implications of the study.
Wargaming for International Relations research
Authors: Lin-Greenberg Erik , Pauly Reid B.C. , Schneider Jacquelyn G.
Published: December 2021

Political scientists are increasingly integrating wargames into their research. Either by fielding original games or by leveraging archival wargame materials, researchers can study rare events or topics where evidence is difficult to observe. However, scholars have little guidance on how to apply this novel methodological approach to political science research. This article evaluates how political scientists can use wargames as a method of scholarly inquiry and sets out to establish a research agenda for wargaming in International Relations. We first differentiate wargames from other methodological approaches and highlight their ecological validity. We then chart out how researchers can build and run their own games or draw from archival wargames for theory development and testing. In doing so, we explain how researchers can navigate issues of recruitment, bias, validity, and generalizability when using wargames for research, and identify ways to evaluate the potential benefits and pitfalls of wargames as a tool of inquiry. We argue that wargames offer unique opportunities for political scientists to study decision-making processes both in and beyond the International Relations subfield.
“Everything was stuck in my inside and I just wanted to get it out”: Psychological distress, coping, and help-seeking for young adult Australian Hazaras from refugee backgrounds
Authors: Copolov Carly , Knowles Ann
Published: December 2021

Hazaras form an Afghan ethnic minority group in Australia who arrived as refugees and through humanitarian resettlement schemes over the past three decades. This qualitative study explored psychological distress in a community sample of young adult Hazaras with a refugee background. The aim was to contribute to a more detailed understanding of their mental health, coping, and help-seeking in Australia. Eighteen Hazaras, nine males and nine females aged 18–30 years ( M  =  22.39, SD  =  3.35), in Perth, Melbourne, or Sydney, who had been living in Australia on average 7.17 years (range 1 to 16 years), participated in a semi-structured interview based on Kleinman's explanatory model framework. Participants described mental and physical health as interconnected and their explanatory models for psychological distress focused on their current difficult life experiences as refugees. Findings indicated noteworthy gender differences, with young women reporting less distress associated with adaptation than did young men. Some young people used positive coping strategies in the community, while others engaged with a variety of mental health services. Level of satisfaction with these services varied considerably, with satisfaction highest for services provided by multicultural centers. Generally, respondents were not focused on their past traumas, but more interested in planning for their futures in Australia. Key implications for culturally appropriate training and specialized interventions for use with young adult Hazaras from refugee backgrounds are discussed.
Effect of structural parameters and service conditions on the tilt angle of double row angular contact ball bearing
Authors: Cui Zhaoliang , He Rui , Wu Wanyu , Wang Fengtao , Heng Liu
Published: December 2021

In this paper, for double row angular contact ball bearing, a five-degrees-of-freedom bearing analysis model based on quasi-statics is proposed. This model is used to study the influence of structural parameters and service conditions on the tilt angle and limit tilt angle of the bearing. The results show that the radial clearance will increase the ultimate tilt angle. The coincidence degree between the roller and the inner raceway will reduce the ultimate tilt angle, but the coincidence degree between the roller and the outer raceway has the opposite effect. The increase in the external load of the bearing will increase the tilt angle. The moment load has the greatest effect on the tilt angle. The rotation speed of the bearing has no effect on the tilt angle. The coincidence degree between the roller and the raceway will reduce the tilt angle; furthermore, the influence of the coincidence degree between roller and different ring on the tilt angle is also different when different rings are fixed. The tilt angle will decrease with the increase of the initial contact angle, and this effect is more and more obvious. The fixation of different ring has no effect on this influence.
The dependence of election coverage on political institutions: Political competition and policy framing in Germany and the United Kingdom
Authors: McMenamin Iain , Courtney Michael , Breen Michael , McNulty Gemma
Published: December 2021

Election coverage is often assumed to be different to everyday political coverage. We argue that this depends on political institutions. In majoritarian countries, where elections choose governments, election coverage should decisively move towards political competition and away from policy. In consensual countries, where coalitions are based on policy negotiations, there should be a less pronounced shift towards political competition and away from policy. To test this argument, we use an automatic coding system to study 0.9 billion words in Die Welt for 12 years and in the Financial Times for 30 years. The results support our institutional hypothesis.
Tractor-trailer-train braking time sequence detection based on monocular vision
Authors: Zhang Libin , Feng Shiyuan , Shan Hongying , Wang Guanran
Published: December 2021

The tractor-trailer-train at the braking process prone to braking instability caused by asynchronous braking between the shafts. With respect to the lack of intelligent detection of Braking Time Sequence (BTS), a non-contact dynamic detection scheme of intelligent vehicle BTS is proposed. Based on the monocular vision principle, the edge markers of tractor-trailer train tires are identified, and the tire slip rate is solved. The noise reduction of the collected image is processed. The marker area is obtained by Blob analysis. This region at the image to be matched is identified by the template matching algorithm based on contour. The camera is calibrated by Zhang’s calibration method. In order to verify the effectiveness of the detection scheme, the real vehicle test was carried out. The test results show that the error of slip rate solution is below 4.2%.
Modeling the Social Determinants of Official COVID-19 Reports in the Early Stages of the Pandemic
Authors: Kurbucz Marcell T.
Published: December 2021

The goal of this paper is to examine the role of social factors in the formation of country reports related to COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic. To this end, a linked database of countries’ COVID-19 reports and five composite variables (which compress the information content of 162 preliminary selected socioeconomic indicators) is analyzed by using regression models with regional dummy interactions. The main findings not only reflect the importance of foreign travel restrictions and airport controls but also show that in Europe and Africa, more corrupt countries have reported significantly fewer cases and deaths than countries in other regions.
Functional Rehabilitation and Return to Play After Arthroscopic Surgical Stabilization for Anterior Shoulder Instability
Authors: Kelley Timothy D. , Clegg Stephanie , Rodenhouse Paul , Hinz Jon , Busconi Brian D.
Published: December 2021

Background:

There exists limited objective functional return-to-play criteria after surgical stabilization for anterior shoulder instability in the competitive athlete.

Hypothesis:

The proposed functional rehabilitation program and psychological evaluation after arthroscopic Bankart repair will help athletes return to sport with a decreased redislocation rate on return.

Study Design:

Case series.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Methods:

Participants were contact or overhead athletes at the high school or collegiate level. Each underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair after a single dislocation event, with less than 10% glenoid bone loss. Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) scores, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. Athletes were only allowed to return to competition after completing the proposed functional and psychological rehabilitation protocol.

Results:

A total of 62 participants were enrolled (52 male, 10 female; average age, 18.7 years (range 16-24 years); mean Instability Severity Index Score, 5.63 ± 0.55). All returned to sport for 1 full season and completed a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. The average time to pass functional testing was 6.2 ± 0.7 months, psychological testing was 5.2 ± 0.5 months, and return to sport was 6.5 ± 0.7 months. SANE scores improved from 44.3 to 90.0, ASES from 45.5 to 89.3, and WOSI from 1578.0 to 178.9 (all P < 0.001). Redislocation rate was 6.5% (4 of 62).

Conclusion:

The proposed functional rehabilitation and psychological assessment protocol is safe and effective in returning athletes to sport after arthroscopic surgical intervention for anterior shoulder instability. This demonstrated a low redislocation rate after 2-year follow-up.

Clinical Relevance:

Most return-to-play protocols after arthroscopic Bankart repair are centered on recovery time alone, with limited focus on functional rehabilitation, psychological assessment, and return-to-play testing parameters. To our knowledge, this is the first study to propose a dedicated rehabilitation program incorporating functional testing, psychological readiness, and return-to-play criteria for competitive athletes recovering from arthroscopic shoulder stabilization.
A nano based approach to alleviate cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity
Authors: Anees Lobna M , Abdel-Hamid Gehan R , Elkady Ahmed A
Published: December 2021

Background and objective

Cisplatin, an effective drug against cancer, commonly induces nephrotoxicity; limiting its therapeutic efficacy and application. In this study, Cisplatin NanoComposite (Cis NC) was formulated successfully from irradiated chitosan coated Cisplatin and MgO nanoparticles (CHIT/Cis/MgO NPs) to promote cisplatin release in a more sustained manner to improve therapeutic efficacy via the reduction of its nephrotoxicity. To compare the relative induced renal toxicity of cisplatin with Cisplatin NanoComposite, histological and biochemical mechanisms underlying nephrotoxicity were investigated.

Methods

Thirty rats were equally separated to three groups, first group received saline injections and adjusted as the control group, the second group was injected intra-peritoneal with cisplatin 0.64 mg/kg b. wt./day for 6 weeks, the third group was injected intra-peritoneal with Cis NC 5.75 mg/kg b. wt. daily for 6 weeks.

Results

Cisplatin-induced renal functional impairment and histopathological damages in the kidney; also, cisplatin disrupted the balance of the redox system in renal tissue, stimulated the inflammatory reactions in the kidney via triggering signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) dependent pathways. Moreover, Cisplatin-induced activation of mammalian target of rapamycin mTOR and inactivation of AMPK/PI3K/Akt signal pathway, and was coupled with induction of p53 activity and the executioner caspase3 to induce apoptotic renal cell death. On the other hand, Cis NC exerted a minimal stimulatory effect on apoptotic and inflammatory signal cascade with negligible renal functional and morphological alterations.

Conclusion

We postulated that Cis NC may be a valued possible drug to decrease the cytotoxicity of cisplatin thus reserves the renal function and structure.
Management of Isolated, Congenital Anterior Mitral Valve Cleft
Authors: Hargiss J. Blade , Dearani Joseph A. , Stephens Elizabeth H. , Taggart Nathaniel W.
Published: December 2021

Background: Isolated anterior mitral valve clefts (MVC) are rare congenital heart defects, and data are limited regarding the natural history and surgical outcomes for such isolated MVCs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with congenital MVC who were evaluated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota between 1993 and 2020. Patients were separated into two cohorts: those who underwent surgical repair of the MVC and those who had not yet undergone repair. Baseline and postoperative clinical and echocardiographic data were analyzed. Results: Fourteen patients were included in the nonsurgical cohort and eight patients in the surgical cohort. Surgical repair was via primary median sternotomy (n = 6) or robot-assisted, minimally invasive (n = 2). All cleft repairs were performed by simple suture closure. Intraoperative evaluation of the clefts did not reveal additional structural factors that could account for the mitral regurgitation (MR). At latest follow-up of the surgical cohort, the median grade of MR was 1 (range 0-1), and median left ventricular ejection fraction was 65% (IQR 59%-67%), both similar to the immediate postoperative result. At latest follow-up, all patients in the nonsurgical cohort were NYHA Class 1, and median MR grade was 1. All patients were asymptomatic (NYHA Class 1). Conclusions: Our findings corroborate prior reports that MVC repair is safe and successful and is followed by a low rate of recurrent mitral valve dysfunction. Durable surgical repair of isolated, congenital MVC can be performed safely in select patients. The decision to intervene should be based on the severity of mitral regurgitation and patient symptoms rather than the presence of the MVC alone.
Improvements in Middle-Schoolers’ Performance and Motivation to Practice: An Experimental Investigation of Accurate Feedback in a Motor Task
Authors: Rascle Olivier , Marbac Faustine , Higgins Nancy C. , Le Foll David , Charrier Maxime , Cabagno Geneviève
Published: December 2021

The present field experiment investigated the effects of accurate and non-accurate performance feedback on causal attributions, success expectancy, performance, and persistence on a motor task. Forty-six male middle-schoolers were randomly assigned to a Contingent (accurate) feedback, Non-contingent (non-accurate) feedback, or Control (no feedback) group and completed a challenging motor task. An initial treatment phase provided either accurate contingent feedback or yoked non-contingent feedback during the task, and measured task performance, attributions about performance, and success expectancy about future performance. A subsequent testing phase (same task) used the same measures and added a measure of motivation (persistence). Compared to the Contingent and Control groups, Noncontingent outcome feedback during the initial treatment phase led to more personally uncontrollable attributions, lower success expectancy, poorer performance, and lower persistence in the subsequent test phase. Despite a high rate of failure in the motor task for both feedback groups in the treatment phase, the Contingent group—getting accurate feedback about performance—had a higher sense of personal control and expectancy of success than the Non-contingent feedback group initially, and maintained these perceptions in the subsequent test phase where they also had better performance and higher levels of persistence than the Non-contingent group. Non-contingent feedback in an initial motor task appears to induce helplessness deficits in subsequent task performance and persistence. In contrast, providing accurate (contingent) feedback about achieved performance appears to protect against performance and motivational losses.
Noise Exposure and Quality of Life Among Nurses
Authors: McCullagh M. C. , Xu J. , Dickson V. Vaughan , Tan Alai , Lusk S. L.
Published: December 2021

Background:

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between noise exposure, selected health conditions, and well-being among nurses.

Methods:

A secondary analysis was performed on data obtained from 3,818 U.S. nurses who responded to a survey regarding noise exposure, health conditions, stress, professional quality of life, and workplace support.

Findings:

Those who reported high noise exposure reported more health conditions, higher stress and burnout scores, and lower supportive environments. High noise exposure was significantly associated with lower professional quality of life.

Conclusion/Application to Practice:

Noise may impact the health and quality of professional life of nurses. Occupational health nurses should advocate for the regular monitoring of nurses’ exposure to hazardous noise at work, compare it to OSHA permissible levels, and collaborate with the occupational health team to ensure safe noise levels are maintained. Occupational health nurses should advocate for expanded research on effects of noise on health.
The Relationship Between Discoid Meniscus and Articular Cartilage Thickness: A Quantitative Observational Study With MRI
Authors: Brutico Joseph M. , Wright Margaret L. , Kamel Sarah I. , Zoga Adam C. , Poehling-Monaghan Kirsten , Hammoud Sommer
Published: December 2021

Background:

Several cadaveric imaging studies have demonstrated that the articular cartilage thickness on the tibial plateau varies depending on coverage by native meniscal tissue. These differences are thought to partially contribute to the rates of cartilage degeneration and development of osteoarthritis after meniscectomy. Because there is greater tibial plateau coverage with meniscal tissue in the setting of a discoid meniscus, these findings may also have implications for the long-term health of the knee after saucerization of a torn discoid meniscus.

Purpose:

To evaluate the relationship between lateral compartment articular cartilage thickness and the presence or absence of a discoid meniscus.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included in the study were 25 patients younger than 40 years of age who had undergone a 1.5-T or 3-T knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 2010 and 2016 at a single institution and had an intact, lateral discoid meniscus. Only patients with an otherwise asymptomatic lateral compartment were included. The authors then identified 35 age-matched controls with a nondiscoid, intact lateral meniscus who underwent knee MRI at the same institution and during the same period. The articular cartilage thicknesses in 6 zones of the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and lateral tibial plateau (LTP) were measured for each patient by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists, and the mean thicknesses were compared between the study and control groups.

Results:

The average age at MRI was 22.63 years (range, 8.30-35.90 years) for the discoid group and 20.93 years (range, 8.43-34.99 years) for the nondiscoid group. The nondiscoid group had significantly greater mean articular cartilage thickness in all 6 zones of the LTP ( P < .05 for all). When comparing the zones of the LFC, there was no significant difference in the mean thickness in any zone between the 2 groups.

Conclusion:

Patients with discoid menisci had thinner baseline articular cartilage thickness in the LTP compared with those patients without discoid menisci.
ACL Size, but Not Signal Intensity, Is Influenced by Sex, Body Size, and Knee Anatomy
Authors: Barnett Samuel C. , Murray Martha M. , Flannery Sean W. ,   BEAR Trial Team, Menghini Danilo , Fleming Braden C. , Kiapour Ata M. , Proffen Benedikt , Sant Nicholas , Portilla Gabriela , Sanborn Ryan , Freiberger Christina , Henderson Rachael , Ecklund Kirsten , Yen Yi-Meng , Kramer Dennis , Micheli Lyle
Published: December 2021

Background:

Little is known about sex-based differences in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tissue quality in vivo or the association of ACL size (ie, volume) and tissue quality (ie, normalized signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) with knee anatomy.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that (1) women have smaller ACLs and greater ACL normalized signal intensity compared with men, and (2) ACL size and normalized signal intensity are associated with age, activity levels, body mass index (BMI), bicondylar width, intercondylar notch width, and posterior slope of the lateral tibial plateau.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Knee MRI scans of 108 unique ACL-intact knees (19.7 ± 5.5 years, 62 women) were used to quantify the ACL signal intensity (normalized to cortical bone), ligament volume, mean cross-sectional area, and length. Independent t tests were used to compare the MRI-based ACL parameters between sexes. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between normalized signal intensity and size with age, activity levels, BMI, bicondylar width, notch width, and posterior slope of the lateral tibial plateau.

Results:

Compared with men, women had significantly smaller mean ACL volume (men vs women: 2028 ± 472 vs 1591 ± 405 mm3), cross-sectional area (49.4 ± 9.6 vs 41.5 ± 8.6 mm2), and length (40.8 ± 2.8 vs 38.1 ± 3.1 mm) ( P < .001 for all), even after adjusting for BMI and bicondylar width. There was no difference in MRI signal intensity between men and women (1.15 ± 0.24 vs 1.12 ± 0.24, respectively; P = .555). BMI, bicondylar width, and intercondylar notch width were independently associated with a larger ACL ( R 2 > 0.16, P < .001). Younger age and steeper lateral tibial slope were independently associated with shorter ACL length ( R 2 > 0.03, P < .04). The combination of BMI and bicondylar width was predictive of ACL volume and mean cross-sectional area ( R 2 < 0.3). The combination of BMI, bicondylar width, and lateral tibial slope was predictive of ACL length ( R 2 = 0.39). Neither quantified patient characteristics nor anatomic variables were associated with signal intensity.

Conclusion:

Men had larger ACLs compared with women even after adjusting for BMI and knee size (bicondylar width). No sex difference was observed in signal intensity, suggesting no difference in tissue quality. The association of the intercondylar notch width and lateral tibial slope with ACL size suggests that the influence of these anatomic features on ACL injury risk may be partially explained by their effect on ACL size.

Registration:

NCT02292004 and NCT02664545 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).