bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remotely Monitored Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Data Predict All‐Cause and Cardiovascular Unplanned Hospitalization
Authors: Sammut‐Powell Camilla , Taylor Joanne K. , Motwani Manish , Leonard Catherine M. , Martin Glen P. , Ahmed Fozia Zahir
Published: August 2022

Background

Unplanned hospitalizations are common in patients with cardiovascular disease. The “Triage Heart Failure Risk Status” (Triage‐HFRS) algorithm in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices uses data from up to 9 device‐derived physiological parameters to stratify patients as low/medium/high risk of 30‐day heart failure (HF) hospitalization, but its use to predict all‐cause hospitalization has not been explored. We examined the association between Triage‐HFRS and risk of all‐cause, cardiovascular, or HF hospitalization.

Methods and Results

A prospective observational study of 435 adults (including patients with and without HF) with a Medtronic Triage‐HFRS–enabled cardiac implantable electronic device (cardiac resynchronization therapy device, implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator, or pacemaker). Cox proportional hazards models explored association between Triage‐HFRS and time to hospitalization; a frailty term at the patient level accounted for repeated measures. A total of 274 of 435 patients (63.0%) transmitted ≥1 high HFRS transmission before or during the study period. The remaining 161 patients never transmitted a high HFRS. A total of 153 (32.9%) patients had ≥1 unplanned hospitalization during the study period, totaling 356 nonelective hospitalizations. A high HFRS conferred a 37.3% sensitivity and an 86.2% specificity for 30‐day all‐cause hospitalization; and for HF hospitalizations, these numbers were 62.5% and 85.6%, respectively. Compared with a low Triage‐HFRS, a high HFRS conferred a 4.2 relative risk of 30‐day all‐cause hospitalization (8.5% versus 2.0%), a 5.0 relative risk of 30‐day cardiovascular hospitalization (3.6% versus 0.7%), and a 7.7 relative risk of 30‐day HF hospitalization (2.0% versus 0.3%).

Conclusions

In patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices, remotely monitored Triage‐HFRS data discriminated between patients at high and low risk of all‐cause hospitalization (cardiovascular or noncardiovascular) in real time.
A Genome-Wide Evolutionary Simulation of the Transcription-Supercoiling Coupling
Authors: Grohens Théotime , Meyer Sam , Beslon Guillaume
Published: August 2022

DNA supercoiling, the level of under- or overwinding of the DNA polymer around itself, is widely recognized as an ancestral regulation mechanism of gene expression in bacteria. Higher levels of negative supercoiling facilitate the opening of the DNA double helix at gene promoters and thereby increase gene transcription rates. Different levels of supercoiling have been measured in bacteria exposed to different environments, leading to the hypothesis that variations in supercoiling could be a response to changes in the environment. Moreover, DNA transcription has been shown to generate local variations in the supercoiling level and, therefore, to impact the transcription rate of neighboring genes. In this work, we study the coupled dynamics of DNA supercoiling and transcription at the genome scale. We implement a genome-wide model of gene expression based on the transcription-supercoiling coupling. We show that, in this model, a simple change in global DNA supercoiling is sufficient to trigger differentiated responses in gene expression levels via the transcription-supercoiling coupling. Then, studying our model in the light of evolution, we demonstrate that this non-linear response to different environments, mediated by the transcription-supercoiling coupling, can serve as the basis for the evolution of specialized phenotypes.
Revise and Resubmit: An Intertextual Model of Text-based Collaboration in Peer Review
Authors: Kuznetsov Ilia , Buchmann Jan , Eichler Max , Gurevych Iryna
Published: August 2022

Peer review is a key component of the publishing process in most fields of science. Increasing submission rates put a strain on reviewing quality and efficiency, motivating the development of applications to support the reviewing and editorial work. While existing NLP studies focus on the analysis of individual texts, editorial assistance often requires modeling interactions between pairs of texts—yet general frameworks and datasets to support this scenario are missing. Relationships between texts are the core object of the intertextuality theory—a family of approaches in literary studies not yet operationalized in NLP. Inspired by prior theoretical work, we propose the first intertextual model of text-based collaboration, which encompasses three major phenomena that make up a full iteration of the review–revise–and–resubmit cycle: pragmatic tagging, linking, and long-document version alignment. While peer review is used across the fields of science and publication formats, existing datasets solely focus on conference-style review in computer science. Addressing this, we instantiate our proposed model in the first annotated multidomain corpus in journal-style post-publication open peer review, and provide detailed insights into the practical aspects of intertextual annotation. Our resource is a major step toward multidomain, fine-grained applications of NLP in editorial support for peer review, and our intertextual framework paves the path for general-purpose modeling of text-based collaboration. We make our corpus, detailed annotation guidelines, and accompanying code publicly available.1
Noncombat Participation in Rebellion: A Gendered Typology
Authors: Loken Meredith
Published: August 2022

Research on women's participation in rebel organizations often focuses on “frontline” fighters. But there is a dearth of scholarship about noncombat roles in rebel groups. This is surprising because scholarship on gender and rebellion suggests that women's involvement in rebel governance, publicity, and mobilization can have positive effects on civilian support for and participation in rebel organizations cross-nationally. Further, women often make up the critical infrastructure that maintains rebellion. A new conceptual typology of participation in rebellion identifies four dimensions along which individuals are involved in noncombat labor: logistics, outreach, governance, and community management. These duties are gendered in ways that make women's experiences and opportunities unique and, often, uniquely advantageous for rebel organizations. Women take on complex roles within rebellion, including myriad tasks and duties that rebels perform in conjunction with or in lieu of combat labor. An in-depth analysis of women's noncombat participation in the Provisional Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland demonstrates this typology's purpose and promise. Attention to noncombat labor enables a more comprehensive analysis of rebel groups and of civil wars. Studying these activities through this framework expands our understanding of rebellion as a system of actors and behaviors that extends beyond fighting. Future scholarship may use this typology to explain variation in types of women's participation or the outcomes that they produce.
Petitionary Prayer for Healing and South African Pentecostals
Authors: Nel Marius
Published: August 2022

Most Pentecostals accept and proclaim that God answers petitionary prayers of believers for prayer, whether for themselves or someone else, based on the clear evidence found in biblical texts. Their worship services regularly contain testimonies of believers or about believers whose prayers were miraculously answered. However, to what extent is it true that their prayers are answered, and how probable it is that it can be proven as the outcome of prayer if their desire is granted? Is their belief in answered petitionary prayer justified? Or should they rather stay agnostic about answered prayers? The article uses grammatical-historical exegesis to consider biblical evidence and published empirical research reports related to healing in response to prayer before Pentecostal hermeneutics is used to reconsider and formulate a classical Pentecostal viewpoint.
From Mission to Doxology
Authors: Soesilo Yushak
Published: August 2022

This article constructs political theology for Pentecostals in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Indonesia that can become a basis for their spirituality engaging in public affairs. The study is conducted on Isa. 42.1–9 according to Vernon K. Robbins’ socio-rhetoric criticism method. The results of the study show that the servant, who was anointed by the Spirit of God, became an agent to carry out the mission of liberation for all humankind from social injustice and of striving for social transformation as well. His work was ultimately regarded as God’s superiority over idols, therefore bringing praise to God. The Spirit encourages people of the Spirit to always work on missions, liberating from social injustice and transforming social structure. Any work produced could be considered as a participation in the Spirit’s inspirational work, and doxology is a way of discerning the Spirit’s work.
A new species of the genus Larnaca from Guangxi, China (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae: Gryllacridinae)
Authors: SHEN SI-ZHONG , YIN ZI-XU
Published: August 2022

Larnaca (Larnaca) lieyongzhou sp. nov. is described from Guangxi, China. This species is characterized by the unique shape of the lobes on female’s 7th abdominal tergite. Types of the new species in this paper are deposited in Museum of Biology, East China Normal University.
Transmission and Reflection of Upward-Propagating Rossby Waves in the Lowermost Stratosphere: Importance of the Tropopause Inversion Layer
Authors: Weinberger Israel , Garfinkel Chaim I. , Harnik Nili , Paldor Nathan
Published: August 2022

Extreme stratospheric vortex states are often associated with extreme heat flux and upward wave propagation in the troposphere and lower stratosphere; however, the factors that dictate whether an upward-directed wave in the troposphere will reach the bottom of the vortex versus being reflected back to the troposphere are not fully understood. Following Charney and Drazin, an analytical quasigeostrophic planetary-scale model is used to examine the role of the tropopause inversion layer (TIL) in wave propagation and reflection. The model consists of three different layers: troposphere, TIL, and stratosphere. It is shown that a larger buoyancy frequency in the TIL leads to weaker upward transmission to the stratosphere and enhanced reflection back to the troposphere, and thus reflection of wave packets is sensitive not just to the zonal wind but also to the TIL’s buoyancy frequency. The vertical–zonal cross section of a wave packet for a more prominent TIL in the analytical model is similar to the corresponding wave packet for observational events in which the wave amplitude decays rapidly just above the tropopause. Similarly, a less prominent TIL both in the model and in reanalysis data is associated with enhanced wave transmission and a weak change in wave phase above the tropopause. These results imply that models with a poor representation of the TIL will suffer from a bias in both the strength and phase of waves that transit the tropopause region.
An Examination of Racial and Ethnic Variation in the Effect of Prison Visitation on Recidivism
Authors: Dismuke Raven C. , Copp Jennifer E. , Brown Jennifer M.
Published: August 2022

Over the past decade, a growing number of scholars have explored the effect of prison visitation on individuals’ post-release behavior. Findings from this work generally indicate a link between in-prison visits and reductions in recidivism. Yet whether the effect of visitation on recidivism operates similarly across race and ethnicity remains largely unexplored. In the current investigation, we draw on data from the Florida prison system, to examine associations between visitation and recidivism, including whether the effect of visitation is similar across race and ethnic groups. Our findings contribute to research and theorizing on prison visitation by further unpacking the visitation-recidivism link. We conclude by discussing the broader policy implications of our findings.
Cross-coupled control for contour tracking error of free-form curve based on fuzzy PID optimized by improved PSO algorithm
Authors: Ji Wei , Cui Xiang , Xu Bo , Ding ShiHong , Ding Yi , Peng JiaQi
Published: August 2022

Aiming at the free-form curve contour tracking error problem of CNC machining, a cross-coupled controller based on Fuzzy PID using an improved PSO algorithm is proposed. First, the exact formulas of the linear and circular arc contour errors under a plane trajectory are derived, and an estimation method for the free curve profile error under a plane trajectory based on the principle of approximate approximation of preferred points is designed. Second, a cross-coupled controller based on Fuzzy PID using an improved PSO algorithm is achieved. An improved PSO algorithm, whose learning factor is adjusted with the inertia weight, is used to optimize the controller parameters and achieve contour tracking of the free curve. Finally, a two-dimensional biaxial experimental platform is used to test the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the optimal gain parameters obtained by the proposed strategy can significantly improve contour control accuracy in biaxial contour tracking tasks. The proposed contour error control scheme can achieve not only a nearly perfect contouring error estimation, but also an obvious promotion of contouring accuracy.
When Social Work Client Self-Determination Principle Meets Confucius Culture: A Living Will Decision-Making Case Study in China
Authors: Sun Wu , Zhang Qingning , Lee Serge , Luo Zhanlin
Published: August 2022

Background. In western countries like the United States of America, living will is seen as a vehicle for achieving greater wisdom and skill in a fundamental aspect of health care and a civilized approach to mortality. However, the inception of living will in China emerged only a decade ago. Although, nowadays, Chinese medical social workers can provide living will service in health settings, their services are in a preliminary status. Objective. This exploratory case study aims to present an ethical dilemma and analyzes the reasons the social work client self-determination principle failed in living will decision-making in the oncology ward that has Confucius as a cultural context. Results. This case illustrates that the patient’s family has the final say in living will decision-making. The social work principle of client self-determination exemplifies the difficulties of applying medical social work practices with living will to Chinese patients in hospital wards. Conclusions. Chinese patients and their families are still bound to Confucianism’s long tradition. In China, individuals are still being defined by relationships, and the “self” exists only in a hierarchical interpersonal network known as the differential pattern. The Chinese people do not like to talk about death. Even in modern society, it will take time for the Chinese people to come to terms with the end-of-life planning with living will, mainly for cancer patients after diagnosis. Practice Implications. Future social work practices that implied living will similar to this case that has Confucius culture in the background should consider the cultural context where the social worker-client are situated and the types of social work values the profession hold.
Effects of Prior Tracheostomy on Total Laryngectomy Outcomes
Authors: Sussman Sarah , Philips Ramez , Renslo Bryan , Givens Alyssa , Swendseid Brian , Tassone Patrick , Goldman Richard A. , Curry Joseph M. , Cognetti David M. , Luginbuhl Adam J.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To assess whether preoperative tracheostomy (PreOT) increases risk of complications after total laryngectomy (TL) and to determine if timing of tracheostomy creation is associated with an increased risk.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital between 2007 and 2020.

Methods

Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent primary or salvage TL for oncologic treatment. Dependent variables of interest included surgical complications, such as wound dehiscence, infection, hematoma, complete flap failure, fistula formation, and stoma stenosis, as well as medical complications. Categorical variables were compared with chi‐square test or Fisher exact test, and continuous variables were compared with an independent t test. Multivariable regression was conducted to assess predictors of complications after laryngectomy.

Results

A total of 306 patients were included. Primary TL was performed in 161 (53%) patients and salvage in 145 (47%) patients. Of the patients undergoing primary laryngectomy, 105 (65%) received a PreOT. Of the patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy, 86 (59%) received a PreOT. In both primary and salvage cases, there was no association between PreOT and surgical or medical complications. Additionally, there was no significant association between timing of tracheostomy and surgical complications. On multivariable analysis, the presence of a PreOT was not associated with surgical complications. In salvage cases, those with a PreOT had a significantly longer average length of stay than those without a PreOT (12 vs 9 days, P = .008).

Conclusion

PreOT in patients undergoing primary and salvage laryngectomies was not associated with surgical or medical complications postlaryngectomy. Timing of tracheostomy in relation to laryngectomy was not found to adversely affect clinical outcomes.
Ergonomics in Otolaryngologic Surgery: A State of the Art Review
Authors: Walters Zoe A. , Chang Katie Y. , Cervenka Brian , Collar Ryan , Hsieh Tsung‐yen
Published: August 2022

Objective

Otolaryngology is a surgical field with a high degree of ergonomic risk. The use of head‐mounted lighting, loupe magnification, endoscopes, and microscopes is inherent to the field, coupled with repetitive fine motor movements in a constrained anatomic field as well as static, ergonomically unfavorable postures. We seek to review the otolaryngologic literature on ergonomics, including prevalence, severity, and interventions in decreasing work‐related musculoskeletal pain.

Data Sources

Data were derived from clinical peer‐reviewed primary literature as well as information provided by residency programs and presented at national and international meetings.

Review Methods

A comprehensive review was performed by 3 independent reviewers utilizing an electronic database literature search through PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Search terms included combinations and variations of the following concepts: ergonomics, surgery, otolaryngology, work related musculoskeletal disorders, chronic cervical pain, musculoskeletal, posture, surveys, microsurgery, endoscopic surgery. Strict objective criteria for inclusion were not used due to the inherent heterogeneity in articles and lack of rigorous empirical evidence.

Conclusions

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is prevalent among otolaryngologic surgeons, with many procedures producing high ergonomic risk. Most studies evaluating interventions to decrease ergonomic risks demonstrate promising results, but standardization in methods and outcome reporting is needed.

Implications for Practice

Literature shows that musculoskeletal pain begins in training, and there is a paucity of information related to ergonomic risk in otolaryngology residency curriculums. Work‐related musculoskeletal disorders related to poor workplace ergonomics have the potential to limit career longevity and lead to physician burnout. Interventions to mitigate this risk are effective and tend to be well received by physicians.
Altered Airway Anatomy Course Using 3D‐Printed Models for Medical Students
Authors: Sethia Rishabh , Alfayez Yazen , VanKoevering Kyle K. , Seim Nolan B.
Published: August 2022

Objective

Many non‐airway‐trained personnel are uncomfortable managing altered airway anatomy (AAA), including tracheostomy and total laryngectomy (TL) patients. Significant morbidity and mortality have resulted from first responders’ inability to stabilize the airway until expert airway providers arrive. All medical school graduates should demonstrate competency of this life‐saving skill. Our hypothesis was hands‐on interactive simulation using 3‐dimensional (3D)‐printed models would improve AAA knowledge and confidence.

Study Design

Blinded, prospective cohort study.

Setting

The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Methods

A novel curriculum was designed to teach all third‐year medical students AAA fundamentals via case‐based discussions, surgical videos, and hands‐on student demonstration of competency by inserting a tracheostomy and endotracheal tube through 3D‐printed tracheostoma models. Pre‐ and postcourse 5‐item Likert scale surveys and AAA knowledge assessments were administered.

Results

Students (n = 258) felt more comfortable with knowledge of AAA equipment (3.99 vs 1.38, P < .0001), ability to stabilize AAA patients until expert airway providers arrive (3.67 vs 1.37, P < .0001), and AAA overall (3.75 vs 1.49, P < .0001) postcourse vs precourse. AAA knowledge assessment scores improved from 34.3% precourse to 75.6% postcourse (P < .0001). Interestingly, 30.7% chose bag‐mask ventilation over mouth and nose and/or transoral/transnasal intubation for a total laryngectomy patient precourse vs 5.5% postcourse (P < .0001). In total, 86.7% reported inadequate exposure to AAA in medical school and 98.4% found the course to be a valuable experience.

Conclusion

This hands‐on course significantly increases medical student knowledge and comfort managing AAA patients. The course can be expanded to various trainees and providers to further promote AAA education and ultimately improve patient safety.
Study of Measures to Design Asphalt Mixes Including High Percentages of Recycled Asphalt Pavement and Recycled Asphalt Shingles
Authors: Mivehchi Maziar , Wen Haifang , Wen Yankai , Wang Lin
Published: August 2022

With the increased use of recycled materials and various additives, the performance of asphalt mixes, especially their cracking resistance, has become a primary concern. Researchers have developed performance test methods and parameters to simulate field performance in the laboratory. When these performance tests are included in specifications, contractors must adjust their mix design parameters accordingly. To aid contractors, this study evaluated rut depths obtained from Hamburg wheel-tracking tests of 261 asphalt mixes and cracking test (CT) index values from IDEAL-CT tests of 69 mixes designed by contractors and verified by the Washington State Department of Transportation. These mixes had different gradations; binder contents; air void contents; recycled asphalt pavement (RAP); recycled asphalt shingles (RAS); recycling agents; binder performance grades; and other volumetric properties. The results show that (1) rut depth is highly sensitive to binder content, performance grade, aggregate angularity, and RAP/RAS content and (2) the CT index is sensitive to binder content, air void content of the mixture, aggregate gradation, and RAP/RAS content. The low-RAP mixes also showed worse cracking performance than the mixes without RAP. Therefore, the performance grade of blended binder may need to match the target binder grade even for low-RAP mixes. It was found that the design air void of 3.5% is optimal in respect of cracking resistance. The use of softer virgin binder or rejuvenator may not be effective in completely mitigating the cracking potential of high-RAP/RAS mixes.
Respiratory Health Among Older Adults in Vietnam: Does Earlier-Life Military Role and War Exposure Matter?
Authors: Teerawichitchainan Bussarawan , Zimmer Zachary , Low Timothy Qing Ying , Toan Tran Khanh
Published: August 2022

Objective

We explore how earlier-life military roles and war trauma associate with later-life respiratory health in Vietnam. Method: The population-based sample aged 60+ is from the 2018 Vietnam Health and Aging Study. Poisson and binary logistic regressions investigate correlates of overall lung health, measured as total number of four conditions, and individual conditions, with focus on earlier-life wartime experiences. Results: Exposure is associated with lung conditions. Overall, a one-standard deviation increase in exposure results in 0.529 more conditions ( p ≤ .001). Association varies across military roles and is partially explained by PTSD and smoking. Civilians heavily exposed to war trauma exhibit worse lung health than similarly exposed formal and informal military personnel. Discussion: Earlier-life war exposure is an important predictor of late-adulthood respiratory health in lower- and middle-income countries. Evidence calls for attention to the long-term impacts of war on health among not only formal and informal military personnel but also civilians.
Physical therapists’ experience using focus on therapeutic outcome in outpatient clinics: A qualitative study
Authors: Bekmuratova Sarbinaz , Bahle-Lampe Angela , Pflaster Travis
Published: August 2022

While patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) are used in many practice settings as a standardized system of outcome measures, various factors may impact the meaningful use of PROMs by clinicians operating in various settings. Very limited research exists that focused on examining the use of FOTO® in outpatient rehabilitation settings. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators in achieving FOTO® treatment completion rates and patient functional outcomes among physical therapists. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the internal acceptance of FOTO as a useful tool in rehabilitation from the perspectives of physical therapists. Qualitative data were collected through four focus group interviews with physical therapists at outpatient rehabilitation clinics. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and transcribed, and qualitative content analysis was applied for data analysis. Four major themes emerged from qualitative data analyses including (a) use of FOTO® in clinical practice, (b) reasons why the FOTO® process may not be followed, (c), therapists’ perceptions of FOTO®, and (d) perceived barriers and enablers related to FOTO®. The study concluded that multi-level determinants impact the successful use of FOTO® by therapists in outpatient rehabilitation settings. The findings have important implications for clinical practice, organizational leaders, and PROM developers.
The Moral Significance of Aesthetics in Nature Imagery
Authors: Kim Eunsoo , Cunningham Julia Lee , Aribarg Anocha
Published: August 2022

To solicit support for nature and wildlife conservation, mission-driven organizations rely on professional nature and wildlife imagery in their media outlets and campaigns. We investigated whether—and if so, why—the aesthetics of images increase social media engagement (e.g., number of likes) and the extent to which images elicit moral concern for nature and wildlife. In Study 1 ( N = 782 U.S. adults), we trained a neural network to predict image aesthetics in National Geographic’s Instagram data and identified image-specific attributes that influence aesthetics. We found that image aesthetics predicted engagement with the Instagram posts. In Study 2 ( N = 775 U.S. adults), we established the causal effect of aesthetics on engagement and moral concern, which is explained by self-transcendent emotions (awe and inspiration) and purity associated with an image. Study 3 ( N = 406 U.S. adults) replicated the results, showing that our key effects were stronger for individuals who place higher importance on beauty. By demonstrating the moral significance of image aesthetics, we highlight the potential of the beauty of nature to invigorate global conservation efforts.
Robert Henderson: Scottish doctor who was appointed Physician to the Forces (1795) and practised at Brighton, England
Authors: Cooper Maxwell John , Jegatheesan Menaka , Fernandes Carl , Whiston Benjamin
Published: August 2022

Robert Henderson was a Scottish physician who qualified Doctor of Medicine at Aberdeen in 1786. By 1792, Henderson was working in Brighton on the south coast of England. He was admitted Licentiate of the College of Physicians of London in 1793. At Brighton he probably worked as a parish doctor. In 1795 Henderson was appointed Physician to the Forces and probably served as a garrison doctor. In Brighton, he is noted as an advocate of chalybeate water therapy (i.e. mineral spring water containing iron salts). Henderson undertook basic experiments into the chemistry of mineral water and a few, very brief, clinical observations may be his. In Henderson's time, the chalybeate in question was part of the ‘Wick estate’ to the North West of Brighton. Today the site of the spring is located within St Ann's Well Gardens, Hove and this article briefly considers its history. Circumstances link Henderson to Sir Lucas Pepys MD (1742–1830), physician-general to the army and closely associated with both the College of Physicians and the town of Brighton. Henderson died in Brighton on the 3rd April 1808. Henderson's daughter Sophia Janet married Captain William John Thompson Hood who served at Trafalgar aged eleven.
A Nomogram for Individualized Prediction of Calf Muscular Vein Thrombosis in Stroke Patients During Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Liu Lingling , Zhou Juan , Zhang YiQing , Lu Jun , Gan Zhaodan , Ye Qian , Wu Chuyan , Xu Guangxu
Published: August 2022

Objectives: To develop a nomogram for predicting calf muscle veins thrombosis (CMVT) in stroke patients during rehabilitation. Methods: We enrolled 360 stroke patients from the Rehabilitation Medicine Center from December 2015 to February 2019. Of the participants, 123 were included in the CMVT group and 237 in the no CMVT group. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was applied to optimize feature selection for the model. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to construct a predictive model. Performance and clinical utility of the nomogram were generated using the Harrell's concordance index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: Age, Brunnstrom stage (lower extremity), D-dimer, and antiplatelet therapy were associated with the occurrence of CMVT. The prediction nomogram showed satisfactory performance with a concordance index of 0.718 (95% CI: 0.663-0.773) in internal verification. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test, P = .217, suggested that the model was of goodness-of-fit. In addition, the DCA demonstrated that the CMVT nomogram had a good clinical net benefit. Conclusions: We developed a nomogram that could help clinicians identify high-risk groups of CMVT in stroke patients during rehabilitation for early intervention.
D-dimer Thresholds to Exclude Pulmonary Embolism among COVID-19 Patients in the Emergency Department: Derivation with Independent Validation
Authors: Bledsoe Joseph R. , Knox Daniel , Peltan Ithan D. , Woller Scott C. , Lloyd James F. , Snow Gregory L. , Horne Benjamin D. , Connors Jean M. , Kline Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To derive and validate a D-dimer cutoff for ruling out pulmonary embolism (PE) in COVID-19 patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed in an integrated healthcare system including 22 adult ED's between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Results were validated among patients enrolled in the RECOVER Registry, representing data from 154 ED's from 26 US states. Consecutive ED patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19, a D-dimer performed within 48 h of ED arrival, and with objectively confirmed PE were compared to those without PE. After identifying a D-dimer threshold at which the 95% confidence lower bound of the negative predictive value for PE was higher than 98% in the derivation cohort, it was validated using RECOVER registry data.

Results

Among 3978 patients with a D-dimer result, 3583 with confirmed COVID-19 infection were included in the derivation cohort. Overall, PE incidence was 4.1% and a D-dimer cutoff of <2 μ/mL (2000 ng/mL) was associated with a NPV of 98.5% (95% CI = 98.0%−98.9%). In the validation cohort of 13,091 patients with a D-dimer, 7748 had confirmed COVID-19 infection, and the PE incidence was 1.14%. A D-dimer cutoff of <2 μ/mL was associated with a NPV of 99.5% (95% CI = 99.3%−99.7%).

Conclusion

A D-dimer cutoff of <2 μ/ml was associated with a high negative predictive value for PE among patients with COVID-19. However, the resultant sensitivity for PE result at that threshold without pre-test probability assessment would be considered clinically unsafe.
Catalytic Nanomedicine – A new Approach and Solution for Chronic Ulcers: Case Series
Authors: López-Goerne Tessy , Ramírez Paola , Arévalo Alba , Huantes Mireya , Padilla-Godínez Francisco J.
Published: August 2022

Chronic ulcers are a major public health problem, due to their chronic nature, their poor response to treatment, the high frequency of recurrences, and their affection to the patient’s quality of life. Even with the development of new therapies in the field of chronic wound care, chronic ulcers remain a clinical problem. As a novel branch of research, Catalytic Nanomedicine has offered promising results in disinfection and treatment of chronic wounds through the use of bionanocatalysts, organically functionalized mesoporous nanostructured materials with catalytic properties. Particularly, Cu/TiO2-SiO2 mixed oxide bionanocatalysts have shown favorable results for chronic ulcer healing. In this work, we present the treatment of 15 patients (8 females and 7 males, mean age of 69.59 ± 12.07 years old) affected with chronic ulcers (wound age ranging from 4 months to 10 years old, mean size of 12.94 ± 18.20 cm2) by the administration of Cu/TiO2-SiO2 bionanocatalysts embedded in a nanoemulsion matrix. In all cases, complete epithelialization and healing of the lesions was achieved (healing time from 3 to 35 weeks), without the appearance of side effects. Wound healing time was analyzed in the context of initial wound size, wound’s age, patient’s age, and concomitant conditions, being wound size and patient’s age the main factor affecting the duration of the treatment with the bionanocatalysts.
The Mechanism of Chaiyin Particles in the Treatment of COVID-19 Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Authors: Xiong Lewen , Liu Yan , Zhao Hongwei , Wang Yang , Sun Ying , Wang Aiyuan , Zhang Longfei , Zhang Yongqing
Published: August 2022

Objective: To explore the potential active components of Chaiyin particles (CYPs) in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their mechanism of action using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods: Based on the components of CYPs, we obtained potential targets of the interaction between CYPs and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The potential targets were analyzed by protein–protein interaction, gene ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. The key active components of CYPs were subjected to molecular docking with 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and papain-like protease. The components that may bind to the key target proteins of SARS-CoV-2 were screened to obtain the potential active components, targets and pathways for CYP treatment of COVID-19. The above-described network analysis results were then verified experimentally. Results: CYPs may prevent and treat COVID-19 by inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α; participating in the AGE-Rage signaling pathway, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, and other anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune regulatory signaling pathways; and blocking ACE2 via fortunellin and baicalin. Conclusion: This work illustrated that CYPs mainly play an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory role in COVID-19 prevention and treatment. The potential active components and molecular mechanism of CYPs can provide theoretical support and a pharmacological basis for further development and utilization of CYPs in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. These results provide important insights into future studies of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) modernization and prevention.
Effect of Sodium Gluconate on Decreasing Elevated Nasal Calcium and Improving Olfactory Function Post COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Abdelazim Mohamed H. , Abdelazim Ahmed H.
Published: August 2022

Background

COVID-19 has been associated with temporary olfactory dysfunction in many infected patients. Calcium plays a great role in the olfaction process with negative feedback for the olfaction transmission. Many reports demonstrated calcium elevation in the nasal secretions with a negative effect on olfaction. Sodium gluconate is a water-soluble salt with a chemical structure that lends to act as a highly efficient chelating agent. It can bind the elevated calcium in the nasal secretions reducing the adverse effects on olfactory function.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of intranasal sodium gluconate on decreasing the rise of nasal calcium and improving the sense of smell in patients with olfactory dysfunction post-COVID-19 infection.

Methods

Fifty patients with a history of confirmed COVID-19 suffering from olfactory dysfunction persisted more than 90 days after severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 negative testing were included in a prospective randomized blinded controlled clinical trial. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups, receiving either 0.9% sodium chloride or 1% sodium gluconate. Olfactory function was assessed before treatment and 1 month later using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. Quantitative analysis of the nasal calcium concentration was performed before treatment and 1 month later using a laboratory-designed screen-printed ion-selective electrode.

Results

After using sodium gluconate, the measured olfactory scores indicated a clinical improvement from anosmia to hyposmia compared to the nonimprovement sodium chloride receiving group. Also, a remarked decrease in the calcium nasal concentration was observed after using sodium gluconate compared to sodium chloride.

Conclusion

Based on the proposed results, sodium gluconate may associate with an improvement of the olfactory dysfunction post-COVID-19 infection.
What Are Czech Seniors Afraid of? Study on Feeling of Safety Among Seniors
Authors: Kubíčková Lea , Rašticová Martina , Hazuchová Naďa
Published: August 2022

The aim of the study is to describe factors influencing the feeling of safety which significantly influences also the subjective well-being and life satisfaction among Czech seniors. The sample consisted of seniors in the age 55 and above, the total number of respondents was 3,071. In the beginning of presented study two crucial questions were asked. Do the Czech seniors feel safe? What are they mostly afraid of? The reported feeling of safety was higher in seniors who perceived their health as good or very good, almost 90% of these seniors reported they felt safe. The survey results showed that the seniors’ sense of safety was also influenced by the fact whether they lived with someone or alone where the living alone decreased the feeling of safety significantly. Hypothesis testing revealed that also gender affects the reasons why seniors do not feel safe, as well as household’s members and by the place of residence. The survey results have brought an intriguing finding that more than one fourth of Czech seniors reported that one of the reasons why they feel insecure is their fear of migrants. A detailed analysis of the primary data set is focused on factors determining Czech seniors’ feeling of safety and identification of possible specific features of the senior group with concerns about migrants.
Using Plickers to Support Student Learning in Rural Schools: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Chou Pao-Nan
Published: August 2022

This study investigated the effects of Plickers use on rural students’ learning outcomes through two case scenarios. In the first case scenario, the study adopted a preexperimental study method with a focus on comparing Plickers with traditional testing to examine rural students’ learning attitudes toward Plickers. The participants were 24 students in a small rural elementary school in Taiwan who completed 1 month of English learning. In the second case scenario, a quasi-experimental pretest and posttest design was employed to evaluate the instructional effectiveness of Plickers on students’ learning performances. Research participants were 60 students from two classes in a large rural elementary school in Taiwan. During 1 month of math instruction, students in the experimental group took Plickers-based quizzes, whereas students in the control group used small whiteboards to respond during quizzes. The results from the first case indicated that students’ overall attitudes toward Plickers in English class remained positive. The results from the second case revealed that Plickers may enable students to achieve greater learning performance and improvement during math instruction. However, students’ perceptions of Plickers were similar in both cases, indicating joyful learning and active engagement when Plickers was adopted as a formative assessment tool.
“How” and “When” CEO Duality Matter? Case of a Developing Economy
Authors: Ali Shahid , Naseem Muhammad Akram , Jiang Junfeng , Rehman Ramiz Ur , Malik Fizzah , Ahmad Muhammad Ishfaq
Published: August 2022

This study addresses the questions of “How” and “When” CEO duality affects firm performance from a developing country’s perspective. To address the research question, CEO duality serves as an explanatory variable, board effectiveness as a mediator, CEO personal characteristics as moderator, firm-specific characteristics as control, and performance indicators as a dependent variable. Our dataset comprises 163 Pakistani firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange for 2009 to 2018. Results demonstrate that CEO’s duality negatively affects a firm’s financial performance; however, board effectiveness mediates the link between CEO duality and firm performance. The results support the agency theory framework. Furthermore, findings proposed that the CEO’s attributes (age, gender, and financial education) significantly moderate the link between a CEO’s duality and firm performance. The findings may be generalized among the developing countries and net 11 ( N-11) specifically. The current study claims to be the first one that explores the mediating role of the board effectiveness and moderating role of the CEO personal attributes together on a duality-performance link employing Pakistan’s corporate data. The findings suggest that policymakers and regulators ensure separation of power between Chairman and CEO to assure transparency through induction of more independence in the board room.
The resilience of urban entrepreneurialism: Challenging the ‘neoliberal turn’ of municipal climate planning
Authors: Camponeschi Chiara
Published: August 2022

This paper examines how municipal governments have organized to respond to the climate crisis, particularly how the creation and circulation of official climate plans has given rise to a shared narrative of urban resilience. By building on what McCann calls ‘definitional power’, this paper argues that this shared narrative is being exploited to open up profitable new market opportunities that allow municipalities to pursue continued economic growth while presenting local responses as necessary and desirable interventions in the face of climate disruptions. The first half of the paper situates the rise of resilience planning within patterns of urban entrepreneurialism similar to the earlier push on the part of municipalities to obtain ‘creative city’ or ‘smart city’ status. Drawing on the insights of key informants in New York City and Copenhagen, the second half of the paper examines how, by conflating resilience with green growth and the act of bouncing back, this narrative successfully narrows down complex socio-ecological analyses into a more manageable—thus easier to manipulate—idea of resilience, one that largely excludes and discounts local community needs and values. It concludes by arguing that issues of power, equity, and accountability cannot be divorced from any conversation about resilience, and should in fact be treated as integral to the process of achieving meaningful resilience outcomes.
Retrolenticular Vitreous Opacities as a Diagnostic Indicator of Systemic Amyloidosis
Authors: Abramowitz Chiya , Chin Eric K. , Almeida David R. P.
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Systemic amyloidosis is a group of rare, life-threatening disorders characterized by the deposition of amyloid plaques in numerous tissues. Vitreous involvement can occur in amyloidosis and here we describe critical diagnostic findings. Methods: Case report of vitreous amyloidosis diagnosis confounded by non-specific presentation. Results: Despite false-negative vitreous biopsies, in the setting of previous vitreoretinal surgery, the case reveals vitreous opacities, decreased visual acuity, and retinal neovascularization as critical signs in ocular amyloidosis. Conclusions: Here we present the signs and symptoms that raise suspicion for vitreous amyloidosis and how to approach diagnosis early in the disease presentation.
Determination of efflux activity in Enterococci by Hoechst accumulation assay and the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles in inhibition of this activity
Authors: Sobhanipoor Mohammad Hossein , Ahmadrajabi Roya , Nave Hossein Hosseini , Saffari Fereshteh
Published: August 2022

Background

Contribution of efflux pumps in development of antimicrobial resistance has been largely addressed in Gram negative and to a much lesser extent in Gram positive bacteria. Measuring accumulation of Hoechst (H) dye is known as a safe and rapid method for monitoring efflux activity in bacteria. Antimicrobial effects of metal nanoparticles have been attributed in part to inhibition of efflux pumps. This study aimed to first determine efflux activity in enterococci by Hoechst accumulation assay, and to second characterize the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in inhibition of these pumps.

Results

Increased accumulation of Hoechst dye showed more potential of ZnONPs in efflux inhibition compared with CCCP. H33258 represented more suitability for accumulation studies in enterococci. Two to six-fold reduction in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of antimicrobial agents in the presence of ZnONPs was observed.

Conclusions

Efflux activity in enterococcal strains can be measured by H33258 accumulation assay. Application of ZnONPs as an efflux inhibitor, may rejuvenate the use of conventional antimicrobial agents against these bacteria.