bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
[Retracted] A Comprehensive Review: Computational Models for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Detection in Biomedical Applications
Authors: JeyaJothi E. Smily , Anitha J. , Rani Shalli , Tiwari Basant
Published: February 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by periodic episodes of partial or complete upper airway obstruction caused by narrowing or collapse of the pharyngeal airway despite ongoing breathing efforts during sleep. Fall in the blood oxygen saturation and cortical arousals are prompted by this reduction in the airflow which lasts for at least 10 seconds. Impaired labor performance, debilitated quality of life, excessive daytime sleepiness, high snoring, and tiredness even after a whole night’s sleep are the primary symptoms of OSA. In due course, the long‐standing contributions of OSA culminate in hypertension, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure. The traditional diagnostic approach of OSA is the laboratory‐based polysomnography (PSG) overnight sleep study, which is a tedious and labor‐intensive process that exaggerates the discomfort to the patient. With the advent of computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD), automatic detection of OSA has gained increasing interest among researchers in the area of sleep disorders as it influences both diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The research literature on sleep apnea published during the last decade has been surveyed, focusing on the varied screening approaches accustomed to identifying OSA events and the developmental knowledge offered by multiple contributors from the software perspective. The current study presents an overview of the pathophysiology of OSA, the detection methods, physiological signals related to OSA, the different preprocessing, feature extraction, feature selection, and classification techniques employed for the detection and classification of OSA. Consequently, the research challenges and research gaps in the diagnosis of OSA are identified, critically analyzed, and presented in the best possible light.
Real-Time 3D Pedestrian Tracking with Monocular Camera
Authors: Xiao Peng , Yan Fei , Chi Jiannan , Wang Zhiliang
Published: February 2022

Target tracking has always been a popular research area in computer vision, and many important methods have been proposed. However, most methods can only solve partial and slight occlusion. If the target is lost, a common solution is to keep detecting, reidentify the target when it reappears, and then link the broken tracks together, but this makes tracking discontinuous. There are two key points in this problem: continuous tracking and occlusion judgment. In this paper, we propose a target tracking method with a short-time prediction function to solve this problem. For continuous tracking, we establish a 3D dynamic model to estimate the motion state of the target in each frame. For occlusion judgment, we use a depth prediction network to estimate the depth of the target and then determine whether the target is occluded by the depth. Without relying on depth sensors or multiple cameras, we achieve depth estimation using only a single monocular image, which greatly expands the application of our method. Benefit from the introduction of motion estimation and depth prediction, the tracking accuracy of our method has been significantly improved, especially for better robustness to occlusion. Even when the target is completely occluded, it can be tracked for a short time without reidentification. In addition, we improve the speed of depth prediction through knowledge distillation by 2.08 times, and the final tracking speed reaches 52.6 Hz on GPU, which meets the real-time tracking requirements.
A Review of Nonbiodegradable and Biodegradable Composites for Food Packaging Application
Authors: Arman Alim Aina Aqila , Mohammad Shirajuddin Siti Salwa , Anuar Farah Hannan
Published: February 2022

The dependency on nonbiodegradable-based food packaging, increase in population growth, and persistent environmental problems are some of the driving forces in considering the development of biodegradable food packaging. This effort of green packaging has the potential to solve issues on plastic wastes through the combination of biodegradable composite-based food packaging with plant extracts, nanomaterials, or other types of polymer. Modified biodegradable materials have provided numerous alternatives for producing green packaging with mechanical strength, thermal stability, and barrier performance that are comparable to the conventional food packaging. To the best of our knowledge, the performance of nonbiodegradable and biodegradable composites as food packaging in terms of the above properties has not yet been reviewed. In this context, the capability of biodegradable polymers to substitute the nonbiodegradable polymers was emphasized to enhance the packaging biodegradation while retaining the mechanical strength, thermal stability, barrier properties, and antioxidant and antimicrobial or antibacterial activity. These are the ultimate goal in the food industry. This review will impart useful information on the properties of food packaging developed from different polymers and future outlook toward the development of green food packaging.
[Retracted] Quantitative Estimation of Ecocultural Bearing Capacity of Urban Agglomerations in Britain
Authors: Zhang Yantao , Davarpanah Afshin
Published: February 2022

Aiming at the imbalance of urban ecological carrying capacity, this paper proposes a method to estimate the ecological and cultural carrying capacity of British urban agglomeration. The difference method and standardization method are used for positive combination and dimensionless processing of the indicators to realize the data preprocessing of the indicators. Through questionnaire survey, consulting relevant scholars and experts, and referring to the specified values in relevant British policies, determine the ideal value of the index. The index weight is determined by the open‐scoring method. According to the index weight, the ecological and cultural carrying capacity of British urban agglomeration is calculated by vector model method. Calculate the index weight according to the ideal value of the index and the ecological text. The strength of ecological culture carrying capacity is calculated by the actual value of carrying capacity. Taking London urban agglomeration as the experimental object, this paper calculates the ecological and cultural carrying capacity and analyzes the ecological and cultural carrying capacity of three subsystems. The results show that this method can effectively estimate the ecological and cultural carrying capacity of British urban agglomeration.
Recognition of Volleyball Player’s Arm Motion Trajectory and Muscle Injury Mechanism Analysis Based upon Neural Network Model
Authors: Zhao Jinxiang , Li Zengli
Published: February 2022

At present, in sports training for volleyball, it still mainly depends on the personal experience of the coach. Training costs are high, and the quality is difficult to maintain stable. Even with the introduction of training assistance software, it is often necessary to manually enter complex data, and the research samples are mostly single individuals. Serving is one of the basic and important technical movements of volleyball, and its standardization is of great significance to the stable performance of the scene. This article proposes an analysis of the volleyball player’s arm trajectory based on the background of human posture recognition and analysis, based on the neural network model. The changes in the angles of the shoulders, elbows, and wrist when serving the ball reflect the different trajectories of the arm. Experiments show that the height of the throwing arm from the ground accounts for 98% of the height. The horizontal angle of the throwing arm at the moment the ball leaves the hand is positively correlated with the throwing time and height, and the reasonable trajectory has an impact on the stability of the throwing ball. The closer the trajectory of the tossing arm is to the vertical, the more stable the tossing is.
Attenuated Structural Transformation of Indaconitine during Sand Frying Process and Anti-Arrhythmic Effects of Its Transformed Products
Authors: Wang Yan , Tao Pei , Wang Yu-Jie
Published: February 2022

The transformation pathways of diterpenoid alkaloids have been clarified clearly in the boiling and steaming process, but remain to be determined in the sand frying process. The aims of the study were to investigate the transformation pathways of indaconitine in the sand frying process, as well as examine the cardiotoxicity and anti-arrhythmic activity of indaconitine and its transformed products. The transformed product was separated by column chromatography, and the structure was identified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HR-ESI-MS. The cardiotoxicity of indaconitine and its transformed products was clarified by observing the electrocardiogram (ECG) changes at the same dose. Furthermore, the anti-arrhythmic activity of the transformed products was investigated using an aconitine-induced rat arrhythmia model. Consequently, Δ15(16)-16-demethoxyindaconitine, a new diterpenoid alkaloid, was isolated from processed indaconitine. Intravenous injection of 0.06 mg/kg indaconitine induced arrhythmias in SD rats, while Δ15(16)-16-demethoxyindaconitine did not exhibit arrhythmias at the same dose. In the anti-arrhythmic assay, mithaconitine, obtained in the previous research, together with Δ15(16)-16-demethoxyindaconitine, could dose-dependently delay the onset time of ventricular premature beat (VPB) and reduce the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT), combined with the increasing arrhythmia inhibition rate, exhibiting strong anti-arrhythmic activities. These results indicated that two or more pathways exist in the sand frying process, and the transformed products exhibited lower cardiotoxicity and strong anti-arrhythmic activities, which had the possibility of being developed into anti-arrhythmic drugs.
[Retracted] Application of Mobile Technology in College English Vocabulary Teaching
Authors: He Bing
Published: February 2022

In order to improve the quality of college English vocabulary teaching, this paper studies the application of mobile technology in college English vocabulary teaching. The advantages of mobile technology are analyzed, and different mobile technology communication deployment schemes are determined according to different needs and environments of English vocabulary learning, so as to build a college English vocabulary teaching system, which is mainly composed of the user layer, mobile network layer, and English vocabulary data layer. Among them, the main functions of the user layer are user login, system information setting, English vocabulary resource browsing, uploading English vocabulary homework, etc., and determine user preference data through user logs. The mobile network layer is designed using mobile technology to create the delay control technique of the system mobile communication, and the system mobile network layer’s LAN is set up to increase data transmission speed. Finally, set up the database according to the English vocabulary of English words field, calculating Euclidean distance to determine the relationship between them, and then through random set classification vocabulary data types, calculate the similarity degree of the data extraction vocabulary data characteristics and remove high similarity of the English vocabulary data to reduce the difficulty of system storage. The experimental findings suggest that the mobile technology‐based system has high performance and dependability and may be widely used in practice.
Round-Trip Emergency Supply Distribution Model Based on Nonfixed Routes
Authors: Tang Yanli , Xiong Ying , Chen Ying
Published: February 2022

In the face of increasing natural or man-made disasters, rapid and effective emergency dispatch and organization are of great significance to ensure the life safety of people and reduce social losses. In view of the long duration, strong demand urgency, and relatively limited transportation capacity after catastrophic events, this paper proposes a round-trip emergency supply distribution model based on nonfixed routes. This model includes two main features: (1) round trip: emergency vehicles can travel back and forth to distribute supplies; (2) unfixed routes: distribution routes of the same emergency vehicle could be variable in different trips. In order to ensure the timeliness and fairness of the supply distribution scheme, the model objective function is set to minimize the total supplies’ waiting time at all demand points. According to model features, 4 constraints are set, including flow balance, capacity, vehicle scheduling, and time window. On this basis, a compound algorithm combining 2-opt and tabu search is designed to obtain the optimal plan of the model. To verify the effectiveness and superiority of the model and solution method, a case study based on the Sioux Falls network is carried out. Compared with the traditional method, the objective function is optimized by 11.92%. In fact, under the control of multiple constraint conditions, the model well fits the actual application scenarios, which can provide theoretical guidance and decision support for the distribution of relevant emergency supplies.
A Meta-Analysis of Systemic Evaluation of Knee Ligament Injury or Intervention of Knee Proprioceptive Function Recovery
Authors: Zou Longqiang , Yang Yibin , Wang Yihai
Published: February 2022

Objective. The knee ligaments, as a passive knee joint stability device, provide protection for the knee joint and ensure its functional integrity. This role has long been known and recognized by people. The original purpose of knee ligament reconstruction after knee ligament injury is to restore its anatomical structure and mechanical stability mechanism. Methods. Taking athletes as the research object, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on improving ankle joint function of athletes related to proprioception training at home and abroad were included. The search time was from the establishment of the database to December 31, 2019, and the references of related documents were traced. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of the literature. RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analysis. Results. The extensor strength, flexor strength, and flexor strength/extensor strength of the affected limb were higher than before the operation one year after surgery (

P
<
0.01

). The Lysholm score, Lysholm instability score, and one-foot jump distance were all higher than those before surgery (

P
<
0.05

); the difference of KT-2000 for both knees was smaller than that before surgery (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. In maintaining the anterior stability of the knee joint, the knee ligament provides 85% static resistance to prevent the tibia from moving forward, so knee ligament injury will cause knee instability. The proprioceptive feedback mechanism plays an important role in maintaining the functional stability of joints.
Design and Implementation of Online Intelligent Mental Health Testing Platform
Authors: Ren Shengtao , Hou Xiangling , Xi Juzhe
Published: February 2022

In order to solve the problems of high misevaluation rate and low work efficiency in the process of mental health intelligent evaluation, a method of mental health intelligent evaluation system oriented to the decision tree algorithm is proposed. First, the current research status of mental health intelligent evaluation was analyzed and the framework of mental health intelligent evaluation system was constructed. Then, the mental health intelligent evaluation data were collected and the decision tree algorithm was used to analyze and classify the mental health intelligent evaluation data to obtain the mental health intelligent evaluation results. Finally, specific simulation experiments are used to analyze the feasibility and superiority of the mental health intelligent evaluation system. The experimental results show that the recall rate of each system increases with the increasing number of iterations, and the system has the highest recall rate. Also, it is stable after the number of iterations reaches 20, with good recall and adaptive scheduling performance. The recall rate of comparison system 1 and comparison system 2 fluctuates greatly, and the recall rate is lower than that of the system in this paper. It is proved that the method of the mental health intelligent evaluation system of the decision tree algorithm can effectively solve the problem and improve the accuracy of the mental health intelligent evaluation. The efficiency of mental health intelligent evaluation is improved, and the system stability is better, which can meet the actual requirements of current mental health intelligent evaluation.
Optimization of Preventive Maintenance and Replacement Strategies for Nonrenewing Two-Dimensional Warranty Products Experiencing Degradation and External Shocks
Authors: wang Liying , Song Yushuang
Published: February 2022

“Vehicle damage insurance” in China, “Protection Plus Mobile Elite” launched by Samsung, “iPhone Apple Care +” offered by Apple, and so on are special warranty services aiming at external shocks. These warranty terms, named accident insurance, exist widely in the marketplace. Considering the effect of external shocks on degradation, a two-dimensional preventive maintenance and replacement strategy for products, sold with a nonrenewing and two-dimensional rectangle warranty service, is proposed in this paper. Under this strategy, preventive maintenance actions are scheduled based on units of age or usage, which occurs first. There is a reduction in the intensity function after a preventive maintenance action. Each shock before the Nth shock causes a failure of the product or an increase in product failure rate. The product is replaced by a new one on the Nth shock if it survives the N − 1 shocks. From the view of manufacturers, the mean warranty servicing cost over the whole warranty region is obtained by using the renewal theory. Based on direct numerical Riemann–Stieltjes integration, an approximation algorithm of the cost is also given. The mean cost is minimized by the optimization of preventive maintenance interval and the number of shocks N. A numerical example is given to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy. The effects of maintenance cost, the arrival rate of the shocks, and other model parameters on the optimal strategy are also investigated numerically.
Observation on the Rehabilitation Effect of Athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury of the Knee Based on Multidisciplinary Combined Nondrug Therapy
Authors: He Xiao
Published: February 2022

This study analyzes the rehabilitation effects of athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury of the knee based on multidisciplinary combined nondrug therapy. For this purpose, 70 athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury of the knee admitted from September 2019 to December 2020, who were randomly selected, were the subjects of the study. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group and observation group, with 35 cases in each group. The control group was given conventional conservative treatment such as braces braking, local physiotherapy, and routine rehabilitation exercise after injury. For the observation group, multidisciplinary combined nondrug therapy was implemented on the basis of the control group. After receiving the intervention, the balance function score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (

P

 < 0.05). After receiving the intervention, the functional recovery scores of the knee joint of the observation group were significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (

P

 < 0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in knee flexion extension, internal rotation, and external rotation between the two groups (

P

 > 0.05). After treatment, flexion extension, internal rotation, and external rotation of the knee joint in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (

P

 < 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups before treatment (

P

 > 0.05). After treatment, the VAS score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (

P

 < 0.05). Multidisciplinary combined nondrug therapy has a good therapeutic effect in the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injury of the knee for athletes. It can be used as a conservative treatment method to improve the score of balance function and recovery of lacquer joint function, enhance the range of motion of the knee joint, and reduce the VAS.
Stroke Hospital Admissions during the COVID-19 Outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Tanisaka Laura Silveira , Paiva Laércio da Silva , Werneck de Carvalho Luis Eduardo , Fonseca Fernando Luiz Affonso , Feder David , do Nascimento Vânia Barbosa , Adami Fernando
Published: February 2022

Background: Globally, stroke remains an important cause of death and long-term disability, and the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the health system may have impaired stroke care. Previous studies suggest significant reduction in hospital admissions for stroke after COVID-19 onset as patients may hesitate seeking medical help due to fear of exposure. Methods: This cross-sectional study included cases of hospital admissions for stroke, identified from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde), which contains official and public data in Brazil. Data were collected in duplicate, then categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10), considering codes I60–I69. Linear regression was used to estimate the variation in hospital admissions for stroke in the city of São Paulo (SP) – the largest and most populous city in Brazil and Latin America, between January and June of each analyzed year (2017–2020). The percentage variation between June and January 2020 was also compared. The level of significance was set at 5%, and the statistical program used was Stata, version 14.0. Results: In the city of SP, during the first wave of COVID-19, from January to June 2020, there were registered decreases in absolute numbers and mean monthly admissions for stroke. Compared to January 2020, data from June 2020 showed 17% reduction in hospitalizations for intracerebral hemorrhage, 32% for cerebral infarction, 26% for stroke unspecified, and 47% for other cerebrovascular diseases. Conclusion: We argue for policies aimed at improving stroke care and developing awareness campaigns regarding the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as even in less severe presentations, stroke can trigger an increase in mortality, cost, and long-term disability.
Investigating the Contribution of Decision-Making, Cognitive Insight, and Theory of Mind in Insight in Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lopez-Morinigo Javier-David , Escobedo-Aedo Paula-Jhoana , Sánchez-Escribano Martínez Adela , González Ruiz-Ruano Verónica , Sánchez-Alonso Sergio , Mata-Iturralde Laura , Muñoz-Lorenzo Laura , Baca-García Enrique , David Anthony S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Insight in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) is associated with outcomes. Although the neurocognitive basis of insight is widely accepted, the specific contribution of decision-making (Jumping to Conclusions [JTC]), Cognitive Insight (CI), and Theory of Mind (ToM) to insight remains unclear. Methods: The sample included N = 77 SSD outpatients aged 18–64 years from a randomized controlled trial of metacognitive training. Assessments included JTC-Beads Task, CI-Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, ToM-Hinting Task, and the Emotions Recognition Test Faces. Statistics: hierarchical multivariable linear regression models tested their contribution to total insight (TI) and three insight dimensions – illness recognition (IR), symptom relabelling (SR), and treatment compliance (TC) – measured with the Schedule for the Assessment of Insight – Expanded version, whilst adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Bivariate analyses showed that CI was associated with TI (R2 change = 0.214; p < 0.001), IR (R2 change = 0.154; p = 0.003), and SR (R2 change = 0.168; p = 0.003), while JTC predicted IR (R2 change = 0.790; p = 0.020). Multivariable regression models showed that CI predicted TI (R2 change = 0.116; p = 0.036) and SR (R2 change = 0.166, p = 0.011), whereas JTC was linked with IR (R2 change = 0.710; p = 0.026). ToM was not linked with any insight score. No cognitive variable was associated with treatment compliance. Discussion: Results supported the (meta)cognitive model of insight in SSD. JTC and CI emerged as the main (meta)cognitive processes underlying insight. Metacognitive interventions may therefore improve insight in SSD, although these therapies alone may fail to address treatment compliance.
Linked Color Imaging and Blue Laser Imaging for the Diagnosis of Superficial Non-Ampullary Duodenal Epithelial Tumors
Authors: Kitae Hiroaki , Dohi Osamu , Naito Yuji , Yasuda Takeshi , Yoshida Takuma , Ishida Tsugitaka , Azuma Yuka , Matsumura Shinya , Doi Toshifumi , Hirose Ryohei , Inoue Ken , Yoshida Naohisa , Kamada Kazuhiro , Uchiyama Kazuhiko , Ishikawa Takeshi , Takagi Tomohisa , Konishi Hideyuki , Morinaga Yukiko , Kishimoto Mitsuo , Itoh Yoshito
Published: February 2022

Background and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate endoscopic findings using linked color imaging (LCI) and blue laser imaging (BLI) and to determine a diagnostic predictor for duodenal adenocarcinomas. Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic resection for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) between October 2012 and June 2019 were enrolled in this study. Two highly experienced endoscopists investigated six morphological findings using both white light imaging and LCI and three magnifying endoscopic findings using magnifying BLI (M-BLI). Results: A total of 90 patients with 110 SNADETs, including 87 adenocarcinomas and 23 adenomas, were analyzed in this study. Among the non-magnifying endoscopic findings, the presence of reddish color, orange color on LCI (orange color sign), lobulation, depression, and marginally white opaque substance were found significantly more frequently in adenocarcinomas than in adenomas (p = 0.015, p < 0.001, p = 0.048, p < 0.001, and p = 0.007, respectively). Among the magnifying endoscopic findings, a mixed microsurface pattern (MSP), irregular MSP, and irregular microvascular pattern were found significantly more frequently in adenocarcinomas than in adenomas (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.002, respectively). In the multivariate analysis of all endoscopic findings associated with adenocarcinoma, orange color sign (odds ratio [OR] 10.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42–77.08; p = 0.021), mixed MSP (OR 4.66; 95% CI: 1.02–21.40; p = 0.048), and irregular MSP (OR 13.11; 95% CI: 1.41–121.99; p = 0.024) were independent predictors of adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: The presence of orange color sign on LCI and mixed/irregular MSP on M-BLI were independent diagnostic predictors that were frequently observed in duodenal adenocarcinoma.
Melos e Logos: Caetano Veloso e a crítica do domínio público na poesia atribuída a Gregório de Matos
Authors: Oliveira Leonardo Davino de
Published: February 2022

Baianos e poetas, o barroco Gregório de Matos e o tropicalista Caetano Veloso se conectam no uso da mesma “linguagem tropical e desmistificadora” (ÁVILA, 1994) das ruas, do trânsito entre palavra escrita e palavra cantada. Porém, os afetos e os efeitos éticos e estéticos são bastante diversos. Ao cantar “Triste Bahia”, Caetano recupera todos os procedimentos técnico-persuasivos da poesia à época de Gregório, no entanto, para inverter o ethos colonial, expor sua decadência e impertinência. Cantar Gregório do modo como Caetano canta, inserindo versos de domínio público, restitui a discussão em torno da autoria da poesia atribuída ao poeta do Brasil colônia. À “ostensiva ornamentalidade da retórica barroca” (OLIVEIRA, 2003), Caetano propõe um novo olhar sobre a permanência do “antigo estado” no Brasil da década de 1970.
Intestinal Deletion of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Reductase Promotes Expansion of the Resident Stem Cell Compartment
Authors: Doerfler Alexandria M. , Han Jun , Jarrett Kelsey E. , Tang Li , Jain Antrix , Saltzman Alexander , De Giorgi Marco , Chuecos Marcel , Hurley Ayrea E. , Li Ang , Morand Pauline , Ayala Claudia , Goodlett David R. , Malovannaya Anna , Martin James F. , de Aguiar Vallim Thomas Q. , Shroyer Noah , Lagor William R.
Published: February 2022

Background:

The intestine occupies the critical interface between cholesterol absorption and excretion. Surprisingly little is known about the role of de novo cholesterol synthesis in this organ, and its relationship to whole body cholesterol homeostasis. Here, we investigate the physiological importance of this pathway through genetic deletion of the rate-limiting enzyme.

Methods:

Mice lacking 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (
Hmgcr
) in intestinal villus and crypt epithelial cells were generated using a
Villin
-Cre transgene. Plasma lipids, intestinal morphology, mevalonate pathway metabolites, and gene expression were analyzed.

Results:

Mice with intestine-specific loss of
Hmgcr
were markedly smaller at birth, but gain weight at a rate similar to wild-type littermates, and are viable and fertile into adulthood. Intestine lengths and weights were greater relative to body weight in both male and female
Hmgcr
intestinal knockout mice. Male intestinal knockout had decreased plasma cholesterol levels, whereas fasting triglycerides were lower in both sexes. Lipidomics revealed substantial reductions in numerous nonsterol isoprenoids and sterol intermediates within the epithelial layer, but cholesterol levels were preserved.
Hmgcr
intestinal knockout mice also showed robust activation of SREBP-2 (sterol-regulatory element binding protein-2) target genes in the epithelium, including the LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor). At the cellular level, loss of
Hmgcr
is compensated for quickly after birth through a dramatic expansion of the stem cell compartment, which persists into adulthood.

Conclusions:

Loss of
Hmgcr
in the intestine is compatible with life through compensatory increases in intestinal absorptive surface area, LDLR expression, and expansion of the resident stem cell compartment.
Genetic, Molecular, and Cellular Determinants of Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Traits
Authors: Vaura Felix , Palmu Joonatan , Aittokallio Jenni , Kauko Anni , Niiranen Teemu
Published: February 2022

Despite the well-known sex dimorphism in cardiovascular disease traits, the exact genetic, molecular, and cellular underpinnings of these differences are not well understood. A growing body of evidence currently points at the links between cardiovascular disease traits and the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and metabolome. However, the sex-specific differences in these links remain largely unstudied due to challenges in bioinformatic methods, inadequate statistical power, analytic costs, and paucity of valid experimental models. This review article provides an overview of the literature on sex differences in genetic architecture, heritability, epigenetic changes, transcriptomic signatures, and metabolomic profiles in relation to cardiovascular disease traits. We also review the literature on the associations between sex hormones and cardiovascular disease traits and discuss the potential mechanisms underlying these associations, focusing on human studies.
Sex Differences in Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcomes
Authors: Smith Joshua R. , Thomas Randal J. , Bonikowske Amanda R. , Hammer Shane M. , Olson Thomas P.
Published: February 2022

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in males and females in the United States and globally. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology for secondary prevention for patients with cardiovascular disease. CR participation is associated with improved cardiovascular disease risk factor management, quality of life, and exercise capacity as well as reductions in hospital admissions and mortality. Despite these advantageous clinical outcomes, significant sex disparities exist in outpatient phase II CR programming. This article reviews sex differences that are present in the spectrum of care provided by outpatient phase II CR programming (ie, from referral to clinical management). We first review CR participation by detailing the sex disparities in the rates of CR referral, enrollment, and completion. In doing so, we discuss patient, health care provider, and social/environmental level barriers to CR participation with a particular emphasis on those barriers that majorly impact females. We also evaluate sex differences in the core components incorporated into CR programming (eg, patient assessment, exercise training, hypertension management). Next, we review strategies to mitigate these sex differences in CR participation with a focus on automatic CR referral, female-only CR programming, and hybrid CR. Finally, we outline knowledge gaps and areas of future research to minimize and prevent sex differences in CR programming.
Racial Inequities Across Rural Strata in Acute Stroke Care and In-Hospital Mortality: National Trends Over 6 Years
Authors: Hammond Gmerice , Waken R.J. , Johnson Daniel Y. , Towfighi Amytis , Joynt Maddox Karen E.
Published: February 2022

Background:

There are glaring racial and rural-urban inequities in stroke outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine whether there were recent changes to trends in racial inequities in stroke treatment and in-hospital mortality, and whether racial inequities differed across rural strata.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of Black and White patients >18 years old admitted to US acute care hospitals with a primary discharge diagnosis of stroke (unweighted N=652 836) from the National Inpatient Sample from 2012 to 2017. Rural residence was classified by county as urban, town, or rural. The primary outcomes were intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy use among patients with acute ischemic stroke, and in-hospital mortality for all stroke patients. Logistic regression models were run for each outcome adjusting for age, comorbidities, primary payer, and ZIP code median income.

Results:

The sample was 53% female, 81% White, and 19% Black. Black patients from rural areas had the lowest odds of receiving intravenous thrombolysis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.43 [95% CI, 0.37–0.50]) and endovascular therapy (aOR, 0.60 [0.46–0.78]), compared with White urban patients. Black rural patients were the least likely to be discharged home after a stroke compared with White/urban patients (aOR, 0.79 [0.75–0.83]), this was true for Black patients across the urban-rural spectrum when compared with Whites. Black patients from urban areas had lower mortality than White patients from urban areas (aOR, 0.87 [0.84–0.91]), while White patients from rural areas (aOR, 1.14 [1.10–1.19]) had the highest mortality of all groups.

Conclusions:

Black patients living in rural areas represent a particularly high-risk group for poor access to advanced stroke care and impaired poststroke functional status. Rural White patients have the highest in-hospital mortality. Clinical and policy interventions are needed to improve access and reduce inequities in stroke care and outcomes.
Art and Scholarship in Moments of Historical Danger
Authors: Azatyan Vardan , Schwartz Frederic J. , Clark T. J. , Khatib Sami , Šuvaković Miško , Frohne Ursula
Published: February 2022

Consider the nature and function of art and art historical scholarship in the present: Is there still a line—even fine or porous—securing the fragile autonomy of the arts and humanities from commodification in late capitalism? Can art still serve as a negative and critical mirror for reality under the seemingly complete commodification and technological mediation of social life? Is there any real need for art and art historical scholarship even to exist today? Can the arts and humanities serve an emancipatory social agenda, and, if so, how? What role might the humanist ideals once shared by liberals and communists play in the reformulation of art and scholarship today?
The Ghosts of Past Events in the Hall of Mirrors
Authors: Boghiguian Anna
Published: February 2022

The heads of states met at the end of World War I to sign the Versailles treaty in 1919 in the Palace's hall of mirrors. This was at the time when Europe was infected with the Spanish flu pandemic that lasted until 1922. The project is a visual narration of the conjunction of these two historical events that have uncanny reverberations in the present: the Versailles treaty has charted the path towards present-day geopolitical crises, and the Spanish flu can be seen as a prelude to the COVID pandemic and its response.
Taxonomy of Breathing
Authors:   ICEbox Collective
Published: February 2022

Taxonomy of Breathing is a socially conscious, multidisciplinary art project that investigates our current societal moment through the lens of breath—its vulnerability to restriction, and its power of transformation. The fragility of the body—with breath as its essential element—is a manifestation of our environment, our historical moment, and our political and social context. It is at once foundational and aspirational, embodied, and symbolic.
Stylistic Traces of Amarna Art in Reliefs of the Tomb of Petosiris (Tuna al Gebel Necropolis)
Authors: Kuvatova Valeria
Published: February 2022

The famous tomb of Petosiris (a high priest of Thoth) in the Tuna al Gebel necropolis on the outskirts of the Middle Egyptian town of Hermopolis Magna is dated by the last quarter of the 4th c. bc. The pictorial program of the tomb, decorated with painted reliefs, has no known parallels in Ptolemaic art. In terms of iconography and style the reliefs rely on both Egyptian and Greek artistic traditions. This study attempts to trace elements of the so-called Amarna style among the whole variety of cultural impacts that shaped the unique character of the reliefs. Not only the visual similarity but also the short distance between the necropoli in Hermopolis Magna and Amarna city support the impetus for looking for pictorial parallels between the reliefs of the Petosiris tomb and the Amarna monuments. Some distinct stylistic details of the reliefs find no matches in Egyptian art but for the Amarna period. Nor do they originate from Macedonian or provincial Greek art. The reliefs of the tomb of Petosiris seem to be the only extant piece of art of the Graeco-Roman period that goes back to Amarna tradition in terms of techniques, style and, to some extent, iconography. The styling of the reliefs relies on three distinct visual paradigms – Classical (namely archaic) Egyptian, Amarna and Hellenistic – and seems to depend on subject matters of the particular parts of the program. The stylistic features deriving from different traditions probably served as a special visual language that helped to convey important meanings and connotations.
Distribution of Rugilus mixtus (Lohse, 1956) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) in Poland with comments of its morphology and ecological preferences
Authors: SAPIEJA MATEUSZ , RANOCHA MAGDALENA , MELKE ANDRZEJ
Published: February 2022

Rugilus mixtus (Lohse, 1956) is a rare species of Staphylinidae, found to exist only in a few European countries. In Poland, it was known from only three sites. Having analysed museum collections, we report 9 new locations. On the basis of the available literature and our observations of this species, we present its detailed ecological requirements, which, to date, are not fully recognized. The species is very likely to occur in humid biotopes, where the dead, rotting trees or stumps are essential elements and the vast majority of known sites are located in naturally important areas. Therefore, we suggest that Rugilus mixtus may be used as an indicator species in studies aimed to evaluate the naturalness of forest. In order to facilitate the correct identification of this species, we have used illustrations and photographs of their aedeagi to create a key for four similar species of the genus Rugilus occurring in central Europe.
Description of a new species of Odontochrydium Brauns (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) from the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: SOLIMAN AHMED M. , ROSA PAOLO , DHAFER HATHAL M. AL
Published: February 2022

Odontochrydium arabicum sp. nov., a new chrysidid species from Oman, southwestern Saudi Arabia, and Yemen is described, illustrated and compared with the African species, O. bicristatum Rosa from Kenya.
Indonesian Throughflow Variability and Linkage to ENSO and IOD in an Ensemble of CMIP5 Models
Authors: Santoso Agus , England Matthew H. , Kajtar Jules B. , Cai Wenju
Published: February 2022

Understanding variability of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) and its links to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD), and how they are represented across climate models constitutes an important step toward improved future climate projections. These issues are examined using 20 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and the SODA-2.2.4 ocean reanalysis. It is found that the CMIP5 models overall simulate aspects of ITF variability, such as spectral and vertical structure, that are consistent with the reanalysis, although intermodel differences are substantial. The ITF variability is shown to exhibit two dominant principal vertical structures: a surface-intensified transport anomaly (ITFM1) and an anomalous transport characterized by opposing flows in the surface and subsurface (ITFM2). In the CMIP5 models and reanalysis, ITFM2 is linked to both ENSO and the IOD via anomalous Indo-Pacific Walker circulation. The driver of ITFM1 however differs between the reanalysis and the CMIP5 models. In the reanalysis ITFM1 is a delayed response to ENSO, whereas in the CMIP5 models it is linked to the IOD associated with the overly strong IOD amplitude bias. Further, the CMIP5 ITF variability tends to be weaker than in the reanalysis, due to a tendency for the CMIP5 models to simulate a delayed IOD in response to ENSO. The importance in considering the vertical structure of ITF variability in understanding ENSO and IOD impact is further underscored by the close link between greenhouse-forced changes in ENSO variability and projected changes in subsurface ITF variability.
Re-membering Tutu’s liberation theology: Toward gender justice from theo-ethical feminist perspectives
Authors: Jakobsen Wilma T. , Pillay Miranda N.
Published: February 2022

While Desmond Tutu and other church leaders played a significant role in challenging racism and white supremacy in apartheid South Africa, many churches, including the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, have been slow to recognize and acknowledge that they remain bound to male supremacy inherent in its pervasive patriarchal culture. In 2020, a group of Anglican lay and clergy women called the church to take action and consider the insidious links between gendered belief systems inherent in its patriarchal culture and gender-based violence. Given the reality of broken promises made in synodical resolutions, the absence, ignoring, or silencing of women’s voices in leadership, as well as the pushback to the recent “call to action,” the time has come for the church to repent of its historic patriarchy. In 2002, Tutu acknowledged that “Feminists have forced us to confront the patriarchal orientation of much of the biblical texts.” Thus, it seems fitting to reconsider Tutu’s liberation theology through feminist lenses as a tool to liberate the church from the shackles of patriarchy and transform previously male-dominated ecclesial spaces.
Impact of Liposomal Bupivacaine on Post-Operative Pain and Opioid Usage in Thyroidectomy
Authors: Hellums Ryan N. , Adams Matthew D. , Purdy Nicholas C. , Lindemann Timothy L.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

Opioid analgesia has been integral in post-operative pain control for decades. The over-prescription of opioids, commonly in the surgical patient, has contributed to the current opioid epidemic. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB), a long-acting analgesia formulation, has demonstrated decreased post-operative pain and opioid requirements in patients treated across multiple surgical subspecialties. The aims of this retrospective study are to assess post-operative pain and opioid use in patients who received LB at the time of thyroidectomy.

Methods:

A cohort-matched retrospective review of patients who underwent thyroidectomy by 2 surgeons between January 2010 and December 2019 was performed. Patients were divided into those that received LB intraoperatively and those that did not. Statistical analyses were performed using the Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and 2-sample T-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results:

Of the 201 patients included in this study, 113 patients received LB and 88 did not. Patients who received LB had a lower median visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (2 vs 3, P = .2252), lower maximum VAS pain score (6 vs 7, P = .0898), were less likely to require opioid medications (73.5% vs 85.2%, P = .0434), and had a lower percentage of daily morphine milligram equivalent value ≥45 (89.8% vs 95.3%, P = .1581) during the post-operative period when compared to those that did not.

Conclusion:

This study suggests a role for incisional infiltration with LB for post-operative pain management in patients undergoing transcervical thyroidectomy. We report reduced post-operative pain scores and opioid analgesia requirements in patients who received LB.
The journey of participatory budgeting: a systematic literature review and future research directions
Authors: Bartocci Luca , Grossi Giuseppe , Mauro Sara Giovanna , Ebdon Carol
Published: February 2022

This systematic literature review analyses the body of knowledge on the budgeting practice known as participatory budgeting (PB). This review identifies and analyses a dataset of 139 English-language papers focused on PB in the public sector published over three decades (1989–2019) in academic journals of different disciplines. The findings shed new light on PB, by systematizing this body of knowledge and explaining the PB idea journey. A research agenda is also set by clarifying overlooked areas of research and practical interests.

Points for practitioners

The review provides a conceptual model to cope with specific issues in each phase of a PB journey, and it also sheds light on the role of political and managerial actors. Traditional and new themes to design a PB and implement participatory mechanisms are proposed. Practitioners can benefit from indications about the use of technological tools in mobilizing participation.