bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
pH and proton-sensitive receptors in brain ischemia
Authors: Zha Xiang-ming , Xiong Zhi-Gang , Simon Roger P
Published: March 2022

Extracellular proton concentration is at 40 nM when pH is 7.4. In disease conditions such as brain ischemia, proton concentration can reach µM range. To respond to this increase in extracellular proton concentration, the mammalian brain expresses at least three classes of proton receptors. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are the main neuronal cationic proton receptor. The proton-activated chloride channel (PAC), which is also known as (aka) acid-sensitive outwardly rectifying anion channel (ASOR; TMEM206), mediates acid-induced chloride currents. Besides proton-activated channels, GPR4, GPR65 (aka TDAG8, T-cell death-associated gene 8), and GPR68 (aka OGR1, ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1) function as proton-sensitive G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Though earlier studies on these GPCRs mainly focus on peripheral cells, we and others have recently provided evidence for their functional importance in brain injury. Specifically, GPR4 shows strong expression in brain endothelium, GPR65 is present in a fraction of microglia, while GPR68 exhibits predominant expression in brain neurons. Here, to get a better view of brain acid signaling and its contribution to ischemic injury, we will review the recent findings regarding the differential contribution of proton-sensitive GPCRs to cerebrovascular function, neuroinflammation, and neuronal injury following acidosis and brain ischemia.
Comparison and verification of two deep learning models for the detection of chest CT rib fractures
Authors: Hongbiao Sun , Shaochun Xu , Xiang Wang , YuRun Tang , Yang Lu , Mingzi Zhang , Hua Yang , Keyang Zhao , Chi-Cheng Fu , Qu Fang , Pengchen Gu , Yi Xiao , Shiyuan Liu
Published: March 2022

Background

A high false-positive rate remains a technical glitch hindering the broad spectrum of application of deep-learning-based diagnostic tools in routine radiological practice from assisting in diagnosing rib fractures.

Purpose

To examine the performance of two versions of deep-learning-based software tools in aiding radiologists in diagnosing rib fractures on chest computed tomography (CT) images.

Material and Methods

In total, 123 patients (708 rib fractures) were included in this retrospective study. Two groups of radiologists with different experience levels retrospectively reviewed images for rib fractures in the concurrent mode aided with RibFrac-High Sensitivity (HS) and RibFrac-High Precision (HP). We compared their diagnostic performance against the reference standard in terms of sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV).

Results

On a per-patient basis, RibFrac-HS exhibited a higher sensitivity compared with RibFrac-HP (mean difference=0.051, 95% CI=0.012–0.090; P = 0.011), whereas the latter significantly outperformed the former in terms of the PPV (mean difference=0.273, 95% CI=0.238–0.308; P < 0.0001). The use of RibFrac-HP significantly improved the junior and the senior groups’ sensitivities respectively by 0.058 (95% CI=0.033–0.083; P < 0.0001) and 0.058 (95% CI=0.034–0.081; P < 0.0001), and decreased the diagnosis time by 206 s (95% CI=191–220; P < 0.0001) and 79 s (95% CI=67–92; P < 0.0001), respectively, when compared to no software assistance.

Conclusion

The sensitivity and efficiency of radiologists in identifying rib fractures can be improved by using RibFrac-HS and/or RibFrac-HP. With an added module for false-positive suppression, RibFrac-HP maintains the sensitivity and increases the PPV in fracture detection compared to Rib-Frac-HS.
High riding jugular bulb: prevalence and significance in asymptomatic children
Authors: Aksoy Suleyman Hilmi  , Yurdaisik Isil
Published: March 2022

Background

High riding jugular bulb (HJB) is a vascular abnormality characterized by the higher-than-normal location of the jugular bulb.

Purpose

To evaluate the frequency of HJB among children who underwent cranial computed tomography (CT) mostly because of head trauma.

Material and Methods

Patient demographics such as age, sex, indication of cranial CT, diameters of the right and left JB, and presence and laterality of HJB were recorded and analyzed. Patients were grouped as with HJB and without HJB; the variables were compared between these two groups. Patients were also divided into age groups as 0–1 month, 1–12 months, 12–24 months, and >24 months and the findings. The Shapiro–Wilk test, histograms, and Q-Q, Mann–Whitney U-test, Pearson's chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used.

Results

In total, CT images of 194 patients (388 JBs) were evaluated. Overall, 42.8% of children had HJB. Only three children had bilateral HJB. Of all JBs, 22.2% were high riding. Children who did not have HJB were significantly younger compared to children with HJB ( P = 0.029). The median diameter of the HJB was significantly higher in children with HJB compared to children without HJB on both sides ( P < 0.001). Among newborns, none had HJB. In infants, 11 (30.6%) had HJB; 35 (46.7%) and 37 (50.0%) children aged >12–24 months and >24 months had HJB, respectively.

Conclusion

A jugular bulb could be identified in all age groups, including newborns. The earliest age of HJB detection was eight months. Overall, 42% of the patients had HJB, which increased by age.
Treatment failure after rotational atherectomy and balloon angioplasty in recurrent cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: a case report
Authors: Yoon Jin Woo , Choi Woosun , Kim Suh Min , Hur Joonho
Published: March 2022

Cystic adventitial disease (CAD), which usually affects the popliteal artery, is a rare vascular condition in which fluid accumulates in the sub-adventitial layer, compressing the lumen. Historically, surgical treatment is preferred over endovascular or minimally invasive techniques, due to its lower recurrence rates. Here, the case of a 67-year-old male patient, in whom rotational atherectomy was performed for recurrent CAD following surgical cyst excision and patch angioplasty is reported. The patient’s symptoms recurred one day after the rotational atherectomy procedure and repeat computed tomography angiography showed recurrence of the disease. Due to gradual worsening of the condition during 8 months of follow-up, left distal femoral artery to popliteal artery (below-the-knee) bypass surgery was performed using an ipsilateral reversed great saphenous vein graft. Follow-up has continued for 2 years without complications or requirement of additional treatment. This novel case is the first report of atherectomy attempted for recurrent CAD that led to an early recurrence. Our experience emphasises that additional surgical approaches should be selected over endovascular procedures for treating recurrent CAD.
Effect of KATP channel blocker glibenclamide on PACAP38-induced headache and hemodynamic
Authors: Kokoti Lili , Al-Karagholi Mohammad Al-Mahdi , Elbahi Fatima Azzahra , Coskun Hande , Ghanizada Hashmat , Amin Faisal Mohammad , Ashina Messoud
Published: March 2022

Objective

To determine whether glibenclamide, a non-selective adenosine 5′-triphosphate-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel blocker, attenuates pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP38)-induced headache and vascular changes in healthy volunteers.

Methods

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled and crossover design, 22 healthy volunteers were assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of 10 picomole/kg/min pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 over 20 minutes followed by oral administration of 10 mg glibenclamide or placebo. The primary endpoint was the difference in incidence of headache (0–12 hours) between glibenclamide and placebo. The secondary endpoints were a difference in area under the curve for headache intensity scores, middle cerebral artery velocity (VmeanMCA), superficial temporal artery diameter, radial artery diameter, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and facial skin blood flow between the two study days.

Results

Twenty participants completed the study. We found no difference in the incidence of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38-induced headache after glibenclamide (19/20, 95%) compared to placebo (18/20, 90%) ( P = 0.698). The area under the curve for headache intensity, middle cerebral artery velocity, superficial temporal artery diameter, radial artery diameter, facial skin blood flow, heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure did not differ between pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38-glibenclamide day compared to pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38-placebo day ( P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Posttreatment with 5′-triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor glibenclamide did not attenuate pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38-induced headache and hemodynamic changes in healthy volunteers. We suggest that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38-triggered signaling pathway could be mediated by specific isoforms of sulfonylurea receptor subunits of 5′-triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels and other types of potassium channels.
Experimental and Statistical Analysis of Bitumen’s Field Ageing in Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Zhang Hanyu , Soenen Hilde , Carbonneau Xavier , Lu Xiaohu , Robertus Carl , Zhang Yuqing
Published: March 2022

Field ageing gradients of bitumen samples recovered from 14 asphalt road sections were investigated via rheological and chemical characterizations and statistical analysis. The effects of air voids and environmental factors on the ageing gradient were evaluated using the field ageing and climate data. The effectiveness of the pressure ageing vessel (PAV) test was assessed in accelerating the bitumen’s long-term ageing by comparing with the field ageing data. Critical factors for field ageing were identified using statistical methods. A statistical model for the Glover-Rowe (G-R) parameter was formulated and verified by incorporating the screened key factors. Results indicate that a threshold air void content (around 6%) exists in differentiating the field ageing gradient patterns in the asphalt pavements. An increasing tendency is observed between the ageing gradient and annual days below 0°C. The chemical indices, stiffness-related indices, and G-R parameter can quantify the field ageing gradient of asphalt pavements. The PAV test can condition the bottom slices’ bitumen to the same ageing level as that in a pavement depth of 0.5–2 cm after 8 years’ field service. Pavement service life, binder content, minimum temperature, days above 32°C, and days below 0°C are the critical material and environmental factors that significantly affect bitumen’s complex shear modulus, crossover frequency, G-R parameter, and Δ Tc. The statistical model is verified with an acceptable mean absolute error of 28.1% and a R2 value of 0.95.
Examining the Communication Pattern of Transportation and Transit Agencies on Twitter: A Longitudinal Study in the Emergence of COVID-19 on Twitter
Authors: Alam Md Rakibul , Sadri Arif Mohaimin
Published: March 2022

Social media can be a significant tool for transportation and transit agencies providing passengers with real-time information on traffic events. Moreover, COVID-19 and other limitations have compelled the agencies to engage with travelers online to promote public knowledge about COVID-related issues. It is, therefore, important to understand the agencies’ communication patterns. In this original study, the Twitter communication patterns of different transportation actors—types of message, communication sufficiency, consistency, and coordination—were examined using a social media data-driven approach applying text mining techniques and dynamic network analysis. A total of 850,000 tweets from 395 different transportation and transit agencies, starting in 2018 and the periods before, during and after the pandemic, were studied. Transportation agencies (federal, state, and city) were found to be less active on Twitter and mostly discussed safety measures, project management, and so forth. By contrast, the transit agencies (local bus and light, heavy, and commuter rail) were more active on Twitter and shared information about crashes, schedule information, passenger services, and so forth. Moreover, transportation agencies shared minimal pandemic safety information than transit agencies. Dynamic network analysis reveals interaction patterns among different transportation actors that are poorly connected and coordinated among themselves and with different health agencies (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] and the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA]). The outcome of this study provides understanding to improve existing communication plans, critical information dissemination efficacy, and the coordination of different transportation actors in general and during unprecedented health crises.
Using Cluster Correspondence Analysis to Explore Rainy Weather Crashes in Louisiana
Authors: Ashifur Rahman M. , Das Subasish , Sun Xiaoduan
Published: March 2022

Rainy weather significantly affects traffic safety, especially in the State of Louisiana. With the aim of identifying the patterns of collective association of attributes in rainfall-involved crashes statewide, crashes that occurred during rainy weather and resulted in two injury groups, fatal and severe injury (FSI) and moderate injury (MI), were extracted from databases acquired from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. A total of 3,381 crashes were extracted, comprising 502 FSI crashes (14.85%) and 2,879 MI crashes (85.15%). This study applied the cluster correspondence analysis (CCA) method, a unique method in combination with cluster analysis and correspondence analysis, to generate clusters by partitioning of individual attributes based on the profiles over the categorical variables identified through dimensional reduction of the dataset. In addition to the biplots illustrating the association of all attributes in the clusters, the top 20 standardized residuals indicating the stronger association are presented in bar plots. Four optimum clusters from FSI and MI crashes reveal that the association of roadway, crash environment, and driver condition characteristics identified in the clusters are highly distinguishable across roadway functional classes. Specifically, varieties of attributes linked to speed limit, lighting condition, alignment, area type, manner of collision, restraint usage, and alcohol/drug can have associative impacts on these two injury severities. The identified associations of crash attributes across various functional class roadways could provide valuable understanding for the development of countermeasures which prioritize the prevention of fatalities and injuries.
Calibration and Validation Methodology for Simulation Models of Intelligent Work Zones
Authors: Zhao Li , Rilett Laurence R. , Shakiul Haque Mm
Published: March 2022

Intelligent work zone (IWZ) systems use innovative technologies in real time to mitigate the negative impacts of work zones on the traveling public. The automatic queue detection (AQD) system is one type of IWZ being promoted by the Federal Highway Administration. Several field studies found that AQD systems were successful in reducing average travel speeds which led to a reduction in the number of rear-end crashes and in user costs. It has been shown that well-calibrated microsimulation models are appropriate analysis tools for traditional work zone traffic. To date, there are no tools in the literature that have been developed for AQD operations that have been calibrated and validated with empirical data. This paper aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive guideline for calibrating and validating a microsimulation model that can emulate traffic conditions and their impacts on freeway IWZ equipped with AQD systems. Specifically, the methodology includes (1) developing the base work zone model, (2) replicating the AQD warning messages, (3) calibrating the key simulation parameters using three types of data, and (4) validating the resulting simulation model using segment travel times. This comprehensive approach was demonstrated on a Nebraska work zone that was equipped with an AQD system. VISSIM simulation model was used for the underlying tool in the demonstration. The results presented in this paper are useful to both practitioners and scholars who wish to study the impact of the IWZ accurately through microsimulation.
The Doom-Loop Redux: The Corporate Bond-Purchase Program and the Political Economy of the Fed’s Pandemic Response
Authors: Vasudevan Ramaa
Published: March 2022

The Fed’s recent corporate-bond buying program is approached from a political economy perspective, placing it in the context of its interventions during the 2008 crisis, and the broader swathe of facilities launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The response in 2008 can be understood in terms of the doom-loop arising from the structural power exercised by finance and the implication of the Fed in the political compulsions of helping preserve this structural power while reinforcing the speculative tendencies of finance. These interventions set the stage for significant changes in the financial landscape as asset-management funds rose in importance and the US corporate sector became more deeply implicated channels of market-based finance dominated by these asset-management funds. The recent interventions of the Fed, understood in the context of the systemic risks arising from these trends, reflect the resurgence and reinforcement of the doom-loop.

JEL Classification: E58, G23, G3
How Does Driving Anxiety Relate to the Health and Quality of Life of Older Drivers?
Authors: Taylor Joanne E. , McLean Rebecca , Samaranayaka Ari , Connolly Martin J.
Published: March 2022

Objectives: 11% of drivers aged 65+ report moderate to extreme driving anxiety, with associated reduction in driving. Knowledge about the relationships of driving anxiety with health and quality of life for older people is minimal. The present study examined these relationships. Method: 1170 community dwelling drivers aged 65+ in New Zealand completed a population survey. Results: After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, higher driving anxiety was associated with lower quality of life and lower odds of ‘very good’ self-reported health, but no difference in odds of multi-comorbidity. Discussion: Further research is needed to examine the influence of driving anxiety on health and quality of life outcomes with a broader range of older people who experience more challenges to their health and wellbeing, especially to mental health.
Effect of cathode-side gas flow channels section geometry on the removal process of liquid slug in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Authors: Abdollahi Mir Ali Asghar , Jafarmadar Samad , Jabbary Ali , Amini Niaki Seyed Reza
Published: March 2022

In low operating temperatures, provided water of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) is discharged in the state of tiny/large droplets, slugs, and semi-slugs, which strongly depends on the flow channels' characteristics. In this study, the discharge capabilities of channels with different height-to-width aspect ratios are inspected using a transient two-phase numerical simulation. The numerical model includes a segment of the gas channel on the cathode side, and the operating conditions are those related to an actual fuel cell application. Results showed that channels with minimum height could lift the initial slug to the upper part 2.16 times faster and immediately form film flow at the corners. For a fixed width, decreasing channel height from 1.5 mm to 0.5 mm, results in 38.3% faster discharge time and a 62.3% increment in the clearance rate of the gas-diffusion layer. For higher channels, the combined effect of shear stress, gravity, and the adhesive forces of hydrophilic walls cannot lift the initial slug continuously and causes it to rupture, distort, and partially spread over the Gas-diffusion layer (GDL) surface, which leads to mass transport limitation for the cell. Furthermore, when the channel width decreases from 1.5 mm to 0.5 mm for a fixed height, the initial slug leaves the computational domain 51.1% faster. Overall, it was found that the smaller dimensions for height and width show superior cell performance regarding faster water removal, clearer GDL surface, and more uniform flow distribution over the entire electrochemical active area. A channel with a cross-section dimension of 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm is suggested as the best channel design among the analyzed cases for maximum efficiency for the cathode-side flow fields of a PEMFC.
Numerical analysis of the mixed-mode fracture of bonded joints depending on the adhesive thickness
Authors: Macedo A.F.L. , Campilho R.D.S.G. , Silva F.J.G. , Bellali MA
Published: March 2022

The mixed-mode strength of bonded joints can be predicted by techniques such as cohesive zone models (CZM), which requires the estimation of the adhesive strength and fracture toughness ( GC). Under the scope of fracture properties, the tensile and shear fracture toughness ( GIC and GIIC, respectively) and the corresponding mixed-mode behaviour are particularly relevant. Moreover, these parameters highly depend on the adhesive thickness ( tA), making it relevant to validate and propose CZM laws for bonded joint design. This work numerically addressed the tA influence on the mixed-mode fracture process of adhesive joints. For this purpose, single-leg bending (SLB) test experimental data was used, considering joints with composite adherends and a ductile adhesive, and tA from 0.1 to 2.0 mm. A numerical CZM analysis was performed, including the experimental and numerical load-displacement ( P- δ) curves’ comparison for validation, followed by the CZM law estimation and fracture envelope validation, for all tA. The effect of the different CZM parameters on the results was finally evaluated. Overall, it was possible to numerically ascertain the tA effect on the fracture behaviour of adhesive joints and to propose a numerical technique for mixed-mode bonded joint analysis.
Numerical simulation of the quadcopter flow field in the vertical descent state
Authors: Wang Junjie , Chen Renliang , Lu Jiaxin , Zhao Yanqin
Published: March 2022

Quadcopters will possibly enter the vortex ring state (VRS), which may jeopardize flight safety of the aircraft, in descending as helicopters do. But aerodynamic characteristics of the quadcopter in the VRS are quite different with the helicopter due to the aerodynamic interference between the rotors, and they were hardly studied. In this paper, the flow fields of a quadcopter and a single rotor in vertical descending are studied through CFD simulation, and the variation laws of lift and power are analyzed. The results show that the single rotor and the quadcopter will enter the VRS like helicopters. Compared with the single rotor, the quadcopter enters the VRS at a smaller decent speed (0.65 v h vs. 0.785 v h). The single rotor reaches its largest lift loss at 19.6% in the middle stage of the VRS, while the rotor of the quadcopter reaches it at 10.6% in the late stage. When the quadcopter enters the late stage of the VRS, its lift variation between rotors is up to 5%. For flight safety, the maximum speed of the quadcopter in vertical descending should be limited to a safe speed ( V c = 0.65 v h). This study can provide a reference for the safety of quadcopter flight.
A modified fatigue damage model considering loading sequence effect
Authors: Zhu Dongping , Zhang Wei , Ding Zhixia
Published: March 2022

A modified fatigue damage model is proposed considering the loading sequence effect under variable amplitude loading conditions. The transition sequence is obtained from the counting sequence by an equivalent rainflow counting method and is used to provide the loading sequence information for fatigue damage accumulation prediction. Rainflow counting matrix and sequence transition matrix are formulated based on the rainflow counting sequence and the transition sequence. The relation between the two matrices and the original loading sequence is evaluated in detail. In the deterministic fatigue estimation, the rainflow counting matrix and the sequence transition matrix are integrated into the proposed modified damage model based on the linear damage rule. Mean stress transition is applied to the rainflow counting matrix for loading level effect. Existing experimental data are used to validate the fatigue damage estimation from the deterministic framework. In order to evaluate the fatigue under random loading conditions, the rainflow counting matrix and sequence transition matrix are mapped to one-dimensional exponential and Laplace distributions based on the stationary random process. Numerical simulation is conducted to validate the proposed mapping distributions. Meanwhile, the impact of the correlation length on the proposed distributions under stationary random loading sequence is investigated as well. Finally, with the given distributions of the rainflow counting matrix and sequence transition matrix, a reconstruction procedure is simulated and discussed for probabilistic fatigue estimation. The proposed model provides a sophisticated approximation to the original loading sequence with a sequence transition effect. The proposed modified fatigue damage model corrects the deficiencies of the linear damage rule with sufficient sequence information from the originally applied loading. Furthermore, the probabilistic fatigue estimation can evaluate the accumulated fatigue damages under a random loading process with the sequence transition effect.
Priming Norms to Combat Affective Polarization
Authors: Mullinix Kevin J. , Lythgoe Trent
Published: March 2022

The American public has affectively polarized such that partisans increasingly dislike the “other side,” and this may have deleterious consequences for a representative democracy. Yet, efforts to reduce partisan hostility arrive at mixed results. We propose a new approach that involves strategically priming civic norms with language tailored to a target audience. We argue that emphasizing group-based civic norms that invoke an “obligation to others” can reduce out-party animus. We test this approach on an important subgroup: U.S. military service members. Like the broader American public, service members have unfavorable feelings toward the opposing party, and these feelings appear to have become more negative in recent years. We use a survey experiment to demonstrate that priming an obligation to others civic norm attenuates affective polarization. Our study advances public opinion research on an understudied subgroup of the population, but more importantly, the theoretical argument has implications for addressing polarization and partisan discord among the mass public and other subgroups.
Does Familiarity Breed Esteem? A Field Experiment on Emergent Attitudes Toward Members of Congress
Authors: Esterling Kevin M. , Minozzi William , Neblo Michael A.
Published: March 2022

Canonical theories of democratic representation envision legislators cultivating familiarity to enhance esteem among their constituents. Some scholars, however, argue that familiarity breeds contempt, which if true would undermine incentives for effective representation. Survey respondents who are unfamiliar with their legislator tend not to provide substantive answers to attitude questions, and so we are missing key evidence necessary to adjudicate this important debate. We solve this problem with a randomized field experiment that gave some constituents an opportunity to gain familiarity with their Member of Congress through an online Deliberative Town Hall. Relative to controls, respondents who interacted with their member reported higher esteem as a result of enhanced familiarity, a mediation effect supporting canonical theories of representation. This effect is statistically significant among constituents who are the same political party as the member but not among those of the opposite party, although in neither case did familiarity breed contempt.
Dry eye disease, a prominent manifestation of systemic autoimmune disorders
Authors: Bustamante-Arias Andres , Ruiz Lozano Raul E. , Rodriguez-Garcia Alejandro
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Dry eye disease (DED) is arguably the most frequent ocular disease encountered in ophthalmic clinical practice. DED is frequently an underestimated condition causing a significant impact on visual function and quality of life. Many systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) are related to moderate to severe DED. The main objective of this review is to enhance the awareness among ophthalmologists of the potential association of an underlying SAID in a high-risk patient with DED.

Methods

An exhaustive literature search was performed in the National Library of Medicine's Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for all English language articles published until November 2021. The main keywords included “dry eye disease” associated with autoimmune, connective tissue, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, vascular, and pulmonary diseases. Case reports, series, letters to the editor, reviews, and original articles were included.

Results

Although DED is frequently associated with SAIDs, its diagnosis is commonly delayed or missed, producing significant complications, including corneal ulceration, melting, scleritis, uveitis, and optic neuritis resulting in severe complications detrimental to visual function and quality of life. SAID should be suspected in a woman, 30 to 60 years old with a family history of autoimmunity, presenting with DED symptoms and extraocular manifestations including arthralgias, dry mouth, unexplained weight and hair loss, chronic fatigue, heat or cold intolerance, insomnia, and mood disorders.

Conclusions

Establishing the correct diagnosis and treatment of DED associated with SAIDs is crucial to avoid its significant burden and severe ocular complications.
Using DEM method to study graphite migration of copper-based graphite composites during friction
Authors: Chen Kun , Xie Ting , Zhang Longxiao , Meng Xiang
Published: March 2022

The self-lubrication of copper-based graphite composites depends on the formation of a graphite lubricating film on the frictional interface, which results from the graphite migration from the matrix. In fact, the graphite migration process is difficult to observe and record during friction by experimental methods. In our work, a discrete element method (DEM) software “the Particle Flow Code in 2 Dimensions (PFC2D)” was employed to simulate and analyze the graphite migration dynamic process of copper-based graphite composites sliding against 45 steel. The simulation results show that a migrated graphite particle layer was formed on the composite surface during friction, and maintained dynamic equilibrium relied on graphite migration from the matrix. The graphite migration was affected by applied load: the larger the applied load was, the greater the migration depth and number of migration particles were. And the sliding speed has little effect on graphite migration. With increase of graphite content, the migration depth first decreased and then increased, and the number of migration particles increased. With increase of graphite cluster size, the migration depth first decreased and then increased, and the number of migration particles decreased. The simulation results were verified by test analysis on a self-made in-situ observation tribometer, the test results was consistent with simulation results.
In memory of future earthquakes: Controversial new form and function of a commemorative statue in 1920s Tokyo
Authors: Borland Janet
Published: March 2022

Earthquake memorials dot the Japanese archipelago, marking its long history of destructive tremors. Today, many of these memorials are designed to serve the dual purpose of commemorating victims, and educating future generations. Almost a hundred years ago, however, this idea that a commemorative statue could also serve as a pedagogical tool proved to be novel and controversial. This article focuses on a case study of a memorial dubbed the Statue of Sadness. First unveiled to the public in 1929, the life-like figures of twelve children provoked an outcry. By exploring the conflicting hopes and expectations from the perspective of different stakeholders, I highlight the complicated issues surrounding earthquakes, commemoration, and children. I argue that the new form and function of the statue reflected the emerging desire of Japanese educators and government officials to educate future generations about the risk of earthquakes by reminding them about the tragic deaths of children, not to comfort bereaved families as many hoped. These issues are relevant today for communities endeavouring to construct memorials in order to save lives in the future.
Digital media and political consumerism in the United States, United Kingdom, and France
Authors: Boulianne Shelley , Copeland Lauren , Koc-Michalska Karolina
Published: March 2022

Digital media use can connect citizens across geographic boundaries into coordinated action by distributing political information, enabling the formation of groups, and facilitating political talk. These activities can lead to political consumerism, which is an important and popular form of political participation that translates across geographic borders. This article uses original survey data ( n = 9284) to examine the relationship between digital media use and political consumerism in the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Talking politics online, joining social groups on social media, and searching online for political information increase participation in political consumerism. However, the strength of these positive correlations differs by age, country, and mode of political consumerism. Joining social groups on social media has a much larger effect size on buycotting compared to boycotting. The findings imply that social groups are more salient in the mobilization process for buycotting campaigns compared to boycotting campaigns.
Correction of a prominent premaxilla in a juvenile with a bilateral cleft lip and palate using a novel, hybrid function regulator, the FR-BCPPm, followed by preadjusted fixed appliances: A 20-year follow-up
Authors: Chate Robert AC
Published: March 2022

A seven-year-old boy with a repaired bilateral cleft lip and palate, presented with a severe skeletal II base and an extremely prominent premaxilla. He had grossly incompetent lips with lower lip trapping, an 18.5-mm overjet, a deep overbite, markedly retroclined lower incisors, bilateral crossbites and 12-mm-wide alveolar gaps together with 6-mm vertical steps between the extruded premaxillary incisors and the posterior teeth. Before the eruption of the permanent canines, there was an urgency to approximate the opposing cleft alveolar margins and to level the split maxillary occlusal plane, in order to facilitate the successful insertion and subsequent consolidation of secondary alveolar bone grafts.

A new functional appliance was therefore designed to achieve this objective, which drew components from Fränkel’s FR I and FR III function regulators. Together with a couple of novel components, it created a hybrid appliance, namely the function regulator for juveniles with a bilateral cleft and a prominent premaxilla: the FR-BCPPm.

The patient was treated with this appliance and a nocturnal headgear at 7–13 years, together with a concomitant quad helix appliance followed by a transpalatal arch and bilateral bone grafts. He was then treated non-extraction up to the age of 17 years with preadjusted fixed appliances to correct his residual, crowded Class II malocclusion.

The marked improvement in his occlusion, dentofacial appearance and his perioral function after a decade of treatment was then followed up over 20 years, during which time mild relapse of the incisor overjet and moderate recurrence of the lower anterior misalignment was noted two years after treatment.

While no further relapse was observed at the four-year post-treatment review, by 20 years after treatment, a little further misalignment of the lower anterior teeth was noted, half of which was deemed to be attributable to age-related maturation.
Rhythm in literary apps
Authors: Hagen Anette , Mills Kathy A
Published: March 2022

This article addresses how rhythm may function in literary apps. The article has two aims: increasing the knowledge of how literary apps work as texts, by exploring their aspects of rhythm, and developing the understanding of the theoretical term of rhythm. The authors propose a rhythmanalysis in which two different types of rhythm – reading rhythm and narrative rhythm – are taken into account. The two types of rhythm may both occur at different structural levels in the text. This approach is applied to the analysis of rhythm in the popular literary app, Florence (Wong et al., 2018, Florence Tablet application software), drawing on concepts from multimodal social semiotics (Van Leeuwen, Introducing Social Semiotics, 2005), although leaning towards a more reception-oriented approach than the traditional text-oriented analysis in social semiotics. Literary apps are defined in this context as multimodal fictional narratives that can lead to an aesthetic experience for the reader (Iser, 1984, Der Akt des Lesens); however, non-narrative apps, such as poetry, may also be defined as literary apps. These apps may be read on a tablet or a smartphone. This article elucidates some of the many facets of rhythm related to the multimodal design of a literary app, which invites different forms of interactivity than the linear reading and page-turning of print-based picture books. The findings of the analysis show how rhythm not only contributes to the multimodal cohesional aspects of literary apps, but is fundamental to the meaning potential of the literary app.
Meeting own needs and supporting ability to care: Family caregivers’ and health care professionals’ perspectives on professional support provided through a potential mobile application
Authors: Moberg Cecilia , Grundberg Åke , Konradsen Hanne , Kallström Ana Paula , Leung Angela YM , Kabir Zarina N
Published: March 2022

Background

A majority of persons with dementia in Sweden live in their own homes and are often cared for by family members. Caring for a family member may be a positive experience. It may, however, also be a negative experience as symptoms like disturbing behavior and delusions may be difficult to encounter. The burden of being a family caregiver has been shown to affect the caregivers’ quality of life.

Objective

To explore stakeholders’ perspectives on a potential mobile application through which family caregivers could be supported by healthcare professionals in caring for a person with dementia living at home.

Method

Eight individual interviews with family caregivers and a focus group with eight healthcare professionals specialized in dementia care were analyzed using content analysis method.

Results

The findings suggest that a mobile application can support family caregivers to meet their own needs in terms of finding structure in everyday life, how to get information and support in their own pace, and how to care for themselves. The findings also suggest the necessity of accessing relevant contact networks to be supported in the ability to care for a family member with dementia.

Conclusion

Healthcare and social services mediated support provided through user-friendly mobile application has the potential to support family caregivers both in taking care of a person with dementia and caring for themselves. Moreover, it is important that the information provided to family caregivers is personalized according to the needs of the family caregivers as the family member’s dementia advances.
How do Research Ethics Committee Members Respond to Hypothetical Studies with Children? Results from the MESSI Study
Authors: Taplin Stephanie , Chalmers Jenny , Brown Judith , Moore Tim , Graham Anne , McArthur Morag
Published: March 2022

Hypothetical scenarios were used to assess the influence of the sensitivity of the study topic, payments, and study methods on research ethics committee (HREC) members’ approval of social research studies involving children. A total of 183 Australian HREC members completed an online survey. The higher the perceived sensitivity of the study topic, the less likely the study would be approved by an HREC member. HREC members were most likely to approve each of the hypothetical studies if no payment was offered. Payment was the most common reason for not approving the low risk studies, while risks were the most common reasons for not approving the more sensitive studies. Face-to-face interviews conducted at home with children elicited substantially higher rates of approval from HREC members with more sensitive study topics. Both HRECs and researchers may benefit from additional guidance on managing risks and payments for children and young people in research.
Enhancing the sound transmission loss in double-leaf partitions with lateral local resonators substructure
Authors: Oyelade Akintoye O , Akano Theddeus T , Odesanmi Gbenga A
Published: March 2022

We report theoretically on the sound transmission loss performance through a periodic double plate acoustic metamaterial made of lateral local resonance (LLR) substructure. The unit cell of the substructure consists of a four link mechanism, two lateral resonators, and a vertical spring. The combination of space harmonic expansion and Bloch-Floquet theorem are used to analyze this present study. Computed results show that high sound transmission loss (STL) up to 60 dB at 62 Hz is reached with the metamaterial plate while the mass spring mass resonant is observed for the conventional periodic double plate at the same frequency. The introduction of a negative stiffness spring causes an increased STL at low frequency. The potential of lateral resonant metamaterials to improve the sound transmission loss (STL) in the frequency region around the mass-spring-mass resonance for periodic double panel partitions is demonstrated.
Maternal history of childhood maltreatment is associated with diurnal cortisol and DNA methylation of placental 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2
Authors: Bublitz Margaret , Kelsey Karl , Butler Rondi , Bourjeily Ghada
Published: March 2022

Background

Accumulating evidence indicates that maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity over pregnancy differs according to maternal history of childhood maltreatment. DNA methylation of the placental 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (BHSD) type 2 enzyme regulates fetal exposure to maternal cortisol, yet the association between maternal history of childhood maltreatment and methylation of placental 11BHSD type 2 has not been previously studied.

Methods

We examined if maternal cortisol production at 11 and 32 weeks’ gestation (n = 89) and placental methylation of the 11BHSD type 2 gene (n = 19) differed among pregnant women with and without histories of childhood maltreatment. Twenty-nine percent of participants reported a history of childhood maltreatment (physical/sexual abuse).

Results

Women with histories of childhood maltreatment displayed lower cortisol in early gestation, hypo-methylation of placental 11BHSD type 2, and lower levels of cord blood cortisol.

Conclusion

Preliminary results suggest alterations in cortisol regulation over pregnancy according to maternal history of childhood maltreatment.
Major adverse cardiovascular events following partial nephrectomy: a procedure-specific risk index
Authors: Nasrallah Ali A. , Dakik Habib A. , Abou Heidar Nassib F. , Najdi Jad A. , Nasrallah Oussama G. , Mansour Mazen , Tamim Hani , Hajj Albert El
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is associated with a non-negligible risk of postoperative cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Identification of high-risk patients may enable optimization of perioperative management and consideration of alternative approaches. The authors aim to develop a procedure-specific cardiovascular risk index for PN patients and compare its performance to the widely used revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) and AUB-HAS2 cardiovascular risk index.

Methods:

The cohort was derived from the American College of Surgeons – National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. The primary outcome was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as 30-day postoperative incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke, or mortality. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed; performance and calibration were evaluated using an ROC analysis and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test and compared to the RCRI and the AUB-HAS2 index.

Results:

In a cohort of 4795 patients, MACE occurred in 52 (1.1%) patients. A univariate analysis yielded 13 eligible variables for entry into the multivariate model. The final PN-A4CH model utilized six variables: Age ⩾75 years, ASA class >2, Anemia, surgical Approach, Creatinine >1.5, and history of Heart disease. Index ROC analysis provided a C-statistic of 0.81, calibration R2 was 0.99, and sensitivity was 85%. In comparison, the RCRI and AUB-HAS2 C-statistics were 0.59 and 0.68, respectively.

Conclusion:

This study proposes a novel procedure-specific cardiovascular risk index. The PN-A4CH index demonstrated good predictive ability and excellent calibration using a large national database and may enable further individualization of patient care and optimization of patient selection.
Risks of chronic steroid or immunosuppressive therapy on total shoulder arthroplasty patients
Authors: Gupta Puneet , Quan Theodore , Wright Melissa A , Murthi Anand M
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Patients on chronic corticosteroids/immunosuppressants (SI) undergoing orthopaedic surgery are at an increased risk for surgical complications and worse outcomes. However, whether or not chronic preoperative SI use increases the risk for 30-day complications in patients undergoing primary total shoulder arthroplasty (SA) has yet to be explored.

Methods

From 2006 to 2019, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to identify all patients who underwent primary SA (anatomic TSA and reverse TSA). Patients were stratified into two cohorts: chronic preoperative SI users and those without use. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were utilized in this study.

Results

Of the 26,979 patients who underwent primary SA, 25,656 (95.1%) patients did not have SI usage whereas 1323 (4.9%) patients had chronic preoperative SI usage. Following adjustment on multivariate analyses, compared to the non-SI usage cohort, patients who used SI had an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) (OR 1.87; p = 0.009) and septic shock (OR 7.14; p = 0.002). There were no differences in mortality between the two cohorts ( p = 0.058).

Discussion and Conclusion

Chronic pre-operative SI use is an independent risk factor for septic shock and UTIs following primary SA. Surgeons and patients should be aware of these risks to better inform patient counseling and surgical decision making.
Professional Development in Academia: Co-performing Voices From Feminist Research
Authors: Suárez-Ortega Magdalena , Zapata-Sepúlveda Pamela
Published: March 2022

Starting from a critical, provocative, and progressive dialog articulated from different authors concerned about professional development in academia and qualitative and feminist research, while from the experience of field work with a group of academic informants participating in their search, co-performing their voices, in this paper, we reflect as academic women about our experience in the university, contributing to identify difficulties and gender barriers that require attention to achieve an ethical and healthy work environment guaranteeing equity and social justice.