bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Jet-Centered Framework for Investigating High Plains Winter Storm Severity
Authors: Winters Andrew C. , Walker Curtis L.
Published: March 2022

This study utilizes a winter severity index (WSI) to characterize the impacts of High (Great) Plains winter storms during the 2006/07–2018/19 winter seasons across Nebraska and the Colorado Front Range. Winter storms are specifically defined based on the severity of their meteorological impacts and are required to influence a majority of Department of Transportation (DOT) districts within both states. Following their identification, winter storms are examined using a jet-centered framework based on the two leading modes of North Pacific jet (NPJ) and North Atlantic jet (NAJ) variability. The analysis reveals that a retracted or equatorward-shifted NPJ establishes a highly amplified flow pattern conducive to cyclogenesis over the central United States, while a poleward- or equatorward-shifted NAJ favors the development of a strongly baroclinic environment across the study region that serves as a focal region for cyclogenesis and precipitation. Composite analyses of winter storms that rank in the top 25% and bottom 25% in terms of their aggregate WSI are also performed to identify characteristics of the synoptic-scale evolution that discriminate between “high impact” and “low impact” events, respectively. High-impact events are found to feature a more amplified upper-tropospheric flow pattern over the eastern North Pacific and western United States relative to low-impact events, which subsequently favors stronger cyclogenesis over the southern plains. The integration of jet regimes with winter storm severity metrics as part of this study offers the potential to enhance impact-based decision support services and provide the weather enterprise, and its stakeholders, with critical life-saving information.
Oceanic Advection Controls Mesoscale Mixed Layer Heat Budget and Air–Sea Heat Exchange in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Gao Yu , Kamenkovich Igor , Perlin Natalie , Kirtman Benjamin
Published: March 2022

We analyze the role of mesoscale heat advection in a mixed layer (ML) heat budget, using a regional high-resolution coupled model with realistic atmospheric forcing and an idealized ocean component. The model represents two regions in the Southern Ocean, one with strong ocean currents and the other with weak ocean currents. We conclude that heat advection by oceanic currents creates mesoscale anomalies in sea surface temperature (SST), while the atmospheric turbulent heat fluxes dampen these SST anomalies. This relationship depends on the spatial scale, the strength of the currents, and the mixed layer depth (MLD). At the oceanic mesoscale, there is a positive correlation between the advection and SST anomalies, especially when the currents are strong overall. For large-scale zonal anomalies, the ML-integrated advection determines the heating/cooling of the ML, while the SST anomalies tend to be larger in size than the advection and the spatial correlation between these two fields is weak. The effects of atmospheric forcing on the ocean are modulated by the MLD variability. The significance of Ekman advection and diabatic heating is secondary to geostrophic advection except in summer when the MLD is shallow. This study links heat advection, SST anomalies, and air–sea heat fluxes at ocean mesoscales, and emphasizes the overall dominance of intrinsic oceanic variability in mesoscale air–sea heat exchange in the Southern Ocean.
Identification of Periosteal Osteogenic Progenitors in Jawbone
Authors: Ding Y. , Mo C. , Geng J. , Li J. , Sun Y.
Published: March 2022

Unlike long bones, jawbone development is mainly accomplished by intramembranous ossification resulting from the differentiation of periosteal progenitor cells. However, the spatiotemporal ontogeny of periosteal progenitor cells during jawbone development and repair remains elusive. In this study, we mapped the transcriptional landscape of the human jawbone periosteum at single-cell resolution and identified a cathepsin K (Ctsk)+ periosteal subset. Lineage tracing analysis indicated that Ctsk-Cre–labeled periosteal cells could make contributions to jawbone development. However, different from the periosteal-specific location of Ctsk+ cells in long bone, we also identified Ctsk+ stromal cells in jawbone marrow and implied the heterogeneity of jawbone Ctsk+ hierarchy. In further analysis of the periosteal progenitor cell subset of heterogeneous Ctsk+ hierarchy, we identified a unique Ctsk+Ly6a+ subset of cells. The additional marker Ly6a helped to further confine the progenitor subset to the jawbone periosteum and was nearly undetectable in the bone marrow. Defects in the jawbone could activate the migration and osteogenic differentiation of Ctsk+Ly6a+ cells. Local ablation of Ctsk+ cells by diphtheria reduced the number of Ctsk+Ly6a+ cells and delayed the repair of the bone defect. Taken together, we identify a novel periosteal osteogenic progenitor subset that is active in jawbone osteogenesis and healing.
Strongmen cry too: The effect of aerial bombing on voting for the incumbent in competitive autocracies
Authors: Popovic Milos
Published: March 2022

How does exposure to aerial bombing influence voting for the target country’s leadership? Do voters tend to punish incumbents for policy failure? These questions are relevant for understanding the target country’s postwar politics because aerial bombing remains one of the deadliest and most widely used military options for coercive bargaining. Despite the historical and contemporary relevance of these questions, there are only a few studies in the air-power literature arguing that strategic bombing produces a temporary rally effect but no subsequent political consequences other than political apathy. Most studies ignore important variation within states even though leadership responsibility can vary tremendously on the substate level. This article analyzes the effect of the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia on Serbian local elections using the difference-in-differences identification strategy and identifies the effect of airstrikes on the vote-share of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime. The results show that the regime’s vote-share is 2.6% lower in municipalities exposed to the bombing. Challenging prior studies, this finding demonstrates that retrospective voting applies to aerial bombing even in competitive authoritarian regimes.
Method for identifying the impact load condition of thin-walled structure damage based on PSO-BP neural network
Authors: Gu Jinyu , Song Xinxin , Chen Yongdang
Published: March 2022

Thin-walled structures (TWS) were widely used in engineering equipment, and may be subjected to impact loads to produce different degrees of structural damage during application. However, it is a difficult problem to determine the impact load conditions for these structural damages. In this study, we developed a novel method of identifying the impact load condition of the thin-walled structure damage, which is based on particle swarm optimization-backpropagation (PSO-BP) neural network. First, the known impact position and velocity are applied to the finite element model (FEM) of the TWS to produce permanent plastic deformation, and to fit the characteristic shape of the deformation is needed by invoking the multivariate polynomial function. Then, the method is devoted to build a basic data set. With impact position and velocity as input and function coefficients as output, a model of extended PSO-BP neural network is established. Besides, the basic sample set is expanded to solve the lack of samples. Ultimately, utilizing the expanded total sample set as training data, function coefficients, impact position and velocity will be outputted. On the basis of the known functional coefficients of deformed surfaces, a model of predictive PSO-BP neural network is established and predicted. Furthermore, we predicted the collision position and velocity using a conventional BP neural network in the same way. Finally, the predicted impact position and velocity is compared with the analysis results of the FEM, which verifies that the PSO-BP neural network algorithm has high accuracy.
Difficult texts in Common Worship
Authors: Phillips Anthony
Published: March 2022

Two examples from Common Worship that make no sense: one a prescribed reading and the other a post-Communion prayer.
Social criticism, dissonance, and progress: A socio-epistemic approach
Authors: Casuso Gianfranco
Published: March 2022

The immanent approach adopted by most contemporary representatives of the Critical Theory tradition has generally the purpose of offering a foundation for social criticism that, without relying exclusively on explicit or factually accepted principles, avoids both the potential arbitrariness of subjective judgment and the appeal to transcendent criteria. However, this project has not yet paid much attention to the socio-epistemic elements related to the intersubjective praxis of criticism. Based on this concern, I intend to explore the possibility of immanent criticism by using the epistemic category of dissonance. I will begin by showing how Davidson’s notion of irrationality can overcome the problematic separation between healthy and pathological behavior found in Festinger’s classical theory of cognitive dissonance and serve as an indicator of epistemic contradictions that can lead to social change. Thereafter, I will explain the link between these approaches and both Brandom’s inferential semantics and Honneth’s normative reconstruction. At the end of the first part, I expect to show an articulated picture of how dissonance can serve as a key for the analysis of inconsistencies present both in the belief systems and in the institutions and practices that constitute forms of life. In the second part, I will reconstruct three possible objections to this comprehensive approach in relation to the role of the individual in processes of social criticism and to the notions of progress and rationality that the approach adopts. I will analyze here what kind of meta-criterion is necessary to overcome the discomfort generated by the experience of dissonance so that it leads to social change. Taking up the Hegelian-Pragmatist idea of accumulation of experiences, I will argue that such a meta-criterion refers to the possibility of gathering and using available and non-endogenous socio-epistemic resources that allow reconfiguring the foundations of the questioned form of life.
Weinstein's Scandal: Contrastive Study on Intensification in American and Spanish Opinion Columns
Authors: Hernández-Guerra Conchi
Published: March 2022

The aim of this paper is to make a qualitative analysis of the intensifiers used in the Spanish and American opinion columns. The topic chosen has been Weinstein's scandal and the publications during next weeks by different sources. The method followed will be Albelda Marco (2014) in which she divides intensifiers into lexical, semantical and expressions. Euphemisms will also be considered due to the relationship it has in the corpus with intensification. Conclusions try to explain the uneven number of examples in both nations and the reasons.
Thoracoscopy-assisted treatment for mediastinal metastasis of thyroid cancer: a case report
Authors: Jie Liu , Meng Wang
Published: March 2022

Advanced thyroid cancer with upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis is not rare in the clinical setting. For patients with severe metastasis, a thoracocervical incision is usually performed for dissection of lymph nodes. However, the difficult operation of three-port thoracoscopy to support performance of a cervical incision in the treatment of upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis has rarely been reported to date. We herein describe a case involving the treatment of thyroid cancer with upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis. The lymph node metastasis was severe, closely adhered to the innominate vein, and fused into a mass. Thoracoscopy with a cervical incision was performed and proved to be a highly difficult surgical maneuver. The patient recovered quickly after the operation. Repeat computed tomography showed no swollen metastatic lymph nodes, indicating that the dissection was thorough. Thoracoscopy with a neck incision is more difficult than conventional longitudinal split sternotomy in the treatment of upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis, but its advantages are less severe trauma and faster recovery. This procedure may be performed by surgeons with proficient skill in cervical surgery and thoracoscopy techniques.
Development and external validation of a nomogram for predicting renal function based on preoperative data from in-hospital patients with simple renal cysts
Authors: Chen Yiding , Chen Lei , Meng Jialin , Zhang Meng , Xu Yuchen , Fan Song , Liang Chaozhao , Liao Guiyi
Published: March 2022

Objective

To develop and validate a nomogram for predicting renal dysfunction in patients with simple renal cysts (SRCs).

Methods

We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis of an in-hospital retrospective cohort of patients with SRCs in the Urology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. For prognostic model development, 386 patients with SRCs were enrolled from January 2016 to December 2018. External validation was performed in 46 patients with SRCs from January 2019 to April 2019. The primary outcome was renal dysfunction.

Results

Patients were divided into normal or abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate groups (293 vs. 93) based on the cut-off value of 90 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Logistical regression analysis determined that age, haemoglobin, globulin, and creatinine might be associated with renal dysfunction, and a novel nomogram was established. Calibration curves showed that the true prediction rate was 77.42%, and decision curve analysis revealed that the nomogram was more effective with threshold probabilities ranging from 0.1 to 0.8. The area under the curves were 0.829, 0.752, and 0.888 in the overall training, internal, and external validation cohorts, respectively.

Conclusions

We established a nomogram to predict the probability of developing renal dysfunction in patients with SRCs.
Gross perianal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma with severe multiple bone metastases throughout the body: a case report
Authors: Lu Jing-Jing , Chen Min-Bin , Gao Xiao-Jiao , Zhang Yan , Liu Yuan-Yuan , Yong Yang , Li Ping
Published: March 2022

In adults, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is rare and has a poor prognosis. Giant perianal ERMS with severe multiple bone metastases at initial diagnosis has not been reported and lacks effective treatment options. This current case report describes a 31-year-old female patient that presented with a large lump on the right side of the anus. ERMS was diagnosed, accompanied by multiple bone metastases throughout the body and severe thrombocytopenia. She had an extremely low platelet count at initial diagnosis, making systemic chemotherapy inappropriate. Genetic testing did not help identify effective targeted drugs. A multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, anlotinib, was selected to control the tumours combined with local radiotherapy to relieve pain. The lump became smaller and this reduction was maintained for 5 months. At 7 months after the diagnosis, the patient died of thrombocytopenia. This current case may provide supportive evidence for a potential treatment for patients with advanced ERMS, especially those not suitable for chemotherapy or surgery.
The wicked angels of 1 En. 69:4–15: Part 1: New evidence and proposals for the names; Part 2: The nature and purpose of the list
Authors: Olson Daniel C.
Published: March 2022

This two-part article presents new evidence and proposals for the original names of the wicked angels listed in 1 En. 69:4–15 and an interpretation of the passage in light of the new proposals. Nine names (plus one additional term) are involved. Contrary to the assertions of most scholars, the names have been remarkably well preserved in the Ethiopic text, and the purpose of the whole is best explained in light of the anti-Babylonian polemic proposed by Henryk Drawnel as the driving force behind the similar angel listings in 1 En. 7–8.
Experimental Study of Increase of Biogas Production from Lagoon Station's Sludge by Alkaline Pretreatment
Authors: DAHOU Mohamed El Amine , HADJ KOUIDER Mohammed , Dehmani Siham , HABCHI Abdelmadjid , SLIMANI Said
Published: March 2022

The present research focuses on the experimental study of the effect of alkaline pretreatment with NaOH on biogas production. Different concentrations of NaOH, i.e. 1, 2.5 and 5% (w/w), were tested on the lagoon station's sludge (dry basis) at room temperature for 24 h. The results obtained after 60 days of digestion, through the cumulative volume of biogas recorded, clearly indicate a positive effect of the chemical alkaline pretreatment on the anaerobic digestion since the amount of biogas produced increased by 42.6% when the NaOH concentration was close to 2.5%. This concentration is considered optimal under the chosen conditions. Indeed, inhibition of the methanogenic activity and a blockage of the digestion process are observed beyond this concentration. These results suggest that the alkaline pretreatment can improve the energy efficiency of the obtained biogas (CH4 content) and reduce the residence time.
Why is William Sharp's name forgotten when his novel method for treating fractures of the Ankle is still used today?
Authors: Hughes Sean P , Davies G Anne
Published: March 2022

In 1837 Guillaume von Dupuytren (1777–1835) wrote that the innovative method of reducing an ankle fracture by relaxing the calf muscles was due to both William Sharp (1729–1810) and Percivall Pott (1714–1788). While history records the many surgical achievements of Percivall Pott, little is known of William Sharp's contribution. He is probably best known as one of a remarkable family portrayed by Johan Zoffany (1733–1810) and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1781. We review William Sharp's career and contribution as a surgeon to the treatment of fracture/dislocations of the ankle and ask why his concept is not better known today.
Epidemiology of occupational hazards and injuries among fishermen at Tanji fishing site in The Gambia: an analytical cross-sectional study design
Authors: Barrow Amadou , Kongira Amadou , Nget Musa , Sillah Saikou Omar , Jatta Solomon PS , Badjie Mansour , Kuye Rex A
Published: March 2022

Fishing is a well-known industry, and there are certain risks of work-related diseases and accidents, occupational hazards and safety issues. This study aimed at examining the determinants of occupational hazards and injuries among fishermen at Tanji fishing site, a major fish-landing site in the Gambia, West Africa. An analytical cross-sectional design was conducted in August to October 2019. Structured questionnaires were administered to fishermen at Tanji fishing site. A simple random sampling method was used to select fishermen in this study. Data entry and processing for preliminary data analysis was done using Stata version 15. Descriptive and bivariate analysis using chi-square/fisher exact test as well as binary logistics regression analysis were used. The adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) and confidence intervals of 95% were calculated. A P-value < .05 was considered for statistical significance. The proportion of occupational hazards were 95%, while reported injuries were 85%. Ergonomics, physical, and environmental/climatic hazards formed the majority at 25%, 23%, and, 21%, while muscle strains and falling formed the majority for types of injuries at 19% and 17%, respectively. Fishermen who used PPE (aRR: 0.12and 95% CI: 0.01-0.99) were less likely to have occupational hazards relative to those who did not use PPE. In terms of injuries, fishermen who were smokers (aRR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.32-7.66), had chemical hazards (aRR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.26-7.86) and had no fishing safety rules (aRR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.15-6.85) were more likely to sustained injuries relative to other categories after controlling for confounders. This research found a high prevalence of OSH hazards and injuries among fishermen, highlighting the critical nature of strengthening safety regulatory services for this workforce.
Neuroscientific Research Methods and Techniques in Consumer Research
Authors: Zhang Yunen , Thaichon Park , Shao Wei
Published: March 2022

The application of neurophysiological techniques to marketing and consumer research has seen tremendous growth in recent years. To provide a comprehensive overview of neuroscientific methods, the authors first review extant conceptual and empirical studies on neuromarketing and consumer neuroscience, based on these the rationale, features, and applications of neuroscientific techniques are systematically summarized. Next, the authors discuss how neurophysiological methods were applied to the research on customers’ cognition, emotion, and behavioral responses to marketing stimuli, and illustrate how neuromarketing studies extend the knowledge boundary and contribute to marketing theories and practices. The limitations of current neuromarketing tools, studies, and methodology are concluded as well, and future directions are presented accordingly. This paper contributes to the literature by offering a clear research insight into the application of neurophysiological methods. By articulating principles, methods, contributions, and directions of neuromarketing, this paper may benefit the development of neuroscientific tools being a more well-established and commonly used marketing research approach and offers a guide to scholars who are dedicated to consumer neuroscience research.
Reimagining joy as a performative force in early childhood education
Authors: Nordström Alexandra
Published: March 2022

In this conceptual paper, the affective intensity of joy is approached as becoming. Following a relational ontology, joy is attended to both as performed in relation to others (human and more-than-human) and as a performative agent. This paper is based on an empirical exploration of the remarkableness of young children's everyday lives in a Finnish early childhood education context. This study contributes to the emerging field of affective and embodied research practices in early childhood education by disrupting and reimagining the way in which joy is thought about and researched. Exploring joy from a post-qualitative methodological approach and drawing on a relational ontology will afford novel research insights and new knowledge about joy as a phenomenon beyond the individual human. By reading diffractively and drawing on a ‘practical provocation’, the author aims to increase understanding of joy as a performative force, which is important for early years practitioners and researchers. Acknowledging the relational and performative aspects of young children's joy within intra-action reveals the remarkable and transformative possibilities in seemingly unremarkable and mundane events.
“So we start from zero”: Lessons and reflections from online preschool during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Negrette Giselle Martinez , Laixely Jadyn , Cordoba Tanya Espinosa , Sanders-Smith Stephanie C
Published: March 2022

In the world of teacher education, the ability of teachers to adapt is associated with effective teaching. In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, however, teachers’ adaptability was put to the ultimate test. With this in mind, this article explores the journey of two preschool teachers as they embarked on the sudden move from face-to-face to online instruction alongside school administrators, parents, and young children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a tripartite model of adaptability, the authors examine the cognitive, emotional and behavioral adaptations employed by the focal teachers, as they supported the learning process in a multilingual and multicultural early childhood program under unprecedented teaching conditions. The article highlights the lessons learned during this traumatic time and the innovative ways educators partnered with families to develop new means of collaboration. The paper ends by calling attention to the socioeconomic line of division that exists among various populations both locally and globally, which shapes the educational landscape in significant ways.
Dancing in the Paradox: Virtual Human Resource Development, Online Teaching, and Learning
Authors: Bennett Elisabeth E. , McWhorter Rochell R.
Published: March 2022

Problem

The world is undergoing digital transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in several paradoxes, such as isolation versus increased accessibility, and structure versus flexibility. With many joining Virtual Human Resource Development (VHRD), the relationship of online teaching and learning to VHRD is understudied, thus necessitating exploration.

Solution

The complexity of virtual environments, dual emphasis on formal and informal learning, and the socio-cultural nature of large digital networks and learning management systems are explored. This article describes selected connections, presents recommended practices and implications for online instruction from the VHRD perspective, discusses digital tools for instructors and trainers, and presents cautions.

Stakeholders

Learning professionals are encouraged to dance within the paradox to promote learning agility for adapting within digital transformation and to use both high tech and low tech designs to shape resilient learners who combine hard and soft skills valuable for organizations that are increasing the use of artificial intelligence applications.
Use of Percutaneous Cannulation in Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery
Authors: Rosen Jake L. , Prochno Kyle W. , Yost Colin C. , Mandel Jenna L. , Guy T. Sloane
Published: March 2022

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has evolved in its practice over the past several years. Percutaneous cannulation is a technique that can be used during MICS to facilitate cardiopulmonary bypass. This manuscript describes the stepwise approach to percutaneous cannulation and decannulation in robotic mitral valve surgery.
Investigation into the ophthalmic artery and its branches by superselective angiography
Authors: Akdemir Aktaş Hilal , Mine Ergun Kadriye , Tatar İlkan , Arat Anıl , Mutlu Hayran Kadir
Published: March 2022

Background

The vascular anatomy of orbit is highly complex, and the main blood supply to the orbit is via the ophthalmic artery, which is a branch of the internal carotid artery. The purpose of this study was to determine the morphometry of the ophthalmic artery and its branches by superselective angiography in a large series of pediatric patients.

Methods

We evaluated 134 angiographies performed on children with intraocular retinoblastoma undergoing intra-arterial chemotherapy. The origin, diameter, and angiographic visibility percentages of the ophthalmic artery and its branches were examined according to age group and sex.

Results

The ophthalmic artery originated 97.8% from the internal carotid artery and 2.2% from the middle meningeal artery. The mean diameter of ophthalmic artery was measured 0.76 ± 0.14 mm in girls, 0.80 ± 0.15 mm in boys and 0.79 ± 0.15 mm in general. The posterior ciliary, lacrimal, inferior muscular, and anterior ethmoidal arteries had a higher angiographic visibility percentages (> 85%) than the other OA branches. Only the diameter of the dorsal nasal artery showed a significant correlation with age. The supratrochlear and posterior ciliary arteries showed statistically significant relationship with sex.

Conclusions

Present study will make a substantial contribution to the pediatric literature about the ophthalmic artery and its branches. A better understanding of ophthalmic artery morphology can help surgeons and neurointerventional radiologists to avoid possible severe complications during embolization, intra-arterial chemotherapy, cosmetic procedures, endonasal and orbital surgeries.
Going Nativist. How to Interview the Radical Right?
Authors: Damhuis Koen , de Jonge Léonie
Published: March 2022

Interviewing different social groups comes with specific challenges. This article focuses on the question of how to interview people who vote or work for the radical right. Over the past decades, radical right-wing movements and parties have become important political forces. Their rise has led to a proliferation of academic publications that have sought to shed light on this renewed swing to the right. In this ever-growing field of research, studies employing qualitative interviews have proven to be of invaluable importance. To date, however, there is no comprehensive, practical guidebook on how to interview the radical right. This article seeks to redress this gap. Drawing on existing studies and personal insights acquired over the course of our own PhD research, during which we interviewed over one hundred radical right respondents ranging from voters and grassroots activists to party elites, this article provides a comprehensive guide for in-depth, interview-based research on the radical right. Specifically, the article discusses a range of practical considerations, including how to find respondents, how to gain access, how to prepare for the interview and how to build rapport during the interview. The insights are useful to early career researchers who rely on qualitative methods when collecting data, as well as scholars from different fields, including political science, public administration and sociology, who are interested in understanding the perspectives and lived realities of the radical right.
Research on evolution behavior of 42CrMo microscopic fatigue short crack based on microstructure effect of material
Authors: Xu Nan , Fu Zhiwei , Wang Yuan , Liu Jianhua , Wang He
Published: March 2022

To investigate the causes of damage dispersion in fatigue life of alloy materials, fatigue tests on 42CrMo are carried out under microscope with the aid of a micro fatigue testing device. The fatigue crack initiation and propagation evolution process of 42CrMo are studied on the micromechanical scale. The fatigue short crack and short crack growth rates are measured respectively under loads of 1400, 1550, and 1650 N. The experimental result shows that the initiation of fatigue short cracks is related to the randomness of microstructure defects. The initiation and propagation of fatigue short cracks on the surface of samples are random and local, while the propagation is characterized by first deceleration and then acceleration.
Contrast enhanced duplex ultrasound for early postoperative follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair: Relation to patient’s initial risk of complications
Authors: Park Young Jun , Mok Sang Kyun , Kim Jang Yong , Park Sun Cheol , Yun Sang Seob
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Current guidelines recommend initial postoperative follow-up with computed tomography angiography (CTA) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, CTA has risks associated with ionizing radiations and nephrotoxic contrast agents. We investigated possibilities to replace the initial postoperative CTA with contrast enhanced duplex ultrasound (CE-DUS) in selected patients.

Methods

Out of the 273 consecutive patients who underwent EVAR, 173 were excluded and the 100 patients who underwent CTA and CE-DUS imaging concurrently (≤1 month interval between CTA and CE-DUS imaging) within 60 days after EVAR were analyzed. Patients who underwent EVAR outside the manufacturer’s instructions for use or who had endoleaks discovered on intraoperative angiography were classified as the high-risk group, otherwise, they were classified as the low-risk group. Measurements of diagnostic values of CE-DUS ​​related to the detection of complications were calculated using CTA as the gold standard. McNemar’s test was performed to compare these values and Pearson correlation coefficient was derived to compare CE-DUS measurements of sac diameters with CTA.

Results

In the low-risk group, no difference was observed between CE-DUS and CTA in the detection of EVAR-related complications (sensitivity = 0.95, specificity = 0.93). In the high-risk group, CE-DUS was not as accurate as CTA for the detection of overall EVAR-related complications (sensitivity = 0.57, specificity = 0.86, p = 0.04) and for the detection of complications other than endoleaks ( p = 0.02). Regarding sac diameter measurement, there was good agreement between CE-DUS and CTA ( r = 0.92, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

First postoperative CE-DUS was reliable for the evaluation of EVAR-related complications compared to CTA in selected patients. Individualized EVAR follow-up strategy using CE-DUS based on the initial risk of EVAR-related complications should be considered.
From the best practices of successful school leaders: Developing and validating the principal competencies inventory in South Korea
Authors: Choi Yeseul , Lee Sanghun , Oh Hunseok
Published: March 2022

This study aims to develop and validate the Principal Competency Inventory (PCI), an instrument used to assess a principal’s leadership competencies that promote student learning in South Korea. An extensive review of prior work was conducted to understand the theoretical foundation related to school leadership and the competency construct of the PCI derived from the Behavioural Event Interview of principals. Then, the psychometric procedures used in developing and validating the PCI were followed. The significance of this study and its practical implications for the use of this new instrument was discussed. From a theoretical and practical standpoint, this study contributes to the school leadership field by describing development and validation procedures, identifying where evidence of the reliable assessment instrument is lacking, and utilising the advantage of the competency-based framework. Also, the analysis of this study provides international perspectives about school leadership practices, thus supplementing the prior Western-focused literature in this field. In addition, this study offers useful information for policymakers and principal leadership development program designers who want to assess and evaluate principal leadership competency.
High-flow nasal cannula versus noninvasive ventilation in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: He Yuewen , Liu Na , Zhuang Xuhui , Wang Xia , Ma Wuhua
Published: March 2022

Background:

During the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raging around the world, the effectiveness of respiratory support treatment has dominated people’s field of vision. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and value of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for COVID-19 patients.

Methods:

A comprehensive systematic review via PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, WHO database, China Biology Medicine Disc (SINOMED), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was conducted, followed by meta-analysis. RevMan 5.4 was used to analyze the results and risk of bias. The primary outcome is the number of deaths at day 28. The secondary outcomes are the occurrence of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), the number of deaths (no time-limited), length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, ventilator-free days, and oxygenation index [partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO2)] at 24 h.

Results:

In total, nine studies [one randomized controlled trial (RCT), seven retrospective studies, and one prospective study] totaling 1582 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the incidence of IMV, number of deaths (no time-limited), and length of ICU stay were not statistically significant in the HFNC group compared with the NIV group ( ps = 0.71, 0.31, and 0.33, respectively). Whereas the HFNC group performed significant advantages in terms of the number of deaths at day 28, length of hospital stay and oxygenation index ( p < 0.05). Only in the ventilator-free days did NIV show advantages over the HFNC group ( p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

For COVID-19 patients, the use of HFNC therapy is associated with the reduction of the number of deaths at day 28 and length of hospital stay, and can significantly improve oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) at 24 h. However, there was no favorable between the HFNC and NIV groups in the occurrence of IMV. NIV group was superior only in terms of ventilator-free days.
Authors' Reply: Why a Connectionist Perspective on Emotion is Helpful
Authors: Suri Gaurav , Gross James J.
Published: March 2022

To make progress related to long-standing questions related to the nature of emotion, we offer the Interactive Activation and Competition framework for Emotion (IAC-E). The IAC-E is not another conventional theory of emotion. Rather, it offers a neural-network-based, algorithmic account of how emotion instances and categories arise. Our approach suggests that there need not be a contradiction between instances of the same emotion being sometimes consistent and sometimes variable. Similarly, there need not be a contradiction between observations of homogeneity (common in the basic emotion approach) and heterogeneity (common in the constructed emotion approach) within emotion categories
Analysis of the effects of the first and second/third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic on an Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Unit in a German ‘hotspot’ area: a single-center experience
Authors: Wichmann Dörte , Schempf Ulrike , Göpel Siri , Stüker Dietmar , Fusco Stefano , Königsrainer Alfred , Malek Nisar P. , Werner Christoph R.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Since December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a pandemic threat to global health. We are now in the fourth wave of this pandemic. As the pandemic developed, the requirements and therapeutic endoscopic procedures for SARS-CoV-2-positive patients underwent changes.

Methods:

Analysis of implications for an endoscopy unit during the first and second/third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on COVID-19-related process changing. Addressed are number of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and endoscopic examinations performed in patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the various waves, adherence to scheduled examinations, rotation of staff to COVID-dedicated structures and, finally, impact of vaccination on infection rate among endoscopic staff.

Results:

During the first wave, 10 SARS-CoV-2-positive in-house patients underwent a total of 22 gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures. During the second and third waves, 59 GI endoscopies were performed in 38 patients. While in the first wave, GI bleeding was the main indication for endoscopy (82%), in the second and third waves the main indication for endoscopy was endoscopic insertion of deep feeding tubes (78%; p < 0.001). During the first wave, 5 (17%) of 29 Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Unit (IEU) staff members were moved to designated COVID wards, which was not necessary during the following waves. Lack of protective clothing was critical during the first wave, but not in the later waves. Screening tests for patients and staff were widely available after the first wave, and IEU staff was vaccinated during the second wave.

Conclusion:

Strategies to ensure safe endoscopies with respect to preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients to staff were effective. Organizational adjustments allowed the routine program to continue unaffected. Indications for GI endoscopies changed over time: during the first wave, GI endoscopies were performed for life-threatening indications, whereas later supportive procedures were the main indication.
Advanced epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the liver: could lenvatinib offer a bridge treatment to liver transplantation?
Authors: Kounis Ilias , Lewin Maïté , Laurent-Bellue Astrid , Poli Edoardo , Coilly Audrey , Duclos-Vallée Jean-Charles , Guettier Catherine , Adam René , Lerut Jan , Samuel Didier , Rosmorduc Olivier
Published: March 2022

In this article, we describe the case of a 34-year-old woman presenting a multifocal and metastatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) of the liver. Under classical chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, there was a fast tumor progression in liver and extra-hepatic metastatic sites (lungs and mediastinal lymph node). Taking into account the patient’s age and the natural history of the HEHE, our goal was to try to bring her to liver transplantation (LT) and lenvatinib was an acceptable candidate for this reason. Shortly after the initiation of lenvatinib before LT and surgery, we observed the enlargement of large devascularized necrotic areas in most of the liver HEHE masses, suggesting a good response. The patient was finally transplanted 6 months after initiation of lenvatinib treatment. Eight months after LT, progression occurred (ascites, peritoneal recurrence, and mediastinal lymph node). After restarting lenvatinib, ascites disappeared and the lymph node decreased in size, suggesting a good response, more than 1 year after her transplantation. This is the first case report to our knowledge that illustrates the benefit of lenvatinib as a neoadjuvant bridge until LT for a multifocal and metastatic HEHE. In addition, this drug has also shown a benefit in term of disease control after a late recurrence of the tumor. We suggest that lenvatinib should be proposed as a bridge to the LT for nonresectable HEHE. Moreover, this drug was also beneficial in the treatment of late recurrence after LT. The absence of pharmacologic interactions between classical immunosuppressive drugs and lenvatinib may allow its use as an early adjuvant approach when the risk of recurrence is high. The strength of our case consists in the long follow-up and the innovative message allowing changing palliative strategies into curative ones in case of advanced HEHE.
Effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Ento-PB in Experimental Models of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Che Yi-Hao , Yu Zheng-Yong , Geng Fu-Neng , He Miao , Yang Zhi-Bin , Zheng Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Cheng-Gui , Zhao Yu , Wu Xiu-Mei , Liu Heng
Published: March 2022

The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Ento-PB containing Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus) (Blattidae) and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. (Compositae) has great potential for treating inflammation. This study explored the effects of Ento-PB on ulcerative colitis (UC). The UC model was induced with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) by enema. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 32) were divided into four groups: (1) control group that received 2.5 mL/kg normal saline, (2) TNBS group that received 2.5 mL/kg normal saline, (3) Ento-PB low-dose group that received 100 mg/kg Ento-PB, and (4) Ento-PB high-dose group that received 200 mg/kg Ento-PB. Rats were administered drugs via enema for 14 days after modeling. The disease activity index (DAI), colon mucosa damage index (CMDI), histopathological score (HS), levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum, contents of IL-2, myeloperoxidase (MPO), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the colon, and abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Bacteroides, and Escherichia coli were assessed. Ento-PB administration showed a significant reduction in DAI, CMDI, and HS, contents of IL-2, IL-8, IL-17, TNF-α, CRP, and MPO, and a significant increase in the levels of IL-10, TGF-β1, and EGF. Compared with the TNBS-administered group, the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and E. coli decreased, while an obvious increase in the proportion of Bacteroides was found in the Ento-PB-administered groups. Ento-PB alleviated inflammation in UC by regulating the equilibrium of Th1/Th17/Treg cytokines and recovering the imbalance between the gut microbiota. Applying Ento-PB in treating UC could be suggested.
Effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on serum urate levels in patients with and without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-regression of 43 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yip Alicia Swee Yan , Leong Shariel , Teo Yao Hao , Teo Yao Neng , Syn Nicholas L. X. , See Ray Meng , Wee Caitlin Fern , Chong Elliot Yeung , Lee Chi-Hang , Chan Mark Y. , Yeo Tiong-Cheng , Wong Raymond C. C. , Chai Ping , Sia Ching-Hui
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been found to reduce serum urate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. To evaluate if this effect applies to both patients with and without diabetes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of SGLT2 inhibitors on serum urate levels in this population.

Methods:

Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and SCOPUS) were searched on 25 September 2021 for articles published from 1 January 2000 up to 25 September 2021, for studies that examined the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on serum urate in study subjects. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed, with subgroup analyses on the type of SGLT2 inhibitor agent administered, presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, presence of chronic kidney disease and drug dose.

Results:

A total of 43 randomized controlled trials, with a combined cohort of 31,921 patients, were included. Both patients with [−31.48 μmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI): −37.35 to −25.60] and without diabetes (−91.38 μmol/L; 95% CI: −126.53 to −56.24) on SGLT2 inhibitors had significantly lower urate levels when compared with placebo. This treatment effect was similarly observed across different types of SGLT2 inhibitors. However, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with chronic kidney disease, the reduction in serum urate with SGLT2 inhibitors became insignificant (95% CI: −22.17 to 5.94, p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors are beneficial in reducing serum urate in patients with and without diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors could therefore contribute to the general treatment of hyperuricaemia.
Associations between age-related hearing loss, cognitive decline, and depression in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults
Authors: Feng Long , Wu Di , Lin Jieqiong , Li Yulong , Zhao Yali , Zhang Pei , Yao Yao , Fu Shihui
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) are leading causes of disability in older adults. ARHL may increase ARCD risk and cause depression development. This study aimed to explore the associations of ARHL with ARCD and depression in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults.

Methods:

A household survey was conducted on 859 centenarians and oldest-old adults residing in 16 cities and counties in China. Basic information was collected using interview questionnaires, physical examinations, and blood tests conducted by systematically trained local doctors and nurses.

Results:

In total, 501 (58.3%), 649 (75.6%), and 211 (24.6%) participants had ARHL, ARCD, and depression, respectively. The prevalence of ARCD and depression was significantly higher in participants with ARHL than in those without ARHL (all p < 0.05). Participants with ARHL had significantly lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores indicative of more cognitive decline, and significantly higher 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) scores suggesting greater levels of depression, than those without ARHL (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses (Stepwise) indicated that ARHL was significantly and positively associated with ARCD [odds ratio (OR): 1.594, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.132, 2.245] and depression (OR: 1.623, 95% CI: 1.139, 2.314; all p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analyses (Stepwise) indicated that ARHL was significantly and inversely associated with MMSE scores ( B: −2.520, 95% CI: −3.356, −1.684) and significantly and positively associated with GDS-15 scores ( B: 0.713, 95% CI: 0.328, 1.098; all p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

ARHL is independently associated with ARCD and depression in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults.