bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the Effects of Pentobarbital Anesthetic and Combination of Medetomidine Hydrochloride, Midazolam, and Butorphanol Tartrate Anesthetic on Electroretinogram in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Fatty Rats
Authors: Hasegawa Tetsuya , Takagi Rina , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Ohta Takeshi , Shinohara Masami , Kageyama Yasushi , Sasase Tomohiko , Muramatsu Shin-ichi , Kaburaki Toshikatsu , Kakehashi Akihiro
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different anesthetic agents on electroretinograms (ERGs) in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii fatty rats (SDT fatty rats). Methods: The ERG recordings were measured under general anesthesia using pentobarbital or a combination of medetomidine hydrochloride, midazolam, and butorphanol (MMB) tartrate anesthesia in 12 9-week-old normal Sprague-Dawley rats (Jcl:SD rats) and 16 SDT fatty rats. Each animal model was divided into 2 groups, the pentobarbital group and MMB group. The amplitudes and peak times of the a- and b-waves and oscillatory potentials (OPs) were measured from 0.0001 candela per square meter (cd.s/m2) to 10.0 cd.s/m2. Results: The amplitude of the a-wave was significantly higher in the MMB group of Jcl:SD rats, but there was no significant difference in amplitude between the two groups of SDT fatty rats. There was no significant difference in the OP1 amplitude between both groups of Jcl:SD rats, but the OP1 amplitude was significantly higher in the MMB group of SDT fatty rats. The OP2 amplitude was significantly higher in the pentobarbital group in both the Jcl:SD rats and SDT fatty rats. There was no significant difference in the OP3 amplitude between the Jcl:SD and SDT fatty rat groups. The amplitude of the OP4 waves was significantly higher in the MMB group for both Jcl:SD and SDT fatty rats. There was no significant difference in the sums of the OP1 to OP4 (ΣOPs) amplitudes between the Jcl:SD and SDT fatty rat groups. There was no significant difference in the b-wave amplitude between the Jcl:SD rat groups, but the b-wave amplitude was significantly higher in the SDT fatty rats that received pentobarbital. The peak times for a-wave, OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, and ΣOPs were significantly longer in the pentobarbital group of SD rats. The peak time of the b-wave was significantly longer in the MMB group of Jcl:SD rats, but the same result was obtained in the SDT fatty rats except that there was no significant difference in the a-wave. Conclusion: The overall ERG results vary depending on the anesthetic agent used. The OPs can be observed in detail when using MMB. Since the SDT fatty rat is a diabetic model animal, we recommend MMB as the anesthesia of choice when studying the OP waves in detail.
Creatine Kinase Elevation in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients on Tolvaptan Treatment
Authors: Rodríguez-Espinosa Diana , Broseta José Jesús , Bastida Carla , Álvarez-Mora María Isabel , Nicolau Carlos , Alvarez Cristina , Agraz-Pamplona Irene , Sánchez-Baya Maya , Furlano Mónica , Ruiz César , Quintana Luis F. , Piñeiro Gastón J. , Poch Esteban , Torra-Balcells Roser , Blasco Miquel
Published: September 2022

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary cause of end-stage kidney disease. Currently, tolvaptan is the only treatment that has proven to delay disease progression. The most notable side effect of this therapy is drug-induced liver injury; however, recently, there have been two reports of creatine kinase (CK) elevation in ADPKD patients on tolvaptan treatment. We set out to monitor and determine the actual incidence of CK elevation and evaluate its potential association with other clinical factors. Methods: This is an observational retrospective multicenter study performed in rapidly progressive ADPKD patients on tolvaptan treatment from Barcelona, Spain. Laboratory tests, demographics, treatment dose, and reported symptoms were collected from October 2018 to March 2021. Results: Ninety-five patients initiated tolvaptan treatment during follow-up. The medication had to be discontinued in 31 (32.6%) patients, primarily due to aquaretic effects (12.6%), elevated liver enzymes (8.4%), and symptomatic or persistently elevated CK levels (3.2%). Moreover, a total of 27 (28.4%) patients had elevated CK levels, with most of them being either transient (12.6%), mild and asymptomatic (4.2%), or resolved after dose reduction (3.2%) or temporary discontinuation (2.1%). Conclusion: We pre­sent the largest cohort that has monitored CK levels in a real-life setting, finding them elevated in 28.4% of patients. More research and monitoring will help us understand the clinical implications and the pathophysiological mechanism of CK elevation in this population.
Investigating the Effects of Maternal Separation on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Glucose Homeostasis under Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Young Adult Male Rat Offspring
Authors: Eskandari Farzaneh , Salimi Mina , Binayi Fateme , Abdollahifar Mohammad-Amin , Eftekhary Mohamad , Hedayati Mehdi , Ghanbarian Hossein , Zardooz Homeira
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Given the suggested metabolic regulatory effects of stress-responsive genes and based on the impacts of early-life stress on HPA axis development, this study aimed to characterize the maternal separation (MS) impact on the communication between glucose metabolism and HPA axis dysregulations under chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). Methods: During the first 2 weeks of life, male Wistar rats were either exposed to MS or left undisturbed with their mothers (Std). Starting on postnatal day 50, the animals of each group were either left undisturbed in the standard group housing (Con) or underwent CSDS for 3 weeks. There were four groups (n = 10/group): Std-Con, MS-Con, Std-CSDS, and MS-CSDS. Results: Early and/or adult life adversity reduced β-cell number, muscular FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) content, and BMI in adulthood. The reduction of β-cell number and BMI in the MS-CSDS rats were more profound than MS-Con group. CSDS either alone or in combination with MS reduced locomotor activity and increased and decreased corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRFR1) content, respectively, in hypothalamus and pancreas. Although, under CSDS, MS intensified HPA axis overactivity and reduced isolated islets’ insulin secretion, it could promote resilience to depression symptoms. No differences were observed in hypothalamic Fkbp5 gene DNA methylation and glucose tolerance among groups. Conclusion: MS exacerbated HPA axis overactivity and the endocrine pancreas dysfunctions under CSDS. The intensified corticosterone secretion and the diminished content of pancreatic CRFR1 protein could be involved in the reduced β-cell number and islets’ insulin secretion under CSDS. The decreased muscular FKBP51 content might be a homeostatic response to slow down insulin resistance development under chronic stress.
Jesuítas e selvagens: a negociação da fé no encontro catequético-ritual americano-tupi (Séculos XVI-XVII)
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas, Agnolin Adone
Published: September 2022

O presente trabalho se desenvolve ao redor das problemáticas que se desprendem dos catecismos jesuíticos, compostos para a evangelização dos índios do Brasil nos séculos XVI e XVII. Esses textos (manuscritos) circulavam abundantemente, desde o começo da segunda metade do século XVI e foram reordenados para publicação somente na primeira metade do século seguinte. Os textos e seus contextos se revelam ricos, complexos e, às vezes, aspectos poucos estudados que, além de peculiares resultados doutrinários, apontam para situações dialógicas e um característico encontro entre culturas (ocidental/indígenas).
Ilusão, criatividade e paradoxo: pré-condições para a capacidade de brincar
Authors: Velano Marilia , Fulgencio Leopoldo
Published: September 2022

Inscrevendo-se de maneira singular na tradição psicanalítica, Winnicott estabelece uma situação de observação padronizada de bebês em que o brincar surge como critério diagnóstico e terapêutico para o desenvolvimento infantil. Esta observação passa a operar como uma matriz do pensamento winnicottiano, a partir da qual será elaborada a teoria do desenvolvimento emocional primitivo. O presente artigo busca destacar quais seriam as precondições para o desenvolvimento da capacidade de brincar do bebê humano, identificando alguns pontos de continuidade e inflexão com relação à teorização freudo-kleiniana sobre o brincar e o desenvolvimento emocional da criança: as relações entre a critividade, ilusão e o paradoxo.
Five-Year Results of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With or Without Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients With Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis: CABACS RCT
Authors: Knipp Stephan C. , Holst Torulv , Bilbilis Konstantinos , von Velsen Otgonzul , Ose Claudia , Diener Hans-Christoph , Jakob Heinz , Ruhparwar Arjang , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Weimar Christian , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Breuer Martin , Dahm Manfred , Diegeler Anno , Kowalski Arne , Martens Sven , Mohr Friedrich-Wilhelm , Moritz Anton , Ondrášek Jiri , Reiter Beate , Roth Peter , Seipelt Ralf , Siggelkow Markus , Steinhoff Gustav , Stock Ulrich , Wilhelmi Mathias , Wimmer-Greinecker Gerhard
Published: September 2022

Background:

In patients with coronary artery disease and concomitant asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis, combined simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been widely performed despite lack of evidence from randomized trials. We recently showed that the risk of stroke or death within 30 days was higher following CABG+CEA compared with CABG alone. Here, we report long-term outcomes following CABG with versus without CEA.

Methods:

The CABACS (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Patients With Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Study) is a randomized, controlled, multicenter, open trial. Patients with asymptomatic severe (≥70%) carotid stenosis undergoing CABG were allocated either CABG+CEA or CABG alone, and follow-up was 5 years. Major secondary end points included nonfatal stroke or death, any death and any nonfatal stroke. Due to low recruitment, the study was stopped prematurely after randomization of 127 patients in 17 centers.

Results:

By 5 years, the rate of stroke or death did not significantly differ between groups (CABG+CEA 40.6% [95% CI, 0.285–0.536], CABG alone 35.0% [95% CI, 0.231–0.484];
P
=0.58). Higher albeit statistically nonsignificant rates of nonfatal strokes occurred at any time following CABG+CEA versus CABG alone (1 year: 19.3% versus 7.1%,
P
=0.09; 5 years: 29.4% versus 18.8%,
P
=0.25). All-cause mortality up to 5 years was similar in both groups (CABG+CEA: 25.4% versus CABG alone: 23.3%, hazard ratio, 1.148 [95% CI, 0.560–2.353];
P
=0.71). Subgroup analyses did not reveal any significant effect of age, sex, preoperative modified Rankin Scale and center on outcome events.

Conclusions:

During 5-years follow-up, combined simultaneous CABG+CEA was associated with a higher albeit statistically nonsignificant rate of stroke or death compared with CABG alone. This was mainly due to a nonsignificantly higher perioperative risk following CABG+CEA. Since the power of our study was not sufficient, no significant effect of either procedure could be observed at any time during follow-up.

Registration:

URL:
http://www.controlled-trials.com
; Unique identifier: ISRCTN13486906.
A Positive Low Cloud–Sea Surface Temperature Feedback in the East Asian Marginal Seas during El Niño Mature Winters and Their Following Spring
Authors: Guo Zhun , Furtado Kalli , Zhou Tianjun , Larson Vincent E. , Zhang Ling
Published: September 2022

During the winter and subsequent spring of an El Niño year, the East Asian marginal sea (EAMS) exhibits positive sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) and fewer low clouds, while the western North Pacific experiences negative SSTAs. In this study, we suggest that the positive SSTAs in EAMS are maintained by a positive low cloud–SST feedback. In neutral winters and springs, the EAMS is covered by low clouds, which have a cooling effect on surface temperatures. During an El Niño year, a western North Pacific anomalous anticyclone is established, and along its northwestern flank, there are favorable conditions for convergence of moisture and weaker surface latent heat flux over the EAMS. Once a positive SSTA has been established, a further reduction of turbulent mixing results in less low cloud and enhanced solar heating of the ocean mixed layer; this reinforces and maintains both the positive SSTA and the lack of low cloud via a positive feedback mechanism. The concurrent increase of low cloud–SST feedback and anticyclone circulation strengths is evident in the coupled-model simulations from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. Furthermore, sensitivity experiments, performed with the atmospheric components of Community Earth System Model (CESM2), reveal that a positive SSTA helps to maintain the western North Pacific anomalous anticyclone. Four pacemaker-coupled experiments by CESM2, with sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific restored to the observational anomalies plus the model climatology and altered low cloud feedback over EAMS, suggest that the low cloud–SST feedback results in more than the maintenance of a positive SSTA over the EAMS: the positive feedback is also a previously overlooked mechanism for the maintenance of the western North Pacific anomalous anticyclone.

Significance Statement

The East Asian marginal sea (EAMS) and western North Pacific are important areas that bridge El Niño and the climate of East Asia. Unlike the cold sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) over the western North Pacific during El Niño, the positive SSTA over EAMS, which is covered by winter low cloud, has received less attention. We suggest that a “low cloud–SST” feedback—namely, one in which decreasing low-level clouds allows more sunlight to strike the ocean surface and favors higher SST—maintains the positive SSTA over EAMS. We also configure a widely used atmospheric model with a set of preset SSTA patterns that mimic different climate patterns. Our experiments with different climate patterns and CMIP6 historical runs show that the low cloud–SST feedback (through the positive SSTA) is a possible supplementary mechanism for reinforcing the WNP anomalous anticyclone.
Analyzing Relationships between Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Rain Rate over the Ocean Using Numerical Simulations
Authors: Xi Dazhi , Wang Shuai , Lin Ning
Published: September 2022

In this study, the relationship between tropical cyclone (TC) intensity and rain rate over the ocean is investigated using a full-physics numerical model (WRF) and a physics-based TC rainfall model (TCR). TC intensity is found to be nearly linearly correlated with the average rain rate in the inner core [∼0.97 (mm h−1 m−2)/(m s−1)], while the correlation is weak at outer radii. This difference is induced because TC intensity is significantly correlated with both the vertical velocity and specific humidity in the inner core but is not significantly correlated with the vertical velocity in the outer radii. Further investigation shows that the intensity–rain-rate relationship at the outer radii is influenced by the TC evolution stage. The rain rate for the outer radii is positively correlated with TC intensity for nondecaying TCs, while this correlation is reduced for decaying TCs due to systematic downdrafts in the outer radii. In the context of climate change, the sensitivity of the TC rain rate to sea surface temperature (SST) is found to be +9% per 1 K increase of SST, roughly the product of the sensitivity of TC intensity to SST (+3%) and the Clausius-Clapeyron scaling (+7%). Coupled with synthetic storms, evolution of the TC rain rate over the twenty-first century under the SSP5-8.5 scenario is projected by the TCR (calibrated with the WRF simulations). The annual increase rates of averaged TC rain rate are 0.17% and 0.20% for the inner core and outer radii, respectively, larger than the annual increase rate of TC intensity (0.046%) but comparable to that of cube of intensity (0.18%).
Effect of Small-Scale Topography on Eddy Dissipation in the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Yang Zhibin , Jing Zhao , Zhai Xiaoming
Published: September 2022

Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous dynamical features, accounting for over 90% of the total kinetic energy of the ocean. However, the pathway for eddy energy dissipation has not been fully understood. Here we investigate the effect of small-scale topography on eddy dissipation in the northern South China Sea by comparing high-resolution ocean simulations with smooth and synthetically generated rough topography. The presence of rough topography is found to 1) significantly enhance viscous dissipation and instabilities within a few hundred meters above the rough bottom, especially in the slope region, and 2) change the relative importance of energy dissipation by bottom frictional drag and interior viscosity. The role of lee wave generation in eddy energy dissipation is investigated using a Lagrangian filter method. About one-third of the enhanced viscous energy dissipation in the rough topography experiment is associated with lee wave energy dissipation, with the remaining two-thirds explained by nonwave energy dissipation, at least partly as a result of the nonpropagating form drag effect.
Breakdown of Near-Surface Sea Current from High-Frequency Radar Data
Authors: Cáceres-Euse Alejandro , Molcard Anne , Bourg Natacha , Dumas Dylan , Guérin Charles-Antoine , Besio Giovanni
Published: September 2022

To assess the contribution of wind drag and Stokes drift on the near-surface circulation, a methodology to isolate the geostrophic surface current from high-frequency radar data is developed. The methodology performs a joint analysis utilizing wind field and in situ surface currents along with an unsupervised neuronal network. The isolation method seems robust in the light of comparisons with satellite altimeter data, presenting a similar time variability and providing more spatial detail of the currents in the coastal region. Results show that the wind-induced current is around 2.1% the wind speed and deflected from the wind direction in the range [18°, 23°], whereas classical literature suggests higher values. The wave-induced currents can represent more than 13% of the ageostrophic current component as function of the wind speed, suggesting that the Stokes drift needs to be analyzed as an independent term when studying surface sea currents in the coastal zones. The methodology and results presented here could be extended worldwide, as complementary information to improve satellite-derived surface currents in the coastal regions by including the local physical processes recorded by high-frequency radar systems. The assessment of the wave and wind-induced currents have important applications on Lagrangian transport studies.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: Predictive Factors for Short and Long-Term Outcomes
Authors: Sleurs Kristien , Postelmans Job , Smit Jasper V.
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a widely used technique for treatment of nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. This study aims to evaluate short and long-term outcome after RFA. Secondly, predictive factors for this outcome were evaluated.

Methods:

A prospective clinical study was performed in 65 patients to evaluate short-term outcome and predictive factors (Study A). To evaluate long-term outcome and predictive factors we performed a second clinical study in 124 patients (Study B). Patients scored nasal symptoms on a 1 to 5 points visual analogue scale (VAS) and filled in questionnaires about their comorbidity, previous nasal surgery, and medication use.

Results:

Study A: There was significant short-term (6-8 weeks after RFA) improvement in nasal obstruction (VAS −1.3, P < .001), trouble exercising (VAS −1.5, P < .001), trouble sleeping (VAS −0.9, P < .001), snoring (VAS −1.1, P< .001), and hyposmia (VAS −0.6, P = .004). Smoking ( R2 = .065, P = .047) was a predictor for less optimized and previous use of decongestive nasal spray ( R2 = .135, P = .005) for better short-term outcome. Study B: Nasal obstruction significantly decreased in the long term (1-5 years after RFA) compared to VAS before RFA (VAS −1.5, P < .001), but slightly increased compared to VAS 6 to 8 weeks after RFA (VAS +0.3, P = .036). Allergy ( R2 = .066, P = .006), asthma ( R2 = .068, P = .005), and previous use of corticosteroid nasal spray ( R2 = .050, P = .016) were associated with a less optimized and older age ( R2 = .217, P < .001) with better long-term outcome.

Conclusion:

RFA is an efficient treatment for nasal obstruction, and improves sleeping, exercising, snoring, and hyposmia. Predictors for good short-term outcome were previous use of decongestive nasal spray and no smoking. Predictors for a less optimized long-term outcome were allergy, asthma, and previous use of corticosteroid nasal spray. Older age was associated with better long-term outcome.
Blended Value Creation: The Mediating Role of Competences
Authors: Kummitha Rama Krishna Reddy
Published: September 2022

Research on prosocial entrepreneurship so far has focused either on ex-ante motives to create prosocial enterprises or on ex-post strategies to protect mission orientation. Surprisingly little is known about the prosocial entrepreneurial competences that help acquire resources to create blended value once a venture has been established. To fill this gap, this article presents a qualitative study in an Indian setting that shows how prosocial entrepreneurs adopt three types of competences to assemble resources when they establish their ventures.
Dynamics of Twin Deficits: An Enquiry of the Mundell–Fleming Proposition for India
Authors: Devi Manisha , Sarma Amiya
Published: September 2022

Twin deficits have appeared as the indispensible reality of the Indian economy since long. The study is an attempt to trace out the inherent dynamics of India’s twin deficits problem, particularly to unveil its transmission mechanism. Applying annual secondary data for the period 1971 to 2019, the endeavour reveals India’s twin deficits encounter to follow the path prescribed by the Mundell- Fleming open economy IS-LM model. However, India’s realization is found to differ slightly from the standard theoretical manifestation. In India, domestic exchange rate is found to appreciate followed by the expansionary fiscal policies of the government. The improved exchange rate, owing to the sterilization policies of the monetary authority to uphold the country’s trade competitiveness, is observed to augment India’s domestic interest rate. Again, the increased interest rate, due to its positive effect on the financial inflows, is found to deteriorate India’s external balance.

JEL Classification: H6, F32, F31, F21, E43
Flexibility in human sexuality education during a pandemic
Authors: Blaisdell Amanda J
Published: September 2022

Objective:

As a result of the SARS-COVID-2 pandemic, many students had to leave highly interactive face-to-face learning environments in classrooms and join online learning environments. By autumn 2020, some large numbers of US institutions had opted for face-to-face, hybrid and fully online teaching formats. For many of them, the challenge lay in developing teaching models that enabled parties to experience success, particularly in the field of human sexuality education, which can be effective in either format, online or face-to-face. This study explored students’ perspectives regarding a differentiated proficiency-based online education model for delivery in two course formats: modified face-to-face and fully online.

Design:

Mid-course and end-of-course surveys were conducted to examine students’ experiences and perspectives regarding course structure. Survey questions were coded using self-determination theory constructs.

Setting:

Surveys were completed in the Canvas Learning Management System at the mid-point and end of each course. Participation was voluntary, and surveys were completed asynchronously outside of the classroom.

Results:

Students were overwhelmingly appreciative of the support for autonomy provided in both formats, but each cohort had unique criteria for success. The face-to-face cohort evaluated the course in terms of relatedness and competence. The winter online cohort evaluated the course based on perceived competence.

Conclusion:

Students were overwhelmingly supportive of course policies designed to increase flexibility and scaffold learning so long as the burden was minimal and they recognised the benefit. Students were ambivalent regarding the due dates of assignments, appreciating flexibility but recognising their role as extrinsic motivators.
Safety and Effectiveness of Reduced Dose Versus Standard Dose Enoxaparin Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Underweight Medically Ill Patients
Authors: Nemeth Abigail , Isherwood Manuel
Published: September 2022

Background: Enoxaparin is commonly used for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in hospitalized patients. Published literature exists for dose adjustment in higher body weights and renal dysfunction, but sparse literature on optimal dosing of prophylactic enoxaparin in underweight patients exists. Objective: To determine if there is a difference in adverse outcomes or effectiveness if enoxaparin VTE prophylaxis dosing is reduced to 30 mg subcutaneously once daily from standard dosing in underweight medically ill patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of a total of 171 patients, with 190 individual courses of enoxaparin included. Patients were ≥18 years of age, weighed ≤50 kg, and were given at least 2 days of consecutive therapy. Patients were excluded if they were taking anticoagulation upon admission, had a creatinine clearance <30 mL/min, were admitted to the ICU or a trauma or surgical service, or presented with bleeding or thrombosis. The Padua score and a modified score from the IMPROVE trial were used to evaluate baseline thrombotic risk and bleeding risk, respectively. Bleeding events were classified using the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria. Results: No difference was seen in baseline risk of bleeding or thrombosis when comparing the reduced and standard dosing groups. No differences were observed with rates of bleeding, thrombotic events, mortality, or 30-day readmission. Conclusion: Both reduced and standard dosing strategies appeared effective for VTE prophylaxis, but neither showed superiority in reducing bleeding events. Additional larger studies are needed to evaluate safety and effectiveness of reduced dose of enoxaparin in this patient population.
International recognition and support for violence among nonpartisans
Authors: Shelef Nadav G , Zeira Yael
Published: September 2022

What reduces individual support for the use of violence among groups seeking self-determination? This article advances a new explanation for changes in popular support for violence – international recognition – and evaluates this explanation using a survey experiment of Palestinians priming the 2012 UNGA recognition of Palestine. The analysis shows that priming recognition reduces support for violence among a key segment of the population, nonpartisans, who have weaker and more fluid prior beliefs about the use of violence than partisans. The article argues that recognition reduces support for violence among nonpartisans by conveying new information that shifts the expected payoffs of violent and nonviolent strategies. This article deepens the incorporation of party politics into the study of conflict and demonstrates that international diplomatic engagement can reduce popular support for violence in an ongoing conflict. This is important because most previously identified determinants of support for violence are either very difficult to change or change very slowly.
The Experience of Transgender Women Prisoners Serving a Sentence in a Male Prison: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis
Authors: Brooke Joanne M. , Biernat Karolina , Shamaris Nina , Skerrett Victoria
Published: September 2022

Due to social exclusion and direct and indirect discrimination, there is a disproportionate representation of transgender individuals in prison. The aim of this article is to report the findings of a systematic review and meta-thematic synthesis to understand the experience of transgender women who have served a sentence in a male prison. The review identified 14 papers, and the thematic synthesis identified five themes. The themes are discussed within a contemporary socio-ecological model, developed by White Hughto and colleagues to support transgender healthcare in prison, and to explore if this model is applicable for the wider prison environment.
Military Competence-in-Use in the Expeditionary Era: A Swedish Example From Missions Abroad
Authors: Tillberg Lotta Victor , Kaulio Matti , Tillberg Peter , Haglund John
Published: September 2022

In Swedish military policy, the concept of kompetens (competence) describes the skills and capability of military personnel. Furthermore, “competence-in-use,” a multidimensional conceptual tool, has been used for decades in Swedish military instruction and training without having ever been empirically proven. In this pilot study, designed as an exploratory case study, we will try to connect theory to practice by examining the actual situations in which military competence is used. This article has two aims: First, to examine the relevance of the concept of competence-in-use in Swedish military practice abroad, and second, to combine and evaluate two methods in an exploratory case study. To capture firsthand experiences of real combat situations, we selected a sample of 28 firsthand narratives from Swedish service members. Our mapping identifies the blurred transition between combat and noncombat situations. By way of conclusion, we suggest that our analysis tool is further tested, for example, in comparative studies between nations.
Stability analysis of delayed fractional-order switched systems
Authors: Yang Ran , Liu Song , Li Xiaoyan , Huang Tao
Published: September 2022

This paper discusses stability of delayed fractional-order switched systems. First, two useful propositions are proposed based on Razumikhin approach together with properties of fractional calculus and analytical techniques, which can well solve the difficulties caused by distributed and discrete delays and fractional-order derivatives. Then, with the help of multiple Lyapunov function approach and dwell time technique, an effective way is developed to overcome the trouble caused by switching rules. A delay-dependent dwell time is derived to guarantee asymptotic stability under the hypothesis that each subsystem of delayed fractional-order switched systems is asymptotically stable. Finally, two illustrative examples further clarify the obtained conclusions.
Generalized fuzzy cascade predictive functional control design for different types of challenging dynamics systems
Authors: Amirparast Ali , Hosseini Sani S Kamal
Published: September 2022

This paper introduces a generalized form of cascade predictive functional control. The inner loop includes a state feedback controller, which aims to increase damping and stabilize the system. The outer loop utilizes an output feedback controller (OFC) to track reference and reject disturbance. The gains of the proposed controller structure are obtained optimally concerning to a specified prediction horizon through the predictive functional controller (PFC) method, which is improved by a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The designed FLC plays a trade-off role between inner loop and outer loop gains values by tuning weighting factors in the PFC approach. In this paper, the proposed solution is formulated to convert the tracking problem into a regulation problem which results in complexity reduction and lower computational cost. Moreover, based on the proposed solution, a generalized form of OFC is obtained concerning to disturbance and reference characteristics. As a comparative study, the proposed controller is applied to the different types of challenging dynamics systems and compared to the discrete-time linear quadratic regulator (DLQR) control technique to reveal the benefits and reliable performance of the proposed control structure.
Modeling Rapid Guessing Behaviors in Computer-Based Testlet Items
Authors: Jin Kuan-Yu , Hsu Chia-Ling , Chiu Ming Ming , Chen Po-Hsi
Published: September 2022

In traditional test models, test items are independent, and test-takers slowly and thoughtfully respond to each test item. However, some test items have a common stimulus (dependent test items in a testlet), and sometimes test-takers lack motivation, knowledge, or time (speededness), so they perform rapid guessing (RG). Ignoring the dependence in responses to testlet items can negatively bias standard errors of measurement, and ignoring RG by fitting a simpler item response theory (IRT) model can bias the results. Because computer-based testing captures response times on testlet responses, we propose a mixture testlet IRT model with item responses and response time to model RG behaviors in computer-based testlet items. Two simulation studies with Markov chain Monte Carlo estimation using the JAGS program showed (a) good recovery of the item and person parameters in this new model and (b) the harmful consequences of ignoring RG (biased parameter estimates: overestimated item difficulties, underestimated time intensities, underestimated respondent latent speed parameters, and overestimated precision of respondent latent estimates). The application of IRT models with and without RG to data from a computer-based language test showed parameter differences resembling those in the simulations.
Multimodal sentiment analysis of intangible cultural heritage songs with strengthened audio features-guided attention
Authors: Fan Tao , Wang Hao
Published: September 2022

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) songs convey folk lives and stories from different communities and nations through touching melodies and lyrics, which are rich in sentiments. Currently, researches about the sentiment analysis of songs are mainly based on lyrics, audios and lyric-audio. Recent studies have shown that deep spectrum features extracted from the spectrogram, generated from the audio, perform well in several speech-based tasks. However, studies combining spectrum features in multimodal sentiment analysis of songs are in a lack. Hence, we propose to combine the audio, lyric and spectrogram to conduct multimodal sentiment analysis for ICH songs, in a tri-modal fusion way. In addition, the correlations and interactions between different modalities are not considered fully. Here, we propose a multimodal song sentiment analysis model (MSSAM), including a strengthened audio features-guided attention (SAFGA) mechanism, which can learn intra- and inter-modal information effectively. First, we obtain strengthened audio features through the fusion of acoustic and spectrum features. Then, the strengthened audio features are used to guide the attention weights distribution of words in the lyric with help of SAFGA, which can make the model focus on the important words with sentiments and related with the sentiment of strengthened audio features, capturing modal interactions and complementary information. We take two world-level ICH lists, Jingju (京剧) and Kunqu (昆曲), as examples, and build sentiment analysis datasets. We compare the proposed model with other state-of-the-arts baselines in Jingju and Kunqu datasets. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our proposed model.
Understanding the Role of Technology in Asian Economies: The Environmental Impact of Remittances and Economic Complexity
Authors: Liu Haiying , Alharthi Majed , Zafar Muhammad Wasif , Tahir Muhammad Sohail , Asghar Muhammad Mansoor
Published: September 2022

In recent years, scholars have determined various determinants of environmental degradation using the panel and time-series studies. However, technological innovations (TI) and remittances, among the financial system’s essential components, are relatively ignored. In addition, nations’ economic progress and environmental performance also depend upon the nature of their economic structure. This empirical research investigates the effects of TI, remittances and economic complexity (EC) on CO2 controlling economic growth and trade openness (TR) in the selected 15 Asian nations. The study collected panel data of 15 Asian countries from 1990 to 2019 and employed the panel quantile regression and augmented mean group methods to unveil the impacts of variables on CO2 emissions. The empirical findings established that remittances are negatively linked with CO2 emissions. Similarly, EC reduces CO2 emissions in the context of Asian countries. In addition, EC and remittances Granger cause CO2 emissions. These findings indicate that remittances and EC positively contribute to environmental quality in Asian countries. Conversely, TI, economic growth, and TR intensify CO2 emissions in Asian countries. Finally, the study recommended policies to enhance remittances and EC in Asian countries to curb environmental degradation.
Systematic review of conceptual and theoretical frameworks used in palliative care and end-of-life care research studies
Authors: Tark Aluem , Estrada Leah V , Stone Patricia W , Baernholdt Marianne , Buck Harleah G
Published: September 2022

Background:

Frameworks are the conceptual underpinnings of the study. Both conceptual and theoretical frameworks are often used in palliative and end-of-life care studies to help with study design, guide, and conduct investigations. While an increasing number of investigators have included frameworks in their study, to date, there has not been a comprehensive review of frameworks that were utilized in palliative and end-of-life care research studies.

Aim:

To summarize conceptual and theoretical frameworks used in palliative and end-of-life care research studies. And to synthesize which of eight domains from the National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care (fourth edition) each framework belongs to.

Design:

Systematic review.

Data sources:

Four electronic databases (EMBASE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, PsychINFO, and PubMed) were searched from July 2010 to September 2021.

Results:

A total 2231 citations were retrieved, of which 44 articles met eligibility. Across primary studies, 33,801 study participants were captured. Twenty-six investigators (59.1%) proposed previously unpublished frameworks. In 10 studies, investigators modified existing frameworks, mainly to overcome inherent limitations. In eight studies, investigators utilized existing frameworks referenced in previously published studies. There were eight orientations identified among 44 frameworks we reviewed (e.g. system, patient, patient-doctor).

Conclusions:

We examined palliative and end-of-life research studies to identify and characterize conceptual or theoretical frameworks proposed or utilized. Of 44 frameworks we reviewed, 21 studies (47.7%) were aligned with a Clinical Practice Guideline’s single domain, while the rest two or more of eight guidelines in quality palliative care domains.
‘There’s something about admitting that you are lonely’ – prevalence, impact and solutions to loneliness in terminal illness: An explanatory sequential multi-methods study
Authors: Hanna Jeffrey R , McConnell Tracey , Harrison Craig , Patynowska Katarzyna A , Finucane Anne M , Hudson Briony , Paradine Sharon , McCullagh Angela , Reid Joanne
Published: September 2022

Background:

Loneliness is a prevalent societal issue and can impact on a person’s physical and mental health. It is unclear how loneliness impacts on end of life experiences or how such feelings can be alleviated.

Aim:

To explore the perceived prevalence, impact and possible solutions to loneliness among people who are terminally ill and their carers in Northern Ireland through the lens of health and social care professionals.

Design:

An explanatory multi-method study.

Setting/participants:

An online survey ( n = 68, response rate 30%) followed by three online focus groups with palliative and end of life care health and social care professionals ( n = 14). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Results:

Loneliness was perceived by professionals as highly prevalent for people with a terminal illness (92.6%) and their carers (86.8%). Loneliness was considered a taboo subject and impacts on symptoms including pain and breathlessness and overall wellbeing at end of life. Social support was viewed as central towards alleviating feelings of loneliness and promoting connectedness at end of life. Four themes were identified: (1) the stigma of loneliness, (2) COVID-19: The loneliness pandemic (3) impact of loneliness across physical and mental health domains and (4) the power of social networks.

Conclusion:

There is a need for greater investment for social support initiatives to tackle experiences of loneliness at end of life. These services must be co-produced with people impacted by terminal illness to ensure they meet the needs of this population.
Potential diagnostic value of the hematological parameters lymphocyte–monocyte ratio and hemoglobin–platelet ratio for detecting colon cancer
Authors: Yu Kuanyong , Qiang Guanghui , Peng Shuangshuang , Kuang Rongkang
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of using the lymphocyte–monocyte ratio (LMR), hemoglobin–platelet ratio (HPR), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels alone or in combination for diagnosing colon cancer.

Methods

We assessed 124 consecutive patients who were pathologically diagnosed with colon cancer and 131 patients who were diagnosed with benign colon tumors in this retrospective study. We then analyzed correlations between LMR, HPR, and clinicopathological findings. The diagnostic values of LMR, HPR, and CEA alone or in combination in colon cancer patients were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

The median LMR, HPR, and CEA values in colon cancer patients showed significant correlation with the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. Moreover, there was a significant difference in HPR between patients with tumor size ≥5 cm and those with tumor size <5 cm. Compared with LMR, HPR, or CEA alone, combinations of CEA with LMR, CEA with HPR, and HPR with LMR all had higher area under the curve values, among which the combination of all three (LMR, HPR, and CEA) had the highest area under the curve.

Conclusion

The combination of LMR, HPR, and CEA may be a valuable indicator for monitoring colon cancer.
Effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine: A meta-analysis on 10 years of real-world data
Authors: Lanteri-Minet Michel , Ducros Anne , Francois Clement , Olewinska Elzbieta , Nikodem Mateusz , Dupont-Benjamin Laure
Published: September 2022

Background

This meta-analysis evaluated the real-world effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®), the first preventive treatment FDA-approved specifically for chronic migraine in 2010.

Methods

We systematically reviewed onabotulinumtoxinA observational data in chronic migraine published between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2021. Random-effects models evaluated available data for primary and secondary endpoints defined in onabotulinumtoxinA pivotal trials at approximately 24 weeks and 52 weeks.

Results

Of the 44 full-text eligible studies (29 prospective; 13 retrospective; 2 other), seven evaluated change from baseline (mean[confidence interval]) at ∼24 weeks and ∼52 weeks, respectively, for onabotulinumtoxinA in: number of headache days/month: (–10.64 [–12.31, –8.97]; –10.32 [−14.92, –5.73]); number of days of acute headache pain medication intake per month (–7.40 [–13.04, –1.77]; overlapping CIs at 52 weeks); total Headache Impact Test-6 score (–11.70 [–13.86, –9.54]); –11.80 [14.70, –8.90]); and Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life v2.1 score (MSQ; 23.60 [CI: 21.56, 25.64]; 30.90 [CI: 28.29, 33.51]). At ∼24 weeks onabotulinumtoxinA showed total Migraine Disability Assessment score of 44.74 [28.50, 60.99] and ≥50% reduction in migraine days response rate of 46.57% [29.50%, 63.65%]. A sensitivity analysis at study-end suggested durability of onabotulinumtoxinA effectiveness on MSQ.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis reflecting real-world practice broadly corroborated with evidence from pivotal and long-term open-label studies of onabotulinumtoxinA in chronic migraine preventive treatment.
Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale: Measurement Invariance Across Sexual Orientation
Authors: Matsuzaka Sara , Jamison Laura , Avery Lanice R. , Schmidt Karen M. , Stanton Alexis G. , Debnam Katrina
Published: September 2022

Gendered racial microaggressions are often assessed using the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale. Despite its use with mixed samples of heterosexual and sexual minority Black women, this instrument has yet to be evaluated for its measurement invariance across sexual orientation. This study evaluated the measurement invariance of the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale across sexual orientation (heterosexual [ n = 1,147] versus lesbian, gay, or bisexual [LGB], n = 359) in a sample of 1,506 Black cisgender women ages 18–30 years old. The Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale's four-factor structure, including Beauty and Sexual Objectification, Silenced and Marginalized, Strong Black Woman, and Angry Black Woman, was replicated with our sample. Results from the multigroup confirmatory factor analysis indicated the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale had configural, metric, and scalar invariance across sexual orientation groups. Strict invariance was not established. Multi-group comparison of latent factor mean scores revealed Black LGB women as having higher Beauty and Sexual Objectification scores than Black heterosexual women on the Gendered Racial Microaggressions stress appraisal scale. The Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale can be recommended in meaningfully assessing differences in latent factor mean scores among Black heterosexual and LGB women. Practitioners, researchers, and policy makers should seek to address the role of intersectional microaggressions in the lived experiences of sexual and gender minorities of color, including as it relates to systemic disadvantage and health, mental health, and social disparities.
A Qualitative Exploration of How Transgender and Non-binary Adolescents Define and Identify Supports
Authors: Shah Tanvi N. , Parodi Katharine B. , Holt Melissa K. , Green Jennifer Greif , Katz-Wise Sabra L. , Kraus Aidan D. , Kim Grace S. , Ji Yujie
Published: September 2022

This qualitative study explored how 249 transgender and non-binary (TNB) adolescents (ages 14–18) described salient supports in their lives, and ways in which key social-ecological contexts could better support TNB adolescents’ wellbeing. Participants were recruited through social media, and completed online surveys; all study procedures were approved by the Boston University Institutional Review Board. Most (84.7%) participants identified as White, and as sexual minorities (96.4%). Modified consensual qualitative research (CQR-M) methods were used to examine TNB adolescents’ responses to two questions: “In your life, which people, if any, would you describe as most supportive, and why?” and “What can individuals/groups within families, schools, and communities do to best support the well-being of transgender and non-binary adolescents?” Results indicated that the most common source of support for TNB participants was peers, followed by family members. Participants also highlighted the centrality of supportive environments that offer access to resources, as well as support derived through policies and practices that reduce stigma. Collectively, results have implications for how individuals and systems can foster wellbeing among TNB adolescents.