bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation quality of service for internet of things based on fuzzy logic: a smart home case study
Authors: Saddik Lairedj Aboubaker , Khalifa Ben Ahmed , Fateh Bounaama
Published: January 2022

The development of the internet of thing (IoT) technology has become a major concern in sustainability of quality of service (SQoS) in terms of efficiency, measurement, and evaluation of services, such as our smart home case study. Based on several ambiguous linguistic and standard criteria, this article deals with quality of service (QoS). We used fuzzy logic to select the most appropriate and efficient services. For this reason, we have introduced a new paradigmatic approach to assess QoS. In this regard, to measure SQoS, linguistic terms were collected for identification of ambiguous criteria. This paper collects the results of other work to compare the traditional assessment methods and techniques in IoT. It has been proven that the comparison that traditional valuation methods and techniques could not effectively deal with these metrics. Therefore, fuzzy logic is a worthy method to provide a good measure of QoS with ambiguous linguistic and criteria. The proposed model addresses with constantly being improved, all the main axes of the QoS for a smart home. The results obtained also indicate that the model with its fuzzy performance importance index (FPII) has efficiently evaluate the multiple services of SQoS.
Comparison of feed forward and cascade forward neural networks for human action recognition
Authors: Jahagirdar Aditi , Phalnikar Rashmi
Published: January 2022

Humans can perform an enormous number of actions like running, walking, pushing, and punching, and can perform them in multiple ways. Hence recognizing a human action from a video is a challenging task. In a supervised learning environment, actions are first represented using robust features and then a classifier is trained for classification. The selection of a classifier does affect the performance of human action recognition. This work focuses on the comparison of two structures of the neural network, namely, feed forward neural network and cascade forward neural network, for human action recognition. Histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) and histogram of optical flow (HOF) are used as features for representing the actions. HOG represents the spatial features of the video while HOF gives motion features of the video. The performance of two neural network architectures is compared based on recognition accuracy. Well-known publically available datasets for action and interaction detection are used for testing. It is seen that, for human action recognition applications, feed forward neural network gives better results in terms of higher recognition accuracy than Cascade forward neural network.
A deep learning-based cardio-vascular disease diagnosis system
Authors: Bensenane Hamdan , Aksa Djemai , Omari Fawzi Walid , Rahmoun Abdellatif
Published: January 2022

Recently ehealth technologies are becoming an overwhelming aspect of public health services that provides seamless access to healthcare information. Machine learning tools associated with IoT technology play an important role in developing such health technologies. This paper proposes a decision support system-based system (DSS) to make diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. It uses deep learning approaches that classify electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Thus, a two-stage long-short term memory (LSTM) based neural network architecture, along with an adequate preprocessing of the ECG signals is designed as a diagnosis-aided system for cardiac arrhythmia detection based on an ECG signal analysis. This deep learning based cardio-vascular disease diagnosis system (namely ‘DLCVD’) is built to meet higher performance requirements in terms of accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. This must also be capable of an online real-time classification. Experimental results using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Beth Israel Hospital (MIT-BIH) arrhythmia database show that DLCVD led to outstanding performance
Potential Impact of the 2019 ACC/AHA Guidelines on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Recommendations on the Inappropriate Routine Use of Aspirin and Aspirin Use Without a Recommended Indication for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Cardiology Practices: Insights From the NCDR PINNACLE Registry
Authors: Hira Ravi S. , Gosch Kensey L. , Kazi Dhruv S. , Yeh Robert W. , Kataruka Akash , Maddox Thomas M. , Shah Tina , Jneid Hani , Bhatt Deepak L. , Virani Salim S.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Aspirin is recommended in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for secondary prevention. In patients without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and not at high 10-year risk, there is no evidence aspirin reduces adverse cardiovascular events and it could increase bleeding. The 2019 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease state that aspirin may be considered for primary prevention (class IIb) in patients 40 to 70 years that are at higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and that routine use of aspirin should be avoided (class III:Harm) for patients >70 years. We examined the frequency of patients on aspirin for primary prevention that would have been considered unindicated or potentially harmful per the recent guideline where aspirin discontinuation may be beneficial.

Methods:

To assess the potential impact, within the National Cardiovascular Disease Registry Practice Innovation and Clinical Excellence Registry, we assessed 855 366 patients from 400 practices with encounters between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, that were receiving aspirin for primary prevention. We defined inappropriate use as the use of aspirin in patients <40 or >70 years and use without a recommended indication as use of aspirin in patients 40 to 70 years with low, borderline, or intermediate 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Frequency of inappropriate use and use without a recommended indication were calculated and practice-level variation was evaluated using the median rate ratio.

Results:

Inappropriate use occurred in 27.6% (193 674/701 975) and use without a recommended indication in 26.0% (31 810/122 507) with significant practice-level variation in inappropriate use (predicted median practice-level rate 33.5%, interquartile range, 24.1% to 40.8%; median rate ratio, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.67–1.76]).

Conclusions:

Immediately before the 2019 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, over one-fourth of patients in this national registry were receiving aspirin for primary prevention inappropriately or without a recommended indication with significant practice-level variation. These findings help to determine the potential impact of guideline recommendations on contemporary use of aspirin for primary prevention.
In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survival in the United States During and After the Initial Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Surge
Authors: Chan Paul S. , Spertus John A. , Kennedy Kevin , Nallamothu Brahmajee K. , Starks Monique A. , Girotra Saket ,   for the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines–Resuscitation Investigators
Published: January 2022

Background:

Recent reports on challenges in resuscitation care at hospitals severely affected by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raise questions about how the pandemic affected outcomes for in-hospital cardiac arrest throughout the United States.

Methods:

Within Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare in-hospital cardiac arrest survival during the presurge (January 1–February 29), surge (March 1–May 15) and immediate postsurge (May 16–June 30) periods in 2020 compared to 2015 to 2019. Monthly COVID-19 mortality rates for each hospital’s county were categorized, per 1 000 000 residents, as low (0–10), moderate (11–50), high (51–100), or very high (>100). Using hierarchical regression models, we compared rates of survival to discharge in 2020 versus 2015 to 2019 for each period.

Results:

Of 61 586 in-hospital cardiac arrests, 21 208 (4309 in 2020), 26 459 (5949 in 2020), and 13 919 (2686 in 2020) occurred in the presurge, surge, and postsurge periods, respectively. During the presurge period, 24.2% survived to discharge in 2020 versus 24.7% in 2015 to 2019 (adjusted odds ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.02–1.22]). In contrast, during the surge period, 19.6% survived to discharge in 2020 versus 26.0% in 2015 to 2019 (adjusted odds ratio, 0.81 [0.75–0.88]). Lower survival was most pronounced in communities with high (28% lower survival) and very high (42% lower survival) monthly COVID-19 mortality rates (interaction
P
<0.001). Resuscitation times were shorter (median: 22 versus 25 minutes;
P
<0.001), and delayed epinephrine treatment was more prevalent (11.3% versus 9.9%;
P
=0.004) during the surge period. Survival was lower even when patients with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 infection were excluded from analyses. During the postsurge period, survival rates were similar in 2020 versus 2015 to 2019 (22.3% versus 25.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.93 [0.83–1.04]), including communities with high COVID-19 mortality (interaction
P
=0.16).

Conclusions:

Early during the pandemic, rates of survival to discharge for IHCA decreased, even among patients without COVID-19 infection, highlighting the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-hospital resuscitation.
Legumain Is an Endogenous Modulator of Integrin αvβ3 Triggering Vascular Degeneration, Dissection, and Rupture
Authors: Pan Lihong , Bai Peiyuan , Weng Xinyu , Liu Jin , Chen Yingjie , Chen Siqin , Ma Xiurui , Hu Kai , Sun Aijun , Ge Junbo
Published: January 2022

Background:

The development of thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is closely related to extracellular matrix degradation and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) transformation from contractile to synthetic type. LGMN (legumain) degrades extracellular matrix components directly or by activating downstream signals. The role of LGMN in VSMC differentiation and the occurrence of TAD remains elusive.

Methods:

Microarray datasets concerning vascular dissection or aneurysm were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to screen differentially expressed genes. Four-week-old male
Lgmn
knockout mice (Lgmn
–/–
), macrophage-specific
Lgmn
knockout mice (Lgmn
F/F
;LysM
Cre
), and RR-11a–treated C57BL/6 mice were given BAPN (β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate; 1 g/kg/d) in drinking water for 4 weeks for TAD modeling. RNA sequencing analysis was performed to recapitulate transcriptome profile changes. Cell interaction was examined in macrophage and VSMC coculture system. The reciprocity of macrophage-derived LGMN with integrin αvβ3 in VSMCs was tested by coimmunoprecipitation assay and colocalization analyses.

Results:

Microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database indicated upregulated LGMN in aorta from patients with TAD and mice with angiotensin II–induced AAA. Elevated LGMN was evidenced in aorta and sera from patients with TAD and mice with BAPN-induced TAD. BAPN-induced TAD progression was significantly ameliorated in Lgmn-deficient or inhibited mice. Macrophage-specific deletion of
Lgmn
alleviated BAPN-induced extracellular matrix degradation. Unbiased profiler polymerase chain reaction array and Gene Ontology analysis displayed that
LGMN
regulated VSMC phenotype transformation. Macrophage-specific deletion of
Lgmn
ameliorated VSMC phenotypic switch in BAPN-treated mice. Macrophage-derived LGMN inhibited VSMC differentiation in vitro as assessed by macrophages and the VSMC coculture system. Macrophage-derived LGMN bound to integrin αvβ3 in VSMCs and blocked integrin αvβ3, thereby attenuating Rho GTPase activation, downregulating VSMC differentiation markers and eventually exacerbating TAD development. ROCK (Rho kinase) inhibitor Y-27632 reversed the protective role of LGMN depletion in vascular dissection.

Conclusions:

LGMN signaling may be a novel target for the prevention and treatment of TAD.
Exploring Overweight Risk Trajectories During Childhood and Their Associations With Elevated Blood Pressure at Late Adolescence: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Xijie , Hu Jie , Huang Sizhe , Yang Zhaogeng , Dong Yanhui , Dong Bin , Ma Jun , Liang Wannian
Published: January 2022

Background:

Overweight during childhood is significantly associated with higher risk of high blood pressure (HBP) in later life. However, recognition of critical intervention period is limited. We aimed to analyze the changes in overweight risk during school-age and its relationship with HBP.

Methods:

Seventeen thousand eight hundred sixteen school-aged children (53.9% boys) with a mean follow-up time of 8.2 years were involved. Children’s overweight was defined as body mass index
Z
score ≥1 and was fitted with a group-based trajectory model. The 4 trajectories were labeled as constant low, high decreasing, low rising, and constant high according to the change of overweight risk during follow-up. Population-averaged logit model and log-binomial regression models were used to analyze HBP risk. Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the HBP incidence among distinct groups.

Results:

Children with higher overweight risk generally had higher HBP risk during follow-up. However, the HBP risk in low rising group was low at baseline and increased to 3.14 (95% CI, 2.54–3.88;
P
<0.001) for boys and 3.23 (95% CI, 2.08–5.01;
P
=0.004) for girls at end point, which were comparable to the relative risk in the constant high group (4.60 [95% CI, 4.02–5.27] for boys and 5.28 [95% CI, 3.94–7.07] for girls).

Conclusions:

Findings of this study provide insights on patterns of overweight risks during childhood. Children with transition from normal to overweight during teen years would be high-risk in HBP incidence.
Pencils Down? Computerized Testing and Student Achievement
Authors: Gordanier John , Ozturk Orgul , Zhan Crystal
Published: January 2022

Computer-based testing (CBT) is becoming an increasingly popular format of assessment in educational settings. If students face a digital divide in terms of access to computers at school and at home, CBT may exacerbate measured student achievement gaps. In this paper, we use the rollout of CBT in South Carolina starting in 2015 to investigate its effect on measured student performance. We link student-level test scores and poverty measures to the share of students taking CBT in a grade of a school and show that CBT has a significant negative impact on test scores of multiple subjects. The negative impact is not uniform across student subgroups but rather particularly large for students in poor households. There is little evidence that the effect fades as students and schools become more experienced with computerized testing. These results suggest that the testing mode change might have distributional consequences. However, we do find a smaller effect in schools where technology is more readily available, implying that school-level investments could mitigate the effect.
Effects of Surface Fluxes on Ventilation Pathways and the Intensification of Hurricane Michael (2018)
Authors: Alland Joshua J. , Davis Christopher A.
Published: January 2022

This study investigates the effects of surface fluxes on ventilation pathways and the development of Hurricane Michael (2018), and is a real-case comparison to previous idealized modeling studies that investigate ventilation. Two modeling experiments are conducted by altering surface exchange coefficients to achieve a strong and weak experiment. Ventilation pathways are evaluated to understand how the vortex responds to dry-air infiltration. Pathways for dry-air infiltration are split into downdraft and radial ventilation. Results show that downdraft ventilation at low levels is maximized left of shear, exists between the surface and a height of 3 km, and is associated with rainband activity. Trajectories from downdraft ventilation demonstrate slower thermodynamic recovery for the weaker experiment. The slower recovery contributes to the initial intensity bifurcation between experiments. Radial ventilation has two pathways. At low levels, it is coupled with downdraft ventilation. Aloft, between heights of 5 and 10 km, it is maximized upshear and associated with storm-relative flow. This pathway is similar for each experiment initially, suggesting that the initial bifurcation of intensity is not a consequence of radial ventilation aloft. Trajectories from radial ventilation during a later time period show the destructive impact of lower-θe air in the near environment on convection upshear and right of shear for the weaker experiment. This study demonstrates how ventilation pathways at low levels and aloft are affected by surface fluxes, and how ventilation pathways operate, at different times, to affect tropical cyclone development.
Three-Dimensional Structure of the Equatorial Kelvin Wave: Vertical Structure Functions, Equivalent Depths, and Frequency and Wavenumber Spectra
Authors: Žagar Nedjeljka , Lunkeit Frank , Sielmann Frank , Xiao Wenlin
Published: January 2022

The wavenumber filtering of the Kelvin waves (KWs) is performed by a multivariate projection of the ERA5 data on the horizontal structures of the KWs from linear theory and vertical structure functions (VSFs) spanning the troposphere and stratosphere. The associated equivalent depths are consistent with solutions expected for the bounded atmosphere. The zonal wavenumber spectra of the KW energy and temporal variance are shown to be continuous and red with the rotational kinetic energy being dominant over the divergent kinetic energy at zonal wavenumberk= 1. Spatial and temporal variance in wavenumber space is analyzed in terms of periods from linear theory. The strongest variability is found in periods of 8–12 days atk= 1 and VSFs with a single zero-crossing in the troposphere and a structure resembling upward propagating waves across the tropopause and higher up. Secondary maxima are associated with VSFs that have multiple zero crossings in the troposphere and small equivalent depths. A comparison of the wavenumber and wavenumber–frequency methods shows a disagreement between frequencies from the Fourier time series and linear theory. A phase-locking experiment, in which the KW phases are replaced by linear theory estimates, demonstrates that power spectra from wavenumber–frequency filtering in the troposphere are largely defined by wave phases.
Influence of Anthropogenic Warming on the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability and Its Impact on Global Climate in the Twenty-First Century in the MPI-GE Simulations
Authors: Qin Minhua , Dai Aiguo , Hua Wenjian
Published: January 2022

The Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV), a dominant mode of multidecadal variations in North Atlantic sea surface temperatures (NASST), has major impacts on global climate. Given that both internal variability and external forcing have contributed to the historical AMV, how future anthropogenic forcing may regulate the AMV is of concern but remains unclear. By analyzing observations and a large ensemble of model simulations [i.e., the Max Planck Institute Grand Ensemble (MPI-GE)], the internally generated (AMVIV) and externally forced (AMVEX) components of the AMV and their climatic impacts during the twenty-first century are examined. Consistent with previous findings, the AMVIVwould weaken with future warming by 11%–17% in its amplitude by the end of the twenty-first century, along with reduced warming anomaly over the midlatitude North Atlantic under future warming during the positive AMVIVphases. In contrast, the AMVEXis projected to strengthen with reduced frequency under future warming. Furthermore, future AMVIV-related temperature variations would weaken over Eurasia and North Africa but strengthen over the United States, whereas AMVIV-related precipitation over parts of North America and Eurasia would weaken in a warmer climate. The AMVEX’s impact on global precipitation would also weaken. The results provide new evidence that future anthropogenic forcing (i.e., nonlinear changes in GHGs and aerosols) under different scenarios can generate distinct multidecadal variations and influence the internally generated AMV, and that multidecadal changes in anthropogenic forcing are important for future AMV.
Black Women in White Institutional Spaces: The Invisible Labor Clause and The Inclusion Tax
Authors: Melaku Tsedale M.
Published: January 2022

The dual pandemics brought on by COVID-19 and racial violence has played a significant role in uncovering how systemic racism is deeply entrenched within white spaces in America. This article examines the experiences of Black women lawyers in elite law firms to demonstrate how white institutional spaces are racially organized with embedded colorblind racist practices that work to obscure the insidious perpetuation of white supremacy. Black women are required to perform added, unrecognized, and uncompensated labor to maintain their positions. This invisible labor manifests in the form of an inclusion tax that they must pay to be included in white spaces. This article discusses how being one of very few Black people in white spaces creates a myriad of issues that require significant invisible labor including navigating white narratives of affirmative action, negotiating how dominant white culture functions to normalize the white experience, and adherence to white normative standards.
Association between Participation in a Preclinical Surgery Elective and Future Match into Surgical Residency
Authors: Rudasill Sarah , Negrete Manriquez Jose A. , Benharash Peyman , Kim Dennis , Yetasook Amy , Bowens Nina , de Virgilio Christian
Published: January 2022

Background

Since 2013, we have offered a robust “Introduction to Surgery” elective (ITS) for preclinical medical students. The present study investigates whether participants of the ITS elective were more likely to match into surgical residencies than non-ITS participants.

Methods

This is a retrospective case-control study of medical students from two medical schools in Southern California who participated in the ITS elective and those who did not. Descriptive results and univariate analysis using STATA were utilized to analyze the de-identified data who matched between 2016 and 2021 were included.

Results

Overall, 87 (8.9%) of the 982 matched students participated in the ITS elective, with an increase in participation from 1.2% in 2016 to 13.9% in 2021 ( P < .001). Among ITS participants, 49.4% matched into a surgical specialty compared to only 22.9% for non-ITS students ( P < .001). There was no difference between ITS and non-ITS students with regards to procedural specialty match (14.9% vs 12.6%, P = .537).

Conclusion

ITS participants were more than twice as likely to match into a surgical specialty than non-participants. Future qualitative research will help discern the relative impact of the ITS course versus a student’s baseline predisposition to surgery.
Navigation Improves Tumor Ablation Performance: Results From a Novel Liver Tumor Simulator Study
Authors: Kratzke Ian M. , Goss Ryan S. , Razzaque Sharif , Shih Alex , Steele Paula L. , Nurczyk Kamil M. , Gerber David A.
Published: January 2022

Background

The efficacy of microwave ablation in treating hepatic tumors requires advanced ultrasound skills. Failure of proper technique has the potential for either under- or over-treatment and possible harm to the patient. Emprint SX™ navigation provides surgeons with intra-operative, real-time navigation through augmented reality localization of the ablation antenna and the expected ablation zone. We hypothesize that incorporating this technology leads to improved targeting and optimizes ablation coverage. This study utilizes a simulated model to evaluate ablation outcomes using Emprint SX™ navigation vs standard ultrasound.

Methods

Surgical residents and faculty were recruited from a single institution. Using a novel tumor ablation simulator, participants performed ablations via 2 modes: standard ultrasound guidance (STD) and Emprint SX™ navigation (NAV). Primary outcome was the percentage of under-ablation. Secondary outcomes included percentage of over-ablation, time to complete trial, and number of attempts to position antenna.

Results

281 trials were performed by fifteen participants, with 47% female and 60% novice ablationists. Under-ablation volume decreased by a mean of 16.3% (SEM ±12.9, P < .001) with NAV compared to STD. Over-ablation volume decreased by a mean of 14.0% (±8.2, P < .001). NAV time was faster by a mean of 32 seconds (±24.9, P < .001) and involved fewer antenna placement attempts by a mean of 1.3 (±1.0, P < .001). For novice ablationists, all outcomes were improved with NAV and novices saw larger improvements compared to experienced ablationists ( P = .018).

Discussion

In a simulated model, NAV improves ablation efficacy and efficiency, with novices gaining the greatest benefit over standard ultrasound.
Partial aortic arch replacement without circulatory arrest: A case study
Authors: Panfilov Dmitri , Kozlov Boris
Published: January 2022

Hypothermic circulatory arrest is commonly used during aortic arch surgery. However, it is associated with high risk of visceral organ and lower limb ischemia. There may be advantages to reduction duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest to prevent ischemic complications. We present a case of partial aortic arch replacement without use of hypothermic circulatory arrest.
The importance of relational work design characteristics: A person-centred approach
Authors: Knight Caroline , McLarnon Matthew J W , Wenzel Ramon , Parker Sharon
Published: January 2022

Adopting a person-centred approach, we integrate the job demands-control-support model with relational work design theory to investigate employee work design profiles involving autonomy, workload, social support and prosocial characteristics (representing the combined influence of task significance and beneficiary contact). For a sample of Australian not-for-profit employees ( N = 2421), we identified four work design profiles: ‘active connected’, ‘passive disconnected’, ‘high strain disconnected’ and ‘controlled disconnected’. The most favourable profile, active connected, demonstrated the highest vigour and social worth, and was predicted by people being in higher managerial positions and having permanent employment contracts. The high strain disconnected and controlled disconnected profiles were associated with greater psychological exhaustion. Longer working hours predicted membership of the high strain disconnected profile.

JEL Classification: L31, L30, L20, L29
Early and Delayed Surgery for Isolated ACL and Multiligamentous Knee Injuries Have Equivalent Results: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Vermeijden Harmen D. , Yang Xiuyi A. , Rademakers Maarten V. , Kerkhoffs Gino M.M.J. , van der List Jelle P. , DiFelice Gregory S.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Early surgery for acute ligamentous injuries has recently shown good clinical and functional outcomes.

Purpose:

To assess the advantages of early vs delayed surgery in patients undergoing isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or multiligament-injured knee (MLIK) surgery.

Study Design:

Meta-analyses of Level 1, 2, and 3 studies; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A systematic search was performed via PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane for studies reporting outcomes of timing of surgery after isolated ACL injury or in the MLIK setting using accelerated rehabilitation protocols. Two analyses were conducted to differentiate early and delayed treatment (3- and 6-week cutoffs). Collected outcomes included meniscal or chondral lesions, failure and reoperation rates, range of motion (ROM) deficits, other complications, muscle strength, instrumented laxity, and functional outcomes. Outcomes were reported in risk ratios (RR) or mean differences with 95% CIs.

Results:

For timing of isolated ACL surgery, 16 studies were included with 2093 patients. High-grade evidence indicated that there were no differences in meniscal or chondral lesions, failure and reoperation rates, stiffness, ROM deficits, complications, muscle strength, instrumented laxity, and functional outcomes between patients treated early and late (all P > .05). When including only studies that set no preoperative criteria for early surgery, the findings were similar. Regarding MLIK surgery, 14 studies were included with 1172 patients. Low evidence was noted for the following: patients treated early had significantly fewer meniscal injuries (RR, 0.7; P = .04) and chondral injuries (RR, 0.5; P < .001), while no differences were found in reoperation rates, complications, stiffness, ROM deficits, muscle strength, instrumented laxity, and functional outcomes between the groups. Other than higher Lysholm scores in the early group for the 3-week analysis (mean difference, 6.8; P = .01), there were no differences between cutoff analyses.

Conclusion:

This systematic review with meta-analysis found no differences in clinical and functional outcomes between early and delayed surgery for isolated ACL injuries. For MLIK injuries, there were also no differences in surgical outcomes between early and delayed surgery.
The Heartbeat of Poetry: Student Videomaking in Response to Poetry
Authors: Höglund Heidi
Published: January 2022

This article contributes to an emerging body of scholarship on multimodal composition in the poetry classroom through a study of Finnish lower secondary students’ digital videomaking in response to poetry. The study explores students’ use of semiotic resources in their interpretive work in transmediating a poem into a digital video, with a particular interest in their use of sound elements. Based on social semiotic theory of multimodality, the analysis shows how the students in a variety of ways used sound elements, together with other semiotic resources, to explore their interpretation of the poetic text. Sound elements in particular became a key resource in the interpretive work, giving the students the opportunity to elaborate on topical issues of interest and importance to them while reinforcing their social agency. The study demonstrates the relevance of sound elements in students’ digital composing and explorations of poetry. Furthermore, it reveals how the students showed a capacity as well as a willingness to act, to have influence, and to make substantiated claims for recognition regarding critical issues related to sexuality and society.
The Impact of Feedback on Perceptual Decision-Making and Metacognition: Reduction in Bias but No Change in Sensitivity
Authors: Haddara Nadia , Rahnev Dobromir
Published: January 2022

It is widely believed that feedback improves behavior, but the mechanisms behind this improvement remain unclear. Different theories postulate that feedback has either a direct effect on performance through automatic reinforcement mechanisms or only an indirect effect mediated by a deliberate change in strategy. To adjudicate between these competing accounts, we performed two large experiments on human adults (total N = 518); approximately half the participants received trial-by-trial feedback on a perceptual task, whereas the other half did not receive any feedback. We found that feedback had no effect on either perceptual or metacognitive sensitivity even after 7 days of training. On the other hand, feedback significantly affected participants’ response strategies by reducing response bias and improving confidence calibration. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of feedback stem from allowing people to adjust their strategies for performing the task and not from direct reinforcement mechanisms, at least in the domain of perception.
A Ugandan Parenting Programme to Prevent Gender-Based Violence: Description and Formative Evaluation
Authors: Wight Daniel , Sekiwunga Richard , Namutebi Carol , Zalwango Flavia , Siu Godfrey E.
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To develop a culturally-sensitive intervention for the early prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) in Uganda. Methods: Programme design followed the 6SQuID model of intervention development and multi-sectorial advice. A formative evaluation was conducted in two communities with six groups and 138 participants. Findings: Four familial predictors of GBV were identified as potentially malleable: poor parent–child attachment, harsh parenting, inequitable gendered socialization and parental conflict. A community-based parenting programme was developed to address them. Its programme theory incorporates Attachment Theory, the concept that positive behavioural control develops emotional control, and Social Learning Theory. Its rationale, structure and content are presented using the TIDieR checklist. A formative evaluation showed the programme to be widely acceptable, culturally appropriate, and perceived to be effective, but also identified challenges. Conclusion: The careful development of this community-based parenting programme shows promise for the early prevention of GBV.
CT characterisation and classification of feline temporomandibular joint trauma: a case series of 79 cats
Authors: Mestrinho Lisa A , Sebastião Sónia SF , Zwierucho Maciej A , Lutchman Aaron , Gaschen Lorrie , Goldschmidt Stephanie , Thatcher Graham , Izumisawa Yu , Meeson Richard L
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to characterise and describe patterns of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries occurring in cats using CT.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in adherence with the STROBE guidelines. Among the medical and CT records of 79 cats, 158 TMJs were reviewed in a collaborative study between six institutions.

Results

TMJ injuries were most commonly unilateral, representing 70.9% of cases. The mandibular condyle was fractured in 88 cases (55.7%) of the 158 TMJs observed. Of those, 84.0% were intra-articular condyle fractures, with the medial half of the mandibular condyle over-represented. Luxations occurred in 32.9% of cases, which was 19.0% of all evaluated TMJs. Rostrodorsal luxations were most common representing 87.0% of all luxations. Temporal bone fractures were observed in 30.4% of all cases, which was 18.4% of TMJs. The majority of fractures were of an unknown cause. When the cause was determined, road traffic accident (RTA) was the most frequent, followed by animal interaction, other external forces (sharp or blunt force) and high-rise trauma. Bilateral injuries were 13.1 times more likely to occur in high-rise trauma ( P = 0.01) and temporal bone fracture was significantly associated with RTAs ( P = 0.016). No other significant associations were observed between cause of injury and the resulting TMJ injury pattern.

Conclusions and relevance

Various TMJ injury patterns can occur in cats as a result of trauma. Intra-articular fractures of the medial half of the mandibular condyle occur most commonly. Although unilateral injuries are more frequent, high-rise trauma tends to present with bilateral lesions. Further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to better understand TMJ patterns of injury and how they relate to possible causes.
Agreement between anterior segment swept source-OCT and Scheimpflug imaging corneal aberration measurements in healthy eyes
Authors: Pérez–Bartolomé Francisco , Feu-Basilio Silvia , Rocha-de Lossada Carlos , Blanco-Dominguez Irene , Torras-Sanvicens Josep , Peraza-Nieves Jorge
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To assess agreement between corneal aberration measurements made through swept-source optical coherence tomography using a new anterior segment imaging device (Anterion) and a Scheimpflug imaging device (Pentacam HR) in healthy subjects.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. In 50 eyes of 50 healthy subjects, 14 aberration parameters (7 across the anterior corneal surface and 7 across the total surface) were measured in 4 mm and 6 mm optic zones using each device: oblique trefoil (Z3_-3), vertical coma (Z3_-1), horizontal coma (Z3_1), horizontal trefoil (Z3_3), spherical aberration (Z4_0), root mean square (RMS) lower order aberrations (LOA) and RMS higher order aberrations (HOA). Data for the two devices were compared through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), paired t tests, limits of agreement (LoA) and Bland Altman plots.

Results

Vertical coma was the only corneal aberration parameter that consistently showed excellent agreement (ICC > 0.8, mean difference −0.019, LoA −0.165 to 0.126). Good agreement (ICC = 0.75) between the devices was observed for RMS HOA, but this was slightly worse in the 6 mm optical zone (ICC = 0.667 for anterior RMS HOA). No over- or underestimation trend by one or other device was noted. Agreement was poor to moderate for the rest of the corneal parameters (ICC 0.2 to 0.7).

Conclusion

Despite good agreement overall for vertical coma and RMS HOA values, agreement for the remaining corneal aberration measurements was poor to moderate. As mean differences in our sample were overall small, in normal eyes these devices could be clinically judged as interchangeable.
A structural relationship model for L2 oral proficiency, L2 interest, perceived importance of speaking, and out-of-class L2 contact
Authors: Lin Jia
Published: January 2022

Using a structural equation modeling approach, this study investigates the structural relationships between second language (L2) oral proficiency and interest in learning the target language (L2 interest), in the presence of potential mediating variables (i.e. perceived importance of speaking, out-of-class contact with L2 resources). It also examines if interactive and noninteractive out-of-class L2 contact function differently in the structural model. Data were collected from 1,922 college students taking Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish language classes in the United States. Key findings suggest that (1) L2 interest, as one measure of integrativeness and intrinsic motivation, strongly drives L2 oral development. However, its effect is completely mediated by the perceived importance of speaking; (2) Out-of-class L2 contact, either interactive or noninteractive, significantly correlates with L2 interest but has no significant effect on L2 oral proficiency; (3) however, interactive and noninteractive out-of-class L2 contact still function differently in the structural relationship. Interactive language practice based on digital tools could play a promising role in future L2 learning. Pedagogical implications are presented in the discussion section.
The double-edged sword of online deliberation: How evidence-based user comments both decrease and increase discussion participation intentions on social media
Authors: Schäfer Svenja , Müller Philipp , Ziegele Marc
Published: January 2022

Deliberation theory posits that users’ willingness to participate in online comment sections should increase if the discussions are more evidence-based. However, extant empirical research does not clearly support this assumption. The current study argues that social comparison processes and the metacognitive perception of knowledge mediate the relationship between evidence in comments and participation intention in different ways. Findings from two online experiments ( NStudy1 = 368; NStudy2 = 854) support this assumption: For three different topics, the results show that providing evidence in comments, as opposed to merely opinions, increases participants’ perceived knowledge by increasing their factual knowledge. At the same time, evidence in comments decreases participants’ perceived knowledge through social comparison with other commenters. Higher perceived knowledge is related to increased participation intention. In summary, the studies reveal psychological mechanisms that explain why high deliberative quality of online discussions does not necessarily stimulate further user participation.
Stability and drag reduction in turbulent flow of skin with quasi-periodic elastic supports
Authors: Chen Lu , Liu Shaogang , Zhao Dan , Guo Hongtao , Wei Jundong , Liu Yuxin
Published: January 2022

In order to reduce the flow resistance on the surface of ships, the skin with quasi-periodic elastic supports is designed based on the flexible skin drag reduction technology inspired by dolphin skin. In this paper, the stability characteristic equation of fluid-structure coupling system is established based on small perturbation theory and solved by MATLAB. The results indicate that the skin with quasi-periodic elastic supports has the ability of maintaining stability of turbulent boundary layer when the structural parameters are reasonable. In addition, the drag reduction performance of the skin with quasi-periodic elastic supports is studied by immersion boundary method. The analysis results demonstrate that the skin with quasi-periodic elastic supports can show better drag reduction performance than the skin with periodic elastic supports when the structural parameters q and the support spacing L are rationally set. In a certain speed range, the relative drag reduction rate is up to 72.16%. These optimal distribution parameter data of the skin under certain speed conditions obtained in this paper provide a reference for the practical application and intelligent optimization design of the skin with quasi-periodic elastic supports.
How the Military Context Shapes Spiritual Care Interventions by Military Chaplains
Authors: Pleizier Theo , Schuhmann Carmen
Published: January 2022

Spiritual care interventions depend upon the context in which care is provided, its institutional setting and the actors involved. In order to understand the relationship between interventions in spiritual care and the context in which care is provided, we study the spiritual interventions of military chaplains against the background of the armed forces. In our study, we demonstrate that the military context needs its own conceptualization to understand the pastoral practices of military chaplains. This article uses a qualitative comparative methodology and is based upon 13 case studies that have been generated over the course of five years by a team of eight military chaplains within the framework of the Dutch Case Study Project. The analysis results in four concepts that describe the relationship between spiritual care practices and the context of the armed forces in more detail: structuring pastoral availability, positioning within the military environment, existential negotiation of being human and being a soldier and transforming military time. We conclude that the study of spiritual care in context leads to a contextualized understanding of spiritual care practices and stimulates comparison of pastoral care practices across contexts.
Effects of Probiotics on Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Farahmandi Kajal , Mohr Alex E. , McFarland Lynne V.
Published: January 2022

Background

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has been estimated to range from 10 to 30% in adults and up to 40% in children. Probiotics have been tested as for this condition, but no census on which probiotic types are most effective.

Objective

Our aim of this study was to provide probiotic strain-specific evaluation for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Methods

Databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect) were searched (from inception to October 2020) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of probiotic treatments in allergic rhinitis patients. A systematic review was done comparing types of reported outcomes, clinical and immunological parameters and safety data. A meta-analysis was done for probiotics with at least two RCTs per probiotic strain(s) and sharing a common outcome.

Results

A total of 13 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (N = 1591 participants) were included in the systematic review. Overall, 8 of 9 probiotic types alleviated at least one clinical symptom of allergic rhinitis. The meta-analysis results showed that, neither L. paracasei Lp33 (SMD = −1.61, 95% CI −4.67, 1.45) nor L. rhamnosus GG (SMD = −1.00, 95% CI −3.01, 1.00) had significant efficacy for reducing nasal symptom scores.

Conclusions

Our analysis showed probiotics produced a slight improvement in some clinical and immunological measurements on allergic rhinitis. Due to the diversity of outcome measurements and lack of sufficient trials for each probiotic strain, future trials are needed with similar study design and uniform outcomes to better compare the effect of probiotics on allergic rhinitis.
The Effect of Bone Marrow Stimulation for Cartilage Repair on the Subchondral Bone Plate
Authors: Elmholt Simone Birkebæk , Hede Kris Chadwick , Christensen Bjørn Borsøe , Thomsen Jesper Skovhus , Lind Martin
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To investigate the effect of bone-marrow stimulation (BMS) on subchondral bone plate morphology and remodeling compared to untreated subchondral bone in a validated minipig model.

Methods

Three Göttingen minipigs received BMS with drilling as treatment for two chondral defects in each knee. The animals were euthanized after six months. Follow-up consisted of a histological semiquantitative evaluation using a novel subchondral bone scoring system and micro computed tomography (µCT) of the BMS subchondral bone. The histological and microstructural properties of the BMS-treated subchondral bone were compared to that of the adjacent healthy subchondral bone.

Results

The µCT analysis showed that subchondral bone treated with BMS had significantly higher connectivity density compared to adjacent untreated subchondral bone (26 1/mm3 vs. 21 1/mm3, P = 0.048). This was the only microstructural parameter showing a significant difference. The histological semiquantitative score differed significantly between the subchondral bone treated with BMS and the adjacent untreated subchondral (8.0 vs. 10 P = < 0.001). Surface irregularities were seen in 43% and bone overgrowth in 27% of the histological sections. Only sparse formation of bone cysts was detected (1%).

Conclusions

BMS with drilling does not cause extensive changes to the subchondral bone microarchitecture. Furthermore, the morphology of BMS subchondral bone resembled that of untreated subchondral bone with almost no formation of bone cyst, but some surface irregularities and bone overgrowth.