bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Effect of Murine Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells and Human Placental Extract on Testicular Toxicity Resulting from Doxorubicin in Rats
Authors: AbdRabou Mervat Ahmed , Mehany Ahmed B. M. , Farrag Islam M. , Belal Amany , Abdelzaher Othman F. , El-Sharkawy Abdou , Abd El-Azez Asmaa M. , EL-Sharkawy Salah M. , Al Badawi Manal H.
Published: August 2021

Oncotherapeutics like doxorubicin can affect male gonads; as a result, it leads to infertility. This work was conducted to demonstrate the toxic effects of doxorubicin on testes of male albino rats. Fifty male albino rats aged 5‐7 weeks were used in this study. The animals were randomly separated into 5 sets (each set containing ten rats). Group I received saline (i.p.) for 4 weeks. Group II was given doxorubicin (DOX), 5 mg/kg BW (i.p.) once/week for 4 weeks. Groups III and IV were treated in the same way as the DOX group, left for one week without medication, and then injected with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) or human placental extract (HPE) therapy in a single dose of 5 × 106 in 200 ml PRP/week or 40 μl placental extract for 4 weeks via the caudal vein. Group V rats were treated in the same way as the DOX group also, left for one week without medication, and then injected with MSC+HPE. A significant decrease in serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels was observed in rats treated with DOX compared to the control group. A significant elevation was recorded in rats treated with DOX+MSC or DOX+HPE when compared with the DOX group only. Rats that were given MSC+HPE after DOX intoxication showed a significant increase in hormone levels when compared to rats treated with either MSC or HPE. Light and electron microscopic examinations revealed that DOX intoxication initiated degenerative and necrotic changes in seminiferous tubules associated with partial or complete cessation of spermatogenesis. These effects were reversed by the effect of MSC or HPE. Coadministration of MSC and HPE even showed further improvement. Finally, we can say that doxorubicin has a deleterious impact on rat testes; however, therapeutic effects can be induced through MSC and/or HPE administration.
The Super-Relaxed State and Length Dependent Activation in Porcine Myocardium
Authors: Ma Weikang , Henze Marcus , Anderson Robert L. , Gong Henry , Wong Fiona L. , del Rio Carlos L. , Irving Thomas
Published: August 2021

Rationale:

Myofilament length-dependent activation (LDA) is the key underlying mechanism of cardiac heterometric autoregulation, commonly referred as the Frank-Starling Law of the heart. Although alterations in LDA are common in cardiomyopathic states, the precise structural and biochemical mechanisms underlying LDA remain unknown.

Objective:

Here, we examine the role of structural changes in the thick filament during diastole, in particular changes in the availability of myosin heads, in determining both calcium sensitivity and maximum contractile force during systole in permeabilized porcine cardiac fibers.

Methods and Results:

Permeabilized porcine fibers from ventricular myocardium were studied under relaxing conditions at short and long sarcomere length using muscle mechanics, biochemical measurements, and X-ray diffraction. Upon stretch, the porcine myocardium showed the increased calcium sensitivity and maximum calcium-activated force characteristic of LDA. Stretch increased diastolic ATP turnover, recruiting reserve myosin heads from the super-relaxed state at longer sarcomere length. Structurally, X-ray diffraction studies in the relaxed-muscle confirmed a departure from the helical ordering of the thick filament upon stretch which occurred concomitantly with a displacement of myosin heads towards actin, facilitating cross-bridge formation upon systolic activation. Mavacamten, a selective myosin-motor inhibitor known to weaken the transition to actin-bound power-generating states and to enrich the ordered super-relaxed state myosin population, reversed the structural effects of stretch on the thick filament, blunting the mechanical consequences of stretch; mavacamten did not, however, prevent other structural changes associated with LDA in the sarcomere, such as decreased lattice spacing or troponin-displacement.

Conclusions:

Our findings strongly indicate that in ventricular muscle, LDA and its systolic consequences are dependent on the population of myosin heads competent to form cross bridges and involves the recruitment of myosin heads from the reserve super-relaxed state pool during diastole.
Albuminuria Testing in Hypertension and Diabetes: An Individual-Participant Data Meta-Analysis in a Global Consortium
Authors: Shin Jung-Im , Chang Alex R. , Grams Morgan E. , Coresh Josef , Ballew Shoshana H. , Surapaneni Aditya , Matsushita Kunihiro , Bilo Henk J.G. , Carrero Juan J. , Chodick Gabriel , Daratha Kenn B. , Jassal Simerjot K. , Nadkarni Girish N. , Nelson Robert G. , Nowak Christoph , Stempniewicz Nikita , Sumida Keiichi , Traynor Jamie P. , Woodward Mark , Sang Yingying , Gansevoort Ron T. , Chalmers John , Tuttle Katherine , Alicic Radica , McPherson Sterling , Jones Cami , Singh Gurmukteshwar , Green Jamie , Kirchner H. Lester , Shalev Varda , Bottinger Erwin P. , Loos Ruth J.F. , Ellis Stephen B. , Cuddeback John , Ciemins Elizabeth , Carbonara Emily , Dunning Stephan , Knowler William C. , Looker Helen C. , Kieneker Lyane M. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Hillege Hans L. , van der Harst Pim , Jassal Simerjot K. , Bergstrom Jacklyn , Ix Joachim , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Potukuchi Praveen , Trevisan Marco , Elinder Carl Gustaf , Wettermark Björn , Ärnlöv Johan , Mark Patrick B. , Thomson Peter C. , Geddes Colin C. , Landman Gijs W.D. , van Hateren Kornelis J.J. , Kleefstra Nanne , Gutierrez Orlando , Konta Tsuneo , Levey Andrew S. , Polkinghorne Kevan , Schäffner Elke , Chen Jingsha , Surapeneni Aditya
Published: August 2021

Albuminuria is an under-recognized component of chronic kidney disease definition, staging, and prognosis. Guidelines, particularly for hypertension, conflict on recommendations for urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) measurement. Separately among 1 344 594 adults with diabetes and 2 334 461 nondiabetic adults with hypertension from the chronic kidney disease Prognosis Consortium, we assessed ACR testing, estimated the prevalence and incidence of ACR ≥30 mg/g and developed risk models for ACR ≥30 mg/g. The ACR screening rate (cohort range) was 35.1% (12.3%–74.5%) in diabetes and 4.1% (1.3%–20.7%) in hypertension. Screening was largely unrelated to the predicted risk of prevalent albuminuria. The median prevalence of ACR ≥30 mg/g across cohorts was 32.1% in diabetes and 21.8% in hypertension. Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with a higher prevalence of albuminuria (odds ratio [95% CI] per 20 mm Hg in diabetes, 1.50 [1.42–1.60]; in hypertension, 1.36 [1.28–1.45]). The ratio of undetected (due to lack of screening) to detected ACR ≥30 mg/g was estimated at 1.8 in diabetes and 19.5 in hypertension. Among those with ACR <30 mg/g, the median 5-year incidence of ACR ≥30 mg/g across cohorts was 23.9% in diabetes and 21.7% in hypertension. Incident albuminuria was associated with initiation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (incidence-rate ratio [95% CI], diabetes 3.09 [2.71–3.53]; hypertension 2.87 [2.29–3.59]). In conclusion, despite similar risk of albuminuria to those with diabetes, ACR screening in patients with hypertension was low. Our findings suggest that regular albuminuria screening should be emphasized to enable early detection of chronic kidney disease and initiation of treatment with cardiovascular and renal benefits.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control in the United States, 2013 to 2018
Authors: Aggarwal Rahul , Chiu Nicholas , Wadhera Rishi K. , Moran Andrew E. , Raber Inbar , Shen Changyu , Yeh Robert W. , Kazi Dhruv S.
Published: August 2021

We evaluated the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension (defined as a systolic blood pressure [BP]) ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, or a self-reported use of an antihypertensive agent) among US adults, stratified by race/ethnicity. This analysis included 16 531 nonpregnant US adults (≥18 years) in the three National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles between 2013 and 2018. Race/ethnicity was defined by self-report as White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or other Americans. Among 76 910 050 (74 449 985–79 370 115) US adults with hypertension, 48.6% (47.3%–49.8%, unadjusted) have controlled BP. When compared with BP control rates for White adults (49.0% [46.8%–51.2%], age-adjusted), BP control rates are lower in Black (39.2%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.71 [95% CI, 0.59–0.85],
P
<0.001), Hispanic (40.0%, aOR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.58–0.88],
P
=0.003), and Asian (37.8%, aOR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.55–0.84],
P
=0.001) Americans. Black adults have higher hypertension prevalence (45.3% versus 31.4%, aOR, 2.24 [95% CI, 1.97–2.56],
P
<0.001) but similar awareness and treatment rates as White adults. Hispanic adults have similar hypertension prevalence, but lower awareness (71.1% versus 79.1%, aOR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.58–0.89],
P
=0.005) and treatment rates (60.5% versus 67.3%, aOR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.66–0.94],
P
=0.010) than White adults. Asian adults have similar hypertension prevalence, lower awareness (72.5% versus 79.1%, aOR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.58–0.97],
P
=0.038) but similar treatment rates. Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans have different vulnerabilities in the hypertension control cascade of prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control. These differences can inform targeted public health efforts to promote health equity and reduce the burden of hypertension in the United States.
The International Sakharov Hearings and Transnational Human Rights Activism, 1975–1985
Authors: Boel Bent
Published: August 2021

This article offers the first scholarly account of the International Sakharov Hearings, which were prompted by the so-called Moscow Appeal (1974) and took place in Copenhagen (1975), Rome (1977), Washington, DC (1979), Lisbon (1983), and London (1985). The article provides a detailed examination of each hearing, from the amateurish and politically murky origins in Copenhagen to the more mainstream and quite successful event in London. The article also attempts an overall assessment of the hearings as an original, important case of an international citizens’ tribunal resulting from transnational human rights activism pursued in Andrei Sakharov's name in the context of the Helsinki process. It raises questions about the roles played by various individuals, networks, and agencies, as well as the possible impact of the hearings, both domestically and internationally.
The Cold War Politics of Soviet Federal Structures, 1945–1965
Authors: Forestier-Peyrat Étienne
Published: August 2021

This article shows how official discussions of federal arrangements within the USSR affected Soviet foreign policy from the 1940s through the 1960s, especially on questions of decolonization and relations with the United States and other Western countries. Connecting Soviet domestic history and international developments, the article shows how the federal structure of the USSR was used in transnational debates on composite polities, race, and nationality and also how it was debated internally. Attacks on the highly centralized nature of Soviet federal structures in international arenas and the countermeasures adopted as part of the ideological Cold War had long-term as well as short-term effects on Soviet politics and foreign policy. Within the USSR, such attacks raised questions about the ethnofederal structure of the USSR and provided comparison points for both loyalist and dissident proponents of national rights in the country.
Two new freshwater species of Bacillaria (Bacillariophyta) from Dongting Lake, China
Authors: LONG JI-YAN , WILLIAMS DAVID M. , LIU BING , ZHOU YANG-YAN
Published: August 2021

Two new species in the genus Bacillaria, B. sinensis sp. nov. and B. dongtingensis sp. nov., are described from Dongting Lake, China. Both share the linear-lanceolate valve outline and the fault sites (i.e., branching and/or fusion of transapical ribs), the latter a character of the genus. Even though B. sinensis and B. dongtingensis are found at the same specific locality (sympatric), they differ by two characters: (1) the valves of B. sinensis have asymmetrical flanges on both sides of the raphe, while the raphe flange of B. dongtingensis is only on one side of the raphe; and (2) the valves of B. sinensis lack spines on the valve margins while B. dongtingensis has spines on both margins. Bacillaria sinensis and B. dongtingensis both possess two forms of fault sites on the same valves, i.e., they have both branching of transapical ribs and fusion of transapical ribs on the broader side of valve. This feature is not found in other species of Bacillaria, so it is unique. Bacillaria sinensis and B. dongtingensis are the first two species of Bacillaria reported from a typical and ‘normal’ freshwater habitat.
Begonia benitotanii (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) a new species endemic to the Philippine island of Bucas Grande
Authors: RUBITE ROSARIO RIVERA , BRILLANTES ROCHELLE YONGQUE , TANDANG DANILO N. , MORAN CECILIA B. , RULE MARK GREGORY Q. , LIN CHEI-WEI
Published: August 2021

In 2011 and later in a 2018 field survey, an unknown Begonia species allied to taxa in section Petermannia was found in Bucas Grande Island. After thorough studies of the living plant, literature, and herbarium specimens we name the new species Begonia benitotanii, to honor Dr. Benito C. Tan, the internationally known Filipino muscologist. In 2011, there were two populations observed, each of about 300 individuals in a 100 m area. During recent fieldwork, one population was found decimated while the other was reduced to just about 50 individuals. The site is being converted into coconut, banana, and rice plantations. The area is not currently protected under the country’s National Integrated Protected Areas System by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. According to the IUCN red list categories and criteria, B. benitotanii is hereby proposed to be placed under the Critically Endangered (CR) category.
Cloud Seeding and Crops Yields: Evaluation of the North Dakota Cloud Modification Project
Authors: Knowles Scott , Skidmore Mark
Published: August 2021

The North Dakota Cloud Modification Project was established in 1951 to reduce severe hail damage and increase precipitation in specific counties in North Dakota. Every year, participating counties receive cloud seeding treatment during the months of June, July, and August. Although some atmospheric studies have examined the efficacy of the treatment, few have used statistical procedures to determine how the program affected crop yields and crop losses. We use the panel nature of historical cloud seeding participation and crop data to estimate a two-way fixed effects regression with county-specific time trends to examine the effect of cloud seeding on wheat and barley yields. In addition, we use federal crop insurance data to estimate the effect of cloud seeding on losses for those same crops. Our evaluation indicates that the cloud seeding program had significant positive effects on crop yields and improved loss ratios.
The Past, Present, and Future of Brown’s Mandate: A View from North Carolina
Authors: Mickelson Roslyn A. , Ayscue Jennifer B. , Bottia Martha C. , Wilson Jerry J.
Published: August 2021

The unanimous 1954 Brown v. Board of Education opinion is one of the most consequential legal decisions of the 20th century. Even though it concerned government sanctioned racial segregation of public schools, many legal scholars, policy makers, and citizens see Brown’s impact going well beyond ordering the dismantling of de jure segregated public schools and instituting desegregated ones that would provide equitable high quality public education to all students irrespective of their race. Brown’s mandate overturned the notorious Plessy decision sanctioning legal segregation and exposed the fiction that separate could be equal in any institution or sphere of public life. But, progress toward Brown’s literal and figurative mandate has been halting and, at best, uneven. This article considers the question of whether the nation will achieve Brown’s mandate by its 100th anniversary in 2054. The authors reflect upon the relevant history of progress in Brown’s implementation and the current retrenchments on those gains that have returned this nation’s schools, in some districts, to pre- Brown levels of segregation. Using the state of North Carolina as a strategic case study, they speculate about the sets of social forces that may either discourage or encourage realization of Brown’ s mandate going forward. In doing so, they note population changes, national and local political factors, and other events that will either make it more or less likely that Brown’s mandate will be realized by 2054.
Parental Views on the Role of Social Media in Pediatric Otolaryngology
Authors: Ward Libby M. , Sykora Chelsea A. , Prakash Yash , Cohen Michael B. , Levi Jessica R.
Published: August 2021

Objective:

Social media is playing an increasingly important role in medicine as a tool for patients and their families to find information and connect with others. The goal of this study is to understand parental views on if and how social media should be incorporated into pediatric otolaryngology by physicians and hospitals.

Methods:

A survey was distributed to parents of pediatric otolaryngologic patients to assess views on professional social media use by physicians and hospitals. The proportion of parents who answered with specific responses in the survey was computed using the SPSS frequency analysis function.

Results:

One hundred five parents completed the survey. Ninety-six percent of respondents use social media, of which 92% use social media at least once a day (n = 93). Eighty-five percent of respondents said they definitely or probably would visit their physician’s professional social media page (n = 90). Seventy-four percent would be interested in obtaining more information about the physician (n = 76). Forty-one percent would be interested in patient stories (n = 76). Twenty-eight percent would visit out of curiosity (n = 76). Twenty-six percent would want to gather more information about the hospital (n = 76). Seventeen percent would want to connect with other patients and their family members (n = 76). Sixty-seven percent of respondents believe it is important for physicians to have a professional social media page, and 79% of respondents believe it is important for hospitals to have a public social media page (n = 93).

Conclusion:

The vast majority of parents of pediatric otolaryngologic patients use social media regularly and would want to gather information about their physician and hospital through social media. Therefore, physicians and hospitals should consider using social media as a valuable tool to connect with and relay information to patients and their family members.
Radial Forearm Free Flap Reconstruction of Glossectomy Defects Without Tracheostomy
Authors: Wu Tara J. , Saggi Satvir , Badran Karam W. , Han Albert Y. , Sand Jordan P. , Blackwell Keith E.
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

To assess the feasibility of radial forearm free flap (RFFF) reconstruction of glossectomy defects without tracheostomy tube (TT).

Methods:

Retrospective review of patients with at least oral tongue defects who underwent RFFF reconstruction. Pre- and intra-operative factors were documented. Post-operative respiratory complications included inability to extubate, pneumonia, or need for re-intubation or TT within 30 days.

Results:

Twenty-one patients underwent RFFF reconstruction without TT, and 36 patients with TT. The average hospital length of stay was 1.5 days shorter in those without TT ( P < .01). Two patients who underwent TT placement experienced a respiratory complication ( P = .27). There were no respiratory complications among those without TT. After multivariate analyses, large tongue base defect (>25% resection, P < .001) and bilateral neck dissection ( P < .001) were independently associated with TT placement.

Conclusions:

In our experience, RFFF reconstruction of glossectomy defects is feasible without TT among selected patients with small tongue base defects (≤25% resection) and unilateral neck dissection.
Learning progressions and the Australian curriculum mathematics: The case of statistics and probability
Authors: Callingham Rosemary , Watson Jane , Oates Greg
Published: August 2021

Mathematics curricula have traditionally focused on content knowledge, often in the form of a scope and sequence of increasingly difficult mathematics. The importance of using and applying mathematics is recognised in the current Australian Curriculum Mathematics (AC: M) as ‘proficiencies’ that are intended to be integrated with the content. There is little support for teachers to develop these proficiencies – reasoning, understanding, problem solving and fluency. Learning progressions are sequences of learning that focus on cognitive processes, and thus provide a useful basis for curriculum development. Using an empirical Statistical Reasoning Learning Progression as an exemplar, a new approach to curriculum development is suggested that links content knowledge with the proficiencies. The outcome is a zone-based, rather than year level based, curriculum that allows teachers to target their teaching, so that students develop increasingly sophisticated understanding of statistics and probability.
Spiritualité, dramaturgie et décolonisation : un théologien lit Yves Sioui Durand
Authors: Roussel Jean-François
Published: August 2021

Cet article porte sur un récent recueil du dramaturge wendat Yves Sioui Durand, exposant sa démarche dramaturgique, spirituelle et théorique. Ces textes exposent une vision spirituelle pour la décolonisation des peuples autochtones mais ils peuvent aussi amener la théologie à se reconsidérer elle-même dans ses repères disciplinaires hérités d’un projet colonial. La proposition de Sioui Durand éclaire non seulement le déclin du projet pastoral autochtone des dernières décennies dans l’Église catholique, mais aussi les options explorées en théologie face au défi interculturel. Nous terminerons en esquissant les avenues d’une possible théologie à la rencontre de la « résurgence » autochtone.
Use of running plates by floor housed rats: A pilot study
Authors: Frei Jessica , Clauss Marcus , Winkler Daniela E , Tütken Thomas , Martin Louise F
Published: August 2021

The outfit of husbandry facilities of, and the enrichment provided for, experimental rodents plays an important role in the animals’ welfare, and hence also for the societal acceptance of animal experiments. Whether rats and mice benefit from being provided with running wheels or plates is discussed controversially. Here we present observations from a feeding experiment, where rats were provided a running plate. As a pilot study, six identical cages, with three animals per cage, were filmed for six days, and the resulting footage was screened for the number of bouts and the time the animals spent on the plates. The main activities observed on the plate in descending order were sitting (18.5 ± 13.8 bouts or 8.0 ± 13.7 min/animal per day), standing (10.2 ± 11.6 bouts, 3.8 ± 4.2 min), running (8.2 ± 13.3 bouts, 10.1 ± 21.4 min), grooming (2.0 ± 2.8 bouts, 6.7 ± 25.7 min), sleeping (1.0 ± 2.6 bouts, 24.0 ± 61.8 min) and playing (0.5 ± 0.9 bouts, 0.1 ± 0.5 min). Most of these activities (91% of all bouts, 90% of total time) occurred at night, similar to previous studies on running wheel usage. The running plate seems well-accepted as cage enrichment, even though in further studies, the motivating triggers and the effects of long-term use could be evaluated more in-depth.
So Much Life in Such a Short Time: An Exploration of Children’s Obituaries
Authors: Carmon Anna F.
Published: August 2021

As childhood death is considered nonnormative and outside of the life course, children may be memorialized differently than adults who have had an opportunity for fuller lives. As obituaries are cultural artifacts used to provide public documentation of personal legacies, this study sought to determine how children obituaries differ from traditional obituaries of those who have lived full lives. I content analyzed 63 children’s obituaries to determine how they differ in intention and use of linguistic devices from what we know about traditional obituaries. Several key themes emerged in the obituary content – passions, religion and faith, children’s role as siblings, their effect on those around them, and messages written directly to the deceased children. These children’s obituaries read as tributes to the children’s lives, rather than as resumes as traditional obituaries often do.
Changes in the Centurion on Paul’s Last Journey to Rome in Acts 27
Authors: Ho Sin Pan
Published: August 2021

This article argues that Luke intends to delineate the changes of social distance between the character “centurion” and Paul throughout the voyage in Acts 27. The social location of the centurion consistently moves from outsiders towards the group “we” in the narrative. The story functions as a thought experiment for first readers to encourage them to establish trusting relations with Roman officials in times of trial. It conveys Luke’s commission to the first readers for gospel witness..
Patterns of Stepsibling Relationship Development
Authors: Ganong Lawrence , Sanner Caroline , Landon Olivia , Coleman Marilyn
Published: August 2021

In this grounded theory study, we examined the processes through which 25 young adult stepchildren developed relationships with 71 stepsiblings. We also examined the interpersonal and familial contexts within which stepsibling relationships were formed. We identified six distinct types of stepsibling connections: (a) strangers, (b) distant acquaintances, (c) rivals, (d) ambivalent friends or frenemies, (e) friends, and (f) siblings. These relationship types varied in emotional closeness and quality and were qualitatively different in how they developed and were maintained. These stepsibling types also differed in their interpersonal contexts, particularly in interactions and relationships with parents and stepparents.
Diagnostic performance and image quality of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) on unenhanced low-dose abdominal CT for urolithiasis
Authors: Delabie Aurélien , Bouzerar Roger , Pichois Raphaël , Desdoit Xavier , Vial Jérémie , Renard Cédric
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with urolithiasis undergo radiation overexposure from computed tomography (CT) scans. Improvement of image reconstruction is necessary for radiation dose reduction.

Purpose

To evaluate a deep learning-based reconstruction algorithm for CT (DLIR) in the detection of urolithiasis at low-dose non-enhanced abdominopelvic CT.

Material and Methods

A total of 75 patients who underwent low-dose abdominopelvic CT for urolithiasis were retrospectively included. Each examination included three reconstructions: DLIR; filtered back projection (FBP); and hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR; ASiR-V 70%). Image quality was subjectively and objectively assessed using attenuation and noise measurements in order to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), absolute contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Attenuation of the largest stones were also compared. Detectability of urinary stones was assessed by two observers.

Results

Image noise was significantly reduced with DLIR: 7.2 versus 17 and 22 for ASiR-V 70% and FBP, respectively. Similarly, SNR and CNR were also higher compared to the standard reconstructions. When the structures had close attenuation values, contrast was lower with DLIR compared to ASiR-V. Attenuation of stones was also lowered in the DLIR series. Subjective image quality was significantly higher with DLIR. The detectability of all stones and stones >3 mm was excellent with DLIR for the two observers (intraclass correlation [ICC] = 0.93 vs. 0.96 and 0.95 vs. 0.99). For smaller stones (<3 mm), results were different (ICC = 0.77 vs. 0.86).

Conclusion

For low-dose abdominopelvic CT, DLIR reconstruction exhibited image quality superior to ASiR-V and FBP as well as an excellent detection of urinary stones.
Analysis of risk factors associated with flexor pollicis longus injury after volar plating of distal radius fractures
Authors: Lv Yang-Xun , Chen Mang-Mang , Su Chen-Xian , Ye Hao-Nan , Yang Jie , Li Jing
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study was performed to analyze the risk factors associated with flexor pollicis longus (FPL) attrition or rupture after volar plating of distal radius fractures.

Methods

Three hundred thirty-eight patients with distal radius fractures were included in this retrospective study. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to predict risk factors.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that sex, volar tilt, the Soong grade, the plate-to-critical line distance (PCLD), the plate-to-volar rim distance (PVRD), and the time of plate removal were significantly associated with FPL attrition or rupture. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that decreased volar tilt, Soong grade 2, PCLD of >2 mm, PVRD of <3 mm, and plate removal at ≥1 year were the risk factors significantly associated with FPL attrition or rupture.

Conclusions

Reduced volar tilt, Soong grade 2, PCLD of >2 mm, and PVRD of <3 mm appear to be risk factors that are significantly associated with FPL attrition or rupture. The findings of this study also suggest that the risk of tendon rupture is lower if a Soong grade 2 plate is removed, the PCLD is >2 mm, the PVRD is <3 mm, or reduced volar tilt is achieved earlier (at <1 year).
Users’ experiences of reference services in Thai academic libraries
Authors: Suthiprapa Kittiya , Tuamsuk Kulthida
Published: August 2021

This research aimed to analyse the user experiences of reference services in academic libraries based on the marketing mix 7Ps concept. The sample was instructors and students from eight national research universities in Thailand. Questionnaires were returned by 337 instructors (86.41%) and 399 students (100%). The results show that the component of the marketing mix 7Ps that was most important for reference services according to the users was people (β = .881), followed by place (β = .868), promotion (β = .863), product (β = .856), price (β = .854), process (β = .805) and physical environment (β = .789). When considering product, the most important services were counselling, research information seeking, instruction and answering, respectively. The results of this marketing mix 7Ps study reveal users’ attitudes with regard to various aspects that can be integrated with service design and create a model for developing library service innovation.
Bridging the Gap: A National Study Analyzing the Process of Toll Road Governance, Finance and Revenue Allocation
Authors: Weinreich David
Published: August 2021

Despite strong interest in toll finance, the process of decision making and revenue allocation is not well understood. This study examined toll road data over 10 years, to understand how revenue was spent, and whether there were differences by governance structure. A representative sample of 60 toll roads across 20 US states was catalogued, selected based on their governance structure, centerline miles, and rate of toll increase since 2007. Archival sources were examined to identify whether/how much tolls had increased/decreased, and the question of how governance methods affected spending outcomes was addressed through interviews with staff and elected officials from four toll road authorities. The study found strong incentives toward profit in private and public–private partnership roads, but weak incentives to encourage transparency. The study identified barriers to using revenue toward expenditures intended to soften the impact of toll increases on low-income populations. This was because of debt covenants and incentives to distribute money toward new projects within an agency’s outer boundaries, thus failing to address the equity concerns that hamper public confidence in tolls as a revenue source. Nesting a toll road within a multimodal transportation authority could mitigate this, providing incentives to subsidize public transit, and taxing powers that make debt less necessary—an institutional design which could mitigate equity concerns that have hampered public acceptance of tolls as a revenue source.
Development of an Integrated Transportation and Land Use Microsimulation Model on a Flexible Modeling Platform
Authors: Habib Muhammad Ahsanul , McCarthy Stephen
Published: August 2021

This paper reports the development of a microsimulation model-building platform and the implementation, validation, and deployment of an integrated transportation and land use model using the platform. The modeling platform provides a new approach to microsimulation by providing modular algorithms with which models can be configured without additional coding, enabling the rapid development, testing, and deployment of models. The integrated transportation, land use, and energy (iTLE) model is an operational microsimulation model for Halifax, Canada, that combines long-term household decisions with short-term travel choices. The model’s longer-term decision simulator simulates life-stage transitions, residential mobility, and vehicle transactions. The residential mobility module uses a logsum measure of modal accessibility to capture how households’ travel options influence their location decisions. The model was run from 2006 to 2036 on a business-as-usual scenario of land use and transportation. Validation performed after 10 years against census data indicates that the model produces a well-calibrated simulated population. The model predicts rising population density and greater household incomes in the urban core and a rise in vehicle ownership. The disaggregate nature, integration of land use and travel behavior, and life-course perspective of the modeling framework make it valuable as a decision-support tool for testing alternate scenarios against the baseline. The ease of development afforded by the modeling platform will facilitate future research on new mobility options, ensuring that the model can easily be adapted to anticipated transformational changes in the transportation system.
Female fighters and the fates of rebellions: How mobilizing women influences conflict duration
Authors: Wood Reed M. , Allemang Lindsey
Published: August 2021

We investigate the potential relationship between female combatants and conflict duration. We contend that recruiting female combatants extends war duration via its influence on state–rebel bargaining. The recruitment and deployment of female combatants contribute to divergent perspectives between the rebels and the incumbent regarding the rebel group’s capabilities and the depth of its resolve, which impedes successful bargaining and extends the duration of the conflict. Results from duration analyses using data on the estimated prevalence of female combatants in rebel groups active between 1964 and 2011 support our central hypothesis and suggest that the use of female fighters is associated with longer conflicts.
Does Culture Matter? Young and Middle-Aged Iranian-American Adults’ Perspectives Regarding End-of-Life Care Planning
Authors: Rahemi Zahra , Parker Veronica
Published: August 2021

Background:

An increase of cultural diversity and treatment options offer opportunities and challenges related to end-of-life (EOL) care for healthcare providers and policymakers. EOL care planning can help reduce confusion and uncertainty when individuals and family members need to make decisions about EOL care options.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to investigate preferences, attitudes, and behaviors regarding EOL care planning among young and middle-aged Iranian-American adults.

Methods:

A cross-sectional national sample of 251 Iranian-American adults completed surveys. Paper and online surveys in English and Persian were offered to potential participants.

Results:

All the participants completed online survey in English language. In incurable health conditions, 56.8% preferred hospitalization and intensive treatments. From the 40.6% participants who preferred comfort care, most preferred care at home (29.5%) compared to an institution (11.1%). Those who preferred hospitalization at EOL mostly preferred intensive and curative treatments. The mean score of attitudes toward advance decision-making was moderately high (11.48 ± 2.77). Favorable attitudes were positively associated with acculturation (r = .31, p < .001), age (r = .15, p < .05), and number of years living in the U.S. (r = .26, p < .001). Conversely, spirituality and favorable attitudes were negatively associated (r = −.17, p < .05).

Conclusion:

Immigrant and culturally diverse individuals have experienced different living and healthcare environments. These differences can influence their EOL care planning and decisions. Knowledge of diverse perspectives and cultures is essential to design culturally congruent plans of EOL care.
Exoskeletons in Nursing and Healthcare: A Bionic Future
Authors: O’Connor Siobhan
Published: August 2021

This editorial summarizes the emergence of bionic technology in the form of exoskeletons and how these wearable robotics are and could be applied in the nursing profession to improve the occupational health of nurses and deliver patient care. The benefits, risks, and limitations of these novel technologies are also briefly discussed.
Conversations About Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights—From a School Nurse Perspective
Authors: Silivri Martina , Wirf Therese , Hodges Eric A. , Fredholm Ylva S. , Björk Maria
Published: August 2021

Students have the right to receive education about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The United Nations Agenda 2030 for sustainable development includes goals regarding SRHR, including the right to universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services and gender equality. The study used a qualitative design with an inductive approach. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. The results are presented in three categories and nine subcategories. The categories were “having an open attitude,” “organizational prerequisites,” and “challenging tasks.” An open attitude was required to create confidence for both school nurses and students in SRHR conversations. Organizational prerequisites, such as planning SRHR education with others, were successful. Multicultural meetings and conversations regarding gender identity and sexual orientation were challenging tasks. Increased knowledge of SRHR and national standardized guidelines are suggested to achieve Agenda 2030 SRHR goals and to ensure equity in school health care.
Work–Family Conflicts, Stress, and Turnover Intention Among Hong Kong Police Officers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Li Jessica C. M. , Cheung Chau-kiu , Sun Ivan Y. , Cheung Yuen-kiu , Zhu Shimin
Published: August 2021

Although work stress, turnover intention, and work–family conflicts among police officers have been extensively investigated, no studies have explored these issues simultaneously under the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Clearly, both work and family domains have been drastically affected by this global health crisis, and it is likely that each domain has a distinctive impact on work outcomes. Using survey data based on a representative random sample of 335 police officers in Hong Kong, this study examines the impacts of resource losses and gains across family and work domains on occupational stress and turnover intention amid the pandemic. A multiple regression indicates that both family-to-work and work-to-family conflicts lead to work stress and turnover intention among police officers. Among officers, supervisory support is negatively associated with turnover intention and moderates the impact of work-to-family conflicts on turnover intention. Finally, measures to mitigate work stress during public health disasters are discussed.
How emotions shape feminist coalitions
Authors: Whittier Nancy
Published: August 2021

This article develops a framework for conceptualizing the emotional dimensions of coalitions, with particular focus on how power operates through emotion in different varieties of feminist coalitions. The article proposes three interrelated areas in which emotion shapes feminist coalitions: (1) Feelings towards coalition partners: feelings of mistrust, anger, fear, or their reverse grow from histories of interaction and unequal power. These make up the emotional landscape of intersectional coalitions, which operate through a tension between negative emotions and attempts at empathy or mutual acceptance; (2) Shared feelings: feminist coalitions build on shared fear of threat or anger at a common enemy; and (3) emergent emotions in collective action. Coalition partners possess distinct emotion cultures. Joint collective action can cement bonds when all participants’ emotion cultures are reflected, or weaken coalitions when the reverse is true. In all three of these areas, organizers engage in emotional labour in order to create or maintain coalitions. These three dynamics are illustrated with examples from intersectional feminist coalitions, the Women’s Marches, and interactions between feminists and conservatives opposed to pornography.
Intersectionality as a new feeling rule for young feminists: Race and feminist relations in France and Switzerland
Authors: Calderaro Charlène , Lépinard Éléonore
Published: August 2021

Black feminist theory and theorizations by feminists of colour have identified and explored emotions linked to race and racism in feminist movements, especially in the US context. Building on this literature, this article explores the changes in feminist emotional dynamics linked to race which have been brought up by the relatively recent adoption of intersectionality in feminist movements’ discourses in two European countries, France and Switzerland, which are both often described as ‘colour-blind’ contexts. Drawing on Hochschild’s concept of feeling rules, we argue that intersectionality has changed the ways feminists are legitimately expected to feel about race and racism within feminist movements in both contexts. As feeling rules vary according to the members’ positions within the movement, we contend that these changes in emotional dynamics contribute to redefine feminists’ relations and feminist membership along racial lines. Based on interviews with young feminist activists in France and Switzerland during mobilization processes characterized by a prominent use of intersectionality, we observe how intersectionality discourses bring about new feeling rules in relation to race and racism. These feeling rules differ for white and non-white feminists: while intersectionality has led young white feminists to self-education and self-critique, racialized feminists often expressed mixed feelings about intersectionality and its use, in particular by white feminists. Importantly, these changes in feeling rules have allowed racialized feminists to renegotiate their relations with white feminists and their emotional content, as well as their position within the movement.
Emotions and embodiment as feminist practice in the free abortion movement in France (1972–1984)
Authors: Ruault Lucile
Published: August 2021

This article explores the critical role of emotions and bodies in the individual dynamics of engagement as well as the construction of collective identities and action in women’s groups in the 1970s in France. Much literature on emotion work in feminist organizations has tended to discuss emotions stemming from women’s dominant socialization processes as, above all, alienating, thereby as barriers to their activism. The Movement for the liberty of abortion and birth control offers essential insights into how gendered dispositions can be primary determinants of feminist collective identity formation, and even spur innovative protest practices. With their specific organizational settings and action, some ‘dissident MLACs’ in Aix-en-Provence, Lille, Lyon and Paris – those which continued to practice abortion despite its legalization and in defiance of the 1975 law which forbade them to do so – mobilized reciprocal emotions and bodily experiences to sustain engagement and serve a political project. Drawing on a wide array of biographical interviews and archival sources centred on abortion practices, the article examines the distinctive emotion culture these groups constructed. Its anchoring in bodies, commitment to emotions like tenderness and compassion, but also domestic and relational skills consecrated a gendered repertoire of action which therefore notably appealed to women whose social properties did not predispose them to collective action.
The problems with feminist nostalgia: Intersectionality and white popular feminism
Authors: Evans Elizabeth , Bussey-Chamberlain Prudence
Published: August 2021

Contemporary feminisms are ineluctably drawn into comparisons with historic discourses, forms of praxis and tactical repertoires. While this can underscore points of continuity and commonality in ongoing struggles, it can also result in nostalgia for a more unified and purposeful feminist politics. Kate Eichhorn argues that our interest in nostalgia should be to understand feminist temporalities, and in particular the specific context in which we experience such nostalgia. Accordingly, this article takes up the idea that neoliberalism and populism, which have given rise to both neoliberal feminism and femonationalism, have produced a series of contestations regarding the purpose and nature of feminist politics, as expressed by white popular feminism in the United Kingdom. This article examines two dimensions of feminist nostalgia: first, nostalgia for a more radical form of feminist politics – one not co-opted by neoliberal forces, not individualistic and not centred around online activism; and second, a nostalgia for the idea of ‘sisterhood’ – a time before white feminists were called upon to engage with intersectionality or be inclusive of trans-women. We analyse these themes through analysis of white popular feminism produced in the United Kingdom between 2010 and 2020, cautioning against a feminist nostalgia which neglects to engage with the radical politics of intersectionality.
The impact of climate change on the thermal-energy performance of the SCIP and ICF wall systems for social housing in Brazil
Authors: Cruz Alexandre Santana , Cunha Eduardo Grala da
Published: August 2021

The social housing sector is playing an important role in Brazil, due to the necessity of its expansion. Currently, many residential projects perform poorly in terms of energy efficiency and thermal comfort. In addition, the impact of climate change on energy consumption may aggravate the energy scenario, increasing the dependence on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. In parallel to this, there is a growing adoption of the Structural Concrete Insulated Panels (SCIP) and insulated concrete form (ICF) in the Brazilian construction industry, due to their advantages in reducing construction time, and cost. Therefore, this study provides a discussion on thermal-energy performance focusing on parametric analysis of the SCIP and ICF wall systems adoption for social housing in Brazil. Due to the fact that building performance is heavily affected by weather conditions, this study evaluated the computer simulation of the thermal-energy performance of SCIP and ICF wall systems for hot climates while addressing the impacts of climate change. The city of Rio de Janeiro, characterized by the tropical climate was selected, and the Climate Change World Weather File Generator (CCWorldWeatherGen) tool was used to produce weather data for future climate scenarios, such as 2020, 2050 and 2080.