bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraintestinal Amoebiasis in Women after 6th Day of Delivery
Authors: Minwuyelet Awoke , Aschale Yibeltal , Ayenew Solomon
Published: September 2021

Background. Extraintestinal amoebiasis is more common in countries with lower socioeconomic status. Complication related to amoebiasis is common in pregnant patients with malnutrition and others. Severe cases can be associated with high fatality rates. We would like to report a patient with a presumptive diagnosis of extraintestinal amoebiasis who was on the 6th postpartum day after intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Case Presentation. The patient was a 31 year-old female who was on 6th postpartum day after IUFD after the 9th month of amenorrhea. She presented with severe epigastric pain, hiccups, and bloody vomiting of ingested matter for 5 days. She also had right upper quadrat pain and fatigue. In addition, she had generalized body weakness and yellowish discoloration of the eyes for one week. Moreover, she had pruritus, fever, and a history of watery diarrhea 6 days ago which got subsided during the presentation. Laboratory investigation indicated leukocytosis and increased level of alkaline phosphatase and direct and total bilirubin. Trophozoite of E. histolytica was seen on stool microscope, negative for viral marker and Helicobacter pylori. Abdominal ultrasonography showed normal liver parenchyma and biliary system. She was treated onsite with 500 mg metronidazole and 500 mg ceftriaxone for five days and discharged with metronidazole 500 mg PO three times a day and cloxacillin 500 mg PO four times a day for 7 days. Conclusions. Extraintesinal amoebiasis can be resolved if it is diagnosed early and treated with metronidazole. Clinicians should not neglect amoebiasis in patients presenting with jaundice and right upper quadrant pain.
[Retracted] Using Wireless Sensor Network to Correct Posture in Sports Training Based on Hidden Markov Matching Algorithm
Authors: Cui Cui
Published: September 2021

This paper combines the research of wireless sensor networks and sports training and proposes a wireless sensor network‐based intelligent sports training system. According to the requirements of the system, this design uses the wireless sensor network system as the platform for development and the ZigBee module for wireless communication. The advantage of this system is to transmit the obtained information to the ZigBee coordinator module, and after the processing of information and the resultant decision, a nonwearable unmonitored motion training model based on visual sensing is proposed. The motion terminal collects video data streams of user motion actions and extracts features to establish HMM motion recognition algorithm to achieve recognition of motion actions, automatic counting, and intelligent scoring functions. The template matching algorithm based on dynamic time regularization and weighted Euclidean distance realizes a universal real‐time motion recognition algorithm with high standard and low latency and can guide the user’s motion action based on similarity calculation. The intelligent sports training system is designed and developed to maintain a high‐quality human‐computer interaction experience with a real‐time feedback client and uploads sports data to a cloud server via the HTTP protocol, which supports real‐time sports proximity query and training plan development on the website. After practical application tests, the intelligent sports training system based on the wireless sensor network proposed in this paper is stable and reliable and adds fun and competitiveness to boring sports. The research of this paper has some reference value for the application of wireless sensor networks and the research of the motion recognition algorithm.
Protection of Ivabradine Combined with Trimetazidine on Myocardial Injury after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Image under Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Chen Chunhua
Published: September 2021

Objective. To evaluate the myocardial protection of Ivabradine (IBD) combined with Trimetazidine (TMZ) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images under convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm were used. Methods. A CNN artificial intelligence algorithm was proposed to process the image artifacts caused by undersampling magnetic resonance, so as to be used in the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of myocardial injury. 120 patients with CAD after PCI were rolled into group A (TMZ treatment), group B (IBD treatment), and group C (IBD + TMZ combined treatment) randomly, with 40 patients in each group. All the patients were treated for two consecutive weeks and followed up for six months. Clinical indicators of patients in the two groups were observed, detected, and statistically analyzed. Results. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of MRI images based on CNN algorithm for the diagnosis of myocardial injury were 91.04%, 97.60%, 87.04%, and 96.43%, respectively. After treatment, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LVE diastolic volume (LVEDV), LVE systolic diameter (LVESD), and LVE systolic volume (LVESV) were greatly reduced in all groups after treatment, whereas the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased considerably (

P
<
0.05

). LVEDD, LVEDV, LVESD, and LVESV in group C were substantially inferior to those in groups A and B, and LVEF was remarkably superior to that in groups A and B (

P
<
0.05

). After treatment, cTnI, hs-CRP, sICAM-1, ET-1, and MDA in three groups were greatly decreased (

P
<
0.05

), while SOD was substantially increased (

P
<
0.05

). After treatment, cTnI, hs-CRP, SICAM-1, ET-1, and MDA in group C were notably inferior to groups A and B (

P
<
0.05

), while SOD was greatly higher (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. MRI based on CNN had high application value in the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of myocardial injury after PCI. For patients with CAD, IBD combined with TMZ after PCI can effectively play the role of anti-inflammatory and antioxidative damage and improve intradermal function.
A Segmentation Method of Foramen Ovale Based on Multiatlas
Authors: Zhao Jiashi , Ge Huatao , He Wei , Li Yanfang , Shi Weili , Jiang Zhengang , Li Yonghui , Li Xingzhi
Published: September 2021

Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological disease. It is often treated by puncturing the trigeminal nerve through the skin and the oval foramen of the skull to selectively destroy the pain nerve. The process of puncture operation is difficult because the morphology of the foramen ovale in the skull base is varied and the surrounding anatomical structure is complex. Computer-aided puncture guidance technology is extremely valuable for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Computer-aided guidance can help doctors determine the puncture target by accurately locating the foramen ovale in the skull base. Foramen ovale segmentation is a prerequisite for locating but is a tedious and error-prone task if done manually. In this paper, we present an image segmentation solution based on the multiatlas method that automatically segments the foramen ovale. We developed a data set of 30 CT scans containing 20 foramen ovale atlas and 10 CT scans for testing. Our approach can perform foramen ovale segmentation in puncture operation scenarios based solely on limited data. We propose to utilize this method as an enabler in clinical work.
Sustainable Development of Carbon Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Classification for Environmental Remediation
Authors: Veeman Dhinakaran , Shree M. Varsha , Sureshkumar P. , Jagadeesha T. , Natrayan L. , Ravichandran M. , Paramasivam Prabhu
Published: September 2021

Composite materials with carbon nanotube and graphene attachments have been regarded as promising prospects. Carbon nanocomposites have gained considerable interest in different fields including biomedical applications due to its exceptional structural dimensions and outstanding mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and chemical characteristics. The significant advances made in carbon nanocomposite over past years along with the discovery of new nanocomposite processing technologies to improvise the functional impact of nanotube and graphene composites by providing proper methods of synthesis and improving the production of diverse composite based on carbon nanomaterials are discussed. Carbon nanocomposites are applied in various fields such as aviation, batteries, chemical industry, fuel cell, optics, power generation, space, solar hydrogen, sensors, and thermoelectric devices. The recent design, fabrication, characteristics, and applications of carbon nanocomposites such as active carbon, carbon black, graphene, nanodiamonds, and carbon nanotubes are explained in detail in this research. It is found that unlike traditional fiber composites, Van der Waals force interfacial compounds have an important effect on the mechanical performance of carbon nanomaterial-based composites.
A Novel Circular Plate Acoustic Energy Harvester for Urban Railway Noise
Authors: Yuan Tian-Chen , Chen Fei , Yang Jian , Song Rui-Gang , Kong Yong
Published: September 2021

To harvest acoustic energy from urban railways, a novel and practical acoustic energy harvester is developed. The harvester consists of a piezoelectric circular plate and a Helmholtz resonator. Based on the field test data of urban railways, the resonance frequencies of the piezoelectric circular plate and the Helmholtz resonator are near 800 Hz. The Helmholtz resonator is designed to amplify the sound pressure. Thus, a lumped parameter model is established. The piezoelectric circular plate is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The simulation results show that the output power of the harvester is approximately 25 μW and the maximum voltage is 0.149 V under the excitation of urban railway noise. The experiment device is also developed. The maximum output power of the harvester is 8.452 μW, and the maximum voltage is 0.082 V. The experimental and the numerical results are in good agreement and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed acoustic energy harvester.
Machine Learning for Smart Environments in B5G Networks: Connectivity and QoS
Authors: Alsamhi Saeed H. , Almalki Faris A. , Al-Dois Hatem , Ben Othman Soufiene , Hassan Jahan , Hawbani Ammar , Sahal Radyah , Lee Brian , Saleh Hager
Published: September 2021

The number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to be connected via the Internet is overgrowing. The heterogeneity and complexity of the IoT in terms of dynamism and uncertainty complicate this landscape dramatically and introduce vulnerabilities. Intelligent management of IoT is required to maintain connectivity, improve Quality of Service (QoS), and reduce energy consumption in real time within dynamic environments. Machine Learning (ML) plays a pivotal role in QoS enhancement, connectivity, and provisioning of smart applications. Therefore, this survey focuses on the use of ML for enhancing IoT applications. We also provide an in‐depth overview of the variety of IoT applications that can be enhanced using ML, such as smart cities, smart homes, and smart healthcare. For each application, we introduce the advantages of using ML. Finally, we shed light on ML challenges for future IoT research, and we review the current literature based on existing works.
Micromonas micros Infection of a Prosthetic Hip Joint: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Aggarwal Abhimanyu , Walker Durane
Published: September 2021

Micromonas micros is an oral anaerobic Gram-positive coccus and is a commensal of the mouth, and it is rarely isolated in prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) and even less frequently related to a preceding dental procedure with eventual hematogenous seeding of the prosthetic joint. Here, we present a case of a 56-year-old male with a prosthetic hip joint who developed Micromonas micros prosthetic hip joint infection with symptoms starting a few days after a dental procedure and not having received periprocedural antibiotic prophylaxis. He recovered well with surgical intervention and antimicrobial therapy. We conducted a literature review of prosthetic hip joint infections caused by Micromonas micros as well as briefly discuss current guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with prosthetic joints undergoing dental procedures and some knowledge gaps.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Antibacterial Activity of Mesoporous TiO2-SBA-15 Nanocomposite Based on Rice Husk
Authors: Alosaimi Eid H. , Alsohaimi Ibrahim Hotan , Dahan Talal E. , Chen Qiao , younes Ayman Abdelaziz , El-Gammal Belal , Melhi Saad
Published: September 2021

Concerns have been increased regarding the existence of pollutants in environmental water resources and their risks to the ecosystem and human society. TiO2 photocatalyst is considered as an effective photocatalyst to remove the pollutants. Herein, the mesoporous TiO2-SBA-15 was prepared using the rice husk extract as the silica source. The fabricated nanocomposites were characterized using FTIR, small and wide angle XRD, Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, BET surface area analysis, and HRTEM. The photocatalytic efficiency of the composites for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) has been evaluated under UV irradiation. Interestingly, due to the excellent dispersion of TiO2 on the wall of SBA-15 and good hydrophilicity, the nanocomposites displayed a good catalytic activity. The higher photodegradation performance was achieved by the composite containing 10 wt% TiO2 by which the MB was fully degraded within 15-20 min of irradiation. Besides, TiO2-SBA-15 could effectively inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These results offer a practical and economic approach in the environmental management industries.
Machine Learning Models for Survival and Neurological Outcome Prediction of Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients
Authors: Cheng Chi-Yung , Chiu I-Min , Zeng Wun-Huei , Tsai Chih-Min , Lin Chun-Hung Richard
Published: September 2021

Background. Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major health problem worldwide, and neurologic injury remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among survivors of OHCA. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a machine learning algorithm could detect complex dependencies between clinical variables in emergency departments in OHCA survivors and perform reliable predictions of favorable neurologic outcomes. Methods. This study included adults (≥18 years of age) with a sustained return of spontaneous circulation after successful resuscitation from OHCA between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2014. We applied three machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB). The primary outcome was a favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, defined as a Glasgow‐Pittsburgh cerebral performance category of 1 to 2. The secondary outcome was a 30‐day survival rate and survival‐to‐discharge rate. Results. The final analysis included 1071 participants from the study period. For neurologic outcome prediction, the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was 0.819, 0.771, and 0.956 in LR, SVM, and XGB, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.875 and 0.751 in LR, 0.687 and 0.793 in SVM, and 0.875 and 0.904 in XGB. The AUC was 0.766 and 0.732 in LR, 0.749 and 0.725 in SVM, and 0.866 and 0.831 in XGB, for survival‐to‐discharge and 30‐day survival, respectively. Conclusions. Prognostic models trained with ML technique showed appropriate calibration and high discrimination for survival and neurologic outcome of OHCA without using prehospital data, with XGB exhibiting the best performance.
Effects of Pentoxifylline in a Rat Model of Manganism: Evaluation of the Possible Toxicity
Authors: Tanideh Romina , Farshad Omid , Jamshidzadeh Akram , Iraji Aida
Published: September 2021

Objective. Manganese (Mn) has been reported, through dietary and occupational overexposure, to induce neurotoxicity named manganism. Pentoxifylline (PTX) administration attracts much attention considering the beneficial properties of PTX, as an anti-inflammatory and smooth muscle relaxation agent. This in vivo study aims to evaluate the effect of PTX on manganism in rat model. Materials and Methods. Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats received MnCl2 (100 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1, 3, and 7) during a week alone or in combination with PTX (300 mg/kg, i.p. every day for 8 consecutive days on manganism rat model). Several locomotor activity indices, as well as biomarkers of oxidative stress, were monitored in the brain tissue of Mn-exposed animals. Results. It was found that PTX supplementation (300 mg/kg, i.p.) deteriorated the Mn-induced locomotor deficit. This drug also increased the Mn brain accumulation as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products in the manganism rat model. Moreover, the levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH) were shown to be reduced significantly compared to the control group. Conclusion. The results of this study revealed that PTX at a high dose (300 mg/kg) might increase manganism complications. PTX lowers the blood viscosity, improves the tissue perfusion, and increases the Mn levels in the brain.
Prognostic Nomogram and a Risk Classification System for Predicting Overall Survival of Elderly Patients with Fibrosarcoma: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Yang Fengkai , Xie Hangkai , Wang Yucheng
Published: September 2021

Background. The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram model and risk classification system to predict overall survival in elderly patients with fibrosarcoma. Methods. The study retrospectively collected data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database relating to elderly patients diagnosed with fibrosarcoma between 1975 and 2015. Independent prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses on the training set to construct a nomogram model for predicting the overall survival of patients at 3, 5, and 10 years. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves were used to evaluate the discrimination and predictive accuracy of the model. Decision curve analysis was used for assessing the clinical utility of the model. Result. A total of 357 elderly fibrosarcoma patients from the SEER database were included in our analysis, randomly classified into a training set (252) and a validation set (105). The multivariate Cox regression analysis of the training set demonstrated that age, surgery, grade, chemotherapy, and tumor stage were independent prognostic factors. The ROC showed good model discrimination, with AUC values of 0.837, 0.808, and 0.806 for 3, 5, and 10 years in the training set and 0.769, 0.779, and 0.770 for 3, 5, and 10 years in the validation set, respectively. The calibration curves and decision curve analysis showed that the model has high predictive accuracy and a high clinical application. In addition, a risk classification system was constructed to differentiate patients into three different mortality risk groups accurately. Conclusion. The nomogram model and risk classification system constructed by us help optimize patients’ treatment decisions to improve prognosis.
Primary Pulmonary Leiomyosarcoma in a Forty-Year-Old Woman
Authors: Ozluk Ekin , Wei Eric X. , Cotelingam James , Shackelford Rodney E.
Published: September 2021

Primary pulmonary leiomyosarcomas (PPLs) are rare aggressive malignancies originating from the smooth muscle cells of the pulmonary interstitium, bronchial tree, or blood vessels. Accounting for <0.5% of lung tumors, PPLs are often initially undetected or misdiagnosed as pulmonary emboli, cardiac neoplasms, or as other more common lung cancer subtypes. Due to their aggressive and often lethal clinical profile, the diagnostic delay of PPL can significantly affect patient outcomes and must be avoided. Here we describe a case of PPL in a 40-year-old woman.
Microstructural Characterization of Resistance Artery Remodelling in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Bell James S. , Adio Aminat O. , Pitt Andrew , Hayman Lindsay , Thorn Clare E. , Shore Angela C. , Whatmore Jacqueline L. , Winlove C. Peter
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Microvascular remodelling is a symptom of cardiovascular disease. Despite the mechanical environment being recognized as a major contributor to the remodelling process, it is currently only understood in a rudimentary way. Objective: A morphological and mechanical evaluation of the resistance vasculature in health and diabetes mellitus. Methods: The cells and extracellular matrix of human subcutaneous resistance arteries from abdominal fat biopsies were imaged using two-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generation at varying transmural pressure. The results informed a two-layer mechanical model. Results: Diabetic resistance arteries reduced in wall area as pressure was increased. This was attributed to the presence of thick, straight collagen fibre bundles that braced the outer wall. The abnormal mechanical environment caused the internal elastic lamina and endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell arrangements to twist. Conclusions: Our results suggest diabetic microvascular remodelling is likely to be stress-driven, comprising at least 2 stages: (1) Laying down of adventitial bracing fibres that limit outward distension, and (2) Deposition of additional collagen in the media, likely due to the significantly altered mechanical environment. This work represents a step towards elucidating the local stress environment of cells, which is crucial to build accurate models of mechanotransduction in disease.
Repairing Cyclodialysis by Riveting: A Flanged Polypropylene Suture
Authors: Tamiya Ryosuke , Akimoto Masayuki
Published: September 2021

Cyclodialysis causes intraocular lens (IOL) pupillary capture. It requires surgical repair to prevent this risk of IOL pupillary capture. However, since repairing cyclodialysis is often technically difficult, other methods such as barricading by suturing, pupilloplasty, and pars plana fixation of the IOL were preferred. We applied a double-flanged (riveting) technique for repairing cyclodialysis to prevent IOL pupillary capture following intrascleral fixation of the IOL. Cyclodialysis was surgically repaired by riveting with double-flanged 6-0 polypropylene sutures in 3 cases with no recurrence of pupillary capture during at least 12 months of follow-up. When pupillary capture is related to cyclodialysis, repairing cyclodialysis may help prevent pupillary capture after intrascleral fixation of the IOL. Riveting using a double-flanged 6-0 polypropylene suture could possibly make the procedure simpler and more efficient.
miR-3929 Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis by Downregulating Cripto-1 Expression in Cervical Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Xiaoli , Wang Shuyue , Song Zhenbo , Bao Yongli , Zheng Lihua , Wang Guannan , Sun Ying
Published: September 2021

Cripto-1 is highly expressed in many cancers, and downregulating its expression may become a promising approach for cancer treatment. However, the regulation of Cripto-1 expression is not well characterized. In this study, we focused on the post-transcriptional regulation of Cripto-1 expression and analyzed the potential miRNAs that bind to the 3′UTR of Cripto-1 mRNA. miR-3929 was found to be able to bind to the 3′UTR and downregulate the expression of Cripto-1 in cervical cancer cells. Then, we analyzed the effect of miR-3929 on the biological behavior of cervical cancer cells, finding that miR-3929 could reduce cell viability, DNA synthesis, and Ki67 expression and induce cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase; overexpression of Cripto-1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-3929 on proliferation. Moreover, DAPI staining and flow cytometry revealed that miR-3929-induced cell apoptosis is dependent on the mitochondrial pathway; the overexpression of Cripto-1 reversed the proapoptotic effect of miR-3929. Finally, the in vivo results showed that miR-3929 significantly inhibits the growth of HeLa xenograft tumors in nude mice. Therefore, our findings suggest that miR-3929 inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by downregulating Cripto-1 via specifically targeting the 3′UTR of its mRNA.
Preoperative Evaluation of Substernal Goiter by Computed Tomography in the Extended Neck Position
Authors: Yano Teruhisa , Okada Takuro , Sato Hiroki , Tomioka Ryota , Tsukahara Kiyoaki
Published: September 2021

Sternotomy is indicated when a goiter cannot be resected via a cervical incision, such as in the case of a substernal goiter extending beyond the aortic arch. In this article, we report a case of a large substernal goiter that was successfully removed using the cervical approach only. This is a case of a 68-year-old woman, diagnosed with goiter 20 years ago, who complained of a neck mass enlargement with associated cough. Pathological examination revealed no malignancy. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed an 11-cm thyroid mass reaching the level of the aortic arch. Preoperatively, we evaluated the substernal extent of the goiter via CT in the extended neck position to decide whether sternotomy was necessary. With the patient’s neck extended, the goiter withdraws cranially above the aortic arch. The mass was then removed via the cervical approach without sternotomy. Preoperative CT in the extended neck position was thus deemed helpful in deciding whether or not sternotomy was required.
Association of a GATA Binding Protein 4 Polymorphism with the Risk of Hypospadias in the Chinese Children
Authors: Chen Jiawei , Cui Xinhai , Li Aiwu , Li Guowei , Sun Fengyin
Published: September 2021

Purpose: GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4) has been implicated in the etiology of congenital malformation of the urogenital system. The present study investigated the influence of GATA4 polymorphisms on susceptibility to hypospadias. Methods: We genotyped 4 potentially functional polymorphisms (rs12458, rs12825, rs884662, and rs904018) in GATA4 in the hospital-based case-control study including 410 child patients and 520 nonmalformed individuals by the TaqMan MGB method. Risk associations were assessed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounding factors. Results: A significant association was found between rs12458 (3′-UTR of GATA4) and susceptibility to hypospadias (p = 0.008). Compared with rs12458 AA genotype individuals, those harboring the variant allele (rs12458 AT/TT) were correlated with significantly higher risk of hypospadias (AT/TT vs. AA: OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.17–2.35, p = 0.036). Furthermore, the rs12458T allele showed significantly decreased activity in a luciferase reporter assay, indicating a possible role of rs12458 variant in regulating the combination of microRNAs with the GATA4 mRNA. Conclusions: The present results indicate that the functional GATA4 rs12458 variant confers individuals’ susceptibility to hypospadias, possibly through regulating the GATA4 expression level.
Alteration of the Intestinal Microbial Flora and the Serum IL-17 Level in Patients with Graves’ Disease Complicated with Vitamin D Deficiency
Authors: Yang Mengxue , Li Fei , Zhang Rui , Wu Yueyue , Yang Qian , Wang Fang , Yu Zhiyan , Liu Jun , Cha Bingbing , Gong Qihai , Yang Bo , Sun Bowen , Ding Heyuan
Published: September 2021

Background: Intestinal flora is associated with Graves’ disease (GD). This study explored the association of serum 25(OH)D with the diversity of the intestinal flora and serum IL-17 in GD patients. Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with GD at 2 centers between 2018 and 2021 were consecutively included. According to their 25(OH)D levels, they were divided into the deficiency group, the insufficiency group, and the sufficiency group. Some patients with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were randomly selected and were matched with healthy volunteers (normal control [NC]) in terms of sex, age, and case number. The diversity and differential species of the intestinal flora and serum IL-17 levels were compared. Results: Serum 25(OH)D negatively correlated with serum IL-17, the platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and TSH receptor antibody. The diversity of the intestinal flora decreased in the GD group, with noticeable differences in the composition of the intestinal flora when compared with the NC group. At the phylum level, the GD group exhibited a significantly lower abundance of Firmicutes but a higher abundance of Actinobacteria. At the genus level, the GD group exhibited higher relative abundances of Bifidobacterium, Collinsella, and Pediococcus but lower abundances of Roseburia and Dialister. Conclusions: The changes in the vitamin D level and the composition of the intestinal flora may partially contribute to the development of GD.
A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Mimicking Bullous SLE
Authors: Miyagawa Fumi , Ogawa Kohei , Hashimoto Takashi , Asada Hideo
Published: September 2021

Rarely, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop bullous eruptions, a disease called bullous SLE in a narrow sense that has autoantibodies against type VII collagen. We describe an unusual case in which a patient with SLE developed extensive bullae on her lower extremities. Histologically, the bullous lesions were suggestive of leukocytoclastic vasculitis with deposition of C3 within blood vessel walls. Immunoblot analyses and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were negative for anti-type VII collagen antibodies. We initially considered bullous SLE, but eventually made a diagnosis of secondary vasculitis in SLE. The oral prednisolone dose was increased, and the vesiculobullous lesions resolved. The clinical presentations of cutaneous vasculitis in SLE include palpable purpura, petechiae, papulonodular lesions, and livedo reticularis. Bullous lesions seem to be uncommon. Physicians need to be aware that extensive bullae can occur as a result of secondary vasculitis in SLE, even if the patient does not exhibit high disease activity.
ARCO 2020: The first edition of the international conference on art collections in Florence
Authors: Viti Stefania
Published: September 2021

The International Conference ARCO 2020 has been promoted to focus the attention on art collections, joining different issues which play a fundamental role in their valorization, such as Cultural Heritage, Safety, Design and Digital Innovation. Each of these areas have produced important contributions, becoming essential research assets. Each research, in these years, has been developed within its proper field, and presented in many specific Conferences.
ARCO 2020 has been promoted with the belief that all the subjects focused on art collections should be developed jointly, or – at least – not ignoring each other.
The strong awareness of the multidisciplinary value of art exhibitions has increased within the research activity developed in these last years by some of the promoters of the Conference. The research team which promoted the Conference was born in 2016, with the research project named “RESIMUS” focused on the resilience of the art collections exhibited at the Museum of Bargello of Florence. The research, promoted by Stefania Viti and Giacomo Pirazzoli, activated many studies and projects, involving many researchers belonging to different fields, which started working together and producing many relevant contributions.
Between Principles & Power: Water Law Principles & the Governance of Water in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Authors: Klug Heinz
Published: September 2021

Debates over the management and allocation of water in the postcolonial era, and in post-apartheid South Africa in particular, reveal that struggles over water resources in Southern Africa occur within three broad frames: the institutional, the hydrological, and the ideological. Each of these realms reflects tensions in the relationship between power and principle that continue to mark the governance of water. Each perspective offers a way to understand the use and the limits of law in the management of a country's water resources. The existence of explicit principles, whether as policy guidelines, constitutional rights, or in the language of regional and international agreements, provides two important resources for those who struggle for access to water. First, a vision of a more just allocation of this fundamental resource and, second, an articulation of common benchmarks to which states and governments might be held to account.
Gender Bias in Machine Translation
Authors: Savoldi Beatrice , Gaido Marco , Bentivogli Luisa , Negri Matteo , Turchi Marco
Published: September 2021

Machine translation (MT) technology has facilitated our daily tasks by providing accessible shortcuts for gathering, processing, and communicating information. However, it can suffer from biases that harm users and society at large. As a relatively new field of inquiry, studies of gender bias in MT still lack cohesion. This advocates for a unified framework to ease future research. To this end, we: i) critically review current conceptualizations of bias in light of theoretical insights from related disciplines, ii) summarize previous analyses aimed at assessing gender bias in MT, iii) discuss the mitigating strategies proposed so far, and iv) point toward potential directions for future work.
A new species of scavenger Cladocera Pseudochydorus Fryer, 1968 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from the Central Mexican Plateau
Authors: SINEV ARTEM Y. , SILVA-BRIANO MARCELO
Published: September 2021

A new species of the genus Pseudochydorus Fryer, 1968 is described from Central Mexico. P. margaritalfonsorum sp. nov. differs from the Old World species of the genus, P. globosus (Baird, 1843) and P. bopingi Sinev, Garibian & Gu, 2016 in the morphology of thoracic limbs I–III. Analysis of existing literature data on distribution and morphology of Pseudochydorus in America suggest than P. margaritalfonsorum sp. nov. is an endemic of Central Mexican Plateau, and at least two more species of the genus are present in other regions of America.
Diversity and distribution of the superfamily Grylloidea (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Gryllidea) in the Nearctic region
Authors: ZHAO XIN , FENG DANDAN , LI YUNTAO , LIU HAOYU
Published: September 2021

Based on the geographic distribution database of the Orthoptera Species File, the diversity and distribution of the superfamily Grylloidea in the Nearctic region was studied using the statistics and Sorensen dissimilarity coefficient. A total of 164 species or subspecies belonging to 4 families, 9 subfamilies and 27 genera were recorded from this region; among which Gryllidae (93, 56.70%), followed by Trigonidiidae (44, 26.83%), Mogoplistidae (25, 15.24%), and Phalangopsidae (2, 1.22%). The diversity exhibits an asymmetric distribution pattern, with the southeastern coastal plain, the Interior Plateau and Piedmont of the United States was the most abundant. At the same time, the regional similarity of species distribution was analyzed, and the Nearctic was divided into four subregions: Boreal & Arctic zone of North America, Eastern temperate North America, Northeast temperate North America, and Southern North America & western temperate North America.
Increasing the Depth of a Land Surface Model. Part II: Temperature Sensitivity to Improved Subsurface Thermodynamics and Associated Permafrost Response
Authors: Steinert N. J. , González-Rouco J. F. , de Vrese P. , García-Bustamante E. , Hagemann S. , Melo-Aguilar C. , Jungclaus J. H. , Lorenz S. J.
Published: September 2021

The impact of various modifications of the JSBACH land surface model to represent soil temperature and cold-region hydro-thermodynamic processes in climate projections of the twenty-first century is examined. We explore the sensitivity of JSBACH to changes in the soil thermodynamics, energy balance and storage, and the effect of including freezing and thawing processes. The changes involve 1) the net effect of an improved soil physical representation and 2) the sensitivity of our results to changed soil parameter values and their contribution to the simulation of soil temperatures and soil moisture, both aspects being presented in the frame of an increased bottom boundary depth from 9.83 to 1418.84 m. The implementation of water phase changes and supercooled water in the ground creates a coupling between the soil thermal and hydrological regimes through latent heat exchange. Momentous effects on subsurface temperature of up to ±3 K, together with soil drying in the high northern latitudes, can be found at regional scales when applying improved hydro-thermodynamic soil physics. The sensitivity of the model to different soil parameter datasets is relatively low but shows important implications for the root zone soil moisture content. The evolution of permafrost under preindustrial forcing conditions emerges in simulated trajectories of stable states that differ by 4–6 × 106 km2 and shows large differences in the spatial extent of 105–106 km2 by 2100, depending on the model configuration.
What’s in an Occupation? Investigating Within-Occupation Variation and Gender Segregation Using Job Titles and Task Descriptions
Authors: Martin-Caughey Ananda
Published: September 2021

Occupations have long been central to the study of inequality and mobility. However, the occupational categories typical in most U.S. survey data conceal potentially important patterns within occupations. This project uses a novel data source that has not previously been released for analysis: the verbatim text responses provided by respondents to the General Social Survey from 1972 to 2018 when asked about their occupation. These text data allow for an investigation of variation within occupations, in terms of job titles and task descriptions, and the occupation-level factors associated with this variation. I construct an index of occupational similarity based on the average pairwise cosine similarity between job titles and between task descriptions within occupations. Findings indicate substantial variation in the level of similarity across occupations. Occupational prestige, education, and income are associated with less heterogeneity in terms of job titles but slightly more heterogeneity in terms of task descriptions. Gender diversity is associated with more internal heterogeneity in terms of both job titles and task descriptions. In addition, I use the case of gender segregation to demonstrate how occupational categories can conceal the depth and form of stratification.
Transitioning to civilian life: The importance of social group engagement and identity among Australian Defence Force veterans
Authors: Barnett Anthony , Savic Michael , Forbes David , Best David , Sandral Emma , Bathish Ramez , Cheetham Alison , Lubman Dan I
Published: September 2021

Objective:

Veterans transitioning to civilian life after leaving the military face unique health concerns. Although there is a significant body of research exploring veterans’ experiences of transition and predictors of well-being, there are limited studies examining how social group engagement influences veterans’ transition. We explored how Australian Defence Force veterans’ social group engagement and identity influenced their adjustment to civilian life and well-being.

Methods:

Forty Australian veterans (85% male; mean age = 37 years, range = 25–57 years) took part in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Participants completed two mapping tasks (a social network map and life course map) that provided a visual component to the interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically and interpreted by adopting a social identity approach.

Results:

Joining the military involved a process of socialisation into military culture that for most participants led to the development of a military identity. An abrupt or difficult discharge from defence was often associated with a negative impact on social group engagement and well-being in civilian life. Veterans’ social group memberships may act not only as positive psychological resources during transition but also as a potential source of conflict, especially when trying to re-engage with civilian groups with different norms or beliefs. Military values inscribed within a veteran’s sense of self, including a strong sense of service, altruism and giving back to their community, may operate as positive resources and promote social group engagement.

Conclusion:

Engaging with supportive social groups can support transition to civilian life. Reintegration may be improved via effective linkage with programmes (e.g. volunteering, ex-service support organisations) that offer supportive social networks and draw upon veterans’ desire to give back to community. Social mapping tasks that visualise veterans’ social group structures may be useful for clinicians to explore the roles and conflicts associated with veterans’ social group memberships during transition.
Decision Making Within and Outside Standard Operating Procedures: Paradoxical Use of Operational Discretion in Firefighters
Authors: Butler Philip C. , Bowers Andy , Smith Andrew P. , Cohen-Hatton Sabrina R. , Honey Robert C.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To understand how firefighters’ use of rules (i.e., standard operating procedures [SOPs]) and deliberative decision making (i.e., operational discretion [OD]) interacts with acute stress.

Background

Current operational guidance for UK firefighters combines the provision of SOPs, for routine incidents, with the use of OD, under prescribed conditions (e.g., when there is a risk to human life). However, our understanding of the use of SOPs and OD is limited.

Methods

Incident commanders (ICs; n = 43) responded to simulated emergency incidents, which either licensed the use of OD or required use of a SOP. Video footage of IC behavior was used to code their response as involving a SOP or OD, while levels of acute stress were assessed using a blood-based measure and self-report.

Results

ICs were less likely to use OD selectively in the simulated emergency incident that licensed its use than in the one for which use of an SOP was appropriate; IC command level did not affect this pattern of results; and the incident that licensed OD resulted in more acute stress than the incident that required use of a SOP.

Conclusion

SOPs and OD were not used in the manner prescribed by current operational guidance in simulated emergency incidents.

Application

These results suggest that firefighter training in SOPs and OD should be augmented alongside personal resilience training, given the impact of stress on health and wellbeing, but also to improve the deployment of SOPs and OD under stress.
Illicit Drug Use Pattern, Health-Risk Behaviors, and Social Contexts Among Indonesian Students
Authors: Astuti Nurul Huriah , Utomo Budi , Damayanti Rita , Anshari Dien
Published: September 2021

Health-risk behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, and premarital sex) among Indonesian students are important issues. Understanding the association of these health-risk behaviors and adolescents’ social contexts (family, peers, and neighborhood characteristics) to illicit drug use is required to develop strategies in preventing illicit drug use in Indonesia. The study used a multi-stage cluster random sampling method to collect data from the 2016 National Narcotics Survey of Indonesian students. The sample included 31,439 students. The result shows that the illicit drug use pattern was different from previous studies: the most prevalent was at the senior high school level. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that smoking, alcohol consumption, premarital sex, peers, sex, family, and neighborhood were associated with illicit drug use. The study highlighted the importance of health-risk behaviors, social contexts of adolescents, and the illicit drug use pattern as considering factors in developing strategies to reduce illicit drug use prevalence.
Widowed Young: The Role of Stressors and Protective Factors for Resilience in Coping with Spousal Loss
Authors: Chami Jane Marie , Pooley Julie Ann
Published: September 2021

While distressing, late life spousal loss is considered a normative life event and most demonstrate resilient recovery from grief. However, for 5–7% of the population spousal loss comes early, before the age of 50, and little is known about the factors that influence adjustment in this population. We used the DPM integrative framework to examine correlates and predictors of mental wellbeing and grief intensity in an international sample of 603 young widows and widowers. Contrary to existing bereavement research, loss-orientated stressors (e.g., expectedness and cause of death) did not predict bereavement outcomes. Employment and financial wellbeing were the only statistically significant restoration-orientated stressors associated with coping, mental wellbeing and grief intensity. We found no significant associations between parental status and coping or bereavement outcomes. Loss-orientated coping, followed by inter and intrapersonal protective factors for resilience and financial wellbeing were the greatest predictors of grief intensity. Loss-orientated coping was highest in early bereavement, the greatest predictor of grief intensity and associated with being unemployed, financial insecurity and decreased protective factors for resilience. Restoration-orientated coping was highest in later bereavement, was a weak predictor of grief intensity and associated with being employed, increased financial wellbeing and protective factors for resilience. Overall, we found the young-widowed population is at heightened risk of poor adjustment. Almost two-thirds reported decreased functioning, probable depression with high rates of psychological distress. Nearly half met diagnostic criteria for prolonged grief disorder. We discuss implications for research and clinical practice.
Big Data for Big Insights: Quantifying the Adverse Effect of Air Pollution on the Tourism Industry in China
Authors: Fan Wenjie , Li Yijing , Upreti Bikesh Raj , Liu Yong , Li Hongxiu , Fan Wei , Lim Eric T. K.
Published: September 2021

Adverse meteorological conditions and air pollution resulting from human activities, such as extreme weather and smog, adversely affect the global tourism industry. However, such impacts are difficult to quantify. This study strives to quantify the adverse impact of air pollution on foreign tourists’ revisiting behaviors to China by analyzing large numbers of TripAdvisor reviews. The study first identifies travelers affected by air pollution through analyzing their reviews. It then employs propensity score matching technique to detect a matching group of travelers with identical characteristics who did not report air-pollution-related issues in reviews. By estimating their respective likelihoods of revisiting, our results indicate that travelers who encountered air pollution during their trips are 92.857% less likely to revisit a specific city and 93.421% less likely to revisit China. Our study enriches the tourism literature by quantifying the adverse impact of air pollution on a country’s inbound tourism using big data.
Virtual Reality in Destination Marketing: Telepresence, Social Presence, and Tourists’ Visit Intentions
Authors: Ying Tianyu , Tang Jingyi , Ye Shun , Tan Xiaoyuan , Wei Wei
Published: September 2021

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have widely adopted virtual reality (VR) commercials to highlight attractions for potential tourists and encourage visitation. This study extends the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model by incorporating telepresence and social presence as stimuli and elucidating these factors’ possible interplay in jointly shaping users’ cognition, affection, and (re)visit intentions. A 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment was conducted with a sample of 254 participants. Results showed that VR commercials with higher telepresence elicited stronger (re)visit intention, and this effect was mediated by cognition (i.e., education) and affection (i.e., entertainment, and esthetics). Such causal effects appeared stronger in contexts with lower levels of social presence. Findings offer valuable insight into the design of destination VR commercials.