bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Multifunctional Radiation Measurement System for the Rapid Radiological Characterization of a Decommissioned Nuclear Facility Site
Authors: Joo Han Young , Kim Jae Wook , Kim Young Seo , Jeong So Yun , Lee Bongsoo , Moon Joo Hyun
Published: March 2021

In this study, a radiation measurement system with multifunctions for the rapid radiological characterization of a decommissioned nuclear facility site was developed and evaluated. The system remotely and simultaneously measures the beta and gamma radiation from the soil at a decommissioned nuclear facility site and wirelessly transmits the measurement data to the main server, which collects and analyzes the data. The radiation‐measuring part of the system is composed of a sensing probe, multichannel analyzer (MCA), and laptop computer. The sensing probe is a phoswich radiation sensor (PHORS) consisting of two inorganic scintillators (NaI(Tl) and CaF2(Eu)), each of which simultaneously measures the count rates and energies of the beta and gamma radiation. To test the performance of the PHORS, the beta and gamma radiation from a radiation source at 0–10 cm depths (at steps of 1 cm) under a soil surface was measured. The measurements show that the radiation count rates agree well with the theoretically predicted ones; the PHORS is as good as commercial radiation detectors in providing the energy spectrum of a radionuclide. In addition, a chi‐square test was conducted, and the energy resolution was evaluated. The communication part of the system consisting of a global positioning system (GPS) and long‐term evolution telecommunication (LTE) modem can successfully transmit the measurement data and their location information.
Realtime monitoring for groundwater level and local climate based on universal communication system
Authors: Teguh Rony , Usup Hepryandi
Published: March 2021

The groundwater level and weather patterns and climate conditions are several of the very significant factors which influence the quality of livelihood and the other activity of the tropical peatland environment. The current method of groundwater level and meteorological information aggregate build the use of certain expensive weather station devices, prominent to a lack of vast monitoring suitable to cost barriers and disturbance in some countries. In this research, we have developed and implemented a hardware module based on an Arduino microcontroller and mobile communication, which measures the groundwater level and meteorological data, including air temperature, air humidity, and soil temperature, and humidity, rainfall in peatland area. The data groundwater level is received by a specially developed application interface running on an Internet of Things (IoT) connected through a Global Mobile System (GSM) communication. In this work, our proposed system is a model system that can able to generate alerts based on the real-time groundwater level and data weather as potential peat fire in Indonesia. It provides online and data real-time monitoring. In this works, we have resulted in a system to monitor the groundwater level and data weather alert, condition mapping, and warn the people from its disastrous effects.
Designing a secured audio based key generator for cryptographic symmetric key algorithms
Authors: Raghunath Avinash Krishnan , Bharadwaj Dimple , Prabhuram M , D Aju
Published: March 2021

ryptography is a technique to secure data transmissions and ensure confiden-tiality, authenticity and integrity of data exchanged over the digital networks by utilizing mathematical algorithms to transform the plain text (original message) to cipher text (encrypted message) using a key or seed value. The general con-sensus regarding the use of non-deterministic true random numbers (TRN) which are generated from the physical environment such as entropy keys, at-mospheric noise, etc., as a public or private key has received limited encour-agement due to the demanding hardware requirements needed to extract the necessary data from the environment. Therefore, this research aims at design-ing and developing a lightweight program to generate a True Random Number (TRNG) key using live audio recordings which is further randomized using system date and time. These TRNs can be used to replace the deterministic pseudo random number cryptographic keys that are presently used by indus-tries for a symmetric key encryption algorithm which devolves the algorithm to being conditionally secured. Using the audio based TRNG key would render the same encryption algorithm as unconditionally secured.
Smart car parking system model for urban areas
Authors: Atiqur Rahman
Published: March 2021

This article is on the smart car parking system. In which we going to utilize the ultrasonic sensor to distinguish the vehicle and it will assist the proprietor with finding an advantageous parking spot. Parking spots are significant in city urban areas. In view of the expansion in a huge number of vehicles, the requirement for parking spots is a need, and henceforth an earnest needs to build up a system that can deal with these parking spots. To determine these necessities we build up a system to show the empty path in the parking spots. This includes a system that incorporates an ultrasonic sensor, raspberry pi 4, wifi-module, and a led show outside the vehicle parking entryway. Parking spots are observed by the staff of the concerned power. The paper incorporates the subtleties of parts that are utilized and about the working of this system. The paper likewise shows that our system's looking through an ideal opportunity to locate a free spot is more productive than some other existing system.
Spike neuron optimization using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Szi Hui Tan , Khairi Ishak Mohamad
Published: March 2021

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) which involved reinforcement learning and artificial neural network allows agents to take the best possible actions to achieve goals. Spiking Neural Network (SNN) faced difficulty in training due to the non-differentiable spike function of spike neuron. In order to overcome the difficulty, Deep Q network (DQN) and Deep Q learning with normalized advantage function (NAF) are proposed to interact with a custom environment. DQN is applied for discrete action space whereas NAF is implemented for continuous action space. The model is trained and tested to validate its performance in order to balance the firing rate of excitatory and inhibitory population of spike neuron by using both algorithms. Training results showed both agents able to explore in the custom environment with OpenAI Gym framework. The trained model for both algorithms capable to balance the firing rate of excitatory and inhibitory of the spike neuron. NAF achieved 0.80% of the average percentage error of rate of difference between target and actual neuron rate whereas DQN obtained 0.96%. NAF attained the goal faster than DQN with only 3 steps taken for actual output neuron rate to meet with or close to target neuron firing rate.
Protection of computer-generated works in the era of new technologies
Authors: Veiksa Ingrida
Published: March 2021

When data on works of different authors are entered into a computer system, the computer analyses, synthesizes and generates a new (derived) work, if such a task or algorithm is given to it. Should computer generated works be considered creative and copyright protected? This issue is relevant in the modern age of technology, when computer systems, the so-called artificial intelligence, are becoming more independent from human influence as they evolve.
Comparison between fuzzy kernel k-medoids using radial basis function kernel and polynomial kernel function in hepatitis classification
Authors: Stephani Saragih Glori , Hartini Sri , Rustam Zuherman
Published: March 2021

This paper compares the fuzzy kernel k-medoids using radial basis function (RBF) and polynomial kernel function in hepatitis classification. These two kernel functions were chosen due to their popularity in any kernel-based machine learning method for solving the classification task. The hepatitis dataset then used to evaluate the performance of both methods that were expected to provide an accurate diagnosis in patients to obtain treatment at an early phase. The data were obtained from two hospitals in Indonesia, consisting of 89 hepatitis-B and 31 hepatitis-C samples. The data were analyzed using several cases of k-fold cross-validation, and the performances were compared according to their accuracy, sensitivity, precision, F1-Score, and running time. From the experiments, it was concluded that fuzzy kernel k-medoids using RBF kernel function is better compared to polynomial kernel function with the 6% increment of accuracy, 13% enhancement of sensitivity, and 5% improvement in F1-Score. On the other side, the precision of fuzzy kernel k-medoids using polynomial kernel function is 2% higher than using the RBF kernel function. According to the results, the use of RBF or polynomial kernel function in fuzzy kernel medoids can be considered according to the primary goal of the classification.
The effects of instructional design based web course on pre-service teachers’ competencies
Authors: Thohir M. Anas , Sukarelawan Moh. Irma , Jumadi Jumadi , Warsono Warsono , Citrasukmawati Alfina
Published: March 2021

Web Pedagogical Content Knowledge (WPACK) is an important competence for pre-service teachers in the educational technology course. However, novice pre-service teachers require the preparation stage to integrate the Web into instruction. The purpose of the study was to develop and to investigate the new instructional model for pre-service teachers in integrating the Web. The Preparation, Isolation, Transformation, Action, Reflection, and Revision (PINTARR) and two other models were implemented in three physics education technology groups with seventy-four participants. The instrument test was constructed to assess the pre-service teachers’ competencies, namely Student analysis, Curriculum organization, Instructional strategy selection, Evaluation, Technological knowledge, and Physics knowledge. The result of MANOVA showed pre-service teachers in PINTARR group outperformed overall the pre-service teachers’ competencies rather than the Multimedia and Web Design Learning group. The results indicated that the Preparation and the Isolation stage were the most important for novice pre-service teachers in improving the competencies.
Examining the teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and learning facilities towards teaching quality
Authors: Haron Muhd Zulhilmi , Zalli Mohd Muslim Md , Othman Mohamad Khairi , Awang Mohd Isha
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teachers’ pedagogical knowledge, learning facilities and the teaching quality of teachers in the Ulul Albab Tahfiz Model (TMUA) schools in Malaysia. The data were collected using a set of questionnaires which probed on the respondents’ demographic information as well as on their pedagogical knowledge, learning facilities and teaching quality. The respondents comprised of 144 teachers from three schools involved in TMUA program. The data obtained were processed and analysed through the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.0 software. The results show that there is a significant relationship between teachers’ pedagogical knowledge, educational facilities and the quality of teaching. The implication of this study is that teachers are aware of the importance of pedagogical knowledge in improving teaching quality when implementing the TMUA program.
Successful online learning factors in COVID-19 era: Study of Islamic higher education in West Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Yudiawan Agus , Sunarso Budi , Suharmoko Suharmoko , Sari Fatma , Ahmadi Ahmadi
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to map and tests the factors that influence online learning success in the COVID-19 era in Islamic Religious Higher Education in the West Papua region. Factors to be analyzed are student characteristics, internal motivation, instructor characteristics, quality of institutions and services, infrastructure and system quality, quality of courses and information, online learning environment. The sample size obtained from the Slovin formula was 302 students. Data collected through surveys by distributing questionnaires. Analysis of the regression model used to carry out data analysis. The results showed that the seven factors tested influenced online learning success in the COVID-19 era, with varying significance. Infrastructure and system quality are the most dominant influences (94.2%), while institutions' variety and services have no significant impact (6.3%). The conclusion is that the seven factors can be used to determine the success of online learning in the COVID-19 era in Islamic Religious Higher Education in the West Papua region.
Antioxidant activity of soybean and gembus tempeh
Authors: Sunarti Sunarti , Safitri Rosyida Awalia , Aminin Agustina LN , Sulchan Mohammad , Rahmawati Banundari
Published: March 2021

Soybean tempeh and gembus tempeh are traditional foods that have long been known in Indonesia, which in a modern way are classified as functional food. Various studies related to the antioxidant activity of soybean and gembus tempeh has been reported. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant capacity of soybean tempeh and gembus tempeh that are circulating in the community. The results of the research are expected to be an evaluation of soybean tempeh and gembus tempeh quality available in the market. The results of this research are expected to be an evaluation of soybean tempeh and gembus tempeh quality available in the market. The research design was a cross-sectional experimental study to measure antioxidants activity of 31 soybeans tempeh and 29 gembus tempeh. Sample of this study was selected through simple random sampling technique. The measurement of antioxidant activity carried out was the 2.2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method; ethanol extraction of 95%. Results revealed that the antioxidant activity of gembus tempeh was significantly higher than soybean tempeh; (32.521; 19.831) vs., (17.016; 13.195), respectively.
The obesity gap: An investigation using the behavioral risk factor surveillance system data for Ohio
Authors: Larwin Karen H , Woods Sherri Harper
Published: March 2021

This investigation examined potential predictors of obesity and whether an “obesity gap” is present for different demographic groups. The behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) data was used for this investigation. This secondary data set provides self-reported and measured biometric information on residents from each state in the United State of America. Results indicated that different income level is not related to body mass index (BMI). However, BMI was significantly different if the individual had a previous diagnosis of diabetes. BMI was also found to be significantly different for different races, as well as the interaction between race and diabetes are associated with BMI.
The factors correlated to nurses’ decision activating code blue team in hospital
Authors: Ekwantoro Ekwantoro , Putra Kuswantoro Rusca , Setyoadi Setyoadi
Published: March 2021

The success and hindrances of the blue-code activation were based on nurses’ readiness to request assistance once a patient’s clinical condition decreases. This research aimed to determine the nurses’ hindrance factors in making the blue code activation at hospitals. This research is analytical-observational with a cross-sectional approach. The samples consisted of 93 nurses taken randomly. The data were collected by questionnaire from March until April 2020 at one of the Nganjuk Government Hospitals. The Pearson test result showed a correlation between experience with p-value 0.022, education with a p-value 0.000, cognition with p-value 0.006, and organizational culture with a p-value 0.000 toward decision-making (p-value<0.05). The multiple linear regression multivariate analysis shows an Exp. value (B) of education is 0.292, experience with a value 0.178, cognition with a value 0.194, and cultural organization with a score of 0.425. Thus, it could be concluded that the organizational culture was the most dominant factor of the nurses’ decision making. The hindrances and success of the nurses’ decision-making are based on the nurses’ characteristics, such as cognition, communication skill, and collaboration skill. The support from the leader of an organization would influence nurses’ confidence dealing with patients’ health.
Knowledge, precautionary actions, and perceived risk of COVID-19 among Indonesian people
Authors: Nanda Ratih Oktri , Lolita Lolita , Indayati Wiwik , Rusdiyanti Ivong , Ikhsanudin Azis , Mareti Silvia
Published: March 2021

Novel coronavirus was first identified in China in December 2019, causing several cases of the new type of pneumonia. The exported cases were found in other countries, including countries in the Southeast Asia region. At the same time, no cases were confirmed in Indonesia. We aimed to assess COVID-19 related knowledge, precautionary actions, and perceived risk among general Indonesian population when there were no confirmed cases in Indonesia. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 382 participants aged 17 years and above residing in Indonesia. The data was collected through the online questionnaire from February 19th to February 29th 2020. The average score of COVID-19 related knowledge was 88.0%, whereas 83.8% of the participants had a high level of knowledge. The average score of taking precautionary actions was 77.4% and 65.7% had a high level of performance. In terms of the perceived risk of COVID-19, only 11.3% of the participants perceived themselves likely to acquire COVID-19 when compared with other diseases or accidents. The perceived risk of COVID-19 was significantly associated with precautionary action (p<0.05). Perceived risk of COVID-19 was at a low level when there were no confirmed cases. Effective strategies of risk communication are needed to improve precautionary actions to prevent COVID-19.
Subjective well-being among women with disabilities
Authors: Tentama Fatwa , Situmorang Nina Zulida , Muthmainah Muthmainah
Published: March 2021

Women with disabilities are individuals who have double vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities are arguably resulting from their condition as disabled persons and their status as a woman. Both women with innate disabilities factors and accident factors have a similarly negative view of their condition. This study aimed to describe subjective well-being in women with disabilities. The research method used was qualitative phenomenology. The data was obtained through semi-structured interviews. This study included six women with disabilities (visually impaired), aged between 20 to 30 years who lived in Yogyakarta and status as a graduate student. The data from interviews were analyzed with thematic analysis. The results showed that subjective well-being in women with disabilities was influenced by cognitive component (life satisfaction), which was indicated by self-acceptance, positive social relations, and perceived gratitude. Besides, the affective component also played a role. This component included positive affect, which was indicated by a sense of attention that the participant received, a feeling of excitement, pleasure, and a feeling of pride. Negative affect was indicated by feelings of sadness because of past negative relationships and feelings of disappointment.
Work environment affects patient safety climate in a government hospital
Authors: Utari Dyah , Nasri Syahrul Meizar
Published: March 2021

The work environment becomes one of the motivations for someone to work. The climate of working environment is very important for a person, especially for medical staffs who actually handle and deal with sick people. Medical officers are required to always be friendly, agile, discipline and polite in front of patients thus the patient feels comfortable and quiet. This study aimed to analysis the relationship between work environment and patients’ safety climate. This study was conducted with questionnaires. Based on the survey results, it was revealed that the hospital environment determines the form of services provided to patients. The working environment has positive relationship to patients’ safety climate. At the hospital, there are latent conditions that may be a risk of accidents that come from heavy work load, management and inadequate supervision, work environment filled with pressure and inadequate communication systems. Work environment contributes greatly because the overall work in providing services to patients requires good teamwork.
Association Between Lifetime Classic Psychedelic Use and Hypertension in the Past Year
Authors: Simonsson Otto , Hendricks Peter S. , Carhart-Harris Robin , Kettner Hannes , Osika Walter
Published: March 2021

Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005–2014), weighted to be representative of the US adult population, the present study investigated the association between lifetime classic psychedelic use and hypertension in the past year among adults in the United States. The results showed that respondents who reported having used a classic psychedelic at least once in their lifetime had significantly lower odds of hypertension in the past year after adjusting for several potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86 [0.81–0.91];
P
<0.0001). Notably, when analyzing the associations between hypertension in the past year and lifetime use of the main classes of classic psychedelics, namely tryptamines (N,N-dimethyltryptamine, ayahuasca, and psilocybin), lysergic acid diethylamide (a lysergamide), and phenethylamines (mescaline, peyote, and San Pedro), only the association with lifetime tryptamine use was significant (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80 [0.73–0.89];
P
=0.0001). Though these associations are novel, rigorous randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate potential causal pathways of classic psychedelics on blood pressure.
Interannual Variability of Tropical Atlantic-to-Pacific Moisture Transport Linked to ENSO, Atlantic Niño, and Freshwater Budget in the Northwestern Tropical Atlantic
Authors: Yang Jun-Chao , Zhang Yu , Richter Ingo , Lin Xiaopei
Published: March 2021

Moisture transport from the Atlantic to Pacific is important for basin-scale freshwater budget and the formation of meridional ocean circulation. Although the climatological tropical Atlantic-to-Pacific moisture transport (TAPMORT) has been well investigated, few studies have focused on its variability. Here we investigate the interannual variability of TAPMORT based on the atmospheric reanalysis data sets. The TAPMORT interannual variability is dominated by the variations of trans-basin winds across Central America, and peaks in late boreal summer and late boreal winter. 1) In late summer, a developing El Niño and a mature Atlantic Niña set up an interbasin sea-surface temperature (SST) gradient that strengthens the low-level jet across Central America and therefore TAPMORT (with weakened TAPMORT for opposite signed events). This process typically occurs from July to September, with a peak in August. 2) In late winter, the strengthened southern North American center of the Pacific-North American-like pattern intensifies the TAPMORT variations. Although atmospheric interannual variability dominates these variations, extreme El Niño events are also important for the teleconnections. This process shows a single peak in February, in contrast to the persistent peak in late summer. We further demonstrate that the persistent TAPMORT variability in late summer dominates the moisture divergence over the northwestern tropical Atlantic and modulates freshwater flux there. Thus, our study improves the understanding of how TAPMORT interannual variability and the related interbasin SST gradient regulate the northwestern tropical Atlantic freshwater budget and the related salinity variability.
Effects of Panoramic Image Virtual Reality on the Workplace English Learning Performance of Vocational High School Students
Authors: Chen Hsiu-Ling , Liao Yen-Chun
Published: March 2021

Digital learning has become an inevitable trend with many benefits for students’ learning performance and motivation. However, Virtual Reality, a pervasive mode of digital learning nowadays, has incurred ambivalence among teachers over the years due to its high cost and other technical concerns. Panoramic image VR (PIVR) is a cost-efficient alternative to conventional VR in classroom settings, and is featured in this quasi-experimental research as a digital means to simulate language situations in future workplaces for a total of 106 vocational high school students majoring in auto mechanics. All student participants were divided into an experimental and a control group. The results showed that learning performance, motivation, and satisfaction were better in the experimental group than in the control group thanks to the use of PIVR. Furthermore, it was found that the learning performance of the experimental group students with medium prior knowledge was significantly better than that of the control group students of the same level of prior knowledge. However, no such difference was found for the remaining participants. It is thus inferred that PIVR-based digital learning might be more effective for students with medium prior knowledge than for those with either high or low prior knowledge.
Parotid Salivary Duct Carcinoma With a Prominent Squamous Component: Immunohistochemical Profile, Diagnostic Pitfalls, and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Hardy Naomi , Thompson Joshua , Mehra Ranee , Drachenberg Cinthia B. , Hatten Kyle , Papadimitriou John C.
Published: March 2021

Salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland is a highly aggressive epithelial malignancy morphologically resembling high-grade, invasive, and in situ breast carcinoma. It can occasionally present with variable morphology making it diagnostically challenging in cases with unusual morphological components. Ancillary testing, particularly androgen receptor (AR) positivity on immunohistochemistry, can be very helpful in cases that demonstrate extensive squamous morphology, since AR positivity is uncommon in both the primary salivary gland and metastatic squamous cell carcinomas to the parotid. In this report, we describe a case of salivary duct carcinoma that showed only a squamous cell carcinoma component on the initial primary tumor site biopsy, as well as in subsequent contralateral neck lymph node and skin metastases. Apart from the variable morphology, the typical salivary duct and squamous cell carcinoma tumor components also showed significant immunohistochemical differences, including differential staining of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu. The associated diagnostic pitfalls, distinct immunoprofiles of the tumor components, helpful adjuncts for making the correct diagnosis, and associated therapeutic implications are discussed.
Pediatric Benign Tumors With a Skeletal Muscle Component: Myogenin Expression, Diagnostic Pitfalls, and New Molecular Insights
Authors: Berklite Lara , Ozolek John , Wang Larry , Santoro Luisa , Donofrio Vittoria , Stracuzzi Alessandra , John Ivy , Alaggio Rita
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Benign tumors with skeletal muscle differentiation are rare and their characterization in the literature is limited. We present a series of twelve pediatric benign tumors with rhabdomyomatous differentiation including seven rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartomas, four fetal rhabdomyomas, and one benign triton tumor, analyzing myogenic markers as well as clinicopathologic and molecular features. A review of the literature was also performed with an emphasis on myogenic marker expression and correlation with molecular features.

Methods and Results

Cases obtained from three tertiary pediatric hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Eleven of twelve cases expressed myogenin in rare to greater than 15% of cells. Five of nine cases had rare to 70–80% of cells positive for MyoD1. One fetal rhabdomyoma demonstrated homozygous deletions in ZEB2. The benign triton tumor harbored a CTNNB1 mutation. Review of the literature identified 160 pediatric benign tumors with skeletal muscle differentiation of which 9 reported myogenin positivity.

Conclusions

Myogenin and MyoD1 may be variably expressed in benign lesions with skeletal muscle differentiation. Recognition of key morphologic features remains critical to diagnose these lesions and, in rhabdomyoma, to exclude malignancy. Our series expands the knowledge of the relationship between rhabdomyoma and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) by identifying a shared molecular alteration in ZEB2.
Preparation and evaluation of polyester-cotton/wire blended conductive woven fabrics for electromagnetic shielding
Authors: Lou Ching-Wen , Liu Yan-Ling , Shiu Bing-Chiuan , Peng Hao-Kai , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: March 2021

For the pursuit of conductive textiles with high electromagnetic shielding performance, specified yarns are processed with a special spinning feeding device with twist counts of 40 T, 50 T, 60 T, 70 T, 80 T, and 90 T, for Next, the optimal yarns from each group are made into SS/Pc-70 and Cu/Pc-80 conductive woven fabrics with a plain weave structure design. In addition, the surface resistivity, electromagnetic shielding effectiveness measurement and air permeability of the two conductive woven fabrics were tested and analyzed. Regarding the electromagnetic shielding performance test, the effects of the complete shielding network, the lamination layers of fabric, and lamination angle on the electromagnetic shielding performance are discussed. The test results indicate that Cu/Pc-80 woven fabrics has the lowest surface resistivity, which means it has the best electrical conductivity; Moreover, different types of metal wires provide the conductive fabrics with different levels of surface resistance. The variations in the lamination angles help attain a complete conductive network that significantly enhances the EMSE, and Cu/Pc-80 have a greater average shielding value comparatively and thus greater EMSE. For both types of conductive woven fabrics, one-layered conductive woven fabrics exhibit the maximal air permeability. As the air permeability of conductive woven fabrics is correlated with the thickness of fabrics, the greater the number of lamination layers, the lower the air permeability of the conductive fabrics.
Be Happy: Navigating Normative Issues in Behavioral and Well-Being Public Policy
Authors: Fabian Mark , Pykett Jessica
Published: March 2021

Psychological science is increasingly influencing public policy. Behavioral public policy (BPP) was a milestone in this regard because it influenced many areas of policy in a general way. Well-being public policy (WPP) is emerging as a second domain of psychological science with general applicability. However, advocacy for WPP is criticized on ethical and political grounds. These criticisms are reminiscent of those directed at BPP over the past decade. This déjà vu suggests the need for interdisciplinary work that establishes normative principles for applying psychological science in public policy. We try to distill such principles for WPP from the normative debates over BPP. We argue that the uptake of BPP by governments was a function of its relatively strong normative and epistemic foundations in libertarian paternalism, or nudging, for short. We explain why the nudge framework is inappropriate for WPP. We then analyze how boosts offer a strict but feasible alternative framework for substantiating the legitimacy of well-being and behavioral policies. We illuminate how some WPPs could be fruitfully promoted as boosts and how they might fall short of the associated criteria.
Normal range of clivoaxial angle in adults using flexion and extension cervical magnetic resonance imaging scans
Authors: Sayah Anousheh , Farley April D , Munoz Eric C , Sandhu Faheem A , Berkowitz Frank
Published: March 2021

Objective

An abnormally decreased clivoaxial angle (CXA) is used during the clinical evaluation for corrective skull base surgery. Published normal ranges of CXA using x-ray, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) vary dramatically, especially with neck flexion or extension. The aim of this study was to use high-resolution MRI to determine the normal range of CXA in various neck positions using a reproducible measurement technique.

Methods

The CXA was measured in 10 healthy volunteers on sagittal T2 SPACE c-spine MRI in supine and prone positions and with the neck both neck and extended. CXA is strictly defined as the angle between a line along the inferior third of the dorsal clival cortex and a line from the superior/posterior cortex of the dens to the posterior/inferior corner of the C2 body. Statistical analysis was performed in all positions and included mean CXA, range, standard deviation ( SD), inter-reader agreement, and group comparisons.

Results

The mean CXA overall was 156.92° ( SD=4.23°; range 134–179°). The mean value for extension CXA was 169.20° ( SD=5.81°), and the mean value for flexion CXA was 144.73° ( SD=5.71°), the difference being statistically significant ( p<0.0001) regardless of supine or prone position. Concordant correlations of reader measurements showed substantial agreement in the supine position at 0.96, with lower agreement in the prone position at 0.87.

Conclusions

We report normal ranges for CXA in various neck positions based on 3D T2-weighted MRI, using a reproducible measurement method. There was a significant difference in the CXA values between neck extended and neck flexed positions but not between supine and prone positions.
Interruption of the Ascending Aorta—Biventricular Surgical Repair
Authors: Fletcher Benjamin S. , Christensen Jason T. , Hammel James M. , Fletcher Scott E.
Published: March 2021

Interruption of the ascending aorta is an extremely rare anomaly defined by a point of interruption between the intrapericardial and extrapericardial aorta and can be explained by developmental errors proximal to the embryologic right aortic sac. Herein, we present a case of interruption of the ascending aorta and describe a successful biventricular surgical repair of this unique anomaly.
Understanding and Being Understood: Information and Care Needs of 2113 Patients With Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19
Authors: Houben-Wilke Sarah , Delbressine Jeannet M , Vaes Anouk W , Goërtz Yvonne MJ , Meys Roy , Machado Felipe VC , Van Herck Maarten , Burtin Chris , Posthuma Rein , Franssen Frits ME , van Loon Nicole HP , Hajian Bita , Vijlbrief Herman , Spies Yvonne , van ’t Hul Alex , Janssen Daisy JA , Spruit Martijn A
Published: March 2021

To become a proactive and informed partner in postacute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management, patients need to have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to self-manage COVID-19-related health challenges. Due to several restrictions and consequently social isolation, online platforms and forums where people can share information and experiences became more popular and influential. Therefore, this study aimed to identify perceived information needs and care needs of members of 2 Facebook groups for patients with COVID-19 and persistent complaints in the Netherlands and Belgium and patients with COVID-19 who registered at a website of the Lung Foundation Netherlands. Besides demographics and clinical characteristics, the degree of satisfaction with care during and after the infection as well as satisfaction with available information were assessed. Open text fields revealed specific information needs which were summarized. Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 perceive various unmet needs varying from specific information needs (eg, information about permanent lung damage) to general needs (eg, being heard and understood). These data lead to several recommendations to improve care for patients with COVID-19 and justify further development of online platforms specifically addressing these unmet needs.
The association between experiencing homelessness in childhood or youth and adult housing stability in Housing First
Authors: Parpouchi Milad , Moniruzzaman Akm , Somers Julian M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Researchers have pointed out the paucity of research investigating long-term consequences of experiencing homelessness in childhood or youth. Limited research has indicated that the experience of homelessness in childhood or youth is associated with adverse adjustment-related consequences in adulthood. Housing First (HF) has acknowledged effectiveness in improving housing outcomes among adults experiencing homelessness and living with serious mental illness, although some HF clients struggle with maintaining housing. The current study was conducted to examine whether the experience of homelessness in childhood or youth increases the odds of poorer housing stability following entry into high-fidelity HF among adults experiencing serious mental illness and who were formerly homeless.

Methods

Data were drawn from the active intervention arms of a HF randomized controlled trial in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Participants (n = 297) were referred to the study from service agencies serving adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness between October 2009 and June 2011. The Residential Time-Line Follow-Back Inventory was used to measure housing stability. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator was used to estimate the association between first experiencing homelessness in childhood or youth and later housing stability as an adult in HF.

Results

Analyses indicated that homelessness in childhood or youth was negatively associated with experiencing housing stability as an adult in HF (aOR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.31–0.90).

Conclusions

Further supports are needed within HF to increase housing stability among adult clients who have experienced homelessness in childhood or youth. Asking clients about the age they first experienced homelessness may be of clinical utility upon enrollment in HF and may help identify support needs related to developmental experiences. Results further emphasize the importance of intervening earlier in life in childhood and youth before experiencing homelessness or before it becomes chronic. Findings also contribute to a limited knowledge base regarding the adverse long-term consequences of childhood and youth homelessness.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN57595077 and ISRCTN66721740. Registered on October 9, 2012.
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of eutopic endometrium and ectopic lesions of adenomyosis
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Sun Zhonghua , Liu Hongyun , Niu Weipin , Wang Xin , Liang Na , Wang Xin , Wang Yanfei , Shi Yaxin , Xu Li , Shi Wei
Published: March 2021

Background

Adenomyosis (AM) is a common benign chronic gynaecological disorder; however, the precise pathogenesis of adenomyosis is still poorly understood. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can uncover rare subpopulations, explore genetic and functional heterogeneity, and reveal the uniqueness of each cell. It provides us a new approach to reveal biological issues from a more detailed and microscopic perspective. Here, we utilize this revolutionary technology to identify the changes of gene expression patterns between ectopic lesions and the eutopic endometrium at the single-cell level and explore a potential novel pathogenesis of AM.

Methods

A control endometrium (sample with leiomyoma excluding endometrial disorders, n = 1), eutopic endometrium and ectopic lesion (from a patient with adenomyosis, n = 1) samples were analysed by scRNA-seq, and additional leiomyoma (n = 3) and adenomyosis (n = 3) samples were used to confirm colocalization and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation. Protein colocalization was visualized by immunofluorescence, and CD34-periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) double staining was used to assess the formation of VM.

Results

The scRNA-seq results suggest that cancer-, cell motility- and inflammation- (CMI) associated terms, cell proliferation and angiogenesis play important roles in the progression of AM. Moreover, the colocalization of EPCAM and PECAM1 increased significantly in the ectopic endometrium group (P < 0.05), cell subpopulation with high copy number variation (CNV) levels possessing tumour-like features existed in the ectopic lesion sample, and VNN1- and EPCAM-positive cell subcluster displayed active cell motility in endometrial epithelial cells. Furthermore, during the transformation of epithelial cells to endothelial cells, we observed the significant accumulation of VM formation (positively stained with PAS but not CD34, P < 0.05) in ectopic lesions.

Conclusions

In the present study, our results support the theory of adenomyosis derived from the invasion and migration of the endometrium. Moreover, cell subcluster with high CNV level and tumour-associated characteristics is identified. Furthermore, epithelial-endothelial transition (EET) and the formation of VM in tumours, the latter of which facilitates the blood supply and plays an important role in maintaining cell growth, were also confirmed to occur in AM. These results indicated that the inhibition of EET and VM formation may be a potential strategy for AM management.
Reduced erythrocytic CHCHD2 mRNA is associated with brain pathology of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Liu Xiaodan , Wang Qilong , Yang Ying , Stewart Tessandra , Shi Min , Soltys David , Liu Genliang , Thorland Eric , Cilento Eugene M. , Hou Yiran , Liu Zongran , Feng Tao , Zhang Jing
Published: March 2021

Peripheral biomarkers indicative of brain pathology are critically needed for early detection of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, using NanoString and digital PCR technologies, we began by screening for alterations in genes associated with PD or atypical Parkinsonism in erythrocytes of PD patients, in which PD-related changes have been reported, and which contain ~ 99% of blood α-synuclein. Erythrocytic CHCHD2 mRNA was significantly reduced even at the early stages of the disease. A significant reduction in protein and/or mRNA expression of CHCHD2 was confirmed in PD brains collected at autopsy as well as in the brains of a PD animal model overexpressing α-synuclein, in addition to seeing a reduction of CHCHD2 in erythrocytes of the same animals. Overexpression of α-synuclein in cellular models of PD also resulted in reduced CHCHD2, via mechanisms likely involving altered subcellular localization of p300 histone acetyltransferase. Finally, the utility of reduced CHCHD2 mRNA as a biomarker for detecting PD, including early-stage PD, was validated in a larger cohort of 205 PD patients and 135 normal controls, with a receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrating > 80% sensitivity and specificity.
Prevalence of mycoplasma-like lung lesions in pigs from commercial farms from Spain and Portugal
Authors: Pallarés FJ , Añón JA , Rodríguez-Gómez IM , Gómez-Laguna J , Fabré R , Sánchez-Carvajal JM , Ruedas-Torres I , Carrasco L
Published: March 2021

Background

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaecauses a chronic respiratory disease that produces important economic losses due to poor productive performance, increased mortality and costs for several control strategies. The prevalence of mycoplasma-like lesions (MLL) at abattoir has been widely studied in different countries, making use of different scoring systems. However, most of them are difficult to apply in abattoirs with high number of pigs sacrificed per hour. For that reason, it is necessary to adapt the scoring system to the reality of the modern abattoir, even if there is a loss of accuracy. Our purpose was to investigate the prevalence and severity of MLL at abattoirs in Spain and Portugal using a 0 to 5 scoring system adapted to abattoirs with high number of sacrificed pigs per hour and to highlight the histopathological diagnosis as confirmatory method to identify patterns of pneumonia correlated to gross lesions.

Results

Cranioventral pulmonary consolidation, a typical MLL, was the most frequent lung lesion (30.97 %) detected at the abattoir, followed by dorsocaudal infarcts with pleurisy (12.51 %) and pleurisy alone (6.26 %). The average score for all examined lungs at abattoir was 1.99 out of 5 points. The histopathological study revealed that the 78.17 % of the randomly selected lungs with MLL presented microscopic lesions compatible withM. hyopneumoniaeinfection. Most bronchointerstitial and interstitial pneumonia lesions had a chronic course while most suppurative and fibrinous bronchopneumonia lesions had an acute course and a higher degree of severity. The combination of microscopic lesions more frequently observed was bronchointerstitial pneumonia + interstitial pneumonia + suppurative bronchopneumonia.

Conclusions

The prevalence of MLL at abattoir was 30.97 %, however, after microscopic examination the real prevalence of lungs with lesions compatible withM. hyopneumoniaeinfection was reduced up to 24.21 %. The six more prevalent combinations of lesions in the microscopic study involved the 66.13 % of examined lungs, and in all of them, microscopic lesions characteristic ofM. hyopneumoniaeinfection were found, what supports the importance ofM. hyopneumoniaeas a primary pathogen in cases of PRDC.
Diabetes after pregnancy: a study protocol for the derivation and validation of a risk prediction model for 5-year risk of diabetes following pregnancy
Authors: Read Stephanie H. , Rosella Laura C. , Berger Howard , Feig Denice S. , Fleming Karen , Kaul Padma , Ray Joel G. , Shah Baiju R. , Lipscombe Lorraine L.
Published: March 2021

Background

Pregnancy offers a unique opportunity to identify women at higher future risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In pregnancy, a woman has greater engagement with the healthcare system, and certain conditions are more apt to manifest, such as gestational DM (GDM) that are important markers for future DM risk. This study protocol describes the development and validation of a risk prediction model (RPM) for estimating a woman’s 5-year risk of developing type 2 DM after pregnancy.

Methods

Data will be obtained from existing Ontario population-based administrative datasets. The derivation cohort will consist of all women who gave birth in Ontario, Canada between April 2006 and March 2014. Pre-specified predictors will include socio-demographic factors (age at delivery, ethnicity), maternal clinical factors (e.g., body mass index), pregnancy-related events (gestational DM, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy), and newborn factors (birthweight percentile). Incident type 2 DM will be identified by linkage to the Ontario Diabetes Database. Weibull accelerated failure time models will be developed to predict 5-year risk of type 2 DM. Measures of predictive accuracy (Nagelkerke’sR2), discrimination (C-statistics), and calibration plots will be generated. Internal validation will be conducted using a bootstrapping approach in 500 samples with replacement, and an optimism-corrected C-statistic will be calculated. External validation of the RPM will be conducted by applying the model in a large population-based pregnancy cohort in Alberta, and estimating the above measures of model performance. The model will be re-calibrated by adjusting baseline hazards and coefficients where appropriate.

Discussion

The derived RPM may help identify women at high risk of developing DM in a 5-year period after pregnancy, thus facilitate lifestyle changes for women at higher risk, as well as more frequent screening for type 2 DM after pregnancy.