bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotype of Peripheral NK Cells in Latent, Active, and Meningeal Tuberculosis
Authors: Choreño-Parra José Alberto , Jiménez-Álvarez Luis Armando , Maldonado-Díaz Ellis Daniela , Cárdenas Graciela , Fernández-Lopez Luis Alejandro , Soto-Hernandez José Luis , Muñoz-Torrico Marcela , Ramírez-Martínez Gustavo , Cruz-Lagunas Alfredo , Vega-López Armando , Domínguez-López María Lilia , Sánchez-Garibay Carlos , Guadarrama-Ortíz Parménides , Giono Silvia , Jiménez-Zamudio Luis Antonio , Khader Shabaana A. , García-Latorre Ethel A. , Salinas-Lara Citlaltepetl , Zúñiga Joaquín
Published: April 2021

The mechanisms underlying the immunopathology of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), the most severe clinical form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB), are not understood. It is currently believed that the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) from the lung is an early event that occurs before the establishment of adaptive immunity. Hence, several innate immune mechanisms may participate in the containment of Mtb infection and prevent extrapulmonary disease manifestations. Natural killer (NK) cells participate in defensive processes that distinguish latent TB infection (LTBI) from active pulmonary TB (PTB). However, their role in TBM is unknown. Here, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of circulating NK cellCID="C008" value="s" phenotype in a prospective cohort of TBM patients (

n
=
10

) using flow cytometry. Also, we addressed the responses of memory-like NK cell subpopulations to the contact with Mtb antigens in vitro. Finally, we determined plasma levels of soluble NKG2D receptor ligands in our cohort of TBM patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our comparative groups consisted of individuals with LTBI (

n
=
11

) and PTB (

n
=
27

) patients. We found that NK cells from TBM patients showed lower absolute frequencies, higher CD69 expression, and poor expansion of the CD45RO+ memory-like subpopulation upon Mtb exposure in vitro compared to LTBI individuals. In addition, a reduction in the frequency of CD56brightCD16- NK cells characterized TBM patients but not LTBI or PTB subjects. Our study expands on earlier reports about the role of NK cells in TBM showing a reduced frequency of cytokine-producing cells compared to LTBI and PTB.
The Dynamical Analysis of Computer Viruses Model with Age Structure and Delay
Authors: Cao Hui , Wang Si , Yan Dongxue , Tan Hongwu , Xu Hemiao
Published: April 2021

This paper deals with the dynamical behaviors for a computer viruses model with age structure, where the loss of the acquired immunity and delay are incorporated. Through some rigorous analyses, an explicit formula for the basic reproduction number of the model is calculated, and some results about stability and instability of equilibria for the model are established. These findings show that the age structure and delay can produce Hopf bifurcation for the computer viruses model. The numerical examples are executed to validate the theoretical results.
[Retracted] Target Characteristics and Voltage Mapping of the Matrix in Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions Originating from the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Hou Xiaofeng , Qian Zhiyong , Guo Jianghong , Zou Jiangang
Published: April 2021

Background. The study was aimed at exploring the electrophysiological characteristics (EPS) of the optimal ablation site and its relationship with electroanatomic voltage mapping (EVM) in idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Methods. A total of 28 patients with idiopathic RVOT PVCs underwent successful ablation and EVM using a 3D electroanatomical mapping (CARTO) system. Results. Both bipolar and unipolar EVM showed a similar band‐like lower‐voltage area (LVA) under the pulmonary valve in all the patients; 21.4% of the targets were located in the band‐like LVA. 42.9% of the targets were at the border of the band‐like LVA on the bipolar voltage map, but unipolar mapping showed that 53.6% of the targets were located in the band‐like LVA, and 35.7% of the targets at the border of the band‐like LVA. A significant difference was found in both unipolar and bipolar voltage values between the regions within 0‐5 mm above the optimal ablation site and the other regions. A similar difference was observed only in unipolar voltage values below the optimal ablation site. At the ablation site, there were frequent occurrences of a fragmented wave and voltage reversion in the bipolar electrograms, frustrated falling limbs, W bottom, and a QS configuration width > 150 ms in the unipolar electrograms. Conclusions. EVM showed that the band‐like LVA was an interesting area for the search of the optimal ablation sites of idiopathic RVOT‐PVCs, especially the border area. There was focal microscarring around the ablation targets; some characteristics of EPS proved significant for successful ablation.
Efficient Private Information Retrieval Protocol with Homomorphically Computing Univariate Polynomials
Authors: Xu Wenju , Wang Baocang , Lu Rongxing , Qu Quanbo , Chen Yange , Hu Yupu
Published: April 2021

Private information retrieval (PIR) protocol is a powerful cryptographic tool and has received considerable attention in recent years as it can not only help users to retrieve the needed data from database servers but also protect them from being known by the servers. Although many PIR protocols have been proposed, it remains an open problem to design an efficient PIR protocol whose communication overhead is irrelevant to the database sizeN. In this paper, to answer this open problem, we present a new communication-efficient PIR protocol based on our proposed single-ciphertext fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) scheme, which supports unlimited computations with single variable over a single ciphertext even without access to the secret key. Specifically, our proposed PIR protocol is characterized by combining our single-ciphertext FHE with Lagrange interpolating polynomial technique to achieve better communication efficiency. Security analyses show that the proposed PIR protocol can efficiently protect the privacy of the user and the data in the database. In addition, both theoretical analyses and experimental evaluations are conducted, and the results indicate that our proposed PIR protocol is also more efficient and practical than previously reported ones. To the best of our knowledge, our proposed protocol is the first PIR protocol achievingO1communication efficiency on the user side, irrelevant to the database sizeN.
Efficacy and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Follow-Up of Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Extremities and Trunk
Authors: Kraus Daniel , Oettinger Felix , Kiefer Jurij , Bannasch Holger , Stark G. Björn , Simunovic Filip
Published: April 2021

There is no consensus regarding follow-up after soft tissue sarcoma (STS) treatment. This study examines the efficacy and the cost-benefit of MRI imaging for discovering recurrence. A retrospective analysis was performed, collecting data on patient demography, tumor characteristics, treatment, and follow-up. Imaging was correlated to the clinical course, and sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated. The number needed to screen and costs of finding recurrence are reported. Amongst 216 sarcomas, 73 (35%) exhibited local recurrence during a follow-up of 5.3 ± 3.5 years. 173 entities had complete MRI follow-up with 58 (34%) local recurrences. Thirty-three (57%) were discovered by MRI, 8 (14%) by clinical presentation, and 17 (29%) simultaneously. There was a sensitivity of 100.00%, a specificity of 89%, a positive predictive value of 32%, and a negative predictive value of 100% for detecting local recurrence with MRI. Our data confirm the modalities and intervals proposed by the German guidelines for sarcoma care. The recommended MRI intervals should not be extended. MRI is more cost-effective than clinical examination; still, both modalities should be performed together to discover the maximum number of recurrences.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from Clinical Samples in the Past 8 Years in Korea
Authors: Kim Jae Soo , Jung Bo Kyeung , Kim Jong Wan , Kim Ga Yeon
Published: April 2021

Pneumococcal infection is the main causative agent of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis in immunocompromised and elderly people. The samples in this study were collected from subjects in an 800‐bed hospital in Chungnam province, Korea, over the past 8 years. Of the 473,230 samples obtained for microbial culture from 2012 to 2019, Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from 714 samples collected from 702 patients, with a pneumococcal‐positive rate of 0.15%. We investigated the temporal, demographic, and specimen‐specific distributions, as well as the antibiotic susceptibility pattern for S. pneumonia. The age of patients ranged from 0 days to 98 years, with an average age of 64.7 years. The distribution among the sexes was 2.4 : 1 (male : female), with more samples isolated from male patients. We observed that spring was the predominant season in which the infection occurred, accounting for 37.6% of the cases. Pneumococci were most frequently isolated from sputum (608 cases, 85.2%). Invasive infections were detected at a rate of 66% (in blood cultures), and noninvasive infections were detected at a rate of 91% (in sputum cultures). Antimicrobial resistance to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, cotrimoxazole, levofloxacin, and penicillin, based on noninvasive infections, was observed in 21.6%, 27.2%, 79.2%, 73.2%, 68.0%, 51.3%, 9.8%, and 18.1% of cases, respectively. Additionally, on average, 66.9% of multidrug‐resistant bacteria showed resistance to three or more antimicrobial agents, and 2.8% showed resistance to all other antibacterial agents except vancomycin. These results might facilitate the administration of appropriate empirical antibacterial therapy for pneumococcal infections.
Hybrid Convolutional Neural Network for Localization of Epileptic Focus Based on iEEG
Authors: Sui Linfeng , Zhao Xuyang , Zhao Qibin , Tanaka Toshihisa , Cao Jianting
Published: April 2021

Epileptic focus localization by analysing intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG) plays a critical role in successful surgical therapy of resection of the epileptogenic lesion. However, manual analysis and classification of the iEEG signal by clinicians are arduous and time-consuming and excessively depend on the experience. Due to individual differences of patients, the iEEG signal from different patients usually shows very diverse features even if the features belong to the same class. Accordingly, automatic detection of epileptic focus is required to improve the accuracy and to shorten the time for treatment. In this paper, we propose a novel feature fusion-based iEEG classification method, a deep learning model termed Time-Frequency Hybrid Network (TF-HybridNet), in which short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and 1d convolution layers are performed on the input iEEG in parallel to extract features of the time-frequency domain and feature maps. And then, the time-frequency features and feature maps are fused and fed to a 2d convolutional neural network (CNN). We used the Bern-Barcelona iEEG dataset for evaluating the performance of TF-HybridNet, and the experimental results show that our approach is able to differentiate the focal from nonfocal iEEG signal with an average classification accuracy of 94.3% and demonstrates an improved accuracy rate compared to the model using only STFT or one-dimensional convolutional layers as feature extraction.
Fproi-GAN with Fused Regional Features for the Synthesis of High-Quality Paired Medical Images
Authors: Dong Jiale , Liu Caiwei , Man Panpan , Zhao Guohua , Wu Yaping , Lin Yusong
Published: April 2021

The use of medical image synthesis with generative adversarial networks (GAN) is effective for expanding medical samples. The structural consistency between the synthesized and actual image is a key indicator of the quality of the synthesized image, and the region of interest (ROI) of the synthesized image is related to its usability, and these parameters are the two key issues in image synthesis. In this paper, the fusion-ROI patch GAN (Fproi-GAN) model was constructed by incorporating a priori regional feature based on the two-stage cycle consistency mechanism of cycleGAN. This model has improved the tissue contrast of ROI and achieved the pairwise synthesis of high-quality medical images and their corresponding ROIs. The quantitative evaluation results in two publicly available datasets, INbreast and BRATS 2017, show that the synthesized ROI images have a DICE coefficient of 0.981 ± 0.11 and a Hausdorff distance of 4.21 ± 2.84 relative to the original images. The classification experimental results show that the synthesized images can effectively assist in the training of machine learning models, improve the generalization performance of prediction models, and improve the classification accuracy by 4% and sensitivity by 5.3% compared with the cycleGAN method. Hence, the paired medical images synthesized using Fproi-GAN have high quality and structural consistency with real medical images.
[Retracted] Application of Computer Simulation Optimization Algorithm in Waste Treatment of Drilling Engineering
Authors: Shu Chang , Zhang JiChuan
Published: April 2021

The existing computer technology is used to conduct an in‐depth study and analysis of drilling waste treatment, and the results are analyzed by computer simulation optimization algorithms. Based on the system theory, we define the research system, combine the unique characteristics of the technological innovation mechanism of drilling waste treatment, and use the internal and external factors affecting the technological innovation dynamics of drilling waste treatment, such as drilling waste treatment capacity, from the current actual situation. On this basis, factor analysis is used to analyze the factors affecting technological innovation dynamics from both internal and external aspects of the system, establish a system model of technological innovation dynamics of drilling waste disposal, and give the initial values of the simulation model. This will reduce the pollution of the environment and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises. Drilling waste treatment technology is getting increased attention, but at this stage, there is no suitable technology innovation mechanism for drilling waste treatment. Through the simulation trend chart obtained by sensitivity analysis, the key factors in the system are found, and the innovation power mechanism of drilling waste treatment technology is constructed, which provides a basis for the formulation of enterprise technological innovation strategies and the development of technological innovation activities. Research on the dynamic mechanism of drilling waste treatment technology innovation explores a waste treatment mechanism suitable for the drilling industry, so as to promote the steady development of the drilling industry and at the same time provide theoretical support for the treatment of drilling engineering waste.
Excess Body Weight and Abdominal Hernia
Authors: Dietz Ulrich A. , Kudsi Omar Yusef , Gokcal Fahri , Bou-Ayash Naseem , Pfefferkorn Urs , Rudofsky Gottfried , Baur Johannes , Wiegering Armin
Published: April 2021

Background: Obese patients have an increased incidence of ventral hernias; in over 50% of these cases, patients are symptomatic. At the same time, morbid obesity is a disease of epidemic proportions. The combination of symptomatic hernia and obesity is a challenge for the treating surgeon, because the risk of perioperative complications and recurrence increases with increasing BMI. Summary: This review outlines this problem and discusses interdisciplinary approaches to the management of affected patients. In emergency cases, the hernia is treated according to the surgeon’s expertise. In elective cases, an individual decision must be made whether bariatric surgery is indicated before hernia repair or whether both should be performed simultaneously. After bariatric surgery a weight reduction of 25–30% of total body weight in the first year can be achieved and it is often advantageous to perform a bariatric operation prior to hernia repair. Technically, the risk of complications is lower with minimally invasive procedures than with open ones, but laparoscopy is challenging in obese patients, and meshes can only be implanted in intraperitoneal position. This mesh position has to be questioned because of adhesions, recurrence rate, and risk of contamination during re-interventions in patients who are often still relatively young. Key Messages: Obese patients with hernia need to be approached in an interdisciplinary manner, in some patients a weight loss procedure may be advantageous before hernia repair. Recent data show the benefits of robotic hernia surgery in obese patients, as not only haptic advantages result, but especially the mesh can be implanted in a variety of extraperitoneal positions in the abdominal wall with low morbidity.
Genetic Causes of Cardiomyopathy in Children: First Results From the Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Genes Study
Authors: Ware Stephanie M. , Wilkinson James D. , Tariq Muhammad , Schubert Jeffrey A. , Sridhar Arthi , Colan Steven D. , Shi Ling , Canter Charles E. , Hsu Daphne T. , Webber Steven A. , Dodd Debra A. , Everitt Melanie D. , Kantor Paul F. , Addonizio Linda J. , Jefferies John L. , Rossano Joseph W. , Pahl Elfriede , Rusconi Paolo , Chung Wendy K. , Lee Teresa , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Lal Ashwin K. , Bhatnagar Surbhi , Aronow Bruce , Dexheimer Phillip J. , Martin Lisa J. , Miller Erin M. , Sleeper Lynn A. , Razoky Hiedy , Czachor Jason , Lipshultz Steven E. ,   Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry Study Group
Published: April 2021

Background

Pediatric cardiomyopathy is a genetically heterogeneous disease with substantial morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines recommend genetic testing in children with hypertrophic, dilated, or restrictive cardiomyopathy, but practice variations exist. Robust data on clinical testing practices and diagnostic yield in children are lacking. This study aimed to identify the genetic causes of cardiomyopathy in children and to investigate clinical genetic testing practices.

Methods and Results

Children with familial or idiopathic cardiomyopathy were enrolled from 14 institutions in North America. Probands underwent exome sequencing. Rare sequence variants in 37 known cardiomyopathy genes were assessed for pathogenicity using consensus clinical interpretation guidelines. Of the 152 enrolled probands, 41% had a family history of cardiomyopathy. Of 81 (53%) who had undergone clinical genetic testing for cardiomyopathy before enrollment, 39 (48%) had a positive result. Genetic testing rates varied from 0% to 97% between sites. A positive family history and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy subtype were associated with increased likelihood of genetic testing (
P
=0.005 and
P
=0.03, respectively). A molecular cause was identified in an additional 21% of the 63 children who did not undergo clinical testing, with positive results identified in both familial and idiopathic cases and across all phenotypic subtypes.

Conclusions

A definitive molecular genetic diagnosis can be made in a substantial proportion of children for whom the cause and heritable nature of their cardiomyopathy was previously unknown. Practice variations in genetic testing are great and should be reduced. Improvements can be made in comprehensive cardiac screening and predictive genetic testing in first‐degree relatives. Overall, our results support use of routine genetic testing in cases of both familial and idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01873963.
Neural Oscillations Reveal Differences in the Process of Word Learning among School-Aged Children from Lower Socioeconomic Status Backgrounds
Authors: Schneider Julie , Abel Alyson D. , Momsen Jacob , Melamed Tina C. , Maguire Mandy J.
Published: April 2021

Building a robust vocabulary in grade school is essential for academic success. Children from lower socioeconomic status (SES) households on average perform below their higher SES peers on word learning tasks, negatively impacting their vocabulary; however, significant variability exists within this group. Many children from low SES homes perform as well as, or better than, their higher SES peers on measures of word learning. The current study addresses what processes underlie this variability, by comparing the neural oscillations of 44 better versus worse word learners (ages 8–15 years) from lower SES households as they infer the meaning of unknown words. Better word learners demonstrated increases in theta and beta power as a word was learned, whereas worse word learners exhibited decreases in alpha power. These group differences in neural oscillatory engagement during word learning indicate there may be different strategies employed based on differences in children’s skills. Notably, children with greater vocabulary knowledge are more likely to exhibit larger beta increases, a strategy that is associated with better word learning. This sheds new light on the mechanisms that support word learning in children from low SES households.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Buzionema lutgardae n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha: Thelastomatidae) from the cockroach Byrsotria sp. (Blattaria: Blaberidae) in Cuba
Authors: MORFFE JANS , GARCÍA NAYLA , HASEGAWA KOICHI , CARRENO RAMON A.
Published: April 2021

Buzionema lutgardae n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha: Thelastomatidae) is described from the cockroach Byrsotria sp. (Blattaria: Blaberidae), endemic to Cuba. Females of B. lutgardae n. sp. are shorter than those of B. validum Kloss, 1966 (1600–2150 µm vs. 3131–3378 µm), but the oesophagus is comparatively longer (b = 2.96–3.77 vs. 4.65–4.87). The lateral alae of the new species extend from ca. the midpoint of the cylindrical part of the procorpus to the level of the anus in contrast to the base of the basal bulb to the level of the anus in B. validum. The males of B. lutgardae n. sp. are shorter than those of B. validum (780–940 µm vs. 1177–1423 µm) and their lateral alae end at some distance before the cloaca instead the level of the cloaca in B. validum. The phylogeny of B. lutgardae n. sp. is inferred by the D2-D3 domains of the 28S rDNA. B. lutgardae n. sp. and B. validum form a monophyletic clade with strong nodal support, as sister-group of the genus Leidynema Schwenck in Travassos, 1929.
A new species of Setodes Rambur (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from northern Michigan, USA
Authors: HOUGHTON DAVID C.
Published: April 2021

Setodes truncatus n. sp. is illustrated and described herein based on specimens collected from 2 adjacent watersheds of the Huron Mountains in northern Michigan (USA). Both known populations inhabit undisturbed sandy rivers. Males of S. truncatus appear most similar to those of S. incertus (Walker) but can be separated based on their short and truncate inferior appendages and by other differences in the genitalia. The larva and female both remain unknown. A revised key to males of the 10 North American species of Setodes is provided.
New and little known taxa of neotenic lyropaeine net-winged beetles (Coleoptera: Lycidae)
Authors: KAZANTSEV SERGEY V.
Published: April 2021

A new genus and five new species of neotenic lyropaeine net-winged beetles, Plycus prosvirovi gen. nov., sp. nov., Platerodrilus (s. str.) brastagicola sp. nov., P. (s. str.) gorbunovi sp. nov., P. (s. str.) kambanganus sp. nov. and P. (Duliticola) berastagiensis sp. nov., are described from Malaysia and Indonesia. Horakiella Bocakova, 2006, syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of Atamania Kazantsev, 2005. Descriptions of little known members of the subfamily, Lybnopaeus avernus (Kazantsev, 1997), Lyropaeus (Lyroneces) orcinus Kazantsev, 1998, Miniduliticola nelsoni Kazantsev, 2002, Platerodrilus (Zhelongia) grootaerti Kazantsev, 2009, P. (Zh.) holynskae Kazantsev, 2009, P. (Duliticola) svetae Kazantsev, 2009, P. (D.) strbai Kazantsev, 2009, Atamania tembeling Kazantsev, 2002 and Sinodulia gressitti Kazantsev, 2002, are complemented with macrophotographs. Lists of Platerodrilus and Atamania species are provided.
5. Unemployment and Applications
Authors: Yeandle David
Published: April 2021

This chapter documents a three-month period of unemployment, in 1860, during which time the chronology is uncertain. Hunt’s many experiences are described, including the results of further applications via the Curates’ Registry and the High-Church Guardian.
6. Final Metropolitan Applications
Authors: Yeandle David
Published: April 2021

This chapter recounts an amusing case of mistaken identity and Hunt’s next successful application (5) at Christ Church, Hoxton, where he remained from 1860–63.
11. Postscript
Authors: Yeandle David
Published: April 2021

The postscript investigates Hunt’s time as Vicar of Otford, preferment, which he gained at the age of 51.
Interrelationships of Sea Surface Salinity, Chlorophyll-α Concentration, and Sea Surface Temperature near the Antarctic Ice Edge
Authors: Garcia Cynthia , Comiso Josefino C. , Berkelhammer Max , Stock Larry
Published: April 2021

Satellite data can now provide a coherent picture of sea surface salinity (SSS), chlorophyll-α concentration (Chlα), sea surface temperature (SST), and sea ice cover across the Southern Ocean. The availability of these data at the basin scale enables novel insight into the physical and biological processes in an area that has historically been difficult to gather in situ data from. The analysis shows large regional and interannual variability of these parameters but also strong coherence across the Southern Ocean. The covariability of the parameters near the marginal ice zone shows a generally negative relationship between SSS and Chlα (r = −0.87). This may in part be attributed to the large seasonality of the variables, but analysis of data within the spring period (from November to December) shows similarly high correlation (r = −0.81). This is the first time that a large-scale robust connection between low salinity and high phytoplankton concentration during ice melt period has been quantified. Chlorophyll-α concentration is also well correlated with SST (r = 0.79) providing a potential indicator of the strength of the temperature limitation on primary productivity in the region. The observed correlation also varied regionally due to differences in ice melt patterns during spring and summer. Overall, this study provides new insights into the physical characteristics of the Southern Ocean as observed from space. In a continually warming and freshening Southern Ocean, the relationships observed here provide a key data source for testing ocean biogeochemical models and assessing the effect of sea ice–ocean processes on primary production.
A Multifactorial Approach in Type 2 Diabetes Over 3 Years Decelerates Progression of Subclinical Arterial Disease in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Konstantonis George , Arida Aikaterini , Aissopou Evaggelia , Protogerou Athanasios , Tentolouris Nikolaοs , Sfikakis Petros P. , Makrilakis Konstantinos
Published: April 2021

The beneficial effect of multifactorial treatment of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (RFs) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is well established from randomized clinical trials. We prospectively evaluated the impact of such treatment in a real-world setting, on the development of subclinical arterial damage (SAD), as determined by structural/functional noninvasive biomarkers of vascular pathology (atheromatosis, carotid hypertrophy, arteriosclerosis). We prospectively studied 116 persons with T2D, treated with a multifactorial approach for CV RFs at a tertiary medical center, and 324 individuals without diabetes, for 3.2 years. The primary outcome was changes in vascular biomarkers related to SAD. At baseline, participants in the diabetes group had higher prevalence of SAD. At study end, the changes in clinical, biochemical, and lifestyle characteristics, as well as antihypertensive and lipid-lowering treatments, were comparable between the 2 groups. During follow-up, classical CV RFs (smoking, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides) and behavioral features were significantly improved in both groups. Multivariate analysis, after adjusting for all classic CV RFs and use of antihypertensive/lipid-lowering therapies, demonstrated that all evaluated SAD biomarkers were similarly changed in the 2 groups. In conclusion, implementation of a multimodality approach of T2D treatment is feasible and efficacious in decelerating progression of SAD in routine clinical practice.
The Essence of Care: Versatility as an Adaptive Response to Challenges in the Delivery of Quality Aged Care by Personal Care Attendants
Authors: Naweed Anjum , Stahlut Jana , O’Keeffe Valerie
Published: April 2021

Objective

The strategies adopted by personal care attendants (PCAs) to deliver quality care when faced with challenges potentially impacting clinical outcomes were assessed using phenomenological methods.

Background

In Australia, recent outcry of unsatisfactory standards of care in residential facilities has instigated a national public inquiry. This study investigated how PCAs adapted to challenges in stressful and ambiguous everyday work scenarios to deliver quality care.

Method

A phenomenological approach was used to obtain insights into PCAs’ experiences, perceptions, opinions, and decision processes for enacting care. Ten PCAs working in rural-based residential aged care were interviewed using a novel scenario construction task with thematic and co-occurrence network mapping applied to derive insights.

Results

Seven themes were identified, revealing that participants formed close relationships with residents, influencing care provision but blurring personal boundaries. Key contextual factors in scenarios highlighted inadequate staffing and procedures, inadequate training, challenging residents, time poverty, and low support. Individually directed adaptive strategies were used to alleviate dissonance and maintain emotional resilience, including dynamic risk assessment involving rule breaking.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that in negotiating care delivery, PCAs strive to optimize rule-based compliance with safety, efficiency, and individualized attention to provide “good enough” care with fluidity. Implications for policy and practice are considered.

Application

Findings have implications for workforce development in the context of ever-increasing industry pressures. Findings identified challenging scenarios and role complexity, with decision-making occurring as a fluid and ongoing process across a flexible boundary of risk assessment influencing interactions between PCAs, registered nurses, and clients.
Distraction “Hangover”: Characterization of the Delayed Return to Baseline Driving Risk After Distracting Behaviors
Authors: Snider Joseph , Spence Ryan J. , Engler Anne-Marie , Moran Ryan , Hacker Sarah , Chukoskie Leanne , Townsend Jeanne , Hill Linda
Published: April 2021

Objective

We measured how long distraction by a smartphone affects simulated driving behaviors after the tasks are completed (i.e., the distraction hangover).

Background

Most drivers know that smartphones distract. Trying to limit distraction, drivers can use hands-free devices, where they only briefly glance at the smartphone. However, the cognitive cost of switching tasks from driving to communicating and back to driving adds an underappreciated, potentially long period to the total distraction time.

Method

Ninety-seven 21- to 78-year-old individuals who self-identified as active drivers and smartphone users engaged in a simulated driving scenario that included smartphone distractions. Peripheral-cue and car-following tasks were used to assess driving behavior, along with synchronized eye tracking.

Results

The participants’ lateral speed was larger than baseline for 15 s after the end of a voice distraction and for up to 25 s after a text distraction. Correct identification of peripheral cues dropped about 5% per decade of age, and participants from the 71+ age group missed seeing about 50% of peripheral cues within 4 s of the distraction. During distraction, coherence with the lead car in a following task dropped from 0.54 to 0.045, and seven participants rear-ended the lead car. Breadth of scanning contracted by 50% after distraction.

Conclusion

Simulated driving performance drops dramatically after smartphone distraction for all ages and for both voice and texting.

Application

Public education should include the dangers of any smartphone use during driving, including hands-free.
A framework to guide industrial trips in engineering training institutions
Authors: Frimpong Emmanuel Asuming , Effah Francis Boafo
Published: April 2021

The paper presents a framework to guide industrial trips in engineering training. The framework was developed through an assessment of various practices relating to industrial trips, gathered from institutional websites and published works on industrial trips, as well as the authors’ experience in leading students for industrial trips. A draft framework was first shared with some lecturers and students as well as electrical engineers working in Ghana’s power sector. Comments from them were incorporated in the draft framework to produce the final document. The finalized framework when adopted by institutions will greatly enhance the effectiveness of industrial trips which will lead to improved training of students.
The Contribution of Macrophages in Old Mice to Periodontal Disease
Authors: Clark D. , Halpern B. , Miclau T. , Nakamura M. , Kapila Y. , Marcucio R.
Published: April 2021

The prevalence of periodontal disease increases with age. Systemic inflammatory dysregulation also increases with age and has been reported to contribute to the myriad of diseases and conditions that become more prevalent with advanced age. As periodontal disease involves a dysregulated host inflammatory response, the age-related inflammatory dysregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease in aging populations. However, our understanding of what drives the age-related inflammatory dysregulation is limited. Here, we investigate the macrophage and its contribution to periodontal disease in old and young mice using a ligature-induced periodontal disease model. We demonstrate that control old mice present with an aged periodontal phenotype, characterized by increased alveolar bone loss and increased local inflammatory cytokine expression compared to young mice. Macrophages were demonstrated to be present in the periodontium of old and young mice in equal numbers in controls, during disease induction, and during disease recovery. However, it appears age may have a detrimental effect on macrophage activity during disease recovery. Depletion of macrophages during disease recovery in old mice resulted in decreased inflammatory cytokines within the gingiva and decreased bone loss as measured by micro–computed tomography. In young mice, macrophage depletion during disease recovery had no beneficial or detrimental effect. Macrophage depletion during disease induction resulted in decreased disease severity similarly in young and old mice. Findings from this work support the diverse roles of macrophages in disease induction as well as the active roles of disease recovery, including the resolution of inflammation. Here, we conclude that age-related changes to the macrophage appear to be detrimental to the recovery from disease and may explain, in part, the age-related increase in prevalence of periodontal disease. Future studies examining the specific intrinsic age-related changes to the macrophage will help identify therapeutic targets.
Inductive Materials for Regenerative Engineering
Authors: Hosseini F.S. , Nair L.S. , Laurencin C.T.
Published: April 2021

Regenerative engineering has pioneered several novel biomaterials to treat critical-sized bone injuries. However, despite significant improvement in synthetic materials research, some limitations still exist. The constraints correlated with the current grafting methods signify a treatment paradigm shift to osteoinductive regenerative engineering approaches. Because of their intrinsic potential, inductive biomaterials may represent alternative approaches to treating critical bone injuries. Osteoinductive scaffolds stimulate stem cell differentiation into the osteoblastic lineage, enhancing bone regeneration. Inductive biomaterials comprise polymers, calcium phosphate ceramics, metals, and graphene family materials. This review will assess the cellular behavior toward properties of inductive materials.
Factorial Validity and Measurement Invariance of the Principal Leadership Questionnaire in Greek Educational Context
Authors: Gkolia Aikaterini , Tsigilis Nikolaos , Evangelou Maria , Koustelios Athanasios
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of the Principal Leadership Questionnaire (PLQ) to Greek educational context and to present the most important aspects describing educational leadership in a centralized educational context. It was sought to examine; a) the factorial structure of PLQ b) its invariance across teachers’ levels of education and c) its concurrent validity. Data were collected from 730 Greek primary and secondary school teachers of 77 schools. Teachers were asked to fill in the PLQ and Teacher’s Satisfaction Inventory (TSI). A bi-factor model was selected as the most tenable among five completive PLQ structures to describe teachers’ responses. Moreover, PLQ was found to be invariant across primary and secondary school teachers. Multiple-group analysis results indicate that primary, compared to secondary school teachers, reported more often that their principals behave as a transformational leader. On the contrary, secondary school teachers’ perceptions revealed that their principal implemented practices related to factor “intellectual; stimulation” more often than primary school teachers. Structural equation modeling showed that the general factor of the PLQ significantly and substantially predicted the “principal” facet of teachers’ job satisfaction, providing evidence of concurrent validity of the Greek version of the PLQ. Implications and suggestions for future research and policy are discussed.
Accessing heat: Environmental stigma and ‘porous’ infrastructural configurations in Ulaanbaatar
Authors: Plueckhahn Rebekah
Published: April 2021

This article explores the experience of living among diverse infrastructural configurations in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and forms of stigmatisation that arise as a result. In this capital city that experiences extremely cold winters, the provision of heat is a seasonal necessity. Following a history of socialist-era, centrally provided heating, Ulaanbaatar is now made up of a core area of apartments and other buildings undergoing increased expansion, surrounded by vast areas of fenced land plots ( ger districts) not connected to centrally provided heating. In these areas, residents have historically heated their homes through burning coal, a technique that has resulted in seasonal air pollution. Expanding out from Wacquant’s definition of territorial stigmatisation, this article discusses the links between heat generation, air pollution and environmental stigmatisation arising from residents’ association with or proximity to the effects of heat generation and/or infrastructural lack. This type of stigma complexifies the normative divide between the city’s two main built areas. Residents’ attempts to mitigate forms of building and infrastructural ‘quality’ or chanar (in Mongolian) form ways of negotiating their position as they seek different kinds of property. Here, not only are bodies vulnerable to forms of pollution (both air and otherwise), but also buildings and infrastructure are vulnerable to disrepair. Residents’ assessments of infrastructural and building quality move beyond any categorisation of them being a clear ‘resistance’ to deteriorating infrastructural conditions. Instead, an ethnographic lens that positions the viewpoint of the city through these residential experiences reveals a reconceptualisation of the city that challenges infrastructurally determined normative assumptions.
Embracing Disruptions of Identity: How Can Sociology Enhance the Experiences of Students of Color in Study Abroad?
Authors: Madhavan Sangeetha , Dlamini Vusumuzi G.
Published: April 2021

Efforts are underway to globalize sociology in the United States through study abroad experiences. At the same time, there is a push to extend the reach of such programs to students of color. We use student journal entries and fieldnotes from trips to South Africa to analyze how students of color grapple with a disruption of identity in a Black majority setting. Findings reveal that students were challenged by new axes of identity, namely, language and place, and were confronted with their own relative privilege. Sociology can play a critical role in helping students maximize benefit from such experiences if undergraduate curricula incorporate additional axes of intersectionality and include more scholarship from Africa and the Diaspora. Moreover, study abroad programs need to devote significant time to structured debriefings in all pedagogical activities. This would provide faculty and students a space to productively manage and even embrace the disruption of identity.
Teaching Ethnic-Specific Coursework: Practical Suggestions for Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within the Classroom
Authors: Arellanes Jordan A. , Hendricks Michael
Published: April 2021

Background:

Access to professors willing and trained to teach courses related to specific ethnic groups may be difficult for many universities to provide. This may partially explain why many psychology departments do not offer undergraduate courses that focus on the unique perspectives of specific ethnic groups.

Objective:

This study offers practical suggestions for instructors in promoting inclusivity within the classroom detailed though perceptions of students.

Method:

Focus groups were conducted with 27 students within four ethnic-specific courses. Focus groups were divided into comparison groups: 1) those that ethnically matched the course material and 2) those that did not.

Results:

Ethnic-specific coursework provides space to address systemic issues. Implications from ethnic matching, inclusion efforts within the classroom, and building a class community are discussed.

Conclusions:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are supported when departments offer ethnic-specific courses. The trust and communication with students are improved by constructing effective course frameworks.

Teaching Implications:

We inform the development and implementation of ethnic-specific psychology courses by highlighting practical considerations for instructors of varying ethnic backgrounds. Instructors from varied backgrounds can effectively teach these courses but having applied experiences and research related to specific ethnic groups is essential in developing trust and communication with students.
Clinical Management of Early-Stage Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Institution Clinical Analysis
Authors: Yasumatsu Ryuji , Manako Tomomi , Jiromaru Rina , Hashimoto Kazuki , Wakasaki Takahiro , Matsuo Mioko , Nakagawa Takashi
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Early detection of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is important for both an improved prognosis and less-invasive treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the detection rates of early hypopharyngeal SCCs according to the evaluation methods and the clinical management of early hypopharyngeal SCCs.

Methods:

Sixty-eight patients with early hypopharyngeal SCC who were diagnosed were reviewed.

Results:

The number of early hypopharyngeal cancer patients with asymptomatic or synchronous or metachronous esophageal cancer examined by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (NBI) was significantly higher than those examined by laryngopharyngeal endoscopy with NBI. The 3-year disease-specific survival rates according to T classification were as follows: Tis, 100%; T1, 100%; T2, 79.8%; and overall, 91.2%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Early-stage hypopharyngeal SCC can be cured by minimally invasive transoral surgery or radiotherapy. Observation of the pharynx using NBI in patients with a history of head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, or pharyngeal discomfort is very important, and routinely examining the pharynx with NBI, even in patients undergoing endoscopy for screening purposes, is recommended.
Better together: The impact of exercising with a romantic partner
Authors: Sackett-Fox Kyrsten , Gere Judith , Updegraff John A.
Published: April 2021

Many people have goals to increase their physical activity levels through engaging in exercise, but have difficulty establishing and maintaining an exercise routine. Research shows that people are more successful at exercising if they do so together with their romantic partner. In this study, we examined how exercising with a romantic partner may influence the experience of exercise itself, as well as people’s daily experiences. Specifically, we examined how joint exercise influences daily and exercise affect, daily relationship satisfaction, and amount of daily exercise. Young adults who were currently involved in a romantic relationship (N = 95) completed intake questionnaires and 14 daily reports of their exercise behavior, exercise and daily affect, and daily relationship satisfaction. Multilevel models showed that on days when people exercised with their romantic partner, they experienced higher positive affect during exercise, higher daily positive affect, and were more satisfied with their relationship compared to days when they exercised without their partner. No effects were found on daily and exercise negative affect, or amount of exercise. This study illustrates how exercising with a romantic partner may improve people’s experience of both exercising and their daily experiences, and may help provide a reason why people might be more successful at maintaining their exercise routine when they exercise together with their romantic partner.
Clever or foolish? Playing with the rivalry in leveraging sports sponsorships of SMEs
Authors: Walzel Stefan , Nowak Gerhard
Published: April 2021

This article explores the significance of sports sponsorships by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Due to limited resources, and the high-intensity competition among sponsors for the recipient’s attention, SMEs have to look for alternative ways to exploit the potential of their sponsorships. With the help of an experimental research design, two studies examine the effects of integrating existing sporting rivalries between sports teams into the leveraging of sponsorships. Among both fans (study 1) and local residents (study 2), the reference to a sporting rivalry in sponsorship leveraging has positive effects on sponsorship-fit, attitudes towards sponsorship and brand attitudes towards the sponsor. Negative attitudes of rival fans on this type of sponsorship leveraging are mostly irrelevant for SME sponsors due to their limited market scope. This type of sponsorship leveraging offers SMEs the opportunity to differentiate themselves as sponsors in contrast to large enterprises with a supra regional, national or international sponsorship scope.