bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Face spoofing detection using surface and sub-surface reflections analysis
Authors: Aziz Azim Zaliha Abd , Juhari Mohd Rizon Mohamed
Published: October 2021

Reflection based analysis has been used in previous research for various objectives. Materials classification is one of them. Basically, each material consists of two types of reflections: surface and sub-surface. To separate these two reflections, polarized light could be applied. Previously, multi-reflections characteristics were analyzed using polarized light to classify objects such as between metals and non-metals. However, no trial has been done using the same method to distinguish real and fake faces that could be used to combat spoofing attempts in face biometric system. Since human skin is multi layers structure, it also produces multi reflections. In this paper, driven by the theory, surface and sub-surface reflections of both genuine human face and paper face mask were statistically examined. In addition, iPad displayed face images were also used as spoofing attempts. Images of genuine and spoofing faces were captured using polarized light under two different polarization angles: 0 and 90 degrees. Each angle captured images with surface and sub-surface reflections, accordingly. Those reflections were analyzed based on the mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis. Modality distribution of each image was also studied using another method called the bimodality coefficient (BC). From the results, it is not possible to distinguish between genuine face and printed photos because of the multi reflections’ similarities. However, iPad displayed face images have been successfully identified as spoofing trials.
Detection of cardiac arrhythmia using deep CNN and optimized SVM
Authors: Mohebbanaaz Mohebbanaaz , Sai Y. Padma , Kumari L. V. Rajani
Published: October 2021

Deep learning (DL) has become a topic of study in various applications, including healthcare. Detection of abnormalities in an electrocardiogram (ECG) plays a significant role in patient monitoring. It is noted that a deep neural network when trained on huge data, can easily detect cardiac arrhythmia. This may help cardiologists to start treatment as early as possible. This paper proposes a new deep learning model adapting the concept of transfer learning to extract deep-CNN features and facilitates automated classification of electrocardiogram (ECG) into sixteen types of ECG beats using an optimized support vector machine (SVM). The proposed strategy begins with gathering ECG datasets, removal of noise from ECG signals, and extracting beats from denoised ECG signals. Feature extraction is done using ResNet18 via concept of transfer learning. These extracted features are classified using optimized SVM. These methods are evaluated and tested on the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. Our proposed model is effective compared to all State of Art Techniques with an accuracy of 98.70%.
Attentional bias during public speaking anxiety revealed using event-related potentials
Authors: Feroz Farah Shahnaz , Salman Ahmad Rifhan , Mat Ali Muhammad Hairulnizam , Ismail Afiq Idzudden , Devi S. Indra , Subramaniam S. K.
Published: October 2021

Analysis of brain signals and their properties provides valuable information regarding the underlying neural deficiencies and enables the diagnosis of attention bias related to public speaking anxiety (PSA). Although 25% people around the world suffer from PSA, currently, there exists a lack of standard assessment in diagnosing the severity of attention bias in individuals with PSA. This study aims to distinguish behavioral and neural abnormalities related to attentional bias during PSA by comparing reaction time (RT) and event-related potential (ERP) correlates of high (H) PSA and low (L) PSA individuals. 12 individuals suffering from HPSA and 12 individuals with LPSA participated in the modified emotional Stroop experiment. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded with the low cost, 14-channel Emotiv Epoc+. RT showed slower responses, linked to attentional deficits in HPSA individuals. ERP results revealed the P200 emotional Stroop biomarker, found to be linked to attentional bias in HPSA, but not in LPSA individuals. These results revealed significant RT and P200 ERP abnormalities related to attentional bias in HPSA individuals using the low-cost Emotiv Epoc+.
Image-based lime size grading using the comparison ratio of the pixel radius and the actual size of lime fruit
Authors: Chimlek Pawat , Jitanan Sutasinee
Published: October 2021

Lime is a commercially important fruit in Thailand whose sale price depends on the fruit’s size; hence, farmers must grade limes by size before distribution. However, as lime grading machines are very expensive and each province has different size grading limits, grading is often performed manually, which is time-consuming and error-prone. Agricultural production systems for automatic selection and grading use image processing techniques for extracting key features. Therefore, this study proposes techniques to extract features of limes and to develop analytical methods for grading them. This method can reduce time and cost, and increase accuracy and flexibility for selecting different lime sizes according to each province’s size criteria. To verify our method, we classified limes according to criteria from four Thailand provinces as sample data in an experiment. The focal image feature was the radius or diameter of the lime and the grading conditions were defined by the maximum comparison ratio of the fruit’s radius in pixels to the measured radius of the actual lime in centimeters. The average grading accuracy was 99.59%, which outperformed that of mechanical grading. The processing time was 1.70 seconds per individual fruit.
Performance evaluation of a new 3D printed dry-contact electrode for EEG signals measurement
Authors: Abdullah Aaisha Diaa-Aldeen , Al-Neami Auns Q.
Published: October 2021

Traditional wet silver/silver chloride electrodes are used to record electroencephalography (EEG) signals mainly because of their potential repeatability, excellent signal to noise ratio and biocompatibility. This type of electrode is only suitable for conductive glue, which can irritate the skin and cause injury. In addition, as time goes the conductive gel will be dehydrated so the quality of the EEG signal will decrease. To overcome these problems, 3D printed dry-contact electrodes with multi-pins are designed in this work to measure brain signals without prior preparation or gel application. 3D printed electrodes are made from polylactic acids polymer and coated with suitable materials to enhance the conductivity. Electrode-scalp impedance on human was also measured. To evaluate the dry-contact electrode, EEG measurement are performed in subjects and compared with EEG signals acquired by wet electrode by using linear correlation coefficient. Experimentally results showed that the average electrode-skin impedance change of dry electrode in frontal site (9.42-7.25KΩ) and in occipital site (9.56-8.66KΩ). The correlation coefficient between dry and wet electrodes in frontal site (91.4%) and in occipital site (80%). To conclude, the 3D printed dry-contact electrode can be will promising applied on hairy site and provide a promising solutions for long-term monitoring EEG.
Convolution neural network and histogram equalization for COVID-19 diagnosis system
Authors: Alwawi Bashra Kadhim Oleiwi Chabor , Abood Layla H.
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is spreading quickly and globally as a pandemic and is the biggest problem facing humanity nowadays. The medical resources have become insufficient in many areas. The importance of the fast diagnosis of the positive cases is increasing to prevent further spread of this pandemic. In this study, the deep learning technology for COVID-19 dataset expansion and detection model is proposed. In the first stage of proposed model, COVID-19 dataset as chest X-ray images were collected and pre-processed, followed by expanding the data using data augmentation, enhancement by image processing and histogram equalization techniuque. While in the second stage of this model, a new convolution neural network (CNN) architecture was built and trained to diagnose the COVID-19 dataset as a COVID-19 (infected) or normal (uninfected) case. Whereas, a graphical user interface (GUI) using with Tkinter was designed for the proposed COVID-19 detection model. Training simulations are carried out online on using Google colaboratory based graphics prossesing unit (GPU). The proposed model has successfully classified COVID-19 with accuracy of the training model is 93.8% for training dataset and 92.1% for validating dataset and reached to the targeted point with minimum epoch’s number to train this model with satisfying results.
Cysteine‐Rich Angiogenic Inducer 61 Improves Prognostic Accuracy of GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) 2.0 Risk Score in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Klingenberg Roland , Aghlmandi Soheila , Räber Lorenz , Akhmedov Alexander , Gencer Baris , Carballo David , Nanchen David , Bucher Heiner C. , Rodondi Nicolas , Mach François , Windecker Stephan , Landmesser Ulf , von Eckardstein Arnold , Hamm Christian W. , Lüscher Thomas F. , Matter Christian M.
Published: October 2021

Background

It remains unclear whether the novel biomarker cysteine‐rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CCN1) adds incremental prognostic value to the GRACE 2.0 (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) risk score and biomarkers high‐sensitivity Troponin T, hsCRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein), and NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and Results

Patients referred for coronary angiography with a primary diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes were enrolled in the Special Program University Medicine – Acute Coronary Syndromes and Inflammation cohort. The primary/secondary end points were 30‐day/1‐year all‐cause mortality and the composite of all‐cause mortality or myocardial infarction as used in the GRACE risk score. Associations between biomarkers and outcome were assessed using log‐transformed biomarker values and the GRACE risk score (versions 1.0 and 2.0). The incremental value of CCN1 beyond a reference model was assessed using Harrell’s C‐statistics calculated from a Cox proportional‐hazard model. The
P
value of the C‐statistics was derived from a likelihood ratio test. Among 2168 patients recruited, 1732 could be analyzed. CCN1 was the strongest single predictor of all‐cause mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio [HR], 1.77 [1.31, 2.40]) and 1 year (HR, 1.81 [1.47, 2.22]). Adding CCN1 alone to the GRACE 2.0 risk score improved C‐statistics for prognostic accuracy of all‐cause mortality at 30 days (0.87–0.88) and 1 year (0.81–0.82) and when combined with high‐sensitivity Troponin T, hsCRP, NT‐proBNP for 30 days (0.87–0.91), and for 1‐year follow‐up (0.81–0.84). CCN1 also increased the prognostic value for the composite of all‐cause mortality or myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

CCN1 predicts adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes adding incremental information to the GRACE risk score, suggesting distinct underlying molecular mechanisms.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01000701.
Health Care Policy and Congenital Heart Disease: 2020 Focus on Our 2030 Future
Authors: Chowdhury Devyani , Johnson Jonathan N. , Baker‐Smith Carissa M. , Jaquiss Robert D. B. , Mahendran Arjun K. , Curren Valerie , Bhat Aarti , Patel Angira , Marshall Audrey C. , Fuller Stephanie , Marino Bradley S. , Fink Christina M. , Lopez Keila N. , Frank Lowell H. , Ather Mishaal , Torentinos Natalie , Kranz Olivia , Thorne Vivian , Davies Ryan R. , Berger Stuart , Snyder Christopher , Saidi Arwa , Shaffer Kenneth
Published: October 2021

The congenital heart care community faces a myriad of public health issues that act as barriers toward optimum patient outcomes. In this article, we attempt to define advocacy and policy initiatives meant to spotlight and potentially address these challenges. Issues are organized into the following 3 key facets of our community: patient population, health care delivery, and workforce. We discuss the social determinants of health and health care disparities that affect patients in the community that require the attention of policy makers. Furthermore, we highlight the many needs of the growing adults with congenital heart disease and those with comorbidities, highlighting concerns regarding the inequities in access to cardiac care and the need for multidisciplinary care. We also recognize the problems of transparency in outcomes reporting and the promising application of telehealth. Finally, we highlight the training of providers, measures of productivity, diversity in the workforce, and the importance of patient–family centered organizations in advocating for patients. Although all of these issues remain relevant to many subspecialties in medicine, this article attempts to illustrate the unique needs of this population and highlight ways in which to work together to address important opportunities for change in the cardiac care community and beyond. This article provides a framework for policy and advocacy efforts for the next decade.
Regional Disparity of Reperfusion Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Japan: A Retrospective Analysis of Nationwide Claims Data from 2010 to 2015
Authors: Maeda Megumi , Fukuda Haruhisa , Matsuo Ryu , Ago Tetsuro , Kitazono Takanari , Kamouchi Masahiro
Published: October 2021

Background

We aimed to determine whether a regional disparity exists in usage of reperfusion therapy (intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator [IV rt‐PA] and endovascular thrombectomy [EVT]) and post‐reperfusion 30‐day mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and which regional factors are associated with their usage.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively investigated 69 948 patients (mean age±SD, 74.9±12.0 years; women, 41.4%) with acute ischemic stroke treated with reperfusion therapy between April 2010 and March 2016 in Japan using nationwide claims data. Regional disparity was evaluated using Gini coefficients for age‐ and sex‐adjusted usage of reperfusion therapy and 30‐day post‐reperfusion in‐hospital death ratio in 47 administrative regions. The association between regional factors and reperfusion therapy usage was evaluated with fixed‐effects regression models. During the study period, Gini coefficients showed low inequality (0.11–0.15) for use of IV rt‐PA monotherapy and IV rt‐PA and/or EVT and extreme inequality (0.49) for EVT usage in 2010, which became moderate inequality (0.25) by 2015. The densities of stroke centers and endovascular specialists, as well as market concentration, were associated with increased usage of reperfusion therapy whereas the proportion of rural residents and delayed ambulance transport were negatively associated with usage. Inequality in the standardized death ratio after EVT was extreme (0.86) in 2010 but became moderate (0.29) by 2015; inequality was low to moderate (0.17–0.23) for IV rt‐PA monotherapy and IV rt‐PA and/or EVT.

Conclusions

Scrutinizing existing data sources revealed regional disparity in reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke and its associated regional factors in Japan.
Neonatal presentations to the paediatric emergency department in Singapore
Authors: Lim Jia Mei Vanessa , James Vigil , Yeo Yong Jie Edwin , Low Yi Mei , Chew Yi Rong , Ganapathy Sashikumar
Published: October 2021

Introduction:

This study aimed to characterise neonatal paediatric emergency department (PED) visits, analyse the main paediatric illnesses and establish associations of these demographics with the readmission rates and severity of their presentation.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of neonates (aged <28 days) presenting to the PEDs of our hospital over seven months was performed. Associations between the clinical and demographic data of admissions to the PED and inpatient admissions were analysed.

Results:

In total, 1,200 neonates presented during the study period, 79.4% of whom presented at less than 15 days since birth. Length of stay in the PED was less than four hours for 94.0% of the neonates. Predominant triage categories comprised non-P1 cases (97.5%). The main diagnoses at the PED were neonatal jaundice (NNJ; 66.8%) and neonatal pyrexia (NNP; 14.6%), which corresponded to the main diagnoses upon discharge from the hospital: NNJ (68.4%) and NNP (19.6%). 48.2% of neonates were referred from polyclinics or other clinics. 57.7% of the neonates were admitted. Interestingly, 87.0% of the well babies who presented to the emergency department were brought in owing to parental concerns by the parents themselves, without prior consultation with the doctor.

Conclusion:

Outpatient management of NNJ can be considered. Caregivers should be provided better education regarding normal physiological characteristics of newborns through standardised educational materials. Other potential avenues for parents to seek medical advice, for example hotlines and ChatBots such as the recently piloted ‘Urgent Paediatric Advice Line’ online service, should be considered.
The Aesthetics and Emotions of Religious Belonging: Examples from the Buddhist World
Authors: Baffelli Erica , Caple Jane , McLaughlin Levi , Schröer Frederik
Published: October 2021

The articles in this special issue illuminate the importance of aesthetics, affect, and emotion in the formation of religious communities through examples from the Buddhist world. This introduction reads across the contributors’ findings from different regions (China, India, Japan, and Tibet) and eras (from the 17th to the 21st centuries) to highlight common themes. It discusses how Buddhist communities can take shape around feelings of togetherness, distance, and absence, how bonds are forged and broken through spectacular and quotidian aesthetic forms, and how aesthetic and emotional practices intersect with doctrinal interpretations, gender, ethnicity, and social distinction to shape the moral politics of religious belonging. We reflect on how this special issue complicates the idea of Buddhist belonging through its focus on oft-overlooked practices and practitioners. We also discuss the insights that our studies of Asian Buddhist communities offer to the broader study of religious belonging.
Anonymus Iamblichi and Nomos: Beyond the Sophistic Discourse
Authors: Sørensen Anders Dahl
Published: October 2021

The paper challenges the traditional assumption that the fragments of ‘Anonymus Iamblichi’ (Diels-Kranz 89) are best understood and interpreted against the intellectual and cultural background of the so-called ‘sophistic movement’. I begin by suggesting that we can distinguish, in the fragments, between two separate ‘discourses’ concerning nomos (‘law’) and its role in human life: an abstract ‘sophistic’ discourse, centered around the defense of nomos against the antinomian champions of natural pleonexia, and another, less abstract and more polemical discourse on nomos, which is aimed at the author’s contemporary Athens. I argue that the author’s engagement with well-known sophistic ideas is best understood as instrumental to his polemical agenda: it provides him with a powerful intellectual framework in which to articulate his criticism of democratic society, especially with regard to traditional notions of social ‘benefaction’ and the relation between rich and poor.
Application of Muslim Personal Law in the Kenyan Courts: Problems and Prospects
Authors: Hashim Abdulkadir
Published: October 2021

This paper examines the application of Muslim personal law in the Kenyan courts. It addresses jurisprudential issues which engage conventional government judges, magistrates and kadhis (Islamic judges). The interaction between the conventional and religious courts has paved the way for a conflict of laws on matters related to Muslim personal law and has led to an interesting scenario of constructive conversation and criticism that in turn has set the stage for an emerging comparative jurisprudence within a pluralistic society. Factors which contribute toward conflicts include wholesale adoption of Common Law and Islamic law notions and exemption clauses in statutes. To overcome the challenges facing the kadhis’ courts and the application of Muslim personal law in Kenya, the paper proposes the adoption of a progressive comparative jurisprudential approach in responding to emerging legal issues facing Muslim litigants in the Kenyan courts.
On some deep-sea Stenheliinae from the Gulf of California and the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula (Mexico): Wellstenhelia euterpoides sp. nov., and Wellstenvalia wellsi gen. et sp. nov. (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Miraciidae)
Authors: GÓMEZ SAMUEL , CRUZ-BARRAZA JOSÉ ANTONIO
Published: October 2021

At present, only 11 species of harpacticoid copepods have been described from the deep sea of the Gulf of California and the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula. These efforts had until recently been focused exclusively on the families Ameiridae Boeck, Argestidae Por, and Rhizothrichidae Por. Preliminary analyses revealed also an important contribution of the subfamily Stenheliinae Brady (Miraciidae Dana) to the overall species richness and diversity of deep-sea benthic copepods from the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula, and the central and southern Gulf of California. One new species of the genus Wellstenhelia Karanovic & Kim, 2014, We. euterpoides sp. nov., and one new genus and species, Wellstenvalia wellsi gen. et sp. nov., are herein described from sediment samples taken at eight sampling stations in the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and in the central and southern Gulf of California. Wellstenhelia euterpoides sp. nov. seems to be closely related to We. euterpe Karanovic & Kim, 2014 with which it shares the reduced armature complement of the baseoendopod of the female fifth leg. The so far monotypic genus Wellstenvalia gen. nov. was found to be closely related to Muohuysia Özdikmen, 2009 and Wellstenhelia. Some comments on the relationships between the new genus proposed here and other stenheliin genera and species are provided as a contribution towards the monophyly of the subfamily.
Johnwellsia, a new intertidal genus of Parastenheliidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Taiwan Strait, China, including a review of the family and key to genera
Authors: HUYS RONY , MU FANGHONG
Published: October 2021

A new genus of Parastenheliidae, Johnwellsia gen. nov., is proposed for its type and only species, J. bipartita sp. nov., collected from Dadeji Beach in Xiamen, Taiwan Strait, China. The intricate taxonomic history of the family is reviewed with special emphasis on its type genus Parastenhelia Thompson & Scott, 1903. It is concluded that P. hornelli Thompson & Scott, 1903 is the type of the genus and that the widely adopted previous designation of Harpacticus spinosus Fischer, 1860 as type species of Parastenhelia is invalid. The taxonomic concept of Parastenhelia is restricted to the hornelli­-group which includes four valid species: P. hornelli, P. similis Thompson & Scott, 1903, P. oligochaeta Wells & Rao, 1987, and P. willemvervoorti sp. nov.

                The currently accepted concept of Parastenhelia spinosa as a highly variable cosmopolitan species is rejected. The genus Microthalestris Sars, 1905 (type: Thalestris forficula Claus, 1863) is resurrected to accommodate most Parastenhelia species that were previously placed in the spinosa-group. Two species, Thalestris forficuloides Scott & Scott, 1894 and Parastenhelia antarctica Scott, 1912, are reinstated as valid members of the genus which further includes Parastenhelia gracilis Brady, 1910, Microthalestris littoralis Sars, 1911, P. costata Pallares, 1982, P. minuta Pallares, 1982, P. bulbosa Gee, 2006 and five new species: M. campbelliensis sp. nov.; M. polaris sp. nov.; M. santacruzensis sp. nov.; M. sarsi sp. nov. and M. variabilis sp. nov. Both the type species, Thalestris forficula, and Harpacticus spinosus are considered species inquirendae in Microthalestris. Three new genera are proposed to accommodate the remaining Parastenhelia species. Porirualia gen. nov. contains P. megarostrum Wells, Hicks & Coull, 1982 (type) and P. pyriformis Song, Kim & Chang, 2003, and is the sistergroup of Johnwellsia gen. nov. Parastenhelia aydini Kuru & Karaytuğ, 2015 is placed in the monotypic genus Karaytugia gen. nov. while all species with penicillate elements on the antenna and P1 are transferred to Penicillicaris gen. nov., including Thalestris pectinimana Car, 1884, which is removed from the synonyms of the Parastenhelia spinosa (Fischer, 1860) “complex”, and three new species: P. maldivensis sp. nov., P. penicillata sp. nov., and P. sewelli sp. nov.

                The genus Karllangia Noodt, 1964 (type: K. arenicola Noodt, 1964) is relegated to a junior subjective synonym of Thalestrella Monard, 1935a (type: T. ornatissima Monard, 1935a). New or updated diagnoses for each genus, and differential diagnoses for species where appropriate, are provided. A key to the ten currently recognized genera in the Parastenheliidae is presented as well as keys to species for Parastenhelia, Microthalestris, Thalestrella and Penicillicaris gen. nov.
A new species of Stylicletodes Lang, 1936 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Cletodidae) from the East China Sea, including an updated key to species and synopsis of distribution records
Authors: MA LIN , LIU QING HE , LI XIN ZHENG , HUYS RONY
Published: October 2021

Both sexes of a new species, Stylicletodes wellsi sp. nov. (Harpacticoida: Cletodidae), are described from material collected from sediments in the East China Sea. The new species belongs to a species group whose members are characterized by an anal operculum that has a backwardly directed, median linguiform process and fifth legs that display naked or sparsely pinnate armature elements in both sexes. Within this group, S. wellsi sp. nov. is morphologically closest to S. reductus Wells, 1965 but differs primarily from its European congener in the armature pattern of P4 (both rami) and the female P5. Distribution records of all species are summarized and an updated identification key to the seven valid species in the genus is presented. Taxonomic issues related to the type species S. longicaudatus (Brady, 1880) are briefly discussed.
A new species of Maraenobiotus Mrázek, 1893 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Canthocamptidae) from Colombian Andean mosses, with an identification key for the American species
Authors: GAVIRIA SANTIAGO , DEFAYE DANIELLE
Published: October 2021

Maraenobiotus wellsi sp. nov. (Canthocamptidae) is described based on material collected in mosses in the “páramo” region of the Andean Cordillera of Colombia. The new species is closely related to M. australis Apostolov, 2001 from Tierra de Fuego in Argentina, but can be distiguished by the shape of the caudal rami, the insertion point of its terminal seta IV, and the chaetotaxy of distal segments of legs 3 and 4. We discuss morphological differences with other congeners inhabiting South America (Peru), i.e. M. naticochensis Delachaux, 1917, M. fontinalis Harding, 1955 and M. fontinaloides Löffler, 1960. Major distinguishing features were observed in the chaetotaxy of legs 2 and 3, the morphology and size of the caudal rami, and the ornamentation of the anal operculum. We also discuss morphological characters that distinguish the new species from those living exclusively in mosses, such as M. cuspidatus Štěrba, 1968 and M. canadensis Flössner, 1992, and those reported from mosses and other habitats i.e.. M. vejdovskyi Mrázek, 1893, M. brucei brucei (Richard, 1898), M. zschokkei Kreis, 1920, M. brucei himalayensis Chappuis, 1928b, M. truncatus (Gurney, 1932), M. insignipes elgonensis Chappuis, 1936, M. insignipes nepalensis Löffler, 1968 and M. kinabaluensis Löffler, 1973. A distribution map of American species and an identification key for females are provided.
Business Behavior in the Face of Severe Weather: Studying the Effects of Deterministic and Probabilistic Warning Systems
Authors: Howard Seth P. , Boehmer Alison P. , Simmons Kevin M. , Klockow-Mcclain Kim E.
Published: October 2021

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storm and annually cause billions of dollars in damage along with the threat of fatalities and injuries. To improve tornado warnings, the National Weather Service is considering a change from a deterministic to a probabilistic paradigm. While studies have been conducted on how individual behavior may change with the new warnings, no study of which we are aware has considered the effect this change may have on businesses. This project is a response to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, House of Representatives (H.R.) bill 353, which calls for the use of social and behavioral science to study and improve storm warning systems. The goal is to discuss business response to probabilistic tornado warnings through descriptive and regression-based statistics using a survey administered to businesses in north Texas. Prior to release, the survey was vetted by a focus group composed of businesses in Grayson County, Texas, who assisted in the creation of a behavior ranking scale. The scale ranked behaviors from low to high effort. Responses allowed for determining whether the business reacted to the warning in a passive or active manner. Returned surveys came from large and small businesses in north Texas and represent a wide variety of industries. Regression analysis explores which variables have the greatest influence on the behavior of businesses and show that, beyond increases in probability from the probabilistic warnings, trust in the warning provides the most significant change to behavior.
Disparities in Access to Pediatric Otolaryngology Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Adigwu Yvonne , Osterbauer Beth , Hochstim Christian
Published: October 2021

Objective:

Racial/ethnic minority pediatric otolaryngology patients experience health disparities, including barriers to accessing health care. Our hypothesis for this study is that Hispanic or economically disadvantaged patients would represent a larger percentage of missed appointments and report more barriers to receiving care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey utilizing a modified version of the Barriers to Care Questionnaire was administered via telephone to no-show patients, and median income by zip code was collected. Chi-squared, logistic regression, and Student’s t-tests were used to investigate any differences in those who did and did not keep their appointments as well as any differences in mean questionnaire scores.

Results:

No-show patients were more likely to be Hispanic than not (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.9, P = .002) and to live in a zip code that had a median income less than 200% of the federal poverty level (OR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.4, P = .004). Respondents with a high school degree tended to report more barriers to care compared to those with less education.

Conclusion:

In our study, we identified ethnic, financial, and logistic concerns that may contribute to patients failing to keep their appointments with the otolaryngology clinic. Future studies are needed to assess the efficacy of measures aimed to reduce these barriers to care such as preventive plans to assist new patients and expanding telehealth services.
How Does Global–Local Identity Affect Consumer Preference for Access-Based Consumption? Investigating the Mediating Role of Consumption Openness
Authors: Nie Xiaodong , Yang Zhiyong , Zhang Yinlong , Janakiraman Narayan
Published: October 2021

Given the increasing importance of the global sharing economy, consumers face the decision of whether to choose an access-based option versus an owned option. However, understanding of how consumers’ global–local identity may influence their preference for access-based consumption is rather limited. The authors fill this knowledge gap by proposing that consumers high in global identity (“globals”) have a greater preference for access-based consumption than those high in local identity (“locals”). Such effects are mediated by consumers’ consumption openness. Consistent with the “consumption openness” account, the authors find that when the desire for openness is enhanced by a contextual cue, locals’ preference for access-based consumption is elevated, whereas globals’ preference for access-based consumption is unaffected. However, when the desire for openness is suppressed by a contextual cue, globals’ preference for access-based consumption is reduced, whereas locals’ preference for access-based consumption is unaffected. Similarly, consumers’ traveler–settler orientation sets a boundary for the relationship between global–local identity and preference for access-based consumption, given its close association with consumption openness. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Variants of Psychopathy in Chinese Juvenile Offenders: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Wang Meng-Cheng , Zhang Xintong , Gong Jie , Deng Jiaxin , Luo Jie , Gao Yu , Salekin Randall T.
Published: October 2021

Despite considerable understanding on the psychopathy subtypes in detained populations, the variants of psychopathy in non-Western populations are less well understood. To address this gap, the present study conducted a series of latent profile analyses with the factors of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory, childhood trauma, and trait anxiety in 560 Chinese incarcerated boys ( Mage = 16.92, SD = 0.81). Four subgroups emerged: relatively normal (67.3%); callous, psychopathy-like (2.8%); moderate psychopathy-like (24.8%); and high traumatic, moderate psychopathy-like (5.1%). Moreover, the modified Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars method was used to examine the significant mean differences on covariates across profiles, including proactive aggression, reactive aggression, affective empathy, and cognitive empathy. Results showed that the psychopathic profiles displayed differences on key variables. The callous, psychopathy-like group endorsed higher aggression and lower empathy. This study provides initial empirical support for the existence of psychopathy variants and enhances the understanding of the psychopathic construct in non-Western cultures.
Stories and Sentiment in State and Local Government Finance
Authors: Marlowe Justin
Published: October 2021

Budgets and financial statements convey essential information about revenues, expenditures, assets, and liabilities. But perhaps more important, they also convey positivity, negativity, fairness, uncertainty, and other social sentiments. This essay examines what we know, and what we need to know, about how state and local governments communicate financial sentiment. The main conclusion is that they do convey clear financial sentiments through traditional financial reporting methods and through new channels like social media. Moreover, those sentiments shift predictably in response to broader economic trends and policy priorities, and can shape how investors and other stakeholders view a government's finances. This raises several practical questions about how states and localities can measure financial sentiment, and many normative questions about whether and how they ought to attempt to manage it. The discussion also includes a brief demonstration of how to extract financial sentiment from state and local Twitter activity.
COVID-19 myocarditis cardiac magnetic resonance findings in symptomatic patients
Authors: Altay Sedat
Published: October 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may cause myocardial damage.

Purpose

To evaluate the short-term and medium-term results, as well as the imaging features of COVID-19 cardiac involvement, using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Material and Methods

In this study, laboratory and CMR findings of 15 patients with COVID-19 between May 2020 and May 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging was evaluated for myocarditis. Cardiac functions were quantitatively evaluated and compared to the control patient group. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (Hs-cTnI), C-reactive protein (CRP) exchange, and LGE were compared.

Results

Fifteen patients (7 women; mean age = 38 years) were evaluated. Six patients were treated at home, while nine patients were treated in the hospital. The patients were given remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine treatment. LGE was detected in 2 (33%) patients treated at home and 5 (55.5%) patients treated in the hospital. In hospitalized patients, levels of Hs-cTnI (mean = 7.8 pg/mL) and CRP (mean = 32.3 mg/L) were elevated. A high correlation was observed between the increase in Hs-cTnI value and LGE ( r = 0.63; P < 0.001). A low correlation was observed between an increase in CRP and LGE ( r = 033; P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in ventricular functions between the COVID-19 and control groups ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

CMR abnormalities were found in a high percentage (46%) of patients with COVID-19. Myocardial abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 can be detected by CMR. For COVID-19 myocarditis, no specific diagnostic CMR imaging feature was observed.
Systemic failures and organizational risk management in algorithmic trading: Normal accidents and high reliability in financial markets
Authors: Min Bo Hee , Borch Christian
Published: October 2021

This article examines algorithmic trading and some key failures and risks associated with it, including so-called algorithmic ‘flash crashes’. Drawing on documentary sources, 189 interviews with market participants, and fieldwork conducted at an algorithmic trading firm, we argue that automated markets are characterized by tight coupling and complex interactions, which render them prone to large-scale technological accidents, according to Perrow’s normal accident theory. We suggest that the implementation of ideas from research into high-reliability organizations offers a way for trading firms to curb some of the technological risk associated with algorithmic trading. Paradoxically, however, certain systemic conditions in markets can allow individual firms’ high-reliability practices to exacerbate market instability, rather than reduce it. We therefore conclude that in order to make automated markets more stable (and curb the impact of failures), it is important to both widely implement reliability-enhancing practices in trading firms and address the systemic risks that follow from the tight coupling and complex interactions of markets.
Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Anger: Resources and Risk Factors for Italian Prison Inmates
Authors: Danioni Francesca , Paleari Francesca Giorgia , Pelucchi Sara , Lombrano Maria Rita , Lumera Daniel , Regalia Camillo
Published: October 2021

The adjustment of prison inmates is recently becoming a social concern. In the current study we focused on the role of gratitude, interpersonal forgiveness, and anger, which have been widely addressed as likely to influence people’s health and adaptive behaviors, in shaping prison inmates’ psychological wellbeing and criminal attitudes. Participants were 104 male prison inmates aged between 24 and 75 ( Mage = 46.63, SD = 11.38) imprisoned in Northern Italy who were asked to fill in an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Results highlighted that all dimensions considered play an important, albeit different and highly specific, role; Gratitude is a promotional factor that enhances psychological wellbeing, whereas interpersonal forgiveness appears to be a protective factor against the adoption of a criminal attitude as violence or antisocial intent. Finally, anger is a risk factor toward both psychological wellbeing and violent behaviors. Implications of these results and further developments of the study are discussed.
Comparing test methods for moisture-vapor transmission rate (MVTR) for vascular access transparent semipermeable dressings
Authors: Bainbridge Paul , Browning Paul , Bernatchez Stéphanie F , Blaser Casey , Hitschmann Guido
Published: October 2021

Background:

Catheter insertion sites are commonly covered by transparent film dressings, offering protection of the insertion site from external contaminants and securement of the catheter while allowing site observation through a clear window. Currently, there is considerable focus on creating IV film dressings with ever-increasing moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTR) to prevent the accumulation of moisture under the film and reduce the risk of infection. These increasingly high MVTR IV dressings are often promoted as superior to IV dressings with lesser MVTR values.

Methods:

Since there are different methods to determine MVTR, we chose to test a series of commercially available dressings with two standard methods to compare the results and better understand the information provided by this measurement. We used European Standard EN 13726 to test the MVTR of seven different IV dressings with two different methods (upright and inverted).

Results:

We measured a range of MVTR values from 773 to 2838 g/m2/day for the upright method and from 845 to 30,530 g/m2/day for the inverted method for the seven IV dressings tested. Three dressings showed statistically different MVTR values with the two test methods.

Conclusions:

The MVTR test method (upright or inverted) used and considered for IV dressing product selection matters because the results obtained can be very different. We suggest that the upright method is better suited for IV dressings because they are not in constant contact with fluid. We conclude that the inverted method alone is not adequate to compare IV dressings.
Enhanced recognition of emotional images is not affected by post-exposure exercise-induced arousal
Authors: Smith Veronica M , Watson Poppy , Most Steven B
Published: October 2021

Research suggests that aerobic exercise (i.e., exercise aiming to improve cardiovascular fitness) promotes cognition, but the impact on memory specifically, is unclear. There is some evidence to suggest that as little as one session of post-learning exercise benefits memory consolidation. Furthermore, memory may be particularly facilitated by exercise when the individual is emotionally aroused while encoding stimuli. The current study tested whether exercise after exposure to neutral and emotional images improved memory consolidation of the items among university students. Ninety-nine students were randomly instructed to either exercise or not exercise after viewing a set of images that were positive, neutral, and negative in valence, and they were later tested on their memory. Although emotional images were remembered better than non-emotional images, the results suggested that exercise did not influence this effect or enhance consolidation of the items overall. Explanations and implications for these findings are discussed.
Treatment patterns in pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis in Germany—a nationwide claim-based analysis
Authors: Frahm Niklas , Peters Melanie , Bätzing Jörg , Ellenberger David , Akmatov Manas K. , Haas Judith , Rommer Paulus S. , Stahmann Alexander , Zettl Uwe K. , Holstiege Jakob
Published: October 2021

Background:

The manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS) in childhood and adolescence occurs in 3%−5% of all MS cases. However, the immunomodulatory and symptomatic treatment options in this population group are still limited.

Objective:

We aimed to elucidate the prescription frequency of medications used in pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) compared with the general population, considering the entire spectrum of medications prescribed.

Methods:

Based on nationwide outpatient drug prescription data and statutory health insurance (SHI) physicians’ claims data from 2018, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in Germany. Children and adolescents aged ⩽17 years ( n = 11,381,939) diagnosed with MS ( n = 613), and a matched (age, sex, and health insurance sector) control group ( n = 6130) were included. The prescription prevalence was measured as the proportion of MS patients with ⩾1 prescription.

Results:

Of the 613 pediatric PwMS with a median age of 16 years, 403 (65.7%) were female. For 15 out of the 18 different active agents analyzed, PwMS had a significantly higher prescription prevalence than the control group (Fisher’s exact test: p ⩽ 0.037). The most frequently prescribed drugs in PwMS were ibuprofen (28.4%; anti-inflammatory drug), cholecalciferol (23.0%; vitamin D3), and interferon beta-1a (21.5%; disease-modifying drug, DMD). The proportions of DMD prescriptions and antibiotic prescriptions were higher among PwMS aged 15–17 years than among those ⩽14 years (DMD: 43.4% vs 34.2%, p = 0.05; antibiotic: 34.1% vs 24.8%, p = 0.031). In contrast, younger PwMS were more likely to receive a prescription for anti-inflammatory/anti-rheumatic drugs (36.6% vs 26.5%, p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

Our study analyzing real-world medication data showed that interferon beta, anti-inflammatory drugs, and vitamins play an essential role in the treatment of pediatric PwMS. Future research should evaluate longitudinal treatment patterns of pediatric PwMS, paying particular attention to the time of diagnosis, time of first DMD initiation, and therapy switches.
Prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in US Military Veterans under outpatient care at the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Kent Kelsey G
Published: October 2021

Objectives:

There are currently no reliable estimates of the prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in the US Military Veterans. Hence, the study aims to determine its prevalence in military Veterans in the United States.

Methods:

This study utilized a retrospective, correlational design using a patient record database from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The participants in the study were Veterans diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease. Specific gastrointestinal diseases include more than 500,000 ambulatory care visits annually in the United States, which included peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia, as well as the symptoms of constipation and nausea/vomiting. This study revealed the exact prevalence of gastrointestinal disease diagnosed in Veterans served in outpatient settings by the Veterans Health Administration and broke down this prevalence over time and by the Veteran period of service.

Results:

Findings revealed that gastrointestinal disease prevalence among Veterans varied according to their period of service.

Conclusions:

Findings may help improve screening for Veterans with this increased risk factor. However, further research should be performed to verify the prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in Veterans as compared to the general American population.