bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of DCE-CT-derived blood volume and flow compared to core biopsy microvessel density in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Drljevic-Nielsen Aska , Rasmussen Finn , Nielsen Patricia Switten , Stilling Christina , Thorup Kennet , Mains Jill Rachel , Madsen Hans Henrik Torp , Donskov Frede
Published: July 2021

Background

Angiogenesis is prominent in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We compared two angiogenesis assessment methods: dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT)-derived blood volume (BV) and blood flow (BF) and core biopsy microvessel density (MVD).

Methods

As planned in DaRenCa Study-1 study, DCE-CT and core biopsy were performed from the same tumour/metastasis at baseline. MVD was assessed by CD34 immunostaining in tumour (CD34-indexT) or tumour including necrosis (CD34-indexTN). BV and BF were assessed using the DCE-CT software. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Spearman coefficient (rho) tested the correlation between MVD and BV, BF, or CT density (HU).

Results

At baseline, 25 patients had analysable scans and tissue. BVdeconv, BVPatlak, and BFdeconv > median were associated with favourable OS (43.2 versus 14.6 months, p = 0.002; 31.6 versus 20.2 months, p = 0.015; and 31.6 versus 24.5 months, p = 0.019). CD34-indexT and CD34-indexTN did not correlate with age (p = 0.543), sex (p = 0.225), treatment (p = 0.848), International mRCC Database Consortium category (p = 0.152), synchronous versus metachronous metastatic disease (p = 0.378), or tumour volume (p = 0.848). CD34-indexT or CD34-indexTN > median was not associated with PFS (p = 0.441 and p = 0.854, respectively) or OS (p = 0.987 and p =0.528, respectively). CD34-indexT or CD34-indexTN was not correlated with BV, BF, or HU (rho 0.20–0.26).

Conclusions

Differently from MVD, DCE-CT-derived BV and BF had prognostic impact and may better reflect angiogenesis in mRCC.

Trial registration

NCT01274273
Establishment of particulate matter-induced lung injury model in mouse
Authors: Park Se Yong , An Kyu Sup , Lee Buhyun , Kang Ju-Hee , Jung Hyun Jin , Kim Min Woo , Ryu Hyeon Yeol , Shim Kyu-Suk , Nam Ki Taek , Yoon Yeo Sung , Oh Seung Hyun
Published: July 2021

Background

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the principal causes of human respiratory disabilities resulting from air pollution. Animal models have been applied to discover preventive and therapeutic drugs for lung diseases caused by PM. However, the induced severity of lung injury in animal models using PM varies from study to study due to disparities in the preparation of PM, and the route and number of PM administrations. In this study, we established an in vivo model to evaluate PM-induced lung injury in mice.

Results

PM dispersion was prepared using SRM2975. Reactive oxygen species were increased in MLE 12 cells exposed to this PM dispersion. In vivo studies were conducted in the PM single challenge model, PM multiple challenge model, and PM challenge with ovalbumin-induced asthma using the PM dispersion. No histopathological changes were observed in lung tissues after a single injection of PM, whereas mild to moderate lung inflammation was obtained in the lungs of mice exposed to PM three times. However, fibrotic changes were barely seen, even though transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed the presence of PM particles in the alveolar macrophages and alveolar capillaries. In the OVA-PM model, peribronchial inflammation and mucous hypersecretion were more severe in the OVA+PM group than the OVA group. Serum IgE levels tended to increase in OVA+PM group than in OVA group.

Conclusions

In this study, we established a PM-induced lung injury model to examine the lung damage induced by PM. Based on our results, repeated exposures of PM are necessary to induce lung inflammation by PM alone. PM challenge, in the presence of underlying diseases such as asthma, can also be an appropriate model for studying the health effect of PM.
Review: distributed time-domain sensors based on Brillouin scattering and FWM enhanced SBS for temperature, strain and acoustic wave detection
Authors: Bao Xiaoyi , Zhou Zichao , Wang Yuan
Published: July 2021

Distributed time-domain Brillouin scattering fiber sensors have been widely used to measure the changes of the temperature and strain. The linear dependence of the temperature and strain on the Brillouin frequency shift enabled the distributed temperature and strain sensing based on mapping of the Brillouin gain spectrum. In addition, an acoustic wave can be detected by the four wave mixing (FWM) associated SBS process, in which phase matching condition is satisfied via up-down conversion of SBS process through birefringence matching before and after the conversion process. Brillouin scattering can be considered as the scattering of a pump wave from a moving grating (acoustic phonon) which induces a Doppler frequency shift in the resulting Stokes wave. The frequency shift is dependent on many factors including the velocity of sound in the scattering medium as well as the index of refraction. Such a process can be used to monitor the gain of random fiber laser based on SBS, the distributed acoustic wave reflect the distributed SBS gain for random lasing radiation, as well as the relative intensity noise inside the laser gain medium. In this review paper, the distributed time-domain sensing system based on Brillouin scattering including Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometry (BOTDR), Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA), and FWM enhanced SBS for acoustic wave detection are introduced for their working principles and recent progress. The distributed Brillouin sensors based on specialty fibers for simultaneous temperature and strain measurement are summarized. Applications for the Brillouin scattering time-domain sensors are briefly discussed.
Data-driven clustering differentiates subtypes of major depressive disorder with distinct brain connectivity and symptom features
Authors: Wang Yanlin , Tang Shi , Zhang Lianqing , Bu Xuan , Lu Lu , Li Hailong , Gao Yingxue , Hu Xinyu , Kuang Weihong , Jia Zhiyun , Sweeney John A. , Gong Qiyong , Huang Xiaoqi
Published: July 2021

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous syndrome. Identifying discrete subtypes of illness with distinguishing neurobiological substrates and clinical features is a promising strategy for guiding personalised therapeutics.

Aims

This study aimed to identify depression subtypes with correlated patterns of functional network connectivity and clinical symptoms by clustering patients according to a weighted linear combination of both features in a relatively large, medication-naïve depression sample.

Method

We recruited 115 medication-naïve adults with MDD and 129 matched healthy controls, and evaluated all participants with magnetic resonance imaging. We used regularised canonical correlation analysis to identify component mapping relationships between functional network connectivity and symptom profiles, and K-means clustering was used to define distinct subtypes of patients.

Results

Two subtypes of MDD were identified: insomnia-dominated subtype 1 and anhedonia-dominated subtype 2. Subtype 1 was characterised by abnormal hyperconnectivity within the ventral attention network and sleep maintenance insomnia. Subtype 2 was characterised by abnormal hypoconnectivity in the subcortical and dorsal attention networks, and prominent anhedonia symptoms.

Conclusions

Our study identified two distinct subtypes of patients with specific neurobiological and clinical symptom profiles. These findings advance understanding of the biological and clinical heterogeneity of MDD, offering a pathway for defining categorical subtypes of illness via consideration of both biological and clinical features.
Are adverse effects of cannabidiol (CBD) products caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contamination?
Authors: Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Habel Stephanie , Fischer Berit , Herbi Frauke , Zerbe Yvonne , Bock Verena , Rajcic de Rezende Tabata , Walch Stephan G. , Sproll Constanze
Published: July 2021

Cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products are widely marketed as over the counter products, mostly as food supplements. Adverse effects reported in anecdotal consumer reports or during clinical studies were first assumed to be due to hydrolytic conversion of CBD to psychotropic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in the stomach after oral consumption. However, research of pure CBD solutions stored in simulated gastric juice or subjected to various storage conditions such as heat and light with specific liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatographic/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric (UPLC-QTOF) analyses was unable to confirm THC formation. Another hypothesis for the  adverse effects of CBD products may be residual Δ9-THC concentrations in the products as contamination, because most of them are based on hemp extracts containing the full spectrum of cannabinoids besides CBD. Analyses of 181 food products of the German market (mostly CBD oils) confirmed this hypothesis: 21 products (12%) contained Δ9-THC above the lowest observed adverse effect level (2.5 mg/day). Inversely, CBD was present in the products below the no observed adverse effect level. Hence, it may be assumed that the adverse effects of some commercial CBD products are based on a low-dose effect of Δ9-THC and not due to effects of CBD itself. The safety, efficacy and purity of commercial CBD products is highly questionable, and all of the products in our sample collection showed various non-conformities to European food law such as unsafe Δ9-THC levels, hemp extracts or CBD isolates as non-approved novel food ingredients, non-approved health claims, and deficits in mandatory food labelling requirements. In view of the growing market for such lifestyle products, the effectiveness of the instrument of food business operators' own responsibility for product safety and regulatory compliance must obviously be challenged, and a strong regulatory framework for hemp products needs to be devised.
Eating versus skipping breakfast has no discernible effect on obesity-related anthropometric outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bohan Brown Michelle M. , Milanes Jillian E. , Allison David B. , Brown Andrew W.
Published: July 2021

Background:Eating or skipping breakfast for weight interests scientific and lay communities. Our objective was to systematically review and meta-analyze causal effects of eating versus skipping breakfast on obesity-related anthropometric outcomes in humans.

Methods:Six databases were searched for obesity- and breakfast-related terms (final search: 02 JAN 2020). Studies needed to isolate eating versus skipping breakfast in randomized controlled trials. Mean differences were synthesized using inverse variance random effects meta-analysis for each outcome. Positive estimates indicate higher outcomes in breakfast conditions (e.g., weight gain). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, secondary baseline habit-by-breakfast assignment analysis, and study duration cumulative analysis were performed. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results:Ten articles (12 comparisons; 6d-12wk) were included. Conditions included recommendations to eat versus skip breakfast, or provision of some or all meals. 95% confidence intervals of all main analyses included the null value of no difference for each outcome: body weight (0.17 kg [-0.40,0.73], k=12, n=487, I2=74.5), BMI (0.07 kg/m2[-0.10,0.23, k=8, n=396, I2=54.1), body fat percentage (-0.27% [-1.01,0.47], k=6, n=179, I2=52.4), fat mass (0.24 kg [-0.21,0.69], k=6, n=205, I2=0.0), lean mass (0.18 kg [-0.08,0.44], k=6, n=205, I2=6.7), waist circumference (0.18 cm [-1.77,2.13], k=4, n=102, I2=78.7), waist:hip ratio (0.00 [-0.01,0.01], k=4, n=102, I2=8.0), sagittal abdominal diameter (0.19 cm [-2.35,2.73], k=2, n=56, I2=0.0), and fat mass index (0.00 kg/m2[-0.22,0.23], k=2, n=56, I2=0.0). Subgroup analysis showed only one statistically significant result. The interaction effect for BMI (–0.36[-0.65,-0.07]) indicates assignment to conditions consistent with baseline habits had lower BMI. Leave-one-out analysis did not indicate substantial influence of any one study.

Conclusions:There was no discernible effect of eating or skipping breakfast on obesity-related anthropometric measures when pooling studies with substantial design heterogeneity and sometimes statistical heterogeneity.

Registration:PROSPEROCRD42016033290.
Economic burden of out-of-pocket expenditure, productivity cost during pregnancy and COVID-19 impact on household economy in a cohort of pregnant women in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka; A study protocol
Authors: Gunarathne Sajaan Praveena , Wickramasinghe Nuwan Darshana , Agampodi Thilini Chanchala , Prasanna Indika Ruwan , Agampodi Suneth Buddhika
Published: July 2021

Background: Investigating the out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) associated with maternal health is important since OOPE directly affects the affordability of health services. Global evidence suggests the importance of capturing the productivity cost during pregnancy in terms of absenteeism and presenteeism. Furthermore, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the household economy needs to be further evaluated as pregnant women are one of the most vulnerable groups. This study aims at determining the economic burden of OOPE, productivity cost, and COVID-19 impact on pregnant women's household economy in a cohort of pregnant women in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.

Methods: The study setting is all 22 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. The study has three components; a follow-up study of a cohort of pregnant women to assess the magnitude and associated factors of OOPE and to assess the productivity cost (Component 1), a qualitative case study to explore the impact and causes of the OOPE under free health services (Component 2) and a cross-sectional study to describe the effects of COVID-19 outbreak on household economy (Component 3). The study samples consist of 1,393 and 1,460 participants for components one and three, respectively, and 25 pregnant women will be recruited for component two. The data will be analyzed using descriptive, parametric, and non-parametric statistics for the first and third components and thematic analysis for the second component.

Discussion: With the lack of evidence on OOPE, productivity loss/cost in terms of maternal health, and COVID-19 impact on household economy in Sri Lanka, the evidence generated from this study would be valuable for policymakers, health care administrators, and health care practitioners globally, regionally, and locally to plan for future measures for reducing the OOPE, productivity loss/cost, and minimizing the economic hardship of the COVID-19 outbreak during pregnancy.
Differential CTCF binding in motor neurons and lymphocytes
Authors: Atasever Arslan Belkis , Brady Scott T. , Gunal Sadik Gamze
Published: July 2021

Background: Diversity is critical to lymphocyte roles in the immune system and to neurons, which form complex network structures in the brain. Emerging evidence suggests that an increasing number of molecules associated with the immune system are also expressed in various central nervous system (CNS) regions and play crucial roles in brain development. Examination of shared molecular mechanisms underlying neurogenesis and lymphocyte differentiation may clarify relevant pathways, and suggests additional biomarkers in lymphocytes for neurological disorders. These results can contribute to find biomarkers that can be monitored through patient lymphocyte populations.

Methods: We analysed similarities and conserved regions in several genes regulated by CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) during lymphocyte and neuronal developmental stages. We performed epigenetic analyses of CTCF binding Trak1, Gabpa, Gabpb1, Gabpb2, Gfi1, Gfi1b gene loci in T and B lymphocytes at different developmental stages, as well as in neural progenitor cells and motor neurons.

Results: Common and shared CTCF binding events at Trak1 suggest additional transcriptional regulatory factors that control Trak1 gene expression levels differ in neurons and lymphocytes. Gabpb1 includes a common CTCF binding site shared with neurons and lymphocytes. Correlation of CTCF binding analysis and gene expression profile suggests that CTCF binding plays a role in epigenetic regulation of Gabpb1 gene. While Gfi1a is phylogenetically well-conserved and CTCF sites are occupied in lymphocytes, there are no CTCF binding occupied in neurons and neural progenitor cells. Although Gfi1b is highly homologous to Gfi1, differences in expression levels suggest that Gfi1b is critical for both lymphogenesis and neurogenesis. Neurons and lymphocytes have multiple common CTCF binding sites in the Gfi1b gene.

Conclusions: The partial overlap in CTCF regulatory sites for some genes in neurons and lymphocytes suggests that there may be markers which can exhibit parallel changes in these cells and serve as biomarkers.
Organizing knowledge to enable faster data interpretation in COVID-19 research
Authors: Hearnshaw Joseph , Brandizi Marco , Singh Ajit , Rawlings Chris , Hassani-Pak Keywan
Published: July 2021

Enormous volumes of COVID-19 research data have been published and this continues to increase daily. This creates challenges for researchers to interpret, prioritize and summarize their own findings in the context of published literature, clinical trials, and a multitude of databases. Overcoming the data interpretation bottleneck is vital to help researchers to be more efficient in their quest to identify COVID-19 risk factors, potential treatments, drug side-effects, and much more. As a proof of concept, we have organized and integrated a range of COVID-19 and human biomedical data and literature into a knowledge graph (KG). Here we present the datasets we have integrated so far and the content of the KG which consists of 674,969 biological concepts and over 1.6 million relationships between them. The COVID-19 KG is available via KnetMiner, an interactive online platform for gene discovery and knowledge mining, or via RDF and Neo4j graph formats which can be searched programmatically through SPARQL and Cypher endpoints. KnetMiner is a road mapped ELIXIR UK service. We hope this integrated resource will enable faster data interpretation and discovery of linkages between genes, drugs, diseases and many more types of information relating to COVID-19.
Predicting coronary artery disease risk in firefighters – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ras Jaron , Leach Lloyd
Published: July 2021

Background: Firefighters are placed under severe cardiovascular load in performing active duty and, when carrying various coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, firefighters are predisposed to significant morbidity and mortality. Reducing the incidence of these risk factors is paramount. The purpose of this study is to determine the predictors of CAD risk.  

Methods: This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational design. The researchers conveniently sampled 124 full-time firefighters from the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service. A researcher-generated questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and CAD risk factors information, such as age, gender, ethnicity, family history of CAD, cigarette smoking and physical activity levels, and all research procedures were conducted according to the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. Data collection took place between September and November 2019. Linear and logistic regression were used to determine the relationship between the various CAD risk factors and the predictors of CAD risk.  

Results: Age was a significant predictor of hypertension (p <0.01), dyslipidemia (p <0.01), diabetes (p <0.01), obesity (p <0.01) and central obesity (p <0.01). Gender was a significant predictor of obesity, central obesity and cigarette smoking (p <0.05). Waist circumference was a significant predictor of hypertension (p <0.01), dyslipidemia (p <0.01) and diabetes (p <0.05).  

Conclusion: Age was a significant predictor of various modifiable CAD risk factors, including obesity, in both genders and all ethnicities. Attentive monitoring should be in place as firefighters age, along with behavioural modifications designed to reduce age-related increases in CAD risk factors.
Human-centred design of a new microneedle-based hormonal contraceptive delivery system
Authors: Gualeni Benedetta , Hughes Louise , Stauber Isabelle , Ackers Louise , Gorman Angela , Gashuga Dorothy , Dzabala Nettie , Chimimba Frider , Chikowe Ibrahim , Coulman Sion A. , Birchall James C.
Published: July 2021

Background: It is estimated that 225 million women worldwide have an unmet need for family planning, and more than half live in low- and middle-income countries. Increasing the choice of contraceptive methods available can reduce this unmet need. Microneedle drug delivery systems represent a new technology for minimally invasive self-administration of contraceptives. We explored stakeholders’ views on different aspects of a proposed microneedle-based hormonal contraceptive delivery system. The feedback was used to iteratively develop this delivery system.

Methods: Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with potential stakeholders (women and trans males of childbearing age, their partners, and health professionals and organisations that provide family planning advice and contraception services) in Uganda, The Gambia, Malawi, and the UK, exploring concept acceptability and gathering feedback on different aspects of design and usability of the proposed delivery system.

Results: Participants viewed the concept of a new, microneedle-based contraceptive favourably. In Uganda, participants were presented with 7 different prototype applicators and identified desirable features of a preferred delivery device; their input reducing the number of prototypes that were subsequently evaluated by stakeholders in The Gambia and the UK. Participants in these countries helped to identify and/or confirm the most desirable characteristics of the applicator, resulting in design consolidation into a refined concept applicator. The final, optimised applicator prototype was validated during user research in Malawi. This human-centred design approach was also used to iteratively develop an information leaflet for the device. During these user studies, other preferred aspects of a contraceptive delivery system were also evaluated, such as anatomical site of application, duration of action, and return to fertility.

Conclusions: A new microneedle-based contraceptive delivery system was iteratively developed using a human-centred design approach and was favourably received by potential stakeholders. The product is now being refined for testing in pre-clinical studies.
The HCT Index: a typology and index of health conspiracy theories with examples of use
Authors: Stubbersfield Joseph M. , Widger Tom , Russell Andrew J. , Tehrani Jamshid J.
Published: July 2021

Background:Conspiracy theories regarding vaccination programmes, medical side effects, and cover-ups by governments or pharmaceutical companies are prevalent in many countries and have highly detrimental and far-reaching effects on people’s wellbeing. For research and policymaking in public health, it is vital to understand the nature, construction and dissemination of these health conspiracy theories (HCTs). Inspired by tale typologies developed in folkloristics, this paper presents a typology and index of international HCTs as a tool for researchers to identify and categorise the HCTs they come across, and to provide a pool of examples of HCTs which could be used in various fields of research. To illustrate this, two studies are also presented (Study 1 and Study 2).

Methods:HCTs were collected from relevant academic literature, news journalism, a survey of known health-related, general conspiracy theorist websites, and web searches based around known HCTs. From this, 14 core types were identified, and a numbered index was constructed with brief descriptions, examples, and motifs. Study 1 is a survey of HCT exposure and belief in the UK. Study 2 is a focus group discussion of health rumours in rural Sri Lanka including discussion of HCTs.

Results:The HCT Index provides valuable insights into the international dissemination of HCTs. Study 1 found that familiarity with and belief in HCTs were high: 97% of Britons are familiar with at least one HCT and 49% of Britons believed that at least one HCT was likely to be true. Study 2 highlighted concerns over threats to fertility and about how to verify information that falls outside of typical experience.

Conclusions:The HCT Index provides a useful framework for future cross-cultural research. As a typology it encompasses a wide range of beliefs which can be more effectively categorized and compared and, ultimately, challenged.
How Stereotypes Are Shared Through Language: A Review and Introduction of the Social Categories and Stereotypes Communication (SCSC) Framework
Authors: Beukeboom Camiel J. , Burgers Christian
Published: July 2021

Language use plays a crucial role in the consensualization of stereotypes within cultural groups. Based on an integrative review of the literature on stereotyping and biased language use, we propose the Social Categories and Stereotypes Communication (SCSC) framework. The framework integrates largely independent areas of literature and explicates the linguistic processes through which social-category stereotypes are shared and maintained. We distinguish two groups of biases in language use that jointly feed and maintain three fundamental cognitive variables in (shared) social-category cognition: perceived category entitativity, stereotype content, and perceived essentialism of associated stereotypic characteristics. These are: (1) Biases in linguistic labels used to denote categories, within which we discuss biases in (a) label content and (b) linguistic form of labels; (2) Biases in describing behaviors and characteristics of categorized individuals, within which we discuss biases in (a) communication content (i.e., what information is communicated), and (b) linguistic form of descriptions (i.e., how is information formulated). Together, these biases create a self-perpetuating cycle in which social-category stereotypes are shared and maintained. The framework allows for a better understanding of stereotype maintaining biases in natural language. We discuss various opportunities for further research.
Communicating Uncertainty During Public Health Emergency Events: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sopory Pradeep , Day Ashleigh M. , Novak Julie M. , Eckert Kristin , Wilkins Lillian , Padgett Donyale R. , Noyes Jane P. , Barakji Fatima A. , Liu Juan , Fowler Beth N. , Guzman-Barcenas Javier B. , Nagayko Anna , Nickell Jacob J. , Donahue Damecia , Daniels Kimberly , Allen Tomas , Alexander Nyka , Vanderford Marsha L. , Gamhewage Gaya M.
Published: July 2021

To answer the question, What are the best ways to communicate uncertainties to public audiences, at-risk communities, and stakeholders during public health emergency events? we conducted a systematic review of published studies, grey literature, and media reports in English and other United Nations (UN) languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. Almost 11,500 titles and abstracts were scanned of which 46 data-based primary studies were selected, which were classified into four methodological streams: Quantitative-comparison groups; Quantitative-descriptive survey; Qualitative; and Mixed-method and case-study. Study characteristics (study method, country, emergency type, emergency phase, at-risk population) and study findings (in narrative form) were extracted from individual studies. The findings were synthesized within methodological streams and evaluated for certainty and confidence. These within-method findings were next synthesized across methodological streams to develop an overarching synthesis of findings. The findings showed that country coverage focused on high and middle-income countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, and the event most covered was infectious disease followed by flood and earthquake. The findings also showed that uncertainty during public health emergency events is a multi-faceted concept with multiple components (e.g., event occurrence, personal and family safety, recovery efforts). There is universal agreement, with some exceptions, that communication to the public should include explicit information about event uncertainties, and this information must be consistent and presented in an easy to understand format. Additionally, uncertainty related to events requires a distinction between uncertainty information and uncertainty experience. At-risk populations experience event uncertainty in the context of many other uncertainties they are already experiencing in their lives due to poverty. Experts, policymakers, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders experience event uncertainty and misunderstand some uncertainty information (e.g., event probabilities) similar to the public. Media professionals provide event coverage under conditions of contradictory and inconsistent event information that can heighten uncertainty experience for all.
Echo Chambers on Social Media: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Ludovic Terren Ludovic Terren , Rosa Borge-Bravo Rosa Borge-Bravo
Published: July 2021

There have been growing concerns regarding the potential impact of social media on democracy and public debate. While some theorists have claimed that ICTs and social media would bring about a new independent public sphere and increase exposure to political divergence, others have warned that they would lead to polarization through the formation of echo chambers. The issue of social media echo chambers is both crucial and widely debated. This article attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the scientific literature on this issue, shedding light on the different approaches, their similarities, differences, benefits, and drawbacks, and offering a consolidated and critical perspective that can hopefully support future research in this area. Concretely, it presents the results of a systematic review of 55 studies investigating the existence of echo chambers on social media, providing a first classification of the literature and identifying patterns across the studies’ foci, methods and findings. We found that conceptual and methodological choices influence the results of research on this issue. Most importantly, articles that found clear evidence of echo chambers on social media were all based on digital trace data. In contrast, those that found no evidence were all based on self-reported data. Future studies should take into account the possible biases of the different approaches and the significant potential of combining self-reported data with digital trace data.
Humans Are People, Too: Nurturing an Appreciation for Nature in Communication Research
Authors: Floyd Kory
Published: July 2021

A growing literature illuminates the biological and evolutionary antecedents, consequences, and correlates of communication behavior. With few exceptions, however, the research is conducted outside of the communication discipline and remains unknown within the communication field. This essay offers illustrative literature reviews for several communicative behaviors and argues that the communication discipline should embrace, rather than ignore, the bioevolutionary factors involved in human social behavior.
The Complexity Paradigm for Studying Human Communication: A Summary and Integration of Two Fields
Authors: Sherry John
Published: July 2021

This popular quote from Hamlet might be recast for the field of communication as “There are more things in science than are dreamt of in our philosophies”. This article will review several new and strange ideas from complexity science about how the natural world is organized and how we can go about researching it. These strange ideas, (e.g., deterministic, but unpredictable systems) resonate with many communication phenomena that our field has traditionally had difficulty studying. By reviewing these areas, we hope to add a new, compelling and useful way to think about science that goes beyond the current dominant philosophy of science employed in communication. Though the concepts reviewed here are difficult and often appear at odds with the dominant paradigm; they are not. Instead, this approach will facilitate research on problems of communication process and interaction that the dominant paradigm has struggled to study. Specifically, this article explores the question of process research in communication by reviewing three major paradigms of science and then delving more deeply into the most recent: complexity science. The article provides a broad overview of many of the major ideas in complexity science and how these ideas can be used to study many of the most difficult questions in communication science. It concludes with suggestions going forward for incorporating complexity science into communication.
Social norms: A review
Authors: Chung Adrienne , Rimal Rajiv N.
Published: July 2021

Social norms, as a topic of inquiry, has garnered significant attention from a variety of perspectives in recent years. Because of the rapidly-growing interest in social norms from scholars in multiple disciplines, this area of scholarship is often characterized by a lack of clarity on what constitutes social norms and how key concepts are operationalized. The objectives of this article are to (a) provide a review of the fast-expanding literature on social norms, (b) delineate similarities and differences in key operational definitions, (c) review theories that explicate how norms affect behaviors, (d) propose a revised theoretical framework that helps organize our understanding of normative inf luence on behavior, and (e) provide suggestions for future research in this area. This review highlights the need to consider whether a behavior is enacted spontaneously or after deliberation. If the former, whichever attitude or norm is most salient will likely have a direct effect on behavior. If the latter, we propose that behavioral, individual, and contextual attributes will influence the extent to which norms shape behavioral intentions and subsequent behavior. Finally, this review highlights the need for more studies designed to test the causal relationship between social norms and behaviors, as well as those that study norms from a qualitative perspective.
A long look back: An analysis of 50 years of organizational communication research (1964-2013)
Authors: Garner Johny T. , Ragland J. Parker , Leite Megan , Young Jordan , Bergquist Gretchen , Summers Sydney , Pool Gentrie , Taylor Samuel , Tian Xi , Reyes Eduardo , Haynes Micah , Ivy Trey
Published: July 2021

As a means of understanding the identity and heritage of organizational communication scholarship, we conducted a content analysis of 1,399 articles published in communication journals since 1964. Our findings demonstrate key turning points in organizational communication scholarship, trends in the development of knowledge, and areas in which this discipline can continue to grow in future endeavors. While research has problematized power and has emphasized the constitutive nature of communication, more research is needed to explore alternative forms of organizing and to expand diversity scholarship beyond gender and nationality. While research has grown more theoretically complex, work can still be done developing meso-level theories that highlight the role of communication in various organizing processes. While qualitative methods have erased the dominance of quantitative methods, greater parity and an appreciation for how methods may inform each other would advance scholarly contributions. While the number of studies conducted in organizations has grown, the percentage of studies using field work methods has declined, increasing the risk that research may miss important contextual cues. We discuss the implications of these findings as a road map for new scholars wanting to understand what organizational communication has been and all scholars wanting to know what organizational communication can be.
Efficient Simulation-Based Toll Optimization for Large-Scale Networks
Authors: Osorio Carolina , Atasoy Bilge
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a simulation-based optimization technique for high-dimensional toll optimization problems of large-scale road networks. We formulate a novel analytical network model. The latter is embedded within a metamodel simulation-based optimization (SO) algorithm. It provides analytical and differentiable structural information of the underlying problem to the SO algorithm. Hence, the algorithm no longer treats the simulator as a black box. The analytical model is formulated as a system of nonlinear equations that can be efficiently evaluated with standard solvers. The dimension of the system of equations scales linearly with network size. It scales independently of the dimension of the route choice set and of link attributes such as link length. Hence, it is a scalable formulation suitable for the optimization of large-scale networks. For instance, the model is used in the case study of the paper for toll optimization of a Singapore network with more than 4,050 OD (origin-destination) pairs and 18,200 feasible routes. The corresponding analytical model is implemented as a system of 860 nonlinear equations. The analytical network model is validated based on one-dimensional toy network problems. It captures the main trends of the simulation-based objective function and, more importantly, accurately locates the global optimum for all experiments. The proposed SO approach is then used to optimize a set of 16 tolls for the network of expressways and major arterials of Singapore. The proposed method is compared with a general-purpose algorithm. The proposed method identifies good quality solutions at the very first iteration. The benchmark method identifies solutions with similar performance after 2 days of computation or similarly after more than 30 points have been simulated. The case study indicates that the analytical structural information provided to the algorithm by the analytical network model enables it to (i) identify good quality solutions fast and (ii) become robust to both the quality of the initial points and to the stochasticity of the simulator. The final solutions identified by the proposed algorithm outperform those of the benchmark method by an average of 18%.
O ESPAÇO PÚBLICO NA CONTEMPORANEIDADE E NO FUTURO: O UTOPISMO QUANDO APLICADO
Authors: Franciscon Anderson , Bovo Marcos Clair
Published: July 2021

Introdução: Na contemporaneidade, o espaço público urbano, mais precisamente: as ruas, calçadas, parques e praças, por muitas vezes, têm seu uso e funções subutilizadas, conflituosas, predominando o desvio de função, o medo e a diferença em contraponto ao espaço público autêntico, ou seja, aquele de livre acesso, tanto físico, quanto simbólico. Com a popularização do automóvel, com o aumento da violência e com a baixa qualidade formal e funcional do espaço público contemporâneo, temos uma problemática em curso, ou seja, espaços públicos que já não cumprem sua função. Objetivo: Dessa forma, visando maximizar seu uso e reduzir seus conflitos, propomos como objetivo refletir sobre os estudos desenvolvidos acerca do espaço público ideal e utópico. Para tanto, levantamos os seguintes questionamentos: a) o que é um bom espaço público? b) o que visa um espaço público utópico? c) o que vem sendo idealizado e já implantado? Metodologia: Nosso aporte metodológico teve por base a pesquisa bibliográfica. Resultados:  Dentre os resultados, destacamos que no utopismo a coexistência (sociocultural, ambiental e entre modais de transportes) constitui a sua principal característica. Já o bom espaço público é aquele capaz de despertar o desejo de permanência de seus usuários. Conclusão: O espaço público utópico demandará impactante mudança socioespacial em nossas cidades, considerando novas mobilidades, energias alternativas, recriação da paisagem primária e, principalmente, primar pela coexistência.
FEVEREIRO TEM CARNAVAL? POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS PARA O SETOR DE TURISMO EM PERNAMBUCO DECORRENTES DA PANDEMIA DA COVID-19
Authors: Araujo Cristina Pereira de , Kiyotani Ilana Barreto , Santos Denise Betânia Marques dos , Lins Camilla de Andrade , Santos Otávio Augusto Alves dos
Published: July 2021

Esse artigo tem por objetivo avaliar como o Estado de Pernambuco, por meio de suas políticas públicas, tem enfrentado a pandemia de COVID-19 em relação ao setor de turismo. Para tanto, traz um panorama do impacto da pandemia, considerando o primeiro semestre de 2020, nas contas públicas, no fluxo aéreo, nos meios de hospedagem e na empregabilidade, tendo como fontes de dados os portais da transparência e demais informações de caráter público emanadas pelos governos federal e estadual. A criação do Comitê Científico do Nordeste e suas recomendações para o enfrentamento da pandemia são cotejados no sentido de se estabelecer a adoção (ou não) de tais diretrizes para a consecução de decretos estaduais direcionados ao combate à pandemia. Intenta-se salientar como o Estado de Pernambuco busca administrar a crise, pesando os dois lados da balança: as recomendações do Consórcio e a pressão do setor para a abertura. As entrevistas com a Secretaria de Turismo, de um lado, e com pessoas ligadas ao trade turístico de outro, mostram tal impasse. Por fim, o artigo finaliza apontando que, na medida do possível, Pernambuco tem realizado um enfrentamento positivo à crise, inclusive, no que tange ao setor de turismo, buscando dar alternativas dentro do cenário apresentado.
Contribuições do Maracatu de Baque Virado na Educação Antirracista
Authors: Julio Michele Távora
Published: July 2021

A criança quando brinca movimenta-se descobrindo além do seu corpo, o mundo e reinventa-se a cada desafio que lhe é proposto. Nesse processo relaciona-se com a cultura e o universo em que vive e desvenda a cada dia, dando significado a ele. Este artigo teve como objetivo geral descrever e refletir sobre a rotina e as características do desenvolvimento das crianças da Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico, localizada na Comunidade do Bode, em Recife-PE, a fim de compreender com mais apreço as particularidades da construção da identidade destas crianças e sua contribuição para uma Educação Antirracista. De natureza qualitativa e descritiva, foram analisados os documentos nacionais relativos à Educação Infantil e Relações Étnico-Raciais, evidenciando entrelaçamentos subjetivos com acontecimentos reais, das relações étnico-raciais na Educação. A pesquisa compreendeu o período do Carnaval 2016, acompanhando todo o processo carnavalesco que começou em setembro de 2015 até o momento final, com o desfile das agremiações campeãs.  A Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico desempenha papel civilizacional na vida das crianças, com a incumbência de preservar a história de resistência da Comunidade do Bode, e atua na manutenção da luta contra o racismo e o preconceito religioso, e a valorização do (a) negro (a) que revela em sua estrutura a origem de matrizes africanas ou já elaboradas como afro-brasileira.
Into the future: the Care Quality Commission's new 5-year strategy
Authors: Halliwell Amanda
Published: July 2021

What changes does the Care Quality Commission's new 5-year strategy bring for providers? Amanda Halliwell explains the main takeaways of the regulator's new objectives.
Potentially stable and 5-by-5 spectrally arbitrary tree sign pattern matrices with all edges negative
Authors: Das Sunil
Published: July 2021

Characterization of potentially stable sign pattern matrices has been a long-standing open problem. In this paper, we give some sufficient conditions for tree sign pattern matrices with all edges negative to allow a properly signed nest. We also characterize potentially stable star and path sign pattern matrices with all edges negative. We give a conjecture on characterizing potentially stable tree sign pattern matrices with all edges negative in terms of allowing a properly signed nest which is verified to be true for sign pattern matrices up to order 6. Finally, we characterize all 5-by-5 spectrally arbitrary tree sign pattern matrices with all edges negative.
Two-year postoperative MRI appearances of anterior cruciate ligament hamstrings autografts are not correlated with functional outcomes, anterior laxity, or patient age
Authors: Bouguennec Nicolas , Robinson James , Douiri Adil , Graveleau Nicolas , Colombet Philippe D.
Published: July 2021

Aims

MRI has been suggested as an objective method of assessing anterior crucate ligament (ACL) graft “ligamentization” after reconstruction. It has been proposed that the MRI appearances could be used as an indicator of graft maturity and used as part of a return-to-sport assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between MRI graft signal and postoperative functional scores, anterior knee laxity, and patient age at operation.

Methods

A consecutive cohort of 149 patients who had undergone semitendinosus autograft ACL reconstruction, using femoral and tibial adjustable loop fixations, were evaluated retrospectively postoperatively at two years. All underwent MRI analysis of the ACL graft, performed using signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) and the Howell score. Functional outcome scores (Lysholm, Tegner, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective, and IKDC objective) were obtained and all patients underwent instrumented side-to-side anterior laxity differential laxity testing.

Results

Two-year postoperative mean outcome scores were: Tegner 6.5 (2 to 10); Lysholm 89.8 (SD 10.4; 52 to 100); and IKDC subjective 86.8 (SD 11.8; 51 to 100). The objective IKDC score was 86% A (128 patients), 13% B (19 patients), and 1% C (two patients). Mean side-to-side anterior laxity difference (134 N force) was 0.6 mm (SD 1.8; -4.1 to 5.6). Mean graft SNQ was 2.0 (SD 3.5; -14 to 17). Graft Howell scores were I (61%, 91 patients), II (25%, 37 patients), III (13%, 19 patients), and IV (1%, two patients). There was no correlation between either Howell score or SNQ with instrumented anterior or Lysholm, Tegner, and IKDC scores, nor was any correlation found between patient age and ACL graft SNQ or Howell score.

Conclusion

The two-year postoperative MRI appearances of four-strand, semitendinosus ACL autografts (as measured by SNQ and Howell score) do not appear to have a relationship with postoperative functional scores, instrumented anterior laxity, or patient age at surgery. Other tools for analysis of graft maturity should be developed. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(8):569–575.
THE ADDRESSEE-SHIP OF ANCIENT GREEK NOVELS: PORTRAYING PICTURES, DEBUNKING MYTHS
Authors: Gandarillas Marc
Published: July 2021

This paper delves into the question of the potential addresses of ancient Greek novels. After shedding some light on the matter (based on ancient sources which account for the sociocultural underpinnings of the new genre), a classification is established in an attempt to provide a deeper understanding of alleged homogeneity in readership. The entire bibliography demonstrates a discontinuation in the conception prevalent decades ago, which, based on subjective and anachronistic interpretations, would find reinforcement in the silence of ancient sources. To make matters more intricate, the surviving information regarding how the novel was viewed in ancient times appears not to point to a prestigious status thereof. All things considered, should these presumptions alone lead us to consider the novel as a low-quality genre in terms of literary and stylistic standards? Ancient Greek novel might well be one of those cases in which literary or cultural creations have called for reassessment and revaluation several centuries following their conception.