bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal health-related quality of life at 1 year after a preterm birth: role of socioeconomic status at birth
Authors: Benhammou Valerie , Marchand-Martin Laetitia , Pierrat Véronique , Charkaluk Marie-Laure , Romito Patrizia , Kaminski Monique , Ancel Pierre-Yves , Saurel-Cubizolles Marie-Josèphe
Published: September 2023

Background

Maternal problems in the postpartum period may lead to suboptimal long-term health for women and could affect mother–child attachment. Social disadvantage is a risk factor for preterm birth, which carries its own burden of health issues and stress. The main aim of this study was to investigate the role for social factors in mothers’ physical and emotional health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 1 year after a preterm birth.

Methods

EPIPAGE-2 is a French nationwide, prospective, population-based cohort of preterm children born before 35 weeks’ gestation (N=3614 women). At birth, detailed data on the family’s social status were collected. At 1 year after birth, mothers completed a mailed questionnaire to report information on their HRQoL, assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short Form. We used multivariate linear regression models to assess the association between social factors and maternal HRQoL.

Results

At 1 year after childbirth, the emotional HRQoL of mothers of preterm children was worse than their physical HRQoL, even in women without any previous signs of psychological distress at the infant’s discharge from hospital. Baseline social characteristics were the most important factors influencing the physical component of HRQoL. None of the studied social factors had any clear association with the mental component of HRQoL.

Conclusion

Our study underlines the importance of social disadvantage during pregnancy as risk factors for poor physical HRQoL at 1 year after a preterm birth.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Sweden: an observational cohort study
Authors: Silfverberg Thomas , Zjukovskaja Christina , Ljungman Per , Nahimi Adjmal , Ahlstrand Erik , Dreimane Arta , Einarsdottir Sigrun , Fagius Jan , Iacobaeus Ellen , Hägglund Hans , Lange Niclas , Lenhoff Stig , Lycke Jan , Mellergård Johan , Piehl Fredrik , Svenningsson Anders , Tolf Andreas , Cherif Honar , Carlson Kristina , Burman Joachim
Published: September 2023

Background

A growing evidence base supports the use of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but it has not yet been integrated into most national clinical guidelines. The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety when aHSCT is implemented in routine healthcare.

Methods

We assessed 231 patients and the final analysis included 174 RRMS patients who were treated with aHSCT in Sweden before 1 January 2020. Efficacy was evaluated by performing a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Swedish MS registry. Procedure-related safety was assessed by analysing data from electronic patient records covering a period of 100 days following aHSCT.

Results

With a median follow-up time of 5.5 (IQR: 3.4–7.5) years, the Kaplan-Meier estimate for no evidence of disease activity was 73% (95% CI 66% to 81%) at 5 years and 65% (95% CI 57% to 75%) at 10 years. Out of the 149 patients with baseline disability, 80 (54%) improved, 55 (37%) were stable and 14 (9%) deteriorated. The mean number of adverse events per patient was 1.7 (±SD: 1.5) for grade 3 events and 0.06 (±SD: 0.3) for grade 4 events. Febrile neutropenia was the most common adverse event, affecting 68% of patients. There was no treatment-related mortality.

Conclusions

Treatment with aHSCT for RRMS is associated with freedom from disease activity in a majority of patients, with acceptable adverse events. This procedure should be considered a standard of care for patients with highly active RRMS.
Reductions in sampling effort for fishery-independent age and length composition: balancing sampling efficiency, data uncertainty, and workforce health
Authors: Hulson Peter-John F. , Williams Benjamin C. , Bryan Meaghan D. , Conner Jason , Siskey Matthew R.
Published: September 2023

Unavoidable survey effort reduction has become a reality that must be accounted for in fisheries stock assessment. In addition, negative consequences to survey staff health due to repetitive motion injuries are becoming increasingly costly for managing agencies. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of reductions in age and length data used in fisheries stock assessment models. The main goal was to determine whether sampling can be reduced to a level that does not excessively increase data uncertainty, yet provides a reduction in repetitive motions that can cause injury to survey staff. We found that reducing length sampling to a maximum of 100–150 fish sampled per haul (either sex-specific or combined sex) provides length composition data for which the uncertainty is not appreciably increased, and it has minimal effect on the uncertainty in age composition data that is subsequently expanded from this subsampled length frequency data. The method employed here, and the results presented, can aid management agencies to balance the magnitude of data collection and subsequent consequences to fisheries stock assessment models.
Minimal linear codes derived from weakly regular bent and plateaued functions
Authors: Mesnager Sihem , Sınak Ahmet
Published: September 2023

The construction of (minimal) linear codes from functions has received much attention in the literature. In this paper, we derive several minimal codes from the sets of pre-images of weakly regular plateaued and bent functions over the odd characteristic finite fields. Based on the recent construction method, we obtain six-weight and seven-weight minimal codes from these functions. The Hamming weights in proposed codes are calculated from the character sums of the sets based on the Walsh spectrum of the employed functions, while the weight distributions of the codes are determined from both the sizes of the employed sets and the Walsh distributions of the employed functions.
Semisimplicity and separability for pseudocompact algebras
Authors: Iusenko Kostiantyn , MacQuarrie John William
Published: September 2023

We give a self-contained introduction to the wonderfully well-behaved class of pseudocompact algebras, focusing on the foundational classes of semisimple and separable algebras. We give characterizations of such algebras analogous to those for finite dimensional algebras. We give a self-contained proof of the Wedderburn–Malcev Theorem for pseudocompact algebras.
ALL: Supporting Experiential Accessibility Education and Inclusive Software Development
Authors: Shi Weishi , Moses Heather , Yu Qi , Malachowsky Samuel , Krutz Daniel E.
Published: September 2023

Creating accessible software is imperative for making software inclusive for all users.Unfortunately, the topic of accessibility is frequently excluded from computing education, leading to scenarios where students are unaware of either how to develop accessible software or see the need to create it. To address this challenge, we have created a set of educational labs that are systematically designed to not only inform students about fundamental topics in producing accessible software but also demonstrate its importance. Over the previous year, these labs were included in several Computer Science 2 offerings at the Rochester Institute of Technology, comprising a total of 500 student participants. This article discusses instructional observations from these offerings, some of which include the following: (i) many of the research findings from previous efforts remain true with the larger, more diverse evaluation; (ii) our created material and format reduced students’ belief that creating accessible software was difficult in relation to the baseline,; (iii) we observed that our created material and format benefited student opinion that creating accessible software is important, and (iv) computing majors may not be uniformly impacted by experiential educational accessibility material. The educational labs are publicly available on the project website (https://all.rit.edu).
LibAM: An Area Matching Framework for Detecting Third-Party Libraries in Binaries
Authors: Li Siyuan , Wang Yongpan , Dong Chaopeng , Yang Shouguo , Li Hong , Sun Hao , Lang Zhe , Chen Zuxin , Wang Weijie , Zhu Hongsong , Sun Limin
Published: September 2023

Third-party libraries (TPLs) are extensively utilized by developers to expedite the software development process and incorporate external functionalities. Nevertheless, insecure TPL reuse can lead to significant security risks. Existing methods, which involve extracting strings or conducting function matching, are employed to determine the presence of TPL code in the target binary. However, these methods often yield unsatisfactory results due to the recurrence of strings and the presence of numerous similar non-homologous functions. Furthermore, the variation in C/C++ binaries across different optimization options and architectures exacerbates the problem. Additionally, existing approaches struggle to identify specific pieces of reused code in the target binary, complicating the detection of complex reuse relationships and impeding downstream tasks. And, we call this issue the poor interpretability of TPL detection results.

In this article, we observe that TPL reuse typically involves not just isolated functions but also areas encompassing several adjacent functions on the Function Call Graph (FCG). We introduce LibAM, a novel Area Matching framework that connects isolated functions into function areas on FCG and detects TPLs by comparing the similarity of these function areas, significantly mitigating the impact of different optimization options and architectures. Furthermore, LibAM is the first approach capable of detecting the exact reuse areas on FCG and offering substantial benefits for downstream tasks. To validate our approach, we compile the first TPL detection dataset for C/C++ binaries across various optimization options and architectures. Experimental results demonstrate that LibAM outperforms all existing TPL detection methods and provides interpretable evidence for TPL detection results by identifying exact reuse areas. We also evaluate LibAM’s scalability on large-scale, real-world binaries in IoT firmware and generate a list of potential vulnerabilities for these devices. Our experiments indicate that the Area Matching framework performs exceptionally well in the TPL detection task and holds promise for other binary similarity analysis tasks. Last but not least, by analyzing the detection results of IoT firmware, we make several interesting findings, for instance, different target binaries always tend to reuse the same code area of TPL. The datasets and source code used in this article are available at
https://github.com/Siyuan-Li201/LibAM
.
MELD 3.0 in Advanced Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Mazumder Nikhilesh R. , Fontana Robert J.
Published: September 2023

The MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) 3.0 score was developed to replace the MELD-Na score that is currently used to prioritize liver allocation for cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation in the United States. The MELD 3.0 calculator includes new inputs from patient sex and serum albumin levels and has new weights for serum sodium, bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and creatinine levels. It is expected that use of MELD 3.0 scores will reduce overall waitlist mortality modestly and improve access for female liver transplant candidates. The utility of MELD 3.0 and PELDcre (pediatric end-stage liver disease, creatinine) scores for risk stratification in cirrhotic patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and other interventions requires further study. This article reviews the background of the MELD score and the rationale to create MELD 3.0 as well as potential implications of using this newer risk stratification tool in clinical practice.
Candidate Selection for Implantation: Noninvasive Predictors of Seizure Onset Zone Focality and Surgical Outcome in People with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Evaluated by Intracranial Video-EEG Monitoring—A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jannone-Pedro Nicolas , Hampel Kevin G. , Garces-Sanchez Mercedes , Conde-Sardon Rebeca , Gutierrez-Martin Antonio , Villanueva Vicente
Published: September 2023

Objectives. People with drug-resistant epilepsy are potential candidates for epilepsy surgery, a subset of whom requires intracranial video-EEG monitoring (IVEM) to determine the seizure onset zone (SOZ). The purpose of this study is to investigate noninvasive predictors of SOZ focality and surgical outcome in order to optimise case selection for this procedure. Materials and Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent IVEM at our centre from January 2006 to July 2021. We applied a multivariate logistic regression model to estimate the effect of potential noninvasive data as influencing factors for both SOZ focality and surgical outcome. A focal SOZ included a sublobar onset on IVEM, and a good surgical outcome was defined as Engel class I. Results. A total of 783 underwent a presurgical evaluation, 102 of them with IVEM. Ninety-seven patients were included in the SOZ focality analysis, and 64 were included in the surgical outcome analysis. The presence of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (

p
=
0.03

) and generalised interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) during scalp EEG (

p
=
0.02

) predicted a nonfocal SOZ. A weekly (

p
=
0.01

) or daily seizure frequency (

p
<
0.01

), focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (

p
=
0.01

), nonlesional MRI (

p
<
0.01

), and multifocal (

p
=
0.02

) or generalised IEDs (

p
<
0.01

) were associated with a poor surgical outcome. Conclusions. A high seizure frequency, positive history of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, nonlesional MRI, and generalised and multifocal IEDs are noninvasive factors that may aid in selecting candidates for IVEM.
The first photographic evidence of Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii Gray, 1837 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Herpestidae) in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Javed Anver  , Vipul Maurya  , Sanjay Kumar Pathak
Published: September 2023

The Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii was recorded for the first time in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh. This would increase the known range of the Ruddy Mongoose from India and is the first photographic evidence from Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The record of Ruddy Mongoose would contribute to the list of mammals of Uttar Pradesh.
TMEM215 Prevents Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in Vessel Regression by Blunting BIK-Regulated ER-to-Mitochondrial Ca Influx
Authors: Zhang Peiran , Yan Xianchun , Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Yuan , Feng Xingxing , Yang Ziyan , Zhang Jiayulin , Xu Xinyuan , Zheng Qijun , Liang Liang , Han Hua
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:

In developmental and pathological tissues, nascent vessel networks generated by angiogenesis require further pruning/regression to delete nonfunctional endothelial cells (ECs) by apoptosis and migration. Mechanisms underlying EC apoptosis during vessel pruning remain elusive. TMEM215 (transmembrane protein 215) is an endoplasmic reticulum–located, 2-pass transmembrane protein. We have previously demonstrated that TMEM215 knockdown in ECs leads to cell death, but its physiological function and mechanism are unclear.

METHODS:

We characterized the role and mechanism of TMEM215 in EC apoptosis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells by identifying its interacting proteins with immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry. The physiological function of TMEM215 in ECs was assessed by establishing a conditional knockout mouse strain. The role of TMEM215 in pathological angiogenesis was evaluated by tumor and choroidal neovascularization models. We also tried to evaluate its translational value by delivering a
Tmem215
small interfering RNA (siRNA) using nanoparticles in vivo.

RESULTS:

TMEM215
knockdown in ECs induced apoptotic cell death. We identified the chaperone BiP as a binding partner of TMEM215, and TMEM215 forms a complex with and facilitates the interaction of BiP (binding immunoglobin protein) with the BH (BCL-2 [B-cell lymphoma 2] homology) 3-only proapoptotic protein BIK (BCL-2 interacting killer).
TMEM215
knockdown triggered apoptosis in a BIK-dependent way and was abrogated by BCL-2. Notably,
TMEM215
knockdown increased the number and diminished the distance of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and increased mitochondrial calcium influx. Inhibiting mitochondrial calcium influx by blocking the IP
3
R (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor) or MCU (mitochondrial calcium uniporter) abrogated
TMEM215
knockdown–induced apoptosis.
TMEM215
expression in ECs was induced by physiological laminar shear stress via
EZH2
downregulation. In EC-specific
Tmem215
knockout mice, induced
Tmem215
depletion impaired the regression of retinal vasculature characterized by reduced vessel density, increased empty basement membrane sleeves, and increased EC apoptosis. Moreover, EC-specific
Tmem215
ablation inhibited tumor growth with disrupted vasculature. However,
Tmem215
ablation in adult mice attenuated lung metastasis, consistent with reduced
Vcam1
expression. Administration of nanoparticles carrying
Tmem215
siRNA also inhibited tumor growth and choroidal neovascularization injury.

CONCLUSIONS:

TMEM215
, which is induced by blood flow-derived shear stress via downregulating
EZH2
, protects ECs from BIK-triggered mitochondrial apoptosis mediated by calcium influx through mitochondria-associated ER membranes during vessel pruning, thus providing a novel target for antiangiogenic therapy.
Common Cancer Types and Risk of Stroke and Bleeding in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Population‐Based Study in England
Authors: Ajabnoor Alyaa M. , Parisi Rosa , Zghebi Salwa S. , Ashcroft Darren M. , Faivre‐Finn Corinne , Morris Charlotte , Mamas Mamas A. , Kontopantelis Evangelos
Published: September 2023

Background

The association between cancer and stroke or bleeding outcomes in atrial fibrillation is unclear. We sought to examine how certain types of cancer influence the balance between stroke and bleeding risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods and Results

We estimated stroke and bleeding risk among adult patients with NVAF and certain types of cancer (breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, and hematological cancer) from 2009 to 2019 based on data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD and Aurum databases. The control group included patients with NVAF only. Of 177 065 patients with NVAF, 11379 (6.4%) had cancer (1691 breast, 3955 prostate, 1666 colorectal, 2491 hematological, and 1576 lung). Compared with patients without cancer, stroke risk was higher in patients with breast cancer (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.20 [95% CI, 1.07–1.35) and with prostate cancer (aHR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.01–1.12) if diagnosed within 6 months before NVAF. The risk of bleeding was increased in subjects with hematological cancer (aHR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.40–1.71]), lung cancer (aHR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.25, 1.77]), prostate cancer (aHR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.28–1.49]), and colorectal cancer (aHR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.21–1.53]), but not for subjects with breast cancer. The more recent the cancer diagnosis before NVAF diagnosis (within 6 months), the higher the risk of bleeding.

Conclusions

Breast and prostate cancer are associated with increased stroke risk, whereas in some cancer types, the risk of bleeding seemed to exceed stroke risk. In these patients, prescribing of oral anticoagulant should be carefully evaluated to balance bleeding and stroke risk.
Cancer Therapy–Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Authors: Chen Dong‐Yi , Lee Cheng‐Hung , Tsai Ming‐Lung , Hsieh Ming‐Jer , Chuang Cheng‐Keng , Pang See‐Tong , Chen Shao‐Wei , Tseng Chi‐Nan , Chang Shang‐Hung , Chu Pao‐Hsien , Hsieh I‐Chang , Wu Victor Chien‐Chia , Huang Wen‐Kuan
Published: September 2023

Background

The risk of cardiac dysfunction for patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the real‐world setting remains unclear.

Methods and Results

A total of 1120 patients with prostate cancer and a baseline echocardiography scan were identified from Chang Gung Research Database between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2019. Patients were treated with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist therapy, gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist therapy, or bilateral orchiectomy. Changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were further assessed in 421 patients using repeated measurements of LVEF before and during ADT treatment. The incidence of cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction (CT‐RCD) was evaluated and defined as a ≥10% absolute decline in LVEF from baseline to a value of <53%. Among 421 patients undergoing ADT, LVEF declined from 66.3±11.3% to 62.5±13.6% (95% CI of mean difference: −5.0% to −2.7%) after a mean follow‐up period of 1.6±0.8 years. CT‐RCD occurred in 58 patients (13.7%) with a nadir LVEF of 40.3±9.1% after ADT. Lower baseline LVEF was significantly associated with CT‐RCD (odds ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.04–1.10]). The area under the curve of baseline LVEF for discriminating CT‐RCD was 75.6%, with the corresponding optimal cutoff value of 64.5% (sensitivity, 79.3%; specificity, 67.2%).

Conclusions

ADT with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist therapy, gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist therapy, and bilateral orchiectomy were associated with an increased risk of CT‐RCD in patients with prostate cancer. In addition, lower baseline LVEF was a significant predictor of CT‐RCD in patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment with ADT.
Pickering Syndrome: An Overlooked Renovascular Cause of Recurrent Heart Failure
Authors: Sanga Viola , Bertoli Eleonora , Crimì Filippo , Barbiero Giulio , Battistel Michele , Seccia Teresa Maria , Rossi Gian Paolo
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACTRecurring and rapidly developing (flash) pulmonary edema is the hallmark of Pickering syndrome, affecting patients with hypertension and atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (either bilateral or unilateral) in a solitary functioning kidney, and impaired renal function. We herein report on a series of consecutive patients with recurrent hospital admissions for pulmonary edema, impaired renal function (chronic kidney disease class 4–5), and atherosclerotic bilateral renal artery stenosis, in whom Pickering syndrome had been long neglected. We also describe a streamlined diagnostic strategy entailing little or no need for contrast medium, thus carrying no risks of further worsening of renal function. This allowed us to make the correct diagnosis and opened the way to revascularization by percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stent, which provided swift recovery of kidney function with resolution of pulmonary congestion and long‐term pulmonary edema‐ and dialysis‐free survival in all cases. In summary, these findings support the following key messages: (1) considering the diagnosis of Pickering syndrome, followed by searching atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, is an essential step toward a life‐saving revascularization that avoids dialysis and an otherwise poor outcome; and (2) a simplified strategy entailing little or no need for contrast medium, carrying no associated risks of deteriorating renal function, permits the diagnosis of Pickering syndrome.
Was COVID‐19 Associated With Worsening Inequities in Stroke Treatment and Outcomes?
Authors: Glance Laurent G. , Benesch Curtis G. , Joynt Maddox Karen E. , Bender Matthew T. , Shang Jingjing , Stone Patricia W. , Lustik Stewart J. , Nadler Jacob W. , Galton Christopher , Dick Andrew W.
Published: September 2023

Background

COVID‐19 stressed hospitals and may have disproportionately affected the stroke outcomes and treatment of Black and Hispanic individuals.

Methods and Results

This retrospective study used 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file data from between 2016 and 2020. We used interrupted time series analyses to examine whether the COVID‐19 pandemic exacerbated disparities in stroke outcomes and reperfusion therapy. Among 1 142 560 hospitalizations for acute ischemic strokes, 90 912 (8.0%) were Hispanic individuals; 162 752 (14.2%) were non‐Hispanic Black individuals; and 888 896 (77.8%) were non‐Hispanic White individuals. The adjusted odds of mortality increased by 51% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.51 [95% CI, 1.34–1.69];
P
<0.001), whereas the rates of nonhome discharges decreased by 11% (aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.82–0.96];
P
=0.003) for patients hospitalized during weeks when the hospital's proportion of patients with COVID‐19 was >30%. The overall rates of motor deficits (
P
=0.25) did not increase, and the rates of reperfusion therapy did not decrease as the weekly COVID‐19 burden increased. Black patients had lower 30‐day mortality (aOR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.69–0.72];
P
<0.001) but higher rates of motor deficits (aOR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.12–1.16];
P
<0.001) than White individuals. Hispanic patients had lower 30‐day mortality and similar rates of motor deficits compared with White individuals. There was no differential increase in adverse outcomes or reduction in reperfusion therapy among Black and Hispanic individuals compared with White individuals as the weekly COVID‐19 burden increased.

Conclusions

This national study of Medicare patients found no evidence that the hospital COVID‐19 burden exacerbated disparities in treatment and outcomes for Black and Hispanic individuals admitted with an acute ischemic stroke.
Measuring Convective Organization
Authors: Biagioli Giovanni , Tompkins Adrian Mark
Published: September 2023

Organized systems of deep convective clouds are often associated with high-impact weather and changes in such systems may have implications for climate sensitivity. This has motivated the derivation of many organization indices that attempt to measure the level of deep convective aggregation in models and observations. Here we conduct a comprehensive review of existing methodologies and highlight some of their drawbacks, such as only measuring organization in a relative sense, being biased toward particular spatial scales, or being very sensitive to the details of the calculation algorithm. One widely used metric, Iorg, uses statistics of nearest-neighbor distances between convective storms to address the first of these concerns, but we show here that it is insensitive to organization beyond the meso-β scale and very contingent on the details of the implementation. We thus introduce a new and complementary metric, Lorg, based on all-pair convective storm distances, which is also an absolute metric that can discern regular, random, and clustered cloud scenes. It is linearly sensitive to spatial scale in most applications and robust to the implementation methodology. We also derive a discrete form suited to gridded data and provide corrections to account for cyclic boundary conditions and finite, open boundary domains of nonequal aspect ratios. We demonstrate the use of the metric with idealized synthetic configurations, as well as model output and satellite rainfall retrievals in the tropics. We claim that this new metric usefully supplements the existing family of indices that can help to understand convective organization across spatial scales.

Significance Statement

The clustering and organization of convection is associated with high-impact weather and changes could impact climate sensitivity, but no consensus exists on how to best measure organization. Here we suggest a new metric that is robust to the calculation details and can classify scenes as random, clustered, or regular. This new metric can therefore account for spacing of organized convective systems and convective storms on scales spanning tens of kilometers to the entire tropics. We suggest that the new metric Lorg addresses many shortcomings of existing measures and can act as a useful additional tool to further understanding of convective organization.
Acute Large Ovarian Cyst After Surgical Resection of Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumor Stage 1C
Authors: Spencer Brianna L. , Lotakis Dimitra M. , Imel Sydni , Speck K. Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

Juvenile granulosa cell tumors (JGCTs) are rare, though carry significant burden of morbidity and mortality. A 15-year-old menstruating female with abdominal pain was diagnosed with a large 22.3 cm pelvic mass. CA-125 and LDH were elevated. Exploratory laparotomy was undertaken due to lesion size, and left salpingo-oophorectomy with omentectomy was completed. Pathology confirmed JGCTs with focal disruption, consistent with Stage IC disease. Six weeks postoperatively, the patient experienced recurrent abdominal pain and ultrasound revealed a 7.9 cm right ovarian cystic structure. Given size and nodularity, management was discussed with a multidisciplinary team. Serial ultrasounds demonstrated resolution of the cyst. Workup for ovarian masses in pediatric patients has added complexity of fertility preservation. Once ovarian torsion is ruled out, imaging and laboratory studies are completed to characterize the mass. In pediatric patients with cancer of the Mullerian structures and risk of infertility, decision-making can be challenging and is best managed with a multidisciplinary approach.
Visualization of Risk Factors and Predictive Models for Early Death of Neonatal Gastric Perforation
Authors: Mengying Cui , Pengfei Chen , Jinfeng Hou , Yi Wang , Wei Liu , Zhenhua Guo
Published: September 2023

A retrospective analysis was performed from May 2003 to October 2021 at our hospital. One hundred and eleven neonates diagnosed with gastric perforation were categorized into non-survivor and survivor groups based on prognosis. The mortality rate was 23.42%. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the early neonatal death. The non-survivor groups showed more abdominal distension, vomiting, hypoxia, acidosis, hyperkalemia, and coagulation abnormalities. Serum potassium concentration (odds ratio [OR] 2.148, P = .043) was an independent risk factor; however, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (OR 0.977, P = .024), bicarbonate (OR 0.779, P = .023), and platelet count (OR 0.986, P = .014) had protective effects on neonatal death. Based on this, a visualized nomogram prediction model was constructed, patients who had a nomogram score of more than 163.787 was considered to have high risks of mortality, the area under the curve of this was up to 0.828 (95% confidence interval [0.733, 0.923]), the sensitivity was 80.0%, and the specificity was 76.9%.
Contributions and Limitations Walk Score® in the Context of Walkability: A Scoping Review
Authors: Brown Jennifer Ann , Curtin Kimberley D. , Thomson Mathew , Kung Janice Y. , Nykiforuk Candace I. J.
Published: September 2023

Walkability is a critical component of built environments, yet there is still diverse conceptualization and measurement of the construct. The Walk Score® metric is one measure of walkability, which is widely used in scholarly, industry, and public domains. With increased interest in the use of Walk Score® as a research tool, it is necessary to examine the operationalization and scope of the measure. This scoping review examined how researchers utilized Walk Score® in walkability research, with specific attention to identifying limitations related to health outcomes as well as the use of the metric in non-health research contexts. Findings from the review provide a novel and critically nuanced understanding of how the assumptions and limitations of Walk Score® are addressed relative to socio-ecological aspects of walkability.
The Influence of Multiple Community Level Traumatic Event Types on Mental Health Outcomes
Authors: Grey Ian , Makki Zeina , Kahale Christelle , Abi Habib Rudy , Tohme Pia
Published: September 2023

Lebanon witnessed three large-scale negative community level events in 2020; a severe economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an explosion in the port of the capital city, Beirut, which resulted in the deaths of 218 individuals and several thousand injured. The current study examined the relationship between the number of community level events individuals identified as personally impactful and corresponding levels of anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD. The study also examined the roles of specific protective factors including perceived social support, resilience, and religious coping. A total of 406 participants aged between 18 to 64 years completed validated self-report measures online in February 2021. Results indicated elevated levels of mental health difficulties within the sample with over half of the participants reporting moderate to severe anxiety and moderate to severe depression and meeting the cut-off for probable PTSD. Females had significantly higher scores on measures of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Individuals reporting all three events as negatively impactful were 47% more likely to meet the cut-off for PTSD than individuals identifying a single event. Resilience appeared to be the strongest protective factor against elevated scores on all three mental health outcomes. Higher scores on negative religious coping were also associated with elevated PTSD scores. Low levels of resilience, higher negative religious coping, and being a female were identified as significant predictors of reaching the PTSD cut-off using binary logistic regression analysis.
TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND ELECTORAL BEHAVIOR IN INDONESIA
Authors: Harakan Ahmad , Pelizzo Riccardo , Kuzenbayev Nygmetzhan
Published: September 2023

While several studies on the issue have shown that traditional beliefs affect people's political behavior and preferences, very little attention has been paid to how traditional beliefs influence electoral behavior. The only study that has attempted to link traditional beliefs and electoral behavior has done so by analyzing the case of Togo where the party system has been traditionally fairly stable and unfragmented. The case of Indonesia, on the other hand, has undergone significant changes since the end of the Orde Baru, and what was once a fairly unfragmented party system now displays high levels of fragmentation. Hence, it is particularly interesting to explore how the presence/diffusion of traditional beliefs shapes the voters’ choices in a changing, increasingly fragmented, democratizing political system. Moreover, in reviewing the literature on Indonesian elections, we find that, first, the study of electoral behavior in Indonesia has made little effort to employ existing theoretical frameworks; second, quantitative studies are scarce; and third, there are practically no micro‐level quantitative studies on electoral behavior. In this article, we assess whether and to what extent the electoral choice of a voter is affected by whether and to what extent they hold on to traditional beliefs by performing statistical analyses of original survey data. We find that voters with a traditional mindset are more likely to vote for the secular parties in the ruling coalition than voters who do not hold traditional beliefs.
Bipartisanship on China in a polarized America
Authors: Carothers Christopher , Sun Taiyi
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the need for the United States to compete with and counter an increasingly assertive China has become a rare point of agreement between Democrats and Republicans, leading to a boom in China-related legislation with bipartisan support. This study asks two questions: first, whether this new China consensus is substantive or, as some analysts argue, superficial; and second, why bipartisan cooperation on China has emerged despite America’s intense political polarization. We address these two questions through a systematic analysis of China-related legislation and U.S. legislators’ messaging about China on social media. We find that the new consensus is substantive, with many bipartisan bills mandating meaningful action on trade, technology, diplomatic and military affairs, and human rights issues. Moreover, we argue that the new consensus emerged largely in 2017–2018, in response to several developments indicating China’s growing threat—geopolitical, economic, and ideological—to U.S. predominance in the international order. This study provides fresh insights on U.S.-China relations and contributes theoretically to the study of when external threats induce bipartisanship and when they do not.
The value of folate receptor-positive circulating tumour cells as a diagnostic biomarker for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Fangjun , Ni Yihong , Zhang Jin , Hao Yang , Tian Zhoujunyi , Qiang Guangliang
Published: September 2023

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the diagnostic value of folate receptor-positive (FR+) circulating tumour cells (CTCs) as a potential tumour marker for lung cancer diagnosis.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant articles published between database inception and November 2022. Eligible studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the curve (AUC) were pooled with 95% confidence intervals (CI), using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 17.0 software to assess the diagnostic value of FR+CTC for lung cancer.

Results

After screening, 11 studies involving 3469 subjects were eligible for inclusion. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.79 (95% CI 0.76, 0.82) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.81, 0.96), respectively, and the pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were 4.90 (95% CI 4.25, 5.65) and 0.25 (95% CI 0.22, 0.29), respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 19.70 (95% CI 16.06, 24.16). The AUC of the pooled summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.89 (95% CI 0.85, 0.91). Sensitivity analysis showed that this result was stable after one-by-one study elimination.

Conclusion

Folate receptor-positive CTCs may have good diagnostic value in lung cancer.
Restorative Justice in Education: A Content Analysis of US State Legislation From 2010 to 2020
Authors: Molloy Jen K. , Trautman Ashley , Springer Shareen , Riquino Michael R. , Colson Madeline , Reese Sarah E. , Ross Caroline , Nguyen Van
Published: September 2023

This study sought to understand how state-level policies inform and promote the implementation of restorative justice in education (RJE). A content analysis of 60 laws revealed that definitions, structures, and supports varied greatly, causing us to question whether policies support a systematic implementation of RJE and how policies can prevent the misuse of RJE as an alternative system of punishment. We recommend that laws clearly define the paradigm shift underlying RJE, and provide sustained support to promote a realignment of policies and practices with attention to incorporating measures of accountability to larger values surrounding equity and justice.
How Stakeholder Pressure Affects the Effectiveness of International-Local Nongovernmental Organization Collaboration in Localization of Humanitarian Aid
Authors: Moshtari Mohammad , Zaefarian Ghasem , Vanpouke Evelyne
Published: September 2023

Collaborative engagement between international and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) has recently been promoted as an effective strategy to enhance internal process strengths but less as a strategy to localize humanitarian aid programs; a grand strategy that aims to strengthen local capacity, develop local capabilities, and boost regional humanitarian project performance. While stakeholders deem to play an important role in leveraging the efficiencies of such collaborative engagements between international and local actors, there is limited empirical knowledge about how stakeholder pressure affects the association between the collaboration–performance association within international and local NGOs. Drawing on stakeholder theory, we propose a model to examine the role of donors, media, and governments, three major stakeholders noteworthy because of their power and legitimacy to moderate the collaboration–performance association in this NGO context. We test our hypotheses across a series of samples collected at both international and local NGOs in 2015 and 2020. From a practical perspective, we discuss how the traditional role of NGOs as implementers of aid programs is shifting toward a new role as conveners and capability builders.
(Not) Addressing issues in electoral campaigns
Authors: Barberà Salvador , Gerber Anke
Published: September 2023

Two candidates competing for election may raise some issues for debate during the electoral campaign, while avoiding others. We present a model in which the decision to introduce an issue, or to reply to the opponent’s position on one that she raised, may change the further list of topics that end up being discussed. Candidates’ strategic decisions are driven by their appraisal of their expected vote share at the end of the campaign. Real phenomena observed during campaigns, like the convergence of the parties to address the same issues, or else their diverging choice on which ones to treat, or the relevance of issue ownership can be explained within our stark basic model. Most importantly, our analysis is based on a novel concept of equilibrium that avoids the (often arbitrary) use of predetermined protocols. This allows us to endogenously predict not only the list of topics that will be touched upon by each candidate, but also the order in which they will be addressed.
Linkages between Livelihood Assets, Healthcare Facilities and Health Well-being: A Study of Indo-Bangladesh Border
Authors: Banu Nasrin
Published: September 2023

This paper is devoted to exploring the linkages between livelihood assets, healthcare facilities and health well-being in Indo-Bangladesh international border adjacent location. To establish the linkages, Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) has been adopted here. The study assumes that adjacency to the international border makes the location vulnerable. The study evaluates that lesser access to healthcare facilities in Border Adjacent Zone (BAZ) makes the people unable to cope with their poor health conditions. Even the livelihood asset is not at a satisfactory level by which the worse condition are to be overcome. Better health conditions and greater access to healthcare facilities make the households in Border Distant Zone (BDZ) enjoy sustainable health well-being that too with higher scores of livelihood assets.
Effect of Support Group Approach on Behavior, Stress, and Coping Factors Among the Family Caregivers of Head Injury Survivors
Authors: Kaur Haneet , Monaliza  , Kaur Sukhpal , Salunke Pravin , Aggarwal Ashish
Published: September 2023

Background:

Head injuries may lead to permanent disabilities or death. Long-term complications and health problems of the patients may impact the physical and mental health of the family caregivers. Support group approach helps the caregivers to deal with the circumstances that may arise during the care of their survivors.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of support group approach on risk of development of health and behavior problems, level of stress, and coping level among the caregivers of the head injury survivors.

Materials and Methods:

A quasiexperimental study was conducted in Neurosurgery Units, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. A total of 60 caregivers (30 each in control and experimental groups) were enrolled by total enumeration technique. Data were collected using an interviewing schedule consisting (a) sociodemographic profile of the caregivers, (b) caregiver self-assessment questionnaire, (c) the Kingston caregiver stress scale, and (d) coping scale. The caregivers in the control group received routine care. In the experimental group, they were involved in group discussions during support group meetings. Various methods of dealing with stress, risk for development of health and/or behavior problems, coping strategies were discussed in the support group meetings where the teachings and demonstrations were given to the caregivers. In support group meetings, the caregivers discussed their problems and expressed their ideas and coping strategies to solve their problems. An information booklet on the same was also given to them. The follow-up was carried out at 15 days and 1.5 months of the enrollment of the patients.

Results:

The risk of development of health and behavior problems decreased in both the experimental and control groups. Median values of caregiver’s stress score was significantly less in the experimental group ( P < .01) as compared to the control group. All the caregivers in the experimental group and only 10.0% in the control group had above average coping to deal with the problems in their day-to-day activities.

Conclusion:

“Support group approach” for the caregivers of head injury caregivers was found to be effective in terms of decreasing the risk of development of health and behavior problems, improving coping, and reducing stress among the caregivers. Therefore, support group approach can be encouraged in order to enhance the knowledge and confidence of the caregivers to deal with the problems of the patients.
Book review: Satinder Kumar Lambah, In Pursuit of Peace: India–Pakistan Relations Under Six Prime Ministers
Authors: Shah Mubashir Ahmad
Published: September 2023

Satinder Kumar Lambah, In Pursuit of Peace: India–Pakistan Relations Under Six Prime Ministers. Penguin Random House, 2023, pp. 384, ₹799, ISBN 9780670097944.
Risk factors determining adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Del Rosario García Betel , Viña Romero María Micaela , González Rosa Virginia , Alarcón Payer Carolina , Oliva Oliva Leonor , Merino Alonso Francisco Javier , Nazco Casariego Gloria Julia , Gutiérrez Nicolás Fernando
Published: September 2023

Objective

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have successfully changed the natural course of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Although they are highly effective drugs, their clinical benefit is conditioned by adherence. This study aims to analyse the adherence of CML patients treated with TKIs and to identify the main factors influencing their adherence to TKIs treatment.

Material and methods

An 8-month prospective, observational, multicentre study which included patients diagnosed with CML on treatment with TKIs attending the outpatient departments (OPD) of the Pharmacy Services of the participating hospitals. Adherence was assessed using two methods: the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) and the register of treatment dispensations from the OPDs. To analyse the predictors of adherence, a questionnaire was developed to report demographic and socio-economic information on the patients.

Results

A total of 130 patients enrolled in this study. Adherence rate was 56.9% (n = 74) among individuals, not conditioned by the type of drug used: imatinib (54.8%), nilotinib (63.6%) or dasatinib (54.3%) ( p =  0.67). The patient educational level ( p =  0.047) and employment status ( p =  0.028) were predictors of non-adherence to treatment.

Conclusions

Adherence is one of the most relevant parameters affecting the effectiveness of highly effective chronic treatments. Approximately half of our patients showed inadequate adherence to treatment with TKIs, with employment status and the individual's level of education emerging as the determining factors.