bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Trends in the Incidence and Mortality of Skin Malignant Melanoma in China from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Bai Ruhai , Huang Hui , Li Minmin , Chu Meng
Published: August 2021

Purpose. Skin malignant melanoma (SMM) is one of the fastest-growing cancers in China, with a poor prognosis, high invasiveness, and high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term trends in the incidence and mortality of SMM in China between 1990 and 2019. Patients and Methods. Incidence and mortality data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and were analyzed using an age-period-cohort framework. Results. The annual incidence net drifts were 3.523% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.318% to 3.728%) and 3.779% (95% CI: 3.585% to 3.974%) for males and females, respectively, while the corresponding annual net drifts of mortality were −0.754% (95% CI: −1.073% to −0.435%) and –0.826% (95% CI: −1.164% to −0.487%). The local drift from 1990 to 2019 was highest in males aged from 25 to 29 years. After controlling for period deviations in a single birth cohort, the SMM incidence and mortality increased exponentially with age for both sexes. Similar increasing monotonic trends were found for period and cohort effects on the incidence, while a declining trend was found for mortality. Conclusion. While the age-standardized mortality rate of SMM in China has decreased in both sexes over the past 30 years, the crude incidence rate, age-standardized incidence rate, and crude mortality rate have all increased. SMM may greatly threaten the health of the elderly in China due to the aging population. Appropriate changes should be made to raise the awareness, reduce the exposure to risk factors, and promote the early detection of SMM.
mTORC1 Promotes ARID1A Degradation and Oncogenic Chromatin Remodeling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , Zhou Yu-Feng , Cao Jian , Burley Stephen K. , Wang Hui-Yun , Zheng X.F. Steven
Published: August 2021

The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes control accessibility of chromatin to transcriptional and coregulatory machineries. Chromatin remodeling plays important roles in normal physiology and diseases, particularly cancer. The ARID1A-containing SWI/SNF complex is commonly mutated and thought to be a key tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its regulation in response to oncogenic signals remains poorly understood. mTOR is a conserved central controller of cell growth and an oncogenic driver of HCC. Remarkably, cancer mutations in mTOR and SWI/SNF complex are mutually exclusive in human HCC tumors, suggesting that they share a common oncogenic function. Here, we report that mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) interact with ARID1A and regulates ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of ARID1A protein. The mTORC1–ARID1A axis promoted oncogenic chromatin remodeling and YAP-dependent transcription, thereby enhancing liver cancer cell growth in vitro and tumor development in vivo. Conversely, excessive ARID1A expression counteracted AKT-driven liver tumorigenesis in vivo. Moreover, dysregulation of this axis conferred resistance to mTOR-targeted therapies. These findings demonstrate that the ARID1A–SWI/SNF complex is a regulatory target for oncogenic mTOR signaling, which is important for mTORC1-driven hepatocarcinogenesis, with implications for therapeutic interventions in HCC.

Significance:

mTOR promotes oncogenic chromatin remodeling by controlling ARID1A degradation, which is important for liver tumorigenesis and response to mTOR- and YAP-targeted therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma.

See related commentary by Pease and Fernandez-Zapico, p. 5608
Translating the Science of Cancer Dormancy to the Clinic
Authors: Aguirre-Ghiso Julio A.
Published: August 2021

The paradigm of metastasis has been significantly remodeled by the incorporation of cancer dormancy as a mechanism to explain long-term remission intervals followed by relapse. There is overall consensus on the potential impact of better understanding dormancy. Key cancer-cell autonomous and microenvironmental mechanisms might explain this biology and, in turn, the timing of metastasis. However, the approach and feasibility to apply this biology to clinical trials has been controversial. The discussion here provides insight into how these controversies are being resolved by the development of active clinical trials, thus bringing to reality opportunities to target cancer dormancy.
Dysregulation of Circulating miR-24-3p in Children with Obesity and Its Predictive Value for Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Zhang Bingjin , Xing Lingling , Wang Beibei
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic disorders in children. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the abnormal regulation of circulating miR-24-3p in obese children and its predictive value for metabolic syndrome. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from children with obesity (n = 45), obese children with metabolic syndrome (n = 52), and healthy controls (n = 50). The expression levels of miR-24-3p were detected by reverse transcription quantitative PCR. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-24-3p. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between serum miR-24-3p and different clinical parameters. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between miR-24-3p and obesity with metabolic syndrome in children. Results: The expression of miR-24-3p was the highest in obese children with metabolic syndrome. ROC results showed that miR-24-3p had the ability to distinguish healthy individuals from obese children (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.951) and can predict the occurrence of metabolic syndrome for obese children (AUC = 0.890). The expression level of miR-24-3p was positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.817, p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.798, p < 0.001), triglycerides (r = 0.773, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.746, p < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.623, p < 0.001), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that miR-24-3p was an independent influence factor for the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in obese children. Discussion/Conclusion: MiR-24-3p is a potential noninvasive marker for children with obesity and has predictive value for the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.
Mediating Effects of Mental Health Problems in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Obesity
Authors: Hampel Petra , Stachow Rainer , Wienert Julian
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The prevalence rates of obesity have increased in recent decades; despite leveling off in recent German studies among children and adolescents, obesity rates remain high. Psychosocial factors have an adverse impact on the maintenance of obesity. Hence, this study examined the mediating effects of mental health problems on the relation between the body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) and global health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adolescent inpatients with obesity while controlling for gender and age-group. Methods: Three simple mediation analyses with gender and age-group as covariates were conducted for n = 313 adolescents with obesity (nfemale = 193, 61.7%) aged 12–17 (M = 14.19, SD = 1.52; BMI-SDS: M = 2.67, SD = 0.52). The adolescents were asked to report their global HRQoL at admission, and their parents estimated the children’s mental health problems at home prior to inpatient rehabilitation. Results: Emotional, peer-related, and conduct problems mediated the unfavorable effects of BMI-SDS on global HRQoL, showing high, moderate, and small effect sizes, respectively (completely standardized indirect effect of emotional problems: β = −0.09, SE = 0.03, 95% B-CI = −0.15 to −0.04; conduct problems: β = −0.03, SE = 0.02, 95% B-CI = −0.06 to −0.01; peer-related problems: β = −0.10, SE = 0.03, 95% B-CI = −0.16 to −0.05). Conclusion: Mental health problems may be one salient pathway through which BMI-SDS impairs global HRQoL among adolescents with obesity. Hence, inpatient rehabilitation programs for adolescents with obesity should increase their focus more on the development of psychosocial skills. Thus, the promotion of emotion regulation and social-emotional competencies is suggested.
The Protective Effect of Notoginsenoside R1 on Isoflurane-Induced Neurological Impairment in the Rats via Regulating miR-29a Expression and Neuroinflammation
Authors: Wang Meijing , Liu Hongyan , Xu Lufeng , Li Mengmeng , Zhao Ming
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Isoflurane inhalation leads to apoptotic neurodegeneration and further results in learning and cognitive dysfunction. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), a major ingredient from Radix notoginseng, has been reported to exert neuroprotective effect during brain or neuron injury. This study aimed to investigate the effect of NGR1 on neurological impairment. Methods: Sixty-four male Sprague Dawley rat pups (15–20 g) of postnatal day 7 were recruited. Spatial learning and memory were assessed by the Morris water maze test, and the neurological severity score was determined. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of microRNA (miR)-29a. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to estimate the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the hippocampal tissues. Results: NGR1 attenuated neurological impairment induced by isoflurane, shown by the decrease in neurological function score and escape latency and the increase in staying time in the original quadrant in rats. NGR1 reversed the downregulation of miR-29a expression induced by isoflurane treatment. After the treatment of NGR1, the elevated levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β induced by isoflurane were all decreased significantly in the hippocampal tissues of rats. Additionally, the repressive action of NGR1 in neurological impairment and neuroinflammation was eliminated by downregulating miR-29a in rats. Conclusion: NGR1 protects against isoflurane-induced neurological impairment. The protective effect of NGR1 might be achieved by promoting the expression of miR-29a and preventing inflammatory response.
A Retrospective Analysis of Acute Appendicitis in Children Treated with Laparoscopic Appendectomies at a Single Center in Dubai, UAE
Authors: Syed Saad , Naji Hussein
Published: August 2021

Background: Appendicitis is one of the most common emergency conditions that occur in the pediatric population. The condition is usually suspected clinically, and the diagnosis is confirmed by radiological investigations such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. This study was conducted to contribute to global databases by presenting data from the Middle East with an objective of identifying the clinical characteristics of children who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy at a single pediatric surgery center in Dubai. Methods: A 2-year hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, Dubai, enrolling all patients younger than 14 years who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Demographic data, clinical presentation, laboratory, radiological and pathology findings, postoperative complications, and readmission rates were analyzed. Results: Fifty-six patients were operated on and enrolled in this study. All patients (56/56) presented with abdominal pain, while an associated fever was present in 44.6% (25/56); 78.5% (44/56) of the patients had nausea but 64.3% (36/56) had vomiting. On examination, all patients had abdominal tenderness, while rebound tenderness in the right iliac fossa (RIF) was found in 92.8% (52/56) of the patients. Laboratory investigations showed elevated leukocyte count in 76.7% (43/56) of patients. Appendicitis was diagnosed on ultrasound in 57.4% (31/54) of the patients, and free fluid was visualized in 40.7% (22/54) of the patients. Appendicitis was diagnosed on CT scan in all 25 patients, and free fluid was visualized in 64% (16/25) of the patients. The number of admission days ranged from 1 to 5 days, with a median of 2 days. And 62.5% (35/56) of patients were discharged in the first 2 days from admission. Major and minor complications after surgery were documented in 4 and 14 patients, respectively. Pathology reports showed features of acute appendicitis in all the resected appendices. Conclusions: Acute appendicitis in children should be suspected in all children with acute abdominal pain. This study can help guide the management of pediatric appendicitis and allow proper and standardized documentation of findings and judicious use of laboratory and radiological investigations.
Advances in Digital Pathology: From Artificial Intelligence to Label-Free Imaging
Authors: Großerueschkamp Frederik , Jütte Hendrik , Gerwert Klaus , Tannapfel Andrea
Published: August 2021

Background: Digital pathology, in its primary meaning, describes the utilization of computer screens to view scanned histology slides. Digitized tissue sections can be easily shared for a second opinion. In addition, it allows tissue image analysis using specialized software to identify and measure events previously observed by a human observer. These tissue-based readouts were highly reproducible and precise. Digital pathology has developed over the years through new technologies. Currently, the most discussed development is the application of artificial intelligence to automatically analyze tissue images. However, even new label-free imaging technologies are being developed to allow imaging of tissues by means of their molecular composition. Summary: This review provides a summary of the current state-of-the-art and future digital pathologies. Developments in the last few years have been presented and discussed. In particular, the review provides an outlook on interesting new technologies (e.g., infrared imaging), which would allow for deeper understanding and analysis of tissue thin sections beyond conventional histopathology. Key Messages: In digital pathology, mathematical methods are used to analyze images and draw conclusions about diseases and their progression. New innovative methods and techniques (e.g., label-free infrared imaging) will bring significant changes in the field in the coming years.
In the Best Interest of the Child? Justifying Decisions on Adoption from Care in the Norwegian Supreme Court
Authors: Helland Hege Stein
Published: August 2021

By utilising theories of deliberation and rational argumentation, this article critically analyses the Norwegian Supreme Court’s best interest decisions in four judgments on adoption from care. How does the Supreme Court reason their decisions and are the decisions rational? The findings show that the decisions are reasoned similarly, and conclusions are guided by norms of biology, vulnerability and stability for the child. However, discretion is applied differently across decisions, and the reasoning and balancing of individual arguments vary. The critical evaluation displays weaknesses in all judgments: one important blind spot is the failure to include the child’s views in the decision-making process. The development in terms of delivering rational, well-reasoned and thorough judgments is nonetheless positive. Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s recognition and protection of the child’s de facto family situation correspond to observed developments in the European Court of Human Rights as well as in national state policy on adoption.
Educational psychology counsellors’ views about children’s participation in educational decision-making: A thematic analysis
Authors: Hesjedal Elisabeth
Published: August 2021

The attention to children’s participation has increased dramatically during the last decade. Compared to the literature in the educational field, the literature on children’s participation in the social and health fields seems to be developing rapidly. The aim of this article is to address the importance of educational psychology service (eps) counsellors regarding special educational needs (sen) students’ rights to participate in educational decision-making. This article presents an in-depth study of seven Norwegian eps counsellors’ views about children’s participation in educational decision-making. Procedures for a qualitative inductive thematic analysis were followed to reveal four key themes, namely: parents as key persons; children’s presence on teams as an intervention; the importance of children’s age for participation; and the gap between expert assessments and individual education plans (iep s). The results, which are discussed in relation to Lundy’s (2007) model of participation and other relevant literature, show that there should be more knowledge and interventions to ensure children’s participation in educational decision-making in both research and practice. The results also indicate that structures and procedures in special education need to be considered and further developed from a participation perspective.
Revisiting the Concept of Moderation in the Age of Populism: the akp case of Turkey
Authors: Musil Pelin Ayan
Published: August 2021

This article presents the case of Turkey within the framework of this special issue entitled “On Islamist Parties and the Inclusion-Moderation Hypothesis”. I argue that rather than a distinction between the concepts of “tactical” and “ideological” moderation that the literature talks about, a distinction between the concepts of an “inclusionary-populist” and “moderate Islamist” party could provide a more useful insight over the role of Islamist and post-Islamist parties in democratization and de-democratization processes. Through a re-analysis of the secondary literature and a content analysis of 196 newspaper columns written by three pro-democracy intellectuals, I label the akp’s transition period from moderate-Islamism toward authoritarianism as its inclusionary populist phase. I show that in contexts marked by deep ideological divisions and unconsolidated democratic institutions, a shift in party identity from moderate-Islamism toward inclusionary populism can be taken as the early signal of an unfolding process of autocratization.
Meteorological Glossaries and Dictionaries: A Review of Their History and Current State
Authors: Müller Miloslav , Kocánová Barbora , Zacharov Petr
Published: August 2021

The transformation of meteorology into a modern science raised needs for collections of scientific term definitions (glossaries) and of foreign language equivalents (dictionaries). The Meteorological Glossary (United Kingdom) and the Lexique météorologique (France) were the only meteorological glossaries issued separately until World War II. In 1959, a dozen of such works existed, half of which were due to individuals and the other half due to collective efforts, including the comprehensive Glossary of Meteorology (United States) and the provisional version of International Meteorological Vocabulary. Collective authorship has been shown to be more efficient and generally prevailed in recent decades. Regarding dictionaries, the language in which the terms are sorted tells a lot about the purpose of a dictionary. In the 1930s, the British, French, and German multilingual dictionaries were ordered alphabetically in their languages, which suggests that the dictionaries were intended mainly for foreign scholars. Since World War II, bilingual dictionaries have originated in many countries, with the terms usually being ordered in foreign languages, which is more useful for domestic scholars. Dictionaries continued to be compiled subsequently because the International Meteorological Vocabulary remained limited to English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Since 2000, some meteorological glossaries and dictionaries have obtained electronic versions because such versions enable them to be kept up-to-date and allow many practical functionalities, including full-text searches, links among terms, and the thematic filtering of terms. While the diversity of meteorological glossaries will probably remain in the future, a truly international meteorological dictionary could be created by connecting national databases.
Thermodynamic Characteristics of Downdrafts in Tropical Cyclones as Seen in Idealized Simulations of Different Intensities
Authors: Wadler Joshua B. , Nolan David S. , Zhang Jun A. , Shay Lynn K.
Published: August 2021

The thermodynamic effect of downdrafts on the boundary layer and nearby updrafts are explored in idealized simulations of category-3 and category-5 tropical cyclones (Ideal3 and Ideal5). In Ideal5, downdrafts underneath the eyewall pose no negative thermodynamic influence because of eye-eyewall mixing below 2-km altitude. Additionally, a layer of higher θe between 1 and 2 km altitude associated with low-level outflow that extends 40 km outward from the eyewall region creates a “thermodynamic shield” that prevents negative effects from downdrafts. In Ideal3, parcel trajectories from downdrafts directly underneath the eyewall reveal that low-θe air initially moves radially inward allowing for some recovery in the eye, but still enters eyewall updrafts with a mean θe deficit of 5.2 K. Parcels originating in low-level downdrafts often stay below 400 m for over an hour and increase their θe by 10-14 K, showing that air-sea enthalpy fluxes cause sufficient energetic recovery. The most thermodynamically unfavorable downdrafts occur ~5 km radially outward from an updraft and transport low-θe mid-tropospheric air towards the inflow layer. Here, the low-θe air entrains into the updraft in less than five minutes with a mean θe deficit of 8.2 K. In general, θe recovery is a function of minimum parcel altitude such that downdrafts with the most negative influence are those entrained into the top of the inflow layer. With both simulated TCs exposed to environmental vertical wind shear, this study underscores that storm structure and individual downdraft characteristics must be considered when discussing paradigms for TC intensity evolution.
Evaluation of the Performance of CMIP5 and CMIP6 Models in Simulating the Victoria Mode–El Niño Relationship
Authors: Wang Zhenchao , Han Lin , Zheng Jiayu , Ding Ruiqiang , Li Jianping , Hou Zhaolu , Chao Jinghua
Published: August 2021

The Victoria mode (VM) is the second dominant sea surface temperature mode in the North Pacific, forced by North Pacific Oscillation–like extratropical atmospheric variability. Observational studies have shown that the boreal spring VM is closely connected to the following winter El Niño, with the VM efficiently acting as a precursor signal to El Niño events. This study evaluates the relationship of the spring VM with subsequent winter El Niño in the preindustrial simulations of phases 5 and 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5 and CMIP6). We found that most CMIP5 and CMIP6 models can simulate the basic characteristics of the VM reasonably well. The current CMIP6 models simulate the VM–El Niño connections more realistically as compared to the earlier CMIP5 models. The analysis further suggests that the improved capability of the CMIP6 models to simulate the VM–El Niño relationship is because the CMIP6 models are better able to capture the VM-related surface air–sea thermodynamic coupling process over the subtropical/tropical Pacific and the seasonal evolution of VM-related anomalous subsurface ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific.
A Theory of the Spring Persistence Barrier on ENSO. Part III: The Role of Tropical Pacific Ocean Heat Content
Authors: Jin Yishuai , Liu Zhengyu , McPhaden Michael J.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between upper ocean heat content (OHC) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies mainly using the neutral recharge oscillator (NRO) model both analytically and numerically. Previous studies showed that spring OHC, which leads SST by 6–12 months, represents a major source of predictability for ENSO. It is suggested that this seasonality is caused by the seasonally varying growth rate in SST anomalies. Moreover, a shortened ENSO period will lead to a reduced SST predictability from OHC, with the most significant decrease occurring in the latter half of the calendar year. The cross-correlation relationship between OHC and ENSO SST anomalies is further identified in the damped and self-excited version of the recharge oscillator model. Finally, we suggest that the seasonal growth rate of ENSO anomalies is the cause of the seasonality in the effectiveness of OHC as a predictor in ENSO forecasting, particularly as it relates to the boreal spring persistence barrier and associated spring predictability barrier. We also explain the shorter lead time between spring OHC and ENSO SST anomalies after the turn of the twenty-first century in terms of the apparent higher frequency of the ENSO period.
Non-Electoral Executive Turnover and Low-Capacity Democracy in Southern Africa
Authors: Munier Nathan
Published: August 2021

What do non-electoral turnovers tell us about the relationship between elections, executive turnover, and democratisation? Can they contribute to democratisation? To gain insight into these questions, we consider the experiences of Southern Africa. While transfers of executive authority have become commonplace in Southern Africa, they do not necessarily coincide with elections and rarely involve partisan turnover. Neither the mode nor the form of executive turnover corresponds clearly with prior assessments of democracy. This study examines recent non-electoral turnovers in Zimbabwe (November 2017), South Africa (February 2018), and Botswana (April 2018). This research finds that non-electoral transfers of presidential authority in Southern Africa represent efforts by dominant parties to manage factional conflicts and enhance their ability to benefit from incumbency in competitive elections. While non-electoral turnover in executive authority might promote democracy under some conditions, they do more to sustain dominant party rule and a stagnate level of low-capacity democracy.
Static and fatigue behavior of induction-welded single lap carbon fiber reinforced polyetherketoneketone thermoplastic composite joints
Authors: Kwon Boseong , Choe Hyeonseok , Jeong Jaehyeng , Ju Hyunwoo , Kweon Jin-Hwe , Nam Young-Woo
Published: August 2021

This paper presents details of the mechanical properties related to the static and fatigue strength of carbon fiber reinforced polyetherketoneketone (CF/PEKK) thermoplastic induction-welded composite joints. To better understand the process parameters, the finite element modeling (FEM) of the heat distribution was analyzed based on the generator power, coil coupling distance, coil moving speed, frequency, compaction force, and coil geometry while maintaining the optimal coil speed. The temperature behavior calculated using the simulation model exhibited good agreement with experimental results. A microscopic inspection, non-destructive test (NDT) was conducted to check the morphology characteristics of the welded joints. To check the mechanical performance of the induction-welded specimens, single-lap shear strength (SLSS) tests under static and cyclical fatigue loading conditions were conducted to check the weld qualities from a practical perspective. The mechanical testing results indicated that the static and cyclical fatigue specimens were dominated by a cohesive failure mode with a light fiber tear (LFT). These results suggested that using the optimal process parameters based on multi-physics FEM simulation could potentially improve mechanical performance.
The Intersection Between Sex and Race in Understanding Substance Co-Use Patterns in Adolescents From the Fragile Families Study
Authors: Gajos Jamie M. , Purcell Juliann B. , Mrug Sylvie
Published: August 2021

The current study examined the prevalence of alcohol, cigarette, and cannabis co-use among a longitudinal cohort of youth predominately born to single-parent families. Data were drawn from wave six of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study ( N = 2976; M age = 15.6; 49% female; 53% non-Hispanic Black, 27% Hispanic, 20% White). Adolescents’ reports of their past 30-day use of alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis were used to construct eight mutually exclusive use groups. Multinomial logistic regressions adjusting for sociodemographic factors revealed that Black adolescents were at lower relative risk of using Alcohol Only compared to White adolescents. Black males were at greater relative risk of using Cannabis Only than both White males and Black females. Finally, Hispanic males were at a marginally increased relative risk of co-using Alcohol and Cannabis compared to White males. Prevention efforts targeting Black and Hispanic males’ use of cannabis (both alone and in combination with alcohol) may be beneficial.
Diverse liver morphology in two cases of visceral leishmaniasis: Same face, different expressions
Authors: Dhawan Shashi , Dharamdesani Satyender S
Published: August 2021

Two cases of visceral leishmaniasis are presented; one patient was from an endemic region and visceral leishmaniasis was suspected clinically, while the other was from a non-endemic region and it was not suspected clinically. Bone marrow examination was negative in both cases and both showed different morphological pictures in the liver biopsies. These are discussed. Importance of travel history is also highlighted even if it is in distant past.
Research on Grand Challenges: Adopting an Abductive Experimentation Methodology
Authors: Kistruck Geoffrey M. , Slade Shantz Angelique
Published: August 2021

There has been a growing interest among management scholars in conducting research on grand challenges. Despite recognizing that studying such highly complex and uncertain phenomena likely requires more unconventional approaches, there has been very little methodological guidance provided to interested scholars. Drawing upon our own grand challenge projects undertaken over the past decade, we put forward a methodological approach we term ‘abductive experimentation’. Such an approach is an action-oriented process of inquiry that cycles between generating ‘doubt’ and generating ‘belief’. More specifically, abductive experimentation iterates between induction, abduction, and deduction to both generate and reconcile ‘surprising’ findings and causal mechanisms. While we submit abductive experimentation as a methodological approach particularly well suited to the study of grand challenges, we believe that the process depicted also provides a general roadmap for scholars seeking to dismantle the artificial dualism between theory and practice.
Geographic Distribution of Otolaryngology Advance Practice Providers and Physicians
Authors: Liu Derek H. , Ge Marshall , Smith Stephanie Shintani , Park Christine , Ference Elisabeth H.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Advanced practice providers (APPs), namely physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), play an increasing role in meeting growing demands for otolaryngologic services, particularly in rural communities. This study analyzes the geographic distribution of otolaryngology providers, which is essential to addressing future demands.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data for 2017.

Methods

Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify APPs providing 10 common otolaryngologic services. Geographic distribution was evaluated by calculating densities of APPs and otolaryngologists per 100,000 persons in urban versus rural counties as defined by the National Center for Health Statistics Urban‐Rural Classification Scheme.

Results

We identified cohorts of 8573 otolaryngologists, 1148 NPs, and 895 PAs. There were significantly higher population‐controlled densities of otolaryngologists and APPs in urban counties as compared with rural counties. The majority of otolaryngologists (92.1%) and APPs (83.3%) were in urban counties. However, the proportion of APPs (16.7%) in rural counties was significantly higher than the proportion of otolaryngologists (7.9%) in rural counties (P <. 01). A significant majority of rural counties (72.2%) had zero identified providers, and a greater proportion of rural counties (5.0%) were served exclusively by APPs as compared with urban counties (3.2%).

Conclusions

Although otolaryngologists and APPs mostly practiced in urban counties, a relatively higher proportion of APPs practiced in rural counties when compared with otolaryngology physicians. The majority of rural counties did not have any otolaryngologic providers. Given the expected shortages of otolaryngology physicians, APPs may play a critical role in addressing these gaps in access.
Civil responsibility in Geriatric Psychiatry
Authors: Vajawat Bhavika , Hegde Prakyath R. , Varshney Prateek , Malathesh Barikar C. , Kumar Channaveerachari Naveen , Math Suresh Bada
Published: August 2021

Mental health issues impair decision-making capacity, more so in elderly people. Impaired decision-making capacity can make person unfit to enter into various civil deeds and agreements. Such civil deeds can include guardianship, property transaction, holding a bank account, having voting rights, making a will, donating an organ, etc. This article focuses on importance of mental health in entering into above-mentioned civil agreements, how to do assessments to determine if one is fit to enter into civil agreements, and what are the legal ways in which a person can avail help to execute his/her civil rights even when affected by mental health issues.
Morphological evaluation of microcellular foamed composites developed through gas batch foaming integrating Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technique
Authors: Radhakrishna G , Dugad Rupesh , Gandhi Abhishek
Published: August 2021

In this article, the development of microcellular structure foams has developed by integrating the two successful and existing technologies, namely CO2 gas batch foaming and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technique. It is a novel approach to manufacture complex design porous products for customized applications. The eventual cell morphologies of the extruded 3D printing filament depends on the process parameters pertaining to both microcellular foaming and 3D printing processes. Further, morphological study has been conducted to evaluate the cell morphologies of the 3D printing filament developed through customized FDM setup. During this process, the significance of various process parameters including saturation pressure, saturation time, desorption time, feed rate and extrusion temperature were thoroughly studied. To pursue this study base material used was acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The 3D printed filaments consisted of cells with an average cell size in the range of 2.3–276 µm and the average cell density in the range of 4.7 × 104 to 4.3 × 109 cells/cm3. Finally, it has found that by controlling the process parameters different cell morphologies can be developed as per the end application.
Development and investigation of the applicability of microstructural models for polymeric low density foams directly obtained from computed tomography data
Authors: Hössinger-Kalteis Anna , Maurer Julia , Reiter Martin , Jerabek Michael , Major Zoltán
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, there are several methods to obtain simulation models for foams which consider important microstructural features. This research study presents a method to obtain low density foam models directly from computed tomography (CT) data. Finite element meshes are created from CT measurement results of a polypropylene extrusion foam with two different densities. Sensitivity studies with regard to the tension behaviour are performed with the microstructural models. The study shows that the tension behaviour highly depends on the examined area of the foam because the microstructure and density vary through the foam. Furthermore, the simulation results are validated with experimental results. The validation shows that the tension behaviour of the investigated foams characterised by the simulation approach is in good agreement with the experimentally observed behaviour and that specific microstructural characteristics (e.g. anisotropic cell shapes) are captured in the model.
News reception and authoritarian control in a hybrid media system: Russian TV viewers and the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Authors: Alyukov Maxim
Published: August 2021

Authoritarian regimes attempt to control the circulation of political information. Scholars have identified many mechanisms through which actors can use broadcast and digital media to challenge or sustain authoritarian rule. However, while contemporary media environments are characterised by the integration of older and newer forms of communication, little is known about how authoritarian regimes use different media simultaneously to shape citizens’ perceptions. In order to address this issue, this study relies on focus groups and investigates Russian TV viewers’ cross-media repertoires and their reception of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It argues that some citizens evaluate state-aligned television narratives as more credible when they are reinforced by similar narratives in digital media. Citizens’ reactions to this synchronisation are predicated on their type of media use. For not very active news consumers, the reliance on digital media can verify the regime’s narratives in television news. Others can escape the synchronisation effect by actively searching online for additional information or not using digital media for news. These findings show how authoritarian regimes can utilise the advantages of hybrid media systems to shape citizens’ perceptions and specify the conditions under which citizens can escape the effects of the regime’s simultaneous use of different media.
Analysis of L-leucine amino acid transporter species activity and gene expression by human blood brain barrier hCMEC/D3 model reveal potential LAT1, LAT4, B0AT2 and y+LAT1 functional cooperation
Authors: Taslimifar Mehdi , Faltys Martin , Kurtcuoglu Vartan , Verrey François , Makrides Victoria
Published: August 2021

In the CNS, amino acid (AA) neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter precursors are subject to tight homeostatic control mediated by blood-brain barrier (BBB) solute carrier amino acid transporters (AATs). Since the BBB is composed of multiple closely apposed cell types and opportunities for human in vivo studies are limited, we used in vitro and computational approaches to investigate human BBB AAT activity and regulation. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) of the human BBB endothelial cell model hCMEC/D3 (D3) was used to determine expression of selected AAT, tight junction (TJ), and signal transduction (ST) genes under various culture conditions. L-leucine uptake data were interrogated with a computational model developed by our group for calculating AAT activity in complex cell cultures. This approach is potentially applicable to in vitro cell culture drug studies where multiple “receptors” may mediate observed responses. Of 7 Leu AAT genes expressed by D3 only the activity of SLC7A5-SLC3A2/LAT1-4F2HC (LAT1), SLC43A2/LAT4 (LAT4) and sodium-dependent AATs, SLC6A15/B0AT2 (B0AT2), and SLC7A7/y+LAT1 (y+LAT1) were calculated to be required for Leu uptake. Therefore, D3 Leu transport may be mediated by a potentially physiologically relevant functional cooperation between the known BBB AAT, LAT1 and obligatory exchange (y+LAT1), facilitative diffusion (LAT4), and sodium symporter (B0AT2) transporters.
Inflammation-relevant microbiome signature of the stroke brain, gut, spleen, and thymus and the impact of exercise
Authors: Kingsbury Chase , Shear Alex , Heyck Matt , Sadanandan Nadia , Zhang Henry , Gonzales-Portillo Bella , Cozene Blaise , Sheyner Michael , Navarro-Torres Lisset , García-Sánchez Julián , Lee Jea-Young , Borlongan Cesario V
Published: August 2021

Stroke remains a significant unmet need in the clinic with few therapeutic options. We, and others, have implicated the role of inflammatory microbiota in stroke secondary cell death. Elucidating this inflammation microbiome as a biomarker may improve stroke diagnosis and treatment. Here, adult Sprague-Dawley rats performed 30 minutes of exercise on a motorized treadmill for 3 consecutive days prior to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Stroke animals that underwent exercise showed 1) robust behavioral improvements, 2) significantly smaller infarct sizes and increased peri-infarct cell survival and 3) decreasing trends of inflammatory microbiota BAC303, EREC482, and LAB158 coupled with significantly reduced levels of inflammatory markers ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and mouse monoclonal MHC Class II RT1B in the brain, gut, spleen, and thymus compared to non-exercised stroke rats. These results suggest that a specific set of inflammatory microbiota exists in central and peripheral organs and can serve as a disease biomarker and a therapeutic target for stroke.
Physiological variables in association with spreading depolarizations in the late phase of ischemic stroke
Authors: Schumm Leonie , Lemale Coline L , Major Sebastian , Hecht Nils , Nieminen-Kelhä Melina , Zdunczyk Anna , Kowoll Christina M , Martus Peter , Thiel Christiane M , Dreier Jens P , Woitzik Johannes
Published: August 2021

Physiological effects of spreading depolarizations (SD) are only well studied in the first hours after experimental stroke. In patients with malignant hemispheric stroke (MHS), monitoring of SDs is restricted to the postoperative ICU stay, typically day 2-7 post-ictus. Therefore, we investigated the role of physiological variables (temperature, intracranial pressure, mean arterial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure) in relationship to SD during the late phase after MHS in humans. Additionally, an experimental stroke model was used to investigate hemodynamic consequences of SD during this time window. In 60 patients with MHS, the occurrence of 1692 SDs was preceded by a decrease in mean arterial pressure (−1.04 mmHg; p = .02) and cerebral perfusion pressure (−1.04 mmHg; p = .03). Twenty-four hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion in 50 C57Bl6/J mice, hypothermia led to prolonged SD-induced hyperperfusion (+2.8 min; p < .05) whereas hypertension mitigated initial hypoperfusion (−1.4 min and +18.5%Δ rCBF; p < .01). MRI revealed that SDs elicited 24 hours after experimental stroke were associated with lesion progression (15.9 vs. 14.8 mm³; p < .01). These findings of small but significant effects of physiological variables on SDs in the late phase after ischemia support the hypothesis that the impact of SDs may be modified by adjusting physiological variables.
Onboarding in the age of COVID-19
Authors: Carlos Andrew R. , Muralles Daisy C.
Published: August 2021

Due to the transition to a remote/virtual working environment, the process of onboarding new hires has to make a shift to the remote/virtual as well. In this article, a review of past and present practices at a mid-sized academic library is conducted, as well as an autoethnographic reflection of a new hire’s experience with onboarding. Best practices and suggestions are presented to help inform other libraries that are also going through a remote/virtual onboarding experience.
Demand Responsive Transit Simulation of Wayne County, Michigan
Authors: Kagho Grace O. , Hensle David , Balac Milos , Freedman Joel , Twumasi-Boakye Richard , Broaddus Andrea , Fishelson James , Axhausen Kay W.
Published: August 2021

Demand responsive transit (DRT) can provide an alternative to private cars and complement existing public transport services. However, the successful implementation of DRT services remains a challenge as both researchers and policy makers can struggle to determine what sorts of places or cities are suitable for it. Research into car-dependent cities with poor transit accessibility is sparse. This study addresses this problem, investigating the potential of DRT service in Wayne County, U.S.A., whose dominant travel mode is private car. Using an agent-based approach, DRT is simulated as a new mobility option for this region, thereby providing insights into its impact on operational, user, and system-level performance indicators. DRT scenarios are tested for different fleet sizes, vehicle occupancy, and cost policies. The results show that a DRT service in Wayne County has a certain potential, especially to increase the mobility of lower-income individuals. However, introducing the service may slightly increase the overall vehicle kilometers traveled. Specific changes in service characteristics, like service area, pricing structure, or preemptive relocation of vehicles, might be needed to fully realize the potential of pooling riders in the proposed DRT service. The authors hope that this study serves as a starting point for understanding the impacts and potential benefits of DRT in Wayne County and similar low-density and car-dependent urban areas, as well as the service parameters needed for its successful implementation.
Utilization and Cost Estimation Models for Highway Fleet Equipment
Authors: Tajalli Mehrdad , Mirheli Amir , Hajbabaie Ali , Hajibabai Leila
Published: August 2021

Highway agencies need to manage the utilization of their highway equipment assets to reduce fleet management costs, balance equipment use, and provide the required services. Predictive equipment utilization and operational cost models are required for optimal management; however, there are no widely accepted models for this purpose. Although the utilization data is collected by state DOTs, the literature does not show any specific statistical model to predict equipment utilization as a function of contributing factors such as asset age, fleet size, costs, and demand for service. This study will bridge this gap and develop a predictive model to estimate the utilization of fleet equipment. The main objective of this paper is to develop a set of predictive models to estimate the annual utilization of seven non-stationary highway equipment types based on several explanatory variables including their annual fuel cost, downtime hours, age, and weight. Furthermore, another set of models are fit to predict the annual operational cost for these equipment types based on the most important contributing factors. The prediction models are developed after a nationwide data collection. Several years of collected data from seven states are processed and used for model development. This research has identified annual mileage as an appropriate and widely used utilization metric. Various model structures to predict annual mileage are considered. The logarithmic function of annual mileage has provided the most appropriate structure. The final annual mileage predictive models have R-squared values that are between 0.65 and 0.89, which indicates a good fit for all models. The models are validated by performing several statistical tests and they have satisfied all required assumptions of regression analysis. The result of modeling and statistical analysis showed that the proposed models accurately estimated the utilization and operational cost for highway equipment assets.