bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders: An Integrative Review
Authors: Smith Patrick J. , Merwin Rhonda M.
Published: December 2020

A large and growing body of evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) may hold therapeutic promise in the management of mental health disorders. Most evidence linking PA to mental health outcomes has focused on the effects of aerobic exercise training on depression, although a growing body of work supports the efficacy of both aerobic and resistance exercise paradigms in the treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite abundant evidence linking PA and mental health, use of exercise training as a mental health treatment remains limited due to three important sources of uncertainty: ( a) large individual differences in response to exercise treatment within multiple mental health domains; ( b) the critical importance of sustained PA engagement, not always achieved, for therapeutic benefit; and ( c) disagreement regarding the relative importance of putative therapeutic mechanisms. Our review of treatment data on exercise interventions and mental health outcomes focuses primarily on depression and anxiety within a health neuroscience framework. Within this conceptual framework, neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms may have additiveor synergistic influences on key cognitive and behavioral processes that influence mental health outcomes. We therefore highlight sources of treatment heterogeneity by integrating the critical influences of ( a) neurobiological mechanisms enhancing neuroplasticity and ( b) behavioral learning of self-regulatory skills. Understanding the interrelationships between dynamic neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms may help inform personalized mental health treatments and clarify why, and for whom, exercise improves mental health outcomes. The review concludes with recommendations for future studies leveraging individual differences to refine treatment approaches to optimize mental health benefits.
Structural Brain Imaging Phenotypes of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Found by Hierarchical Clustering
Authors: Kärkkäinen Mikko , Prakash Mithilesh , Zare Marzieh , Tohka Jussi , for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2020

A hierarchical clustering algorithm was applied to magnetic resonance images (MRI) of a cohort of 751 subjects having a mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 282 subjects having received Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis, and 428 normal controls (NC). MRIs were preprocessed to gray matter density maps and registered to a stereotactic space. By first rendering the gray matter density maps comparable by regressing out age, gender, and years of education, and then performing the hierarchical clustering, we found clusters displaying structural features of typical AD, cortically-driven atypical AD, limbic-predominant AD, and early-onset AD (EOAD). Among these clusters, EOAD subjects displayed marked cortical gray matter atrophy and atrophy of the precuneus. Furthermore, EOAD subjects had the highest progression rates as measured with ADAS slopes during the longitudinal follow-up of 36 months. Striking heterogeneities in brain atrophy patterns were observed with MCI subjects. We found clusters of stable MCI, clusters of diffuse brain atrophy with fast progression, and MCI subjects displaying similar atrophy patterns as the typical or atypical AD subjects. Bidirectional differences in structural phenotypes were found with MCI subjects involving the anterior cerebellum and the frontal cortex. The diversity of the MCI subjects suggests that the structural phenotypes of MCI subjects would deserve a more detailed investigation with a significantly larger cohort. Our results demonstrate that the hierarchical agglomerative clustering method is an efficient tool in dividing a cohort of subjects with gray matter atrophy into coherent clusters manifesting different structural phenotypes.
Optimal Strategies for Control of COVID-19: A Mathematical Perspective
Authors: Seidu Baba
Published: December 2020

A deterministic ordinary differential equation model for SARS-CoV-2 is developed and analysed, taking into account the role of exposed, mildly symptomatic, and severely symptomatic persons in the spread of the disease. It is shown that in the absence of infective immigrants, the model has a locally asymptotically stable disease-free equilibrium whenever the basic reproduction number is below unity. In the absence of immigration of infective persons, the disease can be eradicated whenever

ℛ

0

<
1

. Specifically, if the controls

u

i

,
 
i
=
1,2,3,4

, are implemented to 100% efficiency, the disease dies away easily. It is shown that border closure (or at least screening) is indispensable in the fight against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Simulation of optimal control of the model suggests that the most cost-effective strategy to combat SARS-CoV-2 is to reduce contact through use of nose masks and physical distancing.
NOX2-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species in Cancer
Authors: Grauers Wiktorin Hanna , Aydin Ebru , Hellstrand Kristoffer , Martner Anna
Published: December 2020

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the myeloid cell NADPH oxidase NOX2 is critical for the destruction of engulfed microorganisms. However, recent studies imply that ROS, formed by NOX2+ myeloid cells in the malignant microenvironment, exert multiple actions of relevance to the growth and spread of neoplastic cells. By generating ROS, tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells and NOX2+ leukemic myeloid cells may thus (i) compromise the function and viability of adjacent cytotoxic lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, (ii) oxidize DNA to trigger cancer-promoting somatic mutations, and (iii) affect the redox balance in cancer cells to control their proliferation and survival. Here, we discuss the impact of NOX2-derived ROS for tumorigenesis, tumor progression, regulation of antitumor immunity, and metastasis. We propose that NOX2 may be a targetable immune checkpoint in cancer.
H∞ Optimization of Tuned Inerter Damper with Negative Stiffness Device Subjected to Support Excitation
Authors: Ye Kun , Nyangi Patrice
Published: December 2020

In this study, H∞ optimization is conducted for a tuned inerter damper (TID) with negative stiffness device (denoted as TID_NSD) subjected to harmonic support excitation. The study shows that there are still two nonzero-frequency fixed points independent of the damping of the TID_NSD; therefore, the optimum tuning frequency and damping ratio for the TID_NSD are, respectively, derived based on the well-known fixed points theory. By imposing the zero-frequency fixed point having the same amplitude as the other two nonzero-frequency fixed points, the optimum negative stiffness ratio, which makes the primary system with a TID_NSD remain stable, is obtained. Moreover, the role of a negative stiffness device of a TID_NSD system in response control of a single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structure is evaluated through parametric study. Also, a numerical analysis is conducted on both a SDOF and multiple DOFs structure to validate the feasibility of the derived formulas by simulations with real earthquake records. Numerical results demonstrate that the maximum displacement and the maximum absolute acceleration of the structure equipped with TID_NSD system are reduced by increasing the absolute value of negative stiffness ratio. The results also show that the optimally designed TID_NSD system outperforms the optimally designed TID system in terms of the displacement and absolute acceleration mitigation control. The closed-form solutions proposed in this study can be useful for the optimal design of the structure equipped with TID_NSD.
Evaluation of Heavy Metal and Microbial Contamination in Green Tea and Herbal Tea Used for Weight Loss in the Palestinian Market
Authors: Abualhasan Murad N. , Nidal jaradat  , Hawash Mohammed , Khayat Rama , Khatatbeh Eman , Ehmidan Malak , Al-Atrash Munir
Published: December 2020

The use of green tea and herbal tea for weight loss is increasing worldwide owing to the rising rates of obesity. There are concerns about the safety and quality of these herbal products owing to their increased consumption worldwide. In this study, we evaluated randomly collected samples of green tea and herbal tea and tested them for heavy metal and microbial contamination. Eighteen samples of green tea or herbal tea of widely used brands in Palestine were tested for heavy metal and microbial contamination. The results showed that 7 of the samples had toxic heavy metals such as chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb), and their concentrations were above the allowable limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, 6 of the samples that were tested had microbial contamination with high total aerobic microbial count (TAMC) and total yeast and mold count (TYMC). This could be due to improper handling and storage conditions of these herbal products. This study is the first of its kind in Palestine, and its results are forewarning to all the responsible authorities, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), to take immediate corrective actions such as quality control testing, auditing, and registration of marketed tea products.
Chaotic Cryptosystem for Selective Encryption of Faces in Photographs
Authors: Aguilar Santiago Jorge , Flores Siordia Octavio , Guillen Bonilla José T. , Estrada Gutiérrez Juan C. , González Novoa María G. , Jiménez Rodríguez Maricela
Published: December 2020

In this article, a safe communication system is proposed that implements one or more portable devices denominated SBC (single-board computers), with which photographs are taken and that later utilizes the OpenCV Library for the detection and identification of the faces that appear in them. Subsequently, it consults the information in a stored database, whether locally in SBC or in a remote server, to verify that the faces should be coded, and it encrypts these, implementing a new cryptosystem that executes mathematical models to generate chaotic orbits, one of which is used for application on two occasions the technique of diffusion with the purpose of carrying out a small change in one of the pixels of the image, generating very different cryptograms. In addition, in order to make a safer system, it implements other chaotic orbits during the technique of confusion. With the purpose of verifying the robustness of the encryption algorithm, a statistical analysis is performed employing histograms, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal correlation diagrams, entropy, number of pixel change rate (NPCR), unified average change intensity (UACI), sensitivity of the key, encryption quality analysis, and the avalanche effect. The cryptosystem is very robust in that it generates highly disordered cryptograms, supports differential attacks, and in addition is highly sensitive to changes in the pixels as well as in the encrypted keys.
Fault Detection of the Power System Based on the Chaotic Neural Network and Wavelet Transform
Authors: Wang Zuoxun , Xu Liqiang
Published: December 2020

The safety and stability of the power supply system are affected by some faults that often occur in power system. To solve this problem, a criterion algorithm based on the chaotic neural network (CNN) and a fault detection algorithm based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT) are proposed in this paper. MATLAB/Simulink is used to establish the system model to output fault signals and travelling wave signals. Db4 wavelet decomposes the travelling wave signals into detail signals and approximate signals, and these signals are combined with the two-terminal travelling wave location method to achieve fault location. And the wavelet detail coefficients are extracted to input to the proposed chaotic neural network. The results show that the criterion algorithm can effectively determine whether there are faults in the power system, the fault detection algorithm has the capabilities of locating the system faults accurately, and both algorithms are not affected by fault type, fault location, fault initial angle, and transition resistance.
Validation of Microsatellite Instability Detection Using a Comprehensive Plasma-Based Genotyping Panel
Authors: Willis Jason , Lefterova Martina I. , Artyomenko Alexander , Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza , Nakamura Yoshiaki , Mody Kabir , Catenacci Daniel V.T. , Fakih Marwan , Barbacioru Catalin , Zhao Jing , Sikora Marcin , Fairclough Stephen R. , Lee Hyuk , Kim Kyoung-Mee , Kim Seung Tae , Kim Jinchul , Gavino Danielle , Benavides Manuel , Peled Nir , Nguyen Timmy , Cusnir Mike , Eskander Ramez N. , Azzi Georges , Yoshino Takayuki , Banks Kimberly C. , Raymond Victoria M. , Lanman Richard B. , Chudova Darya I. , Talasaz AmirAli , Kopetz Scott , Lee Jeeyun , Odegaard Justin I.
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

To analytically and clinically validate microsatellite instability (MSI) detection using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing.

Experimental Design:

Pan-cancer MSI detection using Guardant360 was analytically validated according to established guidelines and clinically validated using 1,145 cfDNA samples for which tissue MSI status based on standard-of-care tissue testing was available. The landscape of cfDNA-based MSI across solid tumor types was investigated in a cohort of 28,459 clinical plasma samples. Clinical outcomes for 16 patients with cfDNA MSI-H gastric cancer treated with immunotherapy were evaluated.

Results:

cfDNA MSI evaluation was shown to have high specificity, precision, and sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 0.1% tumor content. In evaluable patients, cfDNA testing accurately detected 87% (71/82) of tissue MSI-H and 99.5% of tissue microsatellite stable (863/867) for an overall accuracy of 98.4% (934/949) and a positive predictive value of 95% (71/75). Concordance of cfDNA MSI with tissue PCR and next-generation sequencing was significantly higher than IHC. Prevalence of cfDNA MSI for major cancer types was consistent with those reported for tissue. Finally, robust clinical activity of immunotherapy treatment was seen in patients with advanced gastric cancer positive for MSI by cfDNA, with 63% (10/16) of patients achieving complete or partial remission with sustained clinical benefit.

Conclusions:

cfDNA-based MSI detection using Guardant360 is highly concordant with tissue-based testing, enabling highly accurate detection of MSI status concurrent with comprehensive genomic profiling and expanding access to immunotherapy for patients with advanced cancer for whom current testing practices are inadequate.

See related commentary by Wang and Ajani, p. 6887
Multicenter Phase I/II Study of Nivolumab Combined with Paclitaxel Plus Ramucirumab as Second-line Treatment in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer
Authors: Nakajima Takako Eguchi , Kadowaki Shigenori , Minashi Keiko , Nishina Tomohiro , Yamanaka Takeharu , Hayashi Yuichiro , Izawa Naoki , Muro Kei , Hironaka Shuichi , Kajiwara Takeshi , Kawakami Yutaka
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

We conducted a phase I/II study to investigate the safety and efficacy of nivolumab with paclitaxel plus ramucirumab.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) refractory to first-line chemotherapy were included. Patients received nivolumab (3 mg/kg on days 1 and 15) combined with paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15) and ramucirumab (8 mg/kg on days 1 and 15) every 4 weeks. After feasibility evaluation in six patients (phase I), 37 additional patients were enrolled in the phase II part with the primary endpoint of 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate with two-sided 80% confidence interval (CI). The combined positive score (CPS) was defined as the number of programmed death-ligand 1–positive cells divided by the total number of viable tumor cells multiplied by 100.

Results:

Forty-three patients were enrolled. Of these, 60.5% had CPS ≥ 1. Dose-limiting toxicities were observed in two patients, and the recommended dose was determined as level 1. Thirty-nine (90.7%) patients experienced treatment-related adverse events (AEs) grade ≥3 and 14 (32.6%) patients experienced immune-related AEs grade ≥3. The overall response rate was 37.2% (95% CI, 23.0%–53.5%) and the 6-month PFS rate was 46.5% (80% CI, 36.4%–55.8%; P = 0.067). Median survival time was 13.1 months (95% CI, 8.0–16.6 months): 13.8 months (95% CI, 8.0–19.5 months) in patients with CPS ≥ 1 and 8.0 months (95% CI, 4.8–24.1 months) in patients with CPS < 1.

Conclusions:

Nivolumab with paclitaxel plus ramucirumab demonstrated promising antitumor activity with manageable toxicities as second-line treatment for AGC.
Pancreatobiliary Diversion in the Mouse
Authors: Chen Xijuan , Qiu Shuai , Li Qiuju , Hu Lijuan , Yao Chuanshan , Xu Xiaoqing , Wang Feng
Published: December 2020

The gut hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) is primarily secreted from I-cells in the duodenum and proximal jejunum. CCK secretion is stimulated by food digests and inhibited by proteases from pancreatic juice. CCK regulates digestion and appetite, stimulates pancreatic growth, and participates in pancreatic carcinogenesis. The molecular mechanisms of CCK-induced effects are not fully understood. When the mechanisms are studied in animals, the surgical model of pancreatobiliary diversion (PBD) is frequently used. After animals have had PBD, their CCK secretion is no longer inhibited by pancreas-derived proteases, so circulating CCK is increased. PBD is established in rats and hamsters, but not in mice. In this study, we modified PBD procedures and established the model in the mouse. In an experiment, we performed PBD and sham operation (SO) in two groups of mice (20 mice per group). Twenty days after operation, 75% of the PBD mice and all SO mice survived. When plasma CCK was determined by radioimmunoassay, the PBD group had higher levels than the SO group (p < 0.001). To assess pancreatic growth, we determined pancreatic weight and pancreatic contents of protein and DNA. We also stained pancreatic sections by immunohistochemistry to show the proliferating cells that either expressed the proliferating cell nuclear antigen or were labeled with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine. As a result, the pancreases of the PBD mice were heavier (p < 0.001) and had more protein (p < 0.001), DNA (p < 0.01), and proliferating cells (p < 0.01) than those of the SO counterparts. Thus, pancreatic growth was increased as a result of PBD-induced hypercholecystokininemia. The plasma and pancreatic data demonstrated that the PBD model was a success. This model may be used in CCK-related research. For instance, pancreatic cancer is frequently studied in transgenic mice. PBD may be combined with the cancer model to study the role of CCK in the molecular biology of pancreatic cancer.
Technique Description and Outcomes of Robotic Transvaginal-Assisted Living Donor Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Musquera Felip Mireia , Ajami Fardoun Tarek , Peri Cusi Lluis , Alcaraz Asensio Antonio
Published: December 2020

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the surgical technique of totally robotic kidney transplantation with transvaginal insertion and to assess its safety and feasibility. Methods: It is a prospective analysis of the first 5 cases of robotic kidney transplantation with transvaginal insertion. Robotic-assisted kidney transplantation was performed after transvaginal insertion of a living donor kidney graft. Donor’s and recipient’s characteristics, intraoperative variables, postoperative complications, and surgical outcomes were assessed. Results: The median operative time was 220 min. Mean rewarming ischemia time of 53 min, with immediate diuresis. No intraoperative complications were observed. Mean hospitalization period was 9 days, with mean Cr of 1.5 mg/dL at discharge. Conclusions: Robotic kidney transplantation with transvaginal insertion is feasible and safe. A greater number of procedures are required to confirm the results of this new technique.
An Analysis of Income Sensitivity to Social Technology: A Comparison among Country Groups Using Panel Data
Authors: Kang Chul-Kyu , Lee Jae-Hyung
Published: December 2020

Using available panel clam on 68 countries covering the years 1998-2006, we measure the sensitivity of per capita re-al GDP co change in each of the live social technologies by six country groups: OECD. Asia NlEs, developing countries, BRCs, less-developed countries, and Korea. The regression results suggest that each of the live social technologies in this paper (i.e., anti-corruption, deregulation, property rights, government size, and law) is positively related co per capita real GDP. The regression results also suggest that per capita real GOP is more elastic with respect to each of the five social technologies than IT as a proxy for physical technology in the group of relatively rich countries. It is evident that per capita real CDP is elastic with respect to social technologies in Korea. This implies that co speed up Korea's advancement, improving social technology may be crucial.
Changes in Annual Extremes of Daily Temperature and Precipitation in CMIP6 Models
Authors: Li Chao , Zwiers Francis , Zhang Xuebin , Li Guilong , Sun Ying , Wehner Michael
Published: December 2020

This study presents an analysis of daily temperature and precipitation extremes with return periods ranging from 2 to 50 years in phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) multimodel ensemble of simulations. Judged by similarity with reanalyses, the new-generation models simulate the present-day temperature and precipitation extremes reasonably well. In line with previous CMIP simulations, the new simulations continue to project a large-scale picture of more frequent and more intense hot temperature extremes and precipitation extremes and vanishing cold extremes under continued global warming. Changes in temperature extremes outpace changes in global annual mean surface air temperature (GSAT) over most landmasses, while changes in precipitation extremes follow changes in GSAT globally at roughly the Clausius–Clapeyron rate of ~7% °C−1. Changes in temperature and precipitation extremes normalized with respect to GSAT do not depend strongly on the choice of forcing scenario or model climate sensitivity, and do not vary strongly over time, but with notable regional variations. Over the majority of land regions, the projected intensity increases and relative frequency increases tend to be larger for more extreme hot temperature and precipitation events than for weaker events. To obtain robust estimates of these changes at local scales, large initial-condition ensemble simulations are needed. Appropriate spatial pooling of data from neighboring grid cells within individual simulations can, to some extent, reduce the needed ensemble size.
Intensified Impacts of Central Pacific ENSO on the Reversal of December and January Surface Air Temperature Anomaly over China since 1997
Authors: Li Hua , Fan Ke , He Shengping , Liu Yong , Yuan Xing , Wang Huijun
Published: December 2020

The reversal of surface air temperature anomalies (SATA) in winter brings a great challenge for short-term climate prediction, and the mechanisms are not well understood. This study found that the reversal of SATA between December and January over China could be demonstrated by the second leading mode of multivariate empirical orthogonal function analysis on the December–January SATA. It further reveals that the central Pacific El Niño–Southern Oscillation (CP ENSO) has contributed more influence on such a reversal of SATA since 1997. CP ENSO shows positive but weak correlations with SATA over China in both December and January during the pre-1996 period, whereas it shows significant negative and positive correlations with the SATA in December and January, respectively, during the post-1997 period. The CP ENSO–related circulations suggest that the change of the Siberian high has played an essential role in the reversal of SATA since 1997. The pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies associated with the CP ENSO leads to a westward-replaced Walker circulation that alters the local meridional circulation and, further, has impacted the Siberian high and SATA over China since 1997. Moreover, the seasonal northward march of the convergence zone from December to January causes a northward-replaced west branch of the Walker circulation in January compared with that in December. The west branch of the Walker circulation in December and January directly modulates local Hadley and Ferrel circulations and then causes contrasting Siberian high anomalies by inducing opposite vertical motion anomalies over Siberia. The reversal of SATA between December and January, therefore, has been more frequently observed over China since 1997. The abovementioned mechanisms are validated by the analysis at pentad time scales and confirmed by numerical simulations.
The evolution of Italian bilateral bodies and funds in a comparative perspective
Authors: Vatta Alessia
Published: December 2020

In recent years, decentralised collective bargaining has been increasingly discussed in Italy. The importance of collective bargaining is often questioned, but sectoral agreements have various purposes and the related bilateral bodies and funds are managed jointly by social partner organisations. In comparison with peak-level social pacts, it is a less visible kind of cooperation, but particularly relevant in times of crisis. The article deals with the activity of bipartite bodies and funds. The analysis shows that they perform remarkable functions and could develop further. However, some problems also emerge from the comparison with bilateral experiences in other countries.
Fluid inclusions in buried quartz of the Yanchang sandstone in the Jiyuan area, Ordos Basin, China: Implications for basin evolution and petroleum accumulation
Authors: Jiang Wenqi , Zhang Yunlong , Jiang Li
Published: December 2020

A fluid inclusion petrographic and microthermometric study was performed on the sandstones gathered from the Yanchang Formation, Jiyuan area of the Ordos Basin. Four types of fluid inclusions in quartz can be recognized based on the location they entrapped. The petrographic characteristics indicate that fluid inclusions in quartz overgrowth and quartz fissuring-I were trapped earlier than that in quartz fissuring-IIa and fissuring-IIb. The homogenization temperature values of the earlier fluid inclusions aggregate around 80 to 90°C; exclusively, it is slightly higher in Chang 6 member, which approaches 95°C. The later fluid inclusions demonstrate high homogenization temperatures, which range from 100 to 115°C, and the temperatures are slightly higher in Chang 9 member. The calculated salinities show differences between each member, including their regression characteristics with burial depth. Combining with the vitrinite reflection data, the sequence and parameters of fluid inclusions indicate that the thermal history of the Yanchang formation mostly relied on burial. Salinity changes were associated with fluid-rock interaction or fluid interruption. Hydrocarbon contained fluid inclusions imply that hydrocarbon generation and migration occurred in the Early Cretaceous. The occurrence of late fluid inclusions implied that quartz cement is a reservoir porosity-loose factor.
The Acceptability and Influencing Factors of an Internet-Based Tinnitus Multivariate Integrated Sound Therapy for Patients With Tinnitus
Authors: Lan Tianxiang , Zhao Fei , Xiong Binbin
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To explore the acceptability and influencing factors of an Internet-based Tinnitus Multivariate Integrated Sound Therapy (iT-MIST). The individually tailored sound therapy used narrowband noise centered on the patient’s tinnitus frequency in combination with natural sounds and relaxing music.

Design:

Patients with tinnitus were given a 1-week trial of iT-MIST. Semistructured interviews were then carried out and a thematic analysis used to analyze, identify, organize, and report factors discovered in the data.

Study Sample:

Semistructured interviews were carried out with 11 participants, 2 women and 9 men, mean age 39.82 years.

Results:

The first theme identified from patient interview analysis was their motivation to undertake and expectations of iT-MIST. Nearly half of the participants indicated that advice from the physician was considered very important and professional. Benefits acknowledged by most participants from their iT-MIST experience were accessibility, convenience, time- and cost-effectiveness, and emotional benefit. However, a few participants with poor understanding of tinnitus and iT-MIST showed a negative acceptability with doubtful thoughts and complaints about technical issues such as being easily interrupted by messages and phone calls.

Conclusion:

Patients with tinnitus in this study were not universally accepting of the iT-MIST therapy. Concerns about their tinnitus and ability to comply with doctor’s recommendations were the main influencing factors. Attitude or willingness to explore new therapies facilitated its use. Emotional benefits, for example, relaxation and comfort, were seen to sustain motivation, while doubtful thoughts and technical problems negatively affected acceptability.
Effectivity of dexamethasone in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Hanafy Dudy Arman , Harta I Komang Adhi Parama , Prasetya I Made Indra , Busroh Pribadi Wiranda , Soetisna Tri Wisesa , Sugisman  , Wartono Dicky Aligheri , Tjubandi Amin , Herlambang Bagus
Published: December 2020

Background

Based on our previous pilot study, systemic inflammatory response syndrome is more common in off-pump compared to on-pump coronary artery bypass. Therefore, we conducted a clinical trial of dexamethasone in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Methods

Sixty consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass were enrolled from August 2018 to January 2019 and randomized to a dexamethasone or placebo group of 30 each. Clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

There was a lower incidence of major adverse cardiac events in the dexamethasone group compared to the placebo group (17% versus 43%, p = 0.024). Clinical outcomes in the dexamethasone group were better than those in the placebo group, in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.029), intensive care unit stay ( p = 0.028), hospital stay ( p = 0.04), and vasoactive-inotropic score ( p = 0.045). There were significant differences in inflammatory markers between the two groups: interleukin-6 ( p = 0.0001), procalcitonin ( p = 0.0001), and C-reactive protein ( p = 0.0001) were lower in the dexamethasone group. There was a significant association between the incidence of major adverse cardiac events and both interleukin-6 ( p = 0.005) and procalcitonin ( p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Preoperative dexamethasone in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass is effective in improving clinical outcomes and controlling the postoperative inflammatory reaction.
BPI and KIR6.1 as significant hub genes for vein graft restenosis
Authors: Bai Yun-peng , Yao Bo-chen , Wang Mei , Liu Xian-kun , Zhu Xiao-long , Wang Lian-qun , Jiang Nan , Guo Zhi-gang , Chen Qing-liang
Published: December 2020

Background

Vein graft restenosis (VGR), which appears to be caused by dyslipidemia following vascular transplantation, seriously affects the prognosis and long-term quality of life of patients.

Methods

This study analyzed the genetic data of restenosis (VGR group) and non-stenosis (control group) vessels from patients with coronary heart disease post-vascular transplantation and identified hub genes that might be responsible for its occurrence. GSE110398 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A repeatability test for the GSE110398 dataset was performed using R language. This included the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enrichment analysis via Metascape software, pathway enrichment analysis, and construction of a protein–protein interaction network and a hub gene network.

Results

Twenty-four DEGs were identified between VGR and control groups. The four most important hub genes ( KIR6.1, PCLP1, EDNRB, and BPI) were identified, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that KIR6.1 and BPI were significantly correlated with VGR. KIR6.1 could also sensitively predict VGR (0.9 < area under the curve ≤1).

Conclusion

BPI and KIR6.1 were differentially expressed in vessels with and without stenosis after vascular transplantation, suggesting that these genes or their encoded proteins may be involved in the occurrence of VGR.
Keeping an Eye on Effort: A Pupillometric Investigation of Effort and Effortlessness in Visual Word Recognition
Authors: Shechter Adi , Share David L.
Published: December 2020

Rapid and seemingly effortless word recognition is a virtually unquestioned characteristic of skilled reading, yet the definition and operationalization of the concept of cognitive effort have proven elusive. We investigated the cognitive effort involved in oral and silent word reading using pupillometry among adults (Experiment 1, N = 30; Experiment 2, N = 20) and fourth through sixth graders (Experiment 3, N = 30; Experiment 4, N = 18). We compared multiple pupillary measures (mean, peak, and peak latency) for reading familiar words (real words) and unfamiliar letter strings (pseudowords) varying in length. Converging with the behavioral data for accuracy and response times, pupillary responses demonstrated a greater degree of cognitive effort for pseudowords compared with real words and stronger length effects for pseudowords than for real words. These findings open up new possibilities for studying the issue of effort and effortlessness in the field of word recognition and other fields of skill learning.
Monte Carlo approaches to frequentist multiplicity-adjusted benefiting subgroup identification
Authors: Schnell Patrick M
Published: December 2020

One common goal of subgroup analyses is to determine the subgroup of the population for which a given treatment is effective. Like most problems in subgroup analyses, this benefiting subgroup identification requires careful attention to multiple testing considerations, especially Type I error inflation. To partially address these concerns, the credible subgroups approach provides a pair of bounding subgroups for the benefiting subgroup, constructed so that with high posterior probability one is contained by the benefiting subgroup while the other contains the benefiting subgroup. To date, this approach has been presented within the Bayesian paradigm only, and requires sampling from the posterior of a Bayesian model. Additionally, in many cases, such as regulatory submission, guarantees of frequentist operating characteristics are helpful or necessary. We present Monte Carlo approaches to constructing confidence subgroups, frequentist analogues to credible subgroups that replace the posterior distribution with an estimate of the joint distribution of personalized treatment effect estimates, and yield frequentist interpretations and coverage guarantees. The estimated joint distribution is produced using either draws from asymptotic sampling distributions of estimated model parameters, or bootstrap resampling schemes. The approach is applied to a publicly available dataset from randomized trials of Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
Book review: S. A. Chatterji, Filming Reality: The Independent Documentary Movement in India, K. P. Jayasankar & A. Monteiro, A Fly in the Curry: Independent Documentary Film in India and A. Sharma, Documentary Films in India: Critical Aesthetics at Work
Authors: Kaushik Ritika
Published: December 2020

S. A. Chatterji, Filming Reality: The Independent Documentary Movement in India. SAGE Publications, 2015, 320 pp., $59.99.

K. P. Jayasankar & A. Monteiro, A Fly in the Curry: Independent Documentary Film in India. SAGE Publications, 2016, 276 pp., $54.99.

A. Sharma, Documentary Films in India: Critical Aesthetics at Work. Palgrave Macmillan, 2015, XIII, 276 pp., 41.59€.
Relationship of Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and CD62P With Hypercoagulable State After Oncologic Surgery
Authors: Zhong Xin , Cao Zhongze , Song Jiayi , Liu Yuanmeng , Guo Qiang
Published: December 2020

The biomarkers for predicting venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) after oncologic surgery are still lacking. The current study aimed to analyze the relationships of CD62P and GP IIb/IIIa with hypercoagulation after oncologic surgery. A total of 76 patients with primary abdominopelvic tumors in our hospital were enrolled. The patients were divided into groups A (malignancy with no VTE group), B (malignancy with VTE group), and C (benign with no VTE group). Twenty healthy volunteers were selected as control. The plasma CD62P (4.69 ± 2.55 vs. 1.76 ± 0.48) and the GP IIb/IIIa (9.28 ± 3.79 vs. 1.76 ± 0.48) levels in group A were significantly higher than those in the control group preoperatively. The CD62P (31.46 ± 17.13 vs. 13.51 ± 7.43, P < 0.05), GP IIb/IIIa (42.33 ± 21.82 vs. 13.51 ± 7.43, P < 0.05), and D-dimer (7.33 ± 2.34 vs. 2.03 ± 0.55, P < 0.05) levels in group B were markedly higher 7 days after operation compared with those in group A. The CD62P and the GP IIb/IIIa exhibited a positive correlation with the hypercoagulable state after oncologic surgery.
Outcomes of endovascular treatment for infrapopliteal peripheral artery disease based on the updated TASC II classification
Authors: Müller Arne M , Räpple Veronika , Bradaric Christian , Koppara Tobias , Kehl Victoria , Fusaro Massimiliano , Cassese Salvatore , Ott Ilka , Kastrati Adnan , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Ibrahim Tareq
Published: December 2020

We retrospectively analyzed all endovascular procedures of infrapopliteal arterial lesions ( n = 383) performed in 270 patients at our institution between December 2008 and January 2018. The overall technical success rate was 97% and yielded 98% for stenoses ( n = 214) and 95% for occlusions ( n = 169). Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC II) classification had no impact on success rates (TASC A + B vs C + D; 96.5% vs 96.9%, p = 0.837). Freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) after 6 and 12 months was 88.3% and 77.2%. TLR was comparable for TASC A to C lesions and no difference was observed comparing groups of moderately complex TASC A/B lesions and more complex TASC C/D lesions (TASC A + B vs C + D; 78.5% vs 74.2%, p = 0.457). Freedom from TLR was significantly lower in very complex TASC D lesions (TASC A + B + C vs D; 79.7% vs 42.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified TASC D lesions (hazard ratio D/A: 1.5; overall p = 0.002), Fontaine class III and IV (hazard ratio III or IV/IIa or IIb: 2.4; p = 0.041), and occlusive lesions (hazard ratio occlusion/stenosis: 2.4; p = 0.026) as predictors for TLR. In conclusion, endovascular therapy for infrapopliteal artery disease was safe and accompanied with a promising long-term outcome.
‘PC worlds’: Ethno-nationalist identitarian theories of anti-political correctness
Authors: Trémon Anne-Christine
Published: December 2020

Over the past two decades, politicians and intellectuals have lent support to rising anti-immigrant sentiments, ethno-nationalist integralism and far-right populism by coining expressions such as ‘cultural exclusion’ and claiming to be speaking in the name of the ‘people’, often under cover of anti-political correctness. In this article I identify a series of recurrent features of such ethno-nationalist identitarian theories. The book I am critiquing, PC Worlds: Political Correctness and Rising Elites at the End of Hegemony (2019) by Jonathan Friedman, is a clear example of these trends. The scholar who had previously critiqued racialized politics and the reification of cultures now offers a book in favour of anti-immigrant ethno-nationalism and radical cultural othering. The article shows how this is the result of contradictions related to the evolution in his own thinking and situates these contradictions in regard to different theories of the nation-state. It also demonstrates how Friedman has proceeded to hollow out his own previous model, by making a distorted and normative use of it, and points out a number of weaknesses, particularly regarding the notions of ‘elites’ and ‘hegemony’. Finally, it questions the very project of conducting a study of political correctness.
Intersectionality in digital feminist knowledge cultures: the practices and politics of a travelling theory
Authors: Kanai Akane
Published: December 2020

Intersectionality is a travelling theory; now enjoying significant contemporary visibility and popularity in the feminist blogosphere, it has moved across disciplines and borders in ways that are quite distinct from the scholarly critique developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw some time ago. In this article, I consider how intersectionality is translated, and retheorised, as an intertwined set of everyday knowledges and associated governmental practices that both echo and diverge from some of the complexities and politics of its wide-ranging scholarly uptake. Drawing on interviews with self-identifying feminists in a pilot project mapping contemporary Australian digital feminisms, this article explores two overarching patterns in intersectionality’s mobilisation. First, the shift to understanding intersectionality as an everyday conceptual grid plotting women’s differences along one axis, and measuring relative privilege and disadvantage on the other, recentring whiteness and liberal multicultural models of diversity and inclusion. Second, the transformation of intersectionality into an abstract, individualistic model of conduct, involving the citation and classification of ‘white feminist’ behaviour elsewhere, in frequent judgments on US celebrity culture. As such, intersectionality, while seemingly popular, often remained curiously ‘theoretical’ and divorced from embodied, everyday practices. I suggest in what follows that such a model of intersectionality raises questions of the commercial, racialised, political and mediated conditions that shape the theory’s visibility and materialisation.
Elias, ultra-realism and double-binds: Violence in the streets and the state
Authors: Clement Matt , Mennell Stephen
Published: December 2020

‘Ultra-realism’ has become an influential current in criminology, especially in the study of violence and explanations of trends in violent crime. Ultra-realist writers frequently make use of Norbert Elias’s theory of civilizing processes, while also often expressing reservations about his ideas. In this article, we argue that ultra-realists tend to make only partial and inaccurate use of Elias’s very extensive writings. Although he himself did not write very much about crime – and indeed was less concerned with violence per se than with the roots of aggressive impulses and their control – we place him in the context of the post-war sociology of deviance. We argue in particular that it is far from true that he was blind to political economy, since the state-formation processes are central to his theory. We relate our argument to double-bind processes, violent subcultures, moral panics, populism and recent political developments in Britain.
Traumatic Childbirth Experiences of New Parents: A Meta-Synthesis
Authors: Shorey Shefaly , Wong Phyllis Zhi En
Published: December 2020

Childbirth is usually a joyous occasion. However, a significant proportion of parents experienced traumatic childbirths and suffered post-traumatic consequences, which needs urgent attention. Therefore, this review aimed to explore and understand the traumatic childbirth experiences of parents. A systematic review of qualitative studies was done. The consolidated evidence was meta-summarized and meta-synthesized based on Sandelowski and Barroso’s approach for synthesizing qualitative research. Seven electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from each database’s inception to April 2020. Retrieved studies were screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and 19 studies were included in this review. All included studies were meta-summarized and meta-synthesized. An overarching theme, “traumatic birth: an evolving voyage,” with three main themes, (1) “proceedings to traumatic birth,” (2) “internal and external battles,” and (3) “muddling through to beating the odds,” and 10 subthemes were identified. Overall, parents felt fluctuations of emotions that seemed to be never-ending journeys. They expressed that various factors led to their traumatic birth experiences, especially health care providers’ dismissive attitudes. Parents commonly reported feelings of powerlessness and fear for the safety of mothers and infants. Their constant battles to overcome traumatic experiences affected some of their relationships. To deal with the trauma, some mothers displayed avoidance behaviors while others relied on social support. As health care providers play important roles in influencing outcomes of childbirth, they should be mindful of the care provided during labors and childbirths.
Thermo-physiological properties and burning behaviours of automotive upholstery fabrics woven with aramid and wool yarns
Authors: Şardağ Sibel , Türk Medine
Published: December 2020

Today, people’s expectations of cars have changed because they travel more frequently and take much longer trips in their automobiles. Therefore, auto manufacturers have come to realize that comfort properties of automobiles should be improved in addition to their mechanical, technical and aesthetical properties. This study aimed to investigate the thermophysiological properties of the automotive upholstery woven fabrics produced with different blend ratios of flame resistant meta-aramid and wool yarns. For this purpose, twenty-eight automotive upholstery woven fabric samples were produced using two different weaving patterns and different blend ratios of flame resistant meta-aramid and wool yarns. Thermophysiological properties of the samples such as water vapor permeabilities, air permeabilities and thermal conductivities were measured, and their burning behaviours were tested according to the standards. The results obtained in this study were assessed by means of statistical methods, and the results of the statistical analysis showed that blending ratios of flame resistant meta-aramid and wool fiber had statistically significant effects on both the thermo-physiological properties and burning behaviours of automotive upholstery fabrics. This study showed that the thermal comfort values of the automotive upholstery fabrics of different meta-aramid/wool blend ratios were very close to one another. In addition, the air permeability values of these fabrics were increased with the increase of the meta-aramid content in the blend. The blends containing 25% meta-aramid fiber exhibited the highest increases in air permeability values of the fabrics. Besides, the blend of 25% meta-aramid and 75% wool fiber was found to be the optimal blending ratio in terms of the total burning time after the removal of the ignition source. Therefore, it can be concluded that thermo-physiological comfort properties and burning behaviours of automotive upholstery fabrics can be improved by using the blends with different meta-aramid contents, depending on desired fire performance levels and thermophysical properties.