bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
[Retracted] MicroRNA‐340 and MicroRNA‐450b‐5p: Plasma Biomarkers for Detection of Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wu Yanmin , Jing Hui , Zhang Jinghao
Published: December 2022

Objective. Since the inefficient cancer management is caused by inaccurate diagnoses, there is a need for minimally invasive method to improve the diagnostic accuracy of non‐small‐cell lung (NSCLC). This study intended to detect miR‐340 and miR‐450b‐5p levels in plasma from NSCLC patients and to assess the potential values for the prediction of tumor development and prognosis. Methods. A GSE64591 dataset included 200 samples (100 early‐stage NSCLC patients and 100 noncancer control) aimed to identify a panel of circulating miRNAs in plasma. The levels of miR‐340 and miR‐450b‐5p in plasma from NSCLC patients (n = 120) and healthy controls (n = 120) were detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma miR‐340 and miR‐450b‐5p were performed using receiver operating curves (ROC), Kaplan‐Meier method, and Cox regression analysis. Results. miR‐450b‐5p and miR‐340 in plasma was significant difference between early‐stage NSCLC patients and noncancer control by searching the GSE64591 dataset. When compared with the healthy controls, the plasma miR‐340 was decreased in the NSCLC patients, but the plasma miR‐450b‐5p was increased. NSCLC patients could be distinguished accurately from healthy controls by the circulating miR‐340 and miR‐450b‐5p with the AUC of 0.740 (95% CI: 0.677~0.804) and of 0.808 (95% CI: 0.754~0.861), respectively. With these two markers, the specificity and sensitivity were 78.33% and 77.5% with the AUC of 0.862. Patients with advanced T, N, and TNM stage demonstrated lower plasma miR‐340 and higher plasma miR‐450b‐5p, and both of them were correlated with the prognosis of NSCLC patients. Furthermore, plasma miR‐340 was also negatively correlated with tumor grade. All clinicopathological variables significantly associated to prognosis were T stage, N stage, TNM stage, tumor grade, and plasma levels of miR‐340 and miR‐450b‐5p in univariate Cox regression analysis. The variables that retained their significance in the multivariate model were T stage, plasma miR‐340, and plasma miR‐450b‐5p. Conclusion. The plasma levels of miR‐340 combined with miR‐450b‐5p potentially define core biomarker signatures for improving the accuracy of NSCLC diagnosis. Moreover, circulating miR‐340 and miR‐450b‐5p are independent biomarkers of survival in nonmetastatic NSCLC patients.
Is Habitual Dietary Intake of Fats Associated with Apelin Gene Expression in Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues and Its Serum Levels in Obese Adults?
Authors: Zarkesh Maryam , Safarian Mohammad , Asghari Golaleh , Daneshafrooz Afsoon , Yuzbashian Emad , Hedayati Mehdi , Mirmiran Parvin , Khalaj Alireza
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Apelin could be one of the last protective defenses before developing obesity-related disorders, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, which can be modified by dietary intake. The present study investigated the association of habitual intake of total fatty acids (TFAs), saturated-, monounsaturated-, polyunsaturated FAs, n-3, and n-6 FAs with Apelin expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Methods: We obtained VAT and SAT from 168 participants (64 nonobese and 104 obese) who had undergone open abdominal surgery. Dietary intake information was gathered with a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. The mRNA expression of the Apelin gene was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results: Apelin serum levels were increased in the obese subjects compared to the nonobese group (p = 0.016). The SAT and VAT Apelin mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the obese participants compared to the nonobese ones (p < 0.05). Based on BMI status, only obese subjects indicated a positive association between SAT and VAT Apelin expression and TFA intake (p < 0.001). However, this association was observed between SAT and VAT Apelin gene expression and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-3 FA intakes in both obese and nonobese groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High Apelin gene expression was associated with TFA intake in obese subjects in both fat tissues. However, habitual intake of PUFA and n-3 FA was associated with Apelin gene expression in obese and nonobese individuals. Our results indicate a determinative role of the quality and quantity of FA intake on adipose tissue.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency
Authors: Karadeniz Ezgi Belhan , Aliyeva Chinara , Aydemir Sezin , Karaaslan Betul Gemici , Mustu Ulviye , Ada Mehmet , Cokugras Haluk , Kiykim Ayca
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Primary immunodeficiencies are a heterogeneous group of diseases associated with an increased incidence of infections, autoimmunity, autoinflammatory diseases, allergies, and cancer. Rhinosinusitis is one of the most common infections in these patients. In our study, we aimed to determine the presence of chronic rhinosinusitis in our patients with primary immunodeficiency and to investigate the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: Forty-four patients (age range: 4–26 years) diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency were enrolled in our study. Patients were interviewed about the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal endoscopic examinations were performed prospectively. The results of laboratory tests, medications, skin allergy tests, and the patients’ lung computed tomography were retrospectively recorded from patient files. Results: The distribution of patients’ diagnoses included 38.6% (n = 17) primary antibody deficiencies, 6.6% (n = 3) combined immunodeficiencies, 27.3% (n = 12) combined immunodeficiencies with syndromic features, 6.8% (n = 3) phagocytic disorders, and 20.5% (n = 9) immune dysregulation disorders. There was no significant difference in the frequency of chronic rhinosinusitis among the different immunodeficiency groups. There were no significant differences between chronic rhinosinusitis and conditions such as atopy, hypogammaglobulinemia, and treatments with immunoglobulin and/or azithromycin. The incidence of chronic rhinosinusitis was 77.8% (n = 7) in patients with a history of acute sinusitis and 20% (n = 7) in patients without a history of sinusitis, with a statistically significant difference between them (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Chronic rhinosinusitis is more common in patients with primary immunodeficiencies than in the normal population. For effective treatment, it is necessary to identify the factors that cause chronic rhinosinusitis. Further studies involving larger patient populations are needed to explain the mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis.
Evolution of Bullous Pemphigoid Clinical Pattern over Time: A 17-Year Single-Centre Retrospective Survey of 312 Cases
Authors: Dandache Elise , Du Thanh Aurélie , Girard Céline , Bessis Didier , Dereure Olivier
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) clinical profile may have evolved during the last 2 decades. A retrospective, single-centre analysis investigated a possible shift of clinical presentation of the disease over time regarding both lesions’ clinical pattern and locations and more particularly an increased frequency of characteristics considered as less classical regarding the usual clinical description of BP. Patients and Methods: Initial clinical data from all BP patients treated between January 2001 and April 2017 in a reference centre were collected and compared between four 4-year successive chronological subsets (G1 to G4). Results: 213/312 patients retained for final analysis (68.3%) displayed at least one initial non-classical characteristic, mainly head and neck, palmo-plantar, and/or mucosal involvement. Chronological analysis confirmed a significant increase over time of the percentage of patients displaying such features (G1 57.9% vs. G4 73.7%, p = 0.041). Conclusion: Changes in BP clinical pattern may have occurred over the last two decades with the progressive emergence of forms with a number of less classical features. No significant clinical difference was observed between patients receiving or not DPP4 inhibitors at the time of diagnosis.
Association of Intravenous Tirofiban with Functional Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Receiving Endovascular Thrombectomy
Authors: Chen Qiong , Meng Renliang , Wu Deping , Hu Jinrong , Tao Zhaojun , Xie Dongjing , Tian Yan , Han Qin , Fu Yuan , Zuo Ling , Zhang Min , Dai Weipeng , Deng Wei , Huang Xianjun , Sang Hongfei , Feng Xinggang , Qiu Zhongming , Wang Tao , Yuan Junjie
Published: December 2022

Introduction: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intravenous tirofiban improves functional outcomes without promoting the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in stroke secondary to basilar artery occlusion (BAO) receiving endovascular thrombectomy. Methods: Patients with acute BAO stroke who were treated with endovascular thrombectomy and had tirofiban treatment information were derived from “BASILAR”: a nationwide, prospective registry. All eligible patients were divided into tirofiban and no-tirofiban groups according to whether tirofiban was used intravenously. The primary endpoint was the 90-day severity of disability as assessed by the modified Rankin scale score. Safety outcomes were the frequency of ICH and mortality. Results: Of 645 patients included in this cohort, 363 were in the tirofiban group and 282 were in the no-tirofiban group. Thrombectomy with intravenous tirofiban reduced the 90-day disability level over the range of the modified Rankin scale (adjusted common odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.45–2.97; p < 0.001). The 90-day mortality of patients in the tirofiban group was lower than that in the no-tirofiban group (41.6% vs. 52.1%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.47–0.77; p < 0.001). The frequency of any ICH (6.7% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.004) and symptomatic ICH (4.8% vs. 10.1%; p = 0.01) in the tirofiban group was significantly lower than that in the no-tirofiban group. Conclusions: In patients with acute BAO stroke who underwent endovascular treatment, intravenous tirofiban might be associated with favorable outcome, reduced mortality, and a decreased frequency of ICH.
New-Onset Guttate Psoriasis: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study
Authors: Galili Eran , Levy Shir Rubinstein , Tzanani Ido , Segal Oz , Lyakhovitsky Anna , Barzilai Aviv , Baum Sharon
Published: December 2022

Background: Guttate psoriasis (GP), a distinct variant of psoriasis, is more common in children and adolescents. The long-term course of these patients has sparsely been examined, with few studies reporting the rates of relapse, persistence, and further development of the psoriasis vulgaris phenotype. Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize the long-term outcomes of new-onset GP and elucidate the potential factors associated with a persistent disease course. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients diagnosed with new-onset GP between 2009 and 2020 with a follow-up period of at least 1 year, were enrolled. The examinees were evaluated by dermatologists. Detailed data retrieved from the examinees’ medical files included demographics, disease characteristics, treatment, and comorbidities. A structured telephone questionnaire was used to determine the current psoriasis status: type, severity, and extent. At the end of follow-up, patients with a persistent disease course, defined as having lesions at least a year after disease onset, were compared with patients in complete remission without further psoriasis symptoms. Results: A total of 120 patients (mean age 28.8 years [±15.2], 58.3% women) with new-onset GP flare were identified. At the end of follow-up period (mean 6.2 years [±3.1]), 49.1% (n = 59) of the patients reported active persistent psoriasis. A switch to the psoriasis vulgaris phenotype occurred in 17.5% (n = 21) of the study cohort. Persistent psoriasis was associated with male sex (OR = 2.1, p < 0.05), multiple disease flares (>3; OR = 9.1, p < 0.001), switch to the vulgaris phenotype (OR = 4.16, p < 0.001), and palmoplantar involvement (OR = 5.2, p < 0.01). Conclusion: A persistent disease course is common among patients with new-onset GP, with most retaining their guttate phenotype throughout the disease course. Persistency was associated with male sex, multiple GP flares, switching to the vulgaris phenotype, and palmoplantar involvement.
Psoriatic Alopecia and Paradoxical Psoriasis Induced by Adalimumab Successfully Treated with Certolizumab: Clinical, Trichoscopic, and in vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Features
Authors: Megna Matteo , De Lucia Mario , Gallo Lucia , Lauro Wanda , Picone Vincenzo , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Ocampo-Garza Sonia Sofia
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Psoriatic alopecia is considered a type of hair loss occurring in patients with psoriasis. Adalimumab is a fully humanized recombinant anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody approved for treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), rarely related to the occurrence of dermatological disorders. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 56-year-old female with PsA developing psoriatic alopecia and paradoxical psoriasis induced by adalimumab and successfully treated switching to certolizumab, evaluating response at both thrichoscopy and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy. Discussion: Among anti-TNF-α agents, certolizumab is the least involved in the development of paradoxical reactions such as psoriatic alopecia and showed to be an effective and safe alternative therapeutic options to manage psoriasis and PsA minimizing the risk of paradoxical reactions.
Comparison of Multicolor Scanning Laser Imaging and Color Fundus Photography in Evaluating Vessel Whitening in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Unno Nobuyoshi , Lando Leonardo , Alex Varsha , Sim Peng Yong , Jhingan Mahima , Freeman William R. , Borooah Shyamanga
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Few studies have explored MultiColor™ imaging (MCI) in evaluating retinal vascular diseases, particularly branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). This study aimed to compare the identification of retinal vessel whitening in BRVO using MCI by scanning confocal laser versus conventional white-flash color fundus photography (CFP). Methods: Paired images of consecutive patients diagnosed with BRVO who underwent same-day MCI and CFP were reviewed. Visualization of vessel whitening on MCI and CFP was graded and scored using a scale by two masked graders. A longitudinal analysis of the vessel grading score was performed to evaluate the vessel whitening detection by MCI. A correlation analysis was conducted between vessel whitening on MCI and the measured area of retinal ischemia on fluorescein angiography to evaluate the MCI performance. Results: Forty-four eyes of 41 patients (mean age 69 ± 14 years; 61% female) were analyzed. MCI demonstrated superior vessel whitening visibility score than CFP (p < 0.001). Longitudinal analysis showed no significant changes in vessel whitening visibility scores over a mean follow-up time of 430 ± 648 days (p = 0.655). There was a significantly positive correlation between the grading score of vessels whitening by MCI and the area of ischemia by fluorescein angiography (r2 = 0.15; p = 0.036). Conclusion: MCI appears to provide a superior detection of whitening BRVO compared to CFP, serving as a rapid and non-invasive correlate of retinal ischemia.
Menthacarin, a Proprietary Peppermint Oil and Caraway Oil Combination, Improves Multiple Complaints in Patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Madisch Ahmed , Frieling Thomas , Zimmermann Andrea , Hollenz Margrit , Labenz Joachim , Stracke Berenike , Miehlke Stephan
Published: December 2022

Introduction: This systematic review summarizes published data on Menthacarin, the proprietary combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil, in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Efficacy was assessed by meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Methods: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the manufacturer’s information system for clinical studies investigating the safety and efficacy of Menthacarin. Efficacy analyses included change from baseline of epigastric pain and general improvement of the patients’ condition. Results: Five randomized trials involving 580 patients were found, demonstrating significant effects of Menthacarin on symptoms of functional dyspepsia (FD) compared to placebo or similar effects compared to a reference drug. Seven other studies reported favorable results on therapeutic application in FD patients with concomitant Helicobacter pylori infection, in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and on tolerability in FD patients from 12 years of age. Three trials in FD with 249 patients were eligible for meta-analysis. Results demonstrate a significant reduction in pain intensity (standardized mean difference: 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39–1.21) and in item 2 of the Clinical Global Impression Scale (risk ratio: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.81–3.87) for Menthacarin. Conclusions: Menthacarin was shown to be effective and safe for the treatment of FD and represents a promising option for symptoms of IBS.
Therapeutic Plasmapheresis: A Revision of Literature
Authors: Altobelli Claudia , Anastasio Pietro , Cerrone Alessandro , Signoriello Elisabetta , Lus Giacomo , Pluvio Corrado , Perna Alessandra F. , Capasso Giovambattista , Simeoni Mariadelina , Capolongo Giovanna
Published: December 2022

Background: Therapeutic plasmapheresis (TP) is an extracorporeal therapy that allows the removal of pathogens from plasma. The role of TP in immuno-mediated diseases and toxic conditions has been of interest for decades. Summary: We reviewed the recent literature on the application and the optimal choice of TP technique ranging from plasma exchange, double filtration plasmapheresis, rheopheresis, immunoadsorptions, plasma adsorption perfusion and lipidoapheresis. In addition, we report our experience in the application of TP for various diseases ranging in different medical specialties, following the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) recommendations. Key Messages: Overall patients receiving TP showed an improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters. Our review and single-center experience suggest a benefit of the application of TP in multiple clinical disciplines.
Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Li Xiejia , Lindholm Bengt
Published: December 2022

Background: As one of the main complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in CKD patients is high. CVD risk is markedly increased even at early stages of CKD, and CVD deaths account for half of all known causes of mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. The alarming rate of CVD in CKD patients demands accurate risk prediction to identify individuals at greater risk and therefore needing intensive surveillance and treatment in order to improve their prognosis. Summary: Since the CVD risk prediction models used in general population did not perform well in CKD patients, novel CVD risk biomarkers and improved risk predictive models adapted to CKD are receiving increasing attention in recent years. In this article, we review the applicability and performance of some of the available cardiovascular risk prediction tools in CKD. Key Messages: Cardiovascular risk prediction in CKD needs and deserves continued attention and in-depth research that helps clinicians set out timely and effective interventions.
Complementary and Alternative Medicines in the Management of Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Chow Sheryl L. , Bozkurt Biykem , Baker William L. , Bleske Barry E. , Breathett Khadijah , Fonarow Gregg C. , Greenberg Barry , Khazanie Prateeti , Leclerc Jacinthe , Morris Alanna A. , Reza Nosheen , Yancy Clyde W. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Clinical Pharmacology Committee and Heart Failure and Transplantation Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; and Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing
Published: December 2022

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are commonly used across the world by diverse populations and ethnicities but remain largely unregulated. Although many CAM agents are purported to be efficacious and safe by the public, clinical evidence supporting the use of CAM in heart failure remains limited and controversial. Furthermore, health care professionals rarely inquire or document use of CAM as part of the medical record, and patients infrequently disclose their use without further prompting. The goal of this scientific statement is to summarize published efficacy and safety data for CAM and adjunctive interventional wellness approaches in heart failure. Furthermore, other important considerations such as adverse effects and drug interactions that could influence the safety of patients with heart failure are reviewed and discussed.
Richness and composition of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in Brazilian rupestrian cerrados, with comments on distribution and taxonomy
Authors: DE SOUSA JEAN RIBEIRO M. , PERBICHE-NEVES GILMAR , ROCHA CARLOS E. F. , PANARELLI ELIANA A. , ELMOOR-LOUREIRO LOURDES M. A. , SOUSA FRANCISCO DIOGO ROCHA
Published: December 2022

Several studies that involve a faunal survey of Cladocera in Brazil have been carried out in recent years; however, knowledge of the distribution and diversity of species of this group in semiterrestrial and aquatic bodies of rupestrian cerrado is still rare. The present study evaluated the richness and composition of cladoceran species in these environments in the central parts of the country. Samples were collected at nine sites of rupestrian cerrado from 2011 to 2012. In total, 47 cladocerans species were identified, belonging to six families, emphasizing the Chydoridae family with the greatest richness (32 species) and abundance. The species Bryospilus repens had its first record for the state of Goiás and the Brazilian Midwest. Other species were also recorded for the first time: Leberis davidi for the state of Minas Gerais, and Alona yara and Flavalona asymmetrica for the state of Bahia. This demonstrates that rupestrian cerrados are relevant for cladoceran diversity on a regional scale. Carrying out new inventories of cladocerans in similar phytophysiognomies could contribute significantly to the knowledge of the biodiversity of these animals in Brazil, in addition to providing updates on the geographic distribution of species already recorded in previous studies.
Four rare genera of the subfamily Campopleginae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from China, with description of three new species
Authors: HAN YUAN-YUAN , VAN ACHTERBERG KEES , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: December 2022

Five species of four rare genera Dolophron Förster, 1869, Genotropis Townes, 1970, Leptocampoplex Horstman, 1970 and Philositus Townes, 1970 of the family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) are found in China, among which three genera Dolophron, Leptocampoplex and Philositus are firstly reported from China. Three new species D. granulosa sp. nov., G. mauroknema sp. nov., and P. parva sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Redescriptions of Genotropis clara Townes, 1970 and Leptocampoplex cremastoides (Holmgren, 1860) are given. Keys to species of each genus and the distribution map of China are also provided.
A new species of Colobothea Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1825 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) from Peru, French Guiana, and Brazil, with notes on Colobothea hirtipes (Degeer, 1775)
Authors: TAVAKILIAN GÉRARD L. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: December 2022

Colobothea batesi sp. nov. is described based on specimens from Peru, French Guiana, and Brazil. Photographs of the male holotype and one female paratype are provided, as well as photographs of a male and a female of C. hirtipes (Degeer, 1775) to facilitate comparison. Notes on host plants of C. hirtipes are also provided.
A Novel Machine Learning Based Probabilistic Classification Model for Heart Disease Prediction
Authors: Ann Romalt A. , Kumar Mathusoothana S.
Published: December 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is most dreadful disease that results in fatal-threats like heart attacks. Accurate disease prediction is very essential and machine-learning techniques contribute a major part in predicting occurrence. In this paper, a novel machine learning based model
for accurate prediction of cardiovascular disease is developed that applies unique feature selection technique called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Best Known Method (CFSBKM). Each feature is ranked based on the feature importance scores. The new learning model eliminates the most irrelevant and
low importance features from the datasets thereby resulting in the robust heart disease risk prediction model. The multi-nominal Naive Bayes classifier is used for the classification. The performance of the CFSBKM model is evaluated using the Benchmark dataset Cleveland dataset from UCI repository
and the proposed models out-perform the existing techniques.
Liver Cancer Detection and Classification Using Raspberry Pi
Authors: Agita T. K. R. , Moorthi M.
Published: December 2022

In practical radiology, early diagnosis and precise categorization of liver cancer are difficult issues. Manual segmentation is also a time-consuming process. So, utilizing various methodologies based on an embedded system, we detect liver cancer from abdominal CT images using automated
liver cancer segmentation and classification. The objective is to categorize CT scan images of primary and secondary liver disease using a Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) classifier, which has greater accuracy than previous approaches. In this work, a newly proposed method is shown
which has four phases: image preprocessing, image segmentation, extraction of the features, and classification of the liver. Level set segmentation for segmenting the liver from abdominal CT images and Practical Swarm Optimization (PSO) for the tumor segmentation. Then the features from the
liver are extracted and given to the BPNN classifier to classify the liver cancer. These algorithms are implemented on the Raspberry Pi. Then it serially interfaces with the MAX3232 protocol via serial communication. The GSM 800C module is connected to the system to send SMS as primary or
secondary cancer. The BPNN classification technique achieved an excellent accuracy of 97.98%. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of this proposed approach, which provides excellent accuracy with good results.
Deep Learning-Based Electrocardiogram Signal Analysis for Abnormalities Detection Using Hybrid Cascade Feed Forward Backpropagation with Ant Colony Optimization Technique
Authors: Ganesh C. , Sathiyabhama B.
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a time series data mining models is introduced for analysis of ECG data for prior identification of heart attacks. The ECG data sets extracted from Physionet are simulated in MATLAB. The Data used for model are preprocessed so that missing data are fulfilled. In this
work cascade feedforward NN which is similar to Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) architecture is proposed along with Swarm Intelligence. A hybrid method combining cascade-Forward NN Classifier and Ant colony optimization is proposed in this paper. The swarm-based intelligence method optimizes the
weight adjustment of neural network and enhances the convergence behavior. The novelty is on the optimization of the NN parameters for narrowing down the convergence with ACO implementation. Ant colony optimization is used here for choosing the optimized hidden node. The combined use of machine
learning algorithm with neural network enhances the performance of the system. The performance is evaluated using parameters like True Positive (TP), True Negative (TN), False Positive (FP), and False Negative (FN) respectively. The Improved accuracy of proposed Classifier model raises the
speed. In addition, the proposed method uses minimum memory. The implementation was done in MATLAB tool. Real time data was used.
A Primer on Topological Data Analysis to Support Image Analysis Tasks in Environmental Science
Authors: Ver Hoef Lander , Adams Henry , King Emily J. , Ebert-Uphoff Imme
Published: December 2022

Topological data analysis (TDA) is a tool from data science and mathematics that is beginning to make waves in environmental science. In this work, we seek to provide an intuitive and understandable introduction to a tool from TDA that is particularly useful for the analysis of imagery, namely, persistent homology. We briefly discuss the theoretical background but focus primarily on understanding the output of this tool and discussing what information it can glean. To this end, we frame our discussion around a guiding example of classifying satellite images from the sugar, fish, flower, and gravel dataset produced for the study of mesoscale organization of clouds by Rasp et al. We demonstrate how persistent homology and its vectorization, persistence landscapes, can be used in a workflow with a simple machine learning algorithm to obtain good results, and we explore in detail how we can explain this behavior in terms of image-level features. One of the core strengths of persistent homology is how interpretable it can be, so throughout this paper we discuss not just the patterns we find but why those results are to be expected given what we know about the theory of persistent homology. Our goal is that readers of this paper will leave with a better understanding of TDA and persistent homology, will be able to identify problems and datasets of their own for which persistent homology could be helpful, and will gain an understanding of the results they obtain from applying the included GitHub example code.

Significance Statement

Information such as the geometric structure and texture of image data can greatly support the inference of the physical state of an observed Earth system, for example, in remote sensing to determine whether wildfires are active or to identify local climate zones. Persistent homology is a branch of topological data analysis that allows one to extract such information in an interpretable way—unlike black-box methods like deep neural networks. The purpose of this paper is to explain in an intuitive manner what persistent homology is and how researchers in environmental science can use it to create interpretable models. We demonstrate the approach to identify certain cloud patterns from satellite imagery and find that the resulting model is indeed interpretable.
Does Extended Sawyer–Eliassen Equation Effectively Capture the Secondary Circulation of a Simulated Tropical Cyclone?
Authors: Ji Dong , Qiao Fangli
Published: December 2022

The validity of the gradient wind balance in a tropical cyclone (TC) remains controversial, especially for the boundary layer and the upper outflow layer, even though this balance is assumed in the derivation of the Sawyer–Eliassen (SE) equation. This study derives an extended SE equation with the relaxation of the gradient wind and hydrostatic balance in cylindrical r–z coordinates, and then we diagnose the secondary circulation using this unbalanced SE equation and the azimuthally averaged tangential wind and thermodynamical fields from a three-dimensional numerical simulation of an intensifying TC. The gradient wind and hydrostatic imbalance produce two additional time-dependent forcing terms on the right-hand side (rhs) of SE equation, which are proved to be negligible for diagnosing the secondary circulation, even as the storm evolves rapidly. The use of the unbalanced basic state deforms the fields of coefficients that appear in the SE equation, and thus the forced secondary flows. The results indicate that the unbalanced solution captures the boundary layer inflow better than the balanced solution described by Bui et al. and the pseudobalanced solution described by Heng et al. The unbalanced solution is closer to the simulation because more unbalanced components are included. Many previous studies always employ the thermal wind balance relation to simplify the SE equation, which is invalid in an unbalanced vortex and result in an overestimation of the boundary layer inflow. These unbalanced dynamics could provide a reliable diagnosis of the secondary flow near the boundary layer.
Evaluation of Changes in Dry and Wet Precipitation Extremes in Warmer Climates Using a Passive Water Vapor Modeling Approach
Authors: Labonté Marie-Pier , Merlis Timothy M.
Published: December 2022

Hydroclimatic extremes, such as heavy daily rainfall and dry spells, are expected to intensify under anthropogenic warming. Often, these changes are diagnostically related to thermodynamic increases in humidity with warming. Here, we develop a framework that uses an online calculation of the thermodynamically induced changes of the full precipitation distribution with warming in an idealized moist atmospheric general circulation model. Two water vapor variables, the standard active one and an additional passive one (i.e., no latent heat release when condensation occurs), are advected by the resolved circulation. The passive water vapor is thermodynamically perturbed by modifying the saturation specific humidity used in the calculation of its condensation tendency and surface evaporation. The difference between the precipitation of the perturbed passive water vapor relative to the control one corresponds to the thermodynamic component of precipitation change, which can be evaluated for the entire distribution. Here, we evaluate wet and dry extremes. Our simulations have tropical increases and higher-latitude decreases of dry spell’s length (defined as the maximum consecutive dry days), as found in the zonal mean of comprehensive models. This simulated thermodynamically induced intensification of dry spells in the tropics arises from the decreased contrast between sea surface temperature and surface air temperature with warming. There is a simulated increase in heavy daily rainfall (e.g., the 99.9th percentile of the daily precipitation distribution) at all latitudes that differ modestly from a previous theory that assumes moist-adiabatic stratification. Consistent with this theory, increased warming aloft slightly dampens the simulated increase.
Biliblanket Utilization for Outpatient Treatment of Newborn Jaundice
Authors: Orringer Kelly , Kileny Sharon , Salada Katherine , Sahloul Eman , Gebremariam Acham , Skoczylas Maria , Yoon Esther
Published: December 2022

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal diagnosis. Biliblankets have the potential to reduce readmission for hyperbilirubinemia. The study purpose was to characterize home biliblanket treatment for hyperbilirubinemia using retrospective medical record review of newborns with total serum bilirubin of 0.1 to 3 mg/dL below inpatient threshold seen at 9 pediatric clinics (N = 359). The main outcomes were whether a biliblanket was used and whether the usage impacted readmissions. Home biliblankets were used for 44% of newborns. Nine percent of newborns were readmitted for hyperbilirubinemia. Four percent of newborns treated with a biliblanket were readmitted compared with 13% of those not treated with a biliblanket ( P = .002). Newborns treated with a biliblanket (odds ratio [OR] = 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06-0.44) and newborns 3 days or older (OR = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.06-0.43) were less likely to be readmitted than newborns not treated with a biliblanket and 2-day-old newborns. We found that home biliblanket use was associated with lower odds of hospital readmission for newborn jaundice.
Evaluation of Renal Function and Urinalysis in Children With Simple Febrile Convulsions
Authors: Ahmadi Amirmahdi , Shariatmadari Fakhreddin , Yousefichaijan Parsa , Sarmadian Roham , Dorreh Fatemeh , Arjmand Shabestari Ali
Published: December 2022

Febrile convulsion (FC) is the most prevalent type of seizure in children. Febrile diseases have been associated with alterations in kidney function and urine indices. Therefore, in this study, renal function and urine analysis were examined in children with simple FC. The study comprised children with simple FC who were referred to the Amirkabir hospital in Arak between 2020 and 2021. Children were examined for urinalysis and kidney function by assessing the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). A total of 157 patients with FC were admitted. Hematuria, proteinuria, and pyuria were detected in 8.9%, 1.9%, and 5.1% of cases, respectively. The urine cultures of 2 children were positive. Moreover, it was found that in simple FC, eGFR decreases regardless of gender ( P > .05), although kidney function decreases more in children older than 24 months. In conclusion, all children with FC must undergo renal function assessments. Furthermore, urinalysis and urine culture are advised to rule out infection.
The Convergence of Hate: An Analysis of UCR–NCVS Hate Crime Trends, 2003 to 2020
Authors: Holder Eaven
Published: December 2022

Questions remain on whether the UCR constitutes a legitimate source for analyzing hate crime. While a handful of studies have attempted to uncover the law enforcement characteristics associated with reporting hate crime, scholars have yet to triangulate official data with other sources, namely the NCVS. In this study, I replicate past UCR-NCVS convergence analyses on hate crime incidents, determining whether these series converge and if they do so across different forms of bias motivation. Using 18 years of data from 2003 through 2020 at a national level, results indicate mixed support for convergence, drawing implications for research and policy.
Quality Indicators for Mixed-Methods Research in Special Education
Authors: Leko Melinda M. , Hitchcock John H. , Love Hailey R. , Houchins David E. , Conroy Maureen A.
Published: December 2022

Mixed-methods research (MMR) holds promise for investigating several empirical questions within special education, capitalizing on the strengths of quantitative and qualitative traditions. We present an overview of MMR in special education and quality indicators for conducting and reporting such studies. We look to the future for how MMR may advance our understanding of crucial issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Finally, we discuss special considerations for MMR and the open science movement.
Location of Death in Developed Countries: Are Hospitals a Primary Place of Death and Dying Now?
Authors: Wilson Donna M. , Fabris Lucas G. , Martins Arthur L. B. , Dou Qinqin , Errasti-Ibarrondo Begoña , Bykowski Kathleen A.
Published: December 2022

Hospitals used to be a common site of death and dying. This scoping project sought published and unpublished information on current hospital death rates in developed countries. In total, death place information was gained from 21 countries, with the hospital death rate varying considerably from 23.9% in the Netherlands to 68.3% in Japan. This major difference is discussed, as well as the problem that death place information does not appear to be routinely collected or reported on in many developed countries. Without this information, efforts to ensure high quality end-of-life (EOL) care and good deaths are hampered.
Associations of Losing a Child With the Couple Relationship, Maternal Mental Health, and the Emotional Development of the Subsequent Baby
Authors: Nunes Maia Gabriela , Ruschel Bandeira Denise , Centenaro Levandowski Daniela
Published: December 2022

The loss of a child can impact maternal mental health and the emotional development of a subsequent baby. Couple relationship can help women to cope with this loss. This study investigates the association among child loss, maternal mental health (including prolonged grief), couple adjustment, and psycho-functional symptoms in the subsequent babies. 598 Brazilian mothers, recruited by convenience, took part in the study. Mothers with a baby loss (23%) presented greater age and religiosity, less income, a longer couple relationship, and better couple adjustment, and their baby presented a great number of symptoms. This population needs monitoring for early emotional assistance.
The caring city? A critical reflection on Barcelona’s municipal experiments in care and the commons
Authors: Kussy Angelina , Palomera David , Silver Daniel
Published: December 2022

There is an urgent need to develop a coherent political strategy to address the current crisis of care. Allocation of care through the market or the state leads to a care and democratic deficit. Organising care on the logic of the commons provides an alternative paradigm rooted in democracy and solidarity. Municipalism aims to build institutions to enable the commons; it represents a political strategy for the crisis of care at scale. In this paper we explore Barcelona en Comu’s experiments in care to build upon what has been termed ‘care; municipalism’. Our case study focuses on domestic care work as a domain that reflects the core inequalities of the crisis. Through our analysis we have identified three key features of care municipalism: firstly, a feminist narrative of care; secondly, new forms of organising care and thirdly, building social infrastructures. The paper closes with a reflection on the limitations of Barcelona en Comu’s experiments in care from a perspective of the commons, before outlining a future research agenda to contribute towards more caring cities.
Theoretical Foundations and Limits of Word Embeddings: What Types of Meaning can They Capture?
Authors: Arseniev-Koehler Alina
Published: December 2022

Measuring meaning is a central problem in cultural sociology and word embeddings may offer powerful new tools to do so. But like any tool, they build on and exert theoretical assumptions. In this paper, I theorize the ways in which word embeddings model three core premises of a structural linguistic theory of meaning: that meaning is coherent, relational, and may be analyzed as a static system. In certain ways, word embeddings are vulnerable to the enduring critiques of these premises. In other ways, word embeddings offer novel solutions to these critiques. More broadly, formalizing the study of meaning with word embeddings offers theoretical opportunities to clarify core concepts and debates in cultural sociology, such as the coherence of meaning. Just as network analysis specified the once vague notion of social relations, formalizing meaning with embeddings can push us to specify and reimagine meaning itself.
Generativity and Engagement in Grandparenting Activities Among Older Adults in Northern Sri Lanka
Authors: Dohlman Camilla S. , Zalla Lauren C. , Chung Esther O. , Østbye Truls , Maselko Joanna
Published: December 2022

Generativity refers to the desire to pass on one's skills, knowledge, and wisdom to future generations; this may be a clear indicator of the likelihood of older adults investing time and effort in engagement with their grandchildren. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between generative beliefs and an index of multiple potential grandparenting activities. The data come from a convenience sample of 79 grandparents (aged 55+) living in Sri Lanka, a society experiencing rapid growth in its population of older adults. Regression analyses demonstrate that more endorsement of generative beliefs among older adults is associated with increased engagement in various grandparenting activities, with the strongest associations with reading, singing songs, and helping grandchildren with schoolwork or teaching them. Our findings suggest that generativity may be important for understanding the relationship between grandparenting and improved well-being for older adults.
A Life Course, Intergenerational Perspective on Loneliness
Authors: Ayalon Liat , Segel-Karpas Dikla
Published: December 2022

The present study relied on 15 dyads of adult children and their older parent to better understand intergenerational family relations from a life course perspective. Interviews were analyzed relying on qualitative thematic analysis, identifying similarities and differences within and between interviews and dyads. Our analysis resulted in three major themes. The first concerns the important role of intergenerational family relation as a means to define and conceptualize the experiences of loneliness and ways of coping with loneliness. The second theme concerned intergenerational relations as a cause (and at times a remedy) of loneliness. The third theme concerns the ability of the dyad's members to reflect on the level of loneliness of the other member in the intergenerational dyad. The findings stress the importance of intergenerational family relations throughout the life course and highlight the importance of adopting an intergenerational lens as a possible means to address loneliness.
Situating Slums in Hegemonic Urban Discourse: A Historiography of English-Language Architecture and Planning Journals
Authors: de Castro Mazarro Alejandro
Published: December 2022

Over recent years, the political critique of the characterization of slums has progressively developed within hegemonic urban planning discourse. In planning history, however, the emergence of slums remains associated with the narrative and geographies of underdevelopment in the context of modernization theory. To deconstruct this narrative and thus contribute to the decolonization of planning discourse, this paper undertakes a historiographic analysis of English-language journal publications dealing with different forms of subaltern urbanism. I show how the concept of “slums” has progressively broadened in meaning to encompass an ever-larger array of derogatory concepts, and that the term “slum” is limited to certain geographical hotspots, thereby contributing to geopolitical biases and knowledge gaps. Through the content analysis of publications, I am able to outline a historical periodization of hegemonic planning themes and proposals addressing slums in diverse geographies, along with critical views on their underlying perspectives.
The City of the Missing: Poetic Responses to the Grenfell Fire
Authors: Davies Dominic
Published: December 2022

This essay is about the representation and recognition of the victims and survivors of the Grenfell fire disaster in poetry written since June 14, 2017. It begins by arguing that the fire was caused not by a lack of knowledge, but by a refusal to acknowledge the voices of the community. It shows how this refusal of recognition was both direct and systemic, slow and immediate, situating the fire in the recent and long-term contexts of austerity and the hostile environment, the demonization of social housing, urbanization and the rise of slums, and the logics of colonialism and racial capitalism. The essay then turns a series of poetic responses to the fire, read and discussed mostly in the order of their publication. These include poems by Ben Okri, Roger Robinson, and Jay Bernard; spoken word performances by Potent Whisper; and two tracks by Lowkey. Through close and careful readings of this work, the essay identifies a hauntological politics of acknowledgment and memorialization that refuses social death and galvanizes social life.