bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distance‐Based Structure Characterization of PAMAM‐Related Dendrimers Nanoparticle
Authors: Xavier D. Antony , Akhila S. , Alsinai Ammar , Julietraja K. , Ahmed Hanan , Raja Arul Amirtha , Varghese Eddith Sarah
Published: December 2022

Dendrimers are well‐defined nanoparticles, which have far‐reaching application in the field of chemistry. Many efforts have been devoted to development of dendrimer due to thier unique structure and various properties and broad application. It helps in varieties of purposes as a catalyst in drug delivery and drug design. The topological descriptor analyze the structure–property relationship of chemical compounds. In this paper, some numerical expressions have been obtained to understand the behavioral pattern of chiral polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer and PAMAM anthracene moieties dendrimer. The analytical expression has been plotted and compared with varieties of indices to show how it varies between each indices.
Long-Term (2007 to 2018) Energy and CO2 Fluxes over an Agriculture Ecosystem in the Southeastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xu Anlun , Li Jian , Du Qun , Dong Baoju
Published: December 2022

Long-term eddy covariance flux observations over complex topography are crucial for improving the understanding of the turbulent exchanges between the land and atmosphere. Based on a 12-year (2007–2018) record dataset measured with the eddy covariance technique over the Dali agriculture ecosystem in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, we investigated the diurnal, seasonal, and interannual variations of the sensible heat flux (Hs), latent heat flux (LE), and carbon dioxide flux (Fc), and their controlling variables. The results showed that Hs and LE exhibited similar diurnal and seasonal variations, while the amplitude of LE was clearly larger than that of Hs throughout the year. The turbulent fluxes showed remarkable fluctuation on the annual scale. The annual average Hs (LE) increases (decreases) from approximately 8 (110) W·m−2 during 2007–2013 to 20 (79) W·m−2 during 2014–2018. The annual cumulative net CO2 ecosystem exchange (NEE) increases significantly from approximately −739 g·C·m−2·yr−1 during 2007–2013 to −218 g·C·m−2·yr−1 during 2014–2018. The relationship between turbulent fluxes and meteorological variables was also examined. Wind speed (WS) is found to be the dominant controlling factor for the Hs on different temporal scales and their correlation coefficients increase when the timescales vary from daily to annual scale; whereas the product of WS and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is the major meteorological variable controlling the LE over all temporal scales. The net radiation (Rn) is the dominating factor for Fc on daily and monthly timescales, while WS becomes the most controlling factor for Fc on an annual scale. Notably, surface energy and CO2 fluxes are also greatly influenced by the vegetation cover surrounding the measurement site.
Optimization of Drying Parameters for Total Phenolic Content of Papaya Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Akter Ferdusee , Akther Shireen , Sultana Afroza , Rahman Md. Motiur , Deb Ujjwal Kumar
Published: December 2022

An optimum condition of the drying process can minimize nutrient losses and maximize the shelf life of food products. Thus, this study is aimed at developing an optimized system for the process conditions to determine the total phenolic content (TPC) of oven-dried papaya slices. The response surface method and central composite design were used to design the experiment, and it was found that the drying conditions had a significant impact on the total phenolic content of papaya slices. TPC was determined in relation to their interactions with the independent variables that include time, temperature, sample thickness, and stage of ripeness. The optimum drying conditions are those with the maximum content of TPC. In order to fit the experimental data, a quadratic polynomial model is created for the output variable, and an analysis of variance is carried out to determine whether or not the model is compatible to determine the optimal drying conditions. Time (10 h), temperature (62.02°C), thickness (9.75 mm) and stages (ripe) were found to be the optimal drying conditions. It was found that temperature had more effect on the amount of TPC than other factors. The numerical findings showed a good agreement with experimental data, with

R

2

=
0.9237

. It is hoped that the findings will make a contribution to the process of drying food.
Seizure-Induced Hemoptysis in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Nangia Ritika , Kahwaty Margaret , Sachdeva Ashutosh , Kotwal Nidhi
Published: December 2022

Hemoptysis can complicate seizures, albeit rarely. This unfamiliar presentation, reported infrequently in adults, can also affect children. This remains a rare clinical entity in pediatrics and we report one such case and its association with sterol carrier protein (SCP) gene mutation. We present a case of a 16-year-old male with recurrent episodes of hemoptysis following seizures. The diagnostic workup for etiology of the hemoptysis was unrevealing and he was ultimately treated for neurogenic pulmonary edema as a diagnosis of exclusion. He achieved complete resolution with supportive care and diuretics. Our case report describes the clinical and radiological presentation and overall management of post-ictal pulmonary hemorrhage and edema in a pediatric patient. In addition, it reports a new finding of possible association with sterol carrier protein (SCP2) carrier status. It also highlights a rare but potentially life-threatening consequence of inadequate seizure control in pediatric patients.
Approximate Solutions of the Jet Engine Vibration Equation by the Homotopy Perturbation Method
Authors: Kawser M. Abul , Alim Md Abdul
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we consider the jet engine vibration system. With the help of the homotopy perturbation method (HPM), we solve the jet engine vibration (JEV) equation, which is a second-order nonlinear differential equation in the presence of damping and external forces. We compare the results with the corresponding numerical method to show the efficiency and reliability of this method. The findings demonstrate how well HPM works as a solution to these concerns, and it is anticipated that HPM will be used in a variety of new problems.
ROMA Index Is an Effective Predictor for Advanced Endometrial Cancer before Surgery
Authors: Wang Jianzhang , Xu Ping , Zou Gen , Yin Meichen , Mao Xinqi , Zhang Xinmei
Published: December 2022

There is a high rate of inconformity between clinical staging and surgical-pathologic staging in endometrial cancer. Many patients with advanced endometrial cancer are preoperatively understaged and thereby do not receive the optimal therapy. Here, we aimed to develop a predictive model or biomarker for preoperative diagnosis of advanced endometrial cancer via multivariate logistic regression analysis. In this study, 259 eligible patients were included, and 195 patients were assigned to the training dataset and 64 patients to validation dataset. Age, menopause status, sterilization situation, parity, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tumor size, and ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) index were included as predictive variables, and the binary outcome was advanced endometrial cancer or not. When the

P

value was set as less than 0.01 in forward stepwise regression, only ROMA index was retained. The odds ratio of being positive ROMA index was 15.531 times that of negative value. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.790 in the training dataset and 0.776 in the validation dataset. The decision curve analysis curve showed that the prediction by ROMA index added more net benefits for almost all threshold probabilities. Therefore, ROMA index is an effective predictor for advanced endometrial cancer before surgery. Since ROMA index is a standard, measurable, and reliable laboratory test, it can be used as a reference tool for gynecologists to design the appropriate therapeutic schedule for patients with high-stage endometrial cancer before surgery.
Research on Fracture Characteristics and Energy Dissipation of Hard Rock under the Excitation of Ultrasonic Vibration
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Xufeng , Wang Jiyao , Yang Zhanbiao
Published: December 2022

To promote the application of ultrasonic vibration rock crushing technology in underground rock-drilling engineering, it is necessary to investigate the damage and fracture characteristics of hard rock under the excitation of ultrasonic vibration. In this study, the brittle red sandstone was taken as the research object, the rock fracture experiments under the excitation of ultrasonic vibration were carried out, and the macrodeformation of rock samples was monitored by strain gauges. The experimental results show that the strain curve of rock samples under the excitation of ultrasonic vibration can be divided into the compaction stage, elastic deformation stage, and damage stage; with the increase in static load, the maximum intrusion depth and maximum failure depth of rock samples increase exponentially. To study the damage evolution and energy dissipation mechanism of rock samples under the excitation of ultrasonic vibration, a numerical model was established by using particle flow software PFC2D. The results show that the proposed model can effectively simulate the failure characteristics of rock samples under the excitation of ultrasonic vibration. Through the analysis of the displacement field, stress field, and dynamic fracture process of rock samples, the damage and fracture mechanism of rock samples under the excitation of ultrasonic vibration were revealed. In addition, the ultrasonic vibration simulation tests on rock samples were carried out under different static loads, and the number of rock cracks and energy dissipation process were monitored in real time. The results show that static loads can accelerate the initiation and propagation of cracks and improve the utilization rate of rock crushing energy.
De Novo Autoimmune Hepatitis after COVID-19 Infection in an Unvaccinated Patient
Authors: Durazo Francisco A. , Kristbaum Kelly , Miller James , Saeian Kia , Selim Motaz , Hong Johnny C.
Published: December 2022

Liver test abnormalities have been described during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection causing coronavirus disease 2019. Most of them consist of elevation of the aminotransferases that resolve once the infection subsides. There are several reports of autoimmune hepatitis developing after vaccination against COVID-19 and one case of autoimmune hepatitis following COVID-19 infection. We present a patient that was not vaccinated against COVID-19 and developed resistant de novo autoimmune hepatitis following COVID-19 infection requiring aggressive immunosuppression.
Reliability Calculation Method of Shipborne Vehicles’ Sortie Mission for Dynamic Network Structure
Authors: Shi Han , Wang Nengjian , Wang Guo , Liu Qinhui , Tai Yuncai
Published: December 2022

To provide decision support to the commander, it is necessary to calculate shipborne vehicles’ sortie mission reliability during the formulation of the layout plan. Therefore, this paper presents the sortie mission network model and reliability calculation method for shipborne vehicles. Firstly, the shipborne vehicle layout and sortie task characteristics are used to establish the sortie mission network model. The shipborne vehicles' sortie mission reliability problem is transformed into a two-terminal network reliability problem. Secondly, the minimal path set method is used to calculate the two-terminal network reliability. An improved tabu search algorithm based on a strategy of breaking up the whole into parts is proposed to search for the minimal path set that matches the length. Finally, the sum of disjoint products is used to process the minimal path set to obtain the shipborne vehicles’ sortie mission reliability calculation formula. A numerical analysis of two simplified shipborne vehicles’ layouts is given to illustrate the calculation process of the method. This study provides a new evaluation index and an effective quantitative basis for the evaluation system of shipborne vehicles’ layout. It also provides theoretical support for the development of decision-making related to the sortie mission of shipborne vehicles.
The Misdiagnosis of Intravesical Ectopic Prostatic Tissue as a Tumor
Authors: Wu Yong-Lu , Li Zhi-Qin , Wu Ai-Ming
Published: December 2022

Ectopic prostatic tissue is rare, and it is usually only discovered by chance during imaging examinations or surgery. However, between 1967 and 2021, reports of ectopic prostatic tissue in the medical literature increased. It is rarely reported that ectopic prostatic tissue can be misdiagnosed as a nephrogenic adenoma (NA). This case study aimed to increase the awareness of ectopic prostatic tissue to improve its rates of diagnosis. This paper is focused on a 45-year-old male patient with a history of bladder lesions that were accidentally discovered through a health examination. A computed tomography scan revealed a homogeneous isoechoic mass in the posterior inferior wall of the bladder. At first, a transurethral cystoscopy revealed a smooth sessile mass covering the normal bladder mucosa, which was located in the middle of the interureteric ridge. The biopsy results suggested a possible intravesical NA. The mass was then completely resected under pneumovesicoscopy, and the pathological diagnosis was ectopic prostatic tissue. The clinical symptoms of ectopic prostatic tissue are similar to other bladder neoplasms, but there are too few characteristics available in imaging examinations to allow for an accurate diagnosis. Since ectopic prostatic tissue can present as a tumor in the bladder, urologists may easily misdiagnose the condition. Surgery is the basis of treatment for ectopic prostatic tissue, and it has a good prognosis.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Nivolumab in Malignant Non-Pleural Mesothelioma: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Japanese Phase II Trial (VIOLA) Protocol
Authors: Kuribayashi Kozo , Igeta Masataka , Daimon Takashi , Ibu Maede , Suna Shinichiro , Okamoto Rika , Kijima Takashi
Published: December 2022

Background: There is no authorized treatment for malignant non-pleural mesothelioma (MNPM) worldwide. In contrast to malignant pleural mesothelioma, MNPM has not been investigated, and no treatment has been established due to its rarity. Objectives: This multicenter, open-label, single-arm, Japanese phase II trial aims at evaluating the efficacy and safety of nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in advanced or metastatic MNPM treatment. Methods: This phase II trial commenced in October 2020. Twenty-three patients with advanced or metastatic MNPM who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from five institutions within 2 years. Regardless of prior therapy, 240 mg of nivolumab will be administered intravenously to MNPM patients every 2 weeks to investigate its efficacy and safety until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities are detected, or the patient’s condition meets the withdrawal criteria. Results: The primary endpoint is the objective response rate by central assessment following the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. The secondary endpoints include disease control rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, adverse events, and treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions: This is the first prospective investigator-initiated trial to evaluate the effect of nivolumab monotherapy for MNPM.
The arrow of time of brain signals in cognition: Potential intriguing role of parts of the default mode network
Authors: Deco Gustavo , Sanz Perl Yonatan , de la Fuente Laura , Sitt Jacobo D. , Yeo B. T. Thomas , Tagliazucchi Enzo , Kringelbach Morten L.
Published: December 2022

A promising idea in human cognitive neuroscience is that the default mode network (DMN) is responsible for coordinating the recruitment and scheduling of networks for computing and solving task-specific cognitive problems. This is supported by evidence showing that the physical and functional distance of DMN regions is maximally removed from sensorimotor regions containing environment-driven neural activity directly linked to perception and action, which would allow the DMN to orchestrate complex cognition from the top of the hierarchy. However, discovering the functional hierarchy of brain dynamics requires finding the best way to measure interactions between brain regions. In contrast to previous methods measuring the hierarchical flow of information using, for example, transfer entropy, here we used a thermodynamics-inspired, deep learning based Temporal Evolution NETwork (TENET) framework to assess the asymmetry in the flow of events, ‘arrow of time’, in human brain signals. This provides an alternative way of quantifying hierarchy, given that the arrow of time measures the directionality of information flow that leads to a breaking of the balance of the underlying hierarchy. In turn, the arrow of time is a measure of nonreversibility and thus nonequilibrium in brain dynamics. When applied to large-scale Human Connectome Project (HCP) neuroimaging data from close to a thousand participants, the TENET framework suggests that the DMN plays a significant role in orchestrating the hierarchy, that is, levels of nonreversibility, which changes between the resting state and when performing seven different cognitive tasks. Furthermore, this quantification of the hierarchy of the resting state is significantly different in health compared to neuropsychiatric disorders. Overall, the present thermodynamics-based machine-learning framework provides vital new insights into the fundamental tenets of brain dynamics for orchestrating the interactions between cognition and brain in complex environments.
The Dynamical Tropopause Location as a Potential Predictor for North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity
Authors: Enz Bernhard M. , Neubauer David , Sprenger Michael , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: December 2022

Tropical cyclones are among the most devastating natural phenomena that can cause severe damage when undergoing landfall. In the wake of the poorly forecast 2013 North Atlantic hurricane season, Rossby wave breaking on the 350-K isentropic surface has been linked to tropical cyclone activity measured by the accumulated cyclone energy (ACE). Here, ERA5 data and HURDAT2 tropical cyclone data are used to argue that the latitude of the 2 potential vorticity unit (PVU; 1 PVU = 10−6 K kg−1 m2 s−1) contour on the 360-K isentropic surface in the western North Atlantic is linked to changes in vertical wind shear and relative humidity during the month of September. A more equatorward position of the 2-PVU contour is shown to be linked to an increase in vertical wind shear and a reduction in relative humidity, as manifested in an increased ventilation index, in the tropical western North Atlantic during September. The more equatorward position is further linked to a reduction in the number of named storms, storm and hurricane days, hurricane lifetime, and number of tropical cyclones making landfall. Changes in genesis location are shown to be of importance for the changes in landfall frequency and hurricane lifetime. In summary, the 2-PVU contour latitude in the western North Atlantic can, therefore, potentially be used as a predictor in seasonal and subseasonal forecasting.

Significance Statement

Forecasts for the North Atlantic hurricane season are operationally produced. Their aim is to predict the number of tropical cyclones and their total energy throughout the season. This study proposes to include the tropopause latitude in these forecasts, as it is shown to be linked to vertical wind shear and midtropospheric relative humidity in the western tropical North Atlantic. The tropopause latitude is thereby linked to the number of tropical cyclones, their lifetime, and the total energy throughout the season. This link is particularly strong during September.
Extreme Convective Rainfall and Flooding from Winter Season Extratropical Cyclones in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States
Authors: Su Yibing , Smith James A. , Villarini Gabriele
Published: December 2022

Extreme rainfall from extratropical cyclones and the distinctive hydrology of the winter season both contribute to flood extremes in the Mid-Atlantic region. In this study, we examine extreme rainfall and flooding from a winter season extratropical cyclone that passed through the eastern United States on 24/25 February 2016. Extreme rainfall rates during the 24/25 February 2016 time period were produced by supercell thunderstorms; we identify supercells through local maxima in azimuthal shear fields computed from Doppler velocity measurements from WSR-88D radars. Rainfall rates approaching 250 mm h−1 from a long-lived supercell in New Jersey were measured by a Parsivel disdrometer. A distinctive element of the storm environment for the 24/25 February 2016 storm was elevated values of convective available potential energy (CAPE). We also examine the climatology of atmospheric rivers (ARs)—like the February 2016 storm—based on an identification and tracking algorithm that uses Twentieth Century Reanalysis fields for the 66-yr period from 1950 to 2015. Climatological analyses suggest that AR frequency is increasing over the Mid-Atlantic region. An increase in AR frequency, combined with increasing frequency of elevated CAPE during the winter season over the Mid-Atlantic region, could result in striking changes to the climatology of extreme floods.
Catholic Church Architecture in Ibadan, Nigeria after Vatican II: Lessons for Modern Church Designers
Authors: Okpako John
Published: December 2022

The Catholic Church had a rich tradition of church design prior to the liturgical reforms occasioned by Vatican II. The paper examines 20th-century architecture of the Catholic Church in Ibadan, Nigeria in the consolidatory stages of Christianity in the city. Based on documented archival records, oral accounts and field investigations, the paper argues that the earlier 20th-century church buildings of the Catholic Church of Ibadan were largely in line with Charles Borromeo’s (1538–1584) summary of Catholic traditions regarding church design and the later 20th-century Catholic Church buildings were in line with modernist Catholic Church architecture influenced by liturgical reforms occasioned by the Second Vatican Council and the modernist ideology of functionalism.
A Theory of Product-Form Strategy: When to Market Know-How, Components, or Systems?
Authors: Frias Kellilynn M. , Ghosh Mrinal , Janakiraman Narayan , Duhan Dale F. , Lusch Robert F.
Published: December 2022

Commercializing technological innovations is a strategic goal in entrepreneurial ventures and established firms. A fundamental decision that remains understudied in this context is the form in which the innovation is to be commercialized. The authors term this decision the firm's “product-form strategy” for the innovation. In Study 1, they employ a theories-in-use approach and, using in-depth interviews and field observations with technology entrepreneurs and angel investors, develop a theory of product-form strategy—to market the innovation as know-how, a component, or a system—and identify the primary drivers of this choice. The theory is tested using a multimethod, multicontext approach. In Study 2, the authors use proprietary investment proposals generated by entrepreneurial ventures when they seek support from angel investors. In Study 3, they test the theory using video transcriptions of technology proposals from the television show Shark Tank. In Study 4, the authors assess the internal validity of the theory with active angel investors as subjects. They find consistent support for their theory and conclude with implications for theory and managerial practice.
“The water flows under the bridge and we pass above it …” infrastructure, transport and state power: The bridges of Hyderabad city, India c. sixteenth to twentieth centuries
Authors: Cohen Benjamin B.
Published: December 2022

In the late sixteenth century and again in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the rulers of Golconda and Hyderabad (India) faced a problem of urban congestion around the Musi River. The river impeded movement between growing urban areas on either bank and during the monsoon it flooded making transport nearly impossible. To resolve this issue, they constructed four bridges across the Musi, often with assistance from local British officials. These bridges served as critical infrastructure technology for urban transport and mobility. Forms of state power, from a sultan to an indigenous prince to colonial officials, all worked to finance, design, and build these bridges thus allowing urban Hyderabad to both encompass and grow beyond the challenges of the river.
Aged Patients With Severe Small Vessel Disease Exhibit Poor Bimanual Coordination During the Anti-Phase Horizontal Line Drawing Task
Authors: Zhào Hóngyi , Teulings Hans-Leo , Xia Cuiqiao , Huang Yonghua
Published: December 2022

The present study explores whether SVD affects bimanual coordination, which is easier to detect than by conventional, MRI-based methods. We tested nine severe SVD patients, eight non-severe (i.e., moderate or mild) SVD patients, eleven healthy age-matched controls, and eight young adults. They were grouped according to Fazekas scale and by age. Participants performed horizontal line drawings with both hands simultaneously on two pen tablets. The movements consisted of rhythmic patterns where participants used both hands to draw horizontal lines in anti-phase on two pen tablets. Each participant underwent a series of neuropsychiatric assessments. Results showed that SVD patients exhibited in each hand smaller horizontal movement amplitudes with variability larger compared to the healthy age-matched controls. Only movement amplitudes appeared to decrease significantly with severity of SVD. Interestingly, we found no relevant differences between the age-matched, elderly controls and the young controls. Therefore, this effect appeared indicative of SVD. The variability of the lines orthogonal to the horizontal lines of the left, non-dominant hand differed only between the severe SVD group and the other groups. Furthermore, partial correlations demonstrated that the mean horizontal movement amplitude of the left hand was positively associated with the clock drawing test score, and the inter-manual asynchrony of the horizontal movements was positively associated with the Trail Making Test-B time. These results indicated that SVD patients show poor bimanual coordination, as reflected by spatial features such as movement amplitudes and variabilities, and abnormal bimanual coordination was associated with executive dysfunction.
Dirt, decency and the symbolic boundaries of caregiving in residential homes for older people
Authors: Johnson Eleanor K.
Published: December 2022

This article draws upon an ethnography of two differently-priced UK residential care homes for older people. Informed by recent scholarship on the materialities of care, together with separate theoretical contributions by Mary Douglas and Émile Durkheim, I examine the spatial and material organisation of care work. I sketch out care workers’ attitudes and practices concerning hygiene and bodily waste, and how these are established and reaffirmed through the marking out of boundaries between materials, spaces and persons. Central to understanding care workers’ erecting of, or inattention to, these boundaries is an awareness of the material, temporal and cultural conditions of work. Variances in the availability of resources, the formal organisation of work and the layout of residential homes affect the care provided to residents. In examining these variances, I identify how care workers’ use of space functions to maintain or undercut not only hygiene and infection control standards but, also, more interpersonal virtues, such as dignity and respect for older people receiving care. I conclude by highlighting how the (mis)treatment of older people is a story of both a deeply inequitable market for care provision and a broader context of oppression, devaluation and dehumanisation.
An Art-Based Inquiry into the Perception of Tourism Impacts on Their Quality of Life: The Case of Cambodian Host-Children
Authors: Yang Mona Ji Hyun , Khoo Catheryn , Yang Elaine Chiao Ling
Published: December 2022

While host-children are vulnerable to tourism impacts, the tourism literature has neglected how these impacts affect host-children’s quality of life (QOL). The concept of QOL is ambiguous, and the influence of a host-guest relationship on residents’ QOL has been overlooked. This paper addresses these gaps by exploring how host-children in a developing country perceive tourism impacts on their QOL, focusing on power dynamics in a host-guest relationship. Data were collected from 94 Cambodian host-children using qualitative methods, including drawings and group interviews. The findings revealed Cambodian host-children’s perceptions of tourism impacts over five life domains—material, learning opportunity, cultural pride, emotion, and child sex tourism/trafficking. Despite their perception of negative impacts, all host-children believed that tourism had improved their QOL. The paradox of QOL is explained through Bottom-up Spillover Theory incorporated with Social Exchange Theory. Practical implications for post-COVID and directions for future research are suggested.
Intersectionality in South African health care – what is to be done?
Authors: Nguse Siphelele
Published: December 2022

The World Health Organization established a 2005 commission that sought to investigate the Social Determinants of Health and develop mitigating strategies and policies. This marked a shift from the individualized understanding of health and focused on systemic and socioeconomic factors that determine access to health care services and the quality of the available services. This is primarily important in low- and middle-income countries like South Africa, where poverty, unemployment, inequality, and other historical factors play a significant role in health care. Furthermore, the lingering impact of the apartheid system continues to define the social engineering of South African society, and the availability of resources between the rich and the poor, and between different racial groups, with the Black majority receiving subpar services compared to the White minority. The post-1994 dispensation, which is characterized by corruption, mismanagement of funds, continued health service deficits, and other factors exacerbate the inadequate services that poor Black people receive. Therefore, this article proposes the application of the intersectional theoretical framework in understanding and addressing public health challenges. According to Crenshaw, the theoretical framework may be defined as the prism through which to understand the constellation of factors that affect one's identity in relation to systems of oppression, discrimination, and marginalization.
Revisiting the concept of constant tissue conductivities for volume estimation in dialysis patients using bioimpedance spectroscopy
Authors: Schneditz Daniel , Mussnig Sebastian , Krenn Simon , Hecking Manfred
Published: December 2022

Rationale:

Current estimation of body fluid volumes in hemodialysis patients using bioimpedance analysis assumes constant specific electrical characteristics of biological tissues despite a large variation in plasma Na+ concentrations [Na+], ranging from 130 to 150 mmol/L. Here, we examined the potential effect of variable [Na+] on bioimpedance-derived volume overload.

Method:

Volumes were calculated from published whole-body extra- and intracellular resistance data and relationships using either “standard” or “revised” specific electrical characteristics modeled as functions of [Na+].

Result:

With “standard” assumptions, volumes increased with increasing [Na+]. The increase in volume overload was about 0.5 dm3 and 3% of extracellular volume per 10 mmol/dm3 of [Na+] in a 75 kg patient. This increase was abolished when the same bioimpedance data were analyzed under “revised” conditions.

Discussion:

The overestimation in extracellular volume overload in the range of 0.5 dm3 per 10 mmol/dm3 [Na+] perfectly matches the positive relationship determined in a large cohort of hemodialysis patients. The bias may be considered moderate when interpreting data of individual patients, but may become important when comparing data of larger patient groups. The bias disappears when analysis of bioimpedance data accounts for differences in tissue electrical properties, using individual [Na+].
Too human and not human enough: A grounded theory analysis of mental health harms from emotional dependence on the social chatbot Replika
Authors: Laestadius Linnea , Bishop Andrea , Gonzalez Michael , Illenčík Diana , Campos-Castillo Celeste
Published: December 2022

Social chatbot (SC) applications offering social companionship and basic therapy tools have grown in popularity for emotional, social, and psychological support. While use appears to offer mental health benefits, few studies unpack the potential for harms. Our grounded theory study analyzes mental health experiences with the popular SC application Replika. We identified mental health relevant posts made in the r/Replika Reddit community between 2017 and 2021 ( n = 582). We find evidence of harms, facilitated via emotional dependence on Replika that resembles patterns seen in human–human relationships. Unlike other forms of technology dependency, this dependency is marked by role-taking, whereby users felt that Replika had its own needs and emotions to which the user must attend. While prior research suggests human–chatbot and human–human interactions may not resemble each other, we identify social and technological factors that promote parallels and suggest ways to balance the benefits and risks of SCs.
Finite element modelling for mitigation of residual stress and distortion in macro-scale powder bed fusion components
Authors: Zhou Jinbiao , Barrett Richard A. , Leen Sean B.
Published: December 2022

Powder bed fusion (PBF) has attracted significant attention in many applications due to its capability of fabricating complex and customized metal parts. However, the potential for high inherent residual stresses that produce distortion in additive manufacturing (AM) components prevents more widespread application of the AM technique. Efficient and accurate prediction of residual stress and distortion at component-level (macro-scale) is a complex task. Although process-level (meso-scale) thermo-mechanical simulations have resulted in accurate predictions for small-scale parts, the computational times (typically weeks) and memory requirements for application of such methods to component-level are prohibitive. The main goal of the current study therefore is to present an efficient and accurate finite element (FE) simulation method with detailed validation for PBF manufacture of a complex 3D Inconel 625 benchmark bridge component (macro-scale). The simulation results are successfully validated against the published benchmark experimental measurements from neutron diffraction, X-ray diffraction (XRD), contour method and coordinate measurement machine (CMM) by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) laboratory. A key additional novelty of the present work is the investigation of the effects of substrate removal and preheating on mitigation of residual stresses and distortions using the validated model. Ultimately, these results will guide the selection of optimal manufacturing protocols and integration of the FE-based AM modelling for industrial application with complex geometries. The ultimate aim of the present work is to facilitate fatigue life prediction of complex geometry AM components including residual stress effects, for example, conformally-cooled injection moulding dies (for different material than Inconel 625).
Cross-sectional area and echo intensity values of peripheral nerves: Ultrasonographic and cadaveric correlation
Authors: Rawat Mohini , Reddin Vanessa M , Boggs Ryan , Upreti Chirag
Published: December 2022

Introduction:

Ultrasonography allows high-resolution visualisation of the peripheral nerves for quantitative and qualitative analyses. We report cross-sectional area values (quantitative measure) and echo intensity values (qualitative measure) for 46 peripheral nerve sites in upper and lower extremities in cadaveric specimens.

Objective:

To determine cross-sectional area values and echo intensity values of peripheral nerves of upper and lower extremities at 46 nerve sites.

Methods:

Nerve measurements were obtained using electronic callipers and ultrasonography for linear dimension and cross-sectional area measurements, respectively, in six cadaveric specimens for 46 peripheral nerve sites. Ultrasound images were further analysed to estimate echo intensity percentage values for 46 nerves.

Results:

We present normal cross-sectional area values of various nerves of upper and lower extremities with their respective echo intensity values. Calculated cross-sectional area values from linear dimensions did not match the measured cross-sectional area values via trace method.

Conclusion:

Cross-sectional area values (quantitative measure) and echo intensity values (qualitative measure) for 46 peripheral nerve sites in upper and lower extremities in cadaveric specimens are presented. The estimation of cross-sectional area via linear measurement is not a good approximation of the cross-sectional area (cross-sectional area measured by trace method on ultrasound image).
Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study
Authors: Redquest Brianne , Tint Ami , St. John Laura , Hutton Sue , Palmer Pamela , Lunsky Yona
Published: December 2022

Background:

Autistic women experience life differently than autistic men. For example, autistic women tend to be diagnosed significantly later than autistic men, they experience a higher number of traumas, and are at increased risk for mental health conditions. Given gender-specific life experiences, autistic women may benefit from gender-specific group-based supports. Virtual mindfulness has been shown to be helpful in improving well-being among autistic adults; however, limited research has explored the impact of virtual mindfulness when it is delivered to a group of autistic women only.

Objectives:

The aim of this article is to describe a preliminary evaluation of a virtual mindfulness group piloted for autistic women. Five key areas of feasibility were assessed in the current study: demand, implementation, acceptability, practicality, and limited efficacy testing.

Methods:

Twenty-eight women participated in a 6-week virtual autism-informed mindfulness program and were asked to complete measures assessing psychological distress, self-compassion, and mindfulness at pre and post. Participants were also asked to complete a satisfaction survey after the program.

Results:

Results showed that the program was feasible in terms of demand, implementation, practicality, and acceptability. While quantitative results showed there were no changes in psychological distress, self-compassion, and mindfulness from pre- to post-program, qualitative results showed some benefits.

Conclusion:

Given the unique challenges that some autistic women experience, offering groups to autistic women may have some value and it would be important to continue exploring this topic area.
Orienting all students toward justice: Cultivating social responsibility in privileged schooling environments
Authors: Soutter Madora , Clark Shelby
Published: December 2022

What is the obligation of schools in fostering compassion for others and a commitment to the greater good? In a year-long qualitative study, this research explores how one Northeastern private schooling environment aimed to cultivate social responsibility in adolescents through an egalitarian, discussion-oriented pedagogy. Guided by Westheimer and Kahne’s three-tiered conceptualization of citizenship, we explore what can be learned from one school’s emphasis on student-led discussions and how this approach influenced students’ commitments to others. We ultimately argue that students developed a profound sense of obligation to one another (e.g. to other youth of privilege), but fell short of extending this commitment to others beyond their elite institution. These findings raise questions about the role of privileged schooling environments in fostering beyond-the-self, justice-oriented citizens for the benefit of our democracy and questions, too, about the pedagogies leveraged to achieve such goals.
Assessment of structural and cross-cultural validity of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire: a scoping review
Authors: de Klerk Susan
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) that has been translated and cross-culturally adapted to at least 50 languages. Since the measure was developed in 1996, many researchers have reported on the construct validity (including structural and cross-cultural validity) of this instrument following translation and cross-cultural adaptation. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the methods used for the psychometric evaluation of structural and cross-cultural validity of the DASH questionnaire.

Methods

The updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews and the PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews checklist was utilised. EBSCOHost (Academic Search Premier, Africa Wide, CINAHL, E-Journals and Medline), PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for articles (published between 1996–2022) and considered against the eligibility criteria.

Results

The scoping review collated evidence across 50 articles (37 language versions) of the evaluation of structural and cross-cultural validity of the DASH questionnaire. Three articles conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess structural validity, and none performed Multiple Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA) to assess cross-cultural validity.

Conclusion

The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) taxonomy propose that structural validity is best evaluated through CFA, with prior evidence of dimensionality. Additionally, cross-cultural validity (measurement invariance) is to be evaluated through MGCFA. This review identified that CFA is utilised infrequently and that to date cross-cultural validity has not been appropriately assessed for translations of the DASH questionnaire.
Knowledge and awareness toward surgical treatment of epilepsy among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University
Authors: Algahtani Rami , ALhothaly Qamar , Alabdullah Raghd , Fatani Omniyh , Alsaeigh Asmaa , Alamri Amal , Tawakul Abdullah , Muglan Jihad
Published: December 2022

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate knowledge and awareness toward surgical treatment of epilepsy among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University.

Methods:

A survey composed of 10 questions was distributed to medical students concerning surgical neurological disorders. It was used to collect data from 401 samples. Questions addressed general knowledge of epilepsy surgery and drug-resistant epilepsy, students’ attitude toward epilepsy surgery, and techniques. The chi-square test was utilized.

Results:

The familiar surgical techniques were lobectomy (11.2%), followed by hemispherotomy (8.2%). The term “drug-resistant epilepsy” was known to 24.4%. More than half of the students 259 (64.6%) would refer patients with drug-resistant epilepsy to a neurosurgeon and neurologist, knowledge and awareness of epilepsy surgery were high for 30.7% of students. Statistically, significant relationship was observed between the level of awareness and academic years ( p = 0.000131).

Conclusions:

Medical students have a positive attitude toward epilepsy surgery. Students are less aware of drug resistance in epilepsy. Knowledge and awareness were better among students at higher levels. We conclude that highlighting the importance of epilepsy surgery should be continued. Moreover, additional educational effort should be invested in expressing the term drug-resistant epilepsy.
Risk Factors for Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Review of Current Literature and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Reed Logan A. , Mihas Alexander K. , Fortin Travis A. , Donley Connor J. , Pratheep Guna , Rajaram Manoharan Sakthivel , Theiss Steven M. , Viswanathan Vibhu Krishnan
Published: December 2022

Study Design

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication following lumbar spine surgery (LSS) and timely recognition is imperative to avoid long-term consequences. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to systematically review the literature in order to identify risk factors associated with POUR after LSS.

Methods

In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of the literature was performed using Pubmed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE database for articles on POUR following LSS. A meta-analysis was performed comparing patients with and without POUR; and the factors associated with this adverse event were analyzed. The pooled data were reported as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI; P < .05). Heterogeneity among the studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic.

Results

The meta-analysis included 10 studies compromised of 30,300 patients. Based on our analysis, patients who were male, were older in age, underwent instrumented fusion, had diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, or benign prostatic hypertrophy had significantly higher risk of developing POUR. Additionally, patients in who developed POUR had significantly longer surgical times and higher volumes of intra-operative fluid administration, as compared with non-POUR patients. The POUR patients also had a significantly higher association with urinary tract infection. Prior surgery, BMI, length of stay, and smoking status did not reveal any statistical association with POUR.

Conclusions

Risk factors associated with POUR following LSS include male gender, older age, longer surgical times, fusion procedures, larger volumes of intraoperative infusions, and associated comorbidities like DM, CAD, and BPH.
Engagement With China From Inside and Out: Kindness and Academic Dialogue
Authors: Antonio Lim Miguel , He Rui , Chan Choen Yin
Published: December 2022

This special collection draws upon themes discussed at the annual China and Higher Education conference series started at the University of Manchester. One recurring theme concerns the experiences of academics in Chinese institutions, particularly international and returnee academics in China and the related recruitment and management policies. The articles in this issue all relate to this theme, as well as wider processes of cooperation between China and ‘external’ partners or ‘outsiders’. In this light we also propose more attention to the notion of ‘kindness’ to describe both the theory and practice of these engagements.
A Case of Infant-Type Hemispheric Glioma with NTRK1 Fusion
Authors: Garcia Mekka R. , Bell Lena , Miller Claire , Segal Devorah
Published: December 2022

The incidence of childhood central nervous system tumors in infants is about 6 per 100 000 children. Recent studies have showed recurrent fusion of the neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene in 10% of non-brainstem high grade glioma in very young children suggesting an oncogenic effect of the NTRK fusion genes. In this report, we present a rare, severe case of a full-term neonate who was noted to have widely splayed sutures and a bulging fontanelle at birth who was found to have infant-type hemispheric glioma with NTRK1 fusion with course complicated by seizures refractory to medical treatment. Patient was deemed a poor surgical candidate due to the size of the mass and thus parents opted for comfort care.