bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebral vasomotor reactivity across the continuum of subjective cognitive impairment, amnestic mild cognitive impairment and probable Alzheimer's dementia: A transcranial Doppler and PET/MRI study
Authors: Saka Esen , Atay Lutfiye Ozlem , Akdemir Umit Ozgur , Yetim Ezgi , Balci Erdem , Arsava Ethem Murat , Topcuoglu Mehmet Akif
Published: October 2022

Cerebrovascular dysfunction has been suggested as a physiomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated neuronal degeneration, but the underlying mechanisms are still debated. Herein cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR, breath-hold index: BHI), metabolic activity (lobar SUVs, FDG PET MRI), amyloid load (Centiloid score, Flutemetamol PET MRI), hemispheric cortical thickness, white matter lesion load and cerebral blood flow (ASL) were studied in 43 consecutive subjects (mean age: 64 years, female 13), diagnosed with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI, n = 10), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI, n = 15), and probable Alzheimer's dementia (AD, n = 18). BHI was significantly reduced in AD and aMCI patients compared to SCI subjects. A highly significant inverse correlation was found between BHI and the centiloid score (r = −0.648, p < 0.001). There was moderate positive correlation between BHI and frontal, temporal and parietal FDG SUV and ASL values, and a borderline negative correlation with age and white matter lesion volume. The link between amyloid burden and VMR was independent and strong in linear regression models where all these parameters were included (β from –0.580 to –0.476, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our study confirms the negative association of cerebral amyloid accumulation and vasomotor reactivity in Alzheimer's disease with the most direct data to date in humans.
Suicide risk and mental health in the general population of French Polynesia
Authors: Amadéo Stéphane , Benradia Imane , Sy Aminata , Rereao Moerani , Favro Patrick , David-Vanquin Germaine , Meunier-Tuheaiva Annie , Lacoste Jérôme , Fenni Alban , Nguyen Ngoc Lam , Goodfellow Benjamin , Jehel Louis , Roelandt Jean-Luc
Published: October 2022

Objective

There are no reports on the burden of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in the general population of French Polynesia (FP). We aimed to improve suicide prevention and mental health care by assessing the prevalence of suicide risk and major mental health disorders and care among adults in FP.

Methods

We conducted the Mental Health in General Population Survey in FP during 2015 to 2017. Participants were selected using the quota method to obtain a representative sample of the general population. Suicide risk and psychiatric diagnoses were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview.

Results

We included 968 people aged 18 years or older. The prevalence of current suicidal ideation (13.1%) and current (2.6%) and lifetime suicide attempts (18.6%), as well as mental health disorders (42.8%), was high in FP. A notable proportion of participants with these conditions did not seek medical assistance.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of suicide risk and mental health disorders was found in the general population of FP. Suicide prevention and mental health plans are needed in FP that include better access to primary care for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Further research is needed to clarify cultural risk and protective factors.
Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Heiran Alireza , Azarchehry Seyede Pegah , Dehghankhalili Saeid , Afarid Mehrdad , Shaabani Sonia , Mirahmadizadeh Alireza
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Individual studies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have shown the high prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. We conducted a meta-analysis to yield an estimate of the prevalence of diabetic (type 1 and 2) retinopathy in the EMR. Additionally, we explored its potential modulators.

Methods

Two-step screening of relevant articles published from 1 January 2000 to 13 December 2019 was carried out. An estimation of summary proportions, subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and publication bias assessment were performed.

Results

One hundred nine articles were included in the meta-analysis, involving 280,566 patients. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 31% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 28, 33). The highest and lowest diabetic retinopathy prevalence rates were observed in low human development index (HDI) countries (63.6; 95% CI = 52.4, 74.0) and very high HDI countries 22.6 (95% CI = 20.5, 24.7), respectively.

Conclusions

The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is high in the EMR. Our results provide important information for diverse healthcare surveillance systems in the EMR to implement the modifiable risk factors, diabetes screening to decrease undiagnosed diabetes, early detection of retinopathy, and proper diabetes care to decrease untreated diabetes.
The impact of bariatric surgery procedures on the modulation of cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with severe obesity: a 12-month follow-up
Authors: Tabesh Mastaneh Rajabian , Abolhasani Maryam , Zali Mohammad Reza , Bagheri Reza , Alipour Meysam , Cheraghloo Neda , Asadzadeh-Aghdaei Hamid , Wong Alexei , Zahedi Hoda , Hobaby Sara , Shadnoush Mahdi , Cheraghpour Makan
Published: October 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effects of one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) in patients with severe obesity.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with severe obesity who had undergone OAGB, RYGB, or SG between 2015 and 2017 and follow-up assessments over 12-months.

Results

Among 485 included patients, anthropometric measurements, body composition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, and comorbidities were significantly improved for all three procedures throughout the follow-up period. Weight, % total weight loss (%TWL), body mass index, fat mass and fat mass to fat-free mass ratio improvements were higher with RYGB and OAGB than SG. There were no significant differences between procedures in all other variables. A significant trend toward remission rate of dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus was observed with all three procedures, with no significant difference between the three groups. %TWL statistically correlated with fat mass, FBG, and triglycerides.

Conclusions

OAGB, RYGB, and SG had a beneficial impact on CMRFs and comorbidities during 12 months of follow-up. Of note, RYGB and OAGB may result in better outcomes, particularly anthropometric and body composition indices. Further large-sample, long-term follow-up studies are required to expand on the present findings.
Detainees’ Perceptions of Procedural Justice: An Examination Throughout the Criminal Justice System
Authors: van Hall Matthias , Dirkzwager Anja J. E. , van der Laan Peter H. , Nieuwbeerta Paul
Published: October 2022

Procedural justice literature proposes that when individuals perceive their treatment by criminal justice authorities as more procedurally just, they will be more likely to view those authorities as legitimate and, in turn, show more compliant behavior. Knowledge on potential determinants of procedural justice is, therefore, crucial. Research suggests that prior perceptions of procedural justice may influence later judgements of procedural justice. The current study used data from the Prison Project, including information on detainees’ perceptions of their treatment by the police, the judge, the prison staff, the probation officer, and the lawyer. The findings show that detainees perceive the treatment by the lawyer as most procedurally just, while they evaluate the treatment by the police as least procedurally just. Further, how detainees experience the procedurally just treatment by the police is associated with how they feel treated by other authorities at a later stage in the criminal justice system.
Novel fully sensorless synergetic control of brushless doubly fed induction machine integrated in wind energy conversion system driven by fuzzy-based HCS MPPT algorithm
Authors: Beghdadi Mohammed , Kouzi Katia
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes a novel fully sensorless synergetic algorithm that adopts concerns from both power, torque, and speed of brushless doubly fed induction machine (BDFIM) for application in wind energy conversion system (WECS). A sensorless fuzzy-based hills climb search algorithm (HCS-MPPT) is introduced to the control system along with a comparison study with the conventional tip speed ratio algorithm (TSR-MPPT). For studying the feasibility of the suggested control, a robust control of the BDFIM based on synergetic control theory is build up for the first time ever on this machine type with different scenarios where the active and reactive power, the torque, and speed of the machine are controlled. In the second step, the aim is maximizing the wind’s energy extraction by replacing the wind speed sensors with a fuzzy-based HCS-MPPT approach. Lastly, to increase the robustness of the suggested scheme control, an extended Kalman filter EKF is employed for the estimation of rotor speed in presence of considerable noise values in order to make it closer to reality as possible. Computational simulation results confirm that the proposed method, consistently outperforms other techniques and proves effectiveness under several conditions.
Evaluation of renal space occupying lesions with multiparametric MRI and its correlation with histopathology findings- an observational study
Authors: Wakle Dhansagar U , Choudhury Sunirmal , Chakraborty Sumit , Ganguly Amrita , Pal Dilip Kumar
Published: October 2022

The term multiparametric MRI, is a useful tool in reference to an approach that takes advantage of the added value of different MR imaging acquisitions to yield anatomic and pathophysiologic information about renal space occupying lesions and to evaluate patients with different tumors, including genitourinary malignancies. The role of multiparametric MRI is continuously growing because of its ability to detect and characterize renal space occupying lesions as well as to assess response to treatment. An observational study was carried out in 50 patients who presented with renal mass, based on clinical suspicion and prior imaging diagnosis of neoplastic renal space occupying lesion. Total renal space occupying lesions were 50, of which, 38 were males & 12 were females. The age range of the study population was 30–80 years. In our study, Agreement analysis between mpMRI diagnosis and HPE diagnosis of different RCC subtypes was statistically significant. So, multiparametric MRI had a role in differentiating the subtypes of RCC which had fair agreement with HPE. The present study results state that the renal mass lesions has different ADC values for different lesions because of the change in tissue contents and there was a statistically significant difference in ADC values between low and high-stage RCCs. Histologic and radiologic profiles of renal space occupying lesions and diverse subtypes of RCC can be used as biologic indicators of clinical behavior, response to treatment, and prognosis.
Solo but Not Alone: An Examination of Social and Help Networks among Community-Dwelling Older Adults without Close Family
Authors: Lowers Jane , Zhao Duzhi , Bollens-Lund Evan , Kavalieratos Dio , Ornstein Katherine A
Published: October 2022

This study evaluates help sources for personal and health tasks of adults living in the community without a spouse or nearby children. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and over, we conducted a population-based study of 2998 community-dwelling adults who received assistance with personal, household, or medical tasks in the past month. Using ANOVA, we compared adults aging solo to those with spouses at home and/or children in the same state. Adults aging solo were significantly more likely to identify non-child/spouse family, friends, neighbors and paid aides as part of their social networks. Their sources of unpaid help included siblings (33%), friends (32%), and non-family (e.g., neighbors (23%)). Adults aging solo were more likely to use paid caregivers, despite having lower incomes than married peers. Interventions to support adults aging solo should incorporate diverse social/help networks.
Computational fluid dynamics-based investigation of the static and dynamic characteristic of hydrostatic bearing with nanolubricant: A theoretical method
Authors: Chen Dongju , Sun Yueqiang , Sun Kun , Fan Jinwei
Published: October 2022

The objective of this work is to study the characteristics of the hydrostatic bearing with nanolubricant. To investigate the effect of nanoparticle additives on the performance of hydrostatic bearings, a coupled heat transfer finite-element model of the hydrostatic bearing is developed, and the results of the static and dynamic performance of the hydrostatic bearing with lubricant and nanolubricant are evaluated based on computational fluid dynamics methods at different eccentricity ratios. The results show that the rotation error of the bearing–rotor system is reduced by using nanolubricant at a high eccentricity ratio.
Book review: John Christopoulos, Abortion in Early Modern Italy
Authors: Moran Megan
Published: October 2022

John Christopoulos, Abortion in Early Modern Italy. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2021, 360 pp. ISBN: 978-0674248090
Book review: Guido Ruggiero, Love and Sex in the Time of Plague: A Decameron Renaissance
Authors: McKenna Katherine
Published: October 2022

Guido Ruggiero, Love and Sex in the Time of Plague: A Decameron Renaissance. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 2021, 320 pp. ISBN: 9780674257825.
Healthy Ageing in Low and Middle-Income Countries; A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Irshad C. V. , Dash Umakant , Muraleedharan V. R.
Published: October 2022

Healthy ageing is a new paradigm that describes the possibility of better ageing experience in contrast to the traditional notion of ageing. The aim of this scoping review was to map literature on healthy ageing in the context of low and middle-income countries (LMICs). A five-step scoping review procedure was used to synthesise the conceptualisation of healthy ageing and its measurement approach and to summarise key evidences on healthy ageing. Our descriptive summary analysis shows that the majority of the studies conceptualised healthy ageing under physical capabilities, cognitive functions, metabolic and physiological health and psychological well-being domains with more of objective measurement approach. We identified a number of studies that can be relevant to consider for public health policy. Future research should also focus on neurobiological ageing aspects as such studies were found to be very rare in the review. Our review identified that there is limited number of studies conducted in some LMICs where the growth of population ageing is an emerging concern.
Assessing Island Destination Service Quality—An Integrated Model through Co-creation of Destination E-image
Authors: Sharafuddin Mohammed Ali , Madhavan Meena , Wangtueai Sutee
Published: October 2022

This research aims to develop an integrated model for assessing island destination service quality, maritime passenger transport service quality, destination environmental competitiveness and their direct/indirect effects on tourist satisfaction and behavioural intentions, and further assess the cyclic nature of behavioural intentions in destination e-image formation. The study adopted the convenience sampling method, and the data were collected from 384 visitors at Koh Larn Island in Pattaya City, Thailand. The survey questionnaire was developed based on the literature review and expert opinion and tested for validity and reliability by using reliability statistics, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis; and achieved the required model fit. Further, the causal impacts were tested using structural equation model. The study confirmed the cyclical effects of behavioural intentions and its influence on destination e-image formation; and such destination e-image has a positive relationship in creating the visitors’ perception towards the destination environmental competitiveness and quality of all the services consumed during their trip. Thus, the results revealed that the model is suitable as an integrated approach for assessing tourists’ satisfaction and behavioural intentions towards the island destination. Further, this study extends the behavioural intentions literature based on changing modern-day service consumption patterns.
Criminal procedures, preliminary references and judicial independence: A balancing act? Case C-564/19 IS
Authors: Mohay Ágoston , Szijártó István
Published: October 2022

In Case C-564/19 IS, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a judgement on two significant issues of EU law. First, it clarified the obligations of Member States under Directive 2010/64/EU on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings regarding the provision of linguistic assistance during the criminal procedure and the consequences of failure to adhere to them. Second, it ruled on the EU-law conformity of national judicial decisions taken by higher courts which can indirectly constrict the right of lower courts of a Member State to initiate preliminary ruling procedures before the CJEU. Thirdly, it held national measures where the referring judge is submitted to a disciplinary procedure for referring a question to the CJEU contrary to EU law. The judgment builds on and further develops the Court's jurisprudence on preliminary rulings and judicial independence.
Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Suicidal Ideation Among School Nurses in Prekindergarten through Grade 12 Schools — United States, March 2022
Authors: Merkle Sarah L. , Welton Michael , van Zyl André , Chong Muhling , Tanner Andrea , Rose Charles E. , Hertz Marci , Hill Laura , Leroy Zanie C. , Sifre Katlynn , Thomas Ebony S.
Published: October 2022

School nurses are integral to creating safe environments in U.S. schools. Many experienced increased work burden and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC collaborated with the National Association of School Nurses and the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants to distribute a 121-item online, anonymous survey to school nurses nationwide during March 7-30, 2022. Among the 7,971 respondents, symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD, and suicidal ideation were measured, and prevalence ratios were used to identify associations with demographics, workplace characteristics, and support. Results found high levels of work-related stressors and indicated that employment characteristics, COVID-19-related job duties, and other workplace stressors and supports affected school nurse mental health. The survey findings underscore the mental health challenges many school nurses experienced during the 2021/2022 school year. The findings can inform supportive policies and practices to reduce workplace stressors and increase workplace supports for school nurses.
Partner Violent Men's Perspectives on the Factors That They Believe Contributed to Their Abusive Behaviors
Authors: Morrison Penelope K. , Warling Adren D. , Fleming Rhonda , Chang Judy
Published: October 2022

While research on perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) is growing, few studies have sought to explore perpetrators’ perspectives on their abusive behaviors. Thus, much remains unknown regarding how perpetrators view their abuse. We conducted 34 semistructured, open-ended interviews with men convicted of an IPV crime in which we broadly explored their perspectives on contributors to abuse. A history of exposure to violence as children, experiences with other traumatic events, and other causes (e.g., drug abuse) were the most cited. Our findings highlight areas where intervention efforts need to be tailored to address the unmet needs of men who perpetrate.
The (Mis)utilization of Cues During Deception Detection in 911 Homicide Calls
Authors: Markey Patrick , Feeney Erika , Berry Brooke , Martin Alec , Slotter Erica
Published: October 2022

The current study explored cue utilization during 911 homicide calls to better understand deception detection in this high-risk situation. A sample of 93 participants judged the deceptiveness of a random subset of 110 homicide calls placed to 911. A separate group of raters coded 86 different cues expressed by each 911 caller. Results indicated that judges were unable to detect deception accurately. While judges appeared to utilize some cues correctly when assessing callers’ deception, subsequent analyses found that judges likely had difficulty detecting deception because they failed to utilize emotionally related cues correctly.
Sensitizing Social Interaction with a Mode-Enhanced Transcribing Process
Authors: Li Qian
Published: October 2022

Qualitative researchers often work with texts transcribed from social interactions such as interviews, meetings, and presentations. However, how we make sense of such data to generate promising cues for further analysis is rarely discussed. This article proposes mode-enhanced transcription as a tool for sensitizing social interaction data, defined as a process in which researchers attune their attention to the dynamic interplay of verbal and nonverbal features, expressions, and acts when transcribing and proofreading professional transcripts. Two scenarios for using mode-enhanced transcription are introduced: sensitizing previously collected data and engaging with modes purposefully. Their implications for research focus, data collection, and data analysis are discussed based on a demonstration of the process with a previously collected dataset and an illustrative review of published articles that display mode-enhanced excerpts. The article outlines the benefits and further considerations of using mode-enhanced transcription as a sensitizing tool.
Atypical herpes zoster ophthalmicus with madarosis of upper eyelid, recurrent iridocyclitis and atrophic multifocal chorioretinopathy
Authors: Comín-Pérez Alberto , Albert-Fort Mara , Pascual Elia Valls , Alegre-Ituarte Víctor , Martínez-Costa Lucía
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Ocular involvement due to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection includes conjunctivitis, scleritis, keratitis, uveitis, and necrotizing retinitis. Non-necrotizing chorioretinopathy as a late manifestation has been described.

Case report

A 50-year-old immunocompetent man developed herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in the right V1 dermatome with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) treated with oral valaciclovir and topical steroid and a chalazion in the upper eyelid with associated madarosis. Four months later, he presented recurrence of the AAU and multiple areas of chorioretinal atrophy on fundoscopy. Biopsy of the upper eyelid lesion revealed granulomatous inflammation of the eyelid margin and polymerase chain reaction study (PCR) tested positive for VZV-specific DNA. The iridocyclitis was resolved with oral valaciclovir at maximum doses with minimal choroidal pigmentary changes.

Discussion

VZV ophthalmic infection starts by reactivation from the trigeminal ganglion, and it spreads to the isthmus of the pilosebaceous follicles and the epidermis, which can cause involvement of follicle and sebaceous glands. Chorioretinopathy is a rare form of late-onset non-necrotizing herpetic uveitis characterized by atrophic-appearing hypopigmented lesions, the pathogenesis of which is unknown. A direct viral infection or secondary to occlusive choroidal vasculitis is postulated at the level of the choriocapillaris and more recently it has been referred to as “choroidal vitiligo” due to possible involvement of choroidal melanocytes, as occurs in cases of cutaneous vitiligo due to VZV infection.
Efficacy of ganciclovir versus foscarnet in ganciclovir-resistant cytomegalovirus retinitis: A case report
Authors: Lee Hyuk Jun , Woo Se Joon
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To report a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis improved by treatment with ganciclovir in a patient with ganciclovir-resistant CMV infection associated with Good syndrome.

Study design

Case report

Result

A 52-year-old gentleman with Good syndrome presented with visual disturbance in his right eye. He had a history of receiving intravitreal ganciclovir treatment with CMV retinitis a year ago. During treatment for CMV colitis three months ago, in systemic blood, UL97 mutation was identified and improved after changing treatment from ganciclovir to foscarnet. CMV retinitis recurred, and intravitreal ganciclovir injection was performed but there was no improvement. Therefore, the treatment was changed to foscarnet, but retinal infiltration progressed. Accordingly, it was changed to ganciclovir again and as a result, the progression of retinitis could be stopped.

Conclusions

Even in the case of CMV retinitis, which has been genetically confirmed to be ganciclovir resistance in systemic blood, ganciclovir treatment can be considered if other anti-CMV agents are not effective.
Careful patient selection together with optimal implant positioning may reduce but does not eliminate the risk of elevated serum cobalt and chrome levels following metal-on-metal hip resurfacing
Authors: Oxblom Alexander , Hedlund Håkan , Itayem Raed , Felländer-Tsai Li , Vidgren Mathias , Rolfson Ola , Brismar Harald
Published: October 2022

Background:

Elevated serum chrome (sCr) and cobalt (sCo) concentrations are associated with local tissue adverse reactions to metal debris following metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (MoM-HR). Serum metal ions <2 µg/l are probably of little clinical relevance and a pragmatic “safe” threshold <5 µg/l has been suggested. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate if a careful selection of patients combined with optimal implant positioning could eliminate cases with “unsafe” serum metal ion levels. A secondary aim was to study the association between different risk factors and having Co and/or Cr levels >5 µg/l.

Patients and methods:

This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of 410 consecutive patients operated on with a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) implant between 2001 and 2014. 288 of these had a unilateral MoM-HR, pelvic and true lateral radiographs, and a related sCo and sCr sample, and were included in the final analysis. They were allocated to either a presumed “optimal group” consisting of only men aged <60 years old, with femoral head component >48 mm diameter, and with a cup positioned within Lewinnek’s safe zones, or a “suboptimal group” consisting of the remaining patients. Fisher′s exact test and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results:

In the optimal group 48% (47/97) had serum metal ions >2 µg/l and 8% (8/97) >5 µg/l compared to 61% (116/191) and 18% (34/191) in the suboptimal group, p = 0.059 and p = 0.034 respectively. Acetabular cups with an anteversion <5 degrees had the highest odds ratio, 6.5 (95% CI, 3.0–14.3), of having sCo and sCr concentrations exceeding 5 µg/l.

Conclusions:

A well oriented BHR acetabular component in a presumably “optimal” patient reduces the risk of having elevated serum metal ions but does not eliminate it. Insufficient cup anteversion seems to be the strongest associated factor of elevated serum metals.
Integrated Molecular Analysis Reveals 2 Distinct Subtypes of Pure Seminoma of the Testis
Authors: Medvedev Kirill E , Savelyeva Anna V , Chen Kenneth S , Bagrodia Aditya , Jia Liwei , Grishin Nick V
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most common solid malignancy in adolescent and young men, with a rising incidence over the past 20 years. Overall, TGCTs are second in terms of the average life years lost per person dying of cancer, and clinical therapeutics without adverse long-term side effects are lacking. Platinum-based regimens for TGCTs have heterogeneous outcomes even within the same histotype that frequently leads to under- and over-treatment. Understanding of molecular differences that lead to diverse outcomes of TGCT patients may improve current treatment approaches. Seminoma is the most common subtype of TGCTs, which can either be pure or present in combination with other histotypes.

Methods:

Here we conducted a computational study of 64 pure seminoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas, applied consensus clustering approach to their transcriptomic data and revealed 2 clinically relevant seminoma subtypes: seminoma subtype 1 and 2.

Results:

Our analysis identified significant differences in pluripotency stage, activity of double stranded DNA breaks repair mechanisms, rates of loss of heterozygosity, and expression of lncRNA responsible for cisplatin resistance between the subtypes. Seminoma subtype 1 is characterized by higher pluripotency state, while subtype 2 showed attributes of reprograming into non-seminomatous TGCT. The seminoma subtypes we identified may provide a molecular underpinning for variable responses to chemotherapy and radiation.

Conclusion:

Translating our findings into clinical care may help improve risk stratification of seminoma, decrease overtreatment rates, and increase long-term quality of life for TGCT survivors.
What is the direction of the association between social support and coping in cancer patients? A systematic review
Authors: Bottaro Rossella , Craparo Giuseppe , Faraci Palmira
Published: October 2022

The aims of this systematic review were (a) to analyze recent studies about the association between social support and coping strategies in cancer patients after an established diagnosis; (b) to evaluate the direction of this association; and (c) to highlight any differences among different cancer types. Seven databases were searched for studies reporting the association between coping and social support for cancer patients in the last 51 years. Most of the 52 included studies highlighted the association between coping and social support, regardless of the source. Our findings supported a bidirectional association. No significant differences were found among the different types of cancer. In conclusion, our results sustain the importance of knowledge in studying this association to identify social limits and resources for the well-being of oncological patients. This knowledge could lead to the creation of holistic protocols to prevent poor adjustment to cancer.
‘One of our own’: Statues of comedians, popular culture, and nostalgia in English towns
Authors: Wright David
Published: October 2022

The 21st century has seen the rise of a new phenomenon – the creation of statues and monuments celebrating the lives of entertainers. Drawing on debates about popular culture, placemaking and heritage, and in the context of recent controversies about the politics of statues and memorials, this paper examines a manifestation of this phenomenon as represented by statues of comedians erected in the towns of Northern England. The paper begins by sketching the characteristics of the statues and their subjects. It proceeds by reflecting on their emergence in the context of debates about the contested place of nostalgia in social and cultural theory. The paper uses a strategically selected sub-set of the statues to reflect on the emerging cultural and political imaginary of towns as sites of contemporary political struggles. It concludes by asserting that the significant affective investment into statues projects and the progressive potential of popular cultural nostalgia offer an important corrective to crude assumptions about the cultural lives of towns.
Brexit, ugly feelings and the power of participatory art in Grayson Perry: Divided Britain
Authors: Cox Nicholas , Taylor Lisa
Published: October 2022

The polarised Leave/Remain positions offered by Brexit hampered opportunities for Britons to articulate the complexity of their affective political allegiances. Turning our focus on Grayson Perry: Divided Britain (2017, C4, Swan Films), we argue that Perry’s role as artist-ethnographer enabled an exploration ‘from below’ of the tensions occluded by deliberative democratic debate in febrile post-Brexit Britain. Intervening in a conjuncture of which Brexit was symptomatic, Perry’s arts documentary with Channel 4 provided the space to articulate newly configured affective and political affiliations in terms both of Britain as place and Britishness as identity. Drawing on Chantal Mouffe’s conception of agonistic politics, we argue the programme provided a space of confrontation for groups defined as polarised ‘camps’ to contest and debate through their emotional and symbolic differences which exposed the limitations of the ‘post-political’ formation. However, while the programme visualises Perry’s ‘left populist’ strategy of crafting two similar pots through ethnographic listening and interactions with Leave and Remain communities, we argue the focus on predominantly white communities ultimately offers a limited notion of what ‘a people’ with the potential to revitalise democracy in contemporary Britain could be.
Beyond fact and fiction: Cultural memory and transmedia ethics in Netflix’sThe Crown
Authors: Rampazzo Gambarato Renira , Heuman Johannes
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study is to discuss the potential ethical implications of the fictionalization of historical events represented across multiple media platforms – under the powerful umbrella of streaming media services en général and Netflix in particular – to examine the potential impact fictionalization has on what is culturally remembered and what is forgotten. Combining theoretical approaches from transmedia studies and cultural memory, the article addresses possible ethical conundrums involved in the Netflix historical drama series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II: The Crown. Methodologically, the article is structured as a case study underpinned by the multidimensional analytical model proposed by Erll, chosen to explore how the blurred lines between fact and fiction of the flagship historical drama The Crown could have ethical implications for and impact on what is remembered and what is forgotten regarding recent memories of the British Royal Family. The research findings indicate that a deeper understanding of the conventions of the historical fiction genre, as well as the transmedial ramifications of streaming media productions, could potentially mitigate the ethical implications of The Crown, going above and beyond fact and fiction.
Understanding the role of new media literacy in the diffusion of unverified information during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lee Eun Hee , Lee Taejun (David) , Lee Byung-Kwan
Published: October 2022

New media literacy (NML) is an emerging construct of great value in a digital age in which information overload threatens the well-being of society. Among the scarcity of available research going beyond a theoretical conceptualization of NML and using structural equational modeling, we explored the influence of NML on media trust, perception of fake news, and fact-checking motivation that underlie the dissemination of unverified information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenging the assertion of NML’s absolute effect on mitigating the problem of fake news communication, the components of NML were shown to contribute to the transmission of unverified information among citizens unless the risk of fake news was well understood. The findings suggest that further research is required to fully understand the scope of NML in designing public education, and that the problem of fake news spread may be a social phenomenon that digitalized society must embrace.
Remnants of carcerality and fascism in contemporary literature from Equatorial Guinea
Authors: Mester Anna
Published: October 2022

From 1939 to 1968, the Spanish territory in the Gulf of Guinea suffered from a double, imperial and fascist oppression under the Franco regime. While colonialism officially ended in 1968, the promise of independence perished as newly elected Francisco Macías Nguema —inspired by Francoism—became increasingly violent and repressive of political dissent. Colonial Black Beach prison became the site for incarceration, torture, and executions as Macías ruthlessly retaliated against political dissent. I analyze two contemporary novels, Poderes de la tempested (2004) by Donato Ndongo Bidyogo and Autorretrato con un infiel (2007) by José Fernando Siale Djangany, to show the prison—the edifice and its carceral reverberations in society—as the nexus of the double, fascist and imperial violence that persists and is renegotiated in the aftermath colonialism. From the metaphor of the prison, I explore the legacy of Francoist violence in post-colonial Equatorial Guinea that has been variedly characterized as colonialism's residual legacy or the perpetuation of afro-fascism or a self-inflicted colonialism. I wish to complicate the historical cause-and-effect. I reread these texts from a historical and literary perspective focusing on representations of prisons and carceral societies, while engaging with the co-implications of fascism and imperialism in Spanish and Equatorial Guinean history.
An experimental and theoretical investigation of the influence of backlash on gear train vibro-impacts and rattle noise
Authors: Donmez Ata , Kahraman Ahmet
Published: October 2022

Rattling is a perennial gear noise problem observed in various powertrain components ranging from manual transmissions to engine balancers and timing gear trains. Under lightly loaded conditions, gear systems that are subjected to input and/or output torque fluctuations exhibit vibro-impacts as tooth separations and coast-side contacts take place in the presence of backlash. Experimental set-ups that can impose tightly controlled torque fluctuations to single or multi-mesh gear train are used here to determine the sensitivity of the rattling noise levels to the magnitudes of backlash within wide ranges of torque fluctuation parameters. Torsional discrete models of the experimental set-ups were used to simulate these rattling motions and to predict impact velocity-based rattle severity indexes as a function of both excitation parameters and backlash magnitudes. Single-mesh results show that the larger backlash values result in higher noise levels in most of the cases. In case of double-mesh systems, the resultant noise levels and the corresponding rattle indices exhibit different sensitivities to backlash magnitudes depending on the excitation conditions.
Promoting Gender Equity in Livelihoods Projects: Practitioners’ Perspectives Through the Lens of a Socio-ecological Model
Authors: Serra Renata , Kendall Michelle , Towns Alexandra , Hummer James
Published: October 2022

This article points to the untapped potential for meaningful and mutually beneficial exchange between development research and practice, by presenting an example of an iterative process of knowledge formation, whereby project staff’s collective experiential insights and inductive learning are used to obtain an enriched Socio-ecological Model (SEM), which is attuned to the lived experiences in the field and is reinforced by the available research evidence. Using Catholic Relief Services, one of the largest humanitarian and development organizations worldwide, as case study, interviews were conducted with project staff from nine livelihood and food security projects and gathered staff’s perceptions and experiences with promoting gender-equitable outcomes through improved intra-household gender dynamics and men’s involvement. The qualitative analysis of the interviews shows that, while projects tried to integrate activities across the four levels of the SEM (individual, family, community and societal), staff perceived that the stickiness of social norms, women’s time poverty and limited buy-in from local organizations affected progress and presented new challenges that required constant adaptation. Our proposed method shows how an SEM can be enriched by incorporating these additional elements and by using existing research to confirm the significance of the exercise. An enriched SEM, by explicitly pointing to cross-cutting challenges that emerge from the field, is better reflective of the realities in which the staff works than a simple SEM. A process of SEM’s validation through incorporating insights from field staff and collaboratively involving researchers has the potential to deepen how projects or organizations think about the way they can foster gender transformative change; as well as to lead to more informed research and enhance researchers’ appreciations of the practical nature of development project challenges.
Severe violent victimization and labour market exclusion: The significance of the victim–offender overlap
Authors: Kahlmeter Anna
Published: October 2022

Evidence that violent victimization is associated with an array of negative outcomes over the life-course is mounting. While its links to poor health have been extensively documented, socio-economic outcomes have been left relatively unexplored. In this study, Swedish population register data are utilized to examine the relationship between violent victimization and labour market exclusion, placing particular focus on the moderating role of offending and gender differences in this dynamic. Using data on 12 complete successive cohorts born 1975 to 1986, violent victimization is observed in young adulthood (age 20–24) using patient register data, and is measured as interpersonal violence resulting in hospital admission. Labour market exclusion is operationalized as being not in employment education or training and is observed at age 25 and 30. Linear probability models are estimated for men and women, respectively. The findings suggest that women who have been victims of violent crime face elevated risks of labour exclusion, in both the short and the long run, and regardless of criminal offending. Men, on the other hand, display no excess risk of labour market exclusion in the absence of violent offending. For the group of male violent offenders, however, victimization adds to the risk of labour market exclusion. Implications of the findings are discussed.
‘In military terms, we are just collateral damage’: School closures and symbolic violence
Authors: Mutch Carol
Published: October 2022

Schools can be permanently closed for many reasons – economic rationalisation, post-disaster relocations, population decline or educational failure. Research on permanent school closures reports mostly negative and long-lasting consequences, not just for the school’s staff and students, but for the local community. After the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes in New Zealand, the Ministry of Education produced a plan to permanently close or merge 38 schools. The author followed one school through its closure and the early stages of its merger with a neighbouring school. Although the two schools came together to create a new entity with a new name, the process was not without emotional harm to the school designated as the ‘closing’ school. The ‘continuing’ school, on the other hand, appeared to act beyond its brief and behave in ways that unintentionally contributed to that harm. In the interviews with the closing school, participants reported acts of careless disregard, humiliation and even vindictiveness by the continuing school community. While the emotional impact will have declined over time, there is merit in examining what happened in order to make better policy and implementation decisions for similar situations in the future. In this article, I use Bourdieu’s concepts of symbolic power and symbolic violence to discuss what happened and field, capital and habitus to posit an explanation for why the continuing school acted in the way that it did and why the closing school capitulated.
A comparative study of scoring systems by simulations
Authors: Csató László
Published: October 2022

We study the trade-off between two risks for scoring rules used in sports competitions containing multiple contests: (1) the threat of early clinch when the title is clinched before the last contest(s) of the competition take place; and (2) the danger of winning the competition without finishing first in any contest. Four historical points scoring systems of the Formula One World Championship are compared with the family of geometric scoring rules. The current scheme seems to be a reasonable compromise close to the Pareto frontier. Our results contribute to the issue of choosing an optimal set of point values.
Electromagnetic shielding behaviors of planar frequency selective surface fabrics, with emphasis on decoupling analysis, lamination direction and tunable selective frequency
Authors: Zheng Yiqian , Wang Yunyang , Zhu Chengyan , Wang Qicai , Qiu Haibin , Qian Junnan , Hong Xinghua
Published: October 2022

Planar frequency selective surface (FSS) fabrics with grids, strips or patches by simple methods of patching, embroidery, clipping and carving were fabricated. The periodic structures, laminated structures, processing method and materials pertaining to the electromagnetic shielding behaviors were investigated. Firstly, equivalent circuit and electromagnetic (EM) shielding behavior of basic frequency selective structure units and complex fretwork structure were provided, involving the decoupling of complex fretwork structure. In addition, various laminating structures of SPs and SGs were determined, one of superposition of SPs and SGs provides a SE peak of 40.2 dB (average SE of 25.1 dB in the whole frequency domain), the other presents a SE peak of 27.1 dB (average SE of 19.1 dB in the whole frequency regime). Furthermore, tunable selective electromagnetic shielding by a simple mechanical way was provided, which can realize a tunable SE peak varying from 730 MHz to 1580 MHz. This work might provide a perspective for the assemble and analytical approximation of FSS fabrics for scientists and engineers in this cross-disciplinary field.
The Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Patients with Oral, Oropharynx, Nasopharynx, and Hypopharynx Cancers: A Retrospective Longitudinal Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Ben-Arie Eyal , Inprasit Chanya , Lottering Bernice , Yip Hei-Tung , Ho Wen-Chao , Lee Yu-Chen , Kao Pei-Yu
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Given the prevalent use of tobacco and betel nut in the Taiwanese community, an increase risk of oral, oropharynx, and hypopharynx cancers (head and neck cancers) is apparent. The use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture is both common and conveniently accessible in Taiwan, with treatments being financially supported by the National Health Insurance (NHI). This study aims to investigate the use of TCM in head and neck cancers in Taiwan through a longitudinal cohort study.

Methods:

The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was utilized in order to conduct this study. The study populations consisted of oral, oropharynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx cancers (head and neck cancer) patients in 2002, which were then followed up until 2007 in regards to TCM use, until 2013 in regards to acupuncture use and until 2014 for all-cause mortality. Patients were divided into 4 groups. Common symptoms, Chinese herbs and formula used, TCM visits and 5 and 12 years all-cause mortality were analyzed.

Results:

The use of TCM was increased in the second to fourth-year post-diagnosis. TCM use in nasopharynx cancer patients was higher compared to other cancers. The number of TCM visits per patient was increased post-diagnosis. The findings suggest a non-significant reduction in 5 and 12 years all-cause mortality between TCM II and CON II groups.

Conclusion:

The use of TCM in new patients suffering from head and neck cancers was increased in close proximity to the cancer diagnosis. The relation between TCM use and mortality of head and neck cancer should be investigated through larger scale studies.