bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Massive hemorrhage from the posterior intercostal artery following lower partial sternotomy
Authors: Hattori Masashi , Matsumura Yu , Yamaki Fumitaka
Published: November 2021

Background

Median sternotomy remains the most common approach in cardiovascular surgery. Recently, minimally invasive procedures, such as minimally invasive cardiac surgery, robot surgery, and catheter therapy have been developed in cardiovascular surgery. However, all these surgeries cannot be performed by minimally invasive approaches. Several complications associated with median sternotomy have been reported, although post-sternotomy hemorrhage from the posterior intercostal artery is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We present a case of posterior intercostal artery bleeding following lower partial sternotomy. A 79-year-old man underwent aortic valve replacement using lower partial median inverted L-shaped sternotomy that cut into the right second intercostal space. A postoperative chest radiograph indicated a hematoma in the right upper chest wall and pleural effusion. Hence, we inserted a drainage tube immediately. Approximately 2 hours after the surgery, his blood pressure gradually decreased. Blood drainage was observed from the tube, and the amount of blood drainage was not large. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a huge hematoma and hemorrhage from the fourth right posterior intercostal artery. Immediately, we performed emergency surgery. The lower partial sternotomy was repeated. We detected the origin of the bleeding that was identified in the right fourth posterior intercostal artery, and the bleeding was stopped. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusions

This case highlights the possibility of intraoperative bleeding from the intercostal artery, even in the absence of clearly rib fracture. In our case, we did not identify the cause of bleeding, although we suggest the inhomogeneous stress on the posterior ribs upon attaching the sternal retractor for lower partial sternotomy may have affected the posterior intercostal artery.
Giant left anterior descending artery aneurysm in a patient with active systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report
Authors: Yao Zipeng , Long Yanhong , Zong Zheng , Wang Lin
Published: November 2021

Background

Although not common, coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) can develop to over 8 mm in diameter to become giant CAAs. In the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), autoantibody- and immune complex-mediated atherosclerosis is believed to be the most prevalent cause of aneurysm.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 53-year-old female SLE patient who presented to our hospital with radiating chest pain. Coronary angiography revealed a giant aneurysm in the middle segment of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and distal subtotal occlusion in the left circumflex artery (LCX). Laboratory testing also identified risk factors such as an abnormal pulmonary enzyme profile, dyslipidemia, and nephritis parameters.To prevent thromboembolism, anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy were administered. In addition, one stent was implanted at the distal end of the LCX and repeated coronary angiography verified restoration of TIMI grade III flow.The patient was discharged with resolved chest pain. During 6 months of follow-up, the patient is in good health.

Conclusions

Our case study, together with 16 recent comparable reports, emphasizes the need for coronary aneurysm screening in SLE patients. It is necessary that thromboembolism, anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy were administered for CAA.
Development and content validation of a symptom assessment for eosinophilic gastritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis in adults and adolescents
Authors: Ho Calvin N. , O’Quinn Sean , Bailey Julie , Meyers Oren , Slagle Ashley F. , Dellon Evan S. , Datto Catherine
Published: November 2021

Background

A patient reported outcome (PRO) instrument with evidence of validity and reliability for assessing symptoms of eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is needed to measure treatment benefit in clinical trials. The aim of this research is to develop an EG/EGE symptom PRO instrument for patients aged 12 and above.

Methods

The Symptom Assessment for Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases (SAGED) was developed through a literature review, discussions with expert clinicians, and concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews with patients. Patients (n = 28) were recruited based on confirmed diagnosis and self-reported symptoms. The final instrument was translated and linguistically validated with additional cognitive debriefing interviews (n = 105).

Results

SAGED is a 24-h recall questionnaire consisting of eight items evaluating the core symptoms of EG and EGE (abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, early satiety, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea). Seven of the eight items are evaluated on an 11-point numerical rating scale ranging from ‘none’ to ‘worst imaginable’. Cognitive debriefing interviews showed that adults and adolescents understand the content and are able to select a response that reflects their experience. The linguistic validation process produced 21 translations that are understandable to patients and conceptually equivalent to the source version.

Conclusions

SAGED is suitable for measuring symptom improvement in adult and adolescent patients with EG and/or EGE. The content validity of SAGED has been established through best practices in qualitative research for PRO instrument development. The psychometric properties of SAGED will be evaluated in a future study.
Effect of interventions to reduce malaria incidence among military personnel on active duty: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of the impact of etofenprox-treated uniforms, permethrin-treated uniforms and DEET insect repellent
Authors: Msellemu Daniel , Ross Amanda , Temu Lucky , Moshi Irene , Hofer Lorenz , Mwanziva Charles , Kohi Yadon M. , Moore Sarah J.
Published: November 2021

Background

While there is strong evidence that bite protection methods such as permethrin-treated clothing and topical insect repellents are protective against insect bites, there are few studies assessing the impact on malaria infection. This study will estimate the protective efficacy of treated uniforms and DEET insect repellent on the incidence of malaria infection among military personnel in an operational setting. Permethrin-treated uniforms used with DEET lotion will be compared to etofenprox-treated uniforms with DEET lotion. The effect of DEET lotion will be estimated by comparing permethrin-treated uniforms with DEET or placebo lotion.

Method

A cluster randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial is planned to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions on preventing malaria infections in soldiers on active duty at Mgambo National Service Camp in Tanga, Tanzania. The arms are (1) permethrin-treated uniform with 30% DEET liposome formula; (2) permethrin-treated uniform with placebo lotion; (3) candidate insect repellent system, i.e. etofenprox-treated uniform with 30% DEET liposome formula; and (4) placebo, i.e. untreated uniforms with placebo lotion. The primary outcome is the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by active case detection using surveys every 2 weeks for 12 months. Rapid diagnostic tests will be used for the diagnosis of participants with symptoms.

The unit of randomisation will be combania: companies formed by recruits aged 18 to 25 years; combania do activities together and sleep in the same dormitory. Unequal randomisation will be used to optimise statistical power for the primary comparison between permethrin-treated uniforms with DEET and etofenprox-treated uniforms with DEET.

Discussion

This trial will provide the estimate of the effects of permethrin with DEET compared to those of the new fabric treatment etofenprox with DEET and any additional effect of using DEET. The results will inform strategies to protect military personnel and civilians who have more outdoor or occupational malaria exposure than the general public.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02938975.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention for elementary school teachers: a mixed method study
Authors: Lensen J. H. , Stoltz S. E. M. J. , Kleinjan M. , Speckens A. E. M. , Kraiss J. T. , Scholte R. H. J.
Published: November 2021

Background

In the Netherlands, more than half of the teachers working in primary education experience high levels of work stress. Compared to other professions, teachers are more likely to drop out from work and develop mental illnesses. Almost one in five even choose a new profession within 5 years after starting as a teacher. This indicates an urgent need for interventions to reduce stress levels in teachers. However, few evidence-based effective interventions targeting stress and work-related problems in the primary educational system are available.

Aim

In the current paper, we describe the protocol for a randomized controlled study (RCT) comparing an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention with a wait list control condition in primary school teachers. We hypothesize that teachers who participate in the MBSR programme will report less stress (primary outcome) than those in the control group at post-test and at 3-month follow-up. We also expect a decrease in teachers’ absenteeism and improvements of mental health, teacher skills, classroom climate quality and the pupil-teacher relationship (secondary outcomes). Finally, we hypothesize that self-compassion, mindfulness skills and emotion regulation skills could mediate effects.

Methods/design

A mixed-method study will be conducted amongN=155 Dutch primary school teachers (grade 1 to 6). The quantitative study will be an RCT, in which teachers will be randomly allocated to the MBSR or waiting list control condition. Trial participants will not be made actively aware of their condition. The data analysts will be blinded. Online questionnaires will be sent to teachers before and after the MBSR programme, and at 3-month follow-up. Information about absenteeism will be collected. In the qualitative part of the study, we will interview teachers to examine their perceived effects of MBSR on their teaching skills, the classroom climate quality and the pupil-teacher relationship.

Discussion

This protocol paper describes a mixed-method study design with an RCT and a qualitative evaluation to evaluate an MBSR programme on perceived stress among primary school teachers. If the MBSR programme proves to be effective, it could be implemented as a programme to reduce stress and improve mental health and teaching outcomes in primary school teachers.

Trial registration

Nederland Trial Register NL. Registered on 19 November 2019—retrospectively registered,https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8171
Effects of an exercise and sport intervention among refugees living in a Greek refugee camp on mental health, physical fitness and cardiovascular risk markers: study protocol for the SALEEM pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gerber Markus , Colledge Flora , de Quervain Dominique , Filippou Konstantinia , Havas Elsa , Knappe Florian , Ludyga Sebastian , Meier Marianne , Morres Ioannis D. , Panagos Alexandros , Pühse Uwe , Ramadan Karim , Seelig Harald , Theodorakis Yannis , von Känel Roland , Hatzigeorgiadis Antonis
Published: November 2021

Background

Due to ongoing political and social conflicts, the number of international refugees has been increasing. Refugees are exposed to severe mental and physical strain, as well as traumatic experiences during their flight. Therefore, the risk of psychiatric disorders is markedly increased among international refugees. International organizations have criticized the lack of early interventions as a key problem, because untreated mental disorders are often difficult to cure at a later stage. Today, exercise and sport have been successfully employed to treat a wide range of psychiatric disorders. With patients with post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), very limited empirical evidence exists, and studies carried out with international refugees are nearly non-existent.

Methods

We intend to implement a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an exercise and sport intervention group (n = 68, 50% women) and a wait-list control group (n = 68, 50% women) in the Koutsochero refugee camp, located close to the city of Larissa (Greece). During the RCT, exercise and sport will be offered five times per week (60 min/session) for 10 weeks. Participants will be asked to participate in at least two sessions per week. The programme is developed according to the participants’ needs and preferences and they will be able to choose between a range of activities. PTSD symptoms will serve as primary outcome, and several secondary outcomes will be assessed. Qualitative data collection methods will be used to gain a more in-depth appraisal of the participants’ perception of the intervention programme. In the second year of study, the programme will be opened to all camp residents. A strategy will be developed how the programme can be continued after the end of the funding period, and how the programme can be scaled up beyond the borders of the Koutsochero camp.

Discussion

By moving towards the primary prevention of chronic physical conditions and psychiatric disorders, a relevant contribution can be done to enhance the quality and quantity of life of refugee camp residents in Greece. Our findings may also strengthen the evidence for exercise as medicine as a holistic care option in refugee camps, by helping camp residents to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Trial registration

The study was registered prospectively on the 8 February 2021 with ISRCTN https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16291983
First report of the L1014F kdr mutation in wild populations of Anopheles arabiensis in Cabo Verde, West Africa
Authors: da Cruz Derciliano Lopes , Paiva Marcelo Henrique Santos , Guedes Duschinka Ribeiro Duarte , de Souza Gomes Elainne Christine , Pires Silvia Gonçalves , Gomez Lara Ferrero , Ayres Constância Flávia Junqueira
Published: November 2021

Background

Due to the lack of vaccines, malaria control mainly involves the control of anopheline vectors (Anopheles spp.) using chemical insecticides. However, the prolonged and indiscriminate use of these compounds has led to the emergence of resistance in Anopheles populations in Africa. Insecticide resistance surveillance programs are less frequent in Cabo Verde than in other African countries. This study aimed to investigate the circulation of the L1014F and L1014S alleles in natural populations of Anopheles arabiensis collected from two sampling sites in the city of Praia, Cabo Verde.

Methods

Anopheles larvae were collected from the two sampling sites and reared in the laboratory until the adult stage. Mosquitoes were first morphologically identified by classical taxonomy and then by molecular species identification using molecular markers. All Anopheles arabiensis were subjected to PCR analysis to screen for mutations associated to resistance in the Nav gene.

Results

A total of 105 mosquitoes, all belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex, were identified by classical taxonomy as well as by molecular taxonomy. Molecular identification showed that 100% of the An. gambiae senso lato specimens analyzed corresponded to An. arabiensis. Analysis of the Nav gene revealed the presence of L1014S and L1014F alleles with frequencies of 0.10 and 0.19, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated, for the first time, the presence of the L1014F allele in the An. arabiensis population from Cabo Verde, as well as an increase in the frequency of the kdr L1014S allele reported in a previous study. The results of this study demonstrate the need to establish new approaches in vector control programs in Cabo Verde.

Graphical Abstract
Quantitative analysis of metal artifact reduction in total hip arthroplasty using virtual monochromatic imaging and orthopedic metal artifact reduction, a phantom study
Authors: Selles Mark , Stuivenberg Vera H. , Wellenberg Ruud H. H. , van de Riet Loes , Nijholt Ingrid M. , van Osch Jochen A. C. , van Hamersvelt Robbert W. , Leiner Tim , Boomsma Martijn F.
Published: November 2021

Objective

To quantify metal artifact reduction using 130 keV virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) with and without orthopedic metal artifact reduction (O-MAR) in total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

Conventional polychromatic images and 130 keV VMI of a phantom with pellets representing bone with unilateral or bilateral prostheses were reconstructed with and without O-MAR on a dual-layer CT. Pellets were categorized as unaffected, mildly affected and severely affected.

Results

When 130 keV VMI with O-MAR was compared to conventional imaging with O-MAR, a relative metal artifact reduction in CT values, contrast-to-noise (CNR), signal-to-noise (SNR) and noise in mildly affected pellets (67%, 74%, 48%, 68%, respectively; p < 0.05) was observed but no significant relative metal artifact reduction in severely affected pellets. Comparison between 130 keV VMI without O-MAR and conventional imaging with O-MAR showed relative metal artifact reduction in CT values, CNR, SNR and noise in mildly affected pellets (92%, 72%, 38%, 51%, respectively; p < 0.05) but negative relative metal artifact reduction in CT values and noise in severely affected pellets (− 331% and -223%, respectively; p < 0.05), indicating aggravation of metal artifacts.

Conclusion

Overall, VMI of 130 keV with O-MAR provided the strongest metal artifact reduction.
Targeted integration of EpCAM-specific CAR in human induced pluripotent stem cells and their differentiation into NK cells
Authors: Tang Shin Yi , Zha Shijun , Du Zhicheng , Zeng Jieming , Zhu Detu , Luo Yumei , Wang Shu
Published: November 2021

Background

Redirection of natural killer (NK) cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) is attractive in developing off-the-shelf CAR therapeutics for cancer treatment. However, the site-specific integration of a CAR gene into NK cells remains challenging.

Methods

In the present study, we genetically modified human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology to introduce a cDNA encoding an anti-EpCAM CAR into the adeno-associated virus integration site 1, a “safe harbour” for transgene insertion into human genome, and next differentiated the modified iPSCs into CAR-expressing iNK cells.

Results

We detected the targeted integration in 4 out of 5 selected iPSC clones, 3 of which were biallelically modified. Southern blotting analysis revealed no random integration events. iNK cells were successfully derived from the modified iPSCs with a 47-day protocol, which were morphologically similar to peripheral blood NK cells, displayed NK phenotype (CD56+CD3-), and expressed NK receptors. The CAR expression of the iPSC-derived NK cells was confirmed with RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity assay further confirmed their lytic activity against NK cell-resistant, EpCAM-positive cancer cells, but not to EpCAM-positive normal cells, demonstrating the retained tolerability of the CAR-iNK cells towards normal cells.

Conclusion

Looking ahead, the modified iPSCs generated in the current study hold a great potential as a practically unlimited source to generate anti-EpCAM CAR iNK cells.
Novel chicken two-dimensional intestinal model comprising all key epithelial cell types and a mesenchymal sub-layer
Authors: Orr Brigid , Sutton Kate , Christian Sonja , Nash Tessa , Niemann Helle , Hansen Lone Lind , McGrew Mike J. , Jensen Stina Rikke , Vervelde Lonneke
Published: November 2021

The intestinal epithelium plays a variety of roles including providing an effective physical barrier and innate immune protection against infection. Two-dimensional models of the intestinal epithelium, 2D enteroids, are a valuable resource to investigate intestinal cell biology and innate immune functions and are suitable for high throughput studies of paracellular transport and epithelial integrity. We have developed a chicken 2D enteroid model that recapitulates all major differentiated cell lineages, including enterocytes, Paneth cells, Goblet cells, enteroendocrine cells and leukocytes, and self-organises into an epithelial and mesenchymal sub-layer. Functional studies demonstrated the 2D enteroids formed a tight cell layer with minimal paracellular flux and a robust epithelial integrity, which was maintained or rescued following damage. The 2D enteroids were also able to demonstrate appropriate innate immune responses following exposure to bacterial endotoxins, from Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis. Frozen 2D enteroids cells when thawed were comparable to freshly isolated cells. The chicken 2D enteroids provide a useful ex vivo model to study intestinal cell biology and innate immune function, and have potential uses in screening of nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, and bioactive compounds.
Causes of acute respiratory failure in patients with small-vessel vasculitis admitted to intensive care units: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Gibelin Aude , Dumas Guillaume , Valade Sandrine , de Chambrun Marc Pineton , Bagate François , Neuville Mathilde , Schneider Francis , Baboi Loredana , Groh Matthieu , Raphalen Jean-Herlé , Chiche Jean-Daniel , De Prost Nicolas , Luyt Charles-Edouard , Guérin Claude , Maury Eric , de Montmollin Etienne , Hertig Alexandre , Parrot Antoine , Clere-Jehl Raphaël , Fartoukh Muriel
Published: November 2021

Rationale

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with known or de novo small-vessel vasculitis (Svv) may be secondary to the underlying immune disease or to other causes. Early identification of the cause of ARF is essential to initiate the most appropriate treatment in a timely fashion.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter study in 10 French ICUs from January 2007 to January 2018 to assess the clinical presentation, main causes and outcome of ARF associated with Svv, and to identify variables associated with non-immune etiology of ARF in patients with known Svv.

Results

During the study period, 121 patients [62 (50–75) years; 62% male; median SAPSII and SOFA scores 39 (27–52) and 6 (4–8), respectively] were analyzed. An immune cause was identified in 67 (55%), and a non-immune cause in 54 (45%) patients. ARF was associated with several causes in 43% (n  = 52) of cases. The main immune cause was diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) (n  = 47, 39%), whereas the main non-immune cause was pulmonary infection (n  = 35, 29%). The crude 90-day and 1-year mortality were higher in patients with non-immune ARF, as compared with their counterparts (32% and 38% vs. 15% and 20%, respectively; both p  = 0.03), but was marginally significantly higher after adjusted analysis in a Cox model (p  = 0.053).

Among patients with a known Svv (n  = 70), immunosuppression [OR 9.41 (1.52–58.3); p  = 0.016], and a low vasculitis activity score [0.84 (0.77–0.93)] were independently associated with a non-immune cause, after adjustment for the time from disease onset to ARF, time from respiratory symptoms to ICU admission, and severe renal failure.

Conclusions

An extensive diagnosis workup is mandatory in ARF revealing or complicating Svv. Non-immune causes are involved in 43% of cases, and their short and mid-term prognosis may be poorer than those of immune ARF. Readily identified predictive factors of a non-immune cause could help avoiding unnecessary immunosuppressive therapies.
Comparison of COVID-19 outcomes in organ transplant recipients (OTr) and non-transplant patients: a study protocol for rapid review
Authors: Lerner Alexis H. , Klein Elizabeth J. , Hardesty Anna , Panagiotou Orestis A. , Misquith Chelsea , Farmakiotis Dimitrios
Published: November 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the global community with nearly 4.9 million deaths as of October 2021. While organ transplant (OT) recipients (OTr) may be at increased risk for severe COVID-19 due to their chronic immunocompromised state, outcomes for OTr with COVID-19 remain disputed in the literature. This review will examine whether OTr with COVID-19 are at higher risk for severe illness and death than non-immunocompromised individuals.

Methods

MEDLINE (via Ovid and PubMed) and EMBASE (via Embase.com) will be searched from December 2019 to October 2021 for observational studies (including cohort and case-control) that compare COVID-19 clinical outcomes in OTr to those in individuals without history of OT. The primary outcome of interest will be mortality as defined in each study, with possible further analyses of in-hospital mortality, 28 or 30-day mortality, and all-cause mortality versus mortality attributable to COVID-19. The secondary outcome of interest will be the severity of COVID-19 disease, most frequently defined as requiring intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation. Two reviewers will independently screen all abstracts and full-text articles. Potential conflicts will be resolved by a third reviewer and potentially discussion among all investigators. Methodological quality will be appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. If data permit, we will perform random-effects meta-analysis with the Sidik-Jonkman estimator and the Hartung-Knapp adjustment for confidence intervals to estimate a summary measure of association between histories of transplant with each outcome. Potential sources of heterogeneity will be explored using meta-regression. Additional analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity (e.g., subgroup analysis) considering least minimal adjustment for confounders.

Discussion

This rapid review will assess the available evidence on whether OTr diagnosed with COVID-19 are at higher risk for severe illness and death compared to non-immunocompromised individuals. Such knowledge is clinically relevant and may impact risk stratification, allocation of organs and healthcare resources, and organ transplantation protocols during this, and future, pandemics.

Systematic review registration

Open Science Framework (OSF) registration DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/4n9d7.
Special functions-based solutions of unsteady convective flow of a MHD Maxwell fluid for ramped wall temperature and velocity with concentration
Authors: Riaz Muhammad Bilal , Awrejcewicz Jan , Rehman Aziz Ur , Abbas Muhammad
Published: November 2021

In this paper a new approach is taken to find the exact solutions for generalized unsteady magnetohydrodynamic transport of a rate-type fluid near an unbounded upright plate and is analyzed for ramped wall temperature and velocity with constant concentration. The vertical plate is suspended in a porous medium and encounters radiation effects. Solutions based on special functions are obtained using an integral transform for an unsteady MHD Maxwell fluid in the presence of ramped velocity, temperature and constant concentration. The relations for Nusselt number and skin-friction coefficient are efficiently computed to precisely estimate the rate of heat transfer at the boundary and the shear stress. Results are also discussed in detail and demonstrated graphically using software to comprehensively analyze the dynamics of the proposed problem, and the physical impact of several system parameters, such as magnetic field M, Prandtl number Pr, the relaxation time λ, dimensionless time τ, Schmidt number Sc, Mass and Thermal Grashof numbers Gm and Gr, respectively, is studied. Furthermore, solutions for some recently published work are compared with the current study that endorses the authenticity of our derived results and proves that those investigations are limiting or special cases of the current problem.
Role of Newtonian heating on a Maxwell fluid via special functions: memory impact of local and nonlocal kernels
Authors: Iftikhar Nazish , Javed Fatima , Riaz Muhammad Bilal , Abbas Muhammad , Alsharif Abdullah M. , Hamed Y. S.
Published: November 2021

The impact of Newtonian heating on a time-dependent fractional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Maxwell fluid over an unbounded upright plate is investigated. The equations for heat, mass and momentum are established in terms of Caputo (C), Caputo–Fabrizio (CF) and Atangana–Baleanu (ABC) fractional derivatives. The solutions are evaluated by employing Laplace transforms. The change in the momentum profile due to variability in the values of parameters is graphically illustrated for all three C, CF and ABC models. The ABC model has proficiently revealed a memory effect.
On a degenerate parabolic equation from double phase convection
Authors: Zhan Huashui
Published: November 2021

The initial-boundary value problem of a degenerate parabolic equation arising from double phase convection is considered. Let $a(x)$
a
(
x
)
and $b(x)$
b
(
x
)
be the diffusion coefficients corresponding to the double phase respectively. In general, it is assumed that $a(x)+b(x)>0$
a
(
x
)
+
b
(
x
)
>
0
, $x\in \overline{\Omega }$
x
∈

Ω
‾

and the boundary value condition should be imposed. In this paper, the condition $a(x)+b(x)>0$
a
(
x
)
+
b
(
x
)
>
0
, $x\in \overline{\Omega }$
x
∈

Ω
‾

is weakened, and sometimes the boundary value condition is not necessary. The existence of a weak solution u is proved by parabolically regularized method, and $u_{t}\in L^{2}(Q_{T})$

u
t

∈

L
2

(

Q
T

)
is shown. The stability of weak solutions is studied according to the different integrable conditions of $a(x)$
a
(
x
)
and $b(x)$
b
(
x
)
. To ensure the well-posedness of weak solutions, the classical trace is generalized, and that the homogeneous boundary value condition can be replaced by $a(x)b(x)|_{x\in \partial \Omega }=0$
a
(
x
)
b
(
x
)

|

x
∈
∂
Ω

=
0
is found for the first time.
Internalization of stigma among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Nigeria: a mixed method study
Authors: Oduyemi Aminat Y. , Okafor Ifeoma P. , Eze Ugochukwu T. , Akodu Babatunde A. , Roberts Alero A.
Published: November 2021

Background

Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) has uniquely stigmatizing aspects because children with ASD have no physical markers of their condition. Parents are usually blamed and judgment from others is often internalized (felt stigma).

Aim

This study was conducted to determine knowledge about ASD, negative experiences (enacted stigma), internalization of stigma (felt or self stigma) and its correlates among parents of children with ASD in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 230 parents in Lagos, Nigeria employing mixed-method data collection methods. Quantitative data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with Epi- Info™ version 7.0 statistical package. Data were summarized with proportions, mean and standard deviation. Chi square and Spearman’s correlation tests were done, and the level of significance was pre-determined at 5% (p < 0.05). In-depth interviews were also conducted among six parents to further explore the topic. The interviews were analyzed narratively.

Results

The proportion of mothers and fathers were 175 (76.1%) and 55 (23.9%) respectively. The mean age of respondents was 42 ± 8.5 years. Overall knowledge of ASD was very poor as only 3(1.3%) had good knowledge. Overall, 122(53%) usually had negative experience of parenting a child with ASD (enacted stigma), mothers (17.1%) more than fathers (9.1%). Majority 192(83.5%) internalized stigma. There was a low–moderate correlation between ‘enacted’ stigma and ‘internalized’ stigma (ρ- 0.400, p < 0.001). From in-depth interviews, many parents revealed that their child’s condition had negative effects on the family. Many also recounted negative experience of stigma.

Conclusion

Overall, parents of children with ASD had poor knowledge of the condition. Majority internalized stigma and this increases with negative treatment from others. Parents should be properly educated about ASD. Community-based education to increase awareness about ASD in addition to encouraging people to show empathy and reduce stigmatizing behaviour towards parents of children with ASD are recommended.
Seven years of development as building a foundation for the journal’s leadership in promoting STEM education internationally
Authors: Li Yeping
Published: November 2021

The International Journal of STEM Education went through seven publication cycle years from August 2014 to July 2021. The journal’s performance has consistently reflected the rapid development in STEM education research internationally. In this editorial, I share the journal’s performance since August 2020 and discuss possible future developments.
Pictorial size perception in schizophrenia
Authors: de Bustamante Simas Maria Lúcia , Maranhão Ana Cristina Taunay , Lacerda Aline Mendes , Teixeira Flora Silva , Freire Carlos Henrique Resende , da Silva Raposo Cecília Coimbra , de Menezes Georgia Mônica Marque
Published: November 2021

In this study, we compared visual pictorial size perception between healthy volunteers (CG) and an experimental group (EG) of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. We have been using paintings by Salvador Dalí and Rorschach plates to estimate visual pictorial size perception. In this transversal, ex post facto, and quasi-experimental study, we observed differences between EG and CG. Schizophrenic in-patients perceived sizes about 1.3-fold greater than healthy volunteers (p=0.006), implying that pictorial size perception is altered in some way in schizophrenia. Considering the present and previous results, this measurement of diameter size of first pictorial perception may be a useful estimate of some aspects of perceptual alterations that may be associated with psychotic symptoms in prodromal and acute schizophrenic episodes and other related mental states. Eventually, this may help in preventing people from evolving to acute episodes.
Threats and outbreaks of cholera in Africa amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a double burden on Africa’s health systems
Authors: Uwishema Olivier , Okereke Melody , Onyeaka Helen , Hasan Mohammad Mehedi , Donatus Deocles , Martin Zebadiah , Oluwatomisin Lawal Abdulwahab , Mhanna Melissa , Olumide Adesipe Olaoluwa , Sun Jeffrey , Adanur Irem
Published: November 2021

Every year, about 4 million cases and 143,000 deaths due to cholera are recorded globally, of which 54% were from Africa, reported in 2016. The outbreak and spread of cholera have risen exponentially particularly in Africa. Coupled with the recent emergence of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) in Africa, the local health systems are facing a double burden of these infectious diseases due to their cumulative impact. In this paper, we evaluate the dual impact of cholera and COVID-19 in Africa and suggest plausible interventions that can be put in place to cushion its impact.
The transition of cannabis into the mainstream of Australian healthcare: framings in professional medical publications
Authors: Lewis Monique , Flood John
Published: November 2021

Background

Medicinal cannabis has been legalised for use for a range of specified medical conditions in Australia since 2016. However, the nature of the government regulations and the subsequent complexity of prescribing, as well as doctors’ safety uncertainties and the stigma of the plant, remain contributing barriers to patient access. Media representations can offer insights into the nature of the discourse about new medical products and therapies and how ideas and understandings about social phenomena become constructed. Focusing on professional medical publications, this study sought to investigate how medicinal cannabis is being represented in professional medical publications.

Methods

Using a content analysis approach, we investigated articles about medicinal cannabis from 2000 to the end of 2019 in the Medical Journal of Australia, Australian Doctor, Medical Observer, Australian Journal of General Practice, Australian Family Physician, and Australian Medicine. Articles were coded according to article type, framings of cannabis, headline and article tone, and key sources used in the article. We also used manifest textual analysis to search for word frequencies, and specific conditions referred to in the articles retrieved.

Results

A total of 117 articles were retrieved for analysis, the majority of which were news stories for a physician audience. Across the longitudinal period, we found that most reports carried a positive tone towards medicinal cannabis. Cannabis is most frequently framed as a legitimate therapeutic option that is complex to prescribe and access, does not have a strong evidence base to support its use, and also carries safety concerns. At the same time, the outlook on cannabis research data is largely positive. Primary sources most frequently used in these reports are peer-reviewed journals or government reports, voices from medical associations or foundations, as well as government and university researchers. Chronic pain or pain were the conditions most frequently mentioned in articles about cannabis, followed by epilepsy, cancer or cancer pain, and nausea and chemotherapy.

Conclusions

This analysis offers evidence that medicinal cannabis is being framed as a valid medicine advocated by the community, with potential for addressing a range of conditions despite the lack of evidence, and a medicine that is not free of risk.
Effect of incorporation of nano-hydroxyapatite particles on the clinical performance of conventional and resin-modified glass ionomer cement in class V cavities: split-mouth, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zaki Zeinab M. , Niazy Maha A. , Zaazou Mohamed H. , Nagi Shaymaa M. , Elkassas Dina W.
Published: November 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of Nano-hydroxyapatite-modified conventional glass ionomer cement (NHA-GIC) and Nano-hydroxyapatite-modified resin-modified glass ionomer cement (NHA-RMGIC) with conventional glass ionomer (CGIC) and resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC) in the treatment of caries class V cavities. Sixty patients with at least two cervical caries lesions participated in this study. A total of 120 class V cavities were prepared and then restored using different restorative materials. Restorations were clinically evaluated according to modified United States Public Health Service criteria at baseline and after 3, 6 and 9 months.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical performance of the different restorative materials at any of the follow-up periods. However, throughout the study period there was a statistically significant change in the color match, surface texture and marginal integrity in NHA-GIC. A statistically significant change in the surface texture and marginal integrity was found in GIC. On the other hand, there was only a statistically significant change in surface texture in NHA-RMGIC.

Conclusions

All tested restorative materials, control (CGIC and RMGIC) as well as experimental (NHA-GIC and NHA-RMGIC), exhibited comparable clinical performance after 9 months follow-up.
Phylogenetic and full-length genome mutation analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia prior to COVID-19 vaccination program in 2021
Authors: Nidom Reviany V. , Indrasari Setyarina , Normalina Irine , Nidom Astria N. , Afifah Balqis , Dewi Lestari , Putra Andra K. , Ansori Arif N. M. , Kusala Muhammad K. J. , Alamudi Mohammad Y. , Nidom Chairul A.
Published: November 2021

Background

Indonesia has started the big project of COVID-19 vaccination program since 13 January 2021 by employing the first shot of vaccine to the President of Indonesia as the outbreak and rapid transmission of COVID-19 have endangered not only Indonesian but the global health and economy. This study aimed to investigate the full-length genome mutation analysis of 166 Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates as of 12 January 2021.

Results

All data of the isolates were extracted from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) EpiCoV database. CoVsurver platform was employed to investigate the full-length genome mutation analysis of all isolates. This study also focused on the phylogeny analysis in unlocking the mutation of S protein in Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates. WIV04 isolate that was originated from Wuhan, China was used as the virus reference according to the CoVsurver default. The result showed that a full-length genome mutation analysis of 166 Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates was successfully generated. Every single mutation in S protein was described and then visualized by utilizing BioRender platform. Furthermore, it also found that D614G mutation appeared in 103 Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 isolates.

Conclusions

To sum up, this study helped to observe the spread of COVID-19 transmission. However, it also proposed that the epidemiological surveillance and genomics studies might be improved on COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of heat transfer characteristics of cylindrical heat pipe using Al2O3–SiO2/W-EG hybrid nanofluids by RSM modeling approach
Authors: Vidhya R. , Balakrishnan T. , Kumar B. Suresh
Published: November 2021

Nanofluids are emerging two-phase thermal fluids that play a vital part in heat exchangers owing to its heat transfer features. Ceramic nanoparticles aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) were produced by the sol-gel technique. Characterizations have been done through powder X-ray diffraction spectrum and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Subsequently, few volume concentrations (0.0125–0.1%) of hybrid Al2O3–SiO2 nanofluids were formulated via dispersing both ceramic nanoparticles considered at 50:50 ratio into base fluid combination of 60% distilled water (W) with 40% ethylene glycol (EG) using an ultrasonic-assisted two-step method. Thermal resistance besides heat transfer coefficient have been examined with cylindrical mesh heat pipe reveals that the rise of power input decreases the thermal resistance and inversely increases heat transfer coefficient about 5.54% and 43.16% respectively. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been employed for the investigation of heat pipe experimental data. The significant factors on the various convective heat transfer mechanisms have been identified using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) tool. Finally, the empirical models were developed to forecast the heat transfer mechanisms by regression analysis and validated with experimental data which exposed the models have the best agreement with experimental results.
Envisioning Paradise
Authors: Hughes April D.
Published: November 2021

The majority of the murals at Dunhuang that depict Maitreya are dominated by his three assemblies, thereby emphasizing the salvific power of the future Buddha after he has descended to earth. This article examines scenes from the Maitreya murals, highlighting details appearing across the murals that allow us to understand how adherents imagined life in an earthly paradise. Most scenes in the murals accentuate the magnificence of life in Maitreya's terrestrial Buddhaland, characterized by manageable yet rewarding labor and a long life that never ends suddenly, all in a clean urban environment. Hence, in this realm some labor is still required and social hierarchies are maintained. Unlike the celestial realm of Amitābha Buddha, Maitreya's land is ruled by an ideal leader, the Wheel-Turning King Saṅkha. The article concludes by examining the tension between the power of the religious leader and the political ruler, evident even though the paintings do not include representations of Saṅkha himself. Rather, they depict his regalia, his gift, and his family in prominent positions, near Maitreya, thus suggesting that the future Buddha absorbed Saṅkha's political power, which parallels contemporaneous political and religious developments.
When Walls Could Talk
Authors: Richardson Sarah
Published: November 2021

How can visual texts, closed books, and painted images work together in Buddhist temples to reinforce one another and act upon viewers? The fourteenth-century murals at the Tibetan temple of Shalu integrate pictures with long passages of Tibetan texts and select inscriptions that explain the powers of seeing paintings. The murals combine and mix media—books, paintings, cloth—into expressive wholes that ultimately argue that walls are in fact much more than walls. The paintings find ways to make the temple's book collections more accessible. Here we find a public art effort that weaves together a compelling argument for why religious texts and religious art both “work” for and on their audiences. Shalu was a grandly expanded temple showing off its resources and its connections in a broader cosmopolitan sphere of production and exchange. Its walls were designed to weave media together, finding ways to celebrate and explain larger and newer corporate productions (book projects, larger monasteries). An intentional play of materiality (clay, cloth, book) emphasized by the inscriptions and performed in the pictorial compositions assists in the imaginative act of directly seeing deities, while also playing with the awareness that acts of imagination entail the play of just-like/seeing-as. Since neither clay nor cloth nor word on their own are adequate vessels for representing an enlightened being, here they collaborate with each other and with viewers in the imaginative act, promising that the deity, like the teachings, can be directly experienced.
All the Poor and Wretched
Authors: Ng Kelvin
Published: November 2021

In this article, Ng examines Tan Malaka's engagements with labor universalism and Muslim universality in his respective attempts to theorize the problematic of minority subjectivity vis-à-vis universal emancipation. Located at the periphery of global capitalism, Indonesia, though embodying conditions of subordination, exploitation, and unfreedom through historical colonialism, is notably marked by a necessary unevenness in totalization and complete subsumption; this set of heteronomous conditions gave rise to historically distinct and specific discourses and forms of resistance. In positing the Dutch East Indies as one of the peripheral sites within a global Marxist knowledge economy, Ng argues that the constellation of Marxist discourses articulated by Tan Malaka—organized around the “Muslim question”—attempt to powerfully link the question of peripherality to emergent notions of the universal. Ultimately, the “Muslim” for Tan Malaka emerges not as an identity, historical subject, or a people per se, but as a “minor” political model of composition immanent to the relations of capital.
The Fruit of the Arts and the Mob
Authors: Bashkin Orit
Published: November 2021

This essay considers accounts of the Dreyfus Affair published in the newspaper Thamarat al-Funun (founded 1875) during 1898 to demonstrate how Arab writers addressed the rights of minorities in Europe and examined failed emancipatory projects. Writing about the Dreyfus Affair allowed intellectuals in the Levant to reverse the power relationship between themselves and Europe and to comment on the kinds of politics that would ensure the equality before the law of the Jewish minority in Europe. These debates further illustrate that even before the shift to electoral politics in the Ottoman Empire (after 1908) and in postwar Arab nation-states, Arab writers were preoccupied with the relationship between statecraft and majority-minority relations. They argued that democratic institutions such as parliaments and courts of law were the best venues to safeguard the rights of religious communities whose mere existence was defined as a problem. Bashkin shows how Thamarat al-Funun pointed to phenomena that endangered religious communities, such as fanaticism, racism, abuse of power by the police and the military, and mob politics.