bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-symmetric isogeometric FEM-BEM couplings
Authors: Elasmi Mehdi , Erath Christoph , Kurz Stefan
Published: August 2021

We present a coupling of the Finite Element and the Boundary Element Method in an isogeometric framework to approximate either two-dimensional Laplace interface problems or boundary value problems consisting of two disjoint domains. We consider the Finite Element Method in the bounded domains to simulate possibly non-linear materials. The Boundary Element Method is applied in unbounded or thin domains where the material behavior is linear. The isogeometric framework allows to combine different design and analysis tools: first, we consider the same type of NURBS parameterizations for an exact geometry representation and second, we use the numerical analysis for the Galerkin approximation. Moreover, it facilitates to perform h- and p-refinements. For the sake of analysis, we consider the framework of strongly monotone and Lipschitz continuous operators to ensure well-posedness of the coupled system. Furthermore, we provide a priori error estimates. We additionally show an improved convergence behavior for the errors in functionals of the solution that may double the rate under certain assumptions. Numerical examples conclude the work which illustrate the theoretical results.
Differential evolution and particle swarm optimization against COVID-19
Authors: Piotrowski Adam P. , Piotrowska Agnieszka E.
Published: August 2021

COVID-19 disease, which highly affected global life in 2020, led to a rapid scientific response. Versatile optimization methods found their application in scientific studies related to COVID-19 pandemic. Differential Evolution (DE) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are two metaheuristics that for over two decades have been widely researched and used in various fields of science. In this paper a survey of DE and PSO applications for problems related with COVID-19 pandemic that were rapidly published in 2020 is presented from two different points of view: 1. practitioners seeking the appropriate method to solve particular problem, 2. experts in metaheuristics that are interested in methodological details, inter comparisons between different methods, and the ways for improvement. The effectiveness and popularity of DE and PSO is analyzed in the context of other metaheuristics used against COVID-19. It is found that in COVID-19 related studies: 1. DE and PSO are most frequently used for calibration of epidemiological models and image-based classification of patients or symptoms, but applications are versatile, even interconnecting the pandemic and humanities; 2. reporting on DE or PSO methodological details is often scarce, and the choices made are not necessarily appropriate for the particular algorithm or problem; 3. mainly the basic variants of DE and PSO that were proposed in the late XX century are applied, and research performed in recent two decades is rather ignored; 4. the number of citations and the availability of codes in various programming languages seems to be the main factors for choosing metaheuristics that are finally used.
Full population results from the core phase of CompLEEment-1, a phase 3b study of ribociclib plus letrozole as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer in an expanded population
Authors: De Laurentiis Michelino , Borstnar Simona , Campone Mario , Warner Ellen , Bofill Javier Salvador , Jacot William , Dent Susan , Martin Miguel , Ring Alistair , Cottu Paul , Lu Janice , Ciruelos Eva , Azim Hamdy A. , Chatterjee Sanjoy , Zhou Katie , Wu Jiwen , Menon-Singh Lakshmi , Zamagni Claudio
Published: August 2021

Purpose

CompLEEment-1 is a phase 3b trial in an expanded patient population with hormone receptor-positive (HR +), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2–negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer (ABC), the largest current trial of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors in ABC.

Methods

Patients treated with ≤ 1 line of prior chemotherapy and no prior endocrine therapy for ABC received ribociclib 600 mg/day (3-weeks-on/1-week-off) plus letrozole 2.5 mg/day and additionally monthly goserelin/leuprolide in men and pre-/perimenopausal women. Eligibility criteria allowed inclusion of patients with stable CNS metastases and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2. Primary objectives were safety and tolerability, and secondary objectives were efficacy and quality of life (QoL).

Results

Overall, 3,246 patients were evaluated (median follow-up 25.4 months). Rates of all-grade and grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were 95.2% and 67.5%, respectively. Treatment-related discontinuations due to all grade and grade ≥ 3 AEs occurred in 12.9% and 7.3% of patients, respectively. Rates of all-grade AEs of special interest (AESI) were as follows: neutropenia (74.5%), increased alanine aminotransferase (16.2%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (14.1%), and QTcF prolongation (6.7%); corresponding values for grade ≥ 3 AESI were 57.2%, 7.7%, 5.7%, and 1.0%, respectively. Median time to progression was 27.1 months (95% confidence interval, 25.7 to not reached). Patient QoL was maintained during treatment.

Conclusion

Safety and efficacy data in this expanded population were consistent with the MONALEESA-2 and MONALEESA-7 trials and support the use of ribociclib plus letrozole in the first-line setting for patients with HR + , HER2– ABC.

Trial registration

linicalTrials.gov NCT02941926.
Forward-reflected-backward method with variance reduction
Authors: Alacaoglu Ahmet , Malitsky Yura , Cevher Volkan
Published: August 2021

We propose a variance reduced algorithm for solving monotone variational inequalities. Without assuming strong monotonicity, cocoercivity, or boundedness of the domain, we prove almost sure convergence of the iterates generated by the algorithm to a solution. In the monotone case, the ergodic average converges with the optimal O(1/k) rate of convergence. When strong monotonicity is assumed, the algorithm converges linearly, without requiring the knowledge of strong monotonicity constant. We finalize with extensions and applications of our results to monotone inclusions, a class of non-monotone variational inequalities and Bregman projections.
Constant optimization and feature standardization in multiobjective genetic programming
Authors: Rockett Peter
Published: August 2021

This paper extends the numerical tuning of tree constants in genetic programming (GP) to the multiobjective domain. Using ten real-world benchmark regression datasets and employing Bayesian comparison procedures, we first consider the effects of feature standardization (without constant tuning) and conclude that standardization generally produces lower test errors, but, contrary to other recently published work, we find much less clear trend for tree sizes. In addition, we consider the effects of constant tuning – with and without feature standardization – and observe that (1) constant tuning invariably improves test error, and (2) usually decreases tree size. Combined with standardization, constant tuning produces the best test error results; tree sizes, however, are increased. We also examine the effects of applying constant tuning only once at the end a conventional GP run which turns out to be surprisingly promising. Finally, we consider the merits of using numerical procedures to tune tree constants and observe that for around half the datasets evolutionary search alone is superior whereas for the remaining half, parameter tuning is superior. We identify a number of open research questions that arise from this work.
Gender Inequalities Among Adults and Children: Exposure to Migration and the Evolution of Social Norms in Albania
Authors: Mangiavacchi Lucia , Piccoli Luca
Published: August 2021

This paper studies the distribution of resources within Albanian families in 2012 using a collective consumption model with two alternative specifications: the first enables the estimation of the intrahousehold distribution of resources among male adults, female adults and children; the second extends the analysis to girls and boys. In line with previous evidence on gender inequality in Albania, the results show that the female share of resources is substantially lower with respect to the male share, and that sons receive a larger share of resources than daughters. Considering that Albania experienced massive migration and return of young men in the 20 years before the survey, we further analyze the potential migration-induced transfer of gender norms. We find that the time spent abroad by the husband of the main couple has little influence on woman’s relative position within the households, however it does seem to favor a more equal treatment between daughters and sons. This result suggests that gender norms are more persistent in adult couples, however gender attitudes towards offspring are more elastic to social change.
Machine Learning in Medical Emergencies: a Systematic Review and Analysis
Authors: Mendo Inés Robles , Marques Gonçalo , de la Torre Díez Isabel , López-Coronado Miguel , Martín-Rodríguez Francisco
Published: August 2021

Despite the increasing demand for artificial intelligence research in medicine, the functionalities of his methods in health emergency remain unclear. Therefore, the authors have conducted this systematic review and a global overview study which aims to identify, analyse, and evaluate the research available on different platforms, and its implementations in healthcare emergencies. The methodology applied for the identification and selection of the scientific studies and the different applications consist of two methods. On the one hand, the PRISMA methodology was carried out in Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, PubMed ScienceDirect, and Scopus. On the other hand, a review of commercial applications found in the best-known commercial platforms (Android and iOS). A total of 20 studies were included in this review. Most of the included studies were of clinical decisions (n = 4, 20%) or medical services or emergency services (n = 4, 20%). Only 2 were focused on m-health (n = 2, 10%). On the other hand, 12 apps were chosen for full testing on different devices. These apps dealt with pre-hospital medical care (n = 3, 25%) or clinical decision support (n = 3, 25%). In total, half of these apps are based on machine learning based on natural language processing. Machine learning is increasingly applicable to healthcare and offers solutions to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare. With the emergence of mobile health devices and applications that can use data and assess a patient's real-time health, machine learning is a growing trend in the healthcare industry.
Characterising the relationship between suitable habitat and gene flow for Myotis bechsteinii and Eptesicus serotinus in Britain
Authors: Wright P. G. R. , Bellamy C. , Hamilton P. B. , Schofield H. , Finch D. , Mathews F.
Published: August 2021

Context

Habitat suitability models (HSM) have been used to understand the impacts of landscape-scale habitat connectivity and gene flow mostly by assuming a regular decrease in the cost of movement as habitat improves. Yet, habitat selection and gene flow are governed by different behavioural processes which may limit the reliability of this approach as individuals are likely to disperse through unsuitable habitat for breeding.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the optimal relationship between gene flow and HSMs for two bat species (Myotis bechsteinii and Eptesicus serotinus) in Britain by testing a range of nonlinear negative exponential functions for the transformation of HSMs into resistance surfaces.

Methods

We modelled habitat suitability using a hierarchical, multi-level approach that integrates models across three nested levels. Then, we measured the relationship between published genetics data of both species and six negative exponential transformations of the predicted outputs.

Results

The two most extreme transformations provided the best fit to genetic data for both M. bechsteinii (c = 32; R2 = 0.87) and E. serotinus (c = 16; R2 = 0.42). The negative linear transformations had the poorest fit.

Conclusions

These results suggest that bats are able to disperse through areas of poor habitat for breeding, but will avoid the most unsuitable areas. We recommend comparing multiple transformations of HSMs at different resolutions to gain a more accurate representation of gene flow across heterogeneous landscapes and to inform cost-effective, targeted management.
Discrimination and Quality of Life Among Marriage-Squeezed Men in Rural China: Unexpected Functions of Structural and Functional Social Support
Authors: Wang Sasa , Yang Xueyan , Eklund Lisa
Published: August 2021

In rural China, marriage-squeezed men are more likely to experience discrimination than other males. Using data collected from Anhui Province in China on marriage-squeezed men’s quality of life, this study examines the influence of discrimination on the quality of life and the buffering effect of social support among this cohort. The results show that discrimination is a strong stressor, and its negative consequences on marriage-squeezed men’s quality of life are difficult to eliminate, with social support having a limited buffering effect. Meanwhile, structural support and functional support had different functions on quality of life of marriage-squeezed men experiencing discrimination. Whereas structural support had no significant main effect on quality of life, interaction with relatives and neighbors had a buffering effect on the relationship between discrimination and quality of life. In contrast, functional support, particularly from family members, relatives, and neighbors, had positive main effects on quality of life; however, no buffering effect was observed. The findings affirm that discrimination must be addressed as an independent and important factor. Promoting marriage-squeezed men’s social ties outside the family can reduce the damaging effect of discrimination, while future research needs to seek other protective resources to maintain the men’s quality of life.
The Role of Counterions in Intermolecular Radical Coupling of Ru-bda Catalysts
Authors: de Gracia Triviño Juan Angel , Ahlquist Mårten S. G.
Published: August 2021

Intermolecular radical coupling (also interaction of two metal centers I2M) is one of the main mechanisms for O–O bond formation in water oxidation catalysts. For Ru(bda)L2(H2bda = 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate, L = pyridine or similar nitrogen containing heterocyclic ligands) catalysts a significant driving force in water solution is the hydrophobic effects driven by the solvent. The same catalyst has been successfully employed to generate N2from ammonia, also via I2M, but here the solvent was acetonitrile where hydrophobic effects are absent. We used a classical force field for the key intermediate [RuVIN(bda)(py)2]+to simulate the dimerization free energy by calculation of the potential mean force, in both water and acetonitrile to understand the differences and similarities. In both solvents the complex dimerizes with similar free energy profiles. In water the complexes are essentially free cations with limited ion paring, while in acetonitrile the ion-pairing is much more significant. This ion-pairing leads to significant screening of the charges, making dimerization possible despite lower solvent polarity that could lead to repulsion between the charged complexes. In water the lower ion pairing is compensated by the hydrophobic effect leading to favorable dimerization despite repulsion of the charges. A hypothetical doubly charged [RuVIIN(bda)py2]2+was also studied for deeper understanding of the charge effect. Despite the double charge the complexes only dimerized favorably in the lower dielectric solvent acetonitrile, while in water the separated state is more stable. In the doubly charged catalyst the effect of ion-pairing is even more pronounced in acetonitrile where it is fully paired similar to the 1+ complex, while in water the separation of the ions leads to greater repulsion between the two catalysts, which prevents dimerization.

Graphic Abstract
Morphometric analysis and watershed prioritization in relation to soil erosion in Dudhnai Watershed
Authors: Singh W. R. , Barman S. , Tirkey G.
Published: August 2021

Morphologic parameters of a watershed could help in segregating critical sub-watersheds for taking up conservation practices and mitigation interventions. Determination of critical watersheds or prioritization of sub-watersheds is inevitable for efficient and sustainable watershed management programs and allocation of its natural resources. The traditional methods of determination of morphologic parameters are time consuming, expensive and requires huge labor. However, the process becomes easier, cheaper and faster with the advent of Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. In the present study, a combined approach of using toposheet, remotely sensed digital elevation model and morphometric ArcGIS toolbox has been adopted to determine morphometric parameters in Dudhnai river basin, a sub-basin of river Brahmaputra which is prone to both erosion and sedimentation. Seven sub-watersheds of Dudhnai have been prioritized by using the morphometric parameters and ranked them according to its vulnerability to soil erosion. The results of bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage intensity and constant of channel maintenance showed that Dudhnai watershed is a well-dissected watershed with less risk to flooding and soil erosion. However, significantly high values of infiltration number and ruggedness number obtained are indicative of very low infiltration which may result in high surface runoff and soil erosion. The study also revealed that channel erosion is stronger than sheet erosion in the basin. The prioritization of the sub-watersheds implied that Chil sub-watershed is the most susceptible sub-watershed that needs greater attention for soil and water conservation measures. The results of the present study could aid various stakeholders who are involved in the watershed development and management programs.
Analysis of the inhibiting action of pectin on corrosion of AISI1040 dual-phase steel with ferrite–martensite and ferrite–bainite structure: a comparison in 0.5 M sulphuric acid
Authors: Prabhu Deepa , Sharma Sathyashankara , Prabhu P. R. , Jomy Jilna , Sadanand Ramakrishna Vikas
Published: August 2021

The adsorption of pectin and corrosion inhibition of dual-phase AISI1040 steel with ferrite–martensite and ferrite–bainite structure in 0.5 M sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solution have been investigated using the weightloss method. This work investigates the adsorption mechanism and quantum chemical calculations of pectin. For a specific set of parameters such as immersion time and concentration of inhibitor, the maximum inhibition efficiency of 83.36% is observed. The inhibition efficiency increased with pectin concentration and decreased with immersion time at 30 ℃. The results from the statistical analysis show that the concentration of inhibitor is having the highest influence with a 43.87% contribution on the inhibition efficiency. The adsorption study revealed that the Langmuir adsorption isotherm gave the best-fit results out of all the isotherms studied. Theoretical studies based on density functional theory supported experimental observations. From the results, it was also observed that lower weight loss and better inhibition efficiency are achieved in the case of ferrite–bainite when compared to the ferrite–martensite structure. Surface characterization confirmed corrosion and inhibition on the surface of the metal as the surface became uneven when exposed to a corrosive medium and smooth when immersed in the inhibited solution.
Fostering historical thinking: The use of document based instruction for students with learning differences
Authors: Claravall Eric B. , Irey Robin
Published: August 2021

Document-based history instruction (DBI) was implemented in a middle school special education setting to promote the development of disciplinary cognitive processing and higher order thinking using historical thinking as a framework for students with learning differences (ld). A convergent mixed methods action research design was utilized to explore a) how DBI influenced students’ disciplinary cognitive processing and higherorder thinking when reading multiple historical documents b) the affordances and constraints of using DBI in a special education classroom. Using quantitative data sources (e.g., highlighted documents, reading comprehension responses, and an ondemand writing task) and additional qualitative data (e.g., interviews, fieldnotes, classroom artifacts, and audio recordings), we uncovered insightful evidence to support the potential of DBI for students with ld. In one academic year, when reading multiple historical sources, students learned how to efficiently highlight content knowledge and academic vocabulary, interrogate historical sources, and corroborate information from different sources.
Translating the learning sciences into practice: A primer for clinical and translational educators
Authors: Norman Marie K. , Lotrecchiano Gaetano R.
Published: August 2021

The learning sciences have yielded a wealth of insights about the mechanisms and conditions that promote learning, yet the findings from this body of research often do not make their way into educational practice. This fundamentally translational problem is one we believe that educators from translational fields, with their evidence-based orientation and familiarity with the challenges and importance of translation, are well-positioned to address. Here, we provide a primer on the learning sciences to guide educators in the Clinical and Translational Science Institutes and other organizations that train translational researchers. We (a) describe the unique teaching and learning environment in which this training occurs, and why it necessitates attention to learning research and its appropriate application, (b) explain what the learning sciences are, (c) distill the complex science of learning into core principles, (d) situate recent developments in the field within these principles, and (e) explain, in practical terms, how these principles can inform our teaching.
Barriers to Climate Disaster risk Management for Public Health: Lessons from a Pilot Survey of National Public Health Representatives
Authors: Marcus Hannah , Hanna Liz
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

This study sought to examine current national disaster risk management capacities, and identify governance barriers to strengthening national preparedness for responding to public health emergencies, associated with the anticipated climate-driven intensification of natural disaster cycles.

Methods:

A mixed-methods online survey, assessing broader governance constraints to climate change adaptation (CCA) for public health, was distributed to representatives of national public health associations, and societies of 82 member countries under the World Federation of Public Health Associations. Specific questions relevant to disaster risk management capacities and barriers were analyzed as part of a narrowed focus on the CCA subdomain of emergency preparedness.

Results:

Existence of some technology, infrastructure, and/ or human resources, necessary to develop early warning and other surveillance systems for climate-related health risks was reported by 9 out of 11 responding countries. However, 7 reported persistent limitations and/ or regional discrepancies. Most significant identified barriers to strengthening emergency preparedness at the national level included governance coordination challenges, and, in the case of many developing countries, technical, medical, and human resource shortages.

Conclusions:

The development of new frameworks for intersectoral governance and large-scale resource mobilization will prove crucial to ongoing efforts to strengthen national climate-health resiliency and prepare for disaster-associated health threats.
A CONSPIRACY TO MURDER SENNACHERIB? A REVISION OF SAA 18 100 IN THE LIGHT OF A RECENT JOIN
Authors: Dalley Stephanie M. , Siddall Luis R.
Published: August 2021

SAA 18 100 (ABL 1091) is a cuneiform text that has been at the heart of historical reconstructions of the assassination of the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, since it was first properly studied by S. Parpola in 1979. In 2005, J. C. Fincke discovered a new fragment of the document (28-3-23 [K.21923]) and joined it to the then known fragment (80-7-19, 28). Fincke's join offers the opportunity to study the tablet anew. We present the first full scholarly edition of the fragments and a new historical interpretation of the text that challenges the accepted understanding of its date, nature, content, and the information it provides on the assassination of Sennacherib. SAA 18 100 appears to be an archival copy of a letter originally sent to Nineveh that reported on matters concerning the Assyrian court heard in Babylonia. The best-preserved report concerns a supposed plot looking to frame the king's son, Urdu-Mullissu, in a conspiracy, and might be a product of the pro-Esarhaddon machinations of the royal court during the final years of Sennacherib's reign.
Allulose in human diet: the knowns and the unknowns
Authors: Daniel Hannelore , Hauner Hans , Hornef Mathias , Clavel Thomas
Published: August 2021

D-Allulose, also referred to as psicose, is a C3-epimer of D-fructose used as a sugar substitute in low energy products. It can be formed naturally during processing of food and drinks containing sucrose and fructose or is prepared by chemical synthesis or via enzymatic treatment with epimerases from fructose. Estimated intakes via Western style diets including sweetened beverages are below 500 mg per d but, when used as a sugar replacement, intake may reach 10 to 30 g per d depending on the food consumed. Due to its structural similarity with fructose, allulose uses the same transport and distribution pathways. But in contrast to fructose, the human genome does not encode for enzymes that are able to metabolise allulose leading to an almost complete renal excretion of the absorbed dose and near-to-zero energetic yield. However, in vitro studies have shown that certain bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumonia are able to utilise allulose as a substrate. This finding has been a subject of concern, since Klebsiella pneumoniae represents an opportunistic human pathogen. It therefore raised the question of whether a high dietary intake of allulose may cause an undesirable growth advantage for potentially harmful bacteria at mucosal sites such as the intestine or at systemic sites following invasive infection. In this brief review, we discuss the current state of science on these issues and define the research needs to better understand the fate of allulose and its metabolic and microbiological effects when ingested as a sugar substitute.
The Mediterranean Napoleonic Crisis That Did Not End and Got Tongues Wagging
Authors: Reill Dominique Kirchner
Published: August 2021

Konstantina Zanou's Transnational patriotism in the Mediterranean starts with the raucous last carnival in Serenissima Venice in 1797 and ends with a café brawl in British Corfu in 1853. Let's just admit it: Zanou is not really drawn to settling subjects. Most of the people encapsulated in the pages of her book remembered the Venetian empire as it partied its way to demise, and almost all of them watched the Napoleonic wars throw their Ionian islands back and forth between Russian, French, British, Ottoman, and Habsburg imperial guardianship. This dizzying experience set her characters loose, leading most of them to disperse around the Mediterranean and much of Europe, looking for a way to make a Greek home out of these imperial fractures.
Computing with continuous objects: a uniform co-inductive approach
Authors: Spreen Dieter
Published: August 2021

A uniform approach to computing with infinite objects like real numbers, tuples of these, compacts sets and uniformly continuous maps is presented. In the work of Berger, it was shown how to extract certified algorithms working with the signed digit representation from constructive proofs. Berger and the present author generalised this approach to complete metric spaces and showed how to deal with compact sets. Here, we unify this work and lay the foundations for doing a similar thing for the much more comprehensive class of compact Hausdorff spaces occurring in applications. The approach is of the same computational power as Weihrauch’s Type-Two Theory of Effectivity.
Paediatric cardiac rapid response systems: a survey of multicentre practices
Authors: Bavare Aarti C. , Afonso Natasha S. , Sembera Kerry A. , Buckley Jason R. , Raymond Tia T. , McKeta Angela , Costello John M.
Published: August 2021

Introduction:

While the efficacy and guidelines for implementation of rapid response systems are well established, limited information exists about rapid response paradigms for paediatric cardiac patients despite their unique pathophysiology.

Methods:

With endorsement from the Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society, we designed and implemented a web-based survey of paediatric cardiac and multidisciplinary ICU medical directors in the United States of America and Canada to better understand paediatric cardiac rapid response practices.

Results:

Sixty-five (52%) of 125 centres responded. Seventy-one per cent of centres had ∼300 non-ICU beds and 71% had dedicated cardiac ICUs. To respond to cardiac patients, dedicated cardiac rapid response teams were utilised in 29% of all centres (39% and 5% in centres with and without dedicated cardiac ICUs, respectively) [p = 0.006]. Early warning scores were utilised in 62% of centres. Only 31% reported that rapid response teams received specialised training. Transfers to ICU were higher for cardiac (73%) compared to generalised rapid response events (54%). The monitoring and reassessment of patients not transferred to ICU after the rapid response was variable. Cardiac and respiratory arrests outside the ICU were infrequent. Only 29% of centres formally appraise critical deterioration events (need for ventilation and/or inotropes post-rapid response) and 34% perform post-event debriefs.

Conclusion:

Paediatric cardiac rapid response practices are variable and dedicated paediatric cardiac rapid response systems are infrequent in the United States of America and Canada. Opportunity exists to delineate best practices for paediatric cardiac rapid response and standardise practices for activation, training, patient monitoring post-rapid response events, and outcomes evaluation.
Intriguing new faces of Covid-19: persisting clinical symptoms and cardiac effects in children
Authors: Erol Nurdan , Alpinar Abdullah , Erol Cigdem , Sari Erdal , Alkan Kubra
Published: August 2021

Objective:

This study was conducted to evaluate the persisting Covid-19-related symptoms of the cases included in our study and to assess their cardiac findings to determine the impact of Covid-19 on children’s cardiovascular health.

Methods:

In this study, 121 children between the ages of 0– and 18 with Covid-19 were evaluated based on their history, blood pressure values, and electrocardiography and echocardiography results. These findings were compared with the findings of the control group which consisted of 95 healthy cases who were in the same age range as the study group and did not have Covid-19. The results were evaluated using the statistics program, SPSS 21.

Results:

There was no significant difference between the study group and the control group in terms of age, weight, and body mass index. The clinical symptoms (chest and back pain, dizziness, headache, palpitation, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of balance, coughing) of 37.2% of the cases persisted for at least 1 month after Covid-19 recovery. Statistically significant differences were found in systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, relative wall thickness, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion.

Conclusion:

The continuation of some cases’ clinical symptoms post-recovery indicates that long Covid infection can be observed in children. The fact that statistically significant differences were observed between the echocardiographic parameters of the study and control groups suggests that Covid-19 may have effects on the cardiovascular system. To shed light on the long Covid cases among children and the infection’s cardiac impacts, it would be beneficial to conduct more comprehensive studies on this matter.
Social inequality in food consumption between 2008 and 2019 in Brazil
Authors: Crepaldi Barbara Virginia Caixeta , Okada Letícia Martins , Rauber Fernanda , Levy Renata Bertazzi , Azeredo Catarina Machado
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To analyse the trend of social inequality in food consumption among Brazilians from 2008 to 2019.

Design:

Time series analyses using cross-sectional annual data from the Telephone Surveillance System (VIGITEL 2008–2019). Food consumption was evaluated through: (1) consumption of five or more portions of fruits and vegetables in ≥5 d/week; (2) consumption of beans in ≥5 d/week and (3) consumption of soft drinks or artificial juices in ≥5 d/week. Absolute inequality was assessed by the slope index of inequality (SII) and relative inequality by the concentration index (CIX). SII and CIX positive values indicate higher prevalence among more educated citizens and negative among less educated ones. Time trend was assessed by linear regression using weighted least squares.

Setting:

26 Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District.

Participants:

621 689 individuals ≥18 years.

Results:

Fruits and vegetable consumption was more prevalent among the more educated citizens, while beans were mostly consumed by the less educated, and soft drinks or artificial juices was more prevalent among individuals with intermediate education. The highest absolute inequality was found for beans (SII2019 -25·9). In 12 years, the absolute inequality increased for fruit and vegetable consumption (from SII2008 12·8 to SII2019 16·2), remained for beans (SII2008 -23·1 to SII2019 -25·9) and reduced for soft drinks or artificial juices (SII2008 8·7 to SII2019 0·4). Relative inequality was low and constant.

Conclusion:

Despite the advances reducing inequalities in soft drinks or artificial juice consumption, the increase in the social gap for adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables is troublesome.
REACTION TO THE BLACK CITY AS A CAUSE OF MODERN CONSERVATISM
Authors: Hackworth Jason
Published: August 2021

Social scientists in a variety of fields have long relied on economic-structuralist theories to understand the ascendance and hegemony of the modern Conservative Movement in the United States. In the materialist theory of political change (MTPC), structural crisis in the 1970s destabilized Keynesian-managerialism, and paved the way for neoliberalism. Key weaknesses of this approach include its relatively aspatial scope—comparatively less attention to the spatial variation of neoliberalism’s popularity—and its demotion of other elements of the Conservative Movement into a veritable super-structure of secondary movements. This paper offers a “racial amendment” to the MTPC, and an application to electoral geographies in the state of Ohio since 1932. This amendment synthesizes group threat theory, critical historiography, and Du Boisian theories of Whiteness to suggest that the growing influence of suburban conservatism is not reducible simply to class interest.
A critical study into the extent that co-operative learning promotes a greater confidence and a more accurate rendering of syntax in unseen translations for Year 12 IB Higher Latinists
Authors: Law Emma
Published: August 2021

The ability to translate unseen passages is a skill tested in both Latin A-level and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Higher IB candidates are expected to translate a passage of 105–125 words of Latin poetry (in this case, Ovid's Metamorphoses) as the first of their externally marked papers. The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) uses unseen passages to ‘measure the [students’] ability to understand and translate texts in the original language’ (2014, p. 25). The passages are marked according to two criteria: (a) meaning; (b) vocabulary and grammar. In order to access the highest grades, the students must provide a ‘logical translation [in which] errors do not impair the meaning’ and ‘render vocabulary appropriately and grammar accurately and effectively’ (IBO, 2014, pp. 28–9).
Diagnostics of Convective Transport Over the Tropical Western Pacific From Trajectory Analyses
Authors: Smith W. P. , Pan L. L. , Honomichl S. B. , Chelpon S. M. , Ueyama R. , Pfister L.
Published: August 2021

This study characterizes the representation of convective transport by a Lagrangian trajectory model driven by kinematic (pressure tendency ω) vertical velocity. Four (re)analysis wind products are used in backward trajectory calculations with the TRAJ3D model, and their representations of convective transport are analyzed. Two observation‐based diagnostics are used for the evaluation: a database of observed convective cloud tops derived from satellite measurements and a set of transit time distributions (TTDs) derived from an airborne campaign during January–February 2014 in a domain over the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP). The analysis is designed to derive trajectory‐based TTDs that can be directly evaluated using the observation‐based TTDs. The results indicate a broad consistency between two independent TTD derivations characterizing vertical transport over the TWP, with a significant portion of convective transport processes represented in trajectory experiments driven by the selected (re)analysis wind products. The convective and boundary layer source regions of upper tropospheric air parcels are shown to be consistent with the climatological flow regime within the TWP. Furthermore, contributions of convection are identified in the ω fields of the (re)analysis wind data sets, as indicated by the spatiotemporal correlation of enhanced vertical velocity and observed convection. These results demonstrate the successful application of two observation‐based diagnostics and quantify the ability for kinematic trajectory models to represent convective transport processes.
Lightning Geolocation and Flash Rates From LF Radio Observations During the RELAMPAGO Field Campaign
Authors: Antunes de Sá A. , Marshall R. , Deierling W.
Published: August 2021

The lightning data products generated by the low‐frequency (LF) radio lightning locating system (LLS) deployed during the Remote sensing of Electrification, Lightning, and Mesoscale/Microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observation (RELAMPAGO) field campaign in Argentina provide a valuable data set to research the lightning evolution and characteristics of convective storms that produce high‐impact weather. LF LLS data sets offer a practical range for mesoscale studies, allowing for the observation of lightning characteristics of storms such as mesoscale convective systems or large convective lines that travel longer distances which are not necessarily staying in range of regional VHF‐based lightning detection systems throughout their lifetime. LF LLSs also provide different information than optical space‐borne lightning detectors. Lightning measurements exclusive to LF systems include discharge peak current, lightning polarity, and lightning type classification based on the lightning‐emitted radio waveform. Furthermore, these measurements can provide additional information on flash rates (e.g., positive cloud‐to‐ground flash rate) or narrow bipolar events which may often be associated with dynamically intense convection. In this article, the geolocation and data processing of the LF data set collected during RELAMPAGO is fully described and its performance characterized, with location accuracy better than 10 km. The detection efficiency (DE) of the data set is compared to that of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper, and spatiotemporal DE losses in the LF data set are discussed. Storm case studies on November 10, 2018, highlight the strengths of the data set, which include robust flash clustering and insightful flash rate and peak current measures, while illustrating how its limitations, including DE losses, can be managed.
Polar Amplification in Idealized Climates: The Role of Ice, Moisture, and Seasons
Authors: Feldl Nicole , Merlis Timothy M.
Published: August 2021

The drivers of polar amplification are investigated by isolating the role of sea‐ice processes, moist energy transport, and the seasonal cycle of insolation in two models, an energy balance model and an idealized general circulation model. Compared to a simple ice‐albedo feedback (temperature‐dependent surface albedo), the addition of thermodynamic‐ice processes and the seasonal cycle of insolation profoundly affects seasonal polar warming. Climatologically limited‐extent ice in the warm season permits only small increases in absorbed solar radiation, producing weak warming, while thick, cold ice in the cold season enables a large radiatively forced response. Despite this enhanced winter warming, the annual‐mean polar amplification is modestly reduced by thermodynamic‐ice processes. When latent heat transport is disabled, polar amplification is further reduced by a factor of 1.8 across the range of ice representations, suggestive of a nearly additive warming by ice and moist‐transport processes.
Clonal myelopoiesis promotes adverse outcomes in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Dawoud Ahmed A. Z. , Gilbert Rodney D. , Tapper William J. , Cross Nicholas C. P.
Published: August 2021

We sought to determine the relationship between age-related clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). CH, defined as mosaic chromosome abnormalities (mCA) and/or driver mutations was identified in 5449 (2.9%) eligible UK Biobank participants (n = 190,487 median age = 58 years). CH was negatively associated with glomerular filtration rate estimated from cystatin-C (eGFR.cys; β = −0.75, P = 2.37 × 10–4), but not with eGFR estimated from creatinine, and was specifically associated with CKD defined by eGFR.cys < 60 (OR = 1.02, P = 8.44 × 10–8). In participants without prevalent myeloid neoplasms, eGFR.cys was associated with myeloid mCA (n = 148, β = −3.36, P = 0.01) and somatic driver mutations (n = 3241, β = −1.08, P = 6.25 × 10–5) associated with myeloid neoplasia (myeloid CH), specifically mutations in CBL, TET2, JAK2, PPM1D and GNB1 but not DNMT3A or ASXL1. In participants with no history of cardiovascular disease or myeloid neoplasms, myeloid CH increased the risk of adverse outcomes in CKD (HR = 1.6, P = 0.002) compared to those without myeloid CH. Mendelian randomisation analysis provided suggestive evidence for a causal relationship between CH and CKD (P = 0.03). We conclude that CH, and specifically myeloid CH, is associated with CKD defined by eGFR.cys. Myeloid CH promotes adverse outcomes in CKD, highlighting the importance of the interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic factors to define the health risk associated with CH.
Community-based wheelchair caster failures call for improvements in quality and increased frequency of preventative maintenance
Authors: Mhatre Anand , Pearlman Jon , Schmeler Mark , Krider Benjamin , Fried John
Published: August 2021

Study design

Secondary data analysis of wheelchair failures and service repair logs from a network of wheelchair suppliers.

Objective

To determine the frequency of wheelchair caster failures and service repairs across wheelchair manufacturers and models and investigate the relationships between them.

Setting

Wheelchair caster failures and service repairs occurred in the community.

Methods

Reported caster failure types were classified based on the risk they pose for user injuries and wheelchair damage. Caster failures experienced by users of tilt-in-space and ultralightweight manual wheelchair models and Group 2, 3 and 4 power wheelchair models between January 2017 and October 2019 were analyzed using Chi-Square tests for independence. Correlational analysis of failures and service repairs was performed.

Results

A total of 6470 failures and 151 service repairs reported across four manufacturers and five models were analyzed. Failure types were significantly associated with manufacturers and models, respectively. Users of tilt-in-space wheelchairs, who require greater seating support, experienced twice the proportion of high-risk caster failures than the ultralightweight manual wheelchair users. Similarly, Group 3 and 4 power wheelchair users, who have complex rehabilitation needs, experienced 15-36% more high-risk failures than Group 2 users. Service repairs negatively correlated with high-risk manual wheelchair caster failures.

Conclusions

Wheelchair users who have greater seating and complex rehabilitation needs are at a higher risk for sustaining injuries and secondary health complications due to frequent caster failures. The study findings call for significant reforms in product quality and preventative maintenance practices that can reduce wheelchair failures and user consequences.
Cortisol and inflammatory biomarker levels in youths with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): evidence from a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Chang Jane Pei-Chen , Su Kuan-Pin , Mondelli Valeria , Pariante Carmine M.
Published: August 2021

Several studies reported abnormal cortisol and inflammatory biomarker levels in youths with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the results have not been conclusive. We conducted a systematic review followed by a meta-analysis of case-control studies assessing blood or saliva cortisol levels and blood levels of inflammatory biomarkers in youth with ADHD. The effect sizes (ES) were synthesized by using a random-effects model. In the 19 studies on cortisol levels (totaling n = 916 youth with ADHD and n = 947 typically developing (TD), healthy youth), youth with ADHD have lower basal cortisol levels at any time-points during the day (effect size: .68; p = 0.004) and lower cumulative levels of cortisol (ES: .39, p = .008) throughout the day than TD youth. Moreover, morning cortisol levels were lower in ADHD youth when compared with TD youth (14 studies, n = 1679, ES: .84, p = 0.003), while there is no difference for the afternoon cortisol levels (p = 0.48). The meta-analysis on inflammation biomarker was conducted on 4 studies (totaling n = 404 youth) showed that Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) was lower in ADHD when compared with TD (3 studies, n = 257 youth, p = 0.004), while no differences for Interleukin-1β(IL-1β) (p = 0.21), IL-6 (p = 0.09) and IL-10 (p = 0.77). The lower cortisol in the context of low TNF-α levels may indicate a specific pattern of biomarkers in ADHD, and further investigation is warranted.