bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Traits and Stroke Risk in Individuals of African Ancestry: Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Fatumo Segun , Karhunen Ville , Chikowore Tinashe , Sounkou Toure , Udosen Brenda , Ezenwa Chisom , Nakabuye Mariam , Soremekun Opeyemi , Daghlas Iyas , Ryan David K. , Taylor Amybel , Mason Amy M. , Damrauer Scott M. , Vujkovic Marijana , Keene Keith L. , Fornage Myriam , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Burgess Stephen , Gill Dipender
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose:

Metabolic traits affect ischemic stroke (IS) risk, but the degree to which this varies across different ethnic ancestries is not known. Our aim was to apply Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal effects of type 2 diabetes (T2D) liability and lipid traits on IS risk in African ancestry individuals, and to compare them to estimates obtained in European ancestry individuals.

Methods:

For African ancestry individuals, genetic proxies for T2D liability and circulating lipids were obtained from a meta-analysis of the African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research study, the UK Biobank, and the Million Veteran Program (total N=77 061). Genetic association estimates for IS risk were obtained from the Consortium of Minority Population Genome-Wide Association Studies of Stroke (3734 cases and 18 317 controls). For European ancestry individuals, genetic proxies for the same metabolic traits were obtained from Million Veteran Program (lipids N=297 626, T2D N=148 726 cases, and 965 732 controls), and genetic association estimates for IS risk were obtained from the MEGASTROKE study (34 217 cases and 406 111 controls). Random-effects inverse-variance weighted Mendelian randomization was used as the main method, complemented with sensitivity analyses more robust to pleiotropy.

Results:

Higher genetically proxied T2D liability, LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), total cholesterol and lower genetically proxied HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were associated with increased risk of IS in African ancestry individuals (odds ratio per doubling the odds of T2D liability [95% CI], 1.09 [1.07–1.11]; per standard-deviation increase in LDL-C, 1.12 [1.04–1.21]; total cholesterol: 1.23 [1.06–1.43]; HDL-C, 0.93 [0.89–0.99]). There was no evidence for differences in these estimates when performing analyses in European ancestry individuals.

Conclusions:

Our analyses support a causal effect of T2D liability and lipid traits on IS risk in African ancestry individuals, with Mendelian randomization estimates similar to those obtained in European ancestry individuals.
Muslims by Ascription: On Post-Lutheran Secularity and Muslim Immigrants
Authors: Thurfjell David , Willander Erika
Published: June 2021

This article empirically explores the interplay between the secular, post-Lutheran majority culture and Muslim immigrants in Sweden. It presents the ambiguous role of religion in the country’s mainstream discourse, the othering of religion that is characteristic to this, and the expectations of Muslims to be strongly religious that follows as its consequence. Four results of a web-panel survey with Swedes of Muslim and Christian family background are then presented: (1) Both groups largely distance themselves from their own religious heritage – the Muslims do this in a more definite way; (2) the Muslim respondents have more secular values and identities than the Christians; (3) contrary expectations, Christian respondents show more affinity to their religious heritage than the Muslims do to theirs; and (4) the fusion between the groups is prominent. The article concludes that equating religious family heritage with religious identity is precipitous in the case of Swedish Muslims.
Seeing the Mithraic Tauroctony
Authors: Martin Luther H.
Published: June 2021

What might a Mithraic initiate have seen when he viewed the ubiquitous tauroctonous image? Rather than understanding the tauroctony as illustrating an episode in a presumed mythic life of Mithras or as exemplifying some conceptual principle, this article seeks to understand the tauroctony as image qua image. Insights from art historians, neurophysiologists, and neurocognitivists show that cultural expectations for seeing the tauroctony are as an image of sacrifice and, at the same time, as an astrologically configured star map, cultural perceptions that were subject to local interpretations. A conclusion briefly suggests how all Mithraic images might have been seen and how scientific methodologies might profitably be incorporated into a history of religions.
Taxonomic updates on the Mecocephala group (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Redescription of ‘Hypatropis complex’, with a review of genitalic terminology and new records
Authors: BARROS LURDIANA D. , BARÃO KIM R. , GRAZIA JOCELIA
Published: June 2021

The taxonomic revision of ‘Hypatropis complex’, composed by Amauromelpia Fernandes & Grazia, Hypatropis Bergroth, Luridocimex Grazia, Fernandes & Schwertner, Stysiana Grazia, Fernandes & Schwertner, and Pedinonotus Fernandes & Grazia, updating the genitalic terminology, are presented here. The differential diagnosis of ‘Hypatropis complex’ and all of its members are provided. Photographs of the type-specimens and genitalia, species distributional map with new records, and a key to genera and species are also provided.
A checklist of Stictane Hampson (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) with emphasis on the Laotian fauna
Authors: BAYARSAIKHAN ULZIIJARGAL , KWON HYUNG WOOK , KIM KIL WON , BAE YANG-SEOP
Published: June 2021

The genus Stictane Hampson is reviewed in Laos, with eight species including four newly recorded species, S. obscura (Inoue, 1976), S. pectinata Holloway, 2001, S. fuscus Bucsek, 2014 and S. bokorensis Bayarsaikhan & Bae, 2015. Illustrations of adults and genitalia of all examined species from Laos are provided, with an updated checklist of all described species of Stictane.
Double Clustering Based Neural Feedback Method for Unstructured Text Data
Authors: Sarannya S. , Venkatesan M. , Panner Prabhavathy
Published: June 2021

Text clustering has now a days become a very major technique in many fields including data mining, Natural Language Processing etc. It’s also broadly used for information retrieval and assimilation of textual data. Majority of the works which were carried out previously focuses on the clustering algorithms where feature extraction is done without considering the semantic meaning of word based on its context. In the given work, we introduce a double clustering algorithm using K -Means, by using in conjuction, a Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory and a Convolutional Neural Network for the purpose of feature extraction, so that the semantic meaning is also considered. Recurrent neural network (RNN) has the ability to study long-term dependencies prevailing in input whereas CNN models are for long known to be effective in feature extraction of local features of given input data. Unlike all the works previously carried out, this proposed work considers and carries out extraction of features and clustering of documents as one combined mechanism. Here result of clustering is send back to the model as feedback information thereby optimizing the parameters of the network model dynamically. Clustering in a double-clustering manner is implemented, which increases the time efficiency.
Segmentation of Tissue-Injured Melanoma Convolution Neural Networks
Authors: Hemalatha C. , Satheesh S. , Kamal N. , Devi C. , Vinothkumar A. , Kannan A.
Published: June 2021

In global dermatological conditions, skin lesions are significant. Curable early in the diagnosis, only skin lesions can be accurately identified by highly trained dermatologists. Around 21 million patients are diagnosed with this disease and more than 10.12 million deaths worldwide.
This paper presents basic work for the detection and ensuing purpose of the CNN to dermoscopic images of skin lesions with cancerous inclination. The models proposed are trained and evaluated in the 2018 International Skin Imaging Collaboration challenge, comprising 2100 training samples and
750 test samples, on normal benchmark datasets. Skin-injured images were mainly segment based on person thresholds for channel intensity. The images were added to CNN to extract features. The extracted characteristics were then used to classify the associated ANN classification. In the past,
many approaches have been used to diagnose subjects with variable success levels. The methodology described in this paper showed associated accuracy of 97.13% in comparison to the previous best of ninety seven.
Human Eye Pupil Detection System for Different IRIS Database Images
Authors: Nandhagopal N. , Navaneethan S. , Nivedita V. , Parimala A. , Valluru Dinesh
Published: June 2021

The pupil detection system plays a vital role in ophthalmology diagnosis equipments because pupil has a center place of human eye to locate the exact position. To identify the exact human eye pupil region in near infrared (NIR) images, this work proposes the Center of gravity method
and its real time FPGA hardware implementation. The proposed work involves global threshold method to segment the pupil region from human eye and the bright spot suppression process removes the light reflections on the pupil due to the IR (Infra red) rays then the morphology dilation process
removes unnecessary black pixels other than pupil region on the image. Finally, center of gravity (COG) method provides the exact pupil center coordinate and radius of the human eye. CASIA IRIS V4 and UBIRIS iris database images used in this work and achieved 90-95% of recognition rate.
Hybrid Semantic Feature Descriptor and Fuzzy C-Means Clustering for Lung Cancer Detection and Classification
Authors: Priyadharshini P. , Zoraida B. S. E.
Published: June 2021

Lung cancer (LC) will decrease the yield, which will have a negative impact on the economy. Therefore, primary and accurate the attack finding is a priority for the agro-dependent state. In several modern technologies for early detection of LC, image processing has become a one of the
essential tool so that it cannot only early to find the disease accurately, but also successfully measure it. Various approaches have been developed to detect LC based on background modelling. Most of them focus on temporal information but partially or completely ignore spatial information,
making it sensitive to noise. In order to overcome these issues an improved hybrid semantic feature descriptor technique is introduced based on Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) feature extraction algorithms. And also
to improve the LC segmentation problems a fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm (FCM) is used. Experiments and comparisons on publically available LIDC-IBRI dataset. To evaluate the proposed feature extraction performance three different classifiers are analysed such as artificial neural networks
(ANN), recursive neural network and recurrent neural networks (RNNs).
Development of an Impedance Meter Based on a Digital Lock-In Amplifier with 4-Kelvin-Probe Electrodes
Authors: Ferraz Rafael da Silva , Fonseca Raiff Sales da , Silva Cláudio Bastos da , Filho Horácio Tertuliano Santos
Published: June 2021

In this paper, it is described a new design of a digital Lock-In amplifier applied to 4-Kelvin- probe electrodes for the measurement of complex electrical variables. The proposed design is based on the operation of a Phase Sensitive Detection (PSD) circuit and on signal acquisition
by the Nyquist principle. The hardware basically consists of a programmable embedded system and an analog interfacing circuit. The microcontroller within the circuit was programmed using standard C language for portability and performs the acquisition of the resulting signal along with mathematical
operations. Experimental tests on the prototype have shown that it performs as theoretically predicted.
Nyström Method to Solve Two-Dimensional Volterra Integral Equation with Discontinuous Kernel
Authors: Raad Sameeha Ali , Al-Atawi Mariam Mohammed
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a linear two-dimensional Volterra integral equation of the second kind with the discontinuous kernel is considered. The conditions for ensuring the existence of a unique continuous solution are mentioned. The product Nystrom method, as a well-known method of solving singular
integral equations, is presented. Therefore, the Nystrom method is applied to the linear Volterra integral equation with the discontinuous kernel to convert it to a linear algebraic system. Some formulas are expanded in two dimensions. Weights’ functions of the Nystrom method are obtained
for kernels of logarithmic and Carleman types. Some numerical applications are presented to show the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. Maple18 is used to compute numerical solutions. The estimated error is calculated in each case. The Nystrom method is useful and effective in
treating the two-dimensional singular Volterra integral equation. Finally, we conclude that the time factor and the parameter v have a clear effect on the results.
Near-Resonances of Superinertial and Tidal Fluctuations at Islands
Authors: Brink K. H.
Published: June 2021

A linear numerical model of an island or a tall seamount is used to explore superinertial leaky resonances forced by ambient vertically and horizontally uniform current fluctuations. The model assumes a circularly symmetric topography (including a shallow reef) and allows realistic stratification and bottom friction. As long as there is substantial stratification, a number of leaky resonances are found, and when the island’s flanks are narrow relative to the internal Rossby radius, some of the near-resonant modes resemble leaky internal Kelvin waves. Other “resonances” resemble higher radial mode long gravity waves as explored by Chambers. The near-resonances amplify the cross-reef velocities that help fuel biological activity. Results for cases with the central island replaced by a lagoon do not differ greatly from the island case which has land at the center. As an aside, insight is provided on the question of offshore boundary conditions for superinertial nearly trapped waves along a straight coast.
Sensitivity of Northern Hemisphere Cyclone Detection and Tracking Results to Fine Spatial and Temporal Resolution using ERA5
Authors: Crawford Alex D. , Schreiber Erika A. P. , Sommer Nathan , Serreze Mark C. , Stroeve Julienne C. , Barber David G.
Published: June 2021

Lagrangian detection and tracking algorithms are frequently used to study the development, distribution, and trends of extratropical cyclones. Past research shows that results from these algorithms are sensitive to both spatial and temporal resolution of the gridded input fields, with coarser resolutions typically underestimating cyclone frequency by failing to capture weak, small, and short-lived systems. The fifth-generation atmospheric reanalysis from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA5) offers finer resolution, and therefore more precise information regarding storm locations and development than previous global reanalyses. However, our sensitivity tests show that using ERA5 sea-level pressure fields at their finest possible resolution does not necessarily lead to better cyclone detection and tracking. If a common number of nearest neighbors is used when detecting minima in sea-level pressure (like past studies), finer spatial resolution leads to noisier fields that unrealistically break up multi-center cyclones. Using a common search distance instead (with more neighbors at finer resolution) resolves the issue without smoothing inputs. Doing this also makes cyclone frequency, lifespan, and average depth insensitive to refining spatial resolution beyond 100 km. Results using 6-h and 3-h temporal resolutions have only minor differences, but using 1-h temporal resolution with a maximum allowed propagation speed of 150 km h-1 leads to unrealistic track splitting. This can be counteracted by increasing the maximum propagation speed, but modest sensitivity to temporal resolution persists for several cyclone characteristics. Therefore, we recommend caution if applying existing algorithms to temporal resolutions finer than 3-h and careful evaluation of algorithm settings.
Prognostic Value of Baseline d-Dimer Level in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Hongliang , Yao Jing , Huang Zhiwei , Zhao Zhenyan , Wang Bincheng , Zhao Jie
Published: June 2021

The prognostic significance of d-dimer level in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is not fully established. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the association between elevated d-dimer level at baseline and adverse outcomes in patients with CAD. Two independent authors comprehensively searched PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to December 31, 2020. All observational studies reporting the values of baseline d-dimer level in predicting the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) or survival outcomes in patients with CAD were included. The prognostic values were calculated by pooling adjusted RR with 95% CI for the highest versus the lowest d-dimer level. Thirteen studies consisting of 25 600 patients with CAD were identified. Comparison between the highest and lowest d-dimer level showed that the pooled multivariable adjusted RR was 1.69 (95% CI, 1.53-1.86) for all-cause mortality, 2.37 (95% CI, 1.52-3.69) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.19-1.74) for MACEs, respectively. Elevated blood level of d-dimer at baseline was independently associated with higher risk of MACEs, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality in patients with CAD. The baseline d-dimer level may have important prognostic value in patients with CAD.
Reevaluating the SIBTEST Classification Heuristics for Dichotomous Differential Item Functioning
Authors: Weese James D. , Turner Ronna C. , Ames Allison , Crawford Brandon , Liang Xinya
Published: June 2021

A simulation study was conducted to investigate the heuristics of the SIBTEST procedure and how it compares with ETS classification guidelines used with the Mantel–Haenszel procedure. Prior heuristics have been used for nearly 25 years, but they are based on a simulation study that was restricted due to computer limitations and that modeled item parameters from estimates of ACT and ASVAB tests from 1987 and 1984, respectively. Further, suggested heuristics for data fitting a two-parameter logistic model (2PL) have essentially went unused since their original presentation. This simulation study incorporates a wide range of data conditions to recommend heuristics for both 2PL and three-parameter logistic (3PL) data that correspond with ETS’s Mantel–Haenszel heuristics. Levels of agreement between the new SIBTEST heuristics and Mantel–Haenszel heuristics were similar for 2PL data and higher than prior SIBTEST heuristics for 3PL data. The new recommendations provide higher true-positive rates for 2PL data. Conversely, they displayed decreased true-positive rates for 3PL data. False-positive rates, overall, remained below the level of significance for the new heuristics. Unequal group sizes resulted in slightly larger false-positive rates than balanced designs for both prior and new SIBTEST heuristics, with rates less than alpha levels for equal ability distributions and unbalanced designs versus false-positive rates slightly higher than alpha with unequal ability distributions and unbalanced designs.
The Effect of Informing Participants of the Response Bias of an Automated Target Recognition System on Trust and Reliance Behavior
Authors: Knocton Shala , Hunter Aren , Connors Warren , Dithurbide Lori , Neyedli Heather F.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To determine how changing and informing a user of the false alarm (FA) rate of an automated target recognition (ATR) system affects the user’s trust in and reliance on the system and their performance during an underwater mine detection task.

Background

ATR systems are designed to operate using a high sensitivity and a liberal decision criterion to reduce the risk of the ATR system missing a target. A high number of FAs in general may lead to a decrease in operator trust and reliance.

Methods

Participants viewed sonar images and were asked to identify mines in the images. They performed the task without ATR and with ATR at a lower and higher FA rate. The participants were split into two groups—one informed and one uninformed of the changed FA rate. Trust and/or confidence in detecting mines was measured after each block.

Results

When not informed of the FA rate, the FA rate had a significant effect on the participants’ response bias. Participants had greater trust in the system and a more consistent response bias when informed of the FA rate. Sensitivity and confidence were not influenced by disclosure of the FA rate but were significantly worse for the high FA rate condition compared with performance without the ATR.

Conclusion and application

Informing a user of the FA rate of automation may positively influence the level of trust in and reliance on the aid.
Comparison of Physiological Effects Induced by Two Compression Stockings and Regular Socks During Prolonged Standing Work
Authors: Garcia Maria-Gabriela , Roman Maria Gloria , Davila Andrea , Martin Bernard J.
Published: June 2021

Objective

The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare lower-leg muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort induced by the prolonged standing of security guards wearing regular socks and those wearing 15–20 or 20–30 mmHg compression stockings as intervention.

Background

Compression stockings are sometimes used by individuals standing all day at work. However, quantitative evidence showing their potential benefits for lower-leg health issues in healthy individuals during real working conditions is lacking.

Method

Forty male security employees participated in the study. All were randomly assigned to the control or one of the two intervention groups (I15–20 or I20–30). Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, and discomfort ratings were measured before and after their regular 12-hr standing work shift.

Results

Significant evidence of lower-leg long-lasting muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort was observed after standing work for guards wearing regular socks. However, no significant changes were found for guards wearing either compression stockings.

Conclusion

In healthy individuals, compression stockings seem to attenuate efficiently the tested outcomes in the lower leg resulting from prolonged standing.

Application

Occupational activities requiring prolonged standing may benefit from 15–20 or 20–30 mmHg compression stockings. As similar benefits were observed for both levels of compression, the lower level may be sufficient.
The Effect of Cycling While Typing on Patterns of Upper Body Muscle Activation
Authors: Yoon SangHoon , Lefrançois-Daignault Thierry , Côté Julie N.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate the effect of one’s sex and pedaling intensity on upper body muscle activation patterns during typing while cycling.

Background

Females are at a higher risk for computer work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and mobile workstations have been suggested to induce healthier muscular patterns compared with sitting. However, the neuromuscular characteristics of performing computer work in a cycling workstation have not been investigated.

Method

Twenty-two participants (10 females) completed a 60-min computer typing task while pedaling on a cycle ergometer at two different intensities (25%, 4% heart rate reserve). Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from seven muscles of the upper body. Effects of time, sex, and intensity were assessed for muscle activation (RMS), activation variability (CV), and normalized mutual information (NMI) via generalized estimating equations.

Results

With time, neck/shoulder CV increased in males during higher pedaling intensity, whereas in females it decreased during lower intensity. In females, RMS of neck/shoulder and NMI of neck/shoulder muscle pairs were lower, whereas forearm RMS was 34.2% higher with higher intensity cycling compared with lower intensity. Lower back RMS decreased 28.3% in the initial half of the task in females, but in males it increased 14.4% in the later half.

Conclusion and application

Cycling workstation showed a sex- and intensity-specific EMG response. These differing responses should be considered when implementing the use of cycling workstation and may be important for preventing/managing sex-specific muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders.
Krishna Bharadwaj on the Role of Expectations in Economic Theory
Authors: Marcuzzo Maria Cristina
Published: June 2021

In this article, I discuss the approach favoured by Bharadwaj, in the tradition of classical political economy and of Sraffa, where the focus is on those factors that are observed as opposed to the subjective factors that are neither observable nor measurable. Unlike neoclassical theory, with this approach, there is no room for concepts such as ‘utility’ and the like; insofar as ‘expectations’ are conceived as subjective, non-observable entities, they are not attributed with an explanatory role in the theory of prices and distribution. Moreover, since expectation formation is seen as the effect rather than cause of behaviour, the focus shifts to those social, historical and contingent elements that seem to have a better explanatory force. In this approach, what matters is the persistence of forces leading the system to tend, in the long period, towards a position of rest.

JEL Codes: B2, B31
N400 Evidence That the Early Stages of Lexical Access Ignore Knowledge About Phonological Alternations
Authors: Politzer-Ahles Stephen , Lin Jueyao , Pan Lei , Lee Ka Keung
Published: June 2021

Hearing a word that was already expected often facilitates comprehension, attenuating the amplitude of the N400 event-related brain potential component. On the other hand, hearing a word that was not expected elicits a larger N400. In the present study, we examined whether the N400 would be attenuated when a person hears something that is not exactly what they expected but is a viable alternative pronunciation of the morpheme they expected. This was done using Mandarin syllables, some of which can be pronounced with different lexical tones depending on the context. In two large-sample experiments (total n = 160) testing syllables in isolation and in phonologically viable contexts, we found little evidence that hearing an alternative pronunciation of the expected word attenuates the N400. These results suggest that comprehenders do not take advantage of their knowledge about systematic phonological alternations during the early stages of prediction or discrimination.
Enteric fever presenting as catatonia syndrome – Case report
Authors: Jagadeesan S , Jagtap Aniket B , Meena Ramesh Chand
Published: June 2021

Enteric or typhoid fever is an emerging tropical infectious disease and a global public health problem with a documented spectrum of neuro-psychiatric manifestations especially from endemic countries. Although neuro-psychiatric manifestations are reported in nearly 50–75% of patients at any phase of enteric fever, the chance of their misdiagnosis and deferred diagnosis of the prime illness is quite common. Atypical symptoms are commonly attributed to be a part of ‘typhoid toxaemia’, the acute febrile phase of the illness. We report a case of young male presenting with catatonia in the aftermath of such.
Effectiveness of the Treatment of Rhinogenic Headache Caused by Intranasal Contact
Authors: Folic Miljan M. , Barac Aleksandra M. , Ugrinovic Aleksandar B. , Jotic Ana D. , Trivic Aleksandar S. , Milovanovic Jovica P. , Borozan Nevena N. , Peric Aleksandar R. , Stevanovic Goran , Krejovic-Trivic Sanja B. , Cvorovic Ljiljana , Stojkovic Goran M.
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of headache caused by contact points (CPs) between the nasal septum and inferior or middle turbinate.

Methods:

The research was designed as a prospective clinical case-series study. The patients with CP headaches were offered to choose between 2 treatment options, surgery and medical treatment. Two groups of surgically treated patients (surgery groups 1 and 2, depending on whether there is a contact between nasal septum and inferior turbinate or middle turbinate) were evaluated and compared for headache intensity and frequency. Headache intensity was measured using a visual analog scale value from 0 to 10; the frequency of headache was expressed as the number of days during 1 month with a headache (before surgery, 1 month, and 6 months after surgery). A comparison was also made between surgically and nonsurgically treated patients.

Results:

We found more intensive and frequent headache in patients who had CP between the nasal septum and the middle turbinate ( P = .038 and P = .003, respectively). A significant reduction in headache intensity and frequency was found in both groups of surgically treated patients 6 months after surgery; however, this reduction was more significant in patients with mucosal contact between nasal septum and middle turbinate. The nonsurgical treatment made a significant reduction of headache intensity and frequency at 1-month follow-up ( P = .012 and P = .031, respectively), but not at 6-month follow-up ( P = .114 and P = .088, respectively).

Conclusion:

Surgery gave a statistically significant reduction in the intensity and frequency of headache, which was assessed 6 months after surgery. Surgery was found as superior to nonsurgical treatment in the therapy of CP headache.
Precarious Times, Professional Tensions: The Ethics of Migration Research and the Drive for Scientific Accountability
Authors: Bloemraad Irene , Menjívar Cecilia
Published: June 2021

How should migration scholars navigate tensions between our ethical responsibilities to research participants and growing “open science” calls for data transparency, replication, and accountability? We elaborate a three-step process to navigate these tensions. First, researchers must understand core principles behind open-science initiatives and the mandates of research ethics boards, especially those related to privacy, confidentiality, and protection from harm, and take them seriously. Second, migration researchers must think beyond routinized or mandated procedures to carefully consider the unique vulnerabilities of migrants in their study, which depend on socio-political context. Third, if vulnerabilities are significant, migration researchers should modify (or challenge) procedures elaborated in the name of open science or routinized research ethic board mandates, if inappropriate for their study. We, thus, encourage migration scholars to engage with open-science advocates but also to educate colleagues on migrants’ vulnerabilities and to double-down on data security, including vis-à-vis government authorities, as evolving technologies continue to change research practices.
The coloniality of infrastructure: Engineering, landscape and modernity in Recife
Authors: Davies Archie
Published: June 2021

Geographical scholarship has, since the late 1990s, shown how infrastructure was central to the making of urban modernity and the metabolic transformation of socio-natures. Meanwhile, the work of Latin American scholars including Aníbal Quijano and Maria Lugones has focussed attention on the imbrications between modernity and coloniality, in particular through the international racial division of labour. Moving between these ideas, I argue that there is intellectual and political ground to be gained by specifically accounting for the coloniality of infrastructure, in both its material and epistemic dimensions. I ground the analysis in the history of Recife, Northeast of Brazil, analyzing the role of British engineering in the production of the city's landscape and infrastructure, and address the epistemic dimensions of the coloniality of infrastructural by exploring infrastructural spectacle in 1920s Recife. Finally, I explore how the coloniality of infrastructure directs our attention to race, labour and finance.
Focus at the syntax–discourse interface in L2 Spanish: Optionality and unaccusativity reconsidered
Authors: Gupton Timothy , Sánchez Calderón Silvia
Published: June 2021

We examine the second language (L2) acquisition of variable Spanish word order by first language (L1) speakers of English via the acquisition of unaccusative and transitive predicates in various focus-related contexts. We employ two bimodal linguistic tasks: (1) acceptability judgment task (B-AJT) and (2) appropriateness preference task (B-APT). Both present contextualized prompts similar to previous studies, followed by response options with accompanying audio to control for intonation and pauses. Results suggest a number of key findings: (1) by the high intermediate level, L2ers acquire the relevant syntactic and syntax information structure interface competencies for both predicate types; (2) native speakers and L2 groups exhibit optionality, and only differ in nuanced ways; and (3) advanced learners show signs of acquiring syntactic and syntax–information structure competencies in numerous contexts, but display minor differences regarding optionality with corrective focus, an interface incorporating multiple interfaces (syntax–prosody pragmatics). Unlike the predictions of the Interface Hypothesis (IH), this subtle, non-native-like divergence is characterized by divergent knowledge of optionality similar to that found among native speakers. Attempting to understand more completely the development of native-speaker optionality, we also conduct a corpus study of child-directed Spanish from CHILDES and find that, although syntactic theory explains much of the data, it cannot account for all of the variability in the data. Results suggest that children are exposed to apparent optionality from the earliest stages.
Reliability of task-specific neuronal activation assessed with functional PET, ASL and BOLD imaging
Authors: Rischka Lucas , Godbersen Godber M , Pichler Verena , Michenthaler Paul , Klug Sebastian , Klöbl Manfred , Ritter Vera , Wadsak Wolfgang , Hacker Marcus , Kasper Siegfried , Lanzenberger Rupert , Hahn Andreas
Published: June 2021

Mapping the neuronal response during cognitive processing is of crucial importance to gain new insights into human brain function. BOLD imaging and ASL are established MRI methods in this endeavor. Recently, the novel approach of functional PET (fPET) was introduced, enabling absolute quantification of glucose metabolism at rest and during task execution in a single measurement. Here, we report test-retest reliability of fPET in direct comparison to BOLD imaging and ASL. Twenty healthy subjects underwent two PET/MRI measurements, providing estimates of glucose metabolism, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and blood oxygenation. A cognitive task was employed with different levels of difficulty requiring visual-motor coordination. Task-specific neuronal activation was robustly detected with all three imaging approaches. The highest reliability was obtained for glucose metabolism at rest. Although this dropped during task performance it was still comparable to that of CBF. In contrast, BOLD imaging yielded high performance only for qualitative spatial overlap of task effects but not for quantitative comparison. Hence, the combined assessment of fPET and ASL offers reliable and simultaneous absolute quantification of glucose metabolism and CBF at rest and task.
Evaluation of femoral head bone quality by Hounsfield units: a comparison with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Kılınc Rabia Mihriban , Açan Ahmet Emrah , Türk Gamze , Kılınç Cem Yalın , Yeniçeri İbrahim Önder
Published: June 2021

Background

Osteoporosis is associated with decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) and is diagnosed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Computed tomography (CT), performed in routine practice, can also be used to evaluate bone quality without additional cost.

Purpose

To determine whether Hounsfield units (HU), a standardized CT attenuation coefficient, measured from the femoral head correlated with DXA-measured BMD.

Material and Methods

We evaluated 82 patients (14 men, 68 women; mean age, 67 years) undergoing femoral DXA and CT (non-enhanced abdominopelvic and hip scans) with 130 kV to determine whether HU correlated with T-scores. HU were measured by two radiologists using the largest spherical region of interest including the medullary bone of the femoral head from the junction point of the most caudal section of the femoral head with the femoral neck in 5-mm axial sections. The correlations of both sides’ HU values with their ages and DXA femur T-score were evaluated.

Results

HU values obtained from both femoral heads showed significant variation between the osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic groups (both P = 0.000) and strongly correlated with each other and DXA femur T-scores (left r = 0.75, right r = 0.73, respectively). In ROC curve analysis, predictive power of left HU values in identifying patients with osteoporotic femur DXA T-score was 0.905, and for right HU values it was 0.924. Osteoporosis cutoff values were 198 HU and 204 HU for the left and right hips, respectively.

Conclusions

HU obtained from CT performed in routine practice correlated with the DXA scores, thus providing an alternative method to determine regional bone quality without additional cost. This may be useful when choosing a fixation method, especially in trauma cases with already-performed abdominopelvic or pelvic CT in emergency services.
The Contribution of Static and Dynamic Factors to Recidivism Prediction for Black and White Youth Offenders
Authors: Miller William T. , Campbell Christina A. , Papp Jordan , Ruhland Ebony
Published: June 2021

Scholars have presented concerns about potential for racial bias in risk assessments as a result of the inclusion of static factors, such as criminal history in risk assessments. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which static factors add incremental validity to the dynamic factors in criminogenic risk assessments. This study examined the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) in a sample of 1,270 youth offenders from a medium-sized Midwestern county between June 2004 and November 2013. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictive validity of the YLS/CMI and the individual contribution of static and dynamic domains of the assessment. Results indicated that the static domain differentially predicted recidivism for Black and White youth. In particular, the static domain was a significant predictor of recidivism for White youth, but this was not the case for Black youth. The dynamic domain significantly predicted recidivism for both Black and White offenders, and static risk factors improved prediction of recidivism for White youth, but not for Black youth.
Alienating assemblages: Working the carbonscape in times of transformation
Authors: Jordhus-Lier David , Houeland Camilla , Ellingvåg Tale Hammerø
Published: June 2021

Energy geographers seem to agree that the carbon economy represents a symbiotic relationship between social and material components. There is less consensus, however, on how this symbiosis is best conceptualized. We critique the portrayal of carbonscapes as loosely associated, flexibly (re)arranged and easily enacted upon through small-scale radical innovation. Instead, we advocate for a historical materialist approach foregrounding people’s relationship to nature and to each other through the wage relation and systems of social reproduction. By assuming the vantage point of petroleum workers, we show how geographies of (de)alienation can inform a politics of reconnection in the carbon economy.
Recent development on physical and biological properties of chitosan-based composite films with natural extracts: A review
Authors: Rahman Lutfor , Goswami Jutika
Published: June 2021

Being credited with the most extensively studied polysaccharide polymer and promising candidate for versatile applications, chitosan has proved to be a standalone material with loads of diversified properties in various structural forms such as blends and composites. Considering the abundance of this biopolymer and its non-toxic nature, exploiting chitosan offers two-folded benefits – environment friendliness and fabrication as per the need. Alkaline deacetylation of chitin produces chitosan as a polymer that can be tuned to a great extent as per the requirement by altering the degree of deacetylation (DDA) and molecular weight (MW). This biopolymer has been widely investigated for potential application in the food and biomedical fields due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Chitosan based composite films incorporated with different natural extracts have shown significant enhancement in the physical and biological activities as reported by different studies. The current study reviews recent developments and investigations of chitosan based biocomposite films incorporated with different natural extracts emphasizing on the improvement of physical and biological properties and its applications.
Collagen/chitosan-functionalized graphene oxide hydrogel provide a 3D matrix for neural stem/precursor cells survival, adhesion, infiltration and migration
Authors: Rezaei Anita , Aligholi Hadi , Zeraatpisheh Zahra , Gholami Ahmad , Mirzaei Esmaeil
Published: June 2021

To have therapeutic promise of neural stem/precursor cells (NS/PCs) an appropriate scaffold is mostly essential. This study was conducted to fabricate collagen (Col)/chitosan-functionalized graphene oxide (CSGO) nanocomposite hydrogel and evaluated it as scaffold for NS/PCs. Graphene oxide was first functionalized with chitosan and the obtained CSGO was then added to Col solution and the solution underwent hydrogel formation. GO sheets were exfoliated after CS functionalization and the CSGO was homogenously dispersed in Col hydrogel. CSGO addition resulted in hydrogels with higher porosity and smaller Col fibers. Furthermore, CSGO increased the gelation time and water absorption capacity while the degradation was decreased. Cell studies demonstrated higher viability of NS/PCs on Col/CSGO hydrogel comparing with Col and poly-l-lysine as control (Cnt). NS/PCs were also penetrated into the Col/CSGO hydrogel and showed more cell spreading, neurite outgrowth and inter-cell connections in comparison with Col hydrogel. In addition, the cells traveled longer distance on Col/CSGO hydrogels than on Col and Cnt, indicating excellent migration capacity of NS/PCs on Col/CSGO hydrogel. Our results indicate the potential Col/CSGO hydrogels as an appropriate scaffold for NS/PCs.
Shattered Voices: Daughters’ Meaning Reconstruction in Loss of a Mother to Intimate Partner Homicide
Authors: Pitcho-Prelorentzos Shani , Leshem Elazar , Mahat-Shamir and Michal
Published: June 2021

Intimate partner homicide is a major public health concern around the world and the most lethal outcome of domestic violence. Its impact on the surviving bereaved offspring is immense, yet there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the long-term effects of this type of loss. The current qualitative study is aimed at filling this gap. The study used the constructivist paradigm of bereavement as a theoretical background to reveal the meanings constructed by bereaved Israeli daughters whose biological mothers were killed in acts of intimate partner homicide by their biological fathers. Three main themes of meaning emerged from 12 in-depth semi-structured interviews: “destruction of one’s home”; “blast injury”; and “in doubt”. An examination of the three themes in the current study reveals a deep shatter in participants’ world of meaning to its very basic foundations. In light of intense psychological and social forces, the participants constructed and reconstructed such narratives of meaning in a continuous process of meaning making throughout their lives, years, and decades post loss. Derived from the findings are implications for practice. Mental healthcare professionals must attend to this basic shatter with an extreme level of caution, as they help homicide survivors reconstruct a world of meaning shattered by loss. Moreover, the long-lasting effects emphasize an appropriate legal and political involvement; specifically, policy regulations and rights should provide psychosocial care programs that are suited to the needs of offspring co-victims of intimate partner homicide in particular. In light of the strong social influence on participants’ loss experience, further efforts are required to raise social awareness about this burning social concern and to fight the stigmatization of co-victims of homicide in general and co-victims of intimate partner homicide in particular.
A review on the extraction of cellulose and nanocellulose as a filler through solid waste management
Authors: Khui Perry Law Nyuk , Rahman Md Rezaur , Bakri Muhammad Khusairy Bin
Published: June 2021

This review study and explores the extraction and potential application of cellulose and nanocellulose from solid waste. Among different types of solid waste agricultural solid waste was found the most prominent for the formation of cellulose and nanocellulose. Factors affecting the properties of cellulose and nanocellulose were identified and discussed throughout the manuscript by referring reports on numerous case studies. The utilization of selected lignocellulosic biomass to produce cellulose and nanocellulose could decrease the amount of solid waste dumped on the landfills. Currently, raising awareness upon environmental issues and sustainability for the academicians, manufacturers, and policy makers to focus toward generating more biodegradable polymer products by reducing usage of nondegradable polymer products. Therefore, this study provides a review of various case studies in support of the production of cellulose and nanocellulose from solid waste, which offered the potential and possibility of commercialization of cellulose and nanocellulose products using existing conventional methods.
Comparison of Inpatient Standard-of-Care to Outpatient Oritavancin Therapy for Patients With Acute Uncomplicated Cellulitis
Authors: Williams Brandy , Muklewicz Justin , Steuber Taylor D. , Williams April , Edwards Jonathan
Published: June 2021

Background:

Shifting inpatient antibiotic treatment to outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy may minimize treatment for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, including cellulitis. The purpose of this evaluation was to compare 30-day hospital readmission or admission due to cellulitis and economic outcomes of inpatient standard-of-care (SoC) management of acute uncomplicated cellulitis to outpatient oritavancin therapy.

Methods:

This retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted at a 941-bed community teaching hospital. Adult patients 18 years and older treated for acute uncomplicated cellulitis between February 2015 to December 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Information was obtained from hospital and billing department records. Patients were assigned to either inpatient SoC or outpatient oritavancin cohorts for comparison.

Results:

1,549 patients were included in the study (1,348 in the inpatient SoC cohort and 201 in the outpatient oritavancin cohort). The average length of stay for patients admitted was 3.6 ± 1.5 days. The primary outcome of 30-day hospital readmission or admission due to cellulitis occurred in 49/1348 (3.6%) patients in the inpatient SoC cohort versus 1/201 (0.5%) in the outpatient oritavancin cohort (p = 0.02). The difference between costs and reimbursement was improved in the outpatient oritavancin group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Outpatient oritavancin for acute uncomplicated cellulitis was associated with reduction in 30-day hospital readmissions or admissions compared to inpatient SoC. Beneficial economic outcomes for the outpatient oritavancin cohort were observed. Additional studies are required to confirm these findings.