bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of ultrasound-assisted cryoprotectant impregnation for improving the storage quality of snakehead fish fillets
Authors: Zheng Jie , Qu Jiaming , Peng Haihai , Chen Wen , Hu Aijun
Published: July 2022

In aquatic products companies, saccharides and phosphates are often used to impregnate products to improve their quality. Insignificant impregnation effect is a main problem met in the impregnation process. The effect of ultrasonic-assisted impregnation on the storage quality of snakehead fish fillets at −18 °C was studied. For all samples, such parameters as water holding capacity, pH value, salt-soluble protein content, whiteness and cooking loss rate were examined periodically. Furthermore, the changes of moisture distribution and migration in snakehead fish fillets during storage were investigated using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results demonstrated that ultrasonic-assisted impregnation showed better anti-freeze and water holding capacity effects than that of cryoprotectant impregnation alone. Therefore, ultrasonic treatment could be used as an effective way to improve the quality of snakehead fish fillets during the frozen process. This study could provide a broad application prospect in aquatic product processing industry.
What to Expect When You Don’t Know What You are Expecting: Vigilance and the Monitoring and Evaluation of an Uncertain World
Authors: Goble Rob , Carr Edward R. , Anderson Jon
Published: July 2022

Complexity and uncertainty are long-standing challenges for global development projects. Coping with both requires flexibility and adaptation, the ability to identify unexpected circumstances, seize opportunities, and respond to threats. Vigilance is critical; it resides within the domains of monitoring, evaluation, and learning. In practice, maintaining vigilance is difficult, partly because effective vigilance has a dual nature. Normal, Type 1 vigilance, is anchored in knowing what to look for. It demands focus and attention to designated indicators. Type 2 vigilance looks for what project preparations failed to anticipate. It demands defocusing and openness; it sits outside contemporary design of monitoring and evaluation as it must question the assumptions in project design and implementation. We consider the role of both types of vigilance in global development and difficulties in maintaining both simultaneously. We identify pathways for improving the practice of vigilance and suggest practical steps in a template for pilot efforts.
What Works in Police Training? Applying an Evidence-Informed, General, Ecological Model of Police Training
Authors: Jonathan-Zamir Tal , Litmanovitz Yael , Haviv Noam
Published: July 2022

Over the last decade, research on police training showed significant development. Nevertheless, the field was lacking a consistent framework based on the best available scientific evidence indicating what should work in police training. The present article presents such a model, based on Litmanovitz (2016). It provides a succinct description of the model, its development and importance, and tests the outcome of a procedural justice (PJ) training module designed based on its principles, within the context of a quasi-experiment in the National Police College in Israel. Findings show a statistically significant effect on recruits’ support for PJ, but not on their perceived ability to exercise PJ. We conclude that the general, ecological training model proposed by Litmanovitz (2016) shows promise, is useful for the development of evidence-informed police training interventions, and should be viewed as a starting point for ongoing elaboration and refinement of our knowledge on police training.
No Longer a Prison: The Logistics and Politics of Transforming a Prison as Work of Architecture
Authors: Karami Sepideh
Published: July 2022

This article discusses the political role of architectural work and design in transforming a prison into a museum and recreational center. The text focuses on Qasr Prison, the first civil prison in Iran, designed by the Russian-Iranian architect Nikolai Markov in 1927 in Tehran. Built in 1790, the prison’s site was originally a royal palace; it is from this that its name, Qasr—meaning palace—was taken. Later, in 1953, a new building was added out of necessity, due to the increasing number of political prisoners. It was only in 2003 that the prison was shut down. In 2008, a decision was made to transform it into a museum and a recreational center, and it became Qasr Museum-Garden. The text expands the role of architecture beyond the design of the building and into designing carceral logistics as well as constructing performing grounds for state propaganda.
The journey of ‘Living with Pain’: A feasibility study of the development and running of a collective narrative group
Authors: Salvo Tania , Davison-Jenkins Abi , Hitchcock Megan , Daniilidi Xeni , Lambert Danielle
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Chronic Pain is increasingly affecting young people, their quality of life and wellbeing including education, social life and mental health. Current Western approaches to psychological support for Chronic Pain often focus on ‘pain management’ and learning skills and strategies from professionals, making use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and psychoeducation approaches in individual and group interventions. As a Paediatric Psychology service, we have trialled groups running over multiple weeks informed by these approaches and experienced low attendance rates.

Method

This paper describes a feasibility study of an alternative group intervention; the ‘Living with Pain group’, which combines the ‘Journey of Life’ ( Denborough, 2014 ) with collective narrative and liberation psychology approaches.

Results

Thirty three young people and eight parents / carers attended the intervention. Attendance rates, quantitative and qualitative feedback from one face-to-face group for young people and parents and two online groups for young people showed increased access and acceptability of the group.

Conclusion

The findings from this study have shown that a 1-day collective narrative group intervention is feasible, suitable and acceptable and has increased access to our group intervention. Future directions include co-creation with young people and families, community engagement to increase accessibility of our groups and developing partnerships to respond to young people’s hopes to raise awareness.
The use of emotions in conspiracy and debunking videos to engage publics on YouTube
Authors: Kim Sang Jung , Chen Kaiping
Published: July 2022

With the rise of digital media, conspiracy theories infamous for their emotional manipulation have challenged science epistemology and democratic discourse. Despite extensive literature on misinformation and the role of emotion in persuasion, less is understood about how emotion is used in conspiracy and debunking messages on video platforms and the impact of emotional framing on public engagement with science on social media. Our article fills this gap by analyzing thousands of YouTube videos that propagate or debunk COVID-19 conspiracy theories from March to May 2020. We found that conspiracy and debunking videos used the emotions of trust and fear differently depending on the issue framing of the conspiracy. Our article also reveals a dilemma facing debunking messages—when debunking videos used more trust-related emotions, these videos received more likes yet fewer views. These findings shed new light on the role of emotion on user engagement with misinformation and its correction on digital platforms.
A novel 3D printed personalised insole for improvement of flat foot arch compression and recoil – preliminary study
Authors: Hu Che-Wei , Nguyen Canh Toan , Hölbling Dominik , Pang Toh Yen , Baca Arnold , Dabnichki Peter
Published: July 2022

Conventional corrective insoles for flatfoot individuals traditionally utilise solid arch support to prevent the collapse of medial longitudinal arch. Such design restricts the foot arch compression and recoil in stance phase and increases the expanded energy during gait. In this study, a novel customised design insole was designed and manufactured using person's 3D foot scans. A novel elastic mesh pad was implemented in the mid-insole to replace the conventional solid arch support. The new insoles were tested in standard straight gait laboratory trials. The kinematic analysis showed that the novel insoles improved foot arch compression and recoil in stance phase with flatfooted individuals. Finally, the new insoles were provided to the participants to be habitually worn during a prolonged period of daily usage. The obtained gait analysis results and user feedback indicate strongly that the novel insoles provide improved comfort, static and dynamic balance, and arch support in stance phase. In summary, the new insoles show substantive potential in addressing the shortcomings of the widely used passive support ones while providing less restrictive and effective dynamic support.
An experimental and modeling study of ash deposition and migration in diesel particulate filters
Authors: Mitsouridis Michail A , Koltsakis Grigorios , Viswanathan Sandeep , George Sam , Hruby Eric J , Kozlov Alexander , Pan Jianping , Ponnaiyan Ayyappan , Zhou Wei
Published: July 2022

Ash accumulation in wall-flow filters impacts key performance aspects such as pressure drop, filtration efficiency and catalytic reactivity. In this context, the capability to predict ash deposition and transport behavior is essential to ensure proper system performance under various operating conditions, throughout the useful lifetime of the particulate filter. Despite a large number of previous experimental studies, physically based ash migration models to predict ash transport and its impact on the performance of a wall-flow filter are still not available. The development, calibration and validation of a phenomenological semi-predictive model is presented in this work, based on extensive burner rig and transient engine tests. Combustion-derived ash was collected in several bare DPFs, while the filters’ pressure drop was monitored and the plug ash length was estimated via borescope and CT-scan tests. An example of how the developed model can be used to study design variations at an early development phase is included.
‘If we weren’t reflecting, we would be like robots’: The case for thinking aloud in social work supervision
Authors: Rankine Matthew , Thompson Andrew P
Published: July 2022

Thinking aloud is presented as a qualitative research and practice tool that enhances critical reflection and learning when it is applied in supervisor–supervisee dyads. Aotearoa New Zealand’s statutory child protection organisation, Oranga Tamariki (OT), has been openly criticised in reports damning ineffective social work practice regarding child and family assessments, cultural competency and critical practice. But what is really going on inside OT? Working alongside OT social workers, the authors explored ways to build critical reflection, resilience and well-being amongst supervisors and supervisees. Critical reflection was used as the methodological lens in this supervision study. The authors examine data collected from six supervisor–supervisee dyads participating in a thinking aloud process. Supervision recordings were analysed for reflective capacity, skills and current supervision practices in OT. Thinking aloud promoted a co-constructed space for supervisors and supervisees to critically reflect on their relationship together and their practice discussions in supervision. Using thematic analysis, four themes were generated from the thinking aloud discussions: the supervision agenda; supervisor skills; supervisory relationship and thinking aloud in supervision. These themes highlighted the significance of thinking aloud in providing deeper analysis and feedback on the quality of supervision and the skills used in the session. Reflective supervision is fundamental towards critical reflection and ethical social work practice. Within child protection services, it is crucial that social workers maintain a practice focus in robust decision-making effecting children and qualitative research supports this practice. Thinking aloud provides the basis for supervisors and supervisees to develop their skills together and ensure critical and accountable practice.
Individual's Reproductive Strategies Moderates the Association Between Facial Width-to-Height and Risk-Taking Propensity
Authors: Cavalcante Fabiane de Barros Figueirêdo , Nepomuceno Marcelo Vinhal , Arruda Gomes Danielle Miranda de Oliveira , Câmara Samuel Façanha
Published: July 2022

Previous research has yielded mixed findings on the relationship between facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR), an androgen-dependent feature, and risk-taking propensity. We argue that mixed findings might result from overlooked variables. Given that risk-taking propensity might be ultimately linked to a search for mating opportunities, we analyze if reproductive strategies moderate the relationship between fWHR and risk-taking propensity. Our results, obtained from a sample of 434 male participants, show a positive association between fWHR and recreational and social risk-taking only for men who are more motivated to focus on mating effort over offspring survival. This finding aligns with research arguing that risk-taking may be a mating strategy since being social and recreational risk-prone might illustrate physical and psychological qualities and improve one's ability to attract mates. Our results support the notion that risk-taking might be a domain-specific construct. Overall, our research is in line with recent findings suggesting that the impact of testosterone exposure on risk-taking propensity is best understood when considering the role of contextual variables. Consequently, we add to previous research that studies related to risk-taking propensity should account for reproductive strategies.
Mental Representations of Sickness Positively Relate to Adaptive Health Behaviors
Authors: Ojeda Jonathan T. , Silvia Paul J. , Cassidy Brittany S.
Published: July 2022

An ecological approach to social perception states that impressions of faces have functional value in that they guide adaptive behavior ensuring people's survival. For example, people may avoid others whose faces appear sick to avoid an illness representing a survival threat. We broadened the ecological approach in the current work by examining whether merely thinking about what illnesses on faces look like (i.e., how sickness on faces is represented) holds functional value in guiding behavior to ensure survival. Using an example of a real illness threat as proof of concept, we showed that people self-reported performing more adaptive health behaviors in response to COVID-19 if they had sicker representations of COVID-19 on faces (Experiment 1a). These sicker representations of COVID-19 on faces explained, in part, a positive relation between perceptions of COVID-19 as threatening and people's self-reported adaptive health behaviors. We then replicated these patterns when experimentally manipulating illness threat (Experiment 1b). We found that people expected more adaptive health behaviors and had sicker representations of illness on faces in response to illness threats that were more relative to less threatening. These findings suggest that mentally representing sickness on faces is enough to guide people's behaviors in response to illness threats.
Retrospective Self-Reported Childhood Experiences in Enriched Environments Uniquely Predict Prosocial Behavior and Personality Traits in Adulthood
Authors: McCauley Thomas G. , McCullough Michael E.
Published: July 2022

What features of people’s childhood environments go on to shape their prosocial behavior during adulthood? Past studies linking childhood environment to adult prosocial behavior have focused primarily on adverse features, thereby neglecting the possible influence of exposure to enriched environments (e.g., access to material resources, experiences with rich cooperative relationships, and interactions with morally exemplary role models). Here, we expand the investigation of childhood environmental quality to include consideration of enriching childhood experiences and their relation to adult prosociality. In two cross-sectional studies, we found promising evidence that enriched childhood environments are associated with adult moral behavior. In study 1 ( N = 1,084 MTurk workers), we adapted an existing measure of enriched childhood environmental quality for retrospective recall of childhood experiences and found that subjects’ recollections of their enriched childhood experiences are distinct from their recollections of adverse childhood experiences. In Study 2 ( N = 2,208 MTurk workers), we found that a formative composite of subjects’ recollections of enriched childhood experiences is positively associated with a variety of morally relevant traits in adulthood, including agreeableness, honesty-humility, altruism, endorsement of the principle of care, empathic responding to the plights of needy others, and charitable donations in an experimental setting, and that these associations held after controlling for childhood environmental adversity, childhood socioeconomic status, sex, and age. We also found evidence suggesting that some, but not all, of the relationship between enrichment and adult prosociality can be explained by a shared genetic correlation. We include a new seven-item measure as an appendix.
Decreased peak expiratory flow rate associated with mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A preliminary report
Authors: Fujita Kohei , Ohkubo Hirotsugu , Nakano Akiko , Takeda Norihisa , Fukumitsu Kensuke , Fukuda Satoshi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiro , Uemura Takehiro , Tajiri Tomoko , Maeno Ken , Ito Yutaka , Oguri Tetsuya , Ozawa Yoshiyuki , Murase Takayuki , Niimi Akio
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is known to decrease in patients with sarcopenia. However, little is known about the clinical impact of the PEFR in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to confirm whether a decrease in PEFR over 6 months was associated with survival in IPF patients.

Methods

Consecutive IPF patients who had been assessed at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. The relative decline in PEFR over 6 months was assessed. Survival analyses were performed by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

A total of 61 eligible cases (average age 70 years) were examined, and 21 patients (34.4%) died. The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the body mass index, baseline % predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), baseline % predicted PEFR, % predicted diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), relative decline in FVC, and relative decline in PEFR were prognostic factors. On multivariate analyses, relative decline in PEFR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.037, p < .05) and baseline % predicted FVC (HR 0.932, p < .001) were independent prognostic factors, whereas relative decline in FVC was not.

Conclusion

A decrease in PEFR after 6 months may predict worse survival in patients with IPF.
Motivational Interview Techniques and the Effectiveness of Intervention Programs With Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pinto e Silva Teresa , Cunha Olga , Caridade Sónia
Published: July 2022

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a severe public health issue. Perpetrators’ Intervention Programs (PIPs) have been essential to prevent recidivism, and the incorporation of Motivational Interview Techniques (MIT) has shown to be an added value in this area. Objective: The present systematic review aims to analyze the incorporation of MIT (i.e., pre-treatment, isolated treatment, and conjoined with PIPs) in interventions with IPV perpetrators and its potential impact on their behavior and attitudes regarding motivation for change and treatment compliance. Method: The following research equation was used: “Intimate Partner Violence” AND (“Perpetrator” OR “Batterer” OR “Offender”) AND (“Motivation” OR “Motivational Interview”) AND (“Intervention” OR “Intervention Program” OR “Batterer Intervention Program”) AND (“Effectiveness OR “Program Effectiveness”); in four separate databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and EBSCO. Studies in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were included, and 15 were identified according to the defined inclusion criteria. Results: Studies demonstrated that MIT increases attendance rates, treatment adherence, motivation for change, and behavioral and attitudinal outcomes. More specifically, MIT showed greater effectiveness among participants with low readiness to change and in the early stages of change. Conclusion: This systematic review corroborates the importance of incorporating MIT in PIPs to improve intervention efficacy.
Evaluating Automatic Segmentation for Swallowing-Related Organs for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Li Yimin , Rao Shyam , Chen Wen , Azghadi Soheila F. , Nguyen Ky Nam Bao , Moran Angel , Usera Brittni M , Dyer Brandon A , Shang Lu , Chen Quan , Rong Yi
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of deep-learning-based auto-segmentation of the superior constrictor, middle constrictor, inferior constrictor, and larynx in comparison with a traditional multi-atlas-based method. Methods and Materials: One hundred and five computed tomography image datasets from 83 head and neck cancer patients were retrospectively collected and the superior constrictor, middle constrictor, inferior constrictor, and larynx were analyzed for deep-learning versus multi-atlas-based segmentation. Eighty-three computed tomography images (40 diagnostic computed tomography and 43 planning computed tomography) were used for training the convolutional neural network, and for atlas-based model training. The remaining 22 computed tomography datasets were used for validation of the atlas-based auto-segmentation versus deep-learning-based auto-segmentation contours, both of which were compared with the corresponding manual contours. Quantitative measures included Dice similarity coefficient, recall, precision, Hausdorff distance, 95th percentile of Hausdorff distance, and mean surface distance. Dosimetric differences between the auto-generated contours and manual contours were evaluated. Subjective evaluation was obtained from 3 clinical observers to blindly score the autosegmented structures based on the percentage of slices that require manual modification. Results: The deep-learning-based auto-segmentation versus atlas-based auto-segmentation results were compared for the superior constrictor, middle constrictor, inferior constrictor, and larynx. The mean Dice similarity coefficient values for the 4 structures were 0.67, 0.60, 0.65, and 0.84 for deep-learning-based auto-segmentation, whereas atlas-based auto-segmentation has Dice similarity coefficient results at 0.45, 0.36, 0.50, and 0.70, respectively. The mean 95th percentile of Hausdorff distance (cm) for the 4 structures were 0.41, 0.57, 0.59, and 0.54 for deep-learning-based auto-segmentation, but 0.78, 0.95, 0.96, and 1.23 for atlas-based auto-segmentation results, respectively. Similar mean dose differences were obtained from the 2 sets of autosegmented contours compared to manual contours. The dose–volume discrepancies and the average modification rates were higher with the atlas-based auto-segmentation contours. Conclusion: Swallowing-related structures are more accurately generated with DL-based versus atlas-based segmentation when compared with manual contours.
Bio-inspired Superwettable Surface for the Detection of Cancer Biomarker: A Mini Review
Authors: Yang Yun Jun , Gao Zhong Feng
Published: July 2022

Inspired by nature, superwettable material-based biosensors have aroused wide interests due to their potential in cancer biomarker detection. This mini review mainly summarized the superwettable materials as novel biosensing substrates for the development of evaporation-induced enrichment-based signal amplification and visual biosensing method. Biosensing applications based on the superhydrophobic surfaces, superwettable micropatterned surfaces, and slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces for various cancer biomarker detections were described in detail. Finally, an insight of remaining challenges and perspectives of superwettable biosensor is proposed.
Can Lymphovascular Invasion be Predicted by Preoperative Contrast-Enhanced CT in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Authors: Chen Wei , Wang Yating , Bai Genji , Hu Chunhong
Published: July 2022

Objective: To explore whether preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomogrpahy (CT) can predict lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and provide a reliable reference for the formulation of clinical individualized treatment plans. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 228 patients with surgically resected and pathologically confirmed ESCC, including 36 patients with LVI and 192 patients without LVI. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan within 2 weeks before the operation. Tumor size (including tumor length and maximum tumor thickness), tumor-to-normal wall enhancement ratio (TNR), and gross tumor volume (GTV) were obtained. All clinical features and CECT-derived parameters associated with LVI were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. The independent predictors for LVI were identified, and their combination was built by multivariate logistic regression analysis, using the significant variables from the univariate analysis as inputs. Results: Univariate analysis of clinical features and CECT-derived parameters revealed that age, TNR, and clinical N stage (cN stage) were significantly associated with LVI. The multivariable analysis results demonstrated that age (odds ratio [OR]: 5.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.224-12.743, P<.001), TNR (OR: 5.399, 95% CI: 1.609-18.110, P  =  .006), and cN stage (cN1: OR: 2.874, 95% CI: 1.182-6.989, P  =  .02; cN2: OR: 6.876, 95% CI: 2.222-21.227) were identified to be independent predictors for LVI. The combination of age, TNR, and cN stage achieved a relatively higher area under the curve (AUC) (0.798), accuracy (ACC) (65.4%), sensitivity (SEN) (69.4%), specificity (SPE) (79.7%), positive predictive value (PPV) (77.4%), and negative predictive value (NPV) (71.6%). Conclusions: The combination of clinical features and CECT-derived parameters may be effective in predicting LVI status preoperatively in ESCC.
Sarcopenia, Frailty and Diabetic Foot: A Mini Narrative Review
Authors: Karakousis Nikolaos D. , Pyrgioti Elisavet E. , Georgakopoulos Petros N. , Papanas Nikolaos
Published: July 2022

The aim of this narrative mini review was to investigate the potential association of the diabetic foot (DF) with sarcopenia and frailty. Data is still limited, but it appears that DF patients may be more prone to frailty. In addition, patients with DF and sarcopenia exhibit more frequently foot ulcers and amputations, as well as increased mortality rates post-operatively. Further studies are now needed to see how these realizations may be used in clinical practice, aiming to improve DF outcomes.
Reflexive Fascism in the Age of History Memes
Authors: Strick Simon
Published: July 2022

Contemporary reactions to neofascist movements for the most part focus on national contexts, and frequently pursue a simplistic argument about a dangerous ‘repetition of history’. Warning that historical fascism might rise again like a revenant, commentators miss the fundamentally altered strategies of fascist actors in the era of digital communication and agitation. Introducing the critical term reflexive fascism, this article presents examples from Alt-Right ‘meme’ agitation to argue that ‘reflexive fascism’ presents a historiographic distortion: contemporary neofascist actors remake, revise and warp the very conceptions of post-war history and historical scholarship. Far from constituting a mere relapse into earlier states of history, the ‘fascisms’ currently erupting in many parts of the world and the internet are highly reflexive, self-referential, and include active re-imaginings of historical fascism and the institutional and discursive responses to it. Contemporary fascism is discussed as a reflexive undertaking that remakes post-war histories and democracies as ‘risk productions’ for ethnically understood nation states. It aspires not only to authoritarian desires, but agitates through a ‘bottom-up’ production of feelings of ‘racial endangerment’ for white people. Reflexive fascism is a model that can be used to understand how this updated ‘fascism’ cannot be imagined as the constitutive other of democracy and capitalism, but rather unfolds within and through the affective and communicative channels of these systems.
The ‘Conspiracy of Homosexualisation’: Homosexuality and Anti-Semitism in the United States, 1970s–1990s
Authors: Kerl Kristoff
Published: July 2022

The article examines the far-right idea of a Jewish-led ‘conspiracy of homosexualisation’ between the 1970s and the late 1990s. To this end, it primarily scrutinizes the monthly magazine Instauration, edited by Wilmot Robertson. Embedded in a broader narrative that claimed that a Jewish-led regime of ‘liberal-minority racism’ would discriminate against white people in general and White men in particular, white nationalists and white supremacists such as Robertson imagined sexual politics as an important field of anti-white oppression. In addition to feminism and ‘miscegenation’, the promotion of ‘homosexual rights’ and the spread of homosexuality were conceived of as another means of Jews to undermine the white patriarchal family, which white nationalists and supremacists idealized as the backbone of the nation's well-being. Conceiving of homosexuality as a threat to white people and ‘white reproduction’, white nationalists and white supremacists claimed that the alleged struggle for ‘homosexual rights’ constituted a strategy used by Jews to maintain their supposed social, cultural and economic power and dominance.
Endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection in patients with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Zhou Zhenyu , Zhou Min , Ding Yong , Li Xu , Wang Yonggang , Xie Tianchen , Shi Zhenyu
Published: July 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative and intermediate outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD) undergoing TEVAR at our single center from January 2010 to December 2020. Patients with pre-existing ESRD were enrolled as the study group. One hundred consecutive patients from September 2013 to March 2015 without ESRD were included as the control group. The primary and secondary outcomes were adverse events and survival, respectively. Kaplan–Meier curves of survival and freedom from adverse events were calculated and analyzed using the log-rank univariate test. Multivariable analysis was used to isolate the effects of ESRD.

Results

A total of 39 patients with ESRD and TBAD underwent TEVAR during the study period. The median follow-up time of patients with and without ESRD was 45 and 46 months, respectively. There was significant difference between the survival at 4 years of patients with and without ESRD (72.8% vs 94.9%; p = 0.011). Meanwhile, the incidence of adverse events was significantly higher in patients with ESRD ( p = 0.026). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that ESRD (OR, 2.46; p = 0.049) and peripheral artery disease (OR, 4.11; p = 0.002) were the predictors of adverse events.

Conclusions

The rates of adverse events and survival expectancy were poor in patients with ESRD and TBAD.
The Aramis Data Challenge to prognostics and health management methods for application in evolving environments
Authors: Baraldi Piero , Compare Michele , Zio Enrico , Cannarile Francesco , Yang Zhe
Published: July 2022

A recurrent difficulty for the effective application of Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) methods is related to the “evolving environments” in which industrial components typically operate. Several factors render the operational environments evolving, including deterioration of components, effects of maintenance activities and changes in working conditions. The issue of evolving environments is even more complicated for multi-component systems, where the degradation of one component can affect the degradation processes of other components, thus modifying their lifetime distributions and the statistical properties of the monitored signals. In an effort to convey research toward practical PHM solutions capable of dealing with evolving environments, the “Aramis challenge on degradation state assessment in evolving environments,” has been launched for the ESREL2020-PSAM15 conference. This work describes the Aramis Data Challenge and associated public dataset, illustrates the methods proposed for its solution and the related results obtained. For the evaluation of the goodness of the fault detection methods, an original metric is introduced, which is a variant of the timeliness metric that has been used in the PHM08 data challenge.
Enacting memories through and with things: Remembering as material engagement
Authors: Prezioso Emanuele , Alessandroni Nicolás
Published: July 2022

For mainstream theories, memory is a skull-bound activity consisting of encoding, storing and retrieving representations. Conversely, unorthodox perspectives proposed that memory is an extended process that includes material resources. This article explains why neither representationalist nor classical extended stances do justice to the active and constitutive role of material culture for cognition. From Material Engagement Theory, we propose an alternative enactive, ecological, extended and semiotic viewpoint for which remembering is a way of materially engaging with and through things. Specifically, we suggest that one remembers when one updates their interactions with the world, a form of engagement previously acquired through sociomaterial practices. Moreover, we argue that things are full-fledged memories, since they accumulate and bring forth how we have materially engaged with them over different timescales. Last, we highlight the need for studies considering the cognitive ecologies where remembering takes place in its full complexity.
Living in history and by the cultural life script: What events modulate autobiographical memory organization in a sample of older adults from Romania?
Authors: Opriș Alexandra M , Visu-Petra Laura , Brown Norman R
Published: July 2022

In the current study, we investigated the organization of autobiographical memory in view of the Living-in-History effect, which is visible when personal memory and historical memory become intertwined. We investigated how often participants dated their own personal recollections with reference to important historical events (such as the Fall of Communism). Furthermore, we also examined whether cultural life script events served as a prominent strategy to date personal memories in our sample of 35 participants ( Mage = 69.76 years, SD = 8.26). This study failed to document the Living-in-History effect, as participants mentioned only few historical events of interest to this study when dating their personal memories. In addition, supporting the Cultural Life Script theory, participants employed culturally transmitted knowledge to navigate through their autobiographical memories. We conclude that for our sample, historically defined autobiographical memories mainly develop when the specific public events affect in a dramatic manner the individuals’ lives.
Wind tunnel tests of a wing at all angles of attack
Authors: Ma Ziqing , Smeur Ewoud J.J. , de Croon Guido C.H.E.
Published: July 2022

Tailsitters have complex aerodynamics that make them hard to control throughout the entire flight envelope, especially at very high angle of attack (AoA) and reverse flow conditions. The development of controllers for these vehicles is hampered by the absence of publicly available data on forces and moments experienced in such conditions. In this paper, wind tunnel experiments are performed under different flap deflections and throttle settings at all possible AoA. The dataset is made open access. Our analysis of the data shows for the tested wing, flap deflections greatly affect the lift coefficient and stall occurs at [Formula: see text] AoA as well as [Formula: see text]. Wing-propeller interaction is studied by analyzing the propeller induced force in the axis orthogonal to the thrust axis, which is dependent on AoA, airspeed, flap deflections and thrust in a nonlinear and coupled manner. The influence of inverse flow on the wing is also discussed: The data confirm that when the airflow over the wing is reversed, flap deflections will affect the pitch moment in an opposite way compared to the non-reversed case, but this opposite effect can be avoided by increasing the throttle setting. The data show the exact relationship between flap deflections and forces in this condition. Moreover, it is found that the flap control effectiveness for a wing with or without spinning propellers is usually higher around zero degrees AoA than at [Formula: see text] and it is more effective to change the flaps from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] than from [Formula: see text] to the respective [Formula: see text].
Determination of Time in Range Associated With HbA1c ≤7% in a Prospective Cohort of Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Three Months
Authors: Gómez Ana María , Henao C Diana Cristina , Rebolledo Martín , Jaramillo P Pablo Esteban , Muñoz V Oscar Mauricio , Niño G Laura María , Yepes C Carlos Augusto
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Finding a goal of time in range (%TIR) that defines good glycemic control is necessary. Previous retrospective studies suggest good concordance between HbA1c ≤7% with a TIR >70%; however, the studies that included the largest number of patients used blood glucose measurement data with a follow-up time of less than 90 days. This study defined the TIR value that best discriminates HbA1c ≤7%.

Methods:

We performed a prospective study of diagnostic tests based on a cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with a hybrid closed loop (HCL) followed for three months. The ability of %TIR to distinguish patients with HbA1c ≤7% was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. We determined the %TIR cutoff point with the best operating characteristics.

Results:

A total of 118 patients were included (58.1% women, 47% overweight or obese, and 33% with high glycemic variability). A moderate negative correlation ( R = −.54, P < .001) was found between %TIR and HbA1c. The discrimination ability was moderate, with an area under the curve of 0.7485 (95% confidence interval = 0.6608-0.8363). The cutoff point that best predicted HbA1c ≤7% was %TIR ≥75.5 (sensitivity 70%, specificity 67%). The findings were similar among those with a coefficient of variation (CV%) ≥36%.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that the %TIR adequately identifies patients with HbA1c ≤7%. A target of TIR ≥75%, rather than the currently recommended TIR ≥70%, may be a more suitable value for optimal glycemic control.
Young-Dees bladder neck reconstruction: An effective alternative in the treatment of urinary incontinence following urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury
Authors: Sistla Bobby Viswaroop , Gopalakrishnan Ganesh
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

We review our experience of Young-Dees bladder neck reconstruction (BNR) in treatment of urinary incontinence following anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI).

Material and methods:

Between January 2009 and June 2015, 11 patients presented with urinary incontinence following urethroplasty for PFUI. After evaluation with voiding cystourethrogram, urodynamics and cystoscopy, seven were found to be having genuine stress urinary incontinence. All seven underwent Young-Dees BNR. We also looked at whether there were any predictors of either poor or good outcome following surgical correction based on radiographic, endoscopic and urodynamic findings.

Results:

Of the seven patients who had undergone Young-Dees BNR, four had urethroplasty at our centre (4/89, 4.4%). Median age was 23 years (range = 14–31 years), and median time to definitive treatment was 15 months (range = 9–126 months). Age at injury <15 years in two and >15 years in five. Four (56%) had pubic diastases, in three, it was secondary to the injury, and in one, it was consequent to facilitating urethroplasty via a formal transpubic approach. There were no consistent radiographic findings on the pre-operative studies which could predict whether the configuration of the bladder neck or the degree of bladder descent might result in incontinence. The number of prior attempts at urethroplasty when compared to a similar cohort was also non-contributory. At urodynamics, all bladders were stable on filling and there were no issues related to compliance with the bladder neck being occluded. The detrusor pressure generated during voiding and with the bladder neck occluded did help us to counsel patients regarding the outcome of surgery and if there would be a need for clean intermittent self-catheterisation following surgery. All patients are voiding via naturalis without the need for clean intermittent self-catheterisation and are socially continent.

Conclusion:

Young-Dees BNR may be a forgotten procedure but is worth revisiting in patients with stress urinary incontinence following successful urethroplasty for PFUI. It is cost-effective and can be done without the Leadbetter modification.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable
Toward a sociology of machine learning explainability: Human–machine interaction in deep neural network-based automated trading
Authors: Borch Christian , Hee Min Bo
Published: July 2022

Machine learning systems are making considerable inroads in society owing to their ability to recognize and predict patterns. However, the decision-making logic of some widely used machine learning models, such as deep neural networks, is characterized by opacity, thereby rendering them exceedingly difficult for humans to understand and explain and, as a result, potentially risky to use. Considering the importance of addressing this opacity, this paper calls for research that studies empirically and theoretically how machine learning experts and users seek to attain machine learning explainability. Focusing on automated trading, we take steps in this direction by analyzing a trading firm’s quest for explaining its deep neural network system’s actionable predictions. We demonstrate that this explainability effort involves a particular form of human–machine interaction that contains both anthropomorphic and technomorphic elements. We discuss this attempt to attain machine learning explainability in light of reflections on cross-species companionship and consider it an example of human–machine companionship.
The environmental sustainability of data-driven health research: A scoping review
Authors: Samuel Gabrielle , Lucassen A.M.
Published: July 2022

Data-Driven and Artificial Intelligence technologies are rapidly changing the way that health research is conducted, including offering new opportunities. This will inevitably have adverse environmental impacts. These include carbon dioxide emissions linked to the energy required to generate and process large amounts of data; the impact on the material environment (in the form of data centres); the unsustainable extraction of minerals for technological components; and e-waste (discarded electronic appliances) disposal. The growth of Data-Driven and Artificial Intelligence technologies means there is now a compelling need to consider these environmental impacts and develop means to mitigate them. Here, we offer a scoping review of how the environmental impacts of data storage and processing during Data-Driven and Artificial Intelligence health-related research are being discussed in the academic literature. Using the UK as a case study, we also offer a review of policies and initiatives that consider the environmental impacts of data storage and processing during Data-Driven and Artificial Intelligence health-related research in the UK. Our findings suggest little engagement with these issues to date. We discuss the implications of this and suggest ways that the Data-Driven and Artificial Intelligence health research sector needs to move to become more environmentally sustainable.
Trans-anal irrigation in patients with multiple sclerosis: Efficacy in treating disease-related bowel dysfunctions and impact on the gut microbiota: A monocentric prospective study
Authors: Ascanelli Simona , Bombardini Cristina , Chimisso Laura , Carcoforo Paolo , Turroni Silvia , D’Amico Federica , Caniati Maria Luisa , Baldi Eleonora , Tugnoli Valeria , Morotti Chiara , Valpiani Giorgia , Bazzocchi Gabriele
Published: July 2022

Background

Constipation and faecal incontinence are not so uncommon in patients with multiple sclerosis, impairing quality of life. The gut microbiota is altered in multiple sclerosis patients and likely contributes to disease pathogenesis. Trans-anal irrigation has been proven to allow treatment of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and may affect gut microbiota.

Objectives

The primary outcome was trans-anal irrigation effectiveness on constipation and faecal incontinence. The secondary outcome was gut microbiota profiling compared to healthy subjects and during trans-anal irrigation adoption.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study on multiple sclerosis patients, screened with Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire before undergoing constipation and faecal incontinence scoring, abdomen X-ray for intestinal transit time, compilation of food and evacuation diaries and faecal sample collection for gut microbiota analysis before and after 4 weeks of trans-anal irrigation.

Results and Conclusions

Eighty patients were screened of which nearly half had intestinal symptoms. The included population (n = 37) was predominantly composed of women with significantly longer disease duration, higher mean age and disability than the excluded one ( p < 0.05). Twelve patients completed the trans-anal irrigation phase, which led to significant improvement of bowel dysfunction symptom-related quality of life, increase in gut microbiota diversity and reduction of the proportions of pro-inflammatory taxa ( p < 0.05). Trans-anal irrigation was safe, satisfactory and could help counteract multiple sclerosis-related dysbiosis.
Assessing proprioceptive acuity in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Goldlist Serena , Wijeyaratnam Darrin O , Edwards Thomas , Pilutti Lara A , Cressman Erin K
Published: July 2022

Background

Proprioceptive acuity and impairments in proprioceptively guided reaches have not been comprehensively examined in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

To examine proprioceptive acuity in people with MS who self-report and who do not self-report upper limb (UL) impairment, and to determine how people with MS reach proprioceptive targets.

Methods

Twenty-four participants with MS were recruited into two groups based on self-reported UL impairment: MS-R (i.e. report UL impairment; n  =  12) vs. MS-NR (i.e. do not report UL impairment; n  =  12). Proprioception was assessed using ipsilateral and contralateral robotic proprioceptive matching tasks.

Results

Participants in the MS-R group demonstrated worse proprioceptive acuity compared to the MS-NR group on the ipsilateral and contralateral robotic matching tasks. Analyses of reaches to proprioceptive targets further revealed that participants in the MS-R group exhibited deficits in movement planning, as demonstrated by greater errors at peak velocity in the contralateral matching task in comparison to the MS-NR group.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that people with MS who self-report UL impairment demonstrate worse proprioceptive acuity, as well as poorer movement planning in comparison to people with MS who do not report UL impairment.