bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical Details of Transwindow Fenestrated, Unidirectional, Valved, Aorticopulmonary Fabric Patch Closure of Aortopulmonary Window (UKC's Modification): A Video Presentation
Authors: Chowdhury Ujjwal K. , George Niwin , B. Sushamagayatri , Chandhirasekar Balaji , Goja Shikha , Manjusha Nagasai , Pandey Niraj Nirmal , Kapoor Poonam Malhotra
Published: December 2022

A 10-year-old female patient diagnosed with isolated type I aortopulmonary window and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension who underwent repair of the aortopulmonary window via Johansson's transwindow approach using a unidirectional, fenestrated, valved, aorticopulmonary patch. The preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance was 9.0 Woods units/m2 that reduced to 4.0 Woods units/m2 after oxygen (100%) and nitric oxide (80 ppm) administration. The postoperative recovery was uneventful.
Technical Details of Rechanneling of Obstructive Coronary Sinus Type of Totally Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Using Malm's Coronary Sinus Cutback Technique and Left Atrial Augmentation: A Video Presentation
Authors: Chowdhury Ujjwal K. , George Niwin , B. Sushamagayatri , Chandhirasekar Balaji , Goja Shikha , Manjusha Nagasai , Pandey Niraj Nirmal , Kapoor Poonam Malhotra
Published: December 2022

Obstructive coronary sinus totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection although rare, is associated with a high mortality. A 2-month-old female child diagnosed with obstructive coronary sinus type of totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension underwent complete unroofing of the coronary sinus by the “coronary sinus cutback technique” of Malm with left atrial augmentation and atrial septal fenestration.
A Trip Down the Memory Lane of Dr. Frank Gollan, an Achilles of Extracorporeal Oxygenation
Authors: Pradeep Doniparthi , Malakar Jaydeep
Published: December 2022

Every health care professional does his best for mankind, but handling a patient on extracorporeal circulation places cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthetists, and perfusionists in a separate class of health professional altogether. This is a humble effort to reminisce the research work done by Dr. Frank Gollan since his instrumental time to the current day practice, without whom it is impossible to imagine open heart surgery and circulatory arrest.
Ankle Block for Acute Pain Management in a Patient with Mitral Valve Prolapse and Infective Endocarditis with Dry Gangrene of Toes
Authors: Das Sambhunath , Prakash Mohit , Anandan Vishnu
Published: December 2022

Ankle block represents a regional anesthesia technique to provide anesthesia for the procedures related to the foot. It is mainly used as a sole anesthesia technique or as an adjunct for postoperative pain relief in foot operations. It is an infiltrative block with advantages like being technically easier, safe, having minimal side effects, and having a high success rate. Management of postoperative pain is an essential service provided by a cardiac anesthesiologist to patients undergoing operative procedures, but the knowledge in providing regional anesthesia may be used beyond the operating room or critical care unit. In the present case, we administered an ankle block to alleviate the pain in case of dry gangrene.
Heparin-Induced Fever in a Cardiac Transplant Candidate
Authors: Patel Payal Rohit , Giacomino Bria
Published: December 2022

Patient admitted to intensive care units frequently have fevers. A less common cause for fever is a drug-induced fever. For patients who are candidates for heart transplantation, persistent fevers can place a hold on their transplant candidacy until the etiology is found and the fevers resolve. We present a case of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy who experienced fevers thought secondary to heparin that improved only with discontinuation of therapy and later underwent successful heart transplantation. Only three prior case reports of heparin-induced fevers are currently described in literature.
ICU Readmission in Cardiac Surgical Subset: A Problem Worth Pondering
Authors: Kalaiselvan Jaffrey , Kashav Ramesh Chand , Kohli Jasvinder Kaur , Magoon Rohan , Shri Iti , Grover Vijay , Jhajharia Narender Singh
Published: December 2022

Over the past decades, there have been noteworthy advancements in the cardiac surgical practice that have assisted fast-tracking and enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS). With that said, intensive care unit (ICU) readmission in this high-risk patient cohort entails a significant morbidity–mortality burden. As an extension of the same, there has been a heightened emphasis on a comprehensive evaluation of the predisposition to readmission following a primary ICU discharge. However, the variability of the institutional perioperative practices and the research complexities compound our understanding of this heterogeneous outcome of readmission, which is intricately linked to both patient and organizational factors. Moreover, a discussion on ICU readmission in the recent times can only be rendered comprehensive when staged in close conjunction to the fast-tracking practices in cardiac surgery. From a more positive probing of the matter, a preventative outlook can likely mitigate a part of the larger problem of ICU readmission. Herein, focused cardiac prehabilitation programs can play a potential role given the emerging literature on the positive impact of the former on the most relevant readmission causes. Therefore, the index review article aims to address the subject of cardiac surgical ICU readmission, highlighting the magnitude and burden, the causes and risk-factors, and the research complexities alongside deliberating the topic in the present-day context of ERACS and cardiac prehabilitation.
Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Postoperative Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Das Sambhunath , Bej Punyatoya
Published: December 2022

Background Vitamin D deficiency is a very common occurrence in cardiac patients. It has been proved that cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass accelerate the deficiency further. The postoperative outcomes of patients deteriorate in the presence of vitamin D deficiency. Perioperative supplementation of vitamin D is the only solution to the problem. Hence, the present systematic review was conducted to derive the efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation on postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgery patients.

Method Publications over duration of last 10 years was searched from different database and web sites. The data from full-text research articles were analyzed for the effect on different postoperative outcomes and side effects.

Result Eight randomized control trials were retrieved on the effect of perioperative vitamin D supplementation in cardiac surgery patients and their postoperative outcomes. Six articles (75%) were found to be in favor of improvement in postoperative outcome. Two articles (25%) did not find any difference of outcome between the control and treatment group. All the studies observed the restoration of vitamin D to normal and no adverse effects from supplementation.

Conclusion Perioperative vitamin D supplementation improves the postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery. It is effective and safe to supplement vitamin D in cardiac surgery patients.
Comparative literature and the digital humanities: disciplinary issues and theoretical construction
Authors: Li Quan
Published: December 2022

Comparative literature and the digital humanities are both compound disciplines that are interdisciplinary by nature and are similar in four aspects: disciplinary histories, disciplinary structures, disciplinary ideals, and disciplinary prospects. Through a full investigation of the developmental process of comparative literature in becoming a discipline, this paper provides a comparative reflection on existing or possible problems, as well as the corresponding feasible countermeasures in the theoretical construction of comparative literature and the digital humanities in four major areas: the discipline’s scope, institution, methodology, and mission. Fully absorbing the experiences and lessons from comparative literature would be very conducive to placing the digital humanities on a path of rapid and solid development.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientists’ productivity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and medicine fields
Authors: Heo Seulkee , Chan Alisha Yee , Diaz Peralta Pedro , Jin Lan , Pereira Nunes Claudia Ribeiro , Bell Michelle L.
Published: December 2022

While studies suggested adverse impacts of COVID-19 on scientific outputs and work routines for scientists, more evidence is required to understand detailed obstacles challenging scientists’ work and productivity during the pandemic, including how different people are affected (e.g., by gender). This online survey-based thematic analysis investigated how the pandemic affected scientists’ perception of scientific and academic productivity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and medicine fields. The analysis examined if inequitable changes in duties and responsibilities for caregiving for children, family, and/or households exist between scientists who are mothers compared to scientists who are fathers or non-parents. The survey collected data from 2548 survey responses in six languages across 132 countries. Results indicate that many scientists suffered from delays and restrictions on research activities and administrations due to the lockdown of institutions, as well as increased workloads from adapting to online teaching environment. Caregiving responsibility for children and family increased, which compromised time for academic efforts, especially due to the temporary shutdown of social supports. Higher percentages of female parent participants than male parent participants expressed such increased burdens indicating unequal divisions of caregiving between women and men. A range of physical and mental health issues was identified mainly due to overworking and isolation. Despite numerous obstacles, some participants reported advantages during the pandemic including the efficiency of online teaching, increased funding for COVID-related research, application of alternative research methodologies, and fluidity of the workday from not commuting. Findings imply the need for rapid institutional support to aid various academic activities and diminish gender inequity in career development among academicians, highlighting how crisis can exacerbate existing inequalities.
Effectiveness of plexiglass barriers in mitigating spread of aerosolized droplets in a cough
Authors: Dhanak Manhar , McKinney Adriana , Verma Siddhartha , Frankenfield John
Published: December 2022

Plexiglass barriers have been prevalently used in the workplace during the Covid-19 pandemic as protective measures against the airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) through interactions between potentially infected and uninfected individuals. Doubts have been raised about their effectiveness and concerns have even been expressed about the implications for room ventilation on their overuse. To aid public awareness of the role of such plexiglass barriers, we use flow visualization, aided by particle count measurements, to examine in a laboratory setting the effectiveness of typical workplace barriers in impeding the spread of aerosol-size airborne droplets. Such droplets are emitted in coughs and other respiratory exhalations and serve as modes of transmission for viruses. The visualizations and the supporting particle count measurements indicate that barriers do impede the forward momentum of the droplet-laden airflow jet that result from a cough, but portions of the expelled aerosols can spread around the barriers. Our study suggests that in comparison with the case in the absence of a barrier, a 2.5 ft or higher barrier can reduce the concentration levels of aerosols of size <10 μm on the side of the barrier away from the source by over 90% and those of size <3 μm by over 82%. However, an opening at the bottom of a barrier, for example, representing access for transactions between a worker and customers, can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the barrier. Finally, we illustrate how the aerosol dispersion in this case can be dramatically altered by ambient background airflows.
Experimental study on the mechanical properties, permeability characteristics, and energy evolution of gas-containing anthracite coal under different loading–unloading speeds
Authors: Chu Yapei , Wang Man , Song Shuaiqi , Zhang Jianguo , Zhang Dongming , Liu Fei
Published: December 2022

In the coal mining process, the stress state of a coal seam will change due to coal-mining-induced unloading, which may lead to the occurrence of coal and gas outburst disasters. According to the change of stress characteristics of the coal seam, the mechanical properties, permeability characteristics, and energy evolution of gas-containing anthracite coal at different loading–unloading speeds were analyzed in this study. The result shows that the strength of anthracite coal samples under different loading–unloading speeds increases with increasing initial hydrostatic pressure and decreases with increasing loading–unloading speeds, presenting the power function relationship. Moreover, the higher loading–unloading accelerated the damage rate of coal samples, resulting in a rapid increase in permeability, which has a significant influence on the emergence of coal and gas outburst. Furthermore, the energy evolution characteristics of coal samples were influenced by the loading–unloading speed, the increase in the loading–unloading speed reduces the total energy, and dissipating energy of the coal sample at the point of failure. The study is of great significance for reducing the occurrence of coal and gas outburst disasters and providing a basis for the design of mine gas drainage.
From Elastic Spin to Phonon Spin: Symmetry and Fundamental Relations
Authors: Ren Jie
Published: December 2022

This work is mainly based on postgraduate lectures at Tongji University since 2020 spring. We firstly revisit the elastic spin and orbital angular momentum [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
115, 9951 (2018)] but more general for anisotropic systems by applying Noether’s theorem to the elastic Lagrangian and by applying the symmetry argument in the field theory. Then, fundamental relations between elastic energy flux and elastic spin are uncovered. In particular cases, the wave spin is closely related to the vorticity of energy flux and momentum. Secondly, we move forward from the elastic spin to revisit the phonon spin [Fizika Tverdogo Tela
3, 2160 (1961)] by applying the second quantization to elastic fields. We show that the uncovered phonon spin, a polarized elastic-vibration quanta, is generally not restricted to transverse phonon modes, but applying to general phonon modes, such as the longitudinal phonon modes, surface phonon modes, and hybridized phonon modes, regarded as a consequence of mode interferences. The elastic spin and phonon spin originate from the local rotating of the field polarization in time domain, not the local circulation (vorticity) of displacement or velocity in space domain. It is hopeful that the present results could advance the fundamental understanding of phonon spin and elastic spin, and promote the spin phononics for hybrid quantum sensing and technology with multiple degrees of freedom.
A predictive SO(10) model
Authors: Lazarides George , Maji Rinku , Roshan Rishav , Shafi Qaisar
Published: December 2022

We discuss some testable predictions of a non-supersymmetric SO(10) model supplemented
by a Peccei-Quinn symmetry. We utilize a symmetry breaking pattern of SO(10) that yields
unification of the Standard Model gauge couplings, with the unification scale also linked to
inflation driven by an SO(10) singlet scalar field with a Coleman-Weinberg potential. Proton
decay mediated by the superheavy gauge bosons may be observable at the proposed Hyper-Kamiokande
experiment. Due to an unbroken Z
2 gauge symmetry from SO(10), the model predicts the presence
of a stable intermediate mass fermion which, together with the axion, provides the desired relic
abundance of dark matter. The model also predicts the presence of intermediate scale topologically
stable monopoles and strings that survive inflation. The monopoles may be present in the Universe
at an observable level. We estimate the stochastic gravitational wave background emitted by the
strings and show that it should be testable in a number of planned and proposed space and land
based experiments. Finally, we show how the observed baryon asymmetry in the Universe is realized
via non-thermal leptogenesis.
Deuteron under strong magnetic fields: Skyrme model study*
Authors: Chen Yan-jun , Wei Jiang
Published: December 2022

We explore the deuteron under strong magnetic fields in Skyrme models. The effects of the derivative dependent sextic term in the Skyrme Lagrangian are investigated, and the rational map approximation is used to describe the deuteron. The influences of strong magnetic fields on the electric charge distribution and mass of the deuteron are discussed.
Exploring HVV amplitudes with CP violation using decomposition and the on-shell scattering amplitude method*
Authors: Feng 冯 Ke-Yao 柯尧 , Wan 万 Xia 霞 , Wang 王 You-Kai 由凯 , Wu 邬 Chao 超
Published: December 2022

violation may play an important role in baryogenesis in the early universe and should be examined comprehensively at colliders. We study the

properties of

vertexes between Higgs and gauge boson pairs by defining a

violation phase angle ξ, which indicates the mixture of

-even and

-odd Higgs states in

in new physics. A series of

amplitudes,

, and

, with a

phase angle are studied systematically to explicitly explain why

violation can only be probed independently in the

process. We obtain a novel amplitude decomposition relation that illustrates that if two preconditions (multilinear momentum dependent vertexes, and the current

of

is formally proportional to a photon's polarization vector) are satisfied, a higher-point amplitude can be decomposed into a summation of a series of lower-point amplitudes. As a practical example, the amplitude of the

and

processes can be decomposed into a summation of many

amplitudes. We calculate these amplitudes in the framework of the on-shell scattering amplitude method, considering both massless and massive vector gauge bosons with the

violation phase angle. The above two approaches provide consistent results and clearly reveal the

violation ξ dependence in the amplitudes.
RAMP: response-aware multi-task learning with contrastive regularization for cancer drug response prediction
Authors: Lee Kanggeun , Cho Dongbin , Jang Jinho , Choi Kang , Jeong Hyoung-oh , Seo Jiwon , Jeong Won-Ki , Lee Semin
Published: December 2022

The accurate prediction of cancer drug sensitivity according to the multiomics profiles of individual patients is crucial for precision cancer medicine. However, the development of prediction models has been challenged by the complex crosstalk of input features and the resistance-dominant drug response information contained in public databases. In this study, we propose a novel multidrug response prediction framework, response-aware multitask prediction (RAMP), via a Bayesian neural network and restrict it by soft-supervised contrastive regularization. To utilize network embedding vectors as representation learning features for heterogeneous networks, we harness response-aware negative sampling, which applies cell line–drug response information to the training of network embeddings. RAMP overcomes the prediction accuracy limitation induced by the imbalance of trained response data based on the comprehensive selection and utilization of drug response features. When trained on the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer dataset, RAMP achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve > 89%, an area under the precision-recall curve > 59% and an $\textrm{F}_1$ score > 52% and outperformed previously developed methods on both balanced and imbalanced datasets. Furthermore, RAMP predicted many missing drug responses that were not included in the public databases. Our results showed that RAMP will be suitable for the high-throughput prediction of cancer drug sensitivity and will be useful for guiding cancer drug selection processes. The Python implementation for RAMP is available at https://github.com/hvcl/RAMP.
Ovarian inflammation mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 increased transcripts of maternal effect genes and decreased embryo development
Authors: Ermisch Alison F , Bidne Katie L , Kurz Scott G , Bochantin Kerri A , Wood Jennifer R
Published: December 2022

Obese women are subfertile and have reduced assisted reproduction success, which may be due to reduced oocyte competence. We hypothesize that consumption of a high-fat/high-sugar diet induces ovarian inflammation, which is a primary contributor to decreased oocyte quality and pre-implantation embryo development. To test this hypothesis, C57BL/6 (B6) mice with a normal inflammatory response and C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice with a dampened inflammatory response due to dysfunctional Toll-like receptor 4 were fed either normal chow or high-fat/high-sugar diet. In both B6 and C3H females, high-fat/high-sugar diet induced excessive adiposity and hyperglycemia compared to normal chow-fed counterparts. Conversely, ovarian CD68 levels and oocyte expression of oxidative stress markers were increased when collected from B6 high-fat/high-sugar but not C3H high-fat/high-sugar mice. Following in vitro fertilization of in vivo matured oocytes, blastocyst development was decreased in B6-high-fat/high-sugar but not C3H high-fat/high-sugar mice. Expression of cumulus cell markers of oocyte quality were altered in both B6 high-fat/high-sugar and C3H high-fat/high-sugar. However, there were no diet-dependent differences in spindle abnormalities in either B6 or C3H mice, suggesting potential defects in cytoplasmic maturation. Indeed, there were significant increases in the abundance of maternal effect gene mRNAs in oocytes from only B6 high-fat/high-sugar mice. These differentially expressed genes encode proteins of the subcortical maternal complex and associated with mRNA metabolism and epigenetic modifications. These genes regulate maternal mRNA degradation at oocyte maturation, mRNA clearance at the zygotic genome activation, and methylation of imprinted genes suggesting a mechanism by which inflammation induced oxidative stress impairs embryo development.
Emission characteristics of flue gas during the chemical-looping combustion process for multi-component solid waste
Authors: Qian Jiang-Bo , Wang Xin-Lei , Wang Jin-Xing
Published: December 2022

Solid waste has interactions with its flue-gas products during combustion, which offers the possibility of regulating its pollutant emissions. Especially, these interaction pathways would be clearer under anaerobic conditions when the chemical-looping combustion (CLC) process is used. The CLC experiments of multi-component solid waste were conducted on a homemade twin-bed reactor and the characteristics of flue gas were investigated for the effect of the mixing ratio of sewage sludge and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The results indicated that the combustion efficiency was >99.9% for these CLC processes; the highest carbon-conversion rate was obtained at 96.3% for PVC with 60% sludge. The highest NO and SO2 emissions were 26% and 19%, respectively, when the sludge was mixed with 20% PVC. As the proportion of PVC blended into the sludge increased, the time when the concentration of NO in the flue-gas peaks moved backwards, while peak SO2 concentration moved forward. The general trend was to increase first and then decrease. In addition, there were multiple peaks in carbon emissions, corresponding to ~10%, 30% and ~70% of the carbon-conversion rate; nitrogen emissions reached 90% of total emissions before the carbon-conversion rate was 40%; sulphur emissions had a longer cycle and were mainly emitted between 10% and 60% of the carbon-conversion rate. The results are expected to provide a reference for solid-waste source suppressing to inhibit the generation of pollutants.
A magnetoencephalography study of first-time mothers listening to infant cries
Authors: Hoegholt N F , Bonetti L , Stevner A B A , Andersen C E , Hughes M , Fernandes H M , Vuust P , Kringelbach M L
Published: December 2022

Studies using magnetoencephalography (MEG) have identified the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) to be an important early hub for a “parental instinct” in the brain. This complements the finding from functional magnetic resonance imaging studies linking reward, emotion regulation, empathy, and mentalization networks to the “parental brain.” Here, we used MEG in 43 first-time mothers listening to infant and adult cry vocalizations to investigate the link with mother–infant postpartum bonding scores and their level of sleep deprivation (assessed using both actigraphy and sleep logs). When comparing brain responses to infant versus adult cry vocalizations, we found significant differences at around 800–1,000 ms after stimuli onset in the primary auditory cortex, superior temporal gyrus, hippocampal areas, insula, precuneus supramarginal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and posterior cingulate gyrus. Importantly, mothers with weaker bonding scores showed decreased brain responses to infant cries in the auditory cortex, middle and superior temporal gyrus, OFC, hippocampal areas, supramarginal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus at around 100–300 ms after the stimulus onset. In contrast, we did not find correlations with sleep deprivation scores. The significant decreases in brain processing of an infant’s distress signals could potentially be a novel signature of weaker infant bonding in new mothers and should be investigated in vulnerable populations.
Probability of Response as Defined by a Clinical Decision Support Tool Is Associated With Lower Healthcare Resource Utilization in Vedolizumab-Treated Patients With Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Dulai Parambir S , Wan Yaping , Huang Zhongwen , Luo Michelle
Published: December 2022

Background

A previously developed clinical decision support tool (CDST) identified patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) most likely to respond to vedolizumab. This study evaluated the ability of the CDST to predict real-world healthcare resource utilization (HRU).

Methods

The Optum and Truven healthcare databases were searched for patients with CD treated with vedolizumab (Optum, n = 358; Truven, n = 1445) or an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent (Optum, n = 814). Patients were stratified using the 5-variable (prior bowel surgery, prior fistulizing disease, prior anti-TNF exposure, albumin, C-reactive protein) and a new modified 3-variable (without laboratory data) CDST. Annualized expenditures and HRU were compared with both CDSTs across response probability groups for a 12-month period.

Results

In the Optum data set, the 5- and 3-variable CDSTs identified lower rates of surgery or hospitalization in CD patients with higher probability of vedolizumab response. Per-patient total costs were 2.5 times lower for CD patients with high versus low probability of vedolizumab response ($12 943 vs $32 931). The 5- and 3-variable CDSTs did not consistently identify anti-TNF-treated CD patients with higher HRU. The 3-variable CDST also identified vedolizumab-treated CD patients with higher probability of response and lower probability for surgery or hospitalization in the Truven data set.

Conclusions

The 5-variable CDST identified CD patients treated with vedolizumab, but not an anti-TNF agent, at higher risk for HRU. The 3-variable CDST offers similar performance but more flexibility by removing laboratory data requirements for prediction. These validated CDSTs can be integrated into population health monitoring algorithms using real-world data.
Predicting mortality in patients with anastomotic leak after esophagectomy: development of a prediction model using data from the TENTACLE—Esophagus study
Authors: Ubels Sander , Klarenbeek Bastiaan , Verstegen Moniek , Bouwense Stefan , Griffiths Ewen A , van Workum Frans , Rosman Camiel , Hannink Gerjon ,   the TENTACLE—Esophagus Collaborative Group
Published: December 2022

Anastomotic leak (AL) is a common but severe complication after esophagectomy, and over 10% of patients with AL suffer mortality. Different prognostic factors in patients with AL are known, but a tool to predict mortality after AL is lacking. This study aimed to develop a prediction model for postoperative mortality in patients with AL after esophagectomy. TENTACLE—Esophagus is an international retrospective cohort study, which included 1509 patients with AL after esophagectomy. The primary outcome was 90-day postoperative mortality. Previously identified prognostic factors for mortality were selected as predictors: patient-related (e.g. comorbidity, performance status) and leak-related predictors (e.g. leucocyte count, overall gastric conduit condition). The prediction model was developed using multivariable logistic regression and validated internally using bootstrapping. Among the 1509 patients with AL, 90-day mortality was 11.7%. Sixteen predictors were included in the prediction model. The model showed good performance after internal validation: the c-index was 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.75–0.83). Predictions for mortality by the internally validated model aligned well with observed 90-day mortality rates. The prediction model was incorporated in an online tool for individual use and can be found at: https://www.tentaclestudy.com/prediction-model. The developed prediction model combines patient-related and leak-related factors to accurately predict postoperative mortality in patients with AL after esophagectomy. The model is useful for clinicians during counselling of patients and their families and may aid identification of high-risk patients at diagnosis of AL. In the future, the tool may guide clinical decision-making; however, external validation of the tool is warranted.
Long-term fear of cancer recurrence in patients treated endoscopically for early Barrett’s neoplasia
Authors: Rosmolen Wilda D , Pouw Roos E , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I , Bergman Jacques J , Sprangers Mirjam A , Nieuwkerk Pythia T
Published: December 2022

Previous studies on fear of cancer recurrence after endoscopic treatment for early Barrett’s neoplasia focused on fear during a relatively short period after the intervention. The aim of this study was to explore whether fear of cancer (recurrence) persists during long-term follow-up in patients treated endoscopically for Barrett’s neoplasia compared to patients treated surgically for a more advanced stage of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Participants previously participated in a prospective longitudinal study investigating quality of life and fear of cancer recurrence and were treated endoscopically for early Barrett’s neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia—T1sm1N0M0) or surgically for a more advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma (T1N0M0–T3N1M0). For the present study, participants were again invited to complete a set of questionnaires including the fear of cancer recurrence scale (FORS), worry for cancer scale (WOCS), and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS Anxiety). Thirty-nine patients were eligible in the endoscopy group and 28 in the surgical group. The median time between the baseline measurement (original study) and the long-term follow-up assessment was 4 years (interquartile range 3–5 years). Fear and worry for cancer recurrence and general anxiety diminished over time in both treatment groups. However, at long-term follow-up, endoscopically treated patients had significantly higher levels of worry for cancer and general anxiety than surgically treated patients. Fear of cancer recurrence did not significantly differ between endoscopically and surgically treated patients. We found that worry and fear of cancer recurrence and general anxiety in endoscopically treated patients declined over time, but not as much as in surgically treated patients.
Waiting times of women vs. men undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Stehli Julia , Johnston Rozanne , Duffy Stephen J , Zaman Sarah , Gusberti Tomoe D H , Dagan Misha , Stub Dion , Walton Antony
Published: December 2022

Aims

Increasing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) rates have resulted in prolonged waiting times. These have been associated with heart failure hospitalizations (HFH) and mortality yet sex differences have not yet been reported.

Methods and results

All patients who underwent TAVI for severe aortic stenosis at a tertiary referral hospital in Australia were prospectively included. Total waiting time was divided into ‘work-up’ waiting time (period from referral date until heart team approval) and, ‘procedural’ waiting time (period from heart team approval until procedure date). Patients were analysed according to sex. Cohorts were matched to correct for differences in baseline and procedural variables. The primary endpoints were waiting times. Secondary outcomes included a composite of 30-day mortality and HFH, quality of life, and mobility. A total of 407 patients (42% women) were included. After matching of the two cohorts (345 patients), women had significantly longer total waiting times than men: median 156 [interquartile range (IQR) 114–220] days in women vs. 147 [IQR 92–204] days in men (P = 0.037) including longer work-up (83 [IQR 50–128] vs. 71 [IQR 36–119], P = 0.15) and procedural waiting times (65 [IQR 44–100] vs. 58 [IQR 30–93], P = 0.042). Increasing waiting times were associated with higher 30-day mortality and HFH (P = 0.01 for work-up waiting time, P = 0.02 for procedural waiting time) and decreased 30-day mobility (P = 0.044 for procedural waiting time) in women, but not in men.

Conclusion

TAVI waiting times are significantly longer in women compared to men and are associated with increased mortality and HFH and reduced mobility at 30-days.
Languages in the primary classroom: teachers’ views and practices
Authors: Copland Fiona , Garton Sue , Barnett Camilla
Published: December 2022

This article draws on data from a British Council-funded project which aimed both to compare global early English language learning (EELL) pedagogic practices in 2020 with those in 2010 and to investigate current EELL teaching and learning in primary schools. The project had an explicit focus on classroom language practice, that is, the languages teachers (and learners) use to deliver and learn English content, a key pedagogic concern in the literature. This article first compares survey data on classroom language use in 2010 and 2020 before presenting a more in-depth consideration of the 2020 data from fourteen case studies to give an overview of current classroom language practices.
A Combined Intervention of Aerobic Exercise and Video Game in Older Adults: The Efficacy and Neural Basis on Improving Mnemonic Discrimination
Authors: Cui Xiaoyu , Gui Wenjun , Miao Jingwen , Liu Xiaomei , Zhu Xinyi , Zheng Zhiwei , Wan Wenyu , Shao Qi , Kray Jutta , Jiang Yang , Li Juan
Published: December 2022

Background

Mnemonic discrimination is very vulnerable to aging. Previous studies have reported that aerobic exercise and enriched cognitive stimulation (e.g., video games) could improve mnemonic discrimination in older adults. The animal model suggested that combining the 2 training methods could result in a larger improvement. However, there is limited evidence on the potential superior efficacy of combined intervention with human participants. Moreover, the neural basis of this potential superior is poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a 16-week intervention trial with 98 community-dwelling older adults assigned to one of the four groups (combined training, aerobic cycling alone, video game alone, or passive control). Mnemonic discrimination was measured as the primary behavioral outcome, hippocampal volume, and functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) were measured as neural indicators.

Results

Participants receiving the combined intervention demonstrated the largest effect size of mnemonic discrimination improvement. Magnetic resonance image results indicated aerobic exercising increased left hippocampal volume, while video-game training counteracted the decline of DMN functional connectivity with aging. The synergy of hippocampal structural and functional plasticity observed in the combined training group explained why the largest intervention benefits were obtained by this group.

Conclusion

Despite the nonrandomized design (i.e., likely self-selection bias), our results provide new evidence that combined intervention of exercise and cognitive training is more effective than single intervention for older adults. Parallel to animal studies, aerobic exercise and the video game with enriched cognitive stimulation could induce hippocampal plasticity through separate structural and functional pathways.

Clinical Trials Registration Number

ChiCTR1900022702
Mitochondrial Energetics in Skeletal Muscle Are Associated With Leg Power and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging
Authors: Mau Theresa , Lui Li-Yung , Distefano Giovanna , Kramer Philip A , Ramos Sofhia V , Toledo Frederico G S , Santanasto Adam J , Shankland Eric G , Marcinek David J , Jurczak Michael J , Sipula Ian , Bello Fiona M , Duchowny Kate A , Molina Anthony J A , Sparks Lauren M , Goodpaster Bret H , Hepple Russell T , Kritchevsky Stephen B , Newman Anne B , Cawthon Peggy M , Cummings Steven R , Coen Paul M
Published: December 2022

Background

Mitochondrial energetics are an important property of aging muscle, as generation of energy is pivotal to the execution of muscle contraction. However, its association with functional outcomes, including leg power and cardiorespiratory fitness, is largely understudied.

Methods

In the Study of Muscle, Mobility, and Aging, we collected vastus lateralis biopsies from older adults (n = 879, 70–94 years, 59.2% women). Maximal State 3 respiration (Max OXPHOS) was assessed in permeabilized fiber bundles by high-resolution respirometry. Capacity for maximal adenosine triphosphate production (ATPmax) was measured in vivo by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Leg extension power was measured with a Keiser press system, and VO2 peak was determined using a standardized cardiopulmonary exercise test. Gender-stratified multivariate linear regression models were adjusted for age, race, technician/site, adiposity, and physical activity with beta coefficients expressed per 1-SD increment in the independent variable.

Results

Max OXPHOS was associated with leg power for both women (β = 0.12 Watts/kg, p < .001) and men (β = 0.11 Watts/kg, p < .050). ATPmax was associated with leg power for men (β = 0.09 Watts/kg, p < .05) but was not significant for women (β = 0.03 Watts/kg, p = .11). Max OXPHOS and ATPmax were associated with VO2 peak in women and men (Max OXPHOS, β women = 1.03 mL/kg/min, β men = 1.32 mL/kg/min; ATPmax β women = 0.87 mL/kg/min, β men = 1.50 mL/kg/min; all p < .001).

Conclusions

Higher muscle mitochondrial energetics measures were associated with both better cardiorespiratory fitness and greater leg power in older adults. Muscle mitochondrial energetics explained a greater degree of variance in VO2 peak compared to leg power.
Clustering of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Dementia Incidence in Older Adults: A Cross-Country Comparison in England, the United States, and China
Authors: Kontari Panagiota , Fife-Schaw Chris , Smith Kimberley
Published: December 2022

Background

There is mixed evidence for an association between cardiometabolic risk factors and dementia incidence. This study aimed to determine whether different latent classes of cardiometabolic conditions were associated with dementia risk in older adults across England, the United States, and China.

Methods

A total of 4 511 participants aged 50 and older were drawn from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), 5 112 from Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and 9 022 from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Latent class analyses were performed across each data set utilizing 7 baseline cardiometabolic conditions: obesity, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hyperglycemia, diabetes, and inflammation. Confounder-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regressions were conducted to estimate dementia incidence by cardiometabolic latent classes.

Results

Three similar cardiometabolic classes were identified across all countries: (i) “relatively healthy/healthy obesity,” (ii) “obesity–hypertension,” and (iii) “complex cardiometabolic.” Across the 3 samples, a total of 1 230 individuals developed dementia over a median of 6.8–12.2 years. Among ELSA and HRS participants, the “complex cardiometabolic” group had a higher dementia risk when compared to the “healthy obesity” groups (England: adjusted hazard ratio [AdjHR] = 1.62 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.11–2.37]; United States: AdjHR = 1.31 [95% CI = 1.02–1.68]). However, in CHARLS participants, the “obesity–hypertension” group had a greater risk of dementia when compared to the “relatively healthy” group (AdjHR = 1.28 [95% CI = 1.04–1.57]).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that in western populations, complex cardiometabolic clusters are associated with higher rates of dementia incidence, whereas in a Chinese sample, a different cardiometabolic profile seems to be linked to an increased risk of dementia.
With COVID Comes Complexity: Assessing the Implementation of Family Visitation Programs in Long-Term Care
Authors: Chamberlain Stephanie A , Warner Grace , Andrew Melissa K , Hande Mary Jean , Hubley Emily , Weeks Lori E , Keefe Janice M
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic visitor restrictions to long-term care facilities have demonstrated that eliminating opportunities for family-resident contact has devastating consequences for residents’ quality of life. Our study aimed to understand how public health directives to support family visitations during the pandemic were navigated, managed, and implemented by staff.

Research Design and Methods

Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we conducted video/telephone interviews with 54 direct care and implementation staff in six long-term care homes in two Canadian provinces to assess implementation barriers and facilitators of visitation programs. Equity and inclusion issues were examined in the program’s implementation.

Results

Despite similar public health directives, implementation varied by facility, largely influenced by the existing culture and processes of the facility and the staff understanding of the program; differences resulted in how designated family members were chosen and restrictions around visitations (e.g., scheduling and location). Facilitators of implementation were good communication networks, leadership, and intentional planning to develop the visitor designation processes. However, the lack of consultation with direct care staff led to logistical challenges around visitation and ignited conflict around visitation rules and procedures.

Discussion and Implications

Insights into the complexities of implementing family visitation programs during a pandemic are discussed, and opportunities for improvement are identified. Our results reveal the importance of proactively including direct care staff and family in planning for future outbreaks.
Elastic immersive wave experimentation
Authors: Li Xun , Robertsson Johan , van Manen Dirk-Jan
Published: December 2022

We describe an elastic wave propagation laboratory that enables a solid object to be artificially immersed within an extended (numerical) environment such that a physical wave propagation experiment carried out in the solid drives the propagation in the extended (numerical) environment and vice versa. The underlying method of elastic immersive wave experimentation for such a laboratory involves deploying arrays of active multicomponent sources at the traction-free surface of the solid (e.g. a cube of granitic rock). These sources are used to accomplish two tasks: (1) cancel outgoing waves and (2) emit ingoing waves representing the first-order interactions between the physical and extended domains, computed using, for example, a finite-difference (FD) method. Higher-order interactions can be built by alternately carrying out the processes for cancelling the outgoing waves and the FD simulations for generating the ingoing waves. We validate the proposed iterative scheme for realizing elastic immersive wave experimentation using 2-D synthetic wave experiments.
Design rules: past and future
Authors: Baldwin Carliss Y
Published: December 2022

It is a great honor to have a special issue of Industrial and Corporate Change dedicated to The Power of Modularity Today: 20 Years of “Design Rules.” In this retrospective article, I will give some background on how Design Rules, Volume 1: The Power of Modularity came to be written and list what I believe were its major contributions. I go on to describe the book’s shortcomings and gaps, which prevented the widespread adoption of the tools and methods the book proposed. I then explain how the perception of the gaps influenced my thinking in Design Rules, Volume 2: How Technology Shapes Organizations.
Labour Protection of Platform Workers in China: Legal Innovations and Emerging Trends
Authors: Xie Zengyi
Published: December 2022

At present, there are as many as tens of millions of digital platform workers in China, and their number is growing rapidly. However, the protection of platform workers’ rights still faces many challenges. In recent years, China’s judicial and administrative authorities and trade unions have made many efforts to strengthen labour protection for platform workers. Many innovative measures have been introduced, which strive to find a balance between the development of the platform economy on the one hand and worker protection on the other. The introduction of a number of significant administrative and legislative measures in 2021 suggests that the protection of platform workers occupies a more important position than before. Courts and labour arbitration institutions have introduced new factors into consideration in the determination of employment relationship in some cases, although they in general still apply the traditional definition and methods of determination of the employment relationship. Administrative organs have put forward the new concept of the ‘incomplete labour relationship’ (Bu Wanquan Fuhe Queli Laodong Guanxi Qingxing, referring to the situation in which the parties do not completely meet the conditions for the formation of a labour relationship), as part of administrative guidance to platform companies in the form of ‘guiding opinions’. The Trade Union Law has been amended in a timely way to clarify that platform workers can join and establish trade unions. In addition, pilot projects have been launched in some areas to provide occupational injury protection to platform workers. The main feature of the labour protection of platform workers in China is that the administrative organs have played a leading role. At present, the main challenge is to improve the imperfect legislation. The way forward is to formulate special laws to further clarify the basic rights of platform workers, including algorithm-related rights, and to improve the rules on the determining of employment status in platform work, so as to enhance legal certainty and ensure effective protection for platform workers.