bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Polymorphisms of the Arachidonic Acid Pathway Associate with Risks and Clinical Outcomes of Allergic Diseases
Authors: Sio Yang Yie , Shi Ping , Matta Sri Anusha , Fok Yu Ting Rachel , Chiang Wen Chin , Say Yee-How , Chew Fook Tim
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The arachidonic acid (AA) pathway plays a crucial role in allergic inflammatory diseases; however, the functional roles of allergy-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this pathway remain incompletely illustrated. Methods: This study belongs to a part of an ongoing Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics and epidemiological study (SMCSGES). We performed population genotyping on n = 2,880 individuals from the SMCSGES cohort to assess the associations of SNPs in the AA pathway genes with asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). Spirometry assessments were performed to identify associations between SNPs and lung function among n = 74 pediatric asthmatic patients from the same cohort. Allergy-associated SNPs were functionally characterized using in vitro promoter luciferase assay, along with DNA methylome and transcriptome data of n = 237 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples collected from a subset of the SMCSGES cohort. Results: Genetic association analysis showed 5 tag-SNPs from 4 AA pathway genes were significantly associated with asthma (rs689466 at COX2, rs35744894 at hematopoietic PGD2 synthase (HPGDS), rs11097414 at HPGDS, rs7167 at CRTH2, and rs5758 at TBXA2R, p < 0.05), whereas 3 tag-SNPs from HPGDS (rs35744894, rs11097414, and rs11097411) and 2 tag-SNPs from PTGDR (rs8019916 and rs41312470) were significantly associated with AR (p < 0.05). The asthma-associated rs689466 regulates COX2 promoter activity and associates with COX2 mRNA expression in PBMC. The allergy-associated rs1344612 was significantly associated with poorer lung function, increased risks of asthma and AR, and increased HPGDS promoter activity. The allergy-associated rs8019916 regulates PTGDR promoter activity and DNA methylation levels of cg23022053 and cg18369034 in PBMC. The asthma-associated rs7167 affects CRTH2 expression by regulating the methylation level of cg19192256 in PBMC. Conclusions: The present study identified multiple allergy-associated SNPs that modulate the transcript expressions of key genes in the AA pathway. The development of a “personalized medicine” approach with consideration of genetic influences on the AA pathway may hopefully result in efficacious strategies to manage and treat allergic diseases.
Charakterisierung der Subtypen makulärer Neovaskularisation bei altersbedingter Makuladegeneration zur Optimierung von Behandlungsergebnissen
Authors: Mathis Thibaud , Holz Frank G. , Sivaprasad Sobha , Yoon Young Hee , Eter Nicole , Chen Lee-Jen , Koh Adrian , Cunha de Souza Eduardo , Staurenghi Giovanni
Published: June 2023

Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist es, die gemeinsamen Merkmale und Prognosen verschiedener Subtypen der neovaskulären altersbedingten Makuladegeneration (nAMD) zu identifizieren. Wir schlagen zudem Empfehlungen vor, wie Behandlungen auf den Subtyp der Neogefäße angepasst werden können, um die Ergebnisse bei den Patienten zu optimieren. Die Autoren sind ausgewählte Mitglieder der Vision Academy und trafen sich, um die Behandlungsergebnisse bei nAMD je nach Subtyp der makulären Neovaskularisation (MNV) zu besprechen, wobei Ergebnisse einer Literaturrecherche in der Datenbank PubMed (Abrufdatum: März 2019) herangezogen wurden. Dieser Übersichtsartikel fasst die Empfehlungen der Vision Academy dahingehend zusammen, wie die Charakterisierung von MNV-Subtypen die Behandlungsergebnisse bei nAMD verbessern kann. Die Identifizierung der MNV-Subtypen wurde durch die Einführung multimodaler Bildgebung erleichtert. Zusammengenommen ermöglichen die Ergebnisse der Fluoreszein-Angiografie, der Indocyaningrün-Angiografie und der optischen Kohärenztomografie im Spektralbereich es, die Bestimmung des MNV-Subtyps zu verbessern und zu standardisieren. Bisher wurden in der Literatur 3 Subtypen beschrieben, die bei der Bildgebung spezifische Charakteristika aufweisen. Die Typ-1-MNV weist bessere langfristige Ergebnisse auf, benötigt jedoch in der Regel eine höhere Dosierung des Wirkstoffs gegen den vaskulären endothelialen Wachstumsfaktor (VEGF). Die Typ-2-MNV spricht in der Regel schnell auf die Behandlung an, ist jedoch anfälliger für die Entwicklung fibrotischer Narben, die zu schlechteren Ergebnissen führen können. Die Typ-3-MNV reagiert sehr empfindlich auf die Behandlung mit Anti-VEGF-Wirkstoffen, wird jedoch im Vergleich zu anderen Subtypen mit einer höheren Inzidenz einer äußeren Netzhautatrophie assoziiert. Die genaue Bestimmung des MNV-Subtyps liefert Informationen zur Prognose und hilft, den Umgang mit Patienten mit nAMD zu optimieren.
Diffuses großes B-Zell-Lymphom des Magens bei einer Jugendlichen: Ein Fallbericht
Authors: Nahhat Fouad , Zabad Kareem , Najjar Hasan , Doyya Modar , Khazeam Nisreen
Published: June 2023

Das Non-Hodgkin-Lymphom (NHL) ist die elfthäufigste Krebsart weltweit und die vierthäufigste bei Kindern. Der Gastrointestinaltrakt ist die häufigste extranodale Lokalisation des NHL und macht etwa 30–40% der extranodalen Fälle aus. Das mediane Alter bei der Diagnose eines gastrointestinalen NHL (gNHL) liegt bei etwa 61 Jahren. Dagegen ist das gNHL in der pädiatrischen Population sehr selten. Wir berichten über den Fall eines 15-jährigen Mädchens, das über Bauchschmerzen und Erbrechen nach dem Essen klagte, begleitet von schweren B-Symptomen (Fieber, nächtlicher Schüttelfrost und starker Gewichtsverlust). Bei der Ösophagogastroduodenoskopie wurde eine Masse im Bereich der kleinen Magenkurvatur festgestellt. Die anschließende Biopsie und Immunfärbung der Probe bestätigte die Diagnose eines diffusen großzelligen B-Zell-Lymphoms. CT und PET-CT zeigten einen Befall der Lymphknoten der Mesenterien und des Omentum minus. Später wurde mit einer R-CHOP-Chemotherapie begonnen. In diesem Bericht möchten wir solch eine seltene Erkrankung in dieser Altersgruppe näher beschreiben.
Komplementäre Therapien: Bewertung der Lebensqualität bei Patienten mit Lungenkarzinom unter Bestrahlung und Therapie mit Viscum album
Authors: Voiss Petra
Published: June 2023

Background: Lung cancer (LC) is associated with high mortality and poor quality of life (QoL). The disease as well as oncological treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy with adverse effects can impair the QoL of patients. Add-on treatment with extracts of Viscum album L. (white-berry European mistletoe, VA) has been shown to be feasible and safe and to improve the QoL of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in QoL of LC patients being treated with radiation according to oncological guidelines and add-on VA treatment in a real-world setting. Methods: A real-world data study was conducted using registry data. Self-reported QoL was assessed by the evaluation of the European Organization of Research and Treatment Health-Related Quality of Life Core Questionnaire scale (EORTC QLQ-C30). Adjusted multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to analyze factors associated with changes in QoL at 12 months. Results: A total of 112 primary LC patients (all stages, 92% non-small-cell lung cancer, median age 70 (ICR: 63–75)), answered the questionnaires at first diagnosis and 12 months later. Assessment of 12 months changes in QoL revealed significant improvement of 27 points for pain (p = 0.006) and 17 points for nausea/vomiting (p = 0.005) in patients who received combined radiation and VA. In addition, significant improvements of 15 to 21 points for role (p = 0.03), physical (p = 0.02), cognitive (p = 0.04), and social functioning (p = 0.04) were observed in guideline treated patients receiving no radiation but add-on VA. Conclusions: Add-on VA therapy reveals supportive effects for the QoL of LC patients. Particularly in combination with radiation a significant reduction in pain and nausea/ vomiting has been observed. Trial registration The study received ethics approval and was retrospectively registered (DRKS00013335 on 27/11/2017).
Desdizendo a performance: macumba e a proliferação do incerto
Authors: Cardoso Vânia Zikán
Published: June 2023

Trilhando pelos caminhos da produtiva incerteza da performance enquanto prática e conceito, aqui me volto para o que se des-faz em palavras, pondo de ponta cabeça a clássica definição de Austin da força do ato performativo. O encontro nas macumbas cariocas entre entidades e clientes é marcado pela instabilidade da linguagem e pelo risco da palavras na própria busca do desvelar dos caminhos futuros na consulta com essas entidades. O encontro recente com uma entidade em que ela diz desdizer o que havia revelado à cliente me leva a refletir sobre essas consultas como um colocar em prática da potência do incerto. O ato (anti)performativo de des-dizer pode ser lido como um colocar de novo em jogo o desconhecido, deslocando cliente e entidade do aprisionamento da certeza e colocando-as de volta no movimento de fabulação que está no cerne da consulta com as entidades.
MillenniumDB: An Open-Source Graph Database System
Authors: Vrgoč Domagoj , Rojas Carlos , Angles Renzo , Arenas Marcelo , Arroyuelo Diego , Buil-Aranda Carlos , Hogan Aidan , Navarro Gonzalo , Riveros Cristian , Romero Juan
Published: June 2023

In this systems paper, we present MillenniumDB: a novel graph database engine that is modular, persistent, and open source. MillenniumDB is based on a graph data model, which we call domain graphs, that provides a simple abstraction upon which a variety of popular graph models can be supported, thus providing a flexible data management engine for diverse types of knowledge graph. The engine itself is founded on a combination of tried and tested techniques from relational data management, state-of-the-art algorithms for worst-case-optimal joins, as well as graph-specific algorithms for evaluating path queries. In this paper, we present the main design principles underlying MillenniumDB, describing the abstract graph model and query semantics supported, the concrete data model and query syntax implemented, as well as the storage, indexing, query planning and query evaluation techniques used. We evaluate MillenniumDB over real-world data and queries from the Wikidata knowledge graph, where we find that it outperforms other popular persistent graph database engines (including both enterprise and open source alternatives) that support similar query features.
Approaching the Traveling Tournament Problem with Randomized Beam Search
Authors: Frohner Nikolaus , Neumann Bernhard , Pace Giulio , Raidl Günther R.
Published: June 2023

The traveling tournament problem is a well-known sports league scheduling problem famous for its practical hardness. Given an even number of teams with symmetric distances between their venues, a double round-robin tournament has to be scheduled minimizing the total travel distances over all teams. We consider the most common constrained variant without repeaters and a streak limit of three, for which we study a beam search approach based on a state-space formulation guided by heuristics derived from different lower bound variants. We solve the arising capacitated vehicle routing subproblems either exactly for small- to medium-sized instances up to 18 teams or heuristically also for larger instances up to 24 teams. In a randomized variant of the search, we employ random team ordering and add small amounts of Gaussian noise to the nodes' guidance for diversification when multiple runs are performed. This allows for a simple yet effective parallelization of the beam search. A final comparison is done on the NL, CIRC, NFL, and GALAXY benchmark instances with 12 to 24 teams, for which we report a mean gap difference to the best known feasible solutions of 1.2% and five new best feasible solutions.
A checklist of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) from Hong Kong and Macao SARs, with an illustrated identification key for species in Southeast China and Taiwan
Authors: SILVA THIAGO S R , HAMER MATTHEW T , GUÉNARD BENOIT
Published: June 2023

Species of the ant genus Nylanderia constitute some of the most common ground dwelling Formicinae in tropical and subtropical areas. The genus includes numerous species introduced into new regions, especially within urban or disturbed environments. Here, we review the Nylanderia species found within Hong Kong and Macao, which are both highly urbanized regions and of critical importance to Southern China’s policy-makers and non-governmental actors concerned with the regional spread of non-native species. A total of 11 species and 2 morphospecies are recorded in Hong Kong and 6 species and 2 morphospecies are recorded in Macao. We also provide a list of new records for the genus in Hong Kong and Macao, along with taxonomic accounts for all the species recorded. Additionally, the present work provides an illustrated identification key for the species of Nylanderia occurring in Southeast Mainland China and Taiwan. We briefly discuss the possible biogeographical implications of our findings, providing additional support to the exotic status of N. bourbonica in continental Southeast Asia. Lastly, we give our perspective on the ramifications of local inaccessibility to type specimens to current taxonomic practices.
The Quagmire of Arrested Development in Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Slocum Christopher J. , Knaff John A.
Published: June 2023

The 48-h intensity forecasts for Hurricane Pamela (2021) from numerical weather prediction models, statistical–dynamical aids, and forecasters were a major forecast bust with Pamela making landfall as a minor rather than major hurricane. From the satellite presentation, Pamela exhibited a symmetric pattern referred to as central cold cover (CCC) in the subjective Dvorak intensity technique. Per the technique, the CCC pattern is accompanied by arrested development in intensity despite the seemingly favorable convective signature. To understand forecast uncertainty during occurrences, central cold cover frequency from 2011 to 2021 is documented. From these cases, composites of longwave infrared brightness temperatures from geostationary satellites for CCC cases are presented, and the surrounding tropical cyclone large-scale environment is quantified and compared with other tropical cyclones at similar latitudes and intensities. These composites show that central cold cover has a consistent presentation, but varies in the preceding hours for storms that eventually intensify or weaken. And, the synoptic-scale environment surrounding the tropical cyclone thermodynamically supports the vigorous deep convection associated with CCC. Finally, intensity forecast errors from numerical weather prediction models and statistical–dynamical aids are examined in comparison to similar tropical cyclones. This work shows that guidance struggles during CCC cases with intensity errors from these models being in the lowest percentiles of performance, particularly for 24- and 36-h forecasts.

Significance Statement

The appearance of symmetric cold clouds near the center of developing tropical cyclones is most often associated with future intensification. This simple relationship is widely used by statistical tropical cyclone intensity forecast models. Here, we reexamine and confirm that one subjectively determined nighttime cold cyclone cloud pattern termed the “central cold cover” pattern in Vern Dvorak’s seminal technique for estimating tropical cyclone intensity from infrared satellite images is indeed related to slow or arrested development, and represents a failure mode for these simple forecast models.
Predictors of Subspecialty Appointment Scheduling and Completion for Patients Referred From a Pediatric Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Rea Corinna J. , Toomey Sara L. , Hauptman Marissa , Rosen Melissa , Samuels Ronald C. , Karpowicz Kristin , Flanagan Shelby , Shah Snehal N.
Published: June 2023

Failure to complete subspecialty referrals decreases access to subspecialty care and may endanger patient safety. We conducted a retrospective analysis of new patient referrals made to the 14 most common referral departments at Boston Children’s Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2017. The sample included 2031 patient referrals. The mean wait time between referral and appointment date was 39.6 days. In all, 87% of referrals were scheduled and 84% of scheduled appointments attended, thus 73% of the original referrals were completed. In multivariate analysis, younger age, medical complexity, being a non-English speaker, and referral to a surgical subspecialty were associated with a higher likelihood of referral completion. Black and Hispanic/Latino race/ethnicity, living in a Census tract with Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) ≥ 90th percentile, and longer wait times were associated with a lower likelihood of appointment attendance. Future interventions should consider both health care system factors such as appointment wait times and community-level barriers to referral completion.
Brands in the Labor Market: How Vertical and Horizontal Brand Differentiation Impact Pay and Profits Through Employee–Brand Matching
Authors: Moorman Christine , Sorescu Alina , Tavassoli Nader T.
Published: June 2023

The primary focus of brand equity research has been on how brand knowledge creates value for firms through customer behavior in product markets. Using archival data and five experiments, this article tests a framework that outlines the unique role brands play in the labor market. The framework distinguishes between vertical and horizontal differentiation and shows that vertical brand differentiation is associated with lower pay, whereas horizontal brand differentiation is associated with higher pay. Employees are also vertically and horizontally differentiated, and firms high in horizontal brand differentiation pay more for employees who match their brands’ differentiating characteristics (i.e., brand-relevant complementarities). Results show that these brand–pay relationships have important downstream effects on employee behavior and, consequently, on firm profits. Specifically, leveraging vertical brand differentiation to lower pay represents a false economy because profits are attenuated by negative effects on employee productivity and retention. In contrast, when managers at firms high on horizontal brand differentiation pay more, profits increase via the same mediating employee behaviors. Six firm strategies and investments that influence firm bargaining power in the employee–brand matching process are found to moderate the brand–pay relationship and downstream effects on profits.
The tragic consequence of false honour: Understanding the phenomenon of “honour-killings” and its legal implications in Nepal
Authors: Atreya Alok , Menezes Ritesh G , Nepal Samata
Published: June 2023

“Honour-killings” are the intentional execution of women who are perceived to have disrespected their families; in Nepal this is frequently considered socially acceptable while the United Nations condemns them as arbitrary executions that violate the right to life. In Nepal, “honour-killing” is typically a caste-based hate crime which is not limited to women as there have been reports of male victims as well. The perpetrators are sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, with the perpetrator serving 25 years. Pride-killing is common in the animal kingdom, but there is no logic in killing a family member to maintain family pride in a civilised human society.
Concepts of trait diversity – the key to effective IPM for resilience in arable systems?
Authors: Newton Adrian C , Karley Alison J
Published: June 2023

Modern agriculture is perceived to be unsustainable having pursued a high productivity, reductionist approach for many decades. The solution proposed for restoring ‘sustainability’ is often encapsulated in the term ‘diversity’ but this is frequently as ill-defined and open to wide interpretation as the word sustainable. Key to determining whether diversity is ‘the answer’ is defining what diversity means in practice in the field. We attempt to describe the concepts and components of diversity and, crucially, how they might combine and interact in agricultural systems. The key concepts are: (1) complexity, (2) variation, and (3) spatio-temporal interaction, with the latter comprising (a) heterogeneity, (b) spatial connectivity, and (c) temporal connectivity. We suggest that this might lead to new strategies of diversity deployment and an index of resilience, a key ingredient of sustainability. These measures of diversity are explored in the context of crop resistance to pests and pathogens and the potential to maximise the benefits for integrated pest management in arable crops.
Developing a quantitative relationship towards apparel design transition in China
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhou Feng , Cheng Yan , Zhao Yan , Song Jing , Wei Xixi
Published: June 2023

The design of China’s apparel has undergone tremendous changes in the past 70 years. In order to investigate the transition in the design of Chinese apparel over these years, progress with three phases of apparel design in the past 70 years have been described in terms of the silhouette, color, materials, and details of apparel design by employing the expert panel method. Further, a quantitative model of the random forest was proposed to link the transition of apparel design and its determinants, including economy, aesthetics, science and technology, and globalization. The importance weight for each of these determinants had also been determined. In doing so, this study offers insights for apparel designers regarding ways of strategically designing apparel under the transition dynamics in China to follow the mainstream of the transition, and meet consumers’ satisfaction towards apparel design.
Features of cotton and viscose vortex yarns directly spun from card slivers
Authors: Tayyar A Ebru , Celep Gizem , Tetik Gamze D. , Çapraz Pınar , Uyanik Seval
Published: June 2023

In this study, the possibility of manufacturing vortex yarns directly from card slivers having two different sliver counts is investigated. The fiber type, card sliver count, and yarn count are considered as the selected parameters to be examined due to their effects on unevenness, yarn imperfections, hairiness, breaking strength, and elongation properties. For this purpose, cotton and viscose yarns in three yarn counts, 14.77, 19.69, and 29.53 tex, were produced from two card sliver counts (3.58 and 4.92 ktex) by a Murata Vortex Spinning (MVS) system. The study revealed that vortex yarns can be produced by feeding directly card slivers to the MVS system, and resulting yarns have features compatible with those yarns produced on a conventional production line. In the context of this study, where the drafting process is eliminated, it is recommended to produce yarns from fine card slivers to reach a lower CVm% and imperfection value and to produce yarns by coarser card slivers to reach lower hairiness and higher Rkm values.
Retropharyngeal Abscess With Mediastinal Extension: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Weiner Kelly A. Scriven , Rieger Caroline C. , Wohl Daniel L. , Harley Earl H.
Published: June 2023

Deep neck infections are common in infants and occur in several anatomic subsites including the retropharyngeal space. Retropharyngeal abscesses are significant given their propensity for mediastinal extension and can have life-threatening sequelae. We present 3 cases of retropharyngeal abscess with mediastinal extension in infants. In one case, an incompletely vaccinated 10-month-old boy presented with cough, rhinorrhea, and fever. Despite antibiotic treatment, he developed Horner’s syndrome and hypoxia. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a C1-T7 retropharyngeal abscess. He underwent transoral incision and drainage and recovered fully. In another case, a 12-month old infant presented with 8 days of fever and neck pain. A CT scan showed a retropharyngeal collection extending to the mediastinum and right hemithorax. Transoral incision and drainage and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery thoracotomy were performed for abscess drainage. He recovered fully with antibiotics. In the third case, an 8-month-old boy presented to the emergency room following several days of fever, lethargy, and decreased neck range of motion. A CT scan showed a large retropharyngeal abscess that required both transoral and transcervical drainage. His case was complicated by septic shock, yet the patient eventually made a full recovery.
Employment Resources and the Physical and Mental Health of Mothers of Young Children
Authors: Prickett Kate C. , Crosnoe Robert , Raley R. Kelly
Published: June 2023

This study explored resources from paid employment that could promote women’s health during a vulnerable period of motherhood (raising young children). Following theoretical perspectives on work–family interplay and stress, it tested two sets of hypotheses by applying cross-lagged modeling techniques to nationally representative data on mothers from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort ( n = 7450) and occupational conditions from the Occupational Information Network database. In general, mothers of young children reported better health when employed in occupational sectors with more socioemotional resources, such as opportunities to develop a sense of mastery and connection. For the specific set of mothers who had children with health problems, more instrumental resources on the job, such as the ability to telecommute, appeared to better support health. There was some evidence of resources mattering more in the context of part-time employment, but there were no links between any resources and mental health.
An overview of interventions used across the life span to support transitions of those with a neurological condition: A systematic review of reviews
Authors: Preston Jenny , Green Jane , Jindal-Snape Divya
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To systematically appraise published reviews on interventions used to support transitions for individuals with neurological conditions.

Data sources

MEDLINE, CINAHL, The Allied and Complementary Medicine, AMED, PsycINFO, Cochrane database of systematic reviews and Web of Science were searched between 31st December 2010 and 15th September 2022.

Method

The systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. The quality and risk of bias were measured using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 and the Risk Of Bias In Systematic reviews’ tool. All types of reviews which involved participants with neurological conditions were included.

Results

Seven reviews met the inclusion criteria. A total of 172 studies were included in the reviews. Effectiveness of transition interventions could not be calculated due to the lack of data. The findings suggested that the use of health applications may be beneficial by increasing self-management capabilities and disease knowledge. Education and clear communication between healthcare providers and recipients may also have positive impacts on quality of life. Risk of bias was found to be high in four of the reviews. Four reviews had low or critically low levels of evidence.

Conclusions

There is a paucity of published evidence on interventions used to support the transitions of individuals with neurological conditions and the effect that these have on quality of life.
The role of acculturation in the process of advance care planning among Chinese immigrants: A narrative systematic review
Authors: Zhu Tingting , Martina Diah , Heide Agnes van der , Korfage Ida J , Rietjens Judith AC
Published: June 2023

Background:

Acculturation is the process of two different cultures coming into contact. It is unclear how acculturation influences Chinese immigrants’ engagement in advance care planning due to the complexity and multifaceted nature of both acculturation and advance care planning.

Aims:

To synthesize evidence regarding the role of Chinese immigrants’ acculturation in their engagement in advance care planning.

Design:

Systematic mixed-method review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021231822).

Data sources:

EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for publications until January 21, 2021.

Results:

Twenty-one out of 1112 identified articles were included in the analysis. Of those 21 articles, 17 had a qualitative design and 13 originated from the United States. Three of four quantitative studies reported that higher acculturation levels were associated with better knowledge or higher rate of engagement in advance care planning. Analysis of qualitative studies showed that Chinese immigrants’ engagement in advance care planning was associated with their: (1) self-perceived cultural identity (native or non-native); (2) interpretation of filial piety (traditional or modern); and (3) interpretation of autonomy (individual or familial). To facilitate their engagement, Chinese immigrants prefer an implicit approach, non-family-related initiators, contextualization advance care planning in Chinese culture and using Chinese language.

Conclusion:

Chinese immigrants’ willingness to engage in advance care planning varied with their acculturation level. To engage them in advance care planning, we recommend adapting the introduction of advance care planning to address people’s perceptions of their cultural identity, filial piety, and autonomy, as well as their preference for certain approach, initiator, context, and language.
‘It is never-ending work’: Colombian occupational therapists’ experiences of working in stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Aguia-Rojas Karen , Bracewell Robert Martyn , Castillo Juan Alberto , O’Brien Jonathon
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

Stroke is a leading cause of death and impairment in Colombia. There is unequal access to occupational therapy for stroke survivors and few data on services provided by occupational therapists. The study explored the experiences of Colombian occupational therapists working in stroke rehabilitation.

Method:

A total of 11 occupational therapists involved in the stroke rehabilitation in Colombia took part in two focus groups. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis within a critical realist theoretical framework.

Findings:

Three main themes were identified. First, participants discussed the ‘occupational therapy service’, highlighting changes since the 1970s, examples of contemporary good practice, and a range of barriers. Second, ‘attitudes’ included the impact of other professions views of occupational therapy and also the effects of low pay. Third, ‘action/way forward’ involved proposals for improving the current situation.

Conclusion:

Occupational therapists engaged in stroke rehabilitation in Colombia report a number of barriers. However, some draw inspiration from their past while others stress some strengths in current services. Future research should focus on occupational therapy stroke rehabilitation in Colombia’s regions and explore the impact of conflict and post-conflict contexts. In addition, occupational therapists’ efforts to improve professional representation should be explored.
In the Saunas I’m Either Invisible or Camouflaged: Colonial Fantasies and Imaginations in Sydney’s Gay Saunas
Authors: Perez Toledo Rodrigo
Published: June 2023

I analyze racism in Sydney’s gay sauna scene through decolonial scholarship. In Sydney, there are three gay saunas; each of them caters to specific races and is decorated accordingly. Sauna 1 is popular among Asian men and their admirers and has an Oriental-like style. Sauna 2 is popular among white and non-Asian men and has a minimalist style featuring photographs of white, cisgender and muscular men. Sauna 3 is mostly visited by white and Middle Eastern straight-acting men and its décor does not reference race. Both patrons and venue owners are aware of the race dynamics in Sydney’s gay scene and actively reproduce them in the patronage of venues and organization and décor of space. I conclude that Sydney’s gay sauna scene is articulated by a combination of colonial understandings of race and Australian multicultural policies that privilege white and Anglo populations while avoiding explicit references to race.
Normative Ethical Theorizing
Authors: Reed Pamela G.
Published: June 2023

Ethical issues are ubiquitous in nursing, yet there is a dearth of scholarship in normative ethics and ethical inquiry in nursing. In a concern to motivate interest in normative ethics and inquiry to build ethical knowledge, this article highlights some of the conceptual resources of normative ethics after describing the different types of ethics, including normative ethics. These conceptual resources of normative ethics include moral theories and the method of wide reflective equilibrium.
Thoughts About the Metaparadigm of Nursing: Contemporary Status and Recommendations for Evolution
Authors: Fawcett Jacqueline
Published: June 2023

In this essay, I present my original and most recent versions of nursing’s disciplinary metaparadigm, along with others’ versions of the metaparadigm. I conclude the essay by joining others in issuing a call for decolonization of nursing knowledge, with an emphasis in this essay on decolonizing nursing’s metaparadigm by asking if a metaparadigm is needed and, if so, what its content should be.
The role of Marxist ecological view on environmental protection in China
Authors: Liu Guangbin , Nie Wei
Published: June 2023

Ecological problems and environmental problems have become more and more frequent, constantly sounding the alarm for people, seriously threatening the safety of people's lives and even survival. The construction of ecological culture has become an essential part of modern society and a vital wealth. Therefore, it is urgent to organize the study of the relevant concepts and theories of ecological construction, explain and solve the problems encountered in practice, and guide people to make scientific judgments. The main purpose of this article is to study the structure of ecological civilization from the perspective of Marxist ecological view. By analyzing ecological and environmental issues, following the principles of ecological civilization construction, adopting appropriate means, and relying on an indicator system for evaluation. This article constructs a comprehensive indicator system for the level of ecological environment protection, and analyzes the global spatial autocorrelation and local spatial autocorrelation of the comprehensive indicators. Research shows that urbanization construction and energy efficiency protection are still in a moderate imbalance state. Due to the lag of urbanization construction in the process of ecological environment protection, the two are in a low coordination state. How to combine Marxist ecological views with specific practices in China and effectively promote the process of ecological civilization construction in China still requires in-depth consideration.
Prediction of discomfort from glare from daylight in classrooms
Authors: Viula R , Bokel R , Tenpierik M
Published: June 2023

Daylighting is desirable in classrooms but can pose a challenge to classroom illumination when there is a risk of discomfort from glare from windows and sunlight. There are several metrics in use for the evaluation of discomfort from glare from daylight, but none has yet been validated based on the field-of-view conditions of classrooms. A previous study found that Daylight Glare Probability (DGP) produced a relatively better predictive power of the reported discomfort from glare in a classroom compared to other metrics. However, the metric tended to correlate weakly with the reported glare in positions away from the window light source in a classroom. This prompted the current investigation on the possibility of improving the DGP equation. The modified equation produced a significantly better fit to the subjective glare evaluations from a dataset comprising 184 evaluations from 49 participants collected in a classroom. The results suggest that DGP can be improved to predict the reported discomfort from glare for the conditions of board-based work in a classroom, particularly when a logarithmic form of the adaptation term is integrated in the equation.
Creating and Institutionalizing a College Food Pantry: Activism, Partnerships, and Volunteer Labor
Authors: DeLoach Cara A. , Dickason Christine N.
Published: June 2023

While campus food pantries are growing increasingly popular as an intervention aimed at improving student retention, little work has examined what it takes to start and maintain these resources on the ground. We leverage data from 17 interviews with pantry leaders, and social media posts and internal documents, to describe the creation and institutionalization of the Grove Grocery at the University of Mississippi. Findings confirm the role of collaborative partnerships, the benefits of advisors serving as liaisons between student leaders and administrators, and the challenges of institutionalization within the higher education context, including university hesitancy, reliance on uncompensated student labor, lack of resource awareness, and stigma surrounding food insecurity.
A Pilot Study of Endovascular Repair for Ruptured Aortic Aneurysms With the Use of Carbon Dioxide Angiography Alone
Authors: Massaini Gianluca , Lazzarotto Tommaso , Masciello Fabrizio , Panci Simone , Michelagnoli Stefano , Chisci Emiliano
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) has become a common approach. Hemorrhagic shock associated with the use of iodinated contrast medium (ICM) increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Theoretically, eliminating ICM from EVAR can decrease that risk. The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the feasibility and safety of emergent EVAR performed with the exclusive use of carbon dioxide (CO2) for a rAAA.

Methods:

Since 2021, all consecutive rAAAs with hemorrhagic shock and suitable anatomical criteria for a standard endograft have been treated by EVAR with the exclusive use of CO2 using an automated CO2 injector (Angiodroid SpA, San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy).

Results:

Eight percutaneous EVARs were performed under local anesthesia. Median age was 78 (interquartile range [IQR]=6) years, 5 patients were male. The technical success was 100%, the 30-day mortality was 25% (n=2), the median amount of administered CO2 was 400 (IQR=60) ml. The median change in serum creatinine level between admission, post-operative and 30-day values was an increase of 0.14 mg/dL and a decrease of 0.11 mg/dL, respectively. Post-operative AKI occurred in the two patients who died. All 6 surviving patients showed sac shrinkage >5 mm, and no reinterventions at a median follow-up of 10 months.

Conclusions:

Endovascular repair of rAAA with the exclusive use of CO2 as contrast agent is technically feasible and safe. Further studies are needed to determine whether CO2 increases survival rate and limits the progression of renal dysfunction after endovascular repair of rAAA.

Clinical Impact

The recorded rate of post-operative AKI after endovascular repair of rAAA performed with the use of CO2 found in this pilot study was significantly lower than the one reported in the literature with the use of ICM. Our hyphotesis is that the use of CO2 during rEVAR might increase survival rate and limits the progression of renal dysfunction.
Cementless Versus Cemented Total Knee Arthroplasty of the Same Design: Shorter Operative Times and Minimal Differences in Early Outcomes
Authors: Puri Simarjeet , Alpaugh Kyle , Chiu Yu-Fen , Ast Michael P. , Jerabek Seth , Westrich Geoffrey , Chalmers Brian
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Modern primary cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasingly popular, but there is limited evidence on its benefits, early complications, and failures. Purpose: We sought to evaluate operative time, early survivorship, and outcomes of cementless versus cemented TKA of the same design. Methods: As part of this single-center, multisurgeon, retrospective cohort study, we reviewed 598 primary, unilateral TKAs (170 cementless, 428 cemented) of the same design from 2016 to 2018. The cementless cohort was younger (63 vs 67 years) and had more cruciate-retaining implants (17% vs 12%) compared with the cemented cohort. We compared operative time, length of stay, and complications. Survivorship curves were generated via the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Patients with cementless TKA (using the Triathlon implant, Stryker) had a 24% reduction in operative time (83 vs 109 minutes) but similar length of stay compared with those with cemented TKA (57 vs 61 hours). Cementless TKA had a higher rate of postoperative manipulation for stiffness compared with cemented TKA (8% vs 3%), but there were notable demographic differences between the cohorts. Despite 2 cases (1%) of early cementless tibial aseptic loosening requiring component revision compared with none in the cemented cohort, there was no difference in revision-free survivorship at 2 years (96% and 98%, respectively). Conclusion: This retrospective cohort study found that cementless TKA had a 24% reduction in operative time compared with cemented TKA and similar short-term survivorship. There was a slightly higher rate of aseptic revision and manipulation in the cementless cohort. Further study is warranted on the long-term durability of cemented and cementless TKAs to determine if cementless fixation proves more durable in the midterm to long term.
Simplified Tool for Sizing in Minimally Invasive Mitral Annuloplasty: A Homemade Technique
Authors: Brega Carlotta , Bianchi Alessandro , Savini Carlo
Published: June 2023

Currently, minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has been developing and has been largely approved for mitral valve surgery. The more development of MICS, the more the entire surgical setup needs to be appropriate. We developed a homemade tool for mitral annular sizing that is simple and fits the mini surgical access. It is a plastic-based foldable paper that can be easily inserted through the minithoracotomy, using a surgical forceps.
Ethical assessments and mitigation strategies for biases in AI-systems used during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: de Manuel Alicia , Delgado Janet , Parra Jounou Iris , Ausín Txetxu , Casacuberta David , Cruz Maite , Guersenzvaig Ariel , Moyano Cristian , Rodríguez-Arias David , Rueda Jon , Puyol Angel
Published: June 2023

The main aim of this article is to reflect on the impact of biases related to artificial intelligence (AI) systems developed to tackle issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, with special focus on those developed for triage and risk prediction. A secondary aim is to review assessment tools that have been developed to prevent biases in AI systems. In addition, we provide a conceptual clarification for some terms related to biases in this particular context. We focus mainly on non-racial biases that may be less considered when addressing biases in AI systems in the existing literature. In the manuscript, we found that the existence of bias in AI systems used for COVID-19 can result in algorithmic justice and that the legal frameworks and strategies developed to prevent the apparition of bias have failed to adequately consider social determinants of health. Finally, we make some recommendations on how to include more diverse professional profiles in order to develop AI systems that increase the epistemic diversity needed to tackle AI biases during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Audit Quality, Institutional Environments, and Earnings Management: An Empirical Analysis of New Listings
Authors: Duong Thi Chi
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this article is to investigate the relationship between audit quality, the role of institutional environments at the provincial level, and earnings management around listing events by using data from 189 newly-listed companies on the Hochiminh Stock Exchange. Audit quality was proxied by Big4, auditor tenure, and auditor industry specialization, while earnings management was quantified as current discretionary accruals. The findings indicated that there was no role for Big 4, auditor tenure, and auditor industry specialization in curbing earnings management, as indicated by the regression result of the full sample. Interestingly, the effect differed substantially across signs of earnings management. The regression results of different forms of earnings management showed a contrast and indicated that the auditor tenure can mitigate the activities of income-increasing activities in the positive model, the auditor tenure and auditor industry specialization can explain the incentives for managing earnings in the negative model. Moreover, this study found no evidence of the impact of provincial governance on earnings management in the full regression model. However, a negative effect of provincial governance on earnings management was found in the case of a motive for upward earnings management, while good governance tends to provide greater benefits to reduce the occurrence of negative earnings management. After controlling for dummy listing and interaction variables that may be related to audit quality and institutional environment, this relationship remains unchanged. Finally, The study’s findings make several contributions to the earnings management literature and are relevant for investors, policymakers, and firms.
Reanalysis of the Posterior Oblique Ligament: Quantitative Anatomy, Radiographic Markers, and Biomechanical Properties
Authors: Casp Aaron J. , Bryniarski Anna , Brady Alex W. , Fossum Bradley W. , Godin Jonathan A.
Published: June 2023

Background:

The posterior oblique ligament (POL) is the largest structure of the posteromedial knee that is at risk of injury in conjunction with the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Its quantitative anatomy, biomechanical strength, and radiographic location have not been assessed in a single investigation.

Purpose:

To evaluate the 3-dimensional and radiographic anatomy of the posteromedial knee and the biomechanical strength of the POL.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Ten nonpaired fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were dissected and medial structures were elevated off bone, leaving the POL. The anatomic locations of the related structures were recorded with a 3-dimensional coordinate measuring machine. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken with radiopaque pins inserted into the pertinent landmarks, and the distances between the collected structures were calculated. Each knee was then mounted to a dynamic tensile testing machine, and pull-to-failure testing was performed to record the ultimate tensile strength, stiffness, and failure mechanism.

Results:

The POL femoral attachment was a mean of 15.4 mm (95% CI, 13.9-16.8 mm) posterior and 6.6 mm (95% CI, 4.4-8.8 mm) proximal to the medial epicondyle. The tibial POL attachment center was a mean of 21.4 mm (95% CI, 18.1-24.6 mm) posterior and 2.2 mm (95% CI, 0.8-3.6 mm) distal to the center of the deep MCL tibial attachment and a mean of 28.6 mm (95% CI, 24.4-32.8 mm) posterior and 41.9 mm (95% CI, 36.8-47.0 mm) proximal to the center of the superficial MCL tibial attachment. On lateral radiographs, the femoral POL was a mean of 17.56 mm (95% CI, 14.83-21.95 mm) distal to the adductor tubercle and 17.32 mm (95% CI, 14.6-21.7 mm) posterosuperior to the medial epicondyle. On the tibial side, the center of the POL attachment was a mean of 4.97 mm (95% CI, 3.85-6.79 mm) distal to the joint line on anteroposterior radiographs and 6.34 mm (95% CI, 5.01-8.48 mm) distal to the tibial joint line on lateral radiographs, at the far posterior tibial aspect. The biomechanical pull-to-failure demonstrated a mean ultimate tensile strength of 225.2 ± 71.0 N and a mean stiffness of 32.2 ± 13.1 N.

Conclusion:

The anatomic and radiographic locations of the POL and its biomechanical properties were successfully recorded.

Clinical Relevance:

This information is useful to better understand POL anatomy and biomechanical properties as well as to clinically address an injury with repair or reconstruction.