bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Skipping Rope Training Method Based on Chaotic Logistics
Authors: Li Han , Wang Yuxia
Published: August 2022

Skipping training belongs to a competitive event, which can not only lose weight but also improve the physical quality of trainers. At present, there are some problems in skipping training, such as unreasonable plan and unsatisfactory actual training effect. The original rough set method cannot solve the analysis of multivariate data in skipping training, and the ability to evaluate the training effect of skipping is poor. Aiming at the problems existing in the training of skipping rope, this paper puts forward a skipping rope training method based on a chaotic logistics algorithm, aiming at improving the training effect of skipping rope. First, the chaos theory is used to classify the training data. Different data classifications correspond to different training results, which eliminates irrelevant information in the training scheme and reduces the amount of single data analysis. Finally, the data after classification are optimized in a single stage, and the optimal results of different training items are obtained and summarized. After the MATLAB test, the chaotic logistics algorithm is superior to the rough set method in accuracy and convergence speed and meets the actual training needs. Therefore, the chaotic logic analysis method proposed in this paper is suitable for the evaluation of skipping training.
Male Perineal Carcinoma: Experience in 4 Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Poblador Agustín Fraile , Palacios Manuel Hevia , Vegas Manuel Rodríguez , Medina Alberto Artiles , Mayayo Enrique Sanz , Barreras Silvia García , Conejo Guillermo Fernández , Patrón Rafael Rodríguez , Constatino Varona Crespo , González Ana Saiz , Revilla Javier Burgos
Published: August 2022

Perineal carcinoma of unknown origin is a rare and aggressive disease, so an early diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to prevent its progression. We report the first series of cases of perineal carcinoma of unknown origin: (I) a 62-year-old male patient being followed up for a urethral stricture treated with periodic dilations with subsequent development of perineal abscesses and perineal carcinoma; (II) a 67-year-old male patient who consults for urinary discomfort associated with a perineal abscess. Recurrence of the abscess in the first month revealed the presence of an underlying perineal carcinoma; (III) a 78-year-old male patient that underwent urethroplasty with graft with subsequent regimen of periodical dilations. Recurrent formation of perianal abscesses revealed the presence of an underlying perineal carcinoma; and (IV) a 78-year-old male patient with history of in situ penile carcinoma treated by glans resurfacing. He consulted for penile pain, and imaging tests revealed a perineal abscess adjacent to the left corpus cavernosum. The core needle biopsy revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. Penile exploration and negative glans biopsy ruled out possible recurrence of penile carcinoma. The form of presentation of the disease has been very similar in all patients, demonstrating the presence of perineal abscess in all cases. Two patients had inguinal lymph node disease at diagnosis. All patients were treated by surgery, and three of them required adjuvant systemic treatment. Surgery combined with systemic treatment is probably the best option if the patient’s conditions allow it.
Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Associated Risk Factors among HIV-Infected Patients Seeking Healthcare in a Rural Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Deku John Gameli , Botchway Kwesi Amoah , Kinanyok Silas , Gedzeah Charles Kwame , Duneeh Richard Vikpebah , Duedu Kwabena Obeng
Published: August 2022

Background. Parasitic infections among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are common in various regions and populations across the world and have since remained a persistent public health challenge. Sub-Saharan Africa harbors the greatest burden of the infections due to sociodemographic and behavioral factors. However, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among HIV-infected persons has been poorly investigated in Ghana. Aim. This study sought to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections and associated factors in HIV-infected individuals attending the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in St. Mary Theresa Hospital, Dodi Papase. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to September 2021 among three hundred and thirty-five HIV-infected individuals in the study area. Sociodemographic and behavioral factors were collected with the aid of a close-ended structured questionnaire. Furthermore, stool samples were collected from each participant and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by microscopy using direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration, and modified Ziehl–Neelsen (Zn) techniques. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 and Graphpad Prism version 8. Results. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections was 5.97%. Species-specific prevalence was found to be 2.99% for Giardia lamblia, 1.19% for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 0.90% each for Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and Trichuris trichiura. There was a significant association between participants’ educational level and intestinal parasitic infection. In addition, gastrointestinal parasitic infections were not found to be associated with age. Unemployed participants, those with a lower frequency of deworming, and those who do not use water closet toilet facilities were at a higher risk of getting infected. Conclusion. The lower infection rate recorded in this study suggests that public health interventions put in place are yielding significant results. Even though the prevalence is low, routine screening of all HIV-infected patients for parasitic infection is recommended to ensure timely, effective treatment and comprehensive care.
Partial Randomized Response Model for Simultaneous Estimation of Means of Two Sensitive Variables
Authors: Narjis Ghulam , Shabbir Javid , Onyango Ronald
Published: August 2022

In this study, a new partial randomized response model (RRM) has been proposed for estimating the population mean of two quantitative sensitive variables simultaneously. The utility of proposed model under stratification is also explored. The efficiency comparisons of the proposed model under simple and stratified random sampling are carried out numerically. A real data set was collected through direct questioning, proposed partial RRM and competitor randomized device from the students of statistics and animal sciences departments of Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan. The performance of the proposed partial RRM is better than competitor RRM under simple and stratified random sampling.
The Development of Metacognitive Models to Support Students' Autonomous Learning: Lessons from Indonesian Primary Schools
Authors: Werdiningsih Dyah , Al-Rashidi Anwar Hammad , Azami Mochamad Imron
Published: August 2022

The present study was designed to develop an Indonesian language learning module based on metacognitive strategies to support student learning autonomy. The development of this module is based on Oxford’s (1990) strategy development model. Data were generated through quantitative and qualitative approaches. The analysis showcases that (1) module requirements were determined based on information of student needs, of whom 53% stated to agree and 31% strongly agree in case of the development of an Indonesian language learning module based on the metacognitive strategy; (2) the development of the module was conducted by integrating metacognitive strategy training and implementation in learning, evaluations, and revisions; (3) module accuracy was shown by the validation results from language experts (85%), design experts (93%), media experts (86%), and practitioners (77%), which is stated as valid; and (4) the module effectiveness was based on the results of SPSS 20 analysis: if t-value is −7.267, smaller than t-table of −2.045, itmeans that there is a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores. This finding unpacks that there is a difference between student learning outcomes before and after the implementation of learning with Indonesian language learning modules based on metacognitive strategies. Implications from these findings are discussed.
Necroptosis Plays a Crucial Role in Vascular Injury during DVT and Is Enhanced by IL-17B
Authors: Li Yunyan , Chen Jianfu , Yang Yuan , Wang Yuxue , Zhang Yong , Zhou Yan , Bao Yan , Zhang Zongmei , Lu Yongping
Published: August 2022

Background. This study investigated whether vascular endothelial necroptosis is involved in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and how IL-17B facilitates necroptosis signaling. Methods. The DVT mouse model was induced by ligation of the IVC. The cross-sectional area of thrombus increases and the thrombus occupied the entire venous lumen at 48 h after ligation. Meanwhile, the increased expression of p-RIP3/RIP3 was most pronounced at 48 h after ligation, and the p-MLKL/MLKL peaked at 72 h. Results. Based on Illumina sequencing and KEGG pathway analyses, the activated RIP3/MLKL is associated with increased IL-17B. With thrombus formation, IL-17B was upregulated and enhanced the expression of RIP3 and MLKL in the IVC wall, as well as their phosphorylation levels (all

P
<
0.05

, the comparison group consisted of the control group, DVT group, DVT/IL-17B group, and DVT/anti-IL-17B group). The p-RIP3/RIP3 and p-MLKL/MLKL ratios were reduced by anti-IL-17B. Similarly, the weight and cross-sectional area of the thrombi were increased by IL-17B and decreased by the IL-17B antibody. IL-17B had a smaller effect on thrombosis in knockout mice compared with WT mice. In vitro, the IL-17B protein expression and the level of RIP3 and MLKL phosphorylation increased high in the OGD cells, accompanied by increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α. IL-17B enhanced the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α but had little effect on the IL-6 and TNF-α after transfected with siRIP3 or siMLKL. Similarly, the plasma IL-17B, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly increased after thrombosis in WT mice, and enhanced by IL-17B. But IL-17B did not increase the plasma IL-6 and TNF-α in knockout mice. Conclusions. In conclusion, those results suggest that vascular endothelial necroptosis plays a crucial role in vascular injury and IL-17B could enhance the necroptosis pathway.
The Grammar and Logic of Oneness and Number at the Beginning of the Twelfth Century
Authors: Martin Christopher J.
Published: August 2022

The study of the interdependence of grammar and logic at the beginning of the twelfth century is a difficult subject and progress here has been slow. With the recent publication of the Notae Dunelmenses, however, we are now able to see rather more clearly how closely the two disciplines were bound to one another. The following article draws upon this newly published material and on unpublished material from contemporary commentaries on Aristotle’s Categories to investigate how the grammarians’ account of number was reconciled with that given by Aristotle. It considers in particular the problem of the meaning of numerical terms such as ‘pair’ (binarius) and of collective names such as ‘people’ (populus) and how attempting to solve it shaped thinking about the metaphysics of number.
Abelard on Eternal Truths
Authors: Donato Enrico
Published: August 2022

This article reconstructs Abelard’s account of eternal truths as it is presented in the Dialectica, in the so-called Sententiae Parisienses, and in the Theologia “Scholarium.” It first shows how in the Dialectica Abelard had to transform the traditional account of topical inferences in order to make sense of the idea that true conditional propositions express eternal truths. It clarifies Abelard’s claim that eternal truths are grounded on the “nature of things” and explains why Abelard thought that these truths hold even when there are no things. The article then considers Abelard’s reply to an objection according to which eternal truths have in fact been false in the past. It examines Abelard’s mature views on eternal truths as we find them in the Sententiae Parisienses and Theologia “Scholarium.” Here, Abelard grants the status of eternal truth also to what is expressed by contingently true categorical propositions. These truths are grounded on the “events of things” that exist eternally as the proposition-like objects of God’s will and foreknowledge.
Globalization and the “Hellenization” of Jews in the Second Temple Period
Authors: Wright Benjamin G.
Published: August 2022

The phrase “Hellenistic Judaism” often assumes an underlying picture of the relationship between “Judaism” and “Hellenism” as self-contained cultural containers. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Philip Alexander, Gregory Sterling, and Erich Gruen argued against such an assumption, and their work moved towards developing theories of globalization, which regard cultures as porous and dynamic. Beginning from the insights of these three scholars, I argue that globalization theory has advantages for the study of Jews in the Hellenistic Mediterranean oikoumenē, which moves beyond static notions of Judaism and Hellenism and prompts questions of whether Hellenization works as an analytical category. In order to illustrate the case, I examine three Jewish writers—the author of the Letter of Aristeas, the sage Joshua Ben Sira, and his translator/grandson—and how their knowledge and use of Greek language and sources demonstrates both the homogenizing and disjunctive aspects of globalization in the Hellenistic period.
The Fosen Case and the Protection of Sámi Culture in Norway Pursuant to Article 27 iccpr
Authors: Ravna Øyvind
Published: August 2022

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has been a part of Norwegian law since 1999. It has, however, been of greater importance in the political sphere than in the courts. In the fall of 2021, the Supreme Court of ruled that the construction of two wind power plants were violating the rights of Indigenous Sámi reindeer herders pursuant to the Article 27 iccpr. In the presentation, the Supreme Court’s use of Article 27 is analysed in order to determine its impact on protecting Indigenous rights in Norway, including where the threshold for violation lays when interference in Sámi reindeer husbandry areas take place.
How to Develop a Fabula: The Case of Dēnkard VII
Authors: Vassalli Massimiliano
Published: August 2022

In his important 1963 study, Marijan Molé (1924–63) argued that Dēnkard
VII does not provide an objective and complete biography of Zoroaster, but rather reflects a later Zoroastrian conception of him as a prophet at the time of its writing. Following his approach, the present article examines the text as a cultural product and a narrative fabrication of late Antique Zoroastrianism. This study attempts first to identify the main theme of Dēnkard
VII, since, although it is generally considered the book of the “legend of Zoroaster,” the protagonist appears in only five out of eleven chapters—less than half of the material. Furthermore, this paper analyses also some of the main compositional techniques that form the internal structure of the narrative, with the aim of understanding the literary tricks that allow flow from one episode to another and from one chapter to another.
Richard Rorty and the Epistemic Defense of Democracy
Authors: Dieleman Susan
Published: August 2022

Richard Rorty has been taken to task for his apparent inability to defend democracy to the anti-democrat. Cheryl Misak, for example, in developing her own epistemic defense of democracy, argues that because he abjures truth, Rorty cannot provide any argument to show that democracy is superior to other political arrangements. In this paper, I agree with Misak that Rorty is unable to provide an argument, epistemic or otherwise, in defense of democracy, but show that this doesn’t mean he, or someone who takes his insights seriously, needs to be silent about its shape or its promises. Instead, I follow Rorty’s lead and develop out of Fabienne Peter’s work an epistemology that, though it cannot be used to defend democracy, does comport well with it.
We Agree to Differ
Authors: Troiano Mariano
Published: August 2022

This work is part of a series of studies dealing with elements that allow us to build a dialogue between the controversial and apparently opposing positions of the church fathers and Valentinian Gnostic authors. The present article analyzes the Christological construction elaborated by Irenaeus of Lyons around the idea of recapitulation (to recapitulate = ἀνακεφαλαιόομαι), which is explicitly presented as a confrontation against Valentinian interpretations and the notions elaborated by these authors. The main objective of our research is to glimpse the possibility of debate and dialogue in the heresiological arguments beyond their apparent antagonism.
Miscellaneous taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on Microlicia D.Don (Melastomataceae)
Authors: ROMERO ROSANA , ALVES VERSIANE ANA FLÁVIA , WOODGYER ELIZABETH M.
Published: August 2022

Continuing the taxonomic and nomenclatural studies of the genus Microlicia, we propose 44 synonyms for 15 Brazilian species. Of these synonyms, 27 are species and 17 are varieties described in the 19th or early 20th century. Microlicia castrata, M. oxyanthera and M. oxyanthera var. albiflora are synonymized under M. acuminata; M. avicularis var. subspathulata and M. myrtifolia under M. avicularis; M. burchelliana and M. albida under M. cryptandra; M. euphorbioides var. ionantha, M. euphorbioides var. leucantha, M. euphorbioides var. humilis, M. euphorbioides var. parvifolia, M. euphorbioides var. setosa and M. oblongifolia under M. euphorbioides; M. seringeana, M. hilariana, M. leucantha and M. leucantha var. purpurea under M. graveolens; M. euphorbioides var. brevifolia, M. euphorbioides var. macrocarpa and M. helvola var. hirsuta under M. helvola; M. fasciculata, M. decussata, M. cinerea, M. cinerea var. oblongifolia and M. cinerea var. ovata under M. hirsuta; M. depauperata, M. francavillana, M. pallida, M. goyazensis, M. paraensis, M. insignioides, M. alvarengae and M. alvarengae var. glabrata under M. insignis; M. carrasci under M. luetzelburgii; M. semiriana under M. lutea; M. fulva, M. cardiophora and M. martialis under M. serpyllifolia; M. setosa var. aristata, M. sellowiana var. ciliata and M. reichardtiana under M. setosa; M. schreinerii under M. taxifolia; M. variolosa var. glabra and M. peruviana under M. variolosa, and M. gardneri and M. vestita var. densifolia under M. vestita. We also designate 37 lectotypes and propose two new combinations: Microlicia hirsuta for M. variolosa var. hirsuta and the new name Microlicia raymondii for Lavoisiera harleyi.
Polystichum gonggashanense (Dryopteridaceae): a new fern from Sichuan, China
Authors: HE HAI , ZHANG LI-BING
Published: August 2022

Polystichum gonggashanense (Dryopteridaceae: sect. Hypopeltis) is described and illustrated from Mt. Gongga (Minyar Gonkar), Sichuan, China. It can be distinguished from its most similar species, P. sinense, by the blackish brown petiole scales, the oblong-lanceolate lamina, and narrowly lanceolate rachis scales. The new species is found in four populations each with a few individuals and one of the populations has already disappeared. It is classified as CR (Critically Endangered) category based on the IUCN criteria.
Lectotypification of Xanthostemon petiolatus (Myrtaceae)
Authors: MUSTAQIM WENDY A. , MARTIANSYAH IRFAN , MAMBRASAR YASPER M. , WILSON PETER G.
Published: August 2022

N/A
COVID-19 and Politically Motivated Reasoning
Authors: Maguire Allegra , Persson Emil , Västfjäll Daniel , Tinghög Gustav
Published: August 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world witnessed a partisan segregation of beliefs toward the global health crisis and its management. Politically motivated reasoning, the tendency to interpret information in accordance with individual motives to protect valued beliefs rather than objectively considering the facts, could represent a key process involved in the polarization of attitudes. The objective of this study was to explore politically motivated reasoning when participants assess information regarding COVID-19.

Design

We carried out a preregistered online experiment using a diverse sample ( N = 1,500) from the United States. Both Republicans and Democrats assessed the same COVID-19–related information about the health effects of lockdowns, social distancing, vaccination, hydroxychloroquine, and wearing face masks.

Results

At odds with our prestated hypothesis, we found no evidence in line with politically motivated reasoning when interpreting numerical information about COVID-19. Moreover, we found no evidence supporting the idea that numeric ability or cognitive sophistication bolster politically motivated reasoning in the case of COVID-19. Instead, our findings suggest that participants base their assessment on prior beliefs of the matter.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that politically polarized attitudes toward COVID-19 are more likely to be driven by lack of reasoning than politically motivated reasoning—a finding that opens potential avenues for combating political polarization about important health care topics.

Highlights

Participants assessed numerical information regarding the effect of different COVID-19 policies. We found no evidence in line with politically motivated reasoning when interpreting numerical information about COVID-19. Participants tend to base their assessment of COVID-19–related facts on prior beliefs of the matter. Politically polarized attitudes toward COVID-19 are more a result of lack of thinking than partisanship.
Scheduling of Coupled Train Platoons for Metro Networks: A Passenger Demand-Oriented Approach
Authors: Chai Simin , Yin Jiateng , D’Ariano Andrea , Samà Marcella , Tang Tao
Published: August 2022

In recent years the concept of virtual coupling, where multiple train units are virtually coupled into a platoon with very short following distances, has received considerable attention in the railway transportation field. This study introduces this concept into the train scheduling problem to improve line capacity and reduce congestion in urban metro networks. With consideration of the time-dependent passenger demand, train (platoon) loading capacity, and limited rolling stock resources, specifically, a mixed integer linear programming model is developed to simultaneously generate the platoon (de)coupling strategies, orders of trains, and their arrival/departure times at each station in the metro network. Several model improvement strategies, for example, model linearization and determination of big-[Formula: see text] values, are proposed to enhance the computational efficiency of the model. Finally, numerical experiments based on historical passenger data from the Beijing metro network are implemented to verify the effectiveness of the approach. The results demonstrate that the introduction of train platoons of different sizes can evidently reduce station congestion, while the percentage improvement greatly depends on the distribution of passenger demand.
Proactivity and Job Search: The Mediating Role of Psychological Closeness With External Mentors
Authors: Chen Victor H. , Cooper Danielle
Published: August 2022

Building on contest and sponsored-mobility perspectives, we explain how proactivity enables individuals to develop external mentoring support. By becoming psychologically close with external mentors, we predict that protégés engage in greater job search as additional job opportunities become visible. Results of two studies from different data sources (MTurk and Prolific Academic) support a connection between external mentoring and job search. Moreover, our first study suggests that gender alters the conditional indirect effect of psychological closeness with external mentors, such that women compared to men, who may have a smaller pool of internal mentors to connect with, initiate and benefit more from the influence of external mentors. In our second study, we find partial support for mediation from proactivity to job search self-efficacy (but not job search behavior) through psychological closeness with external mentors, but no gender effect. We urge career counselors to encourage individuals to consider diversifying mentoring outside of organizations.
Hiring Temps but Losing Perms? Temporary Worker Inflows and Voluntary Turnover of Permanent Employees
Authors: Bonet Rocio , Elvira Marta , Visintin Stefano
Published: August 2022

This article investigates the effect of hiring temporary workers on the voluntary turnover of permanent employees. It argues that inflows of temporary workers erode the working conditions of permanent employees, prompting their voluntary departure. Using a unique panel dataset of individual-level monthly payroll data over an eight-year period in a sample of Spanish companies, a positive association between temporary worker inflows and the voluntary turnover of permanent workers is found. The results are robust to diverse specifications and are strongest for firms in non-manufacturing sectors and for firms that hire proportionally more low-skilled workers, contexts where the hiring of temporary workers may be more disruptive for permanent employees. Since the hiring of temporary workers is unlikely to threaten the employment of permanent employees in the dual labour market of Spain, the results indicate serious disruption costs associated with temporary hiring in organisations.
Healthcare Professional and Patient Perceptions of Changes in Colorectal Cancer Care Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Health Inequalities
Authors: Ip Athena , Black Georgia , Vindrola-Padros Cecilia , Taylor Claire , Otter Sophie , Hewish Madeleine , Bhuiya Afsana , Callin Julie , Wong Angela , Machesney Michael , Green James , Oliphant Raymond , Fulop Naomi J. , Taylor Cath , Whitaker Katriina L.
Published: August 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way in which people were diagnosed and treated for cancer. We explored healthcare professional and patient perceptions of the main changes to colorectal cancer delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they impacted on socioeconomic inequalities in care.

Methods

In 2020, using a qualitative approach, we interviewed patients (n = 15) who accessed primary care with colorectal cancer symptoms and were referred for further investigations. In 2021, we interviewed a wide range of healthcare professionals (n = 30) across the cancer care pathway and gathered national and local documents/guidelines regarding changes in colorectal cancer care.

Results

Changes with the potential to exacerbate inequalities in care, included: the move to remote consultations; changes in symptomatic triage, new COVID testing procedures/ways to access healthcare, changes in visitor policies and treatment (e.g., shorter course radiotherapy). Changes that improved patient access/convenience or the diagnostic process have the potential to reduce inequalities in care.

Discussion

Changes in healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic have the ongoing potential to exacerbate existing health inequalities due to changes in how patients are triaged, changes to diagnostic and disease management processes, reduced social support available to patients and potential over-reliance on digital first approaches. We provide several recommendations to help mitigate these harms, whilst harnessing the gains.
Silencing performance analysis of a membrane cavity with different edge conditions
Authors: Afzal Muhammad , Bilal Hazrat
Published: August 2022

The current study reports the application of Galerkin and tailored-Galerkin procedures to model the vibrational response of a membrane bounded cavity connected to the elastic plates with different types of edge conditions. The plates contain clamped or pin-jointed type of edge conditions on finite edges, while the membranes are assumed to contain fixed, free, or spring-like edge conditions. Both Galerkin and tailored-Galerkin techniques require the priori solutions to determine the displacements of bridging membranes. In the first approach, the priori solution is expressed in terms of Fourier series which changes by varying the conditions on the edges of membranes. However, in late approach, a unique description of displacements can address a variety of edge conditions. The accuracy of these approaches is confirmed through the satisfaction of conserved power identity and through the reconstruction of matching condition with the truncated form of the solutions. In the modeled configuration, the vibrational energy propagates along the walls as well as through the fluid, and is affected by the variation of edge conditions. Moreover, the role of edge conditions is significant for structure-borne radiation only and is negligible for fluid-borne radiations.
Recruiting repair: Making sense of interpreters’ embodied actions in a video-mediated environment
Authors: Hansen Jessica Pedersen Belisle
Published: August 2022

This article examines interpreters’ embodied displays of trouble in hospital encounters in Norway. In these meetings, participants speak different languages, and the interpreters, that is multilinguals with interpreter education and other formal qualifications, produce utterances in either of the languages in question. As such, the specific interaction in which these embodied displays of trouble occur is mediated in two ways, it is both interpreter-mediated and video-mediated. Video-recordings of hospital settings where the interpreting is carried out through use of video-technology are analyzed using multimodal conversation analysis. The interpreters’ embodied displays of trouble are found resemble recruitmens and are found to initiate repair. The article shows that while the embodied display of trouble might be a versatile device to initiate repair within the video-mediated environment, the video-mediated environment provides a complex interactional space for the perception of the embodied action.
Study on dispersion and wave velocity in 2D elliptic granular crystals by a micromechanics-based micromorphic model
Authors: Xiu Chenxi , Chu Xihua
Published: August 2022

This study considers two-dimensional elliptic granular crystals respectively with different aspect ratios. Using a micromechanics-based micromorphic model, macroscopic micromorphic constitutive modulus tensors of elliptic granular crystals are obtained. Two modes of Taylor expansion of relative displacements are used to establish contact relation between particles. This study obtains micromorphic transverse-rotational and longitudinal waves. Obvious dispersions of micromorphic waves are given in 2D elliptic granular crystals. With increase of aspect ratio, width of frequency band gap increases when wave propagates along [Formula: see text] direction but decreases when wave propagates along [Formula: see text] direction. Two modes of Taylor expansion of relative displacements only have influence on dispersions and frequency band gap of transverse-rotational waves. Velocities of longitudinal and transverse-rotational waves first decrease to zero, keep zero for a range of frequency and then increase to a larger wave velocity with increase of frequency for different aspect ratios. The situation with a larger aspect ratio leads to larger transverse-rotational and longitudinal velocities, and ratio between transverse-rotational and longitudinal velocities decreases from 0.7 to 0.59, when wave propagates along [Formula: see text] direction. However, it leads to smaller transverse-rotational and longitudinal velocities, and ratio between two velocities decreases from 0.88 to 0.56, when wave propagates along [Formula: see text] direction.
An Objective Computational Method to Quantify Ankle Osteoarthritis From Low-Dose Weightbearing Computed Tomography
Authors: Tazegul Tutku E. , Anderson Donald D. , Barbachan Mansur Nacime S. , Kajimura Chinelati Rogerio Marcio , Iehl Caleb , VandeLune Christian , Ahrenholz Samuel , Lalevee Matthieu , de Cesar Netto Cesar
Published: August 2022

Background:

The treatment of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) varies depending on the severity and distribution of the associated joint degeneration. Disease staging is typically based on subjective grading of appearance on conventional plain radiographs, with reported subpar reproducibility and reliability. The purpose of this study was to develop and describe computational methods to objectively quantify radiographic changes associated with ankle OA apparent on low-dose weightbearing CT (WBCT).

Methods:

Two patients with ankle OA and 1 healthy control who had all undergone WBCT of the foot and ankle were analyzed. The severity of OA in the ankle of each patient was scored using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification using plain radiographs. For each ankle, a volume of interest (VOI) was centered on the tibiotalar joint. Initial computation analysis used WBCT image intensity (Hounsfield units [HU]) profiles along lines perpendicular to the subchondral bone/cartilage interface of the distal tibia extending across the entire VOI. Graphical plots of the HU distributions were generated and recorded for each line. These plots were then used to calculate the joint space width (JSW) and HU contrast.

Results:

The average JSW was 3.89 mm for the control ankle, 3.06 mm for mild arthritis (KL 2), and 1.57 mm for severe arthritis (KL 4). The average HU contrast was 72.31 for control, 62.69 for mild arthritis, and 33.98 for severe arthritis. The use of 4 projections at different locations throughout the joint allowed us to visualize specifically which quadrants have reduced joint space width and contrast.

Conclusion:

In this technique report, we describe a novel methodology for objective quantitative assessment of OA using JSW and HU contrast.

Clinical Relevance:

Objective, software-based measurements are generally more reliable than subjective qualitative evaluations. This method may offer a starting point for the development of a more robust OA classification system or deeper understanding of the pathogenesis and response to ankle OA treatment.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of active ingredients related β-Glucosidases in Dendrobium catenatum
Authors: Wang Zhicai , Zhao Meili , Zhang Xiaojie , Deng Xuming , Li Jian , Wang Meina
Published: August 2022

Background

Dendrobium catenatum/D. officinale(here afterD. catenatum), a well-known economically important traditional medicinal herb, produces a variety of bioactive metabolites including polysaccharides, alkaloids, and flavonoids with excellent pharmacological and clinical values. Although many genes associated with the biosynthesis of medicinal components have been cloned and characterized, the biosynthetic pathway, especially the downstream and regulatory pathway of major medicinal components in the herb, is far from clear. β-glucosidases (BGLUs) comprise a diverse group of enzymes that widely exist in plants and play essential functions in cell wall modification, defense response, phytohormone signaling, secondary metabolism, herbivore resistance, and scent release by hydrolyzing β-D-glycosidic bond from a carbohydrate moiety. The recent release of the chromosome-level reference genome ofD. catenatumenables the characterization of gene families. Although the genome-wide analysis of theBGLUgene family has been successfully conducted in various plants, no systematic analysis is available for theD. catenatum. We previously isolatedDcBGLU2in theBGLUfamily as a key regulator for polysaccharide biosynthesis inD. catenatum. Yet, the exact number ofDcBGLUs in theD. catenatumgenome and their possible roles in bioactive compound production deserve more attention.

Results

To investigate the role ofBGLUs in active metabolites production, 22BGLUs (DcBGLU1-22) of the glycoside hydrolase family 1 (GH1) were identified fromD. catenatumgenome. Protein prediction showed that most of the DcBGLUs were acidic and phylogenetic analysis classified the family into four distinct clusters. The sequence alignments revealed several conserved motifs among the DcBGLU proteins and analyses of the putative signal peptides and N-glycosylation site revealed that the majority of DcBGLU members dually targeted to the vacuole and/or chloroplast. Organ-specific expression profiles and specific responses to MeJA andMF23were also determined. Furthermore, fourDcBGLUs were selected to test their involvement in metabolism regulation. Overexpression ofDcBGLU2,6,8, and13significantly increased contents of flavonoid, reducing-polysaccharide, alkaloid and soluble-polysaccharide, respectively.

Conclusion

The genome-wide systematic analysis identified candidateDcBGLUgenes with possible roles in medicinal metabolites production and laid a theoretical foundation for further functional characterization and molecular breeding ofD. catenatum.
Cytochemical and comparative transcriptome analyses elucidate the formation and ecological adaptation of three types of pollen coat in Zingiberaceae
Authors: Lu Guo-Hui , Xu Jia-Ling , Zhong Man-Xiang , Li Dong-Li , Chen Min , Li Ke-Ting , Wang Ying-Qiang
Published: August 2022

Background

The pollen ornate surface of flowering plants has long fascinated and puzzled evolutionary biologists for their variety. Each pollen grain is contained within a pollen wall consisting of intine and exine, over which the lipoid pollen coat lies. The cytology and molecular biology of the development of the intine and exine components of the pollen wall are relatively well characterised. However, little is known about the pollen coat, which confers species specificity. We demonstrate three types of pollen coat in Zingiberaceae, a mucilage-like pollen coat and a gum-like pollen coat, along with a pollen coat more typical of angiosperms. The morphological differences between the three types of pollen coat and the related molecular mechanisms of their formation were studied using an integrative approach of cytology, RNA-seq and positive selection analysis.

Results

Contrary to the ‘typical’ pollen coat, in ginger species with a mucilage-like (Caulokaempferia coenobialis, Cco) or gum-like (Hornstedtia hainanensis, Hhn) pollen coat, anther locular fluid was still present at the bicellular pollen (BCP) stage of development. Nevertheless, there were marked differences between these species: there were much lower levels of anther locular fluid in Hhn at the BCP stage and it contained less polysaccharide, but more lipid, than the locular fluid of Cco. The set of specific highly-expressed (SHE) genes in Cco was enriched in the ‘polysaccharide metabolic process’ annotation term, while ‘fatty acid degradation’ and ‘metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides’ were significantly enriched in SHE-Hhn.

Conclusions

Our cytological and comparative transcriptome analysis showed that different types of pollen coat depend on the residual amount and composition of anther locular fluid at the BCP stage. The genes involved in ‘polysaccharide metabolism’ and ‘transport’ in the development of a mucilage-like pollen coat and in ‘lipid metabolism’ and ‘transport’ in the development of a gum-like pollen coat probably evolved under positive selection in both cases. We suggest that the shift from a typical pollen coat to a gum-like or mucilage-like pollen coat in flowering plants is an adaptation to habitats with high humidity and scarcity of pollinators.
The association between frailty and mortality among lower limb arthroplasty patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bai Yunfeng , Zhang Xiao-Ming , Sun Xiangyu , Li Jiaming , Cao Jing , Wu Xinjuan
Published: August 2022

Background

Some studies associate frailty and postoperative mortality in hip or knee replacement patients, and others have explored the relationship between the frailty index and changes in postoperative mortality in hip or knee replacement patients, but their findings are not consistent. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to pool the results of existing studies to explore whether frailty is an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality in patients with lower limb arthroplasty (including hip or knee arthroplasty).

Methods

On December 15, 2021, we searched the relevant articles from the PubMed, Embase, Medline (via Ovid), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wan Fang Med Online databases. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) to assess the quality of the articles that met the exclusion and inclusion criteria. R Studio was used to analyze the effect sizes (based on the random model integration) on the extracted data. Meanwhile, potential publication bias and sensibility analysis were performed.

Results

We included seven studies, which included a total of 460,594 patients, for quantitative analysis. Overall, frailty increased the risk of mortality in lower limb arthroplasty patients compared to those without frailty, as measured by a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 2.46 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81–3.33). Additionally, subgroup analysis based on population revealed that the pooled RRs for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients in three studies and total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients in four studies were 2.61 (95% CI: 2.26–3.02) and 3.18 (95% CI: 1.92–5.28), respectively, for TKA patients in three studies and THA patients in four studies. Additionally, these statistically significant positive associations persisted in subgroup analyses by study design, geographic region, and follow-up period.

Conclusion

Frailty is an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality in patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty, according to our findings. This suggests that frailty may be a predictor of preoperative risk stratification for patients with such elective surgery and could alert doctors and nurses of early screening and medical care interventions in patients with such a need for surgery to reduce postoperative mortality in lower limb arthroplasty patients.
Epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections: trends among patients screened for sexually transmitted infections in rwandan health facilities 2014–2020
Authors: Makuza Jean Damascene , Soe Phyumar , Jeong Dahn , Nisingizwe Marie Paul , Dushimiyimana Donatha , Umutesi Justine , Nshimiyimana Ladislas , Maliza Clarisse , Serumondo Janvier , Remera Eric , Rwibasira Gallican Nshogoza , Tuyishime Albert , Riedel David J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are of great global health concern. Currently, there are limited epidemiological data characterizing STIs in the general population in Rwanda. We assessed the national and regional epidemiology of STIs in Rwanda from 2014–2020 among patients syndromically screened for STIs in all health facilities in Rwanda.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of the trend of STIs epidemiology among screened patients at all health facilities in Rwanda using data from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) reporting. Adult patients (15 years and over) screened for STIs between July 2014 and June 2020 were included in the analysis. Outcomes of interest were the number of individuals screened for STIs and individuals diagnosed with at least one STI with a syndromic approach only or plus a test together.

Results

Overall, the number of individuals screened for STIs over the study period was 5.3 million (M) in 2014–2015, 6.6 M in 2015–2016, 6.3 M in 2016–2017, 6.7 M in 2017–2018, 6.2 M in 2018–2019, and 4.9 M in 2019–2020. There was a modest increase in the number of individuals diagnosed and treated for STIs from 139,357 in 2014–15 to 202,294 (45% increase) in 2019–2020. At the national level, the prevalence of STI syndromes amongst individuals screened at health facilities in Rwanda varied between 2.37% to 4.16% during the study period. Among the provinces, Kigali city had the highest prevalence for the whole 6 years ranging from 3.46% (95%CI: 3.41, 3.51) in 2014–2015 to 8.23% (95%CI: 8.15, 8.31) in 2019–2020.

Conclusion

From 2014 to 2020, the number of patients screened for STI syndromes in Rwanda varied between 4.9 M and 6.7 M. However, the prevalence of STIs among screened patients increased considerably over time, which could be associated with public awareness and improved data recording. The highest prevalence of all STIs was observed in urban areas and near borders, and private clinics reported more cases, suggesting the need to improve awareness in these settings and increase confidentiality and trust in public health clinics.
Determinants of health facility delivery among young mothers in Ghana; insights from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Anaba Emmanuel Anongeba , Alangea Deda Ogum , Addo-Lartey Adolphina , Modey Emefa Judith , Manu Adom , Alor Stanley Kofi , Torpey Kwasi
Published: August 2022

Background

Globally, young women deliver at home, often under unhygienic conditions and without skilled birth attendants. This study identified the determinants of health facility delivery among young mothers in Ghana.

Methods

We analysed secondary data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, which collected data across the former ten administrative regions of Ghana. This study analysed data from the ‘women file’ by adjusting for the sample weight. STATA/SE version 16 was employed to analyse the data by computing descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Binary Logistic Regression.

Results

Seven in ten young mothers gave birth in a health facility. Young mothers who had secondary school education were over three-fold more likely to deliver in a health facility (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.33–9.23) compared with young mothers with no formal education. Young mothers who resided in rural areas had lower odds (73%) of delivering in a health facility (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14–0.514) compared with those in urban areas. Young mothers within the richest wealth quintile also had higher odds (8 times) of delivering in a health facility (AOR = 8.24; 95% CI: 0.95–71.77) compared with those within the poorest wealth quintile. Young mothers who obtained four to seven antenatal visits (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.27–1.03) had lower odds of delivering in a health facility compared with those who obtained eight or more antenatal visits.

Conclusion

The majority of young mothers in Ghana gave birth in a health facility. The likelihood of delivering in a health facility was influenced by socio-demographic factors, economic factors and utilization of antenatal care services. Therefore, interventions aimed at increasing utilization of skilled delivery among young women should focus on promoting girl child education, economic status and antenatal care visits.