bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic forecast of low-level wind shear over Jeju international airport using non-homogeneous regression model
Authors: Lee Young-Gon , Kim Chansoo
Published: February 2021

Ensemble verification of low-level wind shear (LLWS) is an important issue in airplane landing operation and management. However, there have been few studies on the probabilistic forecasts of LLWS obtained from ensemble prediction system. In this study, we analyzed a reliability analysis to verify LLWS ensemble member forecasts and observation based on the limited grid points around Jeju International Airport in Jeju. Homogeneous and non-homogeneous regression models were used to reduce the bias and dispersion existing ensemble prediction system and to provide probabilistic forecast. Prior to applying probabilistic forecast model, reliability analysis was conducted by using rank histogram to identify the statistical consistency of LLWS ensemble forecasts and corresponding observations. Based on the results of our study, we found that LLWS ensemble forecasts had a consistent positive bias, indicating over-forecasting, and were under-dispersed for all seasons. To correct such biases, homogeneous regression and non-homogeneous regressions as EMOS (Ensemble Model Output Statistics) and EMOS exchangeable model by assuming exchangeable ensemble members were applied. The prediction skills of the methods were compared by the mean absolute error and continuous ranked probability score. We found that the prediction skills of probabilistic forecasts of EMOS exchangeable model were superior to the bias-corrected forecasts in terms of deterministic prediction.
The psychological effects of COVID-19 spread in young Canadian adults
Authors: Gill Praneet K. , Du Cynthia , Khan Farihah , Karimi Nima , Sabharwal Kanav , Agarwal Malvika
Published: February 2021

Background and aim:

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only threatens physical health but also psychological well-being. As a result of the pandemic, increased mental health burdens have been recorded in young adults around the world. We sought to understand the association of stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic with symptoms of psychological and emotional distress in young Canadian adults.

Method:

Questionnaire respondents were asked about the extent to which they were personally impacted by COVID-19, and symptoms related to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic disorder, and emotional distress.

Results:

Of 84 respondents, most identified as female (74%; 62/84). Overall, 61% (51/84) reported experiencing symptoms of psychological distress related to depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); specifically, 43% (36/84) reported anxiety-related symptoms, 33% (28/84) reported depression-related symptoms, and 6% (5/84) reported PTSD-related symptoms. Individuals with family in settings high risk for COVID-19 infection and individuals who received government aid with a reduction in income were 4.30-fold and 2.80-fold more likely, respectively, to experience symptoms of psychological distress (95% CI 1.31–14.14; p = .013 and 95% CI 1.08–7.25; p = .038, respectively). Visits to social media daily to hourly for COVID-19 related news resulted in a 3.24-fold increase in the likelihood of experiencing depression-related symptoms (95% CI 1.26–8.35; p = .020).

Conclusion:

We demonstrate a necessity to focus on alleviating the mental health burdens and contributing stressors within young Canadian adults. Though the mental health burdens are currently exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, they may persist after the pandemic ends if left unaddressed.
Posttraumatic growth after earthquake: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Amiri Hadis , Nakhaee Nouzar , Nagyova Iveta , Timkova Vladimira , Okhovati Maryam , Nekoei-Moghadam Mahmoud , Zahedi Razie
Published: February 2021

Background:

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) represents a positive personal change after adverse events, such as natural disasters, including earthquake. However, the association between exposure to earthquake and level of PTG is still unknown. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analyses (MA) is to assess the level of PTG in people exposed to earthquake.

Methods:

Studies were identified via Scopus, PsycInfo, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest, Cochran Library, Ovid, Google Scholar, OpenGrey, congress, and conferences research papers. The level of PTG was presented as mean and standard deviation. Subgroup analyses were conducted to control for the amount of time that had passed since stressor onset and age of the study population. The meta-regression was used to explore the sources of between-study heterogeneity, including sample size and age.

Results:

The MA of all 21 studies using no restrictions related to age and time of the PTG measurement since traumatic event showed low level of PTG (41.71; 95%CI = 34.26; 49.16, I2: 62.44%, p: .000). Subgroup analyses controlled for the age demonstrated that level of PTG was higher in adults (49.47; 95% CI = 42.35; 56.58, I2: 0%, p = .466) when compared to children and adolescents (35.38; 95% CI = 23.65; 47.11, I2: 69.09%, p < .00). Moreover, the pooled weight mean of PTG measured 1 year and less than 1 year since the earthquake varied between medium (46.04; 95%CI = 34.45; 57.63, I2:51.2%, p: .037) and high (59.03; 95%CI = 41.46; 76.41, I2: 0%, p: .990) levels, respectively.

Conclusion:

The results of our MA showed low level of PTG in earthquake survivors. However, the mean value of PTG in adults was higher when compared to children and adolescents. In addition, the mean PTG was found to decrease over time since traumatic events.
Do recipients of the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in December have a legal case against the UK government’s decision to postpone their second dose?
Authors: Turner E Jane , Brahams Diana
Published: February 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic in the UK has been greatly worsened by the mutation of the virus, which began in the South East and was rapidly spreading and in danger of overwhelming the NHS as hospital admissions and deaths continued to rise. In consequence, the Chief Medical Officers of all four nations supported the UK government’s sudden decision to delay the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech and Oxford/AstraZeneka vaccines for 12 weeks (instead of 3) so that more people in the most vulnerable population groups would receive a first dose and some immunity sooner. The expectation is that this strategy would reduce hospital admissions and deaths. This article considers key medical and legal issues arising from this decision and discusses inter alia rationing of scarce resources, fairness, whether it is for the greater good, consent, individual human rights, negligence and claims for potential or actual injury.
Who’s assessing the assessment? The cautionary tale of the edTPA
Authors: Gitomer Drew H. , Martínez José Felipe , Battey Dan
Published: February 2021

In 2019, Drew H. Gitomer, Dan Battey, and José Felipe Martínez published a paper detailing apparent violations of fundamental principles and norms in the reporting of technical information about the edTPA, a widely used high-stakes assessment for teacher licensure. In this article, they describe and criticize the lack of appropriate response to these concerns by state and professional institutions. Without such institutions providing guardrails to ensure professionally ethical practices, protections are compromised for those most directly affected by assessments. This is a story about edTPA but has implications for assessment more broadly.
Under the Law: Regulating student speech in the Snapchat era
Authors: Kim Robert
Published: February 2021

The upcoming case Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. will require the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on students’ rights to free speech on social media. The case involves a student who was disciplined for using foul language about her school’s cheerleading squad on Snapchat while off-campus and outside school time. Bob Kim traces the progress of the case so far and discusses what the case might mean for students and schools.
Backtalk: Toward racial equity in public schooling: Less talk, more action
Authors: Gutiérrez Nancy B. , Ngounou Gislaine N.
Published: February 2021

As education leaders become more aware of inequity and racial injustice, they have a responsibility to take action to address those issues as in their schools. Nancy Gutiérrez and Gislaine N. Ngounou explain that putting that learning into action will require leaders to follow four principles that they call the ABCDs: Awareness, Bravery, Community voice, and share Decision making.
Developing a Database of Structural Racism–Related State Laws for Health Equity Research and Practice in the United States
Authors: Agénor Madina , Perkins Carly , Stamoulis Catherine , Hall Rahsaan D. , Samnaliev Mihail , Berland Stephanie , Bryn Austin S.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Although US state laws shape population health and health equity, few studies have examined how state laws affect the health of marginalized racial/ethnic groups (eg, Black, Indigenous, and Latinx populations) and racial/ethnic health inequities. A team of public health researchers and legal scholars with expertise in racial equity used systematic policy surveillance methods to develop a comprehensive database of state laws that are explicitly or implicitly related to structural racism, with the goal of evaluating their effect on health outcomes among marginalized racial/ethnic groups.

Methods

Legal scholars used primary and secondary sources to identify state laws related to structural racism pertaining to 10 legal domains and developed a coding scheme that assigned a numeric code representing a mutually exclusive category for each salient feature of each law using a subset of randomly selected states. Legal scholars systematically applied this coding scheme to laws in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia from 2010 through 2013.

Results

We identified 843 state laws linked to structural racism. Most states had in place laws that disproportionately discriminate against marginalized racial/ethnic groups and had not enacted laws that prevent the unjust treatment of individuals from marginalized racial/ethnic populations from 2010 to 2013.

Conclusions

By providing comprehensive, detailed data on structural racism–related state laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia over time, our database will provide public health researchers, social scientists, policy makers, and advocates with rigorous evidence to assess states’ racial equity climates and evaluate and address their effect on racial/ethnic health inequities in the United States.
EIL Pronunciation Research and Practice: Issues, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Low Ee Ling
Published: February 2021

Research has seen a growing recognition of the crucial role pronunciation plays in teaching English as an International Language (EIL), in achieving effective communication and its close link to the mastery of other aspects of language teaching and learning. In spite of its recognised importance, pronunciation is still a marginalised skill in many EIL programmes due to EIL teachers’ lack of required phonetic and phonological knowledge, and the paucity of comprehensive coverage targeted at EIL learners. While there has been much research on phonetic and phonological features of world varieties of English, there has not been a strong research–practice nexus in the field. There is therefore a need to comprehensively review EIL pronunciation teaching, to document what previous research tells us, and to discuss how research can be translated into practice. This article aims to cover a range of current issues concerning EIL pronunciation modelling and theorising, and provides a brief articulation of the current issues surrounding the global spread of English and its theoretical development. Specifically, it considers current EIL research issues, challenges, and their implications for pronunciation practice. It also considers the implications of Gardner’s (2008) Five Minds for the Future for EIL pronunciation teaching and postulates the necessity of a sixth mind to navigate the field in the post-pandemic era.
The Black Travel Movement: A Catalyst for Social Change
Authors: Dillette Alana , Benjamin Stefanie
Published: February 2021

In response to the underrepresentation of Black people in the travel sphere, Black travelers have created their presence in the market – authentically representing and providing opportunities for Black travelers. This group of Black travelers has taken on the collective name of the Black Travel Movement (BTM). Informed by social movement and critical race theory, nine interviews were conducted to better understand what influences BTM leaders in their quest for social change. Three emergent themes resulted: Catalysts Lead to Self-Efficacy, Awareness Leads to Consciousness Raising, and Community Activation Leads to Resource Mobilization. As evident from our interviews with BTM leaders, discrimination, bias, racism, and inequities are ubiquitous and continue to create inhospitable and toxic touristic experiences and landscapes for Black and people of color. However, results reveal a cyclical model that highlights hope through activism and community mobilization.
Maintaining Male Exclusivity: Porcelain Privilege in the Military
Authors: Portillo Shannon , Doan Alesha , Mog Ashley
Published: February 2021

Current debates about bathrooms and bathroom policy contribute to a long history of how space shapes norms and expectations about privacy and gender equity in the workplace. The military serves as a significant site of discussion, particularly as the Department of Defense moves forward with efforts to integrate women into combat positions. Relying on an analysis of 27 focus groups with a total of 198 participants we collected from Special Operations in the U.S. Army, we examine bathrooms as a site where male soldiers contest and resist female integration. Using Sasson-Levy and Katz’s concept of institutional de-gendering and re-gendering, we argue that men’s resistance to gender-neutral toilets is an effort to re-gender Special Forces and maintain the hegemonic masculine culture that acutely defines it.
Isolated left subclavian with a compensatory ductus in a child with Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Chellappan Subramanian , Manohar Krishna , Sathe Yogesh , Amboli Siddharth , Joshi Radha , Hiremath Naveen
Published: February 2021

Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic heart disease wherein aortopulmonary collaterals serve as source of pulmonary blood flow to maintain oxygenation. We report an incidentally detected isolated left subclavian artery supplying a compensatory ductus in a child with Tetralogy of Fallot that effectively contributed as a de novo palliative systemic to pulmonary artery shunt. Clinically, the entity could not be suspected, as the child did not have symptoms suggestive of arterial insufficiency of the left arm or weak pulses or neurological symptoms. The child underwent successful intracardiac repair with a reimplantation of left subclavian artery to left common carotid artery.
Hopes multiplied amidst decline: Understanding gendered precarity in times of austerity
Authors: Raynor Ruth
Published: February 2021

Hope is not singular or fixed; instead hopes take multiple forms that constitute precarity. Drawing on interviews with white women ‘on benefits’ in the North East of England, in a period before Brexit, I explore different kinds of hope that surfaced in relation with neoliberal forces of, and beyond, austerity. (1) Multiplied hopes, hedging bets and holding several possibilities together; (2) Conflicted hopes, pulls towards paradoxical attachments; (3) Suspended hopes, framed by the limits of the now; (4) Negative hopes, invested in promises that despair could be pushed onto others; (5) Hopes for the absence of optimism, a mode of being present in the present, staying with mutual contingency and withdrawing from the cruelty of unknown futures, a strategy increasingly denied to women who were more than ‘left-behind’. By exploring the different forms that hopes take, we can better understand what hopes do. I argue that hopes in decline were not lost, nor orientated towards upward progress, but invested instead in maintaining a position. They were both sustaining and debilitating through situations of loss and uncertainty, and as such constituted a stretched-out present, tensed with decline.
Content/face validity of motor skill perception questionnaires for youth with visual impairments: A Delphi method
Authors: Stribing Alexandra , Stodden David F , Monsma Eva , Lieberman Lauren J , Brian Ali S
Published: February 2021

Youth with visual impairments (VIs) tend to have lower levels of motor competence and physical activity with increased sedentary behavior and risk of obesity when compared to their peers without VIs. Knowing the influence that motor competence plays on physical activity behaviors in childhood, it is important to identify factors, such as self and others’ perceptions, that may be supporting/inhibiting motor competence levels for youth with VIs. To rigorously examine self-perceptions, parents’ perceptions, and metaperceptions, it is important to have instruments with appropriate content and face validity. Therefore, the purpose of this Delphi study was to determine the content/face validity of the self-perception, parents’ perception, and metaperception questionnaires for youth with VIs. Participants ( N = 13, male = 2; female = 11) included experts from four categories: (1) teachers directly working with students with VIs in schools (teachers of the visually impaired [TVI], orientation and mobility specialists [O and M], adapted and general physical educators [ n = 6]); (2) researchers who publish studies in the field of physical education, motor behavior, or VIs ( n = 3); (3) parents of children with VIs ( n = 2); and (4) individuals with documented VIs ( n = 2). After two rounds of completing the Delphi procedure, results showed means above 4.0 out of 5.0 for all three questionnaires. The panel of experts deemed the content/face validity of the instruments acceptable.
Cheers together, but not alone: Peer drinking moderates alcohol consumption following interpersonal stress
Authors: Hamilton Hannah R. , Armeli Stephen , Tennen Howard
Published: February 2021

In view of the importance of the need to belong in motivating behavior, we examined whether interpersonal and academic stress differentially influence social and solitary alcohol consumption and whether social and solitary alcohol consumption differentially predict next-day interpersonal and academic stress. Based on research suggesting that drinking with friends is related to increased alcohol consumption following belongingness threat, we also examined whether peer consumption moderates associations between daily interpersonal stress and social drinking. Each day for 30 days, 1641 undergraduates reported stress, alcohol consumption, and peer consumption. Academic stress was related to lower levels of social and solitary alcohol consumption. Interpersonal stress was associated with greater social alcohol consumption, but only when students reported being around others who were drinking greater than average peer quantities. However, although social drinking was related to lower next-day academic stress, it was unrelated to next-day interpersonal stress. Findings are consistent with the notion that individuals’ perceptions of peers’ alcohol use might serve as a signal to join in this behavior to reduce belongingness threats associated with interpersonal stressors, although this may not be an effective strategy.
Comprehensive clinical phenotyping of nitroglycerin infusion induced cluster headache attacks
Authors: Wei Diana Y , Goadsby Peter J
Published: February 2021

Background

Nitroglycerin administration allows the study of cluster headache attacks in their entirety in a standardised way.

Methods

A single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study using weight-calculated intravenous nitroglycerin administration at 0.5 µg/kg/min over 20 minutes to study cluster headache attacks, including accompanying non-headache symptoms and cranial autonomic symptoms.

Results

Thirty-three subjects with cluster headache were included in the study; 24 completed all three study visits. Nitroglycerin-induced attacks developed in 26 out of 33 subjects (79%) receiving unblinded nitroglycerin infusion, and in 19 out of 25 subjects (76%) receiving single-blinded nitroglycerin infusion, compared with one out of 24 subjects (4%) receiving single-blinded placebo infusion. Episodic cluster headache subjects had a shorter latency period to a nitroglycerin-induced attack compared to the chronic cluster headache (CCH) subjects ( U = 15, z = −2.399, p = 0.016). Sixteen of nineteen episodic cluster headache (mean, 84%; 95% confidence interval, 66–100%) and 11 of 14 chronic cluster headache subjects developed a nitroglycerin-induced attack (79%, 54–100%) following the unblinded nitroglycerin infusion. Following the single-blinded nitroglycerin infusion, eight out of 13 episodic cluster headache (62%, 31–92%) and 11 out of 12 chronic cluster headache (92%, 73–100%) subjects developed nitroglycerin-induced attacks. Nitroglycerin induced non-headache symptoms in the majority of subjects receiving it: 91% in the open unblinded nitroglycerin visit and 84% in the single-blinded nitroglycerin visits, compared with 33% in the single-blinded placebo visit. Cranial autonomic symptoms were induced by nitroglycerin infusion, 94% in the open unblinded nitroglycerin visit and 84% in the single-blinded nitroglycerin visit, compared with 17% in the single-blinded placebo visit.

Conclusion

Intravenous weight-adjusted nitroglycerin administration in both episodic cluster headache in bout and chronic cluster headache is effective and reliable in inducing cluster headache attacks, cranial autonomic symptoms and non-headache symptoms.
Patients with episodic migraine show increased T2 values of the trapezius muscles – an investigation by quantitative high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Sollmann Nico , Schandelmaier Paul , Weidlich Dominik , Börner Corinna , Urban Giada , Lang Magdalena , Zimmer Claus , Karampinos Dimitrios C , Landgraf Mirjam N , Heinen Florian , Baum Thomas , Bonfert Michaela V
Published: February 2021

Background

Neck pain is frequent in patients with migraine. Likewise, evidence for inflammatory processes in the trapezius muscles is accumulating. However, non-invasive and objectively assessable correlates are missing in vivo.

Methods

Twenty-one subjects with episodic migraine (mean age: 24.6 ± 3.1 years, 18 females) and 22 controls (mean age: 23.0 ± 2.2 years, 17 females) without any history of headache prospectively underwent physical examination and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the trapezius muscles. A T2‐prepared turbo spin-echo sequence was acquired for manual segmentation of the trapezius muscles and extraction of mean T2 values.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences regarding age, sex, body mass index, or number of myofascial trigger points (mTrPs) between groups. All patients with migraine presented with mTrPs in the trapezius muscles. T2 of the entire trapezius muscles was significantly higher in the migraine group when compared to controls (31.1 ± 0.8 ms vs. 30.1 ± 1.1 ms; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Elevated T2 values of the trapezius muscles may indicate subtle inflammatory processes within musculature among patients with migraine because T2 increase is likely to stem from edematous changes. Future work may validate this finding in larger cohorts, but muscle T2 might have potential to develop into a viable in vivo biomarker for muscular affection in migraine.
Use of Resampling Method to Construct Variance Index and Repeatability Limit of Damage Characteristic Curve
Authors: Ding Jing , Lee Kangjin Caleb , Castorena Cassie , Kim Youngsoo Richard , Underwood B. Shane
Published: February 2021

The simplified viscoelastic continuum damage model has been widely accepted as a tool to predict fatigue performance of asphalt concrete. One key component in the model is the damage characteristic curve that results from a cyclic fatigue test. This curve characterizes the relationship between material integrity (stiffness) and the level of damage in the material. As with any experimental measurement, it is important to know and quantify the variability of the damage curve, but traditional statistical methods are ill-suited for experiments that yield functional data as opposed to univariate data. In this study, a variance index of the damage characteristic curve is first proposed and compared with the expert judgment of the variance of a set of nine different asphalt mixtures. Then, an example analysis for establishing the repeatability limit of a specific mixture as the application of the variance index is presented using the resampling method and hypothesis test. The major findings are as follows: 1) the proposed variance index can match the expert judgment of variability; 2) the shape of the damage characteristic curve can affect the performance of the variance index; 3) the resampling method and hypothesis test can be applied to flag inconsistent data in multi-user or multi-laboratory results; and 4) the resampling method can also be used to construct the repeatability limit of the variance index.
Predictive Value of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Based Coronal Lateral Collateral Ligament Sign on Adolescent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Graft Failure
Authors: Mitchell Brendon C. , Siow Matthew Y. , Bastrom Tracey , Bomar James D. , Pennock Andrew T. , Parvaresh Kevin , Edmonds Eric W.
Published: February 2021

Background:

The coronal lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sign is the presence of the full length of the LCL visualized on a single coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slice at the posterolateral corner of the knee. The coronal LCL sign has been shown to be associated with elevated measures of anterior tibial translation and internal rotation in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

Hypothesis:

The coronal LCL sign (with greater anterior translation, internal rotation, and posterior slope of the tibia) will indicate a greater risk for graft failure after ACL reconstructive surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Retrospective review was performed of adolescent patients with ACL reconstruction: a cohort without graft failure and a cohort with graft failure. MRI was utilized to measure tibial translation and femorotibial rotation and to identify the coronal LCL sign. The posterior tibial slope was measured on lateral radiographs. Patient-reported outcomes were collected.

Results:

We identified 114 patients with no graft failure and 39 patients with graft failure who met all criteria, with a mean follow-up time of 3.5 years (range, 2-9.4 years). Anterior tibial translation was associated with anterolateral complex injury ( P < .001) but not graft failure ( P = .06). Internal tibial rotation was associated with anterolateral complex injury ( P < .001) and graft failure ( P = .042). Posterior tibial slope was associated with graft failure ( P = .044). The coronal LCL sign was associated with anterolateral complex injury ( P < .001) and graft failure ( P = .013), with an odds ratio of 4.3 for graft failure (95% CI, 1.6-11.6; P = .003). Subjective patient-reported outcomes and return to previous level of sport were not associated with failure. Comparison of MRI before and after ACL reconstruction in the graft failure cohort demonstrated a reduced value in internal rotation ( P = .003) but no change in coronal LCL sign ( P = .922).

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrates that tibial internal rotation and posterior slope are independent predictors of ACL graft failure in adolescents. Although the value of internal rotation could be improved with ACL reconstruction, the presence of the coronal LCL sign persisted over time and was predictive of graft rupture (without the need to make measurements or memorize values of significant risk). Together, these factors indicate that greater initial knee deformity after initial ACL tear predicts greater risk for future graft failure.
Effects of mouse fetal liver cell culture density on hematopoietic cell expansion in three-dimensional cocultures with stromal cells
Authors: Miyoshi Hirotoshi , Abo Kenji , Hosoya Daiki , Matsuo Kazuyuki , Utsumi Yoshio
Published: February 2021

Objective:

An effective ex vivo expansion system of primitive hematopoietic cells (HCs) is required for wider application of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, we examined effects of culture density on mouse fetal liver cells (FLCs) used as an HC source for the expansion of primitive HCs in three-dimensional (3D) cocultures with two kinds of mouse stromal cell lines (OP9 or C3H10T1/2).

Materials and methods:

FLCs were seeded at different densities (1, 2, and 10 × 107 cells/cm3) into porous polymer scaffolds with or without stromal cell layers and HCs were expanded in the cultures for 2 weeks without exogenous cytokines.

Results:

Differential effects of culture density on HC expansion were observed between cocultures and solitary FLC controls. In stromal cell cocultures, high expansion of HCs was achieved when FLCs were seeded at low densities. In contrast, the expansion in the controls was enhanced with increasing culture densities. With respect to expansion of primitive HCs existing in the FLCs, cocultures with C3H10T1/2 cells were superior to those with OP9 cells with a 29.3-fold expansion for c-kit+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and 8.3-fold expansion for CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In the controls, HC expansion was lower than in any cocultures, demonstrating the advantages of coculturing for HC expansion.

Conclusion:

Stromal cell lines are useful in expanding primitive HCs derived from FLCs in 3D cocultures. Culture density is a pivotal factor for the effective expansion of primitive HCs and this effect differs by culture condition.
Current Trends in the Use of Ultrasound Over Chest X-Ray to Identify Pneumothoraces in ICU, Trauma, and ARDS Patients
Authors: Ron Eyal , Alattar Zana , Hoebee Shelby , Kang Paul , vanSonnenberg Eric
Published: February 2021

Pneumothoraces are a common and potentially fatal complication for critically ill patients in the trauma and intensive care units. Since its use for pneumothorax detection was first reported in 1987, ultrasound has been increasingly used for the detection of thoracic injuries. As ultrasound imaging has improved and operators have potentially become more proficient, it is important to analyze more recent trends in the sensitivities and specificities of ultrasound for the detection of pneumothorax. This literature review and meta-analysis identifies 17 studies that directly compare the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound and anterior-posterior chest x-ray in the identification of pneumothorax among 2955 patients who developed 793 pneumothoraces as detected by gold standard CT scanning. For the 17 articles analyzed, the pooled sensitivity of trans-thoracic ultrasound was 75.07% (64.92%-85.22%), and the pooled specificity was 98.36% (97.45%-99.26%). The pooled sensitivity of CXR was 45.65% (36.04%-55.26%), and pooled specificity was 99.62% (99.00%-100%). While this review demonstrates an improved sensitivity in the detection of pneumothorax with ultrasound over AP chest x-rays, it did not find a significant trend or improvement in the sensitivity or specificity of ultrasound for detecting pneumothorax over time.
Prognostic Significance of Plasma Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Sepsis
Authors: Peng Fei , Liang Chenglong , Chang Wei , Sun Qin , Xie Jianfeng , Qiu Haibo , Yang Yi
Published: February 2021

Background:

To assess any correlation of plasma hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels with relevant endothelial cell injury parameters and determine the prognostic value in septic patients.

Methods:

A prospective, observational study was conducted in patients with sepsis admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the Zhongda Hospital from November 2017 to March 2018. Plasma HGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the first 24 h after admission (day 1) and on day 3. The primary endpoint was defined as all-cause 28-day mortality. Furthermore, we analyzed the correlation of HGF with relevant endothelial cell injury markers.

Results:

Eighty-six patients admitted with sepsis were included. HGF levels of nonsurvivors were elevated compared to those of survivors on day 1 (1940.62 ± 74.66 pg/mL vs. 1635.61 ± 47.49 pg/mL; P = 0.002) and day 3 (1824.82 ± 137.52 pg/mL vs. 1309.77 ± 83.49 pg/mL; P = 0.001) and showed a strong correlation with von Willebrand factor (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001), lactate (r = 0.35, P = 0.0011), pulmonary vascular permeability index (r = 0.38, P = 0.0241), first 24 h fluid administration (r = 0.38, P < 0.0001), and sequential organ failure assessment score (r = 0.40, P = 0.0001). Plasma HGF levels were able to prognostically discriminate between survivors and nonsurvivors on day 1 (AUC: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.60-0.84) and day 3 (AUC: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.63-0.91).

Conclusions:

HGF levels are associated with sepsis and correlated with established markers of endothelial cell injury. Elevated HGF levels in sepsis patients are an efficient indicator of poor prognosis.

Trial registration:

The study was registered in Clinical Trial (Registration Number: NCT02883231).
PEG-α-CD/AM/liposome @amoxicillin double network hydrogel wound dressing—Multiple barriers for long-term drug release
Authors: Wang Shan , Wang Zhicun , Xu Cheng , Cui Lin , Meng Guihua , Yang Shengchao , Wu Jianning , Liu Zhiyong , Guo Xuhong
Published: February 2021

Wound infection and poor wound healing are the major challenges of wound treatment. Antibiotic drug treatment is the effective way to inhibit wound infection. It is necessary to achieve sustained release of antibiotics to get a longer treatment for wound infection. The double network hydrogels based on liposome, polyethylene glycol (PEG), α- cyclodextrin ( α-CD) and acrylamide (AM) were developed, in which liposome acts as amoxicillin repository. Because the drug would release from the multiple barriers including two cavities of liposome and α-CD, as well as polyethylene glycol - α- cyclodextrin/acrylamide (PEG-CD/AM) double network, the PEG- α-CD/AM/liposome @amoxicillin double network hydrogels could achieve sustained drug release. The drug release assay showed that the dressing could release amoxicillin continuously until 12 days, than that of 8th day for single-network hydrogel releasing. The antibacterial ratio of the hydrogel could reach above 80%. What’s more, the hydrogels present adjustable mechanical strength by changing the ratio of the components. The swelling ratio proved that the hydrogel had potential ability to absorb wound exudates. The cytotoxicity test of the hydrogels demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. These results indicated that this study can provide a new thought for antibacterial wound dressing and has a broad application prospect.
Leisure-Time Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Long-Term Sickness Absence Among Older Healthy Female Eldercare Workers
Authors: López-Bueno Rubén , Clausen Thomas , Calatayud Joaquín , Casajús José A. , Andersen Lars L.
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

This study aimed to examine the association between leisure-time physical activity (PA) and risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA).

Design:

Data on LTSA (≥3 consecutive weeks during a 1-year follow-up) were acquired from the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalization and linked to a questionnaire via personal identification number.

Setting:

Eldercare workers from 36 Danish municipalities.

Subjects:

Data were retrieved from 4605 healthy Danish female eldercare (i.e., workers assisting senior citizens with daily activities and health) aged 19 to 69 years, who answered a questionnaire on health, and work environment in 2005.

Measures:

Calculated risk of LTSA and its association with self-reported leisure-time PA.

Analysis:

A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results:

Eldercare workers showed significantly reduced risk of LTSA when performing moderate (HR = 0.67, 95%CI 0.47-0.96), and vigorous leisure-time PA (HR = 0.45, 95%CI 0.25-0.81) (reference group: sedentary). In subgroup analyses, females over 45 years showed a risk reduction of LTSA for moderate (HR = 0.54, 95%CI 0.32-0.90), and vigorous leisure-time PA (HR = 0.43, 95%CI 0.18-0.99), whereas younger eldercare workers did not show significant risk reductions for either moderate (HR = 0.86, 95%CI 0.51-1.43) or vigorous leisure-time PA (HR = 0.50, 95%CI 0.21-1.16) in the fully adjusted model.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that moderate and, particularly, vigorous leisure-time PA reduced risk of LTSA in eldercare workers aged over 45 years.
Flexibility in using self-regulatory strategies to manage self-control conflicts: The role of metacognitive knowledge, strategy repertoire, and feedback monitoring
Authors: Bürgler Sebastian , Hoyle Rick H , Hennecke Marie
Published: February 2021

For regulating emotion, it has been shown that people benefit from being flexible in their use of emotion regulation strategies. In the current study, we built on research focused on regulatory flexibility with respect to emotions to investigate flexibility in the use of self-regulatory strategies to resolve daily self-control conflicts. We investigated three components of flexibility: (1) metacognitive knowledge, (2) strategy repertoire, and (3) feedback monitoring. In a 10-day experience sampling study, 226 participants reported whether they had, within the past hour, experienced a self-control conflict of initiating an aversive activity, persisting in it, or inhibiting an unwanted impulse in response to a temptation. Results support the hypothesis that higher levels of all three components of flexibility are associated with higher levels of success in managing daily self-control conflicts, except for strategy repertoire and feedback monitoring in conflicts of persistence. Results also support the hypothesis that higher levels of trait self-control are associated with higher levels of metacognitive knowledge and feedback monitoring for conflicts of initiation, but not for conflicts of persistence and inhibition. We found no evidence of an association between trait self-control and strategy repertoire. These findings demonstrate the importance of flexible strategy use during daily self-control conflicts.
Convolutional neural network-based ambient light-independent panel digit surveillance technique for infusion pumps
Authors: Hwang Young Jun , Kim Gun Ho , Sung Eui Suk , Nam Kyoung Won
Published: February 2021

For effective patient therapy and improved patient safety, it is critical to administer medication accurately in accordance with doctor’s prescription. However, accidents owing to the erroneous programing of infusion pumps caused by users have been consistently reported in several documents. In this study, the authors propose a novel surveillance technique for infusion pumps to continuously monitor the variations in panel digits using a convolutional neural network model, and evaluate the performance of the implemented technique. During the experimental evaluation, 1st-step ROIs and 2nd-step ROIs were successfully extracted from the frame images regardless of the ambient lighting conditions. The final accuracies of the implemented CNN model are 99.9% for both the training (172,800 images) and validation (1080 images) dataset while the final losses for the training and validation datasets are 0.48 and 0.45 after 13th epoch, respectively. In the 24-h continuous monitoring test, the accuracy of the model for volume recognition considering all the 1440 measurements (960 for day-lighting and 480 for night-lighting) is 95.5%, whereas in day-lighting and night-lighting modes the accuracies of the model are 98.2% and 90.0%, respectively. Based on these experimental results, the proposed surveillance technique incorporating infusion pumps is expected to improve the safety of patients who need long-term treatments via infusion pumps, reducing the burden on the nurses and hospitals.
Optimal control of drop-induced shock mitigation using magnetorheological energy absorbers considering quadratic damping
Authors: Wang Mukai , Chen Zhaobo , Yan Hui , Choi Young-Tai , Wereley Norman M
Published: February 2021

The optimal control of a magnetorheological energy absorber (MREA) shock mitigation system is investigated considering quadratic damping in the MREA. To this end, the equation of motion of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) shock suspension system using an MREA with quadratic damping is analyzed. To achieve a soft landing and to maintain stroking load below a maximum allowable value, it is required that the payload comes to rest after fully utilizing the available stroke. For low sink rates, a generalized Bingham number (quadratic) or GBN-Q control algorithm is developed that achieves a soft landing by selecting an initial magnetorheological (MR) force level or generalized Bingham number (GBN) for the quadratic damping at the initial sink rate. To cope with the cases above a critical sink rate, where the deceleration exceeds a maximum allowable threshold when using the GBN-Q control only, a minimum duration deceleration exposure-quadratic (MDDE-Q) controller is developed. This controller seeks to maintain the stroking load at its maximum allowable threshold until the payload slows such that the GBN-Q controller can be used to achieve the soft landing condition. The switching methodology between the GBN-Q controller and the MDDE-Q controller is discussed. Each control method relies on an optimal GBN that is computed to ensure a soft landing. Results show that the MDDE-Q controller can successfully minimize the exposure of the payload to the maximum allowable stroking load.
Teaching Place Value to Students With Learning Disabilities in Mathematics
Authors: Rojo Megan M. , Knight Brittany , Bryant Diane P.
Published: February 2021

According to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), students must develop a conceptual understanding of place value by second grade to understand that mathematics processes are more than a set of procedural steps. Yet, students with learning disabilities in mathematics typically struggle to understand place value in a deeper, conceptual sense, which can have a negative impact on their future performance where application of place value concepts are foundational. Therefore, early interventions targeting place value instruction are critical for building a solid foundation in mathematics for students with learning disabilities. This article provides teachers with an overview of five place-value principles, which are critical for student success; and evidence-based practices for teaching those principles.
Varieties of Public Attitudes toward Immigration: Evidence from Survey Experiments in Japan
Authors: Kage Rieko , Rosenbluth Frances M. , Tanaka Seiki
Published: February 2021

What factors shape attitudes toward immigration? Previous studies have typically debated whether citizens oppose immigration more for economic or cultural reasons. We broaden this debate by exploring how different segments of the citizenry feel about immigration. Our original surveys conducted in Japan reveal two separate axes along which many citizens view immigration: (1) its cultural and economic effects, and (2) its positive and negative effects. Even in Japan, whose relatively closed policy toward immigration is conventionally believed to reflect widespread public intolerance of outsiders, over 60 percent of our respondents favor widening the doors to immigrants for economic or cultural reasons or both.
Two Cases of Sporadic Eosinophilic Solid and Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma in Manitoba Population
Authors: Mohaghegh Poor Seyed Mohammad , Mathur Shivani , Kassier Karl , Rossouw Janetta , Wightman Robert , Saranchuk Jeff , Gibson Ian W.
Published: February 2021

Two sporadic cases of eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma (ESC RCC), at our institution, are presented in this study to contribute to the growing literature on this novel renal neoplasm. The first patient was a 38-year-old female with two synchronous renal masses measuring 3.5 and 1.9 cm on preoperative imaging. The second patient was a 44-year-old female with an incidental renal mass measuring 4 cm. Both patients underwent uncomplicated radical nephrectomies. The 1.9 cm mass in the first patient was consistent with clear cell RCC. The dominant mass in the first patient and the tumor in the second patient had microscopic and macroscopic findings in keeping with ESC RCC including a tan appearance, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and CK20+ and CK7− staining. Both patients had an uncomplicated course following surgery with no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastatic disease for 1 and 2 years for the first and second patient accordingly. These cases contribute to a growing body of literature regarding ESC RCC including, to our knowledge, the first reported case of synchronous ESC RCC and clear cell RCC. Further research about this novel renal neoplasm is needed.
Improving rates of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in multiple myeloma patients on immunomodulatory drugs through a pharmacy-based system
Authors: Parnes Aric , Leblebjian Houry , Hamilton Joanna , Smith Sydney , Laubach Jacob , Berliner Nancy
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Immunomodulatory drugs used to treat multiple myeloma carry an increased risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. Previously published guidelines outline consensus opinion on how to mitigate this risk.

Methods

We collected baseline data to analyze how these strategies are utilized at our single institution and sought to improve the rates of anticoagulation for high-risk patients. This was done through a quality improvement project that added pharmacy/haematology oversight to the VTE risk assessment.

Results

Thirty-nine patients newly started on IMiDs were assessed for VTE risk. This information was passed on to the myeloma provider for consideration. Twenty-two patients were classified as high risk for VTE. Of the high-risk patients, 14 (64%) were placed on an anticoagulant for thromboprophylaxis. Eleven (79%) of the 14 used direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Eight high-risk patients did not receive an anticoagulant for thromboprophylaxis; 4 of these developed VTE. No patients on anticoagulation developed a VTE. This strategy had rare minor bleeding complications.

Conclusion

This quality action verifies guideline-based thromboprophylaxis in multiple myeloma and supports the benefit of pharmacy oversight in improving VTE rates. The use of DOACs in myeloma should be further explored.