bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matched-pair analysis of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Hartrampf Philipp E. , Weinzierl Franz-Xaver , Buck Andreas K. , Rowe Steven P. , Higuchi Takahiro , Seitz Anna Katharina , Kübler Hubert , Schirbel Andreas , Essler Markus , Bundschuh Ralph A. , Werner Rudolf A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Labelled with lutetium-177, the urea-based small molecules PSMA I&T and PSMA-617 are the two agents most frequently used for radioligand therapy (RLT) in patients with advanced metastatic castration-resistant and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expressing prostate cancer (mCRPC). In this matched-pair analysis, we aimed to compare the toxicity and efficacy of both agents for PSMA-directed RLT.

Materials and methods

A total of 110 mCRPC patients from two centres were accrued, 55 individuals treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T, and a matched cohort of 55 patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. Matching criteria included age at the first cycle, Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values, and previous taxane-based chemotherapy. Using common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE v. 5.0), toxicity profiles were investigated (including bone marrow and renal toxicity). Overall survival (OS) between both groups was compared.

Results

Toxicity assessment revealed grade III anaemia in a single patient (1.8%) for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T and five (9.1%) for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. In addition, one (1.9%) grade III thrombopenia for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 was recorded. Apart from that, no other grade III/IV toxicities were present. A median OS of 12 months for patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T did not differ significantly when compared to patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (median OS, 13 months; P = 0.89).

Conclusion

In this matched-pair analysis of patients receiving one of the two agents most frequently applied for PSMA RLT, the rate of clinically relevant toxicities was low for both compounds. In addition, no relevant differences for OS were observed.
Projektbericht zur Förderung wissenschaftlicher Kompetenzen im Fach Schmerzmedizin im Rahmen der curricularen Lehre
Authors: Dusch Martin , Mayer Manfred , Treede Rolf-Detlef , Fischer Martin R. , Berndt Markus
Published: March 2022

Zielsetzung

Die Vermittlung von Wissenschaftskompetenzen ist ein unverzichtbares Charakteristikum eines akademischen Medizinstudiums. Im Rahmen des Modellstudiengangs Mannheimer Reformiertes Curriculum für Medizin (MaReCuM) wurde die Lehrveranstaltung Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten im Fach Schmerzmedizin in das 5. Studienjahr implementiert. Die Ziele der Arbeit umfassen die Beschreibung dieser kompetenzorientierten Lehrveranstaltung sowie eine Evaluation der Lerneffekte der Lehrveranstaltung.

Methodik

114 Studierende haben sich an einer Fragebogenerhebung beteiligt. Die historische Kontrollgruppe absolvierte das 5. Studienjahr vor Einführung der Lehrveranstaltung. Die Interventionsgruppe nahm verpflichtend an der Lehrveranstaltung sowie an der realen Versorgungsforschungsstudie Case-Management-Programm Kreuzschmerzteil. In beiden Gruppen erfolgte eine Fragebogenerhebung zu schmerzmedizinischem Vorwissen und Interesse sowie zur Akzeptanz der Lehrveranstaltung und dem subjektiv wahrgenommenen Lernerfolg.

Ergebnisse

Die innovative und kompetenzorientierte Lehrveranstaltung konnte erfolgreich in das Curriculum des Modellstudiengangs implementiert und mit den Partnern in der Allgemeinmedizin und dem Mannheim Institute of Public Health wie geplant durchgeführt werden. Die Lehrveranstaltung wurde von den teilnehmenden Studierenden akzeptiert. In der begleitenden Evaluation hatte die Teilnahme an der Lehrintervention an und für sich keinen messbaren Einfluss auf den subjektiven Lernerfolg.

Diskussion

Unseres Wissens nach wurde dieser didaktische Ansatz in der curricularen Lehre bislang noch nicht verfolgt. Die vorgestellte Lehrveranstaltung eröffnet eine weitere Option zur Vermittlung von Wissenschaftskompetenzen im Rahmen des Medizinstudiums. Ein Effekt der Lehrveranstaltung auf den subjektiven Lernerfolg war in der untersuchten Form und am Ende des Moduls nicht messbar. Gründe dafür könnten in den vielfältigen und umfangreichen Vorerfahrungen der Studierenden des Modellstudiengangs MaReCuM sowie in Limitationen bei der Teilnahme an der realen Versorgungsforschungsstudie liegen. Durch die Verknüpfung der Lehrintervention mit anderen Lehrveranstaltungen zu einem longitudinalen Wissenschaftsmodul kann eine zusätzliche Lerngelegenheit im Bereich der Arztrolle des Gelehrten geschaffen werden. Die Implementierung der Lehrveranstaltung bietet darüber hinaus die Gelegenheit für vergleichende Untersuchungen zum Erwerb von Wissenschaftskompetenzen der Studierenden im Fach Humanmedizin.
Evidences of emerging pain consciousness during prenatal development: a narrative review
Authors: Falsaperla Raffaele , Collotta Ausilia Desiree , Spatuzza Michela , Familiari Maria , Vitaliti Giovanna , Ruggieri Martino
Published: March 2022

Background

The study of consciousness has always been considered a challenge for neonatologists, even more when considering the uterine period. Our review aimed to individuate at what gestational age the fetus, which later became a premature infant, can feel the perception of external stimuli. Therefore, the aim of our review was to study the onset of consciousness during the fetal life.

Materials and methods

A literature search was performed in Medline-PubMed database. We included all papers found with the following MeSH words: “consciousness or cognition or awareness or comprehension or cognitive or consciousness of pain” in combination with “embryo or fetus or fetal life or newborn.” Studies were selected if titles and/or abstracts suggested an association between formation of consciousness (the basics of neurodevelopment) and preterm infant or fetus. Titles and abstracts were first screened by three independent reviewers according to Cochrane Collaboration’s recommendations.

Results

From the literature review, we found only 8 papers describing the onset of consciousness in the transition period from fetus to premature newborn. Therefore, according to these papers, we temporally analyzed the formation of the thalamocortical connections that are the basis of consciousness.

Conclusions

We can conclude that from a neuroanatomical point of view, it is rather unlikely that the infant can be seen as a conscious human before 24 weeks of gestational age, thus before all the thalamocortical connections are established. Further literature data have to confirm this hypothesis.
Large-arena field cage releases of a candidate classical biological control agent for spotted wing drosophila suggest low risk to non-target species
Authors: Seehausen M. Lukas , Valenti Riccardo , Fontes João , Meier Michela , Marazzi Cristina , Mazzi Dominique , Kenis Marc
Published: March 2022

Classical biological control, i.e., the introduction of natural enemies from an invasive pest’s area of origin, has been proposed repeatedly to control the spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii in the Americas and in Europe. Results from surveys in Asia and laboratory experiments suggest the parasitoid G1 Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis as a suitable biological control agent. To study the host specificity of the parasitoid under semi-field conditions, we conducted large-arena field cage releases. Parasitoids were released into cages at three dates in August 2021 in two regions of Switzerland. Released parasitoids had the choice to parasitize either D. suzukii larvae in fresh fruits (blueberries or elderberries) or the non-target native species D. melanogaster in decomposing fruits. The results were unequivocal in that apparent parasitism of D. suzukii larvae feeding in fresh fruits was on average 15%, whereas only one parasitoid emerged from D. melanogaster feeding on decomposing fruits (0.02% parasitism). Thus, the results support findings from previous laboratory experiments that G1 G. cf. brasiliensis is highly specific to D. suzukii larvae feeding in fresh fruits and parasitism of the closely related D. melanogaster feeding on decomposing fruits is very rare. Because in its invaded range, D. suzukii is the only Drosophila species that can attack and develop in undamaged fresh fruits, we conclude that open field releases of the parasitoid G1 G. cf. brasiliensis should not pose significant risks to non-targets.
Reuse and maintenance practices among divergent forks in three software ecosystems
Authors: Businge John , Openja Moses , Nadi Sarah , Berger Thorsten
Published: March 2022

With the rise of social coding platforms that rely on distributed version control systems, software reuse is also on the rise. Many software developers leverage this reuse by creating variants through forking, to account for different customer needs, markets, or environments. Forked variants then form a so-called software family; they share a common code base and are maintained in parallel by same or different developers. As such, software families can easily arise within software ecosystems, which are large collections of interdependent software components maintained by communities of collaborating contributors. However, little is known about the existence and characteristics of such families within ecosystems, especially about their maintenance practices. Improving our empirical understanding of such families will help build better tools for maintaining and evolving such families. We empirically explore maintenance practices in such fork-based software families within ecosystems of open-source software. Our focus is on three of the largest software ecosystems existence today: , , and . We identify and analyze software families that are maintained together and that exist both on the official distribution platform (Google play, , and ) as well as on GitHub , allowing us to analyze reuse practices in depth. We mine and identify 38 software families, 526 software families, and 8,837 software families from the ecosystems of , , and , to study their characteristics and code-propagation practices. We provide scripts for analyzing code integration within our families. Interestingly, our results show that there is little code integration across the studied software families from the three ecosystems. Our studied families also show that techniques of direct integration using git outside of GitHub is more commonly used than GitHub pull requests. Overall, we hope to raise awareness about the existence of software families within larger ecosystems of software, calling for further research and better tools support to effectively maintain and evolve them.
Rethinking Explicit Consent and Intimate Data: The Case of Menstruapps
Authors: Alaattinoğlu Daniela
Published: March 2022

Period-tracking software applications or ‘menstruapps’ have witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years. At the same time, many of them are a part of the adtech industry, using business models that create revenue by selling users’ personal and intimate data. This exploratory article brings menstruapps into a feminist legal debate. It investigates the supranational European legal standards on intimate and sensitive data processing, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Scrutinising explicit consent according to GDPR Article 9, this paper, through empirical examples, claims that current legal standards are not enforced. The standards are, furthermore, theoretically insufficient to fully safeguard data subjects’ integrity and autonomy. Instead of abandoning the concept, the article reimagines consent, using a contextual and communicative model where power relations are taken into consideration, building on the feminist concept of freedom to negotiate.
Effect of the particle size evolution on the hydrogen storage performance of KH doped Mg(NH2)2 + 2LiH
Authors: Gizer Gökhan , Karimi Fahim , Pistidda Claudio , Cao Hujun , Puszkiel Julian A. , Shang Yuanyuan , Gericke Eike , Hoell Armin , Pranzas P. Klaus , Klassen Thomas , Dornheim Martin
Published: March 2022

In recent years, many solid-state hydride-based materials have been considered as hydrogen storage systems for mobile and stationary applications. Due to a gravimetric hydrogen capacity of 5.6 wt% and a dehydrogenation enthalpy of 38.9 kJ/mol H2, Mg(NH2)2 + 2LiH is considered a potential hydrogen storage material for solid-state storage systems to be coupled with PEM fuel cell devices. One of the main challenges is the reduction of dehydrogenation temperature since this system requires high dehydrogenation temperatures (~ 200 °C). The addition of KH to this system significantly decreases the dehydrogenation onset temperature to 130 °C. On the one hand, the addition of KH stabilizes the hydrogen storage capacity. On the other hand, the capacity is reduced by 50% (from 4.1 to 2%) after the first 25 cycles. In this work, the particle sizes of the overall hydride matrix and the potassium-containing species are investigated during hydrogen cycling. Relation between particle size evolution of the additive and hydrogen storage kinetics is described by using an advanced synchrotron-based technique: Anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering, which was applied for the first time at the potassium K-edge for amide-hydride hydrogen storage systems. The outcomes from this investigation show that, the nanometric potassium-containing phases might be located at the reaction interfaces, limiting the particle coarsening. Average diameters of potassium-containing nanoparticles double after 25 cycles (from 10 to 20 nm). Therefore, reaction kinetics at subsequent cycles degrade. The deterioration of the reaction kinetics can be minimized by selecting lower absorption temperatures, which mitigates the particle size growth, resulting in two times faster reaction kinetics.
Reconstructing Social Relationships in a Post-Lockdown Suburban Area of Southern Italy Using Pastoral Counselling
Authors: Stizzi Antonio , Negrola Ester , Iacona Erika , Naglieri Maria , Scalici Giorgio , Testoni Ines
Published: March 2022

The growing interest in spirituality has enabled numerous avenues of pastoral counselling support, which can be a useful resource for improving quality of life in the context of significant social deprivation. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of the spiritual dimension of pastoral support interventions created to help the inhabitants of a strongly deprived territory in Southern Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight people between the ages of 28 and 67 took part in the study. A qualitative research design was applied via online interviews with the participants, who were operators of a pastoral counselling service located on the outskirts of a suburban town. The main emergent themes were the importance of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of the participants, the role that these two aspects play in the lives of those who carry out activities devoted to helping others, and the ways in which these dimensions are used within support programmes responding to the needs of an area characterized by socioeconomic and psychosocial problems. The interviews revealed how pastoral counselling can be useful in situations of stress in highly deprived areas.
Multi-player electoral engineering and COVID-19 in the polish presidential elections in 2020
Authors: Flis Jarosław , Kaminski Marek
Published: March 2022

The uniqueness of Poland’s experience with the 2020 coronavirus lays in the interplay of two factors: the decisive governmental response to the pandemic, and the overlap of the pandemic with the country’s presidential election scheduled on May 10, 2020. The government’s fast reaction, combined with the citizens’ discipline, resulted in the suppression of the virus’s spread. The ratings of the current President Duda skyrocketed well above 50% needed for re-election in the first round. However, the expectation was that they would be going down with the pandemic and lockdown fatigue. For almost two months, the government tried to organize the elections under the normal schedule while the opposition tried to block them. Finally, the opposition won, and the elections were rescheduled on June 28, with the President Duda’s ratings substantially lower. Nevertheless, in the runoff on July 11, Duda won. Our conclusion goes against the common opinion that electoral engineering is always one-sided. The reconstruction of the pre-electoral political maneuvers shows that many independent players were simultaneously involved in complex engineering, and that the final outcome was hard to predict until almost the very end.
Formal verification and validation of run-to-completion style state charts using Event-B
Authors: Morris K. , Snook C. , Hoang T. S. , Hulette G. , Armstrong R. , Butler M.
Published: March 2022

State chart notations with ‘run to completion’ semantics are popular with engineers for designing controllers that react to environment events with a sequence of state transitions but lack formal refinement and rigorous verification methods. State chart models are typically used to design complex control systems that respond to environmental triggers with a sequential process. The model is usually constructed at a concrete level and verified and validated using animation techniques relying on human judgement. Event-B, on the other hand, is based on refinement from an initial abstraction and is designed to make formal verification by automatic theorem provers feasible. Abstraction and formal verification provide greater assurance that critical (e.g. safety or security) properties are not violated by the control system. In this paper, we introduce a notion of refinement into a ‘run to completion’ state chart modelling notation and leverage Event-B’s tool support for theorem proving. We describe the difficulties in translating ‘run to completion’ semantics into Event-B refinements and suggest a solution. We illustrate our approach and show how models can be validated at different refinement levels using our scenario checker animation tools. We show how critical invariant properties can be verified by proof despite the reactive nature of the system and how behavioural aspects of the system can be verified by testing the expected reactions using a temporal logic, model checking approach. To verify liveness, we outline a proof that the run to completion is deadlock-free and converges to complete the run.
Robotic-assisted abdominal aortic surgery: evidence and techniques
Authors: Rusch René , Hoffmann Grischa , Rusch Melanie , Cremer Jochen , Berndt Rouven
Published: March 2022

In various disciplines, robotic-assisted surgery is a well-proven routine procedure, but have never been established in vascular surgery so far. This review summarizes the results to date of robotic-assisted abdominal aortic surgery (RAAS) in the treatment of aorto-iliac occlusive disease (AIOD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Web-based literature search of robotic-assisted surgical procedures on the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries between 1990 and 2020 including the Cochrane Library, OVID Medline, Embase, and PubMed medical databases. All studies conducting Robotic-assisted surgery were included in the quantitative analysis regarding operative and cross-clamping times, conversion rates, mortality and morbidity within the first 30 days, and in-hospital stay. Case reports and case studies (< 5 patients) were not included. Twenty-four studies were deemed thematically eligible for inclusion; after exclusion of duplicate publications, nine met the inclusion criteria for further analysis. A total of 850 patients who had either abdominal aortic aneurysm or aorto-iliac occlusive disease underwent RAAS. One study of abdominal aortic aneurysm, three of aorto-iliac occlusive disease, and five studies of both disease entities were analyzed quantitatively. For AAA, conversion rates ranged from 13.1 to 20% and perioperative mortality ranged from 0 to 1.6% with in-hospital stay of 7 days. For aorto-iliac occlusive disease, conversion rates ranged from 0 to 20%, and perioperative mortality ranged from 0 to 3.6% with in-hospital stay of 5–8 days. RAAS has been shown to be technically feasible with acceptable short-term outcomes and questionable benefits in terms of in-hospital stay and complication rates. RAAS is currently considered only an outsider procedure. Randomized-controlled trials are indispensable for regular use in vascular surgery as well as a clear approval situation for the vascular sector.
Managerial overconfidence: promoter of or obstacle to organizational resilience?
Authors: Kunz Jennifer , Sonnenholzner Lara
Published: March 2022

Organizational resilience provides firms with the capability to face adverse circumstances successfully. Therefore, it constitutes an indispensable capability for each company. As indicated by Upper Echelon Theory, particularly executives and their personal traits exert a major impact on organizational capabilities, decision-making as well as action taking. Thus, they also should play an important role in promoting organizational resilience. However, so far literature lacks a comprehensive understanding regarding these relations. Accordingly, the present paper strives to add to such a comprehensive understanding with a particular focus on managerial overconfidence, one of the most widely and controversially discussed personality trait of executives. To pursue this goal, we develop a model comprising the relevant components of organizational resilience in terms of important resources, conduct a systematic literature review to identify the major corporate areas that are affected by managerial overconfidence and draw conclusions for the identified findings on the relation between organizational resilience and overconfidence. The analysis indicates a positive impact on social resources, a rather negative impact on procedural resources and a mixed impact on financial resources, where e.g. the effect on takeover activities is negative while the impact on financing preferences is at least partly positive. Moreover, the identified literature in large parts provides evidence regarding material resources, while social and procedural resources are covered to a lesser extent, indicating a need for further research.
Enhanced Recombinant Protein Production of Soluble, Highly Active and Immobilizable PNGase F
Authors: Kovács Noémi , Farsang Róbert , Szigeti Márton , Vonderviszt Ferenc , Jankovics Hajnalka
Published: March 2022

High resolution analysis of N-glycans can be performed after their endoglycosidase mediated removal from proteins. N-glycosidase F peptide (PNGase F) is one the most frequently used enzyme for this purpose. Because of the significant demand for PNGase F both in basic and applied research, rapid and inexpensive methods are of great demand for its large-scale production, preferably in immobilizable form to solid supports or surfaces. In this paper, we report on the high-yield production of N-terminal 6His-PNGase F enzyme in a bacterial Escherichia coli SHuffle expression system. The activity profile of the generated enzyme was compared to commercially available PNGase F enzymes, featuring higher activity for the former. The method described here is thus suitable for the cost-effective production of PNGase F in an active, immobilizable form.
T-Type Calcium Channel Inhibitors Induce Apoptosis in Medulloblastoma Cells Associated with Altered Metabolic Activity
Authors: Sedeeq Mohammed , Maklad Ahmed , Dutta Taush , Feng Zikai , Wilson Richard , Gueven Nuri , Azimi Iman
Published: March 2022

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour. In our previous studies, we developed a novel 3D assay for MB cells that was used to screen a panel of plasma membrane calcium channel modulators for their effect on the 3D growth of D341 MB cells. These studies identified T-type (CaV3) channel inhibitors, mibefradil and NNC-55–0396 (NNC) as selective inhibitors of MB cell growth. Mibefradil was originally approved for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris, and recently successfully completed a phase I trial for recurrent high-grade glioma. NNC is an analogue of mibefradil with multiple advantages compared to mibefradil that makes it attractive for potential future clinical trials. T-type channels have a unique low voltage-dependent activation/inactivation, and many studies suggest that they have a direct regulatory role in controlling Ca2+ signalling in non-excitable tissues, including cancers. In our previous study, we also identified overexpression of CaV3.2 gene in MB tissues compared to normal brain tissues. In this study, we aimed to characterise the effect of mibefradil and NNC on MB cells and elucidate their mechanism of action. This study demonstrates that the induction of toxicity in MB cells is selective to T-type but not to L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitors. Addition of CaV3 inhibitors to vincristine sensitised MB cells to this MB chemotherapeutic agent, suggesting an additive effect. Furthermore, CaV3 inhibitors induced cell death in MB cells via apoptosis. Supported by proteomics data and cellular assays, apoptotic cell death was associated with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced ATP levels, which suggests that both compounds alter the metabolism of MB cells. This study offers new insights into the action of mibefradil and NNC and will pave the way to test these molecules or their analogues in pre-clinical MB models alone and in combination with vincristine to assess their suitability as a potential MB therapy.
Construction of Girls’ Educational Projects in Kyrgyzstan from the Intergenerational Perspective
Authors: Chicherina Ekaterina
Published: March 2022

The present paper considers the main constraints and opportunities in the construction of girls’ educational projects in Kyrgyzstan in relation to their subjective well-being from the intergenerational perspective.

Today children have got new educational opportunities brought by various social transformations; at the same time, they come across new challenges which are often related to social inequality and economic problems on the local level. Especially female educational trajectories seem to experience noticeable effects of these transformations.

The author uses the theoretical concept of social capital to observe the role of the family in the construction of girls’ educational projects. In addition to this, the applied intergenerational approach allows to observe the changes and continuities in parent-child relations.

The findings show that in Kyrgyzstan “being well-educated” continues to be an essential element, the foundation of girls’ educational projects, similar to how it was for girls’ mothers in the same age. In the context of a strong hierarchical family structure and low level of state opportunities, today girls tend to rely only on family social and cultural capital for the realisation of educational projects. However, families’ actions are often aimed at the future prosperity, neglecting children’s interests at the present time. Besides, girls face gender-specific limitations related to the perception of women’s roles in the society. The frames within which girls can take decisions regarding educational trajectories are strongly defined by their families. This often leads to the feeling of uncertainty among girls and ambivalence between global promises and the “actual” local opportunity structures.
Does Socioeconomic Status Moderate the Relationship Between School Belonging and School-Related factors in Australia?
Authors: Allen Kelly-Ann , Cordoba Beatriz Gallo , Parks Ashleigh , Arslan Gökmen
Published: March 2022

Sense of school belonging has a strong impact on adolescents’ well-being, and whilst there are many factors that can influence school belonging, two of the most salient factors include perceived teacher support and exposure to bullying . While the association between school belonging and teacher support and school belonging and exposure to bullying are well documented in the literature, less is known about how these relationships vary depending on students’ socioeconomic status (SES). The aim of this study was to investigate whether SES moderated the relationship between school belonging and these school-related factors. The sample was drawn from the 14,273 Australian 15 and 16-year-olds who completed the 2018 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey. Linear regression analyses revealed that the association between school belonging and teacher support was not moderated by SES and there was a positive relationship between SES and sense of school belonging, even after accounting for teacher support, exposure to bullying and other student and school characteristics. Despite limitations, this study fills a gap in the literature, provides a foundation for further research to build on, and has potential implications for how safety should be promoted for students of both high and low SES for teacher support to more strongly influence their sense of school belonging.
Performance Analysis of Compound Parabolic Concentration Photothermal and Photoelectricity Device for Soil Heating in Facility Agriculture
Authors: Chang Zehui , Peng Yanan , Liu Xuedong , Hou Jing , Guo Shuaijun
Published: March 2022

It is difficult for solanum crops to grow continuously during winter in severe cold regions. Thus, a soil heating system for facility agriculture based on solar concentration technology was proposed, and a novel compound parabolic concentration photothermal and photoelectricity device (CTPV) equipped in the system was designed to address this problem. In accordance with the structure of the device, LightTools optical software was selected to analyze the variation trend of the light escape rate of the device with the different incident angles. On the basis of the calculation results, an experimental test system was used to investigate the relationship of the air temperature of the inlet and the outlet, total output power of the solar cells, and photothermal and photoelectricity efficiency of the device with the operation time during a sunny day. Research results reveal that the light escape rate of the device is 5.36% at an incidence angle of 12°. At a velocity of 1.5 m/s, the maximum air temperature of the outlet can reach 55.6 °C, and the total output power of the solar cells is 474.4 W. The variation of the total power of the solar cells is consistent with the simulation results. The maximum instantaneous heat collection and the maximum photothermal and photoelectricity efficiency of the device are 306 W and 60.4%, respectively, and the average efficiency is 44.9%. This study can serve as a reference for compound parabolic concentration technology applied for soil heating in facility agricultural soil heating systems.
Associations Between Outcome Resilience and Sociodemographic Factors, Childhood Trauma, Personality Dimensions and Self-Rated Health in Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Linnemann Patrick , Berger Klaus , Teismann Henning
Published: March 2022

Background

We examined how sociodemographic factors, childhood trauma, personality dimensions, and self-rated health were associated with outcome resilience and how different stressors influenced depressive symptoms.

Methods

An outcome resilience score for 213 adults was derived by means of a residualization approach. Associations between outcome resilience and sociodemographic and personality factors were evaluated using linear regression. In addition, associations between log-transformed depressive symptoms and the stressors were analyzed using multiple linear regression. A Pearson correlation coefficient between self-rated health and outcome resilience was also computed.

Results

Higher neuroticism was negatively and higher conscientiousness was positively associated with outcome resilience. Better self-rated health was associated with higher outcome resilience. Somatic disease events and onset of chronic mental disorders were associated with more depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Outcome resilience was significantly related to neuroticism, conscientiousness, and self-rated health. Strong associations between depressive symptoms and the stressors somatic disease event, and chronic mental disorder were observed.
Inactivation of anisakis larva using pulsed power technology and quality evaluation of horse mackerel meat treated with pulsed power
Authors: Onitsuka Chinari , Nakamura Kengo , Wang Douyan , Matsuda Mikiya , Tanaka Ritsuo , Inoue Yoichi , Kuroda Rieko , Noda Takayuki , Negoro Kenji , Negoro Takayasu , Namihira Takao
Published: March 2022

Anisakis is a parasite that is found in many marine products and can cause anisakiasis when present in fish consumed raw. The most common way to prevent anisakiasis is to freeze the fish, but this causes a noticeable decrease in the quality of the fish when eaten as sashimi. Although no practical method of killing anisakis other than freezing has been found, we have now succeeded in inactivating anisakis inside the fish meat by repeatedly and instantaneously applying electric current to the fish meat using pulsed power technology. The fish meat was placed in buffer saltwater, and pulsed power was applied multiple times. The immobilization rate was highest when the buffer saltwater was 5 mS/cm. The immobility ratio increased as the number of shots increased. Sensory evaluation of the fish meat after the pulse treatment confirmed that it retained its quality as sashimi. Breaking tests and color measurements were also conducted. We believe that this pulsed power treatment is a useful alternative to freezing as a method for killing anisakis.
“I Can’t Breathe”: Examining the Legacy of American Racism on Determinants of Health and the Ongoing Pursuit of Environmental Justice
Authors: Roberts Jennifer D. , Dickinson Katherine L. , Hendricks Marccus D. , Jennings Viniece
Published: March 2022

Purpose of Review

“I can’t breathe” were the last words spoken by Eric Garner (July 17, 2014), Javier Ambler (March 28, 2019), Elijah McClain (August 30, 2019), Manuel Ellis (March 3, 2020), and George Floyd (May 25, 2020). These were all African American men who died at the hands of police in the United States. Recently, police brutality has gained critical and overdue attention as one clear manifestation of systemic racism. However, historical and current policies related to a wide range of environmental hazards have exposed Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to disproportionately high levels of physical, mental, social, emotional, and cultural toxicities, thus creating unbreathable and unlivable communities.

Recent Findings

This paper traces the roots of systemic anti-Black racism in America from its origins in the 1400s, through systems of scientific racism that pathologized Blackness in order to justify slavery, and through evolving policies and structures that have shifted over time but consistently exposed many African American communities to unsafe and unhealthy environments.

We conclude with calls for bold solutions to move through and past this oppressive history and toward true environmental justice the enables all communities to thrive together.
Hope in Neurodiverse Adolescents: Disparities and Correlates
Authors: Moody Christine T. , Olabinjo Ibukun O. , Baker Bruce L. , Blacher Jan
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Hope is reliably associated with positive outcomes in youth; however, prior literature has yet to explore hope in neurodiverse individuals. As adolescents with neurodevelopmental differences (ND) display distinct neurocognitive profiles and are at risk for poor psychosocial outcomes, it is essential to understand how this marginalized group may vary in their own subjective ratings of hope, and how hope may relate to positive adjustment in this population. Further investigation of relational determinants, such as family characteristics and peer relationships, is also warranted to increase understanding of how various dimensions of social support relate to hope for different populations.

Methods

The current study assessed group differences in hope for ND adolescents on the autism spectrum and/or with intellectual disabilities, as compared to neurotypical (NT) adolescents. Additionally, correlates and predictors of hope were clarified across neurodiverse groups. Participants included 185 adolescents (NT: n = 96; ND: n = 89) and their mothers as part of a larger longitudinal study.

Results

Results indicated that adolescents with ND reported significantly lower hope than NT peers, t(183) = 3.31, p = .001, with autistic adolescents at highest risk. Regardless of neurodevelopmental status, greater hope was associated with fewer internalizing symptoms (F(1,178) = 12.35, p = .001) and higher quality of life (F(1,179) = 57.05, p < .001). Furthermore, maternal scaffolding and adolescent social skills were predictive of higher hope across groups.

Conclusions

Findings underscore the importance of hope in adolescence for all youth and highlight avenues for intervention.
Multiple Periodic Vibrations of Auxetic Honeycomb Sandwich Plate with 1:2 Internal Resonance
Authors: Zhu Shaotao , Li Jing , Qiao Zhijun , Zhou Ji
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we focus on the multiple periodic vibration behaviors of an auxetic honeycomb sandwich plate subjected to in-plane and transverse excitations. Nonlinear equation of motion for the plate is derived based on the third-order shear deformation theory and von Kármán type nonlinear geometric assumptions. The Melnikov method is extended to detect the bifurcation and multiple periodic vibrations of the plate under 1:2 internal resonance. The effects of transverse excitation on nonlinear vibration behaviors are discussed in detail. Evolution laws and waveforms of multiple periodic vibrations are obtained to analyze the energy transfer process between the first two order modes. Even quite small transverse excitation can cause periodic vibration in the system, and there can be at most three periodic orbits in certain bifurcation regions. The periodic orbits are classified into two families by tracing their sources. The study provides the possibility for the classification study on generation mechanism of system complexity and energy transfers between different modes.
Primary hydatid cyst of the posterior neck; a case report with literature review
Authors: Baba Hiwa O. , Salih Abdulwahid M. , Abdullah Hiwa O. , Hassan Hunar A. , Ali Razhan K. , kakamad Fahmi H. , Salih Rawezh Q. , Mohammed Shvan H.
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Hydatid cyst is a common human infection caused by the larval form of the tapeworm Echinococcus. The current study aims to report a rare case of a hydatid cyst encased within the muscle-tendon of the posterior neck.

Case report:

A-55-year old female presented with a left-sided posterior neck swelling for 5 months. Ultrasonography examination showed a well-defined, fusiform, circumscribed, cystic lesion (22.3*5.3mm) within the muscle-tendon at the left side of the occipital protuberance. The patient underwent wide local excision of the lesion. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid cyst.

Discussion:

The presentation of hydatid cyst in different regions of the neck has been reported, including the lateral cervical region, the submandibular gland, the parotid gland, the left side of the neck, the thyroid gland, and the submental region.

Conclusion:

Although the occurrence of a hydatid cyst in the head and neck region is an extremely rare condition, hydatid cyst should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of the neck masses in that area.

Highlights
Pleomorphic lipoma of the loin region; a case report with literature review
Authors: Abubakir Mirawdali Sangar A. , Salih Abdulwahid M. , Salih Bestoon Kh , Mohammed Shvan H. , Abdulla Berwn A. , Kakamad Fahmi H.
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Pleomorphic lipoma (PL) is a rare type of lipoma that accounts for only 1.5% of all adipocytic tumors. The aim of this report is to present the first case of PL in the flank.

Case report:

A 67-year-old male presented with fullness of the right flank, without any other symptoms. On examination there was a soft mass that mimicked hernia. Laboratory findings showed elevated renal function tests (blood urea of 46.1 mg/dl and s. creatinine of 1.59 mg/dl) Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large fatty mass lesion (25 × 18 cm) in the right lower abdomen under the right-side external oblique muscle and over the internal oblique muscle with no extension to the abdomen, imaging features were suggestive of lipoma. The patient was operated for transverse flank incision to completely remove the mass, which was yellow in color. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis PL. The operation was uneventful.

Discussion:

PL is characterized by the admixture of variable sized adipocytes and pleomorphic multinucleated giant cells with floret-like arrangement. It is a disease of old ages with higher male predominance, and mostly occurs in the subcutaneous tissue of the posterior neck, upper back and shoulders. PL localization in deep tissues is highly rare with a very few cases being reported in the intramuscular region.

Conclusion:

PL in the flank is an exceptional finding with the current case being the first report in the literature. Histopathology is the only key to provide definitive diagnosis.

Highlights
Management Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: The Experiences of Health Managers from Iran, Ardabil Province
Authors: Shamshiri Mahmood , Ajri-Khameslou Mehdi , Dashti-Kalantar Rajab , Molaei Behnam
Published: March 2022

Objective:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is the most threatening public health challenge in the 21th century, and more than 200 countries are affected. Considering that Iran was one of the first countries influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to explain the crisis management strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ardabil province.

Methods:

This study used a qualitative method using content analysis in which 12 health-care managers or decision-makers involved in the management of the COVID-19 crisis were recruited through purposeful sampling. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which continued until data saturation.

Results:

Data analysis led to nine categories, including prior preparation for the COVID-19 crisis; challenges and management of workforce shortages; benefiting from the participation of volunteer staff; challenges and strategies for physical space, supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE); designation of referral centers for COVID-19; protocolized patient transport; benefiting from donations and charity support; management of information about COVID-19; and learning from the prior stages of crisis.

Conclusion:

This study revealed that, in critical situations, managers use multiple and, to some extent, unique strategies for decision-making and crisis control. Therefore, the health system can use the findings of the current study for proper response to similar crises and training of future managers.
Mitigating Racial Bias in Machine Learning
Authors: Kostick-Quenet Kristin M. , Cohen I. Glenn , Gerke Sara , Lo Bernard , Antaki James , Movahedi Faezah , Njah Hasna , Schoen Lauren , Estep Jerry E. , Blumenthal-Barby J.S.
Published: March 2022

When applied in the health sector, AI-based applications raise not only ethical but legal and safety concerns, where algorithms trained on data from majority populations can generate less accurate or reliable results for minorities and other disadvantaged groups.
Towards Racial Justice: The Role of Medical-Legal Partnerships
Authors: Makhlouf Medha D.
Published: March 2022

Medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) integrate knowledge and practices from law and health care in pursuit of health equity. However, the MLP movement has not reached its full potential to address racial health inequities, in part because its original framing was not explicitly race conscious.
New Preemption as a Tool of Structural Racism: Implications for Racial Health Inequities
Authors: Melton-Fant Courtnee
Published: March 2022

Preemption is a substantial threat to achieving racial equity. Since 2011, states have increasingly preempted local governments from enacting policies that can improve health and reduce racial inequities such as increasing minimum wage and requiring paid leave.
Involuntary Commitment as “Carceral-Health Service”: From Healthcare-to-Prison Pipeline to a Public Health Abolition Praxis
Authors: Wahbi Rafik , Beletsky Leo
Published: March 2022

Involuntary commitment links the healthcare, public health, and legislative systems to act as a “carceral health-service.” While masquerading as more humane and medicalized, such coercive modalities nevertheless further reinforce the systems, structures, practices, and policies of structural oppression and white supremacy. We argue that due to involuntary commitment’s inextricable connection to the carceral system, and a longer history of violent social control, this legal framework cannot and must not be held out as a viable alternative to the criminal legal system responses to behavioral and mental health challenges. Instead, this article proposes true alternatives to incarceration that are centered on liberation that seeks to shrink the carceral system’s grasp on individuals’ and communities’ lives. In this, we draw inspiration from street-level praxis and action theory emanating from grassroots organizations and community organizers across the country under a Public Health Abolition framework.
An Antiracist Health Equity Agenda for Education
Authors: González Thalia , Etow Alexis , De La Vega Cesar
Published: March 2022

With growing public health and health equity challenges brought to the forefront — following racialized health inequities resulting from COVID-19 and a national reckoning around the deaths of unarmed Black victims at the hands of police — an antiracist health equity agenda has emerged naming racism a public health crisis.
Effect of n-3 PUFA on left ventricular remodelling in chronic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jing , Meng Qingshu , Zheng Liang , Yu Ping , Hu Hao , Zhuang Rulin , Ge Xinyu , Liu Zhongmin , Liang Xiaoting , Zhou Xiaohui
Published: March 2022

Accumulating evidence suggests that supplementation of n-3 PUFA was associated with reduction in risk of major cardiovascular events. This meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate whether daily supplementation and accumulated intake of n-3 PUFA are associated with improved left ventricular (LV) remodelling in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Articles were obtained from Pubmed, Clinical key and Web of Science from inception to January 1 in 2021, and a total of twelve trials involving 2162 participants were eligible for inclusion. The sources of study heterogeneity were explained by I2 statistic and subgroup analysis. Compared with placebo groups, n-3 PUFA supplementation improved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (eleven trials, 2112 participants, weighted mean difference (WMD) = 2·52, 95 % CI 1·25, 3·80, I2 = 87·8 %) and decreased LV end systolic volume (five studies, 905 participants, WMD = –3·22, 95 % CI 3·67, −2·77, I2 = 0·0 %) using the continuous variables analysis. Notably, the high accumulated n-3 PUFA dosage groups (≥ 600 g) presented a prominent improvement in LVEF, while the low and middle accumulated dosage (≤ 300 and 300–600 g) showed no effects on LVEF. In addition, n-3 PUFA supplementation decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-6 (IL-6) and hypersensitive c-reactive protein. Therefore, the present meta-analysis demonstrated that n-3 PUFA consumption was associated with a substantial improvement of LV function and remodelling in patients subjected to CHF. The accumulated dosage of n-3 PUFA intake is vital for its cardiac protective role.