bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 91: IGCS Fellowship Program in Mozambique: the Results
Authors: Rangeiro Ricardina , Changule Dercia , Daud Siro , Ribeiro Magda , Luis Elvira , Mabota Flora , Cintra Georgia , Moretti-Marques Renato , Lopes Andre , Vieira Marcelo , Salcedo Mila , Baker Ellen , Lorenzoni Cesaltina , Schemeler Kathleen
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Mozambique is a country with a very high prevalence of gynecological cancer and, until 2018 had no training program in gynecologic oncology and no gynecologic oncology specialists. Through the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) global fellowship program, three gynecologists in Mozambique were trained to become gynecologic oncologists and completed training in October 2020.

Methods: The training program pairs specialists in gynecologic oncology with gynecologists in countries without a formal training program in gynecologic oncology. In Mozambique, fellows were paired with specialists from Brazil and the United States, due to a common language with Brazilians and pre-existing partnerships. Over a 2.5 year period, fellows performed self-study using an on-line curriculum, received training in clinical practice and surgery with specialist mentors who traveled to Mozambique 3-4 times/year, attended monthly tumor boards and other regular virtual meetings, and visited the mentors' hospitals in Brazil for a 3 month observership. All surgical cases were logged in REDCap. after completing all requirements, the fellows successfully completed a final exam and received a certificate of successful completion of training.

Results: During the training, each fellow participated on average of 251 surgical procedures where they performed: 69 radical hysterectomies, 80 simple hysterectomies, 92 salpingo-oophorectomies, 73 pelvic lymphadenectomies, 2 para-aortic lymphadenectomies, 14 radical vulvectomies, 19 inguinal lymphadenectomies, 34 cold knife conizations and 38 loop electrosurgical excision procedures (LEEPs). At the conclusion of the fellowship, the fellows were performing these procedures independently.

Conclusion: The IGCS program and international mentors supported the training of physicians in Mozambique, a country without formal gynecologic oncology training, facilitating the acquisition of the knowledge and skills to effectively care for women with gynecologic cancers.

Citation Format: Ricardina Rangeiro, Dercia Changule, Siro Daud, Magda Ribeiro, Elvira Luis, Flora Mabota, Georgia Cintra, Renato Moretti-Marques, Andre Lopes, Marcelo Vieira, Mila Salcedo, Ellen Baker, Cesaltina Lorenzoni, Kathleen Schemeler. IGCS Fellowship Program in Mozambique: the Results [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 91.
Monocytic Differentiation and AHR Signaling as Primary Nodes of BET Inhibitor Response in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Romine Kyle A. , Nechiporuk Tamilla , Bottomly Daniel , Jeng Sophia , McWeeney Shannon K. , Kaempf Andy , Corces M. Ryan , Majeti Ravindra , Tyner Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2021

To understand mechanisms of response to BET inhibitors (BETi), we mined the Beat AML functional genomic data set and performed genome-wide CRISPR screens on BETi-sensitive and BETi-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Both strategies revealed regulators of monocytic differentiation—SPI1, JUNB, FOS, and aryl-hydrocarbon receptor signaling (AHR/ARNT)—as determinants of BETi response. AHR activation synergized with BETi, whereas inhibition antagonized BETi-mediated cytotoxicity. Consistent with BETi sensitivity dependence on monocytic differentiation, ex vivo sensitivity to BETi in primary AML patient samples correlated with higher expression of the monocytic markers CSF1R, LILRs, and VCAN. In addition, HL-60 cell line differentiation enhanced its sensitivity to BETi. Further, screens to rescue BETi sensitivity identified BCL2 and CDK6 as druggable vulnerabilities. Finally, monocytic AML patient samples refractory to venetoclax ex vivo were significantly more sensitive to combined BETi + venetoclax. Together, our work highlights mechanisms that could predict BETi response and identifies combination strategies to overcome resistance.

Significance:

Drug resistance remains a challenge for AML, and new therapies, such as BETi, will require combination approaches to boost single-agent responses. We conducted genome-wide CRISPR screens and functional genomics on AML patient samples to identify leukemic differentiation state and AHR signaling as primary mediators of BETi response.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 403
Hyperviscosity Retinopathy and Immunogammopathy Maculopahy as New Onset of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ferreira Santos da Cruz Natasha , Milhomens Filho José Arthur Pinto , Ferraro Desirée Mayara Nery , Polizelli Murilo Ubukata , de Moraes Ambrogini Nilva Simeren Bueno
Published: July 2021

The purpose is to report a case of immunogammopathy maculopathy and hyperviscosity retinopathy as the presenting feature of new-onset multiple myeloma (MM) in an otherwise healthy man. A 50-years-old man presented with painless visual changes in both eyes for 2 months. Ocular examination revealed bilateral CRVO-like associated with macular edema (ME) and an inferior serous detachment. Hematologic investigation revealed an increased percentage of plasma cells in the bone marrow, reaching the diagnosis of MM IgM/kappa. Clinical support and chemotherapy effectively improved ocular alterations, despite the residual ME. Injection of triamcinolone was carried out, without any response. Bilateral vision reduction with hyperviscosity syndrome-related retinopathy and immunogammopathy maculopathy was the first manifestation of an underlying systemic and potentially fatal disease. This case highlights the need for diligent and thorough investigations for less common systemic conditions associated with retinal vein occlusions.
Abscess or Tumor? When a Retroperitoneal Mass on Computerized Tomography Turns Out to Be a Rare Soft Tissue Growth
Authors: Noginskiy Ilya , Nimkar Neil , Kalavar Madhumati R.
Published: July 2021

A retroperitoneal finding on a computerized tomography scan, in a symptomatic patient, can harbor the clinician to many differential diagnoses from infectious to malignancy. Desmoid fibromatosis (DF), a relatively innocuous mass that can spread locally, can be found in that anatomical region. Even for a rare tumor such as DF, our patient did not meet the usual benchmarks of this cancer, being an elderly female and having it appear as an abscess radiologically. Timely clinical response with radiotherapy and tamoxifen allowed our patient’s DF to regress and resolved her symptoms.
Renal Dysfunction Is Associated with Middle Cerebral Artery Pulsatility Index and Total Burden of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Lee Eung-Joon , Jeong Hae-Bong , Bae Jeonghoon , Guk Hyung Seok , Jeong Han-Yeong , Lee Eun Ji , Yoon Byung-Woo
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose: Renal dysfunction is known to affect vasculature and lead to systemic arterial stiffness. It also independently increases the risk of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) and stroke. We aimed to examine the effect of renal dysfunction on cerebral hemodynamics and the burden of cSVD. Methods: Of the 412 patients admitted to Seoul National University Hospital, between May 2015 and 2019, with lacunar infarction and no major intracranial arterial stenosis observed on magnetic resonance angiography, we included 283 patients who had undergone a transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound after 72 h of stroke onset. The patients were divided into renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at admission) and control (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2) groups. We investigated the correlations between renal function, the pulsatility index (PI), and the total MRI burden of cSVD. Furthermore, multivariate analysis was performed to assess the association between renal dysfunction and the PI of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) measured through TCD ultrasound. Results: Among the total patients, 74 (26.1%) had renal dysfunction (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at admission). Patients with renal dysfunction were significantly older, showed higher pulse pressure, and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. Renal dysfunction was significantly associated with higher distal cerebrovascular flow resistance (median PI 1.12, interquartile range [IQR]: 0.85–1.57 vs. controls 0.84, IQR: 0.54–1.22; p < 0.001). Also, patients with renal dysfunction had a significantly higher total MRI burden of cSVD (median cSVD score 2, IQR: 1–3 vs. controls median score 1, IQR: 0–2; p < 0.001). There was an inverse proportional relationship between the PI and eGFR. Finally, multivariate analysis showed renal dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio: 4.516, 95% confidence interval: 1.051–20.292) and older age (adjusted odds ratio: 1.076, 95% confidence interval: 1.038–1.114) as independent predictors of a high PI. Conclusions: Renal dysfunction is independently associated with a high PI of MCA. Renal dysfunction leads to systemic arterial stiffness including stiffness in cerebral arteries, thus increasing the burden of cSVD. Therefore, noninvasive screening for high PI by TCD in kidney failure patients might be helpful.
Improvement in Food Intolerance Symptoms after Pretreatment with Antibiotics Followed by Faecal Microbiota Transplantation: A Case Report
Authors: Clancy Annabel , Borody Thomas
Published: July 2021

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Non-immune food reactions or food intolerances affect up to 20% of the general population and are commonly seen in patients with IBS. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been described as an emerging, effective treatment for IBS. To date, there have been no reports on changes in food intolerances in patients with IBS treated with FMT. A 35-year-old female presented with an 18-month history of nausea, abdominal pain, alternating bowel habits, headaches/migraines, brain fog, and fatigue. The patient described severe food intolerances to dairy, gluten, egg, and soy. Extensive investigation identified no pathology, and IBS was diagnosed. The patient underwent treatment with antibiotics followed by treatment with FMT enema infusions decreasing in frequency for 12 months. At 12-week follow-up during FMT infusions, the patient reported an 80–90% improvement in her symptoms with formed bowel motions 1–2/day, occasional abdominal pain, and nausea and improved energy levels. The patient reported progressive improvements in her food tolerance from approximately 2 months into the FMT treatment. At week 24, she was tolerating gluten and dairy foods in her diet. At week 52, she was including gluten and dairy in her diet with no symptoms. This case demonstrates that antibiotics, followed by FMT may be an effective treatment for IBS and food intolerances pointing to the gut microbiome as a potential target for treatment.
Locality and Antilocality: The Logic of Conflicting Requirements
Authors: Branan Kenyon
Published: July 2021

This article discusses what happens when locality requirements—which favor short dependencies—come into conflict with antilocality requirements—which rule out dependencies that are too short. It is argued that in such circumstances, certain locality requirements may be minimally violated so that the antilocality requirement is satisfied. A theory along these lines is shown to derive a pervasive pattern of noniterative symmetry in A-movement—found in Haya and Luganda (Bantu), Tongan (Austronesian), and Japanese—in which the highest two arguments in a domain may undergo A-movement, but A-movement of lower arguments is systematically banned. The article concludes with some discussion of how interactions of this sort might be modeled in the grammar.
Depictions of Egypt in the Book of Hosea and Their Implications for Dating the Book
Authors: Dewrell Heath D.
Published: July 2021

Traditionally, the oracles contained in the book of Hosea, at least in their earliest forms, have been dated prior to the fall of the Northern Kingdom at the hands of the Assyrians. In a previous essay, I argued that there is evidence that would suggest that at least some of the oracles date a few decades later, to the reign of the Assyrian King Sennacherib. On the basis of Hosea’s presentation of Egypt both as a potential source of help and as a military threat, the present essay argues that Hosea’s oracles make more sense in the final decade of the eighth century, after Samaria’s fall, than before the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom, as most scholars have traditionally assumed.
From Chiromancy to Psychochirology
Authors: Nagel Alexandra H.M.
Published: July 2021

The works of Julius Spier, a pupil of C.G. Jung, provide a perfect case study illustrating the psychologization of chiromancy during the Interbellum. His case also highlights a lack of insight in the way in which hand-reading has evolved in Europe since the nineteenth century. After its appearance in the West, the art of reading hands has generally been referred to as chiromancy (hand divination, i.e. fortune-telling through reading the palm). Thanks to the work of the French captain Casimir S. d’ Arpentigny, published first in 1843, chirognomy (the study of hand forms) has become an important aspect of hand-reading. Afterwards, Adolphe Desbarrolles distinguished a chirognomic and a chiromantic aspect on a hand-analysis, whereupon either chirology (the study of the hand) or chirosophy (wisdom of the hand) became the umbrella terms for the “twin sciences” chiromancy and chirognomy. Spier, however, juxtaposed chirology and chiromancy before branching off with his novel method entitled psychochirology.
From Normative to Nothing
Authors: Daniels Joel D.
Published: July 2021

Christian theology has historically constructed a “normative” human body: white and male. Theological conclusions, then, are filtered through this systematic way of viewing the world, invariably excluding bodies that do not conform. Pentecostal theology, I argue, has the resources to transgress these myopic confines imposed on the body, freeing the body through sound and movement rather than adhering to static categorization. Thus, I begin by exploring U.S. history around the body, demonstrating how specific bodies have been strategically opposed and denigrated for the sake of maintaining “white” supremacy. Next, I use Paul Tillich as a case study for the theology’s “normative” body, enabling me to enter my central argument: Pentecostal theology is able to reconsider, reconstitute, and reform the “normative” body, removing arbitrary parameters and categories. The body, I contend, is movement and sound that refuses the oppressive forces that try to contain through classification and subjugation.
The Battle for Minds in Cold War Afghanistan: Outlining the United States Information Management Regime
Authors: Hanifi Shah Mahmoud
Published: July 2021

The essay examines four files from the U.S. National Archives dealing with information management in Afghanistan at the onset of the Cold War. The files describe the structure of information dissemination by the U.S. in Kabul, providing considerable detail about the materials distributed, their varying appeal to local communities and constituencies, and their function in the larger ideological competition with the Soviet Union.
Life cycle resolved observation of radiative properties of mesoscale convective systems
Authors: Bouniol Dominique , Roca Rémy , Fiolleau Thomas , Raberanto Patrick
Published: July 2021

The evolution of radiative properties (outgoing longwave radiation, OLR, and albedo at the top of the atmosphere) over Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) life cycle is assessed using five years of Scanner for Radiation Budget (ScaRaB) radiometer onboard the Megha-Tropiques satellites merged with geostationary infrared images. The MCS life cycle is documented using a tracking algorithm. A composite approach is then implemented to document the evolution of radiative properties at each life stage at the scale of the tropical belt, in continental and oceanic regions and in specific regions. Independently of the considered region the composites share similarities with a unique maximum in albedo and a unique minimum in OLR, values of which differ depending on the environment as well as the amplitude of both parameters over the life cycle. The unique precessing orbit of the Megha-Tropiques satellite allows a consideration of the albedo as a function of the local time of observation showing that the magnitude of the albedo signal is mainly controlled by the solar zenithal angle.

Sensitivity tests allow to the quantification of the impact of an error in radiative properties showing that even small errors lead to substantial increment on the instantaneous cloud radiative effect. All together these elements point toward the subtle balance between life cycle, cloud radiative properties and phasing within the diurnal cycle to build the atmospheric radiative budget in oceanic or continental regions.
Polarimetric Observations and Simulations of Sublimating Snow: Implications for Nowcasting
Authors: Carlin Jacob T. , Reeves Heather D. , Ryzhkov Alexander V.
Published: July 2021

Snow sublimating in dry air is a forecasting challenge and can delay the onset of surface snowfall and affect storm-total accumulations. Despite this, it remains comparatively less studied than other microphysical processes. Herein, the characteristics of sublimating snow and the potential for nowcasting snowfall reaching the surface are explored through the use of dual-polarization radar. Twelve cases featuring prolific sublimation were analyzed using range-defined quasi-vertical profiles (RDQVPs) and compared with environmental model analyses. Overall, reflectivity Z significantly decreases, differential reflectivity ZDR slightly decreases, and copolar-correlation coefficient ρhv remains nearly constant through the sublimation layer. Regions of enhanced specific differential phase Kdp were frequently observed in the sublimation layer and are believed to be polarimetric evidence of secondary ice production via sublimation. A 1D bin model was initialized using particle size distributions retrieved from the RDQVPs using numerous novel polarimetric snowretrieval relations for a wide range of forecast lead times, with the model environment evolving in response to sublimation. It was found that the model was largely able to predict the snowfall start time up to six hours in advance, with a 6-h median bias of just -18.5 minutes. A more detailed case study of the 08 December 2013 snowstorm in the Philadelphia region was also performed, demonstrating good correspondence with observations and examples of model fields (e.g., cooling rate) hypothetically available from such a tool. The proof-of-concept results herein demonstrate the potential benefits of incorporating spatially averaged radar data in conjunction with simple 1D models into the nowcasting process.
The Role of a Tropopause Polar Vortex in the Generation of the January 2019 Extreme Arctic Outbreak
Authors: Lillo Samuel P. , Cavallo Steven M. , Parsons David B. , Riedel Christopher
Published: July 2021

An extreme Arctic cold air outbreak took place across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast during 29 January to 1 February 2019. The event broke numerous long-standing records with wide-reaching and detrimental societal impacts. This study found that this rare and dangerous cold air outbreak (CAO) was a direct consequence of a tropopause polar vortex (TPV) originating at high latitudes and subsequently tracking southward into the United States. The tropopause depression at the center of this TPV extended nearly to the surface. Simulations using the atmospheric component of the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) were conducted, revealing excellent predictability at 6–7-day lead times with the strength, timing, and location of the CAO linked to the earlier characteristics of the TPV over the Arctic. Within the middle latitudes, the TPV subsequently developed a tilt with height. Warming and the destruction of potential vorticity also took place as the TPV passed over the Great Lakes initiating a lake-effect snow storm. The climatological investigation of CAOs suggests that TPVs frequently play a role in CAOs over North America with a TPV located within 1000 km of a CAO 85% of the time. These TPVs tended to originate in the northern Canadian Arctic and are ejected equatorward into the Great Lakes/Upper Midwest and then to the Northeast over Labrador. This study also provides insight into how the impact of Arctic circulations on middle latitudes may vary within the framework of a rapidly changing Arctic.
On the Relation among Satellite Observed Liquid Water Path, Cloud Droplet Number Concentration and Cloud Base Rain Rate and Its Implication to the Auto-Conversion Parameterization in Stratocumulus Clouds
Authors: Murakami Yasutaka , Kummerow Christian D. , van den Heever Susan C.
Published: July 2021

Precipitation processes play a critical role in the longevity and spatial distribution of stratocumulus clouds through their interaction with the vertical profiles of humidity and temperature within the atmospheric boundary layer. One of the difficulties in understanding these processes is the limited amount of observational data. In this study, robust relations among liquid water path (LWP), cloud droplet number concentration (Nd) and cloud base rain rate (Rcb) from three subtropical stratocumulus decks are obtained from A-Train satellite observations in order to obtain a broad perspective on warm rain processes.Rcbhas a positive correlation withLWP/Ndand the increase ofRcbbecomes larger asLWP/Ndincreases. However, the increase ofRcbwith respect toLWP/Ndbecomes more gradual in regions with largerNd, which indicates the relation is moderated byNd. These results are consistent with our theoretical understanding of warm rain processes and suggest that satellite observations are capable of elucidating the average manner of how precipitation processes are modulated byLWPandNd. The sensitivity of the auto-conversion rate toNdis investigated by examining pixels with smallLWPin which the accretion process is assumed to have little influence onRcb. The upper limit of the dependency of auto-conversion rate onNdis assessed from the relation betweenRcbandNd, since the sensitivity is exaggerated by the accretion process, and was found to be a cloud droplet number concentration to the power of −1.44 ± 0.12.
Organized violence 1989–2020, with a special emphasis on Syria
Authors: Pettersson Therése , Davies Shawn , Deniz Amber , Engström Garoun , Hawach Nanar , Högbladh Stina , Sollenberg Margareta , Öberg Magnus
Published: July 2021

This article reports on trends in organized violence, building on new data by the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP). The falling trend in fatalities stemming from organized violence in the world, observed for five consecutive years, broke upwards in 2020 and deaths in organized violence seem to have settled on a high plateau. UCDP registered more than 80,100 deaths in organized violence in 2020, compared to 76,300 in 2019. The decrease in violence in Afghanistan and Syria was countered by escalating conflicts in, for example, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Azerbaijan and Tigray, Ethiopia. Moreover, the call for a global ceasefire following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic failed to produce any results. In fact, the number of active state-based and non-state conflicts, as well as the number of actors carrying out one-sided violence against civilians, increased when compared to 2019. UCDP noted a record-high number of 56 state-based conflicts in 2020, including eight wars. Most of the conflicts occurred in Africa, as the region registered 30 state-based conflicts, including nine new or restarted ones.
Deciding For or Deciding With: Student Involvement in Repertoire Selection
Authors: Rotjan Matthew
Published: July 2021

When music educators discuss repertoire, they often discuss what pieces to perform and when in the year to perform them. In this article, I ask, “ Who should choose the music for ensemble study, and how should it be chosen?” I share a rationale for why music educators might include students in ensemble repertoire selection and several ways they might open the repertoire so their students can contribute to the process. Based on my interest in how teacher–student dialogue can occur in this process, I draw from conversations I had with six orchestra teachers and twenty-seven of their students. The approaches presented here come from my interviews with these six teachers, from others with whom I have since collaborated, and from my own experience as an educator. Music educators may find these approaches useful for discussion, study, and implementation of more inclusive practice.
Book review: Partha Chatterjee et al. (Eds.), After the Revolution
Authors: Chakravarty Prasanta
Published: July 2021

Partha Chatterjee et al. (Eds.), After the Revolution. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan, 2020, 314pp. (Paperback). ISBN: 978-93-90122-75-2.
Highly epoxidized soybean oil in replacement of mineral oil for high performance on silica-filled tread rubber compounds
Authors: Esposito Leandro Hernán , Marzocca Angel José
Published: July 2021

The potential replacement of a treated residual aromatic extract mineral oil (TRAE) by a highly epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) into a silica-filled styrene-butadiene rubber compound was investigated.

In order to determine if ESO compounds performance are suitable for tread tire applications, processing properties cure and characteristics were evaluated. The impact of ESO amount on the silica dispersion was confirmed by Payne Effect. The presence of chemical or physical interactions between ESO and silica improves the filler dispersion, enabling the compound processability and affecting the cure kinetic rate.

An adjusted rubber compound with 2 phr of ESO and 2 phr of sulfur presented the higher stiffness and strength values with lower weight loss from a wear test compared with TRAE compound at an equal amount of oil and curing package. Furthermore, wet grip and rolling resistance predictors of both compounds gave comparable results, maintaining a better performance and reducing the dependence of mineral oil for tire tread compounds.
Effectiveness of Undergraduate-Generated Animations: Increasing Comprehension and Engagement for Neuroscience Majors and Non-Majors
Authors: Reed Catherine L. , Hagen Emilia , Bukach Cindy M. , Couperus Jane W.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Animations of scientific concepts may improve comprehension by explaining and visualizing the steps of complex processes, but unless they engage student interest in meaningful ways, their effectiveness as teaching tools is limited. We achieve this through a novel approach to animation design that includes the target audience (undergraduates) so that the resultant animations align with their learner characteristics.

Objective:

This case study investigated whether undergraduate-generated animations were more effective educational tools than informationally equivalent text-and-illustration presentations and whether learners’ background influenced the relative benefits of animations.

Method:

Incorporating feedback from faculty and undergraduates, we created animations and text-plus-illustration content to explain how neural signals are generated and measured by scalp electrodes. Neuroscience majors and non-majors were presented with either animations or static presentations followed by comprehension and engagement assessments.

Results:

Both groups showed comprehension and engagement benefits for animations. Although majors showed better overall comprehension, animations improved comprehension for non-majors over static presentations.

Conclusion:

When educational content is directed for a target audience, animations can be more effective teaching tools for a broader student audience.

Teaching Implications:

The relevance of online tools for remote instruction makes animations, developed for and by undergraduates, important tools for effectively introducing difficult content.
Personal, Cultural, and Institutional Perspectives of Special Education Technology Integrators: A Narrative Inquiry
Authors: Courduff Jennifer , Moktari Abrisham
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to gain a deep understanding of the lived experiences of four special education technology integrators from personal, cultural, and institutional perspectives. Two semi-structured, recorded interviews were conducted with each participant, followed by a focus group with all participants. Data analysis included continuous memoing, coding, cross coding, raw data triangulation, investigator triangulation, and member checking as a means of deeply understanding participant experience within the larger educational system. Study findings can be used to inform educational stakeholders and policy makers of the challenges found within special education, the unique benefits that special educators bring to the system, and how through collaboration, we might initiate systemic change in support of special education teachers.
User Experiences of Eye Gaze Classroom Technology for Children With Complex Communication Needs
Authors: Lui Michelle , Maharaj Amrita , Shimaly Roula , Atcha Asiya , Ali Hamza , Carroll Stacie , McEwen Rhonda
Published: July 2021

This study examines interactions between students with atypical motor and speech abilities, their teachers, and eye tracking devices under varying conditions typical of educational settings (e.g., interactional style, teacher familiarity). Twelve children (aged 4–12 years) participated in teacher-guided sessions with eye tracking software that are designed to develop augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) skills. Assessments of expressive communication skills before and after the testing period demonstrated significant improvements. 164 sessions conducted over a 3-month period were analyzed for positive engagement (e.g., gaze direction, session time) and system effectiveness (e.g., lag time, gaze registration) between integrated and non-integrated systems. Findings showed that integrated systems were associated with significantly longer sessions, more time spent looking at the screen, greater proportion of gaze targets registered by the system, and higher response rate to prompts from teachers. We discuss the implications for the facilitated use of eye tracking devices in special education classrooms.
‘Guys, get your guns out!’ – An autobiographical account of a US community corrections training academy
Authors: Blackwell Sean
Published: July 2021

This article addresses community corrections (CC) training from the perspective of a former practitioner. Though CC training has received modest consideration, academies’ roles in reinforcing occupational cultures are nearly absent from the literature. This article addresses this gap with an autobiographical account of an academy experience and shows that not only did the profession appear to attract candidates with public safety orientations, but also that the academy reinforced those orientations through a disproportionate focus on use of force and officer safety. The article considers challenges policymakers and managers face when attempting to implement reform in public safety cultures.
Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of cell saver usage in the repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections
Authors: Amanvermez Senarslan Dilsad , Yildirim Funda , Kurdal Adnan Taner , Damar Abdulkerim , Ozturk Tulun , Tetik Omer
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

A substantial amount of blood loss occurs during the open repair of aortic aneurysms or dissections. The aim of the present study is to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of cell saver devices in blood conservation during the open repair of thoracic aortic pathologies.

Methods:

The present study prospectively collected the data pertaining to 25 patients who underwent surgical management of thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections using a cell saver (Group 1, n = 25). The volume and cost of transfusion and postoperative outcomes were compared with the second group of patients who underwent surgery without the use of cell savers in the previous year (Group 2, n = 25); the data pertaining to the same were retrospectively collected from the hospital records. The patient characteristics and categorical variables were compared using the x2 test and Fisher’s exact test. Transfusion volume and costs were compared using the independent samples t-test and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results:

The patients in both the groups displayed similar characteristics and risk factors. The total volume of allogenic red blood cell (p < 0.001) and total blood product (p = 0.01) transfusions were significantly lower in Group 1. The cost of red blood cell (p < 0.001) and total transfusions (p = 0.03) were lower in Group 1. The two groups displayed similar in-hospital morbidity and mortality rates.

Conclusions:

There was a significant association between the use of cell savers and the decreased need for red blood cell and total blood product transfusions. Considering the cost of the cell saver set, transfusion costs in the two groups were comparable.
Inter-observer reliability of a risk assessment model for venous thromboembolism in acutely-ill medical hospitalized patients: Results from a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ferreira Cassia RL , de Bastos Marcos , Diniz Mirella L , Mancini Renan A , Raposo Yan S , Alves Samara MPG , Rezende Suely M
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To analyze the inter-observer reliability of risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a population of adult acutely-ill medical patients.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, we collected risk factors and risk classification for VTE using RAM IMPROVE7. Kappa statistics was used to evaluate inter-observer reliability between lead clinicians and trained researchers. We evaluated occurrence of VTE in patients with mismatched classification.

Results

We included 2,380 patients, median age 70 years (interquartile range [IQR], 58-79), 56.2% female. Adjusted Kappa for VTE risk factors ranged from substantial (0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.67) for “immobilization”, to almost perfect (0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99) for “thrombophilia”; risk classification was 0.64 (95% CI 0.60-0.67). Divergent risk classification occurred in 434 patients (18.2%) of whom seven (1.6%) developed VTE.

Conclusion

Despite substantial to almost perfect reliability between observers for risk factors and risk classification, lead clinicians tended to underestimate the risk for VTE.
Preoperative Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Postoperative Delirium in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Qiu Yuwei , Sessler Daniel I. , Chen Liang , Halvorson Sven , Cohen Barak , Bravo Mauro , Ince Ilker , Maheshwari Kamal , Kurz Andrea
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

Postoperative delirium is common, with a reported incidence of 11% to 80% in critically ill patients. Delirium is an independent prognostic factor for poor hospital outcomes. Low vitamin D concentrations are associated with a decline in cognitive function. We therefore tested the hypothesis that low preoperative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with postoperative delirium in critically ill patients.

Method:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of adults in a surgical intensive care unit for at least 48 hours immediately after non-cardiac and non-neurosurgical operations at Cleveland Clinic between 2013 and 2018. Delirium was assessed by trained nurses using CAM-ICU twice daily for the initial 5 postoperative days. Any positive value was considered evidence of delirium. We assessed the association between 25(OH)D concentrations within a year before surgery and the incidence of postoperative delirium using logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders. A linear spline term with a knot at 30 ng/ml, the threshold for normal 25(OH)D concentration, was added to accommodate a nonlinear relationship between 25(OH)D concentrations and delirium.

Results:

We included 632 patients, who had a mean (SD) 25(OH)D concentration of 25 (15) ng/ml; 55% (346/632) experienced delirium. We observed an adjusted odds ratio of 1.4 (95% CI: [1.1, 1.8], P = 0.01) for delirium per 10 ng/ml decrease in 25(OH)D concentrations when patients’ 25(OH)D concentrations were less than 30 ng/ml. In patients whose 25(OH)D concentrations were at least 30 ng/ml, the adjusted odds ratio was 0.9 (95% CI: [0.7, 1.1], P = 0.36).

Conclusion:

Preoperative 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with postoperative delirium in patients whose concentrations are below the normal threshold, but not at concentrations ≥30 ng/ml. A trial will be needed to determine whether the relationship is causal, and whether vitamin D supplementation before surgery might reduce the incidence of delirium.
A Systematic Review Comparing Mineral Trioxide Aggregate to Other Commercially Available Direct Pulp Capping Agents in Dogs
Authors: Tucker Rebecca Lee , Ha William Nguyen
Published: July 2021

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) and direct pulp capping (DPC) are procedures regularly performed in dogs for the management of acute tooth fractures and as part of management for traumatic malocclusions. The purpose of this review is to apply an evidence-based medicine approach to systematically review and evaluate the scientific literature evaluating the efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to other commercially available materials used for VPT in the permanent teeth of dogs. The 9 studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed and each studies evidence was classified using a grading system modified from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. For the studies meeting inclusion criteria, MTA consistently performed as well or better than other commercially available products in terms of calcific barrier formation and biocompatibility. This review found a lack of consistency between the studies making a direct comparison of the results unreliable. Future studies would benefit from the implementation of a standard scoring system for histology, equivalent and longer study duration times and the correlation of histological and radiographic data.
Study on adverse effect suppression of hub motor driven vehicles with inertial suspensions
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Song Hang , Shen Yujie , Liu Yanling
Published: July 2021

With increasingly severe energy supply and environmental pollution, Hub Motor Driven Vehicle (HMDV) have become the ideal configuration for future electric vehicles. The adverse effect caused by the significant increase in HMDV unsprung mass directly affects the vehicle ride comfort and handling stability, becomes a technical bottleneck for theoretical research and industrial development to be solved urgently. The HMDV adverse effect should be suppressed by the vehicle suspension system, which can be classified as vertical motion inertia instability caused by the increase of unsprung mass, but the lack of inertial elements in the conventional suspension “damping-spring” structure restricts the overall performance of the suspension. Therefore, the inertial suspension containing the inertial element “inerter” is utilized to effectively distribute the HMDV vertical motion inertia to suppress its adverse effects. First, the adverse effects of increased unsprung mass on vehicle ride comfort and road friendliness are studied. Then, the inertial suspension models of different structures are established and their impedance expressions are derived. Thirdly, the impact of the inertance in the inertial suspension on the suppression of the HMDV adverse effect is studied. Finally, the particle swarm optimization algorithm is utilized to optimize the parameters of the inertial suspension to improve the performance of the suspension. The results show that the inertial suspension can reduce the RMS value of body acceleration and dynamic tire load. The RMS value of body acceleration and dynamic tire load of the L4 structure is reduced by 8.1% and 16.38% respectively. It shows that the inertial suspension can effectively suppress the HMDV vertical adverse effect, improve the HMDV ride comfort and road friendliness, and lay the foundation for the subsequent suppression research.
Optimization investigation of vacuum air-intake for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system
Authors: Zheng Peng , Wu Jianjun , Zhang Yu , Wu Biqi
Published: July 2021

An atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system uses the rarefied atmospheric molecules as the propellant for the electric thruster. In the best case, it can allow spacecraft complete a long-time mission in the lower Earth orbit without carrying any propellant. In this article, the intake geometry is designed, analysed and optimized to improve the performance of atmospheric particles capture, including collection efficiency and compression ratio. The orthogonal method is used in the simulation test to analyse the sensitivities of main parameters, including the configuration of grid ducts, the configuration of tapered chamber, the length-to-diameter ratio of tapered chamber and the diameter of tube. The results show that the performance of air-intake can be optimized with different parameter combinations. Compared with different intake designs of previous studies, the optimal design in this article shows the better particle capture performance under the same boundary conditions. The particles compression ratio is over 100, and the collection efficiency can reach 81.08%.
Fusion of interval-valued neutrosophic sets and financial assessment for optimal renewable energy portfolios with uncertainties
Authors: Nguyen Tuyet Thi Anh , Chou Shuo-Yan
Published: July 2021

Renewable energy has been actively researched and developed in many countries to replace the conventional energy resources that come from fossil fuels. As social and environmental awareness of the renewable energy has grown, it is essential to address both quantitative factors and qualitative factors in determination of the optimal renewable energy portfolio. This paper proposes a novel approach to integrate a financial model and a fuzzy model to analyze both quantitative and qualitative factors. The financial model is utilized to calculate the quantitative factors, thereby assisting experts make judgments more accurately in the fuzzy model. The fuzzy model is utilized to evaluate the qualitative factors based on the expert judgements. Moreover, this paper proposes multi-segment judgment model that analyzes the evaluation of different groups, including government, investor and user groups. The results show that each group has different priority order. For example, the highest-priority factor of Government, Investor and User is environmental (with a score of 0.665), economic (with a score of 0.854), and technological criteria (with a score of 0.771), respectively. The results also indicated that small-scale onshore wind energy, large-scale onshore wind energy and solar energy is the best option for Government, Investor and User, respectively.
Usefulness of cardiac screening in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies
Authors: Villuendas Roger , Martínez-Morillo Melania , Juncà Gladys , Teniente-Serra Aina , Diez Carles , Heredia Sergi , Riveros-Frutos Anne , Bayés-Genís Antoni , Olivé Alejandro
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Recent data suggest that some adult patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases may develop cardiac conduction and repolarization abnormalities mediated by anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. We aim to investigate the utility of a cardiac screening in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and anti-Ro/SSA positivity.

Methods

SLE patients who consecutively attended a Rheumatology clinic during 1 year where evaluated for the presence and levels of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, and clinical and biological markers of organ damage and disease activity. All participants underwent a cardiovascular anamnesis and physical examination, ECG, echocardiography, and 24-hour Holter.

Results

Of the 145 recruited patients, 49 (32%) had anti-Ro/SSA positivity. None had any degree of atrioventricular block in the ECG or Holter monitoring. No significant differences were observed between anti-Ro/SSA–positive vs. negative patients in terms of PR, QRS or QTc intervals. No clinically significant arrhythmias were recorded during Holter monitoring and no differences in average heart rate, heart rate variability, or atrial or ventricular ectopy burden were observed. Finally, no differences were found in echocardiographic measurements.

Conclusions

In this study of SLE patients, anti-Ro/SSA positivity was not associated with significant alterations in ECG, echocardiography, or 24-hour Holter. These findings do not support ordinary cardiac evaluation in these patients. ( Clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT02162992).
How Decent Work Affects Affective Commitment Among Chinese Employees: The Roles of Psychological Safety and Labor Relations Climate
Authors: Huang Wenyuan , Shen Jie , Yuan Chuqin
Published: July 2021

This two-study research evaluates the validity of the decent work scale (DWS) developed by Duffy et al. (2017) in the United States and the effect of decent work on affective commitment among Chinese employees. Study 1 aims to validate the DWS and examine the predictability of decent work for psychological safety and affective commitment. Drawing from a sample of 307 full-time employees (149 females and 158 males), Study 1 reveals that the bifactor model of the DWS has valid application in the Chinese context, and that decent work is positively related to psychological safety and affective commitment. Study 2 seeks to explore the relationship between decent work and affective commitment, the underlying mechanism, and the boundary condition. With a new sample of 568 full-time employees (268 females and 300 males) collected at two time points, Study 2 demonstrates that decent work is directly and indirectly related to employee affective commitment through the mediation of psychological safety; this indirect relationship is moderated by labor relations climate. This research extends decent work research and psychology of working theory in relation to the DWS validation and predictability for employee workplace attitudes, psychological process, and boundary conditions in a non-Western context.