bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sacubitril/Valsartan in Patients With Heart Failure and Concomitant End‐Stage Kidney Disease
Authors: Niu Chih‐Yuan , Yang Shang‐Feng , Ou Shuo‐Ming , Wu Cheng‐Hsueh , Huang Po‐Hsun , Hung Chung‐Lieh , Lin Chih‐Ching , Li Szu‐Yuan
Published: September 2022

Background

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a chronic disease with substantial mortality. Management of HFrEF has seen significant breakthrough after the launch of neprilysin inhibitor. The PARADIGM‐HF (Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impacton Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) trial showed that sacubitril/valsartan significantly reduces HFrEF mortality and the heart failure hospitalization rate. However, in patients with advanced kidney disease, who have the highest prevalence of heart failure, the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan remains uncertain. We aim to study the efficiency of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with end‐stage kidney disease.

Methods and Results

Heart function was screened by echocardiogram among all patients with end‐stage kidney disease in 2 hospitals. Patients with HFrEF received either sacubitril/valsartan or conventional treatment. Fifteen echocardiographic parameters were compared before and after treatment. After 1‐year sacubitril/valsartan treatment, parameters of systolic (left ventricular ejection fraction 31.3% to 45.1%,
P
<0.0001; left ventricular end‐systolic volume 95.7 to 70.1 mL,
P
=0.006; left ventricular internal diameter at end‐systole phase 47.2 to 40.1 mm,
P
=0.005), and diastolic (E/A ratio 1.3 to 0.8,
P
=0.009; E/Med e' ratio 25.3 to 18.8,
P
=0.010) function improved in patients with HFrEF and end‐stage kidney disease. These parameters were unchanged in the conventional treatment group. Serum potassium did not increase in the sacubitril/valsartan group.

Conclusions

Sacubitril/valsartan improves left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with HFrEF and end‐stage kidney disease.
A White and Secular Habitus?
Authors: Corchete Charlotte
Published: September 2022

While about half of the French population declare themselves to be non-religious, there is little research on how norms of secularization and secularism shape majority/minority stereotypes in France. Based on ethnographic research conducted through participant observation and semi-directive interviews in a multi-cultural Parisian neighborhood, this paper investigates these issues. It specifically analyzes the relations between white women and ethnic minority men in the context of an ethnically diverse neighborhood. The findings show that religiosity intersects with ethno-racial origin and gender in producing stereotypes about male ethnic minorities. Moreover, religiosity shapes white women’s discourses and behaviors about their own gender identity.
The first record of Ceratotarsonemus (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from the Oriental region with description of a new species from West Bengal, India
Authors: KAYAL SANDIPAN , MONDAL PRIYANKAR , KARMAKAR KRISHNA
Published: September 2022

A new tarsonemid species Ceratotarsonemus bengalicus Karmakar and Kayal sp. nov. is described from specimens collected on leaves of the mandarin orange, Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae), in Rishikhola, Kalimpong district, West Bengal, India. This is the first record of the genus Ceratotarsonemus De Leon, 1956 in the Eurasian mainland. An updated key to the species of Ceratotarsonemus is provided.
Taxonomic notes on the Chinese endemic genus Straneostichus Sciaky, 1994 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichini), with descriptions of three new species
Authors: CHEN JIA-HENG , SHI HONG-LIANG , LIANG HONG-BIN
Published: September 2022

A total of eleven species and two subspecies are recognized within the Chinese endemic genus Straneostichus Sciaky, 1994 (Carabidae: Pterostichini), including three new species described in the present paper: Straneostichus politus sp. nov. (Sichuan: Wolong), Straneostichus liupanensis sp. nov. (Ningxia: Liupanshan) and Straneostichus ganqingensis sp. nov. (Qinghai: Mengda and Gansu: Dangchang). Taxonomical notes and new distribution records for all the known species are provided, along with an updated key to the species of Straneostichus.
Description of the final larval stadium of Miocora aurea (Ris, 1918) (Odonata: Polythoridae)
Authors: NOVELO-GUTIÉRREZ RODOLFO , BOTA-SIERRA CORNELIO ANDRÉS
Published: September 2022

The larva of Miocora aurea (Ris, 1918) was found in first and second order forested streams at the Tatamá National Park in the Colombian Western Andes. Here it is described and figured the final larval stadium. It differs from the larva of M. chirripa (Calvert, 1917) by a combination of features such as antennal pedicel (0.25x longer than 3rd antennomere), prementum (0.20x longer than its widest part), and posterior margin of tergite 10 with a moderate incision.
Taxonomic notes on the placement of Tibellus elongatus Tikader, 1960 and Apollophanes bangalores Tikader, 1963 (Araneae: Philodromidae)
Authors: SUDHIN PUTHOOR PATTAMMAL , SEN SOUVIK , CALEB JOHN T. D.
Published: September 2022

Tibellus elongatus Tikader, 1960 is redescribed, and the male is described for the first time. Examination of the types and newly collected specimens reveal that the species is misplaced in Tibellus and is hereby assigned to the genus Thanatus C. L. Koch, 1837—T. elongatus (Tikader, 1960) comb. nov. Another new combination is proposed: Lycopus bangalores (Tikader, 1963) comb. nov. (ex. Apollophanes).
Exploring ecosystem carbon storage change and scenario simulation in the Qiantang River source region of China
Authors: Cao Ludan , Kong Fanbin , Xu Caiyao
Published: September 2022

To explore the impact of land-use change on carbon storage, this study coupled the InVEST model and the FLUS model to analyse the spatial and temporal characteristics of carbon storage in the Qiantang River source region from 2000 to 2030. The carbon storage in the study area is evaluated which declined rapidly from 166.22 × 106 t in 2000 to 164.41 × 106 t in 2020, and the spatial distribution of carbon storage could be characterized by “the northwest and the southwest of region with higher, the east and the centre of the region with lower”. The carbon storage was simulated based on the historical trend development scenario, the food security scenario, and the ecological protection scenario. The carbon storage with the food security scenario could achieve 162.74 × 106 t in 2030. The carbon storage with the ecological protection scenario had an increase of 62.60 t/km2 compared to the historical natural tendency development. Interestingly, the food security scenario had the smallest carbon loss value which is about $1.39 × 109, and its net carbon storage value was the largest which is about $3.71 × 109. The results of this study could provide a scientific reference for the conservation of carbon storage and land use management for climate change and sustainable development. This paper also can lay the foundation for subsequent further studies such as artificial intelligence.
Diagnostic value of monocyte-lymphocyte ratio and red cell distribution width- lymphocyte ratio against other biomarkers in children with acute appendicitis, cross-sectional study
Authors: Duyan Murat , Vural Nafis
Published: September 2022

Our study aims to ascertain the diagnostic value of the Monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and red cell distribution width (RDW)-lymphocyte ratio (RLR) by comparing them with other biomarkers in distinguishing patients with and without acute appendicitis (AA). A total of 223 children were recruited in the study conducted according to the Cross-Sectional Study design. Patients under 18 years were assigned to 3 groups; AA, nonspecific abdominal pain (NAP), and a control group. According to the outcome of our research, while C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and MLR had excellent diagnostic power, RLR had acceptable diagnostic power, and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) had only fair diagnostic power. MLR and NLR, which are simple, inexpensive, and easily accessible parameters, can be recommended to be used together with other biomarkers in diagnosing AA in children.
“We Just Think of Her as One of the Girls”: Applying a Trans Inclusion Staged Model to the Experiences of Trans Children and Youth in UK Primary and Secondary Schools
Authors: Horton Cal , Carlile Anna
Published: September 2022

Background/Context:

Throughout the past decade increasing numbers of trans children are being supported in childhood, with schools in countries across the world tasked with educating a generation of (known) trans pupils. Schools can adopt diverse approaches to inclusion or exclusion of trans pupils, with consequences for trans children’s well-being and safety at school. The literature includes extensive critique of the limitations of common approaches to trans inclusion, highlighting negative impacts on trans pupils.

Purpose:

This article aims to reframe and bring nuance to conversations on trans inclusion in education, drawing on primary research in the UK to make explicit different approaches to trans inclusion, their ideological underpinnings, and their implications for how trans children are welcomed in our schools.

Setting:

The research took place in the UK, with interviews conducted at a time of escalation of anti-trans discourse in UK courts and media.

Population:

This article draws on data from two qualitative research projects focusing on the experiences of trans and nonbinary children and their parents in the UK: one focusing on trans children aged 3–12 years, and the other on trans young people aged 12–18 years.

Research Design:

Semi-structured interviews explored trans children’s experiences in education in the UK, with a focus on trans-inclusive approaches to school culture, restrooms, and team sports. Data were analyzed against the trans inclusion staged model (TISM), a framework for distinguishing between different approaches to trans inclusion.

Findings:

Within the TISM we differentiate between trans-oppressive, trans-assimilationist, trans-accommodative, and trans-emancipatory approaches to educational inclusion. Interviews highlighted the harms and injustices in nonemancipatory approaches, revealing the role of cis supremacy in forcing trans pupils into positions of vulnerability.

Conclusion/Recommendations:

The TISM emphasizes the structural and systemic nature of trans oppression, illuminating the power imbalances embedded in nonemancipatory approaches, and acknowledging the need for fundamental reform. We recommend analysis and recognition of school practices that are trans-oppressive, trans-assimilationist, trans-accommodative, or trans-emancipatory. We call for increased recognition of cis supremacy within education and commitment to emancipatory approaches to trans inclusion, enabling progress toward equity and gender justice in our schools.
“Basement Boys” in the All-Gender Bathroom: Investigating Student-Inspired Trans-Activism and White Cisgenderist Barriers to Supporting Trans Students in School
Authors: Omercajic Kenan
Published: September 2022

Background/Context:

The experiences of trans students in all-gender bathrooms are largely underexplored, as is the trans-activism by students to procure these spaces. Additionally, the role of teachers in supporting the creation of these spaces is largely absent from research regarding bathroom spaces.

Purpose:

This article elucidates the impact of student-inspired trans-activism that was mobilized through a gender studies educator in an urban school and her class project to foster trans inclusivity that resulted in the creation of two all-gender bathrooms.

Participants:

Four participants were involved in this study: a gender studies teacher, and her three students who either contributed to the creation of the all-gender bathrooms or actively used them following their implementation.

Research Design:

This qualitative paradigmatic case study took place at one high school (Capital High) and employs thematic and trans-informed theoretical analysis to semi-structured interviews to elucidate the potentialities and limitations of student-led trans-activism and the barriers to bathroom access.

Findings:

Emergent from this research is the significance of supportive educators and trans-inclusive education that collectively contribute to the overall trans-inclusive climate. However, pervasive white cistems exposed white male gender entitlement and the forces of cisgenderism at play in the school system, which amounted to the colonization of the all-gender bathrooms at Capital High by the “Basement Boys.”

Conclusion/Recommendations:

The findings endorse the need to move beyond bathroom policy reform, and rely on a singular gender facilitative teacher to address the problem of cisgenderism. More gender-expansive commitments beyond one teacher’s classroom are required, such as system-level directives that support integrating trans-affirmative education across the curriculum and resources to foster ongoing professional development in schools.
Beyond Pronouns: The Case for Gender-Expansive and Democratizing Practice in Teacher Education
Authors: Blair Elizabeth E. , Deckman Sherry L.
Published: September 2022

Many teacher education programs are committed to social justice. This commentary argues that gender-expansive education—teaching that opens up, democratizes, and complicates our understandings of gender, gender identity, and gendered embodiment in our classrooms in ways that make space for all kinds of students—must be meaningfully, intersectionally included in teacher education that aims to promote equity, democracy, and freedom through schooling. We suggest ways that teacher education programs can leverage many of the critical skills and dispositions already cultivated in social justice education to integrate gender-expansive perspectives throughout their curriculum.
The role of Tanzania library services board in enhancing information literacy skills among the public in Tanzania
Authors: Wema Evans F.
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to examine the role of Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB) in organizing, teaching and facilitating information literacy to users in the public library. Specifically the study examined the available facilities and resources available in public libraries that would facilitate the teaching of information literacy; established what users were taught during information literacy courses and identified barriers in implementing information literacy courses in public libraries. It also sought to gather views from the users on the roles of TLSB in organizing, teaching and facilitating information literacy courses in public libraries. The study was carried out in 7 regional libraries working under the administration of the National Central library in Dar es salaam. Data was collected through questionnaires, which were conveniently distributed among 58 library users who were found in the reading areas and other service points in the selected libraries. Face to face semi-structured interviews were carried out among purposely selected 11 librarians who were providing services at different points in the libraries. Results of the study indicated that TLSB was involved in organizing and teaching information literacy courses to users who visited the library either in groups or as individuals. Users were taught how to search for electronic resources, utilizing special collections, borrowing and returning library books and using the library OPAC. Challenges facing TLSB in offering information literacy courses included lack of expert trainers; limited number of facilities such as computers, some users did not want to attend training and lack of motivation among library staff to participate in teaching information literacy courses. The study recommended that TLSB should collaborate with other institutions by facilitating the teaching of information literacy courses to users in various libraries in the country.
Input in study abroad and views from acquisition: Focus on constructs, operationalization and measurement issues: Introduction to the special issue
Authors: Granfeldt Jonas , Gullberg Marianne , Muñoz Carmen
Published: September 2022

This article briefly discusses the notion of input in a study abroad perspective, situating it against how input is treated in second language acquisition (SLA) more broadly, with a focus on methodological issues, operationalizations, and measurements. It further introduces three studies that examine input as studied in ‘the real wild’, and two studies that instead focus on ‘the digital wild’.
Efficiency of endovenous laser and glue ablation methods in comparison with conventional surgery for the treatment of venous ulcers
Authors: Erdinc Ibrahim
Published: September 2022

Introduction

In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of endovenous laser and glue ablation techniques and compared the results with conventional surgical stripping.

Patients and Methods

Between January 2005 and January 2020, among 3133 consecutive patients with superficial venous reflux disease receiving treatment at our institution, there were 112 consecutive patients with active venous ulcers. Patients were divided into 3 groups as receiving conventional open surgical treatment (Group 1, n: 70), endovenous glue ablation (Group 2, n: 20), and endovenous laser ablation (Group 3, n: 22). Comorbidity factors, duration and size of the ulcers, deep, perforating, and small saphenous vein disease detected with detailed Doppler ultrasonography, and duration for healing and recurrence were investigated.

Results

The age, gender, comorbidities, smoking, history of previous treatment, diameter of the small saphenous vein, number of refluxing perforating veins, size of the ulcer, and ulcer recurrence ratio were not significantly different between groups. There were 7 patients with bilateral disease and in total 119 legs were intervened. Mean durations for complete ulcer healing were significantly lower in Group 1 (53.28 ± 22.1 days) than Group 2 (73.7 ± 39.6 days); however, it did not differ significantly between Group 1 and Group 3 (62.59 ± 19.65 days), and Group 2 and Group 3 ( p: 0.26). Ulcers recurred in 23 patients (33%) in stripping group at a mean follow up of 14.42 ± 4.6 months, in 7 patients (35%) in glue ablation group at a mean follow up of 11.97 ± 2.94 months, and in 5 patients (23%) in laser ablation group at a mean follow up of 12.66 ± 3.48 months ( p > 0.05 for all). Increased body mass index, co-existence of chronic venous insufficiency, active cigarette smoking, non-compliance with physician advises and exercise and compression stockings, and depth of the ulcers were correlated with recurrence.

Conclusion

The rationelle beyond treatment of the venous ulcers and prevention of recurrence relies on relief of the venous hypertension by interventional methods and/or compression therapy. None of the methods is superior over the others. Healing in short term without further recurrence may be achieved with successful intervention as well as good patient compliance.
Operating on Anxiety: Negative Affect toward Breast Cancer and Choosing Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy
Authors: Silverstein Michael C. , Lee Clara N. , Scherer Laura D. , Phommasathit Crystal , Merrill Andrea L. , Peters Ellen
Published: September 2022

Background

Rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM)—removal of the healthy breast following breast cancer diagnosis—have increased, particularly among women for whom CPM provides no survival benefit. Affective (i.e., emotional) decision making is often blamed for this increase. We studied whether greater negative breast cancer affect could motivate uptake of CPM through increased cancer risk perceptions and biased treatment evaluations.

Methods

We randomly assigned healthy women with average breast-cancer risk ( N = 1,030; Mage = 44.14, SD = 9.23 y) to 1 of 3 affect conditions (negative v. neutral v. positive narrative manipulation) in a hypothetical online experiment in which they were asked to imagine being diagnosed with cancer in one breast. We assessed 1) treatment choice, 2) affect toward CPM, and 3) perceived risk of future breast cancer in each breast (cancer affected and healthy) following lumpectomy, single mastectomy, and CPM.

Results

The manipulation caused women in the negative and neutral narrative conditions (26.9% and 26.4%, respectively) to choose CPM more compared with the positive narrative condition (19.1%). Across conditions, women’s CPM affect did not differ. However, exploratory analyses addressing a possible association of affect toward cancer-related targets suggested that women in the negative narrative condition may have felt more positively toward CPM than women in the positive narrative condition. The manipulation did not have significant effects on breast cancer risk perceptions.

Limitations

The manipulation of affect had a small effect size, possibly due to the hypothetical nature of this study and/or strong a priori knowledge and attitudes about breast cancer and its treatment options.

Conclusion

Increased negative affect toward breast cancer increased choice of CPM over other surgical options and might have motivated more positive affective evaluations of CPM.

Highlights

This study used narratives to elicit different levels of negative integral affect toward breast cancer to investigate the effects of affect on breast cancer treatment choices. Increased negative affect toward breast cancer increased the choice of double mastectomy over lumpectomy and single mastectomy to treat a hypothetical, early-stage cancer. The narrative manipulation of negative affect toward breast cancer did not change the perceived risks of future cancer following any of the surgical interventions. Negative affect toward breast cancer may have biased affective evaluations of double mastectomy.
A Quantitative Study of Decision Thresholds for Initiation of Antibiotics in Suspected Sepsis
Authors: Taylor Stephanie Parks , Weissman Gary E. , Kowalkowski Marc , Admon Andrew J. , Skewes Sable , Xia Yunfei , Chou Shih-Hsuing
Published: September 2022

Background

Clinicians’ decision thresholds for initiating antibiotics in patients with suspected sepsis have not been quantified. We aimed to define an average threshold of infection likelihood at which clinicians initiate antibiotics when treating a patient with suspected infection and to evaluate the influence of severity of illness and clinician-related factors on the threshold.

Design

This was a prospective survey of 153 clinicians responding to 8 clinical vignettes constructed from real-world data from 3 health care systems in the United States. We treated each hour in the vignette as a decision to treat or not treat with antibiotics and assigned an infection probability to each hour using a previously developed infection prediction model. We then estimated decision thresholds using regression models based on the timing of antibiotic initiation. We compared thresholds across categories of severity of illness and clinician-related factors.

Results

Overall, the treatment threshold occurred at a 69% probability of infection, but the threshold varied significantly across severity of illness categories—when patients had high severity of illness, the treatment threshold occurred at a 55% probability of infection; when patients had intermediate severity, the threshold for antibiotic initiation occurred at an infection probability of 69%, and the threshold was 84% when patients had low severity of illness ( P < 0.001 for group differences). Thresholds differed significantly across specialty, highest among infectious disease and lowest among emergency medicine clinicians and across years of experience, decreasing with increasing years of experience.

Conclusions

The threshold infection probability above which physicians choose to initiate antibiotics in suspected sepsis depends on illness severity as well as clinician factors.

Implications

Incorporating these context-dependent thresholds into discriminating and well-calibrated models will inform the development of future sepsis clinical decision support systems. Clinician-related differences in treatment thresholds suggests potential unwarranted variation and opportunities for performance improvement.

Highlights

Decision making about antibiotic initiation in suspected sepsis occurs under uncertainty, and little is known about clinicians’ thresholds for treatment. In this prospective study, 153 clinicians from 3 health care systems reviewed 8 real-world clinical vignettes representing patients with sepsis and indicated the time that they would initiate antibiotics. Using a model-based approach, we estimated decision thresholds and found that thresholds differed significantly across illness severity categories and by clinician specialty and years of experience.
All-star approach to a small medical imaging dataset: combined deep, transfer, and classical machine learning approaches for the determination of radial head fractures
Authors: Koska Ozgur I , Çilengir Atilla Hikmet , Uluç Muhsin Engin , Yücel Aylin , Tosun Özgür
Published: September 2022

Background

Radial head fractures are often evaluated in emergency departments and can easily be missed. Automated or semi-automated detection methods that help physicians may be valuable regarding the high miss rate.

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of combined deep, transfer, and classical machine learning approaches on a small dataset for determination of radial head fractures.

Material and Methods

A total of 48 patients with radial head fracture and 56 patients without fracture on elbow radiographs were retrospectively evaluated. The input images were obtained by cropping anteroposterior elbow radiographs around a center-point on the radial head. For fracture determination, an algorithm based on feature extraction using distinct prototypes of pretrained networks (VGG16, ResNet50, InceptionV3, MobileNetV2) representing four different approaches was developed. Reduction of feature space dimensions, feeding the most relevant features, and development of ensemble of classifiers were utilized.

Results

The algorithm with the best performance consisted of preprocessing the input, computation of global maximum and global mean outputs of four distinct pretrained networks, dimensionality reduction by applying univariate and ensemble feature selectors, and applying Support Vector Machines and Random Forest classifiers to the transformed and reduced dataset. A maximum accuracy of 90% with MobileNetV2 pretrained features was reached for fracture determination with a small sample size.

Conclusion

Radial head fractures can be determined with a combined approach and limitations of the small sample size can be overcome by utilizing pretrained deep networks with classical machine learning methods.
Comparison of serum Kim-1 and Miox levels in patients that underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy and flexible ureterorenoscopy
Authors: Altun Abdulsemet , Bozkurt Aliseydi , Erdogan Abdullah , Mertoğlu Cuma , Hirik Erkan , Keskin Ercüment , Turan Abdullah
Published: September 2022

Objective:

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) are common surgical methods in the treatment of kidney stones. Possible effects on kidneys are an important factor in determining the surgical procedure and the surgical method. In our study, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) were used to compare acute kidney injury in patients that underwent PNL and RIRS.

Material and Method:

Eighty patients aged 20–75, who underwent PNL or RIRS in our urology clinic between November 2018 and February 2020 were included in the study. In this prospective study, the demographic characteristics, stone size, operation time, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and biochemistry values of the patients were recorded. About 5 cc blood samples taken from the patients before the operation and at the fourth hour after the operation were centrifuged and kept at −80°C, and the KIM-1 and MIOX levels were measured in the biochemistry department.

Results:

There was no difference between the groups in terms of demographic data; however, the operation time and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in the PNL group. The mean increase in MIOX was 10.583 ± 9.73 and 7.501 ± 16.46 ng/ml in the PNL and RIRS groups, respectively. Although there was a statistically significant increase in both groups, this increase was greater in the PNL group. A significant increase was observed only in the PNL group in the postoperative period ( p = 0.003).

Discussion and Conclusion:

The findings of the study suggest that the PNL procedure causes more damage to the kidneys than RIRS.
Accuracy, Reproducibility and User Experience With Standardized Instructions for Measurement of Total Kidney Volume in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Bevilacqua Micheli , Hague Cameron J. , Romann Alexandra , Levin Adeera
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Total kidney volume (TKV) measurement is integral in clinical management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) but the gold standard of measurement via stereology/manual planimetry is time-consuming and not readily available to clinicians. This study assessed whether standardized measurement instructions based on an ellipsoid equation enhanced TKV assessment on computed tomographic (CT) images of the kidneys as determined by accuracy, reproducibility, efficiency and/or user acceptability.

Methods

Participating radiologists were randomized to perform TKV measurements with or without standardized instructions. All participants measured the same 3 non-contrast, low-dose CT scans. Accuracy was assessed as variation from TKV measurements obtained by planimetry. Intraclass correlation coefficients and time to complete the measurements were assessed. Surveys assessed prior experience with TKV measurement and user acceptability of the instructions.

Results

49 radiologists participated. There was no difference in accuracy or measurement time between instructed and non-instructed participants. There was a trend towards greater reproducibility with standardized instructions (ICC .8 vs .6). 92% of respondents indicated the instructions were easy to use, 86% agreed the instructions would enhance their comfort with TKV measurement and 75% agreed they would recommend these instructions to colleagues.

Conclusions

Instructed and non-instructed participants demonstrated similar accuracy and time required for TKV measurement, but instructed participants had a trend towards greater reproducibility. There was high acceptability including enhanced user confidence with the instructions. Standardized instructions may be of value for radiologists seeking to improve their confidence in providing clinicians with TKV measurements necessary to appropriately manage this patient population.
Understanding the Intergenerational Cycle of Trauma and Violence: Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and Parent-to-Child Aggression Risk
Authors: Shin Sunny H. , Tomlinson Camie A. , Nelson-Hence Devin , Ksinan Jiskrova Gabriela
Published: September 2022

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as exposure to maltreatment and household dysfunction, are major risk factors for physical and mental health problems across the lifespan. While the relationship between ACEs and health outcomes is well established, what effects ACEs might have on parent-to-child aggression are less known. The negative consequences of ACEs on parental aggression can be even more pronounced with multiple exposures to different patterns of ACEs. This study examined the association between patterns of maternal ACEs and subsequent parent-child aggression risk. A diverse sample of young women ( N = 329; mean age = 26.3 years) was recruited at a large, urban university medical center. Participants completed self-report measures of the ACEs Questionnaire and the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2. Latent class analysis was used to identify classes of women with similar patterns of exposure to ACEs and to examine the associations between ACEs classes and parent-to-child aggression risk. Three latent classes, characterized by distinct patterns of maternal ACEs, were identified: Low ACEs (63% of the sample), High Parental Separation/Divorce (20%), and High/Multiple ACEs classes (17%). Women in the High/Multiple ACEs class were more likely to report higher levels of parent-to-child aggression risk (i.e., inappropriate expectations, belief in corporal punishment, lack of empathy) than those in the other classes (Wald(2) = 8.63, p = .013). Preventive interventions targeting parental attitudes and behaviors among young women exposed to ACEs may decrease the risk for further perpetuation of aggression in the next generations.
Associations Between Mothers’ Adverse Childhood Experiences, Material Hardship, and Breastfeeding Challenges in the United States
Authors: McCloskey Rebecca J. , Pei Fei
Published: September 2022

Background:

Breastfeeding is the biological norm and is associated with numerous superior health outcomes for children and mothers when compared to human milk substitutes. Yet, breastfeeding difficulties and the inability to meet one’s breastfeeding goals are common in the United States and maybe more common among mothers who have experienced trauma.

Research Questions:

(1) Are mothers’ adverse childhood experiences, and current experiences of discrimination, material hardship, and decreased social support associated with breastfeeding challenges; and (2) are these experiences associated with the number of breastfeeding challenges reported?

Methods:

A prospective, non-probability, cross-sectional study design with a diverse sample who had delivered a live baby within the previous year ( N = 306) was conducted.

Results:

Over 70% of participants reported breastfeeding challenges and 45.2% reported material hardship. Among those who attempted breastfeeding ( n = 286), 74.1% had at least one adverse childhood experience; 30.3% had four or more. Logistic and negative binomial regression models determined that adverse childhood experiences, experiences of discrimination, material hardship, and decreased social support were not associated with experiencing any breastfeeding challenges. However, adverse childhood experiences were associated with the number of breastfeeding challenges reported. (The adjusted rate ratio was 1.05; 95% CI [1.00, 1.09], p = .034).

Conclusion:

We recommend further research on adverse childhood experiences and potential relationships with discrimination, material hardship, and social support to prevent and intervene in cases of breastfeeding challenges to maximize infant, maternal, and public health.
Establishment of a Zebrafish Xenograft Model for in Vivo Investigation of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Enyu , Huang Haofeng , Wu Longji , Li Binbin , He Zhiwei , Zhang Jingjing
Published: September 2022

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a unique malignant tumor of the head and neck. Despite higher survival rates by the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the recurrence or metastasis of NPC still occurs at about 10%. Therefore, there is urgent demand to develop more effective in vivo models for preclinical trials to investigate the mechanisms of NPC development and progression and to explore better treatment approaches. In this study, we transplanted human NPC CNE1 cells into zebrafish embryos to establish a xenograft model of NPC, where the proliferation and invasion behaviors of NPC cells were investigated in vivo. Combining in vitro and in vivo analyses, we found that activating transcription factor 7 (ATF7) was involved in the occurrence and development of NPC regulated by peptidyl-prolyl cis- trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1). The zebrafish NPC xenograft model established here thereby provides an in vivo tool for exploring the occurrence and development of NPC, which may help to identify new tumor markers and develop new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of NPC.
Workplace Inclusion as a Mediator of the Relationship between Workforce Diversity and Intention to Quit: Results from Indian HEIs
Authors: Sharma Avnish , Panicker Aneesya
Published: September 2022

Composition of modern workforce has been changing on account of newer developments and emerging trends in the global economy that transformed and reshaped the relationship between employee and employer. The article aims to study the association among workforce diversity and intention to quit with mediating effect of workplace inclusion. The attempt is made to identify the variance in perception among employees’ towards the workforce diversity with respect to their gender, age, and experience in the present institution. Data collection was made during March 2019 to September 2019 from 347 employees working in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. Hierarchical multiple regression was administered to examine the relationship between the dependent, independent, and mediating variables. ANOVA and Z-test are used to examine the difference in perception of various dimensions of diversity. Data analysis reveals partial mediation effect of workplace inclusion on the association among workforce diversity and intention to quit. The practical implication of the present research work emphasizes the reorientation of management practices to nurture employee inclusion in the HEI through active support system that embraces the engrossment of top management in the all-inclusive process. The present study examined the cause and effect relationship of workplace diversity on intention to quit where workplace inclusion is used as mediating variable. The empirical evidence of the study reveals that employees’ perception towards their institution highly impact their intention to stay. Thus, the study recommends the HEIs to develop such human resource practices that enhance the contribution to every employee irrespective of their diverse characteristics.
It Is Probably Fake but Let Us Share It! Role of Analytical Thinking, Overclaiming and Social Approval in Sharing Fake News
Authors: Rahmanian Emad , Esfidani Mohammad Rahim
Published: September 2022

This study investigates whether and how analytical thinking, overclaiming, and social approval are associated with the intention of sharing fake news on social media. To randomize each respondent to a group and treatment and to test of several hypotheses simultaneously, two by two factorial design was used. An online survey ( N = 1160) on Iranian social media revealed that overclaiming and social approval are positively related to sharing fake news on social media. Surprisingly, analytical thinking yielded no significance. We believe that in order to show more knowledge users tend to share information with high social approval irrespective of their credibility. Although CRT proved no relation with sharing, significant differences among male and female users were found. The proven relation between sharing more and overclaiming more reveals a marketing opportunity. Gamification of communication which provides a vehicle for users to overclaim their knowledge to their peers on social media might be a suitable strategy on social media to spread the message.
Centre-periphery in the European Union: Analysis of wages and productivity in the transport equipment sector
Authors: del Río Casasola Alfredo , Paz María José
Published: September 2022

The Great Recession has highlighted striking inequalities within the European Union, necessitating an approach that permits clear understanding of their nature and scope. To this end, this article relies on the Structuralist centre-periphery (C-P) literature, meanwhile seeking to update the validity of C-P analysis in a context of international fragmentation of production. Following a critical review of the relevant literature, that permits us to connect Structuralist theories with the GVC literature, we propose an analysis of the comparative evolution of productivity and wages, focussing on the transport equipment sector. The empirical analysis shows that convergence between centre and periphery has been higher in productivity than in wages, given that the productivity gains of central economies have been transferred to wages to a greater extent than in peripheral economies. This dynamic has been accentuated since the crisis erupted, as wages in the central and peripheral economies have diverged, fomenting greater polarization.
Intrinsic Plasticity Mechanisms of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: King Emily S. , Tang Alexander D.
Published: September 2022

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has become an increasingly popular tool to modulate neural excitability and induce neural plasticity in clinical and preclinical models; however, the physiological mechanisms in which it exerts these effects remain largely unknown. To date, studies have primarily focused on characterizing rTMS-induced changes occurring at the synapse, with little attention given to changes in intrinsic membrane properties. However, accumulating evidence suggests that rTMS may induce its effects, in part, via intrinsic plasticity mechanisms, suggesting a new and potentially complementary understanding of how rTMS alters neural excitability and neural plasticity. In this review, we provide an overview of several intrinsic plasticity mechanisms before reviewing the evidence for rTMS-induced intrinsic plasticity. In addition, we discuss a select number of neurological conditions where rTMS-induced intrinsic plasticity has therapeutic potential before speculating on the temporal relationship between rTMS-induced intrinsic and synaptic plasticity.
Evaluation of remote assessment reliability in the follow-up of patients with diabetic macular edema
Authors: Bellot Lucas , Anthony Norah , Maucourant Yann , Viana Michel , Bussat Aurore , Mouriaux Fréderic
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To compare the reliability of office versus remote assessments in the decision to use intravitreal injection for patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).

Method

We retrospectively evaluated office and remote assessments for decision agreement regarding treatment by intravitreal injection or non-treatment for DME. Remote assessment consisted in remote evaluation of patient medical data by three reviewers with different skills. Two OCT analysis strategies were performed with the same office assessment data: 1) macular mapping with only two OCT B-scans passing through the fovea, and 2) macular mapping with complete macular scans. Agreement for treatment decisions and OCT analysis strategies were analysed using Cohen's Kappa coefficient (κ).

Results

Data from 49 patients (96 eyes) were included. Treatment decision agreement with two OCT B-scans passing through the fovea was considered excellent for all reviewers (κ between 0.80 and 0.85, varying between reviewers). Treatment decision agreement with complete macular scans was considered excellent (κ between 0.85 and 0.93, varying between reviewers). Agreement between the two OCT analysis strategies and reviewers was considered excellent.

Conclusion

Remote assessment in a telemedicine model can be a useful alternative for DME patient follow-up.
Influence of corneal biomechanical properties on intraocular pressure measurement in different types of Graves’ orbitopathy
Authors: Pérez-López Marta , Ting Darren S. J. , Lanzagorta-Aresti Aitor , Montolio-Marzo Santiago , Davó-Cabrera Juan , Cid-García Isabel
Published: September 2022

Background/aims

To compare the ocular biomechanical properties of inactive Grave’s orbitopathy (GO) patients and healthy subjects and to evaluate the influence of severity and phenotype of GO on these parameters.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. All included inactive GO patients and healthy controls underwent complete ocular examination, including Goldman applanation tonometry (GAT), corneal biomechanical analysis using Ocular Response Analyser (ORA), and corneal epithelial thickness analysis using Optovue. Patients with inactive GO were classified based on the severity and orbital phenotype (predominantly myogenic or lipogenic). Comparison among groups was performed.

Results

60 eyes from 30 inactive GO patients and 30 healthy eyes were examined. Corneal hysteresis (CH) was significantly lower in inactive GO patients (9.6 [p25 8.1; p75 11.2]) compared to controls (10.4 [9.8; 11.5]) ( p = 0.012). In GO patients, cornea compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) was significantly higher than Goldman applanation tonometry IOP (IOP-GAT) ( p = 0.001). A total of 13.3% GO patients were initially classified as having ocular hypertension (OHT; defined as IOP > 21 mmHg with no signs of glaucomatous optic neuropathy) based on IOP-GAT measurement. According to IOPcc, 27.8% of GO patients were classified as OHT. In GO patients, no differences were found in corneal bimechanical properties according to the disease severity or orbital phenotype.

Conclusions

CH is significantly lower in inactive GO patients compared to healthy subjects. ORA corrected IOP was significantly higher in GO patients compared to IOP-GAT. No differences in corneal biomechanical properties between mild and moderate-to-severe GO disease and between myogenic and lipogenic orbitopathy were found.
The effect of treatment timing on clinical and psychological outcomes with Twin Block therapy: A multicentre two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mandall Nicky , Littlewood Simon , Shah Jinesh , Watkinson Simon , Glossop Sarah , Dugdale Charlotte , Curran Edith , Walsh Tanya
Published: September 2022

Objective:

To evaluate whether delaying treatment with a twin block appliance affects treatment outcomes, in terms of skeletal and dental change and psychological disadvantage.

Design:

Multicentre, two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

Three UK hospital orthodontic units.

Methods:

A total of 75 participants were randomly allocated into an Immediate Treatment Group (ITG) (n= 41) and an 18-month delayed Later Treatment Group (LTG) (n=34).

Outcomes:

Dentofacial changes were recorded from lateral cephalograms and study models, psychological impact was measured using a child perception questionnaire (CPQ11–14) and an Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Score (OASIS) at registration (DC1), 18 months (DC2) and 3 years (DC3).

Results:

The ITG initial effect was a mean ANB reduction was 1.6° ( P<0.001) (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89–2.29), and an overjet reduction of 5.06 mm ( P<0.001) (95% CI = 3.96–6.16) (boys: aged 12 years 8 months; girls: aged 11 years 8 months). There were no statistically significant differences between the ITG and LTG for twin block treatment outcomes, but the ITG active treatment time was longer ( P=0.004) (ITG: 13.1 months; LTG: 9.8 months). There was insufficient evidence to state that patients were psychologically disadvantaged by waiting 18 months for active twin block treatment ( P>0.05).

Conclusion:

Participants achieved similar clinical and psychological outcomes irrespective of whether they started their twin block at the age of referral (ITG) or 18 months later (LTG). This suggests that boys aged 12 years 8 months and girls aged 11 years 8 months, on average, are not disadvantaged by waiting 18 months for active twin block treatment.
Conversations About Food Insecurity: Examining College Campus Climates
Authors: Garcia Crystal Eufemia
Published: September 2022

This qualitative critical narrative inquiry study explored the experiences of 19 students within four universities in a single Southern state that used campus food aid resources such as a food pantry. Using Hurtado et al.'s Multicontextual Model for Diverse Learning Environments (MMDLE), this paper sheds light on how participants discussed the campus climate for students experiencing food insecurity within their respective campuses. Findings unpack students’ reflections on a lack of awareness and discussion about food insecurity and food aid resources within the campus community, the role that stigmas played in participants’ perceptions and use of campus food aid resources, and doubts they had in accessing these resources. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.