bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Models and Robustness Analysis in Epistemic Democracy: A Systematic Review of Diversity Trumps Ability Theorem Models
Authors: Sakai Ryota
Published: May 2020

This article contributes to the revision of the procedure of robustness analysis of mathematical models in epistemic democracy using the systematic review method. It identifies the drawbacks of robustness analysis in epistemic democracy in terms of sample universality and inference from samples with the same results. To exemplify the effectiveness of systematic review, this article conducted a pilot review of diversity trumps ability theorem models, which are mathematical models of deliberation often cited by epistemic democrats. A review of nine models extracted from 352 papers exemplifies the effectiveness of robustness analysis supplemented by systematic review in epistemic democracy.
On the Ontological Turn in Economics: The Promises of Agent-Based Computational Economics
Authors: Chen Shu-Heng
Published: May 2020

This article argues that agent-based modeling (ABM) is the methodological implication of Lawson’s championed ontological turn in economics. We single out three major properties of agent-based computational economics (ACE), namely, autonomous agents, social interactions, and the micro-macro links, which have been well accepted by the ACE community. We then argue that ACE does make a full commitment to the ontology of economics as proposed by Lawson, based on his prompted critical realism. Nevertheless, the article also points out the current limitations or constraints of ACE. Efforts to overcome them are deemed to be crucial before ACE can make itself more promising to the current ontological turn in economics.
Clinical profile of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection: cases from a tertiary hospital in north India
Authors: Bhattacharya Deepanjan , Panigrahi Inusha , Chaudhry Chakshu
Published: May 2020

We retrospectively analysed the records of nine infants with polymerase chain reaction proven congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, of which 66% were born preterm. Microcephaly was a universal finding, followed by hepatosplenomegaly in 89%, while chorioretinitis was seen in only 44% cases. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.5 months. Neuroimaging was abnormal in 78%, with ventriculomegaly being the most common finding followed by T2/FLAIR white matter abnormalities, periventricular cysts and intracranial haemorrhage.
Quality of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention as a Predictor of Children's Outcome
Authors: Långh Ulrika , Perry Adrienne , Eikeseth Svein , Bölte Sven
Published: May 2020

Research has directed surprisingly little attention to the quality of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a potential predictor of outcome. Therefore, using a preschool delivery model within a sample of 30 children, we examined the predictive power of EIBI quality on treatment outcome. EIBI quality was assessed at baseline by the York Measure of Quality of Intensive Behavioral Intervention (YMQI) and treatment outcome was evaluated after a period of 4 to 6 months using a battery of behavioral tests and scales to evaluate treatment success. Multinomial logistic regressions demonstrated that general EIBI quality predicted clinically significant change at follow-up. Particularly improvements in basic language and learning skills and global clinical impression were observed. Specific quality indicators that influenced overall treatment success were treatment organization, teaching level and differential reinforcement. In addition to previously examined predictors of EIBI treatment effects, such as child characteristics and intervention quantity, our findings highlight the importance of adequate EIBI quality assurance.
irtplay: An R Package for Online Item Calibration, Scoring, Evaluation of Model Fit, and Useful Functions for Unidimensional IRT
Authors: Lim Hwanggyu , Wells Craig S.
Published: May 2020

The R package irtplay provides practical tools for unidimensional item response theory (IRT) models that conveniently enable users to conduct many analyses related to IRT. For example, the irtplay includes functions for calibrating online items, scoring test-takers’ proficiencies, evaluating IRT model-data fit, and importing item and/or proficiency parameter estimates from the output of popular IRT software. In addition, the irtplay package supports mixed-item formats consisting of dichotomous and polytomous items.
Rheumatic mitral valve repair: a personal perspective and results
Authors: Chotivatanapong Taweesak
Published: May 2020

Rheumatic mitral valve disease remains a challenge for cardiac surgeons. Valve repair has several advantages over valve replacement but is technically demanding for good results. To improve rheumatic mitral valve repair, surgeons need to have a deep understand of the mitral valve complex and its dynamics. The goal of repair is to restore normal diastolic and systolic function. The current approach is to perform a holistic repair of the entire mitral complex. Each part of the complex is thoroughly explored to define the problem. Several innovative techniques have been introduced to correct valve dysfunction and provide gratifying results. The details of these techniques will be described, based on an understanding of the relationship of the mitral valve complex and dynamics. With this approach, rheumatic mitral valve repair is becoming more successful, reproducible, and safe. Long-term follow-up is mandatory.
Quantifying Value with Effective Complexity
Authors: Murialdo Maxwell , Cifuentes Arturo
Published: May 2020

We present a new economic theory of value based on complexity theory. For simplicity, we call this theory ‘complexalism’ (a portmanteau of ‘complexity’ and ‘capitalism’). Complexalism is a framework that establishes valuations by quantifying the present and future complexities of objects and their surroundings. This framework reparameterises questions of economic value into more objectively addressable subcomponents. First, we motivate the importance of developing alternative frameworks for value. Next, we discuss a novel three-dimensional framework to analyse value and the use of effective complexity as a proxy metric of economic value. Finally, we propose explicit methods for quantifying complexity and simulating valuations. The resulting valuations may serve to benchmark prices and can be used in evaluating the market rules of engagement.

JEL: B41, B59, C63, D63
Why Business Schools Need Radical Innovations: Drivers and Development Trajectories
Authors: Schlegelmilch Bodo B.
Published: May 2020

Business education is undergoing paradigmatic changes, and business schools are feeling the brunt of these changes. This article proposes that “business as usual” is over for traditional business schools. Using Ohmae’s 3Cs—customers, competitors, and company—as an analytical framework, I examine important changes from different vantage points. From the perspective of customers, the focus lies on technological and value changes. In terms of competitors, the analysis centers on the growing number of alternative suppliers of business education and the geographic shifts in the business school landscape. As to the company dimension, I comment on the vast number and heterogeneity of business schools and suggest that they are heading toward a business model competition. In considering potential development paths for business schools, the article concludes that they require radical innovations to stay relevant.
Market Exchanges, Negative Externalities and Sustainability
Authors: Varadarajan Rajan
Published: May 2020

Lusch (2017), in an insightful article published posthumously, enumerated and elaborated on four macro observations concerning Homo sapiens and exchange. He noted that Homo sapiens massively (1) engage in exchanges with each other, (2) create tools to facilitate exchanges, (3) engage in exchanges with the vast majority of costs being unseen, and (4) create institutions to efficiently coordinate exchanges and interactions among the parties to the exchanges. Lusch also proposed a number meta-questions pertaining to the above macro views on Homo sapiens and exchange for future research. This article focuses on the following questions highlighted by Lusch in reference to the unseen costs of market exchanges from an economic, environmental and social sustainability perspective: (1) Do any of the theories that are currently in vogue shed light into unseen costs of market exchanges, or is there a need for new theories? (2) Can some or most unseen costs of market exchanges be quantified? (3) How important is it for individuals, organizations and governments to consider the unseen costs of market exchanges? In reference to the last question, the article proposes manifestos for Citizen Consumer Environmental Oath, Company Manager Environmental Oath, and Country Leader Environmental Oath, highlights the need to develop guiding consensus principles on Government Sustainability Responsibility, Corporate Sustainability Responsibility and Consumer Sustainability Responsibility, and proposes a principle in respect of each.
The Long View on the Responsibilities of Business and Marketers
Authors: Bolton Ruth N.
Published: May 2020

Robert F. (Bob) Lusch has made many contributions to scholarly research on macromarketing, especially on how business —and especially marketing– can and should contribute to society. His insights are important in understanding how business practices are evolving over time. In addition, they are prescient in identifying new ways for scholarly research in business and marketing to be useful to society. This tribute briefly describes how Bob Lusch’s ideas are reflected in management and marketing practices today. I also discuss how they are related to three key principles of responsible research advocated by Responsible Research in Business and Management (RRBM). (See: https://rrbm.network/). This conceptual paper calls for research on topics relevant to business performance and value networks, marketing and societal well-being, sustainability and the bioenvironment, service systems and stakeholders, and human and labor rights.
Altered features of neurotransmitters: NPY, α-MSH, and AgRP in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension
Authors: Li Baoxin , Ma Shuang , Guo Shuqin , Li Na , Liu Dandan , Wang He , Zhai Na , Zhang Yunliang
Published: May 2020

Objective

To investigate the features of neuropeptide Y (NPY), α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and agouti-related protein (AgRP) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with hypertension.

Methods

Patients with T2DM (n = 384) and healthy volunteers (n = 80) were enrolled into this study. Serum NPY, α-MSH, and AgRP levels were detected using ELISA.

Results

Significantly higher NPY and lower α-MSH and AgRP levels were observed in patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes, and the mean NPY levels increased, while α-MSH and AgRP levels decreased, with the development of hypertension compared with diabetic patients without hypertension. α-MSH and AgRP levels decreased with an increase in blood pressure in hypertension compared with the non-hypertension patients. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that NPY, α-MSH, and AgRP levels were closely associated with blood pressure and glucose control. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses indicated that α-MSH may be a better marker compared with NPY and AgRP for regulating glucose and blood pressure and to distinguish between T2DM patients with and without hypertension.

Conclusion

NPY, α-MSH, and AgRP might play different roles and be closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetes and hypertension.
Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst resembling an adrenal tumor: two case reports and literature review
Authors: Wen Yang , Chen Wanyuan , Chen Junfa , He Xiaodong
Published: May 2020

Bronchogenic cysts are primitive, foregut-derived developmental anomalies with bronchial-type, pseudostratified cylindrical epithelium. They are usually discovered in the thorax. The occurrence of such cysts in the retroperitoneum is extremely rare. Imaging techniques are generally effective in the detection of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst. Here, we report two cases (a 27-year-old man and a 33-year-old man) who had no clinical symptoms and were found by chance to have masses in the adrenal gland area during routine physical examination. We found that they had some similar computed tomography imaging features, including complete adrenal structure, cystic fusiform mass in adrenal region, and inclusion of calcifications in the lesions. However, accurate preoperative diagnosis remains difficult and only histology can provide a definitive diagnosis. Surgery remains the treatment of choice.
Improving Traffic Operations at Service Interchanges using the New Offset Diamond Design
Authors: Molan Amirarsalan Mehrara , Hummer Joseph E.
Published: May 2020

This paper proposes the new offset diamond interchange (ODI) as an alternative design which shows potential in mitigating the limitations of failing service interchanges in relation to traffic operation. Vehicle travel time was considered as the primary measure of effectiveness (MOE) for the traffic operation analysis, while the maximum queue lengths were also analyzed. A comprehensive series of VISSIM simulation scenarios was conducted to evaluate the new ODI design in different situations of traffic demand, turning-traffic ratios, traffic distribution, and traffic composition. The results were compared with five existing and four other new interchange designs. The new ODI performed statistically significantly better than all existing designs, including the conventional diamond, parclo A, and the diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The ODI design was found vulnerable in relation to the maximum queue produced in high turning conditions with the unbalanced traffic distribution; however, the threat could be diminished by increasing the storage lengths about 80 ft. Right-of-way (ROW) costs may make the ODI a poor alternative in replacing a standard diamond, but since the ODI fits the footprint of a parclo A it could work well in replacing those interchanges.
Joint Choice Model for Airport Passengers’ Travel Mode and Departure Time Based on Agent Theory
Authors: Bao Danwen , Zhang Tianxuan , Tian Shijia , Di Zhiwei
Published: May 2020

Numerous strategies have been proposed to modify and transform passengers’ travel mode and departure time with the purpose of mitigating landside traffic pressure of airports. A core solution to tackle this problem is to build a travel behavior model so that pertinent predictions about the extent to which passengers shift their patterns of travel can hopefully be obtained. This paper aims at studying the passengers’ behaviors with respect to the travel mode and departure time based on agent theory. What distinguishes this model from traditional utility maximization theory is that it specifically places emphasis on the decision-making process with imperfect information and bounded rationality. Passengers continuously renew their knowledge of time management and their surrounding environment in the duration of the Bayesian learning process. It is evident that decisions about whether to substitute their current travel mode and departure time will be given thoughtful consideration before traveling, in relation to their presumptive gain and cost for searching. When performing additional searches, passengers tend to depend on a range of decision-making conditions to determine the necessity of converting to a new travel pattern. The process of both searching and deciding can be indicated by production (if–then) rules. These rules basically stem from the data gathered from Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG). Furthermore, this paper studies and discusses to what extent passengers will change their travel behaviors under variable costs of public transportation. Finally, this paper provides some recommendations on how to formulate appropriate subway fares.
Multimodality Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Diagnosis to Treatment Response Assessment in Everyday Clinical Practice
Authors: Delli Pizzi Andrea , Mastrodicasa Domenico , Cianci Roberta , Serafini Francesco Lorenzo , Mincuzzi Erica , Di Fabio Francesca , Giammarino Alberto , Mannetta Gianluca , Basilico Raffaella , Caulo Massimo
Published: May 2020

The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) is a recently developed classification aiming to improve the standardization of liver imaging assessment in patients at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The LI-RADS v2017 implemented new algorithms for ultrasound (US) screening and surveillance, contrast-enhanced US diagnosis and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging treatment response assessment. A minor update of LI-RADS was released in 2018 to comply with the American Association for the Study of the Liver Diseases guidance recommendations. The scope of this review is to provide a practical overview of LI-RADS v2018 focused both on the multimodality HCC diagnosis and treatment response assessment.
School Bullying—The Silent Epidemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Factors Associated With Peer Victimization Among Lebanese Adolescents
Authors: Obeïd Sahar , Sacre Hala , Hallit Souheil , Salameh Pascale
Published: May 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate bullying at school and identify the factors associated with it among a sample of Lebanese school adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2014 and June 2014, using a convenient sampling of Lebanese students in private schools from Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The results showed that 712 (18.1%) adolescents had been bullied in the past 2 months (95% CI [0.169, 0.192]). A backward logistic regression, taking “being bullied in the last 2 months” as a dependent variable, showed significantly lower odds of being bullied in the last 2 months in those who find it easy (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 0.434) and very easy (aOR = 0.391) to talk to their father, and having some close male or female friends compared with none. Furthermore, significantly higher odds of being bullied were found among males compared with females (aOR = 0.664), having a best friend who smokes sometimes compared with never (aOR = 1.389), and a father who drinks everyday compared with never (aOR = 1.621). This study was able to shed light on a problem that sometimes goes silent in schools and has a negative impact on the mental health of teenagers. Indeed, the results of our study showed that peer victimization was closely linked to clinically relevant mental health issues. In addition, factors such as parental and peer support could protect against the negative effects of bullying.
Beyond Western, Educated, Industrial, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) Psychology: Measuring and Mapping Scales of Cultural and Psychological Distance
Authors: Muthukrishna Michael , Bell Adrian V. , Henrich Joseph , Curtin Cameron M. , Gedranovich Alexander , McInerney Jason , Thue Braden
Published: May 2020

In this article, we present a tool and a method for measuring the psychological and cultural distance between societies and creating a distance scale with any population as the point of comparison. Because psychological data are dominated by samples drawn from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) nations, and overwhelmingly, the United States, we focused on distance from the United States. We also present distance from China, the country with the largest population and second largest economy, which is a common cultural comparison. We applied the fixation index ( FST), a meaningful statistic in evolutionary theory, to the World Values Survey of cultural beliefs and behaviors. As the extreme WEIRDness of the literature begins to dissolve, our tool will become more useful for designing, planning, and justifying a wide range of comparative psychological projects. Our code and accompanying online application allow for comparisons between any two countries. Analyses of regional diversity reveal the relative homogeneity of the United States. Cultural distance predicts various psychological outcomes.
Promissory and protective imaginaries of regenerative medicine: Expectations work and scenario maintenance of disease research charities in the United Kingdom
Authors: Duggal Sandhya , Faulkner Alex
Published: May 2020

This article draws upon recent scholarship on technoscientific imaginaries and the sociology of technology expectations to reveal the mediating roles played by a number of disease-focused research charities in the United Kingdom. We examine the expectations they deal with about regenerative medicine research, and how they develop strategies to support and ‘protect’ potential medical scenarios for new therapies for dread diseases. In so doing, we develop and detail a concept of scenario maintenance to denote the strategic discursive and practical work of preserving stakeholders’ faith in specific disease research pathways in the face of obstacles. Semi-structured in-depth interviews (N = 10) of research managers at nine research charities were qualitatively analysed, alongside a variety of charities’ documentary data. Our analysis yielded three themes: managing and moderating media expectations; specifying expectations about disease-specific appropriateness of regenerative medicine; and maintaining scenarios of possible pathways for future success taking challenges into account.
Prognostic selection and long-term survival analysis to assess overdiagnosis risk in lung cancer screening randomized trials
Authors: Paci Eugenio , Puliti Donella , Carozzi Francesca Maria , Carrozzi Laura , Falaschi Fabio , Pegna Andrea Lopes , Mascalchi Mario , Picozzi Giulia , Pistelli Francesco , Zappa Marco ,   ITALUNG Working Group
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Overdiagnosis in low-dose computed tomography randomized screening trials varies from 0 to 67%. The National Lung Screening Trial (extended follow-up) and ITALUNG (Italian Lung Cancer Screening Trial) have reported cumulative incidence estimates at long-term follow-up showing low or no overdiagnosis. The Danish Lung Cancer Screening Trial attributed the high overdiagnosis estimate to a likely selection for risk of the active arm. Here, we applied a method already used in benefit and overdiagnosis assessments to compute the long-term survival rates in the ITALUNG arms in order to confirm incidence-excess method assessment.

Methods

Subjects in the active arm were invited for four screening rounds, while controls were in usual care. Follow-up was extended to 11.3 years. Kaplan-Meyer 5- and 10-year survivals of “resected and early” (stage I or II and resected) and “unresected or late” (stage III or IV or not resected or unclassified) lung cancer cases were compared between arms.

Results

The updated ITALUNG control arm cumulative incidence rate was lower than in the active arm, but this was not statistically significant (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.67–1.18). A compensatory drop of late cases was observed after baseline screening. The proportion of “resected and early” cases was 38% and 19%, in the active and control arms, respectively. The 10-year survival rates were 64% and 60% in the active and control arms, respectively ( p = 0.689). The five-year survival rates for “unresected or late” cases were 10% and 7% in the active and control arms, respectively ( p = 0.679).

Conclusions

This long-term survival analysis, by prognostic categories, concluded against the long-term risk of overdiagnosis and contributed to revealing how screening works.
Caregivers' perspectives on good care for nursing home residents with Korsakoff syndrome
Authors: Gerridzen Ineke J , Hertogh Cees MPM , Joling Karlijn J , Veenhuizen Ruth B , Verschuur Els ML , Janssen Tjeu , Depla Marja F
Published: May 2020

Background:

In the Netherlands, people with severe cognitive deficits due to Korsakoff syndrome are generally admitted to a specialized nursing home. Professional caregivers experience that these residents are often not aware of their deficits, and consequently, their willingness to accept care is relatively low. However, these residents need permanent support when performing daily tasks due to severe cognitive deficits. The combination of objective care needs and low subjective responsiveness makes caring for people with Korsakoff syndrome a complex undertaking. It is unknown how professional caregivers deal with this complex task and how they manage the associated ethical challenges.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to explore the professional caregivers’ perspectives on good care for residents with Korsakoff syndrome.

Methods:

A qualitative study design was used. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews. The Framework Method was used for the thematic analyses of the interview data.

Participants and research context:

Five specialized nursing homes participated in this study. Twelve professional caregivers, including nurses, nursing assistants, and support workers, were selected based on the ability to provide rich information on the study topics and to capture a variety of demographic and professional characteristics.

Ethical considerations:

The institutional review board of the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam approved the research protocol. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects.

Findings:

Three perspectives on good care emerged: (1) making daily life a joint effort, (2) being steadfast, and (3) treating with respect.

Discussion and conclusion:

Professional caregivers try to achieve responsiveness in people with Korsakoff syndrome in three different ways. These perspectives reflect fundamentally different views on the care relationship and the autonomy of the resident. By elucidating the three perspectives, we hope to promote the practitioners’ reflection on their own ideas about good care for people with Korsakoff syndrome.
Midwifery students’ reactions to ethical dilemmas encountered in outpatient clinics
Authors: Ejder Apay Serap , Gürol Ayşe , Gür Elif Yağmur , Church Sarah
Published: May 2020

Background:

Midwives are required to make ethical decisions with the support of respective codes of professional ethics which provide a framework for decision making in clinical practice. While each midwife should be ethically aware and sensitive to the ever-changing issues within reproduction, few empirical studies have examined the views of student midwives in relation to reproductive ethical dilemmas.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore midwifery students’ reactions to a number of ethical dilemmas relating to women’s experiences of reproductive decision making.

Design:

A series of focus groups were conducted with midwifery students who were asked to discuss five culturally significant scenarios including issues of knowledge acquisition regarding methods of family planning, removal or insertion of an intrauterine device, and abortion.

Setting:

A University in Turkey was the setting for this study.

Participants:

Purposeful sampling was adopted which resulted in five focus groups with a total of 57 midwifery students.

Ethical considerations:

The study was reviewed and granted formal ethical approval by an ethical committee at the Faculty of Health Science in Atatürk University. The head of the Faculty of Health Science approved the investigation. The participants received both oral and written information about the study and they gave their consent.

Results:

Five themes were identified from the analysis of the focus group data related to all five scenarios. These themes were ‘the right to information’, ‘choice and protection’, ‘parental rights and welfare of the women’, ‘make a decision’ and ‘women rights and sexual abuse’.

Conclusion:

This study has shown that while students respected women’s choice, they also expressed great ambivalence in some situations when personal values conflict with dominant societal beliefs and professional ethics. A focus on ethics education to include human rights is suggested as a means to enable students to explore their own social-value judgements, and as a means to limit the possible development of ethical confusion and moral distress.
Passion in a Climate of Austerity: Young Men’s Perceptions of Education and Career Success in a Polarized Economy
Authors: Deckha Nitin
Published: May 2020

This article explores young men’s educational experiences and career trajectories in the context of restrained public expenditure, neoliberal educational policies, tightening job opportunities, and growing concern of the gender achievement gap. Based on focus group research among young postsecondary-educated students in Ontario, Canada, this article reveals how young men, in particular, emphasize the importance of passion and purpose in creating successful selves and in navigating higher education. The author examines research findings through a transdisciplinary lens that juxtaposes psychological research on passion, management perspectives on success, economic studies on gender and the labor market, and critical perspectives of gendered subjectivities within the context of a declining manufacturing sector and a rising service-led knowledge economy to explore and analyze how young men construct their learner subjectivities. As such, these narratives should be read as the product of risk-taking, heroic, and self-confident self-entrepreneurship that necessarily involves self-regulation, introspection, diligence, and responsibility.
Surgical intervention for upper extremity nerve compression related to arteriovenous hemodialysis accesses
Authors: Tordoir Jan HM , van Loon Magda M , Zonnebeld Niek , Snoeijs Maarten , van Nie Ferry
Published: May 2020

Objective:

Chronic renal failure patients with arteriovenous hemodialysis access may exhibit pain and neurological complaints due to local nerve compression by the access conduit vessels of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas or the prosthesis of arteriovenous grafts. In this study, we have examined the results of surgical intervention for vascular access–related nerve compression in the upper extremity.

Methods:

A single center retrospective study was performed of all patients referred for persistent pain and neurological complaints after vascular access surgery for hemodialysis. There were four brachial-cephalic, three brachial-basilic upper arm arteriovenous fistulas, and three prosthetic arteriovenous grafts. All patients had pain and sensory deficits in a distinct nerve territory (median nerve: 6; median + ulnar nerve: 1; medial cutaneous nerve: 1), and two patients had additional motor deficits (median nerve).

Results:

A total of 10 patients (mean age: 59 years; range: 25–73 years; 2 men; 4 diabetics) were treated by surgical nerve release alone (2 patients) or in combination with access revision (8 patients). Mean follow-up was 23 months (range: 8–46 months). Direct complete relief of symptoms was achieved in six patients. Three patients had minor complaints, and one patient had a reoperation with good success.

Conclusion:

Vascular access–related nerve compression is an uncommon cause for pain, sensory and motor deficits after vascular access surgery. Surgical nerve release and access revision have good clinical outcome with relief of symptoms and maintenance of the access site in the majority of patients.
Artificial neural network modeling of sliding wear
Authors: Argatov Ivan I , Chai Young S
Published: May 2020

A widely used type of artificial neural networks, called multilayer perceptron, is applied for data-driven modeling of the wear coefficient in sliding wear under constant testing conditions. The integral and differential forms of wear equation are utilized for designing an artificial neural network-based model for the wear rate. The developed artificial neural network modeling framework can be utilized in studies of wearing-in period and the so-called true wear coefficient. Examples of the use of the developed approach are given based on the experimental data published recently.
Framing #Brexit on Twitter: The EU 27’s lesson in message discipline?
Authors: Šimunjak Maja , Caliandro Alessandro
Published: May 2020

This study examines the ways in which and reasons why the remaining Member States of the European Union, the EU 27, communicated about Brexit on the most popular social media in politics – Twitter, by drawing on a multi method examination of UK-based EU 27 diplomatic entities’ Twitter practices during the process of Brexit negotiations. The findings suggest that the EU 27 maintained message consistency on the topic of Brexit on Twitter, supporting the EU’s negotiating position, demonstrating internal cohesiveness and potentially contributing to the EU’s effectiveness in the Brexit negotiations. Our study also reveals that the framing of Brexit on Twitter was deliberate and strategic, but with a range of different motivations behind the promotion of certain frames. Finally, Twitter is seen by diplomats as a tool conducive to meeting public diplomacy’s aim of relationship-building, but not one to be used for advocacy and influencing interpretation of controversial Brexit issues.
A modified harmonic balance method for solving forced vibration problems with strong nonlinearity
Authors: Ullah M W , Rahman M S , Uddin M A
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a modified harmonic balance method is presented to solve nonlinear forced vibration problems. A set of nonlinear algebraic equations appears among the unknown coefficients of harmonic terms and the frequency of the forcing term. Usually a numerical method is used to solve them. In this article, a set of linear algebraic equations is solved together with a nonlinear one. The solution obtained by the proposed method has been compared to those obtained by variational and numerical methods. The results show good agreement with the results obtained by both methods mentioned above.
Case Studies in Recent Research on the Book of Numbers (with Attention to Non-Western Scholarship)
Authors: Modine Mitchel
Published: May 2020

Scholarship on the book of Numbers continues apace, even if there is not a famous commentary that everyone must always cite. Numbers figures especially prominently in recent work on Pentateuchal source criticism. This survey will examine several recent offerings that contribute in various ways to the ongoing discussion. In addition, particular texts within Numbers continue to excite attention, both from historical-critical and postmodern perspectives. Therefore, this article will devote attention to three texts that have drawn particular attention in the past 15 years: the sotah ritual in Numbers 5, Phinehas’s killing of an Israelite man and a Moabite woman in Numbers 25, and the inheritance request of the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27 and 36. In all of these areas, recent offerings from non-Western scholars will receive particular attention.
Promoting Persistence: The Role of Academic Advisors
Authors: Tippetts Megan M. , Brandley Andrea Thomas , Metro Jolyn , King Meredith , Ogren Christopher , Zick Cathleen D.
Published: May 2020

Retention and persistence to graduation have been concerns for colleges and universities across the country. Research has pointed to sociodemographic and economic factors that affect persistence. Our analyses isolate the relationship between advising appointments and the likelihood of persistence controlling for the possibility of an endogenous relationship and while controlling for sociodemographic and academic performance covariates. Using data from one college in a large, public university, we found that students enrolled in Spring 2018 who met with an advisor one or more times in January through August 2018 were 9% more likely to persist and enroll in Fall 2018 than otherwise similar students who did not visit an advisor at all during that period.
A Systematic Review of Public Housing, Poverty (De)Concentration, and Risk Behaviors: What About Youth?
Authors: Kim Bitna , Merlo Alida V. , Park Junhwi , Hong Young-Oh
Published: May 2020

Mobility housing programs aim to deconcentrate poverty in public housing areas. Previous synthesis research results describe the potential negative impact of mobility programs on the physical and mental health of youth. The current systematic review aims to expand our knowledge of the effects of living in a public housing development and leaving public housing and moving to a new neighborhood on youth risk behaviors, including both general crime/delinquency and substance use, sexual risk behavior, behavioral problems, and binge drinking. The systematic review process produced 7 primary research studies on public housing effects and 10 research studies on resettlement effects. Regarding public housing effects, five studies found a higher incidence of youth risk behaviors in public housing areas, while two studies concluded that not all children and adolescents living in public housing areas are adversely affected by the local environment. Of the 10 studies on the effects of relocation from public housing to other areas, 2 non-randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies found negative impacts, but 8 RCT studies found diversity in relocation effects on youth risk behaviors. These results highlight the need for tailored services for relocated youth taking into consideration their gender, age, family characteristics, and relocation sites. No studies on diversification housing projects satisfied the inclusion criteria in the current systematic review. With a thorough examination of the literature and a discussion of implications, a clear path for future inquiry and youth interventions is presented.
The impact of the COVID-19 infection in dentistry
Authors: Passarelli Pier Carmine , Rella Edoardo , Manicone Paolo Francesco , Garcia-Godoy Franklin , D’Addona Antonio
Published: May 2020

The novel Coronavirus pandemic defines a new risk for all dental practitioners, hygienists, and dental assistants. As an increasing number of dentists are now developing this disease, we wanted to provide some measures to manage this risk in the dental practice, by undergoing a review of the current literature. This minireview searches the literature for articles that both defined the infection risk in the dental practice and provided evidence on the efficacy of some procedures on reducing the infection risk. Several articles have already pointed out some necessary measures: fewer patients have to be admitted to the practice, a short triage should be carried out, and the appropriate measures of protection have to be used. On the basis of the literature collected, a short questionnaire and a flowchart is proposed to define the risk that each patient carries, and to appropriately adapt each procedure based on the patient’s risk. The literature is still limited on this subject, but on the basis of what is available, dental practices have to adapt to the situation in order to protect dental health professionals.

Impact statement

Dentists have always been taught how to protect themselves and their patients from potential blood-borne pathogens, but the Coronavirus pandemic has brought a new unprecedented challenge to the world of dentistry; we therefore reviewed the literature to provide suggestions on how to accordingly change dental practice prevention.
Fenestrated/Branched Endovascular Repair for Postdissection Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms: A Systematic Review with Pooled Data Analysis
Authors: He Yuan , Jia Senhao , Sun Guoyi , Cao Long , Wang Xinhao , Zhang Hongpeng , Jia Xin , Ma Xiaohui , Xiong Jiang , Liu Xiaoping , Guo Wei
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

Patients who have survived an acute aortic dissection remain at risk for postdissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (PD-TAAAs). Fenestrated/branched endovascular repair for PD-TAAA is increasingly used in some high-volume centers, but outcomes are still limited because of the additional challenges compared to atherosclerotic thoracoabdominal aneurysms. This study was performed to evaluate the literature on fenestrated/branched endovascular repair for PD-TAAAs.

Methods:

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database were searched for relevant studies published until September 2019. Outcome data were extracted to evaluate the technical success, 30-day mortality, later survival, major complications, endoleaks, target vessel patency, and reintervention. Studies were analyzed in a pooled proportion meta-analysis.

Results:

In total, 143 patients from 4 studies were identified for the pooled data analysis. The pooled technical success rate was 98% (95% CI: 86%-100%). After the treatment, the overall estimated 30-day mortality rate was 3% (95% CI: 1%-8%), early spinal cord ischemia rate was 10% (95% CI: 4%-21%), early renal injury rate was 5% (95% CI: 1%-19%), endoleak rate was 33% (95% CI: 22%-47%), reintervention rate at a median follow-up of 22.5 months was 34% (95% CI: 27%-42%), and all-cause mortality rate was 12% (95% CI: 6%-24%).

Conclusions:

The use of fenestrated/branched stent grafts for the treatment of PD-TAAA appears generally feasible based on the limited literature, but endoleaks and reinterventions are frequent.
Resting State Functional Connectivity Is Associated With Motor Pathway Integrity and Upper-Limb Behavior in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Hordacre Brenton , Goldsworthy Mitchell R. , Welsby Ellana , Graetz Lynton , Ballinger Sophie , Hillier Susan
Published: May 2020

Background. Resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) is a developmental priority for stroke recovery. Objective. To determine whether (1) RSFC differs between stroke survivors based on integrity of descending motor pathways; (2) RSFC is associated with upper-limb behavior in chronic stroke; and (3) the relationship between interhemispheric RSFC and upper-limb behavior differs based on descending motor pathway integrity. Methods. A total of 36 people with stroke (aged 64.4 ± 11.1 years, time since stroke 4.0 ± 2.8 years) and 25 healthy adults (aged 67.3 ± 6.7 years) participated in this study. RSFC was estimated from electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Integrity of descending motor pathways was ascertained using transcranial magnetic stimulation to determine motor-evoked potential (MEP) status and magnetic resonance imaging to determine lesion overlap and fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract (CST). For stroke participants, upper-limb motor behavior was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer test, Action Research Arm Test and grip strength. Results. β-Frequency interhemispheric sensorimotor RSFC was greater for MEP+ stroke participants compared with MEP− ( P = .020). There was a significant positive correlation between β RSFC and upper-limb behavior ( P = .004) that appeared to be primarily driven by the MEP+ group. A hierarchical regression identified that the addition of β RSFC to measures of CST integrity explained greater variance in upper-limb behavior ( R2 change = 0.13; P = .01). Conclusions. This study provides insight to understand the role of EEG-based measures of interhemispheric network activity in chronic stroke. Resting state interhemispheric connectivity was positively associated with upper-limb behavior for stroke survivors where residual integrity of descending motor pathways was maintained.
DNAE-GAN: Noise-free acoustic signal generator by integrating autoencoder and generative adversarial network
Authors: Kuo Ping-Huan , Lin Ssu-Ting , Hu Jun
Published: May 2020

Linear predictive coding is an extremely effective voice generation method that operates through simple process. However, linear predictive coding–generated voices have limited variations and exhibit excessive noise. To resolve these problems, this article proposes an artificial intelligence model that combines a denoise autoencoder with generative adversarial networks. This model generates voices with similar semantics through the random input from the latent space of generator. The experimental results indicate that voices generated exclusively by generative adversarial networks exhibit excessive noise. To solve this problem, a denoise autoencoder was connected to the generator for denoising. The experimental results prove the feasibility of the proposed voice generation method. In the future, this method can be applied in robots and voice generation applications to increase the humanistic language expression ability of robots and enable robots to demonstrate more humanistic and natural speaking performance.
Novel Surface Modification of ZnO QDs for Paclitaxel-Targeted Drug Delivery for Lung Cancer Treatment
Authors: Xie Chuan , Zhan Yan , Wang Peng , Zhang Bo , Zhang Yukun
Published: May 2020

Adipic dihydrazide and heparin were attached to ZnO quantum dots surface, and the ZnO-adipic dihydrazide-heparin nanocomplex was used as a drug delivery system to deliver paclitaxel for chemotherapy. The surface modification and the loading of paclitaxel were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrum, featured by characteristic peaks from functional groups of adipic dihydrazide, heparin, and paclitaxel. The impacts of pH on the drug release were investigated, and the cytotoxicity studies were conducted with A549 cells. The pharmacokinetic study was conducted with male Wistar rats. Both in vitro and in vivo study indicated that ZnO-adipic dihydrazide-heparin-paclitaxel nanocomplex could deliver paclitaxel in a more controllable way, and it has the potential to be a high-efficiency drug delivery system for cancer treatment.
Woven EndoBridge Device immediate post-detachment tilt with later displacement: Case report, rescue techniques, and review of the literature
Authors: Di Caterino Fortunato , Primikiris Panagiotis , Vitale Giovanni , Biondi Alessandra
Published: May 2020

The Woven EndoBridge Device (WEB) is efficient and safe in the treatment of wide-neck bifurcation intracranial aneurysms. A crucial step in operative planning is establishing the appropriate dimension of the device, and there are limitations to the therapeutic solutions provided by WEBs. We describe a case of a right middle cerebral artery bifurcation wide-neck aneurysm treated with WEB. After the initial deployment of a WEB proven oversized, we substituted it with a smaller one that presented immediate post-detachment intra-aneurysmal tilt probably resulting from undersizing. The 24-h angiographic control identified a partial displacement of the device in the superior middle cerebral artery branch. We describe rescue techniques with review of the literature and our treatment strategy, including effort to reposition the device followed by stent deployment. The treatment was electively completed by the coil-through technique. The post-detachment WEB tilt should be considered an unstable position and treated either by removal of the device or with adjunctive implants. Each WEB size adapts to a range of aneurysmal height and width. This range is not always the same for each specific WEB dimension, based on the table provided by the manufacturer. This eventually predisposes to a different behavior of different WEB sizes regarding the modification of the device’s height in relation to the modification of the diameter after deployment.