bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis on the Value Implication and Implementable Path of Legal Education in Colleges and Universities in the View of Multimedia
Authors: Li Jiang
Published: October 2022

Legal education is an indispensable part of talent training in colleges. Under the current background of the times, training talents who understand, know, and abide by the law is an indispensable mission of colleges. The development of multimedia will have many impacts on the legal education. Considering the legal education from the perspective of multimedia is the basic requirement to comply with the reform of teaching mode in colleges. This paper summarizes the research on the value, research status, and effectiveness of the legal education and then analyzes the value implication of strengthening the legal education in the perspective of multimedia and analyzes the specific problems it faces. The legal education is essentially a dynamic communication process. In the process of dynamic communication, the value of content, the efficiency of dissemination, the matching of supply and demand, and the initiative of feedback need to be taken into account. This paper analyzes these indicators through the hierarchical analysis method and finally puts forward the practical path of legal education under the multimedia vision, in order to provide guidance for the current work of legal education.
Deep Neural Network for Accurate Age Group Prediction through Pupil Using the Optimized UNet Model
Authors: Gowroju Swathi , Kumar Sandeep , Aarti  , Ghimire Anshu
Published: October 2022

Predicting age automatically from the image is a difficult task and shortening the challenge to be more concise is also a challenging task. Nevertheless, the existing implementations using manually designed features using a wide variety of input features using benchmark datasets are unsatisfactory as they suffer from unknown subject information. It is challenging to judge CNN’s performance using such approaches. The proposed system performs the segmentation through UNet without using a dense layer to perform the segmentation and classification. The proposed system uses the skip connection to hold the loss at the max-pooling layer. Also, the morphological processing and probabilistic classification served as the proposed system’s novelty. The proposed method used three benchmark datasets, MMU, CASIA, and UBIRIS, to experiment with building a training model and tested using various optimization techniques to perform an accurate segmentation. To further test and improve the quality of the proposed method, we experimented with random images. The proposed system’s accuracy is 96% when experimented on random images of subjects collected purely for experimentation. Three optimizers, namely, Stochastic Gradient Descent, RMS Prop, and Adaptive Moment Optimizer, were experimented with in the proposed system to fit the system. The average accuracy we received using optimizers is 71.9, 84.3, and 96.0 for the loss value of 2.36, 2.30, and 1.82, respectively.
[Retracted] The Association between the Risk of Esophageal Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Updated Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhou Runquan , Huang Chenglu , Luo Zhilin , Wang Tianhu
Published: October 2022

Background. A large amount of publications had reported the association between incidence of esophageal cancer (EC) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the past decade. However, those papers’ results are inconsistent on relationships between T2DM the incidence of EC. Therefore, the objective of this meta‐analysis was to determine the relationship between T2DM and the risk of EC (including 2 histological types, esophageal adenocarcinoma [EADC] and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC]). Method. We finally extracted 19 articles though Pubmed, Embased, and Cochrane library. Those identify extraction date including 14,312 cases and 24,959,067 control records and then mixed the relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) through STATA. Results. We observed that there are significantly positive correlation between T2DM and EC risk (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05‐1.57, P = 0.015).Also, our study showed positive correlation between T2DM and EADC (esophageal adenocarcinoma) risk (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05‐1.57, P < 0.001). What’s more, subgroup analysis based on ethnicity represented the Caucasian is more susceptible to EC (RR = 1.28 ,95% CI: 1.10‐1.49, P = 0.001). Conclusion. Those results offer a recent epidemiological and integrated evidence to ascertain the correlations between T2DM and incidence of EC. Those results take public health implications on preventing T2DM and then depress the occurrence of EC. Our study also provides referenced information for the prevention. However, some data is still insufficient, and more research should be carried out.
Analysis of the Influence of Human Resources on the Economic Development of Minority Areas Based on Data Mining
Authors: Guo Qian , Liu Yubo , Zheng Changde
Published: October 2022

In order to break the bottleneck of the human capital stock restricting local economic growth in the typical western regions with backward national economic development, a research on the analysis of the impact of human resources on the economic development of ethnic regions based on data mining is proposed. On the basis of systematically reviewing the current situation and the theoretical basis of the relationship between human capital and economic growth, the method of combining normative research and empirical research is adopted, and the theories of macroeconomics, development economics, and regional economics are synthesized. In the research, the human capital and economic development in a certain western region are analyzed by establishing an econometric model. The results show that the average value of each year is taken as the inspection index, and the contribution rate is 0.0012, which shows that the contribution of human capital stock in economic growth is very small, indicating that physical capital stock is still the main driving force for local economic development. It is concluded that the research provides some relevant recommendations for human capital development to achieve sustainable local economic development.
Managing Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Recent Advances and New Challenges
Authors: Hange Namrata , Poudel Sujan , Ozair Saleha , Paul Trissa , Nambakkam Meghna , Shrestha Rakchhya , Greye Farrah , Shah Sangam , Raj Adhikari Yagya , Thapa Sangharsha , Patel Pooja
Published: October 2022

Aim. Neuropathic pain affects 7–10% of the population, with most of the patients receiving inadequate and incomplete treatment. Owing to the high financial burden and the poor quality of life of the patients and their caretakers, there is a dire need to address the challenges in diagnosing and treating chronic neuropathic pain. Methods. This literature review was conducted to review novel treatments and related challenges through a systematic search from sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar with the combination of MESH words such as neuropathic pain, management of neuropathic pain. Articles from non-English literature, reports without human subjects, animal studies, and abstracts/posters were excluded. However, human studies and studies published in English were included. Result. This review article discusses novel treatment modalities while acknowledging the challenges medical workers face while encountering neuropathic pain. Despite the recent advances in diagnosis and treatment modalities, several challenges still exist. Hence, there is still a need to explore the various treatment modalities, emphasizing the cause and underlying pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. Conclusion. We recommend integrated multimodal treatment with the current treatment facility, including various medical disciplines. However, a personalized approach would work the best depending on the ’patient’s medical history. Therefore, this article recommends an integrated, cause-specific, cost-effective approach to address this problem of chronic neuropathic pain.
[Retracted] Analysis of Ecological Environment Problems and Countermeasures in Ideological and Political Education in Colleges and Universities
Authors: Hao He
Published: October 2022

At present, there are many problems in the mode and method of ideological and emotional education of college students. The state attaches great importance to this aspect and continues to increase investment, but the effect is not satisfactory. As an important field for cultivating high‐level socialist talents, colleges and universities have played a huge role in promoting the ideological development and emotional education of college students. The emergence of this contradiction shows that traditional educational methods have their own shortcomings and need to expand their thinking and explore new research areas. Since the new era, the ideological education venues and teaching activities of colleges and universities have been greatly improved, but they are also facing many problems and challenges, which seriously affect the moral quality of college students and destroy the ideological education ecosystem of colleges and universities. From the perspective of the ecological crisis of education, this paper awakens and pays attention to the ecological problems of education, making it an inevitable trend of current education development and paving the way for future research. On this basis, the current situation of the ecology of political education of college students is analyzed, and the necessity of research is proposed. Analyzing the ideological and emotional education of college students from the perspective of ecology is essentially to regard the ideological education of college students as an ecosystem and deeply analyze the distribution of various components and elements of college students’ ideological and political education. The ecology of college students’ ideological education is the process, law, and overall ecological balance of various factors in the ideological education system of college students, as well as the methodological thinking and value orientation of the interaction between various factors and the environment. The changes of the ecological environment have a significant impact on people’s state of mind. As college students growing up in the new environment, their thoughts, emotions, and values are all affected by the development of the ecological environment. Therefore, changes in the ecological environment, air quality, and water environment have increasingly obvious impacts on the living environment.
Research and Analysis on the Cultivation of Intelligent Transportation Technology Professionals under the Background of Integration of Production and Education
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhu Yongxiang
Published: October 2022

In order to improve the training effect of transportation technology professionals, this paper combines the intelligent digital signal processing method to process the data of the integration of production and education, and explores the training process of transportation technology professionals. In the process of data processing of industry-education fusion, this paper demodulates the nuclear magnetic resonance signal obtained after A/D conversion from the carrier frequency signal and places it at zero frequency. At the same time, this paper realizes the separation of the real part and the imaginary part of the nuclear magnetic resonance signal and constructs the digital sine table and digital cosine table of the carrier reference frequency. In addition, the data output by the ADC is subjected to quadrature detection to become two data signals, which are the in-phase component and the quadrature component. Finally, this paper constructs an intelligent analysis model. The simulation results show that the talent training method of intelligent transportation technology based on the integration of production and education has good effects, which can effectively improve the training effect of transportation technology professionals.
Pravastatin Reduces Matrix Metalloproteinases Expression and Promotes Cholesterol Efflux in Osteoarthritis Chondrocytes
Authors: Wu Yunpeng , Li Xuezhou , Guo Yongyuan , Jia Yuhua , Sun Pengfei
Published: October 2022

Background. Chondrocyte metabolic disorder plays an important role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). The use of statins in the treatment of OA has also been widely studied, but the mechanism is still confusing. The present study aims to investigate the effects of statin on osteoarthritis chondrocytes and its underlying mechanism. Major findings. An untargeted metabolomics study revealed that the treatment of statins significantly changed the metabolites of articular cartilage tissues collected from female osteoarthritis patients, and might be involved in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway. In vitro study showed that 5–50 μmol/L of pravastatin exerts no cytotoxicity on human chondrocytes. Besides, 50 μmol/L of pravastatin caused a significant decrease in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MPP-13, and intracellular cholesterol in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced human chondrocytes. Furthermore, at both mRNA and protein levels, the expression of the proteins related to the cholesterol efflux pathway (liver X receptor and cholesterol efflux regulatory protein) were significantly up-regulated by 50 μmol/L of pravastatin in IL-1β-induced human chondrocytes. Conclusion. Pravastatin can reduce the expression of MMPs in IL-1β-induced human chondrocytes and protect the chondrocyte matrix. The mechanism may be related to promoting the expression of proteins related to the cholesterol efflux pathway and reducing the level of cellular cholesterol.
Patient-Tailored Approach for Enhanced Recovery after Surgery
Authors: Seyfried Steffen , Herrle Florian , Téoule Patrick , Betzler Alexander , Reissfelder Christoph
Published: October 2022

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) is increasingly finding its way into clinical practice. ERAS® protocols have not been universally adopted, and they have often been criticized for being difficult to implement. So, the question for more tailor-made approaches arises. Methods: We conducted a literature search on March 16, 2022, using the following search string, which was modified to fit the input of each of the queried databases: (“ERAS®” or “enhanced recovery after surgery” or “fast recovery” or “fast track”) and (“tailored” or “individual”). Results: Despite the massive increase in general hits on the subject, stratification according to phenotypic characteristics such as age or a classification according to disease patterns in the sense of specific guidelines is still fundamentally apparent. Evidence suggests that generic protocols can be followed by almost all patients. Prehabilitation, in particular, can be used as an adaptive tool. Conclusion: ERAS® works only in the totality of its tools and can be followed by almost all patients. Prehabilitation is more adaptive and can also increase adherence to ERAS® protocols. A tailored program outside of disease-specific pathways does not seem to be useful.
Incidental Pulmonary Nodules – What Do We Know in 2022
Authors: Schmid-Bindert Gerald , Vogel-Claussen Jens , Gütz Sylvia , Fink Joana , Hoffmann Hans , Eichhorn Martin E. , Herth Felix J.F.
Published: October 2022

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and early LC diagnosis can significantly improve outcomes and survival rates in affected patients. Implementation of LC screening programs using low-dose computed tomography CT in high-risk subjects aims to detect LC as early as possible, but so far, adoption of screening programs into routine clinical care has been very slow. In recent years, the use of CT has significantly increased the rate of incidentally detected pulmonary nodules. Although most of those incidental pulmonary nodules (IPNs) are benign, some of them represent early-stage LC. Given the large number of IPNs detected in the range of several millions each year, this represents an additional, maybe even larger, opportunity to drive stage shift in LC diagnosis, next to LC screening programs. Comprehensive evaluation and targeted work-up of IPNs are mandatory to identify the malignant nodules from the crowd, and several guidelines provide radiologists and physicians’ guidance on IPN assessment and management. However, IPNs still seem to be inadequately processed due to various reasons including insufficient reporting in the radiological report, missing communication between stakeholders, absence of patient tracking systems, and uncertainty regarding responsibilities for the IPN management. In recent years, several approaches such as lung nodule programs, patient tracking software, artificial intelligence, and communication software were introduced into clinical practice to address those shortcomings. This review evaluates the current situation of IPN management and highlights recent developments in process improvement to achieve first steps toward stage shift in LC diagnosis.
Symptom-Based Risk Factors for Retinal Tears and Detachments in Suspected Posterior Vitreous Detachment
Authors: Ahmad Meleha T. , Sein Julia , Wang Jiangxia , Scott Adrienne W. , Ramroop Janelle , Jiramongkolchai Kim , Zimmer-Galler Ingrid E. , Handa James T. , Arevalo J. Fernando
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine symptom-level risk factors for retinal tear/retinal detachment (RT/RD) in our patients presenting with symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients presenting to outpatient ophthalmology clinics at a single academic institution with complaint(s) of flashes, floaters, and/or subjective field loss (SFL). Patients received a standardized questionnaire regarding past ocular history and symptom characteristics including number, duration, and timing of flashes and floaters, prior to dilated ocular examination. Final diagnosis was categorized as RT/RD, PVD, ocular migraine, vitreous syneresis, or “other.” Simple and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify symptoms predictive of various pathologies. Results: We recruited 237 patients (age 20–93 years) from March 2018 to March 2019. The most common diagnosis was PVD (141, 59.5%), followed by vitreous syneresis (38, 16.0%) and RT/RD (34, 14.3%). Of those with RT/RD, 16 (47.1%) had retinal tear and 15 (44.1%) had RD. Significant differences in demographic and examination-based factors were observed between these groups. Symptom-based predictive factors for RT/RD were the presence of subjective visual reduction (SVR; OR 2.77, p = 0.03) or SFL (OR 2.47, p = 0.04), and the absence of either floaters (OR 4.26, p = 0.04) or flashes (OR 2.95, p = 0.009). The number, duration, and timing of flashes and floaters did not predict the presence of RT/RD in our cohort. Within the RT/RD group, patients with RT were more likely to report floaters (100% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.018) and less likely to report SFL (0% vs. 86.7%, p < 0.001) compared to those with RD. Conclusion: While well-known demographic and exam-based risk factors for RT/RD exist in patients with PVD symptoms, the relative importance of symptom characteristics is less clear. We found that the presence of SVR and SFL, as well as the absence of either flashes or floaters, predicts RT/RD in patients with PVD symptoms. However, the number, duration, and timing of flashes and floaters may be less relevant in the triage of these patients.
Dietary Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Wu Shangling , Feng Pinning , Li Wanlin , Zhuo Shuyu , Lu Wei , Chen Peiyan , Sui Yi , Fang Shi , Yang Zhongyi , Ye Yanbin
Published: October 2022

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that dietary one-carbon metabolism-related B-vitamins are associated with the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. However, only a few studies have assessed their associations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Objective: This study aimed to assess the associations between the intake of three one-carbon metabolism-related B-vitamins (folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) and CVD risk in Chinese patients with T2D. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study of 419 patients with T2D and newly diagnosed CVD and 419 age- (±5 years) and sex-matched T2D-only controls was carried out in China. A validated 79-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire administered in face-to-face interviews was used to measure dietary B-vitamin intake. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess associations, which were tested by estimating odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Compared with the lowest quartile, the multivariable-adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for highest quartile were 0.32 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.52; p trend <0.001) for folate, 0.47 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.76; p trend = 0.002) for vitamin B6, and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.67, 1.55; p trend = 0.841) for vitamin B12. Consistent inverse associations were found for folate intake from eggs, vegetables, fruits, soy, and other foods but not for folate intake from grains. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the high consumption of folate and vitamin B6, but not that of vitamin B12, might be associated with the low risk of CVD in patients with T2D. This study suggests that dietary folate and vitamin B6 protect against CVD in patients with T2D.
Computed Tomography-Defined Fat Composition as a Prognostic Marker in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Meyer Hans-Jonas , Wienke Andreas , Pech Maciej , Surov Alexey
Published: October 2022

Background: Computed tomography (CT)-defined fat quantification has been an emergent field of research in oncology. It was shown that this parameter is predictive and prognostic of several clinically relevant factors in several tumor entities. Objective: Our aim was to establish the effect of visceral (VFA) and subcutaneous fat areas (SFA) on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and postoperative complications in gastric cancer patients based on a large patient sample. Methods: MEDLINE library, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases were screened for the associations between VFA and SFA defined by CT images and OS, DFS, and postoperative complications in gastric cancer patients up to August 2022. The primary endpoint of the systematic review was the hazard ratio for the outcome parameters. High VFA was, in most studies, defined by the threshold value of 100 cm2. In total, 9 studies were suitable for the analysis and included in the present study. Results: The included studies comprised 3,713 patients. The identified frequency of visceral obesity was 44.9%. The pooled hazard ratio for the effect of high VFA on OS was 1.28 (95% CI 1.09–1.49, p = 0.002). For SFA, it was 1.87 (95% CI 1.45–2.42, p < 0.0001). The pooled hazard ratio for the influence of high VFA on DFS was 1.17 (95% CI 0.95–1.43, p = 0.14). The pooled odds ratio for the associations between VFA and postoperative complications was 1.36 (95% CI 1.09–1.69, p = 0.006). Conclusion: CT-defined VFA and SFA influence OS in patients with gastric cancer. VFA also influences the occurrence of postoperative complications. Therefore, assessment of fat areas should be included in clinical routine in patients with gastric cancer.
Endothelium-Specific Deficiency of Polycystin-1 Promotes Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disorders
Authors: Hamzaoui Mouad , Groussard Deborah , Nezam Dorian , Djerada Zoubir , Lamy Gaspard , Tardif Virginie , Dumesnil Anais , Renet Sylvanie , Brunel Valery , Peters Dorien J.M. , Chevalier Laurence , Hanoy Mélanie , Mulder Paul , Richard Vincent , Bellien Jeremy , Guerrot Dominique
Published: October 2022

Background:

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most frequent hereditary kidney disease and is generally due to mutations in
PKD1
and
PKD2
, encoding polycystins 1 and 2. In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, hypertension and cardiovascular disorders are highly prevalent, but their mechanisms are partially understood.

Methods:

Since endothelial cells express the polycystin complex, where it plays a central role in the mechanotransduction of blood flow, we generated a murine model with inducible deletion of
Pkd1
in endothelial cells (
Cdh5-Cre
ERT2
;
Pkd1
fl/fl
) to specifically determine the role of endothelial polycystin-1 in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Results:

Endothelial deletion of
Pkd1
induced endothelial dysfunction, as demonstrated by impaired flow-mediated dilatation of resistance arteries and impaired relaxation to acetylcholine, increased blood pressure and prevented the normal development of arteriovenous fistula. In experimental chronic kidney disease induced by subtotal nephrectomy, endothelial deletion of
Pkd1
further aggravated endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling, and heart hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

Altogether, this study provides the first in vivo demonstration that specific deletion of
Pkd1
in endothelial cells promotes endothelial dysfunction and hypertension, impairs arteriovenous fistula development, and potentiates the cardiovascular alterations associated with chronic kidney disease.
Knockout of the Circadian Clock Protein PER1 (Period1) Exacerbates Hypertension and Increases Kidney Injury in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats
Authors: Zietara Adrian , Spires Denisha R. , Juffre Alexandria , Costello Hannah M. , Crislip G. Ryan , Douma Lauren G. , Levchenko Vladislav , Dissanayake Lashodya V. , Klemens Christine A. , Nikolaienko Oksana , Geurts Aron M. , Gumz Michelle L. , Staruschenko Alexander
Published: October 2022

Background:

Circadian rhythms play an essential role in physiological function. The molecular clock that underlies circadian physiological function consists of a core group of transcription factors, including the protein PER1 (Period1). Studies in mice show that PER1 plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure and renal sodium handling; however, the results are dependent on the strain being studied. Using male Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats with global knockout of PER1 (SS
Per1−/−
), we aim to test the hypothesis that PER1 plays a key role in the regulation of salt-sensitive blood pressure.

Methods:

The model was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and was characterized using radiotelemetry and measures of renal function and circadian rhythm.

Results:

SS
Per1−/−
rats had similar mean arterial pressure when fed a normal 0.4% NaCl diet but developed augmented hypertension after three weeks on a high-salt (4% NaCl) diet. Despite being maintained on a normal 12:12 light:dark cycle, SS
Per1−/−
rats exhibited desynchrony mean arterial pressure rhythms on a high-salt diet, as evidenced by increased variability in the time of peak mean arterial pressure. SS
Per1−/−
rats excrete less sodium after three weeks on the high-salt diet. Furthermore, SS
Per1−/−
rats exhibited decreased creatinine clearance, a measurement of renal function, as well as increased signs of kidney tissue damage. SS
Per1−/−
rats also exhibited higher plasma aldosterone levels.

Conclusions:

Altogether, our findings demonstrate that loss of PER1 in Dahl SS rats causes an array of deleterious effects, including exacerbation of the development of salt-sensitive hypertension and renal damage.
Impact of Arterial Hypertension and Use of Antihypertensive Pharmacotherapy on Mortality in Patients Hospitalized due to COVID-19: The CRACoV-HHS Study
Authors: Wojciechowska Wiktoria , Terlecki Michał , Klocek Marek , Pac Agnieszka , Olszanecka Agnieszka , Stolarz-Skrzypek Katarzyna , Jastrzębski Marek , Jankowski Piotr , Ostrowska Aleksandra , Drożdż Tomasz , Prejbisz Aleksander , Dobrowolski Piotr , Januszewicz Andrzej , Krzanowski Marcin , Małecki Maciej T. , Grodzicki Tomasz , Kreutz Reinhold , Rajzer Marek ,   CRACoV-HHS Investigators†
Published: October 2022

Background:

Cardiovascular diseases including arterial hypertension are common comorbidities among patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. We assessed the influence of preexisting hypertension and its pharmacological treatment on in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods:

We studied all consecutive patients who were admitted to the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, due to COVID-19 between March 2020 and May 2021. Data of 5191 patients (mean age 61.9±16.7 years, 45.2% female) were analyzed.

Results:

The median hospitalization time was 14 days, and the mortality rate was 18.4%. About a quarter of patients had an established cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease (16.6%) or stroke (7.6%). Patients with hypertension (58.3%) were older and had more comorbidities than patients without hypertension. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, age above median (64 years), male gender, history of heart failure or chronic kidney disease, and higher C-reactive protein level, but not preexisting hypertension, were independent risk factors for in-hospital death in the whole study group. Patients with hypertension already treated (n=1723) with any first-line antihypertensive drug (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or thiazide/thiazide-like diuretics) had a significantly lower risk of in-hospital death (odds ratio, 0.25 [95% CI, 0.2–0.3];
P
<0.001) compared to nontreated hypertensives (n=1305).

Conclusions:

Although the diagnosis of preexisting hypertension per se had no significant impact on in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19, treatment with any first-line blood pressure–lowering drug had a profound beneficial effect on survival in patients with hypertension. These data support the need for antihypertensive pharmacological treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blood Pressure Mediated the Effects of Urinary Uromodulin Levels on Myocardial Infarction: a Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jian Zhongyu , Yuan Chi , Ma Yucheng
Published: October 2022

Background:

The causal links between urinary uromodulin (uUMOD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are still not clarified.

Methods:

We first assessed the relationship between uUMOD and CVD using bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization. Then, multivariable Mendelian randomization and product of the coefficients methods were used to investigate the role of blood pressure in mediating the effect of uUMOD on CVD.

Results:

1-unit higher uUMOD level was associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI), with an odds ratio of 1.08 ([95% CI, 1.02–1.14];
P
=0.009), while MI was not associated with uUMOD levels in reverse. Our study did not support the causal effects of uUMOD on other CVD outcomes, including coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and ischemic stroke. In multivariable Mendelian Randomization, the direct effects of uUMOD on MI were attenuated to null after introducing systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure. Mediation analysis showed that the indirect effect of uUMOD on MI mediated by systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure was 1.05 ([95% CI, 1.04–1.06]; mediation proportion=69%) and 1.07 ([95% CI, 1.05–1.08]; mediation proportion=87%), respectively. Similar results were found in sensitivity analysis based on different sets of genetic instruments.

Conclusions:

Our findings provide evidence for the effect of higher uUMOD on increasing blood pressure, which mediates a consequent effect on MI risk in the general population. Further studies are necessary to verify the associations between uUMOD and other CVD outcomes.
Prognostic Implications of Exercise-Induced Hypertension in Adults With Repaired Coarctation of Aorta
Authors: Egbe Alexander C. , Miranda William R. , Jain C. Charles , Borlaug Barry A. , Connolly Heidi M.
Published: October 2022

Background:

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) and cardiovascular events, and to determine whether exercise blood pressure (BP) improved risk stratification in adults with repaired coarctation of aorta.

Methods:

Retrospective study of patients with repaired coarctation of aorta on antihypertensive therapy that underwent exercise testing and exercise test (2003–2019). BP was measured at rest in 3 different clinical settings and averaged to determine the resting BP. Indices of left ventricular function and afterload were obtained from the echocardiogram. EIH was defined as systolic BP >210 (males) or >190 (females) at peak exercise. Cardiovascular event was defined as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, heart failure hospitalization, heart transplant, and cardiovascular death.

Results:

Of 327 patients (age 35±13 years), 116 (35%) had EIH. Although the resting BP was similar between patients with versus without EIH, the EIH group had higher pulsatile arterial load, more advanced left ventricular remodeling, and were less likely to be on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker. EIH was associated with cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.02–1.08]) independent of resting systolic BP, and improved prognostic accuracy above resting systolic BP (
C
statistic, 0.671 [95% CI, 0.645–0.694] to 0.727 [95% CI, 0.709–0.750];
P
=0.01). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events.

Conclusions:

EIH was associated with cardiovascular events independent of resting BP, and patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker had lower risk of cardiovascular events. These data suggest that exercise BP could be used to assess adequacy of antihypertensive therapy, and to guide titration of antihypertensive therapy.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Do Not Increase Short-Term Risk of Hypertension in Cancer Patients: a Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Minegishi Shintaro , Kinguchi Sho , Horita Nobuyuki , Namkoong Ho , Briasoulis Alexandros , Ishigami Tomoaki , Tamura Kouichi , Nishiyama Akira , Yano Yuichiro ,   Japanese Society of Hypertension working group “Onco-Hypertension”
Published: October 2022

Background:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are becoming widely used for novel cancer treatments. Immune-related adverse events, including cardiac toxicity, are frequently observed following immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use. However, little is known regarding the association between ICIs initiation and hypertension in cancer patients.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science Core Collection. The risk of hypertension associated with ICI initiation in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was evaluated. Hypertension was categorized according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. The odds ratios of grades I to V and grades III to V hypertension were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis.

Results:

Thirty-two RCTs (n=19 810 cancer patients) were included. At a median follow-up of 36 months, the median overall survival was 15 months in the ICI group. ICI initiation was not significantly associated with hypertension (grades I–V: odds ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.96–1.30]; grades III–V: odds ratio, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.78–1.16]). Additionally, no significant differences in hypertension risk were evident in ICI combination therapies with various drugs, including anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents. In a subgroup analysis based on clinical setting (placebo RCT versus nonplacebo RCT), there were discrepancies between the results obtained with different methodologies, with patients in the nonplacebo RCTs having higher grades I–V hypertension (I
2
=88.6%,
P
for heterogeneity=0.003).

Conclusions:

ICI initiation was not associated with short-term risk of hypertension in cancer patients, and the association was similar regardless of concomitant treatment with other anticancer drugs.
The Truth in Fake News: How Disinformation Laws Are Reframing the Concepts of Truth and Accuracy on Digital Platforms
Authors: Cavaliere Paolo
Published: October 2022

The European Union’s (EU) strategy to address the spread of disinformation, and most notably the Code of Practice on Disinformation and the forthcoming Digital Services Act, tasks digital platforms with a range of actions to minimise the distribution of issue-based and political adverts that are verifiably false or misleading. This article discusses the implications of the EU’s approach with a focus on its categorical approach, specifically what it means to conceptualise disinformation as a form of advertisement and by what standards digital platforms are expected to assess the truthful or misleading nature of the content that they distribute because of this categorisation. The analysis will show how the emerging EU anti-disinformation framework marks a departure from the European Court of Human Rights’ consolidated standards of review for public interest and commercial speech and the tests utilised to assess their accuracy.
A taxonomic re-evaluation of five stomiiform fish species described by August Brauer (1902) with lectotype designations
Authors: GON OFER , ASSEL EDDA , ANDERSON ERIC , MACLAINE JAMES
Published: October 2022

A study of the type series of Stylophthalmus paradoxus and Idiacanthus atlanticus (Stomiidae), and Cyclothone livida, C. obscura and C. pallida (Gonostomatidae), uncovered errors in the synonymy of Idiacanthus and inconsistencies regarding the number of type specimens of the three species of Cyclothone. The syntypes of S. paradoxus were matched with the illustrations of this species in Brauer (1906) and the specimen used in the description was identified and designated as a lectotype of this species. A comparison of these syntypes with specimens of Idiacanthus atlanticus, including its syntypes, and of I. fasciola indicated that S. paradoxus is most likely a junior synonym of I. fasciola. In addition, the research resulted in a reliable way to distinguish between I. fasciola and I. atlanticus and in the identification of the primary type of the latter species. Mismatches were found in the information Brauer (1906) provided about the material he had for the three species of Cyclothone as well as with published data about the type series of these species. It seems that the whereabouts of many of the type series specimens is unknown. We therefore propose that the individual specimens Brauer singled out for measurements in his original descriptions of C. livida, C. obscura and C. pallida be recognized as lectotypes.
Beliefs and Emotions Underpin Community Attitudes Towards Voluntary Assisted Dying in Australia
Authors: Haywood Darren , Thompson Jessica , Breen Lauren J. , O’Connor Moira
Published: October 2022

Assisted dying refers to the steps of the administration of a voluntary assisted dying substance and the administration of the substance. In Australia, assisted dying is now legal in all states. However, there is limited knowledge of what underpins the community’s attitudes toward assisted dying. It is important for health professionals to understand what underpins attitudes toward assisted dying when navigating the option with patients and family members. We used a survey based on the Tripartite Model of Attitudes to examine the degree to which beliefs, emotions, and experiences, as well as knowledge, underpinned attitudes towards assisted dying. With a sample of 108, we found emotions and beliefs to significantly explain attitudes towards assisted dying. Knowledge of assisted dying practices was low amongst the sample. Our findings suggest that education of assisted dying is required, and that attitudes towards assisted dying in the Australian community are underpinned by beliefs and emotions.
New Faces at the Bedside: Death Doulas, Vigilers, and Companions
Authors: Garces-Foley Kathleen
Published: October 2022

A growing number of nonmedical caregivers seek to improve dying in the United States. They call themselves end-of-life doulas, death midwives, soul guides, compassionate companions, and vigilers, among other names. These new faces at the bedside share a common goal of comforting the dying and their loved ones. Their work is both humanitarian and spiritual as they bring compassionate presence into the sacred space of dying. Thousands of individuals provide end-of-life caregiving through volunteer programs in hospitals, hospices, and community non-profits; hundreds more provide their services to clients for a fee. Using in-depth interviews and analysis of print and online materials, this article traces the development of nonmedical end-of-life caregiving from volunteer vigiling and companioning programs to the professionalization of end-of-life doulaing. Though professional doulas are in the media spotlight, this work began with volunteers who continue to provide most of the nonmedical end-of-life care support for the dying in the United States.
Did Elijah Muhammad's Message To the Black Man Uplift Adherents? The Treatment Effects of Membership In The Nation of Islam
Authors: Price Gregory N. , Robinson Brooks
Published: October 2022

Established in 1930, the Nation of Islam (NOI) offered uplift to the wellbeing of Black Americans. Its charismatic leader, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, articulated how membership in the NOI would improve the well-being of Black Americans. We consider the impact of NOI membership on several measures of individual well-being. Using data from the first wave of the National Survey of Black Americans, we appeal to the Rubin Causal Framework to estimate the treatment effect of being a member of the NOI on certain outcomes: e.g., overall socioeconomic status, self-employment, self-esteem, and health status. To enable causal interpretation, we estimate the treatment parameters by matching on observable covariates that are not affected by the treatment. Treatment parameter estimates suggest that, at least in the late 1970s, had the NOI been able to expand its membership, new adherents would have benefited from enhanced Black identity, a higher likelihood of not having common health problems, and a lower likelihood of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and incarceration. Our findings suggest that the NOI could have had a substantial impact on the individual well-being of Black Americans if it were larger, and that NOI-like organizations can help mitigate race-based inequalities in well-being.
Research progress of content-based fabric image retrieval
Authors: Zhang Ning , Xiang Jun , Wang Lei , Pan Ruru
Published: October 2022

The application of content-based image retrieval method aims at retrieving similar fabric images and obtaining the existing process parameters to guide production. The process of sample analysis, trial weaving, and proofing can be eliminated in sample imitation production to give full play to the advantages of historical production experience and improve the core competitiveness of enterprises. By investigating and analyzing the applications of content-based image retrieval method technology in fabric retrieval, this article provides a detailed classification and summary of the existing fabric retrieval methods using content-based image retrieval method from six aspects: image preprocessing, feature extraction, similarity measurement, retrieval strategy, dataset construction, and evaluation metrics in the common framework of content-based image retrieval method. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods are analyzed and compared. Finally, the urgent problems and future research directions of fabric image retrieval are discussed, providing ideas for scholars to further study the retrieval methods. Taking fabric as the medium, this article combs the industrial application research and development process of content-based image retrieval method technology, which is helpful to understand the application examples of computer technology and provide research ideas for the application of different computer technologies in the textile industry.
The world is upside down: seeing IR from below
Authors: Tickner J. Ann
Published: October 2022

This review essay engages three texts focused on women who engaged with international thought in the early to mid-20th century. Women’s International Thought: A New History and Women’s International Thought: Towards a New Canon, both edited by Patricia Owens and her co-editors. The third, To Turn the Whole World Over: Black Women and Internationalism, edited by Keisha Blain and Tiffany Gill. A few women discussed in these texts are recognized today, most are completely forgotten. Some aspired to careers in the academy but encountered obstacles on account of their sex and/or race. Many were scholar activists who claimed that their writings should address real world problems. These texts foreground the work of African American scholars, focused on racism and imperialism, subjects that IR ignores. Since some were denied publication outlets many wrote journals and published in newspapers. Although previously ignored, all these women had important things to tell us about international relations.
“You Make Your Own Luck”: Building Cultural and Social Capital in a Major-Based Career Course
Authors: Virnoche Mary E.
Published: October 2022

This teaching note presents a required proseminar for sociology and criminology and justice studies majors. The American Sociological Association reported that about half of U.S. sociology program curriculum integrate career resources and about one-third offer a course. On a spring 2021 proseminar pilot self-assessment pretest, 18 students indicated it was important to them to get help on developing professional skills and materials. On that same pretest, most indicated that already developed materials would not support their professional needs for the next one to three years, and few were confident about soft skills related to networking, searching for jobs, or in translating major skills to job needs. Data based on proseminar assignment completion indicate students mitigated these shortfalls by engaging heavily in resume building, networking, and soft skills development. The author argues this work may mitigate first-generation inequities in both the type of jobs secured and related satisfaction.
Private Equity: Antecedents, Outcomes, Mediators, and Moderators
Authors: McGrath Patia J. , Nerkar Atul
Published: October 2022

As private equity’s financial heft and influence on the business landscape has intensified, so too has scholarly interest in the phenomenon. We review recent progress in private equity research, with a focus on the private equity industry’s later-stage buyout segment. To synthesize and integrate current findings, we construct a framework that encompasses not only antecedents and outcomes of private equity’s activities, but also mediators and moderators of the relationships that drive these outcomes. Based upon the gaps and learning opportunities that are surfaced by this framework, we develop recommendations for future private equity research. The proposed research agenda is particularly germane to management scholars, whose theories and perspectives have thus far been productively, yet relatively sparingly, applied in private equity research.
A lifespan psychological perspective on solitude
Authors: Hoppmann Christiane A. , Pauly Theresa
Published: October 2022

Solitude occurs from childhood to old age. In this special issue introduction, we offer a lifespan perspective on matters of solitude with the aim to point to pertinent issues in the field. We propose that solitude serves important functions that may vary across different times in life and that solitude needs to be considered in the context in which it occurs. In applying these lifespan developmental notions, we carve out some open questions that will help extend the current knowledge base including a consideration of issues regarding operational definitions of solitude. We also point to methodological challenges such as capturing processes that unfold on different timescales that need to be addressed to advance the field.