bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twenty Years of Cardiovascular Complications and Risk Factors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Swedish Cohort Study
Authors: Sattar Naveed , McMurray John , Borén Jan , Rawshani Araz , Omerovic Elmir , Berg Niklas , Halminen Janita , Skoglund Kristoffer , Eliasson Björn , Gerstein Hertzel C. , McGuire Darren K. , Bhatt Deepak , Rawshani Aidin
Published: May 2023

Background:

The goal of this work was to investigate trends (2001–2019) for cardiovascular events and cardiometabolic risk factor levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and matched control subjects.

Methods:

This study included 679 072 individuals with T2D from the Swedish National Diabetes Register and 2 643  800 matched control subjects. Incident outcomes comprised coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure (HF). Trends in time to first event for each outcome were analyzed with Cox regression and standardized incidence rates. In the group with T2D, Cox regression was also used to assess risk factor levels beyond target and outcomes, as well as the relative importance of each risk factor to each model.

Results:

Among individuals with T2D, incidence rates per 10 000 person-years in 2001 and 2019 were as follows: acute myocardial infarction, 73.9 (95% CI, 65.4–86.8) and 41.0 (95% CI, 39.5–42.6); coronary artery disease, 205.1 (95% CI, 186.8–227.5) and 80.2 (95% CI, 78.2–82.3); cerebrovascular disease, 83.9 (95% CI, 73.6–98.5) and 46.2 (95% CI, 44.9–47.6); and HF, 98.3 (95% CI, 89.4–112.0) and 75.9 (95% CI, 74.4–77.5). The incidence for HF plateaued around 2013, a trend that then persisted. In individuals with T2D, glycated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and lipids were independently associated with outcomes. Body mass index alone potentially explained >30% of HF risk in T2D. For those with T2D with no risk factor beyond target, there was no excess cardiovascular risk compared with control subjects except for HF, with increased hazard with T2D even when no risk factor was above target (hazard ratio, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.35–1.67]). Risk for coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease increased in a stepwise fashion for each risk factor not within target. Glycated hemoglobin was most prognostically important for incident atherosclerotic events, as was body mass index for incident of HF.

Conclusions:

Risk and rates for atherosclerotic complications and HF are generally decreasing among individuals with T2D, although HF incidence has notably plateaued in recent years. Modifiable risk factors within target levels were associated with lower risks for outcomes. This was particularly notable for systolic blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin for atherosclerotic outcomes and body mass index for heart failure.
Neural Architecture Search Using Covariance Matrix Adaptation
Evolution Strategy
Authors: Sinha Nilotpal , Chen Kuan-Wen
Published: May 2023

Evolution-based neural architecture search methods have shown promising results, but they require high computational resources because these methods involve training each candidate architecture from scratch and then evaluating its fitness, which results in long search time. Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES) has shown promising results in tuning hyperparameters of neural networks but has not been used for neural architecture search. In this work, we propose a framework called CMANAS which applies the faster convergence property of CMA-ES to the deep neural architecture search problem. Instead of training each individual architecture seperately, we used the accuracy of a trained one shot model (OSM) on the validation data as a prediction of the fitness of the architecture, resulting in reduced search time. We also used an architecture-fitness table (AF table) for keeping a record of the already evaluated architecture, thus further reducing the search time. The architectures are modeled using a normal distribution, which is updated using CMA-ES based on the fitness of the sampled population. Experimentally, CMANAS achieves better results than previous evolution-based methods while reducing the search time significantly. The effectiveness of CMANAS is shown on two different search spaces using four datasets: CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, ImageNet, and ImageNet16-120. All the results show that CMANAS is a viable alternative to previous evolution-based methods and extends the application of CMA-ES to the deep neural architecture search field.
The Role of Visual Communication in Community Participation on Developing A Climate Adaptation Plan
Authors: Mouly Armin , Kim Jun-Hyun , Beyea Wayne
Published: May 2023

Background and objective: Community participation or participatory planning are two terms used interchangeably that aim to incorporate community residents' opinions in the planning process to get the maximum benefit. This approach aims to gather stakeholders and engage them in a meaningful conversation to come to a decision representing the stake for everyone involved. This study focuses on the impacts of photorealistic visualization on community participation in the U.S. Great Lakes Region through a 5-year long (2017-2022) climate adaptation planning project conducted in Marquette County, Michigan, USA.Methods: Using the deliberation with analysis method of public participation, supported by visualizations, and followed by post-project surveys, the study explores how visualizations can improve in disseminating knowledge, bridging the gap of understanding among participants, enhancing engagement and delivering consistent approaches in the community decision-making process to come to a mutual ground of trust and common interest.Results: The study reveals that visualizations used at different phases of the community participation process increased participants' interest and engagement during the meeting, provided them with the necessary knowledge regarding climate change and its negative impact on health, and assisted them in decision-making and prioritizing design goals. The study also reveals that the visuals enhanced the project participants' engagement beyond the project's scope in future planning endeavors and increased their inclination towards climate and health adaptation planning.Conclusion: These findings will play a significant role in shaping the adaptive capacity in rural nonagricultural communities and strengthening the decision-making for similar areas dealing with climate change and its consequences.
A checklist of the fish fauna of Greenland waters
Authors: MøLLER PETER R. , NIELSEN JØRGEN G. , KNUDSEN STEEN W. , POULSEN JAN Y. , SÜNKSEN KAJ , JØRGENSEN OLE A.
Published: May 2023

Although the Greenland fish fauna has been studied for more than 200 years, new species continue to be discovered. We here take the opportunity of the International Polar Year 2007–08 (IPY) to present an updated check-list of the fishes of Greenland and discuss whether the growing diversity can be explained by global warming. A total of 269 species from 80 families are known from the Greenland Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), based on published literature and specimens in museum collections. Since the latest publication covering all known Greenland fishes [Nielsen & Bertelsen 1992], 57 species have been added. Nineteen of these (Harriotta raleighana, Centroscymnus coelolepis, Bathytroctes microlepis, Einara edentula, Ceratoscopelus maderensis, Argyropelecus gigas, Maurolicus muelleri, Polyipnus asteroides, Nansenia oblita, Melanostomias bartonbeani, Polymetme corythaeola, Coryphaenoides mediterraneus, Merlangius merlangus, Guttigadus latifrons, Entelurus aequoreus, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Epigonus telescopus, Lophius piscatorius, Linophryne bicornis) are reported here for the first time. Twenty-nine of the species were added on the basis of taxonomic revisions and/ or identification of specimens caught before 1992, whereas 28 species have been caught in Greenland waters for the first time since 1992. Ten species were new to science described since 1992. Only five of the added species are Arctic – i.e. mainly caught north of the Davis and Denmark Straits. Of the 28 species caught after 1992, five species (Maurolicus muelleri, Merlangius merlangus, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Lophius piscatorius, Entelurus aequoreus) from the southern regions (Atlantic) are mainly from shallow waters (< 400 m) and their arrival is likely to be a result of increasing temperatures. The explanation of the many new records of deep-water fishes is most likely increasing fishing efforts down to depths of 1500 m. The deep waters off Greenland (> 1500 m), however, remain almost unstudied.
Surgeon-Patient Cross∼Talk: How It Happens, How to Fix It
Authors: Marterre Buddy
Published: May 2023

Surgeon-patient communication is fraught with difficulties. Cross∼talk can be conceptualized as surgeons and patients speaking different languages, working out of different cerebral hemispheres. While as surgeons we principally function from our left brains, our patients are universally working from their right hemisphere, because the situation they find themselves in is new and overshadowed by extreme existential angst. Respecting patient autonomy is best done by shared decision-making, in which we attempt to bridge into the patient’s right brain, openly exploring, and helping crystalize their values through a deliberative method that utilizes collaborative pushback. This approach is preferable to trying to drag them into our left-brained “fix it” mental model by informing them of the location in our well-worn surgical algorithm and asking them to choose between treatment options. Surrogates are under extreme psychosociospiritual duress, which can overwhelm and blunt their left-brained cognitive processing abilities (organizing information in working memory, evaluating options, and processing advice). However, this challenge can be overcome with empathy and by explaining the benefits and practice of substituted judgment during each family meeting. Whenever possible, the Palliative Triangle—surgeon, patient, family—should be established and executed preoperatively in high-stakes surgical scenarios to mitigate distress and prevent nonbeneficial value-incongruent over-treatment.
Understanding Women's Communication with Their Providers During Medication Abortion and Abortion Pill Reversal: An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Rafferty Katherine , Longbons Tessa
Published: May 2023

Introduction/Objective: Medication abortion is a common experience for women in the United States, now totaling over 50% of all abortions. The purpose of this exploratory analysis is to understand women's medication abortion and abortion pill reversal decision-making experiences, with a particular focus on their communication with their medical providers. Methods: We surveyed women who contacted Heartbeat International to inquire about abortion pill reversal. Eligible women had to complete a minimum of the 2-week progesterone protocol in order to answer the questions on the electronic survey about their medication abortion and abortion pill reversal decisions. We assessed decision difficulty using a Likert scale and provider communication using the Questionnaire on the Quality of Physician–Patient (QQPPI) and analyzed women's narratives about their experiences using thematic analysis. Results: Thirty-three respondents met the eligibility criteria and filled out the QQPPI and decision-difficulty scales. Using the QQPPI scale, women scored their communication with their APR providers as significantly better than their communication with their abortion providers ( p < 0.0001). Women reported that choosing medication abortion was significantly more difficult than choosing abortion pill reversal ( p < 0.0001). White women, women with college degrees, and women who were not in a relationship with the father of the child reported more difficulty in choosing APR. Conclusion: As the number of women who contact the national hotline to inquire about abortion pill reversal increases, the need to understand the experiences of this growing population of women becomes more salient. This need is particularly important for health care providers who prescribe medication abortion and abortion pill reversal. The quality of the physician-patient interaction is essential to providing effective medical care to pregnant women.
Narabali: A rare case of human sacrifice
Authors: Khartade Harshwardhan Khushalrao , Shrivastava Shikha , Meshram Priyanka Kumarsen , Meshram Vikas , Ponnappan Ponnambily
Published: May 2023

With modern civilization and the rise in literacy, cases of human sacrifice are rarely encountered by forensic practitioners. Human sacrifice, also called ‘Narabali’ in India, involves an act of deliberately killing an individual due to ritualistic beliefs for the appeasement of the Gods, spirits, or ancestors. Human sacrifice and ritual murder are often considered synonymous, but ritual murder further involves offering the body part to the deity after killing. Diverse methods were historically adopted for human sacrifice across the globe, strongly influenced by their superstitious, religious, and cultural beliefs. Cases of human sacrifice mostly involve children. We report the rare case of human sacrifice involving an adult victim assaulted by a sharp weapon over the posterior aspect of the neck. The deceased succumbed due to the transection of the cervical spine and corresponding spinal cord. Corroboration of circumstances of death and profiles of the deceased and the perpetrator with autopsy findings were essential in the investigation. This case report discusses extreme superstitions and beliefs, resulting in homicide.
Regenerative Management of Coastal Tourism Destinations for the Anthropocene
Authors: Alvarez Sergio
Published: May 2023

The current geologic era—the Anthropocene—is defined by human-driven transformation of landscapes and seascapes that has profoundly altered Earth’s climate and other life-support systems. This letter advocates for a landscape-scale regenerative tourism management strategy aimed at transforming coastal destinations into carbon sinks (meaning they sequester more carbon than they release). Specifically, coastal destinations can transform product offerings into a network of restoration projects that collectively seek the landscape-scale restoration of blue carbon ecosystems such as marshes, mangroves, and seagrass meadows. Restoration of blue-carbon ecosystems is a cost-effective way to mitigate the effects of climate change. Tourism has potential to overcome obstacles in large-scale restoration of blue carbon ecosystems and can play a foundational role by providing a long-term presence at restoration sites, logistical and human resources, and a business model dependent on restored ecosystems.
Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein; does the choice of monopolar or bipolar catheters affect outcomes?
Authors: Diken Adem I , Özyalçın Sertan , Hafez İzzet , Alemdaroğlu Utku , Tünel Hüseyin A , Hanedan Onur
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Radiofrequency-based procedure is one of the leading methods of endovenous thermal ablation. The most fundamental difference with regards to currently available radiofrequency ablation systems is the way of electric current flow given to the vein wall; bipolar segmental and monopolar ablation. This study aimed to compare the monopolar ablation method with conventional bipolar segmental endovenous radiofrequency ablation method for the management of incompetent saphenous veins.

Methods

Between November 2019 and November 2021, 121 patients with incompetent varicose veins who were treated either with the F-Care/monopolar ( N = 49) or ClosureFast/bipolar ( N = 72) were included in the study. A single extremity of each patient with isolated great saphenous vein insufficiency was enrolled. The differences between the two groups in demographic parameters, disease severity, treated veins, peri- and postoperative complications, and treatment efficacy indicators were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding demographic parameters, disease severity, and treated veins in preoperative period ( p > 0,05). The average procedural time was 21.4 ± 4 minutes in the monopolar group, while it was 17.1 ± 3 minutes in the bipolar group. In both groups, the venous clinical severity scores declined significantly compared with the preoperative period, however; there was no difference between groups ( p > 0,05). The occlusion rate of the saphenofemoral junction and proximal saphenous vein after 1 year was 94.1% in the bipolar group and 91.8% in the monopolar group ( p = 0.4) while there was a significant difference in the occlusion rate of the shaft and distal part of the saphenous vein (93.2% in the bipolar group and 80.4% in the monopolar group, p = 0.04). Postoperative complications (bruising and skin pigmentation) were slightly higher in the bipolar group ( p = 0.02, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Both systems are effective in treating the venous insufficiency of the lower extremity. Monopolar system revealed a better early postoperative course with similar occlusion rate of the proximal part of saphenous vein compared with bipolar system, however; the occlusion of the lower half of the saphenous vein was significantly lower which may negatively affect long-term occlusion rates and recurrence of the disease.
Exploring the Value of Educational Options in Marketing
Authors: Bacon Donald R. , Stewart Kim A. , Hartley Steven W. , Paul Pallab
Published: May 2023

Marketing educators have long been interested in the value of the education they provide, and the importance of educational value has accelerated in an age of increasing educational options, rising college tuition and residential costs, and rapidly changing market needs. The present study surveys marketing managers and utilizes Thurstone pairwise comparisons, a methodology that has previously been overlooked in this context, to estimate the dollar value of several components of marketing education. These components include types of undergraduate and graduate degrees, industry certifications, internships, graduate academic certificates, additional undergraduate coursework, and written communication and Excel skills training. We provide recommendations concerning how marketing academic program directors can modify their programs to increase the return on investment for their students.
Internal Dialogue, Creative Potential, and Creative Achievement
Authors: de Rooij Alwin
Published: May 2023

Internal dialogue, the verbal intrapersonal communication among our inner voices, characterizes and influences creative thinking. Open questions remain, however, about how individual differences in internal dialogical activity relate to creative thinking. A survey study ( N  =  325) was therefore conducted to explore the correlations between individual differences in internal dialogical activity, creative potential, and creative achievement. The results showed that internal dialogical activity correlated positively with creative achievement, which can be explained by a disposition to dialogically engage with thoughts, opinions, and ideas. Internal dialogical activity also correlated positively with originality during divergent thinking, which can be explained by a disposition to experience many types of internal dialogues. Supportive internal dialogical activity positively correlated with the production of many diverse responses. No correlations were found with convergent thinking. Herewith, the present study contributes novel insight into the relationship between internal dialogical activity, creative potential, and achievement.
Use of CO-oximetry to confirm carboxyhemoglobinemia in cats involved in secondary arson homicide
Authors: Stern A. W. , Muralidhar M.
Published: May 2023

The body of a deceased human and 4 deceased cats were found in a house while a fire was being extinguished. As a result of these findings, arson, homicide, and animal death investigations were opened. As part of the animal death investigation, all of the cats were submitted for veterinary forensic autopsies. All cats had soot on the fur and had soot deposits within the oral cavity, esophagus, and respiratory tract. Two cats had soot within the stomach. Cardiac blood was analyzed for carboxyhemoglobin using a CO-oximeter, and all cats had levels >65%. The cause of death was determined to be due to toxic smoke inhalation from the structure fire. Case findings support the potential use of CO-oximeter for determination of carboxyhemoglobin levels in cats and continued research in this area of forensic practice.
Training scenes: Taking science studies to the classroom
Authors: Decker Kris , Hoffmann Christoph
Published: May 2023

Academic training, especially at the undergraduate level, is a marginal topic in science studies today. Scientific practices have commonly been approached through studies of research contexts—most visibly, the lab—and only sporadically through studies of the classroom or other teaching contexts. In this article, we draw attention to the pivotal role that academic training plays in the formation and reproduction of thought collectives. Such training, in shaping what students think about their field and what they understand as proper ways of doing science, is an important site of what we call epistemological enculturation. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we make several suggestions on how epistemological enculturation can be studied at the level of training scenes, a concept we develop in the article. This includes a discussion of the methodological as well as theoretical difficulties that occur when analysing academic training in action.
Analyzing the Impact of Perceived Exertion on Walking for Short-Distance Trips: A Comparative Case Study of Malta and the Netherlands
Authors: Scerri Karyn , Attard Maria , Duives Dorine , Cats Oded
Published: May 2023

Understanding people’s travel behavior is key to creating spaces that discourage car use, especially for short, walkable distances. The scope of this study is to understand better people’s propensity to use a car rather than walk for short-distance trips by focusing on the concept of perceived exertion (PE). A comparison is performed of two case study locations: Malta, a Euro-Mediterranean island with a high car dependency, and the Netherlands, a European country with a high active mode share of walking and cycling. Surveys were distributed to two university populations in each of the case study locations to analyze the parallels and variations in travel behavior and perceptions. Applying a mediation model analysis, the results show a partial mediation (Malta) and a full mediation (Netherlands) of PE in the relationship between car use frequency (CF) and distance threshold (DT), that is, the distance people are willing to walk rather than use a car. The mean DT for walking varied significantly between the two samples, resulting in 15.18 min (1.2 km or 0.7 mi) in the Netherlands and 17.99 min (1.4 km or 0.9 mi) in Malta, despite the comparatively larger active mode share in the Netherlands. Complementing this, the ordinal logistic models for the two countries indicate that those that perceive walking for short trips to be more effortful and those with a high CF are less inclined to walk long distances. Findings are compared with previous research, and policy-relevant suggestions based on these findings are provided.
The impact of single-use digital flexible cystoscope for double J removal on hospital costs and work organization: A multicentric evaluation
Authors: Oderda Marco , Amato Antonio , de la Rosette Jean , Doizi Steve , Estrade Vincent , Falcone Marco , Grey Ben , Knudsen Bodo , Olsburgh Jonathon , Pietropaolo Amelia , Rukin Nick , Sedigh Omidreza , Saeed Alhamri , Somani Bhaskar K , Gontero Paolo
Published: May 2023

Background:

Isiris-α® is a single-use digital flexible cystoscope with an integrated grasper designed for double J (DJ) stent removal. Aim of this study was to conduct a multicentric evaluation of the costs and criticalities of stent removals performed with Isiris®-α in different hospitals and health systems, as compared to other DJ removal procedures.

Methods:

After gathering 10 institutions worldwide with experience on Isiris-α®, we performed an analysis of the reported costs of DJ removal with Isiris-α®, as compared to the traditional reusable equipment used in each institution. The cost evaluation included instrument purchase, Endoscopic Room (EnR)/ Operatory Room (OR) occupancy, medical staff, instrument disposal, maintenance, repairs, decontamination or sterilization of reusable devices.

Results:

The main factor affecting the costs of the procedure was OR/EnR occupancy. Decontamination and sterilization accounted for a less important part of total costs. Isiris-α® was more profitable in institutions where DJ removal is usually performed in the EnR/OR, allowing to transfer the procedure to outpatient clinic, with a significant cost saving and EnR/OR time saving to be allocated to other activities. In the only institution where DJ removal was already performed in outpatient clinics, there is a slight cost difference in favor of reusable instruments in high-volume institutions, given a sufficient number to guarantee the turnover.

Conclusion:

Isiris-α® leads to significant cost benefit in the institutions where DJ removal is routinely performed in EnR/OR, and brings significant improvement in organization, cost impact and turnover.
A Literature Review of Morphological Awareness Interventions and the Effects on Literacy Outcomes
Authors: Brady Stacie , Mason Linda H.
Published: May 2023

Ten morphological awareness intervention studies, conducted in English with students in kindergarten through 12th grade between 2008 and 2020, were synthesized in this article. Research in the studies focused on the effects of morphological awareness intervention on literacy outcomes of students who struggle with reading and writing—including students with disabilities. The 10 studies included a total of 411 participants ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. All 10 studies used an experimental pre/post-test design to determine growth in morphological awareness as well as assessed areas in word identification, spelling, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written composition. The assessments across the studies varied and included standardized and nonstandardized measures. Effect sizes for standardized measures ranged from 0.0 to 0.97. Effect sizes for nonstandardized measures ranged from −0.03 to 2.96. Results indicate that morphological instruction, including short-term interventions, is beneficial to students at risk of future reading difficulties.
Technology-Integrated Computing Education in Early Childhood: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Liu Ruohan , Luo Feiya , Israel Maya
Published: May 2023

Technology has become an integral part of teaching and learning, but there is still limited understanding of how it is utilized to support computing education in early childhood. To address this knowledge gap, this review investigated the current implementation of computing technologies in early childhood settings, the implementation of computing activities, the learning outcomes achieved by students, and the utilization of assessment strategies to evaluate student learning. Through a systematic review and synthesis of 31 empirical studies published between 2014 and 2020, this review identified: (1) Twenty-two computing technologies that feature three types of computing environments; (2) Eight types of learning activities to engage children in computing; (3) A variety of learning outcomes accomplished in cognitive and non-cognitive dimensions; (4) A wide range of assessment strategies to evaluate students’ outcomes in different dimensions. This review strengthened the evidence base for the benefits of teaching computing with technology to children, informed the design of age-appropriate computing technology and learning activities, and identified research gaps to inform future research. Implications were provided to inform the future design and delivery of computing instruction to early childhood learners.
The Influence of Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender and Insincere Apologies on Perceptions of Sexual Assault
Authors: Harsey Sarah J. , Freyd Jennifer J.
Published: May 2023

DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender) is a response exhibited by perpetrators to deflect blame and responsibility. When using DARVO, perpetrators deny their involvement in wrongdoing, attack their victims’ credibility, and argue that they are the real victims. The purpose of this study was to measure the influence of DARVO and another manipulative tactic—insincere perpetrator apologies—on observers’ judgments of a victim and perpetrator in a fictional sexual violence scenario. Perpetrator DARVO was experimentally manipulated via fictional vignettes to measure their impact on perceived perpetrator and victim abusiveness, responsibility, and believability. Data from 230 undergraduate students revealed that participants who were exposed to perpetrator DARVO rated the perpetrator as less abusive ([Formula: see text], 90% CI [0.04, 0.15]), less responsible for the sexual assault ([Formula: see text], [0.001, 0.06]), and more believable compared ([Formula: see text], [0.002, 0.07]) to participants who were exposed to a perpetrator who did not use DARVO. DARVO-exposed participants rated the victim as more abusive ([Formula: see text], [0.04, 0.14]) and less believable ([Formula: see text], [0.03, 0.14]), and also expressed less willingness to punish the perpetrator and greater willingness to punish the victim. Insincere apologies had minimal impact on ratings. By promoting distrust in victims and less punitive views of perpetrators, DARVO might contribute to rape-supporting outcomes such as victim blaming, greater victim distress, and low rates of rape reporting and perpetrator prosecution.
Knock metrics experimental evaluation for pre-chamber SI engines
Authors: Santos Nathália Duarte Souza Alvarenga , dos Santos Igor Rodrigues , Rückert Roso Vinícius , Castilla Alvarez Carlos Eduardo , Baeta José Guilherme Coelho
Published: May 2023

The present study analyzes the occurrence of pressure oscillations in engines operating with pre-chambers at stoichiometric conditions, aiming to assess whether the increase in the amplitude of pressure oscillations detected by means of cylinder pressure measurements is related to knock, or it is a result of mass transfer from the pre-chamber to the main chamber. Initially, a literature review of the phenomenon is conducted and several knock indicators are used to evaluate experimental data obtained with a commercial four-cylinder SI engine, equipped with pre-chamber ignition system prototype, at 1500 rpm and 4 bar of IMEP. Among the knock indicators analyzed the excitations of resonance modes, the angle and time-based maximum pressure rise rate, maximum amplitude of pressure oscillations, ringing intensity, and adapted knock index can be cited. Furthermore, a study of the predominant pre-chamber ignition mechanism is carried out, distinguishing torch and jet ignition, which is also correlated with knock occurrence. Therefore, the present study shows the importance of conducting an individual knock analysis for each pre-chamber configuration and presents adequate tools for such a study, in order to guarantee engine integrity while exploring the benefits of the system, without limitations of inappropriate knock thresholds.
Investigation on the relationship between the number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases at the beginning of the epidemic and the decrease of PM2.5 in Hubei, China: The role of temperature changes
Authors: Wang Qiang , Wang Lili , Li Rongrong
Published: May 2023

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the Chinese government implemented blockade measures in Hubei, which largely affected the emission of pollutants. This work is aimed to explore the effects of epidemics on pollutants at different temperatures in Hubei, China. We applied for a panel nonlinear model with autonomous search thresholds to explore this, using daily average temperature as a threshold variable, and PM2.5 set as the explained variable, and the cumulative number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 cases set as the explanatory variable. An empirical analysis was conducted by running the proposed model and using nine cities in China most impacted by the pandemic. The results show that there was a non-linear negative relationship between the cumulative number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 cases and PM2.5. A more detailed non-linear relationship between the two was uncovered by the proposed panel threshold regression model. When the temperature crosses the threshold value (12.5 °C and 20.5 °C) in sequence, the estimated value was −0.0688, −0.0934, and −0.1520 in that order. This means that this negative non-linear relationship increased with increasing temperature. This work helps to explore the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 on pollutions at different temperatures and provides a methodological reference to study their nonlinear relationship.
How Can Practitioners Assess the Value of Social Work Interventions?
Authors: Sundell Knut , Eskel Marit , Bergström Martin , Åström Therese
Published: May 2023

In social work, practitioners are often faced with situations in which they have to choose an intervention. A fundamental ethical principle of social work practice is to minimize the risk of adverse effects caused by social services. To adhere to this principle, practitioners must be aware of the possible positive and negative effects of potential services. There are hundreds of interventions currently in use in social work. Although there are a growing number of controlled trials on social work interventions, there are only a few interventions based on research that has the highest degree of certainty, making it difficult to know how and in what way these interventions can support a person in need of assistance. This article, based in part on the experience we gained training practitioners working in Swedish social services, presents a tentative model for assessing the best available evidence comparing interventions when scientific evidence is sparse.
LGBTQ+-Inclusive Professional Development in Elementary Schools: Does It Matter to Schoolwide Discipline?
Authors: McQuillan Mollie T. , Gill Erin K. , Gong Xue
Published: May 2023

PK-12 leaders use gender- and sexuality-inclusivity professional development (IPD) as a tool to improve the school climate for LGBTQ+ students, but IPD programs vary widely in their scope, breadth, duration, instructional approach, and content. In this paper, we present the IPD conceptual framework, which proposes a sustained, intensive, and expansive approach to PD can influence student outcomes through changes in educators’ beliefs, attitudes, skills, and knowledge concerning gender and sexuality. Using a large, Midwestern school district as a case study, we examine characteristics of schools participating in an intensive IPD program and whether participation contributed to school disciplinary rates. Using 2018-2019 administrative and program data from the district and state department of instruction, we: 1) describe demographic and program differences between IPD and non-IPD schools, and 2) evaluate the contribution of IPD on disciplinary outcomes using OLS regression analysis controlling for selection characteristics. Our analysis reveals less racial and ethnically-diverse and better financially-resourced schools participate in the IPD program. The regression analysis suggests schools participating in IPD have lower suspension rates, assault rates, and endangering behavior rates compared to non-IPD schools. Several studies indicate supportive leaders and IPD improves school climates for LGBTQ+ students; however, quantitative descriptions of how IPD may influence student behavior remain scarce. Policymakers and educational leaders may be interested in this study’s results suggesting a decrease in disciplinary actions among schools committed to IPD with core components of the IPD framework.
Unraveling Disruptions: How Employees Pick Up Signals of Change
Authors: Wiechers Hermien E. , Lub Xander D. , Coyle-Shapiro Jacqueline A-M. , Have Steven ten
Published: May 2023

Psychological contracts reside in the eye of the beholder and capture the employee-employer exchange relationship. It is a dynamic relationship as employees deliberately manage and change their psychological contract over time. Triggers seem to be the drivers underpinning this dynamism. Yet little is known about how these triggers operate and affect the psychological contract. To address this, we explore triggers and their impact using a 6-week daily diary study ( N = 117). We found a linear chain of positive relationships from initial triggers to connectedness of past triggers, to the experience of negative emotions, to the expected reoccurrence of the initial trigger, ultimately disrupting the psychological contract. The findings revealed the dynamic effect of triggers on the employment relationship, not only by exposing the underlying micro-processes, but also by revealing that the impact of triggers can linger for approximately 11 days before leveling off. These findings suggest that the psychological contract may fluctuate on a daily basis due to the influence of triggers. The theoretical implications for understanding the dynamic nature of the psychological contract are discussed in relation to the disruptive role of triggers.
Extracavitary Primary Effusion Lymphoma Affecting the Oral Cavity: A Rare Case Report
Authors: López de Cáceres Cinthia V. B. , Sant’Ana Maria S. P. , Roman Tager Elena M. J. , Burbano Rommel M. R. , de Almeida Oslei P. , Vargas Pablo A. , Fonseca Felipe P.
Published: May 2023

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive neoplasm often diagnosed in immunosuppressed patients demonstrating peritoneal, pleural, or pericardial effusions. This high-grade lymphoma is strongly associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection and most of the lesions also show the presence of Epstein–Barr virus in tumor cells, which lacks CD20 expression and reveals a plasmablastic morphology and phenotype. The extracavitary or solid variant of PEL is even rarer and usually affects the lymph nodes and is currently considered a clinical manifestation of the classic PEL. In the oral cavity, extracavitary PEL is extremely rare and only a few patients have been previously reported, with no detailed clinicopathological description. The recognition of oral extracavitary PEL is even more important given the occurrence of plasmablastic lymphoma in the oral mucosa, which shares many clinical, microscopic, and phenotypic features with PEL, therefore, demanding from pathologists the search for HHV8, especially in immunosuppressed patients, and an appropriate clinical evaluation. In this report, we aim to describe a very rare extracavitary PEL affecting the palate of a 36-year-old patient and to review the literature regarding the extracavitary presentation of this aggressive lymphoma. This report demonstrates the importance of searching for HHV8 infection in oral lymphomas with plasmablastic features.
A phase II trial of netupitant/palonosetron for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting in patients receiving BEAM prior to hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Bubalo Joseph S , Radke Jennifer L , Bensch Kenneth G , Chen Andy I , Misra Shikha , Maziarz Richard T
Published: May 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of netupitant/palonosetron (NEPA) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) patients receiving BEAM therapy. Study Design: This phase II, prospective, intention-to-treat, single-center, single-arm study involved 43 adult patients who received NEPA and dexamethasone for the prevention of CINV due to BEAM conditioning chemotherapy. An interim analysis, performed after 13 patients, determined utility versus futility, and supported continuation to full enrollment. Descriptive statistics were used to report complete response (CR), complete protection, incidence of emesis, and administration of rescue agents. A Kaplan–Meier curve depicted time to first emesis and first rescue medication. Patients self-reported levels of daily nausea descriptively via a CINV Questionnaire. Results: By study end, 13 of 43 patients achieved a CR with an average of 10.6 emesis-free days (SD 0.95) over the 11-day observation period, with no emetic events in any patient during the acute/chemotherapy phase. Nausea was well-controlled throughout the acute therapy phase (Day 1–6) and increased during the delayed phase (Day 7–11) with a peak mean level of 2.79/10 at Day 10. Aside from lower grade (≤2), headaches, constipation, and diarrhea were the most widely reported adverse effects. Conclusion: The combination of NEPA and dexamethasone is safe and effective for the prevention of CINV in patients receiving BEAM conditioning therapy prior to HCT. The regimen demonstrated greater effectiveness in the acute phase versus the delayed phase, with low levels of nausea throughout the study period and complete emesis prevention during chemotherapy.
Exploring the Longitudinal Relationship Between Short Sleep Duration, Temperament and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in a Biethnic Population of Children Aged Between 6 and 61 Months: A Born in Bradford Study
Authors: Stott Jonathan , Coleman Elizabeth , Hamilton Anna , Blackwell Jane , Ball Helen L.
Published: May 2023

Objective:

Examine the association between sleep duration, temperament and symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a biethnic child-population from The Born in Bradford cohort.

Method:

Parent-report sleep duration categorized children as: early short, late short, consistently short or consistently normal sleepers between 6 and 36 months. Temperament was measured using the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire at 6 months. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire assessed symptoms of ADHD at 37, 54, and 61 months.

Results:

Normal sleepers before 18 months had significantly fewer ADHD symptoms at 37 months compared with consistently short sleepers. Fussiness at 6 months was significantly positively associated with ADHD symptoms at 37 and 54 months; but does not appear to mediate the relationship between sleep duration and ADHD symptoms.

Conclusion:

Awareness of the relationship between short sleep duration and fussiness in infancy and later ADHD symptomatology may support earlier identification of arising difficulties in children.
Hemodialysis access flow measurement: Comparison of ultrasound dilution and ultrafiltration method on NIKKISO DBB-EXA™ dialysis machine
Authors: Kosmadakis Georgios , Enache Ioana , Gueret Claudine , Haskour Abraham , Necoara Aura , Deville Clémence , Baudenon Julien , Rance Nicole
Published: May 2023

Background:

The methods of estimating vascular access (VA) flow rates are usually based on the indicator dilution theory by measuring recirculation during dialysis sessions.

Methods:

This is an observational study comparing the VA flow rates measured by NIKKISO DBB-EXA™ and Transonic®. Sixty-five patients (38 M/27 F, mean age 72 ± 10 years) participated in the study. We measured the VA flow rates during dialysis twice with each method and repeated the procedure 7 days later.

Results:

In 130 double measurements for each method on the same day, mean flow with Transonic® was 1413±715 ml/min and with DBB-EXA™ 1297 ± 664 ml/min. In Bland-Altman analysis, the mean difference between the two methods was 159 ± 211 ml/min (limits of agreement: −274 and 572 ml/min). Eighty-one out of the 130 DBB-EXA™ measurements were within 25% of the Transonic® measurements (62% accuracy). Regarding reproducibility of each method on different days, mean difference in the Bland-Altman analysis was 29 ± 620 ml/min (limits of agreement: −1186 and 1244 ml/min) for the Transonic® measurements and 132 ± 625 ml/min (limits of agreement: −1092 and 1356 ml/min) for the DBB-EXA™ measurements. The measurements on two different days were within 25% of each other for 52 of the 65 patients (80%) with the Transonic® method, and for 35 of the 65 patients (54%) with the DBB-EXA™ method.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, the DBB-EXA™ method underestimates VA flow rates compared to the Transonic® technique, resulting in a limited accuracy of 62%. There was poor reproducibility for both methods in different day measurements with better performance of the Transonic® technique. The DBB-EXA™ method could be used as a simple tool for a rough estimate of VA flow rates but cannot replace the Transonic® reference method.
Women’s health literacy and attendance in breast cancer screening: A Danish population-based study combining survey and register data
Authors: Egsgaard Sofie D. , Røssell Eeva-Liisa , Sørensen Jes B. , Støvring Henrik
Published: May 2023

Aim:

To investigate the association between women’s health literacy and attendance in the Danish national breast cancer screening programme.

Methods:

In a population-based cross-sectional study, information on two health literacy subscales, measured using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), and sociodemographic factors was obtained from the ‘How are you? 2017’ survey in the Central Denmark Region. Information on screening attendance was obtained from register data from 2016–2017. Data were linked based on individual civil registration numbers. To account for missing data, multiple imputation by chained equations was implemented to fill in missing values on all variables. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed separately for two HLQ subscales to estimate odds ratio (OR) of screening attendance. Both multiple imputation analyses and complete case analyses were performed.

Results:

A total of 6012 women were included in multiple imputed statistical analyses. Generally, women had high health literacy levels. In multiple imputed analyses, the unadjusted OR of the primary HLQ subscale, understanding, was 1.32 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.59), indicating higher odds for screening attendance with higher health literacy level. However, after adjustment no significant association between the HLQ subscale of understanding and screening attendance was found (OR 1.09 (95% CI: 0.90–1.33)). Similar results were found for the secondary HLQ subscale of engaging (insignificant association in adjusted analysis). No effect modification from sociodemographic characteristics was found. Similar results were found in complete case analyses.

Conclusions:

No significant association was found between health literacy and attendance in the Danish breast cancer screening programme.
Improving the Creation of Social Science Theory in Journalism and Mass Communication Scholarship
Authors: Lacy Stephen , Miller Serena , Lovejoy Jennette
Published: May 2023

Research into journalism and mass communication (JMC) theory use and creation suggests that scholars fall short of standards required for the scientific method to perform properly. Sociologist Gerald Hage said this reflects inconsistency among scholars in the use of language and a lack of tools used to create social science theory. To address these conditions, this essay draws on three books to provide a glossary of terms about social science theory and to develop a format for presenting such theory. The aim is to improve consistency and precision in the creation of JMC social science theory.