bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neželjeni događaji prema osoblju u zdravstvenoj ustanovi
Authors: Osredečki Mihoci Martina , Režić Slađana
Published: August 2022

Neželjeni je događaj svaki događaj koji utječe na sigurnost pacijenta ili prijeti sigurnosti pacijenata, osoblja ili posjetitelja, odnosno događaj koji je uzrokovao ili je mogao uzrokovati nepovoljne posljedice po pacijenta, osoblje ili posjetitelje. Sudionici neželjenih događaja u zdravstvenoj ustanovi vrlo su često pacijenti ili njihova obitelj, odnosno pratnja pacijenta, zakonski skrbnik, zastupnik i ostali, a neželjeni događaji prema osoblju u zdravstvenoj ustanovi mogu biti usmjereni prema zdravstvenom ili nezdravstvenom radniku. Svi djelatnici zdravstvene ustanove mogu biti sudionici neželjenog događaja - verbalnog, fizičkog i materijalnog, a on se može dogoditi na svim razinama zdravstvenog sustava. Svaki djelatnik koji je uočio ili je osobno bio izložen verbalnom, fizičkom ili materijalnom neželjenom događaju od strane pacijenta, posjetitelja, pratioca ili druge osobe, usmeno o događaju obavještava neposredno nadređenu osobu i poduzima potrebne mjere kojima se umanjuju štetne posljedice nekog događaja. Prijava i analiza neželjenih događaja prema osoblju zdravstvene ustanove predstavlja dio uvođenja kulture sigurnosti koja je preduvjet za unaprjeđenje sigurnosti unutar zdravstvene ustanove.
Indications for Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in the United States and Associated In-Hospital Outcomes: Results From the NCDR LAAO Registry
Authors: Daimee Usama A. , Wang Yongfei , Masoudi Frederick A. , Varosy Paul D. , Friedman Daniel J. , Du Chengan , Koutras Cristina , Reddy Vivek Y. , Saw Jacqueline , Price Matthew J. , Kusumoto Fred M. , Curtis Jeptha P. , Freeman James V.
Published: August 2022

Background:

The Food and Drug Administration approved left atrial appendage occlusion with the Watchman device for patients who are at increased stroke risk and are suitable for oral anticoagulation but who have an appropriate reason to seek a nondrug alternative. These broad criteria raise the question of their interpretation in clinical practice. There is a lack of studies comprehensively evaluating the indications for Watchman implantation among a large series of patients from contemporary, real-world practice in the United States.

Methods:

We used the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Registry to identify Watchman procedures performed between 2016 and 2018. We assessed procedural indications for Watchman implantation in the United States and evaluated the association between procedural indications and in-hospital adverse events.

Results:

A total of 38 314 procedures were included. The mean patient age was 76.1±8.1 years, and 58.9% were men. The mean CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score was 4.8±1.5, whereas the mean hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio, elderly, drugs/alcohol (HAS-BLED) score was 3.0±1.1. Prior stroke or transient ischemic attack was reported in 40.2% and prior bleeding in 70.1%, with gastrointestinal bleeding being most common (41.9%). The most common site-reported procedural indications for Watchman implantation were increased thromboembolic risk (64.8%) and history of major bleed (64.3%), followed by high fall risk (35.5%). Most (71.9%) had ≥2 procedural indications. Patients with high fall risk had increased risk of in-hospital adverse events (adjusted OR, 1.12;
P
=0.025), but no other differences were found in the risk of in-hospital adverse events by procedural indication.

Conclusions:

Among patients in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Registry, the most common procedural indications for Watchman implantation were increased thromboembolic risk, history of major bleed, and high fall risk. A majority of patients had multiple procedural indications. High fall risk conferred a modestly increased risk of in-hospital adverse events.
Differential Impact of Stroke on Cognitive Impairment in Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic White Americans
Authors: Becker Christopher J. , Heeringa Steven G. , Chang Wen , Briceño Emily M. , Mehdipanah Roshanak , Levine Deborah A. , Langa Kenneth M. , Gonzales Xavier F. , Garcia Nelda , Longoria Ruth , Springer Mellanie V. , Zahuranec Darin B. , Morgenstern Lewis B.
Published: August 2022

Background:

The association between stroke and dementia is well established. Less is known about this association in underrepresented ethnic groups. In a large ethnically diverse cohort, we examined whether history of stroke was associated with cognitive impairment, and whether this relationship differed by ethnicity (Mexican American [MA] versus non-Hispanic White).

Methods:

This was a population-based cohort study conducted in Nueces County, TX, a biethnic community with a large and primarily nonimmigrant MA population. Residents aged ≥65 were recruited door-to-door or by telephone between May 2018 and December 2021. The primary exposure was history of stroke, obtained by self-report. Demographic, medical, and educational histories were also obtained. The primary outcome was the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a scale that evaluates multiple domains of cognitive performance. Scores were divided into 3 ordinal categories, roughly corresponding to normal cognition (MoCA 26–30), mild cognitive impairment (MoCA 20–25), or probable dementia (MoCA 0–19).

Results:

One thousand eight hundred one participants completed MoCA screening (55% female; 50% MA, 44% Non-Hispanic White, 6% other), of whom 12.4% reported history of stroke. Stroke prevalence was similar across ethnicities (X
2
2.1;
P
=0.34). In a multivariable cumulative logit regression model for the ordinal cognition outcome, a stroke by ethnicity interaction was observed (
P
=0.01). Models stratified by ethnicity revealed that stroke was associated with cognitive impairment across ethnicities, but had greater impact on cognition in non-Hispanic Whites (cumulative odds ratio=3.81 [95% CI, 2.37–6.12]) than in MAs (cumulative odds ratio=1.58 [95% CI, 1.04–2.41]). Increased age and lower educational attainment were also associated with cognitive impairment, regardless of ethnicity.

Conclusions:

History of stroke was associated with increased odds of cognitive impairment after controlling for other factors in both MA and Non-Hispanic White participants. The magnitude of the impact of stroke on cognition was less in MA than in Non-Hispanic White participants.
The Survival of an Ancient Term in Talishi
Authors: Asatrian Garnik
Published: August 2022

This is an attempt of tracing an ancient PIr. cultural lexeme in the language of the Talishis, an Iranian people inhabiting the south-western shores of the Caspian Sea, historically known as Talysh or Talyshistan. The term—a unique living remnant of the Old Iranian vocabulary in the whole Western New Iranian expanse (its only cognate in New Persian survived in Classical literature)—belongs to the sphere of syrup-making and denotes primarily date-plum syrup.
Large-Scale Coherent Turbulence Structures in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer over Flat Terrain
Authors: Alcayaga Leonardo , Larsen Gunner Chr. , Kelly Mark , Mann Jakob
Published: August 2022

We investigate characteristics of large-scale coherent motions in the atmospheric boundary layer using field measurements made with two long-range scanning wind lidars. The joint scans provide quasi-instantaneous wind fields over a domain of ∼50 km2, at two heights above flat but partially forested terrain. Along with the two-dimensional wind fields, two-point statistics and spectra are used to identify and characterize the scales, shape, and anisotropy of coherent structures—as well as their influence on wind field homogeneity. For moderate to high wind speeds in near-neutral conditions, most of the observed structures correspond to narrow streaks of low streamwise momentum near the surface, extending several hundred meters in the streamwise direction; these are associated with positive vertical velocity ejections. For unstable conditions and moderate winds, these structures become large-scale rolls, with longitudinal extent exceeding the measuring domain (>∼5 km); they dominate the conventional surface-layer structures in terms of both physical scale and relative size of velocity-component variances, appearing as quasi-two-dimensional structures throughout the entire boundary layer. The observations shown here are consistent with numerical simulations of atmospheric flows, field observations, and laboratory experiments under similar conditions.

Significance Statement

Coherent structures have attracted the interest of researchers for decades, being viewed as the closest to “order” that we can find within the chaos of turbulence. In the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer, micro- and mesoscale coherent structures come in many shapes and sizes, such as convective cells, rolls, or streaks. In this study we used dual lidars (remote sensing measurements), developing analysis of their tandem usage to characterize in detail some of the large-scale coherent structures generated over flat terrain. This allowed us to better understand the mechanisms that generate such structures and describe their influence on the morphology of the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer across a good deal of its depth.
Fault diagnosis of PLC-based discrete event systems using Petri nets
Authors: Li Yongyao , Wang Ya , Zhu Guanghui , Yin Li , Zhang Huimin
Published: August 2022

This paper addresses the fault diagnosis problem of PLC-based systems that can be modeled as Petri nets under a certain level of abstraction. The existing Petri-net-based fault diagnosis approaches often associate transitions and/or places with sensors and require that any change in sensor readings needs to be treated by a PLC, leading to a situation that the PLC would be too busy processing the changes in sensor readings to perform other tasks. This paper assumes that a PLC does not monitor the changes of readings of sensors all the time, but periodically reads the values of sensors when needed. The system output is defined as a marking sequence interleaved with possible observed transitions. A fault diagnosis algorithm is developed by defining and solving integer linear programing (ILP) problems whose size is regardless of the length of the system output. The proposed approach enjoys high computational efficiency compared with other ILP-based approaches and is more suitable for fault diagnosis of PLC-based systems with low computing power.
Cost of Illness Analysis of Common Mental Disorders: A Study from an Indian Academic Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Kondapura Manjunatha B. , Manjunatha Narayana , Nagaraj Anil Kumar Mysore , Praharaj Samir Kumar , Kumar Channaveeraachari Naveen , Math Suresh Bada , Rao Girish N.
Published: August 2022

Background:

The cost of illness (COI) for common mental disorders (CMDs) that include depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorder is less studied in India. Hence, we studied the COI and disability of CMDs and their relationship in patients with depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorders.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 220 patients (110 with depression, 58 with anxiety disorders, and 52 with somatoform disorders) and evaluated disability using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). The schedule for the cost of illness (S-COI) was used for evaluating COI for the last year.

Results:

The annual COI of CMDs from the patient perspective was ₹21,620 (interquartile range [IQR], ₹47,761; ≈US$290). The median annual direct COI was ₹4,907 (IQR ₹7,502), and indirect COI was ₹12,900 (IQR ₹37744). The direct COI was 18%, whereas the indirect COI was 82%. The direct and indirect COI in the three groups were similar. In all three groups with ongoing treatment, the mean scores indicated a mild level of disability. Total and indirect COI, but not the direct COI, correlated positively with the severity of illness and disability.

Conclusion:

All the CMDs with ongoing treatment are associated with a mild level of disability and are a significant financial burden, with higher indirect costs.
Clean environment index: A new approach for litter assessment
Authors: Farzadkia Mahdi , Alinejad Navid , Ghasemi Afsaneh , Rezaei Kalantary Roshanak , Esrafili Ali , Torkashvand Javad
Published: August 2022

Littered waste is one of the ubiquitous problems in urban environments. In this study, urban environmental pollution was evaluated for the first time using a new developed index. The findings indicated that cigarette butts with an average 58% are the largest share in the composition of littered waste. In addition, the numbers of littered wastes throughout the study area had a spatial variation. According to clean environment index (CEI), the entire study area was found to be in a moderate status. However, 40% of the study areas were classified in a dirty and extremely dirty status. Comparison of the studied urban land-uses showed that residential land use with CEI equal to 3.38 is interpreted in the clean status, while commercial land use with CEI equal to 15.05 can be classified in the dirty status. The application of CEI has a good capability to assess littered waste; this index can be employed to evaluate the pollution of urban sidewalks and other environments such as beaches.
Efficacy and safety of belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with severe lupus nephritis requiring renal replacement therapy
Authors: Liu Diankun , Zhou Qiang , Wang Di , Qu Yuan , Guo Qihong , Wen Jing , Yu Qinghong , Ai Jun
Published: August 2022

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that has various manifestations. Lupus nephritis is a common and severe presentation, which results in increased morbidity and mortality. Belimumab added on standard therapy has been proved to induce disease remission and improve renal parameters. However, the use of belimumab has not been explored in patients requiring dialysis treatment.

Methods

Seven patients diagnosed as SLE with renal involvement requiring dialysis, who received belimumab in addition to steroids or immunosuppressants were identified. Clinical and biological data were extracted from medical records and laboratory databases. Ten mg/kg belimumab was applied on day 1, 15, 29, and every 28 days thereafter for a total of 8 dose. Renal parameters including urine output and serum creatinine level, immunologic index including anti-ds-DNA antibody titer and complement level, and disease activity were documented to reveal the response to belimumab.

Results

After belimumab therapy, all the 7 patients receiving dialysis therapy showed immunologic improvement. Disease activity significantly declined from 16.5 to 5.33 using SLEDAI-2K score. Apart from patient 7 on maintenance dialysis, 5 of 6 patients had increased urine output and were out of dialysis treatment. Patient 5 and 6 showed significant decrease in serum creatinine level. Only one pulmonary infection was documented.

Conclusions

Belimumab added to steroids or immunosuppressive agents was able to improve renal and immunologic parameters and decrease disease activity of SLE patients receiving dialysis treatment. The safety issue is promising with no severe adverse effect recorded. Further large, controlled, randomized clinical trials are required to confirm the results.
Electroacupuncture relieves visceral hypersensitivity through modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system
Authors: Ma Ning , Li Xiaojing , Li Qiuhua , Yang Diqi , Zhuang Shen , Nan Sha , Liu Ai , Ding Mingxing , Ding Yi
Published: August 2022

Background:

Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively relieve visceral hypersensitivity (VH). However, its mechanisms are still unclear.

Objective:

To investigate the impact of EA on VH caused by ileitis, and whether EA relieves VH by modulating the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS).

Methods:

Thirty male native goats were randomly divided into a saline-treated control group (Saline, n = 9) and three 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-treated VH model groups that underwent injection of TNBS into the ileal wall to induce VH and remained untreated (TNBS, n = 9) or received six sessions of EA (for 30 min every 3 days) (TNBS + EA, n = 6) or sham acupuncture (TNBS + Sham, n = 6). The visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distention (CRD) was measured after each EA treatment. Three goats in the Saline/TNBS groups were euthanized after 7 days for histopathological examination; the remaining 24 (n = 6/group) underwent sampling of the ileal wall, T11 spinal cord and brain nuclei/areas related to visceral regulation and ascending pain modulation system on day 22. Expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) was detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

VMR to CRD was greater in TNBS-treated goats than in saline-treated goats (p < 0.01) from day 7 to 22. After day 7, EA-treated goats showed a decreased (p < 0.05) VMR compared with untreated TNBS-exposed goats. TNBS treatment decreased CB1R and increased FAAH and MAGL expression in the ileum and related nuclei/areas; this was reversed by EA.

Conclusion:

EA ameliorates VH, probably by regulating the ECS in the intestine and nuclei/areas related to visceral regulation and descending pain modulation systems.
Psychodynamic Perspective of Sexual Obsessions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Chaudhary Sonam , Singh Anand Pratap , Varshney Aakriti
Published: August 2022

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder that is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. OCD can occur in a wide range of subtypes, which may include sexual OCD, i.e., the occurrence of intrusive sexual thoughts. People with sexual OCD may experience unwanted obsessive sexual thoughts about a family member, dead or inanimate objects, animals, God, or children, which can range from mild to severe levels of occurrence. The psychodynamic perspective on OCD suggests that the content of obsessive thinking is commonly drawn from primitivized sexuality and aggression. It further suggests that in the absence of key relationships that include emotional proximity, mirroring and containment, and attunement, a child experiences a void-like state. Consequently, the anxiety that arises in the child leads to a form of liveliness in a “dead” inner world. However, it occurs out of a sense of abandonment and loss of good objects, and ultimately out of fear of annihilation. As a result, the child resorts to maladaptive defense mechanisms. The study attempts to explore the adverse early childhood experiences such as parental neglect, mother–father conflict, and lack of parental love and care leading to fixation in psychosexual stages of development, which further leads to the adoption of maladaptive defense mechanisms that in turn further contribute to the development of obsessional personality traits. This study aims to explain the psychodynamic perspective on the emergence of sexual obsessions by proceeding with a case study approach by taking a diagnosed case of OCD. A comprehensive psychodiagnostic assessment was conducted with the help of Draw-a-Person Test, Thematic Apperception Test, Rotter’s Incomplete Sentence Blank, and Million’s Comprehensive Multiaxial Inventory. The analysis of the assessment protocol revealed a strong relationship between the defense mechanism, personality traits, and the development of obsessive symptoms.
Magnetic susceptibility and response time of isotropic and structured magnetorheological elastomers
Authors: Horváth Barnabás , Szalai István
Published: August 2022

The response time of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) depends on the complex interplay of multiple factors. In this study we investigate the response times of silicone rubber based elastomers containing magnetically soft fillers (iron and magnetite) with isotropic, and two types of anisotropic particle structures. The response times of the elastomers were extracted as the characteristic time constant from the time domain dynamic susceptibility response to ramp excitation in the weak field limit ( H< 10 kAm−1). The MREs with both types of filler materials in all particle configurations showed a positive susceptibility response, while an inverse proportionality was observed between the response times and the slope of the ramp excitation in all cases. The dynamics of the structural change is found to be highly sensitive to the type of the filler material, and the anisotropy of the microstructure. The response times of the iron loaded MREs varied from (4.0 ± 0.3) ms up to (60.5 ± 2.3) ms. The magnetite loaded MREs displayed faster response (between (1.2 ± 0.1) ms and (12.1 ± 1.8) ms), which is attributed to the cross-linking inhibitor effect of the magnetite particles. The anisotropic particle structure also favors a decreased response time, however the remanence of the particles can modify the structural effect.
The Role of Social Reactions to Disclosures in the Relationship Between Sexual Assault Acknowledgment and Psychological Symptoms
Authors: Bernstein Emily L. , Newins Amie R.
Published: August 2022

Following a sexual assault, women experience a host of negative psychological consequences. While some survivors label their sexual assault experience as such (i.e., are acknowledged survivors), other survivors do not. The effect of acknowledgment of sexual assault on postassault outcomes has yielded mixed findings. It was hypothesized that social reactions may account for the relationship between acknowledgment status and psychological symptoms. Results indicated that acknowledged survivors reported more severe posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, which were partially accounted for by turning against social reactions. Future studies should explore the mechanisms responsible for these relationships and analyze the individual social reactions.
Bridging the Gap: A Systematic Benchmarking of Uplift Modeling and Heterogeneous Treatment Effects Methods
Authors: Rößler Jannik , Schoder Detlef
Published: August 2022

Choosing the correct method to predict the incremental effect of a treatment on customer response is critical to optimize targeting policies in many important applications such as churn management and patient care. Two research streams, uplift modeling and heterogeneous treatment effects (HTE), have emerged that scrutinize the incremental effect of a treatment on customer response. So far, these research streams mostly remain independent, with few studies comparing methods across these communities. However, if the goal is to estimate the incremental effect in the best possible way or to make a new contribution in the context of targeting policies, ignoring either uplift modeling or HTE methods is a serious omission. To fill this research gap, the authors benchmark 15 methods from both literatures on synthetic and real-world data sets. They perform benchmarking to contrast the performance of different methods from both research streams and to highlight the importance of evaluating methods from uplift modeling and HTE. The results show that although most methods suffer from volatility, some methods perform better and are more robust than others. In addition, the authors demonstrate that using the incremental effect can substantially improve a targeting policy, but only if academics and practitioners evaluate various methods from both uplift modeling and HTE.
@#%$!: The Impact of Officer Profanity on Civilians’ Perception of What Constitutes Reasonable Use of Force
Authors: Martaindale M. Hunter , Sandel William L. , Duron Aaron , Blair J. Pete
Published: August 2022

The current study was conducted to test how the presence of profane officer language during a use of force incident impacts how civilians perceive the reasonableness of the applied force. The study followed a 1 × 4 independent groups design with random assignment to one of four test conditions. Two dashcam use of force videos were stripped of audio and subsequently transcribed with a clean and profane-laden depiction of the officer’s language. Participants ( n = 234) answered a short questionnaire after watching their randomly assigned video. Measures include a 5-item reasonableness index, demographics, and test conditions. Two-way ANOVA and OLS regression were performed. Overall, participants considered videos with profane language to be less reasonable than the same video with clean language. While significant, most differences also correspond with medium and large effect sizes. This research found that profane officer language impacts how civilians perceive force reasonableness. Practical and policy implications are presented to move policing forward.
Optic neuritis following COVID-19 vaccination: Do autoimmune diseases play a role?
Authors: Pirani Vittorio , Pelliccioni Paolo , Carpenè Maria Jolanda , Nicolai Michele , Barbotti Federica , Franceschi Alessandro , Mariotti Cesare
Published: August 2022

Purpose and context

We report two cases of optic neuritis following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune diseases. Post-vaccine optic neuritis, although rare, is reported in the literature and an autoimmune mechanism seems to be involved, especially in genetically predisposed subjects.

Method

Report of two cases of optic neuritis following COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Key results

He novelty of this article is the fact that the two patients had a medical history of autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto thyroiditis and ankylosing spondylitis), a point of interest for research because it is not yet clear whether this could constitute a risk factor for adverse events after vaccination.

Conclusions

The reactogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in individuals suffering from immune-mediated diseases is yet to be elucidated and it is being increasingly investigated. Our paper supports the hypothesis that patients who are already affected or predisposed to autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders should be carefully evaluated for the benefits and risks of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.
The distal radial artery: Versatile vascular access for transcatheter interventions
Authors: Achim Alexandru , Ruzsa Zoltan
Published: August 2022

Conventional transradial access has been established as the gold standard for invasive coronary angiography and percutaneous interventions by the current European and American guidelines. The distal or snuffbox radial artery access represents an alternative transradial access site that allows radial sheath insertion with the patient’s hand pronated. Firstly described 40 years ago, it exploded in popularity only recently. Promising additional benefits, the distal radial access is increasingly being adopted in various types of percutaneous interventions, being preferred by many interventional cardiologists and radiologists for its reduced vascular complications and time to hemostasis, and improvement of patient and operator comfort. Other centers consider it a fad, waiting for solid clear evidence and benefits. The evidence is dynamic and discrepant, depending on the center, the operator, and how it was collected (randomized controlled vs observational studies). Another essential aspect raised by “skeptics” was whether distal radial access, by its smaller diameter and more angled course, can support all types of interventions. The aim of this review is to gather all the scenarios where distal radial access has been utilized and to conclude whether this vascular access is feasible across all transcatheter interventions.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Obesity: A One-to-One Correlation?
Authors: Mahmood Sara , Li Yixuan , Hynes Marijane
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with physical and emotional problems such as obesity and depression in adulthood. This study evaluated the relationship between ACE scores and the severity of obesity.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 119 adult patients at the GW Weight Management Clinic. They filled out an ACE survey examining trauma and household dysfunction. The main outcome was the severity of obesity measured by Body Mass Index (BMI). We estimated the adjusted mean difference between high and low ACE risk groups using - linear regression.

Results

The data suggest a positive relationship between ACE score and BMI. Patients with severe obesity are more likely to be a high ACE risk (50%) compared to others (24–25%). The average BMI in the high ACE risk group is 3.64 (95% CI: 0.25–7.03) higher than those in the low ACE risk group. The linear regression also showed that as the ACE score increased by 1, BMI increased by 1 unit (95% CI: 0.15–1.77).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest ACE is not just related with the prevalence of obesity, but also the severity of obesity in the overweight and obese population. The linear regression also showed that as the ACE score increased by 1, the BMI increased by 1 unit as well.
Mobile and online consumer tools to screen for autism do not promote equity
Authors: Sanders Benjamin W , Bedrick Steven , Broder-Fingert Sarabeth , Brown Shannon A , Dolata Jill K , Fombonne Eric , Reeder Julie A , Rivas Vazquez Luis Andres , Fuchu Plyce , Morales Yesenia , Zuckerman Katharine E
Published: August 2022

Limited access to screening and evaluation for autism spectrum disorder in children is a major barrier to improving outcomes for marginalized families. To identify and evaluate available digital autism spectrum disorder screening resources, we simulated web and mobile app searches by a parent concerned about their child’s likelihood of autism spectrum disorder. Included digital autism spectrum disorder screening tools (a) were on Internet or mobile app; (b) were in English; (c) had a parent user inputting data; (d) assigned likelihood category to child <9 years; and (e) screened for autism spectrum disorder. Ten search terms, developed using Google Search and parent panel recommendations, were used to search web and app tools in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, and Canada using Virtual Private Networks. Results were examined for attributes likely to benefit parents in marginalized communities, such as ease of searching, language versions, and reading level. The four terms most likely to identify any tools were “autism quiz,” “autism screening tool,” “does my child have autism,” and “autism toddler.” Three out of five searches contained autism spectrum disorder screening tools, as did one of 10 links or apps. Searches identified a total of 1475 websites and 919 apps, which yielded 23 unique tools. Most tools required continuous Internet access or offered only English, and many had high reading levels. In conclusion, screening tools are available, but they are not easily found. Barriers include inaccessibility to parents with limited literacy or limited English proficiency, and frequent encounters with games, advertisements, and user fees.

Lay Abstract

Many parents wonder if their child might have autism. Many parents use their smartphones to answer health questions. We asked, “How easy or hard is it for parents to use their smartphones to find ‘tools’ to test their child for signs of autism?” After doing pretend parent searches, we found that only one in 10 search results were tools to test children for autism. These tools were not designed for parents who have low income or other challenges such as low literacy skills, low English proficiency, or not being tech-savvy.
Wind loads characteristics of irregular shaped high-rise buildings
Authors: Li Yong-gui , Liu Peng , Li Yi , Yan Jia-hui , Quan Jia
Published: August 2022

Many irregular shaped high-rise buildings have been built for graceful demand of architecture or better amenity and ventilation in the world. In this study, a benchmark rectangular high-rise building model and six high-rise building models with various irregular shapes, including two T-shaped, two U-shaped, H-shaped and X-shaped, are tested in a boundary wind tunnel to investigate their wind loads characteristics. The coefficients, power spectral density and cross-correlation of base moments as well as local wind forces are analyzed and discussed in details. Based on the wind tunnel test results, it is founded that the effect of U-shape and H-shape on wind loads is negligible. The along-wind mean base moment coefficient of X-shaped model is increased by 10.0% in 90° wind direction. The wind force characteristics of T-shaped models are quite different from the benchmark model in many cases. The mean base moment coefficient of T-shaped 2 model is reduced by 18.6% in 0° wind direction. Larger mean lift forces and torques of T-shaped models are appeared and there is a certain correlation between along-wind and across-wind local wind forces in 90° wind direction.
The Influence of Different γ-Irradiation Patterns on Factors that May Affect Cell Cycle Progression in Male Rats
Authors: Mohammed Manal R. , El-Bahkery Azza M. , Shedid Shereen M.
Published: August 2022

Most studies of the biological effects of ionizing radiation have been done on a single acute dose, while clinically and environmentally exposures occur under chronic/repetitive conditions. It is important to study effects of different patterns of ionizing radiation. In this study, a rat model was used to compare the effects of repetitive and acute exposure. Groups: (I) control, (II, III) were exposed to fractionated doses (1.5 GyX4) and (2 GyX4), respectively/24h interval, and (IV, V) were exposed to 6 Gy and 8 Gy of whole-body gamma irradiation, respectively. The gene expression of MAPT and tau phosphorylation increased in all irradiated groups but the gene expression of PKN not affected. TGFβ% increased at dose of 2 GyX4 only. In addition, the cell cycle was arrested in S phase. Micronucleus (MN) increased and cell proliferation decreased. In conclusion, the dose and pattern of ionizing radiation do not affect the MAPT and PKN gene expression, but TGF-β, p-tau, MN assay and cell proliferation are significantly affected. The dose of 2 GyX4 showed distinctive effect. Repetitive exposure may increase TGF-β%, which causes radio-resistance and, G2/M delay. Thus, the cell cycle could be regulated in a different manner according to the dose and pattern of irradiation.
A Machine Learning Approach to Predicting Perceived Partner Support From Relational and Individual Variables
Authors: Vowels Laura M. , Vowels Matthew J. , Carnelley Katherine B. , Kumashiro Madoka
Published: August 2022

Perceiving one’s partner as supportive is considered essential for relationships, but we know little about which factors are central to predicting perceived partner support. Traditional statistical techniques are ill-equipped to compare a large number of potential predictor variables and cannot answer this question. This research used machine learning analysis (random forest with Shapley values) to identify the most salient self-report predictors of perceived partner support cross-sectionally and 6 months later. We analyzed data from five dyadic data sets ( N = 550 couples) enabling us to have greater confidence in the findings and ensure generalizability. Our novel results advance the literature by showing that relationship variables and attachment avoidance are central to perceived partner support, whereas partner similarity, other individual differences, individual well-being, and demographics explain little variance in perceiving partners as supportive. The findings are crucial in constraining and further developing our theories on perceived partner support.
Optimization of the Grashey View Radiograph for Critical Shoulder Angle Measurement: A Reliability Assessment With Zero Echo Time MRI
Authors: Yıldız Adalet Elçin , Yaraşır Yasin , Huri Gazi , Aydıngöz Üstün
Published: August 2022

Background:

Suboptimal positioning on Grashey view radiographs may limit the prognosticating potential of the critical shoulder angle (CSA) for shoulder disorders.

Purpose:

To investigate whether radiography optimized according to the latest research is reliable for measuring CSA in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) featuring 3-dimensional (3D) zero echo time (ZTE) sequencing, which accentuates the contrast between cortical bone and surrounding soft tissue with high fidelity.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Patients with shoulder pain were prospectively and consecutively enrolled. All patients had Grashey view radiographs as well as 3.0-T MRI scans with isotropic 3D ZTE sequencing. Acceptable positioning on the radiographs was determined using the ratio of the transverse to longitudinal (RTL) diameter of the lateral glenoid outline; radiographs with an RTL ≥0.25 were repeated. Two observers independently measured the CSA on the radiographs and the coronal oblique reformatted ZTE images, the latter including verification of measurement points by cross-referencing against images from other planes. Reliability of measurements between observers and modalities was analyzed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The paired-samples t test was used to compare the differences between imaging modalities.

Results:

Enrolled were 65 patients (35 female and 30 male; mean age, 40.2 years; range, 25-49 years). Radiographs with optimal positioning (RTL < 0.25) were attained after a mean of 1.6 exposures (range, 1-4); the mean RTL was 0.09 (range, 0-0.20). Interobserver agreement of CSA was excellent for radiographs (ICC = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.94) and good for ZTE MRI scans (ICC = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.71-0.92). Intermodality agreement of CSA between radiographs and ZTE MRI scans was moderate (ICC = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48-0.73). The CSA was significantly different between an optimal radiograph (30.7° ± 4.3°) and ZTE MRI scan (31.8° ± 3.8) ( P = .005). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences in CSA measurement between ZTE MRI scans and Grashey view radiographs with an RTL of <0.1 ( P = .08).

Conclusion:

CSA measurement on ZTE MRI scans with anatomic point cross-referencing was significantly different from that on Grashey view radiographs, even with optimal positioning, and radiography may necessitate more than 1 exposure. An RTL of <0.1 ensured reliability of radiographs when other standards of sufficient x-ray exposure were met.
Navigating Tensions to Create Value: An Institutional Logics Perspective on the Change Program and its Organizational Context
Authors: Farid Parinaz , Waldorff Susanne Boch
Published: August 2022

Research has emphasized the need to understand change programs’ value creation (VC) within their organizational context. This article employs institutional logics to explore the change program–organizational context interface, and investigates how program management actors navigate the interface to create value. A longitudinal comparative study was conducted during the execution of two public-sector municipal merger programs. Contributing to the theory on change program VC by identifying change programs and contexts as different logics, findings show that perspectives on VC may conflict. We theorize navigation practices of problematizing, designing, and team building to resolve the tensions and facilitate program VC.
The effects of watering on cambial activity in the stems of evergreen hardwood (Samanea saman) during the pre-monsoon season in subtropical Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Hasnat , Begum Shahanara , Nugroho Widyanto Dwi , Nakaba Satoshi , Funada Ryo
Published: August 2022

Water stress has a significant impact on tree growth. However, the effects of watering on cambial activity and its influence on tree growth in subtropical climates is poorly understood. The present study analyzed the cambial activity on the stem of evergreen hardwood Samanea saman in response to either high frequency or low frequency watering during the pre-monsoon season in subtropical Bangladesh. We used two groups of seedlings: one group of seedlings was watered daily (high frequency watering), while the second group of seedlings was watered at 4–5-day intervals (low frequency watering). Samples for sequential observations of cambial activity by microscopy were collected from the main stems of seedlings of both groups. At the start of the experiment on March 25, 2015, during the pre-monsoon season, the cambium was inactive with no evidence of cell division. After 10 days of high frequency watering, cambial cell division and xylem differentiation were initiated. New cell plates were formed in the phloem side of the cambium. However, the cambium was inactive when low frequency watering was supplied. Supplying water in high frequency reactivated the cambium with forming small to large vessels. In contrast, the cambium remained inactive when low frequency watering was supplied throughout the experiment. These results suggest that continuous supply of water to the soil is one of the most important factors for cambial reactivation during pre-monsoon season in subtropical trees. Furthermore, our findings of artificial watering treatments might help to better understand the response of cambium to changes in precipitation patterns under natural conditions, allowing us to learn more about how cambium of subtropical trees responds to climate change.
Magnaporthe oryzae Chloroplast Targeting Endo-β-1,4-Xylanase I MoXYL1A Regulates Conidiation, Appressorium Maturation and Virulence of the Rice Blast Fungus
Authors: Shabbir Ammarah , Batool Wajjiha , Yu Dan , Lin Lili , An Qiuli , Xiaomin Chen , Guo Hengyuan , Yuan Shuangshuang , Malota Sekete , Wang Zonghua , Norvienyeku Justice
Published: August 2022

Endo-β-1,4-Xylanases are a group of extracellular enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of xylan, a principal constituent of the plant primary cell wall. The contribution of Endo-β-1,4-Xylanase I to both physiology and pathogenesis of the rice blast fungus M. oryzae is unknown. Here, we characterized the biological function of two endoxylanase I (MoXYL1A and MoXYL1B) genes in the development of M. oryzae using targeted gene deletion, biochemical analysis, and fluorescence microscopy. Phenotypic analysis of ∆Moxyl1A strains showed that MoXYL1A is required for the full virulence of M. oryzae but is dispensable for the vegetative growth of the rice blast fungus. MoXYL1B, in contrast, did not have a clear role in the infectious cycle but has a critical function in asexual reproduction of the fungus. The double deletion mutant was severely impaired in pathogenicity and virulence as well as asexual development. We found that MoXYL1A deletion compromised appressorium morphogenesis and function, leading to failure to penetrate host cells. Fluorescently tagged MoXYL1A and MoXYL1B displayed cytoplasmic localization in M. oryzae, while analysis of MoXYL1A-GFP and MoXYL1B-GFP in-planta revealed translocation and accumulation of these effector proteins into host cells. Meanwhile, sequence feature analysis showed that MoXYL1A possesses a transient chloroplast targeting signal peptide, and results from an Agrobacterium infiltration assay confirmed co-localization of MoXYL1A-GFP with ChCPN10C-RFP in the chloroplasts of host cells. MoXYL1B, accumulated to the cytoplasm of the host. Taken together, we conclude that MoXYL1A is a secreted effector protein that likely promotes the virulence of M. oryzae by interfering in the proper functioning of the host chloroplast, while the related xylanase MoXYL1B does not have a major role in virulence of M. oryzae.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney: an experience of three cases
Authors: Sharma Ankitkumar , Kuppurajan N. , Anandan M. , Madhavan Devdas , P. B Barani Kumar
Published: August 2022

Background

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are highly aggressive tumors belonging to the Ewing’s sarcoma family. Primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a group of bone and soft tissue tumor arising from neuroectodermal tissues. They are characterized by the expression of MIC2 and neural markers like neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, S-100, vimentin, Leu-7, and the presence of the EWS-FLI1 translocation. It is a rare malignancy with only about 150 cases being published worldwide. The tumor usually presents with non-specific symptoms such as abdomen pain and hematuria. Inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement by renal PNET is extremely rare with only a handful cases reported in the literature and is a clinically challenging scenario. There is a dearth of data on the management of this disease; further, the management of this disease in current scenarios is not well reported. We report our experience with three cases over 11 years which spans all three spectrums of the disease: localized, locally advance and metastasis.

Case presentation

Case 1: 37-year-old gentleman presenting with hematuria found to have right renal tumor with IVC invasion which was found to be unresectable intraoperatively. Patient was started on chemotherapy but deteriorated and died 3 months later. Case 2: 38-year-old gentleman presenting with abdominal pain found to have locally advanced left renal tumor. Patient developed local recurrence and metastasis 15 months after resection but had stable disease for nearly 4 years before developing acute myeloid leukemia and withdrawing consent for treatment. Case 3: 13-year-old girl who presented with right abdominal mass and subsequently found to have localized disease. After aggressive chemotherapy, patient is now recurrence-free after nearly 11 years.

Conclusions

Our study aims to show the spectrum of renal primitive neuroectodermal tumors with outcomes in all three clinical scenarios, with the aim of reinforcing that high index of suspicion for this disease is required in young patients presenting with aggressive disease, and immunohistochemistry should be used when in doubt, as outcomes are greatly improved with adjuvant chemotherapy.
Prognostic value of ambulation ability with albumin and C-reactive protein to predict 28-day mortality in elderly sepsis patients: a retrospective multicentre registry-based study
Authors: Cha Kyungman , Choi Seung Pill , Kim Soo Hyun , Oh Sang Hoon
Published: August 2022

Background

Sepsis is a series of organ failures caused by dysregulated responses to infection. Risk factors for sepsis are multiple comorbidities, a poor nutrition status, and limited mobility. The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether ambulation ability with albumin and C-reactive protein are predictive of 28-day mortality of elderly patients with sepsis.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study using a multicentre-based registry of elderly patients between November 2016 and February 2017. The inclusion criteria were a patient ≥65 years and a diagnosis of sepsis and exclusion criteria were a patient with covariates of ambulation ability such as central nervous system diseases, or malignancy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of prediction models were calculated and compared. The survival rates according to the ambulation ability were estimated and compared by the log-rank test.

Results

2291 patients ≥65 years visited with infectious diseases. 496 subjects with central nervous system diseases, 710 subjects with malignancy and 817 subjects with a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score ≤ 1 were excluded. Ultimately, 278 subjects were included in the primary analysis. 133 (47.8%) subjects were male and the median age was 78 years. 228 (82%) subjects could ambulate independently before morbidity and 28 (10.1%) subjects expired in 28 days. In the inability to ambulate and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio model, the area under the curve predicting 28-day mortality was 0.761 with no significant difference from the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (0.859, p = 0.097) and the estimated survival rate on 28th day according to the ability to ambulate showed a significant difference (hazard ratio = 1.212, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The premorbid ambulation ability with albumin and C-reactive protein can be combined to predict 28-day mortality in elderly patients with sepsis.