bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain Catastrophizing Is Related to Static Postural Control Impairment in Patients with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Chanjuan , Zhang Zhou , Li Yuelong , Feng Chenyang , Meng Haiqi , Gao Yang , Lo Wai Leung Ambrose , Wang Chuhuai
Published: October 2020

Purpose. Pain catastrophizing may contribute to the altered trunk muscle activity in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). It is unclear if pain catastrophizing influences static postural control in patients with NSCLBP. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pain catastrophizing and static postural control in NSCLBP patients. Methods. Sixty-eight participants with NSCLBP and 40 healthy participants were recruited. Postural control was assessed by the sway area and the sway length of the center of pressure (COP) during balance tests. Pain catastrophizing in participants with NSCLBP was assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Bilateral transversus abdominis (TrA) activation was evaluated by ultrasound imaging-measured percent change in muscle thickness. Associations between COP parameter and PCS/subscales of PCS were examined by multiple linear regression (MLR). Results. Our results observed a larger COP sway area in NSCLBP group under eyes-closed conditionp<0.001and a lower level of voluntary activation of the bilateral TrAp<0.001, compared with the healthy control group. The MLR analyses revealed that the COP area sway under eyes-closed condition was significantly associated with the PCS score/helplessness score of PCS, voluntary activation of the left TrA, and age in participants with NSCLBP (β = 0.222/0.236, 0.341/0.344, and 0.328/0.325;p=0.045/0.033, 0.002, and 0.004, resp.). Conclusions. Static postural control was associated with pain catastrophizing, voluntary activation of TrA, and age in participants with NSCLBP. This indicated that pain catastrophizing may affect postural control and should be considered when interpreting balance test results and managing NSCLBP.
Hypoxia Induces Transcriptional and Translational Downregulation of the Type I IFN Pathway in Multiple Cancer Cell Types
Authors: Miar Ana , Arnaiz Esther , Bridges Esther , Beedie Shaunna , Cribbs Adam P. , Downes Damien J. , Beagrie Robert A. , Rehwinkel Jan , Harris Adrian L.
Published: October 2020

Hypoxia is a common phenomenon in solid tumors and is strongly linked to hallmarks of cancer. Recent evidence has shown that hypoxia promotes local immune suppression. Type I IFN supports cytotoxic T lymphocytes by stimulating the maturation of dendritic cells and enhancing their capacity to process and present antigens. However, little is known about the relationship between hypoxia and the type I IFN pathway, which comprises the sensing of double-stranded RNA and DNA (dsRNA/dsDNA) followed by IFNα/β secretion and transcriptional activation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG). In this study, we determined the effects of hypoxia on the type I IFN pathway in breast cancer and the mechanisms involved. In cancer cell lines and xenograft models, mRNA and protein expressions of the type I IFN pathway were downregulated under hypoxic conditions. This pathway was suppressed at each level of signaling, from the dsRNA sensors RIG-I and MDA5, the adaptor MAVS, transcription factors IRF3, IRF7, and STAT1, and several ISG including RIG-I, IRF7, STAT1, and ADAR-p150. Importantly, IFN secretion was reduced under hypoxic conditions. HIF1α- and HIF2α-mediated regulation of gene expression did not explain most of the effects. However, ATAC-seq data revealed in hypoxia that peaks with STAT1 and IRF3 motifs had decreased accessibility. Collectively, these results indicate that hypoxia leads to an overall downregulation of the type I IFN pathway due to repressed transcription and lower chromatin accessibility in an HIF1/2α-independent manner, which could contribute to immunosuppression in hypoxic tumors.

Significance:

These findings characterize a new mechanism of immunosuppression by hypoxia via downregulation of the type I IFN pathway and its autocrine/paracrine effects on tumor growth.
STK11 p.F354L Germline Mutation in a Case of Multiple Gastrointestinal Tumors
Authors: Kojima Yohei , Ohtsuka Kouki , Ishii Shun , Aso Nobuyoshi , Ohki Atsuko , Hashimoto Yoshikazu , Takeuchi Hirohisa , Ohnishi Hiroaki , Abe Nobutsugu
Published: October 2020

Serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11) is known as a critical tumor-suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in a broad spectrum of human cancers. Among these, the p.F354L mutation of STK11 has been identified in sporadic colon or lung cancer cases. Here, we report the case of a 75-year-old male patient who underwent surgical treatment for multiple tumors of the gastrointestinal system. Genetic mutations were screened in all resected samples, including duodenal high-grade adenoma, gastric high-grade adenoma, rectal adenocarcinoma, and liver metastasis of rectal adenocarcinoma, by next-generation sequencing for mutational hotspots involving 50 oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The characteristic hamartomatous polyp of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome was not detected in any tumor specimen. However, all samples as well as the normal rectal mucosa harbored the genetic mutation p.F354L in STK11. In addition, somatic mutations coexisted in the tumor samples, including KRAS p.A146T, TP53 p.G238X, and APC p.T1556fs in the duodenal adenoma; TP53 p.G238Y and APC p.T1556fs in the gastric adenoma; and TP53 p.R282W in the rectal adenocarcinoma and metastatic liver cancer. No somatic mutation was detected in the normal rectal mucosa as a control sample. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an STK11 germline mutation in a patient with multiple tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
Demographic and Clinical Features of 1,641 Patients with Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, and Alopecia Universalis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Uzuncakmak Tugba Kevser , Engin Burhan , Serdaroglu Server , Tuzun Yalcin
Published: October 2020

Background/Aim: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune hair disorder which is characterized by noncicatricial hair loss. AA commonly presents with localized patches on the scalp and face but may affect any hair-bearing region of the body leading to even more generalized involvement. AA may affect any age group, gender, and race. The current study investigates the demographic characteristics of the patients with AA and subgroups of AA including alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU) and the prevalence of disease, sex, and age distribution and seasonal variation retrospectively in a tertiary dermatology clinic in Turkey. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 1,641 patients diagnosed with AA, AT, and AU in the dermatology clinic of a public university hospital were included. The dermatology outpatient database was reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of AA was based on patient history, clinical examinations, and histopathologic findings. Results: Fifty-four thousand one hundred sixty-eight patients were admitted to our outpatient clinic in 4 years time, and 1,641 were diagnosed as having AA, AT, and AU. One thousand three hundred ninety-two patients (84.8%) had AA, 81 (4.9%) had AT, and 168 (10.2%) had AU. Among the 1,641 patients included in the study, 877 were females (53.4%) and 764 were males (46.6%). The mean age was 29.86 ± 14.48 years in AA, 29.50 ± 16.18 in AT, and 32.81 ± 14.48 in AU; 77.4, 72.8, and 68.5% of patients were aged under 40 years in AA, AT, and AU. There was no statistically significant difference in seasonal presentation times. Conclusion: AA is affecting approximately 2% of the general population without any sex, race, or age group predilection. In this study, we found a lower prevalence of AA in the pediatric age group in comparison with adults. This finding may support the hypothesis of the increasing prevalence of AA over time. The higher ratio of AA regarding this study may support that the frequency of AA and subtypes varies between regions.
Effects of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion on Glycaemic Control and Acute Complications in Young People with Type 1 Diabetes in Bangladesh
Authors: Zabeen Bedowra , Nahar Jebun , Islam Nasreen , Azad Kishwar , Donaghue Kim
Published: October 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy on glycaemic control and acute complications in children, adolescents, and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: The prospective observational study was done in patients on multiple daily injection (MDI) switching to pump system. All patients were followed at the Paediatric Diabetes Clinic at BIRDEM Hospital. They were trained on carbohydrates counting and started on continuous basal insulin infusion in addition to meal and high blood glucose correction insulin boluses. They were followed on insulin pump therapy for a 6-month period. Results: Twenty patients were analysed, from baseline to visit 2 after 6 months. The patients included in the study had T1DM for a mean duration of 4.7 ± 3.1 years. The age ranged from 3 to 25 years (mean 13.7 ± 6.1). There was 1% reduction in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) after 6 months, though it did not reach the statistical significance (p = 0.084). There was significant reduction of mean fasting blood glucose level 13.4 ± 7.0 versus 6.9 ± 1.6 mmol/L (p = 0.001), total insulin requirement (p = 0.043), frequency of hypoglycaemic episodes (p = 0.006), and diabetic ketoacidosis (p = 0.002) events during CSII therapy. Conclusion: In our study, we found that switching young T1DM patients from MDI to insulin pump had been effective with achievement of a reduction in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and acute complications.
How to Bring Surgery to the Next Level: Interpretable Skills Assessment in Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Authors: Brown Kristen C. , Bhattacharyya Kiran D. , Kulason Sue , Zia Aneeq , Jarc Anthony
Published: October 2020

Introduction: A surgeon’s technical skills are an important factor in delivering optimal patient care. Most existing methods to estimate technical skills remain subjective and resource intensive. Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) provides a unique opportunity to develop objective metrics using key elements of intraoperative surgeon behavior which can be captured unobtrusively, such as instrument positions and button presses. Recent studies have shown that objective metrics based on these data (referred to as objective performance indicators [OPIs]) correlate to select clinical outcomes during robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. However, the current OPIs remain difficult to interpret directly and, therefore, to use within structured feedback to improve surgical efficiencies. Methods: We analyzed kinematic and event data from da Vinci surgical systems (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) to calculate values that can summarize the use of robotic instruments, referred to as OPIs. These indicators were mapped to broader technical skill categories of established training protocols. A data-driven approach was then applied to further sub-select OPIs that distinguish skill for each technical skill category within each training task. This subset of OPIs was used to build a set of logistic regression classifiers that predict the probability of expertise in that skill to identify targeted improvement and practice. The final, proposed feedback using OPIs was based on the coefficients of the logistic regression model to highlight specific actions that can be taken to improve. Results: We determine that for the majority of skills, only a small subset of OPIs (2–10) are required to achieve the highest model accuracies (80–95%) for estimating technical skills within clinical-like tasks on a porcine model. The majority of the skill models have similar accuracy as models predicting overall expertise for a task (80–98%). Skill models can divide a prediction into interpretable categories for simpler, targeted feedback. Conclusion: We define and validate a methodology to create interpretable metrics for key technical skills during clinical-like tasks when performing RAS. Using this framework for evaluating technical skills, we believe that surgical trainees can better understand both what can be improved and how to improve.
Recent Advances in Good Manufacturing Practice-Grade Generation of Dendritic Cells
Authors: Cunningham Sarah , Hackstein Holger
Published: October 2020

Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal regulators of immune responses, specialized in antigen presentation and bridging the gap between the innate and adaptive immune system. Due to these key features, DCs have become a pillar of the continuously growing field of cellular therapies. Here we review recent advances in good manufacturing practice strategies and their individual specificities in relation to DC production for clinical applications. These take into account both small-scale experimental approaches as well as automated systems for patient care.
Increased local expression of P-glycoprotein on CD4+ T-cells in vitreous of patients with non-infectious uveitis: a pilot study
Authors: Tagirasa Ravichandra , Kaza Hrishikesh , Basu Soumyava
Published: October 2020

Nearly a third of uveitis patients are unable to achieve adequate inflammation control with conventional anti-inflammatory therapy. Several factors are known to influence responsiveness to anti-inflammatory therapy. In this pilot study, we have investigated the local expression of P-glycoprotein, an efflux-transport protein with role in multi-drug resistance, in vitreous CD4+ T-cells of patients with non-infectious uveitis (NIU). CD4+ T-cells were isolated from vitreous and peripheral venous blood samples of NIU patients undergoing therapeutic vitrectomy. Rhodamine-123, a substrate of P-glycoprotein, whose retention inside cells is inversely proportional to P-glycoprotein function, was used to assay this transporter protein. In addition, cells were stained with IFN-γ, IL-17, GM-CSF and FoxP3, and analysed by flow cytometry. T-cell mitochondria were imaged by Mitotracker Red and confocal microscopy. Vitreous CD4+ T-cells expressed significantly higher P-gp and pro-inflammatory (IL-17+, IFNγ+IL17+) cytokine expression than matching blood samples. Mitochondrial fission was noted in vitreous T-cells and fusion in blood. We concluded that NIU is associated with higher P-glycoprotein expression and pro-inflammatory state in vitreous than in blood. This supports P-glycoprotein inhibition and adjunctive local anti-inflammatory treatment in management of NIU.
Epigenetic Reader BRD4 (Bromodomain-Containing Protein 4) Governs Nucleus-Encoded Mitochondrial Transcriptome to Regulate Cardiac Function
Authors: Kim Soo Young , Zhang Xin , Schiattarella Gabriele G. , Altamirano Francisco , Ramos Thais A.R. , French Kristin M. , Jiang Nan , Szweda Pamela A. , Evers Bret M. , May Herman I. , Luo Xiang , Li Hongliang , Szweda Luke I. , Maracaja-Coutinho Vinicius , Lavandero Sergio , Gillette Thomas G. , Hill Joseph A.
Published: October 2020

Background:

BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) epigenetic reader proteins, in particular BRD4 (bromodomain-containing protein 4), have emerged as potential therapeutic targets in a number of pathological conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Small-molecule BET protein inhibitors such as JQ1 have demonstrated efficacy in reversing cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in preclinical models. Yet, genetic studies elucidating the biology of BET proteins in the heart have not been conducted to validate pharmacological findings and to unveil potential pharmacological side effects.

Methods:

By engineering a cardiomyocyte-specific BRD4 knockout mouse, we investigated the role of BRD4 in cardiac pathophysiology. We performed functional, transcriptomic, and mitochondrial analyses to evaluate BRD4 function in developing and mature hearts.

Results:

Unlike pharmacological inhibition, loss of BRD4 protein triggered progressive declines in myocardial function, culminating in dilated cardiomyopathy. Transcriptome analysis of BRD4 knockout mouse heart tissue identified early and specific disruption of genes essential to mitochondrial energy production and homeostasis. Functional analysis of isolated mitochondria from these hearts confirmed that BRD4 ablation triggered significant changes in mitochondrial electron transport chain protein expression and activity. Computational analysis identified candidate transcription factors participating in the BRD4-regulated transcriptome. In particular, estrogen-related receptor α, a key nuclear receptor in metabolic gene regulation, was enriched in promoters of BRD4-regulated mitochondrial genes.

Conclusions:

In aggregate, we describe a previously unrecognized role for BRD4 in regulating cardiomyocyte mitochondrial homeostasis, observing that its function is indispensable to the maintenance of normal cardiac function.
Two new and threatened Eugenia (Myrtaceae) species from the Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Authors: VALDEMARIN KARINNE SAMPAIO , SOUZA VINICIUS CASTRO , MAZINE FIORELLA F.
Published: October 2020

During our studies on Eugenia of Espírito Santo state, Brazil, two new species came out of our attention being here described, illustrated and compared morphologically with their similar species. Eugenia mestrealvarensis can be easily recognised by its clusters of fascicules on trunk with pedicellate flowers, an unusual feature among the species of the genus, and E. penduliflora by its two-flowered raceme with later vegetative proliferation with pendular pedicels. Both species are evaluated as critically endangered following IUCN red list criteria, being E. mestrealvarensis restricted to the Área de Proteção Ambiental Estadual de Mestre Álvaro, and E. penduliflora to the Reserva Natural Vale, in Espírito Santo state.
Arisaema liemiana (Araceae: Arisaemateae), a new species from southern Central of Vietnam

Authors: LUU HONG TRUONG , NGUYEN QUOC DAT , NGUYEN HIEU CUONG , VAN HONG THIEN , NGUYEN VAN DU
Published: October 2020

Arisaema liemiana is described and illustrated as a new species from Vietnam. A morphological comparison between the new and other species with yellow spathe limb in the sect. Attentuata is discussed.
A new skink of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from southern Vietnam
Authors: NGUYEN SANG NGOC , NGUYEN VU DANG HOANG , NGUYEN LUAN THANH , MURPHY ROBERT W.
Published: October 2020

A new skink of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950, from Binh Phuoc Province, southern Vietnam is described based on morphological data, including hemipenial characters, and nucleotide sequences from COI. The following morphological characters diagnose Scincella baraensis sp. nov.: relatively small size in adults (snout-vent length up to 49.2 mm); when limbs adpressed, toes do not or just reach fingers; 30 smooth midbody scale rows and dorsal scales not enlarged; 66–70 paravertebral scales; 64–66 ventral scale rows; 7 supralabials, the fifth and sixth below the center of the eye; enlarged temporal scales 1+2; nuchals present; ear with small auricular lobules; 18–20 smooth lamellae beneath toe IV; hemipenis smooth, short, and unforked; dorsum with faint black dots. The new species differs from its congeners by an uncorrected p-distance in COI sequences of at least 16.2%.
Abnormal Behavior Detection and Warning Based on Deep Intelligent Video Analysis for Geriatric Patients
Authors: Gao Xiujun
Published: October 2020

With the rapid growth of the aging population, abnormal detection has become a key issue in the medical and health field. Accurately detecting abnormal events in the monitoring video and giving feedback in real time can effectively reduce injuries even deaths caused by falls in the
elderly. A novel Deepgait-based event detection method is proposed in this study for the elderly monitoring application. The classes of this problem contains abnormal behaviors, unusual events and normal daily life activities. To solve the above recognition problem, a novel deep convolutional
features combined with joint Bayesian is proposed to model view variance. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, two open behavioral data sets: Multiple cameras fall dataset and UR Fall Detection Dataset are adopted, where the mAP value of the improved Deepgait algorithm is 2.23%
higher than that of Deepgait algorithm, and 5.4% higher than that of energy model (SSD) approach. The results suggest that our proposed monitoring system is an effective method for the elderly monitoring application.
Hybrid Ensemble–Variational Filter: A Spatially and Temporally Varying Adaptive Algorithm to Estimate Relative Weighting
Authors: El Gharamti Mohamad
Published: October 2020

Model errors and sampling errors produce inaccurate sample covariances that limit the performance of ensemble Kalman filters. Linearly hybridizing the flow-dependent ensemble-based covariance with a time-invariant background covariance matrix gives a better estimate of the true error covariance. Previous studies have shown this, both in theory and in practice. How to choose the weight for each covariance remains an open question especially in the presence of model biases. This study assumes the weighting coefficient to be a random variable and then introduces a Bayesian scheme to estimate it using the available data. The scheme takes into account the discrepancy between the ensemble mean and the observations, the ensemble variance, the static background variance, and the uncertainties in the observations. The proposed algorithm is first derived for a spatially constant weight and then this assumption is relaxed by estimating a unique scalar weight for each state variable. Using twin experiments with the 40-variable Lorenz 96 system, it is shown that the proposed scheme is able to produce quality forecasts even in the presence of severe sampling errors. The adaptive algorithm allows the hybrid filter to switch between an EnKF and a simple EnOI depending on the statistics of the ensemble. In the presence of model errors, the adaptive scheme demonstrates additional improvements compared with standard enhancements alone, such as inflation and localization. Finally, the potential of the spatially varying variant to accommodate challenging sparse observation networks is demonstrated. The computational efficiency and storage of the proposed scheme, which remain an obstacle, are discussed.
Helicopter Transport of Trauma Patients Improves Survival Irrespective of Transport Time
Authors: Schneider Andrew M. , Ewing Joseph A. , Cull John D.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Helicopter transport of trauma patients remains controversial. We examined the survival rates of patients undergoing helicopter versus ground transport to a Level 1 trauma center.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed on trauma patients treated between 2014 and 2017. Student’s t-test was used to compare air versus ground transport times. A logistic regression was then used to examine the association of transportation type on survival controlling for demographics, mechanism of injury, transport time, field intubation, and injury severity.

Results

Of 3967 patients identified, 69.6% (2762) were male, and the average age was 40 years. Most patients suffered blunt injuries (86.8%, 3445), while the remaining had penetrating injuries (11.6%, 459) or burns (1.6%, 63). The majority of patients were transferred by ground (3449) with only 13% (518) transferred by air. Patients transported by air had increased Injury Severity Score (ISS) with a median of 17 (IQR 9-24) versus 9 (IQR 5-14), increased length of stay (LOS) at 6 days versus 3 ( P < .001), and increased mortality at 12.6% vs 6.5% ( P < .001). Patients transported by air arrived 16.6 ± 6.7 minutes faster compared with ground for the zip codes examined. When adjusting for the mechanism of injury, ISS, age, gender, intubation status, and transport time, air transport was associated with an increased likelihood of survival (odds ratio [OR] = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.06-2.40).

Conclusion

In our analysis of 3967 patients, those transported by air had a significant improvement in the likelihood of survival compared with those transported by ground even when adjusting for both ISS and time.
The Use of a Urinary Balloon Catheter to Control Hemorrhage From Penetrating Torso Trauma: A Single-Center Experience at a Major Inner-City Hospital Trauma Center
Authors: Himmler Amber , Maria Calzetta Ignacio Luis , Potes Andrea , Puyana Juan Carlos , Barillaro Guillermo Fabián
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Use of a urinary catheter balloon tamponade (UCBT) in controlling traumatic hemorrhage is a frequently employed but infrequently described technique. We aim to discuss the experience of balloon tamponade as a bridge to definitive hemorrhage control in the operating room.

Methods

This is retrospective review at a single institution from January 2008 to December 2018. We identified patients with active bleeding from penetrating torso trauma in whom UCBT was used to tamponade bleeding. We used revised trauma score (RTS), injury severity score (ISS), and new trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) to quantify injury severity. All surviving patients required definitively hemorrhage control in the operating room. Primary endpoint was mortality at 24 hours and 30 days.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were managed with UCBT. Nine had hemorrhage controlled in the trauma bay, including 4 with neck trauma and 5 with cardiac trauma. Twenty patients had hemorrhage controlled in the operating room, including 15 with cardiac trauma and 5 with intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Mean RTS, ISS, and TRISS in this population were: 5.93, 19.31, and 83.78, respectively. Of the 9 patients treated in the trauma bay, 1 (11.1%) died in the first 24 hours and 2 died in the first 30 days (22.2%). Of the 20 patients treated in the operating room, 0 (0%) patients died in the first 24 hours and 3 died in the first 30 days (15.0%).

Conclusion

UCBT is an effective tool that can be used to stabilize and bridge an actively bleeding patient to definitive hemorrhage control in the operating room.
Inline Raman Spectroscopy and Indirect Hard Modeling for Concentration Monitoring of Dissociated Acid Species
Authors: Echtermeyer Alexander , Marks Caroline , Mitsos Alexander , Viell Jörn
Published: October 2020

We propose an approach for monitoring the concentration of dissociated carboxylic acid species in dilute aqueous solution. The dissociated acid species are quantified employing inline Raman spectroscopy in combination with indirect hard modeling (IHM) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR). We introduce two different titration-based hard model (HM) calibration procedures for a single mono- or polyprotic acid in water with well-known (method A) or unknown (method B) acid dissociation constants p Ka. In both methods, spectra of only one acid species in water are prepared for each acid species. These spectra are used for the construction of HMs. For method A, the HMs are calibrated with calculated ideal dissociation equilibria. For method B, we estimate p Ka values by fitting ideal acid dissociation equilibria to acid peak areas that are obtained from a spectral HM. The HM in turn is constructed on the basis of MCR data. Thus, method B on the basis of IHM is independent of a priori known p K a values, but instead provides them as part of the calibration procedure. As a detailed example, we analyze itaconic acid in aqueous solution. For all acid species and water, we obtain low HM errors of < 2.87 × 10−4mol mol−1 in the cases of both methods A and B. With only four calibration samples, IHM yields more accurate results than partial least squares regression. Furthermore, we apply our approach to formic, acetic, and citric acid in water, thereby verifying its generalizability as a process analytical technology for quantitative monitoring of processes containing carboxylic acids.
Affect, practice, and change: Dancing world politics at the Congress of Vienna
Authors: Rösch Felix
Published: October 2020

How do practices change? To approach this in practice theory (PT) is a widely debated question. This article brings PT in conversation with the study of emotions in International Relations by considering the role of affect in practice changes. For it is affect that permeates the placiotemporal and bodily constellations during practice performances, continuously provoking changes in and through practices. In initiating this conversation, this article adds to current PT literature by arguing that world political transformations not only find their origin in external conditions, identified as such through individual reflection, but also in affective dynamics of the everyday. To elaborate this more theoretical argument, this article evolves against the empirical backdrop of dancing as an everyday international practice at the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815). Affect that permeated dances in Vienna not only substantiated changes in this practice but, with the waltz replacing the minuet as the preferred dance among international political decision-makers, also changes through it occurred. While the minuet embodied collective sentiments of a transboundary European elite, the waltz helped to further national imaginations of world politics.
Pandemic sex workers’ resilience: COVID-19 crisis met with rapid responses by sex worker communities
Authors: Lam Elene
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the inequality of social support systems worldwide, revealing the gaps that further marginalize vulnerable people. Despite the fact that sex workers are adversely affected by the pandemic, they are excluded from government relief and protection programmes as well as health services. Sex worker communities have developed rapid response strategies to support their peers in overcoming these challenges. Sex worker organizations all over the world have been working alongside other groups and communities to advocate for income and health support for all, and an end to repressive policing and state-sanctioned violence.
Uncertainty Evokes Consumers’ Preference for Brands Incongruent with their Global–Local Citizenship Identity
Authors: Ng Sharon , Faraji-Rad Ali , Batra Rajeev
Published: October 2020

This research demonstrates that under states of certainty, consumers with a relatively stronger global (local) identity prefer global (local) brands, whereas under states of uncertainty, consumers with a relatively stronger global (local) identity prefer local (global) brands. This effect occurs because uncertainty (certainty) activates a divergent (convergent) thinking style, which results in a preference for options that are more distant from (closer to) the identity to which consumers associate more strongly. The effect holds both when individuals’ global–local citizenship identity is measured and when it is manipulated. The research further establishes an important boundary condition for the effect. The effect holds in the citizenship identity context because people normally associate themselves with both local and global citizenship identities, and situational or dispositional factors only influence the degree to which they associate with each identity. The effect does not surface when individuals construe their local–global citizenship identities as interfering, meaning they conceive that holding one identity conflicts with holding the other.
Covid-19 and the healthcare professionals of the future
Authors: Duignan Kieran , Bradbury Chloe
Published: October 2020

This article discusses the impact of Covid-19 on medical and healthcare education, and the challenges that now face students, educational providers and the wider NHS.
The Affordable Care Act and Changes in Women’s Health Insurance Coverage Before, During, and After Pregnancy in California
Authors: Marchi Kristen S. , Dove Melanie S. , Heck Katherine E. , Fan Chuncui
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Having health insurance is associated with improvements in health care access and use, health behaviors, and outcomes. We examined changes in health insurance coverage for California women before, during, and after pregnancy after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Methods

We used data from the 2011-2017 California Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, an annual representative survey of women sampled from birth certificates (n = 47 487). We examined health insurance coverage at baseline before ACA implementation (2011-2013) and in each survey year from 2014 to 2017 for 3 periods (before, during, and after pregnancy). We calculated prevalence ratios to evaluate changes in health insurance coverage, adjusting for changes in demographic characteristics. Few women were uninsured during pregnancy before implementation of the ACA; therefore, analyses focused on health insurance before pregnancy and postpartum.

Results

Before ACA implementation, 24.4% of women reported being uninsured before pregnancy, which decreased to 10.1% in 2017. About 17% of women reported being uninsured postpartum before ACA implementation, and this percentage decreased to 7.5% in 2017. ACA implementation resulted in a >50% adjusted decline in the likelihood of being uninsured before pregnancy or postpartum, primarily because of substantial increases in Medicaid coverage.

Conclusions

ACA implementation resulted in a dramatic reduction in mothers in California who were uninsured before and after pregnancy. Medicaid expansion played a major role in this improvement.
Review of carbon-based electromagnetic shielding materials: film, composite, foam, textile
Authors: Zhong Lulu , Yu Rufang , Hong Xinghua
Published: October 2020

Carbon-based electromagnetic shielding materials are reviewed in terms of their performance, type, and preparation. They include film, composite, foam, and fabric with particular attention on their frequency selectivity ascribed to the periodic structure. The SE/t, referring to shielding effectiveness per unit thickness (dB/mm), and SSE, referring to shielding effectiveness per unit density (dB·cm3/g), are summarized. The main conclusions of this work are as follows: (1) large area film shows higher SE/t, in which carbon nanotube (CNT) film is endowed with the most attractive value (19,500 dB/mm); materials containing CNTs achieve higher shielding efficiency, ascribe to a high specific surface area, have a greater length–diameter ratio, and a one-dimensional continuous-oriented structure; (2) notably, frequency selectivity based on varied period structures has been widely studied; the method includes multilayer structure/printing/cutting/backfilling and, especially, woven fabric; (3) favorable shielding effectiveness is attributed to the shielding material's intrinsic electrical conductivity and structural integrity. Based on these developments, this paper aims to provide some valuable data, highlight the important research direction, and advance the development of carbon-based electromagnetic shielding materials.
Clinical profile and outcome of glycogen storage disease in Indian children
Authors: Poojari Vishrutha , Shah Ira , Shetty Naman S , Mirani Sonal , Tolani Drishti
Published: October 2020

We aimed to determine the clinical profile and outcome of Indian children with glycogen storage disorders. Ours was a retrospective study from 2005 to 2018 in 36 children diagnosed on the basis of a liver biopsy. Most (77.7%) presented with abdominal swelling but a quarter with convulsion, four of whom had documented hypoglycaemia associated, doll-like facies or developmental delay. Diarrhoea was found in four patients, ascites in two and portal hypertension in one. One child died, and over half were unfortunately lost to follow-up, though the rest had recurrent seizures, three more developed neutropenia, two recurrent infections, one portal hypertension with epistaxis, one nephrocalcinosis and liver adenoma. Liver function improved in six (37.5%) with normalisation of triglycerides, and four of serum transaminases.
Filariasis presenting as isolated pleural effusion: A case report and mini review
Authors: Aggarwal Phiza , Subramanian Saravanan , Saini Varinder , Aggarwal Deepak
Published: October 2020

Isolated pleural effusion is a rare manifestation of filariasis that mimics tuberculosis, especially in endemic regions. We describe a case of lymphocytic and exudative pleural effusion showing microfilaria on pleural fluid cytology. A retrospective review of all cases of filarial pleural effusion reported after 2000 was conducted to evaluate the association between filariasis and pleural effusion as well as to screen the features that can help in accurate detection of these patients. The analysis suggested a causal association between the parasite and the development of pleural effusion with a high sensitivity of pleural fluid cytology for diagnosis.
Lady Injustice: The Moderating Effect of Ambivalent Sexism in a Mock Case of Intimate Partner Homicide
Authors: Cutroni Laura , Anderson Joel
Published: October 2020

Extra-legal biases have an undue effect on legal proceedings, warranting explorations of gender bias in the courtroom to promote and maintain just verdicts. We used an experimentally manipulated mock court transcript of an intimate partner homicide, in which the defendant has been victimized by intimate partner violence. We explore whether hostile and benevolent sexism moderate the decisions of mock jurors. Men and women mock jurors ( N = 220) responded to the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory before being randomly allocated to read a transcript of either a female or male defendant, and then responding to five sentence outcome variables. Hostile and benevolent sexism moderated several sentencing outcome variables, across a range of male and female juror and defendant gender combinations, suggesting these forms of sexism are consequential in driving forensic gender biases. This study also contributes to the literature suggesting that male victims of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence are systemically disadvantaged in courtroom processes.
Reconsidering the Salvation of Israel in Luke–Acts
Authors: Du Toit Philip La G.
Published: October 2020

In the prevalent interpretations of Israel’s salvation or restoration in Luke–Acts, Israel is understood as referring to descendants of ancient Israel who live in the present or beyond. In light of the predominant usage of the term ‘Israel’ in the second temple period, the prevalent interpretation of Israel’s salvation in Luke–Acts is reconsidered. This is done by mainly revisiting the realized language around Israel’s salvation in the Lukan corpus as well as the Old Testament context behind the language used. This re-evaluation also involves the way in which Israel’s forgiveness is presented, the involvement of the patriarchs in salvation, as well as the connection between Israel’s hope and their resurrection.
Multi-phase flow measurement in a gas refinery using decentralized Lyapunov–based adaptive observer
Authors: Varvani Farahani Abolfazl , Montazeri Mohsen
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a new Lyapunov-based nonlinear adaptive observer and joint unscented Kalman filter to precisely estimate the states and the parameters for the low-order lumped model of the multi-phase flow at the gas refinery. The main focus of the study is to estimate the discharge coefficient of the orifice meter installed on the interconnection lines of the subsystems (parameters) and the total oil and gas mass flows (states). The adaptive estimation is conducted using the real-time measurements including choke pressure, bottom line pressure, single-phase gas flow, and single-phase liquid flow in the refinery outlet. To check the stability and performance of the system against changes, the Lyapunov theory has been used. In all stages, the investigations were based on the data collected from the actual process in the South Pars Gas Complex, Iran. Using the dynamic HYSYS simulation, it is found that the proposed adaptive observer is capable of estimating the oil and gas flows and identifying the discharge coefficient of the flow meter at issue. To show the performance of the proposed adaptive observer, it is evaluated against and compared with the unscented Kalman filter. The comparison of the results obtained from the proposed observer, unscented Kalman filter, and dynamic HYSYS simulation with data collected from the actual process of the refinery shows the appropriate performance of the both estimation algorithms in detecting the changes in liquid and gas flow rates and the consistency of their results with the real process in the South Pars Gas Complex. The simulations reveal that low-order lumped model is sufficient for estimation of parameters and states of the multiphase flow entering the gas refinery.
Geopolitics of Power and Knowledge in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Decolonial Reflections on a Global Crisis
Authors: Ndlovu-Gatsheni Sabelo J.
Published: October 2020

This article offers a provisional decolonial reading of the crisis created by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The article performs five interrelated tasks. The first task addresses the question of knowledge and theorizing during exceptional moments. A decolonial case is made for seeking mitigations and solutions to COVID-19 based on the African knowledge and epistemologies from the Global South. Africa in particular and the Global South in general have the richest histories and experiences of epidemics and pandemics. This moment of the COVID-19 pandemic raises questions about the geopolitics of knowledge (which historical archive do we run to, who should learn from whom, and which epistemology is privileged?). The second task is to outline how the triple concepts of paradox, crisis, and crossroads (PCC) can help us to gain a better understanding of the issues cascading in this moment of the COVID-19 pandemic. The third task is a critique of lockdowns as knee-jerk reactions in Africa, since they are not sustainable, and they impinge on life, security, freedom, and economy in fragile African environments. The fourth task is to introduce 10 Ds of the decolonial turn —Deimperialization, De-Westernization, Depatriachization, Deracialization, Debourgeoisement, Decorporatization, Democratization, Deborderization, Decanonization, and Desecularization—which help in envisioning a post-COVID-19 decolonial world order. The final task is to propose decolonial love as the soul of the post-COVID-19 world order based on a new ethics for living together, economies of care, a politics of conviviality, and hospitality as opposed to enmity. Africa in particular and the Global South in general constitute the author’s locus of enunciation.
Lottocracy and deliberative accountability
Authors: Buchstein Hubertus
Published: October 2020

The comment on Cristina Lafont’s book includes two main points. (1) Minipublics do not necessarily stand in opposition to political theories that justify electoral democracy and participatory conceptions of deliberative democracy. In contrast to such a view, I argue that minipublics should be combined with electoral and participatory forms of democracy. (2) A deliberative concept of accountability may overcome some of the shortcomings of the traditional, voluntaristic concepts of democratic accountability.
Damus-Kay-Stansel procedure with ventricular septal defect enlargement
Authors: Nakata Tomohiro , Tachi Maiko , Yasuda Kenji , Nakashima Shigeki , Minamoto Toshiko , Oda Teiji
Published: October 2020

A full-term infant who had tricuspid atresia with transposed great arteries, a ventricular septal defect, subpulmonary stenosis with posterior malalignment of the conus septum, bicuspid pulmonary valve, and a high-takeoff left coronary artery was referred to our institution. The subpulmonary stenosis gradually progressed and cyanosis worsened. We successfully performed a Damus-Kay-Stansel procedure and a bidirectional Glenn shunt concomitant with ventricular septal defect enlargement. The conus septum was resected along with thick fibrous tissue through both semilunar valves (without ventriculotomy). Postoperative echocardiography demonstrated that both the ventricular septal defect and the subpulmonary space were enlarged effectively without semilunar valve regurgitation.
Inhaled versus intravenous milrinone in mitral stenosis with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Patel Jigar , Patel Kartik , Garg Pankaj , Patel Sanjay
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate and compare the hemodynamic effects of intraoperative intravenous milrinone versus inhalational milrinone at two timepoints in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve surgery.

Methods

A prospective observational study was performed in 100 patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (with/without regurgitation) and right ventricular systolic pressure > 50 mm Hg. They were divided into two groups based on the strategy used to reduce pulmonary hypertension. Fifty patients had inhalational milrinone after sternotomy until initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and after release of the aortic crossclamp until weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass. The other 50 patients received an intravenous loading dose of milrinone 50 µg·kg−1 over 10 min on release of the aortic crossclamp. Both groups received intravenous milrinone 0.5 µg·kg−1 during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Hemodynamic data were evaluated at the 3 timepoints.

Results

Pulmonary artery pressures, central venous pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased significantly in the inhalational milrinone group compared to the intravenous milrinone group. Systemic vascular resistance index and cardiac index were significantly higher and pulmonary vascular resistance index was significantly lower in the inhalational milrinone group. The mean arterial pressure-to-mean pulmonary artery pressure ratio was significantly lower in the intravenous milrinone group. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and right ventricular fractional area change were increased significantly in the inhalational milrinone group.

Conclusion

Intraoperative inhalational milrinone before and after cardiopulmonary bypass is safe, easy to administer, and results in significant improvements in right ventricular hemodynamics, right ventricular function, and systemic hemodynamics.
Commemorating Baghel Singh’s ‘Conquest’ of Delhi: The Fateh Diwas
Authors: Singh Kanika
Published: October 2020

This article examines the changing importance, in Sikh history, of Baghel Singh, a Sikh military commander in eighteenth-century Punjab, and the significance of the most recent events commemorating him in Delhi—the Fateh Diwas. The Fateh Diwas was a spectacular event organized for the first time in 2014 at the Red Fort in Delhi, by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD; Badal)-led Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. It celebrated the conquest of Delhi by the Sikhs and the unfurling of the Sikh flag on the Red Fort by Baghel Singh. This claim is significant for its timing, symbolism and the historical legacy it seeks to remember. This representation of Baghel Singh also appears in modern paintings on Sikh history which are widely reproduced in popular spheres and also constitute the display in Sikh museums. A comparison of this particular representation of Baghel Singh with that in the nineteenth-century text, Sri Gur Panth Prakash by Ratan Singh Bhangu, is useful in understanding how Baghel Singh’s role has changed in Sikh history and how is it being deployed in contemporary heritage politics.