bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the Elective Outpatient Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Episode–Based Cost Measure
Authors: Sandhu Alexander T. , Do Rose , Lam Joyce , Blankenship James , Van Decker William , Rich Jeffrey , Gonzalez Oscar , Wu Xiaolu , Pershing Suzann , Lin Eugene , MaCurdy Thomas E. , Bhattacharya Jay , Nagavarapu Sriniketh ,   on behalf of the Elective Outpatient PCI Cost Measure Writing Group
Published: March 2021

Background:

The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System adjusts clinician payments based on a performance score that includes cost measures. With the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, we developed a novel cost measure that compared interventional cardiologists on a targeted set of costs related to elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We describe the measure and compare it to a hypothetical version including all expenditures post-PCI.

Methods:

Measure development was guided by 39 clinician experts. They identified services within 30 days of PCI that could be potentially affected by the interventional cardiologist. Expenditures for these PCI-related services were included as measure costs in a process termed service assignment. We used 1 year of Medicare claims to calculate clinician scores using the final measure that included only PCI-related costs (with service assignment) and a hypothetical version that included all costs post-PCI (without service assignment). We calculated reliability for both measures. This marker of precision breaks measure variance into signal (difference between clinicians) versus noise (difference between PCI episodes for a clinician). We also determined the change in clinician performance quintile between measures.

Results:

We identified 100 992 elective outpatient PCI episodes from May 2, 2016, to May 1, 2017. Total Medicare expenditures within 30 days of PCI averaged $13 234. After excluding costs unrelated to PCI, average cost was $10 966. For individual clinicians, mean reliability for the hypothetical measure without service assignment was 0.36. After service assignment, final measure reliability increased to 0.53. When evaluated as clinician groups, reliability increased from 0.43 to 0.73 following service assignment. Approximately 66% (2340 of 3527) of clinicians were reclassified into a different performance quintile after excluding unrelated costs.

Conclusions:

The elective outpatient PCI cost measure had increased precision and reclassified clinician performance relative to a hypothetical version that included total expenditures.
Neural Decoding Reveals Concurrent Phonemic and Subphonemic Representations of Speech Across Tasks
Authors: Beach Sara D. , Ozernov-Palchik Ola , May Sidney C. , Centanni Tracy M. , Gabrieli John D. E. , Pantazis Dimitrios
Published: March 2021

Robust and efficient speech perception relies on the interpretation of acoustically variable phoneme realizations, yet prior neuroimaging studies are inconclusive regarding the degree to which subphonemic detail is maintained over time as categorical representations arise. It is also unknown whether this depends on the demands of the listening task. We addressed these questions by using neural decoding to quantify the (dis)similarity of brain response patterns evoked during two different tasks. We recorded magnetoencephalography (MEG) as adult participants heard isolated, randomized tokens from a /ba/-/da/ speech continuum. In the passive task, their attention was diverted. In the active task, they categorized each token as ba or da. We found that linear classifiers successfully decoded ba vs. da perception from the MEG data. Data from the left hemisphere were sufficient to decode the percept early in the trial, while the right hemisphere was necessary but not sufficient for decoding at later time points. We also decoded stimulus representations and found that they were maintained longer in the active task than in the passive task; however, these representations did not pattern more like discrete phonemes when an active categorical response was required. Instead, in both tasks, early phonemic patterns gave way to a representation of stimulus ambiguity that coincided in time with reliable percept decoding. Our results suggest that the categorization process does not require the loss of subphonemic detail, and that the neural representation of isolated speech sounds includes concurrent phonemic and subphonemic information.
Modeling Content and Context with Deep Relational Learning
Authors: Pacheco Maria Leonor , Goldwasser Dan
Published: March 2021

Building models for realistic natural language tasks requires dealing with long texts and accounting for complicated structural dependencies. Neural-symbolic representations have emerged as a way to combine the reasoning capabilities of symbolic methods, with the expressiveness of neural networks. However, most of the existing frameworks for combining neural and symbolic representations have been designed for classic relational learning tasks that work over a universe of symbolic entities and relations. In this paper, we present DRaiL, an open-source declarative framework for specifying deep relational models, designed to support a variety of NLP scenarios. Our framework supports easy integration with expressive language encoders, and provides an interface to study the interactions between representation, inference and learning.
Revision of Myceporthus Skelley & Powell, 2018 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae: Tritomini)
Authors: Powell Gareth S. , Skelley Paul E.
Published: March 2021

Myceporthus Skelley & Powell, 2018 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Tritomini) is revised. Species currently in the genus, M. pauperculus (Lacordaire, 1842) and M. vernix (Casey, 1916), are reviewed. Five new species are described: M. careorufus sp. nov., M. melinatrum sp. nov., M. rubeus sp. nov., M. rubicundus sp. nov., and M. rufus sp. nov., with a dichotomous key to members of the genus also provided.
From order to approval
Authors: Shefer Hagit
Published: March 2021

The article discusses the development of the Hebrew polysemous construction bɛsɛdɛr (the prefixed preposition bɛ ‘in’ + the noun sɛdɛr ‘order’). An analysis within the framework of Construction Grammar (Traugott & Trousdale, 2013) as well as tendencies of (inter)subjectification (Traugott, 2010, 2012) suggest that the construction developed through fusion and host-class expansion from an objective meaning of concrete and abstract order into an adverb, and later into a fully substantive lexical construction conveying subjective positive evaluation and to an intersubjectified discourse function expressing agreement and approval. The article further supports the proposal that both processes of grammatical and lexical constructionalization are evident in the constructionalization of beseder. Moreover, the analysis suggests that the different meanings which developed are interrelated, as they all derive from the original concept of order and organization, which at some point began to be desirable and appreciated, leading eventually to the development of discourse functions of approval and consent.
Three new species of Trivalvaria (Annonaceae) from Thailand, with a key to the Thai species
Authors: JOHNSON DAVID M. , CHAOWASKU TANAWAT , MURRAY NANCY A. , CHALERMGLIN PIYA
Published: March 2021

On the basis of field and herbarium study, three new species of the Asian genus Trivalvaria (Annonaceae) are described: T. ochroleuca and T. recurva from southwestern Thailand and T. stenopetala from Ranong and Phangnga Provinces in northern Peninsular Thailand. A key to the Trivalvaria species from Thailand is presented.
Cyana fossi, a new species from Vietnam (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , IVANOVA MARIA S.
Published: March 2021

Cyana Walker, 1854 is one of the most species-rich Erebiidae genera within the tribe Lithosiini Billberg of the subfamily Arctiinae Leach. The genus is widespread from Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar through southern and eastern Asia to New Guinea and Australia with a diversity hot spot in South East Asia. A striking species with contrasting red and orange wing pattern, C. bellissima (Moore, 1878) was described from northern India and recorded from the Himalayas, China and Indochina (Fang 2000; Černý & Pinratana 2009; Singh et al. 2020). Another closely related species, C. stresemanni (Rothschild, 1936) (= bellissima inouei Kishida, 1993) is distributed in the Peninsular Malaysia (Rothschild 1936; Kishida 1993; Bucsek 2012). During examination of extensive unsorted Lithosiini materials housed in the MWM/ZSM and the private collection of the senior author, a series of peculiar specimens from southern Vietnam provisionally identified as ‘C. bellissima’ was found. These specimens, however, display certain external differences from other populations of C. bellissima and C. stresemanni, suggesting the presence of a further taxon related to C. bellissima. The examination of the male and the female genitalia of the southern Vietnamese specimens has confirmed their specific distinctness and they are described in this paper as a new species.
Automated Detection and Classification of COVID-19 from Chest X-ray Images Using Deep Learning
Authors: Shankar K. , Perumal Eswaran
Published: March 2021

In recent times, COVID-19 has appeared as a major threat to healthcare professionals, governments, and research communities over the world from its diagnosis to medication. Several research works have been carried out for obtaining the possible solutions for controlling the epidemic
proficiently. An effective diagnosis of COVID-19 has been carried out using computed tomography (CT) scans and X-rays to examine the lung image. But it necessitates diverse radiologists and time to examine every report, which is a tedious task. Therefore, this paper presents an automated deep
learning (DL) based COVID-19 detection and classification model. The presented model performs preprocessing, feature extraction and classification. In the earlier stage, median filtering (MF) technique is applied to preprocess the input image. Next, convolutional neural network (CNN) based
VGGNet-19 model is applied as a feature extractor. At last, artificial neural network (ANN) is employed as a classification model to identify and classify the existence of COVID-19. An extensive set of simulation analysis takes place to ensure the superior performance of the applied model.
The outcome of the experiments showcased the betterment interms of different measures.
A Novel Approach to Reduce the Crosstalk in Graphene Based Interconnects Using Ternary Logic
Authors: Kumar Ch. Praveen , Rao E. Sreenivasa , Sekhar P. Chandra
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a novel approach to reduce the impact of crosstalk in multi-layered GNR (MLGNR), single walled CNT (SWCNT), multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) and mixed CNT bundle (MCB) based three-line bus architecture system. The proposed system primarily comprises of active shielding, repeater insertion and asymmetric triggering of the input signal. At the far end of the bus architecture, the crosstalk induced noise and propagation delay of MLGNR, SWCNT, MWCNT and MCB interconnects have been analyzed with and without the impact of shielding. A standard ternary inverter (STI) driver model is used to obtain the ternary logic at the output. Using the specified output, a temperature dependent comparative analysis is also performed for MLGNR and bundled CNT interconnects with and without shielding. Using industry standard HSPICE circuit simulations, it can be observed that the MLGNR offers a lower paracitic values even in higher temperature in comparison to the SWCNT, MWCNT and MCB interconnects. It primarily leads to a lesser delay and crosstalk using a bus interconnect system. The analysis has also extended for delay and crosstalk analysis for different interconnect lengths and temperatures with an insertion of shielding, repeaters and asymmetric triggering of bus architecture system. Under these conditions, it is also proved that an MLGNR based bus architecture offers a lesser crosstalk induced delay and noise compared to CNT bundle interconnects.
Analysis of Internet of Thing in Smart Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Dharmalingam M. , Umarani B. , Shankar R. , Kumar K.
Published: March 2021

The IoT (Internet of Thing) envisage is the unified interlinking to the fake space and the physical planet. This offers an encouraging chance to build influential facilities and services provided by the applications for industrial production. This article offers an overview of major
research problems that need to be adopted and the latest developments in that field of IoT-aided industrial production. Initially, the core technologies of IoT like Big information, Cloud computer, Wireless antenna Network, and Radio Incidence Identification has been described. Then certain
key research problems of IoT-aided industrial production has been described in accordance with architecture, implementation and enterprise model, data collection and handling, reduction of latency with state-of-theart reviews, user-centric pervasive environment, dynamic service composition,
and model-based decision-making. At last, some possible application fields of IoT in the industrial sector have been described.
Quality of Third Generation Sequencing
Authors: Elbialy Ali , El-Dosuky M. A. , El-Henawy Ibrahim M.
Published: March 2021

Third generation sequencing (TGS) relates to long reads but with relatively high error rates. Quality of TGS is a hot topic, dealing with errors. This paper combines and investigates three quality related metrics. They are basecalling accuracy, Phred Quality Scores, and GC content.
For basecalling accuracy, a deep neural network is adopted. The measured loss does not exceed 5.42.
Nanoliposomes@Transcutol for In Vitro Skin Delivery of 8-Methoxypsoralen
Authors: Sinico Chiara , Maria Fadda Anna , Valenti Donatella , Pireddu Rosa , Corrias Francesco , Schlich Michele , Pitzanti Giulia , Lai Francesco
Published: March 2021

8-methoxypsoralen is the most common drug in psoralen plus ultraviolet light irradiation therapy for the treatment of severe psoriasis. Despite of the efficacy, its classic oral administration leads to several serious adverse effects. However, the topical psoralen application produces
a drug skin accumulation lower than that obtained by oral administration, due to the drug low skin permeability. In this paper, 8-methoxypsoralen loaded Penetration Enhancer-containing Vesicles were prepared using soy phosphatidylcholine and the penetration enhancer Transcutol® (5% or
10%) and characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency. No statistically significant differences in both size (~135 nm) and encapsulation efficiency (~65%) were found for different Transcutol® concentration. Transdermal delivery study
assessed by Franz diffusion cells, showed that the 8-methoxypsoralen mainly accumulated into the stratum corneum. Moreover, after Penetration Enhancer-containing Vesicles application, the drug recovered in this layer is almost double of that delivered by conventional liposomes, while no significant
difference was found from the different Transcutol® concentrations. Finally, biocompatibility checked by an MTT assay, demonstrated that the incubation of human keratinocytes for 24 h with 8-methoxypsoralen loaded Penetration Enhancer-containing Vesicles did not significantly reduce cell
viability.
Tumbling Mill Process as a Tool to Develop Core–Shell Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications. Preliminary Analysis and Testing
Authors: Bellusci Mariangela , Boschetto Alberto , Bottini Luana , La Barbera Aurelio , Masi Andrea , Padella Franco , Veniali Francesco
Published: March 2021

A new mechanical dry process able to develop nanoparticles coated with polymeric material is proposed. An opportunely developed pilot ball milling apparatus permitted to catch-up significant process parameters that are here reported. A proper analysis of the obtained parameters permitted
to individuate optimized milling conditions and to prepare a magnetite/albumin core/shell nanocomposite, material with a potential wide spread of applications in biomedical fields. The obtained powder consists in particles having a diameter of about 45 nm and exhibits a high morphological
homogeneity. The proposed method is facile, low cost, solvent free and is applicable to the development of a broad range of multifunctional composites for biomedical applications.
Design and Development of Antibody Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Abad José M. , Puertas Sara , Pérez Daniel , Sánchez-Espinel Christian
Published: March 2021

Antibody-functionalized gold nanoparticle constitutes a powerful interface biosystem for biomedical applications where the properties of gold nanoparticles and the specificity of antibody–antigen interactions are combined. This study provides insight into the key factors for the
development of antibody functionalized gold nanoparticles focusing on the immobilization of the antibody. Here, we address an oriented antibody immobilization procedure on gold nanoparticles. It comprises chelatemodified gold nanoparticles that are designed for oriented immobilization of IgG
antibodies (end on spatial orientation) through the metal-chelation to histidine-rich metal binding site in the heavy chain (Fc) of the antibody.
A Study on the Coating Characteristics of VO2 Nanoparticle Thin Film with Various Conditions of Ultrasonic Spray Coater
Authors: Won Youn Ji , Lee Seok-Jae , Kim Kwang-Seok , Up Kim Dae , Han Jang-Woo
Published: March 2021

Research on smart windows is accelerating with a global trend that emphasizes efficient energy use. VO2 is representativematerial for thermochromic smart windows that can reflect part of sunlight depending on the external environment. We attempted to produce thermochromic
thin films by ultrasonic spray coating of VO2 nano inks. Ultrasonic spray coating is a technique that is widely used to form thin and uniform thin films, but optimization has been required due to problems such as surface roughness and coffee-ring effect. In this study, we investigated
the effects of ultrasonic spray coating process conditions on the quality of VO2 thin films, and attempted to optimize condition.
Effects of Binder and Substrate Materials on the Performance and Reliability of Stretchable Nanocomposite Strain Sensors
Authors: Jin Nam Hyun , Yeong Park Jin , Vu Van-Phu , Choa Sung-Hoon
Published: March 2021

In stretchable strain sensors, highly elastic elastomers such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Ecoflex, and polyurethane are commonly used for binder materials of the nanocomposite and substrates. However, the viscoelastic nature of the elastomers and the interfacial action between nanofillers
and binders influence the critical sensor performances, such as repeatability, response, and hysteresis behavior. In this study, we developed a stretchable nanocomposite strain sensor composed of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and a silicone elastomer binder. The effects of binder and substrate
materials on the repeatability, response, hysteresis behavior, and long-term endurance of the strain sensors were systematically investigated using stretching, bending, and repeated cyclic bending tests. Three different binder and substrate materials including PDMS, Ecoflex, and a mixture
of PDMS/Ecoflex were tested. The stretchable strain sensors showed an excellent linearity and stretchability of more than 130%. Therefore, the long-term endurance of the strain sensors fabricated with Ecoflex binder should be improved. The strain sensors fabricated with Ecoflex binder showed
a relatively large variation in electrical resistance during 10,000-cycle bending tests and repeatability errors at large bending angles. The strain sensors fabricated with PDMS binder showed repeatability errors at small bending angles and a slight response delay of 1 second. On the contrary,
the strain sensors fabricated with a mixture of PDMS/Ecoflex binder showed excellent repeatability and response characteristics. The PDMS material showed hysteresis behavior; therefore, the strain sensors fabricated with PDMS binder on PDMS substrate exhibited a large hysteresis behavior in
the first stretch–release cycle. It was found that the hysteresis behavior of the strain sensors was mainly dependent on substrate materials than on binder materials. The stretchable strain sensors made of the mixture of PDMS/Ecoflex exhibited excellent repeatability, response, hysteresis
behavior, and excellent capability in detecting finger and wrist bending.
Large-Scale Rapid Laser Sintering of Highly Stretchable Electrodes Using a Homogenized Rectangular Laser Beam
Authors: Jin Nam Hyun , Hun Yuk Ji , Eom Yong-Sung , Joo Jiho , Choi Kwang-Seong , Choa Sung-Hoon
Published: March 2021

This study explored the feasibility of a fast and uniform large-scale laser sintering method for sintering stretchable electrodes. A homogenized rectangular infrared (IR) laser with a wavelength of 980 nm was used in the sintering process. A highly stretchable composite electrode was
fabricated using silver (Ag) microparticles and Ag flakes as the fillers and polyester resin as the binder on the polyurethane substrate. This laser-sintering method showed a sintering time of 1 sec and a very uniform temperature across the surface, resulting in enhancing the conductivity
and stretchability of the electrodes. The effects of the laser power on the electrical and electromechanical properties of the electrodes were investigated. Using stretching, bending, and twisting tests, the feasibility of the laser-sintered stretchable electrodes was comprehensively examined.
The electrode that was sintered at a laser power of 50 W exhibited superior stretchability at a strain of 210%, high mechanical endurance of 1,000 repeated cycles, and excellent adhesion. The stretchable electrodes showed excellent bendability and twistability in which the electrodes can be
bent up to 1 mm and twisted up to 90° without any damage; thus, they are highly applicable as stretchable electrodes for wearable electronics. Additionally, the Ag composites were explored for use in a radio-frequency (RF) stretchable antenna to confirm the application of the laser-sintering
method for stretchable and wearable electronic devices. The stretchable dipole antenna showed an excellent radiation efficiency of 95% and a highly stable operation, even when stretched to 90% strain.
Phycocyanin Nanoparticle as a Novel Sonosensitizer for Tumor Sonodynamic Therapy of Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 Cells In Vitro
Authors: Cao Jin , Pan Qiwen , Zheng Mingxue , Shen Song , Qi Xueyong
Published: March 2021

The development of novel sonosensitizers with safety and efficiency is a key problem in anti-tumor sonodynamic therapy. Phycocyanin (PC) has been proved to have the singlet oxygen radicals (ROS) generation ability, and the potential of PC as a novel sonosensitizer has been investigated.
To overcome the disadvantages of PC in vivo, such as poor stability and low half-life, PC nanoparticles (PCNP) were prepared by the cross-linking method. According to the results, PCNP has been found with good morphology, good particle size distribution and good stability. Human breast
cancer cell line MCF-7 was used to investigate PCNP cell uptake ability. ROS generation and cytotoxicity under ultrasonic irradiation (sonotoxicity) were also studied on this cell. Under the condition of 0.75 w/cm2 ultrasound, PCNP has a good ROS productivity and is equivalent to
the sonotoxicity of the known sonosensitizer hematoporphyrin monomethyl Ether (HMME). In conclusion, PCNP is expected to be developed as an effective sonosensitizer for the sonodynamic therapy of tumors.
Detection and Tracking of Tropical Convective Storms Based on Globally Gridded Precipitation Measurements: Algorithm and Survey over the Tropics
Authors: Takahashi Hanii , Lebsock Matthew , Luo Zhengzhao Johnny , Masunaga Hirohiko , Wang Cindy
Published: March 2021

This paper is the first attempt to document a simple convection-tracking method based on the IMERG precipitation product to generate an IMERG-based Convection Tracking (IMERG-CT) dataset. Up to now, precipitation datasets have been Eulerian accumulations. Now with IMERG-CT, we can estimate total rainfall based on Lagrangian accumulations, which is a very important step in diagnosing cloud-precipitation process following the evolution of air masses. Convection-tracking algorithms have traditionally been developed on the basis of brightness temperature (Tb) from satellite infrared (IR) retrievals. However, vigorous rainfall can be produced by warm-topped systems in a moist environment; this situation cannot be captured by traditional IR-based tracking but is observed in IMERG-CT. Therefore, an advantage of IMERG-CT is its ability to include the previously missing information of shallow clouds that grow into convective storms, which provides us more-complete life cycle records of convective storms than traditional IR-based tracking does. This study also demonstrates the utility of IMERG-CT through investigating various properties of convective systems in terms of the evolution before and after peak precipitation rate and amount. For example, composite analysis reveals a link between evolution of precipitation and convective development: the signature of stratiform anvils remaining after the storm has produced the maximum rainfall, as average Tb stays almost constant for 5 h after the peak of precipitation. Our study highlights the importance of joint analysis of cloud and precipitation data in time sequence, which helps to elucidate the underlying dynamic processes producing tropical rainfall and its resultant effects on the atmospheric thermodynamics.
Descriptive Political Representation of Latin Americans in Spanish Local Politics: Demographic Concentration, Political Opportunities, and Parties’ Inclusiveness
Authors: Pamies Carles , Pérez-Nievas Santiago , Vintila Daniela , Paradés Marta
Published: March 2021

Latin Americans represent one of the most sizable migrant communities in Spain. Yet, unlike other minority groups, they count with longer migration tradition, linguistic and cultural similarities with the Spanish population, and easier access to Spanish nationality. Drawing on original data covering a large number of candidates ( N = 5,055), this article examines whether this apparently favorable configuration guarantees the nomination of candidates from this minority group at local elections in municipalities with strong demographic presence of Latin American residents. Our findings indicate that this group is still underrepresented in Spanish politics. Few Latin American candidates are fielded by political parties, and even fewer (<2%) manage to achieve elected office. To interpret these results, we examine the extent to which Spanish parties field minority candidates. We show that while some parties are proactively including these candidates, only few nominate them in secure positions of the electoral lists and that Spanish parties’ inclusiveness does not seem to be aligned with Latin American voters’ partisan preferences.
Migrant Concentration in Schools and Students’ Performance: Does It Matter When Migrants Speak the Same Language as Nonmigrant Students?
Authors: Cebolla-Boado Héctor , Fernández-Reino Mariña
Published: March 2021

A negative correlation between schools’ migrant share and students’ educational outcomes has been described in multiple contexts, including Spain. In this article, we concentrate on testing the implications of one of the main mechanisms explaining this relationship, which pays attention to the share of migrants who are not proficient in the language of instruction. Spain represents an interesting case due to the significant presence of migrants born in Latin American countries, who are Spanish native speakers. By exploiting the different shares of Spanish-speaking and non-Spanish-speaking migrants across schools in Spain, we are able to test whether the share of non-Spanish native speakers (rather than the share of migrant students) affects students’ test scores in math. Our results show that the concentration of non–Latin American migrant students is significantly and negatively associated with students’ math test scores, although the effect is very small.
Is Continuous Eruption Related to Periodontal Changes? A 16-Year Follow-up
Authors: Wiedemann C. , Pink C. , Daboul A. , Samietz S. , Völzke H. , Schulz-Kornas E. , Krey K.F. , Holtfreter B. , Kocher T.
Published: March 2021

The aims of this study were to 1) determine if continuous eruption occurs in the maxillary teeth, 2) assess the magnitude of the continuous eruption, and 3) evaluate the effects of continuous eruption on the different periodontal parameters by using data from the population-based cohort of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). The jaw casts of 140 participants from the baseline (SHIP-0) and 16-y follow-up (SHIP-3) were digitized as 3-dimensional models. Robust reference points were set to match the tooth eruption stage at SHIP-0 and SHIP-3. Reference points were set on the occlusal surface of the contralateral premolar and molar teeth, the palatal fossa of an incisor, and the rugae of the hard palate. Reference points were combined to represent 3 virtual occlusal planes. Continuous eruption was measured as the mean height difference between the 3 planes and rugae fix points at SHIP-0 and SHIP-3. Probing depth, clinical attachment levels, gingiva above the cementoenamel junction (gingival height), and number of missing teeth were clinically assessed in the maxilla. Changes in periodontal variables were regressed onto changes in continuous eruption after adjustment for age, sex, number of filled teeth, and education or tooth wear. Continuous tooth eruption >1 mm over the 16 y was found in 4 of 140 adults and averaged to 0.33 mm, equaling 0.021 mm/y. In the total sample, an increase in continuous eruption was significantly associated with decreases in mean gingival height ( B = −0.34; 95% CI, −0.65 to −0.03). In a subsample of participants without tooth loss, continuous eruption was negatively associated with PD. This study confirmed that continuous eruption is clearly detectable and may contribute to lower gingival heights in the maxilla.
Thoracic duct injury after decortication of lung, new technique to repair thoracic duct in this challenging situation: A case report
Authors: Kapadia Nandkishore , Jenasamant Saumya Sekhar , Rawat Ganesh Sohan Singh , Kamkhedkar Shailesh , Shah Pratik , Kapadia Parnal
Published: March 2021

Background

Chylothorax is a rare form of pleural effusion that can be associated with both traumatic and non-traumatic causes. Very few patients respond to conservative line of therapy. Thoracic duct ligation is often the treatment of choice in post-surgical patients; however, the optimal treatment of this disease process after traumatic injury remains unclear. Case presentation: We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with thoracic duct injury secondary to decortication for post-pneumonic empyema. Conservative therapy and pleurodesis done twice failed. She developed severe cachexia losing 15 kg in 30 days. She was referred to our center for ligation of thoracic duct. Preoperative lymphangiography located the duct injury in upper part of mediastinum. Computerized tomography scan of chest showed collapse of left lower lobe and thickened left pleura, indicating a significant pericardial effusion. She underwent decortication of left lung, pericardial window, and native pericardial patch repair of thoracic duct. Results and Conclusions: In this unusual and complex case, successful resolution of the chyle leak was achieved with new surgical technique of patch repair. The patient recovered well and was now on a normal diet. She has put on 12 kg in four months. We have avoided late complications of thoracic duct ligation by this technique. This nouvelle technique may be recommended as it is simple and effective. Ligation of thoracic duct carries late complications. Isolating right lung by double lumen tube may cause severe hypoxia as left-sided lung is not expanded as in this case.
How are speech sound disorders perceived among children? A qualitative content analysis of focus group interviews with 10–11-year-old children
Authors: Nilsson Camilla , Nyberg Jill , Strömbergsson Sofia
Published: March 2021

The aims of this study were to identify children’s reactions towards speech sound disorders (SSD) in other children and whether these reactions can be related to specific speech characteristics. Six audio samples, each containing minute-long resumes of short animated film by five children with SSDs and one child with typical speech (TS), aged 5–9 years, were played back to 17 10–11-year-olds, during four focus group interviews. The transcribed interviews underwent a qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in five identified main themes of listener reactions, concerning the experiences as a listener, the perspective of the speaker, as well as observations of speech characteristics. Reactions of empathy were expressed towards a perceived misalignment between speaker age and speech production proficiency. Awareness of peer reactions are clinically useful, for the understanding and acknowledgement of everyday contextual factors of children with SSDs, during planning and motivation of speech intervention. The children’s self-selected terminology may serve future quantitative investigations to further determine the boundaries of acceptability towards SSDs as well as towards non-standard sociolects or language varieties.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcomes in children with Williams syndrome: a review of the ELSO registry
Authors: Martin Amarilis , Rycus Peter T , Farooqi Ahmad , Dentel John , Cashen Katherine
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Williams syndrome (WS) results from a microdeletion that usually involves the elastin gene, leading to generalized arteriopathy. Cardiovascular anomalies are seen in 80% of WS patients, including supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS), and pulmonary stenosis (PS). Sudden death associated with procedural sedation and in the perioperative period in WS children have been reported. This study aims to describe extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in WS children, identify risk factors for hospital mortality of WS patients, and compare outcomes between WS children and non-WS children with SVAS, PAS, and PS.

Methods:

Children 0–18 years-old in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry with a primary or secondary diagnosis of WS, SVAS, PAS, or PAS were included.

Results:

Included were 50 WS children and 1222 non-WS children with similar cardiac diagnoses. ECMO use increased over time in both groups (p = 0.93), with most cases occurring in the current era. WS children were younger (p = 0.004), weighed less (p = 0.048), had a pulmonary indication for ECMO (50% vs 10%, p < 0.001), and were placed more on high frequency ventilation (p < 0.001) than non-WS patients. Despite reporting a respiratory indication, most (84%) WS patients were placed on VA-ECMO. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of pre-ECMO cardiac arrest, ECMO duration, or reason for ECMO discontinuation. Both groups had a mortality rate of 48% (p = 1.00). No risk factors for WS mortality were identified.
Meaningful Engagement Among Assisted Living Residents With Dementia: Successful Approaches
Authors: Kemp Candace L. , Bender Alexis A. , Ciofi Joy , Craft Morgan Jennifer , Burgess Elisabeth O. , Duong Stephen , Epps Fayron R. , Hill Andrea Michelle , Manley Pamela R. , Sease Jasmine , Perkins Molly M.
Published: March 2021

Meaningful engagement is an important dimension of quality of life and care for persons living with dementia, including the growing number who reside in assisted living communities. This report presents preliminary findings from an ongoing qualitative study aimed at identifying best care practices to create and maintain meaningful engagement among persons with dementia. Over a 1-year period, we conducted interviews, residents’ record review, and participant observations in four diverse care communities. Our analysis identified four approaches that successfully promote meaningful engagement: (a) knowing the person, (b) connecting with and meeting people where they are, (c) being in the moment, and (d) viewing all encounters as opportunity. Incorporation of these approaches in care routines and adoption by all care partners can promote meaningful engagement, including during crises such as COVID-19.
“I Want to See People’s Reactions to the Selfies”: A Lefebvrian Analysis of the Impact of Social Networking Sites on Physical, Mental, and Emotional Functioning
Authors: Harkin Ben , Yates Alan , Riach Martin , Clowes Alice , Cole Sophie , Cummings Claudia
Published: March 2021

Since the conception and exponential growth of social networking sites (SNSs), technology has advanced sufficiently to allow access to them at any moment for any reason. This has given users a “virtual space” (VS) in which to communicate and “live” within (e.g., Facebook), a space which disparate research has shown to have an impact on users’ behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. The present study aimed to examine the potential for SNSs to influence the physical, mental, and social well-being of undergraduate students. To explore this in a unified fashion, we conducted in-depth interviews with 25 participants across three qualitative studies. All interview transcripts were analyzed using a recursive deductive thematic analysis. Lefebvre’s trialectic of space was examined for its applicability to students’ experiences of VS vis-à-vis SNSs. Lefebvre’s spatial triad provides a novel and coherent framework to untangle and explain the multifaceted and often complicated nature of SNS use. Analysis found correspondence between Lefebvrian triadic space and SNSs to explain the pervasive, dominant, and sometimes pathological role that SNSs can have upon everyday functioning. Implications are that a Lefebvrian approach can inform future research as a means to untangle and explain the multifaceted and often complicated nature of SNS use.
Role of TLR-4/IL-6/TNF-α, COX-II and eNOS/iNOS pathways in the impact of carvedilol against hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Hassan Mohamed IA , Ali Fares EM , Shalkami Abdel-Gawad S
Published: March 2021

Aim:

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a syndrome involved in allograft dysfunction. This work aimed to elucidate carvedilol (CAR) role in hepatic I/R injury.

Methods:

Male rats were allocated to Sham group, CAR group, I/R group and CAR plus I/R group. Rats subjected to hepatic ischemia for 30 minutes then reperfused for 60 minutes. Oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide synthases were measured in hepatic tissues.

Results:

Hepatocyte injury following I/R was confirmed by a marked increase in liver enzymes. Also, hepatic I/R increased the contents of malondialdehyde however decreased glutathione contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, hepatic I/R caused elevation of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) expression and inflammatory mediators levels such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-II. Hepatic I/R caused down-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions. CAR treatment before hepatic I/R resulted in the restoration of liver enzymes. Administration of CAR caused a significant correction of oxidative stress and inflammation markers as well as modulates the expression of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Conclusions:

CAR protects liver from I/R injury through reduction of the oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulates endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions.
Psoriatic arthritis and the association with cardiometabolic disease: a narrative review
Authors: Karmacharya Paras , Ogdie Alexis , Eder Lihi
Published: March 2021

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with a higher burden of cardiometabolic disorders, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared with the general population. These comorbidities are associated with the severity of disease, and adversely affect treatment outcomes in PsA. Comorbidities lead to increased physician visits and medications for patients and make the selection and maintenance of therapies challenging for physicians. Moreover, CVD is a leading cause of mortality in PsA. Therefore, optimal management of PsA should include not only treating the skin and joint disease, but also identifying comorbidities early, and managing them to improve long-term outcomes. Further studies are needed to understand the complex mechanisms, interactions, and trajectories of cardiometabolic comorbidities in psoriatic disease.

Plain Language Summary

Psoriatic arthritis and the association with cardiometabolic disease Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with a higher incidence and prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities compared with the general population, and higher than psoriasis and other inflammatory arthritides, such as rheumatoid arthritis and other spondyloarthritides. Obesity and hyperlipidemia are associated with an increased risk of developing PsA. Cardiometabolic comorbidities in PsA are associated with more severe disease and a lower likelihood of response to therapy. Suggested approaches to improve screening and management of CVD in PsA include education of family physicians and relevant specialists, development of mechanisms to improve communication between the rheumatologists and primary care providers, and novel models of care, including interdisciplinary cardio-rheumatology clinics.
Coeliac Disease: A Subtle yet Life Changing Diagnosis
Authors: Karunaratne Dilhara
Published: March 2021

Coeliac disease is a common autoimmune condition, which may present with a wide variety of extraintestinal symptoms that contribute to a significant delay in disease diagnosis. This personal account, from the perspective of a medical doctor, is an insight into the lived experience of coeliac disease, the process of diagnosis, and the lifestyle changes and challenges associated with the gluten-free diet.
A CRISPR RNA-binding protein screen reveals regulators of RUNX1 isoform generation
Authors: Davis Amanda G. , Einstein Jaclyn M. , Zheng Dinghai , Jayne Nathan D. , Fu Xiang-Dong , Tian Bin , Yeo Gene W. , Zhang Dong-Er
Published: March 2021

The proper balance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation is critical for normal hematopoiesis and is disrupted in hematologic malignancy. Among regulators of HSC fate, transcription factors have a well-defined central role, and mutations promote malignant transformation. More recently, studies have illuminated the importance of posttranscriptional regulation by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in hematopoiesis and leukemia development. However, the RBPs involved and the breadth of regulation are only beginning to be elucidated. Furthermore, the intersection between posttranscriptional regulation and hematopoietic transcription factor function is poorly understood. Here, we studied the posttranscriptional regulation of RUNX1, a key hematopoietic transcription factor. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) of RUNX1 produces functionally antagonistic protein isoforms (RUNX1a vs RUNX1b/c) that mediate HSC self-renewal vs differentiation, an RNA-processing event that is dysregulated in malignancy. Consequently, RBPs that regulate this event directly contribute to healthy and aberrant hematopoiesis. We modeled RUNX1 APA using a split GFP minigene reporter and confirmed the sensitivity of our model to detect changes in RNA processing. We used this reporter in a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) screen consisting of single guide RNAs exclusively targeting RBPs and uncovered HNRNPA1 and KHDRBS1 as antagonistic regulators of RUNX1a isoform generation. Overall, our study provides mechanistic insight into the posttranscriptional regulation of a key hematopoietic transcription factor and identifies RBPs that may have widespread and important functions in hematopoiesis.
Fetal sex modulates placental microRNA expression, potential microRNA-mRNA interactions, and levels of amino acid transporter expression and substrates: INFAT study subpopulation analysis of n-3 LCPUFA intervention during pregnancy and associations with offspring body composition
Authors: Sedlmeier Eva-Maria , Meyer Dorothy M. , Stecher Lynne , Sailer Manuela , Daniel Hannelore , Hauner Hans , Bader Bernhard L.
Published: March 2021

Background

Previously, we revealed sexually dimorphic mRNA expression and responsiveness to maternal dietary supplementation with n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in placentas from a defined INFAT study subpopulation. Here, we extended these analyses and explored the respective placental microRNA expression, putative microRNA-mRNA interactions, and downstream target processes as well as their associations with INFAT offspring body composition.

Results

We performed explorative placental microRNA profiling, predicted microRNA-mRNA interactions by bioinformatics, validated placental target microRNAs and their putative targets by RT-qPCR and western blotting, and measured amino acid levels in maternal and offspring cord blood plasma and placenta. microRNA, mRNA, protein, and amino acid levels were associated with each other and with offspring body composition from birth to 5 years of age. Forty-six differentially regulated microRNAs were found. Validations identified differential expression formicroRNA-99a(miR-99a) and its predicted target genesmTOR,SLC7A5, encoding L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), andSLC6A6, encoding taurine transporter (TauT), and their prevailing significant sexually dimorphic regulation. Target mRNA levels were mostly higher in placentas from control male than from female offspring, whereas respective n-3 LCPUFA responsive target upregulation was predominantly found in female placentas, explaining the rather balanced expression levels between the sexes present only in the intervention group. LAT1 and TauT substrates tryptophan and taurine, respectively, were significantly altered in both maternal plasma at 32 weeks’ gestation and cord plasma following intervention, but not in the placenta. Several significant associations were observed formiR-99a, mTORmRNA,SLC7A5mRNA, and taurine and tryptophan in maternal and cord plasma with offspring body composition at birth, 1 year, 3 and 5 years of age.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the analyzed targets may be part of a sexually dimorphic molecular regulatory network in the placenta, possibly modulating gene expression per se and/or counteracting n-3 LCPUFA responsive changes, and thereby stabilizing respective placental and fetal amino acid levels. Our data propose placentalmiR-99,SLC7A5mRNA, and taurine and tryptophan levels in maternal and fetal plasma as potentially predictive biomarkers for offspring body composition.