bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twenty-First Century Trends in Girls’ Violence and the Gender Gap: Triangulated Findings from Official and Unofficial Longitudinal Sources
Authors: Steffensmeier Darrell , Schwartz Jennifer , Slepicka Jessie , Zhong Hua
Published: May 2023

Recent media and academic reports project rising levels of girls’ violence and a narrowing gender gap. In response, the authors investigate 21st century trends in girls’ violence as reported across multiple official and unofficial longitudinal sources: Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) arrest and juvenile court referral statistics; National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) victimization data; and three sources of self-reported violent offending—Monitoring the Future, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, and National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Augmented Dickey-Fuller time-series tests and intuitive plot displays show much overlap in each source’s portrayal of trends in girls’ violence and the youth gender gap. Specifically, there is no systematic change in the gender gap for homicide, aggravated assault, nor the violent crime index. However, UCR police arrests and juvenile court referrals show a moderate female-to-male rise for simple assault during the early decades of the 21st century. This rise in official statistics is not borne out in NCVS counts based on victims’ reports nor in self-reported violent-offending counts. Net-widening policy shifts and more gender-neutral enforcement have apparently elevated somewhat the arrest proneness of adolescent females for simple assault. Rather than girls having become more violent, triangulating data sources revealed a decline in both girls’ and boys’ violence levels, considerable similarity in their violent-offending trends, and little or no systematic change in the gender gap.
Warpage modeling for semiconductor power module manufacturing flow improvement
Authors: Calabretta Michele , Sitta Alessandro , Rundo Francesco , Sequenzia Gaetano
Published: May 2023

The hybrid and battery electric vehicle market is heavily increasing the demand for semiconductor power modules. The manufacturing of such products is more complex than discrete devices. Some parameters, such as module deformation (warpage), play a major role. Power modules have to comply with customer Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) targets in order to avoid coolant leakage during operation and to guarantee mechanical compatibility with the driving board. Compliance with an appropriate flatness tolerance reduces rejects during manufacturing processes such as ultrasonic welding, and the consequent impact on reliability. Due to these requirements, there is a need to implement dedicated countermeasures during manufacturing flows and to develop the proper methodologies to monitor flatness tolerances. Appropriate component selection at the design stage also limits flatness through the prediction of deformations during assembly flows using finite element model. This activity outlines the manufacturing flow for a direct cooled semiconductor power module and presents a method for product optimization in terms of flatness tolerance using a dedicated finite element model that calculates the warpage deformation induced by baseplate soldering and different ceramic substrate layouts. Furthermore, we describe experimental methodologies for measuring power module flatness and straightness across the manufacturing phases. Dedicated experiments were conducted for methodological and design validation.
Multi-coupled biomimetics for tire noise reduction
Authors: Wang Guolin , Wang Lei , Zhu Kexin , Jian Yang , Bo Lin
Published: May 2023

To explore ways of reducing tire noise, a 205/55R16 KR10 semi-steel radial tire was used as the research object. Vibration noise and aerodynamic noise were analyzed using the modal transfer vector method and the computational fluid dynamics method respectively. The cat’s paw pads can swivel left to right when walking, which dampens vibrations. The left-right pivoting characteristics of the cat’s paw pads are successfully transplanted into the tire by opening asymmetric bypass tube grooves in the tread to form a bionic tire. The results showed that the bionic tire can effectively decrease vibration noise. However, without considering the bypass tube’s resonant muffler acoustic noise reduction, the bionic tire increased aerodynamic noise. According to the multi-coupling bionic concept, the shark scale shield structure is coupled based on the bionic tire, and the shark-like structure is targeted at the sound source to form a multi-coupled bionic tire. Characterized by the left and right pendulum positive damping motion of the cat’s paw pad as well as the non-smooth damping structure of the shark scale shield, the multi-coupled bionic tire jointly reduced the tire vibration noise and aerodynamic noise.
Clinical metagenomics-assisted diagnosis of relapsed HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis
Authors: Yeh Ting Kuang , Lin Kuan Pei , Chuang Yu Chuan , Wang Li An , Chen Chih Jun , Lee Ding Yu , Huang Yao Ting , Liu Po Yu
Published: May 2023

To date, the identification of crypotococcal relapse remains clinically challenging as it often has similar manifestation with paradoxical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. This study reports on the use of metagenomics assisted next generation sequencing to aid in diagnosing recurrent cryptococcal meningitis in an person living with HIV experiencing recurring symptoms, despite negative culture results for Cryptococcus neoformans in the cerebrospinal fluid. Although fungal culture was negative, when reads from metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing performed on the Day 308 cerebrospinal fluid sample were mapped onto the genome from the Day 4 isolate, 589 specific reads were identified. NCBI BLAST search also revealed Cryptococcus-specific 18S/25S/28S ribosomal RNA, indicating a relapse of the disease.
Classic Text No. 135: ‘On inheritance of the insanities’, by Jens Chr. Smith (1924)
Authors: Schioldann Johan
Published: May 2023

Serious and realistic research into the inheritance of the psychoses started in earnest at the beginning of the twentieth century. This was encouraged by both the acceptance of the Kraepelinian classification and the rediscovery of the Mendelian model of inheritance. The application of Mendelian rules to the very complex genetics of the psychoses led to agonizing debate. The Classic Text is a translation of the introduction of the doctoral thesis of Jens Chr. Smith, a little-known Danish psychiatrist who was able to summarize, with the enthusiasm typical to his youth and with surprising accuracy, the early stages of the debate mentioned above.
How Does Religion Deter Adolescent Risk Behavior?
Authors: Shepperd James A. , Forsyth Rachel B.
Published: May 2023

We present a theoretical model that describes four explanations (mechanisms) why religious adolescents display less risk behavior than nonreligious adolescents. Specifically, religions affect the extent to which adolescents (a) have opportunities to engage in risk behavior, (b) find risk behavior appealing, (c) view risk behavior as morally acceptable, and (d) exert self-control over their impulses. These mechanisms are not unique to religions. However, our model identifies three features of religion that can nurture them. First, religions offer a worldview that can affect whether adolescents regard risk behavior as appealing and morally acceptable and can influence self-control. Second, central to most religions is a God that monitors and judges behavior, which can influence self-control and beliefs about what is appealing and morally acceptable. Third, religions provide a community of people who can limit opportunity to engage in risk behavior, influence the appeal and moral acceptability of risk behavior, and can foster self-control by providing support.
Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting prognosis of high-grade chondrosarcoma: A surveillance, epidemiology, and end results-based population analysis
Authors: Sun Yu , Ouyang Chenxi , Zhang Yu , Li Yong , Liu Yang , Jiang Ming , Nong Luming , Gao Gongming
Published: May 2023

Background

The incidence of chondrosarcoma is increasing every year, and the treatment and prognosis of patients with high-grade chondrosarcoma are becoming more and more important. Nomogram is a tool that can quickly and easily predict the overall survival of tumor patients. Therefore, the development and validation of a nomogram to predict overall survival in patients with high-grade chondrosarcoma was desired.

Methods

We retrospectively collected 396 patients with high-grade chondrosarcoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2015. Randomly divided into model and validation groups, the best cut-off values for age and tumor size grouping were derived by using X-tile software. Then, independent prognostic factors for high-grade chondrosarcoma were derived by SPSS.26 univariate and multivariate Cox analyses analysis in the model group, and the model was evaluated by using R software, using C-indix and ROC curves, and finally these independent prognostic factors were included in Nomogram.

Results

396 patients were randomly assigned to the modelling group (n = 280) or the validation group (n = 116). Age, tissue-type, tumor size, AJCC stage, regional expansion and surgery were identified as independent prognostic factors ( p < 0.05) which further combined to construct a nomogram. The C-index of internal validation for overall survival(OS) was 0.757, while the C-index of external validation for overall survival(OS) was 0.832. Both internal and external calibration curves show a good agreement between nomogram prediction and actual survival.

Conclusion

In this study, we established age, tumour size, AJCC stage, tissue type, surgery and tumor extension as independent prognostic factors for high-grade chondrosarcoma and constructed a nomogram to predict 3- and 5-year survival rates for high-grade chondrosarcoma.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia in a sheep: insulinoma, adrenocortical carcinoma with myxoid differentiation, and thyroid C-cell carcinoma
Authors: Tanaka Yusuke , Watanabe Kenichi , Morita Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Yoshiyasu
Published: May 2023

An ~10-y-old male sheep had anorexia and progressive weight loss for ~1 mo. The sheep was emaciated, and 20 d later, became recumbent and lethargic, and was hypoglycemic (0.33 mmol/L; RI: 2.6–4.4 mmol/L). The sheep was euthanized because of poor prognosis, and submitted for autopsy. We found no gross lesions in the pancreas; however, histologically, focal proliferations of round-to-polygonal cells were separated by connective tissue into small nests. These proliferating cells, which had abundant eosinophilic-to-amphophilic cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei, were immunopositive for insulin and negative for glucagon and somatostatin; the lesion was diagnosed as an insulinoma. Insulinoma has not been reported previously in sheep, to our knowledge. In addition, autopsy and histologic examination revealed the presence of an adrenocortical carcinoma with myxoid differentiation and a thyroid C-cell carcinoma. Our case indicates that multiple endocrine neoplasms can occur in sheep, as in other animal species.
A retrospective study of congenital cardiac malformations in 29 goats
Authors: Haake Christine , Kovacs Samantha L. , Choi Eunju April
Published: May 2023

Cardiac malformations are sporadically diagnosed in domestic species; however, little literature is available for this group of developmental anomalies in goats. We performed a retrospective study to catalog congenital cardiac conditions in goats submitted to the University of California–Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Anatomic Pathology Autopsy Service. From 2000 to 2021, of 1,886 goat autopsies, 29 cases of cardiac malformations were identified (1.5%). Thirteen were ≤ 2-wk-old, 8 were 1–6-mo-old, and 8 were adults 2–9-y-old. The most common malformations were ventricular septal defect (VSD; 21 of 29), atrial septal defect or persistent foramen ovale (10 of 29), and double-outlet right ventricle (3 of 29). Nine cases had > 1 malformation, typically including a VSD. Conditions that had not been reported in the goat included double-outlet right ventricle (3), tetralogy of Fallot (1), cor triatriatum sinister (1), and mitral valve dysplasia (1). Two adult cases were incidental and not suspected clinically. Cardiac malformations occur not uncommonly in goats and should be considered in a wide age range.
The role of ultrasound in determining the presence and severity of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients
Authors: Sertbas Yasar , Dortcan Nimet , Derin Cicek Esin , Sertbas Meltem , Okuroglu Nalan , Erman Hande , Ozdemir Ali
Published: May 2023

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is seen in 5% of the population and 14%–30% in diabetics. Although electrophysiological tests are used as the gold standard method in the diagnosis, alternative methods are being studying. We aimed to investigate whether the measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) by ultrasound is associated with the presence and severity of CTS. This prospective, cross-sectional observational study includes 128 randomly selected T2DM patients. Electrodiagnostic study was performed for all patients to diagnose CTS. Median nerve CSA were measured with ultrasound examination. The severity of the CTS was determined by Padua method. Among 128 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, 54 (28%) had CTS and 53 (41%) had diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy. The mean duration of DM was 11.55 years. Median nerve CSAs of the patients were significantly higher in patients with CTS (CTS (−): 10.47 ± 2.67 vs CTS: (+) 12.37 ± 3.17; p < 0.001). Median nerve CSA cutoff value of >10 mm2 predicts the diagnosis of CTS. However, minimal, mild, and moderate CTS groups had similar CSA according to Padua classification (p > 0.05 for all). CSA measurement with ultrasonography can be used as an effective method in diagnosing severe CTS disease. However, median nerve CSA values should not be used to reveal the severity of CTS, in order not to miss the demonstration of minimal, mild, and moderate groups, as well as being an indicator of only the severe CTS group.
The Effect of Methylphenidate Treatment on Olfactory Function in Children and Adolescents With ADHD
Authors: Mercan Isik Cansu , Uzun Cicek Ayla , Altuntas Emine Elif , Bora Adem , Sari Seda Aybuke , Akkus Serdar
Published: May 2023

Objective:

This study aimed to research whether there is an olfactory disorder in ADHD, and if so, what is the effect of methylphenidate on this condition.

Method:

This is a cross-sectional study aiming to evaluate olfactory threshold, identification, discrimination and threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) scores in 109 children and adolescents, 33 of whom have ADHD without medication, 29 with ADHD with medication and 47 control groups.

Result:

In the post hoc tests, the mean odor discrimination test, the mean odor identification test, and the mean TDI scores of the unmedicated ADHD group were significantly lower than those of the other two groups, and that the mean odor threshold test scores of the medicated ADHD group were significantly lower than those of the control and unmedicated groups.

Conclusion:

Olfactory function could be a useful tool to monitor treatment effects and may be a promising candidate as a biomarker in ADHD.
A pro-inflammatory diet in people with multiple sclerosis is associated with an increased rate of relapse and increased FLAIR lesion volume on MRI in early multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Saul Alice M , Taylor Bruce V , Blizzard Leigh , Simpson-Yap Steve , Oddy Wendy H , Shivappa Nittin , Hébert James R , Black Lucinda J , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Broadley Simon A , Lechner-Scott Jeanette , van der Mei Ingrid , Lucas Robyn M , Dear Keith , Dwyer Terry , Broadley Simon , Kilpatrick Trevor , Williams David , Shaw Cameron , Chapman Caron , Coulthard Alan , Pender Michael P , Valery Patricia
Published: May 2023

Background:

A pro-inflammatory diet has been posited to induce chronic inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS), and multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the CNS.

Objective:

We examined whether Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®)) scores are associated with measures of MS progression and inflammatory activity.

Methods:

A cohort with a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination was followed annually (10 years, n = 223). At baseline, 5- and 10-year reviews, DII and energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) scores were calculated (food frequency questionnaire) and assessed as predictors of relapses, annualised change in disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale) and two magnetic resonance imaging measures; fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) lesion volume and black hole lesion volume.

Results:

A more pro-inflammatory diet was associated with a higher relapse risk (highest vs. lowest E-DII quartile: hazard ratio = 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −1.16, 4.33, p = 0.02). When we limited analyses to those assessed on the same manufacturer of scanner and those with a first demyelinating event at study entry (to reduce error and disease heterogeneity), an association between E-DII score and FLAIR lesion volume was evident (β = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.72, p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

There is a longitudinal association between a higher DII and a worsening in relapse rate and periventricular FLAIR lesion volume in people with MS.
Pronoun comprehension and cross-linguistic influence in monolingual and bilingual children
Authors: Foursha-Stevenson Cass , Nicoladis Elena , Trombley René , Hablado Kurt , Phung Derek , Dallaire Kaley
Published: May 2023

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions:

Pronoun comprehension can present challenges for young bilingual and monolingual children. The current study aimed to assess cross-linguistic influence (CLI) and pronoun comprehension in early childhood. Several studies have demonstrated the role of overlap across languages and its impact on language development. The present study investigates the influence of the acquisition of another language containing third-person pronouns on pronoun comprehension in English. Additional possible social influences are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach:

In addition to the completion of language surveys and vocabulary tests, toddlers and preschoolers were presented with a forced-choice test to identify the pronouns ‘he/she/it’ between a man doll, a woman doll, a ball, and a monkey.

Data and analysis:

Accuracy in pronoun comprehension was analysed based on age and preschooler’s accuracy was compared across language groups (monolingual in English, bilingual with and without third-person pronouns).

Findings/conclusions:

Overall, the results demonstrated that, although young toddlers were able to comprehend ‘it’, children struggled with ‘he’ and ‘she’ until 3 years of age. In addition, bilingual preschool children that were learning a language that distinguished between the third-person pronouns, ‘he’ and ‘she’, performed similarly to monolingual English-speaking children and both groups performed better than bilingual children learning a language that did not distinguish between ‘he’ and ‘she’. The findings are discussed in the context of within- and between-language factors that can impact comprehension.

Originality:

Most recent research on early pronoun development involves production. This study presents evidence of early pronoun comprehension and investigates the role of CLI in this difficult, yet common component of language.

Significance/implications:

The results suggest that learning a language with different features can negatively impact pronoun comprehension in another language. The findings are discussed in the context of an integrated system for bilinguals.
A rate-of-injection model for predicting single and double injection with or without fusion
Authors: Tetrault Pascal , Seers Patrice
Published: May 2023

Models used to predict the instantaneous injected fuel mass are of varied interest in automotive applications, including for providing inputs to CFD calculations or for engine control. While multiple injection strategies are now commonly used in diesel engines, the overall approach may be susceptible to injection fusion, which is defined as two successive injections that are partly or totally coupled due to the short time interval between each event. In this work, a new model to predict the instantaneous mass flow rate from a diesel injector is proposed based on the analytical solution of a first-order linear dynamic system exposed to an impulsion. Experiments are also conducted to quantify the main injection characteristics of a solenoid indirect-action injector under different injection pressures, backpressures and injection durations, representing a total of 33 different conditions. From these results, a model is proposed and validated against experimental data using a single injection strategy. Then, the model is enhanced to predict split injection with and without injection fusion. Successful comparisons are realized between the model and the experiment. The model is then used to successfully simulate a piezoelectric injector experiencing different levels of fusion available in the literature so as to illustrate the universality of the proposed approach.
Alternative futures of Finnish comprehensive school
Authors: Nilivaara Päivi , Soini Tiina
Published: May 2023

Inevitable and constant change is challenging school systems worldwide, and COVID-19 has further intensified the debate on the future. This article examines the possible futures of Finnish comprehensive schools through three scenarios generated by analysing data from a Delphi panel of 30 Finnish experts in the field of education. This study contributes to two major intertwining debates: first, who or what determines the content and goals of the curriculum. The study’s theoretical framework builds on the curriculum as a social practice model, which views curriculum work as interwoven layers and sites of practice. Another topical debate concerns the tension between powerful knowledge and competences in the curricula. This is explored through Young and Muller’s model of three types of knowledge: knowledge of power, tacit knowledge and powerful knowledge. The results show that Finnish comprehensive schools have various substantially divergent trends. In the three scenarios, the role of the teacher as a curriculum maker varies from non-existent to a strong interpreter. International policy flows can be transferred to schools to varying degrees. The three types of knowledge included in Young and Muller’s model can be recognised in the three scenarios. Competences can be identified as learning outcomes in all scenarios, but the intensity varies. Scenarios are not predictions of the future or policy recommendations but an efficient tool for provoking strategic debate, generating new visionary thinking and considering the need for system-wide change in education.
Efficacy of Psychosocial Interventions for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Micklitz Hannah M. , Glass Carla M. , Bengel Jürgen , Sander Lasse B.
Published: May 2023

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) face serious health-related, social and economic consequences. Prior meta-analyses indicate efficacy of psychosocial interventions for support of IPV survivors, but their results are affected by methodological limitations. Extensive subgroup analyses on the moderating effects of intervention and study characteristics are lacking. To address these limitations in an up-to-date and comprehensive meta-analytic review, four literature databases (PsycInfo, Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL, March 23, 2022) were searched for randomized-controlled trials examining the efficacy of psychosocial interventions compared to control groups in improving safety-related, mental health, and psychosocial outcomes in IPV survivors. Weighted effects on IPV, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosocial outcomes were calculated under random-effects assumption. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate moderating effects of predefined intervention and study characteristics. Study quality was rated. In all, 80 studies were included in qualitative synthesis, and 40 studies in meta-analyses. Psychosocial interventions significantly reduced symptoms of depression (SMD: −0.15 [95% confidence interval, CI [−0.25, −0.04]; p = .006], I2 = 54%) and PTSD (SMD: −0.15 [95% CI [−0.29, −0.01]; p = .04], I2 = 52%), but not IPV reexperience (SMD: −0.02 [95% CI [ −0.09, 0.06]; p = .70], I2 = 21%) compared to control conditions at post. High-intensive and integrative interventions, combining advocacy-based and psychological components, were favorable subgroups. Yielded effects were modest and not maintained long term. The quality of evidence was low and potential harms remain unclear. Future research should adopt higher standards of research conduct and reporting and must account for the complexity and diversity of IPV experiences.
Outcomes of the Gore® Excluder® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis Using Self Expanding or Balloon-Expandable Stent Grafts for the Internal Iliac Artery Component
Authors: Cortolillo Nicholas S. , Guerra Andres , Murphy Eric , Hoel Andrew W. , Eskandari Mark K. , Tomita Tadaki M.
Published: May 2023

Objective:

The GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE; W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Arizona) was developed to be used in combination with a self-expanding stent graft (SESG) for the internal iliac artery (IIA) bridging stent. Balloon-expandable stent grafts (BESGs) are an alternative for the IIA, offering advantages in sizing, device tracking, precision, and lower profile delivery. We compared the performance of SESG and BESG when used as the IIA bridging stent in patients undergoing EVAR with IBE.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent EVAR with IBE implantation at a single center from October 2016 to May 2021. Anatomic and procedural characteristics were recorded via chart review and computed tomography (CT) postprocessing software (Vitrea® v7.14). Devices were assigned to SESG vs. BESG groups based on the type of device landing into the most distal IIA segment. Analysis was performed per device to account for patients undergoing bilateral IBE. The primary endpoint was IIA patency, and secondary endpoint was IBE-related endoleak.

Results:

During the study period, 48 IBE devices were implanted in 41 patients (mean age 71.1 years). All IBE devices were implanted in conjunction with an infrarenal endograft. There were 24 devices in each of the self-expanding internal iliac component (SE-IIC) and balloon-expandable internal iliac component (BE-IIC) groups. The BE-IIC group had smaller diameter IIA target vessels (11.6±2.0 mm vs. 8.4±1.7 mm, p<0.001). Mean follow-up was 525 days. Loss of IIA patency occurred in 2 SESG devices (8.33%) at 73 and 180 days postprocedure, and in zero BESG devices, however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.16). There was 1 IBE-related endoleak requiring reintervention during the study period. A BESG device required reintervention due to Type 3 endoleak at 284 days.

Conclusions:

There were no significant differences in outcomes between SESG and BESG when used for the IIA bridging stent in EVAR with IBE. The BESGs were associated with using 2 IIA bridging stents and were more often deployed in smaller IIA target arteries. Retrospective study design and small sample size may limit the generalizability of our findings.

Clinical Impact

This series compares postoperative and midterm outcomes of self expanding stent grafts and balloon expandable stent grafts (BESG) when used as the internal iliac stent graft as part of a Gore® Excluder® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE). With similar outcomes between the two stent-grafts, our series suggests that some of the advantages of BESG, device sizing, tracking, deployment, and profile, may be able to be leveraged without impacting the mid-term performance of the IBE.
Facilities Beyond Physical Spaces: A Case for the Intentional Design and Use of Learning Space
Authors: Oliveras-Ortiz Yanira
Published: May 2023

In 2022, the state department released new standards and a competency-based education curriculum. Simultaneously, the Toledo Creek School District has experienced an unprecedent shift in the student population demographics. The shift has resulted in two distinct zones, east and west, with income averages on the two extremes of the income spectrum. Given the shift in both the curriculum and demographics, the superintendent in consultation with stakeholders decided to implement project-based learning (PBL) as the district’s instructional model. PBL has a significant research-based supporting implement for authentic learning as intended by the new standards and better supporting deeper learning among all students. One barrier to implementation is the existence of aging facilities. The poor quality of the facilities has caused tension among the district’s stakeholders. This case study aims to promote an understanding of issues related to school facilities, and bond and facilities planning for the intentional design and purposeful use of learning spaces aligned with a constructivist instructional model, in this case PBL. How can conflicting views be leveraged to engage stakeholders in productive discourse about school facilities that results in the equitable use of financial and physical resources?
An experiment-based empirical model for heavy-haul train air brake
Authors: Jiang Fan , Li Kai , Wu Honghua , Luo Shihui
Published: May 2023

The latest international survey shows that slow computational speed is still a significant issue for air brake models. Fluid dynamics air brake models can be more accurate but are slower in computing speed. Empirical models are reported as effective and more efficient. This article developed a new experimental based empirical air brake model that is more comprehensive and can be used to simulate both pneumatically and electronically controlled air brake systems, as well as locomotive air brake systems and brake systems for radio-based distributed power trains. Multiple functions were used to simulate various characteristics of brake cylinder pressures, which enables the model to capture more details. An activating algorithm was developed to further improve the computational efficiency. Case studies were conducted to compare the simulation results with experimental data. Simulation results and experimental data had good agreements regarding brake delays, force patterns and cylinder pressure amplitudes. The empirical air brake model is about 70 times faster than a fluid dynamics model and 7.4 times faster than real-time.
Mechanical varying non-stationary signal separation method based on instantaneous frequency estimation
Authors: Yan Lu , Qin-Xiao Chen , Cheng Zhong , Xian Tao , En-Jie Ding , Ke Liu , Juan Du , Xiao-Chun Tong
Published: May 2023

Mechanical equipment often works on variable speed condition, its corresponding vibration signal presents multi-component, modulation coupling with fast time-varying instantaneous frequency (IF), how to effectively compute IF and realize fasting varying non-stationary signal decoupling separation plays an important role in mechanical system fault diagnosis. In this paper, a sparse representation method called multi-scale chirp sparse representation (MSCSR) is introduced to identify, extract, and trend IF for achieving a highly concentrated time-frequency energy. Simulation demonstrates that the proposed method performs better than traditional IF estimation method. Furthermore, an adaptive time-varying filter is constructed using the extracted instantaneous frequency to decouple non-stationary fast signal. Ultimately, by rapid instantaneous frequency fluctuation experiment, the effectiveness of proposed method for fast strong time-varying signal is validated, it can effectively extract rapid oscillation instantaneous frequency, and the error is less than 10%.
Optimal cutoff value of carotid stump pressure for determining the need for a carotid shunt in carotid artery endarterectomy
Authors: Demir Tolga , Bektas Nilufer , Kasapoglu Begum O , Acar Sevinc Sultan , Balta Basi Nermin , Ozcelik Fatih , Yalaz Tekan Ulgen , Koramaz Ismail
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study was conducted to identify the diagnostic value of carotid stump pressure for determining the need for a carotid artery shunt in patients undergoing carotid artery endarterectomy.

Materials and methods

Carotid stump pressure was prospectively measured in all carotid artery endarterectomies performed under local anesthesia between January 2020 and April 2022. The shunt was selectively used when neurological symptoms appeared after carotid cross-clamping. Carotid stump pressure was compared between patients who needed shunting and those who did not. Demographic and clinical characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, and carotid stump pressure of the patients with and without shunts were statistically compared. To determine the optimal cutoff value and diagnostic performance of carotid stump pressure for identifying the patients who need a shunt, receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed.

Results

Overall, 102 patients (61 men and 41 women) who underwent carotid artery endarterectomy under local anesthesia were included, with an age range of 51–88 years. A carotid artery shunt was used in 16 (8 men and 8 women) patients. The carotid stump pressure values of the patients with a shunt were lower than those without a shunt (median (min–max): 42 (20–55) vs 51 (20–104), p < 0.0006). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis performed to determine the need for a shunt, the optimal cutoff value of carotid stump pressure was ≤48 mmHg, sensitivity was 93.8%, and specificity was 61.6% (area under the curve: 0.773, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Carotid stump pressure has sufficient diagnostic power to determine the need for a shunt, but it cannot be used alone in the clinical setting. Instead, it can be used in combination with other neurological monitoring methods.
Overall average treatment effects from clinical trials, one-variable-at-a-time subgroup analyses and predictive approaches to heterogeneous treatment effects: Toward a more patient-centered evidence-based medicine
Authors: Kent David M
Published: May 2023

Despite the predominance of the evidence-based medicine paradigm, a fundamental incongruity remains: Evidence is derived from groups of people, yet medical decisions are made by and for individuals. Randomization ensures the comparability of treatment groups within a clinical trial, which allows for unbiased estimation of average treatment effects. If we treated groups of patients instead of individuals, or if patients with the same disease were identical to one another in all factors that determined the harms and the benefits of therapy, then these group-level averages would make a perfectly sound foundation for medical decision-making. But patients differ from one another in many ways that determine the likelihood of an outcome, both with and without a treatment. Nevertheless, popular approaches to evidence-based medicine have encouraged a reliance on the average treatment effects estimated from clinical trials and meta-analysis as guides to decision-making for individuals. Here, we discuss the limitations of this approach as well as limitations of conventional, one-variable-at-a-time subgroup analysis; finally, we discuss the rationale for “predictive” approaches to heterogeneous treatment effects. Predictive approaches to heterogeneous treatment effects combine methods for causal inference (e.g. randomization) with methods for prediction that permit inferences about which patients are likely to benefit and which are not, taking into account multiple relevant variables simultaneously to yield “personalized” estimates of benefit–harm trade-offs. We focus on risk modeling approaches, which rely on the mathematical dependence of the absolute treatment effect with the baseline risk, which varies substantially “across patients” in most trials. While there are a number of examples of risk modeling approaches that have been practice-changing, risk modeling does not provide ideal estimates of individual treatment effects, since risk modeling does not account for how individual variables might modify the effects of therapy. In “effect modeling,” prediction models are developed directly on clinical trial data, including terms for treatment and treatment effect interactions. These more flexible approaches may better uncover individualized treatment effects, but are also prone to overfitting when dimensionality is high, power is low, and there is limited prior knowledge about effect modifiers.
Social fields, journalism, and collective memory: Reporting on the Armenian genocide in legal, political, and commemorative field events
Authors: Philips Miray , Savelsberg Joachim J
Published: May 2023

Conflictual processes unfolding in legal and political social fields as well as commemorative events differentially shape social memories, including memories about genocides, in line with their rules of the game and institutional logics. News media subsequently process mnemonic struggles—carried out in law, politics, and commemorations—submitting them to the rules and norms of journalism before their messages reach the public. This article explores these processes for struggles pertaining to memories of the Armenian genocide. It is based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 259 English language newspaper articles published in the United States that report about a court case, a legislative process, and commemorative events. Our analysis identifies distinct patterns of representations. Differences are in line with the institutional logics of the legal and political fields and the epistemic potential of commemorative rituals, even as they interact with the logic of the journalistic field that mediates those accounts.
Long-term effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on colorectal cancer incidences
Authors: Guo Chuan-Guo , Zhang Feifei , Jiang Fang , Wang Lingling , Chen Yijun , Zhang Wenxue , Zhou Anni , Zhang Shutian , Leung Wai K.
Published: May 2023

Background:

There is evidence supporting the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and colorectal cancer (CRC), but whether H. pylori eradication reduces the risk of CRC is still unknown.

Objectives:

To compare the incidence of CRC in subjects who had received H. pylori eradication therapy with general population.

Design:

A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

This study included all H. pylori-infected subjects who had received their first course of clarithromycin-containing triple therapy in 2003–2015 in Hong Kong. We compared the observed incidences of CRC in this H. pylori eradicated cohort with the expected incidences in the age- and sex-matched general population. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed.

Results:

Among 96,572 H. pylori-eradicated subjects with a median follow-up of 9.7 years, 1417 (1.5%) developed CRC. Primary analysis showed no significant difference in the observed and expected incidences of CRC (SIR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.97–1.09). However, when stratified according to the follow-up period, higher incidence of CRC was only observed in the first 5 years after eradication (SIR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.39–1.55), but it was lower (SIR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74–0.99) than general population after 11 years. When stratified by tumor location, the observed incidence was higher for colon (SIR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.12–1.29) but lower for rectal cancer (SIR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81–0.999) among H. pylori-eradicated subjects.

Conclusions:

H. pylori-infected subjects appeared to have a higher incidence of CRC initially, which declined progressively to a level lower than general population 10 years after H. pylori eradication, particularly for rectal cancer.
Five-Factor Modified Frailty Index as a Predictor of Complications Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Lewis Lauren K. , Jupiter Daniel C. , Panchbhavi Vinod K. , Chen Jie
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Ankle arthritis adversely affects patients’ function and quality of life. Treatment options for end-stage ankle arthritis include total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). A 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5) has predicted adverse outcomes following multiple orthopaedic procedures; this study evaluated its suitability as a risk-stratification tool in patients undergoing TAA.

Methods

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing TAA between 2011 and 2017. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to investigate frailty as a possible predictor of postoperative complications.

Results

In total, 1035 patients were identified. When comparing patients with an mFI-5 score of 0 versus ≥2, overall complication rates significantly increased from 5.24% to 19.38%, 30-day readmission rate increased from 0.24% to 3.1%, adverse discharge rate increased from 3.81% to 15.5%, and wound complications increased from 0.24% to 1.55%. After multivariate analysis, mFI-5 score remained significantly associated with patients’ risk of developing any complication (P = .03) and 30-day readmission rate (P = .005).

Conclusions

Frailty is associated with adverse outcomes following TAA. The mFI-5 can help identify patients who are at an elevated risk of sustaining a complication, allowing for improved decision-making and perioperative care when considering TAA.

Levels of Evidence:

III, Prognostic
Improving Randomized-Controlled Trials in Foot and Ankle Orthopaedics: The Need to Include Sociodemographic Patient Data
Authors: Martinazzi Brandon J. , Kirchner Gregory J. , Nam Hannah H. , Mansfield Kirsten , Dopke Kelly , Ptasinski Anna , Adeyemo Adeshina , Walley Kempland C. , Aynardi Michael C.
Published: May 2023

Background

The representation of sociodemographic data within randomized-controlled trials (RCT) regarding foot and ankle surgery is undefined. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of sociodemographic data being reported in contemporary foot and ankle RCTs.

Methods

Randomized-controlled trials within the PubMed database from 2016 to 2021 were searched and the full text of 40 articles was reviewed to identify sociodemographic variables reported in the manuscript. Data regarding race, ethnicity, insurance status, income, work status, and education were collected.

Results

Race was reported in the results in 4 studies (10.0%), ethnicity in 1 (2.5%), insurance status in 0 (0%), income in 1 (2.5%), work status in 3 (7.5%) and education in 2 (5.0%). In any section other than the results, race was reported in 6 studies (15.0%), ethnicity in 1 (2.5%), insurance status in 3 (7.5%), income in 6 (15.0%), work status in 6 (15.0%), and education in 3 (7.5%). There was no difference in sociodemographic data by journal (P = .212), year of publication (P = .216), or outcome study (P = .604).

Conclusion

The overall rate of sociodemographic data reported in foot and ankle RCTs is low. There was no difference in the reporting of sociodemographic data between journal, year of publication, or outcome study.

Level of Evidence:

Level II
Quantitative and dynamic scenario analysis of SDGs outcomes upon global sustainability 1990–2050
Authors: Phillips Jason
Published: May 2023

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the keystone policy framework for countries to achieve sustainable development. However, in fulfilling the SDGs, there is no definitive evaluation of the potential long-term outcomes upon the level, nature, and dynamics of global sustainability. This is crucial to understand, as otherwise, governments and societies may implement policies which achieve the SDGs, but are detrimental to the long-term global co-evolutionary environment-human relationship and system. Therefore, this paper determines and evaluates the potential global sustainability outcomes of the implementation of the SDGs for the specified period of 1990–2050. This is achieved by the application of the Sustainability Dynamics Framework to the results of the Earth3 model. The Earth3 model evaluated the degree of success of implementing the SDGs in respect to four development scenarios: (1) Same (business-as-usual); (2) Faster; (3) Harder and (4) Smarter. The results from the SDF application indicate that Scenario 4 (Smarter) had the best potential outcomes of the scenarios evaluated, approaching a borderline weak-strong sustainability state by the end of the specified period. The other scenarios had relatively stagnant levels of very weak sustainability. Based upon the results obtained, the broader context and implications are discussed, primarily in respect to the role and impact of the SDGs. The paper concludes by stating that humanity as a species needs to fundamentally transform its relationship with the environment, or risk being lost not only as a species, but also to the planet as well.
Changes in Daily Behaviors and Cognitions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations With Suicide Crisis Syndrome and Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Rogers Megan L. , Cao Erjia , Richards Jenelle A. , Mitelman Alexis , Barzilay Shira , Blum Yarden , Chistopolskaya Ksenia , Çinka Elif , Dudeck Manuela , Husain M. Ishrat , Kantas Yilmaz Fatma , Kuśmirek Oskar , Luiz Jhoanne M. , Menon Vikas , Nikolaev Evgeni L. , Pilecka Barbara , Titze Larissa , Valvassori Samira S. , You Sungeun , Galynker Igor
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in drastic disruptions to lives and possible pernicious impacts on mental health, including suicidality. Understanding these relations, as well as impacts on at-risk populations, is essential. The present study examined changes in daily behaviors and cognitions after the implementation of physical/social distancing mandates in individuals with symptoms of suicide crisis syndrome (SCS) and/or suicidal ideation. Adults ( N = 5,528) across 10 countries completed online self-report measures. There were significant main effects of time and various configurations of interactions between time, SCS, and suicidal ideation in predicting behaviors (outdoor and social engagements) and cognitions (thoughts about health, finances, and living situation). Cross-culturally, individuals with more severe SCS symptoms generally had the largest changes in behaviors and cognitions, though this effect was not replicated across all countries. Overall, these findings highlight the implications of the potentially mutually exacerbating influences of routine disruptions and suicide risk and the importance of examining associations cross-culturally.
ParTy ’n’ Play: Associations Between Sex-Related Substance Use and the Disinhibited Externalizing Spectrum Among Gay and Bisexual Men
Authors: Rodriguez-Seijas Craig , Rogers Brooke G. , Harkness Audrey , Safren Steve A. , Pachankis John E.
Published: May 2023

Research suggests sex-related substance use can be conceptualized within the disinhibited externalizing spectrum of psychopathology. However, this research has generally excluded sexual-minority samples. In the current study, we examined the associations between the disinhibited externalizing spectrum and several sex-related substance use domains (i.e., heavy drinking and poppers [alkyl nitrite], cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine use) in a clinical sample ( N = 254) of sexual-minority men. Disinhibited externalizing was significantly associated with reporting sex-related cannabis and methamphetamine use versus not and with frequency of sex-related alcohol and cocaine use. These results suggest few and generally weak associations—except for methamphetamine use—between the disinhibited externalizing spectrum and sex-related substance use. Implications for the applicability of dimensional models of psychopathology for sexual-minority populations, future directions for research on sexual behavior and substance use grounded in the specific sociocultural context in which sexual-minority men exist, and transdiagnostic interventions for sex-related substance use are discussed.