bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Value Created in a Social Learning Space Intervention: Four Vignettes of Parasport Coaches
Authors: Duarte Tiago , Culver Diane M. , Paquette Kyle
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the authors reflect on the current literature and the evolution of coach communities of practice and how the coach development area has embraced Wenger-Trayner’s social learning theory. Studies examining parasport coach development interventions, specifically those using a landscape of practice approach, are lacking. This paper is the third in a series about increasing learning capability in the wheelchair curling landscape. The authors utilized a collaborative approach to assess the learning value created through a 13-month social learning intervention. Four composite vignettes based on the coaches’ pathways and residency within the landscape were created from the data generated and analyzed using the value creation framework. The vignettes illustrate the many dimensions of learning values experienced by the coaches. This paper advances the literature surrounding social learning theory by providing examples of the novel concept of different dimensions of learning value. Applied implications are included.
“Mane”taining: How Black Adolescent Girls Maintain Their Cultural Hair Practices in Physical Education Class
Authors: O’Brien-Richardson Patricia
Published: June 2021

Background: Although hair has been found to be a barrier to physical activity (PA) among adult black women, the research exploring this phenomenon among black adolescent girls is deficient. This presents a concern because physical inactivity can lead to obesity and a host of comorbidities. This qualitative study explores hair experiences of black adolescent girls and how they maintain their cultural hair practices in hopes of promoting PA among this at-risk population. Methods: Focus groups were conducted for 37 black adolescent girls attending a public high school in Newark, New Jersey. Results: The participants reported increasing hair knowledge via social media, sociocultural influences of family and culture, and the driving force of their peer group, a concept identified in the focus groups as Hair IQ (intelligence quotient). Hair IQ helped the participants learn how to maintain their hair practices before and after PA. These factors combined to develop a framework described as the “Mane”taining model. Conclusions: The findings suggest the “Mane”taining model may provide pathways for engaging in PA for this population and serve as an example for adult black women who face similar barriers to PA.
Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Health-Related Predictors of Objectively Measured Sedentary Time and Physical Activity During Pregnancy
Authors: Jones Melissa A. , Whitaker Kara , Wallace McKenzie , Barone Gibbs Bethany
Published: June 2021

Background: Sedentary behavior (SED) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) have important implications for health; however, little is known about predictors of these behaviors during pregnancy. Methods: This cohort study measured SED (activPAL) and MVPA (GT3X) in each trimester of pregnancy. Univariate associations of demographic, socioeconomic, and pregnancy health-related factors with SED or MVPA were calculated. Associations with P < .10 were included in stepwise linear regression models to determine independent predictors in each trimester. Results: Pregnant women (n = 127) were age 31.0 (4.9) years and 78% white. In regression models across trimesters, fewer children ≤ age 5 in the household (P < .04) and primarily sitting job activity (P < .008) were related to higher SED and use of assisted reproductive technology (P < .05) was associated with higher MVPA. In at least one trimester, younger age was related to higher SED (P = .014); no history of pregnancy loss (P < .04), being married (P = .003), employed (P < .004, full time or student), white race (P = .006), and higher education (P = .010) were associated with higher MVPA. Conclusions: Predictors of SED in pregnancy were more consistent, and differed from predictors of MVPA. These findings may help identify women at risk of high SED or low MVPA, though future research in larger samples is needed.
Neutrophils self-limit swarming to contain bacterial growth in vivo
Authors: Kienle Korbinian , Glaser Katharina M. , Eickhoff Sarah , Mihlan Michael , Knöpper Konrad , Reátegui Eduardo , Epple Maximilian W. , Gunzer Matthias , Baumeister Ralf , Tarrant Teresa K. , Germain Ronald N. , Irimia Daniel , Kastenmüller Wolfgang , Lämmermann Tim
Published: June 2021

Stopping the swarm

Neutrophils play a major role in the early immune response and are recruited in large numbers into inflamed and infected tissues. By secreting chemoattractants that bind G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) on neighboring cells, neutrophils coordinate their behavior as a swarm. Less clear is how this auto-amplifying swarming activity is ultimately turned off. Kienle
et al.
show that desensitization of these GPCRs by the same chemoattractants by GPCR-kinase 2 (GRK2) is one way in which these swarms are shut down (see the Perspective by Rocha-Gregg and Huttenlocher). Unexpectedly, mice with GRK2-deficient neutrophils showed impaired rather than enhanced bacterial clearance. The heightened scanning ability of GRK2-deficient neutrophils may come at the cost of suboptimal phagocytosis and containment of bacteria.

Science
, abe7729, this issue p.
eabe7729
; see also abj3065, p.
1262
Common genetic variation influencing human white matter microstructure
Authors: Zhao Bingxin , Li Tengfei , Yang Yue , Wang Xifeng , Luo Tianyou , Shan Yue , Zhu Ziliang , Xiong Di , Hauberg Mads E. , Bendl Jaroslav , Fullard John F. , Roussos Panagiotis , Li Yun , Stein Jason L. , Zhu Hongtu
Published: June 2021

Connecting the dots on white matter

The white matter of the brain, which is composed of axonal tracts connecting different brain regions, plays key roles in both normal brain function and a variety of neurological disorders. Zhao
et al.
combined detailed magnetic resonance imaging–based assessment of brain structures with genetic data on nearly 44,000 individuals (see the Perspective by Filley). On the basis of this comprehensive analysis, the authors identified structural and genetic abnormalities associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as some nondisease traits, thus creating a valuable resource and providing some insights into the underlying neurobiology.

Science
, abf3736, this issue p.
eabf3736
; see also abj1881, p.
1265
White matter and human behavior
Authors: Filley Christopher M.
Published: June 2021

Genetic variants influence structural connectivity with intriguing clinical implications
Is the marine ice cliff hypothesis collapsing?
Authors: Golledge Nicholas R. , Lowry Daniel P.
Published: June 2021

An improved rheologic model shows that glacier retreat may not always be quite so quick
Chromosome-Scale Assembly of the Complete Genome Sequence of
Leishmania
(
Mundinia
)
martiniquensis
, Isolate LSCM1, Strain LV760
Authors: Almutairi Hatim , Urbaniak Michael D. , Bates Michelle D. , Jariyapan Narissara , Al-Salem Waleed S. , Dillon Rod J. , Bates Paul A. , Gatherer Derek
Published: June 2021

Leishmania (
Mundinia) martiniquensis
is a kinetoplastid parasite that was first isolated in 1995 on Martinique. We report the first complete genome for
Leishmania martiniquensis
from Asia, isolate LSCM1, strain LV760, which was sequenced using combined short-read and long-read technologies. This will facilitate greater understanding of the evolution of the geographically dispersed subgenus
Mundinia
.
Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of the Magpie-Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Authors: Sarker Subir , Nath Babu Kanti , Talukder Saranika , Raidal Shane R.
Published: June 2021

Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an Australian passerine bird, magpie-lark (
Grallina cyanoleuca
). The circular genome has a size of 16,933 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. This study provides a reference mitochondrial genome of magpie-lark for further molecular studies.
Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Biovar bovis Strains Ravenel and 10-7428
Authors: Hadi Syeda A. , Brenner Evan P. , Mani Rinosh , Palmer Mitchell V. , Thacker Tyler , Sreevatsan Srinand
Published: June 2021

We report the draft genomes of two
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
variant
bovis
strains. Strain Ravenel was isolated in the 1900s and has been shown to be attenuated in cattle. Strain 10-7428 is considered highly pathogenic in cattle and was isolated from a bovine tuberculosis outbreak.
The Collimated Propagation Causes of Astrophysical and Laboratory Jets
Authors: Kalashnikov I. Yu. , Dodin A. V. , Il’ichev I. V. , Krauz V. I. , Chechetkin V. M.
Published: June 2021

The use of Z-pinch facilities makes it possible to carry out well-controlled and diagnosable laboratory experiments to study laboratory jets with scaling parameters close to those of the jets from young stars. This makes it possible to observe processes that are inaccessible to astronomical observations. Such experiments are carried out at the PF-3 facility (“plasma focus,” Kurchatov Institute), in which the emitted plasma emission propagates along the drift chamber through the environment at a distance of one meter. The paper presents the results of experiments with helium, in which a successive release of two ejections was observed. An analysis of these results suggests that after the passage of the first supersonic ejection, a region with a low concentration is formed behind it, the so-called vacuum trace, due to which the subsequent ejection practically does not experience environmental resistance and propagates being collimated. The numerical modeling of the propagation of two ejections presented in the paper confirms this point of view. Using scaling laws and appropriate numerical simulations of astrophysical ejections, it is shown that this effect can also be significant for the jets of young stars.
Impaired grip strength in children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Meyer Michael , Wang Yi , Brudy Leon , Häcker Anna-Luisa , Schulz Thorsten , Weberruss Heidi , Oberhoffer Renate , Ewert Peter , Müller Jan
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Grip strength is known to be reduced in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). This study compared grip strength in paediatric patients with CHD with healthy controls and determined a possible association between grip strength and health-related physical fitness (HRPF).

Methods

Grip strength and HRPF were assessed in 569 children (12.4 years, 95% CI 12.16 to 12.72; 238 girls) with various CHD and compared with 2551 healthy controls (11.4 years, 95% CI 11.3 to 11.5; 1424 girls). Grip strength was determined as the maximum value of three repetitions with each hand. HRPF was tested by five motor tasks (FITNESSGRAM) and converted into an SD score (z-score).

Results

After adjusting for age, sex and weight, children with CHD showed significantly lower grip strength compared with healthy controls (CHD: 20.8 kg, 95% CI 20.4 to 21.2; controls: 24.5 kg, 95% CI 24.3 to 24.8). CHD subgroup analysis also revealed significantly lower grip strength than the controls, with the lowest values in patients with total cavopulmonary connection (19.1, 95% CI 18.0 to 20.2). Children with complex CHD showed the lowest values with 19.8 kg (95% CI 19.2 to 20.4), those with moderate 20.7 kg (95% CI 19.9 to 21.4) and those with simple 22.5 kg (95% CI 21.6 to 23.3), respectively. HRPF was also lower (z-score: −0.46, 95% CI −0.49 to –0.35) compared with healthy controls and poorly associated with grip strength (r=0.21).

Conclusions

Grip strength is already reduced in children with CHD and poorly associated with HRPF. This suggests that grip strength and HRPF are different domains and have to be assessed separately.
Management of two rare cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising in the parotid region
Authors: Bramati Chiara , Melegatti Michela Nicole , Lalla Francesca , Giordano Leone
Published: June 2021

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous tumour, accounting for less than 1% of malignant tumours of the head and neck region. This tumour rarely presents metastatic disease, but has a high recurrence rate. Therefore, wide surgical excision with microscopically free margins is the therapeutic gold standard. Only five cases are described in literature of this tumour arising in the parotid region, a site that presents challenges both in achieving a wide demolition and in reconstructing the resulting defect. Here we describe two cases of DFSP arising in the parotid region that were treated surgically, achieving microscopically free margins. Reconstruction of the vast skin defect was achieved by means of a supraclavicular artery island flap, with good functional and aesthetic results.
Mobile health and privacy: cross sectional study
Authors: Tangari Gioacchino , Ikram Muhammad , Ijaz Kiran , Kaafar Mohamed Ali , Berkovsky Shlomo
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To investigate whether and what user data are collected by health related mobile applications (mHealth apps), to characterise the privacy conduct of all the available mHealth apps on Google Play, and to gauge the associated risks to privacy.

Design

Cross sectional study

Setting

Health related apps developed for the Android mobile platform, available in the Google Play store in Australia and belonging to the medical and health and fitness categories.

Participants

Users of 20 991 mHealth apps (8074 medical and 12 917 health and fitness found in the Google Play store: in-depth analysis was done on 15 838 apps that did not require a download or subscription fee compared with 8468 baseline non-mHealth apps.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcomes were characterisation of the data collection operations in the apps code and of the data transmissions in the apps traffic; analysis of the primary recipients for each type of user data; presence of adverts and trackers in the app traffic; audit of the app privacy policy and compliance of the privacy conduct with the policy; and analysis of complaints in negative app reviews.

Results

88.0% (n=18 472) of mHealth apps included code that could potentially collect user data. 3.9% (n=616) of apps transmitted user information in their traffic. Most data collection operations in apps code and data transmissions in apps traffic involved external service providers (third parties). The top 50 third parties were responsible for most of the data collection operations in app code and data transmissions in app traffic (68.0% (2140), collectively). 23.0% (724) of user data transmissions occurred on insecure communication protocols. 28.1% (5903) of apps provided no privacy policies, whereas 47.0% (1479) of user data transmissions complied with the privacy policy. 1.3% (3609) of user reviews raised concerns about privacy.

Conclusions

This analysis found serious problems with privacy and inconsistent privacy practices in mHealth apps. Clinicians should be aware of these and articulate them to patients when determining the benefits and risks of mHealth apps.
Barriers to shared decision-making with women of reproductive age affected by a chronic inflammatory disease: a mixed-methods needs assessment of dermatologists and rheumatologists
Authors: Murray Suzanne , Augustyniak Monica , Murase Jenny E , Fischer-Betz Rebecca , Nelson-Piercy Catherine , Peniuta Morgan , Vlaev Ivo
Published: June 2021

Objectives

The main study objective was to identify challenges and barriers experienced by dermatologists and rheumatologists when engaging women of reproductive age in shared decision-making (SDM) related to treatment and management of chronic inflammatory disease (CID) before, during and after pregnancy.

Design

A mixed-methods study was conducted, employing (1) semistructured interviews, (2) an online survey and (3) triangulation of findings.

Participants

524 dermatologists and rheumatologists entered the study; 495 completed it; 388 met inclusion criteria for analysis. Participants were included if actively practising in Germany (GER), the UK or the USA; had a minimum 5% caseload of female patients of reproductive age with either axial spondyloarthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis; and had experience prescribing biologics.

Results

48 interviews and 340 surveys were analysed. Interviews underscored dermatologists and rheumatologists’ suboptimal integration of SDM in clinical practice. In the survey, 90% (n=305) did not know about SDM models. A perceived lack of competency counselling patients on pregnancy and family planning was also identified during interviews. Among the survey sample, 44% (n=150) of specialists agreed they preferred leaving pregnancy-related discussions to obstetricians and/or gynaecologists and 57% (n=189) reported having suboptimal skills discussing contraceptive methods with patients. Another finding that emerged from interviews was the perception that all biologics are strictly contraindicated during pregnancy. Suboptimal knowledge was noted among 57% (n=95) of dermatologists and 48% (n=83) of rheumatologists surveyed in that regard, with a statistically significant difference by country among dermatologists (GER: 42% vs UK: 71% vs USA: 57%, p=0.015).

Conclusions

This study identified low levels of knowledge, skill and confidence, as well as attitudinal issues, that explain why SDM is not fully integrated in dermatology and rheumatology clinical practice. Blended-learning interventions are recommended to assist CID specialists in developing effective communication and patient engagement competencies.
Paramedic experiences of providing care in Wales (UK) during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (PECC-19): a qualitative study using evolved grounded theory
Authors: Rees Nigel , Smythe Lauren , Hogan Chloe , Williams Julia
Published: June 2021

Objective

To explore paramedic experiences of providing care during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and develop theory in order to inform future policy and practice.

Design

Qualitative study using constructivist evolved grounded theory (EGT) methodology. One-to-one semistructured interviews were conducted using a general interview guide. Voice over Internet Protocol was used through Skype.

Setting

Conducted between March 2020 and November 2020 in the Welsh Ambulance Services National Health Services Trust UK which serves a population of three million.

Participants

Paramedics were recruited through a poster circulated by email and social media. Following purposive sampling, 20 Paramedics were enrolled and interviewed.

Results

Emergent categories included: Protect me to protect you, Rapid disruption and adaptation, Trust in communication and information and United in hardship. The Basic Social Process was recognised to involve Tragic Choices, conceptualised through an EGT including Tragic personal and professional choices including concerns over personnel protective equipment (PPE), protecting themselves and their families, impact on mental health and difficult clinical decisions, Tragic organisational choices including decision making support, communication, mental health and well-being and Tragic societal choices involving public shows of support, utilisation and resourcing of health services.

Conclusions

Rich insights were revealed into paramedic care during the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with other research. This care was provided in the context of competing and conflicting decisions and resources, where Tragic Choices have to be made which may challenge life’s pricelessness. Well-being support, clinical decision making, appropriate PPE and healthcare resourcing are all influenced by choices made before and during the pandemic, and will continue as we recover and plan for future pandemics. The impact of COVID-19 may persist, especially if we fail to learn, if not we risk losing more lives in this and future pandemics and threatening the overwhelming collective effort which united society in hardship when responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Trial registration number

IRAS ID: 282 623.
Older medical outliers on surgical wards: impact on 6-month outcomes
Authors: Patry Claire , Perozziello Anne , Pardineille Clio , Aubert Christiane , de Malglaive Pauline , Choquet Christophe , Raynaud-Simon Agathe , Sanchez Manuel
Published: June 2021

Background

Medical patients are on occasion admitted transiently to surgical wards when more appropriate wards are at capacity, potentially leading to suboptimal care. The aim of this study was to compare 6-month outcomes in older adults diagnosed with medical conditions in the ED then admitted inappropriately to surgical wards (defined as outliers), with outcomes in comparable patients admitted to medical wards (controls).

Methods

In a matched cohort study, 100 consecutive medical outliers from the ED aged 75 years and over were matched according to age, sex and diagnosis to 200 controls. Collected data included number of diagnoses reported in acute care, level of patient illness severity, length of stay, mortality and destination of patients discharged from acute care units (home, rehabilitation facility, nursing home or palliative care facility). An assessment was made of patient vital status and living environment (home, nursing home or hospital) at 6 months post-ED admission.

Results

Mean age was 85.6 years. The most common ED diagnoses were gait disorders/falls (18%), neurological disorders (17%) and exhaustion (16%). Outliers displayed lower illness severity levels (0.001) and shorter lengths of stay from ED admission to acute care discharge (p=0.040). Subsequent to acute care, outliers were less commonly discharged home (45% vs 59%) and more commonly discharged to rehabilitation facilities (42% vs 28%). At 6 months post-ED admission, multivariable regression analysis showed that outlier status (OR=0.44 (0.25–0.83); p=0.011) and numbers of diagnoses reported in acute care (OR=0.87 (0.76–0.98); p=0.028) were independently associated with lower probability of living at home.

Conclusion

Outlying of older patients to surgical wards negatively affects their prospects of living at home at 6 months after hospital admission. Older patients hospitalised via the ED are entitled to appropriate medical care.
Risk Associated with Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Albuminuria for Pad among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Pan Chi-Feng , Chuang Shih-Ming , Lin Kuan-Chia , Tsai Ming-Chieh , Liao Wei-Tsen , Zeng Yi-Hong , Lee Chun-Chuan
Published: June 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is significantly associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in some studies, but data on the association of the risk of PAD across a broad range of kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes are limited. Between October 17, 2013 and February 7, 2015, all consecutive outpatients with type 2 diabetes underwent ankle-brachial index (ABI) examination. We investigated the association of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) with the risk of PAD. A total of 1254 patients were cross-classified into 12 groups based on ACR category (normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria) and eGFR stage (≥90, 60-89, 30-59 and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2). Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of eGFR and ACR with PAD. Within each ACR category, a lower eGFR stage was associated with PAD. Similarly, within each eGFR group, a higher ACR category was also associated with PAD. The OR for PAD was highest in patients with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and macroalbuminuria (OR 14.42, 95% CI 4.60 to 45.31) when compared with the reference group of subjects with eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and normoalbuminuria. Our study found that cross-classification of eGFR with ACR revealed a more comprehensive association with risk of PAD than eGFR or ACR alone.
Use of N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (nBCA) for preoperative tumor embolization
Authors: Dossani Rimal H , Waqas Muhammad , Rai Hamid H , Baig Ammad A , Cappuzzo Justin M , Siddiqui Adnan H , Levy Elad I
Published: June 2021

N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (nBCA) is a fast-acting liquid adhesive that polymerizes when it comes in contact with blood anions. We present the principles of nBCA preparation and delivery for tumor embolization of a right convexity meningioma in a patient who presented with a 6-month history of word-finding difficulty and memory loss video 1. Angiography of the middle meningeal artery showed a hairpin turn that was not negotiable with a number of different microwires, including the Synchro-2, Chikai 014 and Balt hybrid 008 wire. Due to the tortuous hairpin turn, the microcatheter position was distal to the tumor blush for the convexity meningioma. Given the distal microcatheter position, we opted for nBCA as the liquid embolic of choice for tumor embolization. The time of polymerization for nBCA may be delayed using glacial acetic acid, which makes nBCA ideal when the microcatheter is in a distal position relative to the target location for embolization. The patient underwent successful embolization using nBCA and was taken for a right frontal craniotomy for resection of the meningioma the next day. The intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL and the postoperative MRI showed gross total resection. The patient had an uncomplicated hospital course and was discharged home on post-procedure day 3.

Video 1
Collateral status reperfusion and outcomes after endovascular therapy: insight from the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) Registry
Authors: Anadani Mohammad , Finitsis Stephanos , Clarençon Frédéric , Richard Sébastien , Marnat Gaultier , Bourcier Romain , Sibon Igor , Dargazanli Cyril , Arquizan Caroline , Blanc Raphael , Lapergue Bertrand , Consoli Arturo , Eugene Francois , Vannier Stephane , Spelle Laurent , Denier Christian , Boulanger Marion , Gauberti Maxime , Liebeskind David S , de Havenon Adam , Saleme Suzana , Macian Francisco , Rosso Charlotte , Naggara Olivier , Turc Guillaume , Ozkul-Wermester Ozlem , Papagiannaki Chrisanthi , Viguier Alain , Cognard Christophe , Le Bras Anthony , Evain Sarah , Wolff Valerie , Pop Raoul , Timsit Serge , Gentric Jean-Christophe , Bourdain Frédéric , Veunac Louis , Maier Benjamin , Gory Benjamin
Published: June 2021

Background

Studies have suggested that collateral status modifies the effect of successful reperfusion on functional outcome after endovascular therapy (EVT). We aimed to assess the association between collateral status and EVT outcomes and to investigate whether collateral status modified the effect of successful reperfusion on EVT outcomes.

Methods

We used data from the ongoing, prospective, multicenter Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) Registry. Collaterals were graded according to the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) guidelines. Patients were divided into two groups based on angiographic collateral status: poor (grade 0–2) versus good (grade 3–4) collaterals.

Results

Among 2020 patients included in the study, 959 (47%) had good collaterals. Good collaterals were associated with favorable outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2) (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.88). Probability of good outcome decreased with increased time from onset to reperfusion in both good and poor collateral groups. Successful reperfusion was associated with higher odds of favorable outcome in good collaterals (OR 6.01, 95% CI 3.27 to 11.04) and poor collaterals (OR 5.65, 95% CI 3.32 to 9.63) with no significant interaction. Similarly, successful reperfusion was associated with higher odds of excellent outcome (90-day mRS 0–1) and lower odds of mortality in both groups with no significant interaction. The benefit of successful reperfusion decreased with time from onset in both groups, but the curve was steeper in the poor collateral group.

Conclusions

Collateral status predicted functional outcome after EVT. However, collateral status on the pretreatment angiogram did not decrease the clinical benefit of successful reperfusion.
Optical coherence tomography: a window to the brain?
Authors: Fraser Clare , Lueck Christian J
Published: June 2021

First described in 1991 and introduced into clinical practice in 1996, optical coherence tomography (OCT) now has a very extensive role in many different areas of ophthalmological practice. It is non-invasive, cheap, highly reproducible, widely available and easy to perform. OCT also has a role in managing patients with neurological disorders, particularly idiopathic intracranial hypertension. This review provides an overview of the technology underlying OCT and the information it can provide that is relevant to the practising neurologist. Particular conditions discussed include papilloedema, optic disc drusen, multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, other optic neuropathies, compression of the anterior visual pathway and various neurodegenerative conditions.
Theropod guild structure and the tyrannosaurid niche assimilation hypothesis: implications for predatory dinosaur macroecology and ontogeny in later Late Cretaceous Asiamerica1
Authors: Holtz Thomas R.
Published: June 2021

Well-sampled dinosaur communities from the Jurassic through the early Late Cretaceous show greater taxonomic diversity among larger (>50 kg) theropod taxa than communities of the Campano-Maastrichtian, particularly to those of eastern/central Asia and Laramidia. The large carnivore guilds in Asiamerican assemblages are monopolized by tyrannosaurids, with adult medium-sized (50–500 kg) predators rare or absent. In contrast, various clades of theropods are found to occupy these body sizes in earlier faunas, including early tyrannosauroids. Assemblages with “missing middle-sized” predators are not found to have correspondingly sparser diversity of potential prey species recorded in these same faunas. The “missing middle-sized” niches in the theropod guilds of Late Cretaceous Laramidia and Asia may have been assimilated by juvenile and subadults of tyrannosaurid species, functionally distinct from their adult ecomorphologies. It is speculated that if tyrannosaurids assimilated the niches previously occupied by mid-sized theropod predators, we would expect the evolution of distinct transitions in morphology and possibly the delay of the achievement of somatic maturity in species of this taxon.
HOW HAS THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK AFFECTED ECONOMIC POVERTY IN DIFFERENT ASIAN REGIONS?
Authors: ZHAO LINHAI , RASOULINEZHAD EHSAN
Published: June 2021

It is widely believed that the global economy is experiencing unprecedented challenges by the Covid-19. The main purpose of this research is to explore how the Covid-19 outbreak affected poverty in different Asian regions classified by the United Nations geoscheme, namely South Asia, Southeastern Asia, Central Asia, East Asia and Western Asia. To estimate the coefficients of variables, the panel data framework based on quarterly data over 2010Q1–2020Q2 is employed. Results revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic is a serious challenge for poverty in these regions. The impacts of the pandemic on poverty are smaller for larger or developed economies in Asia than smaller or less-developed economies. Regulating and making a timeline for managing post-coronavirus period is a major policy implication. Another policy implication is that due to the similar findings for Asian countries, they can exchange experiences in controlling the pandemic impacts.
Synthesis and photoelectric properties of SnSe films through selenization of evaporated Sn-metal films
Authors: Wang Shun , Shen Honglie , Cui Shusong , Li Yufang
Published: June 2021

Sn precursor layer was evaporated on a glass substrate by an electron-beam evaporation method and followed by selenization using Se powder. SnSe film was successfully prepared by adjusting the selenization temperature and selenization time. The phase, microstructure and optical properties of the SnSe films were studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated that the pure phase polycrystalline SnSe films with a band gap of 0.93 eV could be prepared by selenizing at 450[Formula: see text]C for 60 min. Under the irradiation of a 980 nm laser with a power of 2 mW/cm2, photoelectric response characteristics of the SnSe films were tested, and the response time and recovery time of the prepared film were 62 ms and 80 ms, respectively, indicating that the SnSe film had a large application prospect in near-infrared light detection.
Cut Star of an Undirected Graph
Authors: Hanifehnezhad Saeid , Dolati Ardeshir
Published: June 2021

Suppose that [Formula: see text] is an undirected graph. An ordered pair [Formula: see text] of the vertices of the graph [Formula: see text] is called a pendant pair for the graph if [Formula: see text] is a minimum cut separating [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] Stoer and Wagner obtained a global minimum cut of [Formula: see text] by using pendant pairs of [Formula: see text] and its contractions. A Gomory Hu tree of the graph [Formula: see text] is a very useful data structure which gives us all the minimum s-t cuts of [Formula: see text] for every pair of distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] In this paper, we construct a new type of tree for the graph [Formula: see text] called cut star, by using pendant pairs of [Formula: see text] and its contractions. A cut star of the graph [Formula: see text] is constructed more quickly than a Gomory Hu tree of [Formula: see text] We characterize a class of graphs for which a cut star of a graph of this class is also a Gomory Hu tree.
High order Anderson parabolic model driven by rough noise in space
Authors: Cao Qiyong , Gao Hongjun
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we concern the fourth parabolic model on [Formula: see text] driven by a multiplicative Gaussian noise which behaves like fractional Brownian motion in time and space with Hurst index [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The existence and uniqueness of mild solution in Skorohod sense are proved, and the weak intermittency is obtained by estimating [Formula: see text]th ([Formula: see text]) moment of the solution. Moreover, the Hölder continuity can be obtained for the time and space variable.
THE IMPACT OF TEAM GOAL ORIENTATION IN THE FUZZY FRONT END OF THE INNOVATION PROCESS
Authors: ROBBINS PETER , O’GORMAN COLM , HUFF ANNE SIGISMUND
Published: June 2021

Many organisations face intense pressure to produce radical innovations. Consequently, innovation researchers have highlighted the need for incubating dedicated radical innovation capabilities. R&D teams are especially pivotal in generating these radical, highly-novel, original ideas at the front end of innovation (FEI). But such efforts end more often in failure than success. Organisational learning theorists have begun to draw on Goal Orientation theory as a motivational driver that might boost the success rate of teams working on such radical innovation projects. But, as yet, no fieldwork has been conducted on R&D teams to explore this promising theoretical model. In this paper, we use a case study of a corporate experiment comprising two innovation teams to investigate how situationally induced goal orientation in R&D teams might impact the radicality of innovation ideas. We find that a shared team Learning Goal orientation is associated with radical innovation and that a shared team Performance Goal orientation is associated with incremental innovation. This paper provides field-based evidence of the role of shared team goal orientation on FEI ideation outcomes. An implication of our findings for R&D managers faced with the difficulties of generating radical innovations from internal teams is that more attention should be paid to the situational cues that impact team FEI efforts, and in particular, a team’s goal orientation.
EVALUATING CORPORATE-STARTUP CO-CREATION: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Authors: STEIBER ANNIKA , ALANGE SVERKER , CORVELLO VINCENZO
Published: June 2021

Partnership with startups offers large firms knowledge about, and access to new technologies. Incumbents’ emphasis on corporate-startup collaboration has therefore reached a new level and various models for corporate-startup collaboration can now be found among large enterprises. “Co-creation” between large firms and technology startups, is one of these models that increases in traction. The model is, however, under-researched and research on frameworks and metrics for evaluating the business effects from corporate-startup co-creation is scarce. The purpose of this paper is therefore to extend the existing body of knowledge by investigating frameworks and metrics for evaluating corporate-startup “co-creation” and to suggest a framework for evaluation of corporate-startup co-creation programs. A literature review on identified frameworks and metrics is presented, covering research findings on evaluation models for corporate-startup collaboration. The main finding in this paper is a “multi-stakeholder framework” for evaluating the collaboration’s results in corporate-startup co-creation models.
Beta Products of Fuzzy Graphs with Application in Cryptography
Authors: Borzooei R. A. , Hoseini B. Sheikh , Jun Y. B.
Published: June 2021

Fuzzy graph theory is finding an increasing number of application in modeling real time systems where the level of information inherent in the system varies with different levels of precision. Special fuzzy graph can be obtained from two given fuzzy graphs using the operations beta products. In this paper, we introduce the notions of some kinds of beta product of two fuzzy graphs. The concept of strong, regular and complement of [Formula: see text]-product of two fuzzy graphs and relation between them are also obtained. At the end, an application with a cryptographic object is said to be using the [Formula: see text]-product of fuzzy graphs.
Dispersion characteristics of complex electromechanical parameters of porous piezoceramics
Authors: Shvetsov I. A. , Lugovaya M. A. , Konstantinova M. G. , Abramov P. A. , Petrova E. I. , Shvetsova N. A. , Rybyanets A. N.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the results of experimental study of dispersion characteristics of complex electromechanical parameters of ferroelectrically “hard” porous piezoceramics based on PZT composition were presented. Experimental samples of porous piezoceramics were fabricated using a modified method of burning-out a pore former. The complex constants of porous piezoceramics with relative porosity 16% and their frequency dependences were measured using the piezoelectric resonance analysis method. As a result of experimental studies, regions of elastic, piezoelectric and electromechanical dispersion, characterized by anomalies in the frequency dependences of the imaginary and real parts of the complex constants of porous piezoelectric ceramics were found. It was revealed also that the microstructural features of porous piezoceramics determine the character of frequency dependences of complex electromechanical parameters of porous piezoelectric ceramics. In conclusion, the microstructural and physical mechanisms of electromechanical losses and dispersion in porous piezoceramics were discussed.
The Book Review Column
Authors: Green Frederic
Published: June 2021

From the ethereal heights of the theory of computability, to the developing eras of computer science, to the sometimes vexing complexities of the present day.
Technical Report Column
Authors: Kelley Dean
Published: June 2021

Welcome to the Technical Reports Column. If your institution publishes technical reports that you'd like to have included here, please contact me at the email address above.
SIGACT News Online Algorithms Column 37
Authors: van Stee Rob
Published: June 2021

For this issue, Pavel Vesely has contributed a wonderful overview of the ideas that were used in his SODA paper on packet scheduling with Marek Chrobak, Lukasz Jez and Jiri Sgall. This is a problem for which a 2-competitive algorithm as well as a lower bound of ϕ ≈ 1:618 was known already twenty years ago, but which resisted resolution for a long time. It is great that this problem has nally been resolved and that Pavel was willing to explain more of the ideas behind it for this column. He also provides an overview of open problems in this area.
Graphene-Gold Nanoparticles Nanozyme-Based Electrochemical Sensor with Enhanced Laccase-Like Activity for Determination of Phenolic Substrates
Authors: Dinu Gugoasa Livia Alexandra , Pogacean Florina , Kurbanoglu Sevinc , Tudoran Lucian-Barbu , Serban Andreea Bianca , Kacso Irina , Pruneanu Stela
Published: June 2021

Graphene decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au-rGO) was obtained in a single-step synthesis by exfoliating graphite rods via pulses of current. The morphological and structural features of Au-rGO were explored by TEM/SEM/EDX and XRD techniques. TEM images reveal the co-existence of thin and transparent sections corresponding to few-layer graphene along with darker regions corresponding to multi-layer graphene. Such a mixture was further confirmed by XRD examination of the sample. Au-rGO was next deposited on top of a screen-printed electrode (Au-rGO/SPE), and its electro-catalytic activity toward catechol oxidation was compared with that of a laccase-modified electrode (Lac/SPE). For Au-rGO/SPE, the dependence between the peak current and catechol concentration was linear within a wide range (1.0 × 10−9–1.0 × 10−3 M) with a sensitivity of 0.048 A/M. The limit of quantification was very low, 1.0 × 10−9 M, and the limit of detection was calculated to be 3.3 × 10−10 M (S/N = 3). In contrast, the Lac/SPE has three times lower sensitivity toward catechol (0.016 A M−1) and a higher LOD (3.3 × 10−6 M). The Au-rGO/SPE was tested for the detection of catechol in tap and mineral water samples with recovery percentages from 90.9% to 100.1%.
Selectivity and excitability of upper-limb muscle activation during cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in humans
Authors: de Freitas Roberto M. , Sasaki Atsushi , Sayenko Dimitry G. , Masugi Yohei , Nomura Taishin , Nakazawa Kimitaka , Milosevic Matija
Published: June 2021

We examined selectivity and excitability of motor activation in multiple upper-limb muscles during cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation with different cathode and anode configurations. Hand muscles were more activated when the cathode was configured over the T1 vertebra compared with C6 and C7 locations. Higher stimulation intensities were required to activate distal hand muscles than proximal arm muscles. Finally, configuration of anode over anterior neck elicited larger responses compared with other configurations.
Intelligent Prediction Model of the Triaxial Compressive Strength of Rock Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles Based on a Genetic Algorithm and Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Xiong Xin , Gao Feng , Zhou Keping , Gao Yuxu , Yang Chun
Published: June 2021

Rock compressive strength is an important mechanical parameter for the design, excavation, and stability analysis of rock mass engineering in cold regions. Accurate and rapid prediction of rock compressive strength has great engineering value in guiding the efficient construction of rock mass engineering in a cold regions. In this study, the prediction of triaxial compressive strength (TCS) for sandstone subjected to freeze-thaw cycles was proposed using a genetic algorithm (GA) and an artificial neural network (ANN). For this purpose, a database including four model inputs, namely, the longitudinal wave velocity, porosity, confining pressure, and number of freeze-thaw cycles, and one output, the TCS of the rock, was established. The structure, initial connection weights, and biases of the ANN were optimized progressively based on GA. After obtaining the optimal GA-ANN model, the performance of the GA-ANN model was compared with that of a simple ANN model. The results revealed that the proposed hybrid GA-ANN model had a higher accuracy in predicting the testing datasets than the simple ANN model: the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and

R

squared (

R

2

) were equal to 1.083, 0.893, and 0.993, respectively, for the hybrid GA-ANN model, while the corresponding values were 2.676, 2.153, and 0.952 for the simple ANN model.
Learning Deep Attention Network from Incremental and Decremental Features for Evolving Features
Authors: Wang Chuxin , Mo Haoran
Published: June 2021

In many real-world machine learning problems, the features are changing along the time, with some old features vanishing and some other new features augmented, while the remaining features survived. In this paper, we propose the cross-feature attention network to handle the incremental and decremental features. This network is composed of multiple cross-feature attention encoding-decoding layers. In each layer, the data samples are firstly encoded by the combination of other samples with vanished/augmented features and weighted by the attention weights calculated by the survived features. Then, the samples are encoded by the combination of samples with the survived features weighted by the attention weights calculated from the encoded vanished/augmented feature data. The encoded vanished/augmented/survived features are then decoded and fed to the next cross-feature attention layer. In this way, the incremental and decremental features are bridged by paying attention to each other, and the gap between data samples with a different set of features are filled by the attention mechanism. The outputs of the cross-feature attention network are further concatenated and fed to the class-specific attention and global attention network for the purpose of classification. We evaluate the proposed network with benchmark data sets of computer vision, IoT, and bio-informatics, with incremental and decremental features. Encouraging experimental results show the effectiveness of our algorithm.
A Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms for Detection of Organic and Nonorganic Cotton Diseases
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Jain Arpit , Shukla Anand Prakash , Singh Satyendr , Raja Rohit , Rani Shilpa , Harshitha G. , AlZain Mohammed A. , Masud Mehedi
Published: June 2021

Cotton is the natural fiber produced, and the commercial crop grown in monoculture on 2.5% of total agricultural land. Cotton is a drought-resistant crop that provides a reliable income to the farmers that grow under the area with a threat from climatic change. These cotton crops are being affected by bacterial, fungal, viral, and other parasitic diseases that may vary due to the climatic conditions resulting in the crop’s low productivity. The most prone to diseases is the leaf that results in the damage of the plant and sometimes the whole crop. Most of the diseases occur only on leaf parts of the cotton plant. The primary purpose of disease detection has always been to identify the diseases affecting the plant in the early stages using traditional techniques for better production. To detect these cotton leaf diseases appropriately, the prior knowledge and utilization of several image processing methods and machine learning techniques are helpful.