bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Cumulative Viral Load With the Incidence of Hypertension and Diabetes in People With HIV
Authors: Rivera Adovich S. , Rusie Laura , Plank Megan , Siddique Juned , Beach Lauren B. , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. , Feinstein Matthew J.
Published: October 2022

Background:

HIV induces several metabolic derangements that contribute to cardiovascular disease, but it is unclear if HIV increases diabetes or hypertension risk. Refining longitudinal relationships between HIV-specific factors and cardiovascular disease risk factors across different care settings may help inform cardiovascular disease prevention among people with HIV (PWH).

Methods:

We tested the hypothesis that long-term higher cumulative viral load (viremia-copy-year) is associated with higher risk of diabetes and hypertension by analyzing electronic records of PWH from 2 distinct health systems in Chicago (Northwestern Medicine and Howard Brown Health Care) receiving care in 2004 to 2019. We used joint longitudinal-survival models to assess multivariable-adjusted associations. Subgroup analyses per site were also conducted.

Results:

We observed 230 (3.0%) incident diabetes cases in 7628 PWH without baseline diabetes and 496 (6.7%) hypertension cases in 7450 PWH without baseline hypertension. Pooled analysis showed a direct association of viremia-copy-year with incident hypertension (hazards ratio, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.14–1.26]) but not with diabetes (hazards ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.96–1.10]). However, site-specific differences existed whereby the Northwestern-only analysis demonstrated a significant association of viremia-copy-year with hypertension (hazards ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.08–1.32]). Additionally, higher social deprivation index (both sites) and diagnosis of mental health disorder (Howard Brown Health only) was associated with higher diabetes and hypertension risk.

Conclusions:

Cumulative viral load may be associated with incident hypertension among PWH. Associations of HIV control with cardiovascular disease risk factors among PWH may differ by health care system context.
Potential Mediators of Causal Associations of Circulating Triglycerides With Blood Pressure: Evidence From Genetic and Observational Data
Authors: Liu Lian Yong , Gu Qing , Hu Xue , Fan Jie , Liu Xing Zhen
Published: October 2022

Background:

Existing evidence indicates that elevated triglycerides may affect blood pressure, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Herein, we aim to identify the intermediaries of associations of triglyceride with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure using the Mendelian randomization (MR) framework.

Methods:

Triglyceride-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms were extracted and used to match phenotypes in PhenoScanner. From the broad spectrum of possible triglyceride-associated traits, potential mediators linking triglyceride to blood pressure were screened out by MR and MR-based mediation analysis. Moreover, cross-sectional observational data of 206 341 adults were used to validate the mediators identified at the genetic level.

Results:

Among the nearly 100 raw phenotypes matched by 313 triglyceride-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms, 39 traits were filtered and integrated into subsequent analysis. By further filtering using MR analysis, only pulse rate and lymphocyte count (LC) were identified as independent mediators. MR-based mediation analysis showed that genetically predicted LC could mediate 9.2% of the association of triglyceride with systolic blood pressure; genetically predicted pulse rate and LC could mediate 18.3% and 17.6% of the association of triglyceride with DBP, respectively. Observational data also support the mediating role of pulse rate and LC.

Conclusions:

The current findings highlighted the mediating role of pulse rate and LC on the causal pathway from triglyceride to blood pressure and may contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanism by which high triglyceride affects other cardiometabolic factors.
MiR-1249 on Endothelial Extracellular Vesicles Mediates Cigarette Smoke–Induced Pulmonary Hypertension by Inhibiting HDAC10 (Histone Deacetylase 10)-NFκB (Nuclear Factor κB)-CaSR (Calcium-Sensing Receptor) Cascade
Authors: Su Yuan , Tan Rubin , Sun Mengxiang , Yuan Linbo , Ruiz Matthieu , Dupuis Jocelyn , Hu Qinghua , Zhu Liping
Published: October 2022

Background:

Overproduction of endothelial extracellular vesicles (eEVs) is correlated with pulmonary hypertension progression, but the precise mechanism remains largely unclear.

Methods:

MicroRNA-chip and real-time polymerase chain reaction were conducted to screen and validate microRNA profiles in blood plasma eEVs of rats and human with or without cigarette smoking. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were cultured to study signaling pathways. Pulmonary hypertension phenotypes were evaluated in wild-type and calcium-sensing receptor knockout rats to identify the pathophysiological significance of the microRNA pathway.

Results:

MicroR-1249 was predominant highly expressed in eEVs from plasma of rats exposed to cigarette smoking, and confirmed in eEVs from plasma of human smokers as well as in eEVs from cigarette smoke extract-treated pulmonary artery endothelial cells, but not in cigarette smoke extract-treated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. In cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, microR-1249 downregulated the expression of histone deacetylase 10, which in turn enhanced the acetylated form of NFκB (nuclear factor κB) level and its nuclear translocation leading to increased expression of calcium-sensing receptor. In rats, the repression of microR-1249 in eEVs by microR-1249 inhibitor, histone deacetylase 10 overexpression, or calcium-sensing receptor knockout profoundly inhibited the proliferative capacities and diminished apoptosis-resistance of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and pulmonary hypertension development in rats intravenously administrated with eEVs preparation from cigarette smoke extract-treated pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

Cigarette smoke–enriched microR-1249 in endothelial extracellular vesicles facilitates the hyperproliferative and antiapoptotic status of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells promoting pulmonary hypertension evolution through the inhibition of histone deacetylase 10–NFκB–calcium-sensing receptor cascade.
Blood Pressure and Cardiorenal Outcomes With Finerenone in Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ruilope Luis M. , Agarwal Rajiv , Anker Stefan D. , Filippatos Gerasimos , Pitt Bertram , Rossing Peter , Sarafidis Pantelis , Schmieder Roland E. , Joseph Amer , Rethemeier Nicole , Nowack Christina , Bakris George L. ,   on behalf of the FIDELIO-DKD Investigators
Published: October 2022

Background:

Chronic kidney disease is frequently associated with hypertension and poorly controlled blood pressure can lead to chronic kidney disease progression. Finerenone, a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, significantly improves cardiorenal outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. This analysis explored the relationship between office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and cardiorenal outcomes with finerenone in FIDELIO-DKD trial (Finerenone in Reducing Kidney Failure and Disease Progression in Diabetic Kidney Disease).

Methods:

Patients with type 2 diabetes, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 30 to 5000 mg/g, and estimated glomerular filtration rate of 25 to <75 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
receiving optimized renin-angiotensin system blockade, were randomized to finerenone or placebo. For this analysis, patients (N=5669) were grouped by baseline office SBP quartiles.

Results:

Finerenone reduced office SBP across the baseline office SBP quartiles, including patients with baseline office SBP of >148 mm Hg. Overall, patients with lower baseline office SBP quartile and greater declines from baseline in SBP were associated with better cardiorenal outcomes. The risk of primary kidney and key secondary cardiovascular composite outcomes was consistently reduced with finerenone versus placebo irrespective of baseline office SBP quartiles (
P
for interaction 0.87 and 0.78, respectively). A time-varying analysis revealed that 13.8% and 12.6% of the treatment effect with finerenone was attributed to the change in office SBP for the primary kidney composite outcome and the key secondary cardiovascular outcome, respectively.

Conclusions:

In FIDELIO-DKD, cardiorenal outcomes improved with finerenone irrespective of baseline office SBP. Reductions in office SBP accounted for a small proportion of the treatment effect on cardiorenal outcomes.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02540993.
Multiclass characterization of frontotemporal dementia variants via multimodal brain network computational inference
Authors: Gonzalez-Gomez Raul , Ibañez Agustín , Moguilner Sebastian
Published: October 2022

Characterizing a particular neurodegenerative condition against others possible diseases remains a challenge along clinical, biomarker, and neuroscientific levels. This is the particular case of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) variants, where their specific characterization requires high levels of expertise and multidisciplinary teams to subtly distinguish among similar physiopathological processes. Here, we used a computational approach of multimodal brain networks to address simultaneous multiclass classification of 298 subjects (one group against all others), including five FTD variants: behavioral variant FTD, corticobasal syndrome, nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia, progressive supranuclear palsy, and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia, with healthy controls. Fourteen machine learning classifiers were trained with functional and structural connectivity metrics calculated through different methods. Due to the large number of variables, dimensionality was reduced, employing statistical comparisons and progressive elimination to assess feature stability under nested cross-validation. The machine learning performance was measured through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves, reaching 0.81 on average, with a standard deviation of 0.09. Furthermore, the contributions of demographic and cognitive data were also assessed via multifeatured classifiers. An accurate simultaneous multiclass classification of each FTD variant against other variants and controls was obtained based on the selection of an optimum set of features. The classifiers incorporating the brain’s network and cognitive assessment increased performance metrics. Multimodal classifiers evidenced specific variants’ compromise, across modalities and methods through feature importance analysis. If replicated and validated, this approach may help to support clinical decision tools aimed to detect specific affectations in the context of overlapping diseases.
Phylogenetic status of some unique species representing Blapstinina Mulsant & Rey (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Opatrini), and implications for continued study of the subtribe
Authors: KAMIŃSKI MARCIN JAN , LUMEN RYAN , KANDA KOJUN , SMITH AARON DENNIS
Published: October 2022

Blapstinus Dejean is the most taxonomically challenging genus within Blapstinina Mulsant & Rey (Tenebrionidae: Opatrini). With over 120 species, it is widely distributed throughout the Americas, with representatives reaching Canada on the northern range edge, and Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay in the south. Traditionally, Blapstinus has been distinguished from other blapstinoid beetles via well-developed metathoracic wings and their lack of synapomorphies present in other genera; however, fused and tapering aedeagal parameres were recently introduced as a potential autapomorphy for the genus. This study used molecular data (nuclear ribosomal 28S, cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), arginine kinase (ArgK), carbomyl-phosphate synthetase domain of rudimentary (CAD), and wingless (wg)) to investigate the phylogenetic placement and taxonomic status of three Blapstinus species with distinct male genitalic morphology, i.e. Blapstinus tibialis Champion (USA), B. grandis Champion (Mexico, Nicaragua), and B. punctulatus Solier (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay). Analyses highlight the phylogenetic informativeness of the aedeagal morphology within the subtribe, and support an urgent need for taxonomic studies of South American taxa. Blapstinus tibialis and B. grandis were recovered as a specific lineage within Blapstinus that can be easily distinguished from remaining congeners by having tridentate parameres. A lectotype for B. grandis is designated to fix the taxonomic status of this species. Blapstinus punctulatus was recovered outside of its current genus which, along with aedeagal morphology, supports a change of status of the species. As a result, the following synonymy and combinations are introduced: Lodinus Mulsant and Rey stat. restit. (=Austrocaribius Marcuzzi syn. nov.), Lodinus araguae (Marcuzzi) comb. et stat. nov., L. punctulatus comb. nov., L. venezuelensis (Marcuzzi) comb. nov. Lectotypes for Lodinus nigroaeneus Mulsant and Rey, L. araguae, and L. punctulatus are designated to fix the taxonomic status of these species.
Description of the female and redescription of the male of Sciopemyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte, 1927), including the description of four new species of the genus Sciopemyia Barretto, 1962 (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) from Brazil
Authors: CHAVES JÚNIOR SALVADOR P. , SHIMABUKURO PALOMA H. F. , ANDRADE ANDREY J.
Published: October 2022

Currently, there are 1,047 sand fly species described worldwide. Brazil holds the greatest species richness in the Americas. The genus Sciopemyia Barretto, 1962 consists of eight species with Sciopemyia sordellii as its type species. Described by Shannon & Del Ponte in 1927, based on a single male specimen from Argentina, it has two junior synonymies: Phlebotomus nordestinus Mangabeira, 1942 and Phlebotomus longicornutus Floch & Abonnenc, 1943. The female of Sc. sordellii was not formally described and, until now, the female described as Ph. longicornutus was considered the female of Sc. sordellii. Here, we provide the description of the female of Sc. sordellii as well as a detailed redescription of the male. In addition, after a taxonomic review of specimens previously identified as Sc. sordellii or “Sc. microps aff.” we propose the description of four new species. To obtain morphological and morphometrical data, specimens deposited in the “Coleção de Flebotomíneos” (FIOCRUZ/COLFLEB) and in the “Coleção de Flebotomíneos da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo” (LESP-Phlebotominae) were analyzed. Descriptions of Sciopemyia species and their synonymies were checked. A total of 318 specimens (145 females and 173 males) were examined and firstly grouped as morphospecies. Within the genus Sciopemyia, the closest species to Sc. sordellii is Sc. vattierae, whose males are separated by the size of flagellomere I, aedeagal ducts and epandrial lobe. Females, on the other hand, show differences in the spermathecae. The female of Sciopemyia apicalis sp. n. remains unknown; Wheareas, the male is morphologically closer to Sc. sordellii, and they differ on the arrangement of the spines of the gonostyle. Sciopemyia dantastorresi sp. n. and Sciopemyia shimabukuroae sp. n. are sister species, whose identification is only possible from male specimens, since no differences were found between females. The female of Sciopemyia birali sp. n. is similar to the females of Sc. microps and Sc. servulolimai but is distinguished from them by characters of the cibarium, palps, and individual spermathecal ducts. The male of Sciopemyia birali sp. n. remains unknown. Drawings and a dichotomous key for both sexes are provided.
Revision of the Lemonia taraxaci complex, with a description of a new species from Italy and clarification of the status of Lemonia strigata (Lepidoptera: Brahmaeidae: Lemoniinae)
Authors: PROZOROV ALEXEY M. , PROZOROVA TATIANA A. , VOLKOVA JULIA S. , YAKOVLEV ROMAN V. , NEDOSHIVINA SVETLANA V. , PINZARI MANUELA , PINZARI MARIO , SCALERCIO STEFANO , BIANCO GIOVANNI , SALDAITIS AIDAS , HAUSMANN AXEL , REVAY EDITA E. , MÜLLER GÜNTER C.
Published: October 2022

The species Lemonia taraxaci (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1755) is divided into three species based on distribution areas and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) distances above 2%: Central European Lemonia taraxaci (type locality: Austria, Vienna area), Eastern European to South Siberian Lemonia sibirica Wnukowsky, 1934 stat. rev., bona sp. (type locality: Russia, Novosibirsk Oblast, Ozero-Karachi and Russia, Altai Krai, Kornilovo), and Italian Lemonia italiana sp. n. (type locality: Italy, Calabria centr., Sila grd., Casali del Manco, San Nicola Silano (CS)). Authorship of Lemonia strigata Antoshin & Zolotuhin, 2011 is reconsidered. The close relation between the typical L. strigata and taraxaci-like adults from the Balkans is proven genetically. According to this, L. strigata is suggested to be a junior synonym of taraxaci-looking Lemonia taraxaci var. montana Buresch, 1915 (type locality: Bulgaria, Rhodope Mts, Musala), although further DNA investigation is needed to prove this hypothesis.
Description of a new species of the genus Sinodorcadion Gressitt, 1939 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)
Authors: WANG PING , XIE GUANGLIN , WANG WENKAI
Published: October 2022

In this work, a new species of the genus Sinodorcadion Gressitt, 1939 (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) is described and illustrated, namely Sinodorcadion chizhouensis Wang, Xie & Wang sp. nov. from Anhui, China.
Garra rezai, a new species from two widely disjunct areas in the Tigris drainage (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: MOUSAVI-SABET HAMED , EAGDERI SOHEIL , SAEMI-KOMSARI MARYAM , KAYA CÜNEYT , FREYHOF JÖRG
Published: October 2022

Garra rezai, new species, is described from the Chooman, a tributary of the Lesser Zab in Iran, and from headwaters of the Yanarsu, a tributary of the upper Tigris in Turkey. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Garra variabilis species group by having two pairs of barbels, a well-developed mental disc, 35–40 total scales along the lateral line, 15–19 scales along the predorsal midline, and 15–18 circumpeduncular scales. It is further characterised by having ten diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and the K2P genetic distances with the closest species i.e. G. klatti, G. kemali and G. variabilis as 11.9, 12.0, and 13.7%, respectively in the mtDNA COI barcode region.
Assessing Stakeholder Engagement for Outcomes-Based Research Among Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Asthma: A Survey-Based Investigation
Authors: Gill Amarbir S. , Shipman Paige , Beswick Daniel M. , Howe Heather , Alt Jeremiah A.
Published: October 2022

Background:

Despite significant morbidity, there remains a critical need for prospective analyses to investigate the impact of comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with asthma (CRSwA) on patient centered outcomes. The objective of this study was to ascertain critical stakeholder feedback from patients that could inform future study design based on patient preferences, in an effort to optimize patient enrollment.

Methods:

A prospective, descriptive study was performed in order to determine the importance of various factors on CRSwA treatment among critical stakeholders. A Likert-scale survey highlighting various aspects of treatment of CRSwA and elucidating patient enthusiasm for clinical enrollment was constructed and prospectively administered to patients with CRSwA. A univariate analysis was instituted to understand the significance of the different trial design preferences.

Results:

Survey responses were collected from a total of 17 patients with CRSwA. With Likert scores >4/5, responses indicated significant stakeholder interest in research focused on understanding symptom triggers, including the impact of air quality and allergens. Importantly, the highest mean scores noted were for studies focused on improving (1) overall quality of life (4.8/5) and (2) lung function (4.8/5). Patients appeared least interested in participation in a randomized trial, whereas the greatest support was communicated for a purely observational trial ( P = .08).

Conclusion:

Patients with CRSwA demonstrate enthusiasm for participation in research that focuses on improving patient centered outcomes—specifically quality of life and lung function. Stakeholder feedback also indicates a preference for observational study design over randomized control trials.
Postoperative Outcomes in Pediatric Septoplasty
Authors: Benyo Sarah , Moroco Annie E. , Saadi Robert A. , Patel Vijay A. , King Tonya S. , Wilson Meghan N.
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Identify risk factors and perioperative morbidity for pediatric patients undergoing septoplasty.

Methods:

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-P) database was retrospectively queried to identify patients who underwent septoplasty (CPT 30520) for a diagnosis of deviated nasal septum (ICD J34.2) from 2018 to 2019. Outcomes analyzed include patient demographics, medical comorbidities, surgical setting, operative characteristics, length of stay, and postoperative outcomes.

Results:

A total of 729 children were identified. Median age at time of surgery was 15.8 years, with most patients (82.8%) >12 years of age; no significant association was identified between age at time of surgery and adverse surgical outcomes. Overall, postoperative complications were uncommon (0.6%), including readmission (0.4%), septic shock (0.1%), and surgical site infection (0.1%). A history of asthma was found to be a significant risk factor for postoperative complications ( P = .035) as well as BMI ( P = .028).

Conclusion:

The 30-day postoperative complications following pediatric septoplasty in children reported in the NSQIP-P database are infrequent. Special considerations regarding young age, complex sinonasal anatomy, and surgical technique remain important features in considering corrective surgery for the pediatric nose and certainly warrant further investigation in subsequent studies.
An Assessment of a Socioeconomic Risk Screening Tool for Telemedicine Encounters in Pediatric Primary Care: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ireson Elizabeth , Burkhardt Mary Carol , DeBlasio Dominick , Xu Yingying , Walters Jessica , Johnson Tasha , Klein Melissa
Published: October 2022

Socioeconomic adversity negatively affects child health. Telemedicine use in pediatrics is rapidly expanding. We piloted a socioeconomic risk screening tool within telemedicine visits. Using chart review, our primary aim was to assess the rates of screen completion, risk identification, and referral generation during telemedicine visits. Our secondary aim was to assess family satisfaction and barriers to connecting with referrals/interventions through follow-up telephone interviews. This study included 179 telemedicine encounters. The screening tool was completed in 63% of encounters and was positive in 5% of encounters. Of those who identified socioeconomic risks, 90% received a referral/intervention (social work consultation, food pantry, etc.). During follow-up calls, families expressed satisfaction with telemedicine, though 31% described difficulty connecting with the recommended services. High rates of socioeconomic risk screening resulting in interventions are achievable during telemedicine visits. Further work is needed to identify optimal socioeconomic risk screening questions and opportunities, and to ensure successful interventions.
Profiles of an Ideal Society: The Utopian Visions of Ordinary People
Authors: Fernando Julian W. , Burden Nicholas , Judge Madeline , O’Brien Léan V. , Ashman Hollis , Paladino Angela , Kashima Yoshihisa
Published: October 2022

Throughout history, people have expressed the desire for an ideal society—a utopia. These imagined societies have motivated action for social change. Recent research has demonstrated this motivational effect among ordinary people in English-speaking countries, but we know little about the specific content of ordinary people’s utopian visions in different cultures. Here we report that a majority of samples from four countries—Australia, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States—converge on a small number of utopian visions: a Modern Green utopia, a Primitivist utopia, a Futurist utopia, and a Religious utopia. Although the prevalence of these utopia profiles differed across countries, there was a cross-cultural convergence in utopian visions. These shared visions may provide common ground for conversations about how to achieve a better future across cultural borders.
Death and Dying Through the Lens of Jordanian Muslim Patients and Caregivers
Authors: Othman Elham H. , Khalaf Inaam A. , Alosta Mohammad R. , Abualruz Hasan , Zeilani Ruqayya
Published: October 2022

The current phenomenological-qualitative study explored the meaning of death and dying from a Jordanian-Muslim perspective. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with eight patients and five family caregivers, then analyzed following the Braun and Clarke steps. The analysis revealed two main themes; confronting death and preparing for a good death. The experience of terminal illness compelled the patients and their family caregivers to think of imminent death and want to prepare for it. On the other hand, Muslim terminally-ill patients accepted death and surrendered to God’s decree; however, they feared the unknown of the dying experience. Furthermore, the patients were concerned about being a burden to their families during the last days of their lives. Additionally, Muslim patients and caregivers identified five components of a ‘good death’ from the Arab-Muslims’ perspectives, including having a good closure, dying with dignity, coming to peace, not dying alone, and having a religious engagement.
The Relative Age Effect in Male and Female Brazilian Elite Volleyball Athletes of Varied Competitive Levels
Authors: de Oliveira Castro Henrique , De Conti Teixeira Costa Gustavo , Gomes Sérgio Adriano , Júnior Rubens Venditti , Tertuliano Ivan Wallan , de Oliveira Vivian , da Silva Aguiar Samuel , Laporta Lorenzo , Figueiredo Lucas Savassi
Published: October 2022

Volleyball is a popular sport in Brazil, and the relative age effect (RAE) is known to occur within it; but less is known of how RAE relates to elite Brazilian volleyball players’ age, sex, and competitive levels. We aimed to investigate RAE prevalence with data from two seasons of play among players in the Superliga A (2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons), and Superliga B (2021 and 2022 seasons) made available from the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV), the club’s official website, or direct consultation with the CBV. After removing duplicate data, we grouped these 1,063 athletes by their dates of birth, sex, and competition level (Superliga A or B). We divided players’ birth dates into quarters (Q1: January-March, Q2: April-June, Q3: July-September and Q4: October-December) and into semesters, and we performed chi-square (χ2) tests to investigate RAE prevalence according to the players’ sex and competitive level. RAE was prevalent overall (χ2 = 33.198; p < .001), among males (χ2 = 24.48; p < .001) and females (χ2 = 11.23; p < .011). Regarding competition level, RAE was evident among males in both Superliga A (χ2 = 14.581; p = 0.002), and B (χ2 = 13.985; p = 0.003), and among females in Superliga B (χ2 = 9.204; p = 0.027), but not Superliga A (χ2 = 4.012; p = 0.26). Thus, the RAE phenomenon operated differently for male and female Brazilian volleyball players according to their competitive level. We discuss the implications of these findings.
Influence of fiber length and comber noil extraction in long staple worsted spinning on eri silk yarn quality
Authors: Chattopadhyay Debasis , Chakraborty Arijit , Chatterjee SM
Published: October 2022

The eri cocoons are open mouthed and as their silk filaments are discontinuous, these can only be used for spun yarn production. In this study, the effect of fiber length and comber noil extractions on yarn quality were evaluated. The significant impact of fiber length as well as first and second comber noil extraction was observed on yarn unevenness, imperfections, tenacity, breaking elongation and hairiness. With the aim of minimizing unevenness, imperfections and hairiness along with maximizing tenacity and breaking elongation of yarn; the fiber length and comber noil were optimized using Minitab 19 software. It was revealed that 150 mm fiber length can be set in the staple cutter during spinning preparatory for all yarn counts; 19% and 7% comber noil extractions are required for first and second combing, respectively, to produce 40 and 60 Nm yarns, whereas for 80 Nm yarn about 1% more noil extraction is needed in both combing processes. Principal component analysis depicted that both two comber noil contribute about 57% and fiber length of 43% on yarn quality. Regression equations from the response surface design of the experiment were derived for different yarn quality characteristics which exhibit a difference between actual and predicted values of below 10%.
Cannabis use for Sleep Disturbance Among Older Patients in a Geriatrics Clinic
Authors: Kaufmann Christopher N. , Malhotra Atul , Yang Kevin H. , Han Benjamin H. , Nafsu Reva , Lifset Ella T. , Nguyen Khai , Sexton Michelle , Moore Alison A.
Published: October 2022

Cannabis use is growing among older adults to manage medical concerns including poor sleep. In this study, we characterized how patients seen at a geriatrics clinic use cannabis to address sleep disturbance. Specifically, we conducted an anonymous survey of 568 adults, including 83 who reported cannabis use within the past 3 years, to inquire about such use. We compared cannabis use characteristics between those using it for sleep disturbance versus all other conditions. We considered a p-value <.10 to be statistically significant. Among the cannabis users in our sample, 29% reported using cannabis for sleep disturbance (N = 24). They were more likely than other users to be female ( p = .07), consume cannabis more frequently ( p = .01), use products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (vs. cannabidiol [CBD]-only; p < .01), and use cannabis to target more symptoms ( p < .01). As cannabis use continues to grow in older populations, it is essential to delineate better how cannabis may be used safely and effectively to improve older adults’ sleep health.
Regional Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: The Moderating Role of Social Distancing and Vaccine Rollout in the U.S.
Authors: Park JungHo
Published: October 2022

This study examines the relationship between statewide contexts and individuals’ COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy by using the Household Pulse Survey, a national and near real-time data timely deployed by the U.S. Census Bureau. Controlling for the individual- and state-level variables in addition to temporal effect, this study finds that racial and ethnic minorities and COVID-19-infected people are more hesitant than their counterparts to receive a vaccine. Individuals who reside in a state where more stringent social distancing measures – particularly mask mandate – are implemented and vaccine rollout conditions are better appear to be less hesitant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vulnerable subpopulation groups such as people of color and COVID-19-infected individuals are more hesitant to vaccine uptake even if regional circumstances are equal. These findings suggest that the continuation and extension of vaccine campaigns at the regional as well as individual levels are all important for expediting COVID-19 vaccination and reducing vaccine hesitancy as the world is in the middle of the third year of the pandemic.
Foucault, Sellars, and the “conditions of possibility” of science
Authors: Piasentier Marco
Published: October 2022

Foucault and Sellars are representatives of conflicting philosophical traditions: whereas Foucault famously insisted that “power is everywhere,” Sellars proposed the well-known scientia mensura dictum. The tension between the two perspectives seems to be so strong that each of them ends up reducing the other to an epiphenomenal illusion. In this article, I shall attempt to show that the works of Sellars and Foucault are not necessarily irreconcilable. The common ground for this dialogue is what I shall define as a historico-practical conception of science. I will build this concept by tracing a connection between the Foucauldian notion of “conditions of possibility” of science and Sellars’s thesis about the “indispensability” of the manifest image. Finally, I will argue that this conception of science problematizes the clash between the scientific and manifest images of the world, paving the way for a different relationship between naturalism and critical theory.
Against authenticity: Autonomy and oppressive circumstances
Authors: Rodríguez Apólito Maite
Published: October 2022

An ongoing debate between ‘procedural’ and ‘substantive’ theorists of personal autonomy addresses the following question: should agents have the final say on their own autonomy or should the objective circumstances in which agents live take prevalence when assessing their autonomy? Proceduralists favour the first strategy and substantive theorists restrict more explicitly the conditions under which autonomy is possible. I focus on forms of heteronomy which derive from oppressive circumstances and accept that substantive theorists are correct in contending that (i) forms of oppression common in contemporary liberal societies (e.g. gender or racial oppression) tend to increase heteronomy; and (ii) the heteronomy which derives from social oppression tends to fly below the radar of procedural accounts. Still, I argue that a revised procedural strategy could limit these forms of heteronomy as long as it avoids the injunctions to ‘authenticity’ common in procedural models. I proceed by reconstructing John Christman’s model which, I argue, constitutes the most promising procedural account to assess autonomy under oppression. Christman’s theory, however, needs to be reinforced to ensure self-problematisation in light of a social perspective. I show that the latter is necessary to experience the forms of alienation which are markers of heteronomy according to Christman.
Domesticating models: On the contingency of Covid-19 modelling in UK media and policy
Authors: Engelmann Lukas , Montgomery Catherine M , Sturdy Steve , Moreno Lozano Cristina
Published: October 2022

Our article traces the representation of pandemic modelling in UK print media from the emergence of Covid-19 to the early stages of implementing the first UK-wide lockdown in late March 2020. Covid modelling, it is widely assumed, has shaped policy decisions and public responses to the pandemic in unprecedented ways. We analyse how the UK print media has configured modelling as a significant evidence tool in the representation of the pandemic. Interrogating assumptions about infectious disease modelling, we ask why models became the trusted tool of choice for knowing and responding to the Covid pandemic in the UK. Our analysis has yielded four different periods in the evolution of intersecting policy and media frames. Initially, modellers, policymakers and media alike emphasized uncertainty about available data, and hence the speculative character of modelled projections, thus justifying a ‘wait and see’ approach to government intervention. With growing public pressure for government action, policy and media frames were adjusted to emphasize the importance of timing interventions for best effect, with modelling evidence mobilized to justify inaction. This gave way to a period of crisis, as the press increasingly questioned the reliability of the existing models and policies, leading modellers and policy makers to dramatically revise their projections. Finally, with the imposition of the first UK lockdown, policy and media frames were brought back into alignment with one another, in a process of domestication through which the language of modelling became a basic resource for the discussion of the epidemic. Our epistemological microhistory thus challenges general accounts of the impacts of pandemic modelling and instead emphasizes contingency and interpretative flexibility.
Rental proptech platforms: Changing landlord and tenant power relations in the UK private rental sector?
Authors: Wainwright Thomas
Published: October 2022

The structure of the UK's private rental sector (PRS) is being disrupted by a new series of rental proptech platforms (RPPs). These start-ups are adopting technologies including artificial intelligence and algorithms which draw upon ever broader datasets to automate and mediate the relationships between tenants and landlords. Only recently have researchers turned to examine new RPPs, which are challenging existing processes within the PRS, through their attempts to digitise all aspects of renting, from a tenant's initial search and application, to end-contract management. This paper seeks to provide two contributions: first, to uncover how platform entrepreneur views of ‘ideal’ tenants shape the algorithms and scripts that run within their start-ups, and how they shift to accommodate the demands of external venture capital funding. Second, it seeks to examine how landlords are falling under the gaze of technological surveillance and automated judgements, as well as tenants, to illustrate how fragmented and uneven data topologies create inequalities through automated ordering and judgements.
Comparing Travel Behavior and Opportunities to Increase Transportation Sustainability in Small Cities, Towns, and Rural Communities
Authors: Quallen Erica , Clarke Julia , Nelson Clare , Rowangould Gregory
Published: October 2022

The vast majority of travel behavior and sustainable transportation research has focused on urban areas. A rural perspective is lacking. In this study, we aim to dive deeper into understanding how people travel and their perceptions and opinions about various components of travel in a majority rural state. By speaking directly with Vermonters through in-person interviews, we obtain uniquely personal points of view and analyze them for commonalities and differences between urban, suburban, and rural Vermonters. We ask questions on day-to-day challenges of traveling, suggestions for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, responses to fuel prices, and opinions on electric vehicles. Some of our key findings incude that rural areas struggle most with traveling long distances to reach services, urban areas are more concerned with traffic, and opinions on electric vehicle (EV) ownership are consistent across the state, with people being likely to consider owning an EV if costs were to decrease. Our interviews identify additional questions that should be evaluated further to help states develop practical and effective policies aimed at reducing GHG emissions in rural areas. We also recommend further in-depth survey research to provide a more complete picture of the potential to shift travel behavioral, particularly in rural areas. This research adds to the body of knowledge in a historically understudied population, enabeling the reseach community to better understand and work more closely with small and rural communities to address climate change and achieve deeper GHG emission reductions.
When foundation matrices move—challenges for a group analysis of our time
Authors: Scholz Regine
Published: October 2022

This lecture explores the recent and further to be expected radical changes in our nowadays world, asking for the implied consequences—for every organization/community on all levels, for every person—as well as for us as group analysts. To understand the underlying processes reference is made to the work of Karl Mannheim and Foulkes’ concept of the foundation matrix. The emotional strain of reworking its basic dimensions—as group boundaries, gender relations, relations between the generations, their power implications, which entrench the whole social structure and hence history—are carefully outlined.
A Comprehensive Digital Self-care Support System for Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: Development, Feasibility, and Usability Testing of myHESTIA
Authors: Nambisan Priya , Stange Kurt C. , Lyytinen Kalle , Kahana Eva , Duthie Edmund , Potnek Michael
Published: October 2022

The objective of this mixed methods study is to evaluate the need for a comprehensive digital self-care support system (CDSSS) for older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and to examine whether such a system can be developed to enable daily capture of self-care data. The 3-phase study involved Phase-1: user needs assessment and prototype development; Phase-2: preliminary user evaluation of the prototype; and Phase-3: 4-week small group usability and feasibility testing of the tracking component of the prototype. Results of Phase-1 show the need for a CDSSS. Phase-2 results demonstrate interest among older adults in using such a CDSSS and Phase-3 findings show that older adults found the tracking component of the system easy to use for capturing daily inputs. Overall, the findings show that it is feasible to design a CDSSS for older adults with MCC in a way that is usable and functional for them.
The Influences of Illumination Regime on Egg-laying Rhythms of Honey Bee Queens
Authors: Shpigler Hagai Y. , Yaniv Almog , Gernat Tim , Robinson Gene E. , Bloch Guy
Published: October 2022

Honey bee queens show extreme fecundity, commonly laying more than a thousand eggs in a single day. It has proven challenging to study the temporal organization of egg-laying behavior because queens are typically active around the clock in the dark cavity of a densely populated nest. To contend with this challenge, we developed two novel methods allowing detailed monitoring of queen activity and egg laying. We first adapted a high-resolution, continuous, tracking system allowing to track the position of barcode-tagged queens in observation hives with colonies foraging outside. We found that the queen is active ~96% of the day with typically no diurnal rhythm. Next, we developed a new laboratory procedure to monitor egg laying at single egg resolution under different light regimes. We found that under constant darkness (DD) and temperature conditions, queens laid eggs with no circadian rhythms. Queen fecundity was severely reduced under constant light (LL). Under a 12:12 illumination regime, queen fecundity was comparable to under constant darkness, with a higher number of eggs during the light phase. These daily rhythms in egg laying continued when these queens were released to DD conditions, suggesting that egg-laying rhythms are influenced by endogenous circadian clocks. These results suggest that honey bee queens are active and lay eggs around the clock with no diurnal rhythms. Light has complex influences on these behaviors, but more studies are needed to determine whether these effects reflect the influence of light directly on the queen or indirectly by affecting workers that interact with the queen.
Equity within AI systems: What can health leaders expect?
Authors: Gurevich Emma , El Hassan Basheer , El Morr Christo
Published: October 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for health has a great potential; it has already proven to be successful in enhancing patient outcomes, facilitating professional work and benefiting administration. However, AI presents challenges related to health equity defined as an opportunity for people to reach their fullest health potential. This article discusses the opportunities and challenges that AI presents in health and examines ways in which inequities related to AI can be mitigated.
A novel assessment of dynamic mechanical properties in different articular cartilage layers
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Yu , Wu Mingjin , Chen Kai , Feng Cunao , Li Xiaowei , Zhang Dekun
Published: October 2022

Human articular cartilage, a nonlinear, viscoelastic solid-liquid biphasic tissue, has different mechanical properties and undertakes different functions in different layer. The compression deformation and fatigue damage mechanism of each layer of cartilage is also different when in injury. Compression properties of cartilage can predict cartilage integrity and the likelihood of osteoarthritis. Therefore, the confined and unconfined compression of cartilage is taken to systematically study the dynamic mechanical properties of each layer and reveal the relationship between the dynamic mechanical properties of each cartilage layer and the function of the corresponding cartilage layer. Under confined and unconfined compression conditions, the larger the cyclic loading rate, the greater the deformation rate of each layer. In addition, under the same cyclic loading rate, the superficial layer had the highest deformation rate, followed by the middle layer and the deep layer, which indicates that the deep layer mainly assumes the compression load. Furthermore, under the same loading displacement, the loading stress of cartilage and the deformation rate of each layer in confined compression were greater than those in unconfined compression. Simultaneously, with the increase in the number of loading cycles, the deformation rate in different layers increased first and then stabilized.
Comparison of A1c Reduction, Weight Loss, and Changes in Insulin Requirements With Addition of GLP-1 Agonists vs SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Patients Using Multiple Daily Insulin Injections
Authors: Wehrman Gunther , Halton Micah , Riveland Brynn , Potter Emily , Gaddy Melinda
Published: October 2022

Objective: To determine whether Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists or Sodium Glucose Transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors result in greater A1c reduction, weight loss, and reduction of insulin requirements in veterans using multiple daily doses of insulin. Methods: This retrospective, single-site, cohort study included patients of VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System with a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes utilizing multiple daily dose insulin and an SGLT-2 inhibitor or GLP-1 agonist. SAS Enterprise Guide was utilized to complete a multivariate analysis of variance to evaluate all outcomes. Key Findings: 150 patients met selection criteria. The GLP-1 group averaged a .65% reduction in A1c compared to a 1.05% reduction in the SGLT-2 group (P = .1397). The Basal insulin dose was reduced by 5.5 units in the GLP-1 group vs 2.45 units in the SGLT-2 group (P = .3132), and 7.12 units vs 8.14 units respectively for short-acting insulin (P = .8170). The resulting weight reduction was 4.1 Kg in the GLP-1 group compared to 3.6 Kg in the SGLT-2 group (P = .6993). Conclusion: The results suggest there is not a statistically significant difference in changes to A1c, insulin requirements, or weight after 1 year of treatment with an SGLT-2 vs GLP-1 in patients using multiple daily insulin injections.
Empowering policies for grassroots welfare initiatives: Blending social innovation and commons theory
Authors: Bianchi Iolanda
Published: October 2022

Social innovation scholars see grassroots welfare initiatives as being potentially empowering. However, they also argue that this potential is enhanced when these initiatives receive support from local governments through a bottom-linked approach to social innovation. This article examines how empowering policies for grassroots welfare initiatives can be provided within a bottom-linked approach, while considering the reservations expressed by critical urban scholars on the link between them. By introducing the concept of self-government developed within commons theory into the bottom-linked approach to social innovation, it argues that policies aiming to empower grassroots welfare initiatives should provide adequate material and legal support, and should foster the emergence of new initiatives, but should always be careful not to limit their self-governing capacity. The article carries out a comparative analysis of two cases of grassroots welfare initiatives in Barcelona, comparing two different policy interventions adopted by the local government: one is a case in which an empowering policy was implemented, and the other one is a case in which this did not take place. The article concludes by highlighting the contribution made by this study for both policymaking and scholarly research.