bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance and comparison of different phasor calculation techniques for the power system monitoring
Authors: Ponnala Ravi , Chakravarthy Muktevi , Venkata Naga Lakshmi Lalitha Suraparaju
Published: May 2022

Day to day to electrical power demand increases very rapidly with linear and non-linear load demands. Especially the nonlinear loads are creating the harmonics in the current and voltage signals. The current and voltage signal values are measured with the phasor measurement unit (PMU) for the proper magnitude and phase angle calculation even in the presence of harmonic components in the signals. The performance of the PMU is depending upon the phasor calculation technique. Different technique/methods are available for the phasor calculation, from the method to method there is difference in the accuracy, phasor computation time and complexity. In this paper various techniques for phasor calculation are presented. For better performance of PMU, more accurate and less computation time for phasor calculation technique is required. But in real time, accuracy and speed both may not satisfied with single technique. Need to find a satisfactory technique, which satisfies the speed of phasor computation and accuracy. In this paper it is proposed that direct phasor estimation technique, which gives the better results in terms of accuracy and time and this method, satisfies the requirements for the dynamic monitoring of power system according to the IEEE std. C37.118.1-2011.
Design and Performance Analysis of Frequency Hopping OFDM Based Noise Reduction DCSK System
Authors: Mohammed Mokhalad L. , Hasan Fadhil S.
Published: May 2022

The reference chaotic signal in the differential chaos shift keying (DCSK) system causes both bit error rate (BER) and security performance degradation. In this paper, a frequency hopping orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based noise reduction DCSK (FH-OFDM-NR-DCSK) system is proposed to enhance both the BER and security performance of the OFDM-DCSK system. This system combines the advantages of both FH-OFDM-DCSK and NR-DCSK. Rather than creating β separate chaotic samples to utilize as a reference sequence, β/P chaotic samples are created and then replicated P times. Moving average filters of size P are applied after the frequency hopper to average the repeated chips of the reference and data-bearing signals. A new frequency hopping pattern is designed depending on the chaotic map on which the matrix pattern is designed efficiently. The performance of the proposed system is examined, and bit error rate analytic equations of the FH-OFDM-NR-DCSK system over an AWGN and two-path Rayleigh fading channel are derived. The simulation results show that the theoretical BER expressions and simulation performance match. The findings show that for the same spreading factor, the proposed system outperforms the DCSK and FH-OFDM-DCSK when P1. This method decreases noise variance and improves BER without adding to the system's complexity.
Renin‐Angiotensin Aldosterone System Inhibitors and COVID‐19: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Revealing Critical Bias Across a Body of Observational Research
Authors: Loader Jordan , Taylor Frances C. , Lampa Erik , Sundström Johan
Published: May 2022

Background

Renin‐angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor—COVID‐19 studies, observational in design, appear to use biased methods that can distort the interaction between RAAS inhibitor use and COVID‐19 risk. This study assessed the extent of bias in that research and reevaluated RAAS inhibitor—COVID‐19 associations in studies without critical risk of bias.

Methods and Results

Searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases (December 1, 2019 to October 21, 2021) identifying studies that compared the risk of infection and/or severe COVID‐19 outcomes between those using or not using RAAS inhibitors (ie, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type‐I receptor blockers). Weighted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CIs were extracted and pooled in fixed‐effects meta‐analyses, only from studies without critical risk of bias that assessed severe COVID‐19 outcomes. Of 169 relevant studies, 164 had critical risks of bias and were excluded. Ultimately, only two studies presented data relevant to the meta‐analysis. In 1 351 633 people with uncomplicated hypertension using a RAAS inhibitor, calcium channel blocker, or thiazide diuretic in monotherapy, the risk of hospitalization (angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor: HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66–0.87;
P
<0.001; angiotensin II type‐I receptor blockers: HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77–0.97;
P
=0.015) and intubation or death (angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor: HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48–0.85;
P
=0.002; angiotensin II type‐I receptor blockers: HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58–0.95;
P
=0.019) with COVID‐19 was lower in those using a RAAS inhibitor. However, these protective effects are probably not clinically relevant.

Conclusions

This study reveals the critical risk of bias that exists across almost an entire body of COVID‐19 research, raising an important question: Were research methods and/or peer‐review processes temporarily weakened during the surge of COVID‐19 research or is this lack of rigor a systemic problem that also exists outside pandemic‐based research?

Registration

URL:
www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/
; Unique identifier: CRD42021237859.
Decline in Lung Function From Mid-to Late-Life With Central Arterial Stiffness: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Peter Kennedy M. , Pike James R. , Preisser John S. , Kucharska-Newton Anna M. , Meyer Michelle L. , Mirabelli Maria C. , Palta Priya , Hughes Timothy , Matsushita Kunihiro , Lu Yifei , Heiss Gerardo
Published: May 2022

We investigated the association of lung function at mid-life, later in life, and its 20-year decline, with arterial stiffness later in life. We examined 5720 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study participants who attended Visits 1 (1987-1989) and 5 (2011-2013). Lung function measures were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), obtained at Visits 1, 2 (1990–1992), and 5. Central artery stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV]) was measured at Visit 5. We evaluated associations of lung function with later-life central artery stiffness and cfPWV >75th percentile by multivariable linear and logistic regressions. Lung function at Visit 1 (FEV1 β: −26, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: −48, −5; FVC β: −14, 95% CI: −32, 5) and Visit 5 (FEV1 β: −22, 95% CI: −46, 2; FVC β: −18, 95% CI: −38, 2) were inversely associated with cfPWV at Visit 5, and with odds of high cfPWV in fully adjusted models. Twenty-year decline in lung function was not associated with continuous or dichotomous measures of arterial stiffness (FEV1 β: 11, 95% CI: −46, 68; FVC β: −4, 95% CI: −52, 43). Lung function at mid-life and late-life was inversely associated with arterial stiffness in later life.
Combinatorial panel with endophenotypes from multilevel information of diffusion tensor imaging and lipid profile as predictors for depression
Authors: Liu Juan , Liu Zhuang , Wei Yange , Zhang Yanbo , Womer Fay Y , Jia Duan , Wei Shengnan , Wu Feng , Kong Lingtao , Jiang Xiaowei , Zhang Luheng , Tang Yanqing , Zhang Xizhe , Wang Fei
Published: May 2022

Objective:

Clinical heterogeneity in major depressive disorder likely reflects the range of etiology and contributing factors in the disorder, such as genetic risk. Identification of more refined subgroups based on biomarkers such as white matter integrity and lipid-related metabolites could facilitate precision medicine in major depressive disorder.

Methods:

A total of 148 participants (15 genetic high-risk participants, 57 patients with first-episode major depressive disorder and 76 healthy controls) underwent diffusion tensor imaging and plasma lipid profiling. Alterations in white matter integrity and lipid metabolites were identified in genetic high-risk participants and patients with first-episode major depressive disorder. Then, shared alterations between genetic high-risk and first-episode major depressive disorder were used to develop an imaging x metabolite diagnostic panel for genetically based major depressive disorder via factor analysis and logistic regression. A fivefold cross-validation test was performed to evaluate the diagnostic panel.

Results:

Alterations of white matter integrity in corona radiata, superior longitudinal fasciculus and the body of corpus callosum and dysregulated unsaturated fatty acid metabolism were identified in both genetic high-risk participants and patients with first-episode major depressive disorder. An imaging x metabolite diagnostic panel, consisting of measures for white matter integrity and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, was identified that achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.86 and had a significantly higher diagnostic performance than that using either measure alone. And cross-validation confirmed the adequate reliability and accuracy of the diagnostic panel.

Conclusion:

Combining white matter integrity in corpus callosum, superior longitudinal fasciculus and corona radiata, and unsaturated fatty acid profile may improve the identification of genetically based endophenotypes in major depressive disorder to advance precision medicine strategies.
Examining the Geography of Illicit Massage Businesses Hosting Commercial Sex and Sex Trafficking in the United States: The Role of Census Tract and City-Level Factors
Authors: de Vries Ieke
Published: May 2022

Despite extensive theory and research on the geography of crime, few studies have examined the geography of commercial sex and sex trafficking through a criminological lens. As such, this study explores how social disorganization and routine activities help explain the geography of commercial sex venues, specifically illicit massage businesses (IMBs) that host commercial sex. Because IMBs have also been linked to sex trafficking, understanding which environmental contexts are conducive to their presence may also help identify sex trafficking premises. Findings from hierarchical logistic regression models indicate that both theories point to significant correlates of IMB placement in census tracts and cities, yet neither theory provides a sufficient explanation alone. Implications for future research and policy will be discussed.
The Joint Impact of Co-occupants and Co-defendants’ Criminal Behavior on Adolescents’ Criminal Behavior: A Cross-Lagged Analysis
Authors: Wientjes Jacqueline A. M. , Scholte Ron H. J. , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , H. Delsing Marc J. M.
Published: May 2022

The present study investigated the joint impact of co-occupants and codefendants criminal behavior on adolescent criminal behavior using official Dutch police records. Co-occupant and co-defendant criminal behavior were used as proxies for family and peer criminal behavior, respectively. Data spanning 8 years (2010–2017) were analyzed from 56,802 adolescents, their co-occupants and co-defendants. Cross-lagged analyses were used to investigate prospective effects of co-occupant and co-defendant delinquency on adolescent delinquency. For males, prospective effects were found of co-defendant on adolescent delinquency violent offences, violent property offences, and nonviolent property offences. For females, prospective effects of co-defendants’ delinquency were found for nonviolent property offences. Our findings underscore that having co-defendants with delinquent behavior is an important risk factor for delinquent activities in adolescence.
Which Risk Factors Plays the Most Critical Role for Delinquent Behavior? Examining Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential Theory
Authors: Han Sungil , Park Yeonjae
Published: May 2022

Some developmental criminologists have focused on the influence of risk factors in an early stage of one’s life to explain criminal behavior and provide catered intervention. However, relatively less attention has been made to situational risk factors in developmental criminology. Recently, the Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential theory (ICAP) argued that both long-term antisocial potential and short-term situational factors influence one’s criminal behavior. This study formulated hypotheses derived from ICAP and tested these hypotheses using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. The findings indicate that delinquent behavior and substance use of juveniles are related to both long-term risk factors (parent substance use or food insecurity) and situational factors (delinquent peer).
A Qualitative Examination of Correctional Programming Perceptions and Experiences Among Incarcerated Women
Authors: Pederson Kaitlyn M. , Smith Wesley T. , Fortney Kiarra , Mullings Janet L. , Blackburn Ashley G.
Published: May 2022

The rate at which women experience incarceration has increased substantially over the last four decades. Justice-involved women are often the primary caretakers of children and suffer more often from mental health, substance use, and other issues at higher rates than justice-involved males. Previous research has noted the need for gender-responsive programming, but less research has explored women inmate perceptions of the programming within women correctional facilities. This qualitative study examined 545 incarcerated women across multiple institutions in a large Southern prison system. We asked incarcerated women about their perceptions of accessibility, needs, benefits, and problems in correctional programming. Findings indicate that women’s programming may still not adequately address gender-based needs. Additionally, women among the sample identified several programming-related issues.
Fear Among the Feared: Arab Americans’ Fear of Crime in an Ethnic Enclave Community
Authors: Zaatut Amarat , Jacobsen Shannon K.
Published: May 2022

Drawing on racial threat hypothesis and in-depth interviews with first- and second-generation Arab immigrants, this study explores Arab immigrants’ perceptions of risk and fear of crime in an ethnic enclave community. We find that Arab immigrants’ fear of crime is shaped by the unique context in which they live, with this particular population perceiving members of other minority groups as the greatest threat to their culture, community, and safety. This study extends the minority threat perspective, which typically highlights the majority group’s fear of immigrants and other minorities, by examining the inverse of this relationship. Specifically, what and who do immigrants fear at a time when they are perceived as one of the most threatening populations in the U.S.?
“Put it in Your Toolbox”: How Vocational Programs Support Formerly Incarcerated Persons through Reentry
Authors: Towne Katelynn , Campagna Michael , Spohn Ryan , Richey Amber
Published: May 2022

This study utilized life story interviews with 21 formerly incarcerated individuals to examine the role vocational reentry programming played in the desistance process. We begin with a review of theories of desistance and the state of reentry programs. A thematic analysis revealed that providers assisted individuals to understand their behavioral trajectories and to take steps toward desistance. Further, participants felt empowered by program provided social support, developed strategies to overcome employment barriers, and held resilient and optimistic attitudes in changing their identities and behavioral trajectories. We conclude with a discussion on how these findings can inform desistance theory and reentry policy.
Estimating Targeted Group Threats in the Juvenile Justice System: An Examination of Disproportionate Minority Contact at Preadjudication Detention
Authors: Zane Steven N.
Published: May 2022

This study examines whether group threats in the surrounding social context positively moderate disproportionate minority contact at preadjudication detention in the juvenile justice system. To do so, the study utilizes a multijurisdictional sample of 96,619 juvenile court referrals across 139 counties (within four states) to examine a series of group threats—racial, ethnic, economic, and age threat. Due to the nested structure of the data, multilevel models are employed. To test the hypotheses, cross-level interactions between group threats and defendant race and ethnicity are estimated following current best practices for measuring interactions with nonlinear dependent variables. Findings indicate mixed and mostly limited support for the group threat hypotheses, consistent with prior mixed findings. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
Protecting Stories: How Symbolic Boundaries Reduce Victimization and Harmful Drug Use
Authors: Copes Heith , Sandberg Sveinung , Ragland Jared
Published: May 2022

Symbolic boundaries are used for establishing narrative identities and have critical impact on behavior and interpersonal interactions. Using data from a photo-ethnography of people who use methamphetamine in Alabama we show how women use stories and images to draw symbolic boundaries between themselves and others. These boundaries made sense of their meth use, but also guided behavior, controlled drug use, and aided in negotiating personal relationships. Maintaining boundaries through stories and images is important for people with drug problems, as such boundaries provide self-worth and serve as ideals to be lived up to. Symbolic boundaries can thus reduce harmful drug use and be an important means for exercising control and agency at the margins of society.
Driver Vigilance Decrement is More Severe During Automated Driving than Manual Driving
Authors: Greenlee Eric T. , DeLucia Patricia R. , Newton David C.
Published: May 2022

Objective

The present study compared the performance, workload, and stress associated with driver vigilance in two types of vehicle: a traditional, manually operated vehicle, and a partially automated vehicle.

Background

Drivers of partially automated vehicles must monitor for hazards that constitute automation failures and the need for human intervention, but recent research indicates that a driver’s ability to do so declines as a function of time. That research lacked a comparison measure of driving without vehicle automation, so it is unknown to what degree these effects are specific symptoms of monitoring the roadway during an automated drive. Drivers in manual control of their vehicle must similarly monitor for hazards and may suffer similar vigilance decrements.

Method

Participants completed a simulated 40-minute drive while monitoring for hazards. Half of participants completed the drive with an automated driving system that maintained speed and lane position; the remaining half manually controlled the vehicle’s speed and lane position.

Results

Driver sensitivity to hazards decreased and tendency to make false alarms increased over time in the automated control condition, but not in the manual control condition. Drivers in both conditions detected fewer hazards as the drive progressed. Ratings of workload and task-induced stress were elevated similarly in both conditions.

Conclusion

Partially automated driving appears to uniquely impair driver vigilance by reducing the ability to discriminate between benign and dangerous events in the driving environment as the drive progresses.

Application

Applied interventions should target improvements in driver sensitivity to hazardous situations that signal potential automation failures.
Does third molar impaction affect age estimation in adolescent and young adults? A radiographic population based study
Authors: Singh Dr Shivani , Chokkalingam Dr Thamarai Selvan , Pillai Dr Jayasankar P , Basavaraj Urs Dr Aadithya
Published: May 2022

Few studies consider the effects of impaction, resulting in inaccurate estimation of age using third molar. We aimed to assess the significance of impaction in estimating age using Modified Demirjian’s method. 200 orthopantomograms of patients between 16–25 years were collected comprising 171 tests and 212 controls. Chronologic age (CA) and estimated age (EA) were calculated. Independent sample t-test, chi-square test, paired t-test and Kolmogrov-Smirnov test of normality were used. The mean difference between the CA and EA in both the tests and control samples were significant (mean difference test group = 2.6 ± 2.07, control group = 2.0 ± 1.8; p = 0.01). It provided a difference of 0.6 which is equal to 7.2 months. The results of our study indicate that impacted mandibular third molars are susceptible to undergo slower mineralization, leading to erroneous lower age estimation. These results in an Indian population are noteworthy. However further studies are needed.
The advance decision in the limelight again: Re PW (Jehovah’s Witness: Validity of Advance Decision) [2021] EWCOP 52SEF
Authors: Andoh Benjamin
Published: May 2022

This paper discusses the advance decision, which was the subject-matter of Re PW (Jehovah’s Witness: Validity of Advance Decision) [2021] EWCOP 52. An advance decision is basically a decision, made by a person with mental capacity, that they should not be given a particular medical treatment if they lack such capacity later. This paper considers and comments on some of the terms used to describe the advance decision, some principles relating to it, some arguments for and against it, whether it is revocable, and its standing in relation to the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended. Two limits of an advance decision (it is revocable and can be overridden by the Mental Health Act 1983, s 63) are exposed by the paper.
Advance healthcare directives: Knowledge and attitudes of Irish consultant physicians
Authors: Crowley Dr Patrick , Doran Dr Kieran
Published: May 2022

Aims

The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives in Ireland. This study assessed Irish consultant physicians’ knowledge of the provisions of the Act relating to advance healthcare directives, and their attitudes towards advance healthcare directives in general.

Methods

Data were collected between May and October 2016. A questionnaire was distributed to all consultant physicians listed in the Irish Medical Directory under general internal medicine specialties. True/false questions assessed knowledge of the provisions of the Act. Likert-type questions assessed attitudes towards advance healthcare directives.

Results

The overall response rate was 28.7% (238/830). Only 42.1% of respondents were aware of the provisions of the Act relating to advance healthcare directives. Of the seven questions that assessed knowledge of those provisions, the mean score was 3.31/7. 78.7% agreed that advance healthcare directives are helpful when making treatment decisions for incapacitated patients. Only 15.7% regularly advise their patients to create advance healthcare directives.

Discussion

Irish physicians are broadly supportive of advance healthcare directives but there are deficiencies in their knowledge of the law relating to them. Efforts should be made to educate physicians regarding the provisions of the Act prior to its commencement.
Local Public Health System Capabilities and COVID-19 Death Rates
Authors: Brosi Deena N. , Mays Glen P.
Published: May 2022

Objectives:

Efforts to contain the health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have achieved less success in the United States than in many comparable countries. Previous research documented wide variability in the capabilities of local public health systems to carry out core disease prevention and control activities, but it is unclear how this variability relates to COVID-19 control. Our study explored this relationship by using a nationally representative sample of 725 US communities.

Methods:

We used data collected from the National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems to classify each community into 1 of 3 ordinal categories indicating limited, intermediate, or comprehensive public health system capabilities. We used 2-part generalized linear models to estimate the relationship between public health system capabilities and COVID-19 death rates while controlling population and community characteristics associated with COVID-19 risk.

Results:

Across 3 waves of the pandemic in 2020, we found a significant negative association between COVID-19 mortality and public health system capabilities. Compared with comprehensive public health systems, intermediate public health systems had an average of 4.97 to 19.02 more COVID-19 deaths per 100 000 residents, while limited public health systems had an average of 5.95 to 18.10 more COVID-19 deaths per 100 000 residents.

Conclusion:

Overall, communities with stronger public health capabilities had significantly fewer deaths. Future initiatives to strengthen pandemic preparedness and reduce health disparities in the United States should focus on local public health system capabilities.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Videos: A Descriptive Analysis (2016–2020)
Authors: Carlson Alex , Hirsch Shanna E. , Walters Sharon , Pilot Emily , Herro Danielle
Published: May 2022

Over the past decade, schools have adopted videos as a medium to augment positive behavior interventions and support (PBIS) programming. This approach engages various stakeholders in the development and use of PBIS videos. Subsequently, most PBIS videos are created based on existing school data (e.g., office discipline referrals) and expectation matrices. However, specifics about video content and creation mediums (e.g., acting, song, poster, pictures) are unknown. Therefore, we identified 238 videos and coded each for the format, type of video, and PBIS elements. We found videos are (a) created using several different mediums and (b) typically intended for students (as well as faculty and staff). We identified strengths (e.g., clear, and positive language) and weaknesses (e.g., lack of closed captioning). We discuss considerations for creating PBIS videos, limitations, and directions for future inquiry.
Using Simulation to Analyze Interrupted Time Series Designs
Authors: Miratrix Luke W.
Published: May 2022

We are sometimes forced to use the Interrupted Time Series (ITS) design as an identification strategy for potential policy change, such as when we only have a single treated unit and cannot obtain comparable controls. For example, with recent county- and state-wide criminal justice reform efforts, where judicial bodies have changed bail setting practices for everyone in their jurisdiction in order to reduce rates of pre-trial detention while maintaining court order and public safety, we have no natural and available comparison group other than the past. In these contexts, it is imperative to model pre-policy trends with a light touch, allowing for structures such as autoregressive departures from any pre-existing trend, in order to accurately and realistically assess the uncertainty of our projections. We aim to provide a methodological approach rooted in commonly understood and used modeling tools to achieve this. We quantify uncertainty with simulation, generating a distribution of plausible counterfactual trajectories to compare to the observed; this approach naturally allows for incorporating seasonality and other time-varying covariates, and provides confidence intervals along with point estimates for the potential impacts of policy change. We find simulation provides a natural framework to capture and show uncertainty in the ITS designs. It also allows for easy extensions such as nonparametric smoothing in order to handle multiple post-policy time points.
Sustaining empire: Conservation by ruination at Kalama Atoll
Authors: du Plessis Gitte , Grimm Cameron , Kajihiro Kyle , Gofigan Kuper Kenneth
Published: May 2022

Joined to the Hawaiian Islands by ocean currents and winds, Kalama Atoll (named Johnston by the United States) emerges from the sea 825 miles southwest of Honolulu. Over a period of 165 years, in furtherance of the U.S. imperial project, Kalama has been rendered both conservation frontier and island laboratory for an extraordinary amount of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. This article examines U.S. imperial governance at Kalama, an unincorporated U.S. territory, and how military ruination of Kalama has produced new military natures that call for observation and protection. Introducing a rubric of “conservation by ruination,” we highlight how a coalescing of toxic destruction and conservation efforts functions as a continuous geopolitical claim to the atoll, and how imperial formations at the atoll are weaved through technoscientific and multispecies assemblages. In essence, what is conserved in conservation by ruination is not wildlife, habitats, or nature, but empire itself. Kalama is a post-apocalyptic cyborg assemblage of bleached coral skeletons and radioactive debris, dioxin-laden leachate and crazy ants; a cacophonous ecology of weathered concrete and rusted metal, inhabited by seabirds and steadily dissolving into the sea. But it is also an atoll that remains connected to the islands and peoples of Oceania, and which is neither lost, small, isolated, or ruined. We therefore end the article by speculating on restoration of this atoll whose imperial formations capture not only its spaces, but also its futures.
Large animal model of vein grafts intimal hyperplasia: A systematic review
Authors: Fashina Oluwatomini , Abbasciano Riccardo G , McQueen Liam W , Ladak Shameem , George Sarah J , Suleiman Sadeeh , Punjabi Prakash P , Angelini Gianni D , Zakkar Mustafa
Published: May 2022

Coronary artery bypass grafting remains the treatment of choice for a large cohort of patients with significant coronary disease. Despite the increased use of arterial grafts, the long saphenous vein remains the most commonly used conduit. Long-term graft patency continues to be the Achilles heel of saphenous vein grafts. This is due to the development of intimal hyperplasia, a chronic inflammatory disease that results in the narrowing and occlusion of a significant number of vein grafts. Research models for intimal hyperplasia are essential for a better understanding of pathophysiological processes of this condition. Large animal models resemble human anatomical structures and have been used as a surrogate to study disease development and prevention over the years. In this paper, we systematically review all published studies that utilized large animal models of vein graft disease with a focus on the type of model and any therapeutic intervention, specifically the use of external stents/mesh.
Effect of alcohol coadministration on the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and safety of lemborexant: A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study
Authors: Landry Ishani , Hall Nancy , Aluri Jagadeesh , Filippov Gleb , Setnik Beatrice , Dayal Satish , Reyderman Larisa , Moline Margaret
Published: May 2022

Background:

Lemborexant is a dual orexin receptor antagonist approved to treat insomnia in adults in several countries including the USA, Canada, and Japan.

Aims:

This study was conducted to investigate effects of lemborexant and alcohol coadministration on postural stability, cognitive performance, and the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of lemborexant.

Methods:

This was a Phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-period crossover study in 32 healthy adults. Individuals were randomized into one of four treatment sequences to receive single doses of placebo, lemborexant 10 mg (LEM10), alcohol (males, 0.7 g/kg; females, 0.6 g/kg), and LEM10 plus alcohol, each separated by a 14-day washout. Postural stability (body sway) was measured by ataxiameter and a cognitive performance assessment battery evaluated four domains of attention and memory.

Results:

Pharmacodynamic outcomes were analyzed for the 18 participants who completed all four treatments. Change from baseline in body sway showed no significant differences between lemborexant plus alcohol versus alcohol alone. Compared with alcohol alone, coadministration of lemborexant with alcohol showed additive negative effects on cognitive performance domains, corresponding approximately with peak plasma lemborexant concentrations (median = 1.5 h). Cognitive performance was also impaired with lemborexant alone at 0.5 and 2 h in this experimental paradigm with morning dosing. Alcohol increased plasma lemborexant exposure by 70% based on area under the curve to 72 h, and increased peak plasma lemborexant concentrations by 35%. The most commonly reported treatment–emergent adverse event was somnolence.

Conclusion:

Coadministration of lemborexant with alcohol showed additive negative effects on cognitive measures, but not on postural stability, compared with alcohol alone. Lemborexant exposure was increased with alcohol. Lemborexant alone or with alcohol was well tolerated. Patients are advised not to consume alcohol with lemborexant.
Measurement of glucose metabolism in the occipital lobe and frontal cortex after oral administration of [1-13C]glucose at 9.4 T
Authors: Ziegs Theresia , Dorst Johanna , Ruhm Loreen , Avdievitch Nikolai , Henning Anke
Published: May 2022

For the first time, labeling effects after oral intake of [1-13C]glucose are observed in the human brain with pure 1H detection at 9.4 T. Spectral time series were acquired using a short-TE 1H MRS MC-semiLASER (Metabolite Cycling semi Localization by Adiabatic SElective Refocusing) sequence in two voxels of 5.4 mL in the frontal cortex and the occipital lobe. High-quality time-courses of [4-13C]glutamate, [4-13C]glutamine, [3-13C]glutamate + glutamine, [2-13C] glutamate+glutamine and [3-13C]aspartate for individual volunteers and additionally, group-averaged time-courses of labeled and non-labeled brain glucose could be obtained. Using a one-compartment model, mean metabolic rates were calculated for each voxel position: The mean rate of the TCA-cycle (Vtca) value was determined to be 1.36 and 0.93 μmol min−1 g−1, the mean rate of glutamine synthesis (Vgln) was calculated to be 0.23 and 0.45 μmol min−1 g−1, the mean exchange rate between cytosolic amino acids and mitochondrial Krebs cycle intermediates (Vx) rate was found to be 0.57 and 1.21 μmol min−1 g−1 for the occipital lobe and the frontal cortex, respectively. These values were in agreement with previously reported data. Altogether, it can be shown that this most simple technique combining oral administration of [1-13C]Glc with pure 1H MRS acquisition is suitable to measure metabolic rates.
Gastroduodenal intussusception caused by gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor in adults: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Wenbing , Chen Haifeng , Zhu Lulu , Kong Zhiyuan , Wang Tingting , Li Weiping
Published: May 2022

Intussusception mostly occurs in childhood and is rare in adults. Although intussusception can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, gastroduodenal intussusception caused by a gastric tumor is relatively uncommon in clinical practice. A PubMed search identified 24 published cases of gastroduodenal intussusception caused by gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST); however, it is possible that we missed other cases not included in PubMed. Here we report a case of gastroduodenal intussusception caused by gastric GIST in an 85-year-old man. He came to the hospital because of recurrent black stools. Plain computed tomography (CT) scan indicated a mass in the gastric antrum, with slight enhancement in the arterial phase on enhanced CT scan. He was diagnosed with GIST. In addition, images indicated that the mass overlapped into the duodenum, and gastroduodenal intussusception was thus considered. Gastroscopy showed a huge mass in the gastric body. According to the gastroscopy and CT results, gastroduodenal intussusception caused by a gastric tumor was considered. The patient underwent complete surgical removal, which revealed a mass originating from the gastric antrum and overlapping into the duodenum. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was intermediate-risk gastric GIST. The patient was followed up for 4 months without tumor recurrence.
Levetiracetam in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine: A prospective open label study
Authors: Evers Stefan , Frese Achim , Summ Oliver , Husstedt Ingo W , Marziniak Martin
Published: May 2022

Background

The prophylactic treatment of migraine includes anticonvulsant drugs such as valproic acid and topiramate. However, these substances are often poorly tolerated by migraine patients. So far levetiracetam has hardly been studied as an episodic migraine prophylactic agent in adults.

Objective

To perform a prospective pilot study for the evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine.

Methods

Fifty patients with episodic migraine were enrolled in this prospective, open label study. After a baseline period of four weeks, patients received 1,000 mg (starting dose 500 mg) bid levetiracetam for 12 weeks. Migraine frequency and accompanying symptoms were recorded in a headache diary. The primary endpoint was the comparison of attack frequency during the baseline with attack frequency during the last four weeks of treatment (treatment period 3).

Results

In the Intent-To-Treat analysis, 46% of the patients had a migraine reduction of more than 50% in the third period as compared to the baseline period. The mean number of migraine attacks decreased from 5.2 +/− 2.1 (baseline) to 3.4 +/− 2.7 (period 3). The most frequently reported side effects were somnolence, nausea, and weight gain; all were mild and transient. In a post-hoc comparison, responders to levetiracetam had significantly less migraine attacks at baseline and had significantly more often migraine with aura.

Conclusion

The data suggest that levetiracetam has some potential in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine which seems, however, to be not superior to that of other anticonvulsant drugs. Levetiracetam was well tolerated and showed better efficacy in patients with migraine with aura and in less affected migraine patients. A larger placebo-controlled, double-blind study in adults seems justified on the basis of these data.
Treatment experiences and clinical characteristics in migraine and tension-type headache patients before the first visit to a tertiary headache center
Authors: Mouaanaki Sarah Afif , Carlsen Louise Ninett , Bendtsen Lars , Jensen Rigmor Højland , Schytz Henrik Winther
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To investigate previous treatment and clinical characteristics in migraine and tension-type headache patients at their first visit to a tertiary headache center.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using data obtained from electronic questionnaires and medical charts. Migraine and tension-type headache patients were investigated at their first visit to the Danish Headache Center.

Results

Out of 382 patients the main diagnoses of primary headaches were: 36% with episodic migraine, 43% with chronic migraine, 3% with episodic tension-type headache and 17% with chronic tension-type headache. The majority had attempted non-pharmacological treatment options such as physiotherapy (episodic migraine: 53%, chronic migraine: 68%, episodic tension-type headache: 50%, chronic tension-type headache: 65%) and acupuncture: (episodic migraine: 45%, chronic migraine: 62%, episodic tension-type headache: 17%, chronic tension-type headache: 51%). The majority of migraine patients had tried no more than one triptan (episodic migraine: 71%, chronic migraine: 66%). In total, 35% of episodic migraine and 19% of chronic migraine patients as well as 50% of episodic tension-type headache and 41% of chronic tension-type headache patients had never tried preventive medication. The headache under-response to treatment (HURT) questionnaire score was higher in chronic migraine (score 15) and chronic tension-type headache (score 16) patients than the episodic forms ( P < 0.004).

Conclusions

Headache patients had attempted several non-pharmacological treatments prior to their first visit at a tertiary headache center in Denmark. The limited use of acute and preventive treatment before the first visit demonstrates a need for better treatment at the primary and secondary care level.
Robot assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy: Should this be the new standard?
Authors: Selvaraj Nivash , Pooleri Ginil Kumar , Addla Sanjai Kumar , Raghavan Deepak , Govindaswamy Thirumalai Ganesan , Balakrishnan Arun Kumar , Sivaraman Ananthakrishnan , Jain Nitesh , Kandasamy Shreedhar Gurunathan , Ragavan Narasimhan
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

Minimal invasive surgeries (MIS) for large size adrenal tumors are still debatable. The objective is to evaluate the contemporary peri- and post-operative outcomes of patients undergoing (open = OA, laparoscopic = LA, and robotic = RA) adrenalectomies in three institutions.

Materials and methods:

Retrospectively gathered peri- and post-operative data of 235 patients, underwent adrenalectomy at three Institutions over a 7-year period (2013–2020) were analyzed. All patients underwent thorough radiological and endocrine workup.

Results:

Two hundred and thirty five patients who underwent adrenalectomy (OA ( n = 29), LA ( n = 146), and RA ( n = 60)) were assessed. OA ( n = 29) versus Minimally invasive surgery ( n = 206) showed significant differences (median, p value) in larger tumour size, cm (9.4 vs 5, ( p = 0.0001)), longer operative time, mins (240 vs 100, ( p = 0.0001)), longer hospital stay, days (8 vs 3,( p = .0001)), Higher readmission rates (14% vs 1.9%), higher blood loss, ml (400 vs 100, ( p = 0.0001)) requiring blood transfusion (14% vs 4.3%) ( p = 0.03), higher intraoperative complication (21% vs 6%) ( p = 0.0004), and post op complications (17% vs 5.3%) ( p = 0.01). Amongst the MIS (RA vs LA), RA appeared be have better outcomes in terms of shorter operative time, less blood loss and less intra operative complications with a p value <0.05. These results were consistent for the assessment of patients who had ⩾6 cm tumor size. The postoperative complication rates were lowest with RA (3.3%) compared to OA (17%) and LA (6.1%).

Conclusions:

Contemporary practice of adrenalectomy shows that robotic adrenalectomy is safe and effective irrespective of the tumor size.
Study on mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of laminated plates considering interface angle
Authors: Ma Qiwen , Zhang Yonggui , Liu Jianhui
Published: May 2022

Multidirectional laminates are more widely used in practical engineering, and their fiber bridging characteristics are more obvious than unidirectional laminates. Due to the deficiency of research on the relationship between interface angle and interlaminar fracture toughness of multidirectional laminates, the numerical model of interface mode I fracture toughness of multidirectional laminates related to interface angle is modified by analyzing the difference between steady-state fracture toughness and initial fracture toughness of each interface. Meanwhile, the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of multidirectional composite laminates under five interface modes is studied. Based on the finite element software, the cohesion model is established and verified. The analytical results are in good agreement with the experimental data, and the modified model can better verify the relationship between interface angle and interlaminar fracture toughness. At the same time, the fiber bridge force in the process of delamination along different interfaces is calculated, which provides a basis for the modified model.
Exploring structure/property relationships to health and environmental hazards of polymeric polyisocyanate prepolymer substances—2. Dermal sensitization potential in the mouse local lymph node assay
Authors: West Robert J , Burleson Stefanie , Gulledge Travis , Miller Jason W , Chappelle Anne H , Krieger Shannon , Graham Cynthia , Snyder Stephanie , Simon Glenn , Plehiers Patrick M
Published: May 2022

The sensitization potencies of twenty custom-designed monomer-depleted polymeric polyisocyanate prepolymer substances and their associated toluene diisocyanate (TDI), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) monomer precursors were investigated by means of the mouse Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA). These polymeric prepolymers were designed to represent the structural features and physical-chemical properties exhibited by a broad range of commercial polymeric polyisocyanate prepolymers that are produced from the reaction of aromatic and aliphatic diisocyanate monomers with aliphatic polyether and polyester polyols. The normalization of LLNA responses to the applied (15-45-135 mM) concentrations showed that the skin sensitization potency of polymeric polyisocyanate prepolymers is at least 300 times less than that of the diisocyanate monomers from which they are derived. The sensitization potency of the prepolymers was shown to be mainly governed by their hydrophobicity (as expressed by the calculated octanol-water partition coefficient, log Kow) and surfactant properties. Neither hydrophilic (log Kow <0) nor very hydrophobic (log Kow >25) prepolymers stimulated lymphocyte proliferation beyond that of the dosing vehicle control. The findings of this investigation challenge the generally held assumption that all isocyanate (-N=C=O) bearing substances are potential skin (and respiratory) sensitizers. Further, these findings can guide the future development of isocyanate chemistries and associated polyurethane applications toward reduced exposure and health hazard potentials.
Osteoblastic differentiation and bactericidal activity are enhanced by erythromycin released from PCL/PLGA-PVA coaxial nanofibers
Authors: Ren Weiping , Yu Xiaowei , Chen Liang , Shi Tong , Bou-Akl Therese , Markel David C
Published: May 2022

Prosthesis with antibiotic-eluting nanofibrous (NF) coating represents coating alternative to prevent periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). In this study, four formulas of erythromycin (EM)-embedded both in core and sheath components of coaxial PCL/PLGA-PVA NF coatings were developed: EM 0 (no EM), EM 100 (100 μg/mL), EM500 (500 μg/mL) and EM1000 (1000 μg/mL). EM doping altered the physicochemical and structural properties of NFs to some extent, including the increase of NF porosity and surface wettability. A sustained EM release from EM-NFs for >4 weeks was observed. Eluents collected from EM-NFs showed strong zone of inhibition (ZOI) to Staphylococcus aureus growth and the sizes of ZOI positively related to the amount of EM released. EM-NFs were nontoxic to rat bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs). Cell growth was significantly enhanced when comparing rBMSCs cultured on EM-NFs (EM0 and EM 100) to those cultured on NF-free control. Cell differentiation (ALP activity) was notably enhanced by EM100, compared to control and EM0. Eluents from EM-NFs on rBMSCs were also investigated. The presence of 10% EM-NF eluents inhibited the growth of rBMSCs, which was proportional to the amount of EM doped. The ALP activity was notably enhanced by eluents from EM-NFs with the highest activity in EM100 compared to control and EM0. Our data indicate that EM-doped PCL/PLGA-PVA coaxial NF coatings have a great potential to be applied as a new implant coating matrices. Further in vivo testing in animal models is currently planned that should represent the first step in predicting the clinical outcomes of EM-eluting NF coating approach.