bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alleviation of Abdominal Pain due to Irinotecan-Induced Cholinergic Syndrome Using Loperamide: A Case Report
Authors: Uchiyama Kazuki , Saito Yoshitaka , Takekuma Yoh , Yuki Satoshi , Sugawara Mitsuru
Published: June 2021

Irinotecan hydrochloride (irinotecan) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of solid tumors. In addition to severe neutropenia and delayed diarrhea, irinotecan causes cholinergic syndrome, characterized by abdominal pain and acute diarrhea. The latter symptoms are frequently observed during and after irinotecan treatment. Here, we have discussed the case of a patient who completely recovered from abdominal pain following the administration of loperamide hydrochloride (loperamide) at a dose of 2 mg, before infusing irinotecan. In contrast, anticholinergic drugs were not as effective in alleviating symptoms. A 28-year-old man with stage IV rectal cancer with peritoneal metastasis was prescribed with fluorouracil, irinotecan, and levofolinate calcium (FOLFIRI), in addition to cetuximab. Anticholinergic drugs, such as scopolamine butylbromide (scopolamine) or atropine sulfate (atropine), were administered to treat abdominal pain that was considered as irinotecan-induced cholinergic syndrome, but monotherapy was not effective. Thereafter, oral loperamide (2 mg) with atropine (0.25 mg) was prescribed before irinotecan infusion. Consequently, the patient did not experience any abdominal pain during and after irinotecan treatment. Loperamide is an opioid receptor agonist and decreases the activity of the myenteric plexus of the intestinal wall. It also inhibits the release of both acetylcholine and prostaglandins, resulting in decreased inhibition of peristaltic movement. We assumed that its mechanism solely or in combination contributed to symptom relief. We hypothesized that the synergistic anticholinergic interaction between loperamide and atropine resulted in marked suppression of irinotecan-induced cholinergic syndrome compared to loperamide alone. Thus, loperamide may improve abdominal pain attributed to irinotecan-induced cholinergic syndrome.
Cervical Myelopathy Caused by a Split Atlas Anomaly: A Case Report
Authors: Meddeb Mehdi , Makhlouf Hassen , Bouali Sofiene , Habboubi Khalil , Mestiri Mondher
Published: June 2021

An 18-year-old male presented with a 6-month history of paresthesia of both arms and legs after a minor neck trauma. CT scan revealed a partial aplasia of the anterior and posterior arches of the C1 vertebra resulting in a split atlas. MRI showed an intramedullary high-signal area. We performed a posterior decompressive laminectomy and occipitocervical fusion. The bony defect into the posterior arch was replaced by a connective tissue cord, resulting in a compression of the dural sheath. The symptoms recovered completely 1 month after surgery. Knowledge of this rare malformation is crucial to the correct management of these cases.
Recurrent Right Upper Quadrant Pain Masquerading an Underlying Colon Adenocarcinoma-Induced Intussusception
Authors: Qiryaqoz Zeena Ayad , Katiyar Urvashi , Shebrain Saad
Published: June 2021

Intussusception in adults is a challenging diagnosis that often requires a high degree of suspicion. In adults presenting with symptoms, almost 90% have underlying neoplasms. Most frequently, the presentation will include nonspecific abdominal pain, vomiting, and mucoid hematochezia. In this case, we present a 39-year-old female with a rare presentation of chronic, recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain over a 5-month interval. The misleading presentation with which the patient presented led to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of colon malignancy and serves to advocate for intussusception as a differential for adult patients presenting with obstructive symptoms of unknown origin and recurrent abdominal pain. Such cases should persuade physicians to plan prompt surgical intervention as to not delay optimal diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.
Contemporary Medical Management of Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Bonaca Marc P. , Hamburg Naomi M. , Creager Mark A.
Published: June 2021

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. Modifiable risk factors including cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, poor diet quality, obesity, and physical inactivity, along with underlying genetic factors contribute to lower extremity atherosclerosis. Patients with PAD often have coexistent coronary or cerebrovascular disease, and increased likelihood of major adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death. Patients with PAD often have reduced walking capacity and are at risk of acute and chronic critical limb ischemia leading to major adverse limb events, such as peripheral revascularization or amputation. The presence of polyvascular disease identifies the highest risk patient group for major adverse cardiovascular events, and patients with prior critical limb ischemia, prior lower extremity revascularization, or amputation have a heightened risk of major adverse limb events. Medical therapies have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events, and improving function in patients with PAD by modulating key disease determining pathways including inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances. Treatment with guideline-recommended therapies, including smoking cessation, lipid lowering drugs, optimal glucose control, and antithrombotic medications lowers the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events. Exercise training and cilostazol improve walking capacity. The heterogeneity of risk profile in patients with PAD supports a personalized approach, with consideration of treatment intensification in those at high risk of adverse events. This review highlights the medical therapies currently available to improve outcomes in patients with PAD.
Bench-to-Bedside in Vascular Medicine: Optimizing the Translational Pipeline for Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Alsaigh Tom , Di Bartolo Belinda A. , Mulangala Jocelyne , Figtree Gemma A. , Leeper Nicholas J.
Published: June 2021

Peripheral arterial disease is a growing worldwide problem with a wide spectrum of clinical severity and is projected to consume >$21 billion per year in the United States alone. While vascular researchers have brought several therapies to the clinic in recent years, few of these approaches have leveraged advances in high-throughput discovery screens, novel translational models, or innovative trial designs. In the following review, we discuss recent advances in unbiased genomics and broader omics technology platforms, along with preclinical vascular models designed to enhance our understanding of disease pathobiology and prioritize targets for additional investigation. Furthermore, we summarize novel approaches to clinical studies in subjects with claudication and ischemic ulceration, with an emphasis on streamlining and accelerating bench-to-bedside translation. By providing a framework designed to enhance each aspect of future clinical development programs, we hope to enrich the pipeline of therapies that may prevent loss of life and limb for those with peripheral arterial disease.
FMD and SCAD: Sex-Biased Arterial Diseases With Clinical and Genetic Pleiotropy
Authors: Kim Esther S.H. , Saw Jacqueline , Kadian-Dodov Daniella , Wood Malissa , Ganesh Santhi K.
Published: June 2021

Multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and spontaneous coronary artery dissection are both sex-biased diseases disproportionately affecting women over men in a 9:1 ratio. Traditionally known in the context of renovascular hypertension, recent advances in knowledge about FMD have demonstrated that FMD is a systemic arteriopathy presenting as arterial stenosis, aneurysm, and dissection in virtually any arterial bed. FMD is also characterized by major cardiovascular presentations including hypertension, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Similar to FMD, spontaneous coronary artery dissection is associated with a high prevalence of extracoronary vascular abnormalities, including FMD, aneurysm, and extracoronary dissection, and recent studies have also found genetic associations between the two diseases. This review will summarize the relationship between FMD and spontaneous coronary artery dissection with a focus on common clinical associations, histopathologic mechanisms, genetic susceptibilities, and the biology of these diseases. The current status of disease models and critical future research directions will also be addressed.
Epidemiology and Genetics of Venous Thromboembolism and Chronic Venous Disease
Authors: Baylis Richard A. , Smith Nicholas L. , Klarin Derek , Fukaya Eri
Published: June 2021

Venous disease is a term that broadly covers both venous thromboembolic disease and chronic venous disease. The basic pathophysiology of venous thromboembolism and chronic venous disease differ as venous thromboembolism results from an imbalance of hemostasis and thrombosis while chronic venous disease occurs in the setting of tissue damage because of prolonged venous hypertension. Both diseases are common and account for significant mortality and morbidity, respectively, and collectively make up a large health care burden. Despite both diseases having well-characterized environmental components, it has been known for decades that family history is an important risk factor, implicating a genetic element to a patient’s risk. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases has greatly benefited from an expansion of population genetic studies from pioneering familial studies to large genome-wide association studies; we now have multiple risk loci for each venous disease. In this review, we will highlight the current state of knowledge on the epidemiology and genetics of venous thromboembolism and chronic venous disease and directions for future research.
Association of Kidney Disease With Outcomes in COVID‐19: Results From the American Heart Association COVID‐19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry
Authors: Rao Anjali , Ranka Sagar , Ayers Colby , Hendren Nicholas , Rosenblatt Anna , Alger Heather M. , Rutan Christine , Omar Wally , Khera Rohan , Gupta Kamal , Mody Purav , DeFilippi Christopher , Das Sandeep R. , Hedayati S. Susan , de Lemos James A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Emerging evidence links acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with COVID‐19 with higher mortality and respiratory morbidity, but the relationship of AKI with cardiovascular disease outcomes has not been reported in this population. We sought to evaluate associations between chronic kidney disease (CKD), AKI, and mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID‐19.

Methods and Results

In a large multicenter registry including 8574 patients with COVID‐19 from 88 US hospitals, data were collected on baseline characteristics and serial laboratory data during index hospitalization. Primary exposure variables were CKD (categorized as no CKD, CKD, and end‐stage kidney disease) and AKI (classified into no AKI or stages 1, 2, or 3 using a modification of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guideline definition). The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. The key secondary outcome was major adverse cardiac events, defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, new‐onset nonfatal heart failure, and nonfatal cardiogenic shock. CKD and end‐stage kidney disease were not associated with mortality or major adverse cardiac events after multivariate adjustment. In contrast, AKI was significantly associated with mortality (stage 1 hazard ratio [HR], 1.72 [95% CI, 1.46–2.03]; stage 2 HR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.52–2.20]; stage 3 HR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.44–1.98]; versus no AKI) and major adverse cardiac events (stage 1 HR, 2.17 [95% CI, 1.74–2.71]; stage 2 HR, 2.70 [95% CI, 2.07–3.51]; stage 3 HR, 3.06 [95% CI, 2.52–3.72]; versus no AKI).

Conclusions

This large study demonstrates a significant association between AKI and all‐cause mortality and, for the first time, major adverse cardiovascular events in patients hospitalized with COVID‐19.
Clinical Effectiveness of the Queen Square Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Service for Patients With Poststroke Aphasia
Authors: Leff Alexander P. , Nightingale Sarah , Gooding Beth , Rutter Jean , Craven Nicola , Peart Makena , Dunstan Alice , Sherman Amy , Paget Andrew , Duncan Morvwen , Davidson Jonathan , Kumar Naveen , Farrington-Douglas Claire , Julien Camille , Crinion Jennifer T.
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose:

Poststroke aphasia has a major impact on peoples’ quality of life. Speech and language therapy interventions work, especially in high doses, but these doses are rarely achieved outside of research studies. Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) are an option to deliver high doses of therapy to people with aphasia over a short period of time.

Methods:

Forty-six people with aphasia in the chronic stage poststroke completed the ICAP over a 3-week period, attending for 15 days and averaging 6 hours of therapy per day. Outcome measures included the Comprehensive Aphasia Test, an impairment-based test of the 4 main domains of language (speaking, writing, auditory comprehension, and reading) which was measured at 3 time points (baseline, immediately posttreatment at 3 weeks and follow-up at 12-week post-ICAP); and, the Communicative Effectiveness Index, a carer-reported measure of functional communication skills collected at baseline and 12 weeks.

Results:

A 2-way repeated measures multivariate ANOVA was conducted. We found a significant domain-by-time interaction,
F
=12.7,
P
<0.0005, indicating that the ICAP improved people with aphasia’s language scores across all 4 domains, with the largest gains in speaking (Cohen’s
d
=1.3). All gains were maintained or significantly improved further at 12-week post-ICAP. Importantly, patients’ functional communication, as indexed by changes on the Communicative Effectiveness Index, also significantly improved at 12-week post-ICAP,
t
=5.4,
P
<0.0005, also with a large effect size (Cohen’s
d
=0.9).

Conclusions:

People with aphasia who participated in the Queen Square ICAP made large and clinically meaningful gains on both impairment-based and functional measures of language. Gains were sustained and in some cases improved further over the subsequent 12 weeks.
Survey on reporting of epithelial cells in urine sediment as part of external quality assessment programs in Brazilian laboratories
Authors: Poloni José A. T. , de Oliveira Vieira Adriana , dos Santos Caroline R. M. , Simundic Ana-Maria , Rotta Liane N.
Published: June 2021

Epithelial cells (ECs) are structures regularly observed during urine microscopy analysis. The correct identification of EC subtypes can be useful since renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) are clinically relevant. We investigate the urinary ECs report and the judgement of its clinical importance by Brazilian laboratories.
A survey with four questions was made available to participants of the Urinalysis External Quality Assessment Program (EQAP) from Controllab. Laboratories composed 3 groups: (1) differentiating ECs subtypes: “squamous”, “transitional” and “RTECs”; (2) differentiating ECs subtypes: “squamous” or “non-squamous” cells; (3) without ECs subtype identification. Participants did not necessarily answer to all questions and the answers were evaluated both within the same laboratory’s category and within different categories of laboratories.
A total of 1336 (94%) laboratories answered the survey; Group 1, 119/140 (85%) reported that ECs differentiation is important to the physician and 62% want to be evaluated by EQAP, while in Group 3, 455/1110 (41%) reported it is useful to them, however only 25% want be evaluated by EQAP. Group 2 laboratories 37/51 (73%) reported that the information is important, but only 13/52 (25%) are interested in an EQAP with differentiation of the 3 ECs subtypes.
Most of the laboratories do not differentiate ECs in the three subtypes, despite the clinical importance of RTECs. Education of laboratory staff about the clinical significance of urinary particles should be considered a key priority.
Additions to the millipede family Caseyidae. II. Martenseya, a new genus of miniature, blind millipedes from California (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Striariidea, Striarioidea, Caseyidae)
Authors: SHEAR WILLIAM A.
Published: June 2021

A new genus, Martenseya, is described for Martenseya minutocaeca n. sp., a tiny, blind species in the family Caseyidae from Marin County, California, USA. A key to the chordeumatidan families of northwestern North America is provided, as well as a key to caseyid genera.
The identity of an elusive Chilean harvestman, Pachylus crassus (Roewer, 1943) (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae: Pachylinae), with taxonomic and distribution notes
Authors: ACOSTA LUIS E.
Published: June 2021

The long-neglected Chilean harvestman species Pachylus crassus (Roewer, 1943) (Gonyleptidae, Pachylinae) is redescribed and illustrated from the types and additional material. A lectotype is designated from the original syntype series. Until now P. crassus was only known from its brief original description. Moreover, its generic affiliation remained obscure for decades, as it was successively placed in different genera until it was determined to be a member of Pachylus C.L. Koch, 1839. Aside some taxonomic remarks on the genus, it is here proposed to exclude from Pachylus one doubtful nominal species, Pachylus acanthops (Gervais, 1849), and to consider it a species inquirenda. A thorough comparison of P. crassus with its presumed close relative, P. quinamavidensis Muñoz, 1969, is provided. New records for both species and a map with all known localities of the genus are also given.
First Northwest African species of the spider genus Artema, from caves in Morocco, with notes on body size in pholcid spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae)
Authors: HUBER BERNHARD A.
Published: June 2021

The genus Artema Walckenaer, 1837 includes some of the largest pholcid spiders and is geographically largely restricted to Central Asia, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and the eastern Mediterranean. One species has previously been known from West Africa. The first known Moroccan species, A. martensi sp. n., extends the known distribution of the genus to the northwestern limit of the African continent. The species is described from two caves in the western Anti-Atlas, but it is not troglomorphic. A comparative analysis of male carapace width in 1632 pholcid species shows that A. martensi sp. n. is the largest known pholcid with respect to this character. Plots of mean carapace sizes of newly described species on periods of time (50 years, 20 years) show that the mean sizes of newly described species have been constantly decreasing.
Two new enigmatic genera of huntsman spiders from Madagascar (Araneae: Sparassidae)
Authors: JÄGER PETER
Published: June 2021

Two new monotypic genera of the family Sparassidae are described from Madagascar: Martensikara gen. nov. with M. jocheni spec. nov. (female; from Toliara Province), belonging to Heteropodinae Thorell, 1873, and Deelemanikara gen. nov. with D. christae spec. nov. (female; from Toamasina and Antananarivo Provinces) of uncertain systematic affiliation. Both genera show unique combinations of characters that do not occur in any of the known genera. Somatic as well as genital characters of both genera are discussed and compared with those of other taxa of Sparassidae.
Further studies on harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) from Iran, with the descriptions of two new species
Authors: SNEGOVAYA NATALY YU. , COKENDOLPHER JAMES C. , ZAMANI ALIREZA
Published: June 2021

This paper deals with some new material of Iranian harvestmen accumulated during and after 2017. These recent collections yielded 11 species from six families, including five species that had previously been known from Iran, and two families and six species which are established as being new for the fauna of the country. The latter include two newly described species of Phalangiidae, namely Homolophus airyamani spec. nov. (male; Hormozgan Province, southern Iran) and Phalangium martensi spec. nov. (male; Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran). With the study of new specimens and the recording of previously known material, 28 species from six families of Opiliones are currently known from Iranian territories. The records include one species of Biantidae, one species of Dicranolasmatidae, five species of Nemastomatidae, 19 species of Phalangiidae, and a single species each for Sclerosomatidae and Trogulidae.
Selective Facial Muscle Activation with Acute and Chronic Multichannel Cuff Electrode Implantation in a Feline Model
Authors: Sahyouni Ronald , Goshtasbi Khodayar , Presacco Alessandro , Birkenbeuel Jack , Cheung Dillon , Abiri Arash , Berger Michael H. , Djalilian Hamid R. , Lin Harrison W.
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

Facial paralysis is a debilitating condition with substantial functional and psychological consequences. This feline-model study evaluates whether facial muscles can be selectively activated in acute and chronic implantation of 16-channel multichannel cuff electrodes (MCE).

Methods:

Two cats underwent acute terminal MCE implantation experiments, 2 underwent chronic MCE implantation in uninjured facial nerves (FN) and tested for 6 months, and 2 underwent chronic MCE implantation experiments after FN transection injury and tested for 3 months. The MCE were wrapped around the main trunk of the skeletonized FN, and data collection consisted of EMG thresholds, amplitudes, and selectivity of muscle activation.

Results:

In acute experimentation, activation of specific channels (ie, channels 1-3 and 6-8) resulted in selective activation of orbicularis oculi, whereas activation of other channels (ie, channels 4, 5, or 8) led to selective activation of levator auris longus with higher EMG amplitudes. MCE implantation yielded stable and selective facial muscle activation EMG thresholds and amplitudes up to a 5-month period. Modest selective muscle activation was furthermore obtained after a complete transection-reapproximating nerve injury after a 3-month recovery period and implantation reoperation. Chronic implantation of MCE did not lead to fibrosis on histology. Field steering was achieved to activate distinct facial muscles by sending simultaneous subthreshold currents to multiple channels, thus theoretically protecting against nerve damage from chronic electrical stimulation.

Conclusion:

Our proof-of-concept results show the ability of an MCE, supplemented with field steering, to provide a degree of selective facial muscle stimulation in a feline model, even following nerve regeneration after FN injury.

Level of evidence:

N/A
Fabrication of 3D Models for Microtia Reconstruction Using Smartphone-Based Technology
Authors: You Peng , Liu Yi-Chun Carol , Silva Rodrigo C.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Microtia reconstruction is technically challenging due to the intricate contours of the ear. It is common practice to use a two-dimensional tracing of the patient’s normal ear as a template for the reconstruction of the affected side. Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning and printing have expanded the ability to create surgical models preoperatively. This study aims to describe a simple and affordable process to fabricate patient-specific 3D ear models for use in the operating room.

Study design:

Applied basic research on a novel 3D optical scanning and fabrication pathway for microtia reconstruction.

Setting:

Tertiary care university hospital.

Methods:

Optical surface scanning of the patient’s normal ear was completed using a smartphone with facial recognition capability. The Heges application used the phone’s camera to capture the 3D image. The 3D model was digitally isolated and mirrored using the Meshmixer software and printed with a 3D printer (MonopriceTM Select Mini V2) using polylactic acid filaments.

Results:

The 3D model of the ear served as a helpful intraoperative reference and an adjunct to the traditional 2D template. Collectively, time for imaging acquisition, editing, and fabrication was approximately 3.5 hours. The upfront cost was around $210, and the recurring cost was approximately $0.35 per ear model.

Conclusion:

A novel, low-cost approach to fabricate customized 3D models of the ear is introduced. It is feasible to create individualized 3D models using currently available consumer technology. The low barrier to entry raises the possibility for clinicians to incorporate 3D printing into various clinical applications.
Supporting Direct Breastfeeding in a Tracheostomy-Dependent Neonate: A Case Report
Authors: Van Osch Kylen , Hunter Kerry , Graham M. Elise
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

There are numerous well-described benefits to breastfeeding to both infant and mother. Even in healthy children with an uncomplicated perinatal course, there may be significant struggles maintaining a breastfeeding relationship. Infants with a complicated clinical course have been shown to benefit even more from the provision of breastmilk, however they are seldom encouraged to feed directly at the breast. There are no reports of successful direct breastfeeding in an infant with a tracheostomy.

Methods and Results:

We present the case of a breastfeeding dyad including a trach-dependent infant with congenital idiopathic bilateral vocal fold immobility who successfully initiated and maintained an inclusive breastfeeding relationship.

Conclusion:

This case illustrates that successful direct breastfeeding can be achieved in an infant with a tracheostomy. If a patient is felt to be capable of oral feeding via bottle, there is no reason that there should not be a trial of direct feeding at the breast, for the benefit of both members of the breastfeeding dyad.
Implementing Technology for Teaching: The Use of a Mobile/Tablet Approach for Enhancing Students’ Learning (Design Interaction) Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL)
Authors: Gashoot Moamer , Eve Bob , Mohamed Tahani
Published: June 2021

In industrial design education, the curriculum should be structured to facilitate and advance student learning. The purpose of this work is to enhance the education by introducing mobile lectures and imbedded innovative approach to Bournemouth University (BU) Education, which will be employed by the lecturer in the years to come.
Re-Envisioning School-Based Counseling: Sports-Based Group Therapy for Elementary School Students Exposed to Trauma
Authors: Koslouski Jessica B. , Jones Makaela E. , Patil Pratima A. , Chan Fionna , Roulier Rebekah C. , Porche Michelle V.
Published: June 2021

Mixed-methods were used to investigate treatment outcomes for youth enrolled in an innovative sports-based group therapy intervention. Chart review was conducted for 65 youth, aged 5 to 13 years over one academic year at an elementary school serving high-needs youth in an urban district. Analysis revealed symptom reduction for 72% of participants. For a subset of students ( n = 34) with available Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessments, the average number of adverse experiences was 2.74 ( SD: 2.11). Qualitative coding of progress notes and discharge summaries was used to assess symptom presentation and treatment outcomes. This sports-based group therapy intervention promotes access to services while minimizing stigma.
Communist Funeral Reform in Central Europe (1948–1989): From Religious to Civil Funerals in Czechoslovakia and Hungary
Authors: Nešporová Olga , Tóth Heléna
Published: June 2021

The authors examine funeral reform in the second half of the 20th century in Central and Eastern Europe via the historical comparative analysis approach. Examining the case studies of Czechoslovakia and Hungary, the article argues that although the newly-developed civil (socialist) funeral ceremonies in the two countries followed a similar pattern, in the Czech part of Czechoslovakia, civil funerals followed by cremation became the norm during the forty years of communist rule, whereas in Hungary they did not become the popularly accepted approach, in a similar way to the Slovak part of Czechoslovakia, where Roman Catholic funerals and inhumation remained dominant. The significant difference in the results of efforts toward reform was due principally to differing cultural histories, attitudes toward both religion and cremation and the availability of the infrastructure required for conducting civil funerals.
Checkpoint: An innovative Programme to navigate people away from the cycle of reoffending – A randomised control trial evaluation
Authors: Weir Kevin , Kilili Stephanie , Cooper John , Crowe Andrew , Routledge Gillian
Published: June 2021

This study contributes to the evidence base of police deferred prosecution schemes aimed at reducing reoffending. Durham Constabulary, UK, introduced Checkpoint, an adult deferred prosecution scheme which targets offenders entering the Criminal Justice System by providing an alternative to a criminal prosecution. Applying theories of deterrence and desistance, this paper describes the randomised control trial findings of 521 offenders randomised between 1 August 2016 and 31 March 2018. The results indicate that the Checkpoint treatment cohort achieved a lower reoffending rate in comparison to the control cohort, on the basis of prevalence (10.3% reduction) and risk of reoffending (30% reduction).
A County-Level Analysis of Socioeconomic and Clinical Predictors of COVID-19 Incidence and Case-Fatality Rates in Georgia, March–September 2020
Authors: Berman Adam E. , Miller D. Douglas , Rahn Daniel W. , Hess David C. , Thompson Mark A. , Mossialos Elias A. , Waller Jennifer L.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected various populations differently. We investigated the relationship between socioeconomic determinants of health obtained from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings and COVID-19 incidence and mortality at the county level in Georgia.

Methods

We analyzed data on COVID-19 incidence and case-fatality rates (CFRs) from the Georgia Department of Public Health from March 1 through August 31, 2020. We used repeated measures generalized linear mixed models to determine differences over time in Georgia counties among quartile health rankings of health outcomes, health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment.

Results

COVID-19 incidence per 100 000 population increased across all quartile county groups for all health rankings (range, 23.1-51.6 in May to 688.4-1062.0 in August). COVID-19 CFRs per 100 000 population peaked in April and May (range, 3312-6835) for all health rankings, declined in June and July (range, 827-5202), and increased again in August (range, 1877-3310). Peak CFRs occurred later in counties with low health rankings for health behavior and clinical care and in counties with high health rankings for social and economic factors and physical environment. All interactions between the health ranking quartile variables and month were significant ( P < .001). County-level Gini indices were associated with significantly higher rates of COVID-19 incidence ( P < .001) but not CFRs.

Conclusions

From March through August 2020, COVID-19 incidence rose in Georgia’s counties independent of health rankings categorization. Differences in time to peak CFRs differed at the county level based upon key health rankings. Public health interventions should incorporate unique strategies to improve COVID-19–related patient outcomes in these environments.
The influence of the inter-ply hybridisation on the mechanical performance of composite laminates: Experimental and numerical analysis
Authors: Dalfi Hussein , Al-Obaidi Anwer J , Razaq Hussein
Published: June 2021

Recently, high tensile fibres composite laminates (i.e. glass composite laminates) have been widely used in the civil and military applications due to their superior properties such as lightweight, fatigue and corrosion resistance compared to metals. Nevertheless, their brittle fracture behaviour is a real downside for many sectors. In the present study, the impact of the hybridisation of Kevlar woven layers with glass woven layers on the reducing the strain failure problem in pure glass woven laminates is investigated. In this work, multi-layers Kevlar-glass with different stacking sequences have been used to prepare the hybrid composite laminates using vacuum–assisted resin moulding method. The influence of the layers hybridisation on the mechanical performance of composites laminates was investigated using tensile strength tests. Furthermore, finite element analysis is performed to analyse the mechanical response of the hybrid composite laminates using Abaqus software. The elastic constants of woven fabric layers in the numerical study were predicted through geometric model based on the textile geometry and analytical method in order to assert accuracy of the predicted elastic constants. The experimental results showed that the hybrid composite laminates tend to fail more slowly than glass woven laminates, which illustrates low strain to failure. In the theoretical part of the study, it was found that the proposal model can be useful to capture the mechanical behaviour and the damage failure modes of hybrid laminates. Thus, the catastrophic failure can be avoided in these laminates.
The taming of chaos: Optimal cities and the state of the art in urban systems research
Authors: Taylor Linnet
Published: June 2021

What can urban big data research tell us about cities? While studying cities as complex systems offers a new perspective on urban dynamics, we should dig deeper into the epistemological claims made by these studies and ask what it means to distance the urban researcher from the city. Big data research has the tendency to flatten our perspective: it shows us technology users and their interactions with digital systems but does so often at the expense of the informal and irregular aspects of city life. It also presents us with the city as optimisable system, offering up the chance to engineer it for particular forms of efficiency or productivity. Both optimisation itself, and the process of ordering of the city for optimisation, confer political and economic power and produce a hierarchy of interests. This commentary advocates that researchers connect systems research to questions of structure and power. To do this requires a critical approach to what is missing, what is implied by the choices about which data to collect and how to make them available, and an understanding of the ontologies that shape both the data sets and the urban spaces they describe.
Macro-level Criminological Perspectives and School Delinquency: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Pusch Natasha
Published: June 2021

School delinquency in public elementary, middle, and high schools has decreased in recent years, but is still a major issue that has negative mental health and academic implications for adolescents. Although research has focused on both individual-level and school-level explanations of school delinquency, it is not yet clear which macro-level criminological perspectives best explains it. Using 656 effect sizes nested within 75 studies and 30 unique datasets, this study addresses two questions using meta-analytic methods: Which macro-level criminological perspectives explain between-school differences in delinquency? Are effect sizes invariant across samples and research design? Results indicate that only concentrated disadvantage and social cohesion are significantly related to school delinquency. With the exception of concentrated disadvantage, effects are homogenous. This suggests that some school-level explanations are useful and future research should not exclude these factors. Practical implications suggest that improving social cohesion in schools may be more effective at preventing violence than target-hardening efforts.
Gender Differences in the Link Between Marital Status and the Risk of Cognitive Impairment: Results From the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Kim Yujin
Published: June 2021

In the context of South Korea, characterized by increasing population aging and a changing family structure, this study examined differences in the risk of cognitive impairment by marital status and investigated whether this association differs by gender. The data were derived from the 2006–2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. The sample comprised 7,568 respondents aged 45 years or older, who contributed 30,414 person-year observations. Event history analysis was used to predict the odds of cognitive impairment by marital status and gender. Relative to their married counterparts, never-married and divorced people were the most disadvantaged in terms of cognitive health. In addition, the association between marital status and cognitive impairment was much stronger for men than for women. Further, gender-stratified analyses showed that, compared with married men, never-married men had a higher risk of cognitive impairment, but there were no significant effects of marital status for women.
Neoliberalisation of industrial relations: The ideational development of Dutch employers’ organisations between 1976 and 2019
Authors: Boumans Saskia
Published: June 2021

This article considers the debate about the process of liberalisation of industrial relations from an ideational institutional perspective. While the gradual liberalisation of industrial relations has increased employer discretion, the role of employers’ organisations in this process is unclear. The case study is the Netherlands, a neo-corporatist country described as stable and robust but where institutional outcomes have undergone major shifts. To understand how this happened, the author analysed 40 years of collective bargaining policy using an ideational approach. The article argues that Dutch organised employers had the confidence that the strength of their ideas was enough to gradually but surely change industrial relations within the existing neo-corporatist framework by redefining the role of the firm, the state and the employee in the economy. The article also shows that since the early 2010s Dutch organised employers have changed their strategy leading to further de-collectivisation of industrial relations.
Synthesis of the JHPS International Symposium on Tritiated Water
Authors: Yoshida H.
Published: June 2021

As the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) progresses, the issue of how to deal with tritiated water has been attracting attention, both domestically and internationally. This article summarises the live discussion at the International Symposium on Tritiated Water, which was held by the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS) in June 2020. Two issues – the scientific safety of tritiated water and social consensus building – were covered in the live discussion. The importance of further disclosure and dissemination of information based on steady monitoring was highlighted. It was also pointed out that scientific knowledge and scientific research data are merely the bottom line to achieve social consensus. Through the discussions, it was recognised that the role of JHPS is not only to look at the technical issues of safety, but also to look at social issues from the point of view of radiation protection, and to support the solution of these issues.
Comparison of thyroid doses to the public from radioiodine following the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents
Authors: Shinkarev Sergey M.
Published: June 2021

Estimates of thyroid doses to the public from radioiodine intake following the accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants are compared. The basis for thyroid dose estimates after the Chernobyl accident was a large set of measurements of 131I thyroidal content for approximately 400,000 residents in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. Due to a lack of direct thyroid measurements after the Fukushima accident (just over 1000 residents were measured), thyroid doses were estimated based on ecological models and are therefore associated with much higher uncertainty than those based on direct thyroid measurements. Thyroid dose estimates for evacuees were up to 50,000 mGy for Chernobyl and up to approximately 100 mGy for Fukushima. This large difference in thyroid dose to the public is mainly due to the different dominant pathways of radioiodine intake: ingestion of fresh, locally produced cows’ milk (Chernobyl) and inhalation of contaminated air (Fukushima).
On the role of experts: experiences from 35 years of Chernobyl consequences in Norway
Authors: Skuterud L.
Published: June 2021

The fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl accident caused dramatic and long-lasting consequences for parts of food production in Norway, and the indigenous Sámi reindeer-herding lifestyle and culture in central Norway was particularly threatened. Banning food production – or condemning food – was considered unacceptable in a long-term perspective, and huge efforts were made to develop mitigating options. Some of these are still in place, 35 years after the accident. This article describes some of the long-term efforts made by Norwegian authorities to attempt to alleviate the consequences for the reindeer herders. Every accident and crisis is unique, and this is true for the experiences in Norway. However, some of the experiences in Norway are likely to have universal value.
Lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident –from a research perspective
Authors: Tashiro Satoshi
Published: June 2021

Since the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, there has been a focus on the impact of low-dose radiation exposure due to nuclear disasters and radiology on human bodies. In order to study very low levels of impact on the human body from low-dose radiation exposure, a system with high detection sensitivity is needed. Until now, the most well-established biological radiation effect detection system in the field of emergency radiation medicine has been chromosomal analysis. However, chromosomal analysis requires advanced skills, and it is necessary to perform chromosomal analysis of a large number of cells in order to detect slight effects on the human body due to low-dose radiation exposure. Therefore, in order to study the effects of low-dose radiation exposure on the human body, it is necessary to develop high-throughput chromosome analysis technology. We have established the PNA-FISH method, which is a fluorescence in-situ hybridisation method using a PNA probe, as a high-throughput chromosome analysis technique. Using this method, the detection of dicentrics and ring chromosomes has become very efficient. Using this technology, chromosomal analysis was performed on peripheral blood before and after computed tomography (CT) examination of patients at Hiroshima University Hospital, and it was possible to detect chromosomal abnormalities due to low-dose radiation exposure in the CT examination. Furthermore, it was shown that there may be individual differences in the increase in chromosomal abnormalities due to low-dose radiation exposure, suggesting the need to build a next-generation medical radiation exposure management system based on individual differences in radiation sensitivity. If techniques such as chromosomal analysis, which have been used for biological dose evaluation in emergency radiation medicine, can be used for general radiology, such as radiodiagnosis and treatment, that will be a contribution to radiology from an unprecedented angle. This article will discuss the clinical application of new biological dose evaluation methods that have been developed in the field of emergency radiation medicine.
Disconnection for protection (D4P): an addition to the disconnection repertoire
Authors: Rohman Abdul , Ang Peng Hwa
Published: June 2021

This article responds to Crosscurrent articles (Treré et al., 2020) published in this journal by positing the potential usefulness of Disconnection for Protection (D4P) for calming unrest and managing volatile times. We first use a vignette from Ambon, Indonesia, to illuminate the need for D4P to throttle the spread of mis/disinformation during a communal violence and then discuss the existing repertoire of disconnections. Building on this, we propose temporal/spatial context, information flow, externality, and motivation as constitutive elements of D4P. We elaborate on their terms and conditions and suggest research directions at the end.
Plural reconstruction: A method of critical theory for the analysis of emerging and contested political practices
Authors: Ahlhaus Svenja
Published: June 2021

In this article, I argue that Habermas’s method of rational reconstruction faces limitations when it comes to analysing newly emerging and contested political practices. As rational reconstruction aims to criticize existing practices by determining their normative meaning as reflected in the participants’ idealizing presuppositions, it reaches its limits where emerging and contested practices make it impossible to identify a shared self-understanding and a single participants’ perspective. Using the example of membership politics, I argue that this is often the case where nationally constituted forms of politics become controversial or are fundamentally questioned. Building on the work of Benhabib and Fraser, I develop an alternative reconstructive method of plural reconstruction, which modifies the basic premises of rational reconstruction, adjusting it to emerging and contested political contexts.
Application of Pooled Testing Methodologies in Tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Guha Pritha
Published: June 2021

The recent emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a healthcare challenge, as well as an economic threat to the world. The situation is even worse for the developing nations like India. Diagnostic tests are fundamental to the ability to detect and respond to the disease. However, finding adequate resources for that has proved to be a significant challenge. As a solution, a pooling approach for the diagnostic tests is proposed in the literature and the media. In this article, we explore several algorithms for pooling samples to reduce the number of such diagnostic tests. Through a comparative study, we look at their relative performance at different disease prevalence levels. We also discuss the impact of the sensitivity and specificity of the tests. In the context of using the quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests for diagnosing COVID-19 cases in India, we discuss the feasibility of using the pooling algorithms and possible avenues to improve their effectiveness.