bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Calcium Channel Blockers and Risk of Active Tuberculosis Disease
Authors: Lee Chien-Chang , Lee Meng-tse Gabriel , Hsu Wan-Ting , Park James Yeongjun , Porta Lorenzo , Liu Michael A. , Chen Shyr-Chyr , Chang Shan-Chwen
Published: January 2021

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are known to reduce the availability of iron—an important mineral for intracellular pathogens. Nonetheless, whether the use of CCBs modifies the risk of active tuberculosis in the clinical setting remains unclear. To determine whether CCBs may modify the risk of active tuberculosis disease, we conducted a nested case-control study using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan between January 1999 and December 2011. Conditional logistic regression and disease risk score adjustment were used to calculate the risk of active tuberculosis disease associated with CCB use. Subgroup analyses investigated the effect of different types of CCBs and potential effect modification in different subpopulations. A total of 8164 new active tuberculosis cases and 816 400 controls were examined. Use of CCBs was associated with a 32% decrease in the risk of active tuberculosis (relative risk [RR], 0.68 [95% CI, 0.58–0.78]) after adjustment with disease risk score. Compared with nonuse of CCBs, the use of dihydropyridine CCBs was associated with a lower risk of tuberculosis (RR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.53–0.79]) than nondihydropyridine CCBs (RR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.57–0.94]). In contrast, use of β-blockers (RR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.83–1.12]) or loop diuretics (RR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.62–1.26]) was not associated with lower risk of tuberculosis. In subgroup analyses, the risk of tuberculosis associated with the use of CCBs was similar among patients with heart failure or cerebrovascular diseases. Our study confirms that use of dihydropyridine CCBs decreases the risk of active tuberculosis.
Rhytidhysteron mexicanum sp. nov. (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from the Sierra of Guadalupe, Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt
Authors: COBOS-VILLAGRÁN AURORA , RAYMUNDO TANIA , CALVILLO-MEDINA ROSA PAULINA , VALENZUELA RICARDO
Published: January 2021

A novel dothideomycete species, Rhytidhysteron mexicanum, is described and illustrated supported by morphological and cultural characters and a phylogenetic analysis (rDNA nucleotide data set). The new species is characterized when immature by boat-shaped hysterothecia (2–4 mm long × 1.5–2.5 mm wide). In mature stage, 2.5–4 mm apothecia with fluted margins remain the same when dry. The epithecium is yellowish green to pistachio green, becoming ocher in the presence of 10% KOH. Ascospores are 34–40(–44) × 10–12(–15) µm, and reddish brown. The morphology of R. mexicanum is compared with other Rhytidhysteron species. A dichotomous key is provided to the five species of Rhytidhysteron known from Mexico.
Trichosanthes sunhangii (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from Hubei, China
Authors: LIU QUN , LIN NAN , ZHANG DAI-GUI , HUANG XIAN-HAN , WANG HENG-CHANG , YANG JING-YUAN , TOJIBAEV KOMILJON , LV ZHEN-YU , DENG TAO , LI ZHI-MIN
Published: January 2021

Trichosanthes sunhangii D.G.Zhang, Z.M.Li, Qun Liu & T.Deng, a new species of Cucurbitaceae, is described and illustrated. It was collected in Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei province, east-central China. T. sunhangii is morphologically similar to T. kirilowii Maxim. and T. rosthornii Harms, but can be easily distinguished from them by its bracts, tendrils and fruits. Phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA barcode markers (ITS, matK and rpl20-rps12) indicated that two accessions of T. sunhangii were grouped together (PP=1.00, BP=100 and LP=100) in Sect. Foliobracteola.
Lectotypification of the names Festuca makutrensis and its variety, F. makutrensis var. obtecta (Poaceae)
Authors: BEDNARSKA IRYNA O. , MOSYAKIN SERGEI L.
Published: January 2021

The name Festuca makutrensis is currently accepted and considered to be applicable to a presumably hybridogenous species at present reliably known from Ukraine and Poland (records from other countries need confirmation), where it occurs mainly on humus-rich shallow soils on carbonates (rendzinas) as a component of floristically rich extrazonal meadow steppes and similar dry grasslands. The species is considered endangered in Poland. The previous attempt at type designation of F. makutrensis proved to be ineffective for nomenclatural reasons. Lectotypes are designated here for the names F. makutrensis and F. makutrensis var. obtecta, both validated by Zapałowicz simultaneously, based on specimens collected by Raciborski at the Makitra Hill (also known as Makutra Mount of the Podolia Upland; Brody District, Lviv Region, Ukraine). Since the available original herbarium sheets contain plants and plant fragments belonging to both var. makutrensis and var. obtecta (mixed collections, with plants of two varieties mounted on the same sheets), only parts of specimens/sheets from KRAM are designated as lectotypes for each name.
The Thripidae subfamily Sericothripinae (Thysanoptera) from Saudi Arabia with a new species of Hydatothrips Karny
Authors: RASOOL IFTEKHAR , SOLIMAN AHMED M. , ALATTAL YEHYA ZAKI , DHAFER HATHAL M. AL
Published: January 2021

The subfamily Sericothripinae Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is recorded for the first time from the Saudi Arabian fauna. Four species belonging to two genera, Hydatothrips Karny and Neohydatothrips John, are recognized, and H. bahaensis Rasool, sp. n. is described from Al Baha region (southwestern of Saudi Arabia). Host-plant associations are given for the new species and also N. amygdali Minaei, and the male and larvae of N. amygdali are reported for the first time. An illustrated key to the genera and species is provided.
Fanniidae (Diptera): new species, new records and first description of the male of Fannia latifrontalis Hennig
Authors: BARTÁK MIROSLAV , PREISLER JIŘÍ , KANAVALOVÁ LILIANA , KUBÍK ŠTĚPÁN
Published: January 2021

Fannia bohemica sp. nov. (Czech Republic, Slovakia) is described and illustrated. Male of F. latifrontalis Hennig, 1955 is described and illustrated for the first time. Fannia jezoensis Nishida, 1976 is first reported from West Palaearctic, Fannia morrisoni Malloch, 1913 is first recorded from Palaearctic Region. Fannia umbrosa (Stein, 1895) and F. armata (Meigen, 1826; first record based on morphologically identified specimens) are new records from Nearctic Region. Six species (Fannia fuscitibia Stein, 1920, F. latifrontalis, F. limbata (Tiensuu, 1938), F. verrallii (Meade, 1891), F. gotlandica Ringdahl, 1926 and F. spathiophora, Malloch, 1918) are recorded for the first time from Slovakia.
Preparation of a Carboxymethyl Chitosan Nanocomposite and Its Application in Fracture Repair
Authors: He Juren , Yang Liangdong , Song Xiaojie , Gao Yangang
Published: January 2021

In this work, we harnessed the good biocompatibility and biodegradability of nanoparticles by constructing a nanocomposite based on hydroxyapatite/carboxymethyl chitosan (nHAp/CMCS NPs) and using it to heal bone fractures. We used Mesenchymal stem cells to study osteogenesis and bone
healing. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the nHAp/CMCS NPs shows that its average particle size is 200±0.53 nm. In vitro experiments show that the nanomaterial has excellent biocompatibility, no cytotoxicity, and significantly promotes the proliferation and osteogenic
differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). In vivo experiments show that nHAp/CMCS NPs have obvious growth-promoting and healing effects on rat bone fractures. Therefore, hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposites provide new treatment strategies for bone formation
by BMSCs and fracture healing.
A Dual-Frequency Radar Retrieval of Two Parameters of the Snowfall Particle Size Distribution Using a Neural Network
Authors: Chase Randy J. , Nesbitt Stephen W. , McFarquhar Greg M.
Published: January 2021

With the launch of the Global Precipitation Measurement Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (GPM-DPR) in 2014, renewed interest in retrievals of snowfall in the atmospheric column has occurred. The current operational GPM-DPR retrieval largely underestimates surface snowfall accumulation. Here, a neural network (NN) trained on data that are synthetically derived from state-of-the-art ice particle scattering models and measured in situ particle size distributions (PSDs) is used to retrieve two parameters of the PSD: liquid equivalent mass-weighted mean diameter and the liquid equivalent normalized intercept parameter . Evaluations against a test dataset showed statistically significantly improved ice water content (IWC) retrievals relative to a standard power-law approach and an estimate of the current GPM-DPR algorithm. Furthermore, estimated median percent errors (MPE) on the test dataset were −0.7%, +2.6%, and +1% for , , and IWC, respectively. An evaluation on three case studies with collocated radar observations and in situ microphysical data shows that the NN retrieval has MPE of −13%, +120%, and +10% for , , and IWC, respectively. The NN retrieval applied directly to GPM-DPR data provides improved snowfall retrievals relative to the default algorithm, removing the default algorithm’s ray-to-ray instabilities and recreating the high-resolution radar retrieval results to within 15% MPE. Future work should aim to improve the retrieval by including PSD data collected in more diverse conditions and rimed particles. Furthermore, different desired outputs such as the PSD shape parameter and snowfall rate could be included in future iterations.
Impact of Developing ENSO on Tibetan Plateau Summer Rainfall
Authors: Hu Shuai , Zhou Tianjun , Wu Bo
Published: January 2021

The year-to-year variations of Tibetan Plateau (TP) summer rainfall have tremendous climate impacts on the adjoining and even global climate, attracting extensive research attention in recent decades to understand the underlying mechanism. In this study, we investigate an open question of how El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences the TP precipitation. We show that the developing ENSO has significant impacts on the summer rainfall over the southwestern TP (SWTP), which is the second EOF mode of the interannual variability of summer rainfall over the TP. The moisture budget indicates that both the suppressed vertical motion and the deficit of moisture contribute to the reduction of SWTP rainfall during El Niño’s developing summer, with the former contribution 4 times larger than the latter. Moist static energy analyses indicate that the anomalous advection of climatological moist enthalpy by anomalous zonal wind is responsible for the anomalous descending motions over the SWTP. The El Niño–related southward displacements of the South Asian high and the upper-level cyclonic anomalies over the west of TP stimulated by the suppressed Indian summer monsoon precipitation are two key processes dominating the anomalous zonal moist enthalpy advection over SWTP. Meanwhile, the India–Burma monsoon trough is strengthened during El Niño developing summer, which prevents the advection of water vapor into the SWTP, and thus contributes to the deficit of summer SWTP rainfall. Our results help to understand the complicated ENSO-related air–sea interaction responsible for the variability of TP precipitation and have implications for seasonal prediction of the TP climate.
Laudato si’ : continuité et changement dans le magistère catholique sur l’écologie, l’économie et la vie humaine
Authors: Turina Isacco
Published: January 2021

Tout en se situant dans le sillon du magistère de Paul VI, Jean-Paul II et Benoît XVI sur l’écologie, l’encyclique Laudato si’ a soulevé, à sa publication en juin 2015, une marée de commentaires et de réactions qui, aux yeux de l’opinion publique internationale, a fait entrer pour la première fois l’Église catholique dans les grands débats sur la crise de l’environnement. En fait Laudato si’ se distingue par quelques innovations marquantes, qui ont trait notamment à la place faite aux pays du Sud, à la critique très nette des effets pervers de l’économie de marché, à la prise de position sur le réchauffement global et à l’ouverture œcuménique. Dans l’ensemble, ces éléments suggèrent de possibles lignes d’évolution du magistère catholique au XXIe siècle.
Burmese Refugee Women in the Midwest: Narratives of Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth
Authors: Maung Joanna , Nilsson Johanna E. , Jeevanba Sathya B. , Molitoris Aurora , Raziuddin Abdul , Soheilian Sepideh S.
Published: January 2021

The goal of this qualitative study was to examine the strengths and posttraumatic growth experiences of a community of female refugees from Burma resettled in a Midwestern city of the United States. Based on data gathered from eleven participants, consensual qualitative research analysis yielded a thematic overview of two domains: (a) coping and resilience, and (b) experiences of posttraumatic growth. The results provided contextual evidence to the preresettlement and postresettlement stressors experienced by Burmese refugee women in resettlement. Findings also highlight the strengths, protective factors, and resources of Burmese refugee women, whose narratives of positive growth and change seem to coexist with memories and experiences of trauma, suffering, and hardship. Implications for research and clinical practice as well as future directions are discussed.
The Empowerment Ladder: Understanding transition across leadership stages in individuals with type 1 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases
Authors: Ugliara Barone Mark Thomaz , Chaluppe Matheus , Ripoli Pedro , Patricio Bruna Talita , Lima Bruna Letícia Souza , Galastri Lucas Leme , Wieselberg Ronaldo Jose Pineda , Xavier de Oliveira Lucas , Ngongo Belinda , Demont Audrey Guibat , de Luca Patrícia Vieira
Published: January 2021

Background:

Acceptance and adjustment to lifelong noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) pose a great challenge for individuals living with these conditions. Diabetes is one of the most prevalent NCDs, with type 1 diabetes usually diagnosed during childhood. Self-leadership is linked to internal and external factors that may motivate individuals with NCDs to play an active role as changemakers in their community or society. The Young Leaders in Diabetes (YLD) training, created to equip young people with skills that would benefit the population to which they belong, uses the Empowerment Ladder as a framework to identify their position relative to three leadership stages (self, community and society).

Objective:

To describe the stages and the ‘climbing’ process of the Empowerment Ladder and assess its suitability as a framework for use in a leadership training context.

Method:

From among 29 youth leaders who participated, 15 were selected (5 men and 10 women) and had their community engagement and activity analysed before and after training. Individuals were positioned on the Empowerment Ladder according to their past and current roles and activities. The difference between pre- and post-training test grades (delta scores) was calculated.

Results:

Post-training scores were significantly higher than pre-training scores (8.9 ± 0.54 vs 7.6 ± 1.08, p = .00084). Most individuals moved to a higher step on the Empowerment Ladder; however, three individuals, with delta scores lower than the median (0.1, 0.15 and 0.85) remained at their pre-YLD training level. Only one individual moved from Stage 1 (self) to Stage 3 (society). Another individual occupied two different steps at Stages 1 and 2 simultaneously because, although they demonstrated community leadership, they had not yet accepted their own health condition.

Conclusion:

The Empowerment Ladder proved a useful tool for identifying stages from self to broader levels of leadership in individuals living with type 1 diabetes. These initial findings need to be validated with a larger population, which includes other NCD groups.
Marginalia as narratives of ordinary lives: Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall’s Down to This
Authors: Caporale-Bizzini Silvia Julia
Published: January 2021

This article examines Canadian author Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall’s 2004 memoir Down to This: Squalor and Splendour in a Big-City Shantytown through the notions of marginalia and the ordinary in order to question dichotomic representations of homelessness. It explores how the author moves beyond binaries, interrogating the dichotomy ordinary/out of the ordinary lives by narrating his ethical encounter with the other (Butler, 2004). The text is written as a journal where Bishop-Stall describes his personal journey through homelessness; and more importantly, it gives a voice to the other down-and-out people in notorious Toronto’s Tent City. The characters’ unreliable and fragmented storytelling uncovers the lives of the faceless others. I contend that in Down to This individuals’ life stories are connected to realities which question binaries through the re/mapping of ordinary experiences and affects; they disintegrate the opposition materiality vs abstraction, or as I argue, exclusion vs inclusion (out of the ordinary/ordinary). Down to These bridges the private details of the residents’ life stories, and the public perception of the problem of homelessness, illustrating how everyday moments of precarity intersect with wider political issues. In the process, the narrative also questions the binary attitudes of exclusion (disfranchisement) and inclusion (privilege). This literary strategy gives the constellation of stories a profound illuminating vision of the human condition. I show my point by drawing on the of marginalia (Kistner 2014), and by analysing the characters’ narratives of precariousness through the notions of editing and affective assemblage (Gerlach, 2015; Hamilakis, 2017).
The Origins of Urban Renewal in Singapore: A Transnational History
Authors: Dobbs Stephen , Loh Kah Seng
Published: January 2021

This article examines the origins of urban renewal in Singapore through a transnational history lens. It focuses on the role in particular of two United Nations–led teams of experts one headed by Erik Lorange and the other by Charles Abrams in the early 1960s and the impact these had on how urban renewal proceeded in Singapore’s central city area. This approach broadens the focus to encompass more than just the role played by Singapore’s Housing and Development Board and Urban Renewal Authority which dominates much of the existing scholarship. In doing so it finds that there was much more agreement between these international experts and their visions of a modern city and that of the Singaporean agencies and individuals tasked with implementing renewal.
Causal mediation in developmental science: A primer
Authors: Cuartas Jorge , McCoy Dana Charles
Published: January 2021

Mediation has played a critical role in developmental theory and research. Yet, developmentalists rarely discuss the methodological challenges of establishing causality in mediation analysis or potential strategies to improve the identification of causal mediation effects. In this article, we discuss the potential outcomes framework from statistics as a means for highlighting several fundamental challenges of establishing causality in mediation analysis, including the difficulty of meeting the key assumption of sequential ignorability, even in experimental studies. We argue that this framework—which, although commonplace in other fields, has not yet been taken up in developmental science—can inform solutions to these challenges. Based on the framework, we offer a series of recommendations for improving causal inference in mediation analysis, including an overview of best practices in both study design and analysis, as well as resources for conducting analysis. In doing so, our overall objective in this article is to support the use of rigorous methods for understanding questions of mechanism in developmental science.
Philosophical Minds or Brotgelehrte?
Authors: Alvesson Mats , Einola Katja , Schaefer Stephan
Published: January 2021

In this essay, we discuss basic orientations and ways of being among us, the academics, especially in the context of research. Using German poet, scholar and author Friedrich Schiller’s distinction between ‘ der philosophische Kopf’ (‘philosophical mind’) and ‘ Brotgelehrte’ (‘bread-fed scholar’), we contrast ideal-typical figures in academia. We find these forgotten 18th-century characters inspirational to help us understand some troublesome contemporary developments of academics and academia and to remind us of the perhaps perennial nature of the ongoing controversies and debates. We further develop and nuance these figures and bring them to the 21st century. Like Schiller in his time, we want to highlight the importance of each of us in shaping what academia is and what it becomes. The contrast may help us think through who we are, what is driving us in our work, and how we can (re)construct ourselves in the light of dominant normalizations and templates for being in contemporary academia.
Survival in Middle Ear Malignancy: A Population‐Based Analysis Based on the SEER Database
Authors: Alam Usman , Shafqat Iram , Ahsan Sara , Alonso Jose , Han Albert Y. , Mukdad Laith , Wang Marilene , Ahsan Syed F.
Published: January 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features and survival outcomes of patients with middle ear malignancies at a population level.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study with data from a national database.

Setting

National database of middle ear malignancy.

Methods

Records of patients diagnosed with a middle ear malignancy from 1973 to 2016 were extracted from the SEER database (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results). SPSS (version 27; IBM) was used to conduct 5‐year survival analysis.

Results

The average survival for all 431 patients was 61.4 months. Five‐year disease‐specific survival for squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA), adenocarcinoma, other carcinoma, and noncarcinoma subtypes varied significantly at 54.6%, 82.1%, 71.8%, and 82.6%, respectively (P <. 0001). There was an improved 5‐year survival for patients with adenocarcinoma who received surgery versus those who did not (91.7% vs 65.1%; P =. 023, log‐rank). Five‐year disease‐specific survival was significantly better in patients aged <55 years (mean ± SD, 77.8% ± 0.39%) as compared with those >70 years (55.1% ± 5.1%) and those aged 55 to 69 years (60.2% ± 4.9%; P <. 01 and P <. 001, respectively, log‐rank). Patients with SCCA were significantly older than those with adenocarcinoma (P <. 0001). Noncarcinoma subtypes were more likely to present with local disease, as opposed to regional or distant disease, when compared with SCCA (P =. 0027).

Conclusion

Prognosis and treatment outcomes for primary middle ear malignancies depend on histologic subtype and age at diagnosis. The noncarcinoma and adenocarcinoma subtypes carry the best prognoses. Patients with adenocarcinoma were most likely to benefit from surgery.
Preoperative Predictors and Costs of 30‐Day Readmission Following Inpatient Pediatric Tonsillectomy in the United States
Authors: Khoury Habib , Azar Shaghauyegh S. , Boutros Hannah , Shapiro Nina L.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To understand national trends in 30‐day postoperative readmission following inpatient pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Methods

We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify and analyze 30‐day readmissions following inpatient tonsillectomy from 2010 to 2015. Using the International Classification of Disease codes, we identified 66,652 patients and analyzed the incidence, causes, risk factors, and costs of 30‐day readmission.

Results

Of 66,652 patients who underwent inpatient tonsillectomy, 2660 (4.0%) experienced a readmission. Readmitted patients were more commonly aged <2 years (23.4 vs 10.6%, P =. 01) and had a greater burden of comorbidities, including preoperative anemia (3.9 vs 1.3%, P <. 001), coagulopathy (3.5 vs 1.4%, P <. 001), and neurologic disorders (19.1 vs 6.6%, P <. 001). Readmitted patients experienced higher rates of postoperative complications (17.4 vs 9.0%, P <. 001) and had a longer length of stay (4.5 vs 2.2 days, P <. 001). Index cost of hospitalization was higher among readmitted patients ($14,129 vs $7307, P <. 001), and each readmission cost an additional $7576. Postoperative hemorrhage (21.3%) and dehydration (17.7%) were the 2 most common causes for readmission. Independent predictors of readmission included age <3 years, multiple comorbidities, and postoperative neurologic complications. The incidences of tonsillectomies and readmissions declined during the study period, most notably between 2010 and 2012.

Conclusion

Readmission after inpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy places a substantial financial burden on the health care system. Targeted strategies to improve preoperative assessment and optimize postoperative care may prevent readmission, reduce unnecessary health care expenditures, and improve patient outcomes.
Extraction of Road Lane Markings from Mobile LiDAR Data
Authors: Zeybek Mustafa
Published: January 2021

This study presents a method for automatic extraction of road lane markings from mobile light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. Road lanes and traffic signs on the road surface provide safe driving for drivers and aid traffic flow movement along the highway and street. Mobile LiDAR systems acquire massive datasets very quickly in a short time. To simplify the data structure and feature extraction, it is essential for traffic management personnel to apply the right methods. Road lanes must be visible and are a major factor in road safety for drivers. In this study, a methodology is devised and implemented for the extraction of features such as dashed lines, continuous lanes, and direction arrows on the pavement from point clouds. Point cloud data was collected from the Riegl VMX-450 mobile LiDAR system. The alpha shape algorithm is implemented on a point cloud and compared with the widespread use of edge detection techniques applied for intensity-based raster images. The proposed methodology directly extracts three-dimensional and two-dimensional road features to control the quality of road markings and spatial positions with the obtained marking boundaries. State-of-the-art results are obtained and compared with manually digitized reference markings. The standard deviations were evaluated and acquired for intensity image-based and direct point cloud-based extractions, at 1.2 cm and 1.7 cm, respectively.
Warning Light Flash Frequency as a Method for Visual Communication to Drivers
Authors: Skinner Nicholas P. , LaPlumm Timothy T. , Bullough John D.
Published: January 2021

Service vehicles use flashing warning lights to indicate their presence to approaching drivers. Present standards offer ranges of flash frequencies to enhance conspicuity and avoid potential risks of photosensitive epilepsy or other issues. But, in practice, the flash frequency is not varied in specific situations. Previous studies have indicated that people interpret faster flash frequencies as more “urgent” than slower flash frequencies. Building on these findings, a laboratory study was conducted to identify whether drivers might be able to use cues from the frequency of flashing warning lights to anticipate how a service vehicle might behave in a work zone or other incident scene. The results suggest that even if they are not taught about the interpretation of different flash frequencies, drivers can differentiate between 1 Hz and 4 Hz flashing lights and learn to make accurate predictions about their meaning. The results also indicate that there are no reliable differences between 1 Hz and 4 Hz flashing in relation to a driver’s ability to detect when a service vehicle has begun to move. Based on the results, a preliminary suggestion is made to use lights flashing at 1 Hz when a service vehicle is moving forward, and 4 Hz when it is traveling in reverse.
Frequency of But Not Capacity for Participation in Everyday Activities Is Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Late Life
Authors: Wu Chao-Yi , Rodakowski Juleen , Terhorst Lauren , Dew Mary Amanda , Butters Meryl , Karp Jordan F. , Albert Steven M. , Gildengers Ariel G. , Reynolds Charles F. , Skidmore Elizabeth R.
Published: January 2021

We examined features of everyday activities (capacity and frequency) between older adults with and without cognitive impairment over 12 months. Participants aged ≥60 years and at risk for depression were included (n = 260); 26% ( n = 69) had an acquired cognitive impairment at baseline. Cognitive impairment was defined as one standard deviation below norms on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Features of everyday activities were measured by a computerized adaptive test version of Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) at six time points (baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9, 12 months). There were significant between-group differences in activity frequency ( p = .04), but not activity capacity ( p = .05). The group difference in activity frequency exceeded minimal detectable changes (MDC90 = 3.7) and reached moderate clinical meaningfulness (∆ at six time points = 3.7–4.7). Generalized linear mixed models revealed no Group × Time interactions on activity capacity and frequency ( p = .65 and p = .98). Practitioners may assess changes in activity frequency to monitor cognitive status of clients even when there is no loss of activity capacity.
Divorce and Domestic Violence Among Syrian Refugees in Germany
Authors: Ajlan Ahmad AL
Published: January 2021

In recent literature, there are no academic studies on divorce and domestic violence among Syrian refugees in Germany. To contribute to filling this gap, the current study addresses the question: What are the main causes of divorce and domestic violence among Syrian refugees in Germany, and how are these two phenomena interrelated? The present study is based on 14 qualitative interviews with divorced Syrian refugee men and women in Germany, all of them are Muslim with different economic backgrounds from urban and rural areas in Syria and got divorced shortly after their arrival to Germany. The data were analyzed and coded following Mayring’s guidelines for content analysis. The findings suggest that domestic violence results from conflicts of interest in marriage and divorce between Syrian refugee men and women. The present study uses the economic theory of marriage and divorce by Cary Becker to show how Syrian refugee women’s “gains” of divorce in Germany exceed the “gains” of remaining married and how that leads them to divorce their husbands. In contrast, divorce is a heavy loss for Syrian refugee men. In addition, it shows how this conflict of interest results in domestic violence, by which the men resist their wives’ eagerness to divorce and interpret the marital relationship according to Sharia law and Arabic traditions in order to keep their old patriarchal authority. However, this interpretation is inapplicable and criminalized by the German family legislation, and unwanted by their wives. The findings, through the example of Syrian refugees in Germany, imply that the causes of divorce and domestic violence among refugees in some regards are unique in comparison with natives and migrants. That means that we need more studies on this topic in different socio-cultural contexts.
Investigation of multi-event spark discharge strategy for lean methane-air combustion
Authors: Zhu Hua , Yu Xiao , Liang Li , Zheng Ming , Reader Graham
Published: January 2021

The characterization of the single-coil repetitive discharge and the dual-coil offset discharge was conducted in a constant volume combustion chamber to better understand the operating principle of the multi-event spark ignition strategies. A parametric study of the dual-coil offset discharge was carried out through electric and optical diagnosis to identify the effective operational parameters, including coil working frequency, charging voltage, and coil inductances. Combustion tests under both quiescent and flow conditions with methane-air mixture were performed to demonstrate the ignition capability of the dual-coil offset strategy. Test results have shown that constantly depositing spark energy through offset discharge is beneficial to secure flame kernel. However, the offset discharge strategy requires a high working frequency, an elevated charging voltage, and fast reacting coils to maintain the spark plasma channel under high background pressure and intensified flow conditions.
Delayed diagnosis adversely affects outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus: Cross sectional analysis of the LuLa cohort
Authors: Kernder Anna , Richter Jutta G , Fischer-Betz Rebecca , Winkler-Rohlfing Borgi , Brinks Ralph , Aringer Martin , Schneider Matthias , Chehab Gamal
Published: January 2021

Objective

Despite increased physician’s awareness and improved diagnostic and serological testing in the recent years, the interval between the initial symptoms and the diagnosis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still very long. Our aim was to study this delay and its association to the outcome of the disease.

Methods

Information on demographics, onset of first symptoms, first physicians visit and time of diagnosis was assessed by self-reported questionnaires among SLE patients in Germany (LuLa cohort, n = 585) in the year 2012. Disease activity (Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire; SLAQ), disease related damage (Brief Index of Lupus Damage; BILD), health related quality of life (Short Form 12) and fatigue (FSS) were chosen as proxies for outcome. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the association of the delay in diagnosis to the outcome, adjusted for age, disease duration and sex.

Results

Mean duration between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of SLE was 47 months (SD 73). The longer the time to diagnosis, the higher the disease activity (β = 0.199, p < 0.0001), the disease-related damage (β = 0.137, p = 0.002) and fatigue (β 0.145, p = 0.003) and the lower the health-related quality of life (physical β = −0.136, p = 0.004, mental β = −0.143, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

In systemic lupus erythematosus, longer time to diagnosis was associated with worse outcome. Concepts in care with the intention to shorten the time to diagnosis are needed to improve the long-term outcome of the disease.
Association of coexisting anti-ribosomal P and anti-dsDNA antibodies with histology and renal prognosis in lupus nephritis patients
Authors: Wakamatsu Ayako , Sato Hiroe , Kaneko Yoshikatsu , Cho Takamasa , Ito Yumi , Kurosawa Yoichi , Hasegawa Eriko , Kobayashi Daisuke , Nakatsue Takeshi , Kuroda Takeshi , Suzuki Yoshiki , Uchiumi Toshio , Narita Ichiei
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Anti-ribosomal P protein autoantibodies (anti-P) specifically develop in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Associations of anti-P with lupus nephritis (LN) histological subclass and renal outcome remain inconclusive. We sought to determine the association of anti-P and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) with renal histology and prognosis in LN patients.

Methods

Thirty-four patients with LN, having undergone kidney biopsy, were included. The 2018 revised ISN/RPS classification system was used for pathophysiological evaluation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for > 3 months.

Results

Six patients (17.6%) were positive for anti-P and 26 (76.5%) for anti-dsDNA. Among the six patients with anti-P, one did not have anti-dsDNA, but did have anti-Sm antibody, and showed a histological subtype of class V. This patient maintained good renal function for over 14 years. The remaining five patients, who had both anti-P and anti-dsDNA, exhibited proliferative nephritis and were associated with prolonged hypocomplementemia, and the incidence of CKD did not differ from patients without anti-P.

Conclusion

Although this study included a small number of patients, the results indicated that histology class and renal prognosis associated with anti-P depend on the coexistence of anti-dsDNA. Further studies with a large number of patients are required to confirm this conclusion.
Does Sports Make People Happier, or Do Happy People More Sports?
Authors: Frey Bruno S. , Gullo Anthony
Published: January 2021

We contribute to the happiness literature by analyzing the causal relationship between sports and happiness. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), we find a positive correlation between sports participation and reported life satisfaction. This relationship is stronger at younger and older ages than in middle age, and for people in bad health compared to those in average health. We further provide evidence for both causal directions. It turns out that the causal impact of engaging in sports on happiness is about four times higher than the effect of happiness on engaging in sports.
Predicting specific abilities after disabling stroke: Development and validation of prognostic models
Authors: Visvanathan Akila , Graham Catriona , Dennis Martin , Lawton Julia , Doubal Fergus , Mead Gillian , Whiteley William
Published: January 2021

Background

Predicting specific abilities (e.g. walk and talk) to provide a functional profile six months after disabling stroke could help patients/families prepare for the consequences of stroke and facilitate involvement in treatment decision-making.

Aim

To develop new statistical models to predict specific abilities six months after stroke and test their performance in an independent cohort of patients with disabling stroke.

Methods

We developed models to predict six specific abilities (to be independent, walk, talk, eat normally, live without major anxiety/depression, and to live at home) using data from seven large multicenter stroke trials with multivariable logistic regression. We included 13,117 participants recruited within three days of hospital admission. We assessed model discrimination and derived optimal cut-off values using four statistical methods. We validated the models in an independent single-center cohort of patients ( n = 403) with disabling stroke. We assessed model discrimination and calibration and reported the performance of our models at the statistically derived cut-off values.

Results

All six models had good discrimination in external validation (AUC 0.78–0.84). Four models (predicting to walk, eat normally, live without major anxiety/depression, live at home) calibrated well. Models had sensitivities between 45.0 and 97.9% and specificities between 21.6 and 96.5%.

Conclusions

We have developed statistical models to predict specific abilities and demonstrated that these models perform reasonably well in an independent cohort of disabling stroke patients. To aid decision-making regarding treatments, further evaluation of our models is required.
Institutions, Policy, and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Latin America
Authors: Gómez Eduardo J. , Méndez Claudio A.
Published: January 2021

Research has underscored the agenda-setting and policy implementation advantages associated with the concentration of political and policy-making authority. But to what extent does this concentration of authority within health policy-making institutions determine the early timing and depth of non-communicable disease (NCD) policies? Are other factors within and outside of government more important? Comparing one Latin American country exhibiting a strong concentration of political and policy-making authority, Mexico, to one that does not, Brazil, we find that weaker, fragmented political and policy-making powers in Brazil expedited the creation and implementation of NCD programs. As seen in Brazil, our findings suggest that the factors that account for the earlier adoption of NCD policies and successful implementation are the early institutionalisation of societal interests and pressures within the bureaucracy, the “bottom-up” diffusion of early policy ideas, and international policy recommendations. This institutional, participatory, and ideational approach may provide more important predictors for explaining variation in NCD policies.
Geopoetics: On organising, mourning, and the incalculable
Authors: Engelmann Sasha
Published: January 2021

In this commentary, I trace some of the earthy, mineral, and more-than-human properties of Magrane’s climate poems in order to emphasise the urgency of the geopoetics project. In particular, I consider Magrane’s use of constraint, de/composition, and juxtaposition as geopoetic techniques. In addition to challenging abstractions of climate change and enlivening critical and creative approaches for geography and the geohumanities, I propose that geopoetics may cultivate humility and participate in gestures of mourning. In closing, I suggest further questions for the grammar of geopoetics and geography in the midst of the current intersecting ecological, medical, economic and social crises.
Surgical treatment of pulmonary artery sarcoma: a report of 17 cases
Authors: Song Wu , Deng Long , Zhu Jiade , Zheng Shanshan , Wang Haiping , Song Yunhu , Liu Sheng
Published: January 2021

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is a rare and devastating disease. The diagnosis is often delayed, and optimal treatment remains unclear. The aim of this study is to report our experience in the surgical management of this disease. Between 2000 and 2018, 17 patients underwent operations for PAS at our center. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, operative findings, the postoperative outcomes, and the long‐term results. The mean age at operation was 46.0 ± 12.4 years (range, 26–79 years), and eight (47.1%) patients were male. Six patients underwent tumor resection alone, whereas the other 11 patients received pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). There were two perioperative deaths. Follow‐up was completed for all patients with a mean duration of 23.5 ± 17.6 months (1–52 months). For all 17 patients, the median postoperative survival was 36 months, and estimated cumulative survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 60.0%, 51.4%, 42.9%, and 21.4%, respectively. The mean survival was 37.0 months after PEA and 14.6 months after tumor resection only (p = 0.046). Patients who had no pulmonary hypertension (PH) postoperatively were associated with improved median survival (48 vs. 5 months, p = 0.023). In conclusion, PAS is often mistaken for chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. The prognosis of this very infrequent disease remains poor. Early detection is essential for prompt and best surgical approach, superior to tumor resection alone, and PEA surgery with PH relieved can provide better chance of survival.
Plasma fibrinolysis, inflammatory markers, and postthrombotic syndrome: preliminary findings from the Kids-DOTT Biobank
Authors: Betensky Marisol , Amankwah Ernest K. , Brandal Stephanie , Everett Allen D. , Goldenberg Neil A.
Published: January 2021

Plasma levels of markers of coagulation and inflammation have been identified as prognostic factors for adult postthrombotic syndrome (PTS). We aimed to determine whether plasma fibrinolytic capacity and cytokine levels during the first 3 months after provoked deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are associated with risk of PTS in young patients. We analyzed plasma biospecimens (6 weeks and 3 months after provoked DVT) and clinical data from a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–sponsored multinational trial of anticoagulation for provoked venous thromboembolism in patients younger than age 21 years (Kids-DOTT). Patients with a provoked extremity DVT who had plasma samples available at both 6-week and 3-month post-DVT time points and PTS assessment at 1 year were included. We measured plasma fibrinolytic capacity using the Clot Formation and Lysis (CloFAL) assay and plasma cytokine levels by multiplex immunoassay. Logistic regression analyses evaluated prognostic associations with PTS. Seventy-nine patients were included (median age, 12.8 years; range, 0.04-20.8 years). PTS developed in 34%. Complete veno-occlusion at 6 weeks after diagnosis of DVT (odds ratio [OR], 3.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-11.94; P = .097), low fibrinolytic capacity in plasma at 3 months post-DVT (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 0.92-7.97; P = .07), and elevated serum amyloid A at 3 months post-DVT (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 0.98-8.34; P = .055) were identified as putative prognostic factors for development of PTS. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, these factors did not retain a statistically significant independent association with PTS, but these preliminary results warrant further investigation in an independent data set to definitively evaluate these findings and identify additional potential prognostic factors for the development of PTS after a provoked DVT in young patients.
Chinese herbal extract granules combined with 5-aminosalicylic acid for patients with moderately active ulcerative colitis: study protocol for a multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Shen Zhaofeng , Zheng Kai , Zou Jiandong , Gu Peiqing , Xing Jing , Zhang Lu , Zhu Lei , Shen Hong
Published: January 2021

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intestinal inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the colonic mucosa. With unknown pathogenesis, it has become a chronic lifetime disorder worldwide. In patients with moderately active UC, several therapies (e.g., aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics) are recommended for induction (or maintenance) of remission. Given the side effects and disease burden, it is difficult for most patients to achieve ideal treatment goals in clinical practice. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), as a complementary therapy, has been widely used in the management of UC in China. Qing-Chang-Hua-Shi granule (QCHS) is a classical Chinese herbal formula. Our preliminary study suggested that the QCHS decoction has a significant effect on patients with moderately active UC. However, its effectiveness and safety has not been evaluated convincingly. Therefore, we designed this protocol to investigate the efficacy of QCHS granule for moderately active UC.

Methods

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, superiority trial. A total of 120 patients with moderately active UC will be recruited from 10 hospitals in China. Each eligible participant will be randomly assigned to receive QCHS granule or placebo for 12 weeks. Both groups will be given basic treatment with mesalazine (4 g/day). The primary outcomes are the clinical response (remission) rate. The secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life, endoscopic response rate, mucosal healing rate, and inflammatory markers (e.g., fecal calprotectin and CRP). The whole study period will last 36 weeks, including 24 weeks follow-up time. According to the intention-to-treat principle, variables will be assessed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after study commencement.

Discussion

This is the first randomized controlled clinical study protocol regarding Chinese herbal extract granules in the management of moderately active UC. We aim to investigate the superiority of QCHS granules over placebo in terms of induction of remission. If the trial shows significant benefits of QCHS granules, it will help clinical practitioners, UC patients, and policymakers make more informed choices in the decision-making.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IOR-14005554. Registered on 27 November 2014.