bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
[Retracted] The Construction of Immersive Learning System Based on Virtual Testing Technology of Virtual Reality
Authors: Li Sansan , Zhou Dongxian
Published: August 2021

Objective. To explore the construction of immersive learning system based on virtual reality (VR) and test its learning effect. Methods. 20 qualified subjects were divided into two groups, each tending to agree, each with 5 boys and 5 girls. Experimental group 1 is in the real operating environment, and experimental group 2 is in the VR virtual disassembly experimental environment. The task process errors, knowledge questionnaire scores and user subjective satisfaction were analyzed statistically. Results. The significance probability P of knowledge questionnaire in the Levene test was 0.777, greater than 0.05, and the variance homogeneous, so the final P of independent sample t‐test was subject to “assumed variance equal”; the significance probability was 0.613, greater than 0.05; the questionnaire scores of two groups showed no significant difference, so VR virtual environment can achieve the learning effect of the real environment. The number of errors in a VR virtual situation is significantly lower than the number of errors in the real environment, the VR virtual environment can achieve the learning effect of the real environment, and the VR virtual environment can achieve more interaction, with good interaction. Conclusion. The immersive learning system based on VR detection technology can realize the cognition of three‐dimensional model structure and has a certain learning effect.
Diagnostic Value of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Small Airway Function in Differentiating Cough-Variant Asthma from Typical Asthma
Authors: Wang Yanqi , Zhao Lixuan , Chen Fang , Guo Yufeng , Ma Hongxia , Han Baofen , Yi Jiang , Kong Xiaomei
Published: August 2021

Purpose. To explore the diagnostic value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), small airway function, and a combined of both in differentiating cough-variant asthma (CVA) from typical asthma (TA). Methods. A total of 206 asthma subjects, including 104 CVA and 102 TA, were tested for pulmonary function, bronchial provocation test and FeNO. The correlation between FeNO, small airway function and other pulmonary indicators was analyzed by single correlation and multiple regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of FeNO, small airway function, and their combination and to predict the optimal cut-off point. Results. All the respiratory function parameters and small airway function indicators in TA group were significantly different from those in CVA group, and FeNO value was significantly higher than that in CVA group. In addition, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was estimated to be 0.660 for FeNO, 0.895 for MMEF75%/25%, 0.873 for FEF50%, 0.898 for FEF25%, 0.695 for Fres, 0.650 for R5-R20, and 0.645 for X5. The optimal cut-off points of FeNO, MMEF75%/25%, FEF50%, FEF25%, Fres, R5-R20 and X5, were 48.50 ppb, 60.02%, 63.46%, 45.26%, 16.63 Hz, 0.38 kPa·L−1·s−1, and −1.32, respectively. And the AUC of FeNO combined with small airway function indexes FEF25%, Fres, R5-R20, and X5 were prior than single indicators. Conclusion. FeNO and small airway function indexes might have great diagnostic value for differentiating CVA from TA. The combination of FeNO and FEF25%, Fres, R5-R20, and X5 provided a significantly better prediction than either alone.
SLFN11 is Widely Expressed in Pediatric Sarcoma and Induces Variable Sensitization to Replicative Stress Caused By DNA-Damaging Agents
Authors: Gartrell Jessica , Mellado-Largarde Marcia , Clay Michael R. , Bahrami Armita , Sahr Natasha A. , Sykes April , Blankenship Kaley , Hoffmann Lauren , Xie Jia , Cho Hyekyung P. , Twarog Nathaniel , Connelly Michele , Yan Koon-Kiu , Yu Jiyang , Porter Shaina N. , Pruett-Miller Shondra M. , Neale Geoffrey , Tinkle Christopher L. , Federico Sara M. , Stewart Elizabeth A. , Shelat Anang A.
Published: August 2021

Pediatric sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of malignancies that exhibit variable response to DNA-damaging chemotherapy. Schlafen family member 11 protein (SLFN11) increases sensitivity to replicative stress and has been implicated as a potential biomarker to predict sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents (DDA). SLFN11 expression was quantified in 220 children with solid tumors using IHC. Sensitivity to the PARP inhibitor talazoparib (TAL) and the topoisomerase I inhibitor irinotecan (IRN) was assessed in sarcoma cell lines, including SLFN11 knock-out (KO) and overexpression models, and a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft model (PDOX). SLFN11 was expressed in 69% of pediatric sarcoma sampled, including 90% and 100% of Ewing sarcoma and desmoplastic small round-cell tumors, respectively, although the magnitude of expression varied widely. In sarcoma cell lines, protein expression strongly correlated with response to TAL and IRN, with SLFN11 KO resulting in significant loss of sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, retrospective analysis of children with sarcoma found no association between SLFN11 levels and favorable outcome. Subsequently, high SLFN11 expression was confirmed in a PDOX model derived from a patient with recurrent Ewing sarcoma who failed to respond to treatment with TAL + IRN. Selective inhibition of BCL-xL increased sensitivity to TAL + IRN in SLFN11-positive resistant tumor cells. Although SLFN11 appears to drive sensitivity to replicative stress in pediatric sarcomas, its potential to act as a biomarker may be limited to certain tumor backgrounds or contexts. Impaired apoptotic response may be one mechanism of resistance to DDA-induced replicative stress.
ATR Inhibitor M6620 (VX-970) Enhances the Effect of Radiation in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Brain Metastasis Patient-Derived Xenografts
Authors: Baschnagel Andrew M. , Elnaggar Jacob H. , VanBeek Haley J. , Kromke Ashley C. , Skiba Justin H. , Kaushik Saakshi , Abel Lindsey , Clark Paul A. , Longhurst Colin A. , Nickel Kwangok P. , Leal Ticiana A. , Zhao Shuang G. , Kimple Randall J.
Published: August 2021

M6620, a selective ATP-competitive inhibitor of the ATM and RAD3-related (ATR) kinase, is currently under investigation with radiation in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastases. We evaluated the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway profile of NSCLC and assessed the radiosensitizing effects of M6620 in a preclinical NSCLC brain metastasis model. Mutation analysis and transcriptome profiling of DDR genes and pathways was performed on NSCLC patient samples. NSCLC cell lines were assessed with proliferation, clonogenic survival, apoptosis, cell cycle, and DNA damage signaling and repair assays. NSCLC brain metastasis patient-derived xenograft models were used to assess intracranial response and overall survival. In vivo IHC was performed to confirm in vitro results. A significant portion of NSCLC patient tumors demonstrated enrichment of DDR pathways. DDR pathways correlated with lung squamous cell histology; and mutations in ATR, ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK1, and CHEK2 correlated with enrichment of DDR pathways in lung adenocarcinomas. M6620 reduced colony formation after radiotherapy and resulted in inhibition of DNA DSB repair, abrogation of the radiation-induced G2 cell checkpoint, and formation of dysfunctional micronuclei, leading to enhanced radiation-induced mitotic death. The combination of M6620 and radiation resulted in improved overall survival in mice compared with radiation alone. In vivo IHC revealed inhibition of pChk1 in the radiation plus M6620 group. M6620 enhances the effect of radiation in our preclinical NSCLC brain metastasis models, supporting the ongoing clinical trial (NCT02589522) evaluating M6620 in combination with whole brain irradiation in patients with NSCLC brain metastases.
Apatinib Inhibits Angiogenesis in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma by Regulating the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Factor 3/Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 Subunit Alpha Signaling Axis
Authors: Huang Man-Ping , Gu Shan-Zhi , Huang Bin , Li Guo-Wen , Xiong Zheng-Ping , Tang Tian , Zeng Sai-Nan
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), which is difficult to diagnose and is usually fatal due to its late clinical presentation and a lack of eﬀective treatment, has risen over the past decades but without much improvement in prognosis. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the role of apatinib that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) in ICC. Methods: MTT assays, cell scratch assays, and tube formation assays were used to assess the effect of apatinib on human ICC cell line (HuCCT-1) and RBE cells proliferation, migration, and angiogenic capacity, respectively. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGFR2, signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3), pSTAT3, and hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α) pathway proteins was assessed using Western blotting and mRNA expression analysis in HuCCT-1 was performed using RT-qPCR assays. The pcDNA 3.1(-)-VEGFR2 and pcDNA 3.1(-)-HIF-1α were transfected into HuCCT-1 and RBE cells using Lipofectamine 2,000 to obtain overexpressed HuCCT-1 and RBE cells. Results: We found that apatinib-inhibited proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HuCCT-1 and RBE cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. We also proved that apatinib effectively inhibits angiogenesis in tumor cells by blocking the expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 in these cells. In addition, we demonstrated that apatinib regulates the expression of STAT3 phosphorylation by inhibiting VEGFR2. Finally, we showed that apatinib regulates ICC angiogenesis and HIF-1α/VEGF expression via STAT3. Conclusions: Based on the above findings, we conclude that apatinib inhibits HuCCT-1 and RBE cell proliferation, migration, and tumor angiogenesis by inhibiting the VEGFR2/STAT3/HIF-1α axis signaling pathway. Apatinib can be a promising drug for ICC-targeted molecular therapy.
Six-Month Pulmonary Impairment after Severe COVID-19: A Prospective, Multicentre Follow-Up Study
Authors: Faverio Paola , Luppi Fabrizio , Rebora Paola , Busnelli Sara , Stainer Anna , Catalano Martina , Parachini Luca , Monzani Anna , Galimberti Stefania , Bini Francesco , Bodini Bruno Dino , Betti Monia , De Giacomi Federica , Scarpazza Paolo , Oggionni Elisa , Scartabellati Alessandro , Bilucaglia Luca , Ceruti Paolo , Modina Denise , Harari Sergio , Caminati Antonella , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Bellani Giacomo , Foti Giuseppe , Pesci Alberto
Published: August 2021

Background: Long-term pulmonary sequelae following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia are not yet confirmed; however, preliminary observations suggest a possible relevant clinical, functional, and radiological impairment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify and characterize pulmonary sequelae caused by SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia at 6-month follow-up. Methods: In this multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study, patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and without prior diagnosis of structural lung diseases were stratified by maximum ventilatory support (“oxygen only,” “continuous positive airway pressure,” and “invasive mechanical ventilation”) and followed up at 6 months from discharge. Pulmonary function tests and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), 6-min walking test, chest X-ray, physical examination, and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea score were collected. Results: Between March and June 2020, 312 patients were enrolled (83, 27% women; median interquartile range age 61.1 [53.4, 69.3] years). The parameters that showed the highest rate of impairment were DLCO and chest X-ray, in 46% and 25% of patients, respectively. However, only a minority of patients reported dyspnoea (31%), defined as mMRC ≥1, or showed restrictive ventilatory defects (9%). In the logistic regression model, having asthma as a comorbidity was associated with DLCO impairment at follow-up, while prophylactic heparin administration during hospitalization appeared as a protective factor. The need for invasive ventilatory support during hospitalization was associated with chest imaging abnormalities. Conclusions: DLCO and radiological assessment appear to be the most sensitive tools to monitor patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during follow-up. Future studies with longer follow-up are warranted to better understand pulmonary sequelae.
Osteopathic Medicine in Four Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Diseases: An Observational Trial with Follow-Up
Authors: Rotter Gabriele , Binting Sylvia , Tissen-Diabaté Tatjana , Ortiz Miriam , Brinkhaus Benno
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim: Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain diseases (CMPDs) often use osteopathic medicine (OM), although the changes in patients with pain diseases are still insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to observe changes along and after OM in addition to routine care on pain, functioning, and quality of life in patients with four CMPDs. Methods: In this observational trial with follow-up, patients suffering from chronic neck pain (CNP, n = 10), chronic low back pain (CLBP, n = 10), chronic shoulder pain (CSP, n = 10), or chronic knee pain (CKP, n = 10) received up to six OM sessions in addition to routine care. Results: A total of 40 patients (73% female, mean age 47.7 ± 8.3 years, mean pain intensity 59.4 ± 12.5 mm, measured by a visual analog scale [VAS] 0–100 mm) were included. After 26 weeks, there was an improvement in the VAS pain score in the whole population (mean difference to baseline –33.1 mm [95% CI –40.5 to –25.7]), as well in the patients with the four diseases: CNP (–33.7 mm [–54.7 to –12.6]), CLBP (–28.2 mm [–47.9 to –8.4]), CSP (–32.4 [–46.8 to –18.0]), and CKP (–38.1 mm [–49.1 to –27.0]). Regarding disease-specific outcomes, we found improvements in CNP, as measured by the neck disability index (scale 0–50; mean difference –3.6 [–9.0 to 1.9]), CLBP, as measured by the low back pain rating scale (scale 0–60; –3.4 [–12.5 to 5.7]), CSP, as measured by the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score (scale 0–100; –13.4 [–23.1 to –3.7]), and CKP, as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (scale 0–96; –13.0 [–23.5 to –2.5]). These improvements persisted through week 52. No adverse events were observed. Conclusion: The study observed beneficial changes along and after the OM treatment in addition to routine care in patients with four different CMPDs. High-quality, multicenter randomized controlled trials are strongly needed to compare the effectiveness of OM and standard care interventions in treating CMPDs in the future. We have provided sufficient data for sample size calculations for these trials.
Idiopathic Arachnoiditis of the Cauda Equina: A Case Report from Tanzania
Authors: Assey Emmanuel V. , Sadiq Abid M. , Swai Magreth J. , Sadiq Adnan M. , Dekker Marieke C.J.
Published: August 2021

Arachnoiditis is a rare clinical entity that usually presents with severe debilitating radiating pain that can pose a challenge in diagnosis especially in areas without appropriate imaging modalities. We present a 26-year-old male with progressive lower back pain with radiation to the lower extremities, aggravated by movement and touch. We diagnosed idiopathic arachnoiditis based on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and magnetic resonance imaging. He was managed with a 5-day course of methylprednisolone and analgesics with a good outcome. Severe back pain without a specific cause in a young patient should be investigated with proper imaging modalities and lumbar puncture if warranted to evaluate the cause.
Development of Skin Rash Predicts Outcome of Anti-PD-1- and Anti-CTLA4-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer or Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Single-Center Analysis
Authors: Mayer Karin , Briese Wibke , Blieninger Johannes , Brossart Peter , Bisht Savita , Feldmann Georg
Published: August 2021

Objective: We report the spectrum of immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) and outcome observed in a single-center cohort of 100 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in a routine clinical setting. Methods: Tumor entities included non-small cell lung cancer (n = 28), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (n = 28), urothelial carcinoma (n = 7), and others (n = 37). Results: irAEs were documented in 49% of cases analyzed, and the most frequent manifestation consisted of immune-mediated skin rash (28%), colitis (9%), pneumonitis (8%), hypothyroidism (7%), or hepatitis (6%). Skin rash correlated with improved progression-free survival. Conclusion: Development of immune-related skin rash was found to correlate with favorable outcome, suggesting its practical feasibility as a potential predictive surrogate marker.
A Phase 1 Study of a CDH6-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors with Evaluation of Inflammatory and Neurological Adverse Events
Authors: Schöffski Patrick , Concin Nicole , Suarez Cristina , Subbiah Vivek , Ando Yuichi , Ruan Shiling , Wagner Joel P. , Mansfield Keith , Zhu Xu , Origuchi Shizuka , DiDominick Sarah , Bialucha Carl U. , Faris Jason E. , Tran Ben
Published: August 2021

Purpose: This first-in-human study (NCT02947152) evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of HKT288, a first-in-class CDH6-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Experimental Design: HKT288 was administered intravenously (IV) every 3 weeks until patients experienced unacceptable toxicity or progressive disease (PD). The starting dose of 0.3 mg/kg was determined based on the highest nonseverely toxic dose in monkeys, which was 2 mg/kg IV weekly. Based on preclinical toxicology, skin, eyes, bone marrow, and liver were expected targets of toxicity. Results: Nine patients were enrolled: 5 with renal cell carcinoma and 4 with epithelial ovarian cancer. The best overall response on the 0.3 mg/kg cohort in patients with measurable disease was RECIST v1.1 stable disease in 3 patients and PD in 2 patients. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) regardless of causality were pyrexia (44.4%), constipation (44.4%), fatigue (33.3%), and vomiting (33.3%). Three suspected-related neurologic AEs (Grade 2) were reported on the 0.75 mg/kg cohort: seizure in 1 patient and another patient with aphasia and encephalopathy. Further studies were unable to identify the underlying mechanism of the neurologic AEs, and the study was terminated early. Conclusions: Preclinical toxicology did not predict the neurotoxicity observed with HKT288, and a comprehensive assessment performed post hoc did not identify the mechanism of toxicity. The development of further CDH6-targeting ADCs should be pursued with caution.
Performance enhancement of shunt active power filter using soft computing techniques
Authors: Govind Annu , Tayal Vijay Kumar , Kumar Prakash
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, active power filter (APF) is the most popular device for harmonic compensation. This paper presents the soft computing techniques for compensation of currents harmonics using a shunt active power filter (SAPF). The method includes a 3-phase supply system with a current-controlled voltage source converter (CC-VSC) having an input coupling inductor and output tank capacitor for a self-supported DC bus. The performance of the active power filter can be enhanced by using soft computing techniques such as artificial neural network (ANN) controller and gravitational search algorithm (GSA) for generating control signals of the SAPF. The current reference is calculated to compensate source current THD with synchronous reference frame (SRF) technique with proportional integrator (PI) controller. From the result, it is evident that both the soft computing techniques reduce the computational time & fast convergence which improves the filter performance during the transient period and makes it self-tuned. The proposed structure is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and subsequently experimentally verified. The presentation of the system is originated to be suitable for numerous features of power quality enhancement structure.
Homossexualidade e preconceito de gênero: construção de identidades em Duas iguais de Cíntia Moscovich
Authors: Pellizzari Thamiris Yuri Silveira
Published: August 2021

Este artigo anseia focalizar, por meio de reflexões a respeito do romance Duas iguais, de Cíntia Moscovich, as imposições sociais de comportamento e a padronização da sexualidade heteronormativa, pensando o complexo processo de construção e desenvolvimento das identidades das personagens Clara e Ana, diante da autoidentificação com a homossexualidade em uma sociedade que preza e define como natural apenas a heterossexualidade. Para além dessa discussão, este artigo também desenvolve reflexões a respeito de ser mulher em uma sociedade patriarcal, em correspondência com os enfrentamentos da literatura de autoria feminina.
Daquelas que escrevem: (políticas de um corpoescrita feminista na academia)
Authors: Lima Priscila Tamis de Andrade
Published: August 2021

Tocadas da cabeça aos pés por uma subjetividade afrolatinoamericana que nos convoca a disputar narrativas e desestabilizar verdades ditas sobre nós, propomos neste ensaio nos (des)orientarmos na polifonia das rodas e vozes possíveis – na universidade, na vida, nas relações. Fazer ciência de roda e a gira nessa roda ensaística de mulheres heterogêneas, marcadas por suas histórias, afetadas por um tempo, é o modo como escolhemos movimentar afetos, é mais do que um método, é um modo de dança e luta, é um ethos e política de encontro. Nosso feminismo posiciona-se como prática de combate às desigualdades e opressões de raça, gênero, classe, idade e orientação sexual. Tecer um corpoescrita é escrever com os acontecimentos vitais que nos constituem, corporificar-se na escritura, tecnologia artística que produz e acompanha processos de subjetivação. No corpoescrita daquelas que escrevem que a racionalidade é objetiva, parcial, inacabada, local, contextualizada, selvagem. É com essa escrita artística e feminista na academia que performatizamos ciência e vida juntas. Produzir conhecimento é construir saberes e fazeres que deslocam, interferem, misturam, reavaliam nossos modos de existir, é criar-se. Quantas e quem são as mulheres em nossas referências bibliográficas? Com quais mulheres damos as mãos em nossas produções de conhecimento?
"É audível, sólido": a construção de um corpo lésbico na poesia de Maria Isabel Iorio
Authors: Oliveira Luísa Nunes Galvão Caron de , Zelic Helena Capriglione
Published: August 2021

Esse artigo propõe uma breve investigação sobre a forma como o corpo lésbico se inscreve na poesia de Maria Isabel Iorio, especificamente em sua obra mais recente, Aos outros só atiro meu corpo (2019). Para isso, observamos como os procedimentos poéticos atuam na construção de um corpo lésbico e, em seguida, como esse corpo, ao encontro com outros corpos, conduz a uma leitura política de seu entorno. Desse modo, partimos da análise detida de cinco poemas das seções "todos os meus corpos o corpo" e "o corpo querendo 1 corpo a mais", à luz de referências da crítica literária feminista e lésbica.
Romancistas negras brasileiras em roda: conversa com Fernanda Miranda
Authors: Dias Ayana Moreira , Marinho Cecilia Silva Furquim , Morais Maira Luana , Mendes Mariana Dinis
Published: August 2021

Entrevista com Fernanda Miranda
O vozerio da margem. Resenha do dossiê Poética das margens no espaço literário e cultural franco-brasileiro, publicado pela Revista Silène
Authors: Mendes Mariana Diniz
Published: August 2021

A presente resenha aborda o dossiê bilíngue (francês e português) Poética das margens no espaço literário e cultural franco-brasileiro (Poétique des marges dans l’espace littéraire et culturel franco-brésilien), publicado pela Revista Silène. Editado pelas professoras Eliane Robert Moraes e Camille Dumoulié, o dossiê é resultado do projeto “Paris Lumières”, fruto da associação do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Literatura Brasileira com o Centro de Pesquisas em Literatura e Poéticas Comparadas da Universidade de Paris Nanterre.
Negras vozes de mulheres: resenha do livro Carolinas (2021)
Authors: Dias Ayana Moreira
Published: August 2021

Resenha do livro Carolinas: a nova geração de escritoras negras brasileiras (2021), resultado do processo formativo da Flup – Festa Literária das Periferias –2020.
Perspektiva medicinskih sestara na njihovu ulogu u farmaceutskoj skrbi
Authors: Osmančević Benjamin , Karnjuš Igor , Ličen Sabina , Prosen Mirko
Published: August 2021

Cilj: Cilj je rada istražiti trenutnu perspektivu medicinskih sestara o njihovoj ulozi u međuprofesionalnom sudjelovanju pri farmaceutskoj skrbi pacijenta i usporediti mišljenja medicinskih sestara iz Slovenije i Hrvatske te kvalitativno prikazati razlike i sličnosti o njihovim ulogama.
Metode: Korištena je kvalitativna metoda istraživanja te je u sklopu te metode izabrana deskriptivna interpretativna metoda. Uzorak ispitanika bio je namjerni te je uključivao ukupno 16 medicinskih sestara – 8 iz Hrvatske i 8 iz Slovenije. S ispitanicima su individualno provedeni polustrukturirani intervjui. Prikupljeni podaci analizirani su pomoću analize sadržaja prema okviru koji je bio osmišljen na ERASMUS+KA2 projektu DeMoPhac.
Rezultati: Istraživanje je pokazalo da se sve ispitane medicinske sestre, bez obzira na to rade li u Sloveniji ili Hrvatskoj, suočavaju sa sličnim problemima vezanima za farmaceutsku skrb pacijenta. Glavni problemi s kojima se susreću medicinske sestre jesu nedovoljno obrazovan kadar u smjeru farmaceutske skrbi, nejednak položaj medicinskih sestara unutar tima te manjak komunikacije s liječnicima i farmaceutima. Ostali problemi koje ispitanici navode su nezadovoljstvo medicinskih sestara radnim uvjetima i politikom koji oblikuju zdravstveni sustav u kojemu medicinske sestre obavljaju svoj posao.
Rasprava i zaključci: Međuprofesionalna suradnja u okviru farmaceutske skrbi iznimno je važna te ima pozitivan učinak na rezultate liječenja. Međutim, da bi medicinske sestre bile ravnopravne unutar tima, moraju imati dodatne kompetencije, dodatno se obrazovati te više sudjelovati u istraživanjima. Također, važno je da su medicinske sestre primjereno plaćene za obavljanje svog posla.
Deletion of AT1a (Angiotensin II Type 1a) Receptor or Inhibition of Angiotensinogen Synthesis Attenuates Thoracic Aortopathies in Fibrillin1
C1041G/+
Mice
Authors: Chen Jeff Z. , Sawada Hisashi , Ye Dien , Katsumata Yuriko , Kukida Masayoshi , Ohno-Urabe Satoko , Moorleghen Jessica J. , Franklin Michael K. , Howatt Deborah A. , Sheppard Mary B. , Mullick Adam E. , Lu Hong S. , Daugherty Alan
Published: August 2021

Objective:

A cardinal feature of Marfan syndrome is thoracic aortic aneurysm. The contribution of the renin-angiotensin system via AT1aR (Ang II [angiotensin II] receptor type 1a) to thoracic aortic aneurysm progression remains controversial because the beneficial effects of angiotensin receptor blockers have been ascribed to off-target effects. This study used genetic and pharmacological modes of attenuating angiotensin receptor and ligand, respectively, to determine their roles on thoracic aortic aneurysm in mice with fibrillin-1 haploinsufficiency (
Fbn1
C1041G/+
).

Approach and Results:

Thoracic aortic aneurysm in
Fbn1
C1041G/+
mice was found to be strikingly sexual dimorphic. Males displayed aortic dilation over 12 months while aortic dilation in
Fbn1
C1041G/+
females did not differ significantly from wild-type mice. To determine the role of AT1aR,
Fbn1
C1041G/+
mice that were either +/+ or −/− for AT1aR were generated. AT1aR deletion reduced expansion of ascending aorta and aortic root diameter from 1 to 12 months of age in males. Medial thickening and elastin fragmentation were attenuated. An antisense oligonucleotide against angiotensinogen was administered to male
Fbn1
C1041G/+
mice to determine the effects of Ang II depletion. Antisense oligonucleotide against angiotensinogen administration attenuated dilation of the ascending aorta and aortic root and reduced extracellular remodeling. Aortic transcriptome analyses identified potential targets by which inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system reduced aortic dilation in
Fbn1
C1041G/+
mice.

Conclusions:

Deletion of AT1aR or inhibition of Ang II production exerted similar effects in attenuating pathologies in the proximal thoracic aorta of male
Fbn1
C1041G/+
mice. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system attenuated dysregulation of genes within the aorta related to pathology of
Fbn1
C1041G/+
mice.
Optimizing Emergency Stroke Transport Strategies Using Physiological Models
Authors: Paydarfar Daniel A. , Paydarfar David , Mucha Peter J. , Chang Joshua
Published: August 2021

Background and Purpose:

The criteria for choosing between drip and ship and mothership transport strategies in emergency stroke care is widely debated. Although existing data-driven probability models can inform transport decision-making at an epidemiological level, we propose a novel mathematical, physiologically derived framework that provides insight into how patient characteristics underlying infarct core growth influence these decisions.

Methods:

We represent the physiology of time-dependent infarct core growth within an ischemic penumbra as an exponential function with consideration to rate-determining collateral blood flow. Monte Carlo methods generate distributions of infarct core volumes, which are translated to distributions of 90-day modified Rankin Scale scores. We apply the model to a stroke network that serves rural Bastrop County and urban Travis County by simulating transport strategies from thousands of potential patient pickup locations. In every pickup location, the simulation yields a distribution of outcomes corresponding to each transport strategy. A 2-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Student
t
test determine which transport strategy provides a significantly better probability of a good outcome for a given pickup location in each respective county (
P
<0.01).

Results:

In Travis County, drip and ship provides significantly better probabilities of a good outcome in 24.0% of the pickup locations, while 59.8% favor mothership. In Bastrop County, 11.3% of the pickup locations favor drip and ship, while only 7.1% favor mothership. The remaining pickup locations in each county are not statistically significant in either direction. We also reveal how differing rates of infarct core growth, the application of bypass policies, and the use of large vessel occlusion field tests impact these results.

Conclusions:

Modeling stroke physiology enables the use of clinically relevant metrics for determining comparative significance between drip and ship and mothership in a given geography. This formalism can help understand and inform emergency medical service transport decision-making, as well as regional bypass policies.
The Necessity of the Epochē and Reduction for a Husserlian Phenomenological Science of Psychology
Authors: Giorgi Amedeo
Published: August 2021

In adapting Husserl’s philosophical phenomenological method to conduct research in psychology I included Husserl’s two methodical steps, the epochē and the reduction (sometimes combined), as part of the scientific procedure. Zahavi objected to my use of those steps. This article is a response to his objections and it is a reaffirmation of the necessity of the epochē and reduction for Husserlian phenomenological psychological research. A description of Husserl’s acknowledged types of psychology and a description of his transcendental phenomenology are also presented along with two outlines of how Husserlian phenomenological research could be conducted.
Empathy and Togetherness Online Compared to IRL: A Phenomenological Account
Authors: Svenaeus Fredrik
Published: August 2021

In this paper I aim to show with the aid of philosophers Edith Stein and Peter Goldie, how empathy and other social feelings are instantiated and developed in real life versus on the Internet. The examples of on-line communication show both how important the embodied aspects of empathy are and how empathy may be possible also in the cases of encountering personal stories rather than personal bodies. Since video meetings, social media, online gaming and other forms of interaction via digital technologies are taking up an increasing part of our time, it is important to understand how such forms of social intercourse are different from in real life (IRL) meetings and why they can accordingly foster not only new communal bonds but also hatred and misunderstanding.
The Role of Chinese Medicine in Treating and Preventing COVID-19 in Hubei, China
Authors: Ochs Shelley , Garran Thomas Avery
Published: August 2021

The mobilization of Chinese medicine resources in the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic in Hubei, China, was part of the larger mobilization of society and multiple tiers of the healthcare system. In this article we describe how Chinese medicine teams organized treatment and prevention, how they conceptualized this treatment and evaluated the results, and what this may contribute to our understanding of how traditional medical traditions can be safely and effectively integrated into modern epidemic treatment and control.
Putting a Face on the Pathogen and Its Nemesis
Authors: Triplett Katja
Published: August 2021

In medieval Japan, so-called “four boundary demarcation rituals” were believed to turn invisible epidemic disease-bringing “demons” into visible beings. Making the demons visible, at least to the ritual experts involved, was a way of controlling them. The demons had a dual nature in that they harmed humans but could also become powerful protectors against disease and other calamities. This essay introduces the elaborate ritual culture of yin-yang divination, esoteric Buddhism, and kami worship in Japan, all of which involve “demonic” and protective deities. It explores images of two epidemic demons that serve humans as guardians and protectors against epidemic disease: Tenkeisei 天刑星, the Star of Heavenly Punishment, and Gozutennō 牛頭天王, the Bull-Headed Divine King. Tenkeisei ultimately merged with Gozutennō, who is also conflated with the deity Susanoo 素戔嗚.
The Practice of Two Danish Female Islamic Authorities Facilitating Divorce
Authors: Petersen Jesper
Published: August 2021

Research on Muslim divorce practices in Europe often focuses exclusively on male Islamic authority, neglecting the role of women. This article compares the Islamic divorce practice of two female Islamic authorities with that of nineteen male Islamic authorities to demonstrate that women have important roles in relation to Islamic divorce. It also analyses how the two Danish female informants, Zaynab and Aisha, function as highly specialised volunteer social workers, referring Muslim women to shelters and guiding them through their Islamic divorce. Thus, the article points out a vacuum in the services provided by the Danish state – the lack of knowledge about conflicts relating to Islamic divorce – which makes professional social workers a less relevant option for Muslim women experiencing nikah-captivity (marital captivity within an Islamic symbolic frame of reference).
Managing the Risk of Self-Judging Security Exceptions Through Insurance: How Recent Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Copes with Investment Screening
Authors: Hagemeyer Teoman M. , Pohl Jens Hillebrand
Published: August 2021

In light of the limited possibility to seek legal recourse against screening of foreign investments on grounds of national security, can insurance provide an alternative avenue to compensate affected investors? The answer is: Yes, but with caveats. For investors, even if insurance does not provide an equivalent to full reparation, it can serve as a useful mitigant of the risk that contemplated investment transactions cannot be consummated as anticipated due to screening measures. For host States, insurance provides a useful mechanism by which they can facilitate compensation of investors without having to disclose information contrary to their essential security interests and thus a means by which host States can remain attractive to foreign direct investment in spite of investment screening.
The Strange Case of the Diocese of Olena and the Churches of Andravida, Capital of the Principality of Achaia
Authors: Schabel Chris
Published: August 2021

By the mid-thirteenth century, at least five Latin churches stood in Andravida (Andreville), capital of the Principality of Achaia, and yet the town lay in the diocese of Olena, an obscure village. Understandably, it is the unanimous view of writers of every sort that the Latin bishops merely took their title from Olena but were actually bishops of Andravida, where they allegedly presided. Many even assert that these de facto bishops of Andravida employed as their cathedral the Dominican church of Holy Wisdom (Sancta Sophia), ubiquitously identified with the vaulted remains of the Gothic east end of a church still prominent in the town. After reviewing the evidence for the above claims, this paper analyzes the phenomena in light of the broader context of the transition from Byzantine to Frankish secular control and from Greek to Latin ecclesiastical rule. It proposes instead that, after the Frankish conquest, a Greek bishop remained in situ in Olena, leading the Franks to create a new episcopal see in Andravida, the memory of which persisted for centuries. With the eventual demise, deposition, or departure of the Greek prelate, however, there was no need for the new see. Whether the Latin bishops of Olena then resided in Andravida, Olena, or both, they did not preside from the Dominican church of Holy Wisdom.
Cockroach (Blattodea, Blaberoidea) fauna of the Maltese Islands, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: BOHN HORST , SCIBERRAS ARNOLD
Published: August 2021

Cockroach (Blattodea, Blaberoidea) fauna of the Maltese Islands. Hitherto seven species of cockroaches were known from the Maltese Archipelago (Schembri 1980): four of them are synanthropic species introduced by man: Blatta orientalis, Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana and Supella longipalpa; the remaining three are indigenous species: Ectobius kraussianus, Loboptera decipiens and Polyphaga aegyptiaca. The earlier reports almost exclusively concern the largest island Malta; only one report (L. decipiens) applies to the islet Comino.

Faunistic part. By recent collectings of the authors (mainly A.S.) including also the smaller islands Gozo, Comino and some rock islets (Cominotto, Filfla, Fungus Rock, Large Blue Lagoon Rock, Pigean Rock) the known distribution of the species could be largely widened; two further obviously indigenous species were found, both new to science and presumably endemic to Malta: Ectobius melitensis, sp. nov. (Ectobiidae, Ectobiinae) and Heterogamisca jeffreyana, sp. nov. (Corydiidae, Corydiinae). E. kraussianus presumably has to be eliminated from the list of Maltese cockroaches; the older report most likely concerns a misidentified E. melitensis. During the last years the number of introduced species was strongly increased (1) by escapees of species cultivated for the nourishment of amphibia and reptilia, as are Blaptica dubia, Gromphadorhina sp., Nauphoeta cinerea, Periplaneta fuliginosa, Shelfordella lateralis and Symploce pallens, and (2) by species presumably imported with gardening materials: Pycnoscelus surinamensis and Phoetalia pallida. The mentioned species have repeatedly been found in human buildings and adjacent gardens of a number of settlements, mostly in the surroundings of the capital Valetta. They seem to be well established there; part of them has even been observed in the wild. The newly introduced species are in spite of their successful establishment and reproduction in Malta not considered as a danger for the indigenous species: The great differences in the requirements between the two groups most likely exclude competition between them. Three species, Ectobius vittiventris, Henschoutedenis flexivitta, and Periplaneta australasiae, have only occasionally been found and can, therefore, scarcely be considered as members of the Maltese fauna; the latter also applies to species of the genus Panchlora which were repeatedly observed on fruit markets at freshly imported bananas, but never found outside, neither in the Maltese banana plantations.

Taxonomic part. The new species are described and compared with their closest relatives, colouration and characteristic structures are shown in several figures. Ectobius melitensis belongs to the kraussianus-species group of Ectobius known from Sicily and surrounding islands (Ustica, Aeolian Islands, Ponza), but with one species also reaching Albania; the nearest relatives of Heterogamisca jeffreyana are occurring on the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia).
A Global Perspective of Tropical Cyclone Precipitation in Reanalyses
Authors: Jones Evan , Wing Allison A. , Parfitt Rhys
Published: August 2021

This study compares the spread in climatological tropical cyclone (TC) precipitation across eight different reanalysis datasets: NCEP-CFSR, ERA-20C, ERA-40, ERA5, ERA-Interim, JRA-55, MERRA-2, and NOAA-20C. TC precipitation is assigned using manual tracking via a fixed 500-km radius from each TC center. The reanalyses capture similar general spatial patterns of TC precipitation and TC precipitation fraction, defined as the fraction of annual precipitation assigned to TCs, and the spread in TC precipitation is larger than the spread in total precipitation across reanalyses. The spread in TC precipitation relative to the inter-reanalysis mean TC precipitation, or relative spread, is larger in the east Pacific than in the west Pacific. Partitioned by reanalysis intensity, the largest relative spread across reanalyses in TC precipitation is from high-intensity TCs. In comparison with satellite observations, reanalyses show lower climatological mean annual TC precipitation over most areas. A comparison of area-averaged precipitation rate in TCs composited over reanalysis intensity shows the spread across reanalyses is larger for higher intensity TCs. Testing the sensitivity of TC precipitation assignment to tracking method shows that climatological mean annual TC precipitation is systematically larger when assigned via manual tracking versus objective tracking. However, this tendency is minimized when TC precipitation is normalized by TC density. Overall, TC precipitation in reanalyses is affected by not only horizontal output resolution or any TC preprocessing, but also data assimilation and parameterization schemes. The results indicate that improvements in the representation of TCs and their precipitation in reanalyses are needed to improve overall precipitation.
Growth of Mesoscale Convective Systems in Observations and a Seasonal Convection-Permitting Simulation over Argentina
Authors: Zhang Zhixiao , Varble Adam , Feng Zhe , Hardin Joseph , Zipser Edward
Published: August 2021

A 6.5-month, convection-permitting simulation is conducted over Argentina covering the Remote Sensing of Electrification, Lightning, And Mesoscale/Microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations and Clouds, Aerosols, and Complex Terrain Interactions (RELAMPAGO-CACTI) field campaign and is compared with observations to evaluate mesoscale convective system (MCS) growth prediction. Observed and simulated MCSs are consistently identified, tracked, and separated into growth, mature, and decay stages using top-of-the-atmosphere infrared brightness temperature and surface rainfall. Simulated MCS number, lifetime, seasonal and diurnal cycles, and various cloud-shield characteristics including growth rate are similar to those observed. However, the simulation produces smaller rainfall areas, greater proportions of heavy rainfall, and faster system propagations. Rainfall area is significantly underestimated for long-lived MCSs but not for shorter-lived MCSs, and rain rates are always overestimated. These differences result from a combination of model and satellite retrieval biases, in which simulated MCS rain rates are shifted from light to heavy, while satellite-retrieved rainfall is too frequent relative to rain gauge estimates. However, the simulation reproduces satellite-retrieved MCS cloud-shield evolution well, supporting its usage to examine environmental controls on MCS growth. MCS initiation locations are associated with removal of convective inhibition more than maximized low-level moisture convergence or instability. Rapid growth is associated with a stronger upper-level jet (ULJ) and a deeper northwestern Argentinean low that causes a stronger northerly low-level jet (LLJ), increasing heat and moisture fluxes, low-level vertical wind shear, baroclinicity, and instability. Sustained growth corresponds to similar LLJ, baroclinicity, and instability conditions but is less sensitive to the ULJ, large-scale vertical motion, or low-level shear. Growth sustenance controls MCS maximum extent more than growth rate.
Criminal Careers and Immigration: An Analysis of Offending Over the Life Course Among Homicide Inmates in Texas
Authors: Orrick Erin A. , Guerra Chris , Piquero Alex R.
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine differences in patterns of criminal arrests between US citizens and foreign citizens among a sample of individuals incarcerated for homicide in Texas. Data for this project come from administrative records of inmates incarcerated in Texas for homicide. Drawing from the criminal careers literature, official arrest records are assessed to compare differences in criminal histories with growth curve models for the examination of criminal careers of non-Texas born US citizens and foreign citizens. Notable findings are that the age-crime curves are remarkably similar between the two groups, but the curves differ in degree, with those of US citizens peaking significantly higher across all crime types examined.
The Impact of Bilateral Investment Treaties on FDI Inflows Into India: Some Empirical Results
Authors: Singh Jaivir , Shreeti Vatsala , Urdhwareshe Parnil
Published: August 2021

After a run of adverse investor-state dispute settlements, India has recently denounced all its erstwhile investment treaties. New investment treaties need to be negotiated on the basis of a new Model Treaty that privilege state rights over investor rights. We study the impact of bilateral investment treaties on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into India before the denunciation with the intent of inferring the consequences of changing the system. Our work captures the effects of international investment agreements on FDI inflows specifically into India. We construct an empirical model drawing on the Gravity Model, and estimate parameters using generalised method of moments. The results show that while the individual signing of bilateral investment treaties does not influence the inflow of FDI, the effect of the cumulative bilateral investment treaties signed is statistically very significant—suggesting that the spill over effect of signing a series of bilateral investment treaties are important, signalling a regime of overall protection to investors. The importance of institutional variables in influencing FDI tells us that overall participation in a system governed by international investor agreements influenced the inflow of FDI positively and therefore recent policy changes should be viewed with caution.

JEL Codes: F21, F23, F550, F63, K33, O19, C22, C29