bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meaning and Update of the Historical Silk Road: Globalization from East to West
Authors: Suša Oleg 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The article analyzes the historical Silk Road in its long-term development. It entails reflections on the knowledge of Eastern global interactions providing a long-term contextual framework for Eurasia as a single continent. Eurasian globalization influenced the interactions of regions from China and India, through Western Asia, the Middle East, Eastern and Northern Africa and the Mediterranean, and the south of Europe. An important role was played by the Silk Road, as the main historical long-term network of global interactions and communication, which is now being echoed in the new current global initiatives, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative, which updates the historical Silk Road.
Storm-Scale Dynamical Changes of Extratropical Transition Events in Present-Day and Future High-Resolution Global Simulations
Authors: Michaelis Allison C. , Lackmann Gary M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTropical cyclones (TCs) propagating into baroclinic midlatitude environments can transform into extratropical cyclones, in some cases resulting in high-impact weather conditions far from the tropics. This study extends analysis of extratropical transition (ET) changes in multiseasonal global simulations using the Model for Prediction Across Scales–Atmosphere (MPAS-A) under present-day and projected future conditions. High resolution (15 km) covers the Northern Hemisphere; TCs and ET events are tracked based on sea level pressure minima accompanied by a warm core and use of a cyclone phase space method. Previous analysis of these simulations showed large changes in ET over the North Atlantic (NATL) basin, with ET events exhibiting a 4°–5° northward latitudinal shift and ~6-hPa strengthening of the post-transition extratropical cyclone. Storm-relative composites, primarily representing post-transformation cold-core events, indicate that this increase in post-transition storm intensity is associated with an intensification of the neighboring upper-level trough and downstream ridge, and a poleward shift in the storm center, conducive to enhanced trough–TC interactions after ET completion. Additionally, the future composite ET event is located in the right-jet entrance of an outflow jet that is strengthened relative to its present-day counterpart. Localized impacts associated with ET events, such as heavy precipitation and strong near-surface winds, are significantly enhanced in the future-climate simulations; 6-hourly precipitation for NATL events increases at a super-Clausius–Clapeyron rate with area-average precipitation increasing over 30%. Furthermore, intensified precipitation contributes to enhanced lower-tropospheric potential vorticity and stronger upper-tropospheric outflow, implying the potential for more extreme downstream impacts under the future climate scenario.
The Impact of Ambiguity-induced Error in Offender Decision-making: Evidence from the Field
Authors: Midgette Greg , Loughran Thomas A. , Tahamont Sarah 
Published: March 2021

Objectives: To invoke behavioral economics theories of ambiguity in the context of offender decision-making, and to test the impact of ambiguity in punishment certainty on offender decisions. Methods: We leverage a quasi-experimental condition among a sample of drunk driving arrestees that are tested for alcohol use and subject to mandatory brief incarceration for a violation. The treatment condition relaxes a zero-tolerance alcohol rule, thereby introducing design-based ambiguity surrounding the certainty of punishment. We use Mahalanobis matching and propensity score weighting methods to estimate the impact of ambiguity on violations. We then interrogate this finding with complementary sensitivity analyses. Results: When facing the ambiguity condition participants are 27–28 percentage points (84–93 percent) more likely to violate program conditions after 30 days of supervision. We demonstrate that a statistical difference in violations due to ambiguity is still detectible at 90 and 180 days of supervision. These results are robust to alternative specifications and falsification tests. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine the impact of ambiguity on criminal justice program compliance using a quasi-experiment from the field. We further demonstrate the unintended costs to persons under supervision and jurisdictions of laxity in program design, which are applicable across criminal justice domains.
Social Classes and Capital Accumulation in Recent Argentina: The 2008 Agrarian Conflict
Authors: Pérez Trento Nicolás 
Published: March 2021

In March 2008, the passage of a law to amend grain export taxes in Argentina led to a clash between rural organizations and the national administration. Given its characteristics and political consequences, this clash was one of the most significant events of the Kirchnerist administrations and one of the most outstanding agrarian conflicts in Argentine history. An analysis of it in the context of Argentina’s specific pattern of capital accumulation, in which land appropriation by the industrial sector is significant in explaining valorization capacity, shows how economic determinations affected the political actions of the pertinent social subjects and how the conflict was resolved in favor of the rural bloc. En marzo de 2008, la aprobación de una ley para modificar los impuestos a la exportación de granos en Argentina condujo a un enfrentamiento entre las organizaciones rurales y la administración nacional. Dadas sus características y consecuencias políticas, este choque fue uno de los más significativos durante las administraciones kirchneristas y uno de los conflictos agrarios más destacados de la historia argentina. Un análisis del mismo en el contexto del patrón específico de acumulación de capital en la Argentina, en el que la apropiación de la renta de la tierra por parte del sector industrial ayuda a explicar la capacidad de valorización, da cuenta de cómo los factores económicos afectaron las acciones políticas de sujetos sociales pertinentes y cómo fue que se resolvió el conflicto a favor del bloque rural.
Should pulmonary radiographs be taken routinely following paediatric tracheostomy?
Authors: Yener Nazik , Üdürgücü Muhammed , Alaçam Fatma , Şükrü Paksu Muhammed , Sarı İrem , Ceyhan Bilgici Meltem 
Published: March 2021

Aim As the rates of complications related to tracheostomy procedures have fallen in recent years, the routine taking of pulmonary radiographs following tracheostomy has become a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of complications developing in 120 children who had pulmonary radiographs taken following surgical tracheostomy and to thereby evaluate the necessity of routine pulmonary radiographs after tracheostomy. Methods The data were retrospectively reviewed of 120 children who had pulmonary radiographs taken following surgical tracheostomy between January 2012 and January 2018. The pulmonary radiographs taken before and immediately after tracheostomy were evaluated independently by two paediatric radiology specialists and the results were recorded. Results The incidence of complications after tracheostomy was determined as 23.3%, and no pneumothorax was determined in any patient. An increase was not seen in the complication incidence in those who had undergone emergency tracheostomy and patients aged < 2 years, which are accepted as high-risk groups. In the evaluation of the pre- and post-tracheostomy radiographs, new findings were determined on the post-tracheostomy radiograph that had not been there previously in eight patients (6.6%). These findings were newly formed infiltration in seven patients (5.8%), and malposition of the tracheostomy tube in one patient (0.8%). No pathology requiring intervention was determined on the radiographs of any patient. Conclusion The results of this study support the view that it is not necessary to take pulmonary radiographs routinely following tracheostomy in the paediatric age group, including those at higher risk.
Gender-related propensity score match analysis of ECMO therapy in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in patients after myocardial revascularization
Authors: Gerfer Stephen , Gaisendrees Christopher , Djordjevic Ilija , Ivanov Borko , Merkle Julia , Eghbalzadeh Kaveh , Schlachtenberger Georg , Rustenbach Christian , Sabashnikov Anton , Kuhn-Régnier Ferdinand , Mader Navid , Wahlers Thorsten 
Published: March 2021

Background: Gender is known to influence the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of the coronary vascular disease. Data on gender-related differences in patients with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock is lacking in current literature. We aimed to analyze the impact of gender on intraoperative and short-term outcomes of vaECMO patients after coronary surgery and postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. Methods: Between 2006 and 2017, a total of 92 patients with PCS after CABG underwent vaECMO-implantation at our institution. After a 1:1 propensity score match (PSM) for relevant preoperative data, we identified a cohort of 32 patients, 16 males, and 16 females. Periprocedural and short-term outcome data were analyzed with respect to sex differences. Results: The mean age was 64 ± 11 years, and 79% ( n = 73) were male patients. Clinical outcomes showed a 30-day all-cause mortality of 64% ( n = 59). After PSM, male patients showed a significantly smaller number of arterial grafts (0.4 ± 0.53 male vs 1.1 ± 0.7 female; p = 0.037). Thirty-day all-cause mortality did not differ between the groups (56% male vs 75% female; p = 0.262). In general, short-term outcome data were comparable without significant differences for the matched groups. Conclusion: Gender has no impact on patients with vaECMO therapy due to PCS in isolated coronary surgery.
Caregiver-guided pain coping skills training for patients with advanced cancer: Results from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Porter Laura S , Steel Jennifer L , Fairclough Diane L , LeBlanc Thomas W , Bull Janet , Hanson Laura C , Fischer Stacy , Keefe Francis J 
Published: March 2021

Background: Pain is a major concern among patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Evidence suggests that pain coping skills training interventions can improve outcomes, however they have rarely been tested in this population. Aim: To test the efficacy of a caregiver-guided pain coping skills training intervention. The primary outcome was caregiver self-efficacy for helping the patient manage pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial compared the intervention to an enhanced treatment-as-usual control. Dyads in both conditions received pain education, and those in the intervention received three sessions of pain coping skills training. Caregiver outcomes (self-efficacy; caregiver strain, caregiving satisfaction, psychological distress) and patient outcomes (self-efficacy, pain intensity and interference, psychological distress) were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Setting/participants: Two hundred two patients with stage III–IV cancer and pain and their family caregivers were enrolled from four outpatient oncology clinics and a free-standing hospice/palliative care organization. Results: Compared to those in the control arm, caregivers in the intervention reported significant increases in caregiving satisfaction ( p < 0.01) and decreased anxiety ( p = 0.04). In both conditions, caregivers reported improvements in self-efficacy, and patients reported improvements in self-efficacy, pain severity and interference, and psychological distress. Conclusions: This is the first study to test a pain coping skills intervention targeted to patients and caregivers facing advanced cancer. Findings suggest that pain education provides benefits for patients and caregivers, and coping skills training may be beneficial for caregivers. Further research is needed to optimize the benefits of education and pain coping skills training for improving cancer pain outcomes. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02430467, Caregiver-Guided Pain Management Training in Palliative Care
Missing the human connection: A rapid appraisal of healthcare workers’ perceptions and experiences of providing palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mitchinson Lucy , Dowrick Anna , Buck Caroline , Hoernke Katarina , Martin Sam , Vanderslott Samantha , Robinson Hannah , Rankl Felicia , Manby Louisa , Lewis-Jackson Sasha , Vindrola-Padros Cecilia 
Published: March 2021

Background: During infectious epidemics, healthcare workers are required to deliver traditional care while facing new pressures. Time and resource restrictions, a focus on saving lives and new safety measures can lead to traditional aspects of care delivery being neglected. Aim: Identify barriers to delivering end-of-life care, describe attempts to deliver care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and understand the impact this had on staff. Design: A rapid appraisal was conducted incorporating a rapid review of policies from the United Kingdom, semi-structured telephone interviews with healthcare workers, and a review of mass print media news stories and social media posts describing healthcare worker’s experiences of delivering care during the pandemic. Data were coded and analysed using framework analysis. Setting/Participants: From a larger ongoing study, 22 interviews which mentioned death or caring for patients at end-of-life, eight government and National Health Service policies affecting end-of-life care delivery, eight international news media stories and 3440 publicly available social media posts were identified. The social media analysis centred around 274 original tweets with the highest reach, engagement and relevance. Incorporating multiple workstreams provided a broad perspective of end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Results: Three themes were developed: (1) restrictions to traditional care, (2) striving for new forms of care and (3) establishing identity and resilience. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic prohibited the delivery of traditional care as practical barriers restricted human connections. Staff prioritised communication and comfort orientated tasks to re-establish compassion at end-of-life and displayed resilience by adjusting their goals.
Clinical validation of ratings on the six-item Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale obtained via the Simplified Negative and Positive Symptoms Interview
Authors: Kølbæk Pernille , Dines David , Holm Tine , Blicher Anne B , Sørensen Rune D , O’Leary Kathrine M , Feller Sandra G , Buus Chanette W , Nielsen Cecilie M , Opler Mark , Mors Ole , Correll Christoph U , Østergaard Søren D 
Published: March 2021

Background: The six-item version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-6) has shown promise as a brief measure of the severity of core symptoms of schizophrenia. However, since all prior analyses of the PANSS-6 were based on data extracted from studies using the full 30-item PANSS (PANSS-30), it remains unknown whether it is possible to obtain valid information for the PANSS-6 ratings via a brief interview, such as the Simplified Negative and Positive Symptoms Interview (SNAPSI). Aims: We aimed to validate the PANSS-6 ratings obtained via the SNAPSI using the PANSS-6 scores extracted from the PANSS-30 ratings obtained via the comprehensive Structured Clinical Interview for PANSS (SCI-PANSS) as the gold-standard reference. Methods: The PANSS-6 ratings based on the SNAPSI and the PANSS-30 ratings based on the SCI-PANSS were conducted by independent raters with established inter-rater reliability. Results: Seventy-seven inpatients with schizophrenia ( Mage = 35.1 ± 11.7 years; males = 57%; paranoid schizophrenia = 75%) participated in the study. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the PANSS-6 total scores obtained using the SNAPSI and the PANSS-30-derived PANSS-6 total scores via the SCI-PANSS was 0.77 ( p < 0.001). The ICC for the PANSS-6 total score and the PANSS-30-derived PANSS-8 (Andreasen’s remission criteria) was 0.75 ( p < 0.001). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for changes in PANSS-6 total scores via the SNAPSI and changes in PANSS-30-derived PANSS-6 total scores was 0.70 ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Using the SNAPSI to rate the PANSS-6 enables a focused and brief assessment of the severity of core symptoms of schizophrenia, which facilitates measurement-based care and clinical decision making in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Value of energy spectrum CT parameters in the differential diagnosis of high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma and type II papillary renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Liang Xiaohong , Xue Caiqiang , Huang Xiaoyu , Wei Jinyan , Zhou Junlin 
Published: March 2021

Background Energy spectrum computed tomography (CT) has become a promising approach for the differential diagnosis of tumor subtypes. Purpose To explore the value of energy spectrum CT parameters in the differential diagnosis of high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and type II papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC). Material and Methods Forty-two cases of high-grade ccRCC and 28 cases of type II pRCC were retrospectively reviewed. All region of interest (ROI) measurements were maintained consistently between the two-phase contrast-enhanced examinations. The ROIs encompassed as much of the enhancing areas of the lesions as possible. Energy spectrum CT parameters of all cases, including the 70 keV (HU) value, normalized iodine concentration (NIC), and energy spectrum curve slope were recorded by two radiologists with over 10 years of experience in abdominal CT diagnosis. Results In the cortical phase (CP) and parenchymal phase (PP), the 70 keV (HU) value, NIC, and slope value of the energy spectrum curve of high-grade ccRCC were significantly higher than those of type II pRCC. In the CP, NIC showed the highest differential diagnosis efficiency for the two group tumors, with a sensitivity of 78.9% and a specificity of 77.0%. There was no statistical difference in tumor hemorrhage, tumor envelope, tumor morphology, tumor border, lymph node metastasis, embolism, renal pelvis invasion, or tumor calcification between the two tumor types. However, there was significant difference in the number of tumors ( P = 0.019). Conclusion Energy spectrum CT parameters are valuable for the differential diagnosis of high-grade ccRCC and type II pRCC.
Gunshot wounds to the head: a comparison of postmortem magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and autopsy
Authors: Ursprung Reto , Eggert Sebastian , Ampanozi Garyfalia , Gascho Dominic , Thali Michael , Franckenberg Sabine 
Published: March 2021

Background Postmortem imaging has become a powerful diagnostic tool in forensics. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is often used currently to complement and sometimes even replace an autopsy. Purpose To compare PMCT, postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI), and autopsy findings for gunshot wounds to the head. Material and Methods Cross-sectional study. We performed a retrospective analysis of 24 cases with gunshot wounds to the head that underwent both PMCT and PMMRI between 2011 and 2018 at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich (Switzerland). Results Our study confirms that PMCT and, to a slightly lesser degree, PMMRI provide additional information that is valuable when combined with autopsy findings. Air embolism was solely detected in PMCT (67% vs. 0% at autopsy). A retained bullet or projectile and bone fragments were diagnosed more frequently with PMCT (42%, 67%, and 92%) than at autopsy (33%, 42%, and 46%). Soft tissue lesions were more often detected with PMMRI than with PMCT. With regard to autopsy, subdural hemorrhage and ventricular hemorrhage were slightly more frequently diagnosed with PMMRI (63% and 75% vs. 38% and 58% at autopsy). Intracerebral hemorrhage was by far most often diagnosed with PMMRI (92%) compared with both PMCT (38%) and autopsy (14%). Conclusion All three modalities should ideally be considered in cases of craniocerebral gunshot wounds. However, it might be conceivable that depending on the forensic query, PMCT and PMMRI may be an adequate replacement for an autopsy.
Midterm Outcomes of Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Tear Repair: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chang Peter S. , Radtke Logan , Ward Patrick , Brophy Robert H. 
Published: March 2021

Background: Whereas there has been growing interest in surgical repair of posterior medial meniscus root tears (PMMRTs), our understanding of the medium- and long-term results of this procedure is still evolving. Purpose: To report midterm clinical outcomes from PMMRT repairs. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A literature review for this systematic analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We identified studies that reported the results of arthroscopic repair of PMMRTs. Functional and imaging outcomes were reviewed and summarized. Results: In total, 28 studies with a total of 994 patients (83% female) with an overall mean age of 57.1 were included in this review. Clinical outcomes (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Tegner scores) were improved at final follow-up in all studies. Of patients, 49% had radiographic progression of at least 1 grade in the Kellgren-Lawrence scale at a mean follow-up of 4.0 years in 11 studies. Cartilage degeneration had progressed at least 1 grade on magnetic resonance imaging scans in 23% of patients at a mean follow-up of 31.6 months in 4 studies. Conclusion: PMMRT repairs provide a functional benefit with consistent improvements in clinical outcome scores. There is some evidence that PMMRT repair slows the progression of osteoarthritis but does not prevent it at midterm follow-up.
Loperamide Induced Recurrent Torsades de Pointes: A Case Report
Authors: Jackson Gregory G. , Lopez Christine R. , Bermudez Elizabeth S. , Hill Nina E. , Roden Dan M. , Ely E. Wesley , Stollings Joanna L. 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: A case of loperamide-induced recurrent torsades de pointes is reported to raise awareness of an increasingly common phenomenon that could be encountered by medical providers during the current opioid epidemic. Summary: A 40 year-old-man with a prior history of opioid abuse who presented to the emergency department after taking up to 100 tablets of loperamide 2 mg daily for 5 years to blunt opioid withdrawal symptoms and was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit for altered mental status and hyperthermia. The patient had prolonged QTc and 2 episodes of torsades de pointes (TdP) that resulted in cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation. He was managed with isoproterenol, overdrive pacing, and methylnatrexone with no other events of TdP or cardiac arrest. Conclusion: A 40-year-old male who developed torsades de pointes from loperamide overdose effectively treated with overdrive pacing, isoproterenol, and methylnatrexone.