bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of health economic evaluations in orthotics and prosthetics: Part 1 – prosthetics
Authors: Clarke Leigh , Dillon Michael P , Shiell Alan
Published: August 2020

Background:

The extent to which current prosthetic health economic evaluations inform healthcare policy and investment decisions is unclear. To further the knowledge in this area, existing evidence gaps and method design issues must be identified, thereby informing the design of future research.

Objectives:

The aim of this systematic review was to identify evidence gaps, critical method design and reporting issues and determine the extent to which the literature informs a wide range of policy and investment decisions.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

A range of databases were searched using intervention- and health economic evaluation-related terms. Issues with methodological design and reporting were evaluated using the Consolidated Health Economic Checklist – Extended and the Checklist for Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards.

Results:

The existing health economic evaluation literature was narrowly focused on informing within-participant component decisions. There were common method design (e.g. time horizon too short) and reporting issues (e.g. competing intervention descriptions) that limit the extent to which this literature can inform policy and investment decisions.

Conclusion:

There are opportunities to conduct a wider variety of health economic evaluations to support within- and across-sector policy and investment decisions. Changes to aspects of the method design and reporting are encouraged for future research in order to improve the rigour of the health economic evaluation evidence.

Clinical relevance:

This systematic review will inform the clinical focus and method design of future prosthetic health economic evaluations. It will also guide readers and policy-makers in their interpretation of the current literature and their understanding of the extent to which the current literature can be used to inform policy and investment decisions.
Location of the Suture Anchor in Hill-Sachs Lesion Could Influence Glenohumeral Cartilage Quality and Limit Range of Motion After Arthroscopic Bankart Repair and Remplissage
Authors: Ding Zheci , Cong Shuang , Xie Yuxue , Feng Sijia , Chen Shiyi , Chen Jiwu
Published: August 2020

Background:

No study has reported clinical evidence for cartilage change in the glenohumeral joint or the cause of loss in range of motion (ROM) after arthroscopic Bankart repair with remplissage technique (BR).

Purpose:

To investigate the postoperative features of glenohumeral joint cartilage, ROM, and anchor placement for remplissage at a minimum of 2 years of follow-up after BR and to analyze the correlations.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 21 patients who underwent BR received follow-up for a minimum of 2 years. At both preoperative assessment and final follow-up, passive shoulder ROM, Oxford Shoulder Instability Score, Simple Shoulder Test score, and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation score were assessed. All patients underwent 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination at final follow-up. The clinical outcomes, glenohumeral cartilage or Hill-Sachs lesion–related MRI parameters, and their potential correlations were analyzed.

Results:

The mean follow-up was 55.0 months (range, 24-119 months). Compared with preoperative assessment, all functional scores significantly improved ( P < .001). At the final follow-up, a significant ROM loss (>15°) of external rotation (ER) at the side (ER0) was found in 12 patients, among whom 8 patients had significant ROM loss of ER at 90° of abduction as well. Further, 12 patients with decreased ER had significantly higher signal intensity of cartilage on the anterior, middle, and posterior humeral head (anterior, P = .002; middle, P < .001; posterior, P < .001) than 9 patients with normal ER. The ratio of the width of the remplissage anchor to the diameter of the humeral head (w:d ratio) was significantly greater ( P = .031) in the decreased ER group than in the normal ER group. Correlation analysis showed that signal intensity on the posterior humeral head and ER0 loss (ΔER0) had a significantly positive correlation ( r = 0.516; P = .034), while the w:d ratio and ΔER0 had a significantly positive correlation ( r = 0.519; P = .039).

Conclusion:

At a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, patients who underwent BR showed significant clinical improvement compared with preoperative assessment, except for limitations in ER. The glenohumeral cartilage degeneration (higher signal intensity) after BR had a significantly positive correlation with the postoperative ER loss, which was found to be associated with a relatively medial placement of the remplissage anchor.
A cohesive zone model for predicting the initiation of Mode II delamination in composites under cyclic loading
Authors: Rafiee Roham , Sotoudeh Sina
Published: August 2020

A new approach for simulating delamination initiation under cyclic loading is proposed. This approach is based on the hysteresis cohesive zone modeling and the gradual degradation of interface properties. The initiation of delamination is predicted based on the monotonic traction–separation law of the interface. A damage criterion is proposed that depends on the bilinear traction–separation law and interlaminar stiffness is degraded by defining a damage parameter as a function of number of cycles and bilinear traction–separation law parameters. Numerical simulation is accomplished by implementing 2D finite element modeling for the case of double-notched specimen. Four-node zero-thickness interfacial cohesive elements are defined to capture the delamination behavior of midplane in the specimen. The results of numerical simulation are compared with available experimental data and a good agreement is observed. The main novelty of this research lies on assuming a cycle-by-cycle irreversible decrease in interlaminar stiffness prior to damage initiation and applying a damage criterion based on the bilinear traction–separation law in order to predict the number of cycles for initiation of delamination.
Potential Measurement Properties of a Questionnaire for Eating-Related Distress Among Advanced Cancer Patients With Cachexia: Preliminary Findings of Reliability and Validity Analysis
Authors: Amano Koji , Morita Tatsuya , Miyashita Mitsunori
Published: August 2020

Background: There are no validated tools for measuring eating-related distress among patients with advanced cancer. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the potential measurement properties of a questionnaire for eating-related distress. Methods: This is a secondary analysis. We performed an exploratory factor analysis for factorial validity and calculated Cronbach’s α for internal consistency. Patients were classified into the 2 groups categorized using the international cachexia criteria. The total scores of each factor and all items were calculated, and comparisons were performed for known-group validity. We performed statistical correlation analysis for concurrent validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 140 patients responded. Three factors were identified. The values of Cronbach’s α were 0.90, 0.89, and 0.86, respectively. Patients were classified into 2 groups: Non-cachexia/Pre-cachexia (n = 57) and Cachexia/Refractory cachexia (n = 83). Significant differences were observed in the total scores of each factor and all items: (factor 1) 7.5 vs. 11.0, p < 0.001; (factor 2) 8.0 vs. 13.0, p < 0.001; (factor 3) 5.0 vs. 10.0, p < 0.001; (all items) 20.0 vs. 35.0, p < 0.001, respectively. The total scores of each factor and all items significantly correlated with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised and the nutrition impact symptoms: 0.62 (p < 0.001) and 0.63 (p < 0.001), respectively. Scaling success rates were 100% in factor 1, 2, and 3. Conclusion: The questionnaire appears to be useful. Eating-related distress in patients with advanced cancer had 3 factors.
Identification of polymer concrete damping properties
Authors: Troncossi Marco , Canella Giulio , Vincenzi Nicolò
Published: August 2020

The damping properties of a commercial polymer concrete are the subject of this application-driven study, which is aimed to investigate the material suitability as a filler of machine bed components to limit vibrations arising in machine tools and automatic machines working at high dynamics. Two main goals are targeted: ( i) quantitative evaluation of the elastodynamic effects due to the polymer concrete insertion into typical components of machine beds, in order to effectively assess its practical potential and ( ii) determination of reliable models of the material, needed to simulate the dynamic response of new design solutions of machines featuring structural components filled with the polymer concrete. The paper is mainly focused on the methodological approach of both the experimental campaign and the signal processing that were carried out. Based on the promising results achieved, the possible use of the polymer concrete as a viable solution to enhance the dynamic behavior of an automatic machine is finally investigated and discussed as a case study.
Between frustration and education: Transitioning students’ stress and coping through the lens of semiotic cultural psychology
Authors: Madsen Thomas
Published: August 2020

This article proposes an alternative conceptualization of the processes with which new university students try to overcome the challenges and potential stresses experienced in their movement into the university context. Instead of viewing coping efforts as solely directed towards avoiding stress and enhancing well-being, efforts of overcoming difficulties and stress are to be seen in relation to students’ goal-oriented movement towards becoming students at a particular institution and in a particular field of study. By drawing on the concepts of (hyper)generalized affective semiotic fields, and equifinality and bifurcation points, it is suggested that the process of making sense of a difficult situation is related to the dynamics between well-defined short-term goals and ill-defined long-term goals. In this conceptualization, students not only cope with a specific problem in the here-and-now but make sense of the problem while negotiating their unique trajectory towards more distanced imagined educational outcomes.
Organ function, sphingolipid levels and inflammation in tunicamycin induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in male rats
Authors: Aslan Mutay , Elpek Özlem , Akkaya Bahar , Balaban Hazal Tuzcu , Afşar Ebru
Published: August 2020

Disorders of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lead to cellular damage but can cause cell death if ER dysfunction is prolonged. We aimed to examine liver/kidney functions, neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) activity, sphingolipid levels, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in rats under ER stress. ER stress was induced by tunicamycin (TM) and the ER stress inhibitor taurodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) was injected before induction of ER stress. ER stress was confirmed by increased tissue levels of GRP78. Hematological and biochemical profiles were measured by autoanalyzers while hepatic and renal injury was evaluated via microscopy and histopathological scoring. Tissue levels of C16-C24 sphingomyelins (SM), C16-C24 ceramides (CERs) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) were determined by LC-MS/MS. Tissue cPLA2 and COX-2 were measured by western blot and activity assays. Tunicamycin treatment caused kidney and liver function test abnormalities, increased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels but decreased white blood cell counts. Histopathological findings showed hepatic necroinflammation and renal tubular damage in rats treated with TM. TUDCA administration attenuated WBC abnormalities and TM- induced hepatic/renal functional impairment in ER stress, as evident by significantly restored serum ALT, AST, creatinine, and total bilirubin levels. A significant increase was observed in N-SMase activity, tissue levels of C16-C24 CERs, cPLA2 and COX-2 expression in liver and kidney tissue under ER stress. TUDCA administration decreased tissue CER levels, cPLA2 and COX-2 expression as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation. These results signify that ER stress causes hepatic and renal toxicity as well as CER-induced PGE2 formation in liver and kidney.
Personal digital legacy preservation by libraries
Authors: Nagy Andor , Kiszl Péter
Published: August 2020

The personal legacy created throughout a person’s lifetime is increasingly dependent on the lifespan and reliability of computers and electronic data storage. This runs the risk that personal legacies stored electronically and often at web addresses unknown to successors may be less complete compared to legacies from the era of analogue data carriers. Dozens of online services have been launched over the past decade to address this problem, but many of them have been discontinued or are not reliable enough to entrust with important data. This article offers a critical review of already existing research on digital legacy preservation and an overview of the available tools and resources to demonstrate that libraries do not yet play an active role in preserving digital legacies, despite the fact that this could not only enhance the sustainability and reliability of preservation, but also be a marketable library service. With this article, the authors would like to draw attention to this service, which is still considered atypical today; provide an objective description of the current situation; and propose a preliminary model for developing such a service in order to set the stage for future research.
Toward an Understanding of the Development of Skilled Remembering: The Role of Teachers’ Instructional Language
Authors: Ornstein Peter A. , Coffman Jennifer L.
Published: August 2020

Although there is a rich literature on children’s strategies for remembering, little attention has been paid to characterizing developmental change within individual children and to examining mediators that may bring about such change. To address these issues, we assess children’s memory skills over time while simultaneously examining communicative interactions in the classroom. Children are not taught memory strategies in an explicit manner, but these skills emerge in the context of the elementary school classroom. Accordingly, we use longitudinal and experimental methodologies to examine the ways in which the language of instruction contributes to the development of children’s memory and cognitive skills. The basic findings are discussed here in terms of possible applications in the classroom that may impact teachers’ instruction and students’ learning.
Characterizing Pastoral Care Utilization by Cancer Patients
Authors: Hyer J. Madison , Paredes Anghela Z. , Kelley Elizabeth Palmer , Tsilimigras Diamantis , Meyer Bonnie , Newberry Hanci , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

To assess the rate of and characterize the utilization of pastoral care (PC) among patients on their cancer treatment trajectory.

Methods:

Patients included in the present study were diagnosed with cancer 01/2015-08/2019 at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center—The James. To determine which patient demographic and clinical factors were independently associated with PC utilization, a multivariable logistic regression was performed.

Results:

A total of 14,322 patients were included in the study and 5,166 (36.1%) had at least one visit with PC. Cancers such as brain (n = 232, 4.5% vs. n = 159, 1.7%), liver/pancreas (n = 733, 14.2% vs. 686, 7.5%), and lung (n = 1,288 vs. 24.9% vs. n = 1,113, 12.2%) were more commonly noted among patients who utilized PC services (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, compared with patients diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer, patients with more advanced disease stages had higher odds of utilizing PC services (Stage III: OR 2.37, 95% CI 2.07-2.70; Stage IV OR 2.31, 95% CI: 2.04-2.61; both p < 0.05). Interestingly, patients who had a DNR order had a markedly higher odds (OR 4.18, 95%CI 3.76-4.65, p < 0.001) of utilizing PC services.

Discussion:

One in three patients with cancer utilized PC services. Patients with more severe prognoses and individuals with a DNR order were more likely to utilize PC. The data suggest that PC services are an important resource for many patients and should be integrated into the treatment approach for cancer.
New Therapeutic Options for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Yu-Shui , Liu Ji-Bin , Wu Ting-Miao , Fu Da
Published: August 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common lethal diseases in the world, has a 5-year survival rate of only 7%. Hepatocellular carcinoma has no symptoms in the early stage but obvious symptoms in the late stage, leading to delayed diagnosis and reduced treatment efficacy. In recent years, as the scope of HCC research has increased in depth, the clinical development and application of molecular targeted drugs and immunotherapy drugs have brought new breakthroughs in HCC treatment. Targeted therapy drugs for HCC have high specificity, allowing them to selectively kill tumor cells and minimize damage to normal tissues. At present, these targeted drugs are mainly classified into 3 categories: small molecule targeted drugs, HCC antigen-specific targeted drugs, and immune checkpoint targeted drugs. This article reviews the latest research progress on the targeted drugs for HCC.
Distinguishing Characteristics and Disparities in Child Protective Services-Investigated Maltreatment by Fathers
Authors: Kobulsky Julia M. , Wildfeuer Rachel , Yoon Susan , Cage Jamie
Published: August 2020

This study examines distinguishing characteristics of father-perpetrated maltreatment and disparities in Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation outcomes based on perpetrator gender and race. A sample of children ( N = 2,017) reported to CPS for maltreatment attributed to their mother and/or father was drawn from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II). Measures included perpetrator(s) relationship to the child (mother alone, father alone, mother and father) and race (Black, White, Other), caseworker-reported maltreatment characteristics and co-occurring risk factors, and CPS investigation outcomes (services, substantiation, out-of-home placement, criminal investigation, and criminal charges). Bivariate analyses revealed no clear pattern of higher risk for maltreatment involving fathers. In regression, father-alone perpetration predicted less out-of-home placement but more criminal investigations and charges. A significant interaction indicated the greatest risk for criminal charges when a Black father co-perpetrated maltreatment with mother. Findings imply needs for anti-bias training, specialized services for fathers, and coordinated diversion between child welfare and criminal justice systems.
South Asian Albertan Men’s Understandings of Spousal Violence
Authors: Bajwa Jasmine , Merali Noorfarah
Published: August 2020

This qualitative study investigated understandings of spousal violence among 17 South Asian men residing in Alberta, Canada using focus groups. Thematic analysis revealed men’s ignorance about sexual coercion as a form of abuse, although they had a solid understanding of physical and financial abuse. The men identified novel forms of emotional torture, as well as two types of transnational abuses that occur in their communities which have not emerged from previous studies: framing wives for false crimes across international borders and forced participation in family chain migration. Implications for violence prevention, assessment, intervention, and transnational law enforcement are discussed.
Monoclonal antibody extravasations: Two case reports and literature review
Authors: Rodríguez-Alarcón Alicia , Conde-Estévez David
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Extravasation is a rare complication from intravenous chemotherapy administration. Literature about monoclonal antibody (MoAb) extravasations is scarce and also conflicting in how they are classified.

Case report

We reported two different cases of MoAb extravasations with cetuximab and nivolumab outcome respectively. The administration site appeared inflamed and patients did not report disturbances. Management and outcome: Both extravasations did not require specific treatment. General unspecific measures suffice to properly manage these extravasations and no sequels were observed after long follow-up. Both patients received all further courses of MoAb without any adverse events.

Discussion

To our knowledge, we reported the first case-report of nivolumab extravasation in the literature. In addition, the cetuximab extravasation management and outcome was in accordance with previously published reports. Both MoAb may be considered as non-aggressive or neutral. We reviewed published information about MoAb extravasations. In conclusion, not all MoAb should be classified in the same category when extravasated and special precautions are warranted with conjugated MoAb and bevacizumab.
Using Graphs in Sexual Violence Risk Communication: Benefits May Depend on the Risk Metric
Authors: Hilton N. Zoe , Helmus L. Maaike
Published: August 2020

Actuarial scales provide a relatively objective and reliable assessment of individuals’ risk of recidivism. Recent research has explored how graphs can improve quantitative risk communication. We tested whether graphs can improve understanding and perception of sexual violence risk when matched with risk metric. Participants ( N = 676) were recruited from Amazon’s MTurk platform and read a brief description of a man convicted of a sexual offense, including results of a fictional sexual recidivism risk scale. In Study 1, absolute risk of recidivism enabled participants to distinguish between individuals with relatively high and low risk of sexual recidivism. In Study 2, this distinction was enhanced by adding a graph, especially when percentiles were communicated. Risk ratios increased perceived risk. Objective numeracy increased understanding and reduced perceived risk. We recommend that risk communication assumes limited statistical numeracy, and further research with practitioners to test the effect of graphs and risk metrics on forensic/judicial decisions.
A failure criterion for honeycomb structures considering the onset of instability under out-of-plane loads
Authors: Li Weiping , Qiu Cheng , Li Zengshan , Nie Hong
Published: August 2020

A failure criterion for predicting the damage of honeycomb structures under combined compression and transverse shearing is put forward in this paper. An analytical method using the Bloch wave function and von Kármán plate theory is employed to predict the onset of damage based on the fact that failure of honeycomb structures is closely related to the buckling behavior of its core. After obtaining a bunch of data points of different stress conditions where damage occurs, a failure envelop for honeycomb cores under out-of-plane loads is formed and fitted by a nonlinear function. In order to validate the proposed failure criterion, experimental studies are performed on honeycomb sandwich structures consisting of Nomex honeycomb core and CFRP (carbon-fiber reinforced plastics) facesheets including in-plane compression, three-point bending and combined-compression-shearing. The accuracy of the proposed criterion is evaluated by comparing experiments with results predicted by progressive damage model incorporating the failure envelope of honeycomb core.
Program Evaluation of Group Transcending Self Therapy: An Integrative Modular Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Polak Kathryn , Meyer Brian L , Neale Zoe E , Reisweber Jarrod
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are increasingly prevalent among Veterans. Effective interventions for SUDs that also meet the clinical reality of open treatment groups are needed. Transcending Self Therapy: Group Integrative Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (Group TST-I-CBT) was developed to address this need. Group TST-I-CBT is a four-module, 20-session treatment designed so that a person can enter at any point in the treatment. We conducted a program evaluation of Group TST-I-CBT for veterans with SUDs.

Methods:

Participants were N = 68 veterans enrolled in the 28-day Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program at an urban Veterans Administration Medical Center who received either Group TST-I-CBT (N = 34) or treatment-as-usual (TAU; N = 34). Medical records were reviewed and participant treatment outcome data was retrieved. Group TST-I-CBT clients completed a knowledge and feedback form at treatment completion.

Results:

Compared to TAU participants, Group TST-I-CBT participants were significantly less likely to have a positive urine drug screen (UDS) during treatment (17.6% versus 0%; P = .01) and within one month post-discharge (50% versus 17.6%; P = .04). Among Group TST-I-CBT clients, Quality of Life Inventory scores significantly increased by an average of 14 points from pre- to post-treatment, t(15) = –3.31, P = .005, d = 0.83. Group TST-I-CBT clients displayed cognitive-behavioral therapy knowledge (mean correct answers ranged from 92%-100%) and rated Group TST-I-CBT as helpful, understandable, and useful (mean scores ranged from 9.3-9.6 out of 10).

Conclusions:

These preliminary data indicate that Group TST-I-CBT may be an effective group therapy as part of SUD treatment. A formal randomized controlled trial of Group TST-I-CBT may be warranted.
An Investigation of Potential Health Risks from Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Farm Rats
Authors: Badger-Emeka Lorina , Al-Mulhim Yasmeen , Al-Muyidi Fatimah , Busuhail Maram , Alkhalifah Salma , AlEid Norah
Published: August 2020

Background:

The 21st century has seen a wide range of diseases resulting from zoonotic infections, of which bacterial infections have led to outbreaks of food-borne diseases.

Aim:

The study looks at bacterial pathogen carriage by farm rats and their antimicrobial susceptibility, with the view of providing insights for antimicrobial surveillance.

Method:

Farm rats of Rattus rattus species where randomly collected alive from farms in Al-Ahsa using food baits. They were anaesthetize with urethane within 4 h of collection and were unconscious for the collection of samples. Basic bacteriological culturing methods were used for culturing of bacterial isolates on selective media while the Vitek 2 compact automated system (BioMerieux, Marcy L’Etoile, France) was used for bacteria identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test. Obtained data were analysed using chi-square and paired t-test with significant difference between sensitive and resistance to antimicrobial susceptibility taken at P < .05.

Results:

Isolated Gramme-negative pathogenic bacteria included strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella. For the Gramme-positive bacteria, 4 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were encountered. Other Gramme-positive bacteria were coagulase-negative Staphylococcal species (CoNS) as well as Staphylococcus lugdunensis. There was a 100% resistance to the penicillins and a high resistance to imipenem (71%) by the Staphylococcal isolates. Resistance was also high against the β-lactams by the Gramme-positive bacteria isolates. For the Gramme-negative bacteria, there was a higher than 50% resistance by the isolates against the following antibiotics: ampicillin (78%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (67%), cefotaxime (77%), ceftazidime (67%), cefepime (78%), norfloxacin (67%), nitrofurantoin (67%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (78%).

Conclusion:

The results showed high antimicrobial resistance that will need monitoring for control of spread from farm rats to humans.
Non-abusing mothers’ agency after disclosure of the child’s extra-familial sexual abuse
Authors: Serin Hanife
Published: August 2020

This qualitative study analysed the agency of eight non-abusing mothers in the Turkish Cypriot Community after disclosure that their child had been sexually abused by someone outside the family. The aim was to discover how, after disclosure, such mothers act to protect their children in the contexts of their family and community. The data were gathered via semi-structured in-depth interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). In the nuclear family context, maternal agency emerged in the form of motherhood skills, including emotionally supporting the abused child, double-checking the child’s safety or limiting the child’s mobility, and controlling the actions of adult sons. In the community context, maternal agency was manifested in efforts to prevent men in the extended family or the abuser’s family from concealing the abuse and to obtain informal support from others such as birth or extended family members. The women were usually successful in hiding their reactions or making decisions in their children’s best interest despite frequently having to cope with the reality of living in a restrictive and patriarchal culture. The results emphasise the need for working with the general public and professionals to change the culture of silence and to improve the social support network for sexually abused children and non-abusing family members, especially mothers.
Mapping aboriginal tourism experiences in Taiwan: A case of the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
Authors: Chiu Weisheng , Cho Heetae
Published: August 2020

Exploring tourist experience through analyzing user-generated content (UGC) has been considered as an appropriate approach for experience studies due to the rich information from the perspective of tourists. Thus, this study identified the conceptual map of individuals’ aboriginal tourism experiences by analyzing UGC, including photos and texts. A total of 206 photos and 278 reviews posted by tourists on TripAdvisor were collected and analyzed. Photo content analysis showed that aboriginal culture emerged as the most indelible experience for visitors. Analysis of text data disclosed key themes: park, tribe, car, garden, and children. Further analysis found different patterns in tourist experiences across numerous travel parties and satisfaction levels. This study explored tourists’ narratives and identified important concepts and themes of their ‘lived experience’ of aboriginal tourism. The findings of this study contribute to expanding theoretical knowledge by introducing innovative analytic techniques. Practically, this study offers a blueprint for designing the aboriginal tourism product, which can optimize the tourist experience. In addition, the differences in tourist experience with regard to travel party and level of satisfaction suggest specific marketing strategies for different segments.
The Myth of Old Age: Addressing the Issue of Dependency and Contribution in Old Age Using Empirical Examples From the United Kingdom
Authors: Spijker Jeroen , Schneider Anna
Published: August 2020

In academia, policy-making and the media, population ageing often has negative connotations: it is associated with a rising care burden on society, with dependency, and with a fear of social isolation. The concepts pertaining to old age have evolved over time, and some of them challenge criticize this popular perception. This article begins with an overview of the development of social attitudes towards old age. Then, with the help of publicly available UK data, it addresses three areas in which old age and population ageing is perceived as problematic: poor health, dependency on other people’s productivity, and the role older adults play in the care cycle. Due to the diversity of the population aged 65+, we question the necessity of distinguishing older people in terms of age or dependency and instead recommend more research into the heterogeneity of the older population.
Navigating ‘thin’ dating markets: Mid-life repartnering in the era of dating apps and websites
Authors: Dwyer Zack , Hookway Nicholas , Robards Brady
Published: August 2020

This article is a qualitative analysis of how people aged in their 30s and 40s use dating apps and websites to repartner following relationship separation or divorce. While ‘mid-life’ is a period of significant relationship churn, there is little sociological research that addresses how people in this age group use digital dating technologies to repartner. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with a small group of Australians, the article shows how dating technologies help ‘thicken’ thin dating markets associated with time pressures and access to the night economy, but also loss and convergence of friendship networks unique to mid-life. The study highlights the impact of gender on digital repartnering experiences, particularly experiences of online safety, and introduces the concept of ‘emotional filtering’ to describe how past relationships specifically shape the repartnering process for this middle-aged group.
Consumer health informatics approach for personalized cancer screening decisions using utility functions
Authors: Maleyeff John , Chen Danrong
Published: August 2020

A consumer health informatics approach is used to investigate the development of a patient-centered decision support system (DSS) with individualized utility functions. It supports medical decisions that have uncertain benefits and potential harms. Its use for accepting or declining cancer screening is illustrated. The system’s underlying optimization model incorporates two user-specific utility functions—one that quantifies life-saving benefits and one that quantifies harms, such as unnecessary follow-up tests, surgeries, or treatments. The system requires sound decision making. Therefore, the decision making process was studied using a decision aid in the form of a color-coded matrix with the potential outcomes randomly placed in proportion to their likelihoods. Data were collected from 48 study participants, based on a central composite experimental design. The results show that the DSS can be effective, but health consumers may not be rational decision makers.
Social work and technology: Text mining three decades of scholarly literature (1985–2018)
Authors: Sinha Gaurav R , Larrison Christopher R
Published: August 2020

While the scholarly literature is abound with discussions of technology and its proliferation in different social work domains, evidence about what types of technologies are being used in various social work practice domains remains limited. The present study aimed to identify the larger trends in how technology has permeated the profession. The study sample comprised of 892 articles from a journal known for its contribution in publishing research on technology use in human services. Two methods were used—topic modeling and human-assisted analyses. Topic modeling was performed using MALLET, a machine learning tool which employs latent Dirichlet allocation over a fixed vocabulary for the corpus of text. Human-assisted analyses were performed using QDA Miner and MS-Excel to assist in the manual analyses.

Findings

In all, 29 topics in social work and 27 topics in technology domains were obtained. Social work education and mental health and clinical social work appeared as two of the top five social work domains in both topic modeling and human-assisted analyses. Management information system, communication technology, generic technology usage, and education technology were the top common topics in both types of analyses.

Applications

The present study findings have two applications. First, the descriptive analysis of technology adoption across diverse social work areas of research provides the first concrete evidence of how technology has been spread throughout social work. Second, the patterns of technology adoption across social work practice fields indicate some fields have limited research regarding technology.
Gastric Cancer Heterogeneity and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Sexton Rachel E. , Hallak Mohammed Najeeb Al , Uddin Md. Hafiz , Diab Maria , Azmi Asfar S.
Published: August 2020

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive disease with poor overall survival. The aggressive nature of this disease is in part due to the high intra and inter tumoral heterogeneity and also due to the late diagnosis at presentation. Once progression occurs, treatment is more difficult due to the adaptation of tumors, which acquires resistance to commonly used chemotherapeutics. In this report, using publicly available data sets and pathway analysis, we highlight the vast heterogeneity of gastric cancer by investigating genes found to be significantly perturbed. We found several upregulated genes in the diffuse gastric cancer subtypes share similarity to gastric cancer as a whole which can be explained by the increase in this subtype of gastric cancer throughout the world. We report significant downregulation of genes that are underrepresented within the literature, such as ADH7, GCNT2, and LIF1, while other genes have not been explored within gastric cancer to the best of our knowledge such as METTL7A, MAL, CWD43, and SLC2A12. We identified gender to be another heterogeneous component of this disease and suggested targeted treatment strategies specific to this heterogeneity. In this study, we provide an in-depth exploration of the molecular landscape of gastric cancer in order to shed light onto novel areas of gastric cancer research and explore potential new therapeutic targets.
Changes in Pulmonary Function After 3 Surgical Methods of Pulmonary Nodules Resection by Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Authors: Li Jinyou , Ma Haitao , Sun Zhenyu , Sun Qi
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in pulmonary function after wedge resection, segmentectomy, and lobectomy.

Methods:

The patients were divided into 4 groups: lobectomy group, segmentectomy group, wedge resection group, and mediastinal surgery group. The pulmonary function was evaluated at various time points: 3 days before surgery, 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and then 24 months after surgery.

Results:

The analysis results of forced expiratory volume in one second difference and breath-holding tests difference were consistent: Lobectomy group was higher than segmentectomy group, wedge resection group, and mediastinal surgery group at 4 postoperative time points ( P < .05); segmentectomy group was higher than the wedge resection group and mediastinal surgery group ( P < .05), and there was no statistical difference between the wedge resection group and the mediastinal surgery group ( P > .05). Analysis results of tidal volume difference: Lobectomy group was higher than segmentectomy group, wedge resection group, and mediastinal surgery group at 4 postoperative time points ( P < .05); segmentectomy group was higher than wedge resection group and mediastinal surgery group at 1 month after surgery ( P < .05). Analysis results of the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide difference: lobectomy group and segmentectomy group were higher than wedge resection group and mediastinal surgery group at 4 postoperative time points ( P < .05). Analysis results of the stair-climbing test difference: lobectomy group and segmentectomy group were higher than the wedge resection group and mediastinal surgery group at 4 postoperative time points ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Segmentectomy was superior to lobectomy in the protection of pulmonary function, while wedge resection was superior to segmentectomy. The recovery process of the pulmonary function was the fastest during the first 6 months after surgery.
Aspects of Technical Adequacy of an Early-Writing Measure for English Language Learners in Grades 1 to 3
Authors: Smith R. Alex , Lembke Erica S.
Published: August 2020

This study examined the technical adequacy of Picture Word, a type of Writing Curriculum-Based Measurement, with 73 English learners (ELs) with beginning to intermediate English language proficiency in Grades 1, 2, and 3. The ELs in this study attended schools in one midwestern U.S. school district employing an English-only model of instruction and spoke a variety of native languages. ELs completed two forms of Picture Word in the fall, winter, and spring. The criterion measure, a common English language proficiency assessment, was administered in the winter. Results indicated that Picture Word was not appropriate for the first-grade EL participants but showed promise for second- and third-grade ELs.
Validation and comparison of drug eluting stent to bare metal stent for restenosis rates following vertebral artery ostium stenting: A single-center real-world study
Authors: Li Long , Wang Xu , Yang Bin , Wang Yabing , Gao Peng , Chen Yanfei , Zhu Fengshui , Ma Yan , Chi Haitao , Zhang Xiao , Bai Xuesong , Feng Yao , Dmytriw Adam A , Hong Tao , Hua Yang , Jiao Liqun , Ling Feng
Published: August 2020

Background and purpose

While drug-eluting stents (DES) have been widely applicated in coronary stenosis, uncertainty persists concerning the relative performance and clinical benefit in patients undergoing vertebral artery stenting when compared with a bare metal stent (BMS). We sought to compare in-stent restenosis (ISR) rates of DES and BMS in the treatment of vertebral artery ostium (VAO) stenosis.

Materials and Methods

This study analyzed a single-center prospective cohort. Over 1.5-year period (January 2014-June 2015), 137 consecutive patients underwent VAO stenting involving deployment of 76 DES and 74 BMS. Patient demographics, comorbidities, stenosis severity, stent diameters and lengths, periprocedural complications, imaging and duplex ultrasonography follow-up and recurrent symptoms were assessed.

Results

Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean VAO stenosis at presentation were 82.4 ± 7.2% in the DES group and 83.3 ± 7.5% in the BMS group and were reduced to 12.5 ± 4.5% and 11.3 ± 4.0%. Mean stent diameter was 3.53 ± 0.40 mm in DES and 5.05 ± 0.40 mm in BMS (p < 0.0001). Mean follow-up was 12.3 months for DES and 11.7 months for BMS. The use of DES was associated with significant lower ISR rates compared with BMS (18.4% vs. 31.1%; OR = 2.628, p = 0.021). Recurrent symptoms rates were similar in DES vs. BMS (2.6% vs 2.7%, p = 0.680). Stent type and stent diameter were independent risk factors for ISR (P = 0.026).

Conclusion

Our results suggest superior efficacy of deploying DES for the treatment of VAO stenosis with lower ISR rates as compared to BMS, but do not support significant differences in periprocedural risk and recurrent symptoms rate.
Caregiver role development in chronic disease: A qualitative study of informal caregiving for veterans with diabetes
Authors: Fields Beth , Makaroun Lena , Rodriguez Keri L , Robinson Claire , Forman Jane , Rosland Ann-Marie
Published: August 2020

Objective

Support for chronic conditions such as diabetes from friends and family positively influences health management and outcomes, but limited data exist on how and why caregivers assume specific support roles for otherwise independent aging adults. We conducted a qualitative study to examine the nature of caregivers’ roles in supporting Veterans’ management of a chronic condition and caregivers’ reasons for assuming those roles, using Type 2 diabetes as an example.

Methods

Thirty-two interviews were conducted with Veterans with Type 2 diabetes (n = 20) and their caregivers (n = 12). Two coders independently analyzed interview transcripts using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Three central roles of caregivers in diabetes management were described: direct care support, memory support/care organizer, and advocate. Three explanations for assuming caregiving roles emerged: changes in patient health, natural evolution of family roles, and caregivers’ health care experience or training.

Discussion

Understanding what roles caregivers fill and why is critical to designing services to support caregivers in helping improve chronic health condition management for aging adults.
An exploratory investigation into the reception of verbal and video feedback provided to players in an Australian Football League club
Authors: Mason Robert J , Farrow Damian , Hattie John AC
Published: August 2020

Coach observation studies commonly examine training and competition environments, with little attention paid to the ways in which coaches provide video feedback in a performance analysis setting. In addition, few studies have considered the reception of feedback by an athlete, or the characteristics of the athlete that may support or hinder feedback reception. The purposes of this study were threefold. First, to examine the characteristics of feedback provided by a coach during a typical video feedback meeting. Second, to measure the impact of this feedback on athlete learning. Third, to consider a range of learner characteristics that may impact feedback reception. Six coaches and six players affiliated with an Australian Football League (AFL) club were recruited. Coach-player dyads were observed in one-to-one video feedback meetings following a game played in the 2017 season. Players were interviewed to test feedback recall. Players also completed a series of tests designed to measure learner characteristics, with the intention of discovering moderating factors of the relationship between feedback and learning outcomes. Rates of feedback generally mirrored those found in previous studies. Coaches provided nearly 30 feedback messages during each meeting. Players recalled 50% of summarised feedback messages but just 6% of all feedback a week later. A ceiling effect on learner characteristics was observed. The paper presents a novel design for examining feedback effectiveness while considering learner characteristics. Given the findings on feedback quantity and recall, coaches are encouraged to adopt a ‘less is more’ approach to providing feedback.
Memantine treatment reduces the incidence of flaccid paralysis in a zika virus mouse model of temporary paralysis with similarities to Guillain-Barré syndrome
Authors: Siddharthan Venkatraman , Wang Hong , de Oliveira Alexandre LR , Dai Xin , Morrey John D
Published: August 2020

Clinical evidence suggests that Zika virus contributes to Guillain-Barré syndrome that causes temporary paralysis. We utilized a recently described Zika virus mouse model of temporary flaccid paralysis to address the hypothesis that treatment with an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, memantine, can reduce the incidence of paralysis. Aged interferon alpha/beta-receptor knockout mice were used because of their sublethal susceptibility to Zika virus infection. Fifteen to twenty-five percent of mice infected with a Puerto Rico strain of Zika virus develop acute flaccid paralysis beginning at days 8–9 and peaked at days 10–12. Mice recover from paralysis within a week of onset. In two independent studies, twice daily oral administration of memantine at 60 mg/kg/day on days 4 through 9 after viral challenge significantly reduced the incidence of paralysis. No efficacy was observed with treatments from days 9 through 12. Memantine treatment in cell culture or mice did not affect viral titers. These data indicate that early treatment of memantine before onset of paralysis is efficacious, but treatments beyond the onset of paralysis were not efficacious. The effect of this N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist on the incidence of Zika virus-induced paralysis may provide guidance for investigations on the mechanism of paralysis.