bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Study of a Tablet-Based Emotion Regulation Intervention for Early Adolescents
Authors: Houck Christopher , Modrowski Crosby A. , Hadley Wendy , Barker David , Myers Valerie , Bala Kelsey , Wickham Brittany , Jerrod Tiffany
Published: June 2022

Objective:

This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of internet-based Talking About Risk and Adolescent Choices (iTRAC), a tablet intervention designed to promote emotion regulation (ER) skills among middle schoolers as a strategy for reducing risk behaviors.

Methods:

Adolescents (12–14 years) were recruited from 3 urban US schools for advisory groups (n = 15), acceptability testing (n = 11), and pilot testing (n = 85). Youth advisory boards and expert panels tailored content, resulting in an animated intervention of instructional videos, games, and activities designed to teach ER strategies to young adolescents. Eighty-five adolescents were randomized to the 4-module digital iTRAC intervention or a wait-list control group. Adolescents and 1 parent completed baseline and 3-month follow-up questionnaires examining ER attitudes and behaviors; adolescents also completed behavioral tasks related to distress tolerance.

Results:

Among those randomized to iTRAC, 88% completed all modules. Moderate effect sizes (d ≥ 0.36) were found from baseline to follow-up on adolescents' beliefs in the controllability of emotions, awareness of emotions, self-efficacy for managing emotions, perceived access to ER strategies, and use of ER strategies. Parent measures of adolescent regulation showed mixed results.

Conclusion:

A digital intervention to enhance ER skills for youth in early adolescence was feasible and demonstrated promising indicators of impact on emotional competence. Increasing adolescents' awareness of and access to ER strategies could reduce decisions driven by transient emotions, which in turn may reduce engagement in risk behaviors and resultant negative health outcomes. This brief tablet-based intervention has the potential to be self-administered and used to increase emotional competency.
Fingertip Injuries Outcome Score
Authors: Jerome J. Terrence Jose , Malshikare Vijay A.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Fingertip injury reconstruction aims to restore function and appearance. We report our new fingertip injuries outcome score (FIOS) based on finger length, bone consolidation, nail aesthetics, sensation, range of motion, grip strength, and return to work to evaluate the functional outcome of fingertip injuries.

Methods:

We analyzed the reliability and validity of the FIOS in 199 fingertip injuries of varying size, shape, and contours involving soft tissues and the bone. Semi-occlusive dressings and various reconstructive procedures were done based on the geometry. The FIOS had 10 items and specific scores.

Results:

The mean follow-up of our study was 26.8 months (range, 18–66 months). We classified the results based on the FIOS. A value of 12 or more is considered excellent; 13–18 is good; 19–24 is fair; and greater than 24 is poor. Excellent or good results were achieved in 186 cases. Nine cases had fair results, and four had poor results. We found the FIOS significantly reliable, consistent (Cronbach’s alpha 0.796), reproducible, and valid (ANOVA P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

FIOS is a simple, reliable, and meaningful method to assess the outcome of fingertip injuries. It is clinically relevant and remains a comparison tool for evaluating the efficiencies of treatment.
The Effect of Acupressure on Sleep Quality of Older People in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities
Authors: Hmwe Nant Thin Thin , Browne Graeme , Mollart Lyndall , Allanson Viv , Chan Sally Wai-Chi
Published: June 2022

This study investigated the effects of acupressure on sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and quality of life among older people in Australia. Acupressure improved overall subjective sleep quality and anxiety but no differences in depression and quality of life. Future studies with larger sample sizes are required to generate good evidence.
The anterior head of deltoid in relation to anterior clavicle plating: how much are we releasing?
Authors: Black Sarah , Snoap Tyler , Christiansen Eric , Roberts Jason , Stehlik Kevin A.
Published: June 2022

Objective:

Middle to distal-third clavicular shaft fractures are commonly treated with precontoured anterior plating. Some surgeons use mini-fragment plate fixation and position these plates on the anterior clavicle. Recent studies demonstrated the advantages of anterior clavicle plating, including a possible biomechanical advantage with cantilever bending forces and less subsequent implant removal. The insertion and positioning of anteriorly based clavicle plates requires the release of a portion of the anterior deltoid origin from the lateral clavicle. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anatomy of the deltoid in relation to the clavicle and to determine the percentage of the deltoid origin released to place modern anterior precontoured plates.

Methods:

Six right and 4 left cadaver shoulders were dissected, each from separate cadaveric specimens (6 male and 4 female). All measurements were made with digital calipers. The length of the clavicle was measured from the acromioclavicular joint to the sternoclavicular joint. The length of deltoid origin on the lateral clavicle was measured from the acromioclavicular joint to the most medial attachment of the deltoid on the clavicle. Percentage of clavicle with deltoid origin was subsequently calculated.

Results:

The average length of the cadaveric clavicles was 164.4 mm with a range from 134.3 to 178.1 mm. The average amount of deltoid origin on the clavicle was 58.7 mm with a range from 43.4 to 69 mm. On average 35.5% of the clavicle had deltoid origin, with a range from 30.2% to 38.8%.

Conclusion:

On average, 35.5% of the clavicular osseous anatomy contains deltoid origin. This should be taken into consideration when performing anterior plating for clavicle fractures. With a significant portion of deltoid origin elevated, surgeons may consider altering postoperative protocols until some interval healing has occurred to this anterior head of the deltoid.
An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 among residents of a senior housing apartment building in Massachusetts
Authors: Selser Victoria M. , Saunders Lauren E. , Hoover Catherine M. , Seung Kwonjune J.
Published: June 2022

Independent senior housing is a high risk setting for COVID-19 and should be prioritized for outbreak investigation and response. During a COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts from December 2021 to January 2022, 47% of residents in a 31-unit independent senior housing apartment building in Massachusetts were infected. Residents that had received a booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine had a lower attack rate than those who had received two doses. Comprehensive response campaigns that include education, testing, treatment referrals, and vaccination can be effective at reducing morbidity and mortality and preventing future outbreaks.
Knowledge, attitudes, practices and epidemiological profile of Muslim faithful receiving Covid-19 vaccines in Yaounde,Cameroon
Authors: Amani Adidja , Atembeh-Noura Efietngab , Fabrice Zobel Cheuyem Lekeumo , Souaibou Moussa , Kamgno Joseph , Cecile Bissek Anne
Published: June 2022

In the response strategy against the Covid-19 pandemic, Cameroon has used to date, two types of vaccine namely: Sinopharm, Covishield/AstraZeneca. The objective of this study is to determine the KAP and the epidemiological profile of Muslim faithful receiving the Covid-19 vaccine at Mosque Biyem-Assi, Yaounde-Cameroon. Data on COVID-19, vaccination, and clinical characteristics were collected. A total of 58 participants took part in the first survey and equally received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine of their choice. The majority of the participants were females (n =32, 55.2%), 37.9% were 50 years and over and 43.1% had a university degree. Overall score was 78.41% for knowledge, 92.8% for perceptions and 48.3% for practices. Despite the availability and gratuity only half of the Participants reported to have carried out their COVID-19 test ever since the pandemic started. Out of 40 (69.0) participants who have heard stories concerning the vaccines, 39.7% suggested that they COVID-19 vaccines can protect us from the disease. Also, out of the 58 participants who received their first dose of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, 36 of them came for their second shot amounting for a 62% complete vaccination rate. Headache, pain and heaviness of the injected arm were the most frequently reported side effects following participants first shot. The mobile based strategy could be the best solution to increase vaccine uptake in Cameroon.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effect of Self-Assembling Peptide P11-4 on Initial Caries Lesions
Authors: Keeper Jeremy Horst , Skaret Laura J , Thakkar-Samtani Madhuli , Heaton Lisa J. , Sutherland Courtney , Vela Kathryn , Amaechi Bennett T. , Jablonski-Momeni Anahita , Young Douglas A , MacLean Jeanette , Weyant Robert J , Zandona Andrea Ferreira , Zero Domenick , Sohn Woosung , Pitts Nigel , Frantsve-Hawley Julie
Published: June 2022

Background

Dental caries remains a global problem that causes disproportionate suffering in underserved populations. Simple interventions are needed to improve patient experience, clinical and cost-effectiveness, and access to care. The self-assembling peptide P11-4 is a recently developed, non-invasive treatment that regenerates enamel in initial caries lesions.

Studies reviewed

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of the P11-4 products Curodont™ Repair (CR) and Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus (CRFP) on initial caries lesions. Primary outcomes were lesion progression after 24 months, caries arrest, and cavitation. Secondary outcomes were changes in merged International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) score, Quantitative Light Fluorescence, esthetic appearance, and lesion size.

Results

Six clinical trials comparing CR to controls met the inclusion criteria. Results of this review represent two primary and two secondary outcomes. When compared to parallel groups, CR improved caries arrest (RR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.50; 45% attributable risk; 95% CI: 24 to 60%) and decreased lesion size by 32% (Hedge’s g: -0.59; CI: -1.03 to -0.15). We observed positive trends for avoiding cavitation (RR: 0.32; CI: 0.10 to 1.06) and lowering merged ICDAS score (RR: 3.68; CI: 0.42 to 32.3). No studies used CRFP or reported adverse esthetic changes.

Practical implications

CR has a treatment effect on caries arrest and decreased lesion size. Two trials contributing to the caries arrest result had non-masked assessors, and all trials had elevated risks of bias. We recommend conducting longer trials. CR is a promising treatment for initial caries lesions.
CCR4-NOT subunit CCF-1/CNOT7 interacts with the PAL-1/CDX-1 transcription factor to regulate multiple stress responses in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Tabarraei Hadi , Waddell Brandon M. , Raymond Kelly , Murray Sydney M. , Wang Ying , Choe Keith P. , Wu Cheng-Wei
Published: June 2022

CCR4-NOT is a versatile eukaryotic protein complex that controls multiple steps in gene expression regulation from synthesis to decay. In yeast, CCR4-NOT has been implicated in stress response regulation, though this function in other organisms remains unclear. In a genome-wide RNAi screen, we identified a subunit of the CCR4-NOT complex, ccf-1, as a requirement for the C. elegans transcriptional response to cadmium and acrylamide stress. Using whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing, we show that knockdown of ccf-1 attenuates the activation of a broad range of stress protective genes in response to cadmium and acrylamide, including those encoding heat shock proteins and glutathione s-transferases. Consistently, survival assays show that knockdown of ccf-1 decreases C. elegans stress resistance. A yeast-2-hybrid screen using a CCF-1 bait identified the homeobox transcription factor PAL-1 as a physical interactor. Knockdown of pal-1 inhibits the activation of ccf-1 dependent stress genes and reduces C. elegans stress resistance. Gene expression analysis reveals that knockdown of pal-1 down-regulates the mRNA levels of elt-2 and elt-3, which serves as the master transcriptional co-regulators of stress response in the C. elegans intestinal and epidermal tissues respectively. These results reveal a new role for CCR4-NOT in stress response regulation with PAL-1 through the transcriptional control of elt-2 and elt-3 in C. elegans.
Socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and hypertension prevalence of the older adults in China
Authors: Li Jun , Wei Meng , Han Xiao , Wang Hongman
Published: June 2022

Aims

To examine the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and hypertension prevalence among the older adults in China.

Method

We used the panel data of the three rounds (2006, 2009, and 2011) of the China Nutrition and Health Survey to examine the relationship adjusted for lifestyle factors by multi-level logistic regression.

Results

Income and urbanicity levels are associated with hypertension in men. Men with low and middle income and living in low and middle urbanicity areas are more likely to have hypertension. Income and education are associated with hypertension in women. Women with low or middle income are more likely to have hypertension; women with lower education levels are less likely to have hypertension; women who never attended school are nearly as prone to get the disease as those who had high school or above education.

Conclusion

Income, and community urbanicity level are reversely correlated with hypertension prevalence among older Chinese men and women; hypertension prevalence rates of older Chinese women vary by education levels without a gradient.
Creating value for patients through service encounter experiences: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Akin Mahmut Selami , Okumuş Abdullah
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The study aims to guide private healthcare organizations to create value for patients through service encounters (SE) based on the value-in-use notion. It also intends to reveal whether SE experiences differ from reputation levels of hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

Research embraces mixed methods for building theoretical construction and sampling, seven hospital managers and two private hospitals were interviewed and selected via analytical hierarchical process. A number of 1,023 valid data were obtained from patients through survey. Structural equation modeling, PROCESS macro and multigroup analysis were used to test for research model.

Findings

Call center experience among pre-core SE affected patient satisfaction positively and behavioral intention indirectly; however, online and social experiences did not. As core SE, physician and nursing interaction, trust, accessibility and perceived sufficient waiting positively influenced patient satisfaction and behavioral intention, though physical evidence and supportive staff interaction did not. In the post-core stage, patient satisfaction positively impacts behavioral intention. Additionally, those effects were equivalent for high and low reputations.

Originality/value

Study uniquely attempts to shift the paradigm from value-in-exchange to value-in-use in private healthcare context by embracing SE approach. Research differs from others by revealing the remarkable role of intangible assets instead of tangibles on holistic patient experience, essential for creating and managing value for patients.
A systematic review of rural resilience
Authors: Li Yuheng
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Rural resilience plays an important role in maintaining rural stability and people's living standards in the face of risks and unexpected challenges. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the concept and mechanism of rural resilience and discuss how rural resilience is measured and to propose ways to improve rural resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review of the theoretical interpretations and empirical studies of rural resilience are conducted in the paper.

Findings

Resilience acts in the process as rural communities respond to risks and disturbances so as to maintain system stability and minimize the loss. Rural resilience consists of the capacity of resistance, adaptation and transformation. Promoting multifunctional transformation, exercising bottom-up planning and enhancing social capital are proposed to improve rural resilience.

Originality/value

The study of the paper makes comprehensive review of rural resilience in the context of rural interaction with the changing external environment. The study contributes to the understanding of rural evolution and helps to initiate feasible ways to achieve rural revival.
Revisiting congruence effects in diversity research: views of diversity initiatives and experiences of belonging in a New Zealand healthcare organization
Authors: Kuntz Joana R.C. , Pandaram Shalini
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study drew on person-organization fit and ideological psychological contract theories to test whether inclusiveness, operationalized as sense of belonging, could be explained by congruence/discrepancy between employees' personal value of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and employees' views of perceived organizational commitment to these initiatives. The study also examined whether sense of belonging, and perspectives of DEI initiatives, differed between majority [New Zealand European (NZE)] and minority [Māori/Pasifika (MP)] workers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 771 employees from a New Zealand healthcare organization completed an online survey. Further to mean difference tests to contrast majority and minority group experiences, polynomial regressions with response surface methodology were conducted to examine congruence effects on sense of belonging.

Findings

While MP workers attributed greater personal value to DEI initiatives and viewed the organization as prioritizing these initiatives compared to NZ European (NZE) workers, MP workers experienced a lower sense of belonging. Further, the authors' results show that congruence at higher levels of personal and organizational importance ascribed to DEI initiatives was associated with greater sense of belonging. Contrary to the deficiency-based discrepancy effect proposed, the lowest levels of belonging were experienced at low levels of organizational commitment to DEI, regardless of personal diversity value. Additionally, MP were more susceptible to ideological psychological contract breach than NZE workers.

Practical implications

The authors' study highlights that while positive diversity climate perceptions are closely linked to perceptions of inclusion, organizations will discern the factors that contribute to or undermine inclusiveness by also gaging personal value DEI initiatives and the unique experiences of minority and majority groups.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the effect of diversity-related value congruence on employees' sense of belonging, and to uncover racioethnic differences in these effects.
Analysis of conjugate heat transfer for forced convective flow through wavy minichannel
Authors: Borah Abhijit , Mehta Sumit Kumar , Pati Sukumar
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze numerically forced convective conjugate heat transfer characteristics for laminar flow through a wavy minichannel.

Design/methodology/approach

The mass and momentum conservation equations for the flow of water in the fluidic domain and the coupled energy conservation equations in both the fluid and solid domain are solved numerically using the finite element method. The exteriors of both the walls are subjected to a uniform heat flux.

Findings

The results reveal that the theoretical model without consideration of the effect of wall thickness always predicts a lower value of average Nusselt number (

Nu¯) as compared to the case of conjugate analysis, although it varies with the thickness as well as material of the wall. For the low amplitude of the wall (α = 0.2), the performance factor (PF) becomes very high for Re in the regime of 5 (⩽) Re (⩽) 15. For any geometrical configurations, conjugate heat transfer analysis predicts higher PF as compared to that of nonconjugate analysis.

Practical implications

The present study finds relevance in several applications, such as solar collectors and heat exchangers used in chemical industries and heating-ventilation and air-conditioning, etc.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the analysis of combined influences of the thickness and the material of the wall of the channel together with the geometrical parameters of the channel, namely, amplitude and wavelength on the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics for flow through wavy minichannel in the laminar regime is reported first time in the literature.
Do tourists’ responsible behaviors shape their local food consumption intentions? An examination via the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Balıkçıoğlu Dedeoğlu Sevgi , Eren Duygu , Sahin Percin Nilufer , Aydin Şule
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is to reveal how the local food consumption intentions of international tourists are influenced by core variables of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The secondary purpose is to explore the moderating role of responsible tourist behavior in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research was conducted on international tourists visiting Antalya, Turkey. The research data, collected from a total of 457 respondents, were tested and analyzed via partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Attitudes toward local food and perceived behavioral control have a positive and significant impact on local food consumption intention. Also, responsible tourist behavior has a moderating effect on both the relationship between attitude toward local food and local food consumption intention and the relationship between subjective norms and local food consumption intention.

Practical implications

In their advertising campaigns, destination management organizations (DMOs) and local restaurants should prepare more sentimental advertising content by further focusing on nonrenewable limited resources of the destination and addressing tourists’ role in consuming the limited resources in question. Thus, tourists’ sense of responsibility toward destinations may be increased, possibly stimulating enhancement in their local food consumption intentions.

Originality/value

This study explores the role of responsible tourist behavior in the construct of local food consumption through the lens of TPB. Said construct was included in the local food consumption intention model. This endeavor has paved the way for unraveling the interaction between responsible tourist behavior, attitudes and subjective norms, all of which are fundamental elements of the TPB toward increasing local food consumption intentions. This constitutes a remarkable contribution in understanding the local food consumption behavior of tourists. Moreover, because local food will be consumed in local restaurants located in the destinations, understanding the local food consumption intentions of tourists will enable local restaurants to develop innovative products by focusing on local food.
Why do academics hide knowledge after coworker ostracism? A moderated mediation model based on relational identification and perceived harming intention
Authors: Fatima Tehreem , Bilal Ahmad Raza , Imran Muhammad Kashif , Ayub Arslan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Coworker relationships are important in every organization and especially in higher educational institutions (HEIs); however, ostracism is one of the factors that deteriorate these relationships. This study aims to analyse the impact of coworker ostracism on coworker directed knowledge hiding through the mediating role of relational identification and the moderating role of perceived harming intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 241 teaching faculty members working in HEIs of Lahore were surveyed. By using the bootstrapping technique, mediation and moderated mediation analysis was conducted via PROCESS models 4 and 7.

Findings

The results concluded that perceived harming intention moderates the indirect relationship between coworker ostracism and coworker-directed knowledge hiding through relational identification with coworkers. Such that when more harmful intention is perceived the impact of coworker ostracism on coworker-directed knowledge hiding through reduced relational identification would be stronger.

Practical implications

This study offers managerial implications for HEIs management and faculty for reducing coworker ostracism, improving relational identification and training about attribution techniques to minimize the impact of ostracism on knowledge hiding.

Originality/value

This study has complimented and augmented the research strand of ostracism and knowledge hiding research from emphasizing lateral workplace relationships. Intertwining the Conservation of Resources Theory with Attribution theory a novel insight into the above-stated association is illuminated through the mediating role of relational capital and moderating role of perceived harming intention.
Design and performance analysis of an adaptive omnidirectional wheel for heavy payload robot
Authors: Ye Changlong , Du Yunfei , Yu Suyang , Zhao Qiang , Jiang Chunying
Published: June 2022

Purpose

With the development of automation technology, the accuracy, bearing capacity and self-adaptation requirements of wheeled mobile robots are more and more demanding under various complex conditions, which will urge designers such shortcomings as the low accuracy, poor flexibility and weak obstacle crossing ability of traditional heavy haul vehicles and improve the wear resistance and bearing capacity of traditional omnidirectional wheels.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimal configuration for heavy payload transportation is obtained by building sliding friction consumption model of traditional wheels with different driving types based on Hertz tangential contact theory. The heavy payload omnidirectional wheel with a double-wheel steering and a coupled differential wheel driving is designed with the optimal configuration. The wheel consists of a differential gear train unit and a nonindependent suspension unit. Kinematics model of the wheel is established and relative parameters are optimized.

Findings

The prototype experiments show that the wheel has higher motion accuracy and environment adaptability. The results are consistent with the theoretical calculation, which show that the accuracy is more than 50% higher than that of differential prototype. The motion stability and the accuracy of the coupled differential omnidirectional wheel are better than those of the traditional omnidirectional wheels during the moving and obstacle crossing process under complex conditions, which verifies the correctness and advantages of the design.

Originality/value

Aiming at the specific application of heavy payload omnidirectional transportation, a new omnidirectional mobile mechanism with a two-wheel coupling drive structure and an adaptive mechanism is proposed. The simulation and experimental results show that it can realize the high-precision heavy-load omnidirectional movement, the effective contact with the ground and improve the adaptability to the rugged ground. It is flexible, simple and modular and can be widely applied to transportation, exploration, detection and other related industrial fields.
Change in alcohol demand following a brief intervention predicts change in alcohol use: A latent growth curve analysis
Authors: Gex Kathryn S. , Acuff Samuel F. , Campbell Kevin W. , Mun Eun‐Young , Dennhardt Ashley A. , Borsari Brian , Martens Matthew P. , Murphy James G.
Published: June 2022

Background

The association between behavioral economic demand and various alcohol use outcomes is well established. However, few studies have examined whether changes in demand occur following a brief alcohol intervention (BAI), and whether this change predicts alcohol outcomes over the long term.

Methods

Parallel process piecewise latent growth curve models were examined in a sample of 393 heavy drinking emerging adults (60.8% women; 85.2% white; Mage = 18.77). In these models, two linear slopes represented rates of change in alcohol use, heavy drinking episodes, alcohol‐related problems, and demand (intensity and highest expenditure across all price points or Omax) from baseline to 1 month (slope 1) and 1 month to 16 months (slope 2). Mediation analyses were conducted to estimate the effect of a BAI on 16‐month alcohol outcomes through slope 1 demand.

Results

A two‐session BAI predicted significant reductions in all five outcomes from baseline to 1‐month follow‐up. Although no further reduction was observed from the 1‐month to the 16‐month follow‐up, there was no regression to baseline levels. Slope 1 demand intensity, but not Omax, significantly mediated the association between BAI and both outcomes—heavy drinking episodes (Est. = −0.23, SE = 0.08, p < 0.01) and alcohol‐related problems (Est. = −0.15, SE = 0.07, p < 0.05)—at the 16‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions

Reducing high valuation of alcohol among heavy drinking emerging adults within the first month following BAI is critical for the long‐term efficacy of the intervention. A two‐session BAI was associated with enduring reductions in alcohol demand, and the change in demand intensity, but not Omax, was associated with sustained reductions in heavy drinking and alcohol‐related problems.
Research and Development Expenditure, Audit Fees, and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Evidence from Chinese Listed Firms*
Authors: Zhang Yi
Published: June 2022

This study of Chinese listed firms from 2008 to 2018 shows that research and development (R&D) expenditure is associated with increased audit fees. However, corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure can attenuate this fee increase, especially in firms with an opaque information environment, high risks, and non‐high‐ and new‐technology enterprises. These findings are robust to the use of proxies and instrumental variables, propensity score matching, and controlling for firm fixed effects and CSR performance. This study contributes to the understanding of the economic consequences of R&D activities, determinants of audit fees, and CSR disclosure.
Short‐ and long‐term outcomes of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer: A single‐center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yamanashi Takahiro , Miura Hirohisa , Tanaka Toshimichi , Watanabe Akiko , Goto Takuya , Yokoi Keigo , Kojo Ken , Niihara Masahiro , Hosoda Kei , Kaizu Takashi , Yamashita Keishi , Sato Takeo , Kumamoto Yusuke , Hiki Naoki , Naitoh Takeshi
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Whether rectal cancer surgery by robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery provides beneficial advantages remains controversial. Although favorable outcomes in terms of the safety and technical feasibility of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery have been demonstrated for rectal cancer, long‐term oncological outcomes for robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery have only been examined in a few studies. This retrospective study of subjects who underwent robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery evaluated short‐ and long‐term outcomes of consecutive rectal cancer patients.

Methods

Between November 2016 and January 2020, we analyzed the records of 62 consecutive patients who underwent robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery for rectal adenocarcinoma without distant metastasis to evaluate short‐ and long‐term outcomes.

Results

Tumors were located in the lower or mid‐rectum (88.7%) in most patients. The median operative time was 357 min. No patient received transfusions, and the median blood loss was 10.5 ml. Open laparotomy was not required in any patient. A Clavien–Dindo classification of all grades was observed in 12 patients (19.4%). Positive radial margin was not observed in any patient. Duration of median follow‐up was 40.5 mo, while 3‐y overall survival and 3‐y relapse‐free survival rates were 96.8% and 85.0%, respectively. The local recurrence rate was 3.4%.

Conclusion

Favorable short‐ and long‐term outcomes demonstrated robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery was safe and technically feasible for rectal cancer.
Metabolomic profiling of cerebrospinal fluid reveals an early diagnostic model for central nervous system involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Song Zhiqiang , Tang Gusheng , Zhuang Chunlin , Wang Yang , Wang Mian , Lv Diya , Lu Guihua , Meng Jie , Xia Min , Zhu Zhenyu , Chai Yifeng , Yang Jianmin , Liu Yue
Published: June 2022

The pathogenesis of central nervous system involvement (CNSI) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) remains unclear and a robust biomarker of early diagnosis is missing. An untargeted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolomics analysis was performed to identify independent risk biomarkers that could diagnose CNSI at the early stage. Thirty‐three significantly altered metabolites between ALL patients with and without CNSI were identified, and a CNSI evaluation score (CES) was constructed to predict the risk of CNSI based on three independent risk factors (8‐hydroxyguanosine, l‐phenylalanine and hypoxanthine). This predictive model could diagnose CNSI with positive prediction values of 95.9% and 85.6% in the training and validation sets respectively. Moreover, CES score increased with the elevated level of central nervous system (CNSI) involvement. In addition, we validated this model by tracking the changes in CES at different stages of CNSI, including before CNSI and during CNSI, and in remission after CNSI. The CES showed good ability to predict the progress of CNSI. Finally, we constructed a nomogram to predict the risk of CNSI in clinical practice, which performed well compared with observed probability. This unique CSF metabolomics study may help us understand the pathogenesis of CNSI, diagnose CNSI at the early stage, and sequentially achieve personalized precision treatment.
Ganoderic acid A improves osteoarthritis by regulating RANKL/OPG ratio
Authors: Wu Wenxiao , Song Kun , Chen Guangdong , Liu Ning , Cao Tongjun
Published: June 2022

Ganoderma mushrooms have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in East Asia. Whether Ganoderic acid A (GAA), the natural product extracted from Ganoderma, could be utilized to alleviate osteoarthritis (OA) is investigated in this study. Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model was constructed to reveal the in vivo effect of GAA. We found that GAA could significantly alleviate the pathology of DMM, as confirmed by the diminished maximum histologic scores. On the contrary, GAA could down‐regulate the relative expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and up‐regulate the relative expression of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL) in DMM cartilage and human articular chondrocytes (HC‐A) cells with diminished matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP‐13) secretion in the synovial fluid. It was further demonstrated that the serum concentration of OPG was correlated with the severity of osteoarthritis. All these data reveal that GAA could improve OA by regulating the RANKL/OPG ratio to inhibit the secretion of MMP‐13.
Sociocultural variables have a major impact on participation in patients treated for paediatric posterior fossa tumours
Authors: Hoffmann‐Lamplmair Doris , Gram Alexandra , Krottendorfer Kerstin , Peyrl Andreas , Leiss Ulrike , Czech Thomas , Slavc Irene , Pletschko Thomas
Published: June 2022

Background

This study investigates the severeness of participation barriers in patients surviving paediatric posterior fossa tumours (PFT) many years after treatment. In the past, aetiological studies on adverse outcome have primarily focused on pathobiological risk factors. The current analysis aims to investigate the importance of environmental variables.

Methods

On average, 10 years after diagnosis, educational and social difficulties of 42 patients surviving paediatric PFT (mean age 17 years) were inquired using a self‐constructed questionnaire following the Psychosocial Resource‐Orientated Assessment (PREDI). Educational or social participation barriers were defined by self‐ and/or proxy‐reported difficulties in school or in peer relationships. Accordingly, the children and adolescents were categorized into groups of adequate and limited participation. Subsequently, the study identified potential pathobiological (treatment type, hydrocephalus, tumour relapse, gender, age at diagnosis, seizures and cerebellar mutism) and environmental (parental and maternal education, siblings, main language, discrepancies between personal and environmental values, regular physical activity and private living space) risk factors and investigated whether patients with adequate and limited participation differed in the number of risk factors.

Results

Almost one decade after treatment, two thirds of patients experienced educational and/or social difficulties. Patients with limited participation were more frequently associated with environmental factors such as low maternal education degree, siblings, main language other than German, discrepancies between societal and personal values and irregular physical activity, as well as the pathobiological risk factors treatment type, hydrocephalus, tumour relapse, cerebellar mutism and seizures. These variables significantly discriminated between patients with and without limited participation.

Conclusions

Limited participation in patients treated for paediatric PFT is common. Next to pathobiological, also environmental risk factors play a major role in educational and social participation barriers. This highlights the fact that solely considering pathobiology is not sufficient when investigating risk factors for the emergence of late sequelae. Future aetiological studies must adopt a biopsychosocial perspective.
Iatrogenic injury of the urinary tract during salvage procedures for pelvic sepsis: Experience of a national referral centre
Authors: Joosten Johanna J. , Sharabiany Sarah , Musters Gijsbert D. , Beerlage Harrie P. , Tanis Pieter J. , Bemelman Wilhelmus A. , Hompes Roel
Published: June 2022

Aim

This study aimed to determine the incidence, consequences and outcomes of iatrogenic urinary tract injury (IUI) during salvage surgery for pelvic sepsis.

Method

Patients who underwent salvage surgery for pelvic sepsis after prior low anterior resection or Hartmann's procedure for rectal cancer were prospectively maintained in a database between 2010 and 2020 and reviewed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was the incidence of IUI. Secondary endpoints were timing of diagnosis (intra‐ vs. postoperative), reinterventions related to the IUI and healing of IUI.

Results

In total 126 consecutive patients were included, and IUI occurred in 13 patients (10%). A ureteric injury occurred in eight patients, bladder injury in four patients and a urethral injury in one patient. All patients with an IUI had radiotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment. The IUI was diagnosed postoperatively in 63% (n = 8/13) with a median duration between surgery and diagnosis of the IUI of 10 days (IQR: 6–15). The median number of reinterventions was five (range 1–31) in the group with a postoperative diagnosis and one (range 0–1) in the group with an intraoperative diagnosis. Four patients required a surgical reintervention, all concerning injuries diagnosed postoperatively. At the end of follow‐up, 85% of patients (n = 11/13) had a healed IUI.

Conclusion

Iatrogenic urinary tract injury is not uncommon in salvage procedures for pelvic sepsis, even in an experienced tertiary referral centre. Most injuries were diagnosed postoperatively which affects the severity of these complications, emphasising the need to improve intraoperative diagnostic modalities.
Fatigue behaviors of a titanium alloy in the VHCF regime based on a vibration‐based bending fatigue test
Authors: Xu Wei , Chen Xin , Gao Zhiyuan , Li Ying , He Yuhuai , Tao Chunhu
Published: June 2022

A vibration‐based bending fatigue test based on electrodynamic shaker is conducted in order to study the high cycle and very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) behaviors of a titanium alloy TC17 with a sort of novel specimens. After obtaining a full S‐N curve covering the lifetime up to 109 cycles, several fatigue crack initiation and failure process modes are revealed based on the observation of the fracture surfaces. Especially, the statistical distribution characteristics of the fatigue lifetime and some relevant factors are discussed. The results indicate that the obtained S‐N curve does not exhibit a plateau region in the VHCF regime. And the present crack initiation mechanism involves the facets formed by the primary α‐phase cleavage and the development of microcracks. Moreover, the scatter of the fatigue lifetime can be obviously influenced by the resonance frequency range of the specimens.
Effect of oxygen and fluorine plasma surface treatment of silicon‐incorporated diamond‐like carbon coatings on cellular responses of mouse fibroblasts
Authors: Riley Parand R. , Yang Kai‐Hung , Liu Yizhong , Skoog Shelby A. , Narayan Jagdish , Narayan Roger J.
Published: June 2022

The surface chemistry of silicon‐incorporated diamond‐like carbon (Si‐DLC) was tailored utilizing oxygen and fluorine plasma treatments. Successful anchoring of oxygen and fluorine functional groups to the surface of Si‐DLC was verified using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The impact of surface modification of Si‐DLC on hydrophobicity was correlated with the viability of L929 mouse fibroblasts. The confocal microscopy and viability results indicated that oxygen‐treated Si‐DLC showed increased cell viability compared to untreated Si‐DLC and fluorine‐treated Si‐DLC samples 5 days after seeding. The increased cell viability was correlated with the conversion of the hydrophobic surface of Si‐DLC into a hydrophilic surface by oxygen plasma treatment.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurements using MIX‐RATE® X20 and VISION A automated analyzers: Method validation and comparison study
Authors: Prompetchara Eakachai , Nowaratsopon Sunudda , Wongkamchai Suppakorn , Srieakpanit Jittra , Ketloy Chutitorn
Published: June 2022

Background

The Westergren method for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurement has a few drawbacks such as being a time‐consuming process, poses a risk of biohazard exposure and requires high sample volume. Recent alternative methods and analyzers were developed to overcome those limitations. In this study, we validated two automated ESR analyzers, MIX‐RATE® X20 and VISION A, and assessed their analytical performance against the Westergren method.

Methods

The analyzers were validated for inter‐run and intra‐run precision. Hemolysis interference and sensitivity to fibrinogen were also analysed. Analytical performance was performed using 177 patient samples spanning low (<40 mm/h), medium (40–80 mm/h), and high (>80 mm/h) ESR ranges. Method agreement and bias against the Westergren method were calculated.

Results

The highest intra‐run imprecision was seen in the low ESR range for both analyzers. They showed very high agreement with the Westergren method assessed by Spearmen rank correlation coefficient analysis, r = 1.000, p < .0001 for both analyzers. Bland–Altman analysis yielded overall insignificant mean biases for all comparisons. However, systematic positive and negative bias were observed at medium and high ESR levels analysed by MIX‐RATE® X20 while negative bias was evidenced in the high ESR level measured by VISION A.

Conclusions

Overall, results from both automated ESR analyzers showed comparable analytical performance with the Westergren method especially for low ESR levels. However, both positive and negative systematic bias were documented in the high levels. Thus, for clinical use, it must be assessed whether these biases could affect the cut‐off for significant clinical values.
Photoluminescence of rare‐earth/transition metal‐doped transparent/translucent polycrystalline Al2O3 ceramics: A review
Authors: Klement Róbert , Drdlíková Katarína , Drdlík Daniel , Maca Karel
Published: June 2022

Transparent alumina doped with rare‐earth or transition metal oxides represents a group of materials suitable for optical applications. Because of the birefringence of alumina, their preparation is demanding on the quality of starting materials, their advanced shaping, and pressure‐assisted sintering. Spark plasma sintering and hot isostatic pressing have proven at achieving pore‐free fine microstructures exhibiting high in‐line transmission and a sufficient intensity of emitted light. The present review aims to summarize the results published on this topic, to compare them and on this base to propose other possible and/or appropriate approaches to future.
Comparison of mental health outcomes of augmenting medications for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder: A national veterans affairs study
Authors: Ranney Rachel , Maguen Shira , Woods Anne , Seal Karen H. , Neylan Thomas C. , Bernardy Nancy , Wiechers Ilse , Ryder Annie , Cohen Beth E.
Published: June 2022

Rationale

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent among veterans. Many veterans with PTSD respond well to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). Nonresponders may be prescribed augmenting medications, which are not as well‐studied in PTSD.

Aims and Objectives

We used Veterans Health Administration electronic records to compare mental health outcomes (PTSD symptoms and rates of mental health hospitalizations and psychiatric emergency room visits) in patients with PTSD who were prescribed four different groups of augmenting medications (atypical antipsychotics, mirtazapine, prazosin or tricyclic antidepressants) in addition to SRIs—from the year before to the year after the start of the augmenting medication.

Method

We included data from 169,982 patients with a diagnosis of PTSD (excluding patients with comorbid bipolar or psychotic disorders) seen in Veterans Affairs care from 2007 to 2015 who were taking an SRI and filled a new prescription for one of the four augmenting medications for at least 60 days.

Results

Patients evidenced minimal (<2%) reduction in PTSD symptoms and a larger reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations and psychiatric emergency room visits after receiving augmenting medications; this effect was largely similar across the four medication groups. Initiating augmenting medications was preceded by increases in PTSD symptoms, psychiatric hospitalizations and psychiatric emergency room visits. After initiating an augmenting medication, PTSD symptoms/hospitalizations/emergency room visits returned to baseline levels (before the start of the augmenting medication), but generally did not improve beyond baseline.

Conclusion

Importantly, these effects could be explained by regression to the mean, additional interventions or confounding. These findings should be further explored with placebo controlled randomized clinical trials.