bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Psychosocial Study of Albinism in a Predominately Mulatto Caribbean Community
Authors: Westhoff Wayne
Published: March 2020

Psychosocial data collected from 12 albinos in rural and isolated parts of the Dominican Republic suggest a stigma is associated with the absence of skin color. The general population living in the area has a skin pigmentation of dark brown. The purpose of the investigation was to assess whether there were psychosocial problems for albinos with white skin and hair. Prior studies imply albinism is a negative social characteristic associated with prejudice and apartheid in a predominately mulatto community. This researcher recommends that psychologists and health-care providers be familiar with similar sensitive issues among special populations.
Willingness to use Social Support: Use of the Network Orientation Scale with Black South African Students
Authors: Pretorius T. Brian
Published: March 2020

This study focused on the psychometric properties of the Network Orientation Scale as used with South African students. This scale presumably measures an individual's willingness to use personal social resources. 450 black South African students completed the Network Orientation Scale, a biographical questionnaire, and a number of social support questionnaires. The instrument showed good internal consistency and scores correlated significantly (- .09 to - .53) with all the social support scales. In addition, correlations of the Network Orientation Scale scores with a number of demographic variables are reported.
Psychometric Properties of Scales for the Measurement of Psychosocial Variables Associated with Depression in Adolescence1
Authors: Andrews Judy A. , Lewinsohn Peter M. , Hops Hyman , Roberts Robert E.
Published: March 2020

In preparation for a community-based study of depression in adolescence, several pilot studies were conducted with samples of adolescents. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the reliability and association with depression of several instruments when used with older (14- to 18-year-old) adolescents. These instruments included measures of cognitions, body image, self-esteem, self-awareness, social interactions with peers and family, social support, micro- and macrostressful life events, anxiety and tension, positive affect, antisocial or oppositional behavior, suicidal ideation, and vocabulary. The internal consistency reliability and stability of most of the instruments were satisfactory. In addition, most instruments were associated with a measure of depression, Radloff's Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Several of the scales were successfully abbreviated using techniques based on factor analysis and item analysis.
Unpacking the advanced producer services complex in world cities: Charting professional networks, localisation economies and markets
Authors: Bassens David , Gutierrez Laura , Hendrikse Reijer , Lambert Deborah , Waiengnier Maëlys
Published: March 2020

Limited empirical evidence in support of world-city formation has been the ‘dirty little secret’ of the eponymous research area. Since the late 1990s, inspired by Sassen’s account of The Global City, the field focused on advanced producer services (APS) firms as primary actors in world-city formation. While generating robust insights into the shifting geographies of world cities, empirical attention has mostly focused on mapping inter-urban world city networks formed by APS firms. Despite a rich literature on APS clusters, the degree to which specific intra-urban agglomerations and their inter-firm connections shape up has received little systematic attention. Based on a company survey in Brussels (Belgium), our study charts interactions between APS professionals to better understand the geographies, quality and intensity of their encounters. Our findings reveal that the Brussels-based APS cluster constitutes a hybrid of an industrial complex with stable formal ties and a social network based on informal exchange. Financial services assume a central position in what might be called ‘a para-financial services complex’, revealing close ties with legal services, accountancy and audit, and ICT. Geographically, we find that the APS complex depends on fine-grained localisation economies, which allow a small share of APS professionals to service both domestic and international clients. We conclude that APS actors in Brussels exhibit a strong domestic anchoring, indicative of the continued relevance of world cities as national financial centres amidst financial globalisation.
Sexual selection and religion: Can the evolution of religion be explained in terms of mating strategies?
Authors: Van Slyke James A , Szocik Konrad
Published: March 2020

This article considers the application of sexual selection theory to the study of religion by discussing the basic concepts and theories in sexual selection and then outlines possibilities of its application to the study of the evolution of religion. The first section outlines basic principles in the sexual selection account, including the evolution of human mating strategies based on dimorphism, gender differences in human mating strategies, and the role of different cultural activities in mating dynamics. Such an overview may be useful for the readers who are less familiar with the basic assumptions of the sexual selection theory. The remaining sections demonstrate how religion may function as a signal for mating qualities associated with a long-term mating strategy and how different facets of religiosity may help to support long-term mating strategies. The key idea of the article is that there are good reasons to try to explain the evolution of at least some of the components of religion in terms of sexual selection.
“Those that are Cooking the Gins”: The Business of Ogogoro in Nigeria during the 1930s
Authors: Heap Simon
Published: March 2020

Southern Nigerians developed a habit for drinking potent distilled liquor during the 19th century. Such alcoholic beverages were manufactured in Europe and exported to the British colony of Nigeria. Nigerians did not know how to distil alcohol themselves. In the 1930s, however, the technology of alcohol distillation swept the colony, as Nigerians made drinks comparable to imported spirits: ogogoro. Ogogoro made serious headway against the long-standing imported liquor trade. The article reconstructs the extensive small-scale indigenous business of distilling. A sugar index measures the scale of the industry. Distillers succeeded in supplying the local market thirsty for strong drink with a potent, cheap product. For the colonialists, such import substitution proved problematic, as an untaxed, unlicensed product displaced a revenue-earning, highly regulated, legal trade. Condemning the locally distilled liquor as illicit gin, they battled distillers with instruments of the colonial state: by propaganda, through the courts and with police raids.
Opium, Power, People: Anthropological Understandings of an Opium Interdiction Project in Thailand
Authors: Gillogly Kathleen A.
Published: March 2020

Opium interdiction projects have dominated Thai state interactions with northern upland ethnic minority peoples since the 1970s. One of these projects, the Sam Muen Highland Development Project (SMHDP), had great success in ending opium production. This success emerged out of the participation of the most peripheral peoples in international drug markets, the producers. To understand why Lisu villagers cooperated with the Project, I examine how state power was realized through its practice in the village through the Project. Lisu had tactics and strategies available to them. They strategically adapted through household and kinship practices. They tactically cooperated through the use of Project discourse and the performance of cooperation. Participatory drug interdiction was not just a “new tyranny”; it opened up new political processes at the microlevel. However, Lisu villagers’ tactics for regaining local power were constrained by the global processes of drug control.
Methamphetamine use in Japan after the Second World War: Transformation of narratives
Authors: Sato Akihiko
Published: March 2020

Scholars have argued that post-World War II domestic disorder in Japan caused a serious methamphetamine problem, which directly led to the establishment of the Stimulant Control Law of 1951. This paper examines the process through which that Law came into effect to argue the central significance of shifting discourses surrounding methamphetamine use, especially by users themselves, and nationalist dialogue concerning secret production and the smuggling of methamphetamine. These factors worked together in the 1950s to transform contemporary understandings of methamphetamine use, and to foster state efforts to regulate it.
Humility and its Relationship to Self-condemnation, Defensiveness and Self-forgiveness Following Interpersonal Transgressions
Authors: Onody Alison P. , Woodyatt Lydia , Wenzel Michael , Cibich Mikaela , Sheldon Amanda , Cornish Marilyn A.
Published: March 2020

Ideally, following an interpersonal transgression an offender will accept responsibility, work through guilt or shame, and be willing to reconcile with the victim. However, this process can be thwarted by defensiveness or self-condemnation. We tested whether humility was associated with increased self-forgiveness, decreased self-condemnation and defensiveness, and increased willingness to reconcile. In Study 1 ( N = 302), we found trait humility was associated with higher levels of trait self-forgiveness directly and indirectly via reduced defensiveness (but not self-condemnation). In Study 2 ( N = 194), we found that trait and state humility were associated with higher levels of self-forgiveness directly and indirectly via reduced defensiveness, and through both of these, humility was positively associated with willingness to reconcile. There was also a weak positive indirect effect of humility on willingness to reconcile via reduced self-condemnation. These studies suggest that humility, long ignored in forgiveness studies, might play several crucial roles.
Apology and Restitution in a Role-play Restorative Justice Experiment: Multiple Perspectives, Multiple Measures
Authors: Kiefer Rebecca P. , Worthington Everett L. , Wenzel Michael , Woodyatt Lydia , Berry Jack W.
Published: March 2020

Restorative justice provides an alternative to retributive justice by seeking to restore criminal offenders to be responsible members of the community. Often offenders will apologize (A) and offer to make restitution (R) for the damage done. Such offers might affect all parties present by promoting forgiveness (though that is not a stated goal of restorative justice), resolution of damages, and positive attitudes toward justice. We investigated Family Group Conferencing (FGC), which involves offender, victim, and supporters of each, in a mediated 30-minute dialogue. Namely, we organized role-play simulation meetings between “victims,” “offenders,” and the “mother” of each. There were 64 participants (16 groups of 4 participants). Each group role-played a mediated FGC that was video recorded. The offender had either to apologize and offer restitution (AR) or avoid both (No AR). Questionnaires assessed forgiveness (and other outcomes) from each of the four participants’ perspectives. Coders coded behavior during the role-play. AR promoted forgiveness by all parties, but to different degrees. Coded “softness” of offender’s behavior (i.e., nonverbal signs of remorse, contrition, and regret) affected victim’s behaviors and ratings by women role-playing both mothers. The role-play simulation allowed some understanding of the inner working of FGCs relative to retrospective questionnaires.
Contextual Factors Which Affect the Success of Microcredit Programs Among Women
Authors: Afriyie Kwadwo , Ganle John Kuumuori , Segbefia Alexander Yao , Kamau Pauline , Wamue-Ngare Grace
Published: March 2020

Microcredit programs usually target poor rural women to reduce poverty and empower the women involved. The general body of existing research provides conflicting evidence, depending on context, poverty reduction and empowerment may or may not be partially achieved. Research on the effects of context on microcredit is limited in Ghana. Based on focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with stakeholders, the contextual factors that affect microcredit for poverty reduction among women are explored. The findings of this study suggest that the orthodox use of social collateral through group lending doesn’t fully account for why some microlending programs are effective, and others are not. Contextual factors appear to make the difference.
Challenges and Solutions in Evaluation Technical Assistance During Design and Early Implementation
Authors: Gothro Andrew , Hanno Elías S. , Bradley M. C.
Published: March 2020

This case study discusses two federal grant initiatives and the evaluation technical assistance (ETA) provided to the grantees. One program is a multiphase program funded by the Children’s Bureau (CB) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. The program funded communities interested in preventing homelessness among youth and young adults with child welfare histories. The funder, grantees, and ETA provider call it Youth At-Risk of Homelessness (YARH). Six federal agencies—the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services—supported the second initiative known as Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth (P3). We discuss the programs together as they share common features including a focus on building evidence, a focus on disconnected youth, use of liaisons to work with grantees who are developing interventions and planning or conducting evaluations at the same time, and having the same liaisons provide ETA to both the grantee/service providing group and the local evaluator. The article discusses (1) the grant programs, (2) details about ETA including its funding and provision, (3) details about the success and utilization of ETA, (4) benefits of ETA, and (5) balancing program or initiative requirements and evaluation needs and concludes with (6) thoughts on how to make ETA successful.
Audiometric Outcomes and Middle Ear Disease following Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair
Authors: Yancey Kristen L. , Manzoor Nauman F. , Haynes David S. , Bennett Marc L. , O’Malley Matthew , Rivas Alejandro
Published: March 2020

Objective

To investigate audiometric outcomes and incidence of chronic ear disease following lateral skull base repair (LSBR) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Setting

Tertiary skull base center.

Subjects and Methods

Consecutive adults undergoing LSBR of CSF leaks between 2012 and 2018 were reviewed. Audiometric data included mean air conduction pure‐tone average (PTA), air‐bone gap (ABG), speech recognition threshold (SRT), and word recognition score (WRS). The incidence and management of the following were collected: effusion, retraction, otitis media and externa, perforation, and cholesteatoma.

Results

Seventy‐three patients underwent transmastoid (n = 5), middle cranial fossa (n = 2), or combined approach (n = 67) for repair of spontaneous leaks (sCSFLs, n = 41) and those occurring in the setting of chronic ear disease (ceCSFLs, n = 32). ABG decreased 7.23 dB (P =. 01) in sCSFL patients. Perforations (P =. 01) were more likely in ceCSFL. No sCSFL patient developed a cholesteatoma, perforation, or infection. Effusions (n = 7) were transient, and retractions (n = 2) were managed conservatively in the sCSFL cohort. Eight ceCSFL patients required tubes, 3 underwent tympanoplasties with (n = 2) and without (n = 1) ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR), and 1 had tympanomastoidectomy with OCR.

Conclusion

Lateral skull base repair of CSF leaks maintained or improved hearing. Patients with preexisting chronic ear disease were more likely to require additional intervention to sustain adequate middle ear aeration compared to the sCSFL cohort. LSBR of sCSFL does not appear to increase risk for developing chronic ear disease.
Transoral Robotic Surgery versus Plasma Ablation for Tongue Base Reduction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee Joshua A. , Byun Young Jae , Nguyen Shaun A. , Lentsch Eric J. , Gillespie M. Boyd
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) versus plasma ablation (PA) in tongue base reduction surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Data Sources

PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, OVID.

Review Methods

Keywords searched included OSA, tongue base surgery, TORS, and coblation. Outcomes included pre‐ to postoperative apnea‐hypopnea index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and lowest oxygen saturation. Additional outcomes included surgical success rate, postoperative bleeding, operative time, and length of stay.

Results

A total of 690 unique articles were identified, of which 60 underwent full‐text review. Twenty‐six articles were included in final analysis, comprising 18 studies on TORS (834 patients) and 11 studies on PA (294 patients). Mean differences of apnea‐hypopnea index, ESS, and lowest oxygen saturation for TORS were –23.92, –7.6, and 5.83% (all P <. 01). Corresponding values for PA were –22.07, –4.14, and 5.48% (all P <. 00001). TORS had greater ESS reduction than PA (P =. 02). Follow‐up duration was shorter in TORS than PA (mean ± SD: 4.2 ± 2.6 vs 4.6 ± 1.4 months, P =. 0482). Surgical success rates in TORS and PA were similar (57.6% vs 60.3%, P =. 4474). Postoperative bleeding occurred less frequently in TORS versus PA (3.3% vs 7.5%, P =. 0103). Operative time was longer for TORS than PA (77.9 ± 16.4 minutes vs 44.0 ± 12.9 minutes, P <. 0001). Length of stay was similar between TORS and PA (3.9 ± 1.6 days vs 3.9 ± 2.5 days, P =. 9047).

Conclusion

Tongue base reduction with TORS or PA each effectively treats OSA and provides comparable results. The choice between techniques might depend on patient factors, availability of technology, and associated costs.
Evaluation of a staff behaviour change intervention to increase the use of ward-based practice books and active practice during inpatient stroke rehabilitation: a phase-1 pre–post observational study
Authors: Stewart Claire , Power Emma , McCluskey Annie , Kuys Suzanne , Lovarini Meryl
Published: March 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate a staff behaviour change intervention to increase the use of ward-based practice books and active practice by stroke inpatients.

Design:

This is a pre–post observational study.

Setting:

This study was conducted in a inpatient rehabilitation unit in Australia.

Subjects:

Stroke inpatients participated in the study.

Intervention:

A staff behaviour change intervention was designed to support staff to implement practice books. The intervention included staff training on motivation and coaching, and weekly audit and feedback for six months. The environment was restructured to bring staff together weekly at the bedside to review audit data and share skills.

Main measures:

Medical record audit and behavioural mapping were used to compare the number of stroke participants with/using a practice book pre- and post-intervention. Pre- and post-intervention, the percentage of observations where a stroke participant was actively practising, repetitions of practice recorded and type of supervision were compared.

Results:

A total of 24 participants were observed ( n = 12 pre, n = 12 post). Post-intervention, the number of participants with practice books increased from one to six (OR = 11, 95% CI = (0.9, 550.7)), but this change was not statistically significant ( P = 0.069). Five participants recorded repetitions in their practice books post-intervention, three were observed using practice books. There was no change in median repetitions recorded ( rpbs = 0.00, 95% CI = (−0.4, 0.4), P = 1.000) or observed active practice ( rpbs = –0.02, 95% CI = (−0.4, 0.4), P = 0.933). Active practice was often fully supervised by a therapist.

Conclusion:

A staff behaviour change intervention has the potential to increase the number of stroke survivors receiving ward-based practice books but did not increase active practice.
Prosthetic joint infection by Bordetella holmesii: Case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Fernandez-Pittol Mariana , Bosch Jordi , Morata Laura , Lozano Luis , Martínez Pastor Juan Carlos , Soriano Alex
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

Bordetella holmesii is a Gram-negative coccobacillus involved in different infections mostly described in case reports. Prosthetic joint infections in relation to this pathogen are rare. Here, we present the third case of B. holmesii in a patient without anatomical or functional spleen dysfunction.

Case report:

The patient was a 62-year-old female with a total knee prosthesis implanted in 1997 that required multiple replacements of the femoral component due to aseptic loosening in the past years. The patient was admitted to our hospital for an elective replacement surgery due to new radiological signs of loosening. B. holmesii was isolated from synovial fluid obtained during surgery. The identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Antibiotic treatment was started but 14 days after surgery the patient presented pain and joint effusion. An arthrocentesis was performed and synovial fluid culture was positive again for B. holmesii. Surgical debridement including polyethylene replacement was performed and antibiotic treatment was continued for 3 months. After a 2-year follow-up period, the patient remained asymptomatic and physical examination showed normal function of the prosthesis.

Conclusion:

B. holmesii is an uncommon cause of bone and joint infections. This case indicates that this microorganism is a potential pathogen of prosthetic or native arthritis, and it should be considered when cultures are negative and in cases presenting torpid evolution.
Deforestation in the Global South: Assessing Uneven Environmental Improvements 1993–2013
Authors: Tester Aaron William
Published: March 2020

In recent decades forest degradation declined around the globe. While encouraging, improvements emerged unevenly in the Global South. What explains these variable trends? Using longitudinal panel models with fixed effects, I assess changes to forest area from 1993–2013 in 73 countries. Drawing from sociological institutionalism and unequal ecological exchange, I make three contributions. I find that omnibus environmental laws mitigate forest loss rather than environmental international nongovernmental organizations, and, I show that dependency on trade with wealthy countries weakens the impact of these policies. I also substantiate and theorize export-led industrialization as a leading driver of deforestation. Broadly, I argue that national states are key sites of contestation between transnational political-economic forces and legitimated but pliable environmental institutions. Developing countries adopt standardized forest protections while, facing political-economic pressures, they variably consent to predatory trade terms and streamline export infrastructures. I conclude with recommendations for future research and policy implications.
Persistent Legacies of the Empires: Partition of Poland and Electoral Turnout
Authors: Zagórski Piotr , Markowski Radosław
Published: March 2020

During the long nineteenth century, Poland was divided among the Russian, Habsburg, and Prussian empires. The partition produced regional diversity in political culture and in institutional and economic development. We examine how the cultural legacies of the empires have influenced the propensity of Poles to cast a ballot in parliamentary elections since 1989. Polish National Election Study individual-level data are used to assess whether higher levels of electoral turnout in Galicia are indeed a legacy of the Habsburg rule. Our results confirm that, even after controlling for socio-demographic factors, there is a positive, substantive, and significant effect on turnout of living in the ex-Habsburg part of Poland. This effect can be explained by the frequency of religious service attendance and by ideology. Inhabitants of Galicia not only attend religious services more frequently and are more conservative than their counterparts in the rest of Poland, but also the more frequently they attend church and the closer to the radical right they place themselves, the more mobilized they are to vote. The impact of the legacies of the empires on political behavior in Poland seems persistent.
Life-Course Trauma and Later Life Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Health in a Postapartheid South African Population: Findings From the HAALSI study
Authors: Payne Collin F. , Mall Sumaya , Kobayashi Lindsay , Kahn Kathy , Berkman Lisa
Published: March 2020

Objective: To investigate the relationships between exposure to life-course traumatic events (TEs) and later life mental, physical, and cognitive health outcomes in the older population of a rural South African community. Method: Data were from baseline interviews with 2,473 adults aged ≥40 years in the population-representative Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) study, conducted in 2015. We assessed exposure to 16 TEs, and used logistic regression models to estimate associations with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), activities of daily living disability, and cognitive impairment. Results: Participants reported an average of 5 ( SD = 2.4) TEs over their lifetimes. Exposure was ubiquitous across sociodemographic and socioeconomic groups. Trauma exposure was associated with higher odds of depression, PTSD, and disability, but not with cognitive health. Discussion: Results suggest that TEs experienced in earlier life continue to reverberate today in terms of mental health and physical disability outcomes in an older population in rural South Africa.
Humic Acid, a Polyphenolic Substance, Decreases Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis in Rats
Authors: Çalışır Metin , Akpınar Aysun , Poyraz Ömer , Göze Fahrettin , Çınar Ziynet
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biochemical, morphometric, and histopathological changes associated with experimental periodontitis in rats in response to local administration of humic acid. Thirty-eight Wistar rats were divided into 5 experimental groups: nonligated (NL) group, ligature-only (LO) group, and ligature + local administration of humic acid (20, 80, and 150 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days, respectively; L-20, L-80, and L-150 groups). Changes in alveolar bone levels were clinically measured as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest with a stereomicroscope. Tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the osteoclast numbers, osteoblastic activity, and inflammatory cell infiltration among the study groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay interleukin1β (IL-1β) and IL-10 levels in serum and gingival homogenates were evaluated. At the end of 15 days, the alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LO group compared to the NL, L-20, and L-150 groups ( P < .05). The osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than the NL, L-20, and L-150 groups ( P < .05). Inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly higher in the LO and L-80 groups than the other groups ( P < .05). The highest serum and gingival homogenate IL-10 levels were determined in the NL group ( P < .05). The serum and gingival homogenate IL-1β levels in LO group were significantly higher than the NL, L-20, and L-150 groups ( P < .05). Within the limits of this study, it can be suggested that humic acid, when administered locally at 20 and 80 mg/kg doses, may prevent alveolar bone loss in the rat model.
The Effect of Metadherin on NF-κB Activation and Downstream Genes in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Rong Chunhong , Shi Yanfen , Huang Jun , Wang Xinyue , Shimizu Risa , Mori Yuki , Murai Akiko , Liang Jing
Published: March 2020

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most aggressive gynecological cancer. Even with the advances in detection and therapeutics, it still remains clinically challenging and there is a pressing need to identify novel therapeutic strategies. In searching for rational molecular targets, we identified metadherin (MTDH), a multifunctional gene associated with several tumor types but previously unrecognized in OC. In this study, we found the MTDH is overexpressed in OC tissues. Through in vitro assays with overexpression cells, we characterized the role of MTDH. We confirmed MTDH stable overexpression significantly increased the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-1β. Interestingly, NF-kappa-B (NF-κB) and MTDH were found in a feed-forward loop motif. Thus, our findings support the notion that the MTDH and NF-κB signaling network contributes to OC traits. MTDH represents a new OC-associated gene that can contribute to insights of OC biology and suggests other treatment strategies.
Quantitative Efficacy and Fate of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Targeted to Cardiac Sites by Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
Authors: Malik Rizwan , Darche Fabrice F. , Rivinius Rasmus , Seckinger Anja , Krause Ulf , Koenen Michael , Thomas Dierk , Katus Hugo A. , Schweizer Patrick A.
Published: March 2020

Engraftment and functional integration of stem cells or stem cell-derived cells within cardiac tissue is an important prerequisite for cell replacement therapy aiming at the treatment of heart disease. Recently, a novel intravenous approach for application of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to cardiac sites has been established using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA)-guided targeting, bypassing the need for open chest surgery or direct myocardial cell injection. However, little is known about the quantitative efficacy and longevity of this strategy. We performed selective power-controlled RFCA with eight ablation pulses (30 W, 60 s each) to induce heat-mediated lesions at the right atrial appendices (RAAs) of pigs. Different concentrations of human bone marrow-derived MSCs (105 to 1.6 × 106 cells/kg bodyweight) labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles were infused intravenously in nine pigs one d after RFCA treatment and hearts were explanted 8 d later to quantify the number of engrafted cells. Prussian blue staining revealed high numbers of SPIO-labeled cells in areas surrounding the RFCA-induced lesions. Cell numbers were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for human MSCs (hMSCs), which indicated that up to 106 hMSCs, corresponding to ∼3.9% of the systemically applied human cells, engrafted within the RAAs of RFCA-treated pigs. Of note, infused hMSCs were observed in nontargeted organs, as well, but appeared at very low concentrations. To assess long-term deposition of MSCs, RAAs of three pigs were analyzed after 6 months, which revealed few persisting hMSCs at targeted sites. RFCA-mediated targeting of MSCs provides a novel minimal invasive strategy for cardiac stem cell engraftment. Qualitative and quantitative results of our large animal experiments indicate an efficient guidance of MSCs to selected cardiac regions, although only few cells remained at targeted sites 6 mo after cell transplantation.
Investigating Influence of Moderators in Adopting Internet: Indian Seniors Perspective
Authors: Mukerjee Hory Sankar , Deshmukh G. K. , Mukherjee Dewashish , Chawla Nidhi
Published: March 2020

Present study identifies Indian seniors’ intention to use the internet and actual usage along with influence of age, gender, education and experience as moderators. This study proposes modifications in unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model while adding education as moderators and also studied relationship between facilitating conditions (FC) and behavioural intention. The proposed research model was empirically tested by data collected from 371 Indian seniors above the age of 50 years through offline survey. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) and multiple moderation analysis. The result revealed that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), subjective norm (SN), technology anxiety (TA) significantly influence elders’ behavioural intention (BI) to use and adopt internet except FC. Further BI resulted in actual system use which is also determined by FC. Actual system use is predicted by three variables: learning, place of access and health conditions. In this study only age and gender were emerged as moderators. Findings of the study have important implications particularly to understand determinants of Indian seniors’ intention to use the internet and actual usage along with influence of moderators.
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Contraceptive Use and Birth Spacing Among Multiparous Women in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Karkee Rajendra , Adhikary Samita , Thapa David , Jha Nilambar
Published: March 2020

Despite the known benefits of the use of contraceptives, notably birth spacing, the use of contraceptives in Nepal has remained stagnant since 2006. The purpose of this article is to assess the knowledge and use of contraceptives, and to ascertain preceding interbirth spacing in an eastern plain district of Nepal. A cross-sectional survey was completed on 406 multiparous women aged 18 to 49 years to collect data via structured questionnaires in Jhapa district of Nepal. The majority of the participants (96.1%) had knowledge of at least one modern contraceptive: injectable and oral contraceptives were the most common. Female sterilization was the most commonly used method of contraception. The median birth spacing was 41.5 months, and the majority of participants (79.1%) had preceding interbirth spacing greater than 24 months. The average preferred birth spacing was 51.3 months, and about half of the participants said that 60 months was the appropriate birth spacing. Though knowledge of contraceptives use is almost universal in this population, the use is still low. The preferred birth spacing is longer than the actual birth spacing, signifying an unmet need of contraception.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Motorcycle Crash Victims One Year After Injury: A Longitudinal Study in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Doan Han Thi Ngoc , Hobday Michelle B. , Leavy Justine E. , Jancey Jonine
Published: March 2020

Despite the burden of injury associated with motorcycle crashes and injuries in Vietnam, there are no studies investigating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following a nonfatal motorcycle crash in this country. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the change of HRQoL preinjury, and at 6 and 12 months postinjury motorcycle crash in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Outcome measures were Physical Component Scores (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS) of the Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) version 2 and the EQ-5D. Multilevel mixed models were undertaken. A total of 352 hospitalized motorcyclists were followed-up. Compared with preinjury, the SF-12 PCS reduced by 6.61 points (95% confidence interval [CI] = −8.21 to −5.03) and 5.12 points (95% CI = −6.74 to −3.51) at 12 months postinjury. MCS also reduced by 4.23 points (95% CI = −5.99 to −2.47) at 6 months but increased by 1.29 points (95% CI = −0.49 to 3.08) at 12 months postinjury. The EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale score decreased by 10.41 points (95% CI = −11.49 to −9.33) at 6 months and 6.48 points (95% CI = −7.58 to −5.38) at 12 months postinjury. The HRQoL among injured motorcycle riders improved between 6 and 12 months after injury but had not returned to the levels before injury.
A retrospective histologic study of 140 cases of clinically significant equine ocular disorders
Authors: Flores Mariana M. , Del Piero Fabio , Habecker Perry L. , Langohr Ingeborg M.
Published: March 2020

Ocular diseases are an important category in equine medicine; however, most articles regarding histologic ocular lesions in horses are exclusive to a specific condition and do not provide a complete review of clinically significant ocular disease frequency in a diagnostic laboratory. We reviewed sections of equine eyes from 140 cases (98 enucleations [biopsies] and 42 autopsies) with clinically relevant ocular alterations at 2 diagnostic centers in the United States. The most common primary conditions were non-traumatic keratitis (36), equine recurrent uveitis (ERU; 31), traumatic injuries (22), ocular and periocular neoplasms (19), and uveitis and/or endophthalmitis resulting from sepsis (18). Congenital anomalies (3) and retinal atrophy and detachment alone (3) were infrequent. Non-traumatic keratitis was frequently accompanied by anterior uveitis (22), corneal rupture (16), pre-iridal fibrovascular membrane formation (13), and secondary mycotic infection (11). ERU was the second and third most prevalent disease in autopsies and enucleations, respectively. This condition was commonly associated with glaucoma (15). Glaucoma (25) and cataract (20) were the most prevalent secondary alterations in the evaluated cases. Keratitis (20) and corneal rupture (16) were among the most prevalent consequences of trauma. Information presented herein may guide clinicians and pathologists, contributing to the early diagnosis of potentially vision-impairing conditions and raising the chances of successful treatment and cure.
Developments in the Implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in Australian Schools
Authors: Poed Shiralee , Whitefield Phillip
Published: March 2020

Education jurisdictions across Australia have significant experience with initiating and building the implementation of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) in schools. This column describes the nature of the Australian education system and contextualizes the way PBIS had been implemented. Future directions to enhance the scaled implementation of PBIS across Australia are also presented.
The #MeToo Movement: Men and Masculinity in Swedish News Media
Authors: Nilsson Bo , Lundgren Anna Sofia
Published: March 2020

This article analyses the coverage of the #MeToo movement in Swedish news media. The aim of the study was to explore how men and masculinity were represented. The results showed that masculinity was associated with violence, harassment, and a culture of abuse, as well as with progressive ideas of a “new man” that is both strong and gentle at the same time. The article discusses how the represented masculinities might be problematic in relation to the #MeToo movement’s ambition to reform a sexist society because of the stereotypical and gender-dualistic tendencies that permeate the material and the tendencies to individualize the represented assaults and perpetrators.
Applying isogeometric approach for free vibration, mechanical, and thermal buckling analyses of functionally graded variable-thickness blades
Authors: Ansari Ehsan , Setoodeh AliReza
Published: March 2020

This article presents free vibration and buckling analyses of functionally graded blades with variable thickness subjected to mechanical and thermal loading using isogeometric analysis as a powerful numerical method. The proposed method is based on deployment of Hamilton’s principle to the two-dimensional kinematics of blades. The governing equations are derived in the context of a modified form of higher order shear deformation plate theory that merely needs C0-continuity (C0-higher order shear deformation plate theory). Without the necessity of defining a shear correction factor, the theory can accurately predict the solution for different thickness-to-length ratios. The numerical predictions for the buckling loads and natural frequencies are successfully compared with the available solutions in the published articles and in the lack of relevant results, finite element analysis using ANSYS is used for verification of the model. The effects of variable thickness and aspect ratio on the natural frequencies and mode shapes known as the frequencies loci veering phenomena are assessed for the first time, which is an important design factor for the blades. The proposed method uses non-uniform rational B-spline element, which is able to approximate linear and nonlinear thickness distribution and the couple modes with an excellent numerical consistency. The influences of aspect ratio, thickness variation, taper ratio, volume fraction exponent, and boundary conditions on the free vibration and buckling of variable-thickness functionally graded blades are also examined.
Consistency and Inconsistency of Young Women’s Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence in a Population-Based Study
Authors: Rowlands Ingrid J. , Holder Carl , Forder Peta M. , Hegarty Kelsey , Dobson Annette J. , Loxton Deborah
Published: March 2020

We examined reporting of lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) among 7,917 young women who completed two surveys, 12 months apart. At the first survey, 32% reported a history of IPV with a current or former partner. Of these, one third of women did not report IPV 12 months later (inconsistently reported IPV). Compared with women who consistently reported a history of IPV, women who inconsistently reported a history of IPV were less likely to report suicidal ideation, self-harm, illicit drug use, and smoking at the 12-month follow-up. A deeper understanding of what influences young women’s reporting of IPV is needed.
Solar retinopathy: a new setting of red, green, and blue channels
Authors: Borroni Davide , Erts Renars , Vallabh Neeru A , Bonzano Chiara , Sepetiene Svetlana , Krumina Zita , Romano Vito , Parekh Mohit , Iannetta Danilo
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

To introduce a new color imaging technique using improved settings of red, green, and blue channels for improved delineation of retinal damage in patients with solar retinopathy.

Method:

A retrospective case series of patients with poor vision secondary to solar retinopathy were analyzed. All patients underwent visual acuity, refraction, and dilated fundus examination. A spectral domain–optical coherence tomography of the macula and color fundus imaging using optimized red, green, and blue color setting was performed. Patients were reviewed over a 6-month period. The data were analyzed for statistical significance using an independent t test and a receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results:

In total, 20 eyes of 10 patients were included between 2009 and 2017. The mean age was 24.9 ± 18.1 years. Best corrected visual acuity at first consultation was 0.78 ± 0.11 and after 6 months was 0.83 ± 0.09. Spectral domain–optical coherence tomography demonstrated retinal abnormalities at the myoid zone, ellipsoid zone, and the outer segment of photoreceptors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an improving effect (area under the curve = 0.62; 95% confidence interval = 0.42–0.79). The color channels parameters, which improve visualization of the lesions were found to be 67-0.98-255 for the R-guided setting, 19-0.63-121 for the B-guided setting, and 7-1.00-129 for the G-guided setting. The ideal red, green, and blue setting was in 24-0.82-229.

Conclusion:

The use of a new setting of red, green, and blue channels could improve the diagnosis and monitoring of solar retinopathy, hence improving patient care.
Nitinol stent–assisted maturation of the dysfunctional cannulation zone in the immature arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Aslam Anoosha , Thomas Shannon D , Vijayan Vikram , Crowe Phillip , Varcoe Ramon L , Swinnen John
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

The native arteriovenous fistula may remain immature despite adequate arterial inflow after formation. This may occur when the puncturable vein segment (cannulation zone) is too small to be reliably punctured, occluded or too deep under the skin for needle access. We performed stenting (stent-assisted maturation) of arteriovenous fistulas with an immature cannulation zone, allowing for a large subcutaneous channel which could then be immediately punctured for dialysis.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of 49 patients (mean age was 58.7 ± 16.09 (12–83) years, mean arteriovenous fistula age of 162.6 ± 27.28 days) with end-stage renal failure who underwent balloon dilatation and bare-metal stent implantation (1.6 ± 0.67 (1–3) stents, median diameter and length of 8 (5–14) mm and 80 (40–150) mm, respectively) through their cannulation zone (forced maturation). Radiocephalic (35 arteriovenous fistulas), brachiocephalic (10 arteriovenous fistulas) and autogenous loop arteriovenous fistulas (4 arteriovenous fistulas) were included with 30 patients (61.2%) having an inadequate cannulation zone venous diameter, 9 patients (18.4%) having an absent cannulation zone and 10 patients (20.4%) having a patent cannulation zone deeper than 1 cm which was not reliably puncturable. The study was conducted over 9 years (January 2008–December 2016) with implantation of the SMART® stent and Absolute Pro® stent in 61.2% and 38.8%, respectively. Long-term outcomes including primary useable segmental and access circuit patency as well as assisted primary access circuit patency, rate of re-intervention, technical success and complications were analysed.

Results:

At 6 months, 12 months and 4 years, respectively, cannulation zone primary patency was 84.4%, 74.4% and 56.1% and access circuit primary patency was 62.2%, 45.3% and 23.2%; however, assisted primary access circuit patency was 95.6%, 91.1% and 83.8%, achieved with an endovascular re-intervention rate of 0.53 procedures/year with only four thrombosed circuits occurring.

Discussion:

Forced maturation using nitinol stents allows for long-term haemodialysis access with a low rate of re-intervention.
A review of the different approaches to predict the sound transmission loss of building partitions
Authors: Santoni Andrea , Davy John Laurence , Fausti Patrizio , Bonfiglio Paolo
Published: March 2020

The computation of sound transmission through solid structures has been of great interest since the first half of the 20th century. Several prediction methods can be found in the large body of literature, applicable to many kinds of structures, and derived using different approaches. This article presents a review of the most significant approaches to compute sound transmission through a building partition; it aims to provide an extensive update and critical literature review of the different approaches which can be used to compute sound transmission through a building partition. Different approaches, suitable for different kinds of building structures, based on analytical and semi-analytical solutions, wave-propagation, numerical or statistical energy analysis methods are described, highlighting advantages and drawbacks.