bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing Meckel diverticulum
Authors: Yorkgitis Brian K. , Devecki Kalli
Published: September 2020

The most common causes of small bowel obstruction are hernias and adhesive disease. Other causes include malignancy, inflammation, infection, and Meckel diverticulum with an omphalomesenteric ligament. This article describes a patient who presented to the ED with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A CT scan revealed dilated loops of bowel with an adjacent air-filled structure, possibly related to an internal hernia. Meckel diverticulum was discovered on diagnostic laparoscopy and a mesodiverticular band was lysed; the diverticulum was left in situ. The patient did well without further invention needed.
NP program efforts promoting transition to rural practice
Authors: Kaplan Louise , Pollack Samantha W. , Skillman Susan M. , Patterson Davis G.
Published: September 2020

This article presents the results of a study that identifies, describes, and compares the approaches of rural-oriented NP education programs to facilitate the NP transition from education to practice in rural settings. Preparing NP students effectively during their education may be key to their success in rural practice.
Determining the level of evidence
Authors: Glasofer Amy , Townsend Ann B.
Published: September 2020

To support evidence-based nursing practice, the authors provide guidelines for appraising research based on quality, quantity, and consistency. This is the first of a three-part series.
Quantifying Radiation Exposure From Intraoperative Computed Tomography in Traditionally Safe Operating Room Zones
Authors: Ford Amy , Hughes Mitchell , Wojewnik Bartosz
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

To quantify the amount of radiation exposure from a commercially available computed tomography surgical imaging system that occurs in areas of the operating room that are generally believed to be safe and to correlate these amounts with established safety recommendations.

Design:

Experimental in vitro study.

Setting:

Standard hospital operating room at a Level 1 trauma center.

Participants:

Radiation survey instruments at specified distances from an intraoperative computed tomography scanner. Represented positions were the location of the anesthesiologist (80 cm), the radiation technologist (180 cm), the substerile room (500 cm), the operating room door (600 cm), the next-room nursing station (960 cm), and the hallway (1000 cm).

Intervention:

Radiation survey instruments were systematically exposed by a protocol intended to imitate expected radiation scatter during operative room use.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Radiation exposure readings from radiation survey instruments.

Results:

The mean radiation exposure rates are reported. The mean exposure rate was highest at the anesthesiologist (2200 mrem/h), followed by the door (25.33 mrem/h), the technologist (21.0 mrem/h), the substerile room (8.2 mrem/h), the hallway (2.633 mrem/h), and then the next-room nursing station (1.557 mrem/h). The mean integrated doses per scan were 15.03 mrem for the anesthesiologist, 0.170 mrem for the technologist, 0.136 mrem at the door, 0.033 mrem in the substerile room, 0.014 mrem in the hallway, and 0.005 mrem at the next-door nursing station. The exposure was related both to distance from the machine and to orientation from the machine.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that although there is measurable radiation exposure outside of the operating room, the magnitude is low enough to be clinically insignificant. This study provides data that reinforce the need to wear a protective gear or leave the room during the use of intraoperative computed tomography but unsuspecting surrounding staff need not worry about uninformed exposure.
Pediatric Lower Limb Lengthening Using the PRECICE Nail: Our Experience With 50 Cases
Authors: Iliadis Alexios D. , Palloni Valentina , Wright Jonathan , Goodier David , Calder Peter
Published: September 2020

Background:

Limb lengthening using intramedullary externally controlled motorized devices is becoming increasingly popular. There is limited literature regarding their use in the pediatric and adolescent population. This study reviews outcomes on 50 consecutive cases of intramedullary lower limb lengthening surgery in this population.

Methods:

A retrospective review of all pediatric and adolescent patients treated in our institution by intramedullary lengthening for lower limb length discrepancy using the PRECICE and STRYDE intramedullary lengthening nails between 2013 and 2019. All patients were operated by a single surgeon. Data were prospectively recorded. We report on nail accuracy and reliability, consolidation index, time to full weight-bearing from completion of lengthening, joint range of movement, ASAMI bone and functional scores, presence of problems, obstacles and complications, and patient reported outcome measures (PROMS).

Results:

Fifty cases (43 femoral and 7 tibial nails) were performed in 42 patients (20 males, 48% and 22 females, 52%). Six patients had bilateral lengthening and 2 patients had sequential lengthening. There were 28 antegrade femoral, 13 retrograde femoral and 5 tibia PRECICE nails, 2 tibial and 2 femoral PRECICE STRYDE nails. Mean age at surgery was 15 years old (12 to 17). Mean preoperative length discrepancy was 49 mm (20 to 90). Mean achieved lengthening was 46.5 mm (20 to 80). Mean percentage lengthening was 12.6% (5% to 25%). Nail accuracy was 96% and reliability 90%. Average distraction rate was 0.92 mm/d for femur and 0.64 mm/d for tibias. Consolidation index was 28 d/cm (18 to 43) and 39 d/cm (20 to 47), respectively. Time from completion of lengthening to independent full weight-bearing as observed in clinic was 45 days (21 to 70) and 34.2 days (23 to 50), respectively. ASAMI bone and functional scores were favorable and PROMS demonstrated high patient satisfaction levels. No significant complications were observed.

Conclusions:

We have demonstrated excellent clinical results and high patient satisfaction with intramedullary lengthening in a pediatric/adolescent population. We highly recommend thorough preoperative preparation, patient education, and a multidisciplinary approach.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Emerging immunotherapy targets in lung cancer
Authors: Zhu Hao-Hua , Feng Yu , Hu Xing-Sheng
Published: September 2020

Immunotherapy has become the mainstay for lung cancer treatment, providing sustained therapeutic responses and improved prognosis compared with those obtained with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. It has the potential for anti-tumor treatment and killing tumor cells by activating human immunity and has moved the targets of anti-cancer therapy from malignant tumor cells to immune cell subsets. Two kinds of immune checkpoints, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), are the main targets of current immunotherapy in lung cancer. Despite the successful outcomes achieved by immune checkpoint inhibitors, a small portion of lung cancer patients remain unresponsive to checkpoint immunotherapy or may ultimately become resistant to these agents as a result of the complex immune modulatory network in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is imperative to exploit novel immunotherapy targets to further expand the proportion of patients benefiting from immunotherapy. This review summarizes the molecular features, biological function, and clinical significance of several novel checkpoints that have important roles in lung cancer immune responses beyond the CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 axes, including the markers of co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory T lymphocyte pathways and inhibitory markers of macrophages and natural killer cells.
State-Level Numbers and Rates of Traumatic Brain Injury–Related Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in 2014
Authors: Daugherty Jill , Thomas Karen , Waltzman Dana , Sarmiento Kelly
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To provide state-level traumatic brain injury (TBI)–related emergency department (ED) visit, hospitalization, and death estimates for 2014.

Setting and Participants:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Core Violence and Injury Prevention Program and State Injury Indicators participating states.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Main Measures:

Number and incidence rates of TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in more than 30 states.

Results:

The rates of TBI-related ED visits in 2014 ranged from 381.1 per 100 000 (South Dakota) to 998.4 per 100 000 (Massachusetts). In 2014, Pennsylvania had the highest TBI-related hospitalization rate (98.9) and Ohio had the lowest (55.1). In 2014, the TBI-related death rate ranged from 9.1 per 100 000 (New Jersey) to 23.0 per 100 000 (Oklahoma).

Conclusion:

The variations in TBI burden among states support the need for tailoring prevention efforts to state needs. Results of this analysis can serve as a baseline for these efforts.
Quantitative High-speed Assessment of Droplet and Aerosol From an Eye After Impact With an Air-puff Amid COVID-19 Scenario
Authors: Shetty Rohit , Balakrishnan Nikhil , Shroff Sujani , Shetty Naren , Kabi Prasenjit , Roy Durbar , Joseph Sophia M. , Khamar Pooja , Basu Saptarshi , Sinha Roy Abhijit
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

To quantify aerosol and droplets generated during noncontact tonometry (NCT) and assess the spread distance of the same.

Methodology:

This was an experimental study on healthy human volunteers (n=8 eyes). In an experimental setup, NCT was performed on eyes (n=8) of human volunteers under normal settings, with a single and 2 drops of lubricant. High-speed shadowgraphy, frontal lighting technique, and fluorescein analysis were used to detect the possible generation of any droplets and aerosols. Mathematical computation of the spread of the droplets was then performed.

Results:

In a natural setting, there was no droplet or aerosol production. Minimal splatter along with droplet ejection was observed when 1 drop of lubricant was used before NCT. When 2 drops of lubricant were instilled, a significant amount of fluid ejection in the form of a sheet that broke up into multiple droplets was observed. Some of these droplets traversed back to the tonometer. Droplets ranging from 100 to 500 µm in diameter were measured.

Conclusions:

There was no droplet generation during NCT performed in a natural setting. However, NCT should be avoided in conditions with high-tear volume (natural or artificial) as it would lead to droplet spread and tactile contamination.
Single Cycle Versus Multiple Cycles of Canalith Repositioning Procedure for Treatment of Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Isaradisaikul Suwicha Kaewsiri , Chowsilpa Sanathorn , Hanprasertpong Charuk , Rithirangsriroj Tayaporn
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To compare the treatment outcomes and complications of single cycle versus multiple cycles of the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP).

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Academic tertiary referral center; Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Patients:

One hundred and forty-three adults who had unilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Intervention:

Therapeutic. Patients received either a single cycle or multiple cycles of the CRP in one session.

Main Outcome Measures:

Rate of negative Dix-Hallpike test (DHT), rate of symptom improvement, dizziness handicap inventory score (DHI), and rate of complications.

Results:

At the 1st week and the 4th week recall visits after CRP the treatment outcomes between the single-CRP group and the multiple-CRP group showed no significant difference. The outcomes included: 1) rate of negative DHT (1st week: 76.9 and 76.7%, 4th week: 89.5 and 88.2%); 2) rate of complete recovery or improved symptoms (1st week: 92.3 and 91.7%; 4th week: 96.5 and 98.0%); 3) DHI scores (1st week: 22 and 28; 4th week: 6 and 10); and 4) complication rate (1st week: 12.5 and 20%; 4th week: 20 and 0%. Rate of complications in the single-CRP group (6.9%) during the 1st treatment was lower than in the multiple-CRP groups (21.1%) (p-value = 0.013).

Conclusion:

A single cycle of CRP is as effective as multiple cycle CRP, with a lower incidence of complication and a decrease in the time for treatment. Single-cycle CRP is a more advantageous treatment for unilateral posterior canal BPPV.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT02701218.
Psychotic, Mood, and Anxiety Disorders and Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kowal Célia , Peyre Hugo , Amad Ali , Pelissolo Antoine , Leboyer Marion , Schürhoff Franck , Pignon Baptiste
Published: September 2020

Objective

Several studies have shown that psychiatric disorders can be associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk, that is, pulmonary embolism (PE) and/or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this study, we provide a systematic review and meta-analyses of the studies addressing this issue.

Methods

All studies addressing the risk of VTE phenomena (whole VTE, PE, DVT, fatal VTE) in individuals with psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders published between 1998 and 2019 were reviewed and included in the meta-analyses. Main characteristics of the studies and data concerning VTE risk were extracted. The methodological qualities of the studies were also analyzed. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used. A meta-analysis was conducted separately for each disorder, as well as separately for unadjusted and adjusted studies. Meta-analyses were repeated considering only good-quality studies. Heterogeneity was assessed.

Results

Sixteen studies were reviewed and 15 included in the meta-analyses. Psychotic and bipolar disorders were significantly associated with VTE risk (VTE, DVT, PE, and fatal VTE for psychotic disorder: odds ratios [ORs] between 1.29 and 2.20; VTE, DVT, and PE for bipolar disorder: ORs between 1.22 and 2.14). Depression and anxiety disorders were associated with VTE risk only in adjusted analyses (DVT and PE for depression: ORs = 1.29; VTE and PE for anxiety disorders: ORs between 1.14 and 1.49).

Conclusions

The risk of VTE among individuals with psychiatric disorders may be explained by hypercoagulability and stasis, with both being related to, and independent of, treatment adverse effects. VTE risk should be taken into consideration in the treatment for people with psychiatric disorders.
Systemic Sclerosis Is Associated With Increased Inpatient Mortality in Patients Admitted for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Edigin Ehizogie , Ojemolon Pius Ehiremen , Eseaton Precious Obehi , Shaka Hafeez , Akuna Emmanuel , Asemota Iriagbonse Rotimi , Manadan Augustine
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients primarily admitted for atrial fibrillation (AFib) with and without a secondary diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Hospital length of stay (LOS), total hospital charges, odds of undergoing ablation, and electrical cardioversion were secondary outcomes of interest.

Methods

Data were abstracted from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2016 and 2017 Database. The NIS was searched for adult hospitalizations with AFib as principal diagnosis with and without SSc as secondary diagnosis using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis was used accordingly to adjust for confounders.

Results

There were over 71 million discharges included in the combined 2016 and 2017 NIS database. Of 821,630 AFib hospitalizations, 750 (0.09%) had SSc. The adjusted odds ratio for inpatient mortality for AFib with coexisting SSc compared with without coexisting SSc was 3.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.27–8.52; p = 0.014). Atrial fibrillation with coexisting SSc hospitalizations had similar LOS (4.2 vs 3.4 days; p = 0.767), mean total hospital charges ($40,809 vs $39,158; p = 0.266), odds of undergoing ablation (2.7% vs 4.2%; p = 0.461), and electrical cardioversion (12.0% vs 17.5%; p = 0.316) compared with without coexisting SSc.

Conclusions

Patients admitted primarily for AFib with a secondary diagnosis of SSc have more than 3 times the odds of inpatient death compared with those without coexisting SSc. Hospital LOS, total hospital charges, likelihood of undergoing ablation, and electrical cardioversion were similar in both groups.
Clinical Findings of Cholesteatoma Behind an Intact Tympanic Membrane in Adults
Authors: Lou Zhengcai
Published: September 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and surgical results in a series of adult intact tympanic membrane cholesteatoma (ITMC).

Materials and Methods:

The author retrospectively analyzed 17 adult patients diagnosed with ITMC who underwent surgery. The author investigated the demographic data, presenting symptoms, endoscopic findings, disease location, surgical technique, post-operative complications, and outcomes.

Results:

Diagnosis was made based on a white mass behind an intact tympanic membrane in 14 cases and on explorative surgery and CT in the remaining 3 patients. ITMC presented as a cystic lesion with a complete capsule. ITMCs were removed through an endoscopic endaural approach combined with cartilage myringoplasty in 14 cases and intact canal wall mastoidectomy was performed in 3 cases. No recurrent cholesteatoma or iatrogenic sensorineural hearing loss was observed during the follow-up period. The mean ABG was 17.7 ± 2.7 dB perioperatively and 10.2 ± 1.3 dB postoperatively.

Conclusions:

Intact tympanic membrane cholesteatoma in adults may have both congenital and acquired origins, but it is not possible to differentiate between a slow growing acquired or indolent congenital cholesteatoma. ITMC typically presents as a cystic lesion with a complete capsule that can be treated successfully via an endoscopic tympanotomy approach, but in a minority of cases a more extensive mastoidectomy may be required.
What Does the Public Want to Know About The COVID-19 Pandemic? A Systematic Analysis of Questions Asked in The Internet
Authors: George Jaiben , Gautam Deepak , Kesarwani Vartika , Sugumar PonAravindhan A , Malhotra Rajesh
Published: September 2020

Background

Quora is a popular question and answer (Q&A) website that enables people to connect with others and clear their doubts about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this study, we analysed the content, type and quality of Q&As in Quora regarding this pandemic, and compared the information with that on World Health Organization (WHO) website.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search to include 964 questions in Quora. The tone of the question was categorized as either positive (questions with a primary intent to obtain information), negative (questions which represent panic or are related to misconception/false information) or ambivalent. The two most helpful answers of each question were graded for accuracy, authority, popularity, readability, and relevancy.

Results

462 (48%) questions were classified as positive, while 391 (41%) were negative. Number of views were higher for negative questions (11421 vs 7300, p=0.004). Majority of the questions were on social impact (N=217, 23%), followed by politics (N=122, 13%) and disease management (N=96, 10%). Positive questions had more accurate, but less popular answers (p<0.05). Information related to 229 (28%) questions were present on WHO website, while partial information was present for 103 (11%) questions.

Discussion

Higher views with negative questions suggest that false and panic promoting information is more likely to get public attention. A substantial amount of questions was related to the present and future effects of COVID-19 on social and personal lives of the users which were not readily available on official health websites.

Funding

None
COVID-19 epidemic severity is associated with timing of non-pharmaceutical interventions
Authors: Ragonnet-Cronin Manon , Boyd Olivia , Geidelberg Lily , Jorgensen David , Nascimento Fabricia F. , Siveroni Igor , Johnson Robert , Baguelin Marc , Cucunubá Zulma M , Jauneikaite Elita , Mishra Swapnil , Thompson Hayley A , Watson Oliver , Ferguson Neil , Donnelly Christl A. , Volz Erik
Published: September 2020

Background

Unprecedented public health interventions including travel restrictions and national lockdowns have been implemented to stem the COVID-19 epidemic, but the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions is still debated. International comparisons are hampered by highly variable conditions under which epidemics spread and differences in the timing and scale of interventions. Cumulative COVID-19 morbidity and mortality are functions of both the rate of epidemic growth and the duration of uninhibited growth before interventions were implemented. Incomplete and sporadic testing during the early COVID-19 epidemic makes it difficult to identify how long SARS-CoV-2 was circulating in different places. SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequences can be analyzed to provide an estimate of both the time of epidemic origin and the rate of early epidemic growth in different settings.

Methods

We carried out a phylogenetic analysis of more than 29,000 publicly available whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences from 57 locations to estimate the time that the epidemic originated in different places. These estimates were cross-referenced with dates of the most stringent interventions in each location as well as the number of cumulative COVID-19 deaths following maximum intervention. Phylodynamic methods were used to estimate the rate of early epidemic growth and proxy estimates of epidemic size.

Findings

The time elapsed between epidemic origin and maximum intervention is strongly associated with different measures of epidemic severity and explains 46% of variance in numbers infected at time of maximum intervention. The reproduction number is independently associated with epidemic severity. In multivariable regression models, epidemic severity was not associated with census population size. The time elapsed between detection of initial COVID-19 cases to interventions was not associated with epidemic severity, indicating that many locations experienced long periods of cryptic transmission.

Interpretation

Locations where strong non-pharmaceutical interventions were implemented earlier experienced much less severe COVID-19 morbidity and mortality during the period of study.

Funding

MRC is jointly funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) under the MRC/DFID Concordat agreement and this award is part of the EDCTP2 programme supported by the European Union (MR/R015600/1). RJ and EV acknowledge funding from the European Commission (CoroNAb 101003653). EV additionally acknowledges funding from the Wellcome Trust (220885/Z/20/Z).
Reconstruction Algorithms for DNA-Storage Systems
Authors: Sabary Omer , Yucovich Alexander , Shapira Guy , Yaakobi Eitan
Published: September 2020

In thetrace reconstruction problema length-nstringxyields a collection of noisy copies, calledtraces,y1, …,ytwhere eachyiis independently obtained fromxby passing through adeletion channel, which deletes every symbol with some fixed probability. The main goal under this paradigm is to determine the required minimum number of i.i.d traces in order to reconstructxwith high probability. The trace reconstruction problem can be extended to the model where each trace is a result ofxpassing through adeletion-insertion-substitution channel, which introduces also insertions and substitutions. Motivated by the storage channel of DNA, this work is focused on another variation of the trace reconstruction problem, which is referred by theDNA reconstruction problem. ADNA reconstruction algorithmis a mappingwhich receivesttracesy1, …,ytas an input and produces, an estimation ofx. The goal in the DNA reconstruction problem is to minimize the edit distancebetween the original string and the algorithm’s estimation. For the deletion channel case, the problem is referred by thedeletion DNA reconstruction problemand the goal is to minimize the Levenshtein distance.

In this work, we present several new algorithms for these reconstruction problems. Our algorithms look globally on the entire sequence of the traces and use dynamic programming algorithms, which are used for theshortest common supersequenceand thelongest common subsequenceproblems, in order to decode the original sequence. Our algorithms do not require any limitations on the input and the number of traces, and more than that, they perform well even for error probabilities as high as 0.27. The algorithms have been tested on simulated data as well as on data from previous DNA experiments and are shown to outperform all previous algorithms.
Activation of group II metabotropic receptors attenuates cortical E-I imbalance in a 15q13.3 microdeletion mouse model
Authors: Funk Marzieh , Schuelert Niklas , Jaeger Stefan , Dorner-Ciossek Cornelia , Rosenbrock Holger , Mack Volker
Published: September 2020

Animal models reflecting human risk for schizophrenia are essential research tools for gaining further insight into the convergence of CNS pathology and clinical biomarkers. Amongst the variety of animal models that display schizophrenia-related neuronal network deficits, transgenic mice for rare and highly penetrant copy number variants (CNVs) provide a unique opportunity to study pathological correlates in models with strong construct validity. The Df(h15q13)/+ mouse model of the human 15q13.3 microdeletion CNV has been shown to mimic deficits in parvalbumin positive (PV+) interneuron and cortical network function. However, the corresponding changes in synapse density and activity within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) have not been described. Using high-content immunofluorescence imaging, we have shown a reduced density of PV+ neurons and inhibitory synapses in the mPFC of Df(h15q13)/+ mice. We found that the reduced detection of PV+ synapses were accompanied by changes in spontaneous inhibitory and excitatory synaptic activity onto layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons. The aberrant cortical function was also evident in awake animals by a reduced high frequency auditory steady-state responses (ASSR), reliably monitored by EEG. Importantly, the imbalance of excitatory to inhibitory function could be attenuated on a cellular and cortical network level by activation of mGlu2/3 receptors, indicating the relevance of excessive excitatory transmission to the cortical network deficit in the Df(15q13)/+ mouse model. Our findings highlight the preclinical value of genetic risk and in particular CNV models such as the Df(15q13)/+ mice to investigate pathological network correlates of schizophrenia risk and to probe therapeutic opportunities based on clinically relevant biomarkers.
Overt and covert prosody are reflected in neurophysiological responses previously attributed to grammatical processing
Authors: Glushko Anastasia , Poeppel David , Steinhauer Karsten
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Recent neurophysiological research suggests that slow cortical activity tracks hierarchical syntactic structure during online sentence processing (e.g., Ding, Melloni, Zhang, Tian, & Poeppel, 2016). Here we tested an alternative hypothesis: electrophysiological activity peaks at sentence constituent frequencies reflect cortical tracking of overt or covert (implicit) prosodic grouping. In three experiments, participants listened to series of sentences while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. First, prosodic cues in the sentence materials were neutralized. We found an EEG spectral power peak elicited at a frequency that only ‘tagged’ covert prosodic change, but not any major syntactic constituents. In the second experiment, participants listened to a series of sentences with overt prosodic grouping cues that either aligned or misaligned with the syntactic phrasing in the sentences (initial overt prosody trials). Immediately after each overt prosody trial, participants were presented with a second series of sentences (covert prosody trial) with all overt prosodic cues neutralized and asked to imagine the prosodic contour present in the previous, overt prosody trial. The EEG responses reflected an interactive relationship between syntactic processing and prosodic tracking at the frequencies of syntactic constituents (sentences and phrases): alignment of syntax and prosody boosted EEG responses, whereas their misalignment had an opposite effect. This was true for both overt and covert (imagined) prosody. We conclude that processing of both overt and covert prosody is reflected in the frequency tagged neural responses at sentence constituent frequencies, whereas identifying neural markers that are narrowly reflective of syntactic processing remains difficult and controversial.
Interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza and the impact of coinfection on disease severity: A test negative design
Authors: Stowe J , Tessier E , Zhao H , Guy R , Muller-Pebody B , Zambon M , Andrews N , Ramsay M , Bernal J Lopez
Published: September 2020

Background

The potential impact of COVID-19 alongside influenza on morbidity, mortality and health service capacity is a major concern as the Northern Hemisphere winter approaches. This study investigates the interaction between influenza and COVID-19 during the latter part of the 2019-20 influenza season in England.

Methods

Individuals tested for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 were extracted from national surveillance systems between 20/01/2020 and 25/04/2020. To estimate influenza infection on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, univariable and multivariable analyses on the odds of SARS-CoV-2 in those who tested positive for influenza compared to those who tested negative for influenza. To assess whether a coinfection was associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 outcome, univariable and multivariable analyses on the odds of death adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidity and coinfection status.

Findings

The risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 was 58% lower among influenza positive cases, suggesting possible pathogenic competition between the two viruses. Patients with a coinfection had a risk of death of 5.92 (95% CI, 3.21-10.91) times greater than among those with neither influenza nor SARS-CoV-2 and 2.27 (95% CI, 1.23 to 4.19) greater than COVID alone suggesting possible synergistic effects in coinfected individuals. The odds of ventilator use or death and ICU admission or death was greatest among coinfection patients showing strong evidence of an interaction effect compared to SARS-CoV-2/influenza acting independently.

Interpretation

Cocirculation of these viruses could have a significant impact on morbidity, mortality and health service demand. Testing for influenza alongside SARS-CoV-2 and maximising influenza vaccine uptake should be prioritised to mitigate these risks.

Funding

This study was funded by Public Health England
Relating neural oscillations to laminar fMRI connectivity
Authors: Scheeringa René , Bonnefond Mathilde , van Mourik Tim , Jensen Ole , Norris David G. , Koopmans Peter J.
Published: September 2020

Laminar fMRI holds the potential to study connectivity at the laminar level in humans. Here we analyze simultaneously recorded EEG and high resolution fMRI data to investigate how EEG power modulations, induced by a task with an attentional component, relate to changes in fMRI laminar connectivity between and within brain regions. Our results indicate that our task induced decrease in beta power relates to an increase in deep-to-deep layer coupling between regions and to an increase in deep/middle-to-superficial layer connectivity within brain regions. The attention-related alpha power decrease predominantly relates to reduced connectivity between deep and superficial layers within brain regions, since, unlike beta power, alpha power was found to be positively correlated to connectivity. We observed no strong relation between laminar connectivity and gamma band oscillations. These results indicate that especially beta band, and to a lesser extent alpha band oscillations relate to laminar specific fMRI connectivity. These differential effects for the alpha and beta bands suggest a complex picture of possibly co-occurring neural processes that can differentially affect laminar connectivity.
2,2′-Oxybis[1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d][1,3,2]diazaborole]
Authors: Mallard Hannah H. , Kennedy Nicholas D. , Rudman Nathan A. , Greenwood Alexa M. , Nicoleau Jonathan , Angle Corey E. , Torquato Nicole A. , Gau Michael R. , Carroll Patrick J. , Anstey Mitchell R.
Published: September 2020

In the title compound, C40H36B2N4O5, the B—O—B bond angle is 132.75 (13) and the dihedral angle between the benzodiazborole rings is 73.02 (5)°. In the crystal, weak C—H...O interactions link the molecules.
A decision support model for subcontractor selection using a hybrid approach of QFD and AHP-improved grey correlation analysis
Authors: Chen Xiaobo , Ding Yanfeng , Cory Clark A. , Hu Yingwen , Wu Kuo-Jui , Feng Xiaoyi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a subcontractor selection model to fully consider the impact of construction enterprise demands on subcontractor selection. The objectives are to understand the translating process of specific enterprise demands to the evaluating criteria and the weight calculation process.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-stage model of subcontractor selection was designed based on quality function deployment (QFD), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and improved grey correlation analysis (IGCA). In the proposed model, specific enterprise demands are translated by the QFD method, and the weights of the criteria are determined by the IGCA. The AHP is used to quantify the exporters' experience and construct the judgment matrix, which is used as inputting of the grey correlation analysis.

Findings

The proposed model provides a feasible process for subcontractor selection by fully considering the actual requirements of the project. By combining the company requirements and project requirement to put forward the requirements of the target subcontractor, the selection process ensures that the selected subcontractor and the project have a higher “fit”

Originality/value

Few researches on construction subcontractor selection have taken into account the “voice” of the company's stakeholders. Therefore, this paper designs a three-stage construction subcontractor selection model by introducing QFD to achieve the transmission of “voice” in the subcontractor selection process, so as to take full consideration of the project objectives and the needs of the company's stakeholders. Meanwhile, in order to decrease the subjective of weight calculation, this paper designs an AHP-IGCA allocation method to determine the weight of relevant indicators. By integrating the proposed weight calculation method and QFD method, the subcontractor selection results become more reasonable and objective.
How does ethical leadership boost follower's creativity? Examining mediation and moderation mechanisms
Authors: Nazir Sajjad , Shafi Amina , Asadullah Muhammad Ali , Qun Wang , Khadim Sahar
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism through voice behavior mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and employees' creativity. This study also examines the moderating role of psychological empowerment and innovative climate between ethical leadership and employee creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

We used a survey questionnaire to collect multi-wave data from 295 employees working in the IT sector to test the proposed hypotheses of this study.

Findings

The findings revealed that ethical leadership boosts employee creativity, and voice behavior mediates the positive relationship between ethical leadership and employee creativity. Moreover, the results confirm the significant moderating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between ethical leadership and voice behavior. A positive moderation of innovative climate was also confirmed in the association between voice behavior and creativity. Employees with supportive innovative climate adopt creative behavior when they can voice their concerns freely.

Practical implications

Ethical leadership is a vital tool for fostering employee's creativity by providing autonomy to raise their voice at the workplace in the emerging markets.

Originality/value

This is one of the leading researches to emphasize the role of ethical leadership for employee creativity, and the key contribution is to discover voice as a potential mediator for ethical leadership and an innovative climate as a potential moderator in the relationship between voice behavior and employee creativity.
Artificial intelligence in the fashion industry: consumer responses to generative adversarial network (GAN) technology
Authors: Sohn Kwonsang , Sung Christine Eunyoung , Koo Gukwon , Kwon Ohbyung
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study examines consumers' evaluations of product consumption values, purchase intentions and willingness to pay for fashion products designed using generative adversarial network (GAN), an artificial intelligence technology. This research investigates differences between consumers' evaluations of a GAN-generated product and a non-GAN-generated product and tests whether disclosing the use of GAN technology affects consumers' evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample products were developed as experimental stimuli using cycleGAN. Data were collected from 163 members of Generation Y. Participants were assigned to one of the three experimental conditions (i.e. non-GAN-generated images, GAN-generated images with disclosure and GAN-generated images without disclosure). Regression analysis and ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Functional, social and epistemic consumption values positively affect willingness to pay in the GAN-generated products. Relative to non-GAN-generated products, willingness to pay is significantly higher for GAN-generated products. Moreover, evaluations of functional value, emotional value and willingness to pay are highest when GAN technology is used, but not disclosed.

Originality/value

This study evaluates the utility of GANs from consumers' perspective based on the perceived value of GAN-generated product designs. Findings have practical implications for firms that are considering using GANs to develop products for the retail fashion market.
B2B brand orientation, relationship commitment, and buyer-supplier relational performance
Authors: Chang Yu , Wang Xinchun , Su Lixun , Cui Annie Peng
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to add insights into the business-to-business (B2B) branding literature by investigating the mechanism by which brand orientation affects relational performance in the B2B context.

Design/methodology/approach

A theory-based model is developed and tested using data collected from 201 Chinese B2B companies. Partial least squares analysis is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results suggest that relationship commitment serves as an important means that translates a firm’s brand orientation into superior relational performance. Moreover, this positive effect is more prominent when the supplier is co-branding with its buyer. In addition, state-owned buyers are more inclined to develop affective commitment than calculative commitment when their suppliers are brand-oriented.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines the research questions from only the buyer side. In addition, the causal interface of the results might be limited due to the cross-sectional nature of the data.

Practical implications

While brand orientation generally leads to enhanced relational performance, it depends on the buyer’s involvement in co-branding and its ownership structure.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to uncover the underlying mechanism by which brand orientation adds value to B2B relationships. The findings provide compelling insights for managers who are interested in promoting a brand orientation to improve relational performance within their organizations.
Estimation of VWAP in the Korean Stock Market and its Implications
Authors: Kim Soo-Hyun
Published: September 2020

This paper conducts an empirical analysis for the estimations of volume-weighted price of the Korean stock market and provides the implications of the estimation errors regarding the characteristics of the market and the corresponding securities. We employ fast Fourier transformation strategy and traditional simple average strategy and compare the performances of the two methods using five minute interval intra-day data of KOSPI50 stocks. Estimations errors of the two methods from Ex Post real VWAP are computed and the relationships between the errors and other market variables are examined. We find that larger market value leads to smaller error whereas average trading in dollar has negative relationship with the estimation error. We also look at the behavior of institutional traders and the order execution mechanism to explain our statistical findings.
An Optimal Selection of the basis Functions for the Valuation of Interest Rate Structured Notes
Authors: Seong Hanki , Lee Sang Bin
Published: September 2020

This paper examines which basis functions are efficient to employ a combined method of Hull and White (1990) with the Monte Carlo simulation when we price a callable range note or a callable bond. We use the Huge and Rom-Poulsen (2007) method which has modified the least squared Monte Carlo simulation proposed by Longstaff and Schwartz (2001) to reduce the estimation errors of the continuation value or the underlying assets. To use Monte carlo Simulation for pricing the early exercise premium, it is essential to accurately estimate the continuation value, because the investors will choose the higher value between the exercise and the continuation value at the possible early exercise dates. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the estimation errors originating from the choice of the basis functions for the underlying asset and the continuation value estimation.

We choose the callable bond and the callable range accrual note to show which basis functions are reliable to reduce the estimation errors. For this purpose, we replicate the callable range accrual note with a portfolio of a fixed rate bond and a delayed digital option. We use several basis functions such as a constant, the instantaneous interest rates, and the range in order to see which basis function is efficient for our purpose. We examine several combinations of the basis functions depending on which basis functions will be used for the underlying asset or the continuation value estimation. We show that the range which is an important determinant of the callable range accrual note is an effective basis function to accurately determine the underlying asset and the continuation value for the pricing of the callable range accrual note.
The first evidence about conceptual vs analytical lean healthcare research studies
Authors: Santos Ana Carla de Souza Gomes dos , Reis Augusto da Cunha , Souza Cristina Gomes de , Santos Igor Leão dos , Ferreira Letícia Ali Figueiredo
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Several authors have examined the lean healthcare literature, but besides all efforts made, articles comparing conceptual and analytical studies were not found. Thus, a systematic review is conducted aiming to understand the state of the art of lean healthcare by investigating and comparing how conceptual and analytical articles address tools/methods, application fields, implementation barriers and facilitators and positive and negative impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles in English about lean healthcare, published in journals in the last ten years (2009–2018) and indexed in Web of Science (WoS) or Scopus were examined and assessed by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) protocol. A qualitative content analysis on the eligible articles was conducted, and results from the conceptual and analytical studies were compared.

Findings

There is a literature gap regarding tools/methods in both conceptual and analytical approaches once they prioritize for different items. Barriers, facilitators and negative impacts are perceived differently within both categories and might require more extensive analysis. The same items prevail in both conceptual and analytical categories when analyzing healthcare fields and positive impacts.

Originality/value

There is a lack of articles comparing conceptual and analytical studies concerning lean healthcare. So, this study's relevance is in identifying theoretical and applied research gaps to strengthen the lean healthcare state of the art and to integrate theoretical-applied knowledge. For healthcare professionals, it might provide an overview of the key factors that can promote lean implementation.
Impact of macroeconomic variables on corporate capital structure: a case of India
Authors: Ahuja Bhavna Ranjan , Kalra Rosy
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of macroeconomic variables on the capital structure of manufacturing companies in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs panel regression technique (random effects model) on a sample of 1,029 listed Indian manufacturing companies divided into two categories – large-size companies and mid-size companies for the last ten years from FY 2008–09 to FY 2017–18. Two separate models pertaining to long-term leverage (TTL_TNW ratio) and total leverage (TOL_TNW) have been examined.

Findings

Major findings show that macroeconomic variables play a relatively more important role in deciding the long-term debt component in the capital structure of the firms as compared to short-term loans. Similarly macroeconomic variables are found to be more significant in case of large-size companies as compared to mid-size companies. Also, there is a negative relationship between market capitalisation and leverage and bank credit and leverage, whereas money supply has a positive relationship with leverage.

Research limitations/implications

The study makes an important contribution to the existing literature in understanding better how macroeconomic variables play an important role in determining the capital structure of firms. In the present dynamic economic environment, such a study lays down the macro areas on which the academicians, policymakers and financial managers can focus with respect to corporate financing decisions. The firm-specific factors have not been taken into account. Inclusion of these factors will make the results more robust.

Originality/value

The study focusses on the impact of macroeconomic variables on the capital structure decision of the Indian firms. Several studies in this area have been done in the context of the developed countries. However, there are not many studies in the Indian context that examine the relationship between financing decision and macroeconomic variables. The results that have been derived in case of developed economies may not be extended in the Indian context as there are considerable differences across countries related to corporate and legal environment, taxation system, corporate governance laws, interest rate environments, banking system, sources of funds and so on. Therefore, it becomes important to focus on countries individually.