bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debunking the High Cost of Healthy Diets: Consumer Behavior Predicts Dietary Energy Density in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults
Authors: Vernarelli Jacqueline A. , DiSarro Rebecca
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

Dietary energy density (ED; kcal/g) is an established marker for diet quality and a risk factor for obesity. Previous studies have suggested that low-ED diets cost more than high-ED diets, adding an economic contribution to the obesity epidemic. This study evaluated the relationship between consumer behavior (money spent on food) and dietary energy density in a nationally representative sample of US adults.

Design, Setting and Subjects:

Data from 10,622 adult participants in the 2013-2016 NHANES were used for this study. The NHANES is a large cross-sectional survey conducted by the CDC and NCHS.

Measures:

Consumer behavior was evaluated by examining total dollars spent on food, as well as dollars spent at various categories of food stores & restaurants. Dietary ED was calculated using multiple methods.

Analysis:

Multivariate regression models were then used to evaluate the relationship between consumer behavior, defined as money spent in four categories (groceries, take-out, dining out, other food purchases) and dietary energy density.

Results:

Low-ED diets did not cost more than high-ED diets overall, though low-ED diets contained more servings of fruits (1.6 vs 0.4), vegetables (2.2 vs 0.9) and fiber (21 vs 13g), and fewer added sugars (15 vs. 18 tsp), solid fats (28 vs 39g), all p’s < 0.01. Differences in spending patterns were identified. A positive linear trend between money spent on fast food/takeout and dietary energy density (p < 0.001) was observed. Additionally, individuals in the lowest quartile of ED spent more at grocery stores per person than individuals in the highest quartile of ED ($182 vs. $150 p = 0.04).

Conclusion:

Spending pattern and consumer choices are associated with dietary ED in this cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative population sample. Identifying eating behaviors associated with diets high in energy density may inform future investigations that intervene on dietary habit for promotion of healthy eating and prevention of weight gain.
Effectiveness of training and educational programs for hospital managers: A systematic review
Authors: Ravaghi Hamid , Beyranvand Tina , Mannion Russell , Alijanzadeh Mehran , Aryankhesal Aidin , Belorgeot Victoria D
Published: November 2020

Background

Developing and strengthening the competencies and skills of health care managers is a key objective in many health systems. Selecting adequate training methods, content, and using appropriate criteria for assessing their impact is fundamental for improving their usefulness and effectiveness. Filling an important gap in knowledge, this review assesses the evidence on the effectiveness of different types of training and educational programmes delivered to hospital managers.

Methods

In this narrative systematic review, the following electronic databases were searched for literature published between January 1st, 1990 and January 31st, 2019. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies.

Results

In total, 9 articles were included. Results showed that the main topics covered by training programs for hospital managers were: planning, organization and coordination, control and supervision of hospital staff, teamwork, communication, motivation and leadership, monitoring and evaluation, and quality improvement skills. Training in these skills was found to improve managers’ strategic and operational planning abilities, change management and behavioural management methods, and leadership.

Conclusions

The examined training programs had a relatively positive effect on the managerial skills, knowledge and competencies of hospital managers. In general, these capacity-building programs focused on developing three types of skills: technical, interpersonal and conceptual. Training programs focused on developing technical skills among managers were more effective than those focused on developing other types of skills. Increased investment and large-scale planning are needed to develop better the knowledge and competencies of hospital managers.
A novel geometry error measurement methodology for coaxiality evaluation
Authors: Yingjie Zhang , Liling Ge
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we proposed a new device for geometry errors measurement and coaxiality evaluation, and the corresponding methodology for coaxiality evaluation from measurement data is presented, which allows to characterize multiple holes at a time. Unlike traditional measurement system a laser sensor is mounted onto out of the holes so that multi-hole surfaces can be “seen” by the senor when it rotates around a fixed axis. First the intersections (or ellipse profiles) of the sensor’s scanning plane and holes, are computed by fitting. Then, the center coordinates and profile points of the ellipse are computed and transformed to the 3D global coordinate frame. Finally the centerline of the hole is determined from the 3D profile points by using a weighted least-squares fitting algorithm. In addition, to reduce the effect of noises on the measurement result, error analysis and compensation techniques are studied to improve the measurement accuracy. A case study is presented to validate the measurement principle and data processing approach.
Effect of easement geometry on rail end fillet stress at bolted rail joints for transit track
Authors: Qian Yu , Dersch Marcus S , Edwards J Riley , Quirós-Orozco Ricardo Jose
Published: November 2020

Continuously welded rail (CWR) has become more popular than bolted joints because of the advantages of continuous geometry and stiffness and the resulting maintenance savings. Due to a variety of reasons, a considerable number of bolted joints are still in service in rail transit systems. With the high frequency of impact loads, rail at bolted joints are vulnerable to defects, such as cracking and head-web separation that could lead to more drastic failures and consequences (i.e. derailments, etc.). To prolong the service life of joint bars and rails, rail-end easements in the center of the bar were proposed and became standard in some freight rail companies. However, the effectiveness of a joint bar easement largely depends on the geometry of the easement. Therefore, the easement designed for freight track may not be effective for rail transit infrastructure. Further, the effect of easement geometry has not been thoroughly investigated and documented. Therefore, this study investigates the stress distribution at the rail end bolt-hole and upper fillet areas for joint bars with different easement geometries through a parametric analysis performed with Finite Element (FE) modeling. The FE model used in this study was developed specifically to study rail joints and was validated through full-scale laboratory testing. Results from this study show that a deeper easement yields lower contact stresses, while a longer easement does not necessarily reduce the contact stresses with the studied combination of rails and bolted joints for transit track. An easement may reduce the service life of the joint if the geometry of the easement is not properly engineered.
From print to digital: First steps in collecting digital music publications in UK legal deposit libraries
Authors: Roper Amelie
Published: November 2020

As a result of the 2013 Non-Print Legal Deposit Regulations, the United Kingdom’s legal deposit libraries acquired two large collections of digital music publications in PDF format: 43,165 from Music Sales and 13,167 from Faber Music. These constitute their back catalogues for the period 2013 to 2018. This article considers the genres of music that were collected, the relationship between printed and digital output and intended users. The increasing prevalence of digital publication in the United Kingdom’s music publishing industry was evident, with 99% of the content collected from these firms in this period in digital format. The ‘near duplication’ of content through the production of variant editions contributed greatly to the volume of output. Although 71% of content was popular music, other musical genres were also represented. Most of the publications were intended for performance rather than academic study. Despite the tendency to reprint extracts from printed publications digitally, there is currently little potential to switch UK music publishers from print to digital deposit. To truly reflect the nation’s cultural heritage, future collecting will need to embrace the breadth of the United Kingdom’s digital music publishing industry. Legal deposit libraries will need to collect publications with accompanying audiovisual content, those in multiple parts, proprietary music notation file formats and interactive content delivered via apps. This will require workflows that can accommodate publishers producing a handful of publications and those publishing at scale. The sustainability of collecting relies on close cooperation between libraries, composers, publishers, distributors, aggregators and music notation software providers.
How did mental health become so biomedical? The progressive erosion of social determinants in historical psychiatric admission registers
Authors: Handerer Fritz , Kinderman Peter , Timmermann Carsten , Tai Sara J
Published: November 2020

This paper explores the historical developments of admission registers of psychiatric asylums and hospitals in England and Wales between 1845 and 1950, with illustrative examples (principally from the archives of the Rainhill Asylum, UK). Standardized admission registers have been mandatory elements of the mental health legislative framework since 1845, and procedural changes illustrate the development from what, today, we would characterize as a predominantly psychosocial understanding of mental health problems towards primarily biomedical explanations. Over time, emphasis shifts from the social determinants of admission to an asylum to the diagnosis of an illness requiring treatment in hospital. We discuss the implications of this progressive historical diminution of the social determinants of mental health for current debates in mental health care.
A comparison of Holocene testate amoeba assemblages and paleohydrological records from pollen slides and wet-sieved peat
Authors: Magnan Gabriel , Lacourse Terri , Garneau Michelle
Published: November 2020

In this study, we compared new testate amoeba records produced by the conventional water-based wet-sieving method to testate amoeba data from previous palynological analyses of two Holocene peat profiles from British Columbia, Canada. We used 132 paired samples from the same peat cores to compare the composition of testate amoeba assemblages between the two methods and evaluate the potential of palynological testate amoeba records as quantitative paleohydrological proxies in peatlands. Our results suggest that the palynological treatments (acetolysis, 10% KOH and 150 µm sieving) substantially reduce test concentrations, diversity and richness in most pollen-slide samples. The smaller sieve size used in the palynological treatment (i.e. 150 µm) removed only a small fraction of the total tests, but could introduce a species-specific bias in assemblage composition. However, major shifts between wet and dry conditions, as shown by the water table depth (WTD) reconstructions using wet-sieved samples, were relatively well captured by the palynological datasets in most instances. The palynological assemblages with counts of >50 tests ( n = 30) provided WTD estimates similar to those inferred from the wet-sieved samples as the most dominant hydrophilous and xerophilous taxa were relatively well represented in the pollen-slide samples in the two studied peat cores. Testate amoeba data from pollen slides can provide useful paleohydrological information particularly when combined with other paleoenvironmental proxies. Nonetheless, if the goal is to generate quantitative paleohydrological reconstructions, we recommend that testate amoeba analyses be conducted using the wet-sieving method, as testate amoeba concentrations, diversity and richness are typically much lower in samples prepared with palynological treatments.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Correlating changes for environmental, technological and societal transformation in prehistoric eastern Asia
Authors: Liu Ruiliang , Dong Guanghui , Ma Minmin , Pollard A Mark
Published: November 2020

Identifying and explaining changes in the prehistoric material and social world is one of the greatest research interests in archaeology, palaeoclimate and environmental science. In the last two decades or so, a considerable number of studies have made significant contributions to the associated disciplines in eastern Asian archaeology. However, due to the more specialised scientific approaches and the rapid accumulation of new excavation materials, it becomes increasingly difficult for scholars to examine and correlate research outputs from different areas and achieve a holistic picture of the past. Using eastern Asian archaeology as an example, this Special Issue aims to break down the disciplinary boundaries and present the current research debate on how to correlate different climate, environmental and social changes and explain human past. One of the fundamental issues is the lack of adequate chronological resolution to order various archaeological events. To tackle this, a large number of radiocarbon dates, primarily derived from short- lived materials, are provided in the Special Issue. A great variety of changes in local environment, agricultural practice, animal husbandry, technologies, migration, demography and social organisations are revealed in the following papers but there are two profound drivers to all of these changes. One is the broad climate change since the start of the Holocene and the other is the communication between the West and the East.
Bone collagen stable isotope analysis of a Bronze Age site of Liushugou and its implication for subsistence strategy in arid northwest China
Authors: Dong Weimiao , An Cheng-Bang , Wang Yongqiang , Hu Wanglin , Zhang Jie
Published: November 2020

Several studies have revealed the subsistence strategies of Bronze Age people along Eastern Tianshan Mountains. However, all the previously revolved sites were permanent settlements. How people survived in arid harsh mountainous environment facing source scarcity during Bronze Age in the inner Asia is far beyond clear. This study focuses on bone carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic analysis of both human and faunal assemblage exhumed from Liushugou site, integrated with marcobotanical result and radiocarbon data to reveal human diets and subsistence strategy of this Bronze Age community. Stable carbon isotopic analysis of human bones (−19.1‰ to −17.2‰, −18.1 ± 0.4‰, n = 46) and macrobotanical results (barley) consistently indicating a nearly pure C3 based plants food intake. High δ15N values of the majority people (12.4‰ to 15.1‰, 13.4 ± 0.5‰, n = 44) point to heavy animal protein consumption. No detectable isotopic composition was observed between omnivores (boar, −19.0‰ and −17.5‰, 8.2‰ and 8.7‰, n = 2) and large number of herbivores (−20.0‰ to −9.7‰, −18 ± 1.7‰; 5.5‰ to 13.4‰, 8.4 ± 1.7‰; n = 56). Compared to those sites along Eastern Tianshan Mts. whose diets included millets/barley/wheat, humans at Liushugou site barely consumed millets during their occupation (3500–2900 cal BP). The diverse subsistence strategies of human populations demonstrate the active adaptations to different environment along Eastern Tianshan Mts. during Bronze Age.
Flexible derivative time-varying model in matched case-crossover studies for a small number of geographical locations among the participants
Authors: Ortega-Villa Ana M , Kim Inyoung
Published: November 2020

In matched case-crossover studies, any stratum effect is removed by conditioning on the fixed number of case–control sets in the stratum, and hence, the conditional logistic regression model is not able to detect any effects associated with matching covariates. However, some matching covariates such as time and location often modify the effect of covariates, making the estimations obtained by conditional logistic regression incorrect. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a flexible derivative time-varying coefficient model to evaluate effect modification by time and location, in order to make correct statistical inference, when the number of locations is small. Our proposed model is developed under the Bayesian hierarchical model framework and allows us to simultaneously detect relationships between the predictor and binary outcome and between the predictor and time. Inference is proposed based on the derivative function of the estimated function to determine whether there is an effect modification due to time and/or location, for a small number of locations among the participants. We demonstrate the accuracy of the estimation using a simulation study and an epidemiological example of a 1–4 bidirectional case-crossover study of childhood aseptic meningitis with drinking water turbidity.
Improving Eyewitness-Identification Evidence Through Double-Blind Lineup Administration
Authors: Bull Kovera Margaret , Evelo Andrew J.
Published: November 2020

Lineups and photo arrays are often presented to witnesses by police officers who know which lineup member is the suspect (single-blind lineup administration) rather than by officers who do not know (double-blind administration). Administrators who are not blind to which lineup member is the suspect are more likely than blind administrators to emit behavioral cues that steer witnesses toward choosing the suspect and away from choosing fillers (i.e., a lineup member who is not the suspect). Moreover, nonblind administrators may provide confirmatory feedback to witnesses who identify the suspect, increasing their confidence in the accuracy of their identification and weakening the correlation between witness confidence and accuracy. Nonblind administrators are also more likely to interpret witnesses’ tentative statements about a suspect than about a filler as a positive identification. Because of these findings that single-blind administration biases identifications against suspects, even when they are innocent, evidence-based recommendations for best practices in the collection of eyewitness-identification evidence call for the use of double-blind lineup-administration procedures.
The Impact of AIS Usage on AIS Effectiveness Among Jordanian SMEs: A Multi-group Analysis of the Role of Firm Size
Authors: Lutfi Abdalwali , Al-Okaily Manaf , Alsyouf Adi , Alsaad Abdallah , Taamneh Abdallah
Published: November 2020

In this research, we look at the antecedents of accounting information system (AIS) usage and their impact on the effectiveness of AIS. Therefore, drawing upon the resource-based view (RBV) and the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework, we propose an integrated model to investigate the precursors and impacts of AIS utilization among Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The model so proposed incorporates the usage of AIS and its performance aspects into one framework. The current research utilized a self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data. Using data drawn from 186 respondents, the research model was verified empirically in the context of Jordanian SMEs. The findings revealed that compatibility, competitive pressure, organizational readiness, the commitment of the owners/managers and government supports have exerted a significant influence on the usage of AIS. In addition, the results demonstrated that AIS usage significantly influenced the effectiveness of AIS. In addition, firm size moderated the effect of AIS usage on AIS effectiveness. The findings of the current study afford insights as to how firms might garner improved usage of an AIS to gain better firm performance and provide contributions to the small but developing stream of research examining both antecedents and impacts of IS/IT usage.
Enforcing workers’ compensation rights for Chinese seafarers in human resource supply chains
Authors: Shan Desai , Zhang Pengfei
Published: November 2020

Non-compliance with labour standards impedes enforcement of workers’ rights in human resource supply chains. Despite governments’ efforts to improve labour standards and encourage employer-centred voluntary compliance programmes, infringements of workers’ rights are widely reported. Using a qualitative socio-legal study of Chinese seafarers’ workers’ compensation rights, we investigate whether shipping companies and their crewing agencies comply with their legal obligations following workplace injuries and fatalities. Through 74 semi-structured interviews and analysis of crew management policies from 7 shipping companies, we identify a failure of most shipowners’ internal policies to comply with legal obligations. Furthermore, multinational shipping companies use crewing agencies to evade their liabilities to injured seafarers. We propose the establishment of a joint liability mechanism between employers and labour intermediaries to fill this compliance gap that exists in global human resource supply chains.

JEL Codes: J81, J83, L91, M54, N75
Modeling and experiment of vibro-impact vibration energy harvester based on a partial interlayer-separated piezoelectric beam
Authors: Cao Dong-Xing , Xia Wei , Guo Xiang-Ying , Lai Siu-Kai
Published: November 2020

Piezoelectric-based energy harvesting techniques offer a promising way to transform vibration energy into electric energy. However, many vibration energy harvesters (VEH) can only work under narrow bandwidths and limited high frequencies to restrict their working performance. In this paper, a vibro-impact piezoelectric VEH is proposed, where a partial interlayer-separated piezoelectric beam is designed to improve the voltage output and frequency bandwidth of the VEH. First, the mechanism of the proposed VEH is introduced and the electromechanical model is derived based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and vibro-impact dynamic model. Voltage-frequency responses are then obtained by using an approximate analytical method. In addition, the effect of partial interlayer-separated piezoelectric beams on the energy harvesting performance is investigated numerically. A parametric study is performed to investigate the influence of system parameters on the voltage output in terms of bandwidth and magnitude. Finally, the theoretical solutions are validated by experimental results, the voltage output of the proposed VEH is higher than the non-impact type. The maximum output power of the proposed VEH is about 12 times more than that of the conventional one under a 0.2 g acceleration. Due to the good agreement of the variation trend between the theoretical values and experiment results, the proposed partial interlayer-separated beam VEH can be used for a further optimization of the vibration energy harvester.
A Multicenter Qualitative Analysis of Medical Student Narratives After a Palliative Care Elective
Authors: Sagin Alana , Ellman Matthew S. , Shariff Ruhi R. , Jones Christopher A. , Tindall Kate , Siropaides Caitlin H.
Published: November 2020

Background:

The medical student experience of a clinical elective in palliative care (PC) remains understudied. Reflective narrative interventions can help students hone narrative competency skills, make sense of their clinical experiences and shed light on their perception of the rotation.

Objectives:

To evaluate medical student written reflections after a PC clinical elective.

Design:

Students were asked to write a short reflective essay after PC clinical electives using open-ended writing prompts.

Setting:

Essays were collected from third and fourth-year medical students after completion of a PC elective at three geographically diverse academic medical centers in the United States.

Measurements:

Essays were coded for themes using a conventional content qualitative method of analysis.

Results:

Thirty-four essays were analyzed and four major themes emerged: reflection on the mission of medicine or motivation for being in medicine, reflection on professional skills or lessons learned, reflection on patient’s experience and personal responses to PC rotation. Sub-themes were also identified.

Conclusions:

Themes underscore the utility of the PC clinical elective as a meaningful experience that imparts useful skills, builds empathy, reminds students of their own motivations for being in medicine and serves as a catalyst for reflection on their own lives and relationships with their patients. Awareness of medical students’ personal and emotional responses to a PC elective can help inform educators as they support their students and provide opportunities for reflection and education.
Effects of Email Performance Feedback on Teachers’ Use of Play Expansions
Authors: Gomez Lauren , Barton Erin E. , Winchester Claire , Locchetta Brandy
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of email-delivered performance feedback to teachers working in inclusive early childhood classrooms. A concurrent multiple probe across-participants design was used to examine the relation between performance feedback delivered via email and teachers’ use of play expansions. Results indicated that email was an effective method for delivering performance feedback, subsequently increasing teachers’ use of play expansions when individualized to meet the needs of teachers; however, the complexity of children’s play behaviors did not increase.
The Role of Health Care Human Factors in Responding to COVID-19: Findings From an Industry Survey
Authors: Howe Jessica , Parker Sarah Henrickson , Wiggermann Neal , Zagarese Vivian
Published: November 2020

A survey of human factors practitioners working in health care was administered to understand their challenges and successes encountered when responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus areas identified by survey respondents related to workflow, physical environments, communication, and implementation of new technologies. The results from this study can be used by human factors practitioners to demonstrate the common challenges and opportunities for applying human factors to system redesign within their health care organizations. These findings can also be used to encourage investments in human factors by health care organizations and the federal government.
Institutional Context and Accountability for Political Distrust
Authors: Jones David R.
Published: November 2020

This project investigates how voters hold government electorally accountable for perceived untrustworthiness, and particularly how this accountability is conditioned by institutional context. Studies show that political distrust is associated at least as much with attitudes toward the legislative branch as with attitudes toward the executive. With this in mind, I consider two contextual factors. First, whether a party that controls both branches of government may affect the degree to which its candidates face electoral accountability for distrust in government. Second, whether voters who are being asked to elect a representative to the legislative branch as opposed to the executive may affect which institution’s ruling party is more likely to be held accountable. I analyze these relationships using survey data from the American National Election Study covering over half a century. The results demonstrate that institutional context conditions both when and whom voters hold accountable for their distrust in government.
Updates in the management and future landscape of urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Hanna Kirollos S , Campbell Maren , Kolling Adam , Husak Alex , Sturm Sabrina , Bello Dave , Blake Kimball
Published: November 2020

Urothelial carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer type in the United States. Although most patients present with early stage disease which is associated with improved outcomes, many will progress to locally advanced or metastatic disease. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly impacted the treatment paradigm for patients and have resulted in improved survival rates. Despite their proven efficacy, many ongoing clinical trials continue to refine combinations with chemotherapy, sequencing of therapies and the role of ligand expression. Additionally, novel targets have been identified for advanced urothelial carcinoma and have led to the approval of the antibody-drug conjugate, enfortumab vedotin, and the fibroblast growth factor receptor-targeted, erdafitinib. Enrollment in a clinical trial is strongly encouraged for all stages of advanced or metastatic disease. Numerous ongoing clinical trials are likely to impact the treatment armamentarium for patients. In this manuscript, we highlight key updates in the clinical management for patients and outline ongoing trials.
Plasma and urinary F2-isoprostane markers of oxidative stress are increased in cats with early (stage 1) chronic kidney disease
Authors: Granick Martin , Leuin Allison S , Trepanier Lauren A
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Oxidative stress contributes to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in humans and rodent models; F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) are established biomarkers of oxidative stress. Our primary aim was to evaluate plasma F2-IsoPs in cats with International Renal Interest Society stage 1 and 2 CKD, compared with healthy cats, and to determine whether plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs are equivalent biomarkers. The secondary aim was to assess whether consumption of a renal diet enriched in omega-3 fatty acids led to improvements in plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs.

Methods

Plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs were measured in 24 cats with stage 1 or 2 CKD, and 12 unaffected controls aged ⩾6 years. Twelve CKD cats were re-evaluated after feeding a commercial renal diet for at least 4 weeks.

Results

Median plasma F2-IsoPs were significantly higher in stage 1 CKD (96.2 pg/ml), early stage 2 CKD (83.2 pg/ml) and late stage 2 CKD (80.8 pg/ml) compared with healthy cats (22.8 pg/ml; P = 0.03−0.002). Median urinary F2-IsoPs were significantly higher in cats with stage 1 CKD (231.2 pg/mg) compared with healthy cats (152.5 pg/mg) or cats with late stage 2 CKD (124.8 pg/mg; P = 0.01). Plasma F2-IsoPs remained increased, while urinary F2-IsoPs fell with transition from stage 1 to stage 2 CKD. Feeding a commercial renal diet led to significant decreases in plasma F2-IsoPs in the small group of cats with stage 1 CKD (25−75% decrease) compared with cats with stage 2 CKD (20% decrease to 53% increase; P = 0.01).

Conclusions and relevance

Oxidative stress is prominent in cats with stage 1 CKD. Plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs are not interchangeable biomarkers in cats with stage 2 CKD. Placebo-controlled studies are indicated to evaluate dietary or pharmacologic doses of omega-3 fatty acids on redox stress and progression of renal dysfunction in cats with stage 1 CKD.
Vitrectomy with fovea-sparing ILM peeling versus total ILM peeling for myopic traction maculopathy: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Jingye , Xu Qian , Luan Jie
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect and safety of fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (FSIP) for myopic traction maculopathy comparing with that of total ILM peeling (TP).

Methods:

PubMed, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane, EBSCO and CNKI, published until January 2020, were searched. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative central foveal thickness (CFT), the rate of visual improvement and anatomic success were the main outcome parameters, and the secondary outcome parameters were postoperative complications. Random-effects models were chosen in regard with multi-studies. Standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and odds ratio (OR) were applied as effect sizes of continuous and binomial data, respectively.

Results:

Six comparative studies involving 193 eyes were included. Better postoperative BCVA was detected in the FSIP group (SMD = −0.39, 95%CI: −0.69 to −0.09, p = 0.01). The FSIP group had a higher rate of vision improvement with statistical significance (OR = 3.86, 95%CI: 1.36 to 10.97, p = 0.01). Both surgical methods had similar outcomes for postoperative CFT (SMD = 0.07, 95%CI: −0.27 to 0.40, p = 0.70). The FSIP group had a higher rate of anatomic success, though there was no obvious significance (OR = 2.54, 95%CI: 0.96 to 6.74, p = 0.06). For the development of postoperative full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), the rate was lower in the FSIP group (OR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.64, p = 0.008).

Conclusion:

Vitrectomy with fovea-sparing ILM peeling for myopic traction maculopathy could gain better visual outcomes and decrease incidence of FTMH development, though there was no obvious difference in postoperative CFT and the rate of anatomic success between two groups.
Accuracy of anterior segment optical coherence tomography for pre-operative localization of insertions of extraocular recti muscles
Authors: Jayaraj Sreeram , Singh Anupam , Agrawal Ajai , Panyala Rakesh , Samanta Ramanuj , Mittal SK , Kumar Barun
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

To study the accuracy of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) function of Cirrus HD-OCT 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) in calculating the insertion of rectus muscles from the limbus in patients undergoing primary squint surgery.

Methodology:

A prospective, double-masked, observational study was conducted on 128 muscles of 46 patients with strabismus who were planned for strabismus surgery between January 2019 and December 2019. Insertion distance from limbus was measured using AS-OCT function of Cirrus HD-OCT 500 preoperatively. Intraoperative measurements were taken using Castroviejo caliper. A Bland-Altman analysis was performed to determine the agreement between the readings.

Results:

A total of 128 muscles were successfully imaged and evaluated, including 13 superior recti (10.15%), 23 inferior recti (17.96%), 35 medial recti (27.34%) and 57 lateral recti (44.53%). 124 muscles (96.9%) were within 1mm difference, which was considered clinically acceptable. Bland-Altman plots showed the level of agreement between the two methods was good.

Conclusion:

Anterior segment scan function of Cirrus HD-OCT 500 is an accurate method to detect the insertion of extraocular recti muscles in patients of primary strabismus surgery.
Hemodialysis vascular access affects heart function and outcomes: Tips for choosing the right access for the individual patient
Authors: Malik Jan , Lomonte Carlo , Rotmans Joris , Chytilova Eva , Roca-Tey Ramon , Kusztal Mariusz , Grus Tomas , Gallieni Maurizio
Published: November 2020

Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A well-functioning vascular access is associated with improved survival and among the available types of vascular access the arterio-venous (AV) fistula is the one associated with the best outcomes. However, AV access may affect heart function and, in some patients, could worsen the clinical status. This review article focuses on the specific cardiovascular hemodynamics of dialysis patients and how it is affected by the AV access; the effects of an excessive increase in AV access flow, leading to high-output heart failure; congestive heart failure in CKD patients and the contraindications to AV access; pulmonary hypertension. In severe heart failure, peritoneal dialysis (PD) might be the better choice for cardiac health, but if contraindicated suggestions for vascular access selection are provided based on the individual clinical presentation. Management of the AV access after kidney transplantation is also addressed, considering the cardiovascular benefit of AV access ligation compared to the advantage of having a functioning AVF as backup in case of allograft failure. In PD patients, who need to switch to hemodialysis, vascular access should be created timely. The influence of AV access in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for valvular or ischemic heart disease is also addressed. Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices are increasingly implanted in dialysis patients, but when doing so, the type and location of vascular access should be considered.
Clinical Outcomes Among Bullous Pemphigoid Patients—A Comparison of Urban and Rural Populations
Authors: MacGillivray Megan E. , Gill Navjeet , Salopek Thomas G. , Gniadecki Robert
Published: November 2020

Background

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease. It can be challenging to manage and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Access to dermatologic care is essential for patients with BP. However, the influence of geographic residence and distance to specialty care on patient outcomes or treatment regimens is unknown.

Objective

Assess whether the rural-dwelling or urban-dwelling geographic status of our patients impacts the treatment duration of systemic corticosteroids (CS) in the management of BP. Numerous secondary outcomes were evaluated including the cumulative systemic corticosteroid dose received, steroid-sparing agent utilized, and duration and number of follow-up appointments.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patient records from January 2013 to May 2019 seen at the university-associated clinic in Edmonton, Alberta. Patients were stratified based on their rural-dwelling or urban-dwelling status via their Forward Sortation Area.

Results

There were 59 patients with BP. Of these, 37 completed their systemic corticosteroid course. The time required for 51.0% of the urban group to complete their steroid course was 543 days, and for 51.5% of the rural group it was 507 days. Methotrexate and azathioprine were the most common steroid-sparing agents utilized in both groups. Rural patients were seen in follow-up significantly less often than urban patients.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the location of a patient’s geographic residence does not influence the systemic corticosteroid or steroid-sparing agent use at our center. Interestingly, rural patients are able to receive similar treatment to urban patients despite having significantly fewer follow-up appointments.
Facilitating English L2 learners’ intercultural competence and learning of English in a Taiwanese university
Authors: Wang Hung-chun
Published: November 2020

This article reports on a practitioner research study that adopted the intercultural approach to integrating Vietnamese and Indonesian cultural issues into Taiwanese university classes for English as a foreign language (EFL). A content-based course design was developed to infuse cultural topics including food culture, lifestyle and interpersonal interaction into an 18-week English curriculum with a dual focus on facilitating students’ intercultural competence and learning of English. This study recounts the teacher researcher’s process of developing and implementing this course; it also evaluates the effects of the course by analysing students’ perceptions based on data collected from an intercultural competence scale, a course evaluation survey and a semi-structured interview in two consecutive semesters. Based on the results, the students showed obvious growth in their intercultural competence; many of them also perceived that the course facilitated their learning of English. Overall, this study offers English language teachers novel insights with regard to developing and administering an EFL course featuring the teaching and learning of intercultural issues.
Autism and Williams syndrome: Dissimilar socio-cognitive profiles with similar patterns of abnormal gene expression in the blood
Authors: Niego Amy , Benítez-Burraco Antonio
Published: November 2020

Autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome exhibit quite opposite features in the social domain, but also share some common underlying behavioral and cognitive deficits. It is not clear, however, which genes account for the attested differences (and similarities) in the socio-cognitive domain. In this article, we adopted a comparative molecular approach and looked for genes that might be differentially (or similarly) regulated in the blood of subjects with these two conditions. We found a significant overlap between differentially expressed genes compared to neurotypical controls, with most of them exhibiting a similar trend in both conditions, but with genes being more dysregulated in Williams syndrome than in autism spectrum disorders. These genes are involved in aspects of brain development and function (particularly dendritogenesis) and are expressed in brain areas (particularly the cerebellum, the thalamus, and the striatum) of relevance for the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome etiopathogenesis.

Lay abstract

Autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome are complex cognitive conditions exhibiting quite opposite features in the social domain: whereas people with autism spectrum disorders are mostly hyposocial, subjects with Williams syndrome are usually reported as hypersocial. At the same time, autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome share some common underlying behavioral and cognitive deficits. It is not clear, however, which genes account for the attested differences (and similarities) in the socio-cognitive domain. In this article, we adopted a comparative molecular approach and looked for genes that might be differentially (or similarly) regulated in the blood of people with these conditions. We found a significant overlap between genes dysregulated in the blood of patients compared to neurotypical controls, with most of them being upregulated or, in some cases, downregulated. Still, genes with similar expression trends can exhibit quantitative differences between conditions, with most of them being more dysregulated in Williams syndrome than in autism spectrum disorders. Differentially expressed genes are involved in aspects of brain development and function (particularly dendritogenesis) and are expressed in brain areas (particularly the cerebellum, the thalamus, and the striatum) of relevance for the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome etiopathogenesis. Overall, these genes emerge as promising candidates for the similarities and differences between the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome socio-cognitive profiles.
Who owns desistance? A triad of agency enabling social structures in the desistance process
Authors: Albertson Katherine , Phillips Jake , Fowler Andrew , Collinson Beth
Published: November 2020

Theories of desistance assert agency is a prerequisite to the process; agency which can be enabled or curtailed by social structures. We present data from six community hub sites that hosted probation services in the UK in 2019. While our analysis identifies agency enabling institutional and relational structures across the different hub governance sub-types in our sample, these were clearest in hubs run in the community by the community. This article contributes a triad of core enabling social structures that operate at the intersection between agency and structure in the desistance process. The significance of our findings is that the ownership question is key to the expedition of enabling social structures.
A review on seismic behavior of ultra-high performance concrete members
Authors: Hu Rui , Fang Zhi , Shi Caijun , Benmokrane Brahim , Su Jie
Published: November 2020

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a type of cementitious composite, and demonstrates very high compressive strength and good ductility. The favorable ductility and energy dissipation capacity of UHPC material make it possible to achieve excellent seismic performance in all kinds of structural members. The paper reviewed the recent progress on the seismic behavior of UHPC members, including flexural members (beams and plates), compressive members (columns and shear walls), joints (beam-column joints and plate-column joints), strengthening (strengthening for columns, shear walls and joints) and connections (bar lap splice and grout). A series of potential future researches on the seismic behavior of UHPC members were finally suggested for promotion of the application of UHPC in civil engineering.
Seismic vulnerability of prefabricated reinforced concrete frame structure based on local outsource steel tube bolted column–column connection
Authors: Zhang Jiaolei , Li Jin , Liang Qi , Li Shufeng , Yuan Dawei
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the seismic performance of a prefabricated frame structure with a local outsource steel tube bolted column–column connect is evaluated from the perspective of seismic vulnerability theory. Firstly, a simplified model of the prefabricated frame structure was constructed and validated by experiments. Then, a six-story prefabricated reinforced concrete frame structure (PRCS) and a cast-in-situ reinforced concrete frame structure (CRCS) were designed as examples to get the increment dynamic analysis (IDA) of the structure under 12 ground motions, and the two-parameter damage model was used as the structural requirement index. As a traditional structural requirement index-the maximum inter-storey drift angle cannot accurately describe the mechanism of structural damage. Therefore, two types of damage models are compared and analyzed. In addition, in order to evaluate the damage of frame structure effectively, a new damage index weighted combination method is proposed, and its feasibility is verified. Finally, the IDA curve and vulnerability curve with Kunnath two-parameter damage model and the maximum inter-story displacement angle as the requirement index are drawn. The results show that the two-parameter damage model is more accurate than the maximum inter-storey drift angle model in evaluating the seismic performance of the PRCS and CRCS. It shows that the maximum inter-story displacement angle model can overestimate the collapse resistance of the PRCS by 60.7% on average, and the collapse resistance of the CRCS by 75.67% on average. The seismic performance of the CRCS is better than that of the PRCS as the seismic intensity increases. Although the seismic performance of fabricated columns is similar to that of cast-in-place columns, there is still a certain gap in the seismic performance of frame structures.
A micromechanical vibration damping model of fiber-reinforced ceramic–matrix composites considering interface debonding
Authors: Li Longbiao
Published: November 2020

A micromechanical vibration damping model of fiber-reinforced ceramic–matrix composites is developed considering interface debonding. The relationship between the stress-dependent composite damping and interface debonding is established. Effects of material properties and damage-related parameters on the vibration damping of fiber-reinforced CMCs are discussed. Experimental vibration damping with interface debonding of C/SiC composites is predicted. When the vibration frequency increases from f = 1–5 Hz, the vibration damping decreases due to the increasing dynamic interfacial shear stress and low frictional dissipated energy in the debonding region. The composite vibration damping decreases with increasing fiber volume, matrix crack spacing and interface shear stress, and increases with fiber radius and fiber elastic modulus. When the interface debonding energy increases, the vibration damping decreases when the interface partial debonding and approaches the same value when the interface complete debonding, and the vibration stress for complete interface debonding increases.