bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of a Videoconferencing Intervention and Systematic Hierarchy to Teach Daily Living Skills to Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Ford Katerina , Wang Mian , Koegel Lynn Kern , Koegel Robert L. , Fedders Andrew
Published: May 2020

Given the increasing number of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a critical need to develop programs that facilitate positive behavior outcomes during the transition to adulthood. Furthermore, many adults with ASD do not have access to intervention programs due to remote locations, lack of qualified personnel, and/or long waitlists. This study, conducted within the context of a combined multiple baseline and changing criterion design, examined the use of videoconferencing (VC) to provide intervention from a remote location. Results showed that following intervention participants were able to independently perform the targeted skills and all targeted skills maintained during follow-up probes. All participants rated the intervention highly and said that they would recommend the intervention to others. These results are discussed in relation to potential avenues to increase access to services for individuals with ASD, particularly in remote and underserved areas, using VC.
Five-year results of viscotrabeculotomy versus conventional trabeculotomy in primary congenital glaucoma: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Elwehidy Ahmed S , Hagras Sherein M , Bayoumi Nader , AbdelGhafar Ayman E , Badawi Amani E
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To assess the long-term results of viscotrabeculotomy in infants with primary congenital glaucoma and to compare its outcome with conventional trabeculotomy.

Patients and methods

A prospective randomized comparative study included infants with primary congenital glaucoma younger than 2 years. Patients were divided into two groups: viscotrabeculotomy group and conventional trabeculotomy group. Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressures, corneal diameter, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and success rates were compared between two groups. All the patients were followed up for 5 years.

Results

The study included 154 eyes of 92 infants distributed randomly among the two groups; 78 and 76 eyes in viscotrabeculotomy and conventional trabeculotomy groups, respectively. In both groups, there was a statistically significant intraocular pressure reduction at all time points of the follow-up periods compared to the preoperative values (p < 0.0001). At 5 years, viscotrabeculotomy group showed significant reduction of the mean postoperative intraocular pressure (49.47%) than conventional trabeculotomy group (48.64%) (p < 0.0001). Intraocular pressure was statistically lower in viscotrabeculotomy starting from 12th month and till the end of the follow-up. At 5 years, the total success rate of viscotrabeculotomy group was 89.74% compared to 85.53% in conventional trabeculotomy group without significant difference (p = 0.487). The postoperative mean values of the cup/disk ratio in viscotrabeculotomy group showed statistically lower values compared to conventional trabeculotomy group (p = 0.019). Postoperative hyphema was statistically higher in conventional trabeculotomy group (p < 0.0001). All eyes that underwent a reoperation before 5 years follow-up were excluded from the statistical workup of the study after reoperation, except for calculation of success/failure.

Conclusion

Viscotrabeculotomy and conventional trabeculotomy proved to be effective in cases of primary congenital glaucoma. Viscotrabeculotomy appeared to have prolonged stability in controlling the intraocular pressure with higher success rates and lower complications.
XEN Gel Stent versus trabeculectomy: Short-term effects on corneal endothelial cells
Authors: Olgun Ali , Duzgun Eyup , Yildiz Aysegul Mavi , Atmaca Fatih , Yildiz A Atakhan , Sendul S Yekta
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To compare the short-term changes in corneal endothelial cells after trabeculectomy or XEN Gel Stent implantation.

Design

Prospective, interventional, comparative study.

Methods

Changes in corneal endothelium in patients that underwent XEN Gel Stent implantation or trabeculectomy were prospectively evaluated. Eighty eyes of 62 diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma were divided into two the trabeculectomy and XEN Gel Stent groups. Corneal specular microscopy was performed at the central cornea using a noncontact specular microscope preoperatively and 3 months after surgery.

Results

The baseline mean corneal endothelial cell density in the trabeculectomy group was 2390.3 ± 324.8 cells/mm2, and this was significantly reduced to 2148 ± 352.5 cells/mm2 3 months after surgery, representing a cell loss of 10.0% (p < 0.001). The baseline mean corneal endothelial cell density in the XEN Gel Stent group was 2156.2 ±559.7 cells/mm2, and this was significantly reduced to 2098.4 ± 556.2 cells/mm2 3 months after surgery, representing a cell loss of 2.1% (p = 0.002). The corneal endothelial cell density change rate of the trabeculectomy group (−10.0% ± 9.7%) was statistically higher than the XEN Gel Stent group (−2.1% ± 13.8%) (p = 0.002). A statistically significant difference was observed in the trabeculectomy group between the baseline and postoperative values in the coefficient of variation (p = 0.029).

Conclusion

Trabeculectomy caused more endothelial cell damage than XEN Gel Stent implantation in the short-term follow-up period. The XEN Gel Stent may be the treatment of choice in patients with a significantly low preoperative corneal endothelial cell density.
Multimodal imaging in iodate-induced toxic retinopathy
Authors: Çomçalı Sebile , Yılmaz Pınar Topcu , Çavdarlı Cemal , Alp Mehmet Numan
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Iodine deficiency is a leading cause of preventable physical and mental retardation. Potassium iodate is used for iodine supplementation to prevent iodine deficiency. We herein report a case of toxic retinopathy following intentional ingestion of potassium iodine.

Case Presentation

A 41-year-old male presented with a 5-day history of blurred vision in both eyes. His visual acuity (VA) was hand motion and his pupillary reactions were sluggish bilaterally. The fundus examination revealed bilaterally diffuse retinal pigment epithelium atrophy and secondary pigmentary changes at the posterior pole, but his peripheral fundus was relatively spared. Choroidal thinning, punctate hyperreflective dots along the retinal pigment epithelium layer, and outer retinal atrophy were the optical coherence tomography findings, which were consistent with widespread areas of retinal pigment epithelium window defects observed on fundus fluorescein angiography. The visual evoked potential test showed no response in the right eye and revealed a delay in the latency and a decrease in the amplitude of the P100 wave in the left eye. Wave b responses of the photoreceptors could not be observed in the patient’s electroretinogram. After a vitamin supplementation protocol consistent with the literature, at the 4-month follow-up visit his visual acuity had improved to 0.3 in the right eye and counting fingers in the left eye.

Conclusion

Potassium iodate toxicity is a cause of serious retinal and choroidal damage and results in severe vision loss. Hydration, hemodialysis, and antioxidants can be helpful to minimize the complications.
Evaluation of the risk factors on time to phlebitis- and nonphlebitis-related failure when peripheral venous catheters were replaced as clinically indicated
Authors: Ozger H Selcuk , Yasar Merve , Başyurt Rahşan , Bucak Figen , Dizbay Murat
Published: May 2020

Background:

This study aimed to determine the frequency of peripheral venous catheter–related complications and the risk factors that have an impact on the time of peripheral venous catheter failure when they were replaced as clinically indicated.

Methods:

This was a prospective observational study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, as well as the catheter specifications, were recorded. All the catheters were followed-up at 12-h intervals for the development of complications. Two different peripheral venous catheters were used in the study. The catheter dwell times were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. The logrank test was utilized to investigate the catheter dwell times by univariate analyses. Variables with a significance level of less than 0.20 were taken into Cox regression analysis.

Results:

Our results revealed that phlebitis and nonphlebitis complications occurred more frequently within the first 96 h. No significant difference was observed in the occurrence time of phlebitis, nonphlebitis, and composite failures. The use of a locally manufactured catheter, unsuccessful first attempt, poor skin integrity, after-hours’ insertion, the use of sterile gauze dressing were all associated with shorter catheter survival rates.

Conclusion:

We observed no difference on the time to phlebitis or nonphlebitis symptoms with clinically indicated replacement of peripheral venous catheters. We found a significant difference in survival rates between locally manufactured and imported peripheral venous catheters. Our identified risk factors should be taken into account to reduce peripheral venous catheter–related complications and to increase dwell time.
The fragility of curating a pioneer community: Deep mediatization and the spread of the Quantified Self and Maker movements
Authors: Hepp Andreas
Published: May 2020

The aim of this article is to reconstruct the ways in which the organizational elites of the Quantified Self and Maker movements curate their respective pioneer communities. Based on a media ethnography carried out in Germany, the UK, and the USA it is demonstrated that the two movements adopt different curatorial models: curation through the use of an ‘unenforced trademark’ in the case of the Quantified Self movement and curation through ‘franchising’ in the case of the Maker movement. The fragility of both models is not necessarily a disadvantage to either and it has contributed to the rapid global spread of both communities. An analysis of these curatorial practices demonstrates that while these communities like to present themselves as having emerged from local groupings, rising ‘from below’, they are, in fact, figurations whose origin and overall exertion of influence can be traced back to Silicon Valley and the Whole Earth Network.
Women’s entrepreneurial intention: The role of sticky floor perception and social networking
Authors: Shabsough Tina , Semerci Anıl Boz , Ergeneli Azize
Published: May 2020

This study examines the moderating role of social networking on the relationship between the sticky floor perception and the entrepreneurial intention of 294 women workers. Women experiencing the sticky floor feel trapped in low wage and bottom to middle-level positions for extended periods of time. This lack of advancement and frustration may lead women to seize the opportunity and establish their own businesses and become entrepreneurs. Social networking is considered one of the important factors affecting entrepreneurial intention. Nonetheless, women entrepreneurs may face greater difficulties in developing and managing networks. The results of this study indicated that social networking yields a stronger positive (negative) relationship with entrepreneurial intention among those women demonstrating a high (low) sticky floor perception. These results are crucial in understanding the encouraging role of sticky floor perception on entrepreneurial intention and raising awareness concerning the impact of social networking within the entrepreneurial context.
The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Psychopathic Features on Juvenile Offending Criminal Careers to Age 18
Authors: Baglivio Michael T. , Wolff Kevin T. , DeLisi Matt , Jackowski Katherine
Published: May 2020

Childhood maltreatment and inept parental disciplinary, attachment, and monitoring practices evidence a relationship with early and severe childhood and adolescent aggression and have figured prominently as causative factors in theoretical and empirical underpinnings of lifelong antisocial behavior. Abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction have been linked to both violent offending and higher scores on measures of dispositional tendencies associated with psychopathy. The current study incorporates these lines of research by examining a potential pathway by which cumulative adverse childhood experience exposure, rather than single exposures assessed independently, leads to chronic and serious juvenile offending. Specifically, we leverage a sample of 64,007 juvenile offenders who have aged out of the juvenile justice system to examine the extent to which the effects of traumatic exposure on age of onset (first arrest) as well as residential placement, total offenses, and serious, violent, and chronic offending up to age 18 are each mediated by psychopathic features. Results demonstrate that a substantial portion (37%–93%) of the effects of cumulative traumatic exposure on justice system outcomes is indirect, operating through these features, even after controlling for demographic and other criminogenic risk factors. Juvenile justice policy implications are discussed.
A Novel Wearable Device for Motor Recovery of Hand Function in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Authors: Choudhury Supriyo , Singh Ravi , Shobhana A. , Sen Dwaipayan , Anand Sidharth Shankar , Shubham Shantanu , Gangopadhyay Suparna , Baker Mark R. , Kumar Hrishikesh , Baker Stuart N.
Published: May 2020

Background. In monkey, reticulospinal connections to hand and forearm muscles are spontaneously strengthened following corticospinal lesions, likely contributing to recovery of function. In healthy humans, pairing auditory clicks with electrical stimulation of a muscle induces plastic changes in motor pathways (probably including the reticulospinal tract), with features reminiscent of spike-timing dependent plasticity. In this study, we tested whether pairing clicks with muscle stimulation could improve hand function in chronic stroke survivors. Methods. Clicks were delivered via a miniature earpiece; transcutaneous electrical stimuli at motor threshold targeted forearm extensor muscles. A wearable electronic device (WD) allowed patients to receive stimulation at home while performing normal daily activities. A total of 95 patients >6 months poststroke were randomized to 3 groups: WD with shock paired 12 ms before click; WD with clicks and shocks delivered independently; standard care. Those allocated to the device used it for at least 4 h/d, every day for 4 weeks. Upper-limb function was assessed at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 8 using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), which has 4 subdomains (Grasp, Grip, Pinch, and Gross). Results. Severity across the 3 groups was comparable at baseline. Only the paired stimulation group showed significant improvement in total ARAT (median baseline: 7.5; week 8: 11.5; P = .019) and the Grasp subscore (median baseline: 1; week 8: 4; P = .004). Conclusion. A wearable device delivering paired clicks and shocks over 4 weeks can produce a small but significant improvement in upper-limb function in stroke survivors.
Factors Impacting Recurrence Rate After Open Ganglion Cyst Excision
Authors: Cluts Landon M. , Fowler John R.
Published: May 2020

Background: The recurrence rate after open excision of ganglion cysts is approximately 20%. However, this literature is based on a small series of subjects. This study aims to determine the rate and risk of recurrence after open excision of ganglion cysts in a large patient series. Methods: This study included 628 patients who had ganglion cyst excision from 2010 to 2018. A retrospective chart review recorded the following: age, sex, laterality, volar/dorsal location, and recurrence. An overall recurrence rate was calculated. In addition, a 1-way analysis of variance test was used to compare recurrence rates among the individual surgeons, and unpaired t tests were used to compare age of recurrence, dorsal cyst recurrence, laterality of cyst, and recurrence based on sex. Finally, a comparison of recurrence rate over time was conducted for surgeon 3. Results: The overall recurrence rate was 3.8% (24 of 628). The recurrence rates for each surgeon were 3% (9 of 353), 2% (3 of 167), and 11% (12 of 107), P = .02. The age of those with and without a recurrence did not differ (32 years vs 38 years), P = .06. The recurrence rate of dorsal ganglion cysts was 4.1% (14 of 341) compared with 3.5% (10 of 286) for volar ganglion cysts, P = .69. Male patients had a recurrence in 6.4% (13 of 204) of cases compared with 2.6% (11 of 424) of female patients, P = 0.01. There was a decrease in the rate of recurrence from 42.9% to 5.3% over 5 years for surgeon 3. Conclusion: In our sample, male sex and surgeon experience were significant risk factors in ganglion cyst recurrence.
Epidemiology of Pediatric Nonballistic Firearm Injuries to the Upper Extremity in the United States From 2000 to 2017
Authors: Summers Andrew R. , Cheema Adnan N. , Pirruccio Kevin , Kazmers Nikolas H. , Gray Benjamin L.
Published: May 2020

Background: This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of pediatric upper extremity injury secondary to nonballistic firearms in the United States. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance Survey (NEISS) database was queried between 2000 and 2017 for injuries to the upper extremity from nonballistic firearms in patients aged ≤18 years. In total, 1502 unique cases were identified. Using input parameters intrinsic to the NEISS database, national weighted estimates were derived using Stata/IC 15.1 statistical software (StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas), which yielded an estimate of 52 118 cases of nonballistic firearm trauma to the upper extremity who presented to US emergency departments over the study period. Descriptive statistics were performed using NEISS parameters. Results: An average of 2895 annual pediatric upper extremity nonballistic firearm injuries were identified between 2000 and 2017. Over 91% were sustained by men, and adolescents aged 12 to 18 were the most commonly injured (69.8%). Only 3.5% of all injuries required inpatient admission, and the most common sites of injury were the hand (41.1%), followed by fingers (35.9%). Conclusions: We conclude that nonballistic firearm injuries represent a significant burden of disease to adolescent men in the United States.
Headless Compression Screw Fixation for Proximal Phalanx Fractures: A Biomechanical Study
Authors: Fader Lauren , Robinson Luke , Voor Michael
Published: May 2020

Background: Proximal phalanx fractures are common injuries of the hand with multiple treatment options. Intramedullary (IM) screw fixation has become more widely used, and early outcomes are promising. However, biomechanical data regarding this type of fixation are sparse. Methods: Two methods of IM screw fixation of proximal phalanx fractures were tested in cadaver specimens. All specimens were treated with a single antegrade headless compression screw, with half getting the addition of a blocking screw. To test the most common deforming force of flexion-extension, each phalanx was subjected to apex volar 3-point bending using the Materials Testing System test frame. Results: There was no significant difference in the stiffness of 3-point bending with single antegrade screws alone and with a blocking screw (mean, 63.1 vs 52.2 N/mm; P = .27). When comparing smaller with larger specimens, stiffness of the small group was significantly greater than that of the large group when both fixation methods were included (85.3 vs 30.1 N/mm; P < .0002). When comparing stiffness with percent fill of the screw within bone, there was a moderately positive correlation (0.51). Conclusions: Addition of a blocking screw did not increase the stability of the IM screw fixation construct for proximal phalanx fractures. When comparing specimen size, the smaller bones were stiffer under 3-point bending load, regardless of the type of fixation. In addition, those specimens that had a larger longitudinal screw length to bone length ratio were stiffer. These findings provide valuable information as techniques for IM screw fixation of proximal phalanx fractures continue to evolve.
Early identification of treatment benefit by methylated circulating tumor DNA in metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Thomsen Caroline B. , Hansen Torben F. , Andersen Rikke F. , Lindebjerg Jan , Jensen Lars H. , Jakobsen Anders
Published: May 2020

Background:

The early identification of treatment effect is wanted in several settings, including the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A potential universal marker is circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Our prospective study explored the association between progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and early change of ctDNA after one cycle of chemotherapy in patients with mCRC.

Methods:

The study included mCRC patients receiving standard first line combination chemotherapy with 5-Fluorouracil (FU), oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab. Hypermethylated neuropeptide Y (NPY) ctDNA (meth-ctDNA) served as a marker analyzed by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The meth-ctDNA level was analyzed in plasma before treatment start and again before cycle two. The patients were divided into two groups according to the dynamics of meth-ctDNA. Low ctDNA (LctDNA) included patients with zero or values of meth-ctDNA decreasing to a level including zero in the 95% confidence interval. High ctDNA (HctDNA) included all other patients (stable, increasing, or slightly decreasing values). The two groups were compared as to PFS and OS.

Results:

The study included 123 patients. The PFS in the two groups differed significantly with a median of 9.2 and 6.7 months in LctDNA and HctDNA, respectively ( p = 0.0005). This translated into a 12-month difference in OS with a median of 25.4 and 13.5 months, respectively ( p = 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Early therapeutic reconsideration is of utmost importance. A low level of meth-ctDNA after one cycle of chemotherapy in the first line setting is a potential marker for excellent clinical outcomes. The clinical utility should be confirmed in randomized clinical trials.
A Multidisciplinary Exploratory Approach for Investigating the Experience of Older Adults Attending Hospital Services
Authors: Arakawa Martins Beatriz , Barrie Helen , Visvanathan Renuka , Daniel Lyrian , Martins Larissa Arakawa , Ranasinghe Damith , Wilson Anne , Soebarto Veronica
Published: May 2020

Background:

The public areas of the hospital built environment have hardly been investigated for their age-friendliness.

Objective:

This exploratory, multidisciplinary pilot study investigates the relationship between the physical environment and design of hospital spaces and older people’s outpatient experience.

Methods:

Sixteen participants were recruited from a geriatric Outpatient Clinic at a metropolitan public hospital in Australia. Participants were engaged in a concurrent mixed-method approach, comprising a comprehensive geriatric survey, walking observation, semi-structured interview and an independent architectural audit.

Results:

Several elements arising from the hospital environment were identified as facilitators and barriers for its utilization and intrinsically related to participants’ physical capacity.

Discussion:

Age-friendly hospital design needs to consider strategies to remove barriers for older adults of different capacities, thus promoting healthy aging.
Symptomatic and functional outcomes after treatment with paliperidone palmitate 3-month formulation for 52 weeks in patients with clinically stable schizophrenia
Authors: Garcia-Portilla Maria Paz , Llorca Pierre-Michel , Maina Giuseppe , Bozikas Vasilis P. , Devrimci-Ozguven Halise , Kim Sung-Wan , Bergmans Paul , Usankova Irina , Pungor Katalin
Published: May 2020

Background:

Paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly (PP3M) formulation is a long-acting, injectable antipsychotic treatment approved in many countries worldwide for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia. This single-arm, open-label, phase IIIb study evaluated the efficacy and safety of converting patients with schizophrenia stabilized with paliperidone palmitate 1-month (PP1M) to PP3M in a naturalistic clinical setting.

Methods:

After screening (days –7 to 1), patients were converted from PP1M (50–150 mg eq.) to PP3M (175–525 mg eq.), and entered a 52-week, flexible-dose PP3M treatment period. The primary efficacy endpoint was symptomatic remission (SR) (Andreasen criteria) at last observation carried forward (LOCF) endpoint.

Results:

Patients ( n = 305) received PP3M, of whom 291 (95.4%) completed the study. Doses of PP3M remained stable during the 12-month treatment period, and changes in dose were uncommon. Overall, 56.8% of patients [95% confidence interval (CI): 51.0, 62.4] achieved SR, and 31.8% achieved both symptomatic and functional remission (Personal and Social Performance scale total score > 70) at LOCF endpoint. Secondary endpoint results were generally consistent with primary endpoint results. There were improvements in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total, subscale and Marder factor scores, and also Clinical Global Impression-Severity and -Change scores from baseline to LOCF endpoint. Carer burden was reduced, and the proportion of patients requiring hospitalization for psychiatric reasons decreased from 13.5% in the 12 months prior to baseline to 4.6% during the treatment period. No new safety signals were identified.

Conclusion:

Results from this naturalistic study were similar to those observed in previous randomized clinical trials of PP3M and underline the importance of continuous maintenance treatment in patients with schizophrenia.
Time course of coronary flow capacity impairment in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: van Lavieren Martijn A , Stegehuis Valérie E , Bax Matthijs , Echavarría-Pinto Mauro , Wijntjens Gilbert W M , de Winter Robbert J , Koch Karel T , Henriques José P , Escaned Javier , Meuwissen Martijn , van de Hoef Tim P , Piek Jan J
Published: May 2020

Background

Microvascular dysfunction in the setting of ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) plays an important role in long-term poor clinical outcome. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is a well-established physiological parameter to interrogate the coronary microcirculation. Together with hyperaemic average peak flow velocity, CFR constitutes the coronary flow capacity (CFC), a validated risk stratification tool in ischaemic heart disease with significant prognostic value. This mechanistic study aims to elucidate the time course of the microcirculation as reflected by alterations in microcirculatory physiological parameters in the acute phase and during follow-up in STEMI patients.

Methods

We assessed CFR and CFC in the culprit and non-culprit vessel in consecutive STEMI patients at baseline (n = 98) and after one-week (n = 64) and six-month follow-up (n = 65).

Results

A significant trend for culprit CFC in infarct size as determined by peak troponin T (p = 0.004), time to reperfusion (p = 0.038), the incidence of final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow (p = 0.019) and systolic retrograde flow (p = 0.043) was observed. Non-culprit CFC linear contrast analysis revealed a significant trend in C-reactive protein (p = 0.027), peak troponin T (p < 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.049). CFC improved both in the culprit and the non-culprit vessel at one-week (both p < 0.001) and six-month follow-up (p = 0.0013 and p < 0.001) compared with baseline.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the importance of microcirculatory disturbances in the setting of STEMI, which is relevant for the interpretation of intracoronary diagnostic techniques which are influenced by both culprit and non-culprit vascular territories. Assessment of non-culprit vessel CFC in the setting of STEMI might improve risk stratification of these patients following coronary reperfusion of the culprit vessel.
Are popular and powerful committees more representative? Evidence from the ninth European Parliament
Authors: Hurka Steffen , Kaplaner Constantin
Published: May 2020

The standing committees of the European Parliament perform crucial policy-making functions and, accordingly, the question of how they are composed assumes great relevance. Unlike previous studies, which primarily looked at committee assignments from the perspective of individual MEPs, we assess the representativeness of entire committees by comparing their preference distributions with those we find in the plenary on the left/right and pro/anti EU dimension. For our analysis, we combine new data on committee memberships in the ninth European Parliament with data on policy preferences of national parties from the Chapel Hill Expert Survey. In order to assess committee representativeness, we calculate the extent to which the preference distributions of committees and the plenary overlap. We show that committee representativeness is a function of committee popularity and power. Committee popularity provides party groups with a larger pool of applicants to choose from and since popular committees are often also quite large, the formation of representative committees is facilitated. Moreover, the party groups of the European Parliament have stronger incentives to form balanced committee contingents for powerful committees, resulting in higher committee representativeness. However, this latter finding is qualified by two outliers and we only find the hypothesized relationship to hold on the pro/anti EU dimension.
Reliability of test battery
Authors: Chakrabartty Satyendra Nath
Published: May 2020

After a brief review of methods for assessing the reliability of individual test, the article presents a method of obtaining reliability of a battery of tests where battery score could be defined as sum of weighted or unweighted scores of the component tests. Such battery reliability can be influenced significantly by method of selection of weights to arrive at the battery scores and methods of estimating reliability of component tests. Test reliability as per theoretical definition in terms of length of score vectors of two parallel tests and angle between such vectors in N-dimensional space also helps to find values of error score variance of the test fits well in estimation of battery reliability. Relationship between theoretically defined reliability rtt and split-half correlation rgh was established. For weighted battery score, a Lagrange multiplier-based solution for determination of weights is recommended with the use of reliability as per the theoretical definition. Weights found as above have the advantage that the battery score (Y) has minimum variance. Also, covariance between the battery score and the score of an individual test is a constant. Condition of battery score being equi-correlated with the standardized score of each constituent test was derived.
Sociodemographic, Lifestyle, and Health Factors Associated With Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Malaysian Adults
Authors: Cheah Yong Kang , Azahadi Mohd , Phang Siew Nooi , Abd Manaf Noor Hazilah
Published: May 2020

Objectives: Lowering the prevalence of mental health illness is one of the main public health concerns. The objective of the present study was to examine factors associated with depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among adults in Malaysia. Methods: Data were extracted from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011 (NHMS 2011), which is a nationally representative sample collected using a 2-stage stratified sampling method. A bivariate probit model was utilized to examine the influences of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health factors on the likelihood of suffering from depression and GAD. Results: Age, gender, ethnicity, education, marital status, and self-rated health were significantly associated with depression and GAD. In particular, there were positive relationships between depression and GAD, and younger adults, females, Indian ethnic group, lower level of education, being unmarried, and self-rated poor health. Conclusions: Sociodemographic and health factors were associated with determining the risks of depression and GAD in Malaysia. With this information, future policies (eg, screening and treatment) could be targeted at those at most risk to develop depression and GAD.
Neighborhood Environment and Type 2 Diabetes Comorbidity in Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Walsan Ramya , Feng Xiaoqi , Mayne Darren J. , Pai Nagesh , Bonney Andrew
Published: May 2020

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between neighborhood characteristics and type 2 diabetes (T2D) comorbidity in serious mental illness (SMI). We investigated associations of neighborhood-level crime, accessibility to health care services, availability of green spaces, neighborhood obesity, and fast food availability with SMI-T2D comorbidity. Method: A series of multilevel logistic regression models accounting for neighborhood-level clustering were used to examine the associations between 5 neighborhood variables and SMI-T2D comorbidity, sequentially adjusting for individual-level variables and neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage. Results: Individuals with SMI residing in areas with higher crime rates per 1000 population had 2.5 times increased odds of reporting T2D comorbidity compared to the individuals with SMI residing in lower crime rate areas after controlling for individual and areal level factors (95% CI 0.91-6.74). There was no evidence of association between SMI-T2D comorbidity and other neighborhood variables investigated. Conclusion: Public health strategies to reduce SMI-T2D comorbidity might benefit by targeting on individuals with SMI living in high-crime neighborhoods. Future research incorporating longitudinal designs and/or mediation analysis are warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms of association between neighborhoods and SMI-T2D comorbidity.
The Relationships Between Patient Experience and Quality and Utilization of Primary Care Services
Authors: Aysola Jaya , Xu Chang , Huo Hairong , Werner Rachel M
Published: May 2020

We lack knowledge on how patient-reported experience relates to both quality of care services and visit attendance in the primary care setting. Therefore, in a cross-sectional analysis of 8355 primary care patients from 22 primary care practices, we examined the associations between visit-triggered patient-reported experience measures and both (1) quality of care measures and (2) number of missed primary care appointment (no shows). Our independent variables included both overall patient experience and its subdomains. Our outcomes included the following measures: smoking cessation discussion, diabetes eye examination referral, mammography, colonoscopy screening, current smoking status (nonsmoker vs smoker), diabetes control Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c [<8]), blood pressure control, cholesterol control Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) among patients with diabetes (LDL < 100), and visit no shows 2 and 5 years after the index visit that triggered the completed patient-experience survey. We found that patient experience, while an important stand-alone metric of care quality, may not relate to clinical outcomes or process measures in the outpatient setting. However, patient-reported experiences with their primary care provider appear to influence their future visit attendance.
Exclusionary School Discipline and Neighborhood Crime
Authors: Gerlinger Julie
Published: May 2020

The author investigates the impact of law-and-order schools, defined as those that rely heavily on exclusionary discipline (i.e., suspension and expulsion) as a form of punishment, on neighborhood crime. Additional analyses are performed to assess whether the effects of punitive school discipline on local crime are moderated by neighborhood disadvantage. Findings suggest that suspensions are associated with increases in local crime—evidence of a macro-level school-to-prison pipeline—while expulsions are generally associated with fewer crime incidents. Although disciplinary exclusions appear to increase crime at fairly consistent rates across levels of neighborhood disadvantage, both exclusion types are associated with more aggravated assault in areas with higher levels of disadvantage. As such, institutional processes of the school appear to help explain variations in community crime.
The Political and Economic Vision of Pope Francis: Implications for Philippine Church Mission
Authors: Imbong Jerry D.
Published: May 2020

Pope Francis, whose concern for the poor has earned him the nickname the “slum pope” in Latin America, has made it clear that no society can succeed that marginalizes the poor. Drawing on the concrete conditions of Philippine society, the pope suggests that mission should not be detached from the pastoral programs that seek to address the structural causes of poverty and inequality. Pope Francis’s political and economic vision resonates with the Philippine church’s program of “new evangelization,” which seeks sustainable and integral development and a radical change in lifestyles, modes of production, and consumption.
A LUTI microsimulation framework to evaluate long-term impacts of automated mobility on the choice of housing-mobility bundles
Authors: Basu Rounaq , Ferreira Joseph
Published: May 2020

Land use–transportation interaction models can be useful planning support systems to assess the long-term implications of emerging transportation technologies like mobility-on-demand and automated vehicles. We propose an agent-based simulation framework ( SimMobility Long-Term) that uses econometrically robust behavioral models to model the potential impacts of accessibility changes in “car-lite” communities on the choice of housing-mobility bundles. Residential relocation and private mobility holding decisions are jointly considered in a sequential simulation modeling approach. Different types of market responses to the car-lite pilot are modeled through various scenarios via assumptions of changes in model parameters, and compared to a baseline where the car-lite pilot is never implemented. A comparatively vehicle-free study area with a low vacancy rate is chosen to obtain conservative estimates of policy impacts. Our findings indicate that initial awareness of the pilot is quite effective in making the study area more vehicle-free relative to the baseline. However, as market effects start impacting housing prices and bidding results, the vehicle-free gains are significantly reduced due to neighborhood gentrification. In conclusion, we highlight how land use–transportation interaction models can be used to explore market dynamics to see where market pressures matter, along with the need to align car-lite policies with market conditions regarding vacancy and car ownership rates.
Being the Change: Music Teachers’ Self-Reported Changes in Mindset and Practice
Authors: Salvador Karen , Paetz Allison , Lewin-Zeigler Abby
Published: May 2020

Music educators sometimes enter the workforce un(der)prepared to design and implement inclusive instruction. The purpose of this descriptive interview study was to explore practicing teachers’ self-reported changes in mindset and practice as they worked to become more inclusive. Participants ( N = 20) were music educators with between 1 and 17 years of teaching experience. All participants taught some combination of preK–12 students in general music, choir, band, orchestra, jazz, and other music classes in 10 states. We present qualitative analysis from two sets of interviews concerning self-reported changes in mindsets and teaching practices. We conclude with implications of this study for practicing teachers who wish to enact more equitable and just classroom practices.
Integrating clinical features with genetic factors enhances survival prediction for adults with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Silveira Douglas R. A. , Quek Lynn , Santos Itamar S. , Corby Anna , Coelho-Silva Juan L. , Pereira-Martins Diego A. , Vallance Grant , Brown Benjamin , Nardinelli Luciana , Silva Wellington F. , Velloso Elvira D. R. P. , Lucena-Araujo Antonio R. , Traina Fabiola , Peniket Andy , Vyas Paresh , Rego Eduardo M. , Bendit Israel , Rocha Vanderson
Published: May 2020

The 2017 European LeukemiaNet 2017 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) risk stratification (ELN2017) is widely used for risk-stratifying patients with AML. However, its applicability in low- and middle-income countries is limited because of a lack of full cytogenetic and molecular information at diagnosis. Here, we propose an alternative for risk stratification (the Adapted Genetic Risk [AGR]), which permits cytogenetic or molecular missing data while retaining prognostic power. We first analyzed 167 intensively treated patients with nonacute promyelocytic leukemia AML enrolled in São Paulo, Brazil (Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo), as our training data set, using ELN2017 as the standard for comparison with our AGR. Next, we combined our AGR with clinical prognostic parameters found in a Cox proportional hazards model to create a novel scoring system (survival AML score, SAMLS) that stratifies patients with newly diagnosed AML. Finally, we have used 2 independent test cohorts, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP; Brazil, n = 145) and Oxford University Hospitals (OUH; United Kingdom, n = 157) for validating our findings. AGR was statistically significant for overall survival (OS) in both test cohorts (FMRP, P = .037; OUH, P = .012) and disease-free survival in FMRP (P = .04). The clinical prognostic features in SAMLS were age (>45 years), white blood cell count (<1.5 or >30.0 × 103/μL), and low albumin levels (<3.8 g/dL), which were associated with worse OS in all 3 cohorts. SAMLS showed a significant difference in OS in the training cohort (P < .001) and test cohorts (FMRP, P = .0018; OUH, P < .001). Therefore, SAMLS, which incorporates the novel AGR evaluation with clinical parameters, is an accurate tool for AML risk assessment.
Efficacy and safety of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in 110 patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with high-risk features
Authors: Zhang Xian , Lu Xin-an , Yang Junfang , Zhang Gailing , Li Jingjing , Song Lisong , Su Yunchao , Shi Yanze , Zhang Min , He Jiujiang , Song Dan , Lv Fanyong , Li Wenqian , Wu Yan , Wang Hui , Liu Hongxing , Zhou Xiaosu , He Ting , Lu Peihua
Published: May 2020

Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is effective in patients with advanced B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). However, efficacy data is sparse in subgroups of patients with high-risk features such as BCR-ABL+, TP53 mutation, extramedullary disease (including central nervous system leukemia) or posttransplant relapse. It is also uncertain whether there is an added benefit of transplantation after anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. We conducted a phase 1/2 study of 115 enrolled patients with CD19+ B-ALL. A total of 110 patients were successfully infused with anti-CD19 CAR T cells. In all, 93% of patients achieved a morphologic complete remission, and 87% became negative for minimal residual disease. Efficacy was seen across all subgroups. One-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 58%, and 1-year overall survival (OS) was 64% for the 110 patients. Seventy-five nonrandomly selected patients (73.5%) subsequently received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). LFS (76.9% vs 11.6%; P < .0001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6-108.4) and OS (79.1% vs 32.0%; P < .0001; 95% CI, 0.02-0.22) were significantly better among patients who subsequently received allo-HSCT compared with those receiving CAR T-cell therapy alone. This was confirmed in multivariable analyses (hazard ratio, 16.546; 95% CI, 5.499-49.786). Another variate that correlated with worse outcomes was TP53 mutation (hazard ratio, 0.235; 95% CI, 0.089-0.619). There were no differences in complete remission rate, OS, or LFS between groups of patients age 2 to 14 years or age older than 14 years. Most patients had only mild cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Our data indicate that anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy is safe and effective in all B-ALL subgroups that have high-risk features. The benefit of a subsequent allo-HSCT requires confirmation because of nonrandom allocation. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03173417.
Tissue mast cell counts may be associated with decreased severity of gastrointestinal acute GVHD and nonrelapse mortality
Authors: Ustun Celalettin , DeFor Todd E. , Karadag Fatma K. , Don Yun Hyun , Nathan Sunita , Brunstein Claudio G. , Blazar Bruce R. , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Holtan Shernan G. , Amin Khalid
Published: May 2020

The functions of mast cells in human graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are unknown. We studied 56 patients who had an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) with a biopsy for diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) GVHD before any treatment (including steroids): 35 with GIT GVHD, 21 HCT recipients whose biopsies did not confirm GVHD, and 9 with a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as a comparison. The median number of mast cells (mean of CD117+ cells, counted in 3 selected spots under 40× magnification) was similar between patients with GVHD (59 cells) and those without GVHD (60 cells). However, the median number of mast cells was significantly associated with maximum clinical stage of GIT GVHD; the lowest counts of mast cells were observed in the highest clinical stage of GIT GVHD (stage 1, 80; stage 2, 69; stage 3, 54; stage 4, 26; P = .01). Moreover, every decrease by 10 mast cells was associated with increased nonrelapse mortality through 1 year (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.00; P = .05). AlloHCT recipients all had significantly fewer mast cells, even those without GVHD compared with those with IBD (median, 59 vs 119; P < .01). The median number of GIT mast cells was also significantly lower in patients who received myeloablative conditioning (61.5 cells) than in those who received reduced intensity conditioning (78 cells) in the entire study population (P = .02). We conclude that GIT mast cells are depleted in all alloHCT patients, more prominently in those receiving myeloablative conditioning and those with severe GIT GVHD. Our novel findings warrant further investigation into the biological effects of mast cells in GIT GVHD.
High metabolic heterogeneity on baseline 18FDG-PET/CT scan as a poor prognostic factor for newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Senjo Hajime , Hirata Kenji , Izumiyama Koh , Minauchi Koichiro , Tsukamoto Eriko , Itoh Kazuo , Kanaya Minoru , Mori Akio , Ota Shuichi , Hashimoto Daigo , Teshima Takanori ,   North Japan Hematology Study Group
Published: May 2020

Metabolic heterogeneity (MH) can be measured using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), and it indicates an inhomogeneous tumor microenvironment. High MH has been shown to predict a worse prognosis for primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, whereas its prognostic value in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains to be determined. In the current study, we investigated the prognostic values of MH evaluated in newly diagnosed DLBCL. In the training cohort, 86 patients treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone–like chemotherapies were divided into low-MH and high-MH groups using receiver operating characteristic analysis. MH was not correlated with metabolic tumor volume of the corresponding lesion, indicating that MH was independent of tumor burden. At 5 years, overall survivals were 89.5% vs 61.2% (P = .0122) and event-free survivals were 73.1% vs 51.1% (P = .0327) in the low- and high-MH groups, respectively. A multivariate Cox-regression analysis showed that MH was an independent predictive factor for overall survival. The adverse prognostic impacts of high MH were confirmed in an independent validation cohort with 64 patients. In conclusion, MH on baseline 18FDG-PET/CT scan predicts treatment outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL.