bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL26, a Noncanonical Mediator of DNA Inflammatory Stimulation, Promotes TNBC Engraftment and Progression in Association with Neutrophils
Authors: Trotter Timothy N. , Shuptrine Casey W. , Tsao Li-Chung , Marek Robert D. , Acharya Chaitanya , Wei Jun-Ping , Yang Xiao-Yi , Lei Gangjun , Wang Tao , Lyerly Herbert Kim , Hartman Zachary C.
Published: May 2020

IL26 is a unique amphipathic member of the IL10 family of cytokines that participates in inflammatory signaling through a canonical receptor pathway. It also directly binds DNA to facilitate cellular transduction and intracellular inflammatory signaling. Although IL26 has almost no described role in cancer, our in vivo screen of inflammatory and cytokine pathway genes revealed IL26 to be one of the most significant inflammatory mediators of mammary engraftment and lung metastatic growth in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Examination of human breast cancers demonstrated elevated IL26 transcripts in TNBC specimens, specifically in tumor cells as well as in Th17 CD4+ T cells within clinical TNBC specimens. IL26 did not have an autocrine effect on human TNBC cells, but rather its effect on engraftment and growth in vivo required neutrophils. IL26 enhanced mouse-derived DNA induction of inflammatory cytokines, which were collectively important for mammary and metastatic lung engraftment. To neutralize this effect, we developed a novel IL26 vaccine to stimulate antibody production and suppress IL26-enhanced engraftment in vivo, suggesting that targeting this inflammatory amplifier could be a unique means to control cancer-promoting inflammation in TNBC and other autoimmune diseases. Thus, we identified IL26 as a novel key modulator of TNBC metastasis and a potential therapeutic target in TNBC as well as other diseases reliant upon IL26-mediated inflammatory stimulation.

Significance:

These findings identify IL26 as a unique, clinically relevant, inflammatory amplifier that enhances TNBC engraftment and dissemination in association with neutrophils, which has potential as a therapeutic target.
Role of MPR as an Early Signal for Efficacy in Neoadjuvant Studies
Authors: Blakely Collin M. , McCoach Caroline E.
Published: May 2020

Overall survival and disease-free survival have been the gold standard primary endpoints for neoadjuvant clinical trials. Major pathologic response is a clinically proven surrogate of efficacy and when used as the primary endpoint, can allow for more efficient evaluation of drugs in the neoadjuvant setting.

See related article by Cascone et al., p. 3525
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
Authors: van Leeuwaarde Rachel S. , Pieterman Carolina R.C. , May Anne M. , Dekkers Olaf M. , van der Horst-Schrivers Anouk N. , Hermus Ad R. , de Herder Wouter W. , Drent Madeleine L. , Bisschop Peter H. , Havekes Bas , Vriens Menno R. , Valk Gerlof D.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a hereditary endocrine tumor syndrome characterized by the triad of primary hyperparathyroidism, duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), and pituitary tumors. Patients are confronted with substantial morbidity and are consequently at risk for an impaired quality of life (QOL). Meticulous assessment of QOL and associated factors in a representative population is needed to understand the full spectrum of the burden of the disease. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using the national Dutch MEN1 cohort. Patients with a confirmed MEN1 mutation received the SF-36 Health Related Quality of Life questionnaire and questions regarding sociodemographic and medical history. Results: A total of 227 of 285 (80%) eligible MEN1 patients returned the questionnaires. Health-related QOL scores (HRQOL) in MEN1 patients were significantly lower for the majority of subscales of the SF-36 in comparison with the general Dutch population. The most consistent predictor for HRQOL was employment status, followed by the presence of a pituitary tumor. 16% of patients harboring a pNET and 29% of patients with a pituitary tumor according to the medical records, reported that they were unaware of such a tumor. These subgroups of patients had several significant better QOL scores than patients who were aware of their pNET or pituitary tumors. Conclusion: Patients with MEN1 have an impaired QOL in comparison with the general Dutch population warranting special attention within routine care. For daily practice, physicians should be aware of their patients’ impaired QOL and of the impact of unemployment on QOL.
A Novel SEMA3G Mutation in Two Siblings Affected by Syndromic GnRH Deficiency
Authors: Oleari Roberto , André Valentina , Lettieri Antonella , Tahir Sophia , Roth Lise , Paganoni Alyssa , Eberini Ivano , Parravicini Chiara , Scagliotti Valeria , Cotellessa Ludovica , Bedogni Francesco , De Martini Lisa Benedetta , Corridori Maria Vittoria , Gulli Simona , Augustin Hellmut G. , Gaston-Massuet Carles , Hussain Khalid , Cariboni Anna
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), a rare genetic disorder that impairs sexual reproduction. HH can be due to defective GnRH-secreting neuron development or function and may be associated with other clinical signs in overlapping genetic syndromes. With most of the cases being idiopathic, genetics underlying HH is still largely unknown. Objective: To assess the contribution of mutated Semaphorin 3G (SEMA3G) in the onset of a syndromic form of HH, characterized by intellectual disability and facial dysmorphic features. Method: By combining homozygosity mapping with exome sequencing, we identified a novel variant in the SEMA3G gene. We then applied mouse as a model organism to examine SEMA3Gexpression and its functional requirement in vivo. Further, we applied homology modelling in silico and cell culture assays in vitro to validate the pathogenicity of the identified gene variant. Results: We found that (i) SEMA3G is expressed along the migratory route of GnRH neurons and in the developing pituitary, (ii) SEMA3G affects GnRH neuron development, but is redundant in the adult hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and (iii) mutated SEMA3G alters binding properties in silico and in vitro to its PlexinA receptors and attenuates its effect on the migration of immortalized GnRH neurons. Conclusion: In silico, in vitro, and in vivo models revealed that SEMA3G regulates GnRH neuron migration and that its mutation affecting receptor selectivity may be responsible for the HH-related defects.
Incidence and Implications of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter in Hypertension
Authors: Parcha Vibhu , Patel Nirav , Kalra Rajat , Kim Joonseok , Gutiérrez Orlando M. , Arora Garima , Arora Pankaj
Published: May 2020

We evaluated the impact of intensive blood pressure control on the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) and the prognostic implications of preexisting and new-onset AF in SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) participants. New-onset AF was defined as occurrence of AF in 12-lead electrocardiograms after randomization in participants free of AF at baseline. Poisson regression modeling was used to calculate incident rates of new-onset AF. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the risk of adverse cardiovascular events (composite of myocardial infarction, non–myocardial infarction acute coronary syndrome, stroke, heart failure, or cardiovascular death). In 9327 participants, 8.45% had preexisting AF, and 1.65% had new-onset AF. The incidence of new-onset AF was 4.53 per 1000-person years, with similar rates in the standard and intensive treatment arms (4.95 versus 4.11 per 1000-person years; adjusted
P
=0.14). Participants with preexisting AF (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.46–2.31];
P
<0.001) and new-onset AF (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.45 [95% CI, 1.58–3.80];
P
<0.001) had a greater risk for development of adverse cardiovascular events compared with those with no AF. Participants with preexisting AF who achieved blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg at 3 months continued have a poor prognosis (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.32–2.70];
P
=0.001) compared with those with no AF. Intensive blood pressure control does not diminish the incidence of new-onset AF in an older, high-risk, nondiabetic population. Both preexisting and new-onset AF have adverse prognostic implications. In participants with preexisting AF, residual cardiovascular risk is evident even with on-treatment blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg.

Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01206062.
Re-instatement of Bulbostylis tisserantii (Cyperaceae) an ignored species from Central Africa

Authors: MESTERHÁZY ATTILA , VERLOOVE FILIP
Published: May 2020

Bulbostylis viridecarinata (De Wild.) Goetgh. is a widespread species occurring in many parts of Tropical Africa. Bulbostylis tisserantii Cherm. was synonymized with this species but based on numerous morphological differences this species should be re-instated at species rank. It is only known from three collections, all originating in the southern part of the Central African Republic. Descriptions and conservation status for both species are provided and their main distinguishing features are opposed and illustrated. Lectotypes are designated for Bulbostylis fasciculata Cherm. and Fimbristylis tisserantii Cherm.
Facility for Weather and Climate Assessments (FACTS): A Community Resource for Assessing Weather and Climate Variability
Authors: Murray Donald , Hoell Andrew , Hoerling Martin , Perlwitz Judith , Quan Xiao-Wei , Allured Dave , Zhang Tao , Eischeid Jon , Smith Catherine A. , Barsugli Joseph , McWhirter Jeff , Kreutzer Chris , Webb Robert S.
Published: May 2020

The Facility for Weather and Climate Assessments (FACTS) developed at the NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory is a freely available resource that provides the science community with analysis tools; multimodel, multiforcing climate model ensembles; and observational/reanalysis datasets for addressing a wide class of problems on weather and climate variability and its causes. In this paper, an overview of the datasets, the visualization capabilities, and data dissemination techniques of FACTS is presented. In addition, two examples are given that show the use of the interactive analysis and visualization feature of FACTS to explore questions related to climate variability and trends. Furthermore, we provide examples from published studies that have used data downloaded from FACTS to illustrate the types of research that can be pursued with its unique collection of datasets.
On the Interpretation of the North Atlantic Averaged Sea Surface Temperature
Authors: Sun Jing , Latif Mojib , Park Wonsun , Park Taewook
Published: May 2020

The North Atlantic (NA) basin-averaged sea surface temperature (NASST) is often used as an index to study climate variability in the NA sector. However, there is still some debate on what drives it. Based on observations and climate models, an analysis of the different influences on the NASST index and its low-pass filtered version, the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) index, is provided. In particular, the relationships of the two indices with some of its mechanistic drivers including the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) are investigated. In observations, the NASST index accounts for significant SST variability over the tropical and subpolar NA. The NASST index is shown to lump together SST variability originating from different mechanisms operating on different time scales. The AMO index emphasizes the subpolar SST variability. In the climate models, the SST-anomaly pattern associated with the NASST index is similar. The AMO index, however, only represents pronounced SST variability over the extratropical NA, and this variability is significantly linked to the AMOC. There is a sensitivity of this linkage to the cold NA SST bias observed in many climate models. Models suffering from a large cold bias exhibit a relatively weak linkage between the AMOC and AMO and vice versa. Finally, the basin-averaged SST in its unfiltered form, which has been used to question a strong influence of ocean dynamics on NA SST variability, mixes together multiple types of variability occurring on different time scales and therefore underemphasizes the role of ocean dynamics in the multidecadal variability of NA SSTs.
Performance Analysis of IMD High-Resolution Gridded Rainfall (0.25° × 0.25°) and Satellite Estimates for Detecting Cloudburst Events over the Northwest Himalayas
Authors: Jena Pravat , Garg Sourabh , Azad Sarita
Published: May 2020

The presence of a sparse rain gauge network in complex terrain like the Himalayas has encouraged the present study for the concerned evaluation of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) ground-based gridded rainfall data for highly prevalent events like cloudbursts over the northwest Himalayas (NWH). To facilitate the abovementioned task, we intend to evaluate the performance of these observations at 0.25° × 0.25° (latitude–longitude) resolution against a predefined threshold (i.e., 99.99th percentile), thereby initially comprehending the success of IMD data in capturing the cloudburst events reported in media during 2014–16. Further, seven high-resolution satellite products, namely, CMORPH V0.x, PERSIANN-CDR, TMPA 3B42RT V7, IMERG V06B, INSAT-3D multispectral rainfall (IMR), CHIRPS V.2, and PERSIANN-CCS are evaluated against the IMD dataset. The following are our main results. 1) Six out of 18 cloudburst events are detected using IMD gridded data. 2) The contingency statistics at the 99.99th percentile reveal that the probability of detection (POD) of TMPA varies from 19.4% to 53.9% over the geographical stretch of NWH, followed by PERSIANN-CDR (18.6%–48.4%) and IMERG (4.9%–17.8%). 3) A new metric proposed as improved POD (IPOD) has been developed in this work, which takes into account the temporal lag that exists between observed and satellite estimates during an event period. Results show that for an event analysis IPOD provides a better comparison. The IPOD for TMPA is 32.8%–74.4%, followed by PERSIANN-CDR (34.4%–69.11%) and IMERG (15.3%–39.0%). 4) The conclusion stands as precipitation estimates obtained from CHIRPS are most suitable for monitoring cloudburst events over NWH with IPOD of 60.5%–78.6%.
Improved Statistical Method for Quality Control of Hydrographic Observations
Authors: Gourrion Jérôme , Szekely Tanguy , Killick Rachel , Owens Breck , Reverdin Gilles , Chapron Bertrand
Published: May 2020

Realistic ocean state prediction and its validation rely on the availability of high quality in situ observations. To detect data errors, adequate quality check procedures must be designed. This paper presents procedures that take advantage of the ever-growing observation databases that provide climatological knowledge of the ocean variability in the neighborhood of an observation location. Local validity intervals are used to estimate binarily whether the observed values are considered as good or erroneous. Whereas a classical approach estimates validity bounds from first- and second-order moments of the climatological parameter distribution, that is, mean and variance, this work proposes to infer them directly from minimum and maximum observed values. Such an approach avoids any assumption of the parameter distribution such as unimodality, symmetry around the mean, peakedness, or homogeneous distribution tail height relative to distribution peak. To reach adequate statistical robustness, an extensive manual quality control of the reference dataset is critical. Once the data have been quality checked, the local minima and maxima reference fields are derived and the method is compared with the classical mean/variance-based approach. Performance is assessed in terms of statistics of good and bad detections. It is shown that the present size of the reference datasets allows the parameter estimates to reach a satisfactory robustness level to always make the method more efficient than the classical one. As expected, insufficient robustness persists in areas with an especially low number of samples and high variability.
An Objective Identification and Climatology of Upper-Tropospheric Jets near Atlantic Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Cowan Levi P. , Hart Robert E.
Published: May 2020

An objective algorithm is developed for identifying jets in 200-hPa flow and applied to reanalysis data within 2000 km of Atlantic tropical cyclones (TCs) during 1979–2015. The resulting set of 16 512 jets is analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively to describe the climatology of TC–jet configurations and jet behavior near TCs. Jets occur most commonly poleward of TCs within the 500–1000-km annulus, where TC outflow amplifies the background potential vorticity gradient. A rigorous clustering analysis is performed, resulting in statistically distinct clusters of jet traces that correspond to common configurations of large-scale flow near Atlantic TCs. The speed structure of westerly jets poleward of TCs is found to vary with location in the Atlantic basin, but acceleration of jets downstream of their closest approach to the TC due to interaction with the TC’s diabatic outflow is a consistent feature of these structures. In addition to the climatology developed here, this objectively constructed dataset of upper-tropospheric jets opens unique avenues for exploring TC–environment interactions and utilizing jets to quantitatively describe large-scale flow.
Professional and Personal Development After Psychoanalytic Training: Interviews with Early Career Analysts
Authors: Cherry Sabrina , Meyer Juliette , Mann Gregory , Meersand Pamela
Published: May 2020

After analytic training, graduates position their newly acquired identity as “psychoanalyst” in the context of their broader career, contemplating whether to start new analytic cases, adapting their new knowledge base to psychotherapy practice, and deciding how to focus their professional and personal interests going forward. Using questionnaires and interviews, the Columbia Postgraduate Analytic Practice Study (CPAPS) has prospectively tracked the career trajectory of 69 of 76 graduates (91%) from the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research since 2003. In this paper grounded theory is used to identify developmental themes in interviews with analysts who have been followed for at least ten years. Recent graduates are negotiating the following challenges: developing a sense of competence, navigating relationships with colleagues and former supervisors as situations change and roles shift, transitioning into becoming mentors, and balancing the competing responsibilities of professional and personal life. Disillusionment about aspects of training, analytic practice, analysis as a treatment, institute politics, and the field in general emerges as a stark reality, despite a high level of career satisfaction. Educational recommendations include making career development opportunities available and providing a realistic view of both practice realities and expectations of analytic treatment outcome.
The Impact of Playing a Musical Instrument on Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review
Authors: de Jong Jurjen C. , Maroda Andrew J. , Camacho Macario , Chen Philip G.
Published: May 2020

Study Objectives:

To conduct a systematic review of the medical literature evaluating the effects of playing a musical instrument on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Data Sources:

Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, and OVID.

Review Methods:

Searches were performed through October 22, 2019. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement was followed.

Results:

After thorough investigation amidst specific exclusion criteria, four studies were included in the systematic review: one randomized controlled trial and three cross-sectional studies. Polysomnography was used to assess apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the randomized controlled trial, while the Berlin questionnaire was used to assess high- and low risk OSA in the cross-sectional studies. Various instrument types were mentioned in these studies, largely focusing on wind instruments and subgroups within the wind instrument family.

Conclusion:

Current literature, although sparse, suggests that playing certain types of wind instruments are associated with either improving patients’ AHI or reducing the risk of developing OSA. Future studies with larger sample sizes utilizing validated diagnostic tools to measure the presence and severity of OSA are necessary to determine the true impact of such interventions. Although more research is needed, sustainable and minimally invasive interventions such as playing a specific type of musical instrument could serve as an accessible, inexpensive, and effective adjunctive treatment for OSA.
Comparison of Materials Used for 3D-Printing Temporal Bone Models to Simulate Surgical Dissection
Authors: McMillan Alexandra , Kocharyan Armine , Dekker Simone E. , Kikano Elias George , Garg Anisha , Huang Victoria W. , Moon Nicholas , Cooke Malcolm , Mowry Sarah E.
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To identify 3D-printed temporal bone (TB) models that most accurately recreate cortical mastoidectomy for use as a training tool by comparison of different materials and fabrication methods.

Background:

There are several different printers and materials available to create 3D-printed TB models for surgical planning and trainee education. Current reports using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic generated via fused deposition modeling (FDM) have validated the capacity for 3D-printed models to serve as accurate surgical simulators. Here, a head-to-head comparison of models produced using different materials and fabrication processes was performed to identify superior models for application in skull base surgical training.

Methods:

High-resolution CT scans of normal TBs were used to create stereolithography files with image conversion for application in 3D-printing. The 3D-printed models were constructed using five different materials and four printers, including ABS printed on a MakerBot 2x printer, photopolymerizable polymer (Photo) using the Objet 350 Connex3 Printer, polycarbonate (PC) using the FDM-Fortus 400 mc printer, and two types of photocrosslinkable acrylic resin, white and blue (FLW and FLB, respectively), using the Formlabs Form 2 stereolithography printer. Printed TBs were drilled to assess the haptic experience and recreation of TB anatomy with comparison to the current paradigm of ABS.

Results:

Surgical drilling demonstrated that FLW models created by FDM as well as PC and Photo models generated using photopolymerization more closely recreated cortical mastoidectomy compared to ABS models. ABS generated odor and did not represent the anatomy accurately. Blue resin performed poorly in simulation, likely due to its dark color and translucent appearance.

Conclusions:

PC, Photo, and FLW models best replicated surgical drilling and anatomy as compared to ABS and FLB models. These prototypes are reliable simulators for surgical training.
A transdiagnostic perspective of constructs underlying obsessive-compulsive and related disorders: An international Delphi consensus study
Authors: Fontenelle Leonardo F , Oldenhof Erin , Eduarda Moreira-de-Oliveira Maria , Abramowitz Jonathan S , Antony Martin M , Cath Danielle , Carter Adrian , Dougherty Darin , Ferrão Ygor A , Figee Martijn , Harrison Ben J , Hoexter Marcelo , Soo Kwon Jun , Küelz Anne , Lazaro Luísa , Lochner Christine , Marazziti Donatella , Mataix-Cols David , McKay Dean , Miguel Euripedes C , Morein-Zamir Sharon , Moritz Steffen , Nestadt Gerald , O’Connor Kieron , Pallanti Stefano , Purdon Christine , Rauch Scott , Richter Peggy , Rotge Jean-Yves , Shavitt Roseli G , Soriano-Mas Carles , Starcevic Vladan , Stein Dan J , Steketee Gail , Storch Eric A , Taylor Steven , van den Heuvel Odile A , Veale David , Woods Douglas W , Verdejo-Garcia Antonio , Yücel Murat
Published: May 2020

Background:

The Research Domain Criteria seeks to bridge knowledge from neuroscience with clinical practice by promoting research into valid neurocognitive phenotypes and dimensions, irrespective of symptoms and diagnoses as currently conceptualized. While the Research Domain Criteria offers a vision of future research and practice, its 39 functional constructs need refinement to better target new phenotyping efforts. This study aimed to determine which Research Domain Criteria constructs are most relevant to understanding obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, based on a consensus between experts in the field of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

Methods:

Based on a modified Delphi method, 46 experts were recruited from Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Over three rounds, experts had the opportunity to review their opinion in light of feedback from the previous round, which included how their response compared to other experts and a summary of comments given.

Results:

Thirty-four experts completed round one, of whom 28 (82%) completed round two and 24 (71%) completed round three. At the final round, four constructs were endorsed by ⩾75% of experts as ‘primary constructs’ and therefore central to understanding obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Of these constructs, one came from the Positive Valence System (Habit), two from the Cognitive Control System (Response Selection/Inhibition and Performance Monitoring) and the final construct was an additional item suggested by experts (Compulsivity).

Conclusion:

This study identified four Research Domain Criteria constructs that, according to experts, cut across different obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. These constructs represent key areas for future investigation, and may have potential implications for clinical practice in terms of diagnostic processes and therapeutic management of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.
What Drives Unequal Policy Responsiveness? Assessing the Role of Informational Asymmetries in Economic Policy-Making
Authors: Elkjær Mads Andreas
Published: May 2020

Recent scholarship on inequality and political representation argues that economic elites are dominating democratic policy-making, yet it struggles to explain the underlying mechanisms. This article proposes that unequal responsiveness reflects asymmetries in information about fiscal policy across income classes, as opposed to being a structural bias inherent in capitalist democracy. I test the argument in a pathway case study of economic policy-making in Denmark, using a new data set that combines preference and spending data spanning 18 spending domains between 1985 and 2017. I find that governments that pursue standard macroeconomic policies coincidentally respond more strongly to the preferences of the affluent, owing to a closer adjustment of preferences to the state of the economy among citizens in upper income groups. These findings have important democratic and theoretical implications, as they suggest that unequal responsiveness may not reflect substantive misrepresentation of majority interests, but rather differences in information levels across groups.
Cross-cultural adaptation of children’s environmental health questionnaires for nursing students in England
Authors: Álvarez-García Cristina , Álvarez-Nieto Carmen , Carter Rachel , Kelsey Janet , Sanz-Martos Sebastián , López-Medina Isabel M
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

Children are among the most vulnerable population groups with regard to environmental risks. Nursing students must be fully educated on children’s environmental health as they are in a key position to prevent and reduce the effects of environmental hazards. The main objective of this study was to adapt and validate an English language version of two questionnaires about children’s health and the environment, to assess the knowledge and skills of student nurses in England.

Design:

Observational cross-sectional study.

Setting:

A university in Southern England.

Method:

The study involves translating, adapting and validating the Children’s Environmental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (ChEHK-Q) and the Children’s Environmental Health Skills Questionnaire (ChEHS-Q) with nursing students in England ( N = 232).

Results:

The psychometric characteristics of both questionnaires were strong. Infit and outfit values were close to 1. The reliability values for the items and people were 0.96 and 0.79 for ChEHK-Q and 0.98 and 0.89 for ChEHS-Q, respectively. Only 52 (22.41%) and 77 (33.62%) participants had at least good knowledge and skills, respectively. Higher knowledge and skills were found with respect to the vulnerability of children and identification of environmental risks in the home. Lower levels of knowledge and skills were found with respect to the effects of pesticides and the assessment of neoplastic pollutants.

Conclusion:

Findings demonstrate deficiencies in nursing competencies related to children’s environmental health. The use of these questionnaires will facilitate improvement in both knowledge and skills related to children’s environmental health among future nurses.
Traditional Lectures Actually Improve the Body of Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Health Care Professional for Health Incident Reporting System
Authors: de Souza Joao Luiz Marcus Vinicius , Varallo Fabiana Rossi , Melgarejo Celsa Raquel Villaverde , de Nadai Tales Rubens , de Carvalho Mastroianni Patricia
Published: May 2020

Introduction: A solid patient safety culture lies at the core of an effective event reporting system in a health care setting requiring a professional commitment for event reporting identification. Therefore, health care settings should provide strategies in which continuous health care education comes up as a good alternative. Traditional lectures are usually more convenient in terms of costs, and they allow us to disseminate data, information, and knowledge through a large number of people in the same room. Taking in consideration the tight money budgets in Brazil and other countries, it is relevant to investigate the impact of traditional lectures on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to incident reporting system and patient safety culture. Objective: The study aim was to assess the traditional lecture impact on the improvement of health care professional competency dimensions (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) and on the number of health care incident reports for better patient safety culture. Participants and Methods: An open-label, nonrandomized trial was conducted in ninety-nine health care professionals who were assessed in terms of their competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) related to the health incident reporting system, before and after education intervention (traditional lectures given over 3 months). Results: All dimensions of professional competencies were improved after traditional lectures ( P < .05, 95% confidence interval). Conclusions: traditional lectures are helpful strategy for the improvement of the competencies for health care incident reporting system and patient safety.
Worse Than “Bushmen” and Transhumance? Transitology and the Resilient Cannibalization of African Heritages
Authors: Nhemachena Artwell , Warikandwa Tapiwa V. , Mpofu Nkosinothando
Published: May 2020

Although Eurocentric scholars theorize the world in terms of Western evolutionary progress rather than de-evolutionary retrogression, this paper takes a different perspective. Forced to transition away from their tangible and intangible heritages, from their families and marriages, cultures, societies, polities, and economies in ways that legitimized imperial claims to res nullius (unowned resources) and terra nullius (empty land), some indigenous people wittingly and unwittingly increasingly devolved their heritages to the colonialists that benefited from the African transitions. The point here is that unlike “Bushmen” and those that practiced transhumance, contemporary Africans are forced to transition, to change and to transform away from owning and controlling their tangible and intangible resources, including land, culture, laws, religions, polities, economies, livestock, families, marriages, and so on. Whereas “Bushmen” and transhumance migrated and transitioned while retaining ownership and control over their land, forests, livestock, and so on, contemporary Africans are forced to transition in ways that divorce them from their families, marriages, cultures, religions, polities, and from ownership of their material resources. Because Eurocentric forms of transition put African institutions and resources on the chopping boards, we argue that this kind of transition is cannibalistic. Made to believe that transition is easier to accomplish without the supposed burden of repossessing ownership and control over one’s resources, Africans are witnessed as disinherited and wandering around the world arguably in ways that even precolonial “Bushmen” and transhumance pastoralists would not envy. There is no justice in “transitional justice” that transitions indigenous people from their heritages.
Contour-as-Face Framework: A Method to Preserve Privacy and Perception
Authors: Zhou Yinghui , Lu Shasha , Ding Min
Published: May 2020

Consumers and marketers use facial information to make important inferences about others in many business contexts. However, consumers and firms are increasingly concerned about privacy and discrimination. To address privacy–perception trade-offs, the authors propose a novel contour-as-face (CaF) framework that transforms face images into contour images incorporating both the nonoutline and outline features of facial parts. In three empirical studies, the authors (1) compare human perceptions of face and contour images along 15 dimensions commonly assessed in marketing contexts; (2) investigate the effectiveness of contour images for protecting anonymity related to identity, age, and gender; and (3) implement the CaF framework in a real-life online dating context. Results show that the CaF framework effectively resolves privacy–perception trade-off problems by preserving the information that is useful for humans to make inferences about many relevant perceptual dimensions in marketing while making it virtually impossible for humans to infer identity and very difficult to infer age and gender accurately—two critical discrimination factors. Results from the field implementation demonstrate the feasibility and value of using the CaF framework for real-life decision making.
Brexit as heredity redux: Imperialism, biomedicine and the NHS in Britain
Authors: Fitzgerald Des , Hinterberger Amy , Narayan John , Williams Ros
Published: May 2020

What is the relationship between Brexit and biomedicine? Here we investigate the Vote Leave official campaign slogan ‘We send the EU £350 million a week. Let’s fund our NHS instead’ in order to shed new light on the nationalist stakes of Brexit. We argue that the Brexit referendum campaign must be situated within biomedical policy and practice in Britain. We propose a re-thinking of Brexit through a cultural politics of heredity to capture how biomedicine is structured around genetic understandings of ancestry and health, along with the forms of racial inheritance that structure the state and its welfare system. We explore this in three domains: the NHS and health tourism, data sharing policies between the NHS and the Home Office, and the NHS as an imperially resourced public service. Looking beyond the Brexit referendum campaign, we argue for renewed sociological attention to the relationships between racism, biology, health and inheritance in British society.
Tourism Carbon Kuznets-Curve Hypothesis: A Systematic Literature Review and a Paradigm Shift to a Corporation-Performance Perspective
Authors: Papavasileiou Emmanouil F. , Tzouvanas Panagiotis
Published: May 2020

Since the introduction of the carbon Kuznets-curve hypothesis in the mid-1990s, the inverted U–shaped relationship between economic development and carbon emissions has remained a subject of debate in the social sciences. We engage tourism research in this debate, in a fourfold manner. First, we offer a systematic literature review concerning the role of tourism in the carbon Kuznets-curve hypothesis using a protocol-based reporting process. Second, we present the level of consensus with the carbon Kuznets-curve hypothesis and the conceptual gaps in the identified literature (n = 22). Third, we introduce an emerging concept, offering a novel tourism corporate/performance orientation to the carbon Kuznets-curve hypothesis. Fourth, we provide evidence of empirical validity using different econometric techniques from an international tourism corporation (n = 86) data set (2005–2018). The inverted U–shaped relationship between measures of economic and carbon performance among tourism corporations is a robust result under many different specifications.
Shared Intentionality and Automatic Imitation: The case of La Ola
Authors: Makowski Piotr Tomasz
Published: May 2020

This article argues that such large-scale cases of crowd behavior as the Mexican Wave ( La Ola) constitute forms of shared intentionality which cannot be explained solely with the use of the standard intentionalistic ontology. It claims that such unique forms of collective intentionality require a hybrid explanatory lens in which an account of shared goals, intentions, and other propositional attitudes is combined with an account of the motor psychology of collective agents. The paper describes in detail the intentionalistic ontology of La Ola and discusses the conditions of cooperation it meets. The discussion allows the author to defend the view that large-scale collective intentionality can be based on automaticity to a significant degree: to properly understand such phenomena like La Ola, the idea of probabilistically interpreted decisions and propensities to act should give way to the automatic aspects of behavior. This paves the way for future studies in the philosophy of action to fully recognize the role of automatic performances at the level of collective actions just as they do for individual actions.
A Focal Concerns Perspective on Prosecutorial Decision Making in Cases of Intimate Partner Stalking
Authors: Brady Patrick Q. , Reyns Bradford W.
Published: May 2020

Despite millions of stalking victims contacting the police each year, suspects are rarely arrested or prosecuted. While prosecutors are ultimately the gatekeepers to holding defendants accountable, few studies have examined the factors influencing charging decisions in stalking cases. Using the focal concerns perspective, this study analyzed 5 years of domestic violence and stalking case outcomes in Rhode Island. Findings indicated that prosecutors were more likely to prosecute stalking cases when defendants evoked fear in the victim and pursued victims in public. The decision to prosecute stalking versus other domestic violence–related charges was motivated by the location of the offense and the defendant’s history of physical abuse toward the victim. Neither extralegal factors nor characteristics of blameworthiness or suspect culpability influenced prosecutorial decision making. Findings underscore the legal complexities of stalking and suggest the need for additional insight on prosecutorial perspectives and strategies to articulate the fear standard in stalking cases.
Social Mobility in Late Imperial China: Reconsidering the “Ladder of Success” Hypothesis
Authors: Jiang Qin , Kung James Kai-sing
Published: May 2020

Using unique data, we test whether the civil examination system in late imperial China (1796–1905) constituted a route to social mobility. We find that measures of both ability and “family type”—specifically the upper gentry family type—consistently predict success in the highest level exam, the jinshi, while direct proxies for wealth do not. Specifically, the higher the level of the father’s education the greater the odds of passing the first stage of the jinshi exam—the metropolitan exam. But in the final stage of the jinshi exam (the palace exam), where candidates were examined only on their knowledge of statecraft, it is the official rank of one’s father and ancestors, which we use to proxy for family-specific tacit knowledge (or “cultural capital”), that significantly predicts the final ranking and class of honors—both of which crucially determined entry into the Hanlin Academy and subsequent career trajectories. Thus, while it unwittingly facilitated mobility, the civil examination system transmitted hidden advantages among those endowed with more than just human capital.
Predictive Values of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Other Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Patients With Bell’s Palsy
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Oh Jae Hwan , Kim Junsuk , Cho Chang Hyun , Lee Ju Hyoung
Published: May 2020

Background and Objectives:

Bell’s palsy (BP) is the most frequent cause of unilateral facial paralysis, and inflammation is believed to play an important role in pathogenesis. Due to its rarity, however, no consensus has been reached regarding optimum treatment or factors affecting prognosis. In the present study, treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of BP were investigated in pediatric patients who underwent steroid therapy. The goal was to investigate the relationship between BP and inflammation using multiple inflammatory markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and red cell distribution width (RDW).

Materials and Methods:

In all, 54 patients diagnosed with BP and 39 healthy randomly selected controls were enrolled in this retrospective study. Demographic characteristics and complete blood cell count test results were compared. In addition, prognostic factors were sought by dividing the 54 patients with BP into 2 groups according to the House-Brackmann grading system: low grade BP (grades II and III) and high grade BP (grades IV and V). Serum samples were analyzed retrospectively on initial presentation and 6 months after the symptom begins. Meaningful hematological parameters include NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW.

Results:

The NLR values in the BP group were significantly higher than in the control group. The NLR value in the 2 groups of patients with BP differed significantly. The mean PLR value in the BP group was higher than in the control group; however, there were no significant differences between the low-grade and high-grade BP groups nor were there any statically significant differences in the other characteristics.

Conclusion:

The NLR and PLR values are readily accessible parameters that may be useful prognostic markers in pediatric patients with BP. Further studies are required to confirm these results and their utility in predicting prognosis and treating pediatric patients with BP.
The limits and boundaries of digital disconnection
Authors: Treré Emiliano , Natale Simone , Keightley Emily , Punathambekar Aswin
Published: May 2020

This editorial introduces a themed section aimed to spark further reflections on the limits and boundaries of disconnection as a form of critique, activism and response to the pervasiveness of digital devices, platforms, and infrastructures. We outline two key limits in current thinking about disconnection: first, the universalist discourse of disconnection, which contrasts with the reality of a profound inequality of access to both connection and disconnection across the globe, and second, the fact that connectivity not only involves digital media users but also those who are materially not connected to the network. This introduction also reflects on the changing meanings of being connected and disconnected to digital networks and platforms at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic forces many people around the world to remain physically separated from others due to lockdown and quarantine measures.
Dynamic assessment of lung injury by ultrasound in patients with acute paraquat poisoning
Authors: Shen Peng , Wang Qianqian , Yu Wenlong , Gu Yichen , Song Xianbin , Shi Yunchao
Published: May 2020

Objective

To investigate the value of ultrasound in the dynamic assessment of lung injury after acute paraquat poisoning.

Methods

A prospective observational study was performed on patients with paraquat poisoning from admission to day 28 or discharge. Ultrasound assessment of the lungs was performtyed every 48 hours. The correlation of the lung ultrasound score (LUS) with other indicators was analyzed.

Results

Twenty-six patients were enrolled, with an average age of 46 ± 16 years. The average toxic dose was 95 ± 51 mL. The intensive care unit (ICU) stay averaged 9 ± 8 days, and the 28-day mortality was 88.5%. There was a significant negative correlation between LUS and oxygenation index (rho = −0.896) and a significant positive correlation between LUS and carbon dioxide concentration (rho = 0.567). Lung ultrasound and computed tomography imaging correlated closely.

Conclusion

Lung ultrasound can reflect changes in lung status in patients with paraquat poisoning and can be used to evaluate lung injury in these patients. Trial registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR-DDD-16010211. Registered 21 December 2016, http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx .
The Influence of Pitch Velocity on Medial Elbow Pain and Medial Epicondyle Abnormality Among Youth Baseball Players
Authors: Kurokawa Daisuke , Muraki Takayuki , Ishikawa Hiroaki , Shinagawa Kiyotsugu , Nagamoto Hideaki , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Nobuyuki , Tanaka Minoru , Itoi Eiji
Published: May 2020

Background:

Pitch velocity is associated with elbow injuries among skillful baseball players. However, the relationship between pitch velocity and throwing elbow injuries among youth players has not yet been clarified.

Purpose:

To investigate the influence of pitch velocity on medial elbow pain and medial epicondyle abnormality among youth baseball players.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The participants consisted of 256 elementary school players (mean age, 11 ± 1 years; range, 9-12 years). The medial aspect of the elbow was evaluated using ultrasound imaging. A questionnaire was used to investigate past or present pain in the elbow, background of the players (age, height, body mass index, and years of baseball experience), and playing environment (number of days of practice in a week, experience as a pitcher, and cryotherapy of the shoulder and elbow after practice). Positioning of the scapula, range of motion in shoulder internal/external rotations and hip internal rotation, angle of the straight-leg raise, and heel-to-buttock distance were measured. The pitch velocity was recorded using a pitch velocity radar gun. The relationship between these variables and the presence of medial epicondyle abnormality, as well as past or present elbow pain, were statistically analyzed.

Results:

A medial epicondyle abnormality was observed in 130 players (51%), elbow pain in the past in 65 players (25%), and elbow pain during the examination in 14 players (5%). Sixty-nine players (27%) experienced elbow pain either in the past or during examination. Abnormality of the medial epicondyle had a relationship with the pitch velocity (odds ratio [OR], 1.1 for increase of 1 km/h; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2; P < .0001) and the number of practice days in a week (OR, 1.8 for increase of the practice days; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5; P < .0001). Pitch velocity was also significantly related with past pain, present pain, and past and/or present pain of the elbow (OR [km/h], 1.1, 1.1, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.1, 1.0-1.2, 1.1-1.2; P < .0001, P = .002, P < .0001, respectively).

Conclusion:

Pitch velocity was significantly associated with abnormality of the medial epicondyle and elbow pain. A 10-km/h increase in pitch velocity would increase the risk of medial epicondyle abnormality and medial elbow pain by 3 times.