bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transpicuous-Cum-Fouling Resistant Copolymers of 3-Sulfopropyl Methacrylate and Methyl Methacrylate for Optronics Applications in Aquatic Medium and Healthcare
Authors: Mushtaq Shehla , Ahmad Nasir M. , Nasir Habib , Mahmood Azhar , Janjua Hussnain A.
Published: October 2020

The scope of optical sensors and scanners in aquatic media, fluids, and medical diagnostics has been limited by paucity of transparent shielding materials with antifouling potential. In this research endeavor, facile synthesis, characterization, and bioassay of antifouling transparent functional copolymers are reported. Copolymers of 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate (SPMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization in various proportions. Samples PSM20, PSM30, PSM40, PSM50, and PSM60 contain 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% SPMA by weight, respectively. Resultant products were characterized by FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The synthesized copolymers have exhibited excellent transparency, i.e., 75% to 88%, as determined by the UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis. Transmittance was decreased from 6% to 2% in these copolymers upon changing the concentration of 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate from 20% to 50% owing to bacterial and algal biofilm formation. Water contact angle values were ranged from 18° to 63° and decreased with the increase in the polarity of copolymers. The surface energy lowest value 58 mJ/m2 and highest value 72 mJ/m2 were calculated for PSM20 and PSM50, respectively, by the Chibowski approach and Young equation. Sample PSM50 has exhibited the highest antibacterial activities, i.e., 18 mm and 19 mm, against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, by the disk diffusion method. Copolymer PSM50 has shown minimum algal adhesion for Dictyosphaerium algae as observed by optical microscopy. This lower bacterial and algal adhesion is attributed to higher concentrations of anionic SPMA monomer that cause electrostatic repulsion between functional groups of the polymer and microorganisms. Thus, the resultant PSM50 product has exhibited good potential for optronics shielding application in aquatic medium and medical diagnostics.
Baicalein Restores the Balance of Th17/Treg Cells via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor to Attenuate Colitis
Authors: Liu Chang , Li Yanyang , Chen Yanping , Huang Shaowei , Wang Xiaojing , Luo Shuang , Su Yulin , Zhou Lian , Luo Xia
Published: October 2020

As one of the ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), baicalein, isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been proved to exert potential therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis (UC), but its therapeutic mechanism remains obscure. Authentically, ulcerative colitis can be alleviated by regulating the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells via AhR activation. So, our study planned to prove the hypothesis that baicalein protected mice against UC by regulating the balance of Th17/Treg cells via AhR activation. Immunofluorescence and western blot results showed that baicalein could promote AhR activation and induce it to transfer to the nucleus. We further determined the effect of baicalein on naïve CD4+ T cell differentiation in vitro by magnetic cell separation and drug intervention. The results showed that baicalein could promote Treg cell differentiation by activating AhR. In vivo study, UC mice were established by free drinking of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days and then were orally administrated by baicalein (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg), TCDD (AhR agonist), and CH223191 (antagonist). The results demonstrated that baicalein improved the symptoms of UC mice, regulated the balance of Th17/Treg cells, and restored the balance of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α; anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β; and epithelial protective cytokine IL-22 in UC mice, and these effects were related to AhR. Taken together, our research found that baicalein might be a potential drug for UC via regulating Treg cell differentiation and maintaining immune homeostasis and attempted to shed a light on the pivotal role of AhR in these effects.
Biomechanical Analysis of Grafted and Nongrafted Maxillary Sinus Augmentation in the Atrophic Posterior Maxilla with Three-Dimensional Finite Element Method
Authors: Wang Xuan , Zhang Tianqi , Yang Enli , Gong Zhiyuan , Shen Hongzhou , Wu Haiwei , Zhang Dongsheng
Published: October 2020

This study is aimed at determining the optimal sinus augmentation approach considering the poor bone condition in the zone of atrophic posterior maxilla. A series of simplified maxillary segment models varying in residual bone height (RBH) and bone quality were established. A 10 mm standard implant combined with two types of maxillary sinus augmentation methods was applied with the RBH, which was less than 10 mm in the maxilla. The maximal equivalent von Mises (EQV) stress in residual bone was evaluated. Bone quality had an enormous impact on the stress magnitude of supporting bone. Applying sinus augmentation combined with grafts was suitable for stress distribution, and high-stiffness graft performed better than low-stiffness one. For 7 mm and 5 mm atrophic maxilla, nongrafted maxillary sinus augmentation was feasible in D3 bone. Poor bone quality was a negative factor for the implant in the region of atrophic posterior maxilla, which could be improved by grafts. Meanwhile, the choice of maxillary sinus augmentation approaches should be determined by the RBH and quality.
Study of Raw and Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate by Meaning of TGA and Computer Simulation
Authors: Latifa Bouzid , Zohra Fouddad Fatma , Said Hiadsi
Published: October 2020

The pyrolysis method of both raw and recycled polyethylene terephthalate was studied using the nonisothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at different five heating rates (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 K/min) for each element. Without using any mathematical equations, the kinetic parameters of polyethylene terephthalate pyrolysis were obtained by applying the modified distributed activation energy model (DAEM). Furthermore, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyethylene terephthalate was simulated using the computer simulation with different methods. The effect of energy in the Tg process was enhanced. The mechanical properties of polyethylene terephthalate were computed. Our simulated values were compared with available data in literature.
Algorithm for Target Detection in Smart City Combined with Depth Learning and Feature Extraction
Authors: Wang Feng , Xu Zhiming , Qiu Zemin , Ni Weichuan , Li Jiaqi , Luo YiLan
Published: October 2020

The target detection algorithms have the problems of low detection accuracy and susceptibility to occlusion in existing smart cities. In response to this phenomenon, this paper presents an algorithm for target detection in a smart city combined with depth learning and feature extraction. It proposes an adaptive strategy is introduced to optimize the algorithm search windows based on the traditional SSD algorithm, which according to the target operating conditions change, strengthening the algorithm to enhance the accuracy of the objective function which is combined with the weighted correlation feature fusion method, and this method is a combination of appearance depth features and depth features. Experimental results show that this algorithm has a better antiblocking ability and detection accuracy compared with the conventional SSD algorithms. In addition, it has better stability in a changing environment.
Genome and Transcriptome Biomarkers of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Pender Alexandra , Titmuss Emma , Pleasance Erin D. , Fan Kevin Y. , Pearson Hillary , Brown Scott D. , Grisdale Cameron J. , Topham James T. , Shen Yaoqing , Bonakdar Melika , Taylor Gregory A. , Williamson Laura M. , Mungall Karen L. , Chuah Eric , Mungall Andrew J. , Moore Richard A. , Lavoie Jean-Michel , Yip Stephen , Lim Howard , Renouf Daniel J. , Sun Sophie , Holt Robert A. , Jones Steven J.M. , Marra Marco A. , Laskin Janessa
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of solid tumors with dramatic and durable responses seen across multiple tumor types. However, identifying patients who will respond to these drugs remains challenging, particularly in the context of advanced and previously treated cancers.

Experimental Design:

We characterized fresh tumor biopsies from a heterogeneous pan-cancer cohort of 98 patients with metastatic predominantly pretreated disease through the Personalized OncoGenomics program at BC Cancer (Vancouver, Canada) using whole genome and transcriptome analysis (WGTA). Baseline characteristics and follow-up data were collected retrospectively.

Results:

We found that tumor mutation burden, independent of mismatch repair status, was the most predictive marker of time to progression (P = 0.007), but immune-related CD8+ T-cell and M1-M2 macrophage ratio scores were more predictive for overall survival (OS; P = 0.0014 and 0.0012, respectively). While CD274 [programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)] gene expression is comparable with protein levels detected by IHC, we did not observe a clinical benefit for patients with this marker. We demonstrate that a combination of markers based on WGTA provides the best stratification of patients (P = 0.00071, OS), and also present a case study of possible acquired resistance to pembrolizumab in a patient with non–small cell lung cancer.

Conclusions:

Interpreting the tumor-immune interface to predict ICI efficacy remains challenging. WGTA allows for identification of multiple biomarkers simultaneously that in combination may help to identify responders, particularly in the context of a heterogeneous population of advanced and previously treated cancers, thus precluding tumor type–specific testing.
Serum Uric Acid and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as Predictors of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Ran Fang , Liu Feng , Zhang Ying , Chen Linyun
Published: October 2020

Background: Cognitive impairment induced by cerebral infarction has become a devastating health problem. More efficient predictors are required to evaluate the potential cognitive decline after cerebral infarction in clinic. Serum uric acid (UA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are two factors reported to correlate with cognitive impairment. However, the understanding on serum UA and hs-CRP with cognitive dysfunction remains unclear. Methods: Serum UA and hs-CRP were evaluated in patients with cerebral infarction (n = 197) using single factor analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed by logistic regression, respectively, and the results demonstrated the correlation between the pathological characteristics and the cognitive impairment post cerebral infarction. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate the patients’ cognitive function, and patients with a MoCA score <26 were recognized as with cognitive impairment. Results: Clinical characteristics related to cognitive impairment, including age, gender, blood pressure, serum UA, and hs-CRP were collected and analyzed. Serum UA and hs-CRP were identified to be potential predictors for post-stroke cognitive dysfunction, with higher serum UA levels correlated with better cognitive function and higher hs-CRP levels correlated with worse cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Serum UA and hs-CRP are two predictors for cognitive impairment post cerebral infarction.
The Effects of Nebivolol and Irbesartan on Ambulatory Aortic Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Hemodialysis Patients with Intradialytic Hypertension
Authors: Theodorakopoulou Marieta , Loutradis Charalampos , Bikos Athanasios , Angeloudi Elena , Schoina Manina , Raptis Vasileios , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Papagianni Aikaterini , Sarafidis Pantelis
Published: October 2020

Background: Intradialytic hypertension occurs in 5–15% of hemodialysis patients and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but the responsible mechanisms remain unknown. This study examined the effects of nebivolol and irbesartan on ambulatory central blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness, and wave-reflection parameters in patients with intradialytic hypertension. Methods: This is a prespecified analysis of a single-blind, randomized, cross-over study in 38 hemodialysis patients with intradialytic hypertension. Patients were randomized to nebivolol 5 mg followed byirbesartan 150 mg, or vice versa. In a non-randomized manner, the first half of the patients (n = 19) received a single drug dose 1 h prior to dialysis session and the remaining received the drugs for a whole week before the evaluation. Ambulatory central BP, arterial stiffness, and wave-reflection parameters were estimated with Mobil-O-Graph NG device, during a midweek dialysis day. Results: Intake of a single dose of nebivolol or irbesartan resulted in lower postdialysis central systolic BP (c-SBP) (baseline: 140.9 ± 15.4; nebivolol: 130.3 ± 19.5, p = 0.009; irbesartan: 127.3 ± 24.4 mm Hg, p = 0.007). Single-dose nebivolol also produced marginally lower 24-h c-SBP (p = 0.064) and lower 24-h central diastolic BP (c-DBP) (p = 0.029). Weekly administration of both drugs reduced postdialysis c-SBP (baseline: 144.1 ± 15.3; nebivolol: 131.8 ± 14.1, p = 0.014; irbesartan: 126.4 ± 17.8, p = 0.001) and 24-h c-SBP and c-DBP (baseline: 135.5 ± 10.3/91.9 ± 9.2; nebivolol: 126.4 ± 8.4/86.6 ± 7.2, p < 0.001/p = 0.002; irbesartan: 128.7 ± 11.6/87.0 ± 9.4, p = 0.061/p = 0.051 mm Hg). Single-dose intake of both drugs did not affect heart rate-adjusted augmentation index [AIx(75)], but decreased postdialysis pulse wave velocity (PWV). Importantly, weekly administration of both drugs reduced 24-h PWV (baseline: 10.0 ± 2.5; nebivolol: 9.7 ± 2.5, p = 0.012; irbesartan: 9.7 ± 2.7, p = 0.041). In between drug-group comparisons, no significant differences were noted. Conclusions: This is the first randomized evaluation on the effects of pharmacological interventions on central BP and PWV in patients with intradialytic hypertension. Weekly administration of both nebivolol and irbesartan reduced 24-h central BP and PWV, but not AIx(75).
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Children: A Pilot Study of Steroid Hormones Expressed as Sex- and Age-Related Standard Deviation Scores
Authors: Clausen Caroline S. , Ljubicic Marie L. , Main Katharina M. , Andersson Anna-Maria , Petersen Jørgen H. , Frederiksen Hanne , Duno Morten , Johannsen Trine H. , Juul Anders
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disease predominantly caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Clinical management in children includes glucocorticoid and often mineralocorticoid treatment alongside monitoring outcomes such as an­thro­po­metry, pubertal status, blood pressure, and biochemistry. Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to present the use of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androgen metabolites expressed as standard deviation (SD) scores rather than actual concentrations as a tool in the management of children with CAH as well as in research settings. Methods: The study was a retrospective, longitudinal study that took place in a single, tertiary center and included 38 children and adolescents aged 3–18 years with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Biochemical measurements of 17-OHP, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS), and testosterone using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were expressed as SD scores, and outcomes such as genotype, height, bone maturation, blood pressure, and treatment doses were extracted from patient files. Results: The majority (86%) of CAH patients had 17-OHP measurements above +2 SD during standard hydrocortisone therapy, receiving an average daily hydrocortisone dose of 12.6 mg/m2. Androstenedione concentrations were mostly within ±2 SD, whereas DHEAS values were below –2 SD in 47% of patients. Conclusions: Applying sex- and age-related SD scores to 17-OHP and androgen metabolite concentrations allows for monitoring of hydrocortisone treatment independent of age, sex, assay, and center. We propose that 17-OHP and androgen metabolites expressed as SD scores be implemented as a unifying tool that simplifies research and, in the future, also optimal management of treatment.
Pattern Recognition to Objectively Differentiate the Etiology of Cognitive Decline: Analysis of the Impact of Stroke and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Clouston Sean A.P. , Richmond Lauren L. , Scott Stacey B. , Luhmann Christian C. , Natale Ginny , Hanes Douglas , Zhang Yun , Smith Dylan M.
Published: October 2020

Background: Undetected Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and stroke neuropathology is believed to account for a large proportion of decline in cognitive performance that is attributed to normal aging. This study examined the amount of variance in age-related cognitive change that is accounted for by AD and stroke using a novel pattern recognition protocol. Method: Secondary analyses of data collected for the Health and Retirement Study (N = 17,579) were used to objectively characterize patterns of cognitive decline associated with AD and stroke. The rate of decline in episodic memory and orientation was the outcome of interest, while algorithms indicative of AD and stroke pathology were the predictors of interest. Results: The average age of the sample was 67.54 ± 10.45 years at baseline, and they completed, on average, 14.20 ± 3.56 years of follow-up. After adjusting for demographics, AD and stroke accounted for approximately half of age-associated decline in cognition (51.07–55.6% for orientation and episodic memory, respectively) and explained variance attributed to random slopes in longitudinal multilevel models. Discussion: The results of this study suggested that approximately half of the cognitive decline usually attributed to normal aging are more characteristic of AD and stroke.
Tamoxifen Accelerates Endothelial Healing by Targeting ERα in Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Zahreddine Rana , Davezac Morgane , Smirnova Natalia , Buscato Melissa , Lhuillier Emeline , Lupieri Adrien , Solinhac Romain , Vinel Alexia , Vessieres Emilie , Henrion Daniel , Renault Marie-Ange , Gadeau Alain-Pierre , Flouriot Gilles , Lenfant Françoise , Laffargue Muriel , Métivier Raphaël , Arnal Jean-François , Fontaine Coralie
Published: October 2020

Rationale:

Tamoxifen prevents the recurrence of breast cancer and is also beneficial against bone demineralization and arterial diseases. It acts as an ER (estrogen receptor) α antagonist in ER-positive breast cancers, whereas it mimics the protective action of 17β-estradiol in other tissues such as arteries. However, the mechanisms of these tissue-specific actions remain unclear.

Objective:

Here, we tested whether tamoxifen is able to accelerate endothelial healing and analyzed the underlying mechanisms.

Methods and Results:

Using 3 complementary mouse models of carotid artery injury, we demonstrated that both tamoxifen and estradiol accelerated endothelial healing, but only tamoxifen required the presence of the underlying medial smooth muscle cells. Chronic treatment with 17β-estradiol and tamoxifen elicited differential gene expression profiles in the carotid artery. The use of transgenic mouse models targeting either whole ERα in a cell-specific manner or ERα subfunctions (membrane/extranuclear versus genomic/transcriptional) demonstrated that 17β-estradiol-induced acceleration of endothelial healing is mediated by membrane ERα in endothelial cells, while the effect of tamoxifen is mediated by the nuclear actions of ERα in smooth muscle cells.

Conclusions:

Whereas tamoxifen acts as an antiestrogen and ERα antagonist in breast cancer but also on the membrane ERα of endothelial cells, it accelerates endothelial healing through activation of nuclear ERα in smooth muscle cells, inviting to revisit the mechanisms of action of selective modulation of ERα.
Long-Term Results of the RAPCO Trials
Authors: Buxton Brian F. , Hayward Philip A. , Raman Jai , Moten Simon C. , Rosalion Alexander , Gordon Ian , Seevanayagam Siven , Matalanis George , Benedetto Umberto , Gaudino Mario , Hare David L. , Gaer Jullien , Negri Justin , Komeda Masashi , Bellomo Rinaldo , Doolan Laurie , McNicol Larry , Brennan John , Chan Robert , Clark David , Dick Ronald , Dortimer Anthony , Ecclestone David , Farouque Omar , Fernando Dharsh , Horrigan Mark , Jackson Anthony , Oliver Leslie , Mehta Nilesh , Nadurata Voltaire , Nadarajah Nim , Proimos George , Rowe Michael , Sia Ben , Webb Christopher , Anaveker Nagesh , Barlis Peter , Calafiore Paul , Chan Boniface , Cotroneo John , Johns Jennifer , Jones Elizabeth , Kertes Paul , O’Donnell David , Sylviris Stephen , Tonkin Anew , Fabini Robert , Kearney Leighton , Lim Ruth , Molan Maurice , Smith Gerard , Wellman Chris , Eng John , Hameed Irbaz , Shaw Margaret , Gerbo Sana
Published: October 2020

Background:

An internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery is standard in coronary bypass surgery, but controversy exists on the best second conduit. The RAPCO trials (Radial Artery Patency and Clinical Outcomes) were designed to compare the long-term patency of the radial artery (RA) with that of the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) and the saphenous vein (SV).

Methods:

In RAPCO-RITA (the RITA versus RA arm of the RAPCO trial), 394 patients <70 years of age (or <60 years of age if they had diabetes mellitus) were randomized to receive RA or free RITA graft on the second most important coronary target. In RAPCO-SV (the SV versus RA arm of the RAPCO trial), 225 patients ≥70 years of age (or ≥60 years of age if they had diabetes mellitus) were randomized to receive RA or SV graft. The primary outcome was 10-year graft failure. Long-term mortality was a nonpowered coprimary end point. The main analysis was by intention to treat.

Results:

In the RA versus RITA comparison, the estimated 10-year patency was 89% for RA versus 80% for free RITA (hazard ratio for graft failure, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.23–0.88]). Ten-year patient survival estimate was 90.9% in the RA arm versus 83.7% in the RITA arm (hazard ratio for mortality, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.30–0.95]). In the RA versus SV comparison, the estimated 10-year patency was 85% for the RA versus 71% for the SV (hazard ratio for graft failure, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.15–1.00]), and 10-year patient survival estimate was 72.6% for the RA group versus 65.2% for the SV group (hazard ratio for mortality, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.47–1.22]).

Conclusions:

The 10-year patency rate of the RA is significantly higher than that of the free RITA and better than that of the SV.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00475488.
Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing Mitral Valve Repair With Leaflet Resection Versus Leaflet Preservation on Functional Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Chan Vincent , Mazer C. David , Ali Faeez Mohamad , Quan Adrian , Ruel Marc , de Varennes Benoit E. , Gregory Alexander J. , Bouchard Denis , Whitlock Richard P. , Chu Michael W.A. , Dokollari Aleksander , Mesana Thierry , Bhatt Deepak L. , Latter David A. , Zuo Fei , Tsang Wendy , Teoh Hwee , Jüni Peter , Leong-Poi Howard , Verma Subodh
Published: October 2020

Background:

Equipoise exists between the use of leaflet resection and preservation for surgical repair of mitral regurgitation caused by prolapse. We therefore performed a randomized, controlled trial comparing these 2 techniques, particularly in regard to functional mitral stenosis.

Methods:

One hundred four patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation surgically amenable to either leaflet resection or preservation were randomized at 7 specialized cardiac surgical centers. Exclusion criteria included anterior leaflet or commissural prolapse, as well as a mixed cause for mitral valve disease. Using previous data, we determined that a sample size of 88 subjects would provide 90% power to detect a 5–mm Hg difference in mean mitral valve gradient at peak exercise, assuming an SD of 6.7 mm with a 2-sided test with α=5% and 10% patient attrition. The primary end point was the mean mitral gradient at peak exercise 12 months after repair.

Results:

Patient age, proportion who were female, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score were 63.9±10.4 years, 19%, and 1.4±2.8% for those who were assigned to leaflet resection (n=54), and 66.3±10.8 years, 16%, and 1.9±2.6% for those who underwent leaflet preservation (n=50). There were no perioperative deaths or conversions to replacement. At 12 months, moderate mitral regurgitation was observed in 3 subjects in the leaflet resection group and 2 in the leaflet preservation group. The mean transmitral gradient at 12 months during peak exercise was 9.1±5.2 mm Hg after leaflet resection and 8.3±3.3 mm Hg after leaflet preservation (
P
=0.43). The participants had similar resting peak (8.3±4.4 mm Hg versus 8.4±2.6 mm Hg;
P
=0.96) and mean resting (3.2±1.9 mm Hg versus 3.1±1.1 mm Hg;
P
=0.67) mitral gradients after leaflet resection and leaflet preservation, respectively. The 6-minute walking distance was 451±147 m for those in the leaflet resection versus 481±95 m for the leaflet preservation group (
P
=0.27).

Conclusions:

In this adequately powered randomized trial, repair of mitral prolapse with either leaflet resection or leaflet preservation was associated with similar transmitral gradients at peak exercise at 12 months postoperatively. These data do not support the hypothesis that a strategy of leaflet resection (versus preservation) is associated with a risk of functional mitral stenosis.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier NCT02552771.
“Rehabilitating” Pilgrimage in Scotland: Heritage, Protestant Pilgrimage, and Caledonian Caminos
Authors: Bowman Marion
Published: October 2020

Caminoization and the heritagization of religion are significant factors in the development of “new” pilgrimage in Scotland this century, helping to produce pragmatic and distinctive reworkings of pilgrimage in what was, traditionally, a predominantly Protestant milieu. Here I review the pre- and post-Reformation context of Scottish pilgrimage, outline significant influences and agents in “new” Scottish pilgrimage ideas and praxis (including the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum), and give a detailed account of the development of the Fife Pilgrim Way (officially launched in July 2019) as an example par excellence of how pilgrimage currently is being operationalized and reframed, influenced by both Caminoization and heritagization. This analysis shows that Scotland’s contemporary “rehabilitation” of pilgrimage is driven by multiple agents and agendas (religious, civic, economic, and societal), and that its roots lie inter alia in Scotland’s complex identity politics, Celticism, sectarianism, pro-European sentiments, and a pragmatic reassessment of and reengagement with Scotland’s fragmented pilgrimage past.
Unwrapping the Memory Box
Authors: Roy Sajal , Zafarullah Habib , Das Arunima Kishore
Published: October 2020

The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, has been undergoing significant ecological changes due to climate change-related weather events since the late 1990s. This forest, situated in south-west Bangladesh, provides livelihood services to 3.5 million people. The livelihood provision of the Sundarbans forest has been invented due to climate-induced disasters, such as cyclones, sea-level rise, salinisation, heat waves, and flooding. Considering the impacts of cyclones Aila and Sidr, this autoethnographic study closely examines the long-established perceptions of women and men about the resources of the Sundarbans. While doing so, this study uses feminist political ecology as a theoretical framework. This study examines how these two cyclones transformed lives and gendered livelihoods of the villagers of Shora in the Sundarbans forest.
The potential role of the eGFR in differentiating between true and pseudohyperkalaemia
Authors: Morris Thomas G , Lamba Sushmita , Fitzgerald Thomas , Roulston Gary , Johnstone Helen , Mirzazadeh Mehdi
Published: October 2020

Background

Differentiating between true and pseudohyperkalaemia is essential for patient management. The common causes of pseudohyperkalaemia include haemolysis, blood cell dyscrasias and EDTA contamination. One approach to differentiate between them is by checking the renal function, as it is believed that true hyperkalaemia is rare with normal function. This is logical, but there is limited published evidence to support it. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of the estimated glomerular filtration rate in differentiating true from pseudohyperkalaemia.

Methods

GP serum potassium results >6.0 mmol/L from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017, with a repeat within seven days, were included. Entries were retrospectively classified as true or pseudohyperkalaemia based on the potassium reference change value and reference interval. If the initial sample had a full blood count, it was classified as normal/abnormal to remove blood cell dyscrasias. Different estimated glomerular filtration rate cut-points were used to determine the potential in differentiating true from pseudohyperkalaemia.

Results

A total of 272 patients were included with potassium results >6.0 mmol/L, with 145 classified as pseudohyperkalaemia. At an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, the negative predictive value was 81% (95% CI: 67–90%); this increased to 86% (95% CI: 66–95%) by removing patients with abnormal full blood counts. When only patients with an initial potassium ≥6.5 mmol/L were included (regardless of full blood count), at an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, the negative predictive value was 100%. Lower negative predictive values were seen with decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate cut-points.

Conclusion

Normal renal function was not associated with true hyperkalaemia, making the estimated glomerular filtration rate a useful tool in predicting true from pseudohyperkalaemia, especially for potassium results ≥6.5 mmol/L.
Issues and Challenges of MSP as an Income Enhancement Approach in India
Authors: Bhue Chitrasen , Kikon Renbeni
Published: October 2020

Given the proliferating agricultural crisis and cumulative farmer distress, minimum support price (MSP) as an income enhancement approach in Indian agriculture has been contextualised in this study using the unit-level data of NSSO on Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households (2013). The study tries to understand level of awareness and accessibility of MSP, magnitude of difference among the states and reasons for poor accessibility. The classification of states based on awareness about MSP and procuring agencies (PA) and magnitude of sale to PA at MSP shows that Bihar, including the North-Eastern states of Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya, is the low-ranking state. Although MSP works as a safety net for market risk, low level of awareness, pre-harvest sale and non-availability of PA are some of the important issues which need to be addressed for achieving the goals.
Female Leadership and Gender Gap within Firms: Evidence from an Italian Board Reform
Authors: Maida Agata , Weber Andrea
Published: October 2020

The authors evaluate a 2011 Italian law that installed a step-wise increase in gender quota that remains effective for three consecutive board renewals of listed limited liability firms. They link firm-level information on board membership and board election dates with detailed employment and earnings records from the Social Security registers. Exploiting the staggered introduction of the gender quota regulation and variation in board renewal years across firms, the authors evaluate the effect of the board gender composition on measures of gender diversity in top positions over a period of four years. While the reform substantially raised the female membership on corporate boards, results show only moderate and imprecisely estimated spillover effects on the representation of women in top executive or top earnings positions.
The art in fiction: Thomas Keneally
Authors: Sharrad Paul
Published: October 2020

The article picks up references to novelist Thomas Keneally’s interest in painting and tracks his uses of artists and painting in selected fiction. Visual art supplies style and thematic depth to Bring Larks and Heroes, is integral to the complexity underpinning the murder-mystery of A Victim of the Aurora, allows narrative perspective and structural coherence in Confederates, and connects with elements in The Daughters of Mars that echo the novelist’s positioning of his work across both Europe and Australia, and between commercial and literary fiction.
The Willed Trance: Volition, Voluntariness and Hypnotised Defendants
Authors: Mason James
Published: October 2020

Traditionally, jurists have distinguished between voluntary/involuntary behaviour via the theory of volition. Though perceived as the conventional approach, this paper argues that the volitional understanding of voluntariness is an inadequate instrument for assessing complex behaviours which seemingly portray a striking level of intelligence and purposiveness on the part of the accused. In particular, the phenomenon known as hypnotically-induced behaviour, which forms the focus of this paper, is one such troublesome case. To this end, the version of the volitional theory most staunchly advocated by Professor Michael Moore is singled out for scrutiny, due to his strong sentiments supporting the application of his philosophy to these aforementioned behaviours. In contrast to Moore, this paper suggests that the position most recently proposed by the Law Commission of England and Wales within their discussion paper on the defences of insanity and automatism is to be preferred. Specifically, the Commission recommend substituting the theory of volition for that of ‘control’ as a means for assessing the voluntariness of any given behaviour. This paper submits that a theory of control has two major advantages over the traditional theory of volitionalism. First, the possession/absence of control more accurately reflects the contemporary system of criminal law in England and Wales. Second, a theory of control is more conceptually defensible as an explanation for why behaviours performed under hypnosis are typically perceived as involuntary.
Posttraumatic Growth Impacts Views of Others’ Trauma: The Roles of Shared Experience and Gender
Authors: Orille Alex C. , Marton Velinka , Taku Kanako
Published: October 2020

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) may foster skills that allow one to understand traumatic experiences in others. The primary aim of this study was to determine the relationship between an individual’s PTG reports and their ability to relate to two growth types, PTG and illusory growth. The purpose of this study was to elucidate perceptions of illusory growth and PTG so clinicians may more readily identify catalysts for growth and customize treatments. Participants were read two vignettes that detailed the experience of PTG and illusory growth as a result of a specific traumatic event (i.e., car accident). They completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of the vignettes. Results revealed that participants with higher PTG were more likely to relate to the PTG vignette than the illusory growth vignette, and when participants had experienced the same event in the vignette (i.e., car accident), this relationship was stronger. Last, participants mostly perceived the PTG vignette as female, and the illusory growth vignette as male. Our results suggest that interventions following traumatic experiences could be best facilitated/supplemented by reflective interactions with others who have experienced similar events. Considering one’s gender may be important in order to ensure that gender stereotypes regarding emotional expression are mitigated.
Doctoral Dissertation Research in Rehabilitation Counseling: 2012
Authors: Phillips Brian N. , Tansey Timothy N. , Zanskas Stephen A. , Umucu Emre , Sharp Seneca E.
Published: October 2020

This article continues a series of reviews of rehabilitation doctoral dissertation research. In 2012, there were 30 doctoral dissertations completed from identified doctoral programs in rehabilitation counseling. Dissertations were indexed by research topic, methodology used, model, and statistical analysis. An annotated bibliography is provided. A consideration of institutional productivity and doctoral graduate employment outcomes were also included in the analysis. Results of the current analysis show that a majority of studies comprised quantitative descriptive research designs. Unlike analyses from previous years, advanced and basic statistics were utilized equitably. The proportion of dissertations focusing on attitudes toward persons with a disability was greater than any of the prior reporting periods. Predictive outcome studies and clinical population research also remain prevalent. Implications for the practice of rehabilitation counseling, education, and future research are discussed.
Guns and human suffering: A pastoral theological perspective
Authors: Rosell Ruth Lofgren
Published: October 2020

This article considers the immensity of human suffering caused by gun violence. In an attempt to understand why the United States has not been able to enact reasonable gun control measures, I explore the origins and influence of gun culture and its shaping by the National Rifle Association (NRA). This situation is discussed from theological perspectives and concepts of idolatry, redemptive violence, the spiraling effects of violence as sin, and the nonviolence of Jesus. Finally, I consider pastoral responses in caring for individuals, the faith tradition, the congregation, and the larger sociocultural context.
Optical coherence tomography: assessment of coronary artery disease and guide to percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Iftikhar Imran , Javed Nismat , Khan Hamid Sharif , Malik Jahanzeb , Rehman Adeel ur , Baig Mirza Adnan
Published: October 2020

Background and aims

Angiographic guidance for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significant limitations in interpretation. The superior spatial resolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) can provide meaningful clinical benefits, although limited data is available on Asian populations. This study aimed to determine whether OCT can provide additional advantages and useful clinical information beyond that obtained by angiography alone in decision making for PCI.

Methods

This was an observational study based on a single tertiary cardiac center in Pakistan, which includes 67 patients who underwent coronary angiogram and stenting. Their pre and post stenting OCT findings were recorded. Any additional intervention was also recorded. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS software version 26.0.

Results

The mean age was 55.00 ± 9.00 years. Majority of the patients were males (65.7%). On angiography, there was an equal number of stable and ruptured plaques (38.8%). Post stenting results showed 29.9% under deployed stents and 34.3% were either undersized or mal-apposed. Out of 67 patients, 50 (74.6%) needed re-intervention after PCI. Among different procedures, post-dilatation was most common.

Conclusion

The main OCT benefit is in borderline lesions on CA, in whom OCT identifies significant coronary stenosis and leads to PCI indication in patients. In the post-PCI context, OCT leads to an indication of PCI optimisation in half of the coronary lesions.
Keeping dispute resolution internal: Exploring the role of the industrial relations climate, organizational embeddedness and organizational turbulence
Authors: Xie Pengxin , Zhou Lian
Published: October 2020

Drawing on job embeddedness theory, this study investigates how and when the industrial relations climate influences employees’ preference for particular labour dispute resolution procedures. Analyses of multisource and multilevel data from China show that organizational embeddedness mediates the relationship between the industrial relations climate and preference for internal dispute resolution (IDR) and this indirect effect is stronger in organizations with a high level of turbulence. These findings provide novel theoretical explanation of the linkage between the industrial relations climate and employees’ preference for IDR and highlight the interactions between the industrial relations climate and organizational turbulence. Practical implications are also offered to facilitate employees’ preferences for IDR by improving the quality of the industrial relations climate.
Do researchers use open research data? Exploring the relationships between usage trends and metadata quality across scientific disciplines from the Figshare case
Authors: Quarati Alfonso , Raffaghelli Juliana E
Published: October 2020

Open research data (ORD) have been considered a driver of scientific transparency. However, data friction, as the phenomenon of data underutilisation for several causes, has also been pointed out. A factor often called into question for ORD low usage is the quality of the ORD and associated metadata. This work aims to illustrate the use of ORD, published by the Figshare scientific repository, concerning their scientific discipline, their type and compared with the quality of their metadata. Considering all the Figshare resources and carrying out a programmatic quality assessment of their metadata, our analysis highlighted two aspects. First, irrespective of the scientific domain considered, most ORD are under-used, but with exceptional cases which concentrate most researchers’ attention. Second, there was no evidence that the use of ORD is associated with good metadata publishing practices. These two findings opened to a reflection about the potential causes of such data friction.
Racial Disparities in Patient Activation: The Role of Economic Diversity
Authors: Holt Jeana M. , Winn Aaron , Cusatis Rachel , Talsma AkkeNeel , Crotty Bradley H.
Published: October 2020

The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) assesses a person’s level of knowledge, skills, and confidence to self-manage their day-to-day health. We conducted a mediation analysis to examine potential direct effects of race on significantly lower baseline PAM scores in Black than in White participants (p<0.001) who were a subset of 184 adults who participated in a randomized controlled trial. In the mediation analysis, using natural indirect effects, the continuous outcome was the PAM score. The mediators were income, education, ability to pay bills, and health literacy; race (Black or White) was the “exposure.” The results indicate that income (p=0.025) and difficulty paying monthly bills (p=0.04) mediated the relationship between race and baseline PAM score, whereas health literacy (p=0.301) and education (p=0.436) did not. Researchers must further investigate the role of economic diversity as an underlying mechanism of patient activation and differences in outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration: Avoiding Health Disparities When Collecting Patient Contextual Data for Clinical Care and Pragmatic Research: NCT03766841

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03766841?term=crotty&draw=2&rank=1
Fear or freedom? Visually impaired students’ ambivalent perspectives on physical education
Authors: Ruin Sebastian , Giese Martin , Haegele Justin A
Published: October 2020

With a growing interest in sport, fitness, and a healthy lifestyle, bodily practices are increasing in importance in our society. In the school context, physical education (PE) is the subject where these practices play a central role. But, the German language discourse shows in an exemplary manner that inherent body-related social normality requirements are articulated in didactic traditions and curricular requirements, and that these normality requirements have exclusionary potential for those students who do not fit into the norms. Against this background, this article seeks to understand children with visual impairments’ (CWVI’s) individual constructions of PE in a school specialized for CWVI in Germany. This interview study with eight CWVI focused on individual opportunities and challenges concerning central aspects in PE. The findings show that the CWVI draw ambivalent perspectives on PE that range from existential fears (e.g., fears of heights) to feeling free in working off energy. These aspects especially gain importance in connection to the body, when the general wish to learn and experience with the body seems to be disturbed by normality requirements – like doing certain movements in a pre-defined way – which lead to existential challenges for the CWVI. Further, the relationship between blind and visually impaired students in PE seems ambivalent. Within this special school setting, the segregation according to the external differentiation in “handicapped” and “non-handicapped” somehow leads to a kind of subsegregation at the blind and visually impaired school.
Is a dyadic stressor experienced as equally distressing by both partners? The case of perceived fertility problems
Authors: McQuillan Julia , Greil Arthur L. , Rybińska Anna , Tiemeyer Stacy , Shreffler Karina M. , Colaner Colleen Warner
Published: October 2020

Using data from a population survey, this article explores whether perceptions of having a fertility problem among 926 U.S. couples in heterosexual relationships (women aged 25–45 and male partners) are associated with distress. Most couples did not perceive a fertility problem (58%). In almost a third (30%) of the couples, only women perceived a fertility problem; in 4%, only the men; and in nearly a fifth (19%), both perceived a problem. Adjusted for characteristics associated with fertility problems and depressive symptoms, those who perceived a problem exhibited significantly more depressive symptoms than those who did not. Fertility problems are sometimes experienced as individual because in some couples only one partner perceives a problem or has higher distress in response to their own rather than to their partners’ perceived problems. For women, fertility problems are experienced as a couple phenomenon because women were more distressed when both partners perceive a problem. The perception of fertility problems is gendered in that women were more likely to perceive a problem than men. Furthermore, men are most distressed when they perceive a problem and their partner does not.
Management in social enterprises—Management style, challenges, and strategies
Authors: Yaari Milana , Blit-Cohen Edith , Savaya Riki
Published: October 2020

Social enterprises constantly face inherent conflicts and tension between considerations of profit and considerations of their clients’ welfare. The directors of these enterprises have created a new form of management. This article presents the findings of a study that examined a management profile and style in Work Integration Social Enterprises. The article describes how the business or social profile of the entrepreneurs affects the challenges they face at various stages of the organization’s life cycle and the strategies that help them promote their unique mission.