bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Private life telepressure and workplace cognitive failure among hospital nurses: The moderating role of mobile phone presence
Authors: Cambier Ruben , Van Laethem Michelle , Vlerick Peter
Published: August 2020

Aim

To examine whether the presence of a mobile phone has a moderating role in the relationship between nurses’ private life telepressure and workplace cognitive failure.

Design

Cross‐sectional quantitative study using self‐report questionnaires.

Methods

Data were collected between December 2019 – January 2020. In total, 849 Registered Nurses from three Belgian hospitals completed the online survey. Data were analysed with hierarchical regression analyses and simple slope tests.

Results

Overall, the positive relationship between private life telepressure and workplace cognitive failure was moderated by mobile phone presence. Specifically, the experience of private life telepressure did only relate to higher workplace cognitive failure when nurses kept their mobile phone nearby (i.e. in their pockets). Additional exploratory analyses revealed that this moderation effect only held among nurses in young adulthood and regardless of the notification settings of their mobile phone.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate the unintended risk of mobile phone presence at work as it relates to higher workplace cognitive failure in nurses who experience private life telepressure. Ensuring there are clear organizational policies and practises in place to store away personal belongings of healthcare personnel during work hours would therefore seem beneficial for hospitals.

Impact

Considering the increased presence of mobile phones nowadays, a more detailed understanding is necessary on how these devices might distract personnel in a healthcare setting. The present study gives further insight into this topic and shows that in particular nurses in young adulthood who experience telepressure towards personal messages report more cognitive failure when their personal mobile phones are present, even when they do not actually use these devices. This furnishes additional evidence in support of hospitals' formal policy to forbid personal mobile phones of healthcare personnel when at work.
Patients´ experiences of pain in the intensive care – The delicate balance of control
Authors: Hylén Mia , Akerman Eva , Idvall Ewa , Alm‐Roijer Carin
Published: August 2020

Aim

To explore the patients´ experiences of pain when being cared for in the intensive care.

Design

An exploratory, qualitative design was chosen.

Method

Interviews were performed with patients (October 2015–March 2017) within a week of post‐intensive care (N = 16). Thematic analysis was used as method for analysis.

Results

The findings generated two themes – a lack of control and to struggle for control. Pain was described as overwhelming, both in body and mind and generating the experience of a lack of control, with feelings of incapacitation, isolation, and having their needs unmet. Feeling in control of the pain and thus in control of the situation was experienced as a constant struggle. Well‐planned care, finding ways to handle the pain and good communication were all helpful in this struggle.

Conclusion

The participants recalled their experience of pain in the ICU and control seems to be crucial for how pain is experienced. They experienced a lack of control due to not only the pain but also the treatment, which can be avoided by the nurse continuously evaluating and individualising the care. Balanced care, meeting the patients’ needs and good communication helps the patient feel more in control when experiencing pain.

Impact

The experience of pain is dependent on control for the intensive care patient. The nurse may help them gain control and thereby handle the experience of pain through including the patient, striving for better communication and implementing individualised care that continuously assesses and treats pain.
Reproducibility and repeatability of identifying the latest electrical activation during mapping of coronary sinus branches in CRT recipients
Authors: Kronborg Mads B. , Stephansen Charlotte , Kristensen Jens , Gerdes Christian , Nielsen Jens C.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Studies have shown an association between the outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and longer interventricular delay at the site of the left ventricular (LV) lead. Targeted LV lead placement at the latest electrically activated segment increases LV function further as compared with standard treatment. We aimed to determine reproducibility and repeatability of identifying the latest electrically activated segment during mapping of all available coronary sinus (CS) branches in patients receiving CRT.

Methods

We included 35 patients who underwent CRT implantation with protocolled mapping guided LV lead implantation aiming for the site of the latest electrical activation. Three different doctors experienced in electrophysiology and implantation of CRT devices independently measured time interval from the local bipolar right ventricular (RV) electrogram (EGM) to the local unipolar LV EGM at all mapped sites (RV–LV). The segment with the latest electrical activation was defined as the target segment (TS) and the CS tributary containing TS was defined as the target vein (TV). Weighted κ statistics with 95% confidence intervals were computed to assess intra‐ and interobserver agreement for TS and TV.

Results

We mapped 258 segments within 131 veins. Weighted κ values for repeatability were 0.85 (0.81–0.89) for TS and 0.92 (0.89–0.93) for TV, and weighted κ values of interobserver agreement ranged from 0.70 (0.61–0.73) to 0.80 (0.76–0.83) for TS and 0.73 (0.64–0.78) to 0.86 (0.83–0.89) for TV among all three observers.

Conclusion

The reproducibility and repeatability of identifying the latest electrically activated segment during mapping of all available CS branches in patients receiving CRT range from good to very good.
Systematic review of BRAF/MEK inhibitors‐induced Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs)
Authors: Torres‐Navarro I. , de Unamuno‐Bustos B. , Botella‐Estrada R.
Published: August 2020

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) [Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic syndrome (DRESS), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and generalized bullous fixed eruption (GBFE)] are severe drug reactions that often require hospitalization and could be fatal. BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEKi) are a standard of care in patients with BRAF‐mutated metastatic melanomas. These agents are administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. This review has focus on BRAF/MEKi‐induced SCARs. A systematic search of the following terms: ‘vemurafenib’, ‘cobimetinib’, ‘dabrafenib’, ‘trametinib’, ‘encorafenib’, ‘binimetinib’, ‘Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis’, ‘Stevens Johnson syndrome’, ‘Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis’, ‘Generalized Bullous Fixed Eruption’ ‘Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome’, and ‘DRESS’ in simple combination (every drug with each disease) and all in combination, was performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge and The Cochrane Library repositories, with no restriction on language, for original studies. One hundred sixty‐eight original articles were found, 26 (retrospective series, case reports and conference abstracts) were selected, and 21 were included in the qualitative synthesis. A total of 31 SCAR cases (23 DRESS and 8 SJS/TEN – 1 SJS and 7 TEN –) were identified. Vemurafenib was the culprit drug in all but one case, which was dabrafenib‐induced. Mean time to SCAR onset from drug intake was 15.5 and 11.4 days, for SJS/TEN and DRESS, respectively. For the DRESS cases, hepatic involvement occurred in 96% and renal alterations in 87% of patients. Overall, BRAF/MEKi‐induced SCARs are rare. Among them, vemurafenib is the drug that requires more close monitoring for SCARs. Prior immunotherapy can favour SCARs. Vemurafenib DRESS is likely to occur within the first fifteen days of treatment accompanied by hepatic and renal involvement. Following vemurafenib‐induced SCAR resolution, switching to dabrafenib seems to be a safe alternative for these patients’ treatment.
Injectable platelet‐rich fibrin for facial rejuvenation: A prospective, single‐center study
Authors: Hassan Haidar , Quinlan Daniel J. , Ghanem Ali
Published: August 2020

Background

Autologous platelet‐derived preparations have been used in many surgical fields to improve healing outcomes, with benefits reported in several aesthetic indications.

Aims

This single‐center, prospective, uncontrolled study evaluated the efficacy of injectable platelet‐rich fibrin (i‐PRF) for facial skin rejuvenation using an objective skin analysis system and validated patient‐reported outcome measures.

Patients/Methods

PRF® PROCESS system technology was used to prepare i‐PRP. Eleven healthy female individuals were included in the study and over 3‐months received monthly intradermal injections of i‐PRF in 3 facial regions: malar areas (1 mL each side), nasolabial fold (0.5 mL each side), and upper lip skin above the vermilion border (1 mL). The efficacy of the procedures was assessed by objective skin analysis (VISIA®) and a subjective patient‐reported outcome (FACE‐Q) assessment at baseline and after 3 months.

Results

A significant improvement in skin surface spots (P = .01) and pores (P = .03) was seen at 3‐months follow‐up. Other variables, such as skin texture, wrinkles, ultraviolet spots, and porphyrins, showed a numerical improvement. FACE‐Q scales that measure satisfaction with appearance all showed a significant improvement from baseline, including satisfaction with skin (P = .002), satisfaction with facial appearance (P = .025), satisfaction with cheeks (P = .001), satisfaction with lower face and jawline (P = .002), and satisfaction with lips (P = .04). No major adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions

A series of three i‐PRF injections resulted in significant rejuvenation of the face skin at 3‐month follow‐up, as shown by improved skin analysis parameters and patient self‐assessment scores.
Qualitative descriptions of patient perceptions about fall risks, prevention strategies and self‐identity: Analysis of fall prevention Motivational Interviewing conversations
Authors: Kiyoshi‐Teo Hiroko , Northrup‐Snyder Kathlynn , Robert Davis Mary , Garcia Ellen , Leatherwood Amy , (Seiko) Izumi Shigeko
Published: August 2020

Background

Older adults are often reluctant to engage in fall prevention activities.

Objectives

To understand how older adults respond to fall prevention and identify attributes that affect their responses to fall prevention.

Methods

Qualitative content analysis of Fall Prevention Motivational Interviewing conversations that were conducted as an intervention for a fall prevention study in the USA. We report the methods, results and discussions using the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research checklist.

Results

Conversations from 30 participants were analysed. Participants showed various responses to fall prevention from acceptance and engagement to ambivalence to denial or giving up. Three attributes affecting how they responded to fall prevention were as follows: (a) their perception of fall risks, (b) their perception about fall prevention strategies and (c) self‐identity. If participants perceived that their fall risks were temporary or modifiable, they were more likely to engage in fall prevention. If participants perceived that their fall risks were permanent or unmodifiable, they seemed to have difficulty accepting fall risks or gave up engaging in fall prevention strategies. Participants were more willing to adopt fall prevention strategies that involved minor adjustments but expressed more resistance to adopting strategies that required major adjustments. Further, their response to accepting or not accepting fall prevention was influenced by their perception of whether the fall risks and fall prevention strategies aligned with their self‐identity.

Conclusion

Findings underscore the importance of understanding older adults’ self‐identify and perceptions about fall prevention.

Relevance to clinical practice

Exploring older adults’ self‐identity and perceptions about fall prevention can be useful to support their engagement in fall prevention.
Coordination between lingual motion and pressure production during dipper/tipper type swallows
Authors: Shitara Satoko , Fujiwara Shigehiro , Okawa Jumpei , Kodama Shohei , Hori Kazuhiro , Ono Takahiro
Published: August 2020

Background

Tongue motor biomechanics during swallowing was not fully elucidated due to the technical difficulty.

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between tongue motion and tongue pressure production by simultaneously measuring tongue motion and tongue pressure during water swallowing.

Methods

In 12 healthy male participants (mean age, 30.8 ± 4.2 years), tongue pressure and tongue motion trajectory during dipper‐ and tipper‐type swallows of 3 mL of water were measured using a sensor sheet system equipped with five sensing points and an electromagnetic articulography, respectively. The temporal correlation between motion of anterior/posterior tongue and tongue pressure production during swallowing was evaluated on the synchronised waveforms.

Results

In the dipper‐type swallow, a similar up‐and‐down motion pattern in vertical direction was observed among all participants before tongue pressure production. Those motion patterns were common at the anterior and posterior tongue locations with a temporal difference in some segment of tongue motion. On the other hand, tongue directly attached to hard palate with temporal synchronicity between the anterior and posterior parts. In both types of swallow, a strong temporal correlation was found between the timing of tongue‐palate contact and the Onset of tongue pressure by intra‐class correlation coefficients.

Conclusion

From the simultaneous measurement of tongue motion and tongue pressure production, the tongue motion pattern during water swallowing and the temporal correlation between tongue motion and tongue pressure production were elucidated.
Equilibrium opacity in ultimatum‐offer bargaining
Authors: Konrad Kai A. , Thum Marcel
Published: August 2020

We consider ultimatum bargaining between a seller and a buyer of an asset. They know each other's valuation of the asset. Both can defer their decisions to delegates. These delegates have opaque preferences. Seller and buyer choose the opacity of their delegate. For the seller's delegate this choice is restricted to a random reservation price drawn from the set of symmetric two‐point distributions around the seller's true reservation price. The opacity choice of the buyer's delegate is restricted to a random willingness‐to‐pay drawn from the set of symmetric two‐point distribution around the buyer's true willingness‐to‐pay. We characterize the set of pure‐strategy equilibria in their delegation choices. Multiple equilibria arise. Except for two corner solutions, both players will exploit the strategy of opacity. A large set of efficient equilibria exist. For these, opacity choices do not reduce the probability of transacting, but benefit the buyer compared with the no‐delegation equilibrium. We also study the robustness of the results with respect to the player's ability to also resort to a tougher delegate in addition to the opacity choice.
Cardiac autonomic control during non‐REM and REM sleep stages in paediatric patients with Prader‐Willi syndrome
Authors: Brito Leandro C. , Queiroga Thereza , Franco Ruth R. , Passone Caroline G. B. , Lopes Maria‐Cecilia , Shea Steven A. , Bueno Clarissa , Soster Leticia M. S. F. A.
Published: August 2020

Cardiac death is the second most prevalent cause in Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS). Paediatric patients with PWS often present cardiac autonomic dysfunction during wakefulness, obesity and sleep‐disordered breathing. However, the extent of cardiac autonomic modulation during sleep in PWS has not been documented. The objective of this study was to assess alterations in cardiac autonomic modulation of paediatric patients with PWS during different sleep stages. Thirty‐nine participants in three groups: 14 PWS, 13 sex and age‐matched lean controls (LG) and 12 obese‐matched controls (OB). All participants underwent overnight polysomnography, including continuous electrocardiogram recordings. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analysed during representative periods of each sleep stage through time and frequency domains calculated across 5‐min periods. Between‐within ANOVAs were employed (p < .05). The results show that total HRV was lower in PWS than OB and LG during slow‐wave sleep (SWS) (standard deviation of all NN intervals [SDNN] ms, p = .006). Parasympathetic modulation assessed by time‐domain analysis was lower during SWS in PWS compared to both OB and LG (square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals [RMSSD] ms, p = .004; SDSD, standard deviation of differences between adjacent NN intervals [SDSD] ms, p = .02; number of adjacent NN intervals differing by >50 ms [NN50] ms, p = .03; proportion of adjacent NN intervals differing by >50 ms [pNN50] ms, p = .01). Sympathovagal balance assessed by frequency‐domain analysis was lower during both N2 and SWS than during the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage, but not different among groups. In conclusion, this group of paediatric patients with PWS had impaired cardiac autonomic balance due to reduced parasympathetic modulation during SWS. This result could imply an underlying increased cardiovascular risk in PWS even during early age and independent of obesity.
Systematic decrease of slow‐wave sleep after a guided imagery designed to deepen sleep in low hypnotizable subjects
Authors: Cordi Maren Jasmin , Rasch Björn
Published: August 2020

Slow‐wave sleep is one of the most important restorative components of sleep and central for our health and cognitive functioning. Although the amount of slow‐wave sleep depends on sleep drive, age and other factors, also the pre‐sleep mental state might influence sleep depth. We had shown that a pre‐sleep hypnotic suggestion to sleep more deeply increased slow‐wave sleep duration in hypnotizable subjects. In contrast, low‐hypnotizable participants decreased sleep depth after this intervention. A possible reason might be an aversion to and active resistance against hypnosis. To overcome this potential opposition, we introduced the procedure as ‘guided imagery’. We replaced the hypnotic induction by a breathing relaxation. Importantly, the suggestion ‘to sleep more deeply’ remained identical. We expected that these changes would make it easier for low‐hypnotizable subjects to benefit from the suggestion. In contrast, young healthy low‐hypnotizable participants did not show positive effects. Similar to our previous studies, they exhibited a reduced slow‐wave sleep duration after the intervention. Additionally, the ratio between slow‐wave activity and beta band power decreased. Subjective sleep quality remained unaffected. Our results indicate that suggestions to sleep more deeply result in decreased sleep depth in low‐hypnotizable participants regardless of the mental technique (guided imagery versus hypnosis). Thus, the aversion against hypnosis per se cannot explain the detrimental effect of the intervention on slow‐wave sleep in low‐hypnotizable subjects. The results support the notion that our mental state before sleep can influence subsequent slow‐wave sleep. However, the mechanisms of the contradictory decrease in low‐hypnotizable subjects remain unknown.
Characterization of hepatitis E virus natural infection in farmed rabbits
Authors: Li Shuangshuang , Li Manyu , He Qiyu , Liang Zhaochao , Shu Jingyi , Wang Lin , Wang Ling
Published: August 2020

Rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV3‐ra) is widely distributed in rabbits worldwide and several recent reports found that HEV3‐ra can infect humans. Therefore, people exposed to rabbits are at high risk of HEV infection. This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of HEV3‐ra natural infection in rabbits. Seventy farmed rabbits (3‐month‐old) were surveyed in a farm in Beijing, China. Rabbits tested positive for HEV RNA were followed weekly for testing of HEV RNA, antigen, antibody and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Liver and kidney tissue was collected for histopathology. Complete genome sequencing of the isolated HEV3‐ra strain was performed (CHN‐BJ‐r4, GenBank: MT364355). The infectivity of CHN‐BJ‐r4 was tested in ten naïve rabbits by intravenous injection or gavage. Anti‐HEV antibody and HEV RNA were tested positive in 7.14% (5/70) and 11.4% (8/70) of rabbits, respectively. Eight naturally infected rabbits were followed, and 37.5% (3/8) of the observed rabbits were found to have fecal shedding of HEV ranging from 3‐22 weeks with high viral load (105‐107 copies/g). Two out of eight rabbits showed temporary viremia. Naturally infected rabbits presented elevated ALT level, seroconversion, and liver histopathology. Complete genome of HEV3‐ra isolated in this study shared 84.61%‐94.36% nucleotide identity with known HEV3‐ra complete genomes. The isolated HEV3‐ra strain was infectious and could infect other rabbits through intravenous and fecal–oral route. Naturally infected rabbits showed up to 22‐week fecal virus shedding with high viral load. These features increased the risk of rabbit‐to‐rabbit and rabbit‐to‐human transmission.
Suppression of wheat blast resistance by an effector of Pyricularia oryzae is counteracted by a host specificity resistance gene in wheat
Authors: Inoue Yoshihiro , Vy Trinh Thi Phuoug , Tani Daichi , Tosa Yukio
Published: August 2020

Wheat blast caused by the Triticum pathotype of Pyricularia oryzae poses a serious threat to wheat production in South America and Asia and is now becoming a pandemic disease. Here, we show that Rmg8, a promising wheat gene for resistance breeding, is suppressed by PWT4, an effector gene of P. oryzae, and in turn that the suppression is counteracted by Rwt4, a wheat gene recognizing PWT4.

When PWT4 was introduced into a wheat blast isolate carrying AVR‐Rmg8 (an avirulence gene corresponding to Rmg8), PWT4 suppressed wheat resistance conferred by Rmg8. PWT4 did not alter the expression of AVR‐Rmg8, but higher expression of PWT4 led to more efficient suppression. This suppression was observed in rwt4 carriers, but not in Rwt4 carriers, indicating that it is counteracted by Rwt4.

PWT4 was assumed to have been horizontally transferred from a weed‐associated cryptic species, P. pennisetigena, to an Avena isolate of P. oryzae in Brazil. This implies a potential risk of the acquisition of PWT4 by the wheat blast fungus and the ‘breakdown’ of Rmg8.

We suggest that Rmg8 should be introduced together with Rwt4 into a wheat cultivar when it is used for resistance breeding.
Treatment effects on IL‐9+CD4+ T cells and the cytokines influencing IL‐9 production in paediatric visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Moravej Ali , Choopanizadeh Maral , Pourabbas Bahman , Pouladfar Gholamreza , Kalani Mehdi
Published: August 2020

Aims

Given the involvement of IL‐9 in the immune responses to parasitic infections, we aimed to determine alterations in the levels of IL‐9+CD4+ T cells and the cytokines influencing their differentiations and functions following treatment in paediatric visceral leishmaniasis (VL).

Methods and results

Eighteen VL and 20 healthy children were included. The levels of IL‐9+CD4+ T cells and cytokines influencing their differentiations and functions were measured in the blood and PBMC culture supernatant at the onset of diagnosis and 1 and 2 weeks and 2 months after treatment, using flow cytometer. IL‐9+CD4+ T cells, IL‐2 and TNF‐α were significantly higher in the blood of VL patients than those in the controls; however, following treatment, IL‐9+CD4+ T cells down‐regulated and IL‐33 and IFN‐γ significantly up‐regulated. After ex vivo stimulation, although the released cytokines were not significantly different between the study groups, the levels of IL‐2, IL‐9 and IFN‐γ significantly decreased.

Conclusions

The higher frequency of IL‐9+CD4+ T cells and its decline following treatment implies their roles in the immunopathogenesis of VL; however, at the diagnosis onset, lower levels of serum IL‐9 and its higher level in the culture supernatant may confer in vivo dysfunction of IL‐9+CD4+ T cells in the acute phase of human VL.
Private regulation, public policy, and the perils of adverse ontological selection
Authors: Grabs Janina , Auld Graeme , Cashore Benjamin
Published: August 2020

What problems can private regulatory governance solve, and what role should public policy play? Despite access to the same empirical evidence, the current scholarship on private governance offers widely divergent answers to these questions. Through a critical review, this paper details five ontologically distinct academic logics – calculated strategic behavior; learning and experimentalist processes; political institutionalism; global value chain and convention theory; and neo‐Gramscian accounts – that offer divergent conclusions based on the particular facets of private governance they illuminate, while ignoring those they obfuscate. In this crowded marketplace of ideas, scholars and practitioners are in danger of adverse ontological selection whereby certain approaches and insights are systematically ignored and certain problem conceptions are prioritized over others. As a corrective, we encourage scholars to make their assumptions explicit, and occasionally switch between logics, to better understand private governance's problem‐solving potential and its interactions with public policy.
Household Composition and Preferences: A Collective Approach to Household Consumption
Authors: van Leeuwen Bart , Alessie Rob , de Bresser Jochem
Published: August 2020

This paper tests whether preferences over bundles of market goods are different for single persons and members of couples. We use a collective model which incorporates economies of scale in consumption. Detailed individual consumption data enable us to estimate a model that allows individual preferences for some goods to depend on household composition. The hypothesis that singles and couple members of the same gender have the same preferences is rejected. This suggests that preferences may change when household composition changes. We produce indifference scales for members of couples and a refined poverty line measure for couples. Indifference scales for women and men are respectively 81 and 59 percent of their household’s expenditure. These measures are highly sensitive to the preference equality assumption.
Coherence-based quantification of acoustic clutter sources in medical ultrasound
Authors: Long James , Long Will , Bottenus Nick , Trahey Gregg
Published: August 2020

The magnitudes by which aberration and incoherent noise sources, such as diffuse reverberation and thermal noise, contribute to degradations in image quality in medical ultrasound are not well understood. Theory predicting degradations in spatial coherence and contrast in response to combinations of incoherent noise and aberration levels is presented, and the theoretical values are compared to those from simulation across a range of magnitudes. A method to separate the contributions of incoherent noise and aberration in the spatial coherence domain is also presented and applied to predictions for losses in contrast. Results indicate excellent agreement between theory and simulations for beamformer gain and expected contrast loss due to incoherent noise and aberration. Error between coherence-predicted aberration contrast loss and measured contrast loss differs by less than 1.5 dB on average, for a −20 dB native contrast target and aberrators with a range of root-mean-square time delay errors. Results also indicate in the same native contrast target the contribution of aberration to contrast loss varies with channel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), peaking around 0 dB SNR. The proposed framework shows promise to improve the standard by which clutter reduction strategies are evaluated.
Binaural speech transmission index with spatialized virtual speaker in near field: Distance and direction dependence
Authors: Liang Linda , Yu Guangzheng
Published: August 2020

As well as background noise and reverberation, speaker-to-listener relative location affects the binaural speech transmission index (BSTI) considerably, especially in the near field. To highlight how speaker location influences the BSTI, binaural room impulse responses measured in a low-reverberation listening room are used to obtain the BSTI indirectly and analyze its near-field dependence on distance and direction. The results show that the BSTI based on the better-ear rule is higher when the virtual speaker is located laterally rather than in the anterior or posterior. When the distance-dependent intensity factor is introduced, the distance is the dominant factor, not the azimuth.
Exploring Narratives of Scarcity, Uncertainty, and Opportunity in Women’s Sports Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Staurowsky Ellen J. , Koch Benjamin , Dury Grace , Hayes Cooper
Published: August 2020

In this essay, the authors explored Pinsker’s conception of two pandemics, as reflected in the concerns expressed about the future of women’s sport, prospects for female athletes, and the security of women leaders in sport as they emerged in articles published in national news sources. The purpose of this essay was to capture, in a limited way, how women’s sport concerns surfaced in the media in the aftermath of a forced industry shutdown; to gauge reactions, assess real and perceived threats; and to examine how and whether this crisis inspired positive thoughts about women’s sport opportunities for the future. Our work is based on the tracking of articles published in major news outlets about the impact of the pandemic on women’s sport from March 10, 2020, to May 25, 2020. Readings of the collected articles revealed several themes that fit within the two pandemics framework: reactions to the loss of momentum in women’s sport; fears regarding a reversal in gains made by women’s sport in the marketplace as competition for limited resources escalates; concerns about women’s sport participation decreasing due to cuts and delays in programs; and a focused commitment to gender equity and maintaining momentum, even in the face of significant headwinds.
From ESPN to Instagram LIVE: The Evolution of Fan–Athlete Interaction Amid the Coronavirus
Authors: Feder Lillian
Published: August 2020

With sporting events canceled and Safer at Home orders in place, both athletes and sports fans have a void to fill. Consequently, social media use by both parties has increased. Athletes have become more active and interactive online, which may serve to strengthen parasocial relationships between them and their fans. These connections could develop to the extent that the line between parasocial relationship and friendship is blurred. Will stronger ties between athletes and fans be a by-product of COVID-19? In this editorial, the author builds an argument for the plausibility of this result by linking published studies regarding sports fandom and parasocial relationships to current trends in athletes’ use of social media. The author then raises questions regarding the future of sports fandom, which can be assessed once athletics resume. To conclude, the author offers practical recommendations to sports organizations coming out of COVID-19-related suspensions.
“It Has Changed Completely”: How Local Sports Broadcasters Adapted to No Sports
Authors: Hull Kevin , Romney Miles
Published: August 2020

When COVID-19 shut down the sports world, local sports broadcasters were without the games and events that traditionally fill the content of their shows. While national media outlets could dive deep into the archives to play old games and classic content, local sports broadcasters traditionally do not have that option. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how the jobs and daily routines of local sports broadcasters changed in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-section of local sports broadcasters from a variety of markets was surveyed, and, based on the responses, several themes emerged: (a) an emphasis on creativity, (b) a shift in daily responsibility, (c) and an uncertain future.
Gendering the Coronavirus Pandemic: Toward a Framework of Interdependence for Sport
Authors: Pape Madeleine , McLachlan Fiona
Published: August 2020

A growing body of research suggests that economic crises tend to exacerbate existing gender inequalities, particularly in the realms of paid work and political representation. Translating this to the case of sport, how and why might the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic be felt unevenly by professional female athletes and women leaders? In this essay, the authors reflect on the classic feminist critique of the gendered construction of dependence and consider how its application in the context of sport might aid scholars in making sense of (a) the persistence of gendered precarity and inequality in sport, (b) the prospect of their exacerbation under conditions of a pandemic, and (c) how the current crisis might enable sport to move toward a model of interdependence in which its vastly unequal structures are changed for the better.
Critiquing Anthropocentric Media Coverage of the COVID-19 Sport “Hiatus”
Authors: Clevenger Samuel M. , Rick Oliver , Bustad Jacob
Published: August 2020

This commentary highlights a recent trend of anthropocentrism (a focus on human-centered interests and activities) in the media coverage in the United States and Europe on the disruption of the contemporary sports industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors argued that the coverage promotes anthropocentric narratives by framing the pandemic as an external force causing a temporary and unforeseen “hiatus” in the sports industry. As a result, media consumers learn about human interest stories associated with consumer demand and industry adaptation: stories that renormalize, rather than question, the sports industry in its current and hegemonic form. Such media discourses bypass an opportunity to consider the longstanding entanglements of human and nonhuman actors in sporting contexts, rethink sport through environmental and nonhuman perspectives, and, ultimately, advance more progressive, democratic politics. The commentary employs a posthumanist lens to critique the recent anthropocentric media coverage, highlighting the ways in which it reproduces the dualist logic of neoliberal capitalism and deflects attention to the human and nonhuman relations that have always existed in contexts of sport and human physicality.
The Elephant in the Room: How COVID-19’s Financial Impact Further Threatens Title IX Compliance
Authors: Hartman Karen L.
Published: August 2020

This scholarly commentary addresses COVID-19’s financial impact by examining how current and proposed National Collegiate Athletic Association bylaw waivers could negatively affect women’s collegiate athletics and Title IX compliance. These potential bylaw changes come after years of misinformation, a lack of education, and minimal understanding of the law. In the chaos of COVID-19’s impact on American society and athletic programs, Title IX has become the elephant in the room. The essay concludes with three recommendations that could help athletic departments alleviate Title IX compliance issues when enacting the bylaw waivers.
The Fractured Messaging of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Its Members in Response to COVID-19
Authors: Mirabito Timothy , Hardin Robin , Pate Joshua R.
Published: August 2020

The sports world’s near universal moratorium in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was abrupt and unprecedented. From professional leagues to youth sports, doors were closed to competitions and events to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The hiatus began at one of the busiest times on the calendar for sport, with the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League seasons concluding; the Women's National Basketball Association and National Football League drafts taking place; Major League Baseball's spring training nearing its conclusion; the Professional Golf Association and Ladies Professional Golf Association Tours starting their seasons; and the National Collegiate Athletic Association's marquee events, the Division-I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, set to begin. The suddenness of the interruption was met with a need by the various sport entities to engage their public with information about their respective responses. The statements that emerged on or after March 12—“the day the sports world stopped”—were not all the same. Many of the statements, in fact, were quite different. That was especially the case with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, whose governance structure and messaging practices hindered their ability to have a uniform response. The purpose of this essay was to examine the public messaging of sport leagues and organizations and to discuss the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of those public statements.
Complex regional pain syndrome and bone marrow oedema syndrome: family ties potentially closer than expected
Authors: Benchouk Samy , Buchard Pierre-Alain , Luthi François
Published: August 2020

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) are two rare conditions that are still being discussed. They are generally considered as two distinct entities, yet they share similarities such as a homogeneous bone marrow edema is also often found in the early phase of CRPS. We present the case of a 41-year-old man with CRPS after a foot fracture followed by the development of painful BMES of the ipsilateral knee and hip a few weeks later. The search for another pathology was negative. After pamidronate infusions, the evolution was spectacular: the disappearance of hip pain at 1 month and more than 50% reduction in knee and foot pain at 2 months. At final follow-up (1 year), the patient was asymptomatic. This case reinforces the idea of a possible link between CRPS and BMES probably through similar trabecular bone involvement. Imaging remains useful in diagnosis of CRPS.
Rare case of extensive streptococcal myositis
Authors: Gan Weh Kiat
Published: August 2020

A rare case of extensive streptococcal myositis is reported. A 46-year-old man was admitted following acute swollen right elbow joint associated with localised pain, erythema and hypoaesthesia. Multiple tense blisters subsequently developed around the affected elbow joint extending to the axilla. He was treated for suspected soft tissue infection and septic arthritis. Blood test investigations demonstrated raised creatine kinase (894 U/L) and inflammatory markers (white cell count 21.1×109/L; C reactive protein 370 mg/L). Emergency CT scan reported extensive myositis affecting the triceps, latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major muscle with no fascial involvement. He was escalated to intensive care unit and treated for infectious myositis. Further investigation revealed positive streptococcal antibody (anti-streptodornase B titre >1600 U/mL). He was managed conservatively with microbiologist specialist input and supportive care. The patient made good recovery after receiving 10 days of intravenous antibiotics and subsequently switched to oral antibiotics. He was discharged on day 30 of admission after receiving intensive inpatient physiotherapy.
Antimicrobial peptides in human corneal tissue of patients with fungal keratitis
Authors: Mohammed Imran , Mohanty Debasmita , Said Dalia G. , Barik Manas Ranjan , Reddy Mamatha M , Alsaadi Ahmed , Das Sujata , Dua Harminder Singh , Mittal Ruchi
Published: August 2020

Background

Fungal keratitis (FK) is the leading cause of unilateral blindness in the developing world. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been shown to play an important role on human ocular surface (OS) during bacterial, viral and protozoan infections. In this study, our aim was to profile a spectrum of AMPs in corneal tissue from patients with FK during the active pase of infection and after healing.

Methods

OS samples were collected from patients at presentation by impression cytology and scraping. Corneal button specimens were collected from patients undergoing therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty for management of severe FK or healed keratitis. Gene expression of human beta-defensin (HBD)-1, -2, -3 and -9, S100A7, and LL-37 was determined by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

Messenger RNA expression (mRNA) for all AMPs was shown to be significantly upregulated in FK samples. The levels of HBD-1 and -2 mRNA were found to be elevated in 18/20 FK samples. Whereas mRNA for HBD-3 and S100A7 was upregulated in 11/20 and HBD9 was increased in 15/20 FK samples. LL-37 mRNA showed moderate upregulation in 7/20 FK samples compared with controls. In healed scar samples, mRNA of all AMPs was found to be low and matching the levels in controls.

Conclusion

AMP expression is a consistent feature of FK, but not all AMPs are equally expressed. HBD-1 and -2 are most consistently expressed and LL-37 the least, suggesting some specificity of AMP expression related to FK. These results will help to identify HBD sequence templates for designing FK-specific peptides to test for therapeutic potential.
100 most-cited articles on diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Koh Barry Moses Quan Ren , Banu Riswana , Nusinovici Simon , Sabanayagam Charumathi
Published: August 2020

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) research has had significant advancements over the past decades. We analysed the impact and characteristics of the top 100 (T100) most-cited articles in DR research. The Scopus database was searched for articles published from 1960 to June 2020 by two independent investigators. The T100 DR articles were published between 1961 and 2017 with median citations of 503 (range: 306–20 100); 84% were published after 1990. More than half (59%) were published in general medical/diabetes journals while 37% in ophthalmology journals. The top six journals contributed to 56% of the T100: Ophthalmology (n=13), Archives of Ophthalmology (n=12), Diabetes (n=9), New England Journal of Medicine (n=8), Journal of the American Medical Association (n=7) and The Lancet (n=7). Although observational studies were most popular (33%), randomised controlled trials (RCTs, 24%) published in journals with higher impact factor (IF) and citations (median IF and citations=7.113, 503 vs 21.437, 696.5, both p-value<0.05). 33 of the T100 were cited by several international DR clinical guidelines. The USA contributed to 63% of T100, but 18% of articles published after 2000 came from Asia. More than 80% of both first and last authors were men. Artificial intelligence (AI) to screen for DR ranked 14th and 99th despite recent publications in 2016 and 2017, respectively. To conclude, our T100 analysis showed that RCTs were most-cited and more articles were published in non-ophthalmology than ophthalmology journals. It highlights the impact the T100 DR has in shaping guidelines used to date in DR management, identifies AI for DR screening as an emerging area and shows a contemporary rise of Asian contribution in DR research.
Regional differences in the impact of diabetes on population health in the USA
Authors: Zang Emma , Lynch Scott M , West Jessica
Published: August 2020

Background

To evaluate regional disparities in the influence of diabetes on population health, we examine life expectancies at age 50 between population with diabetes and healthy population and life quality among the population with diabetes among native-born Americans by birth region and current residence.

Methods

Using data on a cohort of 17 686 native-born individuals from the Health and Retirement Survey (1998–2014), we applied a Bayesian multistate life table method to estimate life expectancies at age 50 between population with diabetes and healthy population by each birth/current region combination. We further estimate the proportion of life remaining without either chronic conditions or disabilities as a quality of life measure and the probabilities that one region is worse than the other in terms of different health outcomes.

Results

At age 50, persons with diabetes (PWD) were expected to live on average 5.8–10.8 years less than their healthy equivalents across regions. Diabetes had the greatest influence on life expectancy (LE) for older adults who lived in the South at the time of interviews. PWD born in the South were more likely to have developed chronic conditions or disabilities and spent greater proportions of life with these two issues compared to other regions.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a significant threat to LE and healthy LE in the USA, particularly for people born or living in the South.
Clopidogrel Can be an Effective Complementary Prophylactic for Drug-Refractory Migraine with Patent Foramen Ovale
Authors: Guo Yichen , Shi Yujie , Zhu Dan , Liu Rui , Qi Yi , Luo Guogang
Published: August 2020

The present study aims to determine the potential prophylactic effect of clopidogrel for migraine with patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients who are poor responders to two or more common preventive medications. Migraineurs underwent contrast-enhanced transcranial doppler examination to confirm the presence of PFO and determine the right-to-left shunt degree. Clopidogrel 75 mg/day was added to the existing prophylactic regimen for 3 months and 6 months. The presence of PFO was found in 56.8% (151/266) of all patients with migraine and 70.2% (59/84) of migraine with aura (MHA), and among MHA a large shunt was observed in 36 patients. Twenty-six patients with drug-refractory migraine took clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 3 months. Compared with those at baseline, headache frequencies and attack durations were significantly lower (6.17±3.93/month (M) vs 3.28±2.67/M, p=0.003; 13.62±13.98/hour (H) vs 7.36±7.33/H, p=0.0049, respectively); visual analog scale scores and migraine disability assessment scores were also obviously decreased (6.32±1.97 vs 4.71±1.20, p<0.001; 22.14±7.13 vs 16.00±5.92, p=0.001, respectively). These improvements were maintained for 6 months in 12 patients. We concluded that PFO was closely correlated with migraine, especially in MHA. Clopidogrel could act as an effective complementary prophylactic for migraine with PFO in patients with poor response to routine prophylactics.