bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of resveratrol on alpha-amanitin-induced nephrotoxicity in BALB/c mice
Authors: Arici MA , Sahin A , Cavdar Z , Ergur BU , Ural C , Akokay P , Kalkan S , Tuncok Y
Published: November 2019

Alpha-amanitin (α-AMA), the primary toxin of Amanita phalloides, is known to cause nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Resveratrol is an antioxidant that has shown efficacy in many nephrotoxicity models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol against the early and late stages of α-AMA-induced nephrotoxicity, compared to those of silibinin, a well-known antidote for poisoning by α-AMA-containing mushrooms. Mice kidney tissues were obtained from five groups: (1) α-AMA + NS (simultaneous administration of α-AMA and normal saline), (2) α-AMA + SR (simultaneous administration of α-AMA and resveratrol), (3) α-AMA + 12R (resveratrol administration 12 h after α-AMA administration), (4) α-AMA + 24R (resveratrol administration 24 h after α-AMA administration), and (5) α-AMA + Sil (simultaneous administration of α-AMA and silibinin). Histomorphological and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate kidney damage and oxidant–antioxidant status in the kidney. Scores of renal histomorphological damage decreased significantly in the early resveratrol treatment groups (α-AMA + SR and α-AMA + 12R), compared to those in the α-AMA + NS group ( p < 0.05). Catalase levels increased significantly in the α-AMA + SR group, compared to those in the α-AMA + NS group ( p < 0.001). Early resveratrol administration within 12 h after α-AMA ingestion may reverse the effects of α-AMA-induced nephrotoxicity, partly through its antioxidant action, thereby suggesting its potential as a treatment for poisoning by α-AMA-containing mushrooms.
Improvement of teaching near-infrared spectroscopic analysis for undergraduates
Authors: Yan Hui , Zhang Guozheng , Tao Shiqiang
Published: November 2019

With the growing acceptance and expansion of near-infrared spectroscopy as a potential tool in chemical research and industrial quality and process control, it has also become an academic challenge for University teachers, to teach students the necessary theoretical and instrumental principles of this spectroscopic technique. Using the elective open experiment courses and carefully designing their scientific content can produce a double teaching effect; students participate in discipline competitions under careful guidance by teachers, and they can achieve particularly good results; graduation thesis is another way to improve the ability of students in learning and comprehending the near-infrared technology. Years of practical experience have proven that the above approaches are feasible.
Multilevel Influence of Routine Redesigning, Legitimacy and Functional Affordance on Sustainability Accounting: Mediating Role of Organizational Sense-making
Authors: Al-Abrrow Hadi , Ali Jaber , Alnoor Alhamzah
Published: November 2019

This study focusses on adopting a multi-level model for the organizational context within work groups and a functional perspective for socially responsible behaviours. This study developed a multi-level model for sustainable accounting practices within the work environment and tested it to illustrate some of the reasons that make organizations voluntarily participate in the green environmental behaviour. The quantitative (questionnaire survey) design was used to gather data from included 313 company workers in Iraq who were organized into 60 work groups. The results show that it was revealed that routine redesigning, legitimacy and functional affordance are related to sustainable accounting practices within the work environment for the leaders and members of the work groups. Furthermore, there was a direct relationship between routine redesigning, legitimacy, and functional affordance and sustainable accounting practices in addition to a mediation-mediated relationship by organizational sense-making within work groups. Theoretical effects and the revealed results highlighted psychological, social and organizational conditions that determine the sustainable work practices, and it was recommended that organizations should facilitate their social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
The Impact of Generational Diversity on Spirituality and Religion in the Workplace
Authors: McMurray Adela J. , Simmers Claire A.
Published: November 2019

The role of spirituality and religion in workplace (SRW) is important as SRW reinforces values of concern and appreciation for both self and others. This is foundational to a person’s ethical schema, impacting how an individual interacts with others within the workplace, fostering organizational and individual goals. While there is a growing body of knowledge about the underlying assumptions and history of SRW, less is known about how contextual factors, such as generational diversity, impact SRW. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the differences in SRW among generational cohorts using the lens of cognitive spiritual development theory and multigenerational theory. The results indicate that there is a difference in spirituality and religion among generations in the workplace. Gen X and Baby boomers are similar in expressing higher spirituality and religiosity than Millennials, and religion is a less important factor among all generations. This research has important implications for organizations seeking to better understand personal core values for enhancing organizational outcomes and for individuals working towards meaningful personal and professional outcomes.
Policy for Performance: Towards Integrating Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Approach on Co-operative Framework—The Case of Coir Co-operatives in Alappy
Authors: Naseef Mohemmad , Jyothi P.
Published: November 2019

Industrial clustering and co-operativization are two globally acknowledged policy mechanisms for regional industrial development. Alappy district of Kerala is one of the major hubs of coir industry in India and it occupies a substantial place in the coir map of the world. Alappy possesses almost all the physical attributes of a typical industrial cluster with a critical mass of related units and ancillaries enjoying spatial agglomeration and sharing common facilities. The coir industry of Alappy is largely organized on ‘workers’ co-operative’ basis. Despite the incidence of these supportive policy measures and favourable environmental conditions, the industry is on the verge of decline. The findings of the current study show that though Alappy possesses a fare score in the assessment of its cluster attributes, most of the firms are consistently reporting losses and their number is increasing year by year. A similar trend is seen in the case of firm survival and new firm creation. Among the output indicators, employment generation is the only aspect which is consistently showing positive results. Drawing on personal interviews with relevant stakeholders such as managers/secretaries of co-operative societies and government officials and a critical analysis of various policy documents, this article attempts to explore why the globally acclaimed policy mechanisms such as industrial clustering and co-operativization fail to bring the fruits of competitiveness and innovation to the coir industry in Alappy. The study also proposes an entrepreneurial ecosystem approach as a mechanism to revive this floundering industry and discusses its adaptability and complementarity with the co-operative framework prevailing in the industry.
Cost-effective and scalable rectifier design for multiple piezoelectric power sources with improved performance
Authors: Zhang Yucheng , Bian Kan , Gu Yuhan , Ye Mengqi , Tian Wendi , Liu Weiqun
Published: November 2019

Multiple piezoelectric power sources are used for extending the bandwidth or the multi-direction operation capability of the vibration harvesters. Typical rectifier configurations including parallel or series connection before a shared rectifier or one rectifier per source are usually used for regulating the multiple sources. The problem of charge cancelation arises for the shared rectifier configuration while diodes are too many for the configuration of one rectifier per source. In this article, improved rectifier design is proposed for multiple sources by introducing a common ground branch. The improved scalable rectifier design is capable of unifying more than one sources of different voltage polarity to power the load without charge cancelation, thus promising better performance than the aforementioned configurations. The power enhancement is verified through simulations and experiments with a maximum boost of 91.9% and the effective bandwidth is increased by 23.3% at least. In particular, the design has the advantage of cost saving by reducing the diodes to almost the half in comparison with the configuration of one rectifier per source.
Service-Learning as a Lever to Support STEM Engagement for Underrepresented Youth
Authors: Collins Melissa A. , Totino Joanna , Hartry Ardice , Romero Valeria F. , Pedroso Rosio , Nava Rosalinda
Published: November 2019

Background: Women and people of color are consistently underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and careers. Though there are myriad factors underlying these gaps, one potential variable may be the extent to which these students feel connected to their STEM classroom experiences. Purpose: The present study investigated the potential of a service-learning experience to support STEM engagement for underrepresented youth. Methodology/Approach: Two cohorts of high school students participated in a summer program through which they built “solar suitcases” to provide electricity for communities in need. Observations and student surveys measured student engagement and changes in STEM attitudes, dispositions, and beliefs. Findings/Conclusions: Students were highly engaged in service-learning activities and demonstrated improved Science Fascination, Science Values, and STEM Career Affinity after participating in the program. Implications: Implications for the design and delivery of culturally relevant service-learning experiences are discussed.
Evaluation of 3 Months of Once-Weekly Rifapentine and Isoniazid for Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Walker Ramara E. , Bass Stephanie , Srinivas Pavithra , Miranda Cyndee , Johnson Lucileia , Pallotta Andrea M.
Published: November 2019

Background: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 3 months of once-weekly rifapentine/isoniazid (3HP) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment given by directly observed therapy (DOT) or self-administered therapy (SAT) in patients ≥2 years old. 3HP has been associated with increased incidence of hepatic, gastrointestinal, flu-like, and cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) compared with isoniazid monotherapy. Objective: This study evaluated 3HP completion rates and tolerability for LTBI treatment in a real-world setting. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort with a nested case-control study, comparing patients experiencing ADRs with those who did not, evaluated patients ≥18 years old receiving 3HP by DOT or SAT for LTBI at Cleveland Clinic from October 2011 through July 2018. Information on baseline characteristics, 3HP administrations, and ADRs were collected. Results: Of 199 patients screened, 144 were included (111 DOT, 33 SAT). 3HP completion rates were high at 82.6% and similar between DOT and SAT groups. During treatment, 92/144 (63.9%) patients experienced any ADR. The most common ADR included flu-like symptoms (38.2%) and gastrointestinal (31.9%) and hepatic (2.1%) reactions. Despite high rate of overall ADRs, rates of significant ADRs (grade 2 or higher) were 4.2%. Overall, 9% of patients discontinued 3HP because of ADRs. After adjusting for other factors associated with ADRs at baseline, SAT was not associated with increased incidence of ADRs, but female sex was a significant predictor (odds ratio = 2.61 [95% CI, 1.23 to 5.56]). Conclusion and Relevance: This study observed high 3HP treatment completion rates, low incidence of significant ADRs, and low discontinuation rates resulting from ADRs.
State Leadership in U.S. Climate Change and Energy Policy: The California Experience
Authors: Mazmanian Daniel A. , Jurewitz John L. , Nelson Hal T.
Published: November 2019

It is a long-held belief among scholars and practitioners that the State of California is a notable subnational leader in environmental and climate change policy. This article focuses primarily on four essential contextual factors that explain why and how within the United States’ federal system of government California has become such an important leader, performing far in excess of the national government and most other states. These essential factors are preferences, authority, capacity, and effectiveness. The article then moves to the multifaceted implementation strategy California policy makers have employed to realize their environmental goals. Finally, despite the history of strong leadership, the state continues to face a host of significant challenges in realizing its ambitious climate change goals for the coming decades.
A Hierarchical Integration of Normal and Abnormal Personality Dimensions: Structure and Predictive Validity in a Heterogeneous Sample of Psychiatric Outpatients
Authors: Allen Timothy A. , DeYoung Colin G. , Bagby R. Michael , Pollock Bruce G. , Quilty Lena C.
Published: November 2019

Hierarchical, quantitative models of psychopathology focus primarily on higher-order constructs, whereas less is known about the structure and content comprising lower-order dimensions of psychopathology. Here, we address this gap in the literature by using targeted factor analysis to integrate the 25 maladaptive facet-level traits of the Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder–Fifth edition and the 10 aspect-level traits of the normal personality hierarchy within a sample of 198 psychiatric outpatients. A 10-factor solution replicated previous work, with each of the 10 aspects primarily characterizing only one factor. In addition, the 10 factors differentially predicted a range of diagnoses, including alcohol use disorder, major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety, and borderline and avoidant personality disorders. Our results suggest that research on the development, causes, and structure of lower-order traits within the normal personality hierarchy may serve as an important guide to research on the causes and structure of maladaptive personality.
Anticoagulation and Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunting for Treatment of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Davis Jessica P. E. , Ogurick Amy G. , Rothermel Carrie E. , Sohn Min-Woong , Intagliata Nicolas M. , Northup Patrick G.
Published: November 2019

Portal vein thromboses (PVTs) are associated with hepatic decompensation, worse survival, and worse liver transplant outcomes. We evaluated the impact of anticoagulation (AC) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS) on recanalization and mortality in patients with cirrhosis and PVT. Systematic search of electronic databases was performed. Clinical trials and observational studies that evaluated primary outcomes of recanalization and survival in patients with cirrhosis having PVT treated with AC or TIPS were included. Risk of bias was assessed. Summary odds ratios (ORs) for pooled data from the included studies were generated using a random effects model. A total of 505 studies were screened for inclusion. After review, 7 studies were ultimately included. Data from 327 patients in total were evaluated. Overall, treatment with either AC or TIPS resulted in partial or complete recanalization (OR: 4.56 [95% confidence interval, CI: 2.46-8.47]) but did not significantly impact mortality (OR: 0.57 [95% CI: 0.21-1.57]). The summary OR of AC for recanalization was 6.00 (95% CI: 2.38-15.07). The summary OR of TIPS for recanalization was 3.80 (95% CI: 1.47-9.83). The summary OR of mortality in patients treated with AC for PVT was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.08-0.95). The mortality summary OR was 1.10 (95% CI 0.23-5.16) in patients who underwent TIPS. There was insufficient data to assess complications such as hepatic encephalopathy or bleeding. Both AC and TIPS have a significant effect on recanalization. Anticoagulation appears to have a protective effect on mortality that is not seen with TIPS. More studies with control groups are need.
Information Seeking and Information Sharing Related to Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Yang Janet Z. , Zhuang Jun
Published: November 2019

This study is focused on social cognitive variables that motivate information seeking and information sharing related to Hurricane Harvey. Survey results from a nationally representative sample and a quota sample of Houston residents indicate that climate change beliefs and issue salience are consistent predictors of risk perception, which increases individuals’ negative emotions and information insufficiency. This need for information subsequently motivates information seeking and information sharing. Informational subjective norms are significantly related to seeking and sharing in the Houston sample, whereas perceived information gathering capacity and trust in media are significant predictors in the national sample.
Changes in Gender Inequality and Intimate Partner Violence From 1958-2003: A Birth Cohort Analysis
Authors: Metheny Nicholas , Stephenson Rob
Published: November 2019

This article uses a birth cohort analysis to examine whether the sociopolitical environments in which a woman forms attitudes around intimate partner violence (IPV) influence report of physical, sexual, and emotional IPV, and IPV justification in 25 low- and middle-income countries. Cohort effect is then examined across countries by rate of decline in gender inequality over time as measured by the Gender Inequality Index (GII). Results suggest a birth cohort effect for all types of IPV, with women reporting greater odds of IPV with each successive cohort. This is reversed when countries are stratified by rate of GII decrease, but wanes as the rate slows.
Mechanochemical effect of ultrasound on sweet potato starch and its influence mechanism on the quality of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Chen Lulu , Yu Kexue , Dai Yangyong , Wang Lei , Ding Xiuzhen , Hou Hanxue , Wang Wentao , Zhang Hui , Li Xiangyang , Dong Haizhou
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study is to reveal the mechanism of preparing high quality modified starch by ultrasonic technology. In this paper, ultrasonic modified starch and octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch with low degree of substitution were prepared under ultrasonic conditions, using sweet potato starch as raw material. The effects of ultrasound on the structure and properties of native sweet potato starch were studied to see whether ultrasound could produce mechanochemical effect on starch. Then the mechanism of ultrasonic effect on quality of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch was studied by mechanochemical effect. The results showed that after ultrasonic treatment for 1 min, the crystallinity decreased from 37.6 to 33.8% and reaction efficiency increased from 49.43 to 54.39%, while after ultrasonic treatments for 8 and 32–60 min had different changes. These changes showed that ultrasonic treatment produced significant mechanochemical effect on native sweet potato starch. Ultrasound significantly improved the quality of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch, and its influence mechanism was revealed using the theory of mechanochemistry. This study provides a feasible method for the research of high quality modified starch and lays a theoretical foundation for expanding the application of ultrasound in various fields.
Effect of barrel temperature and feed moisture on protein quality in pre-cooked Kabuli chickpea, sorghum, and maize flours
Authors: Wang Shuyang , Nosworthy Matthew G , House James D , Niefer Shannon-Hood , Nickerson Michael T
Published: November 2019

The effect of barrel temperature (120 and 150 ℃, held constant in zones 4–6) and feed moisture (20 and 24%) on the protein quality of Kabuli chickpea, sorghum, and maize flours were examined, which included amino acid profile, in vitro protein digestibility and in vitro protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (IV-PDCAAS). It was found that the limiting amino acid of chickpea changed from threonine to valine after extrusion, whereas both sorghum and maize were limiting in lysine before and after extrusion. The in vitro protein digestibility increased from 77 to 81% for chickpea and 73 to 76% for maize; values for sorghum remained at 74% after extrusion. However, the IV-PDCAAS for the extruded flours generally remained at the same level, 69% for chickpea, 22% for sorghum, and ∼35% for maize. The effect of extrusion temperature, moisture and their interaction was significant on protein quality of sorghum and maize, but in the case of chickpea, only the extrusion temperature was significant. Only chickpea extruded at 150 ℃ (regardless of the moisture) met the protein quality (PDCAAS > 70%) requirement to be used in food assistance products.
Finding “Improvement” in the Language Transportation Planners Use: A Critical Discourse Analysis to Illustrate an Automobile-Centric Bias in Transportation Policymaking
Authors: Jensen Courtney , Hazelton Josephine K. , Wellman Gerard
Published: November 2019

This research considers the urban planning situations in which transportation planners implicitly or explicitly use the term “improvement.” To answer our research questions—what do planners and policymakers mean by improvement, and how do these improvements challenge or reinforce car-centered transportation planning—we conducted a discourse analysis on documents from 50 cities, counties, and state departments of transportation. Using a critical discourse analysis, we find that perceptions about what is a transportation infrastructure “improvement” reveals policymakers’ and planners’ situatedness, defines for themselves and the public they serve “correct” travel methods, and upholds the car-centric status quo in the United States.
Sensitivity to the Average and Summative Impact of Multiple Events: When “More is More” and When “More is Less”
Authors: Seta John J. , Seta Catherine E.
Published: November 2019

How people respond to positive and negative events is a basic question in psychology. Most theoretical accounts assume that the detrimental impact of negative life events is cumulative, resulting in a “more is more” effect. A similar assumption of “more is more” is typically used to predict the influence of multiple positive life events, people’s reactions to evaluative stimuli (e.g., an audience), and their judgments of consumer goods. In this article, we present a model that suggests that these conclusions do not capture the full picture of how people respond to multiple positive or negative events. More specifically, the averaging/summation (A/S) model does not predict that the underpinnings of individuals’ responses to positive or negative events always reflect summative affective impact. Rather, individuals’ responses often reflect the average value of events, as well as their summative value. We review research supporting the model’s predictions and discuss alternative theories and interpretations, such as the conservation of resource model, the peak–end rule, mental accounting, distraction, and assimilation/contrast. In addition, we suggest new avenues for research.
Deranged Pulmonary Function Tests in Allergic Rhinitis in North Indian Patients
Authors: Monga Seema , Malik Junaid , Sharma Arun Parkash , Jan Sabeena , Nabi Nighat , Bahadur Sudhir
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Significant associations between allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma have been established and as a result of bronchial hyper-responsiveness, patients can have deranged pulmonary function tests. We aim to compare previous such studies with the result of our study done in India wherein we identify among allergic rhinitis patients who despite not having overt asthmatic symptoms, have pulmonary function derangements, quite possibly at a subclinical disease level.

Materials and Methods:

We studied 74 patients of allergic rhinitis and after meticulous clinical work up, they underwent blood tests including hemogram, absolute eosinophil count, and total serum IgE followed by pulmonary function tests.

Results:

Out of 74 patients 60 (81%) had intermittent allergic rhinitis whereas only 14 (19%) had persistent allergic rhinitis. Pulmonary function tests showed reversible obstruction, ie, >10% improvement in FEV1 with inhaled bronchodilators (as seen in asthma) in 18 (24.3%), mild obstruction in 14, and moderate obstruction in 4 cases.

Conclusion:

The study emphasizes the importance of pulmonary symptoms and the performance of pulmonary function tests in cases of allergic rhinitis patients to rule out latent asthma.
The effect of self-congruity and motivation on consumer-based destination brand equity
Authors: Frias Dolores M , Castañeda José-Alberto , del Barrio-García Salvador , López-Moreno Lorenza
Published: November 2019

Achieving destination appeal and a competitive edge is a priority aim of tourist destination managers. The objective of this study is to help explain the formation of brand equity as a competitive strategy for a tourist destination. A model is proposed, in which complementary variables—internal to the consumer—are taken as antecedents of brand equity, namely, motivation to visit a destination and self-congruity. In achieving this aim, the work responds to key gaps in the literature: the measurement of the effectiveness of destination brand equity as a competitive strategy, the need for greater knowledge regarding the antecedents of destination brand equity, the broadening of the application of the theory of self-congruity in tourism, and the importance of tourist motivation in the consumer’s evaluation of a destination’s brand. The work finds that both determinants exert an effect on brand equity, albeit in distinct ways: motivation is essential in attracting clients to the destination, while self-congruity is vital for retaining them. The study presents a number of implications of interest to the professional sector.
Tele-emergency behavioural health in rural and underserved areas
Authors: Weigel Paula , Bhagianadh Divya , Merchant Kimberly AS , Wittrock Amy , Rahmouni Hicham , Bell Amanda , Laws Stephanie , Ward Marcia M
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Challenges accessing behavioural health services in rural and underserved areas are compounded by severe shortages of behavioural health specialists, and difficulties placing patients. Tele-emergency (tele-ED) behavioural health is a promising solution for enhancing access to specialists and assisting in patient placement. This paper describes two tele-ED behavioural health models in the Midwest delivering mental- and substance use disorder services to rural and underserved adult populations.

Methods

We performed an in-depth examination of two tele-ED behavioural health programmes and their consultation processes. We provide a retrospective case-control analysis of patient characteristics, patient diagnoses, and disposition status for each model. Data were collected from 19 spoke hospitals across the two programmes between November 2015 and December 2017.

Results

Tele-ED was activated in 15% of the Avera Health sample and 58% of the Union Hospital sample. This is primarily a reflection of the sample selection process in each model and how each programme is operationalised. Suicide and/or poisoning by drugs were the most frequent diagnoses followed by mood disorders. Rate of transfer to another inpatient facility was much higher for tele-ED cases than controls in both models.

Discussion

This paper describes how two distinct tele-ED behavioural health models operating in unique contexts address challenges in access and placement for patients in rural and underserved areas presenting to EDs with behavioural health conditions. The notable difference in disposition rates between cases and controls is indicative of the impact each model is having on care practices and processes.
Patient portal message characteristics and reported thoughts of self-harm and suicide: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Duvall Michelle , North Frederick , Leasure William , Pecina Jennifer
Published: November 2019

Introduction

As use of electronic portal communication with healthcare teams increases, processes that effectively recognize messages that contain critical information are needed. This study aims to evaluate whether certain language and other characteristics of patient portal messages are associated with expressions of self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Methods

Using patient portal messages sent between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2017, we searched for words and letter combinations ‘suicid’ (to identify words suicide and suicidal), ‘depress’ (for depression, depressed, depressing), ‘harm himself’ (or ‘herself ‘or ‘myself’), ‘hurt himself’ (‘herself’ or ‘myself’), ‘kill’, ‘shoot’, ‘cutting’, ‘knife’, ‘gun’, ‘overdose’, ‘over dose’ and ‘jump’.

Results

Of 831,009 messages, 11,174 messages contained one or more search terms. We manually reviewed 7,736 messages for content expressing self-harm or suicidality. Of the reviewed messages, 3.2% indicated thoughts of self-harm or suicide and 2.2% of messages suggested active suicidality. Of those expressing any thoughts of self-harm or suicide, 13.4% mentioned a specific plan, 20% were passively suicidal. Messages indicating thoughts of self-harm and suicide were more common in patients who were unmarried, non-white and younger than 18 years. Factors significantly associated with thoughts of self-harm were messages addressed to psychiatry or containing the letter combinations ‘suicide’, ‘die’, ‘depress’ and ‘harm/hurt my/her/himself’.

Discussion

Certain letter combinations and patient portal message characteristics may be associated with expressions of self-harm and suicide. These factors should be considered as we develop systems of effectively screening patient portal messages for critical clinical information.
Significant prevalence of peripheral artery disease in patients with disturbed wound healing following elective foot and ankle surgery: Results from the ABI-PRIORY (ABI as a PRedictor of Impaired wound healing after ORthopedic surgerY) trial
Authors: Müller Arne M , Toepfer Andreas , Harrasser Norbert , Haller Bernhard , Walther Markus , von Eisenhart-Rothe Rüdiger , Gemperlein Karla , Bergmann Katharina , Bradaric Christian , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Ibrahim Tareq , Dirschinger Ralf J
Published: November 2019

Disturbed wound healing (DWH) following elective foot and ankle surgery is associated with a number of known risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine if peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a potential risk factor that contributes to an increase in postoperative DWH. In a case–control study, we analyzed all patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017 at two institutions and identified 51 patients with postoperative DWH. After matching with 51 control patients without DWH, all 102 patients were evaluated for PAD. The prevalence of PAD was significantly higher in the DWH group compared to the control group (41.2% vs 19.6%, p < 0.01). This difference was even more distinctive for patients with any abnormal ankle–brachial index (ABI) (51.0% vs 19.6%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking, any abnormal ABI or a history of PAD remained an independent risk factor for DWH (odds ratio 3.28; 95% CI 1.24–8.71). In this dual-center study, postoperative DWH was associated with significantly higher rates of PAD. These findings suggest that preoperative evaluation for PAD could be a helpful tool to identify patients at high risk for postoperative wound complications undergoing foot and ankle surgery. This trial is registered with drks.de, number DRKS00012580.
Effects of supporting facilities on memory loss among older people with dementia in care and attention homes
Authors: Leung Mei-yung , Wang Chendi , Kwok Timothy CY
Published: November 2019

Supporting facilities (SF) including handrails, signage, finishes, furniture and recreational facilities facilitate the daily life of older persons. Memory loss is one of the most common signs of dementia affecting the daily life of older persons. Therefore, they may need special SF in residential homes. In order to improve the quality of daily life of older people with dementia, this study aims to investigate the effects of SF on the memory loss of those living in care and attention (C&A) homes. A questionnaire survey was conducted among elderly C&A home residents aged 65 and above in Hong Kong. A Supporting Facilities-Memory Loss model was established based on correlation and regression analyses. The model confirmed the following: (1) none of the SF items affects long-term memory loss; (2) satisfaction with signage, finishes and furniture leads to a reduction of short-term memory loss; (3) satisfaction with handrails, signage and finishes enhances spatial memory and (4) satisfaction with the location of signage reduces time confusion. Practical recommendations are proposed, including using large and well-placed signage with pictograms and icons, avoiding the removal and modification of furniture, enhancing colour contrasts between different functional rooms, installing handrails with a consideration for orientation strategies, and so on.
The People’s Inquiry into Detention: Social work activism for asylum seeker rights
Authors: Briskman Linda
Published: November 2019

In 2008, findings from the People’s Inquiry into Detention were published as Human Rights Overboard: Seeking Asylum in Australia. The People’s Inquiry, led by social work academics in Australia, exposed injustices within Australia’s privatised detention network for asylum seekers and interrogated policies and practices that ensued since mandatory immigration detention was introduced by legislation in 1992. With reference to the global context, the article presents a snapshot of policies and practices revealed by the People’s Inquiry that were considered antithetical to human rights and discusses this extensive undertaking within a broader context of asylum seeker social movements and professional advocacy endeavours that continue as harsh policies escalate. The article speaks to the resilience of the asylum seeker movement, often against the odds, a movement that includes responsive and tenacious professional groups.
Indefinite stuckness: Listening in a time of hyper-incarceration and border entrapment
Authors: Russell Emma K , Rae Maria
Published: November 2019

New technologies for recording, reproducing, and disseminating sound are increasingly accessible and provide important opportunities for listening to accounts of confinement. Through a politics and practice of ‘earwitnessing detention’, this article explores experiential patterns and distinctions between immigration detention and imprisonment. By ‘tuning in’ to radio and podcasting emerging from and through carceral spaces, we argue that both detained asylum seekers and Aboriginal prisoners in Australia narrate an experience of ‘indefinite stuckness’. Indefinite stuckness is an existential condition within a carceral continuum that is both spatial and temporal, and characterised by massive racial inequalities. For detained asylum seekers, indefinite stuckness manifests in the absence of a set release date, whereas for Aboriginal prisoners, it is a cycle of criminalisation and re-incarceration in the colony. This important distinction shapes how detention is represented: as torturous and abusive, or as an opportunity for respite from the ‘chaos’ outside. Linking these sometimes-divergent accounts of confinement are themes of friendship and community as forms of survival and resistance to the abjection that frequently accompanies indefinite stuckness.
Sociological insight through the history of social thought: A dialogue about Modernity and the Jews in Western Social Thought
Authors: Goldberg Chad Alan
Published: November 2019

This essay is part of a symposium on Modernity and the Jews in Western Social Thought (University of Chicago Press, 2017) and responds to comments on the book by Angel Adams Parham, Joseph Gerteis, Peter Kivisto, and Fuyuki Kurasawa. As all these commentators recognize, the history of social theory at its best involves more than conserving, inculcating, and consecrating the sociological canon or even remaking the canon through the addition of previously neglected authors. The history of social theory also allows scholars to address fundamental questions in the sociology of knowledge, the comparative investigation of different kinds of alterity, and the study of social solidarity and belonging. This essay reflects on how best to address these questions and suggests ways that new research in the history of social thought can build upon and extend existing scholarship.
Hannah Arendt and social work: A critical commentary
Authors: Garrett Paul Michael
Published: November 2019

Although social work engagement with Hannah Arendt (1906–1975) has been meagre, it has been recently suggested that her conceptualisations are significant for the profession. This article seeks to problematise the presentation of Arendt to a social work readership, highlighting the failure to adequately historicise her work. In terms of her ideas, there is much to gain in examining this intellectual’s prolific and often controversial contributions, and seven dimensions are identified as significant for the times in which we live. Nevertheless, there are still major criticisms which can be levelled at her core conceptualisations. The article dwells on Arendt’s theorisation of the ‘private’, the ‘public’ and the ‘social’, and it is suggested that she is unaligned with sociologically informed theorisation underpinning critical and radical social work.
A scalable data-driven approach to temperature baseline reconstruction for guided wave structural health monitoring of anisotropic carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer structures
Authors: Yue Nan , Aliabadi M.H.
Published: November 2019

To account for the temperature effect on guided wave signals in complex structures, a significant amount of baseline measurements typically need to be collected over a large temperature range to serve as a library of signals at all possible temperatures, which, if not impossible, is highly impractical. This article presents a data-driven temperature baseline reconstruction approach that is applicable for various structures made from the same material. The influence of temperature on the amplitude and phase of guided wave measurements are experimentally quantified as dimensionless compensation factors. The derived compensation factors are used to reconstruct baselines at various temperatures for guided wave measurements in a simple flat plate and a stiffened panel. With a single baseline measurement at 20°C and the reconstructed baseline using the predetermined temperature compensation factors, impact damage was successfully detected and located when current measurements were up to 25°C and 20°C higher than the baseline temperature, respectively.
Re-defining the Play Cycle: An empirical study of playworkers’ understanding of playwork theory
Authors: King Pete , Newstead Shelly
Published: November 2019

In 1998, Sturrock and Else introduced the Play Cycle which has been integrated into both playwork theory and practice. An online survey with 157 responses found that playworkers’ understanding Play Cycle varied to how they were first introduced to the theory. In addition, understandings of the six elements of the Play Cycle were significantly different from the original author’s definitions. To provide a more consistent use of the Play Cycle in both future research and practice, this article offers new definitions for each element of the Play Cycle based on the results from this study. This has implications for any childhood setting where the Play Cycle is used, including playgroups, nurseries and out of school provision catering for primary-aged children.
Circadian stimulus – A computation model with photometric and colorimetric quantities
Authors: Truong W , Trinh V , Khanh TQ
Published: November 2019

The circadian stimulus is an important, validated and updated metric that describes the invisible influences of light on the human circadian system explicitly and scientifically. However, an absolute spectral power distribution must be supplied for its computation, which is only measurable by an expensive and complicated spectrometer. This paper proposes an alternative circadian stimulus computation model that is identified as the function CS(z, Ev) for white light sources based on the most common and simplest parameters of illuminance Ev in lux and the chromaticity coordinate z. These parameters are well known and widely used in both colour science and lighting technology. In order to prove the accuracy and availability of the model, an internal validation was performed with the adapted method repeating split data to check the goodness of the model fit. The fitted model achieved a maximum residual of 0.058 in the circadian stimulus quantity (R2 = 0.998). An external validation with the maximum residual of 0.030 (R2 = 0.999) provided stronger evidence for the usability of the model in applications.
Improvements in diabetic albuminuria and podocyte differentiation following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery
Authors: Canney Aoife L , Cohen Ricardo V , Elliott Jessie A , M Aboud Cristina , Martin William P , Docherty Neil G , le Roux Carel W
Published: November 2019

Background:

Multiple studies demonstrate an albuminuria-lowering impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, but neither evaluation of its penetrance across different baseline levels of albuminuria nor its association with alterations in podocyte phenotype has previously been reported.

Methods:

We profiled changes in body weight, glycaemic control and urinary albumin excretion following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in 105 patients with type 2 diabetes, albuminuria of varying degrees of severity and classified as being at moderate or high risk of chronic kidney disease progression according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes 2012 criteria. In parallel pre-clinical studies, the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery on markers of podocyte injury was assessed in the Zucker diabetic fatty rat model of diabetic kidney disease.

Results:

At 12- to 18-month post-operative follow-up in patients at moderate or high risk of chronic kidney disease, significant reductions in albuminuria were observed across all tertiles of baseline albumin–creatinine ratio, with remission of albuminuria occurring in 78% of patients. Relative to sham-operated control animals, weight loss and improvements in glycaemia following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in Zucker diabetic fatty rats were paralleled by normalisation of glomerular tuft-size, reductions in podocyte expression of desmin, and preservation of podocyte foot process morphology.

Conclusion:

Improvements in podocyte differentiation likely underpin the reductions in albuminuria observed following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
Effect of empagliflozin on brachial artery shear stress and endothelial function in subjects with type 2 diabetes: Results from an exploratory study
Authors: Irace Concetta , Cutruzzolà Antonio , Parise Martina , Fiorentino Raffaella , Frazzetto Marco , Gnasso Chiara , Casciaro Francesco , Gnasso Agostino
Published: November 2019

Empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality in subjects with type 2 diabetes. We demonstrated that empagliflozin increases blood viscosity and carotid shear stress and decreases carotid wall thickness. Shear stress is the force acting on the endothelial surface and modulates arterial function. The current study evaluates the influence of empagliflozin on brachial artery shear stress and endothelial function compared to incretin-based therapy. The study is a nonrandomized, open, prospective cohort study including 35 subjects with type 2 diabetes administered empagliflozin or incretin-based therapy. Shear stress was calculated with a validated formula, and endothelial function was evaluated using the flow-mediated dilation technique. Both treatments resulted in comparable reductions in blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin. Brachial artery shear stress significantly increased exclusively in the empagliflozin group (61 ± 20 vs 68 ± 25 dynes/cm2, p = 0.04), whereas no significant difference was detected in the incretin-based therapy group (60 ± 20 vs 55 ± 12 dynes/cm2, p = not significant). Flow-mediated dilation significantly increased in the empagliflozin group (4.8 ± 4.5% vs 8.5 ± 5.6%, p = 0.03). Again, no change was detected in the incretin-based therapy group (5.1 ± 4.5% vs 4.7 ± 4.7%, p = not significant). The present findings demonstrate the beneficial effect of empagliflozin on shear stress and endothelial function in subjects with type 2 diabetes independent of the hypoglycaemic effect.
Incidence, predictors and outcomes of stress hyperglycemia in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Khalfallah Mohamed , Abdelmageed Randa , Elgendy Ehab , Hafez Yasser Mostafa
Published: November 2019

Background:

Stress hyperglycemia is a common finding during ST elevation myocardial infarction in diabetic patients and is associated with a worse outcome. However, there are limited data about stress hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients and its outcome especially in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods:

The study was conducted on 660 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction who were managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of stress hyperglycemia: group I (patients with stress hyperglycemia) and group II (patients without stress hyperglycemia). Patients were analysed for clinical outcome including mortality and the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events.

Results:

Incidence of stress hyperglycemia was 16.8%, multivariate regression analysis identified the independent predictors of stress hyperglycemia, that were family history of diabetes mellitus odds ratio 1.697 (95% confidence interval: 1.077–2.674, p = 0.023), body mass index >24 kg/m2 odds ratio 1.906 (95% confidence interval: 1.244–2.922, p = 0.003) and cardiogenic shock on admission odds ratio 2.517 (95% confidence interval: 1.162–5.451, p = 0.019). Mortality, cardiogenic shock, contrast induced nephropathy and no reflow phenomenon were significantly higher in stress hyperglycemia group with p value = 0.027, 0.001, 0.020 and 0.037, respectively.

Conclusion:

Stress hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with increased incidence of no reflow phenomenon, contrast induced nephropathy, cardiogenic shock and higher mortality.