bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online review helpfulness: the moderating effects of review comprehensiveness
Authors: Liu Yi , Hu Han-fen
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Consumers’ evaluation of online review helpfulness has been widely examined. The extant literature suggests that the attributes of review content (e.g. review length and extremity) influence review helpfulness. However, review length cannot fully reflect the richness of the review content. Anchoring on information diagnosticity and extremity bias, this study aims to explore the effect of review comprehensiveness on its helpfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

Field observations were obtained from 11,812 online restaurant reviews on a popular restaurant review platform. A controlled experiment was conducted to further delineate the effect of review comprehensiveness.

Findings

Review comprehensiveness moderates the effects of review length and an extremely negative review on helpfulness. It also confirms that for reviews of the same length, one covering more aspects is perceived by consumers as more helpful.

Practical implications

Different aspects of information in a review can efficiently assist decision-making. The results suggest that review platforms can better design their interface by providing separate areas for different product aspects. The platform can then receive more comprehensive and helpful reviews and increase the diagnosticity of these.

Originality/value

The study enriches the literature by introducing review comprehensiveness and examining the joint effects of review length and comprehensiveness on helpfulness. It also contributes to the literature by indicating how to reduce the effect of review extremity.
The psychometric properties of the professionalism at work questionnaire for paramedicine students
Authors: Williams Brett
Published: January 2021

Purpose

In the past several decades, there has been rapid advancement and improvement in Australasian paramedicine education and clinical standards. These advancements have also seen improvements in the professionalism of Australasian paramedicine. Therefore, having a valid and reliable paramedicine professionalism measure is important. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the modified Professionalism at Work Questionnaire (PWQ) with Australasian paramedicine students

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the PWQ were analysed using a principal component analysis (PCA) followed by orthogonal varimax rotation.

Findings

A total of 479 paramedicine students from three Australasian universities completed the modified PWQ. PCA of the 72-items revealed 11 factors with eigenvalues above 1.5, accounting for 50.99% of the total variance. A total of 64 items were found with loadings greater than 0.40 and were used to describe the 11 factors: Professional attitude and behaviour, communication with others, professional identity, professional development, appearance and flexibility, organisational support, comparable professional status, pride in occupation, adherence to rules, responsibility in the workforce and concerns about appropriate use of resources.

Practical implications

Results from this study suggest that the modified 64-item PWQ can be used to measure professionalism in Australasian paramedicine student cohorts. The instrument encompassed many and varied aspects of the attributes and features that have been described as being essential to being a profession. The instrument provides an important measurement tool for the paramedicine profession.

Originality/value

Results from this study suggest that the modified 64-item PWQ can be used to measure professionalism in Australasian paramedicine student cohorts. The instrument encompassed many and varied aspects of the attributes and features that have been described as being essential to being a profession. The instrument provides a critical measurement tool for the paramedicine profession.
Perceptions of EMS leaders and supervisors on the challenges faced by female paramedics in Riyadh Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study
Authors: ALobaid Abdullah Mohammed , Gosling Cameron , McKenna Lisa , Williams Brett
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Saudi female paramedics face many challenges in the current Saudi emergency medical service (EMS). This study aimed to investigate perceptions of EMS experts, leaders, managers and academics about the challenges faced by Saudi female paramedics in the Saudi Arabian EMS workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive qualitative research approach was used employing semi-structured face-to-face interviews with seven EMS leaders, managers and academics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were analysed using thematic analysis informed by the work of Braun and Clark.

Findings

Three themes emerged from the interviews that described EMS experts' perceptions, namely, cultural and family challenges, the value of Saudi female paramedics in the workforce and workforce issues.

Originality/value

Overall, the interviews revealed that Saudi females faced several challenges that could affect their job duties and capacity to work in the EMS. Currently, Saudi females face difficulties with family, social and religious responsibilities, such as taking care of children and homes. Workforce issues were also considered problems that affect Saudi female paramedics in the workplace, such as physical fitness and psychological burnout. The EMS leaders, managers and academics emphasised that due to the new Saudi 2030 vision, it is expected and recognised that more females need to be employed in the EMS workforce.
Reclaiming cognitive crafting: an integrative model of behavioral and cognitive practices in job crafting
Authors: Melo Newton , Dourado Débora , Andrade Jackeline
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present a model of how cognitive and behavioral crafting practices relate, reconciling the two dominant and conflicting job crafting theoretical perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting by examining the role of cognition and cognitive practices in job crafting, this paper reconstitutes the theorizing path that led to the exclusion of cognitive crafting from job crafting theory, explores existing theorizing efforts to (re)integrate cognitive crafting back into job crafting and proposes a new job crafting model (re)integrating behavioral and cognitive practices.

Findings

By conceiving cognitive crafting practices as a sensemaking layer that spans across and reciprocates with all behavioral crafting practices, the proposed model specifies the role of behavior and cognition (and the mutual relations between them) in job crafting, while resuming its meaning-making orientation.

Originality/value

This paper offers novel insights on underspecified aspects of the job crafting theory, improving its heuristic value. It clarifies how meaning is assembled and enacted by people in work environments, allowing for more integrated and comprehensive explanations about how people relate to work.
Considering the impact of COVID-19 on suicide risk among individuals in prison and during reentry
Authors: Mitchell Sean M. , La Rosa Nikki L. , Cary Julianne , Sparks Sarah
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper mains to bring attention to the potential impact COVID-19 could have on suicide risk among individuals who are incarcerated and those reentering the community after incarceration (i.e. reentry), with particular emphasis on the USA, as well as provide possible solutions to mitigate suicide risk.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an overview of the association between the COVID-19 pandemic policies and suicide, the vulnerabilities specific to prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic, relevant suicide risk factors among prisoners, the possible impact of COVID-19 on suicide risk during reentry and proposed solutions for moving forward to mitigate both risks for COVID-19 and suicide.

Findings

This paper highlights that prisoners and individuals reentering the community are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and suicide risk and COVID-19-related stressors may further exacerbate known suicide risk factors (e.g. psychiatric symptoms, lack of positive social ties, low feelings of belonging, feelings of burden, economic problems) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This paper also discusses barriers (e.g. lack of funds, access to health and mental health care, COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment) to managing COVID-19 and suicide risk within prisons and during reentry.

Originality/value

This paper provides a review of scalable solutions that could mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and suicide risk during this pandemic among prisoners and those reentering the community, such as psychoeducation, self-help stress management, telehealth services, increased access and reduced cost of phone calls, reduced or eliminated cost of soap and sanitization supplies in prisons and early release programs.
Alignment capabilities of big data’s value creation in the context of service delivery processes
Authors: Brinch Morten , Stentoft Jan , Näslund Dag
Published: January 2021

Purpose

While big data creates business value, knowledge on how value is created remains limited and research is needed to discover big data’s value mechanism. The purpose of this paper is to explore value creation capabilities of big data through an alignment perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a single case study of a service division of a large Danish wind turbine generator manufacturer based on 18 semi-structured interviews.

Findings

A strategic alignment framework comprising human, information technology, organization, performance, process and strategic practices are used as a basis to identify 15 types of alignment capabilities and their inter-dependent variables fostering the value creation of big data. The alignment framework is accompanied by seven propositions to obtain alignment of big data in service processes.

Research limitations/implications

The study demonstrates empirical anchoring of how alignment capabilities affect a company’s ability to create value from big data as identified in a service supply chain.

Practical implications

Service supply chains and big data are complex matters. Therefore, understanding how alignment affects a company’s ability to create value of big data may help the company to overcome challenges of big data.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates how value from big data can be created following an alignment logic. By this, both critical and complementary alignment capabilities have been identified.
Star performers, unit performance and unit turnover: A constructive replication
Authors: Taylor Erik C. , Bendickson Joshua S.
Published: January 2021

In this constructive replication, we evaluate the effect of star performers on unit performance beyond the presence of other high performers and high mean levels of unit performance to clarify and confirm stars' unique contribution to unit performance. Furthermore, we extend prior work by assessing stars' moderating effect on the unit turnover‐to‐unit performance relationship. With a sample drawn from Major League Baseball, we confirm that stars have a positive influence on unit performance above and beyond the effects of high levels of mean unit productivity and other high performers, but that the strength of this relationship diminishes as the number of stars increases. We also find that stars moderate the relationship between unit turnover and performance such that star performers effectively eliminate the harmful effects of turnover on unit performance. However, this moderating effect is itself eliminated when the turnover rate changes drastically.
Buy Local and Social Interaction
Authors: Winfree Jason , Watson Philip
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the buy local movement using social interactions. Social interaction arises if some consumers have preferences for local economic output due to altruism toward local producers and/or because of local amenities that benefit the community. This introduces an incentive for some consumers to advocate for localism and convert other consumers to buy locally. However, when there are competing communities, global efforts to buy more local products leads to lower utility from consumption and, under some scenarios, no increases in local production. This paper analyzes the benefits and costs of buying locally under various types of localism and market structures.
Effect of low‐temperature drying on the nitrogenous compounds and inositol phosphates in broiler chickens and cecectomized laying hen excreta
Authors: Siegert Wolfgang , Hofmann Philipp , Rodehutscord Markus
Published: January 2021

We investigated how the chemical composition of broiler chicken and cecectomized laying hen excreta is affected by drying in a forced‐air drying chamber at low temperatures. Excreta that was immediately frozen after voiding provided the reference values. The excreta were dried in drying chambers for 4 hr, 6 hr, and 12 hr at 23°C or 33°C in the broiler experiment and 19°C or 29°C in the cecectomized laying hen experiment. The total N and inositol phosphate concentrations in the excreta of broiler chickens and cecectomized laying hens were not influenced (p > .050), except for one inositol tetrakisphosphate isomer (p = .026) in broilers. Compared to fresh excreta, drying did not affect the ammonia concentrations in the cecectomized laying hen experiment (p > .050), but the ammonia concentration was lower when dried for 12 hr at 33°C in the broiler experiment (p = .002). Amino acid concentrations in cecectomized laying hen excreta decreased until 4 hr of drying and then increased at both drying temperatures (p < .001). The results indicate that the applicability of drying poultry excreta at low temperatures in forced‐air drying chambers to determine the chemical compound concentrations is trait‐dependent. Future studies are necessary to investigate whether these results are also dependent upon the amount of excreta stored in the drying chambers.
Microbial community structure of the bovine rumen as affected by feeding cashew nut shell liquid, a methane‐inhibiting and propionate‐enhancing agent
Authors: Su Chisato , Shinkai Takumi , Miyazawa Nodoka , Mitsumori Makoto , Enishi Osamu , Nagashima Kyo , Koike Satoshi , Kobayashi Yasuo
Published: January 2021

The effect of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) feeding on bacterial and archaeal community of the bovine rumen was investigated by analyzing clone libraries targeting 16S rRNA genes, methyl‐coenzyme reductase A‐encoding genes (mcrA), and their respective transcripts. Rumen samples were collected from three non‐lactating cows fed on a hay and concentrate diet with or without CNSL supplementation. DNA and complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries were generated for investigating rumen microbial communities. MiSeq analysis also was performed to understand more comprehensively the changes in the microbial community structures. Following CNSL supplementation, the number of operational taxonomical unit (OTU) and diversity indices of bacterial and archaeal community were decreased. Bacterial OTUs belonging to Proteobacteria, including Succinivibrio, occurred at a higher frequency with CNSL feeding, especially in cDNA libraries. The methanogenic archaeal community became dominated by Methanomicrobium. A bacterial community shift also was observed in the MiSeq data, indicating that CNSL increased the proportion of Succinivibrio and other genera known to be involved in propionate production. Methanogenic archaeal community shifts to increase Methanoplanus and to decrease Methanobrevibacter also were observed. Together, these results imply the occurrence of significant changes in rumen communities, not only for bacteria but also for methanogens, following CNSL feeding.
Genome‐wide association study of body size traits in Wenshang Barred chickens based on the specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing technology
Authors: Li Fuwei , Liu Jie , Liu Wei , Gao Jinbo , Lei Qiuxia , Han Haixia , Yang Jingchao , Li Huimin , Cao Dingguo , Zhou Yan
Published: January 2021

Chicken body size (BS) is an economically important trait, which has been assessed in many studies for genetic selection. However, previous reports detected functional chromosome mutations or regions using gene chips. The present study used the specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF‐seq) technology to perform a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of purebred Wenshang Barred chickens. A total of 250 one‐day‐old male chickens were assessed in this study. Body size in individual birds was measured at 56 days. SLAF‐seq was used to genotype and GWAS analysis was carried out using the general linear model (GLM) of the TASSEL program. A total of 1,286,715 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, of which 175,211 were tested as candidate SNPs for genome‐wide association analysis using the TASSEL general linear model. Three SNPs markers reached genome‐wide significance. Of these, chrZ:81729634, chrZ:81841715, and chrZ:81954149 at 81,729,634, 81,841,715, and 81,954,149 bp of GGA Z were significantly associated with body diagonal length at 56 days (BDL56); and tibia length at 56 days (TL56). These SNPs were close to three genes, including ZCCHC7, PAX5, and MELK. These results open new horizons for studies on BS and should promote the use of Chinese chickens, especially Wenshang Barred chickens.
Enhancing antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti‐NSCLC activities of (‐)‐epigallocatechin gallate encapsulated poly(butyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate) nanowires applications in dietary supplements
Authors: Yao Jing‐Jing , Li Xue‐Yu , Li Liu‐Cheng , Jin Feng , Hu Dong , Wang Wei‐Yun
Published: January 2021

(‐)‐Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) exhibits multiple biological activities, but unfortunately with poor stability. Poly(butyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) nanoparticles have been widely elaborated for nearly 50 years. However, PBCA‐based nanowires (PNWs) were reported scarcely. Here, EGCG‐encapsulated PNWs (EGCG@PNWs) were successfully constructed. Employing PNWs as a delivery material, 2.0 mg EGCG into oil phase as optimum allocation was encapsulated in PNWs, forming EGCG@PNWs with the particle sizes of about 200 nm in diameter and 4 μm in length, encapsulation efficiency of about 93.96 ± 3.01%, and the zeta potential more than −30 mV. Further, the slower EGCG release from EGCG@PNWs (Oil) in 95% ethanol fatty simulant exhibited higher antioxidant activity than that of 50% ethanol. The antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus and the growth inhibition effects on non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were also enhanced. Results revealed that EGCG@PNWs can be used as dietary supplements to enhance antioxidant, antibacterial and anti‐NSCLC effects.
Comparison of mutton freshness grade discrimination based on hyperspectral imaging, near infrared spectroscopy and their fusion information
Authors: Zhu Rongguang , Bai Zongxiu , Qiu Yuanyuan , Zheng Minchong , Gu Jianfeng , Yao Xuedong
Published: January 2021

The discrimination models of mutton freshness grades based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI, 400–1,000 nm), near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS, 900–2,500 nm) and their fusion information were established and compared in this study. Mutton freshness was divided into three grades by the comprehensive evaluation criterion. Then the characteristic variables were screened from preprocessed full‐band variables, and discriminant models were established and compared based on the full‐band variables, the characteristic variables and fusion information. The results showed that both full‐band models of HSI and NIRS showed good performance, and the accuracies of all datasets were higher than 92.6%. The model accuracy decreased gradually with the decrease of the variables number when modeling with characteristic variables. When modeling with fusion information, the extreme learning machine models had better performance, and the accuracies of all datasets were over 92.7%. Comprehensively considering the accuracy, the cost, the efficiency of data acquisition and analysis, the fusion of HSI and NIRS had no significant effect compared to the single sensor with full‐band variables, and NIRS was possibly more economical and practical than HSI. This study provides reference and theoretical basis for selection of sensors in future studies and development of simplified, low‐cost detection devices for mutton freshness grade.

Practical Applications

Based on the full‐band variables, the characteristic variables, and fusion information of HSI (400–1,000 nm) and NIRS (900–2,500 nm), the discrimination models of mutton freshness grades were established and compared. The characteristic variables were screened by the methods of CARS, GA, SPA and their synergic methods. We could come to a conclusion that both full‐band models of HSI and NIRS showed good results. Comprehensively considering the accuracy, the cost, the efficiency of data acquisition and analysis, the fusion of HSI and NIRS had no significant effect compared to the single sensor based on the full‐band variables, and NIRS was possibly more economical and practical than HSI. This study provides reference and theoretical basis for selection of sensors in future studies and development of simplified, low‐cost detection devices for mutton freshness grade.
Traditional Versus Optimum Power Load Training in Professional Cyclists: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gil-Cabrera Jaime , Valenzuela Pedro L. , Alejo Lidia B. , Talavera Eduardo , Montalvo-Pérez Almudena , Lucia Alejandro , Barranco-Gil David
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of optimum power load training (OPT, training with an individualized load and repetitions that maximize power output) and traditional resistance training (TRT, same number of repetitions and relative load for all individuals) in professional cyclists. Methods: Participants (19 [1] y, peak oxygen uptake 75.5 [6] mL/kg/min) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks (2 sessions per week) of TRT (n = 11) or OPT (n = 9), during which they maintained their usual cycle training schedule. Training loads were continuously registered, and measures of muscle strength/power (1-repetition maximum and maximum mean propulsive power on the squat, hip thrust, and lunge exercises), body composition (assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and endurance performance (assessed on both an incremental test and an 8-min time trial) were collected before and at the end of the intervention. Results: OPT resulted in a lower average intensity (percentage of 1-repetition maximum) during resistance training sessions for all exercises (P < .01), but no differences were found for overall training loads during resistance or cycling sessions (P > .05). Both programs led to significant improvements in all strength/power-related parameters, muscle mass (with no changes in total body mass but a decreased fat mass), and time-trial performance (all Ps < .05). A trend toward increased power output at the respiratory compensation point was also found (P = .056 and .066 for TRT and OPT, respectively). No between-groups differences were noted for any outcome (P > .05). Conclusion: The addition of either TRT or OPT to an endurance training regimen of elite cyclists results in similar improvements of body composition, muscle strength/power, and endurance performance.
Reduced Antibacterial Drug Resistance and
bla
CTX-M
β-Lactamase Gene Carriage in Cattle-Associated Escherichia coli at Low Temperatures, at Sites Dominated by Older Animals, and on Pastureland: Implications for Surveillance
Authors: Schubert Hannah , Morley Katy , Puddy Emma F. , Arbon Robert , Findlay Jacqueline , Mounsey Oliver , Gould Virginia C. , Vass Lucy , Evans Madeleine , Rees Gwen M. , Barrett David C. , Turner Katy M. , Cogan Tristan A. , Avison Matthew B. , Reyher Kristen K.
Published: January 2021

Antibacterial resistance poses a significant threat to human and animal health and global food security. Surveillance for resistance on farms is important for many reasons, including tracking impacts of interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of resistance.
A
Pseudoalteromonas
Clade with Remarkable Biosynthetic Potential
Authors: Chau Rocky , Pearson Leanne A. , Cain Jesse , Kalaitzis John A. , Neilan Brett A.
Published: January 2021

This study demonstrates that the
Pseudoalteromonas
strain HM-SA03, isolated from the venomous blue-ringed octopus,
Hapalochalaena
sp., is a biosynthetically talented organism, capable of producing alterochromides and potentially six other specialized metabolites. We identified a pseudoalterobactin biosynthesis gene cluster and proposed a pathway for the production of the associated siderophore.
Genomic Epidemiology and Evolution of
Escherichia coli
in Wild Animals in Mexico
Authors: Murphy Robert , Palm Martin , Mustonen Ville , Warringer Jonas , Farewell Anne , Parts Leopold , Moradigaravand Danesh
Published: January 2021

Escherichia coli
is a clinically important bacterial species implicated in human- and livestock-associated infections worldwide. The bacterium is known to reside in the guts of humans, livestock, and wild animals.
Disentangling the Relative Roles of Vertical Transmission, Subsequent Colonizations, and Diet on Cockroach Microbiome Assembly
Authors: Renelies-Hamilton Justinn , Germer Kristjan , Sillam-Dussès David , Bodawatta Kasun H. , Poulsen Michael
Published: January 2021

When host fitness is dependent on gut microbiota, microbial community flexibility and reproducibility enhance host fitness by allowing fine-tuned environmental tracking and sufficient stability for host traits to evolve. Our findings lend support to the importance of vertically transmitted early-life microbiota as stabilizers through interactions with potential colonizers that may contribute to ensuring that the microbiota aligns within host fitness-enhancing parameters.
The Majority of Typhoid Toxin-Positive
Salmonella
Serovars Encode ArtB, an Alternate Binding Subunit
Authors: Gaballa A. , Cheng R. A. , Harrand A. S. , Cohn A. R. , Wiedmann M.
Published: January 2021

While previous reports had suggested that the typhoid toxin (TT) could potentially use ArtB as an alternate binding subunit, this was thought to play a minor role in the evolution and biology of the toxin. In this study, we establish that both TT genes and
artB
are widespread among
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
, suggesting that TT likely plays a broader role in
Salmonella
virulence that extends beyond its proposed role in typhoid fever.
mSphere of Influence: Turning to Soil for Medicines
Authors: Lin Ching-Hsuan
Published: January 2021

Ching-Hsuan Lin works in the field of
Candida
biology. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the papers “Use of ichip for high-throughput
in situ
cultivation of uncultivable microbial species” by D.
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation for prophylaxis in adult patients with migraine—a meta-analysis
Authors: Sazali Suhairul , Badrin Salziyan , Norhayati Mohd Noor , Idris Nur Suhaila
Published: January 2021

Objective

To determine the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for reduction in the severity, frequency of migraine attacks and duration of headache in adult patients with migraine.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO) from inception till December 2019.

Study selection

All randomised control trials comparing CoQ10 with placebo or used as an adjunct treatment included in this meta-analysis. Cross-over designs and controlled clinical trials were excluded.

Data synthesis

Heterogeneity at face value by comparing populations, settings, interventions and outcomes were measured and statistical heterogeneity was assessed by means of the I2 statistic. The treatment effect for dichotomous outcomes were using risk ratios and risk difference, and for continuous outcomes, mean differences (MDs) or standardised mean difference; both with 95% CIs were used. Subgroup analyses were carried out for dosage of CoQ10 and if CoQ10 combined with another supplementation. Sensitivity analysis was used to investigate the impact risk of bias for sequence generation and allocation concealment of included studies.

Results

Six studies with a total of 371 participants were included in the meta-analysis. There is no statistically significant reduction in severity of migraine headache with CoQ10 supplementation. CoQ10 supplementation reduced the duration of headache attacks compared with the control group (MD: −0.19; 95% CI: −0.27 to −0.11; random effects; I2 statistic=0%; p<0.00001). CoQ10 usage reduced the frequency of migraine headache compared with the control group (MD: −1.52; 95% CI: −2.40 to −0.65; random effects; I2 statistic=0%; p<0.001).

Conclusion

CoQ10 appears to have beneficial effects in reducing duration and frequency of migraine attack.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019126127.
Effectiveness of a hydrogel dressing as an analgesic adjunct to first aid for the treatment of acute paediatric burn injuries: a prospective randomised controlled trial
Authors: Holbert Maleea Denise , Kimble Roy M , Chatfield Mark , Griffin Bronwyn R
Published: January 2021

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of two acute burn dressings, Burnaid hydrogel dressing and plasticised polyvinylchloride film, on reducing acute pain scores in paediatric burn patients following appropriate first aid.

Design

Single-centre, superiority, two-arm, parallel-group, prospective randomised controlled trial.

Participants and setting

Paediatric patients (aged ≤16) presenting to the Emergency Department at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, with an acute thermal burn were approached for participation in the trial from September 2017–September 2018.

Interventions

Patients were randomised to receive either (1) Burnaid hydrogel dressing (intervention) or (2) plasticised polyvinylchloride film (Control) as an acute burn dressing.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Observational pain scores from nursing staff assessed 5 min post application of the randomised dressing, measured using the Face Legs Activity Cry and Consolability Scale was the primary outcome. Repeated measures of pain, stress and re-epithelialisation were also collected at follow-up dressing changes until 95% wound re-epithelialisation occurred.

Results

Seventy-two children were recruited and randomised (n=37 intervention; n=35 control). No significant between-group differences in nursing (mean difference: −0.1, 95% CI −0.7 to 0.5, p=0.72) or caregiver (MD: 1, 95% CI −8 to 11, p=0.78) observational pain scores were identified. Moreover, no significant differences in child self-report pain (MD: 0.3, 95% CI −1.7 to 2.2, p=0.78), heart rate (MD: −3, 95% CI −11 to 5, p=0.41), temperature (MD: 0.6, 95% CI −0.13 to 0.24, p=0.53), stress (geometric mean ratio: 1.53, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.53, p=0.10), or re-epithelialisation rates (MD: −1, 95% CI −3 to 1, p=0.26) were identified between the two groups.

Conclusions

A clear benefit of Burnaid hydrogel dressing as an analgesic adjunct to first aid for the treatment of acute paediatric burns was not identified in this investigation.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12617001274369).
Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19): a protocol for a living systematic review
Authors: Milovanovic Lazar , Hessey Erin , Sebastianski Meghan , Keto-Lambert Diana , Vandermeer Ben , Bagshaw Sean M , Rewa Oleksa
Published: January 2021

Introduction

In December 2019, the first cases of COVID-19 associated with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection were described in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since then, it has spread rapidly affecting 188 countries and was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020. Preliminary reports suggest up to 30% of patients require intensive care unit (ICU) admission and case fatality rate estimate is 2.3%–7.2%. The primary reason for ICU admission is hypoxaemic respiratory failure, while factors associated with ICU admission include increased age, presence of comorbidities and cytokine storm. Case series and retrospective trials initially assessed proposed treatments with randomised controlled trials now reporting early outcomes. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify epidemiological factors, treatments and complications that predict mortality among critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Methods and analysis

Our comprehensive search strategy was developed in consultation with a research librarian. We will search electronic databases: Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Ovid Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Wiley Cochrane Library. The search strategy combines concepts from COVID-19, validated COVID-19 search filters and geographical locations of large outbreaks. Citation screening, selection, quality assessment and data abstraction will be performed in duplicate. Clinically homogenous epidemiological characteristics, interventions and complications will be pooled in statistical meta-analysis. Within the framework of a living systematic review, the search and data analysis will be updated every 6 months.

Ethics and dissemination

Our systematic review will synthesise literature on risk factors and interventions associated with mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Results will be presented at national and international conferences and submitted for peer-reviewed publication. The pooled analysis can provide guidance to inform clinical guidelines for care of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Iterative updates will be made public through open access. Research ethics approval is not required.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020176672.
Assessing seropositivity for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Ahmedabad city of India: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Prakash Om , Solanki Bhavin , Sheth Jay K , Joshi Bhavin , Kadam Mina , Vyas Sheetal , Shukla Aparajita , Tiwari Hemant , Rathod Sanjay , Rajput Anil , Trivedi Toral , Ramanuj Vaibhav , Solanki Anand
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To study the percentage seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 to understand the pandemic status and predict the future situations in Ahmedabad.

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Settings

Field area of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

Participants

More than 30 000 individuals irrespective of their age, sex, acute/past COVID-19 infection participated in the serosurvey which covered all the 75 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) across 48 wards and 7 zones of the city. Study also involved healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19/non-COVID-19 hospitals.

Interventions

Seropositivity of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was measured as a mark of COVID-19 infection.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Seropositivity was used to calculate cumulative incidence. Correlation of seropositivity with available demographic detail was used for valid and precise assessment of the pandemic situation.

Results

From 30 054 samples, the results were available for 29 891 samples and the crude seropositivity is 17.61%. For all the various age groups, the seropositivity calculated between 15% and 20%. The difference in seropositivity for both the sex group is statistically not significant. The seropositivity is significantly lower (13.64%) for HCWs as compared with non-HCWs (18.71%). Seropositivity shows increasing trend with time. Zone with maximum initial cases has high positivity as compared with other zones. UPHCs with recent rise in cases are leading in seropositivity as compared with earlier and widely affected UPHCs.

Conclusions

The results of serosurveillance suggest that the population of Ahmedabad is still largely susceptible. People still need to follow preventive measures to protect themselves till an effective vaccine is available to the people at large. The data indicate the possibility of vanishing immunity over time and need further research to cross verify with scientific evidences.
Choice architecture in physician–patient communication: a mixed-methods assessments of physicians’ competency
Authors: Hart Joanna , Yadav Kuldeep , Szymanski Stephanie , Summer Amy , Tannenbaum Aaron , Zlatev Julian , Daniels David , Halpern Scott D
Published: January 2021

Background

Clinicians’ use of choice architecture, or how they present options, systematically influences the choices made by patients and their surrogate decision makers. However, clinicians may incompletely understand this influence.

Objective

To assess physicians’ abilities to predict how common choice frames influence people’s choices.

Methods

We conducted a prospective mixed-methods study using a scenario-based competency questionnaire and semistructured interviews. Participants were senior resident physicians from a large health system. Of 160 eligible participants, 93 (58.1%) completed the scenario-based questionnaire and 15 completed the semistructured interview. The primary outcome was choice architecture competency, defined as the number of correct answers on the eight-item scenario-based choice architecture competency questionnaire. We generated the scenarios based on existing decision science literature and validated them using an online sample of lay participants. We then assessed senior resident physicians’ choice architecture competency using the questionnaire. We interviewed a subset of participating physicians to explore how they approached the scenario-based questions and their views on choice architecture in clinical medicine and medical education.

Results

Physicians’ mean correct score was 4.85 (95% CI 4.59 to 5.11) out of 8 scenario-based questions. Regression models identified no associations between choice architecture competency and measured physician characteristics. Physicians found choice architecture highly relevant to clinical practice. They viewed the intentional use of choice architecture as acceptable and ethical, but felt they lacked sufficient training in the principles to do so.

Conclusion

Clinicians assume the role of choice architect whether they realise it or not. Our results suggest that the majority of physicians have inadequate choice architecture competency. The uninformed use of choice architecture by clinicians may influence patients and family members in ways clinicians may not anticipate nor intend.
Ten-week Intensive Group Program (IGP) for borderline personality disorder: making the case for more accessible and affordable psychotherapy
Authors: Gec Dervila , Broadbear Jillian Helen , Bourton David , Rao Sathya
Published: January 2021

Background

The availability of specialist psychotherapies for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD) is limited by costs associated with training, resourcing and treatment duration. Developing a programme that incorporates effective strategies from a range of evidence-based specialist treatments, concentrates their delivery and uses a group-based format will improve treatment access.

Objective

To assess the short-term clinical efficacy, acceptability and feasibility of a bespoke manualised programme for the treatment of BPD. This 10-week group-based outpatient programme was delivered 2 days per week in 4 hour sessions; participants received 80 hours of treatment in total.

Methods

Forty-three participants, many having severe BPD symptomatology, were assessed before and after the 10-week programme using a range of validated self-report questionnaires and a self-appraisal feedback form. The primary outcome measured was BPD symptom severity.

Findings

Statistically significant improvements were measured in BPD symptom severity, depression, trait anxiety, emotional regulation, general health, hopefulness, self-compassion and anger, several with moderate to large effect sizes. Many of these improvements remained at 4–6 months post treatment. More than 90% of surveyed participants expressed a moderate or high level of satisfaction with the programme.

Conclusions

This integrated treatment programme delivered in a highly concentrated format demonstrated short-term efficacy across many BPD-relevant endpoints; its acceptability was endorsed by most clients.

Clinical implications

Incorporation of key aspects of evidence-based treatment using a time-intensive group format could greatly enhance the capacity of mental health services to meet the needs of people who experience BPD within a population-based mental health service framework.
Saudi Arabian Parents' Perception of Online Marital Matchmaking Technologies
Authors: Al-Dawood Adel , Alhajhussein Serene , Yarosh Svetlana
Published: January 2021

Finding a date or a spouse online is usually considered an individualistic endeavor in Western cultures. This presents a challenge for collectivist non-Western cultures such as Saudi Arabia where choosing a spouse is viewed as a union of two families with parents of both spouses being heavily involved. Our work aims to investigate how Saudi Arabian parents view the utilization of technology by their young adults to seek potential spouses online. We report our findings of interviews conducted with 16 Saudi Arabian parents (8 fathers, 6 mothers and 1 couple). We generate qualitative themes that provide insights about how parents wanted to preserve their values, integrate technology into the traditional process and protect their young adults from potential harms. These themes lead to implications for designing suitable marital matchmaking technologies in Saudi Arabia and opportunities for future work.
"It's all about conversation"
Authors: Li Tiffany Wenting , Karahalios Karrie , Sundaram Hari
Published: January 2021

As colleges and universities continue their commitment to increasing access to higher education through offering education online and at scale, attention on teaching open-ended subjects online and at scale, mainly the arts, humanities, and the social sciences, remains limited. While existing work in scaling open-ended courses primarily focuses on the evaluation and feedback of open-ended assignments, there is a lack of understanding of how to effectively teach open-ended, university-level courses at scale. To better understand the needs of teaching large-scale, open-ended courses online effectively in a university setting, we conducted a mixed-methods study with university instructors and students, using surveys and interviews, and identified five critical pedagogical elements that distinguish the teaching and learning experiences in an open-ended course from that in a non-open-ended course. An overarching theme for the five elements was the need to support students' self-expression. We further uncovered open challenges and opportunities when incorporating the five critical pedagogical elements into large-scale, open-ended courses online in a university setting, and suggested six future research directions: (1) facilitate in-depth conversations, (2) create a studio-friendly environment, (3) adapt to open-ended assessment, (4) scale individual open-ended feedback, (5) establish trust for self-expression, and (6) personalize instruction and harness the benefits of student diversity.
Patterns of Patient and Caregiver Mutual Support Connections in an Online Health Community
Authors: Levonian Zachary , Dow Marco , Erikson Drew , Ghosh Sourojit , Miller Hillberg Hannah , Narayanan Saumik , Terveen Loren , Yarosh Svetlana
Published: January 2021

Online health communities offer the promise of support benefits to users, in particular because these communities enable users to find peers with similar experiences. Building mutually supportive connections between peers is a key motivation for using online health communities. However, a user's role in a community may influence the formation of peer connections. In this work, we study patterns of peer connections between two structural health roles: patient and non-professional caregiver. We examine user behavior in an online health community---CaringBridge.org---where finding peers is not explicitly supported. This context lets us use social network analysis methods to explore the growth of such connections in the wild and identify users' peer communication preferences. We investigated how connections between peers were initiated, finding that initiations are more likely between two authors who have the same role and who are close within the broader communication network. Relationships---patterns of repeated interactions---are also more likely to form and be more interactive when authors have the same role. Our results have implications for the design of systems supporting peer communication, e.g. peer-to-peer recommendation systems.
Alternatives to Meat and Dairy
Authors: Kyriakopoulou Konstantina , Keppler Julia K. , van der Goot Atze Jan , Boom Remko M.
Published: January 2021

The increasing size and affluence of the global population have led to a rising demand for high-protein foods such as dairy and meat. Because it will be impossible to supply sufficient protein to everyone solely with dairy and meat, we need to transition at least part of our diets toward protein foods that are more sustainable to produce. The best way to convince consumers to make this transition is to offer products that easily fit into their current habits and diets by mimicking the original foods. This review focuses on methods of creating an internal microstructure close to that of the animal-based originals. One can directly employ plant products, use intermediates such as cell factories, or grow cultured meat by using nutrients of plant origin. We discuss methods of creating high-quality alternatives to meat and dairy foods, describe their relative merits, and provide an outlook toward the future.
Study of Optoelectronic and Thermoelectric Characteristics of Cesium Based Halides CsYbX3 (X = Br, Cl) for Clean Energy Harvesting
Authors: Shahzad Ali , Ahmadini Abdullah Ali H. , Mahmood Q. , Flemban Tahani H. , Murtaza G. , Kattan Nessrin A. , Iqbal M. Waqas. , Ghrib T. , Laref A.
Published: January 2021

The optoelectronic and transport characteristics of CsYbX3 (X = Br, Cl) are computed for clean energy harvesting. The structural stability has been anticipated by Goldsmith tolerance factor and thermodynamic stability by formation energy. The band gaps 1.66 eV and 1.44 eV for CsYbCl3 and CsYbBr3 are observed in visible energy region, which show their significance for optoelectronic and solar cells. The dielectric constant reveals the polarization of light while absorption coefficient and imaginary dielectric constant ensure maximum absorption in the visible region. Refractive index appears in the range of 1 to 2 and minimum reflectivity also builds their significance for optical applications. The transport properties are elucidated by electrical and thermal conductivities, Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit (ZT). The high value of ZT makes them equally important for thermoelectric devices.
UV-Enhanced Field-Emission Performances of Pd-Adsorbed ZnO Nanorods through Photochemical Synthesis
Authors: Chu Yen-Lin , Young Sheng-Joue , Ji Liang-Wen , Chu Tung-Te , Wu Chang-Hsun
Published: January 2021

In this work, vertically oriented well-aligned palladium-adsorbed ZnO (PZO) nanorod (NR) arrays were successfully prepared on indium-tin-oxide (ITO) glass substrates via an aqueous solution method with photochemical synthesis. The nanostructures of the PZO NRs were characterized via a field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and the X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed that the PZO NRs show a hexagonal wurtzite structure and grew preferentially along the (002) crystal plane. The composition of the adsorbed sample was also confirmed by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The PZO NRs exhibited superior field-emission (FE) performance under UV irradiation than in the dark with a low turn-on field value of 5.62 V μm−1 and an enhanced field enhancement factor (β) of 9145.07. It was found that the FE characteristics of the PZO NRs were improved by UV light irradiation, which attributed to generate a large number of electrons.