bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aged Care Residents’ Perspectives on Quality of Care in Care Homes: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence
Authors: Gilbert Andrew S. , Garratt Stephanie M. , Kosowicz Leona , Ostaszkiewicz Joan , Dow Briony
Published: January 2021

There is increasing interest in harnessing aged care residents’ perspectives to drive quality improvement in aged care homes. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative evidence including literature examining residents’ descriptions of “quality of care” in aged care homes, using database searches and screening records according to eligibility criteria. Three independent reviewers conducted quality assessment of forty-six eligible articles and performed thematic synthesis of articles’ findings. We distinguish nine key themes describing factors influencing quality care: staffing levels, staff attitude, continuity, routine, environment, decision-making and choice, dignity of risk, activities, and culture and spirituality. While many themes were consistent across studies, residents’ prioritization of them varied. Aged care home residents have differing conceptions of quality care as well as heterogeneous and dynamic needs and preferences. Care providers are best able to facilitate quality care when intentional efforts are made to recognize this and tailor delivery of services the individual residents.
Impact of COVID-19 on search in an organisation
Authors: Cleverley Paul H , Cousins Fionnuala , Burnett Simon
Published: January 2021

COVID-19 has created unprecedented organisational challenges, yet no study has examined the impact on information search. A case study in a knowledge-intensive organisation was undertaken on 2.5 million search queries during the pandemic. A surge of unique users and COVID-19 search queries in March 2020 may equate to ‘peak uncertainty and activity’, demonstrating the importance of corporate search engines in times of crisis. Search volumes dropped 24% after lockdowns; an ‘L-shaped’ recovery may be a surrogate for business activity. COVID-19 search queries transitioned from awareness, to impact, strategy, response and ways of working that may influence future search design. Low click through rates imply some information needs were not met and searches on mental health increased. In extreme situations (i.e. a pandemic), companies may need to move faster, monitoring and exploiting their enterprise search logs in real time as these reflect uncertainty and anxiety that may exist in the enterprise.
The iron chelator deferoxamine decreases myeloma cell survival
Authors: Yang Feifei , Wu Zhaoxian , Dai Dan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Xiuqun , Zhang Xuezhong , Xu Yanli
Published: January 2021

Objective

This study evaluated serum ferritin (SF) levels and investigated their relationships with various clinical markers in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Furthermore, the effects and molecular mechanism of deferoxamine (DFO) in myeloma cells were studied.

Methods

Clinical data from 84 patients with MM were collected to evaluate SF content and its relationship with several important clinical parameters. MM1S and MM1R myeloma cells were chosen to investigate the effects of iron and DFO on cell survival and apoptosis.

Results

Increased SF levels were detected in newly diagnosed patients, especially those with stage III disease or the κ isotype. SF content was positively correlated with β2-microglobulin, interleukin-6, and lactate dehydrogenase expression. Furthermore, patients with progressive or relapsed disease had higher SF levels. Importantly, iron chelation with DFO efficiently inhibited myeloma cell survival and accelerated apoptosis by regulating apoptosis-related genes.

Conclusions

The importance of SF for MM was highlighted. Additionally, it is suggested that DFO may be a good therapeutic option for MM.
Mini Implant Punch (MIP)
Authors: Ambekar Anand S , Zadake Sujit Navnath , Kangane Suresh K
Published: January 2021

Implant placement has always been a difficult task to accomplish. Several designs and methods have been proposed for precise implant placement in order to gain absolute anchorage in orthodontics. Implant placement grids and templates have always been used for placing mini implants since 1980. The aim of this article is to provide a simple and efficient method to construct an orthodontic Mini Implant Punch (MIP) made up of Australian 0.018″ stainless steel wire with easy wire bending.
Severe hepatopulmonary syndrome with hypoxemia refractory to liver transplant: Recovery after 67 days of ECMO support
Authors: Piltcher-da-Silva Rodrigo , Chedid Marcio Fernandes , Grezzana Filho Tomaz Jesus Maria , Leipnitz Ian , de Araújo Alexandre , Gazzana Marcelo Basso , Saueressig Mauricio Guidi , Lorenzi William , Cardoni Mario Gurvitez , Bellaver Priscila , Alvares-da-Silva Mario Reis , Feier Flavia Heinz , Chedid Aljamir Duarte , Kruel Cleber Rosito Pinto
Published: January 2021

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a complication of end stage liver disease (ESLD) and is manifested by severe hypoxemia, which usually responds to liver transplantation (LT). As compared to patients undergoing LT for other etiologies, patients with HPS present an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. There is no effective treatment for patients whose hypoxemia does not respond to LT. This subset of patients is at a highly increased risk of death. There are very few reports on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in this setting with rapid response. However, there is no prior report of ECMO utilization for longer than 4 weeks. We present the case of a 17 year-old male patient who underwent LT for ESLD secondary to chronic portal vein thrombosis and HPS. He received a liver from a deceased donor and presented with severe HPS after LT, requiring ECMO support for 67 days. The patient was discharged home and is breathing in ambient air. He is currently asymptomatic and has a normal liver function.
Facial Emotion Perceptual Tendency in Violent and Non-violent Offenders
Authors: Zeng Yun , Liu Xilin , Cheng Lehua
Published: January 2021

All three authors share equal authorship in this paper.

Emotion perception has a vital influence on social interaction. Previous studies discussed mainly the relationship between facial emotion perception and aggressive behavior from the perspective of hostile attributional bias and the impaired violence inhibition mechanism. The present study aims to provide new evidence of different emotion perception patterns between the violent and non-violent criminal samples through a new indicator of the facial emotion recognition test, Facial Emotion Perception Tendency (FEPT), calculated by counting the times a participant recognizes a set of emotional stimuli as a particular specific emotion, and to further examine the association between aggressive behaviors and FEPT. 101 violent and 171 non-violent offenders, as well as 81 non-offending control participants, were recruited to complete the emotion recognition task with morphed stimuli (Study 1). We further recruited 62 non-offending healthy male participants to finish the Buss -Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) after the emotion recognition task in Study 2. Both non-violent and violent offenders were significantly lower in overall accuracy of emotion recognition and disgust FEPT, but higher in happy FEPT, than non-offending healthy controls. Non-violent offenders had significantly lower fear FEPT than violent offenders, and had higher anger FEPT than non-offending controls. The results also revealed that the level of physical aggression was positively correlated with fear FEPT, while negatively correlated with anger FEPT. The current study demonstrated that FEPT was associated with aggressive behavior and implies the importance of improving the emotion decoding ability of offenders. Also, the concept “FEPT” proposed in this study is of significance for further exploration of how individuals’ tendency to perceiving a particular emotion can be correlated with social behaviors.
Wave propagation with long-range forces and mistuning effects
Authors: Rezaei Amirsajjad , Mezzani Federica , Carcaterra Antonio
Published: January 2021

The present paper investigates the effects induced by long-range connections embedded within a classical D’Alembert waveguide, characterized by the number of connections and the distance between the linked sections of the structures. This new connectivity pattern induces unconventional effects, such as wave-stopping and negative group velocity, which can be adjusted by the features of the superstructure. Furthermore, a mistuning effect is met as consequence of the perturbation of the long-range connection distance. This perturbation may produce the amplification of the nonconventional propagation phenomena, even when the other physical and geometrical properties are unchanged.
Macro-economic Factors Influencing Tourism Entrepreneurship: The Case of Kazakhstan
Authors: Tleuberdinova Aizhan , Shayekina Zhanat , Salauatova Dinara , Pratt Stephen
Published: January 2021

Tourism development contributes to economic development. In emerging economies like Kazakhstan, tourism development needs active entrepreneurship. As the country emerges from the post-Soviet era, there has been an increase in economic development and prosperity. Entrepreneurship in the tourism sector can drive economies forward through the creation of new tourism and hospitality businesses. The macroeconomic environment can influence entrepreneurial activity. We use an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to examine the impact of macroeconomic factors on tourism entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. Using data from 1996 to 2018, we find that there is a positive short-run relationship between wages in the tourism sector and entrepreneurship, suggesting that wage growth in the sector attracts entrepreneurs. In the long run, however, tourism sector wages have a negative relationship with entrepreneurship, suggesting that these higher wages represent a higher cost to entrepreneurship. There is also a strong positive relationship between national income and tourism entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. Implications of macroeconomic policy changes for Kazakhstan and other emerging economies are discussed.
Factors That Influence Quality of Life in People Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review
Authors: Flike Kimberlee , Aronowitz Teri
Published: January 2021

Background:

An emerging category of morbidity in research among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) is quality of life (QoL). The Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) framework was used to explain the relationship between the resulting factors and their impact on QoL among PEH.

Aims:

The purpose of this systematic mixed studies review was to explore the factors that are associated with QoL among homeless individuals.

Method:

A systematic mixed studies review was conducted using CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, and SocIndex databases. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies were included and synthesized employing results-based convergent synthesis design.

Results:

The initial search resulted in 757 studies with 55 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis revealed themes influencing QoL among PEH categorized by the CSDH determinants of structural, social cohesion and social capital, and intermediary determinants. Among these themes, higher social status, strong relationships, better reported physical and mental health, and a positive life outlook were associated with increased QoL. Social isolation, substance use, poorer life outlook, increased years spent homeless, and perceived quality of housing were associated with decreased QoL. Age, sex, and housing programs revealed inconsistent results on QoL.

Conclusions:

While the factors presented in this review indicate some consistent relationships with QoL in PEH, this review has shown QoL among this population is complex and multifactorial. Future research should focus on relationships between the CSDH determinants, particularly the psychosocial factors and the QoL priorities defined by PEH, and how they may influence QoL among PEH.
Disciplinary Literacy in STEM: A Functional Approach
Authors: Paugh Patricia , Wendell Kristen
Published: January 2021

This study explores disciplinary literacy instruction integrated within an elementary engineering unit in an urban classroom. A multidisciplinary team of university literacy and engineering educators and classroom teachers served as the research team for this case study. A social semiotic language theory (systemic functional linguistics) and a framework of mechanistic reasoning informed the instruction and analysis of classroom discourse and student writing. The study illustrates how a flexible set of disciplinary language choices functioned to support students’ evolving reasoning as part of the engineering design process. These findings provide insights into synergy between language and reasoning as a habit of design. These findings also inform calls to align science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literacy and core disciplinary practices within both Common Core State Standards for (English language arts) ELA and Next Generation Science Standards.
Customer Online Feedback with an Identity Versus No Identity: The Influence on Review Comments
Authors: Jin Dan , DiPietro Robin B. , Watanabe Nicholas M.
Published: January 2021

As customers’ consumption is increasingly dominated by technology-driven systems, online self-verification becomes an important aspect of customers’ online purchasing behavior and plays a significant role in shaping social interactions in the online community. Across two studies, we examine whether online self-verification with an identity versus without an identity will lead to the different quality of online reviews. Study 1 used topic modeling with actual data stripped from Facebook and TripAdvisor customer online review sites and showed no difference between customer reviews underpinned with an identity or without. Likewise, Study 2 used an experimental design and found no significant difference between customer reviews with or without an identity. However, significant mediation effects of social ties and social capital were found when measuring the relationship between online self-verification and customer reviews. The findings build on the literature of user-generated online reviews and have important implications for academics and hospitality practitioners.
Prevalence of radiologically isolated syndrome in a pediatric population-based cohort: A longitudinal description of a rare diagnosis
Authors: de Mol CL , Bruijstens AL , Jansen PR , Dremmen MHG , Wong YYM , van der Lugt A , White TJH , Neuteboom RF
Published: January 2021

Background:

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is typified by multiple sclerosis (MS)-like lesions on imaging, without clinical MS symptoms. The prevalence of pediatric RIS is largely unknown.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to provide an estimated RIS prevalence in a population-based cohort of children.

Methods:

We used data from the Generation R study to identify the childhood RIS prevalence.

Results:

In 5238 participants, only one RIS case was identified (prevalence: 0.02%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00–0.11). During a 62-month follow-up, imaging examinations showed accrual of new focal demyelinating lesions; however, no clinical MS symptoms occurred.

Conclusions:

This study shows that the occurrence of RIS in children from the general population is rare.
Preventive justice: Exploring the coercive power of community protection notices to tackle anti-social behaviour
Authors: Heap Vicky , Black Alex , Rodgers Zoe
Published: January 2021

Community Protection Notices (CPNs) are civil preventive orders used in England and Wales to prevent and/or require specific behaviour by an individual or organisation, where existing conduct has a ‘detrimental impact on the quality of life of those in the locality’. Breach of the notice results in a £100 fine under a Fixed Penalty Notice or a possible criminal conviction. To date, CPNs have tackled an array of perceived anti-social behaviours, ranging from rough sleeping to overgrown gardens. Using Ashworth and Zedner’s preventive justice as an analytical framework, our research qualitatively explores recipients’ experiences of this new tool for the first time. The findings highlight how the operationalisation of CPNs extends the coercive power of the state, with a range of negative consequences relating to the concepts of disproportionality, due process and accountability. We also offer three empirically-grounded recommendations for reforming CPN practices.
Regulation in research ethics: a scarecrow for physicians?
Authors: Haaser T , Berdaï D , Marty S , Berger V , Augier E , L’Azou B , Avérous V , Saux MC
Published: January 2021

Background

Regulations on research ethics in France have evolved considerably over the past four years: the implementation of the Jardé law and of the General Data Protection Regulations have changed the landscape of research ethics for research involving or not involving human persons. In a context of creation of an Institutional Review Board at the University of Bordeaux, France, we sought to explore research ethics practices and perceptions in the medical community of our University Hospital.

Methods

A short questionnaire was sent to all physicians of the University Hospital of Bordeaux. The questionnaire included closed questions and main topics were: physicians’ education in research ethics, ethics practices concerning researches non implying human persons, and physicians’ perceptions about current regulations.

Results

86 questionnaires were sent back (response rate: 24.2%). If a majority of physicians have validated Good Clinical Practices (GCPs) trainings (76%), there was a low rate of specific training on fundamental references in research ethics and a high proportion of responders do not consider themselves as educated in research ethics after completion of GCPs (56%). Regulations on research ethics have many implications on medical research, especially by inducing changes in protocols in order to alleviate ethical requirements (57%). Malpractices were acknowledged like false mention of positive opinion from an ethics committee (21%). If If a majority of responders considers regulations as a positive answer to research ethics, a large majority considers it as a constraint and a complexification of research process. For 58%, regulations in research ethics are perceived as a hindrance for research initiatives.

Conclusion

Because of their impact on research process, regulations seem to constitute a scarecrow for physicians. Lack of training, bad representations and questionable practices (or even malpractices) highlight the need to improve education and to propose concrete guidance for medical researchers.
Ipsilateral Iliac Branch Repair Using a Looped Wire, Precannulated Gate Technique
Authors: Stern Jordan R. , Lyden Sean P. , Agrusa Christopher J. , Schneider Darren B.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To describe a novel, entirely ipsilateral femoral technique for distal endograft extension using the Gore Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis.

Technique

Femoral arterial access is obtained on the side of the intended repair, and a 16F sheath is inserted over a stiff wire. A looped wire is used to pre-cannulate the internal gate of the IBE device prior to insertion, and the device is then positioned and deployed. This through-wire guides access over the IBE flow divider and into the internal gate with a steerable sheath. The internal iliac artery is then selected, and a Viabahn VBX balloon-expandable stent (W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, AZ) is advanced into position and deployed. We present the successful completion of this technique in 4 patients.

Conclusion

This novel technique allows distal endograft extension with an IBE device using only ipsilateral femoral access and is particularly useful for patients with aneurysmal iliac degeneration in the setting of prior open or endovascular aneurysm repair. This eliminates the need for upper extremity access or contralateral femoral access and navigation across the steep flow divider.
Racism, Hate Speech, and Social Media: A Systematic Review and Critique
Authors: Matamoros-Fernández Ariadna , Farkas Johan
Published: January 2021

Departing from Jessie Daniels’s 2013 review of scholarship on race and racism online, this article maps and discusses recent developments in the study of racism and hate speech in the subfield of social media research. Systematically examining 104 articles, we address three research questions: Which geographical contexts, platforms, and methods do researchers engage with in studies of racism and hate speech on social media? To what extent does scholarship draw on critical race perspectives to interrogate how systemic racism is (re)produced on social media? What are the primary methodological and ethical challenges of the field? The article finds a lack of geographical and platform diversity, an absence of researchers’ reflexive dialogue with their object of study, and little engagement with critical race perspectives to unpack racism on social media. There is a need for more thorough interrogations of how user practices and platform politics co-shape contemporary racisms.
Affective Practice of Soldiering: How Sharing Images Is Used to Spread Extremist and Racist Ethos on Soldiers of Odin Facebook Site
Authors: Nikunen Kaarina , Hokka Jenni , Nelimarkka Matti
Published: January 2021

The paper explores how visual affective practice is used to spread and bolster a nationalist, extremist and racist ethos on the public Facebook page of the anti-immigrant group, Soldiers of Odin. Affective practice refers to a particular sensibility of political discourse, shaped by social formations and digital technologies—the contexts in which political groups or communities gather, discuss and act. The study shows how visual affective practice and sharing and responding to images fortify moral claims, sense exclusionary solidarity and promote white nationalist masculinity which legitimizes racist practices of “soldiering.” By examining both the representations and their reactions (emoticons), the study demonstrates how ideas and values are collectively strengthened through affective sharing and are supported by platform infrastructures. Most importantly, it demonstrates that instead of considering the affect of protecting the nation as a natural result of “authentic” gut feeling, we should understand the ways it is purposefully and collectively produced and circulated.
The Upper-Arm Basilic-Cephalic Loop: A Valueable Alternative for Below-Knee Arterial Reconstruction
Authors: Enzmann Florian K. , Metzger Peter , Martin Julio Ellacuriaga San , Dabernig Werner , Akhavan Fatema , Hölzenbein Thomas , Nierlich Patrick
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Despite advances of endovascular interventions, bypass surgery remains the gold standard for treatment of long and complex arterial occlusions in the lower limb. Autologous vein is regarded superior to other options. As the graft of first choice, the great saphenous vein (GSV) is often not available due to previous bypass, stripping or poor quality. Other options like arm veins (AV) are important alternatives. As forearm portions of AVs are often unusable, a graft created from the upper arm basilic and cephalic veins provides a valuable alternative.

Patients and Methods:

We analyzed consecutive patients treated at an academic tertiary referral center between 01/1998 and 07/2018 using arm veins as the main peripheral bypass graft. Study endpoints were primary patency, secondary patency, limb salvage and survival.

Results:

In the observed time period 2702 bypass procedures were performed at our institution for below-knee arterial reconstructions. Vein grafts used included the ipsilateral GSV (iGSV; n = 1937/71.7%), contralateral GSV (cGSV; 192/7.1%), small saphenous vein (SSV; 133/4.9%), prosthetic conduits (61/2.3%) and different configurations of AV (379/14%). In the majority of patients receiving AV grafts a complete continuous cephalic or basilic vein (CAV) was used (n = 292/77%). If it was not possible to use major parts of these 2 veins, either spliced arm vein grafts (SAV) (42/11%) or an upper arm basilic-cephalic loop graft (45/12%) were used. Median follow-up was 27 (interquartile range: 8-50) months. After 3 years secondary patency (CAV: 85%; SAV: 62%; loop: 66%; p = 0.125) and limb salvage rates (CAV: 79%, SAV: 68%; loop: 79%; p = 0.346) were similar between the 3 bypass options.

Conclusion:

The encouraging results of alternative AV configurations highlight their value in case the basilic or cephalic veins are not useable in continuity. Especially for infragenual redo-bypass procedures, these techniques should be considered to offer patients durable revascularization options.
The Situation Awareness Window: a Hidden Markov Model for analyzing Maritime Surveillance missions
Authors: Caelli Terry , Mukerjee Joyanto , McCabe Andy , Kirszenblat David
Published: January 2021

In recent years, the use of Maritime Surveillance (MS) systems has increased in both defense and civilian domains. A demanding workload is placed upon operators of these systems, including the need to perform simultaneous information fusion from a number of sources to enable rapid decision throughput based upon Situation Awareness (SA). We have developed a method to objectively encode, summarize, and analyze airborne MS crew activities to gain insights into what is attended to in the execution of surveillance requirements. We label this method the “Situation Awareness Window” (SAW), which integrates sensor and tactical information with kinematics to define key attention and decision components of the operators that emerge over the surveillance mission. The SAW is defined with respect to the objects that are surveyed, the surveillance activities, and their chronological order. A SAW Hidden Markov Model (SAW-HMM) operates upon the surveillance mission activity encoder, resulting in a probabilistic relationship between the attention switching across sensor types and surveyed objects over the entire mission. That is, to implement the SAW-HMM we encoded the selection of sensors and surveillance decisions using a novel “encoder-interface” that allows users to probe many different features, observations, and states of a given mission. Ultimately the SAW will provide automated, objective, and insightful post mission debriefing technologies for operators and mission planners to encapsulate task demands and SA features over the mission.
Media and Digital Technologies for Mixed Methods Research in Public Health Emergencies Such as COVID-19: Lessons Learned From Using Interactive Radio–SMS for Social Research in Somalia
Authors: Riha Johanna , Abreu Lopes Claudia , Ibrahim Naima Abdi , Srinivasan Sharath
Published: January 2021

Radio shows which invite audience participation via short message service (SMS)—interactive radio–SMS—can be designed as a mixed methods approach for applied social research during COVID-19 and other crises in low and middle income countries. In the aftermath of a cholera outbreak in Somalia, we illustrate how this method provides social insights that would have been missed if a purely qualitative or quantitative approach were used. We then examine the strengths and limitations associated with interactive radio–SMS through an evaluation using a multimethod comparison. Our research contributes an application of a mixed methods approach which addresses a specific challenge raised by COVID-19, namely utilizing media and digital technologies for social research in low and middle income countries.
A systematic review of subgroup analyses in randomised clinical trials in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Brand Korbinian J , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Haller Bernhard
Published: January 2021

Background:

Subgroup analyses are frequently used to assess heterogeneity of treatment effects in randomised clinical trials. Inconsistent, improper and incomplete implementation, reporting and interpretation have been identified as ongoing challenges. Further, subgroup analyses were frequently criticised because of unreliable or potentially misleading results. More recently, recommendations and guidelines have been provided to improve the reporting of data in this regard.

Methods:

This systematic review was based on a literature search within the digital archives of three selected medical journals, The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet and Circulation. We reviewed articles of randomised clinical trials in the domain of cardiovascular disease which were published in 2015 and 2016. We screened and evaluated the selected articles for the mode of implementation and reporting of subgroup analyses.

Results:

We were able to identify a total of 130 eligible publications of randomised clinical trials. In 89/130 (68%) articles, results of at least one subgroup analysis were presented. This was dependent on the considered journal (p < 0.001), the number of included patients (p < 0.001) and the lack of statistical significance of a trial’s primary analysis (p < 0.001). The number of reported subgroup analyses ranged from 1 to 101 (median = 13). We were able to comprehend the specification time of reported subgroup analyses for 71/89 (80%) articles, with 55/89 (62%) articles presenting exclusively pre-specified analyses. This information was not always traceable on the basis of provided trial protocols and often did not include the pre-definition of cut-off values for the categorization of subgroups. The use of interaction tests was reported in 84/89 (94%) articles, with 36/89 (40%) articles reporting heterogeneity of the treatment effect for at least one primary or secondary trial outcome. Subgroup analyses were reported more frequently for larger randomised clinical trials, and if primary analyses did not reach statistical significance. Information about the implementation of subgroup analyses was reported most consistently for articles from The New England Journal of Medicine, since it was also traceable on the basis of provided trial protocols. We were able to comprehend whether subgroup analyses were pre-specified in a majority of the reviewed publications. Even though results of multiple subgroup analyses were reported for most published trials, a corresponding adjustment for multiple testing was rarely considered.

Conclusion:

Compared to previous reviews in this context, we observed improvements in the reporting of subgroup analyses of cardiovascular randomised clinical trials. Nonetheless, critical shortcomings, such as inconsistent reporting of the implementation and insufficient pre-specification, persist.
How Computational Modeling Can Force Theory Building in Psychological Science
Authors: Guest Olivia , Martin Andrea E.
Published: January 2021

Psychology endeavors to develop theories of human capacities and behaviors on the basis of a variety of methodologies and dependent measures. We argue that one of the most divisive factors in psychological science is whether researchers choose to use computational modeling of theories (over and above data) during the scientific-inference process. Modeling is undervalued yet holds promise for advancing psychological science. The inherent demands of computational modeling guide us toward better science by forcing us to conceptually analyze, specify, and formalize intuitions that otherwise remain unexamined—what we dub open theory. Constraining our inference process through modeling enables us to build explanatory and predictive theories. Here, we present scientific inference in psychology as a path function in which each step shapes the next. Computational modeling can constrain these steps, thus advancing scientific inference over and above the stewardship of experimental practice (e.g., preregistration). If psychology continues to eschew computational modeling, we predict more replicability crises and persistent failure at coherent theory building. This is because without formal modeling we lack open and transparent theorizing. We also explain how to formalize, specify, and implement a computational model, emphasizing that the advantages of modeling can be achieved by anyone with benefit to all.
Outcomes of temporary mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock due to end-stage heart failure
Authors: Lim Hoong Sern , Ranasinghe Aaron , Quinn David , Chue Colin , Mascaro Jorge
Published: January 2021

Background

There are few reports of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) due to end-stage heart failure (ESHF). We evaluated our institutional MCS strategy and compared the outcomes of INTERMACS 1 and 2 patients with CS due to ESHF.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data (November 2014 to July 2019) from a single centre. ESHF was defined by a diagnosis of HF prior to presentation with CS. Other causes of CS (eg: acute myocardial infarction) were excluded. We compared the clinical course, complications and 90-day survival of patients with CS due to ESHF in INTERMACS profile 1 and 2.

Results

We included 60 consecutive patients with CS due to ESHF Differences in baseline characteristics were consistent with the INTERMACS profiles. The duration of MCS was similar between INTERMACS 1 and 2 patients (14 (10–33) vs 15 (7–23) days, p = 0.439). There was no significant difference in the number of patients with complications that required intervention. Compared to INTERMACS 2, INTERMACS 1 patients had more organ dysfunction on support and significant lower 90-day survival (66% vs 34%, p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Our temporary MCS strategy, including earlier intervention in patients with CS due to ESHF at INTERMACS 2 was associated with less organ dysfunction and better 90-day survival compared to INTERMACS 1 patients.
A review of pruritus in pregnancy
Authors: Rudder Meghan , Lefkowitz Emily G , Ruhama Tereda , Firoz Elnaz
Published: January 2021

Pruritus is a common dermatologic complaint during pregnancy. Pruritus is reported by 23–38% of women during pregnancy, and 2% report severe pruritus. In addition to interfering with sleep and reducing overall quality of life during pregnancy, pruritus may be the first, or only, symptom of an underlying disorder that may impact maternal and fetal outcomes. It is therefore critical for all providers caring for pregnant women to be familiar with pregnancy-specific and non-specific conditions associated with pruritus to most effectively manage this unique population. In this review, we discuss clinical classification of pruritus, a practical approach to the differential diagnosis of pruritus in pregnancy, and focus on updates in the clinical features, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of pregnancy-specific causes of pruritus.
Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor tapering in patients with ankylosing spondylitis at low disease activity: factors associated with flare
Authors: Kwon Oh Chan , Park Jung Hwan , Park Min-Chan
Published: January 2021

Background:

To investigate factors associated with flare in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who tapered tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) after achievement of low disease activity (LDA) with the standard dose of TNFis.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included 101 patients with AS who tapered their first TNFis after achievement of LDA. The proportion of reduced versus standard doses of TNFi throughout the follow up in each patient was quantified using the time-averaged dose quotient (DQ). Clinical characteristics were compared between patients who did and did not experience flare after TNFi tapering. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with flare. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the cut-offs of these covariates that best predicted flare.

Results:

Of the total 101 patients, 45 (44.6%) patients experienced flare after TNFi tapering. Compared with patients who did not experience flare, those who experienced flare had a shorter disease duration ( p = 0.006), shorter LDA duration before TNFi tapering ( p < 0.001) and lower time-averaged DQ ( p < 0.001). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, the LDA duration [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 0.944, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.906–0.983, p = 0.006] and time-averaged DQ (adjusted HR: 0.978, 95% CI: 0.959–0.998, p = 0.032) were inversely associated with flare. The cut-off values of the LDA duration and time-averaged DQ that best predicted flares were <5.3 months and <60.6%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Shorter LDA duration (cut-off value: 5.3 months) and lower time-averaged DQ (cut-off value: 60.6%) were associated with a higher risk of flare after tapering TNFi.
Spinal cord infarction in a 41-year-old male patient with COVID-19
Authors: Eissa Mamdouh , Abdelhady Mohamed , Alqatami Hosam , Salem Khaled , Own Ahmed , El Beltagi Ahmed H
Published: January 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, became rapidly recognised by variable phonotypic expressions that involve most major body organs. Neurological complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease are increasingly encountered in patients with COVID-19 infection, more frequently in patients with severe infection, and develop as a consequence of the neurotropic potential of this virus, secondary cytokine storm and acquired syndrome of COVID-19 coagulopathy. Spinal cord involvement after COVID-19 more commonly includes infectious transverse myelitis, para and post infection myelopathy and, rarely, spinal cord ischaemia related to increased coagulopathy with thromboembolic consequences. We herein report a COVID-19-positive patient with increased coagulopathy and vertebral artery thrombosis leading to posterior circulation and subsequent spinal cord infarction.
Detection of influenza virus in rectal swabs of patients admitted in hospital for febrile illnesses in Thailand
Authors: Sangkakam Artit , Hemachudha Pasin , Saraya Abhinbhen W , Thaweethee-Sukjai Benjamard , Cheun-Arom Thaniwan , Latinne Alice , Olival Kevin J , Wacharapluesadee Supaporn
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Influenza virus favours the respiratory tract as its primary site of host entry and replication, and it is transmitted mainly via respiratory secretions. Nasopharyngeal swab is the gold standard specimen type for influenza detection, but several studies have also suggested that the virus replicates in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted on all patients positive for influenza virus and initially recruited as part of the PREDICT project from 2017 to 2018. The objectives of the study were to investigate whether rectal swab could aid in improving influenza detection, and if there was any correlation between gastrointestinal disturbances and severity of infection, using length of hospital stay as an indicator of severity.

Results:

Of the 51 influenza-positive patients, 12 had detectable influenza virus in their rectal swab. Among these 12 rectal swab positive patients, influenza virus was not detected in the nasopharyngeal swab of three of them. Gastrointestinal symptoms were observed for 28.2% patients with a negative rectal swab negative and 25.0% patients with a positive rectal swab. Average length of hospital stay was 4.2 days for rectal swab positive group and 3.7 days for rectal swab negative group. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.288).

Conclusions:

There is no correlation between influenza virus detection in rectal swab and gastrointestinal disturbances or disease severity, and there is currently insufficient evidence to support replicative ability in the gastrointestinal tract.
A Physical Activity Intervention Feasibility Study for Kidney Inpatients: A Basic Research Protocol
Authors: Wytsma-Fisher Kathryn , Mustata Stefan , Cowan Theresa , Ester Manuel , Culos-Reed S. Nicole
Published: January 2021

Background:

Low physical activity levels and poor physical functioning are strongly associated with poor clinical outcomes and mortality in adult kidney failure patients, regardless of treatment modality. Compared with the general population, individuals with chronic kidney disease are physically inactive, have reduced physical abilities and difficulties performing routine daily tasks, lower health-related quality of life, and higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, frail kidney failure patients have higher hospitalization and mortality rates as compared with other kidney failure patients. Evidence suggests that assessment and recommendations for physical activity should be part of standard care for kidney failure patients. Structured exercise can improve physical function and quality of life in frail older adults and may be used specifically for management of frailty in kidney failure. However, research is needed to determine best practices for implementation of physical function measurements and physical activity promotion in standard kidney failure care.

Objective:

The proposed Move More study will assess the feasibility of a physical activity intervention offered to the kidney failure inpatients in Calgary, Alberta. Specifically, this study is designed to examine the effects of an early physical activity/mobility intervention led by a kinesiologist, and supported by the clinical care team including physiotherapists (PT) and nurse clinicians.

Methods:

The Move More study is a single-arm pilot intervention examining feasibility and optimal improvement in real-world conditions. Kidney failure inpatients at the Foothills Medical Centre will be recruited to participate. Patients will receive an individualized in-hospital physical activity/mobility intervention. Frailty and physical function will be assessed at baseline and postintervention prior to hospital discharge. The goal is to recruit 24 to 36 patients.

Conclusions:

Evidence needed to support the inclusion of mobility and physical activity as part of standard care will be gathered, with knowledge gained used to help direct future physical activity programming for kidney failure inpatients.
Participatory: Stakeholder’s Engagement Toward Dengue Control Techniques in Klang Valley, Malaysia
Authors: Arham Ahmad Firdhaus , Amin Latifah , Razman Muhammad Rizal , Mahadi Zurina , Rusly Noor Sharizad , Mazlan Nur-Fadhilah , Sage Edison Eukun , Muslim Nurliza Haslin
Published: January 2021

Dengue is the main health problem in Malaysia. One of the main causes of dengue is the lack of participation in combating dengue. To improve participation, stakeholder’s engagement is considered the best solution which promotes an effective way of forming good governance. Engagement involves a level of knowledge, awareness, and understanding through past intended behavior. The objective of this study is to assess and compare the level of engagement of stakeholders toward dengue control techniques. A survey was conducted on 399 stakeholders who were selected randomly in the Klang Valley region, Malaysia. Result of the study showed that the stakeholders have a moderate level of engagement on dengue control techniques. The scientists seemed (a) more knowledgeable (4.81) than the public (4.68), (b) more aware (4.80) than the public (4.55), and (c) more intended behavior (4.31) than the public (4.11) to behave accordingly in supporting the implementation of these techniques. This study also identified the level of engagement factor across gender, religion, education level, and age were moderate which were translated to a moderately attached in dengue control techniques. However, one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) initially detected no significant differences across demographic factors except religion on stakeholder’s engagement. Therefore, these findings will serve as a benchmark to evaluate stakeholder’s engagement to understand their participation in the implementation of dengue control techniques. Good participation promotes good governance in sustaining healthy life without dengue.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Business Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Authors: Mahmud Appel , Ding Donghong , Hasan Md. Morshadul
Published: January 2021

The global health, economic, and social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are growing day by day. Over the past few months, first China, and now the whole world has been grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in businesses, employees, customers, communities, and each other. The people worldwide are strongly committed to working together and supporting each other in every way possible during this critical period filled with fear and uncertainty. Grounded on stakeholder theory and corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature, the study attempts to explore business responses to the COVID-19 pandemic to support its vital stakeholders such as employees, customers, communities, and society as a whole through CSR initiatives. The study based on the contemporary phenomenon considered multi-items as data sources such as press releases, newsletters, and letters to shareholders, which were retrieved from the top 25 (the sample) corporations of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens-2019 (the population) in the United States’ respective websites on the internet. The outcomes of this research report that sampled companies show respect to their employees and focus on stewardship relations between corporations and customers and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will have a significant theoretical application and practical implication on business duty to society and future research on CSR as a strong arm to deal with a critical disaster like the COVID-19 pandemic.
How College Makes Liberals (or Conservatives)
Authors: Rauf Tamkinat
Published: January 2021

The author examines the role of affiliation networks in shaping the political identities of students in college, using panel survey data from a case study of a predominantly liberal institution, tracking students’ political identities and affiliation memberships throughout the course of college. Although there was some self-selection into politically homophilous student organizations and majors, the extent of political sorting was relatively low, which resulted in considerable political heterogeneity in the affiliation networks. During the course of college, students’ political identities shifted in both liberal and conservative directions. Results from hierarchical multinomial logistic regressions suggest that identity transitions were driven by both the political composition of peer networks and influences outside the educational institution, such as family and prior socialization. This research underscores the importance of considering network stratification and individual contexts for understanding heterogeneous influences of seemingly uniform institutional settings.
Exculpating Injustice: Coroner Constructions of White Innocence in the Postbellum South
Authors: Gaby Sarah , Cunningham David , Lee Hedwig , Ward Geoff , Jackson Ashley N.
Published: January 2021

Research notes the broad complicity of white public officials in historical racial violence and repression. These discussions emphasize the role of criminal justice actors in perpetrating and enabling this repression. Extending this assessment, the authors examine coroners’ facilitation of white racial dominance through administrative performances constructing white innocence. Using cases from post-Emancipation South Carolina, the authors document race-related patterns of exculpatory effort, through the omission and curation of evidence amid the post-Reconstruction rise of white supremacist redemption. The authors theorize that these exculpatory efforts helped sustain an ideology of white innocence and institutional legitimacy by constructing a white “law-abiding” public. The authors argue that such coroner misconduct not only degrades the rule of law but has broader implications, including its corruption of the corpus of mortality and crime data. Finally, the authors suggest that these administrative performances persist in present-day coroner reporting, including in the exculpation of racist police violence.