bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working on Chinese male carers’ ‘Qing’ in a social work group with an innovative approach – ‘Emoto’
Authors: So Cathy So-Chi , Lo Kai-Chung , Cheung Johnson Chun-Sing
Published: September 2021

This article presents a one-year ‘Emoto’ project for male carers. In this project, photography is used as an intervention tool to work with this underrepresented group. Photos taken by voluntary photographers according to various ‘Qing’ (primary emotion) themes were used as the prominent means of communication. These photos encouraged male carers using nonverbal media to assist the expression of untold thoughts and unrecognized feelings. Besides responding to the growing psychological hardship of male carers in the community, the project aimed at informing practitioners and the general public about male carers’ needs.
Primary Purpose for Committing a Crime and Past-30 Day Opioid Misuse: A Statewide Sample of Justice-Involved Children
Authors: Shaw Dylan J. , Johnson Micah E.
Published: September 2021

The prevalence of opioid misuse (OM) among justice-involved children (JIC) is significantly higher than children in the general population, yet little research has examined the predictors of OM among JIC. Goldstein’s “economic compulsive model” hypothesizes that JIC who commit crimes for material gain will have a higher likelihood of meeting past-30 day (P30D) OM criteria. The data in this study were cross-sectional and represented 79,960 Florida JIC. To test the hypothesis, logistic regression analyses were utilized. Over 2000 JIC (2.67%) met P30D OM criteria and JIC who committed crimes for material gain were 2.55 times as likely to meet P30D OM criteria. Findings indicate that children may be incarcerated due to an inability to afford their addiction, contributing to the criminalization of mental health. JIC could benefit from the increased utilization of drug courts and the implementation of a cascade of care model.
Radiant catalytic ionization improves the microbiological status of rodent facilities without affecting the prooxidative status of mice
Authors: Niemiec Tomasz , Skowron Krzysztof , Świderek Wiesław , Kwiecińska-Piróg Joanna , Gryń Grzegorz , Fiszdon Katarzyna , Łozicki Andrzej , Zglińska Klara , Kosieradzka Iwona , Koczoń Piotr
Published: September 2021

The main microbial contaminants of rooms in which laboratory rodents are housed are bacteria and fungi. Restriction of microbial growth to below threshold levels requires the application of various sophisticated antimicrobial techniques that must be effective and safe for the animals. Some of the most commonly used techniques, including chemical disinfection, ventilation, filtration, sterilization and radiation, are not always sufficiently effective. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a modern technique (i.e. radiant catalytic ionization (RCI)) on the microbiological status of an animal care facility, and the health of the mice housed therein. The experiment, conducted over seven days, compared an experimental room with an RCI system permanently turned on with a negative control room. At the completion of the experiment, the number of bacteria in the RCI room air and on its walls was lower than that in the control room ( p < 0.01 in both cases). Values of the basic prooxidative parameter, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration, in tissues of mice from the RCI room were within allowed boundaries. Hence, application of an RCI system proved to be an ideal technique to ensure high hygienic standards in animal rooms without any adverse effects on the animals housed therein.
Changes in Relationships in Bereaved Families: Perspectives of Mothers Who Lost a Child to Cancer
Authors: Kim Min Ah , Sang Jina , Yi Jaehee , Sung Jimin , Howey Whitney
Published: September 2021

The loss of a child greatly affects the dynamics of interpersonal relationships in bereaved families. This study explored the relationships in bereaved Korean families from the perspectives of mothers after the death of a child due to cancer. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 bereaved mothers of a deceased child with childhood cancer. Thematic analysis identified 12 subthemes related to bereaved mothers’ struggles in grief within three significant themes based on family relationships: (a) relationship with husband; (b) relationship with surviving child or children; and (c) relationships with extended family members. Findings highlight bereaved mothers’ need to build supportive family relationships while acknowledging bereaved family members’ different grieving styles and their own challenges in grieving the loss of a child.
Lost in transition: The effects of transitioning between firearms and electronic control devices (ECDs) on perception-response times (PRTs)
Authors: Taylor Paul L , Sipe Paul , Bartel Lon
Published: September 2021

The research described in this article tested the perception-response times for experienced police officers to transition from a firearm to a TASER and from a TASER to a firearm. The theoretical models and police training on use of force have largely ignored the temporal space between force modalities. Escalating through force modalities has by default been treated as equivalent, in task and timing, to deescalating through force modalities. This study employed a randomized controlled experiment using a police firearms training simulator and 139 active law enforcement officers. The average perception-response time for transition from a TASER to a firearm was 2.49 seconds for experienced police officers in response to an anticipated visual stimulus in a laboratory setting. The average perception-response time for transition from a firearm to a TASER was 4.7 seconds for experienced police officers in a response to an anticipated visual stimulus in a laboratory setting. 70% of the officers that participated in the study had never participated in department training that required them to transition between a firearm and a TASER. The findings demonstrate that moving from TASER to firearm and from firearm to TASER are not equivalent tasks. In the case of firearms and TASERs, it is significantly faster to move up the force continuum—from TASER to firearm—than it is to move down the force continuum. This research has implications for police training, tactics, policy, research, and post hoc investigations involving the use or potential use of force.
Bread or Roses: How Economic Inequality Affects Regime Support in China?
Authors: Huang Xian , Zuo Cai
Published: September 2021

Much comparative politics scholarship has examined whether economic inequality affects democratic values or political support in democracies. Nevertheless, they lack a close examination of the political effects of economic inequality and, more importantly, how economic inequality shapes political support in non-democracies. We provide an empirical test of the effect of economic inequality on regime support using the China data from the Asian Barometer Survey between 2002 and 2015. We argue and demonstrate that perceived economic inequality significantly reduces regime support in China. Moreover, using a causal mediation analysis, we find that the detrimental effect of perceived economic inequality on regime support is not driven by demands for redistribution, but rather by the political value orientation. These findings advance our understanding of the connection between economic inequality and political values and the economic base of political legitimacy in non-democracies.
Color prediction model for hybrid multifilament fabric
Authors: Wang Yujuan , Li Wengang , Wang Jun
Published: September 2021

In order to facilitate the design of a hybrid filament before spinning, a k-m (Kubelka-Munk) iteration model was proposed, which was based on the calculation method for reflectance of a translucent object and needed to be used in conjunction with a fabric model that can reflect the arrangement order of monofilaments. Therefore, the model can not only calculate the color of each point on the fabric surface, but also the mixed color of the fabric. Twenty fabrics with five different blending ratios of black monofilaments and white monofilaments, four multifilament fineness and three fabric weave types were woven. The relationship between the gray distribution of all points on the fabric surface captured by the camera in a DigiEye colorimeter and calculated by the k-m iteration model was analyzed, and the color difference between the mixed color of the fabric tested by the Datacolor spectrophotometer and that calculated by the k-m iteration model was calculated. The results show that the intersection distance and Pearson correlation coefficient between the gray histogram of the photographed fabric image and that of the calculated fabric image were 0.79 and 0.89, respectively. The average color difference obtained by the k-m iteration model was 0.92 Color Measurement Committee (2:1) units, which was best compared with the calculation results of other models. By discussing the fabric structure parameters causing the lightness difference, it was concluded that the calculated lightness was smaller than the measured lightness difference for fabric with a longer float length, smaller multifilament fineness and a larger black monofilament blending ratio.
Does Storage Time Affect the Outcomes of Split Corneal Transplantation to Reduce Corneal Donor Shortage? A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kandemir Baran , Tutaş Günaydın Nesrin , Göktaş Eren , Tanyıldız Burak
Published: September 2021

Split cornea transplantation can reduce the shortage of donor corneas. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of split graft storage time on the outcomes of split corneal transplantation through Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) surgeries. Split corneal transplantation was performed in 80 eyes using 41 donor corneas. The mean before and after splitting storage times and total storage times were recorded. Donor corneal buttons and split grafts were stored in short-term solution at 4°C. In both surgeries (DMEK and DALK), donor corneas were divided into groups depending on their storage times. Mean postoperative 12th month best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), endothelial cell loss (ECL), central corneal thickness (CCT), refractive spherical equivalent (RSE), refractive astigmatism, and complication rates were compared among the groups. Correlation between storage times and 1-year BCVA, ECL, and complication rates were assessed. Clinical outcomes of the groups 1 year after the surgeries were also compared. DALK and DMEK were performed in 41 and 39 eyes, respectively. Storage times were not correlated with 1-year DMEK outcomes and only weakly correlated with post-DALK ECD, ECL, and RSE values. Except for CCT in those that underwent DALK, the outcomes of DMEK and DALK surgeries with stored and non-stored split grafts were not significantly different ( P = .02). The storage times of donor corneas and split grafts do not have any impact on outcomes.
Kurdish liberty
Authors: Dockstader Jason , Mûkrîyan Rojîn
Published: September 2021

Most politically minded Kurds agree that their people need liberty. Moreover, they agree they need liberation from the domination they suffer from the four states that divide them: Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. What is less certain is the precise nature of this liberty. A key debate that characterizes Kurdish political discourse is over whether the liberty they seek requires the existence of an independent Kurdish nation-state. Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed intellectual leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has argued that Kurdish liberty can only be achieved through liberation from the nation-state model itself. Instead of founding an independent Kurdistan, Öcalan proposes regional autonomy for the Kurds through a strictly egalitarian and directly democratic confederalism reminiscent of Murray Bookchin’s anarchist-inspired libertarian municipalism. We argue, in response to Öcalan’s approach, that employing an anarchist rejection of the state is largely mistaken. We diagnose certain historical and conceptual problems with the anarchist understanding of the state and develop the admission made in passing by certain anarchists, including Öcalan, that anarchist liberty could only be achieved after a long period of statist existence. Mostly counter to the anarchist model of non-domination, we propose a republican model of liberty and liberation, also as non-domination, that necessitates the formation of an independent state, at least in this historical period, for Kurds and hence any dominated people to count as truly free. We conclude by attempting to combine certain elements of the anarchist and republican conceptions and offer a synthetic communitarian view that could serve as a better foundation for Kurdish aspirations for liberty.
On the Wrongness of Lies
Authors: Sunstein Cass R.
Published: September 2021

Why are lies wrong? The Kantian answer sees lies as a close cousin to coercion; they are a violation of individual autonomy and a demonstration of contempt. By contrast, the utilitarian answer is that lies are likely to lead to terrible consequences, sometimes because they obliterate trust, sometime because they substitute the liar’s will for that of the chooser, who has much better information about the chooser’s welfare than does the liar. The utilitarian objection to paternalistic lies is akin to the utilitarian embrace of Mill’s Harm Principle. It is possible to see the Kantian view as a kind of moral heuristic, welcome on utilitarian grounds. The Kantian and utilitarian objections to lying have implications for the family, the workplace, advertising, commerce, and politics, and also for constitutional law.
“Political disobedience and the climate emergency”
Authors: Scheuerman William E.
Published: September 2021

Climate activists have recently engaged in widely publicized acts of politically motivated lawbreaking. This article identifies and critically analyzes two seemingly overlapping but in fact diverging approaches among present-day activists. Though their illegal acts (e.g., blockades, occupations, and selective property damage) sometimes appear equivalent, the rival approaches place them in contrasting lights; the resulting differences are normatively and politically consequential. The first and now predominant approach favors nonviolent civil disobedience, understood in conventional terms as civil, conscientious, nonviolent, public lawbreaking. Though this approach exhibits many strengths, its proponents sometimes rely on problematic usages of recent political science scholarship that cannot withstand critical scrutiny. The second approach views nonviolent civil disobedience as insufficiently militant and instead aims primarily to block and disrupt our fossil fuel-driven political economy. Its preferred mode of political illegality is sabotage. Less concerned than the first approach with altering public opinion, it generally writes off the prospect of meaningful political reform. Though both approaches rely on the idea of a “climate emergency” to justify their activities, the second approach provides a vivid warning of its possible dangers. Although the momentous threats posed by global warming are undeniable, the idea of a climate emergency risks opening the door to political avant-gardism and, potentially, authoritarianism.
Oedipal fragments: Reconsidering the significance of Oedipus for James Bernauer and Michel Foucault
Authors: McCall Corey
Published: September 2021

This essay reconstructs James Bernauer’s reading of Foucault’s critique of psychoanalysis in his essay “Oedipus, Freud, Foucault” in order to assess the role that Foucault’s critique of psychoanalysis and his reading of Oedipus play in Bernauer’s account of Foucault’s ethics. Along the way, it traces a shift in Foucault’s reading of Oedipus in terms of power and knowledge in Lectures on the Will to Know to rituals of truth or alethurgy in On the Government of the Living. Finally, based on this reading it argues that this shift is relevant for understanding Foucault’s turn toward ethics and practices of the self in his final writings.
Aporias of Ecological Thought
Authors: Tynan Aidan
Published: September 2021

Debates in ecological social theory are characterised by dualisms of nature and society. The author proposes the notion of ‘ecological aporias’ to account for these dualisms, focusing on three landmark examples of ecological thought over the past four decades from Niklas Luhmann, Bruno Latour and Jason W. Moore. He shows the persistence in this work of paradoxes and intractable contradictions revolving around the nature/society dualism. Rather than trying to dissolve these ecological aporias, he draws on recent work in eco-deconstruction to suggest that the ecological is itself an aporetic category and that this enables a new perspective for political ecology in an age of climate crisis. Rejecting Latour’s identification of political ecology with the politics of dwelling, he argues that climate change demands we recognise forms of life irreducible to the ontological security on which the concept of the ecological has long been based.
Affection deprivation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A panel study
Authors: Hesse Colin , Mikkelson Alan , Tian Xi
Published: September 2021

This study examined the longer-term effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on relational communication and mental health. Specifically, the study used the theoretic premises of Affection Exchange Theory (AET: Floyd, 2006 ) to hypothesize connections between affection deprivation and several indices of mental health, including loneliness and depression. The study used a panel design to recruit participants at different time points during the COVID-19 lockdowns. We employed growth modeling to examine how affection deprivation influenced mental health outcomes over time. As predicted, affection deprivation was associated with stress, loneliness, and depression. Contrary to our hypotheses, affection deprivation was not associated with life satisfaction and happiness. In addition, the results showed that sex moderated the relationship between affection deprivation and depression. These findings are discussed in detail, including both theoretical and practical implications as well as directions for future research.
Pay incentives, human capital and firm innovation in smaller firms
Authors: Salimi Meysam , Della Torre Edoardo
Published: September 2021

This study advances the literature on human resource management in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by analysing how individual and collective forms of performance-related pay (PRP) influence SMEs’ propensity for product and process innovation and how such influence varies depending on the firm’s level of human capital. We used the microdata of more than 12,000 European SMEs, controlled for endogeneity, and found that both individual (i.e. piece rate and commissions) and collective (i.e. group-bonus and profit-sharing) PRP are positively associated with higher levels of firm innovation. Interestingly, when both individual and collective PRP schemes are adopted, their association with firm innovation is significant but negative, indicating that the adoption of multiple pay incentives may be detrimental to SMEs’ innovation. Moreover, our results revealed that the effect of individual PRP on innovation is stronger in SMEs with high levels of human capital, whereas the effect of collective PRP is stronger in SMEs with low levels of human capital.
Conceptualizing and Measuring Biracial/Multiracial/Multiethnic Status: Friendship Homophily in Early Adolescence
Authors: Nishina Adrienne , Witkow Melissa R.
Published: September 2021

This special issue highlights biracial/multiracial/multiethnic early adolescents as a fast-growing demographic warranting greater inclusion in developmental research. We address several likely barriers to inclusion related to the conceptualization and measurement of biracial/multiracial/multiethnic status and offer recommendations for including Multiracial youth that are informed by the research questions of interest. With a diverse sample of 610 early adolescents (11% Multiracial), we explore Multiracial youths’ racial/ethnic homophily in their best friendship. Multiracial youth were less likely to perceive a racial/ethnic match and less likely to objectively match (i.e., their best friend also self-reported being multiracial) compared to their monoracial counterparts. Multiracial youth perceived a racial/ethnic match with their best friend when they and their best friend both reported the exact same monoracial backgrounds. They were less likely to perceive a match when there was only a partial (i.e., one background overlapped) or no objective match. Practical recommendations are provided for future research.
Designing a trial of early electrical stimulation to the stroke-affected arm: Qualitative findings on the barriers and facilitators
Authors: Walker Dawn-Marie , Fletcher-Smith Joanna , Sprigg Nikola , Pandyan Anand
Published: September 2021

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing early therapeutic electrical stimulation (ES) treatment from both the patient and therapist perspectives as part of a feasibility study.

Methods

Design: Interviews were conducted with patients and their carers and focus groups with the therapists post-intervention period. Setting: Interviews were in the patient’s homes and for the focus groups in a specialist stroke unit in Nottinghamshire. Subjects: Fifteen patient participants (34% of sample) were interviewed (intervention n = 9; control group n = 3; carers n = 3). Sixteen therapists (9 occupational therapists; 7 physiotherapists) took part in the three focus groups. Intervention: Participants were randomized to receive usual care or usual care and ES to wrist flexors and extensors for 30 min, twice a day, 5 days a week for 3 months. Findings: The barriers to ES treatment cited by the therapists outweighed the barriers mentioned by patients. Therapists’ barriers included lack of confidence and staff knowledge regarding ES and time pressures of delivering the ES. No patients mentioned time as a barrier and considered the treatment regime to be acceptable; however, lack of staff support was mentioned 14 times by them. Conclusion: Although initially the perceived barrier for therapists was time restrictions, after analysing the data, it appears that confidence/knowledge is the real barrier, and time is the manifestation of this underlying self-doubt. Patients were able to confidently self-manage treatment, and although efficacy was not measured, patients volunteered information regarding its perceived benefit, and no adverse effects were reported.
The relationship between upper limb function and activities of daily living without the effects of lower limb function: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yamamoto Haruka , Takeda Kazuya , Koyama Soichiro , Morishima Keisuke , Hirakawa Yuichi , Motoya Ikuo , Sakurai Hiroaki , Kanada Yoshikiyo , Kawamura Nobutoshi , Kawamura Mami , Tanabe Shigeo
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Upper limb motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) are related in chronic stroke patients. This study investigated this relationship after removal of the influence of motor function of the affected lower limb, which until now has remained unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 53 patients with chronic stroke. Upper and lower limb motor function and ADL were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer assessment of the upper (FMA-UL) and lower limbs (FMA-LL) and functional independence measure motor score (FIM-M). To clarify the relationship between FMA-UL and total FIM-M before and after removal of the influence of FMA-LL, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and partial correlation analysis were used. The relationship between FMA-UL and each item of FIM-M after removal of the influence of FMA-LL was assessed using partial correlation analysis.

Results

Before the influence of FMA-LL was removed, FMA-UL was moderately to well correlated with total FIM-M. This became weak after the influence was removed. Regarding each item of FIM-M, FMA-UL was correlated with dressing (upper body), toileting, and walking or wheelchair after removal of the influence.

Conclusion

The relationship between upper limb motor function and ADL is strongly influenced by lower limb motor function.
JPP&M's Global Perspective and Impact: An Agenda for Research on Marketing and Public Policy
Authors: Shultz Clifford , Hoek Janet , Lee Leonard , Leong Wai Yan , Srinivasan Raji , Viswanathan Madhu , Wertenbroch Klaus
Published: September 2021

For several decades, the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing ( JPP&M) has stimulated and led debates with far-reaching implications for consumer well-being, global relationships, and, ultimately, human survival. The challenges we face have not disappeared but intensified. Today, we must respond to climate change, manage a global pandemic, and address disparities and inequities that threaten our planet in ways we are yet to comprehend fully. However, the JPP&M community remains well placed to inform responses to these crises. This article draws together perspectives on new and long-standing questions and challenges, as it highlights the increasing urgency of addressing inequities and embedding sustainability at the heart of policy making. Although progress addressing these complex questions often has been slow, the authors also identify compelling opportunities in the form of sound policies and good marketing and consumption practices in response to health crises, environmental degradation, injustice, automation, violence, and war. The transformational benefits following constructive engagement offer hope that, even when faced with unprecedented challenges, human resilience and ingenuity can create meaningful responses. As the authors address chronic and novel problems, they are confident that JPP&M's community of researchers, policy makers, and advocates will continue to bring innovation, insight, and rigor and play a leading role in discovering solutions, locally and globally.
3-methyadenine inhibits lipopolysaccharides-induced pulmonary inflammation at the early stage of silicosis via blocking NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Yujing , Huang Shuai , Tan Shiyi , Chen Mingke , Yang Shang , Chen Shi
Published: September 2021

Occupational exposure to silica dust is related to pulmonary inflammation and silicosis. Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) could aggravate apoptosis in alveolar macrophages (AMs) of human silicosis through autophagy, yet how the reduction of autophagy attenuated LPS-induced lung injury and the related mechanisms need to be investigated. In the study, we aim to understand the role of 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an inhibitor of autophagy, in LPS-mediated inflammatory responses and fibrosis. We collected AMs from observers/silicosis patients. The results showed that LPS induced NF-κB-related pulmonary inflammation in observers and silicosis patients, as confirmed by an increase in the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and p65, which could be inhibited by 3-MA treatment. In mice models, at the early stage (7d) of silicosis, but not the late (28d) stage, blocking autophagy reversed the increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and p65 caused by LPS. Mechanism study revealed that LPS triggered the expression of LC3 II, p62, and cleaved caspase-3 at the early stage exposed to silica, which could be restored by 3-MA, while there was no difference in the expression of LAMP1 either at the early or late stage of silicosis in different groups. Similarly, 3-MA treatment did not prevent fibrosis characterized by destroyed alveoli, collagen deposition, and increased expression of α-SMA and Col-1 induced by LPS at the late stage of silicosis. The results suggested that 3-MA has a role in the protection of lung injury at the early stage of silicosis and provided an experimental basis for preventive strategies of pulmonary inflammation and silicosis.
Dining On Call: Outcomes of a hospital patient dining model
Authors: Abou El Hassan Dahlia , Lewis Rebecca , Howe Nicole , Vlietstra Emily
Published: September 2021

Dining On Call (DOC) is a hospital foodservice model allowing patients to order meals any time throughout the day and is delivered within 45 minutes of the order. It is positively correlated with patient satisfaction, improvements in malnutrition, and reducing costs. Pre- and post-DOC data were collected from BC Children’s Hospital, BC Women’s Hospital, and North York General Hospital (NYGH) using patient satisfaction surveys and tray waste audits to measure outcomes. Patient satisfaction scores increased at all hospitals. BC Children’s and Women’s hospitals demonstrated reductions in tray waste, food cost/meal/day, and labour cost/meal/day post-DOC. North York General Hospital observed decreases in tray waste; however, food cost/meal/day and labour cost/meal/day increased post-DOC. This research provides convincing evidence into the achievable benefits associated with DOC on mother and paediatric units in hospital settings. DOC may prove to be an effective dining model for hospitals seeking to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall costs.
24-h Glycaemic profiles in peritoneal dialysis patients and non-dialysis controls with advanced kidney disease
Authors: Williams Jennifer , Gilchrist Mark , Strain William David , Fraser Donald , Shore Angela
Published: September 2021

Background:

For patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), the deleterious effects of high concentrations of dialysate glucose on the peritoneal membrane are well-documented. Systemic effects of peritoneally absorbed glucose are more poorly defined. Using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), we aimed to describe 24-h glycaemic profiles of PD patients without diabetes and compare with non-dialysis controls with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5).

Methods:

In this cross-sectional, case-control study, 15 patients on PD (9 automated PD (APD) and 6 continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD)) and 16 CKD-5 controls underwent 72 h of CGM and metabolic profiling. CGM was used to derive average glucose concentrations and within-participant standard deviation (SD) of glucose. Data were analysed for the whole 72-h monitoring period and as daytime (09.00 to 21.00) and night-time (21.00 to 09.00).

Results:

Average glucose concentrations and within-participant SD of glucose for the whole monitoring period were not different between the three groups ( p ≥ 0.5). Daytime average glucose concentrations were also similar across the three groups ( p = 0.729). APD was associated with a significantly higher nocturnal glucose than CAPD (5.25 mmol/L ± 0.65 vs. 4.28 ± 0.5, p = 0.026). A significant drop in nocturnal glucose compared with daytime average seen in both CAPD patients and controls was absent in APD patients.

Conclusions:

Systematically different glycaemic patterns were observed in non-diabetic APD and CAPD patients, including an absence of physiological nocturnal glucose dipping in patients on APD. Comprehensive CGM data sets highlight subtleties not appreciated by traditional metabolic biomarkers; this has implications when choosing the most appropriate outcome measures in future research addressing the metabolic impact of PD.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Anti-Xa Guided Reversal of Apixaban With Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in a Patient on Hemodialysis
Authors: Brummett Christina M. , Dingman James S. , Philip George J. , Moran David A. , Gilbert Brian W.
Published: September 2021

The growing use of oral factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly the recent increased use of apixaban in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), has created a new dilemma in the already controversial topic of oral FXa inhibitor reversal. With the limited availability of anti-Xa levels specific to oral FXa inhibitors and even scarcer availability of reversal data for patients on these agents with ESRD, ensuring adequate reversal is currently often solely guided by repeat imaging and changes in clinical status. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) anti-Xa levels have been used as a more commonly accessible test to guide the need for and efficacy of reversal of oral FXa inhibitors in patients with normal renal function. However, evidence supporting this technique is again lacking in patients with renal dysfunction. This case report focuses on the use of LMWH anti-Xa levels to guide reversal of apixaban in a patient with ESRD on hemodialysis and correlation of those levels to the patient’s clinical status.
Contact characteristics of steel-rubber rollers based on modified contact theory considering viscoelasticity
Authors: Chu Hongyan , Yu Qiang , Zhang Caixia , Chen Qi , Ding Ruilong , Hong Yingjie
Published: September 2021

This paper mainly studied the contact characteristics of steel-rubber rollers. First, according to the dynamic mechanical experimental data of rubber, the hyperelastic-viscoelastic composite constitutive model was constructed to accurately describe the properties of rubber. Then, for the contact problem of steel-rubber rollers, the elastic modulus of rubber presents an instantaneous change due to the influence of rubber's viscoelasticity, so the Hertz contact theory was modified through the instantaneous elastic modulus. Next, a dimensionless parameter [Formula: see text] was constructed to judge the viscoelastic influence degree of rubber. Finally, based on modified contact theory and the dimensionless parameter [Formula: see text], the influence of compressive force and rolling speed on the contact characteristics of steel-rubber rollers was analyzed. The research in this paper is helpful to the analysis of dynamic contact problem of rollers structure and the development of contact theory.
Human immunodeficiency virus funding and access to treatment in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Granich Reuben , Gupta Somya , Williams Brian
Published: September 2021

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment prevents illness, death, and transmission. The 90-90-90 disease control target is only 73% of people living with HIV virally suppressed. For 2010 to 2019, we abstracted HIV funding data for 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (70% of global HIV burden and >99% of HIV burden in the region in 2018). During 2010–2019, there was ∼$52 billion funding for 40 countries (99% Africa HIV burden). Domestic funding ranged from $0 to $3.2 billion. PEPFAR funding was $32 billion (average $1.4 billion; range $0.089–4.3 billion) among 22 countries. Global Fund averaged $306 million ($1.9 million to $1.1 billion) for 40 countries. Among PLHIV, known HIV status averaged 80% (11% to 94%). ART coverage averaged 64% (9% to 90%). Viral suppression among PLHIV ranged from 8% to 87%. Of the 40 countries, 21 reported under 60% of PLHIV to be on treatment and 13 did not report viral suppression for 2018. Achieving 90-90-90 is feasible in challenging settings if resources are used efficiently. Despite the significant investment in the HIV response, many countries have not reached the 90-90-90 target. Greater attention to efficiency and prioritizing important targets will be required to end AIDS in Africa.
Countering the rise of syphilis: A role for doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis?
Authors: Tran Nguyen K , Goldstein Neal D , Welles Seth L
Published: September 2021

Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) holds the potential to mitigate increasing rates of syphilis among sexual minority men (SMM) in the US yet has received limited attention. Since evaluation of this intervention in actual populations is not currently feasible, we used agent-based models (ABM) to assess the population-level impact of this strategy. We adapted ABM of HIV and HPV transmission, representing a population of 10,230 SMM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. Parameter inputs were derived from the literature, and ABM outputs during the pre-intervention period were calibrated to local surveillance data. Intervention scenarios varied doxycycline uptake by 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%, while assuming continued condom use and syphilis screening and treatment. Under each intervention scenario, we incorporated treatment adherence at the following levels: 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%. Long-term population impact of prophylactic doxycycline was measured using the cumulative incidence over the 10-year period and the percentage of infections prevented attributable to doxycycline at year 10. An uptake scenario of 20% with an adherence level of 80% would reduce the cumulative incidence of infections by 10% over the next decade, translating to 57 fewer cases per 1000 SMM. At year 10, under the same uptake and adherence level, 22% of infections would be prevented due to doxycycline PEP in the instances where condoms were not used or failed. Findings suggest that doxycycline PEP will have a modest impact on syphilis incidence when assuming a reasonable level of uptake and adherence. Doxycycline PEP may be most appropriate as a secondary prevention measure to condoms and enhanced syphilis screening for reducing infections among SMM.
High prevalence of rectal chlamydia among pregnant adolescents in La Romana, Dominican Republic warrants extragenital STI testing
Authors: Bancalari Pilar , Nicholas Catherine , Halpern Mina , Stonbraker Samantha , Taylor Barbara , Soriano Leidy , Ljubicic Dana , Amesty Silvia
Published: September 2021

To our knowledge, there are no studies estimating the prevalence of extragenital sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant adolescents in the Caribbean. This study sought to fill this gap by assessing the prevalence and correlates of oral, genital, and rectal chlamydia (CT) among a sample of pregnant adolescents in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Two hundred pregnant youths, aged 15–24 years, were recruited by systematic sampling during their first prenatal visit to a maternal care unit. A sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaire was administered and urine and oral/anal swabs were collected and tested for CT. Descriptive analyses and Fisher’s exact tests were performed. The prevalence of oral, genital, and rectal CT was 6%, 15%, and 23%, respectively, although less than 5% of participants reported ever engaging in receptive anal intercourse. This discrepancy could be explained by autoinoculation, concurrent transmission during sex, undertreatment of rectal CT, or underreporting of anal sex. Almost half of CT infections would have been missed if only genital samples were collected, as current protocol dictates. More research is needed to understand sexual behaviors and rectal STI risk factors among heterosexual adolescent women. STI screening procedures for pregnant and sexually active adolescents should include routine testing of extragenital sites.
An assessment of factors associated with neurocognitive decline in people living with HIV
Authors: Naveed Zaeema , Fox Howard S , Wichman Christopher S , May Pamela , Arcari Christine M , Meza Jane , Baccaglini Lorena
Published: September 2021

Despite the widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI) remains a health concern. However, limited research has been done to identify factors associated with neurocognitive decline. We assessed risk factors associated with neurocognitive decline in people living with HIV using a definition of decline that is statistically easy to adopt, is based on a commonly used neuropsychological cut-off and may be clinically relevant. Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed using the CNS HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) study database. 581 participants were followed for up to 12 years. Neurocognitive decline was defined as the first observed drop in global T-scores of at least 2.67. Lifetime methamphetamine use had the strongest association with neurocognitive decline (adjusted Hazard Ratio; aHR = 1.48; 95% CI = 0.92–2.39) followed by no current antiretroviral medication use (aHR = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.91–1.92). Other risk factors included Hispanic ethnicity, lifetime history of major depressive disorder, lifetime cannabis use, hepatitis-C infection, and difficulty eating, dressing, bathing, or using the toilet. Results indicate that consistent use of ART may be of high significance to preserving neurocognition. Furthermore, Hispanic patients, those with a history of depression and substance use, and those having difficulty in essential activities of daily living may require vigilant follow-up.
A changing demographic – Ten years of HIV care
Authors: Nurdin Nadra , Quirke Siobhan , Kerr Colm , Allen Niamh , O’Halloran Jane , Moynan David , O’Doherty Laura , Grant Conor , Townsend Liam , Bergin Colm
Published: September 2021

We aimed to benchmark the quality of care and describe characteristics of patients newly attending the HIV clinic at differing time points over the past 10 years, against the Infectious Disease Society of America HIV/AIDS performance measures. We performed a retrospective analysis of records for patients newly attending the HIV clinic in 2011, 2016 and 2018. There was an increase in male attendees in 2018 and 2016 compared to 2011 (88%, 88% vs. 59% p < .001), viral suppression rates were 97%, 83% and 99% ( p < .001), respectively. We observed an increase in patients of South American origin over time. Acquisition risk changed, with increased proportion of MSM (24% in 2011 vs 78% in 2018, p < .001), lower rates of heterosexual (20% in 2018 vs 48% in 2011, p < .001) and IDU transmission (1.5% in 2018 vs 24% in 2011, p < .001). There were lower rates of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing in 2018 (72%, p < .001), compared to 2016 (84%) and 2011 (83%). Hepatitis B virus vaccination and pneumococcal vaccine rates are declining ( p < .001). We demonstrate the changes in both ethnicity and risk of acquisition over time, high rates of antiretroviral therapy prescription and viral suppression, and highlight the importance of health prevention with sexual health screening and vaccination in this population.
Dermatological lesions among people living with HIV in Turkey
Authors: Mustafayev Khalis , Mete Bilgül , Kutlubay Zekayi , Tanakol Ali , Şahin Özdemir Meryem , Garashova Dilruba , Balkan İlker İnanç , Saltoglu Neşe , Tabak Ömer Fehmi
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to document the dermatoses and their relationships with CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and clinical stages of disease among people living with HIV followed by our Clinical Department, to investigate the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on findings and to compare with real-world data. Medical records of people living with HIV were analyzed retrospectively in our outpatient clinic from January 2005 to June 2017. A total of 500 patient files were examined. 179 patients with dermatoses were included in the study. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, dermatological findings, type and distribution of lesions, serological and histopathological examinations, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients were transferred to data forms. 84.4% of the patients were male and the mean age was 38.65 ± 11.6 years. The median CD4+ T lymphocyte count was 253/mm3 (range:0–1067). At least one dermatosis was present in 69.3% of the patients. Compared with their median CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, the ratio of CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly lower in the group with three or more dermatoses ( p = 0.019). Condyloma acuminatum (15.1%), drug eruption (13.4%), seborrheic dermatitis (11.7%), oral candidiasis (11.2%), dermatophytoses (11.2%), syphilis (8.4%), Kaposi’s sarcoma (8.4%), and telogen effluvium (8.4%) were the most common dermatoses. Kaposi sarcoma (KS), oral candidiasis, onychomycosis, and molluscum contagiosum were significantly higher in the CD4+ T lymphocyte <200/mm³ group when CD4+ T lymphocyte threshold value was determined as 200/mm³. Compared with other TDF/FTC-containing regimens, a significantly higher proportion of alopecia was reported in patients receiving TDF/FTC/EVG/c ( p = 0.007). Dermatoses may be a good clinical marker for detecting clinical stage and diagnosing HIV infection; also, there may be a significant increase in the number of dermatoses in advanced stages. Although there are only a few studies in the literature, it should be kept in mind that ART-associated alopecia rates may increase nowadays when ART is targeted at everyone.
Anti-HIV serological test algorithms to reduce false-positive and inconclusive results for low HIV prevalence and resource-limited areas
Authors: Srichatrapimuk Sirawat , Setthaudom Chavachol , Apiwattanakul Nopporn , Sungkanuparph Somnuek , Phuphuakrat Angsana
Published: September 2021

A false-positive anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test result can have devastating consequences. Sequential HIV serological testing is a strategy that could be applied in resource-limited settings to reduce false-positive results when a nucleic acid test is not affordable. We aimed to compare the results of sequential anti-HIV testing algorithms recommended by the national guidelines and our hospital algorithm in the setting of low HIV prevalence. We retrospectively reviewed individuals whose anti-HIV tested positive by Architect HIV Ag/Ab Combo with a signal/cut-off ratio of 1.00–20.00 between January 2015 and June 2016 at a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 111,224 samples were requested for anti-HIV tests during the study period. Sixty-six adults and nine children/adolescents met the inclusion criteria of this study. Compared to the national guidelines, our hospital HIV diagnosis algorithm could identify two individuals with false-positive anti-HIV tests and a reduction of inconclusive diagnoses from 45 to one adult cases ( p <.001). It also eliminated inconclusive diagnoses in four non-infected children with HIV-negative mothers. Our hospital HIV diagnosis algorithm can reduce the number of HIV misdiagnoses of serological tests in an area with low HIV prevalence. The sequential HIV serological test algorithms should be reviewed and evaluated in each institute.
Stepping up from opt-out: Achieving 100% uptake antenatal human immunodeficiency virus testing
Authors: Kingston Margaret , Thomas Leech Alex , Stott Bethany , Chan Koon , Macleod Kim , McQuillan Orla , Penman Gareth , Murphy Kathy
Published: September 2021

All pregnant women in the United Kingdom are offered and encouraged to take up screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and syphilis, with excellent uptake rates and engagement in care resulting in very few infants being infected with HIV in the United Kingdom. However, in that small number of women who decline testing, there remains an opportunity to offer further support to test and engage them and their baby in care, even if this happens in labour or immediately after birth. In addition, these women may be at increased risk of HIV. Our hospital is in an extremely high prevalence area for HIV, and most untested individuals are of childbearing age. We embarked on a quality improvement project to engage all women delivering at our unit in HIV testing or to test their babies via cord blood at birth. We sought to do this in a constructive and inclusive way, led by the HIV specialist midwife with the support of the HIV antenatal and the hospital senior management teams. Following an initial evaluation, the approach was modified and an innovative approach together with a trusted advocate was used to engage a particularly hard-to-reach group. We have achieved 100% uptake of HIV testing and made two HIV diagnoses that would not otherwise have been made; both in women who reported themselves not to be at risk and both engaged in care and delivered HIV-negative infants.