bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The continuation and recommendation intention of artificial intelligence-based voice assistant systems (AIVAS): the influence of personal traits
Authors: Lee Kyung Young , Sheehan Lorn , Lee Kiljae , Chang Younghoon
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Based on the post-acceptance model of information system continuance (PAMISC), this study investigates the influence of the early-stage users' personal traits (specifically personal innovativeness and technology anxiety) and ex-post instrumentality perceptions (specifically price value, hedonic motivation, compatibility and perceived security) on social diffusion of smart technologies measured by the intention to recommend artificial intelligence-based voice assistant systems (AIVAS) to others.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from 400 US AIVAS users were collected and analyzed with Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 18.0 and the partial least square technique using advanced analysis of composites (ADANCO) 2.1.

Findings

AIVAS technology is presently at the early stage of market penetration (about 25% of market penetration in the USA). A survey of AIVAS technology users reveals that personal innovativeness is directly and indirectly (through confirmation and continuance) associated with a stronger intention to recommend the use of the device to others. Confirmation is associated with all four ex-post instrumentality perceptions (hedonic motivation, compatibility, price value and perceived security). Among the four, however, only hedonic motivation and compatibility are significant predictors of satisfaction, which lead to use continuance and, eventually, intention to recommend. Finally, technology anxiety is found to be indirectly (but not directly) associated with a lower intention to recommend.

Originality/value

This is the first study conducted on the early-stage AIVAS users that evaluates the influence of both personal traits and ex-post instrumentality perceptions on users' intention for continuance and recommendation to others.
Could technology enable individuals with schizophrenia to access health care? The case of Ecuador
Authors: Castro Vivian
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fill in the gaps in the literature regarding health-care access for individuals with schizophrenia, with a focus on Ecuador, and how technology can enable health-care access during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this aim, the author reviewed peer-reviewed articles in English and Spanish (using, among other sources, Medline and ProQuest), the Ecuadorian Constitution, law projects on mental health and suicide and government reports.

Findings

The consensus seems to be that the Ecuadorian health-care system has failed in its constitutional mandate to provide essential care for mentally ill patients, such as those suffering from schizophrenia. The data supporting the use of the internet and smartphone technology for delivering health services during the pandemic are extremely clear, but substantive governmental responses have been lacking.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this study is the lack of data on schizophrenia in Ecuador and the use of technology.

Originality/value

This evaluation of the current literature on the effect of the pandemic on access to health care for patients suffering from mental illness is much-needed and should provide a welcome data source for research, practice and policymaking.
Why is telerehabilitation necessary? A pre-post COVID-19 comparative study of ICF activity and participation
Authors: Marotta Nicola , Demeco Andrea , Moggio Lucrezia , Ammendolia Antonio
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the relevance of telerehabilitation during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic based on the prevalence of participation and activity International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains in a population with disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

We perfomed an observational study of ICF files of people with disabilities pre- and post-three-months lockdown imposed by the government to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

ICF qualifiers such as performing the daily routine (d230), using communication devices and techniques (d360) and doing housework (d640) showed a significant decrease of the disabilities (p < 0.05). Instead, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in disability was evident in relating with strangers (d730); informal social relationships (d750); acquiring, keeping and terminating a job (d845); complex economic transactions (d865); community life (d910); and recreation and leisure (d920).

Practical implications

Telerehabilitation should not be regarded as home-based rehabilitation delivered through technology. The results show how telerehabilitation should be a functional diagnostic tool and monitoring of patients’ rehabilitation needs.

Originality/value

Through a comprehensive classification scale of disability, it is possible to redefine the term telerehabilitation.
An artificial neural network approach for the inversion of surface wave dispersion curves
Authors: Yablokov Alexandr V. , Serdyukov Alexandr S. , Loginov Georgy N. , Baranov Valery D.
Published: May 2021

We describe a new algorithm for the inversion of one‐dimensional shear‐wave velocity profiles from dispersion curves of the fundamental mode of Rayleigh surface waves. The novelties of our approach are that the layer velocities and thicknesses are set as unknowns, and an artificial neural network is proposed to solve the inverse problem. We suggest that training data should be calculated for a set of random synthetic velocity layered models, while layer thicknesses and velocities should be set to fixed intervals, with ranges estimated based on the systematic application of empirical relations between Rayleigh and S‐wave velocities to the dispersion data. Our main challenge is a total overhaul of the artificial neural network, which includes selecting the optimal artificial neural network architecture and parameters by performing a large number of numerical experiments. Our synthetic results show that the accuracy of the proposed approach outperforms that of the Monte Carlo approach. We illustrate our proposed method with West Siberia data processing obtained from an area of approximately 800 . From a user perspective, the main strength of our method is the computationally efficient processing of large amounts of dispersion data, which make it well suited for four‐dimensional near‐surface monitoring.
Natural enemies have inconsistent impacts on the coexistence of competing species
Authors: Terry J. Christopher D. , Chen Jinlin , Lewis Owen T.
Published: May 2021

The role of natural enemies in promoting coexistence of competing species has generated substantial debate. Modern coexistence theory provides a detailed framework to investigate this topic, but there have been remarkably few empirical applications to the impact of natural enemies.

We tested experimentally the capacity for a generalist enemy to promote coexistence of competing insect species, and the extent to which any impact can be predicted by trade‐offs between reproductive rate and susceptibility to natural enemies.

We used experimental mesocosms to conduct a fully factorial pairwise competition experiment for six rainforestDrosophilaspecies, with and without a generalist pupal parasitoid. We then parameterised models of competition and examined the coexistence of each pair ofDrosophilaspecies within the framework of modern coexistence theory.

We found idiosyncratic impacts of parasitism on pairwise coexistence, mediated through changes in fitness differences, not niche differences. There was no evidence of an overall reproductive rate–susceptibility trade‐off. Pairwise reproductive rate–susceptibility relationships were not useful shortcuts for predicting the impact of parasitism on coexistence.

Our results exemplify the value of modern coexistence theory in multi‐trophic contexts and the importance of contextualising the impact of generalist natural enemies to determine their impact. In the set of species investigated, competition was affected by the higher trophic level, but the overall impact on coexistence cannot be easily predicted just from knowledge of relative susceptibility. Methodologically, our Bayesian approach highlights issues with the separability of model parameters within modern coexistence theory and shows how using the full posterior parameter distribution improves inferences. This method should be widely applicable for understanding species coexistence in a range of systems.
Intestinal stricture in Crohn's disease: A 2020 update
Authors: Lin Xiao Xuan , Qiu Yun , Zhuang Xiao Jun , Liu Fen , Wu Xiao Min , Chen Min Hu , Mao Ren
Published: May 2021

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic and relapsing–remitting inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 70% of patients inevitably develop fibrosis‐associated intestinal stricture after 10 years of CD diagnosis, which seriously affects their quality of life. Current therapies play limited role in preventing or reversing the process of fibrosis and no specific anti‐fibrotic therapy is yet available. Nearly half of patients thus have no alternative but to receive surgery. The potential mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis remain poorly understood; extracellular matrix remodeling, aberrant immune response, intestinal microbiome imbalance and creeping fat might exert fundamental influences on the multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes. Recently, the emerging new diagnostic techniques have markedly promoted an accurate assessment of intestinal stricture by distinguishing fibrosis from inflammation, which is crucial for guiding treatment and predicting prognosis. In this review, we concisely summarized the key studies published in the year 2020 covering pathogenesis, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic strategy of intestinal stricture. A comprehensive and timely review of the updated researches in intestinal stricture could provide insight to further elucidate its pathogenesis and identify novel drug targets with anti‐fibrotic potentiality.
An approach for estimating haplotype diversity from sequences with unequal lengths
Authors: Fan Ping , Fjeldså Jon , Liu Xuan , Dong Yafei , Chang Yongbin , Qu Yanhua , Song Gang , Lei Fumin
Published: May 2021

Genetic diversity is an essential component of biodiversity. Developing robust quantification methods is critically important in depicting the genetic diversity underlying the geographical distributions of species, especially for the sequence data with unequal lengths.

Traditional calculation of genetic diversity depends on sequences of equal length. However, many homologous sequences downloaded from online repositories vary in length, posing a significant challenge to quantify the genetic diversity, especially haplotype diversity. We developed a new approach independent of sequence length by applying the same parameters used in calculating nucleotide diversity to estimate haplotype diversity. We compared this novel approach with the calculations by the program DNAsp, and we used simulation data from terrestrial vertebrates (birds, mammals and amphibians) and Homo sapiens to validate the method's performance. We further applied this approach to explore the global latitudinal gradients of haplotype diversity in amphibians, mammals and birds, and compared the results by traditional methods.

The haplotype diversity calculated by our novel approach is consistent with the results from DNAsp. The simulations showed that our approach is robust and has a good estimating performance for sequence data with unequal lengths.

For the datasets of terrestrial vertebrates and H. sapiens, our approach is capable of estimating haplotype diversity with unequal intraspecific sequence lengths. In contrast to patterns based on traditional methods, we observed different latitudinal patterns of haplotype diversity between the northern and southern hemispheres for terrestrial vertebrates, which is consistent with the updated pattern of nucleotide diversity for mammals. The present work contributes to the development of more precise quantification methods, which may be broadly applied to assessing biogeographical patterns of genetic diversity.
Exploring rangers' preferences for community‐based strategies to improve human‐elephant coexistence in African natural corridors
Authors: Montero‐Botey M. , Soliño M. , Perea R. , Martínez‐Jauregui M.
Published: May 2021

Natural corridors are essential components of wildlife conservation but, when human‐wildlife conflicts emerge, the participation of local communities becomes imperative to ensure their efficacy and long‐term persistence. Therefore, local people initiatives and commitments (community‐based strategies) promoting human‐wildlife coexistence are urgently needed especially in African natural corridors dominated by elephants (Loxodonta africana). Wildlife rangers represent skilled technical staff who are involved in the monitoring and protection of wildlife but also in promoting human‐wildlife coexistence and community awareness. They are the closest conservation staff to local communities and have broad experience in dealing with elephants around the villages. Therefore, collecting and recognizing the knowledge of wildlife rangers on the suitability of possible local solutions could contribute to the successful planning and implementation of human elephant mitigation measures at farmer level. This study aims to quantify wildlife rangers' preferences for community‐based strategies to increase human‐elephant coexistence in the Selous‐Niassa Wildlife Corridor (Southern Tanzania). In particular, we evaluated wildlife rangers' preferences regarding three attributes: local farm‐based mitigation measures, the implication of technical support in the implementation of those measures and the preferred level of cooperation in the local community for that implementation. In 2019, we conducted a discrete choice experiment by interviewing 63 wildlife rangers (41% of the total rangers working along the corridor). Results showed that the most preferred management strategy included building chili‐oil fences by farmers cooperating at community level and technically supported by external institutions. Other strategies considered were (in decreasing order of importance) crop species selection, beehive fences, crop translocation, cooperation in small groups, and the use of noisemakers. The discrete choice analysis of wildlife rangers' preferences, including the type and level of cooperation, allows quantifying the suitability of different management strategies for mitigating human‐wildlife coexistence challenges.
The role of internet gaming in the association between anxiety and depression: A preliminary cross‐sectional study
Authors: Stavropoulos Vasileios , Vassallo Jeremy , Burleigh Tyrone Leonard , Gomez Rapson , Colder Carras Michelle
Published: May 2021

Background

Disordered Internet gaming is thought to be perpetuated by one's need to escape their real‐life distress or mental health symptoms, which may in turn generate depressive feelings. Nevertheless, moderate engagement with Internet games has also been suggested to provide relief, thus improving one's mood. This study aspires to clarify the contribution of Internet gaming and gender in the association between anxiety and depression.

Methods

A large sample of Internet gamers (N = 964) were recruited online. Disordered Internet gaming was assessed with the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, 9 Items Short Form (IGD9S‐SF). Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, 21 items (DASS‐21).

Results

Regression, moderation and moderated moderation analyses accounting for the effects of gender on the relationship between disordered gaming, anxiety, and depression found a significant effect for anxiety symptoms on depression symptoms and a significant interaction between anxiety and Internet gaming disorder on depression symptoms. Findings support the theory that although anxious gamers bear a higher depression risk, this is buffered with lower and exacerbated with higher disordered gaming symptoms.

Conclusion

Findings suggest a dual role of Internet gaming in the association between anxiety and depression, depending on the intensity of one's disordered gaming symptoms. Depression prevention and intervention protocols should be optimized by considering the effects of Internet gaming among anxious gamers by focusing on the intensity of a gamer's involvement and any gaming disorder symptoms. Further research should include clinical samples to better understand this interaction.
Drug‐related challenges following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Sørensen Anne Mette Skov , Nyeland Martin Erik , Odgaard Anders , Overgaard Søren , Jimenez‐Solem Espen , Schelde Astrid Blicher
Published: May 2021

We aimed to characterize the in‐hospital analgesic use among total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA) patients, and to identify possible drug‐related challenges. We identified 15 263 patients operated with a THA or TKA between 1 January 2012 and 30 April 2016. The prevalence of analgesic users and patients with potential clinically relevant drug‐drug interactions (DDIs), along with the prevalence of readmission among patients with vs. without a DDI, were calculated. A DDI was defined as the combination of (A) a diuretic, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker, and an non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory Drug (NSAID); (B) warfarin and an NSAID; and (C) a benzodiazepine or a benzodiazepine‐related drug and an opioid. The prevalence of analgesics administered in THA and TKA patients was 99.3% and 99.1% for paracetamol and 93.8% and 98.8% for opioids, respectively. The prevalence of patients who received interaction A, B or C was 8.4%, 2.5% and 40.7%, respectively. Patients with vs. without a DDI had a higher prevalence of 30‐day readmission. In conclusion, most THA and TKA patients were administered paracetamol or opioids. The prevalence of 30‐day readmission was higher in patients with than in patients without a potential clinically relevant DDI.
The effect of adaptivity in digital learning technologies. Modelling learning efficiency using data from an educational game
Authors: Debeer Dries , Vanbecelaere Stefanie , Van Den Noortgate Wim , Reynvoet Bert , Depaepe Fien
Published: May 2021

During the last decade, many governments and ed‐tech companies have demonstrated an increased interest in digital personalised learning, which resulted in a variety of often game‐like adaptive learning environments. However, there has been limited attention for the impact of these personalised learning technologies on children's learning efficiency. Does digital personalised learning, like popular claims insist, foster learning in young children? This study attempts to empirically validate the beneficial impact of adaptive learning technology by analysing log‐data from the Number Sense Game (NSG), an educational game that trains early numerical skills. In total, 81 children were randomly assigned to use either an adaptive or a non‐adaptive version of the NSG in six sessions in a three‐week period. Using a longitudinal item response model children's progress within and across sessions was modelled and compared between the two versions of the game. Regardless of the version of the NSG, children demonstrated progress within and across sessions. However, compared to the non‐adaptive NSG, the progress across sessions was stronger in the adaptive NSG. These results provide empirical evidence that adaptive learning environments can improve learning efficiency in young children.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Adaptive digital technologies are able to address students’ individual needs.

Pretest posttest intervention research on the effectiveness of adaptive digital technologies revealed mixed results.

What this paper adds

Learning effectiveness is different from learning efficiency.

Learning efficiency can be operationalised using log‐data to model students’ progress over time.

Adaptive digital technologies increased students’ learning efficiency compared to non‐adaptive digital technologies.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Log‐data can be obtained unintrusively and provides fine‐grained information about students’ learning.

Researchers are encouraged to investigate the effects of adaptive digital technologies in terms of learning effectiveness and learning efficiency.
Factors promoting greater preoccupation with a secret
Authors: Davis Christopher G. , Brazeau Hannah
Published: May 2021

The secrets that are most taxing to one’s health and well‐being are those that are the most preoccupying to the secret‐keeper. However, it is currently unclear what makes a secret preoccupying. We conducted a four‐wave longitudinal study to assess four factors that should contribute to one’s degree of preoccupation with a secret kept from one’s spouse/romantic partner: perceived cost of revealing the secret, frequency of cues, fear of discovery, and individual differences in self‐concealment. Multilevel modelling of data from an online sample of 143 adults (51% women, 49% men; Mage = 39.9, SD = 9.3) keeping a secret from their spouse/partner indicated that all four factors independently and positively predict greater preoccupation with a secret. Further, the first three factors also significantly predicted how preoccupied one would be with one’s secret two weeks later, taking into account how preoccupied one was with the secret at present. We conclude that the characteristics of the secret, as well as the secret‐keeper, can contribute to how preoccupying a secret is to an individual.
The obstetrical dilemma hypothesis: there's life in the old dog yet
Authors: Haeusler Martin , Grunstra Nicole D.S. , Martin Robert D. , Krenn Viktoria A. , Fornai Cinzia , Webb Nicole M.
Published: May 2021

The term ‘obstetrical dilemma’ was coined by Washburn in 1960 to describe the trade‐off between selection for a larger birth canal, permitting successful passage of a big‐brained human neonate, and the smaller pelvic dimensions required for bipedal locomotion. His suggested solution to these antagonistic pressures was to give birth prematurely, explaining the unusual degree of neurological and physical immaturity, or secondary altriciality, observed in human infants. This proposed trade‐off has traditionally been offered as the predominant evolutionary explanation for why human childbirth is so challenging, and inherently risky, compared to that of other primates. This perceived difficulty is likely due to the tight fit of fetal to maternal pelvic dimensions along with the convoluted shape of the birth canal and a comparatively low degree of ligamentous flexibility. Although the ideas combined under the obstetrical dilemma hypothesis originated almost a century ago, they have received renewed attention and empirical scrutiny in the last decade, with some researchers advocating complete rejection of the hypothesis and its assumptions. However, the hypothesis is complex because it presently captures several, mutually non‐exclusive ideas: (i) there is an evolutionary trade‐off resulting from opposing selection pressures on the pelvis; (ii) selection favouring a narrow pelvis specifically derives from bipedalism; (iii) human neonates are secondarily altricial because they are born relatively immature to ensure that they fit through the maternal bony pelvis; (iv) as a corollary to the asymmetric selection pressure for a spacious birth canal in females, humans evolved pronounced sexual dimorphism of pelvic shape. Recently, the hypothesis has been challenged on both empirical and theoretical grounds. Here, we appraise the original ideas captured under the ‘obstetrical dilemma’ and their subsequent evolution. We also evaluate complementary and alternative explanations for a tight fetopelvic fit and obstructed labour, including ecological factors related to nutrition and thermoregulation, constraints imposed by the stability of the pelvic floor or by maternal and fetal metabolism, the energetics of bipedalism, and variability in pelvic shape. This reveals that human childbirth is affected by a complex combination of evolutionary, ecological, and biocultural factors, which variably constrain maternal pelvic form and fetal growth. Our review demonstrates that it is unwarranted to reject the obstetrical dilemma hypothesis entirely because several of its fundamental assumptions have not been successfully discounted despite claims to the contrary. As such, the obstetrical dilemma remains a tenable hypothesis that can be used productively to guide evolutionary research.
Professionals' motivation to support parental self‐management regarding children with physical disability in Dutch rehabilitation services: ‘Please mind your gap’
Authors: Wong Chung Ruud , Willemen Agnes , Voorman Jeanine , Ketelaar Marjolijn , Becher Jules , Schuengel Carlo
Published: May 2021

Background

Professionals in child healthcare increasingly endorse the support of self‐management in paediatric rehabilitation services for children with physical disability. Less understood though are their views regarding the role of the children's parents, as well as their own role in supporting parents. This study aimed to investigate the motivation of rehabilitation professionals to support self‐management of parents regarding their child with physical disability, professionals' beliefs about parental self‐management, and the perceptions underlying their motivation.

Methods

A mixed‐methods strategy was followed using a survey among rehabilitation professionals (n = 175) and consecutive semi‐structured interviews (n = 16). Associations between autonomous (intrinsic) versus controlled (extrinsic) motivation and beliefs on parental self‐management were tested. For deeper understanding of their motivation, directed content analysis was used to address key themes in the qualitative data extracts.

Results

Professionals reported autonomous motivation for parental self‐management support more often than controlled motivation (t[174] = 29.95, p < .001). Autonomous motivation was associated with the beliefs about the importance of parental self‐management (r = .29, p < .001). Approximately 90% of the professionals believed that parents should have an active role, though less than 10% considered it important that parents also are independent actors and initiative takers in the rehabilitation process. Interviews revealed that individual professionals struggled with striking a balance between keeping control and ‘giving away responsibility’ to parents. A ‘professional‐like’ attitude was expected of parents with ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ as essential preconditions. Furthermore, professionals expressed the need for additional coaching skills to support parental self‐management.

Conclusion

Professionals were predominantly autonomously motivated to support self‐management of parents. However, the dilemmas in giving or taking responsibilities within the partnership with parents may limit their effectiveness in empowering parents. Reflection on the potential gaps between professionals' motivation, beliefs and actual behaviour might be crucial to support parental self‐management.
“I was always struggling”: Caregivers' experiences of transitioning a child from oral to long‐term non‐oral feeding at an out‐patient hospital clinic in South Africa
Authors: Neille Joanne , Selikson Gabriella
Published: May 2021

Background

As the prevalence of paediatric dysphagia increases, the need for long‐term non‐oral feeding has also increased. Despite these developments, little is known about caregiver experiences of transitioning a child onto long‐term non‐oral feeds, and the factors which influence the process of decision‐making and the provision of consent to do so. This paper aims to explore these factors.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nine participants recruited from the multidisciplinary out‐patient non‐oral feeding clinic at a hospital. Interviews explored caregiver experiences of decision‐making and the process of providing consent when transitioning their child to non‐oral feeds, as well as the support structures available to the caregivers. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, then analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) and content analysis (Neuendorf, 2016).

Results

Challenges to care and quality of life, access to information and culturally relevant counselling, and the involvement of family members and significant others emerged as prominent themes. Findings suggest that quality of life was the most common motivating factor for transitioning a child to non‐oral feeding methods. Several participants suggested that support and information sharing via digital platforms were both useful and effective.

Implications

The findings highlight caregivers' needs for improved access to information and social support. The findings hold implications for training of healthcare providers working in similar contexts and for models of service delivery which ensure that family‐centred intervention can be delivered in culturally and contextually relevant ways. With widespread access to smartphones, counselling should include digital messaging as a way of providing support and information sharing. Future research should focus on the complexities of counselling and the process of informed consent in settings impacted by diverse cultural, contextual and linguistic barriers, as well as the potential value of mobile health (mhealth) in ensuring improved health outcomes.
Stargardt disease: Multimodal imaging: A review
Authors: Heath Jeffery Rachael C. , Chen Fred K.
Published: May 2021

Stargardt disease (STGD1) is an autosomal recessive retinal dystrophy, characterised by bilateral progressive central vision loss and subretinal deposition of lipofuscin‐like substances. Recent advances in molecular diagnosis and therapeutic options are complemented by the increasing recognition of new multimodal imaging biomarkers that may predict genotype and disease progression. Unique non‐invasive imaging features of STDG1 are useful for gene variant interpretation and may even provide insight into the underlying molecular pathophysiology. In addition, pathognomonic imaging features of STGD1 have been used to train neural networks to improve time efficiency in lesion segmentation and disease progression measurements. This review will discuss the role of key imaging modalities, correlate imaging signs across varied STGD1 presentations and illustrate the use of multimodal imaging as an outcome measure in determining the efficacy of emerging STGD1 specific therapies.
The impact of Queensland's Tackling Alcohol‐Fuelled Violence Policy on nightlife and business trade
Authors: Ferris Jason , PuljeviĆ Cheneal , Taylor Nicholas , de Andrade Dominique , Carah Nicholas , Coomber Kerri , Mayshak Richelle , Grant Kristy , Miller Peter G.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Key elements of the Queensland Government's Tackling Alcohol Fuelled Violence (TAFV) policy included the introduction of mandatory identification (ID) scanners and reduced trading hours for licensed venues located within Safe Night Precincts (SNP). These measures raised concerns among licensed venue owners and other key stakeholders regarding the potential negative impact of the policy on business trade and nightlife. Using multiple data sources, this paper examines the impact of the TAFV policy on nightlife and trade in three Queensland SNPs: Fortitude Valley, Surfers Paradise and Cairns.

Methods

Data from ID scanners (2017–2019), foot traffic counters (2017–2019) and counts of liquor licences issued (2015–2019) were used to measure the policy's impact on the number of patrons and licensed venues within SNPs. Joinpoint regression and auto‐regressive integrated moving average models were developed to examine changes in these measures over time.

Results

No significant changes were observed in the number of ID scans over time, although Surfers Paradise showed a 0.13% reduction during high alcohol hours. Foot traffic counts from Fortitude Valley showed no significant impact of the policy on the number of patrons in the area during high‐alcohol hours. The number of commercial hotel licenses increased in all three regions, and commercial other‐bar licenses increased in all regions except Surfers Paradise SNP where numbers remained stable.

Discussion and Conclusions

Patterns in trading and the number of patrons within SNPs were mostly stable or increasing following the implementation of the TAFV policy beyond normal fluctuations.
The impact of the Queensland Government's Tackling Alcohol‐Fuelled Violence Policy on live music performances in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia
Authors: Puljević Cheneal , Carah Nicholas , Miller Peter G. , Wood Barbara , MacFarlane Callum , Kilpatrick Emily , Goold Lachlan , Regan Scott , Ferris Jason
Published: May 2021

Introduction

The Queensland Government's Tackling Alcohol‐Fuelled Violence (TAFV) Policy was met with concern from live music venue owners who feared decreased patronage and associated revenue. This study investigates the impact of the TAFV Policy on live music venues and performances in Fortitude Valley, an inner‐city suburb of Brisbane, Australia recognised as a hub of live music performances.

Methods

Data relating to live music venues and performances in Fortitude Valley for the 2000–2018 financial years were obtained from the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA AMCOS), who maintains an online data portal allowing artists to enter performance details to collect royalty payments. These data were supplemented with six precinct mapping audits of live music venues operating in the Fortitude Valley Safe Night Precinct between July 2016 and September 2019.

Results

APRA AMCOS data show increases in the number of reported live music performances and venues in Fortitude Valley between 2000 and 2019. Precinct mapping audits show minimal changes in the operation of live music venues in Fortitude Valley between 2016 and 2019.

Discussion and Conclusions

As the first study to independently document the impact of licenced venue trading hour changes on live music, this study shows the number of live performances reported to APRA AMCOS and original live music venues trading in the Fortitude Valley Safe Night Precinct were unchanged by the introduction of the TAFV. The study highlights the value of using performance returns and venue audits to track live music in a contested policy space.
Echocardiography protocol for early detection of cardiac dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors in the multicenter DCCSS LATER 2 CARD study: Design, feasibility, and reproducibility
Authors: Merkx Remy , Leerink Jan M. , Feijen Elisabeth (Lieke) A.M. , Kremer Leontien C.M. , de Baat Esmée C. , Bellersen Louise , van Dalen Elvira C. , van Dulmen‐den Broeder Eline , van der Heiden‐van der Loo Margriet , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink Marry M. , Korte Chris L. de , Loonen Jacqueline , Louwerens Marloes , Maas Angela H.E.M. , Pinto Yigal M. , Ronckers Cécile M. , Teske Arco J. , Tissing Wim J.E. , de Vries Andrica C.H. , Mavinkurve‐Groothuis Annelies M.C. , van der Pal Helena J.H. , Weijers Gert , Kok Wouter E.M. , Kapusta Livia ,   The Dutch LATER Study Group
Published: May 2021

Background

Cardiotoxicity is a well‐known side effect after anthracyclines and chest radiotherapy in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). The DCCSS LATER 2 CARD (cardiology) study includes evaluation of echocardiographic measurements for early identification of CCS at highest risk of developing heart failure. This paper describes the design, feasibility, and reproducibility of the echocardiography protocol.

Methods

Echocardiograms from CCS and sibling controls were prospectively obtained at the participating centers and centrally analyzed. We describe the image acquisition, measurement protocol, and software‐specific considerations for myocardial strain analyses. We report the feasibility of the primary outcomes of systolic and diastolic function, as well as reproducibility analyses in 30 subjects.

Results

We obtained 1,679 echocardiograms. Biplane ejection fraction (LVEF) measurement was feasible in 91% and 96% of CCS and siblings, respectively, global longitudinal strain (GLS) in 80% and 91%, global circumferential strain (GCS) in 86% and 89%, and ≥2 diastolic function parameters in 99% and 100%, right ventricle free wall strain (RVFWS) in 57% and 65%, and left atrial reservoir strain (LASr) in 72% and 79%. Intra‐class correlation coefficients for inter‐observer variability were 0.85 for LVEF, 0.76 for GLS, 0.70 for GCS, 0.89 for RVFWS and 0.89 for LASr. Intra‐class correlation coefficients for intra‐observer variability were 0.87 for LVEF, 0.82 for GLS, 0.82 for GCS, 0.85 for RVFWS and 0.79 for LASr.

Conclusion

The DCCSS LATER 2 CARD study includes a protocolized echocardiogram, with feasible and reproducible primary outcome measurements. This ensures high‐quality outcome data for prevalence estimates and for reliable comparison of cardiac function parameters.
Single‐photon emission computed tomography of the pelvis and lumbar spine contributes to the diagnosis of injury in two horses
Authors: Harding P. G. , Tually P. , Cullimore A. M. , Peremans K.
Published: May 2021

Lameness originating from injury to the pelvis and lumbar spine remains a diagnostic challenge for equine veterinarians. Nuclear scintigraphy is frequently used to aid in the localisation of injuries to this region; however, the lack of image contrast due to anatomical superimposition in the pelvis and lumbar spine complicates image interpretation. To the authors’ knowledge, the use of single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has not been previously reported in the horse. This article describes the clinical use of SPECT in the horse to aid the diagnosis of injury to the region of the sacroiliac joint and lumbar vertebrae which was not identified on planar imaging.
Clinical significance of pathologic abnormalities in biopsy samples from the appendiceal orifice
Authors: Castrodad‐Rodríguez Carlos A. , Choudhuri Jui , El‐Jabbour Tony , Cheng Jerome , Westerhoff Maria , Panarelli Nicole C.
Published: May 2021

Aims

Appendiceal orifice mucosa often appears inflamed endoscopically, even when other colonic segments appear normal. Histological findings in biopsy samples taken from endoscopically abnormal mucosa may simulate a variety of inflammatory colitides. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical implications of inflammatory changes isolated to the appendiceal orifice.

Methods and results

In this double cohort study, biopsy samples from 26 histologically abnormal appendiceal orifices were reviewed. Twenty‐five control cases were culled from endoscopically normal (n = 11) and abnormal (n = 14) appendiceal orifices that were histologically normal. Histological findings were correlated with presentation, medication history, findings at other colonic sites and clinical outcomes. Study cases displayed active inflammation (n = 12), chronic active inflammation (n = 13) or features simulating collagenous colitis (n = 1). Eighteen patients had biopsies taken from other colonic sites; these revealed benign polyps (n = 10) or displayed active (n = 4) or chronic active (n = 4) inflammation. All patients with findings isolated to the appendiceal orifice were asymptomatic at most recent clinical follow‐up. Four of eight (50%) of the patients with inflammation in other biopsy samples were ultimately diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, in keeping with the well‐established role of the appendix as a ‘skip lesion’ in that disorder. Control patients presented for screening colonoscopy (n = 19), iron deficiency anaemia (n = 3) or change in bowel habits (n = 3) and none reported gastrointestinal symptoms upon follow‐up, regardless of the endoscopic appearance of the appendiceal orifice.

Conclusion

Isolated inflammation of the appendiceal orifice mucosa should not be regarded as a feature of evolving inflammatory bowel disease or other types of chronic colitis.
Discrepancy between clinical and pathological T stages in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: Analysis of the Hospital‐Based Cancer Registry data in Japan
Authors: Shiga Masanobu , Nagumo Yoshiyuki , Chihara Ichiro , Nitta Satoshi , Kojo Kosuke , Kimura Tomokazu , Kandori Shuya , Kojima Takahiro , Okuyama Ayako , Higashi Takahiro , Nishiyama Hiroyuki
Published: May 2021

Objective

To examine the discrepancy between clinical and pathological T stages in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract treated with radical surgery, and to compare them with the corresponding discrepancy in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods

We used the Hospital‐Based Cancer Registry data in Japan to extract urothelial carcinoma of the bladder cases (n = 3747) and urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract cases (n = 6831), including urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis (n = 3295) and urothelial carcinoma of the ureter (n = 3536) with cT1‐4N0M0 diagnosed in 2012–2015, histologically confirmed, and treated with radical surgery without chemotherapy or radiotherapy. We compared the T‐stage discrepancy among different tumor locations.

Results

The proportions of overall T‐stage discrepancy in the urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis (40.8%) and urothelial carcinoma of the ureter (42.9%) groups tended to be higher compared with that in the urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (38.8%) group. The upstaging rate from clinical non‐muscle‐invasive cancer (≤cT1) to pathological muscle‐invasive cancer (≥pT2) was significantly higher in the urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and urothelial carcinoma of the ureter groups compared with the urothelial carcinoma of the bladder group (P = 0.002, P < 0.0001, respectively). Upstaging from clinical organ‐confined disease (≤cT2) to pathological non‐organ‐confined disease (≥pT3) was significantly more frequent in the urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis (27.8%, P < 0.0001) and urothelial carcinoma of the ureter (22.3%, P < 0.0001) groups compared with the urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (17.8%) group.

Conclusion

Discrepancy in T staging is significantly higher in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract compared with those with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, especially in those with organ‐confined disease. As T‐stage discrepancy might lead to missed opportunities to carry out perioperative treatment, more accurate diagnostic techniques are required to identify the appropriate urothelial carcinoma candidates for preoperative treatment.
On hub location problems in geographically flexible networks
Authors: Blanco Víctor , Puerto Justo
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we propose an extension of the uncapacitated hub location problem where the potential positions of the hubs are not fixed in advance. Instead, they are allowed to belong to a region around an initial discrete set of nodes. We give a general framework in which the collection, transportation, and distribution costs are based on norm‐based distances and the hub‐activation setup costs depend not only on the location of the hub that are opened but also on the size of the region where they are placed. Two alternative mathematical programming formulations are proposed. The first one is a compact formulation while the second one involves a family of constraints of exponential size that we separate efficiently giving rise to a branch‐and‐cut algorithm. The results of an extensive computational experience are reported showing the advantages of each of the approaches.
Unveiling the dynamics of social credit determinants using fuzzy cognitive mapping and system dynamics
Authors: Pereira Leandro F. , Correia Ricardo J. C. , Ferreira Fernando A. F. , Falcão Pedro F. , Costa Renato L.
Published: May 2021

Fighting poverty and social inequality are baseline principles of social credit. This type of microcredit has thus increasingly attracted academics and practitioners’ attention, particularly after Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. Researchers acknowledge that social credit is extremely important and that it should be taken seriously. However, studies examining the dynamics of its determinants are still extremely rare. This gap needs to be filled because the objectives of social credit are quite different from those of other types of credit, going beyond profit and embracing social concerns. Adopting a constructivist, process‐oriented stance that combined fuzzy cognitive mapping and the system dynamics (SD) approach, the present research sought to develop and analyze a cognitive structure that elucidates the dynamics of social credit determinants over time. Face‐to‐face group work sessions were held with a panel of professional credit analysts, and the results reveal that the combined use of fuzzy cognitive mapping and SD provides a clearer understanding of the dynamics of these determinants over time. The advantages, limitations, and implications of the proposed methodology are discussed.
Transcriptome and DNA methylation analysis reveals molecular mechanisms underlying intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression
Authors: Peng Yuming , Meng Guohao , Sheng Xinyi , Gao Hongqiang
Published: May 2021

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is an aggressive malignancy with increasing incidence. It has been suggested that DNA methylation drives cancer development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying iCCA progression and the roles of DNA methylation still remain elusive. In this study, weighted correlation networks were constructed to identify gene modules and hub genes associated with the tumour stage. We identified 12 gene modules, two of which were significantly positively or negatively related to the tumour stage， respectively. Key hub genes SLC2A1, CDH3 and EFHD2 showed increased expression across the tumour stage and were correlated with poor survival, whereas decrease of FAM171A1, ONECUT1 and PHYHIPL was correlated with better survival. Pathway analysis revealed hedgehog pathway was activated in CDH3 up‐regulated tumours, and chromosome separation was elevated in tumours expressing high EFHD2. JAK‐STAT pathway was overrepresented in ONECUT1 down‐regulated tumours, whereas Rho GTPases‐formins signalling was activated in PHYHIPL down‐regulated tumours. Finally, significant negative associations between expression of EFHD2, PHYHIPL and promoter DNA methylation were detected, and alterations of DNA methylation were correlated with tumour survival. In summary, we identified key genes and pathways that may participate in progression of iCCA and proposed putative roles of DNA methylation in iCCA.
Partially open grain and phase boundaries as fluid pathways in metamorphic and magmatic rocks
Authors: Wirth Richard , Kruhl Jörn H. , Morales Luiz F. G. , Schreiber Anja
Published: May 2021

Transmission electron microscopy and 3D focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope nanotomography are applied to grain and phase boundaries between quartz, plagioclase, K‐feldspar, clinopyroxene, amphibole, and calcite. The samples come from metamorphic, plutonic and volcanic rocks, and hydrothermal quartz, and experienced cooling and decompression after highly variable P–T peak conditions. Most of the boundaries are partially open in the range of up to several hundred nanometres and partly to totally filled with secondary minerals, such as actinolite, biotite, chlorite, sheet silicates, and quartz, as well as with amorphous matter. Cracking and opening of boundaries are suggested to be related to anisotropic thermoelastic response of crystals to cooling. It starts below the brittle–ductile transition of the involved minerals. The partially open grain and phase boundaries, together with dissolution‐generated cavities, can form porosity of more than 2 vol.% and permeability under conditions of at least lowermost greenschist facies. Such networks of partially open or partially refilled boundaries potentially affect properties of crystalline rocks and processes in the upper crust, such as metasomatism, weathering, migration of radionuclides through bedrock of geological repositories of nuclear waste, and deformation in nature and in experiment.