bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home-based exercise is associated with improved cardiac functional performance in patients after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Ma Liqun , Xiong Xiaowei , Yan Lihui , Qu Jie , Hujie Gulibaha , Ma Yunjuan , Ren Jun , Ma Jianxin
Published: December 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effects of home-based exercise and physical activity on cardiac functional performance in patients after acute myocardial infarction (MI) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled patients that received treatment of acute ST-segment elevation MI between and were followed-up 6 months later. The patients were divided into physically active and inactive groups based on their levels of home exercise after hospital discharge.

Results

A total of 78 patients were enrolled in the study: 32 were physically active and 46 were physically inactive. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. At the 6-month visit, left ventricular ejection fraction and six-minute walking test (6MWT) were significantly improved while the proportion of patients with a New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional III classification was decreased in the active patients, whereas these parameters were not significantly changed in the inactive patients. In addition, the 6MWT was greater while the proportion of patients with an NYHA III classification was lower in the active group than the inactive group at the 6-month visit.

Conclusion

Maintaining physical activity at home was associated with improved cardiac functional performance in patients after acute MI during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prolonged benefit from palbociclib plus letrozole in heavily pretreated advanced male breast cancer: case report
Authors: Zattarin Emma , Ligorio Francesca , Nichetti Federico , Bianchi Giulia , Capri Giuseppe , de Braud Filippo
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Breast cancer in men is less common than in women and treatment recommendations are often derived from clinical trials exclusively involving women. Data on efficacy of CDK 4/6 inhibitors, which are the mainstay of treatment for hormone receptor–positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, are lacking in male patients.

Case report:

We present a clinical case of prolonged benefit from palbociclib in combination with letrozole and LHRH analogue in a man who had previously been treated with six lines of endocrine therapies and chemotherapy regimens but was still in excellent clinical condition.

Conclusions:

This clinical case demonstrates that male breast cancer stands out as an endocrine-sensitive disease, which could potentially benefit from CDK 4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine agents even in very heavily pretreated settings of disease, underscoring both the importance of an accurate selection of patients for later treatment lines, taking into account disease history and previous treatment responses, and the peculiarity of breast cancer in men, which deserves dedicated clinical trials to tailor future recommendations.
Management and complete resection of peritoneal and bone metastases from mucinous rectal carcinoma
Authors: Milito Pamela , Battaglia Luigi , Cosimelli Maurizio , Antista Maria , Guaglio Marcello , Deraco Marcello , Baratti Dario
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Surgical management of patients with multiple metastases from mucinous rectal carcinoma is feasible.

Case description:

We present a case of a 66-year-old woman with a late onset of peritoneal and coccygeal metastasis from a mucinous rectal carcinoma treated with cytoreductive surgery. After 30 months from rectal resection, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with resection of all tumor localizations by means of pelvic peritonectomy, complete supracolic omentectomy, jejuneal resection, appendectomy, and excision of the mobile part of the coccyx.

Conclusion:

This report aims to point out the atypical late-onset recurrence presentation and management of a mucinous carcinoma of the rectum.
Runting and Stunting Syndrome in Broiler Chickens: Histopathology and Association With a Novel Picornavirus
Authors: de Oliveira Letícia B. , Stanton James B. , Zhang Jian , Brown Corrie , Butt Salman Latif , Dimitrov Kiril , Afonso Claudio L. , Volkening Jeremy D. , Lara Leonardo J. C. , de Oliveira Camila Stefanie F. , Ecco Roselene
Published: December 2020

Runting stunting syndrome (RSS) in commercial chickens has been reported worldwide, and although several studies have attempted to clarify the cause and describe the lesions, there are gaps in knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and etiology. The study objective was to use commercial chicks naturally affected by RSS to describe the histologic changes of RSS in all segments of the small intestine in chicks of different ages and to identify viral gene sequences in affected chicks and their association with histologic lesions. Chicks lacking clinical signs but from the same houses and from unaffected houses were used as controls. The average weight of affected chicks was significantly lower than expected for their flocks. Macroscopically, the small intestines had paler serosa, with watery, mucoid, or foamy contents and poorly digested food. Histologic lesions were characterized by necrotic crypts, crypt dilation, and flattening of the crypt epithelium. Histomorphometry of the intestines revealed villous atrophy especially in the jejunum and ileum. Histologic changes in other organs were not observed. Random next-generation sequencing of total RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues detected avian nephritis virus, avian rotavirus, and picornavirus in jejunal segments from 7-day-old chicks. No viruses were detected in the jejunum of 1-day-old chicks. Detection of picornaviral reads was significantly associated ( P < .05) with histologic lesions of RSS. Sequence analysis of the picornavirus revealed genetic similarity with the genus Gallivirus. Using in situ hybridization for galliviral nucleic acid sequences, the signal was associated with crypt lesion severity, although signal was detected both in chicks with and without RSS.
Feline Pituitary Adenomas: Correlation of Histologic and Immunohistochemical Characteristics With Clinical Findings and Case Outcome
Authors: Miller Margaret A. , Piotrowski Stacey L. , Donovan Taryn A. , Scott-Moncrieff J. Catharine , Owen Tina J. , McCue John P. , DuSold Deidre M. , Ramos-Vara José A. , Weng Hsin-Yi , Chen Annie V. , Martin Linda G. , Bruyette David S.
Published: December 2020

Pituitary glands from 141 feline autopsy cases were reviewed histologically. Adenoma and hyperplasia were the most common lesions at 13 cases each. Pituitary adenoma was more likely than hyperplasia to be associated with clinical evidence of endocrinopathy or an intracranial mass ( P < .001). A histochemical and immunohistochemical panel was applied to 44 autopsy- or hypophysectomy-derived pituitary adenomas in 43 cats from 2 diagnostic laboratories. Adenomas were differentiated from hyperplasia by the presence of disrupted reticulin fibers. One cat had a double (somatotroph and melanotroph) adenoma. Twenty somatotroph adenomas consisted of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-negative acidophils that expressed growth hormone; 16/20 had hypersomatotropism; 17/20 had diabetes mellitus. Eleven melanotroph adenomas consisted of PAS-positive basophils or chromophobes that expressed melanocyte-stimulating and adrenocorticotrophic hormones; 5/11 had hypercortisolism; 6/11 had diabetes mellitus. Eleven gonadotroph adenomas consisted of PAS-negative chromophobes that expressed follicle-stimulating and/or luteinizing hormones. Two thyrotroph adenomas consisted of PAS-negative basophils or chromophobes that expressed thyroid-stimulating hormone. Pituitary-dependent disease was not recognized in cats with gonadotroph or thyrotroph adenomas. The Ki-67 proliferation index in hypophysectomy specimens was lower in somatotroph than in melanotroph adenomas. Fourteen cats with hypophysectomy-treated somatotroph or melanotroph adenoma had an 899-day median survival time versus 173 days in 17 nonsurgical cases. After adjusting for age, adenoma size and type, hypophysectomized cats had an overall better survival time than nonsurgical cases ( P = .029). The study results underscore the value of hypophysectomy and trophic hormone immunohistochemistry in the treatment and classification of feline pituitary adenomas.
Musical DIAMONDS: The influence of situational classes and characteristics on music listening behavior
Authors: Behbehani Sami , Steffens Jochen
Published: December 2020

Music listening behavior has changed significantly due to technological advancements, leading to new listening contexts in which the situational circumstances play an increased influencing role. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the relationship between situational characteristics captured by the Situational Eight DIAMONDS and psychological characteristics of music (Arousal, Valence, and Depth) people listen to in different situations. Hence, an online study was conducted, in which 198 participants described and reported on features of 3 typical, self-selected listening situations. Results suggested that individuals adapted their music listening behavior dependent on the situational characteristics reflected by the eight DIAMONDS. Furthermore, utilizing a Latent Class Analysis, we established a taxonomy of music listening situations, including positive-social, ambivalent-individual, and negative-demanding situations. Finally, both DIAMONDS and the established classes reliably predicted reported music listening behavior and therefore are recommended to be considered in future research on social and music psychology.
Potential rents vs. potential lives
Authors: Clark Eric , Pissin Annika
Published: December 2020

The seeking of potential rents directs flows of investment into built and natural environments, suffusing volatility into urban and rural landscapes, generating gentrification and other forms of land use change, and displacing lives and livelihoods to make space for ‘improvement’, ‘highest and best use’, ‘revitalization’, or the like. In this paper we argue that potential rents are captured at the cost of potential lives, and that rent gap theory, long central (and limited) to gentrification theory, is more widely applicable to the dynamics of land use change and uneven geographical development in capitalist societies. By reading David Harvey’s analyses of rent and accumulation by dispossession as a sophisticated formulation of rent gap theory, we relate the seeking and capturing of potential rents to the power of landed developer interests and a broadened conceptualization of rentiership. We furthermore relate the seeking of potential rents to an ideology of limitless accumulation, and the striving to rein in potential rents to ideas of degrowth and the need for a culture and a politics of limits. Brief vignettes from the ‘primary sector’ (fisheries in the Baltic Sea, dairy farming in Europe, and small-scale farming in Sweden) suggestively illustrate our central argument that the seeking and capturing of potential rents stand in stark opposition to potentials for wellbeing and flourishing of human and non-human lives. We conclude that constraining potential rents – founded as they are on faith in limitless growth – requires a culture of self-limitation and politically imposed limitations commensurable with post-capitalist societies.
The trouble with global production networks
Authors: Yeung Henry Wai-chung
Published: December 2020

Some sympathetic critics have recently found trouble with the latest iteration of the global production networks theory (GPN 2.0) developed in economic geography. I term these immanent critiques “GPN trouble” and address them in this Exchanges paper in relation to GPN 2.0’s conceptualization of value and risk and its perceived “missing” elements of the state, labour, and so on. Reiterating briefly its core tenet, I first demonstrate GPN 2.0’s modest role as a meso theory of industrial organization and economic development in an interconnected world economy. I argue that empirical analysis based on GPN 2.0 must open up the “black box” of production networks in order to evaluate the causal links between network dynamics and uneven development outcomes. Second, I show how understanding these causal links can provide better answers to the crucial question of “in what sense a GPN problem?” Addressing both issues appropriately will likely reduce the sort of “GPN trouble” one might encounter in future research on global economic restructuring during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Emerging policy responses in shrinking cities: Shifting policy agendas to align with growth machine politics
Authors: Özatağan Güldem , Eraydin Ayda
Published: December 2020

This paper examines growth machine politics operating in shrinking cities. Instead of de-growth politics logics emerging in shrinking cities, the paper finds, through an empirical study of Zonguldak, a shrinking mining city in Turkey, a politics that is better described as another variant of growth machine politics. Invigorated by the difficulties encountered in the implementation of state-driven growth agendas, and the subsequent reactions of local stakeholders, Zonguldak’s emerging policy agenda maintains a distance from the discourse of growth and instead adopts such themes as ecology, industrial heritage, quality of life and liveability when reframing and deploying a variety of conventional practices to make the city attractive for investment. In so doing, a broad coalition of diverse local interests are effectively brought together, and this paper suggests that these dynamics characterise a politics that is better described as adaptive response to align with growth machine politics. To explore this, the paper builds on an exploratory research design that complements secondary and documentary data analysis of the city’s economic and population trends and key policy and planning documents with an analysis of unstructured interviews with local policy makers and focus groups with local stakeholders.
The development process of the Korean coastal mountain range: Examination from spatial distribution of knickzones
Authors: Byun Jongmin , Paik Kyungrock
Published: December 2020

Along the eastern margin of the Korean Peninsula, a coastal mountain range spanning over 800 km with summits above 1500 m faces the East Sea (or Sea of Japan), the back-arc sea behind the Japanese Islands. Two contrasting hypotheses exist regarding the tectonic history of this coastal mountain range: long-lasting and progressive uplifts from the Early Tertiary to the Late Quaternary, and a short and intensive uplift during the Early Miocene. However, to date, no consensus has been reached. Here, we studied the spatial distribution of knickzones to understand the formation period and development pattern of this coastal mountain range. We extracted the knickzones in a drainage basin from digital elevation models, and investigated whether or not they are transient knickzones induced by the development of the coastal mountain range. We found that all identified knickzones were stationary, which was verified by slope-area and chi-elevation analyses. This implies that sufficient time has passed for all transient knickzones relevant to the growth of the mountain range to migrate up to the catchment boundary and disappear. We then calculated the time spent for the migration of transient knickzones from the outlet to their stream heads to be at least 5.1 to 10.6 Myr. Therefore, our results suggest that the current form of the coastal mountain range had been built at least before 5.1 Myr ago and has reached a quasi-equilibrium state up to the present, thus invalidating the prevailing hypothesis of the long-lasting and progressive development until the Late Quaternary.
Numerical analyses of stress and deformation in sandwich-structured composites
Authors: Pulok Mohammad Khairul Habib , Rahman M Shafiqur , Akanda Md. Abdus Salam
Published: December 2020

Sandwich-structured composites are extensively used in aerospace, transportation, marine, and automotive applications where mechanical performance and weight-saving features are extremely critical. Consequently, analyzing the mechanical properties including the elastic behavior of the sandwich structure is incumbent for the precise application of such composites. This paper deals with the stress analysis of a two-dimensional (2-D) rectangular sandwich-structured composite with the help of a robust numerical model. A finite difference (FD) scheme based on the displacement potential function is developed to investigate the stress-strain behavior of the sandwich structure under different loading conditions. The 2-D mixed-boundary-value elastic problem is solved by implementing special FD formulations inside the domain and at the boundaries. The mathematical intricacy of the interfaces of the sandwich structure is handled by employing modified FD formula structures. Results obtained from the FD model show that the two interfacial regions constitute the critical stress zones, and the material having a higher modulus of elasticity experiences higher stress. The proposed FD model is validated by comparing the FD results for stress distribution and displacement fields with the results obtained from a commercial finite element (FE) package. The comparison between the FE and FD results shows a good agreement which constructively establishes the proposed FD scheme as an accurate and reliable technique for conducting the structural analysis.
Statistical analysis of creep behavior in thermoset and thermoplastic composites reinforced with carbon and glass fibers
Authors: Monticeli Francisco Maciel , dos Reis Ana Karoline , Neves Roberta Motta , Santos Luis Felipe de Paula , Botelho Edson Cocchieri , Ornaghi Heitor Luiz
Published: December 2020

The thermoplastic and thermoset laminates reinforced with different fibers generate variations in the laminated composite mechanical behavior. This work aims to analyze thermoplastic and thermoset composites creep behavior with a reduced number of experiments, applying curve-fitting analytical models (Weibull and Findley) and statistical approach (ANOVA, F-test, and SRM) in order to describe creep behavior. Creep tests were carried out using a design of experiments to define parameter levels, aiming to reduce the number of the experiments, keeping reliability relevance. The temperature shows a stronger influence of creep deformation compared with the use of distinct materials. Thermoplastic matrices seem to be more sensitive to deformation, decreasing the reinforcement contribution. On the other hand, the creep resistance of the thermoset matrix conducts a significant contribution of strain behavior for the reinforcement used. The Findley model showed a temperature-dependent response. While, the Weibull-based model exhibits temperature and material-dependence, ensuring a greater sensitivity range of the parameters applied, an essential factor for a more realistic method description.
Distributed Virtual Synchronous Generator approach versus Singular Virtual Synchronous Generator approach: A dynamic stability evaluation
Authors: Kumar Abdul Waheed , Mufti Mairaj ud din , Zargar Mubashar Yaqoob
Published: December 2020

This paper reports the modeling and dynamic performance of a wind penetrated multi-area power system incorporating a Singular Virtual Synchronous Generator (SVSG)/Distributed Virtual Synchronous Generator (DVSG). The active and reactive power controls are achieved by using Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) as Virtual Synchronous Generator (VSG). SMES based VSG control parameters are tuned offline using genetic algorithm (GA). Two topologies of VSGs are considered in this paper: SVSG at lowest inertia generator bus (SVSGGENBUS), SVSG at load bus (SVSGLOADBUS) and DVSG of comparatively smaller rating at three lowest inertia generator buses. A modified 18 machine, 70-bus power system is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink environment. System performance is assessed for two different types of disturbances: step wind disturbance and three-phase fault. The simulation results show that rate of change of frequency (ROCOF), deviations in frequency and voltage are minimized with DVSG. Transient stability measured in terms of critical clearing time (CCT) verifies that CCT is increased by DVSG topology.
Paper trails: History of the first Australian paper on ether anaesthesia
Authors: Haridas Rajesh P
Published: December 2020

In September 1847, David John Thomas read a paper on etherisation at a monthly meeting of the Port Phillip Medical Association. Thomas’ paper is the earliest known presentation of a paper on etherisation in the Australian colonies. Almost half of Thomas’ 27-page manuscript was published in October 1847 in the Australian Medical Journal. The original manuscript was acquired at an unknown date by the Medical Society of Victoria. Although a full transcript of the manuscript was published in 1933, the original manuscript of Dr Thomas remained unknown to anaesthesia historians and is now held by the Medical History Museum, University of Melbourne.
How does the brain change in chronic migraine? Developing disease biomarkers
Authors: Pozo-Rosich Patricia , Coppola Gianluca , Pascual Julio , Schwedt Todd J
Published: December 2020

Background

Validated chronic migraine biomarkers could improve diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive abilities for clinicians and researchers, as well as increase knowledge on migraine pathophysiology.

Objective

The objective of this narrative review is to summarise and interpret the published literature regarding the current state of development of chronic migraine biomarkers.

Findings

Data from functional and structural imaging, neurophysiological, and biochemical studies have been utilised towards the development of chronic migraine biomarkers. These biomarkers could contribute to chronic migraine classification/diagnosis, prognosticating patient outcomes, predicting response to treatment, and measuring treatment responses early after initiation. Results show promise for using measures of brain structure and function, evoked potentials, and sensory neuropeptide concentrations for the development of chronic migraine biomarkers, yet further optimisation and validation are still required.

Conclusions

Imaging, neurophysiological, and biochemical changes that occur with the progression from episodic to chronic migraine could be utilised for developing chronic migraine biomarkers that might assist with diagnosis, prognosticating individual patient outcomes, and predicting responses to migraine therapies. Ultimately, validated biomarkers could move us closer to being able to practice precision medicine in the field and thus improve patient care.
Migraine in children and adults born preterm: A nationwide register linkage study
Authors: Strang-Karlsson Sonja , Alenius Suvi , Näsänen-Gilmore Pieta , Nurhonen Markku , Haaramo Peija , Evensen Kari Anne I , Vääräsmäki Marja , Gissler Mika , Hovi Petteri , Kajantie Eero
Published: December 2020

Objective

Being born preterm is related to adverse health effects later in life. We studied whether preterm birth predicts the risk of migraine.

Methods

In this nationwide register study, we linked data from six administrative registers for all 235,624 children live-born in Finland (January 1987 to September 1990) and recorded in the Finnish Medical Birth Register. n = 228,610 (97.0%) had adequate data and were included. Migraine served as primary outcome variable and was stringently defined as a diagnosis from specialised health care and/or ≥2 reimbursed purchases of triptans. We applied sex- and birth year-stratified Cox proportional hazard regression models to compute hazard ratios and confidence intervals (95% confidence intervals) for the association between preterm categories and migraine. The cohort was followed up until an average age of 25.1 years (range: 23.3–27.0).

Results

Among individuals born extremely preterm (23–27 completed weeks of gestation), the adjusted hazard ratios for migraine was 0.55 (0.25–1.24) when compared with the full-term reference group (39–41 weeks). The corresponding adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the other preterm categories were: Very preterm (28–31 weeks); 0.95 (0.68–1.31), moderately preterm (32–33 weeks); 0.96 (0.73–1.27), late preterm (34–36 weeks); 1.01 (0.91–1.11), early term (37–38 weeks); 0.98 (0.93–1.03), and post term (42 weeks); 0.98 (0.89–1.08). Migraine was predicted by parental migraine, lower socioeconomic position, maternal hypertensive disorder and maternal smoking during pregnancy.

Conclusion

We found no evidence for a higher risk of migraine among individuals born preterm.
Role of Urban Big Data in Travel Behavior Research
Authors: Wang Chihuangji , Hess Daniel Baldwin
Published: December 2020

Understanding urban travel behavior (TB) is critical for advancing urban transportation planning practice and scholarship; however, traditional survey data is expensive (because of labor costs) and error-prone. With advances in data collection techniques and data analytic approaches, urban big data (UBD) is currently generated at an unprecedented scale in relation to volume, variety, and speed, producing new possibilities for applying UBD for TB research. A review of more than 50 scholarly articles confirms the remarkable and expanding role of UBD in TB research and its advantages over traditional survey data. Using this body of published work, a typology is developed of four key types of UBD—social media, GPS log, mobile phone/location-based service, and smart card—focusing on the features and applications of each type in the context of TB research. This paper discusses in significant detail the opportunities and challenges in the use of UBD from three perspectives: conceptual, methodological, and political. The paper concludes with recommendations for researchers to develop data science knowledge and programming skills for analysis of UBD, for public and private sector agencies to cooperate on the collection and sharing of UBD, and for legislators to enforce data security and confidentiality. UBD offers both researchers and practitioners opportunities to capture urban phenomena and deepen knowledge about the TB of individuals.
Factors Affecting the Interlayer Shear Strength of Laboratory and Field Samples
Authors: Sufian Abu Ahmed , Swiertz Dan , Bahia Hussain U. , Mohammad Louay , Akentuna Moses
Published: December 2020

Asphalt emulsion is the most widely used tack coat material in the U.S. The objective of this study is to investigate factors that may affect the interlayer bond shear strength of asphalt emulsion tack coats of both laboratory and field compacted samples. The laboratory study included six types of tack coat materials applied on two surfaces with two residual application rates. The field study phase involved validation of the interlayer shear performance findings using field cores extracted from paving projects. The field study included taking cores of the existing layer, emulsions used for interlayer bonding, and loose mixes of new asphalt layers. Materials were collected to produce the laboratory prepared specimens for comparison with the field cores. Results of the laboratory study demonstrate that there is a direct relationship between the roughness (texture) of the existing surface and the interlayer shear strength (ISS) between two surfaces. Statistical analysis provided a strong correlation and indicated that 79% of the data variance can be explained with surface texture, emulsion type, application rate, and replicate effects. Comparing field cores with laboratory produced samples showed no clear relationship between the shear strength of laboratory and field specimens. It is speculated that the difference in compaction of the upper layers in the laboratory and field, and effect of shearing during coring of the samples from the field, resulted in higher laboratory shear values relative to field core values. The study highlights major challenges in using laboratory prepared samples to predict field behavior of tack coats.
Renal replacement therapy in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: Who and how
Authors: Worku Berhane , Khin Sandi , Gaudino Mario , Gambardella Ivan , Iannacone Erin , Ebrahimi Haleh , Savy Sergey , Voevidko Lilia , Oribabor Charles , Hadjiangelis Nicos , Desiraju Brinda , Gulkarov Iosif
Published: December 2020

Patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support frequently develop renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). RRT may be performed via a dialysis catheter based approach or via the ECMO circuit. We describe our experience with both techniques. A total of 68 patients undergoing ECMO support at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Predictors of renal failure requiring RRT were determined. Patients undergoing RRT via a dialysis catheter were compared with those undergoing RRT via the ECMO circuit. 10 of the 68 patients required RRT support prior to ECMO. Of the remaining 58 patients, 25 (43%) required new RRT support on ECMO. Lower albumin levels and postcardiotomy shock were predictive of new renal failure requiring RRT on ECMO. RRT performed via the ECMO circuit demonstrated similar efficacy as via a dialysis catheter. Outcomes were much worse for patients requiring new RRT on ECMO support, with a doubling of the length of ECMO support and less that one-third the survival rate of patients not requiring RRT on ECMO support. New renal failure requiring RRT occurs in nearly one-half of patients on ECMO support, with poor outcomes. RRT may be performed via the ECMO circuit with similar efficacy as via a dialysis catheter.
Our laparoscopic cystectomy experiences
Authors: Merder Erkan , Can Osman , Arıman Ahmet , Polat Emre Can , Altunrende Fatih
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

We aimed to present our laparoscopic cystectomy experience and demonstrate that it is a feasible technique with safe oncologic principles.

Methods:

Total 19 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in our urology clinic (Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital) were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic data, operation technique and complications, tumour pathology and follow-up details of patients were recorded.

Results:

Patients ranged from 40 to 73 years, with the average age of 60.8 and female/male rate was 2/17. The mean total operation time was 375 min (range 260–500). Mean hospitalisation time of patients was 10.3 days. The mean follow-up time was 11.2 months.

Conclusion:

Minimally invasive approaches in urology are becoming the first line treatment by the time. Due to the high costs and limited availability, robotic surgery is still not exactly widespread in the world. Our series showed that conventional laparoscopic cystectomy is an appropriate approach until robotic surgery becomes widespread.
Rationality, strategic interactions, and theories of middle range
Authors: Wolbring Tobias
Published: December 2020

Various versions of rational choice theories exist. In the face of common misconceptions of the approach, this comment aims to make two contributions. First, it informs about different variants and emphasizes the essential component of strategic uncertainty in game theory. Second, this article highlights the role of bridge assumptions when applying rational choice theories in practice. Hence, the rational choice approach is not a theory which can be directly applied in practice without further assumptions. Instead the rational choice approach is an analytical framework which leads to theories of middle range by combining a theoretical core with additional auxiliary assumptions which are tailor-made for a specific explanatory problem.
Evaluating Cognitive/Emotional and Behavioral Mediators of Oral Health Outcomes in Vulnerable Older Adults
Authors: Schensul Jean J. , Salvi Apoorva , Ha Toan , Grady James , Li Jianghong , Reisine Susan
Published: December 2020

Inconsistent outcomes of oral hygiene interventions require testable theories combining cognitive and behavioral domains to guide intervention and improve results. This article evaluates the integrated model as a cognitive-behavioral approach to improve oral health clinical outcomes in ethnically diverse low-income older adults. Baseline data from a clinical trial utilizing the integrative model (IM) model evaluated predictors of gingival index (GI) and plaque score (PS). Individual logistic regression was performed for all predictors in relation to GI and PS. Multiple logistic regression was performed with significant predictors of GI and PS only. Greater locus of control and more brushing predicted lower GI; greater locus of control predicted lower PS. Both cognitive and behavioral domains impact GI, requiring more prolonged effort for improvement while locus of control, a cognitive variable, predicts PS, immediately improved by daily brushing/flossing. A streamlined IM including locus of control and tooth brushing should improve oral hygiene of low-income older adults.
The Effect of Ageist Behaviors on Home Care Workers’ Job Satisfaction and Retention in Long-Term Care
Authors: Liu Chien-Chih , Liu Li-Fan , Chuang Shuang-Shii
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

This study aimed to examine how intrinsic and extrinsic factors of job satisfaction affect home care workers’ intention to stay and determine whether ageist behaviors moderate the relation between job satisfaction and intention to stay.

Method:

We recruited 380 participants to complete measures of job satisfaction, ageist behaviors, and intention to stay.

Results:

Monthly wages, extrinsic and intrinsic factors, and positive and negative ageist behaviors were significantly related to home care workers’ retention. Both positive and negative ageist behaviors negatively moderated the relation between job satisfaction and retention.

Conclusion:

Home care workers’ retention may be increased by providing reasonable extrinsic rewards and enhancing the intrinsic nature of the job itself. Reducing negative ageist behaviors and increasing positive ones for those with low job satisfaction could be related to higher retention. The harmful effects of positive behaviors should be addressed. These findings could contribute to workforce retention in long-term care.
Don’t Use a Bifactor Model Unless You Believe the True Structure Is Bifactor
Authors: Decker Scott L.
Published: December 2020

The current article provides a response to concerns raised by Dombrowski, McGill, Canivez, Watkins, & Beaujean (2020) regarding the methodological confounds identified by Decker, Bridges, Luedke, and Eason (2020) for using a bifactor (BF) model and Schmid–Leiman (SL) procedure in previous studies supporting a general factor of intelligence (i.e., “g”). While Dombrowski et al. (2020) raised important theoretical and practical issues, the theoretical justification for using a BF model and SL procedure to identify cognitive dimensions remain unaddressed, as well as significant concerns for using these statistical methods as the basis for informing the use of cognitive tests in clinical applications.
Trends in State Whistleblowing Laws Following the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012
Authors: Exmeyer Patrick C. , Jeon So Hee
Published: December 2020

Recognizing the importance of whistleblower protection, government has equipped itself with legal tools to protect whistleblowers. At the federal level, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA) of 2012 represents the most recent legislative action protecting whistleblowers. Currently, all 50 states have their own whistleblower protection laws. However, given the variations among states in statutory protections for whistleblowers, a need exists to examine important changes to state whistleblower laws in light of larger legislative trends at the federal level. This study addresses this research gap by exploring how state whistleblower protection laws have changed following passage of the 2012 WPEA through the lens of institutional theory. Content analysis findings suggest that post-WPEA state whistleblower laws have adopted changes directly reflecting WPEA provisions. The findings further suggest that post-WPEA state whistleblower laws also contain changes which display loose connection to primary components of the WPEA.
“Really Knowing” the Community: Citizen Science, VGI, and Community Housing Assessments
Authors: Shannon Jerry , Skobba Kimberly , Durham Jermaine , Polak Chase
Published: December 2020

This paper evaluates a citizen science initiative to assess housing conditions in multiple rural Georgia communities. Using technologies for digitized collection of volunteered geographic information (VGI) on property conditions and an online dashboard to analyze results, local housing teams identified the characteristics and prevalence of housing problems in their communities. Drawing from a pragmatist framework, we note how this process created new connections between local leaders and residents and brought attention to sometimes unexpected issues. Conversely, participation was uneven within local communities in ways that potentially limit the effectiveness of these local initiatives.
Missing the Mark: The Long-Term Impacts of the Federal Trade Commission’s Red Flag Initiative to Reduce Deceptive Weight Loss Product Advertising
Authors: Schein Mara , Avery Rosemary J. , Eisenberg Matthew D.
Published: December 2020

This study examines the long-term efficacy of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) 2003 Red Flag Initiative, which aimed to curb the prevalence of deceptive claims in over-the-counter weight loss product advertising. The principal component of this effort was the FTC’s promotion of voluntary guidelines which encouraged media outlets to screen advertisements for the seven deceptive (“Red Flag”) claims prior to publication. By analyzing the content of English-language advertisement airings appearing in nationally circulated print magazines and on television programs between 2010 and 2011, this study evaluates the success of the Red Flag Initiative as a long-term regulatory solution to deceptive advertising in this market. This study finds that the FTC’s voluntary initiative failed to halt the dissemination of deceptive claims during the time period analyzed. In response to the FTC’s actions, manufacturers appear to have engaged in offsetting behaviors and employed other creative content to convey similar deceptive information in their advertising, allowing them to avoid scrutiny while continuing to mislead consumers.
Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Egyptian printing workers evidenced by using serum biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, muscle injury, and collagen type I turnover
Authors: Mourad Basma Hussein
Published: December 2020

Objective:

Printing workers experience a high rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aims to determine the prevalence of MSDs, estimate serum biomarkers denoting musculoskeletal tissue changes, and determine some individual risk factors for MSDs among Egyptian printing workers.

Methods:

Eighty-five male printing workers and 90 male administrative employees (control group) were recruited from a printing press in Giza. A validated version of the standardized Nordic questionnaire was used. Serum biomarkers of inflammation (interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and C-reactive protein (CRP)), cell stress or injury (malondialdehyde (MDA) and creatine kinase skeletal muscle (CK-MM)), and collagen metabolism (collagen-I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP) and type-I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTx)) were measured for all participants.

Results:

This study showed a significant ( p < 0.001) prevalence of the musculoskeletal symptoms (76.5%) and significant ( p < 0.001) elevation in the levels of all measured biomarkers among the printing workers (means ± SD: IL-1α = 1.55 ± 0.9, IL-1β = 1.53 ± 0.87, IL-6 = 1.55 ± 0.85, TNF-α = 4.9 ± 2.25, CRP = 6.78 ± 3.07, MDA = 3.41 ± 1.29, CK-MM = 132.47 ± 69.01, PICP = 103.48 ± 36.44, and CTx = 0.47 ± 0.16) when compared with their controls (prevalence: 34.4%; means ± SD: IL-1α = 0.88 ± 0.61, IL-1β = 0.96 ± 0.72, IL-6 = 1.03 ± 0.75, TNF-α = 2.56 ± 1.99, CRP = 2.36 ± 1.1, MDA = 0.85 ± 0.21, CK-MM = 53.48 ± 33.05, PICP = 56.49 ± 9.05, and CTx = 0.31 ± 0.06). Also, significant ( p < 0.001) positive strong associations were observed between age, body mass index (BMI), and the duration of employment with all measured biomarkers, where all correlation coefficients were >0.7.

Conclusion:

Printing workers suffer a high prevalence of work-related MSDs that might be related to some individual factors (age, BMI, and duration of employment). Consequently, preventive ergonomic interventions should be applied. Further studies should be done to elucidate the link between tissue changes and detected biomarkers to follow the initiation and progression of MSDs and study the effectiveness of curative interventions.
Briser la glace avec de l’humour : la propriété soulageante de l’humour et ses effets sur la performance des vendeurs
Authors: Lunardo Renaud , Bompar Laurent , Saintives Camille
Published: December 2020

La recherche a identifié l’humour comme une technique de communication susceptible d’aider les vendeurs à être plus efficaces lors de leurs argumentaires de vente. Cependant, la théorie de l’humour la plus développée – c’est-à-dire la théorie de l’activation-sécurité (ou théorie du soulagement) – postule un certain pouvoir de l’humour en termes de soulagement, mais n’a jamais été appliquée au contexte de vente, même si un tel pouvoir pourrait s’avérer intéressant pour les vendeurs. Par conséquent, nous adoptons dans cette recherche le point de vue d’un vendeur et appliquons cette théorie pour étudier comment le sentiment de soulagement des vendeurs suite à leur utilisation de l’humour peut influencer positivement leur performance pendant une négociation. Plus spécifiquement, nous étudions le processus sérié par lequel le sentiment de soulagement qui émerge du recours à l’humour augmente la qualité de la relation et consécutivement la performance. Enfin, nous identifions l’empathie comme une condition aux effets de l’humour, l’humour suscitant un soulagement plus intense lorsque le vendeur a peu d’empathie envers l’acheteur. En utilisant un échantillon de 200 étudiants formés à la gestion des ventes en B2B et un échantillon de 157 vendeurs professionnels, nous testons et apportons un soutien empirique à ces prédictions, ce soutien servant ensuite de base aux recommandations managériales.
Citric acid coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with lactoferrin for targeted negative MR imaging of glioma
Authors: Xiao Ruolei , Ding Jieqiong , Chen Jiajuan , Zhao Zhiwei , He Liu , Wang Huili , Huang Shengtang , Luo Binhua
Published: December 2020

The proposed study was to develop the preparation of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) modified with citric acid, with surface conjugated with lactoferrin (Lf), which used as a potential targeted contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain glioma. USPIONs were prepared by the thermal decomposition method. The hydrophobic USPIONs were coated with citric acid by the ligand exchange method. Then, Lf was conjugated into the surface of USPIONs. The obtained Lf-USPIONs were analyzed by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The size, size distribution, shape and superparamagnetic property of Lf-USPIONs were investigated with TEM and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Both FTIR and electrophoresis analysis demonstrated the successful conjugation of Lf to the surface of USPIONs. The average size of Lf-USPIONs was about 8.4 ± 0.5 nm, which was determined using the statistics of measured over 100 nanoparticles in the TEM image, with a negative charge of −7.3 ± 0.2 mV. TEM imaging revealed that Lf-USPIONs were good in dispersion and polygonal in morphology. VSM results indicated that Lf-USPIONs were superparamagnetic and the saturated magnetic intensity was about 69.8 emu/g. The Lf-USPIONs also showed good biocompatibility in hemolysis, cytotoxicity, cell migration and blood biochemistry studies. MR imaging results in vitro and in vivo indicated that Lf-USPIONs exhibited good negative contrast enhancement. Taken together, Lf-USPIONs hold great potential for brain gliomas MR imaging as a nanosized targeted contrast agent.
Polyethylenimine-mediated controlled synthesis of Prussian blue-gold nanohybrids for biomedical applications
Authors: Pandey Prem , Pandey Govind , Narayan Roger
Published: December 2020

We report on polyethylenimine (PEI)-mediated synthesis of Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs); the formation of PBNP-AuNP nanohybrids with a remarkable change in Prussian blue character as a function of gold cation concentration was also considered. It was shown that PEI-protected polycrystalline PBNPs can be synthesized in an acidic medium from the precursor potassium ferricyanide [K3Fe(CN)6] at 60 °C. Since PEI also enables the controlled formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the presence of formaldehyde under ambient conditions, nanohybrids of PBNPs and AuNPs were prepared. The formation of AuNPs was recorded over a wide range of PEI concentrations, which allowed control over polymeric cation capping of the AuNPs. PEI concentration-dependent enhancement/quenching of fluorescence/resonance Rayleigh scattering was useful for non-enzymatic detection of serum glucose levels. The resonance Rayleigh scattering intensity of PBNPs was several-fold higher than that of AuNPs and acted as a potent quencher of fluorescence. At an optimal concentration of PEI, AuNPs allowed an increase in the fluorescence signal as function of glucose concentration; the quenching ability of PB was demonstrated to be a function of the glucose concentration. This method is efficient for fast glucose sensing and offers a wider linear dynamic range, 0–10 mM, which is useful for non-enzymatic detection of serum glucose levels.
A Phenomenological Analysis of Adoption of Coping Strategies Among Survivors of Acid Violence in Pakistan
Authors: Batool Hadia , Mustafa Mudasir , Ahmad Saeed
Published: December 2020

The primary objective of the current study was to explore the adoption of different coping strategies among survivors of acid violence in Pakistan. The data were collected from survivors of acid violence till saturation point was reached with the help of four key informants through a semi-structured interview guide from March, 2019 to June, 2019. Survivors who have lived with at least six months of acid violence were included in the current study. The researchers faced difficulty in recruitment of survivors as survivors usually choose to remain anonymous due to the social stigma attached with acid violence widespread in the society. Ethical considerations were also taken into account. The data were transcribed and in analysis the emerged themes were then classified into different coping strategies in the existing body of knowledge. The researchers used descriptive phenomenology to explain the lived experiences of survivors of acid violence. The patriarchy theory served as the theoretical foundation for the current study. The survivors of acid violence used coping strategies according to their abilities and availability. The victims of acid violence adopted the problem-focused coping strategies such as support seeking (e.g., talking to family and friends, appreciation and support of children), cognitive decision-making (e.g., accepting a new identity, busy routine, confidence), direct problem solving, (e.g., covering with a scarf, avoiding sun exposure), and avoidant action (e.g., limited social interaction). In addition, they used emotion-focused coping (such as cringing in loneliness, yelling at others, withholding feelings) and religious-spiritual coping (such as asking for forgiveness, offering prayers). In revenge, males have disfigured females’ faces and bodies (presumable physical assets) but could not subjugate their resilience and power to survive (psychological assets) even in the oppression of patriarchy. In originality, it was the first study to explore the adoption of coping strategies among the survivors of acid violence in Pakistan.