bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Afterhours Discharge From the Intensive Care Unit and Hospital Mortality: A Multi-Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hall Adam , Wang Xioaming , Zuege Danny J. , Opgenorth Dawn , Scales Damon C. , Stelfox H. Thomas , Bagshaw Sean M.
Published: February 2021

Background:

There is conflicting evidence on the association between afterhours discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality. We examined the effects of afterhours discharge, including the potential effect of residual organ dysfunction, on hospital mortality in a large integrated health region.

Methods:

We performed a multi-center retrospective cohort study of 10,463 adults discharged from 9 mixed medical/surgical ICUs in Alberta from June 2012 to December 2014. We applied a 2-stage modeling strategy to investigate the association between afterhours discharge (19:00h to 07:59h) and post-ICU hospital mortality. We applied mixed-effect multi-variable linear regression to assess the relationship between discharge organ dysfunction and afterhours discharge. We then applied mixed-effect multi-variable logistic regression to evaluate the direct, indirect and integrated associations of afterhours discharge on hospital mortality and hospitalization duration.

Results:

Of 10,463 patients, 23.7% (n = 2,480) were discharged afterhours, of which 27.4% occurred on a holiday or weekend. This varied significantly by ICU size, type, and site. Patients discharged afterhours were more likely medical admissions, had greater multi-morbidity and illness acuity. A greater average SOFA score in the 72 hours prior to ICU discharge was not associated with afterhours discharge. However, a greater average SOFA score was associated with hospital mortality (adjusted-odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.18-1.28). Afterhours discharge was associated with higher hospital mortality (adjusted-OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39), increased hospital stay (adjusted-risk ratio [RR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.09-1.11) and increased post-ICU stay (adjusted-RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.14-1.17) when compared with workhours discharge.

Conclusions:

Afterhours discharge is common, occurring in 1 in 4 discharges, and is widely variable across ICUs. Patients discharged afterhours have greater risk of hospital mortality and prolonged hospitalization.
Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Dampen Americans’ Tipping for Food Services? Insights From Two Studies
Authors: Lynn Michael
Published: February 2021

The recent COVID-19 pandemic raises questions about consumer willingness to give tips during such times of hardship. Analyses of a Texas pizza delivery driver’s tip records and of nationwide Square payment data for quick- and full-service restaurants explored this issue by comparing tips during the pandemic with those before it. These data suggest that the pandemic increased the average tip-per-order given to a pizza delivery driver as well as the average tip percentage given for many transactions at quick- and full-service restaurants. They also suggest that the pandemic decreased the average tip percentage for face-to-face transactions at full-service restaurants but only by a modest 1 to 2 percentage points. The findings suggest that the tipping model remains a viable means of employee compensation even during periods of public health and economic crises if the nature of the services provided does not change substantially.
Preparing Special Education Preservice Teachers to Teach Computational Thinking and Computer Science in Mathematics
Authors: Bouck Emily C. , Sands Phil , Long Holly , Yadav Aman
Published: February 2021

Increasingly in K–12 schools, students are gaining access to computational thinking (CT) and computer science (CS). This access, however, is not always extended to students with disabilities. One way to increase CT and CS (CT/CS) exposure for students with disabilities is through preparing special education teachers to do so. In this study, researchers explore exposing special education preservice teachers to the ideas of CT/CS in the context of a mathematics methods course for students with disabilities or those at risk of disability. Through analyzing lesson plans and reflections from 31 preservice special education teachers, the researchers learned that overall emerging promise exists with regard to the limited exposure of preservice special education teachers to CT/CS in mathematics. Specifically, preservice teachers demonstrated the ability to include CT/CS in math lesson plans and showed understanding of how CT/CS might enhance instruction with students with disabilities via reflections on these lessons. The researchers, however, also found a need for increased experiences and opportunities for preservice special education teachers with CT/CS to more positively impact access for students with disabilities.
Combining CaO–SiO2–TiO2 and CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 ternary phase systems for design of bimetallic welds
Authors: Bhandari Deepak , Chhibber Rahul , Sharma Lochan , Arora Navneet , Mehta Rajeev
Published: February 2021

The bimetallic welds are frequently utilized for pipeline transport system of the nuclear power plants. The occurrences of welding defects generally depend on the filler electrode as well as the electrode coatings during shielded metal arc welding process. This study involves the design of austenitic stainless steel welding electrodes for SS304L–SA516 bimetallic welds. The objective of research work includes the novel design of Al2O3–TiO2–CaO–SiO2 coatings by combining two ternary phase systems using extreme vertices mixture design methodology to analyze the effect of key coating constituents on the weld metal chemistry and mechanical properties of the welds. The significant effect of electrode coating constituent CaO on weld metal manganese content is observed which further improves the toughness of bimetallic weld joints. Various regression models have been developed for the weld responses and multi objective optimisation approach using composite desirability function has been adopted for identifying the optimized set of electrode coating compositions. The role of delta ferrite content in promoting the favourable solidification mode has been studied through microstructural examination.
Driver fatigue detection based on convolutional neural network and face alignment for edge computing device
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Xia Jiahao , Cao Libo , Zhang Guanjun , Feng Xiexing
Published: February 2021

Most current vision-based fatigue detection methods don’t have high-performance and robust face detector. They detect driver fatigue using single detection feature and cannot achieve real-time efficiency on edge computing devices. Aimed at solving these problems, this paper proposes a driver fatigue detection system based on convolutional neural network that can run in real-time on edge computing devices. The system firstly uses the proposed face detection network LittleFace to locate the face and classify the face into two states: small yaw angle state “normal” and large yaw angle state “distract.” Secondly, the speed-optimized SDM algorithm is conducted only in the face region of the “normal” state to deal with the problem that the face alignment accuracy decreases at large angle profile, and the “distract” state is used to detect driver distraction. Finally, feature parameters EAR, MAR and head pitch angle are calculated from the obtained landmarks and used to detect driver fatigue respectively. Comprehensive experiments are conducted to evaluate the proposed system and the results show its practicality and superiority. Our face detection network LittleFace can achieve 88.53% mAP on AFLW test set at 58 FPS on the edge computing device Nvidia Jetson Nano. Evaluation results on YawDD, 300 W, and DriverEyes show the average detection accuracy of the proposed system can reach 89.55%.
Selective maintenance of multi-state series systems considering maintenance quality uncertainty and failure effects
Authors: Li Xinlong , Ran Yan , Zhang Genbao , Yu Hui
Published: February 2021

In order to improve the lifetime and reliability of equipment operation stage, it is necessary to carry out maintenance for components. The typical selective maintenance model does not consider the maintenance quality uncertainty and the failure effects, which may make the decision-maker overestimates the reliability of completing the next task after system maintenance, resulting in incorrect maintenance decision and prone to serious consequences of failure. In this paper, the potential discrepancy between the target maintenance quality and the actual maintenance quality of the decision maker is considered. At the same time, a multi-state FMECA is proposed to measure the failure effects under different states. Finally, the selective maintenance model of the multi-state series systems is established and solved by the genetic algorithm. The results show that considering the effect of component failure and the uncertainty of maintenance quality has an influence on maintenance decision. The maintenance decision made in this way is more consistent with the engineering practice.
Novel signatures associated with systemic lupus erythematosus clinical response to IFN-α/-ω inhibition
Authors: Seridi Loqmane , Cesaroni Matteo , Orillion Ashley , Schreiter Jessica , Chevrier Marc , Marciniak Stanley , Migone Thi-Sau , Stohl William , Chatham Walter Winn , Furie Richard Alan , Benson Jacqueline , Jordan Jarrat
Published: February 2021

Objectives

We aimed to identify transcriptional gene signatures predictive of clinical response, for pharmacodynamic evaluation, and to provide mechanistic insight into JNJ-55920839, a human IgG1κ neutralizing mAb targeting IFN-α/IFN-ω, in participants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from SLE participants at baseline and up to Day 130, who received six 10 mg/kg IV doses of JNJ-55920839/placebo every 2 weeks. Participants with mild-to-moderate SLE who achieved clinical responses using SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 Responder Index 4-point change were considered responders. Transcriptional signatures from longitudinally collected blood were generated by RNA-Seq; signatures were generated by microarray from baseline blood samples exposed in vitro to JNJ-55920839 versus untreated.

Results

Two gene signatures (IFN-I Signaling and Immunoglobulin Immune Response) exhibited pharmacodynamic changes among JNJ-55920839 responders. The Immunoglobulin signature, but not the IFN-I signature, was elevated at baseline in JNJ-55920839 responders. A gene cluster associated with neutrophil-mediated immunity was reduced at baseline in JNJ-55920839 responders, substantiated by lower neutrophil counts in responders. An IFN-I signature was suppressed by JNJ-55920839 in vitro treatment versus untreated blood to a greater extent in responders before in vivo dosing.

Conclusions

These signatures may enable enrichment for treatment responders when using IFN-I-suppressing treatments in SLE.
‘It’s all the other stuff!’ How smokers understand (and misunderstand) chemicals in cigarettes and cigarette smoke
Authors: King Bill , Borland Ron , Morphett Kylie , Gartner Coral , Fielding Kelly , O’Connor Richard J. , Romijnders Kim , Talhout Reinskje
Published: February 2021

Many people understand chemicals as entities that do not occur naturally, and which are also invariably toxic. Tobacco control messages liberally use the term ‘chemicals’ to evoke these meanings and create concern among smokers. This may reinforce misunderstandings, potentially leading to smokers making harmful choices. To investigate smokers’ understandings of chemicals, we conducted qualitative research using 18 individual interviews and three focus groups with Australian smokers and recently quit smokers. The research was guided by the ‘mental models’ framework and the recently developed Context, Executive, and Operational Systems theory. We discerned two clusters of mental models: the first cluster focused on combustion as the overarching cause of harm (and were largely consistent with the science) and the second cluster focused on additives as causes of harm. We found most participants displayed limited knowledge of the causes of harm from smoking and some held mutually incompatible beliefs. Most participants believed that cigarettes differ significantly in harmfulness according to whether or not they were believed to contain additives. Only a minority understood that the bulk of the toxicants to which smokers are exposed are combustion products. These findings are directly relevant to tobacco control but also have broader relevance to risk communications about toxic exposures.
Citizen science in South Africa: Rhetoric and reality
Authors: Weingart Peter , Meyer Corlia
Published: February 2021

Citizen science, and public engagement with science, has become prominent in science policy programmes. Given the expectations attached to citizen science in academic and science policy discourses, it is worthwhile to look at where the actual work is done. The case of South Africa, the study focus, is interesting because the country follows similar programmes as many developed countries, but has a socioeconomically and educationally more unequal society. Thus, South Africa presented a test example of whether the institutional similarities of science or socioeconomic and educational differences prevail in shaping the reality of citizen science. Results from 56 projects showed that nearly all of them were limited to data collection in life science fields and were managed largely by one university and mainly communicated within the respective science communities. This led us to conclude that the ambitious rhetoric accompanying citizen science in science policy programmes is not matched by reality.
Assessing Financial Distress and Predicting Stock Prices of Automotive Sector: Robustness of Altman Z-score
Authors: Sareen Amit , Sharma Sudhi
Published: February 2021

After the advent of a new economic policy, the stock market had shown exponential growth. The world’s financial markets have become a global financial village via the free flow of capital from one market to another. This provides breadth and depth in the stock market. On the other hand, with the dawn of globalization, the market has become cointegrated and thus more vulnerable to financial shocks. Thus, as a rational investor, catching early signs of financial distress and predicting stock prices is the challenge. This study considers the Altman Z-score to predict the financial distress and stock prices with special reference to the automotive sector in India. The study has been conducted in two parts: the first part focuses on analysing the financial distress of the automotive sector under the face of the financial crisis and GST regime. Thus, this study has been conducted in four window periods. The second part of the study deals with predicting the prices of auto stocks by panel data modelling for the period from 2000 to 2020. Using econometric-based growth curves, the study analyses that the automotive sector is affected by the financial crisis and the GST regime. Lastly, with the application of the panel data static-based fixed effects model, it has been analysed that EBITDA/TA and MV/TL are the significant ratios to predict the stock prices.
Ranking the Determinants for International Education Destination Decision of Indian Students: Application of Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process
Authors: Guru Sunita , Bhatt Nityesh , Agrawal Nishant
Published: February 2021

Purpose: One of the emerging educational trends is an increase in global mobility of students to pursue higher education. This article attempts at ranking the determinants shaping the Indian students’ decisions in selecting an appropriate global destination. Method: The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, researchers conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to find the factors shaping Indian students’ decision-making process. During the second stage, fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (FAHP) method based on triangular fuzzy numbers was applied to rank the above factors. Findings: The findings reveal four primary factors, which have been ranked in the following order—quality of education, overall cost, environment and human interface and influencers’ role. Limitations: Most of the sample respondents were from the management discipline, drawn from six Indian states. Implications: The findings will be beneficial for both academic institutions and policymakers of host countries in shaping appropriate marketing mix including branding strategies for developing countries like India. Indian policymakers can use it for further augmenting the ecosystem for higher education. Originality: Globally, several researchers have identified the factors that influence the decisions of students in pursuing international education. However, the novelty of this research is that it is a first attempt in investigating and ranking of these factors using FAHP approach, especially in an Indian context.
Experiences with a Serious Game Introducing Basic Knowledge About Renewable Energy Technologies: A Practical Implementation in a German Secondary School
Authors: Spangenberger Pia , Matthes Nadine , Kruse Linda , Draeger Iken , Narciss Susanne , Kapp Felix
Published: February 2021

In this article, we describe a practical implementation of a serious game to facilitate knowledge acquisition about renewable energy technologies among youngsters, using the game Serena Supergreen and the Broken Blade. We present the quest design and an evaluation study on the research questions: (a) Did youngsters who played the game have more knowledge about renewable energy technologies compared to those who did not play the game? (b) How did students perceive the game? (c) What did the students recall from the game 11 months after playing it? The study was conducted at a German secondary school ( n = 82). Youngsters who played the game had more knowledge on renewable energy technologies compared to the control group ( n = 31). In a second round of data collection, 11 months after playing, a majority of students still remembered the game quests. Our results indicate that serious games are a promising approach for introducing basic knowledge about renewable energy technologies.
Suicide prevention during COVID-19: identification of groups with reduced presentations to emergency departments
Authors: Sveticic Jerneja , Stapelberg Nicolas JC , Turner Kathryn
Published: February 2021

Objective:

Reductions in suicidal and self-harm presentations to emergency departments (EDs) since COVID-19 indicate changes in help-seeking behaviours, but it is unknown if hospital avoidance equally affects all population groups.

Method:

Socio-demographic and clinical information relating to suicidal and self-harm presentations to EDs in Queensland, Australia, were compared for the period before (March–August 2019) and since the COVID-19 outbreak (March–August 2020).

Results:

Since COVID, Indigenous Australians and persons with less severe suicidal and self-harm presentations had significantly reduced presentations, while persons younger than 18 years had more presentations. Less suicidal presentations resulted in an admission to inpatient care.

Conclusions:

Patterns of reduced attendance to ED in some groups suggest the need for innovative and community-based models of care to help prevent suicides during the pandemic.
Should we be Royal?
Authors: Kealy-Bateman Warren , Nash Louise , Shields Robyn , Ouliaris Calina , McGorry Patrick
Published: February 2021

Objective:

Our college name The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and Crest (Coat of Arms) are echoes of our colonial past, which create a barrier to an inclusive 21st-century Australasian psychiatry. Two hundred and fifty years after European settlement, this article reviews the colonial legacy, the evolution of the college and the process by which the prefix ‘Royal’ came to be attached. This is now an anachronism that symbolically undermines our mission to create a fully inclusive psychiatry for all Australians and New Zealanders, from indigenous people across the spectrum of cultures drawn from recent migrations within our complex multicultural society.

Conclusion:

As psychiatrists, it is time to modernise and reinvent the college name and Crest. We will be a healthier and more inclusive community of practice without the ‘Royal’ prefix, and with a new symbol for our college that embodies our values and vision.
Exploring Growth in Expressive Communication of Infants and Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Buzhardt Jay , Wallisch Anna , Irvin Dwight , Boyd Brian , Salley Brenda , Jia Fan
Published: February 2021

One of the earliest indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is delay in language and social communication. Despite consensus on the benefits of earlier diagnosis and intervention, our understanding of the language growth of children with ASD during the first years of life remains limited. Therefore, this study compared communication growth patterns of infants and toddlers with ASD to growth benchmarks of a standardized language assessment. We conducted a retrospective analysis of growth on the Early Communication Indicator (ECI) of 23 infants and toddlers who received an ASD diagnosis in the future. At 42 months of age, children with ASD had significantly lower rates of gestures, single words, and multiple words, but significantly higher rates of nonword vocalizations. Children with ASD had significantly slower growth of single and multiple words, but their rate of vocalization growth was significantly greater than benchmark. Although more research is needed with larger samples, because the ECI was designed for practitioners to monitor children’s response to intervention over time, these findings show promise for the ECI’s use as a progress monitoring measure for young children with ASD. Limitations and the need for future research are discussed.
Workplace Hazing: Toward an Organizational Science of a Cryptic Group Practice
Authors: Thomas Benjamin J. , Cimino Aldo , Meglich Patricia
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this paper is to establish a foundation for studying and managing new employee hazing in workgroups. Available empirical evidence indicates 25–75% of American employees encounter workplace hazing, but very little empirical research exists on this phenomenon. Workers are changing jobs more frequently than ever, which increases the cumulative impact and importance of new employee experiences, including hazing, a complex group-based phenomenon. Because hazing is a relatively universal social practice without a strongly established literature in the organizational sciences, we draw from multiple disciplines in reviewing and modeling the practice. The current research offers three major contributions: (a) a relatively exhaustive review of relevant empirical and theoretical work on hazing, (b) an initial, testable model for understanding workplace hazing as a multi-level phenomenon, including individual and group-level antecedents and outcomes, and (c) an outline of the need and support for considering both the dysfunctional and functional consequences of hazing, given the variety of forms it takes and reactions it evokes. Finally, we present actionable guidance for researchers seeking to study workplace hazing and discuss the organizational implications of our work for practitioners.
Comparative study of oral and IV dexamethasone premedication in the prevention of docetaxel induced allergic reactions
Authors: Masood Wardah , Shammas Shoaib , Saleem Zikria , Bhutta Omar Akhlaq , Khan Izzatullah
Published: February 2021

Background

The hypersensitivity reactions after docetaxel administration is a main concern in this study. The aim of this study is to check the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) after receiving a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone before docetaxel administration

Method

In this retrospective study, 1 year data from Jan 1st 2018 to Dec 31st 2018 was retrieved from hospital information system (HIS). We examined 210 patients who visited hospital during the last 12 months during their cancer treatment and took dexamethasone orally 3 days prior to docetaxel administration or 20 mg intravenously before 15 minutes of docetaxel.

Results

Out of 210 patients, only 50 patients were taking IV dexamethasone injection prior to docetaxel constitutes only 23.5% while patients who were taking oral dexamethasone were found to be 160 which constitutes 75%. There was no hypersensitivity reaction with oral and IV dexamethasone before docetaxel administration. Majority of the patients were without taking oral dexamethasone before docetaxel administration which not only saved time but also improve patient compliance.

Conclusion

No hypersensitivity reaction had been found either in oral or intravenous dexamethasone prior to docetaxel administration by using patient data from Hospital Information System (HIS). However, intravenous dexamethasone not only improve patient compliance but also reduce the risk of hypersensitivity reactions but the cost of intravenous dexamethasone is higher than the cost of oral dexamethasone. In conclusion, single dose of intravenous IV dexamethasone is preferred treatment option.
Feline abdominal ultrasonography: What’s normal? What’s abnormal? The spleen
Authors: Griffin Sally
Published: February 2021

Practical relevance:

Abdominal ultrasound plays a vital role in the diagnostic work-up of many cats presenting to general and specialist practitioners. Ultrasound examination of the spleen provides important information to aid the investigation of several conditions and is particularly relevant when an enlarged or irregular spleen is identified during abdominal palpation.

Clinical challenges:

Despite ultrasonography being a commonly used modality, many practitioners are not comfortable performing an ultrasound examination or interpreting the resulting images. Even for the experienced ultrasonographer, differentiating between incidental findings and pathological changes can be challenging.

Aim:

This review, part of an occasional series on feline abdominal ultrasonography, discusses the ultrasound examination of the normal and diseased spleen. Aimed at general practitioners who wish to improve their knowledge of and confidence in feline abdominal ultrasound, this review is accompanied by high-resolution images and videos available online as supplementary material.

Equipment:

Ultrasound facilities are readily available to most practitioners, although the use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool is highly dependent on operator experience.

Evidence base:

Information provided in this article is drawn from the published literature and the author’s own clinical experience.
Accurate compact solution of fluid-filled FG cylindrical shell inducting fluid term: Frequency analysis
Authors: Hussain Muzamal , Naeem Muhammad N
Published: February 2021

Shell motion equations are framed with first order shell theory of Love. Vibration investigation of fluid-filled three layered cylindrical shells is studied here. It is also exhibited that the effect of frequencies is investigated by varying the different layers with constituent material. The coupled and uncoupled frequencies changes with these layers according to the material formation of fluid-filled FG-CSs. A cylindrical shell is immersed in a fluid which is a non-viscous one. These equations are partial differential equations which are usually solved by approximate technique. Robust and efficient techniques are favored to get precise results. Use of acoustic wave equation is done to incorporate the sound pressure produced in a fluid. Hankel’s functions of second kind designate the fluid influence. Mathematically the integral form of the Lagrange energy functional is converted into a set of three partial differential equations.
Youth Centres as Foodscapes and Informal Learning Environments in Finland
Authors: Kauppinen Eila , Kiilakoski Tomi , Palojoki Päivi
Published: February 2021

Although not adequately studied in the research on youth work, food is and has been an integral element of youth centres. This article examines what characterizes youth centres as foodscapes and explores which aspects of youth centres support the food-related learning of young people. We merge the traditions of youth work research, food education and learning. The data of the study consist of two rounds of focus group interviews ( N = 14) conducted with young people aged 13 to 17. The data are qualitatively analysed using the five aspects meal model, which was developed to analyse foodscapes. The results of this study suggest that when youth centres, as foodscapes, are based on the active participation of young people and offer them opportunities to have an influence on the activities and work with peers, it is easier for young people to be inspired and learn.
Venous-air embolism during vitrectomy for endoresection of choroidal melanoma: Case report
Authors: Meraz Gutiérrez Miroslava Paolah , Camara Rodriguez Efrain Jose , Pando Cifuentes Alejandra , Ortiz-Ramirez Grecia Yael , Soberón Ventura Vidal
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

The purpose of this study is to report a case of venous-air embolism during a vitrectomy for endoresection of choroidal melanoma.

Case description:

A 31-year-old man went to the clinic because of photopsias and vision loss in his right eye. On fundoscopy of the right eye, a choroidal mass with an associated retinal detachment was found near the inferotemporal vascular arcade. Multimodal imaging was performed and diagnosis of choroidal melanoma was made. Metastatic workup ruled out systemic extension. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy for endoresection of the lesion. During the application of laser under air, he started complaining of chest pain and dyspnea. He presented signs of supraventricular tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension and oxygen desaturation. He was managed with orotracheal intubation, bronchodilators and vasopressor support, and stabilization was achieved. He was discharged 2 days after with no sequalae. After 1-year of follow-up, the patient has a visual acuity of counting fingers and no signs of tumor recurrence or systemic extension.

Conclusions:

Although rare, vitreoretinal surgeons should be aware of this potentially fatal complication and take steps to prevent it.
12-month interim results of a prospective study of patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma undergoing combined viscodilation of Schlemm’s canal and collector channels and 360° trabeculotomy as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery
Authors: Grabska-Liberek Iwona , Duda Patrycja , Rogowska Monika , Majszyk- Ionescu Julita , Skowyra Agnieszka , Koziorowska Anna , Kane Ingrid , Chmielewski Jaroslaw
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

To characterize clinical outcomes of combined viscodilation of Schlemm’s canal and collector channels and 360° trabeculotomy as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery in eyes with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

Methods:

In this prospective case series, the OMNI glaucoma surgical platform (Sight Sciences, Menlo Park, CA) was utilized to perform the procedure either combined with phacoemulsification or as a standalone procedure. Changes from baseline in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medications were evaluated through the first 12 months of a planned 24-month follow-up period.

Results:

Among 17 eyes of 15 subjects, mean IOP was reduced from 20.4 mmHg to 12.7–13.7 mmHg through 12 months of follow-up ( p < 0.001 at every time point) and mean medications reduced from 2.5 to 0.1–0.6 ( p < 0.001 at every time point). IOP reductions in eyes undergoing standalone surgery were approximately 2–4 mmHg greater at each time point compared to eyes undergoing surgery combined with phacoemulsification; this may be related to a higher baseline IOP in the former eyes (22.1 vs 18.5 mmHg). Six eyes developed hyphema, of which three required washout for elevated IOP on the first postoperative day; six additional eyes had IOP elevations that resolved with medical management.

Conclusion:

Viscodilation of Schlemm’s canal and collector channels paired with ab interno trabeculotomy performed with a single integrated instrument (OMNI), whether as standalone or combined with phacoemulsification, effectively lowers both IOP and the need for IOP-lowering medications through 12 months of follow-up.
Evaluation of an Intervention Program for Promoting Breast Self-Examination Behavior in Employed Women in Iran
Authors: Bashirian Saeed , Barati Majid , Mohammadi Younes , MoaddabShoar Leila , Dogonchi Mitra
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the world. Screening is the basis for early detection. However, the mortality rate is still high in Iranian women related to not screening and timely check-ups. We offered a theory-based intervention program to improve breast cancer screening behavior in women.

Methods:

This interventional study was conducted in 135 employed women in 2019. Their screening behavior was investigated using a questionnaire based on the Protection Motivation and Social Support Theories. We compared the efficacy of 2 educational interventions (a workshop and an E-learning program) between 2 intervention groups and a control group. The results were collected 3 months after the interventions had taken place. Data were analyzed in SPSS 23 using descriptive statistics, chi-square, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the paired sample t-test.

Results:

We found a significant difference between the mean score of knowledge and the theoretical constructs ( P value < .001) before and after the interventions. Our results also showed that both the intervention methods had a similar effect and that there was a significant difference in the performance of breast self-examinations between the intervention and control groups after the intervention ( P value < .001).

Conclusion:

Given the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of implementing an E-learning program, we would recommend that health care planners assist in designing and implementing this effective form of intervention to encourage many more women to perform self-examinations to aid breast cancer screening.
Assessment of Current and Future Climate Change Impact on Soil Loss Rate of Agewmariam Watershed, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Girmay Gebrehana , Moges Awdenegest , Muluneh Alemayehu
Published: February 2021

Soil erosion is 1 of the most important environmental problems that pose serious challenges to food security and the future development prospects of Ethiopia. Climate change influences soil erosion and is critical for the planning and management of soil and water resources. This study aimed to assess the current and future climate change impact on soil loss rate for the near future (2011-2040), middle future (2041-2070), and far future (2071-2100) periods relative to the reference period (1989-2018) in the Agewmariam watershed, Northern Ethiopia. The 20 models of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 global climate models (GCMs) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 (intermediate scenario) and 8.5 (high emissions scenario) scenarios were used for climate projection. The statistical bias correction method was used to downscale GCMs. Universal Soil Loss Equation integrated with geographic information system was used to estimate soil loss. The results showed that the current average annual soil loss rate and the annual total soil loss on the study area were found to be 25 t ha−1 year−1 and 51 403.13 tons, respectively. The soil loss has increased by 3.0%, 4.7%, and 5.2% under RCP 4.5 scenarios and 6.0%, 9.52%, and 14.32% under RCP 8.5 scenarios in the 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s, respectively, from the current soil loss rate. Thus, the soil loss rate is expected to increase on all future periods (the 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s) under both scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) due to the higher erosive power of the future intense rainfall. Thus, climate change will exacerbate the existing soil erosion problem and would need for vigorous new conservation policies and investments to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on soil loss.
Validation of a measure of parental responsiveness: Comparison of the brief Parental Responsiveness Rating Scale with a detailed measure of responsive parental behaviours
Authors: Barnett Sarah Ellen , Levickis Penny , McKean Cristina , Letts Carolyn , Stringer Helen
Published: February 2021

Parental responsiveness is vital for child language development. Its accurate measurement in clinical settings could identify families who may benefit from preventative interventions; however, coding of responsiveness is time-consuming and expensive. This study investigates in a clinical context the validity of the Parental Responsiveness Rating Scale (PaRRiS): a time- and cost-effective global rating scale of parental responsiveness. Child health nurse (CHN) PaRRiS ratings are compared to a detailed coding of parental responsiveness. Thirty parent–child dyads completed an 8-min free-play session at their 27-month health review. CHNs rated the interaction live using PaRRiS. Videos of these interactions were then blindly coded using the more detailed coding system. PaRRiS ratings and detailed codings were compared using correlational analysis and the Bland–Altman method. PaRRiS and the detailed coding showed a moderate-strong correlation ( rs (28) = 0.57, 95% CI [0.26, 0.77]) and high agreement (Bland–Altman). CHNs using PaRRiS can capture parental responsiveness as effectively as trained clinicians using detailed coding. This may allow (1) increased accuracy and efficiency in identifying toddlers at risk for long-term language difficulties; (2) more accurate allocation to speech and language therapy (SLT) services; (3) decreased burden on SLT resources by empowering CHNs to make more informed referral decisions.
Why we can’t talk openly about race: The impact of race and partisanship on respondents’ perceptions of intergroup conversations
Authors: Appiah Osei , Eveland William , Bullock Olivia , Coduto Kathryn
Published: February 2021

Conversations about race-specific issues with interracial conversation partners can be important to combat prejudice and foster mutual understanding. Using a national U.S. sample of 201 Black Democrats, 199 Black Republicans, 200 White Democrats, and 200 White Republicans, this study examined the role that race and partisanship play in individuals’ desire to have political discussions about race-specific topics with racial outgroups. Findings indicate that Blacks in general expected more negative outcomes of race talk with racial outgroups, and Republicans were more likely to attempt to avoid interracial conversations about race. However, these findings were qualified by an interaction between race and partisanship such that White Democrats anticipated fewer negative outcomes from cross-race conversations about race than all other subgroups, and Black Democrats expected more negative outcomes than all other subgroups. Black and White Republicans did not differ from one another and fell roughly between the two Democratic subgroups. Nonetheless, it was White Republicans who were most likely to want to avoid race-specific conversations with cross-race discussion partners, rating significantly more avoidant than Black Republicans and White Democrats, but not Black Democrats.
Evaluation of dynamic airflow structures in a single-aisle aircraft cabin mockup based on numerical simulation
Authors: Wang Congcong , Zhang Jie , Chao Jiangyue , Yang Changle , Chen Hongbing
Published: February 2021

The airflow distribution characterised by different large- and small-scale eddies in the aircraft cabin is the most important factor to maintain passengers' thermal comfort and to remove contaminants. The airflow distributions in narrow-body aircraft cabins are based on the principle of mixing ventilation. Opposing jets from air diffusers can cause stream deflection and oscillation, which results in the asymmetry of large-scale instantaneous airflow structures. This dynamic airflow structure is very important for analysing time series parameters. Therefore, this study applied numerical simulation to examine the oscillation and asymmetry of instantaneous airflow field structures and phase space reconstruction and used spectrum analysis to evaluate the oscillation amplitude and period of dynamic airflow structure. We also studied the factors that influence the dynamic airflow structure, such as air supply speeds, air supply angles and the strength of the thermal plume. The results showed that as the air supply speed increased, the swing amplitude of the instantaneous airflow structure increased, while the period decreased. The air supply angle affected the jet attachment and collision angle, which in turn affected the swing amplitude and period. The thermal plume restrained the formation of large-scale swings and contributed to the appearance of small-scale structures.
Facebook futures: Mark Zuckerberg’s discursive construction of a better world
Authors: Haupt Joachim
Published: February 2021

This article explores the future imaginaries used in Facebook’s corporate communications. It aims to reconstruct how these “Facebook Futures” are constructed over time and across different contexts by Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Focus of the investigation is a discourse analysis of Zuckerberg’s public language from 2004 to 2017. By employing qualitative and interpretive modes of enquiry, this study attempts to show (1) how Facebook’s future imaginaries change over time, (2) how Facebook’s central imaginaries “global connectivity” and “global community” are substantiated, and (3) how these imaginaries are supported by norms and values inherent in Silicon Valley culture. Overall, Facebook is analyzed as an example of a prophetic corporation, not only providing an explicitly corporate vision of a better world, but also blending it with the digital technologies and practices involved in making this vision reality.
“This is not how we imagined it”: Technological affordances, economic drivers, and the Internet architecture imaginary
Authors: ten Oever Niels
Published: February 2021

The Internet architecture is widely perceived as engine for innovation by providing the equal opportunity to deploy new protocols and applications. This view reflects an imaginary that guides the co-production of policy and technology that can be traced back to the early days of the Internet, which is still prominent among the engineers in one of the main governance bodies of the Internet, the Internet Engineering Taskforce (IETF). After the privatization of the Internet architecture in the 1990s, the interplay between the architectural principles of end-to-end, permissionless innovation, and openness subverted equality among Internet users and hampered their ability to redesign the Internet. I draw on media studies, science and technology studies and international political economy, and use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to show how the Internet architecture’s affordance structure got reconfigured, and how this facilitated the prioritization of corporate interests over the interests of end users.
Metaphors in critical Internet and digital media studies
Authors: Wyatt Sally
Published: February 2021

Since its very early days, metaphors have been used by various powerful social actors to try to convey what the Internet is and what it could be used for, now and in the future. In this short essay, I make a plea for critical scholars of the Internet and digital media to be simultaneously careful and imaginative in their own choice of metaphorical language. I revisit some of the early and recurring metaphors, such as frontier, highway and library, to illustrate the evocative power of metaphor. I then examine the more recent metaphors of cloud computing and (big) data flow to justify why it remains important to focus on metaphors. Scholars in critical and digital media studies not only need to deconstruct the metaphors of the powerful but they also need to contribute new metaphors and new ways of describing and thinking about the future.
Pōwhiri: The ritual of encounter
Authors: Rameka Lesley , Ham Ruth , Mitchell Linda
Published: February 2021

A primary task for refugee families and children who are resettling in a new country is to develop a sense of belonging in that place, time and context. This article theorises the pōwhiri, the traditional Māori ceremony of welcome or ritual of encounter, as a metaphor for refugee families and children coming to belong in Aotearoa New Zealand. The theory-building is derived from observation of pōwhiri at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, where refugees live on their first arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand; pedagogical documentation from the Early Childhood Centre at the Auckland University of Technology Centre for Refugee Education; collaborative discussions with the co-researcher, Ruth Ham, who is the kaiako (‘head teacher’) at the Early Childhood Centre; and recordings of discussions with interpreters. The next phase in this research will be to trial and evaluate this theory and strategies of belonging in three different early childhood centres, two of which include refugee families, and the third, immigrant families.
Wave characteristics of nonsymmetric cross-ply laminated composite beams
Authors: Bachoo Richard
Published: February 2021

The free vibration characteristics of a nonsymmetric cross-ply laminated composite beam coupled in bending and longitudinal deformation is studied using a wave approach. The effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia are included in the analysis. Exact analytical expressions are derived for the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and the power flow of the propagating waves. The derived expressions are validated using the results from past literature and provide a benchmark for numerical models. The advantages of the wave approach over conventional free vibration analysis methods are highlighted. Specifically, the wave approach is used to derive a simplified expression for the mode count function of the composite beam. Additionally, the wave approach is also used to investigate the power flow and cross-conversion of the propagating wavetypes across various classical boundary conditions. The influence of the number of cross-ply layers on the natural frequencies and power flow are also investigated. The efficacy of the wave analysis is illustrated through several numerical examples.
Economic determinants of public support for European integration, 1995–2018
Authors: Foster Chase , Frieden Jeffry
Published: February 2021

European support for integration is shaped by a range of economic, cultural, and political factors. However, in recent decades, scholars have argued that utilitarian calculations have become less important as European integration has advanced, and political entrepreneurs have mobilized nationalist identities. We analyze 24 years of responses to the Eurobarometer (1995–2018) to assess the influence of economic factors on public attitudes toward European integration. We find strong evidence that utilitarian factors are important across the entire panel. The performance of the macro-economy, as measured by unemployment, and an individual’s position in the labor market, are consistent predictors of public support for and satisfaction with the European Union. Collective identity is also associated with attitudes toward the European Union. However, an individual’s identity is also shaped by economic circumstances.
When vagueness is a strategic resource for planning actors
Authors: Buhler Thomas
Published: February 2021

This paper focuses on the use of vague discourse in planning. Early contributions identified vagueness as a ‘problem’ to be solved so as to avoid potential misunderstandings and conflicts. This paper adopts the complementary point of view whereby vagueness can also be a ‘resource’, that is, a strategy used by actors in adverse circumstances. A systematic analysis of the texts and illustrations of 36 urban transport plans shows that vagueness is an essential ingredient. It is used mainly as a way to hedge against unwanted public commitments in the context of major uncertainties and tension between actors.