bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound as a Valuable Imaging Modality in Sclerosing Lymphocytic Lobulitis: Imaging Features Based on a Retrospective Cohort Analysis of 51 Cases
Authors: Sato Lucy Tiemi , de Mello Giselle Guedes Netto , Stiepcich Monica Maria Agata , Tucunduva Tatiana Cardoso de Mello , Torres Ulysses S. , Reis André Fernandes , Lederman Henrique Manoel
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis (SLL) is a rare benign breast condition usually associated with diabetes mellitus and whose imaging features have been assessed in few studies, limiting the adoption of diagnostic guidelines. We aimed to identify the main morphological features associated with SLL on imaging examinations (mainly ultrasound and mammography) and to retrospectively evaluate the role that each method played in the diagnostic workup (detection and indication for biopsy).

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted in a high-volume single center, encompassing 51 consecutive patients (100% female; 26-78 y; 43.7 ± 15.5 y) with histopathologically proven SLL (59 lesions; 0.5-6.1 cm).

Results:

Most lesions (31/59; 53%) were found in asymptomatic individuals. Ultrasound detected 91.1% (51 out of 56 lesions assessed by this modality), of which 94.1% were non-circumscribed masses (BI-RADS® 4). Mammography detected 41.6% (15 out of 36 lesions assessed by this modality), with a predominance (80%) of non-calcified ones (masses, asymmetries and distortion). Two-year follow-up was achieved in 29 lesions (49%), showing complete remission (45%) or stability (41%) in most cases.

Conclusions:

Most lesions in this retrospective sample have been detected by means of ultrasound and had their need for biopsy indicated by this modality. Female diabetic patients younger than 40 years presenting with a palpable lesion and a non-circumscribed mass on ultrasound could be submitted to core biopsy; histopathologic findings suggestive of SLL should be considered concordant in this scenario, with subsequent conservative treatment.
Noninvasive Ventilation in a Pediatric Trauma Center: A Cohort Study
Authors: Piastra Marco , De Bellis Andrea , Morena Tony C. , De Luca Daniele , Pezza Lucilla , Pizza Alessandro , Genovese Orazio , Mancino Aldo , Picconi Enzo , Conti Giorgio
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To determine whether non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can avoid the need for tracheal intubation and/or reduce the duration of invasive ventilation (IMV) in previously intubated patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and developing acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) after major traumatic injury.

Study Design:

A single center observational cohort study.

Setting:

Pediatric ICU in a University Hospital (tertiary referral Pediatric Trauma Centre)

Population:

During the 48-month study period, 276 patients (median age 6.4 years) with trauma were admitted to PICU; among 86 of them, who suffered from AHRF and received ventilation (IMV and/or NIV) for more than 12 hrs, 32 patients (median age 8.5 years) were treated with NIV.

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria: at least 12 hours of NIV; exclusion criteria: patients with facial trauma or congenital malformations; patients receiving IMV <12 hours or perioperative ventilation.

Measurements and Results:

Among NIV patients, 27 (84,3%) were previously on IMV, while 5 (15,6%) could be managed exclusively with NIV. In patients with post-extubation respiratory distress, NIV was successful in 88.4% of cases. Before starting NIV, P/F ratio was 242.7 ± 71. After 8 hours of NIV treatment, a significant oxygenation improvement (PaO2/FiO2 = 354.3 ± 81; p = 0.0002) was found, with no significant changes in carbon dioxide levels. A trend toward increasing ventilation-free time has been evidenced; NIV resulted feasible and generally well tolerated.

Conclusions:

AHRF in trauma patients is multifactorial and may be due to many reasons, such as lung contusion, aspiration of blood or gastric contents. Systemic inflammatory response and transfusions may also contribute to hypoxia. Our pilot study strongly suggests that NIV can be applied in post-traumatic AHRF: it may successfully reduce the time of both invasive ventilation and deep sedation. Further data from controlled studies are needed to assess the advantage of NIV in pediatric trauma.
How Do Patients With Parkinson’s Disease Approach Advance Care Planning? A UK-Based Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Churm Deepta , Dickinson Claire , Robinson Louise , Paes Paul , Cronin Thomas , Walker Richard
Published: January 2021

Background:

Advance Care Planning (ACP) allows people the opportunity to plan for a time when they may lose capacity. The aim of this study was to determine the extent people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) were aware of ACP, existing plans they held and to explore their own views, as well as their relatives, on planning for the future.

Methods:

This was a sequential explanatory mixed methods study with a postal quantitative survey to establish awareness and engagement with planning for the future; and qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore the views of people with PD and their relatives on ACP and future plans.

Results:

104 questionnaires were analyzed. 76% of respondents had not heard of ACP, while 69% expressed an interest in finding out more about ACP. 78% had a will, and 23% had appointed lasting power of attorneys. All interviewees acknowledged engaging in some aspect of planning. Plans were mostly practical as opposed to health-care related. Interviewees expressed a preference for ACP to be carried out by their PD team, at home, and at a time relevant to their condition.

Conclusion:

The awareness and understanding of ACP in people with PD is low. While there is desire to be better informed about ACP, this did not translate into desire to engage in ACP. Health professionals should identify people for whom ACP may serve a positive purpose, and proactively address ACP as a continuum with them, while ensuring awareness is raised about ACP, and there is access for who are interested.
Cornel West and Marxist Humanism
Authors: Fuchs Christian
Published: January 2021

Humanity has experienced an explosion of anti-humanism in the form of authoritarian capitalism, postmodern filter bubbles, and global problems. Marxist/Socialist Humanism is the proper answer to the deep crisis of humanity. In this context, this article asks ‘How can Cornel West’s works inform a contemporary Marxist humanist theory of society?’ Taking West’s works as a starting point, what are the key elements of a Marxist humanist theory of society?

Cornel West is one of the leading critical intellectuals today. His work has fused anti-racist theory, Black Liberation Theology, Marxist theory, pragmatism, and existentialism.

This article especially focuses on West’s understanding of humanism and culture. It shows how his works and praxis can inform the reinvigoration of Marxist Humanism in the age of authoritarian capitalism as a socialist response. West’s thought can and should also inform the analysis of alienation, exploitation, domination, culture, the public sphere, the critique of ideology, and popular culture.
The stability of multi-level governments
Authors: Aragonès Enriqueta , Ponsatí Clara
Published: January 2021

This paper studies the stability of a multi-level government. We analyze an extensive form game played between two politicians leading two levels of government. We characterize the conditions that render such government structures stable. We also show that if leaders care about electoral rents and the preferences of the constituencies at different levels are misaligned, then the decentralized government structure may be unsustainable. This result is puzzling because, from a normative perspective, the optimality of decentralized decisions via a multi-level government structure is relevant precisely when different territorial constituencies exhibit preference heterogeneity.
Reinforcement learning control of a humanoid robotic hand actuated by shape memory alloy
Authors: Liu Mingfang , Zhao Zhirui , Zhang Wei , Hao Lina
Published: January 2021

Humanoid robotic hand actuated by shape memory alloy (SMA) represents a new emerging technology. SMA has a wide range of potential applications in many different fields, ranging from industrial assembly to biomedicine applications, due to the characteristic of high power-to-weight ratio, low driving voltages and noiselessness. However, nonlinearities of SMA and complex dynamic models of SMA-based robotic hands result in difficulties in controlling. In this paper, a humanoid SMA-based robotic hand composed of five fingers is presented with the ability of adaptive grasping. Reinforcement learning as a model-free control strategy can search for optimal control of systems with nonlinear and uncertainty. Therefore, an adaptive SA-Q-Learning (ASA-Q-learning) controller is proposed to control the humanoid robotic finger. The performance of ASA-Q-learning controller is compared with SA-Q-learning and PID controller through experimentation. Results have shown that ASA-Q-learning controller can control the humanoid SMA-based robotic hand effectively with faster convergence rate and higher control precision than SA-Q-learning and PID controller, and is feasible for implementation in a model-free system.
Fault-tolerant control approach based on constraint control allocation for 4WIS/4WID vehicles
Authors: Liu Yang , Zong Changfu , Zhang Dong , Zheng Hongyu , Han Xiaojian , Sun Ming
Published: January 2021

The four-wheel independently driven and steered electric vehicle is a promising vehicle model having a strong potential for handling stability, flexibility, and consumption reduction. However, failure of the actuators of 4WIS/4WID vehicles could lead to performance reduction and dangerous accidents owing to their complex system. A fault-tolerant control approach is adopted in the integrated chassis controller such that the autonomously driven vehicle maintains its safety and stability while actuator failures occur. A linear quadratic regulator is utilized to track the reference path by adjusting the total forces and moment. To resolve any actuator failures, a control allocation method based on the pseudo-inverse matrix is introduced for decoupling the forces and moment based on the current state of the tires with cycle and correction. In the actuator control layer, the desired forces of the tires are achieved by regulating the steering angles and driving torques based on the inverse tire models of normal and flat tires. Three sets of experiments are used to test the efficiency of the proposed method when applied to a 4WIS/4WID vehicle. The results demonstrate that the proposed fault-tolerant control method can greatly improve the tracking performance and stability of 4WIS/4WID vehicles under conditions of actuator failures.
Research on risky driving behavior evaluation model based on CIDAS real data
Authors: Hu Lin , Bao Xingqian , Lin Miao , Yu Chao , Wang Fang
Published: January 2021

This paper constructs an evaluation system that reflects dangerous driving behavior. The evaluation system has a three-layer structure model of “Evaluation Index-Performance Mode-Driving behavior score.” Verification of the feasibility of the model based on the relationship between the driver and the cause of the accident based on behavioral characteristics. First, the driving return survey data and accident form information of the real traffic accident cases of China In-Depth Accident Study (CIDAS) database are counted, and the character variables are converted into digital variables. Then, a three-tier structure of the dangerous driving behavior evaluation system is built, and the correlation between the driver and the cause of the accident is conducted to verify the feasibility of the model. The research shows that the individual characteristics of drivers with dangerous driving behavior are closely related to the cause of accidents, and the evaluation system constructed in this paper can quantify and describe this relationship effectively.
Experimental investigation and performance enhancements characteristics of gaseous assisted powder mixed near dry electric discharge machining
Authors: Sundriyal S , Vipin  , Walia RS
Published: January 2021

Gaseous assisted powder mixed near dry EDM (GAPMND-EDM) is one of the recent hybrid technologies, which not only enhance the machining performance, but at the same time, high quality products with better surface quality characteristics can also be achieved. In this study, the response parameters were material removal rate, surface finish, micro hardness and residual stress. It was found that the maximum material removal rate (MRR 3.379 mg/min) was achieved with combination of (dielectric) oxygen gas with graphite powder while lowest surface roughness (SR 1.11 μm) was found to be with dielectric argon gas with graphite additives. Highest micro hardness (MH) and lowest residual stress (RS) was 820.30 Vickers hardness number (VHN) and 229 MPa found with dielectric combination of zinc additives with argon gas.
Searching for sustainable electricity generation: The possibility of substituting coal and natural gas with clean energy
Authors: Bello Mufutau Opeyemi , Solarin Sakiru Adebola
Published: January 2021

It is now a common consensus that there is a need to lessen the consumption of fossil fuels as they are the main cause of greenhouse gases. Electricity is one of the chief determinants of greenhouse gases emission as its generation is dominated by fossil fuels. Thus, it is imperative to decarbonize the electric power sector. The main objective of this work is, therefore, to examine the potentials to switch from fossil fuels to clean energy which comprises of nuclear power and the various renewable energy sources of solar energy, hydropower, wind energy, biofuels, and geothermal. Due to the unsuitability of the ordinary least squares (OLS) procedure in the face of severe multicollinearity, the ridge regression procedure was adopted to obtain the parameter estimates using the U.S. annual electricity sector data for the period 1985 to 2018. The results show that substantial substitution exists between clean energy and the fossil fuels of coal and natural gas in the U.S. electricity sector. The results also underscore the importance of energy resource in the process of economic growth and development of U.S. To fully harness the potentials of clean energy, the study recommends increased investment in each of the components of clean energy. This should be complemented with various policy instruments such as provisions of tax credits and feed-in tariffs for clean energy and imposition of tax on carbon consumption.
When things go wrong with you, it hurts me too: The effects of partner’s employment status on health in comparative perspective
Authors: Baranowska-Rataj Anna , Strandh Mattias
Published: January 2021

The effects of changes in employment status on health within couples have attracted increasing attention. This paper contributes to this emerging research by investigating whether the impact of a partner’s employment status on individual self-rated health varies systematically across countries with varying decommodification levels. We use longitudinal data from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) and hybrid models. We find that a change in an individual’s employment status may affect the health not just of the person who experiences this transition, but that of his or her partner. The likelihood that such a spillover will occur varies across countries with different decommodification levels. The negative effects of a partner’s employment status on self-rated health are observed when the generosity of welfare state support is limited. The moderating effects of financial support from the state are not very strong, though. They are not robust across all our models and do not extend to all the dimensions of the generosity of welfare state support.
When free choice turns into a pitfall: conditional social protection for immigrants in voluntary unemployment insurance systems
Authors: Gschwind Lutz
Published: January 2021

Unemployment insurance systems are designed to provide income security for those who drop out of work temporarily. This form of social protection is particularly relevant for foreign-born workers who are, on average, more likely to become unemployed during layoffs. The article explores how the social protection of immigrants differs in cases where payments are tied to voluntary rather than mandatory contributions. This is done by focusing on a recent welfare reform in Sweden which led to both a sharp increase in costs and a decline in benefit generosity overnight. It is argued that migrants lost their social protection at a disproportionate rate over the course of the reform. Both their status on the labour market and position as newcomers to the norms and rules of society are expected to impede on their decision to obtain or prolong insurance membership, leading to a decline in eligibility to income security. Difference-in-difference estimates with administrative data from all unemployment insurance funds show that the share of benefit recipients with earnings-related payments decreased at a higher rate among the foreign-born as expected, especially if they had arrived in the country only recently.
Perceived Faultlines in Group Dynamics: An Individual-Level Perspective
Authors: Maltarich Mark A. , Thatcher Sherry M. B. , Schepker Donald J. , Park Jieun
Published: January 2021

The authors elaborate a multilevel model of faultline perceptions across individuals in groups. They develop the concept of individual perceived faultlines and build logic about an individual-level antecedent—expectations for relationship conflict held even before a group is formed. They explain how its impact persists over time to influence individual satisfaction with the group, and how individuals update faultline perceptions in response to common contexts and social processes. Findings indicate that expectations for relationship conflict, despite being held before the group forms, influence individuals’ satisfaction with the group. The effect is mediated by initial and later-stage individual perceived faultlines.
Spirituality and the Illness Experience: Perspectives of African American Older Adults
Authors: Siler Shaunna , Arora Kelly , Doyon Katherine , Fischer Stacy M.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Disparities in hospice and palliative care (PC) for African Americans have been linked to mistrust toward the healthcare system, racial inequalities, and cultural preferences. Spirituality has been identified as important to African Americans in general. Less is known about the influence of spirituality on African American illness experiences.

Objective:

The goal of this study was to understand older African Americans’ perspectives on how spirituality influences chronic illness experiences to inform the development of a culturally tailored PC intervention.

Methods:

In partnership with 5 churches in the Denver metropolitan area, we conducted focus groups with African American older adults (n = 50) with chronic health conditions and their family caregivers. Transcripts were analyzed using a deductive approach. The theoretical framework for this study draws on psychology of religion research.

Results:

Themes referenced participants’ spiritual orienting systems, spiritual coping strategies, and spiritual coping styles. Psycho-spiritual struggles, social struggles, and sources of social support were also identified. Findings suggest African Americans’ spirituality influences chronic illness experiences. Participants relied on their spirituality and church community to help them cope with illness. In addition, social struggles impacted the illness experience. Social struggles included mistrust toward the healthcare system and not being connected to adequate resources. Participants expressed a need to advocate for themselves and family members to receive better healthcare. Churches were referred to as a trusted space for health resources, as well as spiritual and social support.
Ambulatory chemotherapy: Past, present, and future
Authors: Sabbagh Dit Hawasli Racha , Barton Stephen , Nabhani-Gebara Shereen
Published: January 2021

Ambulatory chemotherapy allows the delivery of short and extended chemotherapy infusions through a portable pump from the comfort of patients’ homes. It is essential to offer it for suitable candidates to ensure both their safety and the success of the treatment session. This requires a delicate balance between clinical assessment and patient acceptance.

The two main components of this treatment modality are the pump and the access device.

There are several pump designs and mechanisms on the market, with the latest being the portable disposable elastomeric one.

Clinicians along with a multidisciplinary medical team often decide upon the type of access device; patients are also involved whenever shared decision making is practiced.

Despite some reports of pump programming errors or malfunctions, research is underway to find innovative solutions to support its use.
Demographic Characteristics and Functional Levels of Patients With Fragility Fractures Who Accept Tele-rehabilitation as an Alternative to Face-to-face Home Rehabilitation
Authors: Morris Claire , Van den Berg Maayken , Barr Chris , George Stacey , Crotty Maria
Published: January 2021

There is a gap in the evidence on telerehabilitation (TR) for people with fragility fractures. It is unclear whether this group with recent falls who are often frail with cognitive changes will accept tele-rehabilitation and functional gains can be achieved using this approach. Prospective observational study of consecutive patients admitted with femoral or pelvic fracture to a hospital-based home rehabilitation service (HRS) between January and November 2017. Using tablets, multidisciplinary rehabilitation was provided via videoconferencing and use of exercise apps. Patients chose a face-to-face visit or TR. Information on demographic characteristics, functional levels, the total number of therapy sessions, TR episodes, reasons for non-acceptance of TR, and patient-reported experience using TR was collected. Fifty-two patients with hip and pelvic fractures were admitted to the HRS and 35 (67.3%) received TR. Patients who did not accept TR were older, frailer and more likely to be female than those who received TR. Of the 17 who did not receive TR, 6 were deemed unsuitable by staff due to hearing, vision or cognitive problems and 3 refused. The TR group achieved acceptable functional gains. In the TR group on average, participants had 13.63 (± 7.29) home visits however they only elected to have 3.43 (± 2.48) sessions delivered via TR. TR was acceptable to a subset of hip fracture patients but face-to-face was the preferred mode of delivery. More research is needed to understand patients’ preferences and beliefs, and the influence of clinician attitudes on uptake of TR.
How Earmarking Government Revenue Affects Efficiency of Road Construction and Maintenance
Authors: Christen Ramon , Soguel Nils C.
Published: January 2021

It is common practice to assign revenue to accomplish specific governmental tasks in general and to provide transport infrastructure in particular. However, neither the literature in public administration nor in public choice has reached a consensus about the effects that earmarking has on efficiency. Building on earlier public choice models, we argue that this mechanism prevents budget debates from occurring and reduces the incentives for ministers to monitor the colleagues whose budgets are financed by earmarked revenues. These latter tend to overuse public resources, thus increasing inefficiency. A stochastic frontier model fed with data from Swiss cantonal ministries of transport from 2000 to 2016 tests this hypothesis. The results reveal a negative effect of earmarking on efficiency. For every 1,000 additional Swiss francs per capita financed out of an earmarked fund, the input requirement increases by 5.4 percent on average.
An exploratory study of diet in childhood and young adulthood and adult-onset multiple sclerosis
Authors: Black Lucinda J , Hetherton Sarah , Forkan Michaela , Gonzales Edlin G , Smith Jessica B , Daly Alison , Lucas Robyn M , Langer-Gould Annette
Published: January 2021

There is little evidence on the role of diet in childhood/adolescence and multiple sclerosis (MS) in adulthood. The MS Sunshine Study recruited adults with recent-onset MS ( n = 602) and matched controls ( n = 653). Of these, 84% provided dietary recall for specific ages between childhood and young adulthood (6–10, 11–15 and 16–20 years). We used logistic regression to test associations between age-specific diet and case-control status. Consumption of fruit (all ages), yoghurt (all ages) and legumes (11–15 years) was associated with lower probability of adult-onset MS (all p < 0.05). These results suggest that healthy dietary habits between childhood and young adulthood may reduce MS risk.
A comparison of clinical outcomes in PPMS in the INFORMS original trial data set
Authors: Koch Marcus W , Mostert Jop P , Uitdehaag Bernard , Cutter Gary
Published: January 2021

Background:

The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) is the standard clinical outcome measure in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), even though the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW), nine-hole peg test (NHPT) or combinations of these measures may be more useful. The paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) is a widely used cognitive measure in MS, but little is known about change in PASAT scores over time in PPMS.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to compare clinical outcome measures in a large PPMS trial data set.

Methods:

We determined significant worsening events on the EDSS, T25FW and NHPT, and PASAT scores over the course of this 3-year trial. We compared unconfirmed, confirmed and sustained disability worsening and contrasted disability worsening with similarly defined improvement. We examined the association of baseline characteristics with the risk of disability worsening at 12, 24 and 36 months with logistic regression models.

Results:

The EDSS and T25FW showed most worsening events, while only few patients worsened on the NHPT. Adding the NHPT to a combined outcome added only few further worsening events. PASAT scores slightly increased over time, possibly due to a practice effect.

Conclusion:

Both the EDSS and T25FW, but not NHPT or PASAT, appear to be useful outcome measures in PPMS.
CSF extracellular vesicles and risk of disease activity after a first demyelinating event
Authors: Dalla Costa Gloria , Croese Tommaso , Pisa Marco , Finardi Annamaria , Fabbella Lorena , Martinelli Vittorio , Leocani Letizia , Filippi Massimo , Comi Giancarlo , Furlan Roberto
Published: January 2021

Background:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a recently described mechanism of cell communication, are released from activated microglial cells and macrophages and are a candidate biomarker in diseases characterized by chronic inflammatory process such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

We explored cerebrospinal fluid extracellular vesicle (CSF EV) of myeloid origin (MEVs), cytokine and chemokine levels in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

Results:

We found that CSF MEVs were significantly higher in CIS patients than in controls and were inversely correlated to CSF CCL2 levels. MEVs level were significantly associated with an shorter time to evidence of disease activity (hazard ratio: 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.02, p < 0.01) independently from other known prognostic markers.

Conclusion:

After a first demyelinating event, CSF EVs may improve risk stratification of these patients and allow more targeted intervention strategies.
Synchronous and asynchronous tele-exercise during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Comparisons of implementation and training load in individuals with spinal cord injury
Authors: Costa Rodrigo Rodrigues Gomes , Dorneles Jefferson R , Veloso João HCL , Gonçalves Carlos WP , Neto Frederico Ribeiro
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Tele-exercise could represent an alternative for remote care in individuals with spinal cord injury at this time of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. However, the differences regarding the training loads and implementation between synchronous and asynchronous types are not yet known. The purpose of this study was to compare the implementation and training load between synchronous and asynchronous tele-exercise programs in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Methods

Forty individuals with spinal cord injury were recruited and stratified into tetraplegia and paraplegia groups. All subjects performed 3 weeks of both the synchronous and asynchronous tele-exercise programs, after two weeks of familiarization with the exercises, remote connection tools and methods to record information. The primary outcomes were training load (average daily workload and average and total weekly training load) and implementation (adherence and successful exercise recording). Demographic characteristics were obtained from participants' electronic medical records.

Results

Weekly mean workload, total workload, adherence and successful exercise recording presented significantly higher values in the synchronous compared to asynchronous tele-exercises. Average daily workload did not present significant differences between the tele-exercises.

Discussion

The training load for each training session presented no differences between synchronous and asynchronous tele-exercises. Both adherence and successful data recording showed more favourable implementation values for synchronous training, thus allowing greater weekly training loads (total and average).
Contributions of childhood adversities to chronic pain among mid-life employees
Authors: Salonsalmi Aino , Pietiläinen Olli , Lahelma Eero , Rahkonen Ossi , Lallukka Tea
Published: January 2021

Aims: Chronic pain is a notable burden on public health, with past and present factors contributing to it. This study aimed to examine the associations between childhood adversities and chronic pain. Methods: Data on seven childhood adversities, chronic pain and disabling pain were derived from questionnaire surveys conducted in 2000, 2001 and 2002 among 40- to 60-year-old employees (response rate of 67%) of the City of Helsinki, Finland. The study included 8140 employees (80% women). Logistic regression was used in the analyses, and the results are presented as odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Age, sex, the father’s education, the participant’s education, marital status, working conditions, sleep problems and common mental disorders were included as covariates. Results: In the age-adjusted models, childhood economic difficulties (OR=1.60, 95% CI 1.41–1.81), childhood illness (OR=1.74, 95% CI 1.45–2.08), parental divorce (OR=1.26, 95% CI 1.07–1.48), parental alcohol problems (OR=1.34, 95% CI 1.18–1.52) and bullying at school or among peers (OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.37–1.89) were associated with chronic pain. Working conditions, sleep problems and common mental disorders each slightly attenuated the associations between childhood adversities and chronic pain. Childhood economic difficulties among women (OR=1.72, 95% CI 1.40–2.10), childhood illness (OR=1.40, 95% CI 1.07–1.82) and bullying at school or by peers (OR=1.91 95% CI 1.48–2.46) were also associated with disabling pain. Conclusions: Childhood adversities were associated with chronic pain in mid-life, and the associations mainly remained after adjustments. Investing in the well-being of children might prevent pain and promote well-being in mid-life.
Factors associated with hospitalization, invasive mechanical ventilation treatment and death among all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Norway: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Telle Kjetil E. , Grøsland Mari , Helgeland Jon , Håberg Siri E.
Published: January 2021

Aims: For everyone with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 in Norway, we studied whether age, sex, comorbidity, continent of birth and nursing home residency were risk factors for hospitalization, invasive mechanical ventilation treatment and death. Methods: Data for everyone who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Norway by end of June 2020 ( N = 8569) were linked at the individual level to hospitalization, receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation treatment and death measured to end of July 2020. Underlying comorbidity was proxied by hospital-based in- or outpatient treatment during the two months before the SARS-CoV-2 test. Multivariable generalized linear models were used to assess risk ratios (RRs). Results: Risk of hospitalization was particularly high for elderly (for those aged 90 and above: RR 9.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.1–12.7; comparison group aged below 50), Norwegian residents born in Asia, Africa or Latin-America (RR 2.1; 95% CI 1.9–2.4; comparison group born in Norway), patients with underlying comorbidity (RR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.8) and men (RR 1.3; 95% CI 1.2–1.5). Men and residents born in Africa, Asia and Latin-America were also at higher risk of receiving ventilation treatment and dying, but the mortality risk was especially high for the elderly (for those aged 90 and above: RR 607.9; 95% CI 145.5–2540.1; comparison group aged below 50) and residents in nursing homes (RR 4.2; 95% CI 3.1–5.7). Conclusions: High age was the most important predictor of severe disease and death if infected with SARS-CoV-2, and nursing home residents were at particularly high risk of death.
Cone beam CT for identifying fractures of the wrist and hand – An alternative to plain radiography?
Authors: Vitéz Steven , Kovács Balázs , Ederer Jürgen , Schulte Anja-Carina , Partovi Sasan , Bilecen Deniz , Hügli Rolf
Published: January 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners versus plain radiography for detection and classification of fractures of the wrist and hand after acute trauma.

Methods

Images of 56 patients that received both plain radiography and CBCT after presenting to our emergency department with suspected fracture of the wrist or hand between November 2015 and July 2016 were analyzed retrospectively by three blinded observers.

Results

Using plain radiographs compared to CBCT, 69% of fractures of the carpals and 37% of fractures of metacarpals and phalanges remained undetected. Higher fracture classification reliability in radius fractures was observed when using CBCT.

Conclusion

CBCT is superior to plain radiography in detecting wrist and hand fractures in an emergency setting and presents an alternative first line imaging tool in the acute trauma patient population.
Uncertainty and practical judgement in research: a call for attentive ‘listening’
Authors: Mercieca Daniela , Mercieca Duncan P , Mercieca Sarah Piscopo
Published: January 2021

This paper draws upon research projects in which efforts have been made to find ways of listening to young children’s voices in early years contexts. This listening, namely in the mosaic approach, helps us to see how children make sense of their world, and adopt our planning and ‘being with’ young children. After setting the context of early years pedagogy and ideology of mosaic approach, this paper focuses on the researcher’s journey to turn her gaze inward before making any claims about her engagement with and listening to young children. Since this approach purposely leaves unanswered the question what kind of data is going to be collected, researchers have to decide what data is in the course of a research project, through their engagement with children. We argue for befriending uncertainty and dilemmatic thinking as it provides us with a different way of seeing, knowing and listening the hard to know. Through writing about phronêsis, this paper focuses on the process of decision-making and judgements that researchers undertake. The final argument calls for attentiveness and aims to acknowledge practical judgements as a fundamental part of researching early years.
Factors Associated With Violence Against Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of Nationally Representative Data
Authors: Cerna-Turoff Ilan , Fang Zuyi , Meierkord Anne , Wu Zezhen , Yanguela Juan , Bangirana Clare Ahabwe , Meinck Franziska
Published: January 2021

Background:

This systematic review and meta-regression sought to identify the relative importance of factors associated with physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding of factors associated with violence is important for targeted programming and prevention on the population level.

Methods:

We searched 17 electronic databases from 1989 to 2018 and reports from child violence surveys. Nationally representative studies that described evidence on potential factors associated with violence against children under 18 years old were included. The search was restricted to the English language. Factors were synthesized quantitatively using robust variance estimation, with 95% confidence intervals, for each violence type.

Results:

We identified 8,346 unduplicated studies, and 103 publications met our eligibility criteria. The data distribution was uneven across region, country income status, factors, and violence types. Of the 94 eligible studies quantitatively synthesized, no specific factors were significant for physical violence. Lower household socioeconomic status, being a girl, and primary education of mothers and adults in the household were associated with emotional violence, and being a girl was associated with sexual violence.

Conclusion:

A broad spectrum of factors merit consideration for physical violence policy and prevention among the general population of children in low- and middle-income countries. Conversely, a tailored approach may be warranted for preventing emotional and sexual violence. Information is unequally distributed across countries, factors, and violence types. Greater emphasis should be placed on collecting representative data on the general population and vulnerable subgroups to achieve national reductions in violence against children.
The Impact of Teasing and Bullying Victimization on Disordered Eating and Body Image Disturbance Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
Authors: Day Sinead , Bussey Kay , Trompeter Nora , Mitchison Deborah
Published: January 2021

Adolescence is a developmental period in which disordered eating and negative body image are highly prevalent, yet their risk factors are insufficiently understood and targeted. Despite research implicating both teasing and bullying victimization in the development of eating disorders, these strands of research are yet to be integrated. This systematic review hence aimed to identify whether teasing and bullying victimization are associated with greater risk of eating disorders and body image disturbance for adolescents. Systematic searches of PsycINFO and PubMed databases identified 79 papers that included quantitative analyses of the relationship between weight-related or nonspecific teasing or bullying victimization and disordered eating or body image disturbance. Overall, studies indicated that adolescents who are teased or bullied are more likely to experience disordered eating and negative body image compared to nonvictimized adolescents. This was more consistently observed in cross-sectional studies than in longitudinal findings. We identify several methodological limitations of the literature, including the infrequent consideration of potential mediating and moderating variables. Finally, we outline future directions such as temporal sequencing of the complex interrelationships among teasing and bullying, disordered eating, and body image disturbance in adolescents.
A Policy Analysis Regarding Education, Career, and Governance of the Nurses in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Joarder Taufique , Parvage Md. Aslam , Rawal Lal B. , Ahmed Syed Masud
Published: January 2021

Nurses, short in production and inequitable in the distribution in Bangladesh, require the government’s efforts to increase enrolment in nursing education and a smooth career progression. Given the importance of an assessment of the current nursing scenario to inform the decision makers and practitioners to implement the new policies successfully, we analyzed relevant policies on education, career, and governance of nurses in Bangladesh. We used documents review and qualitative methods such as key informant interviews ( n = 13) and stakeholder analysis. We found that nursing education faced several backlashes: resistance from diploma nurses while attempting to establish a graduate (bachelor) course in 1977, and the reluctance of politicians and entrepreneurs to establish nursing institutions. Many challenges with the implementation of nursing policies are attributable to social, cultural, religious, and historical factors. For example, Hindus considered touching the bodily excretions as the task of the lower castes, while Muslims considered women touching the body of the men immoral. Nurses also face governance challenges linked with their performance and reward. For example, nurses have little voice over the decisions related to their profession, and they are not allowed to perform clinical duties unsupervised. To improve the situation, the government has made new policies, including upliftment of nurses’ position in public service, the creation of an independent Directorate General, and improvement of nursing education and service. New policies often come with new apprehensions. Therefore, nurses should be included in the policy processes, and their capacity should be developed in nursing leadership and health system governance.
(Re)storying Japanese Canadian Histories: Artistic Engagements
Authors: Chin Matthew , Sakamoto Izumi , Ku Jane , Yamamoto Ai
Published: January 2021

This paper examines how Japanese Canadian (JC) artists challenge discursive limitations of constructing representations of JC pasts. Their interventions into JC history-making are significant given the rise of interest in and proliferation of JC historical accounts, partly as a result of the accelerated passing of the remaining survivors of JC incarceration within a broader context of unsettled and unsettling discourses around incarceration in JC families and communities. Contrary to narratives of JC history premised on the conventions of academic history writing, we explore how JC artists engage with the past through their creative practices. Focusing on JC artist Emma Nishimura’s exhibit, The weight of what cannot be remembered, we suggest that JC creative history-making practices have important implications for processes of ethno-racial and-cultural identity formation. In so doing, we decenter state-bound history-making processes that reproduce colonial frameworks of JC subjectivity, temporal linearity, and “objectivity.” Instead, we focus on the temporally circuitous way that Nishimura and other JC artists engage with the past through the idiom of personal intimacy in ways that facilitate a more expansive notion of JC identity and community. Though Nishimura’s work is indexical as opposed to representative of contemporary JC art-making, it is significant in tapping into a common structure of feeling among JC artists that emphasizes a notion of JC’ness rooted in the active struggle to establish a relationship with the past. In attending to Nishimura’s work, we highlight the productivity of art-making as a method of (re)storying to expand meaning-making endeavors within and across communities.
The effect of ultrasound cavitation on endothelial cells
Authors: Karthikesh Madhumithra Subramanian , Yang Xinmai
Published: January 2021

Acoustic cavitation has been widely explored for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Ultrasound-induced cavitation, including inertial cavitation and non-inertial cavitation, can cause microstreaming, microjet, and free radical formation. The acoustic cavitation effects on endothelial cells have been studied for drug delivery, gene therapy, and cancer therapy. Studies have demonstrated that the ultrasound-induced cavitation effect can treat cancer, ischaemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. In this minireview, we will review the impact of ultrasound-induced cavitation on the endothelial cells such as cell permeability, cell proliferation, gene expression regulation, cell viability, hemostasis interaction, oxygenation, and variation in the level of calcium ions, ceramide, nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. The applications of these effects and the cavitation mechanism involved will be summarized, demonstrating the important role of acoustic cavitation in non-invasive ultrasound treatment of various physiological conditions.
Working Remotely, Working Effectively: Improving Collection Access During a Global Pandemic
Authors: Bradley-Sanders Colleen
Published: January 2021

This article looks at how one college archive responded to the shutdown of its campus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Archivist and Associate Archivist worked together to develop work assignments that could be done from home. While collection processing was halted, the tasks assigned to staff all aimed to improve informational access to the collections, through an expanded effort to convert PDF finding aids to EAD for placement in an ArchivesSpace site, a project to create a searchable listing of collections that includes a brief description of content and links to finding aids, and planning for digitization of frequently accessed content. The archive anticipates having plenty of work to keep staff working even if the campus shutdown continues in the spring, and to date has not had to cut any staff member.
The influence of professional learning communities on informal teacher leadership in a Chinese hierarchical school context
Authors: Lee Daphnee Hui Lin , Ip Noelle Kwok Kwan
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the influence of professional learning communities (PLCs) on informal teacher leadership in Hong Kong schools to overcome issues reported in the literature on the challenges to teacher leadership posed by Chinese hierarchical school contexts. We test the relations among PLC, informal teacher leadership, teacher focus on improving student learning, principal instructional leadership, and middle leadership (e.g., subject heads) with structural equation modeling of survey responses from 638 teachers of primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. The results show an overall positive influence among all factors in the study. PLCs have the highest positive influence among the factors considered in this study. PLCs are highly influential in promoting informal teacher leadership, which in turn has a high positive linkage to teachers’ focus on improving student learning. In addition, principal instructional leadership has a high positive influence on PLCs, while middle leadership has a moderate positive influence on PLCs. To further enhance teacher leadership capabilities that promote teachers’ focus on improving student learning, we provide recommendations to boost PLC and middle leadership capacities in schools.