bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived Impact of USMLE Step 1 Score Reporting to Pass/Fail on Otolaryngology Applicant Selection
Authors: Mamidi Ishwarya S. , Gu Alex , Mulcahy Collin F. , Wei Chapman , Zapanta Philip E.
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

Recently, the decision was made to transition the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score from a three-digit numerical score to a pass/fail system. Historically, Step 1 scores have been important for otolaryngology resident applicant selection. The purpose of this study was to understand and evaluate otolaryngology residency program directors’ (OPDs) opinions on the impact following the change in Step 1 score reporting.

Methods:

A 22-question survey administered through Qualtrics was sent to 113 academic otolaryngology residency program directors in April 2020. Information about demographics, impressions on the new Step 1 score format, anticipated changes in applicant selection, impact on mental health, and importance of various other factors in selecting applicants were queried. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey results.

Results:

A total of 41 out of 113 (36.3%) OPDs completed this survey. A majority of surveyed OPDs (80.5%) do not support the decision to change Step 1 to a pass/fail system. In the absence of a three digit numeric USMLE Step 1 score, OPDs indicated prioritization of away rotations, letters of recommendation (LORs), personal prior knowledge of the applicant, grades in required clerkship, and class ranking or quartile. 53.7% of OPDs anticipate requiring USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge for interview consideration following this change.

Conclusion:

OPDs believe a pass/fail Step 1 score will decrease the importance of this exam and that this change will lead to the implementation and evaluation of additional metrics such as a required Step 2 CK score.
Equity in Music Education: Programming and Equity in Ensembles: Students’ Perceptions
Authors: Orzolek Douglas C.
Published: July 2021

This article offers the thoughts and comments of ensemble students performing music composed by women, African Americans, LGBTQ+ persons, and those who are minoritized in their own countries or regions. The student reflections suggest the potential roles music education might play in helping students reflect on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Father Presence and Adolescents’ Resilience: The Mediating Role of Failure Learning
Authors: Yu Yue , Wei Xueyan , Hisrich Robert D , Xue Linfang
Published: July 2021

In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between father presence and the resilience of adolescents, and whether failure learning mediates this association. Specifically, we obtained in-depth details on the relation between father presence and adolescents’ resilience by examining the mediating effects of four subfactors of failure learning: failure cognition, reflection and analysis, experience transformation, and prudent attempt. For this purpose, we used the questionnaire to access Chinese middle school students’ father presence, resilience, and failure learning. In total, six hundred and twenty-six valid questionnaires were collected. The results were as follows: (1) there was a significant positive correlation between father presence, failure learning, and resilience; (2) failure learning played a mediating role between father presence and adolescents’ resilience; (3) the mediating effect of experience transformation and prudent attempt (two subfactors of failure learning) between father presence and adolescents’ resilience was significant, while the mediating effect of failure cognition and reflective analysis (the other two subfactors of failure learning) was insignificant.
Book review: Sudha Pai (Ed.), Constitutional and Democratic Institutions in India: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Saha Suhrita
Published: July 2021

Sudha Pai (Ed.), Constitutional and Democratic Institutions in India: A Critical Analysis. Hyderabad: Orient Blackswan, 2020, xii+ 490 pp., ₹1350 (hardback). ISBN: 978-93-5287-846-8.
Quantifying the psychosocial outcomes of outdoor adventure education for adolescent learners in a South African setting
Authors: Blaine Judith , Akhurst Jacqui
Published: July 2021

This aim of this study is to contribute to the existing literature on the psychosocial outcomes of outdoor adventure education. In doing so, it explores the relationship between Journey, a school-based programme and life effectiveness skills, emotional literacy, and resilience for adolescents in a South African setting. Employing a pre–post quasi-experimental design, a purposive convenience sample of 144 Grade 10 learners was recruited for this study. Results of the three measures demonstrated that, after participating in Journey, there were statistically significant increases in self-reports of life effectiveness and resilience, but not of emotional literacy. The importance of the unique contribution of this study to international and South African outdoor adventure education research is discussed, with recommendations for future research and considerations of the practical implications of the findings for programme design.
Physical and Mental Health Characteristics of 2,962 Adults With Subjective Cognitive Complaints
Authors: Van Patten Ryan , Nguyen Tanya T. , Mahmood Zanjbeel , Lee Ellen E. , Daly Rebecca E. , Palmer Barton W. , Wu Tsung-Chin , Tu Xin , Jeste Dilip V. , Twamley Elizabeth W.
Published: July 2021

We investigated subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs), as well as physical and mental health factors, in adults and older adults. U.S. residents ( N = 2,962) were recruited via the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform and completed a 90-item survey. Overall, 493/1930 (25.5%) of younger adults and 278/1032 (26.9%) of older adults endorsed SCCs. Analyses revealed worse physical and mental health characteristics in the SCC+ compared to the SCC- group, with primarily medium (Cohen’s d = 0.50) to large (0.80) effect sizes. Age did not moderate relationships between SCCs and physical/mental health. Results suggest that SCCs are associated with a diverse set of negative health characteristics such as poor sleep and high body mass index, and lower levels of positive factors, including happiness and wisdom. Effect sizes of psychological correlates were at least as large as those of physical correlates, indicating that mental health is critical to consider when evaluating SCCs.
Empowerment as a pre-requisite to managing and influencing health in the workplace: The sexual and reproductive health needs of factory women migrant workers in Malaysia
Authors: Miles Lilian , Freeman Tim , Wan Teng Lai , Mat Yasin Suziana , Ying Kelvin
Published: July 2021

Malaysia is a major importer of migrant labour within the ASEAN region, and migration has adverse implications for the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of women migrant workers. Given the centrality of the workplace to the lives of such women, this article reports a qualitative analysis of interview data with women migrant workers ( N = 14) and wider stakeholders ( N = 10) and considers the extent to which they are able to effect change in workplace SRH policy and practice. Informed by Jo Rowlands’ typology of power and model of empowerment, the analysis considers the extent to which normative expectations of process and collective mobilisation upon which feminist empowerment models are predicated operate in such contexts, and discusses the implications of the findings for research to advance workplace democracy.
Awareness of the Psychological Bias of Naïve Realism Can Increase Acceptance of Cultural Differences
Authors: López-Rodríguez Lucía , Halperin Eran , Vázquez Alexandra , Cuadrado Isabel , Navas Marisol , Gómez Ángel
Published: July 2021

Acceptance of cultural differences can contribute to diversity. However, naïve realism—the conviction that one’s views are objective whereas others’ are biased—might hinder intercultural coexistence. We tested, in three experimental studies, whether a cognitive strategy based on raising awareness of the naïve realism, without any reference to culture and free of emotional involvement, can have a beneficial effect on cultural acceptance. Results revealed that participants showed more acceptance of cultural differences once they were aware of this bias (Study 1). The intervention had an indirect effect on acceptance via openness, especially for participants higher in prejudice (Study 2). Participants aware of this bias could not maintain an enhanced self-view, which mediated the effect of the manipulation on acceptance (Study 3). These findings suggest that strategies based on “cold” cognition, without an explicit emphasis on culture, might be beneficial for increasing the acceptance of cultural differences in an era of xenophobia.
A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the impact of probation caseloads on reducing recidivism and other probation outcomes
Authors: Fox Chris , Harrison Jordan , Hothersall Grace , Smith Andrew , Webster Russell
Published: July 2021

We undertook a Rapid Evidence Assessment to explore the existing empirical evidence relating to the impact of probation caseloads on recidivism. Over 3,000 potentially relevant papers were sifted from which five were deemed robust enough to be analysed in detail. All five were US studies which examined the impact of particular initiatives to reduce caseloads and were delivered by mainstream community-based probation officers. All recorded reductions in measured outcomes compared to comparators. Overall, although the number of robust studies remains quite small for such a key area of consideration, there appears to be a growing body of evidence that lower probation caseloads have a positive impact in terms of reducing reoffending in the USA. All five studies looked at a range of criminal justice outcomes including technical probation violations, violations for new arrests and reconvictions. Interestingly, although researchers were expecting to find a higher rate of probation violations among the cohorts supervised by probation officers with lower caseloads (due to the increased intensity of supervision), this did not turn out to be the case.
Cyclosporine A-enhanced cardioplegia preserves mitochondrial basal respiration after ischemic arrest
Authors: Hoyer Alexandro A , Klaeske Kristin , Garnham Jack , Kiefer Philipp , Salameh Aida , Witte Klaus , Borger Michael , Dieterlen Maja-Theresa
Published: July 2021

Background:

Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening plays a crucial role in cell death during ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Cyclosporine A (CsA) inhibits mPTP opening. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CsA treatment during cardioplegia on the mitochondrial function and cardiac IRI.

Methods:

Landrace pigs (52.9 ± 3.7 kg) were subjected to midline sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass at 34°C and 90 minutes of cardiac arrest. They received either a single shot of standard 4°C cold histidine-tryptophan-α-ketoglutarate (HTK)-Bretschneider solution ( n = 11) or HTK-Bretschneider plus 1.2 mg/L CsA (histidine-tryptophan-α-ketoglutarate plus cyclosporine A (HTK/CsA); n = 11). During reperfusion global left-ventricular function was assessed and myocardial biopsies were harvested at baseline, during ischemia and 45 minutes following reperfusion. High-resolution respirometry and hydrogen peroxide production were measured. Immunohistochemical stainings for apoptosis-inducing factor and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α as well as a flow cytometry-based JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay were performed.

Results:

Hemodynamic parameters were comparable between both groups. The cytochrome C release (HTK: 930.3 ± 804.4 pg/mg, HTK/CsA: 699.7 ± 394.0 pg/mg, p = 0.457) as well as PGC1α content (HTK: 66.7%, HTK/CsA: 33.3%, p = 0.284) was lower in the HTK/CsA group. Respiratory measurements revealed that the oxygen flux under basal respiration was higher in the HTK/CsA group (8.2 ± 1.3 pmol·O2·s−1·mg−1·ww) than in the HTK group (3.8 ± 1.4 pmol·O2·s−1·mg−1·ww, p = 0.045). There were no significant differences regarding histological surrogates of apoptosis and necrosis.

Conclusions:

Supplementing cardioplegic solutions with CsA enhances the basal mitochondrial respiration thereby exerting a cardioprotective effect and diminishing IRI-induced damage. CsA seems to preserve mitochondrial function via non-ROS related pathways.
Immunohistochemical evaluation of immune cell infiltration in canine gliomas
Authors: Krane Gregory A. , O’Dea Carly A. , Malarkey David E. , Miller Andrew D. , Miller C. Ryan , Tokarz Debra A. , Jensen Heather L. , Janardhan Kyathanahalli S. , Shockley Keith R. , Flagler Norris , Rainess Brittani A. , Mariani Christopher L.
Published: July 2021

Evasion of the immune response is an integral part of the pathogenesis of glioma. In humans, important mechanisms of immune evasion include recruitment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and polarization of macrophages toward an M2 phenotype. Canine glioma has a robust immune cell infiltrate that has not been extensively characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of immune cells infiltrating spontaneous intracranial canine gliomas. Seventy-three formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples were evaluated using immunohistochemistry for CD3, forkhead box 3 (FOXP3), CD20, Iba1, calprotectin (Mac387), CD163, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Immune cell infiltration was present in all tumors. Low-grade and high-grade gliomas significantly differed in the numbers of FoxP3+ cells, Mac387+ cells, and CD163+ cells ( P = .006, .01, and .01, respectively). Considering all tumors, there was a significant increase in tumor area fraction of CD163 compared to Mac387 ( P < .0001), and this ratio was greater in high-grade tumors than in low-grade tumors ( P = .005). These data warrant further exploration into the roles of macrophage repolarization or Treg interference therapy in canine glioma.
Adolescent Experiences of Violence Victimizations Among Minors Who Exchange Sex/Experience Minor Sex Trafficking
Authors: Franchino-Olsen Hannabeth , Martin Sandra L. , Halpern Carolyn T. , Preisser John S. , Zimmer Catherine , Shanahan Meghan
Published: July 2021

This work investigates the associations between experiences of domestic minor sex trafficking and adolescent interpersonal violence victimizations, including intimate partner violence (IPV) and community violence. Abuse and violence in childhood are commonly proposed as risk factors for domestic minor sex trafficking. However, less is known about how interpersonal violence victimizations in adolescence connect to domestic minor sex trafficking experiences. The poly-victimization framework provides a means to understand domestic minor sex trafficking as a type of violence amid a web of additional interconnected violence victimizations. Efforts to better understand the interpersonal violence experienced by survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking are valuable in contextualizing trafficking experiences for adolescents. Data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a population-based sample of adolescents in the United States ( n = 12,605) were used to examine experiences of domestic minor sex trafficking for minor respondents, as measured through questions about exchanging sex for money or drugs. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the associations between domestic minor sex trafficking and IPV or community violence, while controlling for demographic variables and adolescent risk behaviors. Minors who experience community violence had significantly greater odds of having exchanged sex (aOR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.32 -2.64). However, IPV was not significantly associated with minors’ experiences of sex exchange (aOR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.85 -1.54). Alcohol or drug use (aOR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.32 -2.65) and having run away (aOR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.53 -2.72) were also significantly associated with minor sex exchange. As experiences of domestic minor sex trafficking were significantly associated with community violence victimizations, prevention and intervention efforts targeting youth at high risk for or survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking should consider how community violence victimizations impact these adolescent populations, and programming/messaging should be adjusted to account for these additional violence victimizations.
Homeownership and Psychological Resources Among Older Adults: Do Gender and Mortgage Status Moderate Homeownership Effects?
Authors: Park Gum-Ryeong , Park HyunJee , Kim Jinho
Published: July 2021

Objectives: This study examined whether homeownership is associated with life satisfaction and depressive symptoms among older adults aged 65 or over and whether these associations differ by gender. This study further distinguished mortgagors from owner-occupiers. Methods: Using six waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing ( N = 3540), we used generalized estimating equations as well as random- and fixed-effects regression analyses. Results: Gender-stratified fixed-effects models showed that the associations between homeownership and psychological resources are largely driven by men. Owner-occupiers are more satisfied with life and report fewer depressive symptoms than renters. By contrast, although mortgagors are more satisfied with life than renters, they have depressive symptoms similar to those of renters. These patterns are more pronounced among men than women. Discussion: Our findings lend support to policies that promote affordable homeownership as a way to reduce social inequalities in psychological well-being and health, especially among older men.
Effect of quasi-static and intermediate strain rates on the tensile properties of hybrid polymer composites
Authors: Balikoglu Fatih , Demircioglu Tayfur K , Diler Ege A , Ataş Akın
Published: July 2021

This study presents the results of an investigation on the tensile behaviour of hybrid polymer composites under different strain rates. Glass/carbon, aramid/carbon, glass/aramid, and glass/aramid/carbon hybrid laminates were produced using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding method with epoxy resin system. Uniaxial tensile testing was performed to determine the tensile strength, modulus and failure strain of the hybrid laminates under quasi static (0.001 s‒1) and intermediate (5 and 10 s‒1) strain rates. Tensile strength and elastic modulus of hybrid composites increased with increasing the strain rate. Hybrid laminates with glass fibre were more sensitive to the strain rate. Carbon layers located at the centre of the hybrid laminates resulted in increased tensile strength, indicating the major role of stacking sequence on the behaviour of hybrid composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surfaces of the laminates. The extent of damage propagation was significantly broader at intermediate strain rates.
Coordinated control of distributed drive electric vehicle by TVC and ESC based on function allocation
Authors: Liang Xiutian , Wang Qidong , Chen Wuwei , Zhao Linfeng
Published: July 2021

Safe and comfortable driving experience includes the improvement of handling performance and stability control. This paper proposed a coordinated controller based on the function allocation for the handling performance and stability of distributed drive electric vehicles. The proposed controller has three layers. The upper control layer designs a dynamic stability envelope boundary suitable for various driving conditions through the phase plane method, and on this basis, the function allocation rules of torque vector control (TVC) strategy and electronic stability control (ESC) strategy were formulated. The medium control layer used the robust [Formula: see text] dynamic output feedback control method and the improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) parameter self-adjusting method to calculate the additional yaw moment required by the TVC strategy and the ESC strategy, respectively. The two types of additional yaw moment are implemented by the in-wheel motor and the hydraulic brake mechanism respectively. The lower control layer optimized the four-wheel torque and braking force based on the optimal tire load rate using the quadratic programming method. The proposed coordinated controller was performed in the CarSim/Simulink co-simulation platform and tested in a real vehicle platform. The results show that the proposed controller can improve the vehicle dynamic response according to the driver’s intention, thus bringing the better handling performance and stability.
Resisting the Great Recession: Social movement unionism in Croatia and Serbia
Authors: Dolenec Danijela , Širinić Daniela , Balković Ana
Published: July 2021

Addressing the debate regarding the impact of the Great Recession on changing union strategies in post-socialist Europe, our analysis shows that in Croatia and Serbia the crisis, while depressing strike numbers, was nevertheless met with substantial union resistance. Developing a paired comparison and relying on protest event data for the period 2000–2017, we argue that the differences among the two countries’ respective varieties of capitalism drive divergent union strategies described as social movement unionism. In Serbia, the role of unions in protests articulating workers’ demands remained more central and unions were overall more present in the protest arena, while in Croatia, unions have exhibited stronger propensity to forge alliances and adopt innovative policy strategies. While taking on board scholarship that portrays social movement unionism as signalling union weakness, we argue that strategies which increase union mobilization capacity may also be understood as increasing union resilience in changing social circumstances.
Associations between physicians’ global assessment of disease activity and patient-reported outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A longitudinal study
Authors: Louthrenoo Worawit , Kasitanon Nuntana , Morand Eric , Kandane-Rathnayake Rangi
Published: July 2021

Objective

To determine longitudinal associations between Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Patients attending a rheumatology clinic between 2013 and 2017 completed specific (SLEQOL) and generic (SF36) health-related quality of life (HRQoL) surveys and rated their global rating of change (GRC) at each visit. PGA, SLEDAI-2K and SLE Flare Index (SFI) were also captured on all visits. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) methods were used to examine longitudinal associations of PGA with PROs and clinical indicators.

Results

337 patients were followed for a median [IQR] of 3.2 [1.6, 3.4] years (2,059 visits). High PGA (>1) was strongly associated with high SLEDAI-2K scores, the presence of flares and poor PROs. Odd ratios (OR) [95% CI] of PGA > 1 in patients with SLEDAI-2K >4 & <10 and SLEDAI-2K ≥10, compared to SLEDAI-2K ≤ 4, were 3.46 [2.36, 5.08], p < 0.001 and 6.39 [4.30, 9.49], p < 0.001, respectively. OR [95% CI] of PGA > 1 in patients with mild-to-moderate or severe flares were 2.09 [1.62, 2.71], p < 0.001 and 4.42 [3.21, 6.07], p < 0.001, respectively. Mental components of both SLEQOL (mood, self-image) and SF36 (MCS) surveys demonstrated significant associations with high PGA. After adjusting for SLEDAI-2K, one-point increase in PGA was associated with reductions in SLEQOL total score and SF36-MCS by 2.33 (regression coefficient (RC) [95% CI] = −2.33 [−3.77, −0.88], p = 0.002), and 4.16 (RC [95% CI] = −4.16 [−5.19, −3.13], p < 0.001) points, respectively. Associations of some physical components (SLEQOL-symptoms, and SF36-PCS) with PGA attenuated when adjusted for SLEDAI-2K. Patients who rated low scores of GRC, which indicate health deterioration, were twice as likely to have PGA > 1 (OR [95%CI] 1.99 [1.25, 3.16], p = 0.004).

Conclusion

High PGA was strongly associated with poor mental health, high disease activity and flares. This study confirms the value of PGA as an efficient assessment tool for SLE.
Reliability of a Modified Medication Appropriateness Index in Community Pharmacies
Authors: Kassam Rosemin , Martin Linda G , Farris Karen B , Monsanto Homero A , Kaiser Jean-Marie
Published: July 2021

Background

The medication appropriateness index (MAI) has demonstrated reliability in selected outpatient clinics where medical data were easily accessible from medical charts. However, its use in the community setting where patient data may be limited has not been examined.

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of a modified MAI for use in the community pharmacy setting by testing interrater reliability using 3 different rating schemes.

Methods

Two raters evaluated 160 medications for 32 elderly ambulatory patients. Patient information was acquired using community pharmacist-collected medication histories. A summated MAI score, percent agreement, κ, positive agreement, negative agreement, and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated for each criterion using 3 scoring schemes. A paired samples t-test (95% CI) was used to test interrater reliability.

Results

The κ statistics were >0.75 for indication and effectiveness, but good (0.41–0.66) for the remaining criteria using the Hanlon scoring scheme. The intraclass coefficients (0.82, 0.86, 0.87) and overall κ (0.65, 0.66, 0.61) were similar for the 3 schemes.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the modified MAI has the potential to detect medication appropriateness and inappropriateness in the community pharmacy setting; however, it is not without limitations. Because the MAI has the most clinimetric and psychometric data available, the instrument should be studied further to increase its reliability and generalizability.
Noncompliance risk, asymmetric power and the design of enforcement of the European economic governance
Authors: Franchino Fabio , Mariotto Camilla
Published: July 2021

In the European Union, states can distribute enforcement prerogatives between a supranational agency, over which they exercise equal influence, and a Council of ministers, where power resources mostly vary by country size. What shapes attitudes towards different enforcement designs? States at greater risk of noncompliance should eschew deeper cooperation and prefer procedures over which they can exercise more influence. Employing an original data set of positions on relevant contested issues during the negotiations over fiscal governance rules from 1997 to 2012, we show that governments at greater risk of noncompliance prefer greater discretion and, if they have higher voting power, more Council involvement in enforcement. These factors only partially explain positions on Commission empowerment. Given their greater indeterminacy, attitudes are also shaped by national public opinion.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Social Workers: An Assessment of Peritraumatic Distress
Authors: Miller J Jay , Grise-Owens Erlene
Published: July 2021

There is broad consensus that COVID-19 has had a pernicious impact on social work, in general, and among social work practitioners, more specifically. However, at present, very few, if any, empirical examinations of this impact exist. This exploratory study examined peritraumatic distress among a sample of social workers ( N = 3920) in one southeastern state in the United States.

Findings

Analysis suggests that distress is impacted by several variables. In general, participants identifying as male, married, reporting good physical and mental health, working in microcontexts, and who were finically secure tended to experience less COVID-19 associated distress. In addition, social workers identifying as LGBTQ* and who had been working mostly remotely experienced higher levels of distress.

Applications

Overall, findings indicate the need to provide adept support to social workers practicing during the pandemic. Data suggest the need for targeted support initiatives, typically for those who are from underrepresented groups (e.g., LGBTQ*) or experiencing financial or mental/physical health issues. Certainly, researchers should continue to examine the impact of COVID-19 on social work practitioners and service delivery.
Parenting in migration: Critical aspects and challenges of “doing family” of refugee families and social workers
Authors: Rania Nadia , Pinna Laura , Coppola Ilaria
Published: July 2021

Although migrant families comprise a small number of immigrants, they present a significant challenge for the host community. In the Italian context, social services support migrant families through paths to autonomy and integration in the community. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions that families and social workers have of “parenting” and “doing family” (training and management of family identity, roles and daily practices) in the complexity of migration. The study involved 15 immigrant parental couples, using family interview techniques and 12 social workers in 3 mini-focus groups. The collected materials were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using grounded theory.

Findings

The main results are identified and discussed as strengths, critical points and challenges. Some of the themes such as “willingness to work” or “lack of job opportunities” are common to both family members and social workers. Other themes are relevant to one group only. Among these, “availability and support of social workers” only emerged among families, whereas “education and respecting the rules” only emerged among social workers.

Applications

The results indicate that it is necessary for social workers to engage in a meaningful helping relationship with families, build networks of inclusion services, and also with the support of mediators overcome linguistic and cultural barriers. Social workers should involve families throughout he integration process. Furthermore, social services must also consider how families experience the difficulty of relating to social workers, which represents an obstacle to support for social integration.
Baraza as method: Adapting a traditional conversational space for data collection and pathways for change
Authors: Chubb Laura A. , Fouché Christa B. , Sadeh Kengah Karen
Published: July 2021

The call to decolonise research processes and knowledge produced through them has spawned a powerful shift in working relationships between community researchers and members of local communities. Adaptation of a traditional conversational space in a community-based participatory research study offers a context-specific example of a decolonising method for data collection and as pathways for change. This article reports on learnings encountered while adapting the space and highlights the relevance for other cultural contexts. We present principles to adapt traditional conversational spaces both for collecting data and as a means of working in partnership with indigenous communities to enable different ways of knowing and action.
Flowing current
Authors: Barnfield Andrew
Published: July 2021

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and decided to keep a sort of diary of my experiences and thoughts. This essay is a collection of what I call “episodes” and uses writing and drawing to try to capture something beyond the surface impressions of living with a chronic condition. I present several episodes drawn from the collection that I have been keeping since 2018. In presenting these pieces, I explore the immediate, felt, and affectual geographies of a chronic disease, in an effort to understand the body, chronic disease, corporeal experiences, and the relationship between failure and medicine. The collection foregrounds how the doing of cultural geography is an affective, experiential journey through our bodies, spaces, and times.
Data privacy preserving federated transfer learning in machinery fault diagnostics using prior distributions
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Xiang
Published: July 2021

Federated learning has been receiving increasing attention in the recent years, which improves model performance with data privacy among different clients. The intelligent fault diagnostic problems can be largely benefited from this emerging technology since the private data generally cannot leave local storage in the real industries. While promising federated learning performance has been achieved in the literature, most studies assume data from different clients are independent and identically distributed. In the real industrial scenarios, due to variations in machines and operating conditions, the data distributions are generally different across different clients, that significantly deteriorates the performance of federated learning. To address this issue, a federated transfer learning method is proposed in this article for machinery fault diagnostics. Under the condition that data from different clients cannot be communicated, prior distributions are proposed to indirectly bridge the domain gap. In this way, client-invariant features can be extracted for diagnostics while the data privacy is preserved. Experiments on two rotating machinery datasets are implemented for validation, and the results suggest the proposed method offers an effective and promising approach for federated transfer learning in fault diagnostic problems.
Overview of Robotic Technology in Spine Surgery
Authors: Alluri Ram K. , Avrumova Fedan , Sivaganesan Ahilan , Vaishnav Avani S. , Lebl Darren R. , Qureshi Sheeraz A.
Published: July 2021

As robotics in spine surgery has progressed over the past 2 decades, studies have shown mixed results on its clinical outcomes and economic impact. In this review, we highlight the evolution of robotic technology over the past 30 years, discussing early limitations and failures. We provide an overview of the history and evolution of currently available spinal robotic platforms and compare and contrast the available features of each. We conclude by summarizing the literature on robotic instrumentation accuracy in pedicle screw placement and clinical outcomes such as complication rates and briefly discuss the future of robotic spine surgery.
Flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED) for treatment of intracranial aneurysms: A systematic review
Authors: Waqas Muhammad , Dossani Rimal H , Alkhaldi Modhi , Neveu Jocelyn , Cappuzzo Justin M , Lim Jaims , Khan Asham , Lazarov Victoria , Monteiro Andre , Davies Jason M , Siddiqui Adnan H , Levy Elad I
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device (FRED; MicroVention) is a dual-layered flow diverter used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The objective of this systematic review was to compile device-related safety and effectiveness data.

Methods

The literature from January 1, 2013 to April 30, 2021 was searched for studies describing use of the FRED for intracranial aneurysm treatment irrespective of aneurysm location and morphology. The review included anterior and posterior circulation ruptured and unruptured saccular, fusiform or dissection, and blister aneurysms. MeSH terms related to “flow re-direction endoluminal device” and “FRED for aneurysms” were used. Data related to indication, complications, and rates of aneurysm occlusion were retrieved and analyzed.

Results

Twenty-two studies with 1729 intracranial aneurysms were included in this review. Overall reported morbidity was 3.9% (range 0–20%). Overall procedure-related mortality was 1.4% (range 0–6%). Complication rates fell into 5 categories: technical (3.6%), ischemic (3.8%), thrombotic or stenotic (6%), hemorrhagic (1.5%), and non-neurological (0.8%). The aneurysm occlusion rate between 0 and 3 months (reported in 11 studies) was 47.8%. The occlusion rate between 4 and 6 months (reported in 14 studies) was 73.8%. Occlusion rates continued to increase to 75.1% at 7–12 months (reported in 10 studies) and 86.6% for follow-up beyond 1 year (reported in 10 studies).

Conclusion

This review indicated that the FRED is a safe and effective for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Future studies should directly compare the FRED with other flow diverters for a better understanding of comparative safety and effectiveness among the different devices.
Differences in journalism culture or is there more to it? Comparing news on the European refugee issue in Western Europe and China
Authors: Jiang Shujun , d’Haenens Leen , Zhang Li
Published: July 2021

This study explores the country-specific, regional and cultural differences and similarities between China and two European countries in their coverage of the European refugee issue and seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the various political interests, social values, and journalism cultures in the countries under study. It analyzed and compared 2,368 news articles in Belgian, Swedish, and Chinese newspapers from 2015 to 2017. The analysis demonstrated that Chinese newspapers put less emphasis on welcoming the refugees by politicians and citizens, but are more prone to report on Islamic religion in their coverage of the refugees than the Belgian and Swedish newspapers. The empirical evidence suggests that the differences in reporting are not only a representation of different political interests and social engagement of the three countries, but, to a large extent, a result of different journalism cultures across nations.
Preoperative nutritional counselling in patients undergoing oesophagectomy
Authors: AlleaBelle Gongola M , Reif Rebecca J , Cosgrove Peggy C , Sexton Kevin W , Marino Katy A , Steliga Matthew A , Muesse Jason L
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients undergoing surgery for oesophageal cancer are at high risk of malnutrition due to pathology and neoadjuvent therapy. This study sought to determine if oesophageal cancer patients undergoing oesophagectomy achieve superior clinical outcomes when preoperative nutritional counselling is performed.

Methods

Oesophageal cancer patients undergoing oesophagectomy were retrospectively divided into cohorts based on those who received ( n = 48) and did not receive ( n = 58) preoperative nutritional counselling. We compared weight loss, length of stay, 30-day readmission related to nutrition or feeding tube problems, and 90-day mortality.

Results

Per cent weight loss was less in patients who received preoperative nutritional counselling. There was a trend toward decreased mean length of stay and there were fewer readmissions for feeding tube-related complications in patients who received counselling.

Conclusions

Nutritional counselling before surgery may lead to decreased weight loss and reduced readmissions for feeding tube-related complications in patients with oesophageal cancer undergoing oesophagectomy.
Spine Treatment Appraisal Report (STAR): Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Short-Segment Lumbar Fusion: Does Pelvic Incidence and Lumbar Lordosis (PI-LL) Mismatch Matter?
Authors: Dettori Joseph R.
Published: July 2021

Divi SN, Kepler CK, Hilibrand AS, et al. Patient Outcomes Following Short-segment Lumbar Fusion Are Not Affected by PI-LL Mismatch. Clin Spine Surg. Mar 1 2021;34(2):73-77.
Measuring the Impact of a Full Service Grocery Store in a Food Desert
Authors: Schneider Kellie , Castellanos Diana Cuy , Fernando Felix , Holcomb Jeanne A.
Published: July 2021

Food deserts, areas in which it is difficult to obtain affordable, nutritious food, are especially problematic in low-income neighbourhoods. One model for addressing food hardship and unemployment issues within low-income food deserts is a cooperative grocery store. Through the cooperative model, the grocery store can serve as a cornerstone to address socio-economic marginalisation of low-income neighbourhoods and improve the health and well-being of its residents. It is important for communities and policymakers to be able to assess the effectiveness of these types of endeavours beyond traditional economic factors such as profitability. This article uses a systems engineering approach to develop a framework for measuring the holistic impact of a cooperative grocery store on community health and well-being. This framework encompasses values that characterise the relationship between food retail, economic viability and social equality. We develop a dashboard to display the key metrics for measuring the economic, social and environmental indicators that reflect a grocery store’s social impact. We demonstrate the usefulness of the framework through a case study of a full-service cooperative grocery store that is planned within the city of Dayton, OH.
The Children's Anti-inflammatory Reliever (CARE) study: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial of budesonide-formoterol as sole reliever therapy in children with mild asthma
Authors: Hatter Lee , Bruce Pepa , Holliday Mark , Anderson Augustus J. , Braithwaite Irene , Corin Andrew , Eathorne Allie , Grimes Arthur , Harwood Matire , Hills Thomas , Kearns Ciléin , Kerse Kyley , Martindale John , Montgomery Barney , Riggs Lynn , Sheahan Davitt , Shortt Nick , Zazulia Katja , Weatherall Mark , McNamara David , Byrnes Catherine A. , Bush Andrew , Dalziel Stuart R. , Beasley Richard
Published: July 2021

Background

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, many of whom are managed solely with a short-acting β2-agonist (SABA). In adults, the evidence that budesonide-formoterol as sole reliever therapy markedly reduces the risk of severe exacerbations compared with SABA alone has contributed to the Global Initiative for Asthma recommending against SABA monotherapy in this population. The current lack of evidence in children means it is unknown whether these findings are also relevant to this demographic. High-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are needed.

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of as-needed budesonide-formoterol therapy compared with as-needed salbutamol in children aged 5 to 15 years with mild asthma, who only use a SABA.

Methods

A 52-week, open-label, parallel group, phase III RCT will recruit 380 children aged 5 to 15 years with mild asthma. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to either budesonide-formoterol (Symbicort Rapihaler®) 50/3 µg, two actuations as needed, or salbutamol (Ventolin®) 100  µg, two actuations as needed. The primary outcome is asthma attacks as rate per participant per year. Secondary outcomes assess asthma control, lung function, exhaled nitric oxide and treatment step change. A cost-effectiveness analysis is also planned.

Conclusion

This is the first RCT to assess the safety and efficacy of as-needed budesonide-formoterol in children with mild asthma. The results will provide a much-needed evidence base for the treatment of mild asthma in children.
An adaptation strategy to urban heat: hospital rooms with radiant cooling accelerate patient recovery
Authors: Hoffmann Christina , Liebers Uta , Humbsch Philipp , Drozdek Marija , Bölke Georg , Hoffmann Peter , Holzgreve Adrien , Donaldson Gavin C. , Witt Christian
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with respiratory diseases are vulnerable to the effects of heat. Therefore, it is important to develop adaptation strategies for heat exposure. One option is to optimise the indoor environment. To this end, we equipped hospital patient rooms with radiant cooling. We performed a prospective randomised clinical trial to investigate potentially beneficial effects of the hospitalisation in rooms with radiant cooling on patients with a respiratory disease exacerbation.

Methods

Recruitment took place in June, July and August 2014 to 2016 in the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. We included patients with COPD, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease and pneumonia. 62 patients were allocated to either a standard patient room without air conditioning or a room with radiant cooling set to 23°C (73°F). We analysed the patients’ length of stay with a Poisson regression. Physiological parameters, fluid intake and daily step counts were tested with mixed regression models.

Results

Patients hospitalised in a room with radiant cooling were discharged earlier than patients in standard rooms (p=0.003). The study participants in chambers with radiant cooling had a lower body temperature (p=0.002), lower daily fluid intake (p<0.001), higher systolic blood pressure (p<0.001) and an increased daily step count (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The results indicate that a radiant cooling system in hospital patient rooms provides clinical benefits for patients with respiratory disease exacerbations during the warm summer months, which may contribute to an earlier mobilisation. Radiant cooling is commended as a suitable adaptation strategy to reduce the clinical impact of climate warming.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene expression in human male urological tissues: implications for pathogenesis and virus transmission pathways
Authors: Al-Benna Sammy
Published: July 2021

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection occurs through binding and internalization of the viral spike protein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on the host cell membrane. Pathological changes are caused by damage and failure of vital organs that express high levels of ACE2, including the lungs, the heart and the kidneys. The aim of this study was to investigate ACE2 gene expression in the human male urogenital tract using a public database.

Methods

A search of transcriptomic datasets from a database to investigate ACE2 gene expression in human urogenital tract tissue.

Results

The gene expression profile demonstrated that ACE2 gene expression was higher in human kidney cortex and testis than human lung tissue. The gene expression profile demonstrated that ACE2 gene expression in the human bladder and prostate was comparable to human lung tissue.

Conclusions

Male urogenital tissues are directly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection through the expression of ACE2. Moreover, the SARS-Cov-2/ACE2 interaction may disturb the male genital and reproductive functions.
Composition and diversity of gut microbiota in Pomacea canaliculata in sexes and between developmental stages
Authors: Chen Lian , Li Shuxian , Xiao Qi , Lin Ying , Li Xuexia , Qu Yanfu , Wu Guogan , Li Hong
Published: July 2021

Background

The apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, is one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species and vector of some pathogens relevant to human health.

Methods

On account of the importance of gut microbiota to the host animals, we compared the communities of the intestinal microbiota from P. canaliculata collected at different developmental stages (juvenile and adult) and different sexes by using high-throughput sequencing.

Results

The core bacteria phyla of P. canaliculata gut microbiota included Tenericutes (at an average relative abundance of 45.7 %), Firmicutes (27.85 %), Proteobacteria (11.86 %), Actinobacteria (4.45 %), and Cyanobacteria (3.61 %). The female group possessed the highest richness values, whereas the male group possessed the lowest bacterial richness and diversity compared with the female and juvenile group. Both the developmental stages and sexes had important effects on the composition of the intestinal microbiota of P. canaliculata. By LEfSe analysis, microbes from the phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were enriched in the female group, phylum Bacteroidetes was enriched in the male group, family Mycoplasmataceae and genus Leuconostoc were enriched in the juvenile group. PICRUSt analysis predicted twenty-four metabolic functions in all samples, including general function prediction, amino acid transport and metabolism, transcription, replication, recombination and repair, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, etc.

Conclusions

This study provided a general understanding of the diversity characteristics of intestinal microbial communities of P. canaliculata, and indicated that developmental stage and gender could both influence the intestinal microbes of P. canaliculata. Further study may focus on the interaction between the gut microbiota and their host.