bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical review of Chinese and international social work: Walking a tightrope between local and global standards
Authors: Meng Qian , Gray Mel , Bradt Lieve , Roets Griet
Published: January 2021

This article presents a critical analysis of the challenges global social work standards present for mainland China (hereafter China) with its authoritarian political ideology that is in tension with the profession’s universal values grounded in liberal individualism. China is caught between the Scylla of universal standards and Charybdis of indigenisation seeking to adapt social work to its unique sociocultural contexts. Based on our extensive literature review, we identified four challenges for Chinese social work: (1) balancing personal social services and social development, (2) negotiating global standards and local realities, (3) responding to poverty and other national social development issues and (4) pressures towards indigenisation, while remaining in step with social work’s global standards. China favours the continued adaptation of imported knowledge and practice interventions within local and national sociocultural, economic and political realities. This study also highlights social work in China’s urban bias and limited attention to rural issues, acknowledging this is a concern for social work even in Western contexts.
Do Promotions Make Consumers More Generous? The Impact of Price Promotions on Consumers’ Donation Behavior
Authors: Zhang Kuangjie , Cai Fengyan , Shi Zhengyu
Published: January 2021

Despite growing concerns regarding the increasing consumerism related to promotions, this research documents a positive effect of price promotions on consumers’ donation behavior. Specifically, the authors propose that price promotions increase consumers’ perceived resources, which in turn increase consumers’ donation behavior. A series of seven studies, combining field and experimental data, provide converging support for this proposition and its underlying mechanism of perceived resources. Furthermore, the authors show that the positive effect of price promotions on consumers’ donation behavior is attenuated when consumers focus on the amount of money spent (rather than saved), when consumers feel they have overspent their budget, and when the monetary savings cannot be realized immediately. Finally, the authors show that this effect is stronger when donation solicitation occurs immediately after the price promotion (vs. after a delay). This research documents a novel behavioral consequence of price promotions and uncovers a mechanism by which price promotions can lead to positive social consequences and contribute to a better world.
Weather, wheat, and war: Security implications of climate variability for conflict in Syria
Authors: Linke Andrew M , Ruether Brett
Published: January 2021

We examine how Syria’s local growing seasons and precipitation variability affected patterns of violence during the country’s civil war (2011–19). Among Syria’s 272 subdistricts ( nahiyah), we study conflict events initiated by the Assad regime or its allies, and, separately, by other armed non-government groups (‘rebels’). Throughout the war, violence to capture agriculture has been used regularly to control valuable cropland and harvests. Combatants also seek to deny their adversaries access to these resources by deploying violence to destroy agriculture. We test the hypothesis that conflict was most likely during local growing seasons due to both of these motivations. Additionally, we examine whether unusually dry conditions further elevated the risk of conflict during growing season months. A theory for why higher levels of conflict would occur during unusually dry conditions is that livelihood losses elevate incentives to control scarce crops and also facilitate recruitment of militants or their sympathizers. We find that violent events initiated by the government and rebel groups are both more likely during the growing season than other times of the year. There is also evidence that dry conditions during the growing season led to an increase in government-initiated attacks over the duration of the war. We find the strongest relationship between precipitation deficits and both government- and rebel-initiated violence in later years of the war. Compared with our growing season results, the rainfall deviation estimates are less consistent across models.
Class 4 emphysematous pyelonephritis with emphysematous cystitis: report of a rare case from Bangladesh
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Jahan Ishrat , Chowdhury Tufayel Ahmed , Ananna Mehruba Alam , Iqbal Sarwar
Published: January 2021

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, severe form of necrotising infection of the kidneys and peri-nephric tissues with gas accumulation, occurring predominantly among patients with diabetes mellitus. Computed tomography scan can identify the distribution of gas in the affected reno-ureteral units and so establish and classify the diagnosis. We report a case of class 4 emphysematous pyelonephritis with emphysematous cystitis, occurring in a young Bangladeshi male, who presented with features of upper urinary tract infection. He had a background history of fibro-calculous pancreatic diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Imaging also revealed renal stones. He responded to conservative treatment.
Moving Beyond the Common Law Objection to Structured Proportionality
Authors: Carter Anne
Published: January 2021

This article examines the claim that the adoption of structured proportionality testing in Australian constitutional review is ill-suited to Australia’s common law tradition. That objection has been stated by some members of the High Court and scholars, though the precise basis of the objection has not been clearly articulated. This article clarifies and evaluates this objection, setting out a number of distinct concerns which emerge from the reasoning of the minority justices. Ultimately, the article argues that the objection has been too starkly cast and that Australia’s common law tradition does not present an insurmountable obstacle to the introduction of proportionality testing in constitutional review.
Collective labor relations and juridification: A marriage proposal
Authors: Bondy Assaf S , Preminger Jonathan
Published: January 2021

Contributing to debates over relations between the collective and juridified regulation of labor, this article analyzes a rich case study in the Israeli construction sector to claim that juridification can spur unions and employers’ associations to initiate strategic and inclusive change. By subsuming processes of juridification into traditional IR frameworks and embracing its logic and practices, the corporatist social partners broaden the relevance of collective labor relations to workers otherwise excluded from direct union representation. In this way, while not increasing union density or improving wages, these ‘traditional’ IR actors reassert their monopolistic control over worker and employer representation, as well as over the sectoral labor market.
Environmental Federalism in a Polarized Era
Authors: Fiorino Daniel , Weted Carley A.
Published: January 2021

Environmental policy making and implementation in the United States occurs within a federal system. This system has served its purpose for nearly five decades but is now being challenged by four trends: political polarization in Congress; increasingly divergent state policies; an erosion in federal funding; and federal policy instability. Taking the place of the old, relatively cooperative federalism is an increasingly disruptive federalism. It is time to reexamine the foundations of environmental federalism and the effects of the four challenges on the effectiveness and capacities of the US system. Such efforts to evaluate environmental federalism should account for variations among programs and statutes as well as the effects on policy stability. A benefit of a federal system for environmental protection is its contribution to stability in an era of polarization and conflict.
Public service media in the age of SVoDs: A comparative study of PSM strategic responses in Flanders, Italy and the UK
Authors: D’Arma Alessandro , Raats Tim , Steemers Jeanette
Published: January 2021

Netflix and other transnational online video streaming services are disrupting long-established arrangements in national television systems around the world. In this paper we analyse how public service media (PSM) organisations (key purveyors of societal goals in broadcasting) are responding to the fast-growing popularity of these new services. Drawing on Philip Napoli’s framework for analysing strategic responses by established media to threats of competitive displacement by new media, we find that the three PSM organisations in our study exhibit commonalities. Their responses have tended to follow a particular evolution starting with different levels of complacency and resistance before settling into more coherent strategies revolving around efforts to differentiate PSM offerings, while also diversifying into activities, primarily across new platforms, that mimic SVoD approaches and probe production collaborations. Beyond these similarities, however, we also find that a range of contextual factors (including path-dependency, the role and status of PSM in each country, the degree of additional government support, cultural factors and market size) help explain nuances in strategic responses between our three cases.
Collectivist Discourses in Relational Intersectionality: Insights from Chinese American Christian Couples
Authors: Quek Karen Mui-Teng , Hsieh Natalie Wei-Mun , Eppler Christie
Published: January 2021

Intersectionality espouses progressive societal dominant discourse norms that describe persons as individuals connected to a variety of social locations (e.g., gender, socioeconomic status [SES], ethnicity, sexual orientation, spirituality, vocation). This may not resonate with the cultural ideals of collectivist and bicultural communities, who are better understood when considered in context of both dominant and local intersectionality discourses. This retrospective interpretive thematic analysis examines the lived experiences of Chinese American Christian couples as they negotiate identity and roles in early parenthood. Findings indicate that the intersection of collectivist group identity markers, cultural values and spirituality guides how partners understand identity and negotiate relationship roles in marriage. Couples’ varied responses to cross-cultural and dominant discourse norms and other social location factors (e.g., vocation and SES) also account for individual differences. Implications for Chinese American Christian couples, and for the application of intersectionality theory to diverse populations, are discussed.
Prison fixes and flows: Carceral mobilities and their critical logistics
Authors: Brooks Iolanthe , Best Asha
Published: January 2021

This paper asks how the logics of globalized supply chains—particularly through fixes, risk, speed and stoppages, and motility—are articulated in carceral space. We employ critical logistics in conversation with carceral geographies and critical mobilities to examine prison transfers, the routine movement of incarcerated people between carceral sites, as a logistical system designed to fix carceral crises; which is to say, to make prisons viable. This work emerges from preliminary research on prison transfers, conducted from 2018 to 2019, including interviews with advocates and formerly incarcerated people and analysis of data and administrative documents obtained from the New York Department of Corrections, among others. First, we locate the emergence of contemporary practices of logistical transfer management (“transfer logistics”) in the prison boom of the 1980s–1990s. We then examine the present-day transfer system to consider how risk calculation and carceral fixes inform movement throughout prison constellations as well as how transfers disrupt the fragile worlding that happens in prisons. Finally, we turn to how these logics are being reshaped and reiterated in the era of neoliberal urban planning through “justice hubs.”
Fostering big data analytics capability through process innovation: Is management innovation the missing link?
Authors: Henao-García Edwin , Arias-Pérez José , Lozada Nelson
Published: January 2021

Big data is heralded as the next big thing for organizations to gain competitive advantages. New data-driven firms need to control key resources in order to develop the new data-driven capabilities they need. The present paper analyzes the relationships between process innovation capability, management innovation and big data analytics capability, covering aspects related to a better understanding of how firms can obtain benefit from their investments in big data. PLS-SEM models with data from 195 firms are used. The main results suggest that management innovation and process innovation capabilities have an important role in the development of big data analytics capability. Big data analytics capability is much more than just investing in technology, collecting vast amounts of data, and allowing the technology department to experiment with analytics. The outcomes of this study present evidence on how innovative managers who promote innovations in process as well as innovations in different aspects of the organization favor the development of capabilities in big data analytics.
Inferior vena cava surgical cannulation for infants needing veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Martucci Gennaro , di Francesco Fabrizio , Panarello Giovanna , Piazza Marcello , de Ville de Goyet Jean , Arcadipane Antonio
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Femoral cannulation for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is challenging in infants because of the diameter of the vein.

Case report:

Prolonged ECMO support (67 days) was necessary for an 8-month-old (8 kg) girl with acute respiratory distress syndrome that was caused by H1N1 influenza. After 30 days on ECMO support and using a single 16 Fr double-lumen cannula (internal jugular vein), a second cannula was necessary to ensure adequate flow. This second 12 Fr single-lumen cannula was surgically placed through the right common iliac vein. An excellent flow profile was then achieved and ECMO continued successfully for 37 more days.

Discussion:

As a lifesaving option, this double caval configuration successfully optimized the flow profile and oxygenation, outweighing the related risks.

Conclusion:

In small children, a surgical approach to the inferior vena cava can be considered safe, especially in those cases where there is a shortage of adequate cannulas, or when central venous access is difficult.
Superior vena cava syndrome during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for COVID-19
Authors: Kopanczyk Rafal , Al-Qudsi Omar H , Ganapathi Asvin M , Potere Bethany R , Pagel Paul S
Published: January 2021

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is typically associated with malignant tumors obstructing the SVC, but as many as 40% of cases have other etiologies. SVC obstruction was previously described during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy (VV ECMO) in children. In this report, we describe a woman with adult respiratory distress syndrome resulting from infection with coronavirus-19 who developed SVC syndrome during VV ECMO. A dual-lumen ECMO cannula was inserted in the right internal jugular vein, but insufficient ECMO circuit flow, upper body edema, and signs of hypovolemic shock were observed. This clinical picture resolved when the right internal jugular vein was decannulated in favor of bilateral femoral venous cannulae. Our report demonstrates that timely recognition of clinical signs and symptoms led to the appropriate diagnosis of an uncommon ECMO complication.
Repeated subcutaneous esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: Impact of the degree of treatment resistance and anxiety comorbidity
Authors: Lucchese Ana C , Sarin Luciana M , Magalhães Eduardo J Muniz , Del Sant Lorena C , B Puertas Camila , Tuena Marco A , Nakahira Carolina , Fava Victor AR , Delfino Rodrigo , Surjan Juliana , Steiglich Matheus S , Barbosa Matheus , Abdo Guilherme , Cohrs Frederico M , Liberatori Aroldo , Del Porto José A , Lacerda Acioly LT , B Andreoli Sergio
Published: January 2021

Background:

A large number of studies indicate that subanesthetic doses of ketamine induce a fast antidepressant effect. Limited studies have investigated the subcutaneous (SC) route, and it remains unclear for whom this treatment is most suitable.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to examine the effect on depressive symptoms of repeated subanesthetic doses of SC esketamine in unipolar and bipolar treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and clinical predictors of response.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 70 patients who received six SC esketamine doses weekly as an adjunctive treatment was carried out. Doses started at 0.5 mg/kg and it could be titrated up to 1 mg/kg, according to response. The primary outcome was reduction in depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis to investigate clinical predictors of effectiveness included logistic regression analysis using a dependent variable of a 50% reduction in rating scale scores at the end of treatment. Comparisons between groups were made through analysis of variance and treatment effects.

Results:

At baseline, our sample presented with severe treatment resistance in 65.7%, as assessed by the Maudsley Staging Method (MSM), and 47.1% had anxiety disorder comorbidity. The response rate was 50%. A better outcome was predicted by mild and moderate MSM scores (OR = 3.162, p = 0.041) and anxiety disorder comorbidity (OR = 3.149, p = 0.028).

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that higher levels of treatment resistance may be associated with a poor response to SC esketamine. Unlike traditional pharmacotherapies, it might benefit those with poor prognosis such as patients with depression and comorbid anxiety. Therefore, future research could investigate whether esketamine should receive a more prominent place in the treatment algorithm for TRD.
Managerial Communication and Frontline Workers’ Willingness to Abide by Rules: Evidence From Local Security Agencies in China
Authors: Zhang Youlang , Yang Fan , Zhao Menghan
Published: January 2021

Previous research has studied both rule- and individual-level determinants of rule abidance of frontline workers, but the effect of managerial communication has not been adequately explored. Based on extant literature on street-level bureaucracy, managerial communication, and behavioral public administration, this study develops a novel framework to theorize the relationship between managerial communication and frontline workers’ willingness to abide by frontline rules. The framework highlights that managerial communication could improve frontline workers’ willingness to abide by rules by directly monitoring their behaviors or indirectly increasing their perceived rule clarity and risk of punishment. Moreover, as organizational size increases, the effect of managerial communication on frontline workers’ willingness to abide by rules decreases. The study uses unique data from a 2018–2019 survey covering 94 frontline managers and 717 frontline workers in local security agencies in mainland China to empirically test the hypotheses.
Critiquing a Utopian Idea of Sustainable Consumption: A Post-Capitalism Perspective
Authors: Dermody Janine , Koenig-Lewis Nicole , Zhao Anita Lifen , Hanmer-Lloyd Stuart
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes and critiques the idea of a post-capitalism sustainable consumption utopia to improve the ecological and human wellbeing of the planet. Such a notion can stimulate new imaginative thinking on a future sustainable world not dominated by neoliberalism. It can also strengthen SDG-12: responsible consumption and production. To do so, it examines the influence of pro-environmental self-identity, market-based barriers, and knowledge barriers on sustainable consumption buying, product lifetime extension, and environmental activism. Survey data was collected via online panels in Sweden (n=504) and the USA (n=1,017). Richly varied and complex findings emerge supporting the merit of this utopian idea. In particular, the importance of pro-environmental self-identity. This study illustrates how the post-capitalism notions of radical incrementalism and people power can initiate change using the civic, political, and environmental activism in sustainable consumption behaviours. Emerging implications for the viability of SDG-12 are also considered. This work offers rich opportunities for further research.
Shared service implementation in multidivisional organizations: A meta-synthesis study
Authors: Richter Philipp C. , Brühl Rolf
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this article is to explore shared service center (SSC) implementation. Shared service is a key concept by which corporations organize their resources. Research indicates that some organizations struggle with implementing SSC and sometimes entirely fail to implement them. Although prior research exploring the determinants of implementation success is relatively scarce, researchers have conducted several SSC implementation case studies. However, these valuable findings remain isolated in stand-alone case studies. We aggregated the results of these studies using a qualitative meta-synthesis to identify, extract, and synthesize variables, their interrelations, and their relationships to SSC success. The outcome is a theoretical model that describes which factors are important and how and why they are related to SSC success. Overall, we make important contributions to the growing SSC research by shedding theoretical light on SSC implementation. We also provide a set of propositions and make suggestions for future research.
Transit Economic Equity Index: Developing a Comprehensive Measure of Transit Service Equity
Authors: Lyons Torrey , Choi Dong-ah
Published: January 2021

In this study an index is developed called the Transit Economic Equity Index, to enable quantitative assessment of transit service equity. The index measures convenience of travel for work trips for advantaged and disadvantaged populations, based on travel speed, using a multimodal network that includes transit lines, stop locations, transit schedules, and pedestrian connections via the street network. Non-peak hour service is compared with peak hour service to determine the degree to which operating resources are concentrated in times that might have greater benefits to advantaged populations. Finally, accessibility to the transit system is compared in relation to the number of transit stops in neighborhoods and employment centers, and these figures are compared between advantaged and disadvantaged locations. The scores for these three components are combined to create a single measure of transit economic equity. Disadvantage is defined using criteria established in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The index is constructed in a way that balances a robust and meaningful measure of transit equity that is decipherable by practitioners so that they can assess the equity of their systems as well as how potential service changes affect equity.
Field Determined Live Load Distribution Factors for Modular Press-Brake-Formed Tub Girders
Authors: Barth Karl E. , Michaelson Gregory K. , Roh Adam D. , Tennant Robert M.
Published: January 2021

This paper is focused on the field performance of a modular press-brake-formed tub girder (PBFTG) system in short span bridge applications. The scope of this project to conduct a live load field test on West Virginia State Project no. S322-37-3.29 00, a bridge utilizing PBFTGs located near Ranger, West Virginia. The modular PBFTG is a shallow trapezoidal box girder cold-formed using press-brakes from standard mill plate widths and thicknesses. A technical working group within the Steel Market Development Institute’s Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance, led by the current authors, was charged with the development of this concept. Research of PBFTGs has included analyzing the flexural bending capacity using experimental testing and analytical methods. This paper presents the experimental testing procedures and performance of a composite PBFTG bridge.
Functional, morphological and operative outcome after pyeloplasty in adult patients: Laparoscopic versus open
Authors: Merder Erkan , Arıman Ahmet , Sabuncu Kenan , Altunrende Fatih
Published: January 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study is determine and compare improvement of hydronephrosis, renal function, and operative outcome between laparoscopıc and open pyeloplasty in adults.

Material and methods:

Sixty-five adult patients with primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) underwent pyeloplasty between January 2014 and September 2020. Thirty-four patients had laparoscopıc pyeloplasty (LP), 31 patients had open pyeloplasty (OP). In this retrospective study demographics, differential renal function (DRF), hydronephrosis, anteroposterior diameter of pelvis renalis (APD) and operative outcomes: operation time, blood loss, complications, hospital stay, etiology, analgesic requirement, complications, and success rates were compared between two groups.

Results:

Improvement of APD is higher in OP group ( p: 0.001). Improvement of DRF ( p: 0.713) and hydronephrosis ( p = 1.000), success ( p: 0.407) and complication rate ( p: 0.661) are comparable between two groups. Median hospital stay, postoperative analgesia requirement and blood loss was less in LP group, mean operative time was shorter in OP group ( p: 0.001).

Conclusion:

Pain complaints are greatly reduced after pyeloplasty in adult patients but the drainage of kidney, DRF and hydronephrosis does not improve as much as desired. Improvement of APD is better and median operative time is less in OP, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and analgesic requirement is less in LP group in our study.
Congenital Mirror Movements Associated With Brain Malformations
Authors: Nissenkorn Andreea , Yosovich Keren , Leibovitz Zvi , Hartman Tamar Gur , Zelcer Itay , Hugirat Mohammad , Lev Dorit , Lerman-Sagie Tally , Blumkin Lubov
Published: January 2021

Background:

Congenital mirror movements are involuntary movements of a side of the body imitating intentional movements on the opposite side, appearing in early childhood and persisting beyond 7 years of age. Congenital mirror movements are usually idiopathic but have been reported in association with various brain malformations.

Methods:

We describe clinical, genetic, and radiologic features in 9 individuals from 5 families manifesting congenital mirror movements.

Results:

The brain malformations associated with congenital mirror movements were: dysplastic corpus callosum in father and daughter with a heterozygous p.Met1* mutation in DCC; hypoplastic corpus callosum, dysgyria, and malformed vermis in a mother and son with a heterozygous p.Thr312Met mutation in TUBB3; dysplastic corpus callosum, dysgyria, abnormal vermis, and asymmetric ventricles in a father and 2 daughters with a heterozygous p.Arg121Trp mutation in TUBB; hypoplastic corpus callosum, dysgyria, malformed basal ganglia and abnormal vermis in a patient with a heterozygous p.Glu155Asp mutation in TUBA1A; hydrocephalus, hypoplastic corpus callosum, polymicrogyria, and cerebellar cysts in a patient with a homozygous p.Pro312Leu mutation in POMGNT1.

Conclusion:

DCC, TUBB3, TUBB, TUBA1A, POMGNT1 cause abnormal axonal guidance via different mechanisms and result in congenital mirror movements associated with brain malformations.
Skill, power and marginal contribution in committees
Authors: Ben-Yashar Ruth , Nitzan Shmuel , Tajika Tomoya
Published: January 2021

Power is an important basic concept in Political Science and Economics. Applying an extended version of the uncertain dichotomous choice model proposed, the objective of this paper is to clarify the relationship between two different types of power a voter may have: skill-dependent (s-d) power and marginal contribution (mc). It is then shown that, under the optimal committee decision rule, inequality in skills may result in higher inequality of the two types of power and that the distribution of the second type of power (mc) can be even more unequal than the distribution of the first type of s-d power. Using simulations, and assuming evenly spread skills, this possibility is proved to be robust. The significance of the finding is due to the effect of power on reward, whether it is defined in terms of status or in terms of monetary payment.
Static and dynamic path optimization of multiple mobile robot using hybridized fuzzy logic-whale optimization algorithm
Authors: Kumar Saroj , Parhi Dayal R , Kashyap Abhishek K , Muni Manoj K
Published: January 2021

Fuzzy logic is widely known as a value-based technique. Whale optimization algorithm (WOA), on the other hand, is a nature-inspired optimization technique. Hybridization of these two techniques is proposed for path planning and control, over multiple mobile robots in static and dynamic environments. The effectiveness of the resulting technique, known as ‘Fuzzy-WOA’, is tested through MATLAB simulation coupled with real-time experiments. Upon testing, a good agreement is observed between these platforms. Furthermore, the proposed technique is found to be more efficient when compared to other existing techniques, with a significant improvement of about 20.63% in terms of path lengths.
Research on coupling effects of actuator and round window membrane on reverse stimulation of human cochlea
Authors: Xue Lin , Liu Houguang , Yang Jianhua , Liu Songyong , Zhao Yu , Huang Xinsheng
Published: January 2021

An active actuator of a middle-ear implant coupled to the round window membrane (RWM), which transmits vibration to the cochlea, has been used to compensate for hearing loss in patients. However, various factors affect the coupling condition between the actuator and the RWM, resulting in coupling leakage. In this study, a coupling impedance model of the human ear and the actuator was used to investigate the effect of inefficient coupling during reverse stimulation. First, the three-port circuit network model of the actuator was coupled with the acoustic impedance model of human ear reverse sound transmission. Meanwhile, the inefficient coupling impedance was estimated. Then, the effect of the actuator’s coupling on reverse stimulation was studied by comparing the reverse pressure transfer function. Furthermore, the inefficient coupling’s influence in the ear with middle-ear disorder was also investigated by simulating two typical forms of middle-ear disorder: otosclerosis and ossicular chain disarticulation. The results show that the change of the inefficient coupling impedance plays a significant role during reverse stimulation. Inefficient coupling of the actuator and the RWM deteriorates the cochlear response of reverse stimulation over the entire frequency range. Additionally, the coupling effect of the actuator does not change the influence tendency of middle-ear disorder on reverse stimulation’s performance, but changes the response amplitude of the reverse stimulation.
Correlation between Cepheid GeneXpert and Abbott M2000 assays for HIV viral load measurements
Authors: Manavi Kaveh , Hodson James , Masuka Sindiso , Singo Mebie , Dedicoat Katie , Osman Husam
Published: January 2021

Measurement of HIV viral load (VL) is the best indicator of success of antiretroviral therapy. We investigated the correlation between results by the Cepheid GeneXpert and a standard of care VL assay (Abbott M2000). This was a prospective study of people living with HIV who attended the department for routine VL measurement with the Abbott M2000. Consenting patients agreed to provide one extra blood sample for VL measurement with the Cepheid GeneXpert assay. One hundred patients consented to participate in the study. There were 18 patients with VL ≥ 40 copies/mL and 75 patients with VL < 40 copies on both assays. The two assays had 93% agreement, with a kappa of 0.79 ( p < 0.001). Treating VL as a continuous variable found measurements to be significantly higher on the Cepheid GeneXpert assay than the Abbott ( p = 0.002). Analysis of samples with VL ≥ 40 copies/mL on either assay ( n = 25) found the mean difference between the two assays to be 0.31 log10 copies/mL (95% limits of agreement: −0.63, 1.25). Whilst the measurements on the two assays are relatively highly correlated, there is a clear bias, with the Cepheid GeneXpert tending to give higher VL values.
Aero-engine dynamic model based on an improved compact propulsion system dynamic model
Authors: Zheng Qiangang , Wang Yong , Jin Chongwen , Zhang Haibo
Published: January 2021

The modern advanced aero-engine control methods are onboard dynamic model–based algorithms. In this article, a novel aero-engine dynamic modeling method based on improved compact propulsion system dynamic model is proposed. The aero-engine model is divided into inlet, core engine, surge margin and nozzle models for establishing sub-model in the compact propulsion system dynamic model. The model of core engine is state variable model. The models of inlet, surge margin and nozzle are nonlinear models which are similar to the component level model. A new scheduling scheme for basepoint control vector, basepoint state vector and basepoint output vector which considers the change of engine total inlet temperature is proposed to improve engine model accuracy especially the steady. The online feedback correction of measurable parameters is adopted to improve the steady and dynamic accuracy of model. The modeling errors of improved compact propulsion system dynamic model remain unchanged when engine total inlet temperature of different conditions are the same or changes small. The model accuracy of compact propulsion system dynamic model, especially the measurable parameters, is improved by online feedback correction. Moreover, the real-time performance of compact propulsion system dynamic model and improved compact propulsion system dynamic model are much better than component level model.
Dual trajectories of fatigue and disease activity in an inception cohort of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus over 10 years
Authors: Moazzami Mitra , Strand Vibeke , Su Jiandong , Touma Zahi
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms reported in patients living with SLE. We aim to: 1) determine if different trajectories of fatigue associate with specific latent classes of disease activity and 2) define the patient characteristics and associated factors in different latent classes.

Methods

Data from an inception cohort of adult patients from the Toronto Lupus Clinic from 1997-2018 were analyzed. Fatigue levels were measured using Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and disease activity by the Adjusted Mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) (AMS). Dual latent class trajectory analysis, for fatigue and AMS, was performed. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed the association of baseline variables with class membership.

Results

Among 280 patients, 4 dual classes (C) of fatigue and disease activity were identified: C1- lowest disease activity and second highest fatigue trajectory (27%); C2- second highest disease activity and highest fatigue trajectory (30%); C3-moderate disease activity and lowest fatigue trajectory (33%); and C4- highest disease activity and moderate fatigue trajectory (10%).

Conclusion

4 distinct latent classes of dual fatigue and disease activity trajectories were identified. Fatigue and disease activity follow distinct trajectories and disease activity alone cannot fully explain fatigue trajectories. Trajectories with higher FSS scores were associated with more fibromyalgia and trajectories with higher disease activity were associated with higher cumulative glucocorticoid use. Higher baseline glucocorticoid use was more likely associated with more fatigue while older age at SLE diagnosis was associated with less fatigue.
Improvement in cavitation resistance of poly (vinyl butyral) composite films with silica nanoparticles: A technical note
Authors: Obradović Vera , Vuksanović Marija , Tomić Nataša , Stojanović Dušica , Husović Tatjana Volkov , Uskoković Petar
Published: January 2021

In this study poly (vinyl butyral)/silica (PVB/SiO2) composite films were subjected to the cavitation process. The experiments were carried out with a 10 wt.% PVB solution in ethanol. Silica nanoparticles were added into the solution in different concentration of 1, 3 and 5 wt.% SiO2 in regard to PVB. Composite films were cast from these solutions and subjected to ultrasonic cavitation. Optical images of their surfaces were analyzed before and after cavitation, by Image-Pro Plus software. The results revealed that the PVB film with 5 wt.% SiO2 nanoparticles demonstrated the greatest improvement in microhardness with the best cavitation resistance compared to other films.
Work-from-home during COVID-19: Accounting for the care economy to build back better
Authors: Jenkins Fiona , Smith Julie
Published: January 2021

In the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s dwellings suddenly became a predominant site of economic activity. We argue that, predictably, policy-makers and employers took the home for granted as a background support of economic life. Acting as if home is a cost-less resource that is free for appropriation in an emergency, ignoring how home functions as a site of gendered relations of care and labour, and assuming home is a largely harmonious site, all shaped the invisibility of the imposition. Taking employee flexibility for granted and presenting work-from-home as a privilege offered by generous employers assumed rapid adaptation. As Australia emerges from lockdown, ‘building back better’ to meet future shocks entails better supporting adaptive capabilities of workers in the care economy, and of homes that have likewise played an unacknowledged role as buffer and shelter for the economy. Investing in infrastructure capable of providing a more equitable basis for future resilience is urgent to reap the benefits that work-from-home offers. This article points to the need for rethinking public investment and infrastructure priorities for economic recovery and reconstruction in the light of a gender perspective on COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ experience.

JEL Codes: E01, E22, J24
The Impact of Politically Connected CEOs and Boards of Directors on Firm Performance: A Study of Vietnamese Family and Nonfamily Firms
Authors: Dinh Trung Quang , Calabrò Andrea , Campopiano Giovanna , Basco Rodrigo
Published: January 2021

Integrating new institutional economics and resource dependence theory, this study investigates whether in transition economies, characterized by shifting from centrally commanded to more market-oriented economies, there are performance differences among family firms (FFs), nonfamily firms (non-FFs), and former state-owned enterprises (former SOEs), and whether political connections affect these differences. Our findings suggest that FFs outperform non-FFs and former SOEs, unless non-FFs have politically connected CEOs. The performance gap in favor of FFs increases at high levels of board political connection intensity. Among FFs, the top-performing ones either promote nonfamily leadership or combine family leadership with politically connected boards of directors.
Inclusive Instruction for Students with Emotional Disturbance: An Investigation of Classroom Practice
Authors: McKenna John William , Newton Xiaoxia , Brigham Frederick , Garwood Justin
Published: January 2021

A survey was developed to obtain information on practitioner self-reported knowledge, use, and perceived effectiveness of classroom-based practices for the inclusive instruction of students with emotional disturbance (ED). This study reports descriptive results for a sample of general and special education teachers from the northeastern United States who provided inclusive instruction and/or support to at least one student with ED in a general education classroom in the past year. Mann–Whitney and MANOVA tests were employed to determine differences between teacher populations for individual practices and four clusters of practices identified in an exploratory factor analysis (EFA): Behavioral Supports, Differentiation, Classroom Management, and Instructional Practices. Findings suggest that special educators serve an important role in efforts to provide instruction that focuses on inclusion rather than merely integration. Implications for practice, study limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.
Development of sustained release formulations of chlorine dioxide gas for inactivation of foodborne pathogens on produce
Authors: Park Sang-Hyun , Kim Sang-Soon , Kang Dong-Hyun
Published: January 2021

Formulations for the sustained release of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas were developed, and their gas-producing profiles and antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium were evaluated in spinach leaves and tomatoes under different relative humidity (RH) conditions. Sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and citric acid were used to generate ClO2 gas, and the generation rate and maximum ClO2 gas concentration were controlled using diatomaceous earth (DE) and calcium chloride (CaCl2). Under 90% RH conditions, sustained release of ClO2 gas was achieved in presence of DE. When 12 g of DE was added to the mixture, the ClO2 gas concentration remained constant at 18 ± 1 ppmv for approximately 28 h. At 50% RH, addition of CaCl2 was effective in maintaining a constant ClO2 gas concentration. When 0.05 g of CaCl2 was added to mixtures containing 0.5 g of DE, ClO2 gas concentration remained constant at 11 ± 1 ppmv for approximately 26 h. Treatment with 30 ppmv of ClO2 gas at 90% RH achieved more than 6.16 and 5.48 log reductions of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium on spinach leaves (in 15 min), and more than 6.78 and 6.34 log reductions of the same in tomatoes (in 10 min). The sustained release formulations for ClO2 gas, developed in this study, could facilitate the use of ClO2 gas as an antimicrobial agent in the food industry.
Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy complex disease: Lessons learned about choroid, photoreceptors, and retinal function
Authors: Pellegrini Francesco , Cirone Daniele , De Simone Luca , Marullo Michele , Cimino Luca
Published: January 2021

Purpose:

Retinal photoreceptors layer integrity is considered essential to visual function. We report a case of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) complex disease (namely AIBSE: acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement) in which apparently a full anatomic regeneration is not needed for a complete functional recovery.

Methods:

Case report with multimodal imaging.

Reports:

Visual field recovery in the presence of photoreceptors layer disruption studied by means of Optical Coherence Tomography. Choroid and photoreceptors layer thickness thinned progressively during recovery.

Conclusion:

This case suggests that anatomical retinal integrity as shown by OCT does not always correspond to visual function. Our case highlights that a complete visual recovery can occur even when structural abnormalities are still observable.
Artificial intelligence accurately identifies total hip arthroplasty implants: a tool for revision surgery
Authors: Murphy Michael , Killen Cameron , Burnham Robert , Sarvari Fahad , Wu Karen , Brown Nicholas
Published: January 2021

Background:

A critical part in preoperative planning for revision arthroplasty surgery involves the identification of the failed implant. Using a predictive artificial neural network (ANN) model, the objectives of this study were: (1) to develop a machine-learning algorithm using operative big data to identify an implant from a radiograph; and (2) to compare algorithms that optimise accuracy in a timely fashion.

Methods:

Using 2116 postoperative anteroposterior (AP) hip radiographs of total hip arthroplasties from 2002 to 2019, 10 artificial neural networks were modeled and trained to classify the radiograph according to the femoral stem implanted. Stem brand and model was confirmed with 1594 operative reports. Model performance was determined by classification accuracy toward a random 706 AP hip radiographs, and again on a consecutive series of 324 radiographs prospectively collected over 2019.

Results:

The Dense-Net 201 architecture outperformed all others with 100.00% accuracy in training data, 95.15% accuracy on validation data, and 91.16% accuracy in the unique prospective series of patients. This outperformed all other models on the validation ( p < 0.0001) and novel series ( p < 0.0001). The convolutional neural network also displayed the probability (confidence) of the femoral stem classification for any input radiograph. This neural network averaged a runtime of 0.96 (SD 0.02) seconds for an iPhone 6 to calculate from a given radiograph when converted to an application.

Conclusions:

Neural networks offer a useful adjunct to the surgeon in preoperative identification of the prior implant.
Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular nerve block for implantable port catheters: Does it show a significant difference in pain control?
Authors: Çelebioğlu Emre Can , Bilgiç Mehmet Sadık
Published: January 2021

Background:

Nerve blocks have been used for decades at head and neck region interventions and recently introduced as an alternative option for subcutaneous port implantation. This study aimed to compare two different local anesthesia techniques used during subcutaneous port implantation.

Methods:

This retrospective study was conducted with 107 patients who were categorized into two groups according to the local anesthesia techniques used during port implantations. Group 1 underwent local infiltration anesthesia and Group 2 received an ultrasound-guided supraclavicular nerve block. In both groups, prilocaine 2% was used for skin anesthesia and no other systemic anesthetic drugs or additional local anesthetics were administered during port implantation. Local anesthetic doses were 400 mg in Group 1 and 200 mg in Group 2. The time required for adequate cutaneous anesthesia, procedure time, complication rate and visual analog scale (VAS) score were recorded for each patient.

Results:

Groups 1 and 2 contained 58 and 49 patients respectively. Both groups showed similar demographic distributions of patients ( p > 0.05). Mean procedure times and the time required for adequate cutaneous anesthesia were longer in Group 2 ( p < 0.05). Group 2 also showed 12 immediate complications, although they were temporary and recovered without any intervention under surveillance. Mean VAS scores during port implantation were similar in both groups [Group 1: 1.17(±0.60), Group 2: 1.1(±0.62)] ( p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

The VAS scores did not differ significantly between groups. Although a supraclavicular nerve block may require lower local anesthetic doses for similar cutaneous anesthesia, it is associated with higher immediate complication rates due to unintended blockade of the peripheral nerves. Thus, if the nerve block is preferred over local infiltration anesthesia during port implantation, to prevent life-threatening complications, caution needed especially for the patients with contralateral vocal cord or diaphragm paralysis.