bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who wants to be a franchisee? Explaining individual intentions to become franchisees
Authors: Croonen Evelien , van der Bij Hans , Perrigot Rozenn , El Akremi Assâad , Herrbach Olivier
Published: May 2021

An important challenge for franchisors is to find individuals with strong intentions to become franchisees that they can actively support in this ambition. We contribute to franchising research by developing and testing a model to explain individual intentions to become franchisees as a specific type of entrepreneurial intention (EI). We combine Achievement Motivation Theory (AMT) with the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to propose inverted U-shaped associations between individual motivations (i.e. need for achievement and risk-taking propensity), their cognitive assessments of franchising (i.e. attitude towards franchising and perceived behavioural control), and their EI regarding franchising. Our survey of 666 individuals demonstrates that need for achievement impacts attitude towards franchising and perceived behavioural control regarding franchising following respectively inverted U-shaped and declining positive relationships, and they partly mediate the relationships between need for achievement and EI regarding franchising. We find a negative linear association with attitude towards franchising.
Early, integrated palliative rehabilitation improves quality of life of patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer: The Pal-Rehab randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nottelmann Lise , Groenvold Mogens , Vejlgaard Tove Bahn , Petersen Morten Aagaard , Jensen Lars Henrik
Published: May 2021

Background:

Early integration of palliative care into oncology treatment is widely recommended. Palliative rehabilitation has been suggested as a paradigm which integrates enablement, self-management, and self-care into the holistic model of palliative care.

Aim:

We hypothesized that early integration of palliative rehabilitation could improve quality of life.

Design:

The Pal-Rehab study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02332317) was a randomized controlled trial. The 12-week intervention offered by a specialized palliative care team was two mandatory consultations and the opportunity of participating in an interdisciplinary group program. Supplementary individual consultations were offered, if needed.

Setting/participants:

At Vejle University Hospital, Denmark, adults diagnosed with advanced cancer within the last 8 weeks were randomized 1:1 to standard oncology care or standard care plus intervention. Assessments at baseline and after six and 12 weeks were based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). At baseline participants were asked to choose a “primary problem” from a list of QLQ-C30 domains. The primary endpoint was the change in that “primary problem” measured as area under the curve across 12 weeks ( T-scores, European mean value = 50, SD = 10).

Results:

In all, 288 were randomized of whom 279 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis (146 in the standard care group and 133 in the intervention group). The between-group difference for the primary outcome was 3.0 (95% CI [0.0–6.0]; p = 0.047) favoring the intervention.

Conclusion:

Early integration of palliative rehabilitation into standard oncology treatment improved quality of life for newly diagnosed advanced cancer patients.

Trial registration:

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02332317, registered on December 30, 2014.
Do Changes in Emotional States Predict Therapy Alliance in Dutch Male Offenders in Mandated Clinical Care?
Authors: Keulen-de Vos Marije , de Vogel Vivienne
Published: May 2021

Therapy alliance has been studied largely in voluntary psychotherapy but less is known about its predictive factors for positive alliance and treatment outcome in forensic populations. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between offenders’ emotional states and therapy alliance. Moreover, we were interested in the predictive impact of emotional states early in treatment on alliance at 18 months into treatment. Self-ratings of emotional states and alliance by 103 male offenders, and therapist-ratings for therapy alliance were examined using hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Participants were primarily convicted for violent of sexual offenses, and were diagnosed with antisocial, borderline or narcissistic personality disorders. Healthy emotional states were predictive of mid-treatment agreement on therapy goals and therapist ratings on tasks within the therapy. Unhealthy emotional states were predictive of patient-rated agreement on tasks. Emotional states were not predictive for the reported therapist/patient bond or global alliance ratings. This study emphasizes the importance of healthy emotional states in treatment of offenders with personality disorders.
Dose selection for fremanezumab (AJOVY) phase 3 pediatric migraine studies using pharmacokinetic data from a pediatric phase 1 study and a population pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation approach
Authors: Cohen-Barak Orit , Radivojevic Andrijana , Jones Aksana , Fiedler-Kelly Jill , Gillespie Michael , Brennan Michael , Gutman Dikla , Rasamoelisolo Michele , Hallak Hussein , Loupe Pippa , Kessler Yoel , Ning Xiaoping , Levi Micha , Ahn Andrew H , Rabinovich-Guilatt Laura
Published: May 2021

Background

Potential fremanezumab doses for pediatric patients were evaluated using pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation. An open-label phase 1 pharmacokinetic and safety study was conducted in pediatric patients with migraine. This study’s results together with refinement of the adult population pharmacokinetic model were used to determine fremanezumab dose recommendations for phase 3 pediatric studies.

Methods

Initial application of the adult model suggested that a 75 mg dose in pediatric patients would match exposures determined safe and efficacious in adults; thus, in the phase 1 study, 15 patients, aged 6–11 years and weighing 17–45 kg received a single subcutaneous 75 mg fremanezumab dose. The sparse pharmacokinetic data collected were used to refine the adult model and simulate concentration-time profiles for monthly subcutaneous doses (60 to 225 mg) in a virtual pediatric population.

Results

In the phase 1 pediatric study, the safety profile was similar to that of adults. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination and body weight effects on clearance and central volume was found to adequately describe the pediatric pharmacokinetic data.

Conclusions

Using exposure matching to the effective adult fremanezumab dose (225 mg subcutaneous monthly), modeling and simulations predict recommended dose of 120 mg in pediatric patients weighing < 45 kg. Registration: The phase 1 study of this report is registered at EudraCT with the identifier 2018-000734-35.
Disciplining a ‘Pathological Province’? Orissa, Smallpox and Colonial Order
Authors: Nanda Chandi Prasad
Published: May 2021

A massive corpus of historical scholarship has been produced in the last few decades exploring specificities underlying the triad of disease, health and medicine. The present work explores the linkages between medical knowledge and colonial power drawing resources from the medical archive. The focus of this essay pertains to the study of disease and medicine in relation to their extent of influence on colonial policy and the colonising process and on those who were colonised in the context of a specific locality or a region. It seeks to delineate the career of vaccination as it shaped up through a web of complexities in the context of Orissa including the attendant response of people to such interventions during the colonial rule. The colonial strategy to address the issue of smallpox epidemic and vaccination not only provides an understanding of the acutely limited nature of preventive medicine but also how a ‘political’ reading of the disease took precedence over its overt medical implications. The study further attempts to illustrate the specificities associated with the processes of colonial medical interventions to discipline a region like Orissa which the colonial authorities saw as a ‘pathological province’.
Targeted PD-L1 PLGA/liposomes-mediated luteolin therapy for effective liver cancer cell treatment
Authors: Cao Xinqiao , Wang Bing
Published: May 2021

Stealth PLGA/Liposome nanoparticles (NPs) modified with tumor-targeting PD-L1 antibody for systemic delivery of luteolin for liver cancer were prepared. The morphologies and therapeutic effects of luteolin-loaded PD-L1 targeted stealth PLGA/Liposomes (L-PD-SP/Ls) in vitro were analyzed. Functional L-PD-P/L NPs composed of PLGA, DOPC and DSPE-PEG display low cell cytoxicity in HepG2 cells, and has more cell uptake ability than P/Ls NPs. L-PD-SP/Ls was more effective in inhibiting HepG2 cell proliferation than free luteolin in solution ( p < 0.05) and luteolin-loaded P/Ls ( p < 0.05). Compared with the cell control group and the non-PD-L1 targeted group, the mediated effect of PD-L1 can significantly enhance the uptake of drugs by cells, and L-PD-SP/Ls can significantly reduce the expression of Bcl-2 and increase the level of LDH in cells. Our findings collectively support the utility of PD-L1-targeted P/L NPs as a potentially effective drug delivery system.
Mortality, hospitalization and transfer to haemodialysis and hybrid therapy, in Japanese peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Kawanishi Hideki , Marshall Mark R , Zhao Junhui , McCullough Keith , Robinson Bruce , Pisoni Ronald L , Perl Jeffrey , Tomo Tadashi , Minakuchi Jun ,   The Japan PDOPPS Study Committee
Published: May 2021

Background and objectives:

Survival of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in Japan is high, but few reports exist on cause-specific mortality, transfer to haemodialysis (HD) or hybrid dialysis and hospitalisation risks. We aimed to identify reasons for transfer to HD, hybrid dialysis and hospitalisation in the Japan Peritoneal Dialysis and Outcomes Practice Patterns Study.

Methods:

This observational study included 808 adult PD patients across 31 facilities in Japan in 2014–2017. Information on all-cause and cause-specific mortality and hospitalisation and permanent transfer to HD and PD/HD hybrid therapy were prospectively collected and rates calculated.

Results:

Median follow-up time was 1.66 years where 162 patients transferred to HD, 79 transferred to hybrid dialysis and 74 patients died. All-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality rates were 5.1 and 1.7 deaths/100 patient-years, respectively. Rates of transfer to HD and hybrid therapy were 11.2 and 5.5 transfers/100 patient-years, respectively. Among HD transfers, 40% were due to infection (including peritonitis), while 20% were due to inadequate solute/water clearance. Eighty-one percent of hybrid dialysis transfers were due to inadequate solute/water clearance. All--cause, peritonitis-related and CVD-related hospitalisation rates were 120.4, 21.1 and 15.6/100 patient-years, respectively. Median hospital length of stay was 19 days.

Conclusions:

Mortality, hospitalisation and transfer to HD/hybrid dialysis rates are relatively low in Japan compared to many other countries with hybrid transfers, accounting for one-third of dialysis transfers from PD. Further study is needed to explain the high inter-facility variation in hospitalisation rates and how to further reduce hospitalisation rates for Japanese PD patients.
Under the Microscope: A Look Into the Role of Critical Care Pharmacists During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gurnani Payal K. , Peksa Gary D. , Panos Nicholas G. , DeMott Joshua M.
Published: May 2021

Among disciplines, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of critical care pharmacists in assuming responsibility for managing medication therapy in direct patient care settings. Historically, pharmacists have been relied upon for prospective evaluation of drug therapy for appropriate indications, dosage, drug interactions, and drug allergies; monitoring patients’ pharmacotherapeutic regimens for effectiveness and adverse effects; providing drug information to providers; and educating health professionals regarding drug therapies. Specific to COVID-19, pharmacists have been an integral member of the multidisciplinary rounding team, assisting with drug shortages and strategies for drug conservation; participating in emergencies, such as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and rapid sequence intubations; and creating as well as integrating evidence-based guidelines and pathways during the pandemic into clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the various roles of critical care pharmacists among the healthcare team in caring for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Glycemic Variability With Insulin Glargine Versus Detemir in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes
Authors: George Jamie , Giuliano Christopher A. , Hartner Carrie L.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Prior research has demonstrated increased mortality with increasing glycemic variability (GV) in hospitalized patients with diabetes.

Objective:

We aimed to compare glycemic variability (GV) of insulin glargine to detemir in the inpatient setting.

Methods:

This single-center, retrospective, cohort study evaluated noncritically ill patients with diabetes on long-acting insulin at a large academic medical institution between 2010 and 2017. This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board. The formulary transitioned from insulin glargine to detemir in December 2013; therefore, patients were compared before and after transition. The primary endpoint was to compare coefficient of variation (CV), a measure of GV, between detemir and glargine. Secondary endpoints included GV measured by standard deviation (SD), CV within 72 hours of long-acting insulin initiation, length-of-stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, and comparison between subgroups.

Results:

2334 patients were included in the study, and there were 1167 in each group. CV was significantly less variable with detemir compared to glargine (33.7% versus 34.8%, difference = 1.09, p = 0.02) and remained significant after controlling for confounders. Similarly, SD was significantly less with detemir (p = 0.048). CV within 72 hours, LOS, and in-hospital mortality were not statistically different. Lastly, GV was higher in medical patients compared to surgical.

Conclusion:

Insulin detemir exhibited less GV than insulin glargine, although the small difference is unlikely to be clinically significant. Application of this data will aid in formulary decisions and support the use of either agent within the hospital setting.
Inside the Human Rights Ministry of Burkina Faso: How professionalised civil servants shape governmental human rights focal points
Authors: Lorion Sébastien
Published: May 2021

The human rights professionalisation of civil servants has emerged as a core dimension of governmental human rights focal points (GHRFPs), notably in the 2016 OHCHR’s guide on ‘national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up’. The article investigates this dimension and warns that the role of civil servants is indeed pivotal to human rights compliance strategies but plays out in complex ways. Reflecting on an ethnographic journey within the Human Rights Ministry of Burkina Faso, the article shows how professionalised civil servants fall short of triggering the intended change. It debunks key mechanisms through which agents translate acquired skills and shape GHRFPs’ performance as sites of human rights localisation and coordination. Such ‘deviations’ should not be construed only as local pathologies: they are unintentionally nurtured by international guidance, support and oversight systems. The article calls for a renewed approach to human rights professionalisation, that would recognise – possibly resolve – the unaccounted yet crucial tension between agents’ values and neutral ideal-types for efficient bureaucracies.
Analysis of vibration in rotating pretwisted functionally graded graphene platelets reinforced nanocomposite laminated blades with an attached point mass
Authors: Shenas Amin Ghorbani , Malekzadeh Parviz , Ziaee Sima
Published: May 2021

This work presents an investigation on the free vibration behavior of rotating pre-twisted functionally graded graphene platelets reinforced composite (FG-GPLRC) laminated blades/beams with an attached point mass. The considered beams are constituted of [Formula: see text] layers which are bonded perfectly and made of a mixture of isotropic polymer matrix and graphene platelets (GPLs). The weight fraction of GPLs changes in a layer-wise manner. The effective material properties of FG-GPLRC layers are computed by using the modified Halpin-Tsai model together with rule of mixture. The free vibration eigenvalue equations are developed based on the Reddy’s third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT) using the Chebyshev–Ritz method under different boundary conditions. After validating the approach, the influences of the GPLs distribution pattern, GPLs weight fraction, angular velocity, the variation of the angle of twist along the beam axis, the ratio of attached mass to the beam mass, boundary conditions, position of attached mass, and geometry on the vibration behavior are investigated. The findings demonstrate that the natural frequencies of the rotating pre-twisted FG-GPLRC laminated beams significantly increases by adding a very small amount of GPLs into polymer matrix. It is shown that placing more GPLs near the top and bottom surfaces of the pre-twisted beam is an effective way to strengthen the pre-twisted beam stiffness and increase the natural frequencies.
Quantitative analysis method for laminar-turbulence transition process of mechanical seal by a catastrophic model
Authors: Wang Yunlei , Wu Jiu Hui , Xu Lushuai , Zhou Zhuo
Published: May 2021

Fluid flow regime has an important influence on the lubrication performance of mechanical seal. A novel method is proposed to analyze the flow regime transition quantitatively based on a cusp catastrophic model with dimensionless analysis. Furthermore, from this method, a turbulence transition factor is derived strictly to describe the turbulent transition process of mechanical seal, which is verified by the published results. Then this factor is applied to hydrodynamic lubrication mechanical seal to analyze the influence of flow regime on sealing performance. The results indicate that the performance parameters of mechanical seal are greatly influenced by the transition of fluid flow regime, and the stability of mechanical seal decreases in the transition to turbulent flow. The novel method of flow regime transition analysis provides a new insight into the turbulence model.
Experimental investigation of the influence of cutting parameters on surface quality and on the special characteristics of micro-milled surfaces of hardened steels
Authors: Balázs Barnabás Zoltán , Takács Márton
Published: May 2021

Micro-milling is one of the most essential technologies to produce micro components, but due to the size effect, it has many special characteristics and challenges. The process can be characterised by strong vibrations, relatively large run-out and tool deformation, which directly affects the quality of the machined surface. This paper deals with a detailed investigation of the influence of cutting parameters on surface roughness and on the special characteristics of micro-milled surfaces. Several systematic series of experiments were carried out and analysed in detail. A five-axis micromachining centre and a two fluted, coated carbide micro-milling tool with a diameter of 500 µm were used for the tests. The experiments were conducted on AISI H13 hot-work tool steel and Böhler M303 martensitic corrosion resistance steel with a hardness of 50 HRC in order to gain relevant information of machining characteristics of potential materials of micro-injection moulding tools. The effect of the cutting parameters on the surface quality and on the ratio of Rz/ Ra was investigated in a comprehensive cutting parameter range. ANOVA was used for the statistical evaluation. A novel method is presented, which allows a detailed analysis of the surface profile and repetitions, and identify the frequencies that create the characteristic profile of the surface. The procedure establishes a connection between the frequencies obtained during the analysis of dynamics (forces, vibrations) of the micro-milling process and the characterising repetitions and frequencies of the surface.
Selective laser melting for improving quality characteristics of a prism shaped topology injection mould tool insert for the automotive industry
Authors: Kashouty Mennatallah F El , Rennie Allan EW , Ghazy Mootaz , Aziz Ahmed Abd El
Published: May 2021

Manufacturing process constraints and design complexities are the main challenges that face the aftermarket automotive industry. For that reason, recently, selective laser melting (SLM) is being recognised as a viable approach in the fabrication of injection moulding tool inserts. Due to its versatility, SLM technology is capable of producing freeform designs. For the first reported time, in this study SLM is recognized for its novel application in overcoming fabrication complexities for prism shaped topology of a vehicle headlamp’s reflector injection moulding tool insert. Henceforth, performance measures of the SLM-fabricated injection mould tool insert is assessed in comparison to a CNC-milled counterpart to improve quality characteristics. Tests executed and detailed in this paper are divided into two stages; the first stage assesses both fabricated tool inserts in terms of manufacturability; the second stage assesses the functionality of the end-products by measuring the surface roughness, dimensional accuracy and light reflectivity from the vehicle reflectors. The results obtained show that employing SLM technology can offer an effective and efficient alternative to subtractive manufacturing, successfully producing tool inserts with complex surface topology. Significant benefits in terms of surface roughness, dimensional accuracy and product functionality were achieved through the use of SLM technology. it was concluded that the SLM-fabricated inserts products proved to have relatively lower values of surface roughness in comparison to their CNC counterparts.
Performance analysis of domestic solar air heating system using V-shaped baffles – An experimental study
Authors: Rajendran Vijayakumar , Ramasubbu Harichandran , Alagar Karthick , Ramalingam Vignesh Kumar
Published: May 2021

An experimental study has been carried out to enhance a solar air heater’s performance by integrating artificial roughness through baffles on the absorber plate. In this paper, the thermal and energy matrices analysis of a Solar Air Heater (SAH) roughened with V up perforated baffles have been investigated. The effect of various mass flow rates on the SAH was analyzed with and without baffles. Experimental outputs like outlet air temperature, useful energy (heat) gain and thermal efficiency were evaluated to confirm the performance improvement. The baffled absorber plate SAH was found to give the maximum thermal efficiency and useful energy gain of 89.3% and 1321.37 W at a mass flow rate of 0.0346 kg/s, 13% and 12% higher than SAH without baffle. This result showed that the V up-shaped ribs in flow arrangement provide better thermal performance than smooth plate SAH for the parameter investigated. Energy matrices analysis and carbon dioxide mitigation of the SAH system were also analyzed.
Robust backstepping attitude tracking control of an underactuated spacecraft with saturation and time-variant perturbations
Authors: Nadafi Reza , Kabganian Mansour
Published: May 2021

This study investigated associations of attitude tracking control of an underactuated spacecraft with consideration of saturation and perturbations. A nonsingular attitude tracking control was proposed which did not need limiting initial conditions of the quaternions. The controller was analyzed based on Lyapunov criteria and LaSalle’s invariance theorem in the large-angle maneuver. In order to control, the complete kinematic and dynamic model of the underactuated spacecraft was reconstructed. According to simulation results, our controller has excellent robustness against the hard saturation, external disturbances, time-varying inertia uncertainties, and internal disturbances of actuators. As result, we found that the attitude controller was asymptotically stable under the soft saturation and the perturbations so that quaternions and angular velocity converged to the desired path within the 80 s. Also, it was still asymptotic stable under the hard saturation whose level is equal to 0.035 Nm, 3.5% of the soft saturation level. In this case, errors of quaternions and angular velocity were converged to the origin within the 150 s. Finally, the closed-loop system was verified by Adams-MATLAB co-simulation. The maximum verification errors for quaternions were less than 19%, while the maximum verification errors for angular velocity were less than 13.5%.
Proteasome inhibitor MG132 induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma U2OS cells
Authors: Lee Han Ki , Park See-Hyoung , Nam Myeong Jin
Published: May 2021

MG132 is a potent, reversible, and cell-permeable 20S proteasome inhibitor and it is derived from a Chinese medicinal plant. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anticancer effects of MG132 against human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. We first performed MTT and colony formation assays to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of MG132. The results demonstrated that MG132 suppressed the proliferation of U2OS cells. Furthermore, we found that treatment with MG132 increased apoptosis and induced DNA damage in U2OS cells. Additionally, zymography, wound healing, and invasion assays showed that MG132 suppressed the enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases, cell migration, and invasion, respectively of U2OS cells. Furthermore, western blotting assay was performed to investigate the apoptotic signaling pathways in MG132-treated U2OS cells. Our results showed that MG132 downregulated the expression of antiapoptotic proteins, including CDK2, CDK4, Bcl-xL, and Bcl-2, whereas it upregulated the expression of proapoptotic proteins, including p21, p27, p53, p-p53 (ser15, ser20, and ser46), cleaved forms of caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-9, and PARP, and FOXO3 in U2OS cells. These results demonstrated that MG132 activated apoptotic signaling pathways in U2OS cells. Interestingly, MG132 downregulated the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk. Taken together, our results suggest that MG132 has anticancer effects in U2OS cells. Therefore, MG132 may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Overcoming the White Knight Complex: Social License and Internationalization for Society
Authors: Kostrykina Svetlana
Published: May 2021

The article investigates the concept of internationalization in higher education for society (IHES) and discusses the role of social license to internationalize, its contextual variations, and implications for internationalization practices in New Zealand and Indonesia. The notion of social license to operate is common in the extraction and some service industries; however, the concept of social license to internationalize constitutes an innovative direction for research concerned with IHES and the global international education industry. Social license to internationalize emerged as a pivotal feature of internationalization practices in New Zealand and Indonesia. It reflected the public recognition of IHES, manifested in the cultural and social value of internationalization. The construction of social license to internationalize presented itself as a strategic priority for the governments and higher education institutions (HEIs) in both research settings. The conceptual underpinnings of social license to internationalize, and hence the means of constructing the latter varied depending on the local context, but they served a common purpose of reification of internationalization practices. The study of social license to internationalize contributes to a broader discussion on IHES and sheds lights on the mechanisms of building meaningful and mutually beneficial connections between the stakeholders of the global international education industry and the wider public.
Palliative Referrals in Advanced Cancer Patients: Utilizing the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool and Rothman Index
Authors: Chan Abigail Sy , Rout Amit , ’Adamo Christopher R. D. , Lev Irina , Yu Amy , Miller Kenneth
Published: May 2021

Background:

Timely identification of palliative care needs can reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life. The Supportive & Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) identifies patients with advanced medical conditions who may need special care planning. The Rothman Index (RI) detects patients at high risk of acutely decompensating in the inpatient setting. SPICT and RI among cancer patients were utilized in this study to evaluate their potential roles in palliative care referrals.

Methods:

Advanced cancer patients admitted to an institution in Baltimore, Maryland in 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, length of hospital stay (LOS), palliative care referrals, RI scores, and SPICT scores were obtained. Patients were divided into SPICT positive or negative and RI > 60 or RI < 60.Unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests were utilized to determine the associations between SPICT and RI and early palliative care needs and mortality.

Results:

227 patients were included, with a mean age of 68 years, 63% Black, 59% female, with the majority having lung and GI malignancies. Sixty percent were SPICT +, 21% had RI < 60. SPICT + patients were more likely to have RI < 60 (p = 0.001). SPICT + and RI < 60 patients were more likely to have longer LOS, change in code status, more palliative/hospice referrals, and increased mortality (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

SPICT and RI are valuable tools in predicting mortality and palliative/hospice care referrals. These can also be utilized to initiate early palliative and goals of care discussions in patients with advanced cancer.
The Use Culturally Proficient Professional Development to Enhance Learning Transfer
Authors: Brion Corinne
Published: May 2021

The National Staff Development Council recommends that principals devote 10% of the school budget and 25% of teacher time to professional development (PD). While PD requires time, it is crucial that the time be organized, carefully structured, and purposefully led to avoid the waste of human and financial resources. Despite the millions of dollars spent on professional development nationally, student learning outcomes continue to stagnate or dwindle, discipline issues continue to skyrocket, and teacher moral plummets. This may be due, in part, to leaders paying little attention to learning transfer. Culture plays a key role in one’s ability to learn because learning is a social endeavor. Because our schools worldwide are more and more diverse, professional development that is grounded in culture is paramount for educators whose goal is to improve learning outcomes for all students. Because attending professional development does not necessarily equate to the implementation of knowledge or skills, this conceptual paper proposes a Culturally Proficient Professional Development (CPPD) framework that includes a Multidimensional Model of Learning Transfer (MMLT). The MMLT and its rubrics aim to be culturally responsive tools that school leaders in PK-12 schools can use to organize, deliver, and assess professional development offerings while also enhancing learning transfer and improve educators’ cultural proficiency. Considering culture as the main enhancer or inhibitor to transfer is innovative and useful because schools spend large amounts of money and resources on PD, yet the money invested does not often produce the desired outcomes.
A numerical approach for solving fractional optimal control problems with mittag-leffler kernel
Authors: Jafari Hossein , Ganji Roghayeh M , Sayevand Khosro , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: May 2021

In this work, we present a numerical approach based on the shifted Legendre polynomials for solving a class of fractional optimal control problems. The derivative is described in the Atangana–Baleanu derivative sense. To solve the problem, operational matrices of AB-fractional integration and multiplication, together with the Lagrange multiplier method for the constrained extremum, are considered. The method reduces the main problem to a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. In this framework by solving the obtained system, the approximate solution is calculated. An error estimate of the numerical solution is also proved for the approximate solution obtained by the proposed method. Finally, some illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and validity of the proposed scheme.
Sound field separation of multiple coherent sound sources with single measurement surface
Authors: Mao Jin , Du Jinfu , Liu Kai , Liu Jiang , Cui Yahui
Published: May 2021

Sound field separation based on near-field acoustical holography has been developed worldwide, but with the increase in the number of sound sources, traditional measurement methods and calculation methods will generate more workload. To reduce the number of measuring points and save calculation time, the sound field separation of multiple coherent sources with a single measurement surface is proposed. On the basis of separating two coherent sources with this method, the separation formula of more sources based on an equivalent source method is given. Through numerical simulation, the effects of the number of holographic surface measuring points, measuring distance, array shape, and equivalent source number on the calculation accuracy of the sound field separation were compared at different frequencies. The correctness and effectiveness of the sound field separation method with a single surface are verified by actual experiments.
MTHFR 677T-1298C haplotype in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Impact on methotrexate therapy
Authors: Frikha Rim , Elloumi Moez , Rebai Tarek , Kamoun Hassen
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Functional variants of the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR) gene, the C677T and A1298C, have largely investigated in pharmacogenomics of Methotrexate (MTX) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), yet the conclusions are inconsistent. In addition; most of these studies do not analyze haplotypes. Here, we investigate the MTHFR 677/1298 genotypes and the 677-1298 haplotype and characterize the MTX response in Northern African ALL patients.

Methods

Genomic DNA was extracted from whole venous from a total of 28 patients with ALL. Genotyping were carried out with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). A toxicity score (TS) is calculated for each patient and correlate to the haplotype.

Results

The allelic frequency of MTHFR 677T-1298C haplotype was 10.7% in ALL patients. According to the toxicity’s score (TS) there was no significant differences between haplotype groups (p = 0.79): TS was higher with wild type of MTHFR (TS = 3.43; SEM ± 0.85) followed by combined genotype (677T-1298C) (TS = 2.67; SEM ± 0.88) and isolated variant (C677T or A1298C) (TS = 2.64; SEM ± 0.92).

Conclusion

Despite the limitation of this study; our results suggest that the MTHFR 677T-1298C haplotype is common in ALL and may be a promising HD-MTX chemotherapy-related adverse effects biomarker.
Drivers of linking of Prato cheeses: An evaluation using the check all that apply (CATA) and temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) tools
Authors: Rodrigues Jessica Ferreira , Andrade Rafaela da Silva , Souza Vanessa Rios de , Abreu Luiz Ronaldo de , Barcelos Alessandra de Fatima , Cruz Adriano Gomes da , Esmerino Erick Almeida , Pinheiro Ana Carla Marques
Published: May 2021

Prato cheese is one of the most consumed dairy products around the word, mainly in Brazil, being the second most produced cheese in the country. However, a great variation in the cheeses sensory profiles is observed. Therefore, knowledge about the attributes that drives the product acceptance is important for Prato cheese standardization, targeting the best production conditions for obtaining cheese quality improvement. Moreover, this study also contributes with information about the TDS and CATA methodologies for the sensory field. TDS and CATA were useful tools determining liking directors of Brazilian Prato cheese. Creamy, Salt and soft attributes were indicated as drivers of liking of Prato cheese, while hard, rubbery and bitter taste contributed negatively to the acceptance of the product.
Refinement of the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) and development of the short-form FMPI
Authors: Enomoto Masataka , Lascelles B Duncan X , Robertson James B , Gruen Margaret E
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and responsiveness of the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) using the collective results of multiple clinical studies and iteratively refine the FMPI for future use.

Methods

Data were compiled from previously conducted studies involving client-owned cats with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and which used the FMPI. The reliability of the FMPI was assessed using the data from the initial visits of those studies. For the assessment of responsiveness of the FMPI, only placebo-controlled studies that used analgesic treatments were included. Treatment groups from each study were combined and categorized as ‘placebo’ group and ‘analgesic’ group. Then, the mean change from baseline in score of each FMPI item and across all items within and between these groups were assessed. Based on the results of the reliability and responsiveness of the FMPI, stepwise elimination was used to remove the items that were least able to distinguish between the placebo and analgesic groups. Finally, after the stepwise elimination, a proposed new FMPI-short form (FMPI-sf) was constructed and its reliability was reassessed using the data sets described above. Individual and combined data sets of the studies were also used to compare the responsiveness of the original FMPI and the FMPI-sf.

Results

The data from 180 cats from four studies were included. The original FMPI had a reasonable reliability, but low/no responsiveness. The elimination process of FMPI items refined the responsiveness of the instrument while maintaining its reliability. When the responsiveness was compared between the original FMPI (17 items) and the FMPI-sf (nine items), the treatment effect between groups was always greater when the FMPI-sf was used.

Conclusions and relevance

The proposed FMPI-sf may be able to better distinguish between placebo and analgesic effects in cats with DJD.
In Search of Waves: A Life Course Analysis of the Mobile Lifestyle of Finnish Surfer-travellers
Authors: Piispa Mikko
Published: May 2021

Surfing is often a mobile lifestyle, centred around the search for waves. This article analyses Finnish surfer-travellers through a life course perspective. The data consists of 20 thematic life story interviews, conducted in 2016–2017. Surfer-travellers are representative of highly mobile cosmopolitan youth. This analysis focuses on how they have engaged with surf-travelling, what networks and capital they have utilized in doing so, and how their active agency and choices have influenced their lifestyles. Through their individual agency, surfer-travellers organize their lives to prioritize their travels. For surfer-travellers, mobility is a goal in itself, and this leads to a life ‘lived differently’. The results are connected to wider discussions on lifestyle mobilities, youth mobilities, mobile transitions, and changing conceptions of adulthood.
Mothers’ Experiences and Perceptions of Facility-based Delivery Care in Rural Ethiopia
Authors: Mordal Elin , Hanssen Ingrid , Kassa Andargachew , Vatne Solfrid
Published: May 2021

In Ethiopia, delivery wards are a part of primary healthcare services. However, although the maternal mortality rate is very high, approximately 50% of mothers use skilled birth attendants. This study focused on how women in a rural southern district of Ethiopia experience maternity care offered at the local delivery wards. In this qualitative, exploratory study, 19 women who had given birth in a healthcare facility were interviewed in 2019. Individual in-depth interviews were supplemented with observations conducted at 2 different delivery wards in the same district in 2020. Two main themes emerged from the thematic content analysis: increased awareness and safety were the primary reasons for giving birth at a healthcare facility, and traditions and norms affected women’s birth experiences in public maternity wards. The main shortcomings were a shortage of medicine, ambulance not arriving in time, and lack of care at night. For some women, being assisted by a male midwife could be challenging, and the inability to afford necessary medicine made adequate treatment inaccessible. Providing continuous information gave the women a certain feeling of control. Strong family involvement indicated that collectivistic expectations were key to rural delivery wards. The healthcare system must be structured to meet women’s needs. Moreover, managers and midwives should ensure that birthing women receive high-quality, safe, timely, and respectful care.
Language experience, cognitive skills, and English and Spanish semantic abilities in bilingual children with typical development and language impairments
Authors: King Marika , Lim Nicole , Romski MaryAnn
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between language experience, nonverbal cognitive abilities, and English and Spanish semantics skills in 4–6 year-old bilingual children with typical development compared to bilingual children with language impairments (LIs).

Methodology:

Participants were 57 Spanish–English bilingual children (ages 4:0–6:11) with typical development ( n = 35) or LIs ( n = 22). Parents provided demographic information and detailed information about their child’s language input (exposure) and output (use). Children’s nonverbal intelligence quotient and processing speed abilities and English and Spanish semantic abilities (SAs) were measured using standardized assessments.

Data and Analysis:

Nonparametric statistical analyses were used to examine relationships between variables across two groups (children with typical development and children with LIs) and across Spanish and English semantic skills.

Findings:

Processing speed showed a significant, moderate correlation with Spanish and English semantic abilities in both groups; however, language experience variables showed weak, non-significant associations with SAs.

Originality:

This study is the first to investigate the relationships between both language experience factors as well as nonverbal cognitive and processing skills and the SAs of bilingual children with typical development and LIs.

Implications:

This research furthers understanding of the environmental and child-internal influences on SAs in bilingual children with and without LIs.
An experimental and numerical study for investigating the promising stratified reinforced concrete slabs
Authors: Yehia Sameh , Aly Tarek , Hassan Osama
Published: May 2021

It is well known that through the structural design, the safety and economic considerations of the project represent major factors, which must be always in mind. From this point of view, the concept and idea of “Stratified Concrete” were developed. Stratified Concrete consists of two or more types of concrete; in particular, composite materials consisting of High Strength Concrete (HSC) and Normal Strength Concrete (NSC). This study showed the flexural behavior for stratified sections (HSC-NSC) by taking a short time lap (1 h) between the two mixes to get a good bond between them. An experimental program was conducted to investigate the flexural behavior of NSC (25 MPa), HSC (60 MPa), and three HSC-NSC with the effect of changing the thickness of the HSC layer of slabs (20, 40, 75 mm) that had subjected to double static loads. As well, these slabs’ experimental results were numerically verified. The most important achievement is the success of the idea of casting different strengths of concrete layers using a short time interval to improve the bending behavior of the slabs, and reach the superior thickness of the HSC layer, which represents almost a quarter of the slab thickness.
Experimental and numerical studies of T-shaped reinforced concrete members subjected to combined compression-bending-shear-torsion
Authors: Yu Zhigang , Shan Deshan
Published: May 2021

The study of reinforced concrete members subjected to combined loads always has been an important research topic in the field of engineering, but the torsional behavior of T-shaped reinforced concrete members subjected to combined loads has yet to be determined. This paper is focused on providing a detailed explanation of the torsional behavior of T-shaped reinforced concrete members subjected to combined compression-bending-shear-torsion. From the perspective of experimental tests and numerical analyses, in this paper, we discuss the effects of combined loads on the torsion bearing capacity, the development of cracks and the failure mode, strains of key points in the concrete and longitudinal reinforcement, and the relation of torsion and angular displacement. We conducted experiments and numerical analyses of four groups of reinforced concrete members by using the main variables of the axial pressure ratio and the bending moment. Also, the experimental and calculated results are compared based on the elastic-plastic damage constitutive model of concrete. Based on the test data and the existing formula, we also extended the formula used to calculate the torsion bearing capacity and provided diagrams of the interaction when combined loads were applied. In addition, the results of this study highlight the turning point from torsion failure to compression-bending-torsion failure. The test results demonstrated that torsion capability increases in the specified range of axial pressure ratio and decreases as bending increases. The test results also indicate the importance of considering the effects of compression-shear-bending on the torsion bearing capacity in the engineering design.
Exsanguinating hemorrhage from coccygeal fracture dislocation: First report of a life-threatening injury
Authors: Jagne Nilesh Y , Kataria Ruby , Sarkar Bhaskar , Rattan Amulya
Published: May 2021

Background: Penetrating injuries to sacrum are rare; only a few reports have been published in literature. We hereby report the first case of low velocity penetrating trauma leading to coccygeal fracture dislocation and exsanguination, without any major abdominal/vascular injury. Case Report: The patient underwent wound packing bedside and hemostatic resuscitation. Wound packing was successful in achieving hemostasis. He stabilized after 1.5 L of fluids, massive hemorrhage protocol institution (12-unit blood components), and vasopressor support. The presentation is unique and not reported in literature published so far. Conclusion: This report is a pertinent example of lifesaving potential of effective wound packing, which is often under-utilized. Possibility of associated neurological injury and residual foreign bodies is there in such cases. They should be duly assessed after stabilizing life-threatening injuries.