bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of PDOPPS in a middle-income country: Early lessons from Thailand
Authors: Kanjanabuch Talerngsak , Puapatanakul Pongpratch , Halue Guttiga , Lorvinitnun Pichet , Tangjittrong Kittisak , Pongpirul Krit , Narenpitak Surapong , Boonyakrai Chanchana , Tatiyanupanwong Sajja , Chieochanthanakij Rutchanee , Treamtrakanpon Worapot , Parinyasiri Uraiwan , Lounseng Niwat , Songviriyavithaya Phichit , Sritippayawan Suchai , Perl Jeffrey , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Robinson Bruce , Davies Simon J , Johnson David W , Tungsanga Kriang
Published: March 2021

Background:

Despite the implementation of a ‘Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) First’ policy in Thailand since 2008, nationwide PD practices and patients’ outcomes have rarely been reported.

Methods:

As part of the multinational PD Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS), PD patients from 22 PD centres from different geographic regions, sizes and affiliations, representing Thailand PD facilities, have been enrolled starting in May 2016. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data and patients’ outcomes were prospectively collected and analysed.

Results:

The pilot and implementation phases demonstrated excellent concordance between study data and validation data collected at enrolment. In the implementation phase, 848 PD patients (including 262 (31%) incident PD patients) were randomly sampled from 5090 patients in participating centres. Almost all participants (95%) performed continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD), and a high proportion had hypoalbuminemia (67%, serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL), anaemia (42%, haemoglobin <10 g/dL) and hypokalaemia (37%, serum potassium < 3.5 mmol/L). The peritonitis rate was 0.40 episodes/year, but the culture-negative rate was high (0.13 episodes/year, 28% of total episodes). The patients from PD clinics located in Bangkok metropolitan region had higher socio-economic status, more optimal nutritional markers, blood chemistries, haemoglobin level and lower peritonitis rates compared to the provincial regions, emphasizing the centre effect on key success factors in PD.

Conclusions:

Participation in the PDOPPS helps unveil the critical barriers to improving outcomes of PD patients in Thailand, including a high prevalence of hypokalaemia, anaemia, poor nutritional status and culture-negative peritonitis. These factors should be acted upon to formulate solutions and implement quality improvement on a national level.
Alongside gratitude and anguish
Authors: Winters Joseph
Published: March 2021

In this piece, I respond to Sarah Cervenak and Molly Farneth’s generous readings of Hope Draped in Black. Regarding Cervenak’s moving piece, “High Under The Pew,” I focus on the apposition of apparent oppositions—such as elevation and being underneath, or social life and black death. I also draw attention to the relationship between style of writing and ethics that Cervenak enacts in her comments. I then engage Farneth’s reflections on the ritualization of melancholy. While melancholy is expressed and performed in aesthetic and political practices (song, dance, vigil), we must be alert to the ways that civic rituals convert loss and anguish into opportunities to affirm and bolster imperial projects.
Lean leadership: Towards continuous improvement capability in healthcare
Authors: van Elp Bianca , Roemeling Oskar , Aij Kjeld Harald
Published: March 2021

This research focuses on the role of leadership styles during Lean Management (LM) initiatives in healthcare environments. Specifically, this study examined the role of leadership styles in the development of Continuous Improvement (CI) capability of teams. The empirical evidence was collected by applying a multiple-case design, and consisted of interviews, observations, and documentation. These data sources were used to develop case studies, and to identify leadership behaviours supportive of LM. Through qualitative case analysis, the influence of leadership styles on CI capability was determined. The results show that a hybrid leadership style is associated with higher levels of CI capability, and that the duration of a LM program in itself does not dictate maturity. A mix of both transactional and transformational leadership styles seems a necessary condition for teams to reach higher levels of CI capability. Based on these findings, this paper provides a framework to structure thinking on LM and leadership styles, and concludes with supporting propositions. The current outcomes imply that leaders should be sensitive towards their adopted leadership style, and should adopt a leadership style that combines both transformational as well as transactional elements, when leading LM teams.

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Forgetting the Future: Emotion Improves Memory for Imagined Future Events in Healthy Individuals but Not Individuals With Anxiety
Authors: Montijn Nicole D. , Gerritsen Lotte , Engelhard Iris M.
Published: March 2021

Negative thoughts about future events are a central aspect of anxiety disorders. It is important to gain a deeper understanding of how these imagined events are retained over time when considering the impact of negative future thoughts on anxiety. Prior research indicates that emotional intensity fades faster for negative than positive memories in healthy individuals. This so-called fading-affect bias could extend to recall of imagined future events. Furthermore, several studies have suggested that this bias may be reversed in individuals with high levels of anxiety. In the current study, we examined whether individuals with high anxiety ( n = 23), relative to individuals with low anxiety ( n = 30), showed faster decay for positive than negative future-event simulations. The results show that emotion facilitated cued recall for imagined future events in the low-anxiety group but not in the high-anxiety group. In addition, individuals with high anxiety showed decreased episodic specificity during recall across all emotional conditions.
Investigation of grease lubricated deep groove ball bearing with multi-defected outer race using vibration signature analysis
Authors: Utpat Abhay A , Kulkarni Sham , Ingle Ravindra B
Published: March 2021

Failure of any rotary machine is mainly due to bearing failure being the key element. Defect frequency is the function of speed, ball diameter, and pitch circle diameter of bearing. The number of defects does not affect the excitation frequency, but increase in the level of vibrations is observed in total. The inner race is mounted on the rotary shaft, and the outer race is fixed in the housing. Hence, a defect on the outer race does not rotate with the shaft. This article highlights the study of the multi-crack detection technique at a comparatively higher speed. Amplitudes of vibrations increase with speed, but with load, they almost remain the same. The experiment has been performed at the range from 1000 to 5000 r/min with 5 kg load on the test bearing. The location and size of the defect affect the level of vibrations with noticeable increase. However, the presence of a second defect with respect to the load zone plays an important role. As the defect is at the peak position in the load zone, outer race defect frequency excites more in the vibration spectra. The location and size of the second defect are varied, and acceleration amplitude parameters like RMS, peak, and peak to peak are compared. The current work emphasizes the effect of location and severity of the second defect on the vibration spectra and amplitude parameters of the vibrations.
Predictive value of quad serum markers for adverse pregnancy outcome in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
Authors: Hong Sir-Yeon , Kim Seo-Yeon , Kim Jin-Ha , Hong Jee-Youn , Sung Ji-Hee , Choi Suk-Joo , Oh Soo-Young , Roh Cheong-Rae
Published: March 2021

Purpose

We investigated the validity of quad serum markers for the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).

Methods

We included 75 women with APS delivered at our institution. APO was defined as stillbirth, small for gestational age (SGA), severe preeclampsia, or preterm delivery. First, we compared clinical characteristics between patients with or without composite APO. Second, we compared the rate of APO according to abnormal level of quad serum markers. Lastly, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed.

Results

APS mothers with APO showed higher median α-fetoprotein (AFP) and inhibin A compared with those without APO. They were also associated with higher rates of positive risk of Down syndrome and neural tube defect. Elevated AFP, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and inhibin A level was associated with higher rates of stillbirth, SGA, preterm delivery, and composite APO. ROC curve for prediction of stillbirth revealed an area under the curve of 0.835 for AFP, 0.781 for hCG, and 0.932 for inhibin A. For composite APO, the area under the ROC curve was 0.692 for AFP and 0.810 for inhibin A.

Conclusion

Elevated AFP, hCG, and inhibin A in women with APS demonstrated a high predictive value for APO, especially stillbirth.
Ethical and culturally competent care of transgender patients: A scoping review
Authors: Sundus Amara , Shahzad Sharoon , Younas Ahtisham
Published: March 2021

Background:

Transgender individuals experience discrimination, stigmatization, and unethical and insensitive attitudes in healthcare settings. Therefore, healthcare professionals must be knowledgeable about the ways to deliver ethical and culturally competent care.

Ethical considerations:

No formal ethical approval was required.

Aim:

To synthesize the literature and identify gaps about approaches to the provision of ethical and culturally competent care to transgender populations.

Design:

A Scoping Review

Literature Search:

Literature was searched within CINAHL, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Scopus databases using indexed keywords such as “transgender,” “gender non-conforming,” “ethically sensitive care,” and “culturally sensitive care.” In total, 30 articles, which included transgender patients and their families and nurses, doctors, and health professionals who provided care to transgender patients, were selected for review. Data were extracted and synthesized using tabular and narrative summaries and thematic synthesis.

Findings:

Of 30 articles, 23 were discussion papers, 5 research articles, and 1 each case study and an integrative review. This indicates an apparent dearth of literature about ethical and culturally sensitive care of transgender individuals. The review identified that healthcare professionals should educate themselves about sensitive issues, become more self-aware, put transgender individual in charge during care interactions, and adhere to the principles of advocacy, confidentiality, autonomy, respect, and disclosure.

Conclusions:

The review identified broad approaches for the provision of ethical and culturally competent care. The identified approaches could be used as the baseline, and further research is warranted to develop and assess organizational and individual-level approaches.
Ethical climate and moral distress in paediatric oncology nursing
Authors: Ventovaara Päivi , Sandeberg Margareta af , Räsänen Janne , Pergert Pernilla
Published: March 2021

Background:

Ethical climate and moral distress have been shown to affect nurses’ ethical behaviour. Despite the many ethical issues in paediatric oncology nursing, research is still lacking in the field.

Research aim:

To investigate paediatric oncology nurses’ perceptions of ethical climate and moral distress.

Research design:

In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using Finnish translations of the Swedish Hospital Ethical Climate Survey–Shortened and the Swedish Moral Distress Scale–Revised. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics and non-parametric analyses.

Respondents and research context:

Ninety-three nurses, working at paediatric oncology centres in Finland, completed the survey.

Ethical considerations:

According to Finnish legislation, no ethical review was needed for this type of questionnaire study. Formal research approvals were obtained from all five hospitals. Return of the questionnaire was interpreted as consent to participate.

Results:

Ethical climate was perceived as positive. Although morally distressing situations were assessed as highly disturbing, in general they occurred quite rarely. The situations that did appear often reflected performing procedures on school-aged children who resist such treatment, inadequate staffing and lack of time. Perceptions of ethical climate and frequencies of morally distressing situations were inversely correlated.

Discussion:

Although the results echo the recurrent testimonies of busy work shifts, nurses could most often practise nursing the way they perceived as right. One possible explanation could be the competent and supportive co-workers, as peer support has been described as helpful in mitigating moral distress.

Conclusion:

Nurturing good collegial relationships and developing manageable workloads could reduce moral distress among nurses.
A gang of ironworkers with the scent of blood: A participation observation of male dominance and its historical trajectories at Swedish semi-professional ice hockey events
Authors: Alsarve Daniel , Johansson Emma
Published: March 2021

Ice hockey has traditionally been a male-dominated culture that has both promoted and legitimised masculine dominance and gender inequality. The question is, how might ice hockey games, or other male-dominated sports, be organised differently and thus become more gender equal? Our ambition in this article is to initiate a discussion about how the construction of gender in ice hockey events operationalises or opposes the dominance of men and the marginalisation of women. The specific purpose is to identify techniques that configure men/masculinities as dominant in the ice hockey culture. Taking critical studies of men and masculinities as the point of departure, with a specific focus on the situational aspects of gender construction, this case study makes use of participatory observations of eight qualification games in Swedish semi-professional ice hockey. Our results show that men and certain types of masculinity dominate in the events framing the game and how this links the ice hockey players and the club with the local body-worker culture and its industrial, economic and historical context. Identification with these men is ideally created amongst male spectators, given that children and women do not have the same obvious place in the event’s narrative. Some clubs seek to include women and children in their matches, which affects both the atmosphere and the situation. By focusing on the events’ introductions and general narratives, and how they make use of a (masculine) version of the place’s past in the present, we discuss how the ice hockey culture contributes to the current hegemony of men and masculinities.
Four Decades of Frontline Service Employee Research: An Integrative Bibliometric Review
Authors: Subramony Mahesh , Groth Markus , Hu Xinyu ‘Judy’ , Wu Yu
Published: March 2021

We conducted a comprehensive review of empirical research related to frontline service employees over the past four decades (1980-2020). Utilizing a bibliometric mapping approach, we identified 630 relevant articles appearing in service, management, marketing, and applied/occupational health psychology journals. Our analysis identified five distinct research clusters: (a) collective predictors and effects, (b) services encounters, (c) emotional regulation and management, (d) customer orientation, and (e) service stress and strain. In this article, we describe the nature of current research within each of these clusters and identify future directions within and across different clusters for scholarly work. Our review highlights the conceptual and methodological richness within the clusters and calls out for interdisciplinary scholarship to build a diverse, yet unified field of service work research.
Autistic differences in the temporal dynamics of social attention
Authors: Hedger Nicholas , Chakrabarti Bhismadev
Published: March 2021

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders typically exhibit reduced visual attention towards social stimuli relative to neurotypical individuals. Importantly, however, attention is not a static process, and it remains unclear how such effects may manifest over time. Exploring these momentary changes in gaze behaviour can more clearly illustrate how individuals respond to social stimuli and provide insight into the mechanisms underlying reduced social attention in autism spectrum disorder. Using a simple passive eye-tracking task with competing presentations of social and nonsocial stimuli, we examine the different ways in which attention to social stimuli evolves over time in neurotypical adults and adults with and autism spectrum disorders. Our temporal modelling of gaze behaviour revealed divergent temporal profiles of social attention in neurotypical and observers with autism. Neurotypical data showed an initial increase in social attention, a ‘decay’ and subsequent ‘recovery’ after prolonged viewing. By contrast, in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, social attention decayed over time in a linear fashion without recovery after prolonged viewing. We speculate that the ‘gaze cascade’ effect that maintains selection of social stimuli in neurotypical observers is disrupted in individuals with high autistic traits. Considering these temporal components of gaze behaviour may enhance behavioural phenotypes and theories of social attention in autism spectrum disorder.

Lay abstract

One behaviour often observed in individuals with autism is that they tend to look less towards social stimuli relative to neurotypical individuals. For instance, many eye-tracking studies have shown that individuals with autism will look less towards people and more towards objects in scenes. However, we currently know very little about how these behaviours change over time. Tracking these moment-to-moment changes in looking behaviour in individuals with autism can more clearly illustrate how they respond to social stimuli. In this study, adults with and without autism were presented with displays of social and non-social stimuli, while looking behaviours were measured by eye-tracking. We found large differences in how the two groups looked towards social stimuli over time. Neurotypical individuals initially showed a high probability of looking towards social stimuli, then a decline in probability, and a subsequent increase in probability after prolonged viewing. By contrast, individuals with autism showed an initial increase in probability, followed by a continuous decline in probability that did not recover. This pattern of results may indicate that individuals with autism exhibit reduced responsivity to the reward value of social stimuli. Moreover, our data suggest that exploring the temporal nature of gaze behaviours can lead to more precise explanatory theories of attention in autism.
The effect of nano- and micron-scale filler modified epoxy matrix on glass-fiber reinforced polymer insulator component behavior
Authors: Burda Iurii , Barbezat Michel , Brunner Andreas J
Published: March 2021

Glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite rods with epoxy matrix filled with electrically nonconducting particles find widespread use in high-voltage electrical insulator applications. The service loads require a range of different, minimum material property values, e.g. toughness, tensile, or compressive strength, but also component-specific performance, e.g. pull-out friction of surface crimped metal fittings or electric breakdown strength. The contribution discusses selected examples of the effects of different particle filler types on the properties of filled epoxy resin as well as on the behavior of GFRP rods with such a matrix. In all investigated systems CaCO3 was used as micron-sized filler, complemented by different amounts of either nanosilica or core-shell rubber (binary filler), or by both, nanosilica and core-shell rubber (ternary filler). With ternary filler combinations at a content of 36 wt%, fracture toughness GIC was improved in nanocomposite epoxy plates and in GFRP rods by 60% and 100%, respectively compared to a matrix with 20 wt% CaCO3 (used as reference system). The glass transition temperature Tg for some ternary systems dropped from 160 °C (for neat epoxy), to approximately 140 °C, the maximum allowed drop in Tg in view of requirements from further processing steps of the electrically insulating components. The ternary fillers yield transfer of the improvements of fracture properties from epoxy nanocomposite plates into the GFRP rods beyond that of the system with CaCO3 filler only. Compressive strength of the GFRP rods was improved by about 20% only for the binary nanosilica and CaCO3 filler, and was not significantly enhanced with the ternary systems. That combination, however, did not yield improvements in toughness beyond the CaCO3-filled nanocomposite plates and rods. With the range of filler types and contents investigated here, it was hence not possible to simultaneously optimize both, fracture toughness and compressive strength of the GFRP insulator rods.
Proudhon and Marx
Authors: Gurvitch Georges , Murdock Shaun
Published: March 2021

This is a translation from French of a speech given by Georges Gurvitch (1894–1965) originally published in Cahiers Internationaux de Sociologie in 1966 under the title ‘Proudhon et Marx’. Gurvitch, who succeeded Émile Durkheim as chair of sociology at the Sorbonne, discusses the significance of the revolutionary socialists Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809–1865) and Karl Marx (1818–1883) for the field of sociology. In particular, Gurvitch highlights similarities in their thought such as Proudhon’s collective force and Marx’s surplus value and their shared concern for worker self-management. He argues that their mutual antipathy towards each other was rooted in personal feelings rather than in the incompatibility of their ideas, and calls for a synthesis of their ideas which would correct their errors and inspire ‘a new collectivism, neither Marxist nor Proudhonian, but surpassing both’. Lastly, Gurvitch emphasises the recurrent threat of fascism and stresses ‘decentralised collectivism’ as the only viable alternative going forward.
Epic, Steam, and the role of skin-betting in game (platform) economies
Authors: Thorhauge Anne Mette , Nielsen Rune K. L.
Published: March 2021

In this article, we discuss how and why virtual items known as “skins” travel beyond games and into wider online ecosystems where they become tokens in gambling games. We argue that betting with skins purchased on the Steam platform contributes to the wider platform economy. We do this on the basis of a comparative analysis of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Fortnite: Battle Royale as well as the two platforms on which these games exist. First, we discuss the notion of platform economies in relation to the two cases in question and how this positions the consumer as “prosumer” and “micro-entrepreneur.” Second, we introduce our analytical framework related to game economies and skins as commodities and currencies. On the basis of this, we compare the ways skins are acquired in the two games and the degree to which they extend exist beyond the game. We argue that Epic retains a “skin-monopoly,” within the game, whereas Steam features a free “skin market” that transgresses the platform and turns the “prosumer” into a “micro-entrepreneur” and the “modder” into a “speculator.”
The Comparison of Balloon and Camera Dissection of the Preperitoneal Space in Totally Extraperitoneal Repair Hernia Repair. Our Initial Experience!
Authors: Birol Selim , Ofluoglu Hasan V.
Published: March 2021

Purpose. To perform totally extraperitoneal repair of a hernia, it is essential to create a working space for the placement of instruments. In this study, we aimed to compare balloon dissection (BD) and camera or telescopic dissection (CD) with respect to the surgical outcomes, without considering the cost-effectiveness. Methods. Forty consecutive, healthy, unilateral inguinal hernia patients who underwent Totally Extraperitoneal Repair hernia repair were randomized into 2 groups according to whether they received BD or CD. The perioperative demographic characteristics were recorded. All the operations were video recorded from the beginning to the end of each procedure. The virtually constructed periods of the procedures were evaluated by another surgeon who watched each video. The time spent for each period, the severity score assigned by the surgeon, the total operation time, the peritoneal laceration rate, the presence of early and late postoperative pain, the number of postoperative visits, the total analgesic requirements, and the complications were recorded. Results. The demographic properties of the patients, the perioperative and postoperative complications, and the severity scores in the BD and CD groups were statistically similar. The total operating time and the time from the dissection of the peritoneum to the reduction of the hernia sac were significantly longer in the CD group. Post-discharge analgesic consumption, Visual Analog Scale scores, and the number of visits were similar between the groups. Conclusions. The dissection of the working space in the preperitoneal area can be achieved using camera dissection without the risk of common complications associated with balloon dissection, particularly balloon rupture.
MiRNA-873-5p Acts as a Potential Novel Biomarker and Promotes Cervical Cancer Progression by Regulating ZEB1 via Notch Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wen Chen-Xia , Tian Hai-Li , Chen E , Liu Jin-Fang , Liu Xiao-Xing
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Our group aimed to investigate the expression pattern of miRNA-873-5p in cervical cancer (CC) patients and its association with CC progression.

Methods:

Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied for the examination of the expressions of miRNA-873-5p in both CC specimens and cell lines. The clinical significance of miRNA-873-5p was statistically analyzed. MTT, colony formation, Transwell and flow cytometry assays were used to detect cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis changes of Hela and Siha cell line. Luciferase reporter assays and Western blots were utilized to identify the target genes of miRNA-873-5p. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to judge the dysregulation of Notch signaling.

Results:

Our results indicated that miRNA-873-5p expression was distinctly reduced in CC patients. Low miRNA-873-5p expressions were distinctly correlated with positively distant metastasis, The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and poor prognosis of CC patients. A functional assay using miRNA-873-5p mimics indicated that overexpression of miRNA-873-5p distinctly suppressed CC cells proliferation and metastasis, and promoted apoptosis. Bioinformatic assays revealed that miRNA-873-5p may target the 3’-UTR of ZEB1 and lead to the suppression of its translation, which was verified by the use of luciferase assays. Finally, overexpression of miRNA-873-5p suppressed the expressions of Jag1, Maml2 and Hey1.

Conclusion:

Taken together, we firstly provided evidence that miRNA-873-5p expression was a poor favorable factor for CC patients, and the use of miRNA-873-5p may represent a and potential biomarker and promising therapeutic approach for CC.
Magnesium-ion batteries for electric vehicles: Current trends and future perspectives
Authors: Shah Raj , Mittal Vikram , Matsil Eliana , Rosenkranz Andreas
Published: March 2021

Lithium-ion batteries have enabled electric vehicles to achieve a foothold in the automobile market. Due to an increasing environmental consciousness, electric vehicles are expected to take a larger portion of the market, with the ultimate goal of supplanting traditional vehicles. However, the involved costs, sustainability, and technical limitations of lithium-ion batteries do create substantial obstacles to this goal. Therefore, this article aims at presenting magnesium-ion batteries as a potential replacement for lithium-ion batteries. Though still under development, magnesium-ion batteries show promise in achieving similar volumetric and specific capacities to lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, magnesium is substantially more abundant than lithium, allowing for the batteries to be cheaper and more sustainable. Numerous technical challenges related to cathode and electrolyte selection are yet to be solved for magnesium-ion batteries. This paper discusses the current state-of-the-art of magnesium-ion batteries with a particular emphasis on the material selection. Although, current research indicates that sulfur-based cathodes coupled with a (HMDS)2Mg-based electrolyte shows substantial promise, other options could allow for a better performing battery. This paper addresses the challenges (materials and costs) and benefits associated with developing these batteries. When overcoming these challenges, magnesium-ion batteries are posed to be a groundbreaking technology potentially revolutionizing the vehicle industry.
Intravenous thrombolysis for stroke in pregnancy should be administered if the benefit outweighs the risk: A case report and recommended diagnostic workup
Authors: Bojda Marek , Cimprichová Andrea , Vavríková Bibiana , Filipková Alena , Gdovinová Zuzana
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

There is an ongoing debate about the use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in acute stroke during pregnancy. The aim of our case report is to present that even in a small stroke centre intravenous thrombolysis can be used on a pregnant woman if the benefit outweighs the risk and to summarize the diagnostic workup in a pregnant woman with stroke.

Case report:

Our case describes a 31-year-old woman presenting in her third trimester with a sudden onset of slurred speech, severe right hemiparesis, facial nerve central palsy, eyes deviation to the left, right side hemianopia, hemisensory loss, psychomotor agitation and pain in the right lower limb. She was successfully treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with almost complete recovery (NIHSS 1 after 10 days), and 23 days after intravenous thrombolysis, she delivered in the 37th week a healthy male infant. The first documented successful outcome from thrombolysis for this condition in Slovakia supports the notion of giving intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator to pregnant patients with disabling ischaemic stroke who meet the criteria for thrombolysis.

Discussion:

At the end of case study, a recommended diagnostic workup for acute treatment of stroke in pregnant women is presented.
Belief in Unconscious Repressed Memory Persists
Authors: Otgaar Henry , Howe Mark L. , Dodier Olivier , Lilienfeld Scott O. , Loftus Elizabeth F. , Lynn Steven Jay , Merckelbach Harald , Patihis Lawrence
Published: March 2021

On the basis of converging research, we concluded that the controversial topic of unconscious blockage of psychological trauma (i.e., repressed memory) remains very much alive in clinical, legal, and academic contexts. In his commentary, Brewin (this issue, p. 443) conducted a cocitation analysis and concluded that scholars do not adhere to the concept of unconscious repression. Furthermore, he argued that previous survey research did not specifically assess unconscious repression. Here, we present critical evidence that runs counter to his claims. First, we inspected his cocitation analysis and found that some scholars support notions that are closely related to unconscious repression. Furthermore, we conducted another analysis on the basis of articles’ similarity. Again, we found examples of scholars specifically endorsing unconscious repressed memories. Second, as opposed to what Brewin reports, recent survey research now exists that bears directly on people’s beliefs regarding unconscious repression. This work reveals that large percentages of people (e.g., students and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing [EMDR] clinicians) endorse the concept of unconscious repressed memories. The belief in unconscious repressed memory can continue to contribute to harmful consequences in clinical, legal, and academic domains (e.g., false accusations of abuse).
Can Less Ever Be More? A Model of Emotion Regulation Repertoire of Social Support (ERROSS)
Authors: Stelzer Eva-Maria , O’Connor Mary-Frances
Published: March 2021

Do people really fare better if they can rely on many social ties? Research suggests that benefits of interpersonal emotion regulation (ER) can be derived from both large and small social networks. Building on the intrapersonal regulatory flexibility model, we propose the emotion regulation repertoire of social support (ERROSS) model that views effective socioemotional support as the combination of network size and ER strategies, resulting in a repertoire of ER resources one can draw on. Best outcomes in mental health should follow from both a large network and a diverse repertoire of strategies. ERROSS is applied as an example in the context of bereavement, and specific contributions of the model are highlighted.
Feasibility of Spotlight Consultations Tool in Routine Care: Real-World Evidence
Authors: Barnard-Kelly Katharine , Kelly Ryan Charles , Chernavvsky Daniel , Lal Rayhan , Cohen Lauren , Ali Amar
Published: March 2021

Background:

Burnout in people with diabetes and healthcare professionals (HCPs) is at an all-time high. Spotlight AQ, a novel “smart” adaptive patient questionnaire, is designed to improve consultations by rapidly identifying patient priorities and presenting these in the context of best-practice care pathways to aid consultations. We aimed to determine Spotlight AQ’s feasibility in routine care.

Materials and Methods:

The Spotlight prototype tool was trialed at three centers: two UK primary care centers and one US specialist center (June-September 2020). Participants with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) completed the questionnaire prior to their routine consultations. Results were immediately available and formed the basis of the clinical discussion and decision-making within the clinic visit.

Results:

A convenience sample of 49 adults took part, n=31 T1D, ( n=18 female); and n=18 T2D ( n=10 male, n=4 female, n=4 gender unreported). Each identified two priority concerns. “Psychological burden of diabetes” was the most common priority concern (T1D n = 27, 87.1%) followed by “gaining more skills about particular aspects of diabetes” (T1D n=19, 61.3%), “improving support around me” ( n=8, 25.8%) and “diabetes-related treatment issues” ( n=8, 25.8%). Burden of diabetes was widespread as was lack of confidence around self-management. Similarly, psychological burden of diabetes was the primary concern for participants with T2D ( n=18,100%) followed by “gaining more skills about aspects of diabetes” ( n=7, 38.9%), “improving support around me” ( n=7, 38.9%) and “diabetes-related treatment issues” ( n=4; 22.2%).

Conclusions:

Spotlight AQ is acceptable and feasible for use in routine care. Gaining more skills and addressing the psychological burden of diabetes are high-priority areas that must be addressed to reduce high levels of distress.
Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of the Extract and Some Flavonoids From Aerial Parts of Echinops Gracilis O. Hoffm. (Asteraceae)
Authors: Weyepe Lah Fidèle Castro , Balemaken Missi Marius , October Natasha , Betote Didoue Patrick Herve , Nalova Ikome Nalova Hermia , Abdou Jean Pierre , Kopa Kowa Theodora , Agbor Gabriel , Tiabou Tchinda Alembert , Dongo Etienne
Published: March 2021

Mortality due to microbial diseases continues to be a major problem in many developing countries. The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the ethyl acetate extract and some isolated compounds from aerial parts of Echinops gracilis. The phytochemical study resulted in the isolation of a new flavonoid derivative named apigenin-7- O-(4″-feruloyl)-β-D-glucoside (1), together with 2 known compounds: apigenin -7-O-(4″-trans- p-hydroxycinnamoyl) -β-D-glucoside (2), and apigenin -7-O-glucoside (3). Their chemical structures were determined using a combination of NMR and IR spectroscopic and MS techniques, as well as by comparison with literature data. The extract and isolates were evaluated for their antibacterial and antioxydant properties. The EtOAc extract and compounds 1 and 2 showed the ability to scavenge 2,2′-zino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS) with scavenging concentration (SC50) values of 13.6 ± 0.8 µg/mL, 108.2 ± 4.3 µg/mL, and 28.5 ± 2.2 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, compound 1 displayed significant activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia, with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values of 31.2, 15.6, and 31.2 µg/mL respectively.
Hannibal at the gates: Cyberwarfare & the Solarwinds sunburst hack
Authors: Datta Pratim
Published: March 2021

The connected world economy, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, has forced countries, companies, and organizations to pivot to digitally transforming their operations. Sophisticated, state-sponsored perpetrators have seized this forced pivot to lay the groundwork for Cyberwarfare with Advanced Persistent Threats. Using the 2020 Solarwinds Orion Sunburst hack campaign, this research uses a grounded case study approach to highlight the facets of the Sunburst cyberwarfare campaign. Findings suggest that cyberwarfare underscores the need for revisiting organizational processes, culture, and paradigms that are capitalized and leveraged by state-sponsored perpetrators. The Sunburst hack prompted organizations to immediately assume technical solutions. Among them, organizations were quick to isolate infected assets and patch infected systems. However, this research argues that such a reactive technical fix is a vicious trend based on a “wait, watch, react” ideology. Instead, there is prima facie need for process reengineering organizational operations and cultures to build and maintain preventive readiness.
Increased Glenoid Index as a Risk Factor for Pediatric and Adolescent Anterior Glenohumeral Dislocation: An MRI-Based, Case-Control Study
Authors: Yellin Joseph L. , Fabricant Peter D. , Anari Jason B. , Neuwirth Alexander L. , Ganley Theodore J. , Chauvin Nancy A. , Lawrence John T.
Published: March 2021

Background:

In adults, anterior glenohumeral instability has been associated with a tall and narrow glenoid morphology, assessed using the glenoid index (GI; glenoid height-to-width ratio) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This morphological association has not been assessed in children and adolescents.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To examine the association of GI and other MRI measurements of interest supported in studies on adults with anterior glenohumeral dislocation in patients aged ≤19 years. We hypothesized that these patients would have a significantly greater GI (relatively taller and narrower glenoid morphology) compared with healthy controls.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

An institutional radiology database was queried over a 10-year period to identify patients aged ≤19 years who had been diagnosed with radiographically confirmed anterior shoulder dislocation and who underwent glenohumeral magnetic resonance arthrography as well as those without dislocation with normal shoulder arthrogram studies (controls). Patients with bony Bankart lesions were excluded. The following glenohumeral dimensions were measured on shoulder arthrogram: GI, glenoid version, coracohumeral interval, and rotator interval width/depth. Comparative analysis between the 2 groups was performed using the Student t test for each variable, followed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine discriminative ability when statistically significant.

Results:

Overall, 55 participants (33 male and 22 female patients; mean age, 15.4 ± 2.1 years) were enrolled; 22 patients were in included in the dislocator group and 33 patients comprised the control group. The mean GI in the dislocator group was significantly greater than the control group (1.55 ± 0.14 vs. 1.38 ± 0.08; P < .001). ROC analysis revealed adequate discrimination of GI in predicting glenohumeral dislocation (area under the curve = 0.88). A GI ≥1.45 was 83% sensitive and 79% specific for predicting dislocation in the study cohort.

Conclusion:

Patients with anterior glenohumeral dislocation had increased GI (taller and narrower glenoid morphology) than controls. This useful MRI measurement may help identify patients at risk for primary or recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability events and may therefore help with guiding treatment and prevention.
Parent-Adolescent Agreement on Adolescents’ Emotional and Behavioral Problems Assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Authors: Kawabe Kentaro , Horiuchi Fumie , Uno Hiroyuki , Nakachi Kiwamu , Hosokawa Rie , Oka Yasunori , Ueno Shu-Ichi
Published: March 2021

Objective. The perception of emotion and behavior is different between adolescents and their parents. Parent-adolescent agreement on emotional and behavioral problems has not been well researched. The aim of this study was to explore and compare how well the information from themselves matches with the judgments by their parents in terms of emotional and behavioral problems. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted using the self-report and parent-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A total of 1254 Japanese school adolescents aged 12 to 18 and their parents were assessed almost the same time. The results were analyzed using the paired t-test and 2-way analysis of variance for the discrepancies of parent-adolescent agreements in each age and gender groups. Results. Adolescents obtained higher total difficulty and all subscales scores of SDQ than their parents. The effect of grade on the self/parent discrepancy scores were significantly observed on the conduct problems ( P < .001), hyperactivity ( P = .009), and prosocial behavior ( P < .001). The effect of gender was shown significantly on the emotional problems ( P < .001), conduct problems ( P < .001), and peer problems ( P = .002). Conclusion. Adolescents reported more problems than their parents did. For comprehensive evaluation of adolescents’ mental health, it is necessary to draw information from both the adolescents themselves and their parents, and pay attention to the gap between adolescents and their parents’ perception.
Synthesis of Vertically Aligned ZnO Nanorods Using Sol-gel Seeding and Colloidal Lithography Patterning
Authors: Chalangar Ebrahim , Nur Omer , Willander Magnus , Gustafsson Anders , Pettersson Håkan
Published: March 2021

Different ZnO nanostructures can be grown using low-cost chemical bath deposition. Although this technique is cost-efficient and flexible, the final structures are usually randomly oriented and hardly controllable in terms of homogeneity and surface density. In this work, we use colloidal lithography to pattern (100) silicon substrates to fully control the nanorods' morphology and density. Moreover, a sol-gel prepared ZnO seed layer was employed to compensate for the lattice mismatch between the silicon substrate and ZnO nanorods. The results show a successful growth of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods with controllable diameter and density in the designated openings in the patterned resist mask deposited on the seed layer. Our method can be used to fabricate optimized devices where vertically ordered ZnO nanorods of high crystalline quality are crucial for the device performance.
ContigExtender: a new approach to improving de novo sequence assembly for viral metagenomics data
Authors: Deng Zachary , Delwart Eric
Published: March 2021

Background

Metagenomics is the study of microbial genomes for pathogen detection and discovery in human clinical, animal, and environmental samples via Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Metagenome de novo sequence assembly is a crucial analytical step in which longer contigs, ideally whole chromosomes/genomes, are formed from shorter NGS reads. However, the contigs generated from the de novo assembly are often very fragmented and rarely longer than a few kilo base pairs (kb). Therefore, a time-consuming extension process is routinely performed on the de novo assembled contigs.

Results

To facilitate this process, we propose a new tool for metagenome contig extension after de novo assembly. ContigExtender employs a novel recursive extending strategy that explores multiple extending paths to achieve highly accurate longer contigs. We demonstrate that ContigExtender outperforms existing tools in synthetic, animal, and human metagenomics datasets.

Conclusions

A novel software tool ContigExtender has been developed to assist and enhance the performance of metagenome de novo assembly. ContigExtender effectively extends contigs from a variety of sources and can be incorporated in most viral metagenomics analysis pipelines for a wide variety of applications, including pathogen detection and viral discovery.
Detection of subgenome bias using an anchored syntenic approach in Eleusine coracana (finger millet)
Authors: Hall Nathan D. , Patel Jinesh D. , McElroy J. Scott , Goertzen Leslie R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana 2n = 4x = 36) is a hardy, nutraceutical, climate change tolerant, orphan crop that is consumed throughout eastern Africa and India. Its genome has been sequenced multiple times, but A and B subgenomes could not be separated because no published genome for E. indica existed. The classification of A and B subgenomes is important for understanding the evolution of this crop and provide a means to improve current and future breeding programs.

Results

We produced subgenome calls for 704 syntenic blocks and inferred A or B subgenomic identity for 59,377 genes 81% of the annotated genes. Phylogenetic analysis of a super matrix containing 455 genes shows high support for A and B divergence within the Eleusine genus. Synonymous substitution rates between A and B genes support A and B calls. The repetitive content on highly supported B contigs is higher than that on similar A contigs. Analysis of syntenic singletons showed evidence of biased fractionation showed a pattern of A genome dominance, with 61% A, 37% B and 1% unassigned, and was further supported by the pattern of loss observed among cyto-nuclear interacting genes.

Conclusion

The evidence of individual gene calls within each syntenic block, provides a powerful tool for inference for subgenome classification. Our results show the utility of a draft genome in resolving A and B subgenomes calls, primarily it allows for the proper polarization of A and B syntenic blocks. There have been multiple calls for the use of phylogenetic inference in subgenome classification, our use of synteny is a practical application in a system that has only one parental genome available.