bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended urbanisation and the agrarian question: Convergences, divergences and openings
Authors: Ghosh Swarnabh , Meer Ayan
Published: August 2020

The question of urbanisation ‘beyond the city’ has generated a lively debate in the fields of urban studies and geography in recent years. This paper brings a key concept from this discussion –‘extended urbanisation’– in conversation with distinct yet related concepts from critical agrarian studies. We briefly review the ‘classic’ agrarian question in order to situate contemporary agrarian questions within the historical geographies of capitalist restructuring since the late-nineteenth century. We then examine a selection of contemporary agrarian scholarship attuned to the interconnectedness of agrarian and urban sociospatial relations to argue that the concept of extended urbanisation and urban studies more generally have much to gain from a closer engagement with this work. To this end, we identify three openings for further analysis: (1) ‘global depeasantisation’ and ‘deruralisation’ as the labour dimensions of extended urbanisation; (2) the co-existence of banal ‘operational landscapes’ with landscapes of high-intensity extraction and agro-industrialisation; and (3) relational periodisations of urbanisation that incorporate successive world-historical ‘food regimes’ and their associated commodity frontiers in order to unearth geohistories of extended urbanisation in colonial and postcolonial contexts. We conclude by rearticulating the ‘right to the city’ in terms of a broader ‘right to space’ as a means of re-centring ongoing struggles against capitalist urbanisation in spaces beyond the city.
Muscle flaps in pulmonary infections: a case series from Northeast India
Authors: Kynta Reuben Lamiaki , Sun Neelamjingbha , Saikia Manuj Kumar
Published: August 2020

Aim

Treatment of complications due to pulmonary infections usually involves lung resection with or without debridement. Managing residual intrathoracic defects, chronic empyema, and bronchopleural fistulae after such resections poses unique challenges.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of all 9 patients referred to us with complications due to pulmonary infections, including the surgical procedures, flaps used, and their outcomes between 2018 and 2019.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 30 years (range 9?48 years). The primary disease was tuberculosis in 6 (66%) patients. Complications of primary infections were pneumothorax ( n = 3), auto-pneumonectomy ( n = 2), organized empyema ( n = 3), and recurrent hemoptysis ( n = 1). Initial interventions included lobectomy ( n = 2), tracheoesophageal repair ( n = 1), bronchial artery embolization ( n = 1), intercostal tube drainage ( n = 4), and decortication( n = 1). Complications after primary interventions included bronchopleural fistula ( n = 4, 45%), recurrent empyema ( n = 3, 33%), tracheal stump dehiscence ( n = 1, 11%) and non-resolving hemoptysis ( n = 1, 11%). Pathological microorganisms were isolated in 8 (88%) patients. Secondary corrective surgical interventions along with pedicled muscle flap interposition and reinforcement were undertaken. Nine flap procedures with or without thoracoplasty were performed. There was no open thoracostomy conversion. There was one death postoperatively.

Conclusion

A locoregional pedicled flap with or without thoracoplasty is an effective option to manage complications of pulmonary infections. The cardiothoracic surgeon should have a knowledge of the locoregional flaps of the thorax and abdomen to address such complications.
The role of contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced MRI in the follow-up of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Zarei Fariba , Ghaedian Mehrnaz , Ghaedian Tahereh
Published: August 2020

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) for different indications. However, frequent administration of gadolinium in these patients can have some potential complications. So, a more limited approach reducing the use of gadolinium should be considered.

Purpose

To evaluate the additional benefits of contrast-enhanced MRI over non-contrast-enhanced MRI in routine follow-up of patients with MS.

Material and Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study including patients with MS who underwent both contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced MRI for two time-points with an interval of at least six months. Non-contrast-enhanced images were compared for each patient and interpreted as non-progressive or progressive disease. Then, rate and type of enhancing lesions were analyzed and compared between the groups. All images were reviewed and compared visually by two radiologists.

Results

A total of 462 patients (392 women; mean age = 36 years) were included. Of these patients, 352 were in the non-progressive group and 112 were in progressive group. Comparison of baseline and follow-up contrast-enhanced MRIs revealed that 13 (3.7%) patients in the non-progressive group and 58 (51.8%) patients in progressive group developed enhancing lesions ( P < 0.001). All 58 patients in the progressive group developed new enhancing lesions, whereas all those in the non-progressive group revealed persistent or reactivated enhancing lesions without evidence of new lesions.

Conclusion

According to the very low incidence rate of new enhancing lesions in patients with non-progressive disease on follow-up non-contrast-enhanced MRI, routine administration of contrast in follow-up studies is not suggested.
Effect of nitrate treatment on functional capacity and exercise time in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Long Wenjie , Liao Huili , Liu Qingqing , Ning Yile , Wu Tingchun , Kang Jinhua , Liu Jianhong , Xian Shaoxiang , Yang Zhongqi
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Heart failure (HF) is a common and potentially fatal condition. In 2015, HF affected approximately 40 million people globally. Evidence showing that the use of nitrates can improve clinical outcomes in patients with HF is limited. This study aimed to assess the effect of nitrates on functional capacity and exercise time in patients with HF.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were reviewed for articles on the use of nitrates and other treatments for patients with HF. The primary endpoints were the 6-minute walk test distance, exercise time, and quality of life. Secondary endpoints were all-cause mortality, arrhythmia, hospitalization, and worsening HF. The weighted mean difference, risk ratio, and 95% confidence interval were calculated.

Results

A total of 14 related studies that comprised 26,321 patients were included. No significant differences were found in the 6-minute walk test distance, exercise time, and quality of life between the nitrate and control treatment groups. There were also no differences in all-cause mortality, the incidence of arrhythmia, hospitalization, and worsening HF between these two groups.

Conclusion

Patients with HF who receive nitrate treatment do not have better quality of life or exercise capacity compared with controls.
Chemotherapy at the End of Life
Authors: Urvay Semiha , Civelek Burak , Özaslan Ersin , Sürel Aziz Ahmet
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives:

The use of chemotherapy at the end of life in advanced cancer patients has increased and end of life care has become increasingly aggressive. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life and the aggressiveness of end-of-life support of these patients.

Methods:

All adult patients with solid tumors who received chemotherapy in their last 3 months of life and died in our hospital between January 2015 to June 2019 were included. Detailed information on chemotherapy and toxicity was collected in patient records.

Results:

A total of 182 patients included. Median age was 58,9 years. The median survival from the docementation of metastatic disease was 9,98 months (0,95-64,3). Of these 182 patients, 95 (52%) were treated with chemotherapy in the last month of life and 52 (29%) in the last 2 weeks of life. The median number of days between the last administration of chemotherapy and patient death was 29 (0-90). A new chemotherapy regimen was started in the last 3 months of life in 102 patients (56%), in the last month of life in 43 patients (23,6%) and in the last 2 weeks in 23 patients (12.6%).

Discussion and Implications:

There are many patients who received chemotherapy in the last 3 months of their life and the rates of chemotherapy initiation during this period are well above ideal rates. Whether such care has positive effects on survival or quality of life is questionable and deserves additional investigation.
The Impact of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory on Aggressive Behavior
Authors: Parker Kristy-Elizabeth M. , Farrell Nicola , Walker Benjamin R.
Published: August 2020

Why some people, and not others, exhibit aggression remains unknown. Research points to certain personality traits being linked to either proactive or reactive aggression, or both. The current study attempts to address these gaps from the perspective of revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST). Using 146 participants, results revealed Behavioral Approach System (BAS)-Impulsivity and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) predicted proactive and reactive aggression. Defensive Fight predicted reactive aggression. BAS-Impulsivity predicted proactive aggression partially mediated by Social Dominance Orientation. These findings suggest proactive and reactive aggression are motivated by a combination of anxiety and rapid, approach-motivational personality traits. This study provides further understanding of the specific relations between rRST and aggression, is integrated into the general aggression model, and has implications for treatment of aggressive individuals.
Motivation and Postsecondary Enrollment Among High School Students Whose Parents Did Not Go to College
Authors: Tsai Chia-Lin , Brown Austin , Lehrman Allyson , Tian Lu
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between motivation in high school and postsecondary enrollment among 10th-grade students whose parents did not go to college. Specifically, this study (1) identified distinct groups of students’ self-reported reasons for attending schools among 10th graders, (2) examined whether these groups were differentially associated with indicators of college preparation and enrollment, and (3) investigated whether the time to postsecondary enrollment differed across groups. A latent class analysis was conducted to classify students into different motivation orientations. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, the current study found three distinct classes of school motivation, with different reasons for attending school. The largest class (53%) was characterized by high intrinsic, identified/introjected, and external motivations for attending school. Patterns of college preparation and enrollment outcomes varied across motivation orientations. Implications for school professionals and supporting programs are discussed.
Social Contribution and Psychological Well-Being among Midlife Adults with Chronic Pain: A Longitudinal Approach
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen P. , Kim Shin Ye , Daheim Jacob , Neduvelil Ashley
Published: August 2020

Objectives: Contributing to the welfare of others has been shown to have positive effects on people’s social and psychological well-being (PWB). The current study examined whether social contribution (SC) could alleviate the negative effects of chronic pain on PWB through perceived social support (PSS) among midlife and older adults. Methods: The study consisted of 520 participants with chronic pain from the two waves of the Midlife in the United States dataset (MIDUS II and III). Results: Results from the longitudinal moderated mediation analysis indicated that SC at Time 2 (T2) significantly buffered the negative effect of pain interference (PI) at Time 1 (T1) on PSS at T2, which indirectly alleviated the negative effect of PI at T1 on PWB at T2. Discussion: The study suggested the protective role of SC and prosocial behaviors in mitigating the detrimental effects of chronic pain on social support and PWB.
Distributed drive electric autonomous vehicle steering angle control based on active disturbance rejection control
Authors: Leng Bo , Jiang Yehan , Yu Yize , Xiong Lu , Yu Zhuoping
Published: August 2020

Based on active disturbance rejection control technique and characteristics of electric power steering, a steering angle tracking controller is designed, which consists of an aligning moment estimator to deal with modeling error and nonlinearity of electric power steering. The aligning moment estimator is based on an extended state observer and takes steering system friction and differential drive steering torque, which is a unique phenomenon in a distributed drive electric vehicle, into consideration. According to the estimated aligning moment and tracking differentiator, the steering angle tracking controller is designed based on a nonlinear state feedback control and feedforward compensation control laws. Results of various simulations and experiments, including pivot steering, step input steering, and sinusoidal input steering, show that the proposed controller has good performance in tracking reference steering angle and is convenient to implement. With the aligning moment estimator, the proposed controller shows better results in comparative experiments than a conditional integral-based steering angle tracking controller.
Heat transfer of a radial, nanofluid water-graphene oxide hydromagnetic flow between coaxial pipes with a variable radius ratio
Authors: Javanmard Mohsen , Salmani Hossein , Taheri Mohammad Hasan , Askari Nematollah , Kazemi Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2020

The main objective of the present study is to analyze the heat transfer of a water-graphene oxide nanofluid flow between coaxial pipes, analytically. The radius ratio of pipes is variable, and a radial constant magnetic field applies to the pipes. Moreover, the Robin boundary condition is considered on the pipe’s walls. As a novelty, the exact solution is utilized to obtain the velocity distribution; further, the energy equation is solved employing the semi-analytical collocation method. The results reveal that the enhancement of nanoparticle volume fraction and radius ratio increases the dimensionless shear stress on pipes walls by 2% and 100%, respectively; consequently, the friction on walls grows. Though, the magnetic parameter has the contrary effect. Furthermore, it is observed the Eckert number augmentation decuples the bulk temperature and the heat transfer. Moreover, when the outer pipe Biot number and radius ratio increase, the bulk temperature and the heat transfer augment more than 90%. However, the magnetic parameter and nanoparticle volume fraction have a contrary effect. Also, as the inner pipe Biot number rises, we do not observe a constant pattern for the dimensionless temperature and heat transfer rate variation.
Global sliding mode control for the underactuated translational oscillator with rotational actuator system
Authors: Wu Xianqing , Xu Kexin
Published: August 2020

This article is motivated by the control issues of the translational oscillator with rotational actuator system in the existence of uncertain disturbances. A nonlinear disturbance observer and a global sliding mode control method are proposed for the disturbance estimation and stabilization of the translational oscillator with rotational actuator system. Compared with the existing control methods, uncertain disturbances are estimated by the proposed nonlinear disturbance observer. In addition, the sliding mode control method is continuous and global robustness with respect to disturbances. Specifically, to facilitate the controller design, the dynamics of the translational oscillator with rotational actuator system are rearranged as the cascade form first. Then, a virtual signal is constructed and corresponding error dynamics are derived. Subsequently, a nonlinear disturbance observer and a continuous global sliding mode control method are proposed for the disturbance rejection and stabilization of the translational oscillator with rotational actuator system. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed controller.
Maximum efficiency tracking control of underwater wireless power transfer system using artificial neural networks
Authors: Zheng Zhongjiu , Wang Ning , Ahmed Sara
Published: August 2020

In the underwater wireless power transfer system for the marine vehicle, the system transfer efficiency is influenced by factors including coupling state and load condition. To solve the problem of transfer efficiency decrease caused by the dynamic changes of coupling coefficient and load conditions, a maximum efficiency tracking method based on the dynamic identification of optimal output voltage and coupling coefficient is proposed. Moreover, the approximation characteristic to the nonlinear function of artificial neural networks is used to dynamically adjust the output voltage of DC/DC converter, and the deviation between the output voltage and optimal voltage can be kept within the allowable error range leading to maximum efficiency tracking. The experimental results show that the control method can calculate the optimal output voltage correctly, adjust the output voltage quickly and accurately, and achieve the maximum efficiency of the wireless power transfer system when the coupling coefficient and load conditions change dynamically.
Quality of Work Life and Burnout in Healthcare Workers in Turkey
Authors: Saygili Meltem , Avci Keziban , Sönmez Seda
Published: August 2020

Quality of work life (QWL) is important to healthcare organisations that aim to increase patient and employee satisfaction and produce quality healthcare services. The literature lacks research investigating the relationship between QWL and burnout among in healthcare professionals. The purpose of this study is to determine healthcare workers’ QWL and burnout levels and to investigate whether there is a correlation them. The research population consisted of all healthcare workers serving in a public hospital in Ankara. The study did not make a sample selection but tried to access the entire population; a total of 328 usable surveys were obtained. ‘Quality of Work Life Scale’ and ‘Maslach Burnout Inventory’ scales were used for this research. A correlation analysis was performed to determine the correlation between healthcare workers’ QWL and burnout levels. The analysis results showed that healthcare workers had ‘good’ perceived QWL and ‘moderate’ level of burnout. Additionally, there was a statistically significant but weak correlation between healthcare workers’ levels of QWL and burnout (ρ = 0.184; p = 0.0008). Results can be used by healthcare managers to implement appropriate initiatives to improve QWL and reduce burnout of healthcare workers.
A reflection on The Liberal Promise on its 30th birthday
Authors: Allen Dominique
Published: August 2020

In her critique of anti-discrimination law, 'The Liberal Promise', Professor Margaret Thornton argued that the law could have a limited impact on social change partly due to the privatised way in which discrimination claims are resolved. This Brief explores the influence of Thornton's work and suggests that, 30 years on, her claims still ring true.
Advancing Qualitative Entrepreneurship Research: Leveraging Methodological Plurality for Achieving Scholarly Impact
Authors: Van Burg Elco , Cornelissen Joep , Stam Wouter , Jack Sarah
Published: August 2020

This editorial aims to advance the use of qualitative research methods when studying entrepreneurship. First, it outlines four characteristics of the domain of entrepreneurship that qualitative research is uniquely placed to address. In studying these characteristics, we urge researchers to leverage the plurality of different qualitative approaches, including less conventional methods. Second, to help researchers develop high-level theoretical contributions, we point to multiple possible contributions, and highlight how such contributions can be developed through qualitative methods. Thus, we aim to broaden the types of contributions and forms that qualitative entrepreneurship research takes, in ways that move beyond prototypical inductive theory-building.
Empowering Patients and Health Professionals to Address Sexual Health in the Context of Anorectal Malformations and Hirschsprung’s Disease
Authors: Petit-Steeghs V. , Mogami-Asselin G. I. K. , Nijenkamp M. D. , Spoel M. , Broerse J. E. W. , Pittens C. A. C. M.
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to develop a tool that is aligned with patients’ and health professionals’ needs to address sexual health in the context of anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung’s disease. A multiphased participatory action–research was conducted. First, an inventory of needs was made through interviews (11 patients, 11 professionals), three online focus groups (4 patients, 20 professionals), and a questionnaire (38 patients). Subsequently, four cocreation sessions with in total four patients and nine professionals were organized to translate the needs into a tool (in the form of a website). The websites’ functionality was assessed via a questionnaire ( n = 34). The website, directed to patients, their parents, and professionals, stimulates awareness, fills knowledge gaps, and shows possibilities for support. The website is expected to change restrictive attitudes toward sexual health and improve the legitimization of the topic needed for the allocation of resources and sexologists’ involvement in current care pathways.
Reinventing Palliative Care Delivery in the Era of COVID-19: How Telemedicine Can Support End of Life Care
Authors: Ritchey Katherine C. , Foy Alice , McArdel Erin , Gruenewald David A.
Published: August 2020

Telemedicine technology has become essential to healthcare delivery in the COVID-19 era, but concerns remain regarding whether the intimacy and communication that is central to high-quality palliative care will be compromised by the use of this technology. We employed a business model approach to identify the need for system innovation in palliative care, and a quality improvement approach to structure the project. Products from this project included a standard operating procedure for safe use of tablet computers for inpatient palliative care consultations and family visitations; tablet procurement with installation of video telehealth software; and training and education for clinical staff and other stakeholders. We describe a case illustrating the successful use of palliative care telehealth in the care of a COVID-19-positive patient at the end of life. Successful use of video telehealth for palliative care involved overcoming inertia to the development of telehealth infrastructure and learning clinical video telehealth skills; and engaging front-line care staff and family members who were open to a trial of telehealth for communication. Information gleaned from family about the patient as a person helped bedside staff to tailor care toward aspects meaningful to the patient and family and informed best practices to incorporate intimacy into future palliative video consultations and family visit.
A Canadian Perspective: French Language Learning
Authors: Ryan Thomas G. , Sinay Erhan
Published: August 2020

In Canada, language learning is viewed as an international, national and local need. Herein an international perspective is provided that guides the reader into a National language perspective which is uniquely Canadian. For instance, within Ontario there are concerns about French language education and the multiple entry points for students and inequities in most school boards in Ontario. The fact that School Boards across the province have identified the supply and demand for Ontario elementary and secondary teachers as variable especially in certain subjects such as French Language is unsettling. Future recruitment needs to cast a wide net and move deep into Faculties of Education in a proactive manner. Having the necessary French teachers and support staff is very important yet the need to retain students and educators in French programs is equally essential since retention and attrition rates impact program viability. Recent history in Ontario Core French (CF) programs demonstrate reduced enrollments over time therefore the government of Ontario has acknowledged a need to increase FSL student retention via improved access, training, relationships and special programs, to ensure students are enrolled and retained as long as possible.
A Comparison of the Validity of Very Brief Measures of the Big Five/Five-Factor Model of Personality
Authors: Sleep Chelsea E. , Lynam Donald R. , Miller Joshua D.
Published: August 2020

Personality is of great lay, clinical, and research interest with important functional implications. The field has largely settled on five- or six-factor models as being largely sufficient for descriptive purposes, at least in W.E.I.R.D settings and, as such, numerous measures have been created of varying length and breadth. For a number of reasons, however, super-short forms have come to be quite popular in research endeavors with a number created in the past 20 years. The goal of the present study was to compare the time with completion and general psychometric properties of these measures, as well as examine their convergence with one another and with longer measures in an online community sample ( N = 494). Generally, the psychometric properties of the measures varied considerably in terms of internal consistency and convergence with one another. The brief measures demonstrated mostly adequately convergence with longer measures. Despite this convergence, longer measures were found to contain considerably more variance that was not accounted for by brief measures. We consider the advantages and disadvantages of these measures and suggest that longer measures be prioritized whenever possible.
Ecosystem Services of Riparian Restoration: A Review of Rock Detention Structures in the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion
Authors: Norman Laura M
Published: August 2020

In northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States, limited water supplies and fragile landscapes jeopardize world-renowned biological diversity. Simple rock detention structures have been used to manage agricultural water for over a thousand years and are now being installed to restore ecohydrological functionality but with little scientific evidence of their success. The impacts, design, and construction of such structures has been debated among local restoration practitioners, management, and permitting agencies. This article presents archeological documentation, local contentions, and examples of available research assessments of rock detention structures in the Madrean Archipelago Ecoregion. A US Geological Survey study to quantify impacts of rock detention structures using remote-sensing analyses, hydrologic monitoring, vegetation surveys, and watershed modeling is discussed, and results rendered in terms of the critical restoration ecosystem services provided. This framework provides a means for comparing management actions that might directly or indirectly impact human populations and assessing tradeoffs between them.
Recurrent Indoor Environmental Pollution and Its Impact on Health and Oxidative Stress of the Textile Workers in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Tania , Faisal Ar-Rafi Md. , Khanam Tahura , Shekhar Hossain Uddin
Published: August 2020

Perennial indoor environmental pollution in the textile industrial area is a potential health hazard for workers engaged in this line of work, resulting in mental aberration to severe health risks. This study was designed to investigate the indoor environmental quality of textile industries and correlate its effect on the occupational health and well-being of the textile workers by measuring plasma oxidative stress status in textile workers and healthy control subjects. Environmental samples were collected from 15 textile industries located in Dhaka division, and 30 volunteer textile workers and 30 volunteer office workers (control) aged 18 to 57 years participated in the study. The concentration of plasma ascorbic acid (P-ASC), plasma malondialdehyde (P-MDA), and plasma conjugated diene (P-CD) was measured in both groups. The noise level (78.0 ± 0.68 dB) and the formaldehyde level (141.80 ± 4.47 µg/m3) were found to be significantly higher in the indoor environmental area compared with those in the control area (70.17 ± 0.25 dB and 108.0 ± 0.76 µg/m3, respectively). Furthermore, the daily average concentration of suspended particulate matters (PMs), that is, PM2.5 (322.2 ± 13.46 µg/m3) and PM10 (411.0 ± 17.57 µg/m3), was also found to be significantly higher in the indoor environmental air compared with that in the control area (78.59 ± 1.66 and 174.0 ± 2.33 µg/m3, respectively). The levels of P-MDA (0.37 ± 0.03 nmol/L) and P-CD (14.74 ± 0.61 nmol/L) were significantly increased, whereas the level of P-ASC level (0.46 ± 0.04 mg/dL) was markedly decreased in the textile workers compared with the healthy control subjects (0.18 ± 0.01 nmol/L of P-MDA, 10.04 ± 0.44 nmol/L of P-CD, and 1.29 ± 0.06 mg/dL of P-ASC). The textile plants were found to have significantly elevated levels of indoor environmental pollutants compared with those in the control area, and the textile workers were significantly exposed to oxidative stresses compared with the control subjects. The use of noise pads and high-efficiency air filters is perhaps highly instrumental to put an end to this prevailing situation. Moreover, to overcome the oxidative stresses among workers, supplementation of antioxidant vitamins (ie, ascorbic acid and/or vitamin E) may be beneficial. In addition, to prevent serious health-related issues, proper precautions should be taken to protect the occupational health of the textile workers.
Tourist tax to promote rentals of low-emission vehicles
Authors: Gómez-Déniz Emilio , Boza-Chirino José , Dávila-Cárdenes Nancy
Published: August 2020

In the Canary Islands (Spain), the tourism boom has been paralleled by sharp growth in the car rental sector. However, this economic activity is associated with problems such as rising levels of vehicle emissions. In this article, we discuss, on the one hand, the introduction of a tax to internalise the costs of emissions from car rental fleets and, on the other, the measures to reward users who rent environmentally-friendly cars. For this purpose, we propose a model based on statistical decision theory, from which a Bayesian rule is derived. According to this model, the tax increases with the number of days the car is rented but decreases in line with the environmental efficiency of the vehicle. A data sample of visitors to the Canary Islands is used to compare the covariates involved in computing the number of car rental days and the corresponding tax payable.
Robotic versus conventional laparoscopic liver resections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kamarajah Sivesh Kathir , Bundred James , Manas Derek , Jiao Long , Hilal Mohammad Abu , White S. A.
Published: August 2020

Background:

Theoretical advantages of robotic surgery compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery include improved instrument dexterity, 3D visualization, and better ergonomics. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine advantages of robotic surgery over laparoscopic surgery in patients undergoing liver resections.

Method:

A systematic literature search was conducted for studies comparing robotic assisted or totally laparoscopic liver resection. Meta-analysis of intraoperative (operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, conversion rate), oncological (R0 resection rates), and postoperative (bile leak, surgical site infection, pulmonary complications, 30-day and 90-day mortality, length of stay, 90-day readmission and reoperation rates) outcomes was performed using a random effects model.

Result:

Twenty-six non-randomized studies including 2630 patients (950 robotic and 1680 laparoscopic) were included, of which 20% had major robotic liver resection and 14% had major laparoscopic liver resection. Intraoperatively, robotic liver resection was associated with significantly less blood loss (mean: 286 vs 301 mL, p < 0.001) but longer operating time (mean: 281 vs 221 min, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in conversion rates or transfusion rates between robotic liver resection and laparoscopic liver resection. Postoperatively, there were no significant differences in overall complications, bile leaks, and length of hospital stay between robotic liver resection and laparoscopic liver resection. However, robotic liver resection was associated with significantly lower readmission rates than laparoscopic liver resection (odds ratio: 0.43, p = 0.005).

Conclusions:

Robotic liver resection appears to offer some advantages compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery, although both techniques appear equivalent. Importantly, the quality of evidence is generally limited to cohort studies and a high-quality randomized trial comparing both techniques is needed.
Tourism constraints on transgender individuals in Mexico
Authors: Monterrubio Carlos , Mendoza-Ontiveros Martha Marivel , Rodríguez Madera Sheilla L , Pérez Javier
Published: August 2020

Transgender or trans people are deeply affected by social stigma in a wide range of forms and contexts including family, school, neighbourhood, work and clinical settings. Studies have rarely focused on how stigmatisation affects trans individuals’ experiences of travel and tourism. This research sought to critically explore the constraints that prevent trans people from engaging in tourism in Mexico. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 trans participants. Experiences related to intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural constraints on tourism were explored during interviews. The findings include that trans men and women do not experience tourism constraints equally, and interpersonal constraints are closely related to social stigma that in turn influence these individuals’ fear of being discriminated against, abused or killed while travelling or engaging in leisure activities. The results are discussed in light of leisure and tourism constraints theory. Managerial implications include ways that the tourism industry can contribute to reducing constraints for trans travellers.
Targeted cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting nanomedicine results in pain-relief and differential expression of the RNA transcriptome in the dorsal root ganglia of injured male rats
Authors: Stevens Andrea M , Saleem Muzamil , Deal Brooke , Janjic Jelena , Pollock John A
Published: August 2020

Chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in rats causes peripheral neuropathy leading to pain-like behaviors commonly seen in humans. Neuropathy is a leading cause of neuropathic pain, which involves a complex cellular and molecular response in the peripheral nervous system with interactions between neurons, glia, and infiltrating immune cells. In this study, we utilize a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug -loaded nanoemulsion to deliver the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, Celecoxib, directly to circulating monocytes following nerve injury, which provides long-lasting pain relief. However, it is not fully understood how cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition in a macrophage traveling to the site of injury impacts gene expression in the dorsal root ganglia. To elucidate aspects of the molecular mechanisms underlying pain-like behavior in chronic constriction injury, as well as subsequent pain relief with treatment, we employ RNAseq transcriptome profiling of the dorsal root ganglia associated with the injured sciatic nerve in rats. Using high throughput RNA sequencing in this way provides insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in this neuroinflammatory response. We compare the transcriptome from the dorsal root ganglias of the following study groups: chronic constriction injury animals administered with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting celecoxib-loaded nanoemulsion, chronic constriction injury animals administered with vehicle treatment, a drug-free nanoemulsion, and a group of naïve, unoperated and untreated rats. The results show an extensive differential expression of 115 genes. Using the protein annotation through evolutionary relationship classification system, we have revealed pain-related signaling pathways and underlying biological mechanisms involved in the neuroinflammatory response. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation confirms expression changes for several genes. This study shows that by directly inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 activity in infiltrating macrophages at the injured sciatic nerve, there is an associated change in the transcriptome in the cell bodies of the dorsal root ganglia.
Differential effects of the Akt pathway on the internalization of Klebsiella by lung epithelium and macrophages
Authors: Chang De , Feng Jingjing , Liu Hongbo , Liu Wei , Sharma Lokesh , Dela Cruz Charles S
Published: August 2020

Host response to lung infection includes coordinated efforts of multiple cell types, including the lung epithelium and macrophages. Importantly, both the lung epithelium and macrophages can internalize and clear invading pathogens. However, the mechanisms and their ability to internalize or phagocytose differ. Akt is a key cellular pathway that controls cell proliferation and survival, in addition to its role in host defense. The role of the Akt pathway was assessed using pharmacological Akt modulators in lung epithelial (A549) and macrophage (RAW 264.7) cell lines during Klebsiella bacterial infection. Our data show that the inhibition of the Akt pathway using specific Akt inhibitor MK2206 increased the phagocytic ability of lung epithelial cells but not of macrophages. In contrast, the activation of Akt using specific activator SC-79 decreased the phagocytic ability of epithelial cells, while it increased the phagocytic ability of macrophages. The altered phagocytic ability in both cell types using Akt modulators was not due to changes in bacterial adhesion to the host cell. The clinical usefulness of these Akt modulators may vary based on the type of infection and on the relative contribution of epithelial cells and macrophages in clearing the particular bacterial infection. The Akt pathway has differential roles in the internalization of Klebsiella bacteria by respiratory epithelial cells and immune cells.
Predictive Factors of the Adherence to Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensors: A Prospective Observational Study (PARCS STUDY)
Authors: Murata Takashi , Kuroda Akio , Matsuhisa Munehide , Toyoda Masao , Kimura Moritsugu , Hirota Yushi , Kato Ken , Sawaki Hideaki , Tone Atsuhito , Kawashima Satoshi , Okada Akira , Watanabe Tomokazu , Nirengi Shinsuke , Suganuma Akiko , Sakane Naoki
Published: August 2020

Background:

Information about factors related to better adherence to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor adherence is quite limited.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-six participants with type 1 diabetes using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) without CGM were recruited. The participants’ characteristics and diabetes-related quality of life (QOL) were evaluated at baseline and one year after starting to use CGM. Participants wearing the sensor for ≥60% of the time were considered as adherent.

Results:

The mean age of the 46 participants was 44.1 ± 15.0 years old and the mean glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.7 ± 1.0%; 60.9% of the participants were classified as adherent. The duration of using CSII was longer in the adherent group, and the degree of diabetic retinopathy was significantly different. There were no significant differences in age, frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose, or Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS-B for behavior, HFS-W for worry) score at baseline between the adherent and nonadherent groups. The Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) score at baseline was significantly higher and the total CSII-QOL score at baseline was significantly lower in the adherent group. The usage of dual-wave bolus was significantly increased in the adherent group (34.6%-61.5%, P = .016), but not in the nonadherent group (33.3%-33.3%, P > .999). The HbA1c level showed a significant improvement in the adherent group (7.8%-7.3%, P < .001), but not in the nonadherent group (7.5%-7.2%, P = .102).

Conclusions:

Higher adherence to CGM sensors may be associated with a heavier emotional burden of diabetes and a worse QOL in relation to CSII at baseline.
Tentorial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas as a Cause of Thalamic Edema: 2 Cases of an Important Differential Diagnosis to Consider
Authors: Cox Mougnyan , Rodriguez Pavel , Mohan Suyash , Sedora-Roman Neda I. , Pukenas Bryan , Choudhri Omar , Kurtz Robert M.
Published: August 2020

The differential diagnosis for bilateral thalamic edema is extensive and includes vascular, neoplastic, metabolic, and infectious causes. Of the vascular causes of thalamic edema, arterial and venous infarctions are well-documented, but dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are a relatively uncommon and widely underrecognized cause of thalamic edema. Dural AVFs are notoriously difficult to diagnose clinically, especially in the absence of hemorrhage, and cross-sectional imaging findings can be subtle. This can result in a delayed diagnosis, and occasionally, an invasive biopsy for further clarification of a purely vascular disease. In this review, we detail our experience with the imaging diagnosis of dAVF as a cause of thalamic edema and present a short differential of other vascular causes.
The effect of abdominal functional electrical stimulation on bowel function in multiple sclerosis: a cohort study
Authors: Lin Sophia D , Butler Jane E , Boswell-Ruys Claire L , Hoang Phu D , Jarvis Tom , Gandevia Simon C , McCaughey Euan J
Published: August 2020

Background

Chronic constipation is prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis, with current treatments usually only partially effective.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of abdominal functional electrical stimulation to reduce whole gut and colonic transit times and improve bowel and bladder-related quality of life.

Methods

A total of 23 people with multiple sclerosis who fulfilled the Rome III criteria for functional constipation applied abdominal functional electrical stimulation for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks. Whole gut and colonic transit times and bowel and bladder-related quality of life were measured before and after the intervention period.

Results

Whole gut (mean 81.3 (standard deviation 28.7) hours pre vs. 96.1 (standard deviation 53.6) hours post-intervention, P = 0.160) and colonic transit time (65.1 (31.4) vs. 74.8 (51.1) hours, P = 0.304) were unchanged following 6 weeks of abdominal functional electrical stimulation. There was a significant improvement in bowel (mean 1.78 (SD: 0.64) pre vs. 1.28 (SD: 0.54) post, P = 0.001) and bladder (50.6 (26.49) vs. 64.5 (21.92), p = 0.007) related quality of life after the intervention period.

Conclusion

While abdominal functional electrical stimulation did not reduce whole gut and colonic transit times for people with multiple sclerosis, a significant improvement in bowel and bladder-related quality of life was reported.
Characteristics of Self-reported Favorite Musical Experiences
Authors: Krause Amanda E. , Maurer Simone , Davidson Jane W.
Published: August 2020

Research supports the folk wisdom that individual preferences are tied to our experiences: we like what we know and as a result, we know what we like. Yet our understanding of the elements contained in lived examples of musical experiences that facilitate enjoyment and investment in music is little described. The current study recruited Australian residents ( N = 135) to complete an online survey, which asked them to describe their favorite musical experience with regard to its context and impact. The majority of favorite musical experiences involved listening to live music and performing. The descriptions provided indicated that these experiences resulted in layered emotional experiences, much more subtle than folk psychology would suggest. Further, thematic analysis results revealed that Gabrielsson’s Strong Experiences with Music Descriptive System adequately categorizes the elements of people’s favored experiences, with particular reference to general characteristics, bodily reactions, perceptual phenomena, cognitive aspects, emotional aspects, existential and transcendental aspects, and personal and social aspects. A wide variety of musical genres were involved, though pop, classical, rock, and hip-hop music featured predominately. By detailing key components which lead to favored musical experiences, the findings have implications regarding how musical engagement opportunities can be better designed to support continued musical investment, which has particular relevance for educational and community uses of music for fostering positive individual and community benefits.
Why Do High-Performance Human Resource Practices Matter for Employee Outcomes in Public Sector Universities? The Mediating Role of Person–Organization Fit Mechanism
Authors: Siyal Saeed , Xin Chunlin , Peng Xiaobao , Siyal Abdul Waheed , Ahmed Waqas
Published: August 2020

Based on the attraction–selection–attrition (ASA) framework, this research aimed to investigate the mechanism which affects the link between high-performance human resource practices (HPHRPs) and the two negative employee outcomes of the present study: emotional exhaustion and quit intentions. Using the ASA framework, the authors examine one such mechanism namely person–organization (P-O) fit, through which HPHRPs influence both the studied employee negative outcomes. A sample of professionals working in the public sector universities of Pakistan is adopted for testing the mediation model by using structural equation modeling. Findings reveal that HPHRPs have positive association with P-O fit, and negative with emotional exhaustion and quit intentions. Moreover, the findings illustrated a full mediation effect of P-O fit on the relationship among HPHRPs and both of the employee outcomes. The study has important theoretical and practical implications.
Recruitment Practices for Special Education Faculty: Implications for Saudi Universities
Authors: Alnahdi Ghaleb , Anastasiou Dimitris
Published: August 2020

We explore how the research standards for hiring faculty in Saudi Arabia are compatible with effective practices in the field. Specifically, we examine the outcomes of recruiting practices for special education faculty in the United States, in addition to the worldwide production of special education research. A descriptive analysis was conducted, examining the educational backgrounds of 124 faculty members in top special education programs in the United States and 140 highly cited researchers in special education worldwide. Fewer than 10% of the faculty members and researchers hold special education degrees at all three levels of education (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees). Recruitment practices in the United States and worldwide generally seem to differ from those used by Saudi universities. Implications for Saudi special education departments/programs are discussed.