bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing the High-Resolution Ensemble Forecast System to Produce Calibrated Probabilistic Thunderstorm Guidance
Authors: Harrison David R. , Elliott Matthew S. , Jirak Israel L. , Marsh Patrick T.
Published: April 2022

The High-Resolution Ensemble Forecast system (HREF) calibrated thunder guidance is a suite of probabilistic forecast products designed to predict the likelihood of at least one cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash within 20 km (12 miles) of a point during a given 1-, 4-, and 24-h time interval. This guidance takes advantage of a combination of storm attribute and environmental fields produced by the convection-allowing HREF to objectively improve upon lightning forecasts generated by the non-convection-allowing Short-Range Ensemble Forecast system (SREF). This study provides an overview of how the HREF calibrated thunder guidance was developed and calibrated to be statistically reliable against observed CG lightning flashes recorded by the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Performance metrics for the 1-, 4-, and 24-h guidance are provided and compared to the respective SREF calibrated probabilistic lightning forecasts. The HREF calibrated thunder guidance has been implemented operationally within the National Weather Service and is now available to the public.

Significance Statement

The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has created a suite of new calibrated probabilistic thunderstorm guidance products from a convection-allowing model ensemble, the HREF. The new guidance is a notable improvement over the long-running SREF calibrated thunder guidance and is now operational across the National Weather Service.
Entrepreneurship and Peacebuilding: A Review and Synthesis
Authors: Joseph Jay , Katsos John E. , Van Buren Harry J.
Published: April 2022

Entrepreneurship is the dominant form of enterprise in conflict-affected settings, yet little is known about the role of entrepreneurship in peacebuilding. In response, this article undertakes a review of entrepreneurship in conflict-affected regions to integrate research from business and management with research from political science, international relations, and parallel domains. Three views of entrepreneurship emerge—the destructive view, economic view, and social cohesion view—showing how entrepreneurship can concurrently create conflict but also potentially generate peace. The article identifies new avenues for pro-peace entrepreneurship: namely, through personal transformation, social contributions, inclusive interactions, conflict trigger removal, intergroup policy persuasion, and acting as legal champions. This article also discusses several pathways forward for business-for-peace research alongside additional implications for the deployment of business-based support programs in conflict settings.
A new measure to describe the feedback control systems usefulness
Authors: Assadian Francis , Mallon Kevin R
Published: April 2022

In the past, there have been many inconsistent attempts to describe the bandwidth of dynamic systems. Similar definitions of bandwidth have been extended to describe not only the closed-loop bandwidth of feedback control systems but also the frequency at which usefulness of feedback is lost. In this work, we propose and explain the need for a new precise measure for bandwidth that could be used to describe the cut-off frequency at which the feedback control system’s usefulness is no longer advantageous. The tools of neoclassical control are used to define this new measure of bandwidth as the frequency at which the feedback controller ceases to affect the response. This measure is then applied to two example cases to demonstrate its use.
Labour Market for Young Urban Female Graduates in India
Authors: Tayal Deeksha , Paul Sourabh
Published: April 2022

This study examines long-term trends in the labour market outcomes of young urban female graduates in India. Using nationally representative employment data, we find that a rise in the adjusted labour force participation rate of young educated women (15–29 years) between 1999 and 2000 and 2011–12 was not accompanied by a corresponding improvement in their access to suitable employment opportunities. We provide evidence of the inability of the labour market to effectively absorb the increasing shares of higher qualified young urban females into formal regular jobs. Further, a gendered comparison of trends depicts the presence of continuing gender discrimination. In such a scenario, the discouraging effects may either keep many educated young women in a state of unemployment or result in their withdrawal from the labour force.
Direct and indirect effects of maternal and sibling intimacy on adolescents’ volunteering via social responsibility values: A longitudinal study
Authors: Maiya Sahitya , Whiteman Shawn D. , Dayley Jenna C. , Serang Sarfaraz , Wray-Lake Laura , Kelly Brian C. , Maggs Jennifer L. , Mustillo Sarah A.
Published: April 2022

This study investigates the direct and indirect effects of maternal and sibling relational intimacy on adolescents’ volunteering behaviors via their social responsibility values. Participants included two adolescents (50% female; M age = 1 year) and one parent (85% female; M age = 45 years) from 682 families ( N = 2046) from an ongoing longitudinal study. Adolescents self-reported their intimacy with mothers and siblings (Time 1), social responsibility values (Time 1), and volunteering (Times 1 and 2); parents reported on sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., gender, birth order, and family income). Results from a structural equation model indicated that after accounting for adolescents’ earlier volunteering, both maternal and sibling intimacy were indirectly related to greater volunteering via social responsibility values. There were no significant direct effects from maternal or sibling intimacy to adolescents’ volunteering. Results indicate that both mothers and siblings are important in socializing prosocial and civic values and behaviors during adolescence.
Teaching, Fast and Slow: Student Perceptions of Emergency Remote Education
Authors: Robson Karen , Mills Adam J.
Published: April 2022

This research explores emergency remote education, defined as a rapid, system-wide pivot to remote education in response to emergencies that disrupt normal institutional processes. To do so, we explore student perceptions of the successes and failures of the pivot to online learning at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed-methods survey was distributed to a large sample of university students to explore satisfaction, challenges, opportunities, and instructional needs. Results highlight the importance of faculty hard skills (e.g., technical skills) and soft skills (e.g., compassion), although soft skills were noted more frequently, suggesting that soft skills may be critically important in the context of emergency remote education. Results also reveal that online education in general suffers from a perception as being inherently lower quality than in-person education, and highlight the importance of providing faculty with proper training and support to set them up for success. Based on these results, we provide a number of suggestions for approaching the development, delivery, and support of emergency education and online marketing education in the future.
In situ forming hydrogel recombination with tissue adhesion and antibacterial property for tissue adhesive
Authors: Zhang Wenjie , Jiang Yongchao , Wang Haonan , Li Qian , Tang Keyong
Published: April 2022

In situ forming hydrogels with strong adhesive strength and antibacterial activity are of great interest to serve as tissue adhesive in fields like wound dressing and mass hemorrhage. In this study, hybrid hydrogel (GOHA) based on gelatin and oxidized hyaluronic acid was developed and endowed with excellent mechanical strength and tissue adhesion. According to our results, GOHA hydrogel exhibits a fast gelation time of around 60 s, robust compression strength of 223.43 ± 24.28 kPa, and strong adhesion of 14.33 ± 0.78 kPa to porcine skin, which is much higher than that of commercial fibrin glue (around 1.00 kPa). Meanwhile, through the loading of levofloxacin, obvious antibacterial activity can be obtained for wider applications. Notably, it would not compromise the hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility in vitro. In summary, this kind of hybrid hydrogel shows great potential as tissue adhesive in biomedical fields.
State ESSA Plans and Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) Status
Authors: Meyers Coby V. , Brandt W. Christopher , VanGronigen Bryan A.
Published: April 2022

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) offers states increased flexibility in how they identify, rank, label, and support underperforming schools. Initial reviews of state ESSA plans, however, suggest that identification and labeling policies have remained relatively unchanged. In this study, we analyze all state ESSA plans to systematically determine how states’ identified Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools and the criteria they set for those schools to exit CSI status. We describe our findings through the theory of institutional isomorphism, noting the many ways states responded similarly to ESSA. We close by considering what the lack of innovation in response to ESSA flexibility might mean for the future of educational policy and the implications for schools identified as underperforming.
The platform effect: How Amazon changed work in logistics in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom
Authors: Hassel Anke , Sieker Felix
Published: April 2022

While the effects of the platform economy on work are mainly studied through the lens of gig or cloud workers, many more employees are likely to be affected in non-platform firms or sectors. We discuss the mechanisms of platform economy’s impact on the employment relationships and indirect effect on employment trends. Platform firms enter the service economy with business models that put existing service providers under pressure and advance a platform model of employment relationship. However, their transformative force is limited by three factors: employment regulations, access to welfare provisions and the employment relations at legacy firms. We examine the case of Amazon logistics in the US, Germany and the UK and find that the employment contract, as a legal institution, prevents the dissemination of independent contracting as the preferred employment model. Moreover, the welfare state has a paradoxical effect on platform work: universal welfare and liberal employment law facilitate the rise of precarious work.
Graft polymerization of lauryl methacrylate onto bamboo fiber—A potential material for oil spills
Authors: Tung Nguyen Thanh , Duc Nguyen Trung , Thu Ha Pham Thi , Van Khoi Nguyen , Son Ninh The
Published: April 2022

In this study, the co-polymer BF- g-LMA was successfully synthesized by grafting monomer lauryl methacrylate (LMA) onto bamboo fibers (BFs) using 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The grafting process was controlled by the monomer and AIBN concentrations, the reaction time and the temperature, and the optimal conditions were found to be [AIBN] = 0.04 mol/L, [LMA] = 1.0 mol/L, 180 min, and 75oC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the characteristics of the BF- g-LMA product. The oil sorption capacity of the graft co-polymer was shown to be about 20.0 g oil/g sorbent.
Comparison of steroid and thyroid hormone concentrations in blood serum and plasma of captive tigers
Authors: Fecteau Kellie A. , Giori Luca , Cushing Andrew , Price Joshua M. , Zhu Xiaojuan
Published: April 2022

Analysis of steroid and thyroid hormones is often performed in blood serum. Occasionally though, plasma samples are submitted in lieu of serum for exotic species such as tigers. However, blood tube anticoagulants may affect hormone values. We compared serum and heparin plasma results for 7 hormones in tigers. Serum and plasma samples were collected from 25 tigers and analyzed for progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, and thyroxine. Using Lin concordance correlation, serum and heparin plasma measures agreed for all hormones except cortisol. However, Passing–Bablok regression only found agreement between serum and heparin plasma measures for androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol. Median values between the 2 sample types were significantly ( p < 0.05) different for progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, and thyroxine. Our results suggest that, for the aforementioned hormones, serum and heparin plasma values may not always be comparable.
Peer and Self-Assessment of Teamwork Skills in High School: Using a Multi-Rater Evaluation Method for Cooperative Learning Groups
Authors: Strom Paris S , Strom Robert D , Wang Chih-hsuan
Published: April 2022

Employers agree that high school graduates lack teamwork skills needed for workplace productivity. The lag in student readiness to meet employer expectations urges school reforms that implicate group interaction, empirical assessment, and reporting of teamwork competencies. The Teamwork Skills Inventory (TSI) evaluated how well individual students performed in cooperative learning teams as observed by peers and self with anonymous feedback. Field-testing involved 303 high school students in the United States from middle class and racially diverse families. Psychometric indicators of reliability, validity, exploratory factor analysis, and group analytics were determined. Qualitative responses by participants to TSI methodology were highly favorable.
An improved continuous damage model to estimate multiaxial fatigue life under strain control problems
Authors: Ferreira GV , Campos ERFS , Neves RS , Desmorat R , Malcher L
Published: April 2022

In this contribution, a modification and application of the Lemaitre damage evolution law is proposed for the problem of fatigue life estimate under low number of cycles. For this, the denominator of damage, considered constant for Lemaitre, was replaced by a function dependent on the stress triaxiality. The new function has a nonlinear and thermodynamically consistent behavior. In addition, the evolution law of the backstress tensor is adopted as proposed by Desmorat, where there is no saturation of the limit value. The formulation is implemented in an academic tool for analysis at one Gauss point, through an implicit integration strategy of the flow equations. The Newton-Raphson method is used to solve a system of nonlinear equations, with two tensor and two scalar equations. Thus, in order to demonstrate the robustness of the model, experimental data from the literature for SAE 1045 and S460N steels are adopted. Proportional and nonproportional axial, torsional and multiaxial loading paths are simulated. Finally, the results have shown that the modification formulation is a good strategy to control the damage evolution in predicting fatigue life. In this sense, the calculated lives by the new proposal are within a scatter band of factor three, both under normal or torsional uniaxial loading conditions, as well as proportional or nonproportional multiaxial conditions.
2D Manual vs 3D Automated Assessment of Alignment in Normal and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Cavovarus Feet Using Weightbearing CT
Authors: Sangoi Dhrumin , Ranjit Srinath , Bernasconi Alessio , Cullen Nicholas , Patel Shelain , Welck Matthew , Malhotra Karan
Published: April 2022

Background:

The complex deformities in cavovarus feet may be difficult to assess and understand. Weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) is increasingly used in evaluating complex deformities. However, the bone axes may be difficult to calculate in the setting of severe deformity. Computer-assisted 3D axis calculation is a novel approach that may allow for more accurate assessment of foot alignment or deformity. This study aimed to assess differences in measurements done manually on 2D slices of WBCT vs 3D computer models in normal and cavus feet.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed WBCT scans from 16 normal and 16 cavus feet in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Six measurements were assessed: talar–first metatarsal angle (axial plane), forefoot arch angle (coronal plane), and Meary angle, calcaneal pitch, and cuneiform and navicular to floor distances (sagittal plane). 2D measurements were performed manually and 3D measurements were performed using specialized software (Bonelogic, DISIOR). Bland-Altman plots and linear regression were used to analyze differences.

Results:

There were no significant biases in measured variables in normal feet. In the cavovarus group, automated assessment calculated increased sagittal plane deformity (fixed bias 7.31 degrees for Meary angle, 2.39 degrees for calcaneal pitch) and less axial plane deformity (fixed bias 10.61 degrees for axial talar–first metatarsal angle). The latter also demonstrated proportional bias indicating greater discrepancy with increasing adduction.

Conclusion:

Measurements were comparable in normal feet suggesting automated techniques can reliably assess the alignment of bony axes. However, automated calculations show greater sagittal and less axial deformity in cavovarus feet than measured by manual techniques. This discrepancy may relate to rotational deformity seen in cavovarus feet, which may not be easily assessed manually. 3D automated measurements may therefore play a role in better assessing and classifying the cavovarus foot, which may ultimately inform treatment algorithms.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Drivers of Consumers’ Willingness to Answer an eWOM Solicitation for a Time-Limited Offer
Authors: Lacan Camille , Le Nagard Emmanuelle , Desmet Pierre
Published: April 2022

To quickly develop awareness of time-limited offers, marketers use an increasing number of eWOM solicitations, whereby they ask their customers to spread statements to their friends and acquaintances about products or a company. Despite growing interest in this communication tool, very little is known about what makes an efficient solicitation strategy. This research examines the drivers of consumers’ willingness to generate solicited eWOM for a time-limited offer. Using an experimental framework, this research shows that the most efficient strategy for generating solicited eWOM when it is the most valuable is to solicit well before the deadline using a gain- (loss-) framing solicitation on engaged (nonengaged) individuals.
Calm with horses? A systematic review of animal-assisted interventions for improving social functioning in children with autism
Authors: Sissons Jon H , Blakemore Elise , Shafi Hannah , Skotny Naomi , Lloyd Donna M
Published: April 2022

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of animal-assisted interventions on social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder, based on evidence from randomized control trials. Included studies were articles published in English, with school aged children from 4 to 18 years with autism spectrum disorder. Databases searched were MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL and Zoological Record. Data extraction from included studies included demographics and sample features, interventions and controls descriptions, outcome measures, study funding and descriptive statistics. Risk of bias was assessed, considering randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, attrition, selective reporting and other sources of bias. Studies were synthesized narratively based on the animal approach taken and the use of waitlist versus active controls. Nine studies were included reporting across eight trials. Studies overall reported improvements in social functioning following equine-assisted services, with preliminary evidence suggesting improvements are sustained in the short and medium term. Insufficient evidence was available to draw conclusions on the efficacy of other animal-assisted interventions. Future research should aim to address the limitations common to included designs.

Lay abstract

Children with autism typically experience difficulties interacting socially with others when compared to their non-autistic peers. Establishing how effective interventions are for improving social functioning is important to help inform what should be offered to children with autism. This study reviewed how effective interventions that involved interaction with a live animal, known as animal-assisted interventions, are in improving social functioning in children with autism. A systematic search of the evidence on this topic found nine studies, which were explored for the effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions and the quality of methods used. Overall, these studies showed improvements in social functioning following equine-assisted or therapeutic horse-riding interventions, with initial evidence showing improvements are sustained in the short and medium term. However, several issues were identified, which limit the strength of any conclusions that can be drawn from this evidence. For example, in many studies people assessing the children were aware that they received the intervention or were in a control group. There was also not enough evidence available to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of other animal-assisted interventions. Future research should address the limitations that were common in the designs of these studies and investigate the potential benefit of other animal populations, such as dogs and cats.
Minoritising a regional language in multilingual preschools in Dutch Limburg: Teachers’ and toddlers’ choices between Dutch and Limburgish
Authors: Morillo Morales Gino , Cornips Leonie
Published: April 2022

Aims and objectives:

We discuss how children with various language backgrounds interact in preschool playgrounds in Limburg, the Netherlands. This paper addresses the question how power dynamics between Dutch and/or Limburgish, and other languages are enacted in, by, and through language choice in preschool settings, and to what extent this leads to social (in)equality.

Approach:

This paper incorporates data collected during ethnographic fieldwork and discusses literature about language socialisation, multilingualism, and language policy.

Data and analysis:

All data were collected at three preschools in Southern Limburg with over 30 children and more than five teachers. The data were analysed using various theoretical perspectives.

Findings and conclusions:

We conclude that the ways in which, when, how, and in which activities children and teachers select languages show a social order. This order renders Limburgish and other languages than Dutch unequal in the earliest educational setting that children encounter. No concrete language policy has been developed for children who speak other home languages than Dutch and/or Limburgish. Children discover quickly that using Dutch is more important than other languages in the preschool. Consequently, children, as individual agents, will start acting accordingly.

Originality:

Through its ethnographical approach, this paper offers a unique insight in the multilingual landscape including regional language use at preschools in Southern Limburg. This approach is based on actual, observed behaviour instead of reported behaviour or behaviour stipulated by language policies.

Significance/implications:

The initial stimulus for this research is societal: 60.8% of the Limburgish participants in a study reported to speak Limburgish, yet this amount is decreasing, and concerned parents and municipalities requested insights why their children prefer Dutch over Limburgish at home soon after attending preschool. This research aims to provide answers why this happens and how to ensure a more linguistically equal preschool.
Conversational Speech and Language Skills of Children Born Preterm and Full Term
Authors: Imgrund Caitlin M. , Krueger Breanna I. , Getejanc Christie
Published: April 2022

Preschoolers born preterm are at an increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes; however, the impact of preterm birth on speech development has not been fully investigated. The primary objective of this study was to document the conversational speech production abilities of preschoolers born preterm via speech sample analysis. A secondary objective was to investigate the association between speech and language skills in this population. The speech production abilities of children born preterm ( n = 29) and full term ( n = 22) were assessed using whole-word measures of phonological complexity and accuracy. No significant differences were found between the preterm and full-term groups on any of the speech variables. One of the speech variables, pMLU, was significantly correlated with several variables assessing language skills in the preterm group. Comprehensive communication evaluations, which may include the use of speech sample analysis, remain an important component of the follow-up care of children born preterm.
Structural and functional integrity of decontaminated N95 respirators: Experimental results
Authors: Sharma Sumit , Wang Fang , Kumar Shubham , Nawal Ruchika R , Kumar Priya , Yadav Sudha , Szenti Imre , Kukovecz Akos , Schiller Ulf D , Rawal Amit
Published: April 2022

With the recent emergence of highly transmissible variants of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the demand for N95 respirators is expected to remain high. The extensive use of N95 respirators by the public is susceptible to demand‐supply gaps and raises concern about their disposal, threatening the environment with a new kind of plastic pollution. Herein, we investigated the filtration performance of the N95 respirator by specifically analyzing the structure in the key filtration layers of meltblown nonwoven after decontamination with one and five cycles of liquid hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet radiation, moist heat, and aqueous soap solution treatments. With the aid of X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT) analysis, the local structural heterogeneity of the meltblown nonwoven has been unfolded and subsequently correlated with their filtration performance at a face velocity that matched with speaking conditions (∼3.89 m/s). The filtration efficiency results of the N95 respirator remain unaltered after performing one cycle of treatment modalities (except autoclave).
Modulations of one’s sense of agency during human–machine interactions: A behavioural study using a full humanoid robot
Authors: Sahaï Aïsha , Caspar Emilie , De Beir Albert , Grynszpan Ouriel , Pacherie Elisabeth , Berberian Bruno
Published: April 2022

Although previous investigations reported a reduced sense of agency when individuals act with traditional machines, little is known about the mechanisms underpinning interactions with human-like automata. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to investigate the effect of the machine’s physical appearance on the individuals’ sense of agency and (2) to explore the cognitive mechanisms underlying the individuals’ sense of agency when they are engaged in a joint task. Twenty-eight participants performed a joint Simon task together with another human or an automated artificial system as a co-agent. The physical appearance of the automated artificial system was manipulated so that participants could cooperate either with a servomotor or a full humanoid robot during the joint task. Both participants’ response times and temporal estimations of action-output delays (i.e., an implicit measure of agency) were collected. Results showed that participants’ sense of agency for self- and other-generated actions sharply declined during interactions with the servomotor compared with the human–human interactions. Interestingly, participants’ sense of agency for self- and other-generated actions was reinforced when participants interacted with the humanoid robot compared with the servomotor. These results are discussed further.
EU economic governance and French social legislation
Authors: Chatzilaou Konstantina
Published: April 2022

Unlike other EU Member States, France has not been the subject of strict financial surveillance under the infamous Memorandums of Understanding (MoU). Nevertheless, from the very beginning of the economic crisis, France has been under intense scrutiny by the European institutions, mainly within the framework of the European Semester and the Excessive Imbalance Procedure (EIP). This article analyses the impact of these financial surveillance mechanisms on the design of recent French reforms in the fields of labour law and employment policy, with a particular focus on three main issues: the sanctions attached to unjustified dismissals, relations between sectoral collective agreements and firm-level collective agreements and access to unemployment insurance benefits. The analysis suggests that, while the European Commission initially exerted significant pressure towards the implementation of large-scale legislative reforms in the social field, from 2017 onwards it has seemingly eased its pressure on the French government. Inversely, although France initially seemed to strictly conform to the European recommendations, since 2017, the government has gone further, thus engaging in a profound transformation of the French social model. It therefore seems that the most recent French legislative reforms reflect more a political choice than an actual legal obligation stemming from the instruments of the EU Economic Governance.
Perspective on digital communication with health professions from close supporters of young people with long-term health conditions (The LYNC Study)
Authors: Temple Ayako , Hamilton Kathryn , Bryce Carol , Griffiths Frances , Sturt Jackie
Published: April 2022

Objective

To understand the impact of digital communication using email and text between young people and their health care team on those in close supporting roles.

Methods

Twelve people (nine parents and three partners) of young people with long-term health conditions were interviewed between November 2014 and March 2016. Thematic analysis was performed followed Braun and Clarke's (2006) 6-phase method.

Results

Four main themes were identified. Close supporters felt that digital clinical communication was useful for young persons’ self-management. As well as young patients, close supporters would also like to have direct access to the clinicians, but it was necessary to build up a trusting relationship between close supporters and clinicians initially. Video appointments were suggested for future digital communication technology.

Conclusions

Close supporters were encouraging digital communication for their young person with diabetes. Clinicians should put an emphasis on establishing trusting relationships with both young people and close supporters which would be beneficial for their digital clinical communications.
Barriers to Self-Care Planning for Family Caregivers of Patients with Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Karimirad Mohammad Reza , Seyedfatemi Naiemeh , Mirsepassi Zahra , Noughani Fatemeh , Cheraghi Mohammad Ali
Published: April 2022

The chronic nature of severe mental illnesses is necessary for constant care provided by the family caregivers. Considering the significance of family caregivers in providing care, it is imperative to ensure their self-care if they are to play the role of caregiving effectively and efficiently well. The present study was conducted using the purposive sampling method and in-depth semi-structured interviews among 13 family caregivers and five health team members. The data were analyzed via a conventional content analysis approach. In the data analysis, seven main categories and 18 subcategories emerged: “A troublesome patient and me,” including “Care-induced distress,” “Caring dilemma,” “Emotional fluctuations,” and “Self-forgetfulness”; “Passive–destructive individuality,” including: “Mental stereotypes” and “Unhealthy lifestyle”; “Family turbulence,” including: “Family malfunction” and “Break in family ties”; “The conjoined influencing social factor,” including “Lack of awareness at the family and community level” and “Social stigmatization”; “lack of well-organized health care system,” including “Biomedical-oriented health system,” “Disruption in continuity of care,” and “Problems associated with the support provided by the health system”; “Disturbed economic conditions,” including “Difficulty in life with disrupted financial capability,” “Problems related to education and promoting awareness,” and “Family health care problems”; “Dysfunctional Public mental health,” including “Macro-dysfunction of mental health education,” and “Disruptive advocacy activities to support families of patients with mental disorders.” There are several barriers to family caregiver self-care planning that require health professionals to develop appropriate interventions.
Transbrachial access for mechanical thrombectomy in a case of acute ischemic stroke with aortic bifurcation occlusion
Authors: Bhatia Vikas , Choudhary Neha , Prabhakar Anuj , Kumar Ajay , Khurana Dheeraj
Published: April 2022

Objective:

To report successful mechanical thrombectomy through transbrachial route in a patient with left middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke and aortic bifurcation occlusion.

Background:

Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard therapeutic approach for eligible candidates of acute ischemic stroke according to American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines. Mostly, a transfemoral approach is used to perform mechanical thrombectomy. Few studies have shown use of radial route for this procedure. Few reports have shown alternate access routes for performing mechanical thrombectomy when transfemoral or radial routes are not accessible.

Design/Methods:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

A 51-year-old female presented with left MCA stroke. Computed tomography angiography showed left internal carotid artery T occlusion extending into left MCA. Associated left atrial thrombus and occlusion at the aortic bifurcation were diagnosed in this patient. A transbrachial route was taken to perform mechanical thrombectomy in this patient resulting in complete recanalization.

Conclusion:

This case emphasizes the role of alternate access routes to perform mechanical thrombectomy in challenging situations.
Phospholipase D activation is required for 1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid signaling during sexual reproduction in the marine red alga Neopyropia yezoensis (Rhodophyta)
Authors: Uji Toshiki , Kandori Takuya , Konishi Shiho , Mizuta Hiroyuki
Published: April 2022

Background

1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is the immediate precursor of the plant hormone ethylene. However, recent studies have suggested that ACC also acts as a signaling molecule to regulate development and growth independently from ethylene biosynthesis. In red algae, ACC stimulates the switch from a vegetative to a sexual reproductive phase. However, despite evidence that ACC signaling in plants and algae is widespread, the mechanistic basis of the ACC signaling pathway remains unknown.

Results

We demonstrate that exogenous ACC increased the activity of phospholipase D (PLD) and induced the accumulation of PLD transcripts in the marine red alga Neopyropia yezoensis. The product of PLD, the lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid (PA), also increased in response to ACC. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of PLD by 1-butanol blocked ACC-induced spermatangia and carpospore production, but the inactive isomer t-butanol did not. In addition, 1-butanol prevented ACC-induced growth inhibition and inhibited transcript accumulation of genes upregulated by ACC, including extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, and alleviated the transcriptional decrease of genes downregulated by ACC, including photosynthesis-related genes.

Conclusions

These results indicate that PLD is a positive regulator of sexual cell differentiation and a negative regulator of growth. This study demonstrates that PLD and its product, PA, are components of ACC signaling during sexual reproduction in N. yezoensis.
Value of estimated pulse wave velocity to identify left ventricular hypertrophy prevalence: insights from a general population
Authors: Liu Yang , Xu Kai , Wu Shaohui , Qin Mu , Liu Xu
Published: April 2022

Background

Aortic stiffness shares a similar profile of risk factors with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and can also lead to LVH by itself. Published data have demonstrated the correlation between aortic stiffness and LVH. Recent data have revealed estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) to be a simple and cost-effective marker of the severity of aortic stiffness. Our analysis aimed to explore the association between ePWV and LVH prevalence, and to investigate the incremental value of ePWV for the identification of LVH prevalence.

Methods

The present analysis based on a cross-sectional survey which included 11,597 participants from rural areas of southeastern China between Sep 2020 and Feb 2021. ePWV was formulated based on mean blood pressure and age according to a published algorithm.

Results

The prevalence of LVH was 14.56%. With the adjustment of age, sex, education, income and physical activity level, current drinking and smoking status, BMI, waist circumference, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, high density cholesterol, mean blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, anti-hypertensive therapy, anti-diabetic therapy, lipid-lowering therapy, and cardiovascular disease history, every standard deviation increment of ePWV associated with a 2.993 times risk of LVH prevalence. When dividing ePWV into quartiles, the top quartile had a 4.520 times risk of LVH prevalence when compared with the bottom quartile. Furthermore, smooth spline analysis displayed that the association was linear in the whole range of ePWV (p for non-linearity = 0.073). Additionally, subgroup analysis revealed the association was robust to sex, obesity and diabetes, and younger people and hypertensive population were more vulnerable to the increase of ePWV than their corresponding counterparts. Finally, ROC analysis showed a significant advancement when introducing ePWV into established risk factors (0.787 vs. 0.810, p for comparison < 0.001), and reclassification analysis also confirmed significant improvement from ePWV to identify LVH prevalence (category-free net reclassification analysis = 0.421, p < 0.001; integrated discrimination index = 0.023, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our analysis demonstrated a linear association between ePWV and LVH prevalence. Furthermore, our results suggest younger people and hypertensive population are more likely to have LVH prevalence with the increase of ePWV. More importantly, our findings implicate the incremental value of ePWV to optimize the identification of LVH prevalence in a general Chinese population.
Emphysematous cystitis as a potential marker of severe Crohn's disease
Authors: Hasan S. M. Mahmudul , Salh Baljinder S.
Published: April 2022

Background

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is characterized by the presence of air within the bladder wall, often a complication of urinary tract infection (UTI) by gas-producing organisms. However, EC has also been reported in the setting of infectious colitis suggesting an alternate etiology. We report a rare case of EC in the setting of severe Crohn’s colitis with no clinical evidence of UTI.

Case presentation

A 43-year old female presented with a 2-month history of bloody diarrhea consisting of 8–12 bowel movements a day, weight loss of 10 kg and peripheral edema. She also had multiple ulcerated lesions on her abdominal wall and in the perianal region. Initial CT scan was significant for pancolitis, anasarca and EC. The follow-up CT cystogram, flexible cystoscopy and pelvic MRI confirmed the diagnosis of EC and ruled out any fistulous tracts in the pelvis including enterovesical/colovesical fistula. The patient did not report any urinary symptoms and the urinalysis was within normal limits. An extensive infectious workup was negative. Despite the paucity of infectious findings, the EC was empirically treated with an intravenous third-generation cephalosporin. Colonoscopy was significant for multiple ulcerated and hyperemic areas with pseudopolyps all throughout the right, transverse and left colon. Biopsies confirmed Crohn’s colitis with no evidence of granulomata or dysplasia. Immunohistochemistry was negative for CMV. The perianal and abdominal wall lesions were suspected to be pyoderma gangrenosum although biopsies were equivocal. The colitis was initially treated with intravenous steroids followed by biologic therapy with Infliximab. Despite appropriate escalation of therapies, the patient developed colonic perforation requiring subtotal colectomy.

Conclusion

This is a rare case of EC in a patient with severe Crohn’s colitis. There was no evidence of urinary tract infection or fistulising disease. According to our review, this is the first reported incident of EC in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease without any prior intra-abdominal surgeries. While active Crohn’s disease alone is a critical illness, we conclude that concomitant EC may be a poor prognostic factor.
Analysis on short-term change of macular function and the correlates after intravitreal conbercept for CRVO-ME
Authors: Wang Yun-Chang , Li Rong-Rong , Cai Yi , Wei Zi-Yi , Shao Chang-Liang
Published: April 2022

Aim

To study the short-term change of macular function and the correlates after intravitreal conbercept for CRVO-ME.

Study design

Prospective, clinical study.

Methods

Twenty Three patients(23 eyes) were recruited, who were non-ischemia central retinal vein occlusion diagnosed by FFA (fundus fluorescein angiography) and treated with intravitreal conbercept for macular edema, best – corrected visual acuity ( BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT), amplitude density of P1 wave and implicit time of P1,N1 wave from ring 1 and ring 2 of mf-ERG were measured before and 1 week、2 month after treatment.

Results

Compared to the baseline, BCVA、CMT、amplitude density of P1 wave and implicit time of P1,N1 wave from ring 1 and ring 2 were greatly improved at 1 W、2 M after treatment; better results were gained at 2 M compared to 1 W; Pearson correlation analysis shows no significantly correlation between the improvement of mf-ERG with the change of BCVA、CMT.

Conclusion

The BCVA、the structure and the function of macular were greatly improved after intravitreal conbercept for central retinal vein occlusion induced macular edema; however no significantly correlation between the improvement of the function of macular with the strcture of macular and BCVA.
Panic or peace – prioritising infant welfare when medicating feverish infants: a grounded theory study of adherence in a paediatric clinical trial
Authors: Tan Eunicia , Hoare Karen , Riley Judith , Fernando Kathryn , Haskell Libby , McKinlay Christopher JD , Dalziel Stuart R , Braithwaite Irene
Published: April 2022

Background

Literature on factors influencing medication adherence within paediatric clinical trials is sparse. The Paracetamol and Ibuprofen in the Primary Prevention of Asthma in Tamariki (PIPPA Tamariki) trial is an open-label, randomised controlled trial aiming to determine whether paracetamol treatment, compared with ibuprofen treatment, as required for fever and pain in the first year of life, increases the risk of asthma at age six years. To inform strategies for reducing trial medication crossovers, understanding factors influencing the observed ibuprofen-to-paracetamol crossovers (non-protocol adherence) is vital. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the decision-making process when administering or prescribing ibuprofen to infants that may contribute to the crossover events in the PIPPA Tamariki trial.

Methods

Constructivist grounded theory methods were employed. We conducted semi-structured interviews of caregivers of enrolled PIPPA Tamariki infants and healthcare professionals in various healthcare settings. Increasing theoretical sensitivity of the interviewers led to theoretical sampling of participants who could expand on the teams’ early constructed codes. Transcribed interviews were coded and analysed using the constant comparative method of concurrent data collection and analysis.

Results

Between September and December 2020, 20 participants (12 caregivers; 8 healthcare professionals) were interviewed. We constructed a grounded theory of prioritising infant welfare that represents a basic social process when caregivers and healthcare professionals medicate feverish infants. This process comprises three categories: historical, trusting relationships and being discerning; and is modified by one condition: being conflicted. Participants bring with them historical ideas. Trusting relationships with researchers, treating clinicians and family play a central role in enabling participants to challenge historical ideas and be discerning. Trial medication crossovers occur when participants become conflicted, and they revert to historical practices that feel familiar and safer.

Conclusions

We identified factors and a basic social process influencing ibuprofen use in infants and trial medication crossover events, which can inform strategies for promoting adherence in the PIPPA Tamariki trial. Future studies should explore the role of trusting relationships between researchers and treating clinicians when conducting research.
Feasibility of establishing acute respiratory infection treatment units (ATU) for improvement of care of children with acute respiratory infection
Authors: Mukherjee Aparna , Jat K. R. , Lodha Rakesh , Goyal Jagdish Prasad , Bhatt Javeed Iqbal , Das Rashmi Ranjan , Ratageri Vinod , Vyas Bhadresh , Kabra S. K. ,   ATU Group, Mukherjee Aparna , Jat K. R. , Lodha Rakesh , Goyal Jagdish Prasad , Bhatt Javeed Iqbal , Das Rashmi Ranjan , Ratageri Vinod , Vyas Bhadresh , Kabra S. K. , Charoo Bashir Ahmad , Khera Daisy , Singhal Deepak , Singh Kuldeep , Ray Partha Sarathi , Mahapatro Samarendra , Kumar Prawin
Published: April 2022

Background

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children below 5 years of age.

Methods

This multisite prospective observational study was carried out in the Pediatrics’ out-patient departments of 5 medical colleges across India with an objective to assess the feasibility of establishing Acute Respiratory Infection Treatment Unit (ATU) in urban medical college hospitals.

ATU (staffed with a nurse and a medical officer) was established in the out-patient areas at study sites. Children, aged 2–59 months, with cough and/ breathing difficulty for < 14 days were screened by study nurse in the ATU for pneumonia, severe pneumonia or no pneumonia. Diagnosis was verified by study doctor. Children were managed as per the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

The key outcomes were successful establishment of ATUs, antibiotic usage, treatment outcomes.

Results

ATUs were successfully established at the 5 study sites. Of 18,159 under-five children screened, 7026 (39%) children were assessed to have ARI. Using the WHO criteria, 938 were diagnosed as pneumonia (13.4%) and of these, 347 (36.9%) had severe pneumonia. Ambulatory home-based management was done in 6341 (90%) children with ARI; of these, 16 (0.25%) required admission because of non-response or deterioration on follow-up. Case-fatality rate in severe pneumonia was 2%. Nearly 12% of children with ‘no pneumonia’ received antibiotics.

Conclusions

Setting up of ATUs dedicated to management of ARI in children was feasible in urban medical colleges. The observed case fatality, and rate of unnecessary use of antibiotics were lower than that reported in literature.