bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CREATING A TAXONOMY OF LEADERSHIP COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Seemiller Corey , Whitney Rich
Published: November 2020

This study used the Delphi technique with 31 seasoned leadership educators who, over the course of two rounds, were tasked to categorize the level of complexity of 60 leadership competencies. What resulted was a five-tier taxonomy based on the level of complexity of each of the 60 competencies assessed. The taxonomy also includes four categorical clusters of similar competencies and three domain levels of instructional design. A description of the Delphi technique, results of the study, the taxonomy model, and methods for employing the model are described.
Exhaust every avenue
Authors: Vickers Michelle
Published: November 2020

Michelle Vickers considers the importance of the dental team in raising awareness of head and neck cancer
Controversy: supporting patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty – do it
Authors: Benazzo Francesco , Perticarini Loris , Jannelli Eugenio , Ivone Alessandro , Ghiara Matteo , Rossi Stefano Marco Paolo
Published: November 2020

Patellar resurfacing during total knee arthroplasty remains a controversial topic. Some surgeons routinely resurface the patella to avoid the increased rates of postoperative anterior knee pain and reoperation for secondary resurfacing, whilst others selectively resurface based on the presence of preoperative anterior knee pain, damaged articular cartilage, inflammatory arthritis, isolated patellofemoral arthritis, and patellar subluxation and/or maltracking. A third group of surgeons never resurface the patella. The anatomy and biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint as well as the advances in surgical techniques and prosthetic design must be taken into account when making a decision about whether to resurface the patella. Accurate component implantation if the patella is resurfaced becomes crucial to avoid complications. In our institution before 2008 we were performing a selective resurfacing of the patella, but in the last decade we have decided to always resurface it, with good outcomes and low complication rate. A reproducible surgical technique may be helpful in reducing the risk of postoperative anterior knee pain and complications related to implants. In this article we analyse the current trend and controversial topics in dealing with the patella in total knee arthroplasty, and discuss the available literature in order to sustain our choice.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:785-792. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190075
Clinical and radiological examination of bony-mediated shoulder instability
Authors: Stefaniak Jakub , Lubiatowski Przemyslaw , Kubicka Anna Maria , Wawrzyniak Anna , Wałecka Joanna , Romanowski Leszek
Published: November 2020

The coexistence of glenoid and humeral head bone defects may increase the risk of recurrence of instability after soft tissue repair. Revealed factors in medical history such as male gender, younger age of dislocation, an increasing number of dislocations, contact sports, and manual work or epilepsy may increase the recurrence rate of instability. In physical examination, positive bony apprehension test, catching and crepitations in shoulder movement may suggest osseous deficiency. Anteroposterior and axial views allow for the detection of particular bony lesions in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Computed Tomography (CT) with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and various types of 3D rendering in 2D (quasi-3D-CT) and 3D (true-3D-CT) space allows not only detection of glenoid and humeral bone defects but most of all their quantification and relations (engaging/not-engaging and on-track/off-track) in the context of bipolar lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly developing and can provide an equally accurate measurement tool for bone assessment, avoiding radiation exposure for the patient.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:815-827. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200049
Freeform optics design for extended sources in paraxial approximation exploiting the expectation maximization algorithm
Authors: Völl Annika , Berens Michael , Wester Rolf , Buske Paul , Stollenwerk Jochen , Loosen Peter
Published: November 2020

Freeform optics generating specific irradiance distributions have been used in various applications for some time now. While most freeform optics design algorithms assume point sources or perfectly collimated light, the search for algorithms for non-idealized light sources with finite spatial as well as angular extent is still ongoing. In this work, such an approach is presented where the resulting irradiance distribution of a freeform optical surface is calculated as a superposition of pinhole images generated by points on the optical surface. To compute the required arrangement of the pinhole images for a prescribed irradiance pattern, the expectation maximization algorithm from statistics is applied. The result is then combined with a ray-targeting approach for finding the shape of the corresponding freeform optical surface. At its current state, the approach is applicable to Gaussian input irradiances, single-sided freeform optics and for the paraxial case. An example freeform optical surface for laser material processing is shown and discussed demonstrating the performance and the limitations of the presented approach.
Simulation of the optical caustics associated with the primary rainbow for oblate spheroidal drops illuminated by a Gaussian beam
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Yu Haitao , Shen Jianqi , Yang Bin , Tropea Cameron
Published: November 2020

A vector ray-tracing model (VRT) has been developed to compute the optical caustics associated with the primary rainbow for an oblate spheroidal water drop illuminated by a Gaussian beam. By comparing the optical caustic structures (in terms of limiting rainbow and hyperbolic umbilic fringes) for a water drop with a Gaussian beam (GB) illumination with that for the same drop, but with parallel beam (PB) illumination, the influence of the Gaussian beam on the optical caustics is investigated. For a water drop with GB illumination and different drop/beam ratios (i.e., the ratio between the drop equatorial radius and the Gaussian beam waist), the location of cusp points and the curvature of the limiting rainbow fringe are also studied. We anticipate that these results not only confirm the approach to compute optical caustics for oblate spheroidal drops illuminated by a shaped beam, but may also lead to a new method for measuring the aspect ratio of spheroidal drops.
Phase-sensitive, angle-resolved light-scattering microscopy of single cells
Authors: Draham Robert L. , Dunn Kaitlin J. , Berger Andrew J.
Published: November 2020

We report what is to our knowledge the first use of Fourier phase microscopy (FPM) to estimate diameters of individual single-micrometer beads and to classify cells based upon changes in scatterer size distribution. FPM, a quantitative phase imaging (QPI) method, combines the planar illumination typically used in off-axis QPI (ideal for Mie theory analysis) with the common-path geometry typically used in on-axis QPI (ideal for optimizing angular scattering range). Low-spatial-frequency imaging artifacts inherent to FPM have negligible impact upon these angular-domain applications. The system is simple to align and stable, and requires no external reference beam. Angular scattering patterns obtained from single 1 µm polystyrene beads in glycerol (

Δ
n
=
0.11

) display unprecedented fidelity to Mie theory, produce diameter estimates consistent with the manufacturer’s specifications, and offer precision on the scale of tens of nanometers. Measurements of macrophages at different stages of antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis demonstrate the ability to detect changes in a cell’s scattering caused by the presence of phagocytosed material within.
High purity optical vortex generation in a fiber Bragg grating inscribed by a femtosecond laser
Authors: Li Yali , Bai Zhiyong , Liu Zhao , Zhu Guoxuan , Yang Kaiming , Yu Jian , Chen Jiayan , Fu Cailing , Liao Changrui , Wang Yiping
Published: November 2020

In this Letter, a method for orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode generation is proposed and experimentally demonstrated using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and off-axis incidence. The FBG fabricated by a femtosecond laser was used to couple the incidence beam into backward high-order modes. The generated modes were then reformed into ring-shaped OAM modes by adjusting the off-axis displacement of the input beam. The intensity distribution, phase vortex, and mode purity of the output light were experimentally investigated. Results indicates that the order of the generated OAM modes is dependent on the resonant wavelength of the FBG, and the sign of the OAM topological charge is determined by the displacement value of the off-axis incident light. In the experiment,

±

1

- and

±

2

-order OAM modes were achieved and confirmed, with purities as high as 90%, 91%, 89%, and 88%, respectively.
Aspherical microlenses enabled by two-photon direct laser writing for fiber-optical microendoscopy
Authors: Wang Baokai , Zhang Qiming , Gu Min
Published: November 2020

Fiber-optical microendoscopy has made significant improvements to in vivo neural imaging, minimally invasive diagnostics, and microsurgery. However, high resolution, miniaturization, and low complexity cannot be simultaneously achieved together in the lens system for fiber-optical microendoscopy because current lens systems are in shape and dimensions restricted by limitations of manufacturing. Recently, two-photon direct laser writing (DLW) has been implemented in the fabrication of low-resolution micro-optics structures. Here, we demonstrate a high-resolution miniaturized singlet aspherical microlens fabricated on the fiber facet using DLW. The microlens has a high numerical aperture (NA), of 0.9, in air with only one aspherical surface, and is 10–20 times smaller in diameter than a typical gradient refractive index (GRIN) microlens. The designs of aspherical microlenses with NAs of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 in air are aberration-free at three wavelengths (561, 590, and 630 nm). The full width at half maximum of the effective intensity point spread function of a 0.9 NA aspherical microlens is 0.85 μm. We demonstrate fiber-optical microendoscopy imaging with a 0.6 NA aspherical microlens. The proposed aspherical microlens can potentially be applied to the development of a high-resolution, extremely miniaturized fiber-optical microendoscope.
Optical properties of silver nanowire/polymer composite films: absorption, scattering, and color difference
Authors: Tomiyama Takeo , Mukai Ikuo , Yamazaki Hiroshi , Takeda Yoshihiko
Published: November 2020

In transparent conductive electrodes using silver nanowire (AgNW) networks, regions with and without AgNWs exhibit different optical properties. This phenomenon, known as “pattern visibility,” is typically undesirable. In this study, the intrinsic optical properties – absorption, scattering and extinction – of AgNW/polymer composite films are derived from transmission and reflection spectra measured using an integrating sphere. These spectra reveal two major properties of AgNWs: transverse mode extinction due to localized surface plasmon resonance in the near-ultraviolet region, and longitudinal mode extinction in the visible to near-infrared region. By comparing AgNW/polymer composite films with similar sheet resistance, we find that composite films with smaller AgNW diameters show large absorption in the near-ultraviolet region, but limited scattering over the entire wavelength region, despite large amounts of AgNWs. We also show that pattern visibility is reduced for composite films with smaller AgNW diameters, which exhibit a smaller color difference ΔE00 (CIEDE2000) between the regions with and without AgNWs, when applied to the diffuse reflection spectra.
Find and fuse: Unsolved mysteries in sperm–egg recognition
Authors: Bianchi Enrica , Wright Gavin J.
Published: November 2020

Sexual reproduction is such a successful way of creating progeny with subtle genetic variations that the vast majority of eukaryotic species use it. In mammals, it involves the formation of highly specialised cells: the sperm in males and the egg in females, each carrying the genetic inheritance of an individual. The interaction of sperm and egg culminates with the fusion of their cell membranes, triggering the molecular events that result in the formation of a new genetically distinct organism. Although we have a good cellular description of fertilisation in mammals, many of the molecules involved remain unknown, and especially the identity and role of cell surface proteins that are responsible for sperm–egg recognition, binding, and fusion. Here, we will highlight and discuss these gaps in our knowledge and how the role of some recently discovered sperm cell surface and secreted proteins contribute to our understanding of this fundamental process.
Two cis-regulatory SNPs upstream of ABCG2 synergistically cause the blue eggshell phenotype in the duck
Authors: Chen Li , Gu Xiaorong , Huang Xuetao , Liu Rui , Li Jinxiu , Hu Yiqing , Li Guoqin , Zeng Tao , Tian Yong , Hu Xiaoxiang , Lu Lizhi , Li Ning
Published: November 2020

Avian eggshell color is an interesting genetic trait. Here, we report that the blue eggshell color of the domestic duck is caused by two cis-regulatory G to A transitions upstream of ABCG2, which encodes an efflux transporter. The juxtaposed blue eggshell allele A-A exhibited higher promoter activity and stronger nuclear protein binding capacity than the white eggshell allele G-G. Transcription factor analysis suggested differential binding capability of CTCF between blue eggshell and white eggshell alleles. Knockdown of CTCF expression significantly decreased the promoter activity of the blue eggshell but not the white eggshell allele. DNA methylation analysis revealed similar high methylation of the region upstream of the CTCF binding sites in both blue-eggshelled and white-eggshelled ducks. However, DNA methylation levels downstream of the binding sites were decreased and 35% lower in blue-eggshelled ducks than in white-eggshelled ducks. Consistent with the in vitro regulatory pattern of causative sites, ABCG2 exhibited higher expression in uteruses of blue-eggshelled ducks and also showed polarized distribution in their endometrial epithelial cells, distributing at the apical surface of endometrial epithelial cells and with orientation toward the uterine cavity, where the eggshell is pigmented.

In conclusion, our results suggest that two cis-regulatory SNPs upstream of ABCG2 are the causative mutations for blue eggshells in ducks. The blue eggshell variant up-regulated ABCG2 expression through recruiting CTCF binding, which may function as a barrier element to shield the downstream region from high methylation levels present upstream. ABCG2 was identified as the only candidate causative gene for blue eggshells; it may function as an efflux transporter of biliverdin to the uterine cavity.
Reference genes for gene expression analysis in the fungal pathogen Neonectria ditissima and their use demonstrating expression up-regulation of candidate virulence genes
Authors: Florez Liz M. , Scheper Reiny W. A. , Fisher Brent M. , Sutherland Paul W. , Templeton Matthew D. , Bowen Joanna K.
Published: November 2020

European canker, caused by the necrotrophic fungal phytopathogenNeonectria ditissima, is one of the most damaging apple diseases worldwide. An understanding of the molecular basis ofN.ditissimavirulence is currently lacking. Identification of genes with an up-regulation of expression during infection, which are therefore probably involved in virulence, is a first step towards this understanding. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) can be used to identify these candidate virulence genes, but relies on the use of reference genes for relative gene expression data normalisation. However, no report that addresses selecting appropriate fungal reference genes for use in theN.ditissima-apple pathosystem has been published to date. In this study, eightN.ditissimagenes were selected as candidate RT-qPCR reference genes for gene expression analysis. A subset of the primers (six) designed to amplify regions from these genes were specific forN.ditissima, failing to amplify PCR products with template from other fungal pathogens present in the apple orchard. The efficiency of amplification of these six primer sets was satisfactory, ranging from 81.8 to 107.53%. Analysis of expression stability when a highly pathogenicN.ditissimaisolate was cultured under 10 regimes, using the statistical algorithms geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper, indicated thatactinandmyo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase(mips), or their combination, could be utilised as the most suitable reference genes for normalisation ofN.ditissimagene expression. As a test case, these reference genes were used to study expression of three candidate virulence genes during a time course of infection. All three, which shared traits with fungal effector genes, had up-regulated expressionin plantacompared toin vitrowith expression peaking between five and six weeks post inoculation (wpi). Thus, these three genes may well be involved inN.ditissimapathogenicity and are priority candidates for further functional characterization.
Tuning cell behavior with nanoparticle shape
Authors: Scarpa Edoardo , De Pace Cesare , Joseph Adrian Steve , de Souza Senio Campos , Poma Alessandro , Liatsi-Douvitsa Eva , Contini Claudia , De Matteis Valeria , Martí Josep Samitier , Battaglia Giuseppe , Rizzello Loris
Published: November 2020

We investigated how the shape of polymeric vesicles, made by the exact same material, impacts the replication activity and metabolic state of both cancer and non-cancer cell types. First, we isolated discrete geometrical structures (spheres and tubes) from a heterogeneous sample using density-gradient centrifugation. Then, we characterized the cellular internalization and the kinetics of uptake of both types of polymersomes in different cell types (either cancer or non-cancer cells). We also investigated the cellular metabolic response as a function of the shape of the structures internalized and discovered that tubular vesicles induce a significant decrease in the replication activity of cancer cells compared to spherical vesicles. We related this effect to the significant up-regulation of the tumor suppressor genes p21 and p53 with a concomitant activation of caspase 3/7. Finally, we demonstrated that combining the intrinsic shape-dependent effects of tubes with the delivery of doxorubicin significantly increases the cytotoxicity of the system. Our results illustrate how the geometrical conformation of nanoparticles could impact cell behavior and how this could be tuned to create novel drug delivery systems tailored to specific biomedical application.
Epidemiology, risk factors and clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in a Swiss university hospital: An observational retrospective study
Authors: Regina Jean , Papadimitriou-Olivgeris Matthaios , Burger Raphaël , Le Pogam Marie-Annick , Niemi Tapio , Filippidis Paraskevas , Tschopp Jonathan , Desgranges Florian , Viala Benjamin , Kampouri Eleftheria , Rochat Laurence , Haefliger David , Belkoniene Mehdi , Fidalgo Carlos , Kritikos Antonios , Jaton Katia , Senn Laurence , Bart Pierre-Alexandre , Pagani Jean-Luc , Manuel Oriol , Lhopitallier Loïc
Published: November 2020

Background

This study aims to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 patients in a Swiss university hospital.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included all adult patients hospitalized with a laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 1 to March 25, 2020. We extracted data from electronic health records. The primary outcome was the need to mechanical ventilation at day 14. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors for mechanical ventilation. Follow-up was of at least 14 days.

Results

145 patients were included in the multivariate model, of whom 36 (24.8%) needed mechanical ventilation at 14 days. The median time from symptoms onset to mechanical ventilation was 9·5 days (IQR 7.00, 12.75). Multivariable regression showed increased odds of mechanical ventilation with age (OR 1.09 per year, 95% CI 1.03–1.16, p = 0.002), in males (OR 6.99, 95% CI 1.68–29.03, p = 0.007), in patients who presented with a qSOFA score ≥2 (OR 7.24, 95% CI 1.64–32.03, p = 0.009), with bilateral infiltrate (OR 18.92, 3.94–98.23, p<0.001) or with a CRP of 40 mg/l or greater (OR 5.44, 1.18–25.25; p = 0.030) on admission. Patients with more than seven days of symptoms on admission had decreased odds of mechanical ventilation (0.087, 95% CI 0.02–0.38, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study gives some insight in the epidemiology and clinical course of patients admitted in a European tertiary hospital with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Age, male sex, high qSOFA score, CRP of 40 mg/l or greater and a bilateral radiological infiltrate could help clinicians identify patients at high risk for mechanical ventilation.
Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of NRF2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Qingsong , Xu Liang , Wang Gang , Chen Lei , Li Changping , Jiang Xiangli , Gao Hai , Yang Bing , Tian Weiping
Published: November 2020

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) functions as a transcription factor and regulates a wide array of antioxidant and stress-responsive genes. NRF2 has been widely implicated in different types of cancers, but only limited studies concerning the relationship between NRF2 expression and tumour invasion or prognosis in lung cancer. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine the prognostic value of NRF2 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The relationship between NRF2 expression in NSCLC patients and clinicopathological features was also investigated. Overall survival (OS) and treatment response rate were evaluated using STATA software. Twenty eligible articles with 2530 lung cancer patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results revealed that high expression level of NRF2 was associated with pathologic distant metastasis (odds ratio (OR) = 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62–4.31; P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.53–3.00; P < 0.001), and tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.52–2.49, P < 0.001). High NRF2 expression was associated with low treatment response rate in platinum-based chemotherapy (HR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.51; P = 0.005). High expression level of NRF2 is predictive for poor overall survival rate (HR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.44–2.41, P < 0.001) and poor progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.26–4.09, P = 0.006). Compared to patients with a low level of NRF2 expression, patients with high NRF2 expression levels were associated with worse OS and PFS when given the chemotherapy or EGFR-TKI. Together, our meta-analysis results suggest that NRF2 can act as a potential indicator of NSCLC tumour aggressiveness and help the prognosis and design of a better treatment strategy for NSCLC patients.
Highlighting a population-based re-emergence of Syphilis infection and assessing associated risk factors among pregnant women in Cameroon: Evidence from the 2009, 2012 and 2017 national sentinel surveillance surveys of HIV and syphilis
Authors: Kengne-Nde Cyprien , de Dieu Anoubissi Jean , Loni-Ekali Gabriel , Nguefeu-Nkenfou Celine , Moussa Yasmine , Messeh Arlette , Fokam Joseph , Zeh-Meka Albert , Snayeul-Wawo Denis , Tseuko Dorine , Ngo-Nemb Marinette , Kob David , Billong Serge-Clotaire , Bonono Leonard , Elat Jean-Bosco
Published: November 2020

Background

Syphilis and HIV can be transmitted from pregnant women to their children and they remain a public health problem in Africa. Our study aimed to determine the trends of seroprevalence of HIV/syphilis co-infection and syphilis infection overtime through the national surveillance system in Cameroon and to explore associated risk factors.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional studies of HIV and syphilis, targeting each year 7000 first antenatal care (ANC-1) attendees at the same sites during the 2009, 2012 and 2017 sentinel surveillance surveys. Pregnant women were enrolled at their ANC-1, sociodemographic and clinical information were collected. HIV and Syphilis test were performed by serial algorithm as per the national guidelines. Trends were assessed for HIV, syphilis and HIV/syphilis by estimating seroprevalence from cross-sectional studies. Associated risk factors were explored using multinomial logistic regression with 4 outcomes: HIV/syphilis co-infection, HIV infection only, syphilis infection only and no infection.

Results

Overall, 6 632, 6 521 and 6 859 pregnant women were enrolled in 2009, 2012 and 2017 respectively. In 2017, a total of 3 901 pregnant women enrolled were tested for syphilis. Almost half of them (47.9%) were living in urban area and were aged less than 25 years (44.7%). While HIV epidemic was on a decline (from 7.6% (95% CI: 6.99–8.28) in 2009 to 5.7% (95% CI: 4.93–6.4) in 2017), a huge significant increase of syphilis prevalence was observed (from 0.6% (95% CI:0.40–0.80) in 2009 to 5.7% (95% CI:4.93–6.40) in 2017). Pregnant women residing in rural areas were more likely to be infected with syphilis than those living in the urban area (aOR = 1.8 [95% CI: 1.3–2.4]). Unmarried pregnant women were three time more likely to be infected by HIV/Syphilis Co-infection than married, cohabiting, widow or divorced pregnant women (aOR = 2.8 [95% CI: 1.3–2.4]). Furthermore; living in Northern region was associated with a lower risk of being infected with HIV (aOR = 0.6 [95% CI: 0.5–0.9]) and Syphilis infection (aOR = 0.6 [95% CI: 0.4–0.9]).

Conclusion

The epidemiological dynamics of syphilis suggests a growing burden of syphilis infection in the general population of Cameroon. Our findings support the fact that while emphasizing strategies to fight HIV, huge efforts should also be made for strategies to prevent and fight syphilis infection especially among HIV positive women, in rural area, and southern regions.
The safety attitudes questionnaire for out-of-hours service in primary healthcare—Psychometric properties of the Croatian version
Authors: Mesarić Jasna , Šimić Diana , Katić Milica , Tveter Deilkås Ellen Catharina , Hofoss Dag , Bondevik Gunnar Tschudi
Published: November 2020

The aim of the study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Croatian translation of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire—Ambulatory version (SAQ-AV) in the out-of-hours (OOH) primary care setting. A cross-sectional observational study using anonymous web-survey was carried out targeting a convenience sample of 358 health professionals working in the Croatian OOH primary care service. The final sample consisted of 185 questionnaires (response rate 51.7%). Psychometric properties were assessed using exploratory hierarchical factor analysis with Schmid-Leiman rotation to bifactor solution, McDonald’s ω, and Cronbach’s α. Five group factors were identified: Organization climate, Teamwork climate, Stress recognition, Ambulatory process of care, and Perceptions of workload. Items loading on the Stress recognition and Perceptions of workload factor had low loadings on the general factor. Cronbach’s α ranged between 0.79 and 0.93. All items had corrected item-total correlation above 0.5. McDonalds’ ω total for group factors ranged between 0.76 and 0.91. Values of ω general for factors Organization climate, Teamwork climate, and Ambulatory process of care ranged between 0.41 and 0.56. McDonalds’ ω general for Stress recognition and Perceptions of workload were 0.13 and 0.16, respectively. Even though SAQ-AV may not be a reliable tool for international comparisons, subsets of items may be reliable tools in several national settings, including Croatia. Results confirmed that Stress recognition is not a dimension of patient safety culture, while Ambulatory process of care might be. Future studies should investigate the relationship of patient safety culture to treatment outcome.
Broiler chickens and early life programming: Microbiome transplant-induced cecal community dynamics and phenotypic effects
Authors: Ramírez Gustavo A. , Richardson Ella , Clark Jory , Keshri Jitendra , Drechsler Yvonne , Berrang Mark E. , Meinersmann Richard J. , Cox Nelson A. , Oakley Brian B.
Published: November 2020

The concept of successional trajectories describes how small differences in initial community composition can magnify through time and lead to significant differences in mature communities. For many animals, the types and sources of early-life exposures to microbes have been shown to have significant and long-lasting effects on the community structure and/or function of the microbiome. In modern commercial poultry production, chicks are reared as a single age cohort and do not directly encounter adult birds. This scenario is likely to initiate a trajectory of microbial community development that is significantly different than non-industrial settings where chicks are exposed to a much broader range of environmental and fecal inocula; however, the comparative effects of these two scenarios on microbiome development and function remain largely unknown. In this work, we performed serial transfers of cecal material through multiple generations of birds to first determine if serial transfers exploiting the ceca in vivo, rather than the external environment or artificial incubations, can produce a stable microbial community. Subsequently, we compared microbiome development between chicks receiving this passaged, i.e. host-selected, cecal material orally, versus an environmental inoculum, to test the hypothesis that the first exposure of newly hatched chicks to microbes determines early GI microbiome structure and may have longer-lasting effects on bird health and development. Cecal microbiome dynamics and bird weights were tracked for a two-week period, with half of the birds in each treatment group exposed to a pathogen challenge at 7 days of age. We report that: i) a relatively stable community was derived after a single passage of transplanted cecal material, ii) this cecal inoculum significantly but ephemerally altered community structure relative to the environmental inoculum and PBS controls, and iii) either microbiome transplant administered at day-of-hatch appeared to have some protective effects against pathogen challenge relative to uninoculated controls. Differentially abundant taxa identified across treatment types may inform future studies aimed at identifying strains associated with beneficial phenotypes.
Factors influencing preoperative chest radiography request for elective endoscopic procedures among medical personnel
Authors: Somnuke Pawit , Ramlee Rachaneekorn , Ratanapaiboon Waratchaya , Thommaaksorn Passorn , Iramaneerat Cherdsak , Duangekanong Somsit , Siriussawakul Arunotai
Published: November 2020

Background

Chest radiography is not routinely recommended before elective endoscopies. A high incidence of perioperative chest radiography requests was observed at our institution. This study aims to investigate factors influencing preoperative chest radiography request for patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies.

Methods

This cross-sectional clinical study recruited 264 participants from different medical specialties who were responsible for preoperative endoscopic chest x-ray (CXR) ordering including anesthesiologists, surgeons and gastroenterologists. They completed questionnaires exploring their general knowledge and attitudes about preoperative chest radiography. Demographic characteristic of the participants affecting the knowledge on preoperative chest radiography was determined. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was constructed from validated conceptual framework to find causal relationships between hypothesized factors and intention for preoperative endoscopic chest radiography request. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 18.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 18.0.

Results

The questionnaire response rate was 53.79%. Baseline general knowledge on preoperative chest radiography of the participants was comparable. The SEM results showed unsupported relationship between hypothesized factors and the intention for preprocedural GI endoscopic CXR request (p < 0.1).

Conclusions

General knowledge of medical personnel on tuberculosis needs improvement. To rectify the unnecessary chest radiography request before elective GI endoscopic procedures, awareness of the patients’ health conditions, adherence to the hospital’s policy and realizing of possible patient-related mishaps are not the determinants for preprocedural endoscopic chest radiography request. Future works are required to explore other alternative factors involved for reducing chest radiography requests which are not indicated.
Subject validation of reusable N95 stop-gap filtering facepiece respirators in COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ng William C. K. , Mbadjeu Hondjeu Arnaud Romeo , Syrett Andrew , Caragata Rebecca , Rozenberg Dmitry , Xiao Zixuan , Anwari Vahid , Trac Jessica , Mashari Azad
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled widespread shortages of personal protective equipment including N95 respirators. Several centers are developing reusable stop-gap respirators as alternatives to disposable N95 respirators during public health emergencies, using techniques such as 3D-printing, silicone moulding and plastic extrusion. Effective sealing of the mask, combined with respiratory filters should achieve 95% or greater filtration of particles less than 1um. Quantitative fit-testing (QNFT) data from these stop-gap devices has not been published to date. Our team developed one such device, the “SSM”, and evaluated it using QNFT.

Methods

Device prototypes were iteratively evaluated for comfort, breathability and communication, by team members wearing them for 15-30min. The fit and seal were assessed by positive and negative pressure user seal checks. The final design was then formally tested by QNFT, according to CSA standard Z94.4–18 in 40 volunteer healthcare providers. An overall fit-factor >100 is the passing threshold. Volunteers were also tested by QNFT on disposable N95 masks which had passed qualitative fit testing (QLFT) by institutional Occupational Health and Safety Department.

Results

The SSM scored 3.5/5 and 4/5 for comfort and breathability. The median overall harmonic mean fit-factors of disposable N95 and SSM were 137.9 and 6316.7 respectively. SSM scored significantly higher than disposable respirators in fit-test runs and overall fit-factors (p <0.0001). Overall passing rates in disposable and SSM respirators on QNFT were 65% and 100%. During dynamic runs, passing rates in disposable and SSM respirators were 68.1% and 99.4%; harmonic means were 73.7 and 1643.

Conclusions

We present the design and validation of a reusable N95 stop-gap filtering facepiece respirator that can match existent commercial respirators. This sets a precedence for adoption of novel stop-gap N95 respirators in emergency situations.
Tussocks facilitate their neighbours mainly by ameliorating extreme temperatures in tropical high mountains
Authors: Pedraza Fernando , García-Meza Diego , Tovar Hugo , Martorell Carlos
Published: November 2020

Facilitation by tussocks is common in high-altitude tropical environments. It is thought that facilitation results from stress amelioration, but it is unclear which of the many stressors acting in these environments is ameliorated. We aimed at determining the relative importance of different stressors as drivers of facilitation by the tussock Festuca tolucensis in Mexico. We employed eight experimental treatments to manipulate five stressors in the field: minimum temperatures by using electric radiators that kept plants warm; maximum temperatures by means of reflective sand that precluded temperature build-up during the day; UV radiation by using screens opaque to UV; poor soil properties by comparing soils from beneath tussocks and from bare ground; and low water availability by adding vermiculite to the soil. The performance (survival and growth) of Mexerion sarmentosum (a plant usually associated with Festuca) in these treatments was compared to that recorded under tussocks and in bare ground. Amelioration of extreme temperatures had the largest positive effects on Mexerion survival. UV radiation and increased soil humidity did not affect survival, although humidity increased growth rates. Nevertheless, tussocks reduced the growth of Mexerion, which is consistent with observations of competition between plants and soil microorganisms favoured by tussocks. Our results highlight the importance of the extreme daily fluctuations in temperature that characterise tropical mountains as fundamental drivers of their dynamics.
Measuring heterogeneity in normative models as the effective number of deviation patterns
Authors: Nunes Abraham , Trappenberg Thomas , Alda Martin
Published: November 2020

Normative modeling is an increasingly popular method for characterizing the ways in which clinical cohorts deviate from a reference population, with respect to one or more biological features. In this paper, we extend the normative modeling framework with an approach for measuring the amount of heterogeneity in a cohort. This heterogeneity measure is based on the Representational Rényi Heterogeneity method, which generalizes diversity measurement paradigms used across multiple scientific disciplines. We propose that heterogeneity in the normative modeling setting can be measured as the effective number of deviation patterns; that is, the effective number of coherent patterns by which a sample of data differ from a distribution of normative variation. We show that lower effective number of deviation patterns is associated with the presence of systematic differences from a (non-degenerate) normative distribution. This finding is shown to be consistent across (A) application of a Gaussian process model to synthetic and real-world neuroimaging data, and (B) application of a variational autoencoder to well-understood database of handwritten images.
Changes in care-seeking for common childhood illnesses in the context of Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) program implementation in Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremedhin Samson , Astatkie Ayalew , Amin Hajira M. , Teshome Abebe , Gebremariam Abebe
Published: November 2020

Background

Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) is a strategy for promoting access of under-served populations to lifesaving treatments through extending case management of common childhood illnesses to trained frontline health workers. In Ethiopia iCCM is provided by health extension workers (HEWs) deployed at health posts. We evaluated the association between the implementation of iCCM program in Assosa Zuria zone, Benishangul Gumuz region and changes in care-seeking for common childhood illnesses.

Methods

We conducted a pre-post study without control arm to evaluate the association of interest. The iCCM program that incorporated training, mentoring and supportive supervision of HEWs with community-based demand creation activities was implemented for two years (2017–18). Baseline, midline and endline surveys were completed approximately one year apart. Across the surveys, children aged 2–59 months (n = 1,848) who recently had cough, fever or diarrhea were included. Data were analysed using mixed-effects logistic regression model.

Results

Over the two-year period, care-seeking from any health facility and from health posts significantly increased by 10.7 and 17.4 percentage points (PP) from baseline levels of 64.5 and 34.1%, respectively (p<0.001). Care sought from health centres (p = 0.420) and public hospitals (p = 0.129) did not meaningfully change while proportion of caregivers who approached private (p = 0.003) and informal providers (p<0.001) declined. Caregivers who visited health posts for the treatment of diarrhea (19.2 PP, p<0.001), fever (15.5 PP, p<0.001), cough (17.8 PP, p<0.001) and cough with respiratory difficulty (17.3 PP, p = 0.038) significantly increased. After accounting for extraneous variables, we observed that care-seeking from iCCM providers was almost doubled (adjusted odds ratio = 2.32: 95% confidence interval; 1.88–2.86) over the period.

Conclusion

iCCM implementation was associated with a meaningful shift in care-seeking to health posts.
On the importance of the hip abductors during a clinical one legged balance test: A theoretical study
Authors: Mirshams Shahshahani Payam , Ashton-Miller James A.
Published: November 2020

Background

The ability to balance on one foot for a certain time is a widely used clinical test to assess the effects of age and diseases like peripheral neuropathy on balance. While state-space methods have been used to explore the mechanical demands and achievable accelerations for balancing on two feet in the sagittal plane, less is known about the requirements for sustaining one legged balance (OLB) in the frontal plane.

Research question

While most studies have focused on ankle function in OLB, can age and/or disease-related decreases in maximum hip abduction strength also affect OLB ability?

Methods

A two-link frontal plane state space model was used to define and explore the ‘feasible balance region’ which helps reveal the requirements for maintaining and restoring OLB, given the adverse effects of age and peripheral neuropathy on maximum hip and ankle strengths.

Results

Maintaining quasistatic OLB required 50%-106% of the maximum hip abduction strength in young and older adults, and older patients with peripheral neuropathy. Effectiveness of a ‘hip strategy’ in recovering OLB was heavily dependent on the maximum hip abduction strength, and for healthy older women was as important as ankle strength. Natural reductions of strength due to healthy aging did not show a meaningful reduction in meeting the strength requirement of clinical OLB. However deficits in hip strength typical of patients with peripheral neuropathy did adversely affect both quasistatic OLB and recoverable OLB states.

Significance

The importance of hip muscle strength has been underappreciated in the clinical OLB test. This is partly because the passive tissues of the hip joint can mask moderate deficits in hip abduction strength until it is needed for recovering OLB. Adding a follow up OLB test with a slightly raised pelvis would be a simple way to check for adequate hip abductor muscle strength.
In search of a moneymaking machine: Discourses on policy towards fashion in Finland
Authors: Gurova Olga
Published: November 2020

Recently, fashion has become a target for political considerations and ‘strategic governmentalization’ in such countries as Denmark, Australia and New Zealand, among others. The Finnish government has also paid attention to fashion. This research uses the concept of ‘governmentality’ as a form of power with the purpose to understand how fashion is governed in a contemporary western society. Taking Finland as a site of fieldwork, this research shows how various governmental and non-governmental actors, aligned in fluid networks, produce policy for fashion, what rationalities lay behind their actions and what kind of dilemmas they have to address.
The climax of the show
Authors: Simon Sébastien
Published: November 2020

In La Vis, dialogues are reduced to their most basic form – random sounds in which just a few words are intelligible enough to carry the characters’ conversations, thoughts and emotions. But if words are how minds take shape and express themselves, does that make these characters mindless? Soulless?
Blocking and story in Echo
Authors: Jørgensen Inuk
Published: November 2020

Echo is a perfect example of how form and content can work together to create an intriguing film. In this article I focus on a connection between the structure of the film and the filmmaker’s careful staging and framing of the story.
A herança do 2.º Visconde de Vila Maior
Authors: Mota Guilhermina
Published: November 2020

O 2.o Visconde de Vila Maior, Júlio Máximo de Oliveira Pimentel (1809-1884), notabilizou-se por uma vida pública dedicada à promoção e defesa dos ideais liberais, aos avanços do conhecimento e ao desenvolvimento da agricultura e da indústria ancorado no progresso técnico e científico. O inventário orfanológico que decorre da sua morte, por ter como herdeiros os seus netos menores, permite uma melhor compreensão das condições materiais de existência e as opções de vida de uma personalidade atuante e relevante no Oitocentos português. Este texto propõe-se caracterizar o arrolamento dos bens que constam do inventário, na sua natureza e valor, enquadrando-os com o que já nos é possível reconstruir por outras vias da vida pessoal e familiar de Júlio Máximo de Oliveira Pimentel, e dessa forma contribuir para o conhecimento da sua biografia nas suas esferas privada e pública. Com esse objetivo definido, foram identificadas as circunstâncias que levaram à necessidade da organização do inventário, e o processo de constituição do Conselho de Família que supervisionou o inventário e a tutela dos menores. Foram também identificadas analiticamente as relações de bens e de responsabilidades, que permitiram traçar tanto a orientação geral sobre a composição dos bens que constam do inventário, como o quadro da situação financeira que levará, após a morte do Visconde, à necessidade urgente de realização de numerário através da venda de bens fundiários, concretizada pela licitação dos bens em hasta pública, por imperativo legal, e que este trabalho acompanhou. É possível concluir que à notoriedade pública do Visconde, alicerçada nos ideais do bem comum e no serviço público, correspondeu um desprendimento material que o inventário evidencia claramente, e que os auspícios do seu nascimento e da sua infância não adivinhavam. Grande parte do valor da herança será finalmente canalizada para a satisfação de responsabilidades anteriores e para suportar o custo do próprio processo do inventário, incluindo a realização de capital por via da venda dos bens fundiários.
O lugar dos ‘Arquivos Pessoais’ na Arquivística Internacional
Authors: Silva Carlos Guardado da
Published: November 2020

É notório o aumento recente do estudo dos arquivos pessoais, no âmbito de diversas áreas científicas. Este estudo, exploratório de natureza qualitativa, efetua uma reflexão crítica sobre o lugar que os arquivos pessoais ocupam na arquivística internacional, tendo por base o método de pesquisa e análise documental. Discute os termos e o conceito de arquivo pessoal, analisa o seu desenvolvimento desigual em distintos países e termina com a enumeração de algumas problemáticas. Conclui, que a sua valorização se deve à história, e mormente à história da vida privada.
The Rise of Alternative Presidential Candidates in Chile, 2009-2017
Authors: Navia Patricio Daniel , Perelló Lucas
Published: November 2020

This article explores the growing popularity of alternative presidential candidates — those from outside the two dominant coalitions — in Chile from 2009 to 2017. Following a theoretical discussion that focuses on the causes of voter discontent with the political establishment, we formulate four hypotheses. We view support for alternative presidential candidates as a function of ideological detachment, declining political engagement, the economic vote, and socio-demographic shifts in the electorate. We use three pre-electoral Centro de Estudios Públicos surveys to present probit models and predicted probabilities. Our findings suggest that a distinct segment of Chilean voters is behind the rise of alternative presidential candidates. Younger and more educated voters who identify less with the traditional left-right ideological scale and political parties and suffer from economic anxiety—viewing the economy as performing well nationally while remaining pessimistic about their financial prospects—comprise this subgroup.