bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Psychiatric Morbidity in COVID-19-Positive Inpatients Referred to Consultation Liaison Psychiatry in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Prajapati Nisha K. , Parikh Nimesh C. , Shah Nilima D. , Darji Vinodkumar M. , Jariwala Heena B. , Miroliya Manthan T.
Published: June 2021

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the risk of common mental illnesses. Consultation liaison psychiatry has been one of the most requested services in the face of this pandemic. We aimed to assess (a) the prevalence of psychiatric illness, (b) different types of psychiatric diagnoses, (c) presenting complaints, (d) reasons for psychiatric referrals, and (e) psychiatric intervention done on COVID-19 positive inpatients referred to consultation liaison psychiatry at tertiary care hospital.

Method:

This was a retrospective study of data collected from April 1, 2020, to September 15, 2020. Total 300 patients were referred and diagnosed with clinical interview and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder Fifth Edition criteria. Analysis was done using chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and fisher exact test.

Results:

Out of 300 patients, 26.7% had no psychiatric illness. Adjustment disorder was the commonest psychiatric diagnosis (43%), followed by delirium (10%). Statistically significant differences were found for parameters like Indian Council of Medical Research Category 4 of the patient, (hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection) (P value < 0.001), medical comorbidity (P value = 0.023), and past history of psychiatric consultation (Fisher exact test statistic value <0.001). Behavioral problem (27.6%) was the commonest reason for psychiatric referral. Worrying thoughts (23.3%) was the most frequent complaint. A total of 192 (64.3%) patients were offered pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions:

Psychiatric morbidity was quite high (73.3%) among them and adjustment disorder was the commonest (43%) psychiatric diagnosis followed by delirium (10%). Pharmacotherapy was prescribed to 64.3% patients and psychosocial management was offered to most of the referred patients.
A build-at-home student laboratory experiment in mechanical vibrations
Authors: Schajer GS
Published: June 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many university educators to redesign their teaching to online delivery. This can be an effective approach for theoretical and conceptual teaching, but it is challenging to provide practical laboratory experiences. The objective here is to design a hands-on laboratory experience that can safely be undertaken by students remotely and that has substantial educational content. A new experiment was designed featuring a bifilar pendulum that students build themselves from readily available low-cost materials. This simple vibrating system has a surprisingly rich set of interesting physical characteristics that provide several important learning points. Initial trials indicate good student experience with the new experiment, notably an appreciation for the “do-it-yourself” aspect of the apparatus construction. The self-directed features and multiple learning features of the new student experiment make it attractive for use during Covid-19 times and beyond.
FEUP peer mentoring: Promoting integration through support and experience sharing
Authors: Ribeiro IM , Duarte TP , Bastos MMSM , Sousa AA , Martins LFA
Published: June 2021

Admission to higher education is a milestone in the lives of young people. This can be accompanied by several changes in the student’s life such as a new place of residence, a new group of friends, and a new type of education. This entry into higher education can provide a new series of experiences, challenges, and newfound independence. However, it might also expose problems and difficulties, possibly hampering the student's personal and academic development.

In order to ease the integration into higher education, the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) has developed a Peer Mentoring Programme promoted by students already attending different FEUP courses (mentors) which intends to support the first-year students (mentees) in this phase of their life, coordinated by some teachers from each course.

This social and academic integration program is supported by 4 core ideas: Integration, Support, Experience, and Sharing. This work provides insight into the way in which this program is organized at FEUP, highlighting the students’ participation (mentees and mentors), the main contributions that each of them values, their degree of satisfaction and involvement, activities that were developed, and some testimonies.
Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension in the Critical Patient
Authors: Mamlouk Mark D. , Shen Peter Y. , Sedrak Mark F.
Published: June 2021

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension typically manifests with orthostatic headaches and is caused by spinal dural tears, ruptured meningeal diverticula, or CSF-venous fistulas. While most patients are diagnosed and treated in the outpatient setting, some patients will occasionally present in the emergent ICU setting due to subdural hematomas, coma, or downward brain herniation. In this review paper, we will discuss the diagnostic and treatment steps that intensivists can undertake to coordinate a team approach to successfully manage these patients. A brief general overview of spontaneous intracranial hypotension will also be discussed.
Understanding the Profile and Needs of Abused Men: Exploring Call Data From a Male Domestic Violence Charity in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hine Benjamin , Wallace Sarah , Bates Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2021

Current understandings on service engagement by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) within the United Kingdom (UK) have generally been captured by qualitative research. As such, large-scale quantitative data detailing the profile, needs and outcomes of abused men, upon both presentation and use of services, is currently lacking. The present study analyzed the client data of 719 callers to a domestic abuse helpline for men in the UK. Findings showed that the overwhelming majority of callers reported they were abused by female perpetrators, most of whom were still their current partner, and that many of the men were fathers. Vulnerable populations (GBTQ+ and disabled men) were under-represented in the sample. Most men were seeking emotional support, along with a range of practical advice and signposting to other services. The confidentiality of the helpline was crucial for many men, and almost half had struggled to access the service (suggesting a severe lack of resourcing). Findings are discussed in relation to the need for gender-inclusive services, which cater for the unique challenges and barriers experienced by abused men.
Entrepreneurial Finance in the Twenty-first Century, a Review of Factors Influencing Venture Capitalist’s Decision
Authors: Vazirani Ashish , Bhattacharjee Titas
Published: June 2021

Investments in new ventures are risky due to lack of conventional form of quantitative information and untested products. Venture capitalists (VCs) are seen to target such new ventures for high-risk premium but with little success. Existing research has investigated and identified a variety of qualitative factors that impact VCs’ investment decisions; however, many research gaps still exist. Works published in the last two decades show the evolution in the preference of factors with the focus shifting from venture’s team and product to factors such as intellectual property rights, economic crisis and social capital. It was found that the factor’s role was limited to the binary scale (positive and negative), which undermines its effect. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive framework of factors that influence VCs’ investment decisions and show theoretical research gaps. Accordingly, we have segmented factors into two macro-categories: ‘internal’ and ‘external environment’, and presented a detailed framework of the factors that influence VCs’ investment decisions. Further, we argue to consider the subjectivity of qualitative factors and to explore the role of a factor in the decision-making.
Covid-19 Mortality in an Acute Care Hospital: Association of Patient Factors With Decision to Forego the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Meisenberg Barry R. , Qureshi Sadaf , Somasekar Monika Thandalam , Ali Qurat , Karpman Mitchell , Rhule Jane
Published: June 2021

Background:

Public awareness of the large mortality toll of COVID-19 particularly among elderly and frail persons is high. This public awareness represents an enhanced opportunity for early and urgent goals-of-care discussions to reduce medically ineffective care.

Objective:

To assess the end-of-life experiences of hospitalized patients dying of COVID-19 with respect to identifying the clinical factors associated with utilization or non-utilization of the ICU.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study of hospital outcomes using electronic medical records and individual chart review from March 15, 2020 to October 15, 2020 of every patient with a COVID-19 diagnosis who died or was admitted to hospice while hospitalized. Logistic regression multivariate analysis was used to identify the clinical and demographic factors associated with non-utilization of the ICU.

Results:

133/749 (18%) of hospitalized COVID-19 patients died or were admitted to hospice as a result of COVID-19. Of the 133, 66 (49.6%) had no ICU utilization. In multivariate analysis, the significant patient factors associated with non-ICU utilization were increasing age, normal body mass index, and the presence of an advanced directive calling for limited life sustaining therapies. Race and residence at time of admission (home vs. facility) were significant only in the unadjusted analyses but not in adjusted. Gender was not significant in either form of analyses.

Conclusion:

Goals of care discussions performed by an augmented palliative care team and other bedside clinicians had renewed urgency during COVID-19. Large percentages of patients and surrogates, perhaps motivated by public awareness of poor outcomes, opted not to utilize the ICU.
An Analysis of Factors Affecting Student Dropout: The Case of Tunisian Universities
Authors: Srairi Samir
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of university dropout in the first year of bachelor programs at Tunisian universities. We consider 160 higher education institutions with an average of 671 bachelor study programs per year from 2013 to 2018. Using several econometric models (pooled ordinary least square, fixed effect model, and random effect model), we regress student dropout rate on four categories of indicators: student characteristics, and institutional, contextual, and external factors. The estimation results suggest that the institutional characteristics have a significant impact on dropouts. The findings show that student–staff ratio has a positive influence on student dropout. We also find a negative association between staff quality and dropout rate. In addition, the analysis reveals the importance of contextual factors such as university accommodation in helping students to complete university education. Finally, regression also indicates a significant and positive interaction between unemployment rate and the dropout rate.
Student and Teacher Perspectives of Service Utilization at Their School-based Health Center
Authors: Gruber Jennifer A. , Nordquist Erica A. , Acevedo-Polakovich Ignacio D.
Published: June 2021

School-based health centers (SBHCs) positively influence student health. However, the extent to which these benefits are actualized varies across sites. We conducted focus groups with high school students and teachers at an underperforming SBHC to identify facilitators and barriers to student access to SBHC services. Our qualitative analysis revealed four main emergent categories: (1) students' knowledge of SBHC services; (2) teachers' perceptions of, and experiences with, the SBHC; (3) accessing and utilizing SBHC services; and (4) student and teacher suggestions to improve the school–SBHC relationship. Our findings suggest that the relationships between health center staff and teachers are crucial and can be damaged with poor implementation. Additionally, there was a general lack of knowledge about the procedures for accessing services at the SBHC. Participants provided recommendations, including strategies for better outreach and engagement with teachers and students, as well as operational strategies to enhance communication systems and the physical environment.
Effects of intracorneal ring segments on the biomechanical response of the ectatic cornea to air-puff: A patient-specific numerical analysis
Authors: Bagheri Niksa Mohammadi , Mosaddegh Peiman , Kadkhodaei Mahmoud
Published: June 2021

The assessment of the underlying factors that influence the biomechanics and dynamics of the cornea is essential for preserving the safety and efficacy of refractive surgeries. In the present work, the operated cornea with intracorneal ring segments (ICRSs) in a patient-specific finite-element model (FEM) was subjected to the air-puff. Then, the dynamic deformation parameters predicted by the FEM were obtained and compared with the corresponding values in clinical measurements. In this study, the effects of ICRS design, position, and implementation procedure in six different surgical scenarios were examined on the induced corneal stresses, deformation behavior, and shape regularization. While surgical scenarios with arc lengths of 160° (single and double segment), 355° implemented with the tunnel incision method provided similar maximum apical displacement (MAD) and highest concavity radius of curvature HCR), they induced significantly different flattening effects. The surgical scenarios with the segment of 160° arc-length implemented in nasal–temporal direction showed an approximately 15% higher reduction in mean corneal power ([Formula: see text]) value than the superior–inferior direction. From a solid-mechanics perspective, the study of ICRS mechanics in the cornea also confirmed the importance of the implementation position to achieve satisfactory flattening outcomes. Comparison of the two types of ICRS implementation procedures showed that, although the pocket method demonstrated a 10.23% higher MAD, it induced a higher reduction in the HCR of 21.65% compared with tunnel incision. The developed numerical model demonstrated the direct correlation of the ICRS insertion site with induced contact stresses and ICRS position stability. The study hypothesizes the significant influence of ICRS implementation position and procedure on the corneal biomechanical and dynamical behaviors. The proposed approach can be assessed as a robust and novel framework for planning optimized corneal refractive surgeries.
Stay Socially Distant and Wash Your Hands: Using the Health Belief Model to Determine Intent for COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors at the Beginning of the Pandemic
Authors: Guidry Jeanine P. D. , O’Donnell Nicole H. , Austin Lucinda L. , Coman Ioana A. , Adams Jay , Perrin Paul B.
Published: June 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly spread around the world, and since currently no treatments that are safe and effective for large groups of people nor a vaccine are available, the best way to prevent the illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus causing it. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive effects of both demographic and psychosocial factors originating with the Health Belief Model on reported intent to adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviors (e.g., social distancing, hand washing, and not attending large gatherings).

Method

A Qualtrics survey of 500 U.S. adults was conducted to explore the relationships of demographics and psychosocial factors with the intent to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures.

Results

Gender was a predictor of taking preventive action, with women more likely to take action. Health Belief Model constructs predicted uptake of most COVID-19 preventive actions, but the constructs often appeared to work independent of the model. Race/ethnicity was an infrequent predictor, but when it did, minorities were less likely to report intent to adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Conclusion/Implications

While not a perfect model for this pandemic, the Health Belief Model and its constructs should continue to be considered for use by public health communicators focusing on preventive measure campaign design in both the COVID-19 pandemic era and beyond.
Does National Culture Matter? Restaurant Employees’ Workplace Humor and Job Embeddedness
Authors: Chen Han , Ayoun Baker
Published: June 2021

The ability to retain employees is a tenacious phenomenon in the restaurant workplace. Focusing on job embeddedness (JE) as possible explanatory factor in the application of the broaden-and-build theory and the social exchange theory, this study assesses the relationships among restaurant employees’ workplace humor, perceived workplace fun, perceived workplace aggression, and organizational JE (OJE). It examines to what extent these relationships vary across contexts, depending on national culture. A structural modeling analysis of data from 540 employees in restaurants in the United States and China provides broad support for our hypothesis: Workplace fun is positively associated with restaurant employees’ OJE while only coworker aggression is negatively related to employees’ OJE. Restaurant employees’ use of affiliative humor and aggressive humor is positively related to perceived workplace fun and negatively associated with perceived workplace aggression. Furthermore, national culture moderates the relationships between affiliative humor and perceived workplace aggression, aggressive humor and perceived workplace fun, as well as between workplace fun and OJE. Our findings contribute to clarifying the dynamics between perceptions of certain organizational factors for understanding when employees may develop OJE. The implication is that restaurant companies with international operations can foster OJE by placing various levels of emphasis on types of humor, workplace fun, and workplace aggression, in societies where individuals perceive these variables differently.
An overview of the effect of telehealth on mortality: A systematic review of meta-analyses
Authors: Snoswell Centaine L , Stringer Hannah , Taylor Monica L , Caffery Liam J , Smith Anthony C
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Telehealth is recognised as a viable way of providing health care over distance, and an effective way to increase access for individuals with transport difficulties or those living in rural and remote areas. While telehealth has many positives for patients, clinicians and the health system, it is important that changes in the delivery of health care (e.g. in-person to telehealth) do not result in inferior or unsafe care. In this review, we collate existing meta-analyses of mortality rates to provide a holistic view of the current evidence regarding telehealth safety.

Methods

In November 2020, a search of Pretty Darn Quick Evidence portal was conducted in order to locate systematic reviews published between 2010 and 2019, examining and meta-analysing the effect of telehealth interventions on mortality compared to usual care.

Results

This review summarises evidence from 24 meta-analyses. Five overarching medical disciplines were represented (cardiovascular, neurology, pulmonary, obstetrics and intensive care). Overall, telehealth did not increase mortality rates.

Discussion

The evidence from this review can be used by decision makers, in conjunction with other disease-specific and health economic evidences, to support and guide telehealth implementation plans.
Liberation and limitation: Emancipatory politics, socio-ecological transformation and the grammar of the autocratic-authoritarian turn
Authors: Blühdorn Ingolfur
Published: June 2021

Despite decades of emancipatory mobilization, there is no realistic prospect for any profound socio-ecological transformation of contemporary consumer societies. Instead, social inequality and ecological destruction are on the rise and an autocratic-authoritarian turn is reshaping even the most established liberal democracies. In explaining these phenomena, the struggle for autonomy and emancipation is an important parameter that has not received sufficient attention so far. This article investigates these phenomena through the lens of the dialectic of emancipation – a concept that I have suggested elsewhere and that I here further elaborate, placing particular emphasis on the relationship between the rule-transgressing and the rule-setting capacities of the emancipatory project. The article specifies constitutive dimensions of the emancipatory project, explores their ongoing reinterpretation and reconfiguration and thus explains how the emancipatory logic itself has come to obstruct the socio-ecological transformation and to nurture new forms of authoritarian governance.
Evaluation of IGRT-Induced Imaging Doses and Secondary Cancer Risk for SBRT Early Lung Cancer Patients In Silico Study
Authors: Duan Yan-Hua , Gu Heng-Le , Yang Xiao-Hui , Chen Hua , Wang Hao , Shao Yan , Li Xiao-Yang , Feng Ai-Hui , Ying Yan-Chen , Fu Xiao-Long , Ma Kui , Zhou Tao , Xu Zhi-Yong
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

This study performed dosimetry studies and secondary cancer risk assessments on using electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as image guided tools for the early lung cancer patients treated with SBRT.

Methods:

The imaging doses from MV-EPID and kV-CBCT of the Edge accelerator were retrospectively added to sixty-one SBRT treatment plans of early lung cancer patients. The MV-EPID imaging dose (6MV Photon beam) was calculated in Pinnacle TPS, and the kV-CBCT imaging dose was simulated and calculated by modeling of the kV energy beam in TPS using Pinnacle automatic modeling program. Three types of plans, namely PlanEPID, PlanCBCT and Planorigin, were generated with incorporating doses of EPID, CBCT and no imaging, respectively, for analysis. The effects of imaging doses on dose-volume-histogram (DVH) and plan quality were analyzed, and the excess absolute risk (EAR) of secondary cancer for ipsilateral lung was evaluated.

Results:

The regions that received less than 50 cGy were significantly impacted by the imaging doses, while the isodose lines greater than 1000 cGy were barely changed. The DVH values of ipsilateral lung increased the most in PlanEPID, followed by PlanCBCT. Compared to Planorigin on the average, the estimated EAR of ipsilateral lung in PlanEPID increased by 3.43%, while the corresponding EAR increase in PlanCBCT was much smaller (about 0.4%). Considering only the contribution of the imaging dose, the EAR values for the ipsilateral lung due to the MV-EPID dose in 5 years,10 years and 15 years were 1.49 cases, 2.09 cases and 2.88 cases per 104PY respectively, and those due to the kV-CBCT dose were about 9 times lower, correspondingly.

Conclusions:

The imaging doses produced by MV-EPID and kV-CBCT had little effects on the target dose coverage. The secondary cancer risk caused by MV-EPID dose is more than 8.5 times that of kV-CBCT.
Maximum likelihood estimation of an across-regime correlation parameter
Authors: Calzolari Giorgio , Campolo Maria Gabriella , Di Pino Antonino , Magazzini Laura
Published: June 2021

In this article, we describe the mlcar command, which implements a maximum likelihood method to simultaneously estimate the regression coefficients of a two-regime endogenous switching model and the coefficient measuring the correlation of outcomes between the two regimes. This coefficient, known as the “across-regime” correlation parameter, is generally unidentified in the traditional estimation procedures.
Event studies with daily stock returns in Stata: Which command to use?
Authors: Kaspereit Thomas
Published: June 2021

In this article, I provide an overview of existing community-contributed commands for executing event studies. I assess which command could have been used to conduct event studies that have appeared in the past 10 years in 3 leading accounting, finance, and management journals. The older command eventstudy provides a comfortable graphical user interface and good functionality for event studies that do not require hypotheses testing. The command estudy, described in Pacicco, Vena, and Venegoni (2018, Stata Journal 18: 461–476; 2021, Stata Journal 21: 141–151), provides a set of commonly applied test statistics and useful exporting routines to spreadsheet software and LATEX for event studies with a limited number of events. The most complete command in terms of available test statistics and benchmark models as well as its ability to handle events with insufficient data, thin trading, and large samples is eventstudy2.
Bearing fault diagnosis based on improved particle swarm optimized VMD and SVM models
Authors: Zhang Qingfeng , Chen Shuang , Fan Zhan Peng
Published: June 2021

To improve the accuracy of fault diagnosis of bearing, the improved particle swarm optimization variational mode decomposition (VMD) and support vector machine (SVM) models are proposed. Aiming at the convergence effect of particle swarm optimization (PSO), dynamic inertia weight, and gradient information are introduced to improve PSO (IPSO). IPSO is used to optimize the optimal number of VMD modal components and the penalty factor, which is applied to the vibration signal decomposition. The fault sample set is constructed by calculating the multi-scale information entropy of each component signal obtained from the bearing vibration signals. At the same time, IPSO is used to optimize the support vector machine (IPSO-SVM), which is used to bearing fault diagnosis. The time-domain feature data set is used as the comparison data set, and the classical PSO, genetic algorithm, and cross-validation method are used as the comparison algorithm to verify the effectiveness of the method in this paper. The research results show that the optimized VMD can effectively decompose the vibration signal and can effectively highlight the fault characteristics. IPSO can increase the accuracy by 2% without adding additional costs. And the accuracy, volatility, and convergence error of IPSO are better than comparison algorithms.
Contemplative Psychology: History, Key Assumptions, and Future Directions
Authors: Van Gordon William , Sapthiang Supakyada , Shonin Edo
Published: June 2021

Contemplative psychology is concerned with the psychological study of contemplative processes and practices, such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga, introspection, reflection, metacognition, self-regulation, self-awareness, and self-consciousness. Although contemplative psychology borders with other psychological and nonpsychological disciplines, some of its underlying assumptions distinguish it from other remits of psychological and scholarly inquiry, as do its component areas of empirical focus, conceptual nuances, and challenges. Furthermore, the discipline has tended to be somewhat disparate in its approach to investigating the core techniques and principles of which it is composed, resulting in a need for greater intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary awareness of the commonalities and differences of core contemplative psychology attributes. As a remedy to these issues, in this article, we adopt a whole-discipline perspective and aim to explicate contemplative psychology’s history, breadth, key assumptions, challenges, and future directions.
Nickel-catalyzed carbonylation of thioacetates with aryl iodides via CO insertion and C–S bond cleavage
Authors: Mai Wen-Peng , Sui Hong-Da , Lv Ming-Xiu , Lu Kui
Published: June 2021

Aryl thioesters are synthesized via nickel-catalyzed carbonylation of thioacetates with aryl iodides. Alkyl thioacetates undergo coupling with carbon monoxide and aryl iodides to produce the desired aryl thioesters in moderate yields. This catalytic carbonylative coupling process provides a cost-effective and direct approach for the preparation of useful thioesters.
Update on the role of pembrolizumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Wookey Vanessa , Grothey Axel
Published: June 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type in both men and women in the USA. Most patients with CRC are diagnosed as local or regional disease. However, the survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic disease remains disappointing, despite multiple treatment options. Cancer therapies for patients with unresectable or metastatic CRC are increasingly being driven by particular biomarkers. The development of various immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer therapy over the last decade by harnessing the immune system in the treatment of cancer, and the role of immunotherapy continues to expand and evolve. Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor and has become an essential part of the standard of care in the treatment regimens for multiple cancer types. This paper reviews the increasing evidence supporting and defining the role of pembrolizumab in the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic CRC.
Monitoring Emerging Issues: A Proposed Approach and Initial Test
Authors: Hines Andy , Baldwin Bes P. , Bengston David N. , Crabtree Jason , Christensen Keri , Frankowski Nina , Schlehuber Laura , Westphal Lynne M. , Young Lena
Published: June 2021

The increasing complexity and uncertainty of the future may stimulate demand for more monitoring emerging issues. Futurists have long advocated for monitoring the future on an ongoing basis or for tracking the findings of project work in practice. However, clients have historically been reluctant to invest time and money in monitoring, and little practical guidance is available on how to set up a monitoring. This article describes a pilot monitoring capability that is simple and practical to implement. It was developed as a “plug-in” to supplement an ongoing horizon scanning system. The monitoring system tracks the movement of emerging issues that were identified by horizon scanning. It provides a means to keep policy-makers informed about the progress of emerging issues and provides advance warning to develop an appropriate strategic response.
Scintillating Starbursts: Concentric Star Polygons Induce Illusory Ray Patterns
Authors: Karlovich Michael W. , Wallisch Pascal
Published: June 2021

Here, we introduce and explore Scintillating Starbursts, a stimulus type made up of concentric star polygons that induce illusory scintillating rays or beams. We test experimentally which factors, such as contrast and number of vertices, modulate how observers experience this stimulus class. We explain how the illusion arises from the interplay of known visual processes, specifically central versus peripheral vision, and interpret the phenomenology evoked by these patterns. We discuss how Starbursts differ from similar and related visual illusions such as illusory contours, grid illusions such as the pincushion grid illusion as well as moiré patterns.
Embracing the plurality of the carto-sphere
Authors: Duggan Mike
Published: June 2021

This brief commentary responds to Tania Rossetto and Laura Lo Presti’s (2022) thought-provoking article ‘Reimagining the national map’ by offering three points for reflection. Firstly, it highlights the scholarly value of embracing their notion of the carto-sphere as a mode of enquiry into cartography, maps, and mapping practices. Secondly, it draws attention to the theoretical and empirical questions that arise when we embrace the plurality of cartographic knowledges. Thirdly, it raises some ethical considerations to think through if and when making this shift.
A Qualitative Study of COVID-19 Distress in University Students
Authors: Farris Samantha G. , Kibbey Mindy M. , Fedorenko Erick J. , DiBello Angelo M.
Published: June 2021

The psychological effect of the pandemic and measures taken in response to control viral spread are not yet well understood in university students; in-depth qualitative analysis can provide nuanced information about the young adult distress experience. Undergraduate students ( N = 624) in an early US outbreak “hotspot” completed an online narrative writing about the impact and distress experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected April-May 2020. A random selection of 50 cases were sampled for thematic analysis. Nine themes were identified: viral outbreak distress, fear of virus contraction/transmission, proximity to virus, dissatisfaction with public response, physical distancing distress, social distancing distress, academic and school-related distress, disruptive changes in health behavior and routines, financial strain and unemployment, worsening of pre-existing mental health problems, and social referencing that minimizes distress. Future work is needed to understand the persistence of the distress, in addition to developing methods for assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of the distress.
Influence of Three Auditory Profiles on Aided Speech Perception in Different Noise Scenarios
Authors: Wu Mengfan , Cañete Oscar M. , Schmidt Jesper Hvass , Fereczkowski Michal , Neher Tobias
Published: June 2021

Hearing aid (HA) users differ greatly in their speech-in-noise (SIN) outcomes. This could be because the degree to which current HA fittings can address individual listening needs differs across users and listening situations. In two earlier studies, an auditory test battery and a data-driven method were developed for classifying HA candidates into four distinct auditory profiles differing in audiometric hearing loss and suprathreshold hearing abilities. This study explored aided SIN outcome for three of these profiles in different noise scenarios. Thirty-one older habitual HA users and six young normal-hearing listeners participated. Two SIN tasks were administered: a speech recognition task and a “just follow conversation” task requiring the participants to self-adjust the target-speech level. Three noise conditions were tested: stationary speech-shaped noise, speech-shaped babble noise, and speech-shaped babble noise with competing dialogues. Each HA user was fitted with three HAs from different manufacturers using their recommended procedures. Real-ear measurements were performed to document the final gain settings. The results showed that HA users with mild hearing deficits performed better than HA users with pronounced hearing deficits on the speech recognition task but not the just follow conversation task. Moreover, participants with pronounced hearing deficits obtained different SIN outcomes with the tested HAs, which appeared to be related to differences in HA gain. Overall, these findings imply that current proprietary fitting strategies are limited in their ability to ensure good SIN outcomes, especially for users with pronounced hearing deficits, for whom the choice of device seems most consequential.
Integrative taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of three poorly known tintinnine ciliates, with the establishment of a new genus (Protista; Ciliophora; Oligotrichea)
Authors: Wang Rui , Bai Yang , Hu Tao , Xu Dapeng , Suzuki Toshikazu , Hu Xiaozhong
Published: June 2021

Background

The taxonomic classification of the suborder Tintinnina Kofoid & Campbell, 1929, a species-rich group of planktonic ciliated protistans with a characteristic lorica, has long been ambiguous largely due to the lack of cytological and molecular data for most species. Tintinnopsis is the largest, most widespread, and most taxonomically complex genus within this group with about 170 species occurring in nearshore waters. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed that Tintinnopsis is polyphyletic.

Results

Here we document the live morphology, infraciliature, gene sequences, and habitat characteristics of three poorly known tintinnine species, viz. Tintinnopsis karajacensis Brandt, 1896, Tintinnopsis gracilis Kofoid & Campbell, 1929, and Tintinnopsis tocantinensis Kofoid & Campbell, 1929, isolated from the coastal waters of China. Based on a unique cytological feature (i.e., an elongated ciliary tuft with densely arranged kinetids) in the former two species, Antetintinnopsis gen. nov. is erected with Antetintinnopsis hemispiralis (Yin, 1956) comb. nov. (original combination: Tintinnopsis hemispiralis Yin, 1956) designated as the type species. Moreover, A. karajacensis (Brandt, 1896) comb. nov. (original combination: Tintinnopsis karajacensis Brandt, 1896) and A. gracilis (Kofoid & Campbell, 1929) comb. nov. (original combination: Tintinnopsis gracilis Kofoid & Campbell, 1929) are placed in a highly supported clade that branches separately from Tintinnopsis clades in phylogenetic trees based on SSU rDNA and LSU rDNA sequence data, thus supporting the establishment of the new genus. One other species is assigned to Antetintinnopsis gen. nov., namely A. subacuta (Jörgensen, 1899) comb. nov. (original combination Tintinnopsis subacuta Jörgensen, 1899).

Conclusions

The findings of the phylogenetic analyses support the assertion that cytological characters are taxonomically informative for tintinnines. This study also contributes to the broadening of our understanding of the tintinnine biodiversity and evolution.
Genome wide effects of oleic acid on cultured bovine granulosa cells: evidence for the activation of pathways favoring folliculo-luteal transition
Authors: Yenuganti Vengala Rao , Koczan Dirk , Vanselow Jens
Published: June 2021

Background

Metabolic stress, as negative energy balance on one hand or obesity on the other hand can lead to increased levels of free fatty acids in the plasma and follicular fluid of animals and humans. In an earlier study, we showed that increased oleic acid (OA) concentrations affected the function of cultured bovine granulosa cells (GCs). Here, we focus on genome wide effects of increased OA concentrations.

Results

Our data showed that 413 genes were affected, of which 197 were down- and 216 up-regulated. Specifically, the expression of FSH-regulated functional key genes, CCND2, LHCGR, INHA and CYP19A1 and 17-β-estradiol (E2) production were reduced by OA treatment, whereas the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 was increased and the morphology of the cells was changed due to lipid droplet accumulation. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that associated pathways of the putative upstream regulators “FSH” and “Cg (choriogonadotropin)” were inhibited and activated, respectively. Down-regulated genes are over-represented in GO terms “reproductive structure/system development”, “ovulation cycle process”, and “(positive) regulation of gonadotropin secretion”, whereas up-regulated genes are involved in “circulatory system development”, “vasculature development”, “angiogenesis” or “extracellular matrix/structure organization”.

Conclusions

From these data we conclude that besides inhibiting GC functionality, increased OA levels seemingly promote angiogenesis and tissue remodelling, thus suggestively initiating a premature fulliculo-luteal transition. In vivo this may lead to impeded folliculogenesis and ovulation, and cause sub-fertility.
Enhanced aluminum tolerance in sugarcane: evaluation of SbMATE overexpression and genome-wide identification of ALMTs in Saccharum spp.
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Paula , Vinecky Felipe , Duarte Karoline Estefani , Santiago Thaís Ribeiro , das Chagas Noqueli Casari Raphael Augusto , Hell Aline Forgatti , da Cunha Bárbara Andrade Dias Brito , Martins Polyana Kelly , da Cruz Centeno Danilo , de Oliveira Molinari Patricia Abrão , de Almeida Cançado Geraldo Magela , Magalhães Jurandir Vieira de , Kobayashi Adilson Kenji , de Souza Wagner Rodrigo , Molinari Hugo Bruno Correa
Published: June 2021

Background

A major limiting factor for plant growth is the aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils, especially in tropical regions. The exclusion of Al from the root apex through root exudation of organic acids such as malate and citrate is one of the most ubiquitous tolerance mechanisms in the plant kingdom. Two families of anion channels that confer Al tolerance are well described in the literature, ALMT and MATE family.

Results

In this study, sugarcane plants constitutively overexpressing theSorghum bicolor MATEgene (SbMATE) showed improved tolerance to Al when compared to non-transgenic (NT) plants, characterized by sustained root growth and exclusion of aluminum from the root apex based on the result obtained with hematoxylin staining. In addition, genome-wide analysis of the recently released sugarcane genome identified 11ALMTgenes and molecular studies showed potential new targets for aluminum tolerance.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the transgenic plants overexpressing theSorghum bicolor MATEhas an improved tolerance to Al. The expression profile of ALMT genes revels potential candidate genes to be used has an alternative for agricultural expansion in Brazil and other areas with aluminum toxicity in poor and acid soils.
Identification and characterization of An-4, a potential quantitative trait locus for awn development in rice
Authors: Qin Baoxiang , Lu Taian , Xu Yibo , Shen Wei , Liu Fang , Xie Xuyang , Li Yunzhen , Wang Kejian , Li Rongbai
Published: June 2021

Background

Awn of rice is an important domestication trait closely associated with yield traits. Therefore, the identification of genes for awn development is of great significance for the elucidation of molecular mechanism of awn development and the genetic improvement of yield traits in rice.

Results

In this study, using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from a long-awned Guangxi common wild rice (GXCWR, Oryza rufipogon Griff.) and a short-awned indica cultivar 9311, we identified An-4, a potential quantitative trait locus (QTL) for awn development. Then, An-4 was fine mapped into a 56-kb region of chromosome 2, which contained four annotated genes. Among these four annotated genes, Os02g0594800 was concluded to be the potential candidate gene for An-4. An-4 exhibited pleiotropic effects on awn development and several yield traits. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that An-4 significantly promoted awn development at Sp7 and Sp8 stage of spikelet development. Transcriptome analysis suggested that An-4 might influence the development of awn by regulating the expression of genes related to growth, developmental process, channel regulation and extracellular region. By contrast to those of 9311, the expression level of OsRR5 in CSSL128 was significantly down-regulated, whereas the expression levels of OsCKX2 and OsGA2ox5 in CSSL128 were significantly up-regulated. In addition, our study showed that An-4 had additive effects with other genes for awn development, such as An-1, An-2/LABA1 and An-3/GAD1/RAE2.

Conclusions

The identification of An-4 lays a foundation for cloning of An-4 and further elucidation of the molecular mechanism of awn development. Moreover, the identification of favorable allelic variation of An-4 from 9311 will be useful to improve rice yield traits.
Nutritional risk and nutritional status in hospitalized older adults living with HIV in Shenzhen, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Xiaoning , Cao Jing , Zhu Zheng , Zhao Xia , Zhou Jing , Deng Qiuxia , Zhang Liyuan , Wang Hui
Published: June 2021

Background

Nutrition is a crucial factor that can impact morbidity and mortality in older people living with HIV (PLWH). Studies on nutritional risk and nutritional status in all age groups in PLWH have been conducted. However, few studies have focused on nutritional risk in older PLWH. This study aimed to describe the nutritional risk and nutritional status in older PLWH, and explore factors associated with nutritional risk and undernutrition status.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study. We recruited participants aged 50 years or older from the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen from January 2016 to May 2019. Nutritional risk and nutritional status were evaluated by the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) tool, body mass index (BMI), albumin level, and prealbumin level on the first day of admission. Logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with undernutrition based on the BMI, albumin, and prealbumin criteria.

Results

A total of 196 older PLWH were included in the analysis. We found that 36% of hospitalized older PLWH had nutritional risk, and 12–56% of them had undernutrition based on the BMI, albumin, and prealbumin criteria. An increased nutritional risk score was associated with older age (β = 0.265 CI [0.021, 0.096],P = 0.002), a higher viral load (β = − 0.186 CI [− 0.620, − 0.037],P = 0.028), a lower BMI (β = − 0.287 CI [− 0.217, − 0.058],P = 0.001), and a lower albumin level (β = − 0.324 CI [− 8.896, − 1.230],P = 0.010). The CD4 count was associated with the prevalence of undernutrition based on the albumin criterion (OR = 15.637 CI [2.742, 89.178],P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Our study indicated that nutritional screening, assessment, and management should be routinely performed in hospitalized older PLWH. HIV-specific measures should be used to assess nutritional risk, and albumin, BMI, and other assessments should be used in combination to identify undernutrition in older PLWH.
The effectiveness of nifedipine/indomethacin combination therapy and nifedipine monotherapy for postponing preterm birth (25–34 weeks of gestation) in Sudanese women: a randomized clinical trial study protocol
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed H. , Elfaki Tahani , Elhassan Elhassan M. , Abdelrahiem Somia K. , Adam Ishag
Published: June 2021

Background

Preterm birth is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Tocolytics are considered a standard treatment for women with threatened preterm delivery to allow time for maternal steroid administration and transfer to referral centers with neonatal intensive care units. However, there is controversy about the best tocolytic therapy to be considered as the first choice. The aim of this study is to compare the tocolytic effectiveness and tolerability of combination therapy with nifedipine and indomethacin versus nifedipine monotherapy among Sudanese women with preterm labor (PTL) as well as to compare the possible neonatal outcomes associated with each drug.

Methods/design

This is a randomized controlled clinical trial to be conducted in the Medani Maternity Hospital, Sudan. Women aged 18–40 years that are diagnosed with preterm labor and have a gestational age between 25 and 34 weeks will be eligible to participate in this trial. The diagnosis of threatened PTL is defined as persistent uterine contractions “(four contractions every 20 min or eight contractions every 60 min)” with cervical changes “(cervical effacement ≤80% or cervical dilatation >two cm)”. Patients will be eligible regardless of the presentation of the fetus. It will be randomly decided whether participants receive nifedipine/indomethacin combination therapy or nifedipine monotherapy. The primary outcome is the number of women who do not deliver and do not need alternative tocolytic drug (terbutaline). The secondary outcome is an estimated association with neonatal morbidity and mortality. The sample size will be 117 subjects in each arm of the study, according to a type I error of 0.05 and a study power of 80%.

Discussion

We expect higher effectiveness of the combination indomethacin/nifedipine tocolytic therapy compared with nifedipine monotherapy. We plan to suggest this combination therapy as the best option for postponing PTL.

Trial registration

Clinical trial registration: PACTR202004681537890, date of registration: March 8, 2020.