bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Known-Groups Validation of the Medical Symptom Validity Test and Analysis of the Genuine Memory Impairment Profile
Authors: Resch Zachary J. , Rhoads Tasha , Ovsiew Gabriel P. , Soble Jason R.
Published: December 2020

This study cross-validated the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) in a mixed neuropsychiatric sample and examined its accuracy for identifying invalid neuropsychological performance using a known-groups design. Cross-sectional data from 129 clinical patients who completed the MSVT were examined. Validity groups were established using six, independent criterion performance validity tests, which yielded 98 patients in the valid group and 31 in the invalid group. All MSVT subtest scores were significantly lower in the invalid group (η p2=.22-.39). Using published cut-scores, sensitivities of 42% to 71% were found among the primary effort subtests, and 74% sensitivity/90% specificity was observed for the overall MSVT. Among this sample, the MSVT component validity scales produced areas under the curve of .78-.86, suggesting moderate classification accuracy. At optimal cut-scores, the MSVT primary effort validity scales demonstrated 55% to 71% sensitivity/91% to 93% specificity, with the Consistency subtest exhibiting the strongest psychometric properties. The MSVT exhibited relatively robust sensitivity and specificity, supporting its utility as a briefer freestanding performance validity test to its predecessor, the Word Memory Test. Finally, the Genuine Memory Impairment Profile appears promising for patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder, but is cautioned against for those without significant functional decline in activities of daily living at this time.
Information Seeking and Processing in the Context of Vaccine Scandals
Authors: Yang Janet Z. , Liu Zhuling
Published: December 2020

This study employs the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model to examine social cognitive variables that motivate active information seeking and systematic processing. The research context is the recent childhood vaccine scandals in China. As a novel contribution to the RISP literature, a significant interaction between relevant channel beliefs and perceived information gathering capacity is unveiled. This result suggests that both information quality and accessibility to information channels influence information seeking, which is an important finding with theoretical and practical implications for other science communication issues.
Correlation analysis of noise sound pressure and vibration in aluminum alloy milling
Authors: Hu Yuting , Li Shuncai , Deng Xing , Vadim Slatin
Published: December 2020

To study the correlation between noise and vibration during dry milling of aluminum alloy, a synchronous acquisition system of noise and vibration was established. Based on the experimental data, the effects of three milling parameters on milling noise and milling vibration were analyzed. Based on the least square method and MATLAB software programming, the multiple regression models of milling noise on milling parameters and milling vibration were established. According to the regression models, it is found that there is a strong correlation between milling noise, milling parameters, and milling vibration. The maximum value of the correlation coefficient R is 0.98. It also shows that the regression models based on milling parameters and milling vibration can well predict the noise of aluminum alloy during milling. In addition, the obtained model can provide a control equation for the future coupling analysis of vibration and noise and for the numerical simulation.
Exercise Training for Pulmonary Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Albanaqi Alsaeedi L. , Rahimi Gholam Rasul Mohammad , Smart Neil A.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic disease with a notable health burden; regular exercise may improve specific health outcome measures.

Objective:

The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the effectiveness of exercise training for PH patients.

Data sources:

PubMed, CINAHL, SportDiscuss and Google Scholar databases and reference lists of included studies were searched.

Study selection:

The selection criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) employing an exercise training intervention. Data were extracted from the entered studies for analysis. The primary outcomes were peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), anaerobic threshold (AT), 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD), and quality of life (QoL) measures (physical component score and mental component score). The analysis included 9 articles with a total of 302 participants: intervention (n = 154), and control (n = 148).

Results:

In the pooled analysis, improvements were seen in: VO2peak, mean difference (MD) 2.79 ml/kg/min (95% CI 2.00 to 3.59, p < 0.00001); AT, MD 107.83 ml/min (95% CI 39.64 to 176.00, p = 0.002); and 6-MWD, MD 46.67 meters (95% CI 32.39 to 60.96, p < 0.00001). Differences were found in the SF-36 physical component score MD 3.57 (95% CI 2.04 to 5.10, p < 0.00001) and the SF-36 mental component score MD 3.92 (95% CI 1.92 to 5.91, p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis demonstrates exercise training has a beneficial effect on fitness, walking performance, and self-reported QoL in PH patients.
Disseminating legislative debates: How legislators communicate the parliamentary agenda
Authors: Huber Lena Maria , Bodlos Anita , Graf Elisabeth , Meyer Thomas M
Published: December 2020

While a rich literature addresses legislative agenda-setting in multiparty democracies, relatively little is known how members of parliament disseminate the legislative agenda beyond the parliamentary floor. Drawing on content analyses of 110 legislative debates and 5,847 press releases from Austrian MPs (2013–2017), we test whether legislators are more likely to send press releases on issues that are salient to their party ( party agenda-setting) and to other parties in the party system ( systemic salience). MPs should also communicate more on issues that fall within their area of expertise ( issue specialization) and when they have given a speech on that issue during the legislative debate ( intra-party delegation). While we find empirical support for all these expectations, communication of the legislative agenda largely rests on each parties’ issue specialists and their speakers in plenary debates. Importantly, there is no significant discrepancy overall between the actual parliamentary issue agenda and the agenda communicated by party MPs.
Finnish translation and validation of the FACE-Q Eye module
Authors: Homsy Pauliina , Uimonen Mikko , Lindford Andrew , Repo Jussi , Lassus Patrik
Published: December 2020

Background and objective:

The aim of this study was to first produce and cross-culturally validate a Finnish version of the FACE-Q Eye module, a patient-reported outcome measure designed for patients undergoing eyelid surgery for esthetic reasons, and second assess the suitability of this instrument for use in a university hospital setting.

Methods:

The FACE-Q Eye module and the general FACE-Q components Satisfaction with Facial Appearance, Appearance-Related Psychosocial Distress, and Satisfaction with Outcome were translated according to established guidelines. A postal survey study was conducted with the translated instrument and the generic health-related quality of life instrument 15D on 245 patients operated in the Helsinki University Hospital between 2009 and 2019. Cronbach’s alpha, floor and ceiling effects, measurement reliability with repeat administration, and convergence with 15D dimensions were analyzed.

Results:

The FACE-Q Eye module and general components translated readily into Finnish. Eighty-one patients (33%) responded to the survey, most of whom (78%) had undergone blepharoplasty. Most subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach’s alphas 0.79–0.96. A ceiling effect was observed for four of the seven subscales evaluated. Intra-class correlation coefficients were high (0.82–0.91) indicating good reliability. Results of the FACE-Q subscales correlated at best moderately with the 15D dimensions.

Conclusions:

The Finnish versions of the FACE-Q Eye module and the FACE-Q components Satisfaction with Facial Appearance, Appearance-Related Psychosocial Distress, and Satisfaction with Outcome perform well when assessing outcomes relevant to patients after eyelid surgery. However, when used in patients operated on for mainly functional reasons, subtle variations may be missed.
Southern social world-regionalisms: The place of health in nine African regional economic communities
Authors: Yeates Nicola , Surender Rebecca
Published: December 2020

This article presents key results from a comparative qualitative Social Policy study of nine African regional economic communities’ (RECs) regional health policies. The article asks to what extent has health been incorporated into RECs’ public policy functions and actions, and what similarities and differences are evident among the RECs. Utilising a World Health Organization (WHO) framework for conceptualising health systems, the research evidence routes the article’s arguments towards the following principal conclusions. First, the health sector is a key component of the public policy functions of most of the RECs. In these RECs, innovations in health sector organisation are notable; there is considerable regulatory, organisational, resourcing and programmatic diversity among the RECs alongside under-resourcing and fragmentation within each of them. Second, there are indications of important tangible benefits of regional cooperation and coordination in health, and growing interest by international donors in regional mechanisms through which to disburse health and -related Official Development Assistance (ODA). Third, content analysis of RECs’ regional health strategies suggests fairly minimal strategic ambitions as well as significant limitations of current approaches to advancing effective and progressive health reform. The lack of emphasis on universal health care and reliance on piecemeal donor funding are out of step with approaches and recommendations increasingly emphasising health systems development, sector-wide approaches (SWAPs) and primary health care as the bedrock of health services expansion. Overall, the health component of RECs’ development priorities is consistent with an instrumentalist social policy approach. The development of a more comprehensive sustainable world-regional health policy is unlikely to come from the African Continental Free-Trade Area, which lacks requisite social and health clauses to underpin ‘positive’ forms of regional integration.
Effect of post-injection strategies on regulated and unregulated harmful emissions from a heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Farhan Sheikh Muhammad , Pan Wang , Yan Wu , Jing Yi , Lili Lei
Published: December 2020

An experimental study was carried out to analyze the influence of different post-injection strategies on the regulated and unregulated emissions from a heavy-duty compression ignition (CI) diesel engine. FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) was used to measure and analyze the exhaust emissions which include regulated such as NOx, soot, and unregulated emissions including acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, methane, ethane, propane, ethylene, propylene, and ethyne. Experimental results manifested that the post-injection technique can notably minimize the regulated and unregulated emissions as compared to a single main injection. Under different post-injection conditions, a trade-off relation was also found between soot and NOx emissions. In soot mitigation, the start of injection (SOI) at 40° crank angle (CA) incorporate with 5–15 mg post-injection fuel mass was proved very effective and about 26% lower soot emissions were recorded than single main injection. At SOI 20°CA, with 15 mg post-injection fuel mass, a reduction in the NOx emissions was observed up to 20% and in THC up to 60%. Unregulated emissions (other than formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) were found lower with 5, 10, and 15 mg post-injection fuel mass at 20, 40, 100, and 120°CA but increased at SOI of 60°CA than single main injection. In addition, light HCs, and THC emissions at SOI 60°CA were found to increase which could be beneficial for after-treatment devices.
Taking part in the community occupational therapy in dementia UK intervention from the perspective of people with dementia, family carers and occupational therapists: A qualitative study
Authors: Burgess Jane , Wenborn Jennifer , Di Bona Laura , Orrell Martin , Poland Fiona
Published: December 2020

Aim

Community Occupational Therapy in Dementia (COTiD-UK) is a manualised intervention delivered to the person with dementia and their identified family carer primarily in their own home. The focus is on enabling both the person with dementia and their family carer to engage in personally meaningful activities. This qualitative study examines the experiences of people with mild to moderate dementia, their family carers and occupational therapists, of taking part in the COTiD-UK intervention.

Method

A purposive sample of 22 pairs of people with dementia and a family carer and seven occupational therapists took part in semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed and inductively analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Themes from the occupational therapist interviews relate to the COTiD-UK intervention philosophy and content, aspects of delivering it in practice and thinking ahead to it becoming usual practice. Themes from the pair interviews relate to the focus of COTiD-UK sessions on meaningful occupation and working together and a sense of being able to plan to live well with dementia in the short- and longer-term as a result of the intervention.

Conclusion

This person-centred occupation-focussed intervention was highly valued by people with dementia and their family carers and the occupational therapists delivering it.
Research on turning maneuverability of submerged glider of the wave glider
Authors: Liu Fen , Guan Haipeng , Sun Xiujun , Sang Hongqiang
Published: December 2020

Turning Maneuverability is an important hydrodynamic performance of the wave glider, which can realize the position keeping, path tracking and steering obstacle avoidance in a reliable way. The influences on the maneuverability of the relevant parameters of the rudder are analyzed by using the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) method in this paper. Through the analysis, the conclusions that the optimal rudder area ratio with 0.15 and the aspect ratio with 0.8 are drawn. Furthermore, the position and profile of the rudder are also analyzed. To verify the validation of the work, sea trial data of the “Black Pearl” wave glider is adopted and analyzed. The result shows that the simulation analysis of the turning maneuverability of submerged glider is correct. And the conclusions have great significance for improving the turning maneuverability of the wave glider and the parameter design of the submerged glider engineering prototype from the perspective of the engineering application.
Lifespan cost analysis of alternatives to global sulphur emission limit with uncertainties
Authors: Huang Daozheng , Hua Yimin , Loughney Sean , Blanco-Davis Eduardo , Wang Jin
Published: December 2020

Following the updated global sulphur emission cap from 1 January 2020, shipowners are facing an increasing cost burden to comply with the new regulation in a tough shipping market. This research compares the lifespan costs of three main alternatives, all of which can satisfy the 2020 global sulphur emission regulation. A lifespan cost analysis model is built considering several cost items across the three alternatives, including the initial cost of investment, maintenance cost and fuel consumption cost. Two vessels with a capacity of 5000 and 10,000 TEUs are selected as case study vessels. The @risk software is utilized to conduct an uncertainty analysis with respect to the fuel price and the discount rate to test the three alternatives in different circumstances. The results indicate that the larger the vessel, the lower the discount rate, and the greater the price of Mixed Fuel Oil (a mixture of Very Low Sulphur Oil and Marine Gas Oil), the more attractive the scrubber option. Quantitatively, if the refining technology of low-sulphur fuel improves in the future and the price differential between Mixed Fuel Oil and Heavy Sulphur Fuel Oil decreases to $29 per ton for the 5000 TEU vessel or $27 per ton for the 10,000 TEU vessel, the fuel-switch alternative will be as competitive as the use of a scrubber in terms of the lifespan cost. Additionally, as the discount rate increases, the cost gap between the use of a scrubber and the other two alternatives gradually decreases.
Delegative Federalism? Subnational Abdication and Executive Fiscal Centralisation in Argentina
Authors: Gordin Jorge P
Published: December 2020

What accounts for the varying and increasing levels of centralisation in federal systems? This article contributes to this debate showing that, despite normative and theoretical arguments on the advantages of decentralised fiscal federalism, changing economic conditions and governance hurdles prompt an increasing trend towards executive fiscal centralisation. It seeks to unravel this theoretical riddle by proposing the concept of delegative federalism, defined as a model of federal governance suitable for explaining how economic contexts impel a dynamic of subnational assent to centralisation policies and reforms that oftentimes breach the historic institutional empowerment of subnational authorities. The experience of Argentina, a paradigmatic case of hyper-presidentialist federalism amid institutionally strong provinces, is analysed to show that national executives may increasingly extend their reach not only because of congressional dysfunction but also due to the disproportionate sway of overrepresented, mostly transfer-dependent subnational governments that shun revenue responsibility. Accordingly, and perpetuating centralisation, they delegate tax authority in crises times and abdicate it further when economic windfall affords them with predictable federal grants.
Impact of glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on type 2 diabetes patients with renal impairment
Authors: Hiramatsu Takeyuki , Ito Hiroki , Okumura Shota , Asano Yuko , Iguchi Daiki , Furuta Shinji
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Diabetes mellitus is a progressive disease with cardiovascular complications. We evaluated the impact of a glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors dapagliflozin and empagliflozin on renal and cardiac function in type 2 diabetes patients with renal impairment.

Materials and methods:

A total of 156 patients referred with suboptimal glycemic control were assigned to Group G (GLP-1): n = 72 or Group S (SGLT-2 inhibitor)—dapagliflozin ( n = 52) or empagliflozin ( n = 32). Renal function was assessed every 3 months for 36 months. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated every 12 months for 36 months.

Results:

Compared with baseline, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both groups ( p < 0.05). The estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased, but without significance. Albuminuria decreased significantly in both groups and then subsequently increased after 30 months in Group S. Diastolic cardiac function, assessed by E/e′ or left atrial volume index, decreased only in Group G at 36 months.

Conclusions:

The GLP-1 receptor agonist and SGLT-2 inhibitors were effective for glycemic and blood pressure control and for maintaining renal function. The GLP-1 receptor agonist improved diastolic function at 36 months.
Development of a Win Production Function and Evaluation of Cross-Sectional Dependence
Authors: Lee Jin , Lee Young Hoon
Published: December 2020

We consider correlations between pairs of teams when deriving a win production function for professional baseball teams. Previous empirical studies derived win production estimates based on the assumption that the error terms were independent, but this is not reasonable given that a win is a relative output. The total number of wins per season is fixed: all teams share wins, in that a win for one team is a loss for the opponent. We applied spatial panel data models to a Major League Baseball dataset to control for cross-sectional dependence. A strong negative dependence was found; our estimates differ somewhat from previous estimates that assumed cross-sectional independence.

JEL: L83, L80, Z20
Modeling the effect of skidded timber bunches on forest soil compaction
Authors: Grigorev Igor , Kunickaya Olga , Burgonutdinov Albert , Burmistrova Olga , Druzyanova Varvara , Dolmatov Nikolay , Voronova Anna , Kotov Alexey
Published: December 2020

An increasing demand for forest products incites a large number of log transportation operations, which may lead to negative consequences for the soil and the ecosystem as a whole. This paper presents a mathematical model to estimate the soil deformation and compaction processes under the influence of individual components of the skidding system, such as the forwarder, limbs, butts, and tops of tree-lengths in high latitudes, permafrost soil, and forests of the cryolithic zone. The effectiveness of the proposed model was evaluated according to experimental results. Comparative analysis showed that the calculated data differ from the experimental data by no more than 10%. The deformation of the soil by the bunch of tree-length logs occurs due to shearing processes. It has been established that the initial vertical stress exceeds the radial stress by 30–40%. The result of estimating the dependency of the shelterbelt width on the number of tree-length logs showed that the limit values for logs amount to 4–6 units for the mild, medium, and solid soil categories. The obtained results and the developed model will allow for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the technological impact on the soil during the projecting of maps for logging operations.
Exploring Inclusion of College Students With IDD in Campus Recreation Through the Lens of Recreation Departments’ Organizational Level Stakeholders
Authors: Oakes Lindsey R. , Nichols Tracy R. , Schleien Stuart J. , Strack Robert W. , Milroy Jeffrey J.
Published: December 2020

Participation in recreation can produce health benefits for all college students and open pathways to inclusion for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Despite the growing number of college students with IDD on over 260 college campuses across the United States, there is a dearth of literature exploring their inclusion within campus recreation. This study examined how organizational culture of campus recreation departments and inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs support and inhibit inclusion of college students with IDD. A constructivist qualitative case study design, which was instrumental and collective, was used with two universities in the Eastern Time Zone and one university in the Central Time Zone of the United States. A document review and individual interviews with administrative and frontline staff were conducted with each campus recreation department. An iterative and comparative process of analysis was utilized and included the use of poetic analysis. The results of this study revealed a critical need to assess and examine the inclusion of these students within campus life at large.
Simulation and experimental study of a new structural rubber seal for the roller-cone bit under high temperature
Authors: Chen Lin , Lin Wei , Han Yiwei , Ai Zhijiu , Kuang Yuchun , Yang Chunlei
Published: December 2020

Seal element is an important component of roller-cone bit. In order to improve the sealing performance and service life of roller-cone bit under high temperature, a new seal structure with multi-segment arcs is designed and the structural parameters of this sealing ring are optimized by response surface method and finite element method. Firstly, the hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber is used to improve the seal performance under high temperature, and the uniaxial, planar, and biaxial tensile experiments are carried out to study the constitutive model of this rubber. Then, a three-dimension transient thermo-mechanical coupling model is established. The comparison of sealing performance between the new structural seal and the traditional O-ring seal is implemented under high temperature through the proposed FEM and laboratory experiments. The results show that the new structural seal has lower contact pressure and Mises stress than the standard O-ring seal, and the service life of the former is almost twice of the later one. Additionally, a composite drill bit using the new structural seal is applied to a deep drilling. After servicing a certain time, it shows that the wearing capacity is very small. The results show that the new structure seal ring can adapt to high temperature environment and the optimization method is feasible.
Optimal super-twisting sliding mode control design of robot manipulator: Design and comparison study
Authors: Al-Dujaili Ayad Q , Falah Alaq , Humaidi Amjad J , Pereira Daniel A , Ibraheem Ibraheem K
Published: December 2020

This article presents a tracking control design for two-link robot manipulators. To achieve robust tracking control performance, a super-twisting sliding mode control (STSMC) is derived. The stability of the system based on the proposed approach is proved based on the Lyapunov theorem. However, one problem with the designed STSMC is to properly set its parameters during the design. Therefore, it is proposed a social spider optimization (SSO) to tune these design parameters to improve the dynamic performance of the robot manipulator controlled considering STSMC. The performance of the STSMC approach based on SSO is compared to that based on particle swarming optimization (PSO) in terms of dynamic performance and robustness characteristics. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal controllers is verified by simulations within the MATLAB software. It is verified that the performance given by SSO-based STSMC outperforms that resulting from PSO-based STSMC. The experimental results are conducted based on LabVIEW 2019 software to validate the numerical simulation.
Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of a nitronyl nitroxide biradical-coordinated copper(II) complex
Authors: Gao Yan-Li , Gao Pingqiang , Gong Ying , Ren Guoyu
Published: December 2020

A coordination compound constructed from a nitronyl nitroxide biradical NITPh(3-NIT) and CuII(hfac)2(H2O)2 building blocks [NITPh(3-NIT) = 1,3-bis(1′-oxyl-3′-oxido-4′,4′, 5′, 5′-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-2-y1)-benzene, hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonato] is successfully synthesized. The crystal structure is determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The asymmetric complex {[(NITPh(3-NIT)]Cu(hfac)2} consists of one Cu(II) ion and two >N–O• groups and adopts a distorted triangular bipyramid with a penta-coordinated central copper(II) atom and three hfac oxygen atoms at the base and a >N–O• oxygen atom and one hfac oxygen atom at the apices. Intramolecular O. . .O bonding and π–π stacking interactions are observed between molecules. A magnetic susceptibility study of the coordination compound shows antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu(II) ions and >N–O• groups and very weak ferromagnetic interactions between Cu(II) ions and the free >N–O• group through O. . .O bonding between the nitroxide group oxygen atom and the oxygen atom of hfac.
Synthesis and characterization of Fe, Co, and Ni colloids in 2-mercaptoethanol
Authors: Cárdenas-Triviño Galo , Triviño-Matus Sergio
Published: December 2020

Metal colloids in 2-mercaptoethanol using nanoparticles (NPs) of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) were prepared by chemical liquid deposition method. Transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy characterized the resulting colloidal dispersions. The NPs exhibited sizes with ranges from 9.8 nm for Fe, 3.7 nm for Co, and 7.2 nm for Ni. The electron diffraction shows the presence of the metals in its elemental state Fe (0), Co (0), and Ni (0) and also some compounds FeO (OH), CoCo2S4, and NiNi2S4.
Bioactive Polyketides From the Potato Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus carneus
Authors: Zhang Xian , Zhang Fa-Lei , Wu Xing , Ye Ke , Lv Xiao , Ai Hong-Lian , Liu Ji-Kai
Published: December 2020

A previously undescribed polyketide (1) and 3 known analogs (2-4) were obtained from cultures of the potato endophytic fungus Aspergillus carneus. The structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data. The absolute conﬁguration of 1 was further determined by electronic circular dichroism and optical rotation calculations. Compounds 1-4 showed moderate antifungal activity against plant pathogens. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 13.36, 30.16, and 51.47 µM, respectively. Compound 4 showed effective antioxidant activity.
Comparison of Clinical Outcome following Cartilage Repair for Patients with Underlying Varus Deformity with or without Additional High Tibial Osteotomy: A Propensity Score–Matched Study Based on the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU)
Authors: Faber Svea , Angele Peter , Zellner Johannes , Bode Gerrit , Hochrein Alfred , Niemeyer Philipp
Published: December 2020

Background

Even though realignment procedures have gained popularity as concomitant techniques in cartilage repair approaches with underlying malalignment, the clinical efficacy has not been proven to full extent.

Methods

Out of 5474 patients from the German Cartilage Registry, 788 patients with focal cartilage defects on the medial femoral condyle having received either no accompanying surgery or high tibial osteotomy (HTO) were identified. After a 1:1 propensity score matching, outcome of 440 patients was evaluated using KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), VAS (visual analogue scale), and satisfaction during the 3-year follow-up.

Results

Patients having received a concomitant HTO had significantly higher postoperative KOOS values (12 months: 67.26 ± 15.69 vs.75.10 ± 16.12, P = 0.001; 24 months: 67.14 ± 23.85 vs. 77.11 ± 16.50, P = 0.010; 36 months: 74.40 ± 16.57 vs. 81.75 ± 14.22, P = 0.023) and lower pain levels (6 months: 3.43 ± 2.18 vs. 2.89 ± 2.15, P = 0.009; 12 months: 3.64 ± 2.20 vs. 2.17 ± 1.96, P < 0.001; 24 months: 4.20 ± 3.12 vs. 2.94 ± 2.45, P = 0.005; 36 months: 3.20 ± 2.18 vs. 2.02 ± 1.98, P = 0.003). One and 3 years postoperatively, concomitant HTO led to significantly higher satisfaction in patients. These advantages of accompanying HTO were also seen in the group of patients with a varus deformity of 5° or more, in which pain levels without concomitant HTO even increased during the 3-year follow-up.

Conclusion

The results of the present study underline the importance and safety of concomitant HTO in patients with cartilage defects and varus deformity. HTO should therefore be considered and recommended generously in patients with focal cartilage defects of the medial femoral condyle and varus deformity.
Smoker profiles and their influence on smokers’ intention to use a digital decision aid aimed at the uptake of evidence-based smoking cessation tools: An explorative study
Authors: Gültzow Thomas , Smit Eline Suzanne , Hudales Raesita , Dirksen Carmen D , Hoving Ciska
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Evidence-based smoking cessation support tools (EBSTs) can double the quitting chances, but uptake among smokers is low. A digital decision aid (DA) could help smokers choose an EBST in concordance with their values and preferences, but it is unclear which type of smokers are interested in a digital DA. We hypothesized that smokers’ general decision-making style (GDMS) could be used to identify early adopters. This study therefore aimed to identify smoker profiles based on smokers’ GDMS and investigate these profiles’ association with intention to use a digital DA.

Design

A cross-sectional dataset (N = 200 smokers intending to quit) was used to perform a hierarchical cluster analysis based on smokers’ GDMS scores.

Methods

Clusters were compared on demographic and socio-cognitive variables. Mediation analyses were conducted to see if the relationship between cluster membership and intention was mediated through socio-cognitive variables (e.g., attitude).

Results

Two clusters were identified; “ Avoidant Regretters ” (n = 134) were more avoidant, more regretful and tended to depend more on others in their decision making, while “ Intuitive Non-regretters ” (n = 66) were more spontaneous and intuitive in their decision making. Cluster membership was significantly related to intention to use a DA, with “ Avoidant Regretters ” being more interested. Yet, this association ceased to be significant when corrected for socio-cognitive variables (e.g., attitude). This indicates that cluster membership affected intention via socio-cognitive variables.

Conclusions

The GDMS can be used to identify smokers who are interested in a digital DA early on. As such, the GDMS can be used to tailor recruitment and DA content.
Women for Peace: Promoting Dialogue and Peace through Facebook?
Authors: Ron Yiftach , Suleiman Camelia , Maoz Ifat
Published: December 2020

The goal of this study is to examine the ways in which dialogue and peace are promoted and mobilized through a Facebook page in the protracted, ethnopolitical conflict between Israeli-Jews and Palestinians. A thematic qualitative text analysis based on the grounded theory approach was conducted on posts and comments that were published on the Facebook page of the Israeli grassroots movement Women Wage Peace (WWP), created by the Jewish and Arab women that participate in this movement. Our findings point to three major mechanisms through which attempts to mobilize peace were performed: building solidarity, maintaining engagement, and calling for action, thus contributing to our understanding of social media as a dialogue-provoking platform that enables users from different gender and ethnopolitical groups in divided and conflicted societies to perform peacebuilding actions. However, the findings indicate that at the same time, the page also constitutes a space for blatant expressions of hostility, hatred, and sexism that convey a backlash against the initiative and activity of WWP.
Reforming Our School Systems Around a Humanizing Curriculum: Schooling During and After COVID-19
Authors: Wong Lok-Sze , Mishra Punya
Published: December 2020

Highlights

• The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to create new school systems that are centered around a humanizing curriculum. • A humanizing curriculum values self, social, and cultural knowledge in addition to academic knowledge, celebrating students as whole human beings who are learning about and creating their place in society. • This curriculum is co-created and co-implemented with students and families. • Through this co-creation and co-implementation process, we shift school systems to support a humanizing curriculum.
COVID-19 in Rural Nigeria: Diminishing Social Support for Older People in Nigeria
Authors: Ekoh Prince Chiagozie , Agbawodikeizu Patricia Ujunwa , Ejimkararonye Chukwuemeka , George Elizabeth Onyedikachi , Ezulike Chigozie Donatus , Nnebe Ikechukwu
Published: December 2020

Social support provided by family, friends and neighbors has been essential for the survival and wellbeing of older people in Nigeria. However, the reduced social contact between older people and their social network because of the social distancing recommendations and other non-pharmaceutical approaches to protect them from COVID-19 may threaten their social support. Our study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural older people in Nigeria using qualitative data collected from 11 older adults residing in rural Nigeria through in-depth interviews. The collected data was translated and transcribed, coded using Nvivo12 and analyzed thematically. Findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reduction in both material support in the forms of food and money, and intangible support in the forms of assistance, communication and care, due to limited social contact. Furthermore, the economic consequence of the pandemic may have severe implications for the health and wellbeing of older people. Social workers should therefore advocate the distribution of food and care supplies to rural older people to cushion the economic impact of diminishing social support, and also creatively help them maintain social connectedness.
The Concept of Pervading Authenticity: Contribution to Historic Urban Landscape approach
Authors: Rudokas Kastytis , Grazuleviciute-Vileniske Indre
Published: December 2020

The article focuses on the notion of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) introduced by the UNESCO in 2005 and 2011 responding to the expanding understanding of cultural heritage and the urgent call to reconcile heritage preservation and contemporary urban developments and re-introduce heritage as a driver of urban and overall societies development. The analysis of the fundamental and recent literature on the theoretical grounding and the applications of HUL had revealed numerous benefits of this concept including the integration potential, acknowledgement of intangible dimensions of heritage and the values of contemporary architecture; however, several challenges and conflicts were identified as well: the challenge of the search of valuable historical patterns, the questions of what extent of change of historic environment is acceptable, and the underlying tension between the call to conserve the existing valuable historical fabric and the urge to employ heritage as the driver for high quality future development. The research suggests that the understanding of the notion of authenticity plays the fundamental role in the success of the HUL approach and, after reviewing the contemporary ideas on heritage authenticity, introduces permanent pervading authenticity, which would allow searching for valuable development patterns based on kairos time instead of chronos in the frame of the HUL concept.
The temporal fragility of infrastructure: Theorizing decay, maintenance, and repair
Authors: Ramakrishnan Kavita , O’Reilly Kathleen , Budds Jessica
Published: December 2020

Recent studies have reconceptualized infrastructure as comprising both material and social processes, thus offering insights into lived experiences, governance, and socio-spatial reordering. More specific attention to infrastructure’s temporality has challenged its supposed inertia and inevitable completeness, leading to an engagement with questions of the dynamics of infrastructure over different phases of its lifespan, and their generative effects. In this paper, we advance these debates through a focus on the processes of decay, maintenance, and repair that characterize such phases of infrastructural life, by exploring how specific infrastructures are materially shaped by, and shape, social, political, and socio-ecological arrangements. Our intervention has two related aims: first, to conceptualize decay, maintenance, and repair as both temporal phases of infrastructure’s dynamic materiality and its specific affective conditions; second, to trace how these phases of infrastructural life rework embodied labor, differentiated citizenship, and socio-ecological relations. We argue that attention to infrastructure’s “temporal fragility” elucidates the articulation between everyday capacities and desires to labor, the creation of and demands made by political constituents, and the uneven distribution of opportunities and resources.
Eye involvement in inherited metabolic disorders
Authors: Davison James E.
Published: December 2020

Inherited metabolic disorders are a large group of rare disorders affecting normal biochemical pathways. Many metabolic disorders can present with symptoms affecting the eye, and eye disorders can evolve later in the natural history of an already diagnosed metabolic disorder. The ophthalmic involvement can be very varied affecting any part of the eye, including abnormalities of cornea, lens dislocation and cataracts, retina and the distal optic pathway, and extraocular muscles. Awareness of inherited metabolic disorders is important to facilitate early diagnosis and in some cases instigate early treatment if a patient presents with eye involvement suggestive of a metabolic disorder. Ophthalmological interventions are also an important component of the multisystem holistic approach to treating patients with metabolic disorders.
Red panda: a novel method for detecting variants in single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Cornish Adam , Roychoudhury Shrabasti , Sarma Krishna , Pramanik Suravi , Bhakat Kishor , Dudley Andrew , Mishra Nitish K. , Guda Chittibabu
Published: December 2020

Background

Single-cell sequencing enables us to better understand genetic diseases, such as cancer or autoimmune disorders, which are often affected by changes in rare cells. Currently, no existing software is aimed at identifying single nucleotide variations or micro (1-50 bp) insertions and deletions in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Generating high-quality variant data is vital to the study of the aforementioned diseases, among others.

Results

In this study, we report the design and implementation of Red Panda, a novel method to accurately identify variants in scRNA-seq data. Variants were called on scRNA-seq data from human articular chondrocytes, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), and simulated data stemming from the MEF alignments. Red Panda had the highest Positive Predictive Value at 45.0%, while other tools—FreeBayes, GATK HaplotypeCaller, GATK UnifiedGenotyper, Monovar, and Platypus—ranged from 5.8–41.53%. From the simulated data, Red Panda had the highest sensitivity at 72.44%.

Conclusions

We show that our method provides a novel and improved mechanism to identify variants in scRNA-seq as compared to currently existing software. However, methods for identification of genomic variants using scRNA-seq data can be still improved.
Correction to: Comparison of outcomes after topography-modified refraction versus wavefront-optimized versus manifest topography-guided LASIK
Authors: Kim Jaeryung , Choi Sung-Ho , Lim Dong Hui , Yoon Gil-Joong , Chung Tae-Young
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Retraction Note: Bronchial blocker versus double-lumen endobronchial tube in minimally invasive cardiac surgery
Authors: Zhang Chuncheng , Yue Jing , Li Mingyue , Jiang Wei , Pan Yu , Song Zhimin , Shi Cailian , Fan Weixuan , Pan Zhenxiang
Published: December 2020

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-020-01365-7.
Correction to: Systematic analyses reveal long non-coding RNA (PTAF)-mediated promotion of EMT and invasion-metastasis in serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Liang Haihai , Zhao Xiaoguang , Wang Chengyu , Sun Jian , Chen Yingzhun , Wang Guoyuan , Fang Lei , Yang Rui , Yu Mengxue , Gu Yunyan , Shan Hongli
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Gamete binning: chromosome-level and haplotype-resolved genome assembly enabled by high-throughput single-cell sequencing of gamete genomes
Authors: Campoy José A. , Sun Hequan , Goel Manish , Jiao Wen-Biao , Folz-Donahue Kat , Wang Nan , Rubio Manuel , Liu Chang , Kukat Christian , Ruiz David , Huettel Bruno , Schneeberger Korbinian
Published: December 2020

Generating chromosome-level, haplotype-resolved assemblies of heterozygous genomes remains challenging. To address this, we developed gamete binning, a method based on single-cell sequencing of haploid gametes enabling separation of the whole-genome sequencing reads into haplotype-specific reads sets. After assembling the reads of each haplotype, the contigs are scaffolded to chromosome level using a genetic map derived from the gametes. We assemble the two genomes of a diploid apricot tree based on whole-genome sequencing of 445 individual pollen grains. The two haplotype assemblies (N50: 25.5 and 25.8 Mb) feature a haplotyping precision of greater than 99% and are accurately scaffolded to chromosome-level.
Effect of a probiotic on blood pressure in grade 1 hypertension (HYPRO): protocol of a randomized controlled study
Authors: Mähler Anja , Wilck Nicola , Rauch Geraldine , Dechend Ralf , Müller Dominik N.
Published: December 2020

Background

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and leads to target organ damage including stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. About 1.5 billion people worldwide have hypertension, and it is estimated that it causes about 8 million deaths each year. Although there are several drugs available to lower blood pressure (BP), a great proportion of treated patients does not reach recommended treatment targets. Typical antihypertensive drugs target the vessels, the kidneys, and the heart. However, our gut microbiota also influences cardiovascular health, and gut dysbiosis is associated with hypertension. In this study protocol, we investigate the potential BP-lowering effect of a probiotic in patients with grade 1 hypertension.

Methods

This study is an exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. One hundred ten patients with grade 1 hypertension (treated or untreated) will be randomized to either the probiotic Vivomixx® or placebo. The primary endpoint is the nocturnal systolic BP measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after 8 weeks adjusted for the baseline value. The secondary endpoints are changes from baseline in nocturnal diastolic BP, antihypertensive medication, fecal microbiome composition, fecal and serum metabolome, immune cell phenotypes, glucose variability after three standardized breakfasts, and health-related quality of life (PROMIS-29). We also assess the safety profile of the intervention.

Discussion

We postulate that various administrated bacteria (Lactobacilli,Bifidobacteria, andStreptococcus thermophilus) convert dietary components into active metabolites that positively affect immune cell function. A reduction of pro-inflammatory immune cell function could promote a BP-lowering effect.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03906578. Registered on 08 April 2019