bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional flow conditions associated with stratocumulus cloud-eroding boundaries over the southeast Atlantic
Authors: Tomkins Laura M. , Mechem David B. , Yuter Sandra E. , Rhodes Spencer R.
Published: March 2021

Large, abrupt clearing events have been documented in the marine stratocumulus cloud deck over the subtropical Southeast Atlantic Ocean. In these events, clouds are rapidly eroded along a line hundreds–to–thousands of kilometers in length that generally moves westward away from the coast. Because marine stratocumulus clouds exert a strong cooling effect on the planet, any phenomenon that acts to erode large areas of low clouds may be climatically important. Previous satellite-based research suggests that the cloud-eroding boundaries may be caused by westward-propagating atmospheric gravity waves rather than simple advection of the cloud. The behavior of the coastal offshore flow, which is proposed as a fundamental physical mechanism associated with the clearing events, is explored using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Results are presented from several week-long simulations in the month of May when cloud-eroding boundaries exhibit maximum frequency. Two simulations cover periods containing multiple cloud-eroding boundaries (active periods), and two other simulations cover periods without any cloud-eroding boundaries (null periods). Passive tracers and an analysis of mass flux are used to assess the character of the diurnal west-African coastal circulation. Results indicate that the active periods containing cloud-eroding boundaries regularly experience stronger and deeper nocturnal offshore flow from the continent above the marine boundary layer, compared to the null periods. Additionally, we find that the boundary layer height is higher in the null periods than in the active periods, suggesting that the active periods are associated with areas of thinner clouds that may be more susceptible to cloud erosion.
Navigating turbulent waters: Crafting learning trajectories in a changing work context
Authors: Bharatan Ila , Swan Jacky , Oborn Eivor
Published: March 2021

How do newcomers gain access to learning opportunities when they are denied opportunities to practice? Changes in the nature of work, such as labour outsourcing and technological advancements, have created challenges for newcomers to learn. They may be more easily relegated to low-level repetitive tasks, such as scutwork. In these situations, newcomers’ ambiguous position as learners can limit access to participation in practices needed to progress their learning trajectories. Using field-study data, we explore the situated learning of merchant-navy cadets. We show that, when newcomers are not permitted access to participation, the structural arrangements of practice – temporal structures, spatial territories and hierarchical arrangements – hinder learning opportunities. We show, further, that some newcomers leverage these same structural arrangements surreptitiously as resources to access participation, which we conceptualise as stealth work. Consequently, we unveil the soft forms of power at play in crafting access to learning trajectories, making three contributions. First, we show how structural arrangements of a practice can be leveraged to enable learning. Second, we show that gaining access stealthily, requires both normative and counter-normative performances. Third, we show the importance of access in crafting learning trajectories and unpack how such access is navigated by newcomers.
Recent progress in battery electric vehicle noise, vibration, and harshness
Authors: Hua Xia , Thomas Alan , Shultis Kurt
Published: March 2021

As battery electric vehicle (BEV) market share grows so must our understanding of the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) phenomenon found inside the BEVs which makes this technological revolution possible. Similar to the conventional vehicle having encountered numerous NVH issues until today, BEV has to face many new and tough NVH issues. For example, conventional vehicles are powered by the internal combustion engine (ICE) which is the dominant noise source. The noises from other sources were generally masked by the combustion engine, thus the research focus was on the reduction of combustion engine while less attention was paid to noises from other sources. A BEV does not have ICE, automatic transmission, transfer case, fuel tank, air intake, or exhaust systems. In their place, there is more than enough space to accommodate the electric drive unit and battery pack. BEV is quieter without a combustion engine, however, the research on vehicle NVH is even more significant since the elimination of the combustion engine would expose many noise behaviors of BEV that were previously ignored but would now seem clearly audible and annoying. Researches have recently been conducted on the NVH of BEV mainly emphasis on the reduction of noise induced by powertrain, tire, wind and ancillary system and the improvement of sound quality. This review paper will focus on recent progress in BEV NVH research to advance the BEV systems in the future. It is a review for theoretical, computational, and experimental work conducted by both academia and industry in the past few years.
Effect of vitamin C in critically ill patients with sepsis and septic shock: A meta-analysis
Authors: Feng Fang , Yang Huyong , Yang Weiwei , Li Min , Chang Xueni , Chen Yu
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of vitamin C in patients experiencing sepsis and septic shock. The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about vitamin C treatments for critically ill patients suffering from sepsis and septic shock from inception until December 31, 2019. The primary outcome was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were the ICU length of stay and the dose of vasopressors. A meta-analysis of nine RCTs with a total of 584 patients (301 in the intervention group and 283 in the control group) was conducted. There were significant differences between the vitamin C group and the control group in 28-day mortality (fixed effects OR = 0.60 95% CI [0.42, 0.85], p = 0.004) and in the dose of vasopressors (SMD = −0.88 95% CI [−1.48, −0.29], p = 0.003); however, the ICU length of stay was the same between the two groups (SMD  = −0.33 95% CI [−0.87, 0.20] p = 0.23). This meta-analysis demonstrated that the use of vitamin C (compared with placebo) led to a reduction in ICU mortality and a reduction in the dose of vasopressors in patients with septic shock. However, the ICU length of stay was not significantly different between the two groups. Therefore, multicentre and high-quality RCTs are needed to further clarify the safety and effectiveness of vitamin C among patients with sepsis and septic shock.
Comparison of shock index-based risk indices for predicting in-hospital outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Wang Guoyu , Wang Ruzhu , Liu Ling , Wang Jing , Zhou Lei
Published: March 2021

Objective

We aimed to determine whether the prognostic value of the shock index (SI) and its derivatives is better than that of the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction risk index (TRI) for predicting adverse outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

A total of 257 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI from January 2018 to June 2019 were analyzed in a retrospective cohort study. The SI, modified shock index (MSI), age SI (age × the SI), age MSI (age × the MSI), and TRI at admission were calculated. Clinical endpoints were in-hospital complications, including all-cause mortality, acute heart failure, cardiac shock, mechanical complications, re-infarction, and life-threatening arrhythmia.

Results

Multivariate analyses showed that a high SI, MSI, age SI, age MSI, and TRI at admission were associated with a significantly higher rate of in-hospital complications. The predictive value of the age SI and age MSI was comparable with that of the TRI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: z = 1.313 and z = 0.882, respectively) for predicting in-hospital complications.

Conclusions

The age SI and age MSI appear to be similar to the TRI for predicting in-hospital complications in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.
Ozonated water lavage and physiological saline irrigation combined with vacuum-sealed drainage in the treatment of 18 cases of chronic osteomyelitis
Authors: Yasheng Tayierjiang , Mijiti Aini , Yushan Maimaiaili , Liu Zhenhui , Liu Yanshi , Yusufu Aihemaitijiang
Published: March 2021

Objective

Ozone is a colorless gas used as a disinfectant and to treat diseases by limiting the effects of bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, and protozoa. In this study, we investigated the clinical efficacy of ozonated water lavage and physiological saline irrigation combined with vacuum-sealed drainage (VSD) in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

Methods

Eighteen patients (14 men and 4 women) with chronic osteomyelitis in the limbs (tibia: 13 cases; femur: 4 cases; humerus: 1 case) admitted to our hospital between April 2012 and October 2018 were selected. The patients were aged 9 to 52 years, with a mean age of 31 years. All patients underwent ozonated water lavage and physiological saline irrigation combined with VSD negative pressure closed drainage during hospitalization. The patients were followed up for 18 to 84 months, with a mean of 31 months.

Results

Osteomyelitis recurred in only one case of nonunion. The length of hospitalization was 18 to 29 days, with a mean of 21 days.

Conclusions

A combination of ozonated water lavage, physiological saline irrigation, and VSD provided good clinical effects in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis, and thus, is recommended for such treatment.
Bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate combined with open cystolithotomy in the treatment of large and giant prostate with bladder stones: Case series
Authors: Alshayyah Rami Walid Abdullah , Yu Yang , Lv Hang , Liu Wengtong , Yang Bo
Published: March 2021

The surgical management of large or giant prostate still has challenges to urologists, especially if combined with bladder stones, and the traditional techniques by open prostatectomy and cystolithotomy have significant morbidity rates. The endoscopic procedure might not be feasible to treat both conditions in a single procedure, despite advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation, we present a one-session procedure by a combined endoscopic and open approach for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) larger than 100 g combined with bladder stones in the elderly patient with other comorbidities. Between May 2017 and January 2020, bipolar transurethral plasma kinetic enucleation of the prostate (TUEP) followed by open cystolithotomy was performed to six patients at our institution, three of them combined with a big bladder stone(s). All the patients have other chronic chest and heart diseases; we retrospectively collected the data. All the patients diagnosed as BPH of big size or giant prostate over 100 g, with bladder stone, and all the patients treated with the same procedure. We founded that the combination methods showed a significant effect in terms of surgery time, patient outcomes and recovery, hospital discharge. The mean age of patients was 78.16 ± 4.2 (73–84) years, and the mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value was 16.27 ± 10.01 (8.32–32.17) ng/mL. The mean size of the prostate measured by MRI/US was 266.16 ± 89.1 (169–405) mL. The mean total operation time was 70.5 ± 10.9 (60–90) min, while the mean enucleation time was 28.38 ± 6.61 (23–40) min. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 193.33 ± 19.66 (170–220) mL. The mean resected prostate weight was 217.166 ± 94.67 (117–365) g. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 2.6 ± 0.81 (2–4) days. One patient was readmitted 2 months later due to urinary tract infection, and one patient complains of urine incontinence who spontaneously subsided in 4 months after surgery, other that no severe postoperative complications observed, a significant reduction of serum PSA and IPSS recorded at 3 months, postoperatively. Although simple open prostatectomy remains the reference standard for the treatment. Of excessively large or giant prostatic hyperplasia, the combination procedure not only facilitates the management of selected cases of hyperplasia but further imparts significant benefits to patients and surgeons alike. This treatment plan is safe, time-consuming, and could revolutionize future treatment approaches to giant prostate.
Designing a sustainable supply chain network for producing high-value products from waste glass
Authors: Zarrinpoor Naeme
Published: March 2021

This paper aims to design a supply chain network for producing double glazed glass from the recycling of waste glass. All three pillars of sustainability are taken into consideration. The economic objective tries to maximize total profits. The environmental objective considers the energy consumption, the generated waste, the greenhouse gas emission, the water consumption, and the fuel consumption of vehicles. The social objective addresses created job opportunities, the worker safety, the regional development, the worker benefit, and training hours. To solve the model, a two-stage framework based on the group best-worst method and an interactive fuzzy programming approach is developed. The proposed model is validated through a real case study based on waste glass management in the city of Shiraz. It is revealed that when sustainable development goals are approached, a great degree of improvement will be attained in environmental and social aspects without a significant decrease in the economic sustainability. The results also demonstrate that the locations of glass recycling centres are different under economic, environmental, and social pillars, and the proposed model yields an optimal system configuration with a proper satisfaction degree of all objectives. Moreover, applying the proposed solution procedure enables system designers to obtain the most desirable trade-off between different aspects of sustainability.
A more realistic skeletal mechanism with compact size for n-butanol combustion in diesel engines
Authors: Li Yuqiang , Lou Bingqian , Tang Wei , Abubakar Shitu , Liu Gang
Published: March 2021

To accurately predict the combustion and emissions characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with n-butanol/diesel blends, a more realistic compact-sized skeletal mechanism with (149 species and 497 reactions) was developed in this study based on the decoupling method. It was generated by integrating the simplified fuel-related sub-mechanisms of n-butanol and diesel surrogates including n-dodecane, iso-cetane, iso-octane, toluene, and decalin. The same detailed core sub-mechanisms of C2-C3 and H2/CO/C1, in which the formation and oxidation of benzene (A1) and larger polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) up to coronene (A7) of alkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes and alcohols were used. The PAH formation behavior of individual fuel components in the mechanism were analyzed in detail based on the methods of pathway analysis, rate of production and sensitivity analysis. The mechanism was extensively validated against ignition delay time, laminar flame speed, species profile and three-dimensional engine simulation. The results show that the effects of fuel types on the PAH formation are satisfactorily captured, and the combustion characteristics of n-butanol/diesel blends and each component are reliably reproduced by the current mechanism.
Output feedback robust disturbance rejection tracking control design for a bipedal robotic system with articulation constraints
Authors: Rincón-Martínez Karla , Luviano-Juárez Alberto , Santos-Cuevas Clara L , Chairez Isaac
Published: March 2021

The design of an output-based robust disturbance rejection controller, aimed to solve the state tracking for the articulations of an experimental biped robot, was the main outcome of this study. The robust disturbance rejection controller included an auxiliary hybrid observer entailed to recover the angular velocity for each articulation. The estimated states served to perform the approximation of disturbances and non-modeled parts in the biped robot dynamics by implementing an extended state observer structure. The observer used the tracking position errors as input information, as well as considering the limb articular constraints, which are natural for biologically inspired biped robots. The effect of state constraints motivated the implementation of a hybrid observer with saturated output error injection. The controller design used the estimation of constraint velocity for solving the design of a tracking trajectory control to resolve the reproduction of the gait cycle by the bipedal robotic system. The Lyapunov stability theory served to obtain the laws which adjust the observer gains as well as to prove the ultimate boundedness of the tracking error as well. The evaluation of the suggested controller was realized on a numerical representation of the biped robot. These simulations illustrated the tracking performance of the hybrid robust disturbance rejection controller for all biped robot articulations in a decentralized structure. Experimental evaluations were also considered to validate the robust disturbance rejection controller design. A fully actuated biped robot was constructed and controlled by the robust disturbance rejection controller. The tracking results obtained by the robust disturbance rejection controller (in both the numerical and experimental evaluations) overcame the classical approach performances of diverse controllers as state feedback (proportional-derivative form) and regular robust disturbance rejection controller which did not consider the articulation constraints.
Co-Reporting of Child Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence: The Likelihood of Substantiations and Foster Care Placements
Authors: Rebbe Rebecca , Eastman Andrea Lane , Adhia Avanti , Foust Regan , Putnam-Hornstein Emily
Published: March 2021

Intimate partner violence (IPV) negatively affects children. Although IPV-related reports frequently come to the attention of child protective services (CPS), there is neither a unified standard for how CPS systems should respond, nor sufficient research documenting that reaction. The current study used population-based administrative records from California to assess how CPS responds to reported allegations of IPV, with and without physical abuse and/or neglect allegations. We used multinomial regression to model the likelihood of investigation outcomes. Results indicate that 20.7% of CPS reports had IPV alleged during hotline screening, and of those, just 3.2% were screened out compared to 20.2% for reports where IPV was not alleged. Almost half (45.5%) of IPV-alleged reports came from law enforcement, in contrast to 15.2% of reports that did not allege IPV. IPV-alleged reports were more likely to have allegations substantiated without a case opened for services, but less likely to result in foster care placements. Several statistically significant differences were identified by the type of alleged maltreatment co-reported with IPV. This study contributes to an understanding of how CPS responds to IPV-alleged reports.
Tribological analysis of picosecond laser partially textured thrust bearings with circular grooves machined: Theory and experiment
Authors: Chen Tianyang , Ji Jinghu , Fu Yonghong , Tian Penglin , Zhou Jiapeng , Yang Xiping
Published: March 2021

A two-dimensional analytical model based on the Reynolds equation considering mass conservation cavitation is proposed to investigate the performance of partially textured thrust bearings with circular grooves. The geometrical and distribution parameters of the circular grooves are numerically optimized to obtain the maximum load-carrying capacity. The samples of partially textured thrust bearings are machined by the picosecond laser, and tribological experiments are carried out on an MMW-1 tribological rig. The average friction coefficient and the friction reduction ratio are applied to analyze the tribological performance of partially textured thrust bearings. Through a comparative analysis, the optimal geometrical values obtained from the experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis, especially at high rotation speeds and a low load condition.
Cross-cultural issues in business ethics: A review and research agenda
Authors: Ermasova Natalia
Published: March 2021

This paper reports a systematic literature review of articles published over the past 35 years on cross-cultural issues in business ethics. A screening process resulted in a final sample of 306 papers in 26 double-blind reviewed journals with an impact factor score of at least 1.0 in the field. This study uses citation analysis, systematic literature review method, and knowledge-stock analysis. This study highlights the findings from prior studies, compares and contrasts salient characteristics and provides directions for future research. This study identifies important gaps between the literature and the challenges of cross-cultural issues in business ethics. These gaps include lack of conceptual articles, multi-countries level analysis, and deficiency of comparison analysis between developed and developing countries. This article proposes to apply virtue ethics and model of cultural sense-making as some analytical frameworks in the field of cross-cultural issues in business ethics. This review of the literature could provide managers with a longitudinal perspective on how the institutional environment and national culture affect business ethics perception of employees. This paper contributes to the cross-cultural literature on ethical attitudes, helps us better understand cross-cultural differences in business ethics, and provides directions for further research.
“Like a Sheriff in a Small Town”: Status, Roles, and Challenges of Ethics Committees in Academic Colleges of Education
Authors: Sperling Daniel
Published: March 2021

In recent years, Research Ethics Committees in academic colleges of education have constituted to review research proposals in the field of education. Yet, little is known about their work, composition, challenges, and relationships with external partners. This study explores the views and attitudes of 13 members and chairpersons of Research Ethics Committees in colleges of education in Israel, and two policy makers at the Ministry of Education about their roles, responsibilities, challenges, and limitations. Findings revealed an instrumental attitude towards the ethics committee. Committees are perceived as supportive rather than enforcing. Interviews shed light on the complex relationships between committee members, college lecturers/researchers, ethics regulators, and academic management. Moreover, the findings emphasized the lack of formal training and broad discussion on ethics. The study calls for strengthening committees’ raison d'être and the internalization of ethics among committee members, researchers, and lecturers in the field of education.
A Human-like Upper-limb Motion Planner: Generating naturalistic movements for humanoid robots
Authors: Gulletta Gianpaolo , Silva Eliana Costa e , Erlhagen Wolfram , Meulenbroek Ruud , Costa Maria Fernanda Pires , Bicho Estela
Published: March 2021

As robots are starting to become part of our daily lives, they must be able to cooperate in a natural and efficient manner with humans to be socially accepted. Human-like morphology and motion are often considered key features for intuitive human–robot interactions because they allow human peers to easily predict the final intention of a robotic movement. Here, we present a novel motion planning algorithm, the Human-like Upper-limb Motion Planner, for the upper limb of anthropomorphic robots, that generates collision-free trajectories with human-like characteristics. Mainly inspired from established theories of human motor control, the planning process takes into account a task-dependent hierarchy of spatial and postural constraints modelled as cost functions. For experimental validation, we generate arm-hand trajectories in a series of tasks including simple point-to-point reaching movements and sequential object-manipulation paradigms. Being a major contribution to the current literature, specific focus is on the kinematics of naturalistic arm movements during the avoidance of obstacles. To evaluate human-likeness, we observe kinematic regularities and adopt smoothness measures that are applied in human motor control studies to distinguish between well-coordinated and impaired movements. The results of this study show that the proposed algorithm is capable of planning arm-hand movements with human-like kinematic features at a computational cost that allows fluent and efficient human–robot interactions.
Epidemiology of infective endocarditis before versus after change of international guidelines: a systematic review
Authors: Williams Michael L. , Doyle Mathew P. , McNamara Nicholas , Tardo Daniel , Mathew Manish , Robinson Benjamin
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

All major international guidelines for the management of infective endocarditis (IE) have undergone major revisions, recommending antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) restriction to high-risk patients or foregoing AP completely. We performed a systematic review to investigate the effect of these guideline changes on the global incidence of IE.

Methods:

Electronic database searches were performed using Ovid Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science. Studies were included if they compared the incidence of IE prior to and following any change in international guideline recommendations. Relevant studies fulfilling the predefined search criteria were categorized according to their inclusion of either adult or pediatric patients. Incidence of IE, causative microorganisms and AP prescription rates were compared following international guideline updates.

Results:

Sixteen studies were included, reporting over 1.3 million cases of IE. The crude incidence of IE following guideline updates has increased globally. Adjusted incidence increased in one study after European guideline updates, while North American rates did not increase. Cases of IE with a causative pathogen identified ranged from 62% to 91%. Rates of streptococcal IE varied across adult and pediatric populations, while the relative proportion of staphylococcal IE increased (range pre-guidelines 16–24.8%, range post-guidelines 26–43%). AP prescription trends were reduced in both moderate and high-risk patients following guideline updates.

Discussion:

The restriction of AP to only high-risk patients has not resulted in an increase in the incidence of streptococcal IE in North American populations. The evidence of the impact of AP restriction on IE incidence is still unclear for other populations. Future population-based studies with adjusted incidence of IE, AP prescription rates and accurate pathogen identification are required to delineate findings further in these other regions.
Influencer Management Tools: Algorithmic Cultures, Brand Safety, and Bias
Authors: Bishop Sophie
Published: March 2021

This article explores algorithmic influencer management tools, designed to support marketers in selecting influencers for advertising campaigns, based on categorizations such as brand suitability, “brand friendliness,” and “brand risk.” I argue that, by approximating these values, tools reify existing social inequalities in influencer industries, particularly along the lines of sexuality, class, and race. They also deepen surveillance of influencer content by brand stakeholders, who are concerned that influencers will err and be “cancelled” (risking their investments in content). My critical framework synthesizes feminist critiques of ostensibly participatory influencer industries with close attention to critical algorithmic studies. This article provides an in-depth look at how brand risk and brand safety are predicted and measured using one tool, Peg. Through a “walk through” of this tool, underpinned by a wider industry ethnography, I demonstrate how value-laded algorithmic judgments map onto well-worn hierarchies of desirability and employability that originate from systemic bias along the lines of class, race, and gender.
Tweets and Quacks: Network and Content Analyses of Providers of Non-Science-Based Anticancer Treatments and Their Supporters on Twitter
Authors: Lavorgna Anita , Carr Leslie
Published: March 2021

Despite the consensus in the medical discipline that certain treatments lack scientific evidence and are worthless if not potentially dangerous, the promotion and selling of fake cures advertised as safe and effective has long plagued health care systems, praying on vulnerable patients and their loved ones. The web and social media are now playing a fundamental role in the propagation of non-science-based treatments and fraudulent medical claims, and in the rise of false health and lifestyle experts. This study combines criminological and computer science expertise to explore and critically analyze the Twitter presence of providers of non-science-based anticancer treatments and their active supporters in the English-speaking online community to investigate their structural relationships and to analyze the characteristics of the most popular actors. The features of the social network observed indicate that there is not a stable community of promoters and supporters of non-science-based medical treatments in the Twittersphere, suggesting the lack of a defined subculture and the presence of transient collectives rather than identifiable groups. Nonetheless, it is possible to observe dynamic conversational networks clustering around popular actors, tweets, and themes, prompting avenues for further research.
Impact of Online Crisis Response Strategies on Online Purchase Intention: The Roles of Online Brand Attitude and Brand Perceived Usefulness
Authors: Halima Mohamed Habuba , Li Yongjun , Ghani Usman , Kiani Ataullah , Cynthia Atamba
Published: March 2021

The present study has concentrated on online crisis response strategies that stimulate online purchase and the acceptance of online purchase intention (OPI) in the marketplace. However, few studies have examined the online crisis response strategies undertaken to alleviate the online crisis. Therefore, on the basis of the Stimulus Organism Response framework and online crisis response strategies, this study offered and tested a model that inspected the effect of online crisis response strategies on OPI through online brand attitude (OBA). Brand perceived usefulness (BPU) was observed as a borderline condition between OBA and OPI. We recruited 392 working professionals undertaking the Master of Business Administration program at a large public university in China. The results suggest that OBA mediates the association between online crisis response strategies and OPI. Similarly, BPU moderates the association between OBA and OPI. The responses with high BPU maximize the effect of online crisis response strategies on OBA. On the basis of the study outcomes, contributions to theory and practice, limitations, and future guidelines are well discussed.
How Does Family Intimacy Predict Self-Esteem in Adolescents? Moderation of Social Media Use Based on Gender Difference
Authors: Shao Xiaoyi , Ni Xiaoli
Published: March 2021

The current study explored the multiple effects of social media use and its moderation mechanism between intimate family environment and self-esteem in adolescents. In all, 1,040 males and 1,201 females below age 25 have participated in this study. Hypothesis and research questions were proposed and examined by statistical analysis, consisting of statistical description, Pearson’s correlation analysis, independent-samples t test, multiple linear regression, simple-slope analysis, and moderation plot. Supportive social media use was identified as a moderator among all participants. Gender differences were found to exist in this moderation mechanism. Male adolescents tended to use social media as a habit, while female adolescents preferred to use social media for seeking support. The habitual social media use moderated the association between intimate family environment and self-esteem in male adolescents; the supportive social media use moderated the same procedure in female adolescents; however, both moderations were only found to be significant in the group of high habitual or supportive social media use, respectively.
Transitional Shock of Multi-Nationality Newly Graduate Nurses in Kuwait
Authors: Alnuqaidan Hanan , Alhajraf Ali , Mathew Princy , Ahmad Muayyad
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The transitional period of newly graduate nurses became more stressful, different coping mechanisms are essential. Therefore, effective coping with transition-related stress and anxiety is important for the life and professional of those nurses.

Objectives

To examine the transitional shock through assessing the occupational stress and coping mechanism of multi-nationality newly graduate nurses in Kuwait.

Methods

A descriptive correlational design was used to identify the occupational stress of the newly graduate nurses (NGNs) and their coping mechanisms during the transitional period to their professional life. All the NGNs were recruited. The total number of participants was 152 nurses.

Results

Highly significant correlations on almost all stress domains with p-values P < 0.01. We found that “Death and dying” was ranked as the highest stressor with a mean score of 6.20, followed by “uncertainty concerning treatment” with a mean score of 5.59, and in the “Inadequate preparation” was the least stressor with a mean score of 1.64.

Conclusion

“Religious coping” was the highest-ranked coping mechanism. In conclusion, NGNs have to adjust quickly to the new practical atmosphere encountered in the health care settings by using the proper coping mechanisms techniques.
What is the nature of peer interactions in children with language disorders? A qualitative study of parent and practitioner views
Authors: Lloyd-Esenkaya Vanessa , Forrest Claire L , Jordan Abbie , Russell Ailsa J , Clair Michelle C St
Published: March 2021

Background and aims

Children with Language Disorders (LDs) can exhibit increased levels of social withdrawal, aggression and problems managing social conflicts. The reasons underlying this pattern of social interaction profiles remain unclear. This qualitative study aimed to document the nature of social interactions between children with LDs and their peers, and to evaluate explanations for their social behaviour, as understood by parents and practitioners.

Methods

This study focused on children with LDs who spend school hours with other children with LDs. Three parent focus groups (n = 8) and three practitioner focus groups (n = 10) were conducted with parents of children aged 4–12 attending specialist language schools and practitioners working at these schools. This was a mixed clinical sample. All children of participating parents had LD as their primary area of need, which was the reason they required specialist schooling. Focus groups were conducted across two specialist schools in the UK between March and June 2018.

Results

An inductive reflective thematic analysis of the data identified three themes; social knowledge, coping strategies, and emotional competence. Parents and school staff reported that children with LDs experience difficulties managing peer interactions due to a combination of challenges including difficulties with understanding and regulating emotions, and difficulties understanding social situations. Some of the children with LDs were described as having developed strategies to cope with their challenges, for example imposing structure on their social interactions to manage uncertainty, which has implications for their social interactions with peers.

Conclusions

Children with LDs have difficulties understanding emotions, difficulties understanding their peer’s intentions and difficulties resolving conflict situations independently according to their parents and practitioners working with these children. Participants proposed a novel explanation that social withdrawal may be used adaptively by children with LDs to process information. This study demonstrates the complexity of the relationship between Language Disorders and peer interaction profiles. Implications: Suggestions are offered regarding future research directions, such as investigating the specific contribution language skills make to children’s emotion understanding, to better understand the reasons for peer interaction difficulties in children with Language Disorders.
Minimally myelosuppressive regimen for remission induction in pediatric AML: long-term results of an observational study
Authors: Hu Yixin , Chen Aili , Gao Li , He Hailong , Jiang Shuting , Zheng Xinchang , Xiao Peifang , Lu Jun , Wang Yi , Li Jie , Li Jianqin , Fan Junjie , Yao Yanhua , Ling Jing , Fan Liyan , Cheng Shengqin , Cheng Cheng , Fang Fang , Pan Jian , Wang Qian-fei , Ribeiro Raul C. , Hu Shaoyan
Published: March 2021

Treatment refusal and death as a result of toxicity account for most treatment failures among children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in resource-constrained settings. We recently reported the results of treating children with AML with a combination of low-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone or omacetaxine mepesuccinate with concurrent granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (low-dose chemotherapy [LDC]) for remission induction followed by standard postremission strategies. We have now expanded the initial cohort and have provided long-term follow-up. Eighty-three patients with AML were treated with the LDC regimen. During the study period, another 100 children with AML received a standard-dose chemotherapy (SDC) regimen. Complete remission was attained in 88.8% and 86.4% of patients after induction in the LDC and SDC groups, respectively (P = .436). Twenty-two patients in the LDC group received SDC for the second induction course. Significantly more high-risk AML patients were treated with the SDC regimen (P = .035). There were no significant differences between the LDC and SDC groups in 5-year event-free survival (61.4% ± 8.7% vs 65.2% ± 7.4%, respectively; P = .462), overall survival (72.7% ± 6.9% vs 72.5% ± 6.2%, respectively; P = .933), and incidence of relapse (20.5% ± 4.5% vs 17.6% ± 3.9%, respectively; P = .484). Clearance of mutations based on the average variant allele frequency at complete remission in the LDC and SDC groups was 1.9% vs 0.6% (P < .001) after induction I and 0.17% vs 0.078% (P = .052) after induction II. In conclusion, our study corroborated the high remission rate reported for children with AML who received at least 1 course of LDC. The results, although preliminary, also suggest that long-term survival of these children is comparable to that of children who receive SDC regimens.
The profiling of microbiota in vaginal swab samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and IS-pro analysis
Authors: Singer M. , Koedooder R. , Bos M. P. , Poort L. , Schoenmakers S. , Savelkoul P. H. M. , Laven J. S. E. , de Jonge J. D. , Morré S. A. , Budding A. E.
Published: March 2021

Background

16S rRNA gene sequencing is currently the most common way of determining the composition of microbiota. This technique has enabled many new discoveries to be made regarding the relevance of microbiota to the health and disease of the host. However, compared to other diagnostic techniques, 16S rRNA gene sequencing is fairly costly and labor intensive, leaving room for other techniques to improve on these aspects.

Results

The current study aimed to compare the output of 16S rRNA gene sequencing to the output of the quick IS-pro analysis, using vaginal swab samples from 297 women of reproductive age. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and IS-pro analyses yielded very similar vaginal microbiome profiles, with a median Pearson’s R2 of 0.97, indicating a high level of similarity between both techniques.

Conclusions

We conclude that the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and IS-pro are highly comparable and that both can be used to accurately determine the vaginal microbiota composition, with the IS-pro analysis having the benefit of rapidity.
Roles of the 14-3-3 gene family in cotton flowering
Authors: Sang Na , Liu Hui , Ma Bin , Huang Xianzhong , Zhuo Lu , Sun Yuqiang
Published: March 2021

Background

In plants, 14-3-3 proteins, also called GENERAL REGULATORY FACTORs (GRFs), encoded by a large multigene family, are involved in protein–protein interactions and play crucial roles in various physiological processes. No genome-wide analysis of theGRFgene family has been performed in cotton, and their functions in flowering are largely unknown.

Results

In this study, 17, 17, 31, and 17 GRFgenes were identified inGossypium herbaceum,G. arboreum,G. hirsutum, andG. raimondii, respectively, by genome-wide analyses and were designated asGheGRFs,GaGRFs,GhGRFs, andGrGRFs, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that these proteins were divided into ε and non-ε groups. Gene structural, motif composition, synteny, and duplicated gene analyses of the identifiedGRFgenes provided insights into the evolution of this family in cotton.GhGRFgenes exhibited diverse expression patterns in different tissues. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that the GhGRFs interacted with the cotton FLOWERING LOCUS T homologue GhFT in the cytoplasm and nucleus, while they interacted with the basic leucine zipper transcription factor GhFD only in the nucleus. Virus-induced gene silencing inG. hirsutumand transgenic studies inArabidopsisdemonstrated thatGhGRF3/6/9/15repressed flowering and thatGhGRF14promoted flowering.

Conclusions

Here, 82GRFgenes were identified in cotton, and their gene and protein features, classification, evolution, and expression patterns were comprehensively and systematically investigated. The GhGRF3/6/9/15 interacted with GhFT and GhFD to form florigen activation complexs that inhibited flowering. However, GhGRF14 interacted with GhFT and GhFD to form florigen activation complex that promoted flowering. The results provide a foundation for further studies on the regulatory mechanisms of flowering.
Correction to: Improvement of analgesic efficacy for total hip arthroplasty by a modified ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block
Authors: Zheng Ting , Hu Bin , Zheng Chun-ying , Huang Feng-yi , Gao Fei , Zheng Xiao-chun
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Associations between physical function and device-based measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in older adults: moving beyond moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity
Authors: Walker Rod L. , Greenwood-Hickman Mikael Anne , Bellettiere John , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Wing David , Higgins Michael , Richmire KatieRose , Larson Eric B. , Crane Paul K. , Rosenberg Dori E.
Published: March 2021

Background

Research supports that moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is key to prolonged health and function. Among older adults, substantial changes to MVPA may be infeasible, thus a growing literature suggests a shift in focus to whole-day activity patterns.

Methods

With data from 795 older adults aged 65–100 in the Adult Changes in Thought Activity Monitoring study, we used linear regression to estimate associations between ActiGraph and activPAL measured activity patterns – including light intensity physical activity, steps, standing, and sedentary behaviors – and physical function as measured by a short Performance-based Physical Function (sPPF) score (range 0–12), a composite score based on three standardized physical performance tasks: gait speed, timed chair stands, and grip strength. We examined whether relationships persisted when controlling for MVPA or differed across age, gender, or quartiles of MVPA.

Results

In models unadjusted for MVPA, a 1-standard deviation (SD) increment of daily sitting (1.9 h more), mean sitting bout duration (8 min longer average), or time spent in sedentary activity (1.6 h more) was associated with ~ 0.3–0.4 points lower mean sPPF score (all p < 0.05). A 1-SD increment in daily steps (~ 3500 more steps) was associated with ~ 0.5 points higher mean sPPF score (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.73). MVPA adjustment attenuated all relationships. The association between physical function and steps was strongest among adults aged 75+; associations of worse function with greater sedentary behavior were more pronounced in participants with the lowest levels of MVPA.

Conclusions

We found associations between function and activity metrics other than MVPA in key subgroups, findings that support research on broader activity patterns and may offer ideas regarding practical intervention opportunities for improving function in older adults.
Prevalence of abnormal kidney function in a rural population of Benin and associated risk factors
Authors: Gbaguidi Gwladys N. , Houehanou Corine Y. , Amidou Salimanou A. , Vigan Jacques , Houinato Dismand S. , Lacroix Philippe
Published: March 2021

Background

The global burden of kidney disease has increased in recent years worldwide. Risk factors for kidney disease are common in Africa, but data on their prevalence are lacking. This study aims to determine the prevalence of abnormal kidney function and associated factors among participants included in the TAnve HEalth Study (TAHES) cohort in Benin.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study nested within the TAHES cohort. It was carried out in 2019, among TAHES participants aged 25 years and above, living in Tanvè and Dékanmè, two villages located in southwestern Benin. Data on risk factors were collected using the World Health Organization’s STEPS questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and capillary creatinine measurements were performed. Abnormal kidney function was defined as a low glomerular filtration rate (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2).

Results

Creatinine was measured among 1360 out of the 1583 participants in the cohort in 2019. The median age was 39 [32–53]. The prevalence of abnormal kidney function was 16.10%; 95%CI = [14.15–18.05]. The results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that the probability of abnormal kidney function increased significantly with age (adjusted OR (aOR) = 2.75; 95%CI = [1.83–4.14]), female gender (aOR = 2; 95%CI = [1.37–2.91]), hypertension (aOR = 1.54; 95%CI = [1.12–2.13]), high body mass index (aOR = 1, 56; 95%CI = [1.12–2.17]) and hyperglycemia (aOR = 2.86; 95%CI = [1.68–4.88]).

Conclusion

The prevalence of abnormal kidney function was high. These data should guide national authorities and help to raise community awareness of the benefits of early detection of this condition.