bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lived experiences of psychiatric patients with mood disorders who attended group therapy facilitated by professional psychiatric nurses
Authors: Visagie Hester M.P. , Poggenpoel Marie , Myburgh Chris
Published: April 2020

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 25% of people worldwide will develop mental health disorders during their lifetime. Patients admitted to acute inpatient units for mood disorders experience emotional distress. Group therapy has the potential to foster the therapeutic change through specific therapeutic mechanisms. Psychiatric nurses working in inpatient units are in a unique position to offer group therapy.Objectives: Explore and describe stabilised acute psychiatric patients with mood disorders’ lived experiences of group therapy facilitated by psychiatric nurses. Make specific recommendations for psychiatric nurses to facilitate constructive group therapy for stabilised acute psychiatric patients with mood disorders in an inpatient unit.Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used in the study. A purposive sample of all patients with mood disorders older than 18 years admitted to inpatient units who participated in group therapy was made. Data were collected through conducting phenomenological interviews, observation and field notes. Interviews focussed on the following open question: ‘How did you experience group therapy facilitated by the psychiatric nurses?’ An independent coder analysed the data by using thematic coding. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were applied. The following four ethical principles were adhered to: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice.Results: Three themes emerged from this study. Theme 1 entailed the psychological experiences of patients attending group therapy. Theme 2 highlighted the interpersonal experiences of patients. Theme 3 evolved around patients’ experiences outside group therapy. Patients initially experienced attending group therapy as anxiety provoking. However, negative psychological experiences soon transformed into positive psychological experiences.Conclusion: The findings of this study were used to make specific recommendations to facilitate constructive group therapy for patients with mood disorders.
Effective strategies followed by multinational enterprises expanding into Africa
Authors: Coetzee Zihné , Bezuidenhout Henri , Mhonyera Gabriel
Published: April 2020

Orientation: Retail sector multinational enterprises (MNEs) face challenges and follow diverse strategies when they expand into foreign markets.Research purpose: The major aim of this article is to determine how three well-established retail sector MNEs, namely, Walmart, Carrefour and Shoprite, addressed the challenges they faced and structured their market entry strategies in the African continent.Motivation for the study: While the opportunities in Africa are perpetual, breaking into the African market is not so straightforward. It is in this regard that the importance of determining the challenges faced by established retail MNEs in Africa and the valuable lessons that can be drawn by small and upcoming MNEs, from the experiences of these prominent MNEs studied, is exposed.Research approach/design and method: This article employs a mixed-method approach (i.e. case study and semi-structured interviews) to determine the challenges faced by Walmart, Carrefour and Shoprite when they expanded into Africa, and how they overcame those challenges.Main findings: The findings reveal that Walmart and Shoprite possess a substantial footprint in sub-Saharan Africa, while Carrefour enjoys a substantial footprint in North Africa and Francophone Countries of west Africa. Furthermore, Walmart follows a risk-averse approach when expanding into the African continent and only expands into new foreign markets based on the market potential and the ability to succeed. Carrefour’s main strategy is to achieve international expansion into Africa through the acquisition of international partnerships with local and regional firms. Shoprite, on the other hand, maintains that no written strategy was followed when the retail MNE expanded into Africa. It is also evident that external factors are significant for MNEs seeking to invest in Africa.Practical/managerial implications: Not all MNEs expanding into Africa have been successful. Accordingly, the practical value of this article rests upon the lessons that small and upcoming MNEs can learn from the experiences of MNEs that are now well established in African markets.Contribution/value-add: This article contributes to existing foreign direct investment (FDI) literature by identifying challenges that Walmart, Carrefour and Shoprite faced when they expanded into Africa. In addition, lessons that aspiring and small MNEs, specifically in the retail sector, can learn from these three retail MNEs that are now well established in African markets are drawn.
Patient satisfaction with directly observed treatment and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis injection administration by lay health workers in rural Eswatini
Authors: Peresu Ernest , Heunis Christo J , Kigozi Gladys N , De Grave Diana
Published: April 2020

Background: The human resources for health crisis in rural Eswatini led to a novel community-based multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment strategy based on task-shifting, that is delegation of directly observed treatment (DOT) and administration of MDR-TB injections, traditionally restricted to professional nurses, to lay community treatment supporters (CTSs).Aim: This study assessed the level of patient satisfaction with receiving community-based MDR-TB care from a CTS.Setting: The study was conducted at three MDR-TB-treating facilities in the mostly rural Shiselweni region.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of a purposive sample of 78 patients receiving DOT and intramuscular MDR-TB injections from CTSs was carried out in 2017. Descriptive statistics and regressions were calculated.Results: A high overall general patient satisfaction score for receiving community-based MDR-TB care from a CTS was observed. Adherence counselling, confidentiality, provider selection and treatment costs significantly (p 0.05) influenced satisfaction. A large majority (n = 62; 79.5%) of patients indicated that they would likely recommend their significant others to receive MDR-TB care from a CTS. Respondents identified the need to provide CTSs with adequate training, regular supervision and sufficient incentives and also to broaden the scope of their services.Conclusion: This study observed that task-shifting of DOT and MDR-TB injection administration to CTSs was supported from a patient perspective. However, adherence counselling, confidentiality, provider selection and treatment costs should be taken into account in community-based MDR-TB care programming. Further to the patients, community-based tuberculosis care could be enhanced by improving CTSs’ training, supervision and incentives, and broadening the scope of their services.
The elephant in the room: Tensions between normative research and an ethics of care for digital storytelling in higher education
Authors: Gachago Daniela , Livingston Candice
Published: April 2020

Background: Digital storytelling (DST) has been embraced in classrooms around the world as a way to unpack issues of identity and positionality which are critical for any pedagogy concerned with social justice. However, adopting this process-orientated practice into higher education raises ethical concerns especially in relation to the normative approach to traditional research.Objectives: The objective of this article was to explore the ethical concerns surrounding DST when used as a pedagogy and to determine if an ‘ethics of care’ approach could help to mitigate the ethical dilemmas experienced by teachers and researchers alike.Method: A single case study, narratives, illustrations and reflections from a final-year arts education project were used to explore some of the ethical issues we encountered when employing DST as a pedagogy and in educational research.Results: The results of this reflection show that special attention needs to be paid to the following issues: the collection and interpretation of data, how anonymity and confidentiality are ensured in DST, who owns the stories, how sampling is conducted and how consent is sought and, finally, how the tenant of ‘do no harm’ is adhered to in DST.Conclusion: We argue that traditional deontological approaches to ethics are not able to fully respond to the complex, nuanced and ongoing concerns posed by DST projects. We adopt Joan Tronto’s Ethic of Care to argue that ethical practice cannot be contained in codes of conduct alone and cannot simply be signed off on by institutional review boards, but is rather a matter of a daily personal, professional and political caring practice.
Circumcised men’s perceptions, understanding and experiences of voluntary medical male circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Nxumalo Celenkosini T. , Mchunu Gugu G.
Published: April 2020

Background: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has rolled out voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in response to recommendations that regions with a high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence adopt VMMC as an additional HIV prevention strategy. There is a paucity of South African data on the motivators, barriers and experiences of adult male candidates regarding VMMC. This study was conducted to analyse circumcised men’s perceptions, understanding and experiences of VMMC in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative phenomenographic design was used. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (BE 627/18). Data were collected from 12 circumcised male candidates. Individual interviews were conducted and recorded by using an audiotape. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed manually.Results: Participants’ perceptions regarding VMMC are health related and appear to be the motivators for the uptake of medical circumcision. Circumcised men in this study appeared to misunderstand VMMC in terms of healing and performance time and the nature of the procedure. Negative experiences in terms of quality of care received were reported.Conclusion: The study findings imply that practice interventions to promote demand generation for VMMC in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, should incorporate the perceptions and experiences of male candidates regarding the procedure. Tailored messaging to address misunderstanding related to the nature of VMMC should also be provided. Regular in-service training on standardised VMMC implementation practices should be provided to ensure the delivery of optimum quality VMMC services.
Factors that influence knowledge management systems to improve knowledge transfer in local government: A case study of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Ncoyini Samuel S. , Cilliers Liezel
Published: April 2020

Orientation: The demand for improved service delivery requires new approaches and attitudes from local governments. The lack of knowledge management (KM) and, therefore, a low level of information and knowledge transfer in the public services were identified as two of the main contributors to poor service delivery.Research purpose: The purpose of this research study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors that impact on KM systems to improve the knowledge transfer at Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM).Motivation for the study: A lack of institutional capacity in local government is one of the primary reasons why service delivery is still an issue in almost all of South Africa’s provinces. A Knowledge management system (KMS) would enable BCMM to build up organisational knowledge through the systematic capture and organisation of the wealth of knowledge and experience of staff, stakeholders, clients, partners and beneficiaries. A KMS leverage knowledge that already exists within and outside BCMM and can make this knowledge readily accessible to the Municipality employees.Research approach/design and method: Qualitative data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and a convenience sampling technique from five participants. The qualitative interviews were analysed by means of thematic analysis to analyse the data.Main findings: The study found that the KM culture within the municipality is not supportive as the hierarchical and bureaucratic management supresses any attempts at openness and support. At the human resources level, information is not seamlessly transferred between managers and their subordinates. There seems to be a culture of knowledge hoarding in an attempt to augment personal importance or worth.Practical/managerial implications: To solve the knowledge transfer problems, KM must be aligned with the organisational strategy. Official KM strategies must be developed and aligned to organisational strategies to ensure that the top management makes and shares a plan for a vision of continuous knowledge transfer.Contribution/value-add: The study therefore recommends that BCMM must ensure that knowledge transfer practices and initiatives are fully supported and promoted by the top management. This will ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to support knowledge transfer.
Foundation for transdisciplinary education at Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Authors: Mokhele Masilonyane , Pinfold Nicholas
Published: April 2020

South Africa faces a multitude of social, economic and environmental challenges, which require well-considered planning efforts. However, the efficacy of the built environment professions to adequately plan for the current and future populations can to some extent be questioned. Factors that are arguably responsible for the failure of the professions to achieve the desired outcomes include the following: (1) the inability of professionals to comprehensively analyse community problems and (2) although the various professions might work on the same issues, they largely fail to transcend disciplinary boundaries. This state of affairs can in part be linked to the role of higher education, which is in a good position to equip future professionals with the skills required for the analysis of diverse societal problems. In spite of the importance of education and training, there is a paucity of literature that explore ways in which the South African higher education sector instils transdisciplinary thinking and, accordingly, imparts the requisite soft skills to students. Using the case study of Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, the aim of this article was to present efforts that are pursued towards instilling transdisciplinarity in students. The efforts revolve around community service-learning pedagogy, which grants students a platform to work in close collaboration with communities. In the process, students and community members develop an in-depth understanding of the community’s problems and how they could be collectively resolved.
Transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 to healthcare workers – observational results of a primary care hospital contact tracing
Authors: Canova Vera , Lederer Schläpfer Heidi , Piso Rein Jan , Droll Armin , Fenner Lukas , Hoffmann Tobias , Hoffmann Matthias
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 epidemic is evolving rapidly. Healthcare workers are at increased risk for infection, and specific requirements for their protection are advisable to ensure the functioning of the basic healthcare system, including the availability of general practitioners (GPs). Understanding the transmission risk is particularly important for guiding evidence-based protective measures in the primary healthcare setting.

METHODS
Healthcare worker contacts of an initially undiagnosed COVID-19 case, who were without personal protective equipment, in particular not wearing facemasks, were screened with nasopharyngeal swabs and polymerase chain reaction tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), irrespective of respiratory symptoms or fever seven days after initial contact. The details of exposure to the index case were obtained during routine contact investigation after unintentional pathogen exposure.

RESULTS
Twenty-one healthcare workers reported contacts with the index case. Three healthcare workers reported respiratory symptoms (cough) or low-grade fever within 4 days. None of them tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at the time of symptom onset. All 21 healthcare workers tested SARS-CoV-2 negative 7 days after initial index case contact, including the three healthcare workers with previous symptoms. Ten of the 21 healthcare workers reported a cumulative exposure time of >15 minutes. Longer cumulative contact times were associated with more individual contacts, reduced contact time per contact and activities with physical patient contact. The closest relative of the index patient tested SARS-CoV-2 positive 2 days after the index case presented at the hospital emergency department.

CONCLUSION
We found a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a primary care setting. These findings are compatible with previous reports of the highest transmission probability in household settings with prolonged close contacts. The current protective measures for healthcare workers, including strict adherence to basic standard hygiene and facemasks, offer considerable protection during short periods of contact with symptomatic COVID-19 cases by diminishing the risk of direct and indirect transmission.
Peatland area and carbon over the past 21 000 years – a global process based model investigation
Authors: Müller Jurek , Joos Fortunat
Published: April 2020

Abstract. Peatlands are an essential part of the terrestrial carbon cycle and the climate system. Understanding their history is key to understand future and past land-atmosphere carbon fluxes. We performed transient simulations over the past 22 000 years with a dynamic global peat and vegetation model forced by Earth System Model climate output, thereby complementing data-based reconstructions for peatlands. Our novel results demonstrate a highly dynamic evolution with concomitant gains and losses of active peatland areas. Modelled gross area changes exceed net changes several fold, while net peat area increases by 60 % over the deglaciation. Peatlands expand to higher northern latitudes in response to warmer and wetter conditions and retreating ice sheets and are partly lost in mid-latitude regions. In the tropics peatlands are partly lost due to flooding of continental shelves and regained by non-linear interactions between temperature, precipitation and CO2. Large north-south shifts of tropical peatlands are driven by shifts in the position of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone associated with the abrupt climate events of the glacial termination. Time slice simulations for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) demonstrate large uncertainties in modelled peatland extent (global range: 1.5 to 3.4 Mkm2) stemming from uncertainties in climate forcing. Net uptake of atmospheric CO2 through peatlands, modelled at 350 GtC since the LGM, includes decay from former peatlands. Carbon uptake would be misestimated, in particular during periods of rapid climate change and subsequent peatland area shifts, when considering only changes in the area of currently active peatlands. Our study highlights the dynamic nature of peatland distribution and calls for an improved understanding of former peatlands to better constrain peat carbon sources and sinks.
La tecnología de datos vinculados al servicio de los medios de comunicación.
Authors: Ríos Hilario Ana B.
Published: April 2020

Se analiza la aplicación de las tecnologías de linked open data (LOD) en el entorno de los medios de comunicación a partir del estudio de los conjuntos de datos, específicos de este ámbito, presentes actualmente en la “nube” de los datos vinculados. Mediante la aplicación de una metodología fundamentalmente de carácter descriptivo, el artículo se estructura en torno a los siguientes tres grandes apartados: en el primero se analiza el concepto de LOD; a continuación se realiza el estudio propiamente dicho de los dataset referentes a los medios de comunicación, y finalmente, se examinan cada uno de estos conjuntos presentes en el catálogo Mannheim. Concluye el artículo destacando las principales características obtenidas y sugiriendo posibles líneas de investigación sobre esta misma temática.
Public-Private Partnerships in Forestry Management in Sri Lanka: Emergence, Influence and Legitimacy
Authors: De Zoysa Mangala
Published: April 2020

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are considered as “win-win” solutions to both government and market failures in sustainable forest management. PPPs in Sri Lanka are filling a regulatory gap resulting from withdrawal of government from the management of forest resources. The national forest policy has emphasized afforestation, conservation and protection as the main components of emerged government-community, donor–recipient and public–private partnerships with local people, rural communities and other stakeholders. Timber and fuel-wood plantations, and agro-forestry woodlots have been established through partnerships. Eco-tourism has been given special emphasis through partnerships between the government agencies, private sector and communities. Private sector involves in forestry as a business through sustainable agro-forestry, imparting financial gain. The government has identified risk mitigation as an integral part of the government–community partnership planning process. Investments of private sector in forest management are committed to enhance inflow of foreign exchange earnings through the export of value added forest products. The Forest Ordinance has empowered Forest Department for the management, protection and development of forest resources. PPPs are far less frequent in rule-setting and implementation of timber and fuel-wood plantations and agro-forestry woodlots. Work undertaken by community based organizations in PPPs occurs on a minor scale. Private-sector involvement in forest resources management has raised serious concerns by public perception about conflict of interest. The Government needs serious efforts and amendment of forest policies to promote public-private partnerships for the sustainable development of forest resources.
Integrating Topics of Renewable Energy into the Science Curricula of the Middle Stage in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Subahi Nisreen H.
Published: April 2020

The present study aims to determine how far topics of renewable energy are included in the science curricula of the middle stage in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the study adopts the analytical descriptive approach. The sample comprised the science curricula of the second middle year (two semesters). The author developed and applied a form, whose validity and reliability had been verified, covering a list of topics about renewable energy to determine the significance of integrating those topics into the science curricula of the middle stage. The list included six major topics with sub-items related to renewable energy. Moreover, a tool was utilized to analyze the sample curricula to explore how far they tackled topics of renewable energy. The results revealed that the science curricula of the second middle year did not adequately cover renewable energy (only 16.62%). Accordingly, the study recommended reviewing the science curricula of the middle stage to ensure the integration of renewable energy and conducting further studies to explore how far renewable energy is integrated into the science curricula of different stages.
An approach to develop a continuing professional development workshop for nurses to differentiate, delirium, dementia and depression among older adults
Authors: Elansari Hala , Johnson Jessie , Kelly Daniel Robert
Published: April 2020

Delirium, dementia, and depression challenge nurses in acute care settings. They negatively impact older adult's health, well-being, and quality of life. Misdiagnosis of delirium, dementia, and depression is associated with higher mortality rate, functional decline, increased length of stay, higher admission and institutionalization rates, and higher health care expenditures. Nurses in acute care settings have a lack of knowledge about delirium, dementia, and depression. This lack of knowledge could have implication as necessary referrals to physicians is needed in order to ensure initiating of appropriate treatment.  Continuing professional development is necessary to keep nurses abreast of the rapid changes in knowledge and technology needed to provide safe and high quality services. Providing an opportunity to participate in continuing professional development on this particular subject would go a long way to facilitate knowledge translation. As a result nurses will be equipped with the adequate knowledge and skills to meet the overall goal of providing quality care for older adults in different care settings.
Goat Farming and the Phenomenon of Theft in Menoua Division in the Western Region of Cameroon
Authors: Fouepe Fongang Hensel Guillaume , Tchuente Takam Noel Hubert , Wouapi Napi Alain Hervé , Meutchieye Félix
Published: April 2020

This study focuses on the theft of animals, particularly the case of goats in Menoua division in the Western Region of Cameroon. The aim is to analyze the phenomenon of goat theft and to bring out the consequences, including the answers developed and proposed by farmers. A sample of 140 goat breeders and 20 former goat keepers were surveyed and interviews were conducted with 18 authorities and resources person. The primary data obtained is analyzed using descriptive statistical methods with SPSS. Those obtained through the interview guides were analyzed through thematic analysis. It emerges that goats are stolen both during the day and at night. Discreet theft, by car or motorbike, and direct physical assault of the breeder are the main techniques/methods used by thieves. This theft phenomenon leaves consequences, in the social, economic and technical domains, which discourages enthusiasm of breeders and investments in this sector. In reponse, 50% of the breeders’ surveyed keep their goats in the family home which they regularly monitor. 25.6% have taken no action and 12.6% use watchdogs or built pens. These main methods developed against theft remain ineffective. However, vigilance committees used by 3.8% appear to be more productive and contribute to lowering this theft phenomenon whereas security services instead place emphasis on patrols they deem efficient.
Evaluating Medicare Performance: Perceptions of Performance Pre- and Post- ACA
Authors: Oguagha Ashleigh Chinelo , Lambert Nickesha Joan
Published: April 2020

Medicare is a national single-payer system that provides health coverage for the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill in the United States. Rising enrollment, costs, and decreases in financing options may affect the way Medicare performs. This study aimed to investigate participants’ perceptions of Medicare performance before and after the Affordable Care Act. A 3-part questionnaire was created and validated for use in this study. Respondents affiliated with several social work agencies were invited via email to participate in this study. 287 out of 519 invited questionnaires were used in data analyses. 27.5% of respondents reported being currently enrolled in Medicare, while 33.2% reported lifetime enrollment. Overall, retired/disabled, elderly and low-income participants reported currently or ever using Medicare. One’s perception of Medicare performance was determined by their status as a Medicare beneficiary. Medicare service efficacy was rated more positively over-time by current and life-time enrollees; additionally, Medicare performance was determined to be better in 2013 than in 2009. Ultimately, this study showed that health service and financial fairness factors are indicative of Medicare performance. Additional research should explore possible implications for the healthcare field as well as formulate a broad range of possible management and/or improvement strategies. Lastly, differences in performance across years can inform decision-makers and bolster the fundamental foundation of health policies at the state and national level.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Sustainable Agriculture Research, Vol. 9, No. 2
Authors: Lee Joan
Published: April 2020

Sustainable Agriculture Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated.

Sustainable Agriculture Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please contact us for the application form at: sar@ccsenet.org

 

Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 2

Adel Khashaveh, Islamic Azad University, Iran

Darwin Pangaribuan, Lampung University, Indonesia

Dietrich Darr, Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Germany

Entessar Mohammad Al JBawi, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria

Francesco Sunseri, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Italy

Gema Parra, Universidad de Jaén, Spain

Giuseppina Migliore, University of Palermo, Italy

Gunnar Bengtsson, Sweden

Inder Pal Singh, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University (GADVASU), India

Isaac Danso, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Oil Palm Research Institute, Ghana

Kassim Adekunle Akanni, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria

Katarzyna Panasiewicz, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland

Manuel Teles Oliveira, University Tras os Montes Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal

Maren Langhof, Julius Kühn-Institut, Germany

Murtazain Raza, Subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich, Pakistan

Nehemie T. Donfagsiteli, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Cameroon

Nicusor-Flavius Sima, University of Agricultural Studies and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Sait Engindeniz, Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Turkey

Stefano Marino, University of Molise, Italy

Subhash Chand, Central Agricultural Research Institute CARI Port Blair, India

Suheb Mohammed, University of Virginia, United States

Tenaw Workayehu, Hawassa Research Center, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia
Assessment of the Emotional Reactivity Through the Positive and Negative Emotions: The Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale
Authors: Mousavi Asl Esmaeil , Mohammadian Youkhabeh , Gharraee Banafsheh , Khanjani Sajad , Pazouki Abdolreza
Published: April 2020

Background: Emotional reactivity is a key construct for understanding psychopathology. Examining the psychometric properties of the instruments in societies with different cultures can help with their external validity. Objectives: The current study aimed at standardization and validation of the Perth emotional reactivity scale (PERS) in Iranian university students. Methods: The Persian version of the PERS was produced through forward translation, reconciliation, and back-translation. A total of 302 (169 males and 133 females) nonclinical students were selected by convenience sampling method, and completed a set of questionnaires, including the PERS, weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire-short form (WEL-SF), eating attitude test-16 (EAT-16), self-esteem scale (SES), difficulties in emotion regulation scale-16 (DERS-16), and self-compassion scale (SCS) short-form. The construct validity of the PERS was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and divergent and convergent validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability (a 2-weeks interval) were used to evaluate the reliability. Data analysis was performed using LISREL (version 8.8) and SSPS (version 22) software. Results: All PERS scales and subscales were found with good internal consistency and test-retest reliability in a nonclinical population. The convergent validity and divergent validity were also found good. The results of this study provides the support for the applicability of the six-factor (RMSEA = 0.06, NFI = 0.94, NNFI = 0.96, and CFI = 0.97) and two-factor (RMSEA = 0.07, NFI = 0.94, NNFI = 0.96, and CFI = 0.96) models of the PERS. Conclusions: The PERS showed good validity and reliability and can be useful in assessing emotional reactivity in the Iranian population. The PERS can be promising as a measure to use in emotional-based studies and clinical settings.
A Systematic Review of the Use of Telemedicine in the Military Forces Worldwide
Authors: Mohammadi Reza , Tabanejad Zeinab , Abhari Shahabeddin , Honarvar Behnam , Lazem Mina , Maleki Masoumeh , Garavand Ali
Published: April 2020

Context: Considering the pivotal role of telemedicine in providing healthcare services for remote areas, some of the military medical centers, especially in developed countries, use different types of telemedicine programs. Objectives: The present study aimed at identifying the implemented telemedicine projects in military medicine worldwide and introducing their features. Evidence Acquisition: The current systematic review was performed in 2018. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published from 2014 to 2018 by a combination of related keywords, and the related original articles were then selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected by a data extraction form, and then the data were summarized and reported based on the study objectives. Results: Of the 173 articles retrieved from the first round of search, 12 were included in the study; five (41.66%) studies had used the synchronous (real-time telemedicine) method. The United States, with nine studies, had the highest number of projects in military telemedicine. Most studies (n = 7) were performed on tele-psychology and the application of telemedicine in psychology. All selected studies reported the positive effects of telemedicine on providing healthcare for military forces. Conclusions: The proper utilization of telemedicine equipment is effective in saving time for both patients and healthcare providers, reducing costs, supporting in natural disasters, and satisfying patients with military medicine. To achieve telemedicine program objectives, they should be set precisely. Considering the importance of timely healthcare services, it is suggested to utilize synchronous methods and tools such as video conferencing.
SUMOylation modulates the LIN28A‐let‐7 signaling pathway in response to cellular stresses in cancer cells
Authors: Dou Jinzhuo , Zhang Hailong , Chen Ran , Shu Zimei , Yuan Haihua , Zhao Xian , Wang Yanli , Huang Jian , Zhou Aiwu , Yu Jianxiu
Published: April 2020

LIN28A is a conserved RNA‐binding protein that inhibits the biogenesis of let‐7 microRNAs, thus promoting cancer progression. However, mechanisms underlying the activation of the LIN28A‐let‐7 signaling pathway remain poorly understood. Here, we show that LIN28A is SUMOylated in vivo and in vitro at K15, which is increased by hypoxia but reduced by chemotherapy drugs such as Cisplatin and Paclitaxel. SUMOylation of LIN28A aggravates its inhibition of let‐7 maturation, resulting in a stark reduction in let‐7, which promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, SUMOylation of LIN28A increases its binding affinity with the precursor let‐7 (pre‐let‐7), which subsequently enhances LIN28A‐mediated recruitment of terminal uridylyltransferase TUT4 and simultaneously blocks DICER processing of pre‐let‐7, thereby reducing mature let‐7 production. These effects are abolished in SUMOylation‐deficient mutant LIN28A‐K15R. In summary, these findings shed light on a novel mechanism by which SUMOylation could regulate the LIN28A‐let‐7 pathway in response to cellular stress in cancer cells.
Magnetization transfer ratio quantifies polyneuropathy in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis
Authors: Kollmer Jennifer , Hegenbart Ute , Kimmich Christoph , Hund Ernst , Purrucker Jan C. , Hayes John M. , Lentz Stephen I. , Sam Georges , Jende Johann M. E. , Schönland Stefan O. , Bendszus Martin , Heiland Sabine , Weiler Markus
Published: April 2020

Objective

To quantify peripheral nerve lesions in symptomatic and asymptomatic hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv‐PNP) by analyzing the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) of the sciatic nerve, and to test its potential as a novel biomarker for macromolecular changes.

Methods

Twenty‐five patients with symptomatic ATTRv‐PNP, 30 asymptomatic carriers of the mutant transthyretin gene (mutTTR), and 20 age‐/sex‐matched healthy controls prospectively underwent magnetization transfer contrast imaging at 3 Tesla. Two axial three‐dimensional gradient echo sequences with and without an off‐resonance saturation rapid frequency pulse were conducted at the right distal thigh. Sciatic nerve regions of interest were manually drawn on 10 consecutive axial slices in the images without off‐resonance saturation, and then transferred to the corresponding slices that were generated by the sequence with the off‐resonance saturation pulse. Subsequently, the MTR and cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the sciatic nerve were evaluated. Detailed neurologic and electrophysiologic examinations were conducted in all ATTRv‐PNP patients and mutTTR‐carriers.

Results

Sciatic nerve MTR and CSA reliably differentiated between ATTRv‐PNP, mutTTR‐carriers, and controls. MTR was lower in ATTRv‐PNP (26.4 ± 0.7; P < 0.0001) and in mutTTR‐carriers (32.6 ± 0.8; P = 0.0005) versus controls (39.4 ± 2.1), and was also lower in ATTRv‐PNP versus mutTTR‐carriers (P = 0.0009). MTR correlated negatively with the NIS‐LL and positively with CMAPs and SNAPs. CSA was higher in ATTRv‐PNP (34.3 ± 1.7 mm3) versus mutTTR‐carriers (26.0 ± 1.1 mm3; P = 0.0005) and versus controls (20.4 ± 1.2 mm3; P < 0.0001). CSA was also higher in mutTTR‐carriers versus controls.

Interpretation

MTR is a novel imaging marker that can quantify macromolecular changes in ATTRv‐PNP and differentiate between symptomatic ATTRv‐PNP and asymptomatic mutTTR‐carriers and correlates with electrophysiology.
Influence of Film Thickness on the Electronic Band Structure and Optical Properties of P–I–N CH3NH3PbI3−xClx Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ali Azmat , Cha Myoung Joo , Kang Ju Hwan , Park Yu Jung , Seo Jung Hwa , Walker Bright
Published: April 2020

The phenomenal optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskites have spurred a remarkable worldwide effort to develop them as photovoltaic materials. The morphology and crystal structure of the films have a profound effect on the characteristics and performance of devices; however, the influence of underlying hole transport layers (HTLs) or electron transport layers (ETLs) and film thickness on the film morphology and electronic characteristics remains unclear. Herein, the characteristics of perovskite films with variable thickness are studied, including the morphological, crystal, optical properties and electronic band structure of these films using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and UV–vis absorption spectra. The corresponding performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) devices is correlated with the different thicknesses of perovskite films. In addition, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) results show that for the optimized perovskite thickness (310 nm) the interfacial dipole (Δ) formed at the interface with the substrate reaches its highest value of 0.23 eV. Therefore, this strong dipole compared with other thicknesses allows the carriers to be swept out efficiently.
Multilayer Structures of Graphene and Pt Nanoparticles: A Multiscale Computational Study
Authors: Nasiri Samaneh , Greff Christian , Wang Kai , Yang Mingjun , Li Qianqian , Moretti Paolo , Zaiser Michael
Published: April 2020

Multiscale simulation study results of multilayer structures consisting of graphene sheets with embedded Pt nanoparticles is reported. Density functional theory is used to understand the energetics of Pt–graphene interfaces and provide reference data for the parameterization of a Pt–graphene interaction potential. Molecular dynamics simulations then provide the conformation and energetics of graphene sheets with embedded Pt nanoparticles of varying density, form, and size. These results are interpreted using a continuum mechanical model of sheet deformation, and serve to parameterize a meso‐scale Monte Carlo model to investigate the question under which conditions the free volume around the Pt nanoparticles forms a percolating cluster, such that the structures can be used in catalytic applications. This article is concluded with a discussion of potential applications of such multilayer structures.
The Dichotomy of Gold‐catalyzed Interplay between Cyanamides and Ynamides: Controllable Switch from [2+2+2] to [4+2] Cycloaddition
Authors: Dubovtsev Alexey Yu. , Shcherbakov Nikolay V. , Dar'in Dmitry V. , Kukushkin Vadim Yu.
Published: April 2020

The gold‐catalyzed interplay between cyanamides and ynamides demonstrates condition‐dependent mechanistic dichotomy. [2+2+2] Cycloaddition proceeds under kinetically controlled conditions to give 2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidines (19 examples, up to 99%). Under thermodynamically controlled conditions, the reactivity switches from [2+2+2]‐ to [4+2] cycloaddition; the latter [4+2] reaction accomplishes 1,3‐diaminoisoquinolines (19 examples, up to 97%). The advantages of both methods include regioselectivity, mild reaction conditions (even for the thermodynamically controlled [4+2] reaction) and the possibility of introducing a variety of dialkyl, diaryl, and heterocyclic amino substituents into the target pyrimidine and isoquinoline cores. The reactions were conducted on gram scales and the versatility of the obtained products was demonstrated by post‐functionalizations.

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Who Wins and Who Loses? Trader Returns and Risk Premiums in Agricultural Futures Markets
Authors: Moran Nicole M. , Irwin Scott H. , Garcia Philip
Published: April 2020

The rise of commodity index traders (CITs) in the early 2000s provides a natural experiment to identify whether passive holding of long agricultural futures positions earns a positive risk premium. We use nearly a decade of daily nonpublic position data for all large traders to compute trading profits in twelve agricultural futures markets. Despite increasing price trends in a majority of markets, CITs were the biggest losers during the sample period, experiencing losses in nine out of twelve markets and an aggregate loss of $6.9 billion. This is just the opposite of the prediction of the theory of normal backwardation.
Decomposition and nitrogen release of cover crops in reduced‐ and no‐tillage systems
Authors: Singh Gurbir , Dhakal Madhav , Yang Lili , Kaur Gurpreet , Williard Karl W.J. , Schoonover Jon E. , Sadeghpour Amir
Published: April 2020

Cover crops (CC) are versatile and have multifunctional benefits in crop rotations. An understanding of the effect of tillage systems on cover crop (CC) residue decomposition and nitrogen (N) release is essential in cash crop production planning. We investigated the decomposition rate and N release from cereal rye (Secale cerealeL.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosaRoth.) CC residue in no‐tillage (NT) and reduced‐tillage (RT) systems under corn (Zea maysL.)–soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] rotations. Litterbags were placed in the soil in RT and on soil surface in NT after CC termination in April and collected weekly for 10 wk to measure residue and N retained. Tillage systems did not affect the decomposition rate constant (k) and accumulated N release for both CC. Hairy vetch residue decomposed faster (k = 0.3494) than cereal rye (k = 0.1955) and released a greater amount of N in the soil (hairy vetch vs. cereal rye = 60 vs. 28 kg ha−1), attributable to greater N concentration and narrow C/N ratio compared to cereal rye in 2017 and 2018. Hairy vetch rapidly released N in the soil within 2 wk of termination. Both cover crops had greater decomposition rate constant and accelerated mass loss in 2018 than in 2017, possibly due higher spring temperatures in 2018 than 2017. Hairy vetch CC after terminating greatly enhance N availability in the soil, therefore, alternate management practices like planting green for grain crop following hairy vetch CC might be needed to capture released N.
Survival outcomes of elderly patients with pathological stages II and III gastric cancer following curative gastrectomy
Authors: Takahashi Ryo , Nunobe Souya , Makuuchi Rie , Ida Satoshi , Kumagai Koshi , Ohashi Manabu , Sano Takeshi
Published: April 2020

Aim

Survival outcomes in elderly patients with pathological stages (pStages) II and III gastric cancer remain inadequately elucidated. We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of elderly and nonelderly patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for this cancer and considered clinical results of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E‐PASS) scoring system for prediction.

Methods

Among 1041 patients who underwent gastrectomy for pStages II and III gastric cancer between 2008 and 2013 consecutively, 898 patients were enrolled. Of these, 158 patients (17.6%) were elderly and 740 patients (82.4%) were nonelderly.

Results

Disease‐specific survival (DSS) in the elderly group with pStage III cancer was significantly worse than that in the same stage nonelderly group (P = .001), while there was no difference in DSS for pStage II cancer between the groups (P = .45). Overall survival (OS) was significantly worse in elderly patients for both pStages II and III. Elderly patients with pStage II cancer had larger survival gaps between OS and DSS compared with those with pStage III cancer. OS for elderly patients with comprehensive risk score (CRS) > 0.159 was significantly worse than that for elderly patients with CRS ≤ 0.159 in pStage II cancer.

Conclusions

Compared with nonelderly patients, different characteristics were observed in the survival outcomes of elderly patients between pStages II and III gastric cancer. The survival gap between OS and DSS of elderly patients was larger in pStage II cancer than in pStage III cancer. The E‐PASS scoring system could be a relatively useful predictor in elderly patients.
Low relationship quality predicts scratch contagion during tense situations in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)
Authors: Laméris Daan W. , van Berlo Evy , Sterck Elisabeth H. M. , Bionda Thomas , Kret Mariska E.
Published: April 2020

Primates show various forms of behavioral contagion that are stronger between kin and friends. As a result, behavioral contagion is thought to promote group coordination, social cohesion, and possibly state matching. Aside from contagious yawning, little is known about the contagious effect of other behaviors. Scratching is commonly observed during arousal and as such may play a role within group dynamics. While the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is commonly considered the least social great ape, orangutans do engage in social interactions. Therefore, their social organization makes them a suitable case for studying the social function of behavioral contagion. Through behavioral observations of captive orangutans, we recorded all yawn and scratch events together with the corresponding behavior of all bystander group‐members. As yawning was rarely observed, no conclusions could be drawn regarding this behavior. Scratching was contagious and occurred within 90 s after the triggering scratch. Specifically, orangutans showed increased scratch contagion when they had seen a weakly bonded individual scratch during tense contexts. When the orangutan had not seen the triggering scratch, the contagiousness of scratching was not affected by context or relationship quality. Our results indicate that behavioral contagion is not simply higher between individuals with stronger social relationships, but that the contagiousness of behaviors may vary based on the context and on social factors. We discuss these findings in light of an adaptive function that may reduce aggression.