bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Factors for Long-Term Postoperative Visual Outcome in Patients with Macula-Off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treated with Vitrectomy
Authors: Chatziralli Irini , Chatzirallis Alexandros , Kazantzis Dimitrios , Dimitriou Eleni , Machairoudia Genovefa , Theodossiadis George , Parikakis Efstratios , Theodossiadis Panagiotis
Published: January 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate potential predictive factors of long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Methods: Participants in this study were 86 patients diagnosed with macula-off RRD, who underwent PPV. Demographic characteristics and preoperative characteristics of RRD were recorded, while best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured preoperatively and at specific postoperative time points (6 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months). In addition, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics at postoperative week 6 were assessed as potential factors affecting the long-term postoperative visual outcome 24 months after PPV for RRD. Results: Increasing age, duration of RD of more than 1 week, presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, increasing central retinal thickness, ellipsoid zone disruption, and external limiting membrane disruption were significantly associated with a worse BVCA. BCVA was not associated with gender, lens status, the location of breaks, the gas tamponade agent used in PPV, the presence of subretinal fluid, and intraretinal fluid. Conclusions: It is important to determine predictive factors for visual outcomes in order to inform patients about their prognosis and help in the decision-making process for patient management.
Sex Differences in Ischemic and Bleeding Outcomes in Patients With Non–ST-Segment–Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Dillinger Jean-Guillaume , Ducrocq Gregory , Elbez Yedid , Cohen Marc , Bode Christoph , Pollack Charles , Petrauskiene Birute , Henry Patrick , Dorobantu Maria , French William J. , Wiviott Stephen D. , Sabatine Marc S. , Mehta Shamir R. , Steg Philippe Gabriel
Published: January 2021

Background:

Previous studies have observed poorer outcomes in females with myocardial infarction, but older age and lower use of percutaneous coronary intervention in females are factors that potentially explain the worse outcome. This study sought to determine if female sex is an independent factor of ischemic and bleeding outcomes in non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome treated with a systematic invasive approach.

Methods:

The TAO trial (Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome With Otamixaban) randomized patients with non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome treated invasively to heparin plus eptifibatide versus otamixaban. In this post hoc analysis, the primary ischemic end point (all-cause death, myocardial infarction within 180 days) and the primary safety end point (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major or minor bleeding within 30 days) were analyzed according to sex.

Results:

Of 13 229 randomized patients, 3980 (30.1%) were females and 9249 (69.9%) were males. Females were older (64.8±11.0 versus 60.7±11.1 years), had more comorbidities, received less peri-procedural antithrombotic therapy, and underwent less frequently revascularization. Overall, females experienced a higher risk of ischemic (10.2% versus 9.1%; odds ratio [OR], 1.15 [1.01–1.30]) and bleeding events (4.2% versus 3.4%; OR, 1.23 [1.02–1.49]) than males. After multivariate analysis, the risk of ischemic outcomes (OR, 1.04 [0.90–1.19]), death (OR, 1.00 [0.75–1.23]), or bleeding (OR, 1.05 [0.85–1.28]), were similar between females and males. Only, noncoronary artery bypass graft related Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major bleeding were increased in females (OR, 1.69 [1.11–2.56]).

Conclusions:

In patients with non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome with systematic invasive management, ischemic outcomes, bleeding events, and mortality were higher in females. After multivariate analyses, female sex was not an independent predictor of ischemic and bleeding events although noncoronary artery bypass graft related Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major bleeding was higher in females.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01076764.
Isolevuglandin-Modified Cardiac Proteins Drive CD4+ T-Cell Activation in the Heart and Promote Cardiac Dysfunction
Authors: Ngwenyama Njabulo , Kirabo Annet , Aronovitz Mark , Velázquez Francisco , Carrillo-Salinas Francisco , Salvador Ane M. , Nevers Tania , Amarnath Venkataraman , Tai Albert , Blanton Robert M. , Harrison David G. , Alcaide Pilar
Published: January 2021

Background:

Despite the well-established association between T-cell–mediated inflammation and nonischemic heart failure, the specific mechanisms triggering T-cell activation during the progression of heart failure and the antigens involved are poorly understood. We hypothesized that myocardial oxidative stress induces the formation of isolevuglandin (IsoLG)–modified proteins that function as cardiac neoantigens to elicit CD4+ T-cell receptor (TCR) activation and promote heart failure.

Methods:

We used transverse aortic constriction in mice to trigger myocardial oxidative stress and T-cell infiltration. We profiled the TCR repertoire by mRNA sequencing of intramyocardial activated CD4+ T cells in Nur77
GFP
reporter mice, which transiently express GFP on TCR engagement. We assessed the role of antigen presentation and TCR specificity in the development of cardiac dysfunction using antigen presentation–deficient
MhcII
−/−
mice and TCR transgenic OTII mice that lack specificity for endogenous antigens. We detected IsoLG protein adducts in failing human hearts. We also evaluated the role of reactive oxygen species and IsoLGs in eliciting T-cell immune responses in vivo by treating mice with the antioxidant TEMPOL and the IsoLG scavenger 2-hydroxybenzylamine during transverse aortic constriction, and ex vivo in mechanistic studies of CD4+ T-cell proliferation in response to IsoLG-modified cardiac proteins.

Results:

We discovered that TCR antigen recognition increases in the left ventricle as cardiac dysfunction progresses and identified a limited repertoire of activated CD4+ T-cell clonotypes in the left ventricle. Antigen presentation of endogenous antigens was required to develop cardiac dysfunction because
MhcII
−/−
mice reconstituted with CD4+ T cells and OTII mice immunized with their cognate antigen were protected from transverse aortic constriction–induced cardiac dysfunction despite the presence of left ventricle–infiltrated CD4+ T cells. Scavenging IsoLGs with 2-hydroxybenzylamine reduced TCR activation and prevented cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, cardiac pressure overload resulted in reactive oxygen species–dependent dendritic cell accumulation of IsoLG protein adducts, which induced robust CD4+ T-cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates an important role of reactive oxygen species–induced formation of IsoLG-modified cardiac neoantigens that lead to TCR-dependent CD4+ T-cell activation within the heart.
Effect of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blockade on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function
Authors: Sakima Atsushi , Arima Hisatomi , Matayoshi Tetsutaro , Ishida Akio , Ohya Yusuke
Published: January 2021

Although numerous studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of pharmacological therapy for arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction, which are predictors/therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases, only a few overall quantitative evaluations of MRAs (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) exist. We searched PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) for randomized trials evaluating MRA effects on arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) or augmentation index and endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation. Data from the included trials were pooled by using random-effects meta-analysis of the weighted mean difference (MD) between the comparator groups. The primary outcome was the MD of PWV. In 11 trials including 515 patients, the MRA treatment reduced the PWV when compared with control (MD, −0.75 m/s [95% CI, −1.12 to −0.39],
P
<0.00001), without heterogeneity. There were comparable effects of MRA on carotid-femoral PWV and those on other forms of PWV (
P
=0.705 for heterogeneity). The effects of MRA on PWV were independent of blood pressure reduction related to the treatment according to meta-regression analysis. The MRA treatment reduced the augmentation index compared with control in 5 trials including 283 patients (MD, −6.74% [95% CI, −10.26 to −3.21],
P
=0.0002) and increased the flow-mediated dilation in 11 trials including 570 patients (MD, 1.18% [95% CI, 0.14 to 2.23],
P
=0.03). In conclusion, the current meta-analysis demonstrates the beneficial effects of MRA on PWV, augmentation index, and flow-mediated dilation.
Age and Sex Differences in the Associations of Pulse Pressure With White Matter and Subcortical Microstructure
Authors: Reas Emilie T. , Laughlin Gail A. , Hagler Donald J. , Lee Roland R. , Dale Anders M. , McEvoy Linda K.
Published: January 2021

Midlife vascular disease increases risk for dementia and effects of vascular dysfunction on brain health differ between men and women. Elevated pulse pressure, a surrogate for arterial stiffness, contributes to cerebrovascular pathology and white matter damage that may advance cognitive aging; however, it remains unclear how associations between pulse pressure and neural integrity differ by sex and age. This study used restriction spectrum imaging to examine associations between pulse pressure and brain microstructure in community-dwelling women (N=88) and men (N=55), aged 56 to 97 (mean, 76.3) years. Restricted isotropic (presumed intracellular), hindered isotropic (presumed extracellular), neurite density, and free water diffusion were computed in white matter tracts and subcortical regions. After adjustment for age and sex, higher pulse pressure correlated with lower restricted isotropic diffusion in global white matter, with more pronounced associations in parahippocampal cingulum, as well as in thalamus and hippocampus. Subgroup analyses demonstrated stronger correlations between pulse pressure and restricted isotropic diffusion in association fibers for participants ≤75 years than for older participants, with stronger effects for women than men of this age group. Microstructure in parahippocampal cingulum and thalamus differed by pulse pressure level regardless of antihypertensive treatment. Increased pulse pressure may lead to widespread injury to white matter and subcortical structures, with greatest vulnerability for women in late middle to early older age. Restriction spectrum imaging could be useful for monitoring microstructural changes indicative of neuronal loss or shrinkage, demyelination, or inflammation that accompany age-related cerebrovascular dysfunction.
Angiotensin (1–12) in Humans With Normal Blood Pressure and Primary Hypertension
Authors: Ferrario Carlos M. , Iyer Seethalakshmi R. , Burnett John C. , Ahmad Sarfaraz , Wright Kendra N. , VonCannon Jessica L. , Saha Amit , Groban Leanne
Published: January 2021

The importance of canonical versus noncanonical mechanisms for the generation of angiotensins remains a major challenge that, in part, is heavily swayed by the relative efficacy of therapies designed to inhibit renin, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), or the Ang II (Angiotensin II) receptor. Ang (1–12) (angiotensin [1-12]) is an Ang II forming substrate serving as a source for Ang II–mediated tissue actions. This study identifies for the first time the presence of Ang (1–12) in the blood of 52 normal (22 women) and 19 (13 women) patients with hypertension not receiving antihypertensive medication at the time of the study. Normal subjects of comparable ages and body habitus had similar circulating plasma Ang (1–12) concentrations (women: 2.02±0.62 [SD] ng/mL; men 2.05±0.55 [SD] ng/mL,
P
>0.05). The higher values of plasma Ang (1–12) concentrations in hypertensive men (2.51±0.49 ng/mL, n=6) and women (2.33±0.63 [SD] ng/mL, n=13) were statistically significant (
P
<0.02) and correlated with elevated plasma renin activity, systolic and pulse pressure, and plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone BNP). The increased plasma Ang (1–12) in patients with hypertension was not mirrored by similar changes in plasma angiotensinogen and Ang II concentrations. The first identification of an age-independent presence of Ang (1–12) in the blood of normotensive subjects and patients with hypertension, irrespective of sex, implicates this non-renin dependent substrate as a source for Ang II production in the blood and its potential contribution to the hypertensive process.
An Examination of Test Score Trajectories Around School Switching Due to Grade Configuration
Authors: DiSalvo Richard W.
Published: January 2021

Do grade configurations affect student academic performance? To bring new evidence to this question, I use recent district-by-grade data for nearly the entire United States that contain measures of test score achievement and rates of school switching induced by grade configuration. Past research has found that student performance, is, on average, relatively low following switches due to grade configuration, but in fact students perform relatively better in the grades just prior to these switches. In the national data, I find that this so-called top dog/bottom dog pattern appears for all terminal grade choices among grades 3 through 8, is geographically widespread, and is robust to controlling for grade-specific effects of a rich set of covariates. Thus, I establish that the top dog/bottom dog pattern is a very pervasive phenomenon in American education. I explore potential mechanisms and discuss policy and research implications.
The Effects of Financial Aid Loss on Persistence and Graduation: A Multi-Dimensional Regression Discontinuity Approach
Authors: Jones Todd R. , Kreisman Daniel , Rubenstein Ross , Searcy Cynthia , Bhatt Rachana
Published: January 2021

For years Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program provided full tuition scholarships to high-achieving students. State budgetary shortfalls reduced its generosity in 2011. Under the new rules, only students meeting more rigorous merit-based criteria would retain the original scholarship covering full tuition, now called the Zell Miller Scholarship, with other students seeing aid reductions of approximately 15 percent. We exploit the fact that two of the criteria were high school grade point average and SAT/ACT score, which students could not manipulate when the change took place. We compare already-enrolled students just above and below these cutoffs, making use of advances in multi-dimensional regression discontinuity, to estimate effects of partial aid loss. We show that, after the changes, aid flowed disproportionately to wealthier students and find no evidence that the financial aid reduction affected persistence or graduation for these students. The results suggest that high-achieving students, particularly those already in college, may be less price-sensitive than their peers.
No Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Temporal Attention
Authors: London Raquel E. , Slagter Heleen A.
Published: January 2021

Selection mechanisms that dynamically gate only relevant perceptual information for further processing and sustained representation in working memory are critical for goal-directed behavior. We examined whether this gating process can be modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC)—a region known to play a key role in working memory and conscious access. Specifically, we examined the effects of tDCS on the magnitude of the “attentional blink” (AB), a deficit in identifying the second of two targets presented in rapid succession. Thirty-four participants performed an AB task before (baseline), during and after 20 min of 1-mA anodal and cathodal tDCS in two separate sessions. On the basis of previous reports linking individual differences in AB magnitude to individual differences in DLPFC activity and on the basis of suggestions that effects of tDCS depend on baseline brain activity levels, we hypothesized that anodal tDCS over lDLPFC would modulate the magnitude of the AB as a function of individual baseline AB magnitude. Behavioral results did not provide support for this hypothesis. At the group level, we also did not observe any significant effects of tDCS, and a Bayesian analysis revealed strong evidence that tDCS to lDLPFC did not affect AB performance. Together, these findings do not support the idea that there is an optimal level of prefrontal cortical excitability for cognitive function. More generally, they add to a growing body of work that challenges the idea that the effects of tDCS can be predicted from baseline levels of behavior.
A Wallachian Boyar in Emperor Joseph II’s Court
Authors: Vintilă-Ghiţulescu Constanţa
Published: January 2021

The article explores the intricacies of eighteenth-century cultural mediation through the eyes of Ianache Văcărescu, a high-ranking Wallachian boyar and a man of letters, entrusted in 1782 with the sensitive task of bringing the fugitive sons of the incumbent Wallachian ruler back from the Habsburg court in Vienna. Analyzing Văcărescu’s account of the mission, I examine the nexus of luxury consumption, court civility, and social distinction, and the ways they were experienced and constructed the differences between European and Ottoman elite civility and cultural boundaries. In composing The History of the Most Powerful Ottoman Emperors, Ianache Văcărescu offered details about his place in a diplomatic network which spread across the Ottoman Empire and Central Europe.
Arguing the Right to a Safe Climate under the UN Human Rights System
Authors: Jegede Ademola Oluborode
Published: January 2021

The link between climate change and human rights is being made under the instruments as well as charter and treaty bodies constituting the United Nations (UN) human rights system. Despite the efforts, the right to a safe climate does not exist under the UN human rights system. Based on the vulnerability of human populations and the essential compliance with yardsticks for a new human right, the article argues for the creation of the right to a safe climate and advances two approaches by which it can be achieved under the UN human rights system.
Connecting the Right of Collective Legal Capacity by Indigenous Peoples with the Right of Individual Legal Capacity by Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Smith Matthew S , Stein Michael Ashley
Published: January 2021

This Article explores the juridical implications of indigenous peoples’ right to legal capacity in the Inter-American system for cases involving the same right of persons with disabilities within that system and beyond. It explicates the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ (IACtHR) three-factor test in Saramaka People v Suriname and analogizes its reasoning with rationales underpinning the right to legal capacity under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (crpd). It then demonstrates how the IACtHR can apply a Saramaka-style test to future cases brought by persons with disabilities challenging legal capacity restrictions. The Article further argues that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) should also apply this rule to align its legal capacity jurisprudence with the crpd’s mandates. Finally, it suggests that the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (crpd Committee) ought to consider this rule when resolving individual communications and thereby guide courts.
The Protection of Non-nationals’ Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in un Human Rights Treaties
Authors: Lougarre Claire
Published: January 2021

The decade of austerity policies resulting from the 2008 economic crisis significantly impeded the realisation of economic, social and cultural (esc) rights worldwide, especially for non-nationals who became targets of populist nationalist ideologies. The Coronavirus disease (covid-19) pandemic and its subsequent recession have heightened existing levels of inequalities, putting non-nationals’ access to health, housing, food, water and work under unprecedented strains. It is thus, crucial to analyse the extent to which un human rights treaties recognise non-nationals’ esc rights, in order to assess their ability to offer protection in this context. This article sheds light on the ambiguities of key un human rights treaties in this regard. It then analyses the attempts of relevant un treaty bodies to circumvent such issues; and finally suggests legal paths allowing un treaty bodies to further assert their protection of non-nationals’ esc rights during the covid-19 pandemic.
Menopon picicola: a new junior synonym of Menacanthus pici (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Menoponidae)
Authors: PALMA RICARDO L. , GALLOWAY TERRY D.
Published: January 2021

Packard (1873) described Menopon picicola as a new species, based on ten lice taken from two species of woodpeckers of the genus Picoides—P. arcticus (Swainson, 1832) and P. dorsalis Baird, 1858—collected in Wyoming, U.S.A. in August 1872. Considering that (1) Packard (1873) neither designated a holotype nor a single type host, (2) his type material is most likely lost, and (3) no additional lice from either of those two species of Picoides have been reported in the literature, the taxonomic status of Menopon picicola has not been confirmed.
Two new species of Plistobunus from China (Opiliones: Laniatores: Epedanidae)
Authors: GONG XUYUN , KURY ADRIANO B. , ZHANG CHAO
Published: January 2021

The present paper describes two new species of Plistobunus Pocock, 1903, from China: Plistobunus gracilipenis sp. nov. from Yunnan Province, and P. weiguang sp. nov. from Guangxi Province. Their discovery greatly expands the distribution of this genus to the northwest and further inland in China.
Redescription of Brachycepsis Brendel, notes on Taphroscydmus Casey, and brief review of Nearctic genera of Stenichnini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: January 2021

Stenichnini of the Nearctic region include twelve genera, of which two are cosmopolitan, two Holarctic, and eight are known only in North America. Morphological structures and taxonomic placement of most of them have been subjects of recent studies, with exception of Brachycepsis Brendel and Taphroscydmus Casey. Because the depository of the type material of the type species of Brachycepsis, B. fuchsii Brendel, remains unknown, Brachycepsis is redescribed and its diagnosis is emended based on examination of B. pacifica Casey. Although similar to Stenichnus Thomson and Parascydmus Casey, Brachycepsis shows unique characters that justify its separate placement. The depository of the type material of the sole species included in Taphroscydmus also remains unknown, and no other specimens that can be unambiguously attributed to this genus are available. Comparisons of the original description and subsequent redescriptions by Mannerheim and Casey reveals that the latter authors might have dealt with misidentified specimens. The true identity of Taphroscydmus remains unclear (although it may be identical with Brachycepsis), and it is currently not possible to unambiguously identify this genus. All Nearctic genera of Stenichnini are briefly reviewed, with characters important for identification discussed. An identification key to Nearctic genera (excluding Taphroscydmus) is given.
A new subspecies of Calisto disjunctus Núñez & Barro (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from Western Cuba, with a key to the Cuban members of the genus
Authors: ÁLVAREZ YOSIEL , NÚÑEZ RAYNER
Published: January 2021

Calisto disjunctus hersheyi ssp. n. is described from western Cuba. Additionally, a dichotomous key including all described Cuban taxa of the herophile species group of Calisto is given together with illustrations of live specimens of most taxa.
Multistage Nanoparticle Delivery System—A New Approach to Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Li Guohao , Chen Long , Xin Peikun , Huang Jun , Wu Jun
Published: January 2021

Traditional methods of tumor therapy have many limitations. Thus, cancer nanomedicine is developing rapidly as a new treatment for tumors. In the past decade, the literature in this field has almost doubled every two years. However, the therapeutic nanoparticle (NP) platforms that have
been approved for cancer treatment have not achieved the expected results in clinical application. Cancer nanomedicine still faces many obstacles and challenges. An abnormal cancer vascular system and a thick interstitial matrix can impose physiological barriers. As a result, drug delivery
in tumor tissue depends mainly on diffusion. The diffusion efficiency of large NPs is poor; they are trapped around the blood vessels. Smallmolecule drug conjugates (SMDCs), miniaturized biologic drug conjugates (mBDCs), and small NPs can pass through this barrier. However, poor aggregation
in tumors, easy elimination, and poor pharmacokinetics (PK) limit their therapeutic effects. In recent years, a selective new multistage delivery system was proposed to solve the challenge of infiltration. By incorporating smaller NPs or molecular drugs into large controlled-release particles
for multistep delivery to tumors, we can make full use of the advantageous pharmacokinetics, the accumulation of large particles in the tumor, and the deep infiltration of small particles. In addition to changing the particle size, the multistage NP delivery system can also change the shape,
charge, flexibility, and surface coating of the NPs to enhance penetration. Based on recent multistage delivery system research, this review expounds on the main direction of multistage delivery considering the ways in which large particles are triggered to release small particles.
Wavelength Calibration Uncertainty in Protein Circular Dichroism Data Bank Spectra
Authors: Jones Christopher
Published: January 2021

Algorithms to objectively compare the circular dichroism spectra of biopharmaceuticals, as a measure of consistent higher order structure, are sensitive to errors in spectropolarimeter wavelength calibration. A public database, the Protein Circular Dichroism Data Bank contains 108 unique calibration spectra of d-camphor-10-sulphonic acid, mainly collected on synchrotron-based instruments. Deconvolution of these spectra and statistical evaluation of the peaks located near 290 and 190 nm shows significant mean peak wavelength differences between instruments, with data ranges of 1.8 and 2.3 nm. Peak positions and peak height ratios for individual instruments changed significantly through time, and the difference between wavelength maxima was instrument dependent.
Clinicians’ perceptions of the Australian Paediatric Mental Health Service System: Problems and solutions
Authors: Paton Kate , Gillam Lynn , Warren Hayley , Mulraney Melissa , Coghill David , Efron Daryl , Sawyer Michael , Hiscock Harriet
Published: January 2021

Objectives:

Despite substantial investment by governments, the prevalence of mental health disorders in developed countries remains unchanged over the past 20 years. As 50% of mental health conditions present before 14 years of age, access to high-quality mental health care for children is crucial. Barriers to access identified by parents include high costs and long wait times, difficulty navigating the health system, and a lack of recognition of the existence and/or severity of the child’s mental health disorder. Often neglected, but equally important, are clinician views about the barriers to and enablers of access to high-quality mental health care. We aimed to determine perspectives of Australian clinicians including child and adolescent psychiatrists, paediatricians, psychologists and general practitioners, on barriers and enablers within the current system and components of an optimal system.

Methods:

A total of 143 clinicians (approximately 35 each of child and adolescent psychiatrists, paediatricians, child psychologists and general practitioners) from Victoria and South Australia participated in semi-structured phone interviews between March 2018 and February 2019. Inductive content analysis was applied to address the broad study aims.

Findings:

Clinician-identified barriers included multi-dimensional family factors, service fragmentation, long wait times and inadequate training for paediatricians and general practitioners. Rural and regional locations provided additional challenges but a greater sense of collaboration resulting from the proximity of clinicians in rural areas, creating an opportunity to develop support networks. Suggestions for an optimal system included novel ways to improve access to child psychiatry expertise, training for paediatricians and general practitioners, and co-located multidisciplinary services.

Conclusion:

Within the current mental health system for children, structural, training and workforce barriers prevent optimal access to care. Clinicians identified many practical and systemic ideas to improve the system. Implementation and evaluation of effectiveness and cost effectiveness of these ideas is the next challenge for Australia’s children’s mental health.
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Tweets: Do Shareholders Care?
Authors: Dupire Marion , Filbien Jean-Yves , M’Zali Bouchra
Published: January 2021

We study how messages on Twitter by large non-governmental organizations (NGOs), targeting companies from the S&P500, affect these companies’ stock prices. With a sample of 1,611 tweets between 2009 and 2017 by 18 large NGOs, we observe significant changes in the stock prices of the targeted firms. More specifically, NGO tweets stating a positive message about the environmental, social, or governance (ESG). Actions of the firm have a positive effect on stock prices, while negative tweets have a negative effect. Nevertheless, we find that the presence of institutional owners hampers this effect: firms with high institutional ownership value positive tweets more negatively, and negative tweets more positively. These results support the idea that shareholders react significantly to NGO tweets but they react differently depending on their time horizon: for shareholders who have a more short-term horizon, typically institutional owners, the reaction diverges societal expectations about how firms should contribute to society.
Capturing the Narratives of Sustainable Farming: Study of Marginal Women Farmers in Five Districts of Odisha
Authors: Singh Pushpa
Published: January 2021

This article presents an analysis of field research on sustainable farming practices in five districts of Odisha, that have emerged as a response to the adversities created by modern industrial agriculture and agribusiness market. The capital and chemical-intensive farming have left a legacy of irreparable environmental damage; and the monocultures have led to the gradual disappearance of a variety of indigenous crops, causing erosion of the seed sovereignty. 1 The first section of the article engages with the critique of increasing monopolisation of the food and farming systems, secured in a systematic and structured way by the forces of global agribusiness conglomerates. The second section captures the initiatives in which marginal women farmers are trying to revive seed saving and natural farming that had been lost due to the green revolution. These field investigations illuminate the exemplary ways in which such initiatives are empowering women farmers and enabling them to reclaim food security 2 and seed sovereignty in the current milieu of agrarian distress. Such grassroots engagements show the possibility of emancipatory politics outside the formal institutional framework that are structuring the alternative discourse rooted in local agroecology. 3
The Trajectory of Indian State: A Theoretical Understanding
Authors: Das Phulmoni
Published: January 2021

The concept of state occupies a central place in the academic discourse. The idea of the state has been an important determinant factor in terms of analysing the politics of the country. It is in this context this article seeks to understand the trajectory of the Indian state. The nature of the contemporary Indian state has undergone a dramatic change in the last few decades. The manifestation of its changes is reflected in terms of the state’s relation with that of the society, polity and its economy. The contested concept of nation-building and the post-colonial state needs to be analysed in the context of the different upsurges and the movements of diverse groups of people. The Indian state has witnessed discomforts and confrontations in terms of the growing movements and assertions of subalterns groups of the society. The changing dimensions of the role of the state are to be examined within this discourse.
High-energy laser effects on carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites with a focus on perforation time
Authors: Wolfrum Johannes , Eibl Sebastian , Oeltjen Ellen , Osterholz Jens , Wickert Matthias
Published: January 2021

Commercially available carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite panels (Hexply® M18-1/G939 and 8552/IM7) with different thicknesses (1-6 mm) were exposed to continuous-wave high-energy laser radiation at various laser powers up to 10 kW under static conditions. The perforation times, the size of the damaged volume and the residual compressive strengths are determined and correlated to the irradiation parameters. It is found that for the time of perforation, the damaged volume, which is approximated by a cylinder shaped model, correlates linearly with the laser energy imposed onto the sample surface. This relationship can be used for a prediction of the perforation time for various laser powers, material thicknesses and laser spot diameters. Increasing laser energy results in a decay of residual compressive strength after impact. Visual inspection as well as micro-focused computed X-ray tomography and scanning electron microscopy indicate a small area of thermal damage outside the laser spot. Additionally, infrared spectroscopy characterizes incipient heat damage most sensitively.
Screening peripheral blood smear: A tale of the “TAIL”
Authors: Garg Neha , More Shilpi , Chopra Parul , Gupta Richa , Kotru Mrinalini
Published: January 2021

Examining a well-stained slide in a systematic manner is the key to being a good pathologist. For a blood smear, it involves examining first at low power (40× or 100×) for broader details and then going on to high power (400×) for finer details, from the tail end to the body of the slide. The ‘tail end’ is the key to early diagnosis.
Social Accountability Between Consensus and Confrontation: Developing a Theoretical Framework for Societal Accountability Relationships of Public Sector Organizations
Authors: Brummel Lars
Published: January 2021

Numerous politicians and scholars have argued that accountability of public authorities to citizens, clients, and societal actors is needed in the current age of governance. Academic debates about social accountability are however scattered with incompatible conceptualizations, high normative expectations, and sobering findings. This article develops an in-depth framework that provides a comprehensive definition and typology of social accountability. It discusses major empirical challenges to social accountability and multiple behavioral styles within social accountability. By distinguishing consensual and confrontational styles of account-holding and account-giving, this article shows that social accountability could serve multiple purposes that go beyond rosy ideals.
Ideal standards for policy on student self-harm: What research and practice tells us
Authors: Matthews Emily L. , Townsend Michelle L. , Gray Annaleise S. , Grenyer Brin F. S.
Published: January 2021

School communities face challenges in responding effectively to the rising incidence of student self-harm. Evidence-informed guidelines may provide a platform for schools to provide better responses and improve the outcomes of students who engage in self-harm.

This paper critically reviews policies published in English targeted for schools or education settings on effective early identification and intervention for children and adolescent self-harm. A grey literature search was conducted using Start Page web search engine with a documentary analysis approach applied to review polices that met criteria.

The review identified 16 policies that aim to help school and education staff to identify and respond to student self-harm. The key themes include identification and risk assessment, intervention, roles and responsibilities, as well as addressing issues surrounding evidence-based psychological education and intervention.

An evidence-informed policy that addresses multiple aspects of responding to and reducing student self-harm may be a vital foundation of a school’s response to this growing public health issue. This paper outlines key points that will help inform the development of evidence-informed guidelines for schools to respond to student self-harm and presents an exemplar policy framework for use by schools.
Correlation of Symptom Distress, Self-Efficacy, and Social Support With Problem-Solving and Glycemic Control Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ji Meihua , Sereika Susan M. , Dunbar-Jacob Jacqueline , Erlen Judith A.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the associations of self-efficacy, social support, and symptom distress with perceived problem-solving and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Method

Using baseline data from a parent study, which examined the effect of a problem-solving-focused intervention on medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes, this secondary analysis examined the relationships among self-efficacy, social support, symptom distress, problem-solving, and A1C. Of 358 patients enrolled at baseline, 304 (mean age = 64.1 years, 57.2% female) were included in the current analysis. Multiple linear regression was used to identify potential correlates of problem-solving and A1C.

Results

The results showed that self-efficacy, social support, and symptom distress were independent predictors of problem-solving; they significantly improved the prediction of perceived problem-solving in diabetes management after controlling covariates. Adding problem-solving to the model did not improve the prediction for A1C.

Conclusion

The current study suggests that self-efficacy, social support, and symptom distress are essential factors associated with patients’ perceived problem-solving in diabetes management. Researchers and clinicians should consider both personal factors and psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy, social support, and symptom distress when examining patients perceived problem-solving and developing tailored interventions to improve diabetes management. In addition, health care providers should consider these important aspects when providing tailored care to this patient population.
Bias in Context: Small Biases in Hiring Evaluations Have Big Consequences
Authors: Hardy Jay H. , Tey Kian Siong , Cyrus-Lai Wilson , Martell Richard F. , Olstad Andy , Uhlmann Eric Luis
Published: January 2021

It is widely acknowledged that subgroup bias can influence hiring evaluations. However, the notion that bias still threatens equitable hiring outcomes in modern employment contexts continues to be debated, even among organizational scholars. In this study, we sought to contextualize this debate by estimating the practical impact of bias on real-world hiring outcomes (a) across a wide range of hiring scenarios and (b) in the presence of diversity-oriented staffing practices. Toward this end, we conducted a targeted meta-analysis of recent hiring experiments that manipulated both candidate gender and qualifications to couch our investigation within ongoing debates surrounding the impact of small amounts of bias in otherwise meritocratic hiring contexts. Consistent with prior research, we found evidence of small gender bias effects ( d = −0.30) and large qualification effects ( d = 1.61) on hiring managers’ evaluations of candidate hireability. We then used these values to inform the starting parameters of a large-scale computer simulation designed to model conventional processes by which candidates are recruited, evaluated, and selected for open positions. Collectively, our simulation findings empirically substantiate assertions that even seemingly trivial amounts of subgroup bias can produce practically significant rates of hiring discrimination and productivity loss. Furthermore, we found contextual factors can alter but cannot obviate the consequences of biased evaluations, even within apparently optimal hiring scenarios (e.g., when extremely valid assessments are used). Finally, our results demonstrate residual amounts of subgroup bias can undermine the effectiveness of otherwise successful targeted recruitment efforts. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Diffuse Small B-Cell Lymphoma: A High-Grade Malignancy
Authors: Hughes Kelly L. , Ehrhart E. J. , Rout Emily D. , Harris Lauren J. , Fernandez Monica , Yoshimoto Janna A. , Dossey Jeremy , Kuzmik Alana R. , Avery Paul R. , Avery Anne C.
Published: January 2021

The most common subtype of lymphoma in the dog is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The remaining forms of B-cell lymphoma in dogs are categorized as small-to-intermediate in size and include marginal zone, follicular, mantle cell, and small-cell lymphocytic lymphoma. Marginal zone lymphoma and follicular lymphoma have readily identifiable unique histologic features while other forms of small B-cell lymphoma in the dog are poorly described by histopathology. Forty-seven cases of nodal small B-cell lymphoma identified by flow cytometry (small cell size based on forward scatter) with concurrent histopathology were reviewed. These cases fell into 3 histologic subtypes: marginal zone lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and a diffuse form of small B-cell lymphoma with consistent features. As a descriptive term, we refer to the latter subtype as diffuse small B-cell lymphoma (DSBCL) until it can be further characterized by gene expression profiling and other molecular tools. Clinical presentation of DSBCL was compared to cases of histologically confirmed DLBCL and clinical follow-up was obtained for 22 of the 27 cases of DSBCL. This subset of diffuse small B-cell lymphoma had an overall median survival of 140 days. The expression of CD21, class II MHC and CD25 by flow cytometry did not differ between DSBCL and the other histologic subtypes of small cell B-cell lymphoma making histopathology the only current method of classification.
HER2 Overexpression and Amplification in Feline Pulmonary Carcinoma
Authors: Muscatello Luisa Vera , Oto Enrico Di , Dignazzi Miriam , Murphy William J. , Porcellato Ilaria , De Maria Raffaella , Raudsepp Terje , Foschini Maria Pia , Sforna Monica , Benazzi Cinzia , Brunetti Barbara
Published: January 2021

HER2 is overexpressed, amplified, and mutated in a subset of human lung cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate HER2 protein overexpression and gene amplification in feline pulmonary carcinomas. Thirteen pulmonary carcinomas were selected and TTF-1 and HER2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed with a HER2 probe and a BAC probe for the feline chromosome E1p1.12-p1.11 region. Twelve adenocarcinomas and 1 squamous cell carcinoma were diagnosed. TTF-1 was positive in 7 carcinomas (58%). HER2 was overexpressed in 2 (15%), equivocal in 5 (38%), and negative in 6 cases (46%). FISH analysis of HER2 was indeterminate in 2 cases. Three pulmonary carcinomas (27%) had HER2 amplification and 8 cases were not amplified (73%). The significant correlation between HER2 protein overexpression and gene amplification are promising preliminary data, but study of additional cases is needed to confirm HER2 as a target for possible innovative treatments.
Proxy Crimps: A Transformative Solution
Authors: James Jamoy , Ostwal Payal , Notra Juhi
Published: January 2021

The Forsus appliance is one of the most commonly used rigid fixed functional appliances in the correction of class II malocclusion. It is often seen that parts go missing with regular usage of the appliance. Replacement of the same is expensive and also requires a large inventory. An innovative low-cost and easy option for lost or broken split crimps is described in this article.
Use of the Change in Weaning Parameters as a Predictor of Successful Re-Extubation
Authors: Trivedi Suraj , Davis Ryan , Engoren Milo C. , Lorenzo Javier , Mentz Graciela , Jewell Elizabeth S. , Maile Michael D.
Published: January 2021

Objective:

Weaning parameters are well studied in patients undergoing first time extubation. Fewer data exists to guide re-extubation of patients who failed their first extubation attempt. It is reasonable to postulate that improved weaning parameters between the first and second extubation attempt would lead to improved rates of re-extubation success. To investigate, we studied a cohort of patients who failed their first extubation attempt and underwent a second attempt at extubation. We hypothesized that improvement in weaning parameters between the first and the second extubation attempt is associated with successful reextubation.

Interventions:

Rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), vital capacity (VC), and the blood partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) were measured and recorded in the medical record prior to extubation along with demographic information. We examined the relationship between the change in extubation and re-extubation weaning parameters and re-extubation success.

Measurements and Main results:

A total of 1283 adult patients were included. All weaning parameters obtained prior to re-extubation differed between those who were successful and those who required a second reintubation. Those with reextubation success had slightly lower PaCO2 values (39.5 ± 7.4 mmHg vs. 41.6 ± 9.1 mmHg, p = 0.0045) and about 13% higher vital capacity volumes (1021 ± 410 mL vs. 907 ± 396 mL, p = 0.0093). Lower values for RSBI (53 ± 32 breaths/min/L vs. 69 ± 42 breaths/min/L, p < 0.001) and MIP (−41 ± 12 cmH2O vs. −38 ± 13 cm H2O), p = 0.0225) were seen in those with re-extubation success. Multivariable logistical regression demonstrates lack of independent associated between the change in parameters between the 2 attempts and re-extubation success.

Conclusions:

The relationship between the changes in extubation parameters through successive attempts is driven primarily by the value obtained immediately prior to re-extubation. These findings do not support waiting for an improvement in extubation parameters to extubate patients who failed a first attempt at extubation if extubation parameters are compatible with success.