bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified RANO, Immunotherapy RANO, and Standard RANO Response to Convection-Enhanced Delivery of IL4R-Targeted Immunotoxin MDNA55 in Recurrent Glioblastoma
Authors: Ellingson Benjamin M. , Sampson John , Achrol Achal Singh , Aghi Manish K. , Bankiewicz Krystof , Wang Chencai , Bexon Martin , Brem Steven , Brenner Andrew , Chowdhary Sajeel , Floyd John R. , Han Seunggu , Kesari Santosh , Randazzo Dina , Vogelbaum Michael A. , Vrionis Frank , Zabek Miroslaw , Butowski Nicholas , Coello Melissa , Merchant Nina , Merchant Fahar
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

The current study compared the standard response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO), immunotherapy RANO (iRANO), and modified RANO (mRANO) criteria as well as quantified the association between progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in an immunotherapy trial in recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM).

Patients and Methods:

A total of 47 patients with rGBM were enrolled in a prospective phase II convection-enhanced delivery of an IL4R-targeted immunotoxin (MDNA55-05, NCT02858895). Bidirectional tumor measurements were created by local sites and centrally by an independent radiologic faculty, then standard RANO, iRANO, and mRANO criteria were applied.

Results:

A total of 41 of 47 patients (mean age 56 ± 11.7) were evaluable for response. PFS was significantly shorter using standard RANO compared with iRANO (log-rank, P < 0.0001; HR = 0.3) and mRANO (P < 0.0001; HR = 0.3). In patients who died and had confirmed progression on standard RANO, no correlation was observed between PFS and OS (local, P = 0.47; central, P = 0.34). Using iRANO, a weak association was observed between confirmed PFS and OS via local site measurements (P = 0.017), but not central measurements (P = 0.18). A total of 24 of 41 patients (59%) were censored using iRANO and because they lacked confirmation of progression 3 months after initial progression. A strong correlation was observed between mRANO PFS and OS for both local (R2 = 0.66, P < 0.0001) and centrally determined reads (R2 = 0.57, P = 0.0007).

Conclusions:

No correlation between radiographic PFS and OS was observed for standard RANO or iRANO, but a correlation was observed between PFS and OS using the mRANO criteria. Also, the iRANO criteria was difficult to implement due to need to confirm progression 3 months after initial progression, censoring more than half the patients.
Assessing Water Balance Closure Using Multiple Data Assimilation and Remote Sensing-Based Datasets for Canada
Authors: Wong Jefferson S. , Zhang Xuebin , Gharari Shervan , Shrestha Rajesh R. , Wheater Howard S. , Famiglietti James S.
Published: April 2021

Obtaining reliable water balance estimates remains a major challenge in Canada for large regions with scarce in situ measurements. Various remote sensing products can be used to complement observation-based datasets and provide an estimate of the water balance at river basin or regional scales. This study provides an assessment of the water balance using combinations of various remote sensing and data assimilation-based products and quantifies the non-closure errors for river basins across Canada, ranging from 90,900 to 1,679,100 km2, for the period from 2002 to 2015. A water balance equation combines the following to estimate the monthly water balance closure: multiple sources of data for each water budget component, including two precipitation products - the global product WATCH Forcing Data ERA-Interim (WFDEI), and the Canadian Precipitation Analysis (CaPA); two evapotranspiration products - MODIS, and Global Land-surface Evaporation: the Amsterdam Methodology (GLEAM); one source of water storage data - GRACE from three different centers; and observed discharge data from hydrometric stations (HYDAT). The non-closure error is attributed to the different data products using a constrained Kalman filter. Results show that the combination of CaPA, GLEAM, and the JPL mascon GRACE product tended to outperform other combinations across Canadian river basins. Overall, the error attributions of precipitation, evapotranspiration, water storage change, and runoff were 36.7, 33.2, 17.8, and 12.2 percent, which corresponded to 8.1, 7.9, 4.2, and 1.4 mm month-1, respectively. In particular, non-closure error from precipitation dominated in Western Canada, whereas that from evapotranspiration contributed most in the Mackenzie River basin.
Differentiating Freezing Drizzle and Freezing Rain in HRRR Model Forecasts
Authors: Tessendorf Sarah A. , Rugg Allyson , Korolev Alexei , Heckman Ivan , Weeks Courtney , Thompson Gregory , Jacobson Darcy , Adriaansen Dan , Haggerty Julie
Published: April 2021

Supercooled large drop (SLD) icing poses a unique hazard for aircraft and has resulted in new regulations regarding aircraft certification to fly in regions of known or forecast SLD icing conditions. The new regulations define two SLD icing categories based upon the maximum supercooled liquid water drop diameter (Dmax): freezing drizzle (100–500 μm) and freezing rain (>500 μm). Recent upgrades to U.S. operational numerical weather prediction models lay a foundation to provide more relevant aircraft icing guidance including the potential to predict explicit drop size. The primary focus of this paper is to evaluate a proposed method for estimating the maximum drop size from model forecast data to differentiate freezing drizzle from freezing rain conditions. Using in situ cloud microphysical measurements collected in icing conditions during two field campaigns between January and March 2017, this study shows that the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model is capable of distinguishing SLD icing categories of freezing drizzle and freezing rain using a Dmax extracted from the rain category of the microphysics output. It is shown that the extracted Dmax from the model correctly predicted the observed SLD icing category as much as 99% of the time when the HRRR accurately forecast SLD conditions; however, performance varied by the method to define Dmax and by the field campaign dataset used for verification.
A Multicenter, 10-Year Experience With Hepatocellular Adenoma: Risk Factors and Disease Course
Authors: Silva Trevor S. , Sung Michael , Nelson Daniel W. , DiFronzo Andrew L. , O’Connor Victoria V.
Published: April 2021

Background

Management of hepatocellular adenoma (HA) is marked by a paucity of recent studies. Long-term follow-up data from an equal access health care system may facilitate our understanding of the natural disease course of HA and identify modifiable risk factors.

Methods

A multi-institutional, retrospective review of patients with HA from 2008-2017 was performed. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Of 124 patients identified, 94% were women with a mean age at diagnosis of 39.5 years (range 20-82). Median follow-up was 22.5 months (range 0-114) with thirty-four (27.4%) patients eventually undergoing hepatectomy. Mean BMI of the study population was 30.5 kg/m2 (range 16-72). Stratified by size, average BMI for adenomas ≥5 cm was 34 kg/m2 compared to 28 kg/m2 for those <5 cm ( P < .05). The predominant symptom at presentation was abdominal pain (41.1%), while just 4% presented with acute rupture. Overall incidence of the malignancy was 2.5%. Among all patients, oral contraceptive use was documented in 74 (59.7%) patients, of whom 36 (29.0%) discontinued OC for at least six months. Regression after OC cessation occurred in seven patients (19.4%) while the majority (77.8%) remained stable.

Discussion

This decade-long review analyzing the impact of modifiable risk factors identifies a direct correlation between BMI and hepatocellular adenoma size. Rupture and malignant transformation are rare entities. Cessation of OC appears to be an effective strategy in the management of hepatic adenoma. Further investigations are warranted to determine if addressing modifiable risk factors such as BMI might induce further HA regression.
Evaluation of the Quality, Educational Value and Utility of the Videos on YouTube for Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection
Authors: Piskin Erol , Çolakoğlu Muhammet Kadri , Bal Ali , Oter Volkan , Bostanci Erdal Birol
Published: April 2021

Background

Minimally invasive surgery is a rising trend in colorectal surgery and is on its way to becoming the gold standard due to the benefits it provides for patients. This study aims to test the efficacy for educational purposes by evaluating the videos published on YouTube ( www.youtube.com ) channel for low anterior resection procedure in rectum surgery.

Methods

We searched YouTube on October 17, 2020 to choose video clips that included relevant information about laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer.

Results

We included 25 academics and 75 individual videos in this study. The teaching quality of the videos was evaluated according to academic and individual videos, and it was seen that the teaching quality scores of academic videos were higher and this result was statistically significant ( P = .03). The modified Laparoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines (LAP-VEGaS) criteria were found that the score was higher in individual videos ( P = .014). The median Video Power Index (VPI) value was 1.50 (range .05-347) and the mean ratio was 7.01 ± 3.52. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups ( P = .443).

Discussion

Video-based surgical learning is an effective method for surgical education. Our study showed that the video quality and educational content of most of the videos about the low anterior resection procedure on YouTube were low. The videos of academic origin seem more valuable than individual videos. As far as video popularity is concerned, YouTube viewers are not selective. For this reason, training videos to be used for educational purposes must be passed through a standardized evaluation filter.
Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Ultra-modified Internal Sphincterotomy vs Closed Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy for Chronic Fissure-in-Ano
Authors: Sungurtekin Ugur , Ozgen Utku , Sungurtekin Hulya
Published: April 2021

Background

Currently, the lateral internal sphincterotomy is the treatment of choice for a chronic anal fissure (CAF). However, the length of the internal sphincter incision varies, due to lack of standardization. Insufficient length increases the risk of recurrence. To compare a new ultra-modified internal sphincterotomy (UMIS) to the closed lateral internal sphincterotomy (CLIS) for treating CAF, based on internal anal sphincter function and postoperative complications. The primary endpoint was continence after UMIS. The secondary outcomes were CAF healing complications, visual analog scale pain scores, and sphincter pressures.

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial (block randomization method). 200 patients with CAFs were randomly assigned to receive either UMIS (n = 100) or the closed lateral internal sphincterotomy (CLIS) (n = 100). Follow-up was 2 years. RESULTS: All (100%) patients in both groups showed clinical improvement at 1 month post-surgery. Recurrences were accompanied by deteriorations in Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence scores at 12 months and 2 years ( P < .05). The groups showed significant differences in fissure healing rates and pain scores. After 1 and 2 years, incontinence rates were significantly higher, and patient satisfaction scores were significantly lower in the CLIS group than the UMIS group ( P < .05).

Conclusion

UMIS provided a faster healing rate and fewer side effects than the CLIS for treating CAFs. These results might lead to a standardized treatment among surgeons.
Impact of COVID-19 Governmental Restrictions on Emergency General Surgery Operative Volume and Severity
Authors: Lund Sarah , MacArthur Taleen , Fischmann Marianna Martini , Maroun Justin , Dang Johnny , Markos James R. , Zielinski Martin , Stephens Daniel
Published: April 2021

Background

To describe the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency general surgery operative volumes during governmental shutdowns secondary to the pandemic and characterize differences in disease severity, morbidity, and mortality during this time compared to previous years.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study compares patients who underwent emergency general surgery operations at a tertiary hospital from March 1st to May 31st of 2020 to 2019. Average emergent cases per day were analyzed, comparing identical date ranges between 2020 (pandemic group) and 2019 (control group). Secondary analysis was performed analyzing disease severity, morbidity, and mortality.

Results

From March 1st to May 31st, 2020, 2.5 emergency general surgery operations were performed on average daily compared to 3.0 operations on average daily in 2019, a significant decrease ( P = .03). No significant difference was found in presenting disease severity, morbidity, or mortality between the pandemic and control groups.

Discussion

This study demonstrates a decrease of 65% in emergency general surgery operations during governmental restrictions secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decrease in operations was not associated with worse disease severity, morbidity, or mortality.
Predicting Surgical Margins in Patients With Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Resection
Authors: Ren Weizheng , Xourafas Dimitrios , Ashley Stanley W. , Clancy Thomas E.
Published: April 2021

Background

Many patients with borderline resectable/locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (borderline resectable [BR]/locally advanced [LA] pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [PDAC]) undergoing resection will have positive resection margins (R1), which is associated with poor prognosis. It might be useful to preoperatively predict the margin (R) status.

Methods

Data from patients with BR/LA PDAC who underwent a pancreatectomy between 2008 and 2018 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between R status and relevant preoperative factors. Significant predictors of R1 resection on univariate analysis ( P < .1) were entered into a stepwise selection using the Akaike information criterion to define the final model.

Results

A total of 142 patients with BR/LA PDAC were included in the analysis, 60(42.3%) had R1 resections. In stepwise selection, the following factors were identified as positive predictors of an R1 resection: evidence of lymphadenopathy at diagnosis (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 0.99-4.36, P = .056), the need for pancreaticoduodenectomy (OR = 3.81, 96% CI: 1.15-15.70, P = .040), extent of portal vein/superior mesenteric vein involvement at restaging (<180°, OR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.00-17.00, P = .069, ≥180°, OR = 7,32, 95% CI: 1.75-39.87, P = .010), stable CA 19-9 serum levels (less than 50% decrease from diagnosis to restaging, OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 0.84-6.36 P = .107), and no preoperative FOLFIRINOX (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 0.86-5.64, P = .103). The prognostic nomogram based on this model yielded a probability of achieving an R1 resection ranging from <5% (0 factors) to >70% (all 5 factors).

Conclusions

Relevant preoperative clinicopathological characteristics accurately predict positive resection margins in patients with BR/LA PDAC before resection. With further development, this model might be used to preoperatively guide surgical decision-making in patients with BR/LA PDAC.
Role Perception and Professional Identity of Occupational Therapists Working in Education Systems: Perception du rôle et identité professionnelle des ergothérapeutes qui travaillent dans les systèmes scolaires
Authors: Lamash Liron , Fogel Yael
Published: April 2021

Background.

Occupational therapists, especially those in education systems, are challenged to define their professional roles and identities.

Purpose.

This research evaluated the Role-Perception Questionnaire for Occupational Therapists in the Education System’s (RP-OT) psychometric properties, the Professional Identity Scale (PIS) internal consistency among occupational therapists, and relationships among role perception, professional identity, and demographic characteristics.

Method.

A sample of 147 occupational therapists in education systems completed the RP-OT and PIS. We conducted exploratory factor analysis and calculated Cronbach alpha to evaluate the RP-OT and PIS psychometric properties. Relationships were examined using Pearson correlation.

Findings.

The RP-OT was found reliable and valid, with medium-to-strong correlations among role perception, professional identity, and demographics. Teamwork in the education system was the major predictor (82%) of professional identity.

Implications.

Teamwork is part of the professional role of occupational therapists in the education system and a significant component for developing their positive professional-identity perception.
What I Say Means What I Do: Risk Concerns and Mobile Application-Selection Behaviors
Authors: Chen Jing , Ge Huangyi , Li Ninghui , Proctor Robert W.
Published: April 2021

Objective

The goal of this study was to examine the relation between users’ reported risk concerns and their choice behaviors in a mobile application (app) selection task.

Background

Human users are typically regarded as the weakest link in cybersecurity and privacy protection; however, it is possible to leverage the users’ predilections to increase security. There have been mixed results on the relation between users’ self-reported privacy concerns and their behaviors.

Method

In three experiments, the timing of self-reported risk concerns was either a few weeks before the app-selection task (pre-screen), immediately before it (pre-task), or immediately after it (post-task). We also varied the availability and placement of clear definitions and quizzes to ensure users’ understanding of the risk categories.

Results

The post-task report significantly predicted the app-selection behaviors, consistent with prior findings. The pre-screen report was largely inconsistent with the reports implemented around the time of the task, indicating that participants’ risk concerns may not be stable over time and across contexts. Moreover, the pre-task report strongly predicted the app-selection behaviors only when elaborated definitions and quizzes were placed before the pre-task question, indicating the importance of clear understanding of the risk categories.

Conclusion

Self-reported risk concerns may be unstable over time and across contexts. When explained with clear definitions, self-reported risk concerns obtained immediately before or after the app-selection task significantly predicted app-selection behaviors.

Application

We discuss implications for including personalized risk concerns during app selection that enable comparison of alternative mobile apps.
Heat Stress Management in the Military: Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature Offsets for Modern Body Armor Systems
Authors: Hunt Andrew P. , Potter Adam W. , Linnane Denise M. , Xu Xiaojiang , Patterson Mark J. , Stewart Ian B.
Published: April 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to model the effect of body armor coverage on body core temperature elevation and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) offset.

Background

Heat stress is a critical factor influencing the health and safety of military populations. Work duration limits can be imposed to mitigate the risk of exertional heat illness and are derived based on the environmental conditions (WBGT). Traditionally a 3°C offset to WBGT is recommended when wearing body armor; however, modern body armor systems provide a range of coverage options, which may influence thermal strain imposed on the wearer.

Method

The biophysical properties of four military clothing ensembles of increasing ballistic protection coverage were measured on a heated sweating manikin in accordance with standard international criteria. Body core temperature elevation during light, moderate, and heavy work was modeled in environmental conditions from 16°C to 34°C WBGT using the heat strain decision aid.

Results

Increasing ballistic protection resulted in shorter work durations to reach a critical core temperature limit of 38.5°C. Environmental conditions, armor coverage, and work intensity had a significant influence on WBGT offset.

Conclusion

Contrary to the traditional recommendation, the required WBGT offset was >3°C in temperate conditions (<27°C WBGT), particularly for moderate and heavy work. In contrast, a lower WBGT offset could be applied during light work and moderate work in low levels of coverage.

Application

Correct WBGT offsets are important for enabling adequate risk management strategies for mitigating risks of exertional heat illness.
Optimized dosage control of the ozonation process in drinking water treatment
Authors: Niu Dan , Wang Xiaojun , Chen Xisong , Ding Li , Yang Jun , Jiang Fuchun
Published: April 2021

Ozonation is an important process in drinking water treatment. Determination of optimal ozonation dose is of significant importance for enhancing the quality of treated water and reducing the energy cost. It is known that keeping the dissolved ozone residual constant is an effective and reliable dosage control scheme. However, some external disturbances, such as large changes in raw water quality and water flow rate, always exist in the ozonation process. Meanwhile, the ozonation is a nonlinear process with large time constant and long time delay. Thus, it has been always a challenge for dosage control to maintain the dissolved ozone residual constant. The traditional control strategies such as PID and MPC merely utilize feedback regulation to suppress disturbances. This will degrade the control performance when strong disturbances occur. In this work, an effective control method integrating MPC method with disturbance observer (DO) is put forward to improve disturbance suppression performance. DO is utilized to estimate the disturbances and uncertainties, and then the estimated values are employed to conduct feed-forward compensation. The test results indicate that significant disturbance suppression improvements can be accomplished under the proposed method in comparison with the conventional MPC method in the ozonation process.
Discursive construction of social representations expressed by seekers of psychosocial healthcare services in Brazil
Authors: Faleiros Vicente de Paula , Hochdorn Alexander
Published: April 2021

Background:

The current paper discusses the results of a study realized with 66 seekers of 12 psychosocial healthcare services (CAPS) in Brazil, by investigating their social representations.

Aims:

Throughout a quali-quantitative approach, unstructured interviews have been conducted and focused on two themes: one related to mental suffering and another to the CAPS itself.

Method:

The data were processed adopting the Iramuteq software for text-mining-analysis.

Results:

Out of the findings emerged four lexical classes due to the discursive representation of: (1) CAPS (39.7%); (2) social life (29.7%); (3) family (13.6%) and (4) medication and care (17%), where the utterance NÃO (NO) occupies a central position. Accordingly, the NO is associated with ‘not there’ and ‘not here’, contrasting the care provided outside the CAPS, represented as inhumane or inadequate, to that provided inside the CAPS, linked to feelings of ‘not being discriminated, mistreated and unrecognized’. The underlying social representations expressed in the interviews show an opposition between what was experienced outside and what was experienced inside the CAPS.

Conclusion:

The care received in CAPS units is the expression of a new psychosocial paradigm in a process of implementation, focused on participation and interdisciplinarity, as opposed to the biomedical paradigm focused on the disease.
Variation in grain-size characteristics of simulated shrubs as a novel sand-barrier in a wind tunnel experiment
Authors: Wang Zhenyi , Pan Xia , Yuan Limin , Gao Yong , Dang Xiaohong , Huang Haiguang
Published: April 2021

Sand transport is the main manifestation of sand damage in the arid and semiarid regions globally. It is a huge challenge to stabilize mobile sandy and change them into stable productive ecosystems. The establishment of simulated shrubs is one of the most effective measures to solve the above difficulties as a novel sand-barrier. To clarify simulated shrubs’ role in the process of ecological restoration. It will be greatly helpful to incorporate the shelter device proposed in the present work into landscape models for aeolian soil transport, to optimize the parameters associated with the sand-barrier characteristics for aeolian soil stabilization at the field scale. A series of wind tunnel experiments were conducted to analyze the variations of soil grain-size of simulated shrubs with different spatial configurations, row spaces, and net wind speeds. Further, the soil grain-size parameters were calculated by the classic method proposed by Folk and Ward to clarify the change of soil particles resulted from the blocking effects. The average grain-size content of simulated shrubs with different spatial configurations, row spaces, and net wind speeds was dominated by medium sand and fine sand, and the total percentage was more than 90%. Moreover, the sand deposition of simulated shrubs with different spatial configurations increased with the improvement of wind speeds. The average sand deposition of spindle-shaped simulated shrubs in 17.5 × 17.5 cm and broom-shaped simulated shrubs in 17.5 × 26.25 cm under different net wind speeds was the least. The effects of row spaces on average grain-size parameters increased with the improvement of net wind speeds. By calculating the correct characteristics of specific shelter devices proposed in the present work, all of these findings suggest that the application of simulated shrubs will be an important component to further extend ecological engineering projects in arid and semiarid regions.
Effect of knowledge differentiation and state space partitioning on subjective probability estimation
Authors: AlKhars Mohammed A
Published: April 2021

A common technique for eliciting subjective probabilities is to provide a set of exclusive and exhaustive events and ask the assessor to estimate the probabilities of such events. However, such subjective probabilities estimations are usually subjected to a bias known as the partition dependence bias. This study aims to investigate the effect of state space partitioning and the level of knowledge on subjective probability estimations. The state space is partitioned into full, collapsed, and pruned trees, while the knowledge is manipulated into low and high levels. A scenario called “Best Bank Award” was developed and a 2 × 3 experimental design was employed to explore the effect of the level of knowledge and the partitioning of the state space on the subjective probability. A total of 627 professionals participated in the study and 543 valid responses were used for analysis. The results of two-way ANOVA with the Tukey HSD test for post hoc analysis indicate a mean probability of 24.2% for the full tree, which is significantly lower than those of the collapsed (35.7%) as well as pruned (36.3%) trees. Moreover, there is significant difference in the mean probabilities between the low (38.1%) and high (24.9%) knowledge levels. The results support the hypotheses that the partitioning of the state space as well as the level of knowledge affects subjective probability estimation. The study demonstrates that regardless of the level of knowledge, the partition dependence bias is robust. However, the subjective probability accuracy improves with more knowledge.
Community College Pathways for Disadvantaged Students
Authors: Holzer Harry J. , Xu Zeyu
Published: April 2021

Objective: We estimated the correlations between the “pathways” chosen by community college students—in terms of desired credentials and fields of study, as well as other choices and outcomes along the paths—and the attainment of credentials with labor market value. We focused on the extent to which there were recorded changes in students’ choices over time, whether students made choices informed by their chances of success and by labor market value of credentials, and the impacts of choices on outcomes. Method: Using micro-longitudinal administrative data on a full cohort of Kentucky community college students, we provide summary data on a range of pathway characteristics and outcomes, as well as binomial and multinomial logit estimates of how pathway characteristics affect the odds of completing different kinds of credentials. Some of the logit estimates were based on random or fixed effects models. Results: We found that several characteristics of chosen pathways, such as field of study and desired credential as well as early “momentum,” affected outcomes. Student choices of pathways—and especially differences by gender and academic readiness—sometimes ran strongly counter to information about later chances of success in terms of probabilities of completing programs and attaining strong earnings. Students also changed pathways quite frequently, making it harder to accumulate the credits needed in their fields. Contributions: Attainment of credentials with greater market value by community college students could likely be improved by appropriate guidance and supports for them along the way and perhaps by broader institutional changes as well.
Do New Chiefs Mean Fresh Perspectives? The Institutionalization of the Police Executive Environment
Authors: Matusiak Matthew C.
Published: April 2021

Research suggests policing is a highly institutionalized field. Limited attention has been paid, however, to the institutionalization of leaders’ views. Assessing turnover in 71 Texas police organizations between October, 2011, and July, 2015, this research evaluates whether there is consistency (i.e., institutional homogenization) after turnover in chiefs’ perceptions of their environments and agency priorities. The research is unique in that it assesses two chiefs’ perceptions that have both led the same law enforcement agency in successive time periods. Assessments of environment and priorities from former chiefs and those replacing them are evaluated utilizing descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods. These assessments are also compared with a control group of chiefs from agencies not experiencing turnover. Bivariate results suggest little variation across current and former chiefs, whereas ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models suggest differing relationships across chiefs groups between environmental perceptions and agency priorities. Discussion of the findings is framed by institutional theory.
Effect of feldspar filler on physical and dynamic properties of SBR/CB based tire tread compounds: Effect of addition method of silane coupling agent
Authors: Kaynak Neşe , Şen Sinan
Published: April 2021

In this work, the effects of using feldspar (FLD) as an alumina-silicate inorganic filler, with carbon black (CB) as a novel binary filler system, on the properties of SBR compounds were investigated for tire applications. The bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide (TESPD) was used for modification of FLD. The SBR hybrid composites were produced by replacing 10 phr of CB filler with neat FLD and functionalized FLD (F-FLD). The TESPD was added directly to the rubber mixture including neat FLD. The SBR composite which has only CB filler (50CB) was found to have the highest damping parameter (tan δ) value at 60°C. On the other hand, the composites loaded with the CB and the FLD fillers exhibited relatively lower tan δ at the same temperature showing lower rolling resistance meaning better fuel saving performance. The lowest rolling resistance was achieved for the 40CB-10F-FLD most probably due to its stronger interaction with the SBR elastomer molecules through the silane agent-assisted crosslinks of the F-FLD. As another dynamic property, the storage moduli at −20°C were found to be lower for the SBR hybrid composites as compared to that of the 50CB composite, exhibiting enhanced winter traction performance of the composites having FLD filler together with CB. The composites containing only 10 phr of FLD and F-FLD, on the other hand, exhibited very low tensile strength values which are not acceptable for tire tread materials.
The Relation Between Gender Identity and Well-Being
Authors: Zitelny Hila , Dror Tzipi , Altman Shahar , Bar-Anan Yoav
Published: April 2021

Does strong gender identity help or harm one’s well-being? Previous research suggests that acceptance of one’s social group and feelings of belongingness to the group are positively related to well-being, regardless of the group’s social status. However, there are inconsistent findings about the relation between well-being and how central the group is to one’s identity (centrality), especially among disadvantaged groups (e.g., women). In Studies 1 to 10 (total N = 5,955), we clarified these relations by controlling for shared variance between distinct gender identity aspects. Acceptance and belongingness were positively related to a range of well-being variables. Centrality was negatively related to well-being. These results were consistent across genders. Studies 11 to 14 (total N = 2,380) found that the negative relation between gender centrality and well-being might be mediated by perceived pressure to conform to the masculine role among men and perceived gender inequality among women. These results uncover a burden of strong gender identity.
How Fair is Economic Inequality? Belief in a Just World and the Legitimation of Economic Disparities in 27 European Countries
Authors: García-Sánchez Efraín , Correia Isabel , Pereira Cícero R. , Willis Guillermo B. , Rodríguez-Bailón Rosa , Vala Jorge
Published: April 2021

This article aims to examine the role of Belief in a Just World (BJW) in the legitimation of economic inequality. Using data from 27 European countries ( N=47,086), we conducted multilevel analyses and found that BJW positively predicted the legitimation of economic inequality, measured by three indicators: the perceived fairness of the overall wealth inequality, and the fairness of the earnings made by the Top 10% and the Bottom 10% of society. These results persisted after controlling for individual- and country-level variables. Moreover, the BJW effect was stronger on the legitimation of the Bottom 10% incomes, compared to the legitimation of the Top 10%. We also found that economic inequality at the country-level reduced the BJW effect on legitimation of inequality. Finally, BJW displayed a negative indirect effect on support for redistribution, via the legitimation of economic inequalities.
Resources for What? Understanding Performance in the Resource-Based View and Strategic Human Capital Resource Literatures
Authors: Ployhart Robert E.
Published: April 2021

Barney’s presentation of the resource-based view (RBV) profoundly shaped the trajectory of management scholarship. This article considers the RBV’s impact specifically on the field of strategic human capital resources. Although Barney is still highly relevant, I suggest that research has not sufficiently appreciated the role that individual and collective performance behavior and outcomes play in linking human capital resources to competitive advantage. An alternative, what might be called RBV2.0, posits that research needs to recognize that human capital resources are distinct from performance behavior and outcomes. Such an observation raises the question, “Resources for what?” Answering this question leads to several important insights. First, a given type of human capital resource is only important to the extent it is related to performance behavior and outcomes that contribute to competitive advantage. Second, performance behavior is largely strategy-specific and thus firm-specific. Third, firm specificity is not a characteristic of human capital resources but rather a function of the proximity of the resource to firm-specific performance behavior and outcomes. Consequently, “Performance” is the answer to the question, “Resources for what?” This emphasis on understanding human capital resource-performance relationships adds considerable precision into the RBV, helps resolve puzzles in the strategic human capital literature relating to firm specificity and performance mobility, and promotes a deeper understanding hiding latent within Barney’s original view.
People and the Place: Social Dominance Orientation Is Reciprocally Associated With Hierarchy-Enhancing Occupations Over Time
Authors: Zubielevitch Elena , Cheung Gordon W. , Sibley Chris G. , Sengupta Nikhil , Osborne Danny
Published: April 2021

Social dominance orientation (SDO) is a widely researched construct that indexes a preference for hierarchical intergroup relations. However, it remains unclear whether this preference (a) motivates people to seek out occupations that enhance hierarchical relations between groups (i.e., occupational assortment), (b) develops as a result of working within hierarchy-enhancing occupations (i.e., occupational socialization), or (c) both. One reason for this gap is that the large-scale longitudinal data required to simultaneously model assortment and socialization processes are scarce. In this study, we analyzed data from two waves of longitudinal data (spaced either 1, 3, or 5 years apart) from a nationwide sample of adults ( N = 3,452–4,412) who were already working in either hierarchy-enhancing occupations (e.g., law enforcement) or hierarchy-attenuating occupations (e.g., social work). Results showed that SDO predicted an increased probability of working in a hierarchy-enhancing occupation 3 and 5 years later. Working in a hierarchy-enhancing occupation was also positively associated with SDO after 1 and 5 years. These patterns generally suggest that occupations both shape, and are shaped by, intergroup beliefs.
Lost Control Driving Home: A Dual-Pathway Model of Self-Control Work Demands and Commuter Driving
Authors: Clinton Michael E. , Hewett Rebecca , Conway Neil , Poulter Damian
Published: April 2021

This research contributes to theory on self-control at work through applying and extending the limited-capacity model of self-control to examine the extent to which daily self-control work demands predict self-control failure and driving behavior during the commute after work. We develop a dual-pathway model in which resisting-distractions demands and impulse-control demands at work have unique relationships with speeding behavior via two separate pathways of self-control failure: one reflecting a failure to regulate attention and the other reflecting a failure to suppress impulses, which is moderated by negative affect. In two studies of daily work experiences and driving behavior, we find support for our model, over and above the effects of cognitive and affective work demands, postwork fatigue, and motivation. We discuss the implications of our findings in relation to the concept of self-control work demands and self-control depletion theory. Our findings also contribute to research on the links between work and commuting, and driving commuting most specifically, which is important because work-to-driving spillover represents a substantive safety issue for organizations.
Coronavirus management and control: Nutrition and alternative medicines
Authors: Guha Smita , Chakraborty Ashok
Published: April 2021

Background: In late December 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2, originated in Wuhan Province, the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The rapid and highly infectious virus quickly spread around the country and has become a global pandemic. Thousands of people have been infected, and have died. Scientists around the world are working on the vaccine; however, an effective cure is yet to be developed. Aims: Search to be made on some alternative antiviral components from the rich sources of traditional herbal medicine in India as well as in the PRC. Here we discuss them with references. Methods: The knowledge gained from the literature search of antiviral known herbal products or Ayurvedic medicines that used to be applied against any viral or bacterial infections in the past, may be considered for deployment against COVID-19, and may be rewarded. Results: Many medicinal compounds are extracted from plants and have led to drug discovery. Similarly, plant products and their analogues have been employed as an early line of defense against COVID-19. Conclusion: Research into ethnobotany, phytochemistry, plant physiology and ecology may be important in protecting the global population from current and future pandemics.
Educating caregivers of persons with cerebral palsy in night-time postural care: A randomized trial comparing two online training programs
Authors: Hutson Jennifer Ann , Hodges James S , Snow LeAnn
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Compare effectiveness of two differently formatted training programs in educating night-time postural care implementers.

Design:

Mixed-methods parallel-group double-blind design with random assignment.

Setting:

United States academic institution.

Participants:

Thirty-eight adult caregivers/providers of children with cerebral palsy.

Interventions:

Both 2-hour online programs included content on night-time postural care evidence, risk-factor monitoring, sleep-system types, positioning methods, and assessments. Group A used interactive videos, Group B summary information with web-links.

Main Measures:

We measured self-perceived competence via questionnaires (baseline, post-training, post-simulation) containing 4-point rating-scales of knowledge, ability, and confidence and measured positioning ability via a simulation observation instrument comprising 16 positioning-task ratings with space for describing performance. We recorded participant actions/statements using fieldnotes.

Results:

Thirty-eight completed training (19 per group). Group A (vs B) showed significantly greater self-perceived competence changes post-training (0.46 points (SE 0.17), P = 0.008). Thirty-seven positioned a standardized “client,” with groups not differing significantly on total tasks completed correctly ( F(1, 92.32) = 1.91, P = 0.17) averaging 11.85 (SE 0.83) and 12.60 (SE 0.84) of 16 tasks correct. Group A’s post-positioning/simulation self-ratings were significantly associated with actual ability ( r = 0.53, P = 0.019). In both groups ⩾47% of caregivers incorrectly completed the tasks of placing head and neck in neutral and snugging up all [positioning] parts.

Conclusion:

The sleep care positioning training program (interactive video-based format) is effective in building caregivers’ self-perceived competence for night-time postural care. While the lesson was well-received by caregivers and considered a “match [to their] learning style,” the lesson did not lead to greater improvement in actual ability to position the “client” compared to control training.
What constitutes a palliative care need in people with serious illnesses across Africa? A mixed-methods systematic review of the concept and evidence
Authors: Afolabi Oladayo A , Nkhoma Kennedy , Maddocks Matthew , Harding Richard
Published: April 2021

Background:

Clarity on what constitutes a palliative care need is essential to ensure that health systems and clinical services deliver an appropriate response within Universal Health Coverage.

Aim:

To synthesise primary evidence from Africa for palliative care needs among patients and families with serious illness.

Design:

We conducted a mixed methods systematic review with sequential synthesis design. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019136606) and included studies were quality assessed using Mixed Method Appraisal Tool.

Data sources:

Six global literature databases and Three Africa-specific databases were searched up to October 2020 for terms related to palliative care, serious illnesses and Africa. Palliative care need was defined as multidimensional problems, symptoms, distress and concerns which can benefit from palliative care.

Results:

Of 7810 papers screened, 159 papers met eligibility criteria. Palliative care needs were mostly described amongst patients with HIV/AIDS ( n = 99 studies) or cancer ( n = 59), from East ( n = 72) and Southern ( n = 89) Africa. Context-specific palliative care needs included managing pregnancy and breastfeeding, preventing infection transmission (physical); health literacy needs, worry about medical bills (psychological); isolation and stigma, overwhelmed families needing a break, struggling to pay children’s school fees and selling assets (social and practical needs); and rites associated with cultural and religious beliefs (spiritual).

Conclusions:

Palliative care assessment and care must reflect the context-driven specific needs of patients and families in Africa, in line with the novel framework. Health literacy is a crucial need in this context that must be met to ensure that the benefits of palliative care can be achieved at the patient-level.
Community Coalition Action Theory: Introducing an Interventional Application to Confronting Covid-19
Authors: Ghaffari Mohtasham , Armoon Bahram , Khoramrooz Sadjjad , Harooni Javad
Published: April 2021

It’s less possible to promote health behaviors without theory-based studies and it’s better to use health education and promotion theories for more effective health education and promotion interventions. Theories are able to change the behavior of individuals at the personal, interpersonal, organizational, social, and policymaking levels. Organizations play an important role in the daily life of people, and any changes in these organizations can affect people's health. The Community Coalition Action Theory (CCAT) is a form of theories for the change across organizations. A community coalition is a structured arrangement where all members can work together on a common goal and objective. The current article focuses on applications of the CCAT to provide a framework for the development of activities and interventions related to confronting Covid-19. Forming a coalition is very significant and can increase the effectiveness of interventional programs. CCAT is one of the best practices that can be achieved through joint activities of multiple organizations that lead to improved health behaviors
Meta-analysis reveals significant association between FOXP3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to Graves’ disease
Authors: Tan Guiqin , Wang Xin , Zheng Guangbing , Du Juan , Zhou Fangyu , Liang Zhongzhi , Wei Wenwen , Yu Hongsong
Published: April 2021

Objective

This meta-analysis aimed to determine the associations between the rs3761547, rs3761548, and rs3761549 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the forkhead box P3 ( FOXP3) gene and susceptibility to Graves’ disease (GD).

Methods

Case–control studies with information on the associations between the rs3761547, rs3761548, and rs3761549 FOXP3 SNPs and GD published before 01 May 2020 were identified in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Data from the studies were analyzed using RevMan version 5.3.

Results

Seven independent case–control studies including 4051 GD patients and 4569 controls were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled analysis indicated that FOXP3/rs3761548 and FOXP3/rs3761549 polymorphisms were significantly associated with GD susceptibility (rs3761548: A vs. C, odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.67; rs3761549: TT vs. CC, OR = 1.98, 95%CI 1.49–2.65; (TT + TC) vs. CC, OR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.11–1.88). In contrast, the FOXP3/rs3761547 polymorphism was not associated with GD susceptibility. Subgroup analysis according to ethnicity showed that rs3761548 was associated with GD in Asians but not in Caucasians, whereas rs3761549 was associated in both Asians and Caucasians.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that FOXP3/rs3761548 and FOXP3/rs3761549 SNPs were significantly associated with susceptibility to GD, at least in Asian populations.