bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of eIF5A hypusination pathway as a new pharmacological target for stroke therapy
Authors: Bourourou Miled , Gouix Elsa , Melis Nicolas , Friard Jonas , Heurteaux Catherine , Tauc Michel , Blondeau Nicolas
Published: July 2020

In eukaryotes, the polyamine pathway generates spermidine that activates the hypusination of the translation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). Hypusinated-eIF5A modulates translation, elongation, termination and mitochondrial function. Evidence in model organisms like drosophila suggests that targeting polyamines synthesis might be of interest against ischemia. However, the potential of targeting eIF5A hypusination in stroke, the major therapeutic challenge specific to ischemia, is currently unknown. Using in vitro models of ischemic-related stress, we documented that GC7, a specific inhibitor of a key enzyme in the eIF5A activation pathway, affords neuronal protection. We identified the preservation of mitochondrial function and thereby the prevention of toxic ROS generation as major processes of GC7 protection. To represent a thoughtful opportunity of clinical translation, we explored whether GC7 administration reduces the infarct volume and functional deficits in an in vivo transient focal cerebral ischemia (tFCI) model in mice. A single GC7 pre- or post-treatment significantly reduces the infarct volume post-stroke. Moreover, GC7-post-treatment significantly improves mouse performance in the rotarod and Morris water-maze, highlighting beneficial effects on motor and cognitive post-stroke deficits. Our results identify the targeting of the polyamine-eIF5A-hypusine axis as a new therapeutic opportunity and new paradigm of research in stroke and ischemic diseases.
Regional hyperperfusion in older adults with objectively-defined subtle cognitive decline
Authors: Thomas Kelsey R , Osuna Jessica R , Weigand Alexandra J , Edmonds Emily C , Clark Alexandra L , Holmqvist Sophia , Cota Isabel H , Wierenga Christina E , Bondi Mark W , Bangen Katherine J ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: July 2020

Although cerebral blood flow (CBF) alterations are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), CBF patterns across prodromal stages of AD remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated patterns of regional CBF in 162 Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants characterized as cognitively unimpaired (CU; n = 80), objectively-defined subtle cognitive decline (Obj-SCD; n = 31), or mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 51). Arterial spin labeling MRI quantified regional CBF in a priori regions of interest: hippocampus, inferior temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobe, medial orbitofrontal cortex, and rostral middle frontal gyrus. Obj-SCD participants had increased hippocampal and inferior parietal CBF relative to CU and MCI participants and increased inferior temporal CBF relative to MCI participants. CU and MCI groups did not differ in hippocampal or inferior parietal CBF, but CU participants had increased inferior temporal CBF relative to MCI participants. There were no CBF group differences in the two frontal regions. Thus, we found an inverted-U pattern of CBF signal across prodromal AD stages in regions susceptible to early AD pathology. Hippocampal and inferior parietal hyperperfusion in Obj-SCD may reflect early neurovascular dysregulation, whereby higher CBF is needed to maintain cognitive functioning relative to MCI participants, yet is also reflective of early cognitive inefficiencies that distinguish Obj-SCD from CU participants.
Does mammographic density remain a radiological challenge in the digital era?
Authors: Al-Mousa Dana S , Rawashdeh Mohammad , Alakhras Maram , Spuur Kelly M , AbuTaimai Rula , Brennan Patrick C
Published: July 2020

Background

The low subject contrast between cancerous and fibroglandular tissue could obscure breast abnormalities.

Purpose

To investigate radiologists’ performance for detection of breast cancer in low and high mammographic density (MD) when cases are digitally acquired.

Material and Methods

A test set of 60 digital mammography cases, of which 20 were cancerous, were examined by 17 radiologists. Mammograms were categorized as low (≤50%) or high (>50%) MD and rated for suspicion of malignancy using the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology (RANZCR) classification system. Radiologist demographics including cases read per year, age, subspecialty, and years of reporting were recorded. Radiologist performance was analyzed by the following metrics: sensitivity; specificity; area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), location sensitivity, and jackknife free-response ROC (JAFROC) figure of merit (FOM).

Results

Comparing high to low MD cases, radiologists showed a significantly higher sensitivity ( P = 0.015), AUC ( P = 0.003), location sensitivity ( P = 0.002), and JAFROC FOM ( P = 0.001). In high compared to low MD cases, radiologists with <1000 annual reads and radiologists with no mammographic subspecialty had significantly higher AUC, location sensitivity, and JAFROC FOM. Radiologists with ≥1000 annual reads and radiologists with mammography subspecialty demonstrated a significant increase in location sensitivity in high compared to low MD cases.

Conclusion

In this experimental situation, radiologists’ performance was higher when reading cases with high compared to low MD. Experienced radiologists were able to precisely localize lesions in breasts with higher MD. Further studies in unselected screening materials are needed to verify the results.
Hip Arthroscopy in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Complications in 18,585 Cases
Authors: Emara Ahmed K. , Grits Daniel , Samuel Linsen T. , Acuña Alexander J. , Rosneck James T. , Kamath Atul F.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Although the negative effects of smoking have been documented for other types of arthroscopic procedures, there is limited information regarding its influence on hip arthroscopy outcomes.

Purpose:

To examine the effect of smoking on the following outcomes after hip arthroscopy: patient-reported outcomes (PROs), the degree of improvement in PROs relative to baseline, complication rates, and rates of revision arthroscopy and/or conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were queried for studies published between January 1, 1985, and January 14, 2020, comparing the outcomes of hip arthroscopy between smokers and nonsmokers. Case reports, basic science studies, and studies investigating pediatric patients or lacking a description of outcomes were excluded. Included outcome tools were the modified Harris Hip Score, the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction, and the Hip Outcome Score (HOS)–Sports Specific and HOS–Activities of Daily Living. Preoperative characteristics and operative indications were also recorded.

Results:

Postoperative combined means (± SD) were better in nonsmokers versus smokers for the modified Harris Hip Score (75.67 ± 20.88 vs 82.32 ± 15.5; P = .001), the VAS pain (3.13 ± 2.79 vs 2.13 ± 2.21; P < .001), and the HOS–Sports Specific (62.54 ± 25.38 vs 71.7 ± 23.3; P < .001). There was no difference between groups in VAS satisfaction ( P = .23) or HOS–Activities of Daily Living ( P = .13). The extent of PRO score improvement relative to baseline values was similar in smokers and nonsmokers in all PRO measures ( P > .05 for all). Smokers demonstrated higher rates of postoperative thromboembolic ( P = .0177) and infectious ( P = .006) complications. There was no difference between rates of revision arthroscopy ( P = .47) and THA conversion ( P = .31).

Conclusion:

Smoking adversely affects certain postoperative PROs and is associated with higher postoperative complication rates. Further studies are required investigating the degree of PRO improvement and long-term arthroscopy revision and THA conversion rates.
Is It Worthy to Take Account of the “Guessing” in the Performance of the Raven Test? Calling for the Principle of Parsimony for Test Validation
Authors: Lúcio Patrícia Silva , Vandekerckhove Joachim , Polanczyk Guilherme V. , Cogo-Moreira Hugo
Published: July 2020

The present study compares the fit of two- and three-parameter logistic (2PL and 3PL) models of item response theory in the performance of preschool children on the Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices. The test of Raven is widely used for evaluating nonverbal intelligence of factor g. Studies comparing models with real data are scarce on the literature and this is the first to compare models of two and three parameters for the test of Raven, evaluating the informational gain of considering guessing probability. Participants were 582 Brazilian’s preschool children ( Mage = 57 months; SD = 7 months; 46% female) who responded individually to the instrument. The model fit indices suggested that the 2PL fit better to the data. The difficulty and ability parameters were similar between the models, with almost perfect correlations. Differences were observed in terms of discrimination and test information. The principle of parsimony must be called for comparing models.
Emotional Well-being Among Public Employees: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Lahat Lihi , Ofek Dganit
Published: July 2020

There is growing agreement on the importance of well-being in general and among employees more specifically. One area that has attracted significantly less attention is the well-being of public sector employees, especially from a comparative perspective. This study explored the factors explaining emotional well-being among public sector employees in seven countries. Using data from the European Social Survey, round 6, it examined the importance of the work environment, of belonging to the public sector, and of belonging to the country and their effects on well-being. We found public sector employees had a higher level of emotional well-being than non-public sector employees. However, belonging to the public sector was less important than other factors. The country context and soft features of the work environment were important to public sector employees, but not just to them, and were reflected differently in different countries.
Dexmedetomidine for Facilitating Mechanical Ventilation Extubation in Difficult-to-Wean ICU Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
Authors: Buckley Mitchell S. , Smithburger Pamela L. , Wong Adrian , Fraser Gilles L. , Reade Michael C. , Klein-Fedyshin Michele , Ardiles Thomas , Kane-Gill Sandra L.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Agitation and delirium are common in mechanically ventilated adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients and may contribute to delayed extubation times. Difficult-to-wean ICU patients have been associated with an increased risk of longer ICU length of stays and mortality. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the evidence of dexmedetomidine facilitating successful mechanical ventilation extubation in difficult-to-wean ICU patients and clinical outcomes.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Global Health, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trial Registries, and the Health Technology Assessment Database from inception to December 5, 2019. Randomized controlled trials evaluating dexmedetomidine with the intended purpose to facilitate mechanical ventilation liberation in adult ICU patients (≥18 years) experiencing extubation failure were included. The primary outcome of time to extubation was evaluated using the weighted mean difference (WMD), with a random effects model. Secondary analyses included hospital and ICU length of stay, in-hospital mortality, hypotension, and bradycardia.

Results:

A total of 6 trials (n = 306 patients) were included. Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the time to extubation (WMD: −11.61 hours, 95% CI: −16.5 to −6.7, P = .005) and ICU length of stay (WMD: −3.04 days; 95% CI: −4.66 to −1.43). Hypotension risk was increased with dexmedetomidine (risk ratio [RR]: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.05-2.51), but there was no difference in bradycardia risk (RR: 3.98, 95% CI: 0.70-22.78). No differences were observed in mortality rates (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.45-3.75) or hospital length of stay (WMD: −2.67 days; 95% CI: −7.73 to 2.39).

Conclusions:

Dexmedetomidine was associated with a significant reduction in the time to extubation and shorter ICU stay in difficult-to-wean ICU patients. Although hypotension risk was increased with dexmedetomidine, no differences in other clinical outcomes were observed.
Associations Between Interpersonal Violence, Psychological Distress, and Suicidal Ideation Among Formerly Incarcerated Men and Women
Authors: Newman Madeleine , Fedina Lisa , Nam Boyoung , DeVylder Jordan , Alleyne-Green Binta
Published: July 2020

Survivors of interpersonal violence are at increased risk of negative mental health outcomes; however, scant research has explored the relationship between violence exposure and mental health symptoms among formerly incarcerated individuals. This cross-sectional survey study investigates the demographic characteristics and mental health symptoms (i.e., psychological distress and suicidal ideation) associated with interpersonal violence exposure, including physical and sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, and sexual violence perpetrated by prison employees in a sample of formerly incarcerated men and women, with the aim that the findings both deepen the understanding of the effects of sexual violence exposure and help inform prison and jail policies. Surveys were administered to English-speaking adults ages 18 and older to recruit a sample of adults who were formerly incarcerated ( N = 201). Questions on the survey included questions regarding demographic details, sexual violence exposure, mental health symptoms, and time incarcerated. Findings show that higher levels of sexual violence exposure were significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress and reporting of suicidal ideation. Results also suggest that higher levels of income and education and younger age were significantly associated with sexual violence perpetrated by prison employees. In addition, most forms of interpersonal violence were independently associated with psychological distress and suicidal ideation in this population. The findings make recommendations for prison and jail policies to include targeted treatment for individuals with sexual victimization histories, to mitigate the risk of revictimization and appropriately treat adverse mental health outcomes from sexual victimization within and outside the confines of incarceration.
Thomas Piketty’s Historical-Institutional Study of Wealth and Income Inequality
Authors: O’Brien John Eustice
Published: July 2020

In his Capital and Ideology, Thomas Piketty (2019) deepens and broadens his historical and material analysis of the institutional sources of wealth and income inequality. Fueled by an expanded data base, he extends his position to cover the globe. In his earlier work, he disavowed Kuznets, demonstrating that under néoliberal capitalism, concentration of wealth continues at the top of the economic ladder, while indifferent to the suffering among those at the bottom. With his data he demonstrates that the problem of inequality is due only partly to capitalism as technical machine, and moreso to the way governments facilitate it in favor of their elites. This occurs thanks to an informal and unchallenged ideological consensus, that the wealthy have earned the right to their advantage, as have also–in negative terms, the poor. Without major restructuring, this is the inevitable yield under the ‘regimes of inequality’, which with minor variation today characterize all major nations around the world. As alternative, he proposes a participative-socialism, with modification concerning the nature of property, its distribution and ownership, supported by alterations in market regulation, economic rights, worker participation in enterprises, education, citizen engagement and environmental responsibility.
Analysis of a novel six-degree of freedom foldable parallel mechanism with optimized under-balance springs
Authors: Wang Chang , Zhao Tieshi , Yu Hongnian , Li Eerwei , Tian Xin , Ding Shixing
Published: July 2020

The capacities of parallel mechanisms are limited by their height for the narrow space applications, such as the shipboard stability platforms, household simulators, aerospace mechanisms, etc. This paper proposes a novel foldable six-DOF parallel manipulator which has three main limbs with each actuated by two actuators. With the ability to fold in the vertical direction, this mechanism can be deployed from a height of about 0.278 m to 2.218 m, and the required driving stroke is only 0.67 m by the analysis results of the workspaces. However, this stroke enlargement leads to large driving forces. In order to improve the capacity for the heavy loading of this foldable mechanism, each leg is assisted by a balance spring. Static and dynamics models are built for the calculation of the driving forces and constraint forces. Two methods to calculate the optimal balance force for objective driving force are also proposed and based on the designed trace in the workspace, the springs’ linear stiffness is optimized. The simulation results demonstrate that the actuators’ driving forces are much reduced, and the homogeneity between the fully folded and deployed configuration is much improved by adding balance springs.
Design method of a novel variable speed ratio line gear mechanism
Authors: Chen Yangzhi , Xiao Xiaoping , Zhang Daoping , Xiao Haifei , Lyu Yueling
Published: July 2020

Based on the space curve meshing theory, a novel noncircular line gear mechanism was advanced, namely, this paper presented a design method of the variable speed ratio noncircular line gear with coplanar axes. Firstly, the universal contact curve equations of the constant speed ratio and variable speed ratio line teeth were established. After the constraint equations of the rotating angle of the driving and driven variable speed ratio noncircular line gears were analyzed and established, the relationship between the rotating angle of the driven variable speed ratio noncircular line gear and the parameter t in the VSR area was assumed to be a piecewise fourth-order curve. Then, the contact curve equations of the variable speed ratio noncircular line gears were derived, and the entity models of variable speed ratio noncircular line gears were built. The prototypes of the parallel axis and intersecting axis variable speed ratio noncircular line gears were manufactured by Stereo Lithography Apparatus, and the speed ratios were measured on the kinematic test rig. The kinematic and finite element analysis results demonstrate that the relationship between the rotating angle of the driven variable speed ratio noncircular line gear and the parameter t conforms to the designed function and the noncircular line teeth smoothly achieve the preset VSR transmission. The proposed design method is helpful to design the variable speed ratio noncircular line gears with lower theoretical sliding rate and wider variation range of the speed ratio; consequently, the designed variable speed ratio noncircular line gears have better applicability in specific variable speed ratio applications.
Data-driven finite element method: Theory and applications
Authors: Amir Siddiq M
Published: July 2020

A data-driven finite element method that accounts for more than two material state variables has been presented in this work. Data-driven finite element method framework can account for multiple state variables, viz. stresses, strains, strain rates, failure stress, material degradation, and anisotropy which has not been used before. Data-driven finite element method is implemented in the context of linear elements of a nonlinear elastic solid. The presented framework can be used for a variety of applications by directly using experimental data. This has been demonstrated by using the data-driven finite element method framework to predict deformation, degradation, and failure in diverse applications including nanomaterials and biomaterials for the first time. Data-driven finite element method capability of predicting unknown and unstructured dataset has also been shown by using Delaunay triangulation strategy for scattered data having no structure or order. The framework is able to capture the strain rate-dependent deformation, material anisotropy, material degradation, and failure which has not been presented in the past. The predicted results show a very good agreement between data set taken from literature and data-driven finite element method predictions without requiring to formulate complex constitutive models and avoiding tedious material parameter identification.
A modeling method for a rotor system with an active floating ring squeeze film damper
Authors: Wang Haifei
Published: July 2020

It is essential to optimize the support structures in rotating machinery to reduce the vibration, (i.e. decreasing forces transmitted to the whole dynamic system). Lots of vibration alleviation methods were applied in rotary machines, such as squeeze film dampers were used in aero-engine. In this paper, a theoretical model of an active floating squeeze film damper was studied in a vibration control field. The change of fluid stiffness and damping was allowed in the design of active floating squeeze film damper. In this model, it is assumed that an active magnetic bearing and a squeeze film damper were used, and oil film forces and magnetic forces were obtained. A lumped mass model and a finite element model were established with an active floating squeeze film damper. Explicit Newmark- β was used to solve the responses of the lumped mass model and the combination of explicit Newmark- β and implicit Newmark- β were used to calculate the responses of the finite element rotor system. The simulation shows that vibration frequencies will be shifted by adjusting the proportional gain kp, but the uncertain phenomenon can be seen in the amplitude’s reductions by adjusting the derivative gain kd as the relative changing position of rotor’s node and force acting points of active magnetic bearing for different modes, and the nonlinear strength of floating ring squeeze film damper were different in the complex rotor system. It shows that active floating squeeze film dampers can suppress rotor’s vibration effectively by varying magnetic bearing parameters.
Embedded large eddy simulation of transitional flow over NACA0012 aerofoil
Authors: Lin Yujing , Wang Jian , Savill Mark
Published: July 2020

An accurate computation of near-field unsteady turbulent flow around aerofoil is of outstanding importance for aerofoil trailing edge noise source prediction, which is a representative of main contributor to airframe noise and fan noise in modern commercial aircraft. In this study, an embedded large eddy simulation (ELES) is fully implemented in a separation-induced transitional flow over NACA0012 aerofoil at a moderate Reynolds number. It aims to evaluate the performance of the ELES method in aerodynamics simulation for wall-bounded aerospace flow in terms of accuracy, computational cost and complexity of implementation. Some good practice is presented including the special treatments at RANS-LES interface to provide more realistic turbulence generation in LES inflow. A comprehensive validation of the ELES results is performed by comparing with the experimental data and the wall-resolved large eddy simulation results. It is concluded that the ELES method could provide sufficient accuracy in the transitional flow simulations around aerofoil. It is proved to be a promising alternative to the pure LES for industrial flow applications involving wall boundary layer due to its significant computational efficiency.
Examining the relationship between social inclusion and mobile libraries in the age of Internet connectivity: A qualitative study of mobile librarians around the globe
Authors: Lo Patrick , Stark Andrew
Published: July 2020

In order to help serve community members suffering from public library access inequity, many library institutions provide mobile library services to help them connect directly with their communities and provide strong social, educational and emotional support to those in need. Via the use of a series of in-depth one-on-one interviews with individual mobile librarians practising in different parts of the world, this article aims to examine the new and changing roles of mobile libraries and librarians – the roles they play in supporting communities that suffer from a lack of readily accessible library resources, have extreme social inequity, or have lost touch with their usual library community owing to natural disasters. Nine mobile librarians took part in this study and the countries they represent are as follows: Australia, China, Croatia, Greece, Iceland, India, Japan, the USA and Zimbabwe. The user groups of the nine participating mobile libraries included refugees, impoverished children, migrant families and disaster-affected populations, who suffered, in particular, from extreme educational and informational inequality. The interview findings from the study indicate that mobile libraries play an important role in providing resources to different disadvantaged user groups, as well as enabling those with limited access to educational facilities and reading programmes with opportunities to survive and prosper in their communities. Not only do mobile libraries provide age- and content-appropriate resources and alternative literacy programmes for their patrons, but they also create new spaces for social connection for community members who may be disparate, isolated or physically unable to venture far from home. In summary, mobile libraries have the potential to function as a ‘social equaliser’ by extending the philosophy of social equality and erasing social, economic and educational barriers through the provision of literacy and learning opportunities for community members of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Defeating Merchants of Doubt: Subjective certainty and self-affirmation ameliorate attitude polarization via partisan motivated reasoning
Authors: Han Jiyoung , Kim Yungwook
Published: July 2020

Informed by uncertainty–identity theory, this study tested the polarizing effect of partisan-led politicization of science and ways to combat it. Using a national sample of South Koreans ( N = 840), our online experiment found that when partisan elites, as opposed to scientists (or civic activists), spearheaded politicization, attitude polarization emerged via partisan motivated reasoning. Such polarizing effects of party cues did not persist when subjective certainty and self-affirmation enhanced the level of certainty partisans felt about their surroundings and themselves. These patterns proved consistent across multiple scientific issues, including climate change, genetically modified foods, and algae blooms. The implications of the findings are discussed in light of how to attenuate the polarizing effect of partisan-led politicization through the lens of social identity approaches. Given that this study provides one of the first pieces of evidence on the topic outside the Western context, the advantages of using a South Korean sample are noted.
The use of therapeutic untruths by learning disability nursing students
Authors: McKenzie Karen , Taylor Suzanne , Murray George , James Ian
Published: July 2020

Background:

The use of therapeutic untruths raises a number of ethical issues, which have begun to be explored to some extent, particularly in dementia care services, where their use has been found to be high. Little is known, however, about their use by health professionals working in learning disability services.

Research question:

The study aimed to explore the frequency of use of therapeutic untruths by student learning disability nurses, and by their colleagues; how effective the students perceived them to be as a means of responding to behaviours that challenge; and their level of comfort with using them.

Research design:

A correlational design was used to gather data from an online version of the Best Interest Scale, adapted for a learning disability context. Participants were 30 learning disability student nurses (female = 28, ages 18–48 years, M = 26.8, standard deviation = 7.3) studying at a university in the North-East of England.

Ethical considerations:

The study was reviewed and received ethical approval from the first author’s university ethics committee.

Findings:

Overall, 96% of participants reported using therapeutic untruths. ‘Omission’ was the most frequently used type of therapeutic untruths, the most effective and the type that the students felt most comfortable using. Frequency of use of therapeutic untruths correlated significantly and positively with perceived effectiveness and the level of comfort that the students felt when using them, for all types of therapeutic untruths.

Conclusion:

The use of therapeutic untruths by the student nurses was consistent with that found in research in dementia care services in the United Kingdom and abroad. Further research to explore the generalisability of the results to the wider context of learning disability services is needed. The study highlights that there may be a need for more formal guidance and educational input to student nurses in the use of therapeutic untruths with people with a learning disability.
Conscience and conscientious objection: The midwife’s role in abortion services
Authors: Ramsayer Beate , Fleming Valerie
Published: July 2020

Traditionally, the role of midwives has been to be with women throughout the pregnancy continuum, from conception until the end of the postnatal period. Midwives, however, have been named as key providers of abortion services. While freedom of conscience is legally protected within Europe, discrepancies exist between midwifery and conscientious objection to abortion-related services. Midwives are largely ignored within the academic discussion despite the care and support they give to women undergoing abortions. Those discrepancies led to the aim of this article to address this issue by discussing some of the key ethical and legal concepts that are relevant to midwives’ role in the provision of abortion services.

This article shows that the decision to provide or object to abortion services remains ethically very complex because arguments exist both for and against its provision. Being with women can be interpreted differently and individual situations of care are multifaceted. Conscientious objection to abortion services is a highly contentious issue that has an overall importance to midwives. Noting that decisions are individual, may change or may be situationally dependant; a definitive position of midwives for or against conscientious objection cannot be assumed.

Respecting conscience and acknowledging that there are various arguments for and against conscientious objection promotes widespread understanding. It accommodates both the opportunity for midwives to object on conscience grounds to the provision of abortion services and respect women’s autonomy so that mutual agreement may be reached on issues that may have far reaching consequences.
Nurses’ refusals of patient involvement in their own palliative care
Authors: Glasdam Stinne , Jacobsen Charlotte Bredahl , Boelsbjerg Hanne Bess
Published: July 2020

Background:

Ideas of patient involvement are related to notions of self-determination and autonomy, which are not always in alignment with complex interactions and communication in clinical practice.

Aim:

To illuminate and discuss patient involvement in routine clinical care situations in nursing practice from an ethical perspective.

Method:

A case study based on an anthropological field study among patients with advanced cancer in Denmark.

Ethical considerations:

Followed the principles of the Helsinki Declaration.

Findings:

Two cases illustrated situations where nurses refused patient involvement in their own case.

Discussion:

Focus on two ethical issues, namely ‘including patients’ experiences in palliative nursing care’ and ‘relational distribution of power and knowledge’, inspired primarily by Hannah Arendt’s concept of thoughtlessness and a Foucauldian perspective on the medical clinic and power. The article discusses how patients’ palliative care needs and preferences, knowledge and statements become part of the less significant background of nursing practice, when nurses have a predefined agenda for acting with and involvement of patients. Both structurally conditioned ‘thoughtlessness’ of the nurses and distribution of power and knowledge between patients and nurses condition nurses to set the agenda and assess when and at what level it is relevant to take up patients’ invitations to involve them in their own case.

Conclusion:

The medical and institutional logic of the healthcare service sets the framework for the exchange between professional and patient, which has an embedded risk that ‘thoughtlessness’ appears among nurses. The consequences of neglecting the spontaneous nature of human action and refusing the invitations of the patients to be involved in their life situation call for ethical and practical reflection among nurses. The conditions for interaction with humans as unpredictable and variable challenge nurses’ ways of being ethically attentive to ensure that patients receive good palliative care, despite the structurally conditioned logic of healthcare.
Does a community based recovery service reduce inpatient bed days?
Authors: Isobel Sophie , Thomas Margaret , Boardman Helen , Clenaghan Paul
Published: July 2020

Objective:

Increasing options for the delivery of community-based care may be one way to reduce inpatient bed pressures. This study set out to examine the effect of community-based step up/step down (SUSD) care on hospital usage for service users with multi-service usage.

Methods:

A retrospective audit was undertaken of the medical records of all individuals admitted to a SUSD unit over a 2-year period, calculating inpatient bed days for the 12 months prior to, and the 12 months after, the SUSD admission.

Results:

There was a statistically nonsignificant decrease in bed days in the 12 months following admission.

Conclusion:

It is possible that inpatient bed day reduction may not be an appropriate outcome measure for a service built on principles of personal recovery. How to translate recovery-outcomes to justifiable financial benefits for services requires further consideration and alignment of values with reporting measures.
Feline urinary F2-isoprostanes measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy are poorly correlated
Authors: Woolcock Andrew D. , Leisering Ashley , Deshuillers Pierre , Roque-Torres Janet , Moore George E.
Published: July 2020

15-F2T-isoprostanes are byproducts of lipid peroxidation and were determined to be the best marker of oxidative injury in a rodent model of oxidative stress. A previous study compared methods for measurement of urinary F2-isoprostanes (gas chromatography and negative ion chemical ionization–mass spectrometry, GC-NICI-MS; and ELISA) and found poor agreement in dogs, horses, and cows. Surprisingly, fair agreement between these methods was identified in a small population of cats. We evaluated the agreement between GC-NICI-MS and ELISA of urinary F2-isoprostanes in the urine of 50 mature cats ranging from healthy to systemically ill. All urine samples had detectable levels of F2-isoprostanes by both methods. Significant proportional bias and poor agreement were identified between the 2 methods (ρ = 0.364, p = 0.009) for all cats, and in subgroup analysis based on health status. The concentration of urinary F2-isoprostanes was significantly lower in systemically ill cats compared to healthy cats when measured by ELISA ( p = 0.002) but not by GC-NICI-MS ( p = 0.068). Our results indicate that GC-NICI-MS and ELISA have poor agreement when measuring urinary F2-isoprostanes in cats.
The Home Office: Ergonomic Lessons From the “New Normal”
Authors: Davis Kermit G. , Kotowski Susan E. , Daniel Denise , Gerding Thomas , Naylor Jennifer , Syck Megan
Published: July 2020

Millions of workers have been uprooted by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and been thrown into a “new normal” of working from home offices. To further complicate things, many individuals were provided with only a laptop and little, if any, education on setting up an ergonomically correct workstation. As a result, many home office–based workers potentially face suboptimal working conditions. Based on 41 home office ergonomic evaluations, most ergonomic concerns related to laptop usage, nonadjustable chairs without armrests, low monitor heights, and hard desk surfaces. If home-based office work continues, people need to understand the ramifications of poor workstation.
Earlier Contact with Child Protection Services Among Children of Parents With Criminal Convictions and Mental Disorders
Authors: Whitten Tyson , Dean Kimberlie , Li Rebecca , Laurens Kristin R. , Harris Felicity , Carr Vaughan J. , Green Melissa J.
Published: July 2020

Parental history of offending and/or mental illness are risk factors for child maltreatment. However, limited research has directly contrasted the role of maternal versus paternal criminal offending or mental health problems in contributing to earlier contact with the child protection system. In this study we examined the relative contributions of these risk factors in relation to the time to the offspring’s first report to child protection services, or first placement in out of home care (OOHC), using administrative records for a population sample of 71,661 children. Prior paternal offending had a greater independent effect on time to the offspring’s first contact with child protection services (HR = 2.27 [95% CI = 2.14-2.40]) than maternal offending (HR = 1.75 [95% CI = 1.63 -1.87]) or maternal mental disorder diagnosis (HR = 1.66 [95% CI = 1.57 -1.77]). By contrast, prior maternal offending (HR = 2.58 [95% CI = 2.26-2.95]) and mental disorder diagnosis (HR = 2.33 [95% CI = 2.05-2.63]) had a greater effect on earlier placement in OOHC, relative to prior paternal offending (HR = 1.59 [95% CI = 1.35 -1.88]) and mental disorder diagnosis (HR = 1.06 [95% CI = 0.94 -1.19]). These findings demonstrate the potential benefits of coordinated government responses across multiple agencies to identify vulnerable children and families who might benefit from early interventions or support services.
Restaurant Employee Service Sabotage and Customer Deviant Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Corporate Reputation
Authors: Hu Hsin-Hui Hu “Sunny” , Lai Hung-Sheng “Herman” , King Brian
Published: July 2020

This article provides a timely exploration of the relationship between hospitality employee service sabotage and customer deviant behaviors in Taiwan. The authors also examine the mediating role of relational quality and the moderating role of corporate reputation. The proposed research framework was tested using data from 226 customers of casual dining restaurants who responded to a questionnaire-based survey that was administered in northern Taiwan. The results indicate that employee service sabotage is positively related to customer deviant behaviors and potentially increases the incidence of the latter. Moreover, the relationship between employee service sabotage and customer deviant behaviors is mediated by relational quality, including satisfaction and commitment. It was found that the relationship between employee service sabotage and customer deviant behaviors is negatively moderated by corporate reputation. Employee service sabotage has less effect on customer deviant behaviors when customers perceive corporate reputation more positively. The study contributes to knowledge by proposing an empirically developed and tested conceptual model that offers an enhanced understanding of the relationship between employee service sabotage and customer deviant behaviors.
The efficacy of biofeedback visual rehabilitation therapy in patients with infantile nystagmus syndrome: A retrospective study
Authors: Caputo Roberto , Febbrini del Magro Elena , Amoaku Winfried M , Bacci Giacomo Maria , Marziali Elisa , Morales Marco U
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To report fixation stability changes in patients with different forms of infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS), who have undergone a visual rehabilitation through biofeedback fixation training (BFT) with microperimetry (MP).

Design:

Retrospective study.

Methods:

Patients 6 to 12 years-old with INS who performed BFT with MP. Initially 10 once-weekly followed by eight twice-weekly sessions of BFT during a minimum of 6 months period were performed. Visual acuity (VA) and MP fixation stability indices were analyzed, including displacement from fixation point (P1, P2) and percentage of retinal loci used during fixation attempt (BCEA 63% and 95%). Statistical analysis was conducted at baseline (BL), 10 weeks (W10) and 6 months (M6).

Results:

Twelve patients (mean age 8.9 years.) with INS completed the whole training session. All patients showed significant improvement in the mean BCEA fixation area (deg2): For BCEA@95% BL was 78.0, 46.1 at W10, and 27.4 at M6 ( p-value = 0.004). For BCEA@63% BL was 27.3, 15.4 in W10, and 9.17 at M6 ( p = 0.01). The ANOVA test for the FS indices of P1 and P2, as well as for BCVA showed no significant difference when compared at the same intervals.

Conclusion:

Fixation stability (FS) indices of BCEAs (63% and 95%) improved at W10 and M6, while P1 and P2 showed significant improvement at W10 but not at M6, probably because BCEA involves a much larger area than P1 and P2. VA did not show significant improvement at any time point.
Managing Substance Use Disorder through a Walking/Running Training Program
Authors: Dai Chia-Liang , Chen Ching-Chen , Richardson George B , Gordon Howard R. D.
Published: July 2020

While emerging studies have demonstrated the benefit of exercise in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery outcomes, lack of motivation to engage in exercise has been indicated as one of many perceived barriers that contribute to low recruitment and adherence rates in SUD treatment. The current study aimed to explore participants’ perceptions of attending a supervised exercise program (boot camp workouts, walking/running practice, and a race event) while in treatment for SUD. A total of 109 participants were recruited to a 14-week exercise training program and 61 chose to participate in, and completed, a race at the close of the program. Interviews were conducted during weeks 6 through 14 and data were examined using Thematic Analysis. Three main themes were identified: (1) pushing forward recovery through running, (2) gaining a sense of achievement by crossing the finish line, and (3) building a sense of belonging in the program. Implications for SUD recovery programs are discussed.
Impacts of Riparian Restoration on Vegetation and Avifauna on Private and Communal Lands in Northwest Mexico and Implications for Future Efforts
Authors: Flesch Aaron D , Esquer Antonio
Published: July 2020

Restoring and enhancing riparian vegetation on private and communal lands in Mexico is important for biodiversity conservation given the ecological significance of these areas and the scarcity of public protected areas. To enhance riparian vegetation and wildlife habitats and train local people in restoration techniques, we implemented restoration and outreach efforts on private and communal lands in the Sky Islands region of northwest Mexico. We fenced 475 ha of riparian zones from livestock, erected erosion-control structures, planted trees, and developed management agreements for cool-season grazing with landowners on 10 ranches across 3 sites in 2012-2013, then repaired fences and renegotiated agreements in 2017-2019. To foster evaluation, we used a before-after/control-impact design to measure attributes of vegetation structure and bird communities and compared baselines from 2012 with post-treatment estimates from 2019. As predicted, understory vegetation volume generally increased in treatments relative to controls ( P = .09), especially when one treatment area with the lowest pre-treatment grazing impacts was censored ( P = .01). Although canopy cover also increased, there was little differential change in treatments relative to controls ( P ⩾ .23) due likely to longer time periods needed to realize responses. Densities of most focal bird populations varied across time periods in directions that typically matched observed changes in vegetation structure, but fewer species showed signs of differential positive change linked to treatments relative to controls. Densities of Yellow-breasted Chat, a key understory obligate and important focal species, increased in treatments relative to controls across sites, as did densities of Sinaloa Wren, which also use dense underbrush ( P ⩽ .05). Positive changes by other understory obligates (eg, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow) were more local but sometimes of high magnitude (>8-fold) also suggesting positive impacts of treatments. Despite mixed results over a limited time period, these patterns suggest restoration efforts drove localized recovery of understory vegetation and associated bird populations, but benefits varied widely with environmental and social factors linked to management. Greater ecological benefits to riparian areas on private and communal lands in this region can be fostered by further incentivizing construction, maintenance, and proper use of restoration infrastructure, through education, and by building relationships based on trust and credibility with landowners.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress in Chinese youths following the COVID-19 emergency
Authors: Liang Leilei , Gao Tingting , Ren Hui , Cao Ruilin , Qin Zeying , Hu Yueyang , Li Chuanen , Mei Songli
Published: July 2020

This study aims to explore the relationship between psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder among Chinese participants as the result of COVID-19 outbreak. This study was conducted within 1 month after COVID-19 appeared in China, it included 570 participants age from 14 to 35. The results indicated that 12.8% of all participants with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of psychological distress on post-traumatic stress disorder was mediated by negative coping style. Gender moderated the direct effect between psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder, which is a significant discovery for relevant departments to take further measures.