bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Level of Preparedness for COVID‐19 and Its Associated Factors among Frontline Healthcare Providers in South Gondar Public Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020: A Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Chanie Ermias Sisay , Feleke Dejen Getaneh , Fetene Sheganew , Tigabu Agimasie , Asnakew Sintayehu , Tiruneh Tegenaw , Mekie Maru , Ayehu Gashaw Walle , Bayih Wubet Alebachew
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Although the efforts at global and national levels have attempted to decrease the COVID‐19 pandemic, the low level of preparedness among healthcare providers is a challenge mainly in developing countries. Hence, this study is aimed at assessing the level of preparedness for COVID‐19 and its associated factors among frontline healthcare providers in South Gondar public hospitals, northwest Ethiopia. Methods and Materials. A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among 207 selected healthcare providers who were working in South Gondar public hospital from July 08 to August 29, 2020. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The healthcare providers were selected through simple random sampling techniques. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions with a 95% confidence interval were fitted with 95% CI to establish the associated factors with a low level of preparedness. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The overall level of preparedness among healthcare providers for COVID‐19 was found to be 41.3% (95% CI: 37.4, 44.7). Only 81 (40.1%) healthcare providers had prepared for telling their family and friends if they are infected with COVID‐19. Besides, only 23.8% of healthcare providers obtained alcohol‐based hand sanitizer in every patient room. Factors associated with a low level of preparedness include being male (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.22–4.94), unmarried (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.44–8.00), and working experience less than five years (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.29‐9.09). Conclusion. The level of preparedness among frontline healthcare providers towards COVID‐19 was found to be very low. In the future, more emphasis should be placed on healthcare providers who are male, unmarried, and had working experience of lower than five years to decrease the burden of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
HIF‐1 Inhibitor YC‐1 Reverses the Acquired Resistance of EGFR‐Mutant HCC827 Cell Line with MET Amplification to Gefitinib
Authors: Jin Qian , Zheng Jisheng , Chen Ming , Jiang Na , Xu Xianrong , Huang Feihua
Published: March 2021

Background. Acquired resistance occurred in the majority of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) therapy, and this may be related to the activation of the HIF‐1 pathway. Therefore, we examined the influence of the hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) pathway inhibition on the sensitivity of HCC827 gefitinib‐resistant (HCC827 GR) cells with MET amplification to gefitinib. Methods. We established HCC827 GR cell line with MET amplification and set four groups with different treatment. An MTT assay, a colony formation analysis, and a wound healing assay were performed to determine the sensitivity change of HCC827 GR cells after different treatments. HIF‐1α, p‐EGFR, and p‐Met levels were detected with western blot. Correlations among HIF‐1α, p‐EGFR, and p‐Met levels of HCC827 GR cells with different treatments were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results. HIF‐1 inhibitor YC‐1 enhanced the sensitivity of HCC827 GR cells to gefitinib. p‐Met level was correlated with HIF‐1α level, while there was no correlation between p‐Met level and p‐EGFR level. Conclusion. HIF‐1 inhibitor YC‐1 is able to reverse the acquired resistance of HCC827 GR to gefitinib, and the regulation of the HIF‐1 pathway on MET may be one of the mechanisms.
Novel Mutations of COL4A5 Identified in Chinese Families with X‐Linked Alport Syndrome and Literature Review
Authors: Gong Wen-yu , Liu Fan-na , Yin Liang-hong , Zhang Jun
Published: March 2021

Alport syndrome (AS) is an inherited kidney disease caused by defects in type IV collagen, which is characterized by hematuria, progressive nephritis or end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), hearing loss, and occasionally ocular lesions. Approximately 80% of AS cases are caused by X‐linked mutations in the COL4A5 gene. This study explored novel deletion and missense mutations in COL4A5 responsible for renal disorder in two Han Chinese families. In pedigree 1, the five male patients all had ESRD at a young age, while the affected female members only presented with microscopic hematuria. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing identified a novel frameshift deletion mutation (c.422_428del, p.Leu142Valfs∗11) in exon 7 of COL4A5. In pedigree 2, the 16‐year‐old male proband had elevated serum creatinine (309 μmol/L) without extrarenal manifestations, while his mother only manifested with hematuria. A missense mutation (c.476G>T, p.Gly159Val) was found in exon 9 of the COL4A5 gene. Neither of these mutations was present in the Exome Variant Server of the NHLBI‐ESP database, nor was it found in the ExAC or 1000 Genomes databases. Through the literature review, it was found that male Chinese patients with X‐linked AS carried COL4A5 deletion or missense mutations had a more severe phenotype than female patients, particularly in proteinuria and impaired renal function. Compared to male patients with missense mutations, patients in whom deletion mutations were found were more likely to progress to ESRD (15.4% vs. 36.0%, P = 0.041). This study identified two novel COL4A5 mutations in Chinese families with X‐linked AS, expanded the mutational spectrum of the COL4A5 gene, and presented findings that are significant for the screening and genetic diagnosis of AS.
Prediction of Fatigue Life for a New 2-DOF Compliant Mechanism by Clustering-Based ANFIS Approach
Authors: Tran Ngoc Thoai , Dao Thanh-Phong , Nguyen-Trang Thao , Ha Che-Ngoc
Published: March 2021

Two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) compliant mechanism has some outstanding characteristics in accurate positioning systems. Studying the fatigue life for the 2-DOF compliant mechanism is a meaningful task to ensure a long working. However, a study for fatigue life prediction of this mechanism has not been conducted so far. In this article, a method for fatigue life prediction of 2-DOF compliant mechanism is developed for the first time. This method is the combining of the differential evolution algorithm and the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with subtractive clustering. The numerical results on two case studies consisting of material steel A-36 and the material AL 6061-T6 show that the accuracy of the proposed method is very high. Compared to the actual fatigue life, the root mean square error of the proposed method lies in the range [1.7, 3.97] cycles for Case 1 and [2.03, 10.38] cycles for Case 2. The statistical test also indicates that the proposed method outperforms the traditional method using triangular membership function, bell-shape, and Gaussian membership function, with the significance level from 0.05 to 0.1. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach in fatigue life prediction of 2-DOF compliant mechanism.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Revealed Similar Bone Formation to Allograft in a Sheep Model
Authors: Dreyer Chris H. , Jørgensen Niklas R. , Overgaard Søren , Qin Ling , Ding Ming
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are key factors in bone regeneration. Further stimulation should establish an enhanced cell environment optimal for vessel evolvement and hereby being able to attract bone‐forming cells. The aim of this study was to generate new bone by using MSCs and VEGF, being able to stimulate growth equal to allograft. Methods. Eight Texel/Gotland sheep had four titanium implants in a size of 10 × 12 mm inserted into bilateral distal femurs, containing a 2 mm gap. In the gap, autologous 3 × 106 MSCs seeded on hydroxyapatite (HA) granules in combination with 10 ng, 100 ng, and 500 ng VEGF release/day were added. After 12 weeks, the implant‐bone blocks were harvested, embedded, and sectioned for histomorphometric analysis. Bone formation and mechanical fixation were evaluated. Blood samples were collected for the determination of bone‐related biomarkers and VEGF in serum at weeks 0, 1, 4, 8, and 12. Results. The combination of 3 × 106 MSCs with 10 ng, 100 ng, and 500 ng VEGF release/day exhibited similar amount of bone formation within the gap as allograft (P > 0.05). Moreover, no difference in mechanical fixation was observed between the groups (P > 0.05). Serum biomarkers showed no significant difference compared to baseline (all P > 0.05). Conclusion. MSCs and VEGF exhibit significant bone regeneration, and their bone properties equal to allograft, with no systemic increase in osteogenic markers or VEGF with no visible side effects. This study indicates a possible new approach into solving the problem of insufficient allograft, in larger bone defects.
Natural History, Neuroradiological Workup, and Management Options of Chronic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation Caused by Drug-Induced Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Ishikawa Yuki , Kato So , Ganau Mario , Hirai Shima , Oshima Yasushi , Tanaka Sakae
Published: March 2021

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) resulting from drug-induced cervical dystonia (DICD) represents an extremely rare complication of antipsychotic treatment, requiring a comprehensive assessment of pharmacologic therapy and timely radiologic workup. We report a chronic case of Fielding type I, Pang type I AARF secondary to schizophrenia treatment in a 16-year-old girl, along with a review of the literature on the management challenges posed in this condition. In this scenario, torticollis may just represent the tip of the iceberg, and only an effective multidisciplinary approach increases the chances of satisfactory correction with closed reduction, hence avoiding the burden of more invasive treatment options.
Prediction of Soil Water Characteristic Curve Based on Soil Water Evaporation
Authors: Tao Gaoliang , Lei Da , Liu Lisheng , Li Yi , Zhu Xueliang
Published: March 2021

Soil water characteristic curves (SWCC) and soil water evaporation curves both represent the laws of water content variation in the natural state. Aiming to investigate the relationship between them further, Hunan sand with six dry densities were used in this study, and a series of experimental studies were performed. This study developed the application of evaporation curves in geotechnical engineering, reduced the workload of measuring soil water characteristic curves, and explored the relationship between evaporation rate and fractal dimension. Through the indoor tests, we measured soil water characteristic curves of specimens and soil water evaporation curves at different temperatures and explored the relationship between these two curves. In this study, a model was developed that allows the conversion from soil water evaporation curves to soil water characteristic curves, which is an equation about matrix suction ψ versus cumulative time t. Further, two prediction methods are developed, which are derived based on the Fredlund–Xing model and based on the Bird model, respectively. The proposed methods were validated using soil water evaporation tests of Hunan sand with six dry densities at three ambient temperatures, and the results showed that good prediction performances were achieved using these two methods.
Autonomous Capability Evaluation of Ground-Attack UAV Based on Cloud Model and Combined Weight Theory
Authors: Feng Yuxuan , Liu Shuguang , Xie Wujie
Published: March 2021

The evaluation for autonomous capability of ground-attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comes from the demand of reality, which determines the operational use of airborne equipment authority. It essentially entails a multicriteria decision-making process accounting for evaluation model and uncertainties. Firstly, as for the construction of evaluation model, the index model is proposed from four aspects of observation capability, decision capability, action capability, and security capability, namely, ODAS, which analogizes cognitive behavior mechanism of human based on airborne equipment; then, to solve uncertainties of randomness and fuzziness in the process of autonomous capability evaluation, a cloud model approach is proposed, which expresses uncertainties by the certainty degree distribution. Finally, the cloud model-based approach is tested by evaluating typical UAVs and comparing with Hopfield neural network method. The results show that the evaluation of the autonomous capability based on the cloud model is accurate and more representative than the Hopfield neural network method.
Description of Dysdera zonsteini n. sp. (Arachnida: Araneae: Dysderidae) from Turkmenistan
Authors: DIMITROV DRAGOMIR
Published: March 2021

A new species of Dysdera Latreille, 1804 is described from the South-Western Kopet Dagh, Turkmenistan, on the basis of both sexes. The species is compared to its closest congener Dysdera kronebergi Dunin, 1992, and tentatively assigned to the D. asiatica species-group.
Apigenin Nanoparticle Attenuates Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Inflammatory Injury by Regulation of miR-140-5p/CXCL12/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: He Xiangfei , Wen Yibo , Wang Qingwei , Wang Yan , Zhang Guoxian , Wu Junwei , Li Zhenzhen , Wen Jianguo
Published: March 2021

Apigenin as a natural flavonoid product has been proved previously to play a renoprotective effect during ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), but the particular mechanisms involving the positive effects of apigenin remain totally unclear. The study investigated apigenin's roles and underlying
biological mechanisms in IR-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Thirty-six mice received a right nephrectomy and clamping of the left renal artery for 30 minutes, and then perfusion for 24 h. Apigenin was loaded onto a biodegradable polymer carrier (nanoparticle) to enhance its bioavailability.
Mice were subjected to intraperitoneally injection with apigenin (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) for 24 h before surgery. For in vitro experiments, mouse renal tubular epithelial cells (mRTECs) and miR-140-5p mimic/inhibitor transfected mRTECs were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation in the presence
or absence of apigenin. In vitro, we uncovered that hypoxia/reoxygenation stimulation caused inflammatory injury in mRTECs. Apigenin reduced the hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cell inflammatory injury and NF- B p65 nuclear translocation from cytoplasm and activation. Moreover, apigenin
reduced hypoxia/reoxygenationtriggered miR-140-5p down-regulation. What's more, the luciferase reporter system revealed that miR-140-5p negatively regulates CXCL12, which is its direct target of action. CXCL12 exhibited an inhibitory effect on the apigenin-induced inactivation of NF- B signaling
pathway. Furthermore, we observed that apigenin pretreatment attenuated the IR-triggered up-regulation of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and tubular cell apoptosis, enhancement of CXCL12 and decline of miR-140-5p in vivo.
Our studies show that apigenin protects against IR-triggered renal cell inflammatory injury in vivo and in vitro by miR-140-5p up-regulation and CXCL12 downregulation via quenching the NF- B pathway activation. Apigenin may be an encouraging therapeutic agent for patients with
IR-associated kidney injury.
An Innovative Information Retrieval Model Implementing Particle Swarm Optimization Technique
Authors: Surya S. , Sumitra P.
Published: March 2021

The Internet has enormous information and it is growing rapidly. The vast amount of data creates challenges in relation to effective Information Retrieval (IR). The scope of the Information Retrieval System (IRS) is to provide the most relevant data for user query from large datasets.
However the current IR system fails to provide the hidden and up to date data. This paper focused on soft computing techniques to overcome the above mentioned issues. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is used to compute the fitness function to optimize the retrieval result. PSO has an efficient
capability in global search and the implementation is easy to develop. The implementation result of the present study is feasible, that improves the retrieval effect and the accuracy of hidden data retrieval.
Alternative Silica Sources in the Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Scano Alessandra , Ebau Federico , Cabras Valentina , Sini Franca , Ennas Guido
Published: March 2021

In this work, the influence of the use of alternative inexpensive silica sources on the structural, morphological and textural properties of MCM-41 like mesoporous materials to be used for biomedical applications has been investigated. The Liquid Crystal Template Method has been used
to prepare the ordered mesoporous structured materials according to a novel composition starting from fumed silica or granular silica gel as alternative silica sources. The obtained materials have been characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction, Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy,
and nitrogen sorption, which showed for both samples the formation of the ordered hexagonal pore arrangement typical of a MCM-41 material. However, when using fumed silica, higher long-range hexagonal pore ordering as well as higher surface area have been obtained (1030 vs. 763 m2/g).
For comparison, the features of a commercial silica mesostructured MCM-41 type have been investigated as well. Again, the silica fumed based sample has showed higher long-range hexagonal pore ordering, higher surface area and wall thickness. Preliminary stability studies on the fumed silica
based material showed a decrease in the pore ordering at the end of the third year after the synthesis.
Anticipating Peer Ranking Causes Hormonal Adaptations That Benefit Cognitive Performance
Authors: De Dreu Carsten K. W. , Gërxhani Klarita , Schram Arthur
Published: March 2021

Performance ranking is common across a range of professional and recreational domains. Even when it has no economic consequences but does order people in terms of their social standing, anticipating such performance ranking may affect how people feel and perform. We examined this possibility by asking human subjects to execute a simple cognitive task while anticipating their performance being ranked by an outside evaluator. We measured baseline and postperformance levels of testosterone and cortisol. We find that (1) anticipating performance ranking reduces testosterone and increases cortisol, (2) both these hormonal responses benefit cognitive performance, which explains why (3) anticipation of being ranked by a peer increases cognitive performance.
The Difference Between Saying and Doing: Comparing Subjective and Objective Measures of Effort Among Fifth Graders
Authors: Apascaritei Paula , Demel Simona , Radl Jonas
Published: March 2021

The first goal of this study is to examine the capacity of prominent survey-based effort proxies to predict real effort provision in children. Do children who “talk the talk” of hard work also “walk the walk” and make costly effort investments? The second goal is to assess how objective and subjective effort measures are related under two conditions: intrinsic (nonincentivized) motivation and extrinsic (incentivized) motivation. We measure objective “real” effort using three tasks and subjective self-reported effort using four psychological characteristics (conscientiousness, need for cognition, locus of control and delay of gratification) to understand to what extent material incentives affect the cognitive effort of children with different self-reported personalities. Data stem from real-effort experiments carried out with 420 fifth grade students from primary schools in Madrid, Spain. We find that some of the subjective and objective effort measures are positively correlated. Yet the power of personality to predict real effort is only moderate, but greater and more so in the extrinsic than the intrinsic motivation condition. In particular, need for cognition and conscientiousness are the most relevant correlates of objective effort. Overall, we find there is a big difference between saying and doing when it comes to exerting effort, and this difference is even larger when there are no direct material incentives in place to reward effort provision.
The impact of geofactors on the formation of language islands and minority languages: The case of Cimbrian, Ladinian and Sardinian
Authors: Schöntag Roger , Linzmeier Laura
Published: March 2021

This contribution aims to highlight the geofactors which determine the development and continuity of language islands and the territories of minority languages. The focus of this research is therefore primarily on the geomorphological conditions of a specific language area and the interaction of natural factors, such as landform configuration, quality of soil and climate, with sociological and political factors. This approach will offer a new perspective on the genesis of these specific speech areas by taking into consideration the geographical conditions from the beginning of the first settlements through the history of further language propagation and language contact. The case studies chosen to substantiate this theory are the Cimbrian community and the Ladin-speaking valleys in the Alps (Northern Italy) as well as different minority languages spoken in Sardinia, where hilly landscapes alternate with plains, both bordered by the sea. All these languages became minority languages in remote areas, though the determining factors, geographical as well as socio-linguistic, were quite different.
The Effect of Focus of Attention on Error Detection Ability
Authors: Williams Matthew L.
Published: March 2021

The teaching of error detection is a complicated process, made more so by our evolving understanding of the psychological processes involved with attention itself. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of listener attention on the error detection process. Guiding research questions were as follows: (1) In what ways does directing attention influence one’s ability to detect errors? and (2) Does voicing of error influence participants’ ability to detect the error? Participants ( N = 64) at six universities listened to 40 recorded excerpts of three-part Haydn divertimenti, either focusing on one line or holistically, while marking errors on a printed score. Participants were better able to detect errors in lines of focus than in peripheral lines and were similarly better at detecting errors in an unfocused listening condition versus focusing on any one of the lines. Additionally, participants were most successful in detecting peripheral errors when focusing on the middle staff and were least successful in detecting errors in the bass line, even when focusing on the bass line. Suggestions for future research and implications for music education are discussed.
An Inquiry into Home Visits as a Practice of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in Urban Schools
Authors: Park Soyoung , Paulick Judy
Published: March 2021

Family-school partnerships are considered essential to the success of multiply marginalized children in urban contexts. These partnerships often, however, reinforce middle-class white normativity and subsequent oppression of families outside the dominant culture. Home visiting is one such practice spreading throughout urban centers. Is it possible for home visits to be culturally sustaining instead of perpetuating an oppressive status quo? Using qualitative participant-observation research methods, we examine what takes place during home visits at two urban elementary schools. We analyze the extent to which these home visits align with principles of culturally sustaining pedagogy. Recommendations for improving home visits are provided.
Will They Stay or Leave? Interplay of Organizational Learning Culture and Workplace Mindfulness on Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intentions
Authors: Lin Chun-Yu , Huang Chung-Kai , Li Hung-Xin , Chang Tai-Wei , Hsu Yu-Chia
Published: March 2021

Due to the ever-increasing standards required of administrative workloads, service efficiency, and quality, the turnover intentions of public servants in Taiwan have gradually increased over time. This study investigated the critical factors that reduce the turnover intentions of civil servants. The article is intended to offer a theoretical understanding of an organizational learning culture (OLC) and workplace mindfulness. We analyzed data from 331 public servants. Structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method were used to verify the hypotheses. The results demonstrated that an OLC and workplace mindfulness are positively associated with job satisfaction and negatively associated with turnover intentions. Job satisfaction plays a mediating role between an OLC and turnover intentions and between workplace mindfulness and turnover intentions. This article offers a theoretical inquiry and a practical understanding of strengthening the workplace atmosphere by offering employees a sense of well-being and sustainable career development.
Living Liminal Lives: Army Partners’ Spatiotemporal Experiences of Deployment
Authors: Long Emma
Published: March 2021

The emotional cycle of deployment theorized by Logan and adapted by Pincus, House, Christenson, and Alder is often applied by academics and military support agencies to define, explain, and provide advice on the experiences and possible emotional reactions of military families during phases of deployment. Interviews with army partners showed that spatiotemporal experiences and perspectives are more complex than those afforded by the emotional cycle of deployment. This article argues that applying the concept of liminality uncovers some of this complexity, illuminating the in-between times experienced during deployments that are otherwise hidden. Army partners move through and between deployments and deployment phases haunted by specters of past and future deployments. By disrupting seemingly chronological and discrete spatiotemporal narratives, which often frame research on military families and deployment, this article demonstrates how army partners move through and between deployments and deployment stages negotiating past and future deployments. It shows how they continuously adapt and evolve practices while negotiating interpreted pasts and imagined futures in pursuit of becoming “ideal.”
Methylene blue for vasoplegic syndrome in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Perdhana Fajar , Kloping Nabila A , Witarto Andro P , Nugraha David , Yogiswara Niwanda , Luke Kevin , Kloping Yudhistira P , Rehatta Nancy M
Published: March 2021

Background

To evaluate the benefit of methylene blue as an adjunct treatment by assessing hemodynamic, morbidity rate, intensive care unit length of stay, and mortality rate outcomes in adult patients with vasoplegic syndrome.

Methods

A systematic search through electronic databases including Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, and Medline for studies assessing the use of methylene blue in patients with vasoplegic syndrome compared to control treatments. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale tool was used for observational studies, and Jadad Scale was used for controlled trials to assess the risk of bias.

Results

This systematic review included six studies for qualitative synthesis and five studies for quantitative synthesis. Pooled analysis revealed that mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, heart rate, and hospital stay were not statistically significant in methylene blue administration compared to control. However, administration of methylene blue in vasoplegic syndrome patients significantly reduces renal failure (OR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.08–0.75), development of multiple organ failure (OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.02–0.51), and mortality rate (OR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.03–0.46).

Conclusion

Adjunct administration of methylene blue for vasoplegic syndrome patients significantly reduces renal failure, multiple organ failure, and mortality.
Dual-qualified teachers and speech-language therapists reflect on preparation and practice in school-based language and literacy
Authors: McLean Emina J , Snow Pamela C , Serry Tanya A
Published: March 2021

Internationally, professional bodies are increasingly recognizing a role for speech-language therapists (SLTs) in identifying and supporting students who struggle with literacy. Although some guidelines have been developed to support this work, little is understood about the overlapping, but distinctive knowledge bases claimed by SLTs and teachers with respect to reading instruction and provision of additional support to struggling readers. In this article, we report on a qualitative exploration of the experiences and perspectives of 25 professionals in Australia who are dually qualified as teachers and SLTs. The aim of this study was to understand the views from both professional perspectives about pre-service training and barriers and facilitators pertaining to literacy instruction and intervention. Paradigm differences in conceptualizing reading instruction and support, bi-directional knowledge of scope of practice, and employment barriers and enablers emerged as themes and are discussed with reference to implications for pre-service training and interprofessional practice in school settings.
Climate change and victimization risk: A disaggregated look at NCVS data
Authors: Gorislavsky Ekaterina , Mares Dennis
Published: March 2021

The current study uses pooled National Crime Victimization Survey data (1992–2015) to examine if the relationship between climate change and victimization risk is modified by victim and incident characteristics. Panel analysis yields interesting findings. First, results mirror those found in prior studies utilizing Uniform Crime Report data, providing another indication that the link between a warming climate and crime may be quite robust. Second, the results indicate that climatic effects may play out differently in different contexts. For example, outdoor victimizations, especially those near a person’s residence, appear increasingly elastic during anomalously warm temperatures. In addition, subpopulations (males and African Americans) are also at increased risk of victimization. Our results effectively suggest that at-risk populations are more vulnerable to climatic variability.
Long-term and residual settlement behaviour of a multi-staged municipal solid waste landfill, Republic of Korea
Authors: Jo Young-Seok , Jang Yeon-Soo
Published: March 2021

In this study, characteristics of the long-term landfill settlement are analysed and the starting date of residual settlement is deduced using the data of the landfill 1 of the Gimpo Metropolitan Landfill (GML) measured for 27 years. The landfill 1 is a multi-staged municipal solid waste landfill where dykes are constructed after landfilling for subsequent waste fills. The landfilling began in 1992 and finished in 2000, and the waste settlement measurement continued throughout this period. The older waste of the lower lift shows higher biodegradation and larger settlement than the waste of the upper lift, which acts as vertical load. Large settlement occurred in the lower lifts due to the collapse of waste voids caused by the overburden load of the upper lifts after biodegradation of waste in the lower lifts during long-term landfilling. In the conventional landfills, that is, mono-layer landfills, the time-dependent settlement generally occurs after the stress-dependent settlement. But, most of the time, this landfill showed mainly the time-dependent settlement. The duration, at which the biodegradation of organic matters is reduced and the residual settlement begins, was 8.8 years in average and the date range was from 7.6 to 11.7 years considering each disposed block in landfill 1. This date is obtained by calculating from the mid-point time of the landfilling duration.
A Qualitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Critical Care Trial Enrollment Among Surrogates
Authors: Krutsinger Dustin C. , Hetland Breanna D. , O’Leary Kelly L. , Halpern Scott D. , Courtright Katherine R.
Published: March 2021

Background:

We sought to identify factors that influence surrogate decision makers’ decisions to enroll patients into a critical care randomized controlled trial.

Methods:

We conducted a qualitative study embedded within a randomized controlled trial testing the effect of a behavioral nudge intervention for surrogate decision makers on enrollment rate in a sham ventilatory weaning trial among patients with acute respiratory failure. Participants were adult surrogate decision makers of patients receiving mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure. The study was conducted in 10 ICUs across 2 urban hospitals within an academic medical center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvanaia, United States. Immediately following their trial enrollment decision, surrogate decision makers were asked to enter free-text responses about the factors that influenced their decision. Responses were analyzed using content analysis.

Results:

Of the 90 (49%) participants who provided free-text responses, the mean age was 54.9 years (SD 14.3), 69 (79%) were Caucasian, and 48 (53%) were the spouse of the eligible patient. We identified 5 themes influencing enrollment decisions: (i) trial characteristics, (ii) patient clinical condition, (iii) decision making processes, (iv) altruism, and (v) enrollment attempt. Among surrogates who enrolled the patient in the trial (n = 40), the most commonly cited factors were helping future patients (n = 24, 60%) and following the patient’s wishes (n = 11, 28%). In contrast, those who declined enrollment (n = 50) most commonly reported that the patient was too sick (n = 27, 54%) and that they feared complicating the patient’s condition (n = 11, 22%).

Conclusions:

Surrogates who enroll patients into trials most often cite altruistic motivations, while those who decline enrollment are most often concerned with the severity of the patients’ condition.
Color Trend Analysis using Machine Learning with Fashion Collection Images
Authors: Han Ahyoung , Kim Jihoon , Ahn Jaehong
Published: March 2021

Fashion color trends are an essential marketing element that directly affect brand sales. Organizations such as Pantone have global authority over professional color standards by annually forecasting color palettes. However, the question remains whether fashion designers apply these colors in fashion shows that guide seasonal fashion trends. This study analyzed image data from fashion collections through machine learning to obtain measurable results by web-scraping catwalk images, separating body and clothing elements via machine learning, defining a selection of color chips using k-means algorithms, and analyzing the similarity between the Pantone color palette (16 colors) and the analysis color chips. The gap between the Pantone trends and the colors used in fashion collections were quantitatively analyzed and found to be significant. This study indicates the potential of machine learning within the fashion industry to guide production and suggests further research expand on other design variables.
Prioritizing Patient Perspectives When Designing Intervention Studies for Homeless Older Adults
Authors: Canham Sarah L. , Bosma Harvey , Palepu Anita , Small Scott , Danielsen Chris
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

Medical respite provides postacute care to people experiencing homelessness upon hospital discharge if they are too sick to recover on the streets or in a traditional shelter. The current study examined the feasibility of conducting a study to test the effectiveness of a medical respite intervention for older people experiencing homelessness.

Methods:

Fifteen patient and 11 provider participants were interviewed between July and November 2018.

Results:

Participants’ considerations for how to design a program of research included (1) desired qualities of researchers; (2) preferences for study design; (3) mechanisms for participant recruitment and retention; (4) what, where, and how to collect data; and (5) barriers and motivations to participation.

Conclusions:

Findings from this study build on an emerging research base on how to appropriately engage vulnerable patient groups, including older people experiencing homelessness, in trauma-informed research by including peer researchers on research teams to serve as advisors throughout the research process.
Tourist Taxonomies of International Tourists Visiting Zimbabwe Using an Extended International Tourist Role Scale
Authors: Mapingure Charity , du Plessis E.
Published: March 2021

Tourist typologies are generally criticized for having spatial biases because most of them were constructed in the context of the Western world. The study used an Extended International Tourist Role (EITR) scale to determine the typologies of international tourists to Zimbabwe. The augmented scale was subjected to reliability and validity tests, which yielded positive results. A factor–cluster analysis of 569 international tourists, yielded three distinct subgroups though with similar traits in certain dimensions. The clusters were named the independent tourist, the indifferent tourist, and the cautious new tourist. In the context of Zimbabwe, the cautious new tourist taxon is the most viable subgroup because of its size and available destination resources. However, for strategic planning, Zimbabwe should begin to embrace the independent tourist. The cautious new tourist is likely to mature into the independent tourist status, if the contemporary trends are anything to go by.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Idiopathic Chilblains (Pernio): A Systematic Review
Authors: Pratt Michelle , Mahmood Farhan , Kirchhof Mark G.
Published: March 2021

Idiopathic chilblains is a cold-induced inflammatory condition that causes significant morbidity. When preventative measures alone are inadequate, oral nifedipine is generally recommended as first-line pharmacologic therapy. Given the natural course of this spontaneously remitting/relapsing condition, controls are needed to critically appraise studies and determine the value of treatments. We report a systematic review of placebo-controlled or comparative therapeutic trials for the treatment of idiopathic chilblains. Our search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases, identified 11 studies that met our inclusion criteria for a combined study population n = 576. Therapies included nifedipine, pentoxifylline, tadalafil, topical glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), topical minoxidil, diltiazem, corticosteroids, and vitamin D. There was moderate evidence to support the use of nifedipine and pentoxifylline in the treatment of severe or refractory cases of idiopathic chilblains, while other therapies had inadequate evidence or nonsignificant results compared to placebo.
High-speed railway and tourism development in China
Authors: Yao Shujie , Yan Xu , Lei Chun Kwok , Wang Feng
Published: March 2021

High-speed railway (HSR) is a new and increasingly popular transportation mode in China bringing about a significant impact on the economy, including tourism development. This article investigates the effect of HSR on tourism development in China based on a time-varying difference-in-differences model. Cities connected by HSR in 2013 and 2014 are regarded as the treatment group, while those without HSR services until 2017 are placed in the control group. The empirical analyses cover a large panel dataset comprising 163 cities in 2009–2017. The empirical results suggest that both domestic tourism revenue and tourist number are positively affected by HSR, and the effect is stronger for the undeveloped or geopolitically less important regions such as the inland or prefecture-level cities. Other relevant determinants of tourism include the availability of airports and the number of hotels in the cities. Our research findings have important policy implications for tourism development in China with respect to HSR.
Games-as-a-service: Conflicted identities on the new front-line of video game development
Authors: Dubois Louis-Etienne , Weststar Johanna
Published: March 2021

As creative industries begin to experiment with service and subscriptions models, prior research suggests that such changes in production and consumption carry important implications for workers. Using the theoretical lens of occupational communities, this empirical study investigates the impact of servitization—that is, the transition from a product to a service-dominant logic—on the identity of video game developers. It theorizes that service workers’ skills and mind-set, relationships with peers and players, internal and external reputation, as well as development principles and values all experience disruptions, leading to the emergence of a distinct identity.
What We Need to Do to Deliver Pluralism
Authors: Stoker Gerry
Published: March 2021

A response to Pluralism and Political Studies in the UK: A Pilot Study into Who Gets What in the Discipline by Brenda Gonzalez Ginocchio, Andrew Hindmoor and Liam Stanley.
A Scoring System for Anterior Longitudinal Ligament Ossification of the Lumbar Spine in Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis: Relationship Between the Extent of Ligament Ossification and the Range of Motion
Authors: Murakami Yusuke , Morino Tadao , Hino Masayuki , Misaki Hiroshi , Imai Hiroshi , Miura Hiromasa
Published: March 2021

Study Design:

Retrospective observational study.

Objective:

To investigate the relationship between the extent of ligament ossification and the range of motion (ROM) of the lumbar spine and develop a new scoring system.

Methods:

Forty-three patients (30 men and 13 women) with lumbar spinal canal stenosis who underwent decompression from January to December 2018. Ligament ossification at L1/2 to L5/S was assessed on plain X-ray (Xp) and computed tomography (CT) using a modified Mata scoring system (0 point: no ossification, 1 point: ossification of less than half of the intervertebral disc height, 2 points: ossification of half or more of the intervertebral disc height, 3 points: complete bridging), and the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the scoring was assessed. The relationship of the scores with postoperative lumbar ROM was investigated.

Result:

Intra-rater reliability was high (Cronbach’s α was 0.74 for L5/S on Xp but 0.8 or above for other sections), as was inter-rater reliability (Cronbach’s α was 0.8 or above for all the segments). ROM significantly decreased as the score increased (scores 1 to 2, and 2 to 3). A significant moderate negative correlation was found between the sum of the scores at L1/2-L5/S and the ROM at L1-S (ρ = − 0.4493, P = 0.025).

Conclusion:

Our scoring system reflects lumbar mobility and is reproducible. It is effective for assessing DISH in fractures and spinal conditions, and monitoring effects on treatment outcomes and changes over time.
Patient-Reported Cognitive Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery: A Descriptive Review
Authors: Robinson Amanda , Pituskin Edith , Norris Colleen M
Published: March 2021

A descriptive review was conducted to evaluate the evidence of cognitive patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following cardiac surgery. The search of electronic databases resulted in 400 unique manuscripts. Nine studies met the criteria to be part of the final review. Results of the review suggest that there are few validated PROMs that assess cognitive function in the cardiac surgical population. Furthermore, PROMs have not been used to assess overall cognitive function following cardiac surgery within the past decade. However, one domain of cognitive function—memory—was described, with up to half of patients reporting a decline postoperatively. Perceived changes in cognitive function may impact health-related quality of life and a patient’s overall view of the success of their surgery. Early identification of cognitive changes measured with PROMs may encourage earlier intervention and improve patient-centered care. In clinical practice, nurses may be in the best position to administer PROMs preoperatively and postoperatively.
Readability of Patient Education Materials From High-Impact Medical Journals: A 20-Year Analysis
Authors: Rooney Michael K , Santiago Gaia , Perni Subha , Horowitz David P , McCall Anne R , Einstein Andrew J , Jagsi Reshma , Golden Daniel W
Published: March 2021

Comprehensive patient education is necessary for shared decision-making. While patient–provider conversations primarily drive patient education, patients also use published materials to enhance their understanding. In this investigation, we evaluated the readability of 2585 patient education materials published in high-impact medical journals from 1998 to 2018 and compared our findings to readability recommendations from national groups. For all materials, mean readability grade levels ranged from 11.2 to 13.8 by various metrics. Fifty-four (2.1%) materials met the American Medical Association recommendation of sixth grade reading level, and 215 (8.2%) met the National Institutes of Health recommendation of eighth grade level. When stratified by journal and material type, general medical education materials from Annals of Internal Medicine were the most readable ( P < .001), with 79.8% meeting the eighth grade level. Readability did not differ significantly over time. Efforts to standardize publication practice with the incorporation of readability evaluation during the review process may improve patients’ understanding of their disease processes and treatment options.
Association of dyspnoea, mortality and resource use in hospitalised patients
Authors: Stevens Jennifer P. , Dechen Tenzin , Schwartzstein Richard M. , O'Donnell Carl R. , Baker Kathy , Banzett Robert B.
Published: March 2021

As many as one in 10 patients experience dyspnoea at hospital admission but the relationship between dyspnoea and patient outcomes is unknown. We sought to determine whether dyspnoea on admission predicts outcomes.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a single, academic medical centre. We analysed 67 362 consecutive hospital admissions with available data on dyspnoea, pain and outcomes. As part of the Initial Patient Assessment by nurses, patients rated “breathing discomfort” using a 0 to 10 scale (10=“unbearable”). Patients reported dyspnoea at the time of admission and recalled dyspnoea experienced in the 24 h prior to admission. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, 2-year mortality, length of stay, need for rapid response system activation, transfer to the intensive care unit, discharge to extended care, and 7- and 30-day all-cause readmission to the same institution.

Patients who reported any dyspnoea were at an increased risk of death during that hospital stay; the greater the dyspnoea, the greater the risk of death (dyspnoea 0: 0.8% in-hospital mortality; dyspnoea 1–3: 2.5% in-hospital mortality; dyspnoea ≥4: 3.7% in-hospital mortality; p<0.001). After adjustment for patient comorbidities, demographics and severity of illness, increasing dyspnoea remained associated with inpatient mortality (dyspnoea 1–3: adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7–2.6; dyspnoea ≥4: adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.4–3.9). Pain did not predict increased mortality. Patients reporting dyspnoea also used more hospital resources, were more likely to be readmitted and were at increased risk of death within 2 years (dyspnoea 1–3: adjusted hazard ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.6; dyspnoea ≥4: adjusted hazard ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–1.8).

We found that dyspnoea of any rating was associated with an increased risk of death. Dyspnoea ratings can be rapidly collected by nursing staff, which may allow for better monitoring or interventions that could reduce mortality and morbidity.