bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implicit and explicit age cues influence the evaluation of job applications
Authors: Kleissner Verena , Jahn Georg
Published: October 2020

In the hiring process, older job seekers are often at a disadvantage when compared to younger job seekers: They receive less callbacks to applications, less invitations to job interviews, and fewer job offers. This phenomenon has often been demonstrated by varying explicit cues such as the date of birth. Less studied, but also influential are implicit age cues (e.g., age‐stereotypic characteristics or activities in applicant profiles). Across a series of three studies, we addressed both forms of age cues in job applications. We explored the influence of explicit age information (20 years or 60 years) and implicit age profiles (age‐neutral, young, or old job‐relevant characteristics) on hiring decisions in hypothetical scenarios and tested the effect of a short anti‐discrimination prompt. Applicants’ age (i.e., the explicit age cue) reduced the hiring likelihood ratings irrespective of implicit age profiles. The implicit age profiles influenced the hypothetical hiring decisions by their age association and by the stereotypical relevance of individual characteristics (e.g., charismatic as an age‐neutral characteristic is stereotypically relevant for a leadership position). Applicants with an implicit old profile were less likely hired than applicants with an implicit young profile when the hiring goal was to increase profit and when no particular job status was specified. The anti‐discrimination prompt significantly reduced age discrimination. Ageism in the hiring process is not only a matter of explicit age cues, but also of implicit age cues. Raising awareness for ageism and prompting to disregard age could well diminish discriminatory behavior also in real hiring decisions.
Application of ensemble learning to genomic selection in chinese simmental beef cattle
Authors: Liang Mang , Miao Jian , Wang Xiaoqiao , Chang Tianpeng , An Bingxing , Duan Xinghai , Xu Lingyang , Gao Xue , Zhang Lupei , Li Junya , Gao Huijiang
Published: October 2020

Genomic selection (GS) using the whole‐genome molecular makers to predict genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) is revolutionizing the livestock and plant breeding. Seeking out novel strategies with higher prediction accuracy for GS has been the ultimate goal of breeders. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms were applied to estimate the GEBVs increasingly. Although some machine learning methods have better performance in phenotype prediction, there is still considerable room for improvement. In this study, we applied an ensemble‐learning algorithm, Adaboost.RT, which integrated support vector regression (SVR), kernel ridge regression (KRR) and random forest (RF), to predict genomic breeding values of three economic traits (carcass weight, live weight, and eye muscle area) in Chinese Simmental beef cattle. Predictive accuracy measured as the Pearson correlation between the corrected phenotypes and predicted GEBVs. Moreover, we compared the reliability of SVR, KRR, RF, Adaboost.RT and GBLUP methods. The result showed that machine learning methods outperformed GBLUP, and the average improvement of four machine learning methods over the GBLUP was 12.8%, 14.9%, 5.4% and 14.4%, respectively. Among the four machine learning methods, the reliability of Adaboost.RT was comparable to KRR with higher stability. We therefore believe that the Adaboost.RT algorithm is a reliable and efficient method for GS.
LMNA functions as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the proliferation and migration ability
Authors: Liu Heng , Li Dongming , Zhou Ling , Kan Shuang , He Guozhang , Zhou Kun , Wang Liping , Chen Ming , Shu Wei
Published: October 2020

The role of the LMNA gene in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the associated molecular mechanism is not yet clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between LMNA and HCC. LMNA gene expression in normal tissues and corresponding tumours was evaluated and the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed. Next, the LMNA gene was knocked out in the 293T and HepG2 cell lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Subsequently, the proliferation, migration and colony formation rate of the two LMNA knockout cell lines were analysed. Finally, the molecular mechanism affecting the tumorigenesis due to the loss of the LMNA gene was evaluated. The results showed that the LMNA gene was abnormally expressed in many tumours, and the survival rate of the HCC patients with a high expression of the LMNA gene was significantly reduced compared with the rate in patients with a low LMNA expression. The knockout of the LMNA gene in the HCC cell line HepG2 resulted in a decreased tumorigenicity, up‐regulation of the P16 expression and down‐regulation of the CDK1 expression. These findings suggested that LMNA might function as an oncogene in HCC and provided a potential new target for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
The protective effects of MSC‐EXO against pulmonary hypertension through regulating Wnt5a/BMP signalling pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhaohua , Ge LiLi , Zhang Shanshan , Wang Jue , Jiang Wen , Xin Qian , Luan Yun
Published: October 2020

The aim of the study was to explore the mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell‐derived exosomes (MSC‐EXO) to protect against experimentally induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). Monocrotaline (MCT)‐induced rat model of PH was successfully established by a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg MCT, 3 weeks later the animals were treated with MSC‐EXO via tail vein injection. Post‐operation, our results showed that MSC‐EXO could significantly reduce right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and the right ventricular hypertrophy index, attenuate pulmonary vascular remodelling and lung fibrosis in vivo. In vitro experiment, the hypoxia models of pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell (PASMC) were used. We found that the expression levels of Wnt5a, Wnt11, BMPR2, BMP4 and BMP9 were increased, but β‐catenin, cyclin D1 and TGF‐β1 were decreased in MSC‐EXO group as compared with MCT or hypoxia group in vivo or vitro. However, these increased could be blocked when cells were transfected with Wnt5a siRNA in vitro. Taken together, these results suggested that the mechanism of MSC‐EXO to prevent PH vascular remodelling may be via regulation of Wnt5a/BMP signalling pathway.
Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection and transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of rectal tumors
Authors: Kimura Cintia Mayumi Sakurai , Kawaguti Fabio Shiguehissa , Nahas Caio Sergio Rizkallah , Marques Carlos Frederico Sparapan , Segatelli Vanderlei , Martins Bruno Costa , de Paulo Gustavo Andrade , Cecconello Ivan , Ribeiro‐Junior Ulysses , Nahas Sergio Carlos , Maluf‐Filho Fauze
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

Endoscopic submucosal dissection and transanal endoscopic microsurgery are good options for the treatment of rectal adenomas and early rectal carcinomas, but whether long‐term outcomes of these procedures are comparable is not known. The aim of this study was to address this question.

Methods

A retrospective single‐center study evaluating 98 consecutive procedures between June 2008 and December 2017 was performed in a tertiary cancer center. Consecutive patients who had undergone either endoscopic submucosal resection or transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal adenomas and early rectal carcinomas were evaluated, and long‐term recurrence and complication rates were compared.

Results

Both groups were similar regarding sex, age, preoperative surgical risk, and en bloc resection rate (95.7% in the endoscopic and 100% in the surgical group, P = 0.81). Mean follow‐up period was 37.6 months. Lesions resected endoscopically were significantly larger (68.5 mm) than those resected by transanal resection (44.5 mm), P = 0.003. Curative resections occurred in 97.2% of endoscopic resections and 85.2% of the surgical ones (P = 0.04). Comparing resections that fulfilled histologic curative criteria, there were no recurrences in the endoscopic group (out of 69 cases) and two recurrences in the transanal group (8.3% of 24 cases), P = 0.06. Late complications occurred in 12.7% of endoscopic procedures and 25.9% of surgical procedures (P = 0.13).

Conclusions

In our experience, endoscopic submucosal resection seems to have advantages over transanal endoscopic microsurgery, with similar en bloc resection rate and lower rate of late complications and recurrences. Multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to support our findings.
Effects of fiber intake on intestinal pH, transit, and predicted oral mesalamine delivery in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yao Chu K , Burgell Rebecca E , Taylor Kirstin M , Ward Mark G , Friedman Antony B , Barrett Jacqueline S , Muir Jane G , Gibson Peter R
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

Limited data are available on the effects of fermentable fiber in altering intestinal pH and transit to predict efficacy‐based delivery profiles of pH‐dependent mesalamine coatings in ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to examine regional pH and transit after acute changes in fermentable fiber intake in quiescent UC patients and their effects on drug release systems.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind study, 18 patients with quiescent UC and 10 healthy controls were supplied meals high (13 g) or low (≤ 2 g) in fermentable fiber and subsequently ingested a wireless pH‐motility capsule. After a ≥ 3‐day washout, they crossed over to the other diet. Measurements of intestinal pH and transit were used to predict drug release for the various pH‐dependent coatings.

Results

Increasing fermentable fiber intake lowered overall (median 6.2 [6.1–6.7] vs low: 6.9 [range or interquartile range: 6.4–7.4]; P = 0.01) and distal pH (7.8 [7.3–8.1] vs 8.2 [8.0–8.5]; P = 0.04) in controls. In UC patients, only cecal pH was decreased (high: 5.1 [4.8–5.5] vs low: 5.5 [5.3–5.7]; P < 0.01). Colonic transit in the UC cohort varied widely after a low‐fiber intake but tended to normalize after the high fermentable fiber intake. Hypothetical coating dissolution profiles were heterogeneous in UC patients, with a multi‐matrix delayed release system having the highest likelihood of patients (20–40%) with incomplete dissolution, and predominant small intestinal dissolution predicted for Eudragit L (94% patients) and S (44–69%).

Conclusions

Patients with quiescent UC have abnormalities in intestinal pH and transit in response to acute changes in fermentable fiber intake. These have potentially detrimental effects on predicted luminal release patterns of pH‐dependent 5‐aminosalicylic acid release systems.
Fear of hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Yu , Li Shuang , Zou Yan , Wu Xiaxin , Bi Yaxin , Zhang Lu , Yuan Yuan , Gong Weijuan , Hayter Mark
Published: October 2020

Aims and objectives

To summarise and thematise fear of hypoglycaemia (FOH) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) to provide a theoretical basis for the development of effective interventions.

Background

FOH is common in this population and can reduce quality of life (QOL) and adversely impact upon diabetes self‐care management.

Design

A systematic review.

Methods

Articles published between 2000–2019 were searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and three Chinese databases (CNKI, Wan‐fang data and VIP). Eligible articles were selected using the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of all articles finally included was evaluated by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal tools.

Results

Eighteen studies from 8654 papers were included. The sample size of each study ranged from 48–3812 subjects. FOH negatively impacted QOL, particularly psychosocial functioning, daily life and sleep quality.

Conclusions

FOH is a common and serious problem for patients, leading to poor QOL. It has been suggested that psychological concerns, QOL and effective countermeasures in individuals with T1D and T2D should be taken seriously. Advanced technology should be evaluated for its benefits before being used by patients.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The review highlights that FOH negatively impacts QOL, including psychosocial factors, daily life and sleep quality. Healthcare providers should develop targeted and professional assessment tools for FOH and QOL for patients with T2D, especially for patients who are about 60 years old. Advanced technology should be evaluated for its benefits before being used by patients.
A hermeneutical study of professional accountability in nursing
Authors: Chesterton Lorna , Tetley Josie , Cox Nigel , Jack Kirsten
Published: October 2020

Aims and Objectives

This paper presents findings from a hermeneutical study which sought to explore how registered nurses experienced and perceived their professional accountability in clinical settings.

Background

Professional accountability encompasses the ideals and standards of nursing practice. Nurses are accountable for their actions under civil, criminal and contract law to their; employing organisation, their regulatory body and the patients for whom they care.

Design

This paper reports on a Heideggerian hermeneutical study involving seven registered nurses, working in clinical practice in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom.

Methods

The study adopted purposive sampling, collecting data by means of in‐depth interviews. Data were analysed using the hermeneutic circle. COREQ checklist was used as a reporting guideline for this study.

Results

The findings suggest that professional accountability in nursing practice is a complex phenomenon, which can be compromised by many factors which are historically, socially or politically driven

Participants experienced challenges through a lack of resources and poor managerial support, which compromised their ability to deliver high‐quality patient care. However, collegiality strongly impacted upon resilience and positively influenced their well‐being.

Relevance to clinical practice

Amid the challenges of the clinical workplace, a positive workplace culture with visible managerial support is a fundamental requirement in supporting professional accountability, development and retention of nurses. Findings highlight the view that leadership should be seen as a collective responsibility, which empowers staff to positively change the practice environment.
Predictors of burnout of health professionals in the departments of maternity and gynaecology, and its association with personality factors: A multicentre study
Authors: De la Fuente‐Solana Emilia I. , Suleiman‐Martos Nora , Velando‐Soriano Almudena , Cañadas‐De la Fuente Gustavo R. , Herrera‐Cabrerizo Blanca , Albendín‐García Luis
Published: October 2020

Aims and objectives

To analyse the prevalence, levels and phases of burnout syndrome in midwives and obstetrics and gynaecology nurses, and to evaluate the relationship between burnout and sociodemographic, occupational and psychological factors.

Background

Burnout syndrome is a major problem in occupational health, characterised by feelings of exhaustion, depersonalisation and a low sense of personal achievement that appears after long‐term occupational stress. Recent research has found that burnout harms the physical and mental well‐being of workers, and jeopardises the quality of care provided. The association between burnout and a risk profile in maternity wards has not previously been investigated but it deserves special attention since it is a highly stressful area to work in.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was selected.

Methods

A total of 150 nurses and midwives at 18 hospitals participated in this study. The data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, NEO Personality Inventory and the Educational‐Clinical Questionnaire: Anxiety and Depression. This study adhered to the STROBE guideline.

Results

17% of participants presented high levels of emotional exhaustion, 16.6% high depersonalisation and 55.1% a sense of low personal accomplishment. The sociodemographic and occupational variables related to burnout were gender, marital status and work shift. The three dimensions of the syndrome, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment were predicted by depression, neuroticism, agreeableness and openness.

Conclusions

One third of the sample presented high levels of burnout, which was most strongly experienced as feelings of low personal accomplishment. Furthermore, personality factors play an important role in the development of burnout syndrome.

Relevance to clinical practice

Managers and policy makers should promote strategies to reduce burnout. To prevent the syndrome, personality factors should be taken into account, for the early identification of a profile of professionals most at risk of developing burnout.
Thermocoagulation versus cryotherapy for the treatment of cervical precancers
Authors: Duan Lyufang , Du Hui , Belinson Jerome L. , Liu Zhihong , Xiao Aimin , Liu Shuangyan , Zhao Liwei , Wang Chun , Qu Xinfeng , Wu Ruifang
Published: October 2020

Aim

To compare thermocoagulation and cryotherapy for treatment of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Methods

From May 2017 to May 2018, women with CIN2/3 were randomized to thermocoagulation or cryotherapy at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital. Follow‐up at 4 and 8 months included cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Women who were HPV‐positive or had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or higher‐grade disease underwent colposcopy/biopsy.

Results

Among 149 women enrolled, 74 were randomized to thermocoagulation, and 75 to cryotherapy (excluded four were immediately referred for thermocoagulation due to large lesions). At follow‐up, there was no difference between the thermocoagulation and cryotherapy groups in HPV‐negative (4/8 months: 72.5%/86.2% vs 68.6%/80.6%) and pathology‐negative (97.1%/98.5% vs 94.3%/92.3%) rates (all P > 0.05). The cytology‐negative rate was similar for thermocoagulation and cryotherapy at 4 months (79.7% vs 78.9%, P > 0.05), but higher for thermocoagulation at 8 months (100% vs 88.7%, P < 0.05). No lesions were observed among the four referral women at follow‐up. As compared with cryotherapy, thermocoagulation was associated with shorter duration of treatment and less vaginal discharge, but higher pain during application and longer bleeding after treatment.

Conclusion

Thermocoagulation was as effective and safe as cryotherapy and might be easily applied to treat high‐grade cervical lesions.
Adaptation, ancestral variation and gene flow in a ‘Sky Island’ Drosophila species
Authors: Hill Tom , Unckless Robert L.
Published: October 2020

Over time, populations of species can expand, contract, fragment and become isolated, creating subpopulations that must adapt to local conditions. Understanding how species maintain variation after divergence as well as adapt to these changes in the face of gene flow is of great interest, especially as the current climate crisis has caused range shifts and frequent migrations for many species. Here, we characterize how a mycophageous fly species, Drosophila innubila, came to inhabit and adapt to its current range which includes mountain forests in south‐western USA separated by large expanses of desert. Using population genomic data from more than 300 wild‐caught individuals, we examine four populations to determine their population history in these mountain forests, looking for signatures of local adaptation. In this first extensive study, establishing D. innubila as a key genomic "Sky Island" model, we find D. innubila spread northwards during the previous glaciation period (30–100 KYA) and have recently expanded even further (0.2–2 KYA). D. innubila shows little evidence of population structure, consistent with a recent establishment and genetic variation maintained since before geographic stratification. We also find some signatures of recent selective sweeps in chorion proteins and population differentiation in antifungal immune genes suggesting differences in the environments to which flies are adapting. However, we find little support for long‐term recurrent selection in these genes. In contrast, we find evidence of long‐term recurrent positive selection in immune pathways such as the Toll signalling system and the Toll‐regulated antimicrobial peptides.
Role of H1 and DNA methylation in selective regulation of transposable elements during heat stress
Authors: Liu Shujing , de Jonge Jennifer , Trejo‐Arellano Minerva S. , Santos‐González Juan , Köhler Claudia , Hennig Lars
Published: October 2020

Heat‐stressed Arabidopsis plants release heterochromatin‐associated transposable element (TE) silencing, yet it is not accompanied by major reductions of epigenetic repressive modifications. In this study, we explored the functional role of histone H1 in repressing heterochromatic TEs in response to heat stress.

We generated and analyzed RNA and bisulfite‐sequencing data of wild‐type and h1 mutant seedlings before and after heat stress.

Loss of H1 caused activation of pericentromeric Gypsy elements upon heat treatment, despite these elements remaining highly methylated. By contrast, nonpericentromeric Copia elements became activated concomitantly with loss of DNA methylation. The same Copia elements became activated in heat‐treated chromomethylase 2 (cmt2) mutants, indicating that H1 represses Copia elements through maintaining DNA methylation under heat.

We discovered that H1 is required for TE repression in response to heat stress, but its functional role differs depending on TE location. Strikingly, H1‐deficient plants treated with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor zebularine were highly tolerant to heat stress, suggesting that both H1 and DNA methylation redundantly suppress the plant response to heat stress.
Foetal exposure to heavy metals and risk of atopic diseases in early childhood
Authors: Pesce Giancarlo , Sesé Lucile , Calciano Lucia , Travert Benoit , Dessimond Boris , Maesano Cara Nichole , Ferrante Giuliana , Huel Guy , Prud’homme Julie , Guinot Martine , Soomro Munawar Hussain , Baloch Ramen Munir , Lhote Raphael , Annesi‐Maesano Isabella
Published: October 2020

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that in utero exposures can influence the development of the immune system and thus contribute to disease development. Studies investigating the association between prenatal exposures to heavy metals and atopic diseases, however, are scarce.

Methods

Children from the EDEN birth cohort were prospectively followed up using parental questionnaires with validated questions on asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy symptoms. The questionnaires were administered every 4 months during the children's first year, and then every year until the age of 5, with a final survey at the age of 8. Serum concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn) were assessed in maternal blood samples collected during mid‐pregnancy and in cord blood of 651 mother‐children pairs. Hazard ratios (HR) for the incidence of each atopic disease in relation to the exposure to metals were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Levels of Cd in cord blood were associated with greater risk of asthma (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] for upper vs lower quartile: 1.81 [1.00‐3.29]), eczema (1.60 [1.09‐2.35]), and food allergy (3.17 [1.36‐7.38]), while Mn levels in maternal serum were associated with eczema (1.55 [1.05‐2.28]). These associations were similar in males and females and were confirmed using log concentrations of metals as exposures.

Conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that fetal exposure to heavy metals may affect the development of asthma, eczema, and food allergy in childhood and suggest that timing of exposure in utero may have a role in these associations.
Enabling Globally Distributed Projects: Effects of Project Interface Match and Related Technical Experience
Authors: Salvador Fabrizio , Madiedo Juan Pablo
Published: October 2020

Global firms often attempt to utilize modular product architectures to ease the distribution of project work among subsidiaries. However, empirical findings on the effectiveness of this approach are mixed. Seeking to clarify this matter, we investigate the conditions under which modular product platform use is associated with cross‐subsidiary distribution of project work. Through an in‐depth case study of a global corporation, we find that a firm’s ability to leverage modular product platforms for distributing project work is positively associated with project interface match (i.e., the extent to which meeting the requirements of a derivative project does not entail modifications of the interfaces embedded in the firm’s modular product platforms). However, this association is attenuated, and eventually muted, by the project technical manager’s related technical experience (i.e., the manager’s personal experience with the technical solution addressing a focal project’s customer requirements). Such attenuation effect originates because lower levels of project interface match do not necessarily imply greater expected project coordination effort. Such expectation is reduced to the extent that the technical project manager has related technical experience. Triangulation of qualitative insights from four embedded cases with a proprietary database of 97 projects supports our contention. These findings contribute to the literatures on product and organizational modularity, distributed work, and project management.
Undertaking responsibility and a new role as a relative: a qualitative focus group interview study
Authors: Larsen Malene Kaas , Birkelund Regner , Mortensen Michael Bau , Schultz Helen
Published: October 2020

Background

Being a relative of a patient with oesophageal cancer can evoke strong emotions and uncertainty about the future. As a consequence of the treatment course for oesophageal cancer and an increase in outpatient treatment, relatives are becoming increasingly responsible for patients’ physical and emotional care. There is a lack of research exploring relatives’ experiences with illness, treatment and decision‐making.

Aims and objectives

To explore relatives’ experiences with illness, treatment of the patient and decision‐making in the context of oesophageal cancer.

Design

A qualitative explorative design was chosen.

Methods

We conducted two focus group interviews with 11 relatives. The analysis was based on Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation.

Results

Throughout illness and treatment, relatives faced the fear of loss, leading to distress and anxiety. Relatives were simultaneously taking responsibility and asserting a new role during treatment as they regarded treatment as a joint affair. Regarding decision‐making, relatives positioned themselves on the sidelines, awaiting the authority of the patients and healthcare professionals to give them space for participation.

Conclusion

Relatives of patients with oesophageal cancer undergoing treatment are suppressing their anxiety and doubt about the future. As they are undertaking responsibility during treatment, they are claiming control in new areas, which leads to changing roles within the family. However, they do not feel empowered in decision‐making because they recognise patients’ decision‐making authority. This study highlights the complexity of balancing patients’ authority with acknowledgement of relatives’ role as active collaborators.
Immigration status and end‐stage kidney disease: Role of policy and access to care
Authors: Rizzolo Katherine , Cervantes Lilia
Published: October 2020

Immigration status is an important mitigating factor in determining the provision of dialysis and kidney‐related care. Immigrants make up the largest uninsured group in the country. For immigrants with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), dialysis access varies by insurance type and by state, leading to great variability in the availability of kidney care. In some states, undocumented immigrants may only qualify for hemodialysis when critically ill (emergency hemodialysis), which is associated with higher mortality, hospital length of stay, and cost, in addition to an emotional burden on patients, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Barriers to effective care for immigrants with ESKD include immigration status, insurance access, and availability of pre‐end stage kidney disease care, vascular access, and transplant. Effective strategies for improving dialysis care for immigrants include advocacy at the state and federal level, broadening definitions under Emergency Medicaid, and improving benefits for home therapies and transplantation options.
Contourite characterization and its discrimination from other deep‐water deposits in the Gulf of Cadiz contourite depositional system
Authors: de Castro Sandra , Hernández‐Molina Francisco Javier , de Weger Wouter , Jiménez‐Espejo Francisco José , Rodríguez‐Tovar Francisco Javier , Mena Anxo , Llave Estefanía , Sierro Francisco Javier
Published: October 2020

Despite numerous efforts to properly differentiate between contourites and other deep‐water deposits in cores and outcrops, reliable diagnostic criteria are still lacking. The co‐occurrence of downslope and along‐slope sedimentary processes makes it particularly difficult to differentiate these relatively homogeneous deposits. The main aim of this paper is to identify differences in deep‐water sediments based on Principal Component Analysis of grain size and geochemistry, sedimentary facies, and reinforced by microfacies and ichnofacies. The sediments studied were obtained from two International Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 339 sites in mounded and sheeted drifts in the Gulf of Cadiz. The statistical approach led to the discernment of hemipelagites, silty contourites, sandy contourites, bottom current reworked sands, fine‐grained turbidites and debrites over a range of depositional and physiographic elements. These elements are linked to contourite drifts, the drift‐channel transition, the contourite channel and distal upper slope. When bottom currents or gravity‐driven flows are not the dominant depositional process, marine productivity and continental input settling forms the main depositional mechanism in deep‐water environments. This is reflected by a high variability of the first principal component in hemipelagic deposits. The stacked principal component variability of these deposits evidences that the contourite drift and the adjacent contourite channel were influenced by the interrelation of hemipelagic, gravitational and bottom current induced depositional processes. This interrelation questions the paradigm that a drift is made up solely of muddy sediments. The interrelation of sedimentary processes is a consequence of the precession‐driven changes in the intensity of the Mediterranean Outflow Water related to Mediterranean climate variability, which are punctuated by millennial‐scale variability. Associated vertical and lateral shifts of the Mediterranean Outflow Water, and therefore of its interface with the East North Atlantic Central Water, controlled sediment input and favoured turbulent sediment transport in the middle slope. During the interglacial precession maxima/insolation minima, a more vigorous upper core of the Mediterranean Outflow Water and the enhanced impact of the East North Atlantic Central Water – Mediterranean Outflow Water interface allowed for the development of the sandier contourite deposits.
How to translate and locally adapt a PROM. Assessment of cross‐cultural differential item functioning
Authors: Krogsgaard Michael R. , Brodersen John , Christensen Karl B. , Siersma Volkert , Jensen Jonas , Hansen Christian Fugl , Engebretsen Lars , Visnes Håvard , Forssblad Magnus , Comins Jonathan D.
Published: October 2020

Translating patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) can alter the meaning of items and undermine the PROM's psychometric properties (quantified as cross‐cultural differential item functioning [DIF]). The aim of this paper was to present the theoretical background for PROM translation, adaptation, and cross‐cultural validation, and assess how PROMs used in sports medicine research have been translated and adapted. We also assessed DIF for the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) across Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish versions. We conducted a search in PubMed and Scopus to identify the method of translation, adaptation, and validation of PROMs relevant to musculoskeletal research. Additionally, 150 preoperative KOOS questionnaires were obtained from the Scandinavian knee ligament reconstruction registries, and cross‐cultural DIF was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. There were 392 studies identified, describing the translation of 61 PROMs. Ninety‐four percent were performed with forward‐backward technique. Forty‐nine percent used cognitive interviews to ensure appropriate wording, understandability, and adaptation to the target culture. Only two percent were validated according to modern test theory. No study assessed cross‐cultural DIF. One KOOS subscale showed no cross‐cultural DIF, two had DIF with respect to some (but not all) items, and thus conversion tables could be constructed, and two KOOS subscales could not be pooled. Most PROM translations are of undocumented quality, despite the common conclusion that they are valid and reliable. Scores from three of five KOOS subscales can be pooled across the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish versions, but two of these must be adjusted for DIF.
The utility of a monocyte monolayer assay in the assessment of intravenous immunoglobulin–associated hemolysis
Authors: Tong Tik Nga , Blacquiere Megan , Sakac Darinka , Burke‐Murphy Emeralda , Yi Qilong , Callum Jeannie , Cserti‐Gazdewich Christine , Parmar Nagina , Shehata Nadine , Pavenski Katerina , Lau Wendy , Lin Yulia , Lieberman Lani , Branch Donald R. , Pendergrast Jacob
Published: October 2020

Background

Hemolysis following the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is an important adverse event (AE). While the monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) has been used to predict in vivo hemolysis when serologically incompatible blood may be transfused, it has also been shown to correlate with IVIG‐associated hemolysis. In this study, the MMA was examined for its utility in assessing the risk of hemolysis after IVIG.

Study Design and Methods

Forty‐two non–blood group O patients receiving high‐dose IVIG (≥2 g/kg) were examined using an autologous and allogeneic MMA. Hemolysis was defined by a drop in hemoglobin of ≥1 g/L, a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and eluate, and a decrease in haptoglobin or increase in lactate dehydrogenase and/or reticulocytes.

Results

Forty‐two patients provided 50 assessable postinfusion samples, with hemolysis observed in 20 (40%) of cases. Autologous MMA using post‐IVIG red blood cells significantly correlated with clinical outcomes when compared to allogeneic MMA (P = .0320 vs .5806, t test). No significant difference in receiver operating characteristics was observed when comparing autologous MMA testing against DAT for the diagnosis of IVIG‐associated hemolysis. However, when using samples collected 5 to 10 days after receipt of high‐dose IVIG, the autologous MMA had higher sensitivity than the DAT.

Conclusion

MMA testing with autologous monocytes collected 5 to 10 days after receipt of high‐dose IVIG can be used for the diagnosis of IVIG‐associated hemolysis and may be of particular value in cases in which the Day 5 to 10 DAT is negative.
Perceptions of Sexual Violence in Dating Relationships: Presentation Medium and Couple Characteristics
Authors: Plackowski Emily , Hull Debra , Hull John
Published: October 2020

Undergraduate students evaluated scenarios depicting violence in a long-term dating relationship—in either video or written form, and involving either a male or female aggressor in either a same- or other-gender relationship. Other than the genders of the victims and assailants, the details of the scenarios were identical. Results showed that participants rated written scenarios as more powerful than video scenarios and believed that sexual assault was more likely to have happened in the written than in the video scenarios. Compared to men, women were more emotionally impacted by the scenarios, thought sexual assault was more likely to have happened, were more likely to think the aggressor wanted to have sex with the victim, and were less likely to think the victim wanted to have sex with the aggressor. Participants who rated other-sex scenarios thought sexual assault was more likely to have occurred, that the aggressor more likely wanted to have sex with the victim, and that the victim less likely wanted to have sex with the aggressor than those rating same-sex scenarios. When women were portrayed as the victims, regardless of relationship type, the scenario was more emotionally evocative. On average, participants strongly agreed that sexual assault had occurred in each of the scenarios.
Digital Parenting: Media Uses in Parenting Routines during the First Two Years of Life
Authors: Lev Yehuda Bar , Elias Nelly
Published: October 2020

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children younger than 18 months of age should have no access to screen media, while children aged 18 to 24 months may be allowed occasional viewing of high-quality children’s programs together with their parents. Despite these stringent recommendations, however, television and digital devices manifest significant presence in the everyday lives of very young children, even during infancy. Therefore, major empirical efforts were exerted to reveal various predictors of young children’s screen time and suggest effective means for its reduction. Along these lines, the present study examined parental media practices applied during infancy and early toddlerhood and how these practices contribute to children’s excessive media exposure during the first two years of their life. It was based on a longitudinal study which followed ten families with children from the age of three months until they reached two years, and included a series of observations at the families’ homes and in-depth interviews with parents. The findings reveal that parents extensively exposed their children to screen devices, which played a significant role in the daily parenting routines. All parents used screens as a “background,” a “babysitter”, a “pacifier” and a “childcare toolkit”, regardless of their own attitudes towards media effects on their young children. Consequently, it is suggested to increase parental awareness towards their instrumental use of media as part of their parenting routine, which may impart unhealthy media habits and affect their children’s long-term development.
Effect of Ground Boundary Condition on Near-Field Wingtip Vortex Flow and Lift-Induced Drag
Authors: Lu A. , Lee T.
Published: October 2020

The ground proximity is known to induce an outboard movement and suppression of the wingtip vortices, leading to a reduced lift-induced drag. Depending on the ground boundary condition, a large scatter exists in the published lift-induced drag and vortex trajectory. In this experiment, the ground boundary condition-produced disparity in the vortex strength and induced drag were evaluated. No significant discrepancy appeared for a ground distance or clearance larger than 30% chord. As the stationary ground was further approached, there was the appearance of a corotating ground vortex (GV), originated from the downstream progression of a spanwise ground vortex filament, which added vorticity to the tip vortex, leading to a stronger tip vortex and a larger lift-induced drag compared to the moving ground. For the moving ground, the ground vortex was absent. In close ground proximity, the rollup of the high-pressure fluid flow escaped from the wing's tip always caused the formation of a counter-rotating secondary vortex, which dramatically weakened the tip vortex strength and produced a large induced-drag reduction. The moving ground effect, however, induced a stronger secondary vortex, leading to a smaller lift-induced drag and a larger outboard movement of the tip vortex as compared to the stationary ground effect.
Blind deconvolution of sources of opportunity in ocean waveguides using bilinear channel models
Authors: Tian Ning , Lee Kiryung , Romberg Justin , Durofchalk Nicholas , Sabra Karim
Published: October 2020

A general blind deconvolution algorithmic framework is developed for sources of opportunity (e.g., ships at known locations) in an ocean waveguide. Here, both channel impulse responses (CIRs) and unknown source signals need to be simultaneously estimated from only the recorded signals on a receiver array using blind deconvolution, which is generally an ill-posed problem without any a priori information or additional assumptions about the underlying structure of the CIRs. By exploiting the typical ray-like arrival-time structure of the CIRs between a surface source and the elements of a vertical line array (VLA) in ocean waveguides, a principle component analysis technique is applied to build a bilinear parametric model linking the amplitudes and arrival-times of the CIRs across all channels for a variety of admissible ocean environments. The bilinear channel representation further reduces the dimension of the channel parametric model compared to linear models. A truncated power interaction deconvolution algorithm is then developed by applying the bilinear channel model to the traditional subspace deconvolution method. Numerical and experimental results demonstrate the robustness of this blind deconvolution methodology.
Motives for and Experiences of Expatriation to Coach
Authors: Felber Charbonneau Evelyne , Camiré Martin , Lemyre Pierre-Nicolas
Published: October 2020

Coaching is a global profession and coaches play a central role in enhancing the performance of millions of athletes worldwide. In the 21st century, the global mobility of coaches has increased, with many coaches taking advantage of opportunities to coach abroad. Norway leads the all-time Winter Olympics medals table (i.e., 368 medals), and with most of these medals coming from skiing disciplines, Norway represents a skiing hotbed that attracts ski coaches from other parts of the world. The purpose of the study was to examine ski coaches’ motives for and experiences of expatriation to coach in Norway. Five North American alpine ski coaches (four males and one female) were individually interviewed (M = 77 min, SD = 24.94), with the data examined using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Motives for expatriation included having a passion for skiing, challenging oneself, experiencing a new sport culture, and maintaining relationships. Upon arriving in Norway, coaches mentioned experiencing challenges with the Norwegian sport system, language, pressure from parents and the media, and being far from friends and family. Once acclimated, coaches discussed the benefits of expatriation that included the Norwegian work ethic, family-centric lifestyle, and popularity of skiing.
Perceived Neighborhood and Walking Among Older Brazilian Adults Living in Urban Areas: A National Study (ELSI-Brazil)
Authors: Moreira Bruno de Souza , Andrade Amanda Cristina de Souza , Braga Luciana de Souza , Bastone Alessandra de Carvalho , Torres Juliana Lustosa , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda Furtado , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira
Published: October 2020

The study goal was to examine the association between perceived neighborhood characteristics and walking in urban older adults in Brazil. A cross-sectional study including 4,027 older adults from the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) was performed. Walking was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Neighborhood characteristics were questions about physical disorder, noise pollution, safety, violence, social cohesion, services, concerns with community mobility, and pleasantness. Multinomial logistic regression was used. Concern about taking the bus, subway, or train was inversely associated with walking for men. Violence (victim of theft, robbery, or had home broken into) and social cohesion (trust in neighbors) were positively and inversely associated with walking for women, respectively. A significant interaction term between social cohesion and number of chronic diseases was observed for women. These findings demonstrate the need for sex-specific interventions and policies to increase the walking levels among older Brazilian adults.
Global trial eliminates drugs, pivots to new ones
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: October 2020

Definitive results on remdesivir and interferon demonstrate power of massive WHO study.
Undermining CDC
Authors: Piller Charles
Published: October 2020

Deborah Birx, President Donald Trump's COVID-19 coordinator, helped shake the foundation of a premier public health agency.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Fosfomycin after Continuous Infusion Compared with Intermittent Infusion: a Randomized Crossover Study in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: al Jalali Valentin , Matzneller Peter , Wulkersdorfer Beatrix , Chou Scharon , Bahmany Soma , Koch Birgit C. P. , Zeitlinger Markus
Published: October 2020

Continuous infusion (CON) of fosfomycin has been proposed as potentially advantageous in certain clinical scenarios. However, no clinical data on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of fosfomycin after CON are available to date. This study aimed to investigate the PK of fosfomycin after CON and compare it with intermittent infusion (INT) of fosfomycin. A randomized two-way crossover study including 8 healthy male volunteers was performed. Each subject received fosfomycin as INT of 8 g over 30 min every 8 h and, separated by a washout period, as CON of 1 g/h preceded by a loading dose of 8 g over 30 min.
Patients with Erythema Migrans: Characterizing the Impact of Initiation of Antibiotic Therapy Prior to Study Enrollment
Authors: Wormser Gary P. , McKenna Donna , Jacobson Eliana , Shanker Elayna M. , Shaffer Keith D. , Scavarda Carol , Visintainer Paul
Published: October 2020

Erythema migrans is the most common clinical manifestation of Lyme disease, with concomitant subjective symptoms occurring in ∼65% of cases in the United States. We evaluated the impact of having been started on antibiotic treatment before study enrollment on 12 particular symptoms for 38 subjects with erythema migrans versus 52 untreated subjects. There were no significant differences in the frequency of having at least one symptom or in the symptom severity score on study entry. However, the frequency of having at least one symptom was significantly greater for those who had received <7 days of antibiotic treatment than for those who had been treated for ≥7 days (23/24 [95.