bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of antibiotic appropriateness at an outpatient oncology centre
Authors: Chew Cindy , Shih Vivianne , Han Zhe
Published: March 2022

Current evidence supporting antimicrobial stewardship programs focused largely in inpatient setting. With the shift in cancer management from inpatient to ambulatory setting, it is crucial to examine the prevalence and predictors of inappropriate antibiotics prescribing. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). Patients at least 21 years, with an active or past cancer diagnosis and prescribed with at least one oral antibiotic by a NCCS physician from 1st July to 30th September 2019 were included. Antibiotic appropriateness was assessed using institutional antibiotic guidelines or published clinical practice guidelines. For cases where antibiotics appropriateness cannot be ascertained using these guidelines, an independent three-member expert panel was consulted. A total of 815 patients were screened; 411 (59.4% females) were included with mean age of 62.4 years. The top three cancer diagnoses were breast (26.5%), lung (15.6%) and head and neck (13.6%). More than half (58.6%) received appropriate antibiotic choice. Of which, 235 (97.5%), 238 (98.8%) and 194 (80.5%) received appropriate dose, frequency and duration respectively. The presence of non-oncologic immunosuppressive comorbidities (OR 4.890, 95% CI 1.556-15.369, p-value = 0.007), antibiotic allergy (OR 2.352, 95% CI 1.178-4.698, p-value = 0.015) and skin and soft tissue infections (OR 2.004, 95% CI 1.276-3.146, p-value = 0.003) were associated with a higher incidence of inappropriate antibiotic choice. This study highlighted that inappropriate antibiotic prescribing is prevalent in the ambulatory oncology setting. Predicators identified can aid in the design of targeted strategies to optimise antibiotic use in ambulatory oncology patients.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Education and Individual Student Development: Understanding the Full Picture in the Era of School Choice
Authors: Rucinski Christina L.
Published: March 2022

A primary through-line of the research literature on the correlates of structural diversity in education has focused on intergroup outcomes, including prejudice reduction and improving attitudes toward racial and ethnic out-groups. Over the past two decades, advances in theory have illustrated how individuals may cognitively adapt to ongoing interactions with diverse others, informing new investigations into the potentially beneficial effects of educational diversity for individual development outside the intergroup context and beyond the impacts of more equitable resource distribution. The current article summarizes the state of research on links between children and youth’s experiences in racially and ethnically diverse schools and classrooms and their individual development in academic, social-emotional, and executive function domains. Overall, the emerging research on these individual effects is promising. Implications within the context of increasing support for school choice are discussed.
Productively accelerating positron emission tomography image reconstruction on graphics processing units with Julia
Authors: Van Gendt Michiel , Besard Tim , Vandenberghe Stefaan , De Sutter Bjorn
Published: March 2022

Research in medical imaging is hampered by a lack of programming languages that support productive, flexible programming as well as high performance. In search for higher quality imaging, researchers can ideally experiment with novel algorithms using rapid-prototyping languages such as Python. However, to speed up image reconstruction, computational resources such as those of graphics processing units (GPUs) need to be used efficiently. Doing so requires re-programming the algorithms in lower-level programming languages such as CUDA C/C++ or rephrasing them in terms of existing implementations of established algorithms in libraries. The former has a detrimental impact on research productivity and requires system-level programming expertise, and the latter puts severe constraints on the flexibility to research novel algorithms. Here, we investigate the use of the Julia scientific programming language in the domain of PET image reconstruction as a means to obtain both high performance (portability) on GPUs and high programmer productivity and flexibility, all at once, without requiring expert GPU programming knowledge. Using rapid-prototyping features of Julia, we developed basic and performance-optimized GPU implementations of baseline maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) positron emission tomography (PET) image reconstruction algorithms, as well as multiple existing algorithmic extensions. Thus, we mimic the effort that researchers would have to invest to evaluate the quality and performance potential of algorithms. We evaluate the obtained performance and compare it to state-of-the-art existing implementations. We also analyse and compare the required programming effort. With the Julia implementations, performance in line with existing GPU implementations written in the low-level, unproductive programming language CUDA C is achieved, while requiring much less programming effort, even less than what is needed for much less performant CPU implementations in C++. Switching to Julia as the programming language of choice can therefore boost the productivity of research into medical imaging and deliver excellent performance at a low cost in terms of programming effort.
Elevated serum fibrinogen/albumin ratios in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Limon Utku , Bozkurt Erdinç , Bulut Sinan , Ilkay Betül , Akçay Sezgin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the serum fibrinogen/albumin ratios in patients with acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, and healthy control samples.

Methods

Serum fibrinogen/albumin ratios were assessed in patients with acute (Group-1, 30 eyes) and chronic (Group-2, 30 eyes) central serous chorioretinopathy, and compared with healthy control (Group-3, 30 eyes) samples.

Results

Fibrinogen/albumin ratios were significantly higher in Group-1 (104.72 ± 12.34) than in Group-2 (75.83 ± 10.06) and in Group-3 (72 ± 9.54) ( p = 0.001). No significant correlation was found between age, CMT, and BCVA with fibrinogen/albumin ratios in the Pearson correlation analysis. In the ROC curve analysis, the most appropriate cut-off value of the fibrinogen/albumin ratio for acute CSCR was ≥87.8 and the optimal cut-off value for the fibrinogen/albumin ratio for chronic CSCR was ≥68.6.

Conclusion

The fibrinogen/albumin ratio may be useful as an inflammatory biomarker to monitor the systemic inflammatory state during the treatment and follow-up in patients with acute CSCR.
Bioinformatics Analysis of Differential Gene and MicroRNA Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma: Genetic Effects on Patient Prognosis, as Indicated by the TCGA Database
Authors: Sun Bingqing , Zhao Hongwen
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To investigate the differential expression of genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and the relationship between such changes and patient prognosis.

Methods:

We analyzed the expression levels of genes and miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). We analyzed the function of the differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in a co-expression network. Finally, we performed survival analysis of differential genes and miRNAs in the co-expression network using clinical data from the TCGA database.

Results:

We successfully identified 6064 differentially expressed genes: 5324 upregulated genes and 740 downregulated genes. And we identified 161 differentially expressed miRNAs: 126 upregulated miRNAs and 35 downregulated miRNAs. We identified several genes that were related to each other in the co-expression network. Further analysis revealed that the high expression levels of G6PC, APOB, F2, PAQR9, and PAQR9-AS1 genes were associated with poor prognosis. However, there was no significant correlation between the expression of hsa-mir-122 with regards to patient prognosis.

Conclusions:

Our data showed that hsa-mir-122 and a number of related genes may affect the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma by regulating the cytoskeleton, thus promoting tumor angiogenesis and the metastasis of tumor cells. The high expression levels of some differentially expressed genes was associated with the low survival rate in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. However, the levels of hsa-mir-122 were not correlated with patient prognosis.
A Case Report of Post COVID19 Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica With Visual Loss
Authors: Mursi Ali M , Mirghani Hyder O , Elbeialy Adel A
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 shares some features of giant-cell arteritis, in which the diagnosis needs a high suspicion for prompt investigation and therapy. When the diseases coexist this might lead to diagnosis delay with grave consequences. We reported a case of a post-COVID-19 giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica with visual loss. We treated the patient with pulse methylprednisolone 1 gm daily for 3 consecutive days followed by 60 mg prednisolone for 4 weeks until normalization of ESR, and then, gradual withdrawal. Oral Paracetamol, vitamin-D3, and calcium carbonate were added to the treatment regimen. The headache continued, so, we started perineural injection therapy (PIT) once daily, for 6 sessions, at which the headache was completely resolved after the third injection. The vision was regained completely after the sixth injection.
Prognostic Value of Post First-Line Chemotherapy Glasgow Prognostic Score in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Stokke Kristin , Sandvei Marie Søfteland , Grønberg Bjørn Henning , Slaaen Marit , Killingberg Kristin T , Halvorsen Tarje O
Published: March 2022

Background:

The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is an established inflammatory prognostic index in cancer patients. Most studies have only measured GPS at baseline (B-GPS). Effective cancer therapy may reduce inflammation, and we investigated whether re-assessing GPS after first-line chemotherapy (E-GPS) provided more prognostic information than B-GPS in a phase III trial of advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods:

Glasgow prognostic score was assessed before and after carboplatin/vinorelbine chemotherapy. When assessing GPS, C-reactive protein (CRP) ⩾ 10 mg/L and albumin < 35 mg/L are defined as abnormal values. GPS 0: both values normal, GPS 1: one abnormal value, and GPS 2: both values abnormal.

Results:

Glasgow prognostic score at baseline and E-GPS were available in 138 patients. Median age was 67 years, 51% were women, and 94% had performance status 0-1. B-GPS was not a statistically significant prognostic factor (B-GPS 1 vs 0: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.9-2.0; B-GPS 2 vs 0: HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.9-2.3), while E-GPS was (E-GPS 1 vs 0: HR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.0-2.4; E-GPS 2 vs 0: HR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.7-4.5). E-GPS was associated with treatment response ( P < .01), whereas B-GPS was not.

Conclusion:

Glasgow prognostic score at baseline after first-line chemotherapy provided more prognostic information than baseline GPS in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC and was associated with treatment response.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT02004184.
Reflections on a career in Entrepreneurship Research
Authors: McElwee Gerard
Published: March 2022

This commentary is a short reflection on my work in enterprise education and entrepreneurship research, and how editing IJEI has been an important feature of one of my live I dedicate it to my son, Calum James McElwee, who died on the 31st August 2021, aged 31. A free spirit.
D-ART for collaboration in evaluating design alternatives
Authors: Alsalman Osama , Erhan Halil
Published: March 2022

Evaluating design ideas is an integral part of designing built environments. It involves multiple stakeholders with diverse backgrounds reviewing design solutions by studying their form and performance data. Although there are computational systems for supporting evaluation tasks, they are either highly specialised for designers or configured for a particular workflow with limited functions. We developed a Design Analytics method aiming at a collaborative and data-driven evaluation of alternatives in the design-evaluate-feedback cycle. Adopting this approach, we introduce D-ART as a prototype system composed of customisable Web interfaces for presenting design alternatives, enabling stakeholders to participate in data-informed discourse on alternatives and providing feedback to the design team. Its system design considers requirements gathered through literature review, critical analysis of the existing systems and collaboration with our industry partners. Finally, we assessed D-ART’s design through an expert review evaluation, which generally reported positive results on the system’s goals.
Encoding topological optimisation logical structure rules into multi-agent system for architectural design and robotic fabrication
Authors: Bao Ding Wen , Yan Xin , Xie Yi Min
Published: March 2022

Natural phenomena have been explored as a source of architectural and structural design inspiration with different approaches undertaken within architecture and engineering. The research proposes a connection between two dichotomous principles: architectural complexity and structural efficiency through a hybrid of natural phenomena, topology optimisation and generative design. Both Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimisation (BESO) and multi-agent algorithms are emerging technologies developed into new approaches that transform architectural and structural design, respectively, from the logic of topology optimisation and swarm intelligence. This research aims to explore a structural behaviour feedback loop in designing intricate functional forms through encoding BESO logical structure rules into the multi-agent algorithm. This research intends to study and evaluate the application of topology optimisation and multi-agent system in form-finding and later robotic fabrication through a series of prototypes. It reveals a supposition that the structural behaviour-based design method matches the beauty and function of natural appearance and structure. Thus, a new exploration of architectural design and fabrication strategy is introduced, which benefits the collaboration among architects, engineers and manufacturers. There is the potential to seek the ornamental complexities in architectural forms and the most efficient use of material based on structural performance in the process of generating complex geometry of the building and its various elements.
Narrative Experiences of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Küçük Öztürk Gülhan , Yüceler Kaçmaz Hatice , Öztürk Ramazan İlter
Published: March 2022

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the narrative experiences of individuals undergoing lower limb amputation. Method: This study was a qualitative study conducted using the phenomenological pattern. Using purposive sampling, 13 individuals with lower limb amputation were selected and interviewed. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: The mean age of the 13 individuals was 51.17 ± 8.7 years. Five of the individuals were female and eight of them were male. A main theme and four sub-themes were identified. This main theme together with sub-themes were Dead End ( Process of Loss, Negative Feelings, Change, Adapting to New Life). The individuals expressed mostly negative feelings and thoughts while also emphasizing the rehabilitation process (positive sides). Conclusions: Individuals with lower limb amputations stated there were positive factors affecting the rehabilitation process while emphasizing negative thoughts and feelings during the amputation process. These results can be used in planning for training, counseling and therapeutic interviews to protect the psychosocial health of individuals with lower limb amputation.
Comorbidity progression patterns of major chronic diseases: The impact of age, gender and time-window
Authors: Uddin Shahadat , Wang Shangzhou , Khan Arif , Lu Haohui
Published: March 2022

Objective

The presence of one chronic disease often leads to the development of one or more other chronic diseases. This study examines whether there are significant progressions between chronic diseases and identifies the risk factors that influence them.

Methods

This study used an administrative healthcare dataset sample from 29,280 hospitalized patients over 24 years (1995 to 2018, inclusive) to explore the progression of common chronic diseases and their major comorbidities. An Australian health insurance organization provided the dataset. We used the t-test to examine the statistical significance of progression between chronic diseases. A network analysis approach is followed to rank different chronic diseases contributing to disease progressions.

Results

We found that few chronic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases and diabetes) have a high prevalence in progressing to other chronic diseases, which is statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. These progression frequencies significantly increase with time and age. We also found that patients’ sex differently affects the disease progressions.

Discussion

This study found that some chronic diseases have a high prevalence in comorbidity progressions. In addition, the progression statistics differ with time and age. The results of this study can help researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers gain insights into the disease transitions and act as a guiding tool to assess future disease burden and plan accordingly.
Computerized adaptive testing of symptom severity: a registry-based study of 924 patients with trapeziometacarpal arthritis
Authors: Kamran Rakhshan , Rodrigues Jeremy N. , Dobbs Thomas D. , Wormald Justin C. R. , Trickett Ryan W. , Harrison Conrad J.
Published: March 2022

We aimed to develop a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) version of the 11 item Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM), using an item response theory model. This model transformed the ordinal scores into ratio-interval scores. We obtained PEM responses from 924 patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis to build a CAT model and tested its performance on a simulated cohort of 1000 PEM response sets. The CAT achieved high precision (median standard error or measurement 0.26) and reduced the number of questions needed for accurate scoring from 11 to median two. The CAT scores and item-response-theory-based 15-item PEM scores were similar, and a Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated a mean score difference of 0.2 between the CAT and the full-length PEM scores on a scale from 0 to 100. We conclude that the CAT substantially reduced the burden of the PEM while also harnessing the validity of item response theory scoring.
Device for retrieval of vena cava filter with combination of a multi-loop snare and Amplatz catheter
Authors: Matsushita Masato , Takano Masamichi , Miyauchi Yasushi
Published: March 2022

A 25-year-old woman diagnosed as having a non-massive pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis from the right superficial femoral to the right common iliac vein was treated by deployment of a DENALI® Vena Cava Filter. Filter retrieval was attempted 6 months later using a BARD snare retrieval kit. However, the conventional technique was unsuccessful because of a tilt and attachment of the filter head to the vessel wall. Hence, we passed an EN Snare Endovascular Snare System through an Amplatz Left 1 guiding catheter to successfully penetrate the attached portion of the filter hook and vessel wall. This combination provided controlled direction and a strong backup force that helped capture and retrieve the filter. This technique could be an alternative method to retrieve inferior vena cava filter with severe tilt and tight attachment to the vena cava wall when the conventional technique is unsuccessful.
Recanalized saphenous vein graft once occluded in postoperative acute period
Authors: Shirakawa Makoto , Nitta Takashi , Ishii Yosuke
Published: March 2022

A 69-year-old female with diabetes mellitus underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for old myocardial infarction and unstable angina with reduced left ventricular wall motion due to triple vessel disease. Although the saphenous vein graft was confirmed to be patent during surgery, it developed occlusion at the distal anastomotic site on postoperative first day. However, recanalization was achieved for this saphenous vein graft following the administration of direct oral anticoagulants in addition to antiplatelet therapy. Anticoagulant therapy, in addition to antiplatelet therapy, should be considered for preventing and dissolving thrombus in postoperative acute period, especially in high-risk patients for thrombotic graft occlusion.
Patient and Clinician Perspectives on the use of Remote Patient Monitoring in Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Talbot Benjamin , Farnbach Sara , Tong Allison , Chadban Steve , Sen Shaundeep , Garvey Vincent , Gallagher Martin , Knight John
Published: March 2022

Background:

Numerous factors influence patient recruitment to, and retention on, peritoneal dialysis (PD), but a major challenge is a perceived “inaccessibility” to treating clinicians. It has been suggested that remote patient monitoring (RPM) could be a means of improving such oversight and, thereby, uptake of PD.

Objective:

To describe patient and clinician perspectives toward RPM and the use of applications (Apps) suitable for mobiles, tablets, or computers to support the provision of PD care.

Design:

Qualitative design using semi-structured interviews.

Setting:

All patient participants perform PD treatment at home under the oversight of an urban PD unit in Sydney, Australia. Patient and clinician interviews were conducted within the PD unit.

Participants:

14 participants (5 clinicians [2 nephrologists, 3 PD nurses] and 9 patients treated with PD).

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted using interview guides tailored for clinician and patient participants. Transcripts were coded and analyzed by a single researcher using thematic analysis.

Results:

Six themes were identified: perceived benefits of RPM implementation (offering convenience and efficiency, patient assurance through increased surveillance, more complete data and monitoring adherence), uncertainty regarding data governance (protection of personal data, data reliability), reduced patient engagement (transfer of responsibility leading to complacency), changing patient-clinician relationships (reduced patient-initiated communication, the need to maintain patient independence), increased patient and clinician burden (inadequate technological literacy, overmanagement leading to frequent treatment changes), and clinician preference influencing patient behavior.

Limitations:

The interviews were conducted in English only and with participants from a single urban dialysis unit, which may limit generalizability.

Conclusions:

For patients and clinicians, advantages from the use of RPM in PD may include increased patient confidence and assurance, improved treatment oversight, more complete data capture, and overcoming barriers to data documentation. Careful patient selection and patient and clinician education may help to optimize the benefits of RPM, maintain patient independence, and reduce the risks of patient disengagement. The use of an App may support RPM; however, participants expressed concerns about increasing the burden on some patients through the use of unfamiliar technology.

Human Research Ethics Committee Approval Number:

CH62/6/2019-028
Methods for involvement of patients, public and users in academic nursing education: A scoping review
Authors: Tørring Rebecca Bauer , Pedersen Stinna Bibi
Published: March 2022

Involving patients, public and users in health education is currently receiving increased attention. The degree of involvement has changed over time, as have the methods used to involve these groups in nursing education. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map available didactic and pedagogical methods for patient, public and user involvement in academic nursing education. Of the initial 9294 articles identified, 21 were included. The PRISMA guideline for scoping reviews was used in the screening process. Data from the included studies were extracted and three thematic categories were identified: 1) Experts by experience, 2) Digital tools and 3) Curriculum planning and development. We identified 16 methods for patient, public and user involvement in nursing education. The findings provide an overview of these methods, which nursing educators may use.
Philosophical Thought and Educational Implication of the Ideas of Zhong (中)
Authors: Tian (田宝宏) Baohong
Published: March 2022

Highlights

The ideas of Zhong (中) have profound cultural implications beyond the Chinese character of Zhong (中) in traditional Chinese culture. This study explores the philosophical significance of Zhong for education. This study is based on the textual research of the original meanings of Zhong, its wisdom, and explanations of Zhong philosophies in Chinese rites and music culture as well as various schools of thought, including Yi-ology, Confucianism, and Daoism. Zhong has significant influence on the ancient Chinese concept of education, and its views on the field of education coincide with many contemporary educational views. Studying the educational and philosophical significance of Zhong provides important guidance and reference for current basic education reforms.
Does the Equalization of Public Services Effect Regional Disparities in the Ratio of Investment to Consumption? Evidence From Provincial Level in China
Authors: Dai Fuqiang , Liu Hao , Zhang Xia , Li Qing
Published: March 2022

Insufficient equalization of public services and coexistence of high investment and low consumption are two major dilemmas facing the high-quality development of China’s economy. This study first evaluated the level of equalization of public services by provincial panel data from 2013 to 2017. Then econometric models were constructed to investigate the effect of the equalization of public services on the regional disparities in the ratio of investment to consumption (IC). Results show that the overall level of equalization of public services in China is low and there are large regional differences. Average values of the relative level of equalization of public services show an increasing trend in order of the eastern, central, northeastern, and western regions. The ratio of IC in China also exhibits large regional differences. Public education significantly negatively affects the IC in China, and the effects exist in the eastern and central regions. The seven evaluation criteria of equalization of public services in different regions have different effects on the ratio of investment to consumption. Therefore, according to the characteristics of the relationship between the equalization of public services and the ratio of investment to consumption at the whole or regional scales, a reasonable pathway should be selected to improve the current situation of high investment and low consumption and promote high-quality and sustainable development of the Chinese economy under the new normal.
Patient Agency: Manifestations of Individual Agency Among People With Health Problems
Authors: Shim Jae-Mahn
Published: March 2022

This paper conducts a critical review of qualitative studies of the life experiences of people with health problems and proposes the notion of patient agency. It highlights that discontinuous continuity in life is the key category of life experiences around which individuals reveal agency. In particular, the paper first discovers multiple dimensions of life that individuals with illness engage in. It subsequently identifies four different manners in which discontinuous continuity in life is manifested along the multiple dimensions, such as single-dimensional rescaling, multi-dimensional shift, multi-dimensional embedding, and submission. These achievements and the remaining limitations in the medical sociology of patient agency are on a par with those in general sociological theories of individual agency. The paper proposes a set of future research agendas to expand these limits. This theory of patient agency is expected to renew approaches to how people lead their life in illness. It also suggests that patience should be a valid category of agency for general sociological imagination.
Distance Learning and Assessment During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Perspectives of Polish Medical and Healthcare Students
Authors: Przymuszała Piotr , Zielińska-Tomczak Łucja , Kłos Michał , Kowalska Angelika , Birula Paulina , Piszczek Martyna , Cerbin-Koczorowska Magdalena , Marciniak Ryszard
Published: March 2022

The abrupt transition from the traditional model of medical education to online learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented changes in the education of future healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the opinions of Polish healthcare students on the changes introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and propose recommendations for improvement. Data were collected from June to July 2020 using an online questionnaire. The results demonstrate that students were generally satisfied with the online learning solutions implemented during the pandemic and appreciated their teachers’ efforts. In their opinion, some of the solutions should also be continued after the pandemic. Students noticed positive aspects of online learning: time efficiency, bigger student-friendliness and unlimited attention from teachers, the flexibility of the learning process, better learning conditions for students, and absences due to illness and other random situations. However, they also noticed its disadvantages: problems with the Internet connection and technical aspects, attitudes of teachers, limited interpersonal relations, limited learning of practical skills, health concerns, students’ engagement and distractions at home, and assessment. To conclude, our results indicate some necessary recommendations to improve the quality of further online learning in medical schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Impact of Cultural Distance on Performance at the Summer Olympic Games
Authors: Choi Yun Hyeong , Wei Qingyuan , Zhang Luyao , Choi Seong-Jin
Published: March 2022

This article suggests that the cultural distance between participating and host countries can be a new determinant of medal performance at international sports competitions. Prior research has mainly focused on single-country variables, including population size, GDP, political system, and home advantage. This paper provides a unique perspective on the determinants of medals won at the Summer Olympic Games and argues that the gap between host and participant countries may explain the substantial variance of medal performance. Specifically, we find that countries participating in the Summer Olympic Games hosted in a culturally distant country show poor medal performance. These findings highlight the importance of a joint study between the dimensions of national culture and sports management.
Biosafety Management Risk Analysis for Clinical Departments of Military Central Hospitals in the Fujian Province of China
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , He Maihong , Lin Xian , Lin Ying
Published: March 2022

To establish biosafety risk-management guidelines for clinical departments of military central hospitals in China. Using failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), we assessed the biosafety risk priority number (RPN) of clinical departments of three military central hospitals. Nosocomial infection (NI), medical substance-associated accident (MSA), medical technology misuse (MTM), and synthetic RPN were 0.50 to 4.37, 0.50 to 2.91, 0.50 to 3.42, and 0.64 to 3.28, respectively. NI prevention investment was negatively correlated with NI risk, while NI RPN was positively correlated with MSA RPN. There were significant differences between groups of departments in synthetic and MTM RPN. NI, MSA, and MTM constitute a hospital biosafety risk. However, their risk factors are distributed differently among departments. Traditional NI prevention investment can reduce NI risk, but such investments were not effective for MSA and MTM. Targeted measures need to be taken by referring to RPN and risk levels derived from FMEA.
Linking Authentic Leadership With Employee Initiative Behavior and Task Performance: The Mediating Role of Emotional Sharing and Communication Satisfaction
Authors: Kim Jeong Sik , Park Jong Gyu , Park Hyun Jung
Published: March 2022

Our study aims to explore the process through which authentic leadership leads to employees’ initiative behavior and task performance. In particular, we focused on the mediating roles of emotional sharing and communication satisfaction. Based on data collected from 242 employee-supervisor dyads, we found that authentic leadership was significantly related to emotional sharing, which was sequentially significantly related to communication satisfaction. Communication satisfaction was significantly associated with initiative behavior and task performance. In addition, emotional sharing and communication satisfaction played significant mediating roles not only in the relationship between authentic leadership and initiative behavior, but also in the relationship between authentic leadership and task performance. The limitations and implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Craniofacial Bones and Teeth in Spacefarers: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Moussa M.S. , Goldsmith M. , Komarova S.V.
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Estimating the risk of dental problems in long-duration space missions to the Moon and Mars is critical for avoiding dental emergencies in an environment that does not support proper treatment. Previous risk estimates were constructed based on the experience in short-duration space missions and isolated environments on Earth. However, previous estimates did not account for potential changes in dental structures due to space travel, even though bone loss is a known problem for long-duration spaceflights. The objective of this study was to systematically analyze the changes in hard tissues of the craniofacial complex during spaceflights.

Methods:

Comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Scopus, the NASA Technical Report Server, and other sources identified 1,585 potentially relevant studies. After screening, 32 articles that presented quantitative data for skull in humans (6/32) and for calvariae, mandible, and lower incisors in rats (20/32) and mice (6/32) were selected.

Results:

Skull bone mineral density showed a significant increase in spacefaring humans. In spacefaring rodents, calvariae bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV) demonstrated a trend toward increasing that did not reach statistical significance, while in mandibles, there was a significant decrease in BV/TV. Dentin thickness and incisor volume of rodent incisors were not significantly different between spaceflight and ground controls.

Discussion:

Our study demonstrates significant knowledge gaps regarding many structures of the craniofacial complex such as the maxilla, molar, premolar, and canine teeth, as well as small sample sizes for the studies of mandible and incisors. Understanding the effects of microgravity on craniofacial structures is important for estimating risks during long-duration spaceflight and for formulating proper protocols to prevent dental emergencies.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Avoiding dental emergencies in long-duration spaceflights is critical since this environment does not support proper treatment. Prior risk estimates did not account for changes in dental structures due to space travel. We reviewed and synthesized the literature for changes in craniofacial complex associated with spaceflight. The results of our study will help clinicians and scientists to better prepare to mitigate potential oral health issues in space travelers on long-duration missions.
Uncovering the complexities of remote leadership and the usage of digital tools during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative diary study
Authors: Krehl Eva-Helen , Büttgen Marion
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way people work and live. More people than ever work from home. Due to the sudden changes, leaders are faced with various challenges, such as the fear of loss of control or keeping their teams motivated. In this study, we explore the daily experiences of leaders aiming to work effectively while using digital tools and working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overarching purpose of our study is to gain a better understanding about how leaders navigate the complexities of crisis-induced remote leadership by the use of digital tools by addressing the following questions: (1) Which practices do leaders use to deal with the complexities of day-to-day remote leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) How do different digital tools fit the diverse leadership practices? (3) What drives and inhibits leaders’ effectiveness in dealing with the complexities of remote leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic? To explore these research questions, we draw on longitudinal data from 155 qualitative diaries written by 31 leaders over a five-work-day period. We identify four categories of leadership practices, namely (1) solve problems collaboratively and monitor team progress, (2) create space for socialising and teambuilding, (3) make the team feel supported and encourage feedback and (4) communicate to build a virtual culture of trust. Our findings reveal that leaders demonstrate a broad repertoire of leadership practices, whereby relation orientation is more pronounced than task orientation. Moreover, leaders tend to focus on operational and team-oriented leadership practices, and they encounter the challenge of choosing the right digital tool to match their message. Our study’s results show that they use a variety of digital tools, but video conferences seem especially suitable for supporting remote leadership practices. However, several factors have impacts on remote leadership effectiveness, which we consider in the managerial implications.
A patient with scleroderma associated with severe acro-osteolysis: A case report
Authors: Zargaran Mahsa , Rostamian Atiyeh , Malek Mahrooz , Rostamian Abdolrahman
Published: March 2022

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune chronic sclerotic disease that can damage organs and cause serious complications for the patient such as musculoskeletal manifestations, Gastrointestinal involvement, pulmonary involvement, and renal disease. Acro-osteolysis is one of the musculoskeletal manifestations that causes corrosion of the bones in the fingertips of the hand and feet. In this paper, we have reported the rarely current evidence of severe Acro-osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the hands by radiological x-ray.
Clinical characteristics associated with small airways disease in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Varma Sanskriti , Yun Jae Hee , Kim John S , Podolanczuk Anna J , Patel Nina M , Bernstein Elana J
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Pulmonary manifestations of systemic sclerosis are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Small airways disease can cause dyspnea and pulmonary function test abnormalities. We aimed to determine the prevalence of small airways disease and describe the characteristics associated with small airways disease in a cohort of systemic sclerosis patients.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults with systemic sclerosis who met American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2013 classification criteria and were evaluated at our institution between November 2000 and November 2015. Patients with prior lung transplantation were excluded. Small airways disease was defined as the presence of one or more of the following: airway-centered fibrosis on surgical lung biopsy, forced expiratory volume at 25–75% ⩽ 50% on pulmonary function tests, and/or high-resolution computed tomography scan of the chest with bronchiolitis, mosaic attenuation, or air trapping on expiratory views. The primary outcome was small airways disease diagnosis. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine the association of clinical variables with small airways disease.

Results:

One-hundred thirty-six systemic sclerosis patients were included; 55 (40%) had small airways disease. Compared to those without small airways disease, a significantly greater proportion of those with small airways disease had interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. On multivariable analysis, pulmonary hypertension (odds ratio = 2.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.11–7.65, p-value = 0.03), gastroesophageal reflux disease (odds ratio = 2.70, 95% confidence interval = 1.08–6.79, p-value = 0.034), and anti-topoisomerase I (anti-Scl-70) antibody positivity (odds ratio = 0.42, 95% confidence interval = 0.19–0.93, p-value = 0.033) were associated with diagnosis of small airways disease.

Conclusion:

Small airways disease is prevalent among systemic sclerosis patients; those with pulmonary hypertension or gastroesophageal reflux disease may have a higher risk of small airways disease.
Discrimination in Educational Institutions: A Case Study of Bihar
Authors: Pandey Aviral , Kumar Awadhesh
Published: March 2022

According to the state government report, 4% of Scheduled Castes (SCs) population in Bihar is able to study up to the graduate level or above, and the representation of SC communities is negligible in senior positions in government jobs in the state. In this report, discrimination and poverty have been identified as a contributing cause for the current situation of SCs in Bihar. In this context, this study examines the level of discrimination and constraints that SCs students face at school and college levels in Bihar. The analysis done in this article is based on primary data collected from five districts, namely, Kaimur, Gaya, Siwan, Katihar and Patna of Bihar state. This study examines the level of achievements, constraints and discrimination faced by SCs students at different institution levels and identifies the reasons behind the existing situation. The study finds discrimination between SCs and Non-SCs students in case of use of service/ facilities available at educational institutions in Bihar, state. SCs students get less benefits from education, as they face problems related to classroom teaching and understanding. Considering these facts, the state government should provide free guidance/counselling, vocational training and capacity building classes to SCs students in Bihar.
Lightweight ProteinUnet2 network for protein secondary structure prediction: a step towards proper evaluation
Authors: Stapor Katarzyna , Kotowski Krzysztof , Smolarczyk Tomasz , Roterman Irena
Published: March 2022

Background

The prediction of protein secondary structures is a crucial and significant step for ab initio tertiary structure prediction which delivers the information about proteins activity and functions. As the experimental methods are expensive and sometimes impossible, many SS predictors, mainly based on different machine learning methods have been proposed for many years. Currently, most of the top methods use evolutionary-based input features produced by PSSM and HHblits software, although quite recently the embeddings—the new description of protein sequences generated by language models (LM) have appeared that could be leveraged as input features. Apart from input features calculation, the top models usually need extensive computational resources for training and prediction and are barely possible to run on a regular PC. SS prediction as the imbalanced classification problem should not be judged by the commonly used Q3/Q8 metrics. Moreover, as the benchmark datasets are not random samples, the classical statistical null hypothesis testing based on the Neyman–Pearson approach is not appropriate.

Results

We present a lightweight deep network ProteinUnet2 for SS prediction which is based on U-Net convolutional architecture and evolutionary-based input features (from PSSM and HHblits) as well as SPOT-Contact features. Through an extensive evaluation study, we report the performance of ProteinUnet2 in comparison with top SS prediction methods based on evolutionary information (SAINT and SPOT-1D). We also propose a new statistical methodology for prediction performance assessment based on the significance from Fisher–Pitman permutation tests accompanied by practical significance measured by Cohen’s effect size.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that ProteinUnet2 architecture has much shorter training and inference times while maintaining results similar to SAINT and SPOT-1D predictors. Taking into account the relatively long times of calculating evolutionary-based features (from PSSM in particular), it would be worth conducting the predictive ability tests on embeddings as input features in the future. We strongly believe that our proposed here statistical methodology for the evaluation of SS prediction results will be adopted and used (and even expanded) by the research community.
High morphological disparity in a bizarre Paleocene fauna of predatory freshwater reptiles
Authors: Brownstein Chase Doran
Published: March 2022

Background

The consequences of the K-Pg mass extinction are reflected across present biodiversity, but many faunas that appeared immediately after the extinction event were very different from current ones. Choristodera is a clade of reptiles of uncertain phylogenetic placement that have an extremely poor fossil record throughout their 150-million-year history. Yet, choristoderes survived the K-Pg event and persisted until the Miocene.

Results

I describe the skulls and skeletons of two new choristoderes from a single Paleocene ecosystem in western North America that reveal the hidden Cenozoic diversity of this reptile clade. Despite their similar size, the new species deviate dramatically in morphology. Kosmodraco magnicornis gen. et sp. nov. possesses an extremely short snout and extensive cranial ornamentation. The sacrum of K. magnicornis bears enlarged muscle attachment sites and other modifications reminiscent of some giant crocodylians. In contrast, Champsosaurus norelli sp. nov. is a longirostrine species with an uninflated and ventrally divergent postorbital skull. Together with a North American choristodere previously classified in the European genus Simoedosaurus, K. magnicornis substantiates a new clade of giant, short-snouted taxa endemic to the Americas. C. norelli is found to be an early-diverging member of the genus Champsosaurus from the Cretaceous-Paleogene of the northern hemisphere. This suggests the presence of several ghost lineages of champsosaurid that crossed the K-Pg boundary.

Conclusions

The new taxa greatly increase Cenozoic choristodere richness and strengthen the evidence for the existence of distinctive freshwater faunas in Paleogene Eurasia and North America, where this clade diversified to exploit newly available macropredatory niches in the aftermath of the asteroid impact. The new choristoderes also reveal the distinct ecological context in which extant freshwater predators of the Americas like alligatoroids and gars have their origins: Paleocene fluviolacustrine ecosystems in North America displayed high large predator diversity and morphological disparity relative to modern ones.