bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Culture: The Link to Learning Transfer
Authors: Brion Corinne
Published: April 2021

Organizations worldwide spend large amounts of money and resources on developing their employees, yet the money invested in professional learning (PL) yields low to moderate results at best. Because culture is a predominant force in people’s life, multinational corporations and other institutions should take culture into account at every stage of the PL process or they will not obtain the desired return on their investments. Despite the numerous studies on learning transfer, practitioners continue to experience challenges when it comes to altering their practices and generate better outcomes. Scholars have not yet fully taken into consideration culture when developing learning transfer models. Although some learning transfer models address transfer climate as an enhancer or a hindrance to learning transfer, none have considered the overall influence of culture on the transfer phenomenon. This article proposes a culturally grounded multidimensional model of learning transfer (MMLT). The MMLT is designed to assist practitioners and PL organizers before, during, and after the PL event. This innovative model aims at enhancing the implementation of new knowledge, skills, or behaviors in the workplace. The MMLT is based on qualitative data collected and analyzed over 6 years in educational institutions in five African nations. The model is relevant to any organizations across sectors whose aspirations are to maximize learning transfer and obtain a return on their investments that would in turn positively affect organizations’ outcomes.
Experiences of Military Veterans in a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program
Authors: Johnson Rebecca A. , Albright David L. , Marzolf James R. , Bibbo Jessica L. , Yaglom Hayley D. , Crowder Sandra M. , Carlisle Gretchen M. , Grindler Karen , Harms Nathan , Willard Amy , Wassman Marita , Russell Cynthia L.
Published: April 2021

Posttraumatic stress disorder commonly occurs among U.S. military veterans. Therapeutic horseback riding (THR) has emerged as an adjunct therapy. We explored 20 veterans’ perceived benefits, drawbacks and views of a 6-week THR program. Participants had confirmed diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or both. Veterans rode the same horse weekly, the same day, at the same time. Data were collected as part of a randomized clinical trial testing the effects of THR on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Veterans responded to an open-ended questionnaire. Content analysis was used for data analysis. Benefits were “Connection to the Horse,” “Relaxing,” “180 Degree Change,” and “Meeting New People.” Drawbacks were “None,” “Struggle to Get There,” “Pain,” “Too Short,” and “It is Structured.” Overall perceptions were “I Absolutely Loved It,” “Feel Again,” “The Horse,” “The People,” and “No Worries.” Participants viewed THR as positive. Findings may elucidate why THR may be clinically beneficial.
Longitudinal Follow-Up of Facial Growth of Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Following Modified Veau–Wardill–Kilner Palatoplasty
Authors: Iwasaki Konomi , Yamamoto Yuki Sato , Masuda Marina , Nalabothu Prasad , Ohkubo Fumio , Kadomatsu Koichi , Maki Koutaro
Published: April 2021

Objective:

To evaluate facial growth after modified Veau–Wardill–Kilner/pushback (PB) palatoplasty from childhood to adulthood in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Design:

Retrospective longitudinal study.

Setting:

Single center.

Patients:

Sixty-two (29 males and 33 females) consecutive patients with nonsyndromic UCLP.

Interventions:

Pushback palatoplasty and subsequent cleft palate treatment.

Main Outcome Measures:

Lateral and posterior–anterior cephalograms were taken at 3 different phases: phase 1 (before first-stage orthodontic treatment; N = 58; average age, 4.9 ± 1.1 years), phase 2 (before second-stage orthodontic treatment; N = 58; 15.9 ± 1.1 years), and phase 3 (after orthodontic retention; N = 51; 22.1 ± 3.2 years).

Results:

The majority of patients had skeletal class III morphology in all 3 phases due to retrognathic maxilla. Maxillary growth did not improve in phase 2 despite first-stage orthodontic treatment in phase 1. Maxillary morphology improved in phase 3 but retardation occurred, although 77.42% of patients received orthognathic surgery during second-stage orthodontic treatment. Mandibular growth was slightly reduced in phases 1 and 2 and the mandible remained retrognathic in phase 3, following mandibular setback orthognathic surgery. The horizontal occlusal cant was slightly upward and toward the cleft side with respect to the reference plane, and the upper midline was deviated to the cleft side in phases 1 and 3.

Conclusions:

Patients with UCLP who undergo phased PB palatoplasty, orthodontic treatment, and orthognathic surgeries do not maintain skeletal class I facial morphology.
Development of a Theory-Informed Behavior Change Intervention to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing of Nephrotoxins and Renally Eliminated Drugs
Authors: Kane-Gill Sandra L. , Barreto Erin F. , Bihorac Azra , Kellum John A.
Published: April 2021

Background:

Goals of managing patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) are mitigating disease progression and ensuring safety while providing supportive care because no effective treatment exists. One strategy recommended in guidelines to meet these goals is optimizing medication management. Unfortunately, guideline implementation appears to be lacking as observed by the frequent occurrence of medication errors and adverse drug events.

Objective:

To address this performance gap in the care of hospitalized patients receiving nephrotoxins and renally eliminated drugs, we sought to provide a potential intervention based on theory-informed behavior change.

Methods:

Formative research with a qualitative analysis identifying what needs to change in patient care was completed by obtaining clinician opinion and expert opinion and reviewing the published literature. Frontline providers, including 8 physicians, 4 pharmacists, and a multiprofessional group of authors, provided insight into possible barriers to appropriate prescribing. Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior model and Theoretical Domain Framework were applied to characterize behavior change interventions and inform a potential implementation intervention for changing inappropriate prescribing behaviors.

Results:

Lack of knowledge about appropriate drug management in patients at risk for adverse outcomes was provided as a major barrier. Other reported barriers included a lack of: (1) tools to assist with drug management, (2) motivation to make changes, (3) routinization, and (4) an accountable clinician.

Conclusions and Relevance:

Assigning a designated clinician to execute a stepwise, routine care process following the checklist provided is a recommended intervention to overcome barriers. The intended impact is behavior change that reduces inappropriate prescribing.
Impaired Knowledge of Social Norms in Dementia and Psychiatric Disorders: Validation of the Social Norms Questionnaire–Dutch Version (SNQ-NL)
Authors: van den Berg E. , Poos J. M. , Jiskoot L. C. , Montagne B. , Kessels R. P. C. , Franzen S. , van Hemmen J. , Eikelboom W. S. , Heijboer E. G. C. , de Kriek J. , van der Vlist A. , de Jong F. J. , van Swieten J. C. , Seelaar H. , Papma J. M.
Published: April 2021

The Social Norms Questionnaire–Dutch version (SNQ-NL) measures the ability to understand and identify social boundaries. We examined the psychometric characteristics of the SNQ-NL and its ability to differentiate between patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD; n = 23), Alzheimer’s dementia (AD; n = 26), chronic psychiatric disorders ( n = 27), and control participants ( n = 92). Between-group differences in the Total score, Break errors, and Overadhere errors were examined and associations with demographic variables and other cognitive functions were explored. Results showed that the SNQ-NL Total Score and Break errors differed between patients with AD and bvFTD, but not between patients with bvFTD and psychiatric disorders. Modest correlations with age, sex, and education were observed. The SNQ-NL Total score and Break errors correlated significantly with emotion recognition and verbal fluency but not with processing speed or mental flexibility. In conclusion, the SNQ-NL has sufficient construct validity and can be used to investigate knowledge of social norms in clinical populations.
Enduring Cell Lines: Parents’ Experiences of Postmortem Tumor Banking in Childhood Cancer
Authors: Moules Nancy J. , Laing Catherine M. , Pelletier Wendy , Guilcher Gregory M. T. , Chan Jennifer A.
Published: April 2021

While cure rates in pediatric oncology have improved over the past 30 years, childhood cancer remains the second leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 14. Developing therapies often require using cancerous tissues, which may come from deceased donors. Tumor banks collect, store, and distribute these donated samples. While tumor banking is more common, factors that contribute to parents’ decision and the impact of it on the family are not well understood. The purpose of this hermeneutic study was to understand the meaning and impact of tumor banking for parents of children who have died from cancer. Findings suggest that parents donating their child’s tumors unexpectedly found a sense of meaning in their loss. They also found a legacy of their child’s life; the living cells in some ways assisted the parents with grief. Aspects of this sensitive conversation and decision are discussed from the perspective of the parents’ experiences.
Proportional control moment gyroscope for two-wheeled self-balancing robot
Authors: Ünker Faruk
Published: April 2021

A two-wheeled self-balancing robot is considered for investigating the responses of a control moment gyroscope powered by a proportional controller to prevent the robot rollover against the constant inertia forces because of accelerations of the wheels of the robot. The amplitudes of the frequency equations related to the required angular momentum of flywheels with an optimum controller gain were also found. A simulation model of the robot using computer-aided engineering software (RecurDyn) is built to verify the equations of a Lagrangian model. The results of both obtained from the Lagrangian and that from RecurDyn simulations are analyzed comparatively, in which the proportional control loop reduces the required flywheel speeds Ω of gyros and keeps the robot in a very small amplitude of a stable sinusoidal motion in the upright position.
Social Cohesion and Informal Social Control as Mediators Between Neighborhood Poverty and Child Maltreatment
Authors: Maguire-Jack Kathryn , Yoon Susan , Hong Sunghyun
Published: April 2021

Neighborhoods have profound impacts on children and families. Using structural equation modeling and data from 4,898 children in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, the current study examines the direct and indirect effects of neighborhood poverty on the likelihood of being maltreated at age 5. Two neighborhood social processes, social cohesion and informal social control, were examined as mediators. The study found that neighborhood poverty was indirectly related to physical assault and psychological aggression through its impact on social cohesion, and indirectly related to neglect through its impact on informal social control. The results highlight the need to reduce poverty across communities and increase social cohesion and social control as potential pathways for interrupting the impact of neighborhood poverty on maltreatment.
“Failing” and Finding a Filipina Diasporic Scholarly “Home”: A De/Colonizing Autoethnography
Authors: Batac Monica Anne
Published: April 2021

In this article, I trace my childhood to doctoral-level educational experiences as a first-generation student and second-generation Filipina Canadian. I reveal my liminal position and unfixed location as a Filipina diasporic scholar, continuously searching for an intellectual or scholarly home. Here, home includes a sense of identification in different disciplines and institutions, as well as belonging to a Filipino scholarly community. I also highlight recurrent and ongoing tensions with various forms of knowledge production. I illustrate de/colonizing autoethnography as method, process, and product.
The Year 2020 in Review: Noteworthy Literature for Thoracic Transplant Anesthesiologists
Authors: Abrams Benjamin A. , Wilkey Barbara
Published: April 2021

The year 2020 was a monumental year in medicine, and this review focuses on selected articles for cardiothoracic anesthesiologists and perioperative physicians involved in the care of heart and lung transplant patients. In the field of lung transplantation, significant strides were made in our knowledge of risk stratification during the preoperative assessment of potential recipients, perioperative transfusion medicine, and the administration of coagulation factor concentrates. In addition, variations in perioperative management and outcomes between institutions were studied across an assortment of metrics regarding lung transplantation, including case volumes and anesthetic practices. Transitioning to topics in the field of heart transplantation, consideration was given to recipients with adult congenital heart disease, and separately, approaches to expanding the donor pool through donation after circulatory death. With regard to preoperative support, outcomes for the total artificial heart as well as the MitraClip as bridges to transplantation were published.
Temporal Brokering: A Measure of Brokerage as a Behavioral Process
Authors: Quintane Eric , Wood Martin , Dunn John , Falzon Lucia
Published: April 2021

Extant research in organizational networks has provided critical insights into understanding the benefits of occupying a brokerage position. More recently, researchers have moved beyond the brokerage position to consider the brokering processes (arbitration and collaboration) brokers engage in and their implications for performance. However, brokering processes are typically measured using scales that reflect individuals’ orientation toward engaging in a behavior, rather than the behavior itself. In this article, we propose a measure that captures the behavioral process of brokering. The measure indicates the extent to which actors engage in arbitration versus collaboration based on sequences of time stamped relational events, such as emails, message boards, and recordings of meetings. We demonstrate the validity of our measure as well as its predictive ability. By leveraging the temporal information inherent in sequences of relational events, our behavioral measure of brokering creates opportunities for researchers to explore the dynamics of brokerage and their impact on individuals, and also paves the way for a systematic examination of the temporal dynamics of networks.
A Multilevel Analysis of Factors Associated with Childhood Diarrhea in Ethiopia
Authors: Sahiledengle Biniyam , Teferu Zinash , Tekalegn Yohannes , Zenbaba Demisu , Seyoum Kenbon , Atlaw Daniel , Chattu Vijay Kumar
Published: April 2021

Background:

Childhood diarrhea is the major contributor to the deaths of children under the age of 5 years in Ethiopia, but evidence at the national level to identify the contributing factors associated with diarrhea by considering the clustering effects is limited. Hence, this study aimed to identify factors associated with childhood diarrhea at the individual and community levels.

Methods:

A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2011 and 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. A total of 23 321 children with their mothers were included in this study, and multilevel logistic regression models were applied for the data analysis.

Results:

The odds of diarrhea among female children were 13% lower (AOR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79-0.94) compared with male children. The odds of diarrhea among children aged between 13 and 24 months were 31% higher than (AOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.17-1.47) their younger counter parts. Children aged ⩾25 months (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.45-0.56), those whose mothers were unemployed (AOR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87), and children live in households between 2 and 3 under-5 children (AOR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79-0.96) were associated with lower odds of experiencing diarrhea. The odds of diarrhea among children whose mother had no formal education were 49% higher than (AOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.08-2.07) their counterparts. Besides, children residing in city administrations (AOR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.58-0.82) had lower odds of experiencing diarrhea than children living in agrarian regions.

Conclusions:

At the individual level (sex and age of the child, mother’s employment status, and educational level, and the number of under-5 children) and the community-level (contextual region) were found to be significant factors associated with childhood diarrhea in Ethiopia.
COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: What we have learnt by February 2021
Authors: Achiron Anat , Dolev Mark , Menascu Shay , Zohar Daniela-Noa , Dreyer-Alster Sapir , Miron Shmuel , Shirbint Emanuel , Magalashvili David , Flechter Shlomo , Givon Uri , Guber Diana , Stern Yael , Polliack Michael , Falb Rina , Gurevich Michael
Published: April 2021

Background:

Since vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became available, risks related to vaccinating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) need to be carefully assessed.

Objective:

Characterize safety and occurrence of immediate relapses following COVID-19 vaccination in a large cohort of MS patients.

Methods:

We assessed the safety of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in adult MS patients.

Results:

Between 20 December 2020 and 25 January 2021, 555 MS patients received the first dose of BNT162b2 vaccine and 435 received the second dose. There were three cases of COVID-19 infection encountered after the first dose. Safety profile of COVID-19 vaccine was characterized by pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. No increased risk of relapse activity was noted over a median follow-up of 20 and 38 days after first and second vaccine doses, respectively. The rate of patients with acute relapse was 2.1% and 1.6% following the first and second doses, respectively, similar to the rate in non-vaccinating patients during the corresponding period. Mild increase in the rate of adverse events was noted in younger patients (18–55 years), among patients with lower disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ⩽3.0), and in patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs.

Conclusion:

COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine proved safe for MS patients. No increased risk of relapse activity was noted.
Embodying the culture of achievement: Culture between illness and perfection is a ‘thin line’ – obtaining the ideal female body as an act of achievement
Authors: Dilling Josefine , Petersen Anders
Published: April 2021

In this article, we argue that certain behaviour connected to the attempt to attain contemporary female body ideals in Denmark can be understood as an act of achievement and, thus, as an embodiment of the culture of achievement, as it is characterised in Præstationssamfundet, written by the Danish sociologist Anders Petersen (2016) Hans Reitzels Forlag . Arguing from cultural psychological and sociological standpoints, this article examines how the human body functions as a mediational tool in different ways from which the individual communicates both moral and aesthetic sociocultural ideals and values. Complex processes of embodiment, we argue, can be described with different levels of internalisation, externalisation and materialisation, where the body functions as a central mediator. Analysing the findings from a qualitative experimental study on contemporary body ideals carried out by the Danish psychologists Josefine Dilling and Maja Trillingsgaard, this article seeks to anchor such theoretical claims in central empirical findings. The main conclusions from the study are used to structure the article and build arguments on how expectations and ideals expressed in an achievement society become embodied.
COVID-19 pandemic: Impacts on mothers’ and infants’ mental health during pregnancy and shortly thereafter
Authors: Vardi Noa , Zalsman Gil , Madjar Nir , Weizman Abraham , Shoval Gal
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a global crisis, with profound implications on public mental health. The current review focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of mothers and their infants during pregnancy and shortly after delivery. Literature shows that in similar disaster situations, mothers’ stress reaction and mental health have a critical impact on infant development. Research data on perinatal mental health during the current COVID-19 pandemic is reviewed in conjunction with studies on the relationship between maternal stress, infant development, and psychopathology. Recommendations for perinatal mental health enhancement are discussed and topics for future research suggested.
(Un)masking threat: Racial minorities experience race-based social identity threat wearing face masks during COVID-19
Authors: Kahn Kimberly Barsamian , Money Emma E. L.
Published: April 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, racial minorities in the United States were left in a double bind when deciding to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the virus: risk being racially profiled or risk COVID-19. Two studies examine Black and Asian individuals’ experiences of race-related social identity threat wearing face masks during COVID-19, and its impact on safety and health behaviors. Black, Asian, and White participants in the United States responded to surveys (S1: N = 776; S2: N = 534) on their experiences wearing masks early in the pandemic (May 2020) and 3 months later (August 2020). Across both studies, results indicated that, compared to White individuals, Black and Asian participants reported experiencing mask-related, race-based social identity threat from both the public and police, with Black individuals particularly concerned about mask-related threat in police interactions. Mediational analyses demonstrated that mask-related social identity threat led to avoidance of police when help was needed at both time points, and decreased face mask usage early in the pandemic for both Black and Asian people. Results highlight these unique social identity concerns faced by racial minorities and have implications for protecting racial minorities’ health and safety during the pandemic.
A novel method for measuring tooth angulation in permanent mandibular second molars with delayed tooth eruption
Authors: Soganci Ahmet Ertan , Akbulut Ayse Selenge , Sahin Gokcen
Published: April 2021

Objective:

To investigate the effect of angulation of permanent mandibular second molars (MM2) on eruption problems and investigate a new method of measuring MM2 angulation for the diagnosis and evaluation of delayed tooth eruption (DTE) for easy use in dental practice.

Design:

Retrospective study.

Setting:

Department of Orthodontics, Necmettin Erbakan University.

Participants:

A total of 98 patients aged 9–18 years.

Methods:

Patients with 64 permanent MM2s with delayed eruption problems were included in the study group. The control group consisted of patients with 83 normally erupted teeth. In addition, a sub-group, consisting of 23 patients showing unilaterally delayed eruption of the same teeth, was set as a split-mouth group. All patients with unilateral delayed eruption of second molar teeth were selected from the study group to form the sub-group. Angulations of permanent MM2s were measured on panoramic radiographs with two measurement methods: (1) a new method; and (2) a previously accepted method. The comparison of the study and control groups was performed by Mann–Whitney U-test and the split-mouth group was analysed with the paired t-test. The P value was set at 0.05 for statistical significance.

Results:

Measurements of the tooth angulation values of the study group were significantly higher than in the control group for both measurement methods ( P < 0.001). In addition, in the split-mouth group, angulation values of delayed eruption side were significantly higher than the erupted side ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Increased angulations of permanent MM2s could be associated with delayed eruption problems of these teeth. This new method could be useful in clinical dentistry to determine the eruption evaluation of lower second molars.
Becoming a Leader: Emergence of Leadership Style and Identity
Authors: London Manuel , Sherman Gary D.
Published: April 2021

This conceptual paper presents a model for understanding how new leaders’ styles of leadership emerge and self-identity changes. New leaders’ interpersonal orientation, power motivation, and regulatory focus along with organizational expectations are predicted to influence their beliefs about how to exert power and their motivation to lead (MTL). New leaders’ power beliefs, MTL, and perceptions of situational needs affect their engaging in transactional and transformational behaviors. This is the emergence of leadership style and the development of identity as a leader. Over time, new leaders’ behaviors, outcomes, and identity formation alter their power beliefs and MTL. This model suggests directions for human resource development research and practice supporting new leader development and building a culture of leadership consistent with the organization’s expectations.
Direct Primary Care: A Successful Financial Model for the Clinical Practice of Lifestyle Medicine
Authors: Mechley Amy R.
Published: April 2021

Primary care has been shown to significantly decrease the overall cost of a population’s health care while improving the quality of each person’s well-being. Lifestyle medicine (LM) is ideally positioned to be delivered via primary care and has been shown to improve short- and long-term health outcomes of patients and populations. Direct primary care (DPC) represents a viable alternative to the fee-for-service reimbursement model. It has been shown to be economically and financially sustainable. Furthermore, it has the potential to fulfill the Quadruple Aim of health care in the United States. LM practiced in a DPC model has the potential to transform health care delivery. This article will discuss the need for health care systems change, provide an overview of the DPC model, demonstrate a basic understanding of the benefits, and review the steps needed to de-risk the investment of time, money, and resources for our future DPC providers.
Comparing the efficacy of endovascular treatment for iliac vein compression syndrome with or without acute deep venous thrombosis: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Tu LK , Nie ML , Fu J , Liu FY , Chen YK , Sun JM , Wang HY
Published: April 2021

Background

To compare the efficacy of endovascular treatment for iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) with or without acute deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 300 IVCS patients, who received endovascular treatment between January 2013 and December 2017. According to whether IVCS was complicated by deep venous thrombosis or not, these patients were divided into non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion group (NIVL group, n = 127) and post-thrombotic iliac vein lesion group (PIVL group, n = 173). After endovascular treatment, all patients were followed up to assess the symptoms improvement and to evaluate the patency of iliac vein.

Results

The technical success rate was 98% (294/300), and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was adopted in 294 cases. The incidence of perioperative complications was 36.33% (109/300), but no severe complications occurred. During a mean follow-up of 22.3 months (range 6–30 months), 9(6.82%, 9/132) patients in PIVL group had recurrence of deep venous thrombosis, but nobody had deep venous thrombosis and varicose veins recurrence in NIVL group. The effective rate of endovascular treatment in NIVL group and PIVL group was 96.88% and 90.15% ( P =  0.050), while the cumulative primary patency of iliac vein in NIVL group was significantly higher than that in PIVL group ( P =  0.008).

Conclusions

The endovascular treatment is an effective, feasible, safe method for treating IVCS. There is no difference in the efficacy of IVCS patients with or without deep venous thrombosis, but the medium and long-term patency of patients with deep venous thrombosis is lower than that in patients without deep venous thrombosis.
A comprehensive approach to complementary and alternative medicine usage among patients from a vascular department
Authors: Cuen-Ojeda Cesar , Hinojosa Carlos A , Contreras-Yáñez Irazú , Elenes-Sánchez Erika , Rosas-Ríos Casandra , Méndez-Sosa Miguel A , Ballinas-Sánchez Angel , Pascual-Ramos Virginia
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies had been described in patients with disabling, chronic and painful conditions; these characteristics define the majority of vascular surgery (VS) entities. A lack of disclosure about CAM use from patients has been universally cited and may impact effective patient–doctor communication. Our primary objective was to describe CAM use, modalities, perceived benefits, safety, and associated factors among adult patients attending a VS outpatient clinic; we additionally explored patient’s attitudes about CAM disclosure with their primary vascular surgeon.

Methods

This cross-sectional study invited 223 consecutive outpatients to an interview where the ICAM-Q (International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire) and the PDRQ-9 (Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire-9 items) were applied. In addition, sociodemographics, vascular disease and treatment-related information, comorbidity, and disease severity characteristics were obtained. Appropriated statistics was used; multiple logistic regression analysis identified factors associated to CAM use. All statistical tests were two-sided, and a p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. IRB approval was obtained.

Results

Patients recruited were primary females (69%) and had a median age of 65 years (54–75). Most frequent vascular diagnoses were chronic venous insufficiency (36.2%) and peripheral artery disease (26%). There were 104 (46.6%) patients who referred CAM use, primarily self-helped practices (96%), and use of herbal, vitamins, or homeopathic medicines (23.7%). Overall, the majority of the patients perceived CAM modalities helpful and 94.6% denied any adverse event. Female sex (OR: 1.768, 95% CI: 0.997–3.135, p = 0.051) and hospitalization during the previous year (OR: 3.173, 95% CI: 1.492–6.748, p = 0.003) were associated to CAM use. The majority of the patients (77%) agreed about CAM disclosure with their primary vascular surgeon; meanwhile, among CAM users, up to 54.9% did not disclose it, and their main reasons were “Doctor didn’t ask” (32%) and “I consider it unnecessary” (16%). The patient–doctor relationship was rated by the patients with high scores.

Conclusions

CAM use is frequent and perceived as safe and beneficial among VS outpatients; nonetheless, patients do not disclose CAM use with their primary vascular surgeons, and a wide range of reasons are given by the patients that prevent effective and open communication.
The role of diagnostic ultrasound imaging for patients with known prostate cancer within an active surveillance pathway: A systematic review
Authors: Parker Pamela , Twiddy Maureen , Whybrow Paul , Rigby Alan , Simms Matthew
Published: April 2021

Background

The use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) within active surveillance of prostate cancer programmes is identified by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE guideline NG 131 2019) as having a role for monitoring disease. The widespread demands on mpMRI capacity may limit its use in surveillance. It is therefore timely to review the options that modern ultrasound imaging present to this cohort of patients in the monitoring of prostate cancer.

Methods

Between April and September 2020, 10 databases were searched to recruit studies for the review. Three reviewers evaluated the publications for inclusion. Characteristics including the inclusion criteria for the study cohort, how disease was determined, identification of disease progression, and the modality and mode of imaging used were reviewed. Given the paucity of full text articles, a meta-analysis was not possible. A narrative review was undertaken.

Results

In total, 12 studies, utilising the range of ultrasound parameters of B-mode, micro-ultrasound, colour Doppler, contrast ultrasound and elastography were included. The review demonstrated that micro-ultrasound offers promise as an imaging tool comparable with mpMRI. However, this is an emerging technology with limited availability. Analysis of the data further demonstrated that by combining the diagnostic features provided by multiple modes reviewed, ultrasound has a role in the diagnostic imaging of patients on active surveillance.

Conclusion

Providing a multiparametric approach is utilised, stable ultrasound findings may allow for increased intervals between biopsy for men on surveillance. The advent of micro-US offers promise as an imaging modality within an active surveillance pathway but requires further verification.
Fault diagnosis method of peak-load-regulation steam turbine based on improved PCA-HKNN artificial neural network
Authors: Wu Yifan , Li Wei , Sheng Deren , Chen Jianhong , Yu Zitao
Published: April 2021

Clean energy is now developing rapidly, especially in the United States, China, the Britain and the European Union. To ensure the stability of power production and consumption, and to give higher priority to clean energy, it is essential for large power plants to implement peak shaving operation, which means that even the 1000 MW steam turbines in large plants will undertake peak shaving tasks for a long period of time. However, with the peak load regulation, the steam turbines operating in low capacity may be much more likely to cause faults. In this paper, aiming at peak load shaving, a fault diagnosis method of steam turbine vibration has been presented. The major models, namely hierarchy-KNN model on the basis of improved principal component analysis (Improved PCA-HKNN) has been discussed in detail. Additionally, a new fault diagnosis method has been proposed. By applying the PCA improved by information entropy, the vibration and thermal original data are decomposed and classified into a finite number of characteristic parameters and factor matrices. For the peak shaving power plants, the peak load shaving state involving their methods of operation and results of vibration would be elaborated further. Combined with the data and the operation state, the HKNN model is established to carry out the fault diagnosis. Finally, the efficiency and reliability of the improved PCA-HKNN model is discussed. It’s indicated that compared with the traditional method, especially handling the large data, this model enhances the convergence speed and the anti-interference ability of the neural network, reduces the training time and diagnosis time by more than 50%, improving the reliability of the diagnosis from 76% to 97%.
Chronic cough in children
Authors: Scott Katie
Published: April 2021

A chronic cough in children is defined in the British Thoracic Society guidelines as a cough of 8 weeks or more. The aetiology of a chronic cough in children differs from adult populations, due to decreased cough reflex control in children, differences in airway anatomy and physiology, and immunological and neurological maturation changes. The three most common causes of chronic cough in adults (asthma, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and upper airway cough syndrome) account for less than 10% of the causes in children. Thus, it is important to assess and manage chronic cough in children differently.
The role of social prescribers in wales: a consensus methods study
Authors: Roberts T , Lloydwin C , Pontin D , Williams M , Wallace C
Published: April 2021

Aims:

Social prescribing continues to grow and change across healthcare services in Wales; however, research of the day-to-day performance of social prescribers is limited. This study aimed to explore which roles are perceived to be the most important and frequently used by social prescribers in Wales and compare these results to reports in studies of services in other countries in order to support future role development and potential standardisation.

Methods:

This study used the Group Concept Mapping via the Concept Systems Global Max™ software to collect and analyse all data from both participants and literature.

Results:

There was a total of 101 statements generated (119 participants, 84 literature) ranging from generic interpersonal skills to specialised training (cognitive behavioural therapy). These statements were then sorted by conceptual similarity into seven clusters (Providing a Specialist Service, Working in a person-centred way, Skills, Connecting Clients with Community, Collaborative Working, Evaluating and postprogramme duties, and Networking/Community). Statements were rated based on their perceived importance and frequency, with the ‘Skills’ cluster having the highest overall average and ‘Providing a Specialist Service’ having the lowest.

Conclusions:

Reports indicate that in general there is variation in the roles performed by individual participants in Wales; however, greater variation was observed between participants and literature suggesting geographical divergence in practice. In the top 12 highest rated statements for both frequency and importance, individualistic traits such as empathy and ‘being a listener’ are favoured over specialised methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy and behaviour change taxonomy. Results suggest that local need plays a part in the choices and performance of social prescribers and as such should be considered in future standardisation.
The Russian factor in EU security policy and transatlantic relations
Authors: Cimoszewicz Włodzimierz
Published: April 2021

Understanding Russia’s foreign policy requires an examination of Putin’s domestic incentives. Nationalism has been cynically instrumentalised to prop up the current regime. By combining it with, among other things, the malicious deployment of modern communication techniques on an unprecedented scale, Russia has been able to project power at home and abroad. However, Putin’s actions have had unintended consequences, and together with the arrival of a new US administration, the EU is presented with an opportunity to devise new solutions—making use of both the carrot and the stick. Re-establishing transatlantic unity and cooperation should not be an end in itself but rather be used as an avenue to implement policies to strengthen European security, some of which would also prove beneficial to Russia.
Association Between Management of Continuous Subcutaneous Basal Insulin Administration and HbA1C
Authors: Rubin-Falcone Harry , Fox Ian , Hirschfeld Emily , Ang Lynn , Pop-Busui Rodica , Lee Joyce M. , Wiens Jenna
Published: April 2021

Background:

While we expect that patients who adjust their insulin delivery algorithms between clinic visits to have better glucose control compared to those who do not, this effect has not been quantified.

Method:

This is a single-center retrospective cohort study including pediatric and adult patients with type 1 diabetes evaluating insulin pump self-management behaviors. Basal insulin dose information was obtained from the Glooko-Diasend database, and used to quantify the frequency and magnitude of basal insulin daily dose adjustments within the 90-day window preceding HbA1c measurement. We use a linear mixed-effects model to analyze associations between frequency/magnitude of daily basal insulin changes and HbA1c.

Results:

We present data on 114 adult (44 ± 17 years, 60% female) and 212 pediatric (12 ± 4 years, 50% female) patients. Individuals changed their basal insulin dose on 72%-94% (interquartile range [IQR]) of observed days relative to the previous day. These changes varied 0.6%-2.4% IQR from the previous day’s value. In pediatric patients, lower HbA1c was associated with more frequent daily profile adjustments, while controlling for rate of hypoglycemia (z = -3.2, P = .001). In adults, there was no relationship between HbA1c and magnitude or frequency of basal profile adjustments.

Conclusions:

Pediatric patients who frequently modify their basal insulin exhibit somewhat better clinical outcomes, although the magnitude by which their basal amount is changed does not contribute to this effect.
Serum C-Reactive Protein Is Negatively Associated With Olfactory Identification Ability in Older Adults
Authors: Ekström Ingrid , Vetrano Davide Liborio , Papenberg Goran , Laukka Erika J.
Published: April 2021

Importance

Olfactory deficits are common in aging and associated with several conditions linked to inflammation. A few studies suggest that increased concentration of pro-inflammatory biomarkers may be related to olfactory deficits, but these associations are understudied in population-based samples.

Objective

To investigate the association between serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and olfactory identification level as well as rate of change in aging.

Methods

We included 1,721 participants (mean age 70.5 years; 61.9% female) with at least two olfactory assessments across the 12-year follow-up. Baseline level and change in odor identification were estimated with linear mixed models as a function of CRP levels, derived from blood plasma at baseline.

Results

Results indicated a negative dose–response association between CRP level and odor identification scores at baseline, after adjustment for demographic, cognitive, health, and lifestyle factors. CRP levels ranging between 11 and 20 mg/L were significantly related to lower olfactory ability (β = −0.811, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−1.503 to −0.118]; p = .022). Likewise, CRP values above 20 mg/L were related to lower olfactory scores, an association that approached statistical significance (β = −0.996, 95% CI [−2.045 to 0.054]; p = .063). We found no associations between CRP and olfactory change ( ps > .368). Sensitivity analyses showed that associations between CRP and olfaction were confined to younger participants (age ≤72 years) and men ( ps < .034).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a negative association between serum CRP levels and olfactory identification ability in aging that may be dependent on age and sex.
Scientific literacy, public engagement and responsibility in science
Authors: Reddy Daya
Published: April 2021

This work addresses the issue of scientific literacy and its connection to the responsibility of scientists in relation to public engagement. The points of departure are, first, the notion of science as a global public good, and, second, developments in the past few decades driven largely by the digital revolution. The latter lend a particular urgency to initiatives aimed at promoting scientific literacy. Arguments are presented for reassessing approaches to public communication. The particular example of genome editing is provided as a vehicle for highlighting the challenges in engagement involving the scientific community, policymakers and broader society.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumer Economy: Countermeasures Analysis
Authors: Mohsin AKM , Hongzhen Lei , Hossain Syed Far Abid
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic will change China’s macroeconomic environment in terms of total demand and total supply in the next one to two quarters. The article compares the economic environment at present and that of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) to define the potential influence of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The potential impact on the macroeconomy includes the slower growth of consumption and investment, fluctuation of prices, and the contraction of export and import. The policy environment will also change in terms of monetary and fiscal policy, which will affect firms’ financing and tax paying. The impact on the consumer economy will be large. First, three modes of the influence on different types of retail industries include moderate, positive, and negative. The epidemic accelerates the revolution of business patterns in China, since the no-man delivery, sinking market, and indoors economy have emerged as the new powers in changing the business models. In general, although the impact of the epidemic on consumption seems comparatively the largest, the “compensatory consumption” can alleviate it to some extent.
Ayushman Bharat: Service Adoption Challenges in Universal Healthcare System
Authors: Pandey Neeraj , Jha Sumi , Rai Vaibhav
Published: April 2021

The Ayushman Bharat, the universal healthcare scheme in India, faced service adoption challenges after its launch in 2018. It was an enigma for the top management in Ayushman Bharat regarding slower service adoption of a free mass healthcare coverage scheme by the target population. The case focuses on the service adoption challenges from patient and physician perspectives while implementing a universal healthcare system. It provides insights to policymakers, physicians, service operations managers, and healthcare administrators regarding managing the universal healthcare system’s implementation challenges in a developing country context.

Research questions/Objective:

This study aims to understand service adoption challenges in a universal healthcare system setting. The study explores the following research questions: How is service adoption theory applied in a universal health coverage program? What should be the integrated marketing communication plan to improve the awareness about a universal healthcare program?

Links to theory:

The study uses service adoption theory. It analyzes service adoption challenges for the universal healthcare system in India called Ayushman Bharat. It also uses literature on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model.

Phenomenon studied:

The case study uses pan India patient and physician data to explore service adoption issues in Ayushman Bharat - a universal healthcare scheme in India.

Case context:

The primary data collected through the field (hospital) visits and interaction with patients and physicians of Ayushman Bharat form the basis of this case study.

Findings:

The study emphasizes on performance expectancy, ease in availing of the service, positive social influence, and facilitating conditions for service delivery of Ayushman Bharat. The Ayushman Bharat scheme’s performance expectancy means how being a healthy individual would contribute to better performance at the workplace. The effort expectancy is the level of ease an eligible Ayushman Bharat scheme can avail the service at the empanelled hospital. The social acceptance of the Ayushman Bharat scheme by friends, peers, and people in the vicinity would create a positive social influence. The facilitating conditions in the Ayushman Bharat scheme are the government’s capacity to provide organizational and technological infrastructure to support this universal healthcare program.

Discussions:

The use of service adoption theory and the UTAUT model to enhance the adoption of the universal healthcare system in India have been discussed in the case study.
Can family firms nurture socioemotional wealth in the aftermath of Covid-19? Implications for research and practice
Authors: Firfiray Shainaz , Gomez-Mejia Luis R
Published: April 2021

Family firms are the most prevalent form of economic organization in the world, but despite their reputation for resilience and agility, many of them are facing enormous challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In this essay, we examine how the pressures to respond to this health emergency are affecting the ability of family firms to preserve their socioemotional wealth (SEW). In addition, we also provide implications for family business research in a post-Covid world.

JEL CLASSIFICATION: M10; M53; M54; L200; L210